Life on Mars sequel - the cars

1981 Audi Quattro was the first car to feature the Ingolstadt firm’s four-wheel drive system mated to a turbocharged engine

Filming has begun on Ashes to Ashes – the eagerly-anticipated follow-up to BBC One’s smash hit Life on Mars – but this time, it’s set in the ‘80s.

Vijay Pattni takes a look at the car driven by DCI Gene Hunt and some classic motors from the era.

BBC One’s Life on Mars starred John Simms as DCI Sam Tyler who found himself transported back into the 70s after a hit and run accident – surrounded by lots of tasty ‘70s motors, including the Ford Cortina.

The follow-up Ashes to Ashes is set in 80s London and features DCI Alex Drake, a female detective from the 21st Century who is kidnapped along with her daughter. But in a daring attempt to escape, she suffers a terrible accident and finds herself in London in 1981, working alongside a certain no-nonsense police officer from Manchester…

Here are the cars we can expect to see in the new series.

Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is the car DCI Gene Hunt, played by Phil Glenister, drives in Ashes to Ashes.

One of the most famous Audis, the 1981 Audi Quattro was the first car to feature the Ingolstadt firm’s four-wheel drive system mated to a turbocharged engine.

And DCI Hunt’s Quattro should serve him well on the mean streets of 80s London – the car was an instant success on the rally stage and won a host of competitions, and became one of the most successful rally cars.

DeLorean DMC-12

Famous for its starring role in the Back to the Future trilogy, the time-travelling DeLorean is a fitting addition to the new series.

Sporting a 170bhp V6 engine, the DMC features a chassis tuned by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and an Italian-designed body with those famous gull-wing doors.

Just 23 right-hand drive models were reportedly made for the UK and DCI Hunt would probably be lucky to own one – the company went bankrupt in 1982.

Jaguar XJ (Series III)

One of the most recognisable – and iconic – British cars, the third generation Jaguar XJ featured a subtle redesign by famed Italian design house Pininfarina.

And sitting underneath the bonnet was an engine befitting Hunt’s aggressive nature – a raucous 5.3-litre V12 producing 285bhp.

Rover SD1

British Leyland’s answer to the Ferrari Daytona, the Rover SD1 was warmly received by the British public.

Slotted underneath the huge nose was one of Rover’s finest – a 3.5-litre V8 engine.

And although the consensus was growing for more sophisticated machinery, the SD1 – in typical Hunt fashion – shunned convention and opted for a live rear axle and drum brakes.

Ford Cortina (Mark V)

The Ford Cortina featured in Life on Mars and was a regular on the streets of Britain in the early 80s – it was the UK’s best selling car of 1981.

BBC documentary Arena even devoted an entire episode to celebrate the Ford’s popularity.

Click here for our Ashes to Ashes slide show