__autoload is deprecated

[JimMackin]

Bug report

The __autoload function used in variants/variant.php is deprecated and due to be removed. Further it can cause issues if a part of the code requires the PHP Mailer library bundled with the codebase as this will unintentionally remove the autoloader.

Expected behaviour

Requiring the PHPMailer library should not impact variant code.

Actual behaviour

Requiring the PHP Mailer library breaks any calls to unloaded Variant classes

Steps to reproduce

require_once(l_r('objects/mailer.php')); in any core file could trigger this. For me requiring the mailer inobjects/members.php cause variants to break.