Supercars

In a world of adventure bikes screaming about their off-road prowess from the highest, most inaccessible mountain peak, the V-Strom 800RE sneaks up on you.

It’s surprisingly capable, unexpectedly effective, and more entertaining than it has any right to be.

The V-Strom 800RE’s punchline is the 776cc parallel-twin engine. It’s an absolute gem, delivering more low-down torque than you expect. It’s smooth, surprisingly punchy, and makes overtaking an absolute delight.

Not all that long ago, the prerequisites of a 4x4 were a bit different to how they’re seen today. SUVs came with a massive lump up front, questionable road manners and an off-road ability that was borderline military. But as with most things automotive, the definition has evolved. What was once seen as a very muddy, very rugged and very agricultural pursuit is now something altogether more nuanced.

It’s universally accepted that supercar ownership remains the stuff of dreams for many and a hard-earned reality for the few. But perhaps the time has come to readdress that narrative? Audi certainly thinks so and their latest RS e-tron GT makes a compelling argument that the supercar moniker is an open definition.

If you are the kind of person who likes to make a statement, look no further. The BMW R18 Roctane is a retro cruiser that blends classic BMW heritage with a distinctive old-school, bagger style. It's part of the R18 family, a range of distinctive motorcycles known for their imposing presence and the largest boxer engine BMW has ever produced. 

The engine is the defining characteristic of the R18 series. It boasts a massive 1,802 cc and is an air/oil-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine. 

Power Moves: The Van That Shifted My Life (Literally)

The Ford Explorer was a legend at shifting my 10,000-book collection, but what about the real beasts—like a 7-seater sofa, or a chest of drawers that could double as a panic room? That’s where the all-electric Ford E-Transit L3H2 van came in. Spoiler alert: it was magnificent.

So how do you truly test the mettle of Ford’s all-electric Explorer? Morocco’s dunes? Too cliché. A cross-continent expedition? Predictable. No, we decided on the ultimate endurance test: moving house. Six bedrooms, a two-car garage’s worth of gear, four kids, one wife (non-negotiable), and—just for fun—a 10,000-book collection. Challenge accepted. And remarkably? The Explorer not only took it all in stride, it did it with a bit of swagger.

Aston Martin is a brand that has weathered war, bankruptcy, Bond and a barrage of reinventions more times than is strictly sensible and yet it continues to craft machines that blend utter menace with majesty. The new DBX S, the flagship of Aston’s ever-growing SUV range, is the latest expression of that enduring brilliance. A luxury bruiser that can tow a horsebox, out-drag most sports cars and serenade your ears with a burbling V8 soundtrack.

The Destination: French Alps

Rather than flying to the Alps for our annual ski trip, my father and I decided to test drive the most recent Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - with its upgraded 2.9-litre bi-turbo 513bhp V6.

It all started at 10 AM on a Friday morning. The car - our "beautifully bright red beast" for the journey - was delivered, gleaming and rumbling with promise.

There are moments in the motoring calendar that feel less like a product launch and more like a change in the weather. Not a dramatic thunderclap, but something more subtle, a shift in the atmosphere that hints at what’s coming. Such was the feeling earlier this week, when Ferrari quietly, but with the kind of quiet only Ferrari can muster, revealed the 296 Speciale.

If you was thinking of going electric ten or even 5 years ago, the EV car market was a bit of a closed shop when it came to options. But that was then and this is now, and the savvy consumer gets a choice of pretty much everything from nippy city superminis to versatile 7-Seat SUVs (and everything in between).

In this roundup, we'll explore some of the standout electric cars making waves this year, as well as a few alternative selections that might not quite live up to the hype. So, let's dive into the electrifying world of 2025's EVs and see which ones spark joy.