Motor Sport Special Edition – Best of Road Cars, 2026

Motor Sport Special Edition – Best of Road Cars, 2026

Summary

Andrew Frankel drives 2025's most iconic cars again in Motor Sport's Best of Road Cars 2026 special edition — from the Porsche Cayman GTS at 4.0 litres of naturally aspirated glory to the electric Alpine A290 that swept Car of the Year awards — as the magazine argues we have already lived through peak car and the Aston Martin Vanquish V12 proves the combustion-engined GT is not dead yet.

Frankel covers 12 cars across 48 pages. The Porsche Cayman GTS (page 4) is called "a riot on the road." The Mercedes G580 electric G-wagon (page 8) "jumps the shark." The BMW M4 CS (page 12) prompts a rethink of the 911. The Morgan Supersport (page 24) finally drives as good as it looks. Bentley's Bentayga Speed (page 28) retains its bite. The Land Rover Defender OCTA First Edition (page 40) is tested at 160,000 GBP. The Aston Martin Vanquish V12 (page 44) is glorious. Fiat and Renault (page 48) make desirable small electric cars again. The peak-car essay (page 33) argues the best years are behind us.

This special edition covers the same ground as Motor Sport's Road Cars of 2025 but with updated presentation and some different entry selections.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Porsche Cayman GTS

p.4 · 2025 Porsche Cayman GTS
Frankel reviews the 4.0-litre flat-six Cayman GTS, praising its throttle response, chassis balance and naturally aspirated character. He recommends the manual gearbox and standard suspension options. Enthusiasts get a final-generation specification guide.

p.12 · 2025 BMW M4 CS
Frankel tests whether the M4 CS should make buyers reconsider the 911. He reports 550 bhp, all-wheel drive and a 3.4-second 0-60 time but notes steering feel has declined. Performance car buyers get a head-to-head comparison.

▸ Electric & Future

p.8 · Mercedes G580
The electric G-wagon gets a sceptical review. Frankel questions whether electrifying a 1970s military vehicle makes sense while acknowledging quad-motor off-road capability and 280-mile range.

p.36 · Alpine A290
The electric hot hatch's Car of the Year credentials are tested. Frankel finds that 215 bhp and front-wheel drive provide genuine hot-hatch character with an acceptable simulated engine note.

p.48 · Fiat and Renault Small EVs
Frankel praises the new generation of desirable small electric cars, naming the Renault 5 E-Tech as the class leader for driving dynamics.

▸ British Engineering

p.24 · Morgan Supersport
The aluminium-chassis Morgan is named the most improved car of 2025. The BMW 3.0-litre straight-six and improved handling justify the brand's revival.

p.40 · Land Rover Defender OCTA
At 160,000 GBP, the twin-turbo V8 OCTA is tested for its Nurburgring lap time and off-road capability. Wealthy SUV buyers get a value comparison with standard Defender.

p.44 · Aston Martin Vanquish
The 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 Vanquish is praised as the last true Grand Tourer. Frankel argues it outclasses the Bentley Continental GT for driver engagement.

▸ Opinion

p.16 · Were They Really So Bad?
Frankel reassesses the Austin 1300 GT, Rover 75 and Maestro, arguing they were better than their reputations suggest.

p.33 · The Era of Peak Car
Frankel argues that 2015 represents the peak of affordable, pure driver's cars and that the combination of electrification, weight gain and regulation means the era will not return.

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Editor's Take

This special edition is essentially a re-release of the Road Cars of 2025 content with minor presentation changes. The Cayman GTS, Vanquish and Morgan reviews are Frankel at his best — opinionated, technically informed and recommendation-ready. The G580 review remains the weakest entry. The peak-car essay is worth re-reading. The production quality is high with consistent photography. The value proposition depends on whether the reader already owns the Road Cars of 2025 edition; if they do, there is little new here.

Strengths
• Frankel's writing quality remains consistently high
• Production and photography are excellent
• Peak-car essay rewards re-reading

Weaknesses
• Substantially duplicates the Road Cars of 2025 content
• No new cars added to differentiate this edition

Verdict: Selective read — Only if you missed the Road Cars of 2025 edition; otherwise duplicate content.

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