Motor Sport Special Edition – Road Cars of 2025

Summary

Andrew Frankel drives 12 of 2025's most iconic cars in Motor Sport's Road Cars of 2025 special edition, from the Porsche Cayman GTS that proves natural aspiration still thrills at 4.0 litres to the electric Alpine A290 that swept Car of the Year awards, while asking whether we have already lived through the era of peak car.

Frankel's reviews cover distinct segments. The Porsche Cayman GTS (page 4) is called "a riot on the road" with its 4.0-litre flat-six. The Mercedes G580 electric G-wagon (page 8) "jumps the shark" in its electric conversion. The BMW M4 CS (page 12) prompts the question of whether it is time to rethink the 911. A nostalgic feature (page 16) asks whether the Austin 1300 GT, Rover 75 and "talking" Maestro were really so bad. Frankel reflects (page 21) on whether a driver in their sixties still needs a fast car. The Morgan Supersport (page 24) is praised as finally driving as good as it looks. The Bentley Bentayga Speed (page 28) retains its bite. The peak-car argument (page 33) argues the best years are behind us. The Alpine A290 (page 36) is tested for fun factor. The Land Rover Defender OCTA First Edition (page 40) is reviewed at 160,000 GBP. The Aston Martin Vanquish (page 44) gets a V12 verdict. Fiat and Renault (page 48) make desirable small electric cars again.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / 2025 Road Cars

p.4 · 2025 Porsche Cayman GTS
Frankel reviews the 4.0-litre flat-six Cayman GTS, praising its natural-aspiration response, its chassis balance and its position as the last of the pure mid-engined sports cars before electrification. He compares it directly to the 911 Carrera on price and driving experience. Buyers get his spec recommendation: manual gearbox, no adaptive dampers.

p.12 · 2025 BMW M4 CS
Frankel asks whether the M4 CS should make buyers rethink the 911, citing its 550-bhp twin-turbo straight-six, its rear-biased all-wheel drive and its 3.4-second 0-60 time. He notes the steering feel lacks the hydraulic connection of the BMW M cars from a decade ago. Performance car buyers get his verdict on M4 CS versus 911 Carrera.

▸ Electric Revolution

p.8 · 2025 Mercedes G580
The electric G-wagon gets a sceptical review. Frankel argues that converting a 1970s military vehicle to electric power solved a problem nobody had, while acknowledging the quad-motor setup provides genuine off-road capability. He reports 280-mile real-world range.

p.36 · Alpine A290 Hot Hatch
The electric A290 swept Car of the Year awards but Frankel tests whether it is actually fun to drive. He reports that the 215-bhp front-wheel-drive layout provides genuine hot-hatch character and that the simulated engine note is surprisingly acceptable. Hot-hatch fans get a verdict on whether electric fun is real.

p.48 · Fiat and Renault Small Electric Cars
Frankel reviews the new generation of desirable small electric cars from Fiat and Renault, arguing they have rediscovered the charm that made the original Fiat 500 and Renault 5 icons. He names the Renault 5 E-Tech as the class leader for driving dynamics. City car buyers get his top recommendation.

▸ British Engineering

p.24 · 2025 Morgan Supersport
The Morgan Supersport is reviewed as finally driving as good as it looks. Frankel reports on the aluminium chassis improvements, the BMW-sourced 3.0-litre straight-six and the craftsmanship quality that justifies the price. He names it the most improved car of 2025.

p.40 · Land Rover Defender OCTA First Edition
At 160,000 GBP, the OCTA is reviewed as a GT3-inspired off-roader. Frankel tests its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, its 6D Dynamics suspension and its ability to lap the Nurburgring faster than a hot hatch. Wealthy SUV buyers get a verdict on whether the OCTA justifies its price premium over a standard Defender.

p.44 · Aston Martin Vanquish V12
The 2025 Vanquish is called glorious. Frankel reports on the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12's character, the GT-focused ride quality and the interior craftsmanship. He argues it is the last of the true V12 Grand Tourers. Grand-tourer buyers get his verdict on Vanquish versus Bentley Continental GT.

▸ Opinion

p.16 · Were They Really So Bad?
A nostalgic look back at the Austin 1300 GT, Rover 75 and the "talking" Maestro. Frankel argues that these British cars were better than their reputations suggest and deserve reassessment.

p.21 · Do You Need a Fast Car in Your Sixties?
Frankel reflects on whether driving fast still matters as drivers age, concluding that the right fast car at any age provides a connection to the road that no autonomous vehicle will replicate.

p.33 · Bad News: The Era of Peak Car
Frankel argues that we have already lived through the era of peak car — the convergence of affordable performance, mechanical purity and driver engagement that may never return. He names 2015 as the peak year.

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Editor's Take

Andrew Frankel is Motor Sport's strongest asset and this special edition gives him free rein across 12 reviews — the result is the most cohesive single-author road-car collection the magazine has produced. The Cayman GTS review is authoritative; the peak-car essay is genuinely provocative. The Mercedes G580 review is the weakest entry — Frankel's scepticism about electric off-roaders is clear but the piece lacks the driving detail of the other reviews. The nostalgic Austin/Rover/Maestro piece is fun but too brief. The Alpine A290 review is well judged — it takes the electric-hot-hatch question seriously. The production quality is high with consistent photography throughout. At 48 pages it feels substantial without overstaying its welcome. The cover price is not listed in the content but the production values suggest premium pricing.

Strengths
• Frankel's 12-review collection is a coherent single-author work
• Cayman GTS review is definitive
• Peak-car essay is genuinely provocative

Weaknesses
• G580 review lacks driving detail
• Nostalgia piece is too short for its subject

Verdict: Recommended — Frankel at his best; essential for anyone buying a sports car in 2026.