You won’t find many admirers of the four-cylinder Emira. Can Lotus right the wrongs of the AMG-plucked powertrain with the 420 Sport?

Well, we sent Sam Sheehan to the firm’s HQ in Hethel for a spin around its legendary test circuit. Spoiler alert: it’s definitely an improvement over the launch car, but is it enough to make you overlook a used Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, Alpine A110R or even a V6 Emira? 

As ever, there’s a buying challenge to get stuck in to, with one PHer looking for a retirement car (or a small collection) for a £100,000 budget. 

Finally, it’s into the PistonHeads forums for a look through the ‘cars that ended their makers’ thread.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

5:17 Lotus Emira 420 Sport review

33:41 £100k three-car garage

53:28 Cars that ended their maker

SAM’S CARS:

Bentley Flying Spur: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20830469 

Lotus Elise S2 135 Sport Edition: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/auction/20648926 

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20451290 

CAM’S CARS:

Toyota GR Yaris: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/auction/20817295 

Alpina D3 S Touring: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20672506 

TVR Chimaera: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20600685

TOPICS:

Lotus Emira 420 Sport review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-lotus-emira-420-sport-ph-review/51452

£100k retirement garage: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2068070 

Cars that ended their manufacturer: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2052313&i=0

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Rehashed 964 Porsche 911s aren't the only restomods available these days. From rallied-up Mk2 Escorts to plush Land Rovers, Cam and Sam check out the restomod roster on the PistonHeads Auctions and Classifieds. 

With so many cars featuring on their shortlist, there's just enough time to squeeze in a buying challenge. This week, the two try to find a GT that can both cruise down to the South of France and set your trousers on fire on the right road. All for just £45,000. 

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters: 

0:00 Intro

0:10 Sam and Cam garage updates

14:14 The best used restomods you can buy right now

45:54 £45k fast GT challenge

TOPICS:

The best used restomods: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-six-of-the-best/restomods-to-try-before-you-die--six-of-the-best/51206

£45k challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2146181

CARS:

Cam’s Aston Martin Vanquish: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20032811 

Sam’s Mercedes C63 AMG 507: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20751724 

FOLLOW US: 

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It may not have an actual turbo, but Renault’s new ‘supercar’ slips and slides just like its predecessors. But is it just as fun without an engine?

From new cars that look old to old cars that look new, Sam takes the Gunther Werks F-26 for a spin around Goodwood, before wrapping up with a £20,000 fast estate buying challenge. 

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:13 Co-driving in a Toyota Rally1 car with Jari-Matti Latvala

5:28 Gunther Werks F-26 track review

23:59 First passenger ride in the Renault 5 Turbo 3E

43:17 £20k fast estate challenge

TOPICS:

Gunther Werks F-26 review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-gunther-werks-f-26-ph-review/51421 

Renault 5 Turbo 3E from the passenger seat: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/riding-shotgun-in-the-555hp-renault-5-turbo-3e/51429 

£20k fast estates: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2145832 

CARS:

Cam’s Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Shooting Brake: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20480486 

Sam’s Subaru Impreza Wagon: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20726617 

Fresh from Goodwood Festival of Speed, we round up the biggest stories from one of the most important events on the automotive calendar. 

From the future of the Alpine A110 and the exciting new Toyota GR GT, to ultra-fast EV charging, a forgotten McLaren F1 test car powered by a Lamborghini V12, the new McLaren 788 HS and our dream picks from the Cartier lawn, we unpack everything we discovered at this year's Festival of Speed.

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

0:00 Intro

1:42 Alpine A110 combustion comeback?

7:13 Toyota GR GT first look

21:19 Denza 1,500kW charging

28:10 Goodwood FoS roundup

40:54 Cartier Lawn challenge

TOPICS:

Alpine A110: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/us-market-driving-combustion-alpine-a110-decision/51407 

Toyota GR GT: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-japanesecars/toyota-not-ruling-out-rs-version-of-new-gt3-rival/51402 

Mclaren 788 HS: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/new-mclaren-788hs-is-extraordinary-finale/51398 

Denza fast-charging: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/new-denza-z-promises-1604hp-for-163-142k/51405 

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It’s been two years in the making, but we’re the first in the UK to get our hands on one of only 200 examples built worldwide. Are pair of special diff settings and a carbon wing enough to justifying spending £80k for one on the used market? 

Also in this episode of The Gassing Station, Sam drives the new Porsche Taycan e-shift, hot hatches, sports saloons and fast coupes go against each other in a £25k challenge, and the two dig through your unpopular car opinions. 

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:37 GR Yaris Ogier Edition

10:58 Porsche Taycan E-Shift

32:57 £25k challenge

51:56 Unpopular car opinions

TOPICS:

Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2024-toyota-gr-yaris-ogier-edition--ph-review/51349

Porsche Taycan E-Shift review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-porsche-taycan-e-shift--ph-review/51350

£25k Renault Clio RS 220 replacement: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2144277

Unpopular car opinions: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2143433 

CARS:

Sam’s Renault Megane RS 300: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20342025 

Cam’s VW Golf GTI Clubsport: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20006344 

FOLLOW US: 

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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

BMW's new M Concept Neue Klasse isn't just a glimpse into the next M3 - it's practically the finished article.

In this episode, Cam and Sam break down everything they learned from the M Concept's world premiere at Le Mans, detailing the massive differences between the upcoming electric and combustion versions.

Then the two dive into a classic £1,500 cheap car challenge before wrapping things up with a troubling story on the frustrating decline of convertible sales and why there's no sign of a rescue mission anytime soon.

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

11:35 BMW M Concept Neue Klasse

34:03 £1,500 cheap car challenge

52:54 Where have all the convertibles gone?

Topics:

BMW M Concept: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/le-mans-debut-for-bmw-m-concept-neue-klasse/51299

Fun for £1,500: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2144944

Convertible sales down: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2144467 

Cam’s MG TF: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20573202 

Sam’s Audi A4: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20598036 

FOLLOW US: 

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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

What happens when you're let loose inside Girardo & Co with an unlimited budget to build the ultimate two-car garage? 

As you may now, Girardo & Co is one of the most prestigious car sellers in existence, with a showroom packed full of unobtainium that only a handful of the world's wealthiest individuals can afford. Fortunately, they invited PistonHeads along for an evening of story telling, food munching and podcasting for our new and exclusive club: 98 Collective.

Here's how it all went down...

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:26 Welcome Girardo’s Peter Macalpine!

10:00 What’s in stock at Girardo?

21:09 What is Girardo & Co?

25:25 How’s the collector market looking for classics and modern classics?

39:25 Two car buying challenge

48:00 Cars that are as good to drive as everyone says they are, and ones that aren’t

FOLLOW US: 

🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

What if BMW put the E46 M3 Touring into production? Cam and Sam explore the ultimate automotive what-ifs, starting with Petroyle's incredible restomod before exploring the greatest concept cars that never made production. 

Then it's on to a £60,000 premium seven-seater challenge, pitting Sam’s plush Bentley Bentayga against Cam’s sensible diesel BMW X7. Finally, they hit the forums to look at the controversial car designs that actually aged surprisingly well.

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:38 Petroyle M3 Touring

10:54 Best concepts that never made production

38:02 Premium seven seaters for £60k

53:11 Designs you once hated but now love

TOPICS: 

Petroyle BMW M3 E46 Touring: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/petroyle-bmw-m3-touring-e46--uk-review/51256 

Seven seaters for £60k: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2141150

Car designs you once hated but now love: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2143140&i=0 

CARS:

Sam’s Bentley Bentayga: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20253335

Cam’s BMW X7: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20235464

FOLLOW US: 

🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

The biggest car story of the year? Quite possibly. Cam and Sam take a closer look at the new Ferrari Luce, the company’s first-ever EV, and dissect everything from its controversial styling and radical interior to the reaction from the PH community.

Then it's onto a £30k sports car buying challenge, replacing a 981 Porsche Cayman and Honda S2000 with a single car, before debating the car features we simply couldn’t live without. Air conditioning is only the beginning...

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:58 We need to talk about the Ferrari Luce

37:43 Two into one sports cars for £30k

52:09 Car features you cannot live without

TOPICS: 

Ferrari Luce: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/omfg-ferrari-luce-kicks-off-new-ev-era/51238 

2 into 1 sports car for £30k: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2140415  

Car features you cannot live without: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2143094 

CARS:

Sam’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20139454  

Cam’s Lotus Exige S2: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/auction/20474735  

FOLLOW US: 

🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

We drive two of the wildest hypercars ever built: the original Gumpert Apollo and the outrageous Apollo Intensa Emozione. From GT1-inspired aero and twin-turbo V8 power to a naturally aspirated Ferrari-derived V12, we compare two very different takes on the Apollo name — and ask what other hypercars £3 million could buy.

We also discuss life with the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake EV, tackle a practical performance car buying challenge, and share stories of the cars that got away. Which sale do you still regret?

🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions

🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:37 Mercedes CLA electric

9:28 Gumpert Apollo vs Apollo IE

28:55 £22k practical performance cars

47:41 cars you regret selling

TOPICS: 

Apollo drives: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/apollo-intensa-emozione-vs-gumpert-apollo/51203 

Practical performance car for £22k: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2140711 

The one that got away: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2139413 

CARS:

Sam’s Mercedes CLS 63: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19625888 

Cam’s BMW 340i Touring: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20392260 

FOLLOW US: 

🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads