We're still working our way through the many, many announcements from Monterey Car Week. Some were good, some were bad, and handful were downright meh, so we've picked out the cars that caught our for all the right and wrong reasons. 

On top of that, this week's buying challenge comes from a PHer looking to replace their Maserati GranSport with a slightly less temperamental sports car for £60,000.

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

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

8:41 Monterey Car Week highlights!

10:40 Porsche 911 Flachbau RS

15:23 Louis Vuitton Singer 911

18:15 Lamborghini Revuelto Super Veloce

22:24 Koenigsegg CCGT1

29:15 Aston Martin Valen

33:45 £60k sports car challenge

50:37 Land Rover Defender Dakar

54:28 McLaren MCL 6GT

57:01 GMA S1

TOPICS:

Porsche 911 Flachbau RS: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/porsche-flachbau-rs-resurrects-slantnose-911/51566 

Louis Vuitton Singer 911: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/new-singer-collab-typifies-art-of-travel/51547 

Lamborghini Revuelto Super Veloce: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/1065hp-revuelto-super-veloce-breaks-cover/51563

Koenigsegg CCGT1: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/koenigsegg-ccgt1-celebrates-gt1-moonshot/51554 

Aston Martin Valen: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/aston-martin-valen-is-provocative-850hp-supercar/51558 

Land Rover Defender Dakar: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/road-legal-defender-dakar-is-635hp-pinnacle/51561

McLaren MCL 6GT: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/new-mclaren-mcl-6gt-gets-first-manual-since-f1/51556

GMA S1: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/gordon-murray-goes-back-to-future-with-new-s1/51555

£60k sports car challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2148411 

CARS:

Sam’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20782041 

Cam’s Porsche Boxster (987) Spyder: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20492537 

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Straight from our live stage at this year’s PistonHeads Annual Service, three-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner and victor at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, Johnny Herbert, gives us a glimpse in the development of the Lola T70S and what’s in store for the upcoming T70GT road car.

Herbert also talks about this year’s highly controversial Formula 1 regulations, the emergence of Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence at Ferrari, and what the made the Mazda 787B so challenging to drive at Le Mans.

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

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:58 F1 2026 so far

7:04 The rise of Kimi Antonelli

9:54 Lewis Hamilton racing beyond 40

11:16 Lola T70S deep dive

15:31 Difference between the original T70 and new T70S

18:55 T70GT road car

20:22 How has Johnny led development

21:49 Will Johnny return to racing?

22:22 Sustainable fuel

23:37 How it compares to the Mazda 787B

26:19 Formula E in 2027

28:16 Johnny’s best racing cars

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The Maserati GranTurismo has always been a left-field choice. Can the new Trofeo finally take the fight to the Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT?

A 590hp V6, sharper looks and tweaks to the chassis certainly help, but has Maserati done enough to justify the Trofeo's £151,650 price tag?

Meanwhile, one PHer is looking to sell their Mk3 Ford Focus RS to buy a cheaper, daily performance car for £10,000. And finally, Cam and Sam read through stories of PHers being reacquainted with their old cars.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:33 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo review

33:48 £10k daily performance car

56:10 Seeing your old cars in the wild

TOPICS:

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-maserati-granturismo-trofeo--ph-review/51472 

£10k all-rounder: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2146029 

Seeing a car you used to own: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2146539 

CARS:

Sam’s Jaguar XF 3.0: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20644452 

Cam’s Honda Accord Euro R: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20330910 

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 

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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 

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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 

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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

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