The Gassing Station

You’ll know him as the man who walked away from a crash that left him lying unconscious on the tarmac during the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, but there’s more to Martin Donnelly’s astonishing career than that fateful day at Jerez. Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Donnelly was taken under the wing of Eddie Jordan early in his career, rising up the ranks through Formula 3 and Formula 3000 before landing a seat in Formula 1. He’d race for Arrows at the tail end of 1989 before landing a full-time drive with Lotus in the glorious-sounding but woefully-slow Type 102, which was powered by a Lamborghini V12. His career would come to a grinding halt at that year’s Spanish Grand Prix in a crash so shocking it would service as the basis for 2024’s F1 movie. With a book on the way, Donnelly joins us on The Gassing Station to talk about everything from vomiting in his race helmet on the way to victory in Macau to receiving gift baskets from his new best mate Brad Pitt.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsCHAPTERS:0:00 Intro0:44 Is Martin a car enthusiast?6:11 Thoughts on modern F112:58 How Martin got into racing19:0 Working with Eddie Jordan27:25 Winning Macau with a hangover38:14 Formula 3000 with EJ49:00 Group C1:02:59 That crash in Jerez1:06:17 The call from Lewis Hamilton…FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

It may not look all that different to the old car, but the last combustion-only Mercedes C-Class has been heavily updated for 2027. But is it enough to take on the BMW’s overhauled 3 Series?Both combustion versions start on an even footing, as they’re actually based on their predecessor’s platforms while the EV alternatives get their very own architecture. But that’s where the similarities end, as the new 3 Series gets all-new looks, an all-new interior and, crucially, a straight-six at the top of the range. The Mercedes, meanwhile, still resembles the car that came before, but it’s been refined to the nth degree. Can it take on the might from Munich? Sam Sheehan’s driven it to find out. Meanwhile, one PHer is looking for a seven seater for £6,000 (though we’ve upped the budget to £7k because it sounds better) and there’s the small matter of a flying Tesla Roadster that took the internet by storm for all of five minutes. Chapters:0:00 Intro00:17 Fleet update11:30 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class review (the combustion one)34:19 7 seaters for £7,00051:28 so the Tesla Roadster can fly…TOPICS:Mercedes-Benz C-Class review: 7 seaters for £7k (ish): https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2150928 Tesla Roadster: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/of-course-the-new-tesla-roadster-can-fly/51794 CARS:Cam:Audi Q7: www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20218912Mercedes GL: www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20932855 Seat Alhambra: www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20841265 Sam:One-owner Disco 3, 79k miles https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21009787One-owner 39k miles (!) Ford S-Max https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20961310BMW X5 40d https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21079846FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

Both production versions are now out, and the public reaction could not be more different. Which ultra-controversial luxury EV did it best?You’d think if anyone could pull off an EV, it’d be Ferrari. A company that has been knocking out hit after hit for decades, and enlisted the help of Sir Jony Ive, designer of the iPhone and many other earth-shattering Apple products, to pen the looks. But after a seismic rebrand that garnered the world’s attention and split enthusiasts right down the middle, Jaguar’s new Type-01 electric car looks to have actually won over some of the naysayers, while the Ferrari Luce remains just as controversial now as it did during its unveiling back in May. We’ve seen both in the metal here at PistonHeads, and we have some opinions…Chapters:0:00 Intro5:38 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door SUV11:14 Jaguar Type-01 vs Ferrari Luce36:30 £40k fast SUV challenge51:13 Has PH been won over by the Type-01 and Luce?TOPICS:Jaguar Type-01: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/production-jaguar-type-01-is-officially-here/51759Ferrari Luce: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/blog/seeing-things-in-a-different-luce--ph-footnote/51748 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door SUV: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/new-1169hp-mercedes-amg-gt-gunning-for-cayenne/51799 £40k fast SUV challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2151036CARS:Cam’s Mercedes-AMG GLE 63: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21185503Cam’s Alfa Romeo Stelvio: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20936327Cam’s Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20830443 Sam’s: Audi RS Q3: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20899282 Sam’s Porsche Macan GTS: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20997318Sam’s Bentley W12: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21064426

You can’t blame Renault for doing a good job with the R5, nor can you blame them for following it up with the R4, the Turbo 3E and rebooted Twingo. But now everyone wants a piece of the action, and it’s getting a bit much…For instance, this year’s Paris Motor Show, Peugeot unveiled an electric e-T16 to preview the next e-208 and, presumably, go up against the aforementioned Turbo 3E, alongside a revived, all-electric version of the RCZ. Vauxhall, meanwhile, showed off its retro-style STX Concept in all its bread van glory, while Citroen has finally brought back the 2CV as an ‘affordable’ electric car. Even Alpine’s going all retro again with its A310 2+2 concept. At least Alfa Romeo is going against the grain with its Cuorerosso packing a fresh look at V6 power. Granted, there have been no stinkers from a busy Paris show so far, but are we getting tired of all these retro EVs? Chapters:0:00 Intro0:18 Elfyn Evans is a WRC champion at last!8:23 Paris Motor Show highlights38:44 Sports cars for all budgets 56:50 Have we had enough of these retro EVs?TOPICS:Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-italian-cars/alfa-back-in-v6-business-with-stunning-cuorerosso/51777Citroen electric 2CV: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/citroen-confirms-new-electric-2-cv-for-2028/51773Alpine A310 concept: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/alpine-resurrects-major-icon-with-a310-vision/51778Peugeot e-t16: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/wild-816hp-e-t16-hints-at-hot-peugeot-future/51775Vauxhall STX Concept: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/striking-stx-concept-previews-vauxhall-ev-future/51772Best sports cars for very specific circumstances: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2151581 CARS:Cam’s TVR Tuscan S: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20655256Cam’s BMW M3: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21177841 Cam’s Alfa Romeo GTV: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20552046 Sam’s Honda NSX: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17885318 Sam’s Renaultsport Megane R26.R: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20814199Sam’s Toyota MR2: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21031780 FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the lightweight British sports car had gone the way of the dinosaurs, but there are still plenty of brands keeping the dream alive.Among them is Zenos. Formed by a group of former Lotus and Caterham engineers, the company released its skeletal E10 around a decade ago to take on the mighty Elise and Seven. Despite critical acclaim, the E10 didn't sell enough to keep the company afloat and it entered administration in early 2017. It's now back with a massively overhauled E10 RZ - and a massively inflated price tag.There's also a £25k buying challenge, where we try to find interesting alternatives to Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsChapters:0:00 Intro4:54 What’s going on at Zenos?19:11 £25k cars to last a decade39:01 Where are all the lightweight British sports cars?TOPICS: Zenos E10 RZ: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2025-zenos-e10-rz-prototype--ph-review/50481 Up to 25,000£ what car are you buying to own 15 years?: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2150497 CARS:Sam’s Nissan 370Z: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20948693 Cam’s Hyundai i20 N: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19574132FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

The Bentley Torcal may not be the world’s first luxury EV, but it could open the floodgates for others to follow.You can argue all day about who came up with the first, though it’d be hard to argue against the Rolls-Royce Spectre. The company was once famous for its buttery-smooth V12s now selling battery-powered coupes in droves, so it’s little wonder why Bentley has followed suite. Of course, the Torcal uses the same underpinnings as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q6 e-tron, and in S guise can put out up to 888hp and go from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. That’s supercar performance from a 2.8 tonne SUV. With the Torcal joining the Spectre in the ultra-plush electric club, it does make you wonder whether luxury buyer interest in highly-intricate combustion engines has all but vanished. Good thing, then, you can still pick up a big luxury barge with a big wafty engine for peanuts these days, with this week’s challenge featuring a V8 BMW 7 Series and a Maserati Quattroporte for well under £10k. 🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsChapters:0:00 Intro3:51 news roundup8:24 Bentley Torcal32:03 £8k luxury barge challenge48:17 Does the Torcal look like a Jaecoo? TOPICSBentley Torcal: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/all-new-bentley-torcal-officially-revealed/51709£8k barges: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2149484 CARS:Sam’s Bentley Arnage: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20743818 Cam’s Lexus LS460: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/21000451FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

It’s been many, many decades, but the Jensen Interceptor name is back. Only this time, it’s a humungous, track-only V8 luxury barge. Confused?You should be, because track-only specials are typically based on light, mid-engined supercars rather than four-door coupes the size of a canal boat. But it ticks a lot of boxes, like a 973hp supercharged V8, Nitron dampers and a wing that put a Pikes Peak car’s to shame. A road-going Interceptor GT (which is actually a four-door) and track-inspired GTR are due to join the range later down the line, which makes Jensen International Automobile’s approach to the Interceptor’s revival quite unusual. One that does, however, make a bit more sense when looking at the big picture…On top of that, Sam’s been to Germany to drive the new VW ID Polo, there’s a £15k retro car buying challenge to tuck into a forum thread on future cult cars to sift through.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsCHAPTERS:0:00 Intro8:11 Jensen Interceptor GTX32:30 70s and 80s coupe challenge53:22 Future cult classicsTOPICS:Jensen Interceptor GTX: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonheads/oof-973hp-jensen-interceptor-gtx-revealed/51639 £15k retro car challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2149467Future cult classics: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2149824. CARS:Cam’s Ford Capri: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20954774 Sam’s Rover SD1: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17802028 FOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

We’ve been expecting a V8-engined CLE for some time now, but we weren’t expecting it to look like this. Probably because the 646 Spezialanfertigung is the next in Merc’s Mythos ultra-limited range, with production capped at just 30 units. It’s a radical looking thing that looks almost like AMG’s take on the Ford Mustang GTD. Up front is the new and improved M117 Evo V8, now with a flat-plane crank, which puts out a stonking 646hp to the rear wheels. With the four-pot C63 now resigned to the history books, could the 646 signal a return to eight-cylinder C and E-Classes?On top of that, we’ve got a £30k retirement car buying challenge featuring a stunning Aston Martin DB9 and a Jaguar XKR, and we take a look at all the big engines that join AMG’s V8 in the Euro 7 compliance club.Chapters:0:00 Intro8:27 Mercedes-AMG 646 Spezialanfertigung29:56 £30k retirement car challenge52:17 Big engines in the Euro club 7!TOPICS:AMG 646: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/back-with-a-bang-mercedes-amg-cle-gets-new-v8/51660Retirement car challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2149806 CARS:Cam’s Aston Martin DB9: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19877628Sam’s Mercedes C63: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20858226

New Chinese electric performance cars are coming thick and fast, but they’ve yet register on the enthusiasts radar. Just what do they need to do to win petrolheads over?That’s easier said than done, especially when a) the cars themselves are almost exclusively battery powered and b) the enthusiast market pales in comparison to the sheer volume of buyers in China wanting hi-tech EVs. So we take a closer look at the current crop of fast Chinese EVs, from the Denza Z9 to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, and see how they compare to the electric competition. Don’t worry, it’s not all about EVs. We’ve got a £5k buying challenge to sink our teeth into, including a boy racer icon and a few couple of candidates that may just stray into Brave Pill territory. 🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsChapters:0:00 Intro3:35 What performance cars does China make, anyway?37:13 Weekend toys for £5k53:32 Can Chinese carmakers win over enthusiasts?TOPICS:Denza Z9 Racing reviews: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-denza-z-racing--ph-review/51408Denza Z9 Xtreme spied: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/wild-denza-z9-gt-xtreme-emerges-160-/51577SC01: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/electric-vehicles/new-electric-sc01-sports-car-is-inbound/51488 Weekend car challenge: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2147364 CARS:Sam's Peugeot 208 GTI: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20620000Cam's Mazda RX-8: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20746603

Top Gear, Fifth Gear over overall car TV legend Vicki Butler-Henderson takes to the live stage at the 2026 PistonHeads Annual Service.Celebrating 30 years of the Elise, VBH tells us about how she became a motoring journalist, her move to TV and just how game-changing Hethel’s little sports was when it arrived on the scene in 1996. She also talks about her most bizarre moments on TV, the rise of car YouTube channels and the time she went head-to-head with some of the world’s greatest racing drivers.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctionsFOLLOW US: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads