Octane magazine

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from everyone at Octane. If you haven't yet seen the latest issue of the magazine, we'd like your input on our cover story analysing the 25 cars that have had the biggest impact on motoring over the past 140 years, whether technically, culturally, aesthetically or in some other way. Please tell us what would be your number one and why?

The 25 Most Important Cars Ever, Shelby special, Unique Alfa Romeo 8C Zagato Doppiacoda, Microcar rally madness and much more

29/12/2025

‘It was lively. But surprisingly when it went it didn't snap'

In the latest issue, former F1 racer Johnny Herbert takes to the track behind the wheel of the ‘ultimate’ ex-David Piper Lola T70.

Get your copy here: https://hubs.la/Q03Z9jp30

📸 Dom Gall

24/12/2025

New issue alert: Octane 272 celebrates 140 years of the motor car with our 25 cars that changed the world feature – from 1886 Benz to the McLaren F1. Get your copy here: https://hubs.la/Q03YWF360

Also in the issue...

• Shelby special – Shelby’s World Championship Tag Team – ex-Bob Bondurant Cobra and ex-Dan Gurney
Daytona – privileged access to the Shelby American Collection and the Octane Interview with Aaron Shelby.
• Unique Alfa Romeo 8C Zagato Doppiacoda.
• Stephen Bayley on 1953 Cadillac Series 62 by Ghia.
• Johnny Herbert drives a legendary Lola T70.
• Microcar rally madness.

23/12/2025

Force-fed hot hatches are ten-a-penny – but not this super-rare, supercharged trio. Octane hangs on tight to the wheels of the Mini Cooper S Works GP, Toyota Yaris GRMN and the VW Polo G40.

https://hubs.la/Q03YVRPY0

23/12/2025

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Chris Rea, a genuine petrolhead of the highest order, a good friend of Octane magazine and a hugely underrated musician and song-writer. RIP.

18/12/2025

Bluebird K7 – the record-breaking jet hydroplane piloted by Donald Campbell – has officially been granted permission to return to Coniston Water in May 2026 by the Lake District National Park Authority.

https://hubs.la/Q03YB4920

17/12/2025

A 1980 BMW M1 owned by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda is heading for auction in January as part of Mecum’s 2026 Kissimmee sale.

https://hubs.la/Q03Yx4s50

16/12/2025

HERO-ERA’s famously challenging Lands End to John O’Groats Reliability Challenge (LeJog) returned from 6-9 December 2025.

Open to a broad cross-section of historic and classic machinery, LeJog’s gruelling 1500-mile route emphasises mechanical sympathy and navigational accuracy over outright speed.

HERO-ERA’s LeJog returned for 2025 in the wettest conditions for 15 years, as veteran crews dominated and rookies faced...

15/12/2025

Artcurial’s Renault Icons auction saw 100 vehicles – including Formula 1 and Le Mans racers – from the marque’s heritage collection cross the block, achieving €12m on 7 December 2025. The proceeds will help fund a new exhibition space at Renault’s former Flins production plant, scheduled to open in 2027.

https://hubs.la/Q03Y6QKs0

08/12/2025

Toyota has unveiled the GR GT, a flagship supercar that pushes the brand’s motorsport-led philosophy into new territory, complete with an all-new hybrid V8 powertrain. Link in the comments.

07/12/2025

Tonight's F1 Championship showdown joins a list of tense finales. Here are ten of the greatest:

Three drivers will fight for the 2025 Formula 1 title in Abu Dhabi, the first three-way finale since 2010. We revisit the sport’s...