How to pass a CBT course with Mutt Motorcycles
Miles Lacey is the only member of our podcast host team who doesn't ride a motorcycle, and John Marcar decided that it was about time that was put right. The lovely folks at Mutt Motorcycles kindly invited us to their facility in Birmingham, where they organise CBT rides on their fabulous bikes. In this video, we follow Miles's journey through the one-day course, during which he went from being a total novice to a qualified CBT-certified rider.
The Audi RS6 Avant Performance - The Engineer's Analysis
Miles Lacey is our in-house racing driver here at Driven. He's also an ex-vehicle dynamics engineer for the Bentley Motor Company in a role that helped give direct influence and guidance on how Bentley sports cars drive and handle. So, what better press car to throw him into than one of the most loved and celebrated performance estate cars? Here he is driving the latest 2024 Audi RS6 Avant Performance Carbon Vorsprung.
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 - The Final Petrol Powered Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 might just be the best value sports car on the market today thanks to one very special ingredient, the engine. The special engine is worth talking about because what follows the 718 is going to be an EV version of the Cayman and Boxster, so let's enjoy making a Cayman howl while we still can. The 4.0-litre flat-six engine is a variant as found in the globally celebrated Cayman GT4.
The New BMW M2 (G87) - The Last Ever Manual M?
The G87 M2 is here, and it's a car worthy of praise for several reasons, including a powerful 450HP and 550Nm of torque and an exclusively rear-wheel-drive powertrain. However, the most significant cause for celebration is the option of a good old-fashioned six-speed manual gearbox, which is especially significant considering this may be the last manual M car ever to be produced.
10 Things I Hate about our Land Rover Defender 110 Hard Top
It's been 12 months since we decided to purchase a Land Rover Defender 110 Hardtop (the van version of the Defender 110), and we like it very much, but in the time that we've had it, we've discovered that it's not quite perfect. So, we've put together a short list of gripes for your entertainment (please try not to take this one too seriously!)
Off-roading in a £200k Bentley Bentayga EWB
When it comes to off-roading, it's pretty much a given fact that almost all Bentley Bentayga EWBs sold are unlikely to experience anything more dramatic than a marginally muddy polo field. So, when the PR team from Bentley asked if we were willing to try out their flagship model at a dedicated off-roading facility in wintery England, there was no way we could pass up on the offer.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 - A quick look at award-winning excellence.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a massively celebrated car. It's also a car that has won more awards than it can probably fit its boot. In this video, John Marcar takes advantage of a rare sunny November day and shows off some of the features that make this model such a success for Hyundai.
Lotus Emira First Edition V6 - The Good News & The Bad News
John Marcar has had a week with a V6 Lotus Emira First Edition. It's now been over a year since customer deliveries first landed, and in an increasingly competitive market, John has decided to work through some of the pros and cons that come with the model. It's difficult to argue the fact that it's a pretty car, but from an ergonomic point of view... it's far from perfect.
Driving a ‘new’ 4.3L Alvis Vanden Plas
John loves a pre-war car, but this Alvis 4.3L Vanden Plas Tourer is a little different to other 'classics' he's driven. Mainly because it's not classic at all, experience a 2013 continuation version of a 1936 Alvis, made to historic standards, by hand by a team of engineers in the midlands. In this video, John Marcar takes the Alvis continuation for a drive alongside one of the engineers responsible for building and maintaining the beautiful car.
Rookie Off-Roading on a £14k Ducati Desert X
The Ducati Desert X has been celebrated since its launch for its great looks and even greater ability to ride off-road. Ducati claims that 80% of its development was done off-road, and yet only 10% of customers purchasing the bike will take it into anything more than a muddy car park. Ducati also celebrates the ease and simplicity of off-roading thanks to the Desert X's comprehensive design and engineering. For this review, John Marcar decided he wanted to have a go at off-road riding... for the first time (ever). A stupid idea? Perhaps.
FEATURE | A Tour of The Alvis Car Company
The Alvis Car Company is renowned globally as a marque famous for producing prestigious motorcars cars from the 1920s through to the 1960s. In their prime, Alvis was a direct competitor to other luxury British car makers such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motors and Jaguar Cars.
REVIEW | Honda Civic Type R (FL5) - The Best FWD Car Ever??
John Marcar is a big fan hot a hot hatch, so he's been itching to get behind the wheel of the new FL5 Honda Civic Type R. Fortunately for us (and John), Honda kindly sent one for a week, and we put the car through its paces for a road review on the streets of Warwickshire. We also explore the history of the iconic Type R badge and trace its roots back to where it all began in the early 1990s.
REVIEW | Triumph Bonneville Bobber - Style Without Compromise
The Bonneville Bobber is, without a doubt, one of the coolest-looking cruiser bikes on the market, but are the good looks masking challenging practicality? John Marcar was sent the latest iteration of the Triumph Bobber to try, and in this video, we get the full low down of what he thought.
REVIEW | 2023 Hyundai i30N - The Best Value Hot Hatch?
The humble hot hatch has captivated car fans since the mid-1980s. Chances are, if you class yourself as a petrolhead or gearhead, there are at least two hot hatchbacks that you have either driven or would love to drive. In 2017 Hyundai decided to have a stab at the hot hatch market by taking their everyday run-around (the i30) and giving it some motorsport-inspired performance thanks to its N Performance department.
REVIEW | 2023 BMW M3 Touring - Who is this car for??
We've waited 37 years for BMW to make an estate version of the iconic BMW M3, and finally, it's here. The M3 Touring might be one of the most highly anticipated cars to roll out of Munich in quite some time, but here's the big question.... WHY? In this video, self-confessed BMW M advocate John Marcar tries to answer the question, 'Who is this car for?'
REVIEW | Bentley Bentayga EWB - The New Flagship is now an SUV
Bentley's new flagship has officially set sail and is now in the form of an SUV. Following his sad goodbye with the previous flagship, the Mulsanne, John Marcar, is now out to see if the new flagship (in SUV form) is worthy of the flagship title. When reviewing the Mulsanne, John struggled to see how an SUV could replace it, but he might have worked out why in this video.
We’ve Bought a Project Car! (…van) - Meet our Land Rover Defender 110
As you might have already seen, (assuming you follow us on instagram too) we've bought ourselves a new car which is going to be our daily driver AND a new project car for the Driven. Now, it's down to you to let us know what you think we should do, shouldn't do and more importantly, where we should take it on a few muddy adventures!
The Kia EV6 - What’s all the fuss about!?
John Marcar wanted to see why the Kia EV6 seems to be causing such a stir among his media colleagues and journalists.
After all, it’s just another family car, right? Kia sent John their GT-Line S RWD version of the car to let him find out for himself and in this video, we find out what all the fuss really is about.
The ‘Billy Basic’ Supercar - Audi R8 Performance RWD Edition
We first saw the Audi R8 as a concept in 2003, and it made it to the production lines in 2006; since then, the Audi R8 has been a popular choice for drivers worldwide wanting excellent performance without the shouty persona that often comes with supercars.
This particular car, though (lent to us by Audi UK Press) is a basic model with almost no optional extras added at all... but does that matter? Is a basic car a better car, or does the car feel a little too 'inexpensive'? John is here to find out.
Quick Look - Audi e-tron GT Quattro
The E-Tron GT Quattro is Audi's take on the luxury EV, and it might just the best-looking plug-in car on the market today. John Marcar shows us the good stuff, the bad stuff and some of the strange and confusing stuff that comes with owning an Audi E-Tron GT.
Battle of the Minis - Mini John Cooper Works vs Mini E
Mini has been an iconic brand name in the motoring world since the late 1950s, and in the modern era, they're just as popular now to car buyers as they were back in the swinging 60s. Times are changing, though, and very soon, we, the car buyers, will only be able to buy an electric version of the little icon - but is that okay??
Are we (the petrol fans) being penalised thanks to government rules?? Or... is the all-electric Mini, The Mini E, a better car than the sporty John Cooper Works? In this video, John Marcar puts the popular petrol-powered John Cooper Works Anniversary Edition up against the EV Mini E to find out which is best.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 TWIN - Long Term Review
Royal Enfield are rapidly reclaiming their position in the motorcycle buyers market as a valid and great value manufacturer. And with such a strong history and heritage to the brand, it's easy to work out why. The Continental GT Twin 650 is Royal Enfield's stab at the Cafe Racer modern classic with all the luxuries and necessities on offer from competitor bikes - but at a fraction of the price.
In this video, filmed in Summer 2022, John Marcar takes the GT Twin on a ride around the Cotswolds to tell us what he likes and what he'd change about the bike.
Bentley Mulsanne Speed - The Last True Bentley Limousine??
We're at a transformative time for luxury cars. A time in which we're rapidly heading towards electrification, skateboard platforms and big SUVs. The Mulsanne pushes some impressive stats, including a mind-bending 0-60MPH launch speed of 4.8 seconds despite weighing 2.7 tonnes!
We believe that the Bentley Mulsanne is possibly the last true Bentley badged limousine before the complete takeover from VAG, and for that reason, it deserves celebrating. In this video, John explores what it's like driving a £265,000 limousine with a legendary hand-built engine dating back to 1959.
EDITORS NOTE: Whoops - we got the weight slightly wrong. We state in the video it's 3,200kg when its actual weight is 2,700kg (still, very impressive, right??)
BMW i4 M50 -
The First Ever Electric Car from BMW M
John Marcar has been given a BMW i4 M50 for a week to see if his opinion on electric cars can be swayed from critic to fan. The i4 M50 is described as BMW M's first-ever stab at an EV (electric vehicle), but at 2300kg, can it really be described as an M car? John was also keen to find out if you live easily with an EV without the luxury of a charging port at home.
In this review, John walks us around the car and shows a few of its party tricks whilst out for a drive. Special thanks to Partridge BMW
50 YEARS OF BMW M - Celebrating 50 Years of BMW with Partridge BMW
In Summer 2022, we set ourselves the challenge with our friends at Partridge BMW Hampshire of making a video featuring every BMW M, and here it is. In this video, our in-house BMW M fanatic (John Marcar) walks and talks us through the incredible journey of the most powerful letter of them all - ///M.
Filmed on location at Partridge BMW, we look at a stunning lineup of cars in the showroom, including a 3.0L CSL, M1, E34 M5, E30 M3, E36 M3, E82 1M, E63 M6, F80 M3 & the G80 & G82 M3 & M4.
BOND CAR FOR SALE! - Aston Martin DBS Superleggera from No Time To Die
It's always exciting when a Bond car comes up for sale... but it's even more special when the film cars are produced in low numbers. This car is as low as you can go - it's one of one! We got a call from our friends at Bonhams ahead of their Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in 2022. Bonhams have a fantastic selection of cars on offer, but one, in particular, caught our eye... This one-of-one Aston Martin DBS Superleggera was used in the film 'No Time To Die' and is included in a scene where Miss Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) picks up an exhausted James Bond (Daniel Craig) as he walks along a dusty track. In this video, @John Marcar joins Bonhams' Head of Sales Tim Schofield for a short Drive around the south of England ahead of the Festival of Speed auction.
BMW M240i xDrive G42 (2022) - BETTER VALUE THAN AN M4 ???
BMW's latest 'entry-level M' offers quite the bang for buck in a world of increasingly expensive four-door sports coupé's. In fact, it's so good that it might even knock the M4 off of the top spot for all-around value for money vs performance. In this video, John offers a brief but comprehensive review of the G42 M240i xDrive in the fabulous colour scheme of 'Thundernight'. Written and presented by John Marcar Video filming, production & editing by Richard Fullbrook
2022 Audi RS 3 Sportback | Old Engine + Big Price = Disappointment??
Since its European launch in 2011, the Audi RS 3 has been regarded by many as the ultimate hot hatchback on the market with its mind-bending and eargasm inducing five-cylinder engine.
Famed for rewarding drivers with both earth-shattering performance and all the practicalities of an everyday small car, each iteration of the RS 3 has ticked many a box for many a driver.
The Goodwood Members Meeting with Bonhams
Enjoy a walk around the Bonhams Marquee at the Goodwood Members Meeting from MM79.
In this video, John Marcar explores the lots and gets a 1-2-1 guide from consigner, Louis Frankel as they look over some iconic cars that went up for sale over the weekend.
THE RADFORD TYPE 62-2 ON TRACK | Radford Returns - Behind the scenes at Hethel
Join Driven Chat hosts, Andy Jaye & John Marcar as they get exclusive access to one of the most anticipated cars of the century, The Radford Type 62-2.
TV’s Ant Anstead invited the Driven Chat team along to Lotus’ test circuit alongside their factory in Hethel, Norfolk to witness the Type 62-2 moving under its own power for the very first time as part of a TV show with none other than Jenson Button behind the wheel.
A Day with Praga Cars at Silverstone | The Pre Season Test Day in 4K
In the last week of February, we were invited by Praga to attend their pre-season test day at Silverstone. It would be a day where all the teams and drivers competing in the Praga Cup would come together for a final shake down before the first race of the season. John Marcar went along to capture some footage and have some conversations for the Driven Chat Podcast
Welcome to 40 Years of Evolution - The BMW R 1250 GS TE
Forty years of evolution to any product will always result in exciting development. However, forty years of evolution on a motorcycle offers something far more special than just excitement alone.
BMW GS turned 40 years old in 2021, and to celebrate, BMW Motorrad launched the R 1250 GS TE 40th Anniversary Edition. A landmark bike for BMW and the perfect first ever press bike for Driven Chat to have a play with.
Does it get any better than a BMW M5? | F90 M5 Competition
The F90 M5 Competition is the 6th iteration of BMW's big fast family four-door, and John Marcar is keen to find out if it meets the criteria set by its predecessors.
In this video, John talks us through the history of the BMW M5 and brings us up to speed on the latest model (the F90), talking us through some of the features, options and specs which result in a £103,000 price tag.
#BentleySunRun
June 21st is the longest day of the year - also known as Summer Solstice. On this day each year, the sun will rise at its earliest time, and set at its latest time.
The most north-westerly point of the mainland UK is John O'Groats in Scotland where the sun rises on the longest at 04.02. It then sets in the most South Westerly part of mainland UK at 21.36 at Lands End, Cornwall.
We decided to race the sun from the point of sunrise to sunset, departing John O'Groats as the sun rose over the Scottish horizon to see it set again over the Cornish horizon.
Amy & John visit Bonhams Bikes
Recently, Amy Shore and John Marcar were invited by our friends at Bonhams to Bicester Heritage to see a small handful of motorcycles before they go up for auction in the Bonhams Autumn Sale in Stafford. Amy and John met Andy Barrett, the Bonhams Motorcycle Specialist who talked them through four fantastic bikes. First up; A Honda 250cc RC163 Replica ridden by Tommy Robb. A buyer of this iconic replica can expect plenty of loud noises and plenty of turned heads!
Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition
When Aston Martin gets in touch to ask if you fancy driving their latest version of the Vantage on their own personal test track… the answer is a very quick “yes please”.
Andy, Amy and John took up that exact offer and paid a visit to Silverstone Stowe to experience the latest iteration of the Aston Martin Vantage ‘The F1 Edition’. With 528bhp, 685nm, and a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that launches from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds the team were keen to have a play each in their individual way.
The 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 - Is it worthy of the Defender Name?
John Marcar and Amy Shore head to Brecfa in West Wales to see if the 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 is worthy of its name.
Following on from a true design icon and being a car that is loved by people all around the world, it's fair to say that the pressure is on for Land Rover to deliver... Do you think they have?
The Stunning Ferrari 250 SWB Revival - GTO Engineering
The 250 SWB Revival has to be one of the most breathtaking recreations on the road today.
In this clip, we see Andy Jaye, Amy Shore and John Marcar trying out the masterpiece of engineering built in the UK by GTO Engineering.
The Zenvo TSR-S - 1177bhp of Pure Hypercar
Zenvo are a small hyper-car manufacturer from Denmark. The term 'small' in the world of hypercars can sometimes be a daunting prospect. People assume a small company producing hypercars will be a company that borrows parts, engines and drive trains.
Not this one though. John Marcar was invited to drive the new Zenvo TSR-S at our regular haunt, Caffeine and Machine. And to learn more about the car, the history of the company and what makes this small production company so special, he was joined by development driver and Head of Production Alberto Solera. Join Alberto and John on their drive around the Warwickshire countryside to learn more about this fabulous machine!
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR? - A quick look at 'Bonkers Brilliance'
The modern SUV market can be confusing, saturated and often very boring... But fortunately, Jaguar might have answered the prayers of all petrol heads with their version of a truly sporty 'sports utility vehicle'.
John Marcar hops into the brutal yet brilliant 5.0 Litre Supercharged Jaguar F-Pace SVR for a quick look to see if Jag's big brutal car is fitting for the modern world.
Lotus Exige Final Edition - 'A Happy Ending'
Lotus are coming to the end of their internal combustion-engined cars in time for the switch to EV in the year 2030.
The Elise, Evora and Exige are now all at the end of their life, so we sent John Marcar to have a drive of the 'final edition' models. Naturally, John focussed on the most extreme drivers car, The Exige taking it for a drive around our home-from-home, Caffeine & Machine in Warwickshire.
An iPace, a Defender 90 and a F-Pace SVR in Wales
Like many people in the U.K. - Andy Jaye, Amy Shore and John Marcar decided to opt for a staycation this year each choosing a Jaguar Land Rover car for a weekend in Wales.
Andy Jaye opts for the Jaguar iPace, Amy Shore chooses the Land Rover Defender 90 and John Marcar goes with the noisy one; The Jaguar F Pace SVR
The Mini E - The All-Electric Super-Mini
Mini have launched their all-electric offering and Amy Shore takes to the wheel to see what it's all about in this short clip!
The all-new Honda E!
Our very own Andy Jaye was given Honda's latest city car - the 'cute' Honda E. Could this be a glimpse into what will most likely be the norm for city cars all around the world?
And the most important question... would you have one??