Ten to Fifteen years ago, a motoring publication making a song and dance of a manual gearbox in an M car would have been akin to the Michelin guide praising a restaurant for serving an after-dinner mint. These days, things are different. In the UK, aside from the new M2, the total number of M cars offered with anything other than an automatic gearbox is a grand total of zero.

The latest Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS has been designed, engineered and built to ride brilliantly. The newest iteration of the triple benefits from upgrades and tweaks to the chassis, refined suspension components, and a new engine. In the words of Triumph, it's 'all-new in every dimension' in comparison to its predecessor.

When booking a vehicle to test and review, I'd like to think that I'm pretty clued up on what's likely to trigger a longer-than-average stare, an emotive reaction (be that positive or negative), or an inquisitive short conversation in the local supermarket car park. But I'm occasionally caught off guard when something I assume to be less of a distraction or talking point becomes something of a local attraction wherever it's parked. The quirky little Maeving RM1 I'm road-testing has proven to do precisely that. 

At the time of typing, we’re approaching the end of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024. A new year typically means we’re at the time of new beginnings, promised pledges and resolutions - most of which are likely to be broken by January 30th. Also new for 2024 is a new Kia, it’s called the EV9, and it’s a significant car for many reasons, not only for Kia but the automotive industry as a whole.

Since the first ever 7 series appeared in the late 1970s, the BMW 7 has been an example of luxury, a representation of status and a trailblazer for technology and refinement in the luxury car sector. The 7 series has been the choice car for chauffeur-driven businesspeople, diplomats, political leaders and even royalty. And so, now that the 7th 7 is here, it's time to marvel at what's new and perhaps unsurprisingly, there is a lot to unpack.

Hyundai is a real modern-day success story. The motoring arm of the Hyundai brand has been around since the late 1960s; however, we Brits didn't really start to take notice (or delivery) of Hyundai badged cars until the late 1990s-early-00s when we began to see the likes of the Hyundai Coupe, Getz, Matrix and Trajet driving around on our roads.

I'm sure Hyundai will forgive me for saying that the models offered by the brand back at the turn of the millennium weren't quite as desirable as the equivalent German, Japanese or possibly even French offerings.

From 10 paces back, the Alvis I'm about to drive would easily be identifiable as an immaculate pre-war 1930s car. A car that has likely spent much of its life in a garage or museum. If it's not been dry stored, it's undoubtedly been restored from end to end. After all, it looks almost brand new. A few paces toward the car and a more detailed examination identify a few clues as to why the car's condition is so good and why it looks so clean and new. Some hints are subtle, such as the barely noticeable LED-converted headlamp bulbs. Others, such as the LED front indicators and side repeaters, might trigger a few puzzled expressions and one clue, particularly the 2013 registration plate, is likely to give the game away.

What makes the Desert X especially unique is that 80% of the rider development has been conducted exclusively off-road, making it perfect for anyone hoping to enjoy a bit of green laning or the occasional adventure across a desert. This off-road focus left only 20% of the development for the tarmac. Despite this, Ducati predicts that only around 10% of paying customers will take their Desert X through anything more than a muddy puddle in their ownership, and this made me feel a little bit sad.

Just over a year since its launch, the Lotus Emira is up against some tough competition and a very challenging price tag. John Marcar spent seven days with the Emira First Edition V6 to learn more about the car replacing the three iconic models: the Elise, the Exige and the Evora... and the last ever petrol-powered sports car that Lotus will ever make.

It's difficult to argue with Dacia's proud slogan of 'Fantastically Affordable' because that's precisely what it is. The term 'affordable motoring' has a vastly different meaning today in comparison to just ten years ago. Thanks to advancements in technology, efficient engineering, and comprehensive platform and parts sharing, it would appear that making a terrible car is now more challenging than ever. 

The Bentley Continental GT is 20 years old, and to celebrate the anniversary, John Marcar visited Bentley Motors’ Country residence in Cheshire, just a few miles from the Bentley Factory in Crewe, to sample various iterations of GT since the Volkswagon AG took over ownership of the iconic British marque.

The FL5 is a spectacular driver's car. In terms of driver engagement, it's near faultless. Acceleration, braking feel and performance, turn-in and steering performance all feel sublime. On some of my favourite familiar country lanes, I found myself doing something I've not done in a new car for a long while - I was laughing out loud and giggling like a sugar-filled child. 

In terms of two-wheeled transport, it's been a rather Triumph focussed six weeks or so here at Driven. First up came the delightful Matt Baja Orange Speed Twin 1200 - delivered just in time for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, and around four weeks later, the Speed Twin was swapped for the iconic Bonneville Bobber, which stuck around for another couple of weeks.

John Marcar joined Team Triumph to take part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in London on May 21st, 2023. 500 riders on 500 bikes took to the streets of London dressed in their Sunday best, to raise money for some truly amazing causes. Read about the day here.

The Super Meteor 650 fits into the category of Cruiser, a field that Royal Enfield has been familiar with and excelling at for many decades. This is, however, the first time Royal Enfield has produced a cruiser with the 650 twin engine. I've always admired the smaller 350 single-cylinder engines, but to speak the truth, despite the characterful charm of the singles, I've always lusted after a little more 'go', and the 650 twin gives just that.

Thanks to the variance of driver modes, the M3 touring is a car that can do it all. I find the M3 Touring comparable to the F90 M5, which, although it is a very different car in terms of power and performance, it's a car that can do it all and, crucially, disappears into traffic when you want it to. The M3 touring, like the M5, falls into the category of stealth wealth. It is a car that is rightfully recognised by people who know what it is and blissfully ignored by people who couldn't care less.

Bentley has always been synonymous with the mantra of producing cars to drive and be driven in. Flagship models for the brand since the 1960s have been extended, sleek limousines in the form of the Continental, Arnage and later, the much-fabled Mulsanne. But in the summer of 2020, it all ended for the Mulsanne, the reigns for the limousine were handed over to the continental flying spur, and the focus for a future best-seller was all placed on the Bentayga, Bentley's initially controversial SUV, which first made an appearance in 2015.

John wanted to see why the Kia EV6 seems to be causing such a stir amongst 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.

My latest press car delivery is Audi's take on the premium EV car market, and I have been looking forward to this one for a few weeks. The Audi e-tron GT Quattro has a lot to get excited about; it's spacious, highly practical, looks great, and, best of all, is shaped like a car - and a very good-looking car, at that.

Since 2010, John Marcar has been looking for conclusive evidence that fast estate cars are worthy of high status, and BMW might have just helped his case with this, the BMW M340i xDrive Touring LCI.

Could this be the perfect blend of practicality, performance and fun whilst also returning sensible economy figures? John certainly thinks so…