My Motoring Year 2024

Another year has whizzed by and now is the time to look back on another interesting year of road testing all the latest cars. A quick tally tells me that I drove 85 cars, not including my own motley assortment of vehicles.

I was lucky enough to be in Australia at the start of 2024, visiting family. I borrowed an eighteen year old Honda Jazz Sport for my time down under, a complete contrast to the shiny new metal that comes up my driveway for testing most weeks. The Jazz is a packaging marvel, with room aplenty for four adults and luggage. We travelled far and wide, and rarely felt the need for anything better. Fit for purpose and with plenty of life left in it.

Back in the UK, my first launch event was courtesy of Porsche, which was showcasing its new Cayenne. The empty roads on the Scottish/Northumberland border was the setting, and the car exceptionally good. However, it was the afternoon that provided the most entertainment as there were other more exciting models to try, including the rather exclusive 911 Dakar. The memories linger…

At the other end of the scale, Dacia showcased its new Duster in a Derbyshire quarry. Not as affordable as the first models to hit our shores, but the Duster still punches above its weight and offers good value for money in a package far less austere than before. Worth a look if a family SUV is on your shopping list.

In a similar vein, Subaru brought its full range of cars to Harrogate and all models were available to try on a challenging off-road course in the grounds of Rudding Park. All their models tackled the challenging terrain with aplomb and for rural motorists who must deal with untreated road and muddy tracks, their cars make a lot of sense.

A call from Rolls-Royce saw me scuttling off to their shiny new showroom in Leeds, with the promise of some time with their latest Cullinan Black Badge. The press car was certainly distinctive and drew lots of attention as I piloted it around the suburbs. At the best part of £400,000 without options, only the exceptionally wealthy need to apply.

Appealing to my sense of the ridiculous was my press car that week, a Kia Picanto, one of the most affordable cars on sale in the UK. It looked somewhat out of place on the JCT600’s rather imposing forecourt. A quick calculation reveals that you could buy 24 Picantos for the same price as the Rolls. Both seat four/five people and will get you from A to B!

As Jaguar prepares for its brave new fully electric world, I enjoyed time with both its I-PACE and F-TYPE cars. The former was a groundbreaking step for the British manufacturer and still impressed with the driving experience and comfort on offer. And as for the F-TYPE, this is a car I have been lucky enough to drive in so many versions over the years and will sadly be the last internal combustion engine sports car they produce. A sad but inevitable day. I wish the brand well but do worry that the market for £100k + EVs is perhaps not as large as they might hope for.

I made the effort to attend more car shows, both locally and nationally. I journeyed south twice to Bicester Heritage for their excellent Scramble event. If you have not been, the variety of cars on display is always exceptional. I would get on their mailing list for tickets as they usually sell out in a few days of release.

Transport to the first Scramble was in the latest Bentley Bentayga, a car which in most locations would attract plenty of attention. Not at Bicester, where it’s the oldies that take centre stage. Still, as a way to travel long distance, it takes some beating, soaking up the miles effortlessly, whilst cocooning its occupants in it opulent cabin. British-built to the very highest standard and in my opinion classier than its Rolls-Royce rival.

Another trip to Australia in July was much enjoyed, made all the better buy the loan of a five-door Suzuki Jimny. It’s a car that was never sold in the UK, which is such a shame. My highlight was a day off-roading in one of Victoria’s largest national parks, where the challenging terrain proved what a capable 4X4 the Jimny truly is. So taken with the car was I, that I have been investigating importing one into the UK. Watch this space.

On my return, I enjoyed two rather special British-built cars back-to-back. First was Aston Martin’s DB12, a veritable powerhouse of a car. I aways loved the marque and any time behind the wheel is to be savoured. I had little time to mourn its departure as on the same day, Morgan delivered a shiny new Plus Four to enjoy for a few days. And that I did, even though the summer weather limited my top-down adventures. Both cars are pricy toys for the lucky few.

Two cars I was very pleased to finally sample were the Lotus Eletre and Emira. I had attended showcase events for both cars in the Concord Hanger at Manchester Airport, but a drive in either had eluded me. Emira appealed more, as sportscars still have the ability to excite me. Eletre by contrast, a fast and quite expensive sporting EV, was more something to be admired. Both have their place these days as production of one will surely help keep the other in production for a while yet.

On a personal note, I was once again asked by fellow members of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers to take up the position of Vice Chairman. I am happy to become more involved and will most likely take on the top job sometime next year. I relish the opportunity.

And finally, what of my own fleet of cars? My Saab Convertible has been with me for a year, and apart from some brake pads and discs, has required very little in the way of attention. It still attracts admiring glances and I hope will stay with me for many years to come. I would have used it more, but a friend offered me their Mk3 Toyota MR2 for just £1,000. I really didn’t need another car, but it’s red and a convertible so I didn’t take much convincing.

My most recent drive was on Boxing Day to the Lakeland Motor Museum (worth a visit) and it was roof down all the way. Just lovely and so far, the MR2 has required not a drop of oil, water or even air putting in its tyres. It looks likely to stay too. You can never have too many cars, or so I keep telling my wife.