The Gassing Station
PistonHeads
Updated 4 days agoEvery week, Cam and John dig through the forums for the stuff that’s got the PistonHeads community talking, starting with a big news story, moving on to some car buying advice before ending on anything that’s caught their eye - even if it's not car related. So sit back, grab your drink of choice and listen in to an hour's worth of nonsense dressed up as a car pod.
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Episodes (44)
1,156hp Porsche Cayenne Electric Driven + £20k Hot Hatch Challenge
Porsche’s EV plans are shifting. After the EU softened its 2035 ban, the brand is rethinking electrification—pausing a new EV platform and even considering a flagship ICE sports car above the 911.That doesn't mean the Cayenne Electric is dead. If anything, it may be more important now than ever. Sam and Cam dive into the Cayenne Turbo Electric (1,156hp, 2.6 tonnes!) and whether it still delivers that signature Porsche feel.Plus: a £20k hot hatch showdown (Megane RS vs Cupra), and instantly recognisable engine sounds.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro7:32 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric review31:10 £20k hot hatches51:41 Instantly-recognisable engine soundsTopics: 1. Porsche: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-porsche-cayenne-turbo-electric-ph-review/510342. Hot hatches: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=21375333. Engine sounds: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2137991Cars:Sam's Megane RS 280: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20087851 Cam's Leon Cupra 300: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20068736Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, £10k Japanese heroes and the best cars with single-exit exhausts
Today's episode of The Gassing Station gets underway with a ride in Lanzante’s three-seat 95-59 prototype, the firm's first proper in-house supercar, followed by an in-dpeth review of Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. It's lighter and more refined than the 5 N that came before it, and may even be the first EV you'll want to track to a track day.A £10k buying challenge follows, featuring a Mazda RX-8 and a JDM Honda Civic Type R FD2.Finally, it’s a deep dive into the best performance cars with a single exhaust.We apologise for the lack of video on this one. Our camera overheated and stopped recording, but the audio is intact and we'll still show pictures of the cars mentioned. So stay tuned!🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro2:56 Lanzante 95-5912:58 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N review36:21 £10k Japanese cars53:16 Best performance cars with single-exit exhaustsTopics:Lanzante 95-59: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/riding-shotgun-in-new-lanzante-95-59--ph-footnote/51009Hyundai Ioniq 6 N review: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-hyundai-ioniq-6-n--ph-review/50995£10k Japanese cars: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2138210Best performance cars with single-exit exhausts: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2138414 Cars:Sam's Mazda RX-8: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20052478Cam's Civic Type R FD2 :https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/auction/20077622 Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Best used fast estates, £50k Mustang replacement and tracking down your old cars
Fast estates take centre stage, as this episode runs through the best performance wagons to buy in 2026—from a bargain Ford Focus ST Estate to heavy hitters like the Alpina D3 S Touring and Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate.There’s also a £50k buying challenge to replace a Ford Mustang GT, with contenders including a rare Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Motorsport Edition and a Porsche 911 Turbo.Finally, attention turns to a long-running forum thread helping owners track down cars they once loved.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro3:35 Best used performance estates34:29 £50k Mustang replacement51:56 Tracking down old carsTopics:Best used performance estates: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/the-best-used-fast-estates-to-buy-in-2026/50935£50k Mustang replacement: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2117644Tracking down old cars: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=283515&i=680Cars:Sam's Mercedes-AMG C 63 S: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19288418Cam's Porsche 911 (997.1) Turbo: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19288418Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
NEW Audi RS3 Competition Limited, £30k V8 goodness and the best concept cars that were never made
Today's episode of The Gassing Station podcast centres on the £89k Audi RS3 Competition Limited, built to celebrate 50 years of Audi’s five-cylinder with adjustable dampers, a Sport Quattro-inspired look and plenty of carbon. With just 11 UK cars, alternatives from the classifieds quickly come into play.A £30k V8 buying challenge follows, pitching a low-mile Maserati GranTurismo S against a tempting BMW M6.Finally, attention turns to brilliant concepts that never made production, from the MG EX-E to the Bentley Hunaudières.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-serviceChapters:0:00 Intro7:54 Audi RS3 Competition Limited36:07 £30k V8 goodness52:25 Best concepts that were never madeTopics:Audi RS3 Competition Limited: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/audi-reveals-new-rs3-competition-limited/50968£30k V8 goodness: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2136966Best concepts that were never made: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1008121&i=200 Challenge cars:Sam's Maserati GranTurismo S: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19522808Cam's BMW M6: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19856426Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Life on sustainable fuel, £40k supercar support vehicles and the best used Alpinas
Sustainable fuel is back in the spotlight as Formula 1 prepares for a season running on 100 per cent sustainable fuel, while The Gassing Station co-host Sam Sheehan has filled his Mazda MX-5 with eco-friendly petrol from Coryton’s Sustain project, produced using agricultural and organic waste.Attention also turns to BMW’s takeover of Alpina, including favourite pre-acquisition models like the Alpina V8 Roadster and rare Alpina B6 S 3.5.A £40k rally support-car challenge follows, featuring an Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206, before a look at motorway fuel prices versus local forecourts.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro0:15 What is sustainable fuel really like?20:22 Our favourite used Alpinas37:52 £40k supercar rally support car54:06 Why fill up at service stations?Topics: Sustainable fuels: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonheads/whats-it-like-running-a-car-on-sustainable-fuel-/50924New Alpina badge: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/check-out-bmws-redesigned-alpina-emblem/50869Why fill up at service stations?: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2115476 Cars:Sam's Aston Martin V8 Vantage: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19895513Cam's Subaru S206: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19314876Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
NEW Audi RS5, £22k seven seaters and how many badges can one car wear?
Of course the 2026 Audi RS5 is the star of this week's podcast. Yes, it’s heavier and arguably should be called an RS4, but with 639hp from a plug-in hybrid V6 and a much broader stance, it’s a seriously muscular answer to an ageing G80 BMW M3 and the departed Mercedes-AMG C 63.This week’s buying challenge is a £22k seven-seater, where a smart Mitsubishi Shogun battles a luxo-spec Toyota Alphard. Finally, we explore badge engineering oddities, from the Toyota GT86 trio to the many aliases of the Vauxhall Frontera.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-serviceChapters: 0:00 Intro6:05 Audi RS5 - all the details36:23 £22k 7 seaters53:55 How many badges can one car wear? Topics: Audi RS5: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/audi-replaces-rs4-with-new-plug-in-639hp-rs5/50893Seven seaters for £22k: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2136326Badge engineering: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2136225Cars:Sam's Mitsubishi Shogun: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19622230Cam's Toyota Alphard: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19508809pistonFollow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Best used supercars to buy in 2026, plus £85,000 weekend car challenge
This week's episode of The Gassing Station kicks off with Sam’s drive of Volkswagen’s Golf GTI Edition 50, the most powerful production GTI yet, and how it all went down on that Clubsport S-beating lap around the Nurburgring. The two then take a deep dive into the best used sports cars for 2026, spanning everything from a Lotus Esprit to Vipers, R8s and a 650S. Finally, there’s an £85k weekend car challenge, featuring a 718 Boxster Spyder and a tempting McLaren GT.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro0:57 VW Golf GTI Edition 50 9:58 Best used supercars47:47 £85k weekend carTopics: VW Golf GTI Edition 50 - https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-vw-golf-gti-edition-50--ph-review/50817Best used supercars - https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/the-best-used-supercars-to-buy-in-2026/50842Weekend car for £85k - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2130723Sam's Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19641655Cam's McLaren GT - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19355697Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
McLaren F1 GTR for sale, first cars for £5k and once an auto, always an auto?
A week on from Sam’s first drive of Jaguar’s electric GT, the debate is still raging, so we’re holding judgement until it hits real tarmac. This episode then turns to something far less contentious: the McLaren F1 GTR currently for sale on PH, including its Le Mans history and what it takes to own the ultimate supercar.There’s also a buying challenge for a first car on a £5,000 budget, plus a discussion on whether once you go automatic, you ever really go back to manual.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters: 0:00 Intro11:28 McLaren F1 GTR for sale31:14 £5k first cars49:01 Have you gone back to manual after an auto?Cars:Sam's Audi TT: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19805287Cam's Fiesta ST: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19669765 Topics: McLaren F1 GTR for sale: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19783298First car choice: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2134145Once you go auto, you never go back?: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2134754 Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
NEW Jaguar electric GT drive! Plus three cars for £50k
Fresh from the frozen lakes of Sweden, this episode hands the mic to Sam for a deep dive into Jaguar’s all-new electric GT prototype. With production edging closer, he shares what it’s like to sample a 1,000hp Jaguar EV in Arctic conditions and why it’s a pivotal moment for the brand.There’s also a twist on the usual buying challenge, as we split £50k across three cars, serving up everything from Caymans and TVRs to a Bentley Turbo R and a supercharged XJR. No final topic this week, but plenty to keep you busy.Chapters:0:00 Intro11:38 Jaguar electric GT first drive41:55 Three car garage for £50kTopics: Jaguar XJR: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19742279
Best used sports cars to buy in 2026, £25k coupes and owning a left-hand drive car
First up is a list of the best used sports cars for 2026 according to PistonHeads, which has ruffled feathers to say the least. Then there’s a £25k buying challenge for a petrol, automatic coupe with some poke, featuring everything from BMW M cars to a tempting Jaguar XKR. Finally, we debate the merits (or not) of owning a left-hand-drive car in the UK.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Cam's XKR: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/auction/19731492Sam's BMW M2: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19276774 Topics: Best used sports car: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/the-best-used-sports-cars-to-buy-in-2026/50791 £25k coupes: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2130444Owning a left-hand drive car: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2134402
The big car launches of 2026, £1.5k winter beaters and reverse vs nose parking | The Gassing Station
With most 2026 launches looking bleakly EV-heavy, today's episode cuts through the noise to highlight the cars that still matter to PHers. From rumours of flat-six Porsche Boxsters and Caymans, and potentially a V8 AMG CLE 63, to Ford’s long-teased supercar and the reborn Boreham Ford RS200, there’s still plenty to get excited about.Then, Cam and Sam tackle a £1,500 winter hack challenge, before finishing on a surprisingly divisive topic: whether reversing into parking spaces really is the superior move.🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-service Chapters:0:00 Intro7:55 New cars coming in 202628:23 £1.5k winter hacks46:09 Should you ever nose park?Topics: When is it ever right to nose park? - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2132726Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Finance explained with Charles & Dean!
A few weeks into the New Year feels like the perfect excuse to buy a car, so this episode tackles one of the big questions: how does finance work on used and auction cars? To find out, Cam and Sam are joined by Dean Clarke from Charles & Dean, a proper petrolhead with serious experience in performance and collectible car finance.There’s also a £40k buying challenge for the best performance family car, with picks including a Giulia, Focus RS and an FL5 Civic Type R. To wrap up, Dean reveals some of the wild machinery Charles & Dean has financed, from race cars to rare classics.Get a quote with Charles & Dean Finance: https://charlesanddean.com/partners/ph-partnership Charles & Dean Finance are a credit broker, not a lender. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 6533592) Credit subject to status, 18+, T&Cs apply🏎️ Sell your car on PistonHeads auctions: https://www.pistonheads.com/sell/auctions🎟️ Get your Annual Service 2026 tickets: https://www.pistonheads.com/events/annual-serviceChapters: 0:00 Intro15:36 How can you finance a used car?34:12 £40k fast family car challenge54:21 Weird and wonderful cars financed by Charles & DeanFollow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads
Our favourite cars of 2025, £30k two-car garage and can you put too much research into buying a car?
Let's kick off 2026 with a dose of optimism, shall we? To open our first podcast of the year, Sam reveals Skoda could revive the Fabia vRS if demand for its new warm hatch is strong, which could do wonders for the (currently quite rubbish) hot hatch market.Before saying goodbye to 2025, Cam and Sam run through PH’s favourite cars from the last 12 months, from the Vanquish Volante to the M2 CS, C8 Corvette and Defender OCTA.There’s a £30k two-car garage challenge with everything from RX-8s to Panameras, before finishing on how much research is too much when buying a car.
Ferrari Amalfi review, £10k fast estates and the cars you could never sell
Hooray! The EU has backtracked on banning combustion cars outright from 2035 onwards. To celebrate, today's episode of The Gassing Station begins with Sam's review of a new 640hp V8-engined Ferrari - the Amalfi. Cam and Sam then tackle a festive buying challenge: the best £10k performance estate, featuring a lovely E500 Estate and a tempting Audi S4 Avant. Finally, the two dive into the cars owners simply can’t sell, before signing off for the year. See you all in the New Year!
£900 Aston Martin DB5, £10k manuals and the most embarrassing cars you've owned
Good news – or rather, hark! This episode kicks off with more EVs potentially converting to combustion power. Sam’s learned Abarth has explored fitting engines to its EV platforms following the hybrid Fiat 500. An ICE Abarth 500, perhaps?We then cover the incredible tale of a DB5 Vantage bought for £900 in 1972 and lovingly restored by Aston Martin Works five decades later.There’s also a £10k buying challenge for the best manual gearchange, featuring a BMW Z4, Golf GTI Edition 30 and Honda S2000, before we finish with the most embarrassing cars we’ve ever owned.
Toyota GR GT; Fun family cars for £20k; Bad cars that are actually good
Welcome back to The Gassing Station! The year may be winding down, but we’ve still got plenty of reviews and news to cover. Today's episode kick's off with Sam’s take on the Alpine A390 electric crossover and his chat with company CEO Philippe Krief, who hinted the next A110 could run a hybrid combustion engine despite its EV platform. Then there’s Toyota’s new GR GT: a Gazoo-built, twin-turbo V8 monster that has us wondering if Toyota is now the most exciting enthusiast brand, especially with the electric Lexus LFA Concept alongside it. We also help PHer Kingdom35 find a “classy” £20k upgrade, and dig into the cars people love to hate but are secretly great.