Octane - April 2025

In dieser Angelegenheit

HOT HATCH HEROES 60
In five decades, hot hatches have evolved
beyond their humble origins. Now it’s time
to look back at the very best of them

ASTON MARTIN
‘RAZOR BLADE’ 76
Built to break records, this one-off Aston
Martin went on to enjoy a successful racing
career – thanks to its ultra-slim bodywork

UNIQUE COBRA 427 86
Robert Coucher goes for a blast at
Goodwood Circuit in the last of the
dry-sump Competition Cobras

DAKAR CLASSIC 94
Cars from Renault 30 to Porsche 959 replica
tackle this brutal 7000km desert odyssey

THE OCTANE INTERVIEW 102
Meeting William Heinecke, collector and
founder of Anantara Concorso Roma

GUMPERT APOLLO 106
Braving Germany’s pure-bred
700bhp track-day monster

E-TYPE ADVENTURE 116
From Kuala Lumpur to South Yorkshire
across land in a 1967 Jaguar E-type

FIAT DINO SPIDER 122
Stunning Pininfarina bodywork and a Ferrari
engine make this a Fiat like no other

The Collector Jay Leno

Lamenting the horror of the recent LA fires

3 mins

HOT HATCH HEROES

They're a dying breed, yet the best transcended humdrum heritage to be among the most entertaining drivers' cars ever. Octane takes a trip to the good old days

10+ mins

THE SHARPESTT

In the 1920s, Razor Blade took Aston Martin hunting for speed records. Now it takes John Simister to his limits

9 mins

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Having languished in a museum for 35 years, this Shelby 427 Competition Cobra has a special history that makes it one of one. Now it's come roaring back to life

9 mins

DUNE BUDDIES

The Dakar Rally still has a fearsome reputation for genuine risk to life, so just imagine doing it in a Renault 30 TX or a Tatra lorry. Octane meets the intrepid crews on the Dakar Classic

8 mins

Bill Heinecke

Meet the collector and hospitality tycoon behind a new concours in the heart of the eternal city, Rome

6 mins

STEALTH FIGHTER FOR THE ROAD

Following a stellar career creating legends for Audi, Roland Gumpert set out to build a radical track-day weapon. Marc Sonnery takes a brave pill

8 mins

LONG WAY BACK

Two intrepid ex-pat Brits took an E-type from Kuala Lumpur to Yorkshire in 77 days. This is their epic overland adventure

8 mins

WHAT'S IN NAME

The Fiat Dino Spider's humble marque name belies its exotic racebred Ferrari engine and curvaceous body. Richard Heseltine takes the wheel The Fiat Dino Spider's humble marque name belies its exotic racebred Ferrari engine and curvaceous body. Richard Heseltine takes the wheel

8 mins

Overdrive

Other interesting cars we've been driving

7 mins

Virgil Exner

A design puritan at heart, yet no one did excess more excessively

3 mins

David Martin

The renowned Los Angeles architect and petrolhead built his first car aged just 14

2 mins

Neon signs

Colourful tubes of magic that were embraced wholeheartedly by the advertising industry

4 mins

Lancia Gamma Berlina

An underdog luxury saloon, as much of an outlier now as it was half a century ago

2 mins

Lesen Sie alle Geschichten von Octane

Octane Magazine Description:

Octane Magazine is a British car magazine that focuses on classic and performance cars. It was launched in 2003 and is currently published monthly by Autovia Limited.

The magazine covers all aspects of classic and performance cars, from buying and restoring to driving and racing. It also features interviews with famous car designers and engineers, as well as reviews of the latest classic and performance cars on the market.

Octane Magazine is known for its in-depth coverage of the classic and performance car scene. It has helped many car enthusiasts learn more about classic and performance cars, and has inspired many to get involved in the hobby.

Here are some of the things you can expect from Octane Magazine:

* In-depth features on classic and performance cars
* Interviews with famous car designers and engineers
* Reviews of the latest classic and performance cars on the market
* Buying guides and restoration advice
* Driving and racing features
* Stunning photography

If you're a fan of classic and performance cars, then Octane Magazine is the magazine for you. Subscribe today and start exploring the world of classic and performance cars!