It was the best of times

But no worst of times here, just writers' personal highlights of 2025 - involving singed eyebrows, bison at dawn, 200mph and Vegas, baby!

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A NEW HERO

We often have big-name speakers at Autocar's Great Women and Drivers of Change events, both intended to promote the automotive industry and recognise thriving careers within it, but sometimes it's the lesser-known interviewees who prove to be the most inspirational.

One perfect example of this was Renee Knott, Aston Martin's head of project planning and management, who was a fascinating and insightful participant at this year's Great Women event. Having worked at Aston Martin since 2003, she spoke about her passion for the brand and the people within it and the importance of building trust in her role. And she described her love of planning inside and outside work - a woman after my own heart.

RACHEL BURGESS

ESCAPE ROUTE

Plenty of people love Las Vegas, but it's really not my sort of place. It's all loud and brash and gaudy, and I'm... just not. So after a few days in the city attending CES, the annual and utterly fascinating technology trade event that has become a key showground for car makers, I was ready for a change.

I had an escape plan: a day driving a Rivian R1T pickup as part of a big feature about the increasingly influential American EV startup. I collected the large EV on the outskirts of Vegas and, with a full day to experience it, I set course for Nevada's Spring Mountains. Up there, the roads were quiet, the air was fresh and the views were utterly stunning. I was very happy there. The R1T was fascinating too - good to drive and with amazing tech. It really shows that software-defined vehicles are nothing to be afraid of.

JAMES ATTWOOD

TWIN PEAKS