The Gassing Station

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-service

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
6:05 Audi RS5 - all the details
36:23 £22k 7 seaters
53:55 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-rs5/50893
Seven seaters for £22k: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2136326
Badge engineering: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=2136225

Cars:
Sam's Mitsubishi Shogun: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19622230
Cam's Toyota Alphard: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19508809piston

Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

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 Intro
0:57 VW Golf GTI Edition 50
9:58 Best used supercars
47:47 £85k weekend car

Topics:
VW Golf GTI Edition 50 - https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/2026-vw-golf-gti-edition-50--ph-review/50817
Best used supercars - https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/the-best-used-supercars-to-buy-in-2026/50842
Weekend car for £85k - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2130723

Sam's Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19641655
Cam's McLaren GT - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19355697

Follow us on social media: 🗣 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pistonheads 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistonheads 🐦 X: https://twitter.com/pistonheads

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 Intro
11:28 McLaren F1 GTR for sale
31:14 £5k first cars
49:01 Have you gone back to manual after an auto?

Cars:
Sam's Audi TT: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19805287
Cam's Fiesta ST: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19669765

Topics:
McLaren F1 GTR for sale: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19783298
First car choice: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=255&t=2134145
Once 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

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 Intro
11:38 Jaguar electric GT first drive
41:55 Three car garage for £50k

Topics:

Jaguar XJR: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19742279

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/19731492
Sam'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