Motoring

The Legacy: Charles Rolls and 'the best cars in the world'

Tragically killed at 32, Charles Rolls accomplished plenty in his short life, including founding Rolls-Royce.

'I loved it like a best friend, and shed a tear when it was finally consigned to the great junkyard in the sky': Country Life's team on our first cars

The L-plates are off and it’s time to hit the road. Everyone remembers their first car, so James Fisher asked Country Life staff and friends to tell us about theirs.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan II: As smooth as a 'bubble bath with Roger Moore'

The original was greeted with raised eyebrows, but, as Adam Hay-Nicholls explains, the latest offering is as much a Rolls Royce as any other.

Rolls-Royce launch the Phantom Scintilla private collection, one of its 'most personal vehicles to date'

Hot off the press: Rolls-Royce unveils a brand new, ten car private collection — inspired by the manufacturer’s iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine — at Monterey Car Show 2024.

The F1 legend who hitched a lift on a victory lap, why drivers no longer spray Champagne, and seven more things you should know about Formula 1

To mark Sir Lewis Hamilton's record-making ninth win at Silverstone Circuit, Rosie Paterson lists the thinks you probably didn't know about F1 and the British GP. Such as, winning Formula One drivers celebrate on the podium with Italian sparkling wine, not Champagne...

Bentley sets new speed record, but underwater

The new Continental GT Speed spooled up its mighty hybrid powertrain and flew through a tunnel some 292 metres below the sea level. Why? Because why not.

Jeep Wrangler review: An iconic off-roader that’s stayed true to its roots 

Jeep Wrangler review: An iconic off-roader that’s stayed true to its roots 

The Aston Martin Vantage review: A fusion of love, joy and metal

The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage is the two seater sports car of your dreams. Or it is, if you're Toby Keel.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way: 'Who knew that winding coastal lanes could be so lucrative?'

Stretching for 1,600 miles between Donegal and west Cork, the longest defined coastal touring route in the world has been a resounding success. Nigel Tisdall took a test drive to mark a decade since it launch.

Curious Questions: Who was the first person to take a driving test?

For years, all you need to drive a car was to jump behind the wheel — but that all changed. Martin Fone traces the history of the driving test.

The Queen's old Range Rover — one which she used to pick up the Obamas — has come up for sale

This SDV8 Autobiography model was specially prepared by Land Rover and used by the Royal Household, and could now be yours for £224,850.

E-Types, Scotland's best beaches and the 'backwards-looking fantasy' of rewilding: Country Life's best features of 2023

From travel and motoring to dog training and pithy comment, these proved out most popular feature articles of the last 12 months.

My 'Franken-Land Rover' has had three new chassis and using the indicators turns on the windscreen wipers. But I just can't get rid of it.

Joe Gibbs pours his heart out about his classic Land Rover Defender, and the peculiar strain of nutty devotion it's inspired.

The 'most beautiful car ever made' makes its debut on Country Life Frontispiece page alongside photographer Amy Shore

Automotive photographer Amy Shore is the star of the Frontispiece page in this week's Country Life — and where better to take the pictures than the garage specialising in classic Jaguars which she helped to start. Rosie Paterson went along.

Opinion: We can't possibly keep producing electricity the old way — and those campaigning against wind turbines and solar farms need to lay down their placards

Country Life's columnist Agromenes delivers a powerful and heartfelt message in praise of progress.

Rolls-Royce Spectre review: The magic carpet goes electric

Specialising in cars so smooth you won’t spill your Champagne, Rolls-Royce was born for the all-electric market — and the Spectre is well worth the two-year wait, says Toby Keel.

Jonathan Self: The lost art of hitch-hiking

A first encounter in decades with somebody hitching a ride prompts our columnist to look back on the days when hitch-hiking was entirely normal — and an incomparable way to get from A to Wherever.

The best outfits from the 2023 Goodwood Revival, the 'best weekend of the year'

The period fashions are a huge part of the appeal for those attending the Goodwood Revival — here's a selection of some of the very best on display this year.

Lexus RZ450e review: Viva la electric revolución

Lexus and its parent company Toyota were well ahead of the game on hybrid engines, but have lagged a little with electric vehicles — until now with the release of the RZ450e. James Fisher took a drive.

The craftswomen who weave — and paint — their magic on Rolls-Royce's spectacular cars

The artisans at Rolls-Royce spend millions of hours each year producing the world's most exclusive cars, and personalising each one to fulfil the dreams of their well-heeled clients. To mark International Women's Day, Octavia Pollock visited the factory to meet some of the female craftspeople at the heart of the process, from the endlessly patient embroiderers to the steel-nerved artist who paints the coach line by hand on each vehicle.