Two of the greatest race tracks in Europe are less than two hours apart if you take the most direct route. There’s a longer way, however…

This being Detour, it’s the only option I consider when plotting my drive between the Nürburgring in Germany and Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps. But first there’s the small matter of collecting a car for this racy road trip, and it’s at Frankfurt airport, around 100 miles to the east of the ‘Ring.

And what a car it is. A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. With a 6.2-litre mid-engined V8 developing almost 500bhp, America’s sports car is finally ready to mount a serious challenge to Europe’s supercar elite. It’s even available in the UK, in right-hand drive, but this car is configured for the Continent.

Ultimately, my destination is the WEC 6 hours of Spa-Francorchamps where I’ll watch the LMGT3 Corvettes and their Cadillac Hypercar GM stablemates compete against the European establishment, but for now the focus is to get there by 6.30 pm to obtain my accreditation.

I’m in the car by 1pm so there should be plenty of time, but the Friday afternoon traffic around the airport has other ideas and I crawl along for almost an hour. The ‘Vette is less bothered than I am, with its eight-speed dual clutch transmission left in automatic, it seems content enough to trundle along with its engine barely above idle.

Eventually, I am through the worst and heading north on the A3. German autobahns have a reputation for their lack of speed limits, but the reality is that the majority of the network is restricted. Variable limits are used to manage the traffic flow, there are plenty of roadworks, and so for a while I’m see-sawing between 100 and 130 km/h with everyone else. Then, at last, there’s a gap in the traffic that coincides with an unrestricted section and I floor it. The Stingray surges forwards, numbers on the head up display rising rapidly.

I’m looking far ahead, intensely watching the closing speeds of the cars ahead in case one should pull into my lane. For a brief moment the speedometer reads 260 km/h – that’s a tad over 160 mph, before I have to hit the brakes. Sustaining such a high speed would definitely put me back on target, but the reality is that it’s impossible.

Nonetheless, the miles fly by and soon I’m joining the A48 west. At Kaisersesch I take the exit in search of something more scenic and I certainly find it on the L98 to Cochem.  Passing first through farmland, then forest it’s a lovely road that becomes increasingly curvaceous, before dropping down to the banks of the Mosel river, at the postcard-pretty town. River boats cruise the water and multi-coloured houses front its banks, while the whole lot is overlooked by its dramatic castle. Definitely worth the detour.

Leaving Cochem requires a hairpin-heavy climb, the Corvette powering out of each bend with just a little shimmy from the rear end before the traction control intervenes. It’s not a small car, but it’s extremely agile, with pointy steering and plenty of feel. Even in sport mode it’s quite supple, too. This is not the American muscle car of old.

I join the B259 which wiggles back to the A48 at Ulmen. A quick sprint down the autobahn and I’m off again on the B257 to Vulkaneifel, the road cutting through deep forest in this landscape, formed, as the name suggests by ancient volcanic activity.

The L46 to Kelberg and the B257 takes me the final stretch to the Nürburgring. It’s a public day on the circuit, and all manner of fast cars are joining the queue for tickets to a lap, but I only have time for a quick photo if I’m to take the most enjoyable route to Spa.

The B258 leads to the Belgian border and, if like me, you don’t manage to lap the ‘Ring, it’s the next best thing. It’s a brilliant road with even more bends than the Nordschleife’s legendary 157 corners. True, there are speed limits (rigidly enforced by cameras in the towns along the way) but locals certainly drive it with gusto.

Approaching the Belgian border the road suddenly straightens beyond Schöneseiffen, becoming a tree-lined avenue through a valley of wind turbines, before bringing back the bends as it crosses into Belgium. The route to Spa is in parts densely forested, in others desolated empty as I follow the N649, N647, N676, N68, following signposts for Malmedy, Hockai, checking my watch on the final stretch to the circuit.

I arrive in the nick of time as the circuit office readies to close. Of course, the more direct route would have been much faster, but with a car like the Corvette at your disposal would you have done anything different?

Words Nik Berg‍ ‍Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Circuit tour

NAME: Nürburgring to SPa-Francorchamps

ROUTE: FrankFurt to The Nürburgring to SPa-Francorchamps

COUNTRY: Germany / Belgium

Distance: 200 Miles

People have crossed the sand between the tides for centuries, and now Porsche has electrified the experience by driving a Macan over Morecambe Bay.

The near-ten-mile route that links Arnside to Grange-over-Sands in Lancashire is a public right of way, but these days few brave the crossing. Fewer still in electric cars, where salt water and high voltage aren’t exactly an ideal combination.

In preparation, the Porsche team wisely consulted the King’s Guide to the Sands, Michael Wilson. It’s a role that dates back to 1548 and Wilson’s job is to read the sands and pick the safest route across.

“People have always crossed at low tide,” Wilson explained. “It used to cut as much as three days off their journeys, and there was a scheduled stagecoach service before the railway was built. Today, the official right of way is not defined to one particular route. The Monk’s Road, as it’s called, is actually the whole bay – wherever the Guide deems safe.”

“It can be very dangerous out there if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he added. “There have been tragedies on the sands all through recorded history, and they sadly still happen when people venture out on their own.”

Under Wilson’s guidance the Macan set out. “As the journey continues, the sense of scale grows,” reports Porsche. “The shoreline fades and the fells become more distant. It almost starts to feel more like a desert than the seabed. The Macan remains quiet, allowing the sounds of the wind, water and birdlife to come through. Timing remains critical. Areas that are dry will soon be submerged. In order to stop before an impassable bed of sinking sand and to avoid disturbing the wildlife, Wilson sticks to the plan and retraces our wheel tracks before the incoming tide erases them.”

If you fancy taking a trip across the bay yourself then a guided walk is the safest option, but we’ve got also plenty of other choices if you want to go for a beach drive.

Charging down a desert highway towards an infinite horizon, racing through city streets, or in hot pursuit along a curvy coastal road. These are the movie scenes that car fans remember.

If you want to follow the stars of the silver screen on an unforgettable blockbuster road trip of your own then let Detour be your director.

To mark the centenary of Route 66 Google has put together a guide to 48 places to visit along the Mother Road.

“Buckle up for the ultimate journey down Route 66 in honor of its 100th anniversary, crafted with Ask Maps. Explore this historic 2,400-mile-long stretch through iconic landmarks, roadside attractions, delicious bites, and more, from Chicago to Santa Monica,” reads the description.

Surprisingly it’s not a detailed route map – although given it’s just one road it would be pretty hard to get lost – but the 48 Pit Stops aren’t listed in the order you’d find them either. Nonetheless there are some good tips here, and not just the obvious spots, like the Springfield Route 66 Welcome Center in Missouri, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, or the finish line at Santa Monica Pier on the Pacific coast.

You’ll find the site of the first ever McDonald’s, countless diners, museums and motels, as well as oddball attractions like Cadillac Ranch, Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios and the Gemini Giant.

Check out the Google guide, and discover more of Detour’s Route 66 stories here.

ThE Alta Via Del Sale isn’t for the fainthearted, but the payoff is worth it.

High in the Ligurian Alps this ancient trade route remains much as it has for centuries. The unpaved road hugs the mountainside as it follows the border ridge between Italy and France, barely a car wide, with next-to-nothing in the way of barrier to prevent a precipitous death.

Sitting at above 1,800 meters, and climbing as high as 2,100m, the Alta via del Sale is wisely closed in the winter months when snow and ice would make it even more perilous. From June 21 until the end of September, however, it’s open to all-comers – in cars, on motorcycles, mountain bikes and on foot. Thankfully not at the same time, with Tuesdays and Thursdays closed to anything with an engine.

To keep numbers manageable drivers and riders need to buy a €20 ticket, and while you don’t necessarily need four-wheel drive or knobbly tyres, they would add a little extra assurance on the loose gravel surface. Not that it’s some kind of rally stage, mind. The reality is that you’ll be pottering along, keeping a keen eye on the edge, and another on the wall of rock as you thread the needle between the two. There’s no room for error. There’s not much room for passing, either, so be prepared to reverse quite a distance to find a spot that’s wide enough for two.

If this sounds stressful, what makes it all worthwhile is the utterly stunning scenery you encounter as you traverse the ridge towards the French border. The clear mountain air helps get your breath back after the vistas have taken it away.

There’s a number of different itineraries to explore, as listed on the Alta Via del Sale website, and you can even take an overnight stay in a mountain hut. When the gravel ends the adventure is far from over, as the route onwards and downwards towards the Mediterranean coast is strewn with switchbacks until you join the SP64 that takes you into Ventimiglia.

Words Nik Berg‍ ‍Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Mountain Pass

NAME: Alta Via del Sale

ROUTE: Limone to Ventimiglia

COUNTRY: Italy / France

Distance: 42 Miles

Bugatti’s CEO, President and Managing Director have just completed a grand tour of South Africa with a group of owners.

One of the perks of running a hypercar company is driving its cars and Mate Rimac (CEO), Christophe Piochon (President) and Hendrik Malinowski (MD) seized the chance to join in on an eight-day adventure from Cape Town.

The multi-million pound convoy (and multi-milllionaire drivers) left Cape Town and immediately took on the coast-hugging curves of Chapman’s Peak Drive, before continuing over mountain passes to the valley of Tulbagh, and the Western Cape’s famous vineyards. A third stage took the Bugatti buyers and bosses to Cape Agulhas - the southernmost point on the African continent, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. The cars then followed the Garden Route, took in a game reserve and explored the Karoo, before a final run up the wild Atlantic Coast and through the Cape Winelands, the Franschhoek Pass and back to Cape Town.

Bugatti quite accurately described this 2026 Grand Tour as “A journey through the captivating beauty of South Africa.”

Of course you don’t need to be rich to enjoy the wealth of wonders on the superb South African roads. No matter what you drive, you’ll find detailed guides to these routes, and many more, right here at Detour.

A tight and twisty climb that’s rewarded with terrific views of Table Mountain.

Thanks to its geological make up, the Western Cape, on the very tip of Africa, is chock-full of mountain passes. Snaking sections of tar that either wind along the scenic coastline, such as Clarence Drive, or climb over dragon-like mountains on the Franschhoek Pass.

About three dozen of the many, many passes in and around the Cape, were designed by just two men: father Andrew and son Thomas Bain, and it is the former after which our feature road is named. A local whisky was also named after him.

Scottish-born Andrew Geddes Bain wore many hats, one of them being that of an engineer. His handiwork included overseeing the construction of Mitchell’s-, Gydo-, Houw Hoek- and Bainskloof Pass. This connects the farming community of Wellington on one side of the Slanghoek Mountains to the fruit-producing Ceres region on the other. The pass technically starts on the outskirts of Wellington and ends at the Breede River bridge in the valley on the other side.

While Bain was the brains, the heavy lifting was carried out by convict labourers and reportedly the cause of slow progress. In 1854 the pass was opened and the (then) wagon track was lauded for its gentle rise and descent.

The road, which has since been completely tarred, is narrow and has a strict height limit as overhanging rock formations such as Dacre's Pulpit have remained in place since the very early days of construction. The initial stretch is characteristed by many hairpins and blind corners as it climbs from Wellington through a canopy of trees on mountainside forest. At its peak, some 590 metres above sea level, there are spectacular views over the vast plain that looks back towards Table Mountain in the distance.

The descent towards Ceres snakes its way into the kloof or valley. Bainskloof Pass is surrounded by the Limietberg Nature Reserve. As a result there is an abundance of fauna and flora for nature lovers to enjoy. In addition there are hiking trails and natural plunge pools to explore.

A recent revamp has left it with a near billiard-smooth finish. As a result it is now even more appealing to sportscar and superbike owners. Speed seekers have been known to scare rare and elusive wildlife in the area, such as leopards, which has irked local conservationists. Better to take a more gentle cruise down into the valley, soaking up the scenery and make a stop at the local bush pub, an ideal spot to enjoy a cool drink or warm coffee on a winter’s day. The deep Vee of the kloof means that there aren’t many hours of sunlight in the valley, which can be one of the coldest places in the Cape during winter.

Once over the Breede River the road flattens out into the plain, the occasional floodplain, that is. Keep going and you’ll eventually hit another arterial road, opening up routes to explore more of the surrounding countryside. Most people who have made the trip purely to experience this road simply turn around and head straight back up to double their thrills.

Words and Photography Sudhir “Banzai” Matai Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Mountain Pass

NAME: Bainskloof Pass

ROUTE: Wellington to Ceres

COUNTRY: South Africa

Distance: 35 Miles

The Piotto Vogts completed the Rally dos Sertões - known as one of the toughest events in South America – in their factory-specification Porsche.

The marathon event covered 3,482 km through the wilds of Brazil, from Goiânia, southwest of the capital city, Brasília, to Marechal Deodoro on the Alagoas coast. With a roof tent mounted atop the car, and their Cayenne as a support vehicle, Fredy and Susele Piotto Vogts and their 14-year-old son João Pedro completed the rally route without a hitch.

“To start with, we weren’t sure if the Porsche would be able to handle the route,” admitted Susele. “But those concerns evaporated the moment we crossed the river. The Dakar also served as our hotel. We slept in the roof tent in the heart of the wilderness. All in all, it was an unforgettable experience.” 

Just to get to the start involved a 1,200 km from their home in Campo Largo, and they obviously had to make the return journey as well in their cars. The family clearly loves life on the road, however, and their very first trip in the 911 Dakar took them to Praia do Cassino – the longest beach in the world, at 220 kilometers – in Rio Grande do Sul, and from there, on to Chui in Uruguay.

“We buy cars to drive them,” said Fredy, and, when they’re not on rally duties, both vehicles are used as daily drivers. “It’s about the dynamism, the feeling, and the experience of driving a Porsche to work in the morning.”

With its seemingly endless vanishing point, Saudi Arabia’s Highway 10 is officially the longest, straightest road in the world.

That’s according to Guinness World Records which says: “Built originally as a private road for King Fahd (SAU), the stretch of Highway 10 connecting Highway 75 in the Haradh area to Highway 95 in the west of Saudi Arabia is 240 km (149 mi) long. It cuts through the desert with no bends left or right, or any appreciable gradient up or down. The super-straight stretch has an estimated driving time of around 2 hr.”

Those are the bare facts, but they fail to convey the relentlessness of this desert drive that slices through the sand with an almost surreal precision. There’s not a kink in sight, not an incline to alter your altitude, just arrow-straight asphalt for almost 150 miles.

After the initial awe of the harsh desert and infinite blue sky fades, the view of the limitless flat sandscape soon becomes monotonous. The biggest driving challenge is simply to stay alert. Barrelling along at the 75mph speed limit sounds like it should be enough to maintain attention, but such is the empty vastness that any sense of speed is diminished. In daytime hours heat haze turns the road ahead into a disturbing blur. It’s a recipe for highway hypnosis.

Although accidents aren’t that common, when they do occur, they are catastrophic. With no central divider between the two lanes, a head-on collision at high closing speeds is more like a plane crash. In July 2023 five people died and eight more were injured when two mini buses collided.

You’ll find no fuel along the way, so a full tank, a well-prepped car and a supply of water and snacks are musts before taking on this drive. Avoiding the most extremes of temperature is wise and also throws in some added benefits.

Sunrise on Highway 10 is something special as the light spills across the desert floor in soft gold, casting long shadows that slowly retreat as the day warms up. But it’s sunset that steals the show. As the sun dips low, the sky ignites in shades of orange, pink, and deep violet.

It’s a lonely road for sure, but that in itself can be bonus as it resets your perspective. You can find yourself reflecting as there’s nothing else competing for your attention. Call it motoring mindfulness.

And maybe that’s the real beauty of Highway 10 – a space to think, to simply exist in motion. Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys are the ones that appear, at first glance, to be the simplest.

Words Nik Berg‍ ‍Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Desert Drive

NAME: Highway 10

ROUTE: Haradh to Al Batha

COUNTRY: Saudi Arabia

Distance: 250 Miles

Max Adventure is offering a unique chance to drive from below sea level up to 2,782 feet on a three day off-and-on road trip.

The route begins at Holme Fen in Cambridgeshire, which is the lowest navigable track in the UK, sitting at nine feet below sea level, with the final destination being Great Dun Fell in the North Pennines, some 250 miles away. Highlights of the journey include the chance to stop at the highest and lowest pubs in the country, drive the Buttertubs Pass and take on the highest green lanes in the UK.

Participants will need to have a 4×4, but Max Adventure says: “This event isn’t about serious mud plugging or extreme off road driving, but exploring the stunning UK wilderness and getting away from it all.” The Max Adventure team will be on-hand in its own expedition-ready off-roaders to provide support if it’s needed.

The drive, dubbed Fen to Fell 2026, takes place from 17-20 July and prices vary from £399 per person if you’re going solo to £149 per person with four people in a car.

Whether you make a dash for the last of the snow, or wait for the summer sun, Europe’s mountain passes are always a drivers’s delight. The challenge of serial switchbacks and stunning views are what put these routes on bucket lists.

Our guides to six of the best European mountain roads are now available for free on the MIVIA app, with accurate, turn-by-turn navigation for every one. You can also use the app to book accommodation and sign up for discounts and deals to improve your driving life.

Just download MIVIA and use the links below to tackle these six very special Detours in Switzerland, France and Italy.

A trio of Toyota trucks has travelled from Montanta, USA to Cape Town, South Africa to put a new Mobil oil to the test.

Having refreshed its two Tacoma Trailhunters and one Tundra with Mobil 1 Extended Performance oil, a 13-strong crew from XOverland embarked from their U.S. base for a four-month on-and-off-road trip through 35 countries.

“Our most ambitious expedition to date required equally ambitious partners,” explains XOverland founder and expedition Leader Clay Croft. “When you’re crossing three continents and taking on some of the most dynamic terrain in the world, confidence in your equipment matters. For us, this journey was about removing variables, reducing risk, and knowing our vehicles were supported every mile of the way. It was a test for Mobil 1 Extended Performance, but for us, it was the removal of variables and the peace of mind we had knowing that we could push this product further than any other motor oil. Protecting our vehicles and, frankly, sometimes our crew.”

“The Mobil 1 brand has always been about pushing limits in ways that matter for real drivers,” says Mobil 1 North America marketing manager Austin Johansen. “With the new Mobil 1 Extended Performance formula, drivers get guaranteed protection for up to 25,000 miles, and there’s no better way to put that promise to the test than on this bold adventure with XOverland.”

The entire journey, dubbed Milestones Global Expedition, has been documented in a multi-part YouTube series and you can check out the first episode below.

Ben Barry journeys from relaxing Playa de Mogán to the spectacular Mirador del Balcón in Gran Canaria – retracing a World Rally Championship route along the way.

When the World Rally Championship made its first ever visit to Gran Canaria in 2025, it showed car fans that the Canary Islands didn’t just boast spectacular volcanoes and golden beaches – they also offer some truly exceptional driving roads.

Ahead of the WRC’s return from 23–26 April 2026, Detour set out to explore the GC-200 route used on the opening day of the rally, only in something a little less spicy and a lot more practical than a full-bore rally car – a VW T-Cross rental.

Located off the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa, Gran Canaria is the third-largest of the Canary Islands and – with around 900,000 inhabitants – the second most populous island in the Spanish archipelago.

I land at Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria on the eastern coast and set out south along the GC-1 – a smoothly surfaced stretch of three-lane autoroute that loosely traces the shoreline. It leads first past industrial and commercial zones, then into more desolate expanses further south. It is not particularly appealing, but beyond the southern tip at Maspalomas, the landscape begins to close in around the GC-1. Soon I’m running through long tunnels that cut into the mountainsides, periodically re-emerging into piercing sunlight, before I drop down to the welcome sight of my accommodation at La Playa de Mogán. A fishing village with a crescent-shaped white sand beach, small harbour and calm water, it’s an easy place to switch off and recharge.

I do just that for a few days, before the pull of those rally roads takes over. I point the VW north, first inland towards the delicious-sounding Pie de la Cuesta, then onto the GC-200, which sweeps up into the mountains like a ribbon in the wind – the very road that, once closed to public traffic, rounded out day one of Rally Islas Canarias last year as drivers raced from La Aldea to Mogán.

My pace today is rather more measured, but that’s no bad thing given the stunning scenery. I climb into the craggy interior, the white walls and terracotta roofs of Veneguera dropping away below, while the jagged peaks of the Inagua massif rise above, their layered rock strata giving the entire vista the feel of a digital image that hasn’t quite downloaded.

Soon the iconic coloured cliffs of Los Azulejos fill my windscreen, where the western face of the massif is streaked with vivid turquoise – the result of a dramatic chemical reaction between lava and water.

The terrain becomes more varied now, richer green vegetation scattered across the otherwise monochromatic palette of ochres and greys. It’s cooler at this altitude too, with clouds periodically rolling through to knock the edge of the heat.

The road is sublime with its smooth surface, good sight lines and curves that wrap invitingly around the mountainside. Tempting as it is to channel a little WRC spirit, the T-Cross’s modest 1.0-litre turbo quickly curbs my enthusiasm, as do the bright warning signs suggesting helicopters – and perhaps even drones – may be monitoring speed.

After a long climb that takes me beyond the rally stage, I descend towards Molino de Viento – literally ‘windmill’ – an apt name given the buffeting crosswinds as I cross the GC-2 near sea level at Las Marciegas.

Blimey it feels stark here – small patches of farmland cling to barren soil, palms bend forlornly in the breeze – but the road soon coils into the Carrizo mountains in an immaculately surfaced three-lane stretch that allows me to slip past a slow-moving lorry.

Before long I rejoin the GC-200, heading into Tamadaba Natural Park. Narrower now, the road threads more precariously between wooden barriers and volcanic rock faces coloured purple and grey like old bruises, and climbs steadily towards Mirador del Balcón – a concrete viewing platform that extends over the cliff edge and is bordered by nothing more than glass.

I park and walk down to the viewpoint, my knees wobbling slightly as I peer over the glazed boundary feeling freakishly exposed. To my left, a chain of peaks descends towards the ocean, aptly named the Dragon’s Tail. Ahead lies the vast Atlantic, stretching endlessly beyond Gran Canaria’s western tip.

Breathtaking in daylight, Mirador del Balcón is also one of the island’s most remarkable places after dark. With virtually no light pollution, the night sky reveals an extraordinary canvas – not only can all the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere be seen from here, but almost 80% of those in the Southern Hemisphere too. On clear nights between January and June, even the Southern Cross can be glimpsed low on the horizon.

It’s a fitting end to a drive that proves Gran Canaria is far more than a sun-soaked escape. For those willing to venture inland and explore the island’s more remote western flank, it offers some of the most scenic driving routes imaginable.

Words & Photography Ben Barry Twitter/X | Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: RALLY STAGE

NAME: GrAn Canaria’s GC-200

ROUTE: Playa de Mogán to Mirador del Balcón

COUNTRY: Spain

Distance: 26 Miles

Researchers in China have discovered that the smell of peppermint in your car can potentially improve your driving.

The study, titled Cognitive activation and emotional regulation effects of olfactory intervention in the context of advanced driver assistance systems, tested a number of different scents with a group of 34 drivers in simulations of urban driving. Their awareness was monitored under three different “odour conditions” which is actually much more pleasant than it sounds. The base line measurements were taken with just the normal smell of the car, and then two distinct scents were added: peppermint and bergamot.

The boffins in Chengdu discovered that peppermint had a positive impact on drivers’ reaction times, while bergamot proved to have a calming effect in the stressful cut and thrust of city driving. “Olfactory interventions exhibit significant context dependence across driving settings. In urban driving, characterized by high information density, bergamot more effectively suppressed low-frequency electroencephalography indices and reduced variability, whereas peppermint sometimes increased variability. In highway driving, which is monotony-prone, peppermint sustained vigilance and reduced attentional drift," reads the study.

We’ve previously reported on how in-car smells can enhance your road tripping experience and now it seems that if you pick the right peppermint pong you might driver better as well.

In the space of just a few minutes it’s possible to drive through Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire.

It’s a fun idea in itself to zip through three English counties in quick succession, but even more so from behind the wheel of a locally-built lightweight sports car.

Tucked away near the church in the village of Bayton is The Pembleton Motor Company, purveyors of a brand new throwback to the 1930s. The T24 is a tribute to the cyclecars of the time, but with today’s build quality and a smattering of its technology.

It’s powered by an 850 cc V-twin motorcycle engine, sourced from Moto Guzzi, which drives the front wheels via a reconditioned gearbox from a Citroën 2CV. There’s only about 80bhp up for grabs but since the Pembleton weighs less than 400kg it’s very lively indeed.

Then there’s the total exposure to the elements – which today include bright sunshine and hail showers – which only enhances the sensation of speed. It’s a tiny thing, with barely room for two (although with surprisingly ample space for luggage) and that means that even the narrowest lanes seem to open up for the T24.

The A443 from Great Witley is only single carriageway, but there’s plenty of room to play in the Pembleton. Sections that might invoke a sharp intake of breath in an SUV are a breeze. The little car is at its best bowling from bend to bend, maintaining momentum and keeping the farty V-twin engine on the boil. The brace of exhausts pop and bang on the over-run, but the sound isn’t forced, or overtly aggressive -  it’s just another way the T24 induces grins from driver and passers-by alike.

The big four-spoked steering wheel is constantly alive, feeding back every inch of road to your fingertips, while the suspension remains surprisingly supple

At Newnham Bridge the A443 turns into the A456 with more wiggles as it briefly leaves Worcestershire for Shropshire at Burford, which blurs into the old market town of Tenbury Wells. From here it’s the A4112 Oldwood Road to Leominster which is the most engaging part of the route

Passing through picture postcard villages like St Michaels and winding through forest and open farmland the views are ever-changing and the road continually commands attention as it heads towards Hereford (in county number three). That’s especially true in the Pembleton, where driving at the national speed limit of 60mph feels like it’s starting to reach the edge of the envelope of the car’s capability, if not quite licking the stamp and sending it. What I mean is that you feel like you’re really motoring along, where in a modern car the enveloping is all about isolating you from the bumps, the noise and even the smells of the road

With the constant activity I barely feel the cold (except when hail stones start to bombard my face), at least until the straighter run on the A49 to Hereford. Here the T24 settles into a not uncomfortable cruise, but for longer trips of this kind I think I’d need a Biggles-style flying hat and goggles.

It would, of course, suit the Pembleton aesthetic, adding to the feel of time travel that this lovely lightweight provides.

Words Nik Berg Instagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Country Road

NAME: THREE COUNTIES

ROUTE: Great Witley to Hereford

COUNTRY: England

Distance: 30 Miles

The rough and tumble Ineos Grenadier 4×4 is now available at a selection of Hertz locations across the USA.

The Grenadier, famously conceived in a pub of the same name, is a highly-capable off-roader in the mould of the original Land Rover Defender, but with added an added level of luxury. That’s especially true in the Fieldmaster trim specified by Hertz, which includes heated seats, safari windows and a swanky sound system. The BMW three-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine is gutsy enough to clear any obstacle, especially when mated to the Grenadier’s four-wheel drive system.

“At Hertz, we’re focused on offering the newest and most exciting vehicles in the industry and giving customers access to modern, high quality rental options,” says Adnan Manzur, Senior Vice President, North America Customer Operations at Hertz. “With the addition of the Ineos Grenadier, we’re continuing to broaden customer choice and reflect travellers’ evolving preferences for unique, premium driving experiences that make the journey just as memorable as the destination.”  

“Introducing the Grenadier to Hertz customers gives more drivers the opportunity to experience our vehicle’s capability and engineering firsthand. It also highlights the strong demand we’re seeing as our brand continues to grow its presence across North America,” adds Gregor Hembrough, EVP, INEOS Automotive Americas.

The Grenadier is available at selected airport rental locations as part of the Hertz Dream Cars collection, which also includes cars from Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Rolls Royce.

It may not be quite as death-defying as the Grand Tour made it look, but a drive up the Skeleton Coast is definitely life-affirming.

In one of the most hair-raising scenes of their Namibia Special Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May almost drowned in their beach buggies as they were caught between impenetrable sand dunes and the fast-rising tide. In typical Grand Tour style the trio took the most treacherous route as they headed up the Skeleton Coast, but this extraordinary drive betwixt sea and sand really isn’t that dangerous, despite the name.

It was author John Henry Marsh who first came up with the moniker for his novel based on the beaching of the ocean liner Dunedin Star, and the rescue effort that followed. This stretch of coastline has certainly seen its share of shipwrecks, caused in no small part by the dense fog that often hangs were land and sea meet.

The journey begins in Swakopmund, a town seemingly parachuted into position, not just from another continent, but from another time. Namibia was a German colony and it was here that the colonists made themselves most at home. The architecture is an almost fairytale-like reproduction of pre-war Germany and a stark contrast to the surrounding desert landscape.

The C34 follows the coastline almost due north for over 200 miles. Initially paved, the surface soon gives way to gravel. It’s a well-travelled route and, unless you plan to take a detour to the water’s edge then you won’t need a 4x4 (or beach buggy).

It is staggeringly straight which can tax the concentration, especially as it’s easy to be distracted by the ruins of old infrastructure, and the endless ocean views (fog permitting). Life on the Skeleton Coast is surprisingly prosperous despite the harsh landscape. You can expect to find flamingos, springbok, jackals and hyenas along the way, with seals basking on the beaches.

At Mile 108 you can stop for fuel and provisions, then a couple of hours in you’ll reach Ugab Gate where you’ll need to obtain a transit permit to enter the Skeleton Coast National Park. It’s free, but the gate is open only between 7.30am and 3pm. Arrive later and you’ll be turned away.

Terrace Bay is the end of the road for the general public and you’ll have to obtain an overnight pass and an advance booking if you want to stay. To go any further the only option is an organised tour. So that just leaves the return journey and a second chance to enjoy the spectacular sights of the Skeleton Coast.

Words Nik BergInstagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Coast Road

NAME: Skeleton Coast Freeway

ROUTE: Swakopmund to terrace Bay

COUNTRY: Namibia

Distance: 220 Miles

Google Maps is getting its biggest upgrade in a decade thanks to Gemini Artificial Intelligence.

The most significant change is a new 3D view, called Immersive Navigation, with smart zoom and transparent buildings to give users a clearer picture of the route ahead. Voice instructions will be much clearer and more natural, replacing phrases like “in 200 metres take the next left,” with “turn left after Starbucks,” or “go past this turn and take the next one.”

There are more route planning options provided with the pros and cons for each listed. You’ll be informed if taking a longer route might have less traffic, for example, or if a shorter option requires a toll payment. There will also be a new “Ask Maps” feature where you can easily seek out the best pit stops on a road trip or look for a specific restaurant.

The update is available in the USA and India with other countries to follow.

The new Google Maps should make day-to-day navigation easier, but for extended road trips, we’d still recommend the MIVIA app, which not only provides turn-by-turn instruction on the exact roads you’ve planned, but also connects you to a community of fellow road trippers and offers a range of benefits and offers. You’ll also find a wide selection of our own Detour road trip routes to follow.

Germany’s highest panoramic road has views and bends to die for.

The best roads don’t just take you from A to B. In fact, the ones with no real destination at all are often the most enjoyable.

That’s certainly the case with the Rossfeldpanoramastrasse that criss-crosses the border between Germany and Austria. It’s not a road that’s vital for moving people and goods, it wasn’t built with the military in mind. It was designed from the outset just for drivers.

The idea was first floated in 1927, purely to promote motor tourism in the alpine valleys between Lake Constance and Königsee. Construction would begin in 1937, which would involve building no less than 14 bridges and putting up extensive retaining walls and drainage. World War II saw an abrupt halt to the proceedings, however, and it wasn’t until 1955 that the road was finally open to traffic.

Although the original plan was for it to be part of a longer Alpenstrasse route all the way to Oberau, 100 miles west, it stands alone as a just under nine-mile drive that you take just for the joy of it.

To be truly pedantic the Rossfeldpanoramastrasse does actually have a destination: Obersalzberg. However, if you were just trying to get there from Unterau you’d simply head south for about eight minutes on the B319 instead of taking what amounts to a massive, but very worthwhile, detour on the B999.

Rolling through mountain pastures, pretty chalets dotted hither and thither the road introduces itself gently with curves few and far between. It’s only when you get to the toll booth, pay your nine Euros and enter the forest that the fun really starts. Running almost parallel with the Austrian border as it climbs ever higher the Rossfeld starts throwing in switchbacks and steeper gradients. All the while the mountain views become more and more spectacular and you’ll definitely want to stop at one of the laybys for some alpine air and photographs.

Throughout its length the road remains wide and with clear sight lines – it very clearly was conceived with the driver in mind. For a brief moment you’ll find yourself over the border in Austria before sweeping back into Germany without even having to offer up your passport.

You’ll reach the road’s peak at 1,570m before beginning to descend again through tightening hairpins, before hitting the tree line again and being buried in towering forest.

If it all looks quite familiar that’s because the Rossfeldpanoramastrasse has featured in The Sound of Music and as the road to Brunwald Castle where Indy sets his father free in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

As the road is open year round you can join the 100,000 other driving crusaders who tick the Rossfeldpanoramastrasse off their bucket list annually.

Words Nik BergInstagram

ROADBOOK

CLASS: Mountain PasS

NAME: Rossfeldpanoramastrasse

ROUTE: Unterau to Obersalzberg

COUNTRY: Germany / Austria

Distance: 12 Miles

The Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena has just opened a special exhibition featuring famous rock star cars.

The Greatest Hits –Music Legends and their Ferraris is much more than just a static display, it’s a celebration of music and motors, with visitors donning headsets for a podcast-style guide to the exhibit, featuring music and fascinating stories of the link between Ferrari cars and chart-topping stars. Did you know, for example, that Cher once raced a 250 LM or that Pavarotti owned an F40? (how he fitted into it is another question).

“Ferrari and music share a common creative framework, based on a balance between technical discipline and expressive freedom,” says Ferrari. “In both fields, performance represents a central moment, whether on stage or behind the wheel. The exhibition reflects this parallel by presenting the automobile as a personal and cultural expression associated with artistic identity. The exhibition features artists who have selected Ferrari as a symbol, source of inspiration, or companion in their professional and personal journeys. The cars on display are presented as evidence of these individual relationships.”

Among the marvellous musical machines on show are Nick Mason’s 250 GTO, Herbert von Karajan’s 250 GT Lusso, the one-off SP12 commissioned by Eric Clapton, global superstar J Balvin’s 512 TR, and the SF90 XX owned by Swizz Beatz.

The Greatest Hits –Music Legends and their Ferraris is open daily until February 2027.