My favorite car is a supercar! Genroku Web Editor-in-Chief’s Top 3 Cars of the Year [Personally Inspiring Cars of 2025]

An exceptional hot hatch

The year 2025 is fast approaching its end. With Trump’s unfair tariffs, the Ukraine war, China’s tyranny, and the Japanese yen losing out, it was a year that made us feel like the world had gotten smaller, for better or worse. However, for car enthusiasts like us, it was a bumper crop of great cars than usual. From the many cars we drove in 2025, we’ve chosen three, focusing on sports cars.

First up is the new Volkswagen Golf R. Its greatest appeal is that it’s a “full-fledged sports car with the face of a practical vehicle.” The combination of a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 333 PS and AWD is not just fast, but also produces FR-like driving performance thanks to torque vectoring that individually controls the left and right rear wheels, making it hard to believe that this car is based on FF. The response of the rear wheels to accelerator operation is extremely linear, giving you a strong sense of accomplishment in controlling the car.

In steady-state turns, the car adjusted its stance as if it were anticipating the driver’s intentions, providing a sense of security with the traction only AWD can provide, while also fully bringing out the joy of sporty driving. On the other hand, if you switch to Comfort mode, it is perfectly suited for everyday use. If the Golf GTI is a “traditional hot hatch,” then the Golf R is truly a “hot hatch in a class of its own.” I would like to give it my stamp of approval as the perfect modern hot hatch, truly combining practicality and ultimate performance.

“It’s like a rear-wheel drive car?” Trying out the Volkswagen Golf R’s easy drift mode [Video] | Motor-Fan is a media platform that distributes automotive-related articles.

The Volkswagen Golf R is so front-wheel drive it’s hard to believe it’s based on a front-wheel drive (FF) system. The new Volkswagen Golf R’s 4MOTION (AWD) system features a torque vectoring mechanism that can individually control torque distribution to the left and right rear wheels.

https://motor-fan.jp/article/1323328/

The rare V12 has been refined to this extent

The essential appeal of the new Aston Martin Vanquish is its miraculous balance of sensuality and perfection. The 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo engine boasts overwhelming specifications of 835 PS and 1000 Nm, and from the moment it starts up, the dense sound and vibrations unique to multi-cylinder engines directly touch the driver’s heart. The greatest value of the Vanquish is that it allows you to experience this now rare V12 in such a refined form.

But what’s great about it is that it’s not just a symbol of “sound and power.” Despite its imposing body measuring over 2m wide, the moment you turn the steering wheel you feel a sense of precision and unity. The way the nose sweeps in makes you forget it’s a huge GT, and its calm demeanor creates a strong sense of confidence even when driving around town. The acceleration feel is also surprisingly linear for a twin-turbo, and there’s a sense that pedal operation directly translates into the car’s decision-making. Although it’s heavy at 1,950kg, the large diameter tires and carbon ceramic brakes provide a high level of security.

The interior, which embodies the “absolute quality” that Aston Martin strives for, skillfully combines leather, metal, and glass in a space that fuses craftsmanship and digital technology at a high level. This beautiful Super GT, with the persuasiveness and perfection worthy of the pinnacle of Aston Martin, is truly a flagship, including its price of 52.9 million yen.

Test drive the Aston Martin Vanquish, a beautiful GT with a roaring 835 horsepower V12 twin-turbocharger | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes automotive-related articles

Aston Martin Vanquish: Multi-cylinder sound and vibration. When I pressed the start button in the chilly autumn air, the Vanquish woke up with a deep roar, like a deep breath being exhaled all at once.

https://motor-fan.jp/article/1343681/

A trapeze with an invisible safety harness

The Ferrari 296 Speciale I drove at the end of the year was a very pure driver’s car. It was my first time driving a mid-engine V8 (the 296 GTB is a V6) Speciale Ferrari, and it was a car that, based on the perfection of the 296 GTB, had been thoroughly refined to focus on the essentials of driving performance.

Its greatest appeal lies in the “quality” of its speed. The V6 twin-turbo plus motor produces a system output of 880 PS, and its weight reduction and 20% more downforce make it as fast as a racing car. But despite its violent performance, it never loses control, like a trapeze with an invisible safety harness. Looking at it objectively, that safety harness is actually quite thin.

The evolution of the chassis and brakes is also on another level. The new generation ABS EVO keeps the car stable even when braking with steering inputs from over 280km/h, perfectly synchronizing steering and braking. This machine assists with the highly advanced techniques that only racing drivers possess. Too much assistance can be a problem, but the help in an emergency is truly appreciated.

The 296 GTB is a highly accomplished all-rounder, but the 296 Speciale is a pure sports car that breaks through in one area. It is a car that chooses its drivers, but for those who are chosen, it exudes an irresistible charm. This car made me understand with my whole body why Ferrari does not use the name “Speciale” lightly.

Just like a racing car! Ferrari 296 Speciale performance tested on a circuit [Video] | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes automotive-related articles

FERRARI 296 SPECIALE Ferrari and motorsport are inseparable. The Ferrari 296 GTB boasts a compact body, powerful and agile performance, a comfortable ride, and high refinement in urban areas thanks to its EV drivetrain. […]

https://motor-fan.jp/article/1349619/

This year will be over in just a few hours, but I’ve already heard rumors of several new car models being released next year. If only the yen could weaken just a little more, in order to facilitate smooth reporting overseas, there would be a lot of hope… I hope you all have a happy new year.

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The sense of unity with the driver is incredible! Honda Prelude vs. Audi Q6 e-tron [GENROQ’s deputy editor selects hidden gems for 2025]

2025 was a big year for super sports cars and premium SUVs. With flashy new models appearing one after the other, GENROQ magazine has been following the flashiest cars more than usual. However, it is also true that behind the scenes there was one car that truly left a lasting impression, one that cannot be described simply as “flashy.” GENROQ editorial staff member Ishikawa, who has covered many of the latest models, looks back on his “personal hidden gems” that he came across in 2025, from the two categories of sports cars and SUVs.