Wheels in motion

Although Peugeot may not be known for scooters, the company has been rolling two-wheelers out of its factories since 1898. The Django line is seen around Europe and the current Evasion model is exactly what a scooter should be. It has a 12-volt power socket in its glove box, which means you can be self-sufficient on trips across town or to the beach. Add to that all-new lights and you’re well equipped for rides after sunset. Admittedly the two-tone paint scheme is a bit camp but it’s summer, loosen up.
peugeotscooters.com

There’s something irresistable about the bmw 2002 – and it’s not just the two-door’s dashing looks. This model knows how to handle an off-the-beaten-track retreat: it’s a local’s ride. The 2002 harks back to the days when cars were just that: cars. High performance wasn’t squeezed mercilessly into the lexicon when it came to describing this vehicle but it became a favourite on the European rally circuit with those willing to make a few modifications. While there are better cars to race, this one would certainly win you a few points for style.
bmw.com

Volkswagen hasn’t had the shiniest year but there’s value in the maker’s past. The VW Type 181 or 182, also known as The Thing, is an excellent place to start. An old advert reads: “It’s a VW Thing. You wouldn’t understand.” But we do. The genius in the car is that it was built for practical military purposes, under direction from the West German Army. With vinyl seats, rudimentary gauges and no power steering, it wasn’t designed for comfort. But admit it: it’s fun to think about a road trip where the car doesn’t need to be coddled. A restored one will set you back €9,000.
volkswagen.com

Where would a list of things we like be without something that’s too handsome for its own good? Alfa Romeo’s Giulia is just that – and it’s more than welcome considering how traditional the maker’s line-up has been in recent years. Italians aren’t known for modesty but the Giulia is understated enough at first glance. It’s a five-passenger sedan but it’s built to be one of the fastest in its class. Racing was clearly in the back of Alfa Romeo’s mind: it brought back the classic Qaudrifoglio three-leaf clover and emblazoned it on the side.
alfaromeo.com

While the A1 Sportback still boasts Audi’s dashing looks, it’s the everyman answer to an otherwise luxury-focused German brand. This handsome, modest five-door car plays to the mellower, less expensive end of the Audi line. The engine comes in four models, which allows a driver to decide just how much horsepower to pack for the Autobahn. Add to that optional titanium alloy wheels and sport suspension and you have a car that turns heads. As for picking a colour, we like the Misano red.
audi.com

We’ve been waiting for Volvo to build something like the s90 – we just didn’t know that, when it did, it would be so smart. In truth we’ve been a tad wary of what Chinese ownership might do to the Swedish brand but it seems its Scandinavian appeal is back in spades.This all-new sedan has given a fresh dimension to the too-often reserved and family-oriented brand that Volvo has been peddling for years. There’s a focus on natural materials and Swedish (read: Viking) design elements; look closely at the headlights and you might see Thor’s hammer in the detailing. And the car is as sultry as it is efficient: Volvo’s optional T6 engine technology means more horsepower for less fuel. Safety features such as semi-autonomous driving mean this is an easy choice for a summer road trip around northern Europe. We’re even happy to go to Gothenburg and pick it up fresh from the factory.
volvocars.com

While Japanese vehicle design often errs on the side of simplicity, we’ve found charm in Honda’s quirky and unusually shaped Super Cub. The current model looks contemporary enough but the basic design harks back to 1958, the year the vehicle was first produced in Japan. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. In fact the scooter is now so well known in Japan that patent authorities see it as a hallmark of Japanese design: it was the first vehicle to receive a “three-dimensional” trademark designation, meaning its physical form is recognised as an icon. Forthcoming electric models suggest that this smart machine could be a staple for the future too.
world.honda.com

A good wishlist involves a mix of cutting edge and classic. This one might surprise you but we appreciate the boxiness and utility of the 1980s Isuzu Trooper. It was likely conceived as a competitor to Toyota’s Land Cruiser (also good), which put the Japanese in the sport-utility category. While the Land Cruiser lives on, Isuzu ceased producing the Trooper more than a decade ago. Aerodynamic vehicles are great but sometimes we long for the unfussy austerity of a Trooper cutting its way through the Japanese countryside.

isuzu.com

It’s tough to walk past a parked bmw i3 and not take a closer look at its compact design. Though not the sportiest of numbers, this two-door car is a responsible feat of engineering that has enhanced how the world perceives one of the most sought-after European luxury-car stalwarts. The i3 can operate electrically and the newest models take you 200km without a charge. An optional range extender in the form of a two-cylinder combustion engine means you won’t need a power outlet on remote routes.
bmw.com

1. Freddie Grubb, UK
   Named after British Olympic cyclist Frederick Grubb, these handmade frames are assembled in south London.
   freddiegrubb.com

2. Achielle, Belgium
   Peter and Tom Oosterlinck’s grandfather started building bikes in 1946; now the pair make two-wheelers with their father Jan.
   achielle.be

3. Schindelhauer, Germany
   Oil-free carbon-fibre chains ensure smooth rides on all of Schindelhauer’s sporty numbers.
   schindelhauerbikes.com

4. The Vanilla Workshop, USA
   Designer Sacha White produces handmade custom bikes in Portland, Oregon.
   thevanillaworkshop.com

5. Atala, Italy
   Atala produces city bikes for leisurely pedalling as well as making fast, technical models that live up to the racing reputation of its home in Monza.
   atala.it