Vicariousの Spring 2025 の目次

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”– Robert Louis Stevenson THERE’S A TIME AND PLACE FOR everything—but sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is tune out the noise and focus on what truly moves us. In a world that feels like it’s shifting under our feet, with opinions flying fast and facts often trailing behind, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. But maybe it’s time to zoom out, breathe in, and see the road for what it really is: an open invitation to explore. Take the automotive world right now. If you listened to the chatter, you might think the electric vehicle revolution has short-circuited and stalled on the side of the…

https://www.vicariousmag.com/driving-a-classic-land-rover/ DRIVING A CLASSIC LAND ROVER "…as Jaguar moves in to this electrified future with the likes of the wild Type 00 concept, what’s being done to preserve their memory?" IF YOU HAVE EVEN A PASSING interest in cars – or the world of business, it must be said – or even if you don’t, chances are you’ve been hearing a little about Jaguar lately. The classic British brand whose models were called “the most beautiful car in the world” by none other than Mr. Enzo Ferrari himself recently announced that it was going through a massive paradigm shift into the world of the battery-electric vehicle. At the time of writing, there are no plans to make any gas-powered Jags going forward. Here’s the thing, though; what of the world…

"Along the way the eight core members of the TransGlobal Car Expedition (TGCE) have carved out new routes through some of the most inhospitable parts of our planet…" THEY’VE CROSSED THE ARCTIC and passed over the magnetic north pole. They’ve traversed Europe and Africa, travelled by icebreaker to the Antarctic and crossed that continent by way of the south pole, and now they are making their way north through South America, enroute to being the first expedition to complete a global circumnavigation by wheeled vehicle. Along the way the eight core members of the TransGlobal Car Expedition (TGCE) have carved out new routes through some of the most inhospitable parts of our planet, while sustaining themselves and their fleet of vehicles for the gruelling 50,000-kilometre trip. The TGCE team has…

"The noise, ferocity, and pure focus of the Krämer leave you wondering if that spare kidney is pulling its weight when staring down the nearly $40K price tag." THE KRÄMER GP2-890RR IS THE kind of motorcycle that makes you question your life choices — there are few things on the market so unapologetically race-focused that after riding it, nothing else compares. The closest next step up the motorcycling ladder would be to weasel your way onto a World Supersport or Moto2 World Championship ride. The noise, ferocity, and pure focus of the Krämer leave you wondering if that spare kidney is pulling its weight when staring down the nearly $40K price tag. At the heart of the GP2-890RR is a familiar friend within motorcycling’s ranks, the 889cc parallel-twin engine from…

IF YOU HAD TOLD ME a few years ago that I would be eating a mouth-watering meal in the Signature Suite airport lounge before flying business class over the Atlantic Ocean in a fully-reclining, individual pod, I would have laughed in your face. Fast-forward to present day me, on my way to Sweden on Air Canada — stretched out comfortably heading to a press trip with Volvo Canada, simultaneously fighting imposter syndrome and absolutely freaking out about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Volvo team left no stone unturned - we were in a different hotel each of the four nights we were there and our days were packed with activities from start to finish. After a long flight from Toronto to Zurich, and Zurich to Stockholm I finally arrived to our…

THE TABLE ISN’T A REGULAR restaurant, it’s a hyper-local, single seating, ever-changing, seven course, once-a-night happening! Set amongst a tapestry of farmer’s fields along Prince Edward Island’s North Shore, The Table’s dining experience is focused on exclusively using hyper-local ingredients in an effort to discover and define Canada’s terroir. You won’t find black pepper, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon or any other non-Canadian ingredients in their kitchen. Their seven course tasting menu changes weekly and focuses on showing off the fresh, seasonal, local ingredients of Prince Edward Island. Changing the menu every week allows them to accomplish one of their primary goals — celebrating Prince Edward Island’s unique ever-changing bounty, and the people behind it. Served in the welcoming and beautiful setting of a renovated rural church, Chef Hunter Guindon and his…

LEGO HAS BEEN A PASSIONATE hobby of mine for my whole life. Ever since I was a little boy, I had lots of creative outlets, but none as special to me as using my mind and hands to build. Whatever I could think of, I could make from LEGO, and it has (and still does) spark my creativity, problem solving, and love of design. Lately, I’ve found that very few sets leave me as impressed with the design as the Speed Champions vehicle sets. Admittedly, I’m not much of a ‘car guy’, but I know a cool car when I see one! These sets are beautiful and highly accurate to the real versions they are modeled from. To pack so much intricacy into such a small scale, that all fits…

WHERE TO STAY ROADSIDE CHIC is all about finding those hidden gems, the places that provide a perfect balance of comfort, luxury, exceptional service, and the opportunity to do as much or as little as you want. Spring delivers the promise of warm days ahead as thoughts turn from snowy days towards new growth, fresh air and a return to spending more time outside. Two exceptional cities feature in this issue of Roadside Chic. Dubai is taking the lead as a destination of choice for travellers looking to experience the best of what the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has to offer. Toronto remains one of the best cities in North America to enjoy a truly multi-cultural setting with plenty to see and experience, plus some of Canada’s finest dining and…

THE ISLAND OF TENERIFE—where the roads snake through lush forests, wind around dormant volcanoes, and open up to breathtaking coastal views—is the perfect backdrop to test a pair of all-new electric executive sedans from Audi: the 2025 A6 e-tron and its feistier sibling, the S6 e-tron. It’s a place where you can truly stretch a car’s legs—or in this case, its electrons. At first glance, the A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron look like they’ve been sculpted by a team of engineers with a deep love for both wind tunnels and sci-fi movies. Smooth, flowing lines, an illuminated front grille that feels like it should be greeting you with a “Welcome, Commander” message, and a stance that says, “Yes, I’m electric, but I still mean business.” The A6 e-tron is the more…

https://www.vicariousmag.com/featured-suv-2025-lexus-lx700h-overtrail/ READ THE FULL REVIEW "The rocks are basketball-sized, the path is muddy and the water is deep – but this latest Lexus LX can handle it with nary a whimper." THE ROCKS ARE BASKETBALL-SIZED, the path is muddy and the water is deep – but this latest Lexus LX can handle it with nary a whimper. This is the Overtrail+ version, and it’s all-new for ’25 and it is properly capable. The Toyo Geolander off-road tires it gets as standard measure 33-inches in diameter. They’ve been designed by Toyo with input from Lexus to ensure they work as well as possible in the conditions the Overtrail+ is meant to conquer, such as this off-road piste we’re currently on. The tire sidewalls themselves have been given a tread so that…

https://www.vicariousmag.com/road-test-2025-lexus-rx-500h-f-sport/ ROAD TEST 2025 LEXUS LEXUS RX 500H F SPORT "Lexus didn’t just bring a new car—it brought a new way of thinking about luxury…" FROM THE MOMENT THE LEXUS LS 400 rolled onto Canadian roads back in 1990, the game changed. It wasn’t just another luxury sedan—it was a bold statement. Thirty-five years later, that same spirit of innovation and craftsmanship still defines Lexus, a brand that continues to evolve without ever losing its original promise: to offer Canadians something better. I remember those early days well. Working for an auto dealership group that helped launch one of the first Lexus stores in Canada, I saw firsthand the meticulous attention to detail, the obsessive commitment to quality. Lexus didn’t just bring a new car—it brought a new way of…

THERE’S PLENTY TO LOVE in Southern Ontario, but with damp, grey weather and short days for half the year, plus relentless urban sprawl congested with traffic, it can be hard to remember just why it is that so many millions of us call this place home. Sometimes, we just need an escape (or, perhaps, a Wrangler? -Ed.). That’s exactly what motivated a trip to Utah for a couple of buddies and me: the promise of sunshine and jaw-dropping topography presented by a sandstone landscape artfully sculpted by eons of wind, rain and rivers. With a pair of borrowed Jeeps, we set off for a two-week, 8,000-kilometre odyssey to rest our phones, exercise our cameras and take a breather away from civilization. The population of the whole state of Utah is barely…

TO ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES the finer points of taking corners at speed on a racetrack, the word ‘Corkscrew’ means only one thing; turns 7, 8 and 8a at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. It’s iconic. Get it right and you will be smiling for a least the next 1:25.44 seconds as your work your way back for another go around should you happen to be driving a Czinger 21C Hypercar, the current record holder. Of course, there is an equally compelling use of the word corkscrew that evokes a sense of surprise and delight as you anticipate the simple joy found in a fine glass of wine or spirits. While it may be a different pleasure than deftly making it through the famous set of turns located just east of Monterey,…

"Right out of the box, the Conquest Chrono makes a statement without shouting." FOR THOSE WITH A KEEN EYE FOR fine timepieces, we recently had the pleasure of reviewing a true contender in the modern chronograph space—the Longines Conquest Chronograph 42mm, or for the more technically inclined, the Longines L38354329. Designed to strike a balance between heritage and contemporary appeal, this chronograph delivers an impressive mix of craftsmanship, functionality, and timeless design—all at a competitive price just shy of $4,600. Right out of the box, the Conquest Chrono makes a statement without shouting. The dial, finished in Longines’ signature “Sunray Brown,” exudes a warm and refined aesthetic. The subtle rose gold undertones elevate its presence, especially under natural light—a perfect companion for Canada’s colder months when warm hues stand out…

KLEENEX. GOOGLE. ZAMBONI. In the corporate world, one knows they’ve made it when a product is so well recognized that it becomes part of the English vernacular. There aren’t many brands in the automotive world which have been elevated to this lofty stature – save for Cadillac, of course. Saying ‘the Cadillac of’ is, for some people, shorthand for describing something as the best in its class. John Travolta talked about the ‘Cadillac of minivans’ in the film Get Shorty thirty years ago, ace pilots will be more than eager to tell you how the WWI-era P-51 Mustang fighter plane is the ‘Cadillac of the skies’, and the brand has been immortalized in song over generations by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Ariana Grande. That’s one of the core reasons…

IF YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO showcase the most dynamically capable Land Rover Defender in history, it’s critical to plan some earthshaking adventures. So, when word arrived that the new Defender OCTA would be launched in South Africa, it seemed as if an epic experience was on the horizon. In retrospect, after some 600 kilometres of driving, much of it off-road, it was a case of mission accomplished. The organizational team at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) managed to provide ample evidence of the capabilities of this super-SUV, giving attendees the chance to test out many of the vehicle’s drive modes. Here’s what the launch event consisted of. First of all, we set out on the drive north of Cape Town towards a place called Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, a 7,486-hectare slice…

GOLF ISN’T JUST A GAME. Nor is it solely a sport. It’s a lifestyle. It’s an obsession. It’s a way of life. From its earliest roots in Scotland to today’s technology-backed iterations, golf represents something unique to each person who has ever picked up a club. Golf can offer a much-needed reprieve from the modern-day rat race. It can provide valuable quality time among family and friends. It can scratch a competitive itch, especially for former athletes. It can be a never-ending quest for perfection. Ultimately, golf is the great equalizer. Whether your annual salary is $3 million or $30,000, you’re a famous actor or kindergarten teacher, or are from Toronto or Timbuktu, golf doesn’t discriminate. Golf is man vs. nature. Nothing more. Nothing less. I first started playing in…

THE ANCIENT PORT CITY OF Valencia and the surrounding Spanish Mediterranean coastline was hit by deadly flooding late last year. Powerful floodwaters crushed countless cars, drowned buildings and ruined livelihoods. The city centre was relatively unscathed, but driving out of Valencia on the highway in January, a few weeks after the devastation, dirt and detritus are still piled high. Roads have been entirely erased, including the usual entrance to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo where Porsche is launching the thoroughly revised new 2025 911 GT3. The irony is not lost on me as I climb into Porsche’s new gas-burning GT3, a symbol of old-school internal-combustion decadence. Its 4.0-litre engine barks to life and then howls towards its 9,000 rpm redline before the first turn at Ricardo Tormo. Turning into the fast,…

THE TWO-AND FOUR-WHEELED worlds are often viewed as separate, individual things, and never shall the twain meet. Lotus founder Colin Chapman famously said, “Simplify, then add lightness,” which is a mantra that turned Lotus into a racing legend. As luck would have it, it’s also a quote that motorcycle engineers wear like a badge of honour, and the 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 S is a fine example of that ethos in action. Ducati took a different path in an industry obsessed with peak horsepower figures to the point that we seem like Wall Street traders pouring over stock tickers. Any dip in power, we collectively cry foul. The V2 isn’t about sheer power; it’s about balance, agility, and making every ounce of weight count. Throwing power at problems is a longstanding…

https://www.vicariousmag.com/driving-a-classic-lamborghini/ DRIVING A CLASSIC LAMBORGHINI FOR MANY, THE HISTORY IS WELL known: a somewhat miffed Ferruccio Lamborghini, upset that the Ferrari he recently purchased wasn’t performing as he thought it should, tried to get Enzo Ferrari himself to grant him an audience, but to no avail. So, Lamborghini – astrological sign Taurus, thought “well, perhaps I can do it better.” As the legend goes, Mr. Ferrari eventually said something along the lines of “oh yeah? Prove it” and with that the Miura, the first super sports car, was born. That, however, was three years after Lamborghini debuted the “Automobili” part of his tractor empire and almost two decades after he built his first tractor factory in Italy’s Cento commune, his birthplace. The Miura wasn’t the first car he created, either; that…

NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES you visit, there’s always something new to discover in New York—or a fresh way to experience the classics. The city is a living work of art, where architecture, public installations, cuisine, and even modes of transportation tell a story of innovation and culture. During my latest visit, I found myself immersed in the intersection of cars, design, and sustainability at Climate Week 2024, before embarking on a walking tour of Hudson Yards, indulging in world-class dining, and uncovering the city’s artistic heartbeat. In the heart of New York’s design scene, BMW took center stage as one of the official sponsors of Climate Week 2024. At Moonlight Studios, they hosted the BMW M Visionary Materials Seat and Designworks Exhibition, a striking showcase of how luxury automotive…

ARTISTS WILL ARGUE THE avant-garde movement of cubism, popularized by some guy named Pablo Picasso, is one of the most influential art styles in recent memory. We’re not qualified to pass judgement on fine art – save for the stuff our kids draw which promptly gets displayed on the family Frigidaire – but we absolutely are qualified to pass judgment on cars. Even if they’re made of LEGO. When the Danish company began creating small, cube-like bricks nearly eight decades ago, it could scarcely have believed the same basic building concept would eventually comprise a life-sized driveable replica of a 916-horsepower British hypercar. The toy as we generally know it today was patented in 1958 by Godtfred Kirk, the son of LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. By the way, he named…

Welcome The Wanderer “After months of grey, it feels like the world is being switched back on. And for those of us who love the road, it’s a season that stirs something deep: the pull to get out, move forward, and see things with fresh eyes.” SPRING ARRIVES NOT WITH a roar, but with a quiet awakening—the kind that makes you pause. A breeze that feels just a bit warmer. Trees stretching their limbs, sprouting fresh leaves. The return of colour, of scent, of sound. After months of grey, it feels like the world is being switched back on. And for those of us who love the road, it’s a season that stirs something deep: the pull to get out, move forward, and see things with fresh eyes. There’s a…