Gunther Werks F-26 drive, Renault 5 Turbo 3E...

... and fast estates for £20,000

By Cam Tait / Thursday, 23 July 2026 / Loading comments

The Festival of Speed may already be a distant speck in our rear-view mirror, but there’s still plenty to chew over now the dust has settled. When we recorded last week’s episode of The Gassing Station podcast at Goodwood, there was simply too much to squeeze into our usual one-hour slot. That, and the fact our pop-up studio was as balmy as a pre-heated oven. So we thought it’d be a good idea to record a follow-up episode focusing more on the stuff we experienced first-hand.

For Sam, that meant getting behind the wheel of the impressively unhinged Gunther Werks F-26. The Porsche tuner, which has made a name for itself over in the States, brought over its latest 993-based creation for us to sample on Goodwood’s very short and very fast Motor Circuit. So extensive are the modifications that it’s easier to go over what’s left than what’s changed, but the highlights are an air-cooled 4.0-litre flat-six with 1,067hp on tap, an all-carbon body and fully active suspension. It’s a proper monster, and one you’ll be able to order for £1.16 million. You won’t get the F-26’s slant nose from the factory, because it won’t pass an MoT here, but it will come bundled in if you fancy fitting it yourself. It can’t be that difficult, right?

Meanwhile, I had a go in the new Renault 5 Turbo 3E. Well, sort of. The all-electric, 555hp ‘supercar’ is still deep in development and so my impressions would be gleaned from the passenger seat. What was clear from the short, two-lap preview is that it should offer a decent challenge for anyone taking it out on track. Its rear-wheel drive and boxy footprint means it’s keen to kick its tail out just about anywhere, and there’s even a vertical handbrake to induce a skid for when the moment takes you. It all looks like a lot of fun, but can an electric hyper hatch really scratch the performance car itch as well as those with combustion engines?

Finally, there’s a buying challenge to top the episode off. PHer Belle427 has £20,000 saved for a fun, fast estate car and is open to suggestions. Sam, uncharacteristically, has gone down the left-field route for this one, putting forward this seemingly well-cared-for Subaru Impreza Turbo Wagon for £18,995. It’s covered just 40,450 miles and is in remarkably good condition for a near-30-year-old Impreza. But I think my Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is a better fit for Belle427. While it’s covered double the mileage of the Subaru, it’s almost two decades younger and a good chunk cheaper at £15,990. Pop your own suggestions in the topic here if you think you can do better, but maybe give the pod a listen first. Sam may actually win you over with this Subaru…

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