Three cars

had me considering my fantasy garage this month. Two are retro off-roaders (although they’re both brand-new) sporting pukka low-range transfer cases and comforting internalcombustion engines.

The third one is a vision (quite literally) of future motoring where we’ll be swivelling our driver’s seats to chat to fellow passengers while the vehicle’s on the move, or drawing instructions for the car on its seat upholstery.

While the BMW Vision inext’s gadgetry might sound fantastical, its principles aren’t. When the production inext launches in two years, it will boast at least level three autonomous driving capability and, BMW says, a realistic 700 km driving range. It will form the basis of the German marque’s electrification strategy and, as such, promises to be as accomplished as its gestation has been long. I was at the Vision’s unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show and can tell you it looks fantastic up close (read my report on page 22).

The Suzuki Jimny and Mercedes-amg G63, meanwhile, are deliberate throwbacks to their revered predecessors. And they’re all the better for it. Sure, both have their weaknesses, and you can read about those in our Test section kicking off on page 68, but what they possess in spades – and objectively excellent vehicles often lack – is an indefinable quality that some classify as character; others as personality.

So, here’s a thought (personal-finance limitations not entering into the equation, of course): why not fill that future fantasy garage with sensible EVS and characterful cars? The spacious inext can cover the daily requirements like commuting, trips to the mall and vet, while the old-school off-roaders get their turn come the weekend (yes, I’d like a Jimny and a G63). Add a 1960s Benz 280SE Convertible and a Porsche Cayman S (the one with the flat-six engine before Zuffenhausen installed a four-pot, thanks) and you’ve got my dream line-up. What’s yours?