ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH TAKES TOP HONOURS AT CAR OF THE YEAR

Aston Martin’s Vanquish has been crowned overall winner of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand’s 2025 Car of the Year, taking top honours at an exclusive event in Sydney.

Held at the Harbourside Residences Display Gallery by Mirvac, the evening brought together drivers, partners and industry figures for the long-awaited announcement of the 2025 Car of the Year.

Exclusive private member’s club Citizen Kanebridge was among the partners supporting the event, which has become a fixture on the luxury automotive calendar, showcasing the very best in performance, design and innovation across the global car market.

Across a tightly contested field, category winners reflected the breadth of today’s high-end automotive landscape, from traditional combustion engines to hybrid and fully electric performance models.

Among the standout winners, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider took out Best Combustion Supercar, while the Aston Martin Vanquish was named Best Super-GT before ultimately securing the overall title.

Other notable winners included the Mercedes-Benz G580 as Best Off-Roader, the Audi RS Q8 Performance for Best SUV Coupe, and the Aston Martin DBX 707 for Best Super-SUV.

From left to right: Ryan Lewis, Ferrari; Lucy Chesterton, Lamborghini; Peter Crombie Brown, Lamborghini; Nathan Lowe, Aston Martin; Jerry Stamoulis, Mercedes-Benz; Claudia Muller, Audi.

Electrification continued to shape the upper end of the market, with the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray named Best Hybrid Supercar and the Audi RS e-Tron GT Performance taking out Best Electric GT.

The Lamborghini Urus SE was recognised as Best Hybrid SUV and also placed third overall, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance secured second place overall in the coupe category.

Guests were also given a first look at a short film capturing the spirit of the two-day Car of the Year program, produced by SONDR, alongside photography that will feature in a dedicated 40-page portfolio in the upcoming issue.

Guests were welcomed alongside a curated group of Car of the Year partners, including Jacob & Co. and La Prairie, with Peter Lehmann Wines and Glenfiddich ensuring the evening unfolded in suitably polished fashion.

The broader program was supported by partners including Citizen Kanebridge, Msquared Capital, Hardy Brothers, Bell Helicopters, Saddles and Spicers Retreats, reflecting the wider luxury ecosystem that underpins the event.

With full results set to be published in the next issue of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, attention now turns to the next instalment of the program, with this year’s Car of the Year drive scheduled for September.

For those in the room, however, the message was already clear. In a field defined by innovation and performance, the Vanquish still knows how to stand apart.

With full results published in the next issue of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, attention now turns to the next instalment of the program, with this year’s Car of the Year drive scheduled for September.

Mother’s Day has quietly evolved. It’s no longer about last-minute flowers or safe department store buys. Instead, there’s a noticeable shift towards gifts that feel considered, personal and, increasingly, lasting.

This year’s edit leans into that idea, bringing together pieces that balance design, purpose and a sense of story.

At the more elevated end of beauty, Australian-founded skincare label Bon Elliot offers a future-facing approach grounded in dermatology.

Its Hydrating Performance Serum, priced at $220, is designed to support the skin’s natural balance, working across the microbiome, barrier and repair response for a more refined, luminous finish.

It’s the kind of gift that feels indulgent, but also quietly practical.

For something less expected, there’s a playful turn in the form of Tinned Candle’s handcrafted pieces.

Inspired by tinned fish, the Atlanta-based studio has created candles that are as much design objects as they are functional.

Importantly, they smell nothing like sardines, leaning instead into ocean breeze or champagne notes, depending on the piece . It’s a small, clever way to bring personality into a space.

There’s also a growing appetite for gifts that give something back.

Coral adoption programs offer a more meaningful alternative, allowing you to adopt a coral in your mother’s name while supporting fragile marine ecosystems under threat from climate change.

It’s less about the object and more about the gesture, which, in many ways, feels more aligned with the moment.

Homewares continue to hold their place, particularly when craftsmanship is at the centre.

Tanora’s collection, handcrafted in Madagascar, blends traditional techniques with a modern coastal aesthetic, spanning everything from woven totes to placemats and cushions.

These are pieces that don’t just decorate a home, they add texture and narrative to it.

For something more personal, Australian lingerie label Cloud Blvd offers soft, wearable luxury in the form of robes and camisoles.

With options designed for comfort as much as elegance, they strike that rare balance between everyday use and quiet indulgence.

And for the mother who loves to host, Mesa Collections delivers a playful yet polished take on the table.

Think colourful linens, sculptural silverware and small details that turn a simple meal into something more considered.

What ties all of this together is a shift in mindset.

The best gifts this Mother’s Day aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most obvious. They’re the ones that show thought, whether that’s through design, craftsmanship or meaning.

Which, if you think about it, is exactly the point.

ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH TAKES TOP HONOURS AT CAR OF THE YEAR

A stellar field of performance cars was recognised at Robb Report’s annual event, with Citizen Kanebridge backing the experience alongside leading luxury partners.

From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.