Introducing the anticipated Robb Report Monaco & Côte d’Azur Car of the Year issue—out now across Monaco and the Riviera.
Ask an academic about the impact of the automobile on the human condition, and they may talk about prosaic matters such as changes to employment patterns and social interactions, to infrastructure and the distribution of goods. Not so here on the Riviera. Here, cars—of the top-end, ultra-desirable variety—are not just a means of getting people and commodities from A to B: they are a source of wonder and awe. A supplier of shared, endorphin-rich experiences, integral to our way of life, and woven into our cultural tapestry.
So what a perfect setting this is for Robb Report’s Car of the Year event, which each October sees 10 groundbreaking releases from the world’s most prestigious car marques turn the coastal mountain thoroughfares winding around the Riviera into a veritable autophile’s heaven.
For the second edition to take place here, discerning members of our esteemed community—all seasoned and highly knowledgeable car fanatics—joined us to act as judges as well as participants. Impassioned discussions about each car’s various attributes took place over fine dining experiences between driving sessions, with the exceptional Maybourne Riviera once again serving as our base for the occasion.
In the US, the nation in which this title was founded, the Car of the Year event has graced both coasts (including Napa Valley’s Meadowood and Boca Raton, Florida) for more than two decades now. But our local event is proving a worthy competitor to its sibling across the pond: not least, thanks to a consistently stellar line-up of vehicles which this year, as well as performance estates, grand tourers, SUVs, GTs and supercars, included a couple of fascinating outliers—buckle up for a thrilling ride. Turn to page 72 to find out our judges’ conclusions about all participating vehicles, and which three took the podium.
Elsewhere in the automotive milieu, we celebrate Monaco’s first private members’ club devoted entirely to car collectors (page 116) and offer the lowdown on the much-talked about rebirth of Jaguar—among fascinating stories from the worlds of design, aviation, yachting, travel, and more.
We thank you for joining us on the journey, and wish you all the best for 2025.
Karl-Henry Edström
