Continue reading My Top 10 list of cars that defined the past decade
Tag Archives: Exotic Supercars
Porsche 992 Carrera S: an approachable 911 Turbo distilled for the masses.
That’s not even an exaggeration. The 992 S is actually a little faster than a 997 Turbo in terms of acceleration. On the road it’s performance is explosive when fully deployed, but also measured enough to be enjoyed by more average drivers. Its speed is substantial, but with the PDK’s tight gear ratios you can actually enjoy the 992’s performance without having to stray into the triple digits. That’s a rarity for a car with this sort of punch.
Continue reading Porsche 992 Carrera S: an approachable 911 Turbo distilled for the masses.
As good as the kid in me hoped it would be – Thoughts on the Lamborghini Huracan.
I was always amazed at how proper the Gallardo was as the “baby” Lambo. It was a more volume model with a much wider appeal than the V12 Lambos, but it remained a Lamborghini in terms of it driving experience. Watered down, the Gallardo was not, but it did have some clear areas for improvement. Namely it’s clunky single clutch gearbox, and it’s frustrating amount of safety understeer.
Enter the Huracan, still touting a ferocious n/a V10, but now sending it’s power through a modern dual clutch gearbox. And with the addition of torque vectoring, handling improvements seem promising.
Continue reading As good as the kid in me hoped it would be – Thoughts on the Lamborghini Huracan.
Let’s Talk Boost
I had a revelation today when I drove this Stage 1+ Audi RS3 and it put my sentiments on the Ferrari 488 I drove last weekend into perspective.
I’m not “anti-turbo” in the slightest. Boost has been in my life since I began driving. My first car was a 2004 Subaru STi, which I still have. I love boost!
But I think that’s actually the point here… if a car is turbocharged, then I want the full experience of boost, lag, surge, noises, etc. I want all of that, leave nothing out.
Ferrari 488 GTB: Is Boosted Better?
Turbocharged, for better and worse. The Ferrari 488 GTB…
I came away from my drive in the 488 not entirely sold. I mean, how could I not fall in love with a twin turbo 661hp Ferrari?
Porsche GT2 RS in Miami Blue at Porsche of Princeton
Stopped by Porsche of Princeton in NJ recently. I saw this GT2 RS in the window a few days earlier and I had to get a few pics. The ultimate 911 in the best color. Absolutely unreal on its own, but they actually have 3 GT2 RSs on the showroom floor right now.
Continue reading Porsche GT2 RS in Miami Blue at Porsche of Princeton
My Biggest Surprise in the Ferrari 612
Driving a Ferrari 612 on such a tight track was an eye-opening experience for me. This is a big V12 GT car meant for the open road, how on Earth did Ferrari make it handle so light and nimbly on a small track with some areas only a little bigger than an autocross? And how did the car give me so much confidence after just getting to know it that I was comfortable taking the chicane that splits up the main straight flat, reaching 200kph (124mph) on the back straight before diving into the hairpin?
Looking at this track, you wouldn’t think that sort of speed would be possible from a big car like this. The 612 should have been totally out of its element here, but it was so willing the change direction, and so nicely balanced, that it actually felt right at home. I was enthralled by Ferrari when I first drove the 430 Scuderia on track, but this 612 sold me for good on their ability to make any car drive as it should. Just as the Scuderia did, the 612 seemed to connect right to my brain stem, and driving it felt more telepathic than artificial. The fact that they could do that with a big 2 ton GT car is unbelievable. Most big GTs I’ve driven don’t really get past being merely competent in tight corners, but this 612 was genuinely playful. I remain blown away by it. And that V12!! 🎶🎶🎶
-Nick
Highlights from the 2019 Philadelphia Auto Show
The Philly Auto Show was great this year. We got to see some of the hottest new industry offerings, and the CF Charities hypercar exhibit was better than ever this year. It’s always a bright spot for us Northeastern car folks in the dead of Winter. Enjoy!
Continue reading Highlights from the 2019 Philadelphia Auto Show
A New Definition of “Sharp”: Driving My First Ferrari
This was my first drive in a Ferrari, a 430 Scuderia. Right after my drive in the Lambo, I hopped into this Scud, the stripped-out track-focused version of the F430.
I was used to driving sports cars, my STI and my dad’s 911, and I had just driven the Gallardo, but I cannot emphasize enough how much sharper this Ferrari felt than the lot of them. It didn’t feel like a machine I was operating, but more like it connected right to my brain stem and became a part of me out on the track. I’d had my warm up in the Lambo, and with the deeper connection in the Ferrari, I really started to get in my groove.
I listened to the instructor and I wound up being able to enter corners at speeds I hadn’t thought possible. By the end, I was reaching around 125 on the main straight and entering the next corner at 90, where before I had only thought 60 or 70 was possible. It was an unbelievable rush, and the car gave me the confidence to really focus on learning.
Most Ferraris offer an amazing experience, but on track, a 430 Scuderia is more amazing than most of them. It was one hell of a hands-on introduction to the prancing horse.
Continue reading A New Definition of “Sharp”: Driving My First Ferrari
Cocaine White Countach LP5000 QV at the 2018 Scarsdale Concours
The Lamborghini Countach was the pinup queen of 1980s cars. Low, powerful, and bursting with sex appeal, this angular Italian stallion captured hearts and minds of the very rich throughout the decade until it was replaced by the Diablo in 1990. In many ways, the excessive lines and ostentatious body kit fitted to later models reflected those who had the means to buy these incredible machines. This white example was on display for all to see at the Scarsdale Concours last fall and caught my eye with little to no effort. Continue reading Cocaine White Countach LP5000 QV at the 2018 Scarsdale Concours
The Dream Realized: Driving My First Supercar
This was the moment the dream was first realized. I was finally driving my first bonafide supercar! It was this bright orange Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, and I drove it on track at Exotics Racing in Las Vegas. This was also my first time on a proper race track too, so I had everything to learn.
I remember pulling out on the track. I just floored it in 1st and it broke all 4 tires loose, then chirped them again into 2nd. The ferocity of the acceleration and the roar of that V10 were unlike anything I could have imagined. Before that, I had only driven a few cars around 400hp, so this was by far the fastest car I’d experienced.
Being such a novice I did my best in the corners, TC saved me big time once, but I made full use of the short straight on all of my laps, clocking around 115 or so by the time I had to brake.
In hindsight, I was so sloppy, but I had a blast realizing my childhood dream of driving a supercar for the first time. A screaming Lamborghini is a great first experience to have.
-Nick
“Mocha Latte” Dodge Charger Hellcat at the 2018 Scarsdale Concours
Hellcats are not cars to be taken lightly. Nor are they for the faint of heart, mind, or soul. With 707 hp on tap, one hit of the gas is enough to change your life–much like drinking grain alcohol all night long. This color scheme from 2018’s Scarsdale Concours looks like a Starbucks drink, with off-white paint and brown stripes. I’m a fan of this finish, especially with the dark alloy rims characteristic of the Hellcat. Enjoy the photos of this white-chocolate mocha latte Hellcat. It’s Cars…and Coffee! Continue reading “Mocha Latte” Dodge Charger Hellcat at the 2018 Scarsdale Concours
Mind Over Motor 