Tag Archives: Exotic Supercars

Opinions

Perfect Purist Porsche, The 911R is a big step in the right direction

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The new Porsche 911R just dropped at Geneva, and  it’s about as perfect as a modern 911 can be. It’s got the biggest motor, the 493hp 4.0L flat six from the GT3 RS. It’s the lightest 911 model by a fair margin, weighing just over 3,000lbs. But most importantly it succeeds where the 991 GT3 and GT3 RS have failed miserably – IT HAS A MANUAL GEARBOX!

Yes, the 911R immediately became my favorite modern Porsche when it was revealed, and you might expect this article to just go on and on singing its praises. But that’s not why I’m writing this piece. No, as good as perfect as the 911R  may be, Porsche has not solved their larger problem yet.

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Opinions

The Aston Martin DB11 is WOW!

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First impressions. How you make your entrance sets the tone for how you’ll be perceived, as well as the context for every subsequent action.

Well if looks can kill, call me dead and buried because this 2017 Aston Martin DB11 is beyond pretty. When I think of automotive beauty, the first car that pops into my mind is an Aston Martin. They’ve always been beautiful, but somehow Aston has kept upping the ante over the years. Modernity is treating them well.

So when a car’s first impression looks like the DB11, I almost wouldn’t even care if it had a lawnmower engine under the hood. But thankfully, that’s far from the case. The DB11 has a twin turbo 5.2L V12 lurking beneath its lusty lines, and it’s said to be in the neighborhood of 600hp. With that kind of thrust, top speed should easily be north of 200mph, unless the gearing is too short.

Aston Martins have never been all about the numbers, though. They’re way too cool for that. What really matters is the style, the craftsmanship, and the experience of the drive. As a grand tourer, it’s not just a car, it’s a substitute for a plane ticket. Aston Martins are for the type of person who appreciates that the journey is often preferable to the destination.

So I look forward to learning more about the DB11 this week, as the 2016 Geneva Motor Show brings all sorts of excitement to the car world. Everything I’ve heard of this new Aston so far has been great; it may even have the option of a manual gearbox (fingers crossed). Now that we’ve laid eyes on the DB11’s full form, I think we can be confident Aston Martin is on the right track.

-Nick Walker

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Pagani Huayras at The Quail, A Carbon Fiber Extravaganza!

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Pagani Huayra Blue Carbon The Quail 1

With Pagani dropping the new Huayra BC at the Geneva Auto Show, I thought it’d be a good time to share some the “normal” Pagani Huayras we saw at The Quail.

My favorite was definitely the blue carbon over tan Huayra you see above. It was absolutely stunning. Paganis have such rich detail in every aspect. They’re one of the few seven figure cars that actually seem like they should be worth that much. Their craftsmanship is about as close to perfection as can be, right down to the strands of carbon fiber lining up across panel gaps.

I also love The Quail because you get such access to everyone. Mr. Pagani himself was just walking around talking to people, and I had the distinct honor to speak with him myself for a few minutes. He’s as nice as everyone says, and really appreciates anyone who is enthusiastic about his cars.

Pagani is by far my favorite automotive brand, and I am captivated in my very soul whenever I see a Pagani up close. Even if I just glimpse one for a second, it will surely be the highlight of my day. These cars have a serious power to inspire.

Enjoy the gallery of these magnificent machines!

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Opinions

The Huayra BC is Pagani’s New Superleggera

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At first glance, you might think the Pagani Huayra has gone full racecar. But the Huayra BC is a street legal, leaner and meaner edition, known in Italy as a “superleggera” model. And before we even get into the details, you should know that all 20 Huayra BCs are already sold out, at around $2.6 million a pop.

Naturally the Pagani Huayra BC is spectacular in its execution, as well as in the philosophy behind it. Pagani continues to do things their own way, in a world full of carmakers all jumping on the latest bandwagon. That said, the Huayra BC will surely compete, and likely even win.

Pagani has cranked up the boost on their twin turbo AMG V12, giving the Huayra BC 789 bhp and 811 ft/lbs of torque. That’s nearly a 10% gain over the normal Huayra. Furthermore, Pagani has lightened the car through various painstaking means, and has found a way to take nearly 300 lbs (also around 10%) out of the weight of the standard Huayra, which was already a pretty light car. The Pagani Huayra BC now weighs in around 2,685 lbs. That’s lighter than a Subaru BRZ with four times the horsepower!

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Car Shows

Lamborghini Countach at Hopewell Cruise Night

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Lamborghini Countach Hopewell Cruise Night 4

A car named after an expletive used when no other words can describe what you’re seeing. “Countach!” in Italian means something like “Holy Crap!” and that is the precise reaction people had to this car when it first came out.

The Lamborghini Countach’s design was so striking that the model endured for 17 years. It was updated with audacious wings and vents during the wild, cocaine-crazed 1980’s, because its scissor doors weren’t vulgar enough on their own after the first decade.

This Countach belongs to a local dealer, who always puts on a great show at the Hopewell Cruise Nights. It literally stopped everyone in their tracks when it rolled up.

The Countach also sounds incredible, check out this video for some sweet V12 fury:

Enjoy the photos!

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Car Shows, Cars We've Seen

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Blue Carbon at the Quail Lodge

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Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Blue Carbon 9

No matter what you may think of the Bugatti Veyron, there is no denying the hefty presence it has when you see one in person. It’s not a particularly big car, and it doesn’t have the flashiest exotic shape either. The Veyron is very round, some might even say bulbous, but it has an essence of sheer quality that will make almost any car near it seem shamefully cheap.

I recently heard somewhere that these Super Sport model Bugattis cost Volkswagen a whopping $6 million each to produce. That means VW lost $2-4 million on each Veyron they sold. Most cars are a lot cheaper in build than their price tag would suggest, especially in the luxury arena. Not the Bugatti Veryron, though, and it really does show when you see the car up close in the real world.

I know I’ve been one to criticize the Veyron from time to time, but that’s mostly for people reasons, not because of the car itself. Sociologically, the braggadocios Veyron got played out pretty quick, and Bugatti even struggled to move the last few units. But there’s no denying what a significant technological achievement this car is, even despite the existence of the LaFerrari, Koenigsegg and the other, newer hypercars.

Sure, there are quicker cars out there. But the Veyron doesn’t just do 250 or 260 mph, it makes it an easy affair. I often joke that the Bugatti’s real achievement wasn’t in breaking the 250 mph barrier, but in that it would allow Paris Hilton to do it in heels while texting, petting her toy dog and taking a selfie. That is a massive engineering achievement, and if you tried the same in a Hennessey Venom GT…. well, you’d probably wind up losing your phone.

What a fantastic objects these later-production Veyrons are, when Bugatti started getting fancy with the color schemes. This Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, which we found at the Quail Lodge during Monterey Car Week, just looked unreal with it’s two-tone French Racing Blue and blue carbon fiber bodywork. If I were spec’ing up a Bugatti Veyron for myself, this would surely be the epitome of my desire.

Enjoy the photos of this serious stunner!

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Opinions

Ferrari’s got a new shoe, and they call it the GTC4 Lusso

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It’s not a revolution, just an incremental improvement. The 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso may be a face-lifted FF, but it’s a touch-up on a masterpiece.

That ferocious 6.3L V12 is now up to 681hp, from 651hp. It’s not a difference you’ll really notice behind the wheel, but it’s nice that it’s there. The Lusso’s real improvements over the FF come in the form of new four wheel steering and slicker aerodynamics.

The FF’s shooting brake design (which I’ve always loved) remains intact, but the GTC4 Lusso sees the return of twin taillights to a modern Ferrari model.

I think the GTC4 is a welcome update to the FF, and I’m stoked that they’ve brought back the iconic “Lusso” name.

Grand touring cars don’t really get more “grand” than this.

-Nick Walker

Car Shows

Highlights from the 2016 Philadelphia Auto Show

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Philly Auto Show 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

The Philadelphia Auto Show was lively this year, with many of the newest releases on display.

I must admit that I am completely in love with the blue Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio you see above (it’s stick too). I also got my first look at the new Fiata (124 Spider), Cadillac XT5, Honda Ridgeline, and the oh-so-sleek Volvo S90. I also got a good look at the new Toyota Prius, which was regrettable on the eyes.

There are a lot of great new cars to be excited about!

Enjoy the gallery.

-Nick

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Motor Trend pits the Mercedes AMG GT S against the Jaguar F-Type

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Which six-figure sports coupe is better, the Mercedes AMG GT S or the Jaguar F-Type R?

Motor Trend finds out which is the winner, but honestly I’d recommend each of them to anyone.

Enjoy!

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

Mercedes SLR McLaren Spotted at Radnor Hunt

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Mercedes SLR McLaren Radnor Hunt

This slick black Mercedes SLR McLaren was turning heads in the Car Corral at the Radnor Hunt Concours.

-Nick

Car Shows

The Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyder Trio at the Concours of America

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Bizzarrini 5300 Spyder Trio Concours of America 2

These are the only three Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyders built, the entire production run by Stile Italia, and they all belong to the same family. Now that’s fun, ain’t it?

They decided to bring them all out together for the Concours of America this year, and my, what a spectacle they were. Stunning, curvaceous Italian metal draped over what is essentially a racing chassis with a built 350ci Chevy V8 that makes 420hp. Yes, back in the mid-late 1960s, these Bizzarrini supercars were about as serious as a road car could be. American muscle powering Italian handling, and beauty, it is a perfect combination!

Giotto Bizzarrini was an ex-Ferrari engineer, one of the heads of the 250 GTO program. One day, Enzo Ferrari pissed him, and a bunch of other engineers off, and they all left the Ferrari in spite. Giotto Bizzarrini went on to design the V12 used by Lamborghini from the 1960s until just recently. He then founded a company under his own name, and started building the gorgeous cars you see here.

Obviously, Bizzarrini’s company didn’t last; they went bankrupt in 1969. But that left their machines a rarity among sports and racing cars, and they are highly treasured today.

I had seen the silver prototype and the blue Spyder before on different occasions, but never the red one. What a treat to see all three 5300 Spyders together! They are a beautiful and impressive nook in the lineage of Italian Sports Cars.

Enjoy the gallery!

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Is the McLaren 570S the McLaren to have?

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A lot of you may think the mighty McLaren P1 is the ultimate McLaren to have, if money were no object. Maybe you’d be right, but maybe you’d be wrong. You see, driver satisfaction goes a lot deeper than just raw speed and lap times. Is it possible that the “baby” McLaren 570S may be more fun than it’s faster siblings?

See what you think after watching this video from Motor Trend. For my money, an afternoon out driving is usually more fun in a more playful car.

-Nick