Tag Archives: Italian Cars

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

As good as the kid in me hoped it would be – Thoughts on the Lamborghini Huracan.

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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. →

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Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars, Luxury Cars, Opinions, Performance Models

Let’s Talk Boost

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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.

Continue reading Let’s Talk Boost →

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars, Luxury Cars, Used Car Gems

My Biggest Surprise in the Ferrari 612

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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

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

A New Definition of “Sharp”: Driving My First Ferrari

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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 →

Car Shows, Cars We've Seen

Cocaine White Countach LP5000 QV at the 2018 Scarsdale Concours

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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 →

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

The Dream Realized: Driving My First Supercar

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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

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven

Driving my first exotic

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We all have our firsts, and this was the first exotic car I ever drove, an ’02 Maserati Spyder like the one you see here (only a lot rougher around the edges).

I basically just bullshitted my way into a test drive at a used car lot down the shore. In true Italian style, the convertible top wouldn’t go down, but otherwise, it was in decent shape.

This was also my first experience with a proper paddle shift transmission. I found it shifted nicely at speed, but it was utter dog shit in traffic. I proceeded, enjoying the lovely Italian V8 engine, and I almost chirped the tires in front of a cop.

It was a fun test drive in a car which at the time was quite special in the eyes of 20 year old me…. if I only knew what was to come 😂👍

-Nick

Car Shows, Cars We've Seen

A Fire Orange Pagani Huayra Roadster at the Greenwich Concours

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We were greeted by this cataclysmically insane orange Pagani Huayra Roadster at the Greenwich Concours this year. As you might imagine, it’s hard to just take a few photos of such an exquisite car such as this, so here is a gallery of 54 photos for you all to enjoy!

Continue reading A Fire Orange Pagani Huayra Roadster at the Greenwich Concours →