2014 Duaiv Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Review

    Like I said earlier, I was in Miami for winter break, and when I was there, I visited Prestige Imports-Lamborghini Miami, a hyper-exotic car dealership specializing in Lamborhinis, Ferraris, and Paganis. During my visit, I was lucky enough to see their extremely unique "Duiav" edition Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, complete with a multicolor vinyl wrap on the exterior. It completely stood out from every other car there, which is quite a statement, considering that they had cars such as a Bugatti Veyron Pur Blanc, an Alfa Romeo 4C, a Brabus B63S, and a Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722S. When combined with the extraordinary 6.5 liter V12, it makes for an extremely special supercar, and makes it fit right in with its other "Duiav" sibling, the Ferrari FF.

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The Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

The Ferrari FF

2015 Audi R8 V10 Review

    When the Audi R8 was announced in 2009, it shocked the world with its futuristic styling and impressive handling. There was only one problem: the engine was too underpowered, and needed to be replaced. It was Audi's traditional 4.2 liter naturally-aspirated V8, and made a decent 430 horsepower @ 7,900 rpm. 0-60 took about 4.3 seconds when optioned with the dual-clutch transmission. But, the engine had grown old, and was a little "behind the times" if you know what I mean. 

    But, in 2012, Audi introduced the R8 V10 trim level, which essentially ditched the old 4.2 liter and substituted it with the naturally-aspirated 5.2 liter V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo. That engine made a much more sufficient 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 in that car takes 3.4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 195 mph. The main transmission is a 6-speed manual, but if you want maximum performance from your $153K supercar, you should opt for the 7-speed dual-clutch 'box. The interior, like many sports cars of today, is primarily driver-focused, but is still very luxurious, as you'd expect from a $153,000 Audi. Quilted leather seating is available, along with Audi's signature MMI navigation system. (Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been in Miami for winter break, so I didn't have my computer w/ me).

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2015 McLaren P1 Review

    When most people think of "hyper-exotic" cars, they immediately think of Lamborghini, Bugatti, and Ferrari. But, even if those are the most well-known brands, there are still a wide variety of other supercar manufacturers, including Koenigsegg, McLaren, and Pagani. Perhaps one of the best road-legal track fighters is the new McLaren P1, aimed directly at the likes of the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder. Equipped with a potent twin-turbocharged, 3.8 liter 727-horsepower V8 and a 177-horsepower electric motor, it does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 217 mph. What bothers me about this is that McLaren's F1 supercar from the late 90's had a top speed of at least 230 mph, so that makes this car seem slow (not slow, but less fast). The interior is surprisingly well-equipped, with air-conditioning (a rarity in this segment), a radio, navigation, and carbon-fiber bucket seats. 

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2015 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Review

    The Rolls-Royce namesake is one of the most prestigious brands in the motoring industry, and has built up a reputation for making the best luxury cars in the world over the past 108 years. In 2002, Volkswagen sold the rights to BMW, who came out with the Phantom sedan a year later. Since then, the Phantom has become the favorite of middle-Eastern oil sheiks, Russian oligarchs, and the Japanese Yakuza (mafia). At launch, it was only offered as a sedan, but in 2005, the extended wheelbase variant was released, and the Coupé and Drophead Coupé were introduced in 2007. 
     Now, jump to 2012, and the Phantom family received a refresh, turning it into the "Phantom Series II." The old circular headlights were replaced by LED squares, a new transmission was offered, and the navigation system was upgraded. The same variants, however, still remain, and are still as luxurious (and pricey) as before. The most expensive model is the Phantom Drophead Coupé, and features a 6.75 liter naturally-aspirated V12, rated at 453 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, 75% of which is available at just 1,000 rpm. The 8-speed automatic is incredibly smooth, and aids the car in completing a 5.5-second 0-60 time. The interior is the center of attention in the Drophead Coupé, featuring butter-soft leather, hand-carved wood veneers, and optional "teak decking" for the rear parcel shelf. 

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2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 AWD Review

    To some people, the idea that a Japanese sedan is better than a German sedan is complete lunacy. Over the past 20 years, German automakers such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz have conquered the luxury sedan segment, and haven't left much room for other brands to sell their takes on the "luxo-barge" segment. But, what most people who own a BMW 7-Series or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class don't know is that the original luxury sedan was the Lexus LS400, which, may I add, is an import from Japan. 
    So, now, the ever-popular German sedans are once again being challenged by Japan, this time, with something from Nissan. The M37/56 sedan has been around for a while now, but has never been quite up to the task of taking on the equivalent BMW 750i or Audi A8 4.0. But in mid-2014, Infiniti has introduced the new Q70L, which is essentially a slightly longer variant of the standard Q70. It is available with both the 3.7 liter V6 and the 5.6 liter V8, the latter rated at 416 horsepower (plenty, by the way) and 414 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to the burly V8 and the 7-speed automatic, the '15 Q70L 5.6 AWD does 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, which is only .1 second slower than a '14 Mercedes-Benz S550L 4MATIC. The interior has been revised, including 5.6 extra inches of legroom (in the Q70L), front and rear heated seats, 10-way power front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

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2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600 Review

   It's almost a given that any rapper or celebrity has or does own a Maybach 57 or 62. The Maybach moniker is one of the highest on the food chain, and has earned quite a reputation for making super-luxury, super-elite limousines. But, sadly, after 10 years, Mercedes-Benz closed down the Maybach brand, due to unfortunate money issues. But, after two years Mercedes-Benz has decided to resurrect the Maybach name not as an individual brand, but as a sub-brand for Mercedes-Benz, just like Mercedes-AMG. Their first creation is the 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600, which follows in the 62 limousine's footsteps. It is slightly longer than the standard S600, as well as the signature Maybach "double-M" logos on the C-pillars. In order to continue the limousine style inside this big Benz, Maybach has introduced diamond-quilted leather on almost everything you touch, as well as new wood veneers and silver-plated champagne flutes. Just as you would find in a "standard" S-Class, there are individual rear seats, now with power-extending padded leg rests as well as heated and cooled cup holders. In addition to all of these crazy features, buyers can opt for Maybach sunglass holders, pillows, and even a small beverage chiller (a mini-fridge). The engine is exactly the same as you would find in any other S600, measuring 6.0 liters in displacement, two turbochargers, and a power output of 530 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque, which is enough power to move this almost 3-ton limo to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. And, with a base price of about $215,000, it seems like a very logical alternative to a Bentley Mulsanne or a Rolls-Royce Ghost and/or Phantom. 

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2015 Bentley Continental GT Speed Review

     The Bentley Continental GT has been Bentley's most successful model ever, and received a re-fresh in mid-2011. Over the past 11 years, it has received many engines and trim levels, including the V8, V8 S, Supersports, W12, Speed, and most importantly, the GTC. But, perhaps the most interesting variant of the Continental GT has been the Speed, the fastest Bentley ever made. It shares the same Volkswagen-sourced W12 found in the base model, but now produces an incredible 626 horsepower and 602 pound-feet of torque, which results in a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph. But what really interests me about the GT Speed is the amazing combination of luxury and sport. Some cars, like the Ferrari LaFerrari or the McLaren P1, are extremely fast and powerful, but aren't that nice to be inside, not counting the driving experience. And some cars, like the Rolls-Royce Phantom or the Audi A8L, are very luxurious, but aren't much of a driver's car. But somehow, this massive Bentley manages to combine the two elements without having either one overshadow the other. It has a perfect combo of luxury and sport, which is so rare for cars to achieve successfully. I find that there are very few cars that manage this, such as the Porsche Panamera Turbo or the Maserati Quattroporte GTS. 

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