2014 Noble M600 Review

    Most people are used to the traditional supercar manufacturers; brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, the list goes on. But what a lot of people don't know is that there is a considerable amount of small manufacturers who make surprisingly good performance cars. The British car company Noble is a perfect example of the small car manufacturer; it makes one car (the M600), is based in some random industrial park in Lesterchire, England, and barely makes any cars at all. The M600 is an incredible performer, with a 0-60 time of 3.0 seconds, a 225-mph estimated top speed, and 650 hp to back that all up. That 650 hp comes from a 4.4 liter V8, which is embarrassingly also found in the Volvo XC90 V8, which is hardly a performance car. But if you're a little afraid of all this power, you can put in the "street" setting, which only uses 450 hp, instead of the regular 650. If you are feeling a little adventurous, you can put in the "track" setting, which limits it to 550 hp, which is hardly contained, but is still 100 hp less than the "race" setting. The interior isn't much, with basic styling, boring and not very luxurious features, and little else. Expect around $460,000 for your M600, and even if it isn't cheap, you'll still surprise most Lamborghini and Ferrari owners.

Click here to learn more about the Noble M600

Sorry it's left-hand drive, it's only because they mainly sell them in Europe

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster Review

    I'm pretty sure everyone reading this can agree that the Lamborghini Aventador is one of the best-looking cars on the market, so how could Lamborghini possibly make it even better? Two words: no roof. All they've done to the already beautiful body is replace the standard roof with two removable carbon-fiber panels, which are almost like traditional muscle-car T-tops, which are almost the same thing, but have a non-removable bar in-between the two panels, or T-tops. Just like the coupe, the Aventador Roadster has a special carbon-fiber chassis, as well as an extremely potent 6.5 liter V12. Unlike most supercars of today, this engine is naturally aspirated, which means it has no superchargers or turbochargers on it, so it is a more traditional design. But don't think that will have an impact on power, because the Aventador produces an incredible 691 hp and 509 foot-pounds of torque, which results in a 3.0 second 0-60 time and a 217 mph top speed. The interior is all you would expect from a high-performance supercar: not many frills before you put the multi-thousand dollar options on it, relatively comfortable design and ergonomics, and not very comfortable. 

Click to here learn more about the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
Click to here learn more about the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB Review

    Ever since 1970, the Land Rover Range Rover has become one of the best utility 4X4s on the planet, with a great combination of good looks, luxury amenities, and substantial off-road and on-road performance. But in 44 years, you'd expect the Land Rover team to create something new for the brand. And as of early 2014, they have. The folks at Land Rover made something a little less off-roady and a little more drive-to-downtown-Beverly-Hillsy. Basically what they've done is they've stretched it a couple inches, redone the backseat, and called it a "LWB" Range Rover, which is cool, but at the same time absolutely ridiculous. And the list of maniacal things they've done is create an Autobiography "Black," which is even nicer than the base $106,225 R-R LWB. The only difference between the two is the Autobiography Black has a different rear center console, as well as reclining seats, just like in a Maybach. It also has power picnic tables, which pop up at the touch of a button. These contain a USB import which leads to the rear monitors, and also houses a special cupholder for the champagne flutes, which are stored in the (you guessed it: champagne fridge) champagne fridge. The rear also has nice touches like wireless headphones for the rear seat entertainment, full seat controls, and possibly the softest leather you can get in an SUV. 

Click here to learn more about the Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB
Click here to learn more about the Land Rover Range Rover LWB

2014 Ariel Atom 500 V8 Review

    The Ariel Atom is one of the fastest and most prestigious track cars in the world, and it is definitely one of the coolest. But the coolest model by far is the V8 version, which utilizes a 3.0 liter supercharged V8 that produces 500 hp and 284 lb-feet of torque, which results in a better power-to-weight ratio than a Bugatti Veyron. Since this incredible piece of engineering has so much power and so little weight, 0-60 is estimated to take an astounding 2.5 seconds, which is faster than a Ferrari LaFerrari, faster than a McLaren P1, and Faster than a Porsche 918 Spyder. But even though this car is extremely fast off the line, is it any good going around corners? In a word: yes. In several words, absolutely incredible. This car is probably the closest thing to a road-legal F1 car you can buy, and for a mere price of just $225,000, it's a bargain. But not only is this car fast, powerful, light, and agile, it is also an incredible thing to look at. From the exposed carbon-fiber, to the exposed interior, and even the exposed engine (how else could they make it so light? They just took off the lest necessary pieces) are not exactly beautiful like a Ferrari 458, but are an incredible marvel of engineering. 

Click here to learn more about the Ariel Atom 500 V8

2014 BMW 7-Series High Security Review

    The BMW 7-Series has a large reputation for being one of the most prestigious and luxurious vehicles on the planet, so it's only fair to heads of state and other important figures that can can have one too. But sometimes, these people need extra protection, so there's a limited range of cars they can buy. But the 7-Series High Security is one of the safest cars on the planet, thanks to a host of safety features, such as a underside fire-extinguishing system, laminated polycarbonate windows, and even an optional machine-gun compartment right in the center console. But just because you need extra security doesn't mean you have to miss out on the normal 7-Series highlights, such as two engine options: an adequate 407-hp twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8, or for a little more "schnell,"you can opt for the twin-turbo 6.0 liter V12, which makes 545 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque. The V12, or "760Li" version does 0-60 in under 5.0 seconds, which isn't bad for a car that weighs almost three tons. And the interior is still incredibly finished, with massaging seats, perforated leather, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system, which is based on BMW's iDrive system. The 7-Series High Security also has VR9 levels of armor, which basically means the car can protect you from an AK-47 and a .44 Magnum. The only other choices in this segment are the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard (which can come in an incredible Pullman" limousine style) and the Audi A8L W12 Security, which are also both great options.

Click here to learn more about the BMW 7-Series High Security

2014 BAC Mono Review

    Track days are getting more and more popular, and so are track-oriented cars. Lots of people buy a very light sports car and occasionally take it to the track and spend the day doing laps. But a good amount of track cars aren't road legal, so you have a decision to make: do you want a really fast and good-performing car, or do you want one that you can drive there and back. But there are a few cars that can do both, such as this: the BAC Mono. It has a naturally-aspirated in-line four-cylinder, which produces 280 hp and 206 pound-feet of torque. Now that might not sound like much, but it's made by Cosworth, and it is also used in the Caterham Seven CSR. And even if it isn't very powerful, the car has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Bugatti Veyron, so it does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, and goes on to a top speed of over 170 mph. The interior doesn't actually have a roof or windows, so instead of having conventional materials, like leather or suede, it has a special material that is waterproof. If it rains, the water will roll of the surfaces of the interior, but you will still get quite wet. The only problem I have with this car is why you would buy it over a Morgan Three-Wheeler, which is my favorite track car. It is still at second place, but it seems much more fun to drive something like a Caterham Seven, which isn't necessarily faster, but is just a better car. 

Click here to learn more about the BAC Mono

It may not look like much, but that's basically it

2014 Audi TTS Roadster Review

    Some people like certain cars; other don't. It's as simple as that. And in the case of the Audi TT S, I am one of the ones who can't decide. I liked the TT RS, but it was too thirsty and expensive, so they had to remove it from the lineup. The reason I don't like the TTS is because it isn't a fast or good performance car (it is fun to drive and it is agile, but isn't necessarily fast), but it isn't a luxurious drop-top either (hey, Audis aren't always like an A8L). The engine has the same problem, thanks to its 265 hp, which is just as much in a Subaru WRX, but that is way cheaper and faster. But it isn't powerful or tiny, so it seems like it's unsuccessfully trying to be a comfortable, affordable, fast roadster, but isn't comfortable, affordable, or fast. 0-60 takes 5.1 seconds, which is good, but is not as fast as the BMW Z4, which does it in 4.2 seconds and is better looking, inside and out. I find this problem to be common with many Audis now, such as the Allroad. The Allroad is a relatively small sport wagon that competes with cars like the BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon. But it's trying to be a big off-roader that competes with a Range Rover, but it totally isn't. Even the styling is trying to look like a high-performance sports car, even though it looks like a German's idea of a Fiat 500C.

Click here to learn more about the Audi TTS Roadster

Cars in Movies

    I'm pretty sure everyone who is reading this has seen movies such as The Bourne Identity, Goldfinger, or Bullitt. Not only are all three of these movies action-based, they all involve great car chases and are famous for them. The chase scene in Bullitt is considered to be the best car chase of any movie. Personally, I think the one in The Bourne Identity is a little better, mainly because it looks realistic, and no cars explode when they get hit. The cars are also an important part of creating a good chase scene, and in the case of Goldfinger, it doesn't get much better. A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was used in the making of this classic film, and it was specially modified with many gadgets, such as a bullet deflector, passenger ejector seat, and dual machine-guns under the headlights. It was first driven by Sean Connery, and was used in the latest James Bond Film, Skyfall. It was eventually auctioned for a ridiculous $4.1 million, which is even more than a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. The chase scene in Bullitt featured a 1968 Ford Mustang GT and a '68 Dodge Charger R/T driving through the hills of San Francisco, which is the perfect setting for the perfect cars. But some cars are in many movies, such as the Mini Cooper, which has starred in movies such as The Italian Job (1969 and 2003 versions) and The Bourne Identity. But there are so many different cars that have been in countless films, like the Mazda MX-5 Miata. 

How did they go wrong?

    For a couple of years now, Tesla Motors has been cranking out more and more of their "brilliant" electric sport-sedan, the Model S. But in the near future, they'll be releasing another car to their single-car lineup. It will be called the Model X, and it will be an SUV-style sport-utility. It will have Gullwing doors, or "Falcon Wings," as Tesla stupidly calls it. But the most important thing to focus on this car is the styling. It looks TERRIBLE. I don't know they've taken the very good-looking Model S's styling and turned into something that looks like vomit. I'm sure some people like it (granted, they'll like anything stupid Tesla makes), but in reality, it's just like when Porsche released the Cayenne in 2002. They've tried to style it like one of their other cars (the 911), but turned it into something miserable. I just don't understand how they've made a great-looking car look so terrible. And even if it gets amazing mpg and it is more practical than any of your Honda Pilots, you won't be able to ignore the fact that your car looks like a snail. 

Click here to learn more about the upcoming Tesla Model X

2014 HSV GEN-F Maloo R8 Review

    Now you might be thinking, "what the heck is HSV?" Well, Holden Special Vehicles is the Partner of the Australian manufacturer Holden. HSV tunes their cars to create things like the Clubsport, which is HSV's current model base. They have three body styles: a four-door sedan, a five-door wagon, and a two-door pickup, or ute. The base Clubsport has 425 hp, and the fastest model, the GTS, has 576 hp, which bests the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the BMW M5. All of the sedan models are what the substantially less-powerful Chevrolet SS is based on. But the most interesting model is by far the Maloo R8. It is a two-door ute, or a "coupe-utility." This is a traditional Australian body style, with a two-seater coupe cab and a pickup bed. The Maloo R8 has a 425-hp supercharged 6.2 liter Corvette V8, which rockets this ute to 60 mph in under five seconds. And with its pickup-style bed, it is pretty practical for hauling around heavy furniture. The interior is comfortable, but not over-designed or luxurious, which is what the typical speed-demon practical sedan-truck's interior should be. 

Click here to learn more about the HSV GEN-F Maloo R8

A Bentley Mulsanne Convertible! Why Not?

    When Bentley hinted at a possible Mulsanne Convertible at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, it really got the car world excited, because for five years, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Convertible (click here to read about them) have had exactly 0 competitors. But it seems like a logical idea, with advantages such as lineup expansion and a new car for Abu Dhabi oil sheiks to blow their millions on. They also released a basic sketch of the possible Convertible, and it looked great. Some magazines and websites did renderings, and they all looked pretty accurate. But after a couple of months, Bentley's CEO, Wolfgang Schreiber, confirmed that they will NOT be creating a convertible variant of the existing Mulsanne sedan. But on the bright side, it would have had to cost over $400,000, and the Continental GTC gets better MPG, is faster, and performs better. So if you're really disappointed about this, just try not to think "oh no, what will I spend my $450,000 on now?"

Click here to learn more about the Bentley Mulsanne

2014 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Review

    Even if Rolls-Royce isn't an independent brand or has 100% bespoke cars anymore, it is still definitely the defining luxury brand. When you think "multi-millionaire businessman," you think Rolls-Royce. When you hear the words "classic British cars," you think of Rolls-Royce. Sure, Bentleys may be faster and more innovative, and the new S-Class looks, drives, and feels incredible, but neither can match Rolls-Royce's status of "the best luxury car*." And Rolls-Royce keeps improving its name by updating and adding new technology to its cars. Lately, they've face-lifted the Ghost by giving it new LED headlights and some other tech-related updates. They have also created the Wraith, a sporty two-door version of the Ghost, and it is the fastest, most powerful Roll-Royce ever to leave the single assembly building in Goodwood, England. 
    But their flagship is, and always will be, the incredible Phantom. The Phantom is my #1 favorite car, and was Top Gear's "Car of the Year" for 2003. It comes in four versions, the regular sedan, the extended wheel-base (basically a limousine), the Coupe, and the Drophead Coupe (a convertible version). But the fastest is obviously the Phantom Coupe, and that's thanks to its 6.75 liter naturally-aspirated 453 V12. Thanks to its easily-available 531 pound-feet of torque, 0-60 takes around 5.2 seconds, and to an "adequate" (Rolls-Royce's favorite word to describe performance numbers) top speed of 150 mph. The interior is the Phantom's best selling point, thanks to its traditionally-crafted leather, hand-cut wood, and a $14,000 optional "starlight" headliner with incorporated LED "stars." 

Click here to learn more about the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

*Just my opinion

2015 BMW i8 Review

    So far, the BMW i3 has been doing extremely well, outselling their target sales and has become very popular and well-known, tanks to sources such as Car & Driver, MotorTrend, and all the other major car magazines. But what is going on sale soon is an electric supercar that is faster than most 911s and is even faster than an Audi R8. But what you don't expect is for it to have a 1.3 liter in line-three cylinder that makes 357 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque combined with the AC permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor. 0-60 takes a faster-than-a-Tesla (hear that: faster than a Tesla, so you can stop bragging now) 3.8 seconds, which leads to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The interior shares the i3's "environmentally-friendly" theme, with natural materials all around, such as wood trim from trees that had fallen down and some strange cloth seating surface. But if you're a little more traditional (and rich, for that matter), you can spend $26,000 on the custom-made five-piece Louis Vuitton carbon-fiber and leather luggage set. But a 20% premium over the already massive $136,000 base price? If you agree that that's insane, just don't use this as an airport shuttle. 

Click here to find out more about the BMW i8

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review

    I know that this might not be the most specific review, considering that I haven't chosen a trim level for the car, but for this review, it won't really be necessary. The current Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a beautiful car, but isn't getting any younger, and could use a refresh. So that's what Mercedes has done. They've added things like another engine to the lineup (a new 3.0 liter V6 will be the most efficient engine), an all-new front fascia, and more technological upgrades and advancements. The new 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 will produce about 328 hp and 354 pound-feet of torque. As before, the twin-turbo 4.6 liter and "Biturbo" 5.5 liter hand-built AMG V8 will be there for the driving enthusiasts who want a little more "schnell." The AMG-spec engine will make 550 hp (577 if you're in the AMG-S model) and the regular V8 will increase slightly to 402 hp and 443 pound-feet. Prices for the existing models will stay about the same, but the CLS400 is expected to cost about $65,000 to $70,000, which isn't nothing, especially compared to the $29K CLA. 

Click here to learn more about the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

That seems like plenty of navigation screen

2001 BMW GINA Review

    So you might be wondering why there's a BMW named "GINA." To be fair, it is an abbreviation of Geometry and function In “N” (infinite) Adaptations. It might not be the best name, but other than its strange name, BMW's "GINA" is a really cool idea. It utilizes a fabric skin so the car is more flexible than normal cars, whether they're made out of steel, aluminum, or carbon-fiber. The fabric is used in many interesting ways, such as split at the hood to show the engine, or move with the doors when they open (you might not get what I mean, but just look in the picture). BMW has GINA on display in the BMW museum in Munich, Germany. They haven't said much about the engine, but it is based on the now-deceased Z8's chassis and has a 4.4 liter V8. When you turn the car off, the interior will assume the "idle" position, which moves the steering wheel in to the center console and the headrests in to the seats. I really like new ideas and concepts like GINA because even if they aren't the most practical, they can still be used for a more efficient design in the future. 

Click here to learn more about the BMW GINA

2015 Volvo V60 Polestar Review

    Most people think of Volvos as practical, reliable, and safe family vehicles at about the level of a Buick (oh wait, almost anything is better than a Buick) or an Acura (so say Honda, because there's no major differences except for bodywork and price). But what most people don't know is that some Volvos can be quite fast and exciting. Take the C30 T5 R-Design for example, with it's impressive 227 hp and aggressive styling. But the fastest Volvo in production right now is the V60 Polestar, an even faster version of the already fast T6 model. And being a wagon, it is impressive for any type of car, not just a wagon. Even though production is limited to 120 units, it still does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, which matches a Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged. If 345 hp and 369 lb-feet of torque isn't enough for you, you need to realize that the Mitsubishi Mirage has only 94 hp, so now 345 should sound like plenty. Unlike the rest of the car, the interior remains true Volvo, with good ergonomics, comfortable seats, and great occupant safety. 

Click here to find out more about the Volvo V60 Polestar

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review

    Since I haven't posted anything in the past week, I thought I'd do something special and write about one of the most powerful American muscle cars ever created: the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. It is essentially an absurdly powerful version of the already powerful Challenger SRT. It now has 707 hp and 650 lb-feet of torque out of its new supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI V8. Now you might not realize that this car is more powerful than a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, which is quite a powerful car (662 hp is definitely a lot), but hands over its title of "Most Powerful Production V8 in he World." Since this new "Hellcat" version makes so much power, expect a 3.5-second 0-60 time. Another crazy number: 199 mph. What is this? Just the top speed, which is faster than most Porsches. I actually really like the interior. The only American interiors I like are the Cadillac XTS, the Chrysler 300 SRT8, and the Ford Taurus SHO, which are nice, but none can match the Challenger's crowd-pleasing rich brown leather, which is a personal favorite of mine. 

Click here to find out more about the Challenger SRT Hellcat

2015 Ferrari California T Review

    Some people don't like the Ferrari California because it is a front-engined, V8-powered convertible, instead of the usual mid-engined setup, with a V12. But the California does have some strong points, including its very recognizable exterior, handsome interior, and good performance. The 4.3 liter V8 produces 490 hp and 372 lb-feet of torque, which makes the California do 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. That's fast, but not as fast as a Jaguar F-Type, which is $100,000 less and has a much better sounding engine (if you haven't heard it, watch this video). But compared to the $330,000 F12berlinetta, it's a "bargain." The interior and exterior are both very nice to look at, and even those Ferrari enthusiasts who think the California isn't a true Ferrari have to admit that the exterior is pretty good-looking. But why buy this $198,000 Ferrari when you can buy a $98,000 Jaguar that performs better, sounds better, and has the same amount of power? 

Click here to go to the Ferrari website

2015 Bentley Continental GT3-R Review

    The Bentley Continental GT is one of the most popular luxury coupes in the world. It is more popular than the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG and the Aston-Martin DB9. And for good reason, too. It has a wide variety of engine choices, incredible craftsmanship, and great performance. But some people might want a little less luxury and a little more speed. But up until now, the fastest Continental GT has been the Speed, which has 626 hp and a 206-mph top speed. But they've launched a new version, the GT3-R, which is a street-legal version of the GT3 race car. It shares the same 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 in the Continental GT V8, but it makes 572 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 is claimed at 3.6 seconds, which is quite impressive, but isn't as fast as a Ferrari 458 Speciale or a Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. The interior loses the rear seats and has new sport seats in front, but they are "Bentley Style," being swathed in leather and are more comfortable than any sport seat should be. The interior also shares the same green accents found on the exterior. But what I find silly is why they didn't revive the supersports name. Why not just reuse that name as a new generation? The Supersports was a great performance car, so why not just use that name?

UPDATE: Bentley has released the price for the Continental GT3-R. $330,000 isn't cheap, but that's not what Bentleys are about.

Click here to go to the Bentley site

Comparison: 2015 Nissan GT-R vs. 2014 Audi R8

    When it comes to high-end sports coupes, most people think of brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar. But what most people won't expect is an incredible performer from Nissan, a brand known for small city cars and three-row people carriers. But their performance car, the GT-R, is a very worthy competitor, and I think it's only fair to put up against a benchmark sports car, the Audi R8. 

2. Audi R8 

    I hate myself for putting the R8 in second, but it was obvious that the R8 is not nearly as good as the GT-R. Sure, it might be a million times better looking and has a much better interior (and may I ask: who wants to pay $100K for a Nissan badge?). But the R8 falls short in several major categories, such as 0-60 acceleration, horsepower, and value. The R8 is $14,130 more than the GT-R, and is considerably slower. 0-60 in the R8 takes an almost slow (well, not slow, but slow compared to the GT-R) 4.2 seconds, but at least the top speed is 186 mph. I find the 4.2 liter V8 far preferable to the Nissan's 3.8 liter V6, but is much less powerful. 430 hp isn't that much anymore. Even the Dodge Charger SRT8 has 470 hp. But one of the positive points of the R8 is the interior. Not very complicated, but a nice place to be, especially with the quilted leather seats. Click here to go to the Audi website.

1. Nissan GT-R

    Personally, I don't like the GT-R that much, but I will admit it is fast. With a 0-60 time of just 3.0 seconds, the GT-R will keep up with a Lamborghini Aventador and a McLaren MP4-12C. My biggest question for the GT-R is how the twin-turbo V6 produces 545 hp and 463 pound-feet of torque. I find that almost impossible, but somehow, they've managed it. The interior isn't nearly as nice as the R8's, and almost looks like an old Nintendo console. I don't like it very much, and I could say the same for the rest of the styling. It isn't very pretty or sleek, and looks like an enlarged Subaru BR-Z. Click here to go to the Nissan website.