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. 

Click here to learn more about the 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600

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. 

Click here to learn more about the 2015 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2015 Ferrari FF Review

    The Ferrari FF is definitely a strange car, not because of its engine, or its interior, or even its price. The only "weird" thing about it is that it is a hatchback, but it's also a Ferrari. It is also Ferrari's first car with four-wheel-drive, so it has better grip on both roads and tracks than the 458. But, some people don't even really consider the positives of this car, and just hate it. I actually like the FF, and I think the styling works really well for Ferrari's first attempt at a hatchback. The engine is more powerful than the 458 Specialé, and cranks out 651 horsepower (a lot) and 504 pound-feet of torque. With this insanely powerful engine, the FF manages to to 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 208 mph. With a base price of $295,000, you would expect the FF to be a pretty nice car as well. And the FF doesn't disappoint. It has heated power front seats, as well as memory, a touch-screen nav system, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. Yes, that's right, the FF has a rear seat, compete with climate control and a full-length center console. New for 2015, the FF is offered with a fitted luggage set, custom tailored with the same leather found in the interior.

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Fitted luggage

Cars That Should Exist

    As a car enthusiast, I have many cars that I wish existed, but sadly, will probably never be put into production. Why? Only because they're unrealistic, expensive, and probably won't make much sense to produce. But, they still would be pretty awesome, and I still wish a manufacturer would take the initiative to make them. Until then, I can only hope for that, so here are five of my favorites:

1. Fiat 500 Abarth R

    I am sure most of you have heard of the Subaru WRX STi, and most you have also heard of the Fiat 500 Abarth. Sure, the Esseesse exists as the go-faster variant of the Abarth, but it would be even better if there was a 500 that had the 305-horsepower turbo I-4 as the STi, and it would sell for about $35,000. Would it be ridiculous? Yes, of course it would. But wouldn't it be so fun?

2. BMW M7 

    The only reason I wish this car exists is not because I particularly like the 7-Series, it's just that it would make sense for BMW to make a rival for the Jaguar XJR, the Mercedes-Benz S63/S65 AMG, and the Audi S8. It would either have a more powerful version of the M5's 4.4 liter V8, or a more powerful version of the 6.0 liter V12 in the 760Li. Prices would start at about $175,000, not including options such as carbon-ceramic brakes or an upgraded rear seat, which would add a fixed center console, complete with airline-style picnic trays and a mini-fridge. 

3. Mercedes-Benz G550/G63 AMG Coupe/Cabriolet

    If you didn't know already, Mercedes-Benz used to offer the G-Class in two-door variants, including a soft-top convertible. If only they would resurrect that body style for the current G-Class....

4. Mazda MX-5 Miata Racing Edition

     The Mazda Miata is considered to be one of the best roadsters in the world, and is an extremely fun car to drive. My only problem with it is that it is slightly underpowered, so I just wish there was a more track-focused version with around 300 horsepower, and maybe carbon-ceramic brakes.

5. Bentley Mulsanne Limousine by Mulliner

    A couple of years ago, Bentley Mulliner took the Arnage RL and stretched it about a foot. They also added a champagne fridge, reclining seats, a cigar humidor, a partition, and a flat-screen TV. I think that this "Mulliner Limousine" treatment applied to the Mulsanne would create a great rival for cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman. 

2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Diamond Review

    As you already know, the Mercedes-Benz Viano and Sprinter vans have taken on many forms, from passenger buses to camper vans. But perhaps the most decadent variants of these vans has been from companies other than Mercedes, right? I mean, Brabus created the iBusiness 3D van, and Lexani did many conversions of the Sprinter. Surprisingly, Mercedes created a van-limousine-hybrid a couple of years ago, and was much classier than Lexani's wine-cabinet and Nespresso machine. It had a simple Maybach-style two-tone exterior, with a white and grey interior. Somehow, it was better-looking inside and out than any of the Brabus or Lexani conversions. Some other features included a flat-screen TV, a fridge, dual iPads, power reclining seats taken from a Maybach 62, and, most importantly, 8 diamonds scattered across the entire interior. The rear compartment windows had two-mode glass, which is essentially electronically-controlled glass that become tinted at the touch of a button. This is optional on both the SL-Class and SLK-Class, except for the sunroof, not the windows. 

Click here to learn more about the Lexani Mercedes-Benz conversion vans

Click here to learn more about the Brabus Mercedes-Benz Viano iBusiness 3D

2014 Holland & Holland Range Rover Review

    As you might have seen already on here, the gun maker Holland & Holland has already made a custom Range Rover as part of a collaboration with the tuning company Overfinch, but it wasn't an official Land Rover product. But now, Jaguar/Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department has collaborated with Holland a& Holland to create a special edition of the current-generation Range Rover. They have decided to base it off of the already incredible Autobiography Black LWB, which is a longer, more luxurious version of the Autobiography trim level. Holland & Holland hasn't done anything to the 5.0 liter supercharged V8, which makes 510 hp and 461 pound-feet of torque, which results in a 4.8-second 0-60 time. Just like the old Holland & Holland Range Rover, all their focus has been on the interior touches, such as the hand-crafted metal engraving on the door handles, the burl walnut veneer which matches the shotguns in the trunk, and the specially-fitted gun cabinet.  Holland & Holland has used one large piece of walnut for the entire car, ensuring matching wood throughout. The car also comes standard with the "executive-class" seating, which adds a center console in the backseat. That console houses a champagne fridge, two electrically-deployable airline-style picnic trays, and controls for the rear multimedia system. Just like in the last car, it is stocked with various alcoholic drinks, including scotch, whiskey, vodka, and, of course, plenty of champagne. Sadly, this special Range Rover starts at about $287,000, which is about the same price as one of Holland & Holland's "Royal Deluxe" 12-gauge over & under shotguns. 

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

2014 Brabus 800 Roadster Review

    AMG is Mercedes-Benz's craziest tuning division, right? Actually, no, because the Brabus tuning firm is much more insane than AMG, but sadly, it isn't an official part of Mercedes-Benz. It does have the occasional collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, which happens to be the case with the new Pullman limousine, which Brabus will supposedly develop for Mercedes-Benz. But, in my opinion, Brabus should not be absorbed into Mercedes-Benz, because they would overshadow AMG, which sells infinitely more cars than Brabus, which would make it a stupid business decision. But, Brabus does make some really cool stuff, none of which you've probably heard of. Some of thier craziest inventions include the B63-700 6X6, the 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness, and the 850 6.0 Biturbo variant of the CLS-Class estate (but instead of the AMG V8, they use a tuned version of the 6.0 liter V12 in the S600). But, they also make more subtle cars, such as the 800 roadster, which is "only" a tuned SL with a 788 horsepower. It also has 811 pound-feet of torque, which is almost 100 pound-feet more than in the "run-of-the-mill" SL65 AMG. Because of these massive amounts of power, the 800 does 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 217 mph. 

Click here to learn more about the Brabus 800 Roadster

Click here to visit the Brabus homepage

2015 Maserati Quattroporte Review

    As you probably have noticed, I really like luxury cars, but I also like fast, sporty, exotic cars as well. So where do you find the perfect blend of luxury and sport? Well, to be honest, you have several options from many different nationalities, all of which are good choices. From England, you have the Jaguar XJR/XJR-L, and from Germany you have many, MANY, options, such as the Mercedes-Benz E/CLS/S-Class AMG variants, the BMW M5, M6 Gran Coupe, and Alpina B7, as well as the Audi S6, S7, RS7, and S8. Sure, the U.S. has some so-so options, but you can't really call a Cadillac CTS-V a "luxury" car, can you (some people consider Cadillacs to be luxury cars, I do not)? You're also probably thinking, "well, the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur could be worthy competitors, right?" Well, yes, but Bentleys and Rolls-Royces aren't really "sporty," and neither are the V12 variants of German barges, such as the Audi A8L W12 and the BMW 760Li. Surprisingly enough, I find the Italian manufacturers to do the best job of combing the two elements with the Maserati Quattroporte. I find it to be very luxurious, while at the same time shows up Aston Martins and souped-up Audis. Now, in it's second generation, it is offered with two engines; a mild 3.0 liter V6 with 404 hp, and an insane 3.8 liter turbocharged V8 that produces 523 hp and 524 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a 0-60 time in under five seconds. The interior is far nicer than most Mercs, and has a massive amount of high-quality wood and leather. The rear seat can be optioned with dual wood-grain picnic trays, individual power seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system. 

Click here to learn more about the 2015 Maserati Quattroporte