Bugatti Galibier Concept Review

    Bugatti's latest concept, the Galibier, is a four-door sedan that competes with nothing. Its concept engine is a 8.0 liter supercharged W16, which was estimated to have around 1,000 horsepower and a top speed of 235mph. It was expected to cost over $1,000,000, which is insane for something not much better than a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which costs about half that. To me, the shape of the car resembles a Porsche Panemera, with the same sleek front body and then ending with a hatchback. The Bugatti is slightly more boxy in the front than the Panemera but is still a stunning car to see. The interior looks like a Gucci handbag and I love the way there is blue accenting the dials and center console. Rear-Seat Entertainment is standard, as well as a fitted set of luggage in the trunk. The Galibier is an amazing but ridiculous car, which is why Bugatti decided not to put it in to
production.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman

    In May of 2014, Mercedes-Benz will be releasing the new "Pullman" trim level for the S-Class. In previous years, the Pullman has been the best state limousine since the 60's and has built up quite a reputation. What makes a Pullman: a stretched S-Class, their powerful V12, a glass partition, and a very comfotable back seat. In the past, Mercedes-Benz has offered a "Guard" variant from their armoring division, which makes the car bulletproof. Power will probably come from Mercedes-Benz's amazing 6.0 liter twin-turbo V12. They have not released the numbers for the 2015 S600 so I can't tell you what they are. The interior will be about the same as the standard S-Class, but will certainly have some nice touches in it as well. The new Pullman is one car out of three that will play a crucial role in Mercedes's plan to move the S-Class more upmarket, now that Maybach is dead (sadly).

2014 Maserati Granturismo Review

    Maserati's Granturismo 2-door has been around since 2007 and has remained one of the most notable Italian coupes. It has one engine choice, which is a 4.7 liter V8 that produces up to 454 horsepower. 0-60 happens in just under 4.7 seconds to a top speed of 185mph. Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear it is one of the best-looking cars in the world, which is quite a compliment. There is a coupe and a convertible, and they both have a base price over $120,000. The top-of-the-line model, the Granturismo Convertible MC, costs $158,000. I think the interior is a bit dated, even though it is extremely luxurious, which is what you would expect for $130,000. Some competitors are the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, the Jaguar XKR-S (which is a favorite of mine),the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, and the BMW M6.

2014 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG vs. 2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

   These are both super SUVs. They both are quite good off-road and on road, as well as being very fast. They both cost over $100,000 and they are also both very respected on the Autobahn. One is a Porsche and one is an AMG. But which super-SUV is better?

2. Porsche Cayenne Turbo

    The 2-nd generation Cayenne Turbo is a lot more athletic and sports-car like than the previous generation, as well as having better performance numbers. It also is more expensive, with a base price of $110,000. 0-60 comes in 4.4 seconds thanks to the 4.8 liter twin-turbo V8. The monster of an engine of an engine makes 550hp and 553 pound-feet of torque. The interior is not as plush and luxurious as the Merc's but has a lot of buttons. There are a LOT of buttons on the center console. Mercedes does not have this problem thanks to a singular rotary knob that controls the entire navigation head-unit. The Porsche is surprisingly slower than the Mercedes but has better on-road dynamics. But, since it is slower, more expensive,  and less luxurious, it loses this comparison.

 

1. Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

    The Mercedes is slightly larger than the Cayenne but is still VERY fast. 0-60 happens in an incredible 4.1 seconds, thanks to the 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 518hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. An optional AMG Performance Package ups the power to 550hp and 560 lb-feet of torque. The interior looks like it belongs in an S-Class, which is appropriate because it costs about as much. At the front is Mercedes' familiar COMAND system, which controls the navigation, radio, bluetooth, and all the vehicle settings, such as the interior ambient lighting colors and moods. Neither of these cars can be optioned to have a third-row, which might be useful if you need to take some extra kids to soccer practice. But, in the end, the Mercedes comes in first because of its $13,000 difference between itself and the Porsche even though it is faster, more luxurious, and more practical in almost every possible way.

2014 Lamborghini Aventador Review

    Lamborghini's largest and most powerful car, the Aventador, has replaced the old Murcielago as their flagship supercar. It has a 6.5 liter naturally-aspirated V12 that makes 691 horsepower and 508 pound-feet of torque. It has a top speed of 217 mph and does 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. It seats two and has the traditional Lamborghini scissor doors. The base price is a staggering $397,000 and most of the options are well above $1K, so you'll probably be paying about $405,000. It was released in 2012 and has taken the supercar world by storm. It is my favorite supercar(with the Pagani Huayra in 2nd) mainly because of its styling. The engine is probably one of the last naturally-aspirated V12s that will ever be made because it is so terrible for the environment.

Comparsion: 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS vs. 2014 Jaguar XJR

    These luxury sedans have a lot in common. They both have powerful V8s, both have a base price over $100,000, and both are extremely fast. One is from England, and the other is from Italy. So which is better?


2. Jaguar XJR

    The new XJR is the latest addition to the XJ lineup and is the fastest XJ Jaguar has ever built. 0-60 takes only 4.4 seconds to a top speed of 174mph. The engine is Jaguar's wonderful 5.0 liter supercharged V8 that makes 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The interior is more old-school than the Maserati's but I still think Jaguar has almost mastered the interior department. The base XJ costs $73,000. The XJR costs $116,000. So that's a $43,000 difference between the two. And is it worth it?The people who are buying this type of car aren't going to care.

1. Maserati Quattroporte GTS

    The Quattroprte is Maserati's largest car and has an equally powerful engine. It is a twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 that produces 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The interior looks so refined and well-designed. In the rear, you can option for individual seats that can recline, as well as be heated or cooled. The Quattroporte shares parts from the Chrysler family, for example the navigation, which is the same unit you will find in the Dodge Dart. Some people think it is wrong to have a $140,000 car have the same parts as a $16,000 car. I think the Chrysler parts work great and I don't know why those people think it is so bad.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide Review

    Aston Martin released its four-door, the Rapide, in 2009 and hasn't changed much since. It has the same face as the DB9 and the Vanquish and pretty much looks like a four-door versions of those cars, which it is. There are only two seats in the back thanks to a full-length center console and rear-seat entertainment is optional. Power comes from Aston Martin's wonderful 5.9 liter V12 that makes 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 takes 5.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 183mph. The interior is hand-crafted and like in the Vanquish, you can opt for their beautiful quilting, which looks fantastic. Unlike most modern luxury cars, the navigation screen is hidden in the giant piece of carbon fiber in the dash and lifts up when you start the car, just like in the Volvo XC90. Some of its competitors are the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, the Maserati Quattroporte GTS, and the Bentley Flying Spur. I think Aston Martin has done a great job but I think the car is about one second slower than a car should be in this class.