McLaren 750S

The McLaren 750S may be a minor change version of the old 720S but this will mark the last McLaren to run purely on an internal combustion engine before heading to its electrified future.

2024 McLaren 750S

2024 McLaren 750S Spider

Costing 250,000 pounds plus additional costs, the 750S, in coupe and Spider configurations,  is the improved version of the 720S that crosses the line in terms of performance and dynamics fitting for McLaren's swansong for the pure internal combustion engine era as it's heading towards electrification soon.

2024 McLaren 750S interior

As the styling is broadly similar to its 720S predecessor, the 750S saw most of the black stuff from the 720S exterior design colored while featuring a new rear design that differentiates it. As for the interior, the instrumental display as well as the powertrain and handling mode controls have been repositioned for easy access behind the wheel. It even comes with a McLaren Control Launcher and a new Central Information Screen.

The familiar 4.0L V8 biturbo engine inherited from the 720S has been boosted to the titular 750PS of power output and 800Nm of torque. When mated to a 7-speed gearbox, it sprints from 0 to 62mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 206mph, in coupe or Spider configurations. More than the 720S but less than the 765LT so it's a welcoming development for a rear-wheel-drive hypercar from the UK.

Apart from the performance, the 750S features a reworked suspension setup, revised signature valve stack, wider front track width, electro-hydraulic steering assistance system, available track brake upgrade, and the improved Proactive Chassis Control, giving it dynamics only Lando Norris can truly understand because it handles like every McLaren should and thanks to being rear-wheel-drive, you have to be brave enough to take advantage of its Variable Drift Control if you want to make it out alive.

The McLaren 750S may be a minor change version of the old 720S but for a swansong for the pure internal combustion engine era, this is the ultimate driver's car full-stop and if you're as good as either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, spark this. It's about as addictive as exotics can be.

Photo: McLaren Automotive

Lamborghini Revuelto

The Lamborghini Aventador marked the end of an era of purely internal combustion engine-powered Lamborghinis that became the hallmark of its six-decade heritage. As the next chapter begins, a new page of Lamborghini's history has been written. Welcome to the Lamborghini Revuelto.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

Costing half a million Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Lamborghini Revuelto takes over the Aventador's reigns as the new V12 king of the Lamborghini lineage and it uses most of the teachings learned from the electrified V12 series limited machines, the Sian and the reborn Countach.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

Beginning with the styling, the Revuelto features elements inspired by the Sian, making this electrified flagship indistinctively Lamborghini in every angle, making it too cool to be missed by anyone who is living under a rock. I'm talking about you, Gran Turismo, Forza, and any racing video game I know and love that comes with real-life cars to play with. With such looks, the Revuelto is surely becoming the hypercar worth coveting.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto interior

Inside, the Revuelto matches the functionalities of its opposition such as having a tall touchscreen just like a McLaren, the information display above the glove compartment just like the Ferrari, and just like its Aventador predecessor, the ignition switch inspired by fighter jets. Although stuffed with infotainment and connectivity features that don't make sense in a two-seater hypercar like this, the interior matches the Revuelto's character.

2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

Now, we get to the main event of the Revuelto, the electrified performance that signals the new start for Lamborghini. The 825PS 6.5L V12 engine is connected to a rear P2-P3 eMotor, front e-axle, and a Li-ion high specific power battery with pouch cells, generating a total power output of 1015PS of power output. Mated to an 8-speed e-DCT, it has a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 350kph. Judging by the stats, that's more than you get from its main rival, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

It's not just the electrified performance that sets the road and track on fire, it's the dynamics that made the Revuelto beyond compare. With a carbon fiber bodywork, active rear wing, double wishbones with Lamborghini Magneride dampers, electric power steering, Carbon Ceramic Brakes Plus, and a new generation Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics, whichever driving style you're at, this new era Lamborghini is the most addictive hypercar to drive from Rome to Monza. Once you set foot with it, there's no turning back.

For a half-a-million-euro electrified hypercar that rewrites the rules of Lamborghini, the Revuelto is no doubt the sensation of 2023, and with its styling, technology, performance, and dynamics that set the world ablaze, this is the hypercar that deserves to be called the top star of the revue. Hypercar Revue, that is, because you can't say "Revuelto" without "revue".

Photo: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

McLaren 720S

Since the beginning of the decade, McLaren is back in business when they first launched their first supercar after the legendary Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, known as the 12C. From the 12C to the 650S, the so-called Super Series combines motorsports knowhow with road-going elements that balances it out to create a supercar built for both roads and tracks, wherever lay ahead. With the advent of the 720S, the Super Series has entered its second chapter and this could mean a whole new beginning for Woking's finest.

2018 McLaren 720S

2018 McLaren 720S

720S, that new name for McLaren's second advent of the Super Series range does ring a bell to any nosy morons but while this name will ring a bell to anyone who wears diamonds on their bodies, the long-awaited replacement to the 650S shows that McLaren's still in a game of thrones dominated by the holy trinity of the sportscar realm such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche. McLaren's still an underdog to this battle but with the 720S, they've really progressed themselves to tackle Europe's finest.

2018 McLaren 720S interior

Before I get all nosy about the 720S, let's take a look on how it looks and for the 720S, it pinpoints what will their future sportscars look like while drawing inspiration from past models like the 12C, the 650S, and the now legendary P1 hypercar. While inspiration is pushing this car too far, some conspiracists would think that the 720S looks unbelievably similar to the hypercar that never was. Care to guess what that is? It's the one with the unpronounceable name on it and when bathed in white color, this car will have a slight case of identity loss, if you know what I mean.

Inside, the 720S looks pretty much the same as the other McLarens in the range but the hardware's all new with thanks to JVCKENWOOD. There are special features on the 720S that can be engaged while on track duty, allowing it to check on lap times, telemetry, g-force, speed, and other stuff, making it the perfect track toy to drive on the weekends or holidays. Pretty sweet, huh?

2018 McLaren 720S

Time to see what the 720S can do and let's start with brand new 4.0L V8 twin turbo engine that delivers a titular 720PS power output and 770Nm of torque. Armed with the double clutch gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than three seconds and onwards to 341km/h (212mph), which is more than you can expect from its chief rival, the Ferrari 488. Of course, Ferrari's going to respond against the 720S with a more powerful 488 later on but for now, all eyes on its dynamics.

Call it challenging and dynamic if you may but for McLaren, they've perfected the 720S' track-honed capabilities with new and exciting mechanical components that makes the 720S a bewildering car to drive for both roads and tracks alike, starting with the newly improved Proactive Chassis Control and because of its new suspension and power-assisted electro-hydraulic steering, you get the same feeling from mastering an expert-level song with everything you got without losing your focus on one beat after another but word of warning, however, that when this car gets twitchy without warning, the 720S can be downright crazy. Apart from the chassis, the 720S utilizes a carbon fiber Monocage II structure enveloped by its lightweight aluminium and composite bodywork, which makes it lighter than the previous Super Series lineup  and because this car is lower than the previous Super Series range, the wing on it generates more downforce than the 650S. It's hydraulically operated as well, giving the 720S improved driver downforce, DRS, and high speed braking. Now that's gut-wrenching aerodynamics done right for this new species of McLaren supercars.

There's one cool feature I haven't mentioned on the 720S and that's the new Static Adaptive Headlight which works like every other cars that turn their lights when they steer but it's different to the ones we're familiar with because while the 720S's headlamps uses 17 LEDs in each headlight, about 12 of them light to the direction the car is heading.

McLaren's all new 720S starts at 218,020 Pounds but that's just the start because when you look at the options list, it gets even more expensive than your monthly mortgage, and if you ever think about driving one at the city center, you'll be nothing more of a public nuisance or a show-off so it's best to leave it on the open roads where you can drive this car anytime you want and nobody will yell at you. But still, with all that mechanical components that makes the new 720S a supercar above, this will leave the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan and the Ferrari 488 in a traumatic headache because in a game of top trumps, the 720S will eat those Axis Powers firebrands alive like piranhas in a volcanic lair. Scary.

Photo: McLaren Automotive

Ferrari GTC4Lusso

About five years ago, Ferrari rattled the supercar world with the FF, featuring Ferrari's very own four-wheel drive system which the power is distributed between the left and right sides of the rear and front axle for superior grip unlike other 4WD sports cars. In terms, it's not like the Nissan GT-R you're familiar with. Now, Ferrari's first 4WD sportscar has been given a fresh new look and a new name. Meet the new GTC4Lusso.

2017 Ferrari GTC4Lusso

This new Ferrari GTC4Lusso looks almost nearly identical to the old FFit replaces but there's one major difference you should know about. Like the LaFerrari, the 488 GTB, and the F12tdf, the new GTC4 Lusso joins to the new batch of Ferraris that are no longer Pininfarina-designed and they are designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, thus resulting to a new front face and the new taillight design that really differentiates it from the old FF, which is Pininfarina-designed.

The biggest change ever happened on the GTC4Lusso is that it now comes with two different variants types for the first time. First, there's the one with the 6.3 L F140 V12 engine that produces 690PS of power 697Nm of torque, resulting to its 3.4 seconds of 0-100kph time and 345kph of top speed. Apart from the engine upgrade, Ferrari's four-wheel drive system has been revised, promising better handling even on low-grip surfaces and superb stability and responsiveness in all conditions, making it a multirole full stop. The second one, and this is the obvious bunch, there's now a rear-wheel drive GTC4 Lusso with the same 3.9 L F154 V8 twin turbo as the 488 GTB, producing 610PS of power and 760Nm of torque, that's more torque than its V12 equivalent but it's close because of its 3.5 seconds of 0-100kph time and 320kph of top speed.

So, a choice of either a four-wheel drive V12 model or a new rear-wheel drive turbocharged model sounds more of a hunch by some but if anyone can drive both of these variants, it's easy to feel the difference between the two. On the one with the four-wheel drive system and V12, you can see that all that added power from its V12 engine and its brand new 4RM-S really shows that it has gained a lot after five years but better get yourself focused because while this new four-wheel drive system keeps the car within reach on any road surfaces, your numbness while driving is not relevant because it takes guts to wrestle this kind of machine on the snow and on the beach. On the one with the rear-wheel drive and V8 turbo engine on it, the multirole has became a fighter because while it lost its ability to get through slippery road conditions, its weight loss results for some added challenge for the driver who demands more. Best to stay focus while driving this one though because if things get rough, start praying because on the scale of easy to extreme, this is way higher than extreme because being rear-wheel drive, wheelspin starts and oversteering is very likely and you need to have a decent strategy to master this new kind of GTC4Lusso.

Well, if you got three hundred grand in your bank account, now's the perfect time to get yourself interested with the GTC4Lusso, regardless of which variant you'll choose. If you want some all-weather driving, go for the one with the 4WD and V12 on it, but if you are a driver who demands more, try the lesser one with the V8 and rear-wheel drive. Yes, the one with the V8 and rear-wheel drive can be considered the lesser one but to those who experienced it and braved through its torture, they believe that the one with the V8 engine and rear-wheel drive is more enjoyable and yes, you can turn it into a smoke grenade for the fun of it as long as you don't live in the Oceania where turning cars into smoke grenades is against the law.

Photo: Ferrari

Ferrari 488 GTB vs. McLaren 570S

Meet the two new prime specimens in the supercar league; first up, there's Ferrari's brand new replacement to the already perfect 458 Italia, the 488 GTB. Then, in the McLaren side, the much accessible but soon to be a classic 570S. With two new cars already arrived at the hearts of many car enthusiasts, everyone's going to be extra jealous, wishing they want to have a go in one of these.

2016 McLaren 570S

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB

First, let's take a look at the Ferrari 488 GTB, the latest replacement to the 458 Italia. At first glance, it looks nearly identical to the old 458 but with the LaFerrari-inspired nose, you can't really tell the difference between them. On the inside, it remains the same old Ferrari lunacy because there are buttons hidden in the back of the steering wheel, which makes the driver harder to memorize where the windscreen wipers or the headlights or any other stuff are. 

The inside job wasn't the least of the problem here because under the hood lies a newly developed 4.0L Twin Turbo V8 engine and before you can say sacrilege, this powertrain makes the 488 the first turbocharged mid-engined Ferrari since the legendary F40, which means it's got form. When you get the car running, you will notice how weak the exhaust note is unlike the sound from the 458. Despite all the turbocharging involved that resulted to its 670PS of power output (more than what you get from the Lamborghini Huracan and the McLaren 650S), you will still notice a faint hearing of the exhaust notes. Sounds good but there's no hint of snarling like most supercars do.

While you're still moaning about the noise of the 488's V8 twin turbo engine makes, you should know that with all that power and the Formula One-inspired 7-speed double clutch gearbox, the new 488 goes from 0-100kph in less than three seconds and onwards to over 330kph. This is a definite point why Ferrari still is the king of the supercar realm and whoever tries to dethrone it, will dethrone its rivals in retaliation.

With all that retaliation against McLaren's 650S and Lamborghini's Huracan, its Formula One-inspired dynamics really employed in the 488, delivering a racecar-like feel when used on the track and as a result, this is probably one of the best V8-powered Ferraris to drive if you're not complaining how weak the new V8's noise is.

Now what about McLaren's new baby supercar, the 570S? Well, this is the baby McLaren everyone's talking about and it slots below the 650S in the lineup. It still has McLaren's 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine but it produces a titular 570PS of power and 600Nm of torque. It will do 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and onwards to 328kph, two less than the 488, but let's remember that the 570S weighs 57kg less than the 488,

When you pit these two in a drag race, you will see that it's going to be a close one between the McLaren and the Ferrari. And if by close one, I mean of course, an exciting one presumably.

What about dynamics? Well, with all the race-inspired tech that embraced most McLarens for decades, the 570S is no-brainer. It sure loves to slice through corners like a sharp scalpel with surgical precision and when it comes to fun, well, it's not half bad to have one a go. It maybe not as sharp as its big brother, the 650S, but for a baby McLaren, the 570S loves to rise from the challenges set by the track gods. Despite looking shoddy in terms of design, the 570S is a serious performer on the road and on the track. With all that tech implied, this feels like it's set from the futuristic world.

So, do you have a choice between those two? Well, for a recap, both the 488 and the 570S are well honed on the track thanks to its motorsports roots implied but because decisions can be as complicated as your social status quo, it's up to the drivers to decide which one is the best but under Ferrari's right, best to aware that the 488 holds no substitutes because Ferrari knows there's no turning back now when it comes to retaliate against the supercar oppositions.

Audi R8 - Second Generation

Since its launch in 2007, the Audi R8, named after a prize-winning Le Mans racing prototype, is engineered to be Audi's first bona fide supercar that can tackle against supercars in its ranks, but weirdly, it's just a toned-down version of the Gallardo. With the rise of the Lamborghini Huracan, looks like the Audi R8 supercar is ready for its make-up transformation by regenerating it to an all new model.

2016 Audi R8

At first look, you will notice that the new model looks similarly the same as the previous model it replaces but Audi insists that this is a brand-new car engineered from the ground up and it features some of the components derived from the Lamborghini Huracan. It's got a toned-down version of the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Huracan, a brand new space-age bodywork, and lots of brand new features. So the question now is, does this new model now have the sense of humor that the old model can't?

2016 Audi R8

Judging by the way the new model behaves, this new model still doesn't laugh in a comedic manner every time when it sees an old rich lady and her mute yaya tagging along on the public, and don't even think about finding the fun factor inside because for this all-new model, the manual gearbox has been thrown away and the only gearbox you can find is Audi's 7-speed S-tronic double clutch gearbox, the same as you can find on the Lamborghini Huracan. While enthusiasts are pining themselves on the manual gearbox's demise, this double-clutch gearbox works brilliantly with its 5.2 V10 engine developing 610PS of power and 560Nm of torque in the range-topping Plus variant. It will do 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and onwards to 330kph, which is blisteringly more than what the Huracan pulls out in the bag. For fuel efficiency, the new model also comes with a device that can shut off its engines at a set of lights.

Thanks to the new Audi Space Frame, the new R8's tub features a blend of carbon fiber and aluminium, making it easier and repair and durable when you ding it on the bumps. It's the same blend that you can expect on the Huracan as well.

2016 Audi R8 interior

You might imagine that all four-wheel drive cars are more grippy than rear-wheel drive cars but for the new R8, it isn't. Thanks to its midship-engine 4WD layout, it still manages to be as tail-happy as possible and well-communicative on the bends thanks to its responsive electromechanical power steering system. Some say that this new R8 behaves like a sportscar rather than a supercar but that's just a compliment because even though it's a bewitching machine you can take out on the open roads, it's still very civilized.

On the interior, it's all about being driver-focused and nothing else because the sat-nav system is now located on the instrumental panel rather than a separate screen. That's sounds nice but be wary though that even though it features a blend of science-fiction and brute force, its sat-nav remains rubbish even when driving on ancient cities like Bologna or Intramuros or Jerusalem or any other ancient cities in history. You have to rely on your local knowledge get through your destination rather than relying on its sat-nav because pretty soon, you'll feel like you've been left behind in traffic or small gaps.

2016 Audi R8

Yes, the new interior can be somewhat problematic but nothing's more problematic than the price tag itself and it starts from 165,000 to 187,400 Euros. That's quite a lot for a supercar and you're going to spend more for some optional extras. So, despite the pricing, the all new R8 is a potent supercar that drives fast than the old model, handles better, and in the real world, well-mannered. The loss of the manual gearbox and its questionable interior sounds more of a let-down for some but nevertheless, the new R8 can surely be one of the best cars to drive this year.

Available colors: Dynamitrot, Ibisweiß, Vegasgelb, Camouflagegrun Metallic, Florettsilber Metallic, Mythosschwarz Metallic, Suzukagrau Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Arablau Kristalleffekt, and Camouflagegrun Matteffekt.

Photo: Audi AG

Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

The Lamborghini Gallardo, the supercar that has been the baby in the Lambo, and it was made for those who can't afford a flagship V12 Lambo. It may not be as awesome as its big brothers are but it was quite a successful feat to be part of the Lamborghini family and has been around for over a decade, looks like the Gallardo's tenure is past its prime and it's time for the V10 Lambo to be replaced by a new heir.

2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

It's called the Huracan. It costs 169,500.00 Euro, excluding taxes, and on paper, it looks more like a potent supercar that is willing to risk everything to become one of the best machines ever assembled in the world where V10 engines starting to diminish like dinosaurs.

In the Spanish language, Huracan means "hurricane" but it was also referred to as the Mayan god of wind, storm, and fire. It was also a name given to a bull that fought in the 19th century, in tradition to most Lambos named after famed bulls. Of course, you don't want me to hear the whole story but what you do want to hear is how the Huracan performs in a dogfight on the road and on the track.

If by dogfight, it is a dogfight on the road because when you put your foot down, the Huracan is a monster ready to make grounds shake and mountains crumble until maps must be redrawn afterward. If this car rampages, it's going to change the very landscape we knew today and it really leaves a ground zero next to you.

2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 interior

Having evolved from the irate Gallardo, it still comes with the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Gallardo but now it has been upgraded to the titular 610PS power output and 560Nm of torque. The result is 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 325kph. That's about as similar as its chief rival, the Ferrari 458 Speciale. The gearbox is no longer the e-gear or the manual because it now comes with the same 7-speed s tronic as the Audi R8 V10 Plus and it shifts quicker than the one used on the flagship Aventador. Oh dear, this is going to be like the brothers from the Wafrets commercial.

Anyway, the interior feels more driver-focused than the Gallardo and it has the same experience that you expect from a fighter plane. There's a nifty-looking switch where you can lift the switch guard, push the start, and you'll hear the distant thunder from the 5.2L V10 engine. That sound takes me back...from the Gallardo only better.

2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

If the Huracan is a baby Lambo that evolved from the Gallardo, does it act like a fully-evolved car? Well, it is more hostile than the irate Gallardo but it's not as brutal as its flagship Lamborghini Aventador, judging the fact that it comes with Lambo's 4WD system that lets you have fun regardless of the road and weather it'll face. It comes with a weirdly sounding "Anima" system which lets you choose three different driving modes. If you set it to CORSA which refers to Track, you can see how much potential the Huracan performs and to be honest, this is a lifelong struggle between you and this car on the track. If I know one thing this car is good at, it would be good at "snarling".

The Huracan loves to snarl on the track like most Lambos do in their free time but on the road, it's a lot nicer to drive. Who cares if the city streets are loaded with speed limits, I don't have to use most of it and I have to go with the flow like normal schoolchildren do after flag ceremonies. If I have doubts, the Huracan feels like the Ferrari 458 on the inside because it has that annoying part where the speedo and the sat-nav in the same place. It might be best to leave it here and forget about listening to the radio because it's too complicated to set it up on a weekend road trip to France.

2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

So, the new Huracan may be the potent replacement for the Gallardo but for a supercar, it may take some time for its Oblivion Wing to grow until its ready to destroy every single opponent in the road and track until it becomes the perfect aggressor but it's still not quite ready for that act because rivals like the 458 Speciale and the McLaren 650S are all ready to do their stuff. The Huracan is just not quite ready to grow up like the Aventador but for a rookie in the lineup, this car is willing to grow up to become number one in its squadron.

I may not be as good as any other car connoisseurs around the world but that's my point because to me, the Huracan is a great car for a stop but it still doesn't show a shine in the face of roadside mayhem and that mayhem will have to wait for this car. There are so many things to learn for the Huracan over the coming years and I think it's time to head west for this young chap on the manor.

Available colors: Bianco Monocerus, Nero Noctis, Bianco Icarus, Blu Achelous, Grigio Lynx, Grigio Nimbus, Nero Serapis, Rosso Mars, Arancio Borealis, Giallo Midas, Verde Mantis, Bianco Canopus, Giallo Horus, Grigio Titans, Marrone Apus, Nero Nemesis, Blu Caelum, Grigio Admetus and Marrone Alcestis.

Photo: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

McLaren 650S

After spending three years with the 12C and last year with the limited-edition hybrid-engine wielding hypercar, the McLaren P1, the McLaren Automotive portfolio opened a new chapter by launching their newest supercar that McLaren says it sits between the 12C and the P1 but who cares? Even though this is a new supercar with a new name, the brand new 650S is the result of what happens when you give the 12C the front of the P1 and some new updates on it.

2015 McLaren 650S

So, what's it all about the newest creation from Woking, Surrey? I rather fancy the naming because look at that name...6-50-S...it sounds more like it came from the pages of science fiction books but with a bit of flair on it. Even though it sounds as fancy as Downton Abbey meets Mortal Kombat or maybe Namco vs. Capcom, the name 650S refers to the power output because even though it comes with the same 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the 12C, it develops 641HP of power output. That's more than what you get from the Ferrari 458 Speciale or the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 and with such power, the 650S feels like it's on a class of its own. Not the bottom class or the middle class but a class of its own for the Woking newcomer that looks like a mashup of two of the greatest machines in McLaren history. It can do 0-60mph in under three seconds and a top speed of a dramatic 207mph, similar to the 458 Speciale and the Huracan even though those three are rigged with 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Although it may have the face of the P1, McLaren says that this is their new signature design and it seems that future McLaren sportscars will have that P1 look from now on because while the P1 is one of the best hybrid hypercars in history, it sold out quickly just as when it was reviewed by Top Gear Magazine or when Jeremy Clarkson tried one in Spa-Francorchamps so they decided to give their cars the same magic from the P1 and here's the result of all this brilliant experience they felt from the P1.

Of course, being a supercar, it has to be rough and tough as like playing a futuristic first-person shooter game in a ultra high difficulty setting in order to experience the thrills ahead but here on the 650S, it's as well-balanced and as refined like a British luxo barge cruising around Pemberley. It's majestic to drive, it fares well on the normal roads, and on track days...this is the one to have. There's loads of Formula One tech rigged on the 650S to give this car the same experience as a Formula One car because McLaren spent several man hours to incorporate their motorsports pedigree on their cars and for a fun fact, Jenson Button is one of the contributors to the 650S.

There's also a 650S Spider variant as well and although it offers the same thrills as the Coupe version, this open-top version sure looks come in handy for the long journey on the open road. However, since convertibles are heavier than their hardtop equivalents due to the rigidity needs, the 650S Spider is no exception. While the 650S coupe weighs around 1330kg, the Spider weighs 40kg more and as a result, top speed is dropped by 4mph but the 0-60mph time still at three seconds. Despite the added weight, it's still worth enjoyable to drive and when this car come face to face with the 458 Spider, it blows it away like exploding hydrogen bubbles from your head.

The 650S starts at £195,250 while its Spider version is £20k more and that's a lot to pay for a car that is more of an updated version of the 12C but for the sheer driving pleasure it delivers, I have to say that the 650S truly won my heart more than the 12C or the 458. Not only it looks great, it drives better and it doubles as a daily driver. You can use it to drive at the shops but as a warning, this is worthy of being a show off because it draws more crowds than a hot celebrity tripped on a red carpet premiere.

This car is a worthy contender of being one of the best cars of 2014 but frankly, I don't hold much hope because of the steep competition but I'm sure the 650S can manage this so here's a toast for Great Britain for now...

Available colors: Blue, Silver, Pearl White, Supernova Silver, Ice Silver, Fire Black, Volcano Orange, Volcano Red, Volcano Yellow, Tarocco Orange, Titanium Silver, Carbon Black, Sapphire Black, McLaren Orange, Storm Grey, Aurora Blue, and Mantis Green.

Photo: McLaren Automotive

Nissan GT-R NISMO

Since the return of the GT-R in 2007 and having been on the block for about seven years with numerous updates, the premiere flagship supercar of Nissan is still dominating the supercar segment and thanks to its overwhelming performance, the GT-R sure knows how to take down numerous sportscars, even those that are five times the price. After seven years of extensive R&D as well as testing on the Nurburgring and involvement in motorsports such as FIA GT3 and Super GT, it seems that the king of Japanese sportscars now has a new heir and here it is; seven years of hard work pays off...

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

This is the brand new 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO, the ultimate GT-R ever made and this car isn't more of a show-off because with this GT-R, it means big business for NISMO, the motorsports and tuning arm of Nissan. Let me tell you a bit of a story in the making of the GT-R NISMO. You see, most of the people working for Nissan spent several years investigating its rival supercars; especially European ones. Think of it like...what national security does to us, eavesdropping our phone calls for no reason. After years of research and development, those elite engineers poured in every rival supercars' database and do some science on the GT-R and since the announcement of a hotter and more powerful GT-R, they continue their quest for dig deeper to the supercar science until eventually...

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

Like putting every stuff in the microwave before explosions, this is the result of how Nissan do it to create the ultimate masterpiece catered for the elite aficionados. These guys sure know how to save this for last and they sure did. The NISMO GT-R is a GT-R built from scratch and to succeed where the normal GT-R left off in the pursuit of speed and perfection. It takes an inception to perfect its conception of a true driver's car and the GT-R NISMO takes it seriously by delivering the best it has to offer for a car that is track-focused and barely street legal. You can use it on the road but some drivers may think you are corrupted with speed and they refuse to challenge you, unless someone is brave enough to rise to the challenge.

It still carries the same 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine as the original one but because this is a NISMO-tuned version, it now develops 600PS of power output, about 10PS less than the new Lamborghini Huracan's V10 engine and 5PS less than the hardcore Ferrari 458 Speciale but don't underestimate that gap because since the GT-R NISMO is powered by every nooks and crannies NISMO throw at it, and if you engage the tricky Launch Control sequence, you can kiss goodbye to both the 458 Speciale or the Huracan with that one.

Handling-wise, the NISMO GT-R is the definite equivalent of what happens when you electrocute a twirler from a drum majorette with some electrical equipment. It might be coordinated and graceful but it can be somewhat cack-handed and rubbish if you fail to tame to its peak. If you have a bad case of stiff neck or osteoporosis, be warned that once you try to handle it as violent as a Brainiac, you're going to pay a massive bill from the chiropractic or worse, your health insurance. I'm just saying that because even though the 4WD system keeps this car as stable as a fat man in an earthquake, you can get too risky to tame it with all that vibrations shaking you down on a hot lap.

Here's more, while this car tries to stay true to its hardcore stance, the GT-R NISMO went round the Nurburgring in 7:08.679 and that's even faster than any other European sportscars that are pricier than this.

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO interior

Even though it's track-focused and barely street legal, the GT-R NISMO is a well-sorted luxury car that you can use it to go to the shops. It still comes with a lot of convenience you can try if you're having a break on a track-day duty and it even comes with a special telematics system exclusively for the GT-R NISMO. It's called the NissanConnect NISMO Plus and if you're in Suzuka, Tsukuba, Motegi, or Fuji, you can use it to track lap times as well as your driving data on the track. It even has GPS Visualiser which in a future Gran Turismo 6 update, it allows you to import Controller Area Network (CAN), used to regulate automobile systems, and GPS coordinate data from a real life car into Gran Turismo 6, and visualise the data as a replay in the game. Perhaps no wonder it's a clear sign that the Nissan GT-R NISMO might make it to GT6 very soon. Hoping but not expecting.

So, what's my take on the NISMO GT-R? Well, as the folks from Nissan agree, especially the fans, enthusiasts, and aficionados alike, the GT-R had gone through numerous revisions and racked numerous awards. Thanks to the GT-R, Nissan was prompted to begin development of their next-generation platform but my high hopes for the ultimate GT-R as you see now can't be overlook on the road and on the track. With the introductory pricing of just 15,015,000 Japanese Yen, that is a lot for a car but if you have the cash fit for a mogul and if you have one, fire up and see if the flagship of Nissan still got what it takes to be the perfect Godzilla! Trust me on this, the new NISMO GT-R is the one to love.

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

Available colors; Brilliant White Pearl, Meteor Flake Black Pearl, Ultimate Metal Silver, Vibrant Red, and Dark Mat Gray.

Photo: Nissan Motor Company

Aston Martin Rapide S

It's been awhile since Aston Martin launched their first-ever four-door premium saloon car, the Rapide, and even though it's not quite as aggressive as either the DB9 or the DBS, it's still worth it for a four-door saloon car that is quintessentially British, despite the fact that it's been made by the Austrians. Really? Austrians? Says here it's made in Graz, Austria, so this isn't quite British at all but happily though, there's a brand new version that is even more British than before...

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S

The brand new Aston Martin Rapide S looks pretty much the same as the old model but take note that everything's changed for the new model aside from the new front grille that looks unorthodox for the Rapide S. I don't know why but I think that new front view kinda spoils the beauty of this car. The new front grille kinda looks like...and I'm not joking...like a Hyundai because come to think of it, it looks more hexagonal shaped like any other current Hyundais and it seems that some of the designers had gone a bit succumbed to hallyu or the Korean wave.

Although with the stupid Hyundai-esque grille that spoils the new Rapide S' looks, there's some good news that this car is no longer made in Austria because it's now made to the home of the Aston Martins and in the same factory where they made the new Vanquish. Wanna guess where?

What I have here is an ATLAS and what I'm gonna do is flip the pages, and then when I see Europe, I head to United Kingdom, and one part of United Kingdom is Warwickshire, and one part of Warwickshire is a small village called Gaydon. That's right, it's now built in Aston Martin's Gaydon plant in Warwickshire, England and this is a great call because it's no longer been made by the Germans because if it does, it feels like a British was revealed to be a traitor and he came from its German opponents. We're talking about Anglo-German wars back there and if this was happened again, I don't really know what's going on in a great island we called Great Britain.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S

Anyway, enough about WWII jokes because anything more than that and it's game over for us. Let's move on to the way it drives and how it feels to be as a driver's car. Anyway, while this is an updated model, there's something else about its dynamics and let's start at the engine. Like any V12-powered Astons of today such as the DB9 and the Vanquish, the Rapide S still has the same 6.0L V12 engine but now, it's boosted from 477HP to 558HP of power output while torque output is now 457lb-ft of torque. 558HP of power... That's about 35HP more than the new Maserati Quattroporte GTS' 3.8 V8 and of course, it still has the same 6-speed flappy paddle gearbox which is just right rather than the overloaded 8-speed gearbox from the new Maserati Quattroporte. It's also 38HP more than the Porsche Panamera Turbo but let's not forget that in the straights, the Panamera Turbo can easily smoke both the Rapide S and the New Quattroporte by a margin and on the track, ditto.

In terms of top speed, the Rapide S was now improved from the old model's 188 mph to 190 mph, which is quicker than the old model but as a warning, it's 1mph short than the Maserati Quattroporte GTS and annoyingly, matches the same top speed as the facelifted Porsche Panamera Turbo which comes with a double-clutch transmission which is unpronounceable in German. What was that called? Dopple? Dopplekupling...um...doppelkupplungsgetriebe? Oh yeah! Doppelkupplungsgetriebe! Anyway, Rapide S, like any other Astons, doesn't had that because it sticks to its TOUCHTRONIC 2 6-speed flappy paddles.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S interior

What's annoying about the Rapide S is its weight gain and because it spends too much dinner parties, it now weighs 1990kg, 40kg more than the old Rapide, but despite the added weight, it's still as vicious to drive as the late punk rock icon Sid Vicious, who was from Sex Pistols. With the right weight distribution, low centre of gravity, double wishbone suspensions, and with lower polar moment of inertia, it still works just as fine and for the real fun, you might spend the whole hours performing burnouts on an open space. This is exactly what it feels like when Sid Vicious died from overdose at his young age and if those tires got blown, you know what this is, don't you? He he he...

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S interior

And like any other Aston Martins, it's quiet and comfortable and the new Rapide S really drives beautifully, making it one of the most epic 4-door grand tourers made for everyday uses. You can use it while going for a dinner party, going to the shops, on a date, or you just wanna do anything for business and leisure. After all, because with all of the tweaked stuff for the new model, the Rapide S from Aston Martin is definitely one of the best four-door supercars ever made, probably because of its promising theory that it can provide the comfort of a luxury car with the dynamism of an exotic. Still, if you're a selfie, you just really wish you want to drive one of those...

Photo: Aston Martin

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive

You know why did Mercedes-Benz's AMG division developed an electric-powered supercar in the form of the SLS AMG? Is it because they're wanted to be as "regular" as "Regular Show"? Or maybe because they are in tune with the times?

I'm afraid not because what lurks behind the electric-powered SLS AMG is enough power and torque from its four electric motors. When all four motors kicked in, 751HP of power and 738lb-ft of torque is more than enough to say, that electric car's got more than the limited edition SLS AMG Black and (!) the old SL65 Black Series, which is known to be AMG's finest. This cross-eyed curiosity is not the kind of supercar you can expect parking in a casino at Monte Carlo. No. What AMG done for the all new SLS AMG Electric Drive is Science Abuse because by abusing all of its eco-car peripherals, the power figures, the torque figures, and all of AMG know-hows, this electric powered sportscar, mated with only one gear (same as the Tesla), can do 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, which is .4 seconds slower than the SLS AMG Black and annoyingly quicker than the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Of course, to keep it environmentally-friendly and for the concern of other road users, the top speed is limited to a federalized limit of 155mph because anything more than that and the battery and power inverters get all kibosh.

These four electric motors equipped in all four wheels are rather pretty clever because even though it weighs 45kg each, they achieve a maximum individual speed of 13,000 rpm and in each case drive the 4 wheels selectively via a axially-arranged transmission design. The suspension system is now multi-link rather than double-wishbones. The aluminum spaceframe chassis has been tweaked. Blah blah blah blah....

Also, the pricing starts at around 416,500 Euros, which is four times more than its petrol equivalent but it's less than the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and overall, that's more fun to have than a big bulky Phantom Coupe.

That's all so fun but the fun doesn't last for long because first of all, there's the noise. Because this is an all-electric sportscar, it sounds like you're in an airline taking off and that's even more disturbing than listening to space-age music, which is creepy. The petrol-powered SLS sounds like an American car. Fast, simple, and quite cheap. It even sounds like one. Here, on the Electric Drive version, it isn't. Let's not forget that it's four times more than its petrol equivalent and it's still a lot more creepy to drive because of its electric motors that sounds like an Airbus taking off and an approaching Candace will positively spot you and then running to mom, saying that you had an over seven hundred horsepower supercar and then it disappears before mom's showed up.

The fun fact about the SLS Electric Drive that it lapped round the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 56 seconds, that's the fastest production EV car ever to lap round the green hell, faster than the Audi electric sportscar that it won't be produced until further notice. That's quite shockingly indeed but even with the fun fact, it's still not worth it to have an electric supercar abused by science and I'm sorry, I'd be sticking back to the petrol equivalent.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

If there's any car that is capable enough to deliver as much adrenaline as it can, this would be it. The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster.

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

There are many good reasons why this additional model of the Lamborghini flagship is essential on a Spring Break like this because first of all, this roadster was all about the excitement it delivers and lastly, there's the name. Aventador. The name given to a bull that was once faced a bloody battle in the 90's at the Saragossa Arena, earning the "Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera" for its outstanding courage. Sounds interesting though and just like getting yourself high at some anime convention in Seattle, there's more about this car that set your pulse racing. In freeways, the Aventador Roadster is just something else, it's just extraordinary, and with no roof, this is how your adrenaline kicks in.

0-60mph takes under three seconds and top speed retains at 349 km/h (217 mph). Usually, convertible supercars tend to be heavier than their hardtop equivalents because for cars like these, stiffening needs are necessary to make it stronger. For the Aventador Roadster, the engineers had been skillful and they manage to add about 50kg of weight. Not too shabby though, but despite the added weight, it's still more fun to drive and I really get myself a thousand heartbeats per second! Imagine, driving myself through the tunnels heading through Bellevue, in a matter of minutes, I shall become a new man. A new man with a totally different behavior! (laughing) So much for excitement!

However, if things started to rain, this is where the worrying part when it comes to driving the Aventador Roadster and that is on closing the roof by yourself. Back in the Murcielago Roadster, installing the roof is like assembling a scout tent for your boy scouts. It really takes about 20 or 30 minutes to get the job done but on that, it's rubbish. Assembling the Murcielago Roadster's roof is quite dull but Lamborghini thinks that with the Aventador Roadster, there is a better way. Instead of a scout tent of utter rubbishness, it comes with a two-piece roof which Lamborghini claims that it will take about a minute to attach the 13-pound carbon fiber roof but that takes two to get the job done. By doing it yourself, it will take about two minutes to attach it before your favortie shirt gets soaked up in the rain. Sounds intriguing but this is much more time-saving than assembling the Murcielago Roadster's roof! Sadly though, with the roof attached, it's all drama and this is more telenovela-ish. It kinda feels like there's a village idiot in a family of geniuses. It takes a village idiot to marry another village idiot.

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

However, the new Aventador Roadster is all about being classy. Check out that wheels, it was made specifically for the Roadster, and then there was this unique sky blue color, and a special tan interior for the Aventador. Now that's classy but let's not forget. This is a Spring Break. This is just bewildering great! It's so savage, it's so strkingly beautiful, quick, and this is just like the moment when I was in a photo booth with the other geeks outside the convention!

Also, thanks to 4WD layout and with traction control, it's much more forgiving as well. It's all about the thrills without the spills and I like that way. This is just like it was made by IT professionals rather than being just a drawing from a little kid. What I love about this car is its bewildering behavior that loves to crash other people's parties for no reason but unlike the alien boy, it won't bite you alive after reciting Shakespeare's Sonnet. Feels like I'm back in Spring Break, this time with weapons!

It's still presses all the right buttons. It's still the best Lambo ever made. It's what you might call a real thoroughbred beast.

Photo: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

SRT Viper

I've already toying around with the all new 2013 SRT Viper in most games such as Car Town, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, and Need For Speed Most Wanted (ahem, the 2012 one, not the 2005 kind of Most Wanted you've remember). I've already told you that new Viper sports a new look, new V10 engine, and a new level of Viper-ness that some Viper loyalists believe that they're better than the undisputed king of American cars, the Chevrolet Corvette. As for me, I was in a bit of a shock that I thought that this new 2013 SRT Viper is a much better alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. I'll report this kind of story...now...

2013 SRT Viper

Before that, here's a bit of a history lesson about the Viper heritage. You see, the Viper project began in the late 80's when the people behind the legendary Viper wanted to create a modern day version of the legendary Shelby Cobra. When Bob Lutz once ruled Chrysler with an iron fist, he enlisted help to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design to make a modern-day Cobra into fruition and the pre-production mule appeared at the 1989 NAIAS, which such feedback propelled to a wildly successful 1992 debut. The elite few behind this project is called Team Viper. These guys were also responsible for making high-performance versions of other Chrysler models, thus better known as the Street and Racing Technology or SRT for that matter. With several years passed, the Viper recipe really is a poisonous redemption that rules the performance benchmark with an iron fist and right until the death of the Viper in 2010 due to the economic climate.

However, even when the Viper stopped in 2010, when Fiat's Sergio Marchionne took over ever since Fiat took over Chrysler during the financial crisis, he said that the Viper will rise again like a phoenix rose from the ashes and a couple of years later...here it is. The Viper returns with a indefinite vengeance to claim back what it took during its two year hibernation.

2013 SRT Viper interior

Former boss of Dodge, now boss of the SRT brand, Ralph Gilles, told that for its rebirth, it should not be based on anything, has a very rearward cabin and a long hood, and most importantly, a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. In the past, most Vipers don't have a host of safety features such as traction control and stability control, therefore most Vipers are made to be almost challenging for beginners. I wouldn't believe that those who once owned a Viper must have been braved enough to master the venom within. Anyway, now onto this new model, the promises that the SRT CEO told were fulfilled...nearly. It's not based on anything because the body and the platform are all new as well as its components, the interior cabin is very rearward, the hood is very long to accommodate its extra-large 8.4L V10 engine, and also more forgiving to drive and accessible to more people because for the first time in Viper history, the all new SRT Viper now comes with a host of safety equipment, especially traction control and stability control.

Thankfully though, it still retains the proper 6-speed manual transmission but it was developed to survive the massive and unforgiving torque coming from the V10 engine that powers it.

2013 SRT Viper

When I drive one of these in such video games, I was gonna say that the all new SRT Viper is going to be as unforgiving as the past Vipers but for me, it's almost unforgiving as other Vipers of yesteryears. It feels more civilized, it feels like a European exotic in terms of handling. Seems that the Americans finally made something that the Americans would be proud of but one thing though...could the SRT Viper be more enough to rattle down against the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1? General fact though that the all new Viper's 8.4L V10 engine produces much more power than the ZR1 and thanks to the SRT Viper's weight loss diet, it produces a power-to-weight ratio of 4.91, which means that's more power to weight than the ZR1 and also a Lamborghini Aventador, but we're not into that because you know that the V12 Lambo can crush an SRT Viper easily on the straights. Mind you, we did put both the SRT Viper and the Corvette ZR1 in the straights and the results are by such luck.

Instead of putting such differences, the producers told me to take part of a week-long Car Town challenge, which is known to be as Who Rules? In the first installment, there was a comparison between the Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang. I voted Mustang but the results picking up that there are more Camaro supporters than Mustang supporters. Anyway, forget about that and I was on the second chapter and this time it's the war between America's finest sports cars such as the Corvette and the Viper. I was in a bit of discussion about the odds between the Viper and the Vette, then some agreed that the Corvette has more of the heritage than the Viper, but then I protested (like a Doctor Who scene where The Doctor pushed the PROTEST button), saying that Vipers will always be the king of American sports cars because their big, heavy, V10 engine, can't be beaten by such a loser car from a loser American car brand that is Chevrolet. The discussion went on and on and on right until the fateful day that...if I'm honest...I'm with the Viper supporters because I'm doing this for the honor of the new 2013 SRT Viper. As I joined with fellow Viper enthusiasts in a game of Who Rules, it seems that the results shown that there are more and more enthusiasts saying that Corvettes are better than Vipers but it's too early to declare the winner so what I do is to convince more and more Car Town noobs, amateurs, and vets asking that Vipers are better than Vettes. I've tried so hard right until the final day of the Who Rules event, which is now. In the end, it seems that there are more Corvette supporters than Viper supporters, proving that Corvettes are better than Vipers. End of discussion.

Even when the all new SRT Viper suffered a humiliating loss in a game of popularity, it still beats the Corvette in every intangible way. On the city streets, the Viper tries to be more of a show-off and tries to attract more fans than the Corvette. On the road however, it started to become more of a civilized but deadly road warrior rather than being a crazed gladiator. A big powerful engine with a mix of spartan driving manners is what made the all new SRT Viper a different kind of spartan in the west. The base model starts at $97,395 while the GTS model, which is loaded with more gizmos than the standard model, costs $120,395 (both excluding $1,995 destination).

Photo: Chrysler Group LLC.

The one-off LFA Spyder

Back in January 2012, at the D1GP Drift demonstration at the Tokyo Auto Salon, there was a mysterious LFA convertible out in the open. That really shocked the world how the heck a convertible version of the Lexus LFA showed up in the open.

 

Source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/lexus-lfa-roadster-appears-at-d1gp-kick.html

A couple of months later, the mystery LFA convertible showed up again and this time at Suzuka Circuit's 50th anniversary celebration...

Source: http://lexusenthusiast.com/2012/09/03/lexus-lfa-roadster-spotted-again-in-japan/

Toyota Motor Corporation told that this LFA Spyder is a one-off. There is only one of its kind. That's it. And to prove, here's a clip from Jay Leno's Garage with famed comedian Jay Leno flied to Japan to test the one-off LFA Spyder...




Any questions?

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster and AM310 Vanquish

2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Here it is. It looks like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the one that Jeremy Clarkson got emotional in the Season 13 finale of Top Gear, only this time the roof is off. This is the V12 Vantage Roadster but I prefer to think of it as...Chihaya Kisaragi's gone topless. It still comes with the same 6.0L V12 engine from the hardtop V12 Vantage that produces 517PS of power and always ready to rev to the tune of 眠り姫. Also, I'd still expect the worthless Volvo sat-nav of other Astons and buttons that I can't read in the sunshine. Lastly, I'd still expect the only transmission available on the V12 Vantage, that is a 6-speed manual transmission and that's good.

However, aside from having her haircut, she also expected a carbon fiber materials. Something that Chihaya Kisaragi would dress for the concert. There was carbon fibre side strakes, a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre rear diffuser, carbon fibre mirror caps and carbon fibre rear lamp infills. What an overload of carbon materials for the V12 Vantage Roadster!

Sadly though, the convertible's a bit heavier than the hardtop model due to its strengthening needs. The hardtop V12 Vantage can do 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds but for this Roadster version, 0-60mph time is now 4.5 seconds. Still, both the hardtop and the convertible versions of the V12 Vantage can reach a top speed of 190mph.

2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

When it comes to fun factor, you can really smoke her whatever you want and with such dynamic handling, it's great if you want to handle the V12 Roadster in style but sometimes it could be somewhat difficult to regain grip because it's a challenging machine for beginners. On normal roads, it's surprisingly an epic grand tourer for those who want to go out for a long distance cruising, something that the new Ferrari California 30 couldn't guess what comes next.

This car costs about £150,000 RRP and they'll be making up to 101 units. Because it's a limited production model, a false mistake may cost you dearly. Smuggle one and you've wasted it. It appears that this is the final Aston to use the old 6.0L V12 engine. So, let's move on from ALLONS-Y to GERONIMO...

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Welcome to the all new Aston Martin Vanquish. The original one was used by Pierce Brosnan for his last Bond film before his retirement, Die Another Day, in 2002. The cool bit was the one that Q BRANCH gave it body panels that render the car invisible. Now that the name has been resurrected, I was quite surprised that this car served as the replacement to my ever-favorite DBS and now, there's more to this comeback.

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

It seems that the people from Aston Martin were attracted to the design from the mega-expensive One-77 and they decided that they will use the One-77's design as its language to create future Astons and this new Vanquish was one of them to wear the One-77's clothing. I just noticed something, the front looks like the Virage while the back really looks like the One-77. On the interior, it does really look like the One-77 for sure and like the Virage, it no longer has a Volvo sat nav of other Astons. It comes with the one that works.

I was impressed but what about performance? The newly developed 6.0L V12 engine was now positioned lower for added agility and this time, it produces 565bhp of power and 457lb-ft of torque. That's more power than the outgoing DBS or the V12 Vantage but top speed is now 183mph, less than the DBS' top speed. Never mind about that but the transmission is now a 6-speed paddle shift transmission.

What's also clever is that the new Vanquish is the first Aston to come with launch control. Push it, turn the TCS off, build the revs and when the light is green, you'll be ready to yell GERONIMO through a loud haler. 

This new model marks the new chapter of Aston Martin's history and while this carmaker is gearing for its centennial anniversary next year, this new Vanquish became an omen, a sign that warns us that it is coming. However, the new Vanquish really has a noble heart that can perform better and as delicate as a piano concerto. By making it better, this is the best Aston I have ever seen in my life. I would gladly ditch the DBS and the V12 Vantage in favor of this car.

Photo: Aston Martin

Ferrari F12berlinetta

2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta

The story about the rivalry between the Prancing Horse, that is Ferrari, and the Raging Bull, that is Lamborghini, have been baffling around for years. When Lambo launched the LP560-4 Gallardo, which was proven to be quicker than the Ferrari Scuderia, Ferrari combated with the utterly magnificent 458 Italia that packs more power than the LP560-4. Then Lamborghini responded to them with the LP570-4 Superleggera, which has similar power than the Italia, and the Aventador, which packs more punch than the Ferrari 599 GTO! Now however, the Prancing Horse revealed their brand new flagship which will surely hit the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 where it hurts...speed.

Welcome everybody to the all new Ferrari flagship that ushers in the new generation of the Prancing Horse's V12 engine and it has more power than the outgoing 599 GTO and the Enzo. The all new, all powerful Ferrari F12berlinetta is all focused on power that the Prancing Horse deserves. This new flagship once said it lapped faster in the Fiorano Circuit than the outgoing 599 GTO, making it the most powerful road-legal Ferrari ever made. At first glance then, the F12berlinetta is a bit more like the Ferrari FF taking some Viagra but all that Pininfarina styling is what made the F12 dramatic. And by dramatic, I mean of course, more pantomime than physics lesson.

For the cream of the crop, let us introduce to Ferrari's all new 6.3L 65° V12 engine, which is now hailed as the most powerful naturally aspirated engines...in the world. Wait, hold it...Is it really the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the world and is it well enough to kick the Lambo Aventador where it hurts? Is the engine good enough for the late Enzo Ferrari to kick Ferruccio Lamborghini's buttocks? Let's see...

The 6.3L V12 engine on the all new F12berlinetta produces about 740PS of power, more than the Lamborghini LP700-4! That's one point for this one. Anyway, for the torque, they possess the same torque output of 690 Nm. So that's a draw for both the F12 and the LP700-4. For the transmission however, that's a challenge. While the LP700-4 has a 7-speed single clutch transmission, the F12 has only...6 gears but its an F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifically for this car's performance. Well, double clutch is better than single clutch so it appears that they're neck to neck.

So, what about how they weigh? While the Aventador weighs only 1.575 kg, the F12 weighs about 1.630 kg but with the LP700-4's power to weight ratio is 2,25 kg/PS, the F12's ratio is 2,20 kg/PS, making it an impressive advantage because of its 740PS V12 engine.

Now, this is gets real. The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4...0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and top speed of 350 km/h. On the new Ferrari F12berlinetta though...oh dear...0-100kph in 3,1 seconds and top speed of 340km/h. It's about 10kph slower than the LP700-4.

My comment:
This is awkward. 10kph slower than the LP700-4 isn't the least of the F12's problems but still, I will respect this car more than the LP700-4 because when it comes to big power in the new V12 engine, the F12berlinetta is my winner. This is the cream of the crop, a true Pininfarina masterpiece. Sure, it lapped quicker than the 599 GTO at the Fiorano test track but I'm afraid unlike the LP700-4, it doesn't even win my heart until I got the chance...to drive it. If I have the chance to drive it, I have the chance that I'm going to like this car more than the 458 or the FF.

Photo: Ferrari