Category: GT Cars

Mercedes E-Class Coupe and Convertible

Mercedes E-Class Coupe and Convertible

Mercedes has just released photos of the new E-class Coupe and Convertible. The sedan version of the new E-class has been released a couple of weeks ago, to read our opinion on that car, click here. The new E-class two-doors look as you would expect them to look after seeing the sedan. In terms of preformance, no statistics were released, but we do know the engine specs. The engines will carryover from the previous generation coupes, that means a NA 3.5L V6 producing 302hp will be in the E350, while a twin-turbo 4.7 liter V8 producing 402hp will be in the E550. There is still no confirmation of a E63 AMG Coupe, but it has not been ruled out yet. Another interesting fact is that AWD will be available in the E350. The convertible E-class retains a soft-top, instead of a folding hardtop. We would have preferred a folding hardtop because of its benefits, such as less unwanted noise, improved looks, better security, practicality etc, but having a soft-top is still fine (if you want a hardtop Benz, then you will have to settle for a two-seater in the form of the SLK or SL). Numerous safety features are available, as you would expect from Mercedes. One small gripe about the interior is that it has a column-mounted shifter. This detracts from the sportiness that Mercedes said they wanted to inject in the E-class coupe. However, that is only a small issue. The E-class two-doors do not actually have any competors, as none of the 4 seat coupes/convertibles from its Mercedes’s rivals are priced in the E-class Coupe’s price range. Speaking of price, expect the price of the 2014 models to slightly rise compared to the 2013 models, which are priced at around $52k and 59k, for the E350 and E550, respectively. The cars will go on sale this summer, along with the sedan. Continue reading →

Ferrari 599 GTB

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The 599 was over-criticized during its position as Ferrari’s flagship V12. It’s styling was the thing that was criticized, and some of it was deserved but most of it was not. Some said it was not as good-looking as the 458, or that it did not stand out enough. Thereupon is a reason for that: not everyone wants to stand out, and if you want a car that is as good-looking as a 458…then get a 458. Despite the conservative nature of the exterior aesthetics, it is still a great-looking car. The 599 was offered also offered as a GTO (faster version) and as the SA Aperta (essentially a convertible version). Everything else about the car is great. The car is really fast, yet comfortable (as a GT car should be). The V12 sounds great, and handling is as you should expect from a Ferrari. The F12 Berlinetta is the car that replaced the 599, and is obviously much better, but with used 599s starting to come up for sale at around $175k, it is a great deal.

Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin One-77

This car has to be one of the most stunning cars made recently. The One-77 is the extremely limited-edition exotic car made by Aston Martin. As the name suggests, there are 77 One-77’s in existence. The ultra-exclusive car costs anywhere form 1.5-2 million dollars, depending on options. Power comes from a 7.3 liter V12, producing 750 horsepower. 0-60 comes in about 3.5 seconds. Even though it is very powerful and very fast, it is not as fast as its competitors, but that is not a problem. The One-77 does not have any direct competitors, because it is a 1.5 million dollar GT car. All other 7 figure cars are considered sports cars (or exotic-hypercars, if you want. The 918, Venom GT, Veyron, Agera (R) and Huayra are all in its price range. The only car that could be argued as a GT car is the Veyron, but that is more like a in-between GT/supercar rather than a full-blown grand-tourer. The Veyron is more powerful, with its quad-turbo W16 producing 1,001 horsepower. It also has a faster 0-60 time (by almost a second!) and has a faster top speed (not that it matters). The One-77 certainly beats the Veyron on looks and engine sound, but the Veyron has it on interior and practicality, along with speed. The interior of the One-77 is so good, that even though the Veyron’s is better, no owner will be disappointed. Speed is not first priority for these types of cars (that’s what the Venom GT is for). Practicality is not a concern, either, because any one with a enough money to buy one of these will have enough for a Quattroporte or other daily-driver. In terms of experience, the One-77 beats the Veyron because of its outstanding looks, far-above average speed, and engine noise.

Mercedes SL-Class

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One of the most well-rounded cars you can buy for 100k. It is both a luxury car and a GT car, it is a hardtop and a convertible, and it mixes speed with comfort. The Mercedes SL was recently updated with the model shown in the picture (2013 SL550). The SL is not a sports car by any means, but that is not what it is supposed to be. It is a true luxury GT. The cabin has both a gorgeous design, and is crafted from the finest materials. It is offered in the US as the SL550, SL63 AMG, SL600 and the SL65 AMG. The base SL is relatively quick, but the AMG models take it to a whole different level, especially the SL65. The SL65 AMG features a bi-turbo 6.0 liter V12 (bi-turbo is usually used as a synonym of twin-turbo, but that is not always the case). This V12 makes a thunderous 630hp. This is far more than a 458 or 997 Turbo, and will certainly get the car moving in a hurry. The SL65 AMG is still not a sports car though, it is a much more powerful and modified SL (think S550 vs S65 AMG). For the 100k luxury two-door market, this and the Granturismo barely edge out the M6, with the SL beating it in luxury and tech, while the Granturismo beats it in sportiness and engine sound.

Aston Martin DBS by Anderson Germany

Aston Martin DBS by Anderson Germany

Anderson Germany’s take on the DBS is very tasteful. Unlike some tuners who mess around with huge body kits and terrible wheels, Anderson stuck with the stock body and wrapped it in a clean matte black. The wheels look very good too and are painted in a matching matte black. The matte black looks much better than normal colors and accentuates the cars gorgeous lines even better. Red accents were added to enhance its sinister looks. The brake calipers and the Aston badge are red. This is a very well-done aesthetics upgrade, but that is not all they did. They also tuned the engine to make 565 horsepower, up from the stock 510. The car should have come from the factory with 565 horsepower at the very least. Good thing Aston Martin fixed that the the new Vanquish. Even though the successor to this car has already been revealed, this car still looks very good.

Mercedes SLR by Fab Design

Mercedes SLR by Fab Design

Wow. If you want attention, then here is a good car for you. If you like gaudy, tasteless exotic cars, then this is also for you. The Fab Design Desire is not appealing in any way. There is way too much going on with the matte grey paint, comical body kit, and bad rims. I guess if you are a rapper or oil sheik, then you might be able to pull this car off. I do not see why any one would want to ruin a half million dollar exotic GT car like this. I guess it is aging, but when stock it still looks good. At least it was not a Enzo or Carrera GT they ruined. Oh, and not all of Fab Design’s work is bad, their SLS is a good looking car.