My date with an S8......2014 AUDI S8

This day started off will a phone call......
On an early saturday morning in december, my phone started ringing while I was making breakfast for my wife and kids. I rushed to pick it up and to my surprise, the caller was my dear employer, advising me that my services were needed. I had been assigned to transport a heavy roller from the auto industry upon his arrival later that night, and make sure that he gets to his destination safely.

Airport and Flight number, check. Hotel information, check.
Passenger name, check.
Ride...... There was a brief silence on the other end....... "Your car will be ready by 9am" was the next sentence, as I was given the address for the vehicle location. "A gentleman will call you......", then the call went dead.

Quick glance at my watch, 8:17am.
Time to get On The Road!



Saturday traffic wasn't too bad and with my share of known shortcuts thrown into the mix, I made the 24 mile cross city commute with a few mins to spare.


2 minutes after pulling into the garage, a familiar rumble announced the arrival of my ride. The low purr of its V8 is recognizable from afar, Audi no doubt.

Its LED headlights preceded it's appearance, and before I blinked, this stunning beauty instantly overshadowed every other car in that garage.

21" alloys, huge disc brakes, and lines that make the words fierce and graceful have an all new meaning.

If this was my ride for the night, it must mean this is very important. "Who is this passenger?"
The transporter shrugged his shoulders, jumped in his chase car and just shook his head.

Well, when life give you lemons.......what about when you get an S8??

 It would unfair to hold back my thoughts on this car, this is a rocket ship with the latest in technologic gadgetry, combined with high design and finish. All the components on this sports sedan are of the highest quality, from the premium leather, to the top end Bang and Olufsen sound system


This car even offers a sunroof solar panel to keep your battery charged. Wow!

Audi's MMI trackpad lets you write your addresses with your fingertip, to provide a more intuitive interface for users. This navigation system uses Google maps to provide more accurate map imagery.












Navigation is also viewable through the color LCD multi system dashboard screen. This screen also displays controls for the ACC, entertainment system and on board computer.

The 520 hp, 32 valve turbocharged V8 propels this "not so light weight" from 0-60mph in only 3.9 seconds! Even in wet conditions, it Quattro AWD keeps pushing that power straight to the ground. As nimble as it is, this car also handles like a supercar. Body roll and pitch are virtually unnoticeable.



Give it to Audi, to make a full size saloon, with the heart of the race-cars that they produce. S cars are definitely on my bucket list!


Update: passenger was delivered safely and before schedule!  ;)

2014 AMG G63 The Ultimate Luxury Activity Vehicle on the market.

Go from rock crawling through a canyon in the Mojave to a quick 4 hour sprint to Las Vegas for a night on the town. This LUV will stand up to the battles of your everyday stop and go, quick run to that deal closing or the rainy weekend adventure up to the cabin.

With creature comforts galore, this off-road luxury vehicle sets the "strictly off road" competitors running. Heated and ventilated Designo seats contrast the clammy and harsh conditions of other rugged vehicles. 

           

                      

Equipped with MB's mBrace and mBrace Plus you can trek across the globe knowing exactly where you are and watch your favorite new release on your own personal hi def screen. Not your traditional off roading experience, you say?

The handcrafted 5.5liter bi-turbo power, puts the horsepower down, and in the right conditions propels you from 0-60mph in a blinding 5.5 seconds. Blinding...... For this close to 3 ton example of german engineering. 

Packing 536 hp and with a towing capacity of over 7500lbs, this vehicle delivers.....anything you want. Eco mode makes sure that power is not wasted when not needed.

A seven speed transmission with forged components paired with electronic all-wheel drive and more than 8 inches of wheel travel and clearance, will get you over logs and ravines at low speeds with ease, while giving you that high top end for cruising down the highway. AMG's SpeedShift transmission will give you endless power displacement at your bidding.

If luxury styling with rugged, off road capabilities is what tickles your tummy, check out the G63. This vehicle will take you out into the rough, back safely and for a cruise through the urban jungle nightlife, all in the same day.

2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD + Advance

Acura has once again hit a grand slam into the midsize luxury SUV centerfield. Dealerships can't keep them on the lots long enough, to calculate an average DII (days in inventory, that coveted demand statistic) all across the North American market.

Standard are all the traditional luxury appointments, including leather interior, heated front AND second row seats, tilt down and heated rear view mirrors, a backup camera (with Acura's patented Multi-View camera) and Tri-Zone Auto Climate Control; along with standard 7 passenger seating, standard 290 HP DI V6 and Acura Premium Audio System with 8 speakers. New standard features now includes keyless access with Push Button Start (finally!), sliding second row to provide Limo style seating for 2nd row or easier access to 3rd row, and On Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen interface, and the list goes on and on. All wrapped in a recreated exterior sporting those attention grabbing Jewel Eye LED headlights and incorporating the first in class Driver Knee Airbag.

                                         


   


$45K.........really? Wow! What's the catch? None.
Well...if having to buy your upgrades in bulk is a turnoff, then coughing up a separate installation fee for each goodie might be your idea of getting what you pay for. Not mine.

Upgrading is offered through a variety of packages, with Technology, Entertainment and Advance bringing you everything from AcuraLink Navigation, ELS Premium Audio with HDD and a number of high tech safety features, Rear Entertainment System and rear sunshades, and Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Premium Milano Leather and upgrades on Wheels, 16.2" Rear Display and Adaptive Cruise Control. Fully loaded this is the under $60K Luxury SUV all day long!

The drivetrain on this SUV has exhilarating performance while maintaining the ability to provide an estimated 25 mpg highway. Available SH-AWD (super handling all wheel drive) kept that power on the road very well. Even in the harshest conditions, this car keeps traction.

Seating configuration is a definite plus on this family targeted SUV. 60/40 split 2nd row and 50/50 split 3rd row provide for a variety of spacing options that will have you considering trips to IKEA more often than before. And now with sliding passenger and driver side 2nd row, access to that 3rd row will no longer feel like a parkour workout. 3rd row up compromises a substantial amount of luggage space, while up from the previous model is expected in this segment. Rear hatch redesign limits the ability to stack up luggage as in the previous model. Nonetheless, it is a notable improvement.

In the electronics realm, while the center toggle button remains, electronics are extremely easy to command via the new ON Demand Multi-Use Display, which controls the radio, equipped 100GB HDD, AcuraLink Navigation, Ipod or MP3 device via USB port, DVD, and with Pandora and Aha connectivity (through your phone) all your favorite music is at the touch of your fingertips, or with voice keywords. Acura's redesigned 9 button center cluster is intuitive and feels well placed.
 

All around this is a very well designed and developed evolution of a soon to be classic in this segment. Lack of additional engine options, soft close doors, and use of more authentic interior materials are what might be keeping more of these from flying into homes all across north america.

RUSH / 2013 Ron Howard 123 Mins.

Featuring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl, in the story of James Hunt and Nicky Lauda, the most physical and psychologically intense rivalry in F1 history.

For many years the professional auto racing scene has been absent from the movie theaters, and when I got a ear of Ron Howard directing a period F1 movie, believe me, I got giddy.

Could this be the one to finally do justice to this celebrity/kamikaze ridden sport? I was waiting for this movie for months, and finally this saturday night I bought two tickets at the local CineBistro, for this long awaited biopic.

This film touches on the personal, business and romantic lives of two parallel yet different race drivers. I always knew how keeping a perfect balance between technique and skill, passion and spirit could easily become the greatest challenge in the life of a world class race car driver, but this movie made me live that fight as real as could be.

The constant conveyance of the differences of personality of both english playboy Hunt and his methodical, brilliant opponent Lauda, portrays their ongoing feud while depicting their cherished shared obsession for winning. This story exemplifies the duality that each professional race driver deals with every time they jump in their car. Hemsworth and Brühl are a spot on cast for these talented and charismatic racing legends.

If complete regard for the road conditions, setup of the car, and a constant awareness of the next stage is not present, death is just around the next apex. The director definitely keeps that reality in focus, while bombing the audience with amazing cinematography, rapid action scenes, jaw-dropping true to reality computer graphics sequences and a soundtrack which will place the audience directly in the mid 70s race scene.

For the faithful adaptation of the mechanical, physical and psychological challenges of race car driving, this movie has earned a place in my Top 3 Car Movies list, and I am sure On The Road racing fans will watch it over and over again.

2014 Acura RLX Techno-luxury, all in one very classy package.

Setting the bar, in an already proven line of quality products, can always be a tough job. Acura has achieved this with it's all new flagship sedan, RLX.

Long wheelbase leg-room, Precision All Wheel Steering and extended range capacities (32MPGH/24MPGC provided by Variable Cylinder Management) make this premium full size luxury sedan a delight to drive and own.

And the interior creature comforts and technological goodies only add to the experience. Equipped with the AcuraLink navigation, arriving to our destination was swift and the thrill of harnessing 310 ponies was exciting, all the way there. Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist keep those ponies where you need them, while voice control let us command the RLX to use our phone to call our bank or to change the equipped Krell audio system to our favorite morning talk show. While the simulated wood dash accents and painted plastic center console components leave us with a desire for more authentic materials, the Advance package techno-gadgetry, illuminated cluster with color info-screen and touchscreen interface captured our attention and gave us little time to focus on those less functional parts.

Privacy screens standard on rear passenger windows and rear windshield, heated seats all around, rear climate control console along with premium Milano leather and acoustic glass complete the luxury appointments.

And if night-time makes for your preferred driving experience, the brand new Jewel headlamps will make sure you have a great view of the road, and that others will definitely notice you and your new ride.

Effectively, this is a reliable, dependable large sedan with very advanced technology. Combines operation economy with avant-garde styling and comfort.

On the downside, the turnoffs are inexpensive and easy to scratch interior trim, lack of soft close doors, engine options and all wheel drive..........dreaming of a Type S.

Acura RLX, setting a new techno-luxury bar was never this fun, and classy!

2014 MB E550 4Matic

As I walked up to this black mid-full size saloon, something winked at me. Maybe it was the chiseled front clip and redesigned front fascia, maybe the swooping side-skirts, or maybe the tri-star encrusted in the grill which brought back memories of the 90's R129.
Whatever it was, hinted at the idea that this is a definite jewel on the road.

The door locks automatically pop, and upon entry the console lights up with a LED information screen advising that all start sequences are ready. The intelligently and functionally designed interior is exquisite yet usable. Chestnut Brown leather along with Black Ash wood dash accents, make the visual as enticing as the precise allocation of control buttons to the awesome Harmon Kardon audio system and equipped electronics is intuitive. A light press on the large start button to the right of the multi-command-button equipped steering wheel, brings the rumble of that sweet V8 to life.

In the body of a sedan, the 4.7liter twin-turbo V8, packing 443 lb-ft of torque and 402 hp at 5000rpm, makes for effortless passing maneuvers, neither engaging in body roll or over/understeer even when braking while cornering, while the the only challenge is consistently trying to keep it below triple digits...

Distronic Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Awareness Detection top this sedan off, making the longer drives a real pleasure.

Overall, this is the drivers Mercedes, and the designers and engineers know it.

2014 Mini Paceman CooperS ALL4

Mini Paceman has come to the market with style and substance. Larger than the MiniCooperS, this sleek and sporty coupé version of the 4 door Countryman, brings the snappy british attitude to the boring every day commute.

Driving it:
The peppy 1.6L turbocharged engine and all wheel drive power train coupled to steering wheel mounted paddle shifters keep the driver in control at all times. Spool up lag is a little disappointing, but as with most boosted cars, the yipee face kicks in soon enough...and it stays!!!
Meanwhile, the agility of this clever compact will let you find that even the tightest parking spots are easy to occupy.
In the interior, although taller drivers will reduce rear passenger legroom and make for less comfortable long rides, room for four provides space to share the "jello" with 3 more motoring companions, while zipping around the city traffic.  I'm convinced, in traffic is where this Mini champ loves to be. 20-40mph is the "sweet spot" to experience the solid to the ground handling of the sport suspension; and if making swift lane changes and carving curves as if on rails doesn't turn heads, the Paceman's "Bulldog Stance" WILL catch their eye. Don't be surprised, the Paceman has plenty of room in the boot for groceries or luggage, although I guarantee you will miss door cup holders.

A very user friendly (despite hard to find toggle and home buttons) MiniConnect, with optional navigation completes the electronics package, and if you choose from HDFM or CDs or you connect to Pandora via your smartphone, the Harmann Kardon premium sound package provides excellent sound with enough bass to thump those long nightlife hours away.

Mini Paceman is fast, stable and fun!! Great city car!