dsp979

I was at a small gathering in Napa Valley last weekend for a magazine's 2014 COTY event (I will update when the mag comes out). Needless to say, I got to drive some serious heavy metal that weekend. List includes: Cayman S, Corvette Stingray, SRT Viper GTS, Ferrari F12, Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, Audi R8 V10, Jaguar F-Type S V8, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, Bentley Flying Spur, BMW M6 Grand Coupe, MB S550, Panamera Turbo and the Range Rover Autobiography.

The resort.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914151786/
The cars

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914188524/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914361473/
One-of-1 Bugatti - not part of event.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914199934/
The Ferrari F12

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914371153/
Inside a winery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914205844/
Ferrari F12 in winery's lobby.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85507397@N08/10914238164/

dsp979

Notes:

I spent the most time in the Cayman and that was a blast. Nice size, sharp reflexes, light on its feet - the go-cart of the group. I would have preferred to drive a manual over the PDK auto.

I first got in the Corvette Stingray during Pebble Beach Car Week, and still can't believe how much Chevy has done with this car. A world-class contender. My knee, however, had an annoying habit of hitting the open door button. Yikes!

If you're looking for raw, loud, bone-rattling ride, the Viper GTS is it. Due to it's brutish nature, it did not have a lot of fans. Only adjustable pedals of the group - great for vertically challenged drivers like me. Tip: Leave traction control on! Bonus: The only manual of the group.

Ferrari. Need I say more? Okay, it's got my favorite orientation, front-engine, rear-drive. Great, smooth power delivery. Beautiful interior in it's simplicity.

The Aston Martin had the most unique key/engine start of the group. The key fits in a slot high atop the center stack and you push and hold it in until the engine starts. Great top-down motoring.

Jaguar F-Type. Great sounding exhaust! Another great top-down motoring car.

Audi R8 V10. Sport mode changes the car's character. Great power delivery - but I would like to drive a manual trans for better comparison.

BMW M6 Grand Coupe and Panamera Turbo. Fast, four door cars with love/hate it design. Great for hauling family.

Bentley Flying Spur. Wow, you are definitely wrapped in luxury, and it needs the W12 to move all that mass.

MB S550. Nice all-new sedan from the three-pointed star from Germany. A worthy successor to the S-class.

Range Rover Autobiography. A "Bentley" SUV.

And lastly, the Aventador. Lamborghini continues its angular design with the Aventador. I didn't get to drive it as much as the F12 (it came with a chaperone), and someone mentioned it needs a Dual Clutch Transmission like the Ferrari. I'll leave it at that.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

ummm jealous..

how'd you sign up or get the invite?

dsp979

You got pm.