Best of Car Spotting 2017 Part 1

Time to wrap up 2017 with highlights of vehicles I spotted on the streets that stood out the most to me this calendar year. There would be too many photos for me to display at once, so I decided to split this series into two parts. Part 1 covers the coolest and most unusual cars I spotted from January to June of 2017. As usual, watch this space as Part 2 and the Best of Car Shows 2017 series head your way within the coming weeks.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

 2017 Audi R8

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Rolls-Royce Wraith

 Ferrari 360 Modena

Bentley Bentayga

SUVs and crossovers are more popular than ever these days, and Bentley has decided to hop on the SUV bandwagon with the first ever Bentayga. It is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Touraeg, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and upcoming Lamborghini Urus. Under the hood is a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 making 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic.The Bentayga can launch from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph, making it the fastest SUV ever produced (for now, at least). European markets also have a diesel V8 option available for the Bentayga. Inside, only the finest leather, wood, and aluminum are used. Distinct features of the Bentayga include configurable heated and massaging seats, a rear fold-out leather seat for tailgating, rear tablets, and an optional three-piece picnic set. Pricing for the Flying B SUV starts at approximately $230k, with fully loaded examples fetching in close to $300k. On a side note, Rolls-Royce is in the development stages of its upcoming SUV, which is expected to debut sometime next year. In summary, the Bentley Bentayga is one of the most impressive SUVs of all time. I expect it to be Bentley's best-selling model in the brand's history due to current market trends.

Audi RS6 Avant (2008-10, 2013-present)

If you are from the U.S. or Canada, you have probably never seen an Audi RS6 Avant before, unless you've traveled to Europe and claimed to have spotted one. This is because Audi has given up on selling wagons in the North American market, with the exception being the A4 Allroad. The RS6 Avant has been around for three generations so far, beginning in 2002. Displayed above are the previous and current generations of the RS6, which were spotted in London and near the Vatican, respectively.

The previous-gen Audi RS6 (first two pics, in gray) was available from 2008 to 2010. It is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 from the first-gen Lamborghini Gallardo producing 571 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.The sprint from 0 to 62 mph occurs in 4.6 seconds, onto a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph (170 mph delimited). Power is distributed through Audi's signature Quattro All-Wheel Drive via a six-speed tiptronic automatic. This generation of Audi RS6 also utilizes the brand's Dynamic Ride Control Sports suspension system and Multi Media Interface (MMI).

The current-gen RS6 (last three pics, in black and blue) was introduced for the 2013 model year and is my favorite of all three RS6 generations. It ditches the naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 in its predecessor for a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 605 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The launch from 0 to 62 mph takes place in 3.7 seconds, onto a top speed of up to 190 mph when delimited. Like its predecessor, the current RS6 model has Quattro AWD; however, the latter has a new 8-speed tiptronic automatic. Other notable features include start-stop technology and cylinder deactivation, which are both used to increase fuel efficiency.

The closest alternative to the Audi RS6 Avant that Americans can purchase is the RS7, displayed below. The RS7 has the same engine, transmission, Quattro AWD system, and performance figures as the RS6. The main differences between the two are cargo space, kerb weight, and overall dimensions.
Can't go wrong with either RS6 Avant or RS7; personally, I'd be satisfied with either model. Back to the RS6 Avant, this super wagon is an amazing all-around vehicle. It is one of the best at dominating the track, hauling the family on long road trips, getting groceries, and other daily duties. If anyone at Audi is reading this post, a US-spec RS6 Avant would be greatly appreciated, especially by me and countless enthusiasts in this part of the globe.