Dodge Durango Hellcat

 

The Durango was the latest vehicle in Dodge's lineup to receive the beefy high-performance Hellcat treatment. Although the current Durango has been in production for 12 years, the Hellcat version was added in 2021 after the the massive success of the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models and other high-performance SUVs in general. Powering the Durango Hellcat is a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 with 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and tops out at around 200 mph. All-wheel drive is standard on the Durango Hellcat along with a specifically-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers and exclusive 20-inch wheels. It also contains a few additional hood vents over lesser Durango models. Inside, the Durango Hellcat's interior is well-laid out, featuring leather trim, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with the SRT logo in its center, standard heated and ventilated seats, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 infotainment software, and red accents in the gauge cluster. In addition, it offers plenty of cargo space and a stowable third row of seats. 

Dodge initially produced only 3,000 examples of the Durango Hellcat in 2021 but brought it back for 2023 after a one-year production hiatus. Dodge also added Plus and Premium packages to the Durango Hellcat for 2023, which add more premium features and creature comforts over the standard version. Pricing for the Durango Hellcat starts at $93,335, with many examples selling for over $100,000. It is by far the rarest of the Hellcat models, having only seen four Durango Hellcat examples in person compared to countless Challenger Hellcats, Charger Hellcats, and Ram TRXs. Overall, the Dodge Durango Hellcat is an insane, amazing, and underrated high-performance SUV. 

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Lamborghini Aventador (2012-16)

 

The Aventador is Lamborghini's now previous flagship mid-engine V12 supercar. It made its debut in 2011 as the replacement to the Murcielago in Lamborghini's lineup. Its V12 is a 6.5-liter producing 690 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque, sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed automated manual transmission. The base Aventador launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 217 mph.

The roadster version was added to the Aventador portfolio in late 2012 and adds two removable carbon-fiber roof panels and a unique engine cover over its fixed-roof counterpart. Its cockpit was designed for comfort and speed in mind, almost like that of a spaceship. The Aventador contains Lamborghini's signature butterfly doors, and its naturally-aspirated V12 has one of the most glorious, ear-piercing exhaust notes of any car.

The base Aventador was replaced by the updated and enhanced Aventador S in 2016. Other crazier, more powerful versions of the Aventador were added as well, including the SV, SVJ, and Ultimae. Production of the entire Aventador range ended last year, and the Aventador's replacement, the Revuelto, was unveiled not that long ago, now sporting a V12 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Aventador LP700-4 coupe and roadster are currently valued in the upper $200,000s on the low end and the upper $400,000s on the high end. 

The three examples featured in this post were on display at the three most recent car shows I attended: the red roadster in early April, and the gray coupe and yellow roadster earlier this month, all at separate shows. These Aventadors were also by far the coolest and my personal favorite cars that showed up at the three most recent car shows I attended. In all, the Aventador is one of the coolest and greatest Lamborghinis ever made. It is also one of my all-time favorite cars that I often dreamed about as a teenager. The Aventador has an undeniably striking presence, and seeing one up close in any context always feels special and never gets old.

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Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

 

The Carrera RS 2.7 was the earliest performance-focused Porsche 911. It was added to the original Porsche 911 lineup as the range-topping version in 1972 for the 1973 model year. Powering the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 is a 2.7-liter flat-six producing 210 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of around 150 mph. Other notable features that the Carrera RS 2.7 has over lesser original Porsche 911 models include a ducktail spoiler, flared wheel arches, a "chin spoiler" under the front bumper, lightweight materials, and a stripped interior. The RS 2.7 also has a contrasting "Carrera" script running across the bottom of the door panels.

A total of 1,580 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7s were built, spanning across four different versions: the RSH (Homologation), RS Lightweight, RS Touring, and RSR. The RSH and RSR are serious race cars, while most original Carrera RS 2.7s were either Lightweight or Touring versions. The Touring is more livable and contains more creature comforts than the Lightweight. Depending on the specific version, most Carrera RS 2.7s easily fetch well into the six-figure range on the used market or at auction. The Carrera RS 2.7 also served as the primary inspiration for the limited-edition modern 911 Sport Classic models that came several decades later, especially the latest 992-generation 911 Sport Classic. Besides this example, which I saw at a Cars & Coffee meet in early April, I may have only seen one or two other Carrera RS 2.7s in person previously. It blended in well with the other cars on display there since it contained mostly Porsches, but after noticing its distinctive qualities, I knew it was truly special and one of the most notable and significant Porsche vehicles in history. Overall, the Carrera RS 2.7 is one of the coolest and most impressive classic Porsche 911 models ever made.

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Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider

 

The 16M Scuderia Spider is the open-top track-focused version of the Ferrari F430. It was produced from 2009 to 2010 as the last model of the F430 range before being replaced by the 458 Italia. Named in honor of Ferrari's 16 Formula 1 constructor's championships, the 16M Scuderia Spider is powered by a 4.3-liter V8 with 503 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed F1-Superfast2 automated manual transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 196 mph. The 16M Scuderia Spider has the same body kit, aerodynamics, suspension, interior package, and electronics as its hardcore fixed-roof 430 Scuderia counterpart. These aspects consist of a mostly carbon fiber and aluminum-trimmed interior, a stiffer racing-tuned suspension, more aggressive styling cues, and other weight-saving measures over the standard F430. 

Only 499 units were ever built of the 16M Scuderia Spider, with values currently ranging in the $300,000s up to around $400,000. I remember seeing three 16M Scuderia Spiders in person thus far, including the example featured in this post. This one was on display at my local Cars and Coffee meet last month and marked the first time in several years that I saw one up close in a real-world scenario. Overall, the Ferrari 16M Scuderia Spider is an amazing and impressive rare supercar that looks stunning and provides an unbelievable driving experience.

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Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder

 

Here we have another Lamborghini Huracan, this time in the form of the road-going and track-focused Performante Spyder. The Performante was part of the Huracan lineup for the 2018 and 2019 model years and produces 631 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque from its naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 201 mph. Elements that distinguish the Performante from the base Huracan include additional carbon fiber trim, Italian green, white, and red stripes across the bottom end of the doors, a large rear wing, a lightweight dual exhaust setup, and a re-tuned suspension. Its interior is lined mostly in alcantara trim along with either bare carbon fiber or aluminum panels. The electronically-operated folding soft top adds 300 pounds to the Huracan Performante Spyder compared to the fixed-roof Huracan Performante. 

Lamborghini ceased production of the Huracan Performante after it updated the Huracan to become the Huracan Evo in 2019, with a more hardcore Huracan known as the STO taking the place of the Performante in the Lamborghini lineup in 2021. Values for the Huracan Performante Spyder on the secondary market currently hold steady at around $300,000. This particular Huracan Performante Spyder was on display at the most recent Cars & Coffee meet I attended about a month ago, and although it didn't stand out quite as much as the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo race car from the previous post, the Performante Spyder was undoubtedly the next best and coolest thing there. I've seen a decent amount of Huracan Performantes in person before, but they are amazing and incredible supercars nonetheless.

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