Carson's Car Pics: 2024

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Lexus LFA

The LFA was the ultimate Lexus from the early 2010s. It was revealed in production form in 2009, with production of the LFA officially beginning in late 2010. Powering the LFA is a 4.8-liter V10 with 553 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque paired to a six-speed automated manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 202 mph. The LFA's body and chassis are composed of mostly carbon fiber, and its six-speed automated manual transaxle is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential. It contains a four-disc carbon-ceramic brake setup with slightly bigger brakes up front and slightly smaller brakes in the rear. Other distinct aspects of the LFA include air vent scoops over the rear fenders to channel air into the rear-mounted radiators, a retractable rear wing, and a three-pipe center exhaust system. Inside, the interior of the LFA is not too extravagant but beautiful and high-quality, lined in leather, carbon fiber, alcantara, and metallic trim. In addition, the LFA's cabin features seatbelt airbags, a digital gauge cluster, a squared-off steering wheel housing the start/stop button and other instrument controls, and a typical Lexus multi-function center console display controlled by a mousepad.

Lexus built only 500 units of LFA between 2010 and 2012. Pricing for the LFA began at around $350,000 when new and has appreciated to approximately $500,000 on the resale market today. A successor to the LFA is reportedly in the works and rumored to be motivated by a hybrid V8 setup. This year's Exotics on Broadway show in Monterey marked the first time in about ten years that I saw an LFA up close, and it was an absolutely impressive and unreal moment, especially with it being one of the first cars I saw arrive at that show around when I first got there as well. On a side note, I had previously seen footage of a Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition at a car show in my hometown that took place late last year, but I was unaware of that particular show and that specific LFA appearing there until after it occurred. Hope I can see that specific LFA Nurburgring Edition up close at some point in the near future. Back to the Lexus LFA in general, it is the coolest, greatest, and my favorite Japanese car ever created. I find the LFA more appealing than practically every other Japanese car due to its stunning design, wonderful engineering, incredible performance, and top-tier exclusivity, and I am super thankful to have seen one in person once again at the best car show I attended and will ever attend this year.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

McLaren Senna/GTR (Exotics on Broadway 2024)

The Senna is one of the most significant Ultimate Series and limited-production McLaren models not designated as a pinnacle “One” supercar (F1, P1, W1). McLaren debuted the Senna in 2018 for the 2019 model year and named this particular supercar after the late Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. Powering the Senna is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 789 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and can accomplish a top speed of 208 mph. The Senna's design may not be the most beautiful and can be somewhat controversial, but several of its aspects are functional and aid the vehicle's aerodynamics, and I still see it as a decent-looking supercar like every other McLaren.

The other version of the McLaren Senna that appeared at Exotics on Broadway for the second consecutive year is the GTR. The Senna GTR is originally a track-only version of the third-ever Ultimate Series McLaren model behind the F1 and P1. At least a handful of Senna GTRs have been converted and modified for street use, including the one pictured in this post finished in neon yellow with contrasting pink and light blue curved stripes and the two examples that appeared at last year's show. The Senna GTR bumps its horsepower figure by 25 over the base Senna to 814 and adds a bigger front splitter and rear diffuser, wider front and rear fenders, body panels connecting the rear wing and rear diffuser, and an improved suspension system. In addition, the Senna GTR generates up to 2204 pounds (1000 kg) of downforce, 540 pounds (200 kg) more than the base Senna.

Only 500 McLaren Sennas and 75 Senna GTRs were built from 2019 to 2020, with average values on the resale market currently holding steady at around $1.3 million to $1.5 million. This year's Exotics on Broadway show in Monterey featured three total Sennas on display, specifically two base Sennas and one Senna GTR, a decrease from five Sennas at last year's show. The first Senna pictured in this post in white with blue accents also appeared at last year's Exotics on Broadway show, while the other two were specific examples I had not previously seen up close before the biggest car event I attended and will attend this year. As for the third Senna in red and chrome, it was one of two vehicles brought out to the latest rendition of Exotics on Broadway by automotive YouTube content creators known as Daily Driven Exotics, who normally bring at least a few vehicles from their collection to Monterey Car Week from Western Canada every year. Overall, the Senna is a wonderful and amazing limited-production McLaren supercar, and the three examples pictured in this post were the second-coolest McLarens behind the P1s from a few posts back that appeared at Exotics on Broadway in 2024.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Gemballa Mirage GT

The Gemballa Mirage GT is not your average Porsche Carrera GT, but rather a significantly modified version of the famed mid-2000s Porsche supercar. German-based Porsche tuner Gemballa introduced the Mirage GT in 2006 and made a multitude of enhancements to the Carrera GT. Its most notable performance modifications are the Carrera GT's 5.7-liter V10 improving from 603 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque to 661 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque and the addition of a quad straight-pipe stainless steel exhaust system over the stock Carrera GT's two-pipe exhaust system. The Mirage GT also adds air vents on the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle, a roof-mounted air intake that feeds into the engine bay, a larger rear wing, plenty of carbon fiber trim, a Gemballa Sport Clutch, and Gemballa-specific wheels and badges. To allow for the installation of two extra exhaust pipes, Gemballa relocated the Carrera GT's reverse fog lights from next to the exhaust pipes to below the rear diffuser.

Only 25 Porsche Carrera GTs were converted into Gemballa Mirage GTs, with the conversion price starting at around $324,000 when new. This year's Exotics on Broadway featured one Gemballa Mirage GT on display finished in a bare carbon-fiber exterior with green accents. I also saw one stock Carrera GT at this year's Exotics on Broadway (pictured below), while last year's show featured a different Mirage GT example in black with orange accents along with a few other Carrera GTs. I had seen several Porsche sports cars in and around Exotics on Broadway this year, but the Gemballa Mirage GT and the Carrera GT were certainly the coolest of them all besides the 918 Spyder from the previous post. Overall, the Porsche Carrera GT is an amazing, incredible, and legendary supercar that marks the end of an era for fully analog performance vehicles, while the Gemballa Mirage GT takes the Carrera GT's performance, styling, and head-turning flair to the next level.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Porsche 918 Spyder (Exotics on Broadway 2024)

Like McLaren with the P1, Porsche was also a pioneer in the hybrid supercar segment in the 2010s with the 918 Spyder, both of which form two-thirds of the modern-day supercar holy trinity. The 918 Spyder debuted in 2013 and is motivated by a 4.6-liter V8 mated to two electric motors generating a combined 887 horsepower and 944 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch sending power to all four wheels. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, zero to 100 mph in 4.9 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 214 mph. Standard equipment on the 918 Spyder consists of an adaptive suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, electromechanical steering, a premium interior, and five different drive modes: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap. In E-Power mode, the 918 Spyder can drive up to 12 miles on pure electricity before automatically switching back to gasoline power. Its hardtop is a two-piece set that can be manually removed for open-air driving. In addition, the 918 Spyder can be optioned with Porsche's popular Weissach package, which eliminates some features and remodels the cabin with extra lightweight material trim such as carbon fiber and alcantara to shave as much weight as possible off of the vehicle for optimal track performance.

Only 918 examples of the Porsche 918 Spyder were ever built from 2013 to 2015. It is currently valued at over $1 million on the resale market. This year's rendition of Exotics on Broadway displayed just one 918 Spyder finished in a beautiful baby blue courtesy of Boden AutoHaus, a supercar tuner based in Orange County. There was no shortage of Porsche sports cars that appeared at and around Exotics on Broadway during Monterey Car Week this year, but this 918 Spyder is by far my favorite of all the Porsches I saw there that day. In general, if I could only choose one, the 918 Spyder would be my favorite Porsche of all time. Its combination of styling, performance, engineering, and exclusivity is more impressive and has won me over more than any other Porsche in history. With the recent reveals of the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari successors in the W1 and F80 respectively, hopefully Porsche has a successor for the 918 Spyder in the pipeline and plans to release it sooner than later.

Monday, October 21, 2024

McLaren P1/HDK

The P1 was the ultimate McLaren from the 2010s. It was unveiled for 2013 as the successor to the legendary F1 supercar and one of the first supercars to feature a hybrid powertrain. Motivating the P1 is a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 mated to an electric motor generating a combined 903 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. This twin-turbo V8 hybrid combo is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph occurs in 2.7 seconds for the P1, while its top speed is rated at 217 mph. Notable features on the P1 consist of a hydro-pneumatic suspension, electro-hydraulically assisted steering, an adjustable rear wing that can extend up to 12 inches, and instant power assist and kinetic energy recovery systems inspired by those in Formula 1 race cars. As for the HDK, which stands for High-Downforce Kit, it was commissioned by coachbuilder Lanzante Limited and adds a massive fixed rear wing, an extended front splitter, a new exhaust system, gills on the front fenders, some redesigned body panels, and redesigned side mirrors mounted on the A-pillars. A few specific P1 HDK examples also feature power upgrades, which increase engine displacement up to four liters and horsepower figures up to 1000.

Only 375 total units of the McLaren P1 were ever made from 2013 to 2015, including nine P1 HDKs. A typical P1 currently fetches around $2 million on the resale market. In related news, earlier this month, McLaren revealed the P1's successor known as the W1, which features a very similar powertrain setup as the P1 and is slated as the fastest and most powerful road-going McLaren ever built, and I am greatly looking forward to seeing one in the flesh in the coming years. Back to the P1, this year's Exotics on Broadway show in Monterey displayed one standard P1 and two P1 HDKs. In comparison, last year's Exotics on Broadway show had only two standard P1s on display, while the show from two years ago featured three standard P1s and one P1 HDK. The red standard P1 pictured in this post appeared at all three Exotics on Broadway shows I have attended thus far, while the two HDKs in the Marlboro red and white racing livery and two-tone silver and black were two P1 examples that I saw up close for the first time. There were several McLarens on display at Exotics on Broadway this year, but these three P1s were undoubtedly the best, coolest, and my favorites of them all. In general, I have always had a soft spot for the McLaren P1, and it has remained one of my all-time favorite cars for the past ten years and counting. The P1's revolutionary technology, impressive performance figures, timeless design, and immense exclusivity solidify it as a modern-day automotive legend and an incredibly worthy McLaren F1 successor.