Ariel Atom 3S

 

The 3S is one of the more recent versions of the street-legal race car known as the Ariel Atom. It was added to the Atom lineup in 2014 and is offered and manufactured for the Americas through Virginia-based TMI AutoTech Inc. Powering the Ariel Atom 3S is a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-VTEC four-cylinder from the Honda Civic with 365 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 155 mph. Many Ariel Atoms driven on the street feature windshields and wipers for protection from the elements, while the drivers of examples without windshields will wear racing helmets when driving them under any circumstance to protect themselves from the elements. Besides the lack of a windscreen, the example displayed in this post adds a massive, extended rear wing and a front lip spoiler for improved aerodynamics, along with two small yellow wind deflectors in front of the driver and passenger seats. Since there aren't any traditional doors on the Ariel Atom, the driver and passenger have to climb over the roll cage to access the vehicle's interior. A removable steering wheel and four-point racing harnesses are standard on the Ariel Atom 3S, while six-point harnesses are optional. In addition, the seats are fixed in place, and anti-lock brakes aren't equipped on the Atom 3S.

Pricing for the Ariel Atom 3S starts at close to $90,000. Exotics on Broadway 2023 marked the first time in several years that I have seen an Ariel Atom up close and the first time seeing a more recent version of the Atom in person. Before this show, the previous Ariel Atom I remember seeing up close was an older version at a car show in my local area. Overall, the Ariel Atom 3S is an awesome track toy and race car for the road. This is the type of vehicle that not many folks may know of or about and may be super impractical for everyday use, but doesn't need a big engine or a ton of power to have a blast driving it in any setting.

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Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole

 

The original Countach is one of the coolest and most iconic Lamborghini models ever produced. This particular example is a 5000 QV, one of the later and better-performing versions of the Countach, making that the main focus of this post. The Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole was in production from 1985 to 1988 and is powered by a 5.2-liter V12 with 420 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque paired to a five-speed manual transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 185 mph. In addition, the carburetors have been moved from the sides of the engine to the top of the engine in the 5000 QV compared to earlier versions of the Countach for improved cooling. The U.S.-spec Countach was initially installed with larger bumpers to meet federal safety regulations at the time it was new. Luckily, the example featured here doesn't have those ugly, impeding U.S.-spec bumpers, resulting in a cleaner, smoother appearance. 

The average Countach 5000 QV sells for between $400,000 and $500,000 on the resale market. Exotics on Broadway 2023 featured one original Lamborghini Countach on display, while the Exotics on Broadway Show from 2022 featured one as well. Both examples from both shows looked similar, especially with their black exterior and many of their styling cues, but I don't believe they were the same exact vehicle. In all, the Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV is an absolutely stunning and marvelous supercar with an recognizable and eye-popping design, raw performance, and incredible flair. Also, I have yet to see a reborn, Aventador-based Countach in person and look forward to spotting one of those at some point down the road.

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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

 

The DBS Superleggera is Aston Martin's sportier, more aggressive version of its DB11 grand tourer. It was introduced for the 2019 model year to replace the previous DBS and is powered by a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 with 715 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The DBS Superleggera launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 211 mph. It may not handle like many supercars, but the DBS Superleggera performs like a supercar in other ways while riding in the lap of luxury. Leather power-adjustable sport seats with heat and memory settings along with an eight-inch infotainment display are standard in the DBS Superleggera, and the vehicle can be optioned in any combination of leather, carbon fiber, wood, or chrome trim.

Aston Martin dropped the "Superleggera" name from the DBS for the 2022 model year, and production for the latest DBS wrapped up in 2023 with a final edition known as the DBS 770 Ultimate. A typical Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is priced in the $300,000 range. The example featured in this post that was on display at Exotics on Broadway 2023 has been the only DBS Superleggera I've ever photographed thus far. I find it a bit shocking how few DBS Superleggeras I've seen in person since it went on sale five years ago. Overall, the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a beautiful and amazing performance-focused grand tourer. With the DB12 already announced and set to hit showrooms, I'm looking forward to seeing and exploring the newest Aston Martin grand tourer and hoping that another DBS will enter production in the near future.

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Mercedes-McLaren SLR

 

The SLR is a stunning and magnificent supercar created from a Formula 1 partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren during the 2000s. It entered production in 2003 and is powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with 617 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 207 mph. The SLR consists of a carbon fiber tub attached to an aluminum subframe, and each of its body panels are constructed of carbon fiber. It also uses conventional springs and dampers along with carbon-ceramic brakes. In addition, the SLR became the first vehicle to have a fully carbon fiber monocoque chassis and its V8 built completely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Its cabin is made as comfortable and luxurious as possible without sacrificing performance capabilities. Other notable characteristics of the SLR include a lengthy bonnet, butterfly doors on the coupes, and a retractable spoiler. 

In total, Mercedes-Benz assembled 2,157 examples of the SLR McLaren from 2003 to 2010, including the roadster, 722, and Stirling Moss variants. The average SLR currently sells in the $300,000s on the low end and the upper $400,000s on the high end on the resale market. Exotics on Broadway 2023 marked my first time in over two years seeing a Mercedes-McLaren SLR in person, with this most recent sighting being the black coupe pictured in this post. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a beautiful, incredible, and underrated exotic car. It may not be as respected as other supercars, but the SLR is definitely on track to become a classic and more valuable collector's car in the near future.

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992)

 

The latest GT3 RS is one of the fastest, best performing, and most extreme Porsche 911s yet. It was added to the 992-gen Porsche 911 lineup for the 2023 model year, and the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six in the GT3 RS produces 518 horsepower and 342 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox. The 992 GT3 RS launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 184 mph. Its distinctive elements from other versions of the Porsche 911 include a massive rear wing and other significant aerodynamic parts, such as bigger vents on the hood and fenders. Like its GT3 counterpart, the newest 911 GT3 RS comes standard with a control-arm front suspension, electrically-assisted steering, and adaptive dampers, and revs up to 9000 rpm. The 992 GT3 and GT3 RS also feature similar interiors, with the most significant change in the GT3 RS being additional steering wheel controls for the adaptive dampers' compression and rebound levels.

Pricing for the 992-gen Porsche 911 GT3 RS starts at $242,950. The 2023 Exotics on Broadway show marked the first time I officially saw a current Porsche 911 GT3 RS in person, which had one example on display and took place back in August. The second example in this post showed up at a car meet held by my local Porsche Club chapter back in September. I have seen a third example of the 992 GT3 RS in person, but I was passing it by from afar and couldn't get any photos of it when I saw it. Overall, the 992-gen GT3 RS is one of the coolest and most impressive Porsche 911 models to date, and has quickly become one of my favorite Porsche vehicles ever made.

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2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

 

Around when the current Vantage was released, Aston Martin initially stated that it would not produce another V12-powered version of its entry-level Vantage sports car, but here we are with a new V12 Vantage. This will officially be the last time Aston Martin stuffs its biggest engine in a Vantage. The V12 Vantage was brought back for the Vantage's current generation for 2023. Its V12 is the twin-turbo 5.2-liter motor from the DB11 and DBS Superleggera, and in this case, it produces 690 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Zero to 60 mph occurs in 3.2 seconds for the coupe and closer to 3.5 seconds for the roadster, while its top speed is estimated at 200 mph. Styling changes on the V12 model compared to the standard V8 Vantage consist of a wider body, a larger grille, heat vents in the fenders behind the front wheel arches, and a restyled hood, all of which are necessary to accommodate its larger V12 engine. A fixed, elevated rear spoiler is standard on the V12 Vantage coupe but optional on the roadster. The V12 Vantage roadster pictured in this post has been fitted with the elevated rear spoiler, which generates up to 475 pounds of downforce according to Aston Martin.

Production of the latest V12 Vantage is limited to 333 examples for the coupe and 249 examples for the roadster. Pricing started at around $350,000, and each unit sold out before hitting showrooms. The 2023 Exotics on Broadway show marked my first time seeing the latest V12 Vantage in person. It didn't stand out as much as other vehicles on display there, including a few other Aston Martins, but the newest V12 Vantage is a special, one-of-a-kind, and last-of-its-kind sports car that is certainly bound to become a future classic and valuable collector's car.

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Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 (2013-15)

 

Although it is at least ten years old, the G63 AMG 6x6 remains the coolest and most insane factory-built Mercedes-Benz G-Class ever created. It was produced from 2013 to 2015 and is powered by an AMG 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with 536 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The G63 6x6 goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed limited to 100 mph. Its most unique aspects compared to other G-Class models are the third axle, pickup bed, taller ride height, raised suspension, and 37-inch off-road wheels and tires. Other notable features of the G63 6x6 include a stainless steel roll bar, LED lights above the windshield, five electronic differential locks, a unique rear-seat center console, and a compressor that can increase or decrease tire pressure to gain better traction to any driving surface. For a better idea of how massive the G63 AMG 6x6 is, it is about eight feet tall and 19 feet long, has around 18 inches of ground clearance, and weighs in at approximately 9,000 pounds. 

Roughly 100 to 150 examples of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 were ever built, and this version of the G-Class was never officially sold in the U.S. However, a few of those examples have landed Stateside after they were tweaked to meet federal regulations. The most recent Exotics on Broadway show that took place in August of this past year had two G63 AMG 6x6s in attendance, while only the first example in white was on display when I first attended Exotics on Broadway in 2022. The second example in black was further modified by renowned Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus, improving the G63 6x6's performance figures to 700 horsepower and 708 pound-feet of torque while lowering its 0-60 mph time to 7.4 seconds and its curb weight to 8,325 pounds. In addition, I found out after the show that a similar, just-as-insane variant of the G63 6x6 that I have yet to see in person known as the Maybach G650 Landaulet showed up at Exotics on Broadway as well, but unfortunately I never had the chance to see this particular G-Class model up close during this show. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 is an absolutely bonkers and extremely cool truck, and one of the coolest G-Class models of all time. The two examples pictured in this post were also my favorite vehicles at the most recent rendition of Exotics on Broadway that weren't supercars or fast wagons.

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