Ferrari Roma (2021-)

 

 The Roma is Ferrari's current front-engine V8-powered sports car and the second-ever Ferrari coupe besides the GTC4 Lusso T to feature this specific layout. It was introduced for the 2021 model year and is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. The Roma launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and tops out at 199 mph. Inside, standard equipment in the Roma include an 8.4-inch center touchscreen, an additional touchscreen for the front passenger, a 16-inch digital gauge cluster, and a pair of rear seats that can comfortably fit two adults for brief rides. 

Pricing for the Ferrari Roma starts at $247,308. A convertible Roma Spider with a fabric top has been added to the Prancing Horse lineup for 2024, replacing the Portofino M. I saw this particular example on display at a car show I attended late last month. Although this Roma wasn't the coolest car on display there, it looks absolutely stunning inside and out, and I have seen roughly three or four examples in person so far, with this being only the second one I have taken photos of. Overall, the Roma is a great Ferrari and certainly an upgrade over similar previous models like the California and Portofino.

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2022 McLaren 765LT Spider

 

The 765LT is a more extreme and more exclusive 720S and the latest McLaren track-oriented Long Tail model. Produced for 2021 as a coupe and 2022 as a Spider, the McLaren 765LT is motivated by 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 755 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 205 mph. Compared to the 720S it's based on, the 765LT adds a redesigned front splitter and rear diffuser, a larger retractable rear wing, a quad exhaust setup, and an upgraded chassis. As for the 765LT Spider specifically, it contains a retractable hardtop that slightly increases its weight compared to the fixed-roof version but doesn't disrupt its adrenaline-pumping driving experience. The 765LT's interior is basically the same as that of the lesser 720S, except the former has several weight-saving measures like lightweight seats, thinner-gauge glass, and a carpet delete to assist in boosting performance.

Like its coupe counterpart, McLaren made only 765 units of the 765LT Spider, with pricing starting at $382,500 when new. This specific orange 765LT Spider was on display at a car show I attended last month and was easily the coolest car that showed up at this specific show. Not only was this the most recent 765LT that I've seen up close, I have now seen a total of six 765LT examples in person, specifically two coupes and four Spiders. In all, the McLaren 765LT is an absolutely amazing limited-edition supercar and track toy. It is also one of my favorite McLaren models besides the P1, F1, and Speedtail, and orange is a fantastic color for this car.

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

 

 The GT Black Series is the latest of Mercedes-AMG's most extreme Black Series models. Produced for only the 2021 model year, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 720 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It makes the dash from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 202 mph. The Black Series' notable distinctions over other versions of the now previous-generation AMG GT include a bigger grille, bigger hood and side vents, a full carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and roof, a satin black rear hatch, and a massive rear wing. 

Mercedes-AMG built roughly 1,700 examples of the GT Black Series, with pricing starting at $327,050 when new. To date, I have seen about six or seven AMG GT Black Series examples in person, more than all other AMG Black Series models combined. Featured in this post is the most recent AMG GT Black Series example that I've seen up close, which occurred at my local Audi/Porsche dealer last month. This dealership was previously selling this particular AMG GT Black Series and had recently sold it prior to my last visit about a month ago. Overall, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is an impressive and unbelievable race car for the road that is guaranteed to turn heads more than most other Mercedes-AMG performance vehicles. In addition, its improved performance and more aggressive nature place the GT Black Series over the top for AMG flagship sports cars, and I can't help but be amazed by this wondrous vehicle.

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Porsche 911 Speedster (991)

 

 The latest Speedster is the performance-focused open-top version and the last version of the Porsche 911 introduced for its previous 991 generation. Produced for only the 2019 model year, the 991-generation Porsche 911 Speedster is powered by the naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six similar to that of the one in the 911 GT3 with 502 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. It's not as quick or nearly as fast as other performance-focused Porsche 911s, especially when equipped with PDK dual-clutch transmissions, launching from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and capable of a top speed of 192 mph. Distinct styling elements from previous 911 Speedsters carry over to the 991 Speedster, such as the dual-hump tonneau cover, shortened windshield and side windows, and black protective patches between the doors and rear fenders. In many ways, the Speedster is practically a 911 GT3 roadster.

Only 1,948 units of the 991-gen Porsche 911 Speedster were ever made, with pricing starting at $275,750 when new. This total production run number was determined because 1948 was the year when Porsche built its first car. I saw this green 991 Speedster on display at my local Audi/Porsche dealer last month, and it marks the first time I have ever seen a 991 Speedster in person. The Speedster was basically the only version of the 991-gen Porsche 911 that I hadn't seen up close until last month. When I found out earlier last month that there was one on display at my local Audi/Porsche dealer showroom, I had to make a visit to check it out up close. Although it was already sold, I was luckily able to see this particular example at the dealer and take the photos that you see here before its new owner eventually picked it up and took it home. I never viewed it as the greatest or my absolute favorite Porsche 911, but the Speedster is certainly one of the most intriguing, most exclusive, and most stylish versions of Porsche's flagship sports car, and this remains no different for its previous 991 generation.

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Mercedes-Maybach GLS600

 

 The Maybach GLS600 is the most luxurious Mercedes SUV currently on sale and the Maybach S-Class of SUVs. It was introduced for the 2021 model year and is based on the current generation of Mercedes-Benz's three-row full-size SUV. Powering the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 550 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system and paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox sending power to all four wheels. It can launch from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of around 130 mph. Distinct exterior traits of the Maybach GLS600 compared to other versions of the GLS consist of a unique Maybach grille inspired by that of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Concept, a traditional Mercedes-Benz Three-Pointed Star hood ornament, Maybach badges on the D-pillars, exclusive alloy wheel options, and additional chrome trim. Air suspension is standard on the Maybach GLS600 along with a Maybach mode that tunes the suspension to practically not allow anyone in the vehicle to feel any bumps in the road. Inside, the Maybach GLS600's cabin is like that of a first-class flight, especially the rear seats, adorned in the finest leather and wood trim. It offers only two rows of seats, and the rear seats come with tons of legroom, reclining functions, folding tray tables, and a mini fridge between the two rear seats. The Maybach GLS600 has the least amount of cargo space out of all versions of the GLS, coming in at around 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats, primarily due to the mini fridge and rear seats being fixed in place. In addition, many examples of the Maybach GLS600 are fitted in two-tone exterior paint schemes, such as the one pictured in this post in dark red and black. 

Pricing for the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 starts at close to $175,000. The example pictured in this post marked the first Maybach GLS600 I have ever seen in person, which occurred early last month and approximately three years since the Maybach GLS600 first went on sale. I have also seen two or three other examples of the Maybach GLS600 in person since I took these photos early last month, but I was unable to take photos of those other examples because I was behind the wheel when I saw them. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Maybach GLS600 is the least common version of Mercedes-Benz's three-row full-size SUV by far, while I have seen plenty more standard GLS' and at least a handful of AMG GLS63s in person so far. Overall, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 is an amazing and intriguing ultra-luxury SUV best known for being one of the most comfortable and plush vehicles on the market today.

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Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (2023-)

 

The Sterrato is the off-road-focused and one of the coolest versions of Lamborghini's current mid-engine V10-powered supercar. It was added to the Huracan portfolio for the 2023 model year and is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 with 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to all four wheels. Horsepower figures in the Sterrato are down by 28 from 630 in most other Huracan models. 0-60 mph in the Huracan Sterrato occurs in 3.3 seconds, while its top speed is limited to 160 mph. The Sterrato's notable distinctions over other Huracan models consist of a ride-height increase of 1.7 inches to bring its total ride height to 6.4 inches, a central air intake on the back of the roof, a Rally mode, carbon-fiber wheel arch extensions, all-terrain tires, no active rear steering, front rally lights, underbody protection, and other features geared for navigating through dusty and sandy conditions. Its roof rails can support some overhead cargo but nothing massive like a tent. Inside, the Sterrato's interior is basically the same as other versions of the Huracan, however the Sterrato's infotainment system adds off-road-focused options such as an inclinometer, pitch and roll indicator, compass, and steering angle repeater.

 

 Only 900 units of the Huracan Sterrato will be built for all markets, with each unit carrying a starting price of $278,972 a pop. Its production run will continue until Lamborghini ultimately ends production of all Huracan models and announces the Huracan's successor. I have now seen two Huracan Sterratos this year, both of which were in addition to the first one I saw in person at last year's Exotics on Broadway show in Monterey in August. The first one pictured in this post in gray was on display at my local BMW Club's Cars & Coffee meet in March, while I saw the second example pictured in this post in purple twice last month, beginning at my local Porsche Club's Cars & Coffee and then later last month outside my local Audi/Porsche dealer. The latter of these two is the latest vehicle to be added to former MLB pitcher and current owner of my local Audi/Porsche dealer CJ Wilson's personal collection. Overall, the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is an amazing and impressive off-road supercar unlike nearly anything else on the road. It looks fantastic in gray, and while purple is a bold color choice for the Huracan Sterrato, the latter of these two colors suits the car well and makes it stand out even more in the best way possible.

 

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