Carson's Car Pics: November 2024

Monday, November 18, 2024

Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6

The second of the the coolest, rarest, and most insane Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens from Exotics on Broadway 2024 worth dedicating a post to is the G63 AMG 6x6. It is based on the previous-generation G-Wagen and was produced from 2013 to 2015. Powering the G63 6x6 is a 5.5-liter twin-turbo AMG V8 churning out 536 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, while its top speed is limited to 100 mph. Compared to other versions of the G-Wagen, the G63 AMG 6x6's most unique characteristics are its third portal axle, pickup bed, increased ride height, lifted suspension, and 37-inch off-road wheels and tires. It also features a stainless steel roll bar, LED lights mounted above the windscreen, five electronic differential locks, a specific rear-set center console, and a compressor that can raise or lower tire pressure to improve traction to any driving surface and conditions. In terms of the G63 6x6's actual size, it measures around eight feet tall and 19 feet long, has about 18 inches of ground clearance, and weighs in at roughly 9,000 pounds.

The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6's total production run is estimated between 100 and 150 units. Like the Maybach G650 Landaulet from the previous post, the G63 AMG 6x6 was never officially sold in the U.S., but at least some examples have made their way Stateside. This year's Exotics on Broadway show displayed two G63 AMG 6x6s, the same two examples that appeared at last year's show. The white one appears to be mostly stock, while the black one has been tuned by Brabus. As for the Brabus G63 6x6, the renowned Mercedes-Benz tuner upgraded the rare gargantuan G-Class's performance figures to 700 horsepower and 708 pound-feet of torque and lowered its 0-60 mph time down to 7.4 seconds and its curb weight to 8,325 pounds. In addition, I spotted a third G63 AMG 6x6 near the site of the Exotics on Broadway show as I was leaving Seaside to travel back home that day. Besides the Maybach G650 Landaulet from the previous post, the G63 AMG 6x6 was the coolest and most fascinating non-supercar to appear at Exotics on Broadway this year. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 is one of the most amazing trucks to ever be commissioned due to its massive size, extreme rarity, and ability to conquer any terrain, and I am grateful to have seen it at the biggest show of Monterey Car Week for the third consecutive year.

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Thursday, November 14, 2024

Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet

The Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet is one of the coolest, most insane, and rarest G-Wagens ever built. Based on the previous-generation G-Wagen, the Maybach G650 Landaulet was revealed in 2017 for the 2018 model year and is powered by the previous-gen AMG G65's 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode. It can launch from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds, while its top speed is limited to 112 mph. Mercedes-Benz claims that the Maybach G650 Landaulet can hit 150 mph if not for the mandated speed limiter.

Like the G63 AMG 6x6 and G550 4x4 Squared, the Maybach G650 Landaulet is quite off-road-capable and contains portal axles, a steel rear bumper extension, and an increased ride height and ground clearance over over the standard G-Wagen models. Unique aspects of the Maybach G650 Landaulet consist of an increased wheelbase of 22.8 inches over the base G-Wagen, the "first-class" multi-functional rear seats from the Maybach S-Class, and the power-operated fabric top and spare tire mount similar to those from the previous G-Class Cabriolet. As for the rear-seat half of the cabin, it also features a full glass partition separating the driver and front passenger from the rear passengers that can turn from clear to opaque with the flip of a switch, along with folding tray tables, champagne flutes, a center console divider, two glove compartments, and Maybach-branded pillows. Its rear seats can recline almost flat and feature an intense massaging system, while its fabric top can be lowered and raised in about 20 seconds only from the rear seats.

Only 99 units of the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet were ever produced. It was never officially sold in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz, but some examples have made their way and now reside Stateside. Pricing for the Maybach G650 Landaulet started at around $550,000 when new but has appreciated to roughly between $800,000 and $1 million today. In fact, one Maybach G650 example sold for as much as $1.8 million at a Bonhams auction in 2017. This year’s Exotics on Broadway marked my first time ever seeing a Maybach G650 Landaulet in person. It was one of five rare and unusual Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens that I had seen at and around the biggest show at Monterey Car Week this year. I have been looking forward to viewing this particular G-Wagen up close ever since I first heard about it seven years ago, and it finally occurred in August of this year. In addition, the Maybach G650 Landaulet has to be the one non-supercar that appeared at this year's Exotics on Broadway that I was the most impressed with. Overall, its sheer presence, rear-seat comfort and amenities, power figures, and incredible exclusivity make the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet one of the coolest, craziest, and most unbelievable SUVs in existence.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Lamborghini Revuelto

The Revuelto is the newest V12 flagship Lamborghini. It was unveiled in the middle of 2023 for 2024 as the successor to the Aventador and the first-ever plug-in hybrid Lamborghini. Powering the Revuelto is a 6.5-liter V12 paired to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one paired to the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission at the rear axle, producing a combined 1001 horsepower and 793 pound-feet of torque. This horsepower figure of just above 1000 makes it the most of any Lamborghini and plug-in hybrid ever. The launch from zero to 60 mph occurs in 2.3 seconds, while its top speed is estimated at 218 mph. Its plug-in hybrid system is not a typical one found in other vehicles, as it is purely intended to boost performance and barely improves the vehicle's fuel efficiency. Rear-wheel steering and torque-vectoring systems are standard on the Revuelto, both of which contribute to improved handling and stability over its Aventador predecessor.

Inside, the Revuelto's cabin is adorned in mostly leather, suede, and carbon trim, and it is more spacious than that of the Aventador with increased headroom and legroom. It also features four rotors on the steering wheel to operate drive modes, other buttons to activate turn signals and launch control, an 8.4-inch center infotainment touchscreen display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 9.1-inch passenger screen display, cargo space behind the seats to accommodate one golf bag, and front trunk space that comfortably fit at least two carry-on luggage bags.

Pricing for the Lamborghini Revuelto starts at close to $610,000, but options and dealer markup can easily push its total cost up to between $800,000 and $1 million. Like some vehicles recently featured on this site and four others to come, this year's Exotics on Broadway marked my first time ever seeing the new Lamborghini Revuelto in person. It was displayed in front of the Gintani booth, who is known for producing aftermarket exhaust kits for Lamborghinis and other exotic supercars. I have seen at least a few video clips of the Revuelto equipped with Gintani aftermarket exhaust systems in action, and the latest V12 flagship Lambo certainly sounds better and more impressive with the Gintani exhaust than with the stock exhaust. In addition, the Revuelto was the most intriguing Lamborghini on display at this year's Exotics on Broadway show, simply because it is one of the newest Raging Bulls that I had not seen up close prior to the latest rendition of Monterey Car Week in August. Overall, the Lamborghini Revuelto is an amazing, wonderful, and incredible halo supercar, and it's making a solid case for itself to become one of my new favorite Lamborghini models.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Ford GT Shmeemobile/Le Mans Racer/Heritage Edition (2017-24)

Featured in this post are a few different versions of the latest Ford GT supercar. It was originally unveiled in 2015 and entered production in 2016. Motivating the second-generation Ford GT is a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in three seconds and is capable of a top speed of 216 mph. Distinct styling elements of the newest Ford GT consist of flying buttresses, or open airflow tunnels infused into the rear fenders of the vehicle, an active rear spoiler, two large exhaust tailpipes located right below the rear spoiler, two large vents in the hood, a nose inspired by that of the original GT40, and two large circular taillights, all of which are functional, gorgeous, and suit this vehicle very well.

The first two Ford GT examples pictured above this text were displayed at Exotics on Broadway in Monterey this year, specifically the Le Mans race car from 2016 and a special road-going GT example. The former of these two was one of two race cars displayed by Velocity Invitational and marked Ford's long-awaited return to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 50 years since Ford first entered the GT40 to compete at Le Mans in 1966. This particular racing version has been further stripped down from its road-going counterpart and adds other enhancements such as a massive fixed rear wing, a stiffer suspension, and an extended front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. In addition, the Ford GT race car was a top-two finisher in its class at Le Mans in 2016 and 2017. The second Ford GT pictured in this post and on display at this year's Exotics on Broadway is one of several Shmeemobiles, or cars owned by British automotive YouTuber Tim Burton, also known as Shmee150. This specific example is finished in crimson red with yellow-orange double-line center stripes and one of two Shmeemobiles present at Monterey Car Week this year, with the other Shmeemobile that made its way to Monterey from the UK being a 2024 Mustang Dark Horse.

As for the third second-gen Ford GT pictured in this post, it is a Heritage Edition from 2019 finished in the famous light blue and orange Gulf Oil livery with no. 9 graphics on the hood and front fenders of the vehicle. This specific Ford GT Heritage Edition honors the 50th anniversary of the back-to-back wins by the GT40 Mk I at Le Mans in 1968 and 1969, with only 50 examples of the 2019 Heritage Edition in existence. I saw this particular Ford GT Heritage Edition at my local Porsche Club Cars & Coffee early last month, marking my first time in over two years seeing it up close. This one was also the coolest and most notable car to show up at last month's PCA Cars & Coffee. Back to the second-gen Ford GT in general, production for its road-going variant concluded in 2022, while Mk III and Mk IV racing-only versions were added to the second-gen Ford GT portfolio in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Pre-owned examples are currently selling for between roughly $900,000 and just over $1 million on the resale market. Overall, the second-generation Ford GT is one of the coolest and most impressive Fords and American cars ever made, and I am grateful to have seen three different examples of it in two different car show settings for the first time in over two years.

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.