Aston Martin Vantage (2019-)

It seemed like only yesterday when the Aston Martin Vantage was redesigned. Part of that may be that I didn't see one in person until my trip to Beverly Hills nearly three months ago. Anyway, the new Vantage is the first car Aston Martin partnered with Mercedes-AMG to create. Under its hood is a Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque. It travels from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 195 mph. An 8-speed automatic is standard while the AMR variant has an optional 7-speed manual. Inside, its cabin is compact and adorned with leather and faux suede. Also featured are sport seats with power adjusters and memory settings and an 8-inch display controlled by a knob in the center console with infotainment, navigation, audio, and Bluetooth. The current Aston Martin Vantage carries a starting price of $156,081. Its roadster version is expected to hit showrooms later this year. Overall, the new Vantage is a beautiful, incredible sports car and more refined than its predecessor.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso is a bigger, more comfortable, and sleeker model in the classic 250 series. It is also the last model in the 250 series, produced from 1962 to 1964 and consisting of 351 total units. Powering the 250 GT Lusso is a 3.0-liter V12 with 240 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Its V12 is paired to either a 4-speed or 5-speed manual. The 250 GT Lusso contains many unique features. For example, its gas cap is located in the trunk so it doesn't mess with the vehicle's overall design. Unlike most cars, the windshield washer fluid is stored in a bag under the hood and controlled by pressing a button in the driver's footwell by the driver's left foot. The Lusso's rectangular hood vent, which is specific to that vehicle, is actually fake and intended to enhance its design. It has two seats with fixed backrests, while seat belts were optional on the 250 GT Lusso. Side mirrors were also optional on the 250 GT Lusso, explaining why the example above doesn't have any. The two large exposed screws on each side of the vehicle are lift points for removing the chassis from the rest of the vehicle when making repairs back in the day. The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso is currently valued anywhere between $2 million and $5 million. Not only is it the rarest car I saw in Beverly Hills over two months ago, it is also the most valuable car seen during my trip there. The 250 GT Lusso isn't nearly as sought after as other Ferrari 250 models such as the GT SWB, California Spider, Testa Rossa, and GTO, but it is absolutely amazing and one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

Mercedes-AMG G63 (2019-)

One of the best and coolest SUVs ever has become better and cooler in the redesigned Mercedes-AMG G63. Like with the standard G550, the G63 had many of the previous model's drawbacks fixed or improved with the redesign. The new AMG G63 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, traveling from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and paired to an AMG Speedshift 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic. Major aspects distinguishing the G63 from the G550 are an AMG-specific grille and front bumper, AMG 20-inch alloys, dual side exhaust pipes, and Biturbo badges next to the front doors. Pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG G63 starts at $156,450.

The next-to-last example above is an AMG G63 modified by aftermarket Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus known as the Brabus 800. As indicated in its name, the Brabus 800 has been tuned to produce 800 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph time close to four seconds flat. In addition, the Brabus 800 is restyled to include flared fenders, extra LED lighting, hood vents, a rear spoiler, Double-B badging to replace the original Three-Pointed Star badging, and a carbon fiber spare tire cover. Brabus redid the interior in its own fine leather and other trim, and outfitted the cabin ceiling with a starry night sky similar to those in Rolls-Royce models. In total, the Brabus 800 package pushes the Mercedes-AMG G63 past $400k.

In other news, Brabus recently unveiled the 800 Adventure XLP, an AMG G63 raised, stretched, and converted into a pickup. Not only is it absolutely insane, the craziest part about the 800 Adventure XLP is that it contains a landing pad for drones. It is perfect for those who want to off-road in the most extravagant way possible.

Overall, the current Mercedes-AMG G63 is one of my absolute favorite SUVs along with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Lamborghini Urus featured in previous posts. It wasn't until my trip to Beverly Hills over a month ago when I got photos of the new G63 for the first time. On the other hand, the two Mercedes-Benz G-Class models I know for sure I haven't seen in the flesh yet are the previous-generation AMG G63 6x6 and the Maybach G650 Landaulet; I would flip out the moment I see either of these two models up close.

I have included photos I took of the current Mercedes-Benz G550 for your viewing pleasure.

Ferrari F12 tdf (2015-17)

The tdf is the track-oriented limited-edition Ferrari F12 and the successor to the 599 GTO. Some of you may remember the first time I saw one in person at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It is named after the defunct automotive Tour de France and not the more well-known bike race. The F12's 6.3-liter V12 is boosted to 769 horsepower and 519 lb-ft of torque in the tdf. The F12 tdf travels from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed greater than 211 mph. Its 7-speed dual-clutch carries over from the regular F12. Production of the F12 tdf is limited to 799 units. I saw the example above up close at Ferrari of Beverly Hills, and it is currently being offered for a whopping $1.1 million. The hardcore Ferrari F12 is a jaw-dropping and absolutely wonderful vehicle. If I had to choose one, the F12 tdf would also be my favorite Prancing Horse out of the vehicles available when I walked into the Beverly Hills Ferrari dealer last month.

Pictured below are two standard F12 Berlinettas I spotted in Beverly Hills in addition to visiting the Ferrari showroom.

Lamborghini Huracan Evo

The Evo is an updated and improved version of the Lamborghini Huracan. It improves on the original Huracan in all areas, from updated styling to increased power numbers and performance figures. The 5.2-liter V10 increases to 631 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. It launches from 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 202 mph. All-wheel drive is standard on the Huracan Evo paired to a 7-speed dual clutch, with a rear-wheel drive option also available. Significant features added to the Huracan Evo compared to the previous model consist of rear-wheel steering, standard magnetic dampers and variable-ratio steering, and an infotainment system exclusive to Lamborghini. In addition, the Huracan Evo has revised front and rear fascias and carries a base price of around $268,000. The most recent iteration of the Lamborghini Huracan is incredible and one of the best "mainstream" supercars currently on sale. It is also one of my favorite vehicles I spotted on the streets in Beverly Hills last month.

Included below is the original Lamborghini Huracan Spyder.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Luxury SUVs are more popular and profitable than ever before. Rolls-Royce realized this trend a few years ago and created its first SUV, the Cullinan. Powering the Cullinan is a 6.7-liter twin-turbo V12 making 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It travels from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds onto a top speed limited to 151 mph. The Cullinan has all-wheel drive like most SUVs and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Inside, no SUV can provide the amount of luxury and opulence that the Cullinan can. Along with the typical Rolls-Royce goodies and an endless array of available bespoke options, the Cullinan's rear hatch includes two additional seats and a folding picnic table. One of my favorite Rolls-Royce features is the stars in the cabin ceiling made to look like the night sky. With its level of comfort and amenities, it comes as no surprise that the Rolls-Royce Cullinan carries a hefty starting price of $327,750. Like the Ferrari 488 Pista and Lamborghini Urus in the last two posts, I was pumped to see the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in person for the first time in Beverly Hills last month. It may somewhat resemble an upscale London taxi, but the Cullinan is undoubtedly one of the greatest and neatest SUVs of all time.

Ferrari 488 Pista

The Pista ("track" in Italian) is a more track-focused Ferrari 488 and the successor to the 458 Speciale. It was originally unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show as a limited-edition sendoff for the 488. The 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 from the base 488 GTB and Spider has been upgraded to 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque in the Pista. The 488 Pista launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, zero to 124 mph in 7.2 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 211 mph. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch. Carbon fiber and alcantara are used extensively in the 488 Pista in order to conserve weight. The Pista's most distinctive exterior features are its larger front and rear air vents for improved aerodynamics. Production for the 488 Pista has been slated for 3500 units, with each example going for anywhere between $345,000 and $600,000 depending on options, overall condition, and dealer markup. Replacing the 488 is the F8 Tributo, which produces the same amount of horsepower and torque as the Pista, making them the most powerful V8 Prancing Horses ever made. In summary, the Ferrari 488 Pista is nothing short of amazing, especially when it is pushed to its limits on the racetrack. Like the Lamborghini Urus in the previous post, the 488 Pista was one of the cars I was most excited to see up close for the first time when I saw three of them in LA last month.

Included below are the standard 488 GTB and Spider.