Aston Martin DB11 Volante

The DB11 Volante is the open-top form of Aston Martin's current grand touring cruiser. Other than the soft top, it should come as no surprise that the DB11 Volante is mostly similar to its coupe counterpart. Powering the DB11 Volante is a AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 503 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic. It launches from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and can reach a top speed of 187 mph. Aston Martin opted not to offer the DB11 Volante with the 5.2-liter V12 available in the coupe and AMR variants because the former is 243 pounds heavier. Aston Martin also wants to ensure that the Volante's infrastructure remains unscathed and secure at high speeds. Like most convertibles, the DB11 Volante's backseats are small and shouldn't be used to regularly transport people. Pricing for the DB11 Volante starts at around $256,000. The Volante is not my preferred DB11 model, but it is a beautiful, elegant, and amazing car nonetheless.

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Ferrari 812 Superfast (2018-)

Completing the Ferrari showroom in Beverly Hills is the 812 Superfast. It is the current front-engine V12 Prancing Horse coupe, succeeding the F12. The V12 in the 812 Superfast displaces 6.5 liters and produces 788 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque, launching the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and a 211 mph top speed. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch. Also included in the 812 lineup is the open-top 812 GTS. The 812 contains plenty of cargo space for a two-seat grand tourer and even a pair of exclusive luggage for long road trips. The standard 812 Superfast carries a base price of $338,000. It is one of the coolest and greatest "regular" Ferrari models of all time, with unbelievable performance and incredible fit and finish.

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Aston Martin DB9 (2013-2016)

Although it looked practically the same as when it first debuted in 2003, Aston Martin significantly updated the DB9 in 2013. It added more modern touches and styling cues from the short-lived Virage along with increased performance and handling. Its 5.9-liter V12 produces 510 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque, propelling the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic. The updated DB9 no longer offers the six-speed manual that was available in earlier versions. Compared to other luxury coupes, the DB9's interior is rather simplistic. Used examples can be found varying between the low $50,000s and low $120,000s. Despite not being as fast and compelling as the mechanically-similar Vanquish, the Aston Martin DB9 is a magnificent and absolutely stunning car.

Porsche Taycan

The demand for electric vehicles is ever increasing, and Porsche is one of the latest automakers to join the electric vehicle craze with its first production EV, the Taycan. It is based on the Mission E Concept that debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and aimed at the likes of the Tesla Model S. Three trims are currently offered on the Taycan: 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S; the three examples above are Turbo and Turbo S models. All trim levels are all-wheel drive and have two electric motors. The 4S produces 522 horsepower with the standard battery and 563 horsepower with the larger battery, while the Turbo and Turbo S produce 670 and 750 horsepower respectively. 0-60 mph times for the Taycan are 3.8 seconds for the 4S, 3.0 seconds for the Turbo, and 2.4 seconds for the Turbo S. It is the first production EV with a two-speed transmission and an 800-volt electrical system, allowing the vehicle to accelerate quicker and recharge faster. According to the EPA, the Taycan's range is significantly lower than that of the Model S, coming in at 201 miles for the Turbo and 192 miles for the Turbo S. Pricing starts at $105,150 for the 4S, $152,250 for the Turbo, and $186,350 for the Turbo S. Porsche recently unveiled a base model Taycan in China with rear-wheel drive and a single electric motor. So far, the base model Taycan has only been announced for the Chinese market. Overall, the Porsche Taycan is an incredible and impressive car, and it has become one of my favorite Porsches and electric cars. I would have difficulty choosing between the Taycan and the Tesla Model S because the Taycan has bolder styling and better build quality, while the Model S has better performance.

Ferrari 550 Maranello (1997-2002)

The 550 Maranello is Ferrari's front-engine V12 grand touring coupe from the late 90s to the early 2000s. Its successor, the 575M Maranello, looks very similar but has noticeable differences. The 550 Maranello's V12 produces 480 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque, launching from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and capable of a top speed of 199 mph. It is the last Prancing Horse to offer only a manual transmission, explaining its recent appreciation in value and increased appeal among collectors. Ferrari also made an open-top variant of the 550 known as the 550 Barchetta, producing much fewer examples than the standard 550 Maranello. Although the 550 Maranello looks best in Ferrari's signature Rosso Corsa, the light blue shade on the example featured here suits the 550 very well. Despite not having the status and appeal of more exclusive exotics, the 550 Maranello is one of the coolest supercars of its era.

Related: Ferrari 550 Maranello

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

The Phantom VIII is the latest generation of Rolls-Royce's flagship model. I find it difficult to believe that the current Phantom has already been on sale for two years because it still seems like it was freshly redesigned. Powered by a 6.75-liter V12 making 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the Phantom VIII launches from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 155 mph. Its V12 is mated to an 8-speed automatic. Very few cars can match the luxury and prowess of the current Rolls-Royce Phantom. It may not seem like it, but the Phantom VIII is longer, wider, and larger than some SUVs. The flagship Spirit of Ecstasy is offered in either standard- or long-wheelbase form. Available features include carpeted floor mats, a refrigerated rear center console, reclining and massaging seats, infotainment remote controls, and access to live TV on the screens attached to the rear seats. Loads of luxury certainly doesn't come cheap; the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII carries a hefty starting price of $457,750, with options increasing the price well past half a million. Without a question, the Phantom is one of the greatest and most amazing luxury vehicles ever made. Its level of comfort and quality is out of this world, and its head-turning design never fails to amaze me.

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso (2017-)

When most people think of Ferrari, the GTC4Lusso and its predecessor, the FF, usually don't come to mind due to their hatchback body styles. However, the GTC4 Lusso is very much a real Prancing Horse, but more practical. A brief overview: the GTC4Lusso is powered by a 6.3-liter V12 producing 681 horsepower and 514 lb-ft of torque, propelling the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph. Ferrari's current 4-seater also offers a T model, which features the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 from the California T, Portofino, 488 GTB, and F8 Tributo producing 602 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, launching from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and capable of a top speed of 199 mph. The standard GTC4Lusso is all-wheel drive, while the GTC4Lusso T is rear-wheel drive. Both models are paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch and have 4-wheel steering. Pricing starts at $263,750 for the GTC4Lusso T and $303,750 for the standard GTC4Lusso. In related news, Ferrari is rumored to have an SUV in the works, which is slated to debut in the next few years. Overall, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is an incredible, underappreciated supercar that performs well and hauls the family comfortably.



I normally don't discuss social issues on this site, but I must address the events that have unfolded recently. I don't identify as black, but I stand with my black friends and family members, the rest of the black community, and everyone against systemic racism and social injustice. The videos of acts of police brutality against innocent African Americans and other people of color are painful to watch. At the end of the day, we are all human, and no one is superior to one another in our society. Racism has no place in our world, and we must do our part to put an end to senseless killings and all other acts of racial injustice.

Morgan Plus 4

Nearly all new cars have evolved over several years in terms of design and technology. One prime example that has done the opposite is the Morgan Plus 4. Morgan first produced the Plus 4 in the 1950s, and it hasn't changed much since. The British boutique automaker is classified as a low volume manufacturer in the U.S., in which a limited number of units are exported each year without having to comply with federal regulations. The most up-to-date version of the Plus 4 is powered by a Ford-sourced 2.0-liter inline-four producing 154 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, propelling the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and a 118 mph top speed. Paired to the Plus 4's 4-cylinder is a 5-speed manual. In addition, the Plus 4's build quality has improved greatly since its early days. Its designers crafted it in a way that made practicality the least of its concerns. Pricing for the Morgan Plus 4 starts at just under $70k. Other models based on the traditional Morgan roadster consist of the 4/4, Plus 6, Plus 8, and 4-Seater; the main distinction between each of these models is either the engine or seating configuration. It may not perform as well as it looks, but few cars can provide the fun, completely analog experience and nostalgia effect that the Morgan Plus 4 can.

Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta

The Speciale Aperta is the top-down track-focused model in the 458 range. It is also the last 458 model released before it was replaced by the 488 and the last naturally aspirated V8 Prancing Horse ever made. The 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 in the 458 Speciale Aperta is increased to 597 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, launching the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. The Speciale Aperta's most distinctive features from the standard 458 Spider are the vented, more aggressive front and rear ends. A total of 499 units of the 458 Speciale Aperta were produced from 2014 to 2015. When it was new, the 458 Speciale Aperta was the most powerful convertible in Ferrari's history until it was dethroned by the LaFerrari Aperta in 2017. On average, the 458 Speciale Aperta is currently valued at around $700,000. It is an amazing, wonderful supercar that marked the end of an era for Ferrari.

Included in this post below is the base Ferrari 458 Italia. Both of these examples were showcased at the Ferrari dealer in Beverly Hills over four months ago.

Bentley Continental GT (2019-)

The Bentley Continental GT was redesigned for the 2019 model year and is currently in its third generation. Like the previous model, the new Continental GT has two engine options: a twin-turbo V8 and a twin-turbo W12. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, while its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 produces 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph occurs in 3.4 seconds for the V8 model and 3.3 seconds for the W12 model, carrying a top speed of 207 mph. Both V8 and V12 Continental GT models come standard with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual clutch. Every Bentley model that offers both a V8 and V12 are designated by the color of the center of their Flying B logos; W12 models have black Flying B's while V8 models have red Flying B's. As you would expect from a Bentley, the interior of the current Continental GT is top notch, covered in the finest leather and wood trim. Its backseats aren't very spacious, but there is plenty of room in the trunk for luggage and other cargo. The current Continental GT also has a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which can rotate between a traditional display of three analog gauges showing the time, the air temperature outside, and a compass. In addition, like most new luxury vehicles, the new Continental GT contains a digital gauge cluster configured by buttons on the steering wheel. Pricing for the third-gen Bentley Continental GT starts at $207,825 for the V8 models and $224,225 for the W12 models. All in all, the Continental GT is my favorite car to wear the Flying B, and it looks sleeker, more comfortable, and better than ever before.

Included in this post is a Clemson-themed second-gen Bentley Continental GTC.