Mercedes-AMG G65

 

The G65 is the most insane G-Wagen outside of the G63 6x6 and the Maybach G650 Landaulet. Unlike most other G-Wagen models, the AMG G65 is powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 621 horsepower and a whopping 738 lb-ft of torque. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, which is only a tenth of a second quicker than the AMG G63. The G65's sole gearbox option is a seven-speed automatic. The main exterior aspects distinguishing the G65 from other G-Wagen models are its fully chrome AMG grille and V12 Biturbo badges between the front fenders and front doors. Its interior isn't much different from the standard previous-generation G550, except for carbon fiber trim throughout and two-tone seats with diamond stitching. The same two-tone pattern with diamond stitching also applies to the doors as well. The AMG G65 was only offered in North America for the 2017 and 2018 model years, priced at around $230,000 when new but currently valued at around half of that. Mercedes-Benz has no intentions of bringing the G65 back as they already stopped producing V12 engines and intend to completely phase out V12s from their vehicles to meet fuel emissions regulations across the globe. 

Not everyone may like the Mercedes-AMG G65, but I see it as one of the craziest luxury SUVs ever produced. It may not be the best G-Wagen model, but I appreciate the G65 for what it is, and I am amazed every time I see one up close.

Audi RS Q8

 

 

 The RS Q8 is Audi's flagship performance SUV. It was initially unveiled in late 2019 and went on sale beginning for the 2020 model year. Powering the RS Q8 is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. It launches from zero to 60 mph in an estimated 3.7 seconds and is capable of a top speed of approximately 189 mph. Every RS Q8 comes standard with Quattro All-Wheel Drive, a 48-volt hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency, and an 8-speed automatic. Its interior is similar to that of the regular Q8 except for distinct trim pieces, sport seats, and RS logos placed throughout the car. Separating the exterior of the RS Q8 from the regular Q8 are a lower stance, along with carbon fiber trim and RS badges on the front and back of the vehicle. Pricing for the Audi RS Q8 starts at $115,595. In all, the RS Q8 is a marvelous performance vehicle and the best Audi SUV, but isn't as amazing as the mechanically similar Audi RS6 Avant and Lamborghini Urus.

Porsche 718 Spyder

 

The 718 Spyder is the current hardcore, track-focused version of the Porsche Boxster and the open-top version of the 718 Cayman GT4. Like the Cayman GT4, but unlike the standard 718 Boxster, the 718 Spyder is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six producing 414 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch. It launches from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 187 mph. Unlike other track-focused Porsche models, the 718 Spyder doesn't have as many features removed from its standard version for optimal weight savings and performance. Pricing for the Porsche 718 Spyder starts at $97,300. Overall, the 718 Spyder is a fantastic roadster with one of the purest driving experiences of any open-top Porsche. It isn't my favorite Porsche model, but the 718 Spyder looks great and is quite underrated. 

Also included in this post is a 718 Boxster GTS, the model and trim level slotted right below the 718 Spyder. 

Audi Coupe Quattro (1990-91)

 

Prior to my most recent visit to my local Audi Porsche dealer over a month ago, I don't ever recall seeing an early 90s Audi Coupe before. It is an evolution of the 1980s Audi Coupe and iconic Audi Quattro, and it was introduced to North America in 1989 for the 1990 model year, a year after it initially went on sale in Europe. The US-spec Audi Coupe Quattro is powered by a 2.3-liter five-cylinder with 164 horsepower, which is slightly de-tuned from the Euro-spec model, paired to a five-speed manual. Its interior is typical of that of a luxury vehicle from the early 90s with its leather and wood trim, good amount of analog gauges, and overall design. Considering that the Coupe Quattro was only offered for two model years in North America, there is no doubt that these are quite difficult to find, especially in pristine condition like the example above. Audi also offered a sportier version of the Coupe Quattro with a turbocharged engine known as the S2, but only for European markets. Although it isn't as iconic as its predecessor, the early 90s Audi Coupe Quattro is a rare and interesting vehicle that often gets overlooked among other classics.

Porsche 911 Speedster (997)

 

The Speedster is usually the sendoff model for nearly every Porsche 911 generation before it is officially replaced by the next generation. As for the example above, the 997-gen 911 Speedster debuted for the 2011 model year before the 911 fully entered the 991 generation the following year. The 997 Speedster is powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six making 408 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The launch from zero to 60 mph takes place in 4.2 seconds onto a top speed of 190 mph. It was only offered with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch. The main characteristic features of the 997 Speedster are its double-bubble tonneau cover extending over the area where the rear seats would normally be and a lower windshield. Along with the signature double-bubble tonneau cover, its soft top is manually operated. The black panels in between the doors and rear wheel arches, in addition to the Fuchs-style alloys, are retro styling aspects from the 1980s 911 Speedster that carried over to the 997-generation model. Only two colors were available on the 997 Speedster: Pure Blue (which was made specifically for the Speedster) and Carrera White. There were also a very limited number of paint-to-sample versions as well. Out of all 997 Porsche 911 models, the Speedster is the rarest, with only 356 units ever built to pay tribute to the original 356 Speedster. Since the 997 Speedster is so rare compared to other 911 models, it is typically valued at or around $300,000. 

Overall, the 997 Speedster is an incredibly special and cool Porsche 911 model that offers the purest driving experience of any open-top 997-gen 911. It may not be my favorite Porsche 911 model, but I see the Speedster as underrated and one of the most beautiful.

2021 Audi A6 Allroad

 

 

 2020 marked the first model year that the Audi A6 Allroad made its return to the North American market. The last time the A6 Allroad was offered in North America was in the early 2000s. When I last visited my local Audi/Porsche dealer, I initially wanted to see the new RS6 Avant up close, but there wasn't one there. For now, we will have to settle for the standard A6 Allroad, which is already a great vehicle as it is. Powering the new A6 Allroad is a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 129 mph. Like many Audi models, Quattro All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A6 Allroad. Compared to the regular A6 Avant that is available overseas, the Allroad has a more rugged appearance with plastic body cladding around the wheel arches, door sills, and bumpers, along with standard roof rails. The A6 Allroad's interior looks amazing with its sleek and modern design. Its cabin is highlighted by Audi's Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster and dual touchscreens. The top screen in the center console contains the infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and in-car WiFi, while the lower screen contains many of the secondary controls, such as the climate controls and driving modes. 

Pricing for the new Audi A6 Allroad starts at $66,945. I love a good station wagon, and the new A6 Allroad is no different. I enjoy station wagons for their practicality, style, performance, and exclusivity, especially compared to most SUVs, crossovers, and minivans, and the A6 Allroad is a perfect example of these traits. However, I slightly prefer the Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon over the A6 Allroad, while my undisputed favorite wagon is the Mercedes-AMG E63 S. Hopefully I can see a new RS6 Avant in person pretty soon, which will certainly be more exciting.

Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S (992)

 

The Turbo and Turbo S are two of the latest and most competent renditions of the current 992-gen Porsche 911. As soon as I found out the new 911 Turbo was available at dealers and showrooms, I knew I wanted to see up close as soon as I possibly could. Like with the Corvette C8 Stingray, I am excited and grateful to have now seen at least two new Porsche 911 Turbo models in person; it was just a matter of time before it would eventually happen. 

Powering the 992 Turbo and Turbo S is a 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 572 horsepower and  553 lb-ft of torque in the Turbo and 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque in the Turbo S. Both the 911 Turbo and Turbo S can launch from zero to 60 mph in the mid to low two-second range and top out at 205 mph. They have standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch. The Turbo and Turbo S have many of the same standard interior features as lesser 911 models, except the former two have sportier trim and more premium options. In addition, they have more touchscreen and digital interfaces and less buttons compared to its predecessor. The 992 911 Turbo and Turbo S have two back seats, but they aren't usable for adults to sit in. As with its predecessors, the rear-mounted turbo flat-six can only be accessed directly by Porsche-certified technicians. Pricing for the new Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S starts at around $170,000 for the Turbo and around $200,000 for the Turbo S. 

In other news, the latest model unveiled in the 992 Porsche 911 range is the GT3, which was unveiled a week ago. The GT3 usually slots in between the Carrera GTS and GT3 RS in terms of pricing and performance.

The 992-gen Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S are two of the best all-around Porsche 911 models and two of the best all-around sports cars. They aren't as polarizing and don't hold their value as well as their chief competitors, such as the Audi R8, Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Huracan Evo, and McLaren 570S/570GT/600LT, but the new 911 Turbo and Turbo S do a great job getting my attention whenever I see them up close. This is because they are amazing and I find it easy to distinguish the Turbo and Turbo S from a regular Porsche 911.

Corvette Stingray C8

 

The Corvette has now entered its eighth generation, and it was one of the most anticipated vehicles when it went on sale last year. It was also a matter of time before I would finally spot one somewhere out and about. I have waited at least a year to see the mid-engine C8 Corvette up close, and it finally happened almost three weeks ago when I spotted my first C8 Corvette. The second one I spotted came a week ago, and both instances were very exciting. They say good things come to those who wait, and this was no different when it came to seeing the new Corvette in person. 

The most significant change from the C7 to the C8 is that the latter has its engine placed behind the seats like many current and previous sports cars. For many years, there have been rumors circulating around the auto industry that the Corvette would switch from its traditional front-engine layout to mid-engine. This switch officially occurred for the eighth-gen Corvette, and GM hasn't looked back since. 

By becoming mid-engine, the Corvette now has a better, more even weight distribution compared to every previous Corvette generation. The same 6.2-liter LT1 V8 from the C7 Stingray carries over to the C8 Stingray producing 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Z51 Performance Pack has a slight bump in horsepower to 495 with its dual-mode performance exhaust. The Corvette C8 Stingray launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, entering supercar territory and carrying a top speed of 184 mph. The C8 Stingray's only transmission option is an 8-speed dual-clutch, the first Corvette model to do this. The 8-speed dual-clutch is operated by either a push-button gear selector in the center console or the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Also included in the Z51 Performance Pack are an electronic limited-slip rear differential and more aggressive brakes. 

The C8's interior is lined in leather, metal, and faux suede, among other materials, and consists of a digital gauge cluster, a squared-off steering wheel similar to those in race cars, and a touchscreen positioned toward the driver for ease of use. Like previous Corvette generations, the C8 Stingray's roof is removable and can fit in its rear trunk behind the engine bay. Speaking of the rear trunk, it is big enough to fit two golf bags or suitcases, while the front trunk can fit one golf bag or suitcase. The angled touchscreen contains Chevy's Infotainment 3 Plus system including Bluetooth audio streaming, a 4G LTE hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. 

Pricing for the new mid-engine Corvette Stingray starts just below $60,000 but can increase close to $100,000 with options and dealer markup. In addition, the Corvette C8 Stingray was named last year's Motor Trend Car of the Year and made Car and Driver's 10Best list both this year and last year. Overall, the C8 Corvette is an absolutely phenomenal sports car and an an amazing value for its performance, serving as a budget European exotic. I love the new mid-engine Corvette and can't say enough great things about it. Hopefully I can get my hands on one someday as a second vehicle to my daily driver. 

UPDATE: Several hours after I initially published this post, I spotted my third Corvette C8 Stingray. Since this happened within 24 hours of this post going up on here, I might as well include the pics of it below rather than make an entirely separate post on it later. 

Aston Martin Vanquish (2001-07)

 

The first-gen Vanquish was Aston Martin's flagship model from the early to mid 2000s. It is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 producing 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automated manual. The first-gen Vanquish can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed close to 200 mph. Its interior was pretty advanced and sophisticated for its time, featuring a complete instrument cluster, next-level technology, and metallic trim instead of the old-fashioned wood trim. In addition, the early 2000s Vanquish made an appearance in the 2002 James Bond flick "Die Another Day." During the middle of its production run, Aston Martin released the Vanquish S, which received a performance upgrade and and some minor aesthetic tweaks over the standard Vanquish. The first-gen Vanquish was the last vehicle to be assembled at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell facility, with only a few thousand ever produced. The first Vanquish's direct successor came in the form of the DBS in 2008, while the Vanquish returned for a second generation from 2015 to 2018. 

In all, the early to mid 2000s Aston Martin Vanquish is a stunning and incredible performance grand tourer. It was revolutionary for Aston Martin when it released and represented a new era for the British automaker. These definitely catch my eye every time I see one up close considering how rare they are.

1971 Dodge Charger R/T

 The third-gen Dodge Charger from 1971 to 1974 is often overlooked compared to its previous generation. The example above is a top-of-the-line R/T model from 1971. Powering the '71 Charger R/T is a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 producing 370 horsepower paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox. Also available with the Charger R/T for 1971 were the 440 Six-Pack and the 426 Hemi V8. 1971 also happened to be the last model year with a full performance Charger until Dodge revived the Charger as a full-size sedan in 2006. The R/T in 1971 was replaced by the Rallye the following model year, in which the Rallye wasn't as fast or as powerful as the R/T. Current values of the 1971 Dodge Charger R/T vary, but it is certainly one of the fastest appreciating classic American muscle cars. Overall, the '71 Charger R/T is a great and amazing muscle car that flies under the radar. However, I don't find it as cool as its predecessor from 1968-70 or as desirable as the current Charger Hellcat.