Carson's Car Pics

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is an updated form of the FF, which is essentially an all-wheel drive, four-seat F12 hatchback. The GTC4Lusso is available with a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V12 producing 680 horsepower and 514 ft-lbs. of torque. It has a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch. Compared to other Ferraris, the GTC4Lusso is more ideal for colder climates such as the midwestern and northeastern US since its AWD system helps guide the vehicle through the snow and ice much easier. Inside, there are lots of leather trim and a 10.3-inch touchscreen that is more interactive than any other Ferrari touchscreen before it. There will also be a GTC4Lusso T available alongside the standard model, with the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 from the 488 and California T and power being sent to only the rear wheels. The GTC4Lusso T is also expected have less power and be less expensive than its naturally aspirated counterpart, which starts in the $300,000 range. To me, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is a significant improvement over the FF. It is quite practical and refined, but isn't the greatest Prancing Horse in the current lineup or ever produced. For instance, the F12 and new 812Superfast are similar to the GTC4Lusso and I would prefer any of the former two.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Ferrari LaFerrari

The LaFerrari is the craziest road-legal Prancing Horse yet. Power comes from a 6.3-liter V12 mated to two electric motors churning out a combined 949 horsepower and 664 ft-lbs. of torque. 0-60 mph happens in 2.5 seconds and 0-100 mph happens in 4.8 seconds, onto a top speed of 218 mph. Like many modern Prancing Horses, the LaFerrari comes standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch. It avoids the gas guzzler tax in the US like its direct competitors, the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder, but unlike many other vehicles with large-displacement engines. The LaFerrari weighs a total of 3489 pounds and contains an amazing 3.7 pounds-per-horsepower ratio. All 499 units of the coupe and 209 units of the Aperta Spider have been produced and sold out. However, I looked through a copy of DuPont Registry not too long ago and spotted at least a handful of listings for (slightly) used LaFerraris, almost all of them at exotic car dealers across the US. To view these Prancing Horses in greater detail and to learn more about these specific examples, visit www.dupontregistry.com. Along with the fixed roof model and Aperta, there is a track-only variant dubbed the FXX K that is only available for select Ferrari clientele to use, probably because the FXX K is too much for anyone else to handle. Ferrari could give its hybrid hypercar a better name, but I understand why it would decide on a name like LaFerrari because this car is the fastest, most powerful, and most insane Prancing Horse yet. At first, I wasn't too fond of the LaFerrari's design, but after a while I began to appreciate the way it looks, especially after seeing the one above in person at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Other than that, the LaFerrari is an absolutely amazing car. I have no clue where it would rank in my list of greatest Ferraris ever made, likely somewhere near the top.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Porsche 911 Carrera/S/4/4S/GTS (991)

The current Porsche 911 needs little introduction. It has become commonplace compared to other exotic sports cars, especially where I live. The main difference between the 991.1 (2012-16) and the 991.2 (2017-) is that the former had a 3.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-six with 345 horses and 288 ft-lbs. in the base model, a 3.8-liter flat-six producing 395 horses and 325 ft-lbs. in the S model, and 424 horses in the GTS; the latter uses a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six churning out anywhere between 365 to 444 horses and 332 to 406 ft-lbs. among the base, S, and GTS models. The 991.2 also has a few minor cosmetic enhancements compared to the original 991. Overall, the Porsche 911 991-gen is a great daily driver and weekend toy, even with its rear-engine layout and somewhat small front trunk; it is the best and most sophisticated 911 to date.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

The DB4 GT Zagato is one of the rarest and most valuable Aston Martins ever made. It, alongside the standard DB4, was produced in the early 1960s and is the predecessor to the iconic DB5. Many of you will recognize the DB5 from the James Bond movies "Goldfinger" and "Skyfall." Back to the DB4 GT Zagato, it is motivated by a 3.67-liter inline-six with 314 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque, paired to a four-speed stick shift. It runs from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, onto a top speed of 153 mph. Only 19 examples of the coachbuilt Zagato version were produced. I am not fond of some of the vehicles designed by Zagato, but the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is an absolute stunner. I have no idea how this classic Aston drives, but it would not surprise me if most of these are either in a museum or locked away in a garage only to sit and appreciate. I kind of have a problem with this because cars are meant to be driven, whether it be on a twisty mountain road or a racetrack, and a valuable classic like the DB4 GT Zagato is no different. Pictured below is the standard Aston Martin DB4 GT.

Friday, April 7, 2017

VLF Destino

The VLF Destino is a Fisker Karma/Karma Revero with a supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1. Like the ZR1, the Destino produces 638 horsepower and 600 foot-pounds of torque, goes form 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and is capable of hitting 200 mph. For those of you unfamiliar with this startup automaker, VLF stands for Villareal, Lutz, and Fisker, the founders of the company. Compared to the Fisker Karma/Karma Revero, the VLF Destino weighs about 1,000 pounds less since it doesn't contain the Karma's electric powertrain. Only a six-speed automatic is available with the Destino. It will be assembled in Auburn Hills, Michigan, also home to FCA US LLC (Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles). I find the VLF Destino to be much cooler and much more attractive than the Fisker Karma/Karma Revero since I have a fetish for vehicles with large displacement V8s in general. Most electric vehicles aren't very appealing to me, and the original Fisker Karma is known to catch fire anywhere at any time without anyone knowing. Included in this post are photos I have taken of the Fisker Karma within the past year.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Best of Car Shows 2016 Part 2

I may be a tad late with this, but the final installment of Best of Car Shows 2016 is here. The photos displayed were taken at car shows I attended between the months of July and December of this past year. Keep in mind this compilation excludes the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. More photos from that event will appear in separate posts in the future. Another note I would like to make is that I was unable to attend the most recent LA Auto Show, ending a four-year streak. Hopefully I will be able to attend it again later this year. Vehicle names are listed above photos of the actual car. More exciting content will be coming in 2017, so be sure to come back to this site so you don't miss a thing.

1970-72 Camaros