March 14, 2011
We recently drove the all-new 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon on the icy backroads of the Adirondacks in upstate New York, en route to a few days of skiing at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, and can honestly say we haven't had this much fun winter-driving in a while. Granted, we were in a six-speed manual, which made handling the 556hp supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine even more exhilirating, but we were also happily surprised with the wagon's nimbleness, the control we had in cornering and the solid grip of the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. This outstanding performance was enhanced with heated Recaro leather-and-suede racing seats and a suede steering wheel and shifter, not to mention the superior sound emanating from the ten-speaker Bose 5.1 digital surround system. At a starting price of $62,000 (our model priced out at $68,500), it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a wagon that offers all the space and comfort of a large vehicle but has the performance of a sports car…and looks good, too (we did get double takes wherever we stopped). The one caveat: We estimated about 14 miles per gallon driving around town and only 19 mpg on the highway.
cadillac.com.
April 21, 2011
Taking to the open road in a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Bentley is now a dream more easily realized. On April 23, World Class Driving launches its 45-city U.S. Supercar tour, giving auto enthusiasts the opportunity to get behind the wheels of a whole fleet of high-performance vehicles. Every convoy consists of five supercars, and drivers get to pilot each one along carefully chosen, scenic-yet-challenging routes, stopping every half hour to rotate at designated checkpoints. Starting in May at the Monticello Motor Club, about 90 minutes northwest of Manhattan, World Class Driving will also offer the 360 Track Experience, a day-long racing school in purpose-built Ferrari Challenge cars. The morning session will include instruction on safety, weight transfer, braking and driving trajectories; in the afternoon, motorists will set out on the 4.1-mile track. A one-day booking of the U.S. Supercar Tour is $1,700, the 360 Track Experience, $4,000; 877-597-6403; worldclassdriving.com.
Photo Courtesy Bill Reiss for World Class Driving
April 28, 2011
With 60-plus models spanning almost a century, Ralph Lauren’s sports car compilation is considered one of the world’s finest, and as of April 28 he is sharing his treasures in "The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection" at Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Seventeen of his cars—including a 1929 Bentley Blower, a 1933 Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO—were handpicked by curator Rodolphe Rapetti (with input from Lauren, of course) to illustrate the arc of European automobile design from the 1920s through the 1990s. "In the beginning, the cars are more obviously mechanical," Rapetti says. "But the evolution from one car to another is really obvious when you see the exhibition." Rapetti has also included an immersive element for true auto enthusiasts: Visitors can view archival film footage of each car in a historic race like France’s Le Mans, and hear the engine’s purr (or roar, as the case may be) from recent rubber-burning sessions near New York City. Don’t miss the 1996 McLaren F1 LM or the aerial view of the cars from the third floor. Rapetti phrased it well: "You have majors and minors in automobile history. These are only the major majors." For those who aren’t able to visit the museum, a specially designed catalogue, which includes an interview with Lauren and a foreword by Rapetti, is available at select Ralph Lauren stores (888-475-7674; ralphlauren.com). On view through Aug. 28 at 107 Rue de Rivoli, Paris; 33-1/44-55-57-50; lesartsdecoratifs.fr.
Photo Courtesy Michael Furman
June 02, 2011
Four months after making a buzzy debut at the New York International Motorcycle Show, the Ducati Monster 1100EVO has landed in dealerships worldwide. At 373 pounds, this model is breaking Ducati records as the first bike to reach 100 air-cooled horsepower. Supported by a Desmodue Evoluzione engine and 76 foot-pounds of torque, it gives the best power-to-weight ratio in the Monster line's history. The new design takes comfort and safety into account more than ever with higher handlebars, a re-imagined seat, and a new Ducati Safety Pack, in which high-performance traction control and automatic braking systems work conjointly. Those who don't yet know how to operate a bike might do well with a few private lessons with VIP motorcycle instructor Christine Firehock, who heads up the KickSTART Motorcycle Training Series and taught Ralph Lauren how to ride. Ducati Monster 1100EVO from $11,995; ducatiusa.com. Driving lessons from $180 per lesson; ckskickstart.com.
Photo Courtesy Ducati
July 28, 2011
It's not just the added ponies that set Porsche's new Cayman S Black Edition apart from a standard Cayman S. Unlike other Cayman S models, this mid-engine sports car doesn't have contrasting trim—its body, Boxster Spyder wheels, side air grills, tailpipe and leather interior are all black. But don't judge this car by its exterior. Under the hood is a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with increased horsepower, up to 330 from 320. As a result, zero-to-62 acceleration is 5.1 seconds (a tenth of a second quicker than a regular Cayman S), and speed can reach 172 mph (a whole 1.24 mph faster than your neighbor's ride). You'll need that extra oomph to race to your nearest Porsche dealer—only 500 of these limited-edition suckers are available. From $67,500; porsche.com.
Photo Courtesy Porsche
December 26, 2012
Courtesy of Audi USA
Many of us consider skidding across a frozen pond on a cold winter’s day one of the greatest joys of childhood, and Audi has now recreated a similar thrill for adults. Its Ice Experience takes place on a wintertime course—usually a frozen lake in Sweden or Finland—against the backdrop of some of the most awe-inspiring settings on earth.
Audi hired a team of experts to teach intrepid drivers the ins and outs of handling an S5 Sportback, testing their abilities to navigate a slalom course or perfect handling skills while negotiating the frozen tundra. Uwe Fricker, a top driving instructor, says the experience isn’t just for thrill-seekers—there is a practical side, too. “Participants are learning how to maneuver their vehicles to avoid dangerous situations,” he says. “While driving against a stunning European landscape, they are also learning how to perfectly control a drift. Winter conditions are generally dangerous because people tend to lose control of their vehicles. When people participate in this program, we show them how to maintain control in even the most extreme conditions.” Fur coat not included. From $4,000; audiusa.com.
