"Driven by Enthusiasm" (diggatron)
04/28/2015 at 08:00 • Filed to: None
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"Driven by Enthusiasm" (diggatron)
04/28/2015 at 08:00 • Filed to: None | 5
| 6 |
Event wrap up: well worth braving the cold, standing in the lines, etc etc etc. here are my thoughts about each car.
1) The Ferrari 458 Italia: nimble, powerful, modern. This car is beauty personified. It was the looker of the pack. Every angle was breathtaking (could’ve just been me being geeked out knowing I was just about to drive it). The interior was equally well appointed. Liberal usage of Carbon fiber, leather, and exterior color-matched stitching. We were told to keep the transmissions in their Automatic modes only, so I can’t comment about the shifting. Be that as it may, the car was always in the right gear. Want an apex? Point and shoot. The car makes you believe that you are a better driver than you are. It’s like a Ninja with a laser sword.
2) McLaren MP4-12c: Top Gear summed this car up as being too perfect. I see where they are coming from. I’ve driven 112” wheelbase luxury cars with a more jarring ride than this. The acceleration is like... well... You ever watch Star Trek? Something like that. Never makes a miss-step. My only issue: whoever was in that Nissan GTR.... I spent most of my time in the brakes (which were amazing too).
3) Audi R8: this was a surrogate. I was originally set to drive the Ferrari F430 (which, I have to admit, looks ANCIENT next to the 458. I’m sure it is a great car, but goodness! It’s not up to par with appearances). Anyway, the R8 was a surprise! Great exhaust note, very “Audi” interior (See also: German interior 101). Christi tried to capture a photo of me in this car, but couldn’t, because... Race Car. I would have had more praise for the Audi (because it certainly did no wrong) if not for driving its platform mate, the Gallardo right after it.
4) Lamborghini Gallardo LP560: The raging Bull does not disappoint! I remember mentioning to my instructor how “raw” the interior is Vs. The other three. No scissor doors, no gratuitous use of carbon fiber. The car seems to say, “Get in, shut up, drive.” In some ways, it was what I had expected from the others: stiff suspension, wailing exhaust note. It seems to ooze exotica. It FELT like what I had imagined an Italian sports car would feel like. Which is odd, considering that the 560 derives its V-10 from Volkswagen. My instructor gave me a long leash with this one, and let me drive it. He said I was doing great, so he didn’t have much to say! We both thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Verdict: safe bet is save all of your lunch money, and before you kick the bucket, you spend your loot on the McLaren (First) and then the 458 Italia. I came into this knowing that I would be enamored with those two. But that Lambo!.... Good lord! I am in love! I’ll take one in white, please!
boxrocket
> Driven by Enthusiasm
04/28/2015 at 08:15 |
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Very similar sentiments from me, though I've not yet driven a McLaren (owning one is a bucket list item!), and while I find the 458 striking, it doesn't get my pulse racing like the 360 did, visually. The interior's far better than the 360 and 430's though.
I, too, would take a Gallardo (or Huracan) over the R8. The R8 is borderline "meh", and, save for the mid -engine dynamics, doesn't elicit much more excitement or specialness than an RS5 or TT RS, unless you're able to go balls-to-the-walls with it. Even the oldest Gallardo still draws attention and screams "Yep, I'm a Lambo [dude]!" , despite the non-scissor doors.
So the GT-R was in front of you during your McLaren laps? That blows. I would have asked if I could have more time in it afterwards since you were track-blocked.
Brian Silvestro
> Driven by Enthusiasm
04/28/2015 at 08:47 |
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The V10 in the Gallardo is developed in-hosue by Lamborghini.
William Byrd
> Driven by Enthusiasm
04/28/2015 at 10:00 |
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Nice.
My thoughts here from a similar event in Vegas:
http://www.rightfootdown.com/event-coverage…
I did the 458 and the Gallardo Superlegerra. Basically, I preferred the Ferrari. More room (I’m 6’ and didn’t fit in the Lambo well with a helmet), better sounds, and more dramatic to drive. Both were great experiences though.
Wheelerguy
> Driven by Enthusiasm
04/28/2015 at 10:21 |
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Sexiest Ferrari of the 21st Century? I think so. I mean I haven’t seen any other supercar as sexy as this save the LaFerrari, and, incredibly, this.
Who knew a Viper would have that figure from the top view?
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Driven by Enthusiasm
> Wheelerguy
04/28/2015 at 20:26 |
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The Viper is truly an iconic shape. The lines are almost sensual. Great looking automobile. America would do well to put that car further into the forefront.
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Driven by Enthusiasm
> boxrocket
04/28/2015 at 20:27 |
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I wanted to have more time. I knew what I was in for the moment that the instructor asked who had driven the track before.... and mine was the only hand raised. Ugh.