Audi R8 GT

Audi unveiled the R8 supercar 5 years ago with great applause, even from the non-automotive world.  The car is absolutely beautiful with the iconic LEDs around the headlights which have become a staple on all modern Audi.  I will never forget the great Super Bowl ads Audi ran which I still believe are driving Audi’s recent popularity.

Since its premier, Audi has been constantly tweaking the R8 first by adding an optional 5.2 liter Lamborghini V10 to replace the Audi 4.2 liter V8.  The next iteration was the R8 Spyder, a car I hate based on principle.  Removing the structural components of the roof on a high horsepower car drastically reduces the torsional stiffness which ruins the handling.  I’ll stop there because I could talk all day about the flaws in paying more for a lesser car, but regardless of the engineering, in order to fit the convertible top, they can to cover up the engine.  One of the great things about mid-engine supercars is that most have a glass panel to display the engine as seen in the R8, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis.  Why cover it up with a cloth top?

Back on topic, the most recent update has produced the lightest, fastest, and therefore the best Audi R8 to date.  The R8 GT has the 5.2 liter engine bumped from the standard 525 bhp to a radical 560 bhp.  Audi also converted several body panels to carbon fiber and even used thinner glass to save a total of 220 pounds.  They also updated the front fascia and added a fixed rear wing to keep the rear end under control at speed.

The sad part is that I will probably never own one because only 333 will be made and they may never be sold in America.  Regardless, it is a gorgeous, all-wheel drive supercar that will be a permanent member of my dream garage.

*Thanks to netcarshow.com for the pictures.

MINI Cooper

Another car I would love to own that falls into the daily driver category is a current 2011 MINI Cooper.  It is small and lightweight with a peppy engine, plus it has great handling.  I would take great handling over high horsepower any day; therefore the 121 bhp is a non-issue.

When BMW bought the MINI brand and produced the first new model in 2001, MINI enthusiasts were outraged that the car grew in size and weight, mainly due to modern safety standards.  While still one of the smallest cars on the road, it is a giant compared to the original MINI.  The old model had such personality and charisma with the racing victories to match.  Everyone feared MINI would be ruined.

Luckily BMW knew what they were doing and produced a great car that now has a cult following.  MINI claims the car is so much fun to drive because of its “bulldog stance”.  I have never driven a MINI, but while working in Munich I rode in a Cooper S Convertible on the Autobahn and it was a blast.  Again the top speed wasn’t there compared to the other cars flying past us, but it made up ground in the corners.

One thing you might be asking, “Why get a standard Cooper when you could add a Cooper S or John Cooper Works Edition to your dream garage?”  The simple answer: racing.  I am still competing in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Solo events which are races that take place through a cone course in an empty parking lot for best time.  It is not side-to-side racing that might be seen on TV, but it is still an absolute blast.  Last year, SCCA adjusted the car classifications for the Cooper S from G Stock to the much faster D Stock class.  The Cooper S was dominating the GS class at regional and national events, but it will be much harder to win in DS.  The standard Cooper remains in H Stock (the slowest class) where it is still very competitive.  I am driving my daily driver in HS with great success, but I am no match for a MINI. 

Overall the standard MINI Cooper is a great car with amazing handling and great fuel economy, but the one thing I wish they would change is the location and size of the speedometer.  If you haven’t been inside a MINI, the speedo is about the size of a wall clock and sits directly in the middle of the dashboard between the driver and passenger.  I would hate to learn to drive in a MINI because I can picture my parents freaking out as their eyes are glued to the speedometer.  Regardless of the terrible speedo placement, I hope to own a MINI one day, and yes my 6’6” frame fits nicely inside.

A quick aside, MINI just debuted the MINI Rocketman Concept which is even smaller than the current Cooper.  There are rumors that it may enter production, so I will keep my fingers crosses.

*Thanks to netcarshow.com for the great pictures.

A Trio of STIs

In the epic STI vs. Evo battle, I have always been on the Subaru side of the fence.  It can’t explain why, other than I saw some rally footage in middle school where the classic blue and yellow Subaru was barreling through a snowy forest.  It was absolutely incredible, therefore the Subaru WRX STI became the first car picture I taped on my planner.  It doesn’t sound like much, but that is a big deal in middle school.

The problem I have with the WRX STI is that I can’t pick just one.  All STIs are built for performance, have all-wheel drive, are used for rallying, and have roughly 300 horsepower.  But if I could have my way, I would have three; a 2004, 2006, and a new 2011.  Here’s why…

By far prettiest and derived mostly from the Subaru Rally Team, the 2004 STi will always be the quintessential Subaru in my eyes, especially in blue with gold wheels.  It stands out in a crowd with its aggressive looks and monstrous rear wing, not to mention the giant hood scoop.  It is a stripped down version of a standard Impreza where even the radio was removed to save weight.  Whenever I hear STi, I will always picture a 2004 in my head.

In 2006, Subaru improved the STI’s performance, but the car simply got uglier.  The top speed and acceleration figures increased creating what I believe is the fastest Subaru ever made.  It is the top of the line when it comes to Subaru cars to drive hard, regardless of looks, so it has to be in my dream garage.

In the 2008 model year, tragedy struck the STI line has it became uglier still and slower at the same time.  In my eyes it was a huge step back for Subaru.  Due to new crash safety standards and Subaru’s desire to sell STIs to more than just the most hardcore car fanatics, the vehicle’s weight ballooned to unprecedented levels.  It was no longer a road legal rally car; suddenly it had a refined interior and a handful of heavy airbags.  While there are a lot of bad things about the new generation, there is one huge plus, they have made it a hatchback.  Finally it can be used as daily driver and manage to blend in with the rest of the cars in the World Rally Championship (in which Subaru is no longer participating).

While writing this piece I finally realized what I would do with three Subaru Impreza WRX STIs.  I would use the gorgeous 2004 as a show car; use the fast 2006 for autocross and track days, then save the 2011 hatchback as a daily driver.  I could honestly be happy in life driving nothing outside of the STI family.

*Thank to netcarshows.com for the great pictures

Welcome

Before I dive into all the cars I would add to my dream garage, I want to say that I have a strange taste when it comes to cars.  I won’t always be added the latest, fastest, and greatest supercars, but rather, cars that I have fallen in love with for one reason or another.  Sure some will be 200+mph hypercars, but others will be cars you are used to parking next to in the company parking lot.  One warning I will give is that I’m not a muscle car enthusiast.  Driving in a straight line, regardless of how fast you are going is boring, so don’t expect to see a lot of classic American iron.  Plus, I am a slow car fast kind of person. There is no rhyme or reason to the cars, and there is definitely no specific order.  “What’s your favorite car?” is the most difficult question you can ask a car guy, so I am going to avoid it at all costs.  I know things are just getting started, but I hope you enjoy my blog and please leave me a comment.  It’s always great to hear from readers and fans.

Having said all that, I might as well start out with a red hot bang called the Ferrari F40. Production started in 1987, the same year I was born, which could explain why I was always playing with it on a Hot Wheels scale.  Sure it was the world’s fastest car when it debuted, one of the few Ferraris to use a turbocharged engine, and only 1,315 were ever made, but I love the F40 because it is truly a racecar for the street.  “Racecar for the street” is a phase used too often in the automotive press, but in the case of the F40, it’s true.  The cabin features a carbon fiber, Kevlar, and aluminum based tub (way ahead of its time in 1987) and in order to save weight, there is no interior to speak of.  Also, the paint is put on so thin that you can see the carbon fiber weave through the paint.  Awesome!

Another great thing about the F40 is that it isn’t constricted by modern electronics.  There is no traction control, stability control, launch control, sophisticated all-wheel drive, or even power steering.  It was the lightest, most powerful car with nothing extra to weigh it down.  Besides all the technical details, I love the classic wedge aerodynamics of the body.  Once again Pininfarina did a great job creating a gorgeous yet functional body for Maranello.  I have wanted to drive an F40 my entire life.  Here’s to hoping that dream comes true one day.