#mostly the layout and lowering prices a tad

[inkz123]

October comm slots are OPENNN!🎉🎉🎉

Accepting 5 slots for now!

Please refer to the sheet below for the October discounted prices!

Send me a dm if youd like a slot! :3👍✨

[jesusvasser]

One Week With: 2018 Ferrari Portofino

It’s a continual source of amusement because nobody expects it. The roof on the new Ferrari Portofino—the all-new replacement for the outgoing California T—has cuts and breaks in it, sure, but it still looks a lot like a permanent hardtop. Then you push the button on the center console and—“Whoa! Look at that!”—the eyes of anyone standing nearby go full wide as the Portofino’s rear end folds open, the roof raises up, and the entire “fixed roof” lowers down into a space that, just a few moments earlier, looked far too small to swallow a couple golf bags, much less an entire hardtop. When the roof is packed away, though, the Portofino looks like it was made to be a drop-top full-time—especially given the two dramatic fairings that rise up behind each rear headrest on the rear deck. Amazingly, even with the hardtop folded away, there’s still a decent amount of trunk room underneath it.

Nobody who climbs behind the wheel of the Portofino will care about roof logistics or cargo space, though, because this new Ferrari is simply too scintillating a driving experience. Compared with the California T, the new car’s 32-valve, twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 makes an additional 39 horsepower (and 4 lb-ft more torque), pushing the total to 591 hp at 7,500 rpm. Storming through a revised version of Ferrari’s acclaimed dual-clutch 7-speed, that’s enough firepower to launch the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of “at least” 199 mph. What the numbers don’t convey, though, is just how awesome this performance feels from behind the wheel. Especially given the immediacy of the open cockpit, the onrush of speed is nothing short of sensational—the wind whistling by, the road and its surroundings smearing into a rampaging blur, the screaming exhaust note seemingly blasting out of Marshall amps stacked into the rear seats and cranked to “11.”

And, man, does this mighty V-8 throb with torque. There’s so much on tap, in fact, that Ferrari doesn’t even allow all of it to come on stream in first through third gears. The engine-management computer then metes out more of it as you climb through the gearbox, but only in seventh do all 561 pound-feet get to play. At the wheel, in auto-shifting mode, what you notice is the transmission shifting quickly into seventh at every opportunity—the better to reduce the V-8’s ravenous thirst for fuel. It’s not an issue, though, as there’s so much brawn available the Portofino accelerates smartly even when churning away at low revs in top gear. That said, I never used automatic mode after giving it a brief test, always switching to manual and shifting myself with the carbon-fiber paddles behind the wheel. Yeah, I burned through a lot of dinosaur juice doing so, but above 3,000 rpm or so the engine sounds so electric and raw no Portofino owner would want to drive it any other way. It’s worth noting that, compared with the California T, the new car’s exhausts are larger in diameter and are now electronically controlled. When fully open, they emit a far hairier cry than the Cali’s more subdued bellow.

In terms of beauty, the Portofino trounces the California T. Yes, Ferrari made improvements from the original California to the T that refined the shape of the latter car, but the Portofino runs in an altogether more stylish crowd. It’s a stunning car to look at, full of curves and creases and scoops, almost all of them functional as well as arresting (thin vertical intakes next to each headlight, for instance, feed air down and out through the front wheel spokes to reduce drag). Nobody I met while driving the car around Los Angeles had anything but applause for the styling. At a stoplight, one guy in a big SUV looked down into the open Ferrari and offered: “Let’s trade. You can have my truck. And the three kids in back. And my wife.” His wife was in the passenger seat. She did not appear to be laughing.

My test car carried the optional magnetorheological adaptive shocks ($5,568), and if you’re shopping for a Portofino you’ll want them, too. Even in Sport mode (selected via the manettino dial on the steering wheel), the ride is sublime. The engineers at Ferrari have long possessed an almost super-human power to craft suspensions that deliver both staggering handling prowess and the luxurious glide of a magic carpet. The Portofino is no exception. Switching to Comfort softens things just a tad, but not enough that I felt the need to drive in anything but Sport all the time. Standard are Ferrari’s F1-Trac traction-control system and a newly added E-Diff differential, originally developed for Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars. The electronically controlled system continually adjusts the torque between the two rear wheels as needed, making for formidable grip when powering out of corners and all but eliminating wheel spin. During a few hours hurling the Ferrari through my favorite mountain passes in Malibu, the Portofino proved literally breathtaking, attacking turns with massive lateral g forces, steering with precision (the Portofino is only the second Ferrari, including the new 812 Superfast, to feature an electronically assisted system), and braking powerfully and securely every time (carbon-ceramic rotors are standard). I should note that Ferrari managed to cut nearly 200 pounds compared with the California T, yet body rigidity is said to be improved by roughly 35 percent. For sure, even with the top stowed away, the Portofino felt nothing but tight and solid, with only the slightest trace of body quivers on really broken pavement. Also to note: The rear seats are mostly just there for appearances, but several times I drove with my wife up front and, in back, my 5’ 8” daughter (possible by sliding the passenger seat fully forward). My daughter grumbled a bit about the limited legroom but, hey, she was riding in a Ferrari. She didn’t grumble much.

The Portofino starts at just under $211,000, but my test car—painted in Grigio Titanio with a Cuoio copper-colored leather interior—checked in at $268,608. The options are staggeringly costly, including $4,219 for Apple CarPlay (yikes!), $1,856 for Scuderia Ferrari shields on the front fenders, $6,075 for front and rear parking cameras (they work great, by the way), $6,412 for fully electric seats, and $6,412 for a premium audio system. Having said that, do you honestly think any potential Portofino buyer cares whether the car costs $211K or $270K? Me either. They just want the car, and if I had the kind of money to go shopping at a Ferrari store, I’d feel the same. Frankly, all the options on my tester, never mind how expensive, truly did add to the magnificently comfortable and always-stirring motoring experience.

As test cars always do, soon enough the Portofino turned into a pumpkin and disappeared, whisked from my hands and back to its permanent garage. But this was a special one. I’ll be fondly remembering this remarkable new Ferrari for a long time to come.

  2018 Ferrari Portofino Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $210,783/$268,608 (base/as-tested) ENGINE 3.9L 32-valve twin-turbocharged V-8/591 hp @ 7,500 rpm, 561 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch automatic LAYOUT 2-door, 2+2-passenger, front-engine, RWD convertible EPA MILEAGE 16/23 mpg (city/hwy) (est) L x W x H 180.6 x 76.3 x 51.9 in WHEELBASE 105.1 in WEIGHT 3,750 lb (est) 0-60 MPH 3.1 sec TOP SPEED 199 mph

  The post One Week With: 2018 Ferrari Portofino appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk WP Feed 4 https://ift.tt/2CGa7WE via IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

One Week With: 2018 Ferrari Portofino

It’s a continual source of amusement because nobody expects it. The roof on the new Ferrari Portofino—the all-new replacement for the outgoing California T—has cuts and breaks in it, sure, but it still looks a lot like a permanent hardtop. Then you push the button on the center console and—“Whoa! Look at that!”—the eyes of anyone standing nearby go full wide as the Portofino’s rear end folds open, the roof raises up, and the entire “fixed roof” lowers down into a space that, just a few moments earlier, looked far too small to swallow a couple golf bags, much less an entire hardtop. When the roof is packed away, though, the Portofino looks like it was made to be a drop-top full-time—especially given the two dramatic fairings that rise up behind each rear headrest on the rear deck. Amazingly, even with the hardtop folded away, there’s still a decent amount of trunk room underneath it.

Nobody who climbs behind the wheel of the Portofino will care about roof logistics or cargo space, though, because this new Ferrari is simply too scintillating a driving experience. Compared with the California T, the new car’s 32-valve, twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 makes an additional 39 horsepower (and 4 lb-ft more torque), pushing the total to 591 hp at 7,500 rpm. Storming through a revised version of Ferrari’s acclaimed dual-clutch 7-speed, that’s enough firepower to launch the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of “at least” 199 mph. What the numbers don’t convey, though, is just how awesome this performance feels from behind the wheel. Especially given the immediacy of the open cockpit, the onrush of speed is nothing short of sensational—the wind whistling by, the road and its surroundings smearing into a rampaging blur, the screaming exhaust note seemingly blasting out of Marshall amps stacked into the rear seats and cranked to “11.”

And, man, does this mighty V-8 throb with torque. There’s so much on tap, in fact, that Ferrari doesn’t even allow all of it to come on stream in first through third gears. The engine-management computer then metes out more of it as you climb through the gearbox, but only in seventh do all 561 pound-feet get to play. At the wheel, in auto-shifting mode, what you notice is the transmission shifting quickly into seventh at every opportunity—the better to reduce the V-8’s ravenous thirst for fuel. It’s not an issue, though, as there’s so much brawn available the Portofino accelerates smartly even when churning away at low revs in top gear. That said, I never used automatic mode after giving it a brief test, always switching to manual and shifting myself with the carbon-fiber paddles behind the wheel. Yeah, I burned through a lot of dinosaur juice doing so, but above 3,000 rpm or so the engine sounds so electric and raw no Portofino owner would want to drive it any other way. It’s worth noting that, compared with the California T, the new car’s exhausts are larger in diameter and are now electronically controlled. When fully open, they emit a far hairier cry than the Cali’s more subdued bellow.

In terms of beauty, the Portofino trounces the California T. Yes, Ferrari made improvements from the original California to the T that refined the shape of the latter car, but the Portofino runs in an altogether more stylish crowd. It’s a stunning car to look at, full of curves and creases and scoops, almost all of them functional as well as arresting (thin vertical intakes next to each headlight, for instance, feed air down and out through the front wheel spokes to reduce drag). Nobody I met while driving the car around Los Angeles had anything but applause for the styling. At a stoplight, one guy in a big SUV looked down into the open Ferrari and offered: “Let’s trade. You can have my truck. And the three kids in back. And my wife.” His wife was in the passenger seat. She did not appear to be laughing.

My test car carried the optional magnetorheological adaptive shocks ($5,568), and if you’re shopping for a Portofino you’ll want them, too. Even in Sport mode (selected via the manettino dial on the steering wheel), the ride is sublime. The engineers at Ferrari have long possessed an almost super-human power to craft suspensions that deliver both staggering handling prowess and the luxurious glide of a magic carpet. The Portofino is no exception. Switching to Comfort softens things just a tad, but not enough that I felt the need to drive in anything but Sport all the time. Standard are Ferrari’s F1-Trac traction-control system and a newly added E-Diff differential, originally developed for Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars. The electronically controlled system continually adjusts the torque between the two rear wheels as needed, making for formidable grip when powering out of corners and all but eliminating wheel spin. During a few hours hurling the Ferrari through my favorite mountain passes in Malibu, the Portofino proved literally breathtaking, attacking turns with massive lateral g forces, steering with precision (the Portofino is only the second Ferrari, including the new 812 Superfast, to feature an electronically assisted system), and braking powerfully and securely every time (carbon-ceramic rotors are standard). I should note that Ferrari managed to cut nearly 200 pounds compared with the California T, yet body rigidity is said to be improved by roughly 35 percent. For sure, even with the top stowed away, the Portofino felt nothing but tight and solid, with only the slightest trace of body quivers on really broken pavement. Also to note: The rear seats are mostly just there for appearances, but several times I drove with my wife up front and, in back, my 5’ 8” daughter (possible by sliding the passenger seat fully forward). My daughter grumbled a bit about the limited legroom but, hey, she was riding in a Ferrari. She didn’t grumble much.

The Portofino starts at just under $211,000, but my test car—painted in Grigio Titanio with a Cuoio copper-colored leather interior—checked in at $268,608. The options are staggeringly costly, including $4,219 for Apple CarPlay (yikes!), $1,856 for Scuderia Ferrari shields on the front fenders, $6,075 for front and rear parking cameras (they work great, by the way), $6,412 for fully electric seats, and $6,412 for a premium audio system. Having said that, do you honestly think any potential Portofino buyer cares whether the car costs $211K or $270K? Me either. They just want the car, and if I had the kind of money to go shopping at a Ferrari store, I’d feel the same. Frankly, all the options on my tester, never mind how expensive, truly did add to the magnificently comfortable and always-stirring motoring experience.

As test cars always do, soon enough the Portofino turned into a pumpkin and disappeared, whisked from my hands and back to its permanent garage. But this was a special one. I’ll be fondly remembering this remarkable new Ferrari for a long time to come.

  2018 Ferrari Portofino Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $210,783/$268,608 (base/as-tested) ENGINE 3.9L 32-valve twin-turbocharged V-8/591 hp @ 7,500 rpm, 561 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch automatic LAYOUT 2-door, 2+2-passenger, front-engine, RWD convertible EPA MILEAGE 16/23 mpg (city/hwy) (est) L x W x H 180.6 x 76.3 x 51.9 in WHEELBASE 105.1 in WEIGHT 3,750 lb (est) 0-60 MPH 3.1 sec TOP SPEED 199 mph

  The post One Week With: 2018 Ferrari Portofino appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

from Performance Junk Blogger 6 https://ift.tt/2CGa7WE via IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

One Week With: 2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design

I hadn’t spent much time in Volvo’s most-recent wares until this past fall, when I had the chance to sample the Volvo V90 station wagon. It is no secret that Volvo is well known for its emphasis on safety, but the Swedish automaker has also been stepping it up in terms of design, both inside and out, impressing with stylish sheetmetal and elegant interiors.

Take the 2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design I lived with for a week, which considerably expanded my Volvo horizon. This example of the second-generation SUV was particularly alluring thanks to its Bursting Blue Metallic color and metal mesh aluminum side mirrors.

The R-Design package, a $3,300 option, adds a multitude of features that spice up the Volvo XC60’s appearance. These include LED fog lights, sporty leather upholstery, metal mesh aluminum deco inlays, illuminated door handles, black headliner, integrated tailpipes with a body-colored lower insert, and a black mesh grille. Other neat features with this trim level are the drive mode settings, Sensus Navigation Pro, a hands-free opening tailgate, and steering wheel paddle shifters. Our tester also came fitted with the optional 21-inch double spoke alloy wheels sporting Pirelli 255/40/R21 summer tires—all for a measly $1,000.

Exploring the Volvo XC60 R-Design’s infotainment system—a far better alternative to zoning out into a smartphone screen—lead me to peruse the additional integrated apps that it contains along with the climate, nav, and entertainment controls. These include Pandora, Yelp, Google Search, Park and Pay, Spotify, and WikiLocations, the last of which sparked my curiosity.

WikiLocations allows you to access Wikipedia-related content of nearby places based either on the geographic position of your vehicle or a set destination. When you conduct a search you are given the options of a full article, summary, photography, and history of a point of interest. WikiLocations is only functional if the car is equipped with both Sensus Connect and Sensus Navigation. Though I felt enlightened by the WikiLocations app, in the age of smartphones, it seems outmoded. Still, kudos to Volvo for including this awesome geo-location app.

Another option on our test car that considerably added to our enjoyment of it is the excellent Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a $3,200 option, which offers adjustable equalizer settings as well as the usual tone adjustements.

To test the system, I created a playlist that I titled Swedish Volvo Soundtrack and signed into my Spotify account via the in-car app—my first time using an in-car Spotify app. With Spotify being a Swedish company as well, and me being an avid listener of Swedish artists, the Swedish Volvo Soundtrack featured only Swedish artists like such as The Knife, Little Dragon, Lykke Li, and Fever Ray. As a hip-hop artist would say, “All Swedish Everything.”

The quality of audio from factory sound systems is an important attribute of a car’s interior. The driver seat is a space in which I spend a good chunk of my life and lousy audio gets annoying quickly. Using the Volvo’s available equalizer settings, I was able to adjust more than just the bass and treble, resulting in a more robust sound. While searching around online, I found a lengthy thread dedicated to the B&W’s equalizer settings in a forum called SwedeSpeed. After putting the Bowers & Wilkins sound system to the test I agree with other Volvo enthusiasts that dishing out the cash for this upgrade is justified.

I drove mostly in Dynamic mode because why not. The Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design has a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and, when set into Dynamic, the crossover thrusts forward with far greater response, especially on the highway. The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system felt a tad bit sensitive, occasionally flashing a warning while driving past parked cars or approaching a car waiting at the median to turn left. When this avoidance collision system activated unnecessarily, I reacted as if something was actually about to happen. This was the only qualm I had with the XC60’s safety features.

The XC60’s automatic braking system seemed ideal for all driving situations and proved its worth during my time with the car. When another driver in cross traffic blasted through a red light—not an uncommon occurrence in Los Angeles—the driver in front of me came to a sudden stop. I nervously punched the brakes as hard as I could but thankfully, the Volvo’s automatic braking system was active and aided me in safely bringing the XC60 to a complete stop. Phew. The auto-hold system proved itself useful, too, making life easier in grueling Interstate 5 traffic en route to San Ysidro, the closest city to the Mexican border.

Opting for a base model Volvo XC60 with no added options puts you at roughly $45,895 with destination fee—not a bad deal for the budget concerned. But if I were making the commitment to purchase this luxury compact SUV I’d be in favor of adding a few options specifically the R-Design package. The XC60’s competitors in similar price range include the BMW X3 and Audi SQ5 both, which I’ve had the opportunity to drive. Though the Audi SQ5impressed me with its extra horsepower, I still prefer the Volvo because it feels more like a true SUV.

2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $45,895/$59,740 (base/as tested) ENGINE Direct-injection 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged DOHC 16-valve I-4 /316 hp @ 5,700 rpm 295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD crossover EPA MILEAGE 21/27 mpg (city/highway) L x W x H 184.6 x 74.9 x 65.3 in WHEELBASE 112.8 in WEIGHT 4,045 lb 0-60 MPH 5.6 sec TOP SPEED 130 mph

IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

One Week With: 2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design

I hadn’t spent much time in Volvo’s most-recent wares until this past fall, when I had the chance to sample the Volvo V90 station wagon. It is no secret that Volvo is well known for its emphasis on safety, but the Swedish automaker has also been stepping it up in terms of design, both inside and out, impressing with stylish sheetmetal and elegant interiors.

Take the 2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design I lived with for a week, which considerably expanded my Volvo horizon. This example of the second-generation SUV was particularly alluring thanks to its Bursting Blue Metallic color and metal mesh aluminum side mirrors.

The R-Design package, a $3,300 option, adds a multitude of features that spice up the Volvo XC60’s appearance. These include LED fog lights, sporty leather upholstery, metal mesh aluminum deco inlays, illuminated door handles, black headliner, integrated tailpipes with a body-colored lower insert, and a black mesh grille. Other neat features with this trim level are the drive mode settings, Sensus Navigation Pro, a hands-free opening tailgate, and steering wheel paddle shifters. Our tester also came fitted with the optional 21-inch double spoke alloy wheels sporting Pirelli 255/40/R21 summer tires—all for a measly $1,000.

Exploring the Volvo XC60 R-Design’s infotainment system—a far better alternative to zoning out into a smartphone screen—lead me to peruse the additional integrated apps that it contains along with the climate, nav, and entertainment controls. These include Pandora, Yelp, Google Search, Park and Pay, Spotify, and WikiLocations, the last of which sparked my curiosity.

WikiLocations allows you to access Wikipedia-related content of nearby places based either on the geographic position of your vehicle or a set destination. When you conduct a search you are given the options of a full article, summary, photography, and history of a point of interest. WikiLocations is only functional if the car is equipped with both Sensus Connect and Sensus Navigation. Though I felt enlightened by the WikiLocations app, in the age of smartphones, it seems outmoded. Still, kudos to Volvo for including this awesome geo-location app.

Another option on our test car that considerably added to our enjoyment of it is the excellent Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a $3,200 option, which offers adjustable equalizer settings as well as the usual tone adjustements.

To test the system, I created a playlist that I titled Swedish Volvo Soundtrack and signed into my Spotify account via the in-car app—my first time using an in-car Spotify app. With Spotify being a Swedish company as well, and me being an avid listener of Swedish artists, the Swedish Volvo Soundtrack featured only Swedish artists like such as The Knife, Little Dragon, Lykke Li, and Fever Ray. As a hip-hop artist would say, “All Swedish Everything.”

The quality of audio from factory sound systems is an important attribute of a car’s interior. The driver seat is a space in which I spend a good chunk of my life and lousy audio gets annoying quickly. Using the Volvo’s available equalizer settings, I was able to adjust more than just the bass and treble, resulting in a more robust sound. While searching around online, I found a lengthy thread dedicated to the B&W’s equalizer settings in a forum called SwedeSpeed. After putting the Bowers & Wilkins sound system to the test I agree with other Volvo enthusiasts that dishing out the cash for this upgrade is justified.

I drove mostly in Dynamic mode because why not. The Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design has a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and, when set into Dynamic, the crossover thrusts forward with far greater response, especially on the highway. The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system felt a tad bit sensitive, occasionally flashing a warning while driving past parked cars or approaching a car waiting at the median to turn left. When this avoidance collision system activated unnecessarily, I reacted as if something was actually about to happen. This was the only qualm I had with the XC60’s safety features.

The XC60’s automatic braking system seemed ideal for all driving situations and proved its worth during my time with the car. When another driver in cross traffic blasted through a red light—not an uncommon occurrence in Los Angeles—the driver in front of me came to a sudden stop. I nervously punched the brakes as hard as I could but thankfully, the Volvo’s automatic braking system was active and aided me in safely bringing the XC60 to a complete stop. Phew. The auto-hold system proved itself useful, too, making life easier in grueling Interstate 5 traffic en route to San Ysidro, the closest city to the Mexican border.

Opting for a base model Volvo XC60 with no added options puts you at roughly $45,895 with destination fee—not a bad deal for the budget concerned. But if I were making the commitment to purchase this luxury compact SUV I’d be in favor of adding a few options specifically the R-Design package. The XC60’s competitors in similar price range include the BMW X3 and Audi SQ5 both, which I’ve had the opportunity to drive. Though the Audi SQ5impressed me with its extra horsepower, I still prefer the Volvo because it feels more like a true SUV.

2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $45,895/$59,740 (base/as tested) ENGINE Direct-injection 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged DOHC 16-valve I-4 /316 hp @ 5,700 rpm 295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD crossover EPA MILEAGE 21/27 mpg (city/highway) L x W x H 184.6 x 74.9 x 65.3 in WHEELBASE 112.8 in WEIGHT 4,045 lb 0-60 MPH 5.6 sec TOP SPEED 130 mph

IFTTT