2012 Porsche Cayman R

The 2012 Porsche Cayman R was one of the most-anticipated cars to ever come through the Roadfly office.  The car’s stats are simply stunning: 0-60mph in 4.7 sec. 330hp @ 7500rpm, 2855 lb.  Even the door handles have been replaced with nylon tabs to reduce weight.

The results are predictable.  The Cayman R is virtually telepathic, to the point that it nearly bores you.  It’s so free of vice that you start to feel that it’s just like a normal, civilized car, with a tad more immediacy…and you wonder what the big deal is.  Only when you go back to your daily driver do you realize how responsive the Cayman actually is.

It’s a nearly perfect machine.  It makes few compromises that interfere with spirited driving, but still manages to be completely docile, tractable, and even practical with its two trunks and stellar reliability.  It also gets great fuel mileage, at 19 city and 27 highway when equipped with the 6-speed manual.

Ever gone to a movie that didn’t blow you away at first, but weeks later you’re still thinking about it and can’t get it out of your head?  That’s what my days with the Cayman R left me with.  This car is definitely on my ‘short list’ of cars I want to own before I die.  It’s slightly expensive with a starting MSRP of $66,300, but given how well-built Porsches are in general and how good their resale values are, the price is fair in my opinion.

YouTube Video link: 2012 Porsche Cayman R

Visit the Roadfly forums for a downloadable window sticker.

Vehicle: 2012 Porsche Cayman R
Base Price: $66,300
Price as tested: $73,280
Engine: 3.4L Horizontally opposed 6 cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 330 @ 7,400 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft. @ 4,750 rpm
0-60 MPH: 4.7 sec.
Curb Weight: 2,855 lb.
Warranty: 4 years, 50,000 miles (vehicle)
Fuel Economy: 19 city / 27 highway MPG

The Tesla Roadster needs no introduction to enthusiasts—it is simply known as “the electric supercar.”

The car’s performance (0-60mph) and price tag ($158,000) are familiar supercar territory, but the fact that it costs around $4 to ‘fill up’ puts it all alone for the moment.

Right now, there’s nothing in its segment or any other that compares to this car because it’s all electric and not a hybrid of any kind. It was also the first production vehicle to use lithium-ion batteries, the kind you find in cell phones and laptops—and now many manufacturers are following suit.

2010 Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster has been freshened as of 2010 with better air conditioning, an upgraded adjustable suspension, and a more efficient electric motor.

Our test car, the 2.5 Sport, adds a new front fascia and rear spoiler, directional alloy wheels, better insulation and upgraded seats with improved bolstering.  There’s also more options, which our test car was equipped with—first. a $4500 “infotainment group” with a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, backup camera, SIRIUS satellite radio, and HomeLink as well as upgraded speakers and a subwoofer.  Secondly, an “executive leather interior” with premium seats and carbon fiber accents for a cool $11,700.

Host Emme Hall was able to finagle a 2010 2.5 Sport for us to review from the Tesla dealer in downtown DC, and here are the results!

Emme Hall’s Website: http://www.hallassracing.com

Visit http://roadflytv.com for more pictures and a downloadable window sticker.

Vehicle: 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5

Base Price: $128,500

Price as tested: $158,145

Engine: AC induction electric

Transmission: single-speed

Horsepower: 288

Torque: 295

0-60 MPH: 3.7 sec.

1/4 Mile: 12.6 sec. @ 102.6 mph

Warranty: 3 years, 36,000 miles (vehicle)

YouTube Link:  2010 Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport Video

The BMW M3 is one of the finest driver’s cars ever made, and I was finally lucky enough to spend a week with one.

The heart of the M3 is an exquisite 4.0L V8, making 414hp at a wild 8300rpm. Peak torque is 295 lb-ft, but that entire figure is available at just 3900rpm, a stunning mark of tractability in such a high-revving screamer.

2011 BMW M3

Our test car was equipped with a 7-speed DCT (BMW’s name for the fancy dual-clutch gearbox), and the transmission—like other vehicle characteristics like throttle response and suspension—can be adjusted from ‘nice and easy’ to ‘neckbreaking.’

2011 M3s equipped with this transmission have gone as low as 3.9 sec to 60mph, and 12.5 sec in the 1/4-mile. Yet due to the engine’s powerband, it’s remarkably civilized around town.

Gearing is perfect; even in 7th gear, the car is never caught flat-footed. In fact, at 2000rpm in 7th the car will be going just 50mph! That is great for acceleration, bad for fuel economy: the M3 manages just 14 mpg city and 20 highway and gets slapped with the gaz-guzzler tax.

That’s really the only chink in the car’s armor, and the M3 instantly became the car by which I measure all sports cars by.

Download the window sticker and see additional photos of the M3 at http://roadflytv.com

Vehicle: 2011 M3 Coupe

Base Price: $58,400

Price as tested: $69,925

Engine: 4.0L 32V V8
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DCT)
Horsepower: 414 @ 8300 rpm
Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm
0-60 MPH: 3.9-4.5 sec.
Warranty: 4 years, 50,000 miles w/free maintenance
Fuel Economy: 14 city / 20 highway MPG

More pictures:

BMW Forum Link: BMW Forum

M3 Forum Link: BMW M3 Forum

YouTube Link: 2011 BMW M3 Road Test & Review Video

2012 Porsche Cayman R

Porsche unveiled the raw and racy Cayman R at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s a lighter (by over 120lb) and more powerful (by 10hp, at 330hp) than the already-potent Cayman S. That gives the Cayman R a lip-smacking curb weight of 2855lb (6-speed MT), and nearly 100hp/liter from its 3.4L flat-6.

It’s raw inside and out, with unique colors and graphics for the exterior, and lots of visible weight reductions inside to give it a race-ready feeling. For example, the standard door handles have been replaced by cloth straps, both for a retro-racer feel and the all-important whittling down of any excess mass.

This is a hotly-anticipated car at Roadfly! We like Porsches, especially Porsches that hearken back to the golden age of club racing. The Cayman R will go on sale in the U.S. early next year with a MSRP of $66,300, excluding $950 for destination.

For more about the Cayman please visit the owners forum: Porsche Cayman Forum

Porsche Cayman R

2012 Porsche Cayman R

For 2011, Mercedes has retooled their E-Class to increase acceleration, steering dynamics, and comfortability in order to give their stellar convertible a more fun, playful feel than its predecessors. Roadfly TV and host Jessi Lang recently spent some time with the E550 trim, having a blast with its super-quick V8 engine and its gorgeous droptop stylings.

The E550′s engine packs a punch (and a beautiful engine roar)–a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 with 391 pound-feet of torque, nearly 120 horses more than its less expensive trim, the E350. 0-60 times were clocking at around 4.6 seconds, and a top speed restricted to 130 mph. Coupled with a 7-speed “Touchshift” automatic transmission, the E550 gives the driver enthusiast something to really sink their teeth into.

The cabriolet’s soft-top lowers or raises in about 20 seconds, giving you the open air excitement that complements the E550′s quickness. With the soft-top up, cabin noise is much quieter than you would expect, much thanks to the many layers of fabric found woven into the top. With the soft-top down, Mercedes’ new creation, the AirCap–an automatic wind deflector–you’ll hardly get any wind in your face. And Thankfully, trunk-space isn’t hindered like you would expect in a convertible–you’ll be getting just as much room as you would find in any other standard E-Class vehicle.

The interior of the E550 features two highly adjustable driver and passenger seats with lumbar support. This center stack design is identical to those found in the rest of the E-Class lineup; a thunderous Harman-Kardon audio system, a highly responsive and adaptive climate control system, and atypical navigation/infotainment screens. Aside from the comfortable and driver-oriented seats, the thumping audio system and awesome climate control, really the only gripe here is that the rest of the interior amenities are on the plain side.

Altogether, Mercedes might just have what they were hoping for when they designed this for 2011–a new classic. The E550 Cabriolet is fast, luxurious, and a hell of a lot of fun to drive, with or without the top down.

For 2010, Nissan has taken over one-hundred pounds off the body and added more power behind the engine of their 370Z Roadster. This agile coupe had host Jessi Lang grinning as she took to the backroads and highways to test out this super-fast and super-fun convertible.

The 370Z boasts a 3.7-Liter V6 engine that produces 370 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It goes from 0-60 in about 5.1 seconds. Its advanced 4-wheel independent suspension has been made stiffer and lighter this year to improve its quick, responsive handles and ride comfortability. Fuel economy is manageable, you maintain about 18 mpg in the city and roughly 22 mph on the highway.

The comfortable interior maintains a racetrack-aesthetic, with digital gauges mounted into the dash that display all your pertinent information and a finely-tailored cockpit that make you immersed in a true sports car experience. And with the soft-top, the 370Z driving experience becomes a pleasure.

Our 370Z as tested, with the navigation package, came in at $45,270, up from the base price of $41,620.

The 370Z Roadster Touring boasts a lot of power and fun for your dollar, and is a tough competitor to beat in its price-range, a range which includes muscle cars such as the Mustang GT and Camaro SS, or sports sedans such as the Subaru WRX STI and the Lancer EVO. However, the 370Z easily stands on its on apart from the herd with its aggressive exterior, powerful drivetrain, and distinguishing, incomparable characteristics.

Porsche has a long and legendary history when it comes to sports cars, but new for 2010 is their first addition to the growing luxury sports sedan market: the Porsche Panamera. Our host, Jessi Lang, spent a week road testing and reviewing the Panamera 4S.

With a noticeably Porsche-esque front end, many of the Panamera’s design cues, especially the noticeable sloping roofline that rises toward a high back end, have more in common with the Cayenne than perhaps the Boxster or the 911.

Although the look might be decidedly different from Porsche’s norm, its powertrain is not. Our test car, the Panamera 4S, boasts a 4.8-Liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and does 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph. Fuel economy is decent, you retain 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Not bad for a car that weighs nearly 5,500 pounds. The Panamera also uses a variant of its PDK dual-clutch transmission, one designed specifically for the Panamera in order to achieve a lower center of gravity.

Our test car’s interior is beautiful and high-tech as well as highly customizable, but also has a steep learning curve thanks to the dozens and dozens of dials and buttons that control every aspect of the car and its features. Digital gauges in the dashboard are classy and display all your pertinent information and then some. Hand-stitched leather seats and consoles really enhance the luxury aspect of the Panamera.

Be prepared, however, to spend a pretty penny on the Panamera. The base 4S model starts at $93,800 and our test car topped out at $114,515.

Other Links:

Porsche Panamera Forum

Porsche Panamera video on YouTube

Panamera pictures from the video shoot

Window sticker (Monroney Label) for our test car: 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S

Join our host Charlie Romero as he puts the new 2009 BMW Z4 through the paces in the Los Padres Mountains. The ’09 Z4 is in its third generation, coming out with a hard top instead of the previous versions soft top which is just one of the changes to this sexy sports car. You’ll also notice the new naming conventions on the Z4. The badge, following in the footsteps of the xDrive vehicles (the four-wheel drive system), now reads SDrive 3.5, the S representing “Standard” drive and the 3 representing the 3.0 L engine.

YouTube Link: 2009 BMW Z4.

Under the hood, our tester had everything except for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We tested the 3.0L inline-six with twin turbochargers and six-speed transmission that produces 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm. With this engine and transmission pairing, the 0-60 mph time is only 5.1 seconds. If we had the same engine matched to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, we may have been able to do 0-60 in under 5. We also got pretty good fuel economy for a vehicle of this type, with an average of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, if you don’t want to pony up the extra bucks or you just don’t need the extra boost from the twin turbochargers, you can always opt for the 3.0 L inline-six.

For this generation of the Z4, they made significant styling changes, interior changes, and extensive safety options. While you’ll have to check out the video for all of the safety feature and styling details, I will tell you two sneak peaks. First, one of the key feature to consider in this Z is the precautions taken to keep the occupants safe in the case of a rollover and second is the new interior, specifically the climate controls, but again, you’ll have to tune into the video to see and hear more about that.

The price points for the Z4 are definitely inline with its competitors like the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Base price for the 2009 Z4 starts around $45,000 but after going with the turbocharged engine, sport package, and navigation, i.e. pretty much everything BUT the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, we were looking at a price tag of $60,000.

Discuss the new roadster in our BMW Z4 Forums.

Join us as we test the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S at Miller Motorsport Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are only slight design modifications for 2009, with the major changes occurring behind the scenes with the new dual clutch system, PDK, that replaced the old Tiptronic transmission. The performance of the 911 has improved, getting 30 more horsepower from the same 3.8 L direct injection engine. With the 385 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, the Carrera S still managed to get an increase of two mpg, now getting 19 mpg in city and 27 on mpg highway.

To hear the 2009 Carrera S mic’ed up on the track, watch our video review:

For more commentary about the new 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S, please visit the Porsche 911 Forum.