Carlos Lago finally tests the most powerful production Ferrari yet: the 2014 F12 Berlinetta. Our brief drive of the 731-hp, V-12-powered machine in Italy last year simply wasn't enough. But now that it's stateside, we can strap our test gear to it and see how fast it can go in the hands of pro racing driver Randy Pobst at famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of a Jaguar XFR-S, an even more powerful and limited production version of the already lively XFR. As competitor to the BMW M5, and also Jaguar's fastest Sedan, the XFR-S is packed with a supercharged V-8 that produces 550-hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, and is also given an assortment of new exterior upgrades that truly separates this cat from the rest of the pack.
Carlos Lago takes the brand new 2014 Mercedes Benz CLA45 AMG to the Hyundai Proving Grounds, to find out what makes this high-strung turbo four-cylinder AMG sports car so special. With it's engine producing 355 horsepower and 332-lb-ft of torque, the CLA45 AMG easily packs one of the most powerful factory turbocharged four cylinder engines in the world, but with extra options, can it live up to it's near $60,000 price tag?
Carlos Lago tests the BMW M5 - again. This time around it has something called the Competition Package, which adds a host of small adjustments and improvements in an effort to improve the car's performance and the satisfaction it gives to its driver. Is more power and a recalibration of the suspension and steering enough to make this incredible sedan behave? We find out on the test track at Hyundai's Proving Grounds.
Jonny Lieberman heads to Modena, Italy to drive one of the most expensive cars in the world - the uncompromising Pagani Huayra. Named for the Peruvian god of wind, the Huayra represents Horacio Pagani's notion of what a hypercar should be. With a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V-12 hand built by AMG that produces a staggering 730 horsepower, the car promises world class performance.
Carlos Lago returns to the Hyundai Proving Grounds to try out Cadillac's new, twin-turbo CTS Vsport, which might be one of the automaker's best products yet. With a low curb weight and a boosted 3.6-liter V-6 producing around 420 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, will this Cadillac send the German engineers back to the drawing board?
Carlos Lago tests the sportiest hot hatch Volkswagen has to offer, the Euro-only 2013 Scirocco R. With a 262 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder driving the front wheels, this Euro-spec Scirocco is not only more powerful than its Golf twin, but lighter as well. Will it offer a better driving experience because of it, or prove to be just another stylish Golf?
Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of the all-new Jaguar F-type. With it's supercharged 5.0L V8 engine that produces 488 horsepower, and 461-lb-ft of torque and drop dead gorgeous good looks, is the F-Type the first Jaguar to pick up where the legendary E-Type left off? Join us as we hit the roads of Malibu, CA to find out.
Carlos gets back behind the wheel of the craigslisted 240SX, so he can start deconstructing and then reconstructing the car using all new, high quality parts.The process isn't as simple as it seems, however, because the car first has to make a trip to K&N dyno house in Riverside, and then make it all the way back to the garage in El Segundo. After one busted cylinder, a seized caliper, and a couple of other hiccups, will any of the new modifications even be worth it?
Carlos Lago tests the wonderfully capable Panamera 4S. This year Porsche replaced the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 in the standard and S model Panameras with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 (the GTS retains the V-8). This new engine makes more power and torque than the outgoing one and returns better fuel economy, but does it have the same excitement as the V-8? We find out by exploring the always impressive performance limits of this luxury sedan.
Carlos Lago tests the most extreme Aston Martin this side of the One-77. With a massive 5.9-liter V-12 shoehorned in the smallest chassis in the lineup, the gorgeous and motorsports-derived 565-horsepower V12 Vantage S promises one exhilarating ride. Aston claims it's the second fastest accelerating car the company has produced, and this week we head to the test track to verify that claim. Afterwards, we find out how well the controversial single-clutch automated manual copes with mountain roads.
Carlos Lago and pro driver Randy Pobst get behind the wheel of the limited edition Jaguar XKR-S GT, to sample the company's meanest and most track ready offering yet. With a production run of only 25 vehicles, this special 2014 XKR-S GT combines elegant luxury and huge track-dominating power with its 5.0L supercharged V8, supposedly producing around 550 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque.
We look back at some of the best sideways tire-smoking moments from this 2013 season. We're taking a break for the holidays, but we'll be back in the new year