2013 ASTON MARTIN V12 VANTAGE ROADSTER

Freshly revealed late last week, Aston Martin’s gorgeous new auto demon, the V12 Vantage Roadster, is leagues ahead of your traditional convertible.This muscular 6.0-liter beast puts out an awe-inspiring 510 horses at 6,500 rpm, which allows the Vantage to sprint from 0-62 in a quick 4.5 seconds. While this sporty two-door two-seater shares the same mechanics and stats as its hardtop sibling, the roadster features a redesigned trunk and front intake to deliver an unparalleled level of performance
The cabin of the vehicle allows for numerous personal modifications, such as glass switches and carbon fiber fascia and gearshift. The mixed material body and frame incorporate aluminum, magnesium alloy, composite and steel. New design elements on the exterior of the Vantage include a revised forged alloy wheel design, carbon fiber mirror caps and lamp infills, as well as other carbon fiber elements that help define the car’s visibly sporty personality and will leave onlookers severely jealous, with good reason.
Keeping in line with the Vantage Coupe, the Roadster maintains the dual power train options, switching between active and sport modes. Complemented by Aston’s traditional tire choice of Pirelli P Zero Corsas, the Vantage is a pro when it comes to superior handling and driver control on the road. With 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm, the Vantage has more than enough thrust to make you a star behind the wheel.

Porche Cayenne

The second-generation Cayenne GTS unveiled in April at Auto China strongly epitomizes these traits, with a redesigned shell with plenty of technical and cosmetic improvements that will leave fans of Porsche’s sportier GTS marque raving. Decked out with an active all-wheel drive system utilizing an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the new Cayenne boasts a fiery V8 that delivers 420 horses, about 20 more than the second-gen S model. This power translates to an astounding top speed (for an SUV) of 152 mph, with the ability to sprint 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds from a standing start.


Enrobed in specialty shades such as Peridot Metallic and Carmine Red (both pictured), the former adding an extra-dapper persona to the beast, the signature glossy black trim and newly widened wheel wells add further character to the GTS, along with the eye-catching side skirts that extend to the ground alongside the standard 20-inch RS Spyder wheels (which lift the premium brakes from the Turbo model). The GTS also contains a sound symposer, which brings the authentic sounds of the souped-up engine into the cabin, further contributing to the sports appeal of the vehicle. The Cayenne’s distinct fascia is bold and aggressive but as slick and sporty as one would come to expect from the company’s storied history on the track.

Golf R32

The Golf R just might be VW’s ultimate driver’s car. Although GTI fans may object, the R comes with all-wheel drive. The GTI’s front-wheel drive doesn’t adapt as naturally to the kind of track day driving where the R really flourishes. With speed aplenty coming from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine generating 256 horsepower with 243 lb.-ft. of torque, a wonderfully tuned suspension and great balance in turns, the R has all the tools to keep a lead-footed gearhead smiling.

In an age when manual transmissions are becoming as rare as a good Adam Sandler movie, VW keeps it old-school by only offering the Golf R with a short throw six-speed manual, so those who have never mastered a clutch might want to stop reading now. The interior is sporty, with a flat-bottomed racing-style steering wheel, aluminum pedals, semi-bolstered seats and cool bright blue needles on the instrument panel. The R comes in both two-door and four-door versions.

The R doesn’t disappoint on curb appeal either, with a downright nasty mien. The wide stance, aggressive bodywork, daytime LED running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, black R-badged brake calipers and dual center-mounted exhaust pipes make a great impression coming or going. Yet the R retains a level of sophistication in its design that makes it seem slightly less youthful than the boy racer vehicles that make up some of its competition, such as the Subaru WRX or Mitsubishi Evo.

The Golf R can definitely walk the walk when it comes to performance. VW claims a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds, which makes it the fastest production VW in the USA. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is always engaged and sends torque to the wheels that have the most grip. The R has an alphabet soup of additional systems to keep the car on the road, from ESC (electronic stability control) to ASR (anti-slip regulation, a traction control system). The enhanced sport suspension keeps the R balanced through twists and turns, and the electromechanical steering delivers a good sense of the road to the driver. Gas mileage is respectable at 19 city/27 highway.

All this power and style doesn’t come cheap, with the two-door test vehicle we drove coming in at $34,760. Then again, you’re getting VW’s ultimate driver’s car.

Jaguar XF type

Jaguar has delivered some of the most strikingly designed cars of the last decade thanks to the aesthetic genius of Ian Callum, poached from Aston Martin. But it’s hard for an automaker to make inroads in the Midwest and East Coast with rear-wheel drive cars that struggle in inclement weather. That’s why we can’t wait to try out the with all-wheel drive, ready to tackle the worst that the  can throw at a car. On top of that, Jaguar rolls out new fuel-efficient V6 engines in the XF and XJ that still deliver 340 horsepower. Bring on the snow! And more exciting news: Jaguar will be launching a two-seater convertible sports car with the sick F-Type in 2013. Next year will be good for fans of the leaping cat.

Acura

Acura’s all-new compact luxury sedan, the ILX, takes aim at 20- and 30-something drivers looking for style, performance, technology and value. With a base price below $30K, making it accessible to younger consumers, the ILX comes with three engine options: a 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine, a 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine and a hybrid IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) mill. Acura hasn’t done much in recent years to quicken the pulse of lead-footed gearheads, so we’re hoping the ILX breaks the streak.

ILX Chevrolet

The ILX has some stiff competition in the luxury sport sedan segment, with Cadillac debuting it. With three available engines topped by a 3.6-liter 321-horsepower V6 and both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models available, the ATS comes with available heads-up display, magnetic ride control, a sporty but well-crafted interior and Cadillac’s well-received CUE (Cadillac User Experience) tablet-style infotainment system. It adds up to a seductive package that aims to lure fans of the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and other entry-level luxury sport sedans.

Hundai Volester

When the Hyundai Veloster came out in 2011, it was a fun and fast-looking car that couldn’t run anywhere near competition like the VW GTI or the Mini Cooper S. Enter the 2013 Veloster Turbowith 201 horsepower, much more ready to step up against other hot hatches on the market. With an aggressive grille that sets it apart from the standard Veloster, the Turbo is a slick-looking upgrade. Hitting showrooms this summer, the Veloster Turbo boasts a performance-tuned engine, suspension and steering; 18-inch alloy wheels and a sporty interior geared toward track-day enthusiasts.