Elite Traveler January-February 2016

elite traveler JAN/FEB 2016 45

Audi’s sexy sportback RS7

TAKE THREE/// TRACK-READY SUPERCARS

1 FERRARI F12TDF A tribute to the 1950s Tour de France endurance race, which Ferrari dominated, this is limited to just 799 cars. Although its billed as an “extreme road car”, the F12tdf is most at home on the track. The 6.3-liter, V12 delivers 769bhp and goes from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of more than 211mph. With several aerodynamic upgrades to the standard F12, this should be a genuine track star.

Range Rover Evoque convertible

HOLLYWOOD CARS

2 MCLAREN 675 LT The LT refers to inspiration taken from 1997’s F1GTR Longtail and this track-ready version of its 675 looks set to create almost as many legends as that did. It is designed as a lightweight track flyer, with 666bhp, 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. The lack of success in Formula 1 doesn’t seem to have slowed down the firm’s production of winning cars.

There may be a toxic cloud hanging over parts of the car industry at the moment, but there was no lack of exuberance and excitement at the all-important Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of last year. Audi offered a glimpse into 2016 with its top-of-range R8 V10 Plus and its sexy sportback RS7, both offering significant upgrades on previous versions. Alfa Romeo offered its own new sports sedan for 2016, as it debuted the delightful Giulia Quadrifoglio. With a beast of a V6 engine, supplied by Ferrari, the Quadrifoglio delivers an impressive 505bhp and 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 191mph. For Mercedes, Los Angeles was mostly about two new launches – the revamped SL range, where the pick of the bunch is the SL550 AMG V8 and its massive new GLS. If the intention here is to pick a fight with Audi’s new Q7 and the Range Rover Sport, it will also have to argue the toss with the new Bentley Bentayga. If the idea of a Bentley SUV makes you wonder if the market has gone a little mad, top marks to Land Rover for milking that madness by offering up the Range Rover Evoque convertible. This is a convertible SUV. Make of that whatever you will, but

Jaguar’s luxury sedan, the XJ

3 MERCEDES AMG GT3 If you want to pick a winner in motor racing right now, Mercedes is the place to start judging by its Formula 1 success. This replacement for its popular SLS AMG GT3 was introduced earlier this year. It includes a monster 6.2-liter V8, possibly the last appearance for this fine engine.

expect a flood of roofless off-roaders soon. There was more sense from Jaguar, which is looking forward to a revival of its top of the range luxury sedan, the XJ in 2016, while Porsche is sticking to what it does best this year, with the gorgeous new 911 Targa 4s looking like a whole heap of fun.

New Porsche 911 Targa 4s