2004 Chrysler Crossfire

2004 Chrysler Crossfire

Nowadays, the words ”Chrysler ” and “car” go together about as well as a dog's fecal matter and the human taste buds. While the Chrysler 300, the company’s resident luxury car, is actually a quite good looking car (seen below), the rest of the modern lineup is incredibly bland and uninspired.

A 2020 all-wheel-drive Chrysler 300 in Bright White CI learcoat

It seems that, try as they might, Chrysler can never shake off the bad image that was left to them by the horrid PT Cruiser.

What makes this particularly sad is that this style drought almost never happened.

What if I told you that Chrystler could have made one car to make everyone forget about the PT Loser? A car with good styling  *just* enough horsepower to be considered fun, without being too over the top or breaking your bank. Sounds too good to be true right? Well it is… almost.

This is the story– of the Chrysler Crossfire.

If you haven’t heard of the Crossfire, I wouldn’t be surprised. It wasn’t around for very long and, compared to some of the other cars the company was making at the time, they didn’t really make that many.

In production for only 5 years, 2004 through 2008, and designed by award winning designer Eric Stoddard, the Crossfire was, to put it simply, stunning to look at.

The design of the car seemed to combine the stylings of the 2003 Mercedes SL range with that of the 7th generation Ford Thunderbird and ended up with something amazing. 

A sweeping, almost fast-back style roof gave the car a sense of sporty flare, while the long-angular body was both beautiful and imposing.

Raked air intakes just behind the front wheels feels of the car showed that the crossfire was a sports car with some fight to it, a look backed up by the sharp cut rims and sneering front grill.

However, the back of the vehicle is where the really shocking piece of design comes in.

To complete the sloping, fast-back-esc, look of the Crossfire, Chrysler needed a back end that curved downwards in a steep slope. But, as the story goes, to save money, they couldn’t design a whole new rear end for the car. So instead, they simply modified one they already had, sloping it and adding a glass window. Which is why the Crossfire, a car that could have been Chrysler’s saving grace in the style department, ended up with a PT Cruiser  for a back.

Surprisingly though, the design actually worked! Showing that, just maybe, the PT Loser actually had some use.

If you bought the Crossfire the day it launched in 2004, then you only had one choice for what was under your hood, a Mercedes-Benz M112 18 valve 3.2 Liter engine with 215 horsepower. A good engine, if not exactly a powerful one. Still, the 3.2 Mercedes engine was enough to take the Crossfire from 0-60 in just over 6.5 seconds, not bad for a. $35,000 car with an underpowered engine, and end up with an electronically limited 155 mph top speed.

Other engines would come along towards the end of the car’s short production life, most notably the 330 horsepower supercharged SRT6 engine which would shave some time off the 0-60 mark but still be limited to the same 155 mph cap.

Inevitably, as with most electronically limited cars, some people figured out a way to remove or bypass the limiter cap. Due to this exploit, people have reported being able to reach up to 177 miles per hour in their SRT6 Crossfires once the limiter was removed.

However, the car wasn’t all show and no practicality as the 2003 3.2 Liter Mercedes powered models averaged around 25 mpg, a respectable amount for a sports car.

So what happened? 

The automotive community liked the car. Drivers liked the car. It drove well and got decent mileage. And on top of all that, Chrysler has made a truly good looking car for the first time in what seemed like a long while. So why did production stop?

Sales.

After plenty of unreliability from the manufacturer in the years leading up to the Crossfire, as well as the fact that the quality of Chrysler cars at the time wasn’t exactly great, the Crossfire just wasn’t selling the way they needed it too. And when sales figures slowed to a sluggish 230 units a day in 2005, things only started to get worse for the car’s chances of survival. After a move to import some Crossfires to the United States and Mexico failed to gain enough interest, the bosses at Chrysler decided to pull the plug in 2007, with the final Crossfire rolling off the assembly line in December of that year.

But all hope is not lost!

In recent years we’ve seen companies revive, or plan to revive, previously retired sports cars. In 2019, the world saw the return of Toyota’s much believed sports icon, the Supra, a car that had been out of action since 2002. Around the same time, rumors of a return for either the Celica or MR2 also gained traction, rumors that Toyota has not, as of the time of writing, dismisses. Even Mazda has announced the return of their rotary-engine  RX sports car line with the 2019 RX-VISION concept car as well as practically confirming a new car– the RX9.

This means that if we, the people, just make enough noise, then there may be another chance for the Crossfire.

Until then, we’ll just have to deal with what we’ve got– the comparatively few production models that already exist out there, and seeing the car appear in tv shows such as The Flash and games such as Forza Motorsport 4.

Body Kits and Car Modification

Body kits and upgrades can be great ways to personalize your ride. Some cars, such as muscle cars, use body kits to make their already fearsome looks even more pronounced. However, for every well-modified Mustang there tend to be several cars out there with owners that have no sense of style whatsoever. Some body and modifications kits work, others don’t. Let’s take a look at some of them.

2002 C5 Corvette (fifth generation)

To be completely honest, the fifth generation of Chevrolet Corvette was never that good looking to begin with. In production from 1997 to 2005, the Corvette C5 reeked of lazy 90s car design. That being said, this body kit doesn’t really help matters. Not only is it badly put on, but the multiple spoilers on the back of the car will give you enough room to mount a surfboard, ironing board, and several planks of wood, all without damaging the already terrible aerodynamics.

The only positive thing I can say about this one is that it at least provides good comedic value and gets a genuine laugh out of me.

Rating: 2/10

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The Chrysler PT Cruiser was well known for being one of the ugliest cars in existence during its lifespan. Running from the turn of the century to 2010, the Cruiser was marketed as a sporty family car, but was actually anything but. It wasn’t very quick and the hideous looks meant that it wasn’t exactly very sporty. On top of that, the limited room and uncomfortable ride meant that it failed on the “family” aspect as well. The body kit here seeks to add a bit of flair to the Cruiser’s generally bland looks and, overall, it succeeds. It isn’t beautiful or anything, and I still would never consider buying one, but at least it has some personality now. 

Rating: 7/10

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertable

If the PT Cruiser was the spawn of hell, the convertible was the devil himself. Slow and awkward looking, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible remained one of the worst cars in its class throughout its ten year lifespan. In its final year, the optional V8 engine you could have fitted in the Cruiser was actually worth more than the car itself. So when it came to body modifications, there was nowhere to go but up. 

While not quite as good looking as the hard top Cruiser in the previous entry, this one at least tries to draw attention from the terrible roof line with a paint job that certainly catches the eye. The front, while rather odd looking with a body kit fender that doesn’t seem to fit properly, is still better than the original. As I said, nowhere to go but up. Still wouldn’t be caught dead in one though.

Rating: 5/10

2016 Ford Mustang RTR S5

Now this is a body kit done right. While it might have the look of a 2016 Ford Mustang GT at first glance, there are some subtle differences. Made by car modification company RTR, which literally stands for Ready To Rock, this body kit is made for their Mustang S5. Keeping the shape of the normal Mustang, the S5 ads small details such as interestingly shaped grill lights, a new front end, a reworked hood and front splitter. All of these features, together with the amazing styling and paint work, make for one beautiful and powerful muscle car.

Rating: 9/10

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Returning to the land of interesting mistakes hideous and eyesores for a brief moment, we find this absolute mess of a muscle car. Once a reasonably good looking 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the owner has seen fit to transform it into any car owners worst nightmare. Sporting solid donk rims, an oversized hood and a disgusting gold-green paint job, even the comedic value of this car isn’t enough to save this one. It also loses several points because, unlike previous entries on the list such as the Corvette C5 and the PT Cruiser, the normal 2012 Camaro ZL1 isn’t actually a bad looking car.

Rating: 1/10

2002 Aston Martin Vanquish

Here we see the classic example of a beautiful cat being messed with in a way that was definitely never intended. In the late 90s and early 2000s, car design was seemingly stuck in a rut, with even the most stylish of car companies turning out complete duds. However, in 2002, the same year as Ferrari’s truly disastrous Maranello, Aston Martin released the Vanquish. The car was a thing of beauty, sleek and stunning with a brilliant V12 engine underneath. However, German car modification company Mansory decided it needed a different look. While not downright horrible, the car’s more squidgy body shape, along with  the black hood and roof, remind me of the awkward looking early 2000s Dodge Viper. While not bad, it just can’t hold a candle to the original.

1964/1965 Ford Mustang GT

Here we have an example of taking everything to the max. Wide-body wheel arches, check. New rims, check. Loads of new vents and a huge hood-scoop, check. However, even though it’s totally over the top in almost every way possible, it doesn’t look bad or awkward. Everything is done to show the power of the modified 5.0 liter Mustang V8 under the hood. A powerful look for a powerful car, enough said.

Rating: 10/10

2020 Porsche 718 Boxter

2020 Porsche Boxster 718

For years now, whenever someone hears the word Porsche, their mind most likely goes straight to the 911. Since its inception in 1963, this light yet powerful sports car has been the car that Porsche puts on all of its posters– the company’s flagship vehicle. And it’s amazing sales and long life prove that.

However, what if the $100,000 + price tag and nearly 200 mph top speed are a little too much for you? What if you want a Porsche that is a little bit softer? Well, if that’s the case then you may be in luck.

Porsche has been making its Boxster since 1996 and, for almost as long, it’s been known to be a little bit on the girly side. It has always felt like a watered down 911 convertible that, while it could always do more than 145 mph, you would never see it going anywhere quickly.

In 2016 however, Porsche gave the Boxster a design overhaul, completely redoing its styling in an attempt to differentiate it from the 911. And it worked. 2016’s Boxster, branded the 718, was simply beautiful,sporting a new, curvy design and smooth finish. Unlike the 911, the 2016 Boxster didn’t need harsh looks or a brutal engine note to sell. Instead, it sold on the promise of being the perfect open-top cruising convertible that could still, if driven correctly, pack enough of a punch to satisfy.

A 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder (911 Paint Job)

From 2017 to 2019, the Boxster would become sleeker, bridging the gap between itself and the hard-top Porsche Cayman and, although it did this well, it lost some of the charm that made the 2016 718 so special.

However, I am happy to say that, in 2020, the 718 is back.

The new 718 Boxster takes many of its design cues from the 2016 model, while also taking inspiration from last year’s 911. The beautiful curves of the 2016 have returned, accompanied now by a set of air vents that seem to scream the company that made the GT2RS loud and proud. It’s also considerably lower than previous models, resting three inches closer to the ground than the old Boxster, giving it a much sportier look.

A 2020 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder (Guards Red)

The car has been upgraded under the hood as well, now featuring a 414 horsepower 3.0 Liter turbo four-cylinder engine as standard, with more powerful engines being available in higher class models.

The base model 718 Boxster can reach a top speed of 170 mph and features a choice of two gearboxes, the standard six-speed manual or Porsche’s new 7-speed automatic. No matter which choice you go with though, going from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds will always be fun.

The new 718 bests the old model when it comes to fuel economy too, averaging 28 mpg on the highway. While that might not be great when compared to something like a 2019 Toyota Camry, you have to remember that the Camry is a mileage-based family car, whereas the Boxster is a non-hybrid, convertible sports car. 

But now we get to probably one of the biggest concerns when it comes to buying a car like this– the price.

As I have already stated, the cost of the new 2020 Porsche 911 starts at over $100,000, but the real question is, how much will it cost you to buy a beautiful sports car with a top speed of 170 mph? Well, in the case of the base model 2020 Boxster 718, $61,000. 

2020 Mini Cooper SE (The Electric Mini)

  

It's amazing to think that the Mini automotive company has been around for 60 years now. Ever since the first Mini rolled off a production line over half a century ago, the car has been a well-known symbol of the automotive industry. Even the comparatively huge car that BMW makes today retains the instantly recognizable status the car is known for.

Whether or not you actually enjoy the Mini family of vehicles is entirely up to you. However, it is an indisputable fact that Mini is constantly evolving. From a small car meant to save fuel, to several SUVs and even some rally championship cars, Mini is always looking for new ways to push forward in the automotive world. And now, as recently as July 2019, BMW has announced that Mini will be making the push forward into the electric market.

In July, after years of concept cars and months of speculation, BMW confirmed that there would be an electric Mini and, in the months since then, the general public has been receiving more and more information about the car.

The car has been making the rounds at several motoring shows and conventions since it was first announced, even getting a mention on Top Gear's web special where they talked about their top 5 favorite electric vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany on September 12.

However, as with any new automotive advancements, people are skeptical as to if BMW can actually deliver on all their promises. The main point of contention is price. Let's face it, electric cars aren't cheap. Take the 2019 Nisan Leaf for example, widely known for being one of more affordable electric cars on the market. That base model Leaf costs around $30,000.  However, BMW has given the base model electric Mini an estimated price of  $25,000 here in the US.

So let's take a look at exactly you'll get for your $25,000, starting with the car's specs.

First off, let's talk about the car's basic performance. According to BMW, the specs of the new electric Mini Cooper SE will be pretty close to the specs of the gas-powered Mini Cooper S, albeit with the usual limitations of a small electric vehicle.  This means the car will go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just over seven seconds and will max out at just over 90 miles per hour thanks to the limiter that has been put in place.

But let's face it, when you're looking at a small, family-style, electric vehicle, you aren't really looking for acceleration or top speed, you're looking for range. One of the major reasons so many people stay clear of the electric car market is range anxiety. Simply put, the fear of running out of charge and not being able to find a place to charge up.

When it comes to range, the Mini really doesn't do all that badly, ending up with the ability to drive up to 175 miles on a full charge. Now that might not seem like a lot compared to something like the 264 mile charge you can get on a mid-range 2019 Tesla Model 3, but that is because the mid-range Model 3 has a base price of $42,900. Essentially, the Mini gives you way more bang for your buck and provides you with the perfect city-going electric compact, ideal for going back and forth to the office as well as around town.

Another added benefit of such a small range is how quickly the car can be charged. With the launch of the electric Mini, BMW has implemented a new fast-charging system in their car, a modified version of the one found in the 2019 i3, that allows the car to charge from flat to 80% in just 35 minutes when connected to a level 3/fast charger. This means that, if you stop somewhere for lunch and plug you car in, you'll most likely be good to go by the time yo're done and, unless you forget to plug it in overnight, you'll never wake up in the morning to find that the range on your car says "12 miles."

Under the hood of the Mini, you'll find a single electric motor that has been adapted for use from the 2019 BMW i3 Plug-in hybrid. This motor, along with a 32.6-kWh battery pack, gives the car a total of 181 horsepower, a statistic that puts it almost level with it's gasoline-powered brother, the Cooper S.

Stylistically, the car looks the same as any other 2019 Mini Cooper. It is a box that also happens to have wheels, except for a few small details.
For instance, when you buy the electric Mini, you get the choice of a paint job that is exclusive to that car, oddly hideous accent coloring. If you so choose, you can have a pale yellow stripe painted in the middle of the car's fake grill, as well as on the wing mirrors. While I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with this idea, I just wish they could have picked a color that doesn't remind me of undercooked mac and cheese.
However, BMW made the brilliant decision to add a fake grill where the real one would be. Even though, as an electric car, it clearly doesn't need one, it helps to make the car look a lot more normal. Compare this to Tesla, who just let their design team go crazy with the eraser and, as a result, have ended up with a very odd-looking front in more recent years.

The very empty and odd looking front of a 2019 Tesla model 3 shown above.

The interior of the vehicle has also gotten quite a bit of a face-lift as well, the most prominent part being the dashboard. Now, behind the steering wheel, a fully digital array of gages has replaced the physical ones found in some of the more recent Minis. The new set up will be able to properly handle the intricacies and changes that come with an electric vehicle, all without sacrificing the basic layout.
The center console, previously just a small screen in the middle of the center console, has been updated to a much larger rectangleular touch screen from which the driver or front-seat passenger can control all the functions we expect from a modern-day car.
The pale yellow stripe that was part of the optional colors for the vehicle also makes an appearance here, splashed across the edge of the dashboard on the passenger side. Unlike its presence on the grill I and mirrors, I actually quite enjoy it here as it contrasts nicely with the dark interior of the vehicle. Luckily, BMW has said that you can have the interior stripe without having the color present on the car's exterior.

Many of these features, such as the larger touchscreen and the digital dial cluster will be making their way over to the normal Cooper S within the next few years, however they are starting out exclusive to the Cooper SE.

Overall, the new electric Mini Cooper SE is a significant first step in a bold new direction for both Mini and BMW as a whole and I for one am incredibly excited to see where they go from here

Custom 1964 Volkswagen Beetle spotted in Watsonville, California

All photos were taken by me

For those of you who don't know, I absolutely love custom Volkswagen Beetles. Ever since the car found mainstream popularity in America back in the 1960s, it has become one of the most well-known modifier cars in existence. With such a simple little car the possibilities are endless. Even the original beach buggy was, at its core, a classic Volkswagen Beetle. That's why, whenever I see one, I know it will not disappoint.

I saw custom beetle shown above while walking through a small parking lot in Watsonville, California. Seeing as many of the so-called "modified cars" in Watsonville tend to be early 2000s Honda Civics with lift kits and horrifically out of place spoilers, the bright orange Bug was like a breath of fresh air.

Apart from the Transformers sticker located just under the car's windscreen, I loved everything about this car. The body wasn't made of metal, but instead was actually an extremely thick plastic shell that had been fixed over the original framework, as is the case with most custom Beetles.

Another common similarity this custom job shares with most other custom Bugs is the fact that the paint job was matte. This is normally due to how offputting the effects of normal or even semigloss paint can be when applied to roughly textured plastic. However the blazing matte orange paint job suits this Beetle Perfectly.

The car's interior had been significantly stripped down for a more rugged look that perfectly matched the exterior of the vehicle. As if to compliment the already rugged look of the vehicle, of the car, had been lifted quite a bit with the use of off-road racing suspension. All this coupled with the new set of VW Off-Road Racing Slims, the same type of tire used by actual race Beetles, instantly told me this car would be just as happy off-road as it was on road.

The front of the vehicle was equally as impressive. The thick plastic hood, made of the same plastic as the rest of the body was held down by two classic racing hatches to keep it closed and level on even the bumpiest of off-road tracks. Below that on the crossbar frame that served as the front bumper, two low frog-style lights were mounted for better visibility in darkness, fog, and mud.

Both sides of the vehicle had been reinforced with a metal frame that ran throughout the car's body and connected to the interior roll cage. As if you needed any more proof that this car was a racer, both doors had the number "01" emblazoned on them in silver letterers. On top of all that, the wheel arches had been lengthened and widened to accommodate the two racing-slims at the front as well as the off-road tires at the back.

Speaking of the car's rear end, this is proof that the car was meant to be noticed as it boasts a three-foot-long exhaust pipe that juts out an aggressive angle towards the sky. If you ever get stuck behind one of these things in traffic, just take some time to think about just how cool it really is.

All in all, this modified 1964 Volkswagen Beetle is by far one of the coolest custom builds I have seen for quite a while. I love almost everything about this mighty Imperfection and, now you've seen it for yourself, I hope you know why.

1968 Mercury Monterey Convertible

The 1960s in America were a great time for cars. The decade would see the birth of several cars that have since gone on the become American icons. From Ford, we got the beautiful first generation of Mustangs. From Dodge, we saw the power Charger and Challenger. Chevy released the original Camaro and Corvette Stingray. But amidst all this confusion of power and stunning style was a little Ford subdivision known as Mercury.

If you recognize the name of that car company but can’t remember anything they’ve made, that’s probably for a very good reason. Mercury was a subdivision of Ford that was founded in 1938. They enjoyed quite a bit of success throughout the company’s lifetime until rapidly declining sales in the early to mid 2000s caused Ford to shut them down in January of 2011. Beginning in the mid to late 1980s, Mercury began producing the type of car that tends to populate “ugliest cars of all time” lists. Their styling became about as bland as a baking sheet.

However it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when Mercury was building cars with styling that could easily rival dodge and Chevy with cars such as the 1967 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. (Below)


However, the car in question in this article is something a little bit less loud. For the first time o on this blog, I’m going to be talking about a convertible I actually like. That’s right, it’s the 1968 Mercury Monterey. (Below)

First of all, let’s start with the unique styling on the convertible version of the 1968 Monterey. It is clear from the start that it takes many of its design elements from the original 1964 Ford Mustang. All you really have to do is take a look at the front half of the car to see the similarities. What makes the styling of the convertible version of the 1968 Mercury Monterey notable is just how different it is from the hard-top version. (Below)

The hardtop was slightly lower and hand bulging side skirts that gave it a look that could maybe even be described as slightly menacing. The front end was also a bit more squared-off and stocky, making the hardtop Monterey a bit more serious looking.

The convertible Monterey, however, was a completely different story. Arriving just in time for the summer, the convertible was everything the hardtop wasn’t. Whereas the hardtop looked like a heavy-set, serious kind of car, the convertible had a much more enjoyable look. The convertible 1968 Monterey had smaller side skirts and a slightly higher ride height. Combine that with slightly softer suspension and you get a car that is not only great to look at, but great to ride in as well.

Let’s talk specs. The 1968 Mercury Monterey convertible certainly wasn’t the fastest car on the market. It wasn’t the fastest convertible on the market either. However that didn’t stop it from being a good car. The high-end Monterey convertible could go from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds and had a top speed of 129 mph, not exactly setting the world on fire but not exactly slow either. Another interesting thing about this car is that the most expensive model was the only one available with all-wheel drive as standard.

In terms of notable appearances in media such as movies and TV, the 1968 Mercury Monterey only really has one well known moment. Apart from appearing in the background of many films since its debut in 1968, this Monterey convertible is known mostly its role in the music video for the Green Day song “Holiday.” The car ends the video by breaking down and rolling to a stop at the beginning of the “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” video. The band even took the car on part of a tour with them.

Overall, the 1968 Mercury Monterey convertible is a beautiful car that is often overlooked. I love almost everything about the car. It looks fantastic and the V8 engine used in the more expensive models sounds fantastic. I really can’t find a reason to dislike the 1968 Mercury Monterey convertible.

BELOW IS A PHOTO OF THE MODIFIED  1968 MERCURY MONTEREY CONVERTIBLE USED IN THE "HOLIDAY" MUSIC VIDEO

2019 Ferrari P80/c

Ferrari. I’ve talked about them on this blog before. Throughout automotive history, Ferrari has been known for making rare, beautiful and fast cars. When I think of classic cars that I would want to own one day, the 250 California is almost always at the top of my list. However, no company is without its ups and downs and Ferrari’s recent history hasn't exactly been spotless.

Since the turn of the century, Ferrari has shifted its focus from a balance of beauty and speed to simply wanting to go fast. Cars like the 2002 Ferrari Maranello (shown below in silver) emphasize this as it is by far the ugliest car to ever break the 200 mph mark.

This isn't to say that Ferrari hasn’t produced some amazing cars since the year 2000. The 360 Challenge Stradale (top) and 488 GTB (bottom) are certainly proof of this, but they haven't been consistent.

However, those days may be behind us with Ferrari’s latest high-speed offering.

First, a bit of background information. Towards the end of 2018, last year, Ferrari hired a new and specialized design team to focus solely on creating their special releases. So far this team has done a very good job, creating such cars as the Monza SP1. (shown below)

And now they have revealed their newest 4-wheeled wonder, the Ferrari P80/c.

First of all, let me just say that this car is gorgeous. It is, without a doubt, the greatest looking car set to release this year. Many other supercars set for release in 2019 are simply remaking their old styles, but Ferrari is doing something new. Anyway, now I've gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about the car itself.

If you know Ferrari, you'll probably realize that the car isn't exactly new. It's actually a 2019 Ferrari 488 GT3 Race Car with some serious modifications. The second thing you need to know about this is that you probably won’t ever get a chance to see the car in real life. That is due to the fact that there will only be 1 unit produced as it is a custom vehicle. Also, even if you do manage to get behind the wheel of a P80/c, you won't be able to drive it on the road. That's right, the P80/c is a track only specialized vehicle.

Now let’s take a look at the car itself. First of all, unlike the other main Ferrari track car, The FXX-K, the P80/c won’t be a hybrid. Instead, the car will draw all its power from its 3.9 liter naturally-aspirated V8 that will produce approximately 735bhp. The P80/c uses this power to its advantage as it goes from 0-60mph in a tarmac melting 2.7 seconds. Couple that with the explosive 211 top speed and you get one insanely quick track car. The car also features a reworked version of the due-clutch gearbox found in the 488 GT3. The P80/c’s gearbox is the highest tech paddle-shifter  Ferrari has ever created, built to handle the quick shifts with the raw power of the V8 engine. The car also used the same rear-wheel-drive system found in the 488 lineups.

Moving on to the exterior, it's pretty obvious that this was a go big or go home build. Almost every single panel is new. There is a massive rear wing that gives the car enough downforce to easily keep it on the track, even at full speed. Every panel has a purpose, nothing is just for show. The massive dips in the car’s hood, along with the grooves down its side allow for increased airflow, decreasing the car’s drag. Both the body of the car and its massive rear wing are made of solid carbon-fiber, saving quite a bit of weight, allowing for better cornering, faster acceleration, and higher top speed. And of course, it wouldn't be a racing Ferrari without the blazing red paint job.

Continuing to the inside of the car, we get a look at many new features as well as some old ones making a return. The layout is designed to feel more like the cockpit of a small fighter plane than a

track car, which, at high speeds, only adds to the very real sensation of actual flight.

Many of the instruments and paneling are either entirely, or mostly, made of carbon-fiber to save as much weight as possible. The cockpit also includes brand new bucket racing seats for both the driver and passenger. A screen in the center if the console, directly behind the wheel, gives the readouts and details on every possible piece of the car while also acting as a general control center for the vehicle. Everything, apart from the essentials, has been stripped away to save weight. This is another reason why you can’t drive this car on the road.

All in all, I love this car. Everything about it is what I think a Ferrari should be. It is blazingly fast without compromising on the beauty of the design. This is the best Ferrari the world has seen in several years and I seriously hope we get to see more amazing designs like this in the future.