rlauferblog

Saturns Drives is a group created for members who share a passion for cars to ” connect, share and participate on drives, cruises and events” (per their website). Essentially this translates into by invitation only exotic car cruises and events that happen twice a month during the season. Last week i attended my first one….here’s how it went down.

First we all meet in a large parking lot for a “cars and coffee”. Some of the highlights of this portion for me were:

The first Ferrari 458 Speciale in Canada, picked up by the owner 2-3 weeks ago

Compared to a 458 spyder

Another recent acquisition, this 731HP Ferrari F12

Not a Ferrari you see every day, a 456

I saw this beautiful chrome wrapped R8 at Signature Luxury Division a few weeks ago…now driven by its new owner.

Sadly not many AMGs, except mine

and this Black Series…i was hoping for an SLS Black Series but perhaps at the next meet

LOTS of 911s though, including GT3s and 50th anniversary model

A VERY loud Lamborghini Aventador

Iron Man Mercialago

And a Mercy spyder

One of several Gallardos

Beautiful Bentley

Lotus Esprit

and Elise

Incredible Viper ACR

And an SRT10

I was so happy with the big turnout of GTRs (I think there were 6)…and i got to see them take off using launch control 🙂

A group shot to give you an idea of the approximate 100 cars!

Next we were given maps and headed out on a 2 hour cruise with the final destination being Eurocharged!

The cruise itself was fantastic on many fronts. First of all the scenery was incredible, both natural and the mere sight of 100 exotics. Thanks to Ghalib Zamir for providing some of the shots below https://www.facebook.com/GhalibZkPhotography

Next, you really feel like a “celebrity”…we passed through small towns and there were literally dozens of people lined up taking pics / vids of us…throughout the drive people were pulling over on the side of the road to film us!

One of the funniest moments was passing by a policeman who pulled over a gardener, seriously a pick-up truck full of lawn mowers and pulling a trailer! Imagine the look on the policeman’s face as 100 Lambos, Ferraris, ford GTs etc. rolled past lol

Speaking of rolling, the cruise was a great opportunity to get rolling shots. I had two photographers in the car with me, Chris Picken and Jack Donahue and they were literally hanging out of the window to get these shots!

The last leg of our cruise was a barbeque at Eurocharged! I am a huge fan of Eurocharged and do have their tune on my car. Sadly i forgot to wear my Eurocharged t-shirt (sorry Vlad!) to represent properly.

I finally got to sit in a Bentley, thanks to the owner! Finally a car that fits with room to spare.

Another up-close look at the F12

Ha, this 911 GT3RS driver had the same gloves as me (except with Porsche markings, of course)

So all in all Saturns Drives exceeded my expectations. I have been to many car meets and informal cruises with friends but this was my first organized cruise of this scale. The cars were incredible, the view was spectacular, the driving was super fun, and i left with many good photo / video souvenirs. Thanks to Saturns for having me and thanks again to Chris and Jack for making it more enjoyable.

RL

Huge thanks to Mercedes Benz Canada, the MBCA Toronto Section and Timz for organizing the 2014 Spring TechSession!

I arrived early enough to get good parking

Hmmm lots of cones, what to do, what to do?

Aha! I am developing quite the reputation for using parking cones lol.

Soon some fellow forumites arrived

Now on to the session room

Filled up pretty quickly

The theme of the day was Technical Highlights with a focus on the new CLA and S-Class

The presentation started with a video of a 4matic equipped C-class racing a snowmobile

Some nice drift action

Hard to top that, but a history of AMG will do it

A shot of the Red Pig (coincidentally i had one on the back of my sweatshirt)

Next we learned about the CLA and some of its new technologies. The topic turned to fuel economy and those of us sitting at the AMG table were like “we dont give a shit about fuel economy” lol…indeed, i get 18l/100km or 13 mpg with 94 octane fuel and the consensus at the table was if you doing better, you are not driving properly lol.

Next we looked at the new S-Class..the Canadian version has 70 control modules while the European model has 90!

These modules control things like night vision, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, distronic plus adaptive cruise control, pre-safe brake and BAS plus, scent diffusion (choice of three scents), and hot stone massage (btw, i checked with the Tech guy after the session, the hot stone massage does NOT offer a happy ending).

To help power these modules, the S-class has a lithium ion battery…that costs $2,800!!! The battery on the hybrid version is $14,000!

We also saw a couple of videos on the new F1 cars and had some draws for prizes

the S-class model went to our table!

Now it was time for some hands-on experiences, courtesy of a stripped-down training S-class.

We all gathered around to get a closer look

And even stopped for a group pic

A shot of the Red Pig on my sweatshirt

I think Timz likes the new S-class

Alright on to the car itself…5.5 litre twin-turbo

Interior with “ribbon lighting” available in 7 colours

The 7 speed transmission…Mercedes will be releasing a NINE SPEED soon!

The larger of the two turbos

and the smaller one

A simulator to let you try the electronic features

A shot of the $2,800 battery

After the session i followed Simon part way home..your spoiler looks awesome bro!

Then i stopped off for gas where i ran into another AMG..oh the irony! lol. Also a limited edition, specifically a 45 year anniversary, one of 45 made SL65..also in matte paint!

Roof up

and down

Quick vid of the roof in action

All in all a great day..thanks again!

RL

At last year’s Megaspeed show i had one of my most memorable car-related experiences by getting to see Ken Block’s car in person. No such luck this year. In fact, i found this year’s show to be smaller and not quite as good as last year’s show. I am sad to say this is true for most trade shows that i attend…they all seem to be shrinking in size and quality and i say this based on attending about 15-20 shows per year.

My highlight this year was at the Rockford Fosgate booth. I am a huge fan of their products and had a great system years ago, back in the “if your mirrors aint shakin, you got taken” era lol. Anyway, i tried their “pressure chamber” display…basically they give you hearing protection, shut the door and then blast you with 10,000 watts of low frequency bass! there is a “panic button” in case..i could se why as i felt a bit nauseous lol…i asked repeatedly if i will still be able to have kids before going in (they said yes) but i did not film it as they warned of possible affects to my camera.

More from RF.

there were lots of sound systems around as well

here is one in action..nice touch on the Princess floormats

Next, i liked Millionaire Racing…especially the C63, 911 Turbo, Bentley…and the girls 🙂

One of my favourite cars of all time, Acura Integra Type R

This M3 is quite well known among local circles..i believe it has around 650HP

A little more subtle…and badass

Again, subtle

Classy wood clad engine in this Jag

This lamborghini was also at last year’s show…except then it was painted as a police car!!

vs. last year

Nowhere near as many GTRs as last year

But plenty for Corvette and Mustang fans

including another old school favourite of mine..notch back

Speaking of old school, a friend of mine had one of these (and its predecessor too)

more tuner cars..note the exhaust, Beast Mode sticker, and vanity plate on the first one

lol this looks familiar..if you saw my bicycle show review a few weeks ago

a few celebrities on site for pics / autographs

accessories for sale

and last but not least, more show ladies! I did not stay for the Megaspeed swimsuit competition (as i did last year) but did have a preview.

RL

As I said in my review of last year’s event, there is no better way to see the Toronto Autoshow than the party they call VIP Night! While this year’s show was not quite as big as last year’s, there were still plenty of cool cars to see and the party was just as alive with free food and drinks and on-site concerts by Sloan and Serena Ryder among others!

Once again, I was the first in line for the exotics display with dress code in full effect.

I planned to go straight for the McLaren P1 but I got “distracted” by a few other things, such as this Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo, which was my favourite car of the show!

Actually track-specific cars are my favourites anyway so here are a few more. The stunning new 911 GT3 CUP

McLaren MP4-12C GT Sprint

A couple from Ferrari

While not a true track car, this LEXUS ” DeviantArt” IS 350 had the DTM look that I absolutely love, helping it win the Design award at SEMA

Aside from track cars, AMG is my favourite make. Here is the last incarnation of my beloved C63, the 507. I am sooooooooooooo disappointed that AMG is discontinuing the 6.2L V8 in favour of a smaller 4.4L turbocharged unit. Did I mention that I am disappointed?

Bigger brothers E63

And CLS63

This G63 was modified to over 650HP!

Another modified one by Pfaff, an SLS with Renntech/Akrapovic exhaust

The new “entry level” AMG, the CLA45

Continuing in my personal order of preference, the 911 Turbo S…this was my favourite out of four cars that I drove at Exotics Racing in Vegas.

The GT-R was another one that I tested in Vegas. I found it a bit boring at the time but I would certainly like to give it another chance.

Ok finally we get to the new, $1.2 million McLaren P1

And its more conservative brother, the MP4-12, drop-top version

Ferrari FF, more appropriate for our winter

458 Speciale

Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur

The gorgeous new Rolls Royce Wraith

Jaguar XKR-S GT, one of only 6 in the country

And the new F-type coupe R…this one is definitely growing on me…I will have to take it out for a test spin this summer.

Lotus Evoras, yet again the sales rep wasn’t there so I couldn’t try one on for size.

Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Gallardo

Blue seemed to be the “in” colour and this had to be my favourite, BMW M3

Followed by the Jaguar XFR-S…although I was seriously considering one of these, all reviews I have seen online say it is too quiet…hmm that’s a problem.

Jaguar XJR-S

I bet this R8 has a more appropriate sound

If not, then this one DEFINITELY does!

I bet this BMW M6 uses the same “fake” sound as the M5..per NetCarShow “the aural profile of the engine can also be tweaked at the touch of a button. In parallel with the exhaust flap control, a sound module is used to enhance the engine’s natural acoustic components and this soundtrack is then conveyed into the interior”

Speaking of which, so sad that what used to be one of my favourite cars of all time has been tarnished (in my eyes) by that “fake” sound thing.

Formerly M3 coupe now rebadged to the M4

CTS-V coupe

CTS-V wagon

Subaru Impreza WRX Sti old and new

Viper

Stingray

Maserati Ghibli

Maserati Quattroporte

Free food and drinks everywhere

Huge crowds

Free concerts

And supercars…what is there not to like?

See you next year!

RL

I have seen car shows at mansions online and have always wanted to attend one so when a friend posted about Paletta i literally hopped in my car and made the 45 min drive over.

The mansion

wouldnt it be nice to have this in your backyard?

One of my favourites of the show..Ferrari 599XX

More Ferraris

On to Lamborghinis including a Countach! i had a poster of a white one on my wall as a kid…funny that my current ride is faster

Here’s something you don’t see everyday..a Saleen S7!

Porsche

And now my favourite of the show, this badass G63!

and other AMGs

and even a Maybach

Pfaff Tuner had a nice setup of McLaren, Bentley etc.

it was cool how different parts of the gardens were used to display the cars

Ford GTs

A gallery of pics by automotive photographer Lucas Scarfone

Gucci!

Some cars parked nearby

Some other houses in the neighbourhood

Another one off the bucket list..

RL