Every auto manufacturer has that one model in its lineup.  The car represents the cream of the crop of the brand, the best engineering, technology and design.  Some manufacturers slap complex and verbose badging all over the body, but in the exotic auto world, a discreet, track-proven pedigree is all that is necessary.  One of [...]

Hearing the name conjures up auditory sensations of a guttural yet twangy engine note, with a splash of turbo hiss.  This description may sound more like a fine dining experience than a gasoline burning vehicle, but there is no doubt that the 911 Turbo is Porsche’s silver platter offering for hungry enthusiasts.  But as we [...]

Well, a new year is upon us and the exotic auto industry seems to be keeping a comparable pace.  As mainstream brands continue to increase power ratings among their lineups, exotic brands are continuing to push the boundaries on how much horsepower they can push out of both naturally aspirated and forced induction powerplants.  While [...]

Well, the Swedes have lost a major presence in the luxury automotive market, and in automotive history as a whole, with the bankruptcy filing of its Saab brand.  Recent memory recalls a Saab whose quirky, yet European-chic convertibles and hatchbacks stood out among its fellow “ugly” competitors of the 1980’s, and we now find out [...]

What determines a “luxury car” to you?  Does it imply swaths of the finest hides, name-brand options and exceptional service?  Or perhaps it could just mean having ample power and the latest technologies; these are luxuries afterall.  In the end, luxury comes with two doors, four doors, twelve cylinders, four cylinders, hardtop, convertible and everything [...]

It was a few months ago that we introduced you to our torque-rich German, the Mercedes SL55 AMG.  And while we pride ourselves on providing those from all walks of life with the experience of driving the most renowned automobiles around, knowing the high-profile individuals that also enjoy these cars is often equally as intriguing.  [...]

The time has come for a new supercar from Lamborghini.  While this entails generous helpings of excitement and gossip within the auto industry, even more prevalent is a sense of fear.  You may be wondering, why would a new car incite fear in us?  Part of the reason is that with cars getting more and more powerful, the [...]

With two stunning, purebred bulls in our paddock, and with a deposit on the brand new Aventador – to know a bit more about Lamborghini is a piece of knowledge we as auto enthusiasts might take for granted.  Although 48 years of existence in the marketplace is no feat to be ashamed of, Lamborghini’s run so far [...]

This blog written in honor of the newest edition to our stable of exotics, the 2012 Nissan GT-R.  Currently en route from the East Coast, we expect the GT-R to arrive at the Clubhouse within the week! When the Japanese legacy that is the Nissan Skyline series crept out of the shadows and caught a [...]

– by Evan Weiner — There’s no doubt that BMW has long been a staple in the luxury and sports car arenas, both among the seemingly unattainable exotic niches as well as the road-going everyday machines that we can walk into a dealer and buy on the spot.  It is the grey area between these [...]

– by Evan Weiner – Sometimes we get caught up in the shiny paint, squeaky tires and satisfying stench of virgin leather seats that we forget about how all the beauty of a new, fine automobile comes together.  In fact, to know how and where your car was made only enriches one’s driving experience and [...]

- by Evan Weiner – Oh Lotus Elise, how you will be missed.  Your power to weight ratio was the envy of all your competition and the source of giddy adrenaline rush for all that occupied your leather-lined bucket seats.  In fact, you were arguably the reason Lotus stayed afloat as a viable sports car [...]

- by Evan Weiner – We’re back in the U.S. this week, hopping from Cicuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) in France to the Sebring International Raceway in the red, white and blue of Florida.  While images of Miami Beach, half naked women and garish sunglasses peeping out of brightly colored prancing stallions and raging [...]

– by Evan Weiner – As we chose specific names for our Membership Levels at Club Sportiva, we loved the idea of selecting some of our favorite race courses across the world to represent each package.  Over the coming weeks, we’ll be covering each of these famous tracks to enlighten our readers and give a [...]

by Evan Weiner What do you think of that new Chevy saloon?  Okay, something is wrong here.  Sure, some of you know we’re talking about a sedan, essentially a four-door car, but the term literally keeps most of us in the U.S. in the dark.  You know what Bentley would say to those people? Pop [...]

Alright gear-heads, the day has come!  No longer do you need a double-digit cylinder count and premium fuel to achieve warp-speed acceleration.  In fact, you don’t need gas at all… Yes, we’re talking about Tesla.  Named after Nikola Tesla, a Serbian physicist who helped birth commercial electricity and alternating current, the brand’s founding fathers seemingly [...]

Obama’s presidential limousine is not the only car making marks on the streets of Northern Ireland this week (take a look at this video); the infamous DeLorean (yes, this is the correct way to write its name) brand is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the region.  While we’d like to say the celebration is for the brand’s [...]

Ah the beloved SL series from our friends at Mercedes-Benz.  With a reserved spot high on the social ladder, climbers all around the world turn to this renowned German for thrills, build quality and unmistakable luxury.  There is no doubt that the SL-series forms the backbone of Mercedes’ timeless designs and longer-than-normal model redesign gaps.  [...]

Club Sportiva Members Weekly Newsletter May 13, 2011 Track Day at Thunderhill Join in the fun on Thursday, May 26th Hooked On Driving’s HOOKIE DAY at Thunderhill Raceway Park is Thursday, May 26th.  To register for this event click here. Please be sure to confirm your attendance by contacting your Member Liaison. Member Drive on Sunday, May 22 Ferrari [...]

There’s just something about the rock solid strength of Porsche’s lineage that keeps us coming back for more.  After returning from our trip back in time with our 550 Spyder Replica in our blog last week, it was time to take a closer look at the car that pays homage to the legend today; this [...]

As you look around our paddock of Exotics, you’ll find some of the most powerful and sought after machines in the world.  Draped in blues, reds, yellows and more, these technologically advanced supercars react quicker than you, are clearly faster than you, and are known for being out of reach of the normal road-goer.  In [...]

While it would be utterly impossible for Aston Martin to fall off the auto industry map, the British marque was losing a bit of its luster as the new millennium neared.  Its DB7 model remained a GT icon, but was often absent from auto publication comparison tests because it couldn’t quite match up to sportier [...]

As Audi progressed into the new millennium, its place on the podium among German luxury marques still firmly in tact, one thing seemed to be missing: a supercar. While its Quattro technology provided feat for the brand since the 80’s, its growing ties to Lamborghini provided a platform for Audi to branch out and remind [...]

We recently brought our beautiful new Ferrari 458 to the track at Laguna Seca for a driver event, and strapped on our camera too! An unforgettable day, and some great footage.

Oh yes, the battle between the bull and the horse is unearthed yet again.  As you scan the figures for our Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430, three-second 0-60 times and 190+ top speeds begin to blend together, leaving only weight and cylinder count to determine the supreme contender.  Don’t think you’ve figured it out just [...]

Amid wild speculation, renderings and expected fervor over a new member of the Ferrari family, out comes the 458 Italia. Described by Ferrari chairman di Motezemolo himself as “the most innovative Ferrari of all time,” it was nearly a year ago that this mid-engined horsepower junkie made its North American debut; not at a major [...]

AskMen.com and Gran Turismo 5 are partnering up for the Race Through the Bay challenge. Sign up your two-person team today to spend an afternoon in San Francisco navigating to various check points in the city, completing Gran Turismo 5 inspired challenges and racing towards the finish line. You’ll also be one of the first [...]