A look back at a great and exciting year in the automotive world.
As the year draws to a close, we fondly look back on all of the exciting news and unveilings that have changed the automotive world. There’s a bright future ahead of us and many vehicles to get excited about in 2015. There were new supercars and exotics, one-offs, and more in 2014. Sprinkle in some Gymkhana, hoonage, hilarious Fails and pranks, and you’ve got quite the memorable year in automotive history. Here’s a look at some of our most popular features along with some of our Editor’s Picks to remember the year by as 2015 rolls in.
Most Popular of 2014:
1. Chevy Mali-Vette Test Mule Spotted in LI
After a memorable 2015 Gold Coast Concours/Bimmerstock, we were on our way back home from Long Island. Among the crowded pack of vehicles that lined the expressway was one that caught our eye – a camouflage-wrapped GM vehicle that looked like a new Corvette, Malibu, and Ferrari went and had themselves a good time nine months prior. We still haven’t figured out what the car is, but it was one that definitely caught our – and your – attention.
2. Let’s go for a Test Drive in the Pagani Huayra!
What’s better than starting at the Italian automotive glory that is the Pagani Huayra? Getting behind the wheel of the twin-turbocharged V-12 with Pagani’s Chief Test Driver, Davide Testi, that’s what! The $1.3-million exotic was pushed around the track and the cabin was filled with explosive automotive bliss. It doesn’t get much better than this.
3. Watch an Epic Battle Between a Koenigsegg Agera R and Porsche 918 Spyder
It was no surprise that two automotive heavyweights duking it out on the track was one of our most popular posts in 2014. The hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar going up against the all-combustion Koenigsegg Agera R is a battle for the ages and one that will surely play out over the next few years in our dreams.
4. Let’s Compare the 1967 Nürburgring to the 2014 Track!
The automotive landscape has changed a lot over the past year, but it has exponentially in the past 47 years. Take a look at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife that has seen some of the greatest races in its time and has become the benchmark for all performance cars. The track has changed quite a bit almost five decades, and comparing it to today gives quite an interesting perspective on the track’s history.
5. ABT Sportsline makes a 370-HP Volkswagen Golf R
The Volkswagen Golf R is quite the potent hot hatch and with ABT Sportsline it gets even better. The whole ABT Sportsline Golf R tuning program isn’t going to knock your socks off with outrageous performance and styling, but it has all the right stuff in all the right places to put a big smile on your face.
6. Some Extra Shots of Jon Olsson’s Audi RS 6 Winter Mobile
Dear Jon Olsson, never get rid of your Audi RS 6 Winter Mobile. Ever. The snow-themed camouflage wrap and tuned twin-turbocharged V-8 engine is such a brilliantly capable combo – especially with its luggage space – that us wagon-loving gearheads will be drooling over your car for years to come.
7. Friday FAIL: Two Mechanics Crash a Ferrari Enzo
Seeing your worst fears as a Ferrari Enzo owner come true when you’re having your car serviced is unbearable. This owner was living a nightmare as two mechanics working on the car took it out for a test drive and crashed it on the highway. That’s why this is on Friday FAIL.
8. The Porsche 911 Targa 4/4S Top is Magic!
Porsche brought back its iconic half-convertible, half-coupe 911 Targa for the 991 generation. Instead of its traditional manually-removable top, Porsche has created a pretty ingenious power targa top that is really freaking cool to watch operate. Watching it over and over in .gif form is even better.
9. The Police-Fooling Street Racing Prank is Gold
That internet prankster, Roman Atwood was at it again, this time pulling some seriously funny tricks on police officers. Armed with some loud speakers, racing sounds, and two supercars, he and his friends would trick cops into thinking their below-30 mph street race was actually a high-speed Fast and Furious battle for pink slips. Their reactions after finding out the truth were priceless.
10. This Sports Car Startup Video is Absolutely Beautiful
The sounds of 33 different sports cars, super cars, and classics starting up and giving us a quick rev is enough to make it one of the most popular videos of 2014. All these icons and their unique sounds are seriously a must-see for any automotive enthusiasts.
Editor’s Picks:
2014 Gold Coast Concours/Bimmerstock Exposed
As the Editor here at Motoring Exposure, one of my favorite events is the Gold Coast Concours/Bimmerstock show in Glen Cove, NY. It’s a date that I circle every year and one that really shows off the best in the automotive community. Supercars and sports cars lined the streets of Glen Cove, music filled the air, and money was raised for an excellent cause. The show keeps getting better every year and I highly recommend you attend if you ever get the chance.
The Ferrari 458 Speciale A is the Most Powerful Topless Model from Maranello
Ferrari made the super-duper, track-focused Ferrari 458 Speciale that really wowed drivers and the automotive press. Then, Maranello followed it up with a topless version limited to just 499 examples that is probably the fastest convertible around a track that you can buy on the market.
Let’s Drag Race a Ferrari LaFerrari and Bugatti Veyron!
The Bugatti Veyron has long been the king of speed. Its outrageous amount of power, acceleration, and top speed were just silly compared to the rest of the exotic car market. But, some newcomers such as the Ferrari LaFerrari are looking to unseat the legendary Bugatti from its triple-digit throne. So, the Bugatti and LaFerrari went to an airstrip to duke it out.
Ten Cars that are ‘Uberholt Prestige’
The term ‘Uberholt Prestige’ is reserved for cars that are worthy of letting pass on the highway due to their reputation and status. M.E. Cribbs took a look at some cars that are definitely worthy of letting by on American roads and should be revered by us as automotive enthusiasts.
Top 10 Fastest Cars of The 80s – You Won’t Believe What Cars Made The List!
The 1980s were…well, the 1980s. It was a crazy time that you’ll either never forget or just can’t remember because it was all one big blur. Luckily, there were some seriously fast cars that came out of that decade that were unforgettable, and Mike DelaCruz put together some that were the fastest of the fast.
The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat/ Challenger SRT Hellcat
They might not have the same cache as an exotic, but their performance is easily on the same level. Dodge gave everybody a pair of middle fingers with their relatively affordable Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat muscle cars that pack a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 producing seven-hundred-and-seven-American-freaking-ponies. Can you say ‘burnouts everywhere’?
It’s Time to Drool over the new Aston Martin Lagonda
Remember that Aston Martin Lagonda from the 1980s that was really weird and packed with all sorts of high-tech gadgets and computers? Well, Aston Martin is bringing it back in the form of a strictly limited-production model for the Middle Eastern market that has modern styling with that same classic shape. Can you bring it to the US, please?
DMC Shows off a Aventador LP 720-4 50° Anniversario Roadster
The 50th Anniversary edition Lamborghini Aventador Roadsters are pretty impressive in their own rights, but DMC Exotic Car Tuning Limited has its own idea of what they should look like. Add on some lightweight carbon fiber aerodynamics and some forged wheels and you have a supercar all-star.
The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is a 200 MPH, 640 HP Luxury Hammer
The American automotive industry has been ragged on for quite some time, and rightfully so for what they had been producing. However, the new wave of vehicles, especially performance vehicles like the Cadillac CTS-V and even ATS-V are ones to be reckoned with, and will give their German counterparts some stiff competition. The future is bright and finally here for America.
Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing – Wednesday Watch
Omega re-introduced the legendary Speedmaster Mark II model from 1969 and it has us giddy over its classic shape and style. A new self-winding movement is precise and it comes with a superb chronometer rating. For those that want the classic look with all the modern bells and whistles, this is your timepiece.
Last, but defnintely not least, we’d like to thank our fans for making 2014 such a memorable and great year. Without you, Motoring Exposure is just a hollow source of automotive news. We glad that you decided to buckle up and join us for the ride. Let’s make 2015 even better!