Outback Trip!

Myself and a collection of hand picked individuals will be venturing into the NSW outback for a long overdue road trip.

The weapons of choice will be a 2010 Kia Cerato & a 2009 Toyota Hilux ute.

The destination - Broken Hill via Dubbo & Cobar.

Will have updates & pictures as the trip progresses with detailed information on how both these cars will handle the 3000km long-haul trip!


Chris

2009 Ford Mustang

Yes I know this is a coupe... But the one I drove was a convertible :-p


Las Vegas - A strong pulse existing in the middle of the scorching Nevada desert.
Miles, Fahrenheit, Left hand drive – everything was the opposite here.

Whilst walking in the 40 degrees Celsius heat, I was missing the metric system; and also the freezing cold air conditioning back in the hotel.

As we approached the Ford Mustang its bulging rear end stuck out of the parking spot. Gun metal grey and convertible - the perfect American Muscle car to use to cross into California. (Shame it wasn’t a V8!)

Although a V6, the car surprisingly started with a deep burble. The interior was impressive with a well illuminated dash and comfortable seats. It appeared to be well built, except for these interior lights that would not turn off!

We ventured out onto interstate route 15 and after not very long the heat forced us to put the roof on. Mile after mile of endless plains the Mustang continued along. It was as if the car was designed to just plough through endless straight lines with very little signs of strain or fatigue.

Corners however were another thing. The mustang nervously lurched whenever pointed in a direction other than forwards. This was due to its live rear axle and American pedigree – fat and lazy. Although in a tight twisty road this would bother me, out here it didn’t...

America – home to the Ford Mustang.

Ferrari California

Never in the history of motoring has a design behind the prancing horse logo proved to be dull.

The new California has continued this tradition from whichever angle you look at it.

The first distinguishing feature that captures you with this car is the vertical layout of the exhaust. This challenging characteristic challenges your preconceived ideas of how the exhaust gases should flow out of the car. You find yourself questioning it; at first saying: “...Really?” to finally admitting “Why not!!!”

Although this design seems innovative, it was first introduced in the Lexus ISF. Needless to say, I think Ferrari have done a much classier job of it. I found myself bobbing and weaving around different angles of the car to get that perfect view. Each contour, crease and crevasse enticed me more and more till I gave up and hopped in.

A quick twist of the ignition and the Ferrari Burbles into existence. The high-tech LCD display lights up with a crystal clear image of the Ferrari logo. Oh yeah – you know you are in world class presence now where quality comes first and everything else second.

The Ferrari California is the first ever Ferrari produced with a V8 engine situated in the front. A flick of the paddles and off I burbled down the street eager to see how it compared to its F430 sibling.

Just after a few metres down the quiet residential street it is evident to see that they are as different as chalk and cheese. The California is so well refined with its gearbox finesse being out of this world! The steering is so light and easy and the ride is not harsh either. No longer is a V8 Ferrari considered as entry level.
A slight squeeze of the throttle and the exhaust valves open up delivering a deep bellow. Oh yes, just a reminder that this is no S-class baby!

Although this car has plenty of go, (running the 0-100 in under 4 seconds), it does lack the low down torque present in its 12 cylinder older brothers. However, a quick flick of the gearbox levers and the twin-clutch system selects the appropriate gear in unbelievable time. Before you know it the revs are at 5000rpm and the car is hauling to it’s redline. Yes there is a substitute for engine size and it’s called revs with a twin clutch gearbox!

Where Porsches PDK snapped your neck with lightning quick changes, the Ferrari's system seemed to seamlessly blend the gears in a much less jerky transmission. Much more refined if you ask me.

As the speed builds up and the corner approaches faster and faster, you jump on the carbon ceramics hoping for all the reassurance in the world. And you get it – demolishing the speed in just seconds.

Corner after corner after corner – no brake fade what so ever. Finally, a ceramic braking system that comes standard on a car!!!

A flick of the auto & sport buttons and the car returns to the placid refined driver it is. Kind of like how 007 Bond puts away his gun in his tuxedo and returns to the formal function without a bead of sweat dripping from his brow.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Ferrari California is the supercar for everyday.

Encore.