Southeast Road Trip Part 1: Everything (Oak) Green but the Ash Tray. 800 mile weekend from ATL to Spring Island with my folks, the @hhiconcours and back. Matchy fall greens across the board. Fun press car provenance fact! This very Panamera Turbo S has done the following: set the ICE sedan lap record at Road Atlanta (1:30), Ran a 2.5 second 0-60 with @caranddriver , AND went 638 miles on a single tank of fuel. Yesterday, I made it from PECLA to Hilton Head, 273 miles, in under 4 hours (plus a lunch stop), while returning 26 MPG and exactly half a tank of fuel. For $220k or thereabouts, this car literally does everything.
The MEGAPOD is up! While I was in Spain for Turbo S I got to grab some radio time with @engineeringexplained @harrismonkey @seenthroughglass and @jackethnicallyambiguous this is a fun one get it now!
Weird embargo time yesterday evening but my 992.2 Turbo S video is up now, full street and track review from Spain plus writing on @roadandtrack and 20 bonus minutes on today's TST podcast!
Turbo S reviews are up! Comprehensive video on the channel with convertible on the road and coupe on track, and written words for @roadandtrack on the web plus tomorrow's podcast will have even more!
First time back at @radwoodofficial for many years. Brought out the Pao for some love.
Interior upgrades for the Spyder! @builtbybasil made me a stunning color-matched shift knob from bloack ash and red skateboard decks! and I got the @kaizenkups 992-style cupholder to replace the mostly useless coin tray. Fits the matching mug perfect! Yes, it does get in the way of shifting with a tall cup in there just like the 992, but it's a great option when paired with the factory ones. And I hated my race-tex factory knob, so this wood one is perfect.
Turbo ESSSSSS! 30 hours of air travel for 34 hours on the ground in Spain, but not ONLY was it for Turbo S, not ONLY did I get Ascari full circuit, not ONLY was there Jamon, but ALSO it was a 100 percent friend wave. @harrismonkey @seenthroughglass @engineeringexplained @jackethnicallyambiguous and my first time meeting the lovely @tomwookieford . What a fabulous time. I'll tell you about the car in six days.
Breakfast time!
People think I'm nuts.
Full video is up now.
These two *combined* weigh less than a PDK-equipped 911 Carrera T. @tuthill.uk @meyersmanx
Ending today over at @bringatrailer this phenomenally specificed 718 Spyder! @westsidecollectorcarstorage is proud to represent the seller with this stunner of a Spyder in PTS Jet Green over Aurum Gold Wheels, Buckets, and all the good options you could get in 2023 (meaning no PCCB's because it comes from Ukraine). No stories, clean DME report, good tires, and only 4,700 miles. Fly in and drive home. It is impossible to get a PTS 718 Spyder today so this is as close as it gets!
IG Review: 2025 Mercedes CL353 Cabriolet!
THE GREAT: This is a very good looking car. It’s handsome in this shape, on these wheels, and in this color combination. It’s also a great car to drive. The turbocharged and mild-hybridized inline six is as slick an engine as I’ve ever felt - reminding me of the best of BMW in the mid 2000’s. 48v mild hybrid means you can actually use the benefits of Start/Stop tech without going insane. But the chassis rigidity ride and shock tuning is the real surprise here - this is probably the finest tuned four-seat convertible I’ve ever driven south of the old S63 Convertible (at more than twice the price). Every bump is one motion down and up, with unreal body control. The chassis works in every scenario I tried.
THE GOOD: Now that the 4.0L TTV8 is dead for this class of car, the “53” is the one to have. At $101k loaded up like this, it feels like a real value. The car is a true multidisciplinary talent, though not exactly a supercar. With 443 HP and 413 lb/ft it absolutely scoots and makes pleasant, if not loud sounds while doing so. The seats, shared with the AMG GT, are comfy and supportive, and the top mechanism has actual buttons, a point-over on the big brother SL. Michelin PSS5 tires provide a great balance between ride, handling, and (lack of) road noise.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD: Don’t know why, but this example’s software was slower and clunkier than the past 5 or 6 MB’s I’ve driven - weird, because they are all the same system. The trunk is smaller than I’d like for a car of this size, and sometimes the “all up” window function, crucial in a 2+2 vert, sometimes left a window behind. When pushed on the mountain, the brakes fade fast - would probably not recommend for track work without pads and fluid at least.
THE BOTTOM LINE: This would be a great car for so many people. It’s fast enough and handles well enough to be fun on the mountain or a spirited drive, while being relaxed enough for all-weather daily use. 8's across the board. Fact is, a sort of “Semi-AMG” for which I am clearly not the target demo, is the best Mercedes I’ve driven all year.
MB provided the car, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
