Any purchase over $100,000 has to be thought over, long and hard. You cannot just go through a transaction of this significance without weighing all of your options. And, for an auto enthusiast the list of capable vehicles over the $100k mark is tough to sort through.
Now, what if it was over $200,000? It becomes even tougher.
Behold the greatness of two new supercars that are refusing to enter the market quietly: Lexus' LF-A and Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG "Gullwing."
Lexus' first supercar outing should be a doozy. From what I have seen in the past, the brand rarely makes a move without the strong possibility of success but from an outsider's perspective, it seems they have a lot to lose. Lacking the tradition of a Ferrari and a cult following for supercars, it could get hairy. Or, it could be a stroke of genius -- provided they do not include fake exhaust tips/air intakes.
With that said, this means they have only one other option: to create something great. Word on the street is that the LF-A will feature a 4.8 liter V10 capable of 550-horsepower.
In theory it seems that it would not be cool to have a LEXUS supercar, but, I think it would be just the opposite. Not only does the concept look exceedingly futuristic and sporty, I would take glee in rocketing past an exotic in my reliable and user-friendly Lexus.
A Lexus that has hardcore high-performance is an oxymoron to what the brand has put out previously -- with exception of the IS-F -- and that is precisely what there is to adore about it. It breaks the rules.
Oh yeah, and it sounds like this:
On the other hand, you can look at something with a bit of pedigree and history, like the upcoming SLS AMG.
Set to launch in Spring 2010, this vintage-inspired design takes a lot of cues from the uber Benz of yesteryear. And, it looks really good from what has been released so far. Although it bears more conservative looks than the LF-A it pulls together its design in one nice, kempt package.
The exterior has simple lines while the interior is relatively straight forward and typically German with similar ergonomics as found in other MBs. Certainly a handsome showing.
Powering the SLS will be a 6.3 liter AMG V8 good for 563-horsepower and 479 lb-ft of toque said to move bratwurst to 60 in 3.8 seconds.
And if the C/E63 AMGs are any indication of how it will sound, it will frighten the living daylights out of you:
(SLS AMG comes in at approximately 2:05)
No matter how you slice it, the "Gullwing," will always be cool. There is just something about the wide sills and how the doors go straight up unlike Lamborghini-inspired scissor doors.
So, it seems that although these cars will compete against each other they are extremely different characters. It becomes a choice of a futuristic design that pops versus subtle and classic lines. A car with history and a following, or, a car that is rebelling against its siblings.
Either way you come out of the situation a winner, it is just a matter of subjectivity and determining what you desire out of your auto.
What's your pick, spies?
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