Helping to Break in a 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

A friend recently took delivery of a 2016 Porsche GT4 (non-car nerds: it’s a rare model, there’s like, 4 in Canada.)

He messaged me, “want to come help break it in?”

YES I DO.

This is only my 2nd time around the big track at Mosport.

I am loving this.

Then I see the odometer.

Me: there’s only 390 km on this thing?! It’s too soon to be doing this!
Him: [smirks] you sure?
Me: Very! I wrote a column about it – 1,000 km minimum before you go nuts
Him: it’s okay Keri, we’ll get there, we just have to keep going around

So we did.

He had to be interviewed before Porsche would even sell him the car, isn’t that crazy? Now there’s a column topic.

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

3.8 Litre engine
385 horsepower
309 lb.-ft. of torque

Rear-wheel drive
6-speed manual transmission only

0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds
Top speed of 295 km/h

Starting at $96,500
This one $117,500

There’s even a G-Force monitor.

Look what he did to the tires HAHA.

Then the best thing happened.

“You want to drive it Keri? You can’t on the track, but here.” He tosses me the keys and walks away.

I’m standing there open mouthed, he’s not even coming to supervise?

No way would I be this cool with my new car.

So I sound good, I turn on the SPORT button – automatically blips the throttle on downshifts – and the sport exhaust too.

First things first – let’s do a photoshoot.

Come ON this back end.

Driver-oriented interior indeed.

And I’m off.

First Porsche I’ve driven, and is it always this easy?  There’s zero learning curve, it’s just … intuitive is the word?

Loved the gearbox and engine note, inside is ergonomically beautiful, and how refreshing is the lack of steering wheel controls.

I hang a right out of the track and it’s around the block, again, again, again until okay go back in and stop pushing your luck.

But not before I stop inside the tunnel, put the windows down and rev it for quite a while.

Blog tag = 2016 Porsche GT4

(Photo by Angelo Parisi)

 

 

 

I’m On the Mazda Website

Specifically, my words are featured on the 2015 MX-5 sales page – here.

First time this has happened to me!

And of all my reviews to be quoted, this one’s a favourite. In my bio, it’s 1/3 I use as examples of my writing.

Read it on Autonet.

Ironically, this review was tough to write, blogged about why here.

Plus points for the photoshoot, which made it into the elusive blog tag – Special Car Photos.

 

 

What is HD Radio in New Cars

If a new car offers HD Radio, it means it’s a richer type of radio in 2 ways:

1 – the sound is digital, so it’s less noisy than analog FM

2 – it allows the radio station to transmit both audio and data

See how much information is on the screen?

How to contact the station via text or Twitter.  Then the screen refreshes, and shows the artist and song name that’s currently playing.

Many auto manufacturers offer HD Radio as an audio upgrade in new cars.

Example – the above screen is in a 2016 Mazda3 in which HD Radio comes standard, second trim (GX) and up.

 

 

I Tracked the 2017 Audi R8 V10

All this 2017 Audi R8 V10 content looks pretty great eh.

Truth is – I stumbled on it, and when it was time to drive, I’m nervous for many reasons.

First, it’s wasn’t a media track event, as in, totally different setup.

It was the 3rd and final stop in Audi’s pilot program of their all-new sportscar experience.

So it’s 20 owners & enthusiasts and me, the only girl and only auto journalist… only one darting around taking 400 photos, paper and pen in hand, I’m awkward.

Today is my 1st time with 500+ hp, making it the most powerful car I’ve ever driven.

Specifically, it’s a 2017 Pre-Production German-spec Audi R8 V10.

It’s the fastest production Audi ever.

Audi R8 v10 = 540 hp, 398.3 lb-ft, 0 – 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h

Audi R8 V10 plus = 610 hp, 413.0 lb-ft, 0 – 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, top speed of 330 km/h

During lunch I was photographing the 2017 when, “You excited to drive that, Keri?”

WHAT?! YES.

I had no clue it was part of the program, thought it was display-only. I’m about to be the first journalist to drive it in Canada. 

There’s only 4 of these R8s in Canada.

The VIN # isn’t even 3 digits, look – #98 in the world.

And it’s my 1st time around a real track, a world-class one.

I have some autocross experience, done 3 small tracks, the end. Oh boy.

Wreck this car, and KeriBlog.com is on the cover of Jalopnik for all the wrong reasons, omg please no never no.

Coming out of a corner,
all the above is repeating in my mind.

2017 Audi R8 KeriBlog WOAH

Always and forever, say it with me – Queen of the Late Brakers.

How’s it handle compared to the 2015 R8?

The 2017 has more grip, the additional about 50 hp makes a real difference, and the all-new instrument cluster and steering wheel are ergonomic elegance.

But let’s be real here – I’m not experienced enough to give a proper comparison of the two. The Audi instructors are though – they’re some of Canada’s most decorated racers.

They feel it’s better balanced than the 2015, with more power, better brakes, and a better vehicle overall, “a huge leap ahead.”

Below – Top Left > Clockwise: 

  • centre stack
  • centre console
  • driver’s door

The Canadian model can be equipped with lasers. LASERS. More here.

And Audi’s new virtual cockpit too, more here.

Couple more laps and I start to settle in.

2017 Audi R8 KeriBlog Driving

Choose between the quilted seats, or upgrade to RECAROs.

Tested both but can’t comment on a preference, I was floating the entire time.

20 minute chunks of lead-follow. I’m fully settled now.

So I stand on it, straight up to to 200 km/h.

2017 Audi R8 V10 hits 200 by KeriBlog

That’s what I’m saying, “that’s 200.” First time I ever did that. Did not need another addiction.

It’s ok, flipped it in post.

There’s 5 main difference between
the 2015 and 2017 models.

See the post here.

The 2017 R8 will arrive in dealerships about 6 months from now.

For a detailed account of the sportscar experience, read my story at The Co here.