Just what is ‘the ultimate driving machine’? Ferrari 458 Speciale owner Tom‘s answer probably won’t surprise you…
[Not a valid template]| Driver's Log | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date acquired: | February 2014 | |
| Total kilometres: | 7,846 | |
| Kilometres this month: | 717 | |
| Costs this month: | $0 | |
| L/100km this month: | During a proper workout… | ? |
The feeling of driving the Speciale again – having been unable to do so for nearly a month – was like seeing an old friend, and without being too sentimental, I quickly realised what I had been missing. Sure, I’m very happy with the other cars in our household (I hand-picked them myself, after all), but among the BMWs – regardless how great they are – it’s the Speciale that deserves the title of ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’.
When the agenda finally allowed, off I went to my beloved Sharjah mountains to stretch the car’s legs. And since none of fellow-petrolheaded friends could join, I went alone. It actually made me appreciate the car and its nuances even more, since there’s nothing to distract you from the pure driving experience that the car offers. The gears knock in faultlessly with every twist of a finger, the brakes are full of feel and absent of fade, the engine keeps on pulling happily into 9,000rpm each time, whilst flashing the full range of steering wheel lights. Nobody would ever truly need those lights, since it is abundantly clear when the engine is reaching is rev-limit. But I like them, especially at night, since they just add to the drama.
I’m planning to wring the car’s neck as often as I can throughout the next month, since I’ve found it’s the best stress-release one can imagine. I clocked up all the mileage listed below on one day, and not once did I think about work or daily chores, I concentrating only on mastering the best of my (limited) ability. That’s what driving a car like this is all about.
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