As we dropped into the back stretch on lap 4, I knew this would be the moment. Strapped into a screaming yellow 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, it was finally my turn to pass one of the other track cars and catch up to the lead pace Lambo. Following the pace car were me and three more Italian speed machines, all Lamborghinis with a total of about 1700 horsepower among them. I was in the second position among the four cars as the Lambo in front of me swung to the right, giving me a clear path to lift off. The stands to the left were a blur, not unlike a dash cam at Indy, as I paddle shifted at red line to second at 9000 rpms. Nothing can equal the wail of a Lamborghini at these engine speeds, and even with my insulated driver’s helmet and flame retardant mask, it was both deafening and intoxicating.

I mashed the petal with earnest, knowing that this car had a top speed in excess of 200 mph and I was on the longest backstretch of motor speedway in the Southeast United States. Ahead, the white Gallardo pace car taunted me to play catch-up with the other Lambo swinging aside to the right in a 135 mph blur as we hurled toward the hair pin right turn. The huge brakes produced physics-defying deceleration and I caught up (sort of) to the pace car and then rocketed again by the pits for the final lap. I now had the privilege of following the line the instructor found on the track, and I threw all here-to-known concern for life and limb and plowed into the turns. G forces in excess of 1.1 and 1.2 stunned me as we carved the S turns and sweepers past turn one. The Gallardo’s 570 horsepower V-10 goaded me on along with the state-of-the-art All Wheel Drive, ultra light carbon fiber body and Formula 1 speed paddle shifting technology. It all proved that there wasn’t anything I could do that would even mildly challenge this Lamborghini, as this beast was made for this kind of track. It’s as if it was saying: “Is that all you can do? Come on!” I knew then I was in the absolute pinnacle of sports car engineering and design, without peer world-wide. That was my welcome to Lamborghini.

I’ve driven many exotic sports cars so I was thrilled when Jose Morazan, General Manager of Lamborghini Palm Beach, invited me and Bullz-Eye.com to participate in this exclusive Track Day Event hosted by Lamborghini at Palm Beach International Raceway. The experience of driving Lamborghinis on a track far exceeded anything I’d experience in the past with exotic sports cars. In addition to the All Wheel Drive Gallardo described above, all of the guests at the event also got to drive a two-wheel drive Gallardo LP 550-2, which in some way was even more terrifying as it didn’t grip the turns like its All Wheel Drive counterpart.

One of the photographers at the event summed up the experience with a quote from one of the owners of Lamborghini Palm Beach. Erik Day once said about his experience behind the wheel of a Lamborghini on the track: “It’s the closest thing to having sex with a gun pointed at your head!” I have to agree as this summed up the fear and the ecstasy of driving this beast around these turns.

If you want to experience the pure exhilaration of driving a Lamborghini and owning one of these incredible machines, the team of professionals at Lamborghini Palm Beach can help make your dream a reality. Jose Morazan and his team are experts who can help you with new or used Lamborghinis along with all sorts of other used exotics. We were very impressed with their professionalism along with all the Lamborghini representatives that helped us at the track event.

The Lamborghini team stressed the driving experience. This was not a race or a competition, and safety was the primary concern. Yet even with all preparation and the well-designed track program, it still came down to driving these rockets on wheels around tight turns with four more Lamborghinis on the track as well. It was the experience of a lifetime.

Each driver had the opportunity to test two cars on the track, and I started with the 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2. This more traditional Lamborghini layout adheres to the classic mid-engine/Rear Wheel Drive layout that made the marquee famous, and this raging bull was made to impress with 550 brute horsepower and Lambo’s unique E- gear electronically controlled shifting.

With a thumbs up from the pit crew chief we took off. A near vertical acceleration curve was created as we rocketed out of pit row, chasing the other test track Gallardos ahead of us. The first lap was a warm-up lap to let us get to know the car and the track, though at at breakneck speeds of 80 to 110 mph!. The pack of 4 showed no sign of trepidation, so I barreled ahead, through the sweepers, round houses, and S configurations to keep pace with them. The famous Palm Beach International Speedway back stretch came soon after the S’s, which gave me the opportunity to finally up shift to second, or dare I say third!

This car handled magnificently, with predictable over steer, both in left and right cambers. Yet I knew this car wouldn’t grip the track quite like the All Wheel Drive version, and I could feel the back end sliding just enough to scare the hell out of me as we raced through the tight turns. That’s why the purists and driving pros love this traditional model, but I was just trying to keep up without spinning out, so my stress level was through the roof!

This car was especially impressive, however, on the straight-aways. On the back stretch I saw the electronically controlled rear spoiler rise up as I got over 100 mph, planting this aerodynamic wonder even firmer on the raceway. With a stunning top speed of 199 mph and a thrilling 3.9 second 0-62 mph launch time, few words describe the power and presence of a classic Gallardo.

After five exhilarating laps, we switched vehicles to test out the more stout and athletic version of the 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera. I was more comfortable with the track and this All Wheel Drive version would give me more confidence in the turns, yet that produced even more challenges as I pushed this one a little harder.

With equal part fear and lust, I shoehorned my way into the cockpit with the smell of ultra-heated brake pads lingering from its previous track run. Carbon fiber enveloped us and the lack of seat recline only reinforced the no nonsense approach to the driver/machine union Lambo engineers intended upon creation. Currently the most powerful V-10 sports car in the world and with state of the art All Wheel Drive, this car oozed performance and never failed to deliver. The lead pace car took off and we blasted out of pit row 0-80 in a tic over 4 seconds, a continuous rush all in first gear. The first of the 11 turns on this 2 mile track was a medium right sweeper, and the Gallardo laughed at me while I hung the sharp right with barely a yawn of effort . . . it’s as if it was saying, “Can’t you do better than .91 g lateral acceleration?” I immediately knew this car’s potential far out-paced my own, even in my wildest dreams. The pack started to spread out slightly, just in time for the big roundhouse right turn, leading to the wild S curves. I decided to now give up all hope of sanity and drive this car well beyond what I was truly believed was a speed that would spin us hard into the retaining wall. But this Lambo gripped the track unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

Holding the wheel tightly to keep me from being flung to the far right hand door of the cockpit, I was amazed at the lateral 1.0 + G forces generated by this Italian wonder, all with absolute neutral steering. The All Wheel Drive geometrics redefines what you assume is physically capable in a road car, all while telegraphing minute and nuanced feedback through the steering wheel and chassis. Forgiving is not enough to describe the balance, and along with an all aluminum space-frame and carbon fiber body/chassis, this car can do no wrong. Now I had the confidence to thrash my way to the thrilling S curves, and nothing was like it! Clearing the S’s, we banked right into the Speedway back stretch, finally allowing me to paddle shift up to 135 as I described above and then within milliseconds slam on to the brakes, hauling the beast back to 25 and then hair pin right back to the pit row straight. Each lap give me increased confidence, and with that my lap times improving accordingly. Finally behind the pace car, I followed and learned his line, break points and shift timing, giving me the best lap time of the session. A seasoned professional Lamborghini test pilot, he politely didn’t waste me in his dust, although at the time it felt like break neck Indy speeds to me. Undoubtedly, this car has the best sounding v-10 engine anywhere; the wail is positively spine-tingling at 8,000 rpm redline.

With the weight savings of the Superleggera model, Lamborghini presents the driver with a 2953 pound rocket with 570 horsepower to play with, thus translating 0-60 lift-offs in a thrilling 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph! Its unique 5.2 lb/hp power-to-weight ratio and single clutch electronically managed E shift technology, Lamborghini once again offers sports car enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike an opportunity to live the automotive dream.

Admiring the curves of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model is one thing, but actually driving it – that’s something only Lexus and its all-new 2013 GS sport sedan could do with style. As the official automotive marketing partner of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit property, Lexus created a multi-faceted campaign called TORI 500, showcasing an actual racetrack that the automaker created in the shape of model Tori Praver’s body.

“What better way to help introduce the bold new face of Lexus than with a bold new campaign featuring a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model?” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice president of marketing. “With the new GS, there’s no going back for Lexus. Instead of just looking at the pictures, consumers can share in the fun through our many campaign components, including having Tori appear in their own photos.”

That’s right, kids. Not only can you check out Tori Praver in the upcoming swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated, but you can also download a new iOS app called Supermodeled that lets you place the model in your photos with a click of a button. Additionally, you can watch two of the world’s best professional drivers – race car driver Scott Pruett (who took us for a ride in the all-new Lexus GS earlier this month) and stunt driver Greg Tracy – compete on the TORI 500 track on the company’s YouTube page.

Check out some photos from the print campaign in the gallery above, and be sure to read our impressions of the Lexus GS during our recent trip to Las Vegas Speedway.

Fans have been modifying Nissan’s Z car in garages around the world for going on 40 years. Now, Nissan is making it possible to modify a 370Z over the internet with their new Facebook campaign, and you don’t even need to own the car to participate.

Project 370Z works like this. Log on to facebook.com/nissanperformance, where you can then vote for a variety of performance parts as they become available. Turbos, Superchargers, bigger brakes or wings — the choice is all yours. The votes will then be tallied and the winning parts will be added to the car.

The final car will then be debuted at the annual Z Dayz event in North Carolina. You get all the rewards of customizing your own Z and you don’t even get your hands dirty. Maybe the event will even give you enough inspiration to modify your own Z car.

Following on the heels of the North American Auto Show, the Chicago Auto Show is the showcase for many brands’ revised products and a few concept car surprises as well. From work vans to sports cars, the Chicago Auto Show showcases every corner of the automotive world.

With meaningful updates added to Nissan’s GTR on almost a yearly basis, Nissan decided to give some attention to its other sports car, the 370Z. While no power has been added, the 370Z has been given improvements with an updated look and performance. In the looks department, Nissan has fitted a new, smoother-looking bumper, LED running lights, a revised wheel design, and two new paint colors. As for the performance side, the 370Z receives the same shocks that are fitted to the European version in order to offer better ride and handling. These small improvements freshen up the 370Z just in time to face a round of fresh-faced contenders.

To celebrate 20 years of SVT performance, Ford unveiled a new version of the car that started the line: the Cobra. Following the debut of the monstrous coupe, Ford unveiled the convertible version here at the Chicago Auto Show. Retaining the same 650hp supercharged V8 and track upgrades, this version is sure to more than mess up your hair with the top down — it might just scalp you. This model will be plenty exciting even though this model has been limited to 155mph from the coupes’ top speed of 202.

As a Motley Crue cover band screeched in the background, Kia unveiled their Track’ster concept. Based off the Kia Soul, the Track’ster deletes two doors, adds all-wheel drive, more power, and a healthy dose of alcantara to the interior. The Track’ster is supposed to represent the “dream” of the ultimate Soul. Excessive wheel size, marketing buzzwords, and styling details aside, the Track’ster may see production in order to provide a sportier version of the Soul.

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The Super Bowl might be long gone, but our impressions of the all-new 2013 Lexus GS will continue to be known. The new GS incorporates bold, dynamic styling, precise handling, innovative technology and a spacious interior. After spending time behind the wheel of the new GS in Las Vegas we can tell you with certainty that this is a new beginning for Lexus combined with a rich heritage of building superb luxury vehicles. We even had the chance to learn more about driving the auto cross and took a ride with pro driver Scott Pruett to see how it’s done by the experts.

Believe it when Lexus told us that, “The new GS conveys an enhanced sense of confidence to the driver with a redesigned chassis and a wide, strong stance that inspires and rewards driver participation with crisp and precise handling. Engineers developed a more spacious interior environment while leaving exterior dimensions virtually unchanged to ensure excellent maneuverability. Richly endowed with world-class features and premium details, the new GS is supported by advanced, performance technology that makes it more than just a luxury car.”

All that and the starting price remains the same as the previous model at a base MSRP of $46,900; and for that we applaud Lexus for having their consumers back by holding the price. Technology abounds as GS models equipped with the optional navigation system will also have access to the next-generation Lexus Enform Application Suite, the system that leverages the customers’ mobile phone technology to provide a new level of connectivity and information management. Users can conduct local searches through Bing, or utilize voice-enabled apps to make restaurant reservations through OpenTable, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com or tap into internet radio, including Pandora or iHeartRadio.

Looks great, drives great and satisfies those who are looking for the most out of life!

It was 23 degrees, cold and dark. I was leaving Cleveland in the dead of a cold winter’s night. I’d been invited by BFGoodrich to the unveiling of their newest, ultra-high performance summer tire, the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2. Oh, and the event was being held in sunny southern California. It didn’t take much convincing to get me on the plane.

The COMP-2 is BFGoodrich’s answer to the new breed of high-tech ultra-high performance tires on the market. Three years in the making, the new tire uses a new silca-infused rubber compound and reinforced internal structure to improve grip in all situations. In comparison to the other leading tires in this category, the BFG claims a 30% increase in grip in wet conditions while maintaining an 8% lead in the dry.

BFG is going for the enthusiast aftermarket where tire performance and looks trumps most other factors. With over 50 diameter and width combinations available, it’s designed to fit most foreign and domestic sports cars.

Fast forward 32 hours to the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California. 67 degrees and dry as a bone, the perfect weather to put the new tire to the test. BFGoodrich had prepared several different events for us to try out the new g-Force Sport COMP-2, and better yet, to compare it to the competition. For every car clad in the new COMP-2s, there was at least one other car of the same model shod in Yokohamas, Coopers, Hankook, and other leading brands. We had the opportunity to test back-to-back the BFGoodrich offering against the industry leaders.

By “we,” I mean some of the biggest names in the automotive press: Car & Driver, Autoweek, Hot Rod Magazine, and of course, Bullz-Eye. I have to say I was more than a little intimidated by my peers. I have no illusions about my driving skills; I’m enthusiastic, but in no way experienced. The one goal I had during the whole event was simply to NOT make a fool of myself.

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Chrysler says It’s Halftime in America in this year’s Super Bowl ad, invoking more images from Detroit where the US auto industry is clearly on the rebound.

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We were at the Las Vegas Speedway with writers and journalists for our opportunity to drive the all-new 2013 Lexus GS and experience the Supercar Lexus LFA. The weather was incredible in the mid 60’s and not a cloud in the sky. There has been quite a buzz around the new Lexus GS and we wanted to see what Lexus was able to accomplish after delivering some of the best luxury sports sedans for decades. Once we arrived at the Speedway, there was some time to check out the new 2013 GS before we hit the auto cross and race track. The new front grille is simply gorgeous and tough in the same breath and will surely make a statement when on the road.

This is a very aggressive design by Lexus and we agree with their claim that, “distinguished by the elegant beauty of its aerodynamic body, the precisely sculpted exterior of the all-new Lexus GS luxury sport sedan glows with aggressive performance and precision handling. Powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6, putting 306 horsepower to the pavement, the four-cam, four valve per cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) propels the 2013 GS 350 from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters, offers four driving modes: Normal, ECO, SPORT S, and SPORT S+. An optional electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is designed to enhance traction in a variety of driving conditions.” The cockpit of the new GS is buit for the inspired driver, while a horizontal-themed instrument panel emphasizes spaciousness through its wide layout. Equal attention has been paid to maximizing space for rear passengers, with generous headroom, legroom, knee room and foot space.

We were also joined by pro driver Scott Pruett, who gave us some tips on driving and would school us later behind the wheel of both the Lexus GS and Supercar LFA. This was going to get good. Our first test was on the track with a guide as we opened up the 2013 Lexus GS and found the car to be very responsive and in control. Over at the auto cross, Lexus decided to track our times and see what we could do and I was up for the challenge. Our first two runs were practice, but then we were clocked and recorded on our third try. Well, my third try turned out to be my worst as I clipped a few cones trying to get too cute on a sharp turn. When you go into SPORT S+ mode (available on some models), it engages handling enhancements via a sport setting of the adaptive variable suspension, steering system, and vehicle stability control (VSC) together with the powertrain enhancements of SPORT S mode.

The bottom line is that the 2103 Lexus GS steps up her game in the power and handling department and shows where it took some of the DNA from the LFA Supercar in Sport S+. After we finished our amateur turns, Pruett took us along for a ride and shows a few things while blowing our times out of the water. I enjoyed the professional pointers and took notes for later! Our crew then headed over to the track for another ride in the Lexus Super Car LFA, which is beyond anything we could park in our garage, so this was a once in a lifetime experience. Scott was awesome as he reached speeds that you only hear about from the pros and wonder how these people do it on those tracks. Well, it helps to have a car like the LFA that is built for top performance.

It was now time to go back to the auto cross and see if the lessons from Scott Pruett paid off, and I’m happy to say that close to our entire team started clocking better times, and I was able to graduate from the “cone killer” lap I took earlier to a much more respectable finishing time. We pushed the Lexus cars hard and they responded admirably. Above and beyond the performance aspect of the new GS combines bold, dynamic styling, precise handling, innovative technology, and a spacious interior. Lexus will give the world a glimpse of the all-new 2013 GS with a first ever Super Bowl commercial, so we feel very fortunate to be able to give you a first-hand report on our thoughts. I’ve read that “GS engineers challenged themselves to develop a more spacious interior environment. While leaving exterior dimensions virtually unchanged, they dramatically increased cabin and trunk space to create an interior that can easily transport passengers and their luggage in luxury and style regardless of distance,” and after spending time in the new GS, they hit the mark and then some. When Lexus states this is an all-new car, they really mean it, with a new aerodynamic body, completely new platform with a wider stance and stiffer structure, transmission with quicker shifts, distinctive engine sound and exhaust notes and better seat support.

Our test models had 18-way heated and ventilated front seats! It’s clear that our time driving the Lexus GS is much more in depth than most will get a chance to experience with a test drive, and we must say these new cars are built to handle what you can throw at them in regards to speed and handling. Finding that right balance between luxury and performance is not easily found, but with the 2013 Lexus GS delivers with such options like an industry-first 12.3-inch, split-screen, high-resolution multi-media display.( The 12.3-inch screen is large enough to support simultaneous, split-screen viewing of a large map display, plus audio, climate or other vehicle information). Lexus pulled out all of the stops on the new GS and with the world seeing it first hand during the Super Bowl, we have the feeling that new fans of the GS will start to drive these cars off the lot with a big smile on their face!

Bullz-Eye is flying to Vegas for the Super Bowl this weekend and we’re going to do a lot more than just gamble and watch foobtall. Lexus is taking us to the track where we’ll drive the all-new Lexus GS Series and ride in the iconic LFA. The brand new GS looks great and will debut a first for Lexus: a Super Bowl commercial. We already love the ad, so stay tuned to learn what we think of the cars behind the wheel.

The wait is over. The bold new face of Lexus is here, and it cannot be contained. Watch Lexus’ first-ever Super Bowl commercial, introducing the all-new 2013 GS and a glimpse of what Lexus has in store for 2012. The 30-second commercial features the 2013 GS as it breaks free from containment, illustrating the company’s move in a new design direction for the brand. The spot also hints at the additional new vehicles Lexus will unveil later in the year, which are waiting in the wings for their turn to burst onto the scene.

“The all-new Lexus GS is showcased in this ad because it’s the first model to feature the new look of Lexus and it’s also the first of nine new or updated models we’ll launch this year,” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice president of marketing. “This spot looks very different than anything Lexus has done before and demonstrates to the 50-million-strong Super Bowl audience that 2012 will be a breakthrough year for Lexus.”

The 30-second commercial is scheduled to air at the end of the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. An early look at the commercial can be seen today on Lexus social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube. The new GS series will be a touchdown for Lexus and this very cool Super Bowl ad is a great way to start things up!