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3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey drives the world’s most powerful convertible… in Bahrain. The Ferrari 812 GTS is the most powerful production spider there is, and I had the chance to drive this mighty car last month on a special Ferrari “Lifestyle Drive”. Its amazing 6,496cc V12 engine, capable of a top speed of 340 kph, can accelerate the car from zero to 100 kph in a blistering 3 seconds – and to 200 kph in just 8.3 seconds! I first enjoyed a pre-drive coffee and chat with Ferrari Bahrain’s General Manager, Matthew Morgan. He’s passionate about the brand and we spent an hour discussing Ferrari in general, and the 812 GTS in particular. Then it came to the drive… The car was waiting for me outside the showroom and was gleaming in classic Ferrari red. It looked beautiful – like a work of art, which I guess it is. It was a perfect late October day with temperatures in the mid-late 20s, so I decided to drive in convertible mode. The retractable hard top artfully opens in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 45 kph. I appreciated the meticulous work that went into ensuring driver and passenger comfort with the […]
3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey drives the BMW X3. The BMW X3 might look pretty much identical to the previous model it replaces, but it’s packed with lots of improved technology that make it easier and more relaxing to drive. It’s also a lot sportier than the average SUV. It’s lighter, more efficient, and drives beautifully as you’d expect from a BMW. This roomy family car is quiet and comfortable thanks to its suspension that expertly irons out the bumps that can be found in many Bahrain roads. There’s generous space in the front for both the driver and the passenger, and enough room in the back for three adults. There’s also lots of boot space. The BMW X3 is actually bigger than the original BMW X5. That said, I was surprised just how easy this car is to park in tight spaces thanks to excellent visibility and technology. Interior design is stylish, with funky controls and choices of cool ambient lighting. The quality of materials used by BMW for the interior are first class. Almost every piece of trim on the dashboard and center console feels soft to the touch. There’s a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel […]
3 years ago
Charlie Cooksey from Gulf Insider drives the new Ferrari F8 Spider. The F8 Spider is a mid-rear-mounted two-seater that provides jaw dropping performance with reputedly the best 8-cylinder engine in the world. It offers intense driving pleasure, unprecedented handling, and superior ride comfort. Luxuriously stitched leather seats hold you in secure comfort no matter how hard you drive this car. Every element of the dash, steering wheel, door panels and tunnel is beautifully designed. It was a beautiful April day – not too hot, and while waiting at the Al Hawaj traffic lights, I remembered this car becomes a convertible at the touch of a button… So, I activated the process, by which, the blue sky opened up for me. The conversion to an open top sports car takes a dozen or so seconds and is mechanics as an art form. I realized all eyes from within the other cars around me were watching with fascination as the car changed. The F8 Spider was designed in parallel with the F8 Tributo – the most powerful, fastest, and lightest Ferrari for its type. They replace the 488 GTB and 488 Spider and have been significantly improved to provide even better control […]
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