Amidst the picturesque setting of the Concours Club in Opa-locka, Florida, a dedicated team of 117 judges embarked on a mission to identify the standout vehicle among a field of ten contenders for the coveted Car of the Year award. This private racetrack, with its state-of-the-art facilities, served as the perfect backdrop for this rigorous assessment.
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Over the course of five days, each vehicle was subjected to multiple tests along the two-mile track, divided into zones for specific exercises like standing-start sprints, slalom runs, and emergency-lane-change maneuvers. These tests were designed to evaluate the overall driving experience of each model. Judges also considered aspects beyond driving dynamics, focusing on the emotive elements of each car, such as:
Looks: interior and exterior
Luxury and Comfort: ergonomics, materials, and noise, vibration, and harshness
Performance: acceleration, handling, and braking
Utility: capacity and practicality
Intangibles: collectibility and “wow” factor
The judges approached the evaluation process with impartiality, which led some to affirm their pre-existing preferences and others to discover unexpected favorites. The Audi RS e-tron GT, with its impressive horsepower surpassing that of the Pagani Utopia or McLaren Senna, was a surprise standout for many.
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Ultimately, three vehicles emerged as the top contenders, showcasing both innovation and adherence to heritage. Ferrari’s upcoming all-electric vehicle may be on the horizon, but the Purosangue SUV with its V-12 engine pays homage to tradition. The Lamborghini Urus SE, with its hybrid technology and versatility, underscores the brand’s contemporary relevance. However, the clear winner was Aston Martin’s Vanquish, which captivated judges and the Robb Report editorial team alike, embodying a renaissance for the brand with its exquisite design and robust performance.
Driving Forces
Now in its 23rd edition, the Car of the Year event thrives not only on exceptional vehicles but also on partnerships with luxury brands in hospitality, wine, spirits, and fashion.
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When not engaged in track activities, participants enjoyed gourmet meals by Chef Brad Kilgore at the Concours Club and relaxed at the historic Boca Raton resort, which boasts a 50,000-square-foot spa and an 18-hole golf course.
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Brand collaborations elevated the event further, with Cirrus showcasing its SR22 aircraft and Akoni providing custom sunglasses for each car. Atlas Bespoke displayed leather goods, and Louis XIII Cognac added a touch of elegance with toasts at evening dinners.
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The event’s success is largely due to the knowledgeable evaluators, many of whom are loyal readers with extensive experience with the represented brands. They are the driving force behind Robb Report‘s Car of the Year, ensuring its continued prominence as an industry benchmark.
Partners:
Gregarious Cigars
Michter’s Patrimony Estate
Judges
Steven Africk
Shane Ames
Fabricia Azevedo
Arif Babayev
Emiliano Fernandez Balague
John Bishop
William Bishop
Paul Boudos
Catherine Branning
Donald Branning
Michael Branning
Ryan Branning
William Branning
Andrew Bulkowski
Tresider Burns
Robert Jeffrey Busch
Aidan Cantillo
Julian Cantillo
Julio Cantillo
Roger Cary
Vincent Catalano
Scott Cohen
Richard Corman
Robert Cossaboon
Normand Coulombe
John Cunningham
Katrina Cunningham
Brian Davis
Lisa Davis
Sebastian Detullio
Matthew Dicken
James Diggs
Josh Diggs
Farah Driche
Lynn Dugas
Stephen Dugas
Daniel Egipciaco
Marcos Egipciaco
Claudia Falero
Ramon Falero
Joseph Fath
Jeremy Fleischman
Carlos Arturo
Fuente III
Gian Fulgoni
David Garber
Michael Garber
John Graff
Joshua Greenman
William Greig
Kevin Gutierrez
Andrew Hefelfinger
James Hefelfinger
Sam Herzfeld
Guy Johnson
Jeffrey Johnson
Cjay Joseph
Carrie Kelly
Timothy Kelly
Mark Kerslake
Bob Kocher
Robert Kolt
Paul Kwiecinski
Noel LaPorte
Carroll Joseph Leboeuf Jr.
Sean Lee
Chris Lorenzen
Alex Lukanov
Paul Lukianov
Alex Lundy
Richard Maffezzoli
Thomas Mantione
Michael Markovich
Viju Mathew
Michael McMillan
Cedric Meeschaert
Jeff Meisel
Rudolf Kniase Melikoff
Joseph Menter
Kathleen Menter
Jeff Mitelman
Linden Nelson
Sanford Nelson
Mark Newman
Lee Oleinick
Novella Paghera
Itay Perach
Russell Potee
Scott Powell
Peter Powers
Tanya Ropp
Ronald Salkow
Robert Santom Andreas Schuermann
Heike Schuermann
Brian Schwalbe
Julie Schwalbe
Andrew Shantz
Lionel Sims
Craig Sincock II
Mitchell Singer
Joshua Slater
Timothy Smeaton
Ismael Soto
Kenneth Spiegel
Chris Stout
Michael Tutcher
Ara John Vartanian
Giordana Vogel
Ronald Vogel II
Mia Leonarda Vukasovic
Jeffrey Walker
Arthur Ward IV
Samuel Weeman
Dawn Weems
Johnie Weems
Tyler Weesen
Michael Wolf
Joshua Woods
Original Story at robbreport.com