Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

It would be an oversimplification and an injustice to call the Aston Martin DBS Volante (available at Aston Martin from $282,500 – $286,500) just a convertible.  With a motorized retractable fabric roof and a 6.0 liter V12 engine producing 510 hp, the DBS Volante combines the thrill of open air driving with the serious performance of a luxury sports car.  And with standard carbon ceramic brakes equipped on the DBS Volante, you’ll have the necessary stopping power to get you right back to zero after you first hit 62mph in only 4.3 seconds.  It’s not just about performance either—Aston Martin engineers and Bang & Olufsen’s Tonmeisters have teamed together to produce the BeoSound DBS entertainment system, which actually recognizes when the roof is retracted and adjusts to ensure sound quality in the midst of extra wind noise.  And just in case the standard paint colors don’t suit your taste, Aston Martin will apply a custom paint job to match any color you like, virtually guaranteeing your Aston Martin DBS Volante will be one of a kind.

Automobiles, Gear, Sports Cars

With an impressive stable of super cars including Chevrolet Corvette Z06s, Ferrari 360 Spiders, Aston Martin DB9s, and Ford GTs available for your driving pleasure, Western Road Adventures at the Gateway Canyons Resort in Colorado is the ultimate road trip adventure.  The all-inclusive adventure packages are based on three-day itineraries starting at $3,000 or five-day itineraries starting at $5,000 (both for two people), all of which include ground transportation to and from the Gateway Canyons Resort, priority access to Resort amenities, concierge services, costs associated with driving the cars and all meals.  You’ll receive an orientation to each car prior to driving along outstandingly windy roads to locations such as Aspen, Telluride and Moab before returning to the Gateway Canyons Resort each day where you’ll have access to activities such as guided hiking, mountain biking, ATV rides as well as equestrian trail rides.  And whether you opt for the three or five-day itinerary, our favorite part of this entire adventure package is that each one ends with off-road driving along the Dolores River in the Land Rover Defender, one of the most badass off-roading SUVs ever.

Adventure, Automobiles, Leisure, Sports Cars, Travel, Trucks

Bentley’s first biofuel compatible car, the Bentley Continental Supersports (available from Bentley in 2010 for approximately $250,000), has the unique distinction of also being its fastest and most powerful production car.  The Continental Supersports will have a twin turbocharged 621 bhp, W12 engine that will propel the car to a reported top speed of 204 mph.  Vertical intake vents, bonnet vents, smoked steel finish grilles and headlamp bezels distinctively set the car apart from the Continental GT.  And most significantly, Bentley is committed, beginning with the Continental Supersports, to have all their production vehicles capable of running on a combination of bioethanol (E85) and/or gasoline by 2012, all without sacrificing performance or luxury.

Automobiles, Gear, Going green, Sports Cars

Just when you thought the cars in Lotus’ model lineup couldn’t be considered anything more than go-cart-esque play toys, Lotus unveils the Evora (price TBA). And while the Evora may not possess the overall presence of the discontinued Esprit, it still shows great promise as a formidable sports car that’s every bit a Lotus. Weighing in under 3,000 pounds and sporting a 276 hp V6 engine, the Evora will sprint from 0-60 in under five seconds while maintaining a fuel economy around 30 mpg.

Automobiles, Gear, Sports Cars

When you think of bespoke tailoring, the iconic Savile Row in central London may come to mind.  The British have now inexplicably applied that same bespoke concept to one of the most iconic of automobile companies in British history—the Aston Martin.  Their newest concept flagship car, the limited edition One-77 ($1.3 million),  represents the beginning of a new era at Aston Martin.  With a carbon fiber chassis and handcrafted aluminum body, this 7.3 liter V12 supercar is rumored to have a 0-60 time estimated at 3.5 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 200 mph.  Only 77 cars will be produced and buyers will have the option to customize the entire car, from the interior trim to having seats ergonomically tailored to fit the driver and passenger’s personal curves as well as having the car’s suspension set up by Aston Martin engineers to meet the owner’s requirements.  What does this mean for you?  Unless you’re sitting on $1.3 million, probably not all that much, but for now, you can at least look, just not touch.

Automobiles, Gear, Sports Cars