I’ve driven some really great cars in my lifetime. Ferraris, Bentleys, Porsches, Mercedes – you name it, and chances are I’ve driven it. That’s the life of an Automotive Journalist.
But my head is still spinning and my heart is still pounding, as I recently drove what I consider to be the ultimate automobile, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.
First, a little history. The French car company with the Italian name (and now owned by German car company Volkswagen) was founded in 1909 by Ettore Bugatti. Bugatti built some of the world’s most beautiful and successful cars, often raced against Bugatti’s main nemesis, the machines from Bentley. Bugattis were built in Molsheim, located in the Alsace region which was part of the German Empire until 1919. The company was known both for the high level of engineering in its automobiles, and for stunning designs. Bugattis enjoyed much success on the racetrack, with driver Jean-Pierre Wimille winning the 24 hours of Le Mans twice (in 1937 with Robert Benoist and 1939 with Pierre Veyron, for whom the current Veyron is named after). Early Bugattis were literally rolling works of art, with the most famous including the Type 35 Grand Prix cars, the Type 41 Royale, the Type 57 Atlantic and the Type 55 sports car.
Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean Bugatti, a key figure in the company, died in 1939 while testing a Bugatti, marking a turning point in the company’s fortunes.
World War II was another turning point, as the Molsheim factory was destroyed during the war. And in 1947, Ettore Bugatti died, and the original incarnation of Bugatti ceased operations in 1952. The company changed hands several times until it was ultimately purchased by The Volkswagen Group in 1998.
And that is when planning for the ultimate automotive experience began.
As mentioned earlier, the Veyron line is named after legendary Bugatti driver Pierre Veyron (1903-1970). Veyron models include the Veyron, Super Sport, Vitesse and the subject of this review, the Grand Sport.
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is purpose built for extreme performance. It’s equipped with an 8.0-liter, 16-cylinder motor that produces an astonishing 1001 horsepower (1183 horsepower in the Super Sport and Vitesse). Zero to sixty miles per hour ticks off in just 2.6 seconds. Top speed is a mind bending 253 miles per hour.
Since ridiculous propulsion is available in every Veryon model, lets start with a breakdown of the magnificent Grand Sport engine. The 16 cylinder unit in the Veyron is in a W16 configuration. Look at the letter “W†and is really should be called “Double V.†Essentially, Bugatti merged two V8 engines with a common crankshaft. The two merged V’s create a W.
Polished intakes just aft of the passenger compartment feed air into the engine. Four turbochargers and four wastegates provide and bleed off boost. With all of the power and mechanical complexity, a tremendous amount of heat is generated in the Veyron. To keep things cool, a total of ten radiators/heat exchangers are staged throughout the engine compartment. There are three engine radiators, one each for the engine oil, transmission oil, differential and air conditioning system, and three heat exchangers for the air-to-liquid intercoolers. In addition, the Veyron engine has two water cooling circuits, each with a specific cooling task.
The seven speed dual clutch transmission is unique, as it has to harness about twice as much torque as a regular sports car transmission. Shifts rattle off with lightning fast speed.
Okay, we now know that the Veyron Grand Sport is powerful, but the visceral experience behind the wheel is like no other.
When it was time to hit the road, a professional race driver hired by Bugatti drove first, to show me what to do and what not to do to when driving such a machine. After “Bugatti 101,†I was ready, or at least I thought I was ready to experience 1001 horsepower. He nailed the accelerator and all four of the Veyron’s turbochargers kicked in as if the car was on a mission to the moon. Liftoff!
The sheer thrust was frightening at first, because I did not expect to leave my stomach back at the starting line. The symphony of quad turbos, quad wastegates and the rush of air to feed the big engine was sweet music. Now, it was my turn behind the wheel.
I wisely limited my bursts of speed to super quick runs up to 140 mph and then hard on the brakes to keep the local constables from throwing me under the jail for reckless driving. To the left of the dash cluster, a horsepower gauge shows that during steady state cruising, more than 700 additional horsepower is available for rapid acceleration.
Two modes combine to get you to the Veyron’s top speed. In “normal†mode, top speed for the Grand Sport is 220 mph. When it reaches 140 mph, hydraulics lower the car until it has a ground clearance of about 3.5 inches. At the same time, the rear wing and spoiler deploy, with the rear wing providing some 770 pound-feet of downforce, helping to hold the car to the road.
To reach the magical 253 mph top speed, you insert a special “top speed†key to the left of the driver’s seat. A checklist then establishes whether the car is ready to attempt to reach 253 mph. As part of the process, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers shut, and normal 4.9 inches of ground clearance drops to 2.6 inches. The front grilles and windshield are specially reinforced to resist bird strikes at multi digit speeds.
If you travel this fast, you’d better be able to slow down in a hurry. No worries, as Grand Sport braking is also impressive, with eight piston brakes front and six piston rear clamping massive 15 inch plus rotors. To help slow you from speeds in excess of 120 mph, the rear spoiler deploys upward at a 55 degree angle in less than half a second to become a large air brake. Not only does it slow you down, it looks totally cool when the airbrake deploys.
Ride quality is surprisingly good. The tires on the Grand Sport are like steamrollers – very wide. This usually means you feel every pebble on the road. Not so with the Grand Sport, which is quite comfortable to drive at any speed. Cabin fit and finish is excellent, and luxury accoutrements abound. The glass roof panel is removable (two very careful people are needed!), but cannot be stored onboard. If you get caught out in inclement weather, a special portable top stores in the front trunk. The portable top is not rated for top speed though.
Veyron maintenance costs as one would expect are very, very high. Replacing the special Michelin PAX tires will set you back about $30,000. They are the only tire made that’s certified to be used on Bugattis. They last about 10,000 miles, and you can only mount tires twice before you have to buy a new set of wheels at nearly $70,000. The reason is that the wheel bead can be compromised from too many tire changes. Losing tire pressure due to a bad bead at 253 mph would be a disaster. Annual dealership maintenance costs are estimated at more than $21,000 per year.
Is this the world’s most amazing car? It’s got my vote. At $2 million dollars, it should be special. To honor the legacy of Ettore Bugatti, the bright minds that now run the company have ensured that it is special indeed.
-Article by Brian Armstead
Few modern sports cars generate as much debate as the Toyota GR Supra. Some enthusiasts still point to its collaboration with BMW, while others see that partnership for what it ultimately produced: one of the most compelling rear-wheel-drive sports cars available today.
After spending a week with the 2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition, our conclusion is straightforward: the BMW connection does not diminish this Supra. In many ways, it helps make the car better.
Our test vehicle was particularly special. Finished in Burnout Matte Silver with a black Alcantara-and-leather interior, its window sticker showed a $73,300 total suggested retail price, including the Driver Assist Package, GT4-inspired equipment, carbon-fiber mirror caps, matte graphics, and other accessories.
What Do You Get for $73,300?
Under that long hood is the heart of the modern Supra: a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six producing 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Our car paired it with the six-speed intelligent manual transmission, sending everything to the rear wheels. Toyota also gives the Final Edition additional chassis, suspension and braking development intended to make this the most focused version of the MkV.
The numbers only explain part of the experience.
During our week with the Supra, what impressed us most was how usable it remained. This is a genuine performance car that doesn’t punish you for driving it normally. The inline-six delivers effortless torque, the manual gearbox adds the involvement enthusiasts increasingly struggle to find, and the compact two-seat cabin makes the Supra feel like something you wear rather than simply drive.
Push harder and its personality changes. The short wheelbase, low seating position, rear-wheel-drive layout and near-ideal weight distribution make the Supra eager to rotate through corners. Toyota originally engineered the MkV around classic sports-car fundamentals, including a very low center of gravity and 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance.
Yet you can still commute in it, enjoy the JBL audio system, heated power seats and modern driver-assistance technology, and even return surprisingly reasonable fuel economy. The sticker rates our manual Final Edition at 19 mpg city, 26 highway and 21 combined.
Yes, There Is BMW Underneath. That’s Not a Bad Thing.
Let’s address the elephant in the garage.
The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and is related to the BMW Z4. Toyota itself acknowledges that the Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and based on the Z4 platform.
It also uses BMW’s excellent B58 inline-six architecture, and both cars are assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.
But calling the Supra simply a “BMW with a Toyota badge” misses the point.
Toyota developed the Supra as a fixed-roof sports coupe with its own body, chassis calibration, steering character and driving mission. Toyota Gazoo Racing engineers have continually refined the MkV through motorsports and track development; the Supra has competed in Formula Drift, Super Taikyu and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Think of the BMW partnership less as compromising the Supra and more as giving Toyota access to one of the best modern turbocharged inline-six powertrains available.
Why This Supra May Hold Its Value
This is where the 2026 model becomes especially interesting.
Toyota is closing the chapter on the MkV with the Final Edition, and Toyota says only 1,300 Final Editions are planned for North America. That combination, Final Edition status, limited availability, 382-hp inline-six, rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual is exactly the formula enthusiasts tend to remember.
There is already evidence that the Supra holds value unusually well. Current iSeeCars analysis estimates the GR Supra retains approximately 76.1% of its value after five years, ranking it among the strongest luxury two-seat sports cars for resale value.
That doesn’t guarantee appreciation, and we wouldn’t buy one purely as an investment. But a low-mileage, original, well-maintained manual Final Edition has several characteristics that could make it particularly desirable years from now.
The Carsfera Verdict
The 2026 GR Supra Final Edition isn’t perfect. Visibility is limited, cabin storage is minimal, entry and exit require some flexibility, and buyers looking for four seats should look elsewhere.
But none of those things change what matters.
The Supra feels special.
For $73,300 as tested, you’re buying one of the final examples of an increasingly rare formula: a compact, turbocharged inline-six, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe available with three pedals.
BMW supplied some of the ingredients. Toyota turned them into a Supra.
And after living with it for a week, we’d argue that instead of worrying about who baked the cake, enthusiasts should enjoy a slice while they still can.
If you are considering a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport, the first thing to understand is that it offers more than rugged styling. After four days behind the wheel of a Bronco Sport Badlands, traveling between Port St. Lucie and Miami, visiting the beach, dealing with Florida’s summer weather, and attending a Shakira concert, we discovered an SUV that combines genuine capability with everyday usability.
Our test vehicle arrived in Ruby Red Metallic with a Dark Space Gray leather-trimmed interior. With its squared-off body, upright stance, and Bronco lettering across the grille, it has a stronger visual identity than most compact crossovers.
More importantly, the Badlands has the performance to support that appearance.
The Bronco Sport Badlands Has the Right Engine
While most Bronco Sport trims use Ford’s smaller 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, the Badlands receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an advanced four-wheel-drive system.
That extra power makes a noticeable difference. Highway merging feels confident, passing requires less planning, and the engine has enough low-end torque to make the Bronco Sport feel energetic despite its upright shape and off-road equipment.
The steering is easy enough for Miami traffic but still gives the driver a reassuring sense of control. Its suspension feels firm and substantial, particularly with the Sasquatch Package, but it remains comfortable enough for longer trips. Buyers should expect a slightly more rugged ride than they would experience in a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, but that firmness is part of what gives the Badlands its more purposeful personality.
Easy to Live With in South Florida
The Bronco Sport’s upright seating position and large windows provide excellent visibility. During the drive between Port St. Lucie and Miami, the seats remained supportive, the cabin was comfortable, and the Bronco Sport felt stable at highway speeds.
Its compact exterior dimensions are another advantage. It feels tougher and more substantial than many small SUVs without becoming difficult to park or maneuver through crowded city streets.
For 2025, the Bronco Sport received a major technology upgrade. A 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are standard across the lineup, bringing its cabin closer to what buyers expect from a modern SUV. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, multiple USB connections, and Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance technology make it an easy vehicle to use every day. Ford’s 2025 update also introduced the available Sasquatch packages and additional off-road technology.
After spending the day on the highway, the Bronco Sport transitioned naturally into Miami nightlife. It may be designed for the trail, but it did not look out of place arriving in the city for a Shakira concert.
Where the Badlands Separates Itself
The Bronco Sport Badlands is not simply an appearance package. Its advanced four-wheel-drive system uses a twin-clutch rear drive unit capable of directing torque across the rear axle. It also includes seven G.O.A.T. drive modes, Trail Control, and off-road-focused 1-Pedal Drive.
Our vehicle added the $2,990 Sasquatch Badlands Package, which further emphasizes its trail capability with more aggressive all-terrain equipment and the HOSS 3.0 off-road suspension.
These features may be more capability than the average Florida driver needs, but they provide extra confidence when dealing with sand, muddy access roads, heavy rain, or uneven terrain.
The interior is equally suited to outdoor use. Rubberized flooring, a washable cargo area, rubber-backed rear seats, under-seat storage, adjustable liftgate floodlights, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat make it easier to carry sandy towels, beach chairs, wet clothing, and luggage.
This is an SUV designed to be cleaned after an adventure, not protected from one.
How It Compares with the Competition
The Subaru Forester Wilderness is one of the Bronco Sport Badlands’ strongest competitors. It offers more passenger space, 9.2 inches of ground clearance, and a lower starting price of $34,995. However, its naturally aspirated engine produces considerably less power, and its continuously variable transmission does not deliver the same punch as the Bronco Sport’s turbocharged engine and conventional eight-speed automatic. Subaru’s official specifications confirm the Forester Wilderness’ pricing and ground clearance.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is the better choice for drivers focused on fuel economy. Its 219-horsepower hybrid system and EPA estimate of 38 mpg city and 35 mpg highway easily outperform the Bronco Sport at the gas pump. It also started at $36,070 for 2025. However, its electronic all-wheel-drive system and trail-focused upgrades are intended more for light off-road use than the more advanced hardware found in the Badlands. Toyota describes the Woodland Edition’s hybrid system, TRD-tuned suspension, and trail equipment here.
The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is another alternative for buyers seeking authentic off-road ability. The Jeep is capable, but the Bronco Sport counters with a stronger personality, cleverer cargo-area features, and a more modern infotainment system.
Fuel Economy and Price
The Bronco Sport Badlands is rated at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those figures are reasonable for a 250-horsepower compact SUV with genuine four-wheel-drive capability, but buyers prioritizing maximum efficiency should consider a hybrid competitor.
Our Badlands started at $40,115. After $5,010 in options, including the Sasquatch Badlands Package, and a $1,595 destination charge, the final MSRP reached $46,720.
Nearly $47,000 is substantial for a compact SUV. At that price, buyers should be certain they want the stronger engine, specialized off-road equipment, and distinctive Bronco character. If most of your driving involves paved roads, a less expensive Bronco Sport Outer Banks may provide a better combination of comfort, style, and value.
Should You Buy the Bronco Sport Badlands?
Buy the Badlands if you want the most powerful Bronco Sport, plan to explore beyond paved roads, or simply prefer an SUV with personality and legitimate capability. Consider the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland if fuel economy is the priority, or the Forester Wilderness if you need more interior space at a lower price.
After four days of Florida highways, beaches, summer rain, Miami traffic, and an unforgettable night with Shakira, the Bronco Sport Badlands proved that it can handle both sides of an owner’s life.
It is comfortable enough for the daily commute, compact enough for the city, practical enough for beach weekends, and capable enough for a real adventure.
The competition may offer more space, better fuel economy, or a lower price. What the Bronco Sport Badlands offers is something harder to measure: it makes even an ordinary drive feel like the beginning of a trip.
There couldn’t have been a better place to discover the personality of the new Maserati MCPura Cielo than Miami during Formula 1 weekend.
As my flight touched down at Miami International Airport, the city was already buzzing with the unmistakable excitement that surrounds Formula 1. Every luxury hotel entrance was lined with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens and Porsches. Miami becomes America’s capital of automotive passion for one week every year.
Waiting for me was something different.
2026 Maserati MCPura Cielo, finished in the elegant Grigio Incognito over an Ice Grey Alcantara interior with extensive carbon fiber trim and premium Sonus Faber audio. Configured at just over $308,000, it represents Maserati’s latest interpretation of an exotic convertible, not by copying its rivals, but by staying true to Italian grand touring heritage while delivering genuine supercar performance.
First Impressions: Exclusivity Over Flash
One thing became obvious before I even left the airport. Everyone recognizes a Ferrari. Everyone recognizes a Lamborghini. Very few recognize the MCPura Cielo. That turned into one of the car’s greatest strengths throughout my weekend in Miami.
Instead of hearing people say, “Nice Ferrari,” they walked over asking, “What Maserati is this?”
There’s something refreshing about driving a car that isn’t chasing attention.
It earns it.
Its proportions are stunning. The carbon-fiber monocoque, butterfly doors, dramatic front fascia, and clean rear design make it look exotic without feeling theatrical.
Performance That Doesn’t Need to Prove Anything
Underneath the beautiful bodywork is Maserati’s Formula 1-inspired engineering.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6 produces over 620 horsepower, sending power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Numbers only tell part of the story. Unlike several competitors that feel brutally quick but emotionally distant, the MCPura Cielo communicates with the driver.
Throttle response is immediate. Steering feels incredibly precise. The chassis constantly tells you what the front tires are doing. Even through Miami traffic, there was a remarkable sense of connection that many electrically assisted supercars have started to lose.
Miami Became My Test Track
Most automotive journalists evaluate supercars on race tracks. I believe luxury buyers spend 95% of their time on real roads. Miami proved to be the perfect environment to understand what this Maserati is actually built for. From downtown traffic to the causeways, from Ocean Drive to Brickell, the suspension remained surprisingly compliant.
Visibility is better than expected. The dual-clutch transmission behaves smoothly at low speeds. Unlike some exotic cars that constantly remind you they’re race cars with license plates, the MCPura Cielo is surprisingly approachable. That’s exactly what makes it such a compelling alternative to its competitors.
Sunrise: Where the Cielo Truly Comes Alive
The defining moment came just before sunrise.
With the retractable roof open, Miami’s warm ocean breeze entering the cabin, and the first rays of sunlight reflecting across the Grigio Incognito paint, I finally understood why Maserati named it Cielo.
“Cielo” means sky.
This isn’t simply a convertible version of the coupe. It’s an entirely different experience.
Without a roof separating you from the engine, every acceleration becomes more immersive.
The Nettuno V6 doesn’t produce the deep thunder of a naturally aspirated V12.
Instead, it delivers a sophisticated mechanical soundtrack that’s unmistakably Italian.
That sunrise drive reminded me that performance isn’t measured only in acceleration.
It’s measured in emotion.
Wynwood: Automotive Art Meets Street Art
Later that afternoon, I headed toward Wynwood.
This became one of the most memorable photography sessions I’ve ever experienced.
Wynwood has always celebrated artistic expression.
The MCPura Cielo fits perfectly into that environment because it doesn’t feel engineered solely by computers. It feels sculpted.
The flowing body lines, dramatic air intakes, and elegant proportions looked like another piece of art against Miami’s colorful murals.
Several people stopped not because it was the loudest supercar there, but because they had never seen one before.
That’s exclusivity.
Calle Ocho Shows Another Side
Perhaps the biggest surprise happened on Calle Ocho. Most supercars feel uncomfortable outside luxury neighborhoods. The Maserati didn’t. Families smiled. People asked questions. Children pointed at the Trident.
Unlike brands that project intimidation, Maserati projects elegance. That emotional connection matters. Because buying a $300,000 automobile isn’t simply about specifications.It’s about how the car makes you feel every time you drive it.
How Does It Compare?
After spending several days behind the wheel, I couldn’t help comparing it with today’s exotic market.
The Ferrari 296 GTS is faster and more track-focused.
The McLaren Artura Spider feels lighter and incredibly clinical.
The Lamborghini Temerario is louder and more dramatic.
The MCPura Cielo occupies a completely different space.
It combines supercar performance with genuine luxury, everyday drivability, and Italian craftsmanship in a way few manufacturers still pursue.
Rather than trying to dominate every specification sheet, Maserati focused on creating a car owners genuinely want to drive. Every day.
Carsfera’s Verdict
The 2026 Maserati MCPura Cielo isn’t designed to win comparison charts. It’s designed to win hearts. During Formula 1 week, surrounded by some of the world’s greatest supercars, it never felt overshadowed. Quite the opposite.
Its rarity, elegant styling, balanced chassis, and unmistakable Italian character made it one of the most interesting cars I experienced all weekend. Miami simply confirmed what Maserati already knew. Performance attracts attention. Character creates memories.
The MCPura Cielo delivers both, and that’s exactly what makes it one of the most compelling exotic convertibles on sale today.
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