THINK perfect drive, part 2

Posted on July 23, 2014 by thinkniello — Leave a comment

Follow Ed Crane from KFBK News Radio (92.5FM / AM1530) once again as he tours The Niello Company dealerships on his journey to find the perfect drive in his video series The Perfect Drive – In search of the best cars money can buy. In addition to the ten previously-reviewed vehicles, Ed has reviewed another eight, including the 2014 Acura MDX, 2014 Porsche Panamera, 2014 Jaguar F-Type, 2014 Maserati Ghibli, 2015 Audi A3, 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop, 2014 Range Rover Evoque, and the electric 2014 BMW i3.

2014 BMW i3: While visiting Niello BMW Sacramento, Ed took the electric BMW i3 for a ride, a vehicle offering an environment-friendly dashboard made out of recycled plastic bottles and eucalyptus (a tree that regenerates itself after being cut), as well as 170 horsepower and a range of 160-180 miles per charge with an available Range Extender. “I’ve owned a BMW for three years now and it really is a terrific vehicle to drive, and I thought to myself, ‘What could they do better?’ How about the most sustainable perfect ride you’ve probably ever been in?”

2014 Range Rover Evoque: “This is a vehicle that is going to turn heads,” Ed states about the 2014 Range Rover Evoque after stopping by Land Rover Rocklin. The fully-automatic 9-speed Evoque “can accommodate just about any kind of driving condition. Whatever your need is, this vehicle seems to be able to fit. If you are someone who likes the outdoors, who likes sumptuous feeling of a really nice, well-appointed cockpit… if you are the type of person who likes safety, who likes power when you need it, cargo when you need it, a sporty look, and safe features, this could be your perfect drive.”

2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop: In his first visit to Niello MINI since the new location opened, he discovered a “big store, small car, but big things come in small packages,” he says, referring to both the building and the latest MINI Cooper Hardtop, a vehicle referred to as’ the next evolution of a classic,’ with a TwinPower Turbo engine in every model, and new tricks up its sleeve. “There’s a lot to like in this MINI. There’s a lot of bells and whistles. You’re in a vehicle that’s perky, and gets 40-42 miles to a gallon.”

2015 Audi A3: This time around, Ed tested ‘luxury without compromise,’ the all-new Audi A3 at Niello Audi, a vehicle that is smart, stunning, agile… and now a sedan. “With this vehicle, it’s not just about what’s under the hood, but what’s inside the cockpit. If you love technology, you will love this vehicle, because it’s a rolling Wi-Fi hotspot that will keep you connected for as long as you drive. And with voice commands, you can keep your hands on the wheel.”

2014 Maserati Ghibli: At Maserati of Sacramento, Ed drove the Maserati Ghibli, ‘the absolute opposite of ordinary,’ a vehicle that, like the first Ghibli launched back in 1967, is a family sedan that captivates with its strong personality. “It’s interesting… you’ve got this roar of the engine when you’re accelerating, but then when you throttle back a little bit, you don’t hear them anymore; it’s almost like it’s telling you, ‘Okay, I’m ready to go, I ‘ve got you where you want to go, now kick back.’ This is a very approachable Maserati. The styling is here. The engineering is here. A lot of bang for the buck.”

2014 Jaguar F-Type: Adjacent to Niello Maserati is Jaguar Sacramento, where he took the new Jaguar F-Type for a test drive, a vehicle that Consumer Reports says “…stopped me in my tracks. Open-mouthed jaw-dropping trance. Literally.” Ed’s reaction was not much different: “This is the new F-Type, as in fast, as in fun… It’s quick. It’s very, very quick. This is the perfect drive for somebody who really likes driving, who really likes the noise of a great sports car, who really likes the air flowing throw their hair. This is what a sports car is meant to be.”

2014 Porsche Panamera: Ed’s visit to Niello Porsche. “This is the Porsche Panamera, and if you’ve ever driven one you have to ask yourself one question: ‘Can there be anything better than this?’ If you want a car that says, ‘you’ve arrived,’ and you want to arrive, in luxury, and you want to arrive with some of your friends, and you want to take whatever the road gives you, curves, flat-out speed… this is the vehicle for you.”

2014 Acura MDX: Last but not least, he visited Niello Acura to drive the Acura MDX, a vehicle he says, “is made for mankind.” “Now I know what you’re thinking: big vehicle, it’s a crossover, it’s a gas-guzzler… ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. You get more than 20 miles per gallon around town, and do much better on the highway. What do I like about the MDX? Just about everything I’ve seen. This could be your perfect drive.”