Earlier last week, I took a rather exciting overnight trip to the Catskills in upstate New York for my first visit to the International Motor Press Association’s Test Days. One of the main benefits of the IMPA, this annual event gives members the opportunity to take out various new models from nearly every manufacturer for extended solo test drives.
The event was located at the stunning Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, NY, an extraordinary facility which any car enthusiast would greatly enjoy (initiation fees for membership range from a lofty $40,000-$125,000, if anyone’s interested). Although located in a very remote area of upstate New York, thankfully the surrounding country roads were freshly paved in thick asphalt for optimal motoring.
Most manufacturers brought their A-game, with models such as the Audi TT, Bentley Continental, BMW i8, Cadillac ATS-V, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Hellcat Charger, Ford Mustang, Lexus RC F-Sport, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-AMG GT S, Mercedes-Maybach S600, and Range Rover Sport SVR all available to take out for spins. I was somewhat pressed for time, so I couldn’t wait for seat time in all of the most exciting vehicles. I did, however, get to take out a number of vehicles that were new to me and nonetheless enjoyable on 10+ mile test drives through hilly twists and turns on the nearby backroads.
The event wasn’t just about sports cars, and among the plethora of vehicles I had the fortune of driving were the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid, Audi A7, Cadillac CTS, GMC Sierra Denali, Hyundai Genesis, MINI Cooper John Cooper Works, and Volvo XC90. That being said, I did wait for several of the sports cars, most notably the BMW i8. Let me just say that the i8 was the most exhilarating driving experience in a hybrid in my life, and quite possibly of any car.
There was also off-road testing of new SUVs and the opportunity to test exotic sports cars with an instructor on MMC’s 4.1-mile race-grade track, neither of which I was able to partake in due to personal time constraints. Testing continued for a second day, but I really didn’t want to have to take another day off in the second week of my new job, despite my boss’s approval. Additionally, I couldn’t spend another night at the nightmarish Honor’s Haven hotel, that could’ve been straight out of a Stephen King novel. Stay tuned for some more in-depth driving impressions of several of these vehicles.
The Volvo SUV is a stunner…a customer of mine just bought a new XC90 1st Edition…allegedly each dealer gets one…metallic black with amber perforated leather, light colored, matte finish wood on the dash and doors cut so the grain is diagonal, 21 inch wheels IIRC…stunning car. He, on the other hand, really liked my old black V90 wagon with tan leather…
Can’t wait to read about interesting rides!
This is the new Volvo V90. Not officially revealed yet, but here’s a 1:43 scale model.
After finally driving the new XC90, I can confidently say that everything about it was worth the very long wait. It definitely left a lasting impression, and would be something I’d try and talk my mother into purchasing (a large SUV isn’t what I want as my personal car right now), if it were in her price range.
I’ve already written a longer review of my time with the XC90. Look for it sometime next week.
I grew up in northeastern Pa and several aunts, uncles, and cousins live in New York state but I have only been north of “the triple cities” twice….and that was about 6-7 years ago. I did get to drive my aunt’s Subaru turbo on many miles of 2 lane, winding, back roads….unfortunately, traffic kept me from driving like I wanted to.
You had a chance to drive all these cars, and were more worried about getting back to work?
You’re sick.
Ah, well you see my new job is working for BMW/MINI, so I’m around some very nice cars I get to drive everyday.
I would’ve liked to have stayed longer but I was only in my second week on the job and it also might have required me sleeping in my car overnight.
What are you doing for BMW/MINI? Sounds exciting!
Yeah, earlier this month I started at South Shore BMW/MINI as a Product Genius. It’s a new program BMW has implemented to aid the sales and delivery process, that’s sort of like being an Apple Genius at the Apple Store.
Going through all the various new technology features can be a time consuming process, and it takes aways from the salespersons’ time to sell. As a result a salesperson’s delivery may be succinct and fail to go over how everything works with the customer, which doesn’t lead to happy clients.
As a product genius, I assume the responsibilities of performing the deliveries, giving the buyer a full “crash course” on all the features. We also invite new car buyers back for an “Encore” (BMW) or “2nd Date” (MINI) to go over features again and answer questions. I also am there to help potential customers looking around gain a better understanding of the car and take them on the test drive should they want one.
Three weeks in I’m really enjoying it. Working at a swanky car dealership without being a salesman is a win-win for me (plus I get an employee discount off new vehicles!). I’m primarily working on the MINI side, which quite frankly is a lot more fun and laid back environment than the stiffer BMW side of the dealership. But I do help out at the BMW side sometimes which is of course very exciting. The best of both worlds. I helped out at a 7-Series launch party we had at a nearby upscale restaurant, and got to drive the new 750i back to the dealership solo. $125,000 of fun!
I really feel like I’m in my element there, and can’t wait to see where it takes me.
That sounds like fun. We’re taking delivery of a Cooper soon – now you’ve got me wondering if they have the genius program in Australia.
Congrats Brendan
Congrats on the new job! Given all the technology in cars, this sounds like a great program. I wish it had been available when we took delivery of my wife’s 535Xi–I can’t even keep track of all the features and sub-menus on the car, and I’m very car and tech savvy. Other than operating the most basic functions, my non-tech-savvy wife is utterly lost in the thing…
Sounds a great (first?) job – congratulations Brendan.
I had the good fortune to go around the MINI factory at Cowley, Oxford last week – fascinating experience and insight. You guys are 20% of the production and are the largest market, ahead of the UK. Does CC want to know more about that trip?
Wow, that sounds like a great job, congrats!!
That’s a very good (dare I say genius?) idea on BMW’s part. With all of the technology available in new cars, I’m sure it does take some education, and far better that be performed by a real person as part of delivery, as opposed to handing the customer a manual or DVD and sending them out the door. If they’d had that back 5+ years ago I wonder if the original iteration of iDrive would have been as badly received?
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement! As many of you have said, the idea behind the program is a really great concept, and I’m excited to be in such an innovative role in a field I love and for a company I have a lot of respect for.
What a silly question Roger (yes!).
Congrats also Brendan, as Jim said below the job sounds like a perfect fit for you.
That certainly sounds like a great event. I was lucky enough to go as a guest of a friend to a Porsche Roadshow event at MMC, and then somehow got invited back for a second time, and can tell you that is a great track to drive someone else’s cars around, especially brand new Porsches!
Looking forward to the review of the XC90. I really loved everything about the old one, except for the way it drove. I test drove one twice, and just did not like it. I’m curious to know how the 4 cylinder only engines perform, sound and feel in this car; it just seems like the wrong engine in a fairly large SUV.
I find the Volvo SUV to be the best looking vehicle in this article. Except for the headlamps, the front of the vehicle looks beautiful. 🙂
Additionally, I couldn’t spend another night at the nightmarish Honor’s Haven hotel, that could’ve been straight out of a Stephen King novel.
I didn’t know Stephen King wrote the screenplay for Dirty Dancing. You learn something new every day here on CC!
Place looks like an old Borscht Belt palace that’s been brought back from the dead.
“Place looks like an old Borscht Belt palace that’s been brought back from the dead.”
+1
The place felt like it was minimally renovated from 1960. I immediately felt like I was in some kind of mystery land (fog included) run by a cult. Turns out the hotel is in fact owned by a Korean national who runs a “yoga program” that’s been compared to a cult. Place totally gave me the creeps.
Just throwing this out there; this is a much better use of the name IMPA than in the Legend of Zelda CD-I games. Also, I’m glad to hear several people reporting happy driving experiences with the new XC90. Haven’t seen any in person yet, but I had hoped they drive as well as they look.
Cool drives. The Audi A7 is a favorite of mine. The rear styling is what does it for me. Vaguely Italian, but I can’t place where.
The XC90 is nice looking, but Volvo’s ownership is a little iffy, you are taking a chance with it. I know as I was burned by Saab ownership when they failed.
you’re onto something there – the A7 is one of few plausible new daily drivers that could tempt me out of a Jaguar XF or XJ. For the avoidance of doubt, that is high praise indeed
I got to be honest, something about the new XC90 doesn’t look right. I like the profile and some of the details, but the big turn off for me is the front fascia. The headlights don’t look right, and the grille is really unappealing. I’m a self confessed grille snob, I truly believe that the right or wrong grille on a car can make or break the look, and the new XC90’s grille has this almost Buick quality to it that makes it really unpleasant to look at.
But I recognize looks aren’t everything. I’ve seen some very positive reviews about the XC90 and the old one is still well liked and popular enough that I still see them out and about. So, maybe Volvo got it right this time and has a product that could possibly reignite interest in the brand.
I think it’s more the headlights than the grille. They look like the designer was trying too hard. They really don’t say Volvo, more like Jeep.
Well damn, it does remind me of the current Cherokee now that I think about it. That’s an image I can’t get out of my head now.
Sorry!
You lucky dog.
That Lexus F coupe is badass… Please, tell me you drove that thing.
Liking the Audi sedan, too. Very reminiscent of the VW CC and Mercedes four door AMG coupe.
The part that freaks me out is the part about that Haven hotel… Was it that creepy? Any pics of that place?
Would be an interesting story for Halloween and all.
I look forward to hearing more about the cars, Brendan, and congratulations on the new job (career?). If you’re even half as good at describing technical features to prospective clients as you are at researching and detailing specifications of cars built before you were born, you’ll be a huge asset to them. Enjoy yourself!
+1 on that!
Thanks Jim, that means a lot! Things are going really well so far and I do hope to make a career in this industry. At the dealership there are certainly opportunities for growth, and ones that don’t involve sales, which is good to have options. We’ll see where this takes me in the near future, but longer-term I definitely would consider moving to a more corporate role. I know I only started, but should things work out that way, I’d couldn’t think of a automobile company I’ve had more passion for than BMW.
High expectations for the new XC90 here also. A buddy of mine just bought an ’06 XC90 and he quite likes it so far, and while I couldn’t afford a new one currently, it might be an aspirational sort of vehicle for our household a few years from now.