If I remember correctly this is the first time that the client doesn’t want bypass valves.
Also, my car is powered by a normally aspirated I6 in case anyone was wondering.
Reviews Part 2
Sitting at a corner of the diner’s counter, Henry is finishing up a BLT while the blue collar lunch crowd starts filtering in on their midday break. He’s pondering the cars he’s seen so far today and it’s making him itch for another cigarette, even after just finished another before eating his sandwich. He trusts his digital research skills and did only want a cursory look beforehand to get the real first impression in person. That leaves the manufacturers to blame for hiding some crazy engineering inside seemingly mundane cars. Henry finally finishes his sandwich, pays the waitress and heads out the door. Time to buy another pack of cigarettes and get back to it. And he lights another while crossing the street to see the next car.
@TheRoadRunner36 Maestro Baton Speciale
On a full stomach, Henry enters the Maestro dealership with his cigarette in mouth. Lucky for him he just finished it before stepping up to the Baton Speciale because wow this thing’s a looker. Thankful that his trench coat is hiding an embarassing tent, Henry takes a closer look at the car. This thing is breathtaking. All the little details on it are amazing. From afar it’s a classicalled elegant coupe. From up close it’s a work of art.
Finally tearing his eyes away from the bodywork, Henry climbs inside. What he finds is a luxurious leather clad coccoon for four with only the most advanced safety features of the day. So it’s not huge, what with thew low slung coupe design, but is it ever comfortable. Quality is average but that’s nothing to complain about. He also spots a 6-speed sequential transmission, another uncommon sight so far. Should make for a fun drive as well.
Under the hood, Henry finds himself looking down at a 24-valve turbocharged DOHC I6 said to produce 210 hp and 337 Nm. Should be plenty for this small car. 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h is nothing spectacular but plenty for his needs. A quick glance under the car reveals nothing of concern; an entirely predictable package. He does take note that there doesn’t seem to be any fancy electronic systems beyond the driver assists that can be disabled.
Anticipating the test drive, Henry grabs the keys as soon as he can and heads out to one of the Batons in the lot. Firing up the engine brings up a silky smooth response and driving out into traffic is a more connected experience than the cars before it. The car is well planted and while not the most comfortable drive of the bunch, the tradeoff is the sporty and direct feel of it all. As mentioned in the ad, Henry feels like an integral part of the experience. The trip up to the Skyway is expected and the quickly spooling turbo means there’s plenty of power on tap in day to day driving. Once again returning to the dealership with a smile on his face, Henry feels the Maestro Baton Speciale is a strong contender. Let’s hope the next car can live up to it.
@doncornaldie Cornaldie Automotive Black Horse
Cornaldie Automotive is another of the brand names Henry recognises but he does not know much about it. Asking about the Black Horse has him directed to a menacing black wagon in a corner. Not the first black car of the day, but the first blacked out one. There really isn’t much to say about the design. It’s nothing special but not enough to be proplematic either. Overall very neutral.
Stepping inside and the feeling of neutrality continues. Or is that apathy? Anyway, standard premium interior, rear bench seat. Anything else wouldn’t make sense in a wagon, really. The all black theme continues throughout. While it is very spacious and could work great as a mobile office, it’s not that comfortable for some reason. This one’s got a 7-speed sequential, hinting at some sportiness, while the very average safety equipment is pushing Henry’s emotions further into apathy. Disappointing for the $49,950 asking price.
Cigarette in mouth, Henry opens the hood and sees a 24-valve turbocharged 3.0L DOHC V6. Cornaldie claims that it’s good for 352 hp and 356 Nm. With 0-100 km/h reported at 5.6 seconds, Henry’s expecting a fair punch from this thing. Let’s hope it doesn’t have bypass valves. A quick look under shows another hydropneumatic suspension system and the second fully aluminium chassis of the day. Overall it checks out.
Henry’s just gotten a set of keys for the Black Horse and as he turns to face the windows he spots another potential buyer pulling out onto the street. What he sees is the young man accelerate, the car moving around strangely from the torque through a deafening roar as the bypass valves open up. That display gets Henry to turn around and drop the keys back on the desk and he fishes for another cigarette. Time to get out of here.
@HighOctaneLove Bogliq Maverick Deluxe
Henry finishes his cigarette just as he reaches the Bogliq dealership. This is another name he’s familiar with, mainly for basic transportation. The Maverick Deluxe should be something different. In a sea of blindingly bright blue, Henry’s eyes settle on a handsome car in a pleasing royal blue colour. While overall simple, the design has some hidden details that make it pleasing to the eye.
Inside the Maverick is a premium interior for five. Quality and safety features are average, but the HUD is a nice touch along with the 8-speed automatic. Fitting enough for a $46,050 asking price. This is quite a comfortable car, even lacking all the extra space from some of the competitors. The rear suicide doors make access to the back seat easy as well. This is another car that would not be a burden on those long stakeout nights. Time to pop the hood.
Under the hood lurks a 32-valve 4.0L SOHC V8 producing 252 hp and 362 Nm, enough to get the Maverick Deluxe to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. There really isn’t much to say about Bogliq’s offering, everything seems well sorted without standing out. Following this is the customary glance under the car, revealing nothing of note except some brakes that might be a bit much.
Heading outside with keys in hand, Henry realises that he’s considering this car by sheer virtue of not being terrible, as it’s not outstanding either. Maybe the test drive will change his mind. Starting the car gets him a louder engine note than the other cars so far. Sounds more like a performance car than a premium coupe. Setting that issue aside for now, Henry heads out into the lunch time traffic. This is another well sorted and predictable car, but the braking very heavier than it should be. His assumptions in the showroom were correct. The drive on the Skyway was also uneventful except for the fairly loud engine. Returning to the Bogliq dealership, Henry steps out of the car and lights a cigartte. The Maverikc Deluxe is not a bad car, but it’s got too many minor issues that don’t make it as good as some of the other cars he’s seen.
@Alib Bramble Belladonna
Just next door to Bogliq is the Bramble dealership, and Henry briefly admires the Belladonna on prominent display before walking inside for a closer look. Something seems off. Having a closer look inside, Henry gets a better idea of what’s going on. It would appear that they assembly line quality control is poor at best, a serious issue for a $49,950 car. The little Belladonna looks nice from a distance but terrible up close, with poorly applied trim that looks ready to fall off. That’s about to make a decision. Henry’s out the door as quickly as he came in and lighting another cigarette, finishing off his pack. Good thing he bought another, at this rate he’ll need the whole thing before he gets home.
@Chipskate Holman Special Six
All of these cars that just aren’t right are getting to Henry at this point. He normally doesn’t smoke this much. The Holman dealership is fairly busy at this point, so he takes that as a good sign about quality. The Special Six is a small green car on prominent display and it’s quite the looker. It’s both a classic and modern design, nicely detailed with a lot of nice touches, and just menacing enough to mean business without standing out from a crowd. Truly a good blend of stylish and inconspicuous.
Moving on to the interior, Henry is presented with a decent premium setup featuring a rear bench and a heads up display. Small but comfortable. The seating position is quite nice for surveillance as well while the newest advanced safety features are a welcome sight. The 6-speed automatic isn’t anything outstanding but it should do the job fine. The $44,400 asking price is lower than most of the other cars, so a few less features is to be expected. Hopefully it’s still a solid package worth the price.
Getting out and opening the hood, the 24-valve turbocharged 3.4L DOHC I6 is seen gleaming in the dealership lights. It’s said to produce 307 hp and 429 Nm to get the car up to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Special Six indeed. Everything seems well sorted, while the underbody is tucked away under some aerodynamic cladding but seems reasonable as well. The active suspension might be a bit much and it’s a surprise considering the budget. Holman have made a good looking package inside and out; now it’s time to see if it drives just as well.
As he leaves the parking lot, Henry notices that this is one of the quietest cars today. Perfect for sneaking up on people. The active sport suspension is working very well on the rough neighbourhood roads while keeping the driving experience relatively dynamic. Driving up the Skyway ramp reveals nothing unpredictable and the car is just as enjoyable at high speeds. Another rare smile reaches Henry’s lips when behind the wheel. As he walks out of the dealership to head to the next one, he’s certain about this one being placed on his slowly growing shortlist.
@Manche FMU SB400
Henry is now at the FMU dealership to see the SB400, a moderate sized blue sedan. It’s one of the cuter cars of the day, so he’s not entirely sure how he should feel about it. Sure it’s not menacing, but that would help him slip away into the crowd. The front isn’t very modern but the rear is more so. A little to be expected with these cute designs, some of that retro appeal. It does appear that one of the 0s fell off the rear; let’s hope that’s not a sign of poor quality control, especially when the $49,950 retail price is right at the top of his budget.
The inside of the SB400 is a well appointed premium interior for four with an advanced HUD system. The safety features aren’t spectacular but better than average while it also features an uncommon thus far 7-speed sequential. It’s very comfortable and the amount of space is a good medium between the small and large cars he’s seen so far. Not bad at all. Popping the hood, Henry steps out for the next part of his inspection.
Under the hood lurks a 48-valve 4.0L DOHC V12. Now that’s a surprise in such a cutesy car. This thing should be quite a sleep, having 346 hp and 376 Nm on tap. Enough to get the relatively light car up to 100 km/h in 5 seconds flat. Nervously lighting the first cigarette of his new pack, Henry considers what this might entail. Granted that seems excessive but there doesn’t seem to be any compromises in usability. Looking under the car reveals another active suspension system and another glued aluminium chassis. And carbon ceramic brakes! It’s practically a race car. As he finishes his cigarette he decides that while the SB400 has a lot of positives for day to day use, the engineering of it leans too much toward a high performance car and he imagines that running costs must be very high because of it. Lighting another cigarette, he walks out in search of the next contender. And damn could he ever use a drink.
@Conan Tishillyman Avici Tigris
Entering the busy Tishillyman dealership, Henry wonders if a more mainstream brand might have a car for suited to his tastes and needs. The Avici Tigris is a small car, painted black of course. That’s been the popular colour for a few years now after all. Starting with the design, this is a very modern and pleasing one. Tishillyman’s clearly hired some good designers. It’s a nice blend of stylish and anonymous, which is exactly what a private eye needs in a car. The front of the car does seem to wear a bit of a deranged expression.
The interior of the the Avici Tigris is as stylish as the exterior. Seating for five in quality premium comfort, with all the advanced systems including a heads up display. This car’s also got a glass roof, upping the stakeout potential. What is slightly worrying is the very average safety features, while the 6-speed manual transmission is a first for the day. Henry can drive it, but he’ll have to consider its usefulness in tense situations. Taking a minute more to relax in the comfort of the leather seat, thinking it’s very good for the $44,700 asking price, he pops the hood to take a look at the engine.
What he finds in the engine bay is the most modest engine thus far. It’s a simple 16-valve turbocharged 2.2L DOHC I4 said to produce… 300 hp and 297 Nm. That must be a mistake, it’s more powerful than many larger engines. Nope, it’s not a mistake and the 0-100 km/h sprint should be achievable in 5.1 seconds. Well this is a surprise from a seemingly modest car. A look under the car shows a full clad design with nothing standing out. This one’s more subtle about its performance than the SB400. Pushing the doubt to the back of his mind, Henry decides to take it for a test drive.
Firing up the engine of the Avici Tigris sounds just that way. It’s decently loud. Pulling out into traffic, Henry begins to feel like this car is for the kids. Something small and economical that packs a bunch with a bit of a menacing look. It’s not the most easily driven or even the most comfortable ride, in no small part due to the manual transmission, but it’s not a bad car. Driving up the Skyway he notices some turbo lag but it doesn’t give him any whiplash when kicking in. With the loud exhaust, he quickly realises that he’s mainly getting the attention from the younger crowd, some with modified cars. Yeah, this isn’t really the car for him at this point in life. He’s sure he’d have loved it if he was still in his 20s and fresh out of the police academy. Leaving the Tishillyman dealership, he lights a cigarette while wandering down memory lane.
@dylansan Debner Prometheus Select
Lost in his memories of days gone by, Henry walked right by the Debner dealership and had the double back. Once inside he easily spots the Prometheus. It’s a big car with a fancy looking pearlescent painjob. The looks are aggressive, modern, but a bit unconventional as well. He’s a little hesitant thinking that he might stand out a bit driving it around. The rivets add to the brash “get out of my way” image the designers seem to have tried to convey. Lighting yet another cigarette to help clear his mind, he quickly decides that the shark-like nose and brashness of the car are too much for him and leaves the Debner dealership. He might have liked it if he didn’t have to worry about blowing his cover.
@F17Francesco Venom E-State 102
Across the street from Debner is the Venom Motor Company, where Henry is planning on inspecting the E-State 102. Damn is this ever a big car. He knew as much from the online ad, but in person… wow. It makes the other wagon look tiny. Pairing that size with the blacked out aesthetic give it a menacing aura that would be sure to intimidate more than a few. The sparse chrome helps to tie the design together and keep it from looking empty.
Moving to the cavernous interior is the wagon standard fare: premium seating for five. The amount of space is oustanding, but quality and safety features are both average. This would still be a fine car for stakeouts just from the sheer amount of space to stretch out. The 6-speed automatic transmission completes the completely standard feeling of the car.
Back outside the car, Henry lifts the hood to have a look at the 24-valve 4.4L DOHC I6. Venom claims it’s goot for 245 hp and 384 Nm, making it one of the more modest engines of the day. It should hit 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, a little surprising considering the modest powerplant and its size. Satisfied with what’s in the engine bay, Henry closes the hood and moves his inspection to the underbody. Fully clad aluminium chassis, big brakes for a big car, and air suspension; first car to have that so far. Satisfied that it checks out, Henry heads to one of the salesmen to get a test drive.
Starting the engine, Henry is glad to note that it isn’t excessively loud. Driving out into traffic, however, proves to be more jarring than expected. Even with air suspension this ride is stiff. Uncomfortably so. Not even bothering to try it on the Skyway, Henry quickly returns to the dealership. Fishing around for his lighter, he notices a small disclaimer on the poster by the door. The E-State 102 has no catalytic converter and Venon won’t be taking responsibility for sold cars that won’t be meeting the upcoming emissions standards. Missing the irony as he lights his cigarette, Henry heads out the door to hail a cab and head to the next cluster of dealerships.
The rest of the reviews should come tomorrow, followed by a comparison between the finalists to find a winner!
18 Likes
My my, I have to say that these are all handsome cars. The reviews for them are well-written too.
(I’m still concerned with Henry’s heavy smoking habit.)
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I think we all are
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Reading the review. The only reason my car getting a bin is because he doesn’t vape.
6 Likes
Trim nearly falling off for me. So…body quality sliders? Or just general trim placement improvement?
trim placement. It’s caught out a few people here.
1 Like
Right. Best get to improving that then for next time.
I’m sorry but Diesel City MUST be heavily polluted.
Venom Motor Company, in contrast to the municipal administration, helps to make the city characteristic for tourists and visitors.
Buying a Venom you contribute to the environment up to 1000 times more than buying a Prius, and we are proud of it.
Choose the tradition.
Venom Motor Company CEO
6 Likes
Oh no, I forgot the mufflers, r.i.p. me…
These reviews are proving very interesting so far
@Alib Yeah, the trim along the side was very rough. In a profession where style is very important, Henry can’t risk that. Other than that big issue, it was quite a pleasing design.
@F17Francesco There’s where the “dieselpunk aesthetic but realistic engineering” part comes in. I didn’t think I’d need to specify that a cat would be mandatory by this year.
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Glad to see the design was pleasing. I feel as if not only my designs but many others have gotten overall much better after the inspirations and criticism from the car design competition.
Don’t worry, my reply wasn’t a criticism but only some role play. The reviews are very well done, good job.
P.S. In this period i have very little free time, this is my first competition in a looong time and I’ve spent 80% of the time designing the car and only 20% at engineering it. So I’m glad you like it.
1 Like
Reviews Part 3
Henry steps out of the cab a few blocks away. No sense walking through the garment district. Lighting up yet another cigarette, he steps up to the next dealership…
@szafirowy01 Zavir 99 Turbo Six
With Zavir being another of the more well known brands, the dealership is predictably busy. With a quick look at some other models along the way, Henry quickly sets his eyes on the 99 Turbo Six. What a car. It’s another of the beautifully detailed cars he’s seen today. Quickly finishing his cigarette, he gets a closer look at the blue bodywork. The colour is a bit bright but excellent, with a subtle pearlescent effect to it. The subtle details on this thing are just right. It’s not very showy but has plenty to catch the eye when paying attention.
Inside the 99 Turbo Six is a well appointed premium interior for five with a HUD. The safety features are good though not the most advanced of the day while the 8-speed automatic suits the character of the car quite well. At $49,500, it seems well appointed for its size. Thinking about future stakeouts in this big car leave Henry confident that he’ll be very comfortable.
Having a look under the hood reveals the namesake of the car: a 30-valve turbocharged 3.8L DOHC I6. The unit should be good for 334 hp and a whopping 500 Nm, enough to propel the large car to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. Maybe a little excessive, but not nearly as much as some of the other cars. A look under the car reveals some big brakes and an aluminium chassis, as well as a few high end suspension components. Feeling fairly confident, Henry decides to take it for a test drive.
Driving the car out of the lot, the I6 is noticeably smooth and quiet. That’s exactly how Henry likes his engines. He feels the turbo pull a little by at times, so he knows it will spool quite quickly as he turns onto the Skyway ramp. What he didn’t expect was a mountain of torque. As he feels the turbo spool up he’s suddenly pushed into his seat as the big Zavir rockets up the ramp to an increasingly loud engine note. Bypass valves. Regaining his composure at the top, he takes the next exit and carefully returns to the dealership. This looked to be a decent car, but the engine is loud and brash when pushed only a little. Lighting a cigarette, he shakes his head in disappointment while heading out onto the street.
@Fayeding_Spray VenomTech Rattlesnake
The next dealership to visit is VenomTech. Henry saw the stylish coupe online and had to have a closer look. Seeing it in person, he agrees with his brief impression from the internet: it’s very stylish. Also menacing. It’s nothing too crazy, so it shouldn’t be too hard to blend in, but it’s still a very stylish coupe so it’s bound to get some attention. Looking like such an expensive car, he’s surprised at its affordable asking price of $49,200.
Moving to the interior, he finds a premium design with a heads up display and 6-speed automatic. What is a letdown is the 2+2 seating arrangement. There’s barely a seat there, enough to be used as some storage area or for hauling kids which are not present in his life. That’s disappointing, he really liked the design, but a 2+2 is not what he had in mind for a proper back seat. Leaving the dealership with a cigarette in mouth, he looks across the street at the next car on dsplay.
@accent DeLacy 4000
As he walks across the street, getting closer and closer to the display window, Henry finds himself enamoured by the big red sedan within. This thing looks very sci-fi. Having a look at it inside the showroom, Henry lights a cigarette as he has an internal conflict. He loves the looks of it. But this aesthetic is so modern and different that the car will stand out no matter where he goes. Conflicts between his heart and his brain are never easy. Hmmm. That settles it, the car he’s looking to buy is an extension of his equipment, so emotions should not matter with a tool. At that he finishes his cigarette and heads out the door, looking back at the DeLacy 4000 in the window one last time before he walks away.
@BrafMeToo McKeown T3
Seemingly just to tug on his heartstrings, the McKeown T3 in the window down the block looks quite similar to the DeLacy 4000. Dammit, it’s not like he hasn’t had some cruel irony after a heartbreak before. Taking a long drag to finish his cigarette, Henry tears his eyes away to talk inside. Having a look at the T3 inside the showroom, Henry finds the unusual colour strangely attractive, and not just because it’s close to the 4000’s luscious red. The design on this one is also very modern and bordering on sci-fi, but it’s not as overtly so. He might still be able to remain inconspicuous in this, especially if ordered in a dark colour. It passes the first inspection.
Moving to the cavernous cabin, Henry finds premium seating for five and enough space to be comparable to his first studio apartment. At this point the heads up display is nothing new, but the 7-speed sequential transmission is. Safety features are very average, however, and while the car should be very comfortable based on the equipment, it’s simply… not. He can’t place his finger on why, but most of the other cars easily felt more comfortable than this one. With the $49,650 he would expect something more.
Putting his worries aside for now, Henry begins the mechanical inspection. The engine’s a 32-valve turbocharged 4.0L DOHC V8 said to produce 348 hp and 466 Nm. The T3 is said to hit 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Quite fast considering its size. The customary look underneath shows a fully clad aluminium chassis and another active suspension system. All checks out. While the mechanicals seem fine, this car’s not all that safe or comfortable. Placing another cigarette between his lips and lighting it, Henry debates himself again. When placed with the borderline sci-fi styling, the faults of the car can’t be excused at this point. With the sun slowly working its way toward the horizon he still has cars to see and won’t be taking this one on a test drive.
@Jaimz Marshall Raptor 3000
Next down his list is the Marshall dealership. Finishing his cigarette on the way in, Henry heads to the small Raptor 3000 for a look. Not bad. The colour is very nice, different yet subtle. It should pretty well look black on those night time stakeouts. Overall a tidy modern design that is sure to blend into traffic quite well, except maybe for the wheel accent but that’s an easy fix. Costing a mere $35,550 will leave him with enough for a new set of wheels anyways.
Moving to the interior, Henry finds himself in an average premium setup for five. At this price, extra attention to detail isn’t expected. The second 6-speed manual of the day graces the centre console while the lacking safety features don’t make a good impression. Other than that, it’s a simple cabin not too different from his old car. As he walks around to look under the hood, Henry notices the information board for the car. It’s a 2019 model. That explains the low price, Marshall’s trying to get rid of it for the incoming 2020 models. No sense buying a car that’s already out of date. Henry walks back out the door, cigarette already in his mouth, and lights up as he walks away.
@Mikonp7 Propeller Turbine
Propeller is a company Henry’s heard of before, making strange aircraft-inspired cars and he’s here to look at their Turbine model. The little silver station wagon stands out amongst the cars he’s looked at so far. The styling is modern yet classic, brash yet subtle, and overall pleasing to his eye. The aircraft inspiration is readily apparent from it and remind him a little of his time in the war.
Moving on to the interior before his mind wanders, Henry finds himself in a premium cabin for five with a build quality that is not spectacular. Stepping out to double check the information, he’s glad to see it’s a proper 2020 model year. After his experience at Marshall, the low asking price of $37,350 had him worried. Back inside, Henry admires the glass roof fitted to the Turbine and can appreciate the practicality that the wagon body style offers. Safety features are nothing special, but it has a 6-speed manual. Strange how similar the Turbine manages to be to the Raptor 3000 in terms of price and equipment. Satisfied for now, he pops the hood.
In the engine bay lurks a 32-valve turbocharged 4.0L DOHC V8. It’s rated at 205 hp and 442 Nm and should get the turbine up to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. So it’s very underpowered for its size. That’s strange. A quick look under shows a completely mundane design except for the active suspension. That’s a surprise. Deciding it should be alright, especially so far under his budget, Henry waves down a salesman for a test drive.
Starting up the engine gets him the quiet burble of the V8. Pulling out of the lot, the harsh bump jars his spine as a loud clang is heard from behind and the engine noise is suddenly much louder. Stepping out of the car, Henry sees that while the Turbine is in the street, most of its exhaust system is still on the lot. Time for a smoke. After a profuse apology by the salesman and a promise of a discount on a different model, Henry refuses the offer and walks away lighting another cigarette. Damn tin can exhaust, that’s how they made it so cheap.
@undercoverhardwarema Orion Minotaur 6100
The next place is the Orion dealership. Oh boy, this car. Henry can’t believe they’re trying to pass it off as a 2020, he had a run-in with one back in 2017 when it was new. A high speed chase after that loud and obnoxiously painted thing showed a massive aerodynamic flaw that led to the car flying off the road. When he pulled up next to the wreckage, the four circus contortionists were climbing out and surrendering to him and his partner. They truly were the only ones who could use the back seat in the small car. Smiling to himself at the memory of one of his strangest cases, Henry lights a cigarette and keeps walking.
@Chickenbiscuit Leviathan Automotive Epoch GT
A couple lots away is the Leviathan Automotive dealership. Henry walks inside and straight to the main display for the Epoch GT. He’s smiling again. This car is breathtaking. It’s not the most subtle thing in the world but it exudes class. The styling is very modern without being outlandish. All the little details can also kee wandering eyes happy for a decent amount of time. He’d love to stand around and admire it longer, but evening is quickly approaching.
Sitting inside the Epoch GT, Henry finds himself wrapped in a comfortable premium leather seat. Looking around, there are three more seats like it, along with the most advanced safety features on the market. Like the other low-slung coupes, it’s not the most spacious, but it’s comfortable and oh so stylish. The 6-speed sequential fits for the sportier design of the car. Let’s see what powers this thing.
Under the long hood rests a 48-valve turbocharged 4.3L DOHC V12. Leviathan claims it produces 477 hp and 509 Nm, and it should get the Epoch GT to 100 km/h in about… 3.6 seconds. Holy hell, this is a supercar. A $49,800 supercar. Henry lights a cigarette. This car’s looks are purely sensual, but those hide a ferocious beast. Too much. Maybe as a fun ride after the reward for his last case, but not now.
@NormanVauxhall Rudolf Motor United Super Six
With the shadows getting long and a slight pang of hunger, Henry enters the last dealership he’s planning on visiting: Rudolf Motor United. The Super Six stands on a podium as a centrepiece of the showroom. The design is quite classical but very stylish. It’s another of those cars filled with a lot of detailing to catch the eye in a cohesive package that simply works. Henry can see himself pulling up in style in a Super Six.
Climbing aboard, Henry finds himself in a cozy premium seat. This car also sports a rear bench and 7-speed sequential transmission. Safety features are nice but nothing special. Overall, a solid design that would make a good stakeout post, and plenty for the asking price of $47,550. The Super Six feels like a very practical overall package. Time to pop the hood and see if the engineering holds up.
The Super Six’s namesake is the 24-valve turbocharged 3.6L DOHC I6 that produces 273 hp and 443 Nm. A decent powerplant. Under the car, Henry spots some active suspension elements and an AWD system visible through the fully clad underbody. RMU’s engineers appear to have designed a well sorted car. That’s three passes so far, now on to a test drive.
Starting up the buttery smooth engine is as expected and slipping out into the early Friday rush hour traffic is predictable. The suspension is well tuned and the car can practically drive itself yet it still has a sporty side to it that many others lack. Driving up the Skyway, the turbo spools up quickly and while offering a decent kick it’s nothing excessive. A thoroughly enjoyable drive and a good way to end a day of car shopping. Henry returns to the dealership with the Super Six on his shortlist. Now it’s time to hail a cab, go home, have a stiff drink or five and consider the choices.
That’s all for reviews! A few stats:
Dealerships visited: 26
Cars test driven: 13
Cigarettes smoked: 30.5
Finalists: 6
Congratulations to all the finalists @Grandea @Der_Bayer @Lordred @TheRoadRunner36 @Chipskate @NormanVauxhall . Henry will have a hard time comparing the various designs that hope to be his next car.
Of course it’s now 1 AM here so I’ll write up the final showdown tomorrow morning. I realise I’m stretching beyond the three day limit a bit and I do apologise; I would have gotten started on the reviews earlier had I not tried waiting for the update. I hope this isn’t a serious issue.
21 Likes
Yeah, I feel like a made a Bond car and not one for a private eye. There’s a lot of nice designs going on overall. That grill on the Super Six is a work of art.
Bond car is a good way to put it. It looks great, too bad the performance is will beyond Henry’s requirements 
1 Like
Oh well, I’m an idiot 
So, bin because of a bypass valve and wall of torque? Would it pass without the valve but with the same torque curve?
CSR65 Final Showdown
It’s Saturday afternoon and Henry’s having a cigarette with a second coffee. After most of that bottle of scotch last night and the rest of his fresh pack of cigarettes, he’s had a rough morning. There are a lot of cars he had to drown away after getting home, but now it’s time to spread out his files on the finalists across his desk and get to work. He’ll want to be at the dealership bright and early Monday morning to get the car and make it to his office by 11 AM. This is going to be hard, as these six cars all have various pros and cons while following different approaches. Hmm…
@Grandea
The first car to get the axe is the Allistair Nighthawk Custom. It was tentatively put on his shortlist early on, but when compared to the cars that came after it, what shines through is its faults. It’s lacking in safety equipment and the performance is a little wild. Of all the cars on his shortlist, the Nighthawk Custom also has the highest service costs and they’re not offset by a low fuel economy. At that, Henry closes the files and sets his eyes on the next one.
@TheRoadRunner36
Truly painful, but the next car to be cut is the most beautiful one: the Maestro Baton Speciale. Henry would absolutely love to have this car, but for practical purposes it is simply not too good a partner for a private eye like him. It’s set to be the least reliable on the shortlist, something that could have possibly been improved had Maestro spent more on quality. This car was a decent margin below his price limit after all. Its small stature also made it the least comfortable and practical for passengers, even with the amazing equipment levels. Lighting another cigarette, Henry closes this file and sets it aside.
@Lordred
The next car Henry finds himself pondering over is the largest one remaining on his shortlist. The clear winner for passenger and cargo space. But right at the top of his price and fuel economy limits. The biggest drawback with this one is the safety features it lacks. A private eye’s job is not always the safest, so that’s a big concern. It was a nice car and a perfect one to turn into a mobile base of operations, but it simply doesn’t have the value of some of the others. Closing this file as well, Henry takes a long drag on his cigarette and finishes his coffee.
@Der_Bayer
So much debating going on in his mind. Henry finishes his cigarette and immediately lights another. The most expensive of the final three contenders. It’s a great car, it really is. One of the ones that could practically drive itself. But it’s also got the highest fuel economy at this point and is the only one without a full rear bench seat. Not like Henry ever needs to seat 4 passengers in his car, but the more sculpted rear bench for two is just more trouble. Really a shame to let this one go, but life’s all about those hard decisions. That’s another file being closed.
@NormanVauxhall
It wasn’t easy. Henry’s smoked another two cigarettes and mixed the rest of his bottle of scotch into another cup of coffee before finishing the internal debate on the last two cars. The Rudolf Motor Union Super Six is an amazing car. So why is he not going to buy it? The Holman Super Six exhudes the private eye aura he wants. The RMU is a more expensive car. It’s more drivable, more practical, sportier, more reliable, cheaper to maintain, and even slightly safer. But it’s still lacking in terms of safety equipment, has slightly higher fuel economy, and a much smaller trunk. All while costing $3000 more. The Holman Special Six is also the more comfortable choice with the most advanced technology. The Super Six should be the logical choice but it simply does not feel right for Henry. And so he closes the last two files and puts the stack away. Monday morning can’t come soon enough.
Monday, 8 AM. It’s a dark and overcast morning. Henry steps out of the cab at the Holman dealership, his bad knee throbbing in announcement of the impending rain. He’s already had an anticipatory cigarette and is ready to get his new car. He walks into the dealership and smiles as he sees the Special Six in the metal once again. His new car.
Enjoying the drive to his office and listening to some smooth new jazz, Henry knows he made the right choice. It’s almost 11 now and he gets a call from his receptionist through the Bluetooth. His client has arrived. Speeding up through the light traffic, the Special Six’s engine remaining as smooth and quiet as ever, he finally rounds the last corner and sees his office with a limousine parked out front. So it’s going to be one of those. Parking behind the limousine, Henry steps out of the car and lights a cigarette, enjoying the first drag. Time to get at it. After all, he’s Henry Maverick, Diesel City’s most recognised private eye.
Congratulations to @Chipskate for winning CSR65 and Henry Maverick’s heart!
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I should have moved those quality sliders a bit. 
oh well, decently well for my first round. Congrats @Chipskate
It’s about time, and deservedly so. What a fun and refreshing round this one turned out to be!