The Stunning Italian Grand Touring Coupe Registers Landslide Victory, Outpacing 13 Competitors.
In an “unprecedented landslide decision”by Robb Report editors and a panel of guest judges made up of members of the exclusive Robb Report Club, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has been selected as the luxury lifestyle authority’s 2014 Car of the Year.
Now in its 21st year, the award goes to an automobile whose technical excellence, styling, and performance captivate Robb Report’s judging panel. This year’s Car of the Year competition involved 100 judges and was held at the beautiful Meadowood resort in Napa Valley.
The full results from the competition will be revealed in Robb Report’s April issue, which is scheduled to hit print and digital newsstands on March 25. More comprehensive information is accessible at http://robbreport.com/paid-issue/car-year-2014-sweeping-success.
Robb Report will also offer extensive Car of the Year digital enhancements in its tablet edition and on its website, RobbReport.com. These include slideshows and exclusive video of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, the Audi R8 V10 Plus, and the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster shot during test-drives in California’s stunning Napa Valley.
In earning Robb Report’s 2014 Car of the Year honor, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta outdistanced a field of 13 other sports and luxury competitors chosen by Robb Report’s automotive editors for their design, engineering, performance, and overall quality. Listed in order of finish, these models were the Audi R8 V10 Plus, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Bentley Flying Spur, Porsche Cayman S, Porsche Panamera Turbo, Jaguar F-Type V8 S, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe, Mercedes-Benz S550, Maserati Quattroporte GTS, Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography, and Dodge SRT Viper GTS.
Selections resulted from extensive test-driving by a panel of experts that includedRobb Report editor in chief Brett Anderson, automotive consultant Robert Ross, and correspondents Paul Dean and Paul Meyers. These journalists were joined by approximately 100 members of the private Robb Report Club, which includes top executives and Robb Report readers.
“Never before have our judges displayed such unanimity in choosing a Car of the Year winner,” said Mr. Ross. “Most agreed that the F12 has it all: power, luxury, surgical response, and a shape that is seductive yet subtle for the brand. However, the exhaust, from one of the company’s most potent V-12s, clearly and loudly identifies the F12 as a Ferrari.”
Echoing those sentiments, Mr. Dean recalled how the judging panel “experienced the performance of Ferrari’s quickest road car (excepting the new LaFerrari hybrid), which is powered by a 731 hp V-12 that enables a zero-to-60-mph time of under 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 211 mph. And they felt how smoothly the car handled, whether it was engaged in second-gear dawdling or high-performance brawling. Together, these elements advance the F12 to endless purpose and automotive perfection.”
“We are pleased the F12 hit all its marks in terms of performance, handling and design with the distinguished Robb Report jury,” said Marco Mattiacci, President & CEO of Ferrari North America. “The Robb Report Club naturally mirrors our clients’ reactions and expectations and their affinity for the F12berlinetta underlines not only its impressive performance, but also the unparalleled driving emotion that Ferrari continues to deliver.”
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About Robb Report
Now in its 38th year, Robb Report is the international authority on the luxury lifestyle. The brand, in its digital and print forms, reports on exceptional products and services for affluent connoisseurs. Coverage includes automobiles, motorcycles, yachts, aircraft, art, dining, jewelry, watches, fashion, travel, homes, wines, spirits, and cigars. For more information, visit the Robb Report website at www.robbreport.com.
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