Event: The Joy of Driving—Malibu Style

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Short Drives to Get Acquainted with Hot, New Cars

MPG Drive Day 2019
The MPG event had strong participation from carmakers

Motor Press Guild (MPG), the Southern California trade association for automotive journalists, regularly brings together writers with automotive industry representatives. The most recent of these events was held in mid-September at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, high in the Santa Monica Mountains not far from where the television show MASH was filmed.

Manufacturers brought 32 cars for journalists to drive on the twisty mountain roads, for either a 20- or 40-minute route. It gave us a chance to experience some cars that don’t fit into our normal “green” cars routine, but offered an opportunity for some real driving fun. Since my time in each car was short, I will give brief initial observations of the eight cars I was able to take out for a spin. Time was the restricting factor to not being able to drive more of the great cars that were at the event. Oh well, maybe next year!

  • Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4
MPG Drive Day 2019, alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4
Alfa’s Hot Crossover

  – Its 505 horsepower (hp) is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It growled on ignition and was throaty as it went zero-to-60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. Magnifico!

Clean Fleet Report did get a more extended experience in the Quadrifoglio recently.

MPG Drive Day 2019, Aston Martin DB11 Cabriolet
Topless with 500 hp=cardiac stimulant
  • Aston Martin DB11 Cabriolet

  – Just the thought of driving a luxury high-performance car with 007 lineage is enough to get the heart racing. This 503-hp, stunningly beautiful car, had graceful acceleration. The adjustable suspension made for spirited cornering, in what is a true Grand Tourer.

MPG Drive Day 2019, Jaguar F-Pace SVR
A British growl among luxury crossovers
  • Jaguar F-Pace SVR

  – With the push of a button, the 550-hp V8 growls to life—turning heads in the process. The eight-speed automatic handles all the power with robust acceleration, with that very satisfying growl appearing on aggressive downshifts.

MPG Drive Day 2019, Kia Telluride
Kia goes big with room for eight
  • Kia Telluride

 – This all-new, eight-passenger, three-row large SUV offers attractive styling and a quiet ride in the largest Kia ever. The interior is spacious, and the seats comfortable for almost an entire baseball squad.

Clean Fleet Report did get to spend some more extended time in the Telluride recently.

  • Mazda3

 – Redesigned for 2019, the Mazda3 Hatchback we drove had the i-Activ AWD option, a six-speed manual transmission and sport 18-inch tires. To say the least, it handled great on the twisties high above the Pacific Ocean in Malibu.

MPG Drive Day 2019, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C
Pure joy for six figures
  • Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C

 – The most noticeable exterior feature of this $179,000+ coupe is the lengthy hood, which is retro to the 300SL from the 1950s. The bi-turbo V8 put out 550-hp through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Zero-to-60 was about 3.5 seconds, and that was utilizing the paddle shifters, which were the best we have ever come across. The paddle shifts were almost telekinetic, with no aggressive pulling back on the paddles to achieve the desired gear. A pure joy to drive!

  • McLaren 720S
MPG Drive Day 2019, McLaren 720S
Exotic low-flying machine

 – In Twitter-speak…OMG! A true Supercar in the hands of a mere automotive journalist could have had tragic consequences. Fortunately for all of us, what came from my time in this amazing car was nothing but respect for McLaren engineering, and their singular goal to make a true World Class high-performance car. The mid-engine and rear-wheel drive set-up gave a ground-hugging experience that only teases what the 720S could do on the track. The 710-hp V8 had a very satisfying rumble that took us from zero to 60 in…get ready…2.7 seconds.

MPG Drive Day 2019, Volkswagen Arteon
Stylish, but more accessible than some of the others
  • Volkswagen Arteon

 – To cap my day, I became acquainted with the Volkswagen Arteon, a five-passenger premium sedan that is as gorgeous as any midsize car on the market. Even with the trend for car buyers leaning to crossovers and SUVs, the VW Arteon is not to be overlooked. It is stylish, comfortable and classy, and tops-out fully equipped (including AWD) at about $38,000 (a FWD model is about $2,000 less).

The MPG Drive Days are a special treat, even for auto journalists who review dozens of cars a year. These short drives give us the opportunity to get a taste of cars we have not driven, and then schedule them for a longer period.

MPG Drive Day 2019
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it

The auto manufacturers work hard to develop good relationships and communication with journalists. They know that without honest and objective reviews, getting out the word to you the consumer, would be difficult at best. Clean Fleet Report thanks all the participating auto manufacturers that were part of the Motor Press Guild’s 2019 Drive Day.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Photo of author

John Faulkner

John Faulkner is Road Test Editor at Clean Fleet Report. He has more than 30 years’ experience branding, launching and marketing automobiles. He has worked with General Motors (all Divisions), Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, Eagle), Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota on consumer events and sales training programs. His interest in automobiles is broad and deep, beginning as a child riding in the back seat of his parent’s 1950 Studebaker. He is a journalist member of the Motor Press Guild and Western Automotive Journalists.
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