Exotic times four
Driving a quartet of exotic sports cars in the Okanagan is a dream tour
The pure white Lamborghini Gallardo really comes to life when I shift from fifth to sixth gear.
By this time the Italian-made super-sports car has already transitioned from a roar to a growl to a hum and now a purr.
The two-seater’s low-slung, angular frame hugs the road as we whip by water and forest, vineyards and orchards. It could be a scene along Italy’s famous corniche road along the Amalfi Coast.
But this drive of a lifetime is unfolding along Okanagan Centre Road between the 50th Parallel Estate and Ex Nihilo wineries, just outside Kelowna, B.C.
In fact, it’s the drive of a lifetime times four.
After all, this is an August Exotic Car Tour and I’ll not only joyride in the Lambo, but also the Ferrari F430, the topless Aston Martin Vantage Spyder and Audi R8.
“When we built this experience we knew it had to be about not just driving one exotic car, but all four,” president Matt August said.
“These are the cars everyone dreams of driving and we make it reality. Add in the Okanagan’s beautiful scenery and it really is the coolest way to travel.”
Before I hit my stride in the 2013 Lambo, I start the half-day tour from Exotic Car Tour’s affiliated August Luxury Motorcars dealership in a pitch-black 483-hp Ferrari F430. The August family also owns and operates the Kelowna Motors Mazda dealership.
August has already declared the Ferrari his favourite because he “loves the look, sound and feel of it.” I’m reserving judgment because it’s the first of four beauties I’ll pilot.
We set off in a convoy up Highway 97 with others driving the additional three exotics. The lead Jeep is manned by tour guide Kristian Sharkey, who also lists the Ferrari as his first choice.
I get August’s and Sharkey’s point. The Ferrari responds like a race car and easily accelerates to 120 km/h and stays there with authority.
Before we know it, we’ve turned off the highway and are at Intrigue Winery. All the drivers switch supercars and all of a sudden I’m in the Aston Martin convertible, a.k.a. The James Bond car.
Where the Ferrari is raw power and aggression, the Aston Martin is sophisticated and smooth. Yet, the Aston Martin still has lots of torque and glides elegantly along Okanagan Centre Road to 50th Parallel Estate Winery.
I’m ready to commit to the Aston Martin as my favourite because its top was down on a hot day and it looks so damn good, without being obvious. But there’s still the Lambo and Audi to go.
It doesn’t get more obvious than a Lambo when it comes to supersports cars.
It has a clear bonnet so you can see the V10 rear-mounted engine, and everything about its styling says: “Look at me. I’m expensive and I go fast.”
As such, it’s the perfect foil for the winding uphill stretch to make a grand entrance at Sparkling Hill Resort near Vernon and later Ex Nihilo Winery for lunch.
Heads naturally turn as we exit the car and stroll to our lunch table at the edge of the vineyard and with a view of Okanagan Lake.
Pizzas from the wood-fired outdoor oven at Ex Nihilo’s Chaos restaurant follow, accompanied by water, which is the only bummer to driving four exotics — no wine.
Finally, the Audi R8 takes us back to the dealership down Highway 97 in style. I then have no choice but to hop in my non-exotic 2008 Toyota Corolla and drive home.
The half-day August Exotic Car Tour is $500 per driver and $100 per passenger. A full day is $1,300.
The sports cars can also be rented individually, starting at $149 an hour with a three hour minimum.
Check out AugustExoticTours.com.