The International Motor Press Association’s annual Test Days was set up for the first time at the Monticello Motor Club in New York. Manufacturers and automotive journalists united for two days of driving and schmoozing.
In addition, the IMPA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The event is somewhat similar to the AJAC Testfest, but unlike the Canadian association’s get-together held to determine the annual Canadian Car of the Year awards, IMPA’s test days is a more relaxed venue.
As Matt, Kevin and I arrived on the first morning – early – we had some time to walk down the rows of parked machines and figure out which ones we’d drive. Since we were here to test cars we rarely get in Canada, we were expecting to get behind the wheel of various Saab models, a few GM cars and trucks as well as some vehicles that would arrive later up north.
No Saab. None. Shucks.
No Chevy Impala or Colorado, no Lincoln Navigator, no Suzuki Equator – all stuff on the list we established prior to our arrival. But there were some nice surprises.
An Alfa Romeo Giulietta, crossed over the ocean by turbocharger supplier Honeywell, was winking at us, and we didn’t hesitate to grab the keys to it. Equipped with a turbo 1.4L 4-banger good for 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft of torque, the sexy Giulietta charmed us.
Volkswagen brought a Golf R to the festivities, powered by a 240-hp version of their fantastic 2.0-litre turbo four. We couldn’t resist that one either. A lavishly equipped Rolls-Royce Ghost made its massive presence felt and we took it through its paces as well. And we spotted another vision of delight, a 2012 Chevy Corvette GS sporting 100th-anniversary badges, which we also drove.
A totally-redesigned 2012 Audi A6 was also there for the picking, so we picked it up. We also jumped into the new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid as well as the 2012 BMW Z4, which can now be purchased with the turbo 2.0-litre four that’s found in the X1 crossover. Simply sublime.
Check back on Auto123.com for our impressions on all the vehicles listed above.
An off-road course was also set up in the woods with the collaboration of Land Rover, obviously, their models were available for testing and proved extremely capable. A Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Toyota 4Runner, among others, tackled the most difficult portion of the course as well.
Dinner and cocktails followed the first day of driving. It was a good opportunity for Matt, Kevin and I to meet up with our U.S. colleagues.
Day two was reserved for sessions on the magnificent Monticello Motor Club circuit, a 4.1-mile track designed with the collaboration of world-famous race car driver Brian Redman. With hills, dips, off-camber corners and a long straightaway, MMC’s facilities proved very challenging for us journalists. Especially since it rained all morning.
At the conclusion of Test Days, we headed north for home, glad to have participated. Now that the ice has broken for Matt and myself, both IMPA rookies, we’re already looking forward to returning next year.
In addition, the IMPA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
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| Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com |
The event is somewhat similar to the AJAC Testfest, but unlike the Canadian association’s get-together held to determine the annual Canadian Car of the Year awards, IMPA’s test days is a more relaxed venue.
As Matt, Kevin and I arrived on the first morning – early – we had some time to walk down the rows of parked machines and figure out which ones we’d drive. Since we were here to test cars we rarely get in Canada, we were expecting to get behind the wheel of various Saab models, a few GM cars and trucks as well as some vehicles that would arrive later up north.
No Saab. None. Shucks.
No Chevy Impala or Colorado, no Lincoln Navigator, no Suzuki Equator – all stuff on the list we established prior to our arrival. But there were some nice surprises.
An Alfa Romeo Giulietta, crossed over the ocean by turbocharger supplier Honeywell, was winking at us, and we didn’t hesitate to grab the keys to it. Equipped with a turbo 1.4L 4-banger good for 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft of torque, the sexy Giulietta charmed us.
Volkswagen brought a Golf R to the festivities, powered by a 240-hp version of their fantastic 2.0-litre turbo four. We couldn’t resist that one either. A lavishly equipped Rolls-Royce Ghost made its massive presence felt and we took it through its paces as well. And we spotted another vision of delight, a 2012 Chevy Corvette GS sporting 100th-anniversary badges, which we also drove.
A totally-redesigned 2012 Audi A6 was also there for the picking, so we picked it up. We also jumped into the new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid as well as the 2012 BMW Z4, which can now be purchased with the turbo 2.0-litre four that’s found in the X1 crossover. Simply sublime.
Check back on Auto123.com for our impressions on all the vehicles listed above.
An off-road course was also set up in the woods with the collaboration of Land Rover, obviously, their models were available for testing and proved extremely capable. A Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Toyota 4Runner, among others, tackled the most difficult portion of the course as well.
Dinner and cocktails followed the first day of driving. It was a good opportunity for Matt, Kevin and I to meet up with our U.S. colleagues.
Day two was reserved for sessions on the magnificent Monticello Motor Club circuit, a 4.1-mile track designed with the collaboration of world-famous race car driver Brian Redman. With hills, dips, off-camber corners and a long straightaway, MMC’s facilities proved very challenging for us journalists. Especially since it rained all morning.
At the conclusion of Test Days, we headed north for home, glad to have participated. Now that the ice has broken for Matt and myself, both IMPA rookies, we’re already looking forward to returning next year.
 |
| Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com |
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