Lifestyle
Crown Royal Makes the Kentucky Derby a Bit More Interesting for MANjr
People say that the drink of choice for the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep. It’s a tradition that’s gone back over a century. Churchill Downs stocks more than 1,000 pounds of fresh mint and 60,000 pounds of ice to accommodate all the Julep drinkers over the two-day period for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby this weekend.
But who says you have to drink Juleps? You may not even like minty stuff. Why not explore some other whisky cocktail options?
Well our friends at Crown Royal sent us a nice little care package for the weekend and they included everything we need to make some tasty libations for tomorrow’s big race. We received a box with a bottle of Crown Royal Maple, a bottle of Angostura bitters, an orange, a lemon and some pineapple juice.
Maple Collins Recipe
1.5 oz Crown Royal Maple
.5 oz Lemon Juice
1.5 Pineapple Juice
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
.5 oz Simple Syrup
Mix ingredients in a shaker, top with club soda and strain into Collins glass. Garnish with half an orange slice and a cherry.
In addition to the cocktail care package, we also got the names of two horses. If one of these horses wins the race, we get a trip to either The Preakness or The Belmont Stakes. Here are the two horses we have running and their odds to win the Derby:
- Vyjack 14/1
- Giant Finish 50/1
Orb and Verrazano are the favorites, with each horse coming in at 4/1 odds. Goldencents, Rick Pitino’s horse, has the next best odds at 11/2. Forecasts in Louisville predict a 70 percent chance of rain, which could make for very wet and muddy conditions at Churchill Downs.
Crown Royal has partnered up with legendary jockey Laffit Pincay Jr for Derby weekend. If he can successfully predict the top three finishers in order for each leg of the Triple Crown, Crown Royal will donate $1 million to Thoroughbred Charities of America. Here’s a clip of Pincay on Jimmy Kimmel so you know just how legit this guy is:
Here’s the finish that Pincay predicted for the Derby:
- Goldencents
- Normandy Invasion
- Orb
Notice how he gave our horses zero love? That might be good news for charity, but we wanna see an upset, damnit! We’re in a competition here with a bunch of other bloggers. You can follow all the action by checking out @CrownRoyal and the hashtags #Derby and #ReignOn this weekend on Twitter.
May 3rd
Eton BoostBloc 6600 Review
Sometimes you come across a product that makes you wonder what life was like before you possessed said product. Can you remember how you functioned before an Internet-ready smartphone? Can you imagine not having an AUX cable input in your car stereo? Or living without a Bluetooth-enabled portable speaker? It’s hard to think back. Your world was way different before these things.
Every single one of us carries around some sort of device that’s capable of providing hours of enjoyment, information and productivity. Whether it’s a smartphone or tablet (or both), we all walk around with these compact entertainment machines that. We’re lost without ‘em. These devices have become extensions of ourselves.
But these wonderful bodily tech extensions have a downside. They need a power source or they stop working. If you’re not tethered to a desk or a power outlet at home, your device is going to drain until the battery life is all gone. Then all of these wonderful/functional entertainment options will no longer be available to you.
We’ve all been there. A long day or night out. A long flight or car ride. These things drain your juice, man. There’s nothing worse than trying to scramble for an outlet at a bar or an airport just hoping to juice up to send one email or listen to some tunes while you travel. And who hasn’t had a point and shoot camera die and an inopportune time. No matter how far you plan ahead, your devices still have power limitations.
Well luckily for you, Eton makes this amazing rechargeable dual USB battery pack called the BoostBloc 6600. It charges phones, tablets, cameras, any USB enabled device, and two at a time no less.
I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately, and after using this thing for a couple months, I can’t remember how I ever travelled without it. It’s from the future, dude. Seriously. I’ve been parked at airport bars with my Boost Bloc sitting on the counter charging up my iPhone and iPad and I’ve gotten some looks, man. People trip out when they see this. What the hell you got over there, fella? That sort of thing. In almost any situation, most strangers can immediately walk up and see the utility at work. Then they ask what it is cause they want one.
I’ve taken my little BoostBloc on long road trips, brought it to sporting events, used it in airplanes, my jacket pocket, you name it. This little rechargeable battery pack is already well-traveled. And it’s easy to understand why. It weighs 6.5 ounces. It fits in the palm of your hand and can easily be placed in a jacket pocket.
The BoostBloc features a 6600mAh lithium battery that takes some time to get fully charged, but the LED indicators will let you know how much juice you got in the pack at any given time. I usually let it charge overnight before I travel anywhere. When the pack is charged at full capacity, you can recharge an iPhone up to three times. And it charges your phone up pretty quickly, too.
One complaint that I have is that the unit, which retails for $99, doesn’t come with its own Micro-USB DC charger. You get the mico USB cord, but you need to pull the DC charger off an existing device. It’d be nice if it came with one.
May 3rd
It’s Dos de Mayo Tomorrow!
You don’t have to wait till Sunday to get your Cinco de Mayo on. Just listen to The Most Interesting Man in the World. You can start your raging tomorrow for Dos de Mayo!
May 1st
5 Beers Perfect for Summertime
We are now in the month of May and even though it is technically still spring there are days where it feels like summertime. In the summer we trek to the beach, have barbeques, and go out on the decks at our local bars to sip some cold brews. So with that notion here are five beers you should look out for this summer.
1. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Even though you can get the 60 Minute IPA year round it is still a great choice for the summer. This brew is continuously hopped with more than 60 hop additions over a 60-minute boil. The hops in the beer come from the Northwest. The beer has citrus, cedar, pine and candied-orange flavors, floral hop flavors to it.
Recommended Food Pairings: Spicy foods, pesto, grilled salmon, soy-based dishes, pizza, vintage cheddar
2. Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat
This edition of Sam Adams has a golden color to it. This is Sam Adams take on the hefeweizen style beer. They use lemon peel of Eureka and Lisbon lemons from three regions in California to help balance out the wheat malt character. The result is a beer that is a crisp and refreshing wheat ale with a subtle lemon flavor.
Recommended Food Pairings: Roasted pork tenderloin, roasted duck, onion rings, and bratwurst.
3. Blue Point Summer Ale
Blue Point’s version of a summer ale has a great taste to it. It comes from a substantial portion of wheat malt added to a traditional barley malt mix. This fantastic mix helps to give their ale a unique tartness. This ale is perfect for the hazy and hot days of summer.
Recommended Food Pairings: Salad, quiches, fish, and Mexican food.
4. Sierra Nevada Summerfest
Summerfest is a very tasty and refreshing beer that is brewed as a traditional style lager. You can definitely smell the hoppy aroma once you pour it into a glass. There is a tangy summery bite to the beer. Summerfest is light and won’t fill you up which is perfect for when you are outside in sun drinking a few at the beach.
Recommended Food Pairings: Grilled Chicken, sushi, salads, and lightly spiced sausages.
5. Peak Organic Summer Session Ale
Peak creates their traditional summer wheat beer that tastes like a West Coast pale ale. They use locally grown wheat and the Amarillo dry hopping gives a citrusy aroma. If you are vacationing and happen to see this beer on the menu make sure you give it a try.
Recommended Food Pairings: Seafood, spicy food, and pasta dishes.
May 1st
How to Celebrate Star Wars Day
Every year on May 4th fans of the “Star Wars” saga go out and revel in everything about a galaxy that is far, far away. Whether you hear someone say to you, “May the fourth be with you,” or see some posts on Facebook or Twitter you can spot fans of the film.
The day started out as a grassroots campaign that came from the famous Jedi line “May the Force be with you.” Every year there became a bigger following and more and more people were celebrating “Star Wars” on that day.
You can show your support by going on Twitter and Facebook and use the hashtag #MayThe4thBeWithYou to show that you are enjoying “Star Wars” Day. There was even a video made from Lucasfilm of Bonnie Burton asking people on the streets of San Francisco about “Star Wars” Day and how fans can celebrate.
In case you would like to participate in the celebration on May 4th, here are ten fun ways that you can enjoy and partake in the festivities. This list is courtesy of StarWars.com.
1. Have a “Star Wars” movie marathon with friends and family! But do you start with the prequels or the original trilogy? Do you mix in some episodes of “The Clone Wars”? Better decide before your guests arrive, or you may spend the day in a heated debate.
2. Dressing up for special occasions is important, and May the 4th is no different. Wearing anything from your favorite “Star Wars” shirt to full-on Stormtrooper gear is completely acceptable. (It’s okay to dress up your pet, too. Bounty hunter bulldogs are especially encouraged.)
3. Food is an essential part of any holiday. Death Star Popcorn Balls or Wookiee Cookies, anyone? Find a variety of recipes on StarWars.com!
4. Toast the saga with the ultimate “Star Wars”-themed beverage: blue milk, just like Aunt Beru used to make!
5. Feel the Force with “Star Wars” crafts: turn old socks and rocks into awesome “Star Wars” keepsakes! Learn how to make a Chewbacca Sock Puppet, “Star Wars” Snow Globe, and more at StarWars.com!
6. Have you Vadered anyone yet? Now’s the time to give it a try and be sure to Tweet your photo to @starwars!
7. You know that Rebel Alliance symbol tattoo you’ve been thinking about getting? Today’s the day.
8. Sometimes people use holidays to travel to new places. Why not go to Disneyland or Disney World and ride Star Tours? There are over 50 separate mission possibilities.
9. As Yoda said, “Pass on what you have learned.” Introduce a younger sibling, family member, or friend to “Star Wars”!
10. Do you have any “Star Wars” toys that you don’t need any more? Donate them and make May the 4th really memorable for children in need.
Plus this year marks the 30th anniversary of “Return of the Jedi” which makes this year’s celebration even more special. Also fans of the movie franchise are stoked with the new trilogy of movies beginning with “Star Wars: Episode VII” that will be coming to theaters soon. So this May 4th remember to party like you just defeated the Empire and as always, “May the fourth and the Force be with you!”
If you are looking to try out some of the family friendly drink recipes check out a few here to get you started as you watch the “Star Wars” saga.
Blue Milk
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon unsweetened blue fruit punch mix
Sugar
Directions:
Pour the milk into a tall glass and gently stir in the blue fruit punch mix. The drink should be lightly tinted blue. Adjust the amount of mix to get the color that you like. Add sugar to taste.
Greedo Fauxito
For those who might not remember Greedo was the bounty hunter in “Episode IV: A New Hope” that tried to bring Han Solo back to Jabba the Hutt. Here is drink recipe that pays him homage.
Ingredients:
One lime
8-10 fresh mint leaves
Lemon-lime soda
Directions:
Squeeze juice of one lime into a tall glass. Add fresh mint leaves and muddle with a cocktail muddler or spoon. Fill glass with ice. Add lemon-lime soda to fill the glass.
Tatooine Sunset
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
¼ cup grenadine syrup (approximately)
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice, and orange juice. Slowly pour in grenadine syrup and allow to settle on the bottom.
Apr 23rd
The Bolt by Star Motorcycles
A good motorcycle is like a good lover and an okay motorcycle is like an okay lover: either way, you’re riding, which is awesome, but when you’re on a good bike, the world is a different place.
Bearded man says, “that’s one purty bike.” (Photo credit: Brian J. Nelson/Tom Riles)
Last Friday, thanks to Yahama’s cruising and touring bike division, Star Motorcycles, I had the opportunity to test ride the new Bolt in San Diego. Dubbed by its creators as an “urban performance bobber,” the Bolt features a V-twin, 942cc engine and a stylish, compact design. The concept was to create a bike that would appeal to the younger generation of riders, who are looking to get more bike for their buck and would appreciate a simpler look and nimbler feel. With that in mind, it was also designed for both novice riders and experienced vets alike and engineered with the idea that it should be easy to navigate busy city streets and enjoyable to open up on a deserted stretch of highway. If you want to dig into the specs you can do so here: Bolt Home, which includes a very cool Build Your Own feature.
Thanks to San Diego’s unique character, I was able to ride the Bolt in stop and go traffic, along relaxed scenic byways, and on the interstate. The Bolt handled beautifully and was an absolute pleasure to ride. My favorite parts:
- Easy, low-stress handling
- Quick, responsive braking
- Comfortable ride position
- Easy to shift (you won’t think this is amazeballs until you’ve ridden a bike where it’s difficult to shift gears)
- Stylish as all get out
- Fun to ride
The only thing I noticed that might detract from the general awesomeness of the Bolt at all was that towards the end of the ride, the engine got a little warm. Given that we hung out together, all told, for 7 hours, I find that completely understandable. If you hang out with anyone for 7 hours and you aren’t hot and bothered, you should move on.
“John Wayne ain’t got nothin’ on my fringe game, hell no…” (Photo credit: Brian J. Nelson/Tom Riles)
The Bolt starts at $7,990 or there’s a sexy R-Spec model that starts at $8,290. The extra $300 will get you remote reservoir shocks, a suede-type seat with colored stitching, black mirrors, and either green or matte grey paint. I’m on the R-Spec in the pic above. There are definitely cheaper bikes out there, but it’s difficult to find one in this price range that handles as well or looks as good. I would be remiss in saying that this test ride didn’t make me think twice about trading in my older bike for the new hotness (thank you, Will Smith).
To quote an overheard conversation between former flames, “you made it easy to be with you.” The Bolt is a very easy bike to be with and is a fantastic choice for any rider who just wants to enjoy the heck outta their motorcycle.
Apr 23rd
Make Your TV Smarter!
If you were looking to upgrade your old flat screen TV with a new smart TV you might want to check out the SmartStick first. If your TV is still in great shape why not just spend $50 instead of $1500. A company called FAVI Entertainment can upgrade your TV for 50 bucks as long as your TV has an HDMI input.
SmartStick has a HDMI connector that is built right on the stick that looks like a flash drive and it plugs directly into your HDTV with no cables or confusing adapters. The DC power is supplied over a mini-USB port, and the included mini-USB to USB connection is just the right length, to reach the USB port on your HDTV.
The Interface application is great. The application lets you access apps, the web, and multimedia content. The SmartStick actually gets you! I am serious. This device adapts itself to present your preferred content first. The homepage will remain constantly updated to display your 6 favorite applications, and any two widgets of your choice.
There is a browser tab to search the web. A video tab that will search through your attached storage devices and present all of your video files. Plus there is a music tab that will look out for audio files no matter which folder they’re located in and present them for easy access.
It also works with Google Play, Android apps, Netflix, Hulu and more. I was able to stream shows from my Netflix and HBO accounts. All of these shows are in HD quality since it hooks up to a HDMI port.
With the included PLEX app, you can now wirelessly deliver saved content directly to your SmartStick enabled TV. Just host your computer’s media collection with Plex Media Server, open the PLEX app on your SmartStick and you are connected.
To even add more ease when using the SmartStick pick up the pocket sized keyboard with touch pad mouse. This keyboard lets you quickly respond to email and enjoy a complete web browsing experience. The keyboard setup is very similar to the Android hot keys that are located beneath the touch pad of the controller. If you like playing games on your Android devices then the touch pad will make gaming a lot easier and your gaming experience will be that much better on your flat screen TV. Whether you go with either the 4 GB or 8 GB of internal storage, the stick also has a microSD card slot that holds up to 32 GB. This is another way to watch movies on your TV.
Apr 15th
Carmelo Anthony Launches Degree Men DO:MORE Campaign From Atop Madison Square Garden
Carmelo Anthony has always been a dual threat on the basketball court, a leading scorer and a fierce defensive threat, but now he’s showing the world how he can DO:MORE off the court with his love for boxing. Last night Anthony helped Degree Men launch its new DO:MORE campaign with an afternoon workout event with some of New York’s top amateur boxers in a pop-up boxing ring atop the Madison Square Garden marquee. From above the Madison Square Garden marquee, Carmelo helped inspire guys everywhere to DO:MORE in their own lives by hopping in the ring for a brief workout with his boxing trainer. 
Complacency is not an option – especially for America’s elite athletes. As you may have already seen or heard, basketball superstars Carmelo Anthony & Kevin Durant are teaming up with Degree Men deodorant to help launch a new campaign encouraging men to go beyond their comfort zone and test their limits – they’re challenging guys to DO:MORE. With national TV advertising featuring Anthony & Durant airing this month during the NCAA tournament, the guys – who are known and recognized around the world for basketball – are showcasing their individual passions off the court with the support from Degree Men, in hopes to inspire guys everywhere to DO:MORE in their own lives.
With the support of Degree Men with MOTIONSENSE, Anthony has the confidence and protection needed to take his game to the next level and DO:MORE whether he’s running 94-feet up and down the basketball court or going 12-rounds in the boxing ring.
Apr 1st
Hall Of Famer Richard Dent Talks About Hometown Hall of Famers Program
Richard Dent, former NFL defensive end and Atlanta football legend, will be honored in his hometown community as part of a special program called “Hometown Hall of Famers” presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate.”
Dent will be recognized by representatives of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Allstate Insurance Company and the Atlanta community during a special ceremony at Crim Open Campus High School. The event will take place Wednesday, March 27.
The four-time Pro Bowl honoree was named Super Bowl MVP for his dominating performance against the New England Patriots in the Bears’ decisive 46-10 victory in Super Bowl XX. Dent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Art Eddy: You are being honored in Atlanta for the “Hometown Hall of Famers” program presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate this week. How did it feel when you heard the news about this great honor?
Richard Dent: It is a great honor. When members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate come together to help people like myself go back into the community and say thanks to your neighborhood and places where you grew up it is a great feeling.
There is going to be a bunch of kids from the Atlanta school systems there and the message will be that you should strive to find yourself. For me I didn’t play sports in high school until my junior year. I was able to go to college on a scholarship and go play in the National Football League. If you play at a certain level you might be able to make it into the Hall of Fame. I never really thought about that, but did dream about going to the Super Bowl and winning it. Had a chance to see those things happen.
Now Allstate and the Hall of Fame have allowed me to get on the road and get into the communities and tell these stories. I am able to thank those who were able shape young men in the community like me. 
AE: Henry Adams, who is one of your former coaches, will present you with the historic plaque. Talk to me about your relationship with your former coach.
RD: He was the defensive coordinator and Coach William Lester, who was the head coach, would have probably introduced me into the Hall of Fame, but he has passed. I had a chance to thank him at the Georgia Hall of Fame. William Lester has had touched so many thousands of students that went to college.
Henry Adams was the head coach of the basketball team. He made me be the water boy for one year. Then I played my senior year and made All-State. I thought I had something there and didn’t really think about football too much. William Lester help me stay at Mercy High School when my family moved out of the community. He would give me rides to and from school for two years.
It just goes to show you what people would do for you if you put a flag in the ground and work at a goal and find yourself. I wanted to be someone in my community and be looked up to. My family appreciated that. This is why I appreciate Allstate and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to come back and say thanks to some people. Plus if you can save some lives by what you say and they envision theirs lives on what they can be it is a good thing.
AE: You were part of the great 46 Chicago Bears defense with Mike Singletary, William Perry, Wilber Marshall and many others. What was it like to play with those guys?
RD: When I look back it was me, Dan Hampton, William Perry, Walter Payton, and Mike Singletary. I think we had probably seven to eight Hall of Famers on that team. When you have all those guys in life just like in football you can reach your goals. We should have been the first team in the NFL to win three Super Bowls in a row. In four years we only lost ten games.
If you look at all the dominant teams in the NFL from decade to decade it would be hard to find a team to match what we did in those four years. It just goes to show you how tough it is to accomplish what we did.
AE: In the 1985 season you guys were so close to going undefeated and match the record of the ’72 Miami Dolphins. Ironically enough it was the Dolphins who were the only team to beat you that year. At that time did you guys care about that or just focused on winning the Super Bowl?
RD: When we lost the Championship game the year before to San Francisco we vowed to each other on the plane ride back that we were going to win everything hands down. We didn’t say we were going to go undefeated. The first game of the year we were down 21 points at halftime. That was Tampa Bay.
We had a conversation at halftime and we came back to win that game. In Week 13 we faced the Dolphins and we looked at the calendar and thought this was going to be the team to beat since everyone else was kind of mediocre. We lost that game got back home around 2:30 in the morning. We woke up about 12 the next day and went to the studio to record “The Super Bowl Shuffle.”
We were like so what we lost. We will see those guys down the road. If they do their thing we will see them in the big game. We were looking for them. I am glad we didn’t see them because Dan Marino is a good friend of mine. I would have hated to put on Dan what I wanted to do to him. If he showed up it wouldn’t have been a nice day.
AE: Speaking of Super Bowl XX you guys beat up on the New England Patriots and you took home the MVP trophy. I am guessing 1985 was a great year for you.
RD: Yea it was a great year for me. That was my first award I received for a particular thing I did in a season. I led the league the year before and lead the league that year and I didn’t get anything for it. So for me it was my first award. I was really honored to win that MVP award in the Super Bowl.
AE: After playing with the Bears, you played with the 49ers, Colts, and Eagles. You even won another Super Bowl ring with the 49ers. How was it for you to adjust to playing for those different teams?
RD: No it wasn’t for me. God gave me the physical abilities to play football. You go out and give your best each week. Sometimes there are people who talk about their play and don’t match it with their performance on the field. That was the tough part. You try to work with people and tell them that where there is a will there is a way.
AE: You also were one of the all-time greats in the NFL for sacking quarterbacks. You at times made it look very easy. What was the secret to your success?
RD: Well I am a geek when it comes down to technology and tendencies and data. I would break a person down in about 15 minutes. The point is your ability can go to a certain extent. Your talent can go anywhere you want it to go. You look and listen and you start to know what you need to do.
You might be able to take those tendencies from a player and know about 80 percent of what they are going to do. So I don’t have to run crazy. For me when I start moving I am looking at 80 percent of what could take place and I’ll fight for the other 20 percent. You start to have fun during the game because you most likely know what will happen. That gives you longevity. If you are out there bouncing around and running around at some point the game catches up with you.
Everybody can play, but what level can you play at? That is the key for me to be the best you can be.
Mar 26th
2014 Lexus IS Review
AUSTIN- The symbolism of the setting was not lost on me. In early March, while the youth and energy of South by Southwest swirled all around us, I joined fellow media members at the more traditionally luxurious Barton Creek Resort and Spa. Our welcome assignment was to push and test the 2014 Lexus IS series on roads and the track. While we were given unfettered access to the entire IS line, my focus was primarily on the IS 350 F-Series.
2014 Lexus IS – The Look
Whether you love it or hate it, you can not help but notice the new spindle grill. It’s not only the clear focal point of the car but it represents a design shift throughout the brand favoring a more modern, aggressive look. People saw this car coming, I counted at least four head turns and two double takes during our road test. The roof line, like much of this car, leaves you with the not so accidental impression of the LFA super car. When still, the car takes on a very strong and dignified air. It waits patiently for you, like some massive exotic pet waiting to be led on a stroll around the grounds. The new look translates well in the flesh, the controversial grill is simultaneously the beginning and the end of each line. This continuity gives it a sense of belonging and purpose that doesn’t translate well in photographs.
2014 Lexus IS – The Feel
The tech and amenity packed cabin continues the intuitive and driver centric theme.The bolstered seats in the IS 350 F series hold you securely in place. The driver’s seat quickly gave me the impression of a cockpit as I adjusted the electronic seat and steering column controls to fit my preferences exactly. At 6′ 4” tall I found the leg room to be more than sufficient and perhaps more surprisingly there to be enough head room for me to keep my neck straight up and down without my head touching the ceiling. The remote touch system allows you to interact with the onboard computer system with far less driver distraction than a traditional touch screen. The analog clock sits proudly in the center of the dash, a nod towards traditional standards in the sea of sleek modern elements. The car was designed around the driver and it shows. All of the minor flaws I found were passenger specific. The back seat had enough leg room to fit me comfortably but the head room was decidedly lacking. It was a non issue amongst my smaller counter-parts, they found the back seat to be a comfortable and pleasant ride. The passenger seat mostly succeeded as well. The comfortable bolstered seats held you tightly while both screaming around the track and coasting through a school zone. I found the cup holder’s placement to be a bit awkward for the passenger’s left arm and interacting with the car’s controls from the passenger side was at times less than ideal. A lack of a designated position for the ever present smart phone was a surprising omission in such a modern and well thought out car. Bluetooth does allow for considerable control over your phone through on board buttons and voice activated commands. The car manages to pack in the technology and amenities expected in a luxury sedan without feeling clunky or crowded.
2014 Lexus IS – The Drive
Our driving experience really went up another notch at the Driveway Track on the edges of Austin.
The “sound optimized” exhaust begins to growl at just over 4,000 r.p.m.’s and the S+ driving mode really shone as I came out of my first turn and put the accelerator to the floor. There was little to any body roll and the car shifted seamlessly through it’s 8 speed automatic transmission. It found and passed 60 MPH in about 5 seconds, quickly climbing into the high 80’s before leveling out a little. The car, when pushed on the straightaway, gathered another burst of momentum as it crossed from the mid 90’s to over 100 MPH. The “G Force Artificial Intelligence” feature helped the automatic transmission down shift quickly and smoothly as I approached the linked turn at 106 MPH. The car decelerated to under 60 MPH as I entered the turn and got down to the safer speed of 46 MPH coming out of the apex. From there it was back on the throttle, testing the body roll at over 80 MPH with some well timed tugs on the steering wheel. Overall the car felt stable at high speeds, though it did jump and bump a bit in the various elevation changes despite it’s 3,700 pound heft. It outperformed the competitor cars provided to us easily. It honestly wasn’t a fair comparison, the IS 350 F Series was raised on tracks around the world, the competitor cars, though in the same class in comfort and price were certainly not born, bred and optimized for such aggressive driving and it showed. At all times behind the wheel of the Lexus I felt in complete control. I came out of my track day feeling like I had ridden a roller coaster a dozen times, surely a good sign for a sportster.
2014 Lexus IS – The Bottom Line
The 2014 Lexus IS may stop just short of a full redesign but it does signify a clear adjustment in the aim and scope of the brand. It represents a successful combination of luxury and track inspired engineering to give you a sportster that is truly fun and exciting to drive. Overall, aside from the lack of available manual transmission, the car left me wanting little. The paddle shifters certainly shift quickly and they do allow you to use your RPM’s to harness the power of the engine. I’m just partial to the more traditional clutch and stick shift available on many other sports cars. Though the automatic is dynamic and responsive it does seem a shame to not even offer one the opportunity to drive such an exciting car with a manual. Maybe next year. Europe’s sales numbers await.
2014 Lexus IS
Est MSRP $35k – $61k
Available June, 2013
Mar 25th
