Yes, the auto manufacturers release new models every year with visual updates and new convenience features, but few cars have actually affected the way we think about or approach the act of driving.

This slow progression in the evolution of cars isn’t solely the fault of the automakers though — they’re some of the most creative people around — it’s just that the sandbox they’re allowed to play in is incredibly small.

There are many factors to consider on the path to innovation: Does the technology exist? Is it cost-effective to implement? Does it have acceptable reliability? Will the masses resist a dramatic change?

The technical aspects can usually be solved rather easily, but the most difficult part is convincing customers that a new way of doing things is beneficial. And we all know very well how much people generally dislike change.

Thankfully, there are companies like Tesla that aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo. The introduction of the Tesla Model S really popularized the idea of electric vehicles (EV), due in part to its “usable” range of over 200 miles per charge and its self-driving Autopilot feature.

The Model S definitely wasn’t the first widely-available electric vehicle, as many domestic and international manufacturers already had various models on the road, but Tesla gave people something to talk about. With its futuristic good looks, power, range, and convenience features, there was a lot for everyone to love. And because the Model S was quickly becoming part of our daily conversation, the idea of an all-electric vehicle that had some level of autonomous driving no longer seemed so foreign, and allowed everyone to be more open-minded towards challenging the traditional way of driving.

But while Tesla’s Model S was on the tip of everyone’s tongue, its starting price of almost $70,000 placed it far out of reach for most people. That’s where companies like Nissan come in to play, offering a more affordable yet still feature-filled EV solution for the masses.

For the 2018 model year, Nissan is using the Leaf — the world’s best-selling electric vehicle — to gently ease people into the future of driving with the debut of two innovative features: e-Pedal and ProPILOT Assist.

e-Pedal, when activated, makes driving half as difficult by automatically slowing down the vehicle when you’re not pressing the accelerator. It will even come to a complete stop and hold until you’re ready to move forward again. Basically, the system intelligently applies a balance of regenerative (power recovery) and friction braking so all you have to do is operate the accelerator pedal. (You’ll still need to press the brake pedal if you need more aggressive or emergency braking.)

The second major new feature of the 2018 Leaf is ProPILOT Assist, which is a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, but taken to the next level of capability. ProPILOT Assist maintains a driver-defined speed as well as distance from the car ahead of it, all while keeping the vehicle perfectly centered in the lane when there are prominent lane markings on both sides. The system can also navigate moderate curves on the highway.

Yes, there are similar assistance features on other cars — like Audi’s Traffic Jam Assist — but they’re more reactive and tend to bounce you left and right within the lane. ProPILOT Assist, on the other hand, actively monitors and maintains your position with lots of tiny steering adjustments.

Neither e-Pedal nor ProPILOT Assist are considered autonomous driving, but together, they work wonders on commutes and during rush hour traffic. It’s a new approach to operating a vehicle that requires a lot less effort, and helps minimize fatigue. Features of this caliber are typically found on luxury vehicles, so the fact that Nissan is offering them on a vehicle that starts under $30,000 means that the company’s ready to challenge what we, as consumers, consider to be a necessity when shopping for a car.

It’s this quest for innovation and a fresh perspective that makes electric vehicles so important to the evolution of cars. While traditional gas-powered vehicles are still battling each other with horsepower ratings and in-car entertainment updates, the EV world is focusing on re-shaping the concept of driving as we know it.

Eventually, the horsepower race will plateau for traditional cars — it might already be happening now as family sedans near 400 HP — and automakers will need to innovate beyond doing the same thing slightly better year after year. Electric motor assistance is already making its way onto performance vehicles, and it’s just a matter of time before features like e-Pedal and ProPILOT Assist become standard equipment on mass-market cars and trucks of tomorrow.

As a sports car enthusiast who will always prefer a manual transmission and the roar of a gas engine, I can’t deny that an electric vehicle, like the Model S or Leaf, provides an excellent solution for my most-prevalent driving scenario: the work commute. And as long as EVs continue to push the boundaries of vehicle capabilities, their technologies will inevitably find their way onto traditional cars, making everyone’s lives better, safer, and more efficient.

So the next time you pass by an electric vehicle, give it a nod of appreciation for keeping the automotive industry moving in the right direction.

Images courtesy Tesla, Nissan, and Andrew Chen.

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With only two different models — and a bunch of custom variants — Pagani has made a name for itself in the flashy world of million-dollar performance cars with jaw-dropping design, incredible attention to detail, and a level of customization that’s only limited by the size of your bank account.

During this grand opening event, roughly $30 million worth of cars gathered from around the world, including the not-made-for-America Zonda Cinque Roadster, three Huayra BCs, and the brand-new Huayra Roadster.

My friend and photographer-extraordinaire, Leonard Mayorquin, was on site at the Pagani Newport Beach grand opening to capture these marvels of engineering in all their bespoke glory. It was colored carbon fiber and titanium as far as the eye could see.

The last time this many Paganis were on the west coast was in 2015 during the Pagani Raduno, an annual cross-country rally for Pagani owners that features a rotation of driving routes from all over the world.

After an epic drive up the coast, this large group of ultra-rare supercars has finally arrived in Monterey, California, so keep a look out for them on the roads and on social media. You can also follow Pagani Newport Beach’s official Instagram page for real-time updates.

The finish line a great close to the Pagani Raduno to Monterey, CA. Now to begin Car Week. Thank you to the clients and Pagani staff for making this a very memorable and unforgettable trip! . . . . . . #paganinb #paganinewportbeach #huayra #paganihuayra #hypercars #hypercar #carbonfiber #newportbeach #supercar #paganiraduno #montereycarweek #carweek2017

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Check out a selection of photos below from last week’s soirée, courtesy Leonard Mayorquin. To see even more photos from the event, visit CNCPics.com.

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But when it comes to a gathering of exotics and ultra-rare sports cars, no one does it better than Lamborghini Newport Beach and its monthly Supercar Show!

On the first Saturday of every month, millions of dollars worth of cars gather in the dealership’s parking lot for a morning of fun and friends.

Sure, there are many supercar gatherings all over Los Angeles, but because these meets happen so early in the morning and are often quite far away from my home, it’s a commitment to get out there as a spectator. So when I do wake up at the crack of dawn and make the hour+ drive, I want a guarantee that there will be awesome cars to pore over — and Lamborghini Newport Beach always delivers!

If you ever hear about a new and exclusive car being delivered in L.A., like the Lamborghini Centenario or McLaren 720S, you’ll usually see it at the very next Supercar Show. It’s an awesome way to hear and experience the glory of these cars in person, as well as chat with the owners about their first impressions.

Sometimes, you might even run into a very special member of the automotive community — I once saw Christian von Koenigsegg!

To get more details, directions, and parking info for the monthly Supercar Show, visit Lamborghini Newport Beach’s official website.

Check out this month’s highlights below:

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Why did this eagerly-awaited mid-size luxury SUV make its west coast debut at a watch store? Because Land Rover and Zenith have collaborated on a beautiful timepiece called the Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition, and it’s only fitting to showcase the car alongside its namesake jewelry.

VIP guests of Land Rover, Zenith, and Westime were offered an intimate opportunity to experience the luxury, convenience, and design of the new Velar ahead of its arrival at dealerships this September.

On the outside, this First Edition Velar features an immaculate paint finish accented with bronze detailing on the front fascia, hood, and character line — these accents are one of my favorite design elements of the vehicle.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer, said that “the Range Rover Velar brings a new dimension of modernity, elegance and a touch of glamour to the Range Rover family.” And based on the reactions of those in attendance, I’d have to say that everyone agrees with that statement.

When you slide into the posh interior, the first thing to catch your eye is the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. This dual touchscreen system is part of a new generation of in-car technologies from Land Rover, and offers users the ability to monitor and control multiple features simultaneously for the ultimate in flexibility and accessibility. Gone are the days when you have to flip through one menu screen at a time.

I’m looking forward to having some quality time behind the wheel of the new Range Rover Velar so I can experience its adaptive dynamics, electronic air suspension, terrain response, and other performance features as part of an in-depth review.

In the meantime, check out a gallery of photos from the west coast debut of the Range Rover Velar First Edition.

To learn more about the Range Rover Velar, visit Land Rover’s official website.

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Check out some excellent use of drone footage in this video from our friends at eGarage.com:

Aerial photography/videography used to be only reserved for professionals or elite hobbyists, but as cameras and technologies advance exponentially every year, these Hollywood-style techniques are well within reach, even for the casual enthusiast.

Arguably one of the best values in terms of video drones is DJI’s Mavic Pro. It’s been around for a bit now, and lots of professional filmmakers use it. You can usually find one discounted to around $900 if you know where to look.

I was able to get my hands on one for a few weeks, and had a blast filming along the coast. Remember when I told you car photography is all about the angles? Well, with the Mavic Pro, you can get really high angles!

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Just another Sunday in the #SouthBay. #Audi #RS7 #drone #djimavicpro

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Jun 4, 2017 at 11:37pm PDT

The Mavic Pro’s gimble does a great job of keeping the camera steady while you’re flying, and it doesn’t take a lot of skill to get up a running. If you have just a little bit of experience playing basic video games, you’ll find the flight controls to be very intuitive.

DJI’s accompanying app turns your smartphone into the main control hub as well as a video monitor. There’s even a basic video editor in the app so you can quickly cut and share your videos on the go.

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Cruisin' with the top down.

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Jul 8, 2017 at 8:10pm PDT

One of my challenges with car photography is rolling shots. Ideally, I’d need two additional people to help me — one to drive the main car, and one to drive a camera car while I hang out of the window. But with the Mavic Pro, it can automatically track and follow a subject, meaning I can launch the aircraft and have it film me as I drive the car. Talk about being a one-man team…

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Just dronin' around at #SaturdayShift! #Lamborghini #Ferrari #Porsche #carsandcoffee #dji #mavicpro

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on May 20, 2017 at 11:06am PDT

If you’re looking to step up your automotive content game, I’d highly recommend upgrading your gear set with a drone. There are many options already out there, and more are coming every day.

Mavic Pro photos courtesy Slickdeals.net

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This popular convention features three days of panels filled with exclusive content and celebrity sightings, and of course, awesome displays and props showcases.

What caught my eye this year was a larger presence of movie cars, not just from the recently released film “Cars 3,” but from some of Disney’s other shows like “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Check out some vehicle highlights from this year’s D23 Expo courtesy my friend and Disney aficionado, @coheteboy (Twitter, Instagram).

Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder escaped the deserts of Tatooine for a weekend in sunny Southern California.

“Don’t touch Lola.” This pristine C1 Chevrolet Corvette convertible belongs to Agent Phil Coulson (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and features firepower and flight capabilities courtesy inventor-extraordinaire, Howard Stark of Stark Industries. A piece of Disney trivia: LOLA stands for Levitating Over Land Automobile.

At first glance, this might look like Dominic Toretto’s 1969 Dodge Charger from the Fast and the Furious, but it’s actually the “Hell Charger,” a fiery extension of Robbie Reyes, AKA Ghost Rider (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Flaming burnouts are infinitely cooler in this devilish muscle car.

It’s the cars of Cars 3! From background to foreground: Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, and Jackson Storm. Behind-the-scenes trivia: my girlfriend’s niece’s fiancé helped build Cruz Ramirez, which is a driveable parade vehicle!

Mater! He’s got a few loose screws and some missing parts, but his heart is always in the right place.

Cinderella’s coach — the ultimate princess ride. If you have your wedding at a Disney resort, you can arrive in style with this horse-drawn carriage!

This counts as a vehicle, right? It’s got one moosepower.

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The F-Type SVR comes from Jaguar’s in-house Special Vehicle Operations division where they’ve tuned their impressive 5.0-liter supercharged V8 to produce 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque — this engine is capable of launching the F-Type from 0 – 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph!

Since it’s Summer in Southern California, and I have access to some of the most picturesque roads in the world, the convertible version of the F-Type SVR wins my favor over the coupe configuration.

Cruisin’ with the top down.

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Jul 8, 2017 at 8:10pm PDT

Jaguar’s SVO engineers didn’t stop at just adding more horsepower though — weight savings and aerodynamics were also large areas of focus in their quest for ultimate performance. Exotic materials have been used to reduce unsprung weight in the wheels, exhaust system, suspension architecture, and braking system, for example.

Redesigned bodywork along with an active aerodynamic carbon fiber rear spoiler lower the drag and lift coefficient to keep the F-Type SVR planted firmly on the ground at high speeds.

Gettin’ tail happy! #SVR

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Jul 8, 2017 at 4:48pm PDT

Of course, since it’s a Jaguar, the interior is loaded with luxury amenities and premium materials. The bucket seats look amazing with blue piping and contrast stitching, and are also very supportive in all the right places.

My favorite feature of the interior though has to be the switch for Dynamic mode. Pull back towards the checkered flag and you awaken the beast within the F-Type SVR — the rear wing deploys, the suspension stiffens, and the exhaust opens up to belt out one of the most satisfying roars I’ve ever heard.

While the F-Type SVR excels at high speeds, you don’t have to take it there to have a full experience. The supercharger provides plenty of low-end torque, and the exhaust delivers a ton of drama at around 3,000 RPM both on-throttle and off-throttle with its after-fire pops and burbles. There’s no recording or video that can properly convey the excitement coming from these Inconel Titanium tips. You have to experience it in person.

Ultra-high performance sports car, luxury grand-tourer, comfortable daily-driver — the 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR convertible is all of these things and more. If people don’t see you coming first, they’ll definitely hear you as you leave them in the dust.

Visit JaguarUSA.com to learn more about the 2017/18 F-Type lineup.

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With today’s global economy, it’s impossible to find a vehicle that is 100% made and sourced in America, but we can reference the Kogod School of Business’s Made in America Auto Index to see which vehicles contribute the most to the U.S. economy, including aspects beyond just manufacturing, like where the profits go, research and development location, point of assembly, and more.

Tying for first place as the most American-made vehicle for the 2017 model year are the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia. The Ford F150 is a very close second, while the Chevrolet Corvette sits pretty in third.

Most of the vehicles in the top 10 come as no surprise — Jeep’s Wrangler, Ford’s Expedition and Taurus, and Cadillac’s ATS Sedan and CT6 round out the middle of the leaders.

But what may be eye-opening to many is that Honda, Acura, Kia, and Toyota all have vehicles that tie for the 9th position in the 2017 Made in America Auto Index; quite an achievement when you consider there are 419 total entries in the index.

The Honda Pilot, Acura RDX, Kia Optima, and Toyota Camry all rank higher than popular vehicles like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Malibu, and Dodge Durango. Don’t get me wrong, the Explorer, Malibu, and Durango are still very much made-in-America vehicles, sitting about a point behind the Camry in the Auto Index rating.

I’m in no way trying to bash the Big Three; I’m simply highlighting the efforts and achievements of the Japanese and Korean manufacturers who have invested so much to build large manufacturing facilities in the U.S. which positively affect our labor force and economy. For certain cars, the notion of it being an import is really a thing of the past.

Browsing through the rest of the Auto Index, you might be taken aback by the fact that some European brands — Fiat, BMW, and Volkswagen — are considered more made-in-America than some volume selling cars like the Ford Focus or Chevrolet Spark.

Trying to support U.S. manufacturing by “buying American” isn’t a clear-cut path like it was back in the day when you could look to any of the three Michigan-based car makers. But I think that’s a good thing because there are so many awesome cars out there from global manufacturers, and they all have an opportunity to positively influence the American economic landscape.

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Our weapon of choice was a 2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk 4×4.

With an Anvil exterior paint color and Deserthawk decals, the Renegade not only looks the part, it’s also a Trailhawk, meaning it carries Jeep’s highest capability and trail rating.

The Renegade is a popular vehicle among those who want a compact and versatile form-factor along with Jeep’s DNA and personality. To remind you of the company’s off-road heritage, there are also plenty of easter eggs throughout the vehicle, like fuel can “X” markings, the Sarge grille, a silhouette of a man hiking on the back windshield, and more.

On the inside, there’s plenty of comfort and convenience features to make long journeys more enjoyable. An available 6.5-inch Uconnect navigation and entertainment hub provides all the latest in smartphone connectivity and apps, and even comes with its own WiFi service (subscription required).

Our test model came standard with leather bucket seats that featured cloth inserts with a topographical map — a fun touch of style to accompany the champagne-colored accents found throughout the cabin.

Jeep purists will argue that the Renegade isn’t a “real” Jeep, but having driven one on some challenging off-road trails, I’d beg to differ.

If you’re talking about pure survivability in a post-apocalyptic setting, sure, the Wrangle might fare better, but the Renegade Deserthawk comes with everything you’d need for a rigorous adventure — roll mitigation, hill descent control, and on-demand 4×4 traction for a variety of surfaces courtesy Jeep’s Selec-Terrain System. It also comes outfitted with skid plates for the transmission, transfer face, fuel tank, and front suspension so you can tackle really rough terrain with confidence.

As a daily-driver, the 2017 Renegade Deserthawk is confident and effortless to drive. The 2.4-liter I4 MultiAir engine produces 180 horsepower while the 9-speed automatic transmission helps the Renegade achieve almost 30 mpg on the highway.

Competition in the compact crossover segment is very tough, but the 2017 Jeep Renegade Deserthawk stands out with its blend of usable off-road performance, comfort, and versatility — you can go from work to camping in the wilderness without missing a beat.

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Presented by the Rodeo Drive Committee in conjunction with the city of Beverly Hills, this annual car show welcomes thousands of automotive enthusiasts, young and old, to experience the best of the best on four wheels. It’s a great way to spend some time with good ol’ pops and take in some beautiful works of art, as well as cultivate a passion for the automobile in the younger generation. I love seeing children, their parents, and their grandparents sharing and enjoying a mutual love of cars.

And because this event is so prestigious and well-produced, many manufacturers have debuted products here in the past — Jaguar launched the all-new XJ model here in 2010, and in 2013, private jet manufacturer Learjet showed off their latest Learjet 85 model to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

This year’s highlights include a McLaren P1 in a custom purple and orange spec from the British automaker’s in-house MSO (McLaren Special Operations) design team, a 1960’s Jaguar E-Type Series 1, a Porsche 919 Hybrid LeMans race car, and the brand-spanking-new McLaren 720S, to name a few.

I wasn’t able to attend this year because I was at a wedding in the desert (more on that in next week’s column!), but a lot of my car enthusiast friends went, and thankfully have a ton of photos to show for it.

Check out some of the immaculate and very expensive cars that were on display at the 24th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance.

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The story and inspiration for NfS: Payback seems to be lifted straight from the Fast and the Furious movies, with a diverse crew set out to get even with whoever wronged them in the past by running daring heists and smashing cars along the way.

It’s not the most original idea, but is definitely a breath of fresh air as the previous Need for Speed games were mostly focused on racing to boost one’s ego and reputation in a world inhabited by over-stimulated high schoolers with low self-esteem and an undying need to show off.

From what I can tell, the action in Need for Speed Payback is intense and very cinematic, and hopefully, the writing will be good enough to keep me invested in the cast of characters. Car/racing games have historically struggled with story-telling as most titles prioritize simulation or gameplay over a meaningful single-player campaign.

And as cheesy as the scenarios are in the Fast and Furious movies — jumping between moving vehicles, crashing other cars with seemingly little damage to your own car — I’ve always thought it’d be fun to be in control of the action myself.

Need for Speed Payback is set for a November 10th release date, and I’ll be getting a closer look at the game itself during this week’s E3 Expo.

Learn more about EA’s Need for Speed Payback by visiting the official website.

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Car enthusiasts typically rally behind the manual transmission, with subjective reasons as to why it’s better, like “it’s more fun to drive” or “you feel more connected to the car.”

And even though I physically row through the gears on a daily basis, I tend to disappear into the bushes a la Homer Simpson whenever this “debate” arises because a battle of opinions and preferences always ends with the same result: nobody changes their mind. (Mostly because there’s no one from the other side of the argument present. Ha!)

Trying to argue that a manual transmission is better to a person who’s never used one or doesn’t care to use one is like speaking English slowly and loudly to a non-English speaker — they’re still not going to understand. I don’t think anyone has ever converted a casual or even non-car enthusiast into a fan of the manual transmission. What would be the selling points? More effort required when driving? Adding even more stress when crawling through stop-and-go traffic?

While I feel that daily-driving with a manual transmission (especially in a congested city like Los Angeles) should only be reserved for those that absolutely love the art of driving, I still think it’s a good idea for everyone to know how to operate a manual transmission and do so consistently for a month or so. It’s the same reason that I think everyone should work in the restaurant or retail industry at least once in their life — you’ll learn so much about yourself and others, and the experience will help you appreciate everything that much more.

Operating a manual transmission also makes you a safer driver because you’re forced to pay attention more often (you need to know when to shift!) and both hands are occupied so there’s no opportunity to text, surf the web, or take a selfie with your phone. And for the rest of you who have automatic transmissions: put your phone down! You’re piloting a 3,000 lb machine that’s capable of doling out death to you and everyone around you!

Having driven my 6-speed manual Nissan 350Z for over 10 years, I can really appreciate how much automatic transmissions have changed. They’re fast and smooth, and most feature seven or eight gears for better fuel economy. If you’re talking about all-out performance, there’s no way I can manually change gears faster than I can click a paddle-shifter.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and the type of driving experience you’d like to have — no one transmission technology is absolutely better than the other, especially when most of the cars we’re talking about will never see a race track.

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It makes me wish I was a wealthy family man so that I can 1.) afford the $67,600 starting price, and 2.) fill it with people to take places.

On the outside, the A6 stays in familiar Audi territory with classic lines and proportions, while the 3.0T competition trim and standard S line styling add sporty details like black side mirror housings, 20-inch titanium matte finish wheels, and red brake calipers.

The new-for-2017 A6 3.0T competition model packs a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and it’s put to good use through the quattro all-wheel drive system, which features a rear differential for improved driving characteristics. The 8-speed Tiptronic transmission seamlessly handles gear changes, most of which you’ll never notice because of how quickly they occur.

Everything about the 2017 A6 sedan is as you would expect, when you would expect it — when you ask for something, it immediately delivers, which is actually a very real safety feature as well. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve avoided sticky situations in my personal car simply because I had the horsepower and agility to get out of the way.

Of course, the interior is loaded with luxury amenities and advanced technology, but everyone’s first comment is always how nice the diamond contrast stitching looks against the black leather seats.

And because my daily commute involves a couple of the world’s most congested freeways, my favorite feature is Audi’s adaptive cruise control with stop & go capability. Once a desired speed is set, the A6 automatically maintains its distance, and stays active at single-digit speeds or at a complete stop. It makes managing stop-and-go traffic so much easier.

It’s funny how I used to pine for maximum performance elements, but as I got more mature, I realized that the opportunities for all-out speed were far and few between, so it made more sense to focus on comfort and convenience features for everyday scenarios.

If I had to choose one area of improvement for the A6, it would be the engine auto start/stop programming — currently, the engine shuts off just a moment too soon as I come to a complete stop, which makes the last bit of my very smooth deceleration a bit abrupt. Maybe I’m too gentle with my brake pedal operation. It’s a simple fix though as the auto start/stop can be manually deactivated, and it doesn’t operate when you’re using the sportier S driving mode.

There’s so much to love about the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T competition quattro. Even with it’s more subdued exterior design, I still got plenty of looks and thumbs-up from motoring enthusiasts.

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Sure, your exotics always look good in photos because they have cool details and plenty of vents and sharp angles, but a metal body with four wheels really isn’t that interesting.

Enter the photographer (that’s you!). One of the best techniques to make a car look better in photos is using exaggerated angles — shoot from really high or really low.

You’d never use this perspective for shooting people, but for cars, the extreme angle adds drama to what is normally a rather mundane subject.

Here are some examples of shooting from a high angle:

You can play with framing the entire car or just a portion of it, but the high angle adds flavor since you typically don’t get to see a car from up above. The one thing to be careful of is reflections — make sure your own reflection isn’t seen in the glossy paint when you’re up close and high.

Here are some shots from a low angle:

In these shots, the camera is almost set on the floor, and it gives the subject a larger-than-life feeling, which can be enhanced with varying degrees of zoom or depth of field.

And if you’ve got the means, go really high with a drone! This was filmed with a DJI Mavic Pro and edited with the DJI app on a mobile phone.

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on May 20, 2017 at 11:06am PDT

Thanks to digital photography, there’s no longer a concern of being wasteful, so keep practicing and experimenting with different angles, and you’ll start to notice a difference in the final results.

Share your photos with me on Twitter: @lagraffiti.

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But after I started driving convertibles as a journalist, I couldn’t get enough of them, especially because Los Angeles is the perfect place to cruise with an open top. Having perfect weather almost year-round and epic routes like Pacific Coast Highway, it’s no wonder there are so many drop-tops on the road.

I also learned that my concerns of performance deficiencies were irrelevant to a normal driver because modern vehicle engineering and material improvements have come a long way in closing the gap between rag-top and coupe. Only the best drivers who can reach the limits of performance will be able to notice any difference, and I’m pretty sure no one is doing that on public streets.

As Summer approaches, I always start scheduling convertible press cars to review. (It’s a rough life, I know.) Here are a few of the my favorites from recent years:

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

This British supercar really doesn’t need an introduction. A 568-horsepower 6.0-liter V12, handcrafted interior, and stunning looks make this the ultimate convertible.

Jaguar F-Type R Convertible

The best part of having the top down in the F-Type R is being able to hear the awesome crackle and pops from the specially-tuned exhaust. Jaguar’s engineers have also done a fantastic job of keeping heat from the air conditioning inside the cabin when you go roofless, meaning moonlit cruises are always an option.

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

America’s iconic sports car only gets better when it goes topless — this is the way our roads were meant to be experienced!

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Through my automotive journalism adventures, I’ve made friends who are very passionate about collecting Hot Wheels, and are part of an organization called Hot Wheels Support Group. It’s a tongue-in-cheek name because from the outside, it might seem like these fanatics have an addiction problem, but honestly, I’ve never met a nicer, more helpful group of people in the collectibles/trading community. These passionate fans are all about growing the hobby and helping newcomers learn the ropes of hunting for rare cars.

I eventually wanted more detail in my models, and moved up to collecting 1:18 scale die-cast models from Hot Wheels and Maisto, but my world changed when I discovered AutoArt Models. These intricately-detailed cars are so well-made, and with the right lighting and background, could pass as a real car in photographs.

But this additional detail and articulation comes with a higher price tag, ranging from $120 to over $300 depending on the intricacy of the car.

If you thought this hobby didn’t get any better or more expensive, you’re wrong: enter Amalgam Collection with their quarter-scale replicas.

This Formula 1 Ferrari race car model costs $14,600 and is hand-crafted using the original CAD data supplied by the Ferrari race team.

Why would anyone buy a static model car for the same price as an actual used car? Because you can’t put a price on love.

Stay true to your passions, my friends!

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The Viper has a reputation for being an unwieldy beast that can only be tamed by the most skilled drivers, and while that was true of the first generation cars from the early ’90s — the original Viper RT/10 had almost zero modern safety features like anti-lock brakes, traction control, or air bags — the latest-generation is much more accessible and refined.

Last year, I was able to live with a Viper GTC for about a week, and loved it not just for its performance, but also because of its unique personality. It almost felt alive as the massive 8.4-liter V10 engine gave off an unevenly-timed rumble at idle, just like a heartbeat: “braaa-da-ba-bump… braaa-da-ba-bump…”

And while I had 645 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque at the ready, the Viper always felt composed and steady — the result of numerous safety and stability technologies jumping in at just the right moment so you can have fun without losing control.

The original Viper made such an impact in the industry with its performance-only attitude that Dodge has had a hard time shaking off the vehicle’s reputation of being poorly-mannered, even after all these years. Only loyal fans have bothered to get to know the new Viper, and I’m pretty sure that’s what hurt sales numbers and led to the car’s final curtain call.

It’s a shame the Viper wasn’t more popular because it truly is a one-of-a-kind car both literally and figuratively. Through the GTC program, anyone could customize the Viper with a plethora of color, aerodynamic, and interior options, and Dodge would make sure that no one else could configure the exact same spec within the model year. Having the freedom to configure your idea of perfection — you can go full racing spec and still have leather seats and air conditioning — is something that’s uniquely American. Try asking for that spec on special edition cars from European manufacturers; pretty sure they’re just going to laugh.

The entire production run of 2017 Vipers has been spoken for, meaning you can’t configure one for the assembly line, but you can find new models from top dealers around the country. This isn’t the first time the Viper has seen a gap in production years, and I’m hoping history will repeat itself with the unveiling of a new generation of unapologetic sports cars bearing the snake emblem in the next few years.

I’m still trying to figure out how I can own one of these highly-collectible supercars. If you have any ideas or would like to make a donation, hit me up on Twitter: @lagraffiti

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If your car requires premium fuel — there’s usually a sticker inside the fuel door that says “Premium Unleaded Only” — then by all means, use only 91 octane or higher because anything less could harm your engine. But for those with non-performance-oriented, volume-selling cars like a Honda Civic or Ford Focus, filling up with Premium gasoline won’t improve performance or fuel economy — you’re simply paying more for something you car can’t take advantage of.

Without getting too technical, let’s take a quick look at why octane ratings exist, and what it means for your car’s engine. And no, I didn’t just go to Wikipedia — I’m drawing from my years of experience as a chemical engineer working for an oil refinery.

Octane defines the maximum amount of compression a fuel can take before pre-igniting (exploding when it’s not supposed to) and causing a phenomenon called knocking or pinging. This is the sound you hear when pre-ignition pushes against a piston in the wrong direction. Think of it like someone pushing a door closed at the same time you’re trying to push it open — it’s a lot of wasted energy.

Pre-ignition can damage engine components, and most high-performance cars (or small turbocharged engines with lots of horsepower) have high-compression engines, which is why they require premium or high-octane fuel. But your base model Honda Civic is going to do just fine with regular (87 octane) fuel. It can’t sense that you’ve filled up with premium and dial up compression for more horsepower.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard people say they’re “treating” their car with premium fuel. The only treat the car is getting is the additives found in premium fuels from suppliers like Shell. But going to a 76 or Chevron gas station will net the same results because they offer additives in all of their fuel grades, not just premium. You can save a bit of money and still get the benefits of additional detergents by switching brands instead.

To be honest, fuels today are much cleaner and leave less engine deposits because of ever-increasing environmental regulations, so as long as you fill up with top tier gasoline, your car will be just fine. (Pro-tip: Costco fuel is top tier and is usually the least expensive on the market!)

Stick with your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended fuel grade and save money on each fill-up. It adds up over time!

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When I finally moved to Los Angeles, it was impossible to not see an exotic car on the road. Finding the latest Ferrari, Lamborghini, or even a million dollar Bugatti Veyron parked on a street meter was completely normal — it was just another day, especially if I was in an upscale part of town like Beverly Hills.

It got to a point where my girlfriend and I play a game called “Punch Bentley” (much like the childhood favorite “Slug Bug”) because we saw way more Bentleys than Volkswagen Beetles — they’re the grocery-getters for the wealthy.

And while some may scoff at this lavish display of wealth, for a car lover, it’s paradise.

There’s never a shortage of exotic cars to be found, especially when there are numerous weekend gatherings around the greater Los Angeles area — Cars & Coffee, Supercar Sunday, and Piazza GranTurismo are a few of the popular ones.

The downside (for me, at least) is that these weekly/monthly car shows are usually about an hour drive outside of L.A., and with a start time of 7 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday, I usually find myself opting for more sleep.

A post shared by Saturday Shift (@saturdayshift) on Mar 20, 2017 at 12:24pm PDT

Thankfully, a new meet has popped up in my backyard called Saturday Shift, hosted by Ferrari South Bay. Taking place at the east parking lot of the newly-renovated Del Amo Fashion Center on the third Saturday of every month, this all-inclusive show-and-tell has already attracted some rare cars like a Euro-spec Ferrari F12tdf and a Porsche Carrera GT.

Hopefully, Saturday Shift continues to become more popular, bringing exclusive and interesting cars to the beach cities for all to enjoy. The next meet-up is scheduled for May 20, 2017.  Tell your friends!

Check out a photo gallery from this weekend’s gathering!

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You could always go to a race track, but it’s rather cost and time prohibitive, which makes it difficult to attend more than a few times a year.

Enter video games and virtual reality (VR). With recent advancements in game graphics and the falling prices of VR equipment, achieving total immersion has never been easier.

Getting a sneak peek of #ProjectCars2 at CXC Simulations’ #VR Racing Night!

A post shared by Andrew Chen (@lagraffiti) on Apr 6, 2017 at 9:45pm PDT

CXC Simulations, a leading manufacturer of racing simulators, recently hosted a night of VR racing at their headquarters in El Segundo, California where guests strapped into a motion-based simulator to get a sneak peek at the upcoming game Project Cars 2.

Utilizing an Oculus Rift and CXC’s Motion Pro II simulator, I was transported to the Streets of Long Beach, the race course that’s currently set up just 45 minutes away for the weekend’s Long Beach Grand Prix. This legendary track was laser- and drone-scanned by the team at Project Cars 2, and the accuracy and level of detail is amazing.

When the green flag dropped, I was thrown back into my seat as the virtual Honda-powered INDYCAR rocketed off the line. The Motion Pro II system simulates quick g-force changes with force-feedback components and a unique tension-based design that lets you experience the excitement of acceleration, gear changes, and fast corners.

Of course, this is an example of the ultimate setup, and with a starting price of $49,000, it’s not for everyone. But if you have already have a next-gen gaming console or a gaming PC, adding virtual reality capabilities will run you between $500 to $800 depending on your brand of choice — that’s a whole lot cheaper than replacing your brakes and tires after a weekend at the track.

Many professional drivers currently use video games to train throughout the year or to learn new tracks — the gap between casual video game and professional simulator is quickly closing thanks to the amazing work put into products like Project Cars 2, Gran Turismo, and Forza.

If you’ve never experienced racing in VR, I highly recommend trying it out. A simple headset can transport you inside of your favorite car and to a race track anywhere in the world.

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From the outside, the Airstream looks like an extended Mercedes Sprinter van because, well, it is. Airstream’s lineup of touring coaches — different from their legendary trailers — utilizes the Sprinter chassis because of its excellent handling characteristics and manageable form-factor. The touring coach feels confident on the road, and offers excellent visibility thanks to cameras that cover the rear and blindspots.

One of the biggest challenges of having any press vehicle is deciding how best to showcase it, but this time it was easy — I knew exactly where the Airstream would feel right at home, and went straight to the edge of the continent to post up on a corner camp site at Malibu Beach RV Park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

For two days, my girlfriend and I enjoyed waking up to the sound of the ocean and relaxing underneath the Airstream’s built-in sun shade. And as part of the Tommy Bahama collaboration, the vehicle came with a bunch of beach-themed lifestyle accessories, like lounge chairs, a cooler, drinkware, diningware, and more.

This was the first time that I had ever used a recreational vehicle — complete with bathroom/shower, kitchen, and entertainment system — and it quickly became clear why people love this lifestyle. The freedom to go wherever, whenever is refreshing and inspiring. As long as the fuel, propane, and fresh water tanks are filled, you could take this touring coach just about anywhere and be completely comfortable. Solar panels keep the house battery charged, and there’s also a propane back-up generator.

And as awesome as the Airstream was, the best part of the experience was meeting interesting people at the RV park. One lady was making her way from Washington D.C. to California for a house-sitting job, living out of a small Airstream travel trailer. Another group from the Netherlands was wrapping up a 21 day vacation where they road-tripped for over 4,000 miles! Everyone had a different story to share, and welcomed friendly, agenda-less conversation — it was the complete opposite of the stressed-out families you’d find at an amusement park or tourist trap.

If you’ve never enjoyed the open road with a recreational vehicle, I’d highly recommend trying one out for a weekend. It’s a rejuvenating and rewarding experience because you get to soak in the outdoors while always being close to the comfort of your “home.”

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