Black RX-8 at the shore of Lake Como
 

If you're ever looking for curves, curves and more curves I strongly recommend to drive the Splügen pass, which connects Switzerland and Italy.

The road took me to the northern shore of Lake Como, which you can see in the background:

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Fantastische!

Guys - now here's something to really be jealous about. The car we all love, on some of the most exciting roads you'll ever have an opportunity to drive, with drivers who by and large pay attention to what they're doing.

I'll be there in September, driving my wife's new Volvo S80 (European delivery), but will be wishing for my 8 3-4 times an hour, I know...

Yeah, the roads are fantastic there.

I went from Como to a village near Genova and back. Driving in Italy is true fun because people actually can drive there. I had people in pickups on their way to the market chasing me on a somewhat curvy autostrada in my 8. And believe me, I didn't go slow ...

nice 8! If only u had parked your 8 in the sunlight rather than the shadows, we would be able to see it much better.

Well, unfortunately these are just snapshots before leaving the hotel - and parking in the sun would have heated the car up even more. ;)

Splügen pass? I'll drive right over as soon as the build the Trans-Atlantic bridge... :)


Nice 8.

AQA:

Enjoyed your comment about Italian drivers. I'm convinced that every one of them is absolutely certain they too could drive for Ferrari if only they could get a tryout.

Where is the Splugen Pass exactly? May be able to put in on the September itinerary. A few laps of the Nordschliefe in my wife's 3-day old S80 is already scheduled, although she doesn't know it yet. Glad I ordered the Sport chassis...

What's been the reaction to your 8 thus far?

omg the lisence plates in germany ARE huge indeed...

@boothguy: The Splügen pass crosses the alps quite near the San Bernadino pass and tunnel. If you drive the N13 in Switzerland (from Chur to Bellinzona) you'll see an exit "Splügen" (two exits before the San Bernadino pass exit). The pass starts immediately after the village. You'll drive trough a pretty interesting landscape if you get higher (looks somewhat like the moon) with a big mountain lake (Lago Di Montesplugo) near pass height and finally enter Italy near Chiavenna. The border control itself is located on the pass road, shortly after a big metal grid embedded in the road - better slow down there unless you want to be told to drive more "piano" by the border patrol ... ;)

The pass is only open in the summer, because it's one of the highest around.

Found it - thanks. Looks like a sweet piece of road, especially the section from Reichenau to Mesocco. A couple of years back, driving from Interlaken to Como, the river road we planned to take was closed, and we took our rented Alfa 156 over the Sustenpass and down to the St. Gothard tunnel. Another wonderful piece of road with virtually no one on it, but needed to watch for icy spots in the shadows.

Our routing to Como this time will be more like Basel - Geneve - Mont Blanc - Milano. There's only so much twisty mountain road my wife can handle continuously.

USA 8-owners: I've driven lots of places in the States, but nothing can compare to the roads in southeastern France, southern and western Germany, all of Switzerland and northern Italy. And these guys have our favorite car to enjoy on them. Wow.

While talking about roads, friday I managed to break the german "civilized car limit" that all german manufacturers except Porsche adhere to: My speedometer read 253 km/h (that would be 153 mph). [explanation for those outside Germany: all german cars are "deliberately" limited to 250 km/h, for security reasons or so they say - point in fact suspension and braking issues get more costly with every mph, and even german engineering couldn't lower the bill] Well, things look interesting at such speed. ;)

Not to mention tire issues. Anyone know offhand if there's a difference in the speed rating of the tires supplied on 8s destined for the US of A versus ones bound for Europe?

Well, Idon't know about the US, but in Germany Bridgestone Potenza RE040 are fitted. Same tires as the Z8, so the rating should be 250 km/h at least.