Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1536963
So how often do the Tail of the Dragon turns occur? Some right behind the other and a couple of stretches a bit longer than a city block that I encountered during our quick 11-mile journey. In those brief events, the AMG could rocket to 90 MPH or so before engaging the carbon ceramic brakes and battery regen system. We were not on a race track so keeping in the right lane was the absolute rule, but during our very early hour of "Tail" driving we didn't encounter another motorist. Sport sedans and SUVs with serious athletic ability are pretty widely available from automakers and range from Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and VW offerings to Aston Martin, Bentley, and Ferrari, among others, at the pinnacle price points. e rather direct challengers to our AMG include the Audi RS 7 along with BMW's new M5 and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E, both also plug-in hybrids. And Cadillac's CT5 V Blackwing is a dark horse in this derby, but so far, I've found none with the remarkable luxury and performance of the AMG. e Historic Tapoco Lodge in the Smoky Mountains BY BRIAN DOUGLAS The famous Tail of the Dragon is a curvy road that snakes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Tennessee/North Carolina border. This is not only a driving heaven for car enthusiasts, but a wonderfully scenic and rather remote countryside where fine accommodations are hardly abundant. The Historic Tapoco Lodge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in Robbinsville, North Carolina, in 1930 by the Tallassee Power Company to house workers near the Cheoah dams and the area's other hydroelectric projects. Today, Tapoco's property covers 120 acres with the lodge adjacent to the Cheoah River along with seven cabins, a theater, and tennis and pickleball courts — all a short walk from the lodge. Our accommodations were large, with a comfortable king-size bed, and nicely decorated in decor that reflects its heritage. We enjoyed a view of the nearby river with rushing water that was just audible enough to provide a natural soundscape. The picturesque lobby has big leather chairs that invite relaxing with a wealth of history around the surrounding shelves. Meals are available downstairs at the indoor Cheoah Room or at outdoor seating along the river. Since the evening was perfect for riverside dining and the menu was rustic and local, the outdoor option beckoned. I picked Beer Braised Pork while my wife, Kathleen, chose Campfire Mountain Trout, and both were delightful. And while the wine list was modest, there were abundant craft beer choices. I enjoyed Blue Ridge Haze IPA that paired perfectly with my pork entree. This was my first journey to Robbinsville and the Tapoco Lodge but I'll return, even if I don't bring a supercar. Front-engine, rear-wheel drive 4.0-liter Twin-Turbo V8 831 @ 5,500-6,500 RPM 1,032 lb.-ft. @ 2,500-4,500 RPM 201 HP Equiv. Electric Driving Range 1 Mile $194,900 $222,110 18 Gas, 25 Gas + Electric combined TYPE: ENGINE: HORSEPOWER: TORQUE: MOTOR: BASE PRICE: AS TESTED: FUEL CONSUMPTION: 2025 AMG GT 63 S E Performance