DNA Topic Hub

2016 Renault MEGANE GT Leads All-New Model Launch – I See You Baby?

February 13, 2019, 4 pmSeptember 7, 2015, 10 am by Tom Burkart

The Renault Megane became a cultural touchstone with its first-gen lines. All geometric choppiness plus an architectural, vogue set of curves? The body language of the car was a massive hit — and became one of the best-selling models in recent Renault history. In its best years in the early 2000s, the Megane was often neck and neck with the VW Golf for UK sales. A dance-pop ad campaign made the most of the Megane’s funky trunk lines, all set to Groove Armada’s “See You Baby, Shakin’ That A**.” This author recalls the first time he saw one in the …

Keep reading

Renault Emblem Evolution – 117 Years Crowned with Fresh 2015 Motif

February 13, 2019, 4 pmAugust 24, 2015, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

The evolution of a brand’s logo can be fascinating, especially when you see that the icons we all know by heart are actually fairly new creations. The Renault diamond logo is certainly one of the most long-running in history, even though it did not make an appearance on a Renault until 25 years after the company began operations in 1898. The diamond badge replaced a short-lived round emblem from 1923 onward — with its sharper angles better suited to the sharp nose creases of the era’s cars. While not quite as zany as the round badge (that was actually …

Keep reading

2016 Acura RDX COLORS – Every Shade In Flawless Animated Flyarounds

February 13, 2019, 4 pmAugust 7, 2015, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Acura has a pretty swanky consumer-facing website these days — part of the overall brand renaissance along with sharp LED style and fun handling. After years in the doldrums, Acura’s latest ILX and TLX are seriously good. They are focused and playful, fun and well-equipped. Nearly any sense of Honda sharing among platforms and tech is now banished as the brand doubles down on its shield grille. Somehow, even the much-maligned grille detail looks better in the context of the new NSX supercar. The RDX is a big grower for Acura: its sales have ramped up month over month, even …

Keep reading

2016 Acura RDX Refresh Adds Power, Tech and Style – 40 New Photos + Pricing by Trim

February 13, 2019, 4 pmAugust 7, 2015, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

The quick and nimble Acura RDX is fresh for 2016 with new LED lighting front and rear, a server of new active safety technology and a redesigned cabin control stack. Now majoring on touchscreens and simplified settings, the 2016 RDX’s standard 3.5-liter V6 will compete even more effectively with the Lexus NX, BMW X3, Lincoln MKC, Mercedes GLK and a half-dozen other five-seat, semi-compact SUVs and crossovers. This segment is definitely not the small or compact SUV norm– these luxury models are big and wide, with roomy rear seats. They are small enough for city duty and most travel, but …

Keep reading

2016 Ford Mustang GT Launching Black Pack, New Cali Special and GT Performance Pack

February 22, 2019, 3 pmMay 13, 2015, 10 am by Tom Burkart

If the current 2015 Mustang GT has not hooked you yet with its sublime redesign, the 2016 is likely to close the deal. The most striking exterior change are the new hood vents in the GT. These are contrast-black on the California Special, shown here as a white convertible. They are body-colored on the new Mustang GT Black Pack, which wears gloss-black alloys, badging and other trim elements. A new hood vent design pulls more hot air from under the hood and also houses LED amber blinkers. These serve as side marker repeaters and are highly visible on the …

Keep reading

Update2 – 40 New Photos – 2015 Bentley EXP10 Speed6 Concept

February 17, 2019, 7 pmMarch 3, 2015, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

The long-rumored Porsche 928 might have just shown its face for the first time….. as a Bentley!? The first Panamera Coupe is indeed looking like a Bentley, thanks to the just-revealed Exp 10 Speed6. EXP10 for Bentley-speak as the 10th concept car, and Speed 6 as a reference to the likely turbocharged V6 behind that all-new face. Low, lean and light are design themes instantly visible on this two-seater – with hollowed-out spaces, organic form flow and an overall lowness that is far sportier than any Continental GT. 2015 Bentley EXP10 Speed6 Concept EXP 10 SPEED 6 – A …

Keep reading

2015 Bentley EXP10 Speed6 Concept Previews Future 2-Seater Based on Panamera Platform

February 17, 2019, 7 pmMarch 2, 2015, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Keep reading

Last Bugatti VEYRON ‘La Finale’ To Take Bow in Geneva

February 17, 2019, 7 pmFebruary 23, 2015, 8 am by Tom Burkart

The time has come, ladies and gentleman. After ten years of production and 450 units, La Finale is indeed upon us. This final Veyron caps off perhaps the most-successful hypercar program of all time. Still the ultimate king of speed, the Veyron is the pride of the Volkswagen Group — and also the entire automotive industry, in some ways. We can only smile imagining what barriers the next Bugatti models will break through, what records smashed and fantasies ignited. 2015 Bugatti VEYRON Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale 2015 Bugatti VEYRON Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale Bugatti sells …

Keep reading

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S and Cigarette Racing Concepts Outrun ‘Las Tres Letras’ for Miami Boat Show

February 17, 2019, 7 pmFebruary 13, 2015, 10 am by Tom Burkart

If there are two lifestyle accessories you musthave to live the life of a Miami kingpin, they are a supercar and a speedboat. The ultimate incarnation of the speedboat is the Cigarette Racing style: ultra-long hulls deliver insane speeds of more than 135-mph. Huge double motors roaring at full chat will drown out even the loudest wind noise, water slaps and the DHS, DEA, Coast Guard and Border Patrol helicopters and drones above. Anything to escape the dreaded ‘tres letras’ — or three-letter goons. They might even struggle to catch you in the latest Mercedes-AMG concept boat: the …

Keep reading