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Part Two: The TRUCKS – 2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY

Revised Ram Powerwagon, the new Explorer XLT Sport Pack, Ridgeline and Silverados make up the big action in Chicago for trucks. We have a new RAV4 SE to show, plus soon-renamed Scion C-HR concept and the new Tacoma TRD Pro. The Kia Telluride concept, revised Hyundai Sante Fe and Sante Fe Sport, fresh 2017 Chevrolet Trax…. Don’t forget the new Kia Niro mini-ute, and more, too! Part Two: The TRUCKS – 2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY

Feb 12, 2016 Read more

2016 Chicago Auto Show – MEGA GALLERY – PART ONE – The Cars

Some great live photos of many new Chicago debuts here! THe Ford GT stuns in semi-gloss white, while the new Camaro 1LEs look the business, for sure. The new Prius and Subaru Impreza 5-Door concepts are also cool to see in real-life photos. As is the R8 V10 Plus! And the Fiat 124… but just one pic of that cutie here. Best car in the flesh? Perhaps the Genesis Coupe Concept. Most underwhelming? The Buick Avista. Somehow, the design elegance is not visible here. Very reminiscent of a Tesla Model S — a car begging for a facelift itself. …

Feb 12, 2016 Read more

2016 Toyota RAV4 SE Launches Silver-Accented Style, New RALLY RACECAR!

Famed race driver Ryan Millen has adopted a hell of a challenge for 2016! Race to win in a front-wheel-drive RAV4 SE using a bone-stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder making just 176 horsepower. Millen and his co-pilot (fiancé Christine!) seem like the perfect ambassadors for a Rav4 racing adventure. He will man the controls as she co-drives with extremely detailed trail notes all along the way. Such limited power and traction in the 2WD-Open Class take much of the mechanical innovations out of the normal WRC race calculus. The races then become much more about driver skill, unbreakable reliability and extreme co-driver directions. …

Feb 11, 2016 Read more

2016 Chrysler 300S and 200S Alloy Editions – Sport Chassis Tunes Now Featuring Titanium and Dark Bronze Finishes

The main Chrysler trim letter to lust after? C, right? For 2016-and-beyond style, the coolest Chryslers are now definitely wearing the S! Bold pronouncement, perhaps, but over the last few years the 200C and 300C have become the lux and powerful versions of the standard models. The S twins, however, are the badass ones with mean night styling and performance-tuned handling — regardless of engine. To drive that point home even more explicitly, Chrysler just pre-launched its coolest S models yet: the 300S and 200S Alloy Editions. They are gorgeous and easily the most SRT-infused cars in the Chrysler …

Feb 05, 2016 Read more

2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 1/2 Ton 4WD Review

American brand icons do not come much more glorious than Chevy. In the automotive realm, Chevrolet has been a constant throughout the last 100 years. A powerhouse in the General Motors stable, Chevrolet has seen off dozens of business lines and market segments. Divested in favor of keeping Chevy healthy, GM left the heavy trucks business altogether and dropped half its brand portfolio in the last ten years. Thus, the recent history of the firm has been shaken up more this century than the ten preceding decades. But the results speak for themselves. Never in my lifetime has …

Jun 22, 2015 Read more

Cool Gift Ideas – NOMO Design Auto Icon Screen Prints Show History and Evolution of Famous Car Makes

What to do for interesting and informative wall decor between the teenage years of Blue-Tac posters and the mid-life oil on canvas? How to keep you automotive passion visible, brand loyalty powerful and left-brain active … without dusting off those old Porsche posters? These new screen prints from Chicago-based NOMO Design are a fantastic way to relive the evolution of iconic brand styles every day. Highlighting the major design features of BMW noses over the last 80 years? Fantastically interesting, relevant and stimulating to all car-guys and gals. Jerome Daksiewicz is the designer behind this project, which is on …

Feb 24, 2015 Read more

2015 Chicago Auto Show MEGA Gallery in 151 Photos + Best and Worst in Show

Many reveals of all-new cars and trucks at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and perhaps all-time great lineups of performance and luxury cars – both in terms of quality and quantity of cool cars offered. For us, the highlight is the Alfa Romeo stand with its incredible legacy models alongside the new 4C and 4C Spider. The 1967 33 Stradale is extra special, but the pre-war racers are pretty hot too. Worst would have to be the very, very odd Dodge Viper. This showcar advertises the new Viper’s 1 of 1 personalization program wherein a buyer can choose any of …

Feb 14, 2015 Read more

2015 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo LMP1 Racer Makes Public Debut in Chicago – 40 New Photos!

The hot and heavy three-way battle among Porsche, Audi and Toyota in the LeMans Prototype One race class just got a lot steamier. Nissan just pulled back the silk sheets on its contender to World Endurance Championship racing: the 2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO. And boy does it go its own way to achieving massive speed and impact, while sticking to the very expansive fuel usage rules of LeMans racing. The biggest shocker is not that it is a hybrid twin-turbo-charged V6 making 1250-horsepower. It shocks with where that engine sits, and where it delivers its power. The engine lives …

Feb 13, 2015 Read more

2017 Ford GT in Liquid Silver + Grey Racing Stripes Stuns Chicago

In most cases, you would not want to be splashed with liquid, molten silver. But when that silver is Ford Performance at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, all signs say: Dive in! The most striking new lines visible on the 2017 Ford GT in this new color are in the doors and lower sills. Here we see a huge level of pinched creasing, elaborate aero vents and intakes, and overall beauty to rival any Ferrari. 2017 Ford GT in Liquid Silver

Feb 12, 2015 Read more

2015 Toyota Camry and Corolla Special Editions + Revised Avalon Set For Chicago Launch

Toyota is really on the pulse of culture and style like never before: the best-selling Camry and Corolla have been tweaked for added coolness just ahead of the Chicago Auto Show. There is also a revised 2016 Avalon on the agenda: with tweaked LED designs, updated chassis tuning and a bit of cabin sprucing all likely. Sporty and enthusiast preferences are reflected in the new Camry and Corolla Special Editions – creating the trendy and chic style that guys and gals like us have used to aftermarket to achieve. But as ever, buying a Camry or Corolla can be done …

Feb 05, 2015 Read more

2015 Ford Mustang Colors and Wheel Visualizer

Updated 1.1.2015 With the four wheel styles. A few months ago we created a digital colorizer for the new Mustang – a car that is so highly anticipated that even Ford teams are clamoring for access. Rendered colorizers are fun, but not really helpful as a shopping tool or a real-life guide. We promised a real factory color guide in that article, and are proud to deliver it today! A few observations after spending much, much time on the Ford.com site and the Ford Media Center this week: — The car looks amazing. Even better than expected in the lighter …

Jan 02, 2015 Read more

Concept Flashback – 2002 Cadillac Cien XV12 – Halo Hypercar Back in Product Plans?

Cadillac in 2002 was just, just starting to reclaim its place in the luxury car ranks. Long blighted by horribly-engineered boats that failed every objective and subjective comparison with any true luxury brand, Cadillac was finally committing to rear-drive and actual merits as a corporate philoshophy. The new Art & Science tagline for the brand’s style — coined by Leo Burnett Chicago — needed an exemplar. People were thrilled by the Catera-replacing CTS but the brand needed a real shove upmarket. And fast. Enter stage left: the 2002 Cadillac Ciel concept running a mid-engine XV12 Northstar of 7.5-liters. It was …

Dec 06, 2014 Read more

2015 Silverado HD CNG 6.0L Bi-Fuel V8 is a Natty G Revolution!

This energy revolution will not be televised. It will rarely draw stares or have other drivers following you to ask questions. The 2500HD CNG is all-new from Chevrolet this year and marks the beginning of a potentially game-changing new trend in heavy-duty pickup truck efficiency. As nice as a diesel engine’s extra 25-percent fuel efficiency is, what about a powertrain package that doubles overall range and can be flipped between gasoline and compressed natural gas at the touch of a button? If there are no CNG filler stations on your route, simply run the truck on gasoline and enjoy is …

Dec 06, 2014 Read more

Animated Evolution of the Chevrolet Suburban from 1915 to 2015

One thing has been pretty constant throughout the last 100 years: Chevrolet. The icon of Chevrolet for most people is the truck line. Imagine a world where Chevy could only keep making one car. That is it. Which model would you pick to evolve through year 2100? Many people would choose the Suburban. The “Chevrolet One Ton Commercial Truck” can do it all. As an all-new model arriving to Chevy dealers just before the Super Bowl 2014,all signs show this upscale workhorse will be a huge hit with shoppers. Who does not have an awesome Chevy Suburban memory? Growing …

Dec 05, 2014 Read more

2015 TRD Pro Series TOYOTA TUNDRA Priced from $41k with Black Pack, +2″ Lift and Dual Exhaust for 5.7L V8

Pricing is out for the 2015 TRD Pro Series Tundra — and it is awesome from the word Go! $41,280 is the base for the Double Cab, with the Crew Max coming in just below $44,000. While official performance from the 381-horsepower, 401-pound-feet-packing V8 is unchanged, the new dual pipes out back are sure to liberate lots of deep rumble and a few extra midrange ponies. Updated 7.30.14 with 40 Photos and Official Pricing for the bad-ass TRD Pro Tacoma and 4Runner Including the TRD Pro Tundra in here because it looks fantastic. Pricing for the biggest TRD …

Sep 08, 2014 Read more

Updated with Pricing + Equipment Specs – 2015 Toyota TRD PRO Tundra and TRD PRO Tacoma

Updated 7.30.14 with 40 Photos and Official Pricing for the bad-ass TRD Pro Tacoma and 4Runner Including the TRD Pro Tundra in here because it looks fantastic. Pricing for the biggest TRD Pro truck is not yet available, however. Coolest part of the Tacoma TRD Pro is the price from $36,000 with a six-speed manual. The auto and both cab lengths are offered with the very cool TRD Pro pack. Original article: Chicago is feeling some big Toyota love with the all-new TRD Pro Series, a special option pack for 4×4 Tacomas, Tundras and 4Runners that will be available to …

Jul 30, 2014 Read more

2015 BMW X3 xLine vs M Sport, Pricing + Specs with 100 New Real-Life Photos

Updated 7.28.14 with Pricing, Specs and 100 New Photos Hooray! The 2015 BMW X3 debuted last night in a sneak peak at the Chicago auto show – and all seems well for this glamorous new five-seat crossover. Why the elation? I hated was not a fan of the previous X3. Sometimes my own critiques are so scathing that the words echo and reverberate in my head after I type and publish them. What do I mean? Well, I called the previous X3’s LED and nose look a “zombie-like stare.” Accurate? Maybe, maybe not. Memorable? Perhaps too much so. The X3 …

Jul 28, 2014 Read more

Track Test Review Video – 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport + 77 Action Photos

While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the press car loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.” They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, …

Jun 16, 2014 Read more

2015 Ford Mustang – All 10 Colors in Animated Turntables

A few months ago we created a digital colorizer for the new Mustang – a car that is so highly anticipated that even Ford teams are clamoring for access. Rendered colorizers are fun, but not really helpful as a shopping tool or a real-life guide. We promised a real factory color guide in that article, and are proud to deliver it today! A few observations after spending much, much time on the Ford.com site and the Ford Media Center this week: — The car looks amazing. Even better than expected in the lighter colors. In black as seen at the …

Jun 13, 2014 Read more

2014 Chevrolet Camaro RS Stars in Our Most-Watched Driving Video: 50,000 Views!

My most popular YouTube driving reviews ever? I’m glad you asked! Without a doubt – it is the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2LT and its dual-mode exhaust — slinging around the Chicago suburbs on a rainy Tuesday morning. Just goes to show me… that I cannot anticipate which videos will be popular, and which will not! But a hot car and a heavy right foot seem to be requirements overall. =] Getting seat time in the new Camaro V6 dispelled most of my previous assumptions about Camaro owners: who I once said were (usually) either “Murder Victims” or “Murderers.” …

Jun 03, 2014 Read more

2014 Hyundai Veloster REFLEX Brings Exclusive White Finish, Turbo LEDs and DCT Auto for $22k

The special Veloster Hyundai debuted in Chicago has now arrived in dealers nationwide! The Veloster RE:FLEX is a shortcut way to get the hottest-spec and best-equipped Veloster model available — with standard automatic transmission and all the Turbo’s LED style for only $21,650 before delivery charges of about $800. The interior is offered in red or black leather, along with the latest mobile device connectivity and even the giant glass moonroof as standard. The white and chrome finishes are a nice touch to the Veloster RE:FLEX — and are a sure way to have an exclusive and premium-feeling sports …

Jun 02, 2014 Read more

Auto Landmark: Chicago Motor Club Building- Vacant Art Deco Highrise

How sad is this title? 17 stories of glory, with car elevators and a full drive-up garage system, on prime real estate of Wacker Drive in Chicago? Last we checked, 68 South Water Street was owned by a consortium of flustered real estate investors. Hotel conversion plans have backfired, and there are rumblings that the building … may not be inhabitable. Too bad. Look at this penthouse sun room. Vacant for the last 30 years, at least. Built over 80 years ago, bringing this masterclass in Art Deco architecture up to code seems to be prohibitively expensive at the moment. …

May 18, 2014 Read more

NASCAR Meets Road Course?! Video of Stock Cars at Mitty 2014 + 100 Track Photos

One cannot really escape NASCAR if you are outside of a New York-LA-Chicago type of city, and especially if you are a Yankee who wakes up one day in the South. Stock Car racing is everywhere, and I am climbing down into the abyss. Overall, the cars are pretty fun to watch being driven at max attack around Road Atlanta’s challenging road course. For one, it has numerous tight corners. Second, the cars in this Stock Car class include everything from Impalas and relatively recent Charger NASCARS … all the way back in time to the Chevy Monte Carolo and …

May 01, 2014 Read more

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.6 R-Spec at Cars & Coffee – Wearing Custom Lime Green Wheels!

Colors like this custom Plasti-Dip shade can be ordered as a special formulation from Plasti-Dip website. My solution was much jankier when doing my wheels in anthracite grey — a quick blast of color into the wet black Plasti-dip that was the only variety I could find in Chicago. But color is harder than adding a grey flash. These most likely start with a white Plasti-dip base and add color from there. The effect on the Genesis Coupe is definitely striking in person, but also the right amount of mature — these green wheels are actually pretty subtle versus …

Apr 13, 2014 Read more

VIDEO — Andy Stella’s Top 5 Cars to Street Park in Chicago, Year-round! Wrangler, MINI… Jaguar XJ?

By Special Contributor Andy Stella Spring is almost here in Chicago, and you know what that means: people forget that they just spent six months acting surprised every time it snowed. With snow comes decreased street width, huge banks plowed against our cars, and mounds of Honda Fit-sized snow piles taking up precious parking space. Once the snow clears, we must not forget to let some practicality guide our summer car shopping! What is my experience, you ask? Well, before I lived in Chicago, I endured even colder, snowier winters in Minnesota while attending college, and before that, I was …

Apr 09, 2014 Read more

Introducing Special Contributor Andy Stella — How to Trade Up from a 1995 Buick Skylark to a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic

Ed’s Intro: Please welcome Andy Stella! A car-minded guy with some hilarious insights to share in this two-pack of intro articles. Coming up next is his Top 5 Cars to Street-Park in Chicago — but his personal car history had me rolling on the floor with lulz. Enjoy. By: Special Contributor Andy Stella From Car Hell to Car Bliss… in Only Six Easy Steps! My first car was a 1995 Buick Skylark that I bought from my mom. That poor thing endured driver’s ED for my older brother and I, many trips into/out of the snowbanks …

Apr 08, 2014 Read more

2013 Nissan GT-R Black Edition – Drake the Akita

UPDATE: Drake is home from surgery and doing well. It is this April Fool’s birthday tomorrow and my best friend, Drake Burkart the Akita Labrador, is in surgery right now overnight for a torn ACL. The TPLO procedure is hopefully not life-threatening, but I am very upset anyway to see him in such pain. Therefore, is a very emotional day for me, so I am going back to some all-time favorites for car-news comfort. Here is Drake. As an American Akita breed, he is something like the GT-R in many ways. Akitas in the US were generally bred with …

Mar 31, 2014 Read more

2015 Z06 — First Outdoor Showing — Forthcoming Chevrolet Corvette Track Monster Holds Still For 26 High-Res Photos

The Z06 has only been shown in public four times since its Detroit show debut in January. It attended the auto shows of Chicago, Geneva, KC and Dallas — but otherwise has been trapped in captivity when in public. Do you remember how cooped-up KingKong felt upon arrival from overseas? The Z06 looked similarly ready to explode off this show stand. It is ready to squash Porsche 911 GT3s and perhaps even a few Italian exotics as well. Great to see this rule-breaker has escaped the convention center fluorescent bulbs ahead of its first deliveries later of this year. The …

Mar 11, 2014 Read more

2014 Volkswagen T-ROC Concept – A Baja Coupe for Silver Lake Dunes!

2014 Volkswagen T-ROC Concept I like the T-ROC even more in the official images versus the sketches from last week’s preview article here. The T-ROC is still firmly a concept — but here is what we predict: this exact car, with streetable tires, coming soon to VW dealers nationwide. Based on the MQB architecture, the T-ROC will hopefully be more affordable than the Tiguan, but more feature-rich than the Taigun. The night-vision, terrain cameras and blackout functions of a military vehicle headlight are present on the T-ROC’s foglight (above). Examples of this tech shown here: Very cool. Keeping the two-door …

Mar 05, 2014 Read more

Sing-song Status — Geeeen-ee-vahh Is the Place To Be… 2015 Focus + MINI Clubman Join A-list Cast

As you may note, I am getting really stir crazy in my new digs down in South Carolina. Even while I lived in the suburbs for the last six months of my time Chicago from 2005 to 2013 — I am really a pretty urban person. I moved from Wrigleyville to suburbs to be closer to the auto fleet offices. So, I just moved again! To Charleston! What is up with that? My family is here. Car-Revs-Daily.com is way ahead of schedule in terms of the broad launch flowcharts detailed December (post-kickstarter-flop). So. Big changes in my home office …

Feb 25, 2014 Read more

2015 Ford Mustang GT in Triple Yellow — Mean, Lean and Ready To Brawl in 50 Real-Life Photos

As you may start to notice: I am not a fan of auto show photos. The lighting is usually all wrong, the cars mobbed with other snappers, and the resulting images typically a delete-tastic disaster. Even as a kid roaming Chicago’s McCormick Place every winter, filling my promo bags with three copies of every brochure book — I realized very quickly that taking my own camera was a total waste of effort. The lighting and layout equivalent would be like taking your glossy wedding photos in a thumping 4AM nightclub. I bet you’d look a little rougher than you did …

Feb 21, 2014 Read more

2015 Ford Expedition — New for Dallas Auto Show! 3.5L EcoBoost and Active Suspensions Promise Improvements Across-the-Board

This one slipped by me yesterday! Ford has revealed the 2015 Expedition ahead of its public debut soon at the Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Show. Why Texas? This is a huge market for the largest automobiles on Earth, and a significant earner for Ford Trucks. Dallas and Houston are the first and second top-selling DMA’s for the Expedition since 2011. In addition, the smaller show should ensure a bit more attention on the Expedition versus competing for flashbulbs in LA, Detroit or Chicago. The new Expedition wears a new front end with optional LED lighting down below — but like the …

Feb 20, 2014 Read more

All-New FIA RallyCross Series Looks FUN! Dart, Sonic, Beetle, Fiesta, Fabia, Pug 208GTI and More On-Board

The inaugural WorldRX series is signing up some huge new entries left and right. The participation of Gilles Villeneuve is only the latest in a huge swatch of new players. The charismatic F1 world champ will done a fire suit and helmet before hitting the loud pedal — hard. So what is RallyCross? It is a high-powered racing series that brings much of the car tech from the World Rally Championship, but without that series’ major failing: almost total lack of broadcast entertainment value. By combining loose terrain with paved surfaces, the courses are set to be more like stadium …

Feb 13, 2014 Read more

Chicago to Cabo! The Land Route — All-New PRO SERIES from Toyota Racing Dev — High-Speed TRD PRO Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runners

Chicago is feeling some big Toyota love with the all-new TRD Pro Series, a special option pack for 4×4 Tacomas, Tundras and 4Runners that will be available to buy from October 2014. The all-new cars from the Chi-town auto show — which is the most-attended auto show on Earth by foot traffic — are making some huge headlines. Toyota is best known as a serious, responsible and trust-worthy company. But any firm that is as big, as successful or as bank-able as Toyota will always be staffed by hundreds, if not thousands, of guys born and bred on high-power automotive …

Feb 07, 2014 Read more

2015 Nissan Versa Note SR is Ultra-Chic for Chicago Auto Show — Dark Hipster Style on Low Budget + 40MPG Highway!

So, let’s imagine you are young and trendy and super-cool. You have not hit 37 years old yet, nor added the extra 37 pounds that comes standard with that anniversary (…for most people.) You are cool as F***! Seriously, you guys. How f****** cool are you in those tight dark denims? But what new cars reflect your fashion sense… as well as budget, performance and reliability standards? For brand-new cars with a full factory warranty, the 2015 Versa Note SR is about as cool as it gets. Friends might not mistake its profile for a GT-R or the hot future …

Feb 06, 2014 Read more

Polestar Brings BTCC 850R Style to America! 2014 Volvo S60 and V60 Wagon — Chicago Debut — 4.7s to 60MPH — Summer Arrival

The Volvo renaissance just hit max boost before squealing all four tires on its full-throttle launch back to greatness. The Volvo racing legend grows for 2014 with the American debut of the S60 and V60 Polestar today in Chicago. As with many blue-sky dream sessions among Volvo R wagon lovers, the enhancements to the S60 and V60 are deceptively simple. Huge boost via giant new turbocharger, new high-capacity boost cooler Styling overhaul outside and in 3.5-inch exhaust drums in back Brembo brakes large enough to stop a Bentley in heat and Ohlins dampers all around The stats are very …

Feb 06, 2014 Read more

Swanky 2015 BMW X3 Debuts In Chicago Ahead of May 2014 Showroom Arrival from $39,325

Hooray! The 2015 BMW X3 debuted last night in a sneak peak at the Chicago auto show – and all seems well for this glamorous new five-seat crossover. Why the elation? I hated was not a fan of the previous X3. Sometimes my own critiques are so scathing that the words echo and reverberate in my head after I type and publish them. What do I mean? Well, I called the previous X3’s LED and nose look a “zombie-like stare.” Accurate? Maybe, maybe not. Memorable? Perhaps too much so. The X3 has indeed been a rougher launch than expected for …

Feb 06, 2014 Read more

With Deepest Apologies to BMW – My Best Day Ever – 2013 X1 M Sport Video + 77 Action Photos

While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the pressie loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.” They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, let …

Jan 25, 2014 Read more

HD Videos – Blizzard Testing a 4×2 Pickup Truck! 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LT All Star Edition

Testing a truck during a Chicago blizzard on New Year’s Day seems about right: Chevy Silverado pickups will face some of the hardest living conditions of any new vehicle sold. They will get filthy, they will be a little less shiny than this new All Star Edition LT Double Cab 1500 V6 – but the Chevy truck core has always been extreme durability in harsh conditions. Today certainly qualifies! After about 10 inches of snow so far in Lake in the Hills outside Chicago, even walking up my driveway is a challenge – let alone reversing out in a 2WD …

Jan 01, 2014 Read more

HD Videos – Blizzard Testing a 4×2 Pickup Truck! 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LT All Star Edition

Testing a truck during a Chicago blizzard on New Year’s Day seems about right: Chevy Silverado pickups will face some of the hardest living conditions of any new vehicle sold. They will get filthy, they will be a little less shiny than this new All Star Edition LT Double Cab 1500 V6 – but the Chevy truck core has always been extreme durability in harsh conditions. Today certainly qualifies! After about 10 inches of snow so far in Lake in the Hills outside Chicago, even walking up my driveway is a challenge – let alone reversing out in a 2WD …

Jan 01, 2014 Read more

Update1 – MINI Takes DAKAR Three-Peat with All4 Countryman Squad

Update 1 June 17, 2014 Okay, so this race was in January 2014. Which makes this is bit of a late update. But here is the short version: MINI dominated the 2014 Dakar Rally, winning its third title in three years. I’d be willing to wager that when the MINI crossover was born and christened a few years ago, it thought the Countryman name meant things like hiking, biking, rafting or just being near the woods. But now: Countryman has become “What Country Are We In?” via the long-range Dakar rally in South America starting January 5th, 2014. This is …

Jan 01, 2014 Read more

2014 Civic Si Coupe – First Night Sighting: Great-Looking LEDs

Spotted my first white 2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe on the road tonight near Chicago, and it looked really confident and sporty. While we sliced and diced in traffic, it was almost as if the Civic knew the horrible things I have written (and printed) about the Honda Civic … in the past. Ahh! While Honda and I do not always agree, we have a few important things in common. Honda also loves my fair Sweet Home Chicago, with the night-time visualizer on Honda.com showing the world-famous Wacker Drive on that rare, blissfully-traffic-free time of night. The 360-degree visualizer …

Dec 30, 2013 Read more

Auto Landmark: Chicago Motor Club – Vacant Art Deco Highrise

How sad is this title? 17 stories of glory, with car elevators and a full drive-up garage system, on prime real estate of Wacker Drive in Chicago? Last we checked, 68 South Water Street was owned by a consortium of flustered real estate investors. Hotel conversion plans have backfired, and there are rumblings that the building … may not be inhabitable. Too bad. Look at this penthouse sun room. Vacant for the last 30 years, at least. Built over 80 years ago, bringing this masterclass in Art Deco architecture up to code seems to be prohibitively expensive …

Dec 30, 2013 Read more

Volvo XC60 Buyer's Guide Info, Galleries and Videos

It is just a Volvo kind of morning here in Chicago. Snow has been falling for two days, and the temps are extremely frigid. My Subaru had major struggles getting up and out of the steep driveway, thanks to my amazing decision not to shovel. My poor Subaru Legacy GT. What a hard, battered life it leads. Most of the damage sustained by the car has been off the pavement. Something about huge, huge turbo power and AWD has led me — time and time again — to take the low-slung LGT off-roading. Much as I love the Q-car appeal …

Dec 11, 2013 Read more

2014 Civic Si Coupe – First Night Sighting: Great-Looking LEDs

Spotted my first white 2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe on the road tonight near Chicago, and it looked really confident and sporty. While we sliced and diced in traffic, it was almost as if the Civic knew the horrible things I have written (and printed) about the Honda Civic … in the past. Ahh! While Honda and I do not always agree, we have a few important things in common. Honda also loves my fair Sweet Home Chicago, with the night-time visualizer on Honda.com showing the world-famous Wacker Drive on that rare, blissfully-traffic-free time of night. The 360-degree visualizer …

Dec 06, 2013 Read more

The Evolution of the Chevrolet Suburban from 1915 to 2015

One thing has been pretty constant throughout the last 100 years: Chevrolet. The icon of Chevrolet for most people is the truck line. Imagine a world where Chevy could only keep making one car. That is it. Which model would you pick to evolve through year 2100? Many people would choose the Suburban. The “Chevrolet One Ton Commercial Truck” can do it all. As an all-new model arriving to Chevy dealers just before the Super Bowl 2014,all signs show this upscale workhorse will be a huge hit with shoppers. Who does not have an awesome Chevy Suburban memory? Growing up, …

Nov 18, 2013 Read more

2014 Chevrolet Camaro RS Stars in Our Most-Watched Driving Video: 50,000 Views and Counting!

My most popular YouTube driving reviews ever? I’m glad you asked! Without a doubt – it is the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2LT and its dual-mode exhaust — slinging around the Chicago suburbs on a rainy Tuesday morning. Just goes to show me… that I cannot anticipate which videos will be popular, and which will not! But a hot car and a heavy right foot seem to be requirements overall. =]

Nov 03, 2013 Read more