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4.7s 2015 Chevrolet SS Upgraded With Magnetic Suspension and New Six-Speed Manual

The Chevrolet SS is what happens when a Camaro SS meets the full-size Impala. It has the performance chops to drift with the best muscle-cars, but also to blend smoothly into fastlane traffic anonymously. Perhaps a bit too well? The SS is handicapped only a year after its launch by looks that fail to excite and vaguely recall the previous-generation Impala, to some eyes. These facts make its amazing performance and 415-horsepower V8 the car’s main selling points. The new magnetic ride control and no-cost six-speed manual will definitely help the SS appeal to its core buyer segments — and …

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Dec 07, 2014 Read more

Update1 – 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 First Drive + Colors Guide

Updated 11.19.14 With 12 New Photos   Enjoyed a chance to meet the 2015 Colorado Z71 this week, and it is really handsome and macho in real life. Initially, the GMC Canyon seemed like the better-looking of the two, but side by side, the Chevy was my clear preference. A lack of LED lighting in the nose of the Colorado is the only demerit that comes to mind. Otherwise, the wide style and fender flares are rough and ready to get muddy. To be fair, the Colorado Z71 and Canyon All Terrain we compared are the most loaded versions of …

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Nov 20, 2014 Read more

Best of Awards – 2015 Nissan GT-R Premium in 4K Track Drive Reviews

 TRACK DRIVE VIDEO – 4K Quality The Midwest Auto Media Association’s Fall Rally in 2013 was my first-ever taste of the mighty Nissan GT-R. Last year, the Nissan USA guys brought a seriously menacing Track Edition model for quick laps around the Autobahn Country Club racetrack. We arrived on the scene in a press loan Nissan JUKE Nismo so it was a love-fest overall for the Nissan performance lineup. But a late arrival meant we skipped the track in 2013 in favor of mild street drives instead. Or so we thought. In Race/Race/Race settings, the GT-R threw my iPhone camera …

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Oct 11, 2014 Read more

2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Quick Drive Shows Lively and Very Handsome Mid-Size Truck

Enjoyed a chance to meet the 2015 Colorado Z71 this week, and it is really handsome and macho in real life. Initially, the GMC Canyon seemed like the better-looking of the two, but side by side, the Chevy was my clear preference. A lack of LED lighting in the nose of the Colorado is the only demerit that comes to mind. Otherwise, the wide style and fender flares are rough and ready to get muddy. To be fair, the Colorado Z71 and Canyon All Terrain we compared are the most loaded versions of each – so base models will not …

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Oct 03, 2014 Read more

Updated With Pricing and Colors – 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Brings Cool Style + Big Power

Updated With Pricing and Colors 8.7.14     The 2015 Colorado looks amazing! These all-new midsize Chevrolet trucks stand tall with their big Silverado brothers. Z71 off-road packages raised the ride height, while the extra-short overhangs will surely be an asset off-road. Capabilities will vary across the Colorado line, with engines topping out with a five-cylinder…. Just kidding!  The top engine is the excellent 3.6-liter V-6 best known from the Cadillac portfolio, but this time delivering great torque and even 302 horsepower through a standard six-speed automatic. Even the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder has ‘bulked up’ – producing 193 horsepower and …

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Aug 07, 2014 Read more

4.4s 2015 BMW i8 Glams Up London and English Countryside for UK Sales Launch

Updated 7.17.14 UK Photoshoot             The 2015 BMW i8 is beautiful. Make no mistake about it: this will instantly be the most-exciting car on the roads from the second half of next year. BMW i Visualizer – see this exact i8 and change the colors, wheels, leathers… It is significantly more challenging to grasp the i8’s performance potential in advance, like we can for most new sports cars and even hypercars from the big names. But while the i3 might be a bit funky, the i8 is stunning. Low roof, scorching pace, style for days: …

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Jul 17, 2014 Read more

2015 Lexus IS250 and IS350 Still Gorgeous – Now With LED Foglamps and Heated Steering Wheel for AWD Models

Is the Lexus IS one of the best-looking, best-made and best-sounding luxury cars on the market? Yes, yes it is. The BMW 320i is competing hard on price with the entry-level IS250 this year, as the Audi A3 is nosing into the fray as well. But none look quite as sexy or dynamic is this rear-drive Lexus. Below are photos from a quick spin in the Fall with the IS350 AWD, plus 60 official press shots — with the car looking outstanding in nearly all of them! Below are the full details on the 2015 update – which does not …

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Jul 16, 2014 Read more

2015 Lincoln MKC Arriving in Showrooms Now – 2.0L EcoBoost from $34k, 2.3L WIth 285HP from $40k

The new MKC is huge news for Lincoln – at a time when this is the exact product the company needs. Lincoln needs the MKC to really enjoy some of the sales gains being logged by Audi and even Cadillac. Speaking of Cadillac, the MKC hits a big hole in this cross-town rival’s product portfolio. A mid-size premium crossover is an exploding segment, and the MKC is right atop the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 on size and price. The pricing is a bit more ambitious than expected – with the $34,000 base price for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost climbing up …

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Jul 01, 2014 Read more

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 40 New Photos – C300 and C400 Both 4Matic As Standard

Update 6.20.14 The new C-Class is looking very sharp in these photos from London and the English countryside! Please disregard the engine badges and driving position of these photos – our American-market launch cars are the C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic — both with standard all-wheel-drive to start. Down the road there is likely to be a rear-drive C250 model as well. The C400 4Matic is set to be one of the year’s best cars – it brings air suspension to the mid-size luxury class for the first time ever. Air springs are heavenly on the latest crop of Mercedes …

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Jun 20, 2014 Read more

2014 Toyota Venza Limited Is Like An Allroad Avalon Limousine

For shoppers with back-seat room and all-weather traction top-of-mind, the Toyota Venza is a compelling luxury sedan alternative. With dimensions that make this much like an ‘all-road’ Avalon, the Venza is able to maintain a truly hushed cabin for five. Roominess in back is even better than the Avalon, courtesy of extra recline angle in the back seat and a higher seat base. Overall access is far easier in a car like the Venza, which is unique in delivering an ultra-low floor and step-in height versus many other crossovers. The huge doors make ingress much easier than even the longer …

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Jun 19, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review – 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2WD Is Low and Sexy

A two-wheel-drive 4Runner? Why? I might have asked myself the same thing if it weren’t 95-degrees of scorching sun in South Carolina today. In places like this, the usefulness of four-wheel-drive is extremely limited. 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2WD … Is Sexy?   Yes, it is. Especially in this white with dark windows – the new 4Runner Limited is quite a looker. The benefits of rear-drive for the 4Runner make it a real stand-out in the seven-seat segment — the vast majority of other crossovers are front-drive machines that can be AWD when equipped. Standard rear-drive is a blessing for …

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Jun 18, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Buyers Guide to Specs, Pricing and Equipment

      Here are some road testing videos I took near Autobahn Country Club in Illinois last September. This car is surprisingly-awesome Some full-throttle sprints are included in the last two videos. Part One: Leaving the Gates Part Two: Spotting a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. Look Closely Near Middle of Video…! Part Three: Quick Sprint Demonstration Optional LED Star 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Exterior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Interior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Details from MBusa.com

Jun 17, 2014 Read more

Iconic Classic – 1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I – Round Door Aero Coupe

This Phantom Series I Rolls-Royce V12 rumbled out the factory doors in 1925, but did not add these gorgeous stream-liner panels until its coachwork was complete in 1934. There is much to learn from this Jonkheere Aerodynamique Coupe – even today. The grille treatment is remarkably swept-back, but maintains the classic proportions very artfully. It is very hard to imagine these designs being fabricated by hand, but that was the only way to achieve results like this in the early 1930s. CAD-CAM has come a long way since the Round Door Coupe – but very few of this car’s contemporaries …

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Jun 16, 2014 Read more

Cool 2015 BMW i8 Animations + Live Visualizer Links

The 2015 BMW i8 is beautiful. Make no mistake about it: this will instantly be the most-exciting car on the roads from the second half of next year. BMW i Visualizer – see this exact i8 and change the colors, wheels, leathers… It is significantly more challenging to grasp the i8’s performance potential in advance, like we can for most new sports cars and even hypercars from the big names. But while the i3 might be a bit funky, the i8 is stunning. Low roof, scorching pace, style for days: this i8 is hot. It also brings forth never-before-executed concepts …

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Jun 14, 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. …

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May 18, 2014 Read more

2014 Cadillac ELR – Design Analysis Plus 65 High-Res, Real-Life Photos

One of the flip sides of really excellent CGI renderings is that it can become hard to discern what photos are, in fact, photos. Photos taken on location, even digitally, are really the only way to really see what a car’s styling looks like in motion. So while one step forward, another step to the side in some ways. For designers and buyers, a clearer idea of what the finished car looks like will always be a good thing – especially when that car is years away from hitting the streets. All this is multiplied when a car is really …

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May 16, 2014 Read more

Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet + Specs, Pricing and Options

2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet Review Here are some road testing videos I took near Autobahn Country Club in Illinois last September. This car is surprisingly-awesome Some full-throttle sprints are included in the last two videos. Part One: Leaving the Gates Part Two: Spotting a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. Look Closely Near Middle of Video…! Part Three: Quick Sprint Demonstration Optional LED Star 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Exterior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Interior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Details from MBusa.com

Mar 29, 2014 Read more

Rolls-Royce Wraith – Color Showcase – Carrara White – 67 All-New Images

[Orig Published on: Nov 22, 2013 @ 18:28] Rolls-Royce Wraith – Color Showcase – Carrara White Oh. Wow. In case you did not already want to murder me for spending a day driving Wraith all over Scottsdale, Arizona last week, you will definitely feel pangs of something seeing these latest images. Wraith in Carrara White is simply breathtaking. The fleet last week was mostly darker shades, but this is the color. It is quite similar to a lovely milky shade that is new from Audi this year, in what they call Carrera White. (Carrera with an “e” versus an “a” …

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Feb 14, 2014 Read more

2014 Maserati Ghibli Looking, Sounding Marvelous — 40+ All-New, High-Res Photos — Available Now from $67k

Took a bit of time to meet the all-new, 410-horsepower Maserati Ghibli S Q4 in person today in Charleston, South Carolina.   I’m pretty smitten with this sexy twin-turbocharged sports sedan — even more so after some time up close! The excellent Maserati Super Bowl commercial sets the tone for this bellowing Italian stallion. The Ghibli is available in two trims: standard from about $67,000 and the Ghibli S Q4, which carried a sticker of $94,000. Please enjoy these images ahead of a more thorough test-drive video in the coming weeks – and this quick slideshow featuring the Ghibli’s rich …

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Feb 08, 2014 Read more

Update1: Spotters Guidebook to 2014 Nissan GT-R Premium from $99k vs. Forthcoming 2015 NISMO Model

Orig Published on: Nov 27, 2013 @ 17:05 So, which new GT-R is which? The below snapshot is very helpful in understanding the new GT-R. The 2014 Nissan GT-R is hugely revised, and arriving in American Nissan stores in the next month or two. Very exciting LED revisions are joined by richer cabin styles, redesigned aerodynamics, far more power, and three distinctly-tuned trim levels: Premium, Black and Track. The 2015 GT-R NISMO arrives in early Summer 2014 to the U.S. – but most of its major improvements are helping the 2014 model to be sharper and comfier at the same …

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Jan 29, 2014 Read more

2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 – Red Interior / White Exterior Showcase

The Ghibli has a rich history, with great appreciation here for the interior leathers, high-speed pace and exterior style of the original 71 SS models, in particular. That is, to say nothing of the quite rare Spyder, of which only 20 were produced for sale. It is with this great history and cache that the Ghibli name is reborn. It is pronounced “Ghheee Bhhleeee” or thereabouts. WIth a gelato in one hand and una Bella in the other, the name sounds and feels right. Enjoy these images of the 2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4, and cruise over to ghibli.maserati.com for …

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Jan 28, 2014 Read more

BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport – Alpine White in 60 High-Res Photos

This summer’s 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i press loaner still makes me smile when looking at the photos. As my first week-long loan from BMW, the pressure was on to a) write a brilliant review and b) not hurt the car in any way! here’s a debrief: — Went to my local track, Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockford, IL — took some great videos, I thought, of car on track. Spent so long editing, but … — did not read terms of sign – track big no no.  sad face days later while prepping article/review. The X1 is a hilarious riot …

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Jan 14, 2014 Read more

2014 Lincoln MKZ 3.7 AWD Shows Very Handsome Kamm Tail

This is less of an article as a galleries post. You can take in the latest Lincoln MKZ images for yourself. I enjoy its looks, especially versus any other Lincoln. The single LED bar is really good in real life – but looks bad in these photos. The tail spoiler is appealing. But the nose is not pleasant. Exterior Gallery – 2014 Lincoln MKZ Black Label and MKZ Hybrid Interior Gallery – 2014 Lincoln MKZ Black Label and MKZ Hybrid The car shares steering wheel and dash with Fords; making the MKZ less than enticing, despite new-looking seats.  

Jan 02, 2014 Read more

Best of Awards – 2013 Cadillac Elmiraj – Most Provocative Concept

What else to say about the Elmiraj? It speaks for itself.   In my opinion, the real achievement of the Elmiraj is how faithfully its wild design is brought to the road. Anything can be rendered on CAD-CAM screens, but rarely does the finished product surpass the original idea. In this case, Cadillac has aced the test. Full house. Even if this exact car does not appear, the techniques on the interior, and especially the exterior style, surely sees the road right now as the stunning Cadillac CTS4.   Interior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Exterior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj …

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Dec 31, 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 …

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Dec 30, 2013 Read more

2014 Toyota Venza Limited Is Like An Allroad Avalon Limousine

For shoppers with back-seat room and all-weather traction top-of-mind, the Toyota Venza is a compelling luxury sedan alternative. With dimensions that make this much like an ‘all-road’ Avalon, the Venza is able to maintain a truly hushed cabin for five. Roominess in back is even better than the Avalon, courtesy of extra recline angle in the back seat and a higher seat base. Overall access is far easier in a car like the Venza, which is unique in delivering an ultra-low floor and step-in height versus many other crossovers. The huge doors make ingress much easier than even the longer …

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Dec 29, 2013 Read more

Iconic Classic – 1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I – Round Door Aero Coupe

This Phantom Series I Rolls-Royce V12 rumbled out the factory doors in 1925, but did not add these gorgeous stream-liner panels until its coachwork was complete in 1934. There is much to learn from this Jonkheere Aerodynamique Coupe – even today. The grille treatment is remarkably swept-back, but maintains the classic proportions very artfully. It is very hard to imagine these designs being fabricated by hand, but that was the only way to achieve results like this in the early 1930s. CAD-CAM has come a long way since the Round Door Coupe – but very few of this car’s contemporaries …

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Dec 27, 2013 Read more

2014 4Runner Offers Third Row + Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles

The 2014 4Runner is all-new from Toyota, bringing a comprehensive restyle outside and a tech overhaul inside. The best parts of the 4Runner package remain: hardy suspension and locking diff options, off-road prowess that goes beyond electronic settings, and of course that roll-down back glass. In place of the old tailgate bench is a new slide-out parcel floor that can hold serious weight. Most critically: a third row of seating is a $1,400 option – and money well spent. It folds out of the way when not needed, but will come in handy eventually. The crimson Trail Premium 4Runner’s photos …

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Dec 22, 2013 Read more

2014 4Runner Offers Third Row + Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles

The 2014 4Runner is all-new from Toyota, bringing a comprehensive restyle outside and a tech overhaul inside. The best parts of the 4Runner package remain: hardy suspension and locking diff options, off-road prowess that goes beyond electronic settings, and of course that roll-down back glass. In place of the old tailgate bench is a new slide-out parcel floor that can hold serious weight. Most critically: a third row of seating is a $1,400 option – and money well spent. It folds out of the way when not needed, but will come in handy eventually. The crimson Trail Premium 4Runner’s photos …

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Dec 22, 2013 Read more

Best of Awards: 2014 Nissan Rogue Seats 7, Looks Cool, Gets There First

The all-new Rogue is a huge hit so far: with seven seats and pricing from about $24,000 — this compact crossover nails a huge swath of buyer priorities. Its new LED lighting up front sets the tone, while the Nissan V-bar grille is just foreshadowing. Enjoy this early reveal of the Nissan Rogue in “Full-Throttle Action.” My favorite part? Seeing our pilot’s high-heel shoe mash the throttle to the floor before she uses an on-ramp to jump onto a train’s roof. All in a day’s work for the on-trend and stylish Rogue. This Nissan commercial seems to channel Sri Lankan …

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Dec 20, 2013 Read more

McLaren Turbo – Secrets of Black Air – 1987 Buick GNX Story

Let’s start at the beginning, my personal vantage on the Buick GNX – before and after watching Black Air: The Buick Grand National Story. Here are three things you may not know about the 1987 Buick Grand National: Engine came first, car second. What sporty body could fit this 500HP boost-monster? Housing the huge McLaren turbocharger and intercooler hardware of the 3.8-liter V6 was the hardest part. It was a very sentimental project for the company, allowing unbridled execution of the super-car engine and total styling black-out. That high-gloss, rich paint was pure fantasy at the time. The GNX was the …

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Dec 13, 2013 Read more

2015 Audi A3 e-tron Brings Plug-in Hybrid 1.4TFSI to Sportback Wagon

Think you know hybrids? Wait until you get a brainfull of the infographics accompanying the 2015 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. This is a plug-in hybrid that primarily runs on gasoline via the handy 1.4-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine. Combined power is quoted at 201 horsepower, but the battery size and efficiency for the plug-in components is not yet available. What is clear is this: the e-tron configuration will come initially in the Sportback body style only. This is news versus the executive compact sedan A3/S3 twins, as well as the two-door cabrio. Full LED lighting will be a feature on the …

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Dec 12, 2013 Read more

2015 Audi A3 e-tron Brings Plug-in Hybrid 1.4TFSI to Sportback Wagon

Think you know hybrids? Wait until you get a brainfull of the infographics accompanying the 2015 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. This is a plug-in hybrid that primarily runs on gasoline via the handy 1.4-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine. Combined power is quoted at 201 horsepower, but the battery size and efficiency for the plug-in components is not yet available. What is clear is this: the e-tron configuration will come initially in the Sportback body style only. This is news versus the executive compact sedan A3/S3 twins, as well as the two-door cabrio. Full LED lighting will be a feature on the …

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Dec 12, 2013 Read more

Killer RS7 Coming to America for 2014 with GT-R Pace, Huge Trunk

The Audi A7 has always made a compelling case for itself: from just $70,000, the A7 now brings five-plus trim levels and a variety of new engines. The S7 and RS7 are absolutely mind-bendingly-fast: twin turbo’s blow full boost launches away in less than 4.0 seconds, and still pulling like a fighter jet well past 100 mph. Air suspensions keeps things calm and flat – even when pulling 1.5G in all directions. The one thing all A7 variants share is their low-slung, slinky appearance on the roads. This is a stunning silhouette, and still far more lean and lithe than …

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Dec 10, 2013 Read more

Best of 2013 Awards: Turbo Sports Car, Under $25,000 – Nissan Juke NISMO

The Juke NISMO as the turbo sports car of the year? In this budget range: you bet your alcantara headlining and carbon-fiber diffusers! The NISMO Juke makes no apologies for being different from the norm. After spending a week with the Juke NISMO earlier this fall, I discovered a fun-to-drive car that is nimble and toss-able in all situations. It also turned heads like a GT-R on roads filled with boring tan sedans. The unusual headlamp setup of the Juke is brought to life with the GT-R’s white LED accents in the lower bumper area. With the LEDs blazing white, …

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Dec 09, 2013 Read more

Supercar Showcase: 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Centenary Edition

The new Aston Martin Vanquish is looking mighty tempting these days. Fresh styling outside, fresh tech inside, and sprint performance finally worthy of its pricing. That pace is 4.1-seconds to 60mph, officially, in case you were wondering. This low-rev quickness is a huge improvement versus the previous drag times for the DBS thanks to a host of changes to the V12 engine to liberate more ferocity. The new paddle shifters for the automatic add versatility, letting drivers instantly blip down a gear or three or max exhaust bellow. The new styling is actually quite memorable and distinctive, particularly in one …

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Dec 08, 2013 Read more

2014 Chevy SS Looking, Sounding Terrific with Everything Standard for $45,000

The Chevrolet SS serves a critical purpose for buyers with very specific, big-V8-rear-drive-sedan needs. 2014 Chevrolet SS – Exterior Gallery   The SS is brilliantly tailored to this dual purpose of track-ready pace and performance, plus a lounge-like back seat and giant trunk. 2014 Chevrolet SS – Interior Gallery The car is arriving now to Chevrolet dealers in more volume, and is very worth a stop to check it out for yourself! SaabKyle04 did just that, and gives a great, concise and informative video review below. Thanks  Kyle! Not a bad E63 on a budget, with the paddle automatic being …

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Dec 08, 2013 Read more

Best of 2013 Awards: Coolest 4-Door – BMW 640i GranCoupe

Until the new M4 arrives, the BMW 6-series Gran Coupe is by far my favorite current BMW. While all brands like to tout their new cars as longer, lower and wider than before: usually the changes are fractions of an inch (or some other meaningless millimeter measurements!). The 640i GC is a full three inches lower than the 5-series, rocks almost a 117-inch wheelbase, and looks wider than a Hummer H1 on the highway. The whole car is designed to emphasize width, power and stance from all angles. The glasshouse is far more inward of the car’s shoulder-line than any …

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Dec 05, 2013 Read more

Supercar Showcase: 2014 Audi R8 V8

If any supercar would be perfect for one of my “Fun” Car GIFs, it is the 2014 Audi R8! Some blue-sky thinking earlier: what supercar would I buy with my own money, or feel so strongly about to recommend it to a close family friend? Supercar is a broad term. Let us say: super $150,000 and available from a relatively mainstream manufacturer (with a broad dealer network), for ease of servicing. Not a 911 Turbo or GT-R, for the sake of argument. Today’s dream-car answer? The 2014 Audi R8 V8. Not the V10 or the V10 Plus. Just the humble …

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Dec 03, 2013 Read more

Latest BMW 435i Track Photos Show Beautiful Proportions and Nose Details

Shocking absolutely no one: the new BMW 4-series coupe looks outstanding in motion! The latest track images from BMW show the 435i in silver, with dozens of images of the coupes racing around a compact track. The beauty and stance of the BMW coupe has never been in question. It is simply a hot, hot car. If any friend of yours has one, you know that it draws in envious stares at every stop light. Even other BMW drivers wish their car were a 435i coupe. But when launched, the 428i and 435i Coupes did not receive the rapturous reception …

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Dec 02, 2013 Read more

Concept to Reality: 2013 Ford Atlas vs. Super Chief vs. F-250 Super Duty Platinum

Past, Present and Future Super Duty Fords The truck business is becoming cut-throat competitive. Even after decades of loyalty battles, mud-slinging with the Calvin peeing on _____ stickers, and the constant one-ups-man-ship in tow ratings: things are getting seriously rough out there. Following huge, huge investments from Toyota and Nissan earlier in the 2000s: executive management is getting impatient with sub-100,000-units annual sales totals for the Tundra and Titan. But what to do? The Ram, Chevrolet and Ford trucks are continually improving, and seem forever a step ahead of the somewhat boring second-tier trucks on the market. No where is …

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Dec 02, 2013 Read more

2014 SRT Viper Brings Hot New Styles and Three New Colors

The Viper brings a series of updates for 2014, headlined by the new GTS Anodized Carbon at the top of the podium – and price sheets. With only 50 copies made, each ‘xanodized’ edition comes with its own numbered plaque and a custom interior, as well as the tasty matte paint finish. These options are a shortcut to buying the most exclusive, loaded Viper available. This is handy – because the SRT team will make your Viper in any of seven million different custom styles! By volume, the Viper must be the most customizable model in the whole company. The …

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Dec 01, 2013 Read more

2014 Nissan Pathfinder – Reviewed in Video and 78 High-Res Photos

The Pathfinder is a real charmer. With lockable four-wheel-drive and seven seats, it checks many boxes right in the first block. The vastly improved CVT automatic is no longer a sore point, with polite but perceptible downshifts and great cruising refinement and economy.   Powertrain and Towing Highlights   A Hybrid model joins the ranks for 2014, but this press loaner was the loaded Platinum model, which focuses dollars more on luxury and technology in the cabin. Interior Amenities Highlights 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum – Exterior Sunny Day Animation 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum – Exterior Gallery 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum …

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Nov 30, 2013 Read more

Road Test Video Reviews, Photos and Buyers Guide — 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet

Published on: Nov 30, 2013 @ 12:36 Here are some quick videos I took outside Autobahn Country Club in Illinois earlier this fall. Please disregard my employer’s name at the time and enjoy this twin-turbocharged luxury drop-top. Part One: Leaving the Gates Part Two: Spotting a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. Look Closely Near Middle of Video…! Part Three: Quick Sprint Demonstration Optional LED Star 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Exterior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Interior Gallery 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet – Details from MBusa.com

Nov 30, 2013 Read more

Hottest LA Debuts: 2014 Range Rover LWB Autobiography Black

The LWB Range Rover is a legend in America. For many, it was the breakout car for the brand in the early 1990s. Adding serious lounge space in the back of the County models really made this a cultured Suburban or Tahoe substitute in posh cities. The all-new Range Rover is quite exceptional in many, many ways. In addition to a forthcoming Hybrid model, this new Long Wheelbase version seems like a good choice for shoppers. The change on the exterior from this added length is very subtle, with the LWB Range Rover looking just as posh as ever in …

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Nov 30, 2013 Read more

Road Test Review – 2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport – Alpine White

This summer’s 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i press loaner still makes me smile when looking at the photos. As my first week-long loan from BMW, the pressure was on to a) write a brilliant review and b) not hurt the car in any way! The X1 is a hilarious riot to drive in 28i sDrive configuration, which denotes rear-wheel-drive versus the optional xDrive. The turbo-charged engine is zingy and potent, with a broad and low torque plateau and the exceptional ZF eight-speed automatic handling changes. The test car included EcoPro mode and automatic stop/start for stoplights and traffic. EcoPro mode really …

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Nov 29, 2013 Read more

All-New 2014 MINI Hardtop Debuts LEDs Galore and Futuristic Cabin Tech

BMW’s MINI is absolutely a future textbook example of how to revive and relaunch a silent brand into a loud, crowded age. While the original 1960s Mini was much more of a phenom inside England, BMW’s ambitions have always been far more global. Spending ten years with the nightmare of Rover Cars Limited taught BMW many lessons in the 1990s about what *not* to do with a classic brand. Divesting Rover and Land Rover helped BMW pivot to a far more logical and promising ownership of Rolls-Royce, Mini, and a few other moribund sports car brands in the early 2000s. …

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Nov 29, 2013 Read more

Hottest LA Debuts: 2015 Audi A3 and S3 Spell Trouble For Subaru, Lexus, Ford, Acura…

The $29,000-plus luxury compact market just got very hot under the collar. Audi revealed the 2015 A3 line-up in LA this week, and it is a direct hit for stylish urban executives. Coming in two sedans (the A3 and S3), a PHEV Sportback, and also a cute A3 cabrio —- the A3 is poised to take sales off the books of the WRX, Lexus IS250, Ford Focus ST, and many others. Pricing an arrival time estimates vary, but by summer 2014 seems like a safe bet. 2015 Audi S3 Sedan – Exterior Gallery 2015 Audi S3 Sedan – Interior Gallery …

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Nov 26, 2013 Read more

Hottest LA Debuts: CrossBlue Coupe Wearing Tough New VW Truck Face

  Five-seat SUV concept is based off the new MQB architecture and features a plug-in V6 gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain Concept features dramatic new interpretation of Volkswagen design DNA 415-horsepower gasoline-hybrid concept is capable of 70 MPGe The vehicle can travel up to 13 miles as an EV Top speed of 147 mph; 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Exterior Gallery VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Tech Gallery VW CrossBlue Coupe – Concept – Interior Gallery   Animations

Nov 25, 2013 Read more

Hot New Trucks: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Brings Cool Style, Big Power

The 2015 Colorado looks amazing! These all-new midsize Chevrolet trucks stand tall with their big Silverado brothers.   Z71 off-road packages raised the ride height, while the extra-short overhangs will surely be an asset off-road. Capabilities will vary across the Colorado line, with engines topping out with a five-cylinder…. Just kidding!  The top engine is the excellent 3.6-liter V-6 best known from the Cadillac portfolio, but this time delivering great torque and even 302 horsepower through a standard six-speed automatic. Even the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder has ‘bulked up’ – producing 193 horsepower and about the same torque level in the …

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Nov 25, 2013 Read more

HD Video Reviews – 2014 Chevy Camaro 2LT RS With New LED Lights and Active Exhaust

Some great Camaro driving videos in the vault from my press loaner RS a few weeks ago. I thoroughly enjoyed the Camaro RS – as you can clearly see in these videos, hopefully. Highlights include: 323-horsepower V6 engine’s sonorous exhaust bellow as the active baffles open up incredible JATCO six-speed manual  overall improvements to the handing, tech, and refinement Here are some images of this $33,000 plaything, including the latest LED lights front and back. Out back, this RS has strong 1990’s SC400 overtones about its proportions – a very good thing. The original GS and SC were styled by …

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Nov 24, 2013 Read more

Subaru BRZ Color Fight – World Rally Blue or Light Silver?

Subaru BRZ Color Fight – World Rally Blue – Downloadable GIF Subaru BRZ Colors Showdown – World Rally Blue – Exterior Gallery   Subaru BRZ – Interior Gallery Subaru BRZ Colors Showdown – Light Silver – Downloadable GIF  Subaru BRZ Colors Showdown – Light Silver – Exterior Gallery

Nov 23, 2013 Read more

LEVORGY: Inside Scoop On Subaru's Success, c/o Porsche's Famed Creative Agency

Subaru is very busy these days. From a usually-quiet and predicable company, years of continued success are finally bringing out some excitement. Here is some juicy dirt on the marketing behind this success: Perhaps the real kudos (definitely in Japan, at least) is shared with the BRZ project. But regardless: Subaru is awesome. #Love really is the greatest ad slogan, c/o Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis. Many may know that name best from their three decades of legendary work for Porsche Cars North America. When Porsche left for greener pastures, Subaru assigned the firm their whole account without a review. That …

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Nov 22, 2013 Read more

2015 Subaru WRX Nears 270 Horsepower, Looks Hot!

2015 Subaru WRX – Exterior Gallery        2015 Subaru WRX – Interior Gallery               2015 SUBARU WRX® MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW New platform offers a stiffer, more agile chassis for Subaru global performance icon New torque-vectoring system reduces understeer New 268-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER engine New standard 6-speed manual transmission New Sport Lineartronic® CVT with manual modes Los Angeles –  Subaru of America, Inc. today introduced the 2015 WRX, a more powerful and better handling version of the brand’s iconic high-performance model, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. …

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Nov 20, 2013 Read more

2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport – First-Drive Photos

2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport – First-Drive Photos   2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport – Interior Gallery 2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport – Under the Hood 2014 Lexus IS350 AWD F Sport – Exterior Gallery The Lexus is also available in a more-efficient 250 engine spec, as well as a variety of tastey shades.   Here is a gif of these 32 images with a subtle delay, and no audio. The Lexus IS felt great, with a far lower seat than I recall from the previous IS350. Check it out this weekend with or without F Sport …

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Nov 12, 2013 Read more

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images

2014 Mazda6 i Touring – 40 All-New, High-Res Images   Hopefully the Mazda6’s stunning lines can do some of the talking for us. Enjoy! The 2014 Mazda6 is an amazing achievement – a sports car within reach of Camry buyers. 2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Exterior Gallery       2014 Mazda6 i Touring – Interior Gallery    

Nov 05, 2013 Read more