| 548 Automobiles and Automotive - Reviews Resources |
| 2009 Nissan |
| 2009 Nissan Cube - Four Seasons Wrap-up |
| The Nissan Cube is the Hello Kitty of cars. Its designers, however, prefer to think of it as a bulldog with sunglasses. Whatever its animal-kingdom reference, the Nissan Cube is without a doubt the weirdest, most Japanese car sold in the United States. Some will say that the tiny, box-shaped Cube follows in the footsteps of the original Scion xB, but this Nissan takes the otherworldly, Tokyo-bizarro thing to another level. |
| June 6, 2011 |
| 2010 Acura |
| 2010 Acura ZDX - Four Seasons Wrap-Up |
| When Acura unveiled the ZDX prototype at the New York auto show in 2009, the company glowingly described it as a type of vehicle never before seen, something completely unique in the marketplace. |
| August 3, 2011 |
| 2010 Mitsubishi |
| 2010 Mitsubish Lancer Evolution SE |
| Most cars these days try to be good at everything. Your average $30,000 sedan, for instance, accelerates to 60 mph in less than seven seconds, has a really nice interior, and doesn't use that much fuel. The flip side of this is that very few cars are absolutely great at anything. Which is why it's refreshing to drive the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| 2010 Rolls-Royce |
| 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Drophead Coupe: Overview |
| The 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Drophead Coupe (convertible) are expected to see few changes after being introduced for 2009 and 2008, respectively. Both are 2-door models that are based on the larger Phantom sedan but are about 10-inches shorter, seat 4, and have unique rear-hinged power-closing doors. The Drophead Coupe has a power soft top; the Coupe is optionally available with interior headliner lighting that imitates the look of a star-filled night sky. A 453-horsepower 6.75-liter V12 is the only engine offered and it's mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available safety equipment includes ABS, traction control, and an antiskid system. |
| March 8, 2011 |
| 2010 Subaru |
| 2010 Subaru Outback - Four Seasons Wrap-Up |
| In 1996, Subaru's second year selling the Legacy Outback, the marketing team delivered a killer calling card for the earliest incarnation of the modern crossover: "The World's First Sport Utility Wagon." Playing to the era's penchant for SUVs, Subaru produced a vehicle that could swallow all the gear and manage any terrain that the American family adventure would throw at it. |
| March 10, 2011 |
| 2010 Suzuki |
| 2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Four Seasons Update - February 2011 |
| We've put over 32,000 miles on our Four Seasons Suzuki Kizashi SLS over the past year, but apart from some minor nicks and dirty floor mats, it's none the worse for wear. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| 2010 Suzuki Kizashi SLS AWD - Four Seasons Wrap-Up |
| The Suzuki Kizashi, a smallish mid-size sedan from an automaker most Americans are barely aware of, is the very definition of an underdog. We nearly laughed out loud a year and a half ago when Suzuki reps spoke of the Kizashi as an Automobile of the Year contender. It turns out Suzuki had the last laugh. The Kizashi, although it did not earn an award at our annual All-Stars test, was easily the biggest surprise of the group for its impressive refinement and stunningly good driving dynamics. "The Kizashi was by far the best-handling front-wheel-drive car in the test, excepting the [2010 Automobile of the Year] Volkswagen GTI," proclaimed West Coast editor Jason Cammisa. We were intrigued enough that we decided to spend an entire year with a Kizashi to see if it really has what it takes to compete day in and day out with the big dogs in its segment. |
| July 22, 2011 |
| 2010 Volkswagen |
| 2010 Volkswagen GTI - Four Seasons Wrap-Up |
| Ok, longtime readers may feel as if they've seen this movie before. In 2007, AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE named the Volkswagen GTI its Automobile of the Year, calling it not only "the right car for our times" but also "the right car for any time." To see if it was the right car for a long time, we undertook a Four Seasons test of the GTI, and after twelve months we came away impressed. Three years later, the revised (Mark 6) GTI again took our highest award. Once more, we couldn't resist a long-term test. |
| April 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura |
| 2011 Acura MDX Advanced Entertainment |
| I attended the media launch of the original Acura MDX way back in April 2000, and I've always liked the vehicle since. This second generation is getting on in years but has aged well. The overall demeanor of the vehicle is very satisfying. It's luxurious and well-built and comfortable but not ostentatious. It is only as big as it needs to be, as compared with, say, the Audi Q7 that we had in the office at the same time, which carries a ridiculous amount of mass. |
| April 25, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD (First Drive) |
| To borrow an idiom, 47,000 customers can't be wrong. Nearly four years after Acura launched its second-generation MDX, 47,210 customers lined up in 2010 to bring home the company's midsize crossover. Not only does that make the MDX Acura's best-selling vehicle in 2010 (it beat the TL by nearly 13,000 units), but also one of the best-selling luxury crossovers currently available in North America. |
| March 23, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura RDX (First Drive) |
| Five years. That may not seem like a long time, but in the automotive industry, it's almost an eternity -- especially if a model sees no revisions in that period. Mid-cycle refreshes usually occur two or three years after an initial product launch. Double that timeframe and automakers are typically in the throes of replacing the previous model with a significantly new product. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura RDX Tech |
| Exactly five years after I first drove the Acura RDX, I find that it is not aging well. The turbocharged engine delivers decent power, but it's not linear in its delivery, and the five-speed automatic is a dated device. The ride-and-handling balance is ho-hum, and the suspension crashes over bumps. The steering is dead on-center. There's a distinct lack of a "premium" feeling to the RDX, especially when compared with the newer entries in this segment like the Volvo XC60, the Audi Q5, the Mercedes-Benz GLK, and the BMW X3. Heck, there are small crossovers from non-premium brands that feel more of-a-piece than the RDX does, like the Chevy Equinox, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Volkswagen Tiguan. The RDX is definitely overdue for a re-do. |
| May 11, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura RL |
| With only moderate tech updates over the years, the 2011 Acura RL lags behind the cutting-edge competition, and has trouble justifying its over-$50K price. |
| March 24, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura RL Advance |
| We journalists tend to dismiss the RL based on more or less abstract standards - it's not pretty enough, not sporty enough, not premium enough. But I suspect real owners absolutely love it. And why shouldn't they? The RL is quick, comfortable, quiet, and likely more reliable than many of its sexier European competitors. |
| April 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura RL (First Drive) |
| By the sales figures alone, Acura's RL appears to be a model not long for this world. In 2010, sales of the company's premier sedan amounted to only 2037 cars, making the sedan its slowest-selling model in the U.S. Despite that meager total, Acura remains committed to the nameplate. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon: Overview |
| The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is the newest addition to this lineup of premium-compact cars. This front-wheel-drive wagon is based on Acura's entry-level model, and TSX shares some of its basic design with the European-market Honda Accord. The Sport Wagon's standard engine is a 201-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. It teams with a 5-speed automatic transmission. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| 2011 Alfa |
| 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce |
| You'll come for the sultry good looks, but you'll stay for the excellent steering. The Giulietta's tiller has a natural, well-weighted, and precise feel that bests just about everything in the compact segment with the possible exception of the Ford Focus. |
| August 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi |
| 2011 Audi A3 TDI |
| The Audi A3 has almost everything I want in a new car. Its TDI engine is both economical (with a 34 mpg combined EPA rating) and responsive, with a decent amount of power and lots of torque. All-wheel drive would be nice, but with how well this car handled on snowy roads I really didn't miss it all that much, plus the added weight of the all-wheel-drive system would likely drag down fuel economy. The car is small but not cramped, and the handy wagon configuration means that you can still haul bulky items in the rear cargo compartment with the second row folded. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A4: Overview |
| The 2011 Audi A4 2.0T receives a new 8-speed automatic transmission. This premium-compact-car lineup features 4-door sedans and Avant wagons. A Cabriolet convertible is sold as part of the Audi A5 lineup. Both the sedan and wagon continue to offer Audi's quattro all-wheel drive, and the sedan is also available with front-wheel drive. Sedans and Avants come as the 2.0T and have a turbocharged 211-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro Coupe |
| What we have here is a high-styled, very attractive, German luxury sport coupe for forty-two thousand dollars. That isn't exactly cheap, and our tester had no navigation system or rearview camera, but this is still a great car for the money, one with notable street presence and sex appeal. It drives well, too, with good body control, well-weighted steering, and a smooth gearshift that helps you make the most of the modest but refined turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Heck, I celebrate this car simply because it has a six-speed manual rather than relying solely on some paddle-shifted version of an automatic. The A5 coupe is a logical step into the world of big-boy cars for someone who is ready to move beyond, say, a Volkswagen GTI. I'd sure be happy to see one in my garage every morning. |
| September 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A5 (First Drive) |
| If Audi's move from the margins to the mainstream of luxury auto brands is due to any one factor, it's design. At Audi, the TT is arguably the apotheosis of the brand's form language, but the A5 is another potent distillation. True, it's not too far removed from its four-door sibling, the A4, but the coupe does wear its own uniquely sculpted sheetmetal, and the A5 is all the more distinctive due to its relative rarity compared to the seemingly ubiquitous (in some markets, at least) A4. |
| June 13, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A6: Overview |
| The 2011 Audi A6 is largely unchanged. This premium-midsize car is offered as a sedan or Avant wagon. The base car is the front-wheel-drive 3.2 sedan. It has a 265-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. All other A6 versions reprise Audi's quattro all-wheel drive and 6-speed automatic transmission. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A8 (First Drive) |
| I first drove the new Audi A8 on the launch event in Spain, and I liked it. Recently I had a new A8 4.2 here at home in New York, whose mean streets of provide a much more challenging, real-world environment. |
| April 12, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi A8L |
| It's difficult to appreciate just how long the A8L is until you stand next to it...or attempt to park it in your garage. Perhaps this will provide some perspective: the A8L's wheelbase and overall length are within a half an inch of the three-row, eight passenger Honda Odyssey minivan. In other words, they aren't kidding around when they added the "L" to the name. Hip and headroom are plentiful, although as in the A7 the wide console in between the front seats -- which houses the MMI dial flanked by related buttons and now the touch pad -- makes the driver's seat feel tighter than it should in such a big car. The upside is that this large area provides another place to use the gorgeous, matte wood veneer that we loved in the A7. |
| June 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi Q5 2.0T |
| Automobile Magazine recently concluded a yearlong test of an Audi Q5 with the 3.2-liter V-6 engine which was the only engine available at launch. We came away thinking that the V-6-powered Q5 is a very quick and sporty-driving crossover, but we wished for better fuel economy. For 2011, Audi answered by adding a second engine option: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. |
| May 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi Q5: Overview |
| The 2011 Audi Q5 lineup expands to include a new lower-price 4-cylinder model. This 5-passenger premium-compact SUV has Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. New for 2011 is the base 2.0T, which has a 211-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine borrowed from the Audi A4. Now at the top of the Q5 lineup is the 3.2, which has a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine. The 4-cylinder pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission while the V6 uses a 6-speed automatic. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi Q7 3.0T S Line |
| The Q7 is exactly what one expects from a big Audi SUV: excellent road manners and drivability, a well-executed interior, and the room and utility of a truck. |
| March 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi Q7 TDI (First Drive) |
| For 2011, the Q7 engine lineup consists of three V-6s. All are 3.0 liters. Two are supercharged gasoline engines; the third is the turbodiesel. Of the two supercharged gasoline engines, the hotter one is the 333-hp unit from the S4; the base engine is a detuned version that makes 272 hp. The 3.0-liter TDI sits in between them, and takes the role of the fuel miser. |
| June 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Audi RS 3 Sportback (First Look) |
| Faster Five Door: New RS Model Gets TT-RS Turbo |
| November 22, 2010 |
| 2011 Audi S4 Quattro MT6 Sedan |
| I'm adding the S4 to my informal list of "Cars I'd Buy if I Won the Lotto." Admittedly, there are snazzier choices on which to spend jackpot winnings, but the Audi S4 is unbelievably satisfying to drive. It all starts with the engine, a fantastic supercharged V-6 that provides truly energetic throttle response. It always has enough power, pulling steadfastly in every gear. The sound -- just a tiny hint of supercharger whine -- is exactly what you expect from a sports car, ranging from a growl when slipping the clutch to a bark if you rev-match downshifts. The clutch travel is quite long, but the engagement point is firm and easy to modulate. Like most Volkswagen/Audi products, the six-speed manual is very precise and easy to use but feels a little rubbery at times. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Bentley |
| 2011 Bentley Continental Flying Spur: Overview |
| The 2011 Bentley Continental Flying Spur continues with few changes. The 4-door Flying Spur and high-performance Speed model share their basic designs with the company's Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible. All Flying Spurs come with a turbocharged 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission with steering-column-mounted shift paddles, and all-wheel drive. Standard models have 552 horsepower; the Flying Spur Speed has 600. Both engines are capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Included on both models is an air suspension with driver-adjustable ride height and damper settings. The Speed has high-performance suspension tuning that lowers overall ride height, 20-inch wheels in place of the standard 19s, and unique trim elements. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Bentley Continental GT |
| After eight years on the market, and an array of special editions, the Bentley Continental GT has finally gone in for its first redesign. But German powers that be at Bentley (the British marque is part of the Volkswagen Group) are loath to fundamentally change a car that has been such an undeniable success, as the Continental is the first Bentley ever to sell in significant numbers. The result is that the 2011 Continental GT doesn't stake out new ground but instead seeks to enhance the existing formula. |
| May 12, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW |
| 2011 BMW 1-series M coupe (First Drive) |
| I first saw the 1-series M coupe in late 2009 in a cordoned-off garage of the Motorsport division headquarters in Garching, Germany, near Munich. The black prototype featured silver and gold BBS wheels, a set of highly extroverted air dams, and the then-stock 1-series interior. The real car looks a lot better, inside and out. The front air dam and rear spoiler aren't too flashy, but the reworked fenders, swollen to accommodate the wider front and rear track and ultra-fat, nineteen-inch wheels, are subtly purposeful. That's the case, at least, in the white or metallic black livery; choosing the metallic orange, a hue exclusive to the 1-series M Coupe, turns up the visual wattage significantly. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW 1-series M coupe (First Test) |
| Here's something that will make your brain hurt: BMW isn't in business to produce cars. Shocking, right? Like every company, its primary goal is to make a profit, and making cars is just a means to making money. This is what we call capitalism. |
| July 29, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW 335is Coupe |
| As BMW continues to cut the 3-series pie into thinner and thinner slices, it's becoming difficult to discern the subtle differences among the models. This 335is slots in below the M3, and although its straight six has about 100 fewer horses than the M's V-8, it's more than quick enough to satisfy nearly any speed junkie. Some may argue that, at just under $52,000, the 335is is well worth the money, but to me, the extra power and M3-level hardware upgrades over the base 3-series model -- the superb 328i starts at a far more attainable $37,000 -- can only be appreciated on a closed course. If you don't plan to run your 3-series on the track, the less-expensive 3s will provide just as many smiles while having a more forgiving ride with only minor concessions to handling. |
| May 17, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW 535i - Four Seasons Wrap-Up |
| For nearly four decades, the BMW 5-series has walked the tightrope between luxury and sport, satisfying the demands of both buttoned-up executives and driving purists. It has been the benchmark -- often an unmatched one -- for just about every automaker looking to build a mid-size sport sedan. |
| December 29, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW 535i xDrive |
| This vehicle is virtually identical to our Four Seasons 535i, except it has xDrive all-wheel drive, the presence of which is quite difficult to detect in normal, dry-road driving. All things being equal, I'd probably prefer my 5-series to have all-wheel drive, but the truth is, I spent a very snowy weekend in our rear-wheel-drive 535i this winter, driving through six inches of fresh slushy white stuff in the Chicagoland area, and that car was unstoppable, because it was equipped with excellent snow tires. |
| June 7, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive |
| The BMW 7-series is a fine automobile. So good, in fact, that the Alpina modifications seem to subtract more than they add. The Alpina B7 is identifiable by its soft and grippy leather steering wheel, the signature twenty-one-spoke Alpina wheels, exterior cosmetic enhancements, and a smattering of interior trim bits. But the B7 goes far beyond aesthetics. The chassis benefits from shorter and stiffer springs, larger brakes, wider rear tires, and revised tuning of the active dampers. Under the hood, BMW's 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 is built with a new block, heads, turbochargers, and intercoolers, bumping output from 400 hp and 450 lb-ft to 500 hp and 516 lb-ft. |
| April 27, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW M3 Coupe |
| Performance technology makes the 2011 BMW M3 Coupe a thoroughbred performer, yet it can be optioned with plenty of cabin gadgets. Poor fuel economy limits its daily utility, but we still give the M3 an Editors' Choice Award. |
| June 28, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW M3 Coupe |
| Every car lover deserves a chance behind the wheel of a BMW M3. The press has been infatuated with the M3 since it debuted, and all the praise is justified. BMW never should have ditched the Ultimate Driving Machine tagline -- that's what you'll be thinking as you run the 4.0-liter V-8 up to its 8400-rpm redline. And if you need to verify that the engine is up to operating temperature before blowing past 8000 rpm, it's as easy as looking at the tachometer. The M3 artificially lowers the maximum engine speed until it's completely warmed up. Little things like this exemplify BMW's commitment to performance cars. |
| June 20, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW X3 (First Drive) |
| When the BMW X3 was first launched, way back in 2004, it was somewhat of a bargain basement BMW, and it suffered a few flaws. The first was an obviously cost-cut interior and the second was a seriously harsh ride. Although the X3 was thematically similar to the pioneering X5, it was very much a step down not only in price but also in execution. |
| June 30, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW X6 M |
| Whenever I see a BMW X6, in any guise, I can't help but remember the time I walked by two people in a country-club parking lot looking at an X6 quizzically. One of them turned to the other and asked, "What is this car trying to be?" That's a very good question, and one I still ask myself about the X6. And I wonder even more about the X6 M, which takes what is already a vehicle that fits in the tiniest of niches and adds an excessive amount of power and performance at a price approaching six figures. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is |
| I can muster no complaints about this turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine and its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We've all driven various BMWs with this powertrain, and I'm always particularly struck by the transmission's performance. Crisp, fast, upshifts and explosive acceleration are yours with a simple mash of the accelerator pedal. |
| July 22, 2011 |
| 2011 Cadillac |
| 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon |
| I've been enamored with the CTS-V for quite some time, but as a long-time wagon guy, the new V Sport Wagon absolutely ticks all the right boxes for me. Power? This car's got it in spades. Handling? It grips, especially in sport mode, unless you turn off Stabilitrak and give the throttle a hard kick with your right foot. Practicality? Well, it seats four adults and offers almost 26 cubic feet of cargo space aft of the second row. |
| August 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet |
| 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible 2SS |
| Lowering the convertible roof of the Camaro fixes a lot of what I think is wrong with the regular Camaro coupe. First, claustrophobia and poor visibility are major issues in the Camaro hardtop. Let in some sunlight and ditch the big C-pillars, and your mood immediately and literally brightens and your confidence in changing lanes instantly increases. Second, the sleek and sexy Camaro coupe looks like it might handle and corner like a Porsche 911, but the Chevy disappoints with its general feeling of heft. The (heavier) convertible Camaro doesn't handle any better, but its character is less suggestive of a world-class sports car; it's more of a cruiser, and by that measure its handling is quite capable. |
| July 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible (Driven) |
| After being delayed for a while because of GM's whole bankruptcy/bailout thing, the Camaro convertible is finally here, completing the reborn Camaro lineup. |
| June 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco |
| The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco comes off as a bit light on cabin tech, but its high mileage and good driving character make it a practical choice. |
| May 26, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4x4 LTZ |
| It's strange to jump into a heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado after coming out of a long weekend in a Mazda Miata. Even if I hadn't just spent the previous four nights in one of the smallest cars this side of a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, driving a heavy-duty pickup requires a separate mindset from our day-to-day evaluations of sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. A heavy-duty truck can't be judged on the same standards for ride quality, handling, and passing acceleration. In top-spec trim with a crew cab and a long bed, the Silverado HD measures in at 259.1 inches long--or more than 21 feet. To truly evaluate a heavy-duty truck, you need to push it towards its limits with 5906 pounds of payload or a 13,200-pound trailer. Having just one night with the Silverado HD 3500, I didn't have a chance to load it up with anything more than a tandem bike, which was easily swallowed by the swimming-pool-sized bed. |
| June 30, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: Overview |
| The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid is largely unchanged. This version of Chevy's large pickup truck comes as a 4-door crew cab that seats up to 6 passengers and has a 5.8-foot bed. It comes in base 1HY and top-line 2HY trim levels. The sole powertrain teams a 6.0-liter V8 engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 332 horsepower total. It can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands, and requires no plug-in charging. |
| March 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Volt |
| Now that the much-anticipated and much-discussed Chevy Volt is finally out and about in the real world (on sale in seven states currently, and available in all 50 by the end of the year), we can get a better idea of what it's really like to live with. I recently did just that, taking home a Volt for a four-day weekend. Conclusion? The Volt works, but whether it works for you depends on how you interact with it -- and that's more so the case here than with any other car, due to the Volt's two methods of refueling. |
| May 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Volt |
| It's always interesting getting behind the wheel of an Automobile of the Year award winner several months after we deliver the trophy. I did not vote for the Chevy Volt as our AOY last year. I found the Volt to be too gimmicky, but I do fully support the Technology of the Year award going to electric propulsion. |
| June 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Chrysler |
| 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible |
| I preface my comments on the Chrysler 200 convertible by noting that I have a lot of experience with its predecessor, the Chrysler Sebring convertible. There was a trip from Ann Arbor to Sarasota, Florida, and back for Thanksgiving 1996. There was Boston to Provincetown, Fourth of July weekend 1998, with four of us squeezing in for the drive back to Logan. And there was a day trip, Fourth of July 1999, Ann Arbor to Saugatuck, over on Lake Michigan, with my friend Charley and a cooler of fried chicken, prepared to his southern grandmother's recipe, in the back seat. All this is to say that I know what the Chrysler four-seat convertible is all about: It's not a sports car and I don't expect it to be one. It's an entry-luxury, comfortable, capable, stylish American droptop, an accessible indulgence for someone of reasonable means. |
| June 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Chrysler 200 S (First Look) |
| In 2010, Chrysler revealed its youth-orientated S-branded product line with the 300 sedan. The content-packed formula continues today with the unveiling of the 200 S sedan and convertible at the New York auto show. |
| April 19, 2011 |
| 2011 Chrysler 300 Limited vs. 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 vs. 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited (Comparison) |
| If you're looking for a car that can keep passengers comfortable, entertain the driver, and look sharp at the golf club, the best bet is a full-size, V-6-powered sedan like the three we've gathered here -- all priced at around $40,000 |
| August 12, 2011 |
| 2011 Chrysler 300C (Driven) |
| When the original Chrysler 300 debuted in 2005, it was a dramatic affirmation that the classic American sedan -- a big, rear-wheel-drive, V-8 -- could still be relevant, rather than just some hoary old throwback suitable only for sunbelt geezers and the livery trade. With its blocky, vaguely Bentley-esque design, the car was an immediate hit. |
| October 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Limited |
| Chrysler has been a front-runner in the minivan segment since the company invented the category way back in 1984. That doesn't mean it has continuously offered the best minivans on the market, however. The 2011 update to the Town & Country (and Dodge Caravan) is much welcomed—and much needed, particularly when you consider the fit-and-finish complaints we had about our Four Seasons 2008 Town & Country and the All-Star award we recently bestowed upon the impressive new Honda Odyssey. |
| March 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge |
| 2011 Dodge Charger |
| The 2011 Dodge Charger is a competent driver with very useful cabin electronics. But the 2012 model will feature a much-improved transmission. |
| November 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Charger R/T (Driven) |
| I still remember going into the design dome at the Chrysler tech center in Auburn Hills to see the upcoming 2006 Dodge Charger. The recently introduced Chrysler 300 was a sensation; the Dodge Magnum was a ballsy station wagon. Now there would be a sedan. There had been a Dodge Charger R/T concept car, back in 1999, that was very promising, its styling inspired by the excellent '68-'70 model. But when Chrysler design boss Trevor Creed pulled the drape off the production Charger, I could only think, "What happened?" |
| August 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Charger R/T Max - AWD |
| I still clearly remember the day in December 2008 that I first saw the vehicle that would be the 2011 Dodge Charger. Chrysler was on the verge of closing its doors for good and invited a small group of journalists and analysts to take a highly look at what products would be coming to market if the company survived. The next Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, and a heavy-duty Ram pickup were shown and met with quiet approval from the group. But the Charger caused people to stop and drool. We say that Chrysler not only could differentiate the Charger from the 300 (also shown that day), but also could put together a class-leading interior. Thankfully the production car lives up to the images that were burned into my mind that day in 2008. |
| May 18, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Durango AWD CrewLux |
| Wow, Dodge really did a great job with the Durango. I was never blown away by the body-on-frame Durango that died a few years ago, but the new unibody version feels very solid and well executed. Having driven the Ford Explorer only a few nights before the Durango, it's difficult to find fault with the Dodge. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Durango AWD CrewLux |
| Wow, Dodge really did a great job with the Durango. I was never blown away by the body-on-frame Durango that died a few years ago, but the new unibody version feels very solid and well executed. Having driven the Ford Explorer only a few nights before the Durango, it's difficult to find fault with the Dodge. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel (First Drive) |
| The Dodge Durango slipped under the waves during Chrysler's bout with bankruptcy, tossed overboard as the mother ship took on water. Now the floodwaters of financial duress have receded, and Chrysler has brought back the Durango. Formerly a pickup-truck-based, body-on-frame SUV, the new version is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee architecture, which means it has the unibody construction of a crossover vehicle. |
| May 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew |
| I wish I could have spent more time in the Grand Caravan to fully judge the interior of this van versus the Chrysler Town & Country and the others that recently passed through our garage. But for ten grand less than the Honda Odyssey and five grand less than the Chrysler and the Toyota Sienna, this Dodge is tough to quibble with. |
| March 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Journey Lux AWD |
| This was my first time behind the wheel of a Journey, so I didn't have the previous bad experience others have mentioned here, but I can confess that I EXPECTED to be disappointed. The over-the-top masculine Ram-derived exterior styling of this car (and its lookalike brethren Nitro and Caliber) has never done anything for me and I dreaded the plastic cabin within. |
| May 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Mopar Charger (First Look) |
| Chrysler coyly teased the mean looking Dodge Mopar '11 Charger late last week, but representatives from the company's Mopar accessories division spilled the beans on the package earlier this morning. |
| April 14, 2011 |
| 2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 |
| This is a lot of truck. Luckily, the Ram 3500 came equipped tow mirrors that were vertically convex such that the driver could see the edge of the dualie rear wheels. If those mirrors hadn't been there, I may have had to make a few apologies for flower beds and lawns along the streets of Ann Arbor. |
| August 22, 2011 |
| 2011 Ferrari |
| 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia |
| The readers of Automobile Magazine might think that we editors get to drive Ferraris frequently, but that is not the case. True, I've been to Maranello more than once, and I've driven more than one Ferrari on Ferrari's famous Fiorano test track. In fact, I attended the media launch for the 458 Italia back in November 2009 and stayed at a hotel that was across a roundabout from the Ferrari factory. [Here's what I had to say back then] However, we have plenty of editors and staffers who have never been to Maranello, among them copy editor Rusty Blackwell, who solemnly informed me that, in his entire six-year tenure at Automobile Magazine, we'd never had a Ferrari in the office test fleet. Thankfully, Ferrari North America Public Relations Manager Matteo Sardi sent a 458 Italia test car our way for four brief but brilliant days in mid-July. We made the most of it because this was a Very Big Deal here at 120 E. Liberty Street. |
| August 3, 2011 |
| 2011 Fiat |
| 2011 Fiat 500 - Four Seasons Introduction |
| It's hard not to be infatuated with Fiat's 500. The original Fiat 500 started selling in 1957, with almost 4 million cars being produced in less than 20 years. Since its debut as a concept at the 2004 Geneva auto show, the new Cinquecento has been a sensation around the world, and more than a half-million have been sold since its initial launch in 2007. Now, thanks to Chrysler's having fallen under the umbrella of the Fiat group, the 500 has made it stateside. So when it came to time to order a new car for our Four Seasons fleet, we had to get our hands on this modern interpretation of an endearing icon. |
| September 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Fiat 500 - Four Seasons Update - November 2011 |
| If you’ve been following our Four Seasons Fiat 500’s assimilation into our fleet, you read last month that the cutesy car started stirring up some pretty negative comments. |
| November 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford |
| 2011 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD |
| It's easy to get caught up in the details with this new Explorer, as there are many little annoyances that detract from the core functions of this car. Unfortunately, even when you look at the big picture, the Explorer feels like less than what was promised. |
| May 20, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford F-150 Lariat EcoBoost 4x2 Supercrew |
| Great engine. Smooth, well matched to the vehicle, at least here in Michigan. Really amazing fuel economy, considering that it's a big pickup. At 70 mph, it shows just under 19 mpg. NOT that you can really go by the in-dash indicator. |
| September 26, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew (First Drive) |
| Ford struck its competitors hard when it introduced the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCab, calling it the "first-ever, high-speed, off-road performance truck." With its wide stance and 133-inch wheelbase, not to mention the blacked-out grille and bold graphics, the Raptor had a look all its own, and it excited passions among truck enthusiasts. Some 8614 Raptors sold in 2010, and sales are off to a strong start this year. |
| March 11, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew |
| Wow, what a huge difference Ford's new 5.0-liter V-8 makes in the F-150. I never really liked the old 5.4-liter V-8 because it was slow to rev, sounded a bit old and coarse, and didn't ever feel as good as the rest of the F-150. The 5.0 sounds great, revs very quickly, and completely changes the character of the most popular pickup in America. |
| April 11, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew 4x4 |
| It's tough to blend in when you're driving a Molten Orange F-150 riding on 35-inch tires with the widened stance that come with Raptor-ization. Everywhere I took this truck people were pointing, commenting on it, or just staring at it. I bought a new chest freezer from a home improvement warehouse that had dozens and dozens of pickups in the parking lot. Some of them were modified, some were pulling big trailers, but only one of them drew a crowd and it was the SVT Raptor. Most people didn't know the Raptor rolled off the assembly line looking exactly like it did in that parking lot (save the freezer in the bed) but they all knew it was awesome. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2011 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon |
| The XLT Premium Wagon is a new addition to the Transit Connect lineup for 2011 that adds a few creature comforts in an effort to turn this compact cargo van into a legitimate people mover. But adding two windows over the rear wheels and trimming out the cargo hold in plastic is hardly enough to put the utilitarian Transit Connect on a plane with family-friendly compact crossovers, mid-size sedans, and minivans. |
| March 24, 2011 |
| 2011 GMC Sierra |
| 2011 GMC Sierra Hybrid: Overview |
| The 2011 GMC Sierra Hybrid is largely unchanged. This version of GMC's large pickup truck comes as a 4-door crew cab that seats up to 6 passengers and has a 5.8-foot bed. It comes in base 3HA and top-line 3HB trim levels. The sole powertrain teams a 6.0-liter V8 engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 332 horsepower total. |
| March 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda |
| 2011 Honda CR-V EX-L |
| The Honda CR-V is starting to show its age and is in need of a serious cabin tech overhaul. Fortunately, the performance and handling still have a few years left in them. |
| March 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda CR-Z EX W/Navigation |
| When I first saw the Honda CR-Z at the Detroit auto show, I was hugely excited. The tiny little hatchback looks fantastic and is, in my view, the coolest design to emerge from Honda in years. But having finally driven the car, I am rather disappointed. |
| November 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey - Visiting Kanrocksas |
| Why travel to the Sunflower State during a heat wave? In previous years, there wasn't a compelling reason to do so. But this summer, road test editor Christopher Nelson and intern Greg Fink drove our Four Seasons Honda Odyssey to the inaugural Kanrocksas music festival at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The trek added more than 1500 miles to the Odyssey's odometer. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite |
| Driving the Odyssey confirms that it is indeed worthy of being a member of our All-Stars team. This Honda has most anything you could want in a minivan -- a cleverly designed dash and a center console with lots of storage cubbies, a versatile layout with a third row that folds into a storage well in the floor (if only the second row folded the same way), an entertainment system with a 16.2" split screen, navigation, etc. Plus, the materials in the interior are all first-rate, and it's also very nice to drive. |
| March 25, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite - Four Seasons Introduction |
| Due to the ever-growing popularity of crossovers and sport-utility vehicles in America -- there are about 90 currently for sale in the U.S. -- many automakers have chosen to drop minivans from their lineups, leaving only seven manufacturers to duke it out in the small but competitive segment. It's even more competitive now, since Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota each introduced all-new or significantly revised minivans for 2011. After driving the all-new Odyssey last fall, we decided that it was an obvious choice to receive one of our ten coveted 2011 All-Star awards. The true test of a vehicle's fitness, though, is putting it through the rigors of daily life, and so we welcome a Black Cherry 2011 Honda Odyssey into our Four Seasons test fleet to see how it fares in a year of heavy use and tough scrutiny by our staff. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite - Four Seasons Update - November 2011 |
| It's been another busy month for our Honda Odyssey. First it went to South Dakota with Tim Jennings, husband of editor-in-chief Jean Jennings, who brought along Chesapeake Bay retriever Bob and hound dog Ray (the Stray) to go pheasant hunting. |
| December 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai |
| 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited |
| In a segment about as competitive as the application pool for Harvard, the Elantra stands out as one of the most well rounded entries. It has a ton of standard equipment, gets great fuel economy, and has an attractive and comfortable interior. It also drives very competently, if not engagingly. The only flaw is ride quality. It's not terrible in any conventional sense of the word - I drove the Elantra for several hours on the highway and then through some rough city roads and was never really uncomfortable. |
| May 4, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited |
| With the new Elantra, it's as if Hyundai has shrunk the Sonata in a dryer, resulting in a car that's slightly tighter fitting but otherwise identical. Look around the nicely appointed cabin, and you'll find a similar arrangement of controls, the same navigation system, and best of all, the same impressive mix of materials. |
| March 11, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature |
| I knew that the Equus was a bargain compared with the Lexus LS, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the like, but I was still taken aback when I looked at the window sticker and saw that it costs less than $60,000. This is a car that hits many of the "ahh, this is a nice car!" buttons for most Americans. If you're accustomed to driving a BMW 7-series, you're probably not going to like this car. But if you've been driving a Lexus LS and are now looking for something like it for quite a bit less money, you might want to check out the Equus. |
| March 23, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 4.6 |
| Getting into this Hyundai Genesis sedan naturally brought back thoughts of our departed Four Seasons 2009 Hyundai Genesis. I immediately felt at home and comfortable behind the wheel and realized how much I had missed the Genesis being in our regular rotation of vehicles. There's something simple and honest about the controls for everything from the climate control to the navigation and stereo systems. No finicky touch screens, no need for voice commands, and it all seems to work effortlessly when you just want to make a quick adjustment. |
| May 13, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid |
| The Sonata hybrid is unusual in that does not employ a CVT but uses a six-speed automatic instead. This makes for much more conventional, and more pleasant, response when accelerating. It also helps the hybrid powertrain recede into the background. |
| July 12, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T |
| That the Sonata has been a runaway success for Hyundai is no secret. Annual sales are on pace to exceed 200,000 units this year, placing the Sonata among the most popular vehicles on the market, and it's a 2011 Automobile Magazine All-Star. On top of that, we are currently about to wrap up a successful Four Seasons test of a 200-hp four-cylinder Sonata SE, which has proven to be a staff favorite. As further testament to its popularity, the Sonata is ubiquitous on the streets of Ann Arbor. In fact, as I write, I can see a Sonata parallel parking on Liberty Street just outside my office window. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE - Four Season Wrap-Up |
| It's fair to say that we were surprised by the Hyundai Sonata. Granted, the previous Sonata was a competent offering, but it was not exactly a standout. With the new Sonata, however, staff members suddenly started tossing around phrases like "best-in-class." |
| December 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring SE |
| I had the chance to drive the Elantra Touring shortly after it came out in 2009. That car had a peppy four-banger with a lively chassis and a communicative clutch; sadly, this Elantra Touring was not that car. |
| August 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Infiniti |
| 2011 Infiniti FX35 AWD |
| I have very fond memories of our Four Seasons 2003 Infiniti FX45. Back then, closing each print issue required a trip to Chicago and, more often than not, I was one of two designated to make the drive. There was never a shortage of excellent vehicles in our test fleet, but after driving the FX45 once, I was hooked and it became my go-to vehicle for the monthly 500-mile trip. It provided the perfect mix of speed, handling, and luxury, and its elevated ride height allowed for a good view of the road ahead and eased the claustrophobia of the inevitable Chicago toll road traffic. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe IPL |
| If you get behind the wheel of an Infiniti G37 IPL coupe expecting the sort of transformation that takes place between a BMW 335i and M3, you'll be severely disappointed. Infiniti is targeting the BMW 335is with its first IPL offering and thus keeping the price premium for the IPL badge pretty minimal. It's a good thing that the price increase is minimal because the performance increase is minimal, too. I don't think I would have guessed I was driving an IPL instead of a regular G37 coupe if I didn't know before I got behind the wheel. Perhaps a few laps on a road course would help demonstrate the IPL package's 18 extra hp and 6 additional lb-ft of torque, but the difference is negligible on a commute. |
| May 25, 2011 |
| 2011 Infiniti QX56 - Four Seasons Update - October 2011 |
| It isn't uncommon for Four Seasons test vehicles to begin their stay in the Automobile Magazine fleet with lots of enthusiasm and unrelenting demand. Somewhere over the next three seasons the newness fades and interest wanes. Maybe an editor or two even forgets we have a given vehicle in the fleet. But our 2011 Infiniti QX56 remained in demand until the final day of our test. |
| October 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD - Four Seasons Update - July 2011 |
| Last month we were feeling guilty because the QX wasn't being used to its fullest potential. It was mostly just being driven to and from the office, which meant we weren't allowing the QX the opportunity to play to its strengths hauling people, cargo, or trailers. But we put it back to work in July. |
| August 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar |
| 2011 Jaguar XF Supercharged |
| The Jaguar XF debuted for the 2009 model year, and we fell in love with it immediately. We named it to our 2009 and 2010 All-Star teams and we adored our silver Four Seasons test car, even though it was extremely sketchy in the reliability department. Since the XF's debut, it has received upgraded powertrains across the board, including the awesome 470-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 in the XF Supercharged. |
| April 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar XF: Overview |
| The 2011 Jaguar XF lineup sees a few changes. Jaguar's premium-midsize sedan comes in Base, Premium, Supercharged, and high-performance XFR trim levels. Base versions now come equipped with a 385-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, which replaces a 300-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. This engine was previously standard only on the Premium. The Supercharged and XFR have a supercharged version of the 5.0-liter engine; the former has 470 horsepower, the latter 510. All XF models use a 6-speed automatic transmission with "JaguarDrive Selector," which uses a rotary knob for gear selection. The transmission also includes steering-wheel paddles for manual gear changes |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar XFR |
| This is one special kitty. The moment you take a seat behind the wheel, it is obvious that the old-world charm and attention to detail of classic Jaguars is still alive and well in 2011. The starter button glows red, pulsating like a heartbeat, and the interior comes to life in tandem with the growl of the 5.0-liter V-8 -- vents rotating, gauge needles sweeping, and rotary shift knob rising in a perfectly choreographed ballet. Twist the knob to "D" and pull away reveling in the delicious burble that the four-pipe exhaust emits. |
| August 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar XJ Series: Overview |
| The 2011 Jaguar XJ is redesigned, with freshened styling, more power, and new features. Jaguar's flagship sedan comes in standard and extended-wheelbase "L" versions. The latter's wheelbase is about 5 inches longer than standard versions. Trim levels include base XJ, mid-level Supercharged, and top-line Supersport. All are available in standard and extended body styles. They use 5.0-liter V8 engines that team with 6-speed automatic transmissions. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar XJL |
| If the auto industry were a college literature course, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi would be those tight-pony-tailed girls who sit right up front taking color coded notes and organizing study groups for every chapter. Jaguar would be that guy who walks in late with Cheetos on his sweatshirt, apologizes for bringing the wrong novel, and then scores the highest on the final exam. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2011 Jaguar XKR Convertible |
| I really love the way Jaguar products drive. I really hate the touch-screen infotainment system and pretty much any other electrical item on the car. The problem is with so much traffic clogging up the roads I'm forced to drive most days, I end up spending more time fiddling with the stereo than I do really driving. So I walk away less than thrilled. |
| October 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Jeep |
| 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 - Four Seasons Update - November 2011 |
| We seem to have come to agreement at 120 East Liberty Street on how we feel about our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee: we are going to miss it dearly once it leaves. However, as we head into the end of our year-long test, a new wear-and-tear issue has arisen. |
| December 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Jeep Wrangler: Overview |
| The 2011 Jeep Wrangler gets a redesigned interior. This off-road-ready SUV has 2 doors and seats 5. A 4-door version called the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is also available (see separate report). Trim levels include Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon. All are available with a folding soft top or a removable hardtop. A 202-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine is the sole engine. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 |
| The Jeep Wrangler received a lot of changes for the 2011 model year, most notably a much-improved interior with actual padded door armrests(!). Unfortunately, Chrysler decided to hold off giving the Wrangler the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 that has recently spread throughout most of the rest of Chrysler's corporate lineup, so Jeep's icon retains the 3.8-liter V-6 that's remarkably similar to the engine in my dad's old 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan ES. The four-speed automatic in this test Wrangler (hmm, just like my dad's old minivan, too) does this hoary engine no favors, either. |
| March 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia |
| 2011 Kia Forte Koup SX |
| I'll never fault a car for being too good looking, but the Kia Forte Koup's seductive styling creates some unmet expectations. It looks rather like a 3/5 scale Audi A5, right down to the glorious LED tail lamps. That theme continues inside, albeit with some concession to materials cost. The thickly bolstered seats, the clear round gauges, and the contrast stitching on the steering wheel all say that this is a tasty German sport coupe, rather than a value-oriented Korean compact. The spec sheet looks even better, providing all the things you'd expect from a hot Volkswagen -- a powerful four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a sport-tuned suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes -- at a Kia price. |
| September 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Forte Koup SX |
| The Forte Koup is a nice-looking car, even if I'm not a fan of the electric blue on this particular test vehicle. Inside, the coupe is very hospitable, with a black leather interior that is saved from being too dour by red stitching along the edges of the seats and a nicely laid out instrument panel that has orange/red backlighting. When I first climbed into the car I was happy to see that it had a manual gearbox -- oh, wait, it's an automatic that's masquerading as a manual, with a leather sleeve around the base of the shifter. Oh well, at least it has six forward speeds rather than the five with which it was introduced a year earlier. And this SX model has the 174-hp four-cylinder rather than the 156-hp base engine, so it's got an extra dose of power. |
| July 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Forte SX Sedan |
| The Kia Forte is a perfectly competent, quite acceptable small sedan, and if your heart is set on buying one, by all means do so. But first check out the competition, especially the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus, and the Hyundai Elantra. Each of those cars is more attractive, more refined, and more fuel-efficient than the Forte sedan, yet no more expensive than the Kia. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Forte SX 5-door |
| The Kia Forte 5-door is new for this year and expands upon the existing sedan and Koup body styles. I like the styling and packaging of the Forte hatchback, but the car could use a little more refinement to match up to its competitors. I drove a Forte sedan two years ago and was rather impressed, but that was a different small-car market. Compared to the latest crop of small cars available in 2011, this Forte 5-door feels cheap and unsatisfying to drive. |
| June 22, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid |
| Kia has really come a long way in a short time, and it seems that few people have taken notice. Styling is the most visible improvement to Kia's product portfolio, and Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi, gets the credit there. Powertrains have also come a long way, though they aren't quite as remarkable as the new design language. |
| November 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Optima SX turbo |
| The 2011 Kia Optima SX makes the midsize sedan interesting through fine cabin appointments, plenty of power, and unique exterior styling. |
| July 22, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo |
| Another Kia Optima, another car crippled by wretched tires. As with the less powerful Kia Optima EX that we tested in late 2010, this Optima Turbo was shod with Nexen Class Premiere tires. Just as you'd expect, delivering an extra 74 hp to the front wheels does little good when the tires have all the grip of a greased pan. It's a shame that Kia pinched pennies when choosing the tires, because they take away so much from an otherwise excellent car. |
| April 12, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Optima: Overview |
| The 2011 Kia Optima is redesigned with freshened styling and a new gas/electric hybrid model. This midsize car shares elements of its basic design and powertrains with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata produced by Kia's corporate parent. Optima reprises its LX, EX, and SX trim levels, and adds a Hybrid model for 2011. LX and EX have a 200-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Sportage EX - Four Seasons Update - December 2011 |
| In our minds, the raison d'etre of an all-wheel-drive crossover, even a small, high-style one like the Kia Sportage, is to slog through adverse weather. Despite the unseasonably mild weather Southeast Michigan has experienced so far, we can confirm that the Sportage, which we've shod with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, lives up to this basic mission. |
| January 20, 2012 |
| 2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD - Four Seasons Introduction |
| The current list of crossover offerings in the U.S. market is dizzying. It's the fastest growing segment, with and competitive offerings from nearly every automaker. For this reason, it takes a lot to turn our heads with a new crossover, but the 2011 Kia Sportage did just that. Its edgy styling and sporty driving dynamics -- for the category -- impressed us when we first drove it last fall. And with the recent launch of the turbocharged SX model, it's clear that Kia is taking the sporty theme seriously. But it's the mainstream EX that we feel will be the top seller for Kia, so that's what we wanted to put through our Four Seasons test. |
| April 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Sportage SX (First Drive) |
| Not too long ago the term "crossover" was a dirty word around these parts. The me-too products were more lame attempts to capture market share in a burgeoning segment than objectively good vehicles. They filled a spot on the showroom floor but they lacked style, personality and most egregiously, any semblance of driver involvement. Thankfully, those days are receding into memory as vehicles like the Kia Sportage SX emerge. |
| March 15, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Sorento SX AWD |
| Whoa there, Nelly! The initial throttle tip-in is too aggressive and makes it difficult to pull away smoothly from a stop. I know that Kia wants its SX models to have a sportier feel than other trim levels, but give us progressive throttle response, please. Compared with lesser Sorento models, the SX gets its own body kit, which includes gaping fog-light openings, which I don't care for, and LED taillights, which I do: a slim ring of diodes serve as running lights, and the diodes within the ring illuminate under braking. It looks very cool. |
| July 27, 2011 |
| 2011 Kia Sportage SX AWD |
| If the automaker to watch in 2010 was Hyundai, Kia receives that honor for 2011. Not only does Kia match Hyundai's promise of value and quality products, the Koreans have quickly figured out how to share important parts like engines and platforms without creating me-too vehicles that only have different badges. The differences between a Hyundai Sonata and a Kia Optima are significant -- both the exterior design and the interior execution. |
| May 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Land Rover |
| 2011 Land Rover Range Rover HSE |
| I'd never been in a Range Rover before I had the chance to drive ours. I've heard nothing but praise when it comes to this car, so I had high expectations. Rightfully so for a car that has a base price of almost $80,000. Luckily, the luxury SUV met, even exceeded, all of my expectations. |
| November 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus |
| 2011 Lexus CT 200h |
| Despite its sporty appearance, the 2011 Lexus CT 200h uses its hybrid power train for fuel economy, not speed. Lexus offers solid cabin tech that falls short of groundbreaking. |
| June 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus CT 200h Premium |
| Even as it successfully launched its Scion brand to attract the youth market, Toyota did little to attract a younger audience for its Lexus brand. The new CT200h hybrid hatch is an attempt to change that. Lexus hopes that its combination of performance and its green image will capture the attention of affluent buyers in their 30s and 40s. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus GS: Overview |
| The 2011 Lexus GS sees no major changes. This is the sportier of Lexus' two premium-midsize cars. The lineup starts with the GS 350, which has a 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The GS 460 has a 342-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 and an 8-speed automatic. Also available is the gas/electric hybrid GS 450h. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus GS350 AWD |
| The current-generation GS has been on the market for six years, an eternity in the world of premium cars. So when I drove it last night and asked myself the inevitable question, why would anyone buy this over its many much newer competitors, I said, well, Lexus must offer some killer lease deals on the GS. So I went to the Lexus Web site expecting to find these killer lease deals with, like, headlines blaring, "Drive a Lexus GS350 for only $599 a month, no money down!!!" I didn't find anything of the sort, but I did come across a Lexus-provided comparison of the GS with three principal competitors: the Mercedes-Benz E350, the Infiniti M37, and the BMW 535i. |
| May 3, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus GS450h |
| This black Lexus GS450h looks slick, provides a comfortable ride, and has a very quiet cabin. The "h" at the end of the model name means this Lexus is a hybrid, and I'm quite impressed with its operation. The gasoline engine kicks in almost silently and with very little vibration, and the brakes feel as natural as those on a non-hybrid car. |
| July 19, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus IS350 AWD |
| The IS350 is something of a dark horse in this very competitive segment. In this case, I mean that literally, as our test car looks quite stealthy and intimidating in black. The aggressive styling isn't quite as pretty as that of an Infiniti G37 or an Audi A4 but still convinces you this is a sport sedan, and it has aged well. The interior is less successful, as lots of dark trim and modern shapes create an atmosphere more gloomy than sporty. Still, the materials are of high quality and the simple, circular gauges are just right. |
| April 19, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus LX570 |
| It's amazing how quickly the Lexus LX570 has aged. When this monster SUV debuted for the 2008 model year, it felt ridiculously fast, very comfortable, and seemed enormous. In 2011, the LX570 feels much older than it should because of the myriad buttons, knobs, and levers to control the various suspension, 4wd, climate control, and audio systems. |
| April 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus RX AWD 4dr: Overview |
| When you buy a car, a big part of your decision will be choosing which trim type and amenities you want. In addition to the RX, the 2011 Lexus RX is available in the 2 trims below. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Lexus RX 350 AWD |
| It's easy to hold up the RX as a symbol of what's wrong with the Lexus brand -- dull to look at, dull to drive, far too common -- but as an actual vehicle it remains quite good. The RX exudes a sense of solidity that goes beyond its size. The interior, though dour and dark for my tastes, fits together impeccably and filters out just about all outside noise. Toyota's 3.5-liter V-6 has to work pretty hard to hustle the RX350's 4343 pounds, but it's one of the most refined six-cylinders on the market, so it never sounds unpleasantly strained. I'm always surprised by how firm the steering and suspension are in this crossover. It's not an athletic, involving machine, but neither is it a flaccid one. |
| October 20, 2011 |
| 2011 Lotus |
| 2011 Lotus Evora S (Driven) |
| Every year my BFF Marty and I take a cross-country motorcycle trip, but last year I had to skip as I was still trying to get settled in my new job as creative director at Automobile Magazine. This year's trip was again foiled due to work. I'd been texting Marty all week about his trip plans and details, as I was so jealous. According to media reports about Harold Camping's Doomsday, the world was going to end, and here I was stuck at the office. |
| June 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Lotus Evora S (First Drive) |
| If you didn't notice the more pronounced rear diffuser, matte black door mirrors, and single exhaust, then it's this Evora's S badge that gives the game away. The S, of course, means this Evora wears a supercharger atop its mid-mounted Toyota-sourced V-6 engine. |
| June 15, 2011 |
| 2011 Lotus |
| 2011 Lotus Evora IPS and Evora S |
| The 2011 Lotus Evora IPS (top picture) is essentially an automatic-transmission version of this mid-engine exotic car. It's a 6-speed unit that pairs with a Toyota-sourced 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. A manual-transmission version of this car is also offered. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Mahindra |
| 2011 Mahindra TR: Overview |
| What was scheduled to be the 2011 Mahindra TR might come to market as a 2012 model. See Consumer Guide's report of the 2012 Mahindra TR for our review, prices, and specifications. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Maserati |
| 2011 Maserati GranTurismo MC (First Drive) |
| The Maserati GranTurismo is big, wide, and heavy. Even in its new, racy MC guise, it is more of a GT than a hard-core sports car. But under the direction of former Formula 1 racing driver Ivan Capelli, the Maserati Corse division has created an intriguing evolution of the GranTurismo that is surprisingly easy to live with. |
| April 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Maserati GranTurismo: Overview |
| The 2011 Maserati GranTurismo sees few changes following the addition of a convertible body style for 2010. This 4-passenger coupe and convertible shares much of its basic design with the Maserati Quattroporte sedan. The base GranTurismo is available as both coupe and convertible. The sporty S is only offered as a coupe. A GranTurismo Convertible Sport with a 450-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 will be offered as a 2012 model. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Maserati Quattroporte: Overview |
| The 2011 Maserati Quattroporte continues with few changes as the Italian company's sporty, rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan. It is offered in three trim levels: Base, S, and Sport GT S. The Base model comes with a 405-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. S has a 425-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 along with an adjustable suspension with Normal and Sport settings; this is optional on the Base model. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Maybach |
| 2011 Maybach 57: Overview |
| The 2011 Maybach 57 and 57S get revised exterior styling. The 57S also gains horsepower. Maybach is the ultra-luxury division of Mercedes-Benz. Maybach was an engine manufacturer that supplied motors for Zeppelin airships before World War II and also built luxury cars from 1921 to 1940. The Maybach name was revived in 2001. The 57 and 57S are large luxury sedans riding on an 133.5-inch wheelbase. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Maybach 62: Overview |
| The 2011 Maybach 62 line gets revised exterior styling. The top-line 62S and Landaulaet also gain horsepower. Maybach is the ultra-luxury division of Mercedes-Benz. Maybach was an engine manufacturer that supplied motors for Zeppelin airships before World War II and also built luxury cars from 1921 to 1940. The Maybach name was revived in 2001. The 62, 62S, and Landaulet are large luxury sedans for the chauffeur-driven market riding on a 150.7-inch wheelbase. The Landaulet is distinguished from the 62 and 62S by a retractable rear soft-roof section. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda |
| 2011 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD |
| It's easy to forget the Mazda CX-9, because it's been out for several years, but every time I get into one I remember that it's a really nice, very refined family crossover. It's good-looking, too. The 3.7-liter V-6 works very well with the six-speed automatic, and I don't think most drivers would ever want for power. |
| March 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Soft Top |
| I've driven every generation and iteration of Mazda Miata for the past twenty years, and I remain an enthusiastic fan. It's definitely a car I would like to have in my own garage. I hadn't driven one in a while and even though my drive this time was in rain, I still came away with a renewed appreciation for the Miata's purity of purpose, its simplicity, its smallness, and with the way it continues to prove the worth of its original premise: oneness of horse and rider. |
| November 10, 2010 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: A Trip Down Memory Lane |
| Not so long ago, the thought of inching a Mazda Miata onto a giant car ferry in Muskegon, Michigan, at 9:30 on a Thursday morning -- after already having driven three hours on the interstate in the little cruise-control-less two-seater -- wouldn't have seemed very appealing to me. You see, before I worked at Automobile Magazine, I thought that Mazda Miatas were chick cars and American horsepower was absolute king. |
| August 23, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Ann Arbor to Chicago sans Expressway |
| As an employee of Automobile Magazine, it pains me to admit I don't always look for the most fun route between point A and point B. I love to drive for the sake of driving but some days I just need to get where I'm going as efficiently as possible. Right now my wife works in Chicago while I work in Ann Arbor, so I spend a lot of time driving between our two houses and I always stick to expressways and toll roads to shave time off the weekly trips. But that becomes very monotonous. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Ann Arbor to Mount Pleasant |
| Being offered a chance to drive a new car is one I would rarely pass up, and this weekend is no exception. So, when the opportunity came my way, I jumped at the chance to drive our 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata to Central Michigan University, a school that I almost went to and that many of my closest friends attend. With the hard top in place and the black OZ wheels looking stellar, I set my sights on a college weekend with my friends. |
| August 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Ann Arbor to Philadelphia |
| Six months ago, you would have found me in a crazier place in my life: I was living in the thick of the college experience and my days were filled with running to class in slippers, feverishly updating my resume, and cramming for final exams. Flash forward to today, and the situation is much different: I'm a 21-year-old college graduate, I have a steady job, and I have leases on a sensible apartment and a sensible mid-size sedan. I've reached a point of relative stability, which is nice, but as I drove home from the grocery store a few weeks ago, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'm getting...boring. |
| September 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Bare Bones |
| Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, is known for a lot of things, like excessive drinking during Little 500 week and a basketball team that used to be good, but what it's not known for is being a driver's paradise -- and that's because it's not. |
| August 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Second Chances |
| As the office manager at Automobile Magazine, I don't often have the opportunity to drive the cars in our test fleet. In fact, I had sworn off driving any of them about a year ago when the BMW 7-series I was shuttling suffered a glancing blow with a metal pole. So it was an unexpected pleasure to have deputy editor Joe DeMatio, who must have decided that I had completed my penance, offer me the chance to spend a weekend with the Mazda Miata. |
| July 27, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Shoe Shopping |
| Even before our summer Miata arrived, we had planned to purchase a second set of tires. Knowing that the nimble, rear-wheel-drive roadster would see several track days and autocrosses, we wanted more aggressive rubber to help us turn faster laps and to preserve the stock Yokohama Advan A11As for daily use. When our early outings to GingerMan Raceway revealed that the standard 205/50VR-16 rubber was quite clumsy due to its tall and flexible sidewall, the need for grippier tires took on a new sense of urgency. |
| August 18, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Summer: Track Time |
| One of our main motivations behind driving a 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata for the summer is to get on the track. With fifteen drivers of varying skill level in the Automobile Magazine office, the Miata is the perfect track toy. No new car is so accessible to novice drivers and simultaneously so satisfying to experts. |
| August 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata: One wedding and a campus tour |
| Since its arrival at the beginning of the summer, our Four Seasons Mazda Miata has rarely been parked long enough for the engine to cool. Imagine my surprise and delight, then, when its keys fall into my hands for a weekend; a weekend, as luck would have it, that coincides with my cousin's wedding. But the wedding is only going to take up half of Saturday, so I need to decide what else I can do to make the most of my time with the little convertible. Since the event is taking place in and around the city of East Lansing, the home of my alma mater, Michigan State University, it seems like a no-brainer to take the Miata to visit the campus, a place I haven't been in more than five years. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The 1400-Mile Mixtape |
| Happily for me, spending the Fourth of July weekend with my family meant a 600-plus-mile drive from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the New York City metro area in our black 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata. |
| July 12, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Miata Summer |
| We love the Mazda Miata. The tiny, softtop sports car is a rare automotive species that generates unanimous enthusiasm from our staff. We've been smitten with the tossable, toy-like Mazda ever since its 1989 arrival. As proof of its enduring, universal appeal, the Miata can claim eleven Automobile Magazine All-Star awards and our inaugural Automobile of the Year honor. We love the Mazda Miata. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Miata Summer Week Four |
| In these uncertain times, it can't hurt to have a safety net, a backup plan in case everything goes to hell in an imported-from-Greece hand basket. For me, that safety net is a no-frills Mazda Miata. If I somehow lose this amazing gig at Automobile Magazine -- perhaps when my superiors tire of my tendency to burn food in the office kitchen or my limited parking skills -- I figure I can get a job flipping burgers somewhere and purchase a Miata. No, it wouldn't quite be like driving a Spyker C8 Aileron through a ribbon of mountain roads, but it would, I'd hope, sate my considerable thirst for automotive entertainment on an austerity budget. |
| June 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring |
| Within minutes of leaving our parking garage I wished for a chance to take this Mazda RX-8 to a road course. It's rare to experience a car that likes to rev as much as this one and has such a great chassis. The rotary engine is much better suited to track use than street driving because it drinks gas and oil at an impressive rate and doesn't ever produce much in the way of torque. |
| June 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Mazda RX-8 R3 |
| The RX-8 is fantastic because everything that is wrong with it is also everything that is right with it. Let's start with the engine: it's got less displacement than two bottles of San Pellegrino water, sounds like a spinning hard drive, and burns both premium gasoline and motor oil at a rate that would make a Prius blush. |
| October 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Mercedes |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG |
| Objectively, the price of any CL is insane given how much less expensive a mechanically identical S-class is, but the point of these coupes is exclusivity and CL shoppers are well past the point of a logical purchase. To go along with that, the CL550, CL600, CL63 AMG, and CL65 AMG are essentially splitting hairs in terms of performance differences, but Mercedes claims there are very specific buyers for each model. The truth is any of these coupes is a revelation to experience the first time. |
| June 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe |
| This C63 AMG coupe seems like a total bargain compared with the CLS63 AMG four-door test car that we also recently drove here at Automobile Magazine. That car was larded up with $34K in options, making it sticker for a breathtaking $130K. This C63 is, arguably, a more entertaining proposition, even though it has 69 fewer hp and 147 fewer lb-ft of torque than the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 CLS63 with the AMG performance package. |
| January 20, 2012 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Overview |
| The 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is largely unchanged. Mercedes-Benz designed this tall, relatively narrow 4-door wagon in the 1970s for military use. "G" denotes Gelaendewagen--German for cross-country vehicle. Two models are offered. The G550 has a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The G55 from Mercedes' AMG performance division has a 500-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V8. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4matic |
| I'm sorry, but until Mercedes makes this car look better than a 2004 Subaru Forester with a three-pointed star in the grille, I'm going to have a tough time taking it seriously. It's perfectly nice inside, drives well and functions perfectly at its assigned tasks, but there's not enough here to get over the lackluster styling and make you take this little SUV over a host of cheaper, and more attractive, alternatives. |
| April 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Overview |
| The 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup gains a new diesel model. One of this premium-large car's high-performance models gets a new engine for 2011. The S-Class roster includes the S550, S600, gas/electric S400 Hybrid, and new-for-2011 S350 BlueTEC diesel. Also offered are the high-performance S63 and S65, which are tuned by Mercedes' AMG performance division. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 |
| If you value agility and sportiness in your luxury car, check out the BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ, or Porsche Panamera. Of course, if you really value agility and sportiness, check out something smaller than a massive luxury sedan. That's why I'd pass over those other fine-driving machines in favor of a Mercedes-Benz S-class if I were buying a large luxury sedan. Unlike its peers, the S550 makes no attempts at masking its size, and instead embraces the idea of a car with a wheelbase as long as a football field. |
| July 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Mini |
| 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 |
| It doesn't take a marketing genius to recognize the inherent risk in adding a crossover to a brand called "Mini." Indeed, a high-riding, Austrian-built four-wheel-drive vehicle sounds like a quick and easy way to pour a decade's worth of brand equity down the drain. However, the Countryman is a triumph of strong execution over questionable judgment, which is a fancy way of saying it's really nice. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 - Four Seasons Update - January 2012 |
| Winter is finally here. So far, though, it's been more cold than snow. With the cold temperatures, we've been paying more attention than usual to the Mini's climate control system. |
| January 23, 2012 |
| 2011 Mitsubishi |
| 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC |
| As today's A.D.D. culture has filtered into the auto market, new niches seem to pop up overnight, and they're immediately swamped with competitors. The latest auto niche is the small crossover, and here's Mitsubishi on the vanguard with the Outlander Sport (although the Nissan Juke, with its megabucks ad budget, may be more well-known). |
| May 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan |
| 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring |
| Our test car's white exterior over a black and orange interior made for a very sharp color combination. This is a serious sports car, with a very stout chassis, nicely communicative, precise steering, great body control, and excellent roadholding and grip. What we've also got is a VQ-series V-6 that is bordering on unacceptably coarse, hoarse, and harsh. When you give this car the stick, you're not rewarded with mellifluous mechanical noises; instead, you get a lot of harshness and a lot of driveline resonance and lash. |
| May 23, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Altima: Overview |
| The 2011 Nissan Altima sees no major changes following its model-year 2010 freshening. This midsize car comes in sedan and coupe body styles. Compared with the coupes, sedans ride on a longer wheelbase and are slightly longer overall. Four-cylinder and V6 engines are shared between body styles. A gas/electric Hybrid model is offered as a sedan. Altima 2.5 models come in Base and S trim levels. They have a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. V6 versions are called 3.5 SR and use a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic is standard on all sedans and available on coupes. Coupes are also offered with a 6-speed manual. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Cube 1.8S KROM |
| The Cube Krom's over-the-top body-cladding and extra bling is not my style -- I do really like the checkerboard seat fabric though -- but the moment I opened the door and slid into the driver's seat I remembered what made our Four Seasons Cube so easy to live with. The wide opening doors, cushy seats, low step-in height, and compact footprint make the Cube easy to drive and an absolutely perfect urban vehicle. |
| July 18, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Juke (Driven) |
| It's rather downbeat, but there's truth in those words, which a friend said to me the summer before I entered college. By and large, college is a wonderful reminiscence. For many, those four (or more) years are painted with cheery images of welcome week, spring break, and three-day benders. What you don't remember is how slovenly life was between those events. Recovering from hangovers. Clicking refresh on Facebook. Microwaving things. |
| March 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Juke SV AWD |
| Quick first impressions: Much more fun to drive than the usual crossover, thanks to the compact size and responsive chassis. I can't say that the CVT adds to the driving pleasure, though. I understand that they're efficient, but I think this car would be better served by a manual gearbox -- it's a shame Nissan doesn't see fit to offer the manual in conjunction with all-wheel-drive. |
| March 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Juke SV FWD M/T - Four Seasons Introduction |
| The Juke is the latest in a long line of truly distinctive cars that have helped Nissan stand out from the automotive crowd. (Besides the current Leaf, Cube, and GT-R, let's not forget about the Pulsar NX, the Japanese-market S-Cargo, and the Figaro of the late 1980s and early '90s). Already, the Juke's looks have been likened on this website to those of a frog, a deep-sea fish, and a Pontiac Aztek. This peculiar-looking, inexpensive crossover, like the Cube, is built on the underpinnings of the even-more-affordable Nissan Versa hatchback. Clearly, plenty of people are pleased with the aesthetic pizzazz offered for a starting price of just $20,330 -- Americans bought more than 29,000 Jukes in the vehicle's first ten months on sale (through July 2011). |
| August 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Juke SV FWD M/T - Four Seasons Update - January 2012 |
| Five months into its one-year test, our Four Seasons Nissan Juke has racked up fewer than 9000 miles, which is a very slow pace for the road-hungry folks at Automobile Magazine. Still, that's enough usage that our funky-looking Nissan recently visited the dealer for routine maintenance for the second time. |
| January 19, 2012 |
| 2011 Nissan Juke vs. 2011 Mini Countryman |
| The Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman beg to be compared. The small crossovers are so similar in every physical measure and mechanical specification that you could imagine they were born of the same focus group, the same marketing gurus, and the same engineering team. Length, width, and height between the two are all within an inch. |
| March 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Cutting off the Long Tail |
| Anyone who's been paying attention to the nerdier ends of the internet over the past few years might be familiar with the concept of "the long tail." For those who haven't, here's a brief rundown: computer nerds tell us that, for almost anything quantifiable (like the number of cars a family owns), a bunch of people will have a low number (many families have one or two cars), but as that quantity grows larger, the corresponding percentage of people will drop (few families have three cars, fewer still have four, and so on). The name comes from the graph used to show this, which looks like a long tail. |
| July 27, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Fine For The Long(er) Runs |
| With apologies to Dr. Seuss, would I, could I live with an electric vehicle? The length of my commute (20-30 miles) plus my leadfoot driving style suggests the answer is no, but I'm not convinced. Despite some of my colleagues -- many of whom live far closer to Automobile HQ than I -- exhibiting some tinges of the dreaded range anxiety, I sign on to shepherd our Leaf for a full seven days. |
| June 30, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: It's Cool, But I Don't Want One |
| In many ways, I'm the perfect candidate for a Nissan Leaf electric car. I live just three miles away from my workplace, I have a garage in which I could charge the car each night, and I have another gasoline-powered car for trips that exceed the Leaf's maximum range. Yet after driving it as my only vehicle for six days, I'm not convinced that I could live with the Nissan Leaf. |
| June 10, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Living with an Electric Car |
| The first Nissan Leaf, the company's highly anticipated all-electric vehicle, was delivered to a customer in December 2010. In the months since, the price of gas has soared to more than $4 per gallon, and the desirability of alternative-fuel vehicles has soared right along with it. So it seems as if the time is ripe for Automobile Magazine to do a long-term (two-month) test of the Leaf. We've tapped various staff editors to each spend one week with the Leaf as their only mode of transportation, thereby giving us a good idea of what it's like to live with an electric vehicle every day. |
| May 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Plugged in |
| On paper, the Leaf and I are a perfect match; I drive 35 miles round trip to work; I have no children so my vehicle doesn't need to double as a shuttle service; and I'm a bit of a homebody, so most nights I eat in or go for dinner at a friend's house, most of whom live within a few miles. But I view a car not so much as transportation but as a source of entertainment, so I was skeptical of the Leaf. Would it be able to satisfy my enthusiast side, or is it little more than a tarted-up golf cart? I start the week with an open mind, but I'm prepared to be disappointed. |
| August 2, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Pushing the limits |
| Unlike many of my colleagues, I am NOT a very good candidate to own one of the handful of electric cars on the market today. My round-trip from home to work is 45 miles. I have two young daughters who require lots of random gear and, before long, will surely be involved in all manner of activities that require extensive shuttling. Their grandparents all live within a 22-mile radius of our house, but I nonetheless drive more than 250 miles on a typical weekend. |
| June 23, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Range Anxiety for No Reason |
| Of everyone on the staff of Automobile Magazine, I am probably the most well-suited for life with an all-electric car. My home is only 3.5 miles from our office in downtown Ann Arbor, and much of my social life takes place within the boundaries by of the roads that form a ring around this small city. However, despite my short-distance, mostly urban travels, I couldn't help but be anxious that I would run of juice. To my eyes, the range meter was a countdown clock to the moment when I would become stranded on the side of the road. Following is a chronicle of my week with the Leaf. |
| June 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Range Anxiety Sets In |
| I'm starting my week with the Nissan Leaf, which is sitting, fully charged, in our parking structure, showing a range of 102 miles. After only two miles on the road, that range has already plummeted to 77 miles, based I guess on my aggressive driving, because I'm late to my core training class across town. |
| June 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf: Super Commuter |
| Quaint though it may sound in this era of instant communication, life at Automobile Magazine very much revolves around the monthly cycle of producing a magazine. During the early part of the month, we plan stories, go on adventures, and generally have a grand ole time while driving as much as possible. By week three and especially week four, however, we buckle down into production mode: writing, proofreading, coffee drinking, and then more proofreading. Exhausted drives home are the norm, leading editors to pine less for a hot engine and more for cool air-conditioning, a good radio, and cozy seats. In other words, we become normal commuters. |
| July 6, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (First Drive) |
| The conference room at Santa Monica's Fairmont Miramar Hotel is filled with bewildered journalists. Nissan's marketers and product planners have brought us here to explain the Murano CrossCabriolet, but it's not working. They point to the screen and slowly repeat the words "no compromise" over and over, but it's like sitting through an advanced calculus class taught by Charlie Brown's teacher. Waw-WAW-waw-waw. Yes, ma'am, we're paying attention, but we just don't understand you. |
| May 3, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet AWD |
| If SUVs and crossovers effectively have replaced full-size cars in the U.S. marketplace, then the Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet is the Chevy Caprice convertible or the Ford LTD droptop of today. Like those big boats of yesteryear, the Murano Cross Cabriolet is a convertible for those who want to take along four people in relative comfort on their al fresco excursions. |
| June 15, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Murano SL AWD |
| After I spent a weekend reading about the Murano-based Infiniti JX's reveal at Pebble Beach, my viewpoint on the Murano was that it was a bland but necessary ingredient that Nissan would use to create a new, exciting crossover. |
| October 03, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Quest (Driven) |
| Nissan has not had an easy time of it in the U.S. minivan market. The original Quest, codeveloped with Ford and sold also as the Mercury Villager, was undersized. Nissan's next Quest was a solo effort that featured avant-garde design -- too avant-garde, as it turned out -- and which was built at the company's brand-new U.S. factory in Mississippi. That Quest was dogged by quality problems, and sales were disappointing. Nissan has now given up engineering a minivan specifically for the American market, and its latest Quest is instead an adaptation of the Japanese-market Elgrand minivan, and is imported from Japan. |
| October 06, 2011 |
| 2011 Nissan Quest SL |
| Finally, a Nissan in a mainstream segment that possesses some of the charm and style of the brand's many niche offerings. I love the Quest's slab-sided styling, if only because it goes directly against the swoopy-van trend currently pursued by the new Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. It's almost like it's saying, "Yeah I'm a huge van designed for carrying around juice boxes and dog kennels. You got a problem with that?" I don't. The interior isn't quite as spunky -- no shag carpets here, like in the Cube -- but is still more interesting to look at than the cabins of its main competitors. |
| March 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Porsche |
| 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (First Look) |
| Apparently not satisfied with five, ten, 15, or even 20 variants of the 911, Porsche has launched yet another version of its vaunted sports car. The 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is a halo performance machine limited to just 600 units worldwide. It is a step up from the 911 GT3 RS and was inspired by the 911 GT3 RSR race car. |
| April 28, 2011 |
| 2011 Porsche 911: Overview |
| The 2011 Porsche 911 lineup gains some new special-edition models for what will likely be its final model year in its current design. The 911 roster consists of rear-wheel-drive Carrera, Carrera S, and new-for-2011 Carrera GTS, plus all-wheel-drive Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Targa 4, and Targa 4S. Carreras come as coupes and as Cabriolet convertibles with a power soft top and heated-glass rear window. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid (Driven) |
| For many people, the Cayenne is an assault on Porsche's brand integrity. The tall and heavy SUV would seem to be the polar opposite of the sports cars that have defined Porsche. But, alas, the Cayenne has become Porsche's bestselling vehicle. |
| August 8, 2011 |
| 2011 Porsche Panamera 4 |
| Porsche has an interesting twist on executive-class transportation in the Panamera. A variety of powertrain options from hybrid to twin-turbo V-8 allow owners to be slightly socially responsible or select all-out performance in the same basic package. Every Panamera comes with Porsche's very nice, if somewhat austere, interior and enough room for tall adults in the rear seat. Aft of the B-pillar the styling gets polarizing, but there's a lot of utility that comes with the hatchback design and you won't confuse your Panamera with any other cars if there's a sea of the typical German luxury sedans at the valet stand. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| 2011 Saab |
| 2011 Saab 9-3 Independence Edition Convertible |
| The 2011 Saab 9-3 Independence Edition is based on the top-line Aero model. As such it comes with most features that luxury buyers want. Leather upholstery with orange contrast piping is standard, along with steering-linked xenon headlights. The unique orange paint appears to be inspired by cars produced by boutique builder Spyker Cars, the company that now owns Saab. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2011 Saab 9-5: Overview |
| The 2011 Saab 9-5 lineup expands to include new trim levels and a new engine. This premium-midsize car comes as a 4-door sedan. A 4-door wagon might arrive in calendar 2011. Introduced for 2010, the 9-5 Aero is joined for 2011 by the new Turbo4 Base, Turbo4 Premium, and Turbo6 trim levels. Turbo4 versions have front-wheel drive and a turbocharged 220-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. |
| March 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Scion |
| 2011 Scion xB |
| The Scion xB is not a car for people who enjoy driving but for those who enjoy style and individuality. The xB isn't exactly my style, but lots of people seem to like it, based on its sales numbers and how many I see on the road. Still, the xB's market share clearly is suffering since the introduction of other boxy competitors such as the Kia Soul and the Nissan Cube. Both outsold the xB last year, and xB sales have fallen off in recent years, from a high of more than 61,000 in 2006 to just 20,000 in 2010. The Soul sold 67,000 units in 2010, almost three times as many copies as the Nissan Cube, its nearest competitor; the aging Honda Element brings up the rear of the pack in the 14,000 range. |
| May 24, 2011 |
| 2011 Subaru |
| 2011 Subaru Forester (First Drive) |
| Since the new version launched in 2008, the Forester has been a tremendous sales success for Subaru, easily outselling its slightly awkward-looking predecessor. Aside from its more regular proportions -- the previous version had an over-tall greenhouse atop a wagon-like body -- the biggest change with the redesigned Forester was its significantly more spacious rear seat. Unlike older Foresters, the new version can easily accommodate full-size adults, front and rear. |
| June 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Subaru Forester: Overview |
| The 2011 Subaru Forester sees a few changes including a revised base engine, new trim levels, and wider feature availability. This compact crossover SUV has standard all-wheel drive. Two models are offered: 2.5X and 2.5XT. Within those two designations are 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT Premium, and new-for-2011 2.5X Touring and 2.5XT Touring. The 2.5XT Touring replaces the 2.5XT Limited as the top Forester trim. All models have a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed "boxer" 4-cylinder engine. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited |
| I find Subaru's Outback and Legacy products to be quite interesting. There's a base model with a normally aspirated H-4, an H-6 model that's only available with an automatic transmission, and a turbocharged H-4 that's only available with a manual transmission. The turbo-4 produces the most power and costs the most, which is probably perplexing for Subaru shoppers not familiar with the WRX and STI models. |
| July 6, 2011 |
| 2011 Suzuki |
| 2011 Suzuki SX4: Overview |
| The 2011 Suzuki SX4 sees only minor trim changes. This subcompact car comes with front-wheel drive as a 4-door sedan and 4-door hatchback called the Sportback. An all-wheel-drive hatchback called the SX4 Crossover is also available. All use a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which behaves like an automatic. Manual-transmission versions have 150 horsepower, while CVT-equipped SX4s have 148 horsepower. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota |
| 2011 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 |
| The Toyota 4Runner is something of an artifact in today's automotive landscape. It rides on a beefy truck platform (the same chassis that underpins the FJ Cruiser), whereas most competitors have switched to lighter unibody designs. With that in mind, I was surprised by just how quiet and comfortable the 4Runner was. |
| October 27, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited |
| It's funny, over the years Toyota has aimed its Avalon at traditional Buick buyers even while Buick has gone after Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. From the moment you slide behind the steering wheel of the Avalon, it's obvious that this is a traditional car chasing traditional-sedan buyers. You know, the people who usually buy Buicks. The big Toyota is definitely geared toward older people, and there's nothing wrong with that, since there's a huge population of aging baby boomers and for many of them the Avalon is the ideal car. All of the controls are simply laid out and easy to decipher. The steering wheel rake is adjusted with a ratcheting device that reminds me of the ones in scores of GM sedans in the past. |
| September 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Corolla LE |
| When all people demanded from small cars was low cost, fuel economy, and reliability, the Corolla was superlative. But to get in one today is to realize how much the bar has been raised in the segment since the Corolla's heyday. The interior is well finished, blessedly easy to use, and the cloth upholstery is better than most, but amenities are sorely lacking. There's no attempt to make this cabin seem anything more than basic; it's utterly devoid of style. The latter comment applies to the exterior as well. There's really nothing beyond rational measures to make you want this car. You certainly won't be eager to get in and drive it, what with its loose and sloppy steering. |
| June 14, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser |
| There's nothing I love more than seeing a Toyota Land Cruiser 40 Series driving down the road. The classic mid-size SUVs are just so damn pretty. I can easily say that no SUV today wears rugged, rough, and charming good looks comparable to the FJ40. Our 2011 FJ Cruiser is no exception. |
| September 20, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Highlander Limited 4x4 |
| This is not an attractive vehicle. The headlight protrusions that are proud of the sheetmetal are particularly odd. Just because you can design headlights any which way you wish doesn't mean that you should. I bring up the styling mainly because so many of the Highlander's competitors are reasonably attractive, from the Chevy Traverse to the Mazda CX-9 to the Kia Sorento. |
| March 17, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Sequoia Limited V8 |
| Look on the side of a road during a snow storm, and you'll almost always see many more trucks than cars. As a product of a stubbornly car-loyal New England family, I've long assumed this was further evidence -- as if any more were needed -- of my superior driving ability. If I can pilot a front-wheel drive sedan down a slushy highway then surely that four-wheel drive GMC Jimmy should've been able to avoid the ditch, right? |
| April 6, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab |
| As much as we like to kvetch about the lousy state of Michigan roads, none are bad enough to need a Toyota Tacoma with skid plates and upgraded shock absorbers. I always think it's wasteful when people buy tough off-roading machines and never actually take them off-road, but I suppose it's no worse than those who buy a BMW M3 for commuting downtown. With that in mind, I fully underutilized our Tacoma's optional TRD off-road package by driving on paved roads to Kroger and Panera Bread. |
| August 1, 2011 |
| 2011 Toyota Tundra Double Cab |
| My household purchased a lightly used, 2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab with the 5.7-liter V-8 last fall, and we have been very happy with it. My main takeaway after driving this brand-new, 2011 Tundra Double Cab is that it pretty much feels exactly like our 2008 vehicle, which now has about 36,000 miles on it. |
| March 31, 2011 |
| 2011 Volkswagen |
| 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI 2-door |
| I'll admit that I'm not the best person to comment on the Golf, for one big reason: the transmission. I'm still new enough at driving a stick that I can't blame the car for most of my stalls and jerky shifts. |
| August 24, 2011 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL |
| We've heard a lot about the übercheap new Jetta and its ambitious plan to attract new buyers. This more expensive SEL model, though, has just as important a job: keep the buyers Volkswagen already has. At first glance, it seems more than up to the task. A perusal of the spec sheet finds all the niceties we've come to expect from the Jetta over the years, including a sunroof, aluminum wheels, and (nice) leatherette seating surfaces, in addition to new features like navigation and keyless start. All of this comes in a roomier car that costs some $500 less than last year's SEL model. |
| March 15, 2011 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Routan SE |
| The Routan SE is much nicer inside than the Dodge, and I prefer the styling over that of the Chrysler. The faux leather seating was thoroughly convincing -- I had no idea it was imitation hide until I read the spec sheet. For $35K including two rear video screens, a 30-gigabyte hard drive, and touch-screen navigation, this van is hard to beat. You lose the Stow 'n' Go seats of the Dodge, but honestly, I'd never miss them. The captains chairs in the Routan (and other vans) are significantly more substantial than the Dodge's folding seats. I've removed the second-row seats from my family's Honda Odyssey maybe half a dozen times in nine years. This much-ballyhooed feature is pretty overrated in my book. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid |
| Volkswagen's Touareg Hybrid shows up with jaw-dropping technology under the hood, and an impressive cabin tech suite as well. The full model name, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Supercharged Hybrid, includes a few terms not usually found together. Yes, this Touareg not only gets gas-electric hybrid propulsion, but also a supercharger on the engine. |
| March 29, 2011 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Executive |
| I drove some 565 miles over an early-April weekend, about 200 miles of which was on two-lane, northern Michigan roads; the rest was mostly freeway. My average fuel economy was 26 mpg, as indicated by the trip computer, so if I had been driving solely on the freeway and kept my speed in check, I suspect I could have achieved the 28-mpg EPA highway figure. I was going 78-80 mph on the freeway and I've been told by automotive engineers that SUVs and crossovers suffer a dramatic loss in fuel efficiency above 70 mph. |
| May 4, 2011 |
| 2012 Acura |
| 2012 Acura TL (First Drive) |
| Numbers may not tell an entire story, but they do help build a business case. When it comes to looking at the figures associated with the fourth-generation Acura TL, which launched in 2009, the luxury sports sedan was a success. The model remains Acura's second best-selling model (eclipsed only by the MDX crossover), and remains the brand's best-selling passenger car. Almost three years after its launch -- and even in the shadow of a global economic shakeup -- nearly 34,000 customers ponied up to bring a TL home in 2010. |
| March 9, 2011 |
| 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD |
| The 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD features a reasonably modern suite of cabin tech, but its power train falls short of innovations seen in the competition. |
| April 15, 2011 |
| 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Advance |
| The Acura TL is an excellent car, and duly impressed my family when I chauffeured them to a Father's Day dinner. The TL manages to blend impeccable comfort with enthusiastic performance. One moment, the TL is a subdued large sedan with a comfy ride, gentle transmission shifts, and slick styling. The next it's a snarling sports sedan, with prodigious acceleration from its V-6, tight steering, and a transmission that's eager to jump between ratios. |
| July 11, 2011 |
| 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech |
| Back in my young and foolish days, I considered swapping a manual transmission into my first car, a front-wheel-drive Pontiac Grand Prix. Thankfully, I didn't go through with it (the cost of parts alone would have exceeded the car's value), but I remain a huge believer in the transformative power of a stick shift. |
| June 27, 2011 |
| 2012 Acura TL: Overview |
| The 2012 Acura TL undergoes a substantial freshening with revised styling, a new transmission, and new features. This premium-midsize sedan reprises Base and SH-AWD (for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) versions, both with a standard V6 engine. Base versions are front-wheel drive and use a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter engine. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| 2012 Aston Martin |
| 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition (First Look) |
| Previously, you could order an Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black Edition in any color you desired, so long as it was Carbon Black. For 2012, however, that's no longer the case: the new DBS Carbon Edition is essentially the same car, albeit it isn't tied to a paint palette that would make Henry Ford proud. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato (First Look) |
| Aston Martin's sexy V12 Zagato has already wowed crowds at auto shows around the globe and endured the infamous Nuerburgring for 24 hours straight, but now it's ready to tackle a new venue: public roads. Aston confirmed long ago that the Zagato-bodied racer would spawn a road car, but announced today such a vehicle will be unveiled at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Aston Martin Virage (First Drive) |
| What's in a name? That's been a question for Aston Martin, which has birthed roughly a dozen aesthetically gifted models -- coupes, convertibles, classic GTs, and a sedan -- from its Vertical Horizontal platform. This James Brown of high-dollar platforms now spins off the Virage and the Virage Volante convertible, and the name reminds us of how boutique makes like Aston must carefully carve and preserve their precious jewels: The original 1988 Virage was the company's first all-new car in twenty years. |
| March 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Aston Martin Virage: Overview |
| The 2012 Aston Martin Virage marks the revival of a nameplate last used by the firm in 1996. The new Virage will slot between the DB9 and the its more sporting derivative, the DBS. This exotic sports car will be offered in 2-door coupe and convertible (Volante) body styles. Both seat 4, although the back seat of the coupe can be deleted. Styling tweaks differentiate the Virage from its siblings. Power is provided by Aston's 6.0-liter V12 putting out 490 horsepower. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi |
| 2012 Audi A1 Sportback (First Look) |
| Audi's smallest model line has now grown an extra pair of doors. The five-door A1, dubbed the A1 Sportback, is poised to reach European showrooms after the first of the year. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro Sedan |
| You might not notice the 2012 Audi A6 at first. Although the classy, taut lines look expensive, the overall appearance is somewhat understated. Whereas the larger A7 and A8 have chromed front grilles, the A6 has a gloss-black beak, further turning down the flash factor. There is no denying that the car still has curb appeal, turning a few heads and drawing awed compliments from friends. |
| September 7, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi A7 (Driven) |
| Once the hero of the downsizing era, the hatchback had its heyday in the '70s and '80s, when gas prices spiked. As Americans rushed into small cars -- most for the first time ever -- hatchbacks allowed them to still bring along lots of stuff. But it was their very success back then, in cars like the Ford Pinto, the Datsun B210, the Plymouth Horizon, the Chevy Monza, and dozens of others, that today makes the body style an unhappy reminder of cheap economy cars past. |
| September 9, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi A7 3.0T Premium Plus |
| This was our chariot from Central Park South in Manhattan back home to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and what a fine chariot it was. Over 610 miles and about 11 hours of driving, including stops, the Audi A7 was fast and comfortable and predictable. We did wish it was equipped with adaptive cruise control, but the conventional cruise control system worked very well and it was easy to dial in exactly the speed we wanted (generally, 72 or 73 mph in cop-crazy Pennsylvania and Ohio). |
| June 2, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi A7 3.0T Prestige |
| No, the A7 may not hold quite as much cargo as the European-exclusive 2012 A6 Avant, but it does manage to blend additional practicality and stunning design into a single package. I used the A7 the other day to pick up two large roof vents for my house and it turned a number of heads in the Home Depot parking lot. |
| June 24, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi A7: Overview |
| The 2012 Audi A7 is the latest addition to this German automaker's lineup. This premium-midsize car is a 4-door hatchback that borrows elements of its basic design from the Audi A6 sedan. A7 seats 4 and comes in base Premium, mid-line Premium Plus, and top-end Prestige trim levels. Audi plans to offer two powertrains. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi RS5 (First Look) |
| We've long known that Audi's RS5 coupe will finally be sold on this side of the Atlantic, but before a single car comes stateside, it seems Audi's seen fit to give the rennsport coupe a minor facelift in keeping with other recent RS-line models. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Audi TT RS (Driven) |
| Strange as Las Vegas is, it's not quite as strange as the Audi TT RS. With its hairy turbocharged five-cylinder, unglamorous VW Golf roots, and scorching performance, the TT RS has all of the right stuff to share the stage with a fire-breathing bearded lady. But damn if it doesn't entertain. While taking our first drive of the U.S.-spec TT RS in Sin City, we discovered that this compact coupe has emerged from humble origins to deliver sports car competence that we never thought was possible. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW |
| 2012 BMW 1 Series M coupe |
| No doubt about it, the 1-series M coupe is just as good as Jason Cammisa claimed it was in our first drive report in our August 2011 issue, and it is clearly going to enter the history books as one of the most exciting performance cars to debut in 2011. We're well familiar with this N54-series twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine, having driven it in both the 3-series and the Z4 roadster, but never before has it been installed in a car with such a keenly tuned chassis. |
| September 2, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 135i Coupe |
| Fun fact: if you try to spec and price out a 2012 135i on BMW's site, the configurator tacks on the dual-clutch gearbox -- a $450 option -- without your input. Talk about a sign of the automatic-obsessed times. Still, it isn't exactly a curse -- the seven-speed transmission, which is a new option for 2012, behaves fairly respectably. |
| December 22, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 3 Series (First Look) |
| Now in its sixth-generation, the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series is helping to usher in a new era of efficiency, not only for Munich's most important model, but for the brand's lineup as a whole. It's a future where hyper efficiency and dynamic ability are expected to live in perfect harmony. But can they? BMW believes they can, and is relentlessly pushing to meld the two together on cars like the new 3 Series. |
| October 14, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 328i (German Icons) |
| The sixth generation of the BMW 3-series arrives this February in the United States -- in sedan form, at least -- and it's safe to say that the biggest question on the mind of most enthusiasts is: did BMW screw it up? |
| January 23, 2012 |
| 2012 BMW 5-Series: Overview |
| The 2012 BMW 5-Series should be largely unchanged after its model-year 2011 redesign. This premium-midsize car is a 4-door sedan. BMW also offers a 4-door hatchback body style that the company calls the 5-Series Gran Turismo (see separate report). For 2011, 6-cylinder and V8 engines are offered, along with rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe |
| The 2012 BMW 6-Series seats 4 passengers. It bows as a 2-door soft-top convertible; the coupe arrives a little later. All have freshened styling and more power. The new car is about 3 inches longer in wheelbase and overall length than the 2010 model. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 650i Coupe (First Look) |
| More often than not, convertibles launch after an automaker has introduced a conventional fixed-roof variant, but the 2012 BMW 6-series is a break from that tradition. Instead, the automaker debuted the 2012 650i convertible earlier this year, just in time for it to arrive in the U.S -- where 6-series convertible sales are double that of coupes -- for prime drop-top driving season. |
| March 14, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 7-Series: Overview |
| The 2012 BMW 7-Series should see no major changes. For 2011, this premium-large car comes as the 750i and 750Li, each with a choice of rear-wheel drive or BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. At the top of the lineup is the rear-drive 760Li. Also offered is the gas/electric ActiveHybrid 7; entry-level 740i and 740Li; and the sport-themed ALPINA B7. The "L" versions of BMW's flagship sedan ride on a wheelbase that is 5.5 inches longer than that of non-Li versions. 740 models are powered by a turbocharged 315-horsepower 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 740i Sedan |
| My colleague Kelly Murphy and I both live out in the country and frequently make use of the high beams on test cars. Like him, I was very impressed by the candlepower that the 7-series headlights throw out onto the road. BMW has done brilliant headlights for years, but, wow, these are really amazing. The German car companies REALLY know how to make good headlights; the ones in a Porsche Panamera that I drove recently were also superb. |
| December 20, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW 750 Li xDrive Sedan |
| There's a lot to love in a BMW 7 series. My current favorite touch is the beautiful matte wood trim. Most glossy wood just looks fake and cheesy unless you're in a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, so this matte finish is a huge win in my book. |
| September 22, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW ActiveE: Overview |
| The 2012 BMW ActiveE is the first pure-electric car from this German brand. This 4-passenger, 2-door coupe is a version of the BMW 1-Series premium-compact car adapted to run exclusively on electric power. It uses a 170-horsepower electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. |
| April 5, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 (First Drive) |
| At BMW, hybrid powertrains have gotten off to a slow start, but they're about to pick up steam. The company rolled out a mild hybrid version of the 7-series and a full-hybrid X6 in 2009. The X6, however, was quietly dropped at the end of last year, and the ActiveHybrid 7 hasn't exactly been a big seller. |
| January 30, 2012 |
| 2012 BMW M5 (First Look) |
| For the first time since its inception in 1984, the BMW M5 is arriving with turbochargers. The move might seem like heresy for a brand known for high-revving engines, but recall that M Division has already applied forced induction to the 1 Series M Coupe, X5 M, and X6 M. Switching to a smaller, more advanced powertrain means the new M5 can deliver 30-percent better fuel economy than its predecessor, while boasting 10 percent more power and 30 percent more torque. |
| June 15, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW X3 Test Drive And Review: A Devilish Crossover |
| The devil is in the details. When BMW rethought its successful compact crossover, the changes that resulted were incremental. An inch off here, a few horsepower added there. The 2012 BMW X3 that resulted from that reworking is a new vehicle for all intents and purposes, and better in just about every way. |
| January 17, 2012 |
| 2012 BMW X3: Overview |
| The 2012 BMW X3 should be largely unchanged after its model-year 2011 redesign. For 2011, two trim levels are offered. Each has BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive, a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW Z4 |
| The 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i marks the return of a 4-cylinder engine to the U.S. market in more than a decade. It's a far cry from the one that powered BMW's 318ti hatchback in the 1990s. Z4 uses a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged unit. It's the same output as BMW's normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. Gasoline direct injection contributes to additional power while decreasing fuel consumption. The engine pairs with BMW's 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW estimates a fuel-economy gain of about 20 percent versus the 6-cylinder/6-speed automatic Z4. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (First Drive) |
| Isn't it amazing how we all remember exactly where we were when John Lennon got shot? When the whole east coast got shaken with an earthquake and then stirred with a hurricane? And when Volkswagen replaced the EA113 with the EA888? |
| August 31, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick |
| 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist (Driven) |
| Hybrid or V-6? That's the choice Buick is offering LaCrosse buyers for 2012, and neither option is extra-cost. |
| November 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist (First Drive) |
| It seems that two of the unlikeliest brands, Lincoln and Buick, are among the most progressive thinkers in the entry-level American luxury car market: both now offer no-cost hybrid versions of their cars. The Lincoln MKZ is a full hybrid, but Buick has gone a slightly less aggressive route -- though no less intelligent -- with its LaCrosse eAssist. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick Regal GS (Driven) |
| How does a European sport sedan dovetail with an American luxury brand that exists because the Chinese want to ride in the back of pillowy four-doors? It's a mind-melting philosophical question, but the answer is simple for the masters of brand management. After a seven-year sabbatical, the forty-seven-year-old Gran Sport name is back. |
| November 2, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick Regal GS |
| General Motors now has a truly global product development organization, but it still seems somewhat flustered when it comes to marketing "foreign" cars in the United States. The Buick Regal GS is the latest vehicle -- the Saturn Astra, the Pontiac GTO and G8, and the Cadillac Catera also come to mind -- to land haphazardly on our shores without a well-defined mission. |
| October 10, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick Regal GS (Short Drive) |
| It didn't take long for armchair quarterbacks to start whining after the 2012 Buick Regal GS was officially unveiled. Sure, it looks like a carbon copy of the European Opel Insignia OPC -- but wait? Where's the all-wheel-drive? And why has the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder been replaced by a forced-induction-four? |
| August 4, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick Regal: Overview |
| The 2012 Buick Regal lineup sees a number of changes, including the addition of gas/electric and high-performance variants. Production of this midsize car also shifts to Canada from Germany. Regal shares its basic design with the European-market Opel Insignia. Launched during the 2011 model year, CXL and CXL Turbo models should see no major changes for 2012. New is the Regal with "eAssist" which takes the car's standard 182-horsepower 2.4-liter gasoline 4-cylinder engine and pairs it with a 15-horsepower battery-powered electric motor. Unlike many traditional gas/electric hybrids, this Regal cannot run solely on electric power. It's capable of shutting off the gas engine at a stop. Versions with the 4-cylinder engine without eAssist will also be available. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Buick Verano (First Drive) |
| You might think that Buicks are always big, but history tells us that this isn't necessarily so. Way back in 1975, Buick introduced a version of the Chevy Monza called the Skyhawk. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Cadillac |
| 2012 Cadillac SRX AWD Premium Collection |
| I'm torn about the Cadillac SRX. On one hand, there are the Cadillac's strengths: it finally has a capable and entertaining engine, which provides adequate low-end grunt and sings arias when you stamp on the loud pedal. When you get to a corner, it has plenty of grip, and doesn't roll like one would expect from such a big vehicle. |
| December 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet |
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT Convertible |
| Talk about deja vu. This is the second weekend I've spent behind the wheel of a bright red Camaro convertible, although I've somehow traded summer heat for autumn gloom, baseball for college football, and apple pie for apple cider. |
| December 9, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS |
| A stiff clutch pedal and a manual shifter that doesn't move through the gears with much fluidity make the Camaro SS a chore to drive around town. The tall cowl, small windows, huge A-pillars, and tall, broad hood are also bummers, because you can easily feel claustrophobic in this car. |
| December 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible |
| So here I am, Mr. Hotshot driving an arrest-me-red 2012 Camaro Convertible in downtown San Francisco on the hottest evening of the spring, and I look in the rear view mirror and see a guy in a 1969 Camaro Convertible tailing me, taking a picture. We pull over and have a chat -- mostly so I can tell him how cool his car is. |
| April 26, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
| Despite its age, the Chevrolet Corvette is one of the greatest sports cars in the world. There's a wide range of models that can fit a variety of budgets from the entry-level Corvette coupe up to the monstrous ZR1. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT |
| The Cruze has been a homerun for Chevy, repeatedly appearing in the top of the sales chart for the compact class and giving the Toyota Corolla a run for its money as reigning champ of the segment's sales. |
| December 19, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic (First Drive) |
| Never say General Motors can't think outside of the box. As its Detroit rivals tout their European-engineered, Mexican-built subcompacts, GM is replacing the aging Aveo with a Korean-German-American confection called the Sonic, to be produced for our market in Orion Township, Michigan. What's more, Chevy thinks it will be the enthusiasts' choice in the segment, and has brought us to an autocross outside of Indianapolis -- with some competitors in tow -- to prove it. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Volt |
| Our 2011 Automobile of the Year didn't earn a spot on our 2012 All-Stars list, but the Chevy Volt's powertrain is still a massively impressive piece of engineering. The Volt's key trick is a seamless transition between running on electricity and gasoline. The gas/electric drivetrain allows for roughly 35 miles of driving range using electricity stored in a large lithium-ion battery before firing up a small, four-cylinder gas engine for another 300 miles of range. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2012 Chrysler |
| 2012 Chrysler 300 S (First Look) |
| Aficionados of powerful performance sedans will likely focus their attentions on the new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, but the rebirth of the big bruiser isn't the only news tied to the large sedan. In fact, Chrysler has formally announced the 2012 300 will, at long last, be mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 |
| Usually, how a car drives, not how it looks, is what wins me over. Completely scratch that with the new Chrysler 300 SRT8. Even though the sedan's insane amount of Hemi power is intoxicating, its stunning looks are even more seductive. While I prefer white paint on this model, our black 300 still had me swooning. The front grille is like a black lipstick smirk on an attractive fascia. The car has a great stance, and rides on a set of black-mirror-chrome wheels that immediately grab your attention. Everything on the dark exterior is a turn-on. |
| September 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Dodge |
| 2012 Dodge Avenger R/T (First Look) |
| Once upon a time, someone in the marketing department at Chrysler hatched what seemed to be novel idea: Take the R/T badge, once a sign of an enthusiast-oriented product, and slap it across most -- if not all -- of Dodge's lineup. It was given the green light, and the world was flooded with R/T models that drove no better than their plebian siblings. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 |
| The Dodge Charger SRT8 looks undeniably sexy, with those awesome 20-inch wheels, glossy black paint, big spoiler, and full-width LED taillights. A passing police officer even slowed to stare at the car, slack-jawed and wide-eyed. (That, fortunately, was the extent of our interaction.) The Charger also is a serious performance machine, the 6.4-liter Hemi matching its 470-hp output with a trumpet-like soundtrack. Mash the gas at low speeds, and the tires will chirp in protest even with the traction control enabled. If you pull out of a parking lot too briskly, the rear wheels try to squirm sideways before the stability-control light blinks its disapproval. It's a bit of a hooligan car, frankly. |
| October 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 (First Drive) |
| Once upon a time, sedans tuned by Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology group may have looked different from each other, but they certainly didn't feel discrete. How could they? Beneath the skin, they shared powertrain, suspension tuning, and virtually every piece of mechanical hardware that influences how a car behaves both on the road and on the track. |
| July 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 |
| The Challenger sure looks and sounds great, but don't expect to see much out of the slim greenhouse. But then again, that's not what this car is about -- it's about cruising, 0-to-60-mph sprints, and that addictive V-8 rumble. To keep the Challenger at the core of its intended use, stay away from the loafing sixth gear, even though, yes, you will average 20 mpg on the highway. Slip the pistol-grip shifter into fifth or even fourth gear at 70 mph and the reward is high-rpm fun as the 6.4-liter engine blares from the large dual exhausts. Expect many thumbs-up and many wrinkles from the smiles you can't wipe off your face. |
| October 24, 2011 |
| 2012 Ferrari |
| 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider (First Drive) |
| Without question, the Ferrari 458 Italia is the best car I have ever driven. You might assume the Italian supercar earns that distinction on shear performance and sex appeal, but the truth is that the 458 is a much more complete car. Its excellence is in how it combines measured balance with raw capability unlike any other vehicle. The 458 Italia is sophisticated but visceral. Aggressive yet refined. Elegant and brutish. With the Spider, Ferrari aims to add one more contradiction to the 458's achievements: a convertible that's also a coupe. |
| October 05, 2011 |
| 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider (First Look) |
| If you are in the market for a Ferrari convertible, but find the California lacking in aggression, fear not: the Italian automaker has official pulled the wraps off of the new 458 Spider. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat |
| 2012 Fiat 500: Overview |
| The 2012 Fiat 500 marks the return of this Italian brand to North America. This subcompact car sports styling reminiscent of the 1957-1975 Fiat Cinquecento (500). The 500 is available as a 2-door hatchback or 2-door convertible. Slated for arrival in calendar 2012 is a high-performance 500 Abarth model. Hatchbacks and convertibles come in Pop and Lounge trim levels. The hatchback is also offered as the Sport. All have a 101-horsepower 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat 500c |
| The 2012 Fiat 500c is powered by the 101-horsepower 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine found in the hatchback model. It teams with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine is equipped with the company's MultiAir technology that individually controls the engine's valves for optimized power and efficiency. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, and a driver-knee airbag. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat 500C (Driven) |
| When the Fiat 500 convertible made its debut, at the 2009 Geneva auto show, I must admit I was not smitten. The sliding canvas roof just didn't seem like a convertible. It still doesn't, but I've come around to think that, with a car this small, it might be preferable to a fully chopped top. |
| October 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat 500c (First Look) |
| Although parts of the U.S. are still seeing snowfall, Fiat is getting ready for summer. In anticipation of the warmer weather, the Italian automaker has introduced the 2012 500c, a cabrio version of its subcompact hatchback. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat 500C Is Near-Perfect Urban Chariot |
| Never have I witnessed such an outpouring of thumbs-ups, "awwws!" and general good will while test-driving any ride. It was as though I had an invisible FREE HUGS sign on the hood. Everybody wanted to pet my car. And why not? |
| July 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Fisk |
| 2012 Fisker Karma ES (Driven) |
| Something magical happened in January of 2007 when the public first laid eyes on the Chevrolet Volt concept at the Detroit auto show. High-resolution images of its aggressive, futuristic styling were instantly broadcast, simulcast, and multicast to television screens all around the world, and it became a household name long before we even knew if it would ever make it to market. Even though the technology powering the concept didn't yet exist, the Volt's appearance-combined with the sci-fi dream of a mass-market electric car finally becoming a reality-was so mesmerizing that the car immediately became a beacon of hope for the American auto industry. |
| April 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Ford |
| 2012 Ford Edge Limited |
| Despite the missing two cylinders, the new EcoBoost engine still pulls like a strong and smooth V-6. There is little lag, and I doubt that most buyers would notice any difference in power delivery. However, they will probably notice the very un-V-6-like noises coming from the engine bay - it may pull like a V-6, but sounds like the four-cylinder it is. |
| January 23, 2012 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer: Overview |
| The 2012 Ford Explorer should see the availability of a 4-cylinder engine following its model-year 2011 redesign. For 2011, this venerable nameplate moves to crossover-style unibody construction, sharing elements of its basic design with the Ford Taurus. Trim levels include Base, volume XLT, and top-line Limited. Each is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Ford Focus ST (First Look) |
| American enthusiasts have been waiting with bated breath for an SVT Focus replacement ever since it left the scene back in 2004. The wait is almost over. Now we finally have the full details on the 2012 Ford Focus ST, which debuted today in production trim at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Ford Focus SE |
| This is really an amazingly good car. I'm blown away by how composed it is. Over the railroad tracks, it had very little lateral skipping, as compared with a Hyundai Elantra, one of its chief competitors, which skipped noticeably over some rough pavement the morning before I drove the Focus. |
| June 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 |
| Wow, this is the best muscle car I've ever driven. It's seriously fast, the engine sounds great, and it changes direction willingly. Finally, a muscle car that's good for more than cruising around town or heading to a drag strip. |
| August 30, 2011 |
| 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (Driven) |
| Nowadays, it's no longer difficult to make a powerful muscle car, as evidenced by the proliferation of high-zoot ponycars that offer an honest 400-or-more horsepower. And while they are all exceedingly good at their number-one task: off-the-line acceleration, most aren't terribly well rounded performers. That makes the Boss 302 Mustang a standout in this now-crowded field. |
| September 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda |
| 2012 Honda Accord Crosstour: Overview |
| The 2012 Honda Accord Crosstour should be largely unchanged. This 4-door hatchback differs from the Honda Accord Sedan and Honda Accord Coupe by virtue of its unique styling and raised ride height. For 2011, the sole powertrain is a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Accord Sedan: Overview |
| The 2012 Honda Accord Sedan should be largely unchanged after its model-year 2011 freshening. Honda's midsize car comes as a 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe. For 2011, trim levels include LX, LX-P, SE, EX, and EX-L. LX, LX-P, and SE have a 177-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. EX and EX-L offer the choice of a 190-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Si (Driven) |
| Any Honda Civic has always been a car that appeals to logic, and has long been seen as a safe choice for legions of small-car buyers. The Civic Si, however, aspires to be something more. It has more power, a close-ratio gearbox, a firmer chassis, and various appearance items. |
| December 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic (First Drive) |
| The 2012 model is the ninth iteration of the Honda Civic, which made its fortuitous debut just ahead of the 1973 gas crisis. Of the Civic's many redesigns since then, some have been major rethinks while others have been stay-the-course refinements. This latest redo definitely falls into the latter camp. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe with Navigation |
| The headlining change for the 2012 Honda Civic Si is that the old 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a 2.4-liter engine. I was one of the people who expected that the switch from a high-strung, 8000-rpm four to a larger, torquier engine would ruin the character of the Si, but it really hasn't. The new four is still a rev-happy engine that encourages you to run it up toward the 7000-rpm redline, and to blip the throttle heartily on every downshift. And of course, the extra 31 lb-ft of torque makes the new Si feel gutsier and easier to drive. |
| July 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Si Race Car (First Drive) |
| The only one way to fully appreciate the Honda Civic Si Coupe that Honda Performance Development has created for grassroots racers is to first drive the fresh-from-the-showroom 2012 Civic Si Coupe on its available high-performance tires. |
| October 26, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid |
| I spent quite a lot of time behind the wheel of a regular Honda Civic sedan during our Small Car 6-pack story and wasn't very impressed with Honda's update to the car for 2012. Yes, the Honda Civic is still a very strong choice in the suddenly highly competitive field of small cars. It may be good at everything, but there's no one area where the Honda Civic really stands above the crowd. Everything from the design to the driving dynamics to the interior is well done but unexceptional. |
| June 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda Civic vs. 2011 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Ford Focus |
| Any time there's a new Honda Civic, it's a big deal in the small-car market. The Civic, together with the Toyota Corolla, is one of longest-running nameplates in the field, and it regularly vies with the Corolla for the top spot in sales. This year, however, the new Civic is hardly the only big news in small cars. The past few months have also seen the introduction of an all-new Hyundai Elantra and an all-new Ford Focus, both vastly improved over their predecessors and both coming from companies that have been on a roll lately. |
| April 25, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V (First Drive) |
| Honda doesn't often do surprises -- the company is defined by rational decision-making and straightforward, elegant engineering. Since the outgoing CR-V broke sales records in its final year, there was no reason to expect much of a change. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V: Overview |
| The 2012 Honda CR-V should be largely unchanged. This 5-passenger compact SUV is available with front- or all-wheel drive. For 2011, trim levels include LX, SE, EX, and EX-L. All have a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai |
| 2012 Hyundai Accent (First Drive) |
| Is Hyundai as hot as Vegas in June? Based on recent sales numbers, you'd have to say yes. Deliveries are up 29 percent through May, and that's compared to the record levels of 2010. May was also when the Sonata became the bestselling car in America (retail sales-wise). Clearly, the tsunami-related supply disruptions for the Japanese automakers could not have come at a better time for the Koreans, who were already seeing sales of their impressively redesigned new models zooming to new heights. Is the new Accent up to Hyundai's heady recent standards? |
| June 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Accent (First Look) |
| It's interesting how $4-a-gallon gas can change things. While there aren't many rational people that would argue that expensive gas is a good thing, it has certainly has been good for the subcompact segment. Until a few years ago, the segment was populated by the literal and figurative bottom-feeders of car companies, with hard plastics; skinny tires; underpowered, buzzy engines; and very few amenities. Not anymore. Honda's cleverly packaged Fit set the pace and was followed by Ford's Euro-engineered Fiesta, and the Mazda2. Suddenly, leather, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, and other niceties formerly reserved for the luxury class became available on these "entry-level" models. Hyundai's Accent went from being a competitive option to one that was looking increasingly dated in the face of newer, more stylish competitors. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Azera (First Look) |
| The Azera was once Hyundai's flagship sedan, but recent years have seen the car's halo status stripped with the introduction of the Genesis and Equus sedans. Hyundai returns to the Los Angeles Auto Show this year with an updated version of the Azera, now the middle man in the model line-up, ready to do battle in the large-car segment against competitors from America and Japan. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited |
| After testing the all-new-for-2011 Elantra earlier this year, we applauded the liberal amounts of style and equipment Hyundai had brought to its compact sedan. However, the colors the Elantra is dressed in make a big difference in showing off the car's seductive design, both inside and out. This 2012 tester was painted in a drab grey exterior hue -- named titanium grey metallic -- and the leather-trimmed interior was done up in varying shades of grey and black. The monochromatic color scheme sucks the life out of what is otherwise a very aesthetically pleasing and well thought-out interior. |
| October 26, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 |
| The Hyundai Genesis just feels right. The steering has enough weight and precision to interest a driving enthusiast, while remaining light enough to appease the casual commuter. The engine and transmission are smooth and restrained, but can usher up performance if you mash the go pedal. All the buttons, gauges, and screens are legible and easy to use. The headlights now have a cool curved LED accent strip, which looks fantastic at night. In short, every part of the Genesis feels taut, precise, and elegant. |
| September 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec |
| If you are simply trying to get the most for your $50,000, the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec makes a ton of sense -- more power than a BMW 550i or Infiniti M56 for the price of a 535i or M37. The ten-spoke wheels add a welcome touch of menace to the quiet exterior, and the hushed 5.0-liter V-8 sounds pretty good when you really wail on it. Even at full throttle, though, it can't drown out the sound of Hyundai knocking a glass ceiling. The automaker has hit many homeruns over the past two years -- including the Genesis -- but it still has something to learn when it comes to getting people to spend close to $50,000. The 5.0 R-Spec is nice, of course. It's fast, luxurious, and well put together. So is the $35,000 Genesis 3.8. The important difference is that the 3.8 competes in a price range where many buyers really want a practical, luxurious, nondescript looking sedan. For $45,000 to $50,000, I think people want to feel a bit special. |
| September 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 5.0 R-Spec (First Drive) |
| The Hyundai Genesis launched for 2009, and it has done pretty well for itself, with some 29,000 units leaving dealer lots last year. That number is a ways off from the big boys (the Mercedes-Benz E-class and the BMW 5-series) but betters the entries from Infiniti and Lexus. That's not a bad performance, considering the Genesis is Hyundai's first-ever rear-wheel drive luxury sedan (in the U.S. market at least), and that the Genesis is sold in only two versions, the six-cylinder Genesis 3.8 and the V-8 Genesis 4.6. |
| June 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis: Overview |
| The 2012 Hyundai Genesis gets some major updates, including freshened styling, new powertrains, and new features. This is the smaller of Hyundai's two large cars. Genesis lends elements of its basic design to the sporty 2-door Hyundai Genesis Coupe and premium-large Hyundai Equus (see separate reports). Returning for 2012 are the base 3.8 and uplevel 4.6 models. The former reprises a 3.8-liter V6 engine but with 333 horsepower versus the 2011 models' 290. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai i30 (First Look) |
| We knew Hyundai was bringing the new i30 hatchback to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but until now, we hadn't seen photos of the completed thing. Now that we have, we're left wondering if we'll soon see this car arrive in the U.S. market, albeit with Elantra Touring badges. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Veloster (First Drive) |
| In case you've missed the reports from, well, everywhere, Hyundai has been quite successful of late. Since 2008 -- about the time industry-wide auto sales jumped off a cliff - the Korean automaker has more than doubled its market share in the United States. Sales continue to set company records every month, inventories are low, and resale values are climbing. All very nice, but why does any of it matter to enthusiasts? Here's why: rising automakers with cash to burn have historically produced some fun cars. |
| September 19, 2011 |
| 2012 Hyundai Veloster DCT |
| I keep hearing everyone say that the back seat of the Hyundai Veloster is usable and that may be true, but it isn't exactly inviting. I drove the Veloster on a weekend during which my husband and I were going to a Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. |
| November 30, 2011 |
| 2012 Infiniti |
| 2012 Infinti M Hybrid (Driven) |
| Infiniti's M sedan has finally come into its own with the current generation. Previous versions drove pretty well and had decent interiors, but were invisible on the street and in the marketplace. The current, curvaceous design is a head-turning standout. And Infiniti's interior designers have upped their game, creating a sumptuous new cabin. The car's chassis -- provided one sidesteps a few overly intrusive electronic aids -- has all the smoothness and poise a premium car should. |
| August 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Fiat Freemont |
| 2012 Fiat 500 Sport |
| The Fiat 500 is finally on sale in the United States, and it is a big deal. Conveniently for the Chrysler Group, the car's arrival is coinciding with a huge jump in fuel prices. Even though the 500 doesn't get fantastic mileage, it's EPA-rated at 30/38 mpg city/highway, which is more economical than most. The 500 starts at a friendly $16,000 and offers tons of style and lots of opportunity for additional personalization. The low price, however, shows through in the interior materials and assembly quality, which are both average at best. Still, the interior is very functional and would be easy to live with. |
| June 6, 2011 |
| 2012 Jaguar |
| 2012 Jaguar XJL Portfolio |
| Is there any auto company more right brained than Jaguar? How else to explain the absolute mastery of sensual details - how leather should smell, how a V-8 should sound and respond, how the steering should feel - and the absolute neglect of more logical areas like interior ergonomics and exterior panel gaps? |
| October 31, 2011 |
| 2012 Jaguar XJL Supersport |
| From previous experience, I know the Jaguar XJ to be dynamically astounding, but unfortunately I wasn't able to fully enjoy its performance prowess due to the buckets of rain that fell during my time with the car. These conditions, however, did not prevent me from appreciating the big Jag's lovely interior and abundance of luxury features. |
| December 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Jaguar XKR-S (First Drive) |
| There's no shortage of performance in the Jaguar lineup. With the XFR sedan, the XKR two-door, and the XJ Super Sport sedan, the British automaker has a trio of 510-hp supercharged brutes that are plenty competent around a track. But what Jaguar doesn't have is performance with cachet. The R subbrand carries little emotional weight compared with BMW M, Mercedes-Benz AMG, and Audi RS badges. |
| June 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 |
| Good Lord. This is the most impressive Chrysler product I've driven in years. I spent a lot of time in the previous Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and I really disliked that vehicle. I guess there was only so that could be done to the previous generation of Grand Cherokee. Now that the regular Grand Cherokee is such a refined and luxurious vehicle, the SRT8 model can really shine. |
| September 27, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (First Drive) |
| 80 mph. That's what the speedometer reads as I toss the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 into the second corner of Willow Springs' so-called "big course." It's a long, sweeping right-hander that's punctuated with a late apex that catches many first-timers by surprise. The big brute turns in quickly and hangs on the race line, tossing my thigh against a bolster and slamming my kneecap into a speaker grille on the door panel. |
| July 15, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (First Look) |
| The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a long time coming for the Jeep brand, and by most accounts, the revamped Jeep flagship has proven to be a success. But the paint wasn't even dry on the new ute before enthusiasts started asking the follow up question: Where's the SRT8? Not surprisingly, the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8's been in Chrysler's Street and Race Technology team shop, getting its monster makeover done in advance of its 2011 New York auto show debut. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler (First Drive) |
| When Disneyland closed Space Mountain in 2009 for refurbishing, Internet message boards erupted with apprehension. "Don't screw it up!" collectively exclaimed the enthusiasts at micechat.com and others. A signature attraction for almost thirty-five years, the thrill ride embodied the Disney experience nearly as much as Mickey Mouse himself. But the theme park isn't alone in having to safeguard an icon: it's much the same whenever Jeep changes the Wrangler. |
| August 22, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic Edition (First Look) |
| The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic Edition, which debuts later this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will only be sold in Europe -- where, contrary to the SUV's new theme, Wrangler sales remain white hot. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Driven) |
| The Wrangler is the Jeep franchise. It's the rock on which the entire brand's positioning is built. The Wrangler is not always be the bestselling Jeep, but it's the most important. |
| December 27, 2011 |
| 2012 Kia |
| 2012 Kia Rio |
| While neither Kia nor its corporate parent will admit it, the 2012 Rio borrows much of its basic design from the 2012 Hyundai Accent, which debuted at the same auto show. Rio is longer and wider than the 2006-2011 car it replaces, which translates into more passenger and cargo room. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door (First Drive) |
| Automobile Magazine has long defined itself by cars like the Kia Rio. As in, we don't care about them. Rudimentary, slow, dourly pragmatic -- the Rio and its ilk are a perfect bogey for writers and readers who proudly chant, "no boring cars." Progress has chipped away at this simplistic worldview with cool subcompacts and stylish new Kias. But at least we had the old Rio to kick around. Until now. With the new-for-2012 Rio, Kia aims to send us into a full-on identity crisis. We flew all the way to Seoul, Korea, to find out if this archetypical boring car has truly become interesting. |
| August 30, 2011 |
| 2012 Kia Rio (First Look) |
| There's no question Kia's product lineup has come a long way in a short time, due in no small part to the radical new design language applied by former Audi stylist Peter Schreyer to nearly the entire product lineup. The lone holdout to get the full Schreyer treatment, aside from a token add-on "Tiger Nose" grille update, was the Rio subcompact. Until now. The 2012 Kia Rio and Rio5 on display at the 2011 New York auto show will rejoin the subcompact fight later this year with much the same hardware, but with a style all their own. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage: Overview |
| The 2012 Kia Sportage should see no major changes following its redesign for the 2011 model year. This compact SUV borrows elements of its basic design from the Hyundai Tucson. For 2011, Sportage is redesigned with freshened styling and new powertrains. It comes in Base, LX, and EX trim levels, all with a standard 176-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine |
| March 22, 2011 |
| 2012 Kia Soul |
| The box-like competitor to the Nissan Cube and Scion xB gets freshened front and rear styling as well as new transmissions designed to improve fuel economy. It reprises Soul and Soul sport trim levels, along with the oddly named Soul+ and Soul! (exclaim). The base Soul reprises its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, but high-pressure gasoline direct injection (GDI) increases horsepower to 135 from 122. All other models have a new GDI 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower, an increase of 18. Transmission choices include new 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic variants. These replace the 2010-2011 models' 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic units. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Lamborghini |
| 2012 Lamborghini Aventador (First Drive) |
| I just got done driving the new Lamborghini Aventador, and I am pleased to report that it goes very fast. Also, some of them are a neat orange color, while others are white and various other hues. And it has a starter button that's covered with a red lid that you flip up like you're about to arm your Tomcat's Hellfires and smoke some Commies. Which is sort of strange when you want to turn the car off. Arm missiles! And then the engine stops. |
| April 28, 2011 |
| 2012 Land Rover |
| 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (First Drive) |
| I'm driving in a sewer. Well, not a sewer per se, but a big tunnel beneath the city of Liverpool. The tunnel is filled with a knee-high river of fetid water, and I can definitely picture Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles living down here, so if you called it a sewer I wouldn't correct you. "Have you ever read Stephen King's It?" I ask Micah, my driving partner. He has. And if you haven't, it's about a murderous clown who lives in the sewer. Let's talk about something else, like the Land Rover Evoque we're driving, which has puddle lights in the side mirrors that project an image of the car on the ground when the door is opened. I'd try that, but I really don't want to get out of the car, on account of the stinky water down here in the not-a-sewer. |
| August 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Lincoln |
| 2012 Lincoln MKZ: Overview |
| The 2012 Lincoln MKZ sees no major changes. This premium-midsize car shares its basic design with the Ford Fusion. Base MKZ models have a 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The Hybrid is front-wheel drive and pairs a 2.5-liter gasoline 4-cylinder engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 191 horsepower total. It can run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda |
| 2012 Mazda 3 |
| The Mazda 3 is a holdover from when Ford held a stake in both the Japanese firm as well as Swedish manufacturer Volvo. The 3 borrows elements of its basic design from the premium-compact Volvo S40. It comes in hatchback and sedan body styles. As part of its model-year 2010 redesign, the 3 continued to earn praise for its excellent driving dynamics. It drew criticism for its "smiley face" styling. The look is toned down a bit on the 2012 model. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda 3 I Grand Touring Skyactiv-G Sedan |
| The big news for 2012 is the introduction of Mazda's new Skyactiv engine technology. Eschewing the forced-induction route that many of its competitors are starting to roll out, Mazda is trying to squeeze the most out of a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine with already-known technology. The new Skyactiv 2.0-liter takes advantage of direct injection, a high compression ratio, and weight reduction to help the compact 3 hit that all-important 40 mpg number. |
| November 4, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring Sedan |
| The Mazda 3's new-for-2012 fascia is a welcome improvement. The 3 looks sharper and more mature now that the smiley-face designs are gone. On our tester, the gloss-black grille inserts contrast nicely with the bright-white paint. |
| November 2, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda 5 (Extended-Use Welcome) |
| You have a family, which means you probably need a somewhat large vehicle to cart around the kids and their stuff. I know what you're thinking: a minivan or an SUV are the logical solution. Think again. Mazda's redesigned-for-2012 5 offers lots of cargo and passenger versatility with a much smaller footprint than traditional family haulers. Consumer Guide places the 5 in the midsize-car class, but its taller ride height and sliding side doors mean it's more like a mini minivan. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda 5 Sport |
| We often speak of the ability of an exotic car to transport your imagination somewhere equally special -- a Ferrari 458 Italia to Monza or a Rolls-Royce Phantom to Downing Street, for instance. For me, however, few vehicles do this better than small vans. Climbing behind the wheel of the tidy Mazda 5, I instantly picture myself flying along the autobahn, sitting in traffic outside Tokyo, or careening down an ancient back alley in Jerusalem - probably because I've ridden in small vans in all those places, usually on my way to or from the airport. |
| August 19, 2011 |
| 2012 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD |
| When the CX-9 debuted in 2007, I remember being wowed by the fact that even though it was roughly the size of a Chevy Tahoe (same length and within a few inches in width and height), it looked much less massive or much more svelte than anyone thought a seven-passenger SUV could be. |
| December 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Maserati |
| 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC (First Drive) |
| Maserati, like all automakers, wants to sell more cars, but one of the advantages of being a boutique carmaker is that you can maintain close relations with your customers because there simply aren't that many of them. Since Maserati sold only 2035 cars in the U.S. last year, top-level employees actually were able to call each buyer to welcome them to the brand and solicit feedback. It's not surprising that Maserati buyers---highly successful folks with the ability to lay down six-figure money for an Italian car---are pretty candid on the telephone. They've tended to tell Maserati USA execs exactly what they like, what they don't like, and what they'd like to see. Clearly, these wishes make it directly back to Maserati HQ in Modena, Italy, because the product portfolio has evolved to reflect some specific American tastes, most deliberately in the new, 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC. |
| October 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC (First Look) |
| Output of the 4.7-liter V-8 increases to 444 hp and 376 pound-feet of torque (from 440 hp and 361 lb-ft). Top speed creeps up to 185 mph, and the claimed 0-to-60 time is 4.8 seconds. As in the GranTurismo S, the six-speed automatic transaxle gets MC-Shift controls with paddles and the ability to do rev-matching downshifts. The engine's racier exhaust note is trumpeted by a lightweight exhaust system with dual outlets that exit in the center of the rear diffuser. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Maserati GranTurismo: Overview |
| The 2012 Maserati GranTurismo lineup gains a new high-end convertible model. The rest of the GranTurismo lineup will likely see only minor changes. This 4-passenger coupe and convertible shares much of its basic design with the Maserati Quattroporte sedan. The new Convertible Sport has a 450-horsepower 4.7-liter V8. For 2011 the base GranTurismo is available as both coupe and convertible. |
| April 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class (First Look) |
| Thanks to a number of leaked photos and a slew of spy shots, we saw this coming. However, that doesn't make the official release of details on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class any less important. The new compact makes its debut next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show boasting an all-new look, powertrain, and platform. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class (First Drive) |
| When Mercedes-Benz introduced its first small sedan back in 1982, the press immediately dubbed it the "Baby Benz." The first U. S. press drive was from the old-money Homestead in West Virginia (perhaps to remind us all of its luxury bones), to the Indianapolis Speedway. The goal was to see which two-person team of reporters could achieve the highest fuel economy. Snore. |
| March 7, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (First Look) |
| On the eve of the 2011 Geneva motor show press days, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz rolled out three stark white C63 AMG models -- a four-door sedan, a wagon, and a hush-hush, no-photos-allowed coupe that will be unveiled later this spring at the New York Auto Show. All three will hit the market together, first in Europe this July, followed by a U.S. launch, in September. |
| March 7, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (First Drive) |
| The addition of a two-door coupe to the C-class lineup has given AMG the opportunity to expand the family of its popular C63 AMG model. Currently offered as a sedan and (in Europe) a wagon, the C63 adds a coupe variant for the 2012 model year. Mechanically, the coupe and sedan are identical, with one significant upgrade coming to both for 2012. The two-door is the same size as its four-door sibling, but its lower body, more intimate cabin, and sportier styling make it a racier distillation of the C63 formula. |
| May 24, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (First Look) |
| Mercedes has made no bones about what car it hopes to steal some thunder from with its all-new C-Class Coupe: the BMW 3 Series two-door. The story is roughly the same with its new AMG-ified version, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe. The target is still a BMW 3 coupe, but instead it's the one with the M badge on the back. |
| March 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series (First Drive) |
| There’s something charmingly mischievous about the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. Drive one after spending time in a BMW M3, for example, and it’s like someone just lifted a statewide ban on fun you didn’t even know existed. |
| November 22, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series (First Look) |
| Mercedes' AMG division is all about building machines that perform when the stoplight turns green and the road gets bendy. But there will always be those looking for something edgier, darker -- blacker. A true track attacker with exclusivity, extreme performance, and of course, massive fenders. For them, Mercedes has created the Black Series. And black is back for the new C-Class Coupe in the form of the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250/C350 Coupe (First Drive) |
| Where once there was the CLK coupe, which purported to split the difference between the C-class and E-class sedans, now there are two mid-size Mercedes coupes, one for each of the mid-size sedans. Last year saw the debut of the E-class coupe, and now comes the two-door version of the C-class. While the 2012 C-class sedan is a three-model lineup, the coupe will be offered in just two variants: C250 and C350 (there is no two-door version of the C300 4Matic). |
| May 26, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe |
| Three years ago, my mother almost bought a C300 sedan but cited the fact that it "wasn't special enough" as a deal breaker. Given the comprehensive update Mercedes gave the C-class for 2012, my mother was obviously not the only one who thought that the baby Benz could be more deserving of the three-pointed star. |
| January 25, 2012 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: Overview |
| The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is redesigned with freshened styling, new engines, and new features. This premium-midsize car is a 4-passenger, 4-door sedan that shares elements of its basic design with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Two models are available. The CLS550 has a 402-horsepower turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 engine, which replaces a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG |
| Some cars are likeable because they look great, some are likeable because they perform very well, but few manage to mix looks and performance as well as the CLS63 AMG. Dramatic styling has always been a hallmark of the CLS, which is mechanically identical to the E-class. |
| December 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 |
| Our CLS test car was "only" a CLS550, but I've also driven the CLS63 AMG version, and they're both impressive. What I remember most distinctly about the CLS63 was that I drove it on some very challenging roads above Napa Valley, in the rain, tailing a Mercedes-Benz USA executive who was driving an SLS AMG Gullwing quite briskly. As if that wasn't enough to keep me busy, I was also deeply engrossed in conversation with my co-driver, but we just sailed over those wet, twisting roads in utter serenity. The CLS chassis was totally composed, and the steering was among the most accurate and communicative setups I've ever experienced in a Mercedes-Benz. Those dynamics are also evident in the lesser CLS550, which feels much smaller than it is, almost like a sport coupe. |
| July 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 (First Drive) |
| A colleague once told me that he never writes about a car's styling, because appearance is so subjective -- who cares if one person hates a car's styling if someone else likes it? Or vice versa. But it's pretty much impossible to talk about the Mercedes-Benz CLS without broaching the subject of looks. After all, the unique exterior design is this car's entire reason for being. |
| July 25, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 4Matic |
| I am a fan of the Mercedes GL350 Bluetec. The available turbo-diesel engine does a great job moving the relatively large vehicle without using too much fuel and the interior is as nice as any Benz this side of an S-class. Plus the diesel is the cheapest way to get a GL. |
| December 2, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class (First Drive) |
| Technicolor Montana skies proved a fitting backdrop for the international press launch of the third-generation Mercedes-Benz ML, as the Alabama-built sport-ute has seen more than half of its one million units head for U.S. garages. |
| July 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG (First Look) |
| Super SUVs are nothing new to Mercedes-Benz -- it created the first AMG-powered M-Class in 2000 with the ML55 AMG. That car was powered by a 342-hp 5.5-liter V-8 and ran from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. |
| November 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec 4Matic |
| I'm amused to see cooled and heated cup holders in this German car. It took years for the German automakers to deign to provide cup holders in their vehicles, because they were perplexed as to why we silly Americans wanted them (because you're supposed to drive, not drink beverages, when you're in a car, was their view). They've come full circle and now Mercedes-Benz not only provides lots of cup holders but they're heated and cooled! It's quite rich. It's also rich that the cooled function is something that Mercedes clearly borrowed from their former colleagues in Auburn Hills, because that was a Chrysler idea. |
| September 30, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTEC |
| When you look at the specs of the Mercedes S350 Bluetec and see that its diesel engine produces only 240 hp, you might think that the two-ton-plus sedan would feel underpowered. Not so, thanks to a prodigious 455 lb-ft of torque. All that torque means that the power is available even at low revs -- from 1600 rpm, in fact -- which means that the S350 doesn't feel slow or sluggish, especially in city driving. And once at speed on the highway, the S350 wafts along effortlessly, effectively insulating you from the baser elements -- noise, vibration, harshness. |
| August 10, 2011 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (First Look) |
| For more than 50 years, the Mercedes-Benz SL has occupied a special place atop the German automaker's lineup. The current-generation SL, armed with timeless sheetmetal and the brand's latest and most innovative technology, has admirably carried on the tradition. |
| December 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK (First Drive) |
| The first piece of good news about Mercedes-Benz's third-generation SLK is that it no longer looks like the wimpy chick car it started life as fifteen years ago. Not that the first SLK wasn't a smash hit right out of the box; the entire production run for 1997 was sold out. The time was right for a compact, premium roadster. But the 2012 SLK finally looks like it bears the same noble genes that spawned the iconic 190SL of the 1950s and today's SL family. |
| March 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (First Drive) |
| When Mercedes handed us the keys to the SLK55 AMG and asked us to drive it to a race track two hours south of the Golden Gate Bridge, we knew we'd be experiencing a certain corkscrew. |
| November 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 |
| If you're a driving enthusiast who calculates slip angles, kvetches about the inability to fully defeat stability controls, obsesses over your last gymkhana performance, and regularly dials in steering with the sole of your right foot, this is not the small roadster for you (give BMW a call; the Z4 sDrive35is is waiting). However, if you're an enthusiast of driving -- be it spirited or casual, competitive or cruising -- the SLK350 is perhaps the most well rounded choice in its segment. |
| July 26, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (Driven) |
| I sat unblinking in the dark office, my chin and forehead pressed against a metal frame, and as my eye doctor slowly maneuvered a glowing purple circle thing up against my eyeball, he began telling me how much he likes his Mercedes-Benz SLK. "The car's been perfect," he said, as I tried to remain motionless. "When I bought it, I also looked at the Porsche Boxster. We took the car out and the salesman was saying, 'Aren't you going to put it through its paces?' and I said, 'But this is how I drive.'" |
| September 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (First Drive) |
| The evening before Mercedes-Benz's public relations department flew us from Frankfurt, Germany -- where we'd seen the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG roadster make its official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show -- to the South of France to drive the car, they took us to dinner. Our Mercedes Viano shuttle van made its way from the glass towers of the financial district to the village of Konigstein, northwest of the city, where it wended its way along tree-lined roads through a large park before pulling up in front of a spectacularly grand old hotel. As we alighted from the Viano, we recognized the setting, Villa Rothschild Kempinski, and remembered when and why we'd been there before. It was July 2007, and it was to drive the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster. |
| September 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (First Look) |
| Inevitably, the arrival of spring has convertible owners -- especially those stuck in snowbelt states -- itching to enjoy their vehicles al fresco. This same itch apparently afflicts those employed at Mercedes-Benz, as the company's AMG performance division just rolled out its new 2012 SLS AMG Roadster months ahead of its scheduled debut in Frankfurt. |
| May 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini |
| 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works (First Drive) |
| Yes, indeed. As we explained in our introduction to the car earlier this week, it's the first Mini with a traditional three-box design, and it goes on sale October 1, 2011, as the fifth model in the Mini range after the classic hardtop hatch; the convertible; the Clubman; and the Countryman. Early in 2012, this coupe will be followed to market by a roadster, bringing the total number of Mini models to six. Both the coupe and the roadster were previewed by a duo of concept cars at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Mini representatives claim that the Mini Cooper Coupe's only competitor in the United States is the Audi TT coupe, a far more expensive car. |
| June 9, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster (First Drive) |
| If you're puzzled, as we are, by what the new Mini Roadster is supposed to be that the existing Mini Convertible is not, the folks from Mini offer this explanation: "It's the return of the British roadster. |
| February 1, 2012 |
| 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe |
| Well, what do you get when you leap $10K in price from the Hyundai Veloster and the Volkswagen Beetle? You get a much sportier chassis, for sure, a much more energetic powertrain, and the best steering of the trio. You also get an incredibly harsh ride and lots of torque steer. This car scores high on performance and style, very low on value and utility. The equivalent Mini Cooper hardtop (the original, base car) is just as good to drive but has enough room for four people in a pinch or, say, four wheels and tires so you can drive to track day and swap them out. That said, I just checked the trunk again and this Mini does actually have a decent amount of cargo room. |
| November 3, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe (First Drive) |
| Looking at the size of its lineup, Mini's portfolio is anything but mini. Currently, the automaker sells twelve different models based on four different body styles. By the end of the year, those figures will swell to fifteen and five, respectively. Come 2013, new additions like the Roadster, the Paceman, and the Goodwood will increase the model count to a Porsche 911-like twenty-two. |
| September 28, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini Coupe (First Look) |
| Ever since Mini returned to the marketplace under BMW's guidance in 2001, the brand's been getting bigger, both in offerings and size. It started with the second generation Mini, which grew bigger in almost every dimension. Larger still was the Mini Clubman and then came the Mini Countryman; a four-door, all-wheel drive crossover. The 2012 Mini Coupe isn't exactly reversing that trend, as it's roughly the same size as the present Mini Cooper, but it sure looks Mini-er. |
| June 6, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini JCW Countryman All4 Prototype (First Drive) |
| We should have taken the fact that, shortly after leaving dinner in Innsbruck, Austria, we had to stop to put chains on the front wheels of our van as a hint. Maybe we should have brought long underwear after all. |
| December 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Mini Roadster (First Look) |
| As if five body styles weren't enough, Mini is adding a sixth variant to its lineup. The two-seat Roadster expands the Mini brand into new territory -- it marks the first time since the first Mini launched in 1959 that the nameplate has offered a roadster from the factory. The new models fills a tiny niche in Mini's range, bridging the gap between the open-top, four-seat Convertible and the hardtop, two-seat Coupe. |
| October 31, 2011 |
| 2012 Mitsubishi |
| 2012 Mitsubishi i |
| The 2012 Mitsubishi i is powered by a 63-horsepower electric motor mated to a single-speed transmission that behaves much like an automatic. It uses a lithium-ion battery pack that provides about 80-100 miles of range. According to the company, it can be charged from a conventional 110-volt outlet in 14 hours. A 220-volt charger installed in a customer's garage through the Best Buy retail chain will reportedly charge the vehicle in seven to eight hours. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0 GT S-AWC |
| I have a general feeling of "eh" about this vehicle, which might be unfair, but there it is. Let me explain. The Outlander's front-end styling is at least distinctive, if not attractive. There's good front and rear visibility from the driver's seat. |
| December 13, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan |
| 2012 Nissan GT-R |
| Driving the 2012 Nissan GT-R on the street doesn't really do the car justice. Pretty much nothing does this car justice. I spent some time lapping GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan in the GT-R and my feelings for the car as conflicted as ever. Yes, the GT-R is brutally, stupidly fast. Yes, the 2012 model year GT-R is even faster and more amazing than the 2009-2011 models. No, I still don't desire one of my own. |
| August 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5S |
| The Nissan Altima is a quietly competent vehicle. There's no flashy design, no fancy dual-clutch automatic transmission, and no high-performance pretensions here. But there's also nothing really wrong with the Altima, which is why it's always near the top of the all-important mid-size-sedan sales charts. |
| December 15, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Juke Nismo (First Look) |
| Nissan's Juke crossover already has a turbocharged, direct-injected engine and is available with a manual transmission, but for people with even sportier tastes, it looks like Nissan has a concept car for you: the Nismo Juke. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Murano LE AWD |
| I like the fact that, when I got in the Murano, the ergonomics were all so transparent. I needed to adjust the sideview mirrors, and my left hand went up to the door panel and immediately found an easy-to-use twist dial for adjusting the mirrors. |
| January 10, 2012 |
| 2012 Nissan NV 2500 V-6 SV |
| The Nissan NV is a cargo van, so the normal metrics by which I evaluate a car are irrelevant. Sure, the steering feel is pretty lackluster, but it's light enough to make maneuvering this van a breeze. Yes, the air conditioning takes a long time to cool the cabin, but it does have 420.5 cubic feet of air to chill. The lack of side windows may make for horrific blind spots -- I turned my head when changing lanes, only to see bare metal -- but that's why the mirrors have convex inserts. The metal frames of the rear doors block the view of cars directly behind you -- OK, that's just plain annoying. |
| October 04, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan (First Drive) |
| Small, budget-friendly cars and the 40-mpg fuel-efficiency barrier are on the minds of many people, what with gas prices trampolining around the $4-per-gallon mark and the economy very slowly recovering from grim times. |
| July 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan (First Look) |
| The 2012 Versa rides on an evolution of the last car's platform called V, for Versatile. The sedan's wheelbase and width are unchanged from the current model, but it loses about an inch of length and height. Despite this, Nissan says that packaging improvements for the engine and transaxle mean there is more trunk space. The new car also should be marginally lighter than before. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan SL |
| Most, if not all, of the new subcompact offerings we've seen in the last few years - the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Mazda 2, and Nissan's own Cube - have played to an upmarket strategy. The hope and expectation is that wealthier buyers downsizing from other segments will pay extra for small cars that cater to all the right-brain pleasures of a larger car - style, performance, trendiness, comfort, etc. The new Nissan Versa, however, remains a steadfast adherent to the notion that subcompact buyers consider price, practicality, reliability, and not much else. No surprise, therefore, it's not as nice as the competitors I just mentioned. It takes about a second's glance around the cabin to notice the lower-grade plastics and the completely unadorned dash. |
| September 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Opel |
| 2012 Opel Astra GTC (First Look) |
| Previewed by the GTC Concept that was shown at last year's Paris Motor Show, the three-door gains its own design, more aggressive than either the five-door or the wagon, with a sharp character line running from the door handles to the rear to complement the signature Opel sideblade on the lower portion of the door carried over from others in the lineup. Slim, "eagle-eye" headlamps (complete with optional LED running lights) frame a chrome strip with the Opel badge, which rests above an large, trapezoidal lower fascia grille. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche |
| 2012 Porsche 911 (Sneak Preview) |
| Exit the 997, enter the 991. The time for a new generation of Porsche's iconic, rear-engine sports car is almost here. On September 1, Porsche will release the first images of the brand-new 911, and two weeks later, the car will debut at the Frankfurt Show. In January 2012, the newcomer goes on sale in major European markets, with sales in North America to start the following month. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S (First Look) |
| Some automakers unveiled a half-dozen vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Porsche had just one: the new, 991-generation of the 911. To learn more about the seventh iteration of the 911, we sat down with Porsche president and CEO Matthias Muller, board member for sales and marketing Bernhard Maier, and Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev von Platen. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S (First Ride) |
| It looks familiar. It sounds familiar. It is definitely a 911. But unlike the 997, which was a cleverly cost-conscious metamorphosis of the 996, the 2012 Porsche 911, code name 991, is an all-new car. Its body, which now uses aluminum for the doors, fenders, and engine- and luggage-compartment covers, features a much more modern, cab-forward design. The new interior is inspired by six generations of 911s but also takes cues from the Cayenne and the Panamera. In addition, the engineers have prepared a new evolution of boxer engines, the world's first seven-speed manual transmission, and a chassis with a bigger footprint that creates a more confident stance for Porsche's icon. |
| October 10, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe (First Drive) |
| The big existential question that Porsche surely asked itself when developing the new generation of 911 is: what is it that makes a car a Porsche 911? This is a question without a right or wrong answer -- it's a matter of perspective. |
| November 11, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera, Carrera S Convertibles (First Look) |
| Following up on the coupe models already announced, Porsche has released photos and information on the 2012 911 Carrera and Carrera S cabriolet models. The new convertibles are, like their coupe versions, based on the new 991-generation platform. |
| January 6, 2012 |
| 2012 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid |
| I was never impressed with the last-generation Porsche Cayenne so I hoped for better with the new 2012 model. Unfortunately, this S Hybrid suffers from the same leaden feeling that plagued the previous car. I know that hybrids generally weigh more than their non-hybrid counterparts due to heavy batteries, etc., but there is more than just this vehicle's actual physical weight -- which is an obscene 4938 pounds -- at work here. |
| August 31, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche Cayman R |
| Our office seems split on this car - either it's God's gift to track junkies, or it's far too hardcore to use as a daily driver. Allow me to add a touch of grey to this spectrum of thought, since I'm somewhere between those two camps. |
| June 28, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid (First Drive) |
| The Porsche Hybrid badge isn't a joke. Though some may consider an eco-minded Porsche an oxymoron, the engineers in Stuttgart have already proven that their hybrids are driver's cars and don't stray far from the brand's performance ethos. Porsche is quickly embracing hybrid technology with cars like the 918 Spyder, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid racecar, the Cayenne S Hybrid, and now the Panamera S Hybrid. After its launch in the fall of 2009, Porsche sold about 22,000 Panameras in the US in 2010, and some 80 percent of those sales were to buyers new to the Porsche brand. Porsche hopes to continue its sedan success when the Panamera S Hybrid goes on sale this November. |
| May 19, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S |
| Absurd. Ridiculous. Insane. Awesome. Weird. Pointless. These are all adjectives that can aptly describe the Panamera Turbo S. Journalists overuse the phrase "explosive acceleration," but it is a completely accurate way to explain how this Porsche jumps off the line in Sport Plus mode. |
| December 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S (First Look) |
| Porsche will use this year's New York auto show to unveil the 2012 Panamera Turbo S, the most powerful factory version yet of the company's luxury sedan. Building on the 500-horsepower Panamera Turbo, the new car trumps its non-S stablemate with an infusion of 50 more horsepower and 37 extra pound-feet of torque. |
| April 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Porsche Panamera: Overview |
| The 2012 Porsche Panamera lineup expands further with the addition of new high-performance and gas/electric hybrid trims. This premium-large car is a 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive "4" models are offered. All use a front-mounted engine. New for 2012 is the rear-drive gas/electric S Hybrid. It pairs a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 380 horsepower total. Its sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2012 Range Rover |
| 2012 Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate (First Look) |
| New York City, more so than anywhere else in America, is the place where one is more likely to be driven than to drive. Thus, it's probably the ideal place for the U.S. debut of the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate, an ultra-luxe Range Rover that particularly caters to rear-seat riders. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Range Rover Evoque (Driven) |
| For all the exploding popularity of the compact crossover vehicle segment, very few of its members stir any excitement. That's true even among premium-brand entries. With its first-ever compact offering, the Evoque, Range Rover has managed to defy the category norm and create a vehicle that is markedly different from the brand's traditional offerings, and yet every bit as special. |
| December 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Saab |
| 2012 Saab 9-4X (First Drive) |
| The 9-4X is a five-seat crossover -- Saab's first -- and a sister car to the Cadillac SRX. The two were developed together back in the days when Saab was a member of General Motors' (much larger) family. But just when the 9-4X was about to launch (as a 2009 model, like the SRX), the General, as you may have heard, hit some rocky financial shoals. While the SRX proceeded to market, the 9-4X was put on ice and Saab was put on the block. A newly independent Saab is now finally ready to roll out its crossover SUV. |
| May 2, 2011 |
| 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi |
| The 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi borrows its turbocharged drivetrains from the sedan. Turbo4 versions have front-wheel drive and a 220-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The top-line Aero has all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower 2.8-liter V6. Each pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| 2012 Scion |
| 2012 Scion iQ (First Drive) |
| San Francisco's streets are littered with small cars. Expensive small cars -- Mini Coopers and Audi A3s abound. Half a million bucks buys you a small apartment in this city, but it'd take multiple millions (or a 24-hour-a-day valet) to make a big car easy to park. (And "big" is relative. In San Francisco, a Toyota Camry is a big car.) |
| July 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Shelby Mustang |
| 2012 Shelby Mustang GT500 Super Snake (First Look) |
| The 2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake will be unveiled at the New York show, according to Shelby American. Excited? Just wait until you see the output - tick the option boxes just right, and your super-'Stang will crank out 800 horsepower. Yowza. |
| April 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Subaru |
| 2012 Subaru BRZ (First Look) |
| On the heels of the online unveiling of the Toyota GT 86, Subaru has released details of its version of the rear-drive sporty coupe, the BRZ. We were introduced to the design of the BRZ only recently, with Subaru providing the first glimpse two weeks ago in concept form at the L.A. Auto Show. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Subaru Impreza (First Look) |
| Subaru's Impreza WRX and WRX STI certainly help draw attention to the brand, but ironically, their plebian sibling -- the base Impreza -- may actually be much more important to the automaker. It's understandable, once you've seen the numbers: in both 2009 and 2010, the Impreza -- not the recently redesigned Legacy -- is Subaru's best-selling sedan, and the brand's third-best selling model line altogether. |
| April 20, 2011 |
| 2012 Subaru Impreza (First Photo) |
| We won't have our first complete look at the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza until its debut at the New York auto show later this month. That said, the automaker's PR department is all too happy to tease Imprezaphiles around the world with the first official image of the new car, along with a few bits of information. |
| April 6, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota |
| 2012 Toyota Camry (First Drive) |
| Would you believe that we once described the Toyota Camry -- the whipping boy of the enthusiast automotive media -- as "the gold standard of mid-size motoring?" Back in 1992, the Camry was Toyota's first mid-size car and the first one designed just for the American market. It was stunning -- not just in its looks, but in the way it offered Lexus levels of refinement to the masses. |
| August 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota Prius C (First Look) |
| The Prius V large hatchback is already rolling on U.S. roads, and a new compact version, called the 2012 Toyota Prius C, is scheduled for its turn in the spotlight in advance of its launch next spring. |
| November 15, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota Prius V (First Drive) |
| You know what the Toyota Prius is and all that it stands for. The third generation of the iconic hybrid vehicle debuted two years ago. Now we've driven the Prius v, which Toyota unveiled at last January's 2011 Detroit auto show. It's the first time that Toyota has affixed the Prius badge to a vehicle that's bigger than the current-generation hatchback and its predecessor, the car that made the Prius name a household word. |
| May 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota Prius v: Bigger is better |
| If you put the standard Prius hatchback next to the new Prius v, this model expansion might seem like a pointless exercise, as the Prius v doesn't seem much bigger. |
| December 23, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota Yaris (First Drive) |
| The subcompact class is not one in which you can expect many thrills or frills. Subcompact cars occupy the bottom rung of the automotive ladder, intended mostly for those consumers who are looking for little more than basic transportation. Both Toyota (Yaris) and Nissan (Versa) are fielding all-new offerings in the segment for 2012 and are poised to battle each other in the bargain basement arena. Nissan is aiming for those truly short on cash, which leaves the team from Toyota City to aim a smidge higher with a more sport-infused Yaris. |
| August 17, 2011 |
| 2012 Toyota Yaris SE |
| I'm reluctant to parrot Toyota's advertising, but there's more than an ounce of truth in the "Yaris -- It's a car!" campaign. During my night with the Yaris, I verified that it does indeed have four wheels, a steering wheel, and a gasoline engine. It also has a steering column that doesn't telescope and a four-speed automatic transmission, which were two of the key factors preventing Toyota from pursuing the alternative tagline, "It's a competitive car!" |
| January 26, 2012 |
| 2012 Volkswagen |
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo |
| I didn't spend much time in the Beetle Turbo but it doesn't take much time behind the wheel to appreciate VW's spunky 2.0-liter turbo four. The turbo spools up quickly -- all 207 lb-ft of torque are available at an insanely low 1700 rpm -- but progressively so acceleration is instantaneous but easily controllable. |
| January 24, 2012 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo (First Drive) |
| After a decades-long run that made it one of the world's favorite cars, the Volkswagen Beetle was resurrected as the Golf-based New Beetle in 1998. It was warmly embraced (mostly by U.S. buyers), but not for long. The initial frenzy saw sales shoot past 80,000 units and then swan dive to fewer than 20,000 by 2010. Volkswagen's somewhat surprising move to give its retro machine a second act has resulted in the all-new (but no longer capital n New) Beetle for 2012, which the company would like you to think of as less cute and much sportier but still retro. |
| July 15, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle (First Look) |
| It's never easy re-interpreting a design icon on the order of the Volkswagen Beetle, which is easily one of the most recognizable vehicles ever to roll on four wheels. But with the New Beetle quite frankly getting old, the time has come to make old new again with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. One of the most anticipated new VWs in recent memory, the 2012 Beetle is getting the VIP treatment, with a simultaneous world premiere in Shanghai, Berlin and at this week's 2011 New York show. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: Overview |
| The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is redesigned with freshened styling, new engines, and the promise of a more-sporty driving experience. Formerly the New Beetle, the 2012 model is about 1 inch longer in wheelbase and 7 inches longer overall than the 1998-2010. This sporty car returns as a 2-door hatchback. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen CC LUX Limited |
| I love Volkswagen's six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and I also love Volkswagen's omnipresent turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. Pairing the two in this CC should equal nirvana, correct? So I thought, but I was actually a little underwhelmed, at least when the transmission was in drive. The 2.0T's turbo lag does it no favors with the DSG during a hard launch, as it seems to take forever to get up and go. The sport shift programming is a bit better in this regard, and is remarkably quick to downshift and happy to hold gears - a refreshing change from most transmissions in this segment. |
| October 25, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Eos (First Drive) |
| When you drive some 200 new cars a year, it's sometimes easy to forget about older models. I've recommended the Volkswagen Eos to a few friends, and those who bought one have been quite happy with their car. |
| June 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Eos Komfort |
| I've always found the Volkswagen Eos a fun, satisfying four-seat convertible. The key selling point for the Eos is that it's one of the few retractable hardtop convertibles around -- and after the Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT, the Eos is the second-cheapest folding hardtop you can buy. The new model year brings with it a redesigned face, revised interior, LED taillights, and miscellaneous other tweaks. I think it looks good and continues to drive very nicely, featuring the same fantastic 200-hp 2.0T engine and six-speed DSG transmission found in the Volkswagen GTI. |
| September 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Nils Concept (First Look) |
| Is this the future of commuting? Volkswagen thinks so. The tiny, single-seat Volkswagen Nils concept will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month. It is supposed to offer sports car-like performance with zero emissions and silent propulsion. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat (First Spin) |
| Volkswagen really wants Americans to buy more of its cars and SUVs. With a complicated--not to mention fascinating--company history that dates back to the 1930s, German-made Volkswagens first appeared on the American market in 1949. From a mere two "Bugs" sold in '49, U.S. sales of the VW "Beetle" eclipsed 50,000 units by 1957 and peaked at more than 390,000 in 1968. So, did Americans buy so many Bugs because they were German, or because the car fit their needs? Or was it a bit of both? |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack (First Look) |
| The third-generation Audi A6 Allroad Quattro may still be under development, but its fraternal twin - the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack - has already been unveiled to the world. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE |
| Much has been said about the 2012 Passat: It is the second of Volkswagen's new "Americanized" cars and the first to come from its all-new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The new plant seems up to snuff in the initial-quality department, with panels all screwed together well and with reasonably tight panel gaps. I say "reasonably" because Fisher Price-grade plastics can fit together only so tightly. While the cabin may be attractively designed, there are few soft-touch plastics to be found and too many that are reminiscent of the little red-and-yellow buggy many of us had as children. |
| September 1, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL |
| The 2012 Volkswagen Passat is mostly a very average car, suitable for its segment, but offers a stand-out audio system and exterior styling that sets it apart from the competition. |
| October 05, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL |
| It's easy enough to lambaste the Routan for what it's not -- a "true" Volkswagen -- but let's instead focus on what it is: a competent minivan. Although some competitors pack their vans with widescreen entertainment for the kids, super-luxurious interiors, or dress-up kits that theoretically suggest manliness, the Routan seems to play the middle the field. Its exterior styling is handsome and pleasant, albeit somewhat pedestrian. |
| January 6, 2012 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan (First Drive) |
| Seven years. Barring the extended lifespan of the original New Beetle, Volkswagen officials say their products have a shelf life of seven years before an all-new replacement arrives on the market. Following that formula, the VW Tiguan, which launched in 2008 as a 2009 model, isn't due to be completely overhauled until 2015. |
| June 14, 2011 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: Overview |
| The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan receives freshened styling and some new standard features. Volkswagen's compact SUV seats 5 and comes in base S, mid-level SE, and top-line SEL trims. All are available with front- or all-wheel drive. A 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is standard across the board. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| 2012 Volvo |
| 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - Four Seasons Update - October 2011 |
| The Volvo S60 has now spent half a year with Automobile Magazine and has settled comfortably into its role in the Four Seasons fleet. Neither a sports car nor a utility vehicle, the S60 is the car of choice when a comfortable all-around cruiser that seats four and can provide some entertainment is what's needed. |
| October 31, 2011 |
| 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design (First Drive) |
| Volvo could have stood pat with the S60 and no one would have blinked an eye. A year ago, the Swedish company introduced the long-awaited redesign of its mid-level sedan, which exhibited such impressive handling characteristics and refined styling that we named it to our 2011 All-Stars roster. The success of the S60 has been the primary factor driving increased sales for Volvo, which are up 28 percent over a year ago. |
| August 19, 2011 |
| 2012 Volvo XC60: Overview |
| The 2012 Volvo XC60 sees some minor trim changes. This premium-compact SUV seats 5 and shares elements of its basic design with the Volvo XC70 station wagon. XC60 reprises base 3.2, uplevel T6, and sporty T6 R-Design trim levels. The 3.2 R-Design has been discontinued. Front-wheel drive and a 240-horsepower 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine are standard on the 3.2. All-wheel drive is optional on this model. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| 2012 VW Passat brings hybrid-beating diesel tech stateside |
| Imagine driving Chicago to Atlanta, or Seattle to Napa Valley, without refueling, in a roomy car. It's possible if you switch from gasoline to diesel technology and set the cruise control to 65 or 70 on the interstate. That makes the diesel engine version of the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat (about $26,000) more desirable than the gasoline powered Passats that 80% of Americans will buy, and with its excellent fuel economy, perhaps more desirable than hybrids like the Prius, too. Diesel engines used to be loud, smelly, dirty, and slow, but technology has cured those problems. Now it's simply a perception problem for VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others selling diesel passenger cars. |
| July 22, 2011 |
| 2013 Acura |
| 2013 Acura ILX Concept (First Look) |
| Since the brand's inception some 25 years ago, Acura has always offered an entry-level luxury model to draw young buyers to the brand for the very first time. Models like the Integra, RSX, and TSX have essentially served as gateway cars to the Acura lineup, but there's soon to be yet another model name on that list. The 2013 ILX, previewed by the so-called concept shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show, will soon serve as Acura's least-expensive offering. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2013 Acura RDX (First Look) |
| Though we fight it as children, most humans ultimately have to face the inevitable and mature. Our tastes gradually migrate from fun and funky to the smooth and sophisticated. It only makes sense for automobiles to evolve in a similar fashion, and that's just what the 2013 Acura RDX - which makes its first auto show debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit - promises. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2013 Audi |
| 2013 Audi S5 (First Drive) |
| Although the 2013 Audi S5 receives a refresh, it's not very different from the original Audi S5. Why? Walter de'Silva declared the original Audi A5/S5 coupe to be his most beautiful design ever and not much needed changing to keep the car looking good. Come to think of it, there wasn't much about the S5 that needed updating at all. But the auto industry demands updates every few years to keep the buzz going and Audi isn't a brand that rests on its laurels, so we're in southern Spain searching for subtle changes in the 2013 S5. |
| September 27, 2011 |
| 2013 Audi S8 (First Drive) |
| An Audi S8 doesn't exactly belong on a racetrack, in the same way that humans don't exactly belong in the same vicinity of ticked-off bulls charging down the street. So if we abandoned all reason and indulged in Audi's offer to shepherd an S8 around the Circuito de Navarra just outside of Pamplona, Spain, please forgive us. It must be something in the water. |
| October 21, 2011 |
| 2013 BMW |
| 2013 BMW ActiveE (First Drive) |
| When BMW embraces a new technology, you know it's going to do it right. The mere mention of turbocharged M car, just ten years ago, would have had fans of fast BMWs choking on their bratwurst, but the new M5 gets forced induction, and is looking like the finest car yet to wear the blue and red badge. |
| October 11, 2011 |
| 2013 Buick |
| 2013 Buick Encore (First Look) |
| Buick has pulled a complete 180 in the past five years, revitalizing its lineup with well-crafted models and attracting younger buyers. These younger buyers apparently want smaller, more efficient premium vehicles and Buick plans to keep chasing the trend with its compact 2013 Encore crossover. |
| January 10, 2012 |
| 2013 Chevrolet |
| 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco (First Drive) |
| The current-generation Chevrolet Malibu, which debuted in 2008, may have been the signature accomplishment of Bob Lutz's tenure at General Motors. The former GM vice president's celebrated sense of style and attention to detail heralded the first truly excellent Chevrolet passenger car in decades. |
| December 15, 2011 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Spark (First Look) |
| The Chevrolet Spark isn't a new car -- if you live in Asia, Europe, Australia, or South America, that is. The subcompact Spark has been sold outside of North America for a few years now, and it is finally coming to the U.S. and Canada in mid-2012. |
| November 14, 2011 |
| 2013 Ford |
| 2013 Ford Fusion (First Look) |
| For proof that Ford takes the midsize segment seriously, one need look no farther than the company's quality standards for the new 2013 Fusion sedan. Engineers benchmarked the Audi A6 for panel gaps and fitment, and Mercedes-Benz cars for interior materials quality. That attention to detail, along with a striking new design and fuel-efficient drivetrains, are designed to draw buyers out of other midsize sedans and into the Fusion. The new car bows at the Detroit auto show and goes on sale in the middle of 2012. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2013 Hyundai |
| 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe (First Look) |
| We're always up for more power, especially under the hood of a rear-drive sports car like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. And with the newly updated 2013 Genesis Coupe spinning on its 2012 Detroit show stand, Hyundai has delivered it -- big time. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo (First Look) |
| Though it may look like a hot hatch, the Hyundai Veloster lacked the power needed to live up to that billing. But that might change. Hyundai unveiled the 2013 Veloster Turbo at the North American International Auto Show, with 63 more horsepower and 72 more lb-ft than the non-turbo and a few exterior tweaks that could make the Veloster Turbo eligible for a spot in the hot hatch pantheon. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2013 Infiniti |
| 2013 Infiniti JX35 (First Look) |
| Infiniti already offers a variety of people movers with its two-row EX and FX crossovers and three-row QX56. Now, it is looking to take a bite out of the luxury three-row crossover pie that appeals to so many families with the 2013 Infiniti JX35. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| 2013 Lexus |
| 2013 Lexus GS (First Drive) |
| Competing in the heavyweight heart of the luxury market, the Lexus GS has often stood in the shadow of rivals like the BMW 5-series, the Mercedes-Benz E-class, and the Audi A6. |
| November 23, 2011 |
| 2013 Lexus GS Prototype (First Drive) |
| Early next year, Lexus will start selling an all-new GS. While the production car's styling has not yet been revealed, it was previewed by the LF-Gh Concept at this year's New York auto show. That design was certainly polarizing, and while it has many critics, some of us feel that the new design language will translate well from the show stand to the street. We'll find out next month when the car is revealed at Pebble Beach. The prototype 2012 Lexus GS350 we drove was fully camouflaged inside and out, but we spent considerable time behind the wheel and the changes are obvious. |
| July 26, 2011 |
| 2013 Mazda |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 (First Drive) |
| A brand-new Mazda is always accompanied by a shot of extra electricity in the air. The little company from the hinterlands of Hiroshima has always had our best interests in heart. Zoom-zoom, and all that Jinba Ittai stuff. Kodo to you, too, brothers in performance. |
| November 21, 2011 |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 Prototype (First Drive) |
| In recent years, Mazda has earned a strong reputation for fun-to-drive vehicles by spicing up staid segments with products like the compact 3, the mid-size 6, and the CX-7 crossover. The Mazda Tribute, however, was not one of those vehicles. Ironically, the vehicle that launched the brand's Zoom-Zoom campaign was Mazda's least charismatic and least exciting offering. The Tribute was a rebadged Ford Escape, and just as Ford's utilitarian compact crossover languished on the market for far too many years, so did the Tribute. |
| August 31, 2011 |
| 2013 Porsche |
| 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS (First Drive) |
| Mainstream cars keep getting more homogenous. Volkswagen has reduced the number of build combinations for Jetta from 148 to fourteen. Sedans like the Toyota Corolla are sold in huge numbers with just one engine. And even the bestselling car in America, the Toyota Camry, is available with your choice of only three powertrains. |
| January 31, 2012 |
| 2013 Scion |
| 2013 Scion FR-S (First Drive) |
| Slide behind the wheel of the first-ever rear-wheel-drive Scion and settle into the Recaro-style seats. Severely sculpted, with black fabric, red stitching, and prominent bolsters, they immediately telegraph the performance intentions of this 2+2-seat coupe. |
| December 8, 2011 |
| 2013 Scion FR-S (First Look) |
| At first glimpse, the long-awaited 2013 Scion FR-S, revealed November 30 to an invitation-only crowd at a Hollywood studio, could be compared to a perfectly self-contained single episode. At the same time, to extend the show-biz metaphor, it also has the potential for variable endings, as you choose. |
| December 2, 2011 |
| 2013 Subaru |
| 2013 Subaru BRZ (First Drive) |
| A half century or so ago, the car market was blossoming with sports cars. These were generally simple machines that were often unreliable and impractical -- and very often not particularly fast. |
| December 2, 2011 |
| 2013 Volkswagen |
| 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (First Drive) |
| Volkswagen owns the affordable diesel market in the United States. With TDI engines available in the Jetta, Passat, Golf, and Touareg, one out of every five Volkswagens sold in 2011 was powered by a diesel engine. A fifth VW diesel, the Beetle TDI, joins the lineup for 2012, but Volkswagen isn't content to rest on its compression-ignition laurels. |
| February 2, 2012 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (First Look) |
| It's no secret that Volkswagen is big into diesels. But given the ever-growing set of hybrid offerings from its competition, VW is expanding its green footprint by bringing cars like the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, currently on display at the 2012 Detroit auto show, to the market. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| 2014 Audi |
| 2014 Audi A9 (Deep Dive) |
| Audi continues to pull out all the stops to achieve its goal of becoming the world's leading premium carmaker by 2015. Pending additions to the range include the aluminum-bodied A2, the subcompact Q1 and coupe-like Q6, the mid-engined R5, and now, a brand-new flagship model likely to be called the A9. |
| April 22, 2011 |
| 2014 BMW |
| 2014 BMW X5 and X6 (Deep Dive) |
| At the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, BMW is expected to release the third iteration of the popular X5. Six months later, the new X6 is scheduled to see the light. Both models are based on a new components set known in-house as "X for all," a result of BMW's growing interest and expertise in all-wheel drive. |
| May 25, 2011 |
| 2014 Chevrolet |
| 2014 Chevrolet Impala Review and Prices |
| Chevrolet's largest car finally gets a full redesign in a bid to wrest sales from Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Ford Taurus. The new Impala shapes up as a kind of bargain-priced Buick LaCrosse, but it won't be the big-car bargain it has been. |
| June 1, 2011 |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz A- and B-class (Deep Dive) |
| After more than a decade on the market, the Mercedes-Benz A-class is finally getting the full Mercedes treatment. The next-generation model, due to start production in 2013, will be more luxurious and stylish, will spawn seven body styles, and will, for the first time, come to the United States. |
| July 28, 2011 |
| Numbers |
| 24 Hours Living With A Porsche 911 Carrera GTS |
| "What car do you drive?" is the most common question those of us at Automobile Magazine receive at cocktail parties once people learn what we do for a living. "What car do you want to drive?" would be a more appropriate question, because the truth is, we drive everything. That's our job. So, push us, press us, cajole us for a definitive answer. We'll shift our weight from one foot to the other and dip a baby carrot into the ranch dressing. And then, more times than not, we'll admit that all we really want is a Porsche 911. Not only is the 911 the test car we are most likely to fight over, it's the car we most want to own. New or old, base model or cabriolet or Turbo. Permanently, not just for a night. |
| July 12, 2011 |
| 25 Of Our Favorite Covers From The Last 25 Years |
| Prior to the issue that you hold in your hands, there have been 300 regular monthly editions of Automobile Magazine. We've picked twenty-five of our favorite covers from the past twenty-five years. How many do you remember? |
| March 15, 2011 |
| 100 Top Auto Sites |
| View this week's top 100 auto sites hand picked by our editors to provide the best selection on the Internet. |
| |
| 1961-1973 Volvo 1800 (Collectible Classic) |
| Volvo might not be the first brand that comes to mind when discussing sporty coupes -- actually, for most people, it would never come to mind -- but in the Swedish carmaker's long parade of boxy cars, there was one standout exception. The Volvo 1800 was as appealing as any of the European coupes of its era, a low-slung two-plus-two that, for more than a decade, stood in contrast to the brand's utilitarian mainstream offerings. |
| June 3, 2011 |
| 1978-1981 BMW M1 (Driven) |
| Those creative Bavarians -- calling their first car an M1 just because it was, well, the first M car. Thirty-some years later, that inspired deviation from BMW's naming norm has cost the newest M car the name it should have had. So if you think today's 1-series M coupe is awkwardly named, blame the 1978-1981 BMW M1. |
| July 29, 2011 |
| 2004 and 2008 Volkswagen R32 and 2013 Volkswagen Golf-R |
| Volkswagen is changing its products to appeal to a more mainstream audience -- but thanks to the undying efforts of one in-house enthusiast, a very un-mainstream Golf is coming to America. We watched as the 2013 Golf R made its U.S. debut to a group of its likeliest fans. |
| September 15, 2011 |
| 2011 Minivan Buying Guide |
| The minivan first became a significant part of the American automotive marketplace in the mid-1980s with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan. For years it reigned as the king of family movers, and for good reason. Most minivans can carry at least seven passengers, and if more space for stuff is needed, seats can be folded flat, folded into the floor, or even removed all together to open up a cargo hold of 100 cubic feet or more. |
| March 9, 2011 |
| 2011 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive |
| Who would have thought that we would have an electric car with so few electronics inside of it? Compared with its more affordable, better thought-out competitors, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive seems like an afterthought. The only indication of range is an analog gauge that measures the battery state of charge as a percentage of full. The Nissan Leaf does it much smarter, with a readout of how many miles the car can cover based on weather, the battery charge, and how much energy is being consumed by accessories. Taking it one step further, the Leaf even has a navigation system capable of determining if the battery has enough juice to get you to your destination. |
| May 27, 2011 |
| 2011 Sneak Preview |
| At board meetings, on test tracks, and in design studios, decisions are being made today that will influence what you drive tomorrow. Automakers are hard at work creating the next generation of automobiles -- cars that are faster, sexier, more efficient -- while trying to keep their development secret. Like you, we are nosy as hell. Unlike you, we have a vast network of snoops, gossips, and disgruntled former employees who have helped us uncover the information we present here. Our annual Sneak Preview feature contains the industry's future products -- as far out as 2019 -- that are worth saving your milk money for. |
| May 16, 2011 |
| 2012 Automobile of the Year: Audi A7 |
| Sometimes, the Automobile of the Year is a dramatic about-face for its manufacturer. Other times, it is a car that breaks new ground technologically. Some years, it is a spectacular upgrade from its predecessor. This year, it's none of those things. |
| January 1, 2012 |
| 2012 Design of the Year: Fisker Karma |
| So now it's real: series production is underway and the first Fisker Karma sedans -- five as of the Frankfurt show in September -- are in the hands of private individuals, much to the surprise of the naysayers who've insisted it's all scam and vaporware. There is no way to know yet whether Fisker will be a Lamborghini-style success or a De Lorean-style failure. But what we do know, just by looking at it, is that the Karma is a beautiful and highly dramatic automobile, unlike anything else on the road today and yet very much like dozens of the most beloved sports cars of the past. |
| January 1, 2012 |
| 2012 Smart For-Us Concept (First Look) |
| A Smart pickup? We'd never imagined such a creation before, but judging by the new For-us concept, which debuts in January at the 2012 Detroit auto show, the designers at Smart apparently have. |
| January 6, 2012 |
| A |
| A Tale Of Two Time Travelers: 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI |
| "Welcome to New Stanton," the sign cheerfully announces, but reality speaks a different language. Although the main drag is lined with many of the same franchises that were around in better days, prosperity has long since checked out and moved on to greener pastures. |
| December 28, 2011 |
| Acura NSX Concept (First Look) |
| December of 2005 is a month that will live in infamy -- or at the very least, it will amongst sports car enthusiasts. Following a formal announcement five months earlier that the NSX sports car would come to an end, employees at Honda’s Suzuka facility in Japan build the last Acura NSX destined for North American customers. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| Alfa Romeo 4C (By Design) |
| It's been a long time coming, an Alfa Romeo sports car that true enthusiasts can desire -- and afford. Based on the convincing 4C concept car, the wait was worth it, as this may be the breakthrough car that we've all wanted for a very long time. Alfa's 8C Competizione is wonderful, even if it's a Ferrari/Maserati derivative and was not created independently. But few among us can afford a quarter-million dollars for a daily driver. The 4C, though, comes from Fiat, and its mechanical elements presumably are optimized for inexpensive volume production. We, and the Fiat masters who control Alfa, hope that the 4C will become as popular and widely sold as were Giulietta sport models fifty years ago. In the end, it will depend on price -- and on how well the car works, of course. |
| June 8, 2011 |
| Audi A2 Concept (First Look) |
| Along with the miniscule Urban Concepts, Audi is unwrapping the electric-powered A2 concept -- which previews a forthcoming subcompact model -- at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. |
| September 7, 2011 |
| Audi e-tron Spyder Concept (First Drive) |
| The Audi e-tron Spyder, a concept-darling at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, looks perfectly at home in Malibu. The e-tron Spyder's many grilles and vents, not to mention its wraparound windshield, evince a haughtiness that seems natural here. |
| October 17, 2011 |
| Audi Filling the Gaps (Deep Dive) |
| Auto enthusiasts -- including the ones at this magazine -- have been known to wonder why automakers continue to pour money into all manner of crossovers. Wouldn't they be better off investing that cash in small fuel-savers or, better yet, high-performance station wagons? For Audi, at least, there's a logical answer: an eye-popping 155,000 Q5s sold globally last year to go along with 47,700 Q7s. |
| August 11, 2011 |
| Audi Q3 Vail Concept |
| After teasing us for years, Audi is finally bringing its little Q3 luxury crossover to an American auto show, but only as a concept. Called the Q3 Vail Concept, it’ll see American shores for the first time at the Detroit show. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| Audi Urban Concept (First Drive) |
| The Audi Urban Concept blends soapbox, bubble car, quad, go-kart and electric runabout into a new cult car for environment-conscious urbanites. We hit the road - a cordoned-off parking structure, to tell the truth - in this plug-in egg on wheels which will soon be okayed for low-volume production. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| B |
| Backroads And Barbecue: Detroit To Atlanta In a Porsche 911 Turbo |
| I mean, he gets around. He gets around a lot. For instance, in just the three twenty-four-hour races he won at Le Mans, he and his two teammates racked up 8951 miles, an average of 2984 miles each. In his two twelve-hour Sebring wins, he completed 2449 miles with two teammates, each driver averaging 816 miles. |
| March 17, 2011 |
| Bertone Jaguar B99 (By Design) |
| It's not that we are offended by it or against it -- it is just not for us." So said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's recently recruited global brand director, referring to the Bertone B99 concept shown at Geneva in March. Big mistake, in my opinion. The B99 looks more like an archetypal Jaguar than do current production Jaguar sedans, and it does so without being retro. The XJ sedan, our Design of the Year, still retains vestiges of Sir William Lyons' double-bump headlamp nacelles from the 1960s, a more overtly retro detail than anything on Bertone's concept, and it suffers from those goofy black C-pillars and cribbed Lancia taillights. |
| May 17, 2011 |
| BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Sedan (First Look) |
| BMW has divulged all the details on the ActiveHybrid 5, a new hybrid luxury sedan based on the existing 535i. The car is the first BMW hybrid to employ an inline-six engine. We had long expected the arrival of this car, and had even spied a prototype version testing in California. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| BMW X1 xDrive28i (First Drive) |
| The next-generation 3-series, due in 2012, won't be sold as a wagon in the United States. Surprising? Probably not. The writing was on the wall when BMW decided not to import the 2011 BMW 5-series wagon. Upsetting? Unlikely. Just 1700 people bought 3-series wagons last year. So why should you care? As the crossover shrinks smaller and smaller in size, it gets closer and closer to becoming a wagon. And BMW's new X1 is the smallest luxury crossover yet. |
| April 26, 2011 |
| BMW Z4 sDrive35is vs. Mercedes-Benz SLK350 (Comparison) |
| We've been waiting a long time for this meeting. The predecessors to the two cars you see here debuted back in the booming late 1990s, but were as different as Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton, or Friends and Seinfeld. The bulldog-faced Z3 oozed machismo, performance, and back-to-basics simplicity. James Bond drove one. The SLK, in contrast, had a steel folding hard top, came in colors like copper and electric green, and had recirculating-ball steering. Your wife wanted one. |
| June 24, 2011 |
| Bread Box Battle: Chrysler Town & Country vs Honda Odyssey vs Nissan Quest vs Toyota Sienna |
| I have never strapped a child seat into a LATCH position. I have never needed to pack a crib, a diaper bag, and a Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny for a two-hour visit with my parents. And I have never consciously run a red light while racing to the kids' soccer practice, slamming a cinnamon dolce latte, and screaming at a spouse on the phone. I am a twenty-five-year-old male, and I am a minivan expert. |
| April 11, 2011 |
| By Design: Ferrari 250GTO Ferrarissima |
| Ok, you've got the money. These are incredibly cool and beautiful. But what could you do with a hard-driven car without a speedometer, heater, insulation, bumpers, or soundproofing in Manhattan? Get real!" That was rational me, talking to myself in 1967. Tucked under a ramp at Garage Mon Repos in Lausanne, Switzerland, were two several-year-old Ferrari 250GTO coupes, either one $3500 -- my choice. I passed, dismissing owning one as preposterous. Twenty-odd years later, the better-looking but harder-used of the pair brought more than $15 million from a Japanese collector. Some years after, I told that story at dinner on the Riviera. The man across from me, Jean Guichet, said, "You can't imagine how happy I am to hear that. That was my car, and my wife made me sell it -- for $4500! -- if I wanted to buy another racing car." Guichet had a lot of success with GTOs, including finishing second overall at Le Mans in one of his two personal examples, and he did quite well racing three others, but he took particular pleasure learning that the man who bought a GTO from him for "almost nothing" sold it for even less. |
| July 25, 2011 |
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| Cadillac Ciel Concept Car (First Look) |
| The Cadillac Ciel concept car is a long-awaited return to a BIG Cadillac, this time in the form of a four-door open model. We can't say "convertible" because there is no top. Go on a long drive, get caught in a rain shower, and you'd get wet. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| Cadillac XTS (First Look) |
| Fifteen years ago, we'd have been hard-pressed to believe that Cadillac could build SUVs that appear in rap songs or performance cars that can keep up with BMWs. We probably wouldn't have predicted a station wagon, either. On the other hand, we'd have been aghast to learn that Cadillac could neglect the traditional full-size sedan, as it has for most of the last decade. |
| November 16, 2011 |
| Chevrolet Code 130R, Tru 140S Concepts (First Look) |
| General Motors estimates this group, which consists of about 80 million consumers in the U.S alone., has a collective purchasing power of about $1 trillion. That’s the sort of gold vein any automaker would love to tap into, but few do so effectively. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| Chevrolet Colorado Show (First Look) |
| There's been much talk about the future of the Chevrolet Colorado and its GMC Canyon twin, and General Motors is answering at least some of those questions by unveiling the Colorado Show Truck, which is set for a world debut at the upcoming Bangkok Auto Show. |
| March 21, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1935-1936 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe |
| You'd probably never expect this pretty green 1936 Chevy to have a horn that sounds like that of a diesel train locomotive. Tap the button at the center of the steering wheel, however, and the thundering noise startles just about everyone within earshot. When the double-hinged, passenger-side hood panels are raised, the source of the sound becomes obvious: two huge trumpetlike horns hang prominently above the six-cylinder engine, which isn't much longer than the horns themselves. |
| December 26, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1939-1956 Singer Roadster |
| If owners of British sports cars revel in their roles as feisty, quirky underdogs -- and trust us, they do -- then the happiest owners of all might be those who drive Singer Roadsters. The car and the brand all but retreated from our shores more than two decades before most of its peers, leaving a small band of loyalists to resist the tyranny of more common (and very similar looking) MGs. |
| December 16, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1952-1954 De Soto FireDome |
| The roaring 1920s saw the popularization of jazz music, professional sports, and women's liberation, to name but a few pillars of modern culture. Among the car companies that weathered the first tumultuous years of the automotive industry, launching new brands was clearly another popular Jazz Age activity. General Motors alone bore four marques (La Salle, Marquette, Pontiac, and Viking) between 1926 and 1929, and during the same period Marmon (Roosevelt), Reo (Wolverine), Studebaker (Erskine), and Willys (Falcon-Knight and Whippet) followed suit. |
| August 22, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1952-1955 Lincoln Capri |
| Lincoln is lost. Originally designed to be sold under one of Ford's less pricey, less luxurious marques, Lincoln's new cars have abandoned their heritage, their purpose, and their distinction. The iconic luxury brand has been diminished, having gone from contending with Cadillac to merely playing in the same league as Buick. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1962-1966 MG Midget |
| If you think the Mazda Miata is small, try sliding behind the wheel of a vintage MG Midget. Today's Miata is a whopping 21.3 inches longer and 14.7 inches wider than the 1962 Midget shown here, a lovely first-year example of MG's entry-level roadster from the heyday of British funsters. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1981-1983 De Lorean |
| If you know the De Lorean only as the time-traveling car featured in the 1985 film Back to the Future, you don't know the half of it. The product of one determined man's quest to create the first commercially viable startup American car company since the 1920s, the silver two-seater is far more significant than, say, a common James Bond Aston Martin. |
| July 1, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1985-1989 Toyota MR2 |
| A quarter of a century has passed since the first issue of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE arrived on newsstands. It seems like only yesterday to many of us, but surely that cannot be so, since the 1986 Toyota MR2 that graced the cover of our premiere issue has migrated to the back of the book. Once a cover model, the first-generation MR2 is now a Collectible Classic. |
| March 15, 2011 |
| Collectible Classic: 1989-1991 Peugeot 405Mi16 |
| Ken Ramonet was minding his own business pumping 91-octane unleaded when I ran across a California Chevron station like a carjacker, except that carjackers rarely yell, "Oh my god, it's an Mi16!" It's hard to tell who was more mortified, my embarrassed friends or poor Ramonet, whom I scared half to death. |
| September 16, 2011 |
| Comparison: 2011 Infiniti QX56 vs. 2011 Lexus LX570 |
| I spent my impressionable childhood being toted around in the way back of my family's 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser and in many large sport-utilities owned by my friends' families, so I feel that I have a pretty good idea of how buyers actually use them. Our Land Cruiser took us from our home in suburban New York City to the Outer Banks, to the Berkshires in the dead of winter, and of course to the Stop n Shop about ten thousand times. |
| April 7, 2011 |
| Cue More Audi Crossovers |
| Audi's Q family of crossovers began with the Q7, reached new highs with the Q5, and is about to go to the next round with the smaller Q3 (at least in Europe -- its U.S. prospects remain unclear). But that is only the beginning. As many as three more Q ships are being planned: a coupe-like four-door Q6, the two-door Q4, and the subcompact Q1. |
| June 16, 2011 |
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| Deep Dive: Can BMW Build a Real Sports Car? |
| Sports cars have never been BMW's true forte. The 507, the 503, the Z1, and the Z8 were all unloved loss-makers that attained cult status only (long) after production had ended. And then there's the Z3, which started as a purists' model until the marketing guys called for fatter margins, morphing it into the overweight, retractable-hardtop Z4. |
| June 9, 2011 |
| DOT Mapping Out a Plan to Protect Cars From Cyber-Attacks |
| The latest perceived target for cyber criminals: the automobile. The DOT has a vision for a networked automotive future in which cars speak to each other and to roadway infrastructure via wireless communications. But opening up those channels of inter-car communication means also providing a way in--an avenue that hackers could exploit for ill. As such, the Department of Transportation is looking for ideas to help it develop an automotive cyber security roadmap that will, in due time, impart the technologies we need to safeguard our wired roadways. |
| August 4, 2011 |
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| Edmunds.com |
| Car Reviews |
| |
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| Fast Family Haulers |
| Our vehicles may be getting collectively faster, but it would seem that the family man (or woman) who still has a taste for velocity has precious few choices. In a world where German car companies stuff 500-horsepower engines under the hoods of station wagons, it's a bit perplexing that there aren't any properly fast minivans. |
| November 23, 2011 |
| February 2011 Auto Sales |
| Maybe it was those Superbowl ads. Or, more likely, it was the release of some pent-up demand-particularly on the truck side, where business owners last year had all but shut down new-vehicle purchasing. After a fairly healthy start in January, sales acceleratd to a seasonally adjusted annual clip of better than 13 million units, which is better than we've seen in the last two years, save for during the Cash-for-Clunkers giveaway in summer 2009. Overall, the industry bettered the sluggish pace of last February (2010's weakest month) by 27%. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| Ferrari 458 Spider (First Look) |
| There's a new way to get sunburned in a Ferrari, as the Italian maker of exotics has announced the 458 Spider, a convertible version of the 458 Italia. The Ferrari 458 Spider is mechanically identical to the Italia coupe. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| Fisker Surf Concept (First Look) |
| Fisker is branching out beyond its Karma luxury sedan with the new Surf shooting brake. Unlike other shooting brakes, the Surf is a five-door (instead of three); CEO Henrik Fisker has deemed it to be the most beautiful family car ever made. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Five Fun and Frugal Cars |
| The American auto industry has become fixated on 40 mpg. This new benchmark dominates car advertising, and nearly every manufacturer is rushing to tweak its models -- or bring out entirely new cars -- in order to achieve that figure in EPA fuel-economy testing. That's a good thing for the environment and consumers' wallets, but higher-mileage cars often come at the expense of driving enjoyment. While a tiny hybrid car might be incredibly efficient, it probably won't get its driver's heart racing. |
| November 4, 2011 |
| Ford Fiesta ST Concept (First Look) |
| Turbocharged Ford Fiestas bounce across Rallycross courses and wind their way through WRC stages around the world, but why should rally drivers have all the fun? Perhaps they won't -- the Ford Fiesta ST Concept, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, is likely a sign of hot hatches to come. |
| September 13, 2011 |
| Ford Focus ST-R (First Look) |
| Ford today took the wraps off of the track ready version of its new Focus ST, the Focus ST-R. The Focus ST-R is a factory ready racer based on the Focus ST that's designed to make it easier than ever for privateers to get their hands on a truly capable out-of-the-box racecar. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Ford Vertrek (By Design) |
| I don't know if Alan Mulally's "One Ford" idea is as coruscating as Ford PR says, but it does make sense not to build two completely different vehicles for exactly the same market niche. Ford used to do that in Europe, with multiple British and German models having separately tooled engines, gearboxes, and body shells. |
| March 9, 2011 |
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| Honda Accord Coupe Concept (First Look) |
| Five years doesn't sound like a long time, but in North America's midsize sedan segment, it can feel like an eternity. Much has changed since Honda last rolled out an all-new Accord in 2008. Style has increasingly crept into the formerly bland segment, while four-cylinder and hybrid options have proliferated in the name of improving fuel economy. |
| January 10, 2012 |
| Honda Fit EV (First Drive) |
| At the Twin Ring Motegi raceway in Japan, the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer sets the standard for corporate citizenship. Rather than selfishly pave another road circuit through the gentle hills, Honda has dedicated 104 acres of racetrack property to Hello Woods', a nature preserve and children's camp that is as wacky as the inexplicable apostrophe in its name suggests. |
| December 6, 2011 |
| Honda HPD CR-Z and B-Spec Fit (Driven) |
| To showcase its growing and increasingly growing grass-roots motorsports program, Honda recently put journalists inside race-tuned versions of the CR-Z coupe and Fit hatchback at Willow Springs International Raceway, near Rosamond, California. |
| October 12, 2011 |
| Honda Plug-In Hybrid Mule (First Drive) |
| Honda’s reputation as an innovator and technology leader wasn’t earned with the first hybrid brought to the U.S. market or its stubborn commitment to a hydrogen-powered prototype. Honda built its brand on the fundamentals of its most accessible and popular vehicles. |
| December 5, 2011 |
| Hot Handlers: BMW M3 vs Lotus Evora S vs Nissan GT-R vs Porsche Cayman R |
| It's a tough time for yesterday's heroes. With the current automotive zeitgeist increasingly focused on economy, weight has become more relevant than sheer power, mechanical and electronic advancements have had an increasing effect on driving pleasure, downsizing has grown in importance, and design and engineering are guided not only by performance but by efficiency issues. That's why even the two newest members of this group of four performance coupes -- the Nissan GT-R and the Lotus Evora -- have, for different reasons, already started to show their age. The V-8-engined BMW M3 introduced in 2008 and the Porsche Cayman, which first came to market in 2006, are even longer in the tooth. |
| April 13, 2011 |
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| InternetAutoGuide.com |
| Research new cars, or browse used cars for sale and auto sales. |
| |
| J |
| Jaguar C-X16 Concept (First Look) |
| With carbon-fiber components, an aluminum chassis, a hybrid drivetrain, and stunning aluminum body work, the Jaguar C-X16 concept is one of the most dramatic debuts at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The official word is that the C-X16 is simply a way for Jaguar to demonstrate its future design and technology plans, but there are strong hints this car may make it to production. "The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car," said Jaguar global brand director Adrian Hallmark. "It delivers an irresistible proposition on both emotional and rational levels." |
| September 7, 2011 |
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| Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Bicolore & LP570-4 Spyder Performante (First Drive) |
| Ezra dyer got to go to Rome to drive Lamborghini's latest flagship, the Aventador, which replaces the Murcielago. A week before he flew to Italy, I am at the Monticello Motor Club 100 miles northwest of Manhattan to drive the two latest versions of the Aventador's smaller sibling, the Gallardo. Rome is nice, but the swanky, members-only, Monticello track is no slum, and I don't have to worry about jet lag, just clipping apexes correctly. |
| May 11, 2011 |
| Land Rover DC100 Sport (By Design) |
| As a designer, Gerry McGovern is rather like American muscle cars of yore: neither handles curves too well, but give them a straight line and there's no catching them. His MGF roadster and various Lincoln concepts were less than convincing, but his multiple off-road designs have been outstanding. |
| January 20, 2012 |
| Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept (First Look) |
| Just what would an all-new Land Rover Defender look like? According to the automaker, perhaps something like this new DC100 concept, which is destined for an official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. |
| September 12, 2011 |
| Last Call for the Lincoln Town Car |
| D.J. Auto Sales sits behind a metal fence topped with razor wire in Long Island City, a gritty swath of industrial wasteland in the shadow of the glittering towers of midtown Manhattan. "Specialist in Lincoln Town Cars," reads the bannerlike sign out front. "Lincoln Parts Sold Here At Wholesale Prices. All body parts, lights, switches, sensors, pumps & more. Bad credit. No problem. We finance all." Nearly four dozen Town Cars are parked on the lot. Black ones. Silver ones. White ones. Sedans and stretch limos. Some lightly used and some beaters with a quarter-million miles on the odometer. Cars offered for outright sale or on a pay-by-the-week basis. Cars in for routine service. Cars getting overhauled. In one of two bays in the open-air garage, a long-wheelbase Town Car is up on a lift getting new brake pads and rotors while a body man replaces a crumpled fender. Inside the mobile home that serves as an office, co-owner John Rodriguez has just negotiated the purchase of a low-mileage Town Car from Saint Louis. "I've got about 400 cars," he says. "Ninety-five percent of them are Town Cars. I'm not interested in Toyotas. They can't go 400,000 miles." |
| June 22, 2011 |
| Lexus CT200h hybrid |
| Give Toyota its due, it's wringing the maximum amount of value from the Hybrid Synergy Drive power train. The 1.8 VVT-i Atkinson Cycle petrol engine and associated electric motor have already turned up in the Prius and Auris Hybrid, and now you can have them in a posh frock with a Lexus badge on the nose. |
| July 13, 2011 |
| Lexus LF-Gh: D.O.A. (By Design) |
| Two quite different concept cars caught my interest at the New York auto show in April. I thought both of them were surpassingly unattractive, but for completely opposing reasons. One of the concept cars was the Mercedes-Benz A-class, the other the Lexus LF-Gh seen here. The over-the-top Mercedes is bejeweled and glittery enough to embarrass a rap star whose Cadillac Escalade sports LED-lit "spinners," while the Lexus is subdued and restrained but inelegant. The contrast between them lies in execution. For all its ueber-bling and wildly excessive chrome detailing on the front end, the Mercedes enjoys absolutely flawless surface development. The Lexus does not. |
| August 8, 2011 |
| Lincoln MKZ Concept (First Look) |
| If Lincoln were a hospital patient, it would be in intensive care. Years of neglect and questionable product decisions have turned a once-proud brand into a luxury car afterthought. But according to Ford, that's all about to change, and it starts with the Lincoln MKZ Concept on display at the 2012 Detroit auto show - a future vision of where the MKZ and Lincoln as a whole is headed. |
| January 10, 2012 |
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| Maserati Kubang Concept (First Look) |
| Fear not: the new Maserati Kubang crossover, which premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, may share its platform with Jeep's Grand Cherokee, but it's hardly a badge-engineered abomination. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Mazda Minagi Concept |
| When put into production, the Minagi/CX-5 will feature a full suite of Mazda SKYACTIV engines. With direct fuel injection and 6-speed transmissions (both manual and automatic), these gasoline and diesel powerplants are designed to produce more power with greater efficiency and fewer emissions than the current crop of Mazda engines. The diesel engine will meet strict U.S. emissions standards without the need for a urea-based exhaust-treatment system. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| Mercedes' Big Plans for Small Cars (Deep Dive) |
| Mercedes-Benz has never been afraid to think outside the box when it comes to producing small cars, but neither has it met with great success. The rear-engine Smart is struggling. Ties with Chrysler and Mitsubishi unraveled. And then there are the A-class and the B-class, which, despite an innovative sandwich-floor platform, haven't matched the impact of BMW's Mini brand, let alone Volkswagen's Golf. |
| August 26, 2011 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class Superlight (Deep Dive) |
| Lightweight construction is an increasingly pivotal element of automotive R&D, and an absolute must have at the upper end of the premium segment. While Audi continues to reap the benefits of its aluminum spaceframe approach, BMW is putting a clear emphasis on carbon fiber. For its project i cars, BMW has teamed up with SGL Carbon, a leading systems supplier that recently also attracted the interest of the VW group. |
| November 22, 2011 |
| Mercedes-Benz F125! Concept (First Look) |
| The Mercedes-Benz F125! Concept may be a sneak-peak at a future S-Class, but not one that'll hit roads in the next few years. Instead, the so-called research vehicle, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, is the company's vision of what an S-Class sedan could look like in model year 2025. |
| September 14, 2011 |
| Mini Cooper S Countryman in Chile |
| "Are you feeling strange?" asks photographer Paul Harmer. I am. And so is he. Tingling limbs, light-headedness, shortness of breath -- Harmer thinks he's having a panic attack, while I fret absurdly about deep-vein thrombosis. This is not a good place to have either affliction. We may be sitting in comfort aboard an air-conditioned Mini Cooper S Countryman, but we're also climbing a dirt road deep in the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert, miles from the nearest doctor. But then it dawns on our travel-blunted brains: this is altitude sickness. We're closing on a peak topping 13,000 feet, around the altitude at which oxygen masks drop in the cabins of unpressurized aircraft. |
| April 27, 2011 |
| Morgan 3 Wheeler (Driven) |
| Truth being stranger than fiction, the Morgan Motor Company is officially the largest British-owned carmaker in Britain. Pretty weird stuff for a company that still fashions cars out of ash wood and hand-beaten metal and still operates out of the same set of red brick sheds its founders, an Anglican prebendary and his son, erected in 1918. Even funnier, Morgan has recently reached back into its Edwardian playbook to introduce a new model, the 3 Wheeler, inspired by one of its earliest product lines. |
| November 11, 2011 |
| Mosler Photon (First Drive) |
| Hovering one notch above Lamborghini and Ferrari on the automotive specialness chart is a gaggle of companies whose exotic names could just as easily be typos. Koenigsegg. Pagani. Gumpert. Spyker. Donkervoort. They come from faraway places like Sweden, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands and produce all-conquering, supercar-slaying hyperexotics that generate far more horsepower, carbon dioxide, and attention than they do sales. |
| May 4, 2011 |
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| Nissan eNV200 Concept (First Look) |
| Based in part on the Leaf electric car, the Nissan eNV200 Concept converts the company's not-yet-released small commercial van to all-electric power. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| Nissan Micra DIG-S |
| A rather dull supermini transformed by the installation of an excellent three-pot supercharged engine. |
| September 21, 2011 |
| Nissan Leaf Nismo RC (First Look) |
| The Motorsports world hasn't been immune to the trend toward creating more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly vehicles, and now with the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC set to hit its stand at the 2011 New York auto show, Nissan is showcasing its vision of an EV-only race car. |
| April 18, 2011 |
| Nissan Pathfinder Concept (First Look) |
| After 25 years in the U.S. market, the Nissan Pathfinder will cease being the capable body-on-frame SUV it is today and instead become a seven-passenger crossover in its next generation. Showing off the future of the nameplate is the Nissan Pathfinder Concept bowing at the 2012 Detroit auto show. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| O |
| Opel RAK e Concept (First Look) |
| Thundering drum-and-bass music accompanied the debut of the Opel RAK e, pronounced rack-ee, a tiny two-seat electric concept. Opel says it "combines a fighter jet-like fuselage with an advanced drivetrain." We say it looks a bit weird, what with it's exposed rear wheels and super-skinny body. |
| September 13, 2011 |
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| Porsche 911 Clubsport, Targa, and Speedster (Deep Dive) |
| The latest-generation 911 is set to debut this fall, but in addition to the familiar derivatives, Porsche is readying a little something different this time, with the Clubsport, the Targa, and the Speedster. |
| August 9, 2011 |
| Porsche in the Driver's Seat (Deep Dive) |
| It couldn't have looked much worse for Porsche in 2009. The hare-brained scheme to buy out the Volkswagen Group -- intended to safeguard Porsche's independence -- had blown up spectacularly, leaving the proud sports car builder broke and at the mercy of corporate overlords in Wolfsburg. VW added insult to injury in 2010 when it sent over Matthias Mueller, a career Audi man, to serve as Porsche chairman. |
| June 3, 2011 |
| Porsche plans Ferrari fighter (Deep Dive) |
| New chairman Matthias Muller has ambitious plans to grow Porsche's volume, and thankfully the additional models are not all SUVs. One exciting project is a brand-new mid-engine sports car destined to challenge the pace-setting Ferrari 458 Italia. |
| August 1, 2011 |
| Postwar Aura: Bentley R-type Continental |
| "This is a fairly agricultural piece of kit, isn't it?" remarked photographer Colin Curwood as we examined details -- such as the front compartment foot-level vents -- of the Continental R Mulliner coupe that had been pulled out of the Bentley factory's design display for our use. By today's standards, yes, it probably is. But when the R-type Continental came to market in 1952, it was the fastest four-passenger car on sale anywhere in the world, and it was far, far above any contemporary farm equipment in design terms, whether in quality of manufacture or in aesthetic value. It was also better made and better to drive than almost any early '50s mass-production car, which is why the remaining examples of the 208 Continental Rs built are worth so much -- between $400,000 and $800,000 is the going rate for an "average" Continental R with H. J. Mulliner fastback bodywork. |
| September 30, 2011 |
| R |
| Rolls-Royce 102EX (First Drive) |
| Rolls-Royce has sent five people to look after the Phantom Experimental Electric parked in the back of my hotel, and they all look nervous. Not just because the 102EX, as it's known, is a $3 million one-off that has just graced the floor of the Geneva auto show and still has a year of testing ahead of it. And not because I'm the first person outside Rolls-Royce to drive it. No, it's what I'm planning to do with their car that's causing them anguish. |
| April 1, 2011 |
| Rolls-Royce 102EX road test: 'Spine-tingling' |
| The most high-tech Rolls-Royce since FAB1 has hit the road, with a prototype of the Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric road-tested for the first time. |
| April 4, 2011 |
| S |
| Saab PhoeniX Concept |
| Saab's stand at the 2011 New York Auto Show contained all the products unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show. At the heart of the display was the PhoeniX Concept, named for what company officials hope will be a rebirth of the brand. |
| April 21, 2011 |
| Saab PhoeniX Concept (First Look) |
| Given all of the turmoil Saab went through in the past year it is amazing the company is still alive. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Swedish company has shown that it is reinvigorated and ready to flourish. Leading the charge of the new Saab is the PhoeniX concept. |
| March 4, 2011 |
| Sibling Rivarly: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport |
| Chevrolet knows damn well how to build a sports car. Evidence: the Corvette. Ever since the mid-1950s, it has defined the very idea of what an American sports car is. Attempts to create a second Chevrolet sports car, however, have been met with less success. Excepting the Chevelle SS and a handful of Camaros -- and maybe the Corvair Monza if we're being generous -- it's been rare to find a performance Chevy as inspired as the Corvette. |
| January 17, 2012 |
| Spied: 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette |
| You may think that southeast Michigan, home to General Motors’ proving ground in Milford, gets plenty cold enough in winter. Yet for true cold-weather testing, GM engineers subjected the next-generation C7 Corvette to the extreme chill of northern Canada. That gave our spy photographers a chance to snap photos of this prototype version of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette as it is readied for production. |
| January 19, 2012 |
| Sprint to the Keys: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG vs. Cigarette Racing Team AMG 46' Rider XP |
| Boats are pure whimsy. As much as I'm into cars, most of the time you drive it's because of the banal need to get somewhere. But if you're on a boat, chances are you're there just for the sake of the thing itself. It's like the difference between the house you live in and a fun summer rental -- you may love your house, but being there isn't the same as being on vacation. |
| March 22, 2011 |
| Sub-3000 Club: The Eight Slowest-Selling Cars |
| In the ever-changing automotive market, there are a few evergreen nameplates that sell massive volumes year after year. The Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord are the traditional volume winners, last year selling a combined 639,185 vehicles , to put that in perspective, there are more Corollas and Accords sold each year than there are residents in the state of Vermont. |
| June 7, 2011 |
| Subaru BRZ Prologue Concept (First Look) |
| The BRZ Prologue concept is Subaru's version of the Subaru/Toyota rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. It appeared today at Frankfurt only as a perspex "technical concept" mock-up, with the low-slung boxer engine, driveline, and suspension shown as silver fabrications. |
| September 13, 2011 |
| Subaru Impreza S206 (First Look) |
| Subaru has released another special-edition version of the Impreza WRX STI. Like the previous Impreza R205, the new S206 is a limited-run model with a range of engine and chassis upgrades. Just 300 copies of the S206 will be produced. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| Supercar Summit: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, Porsche 911, McLaren MP4-12C, and Ferrari 458 Italia |
| Two days, two totally different driving experiences, two key questions. |
| August 24, 2011 |
| Suzuki EcoCharge Concept (First Look) |
| As more and more attention is lavished on new all-electric vehicles, there are still plenty of manufacturers aiming to cut carbon emissions with hybrid versions of their existing cars. At the New York auto show, Suzuki will dip its toe into the world of hybrids with the EcoCharge concept, a hybrid version of the Kizashi sedan. |
| April 20, 2011 |
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| The 10 Best Chevrolet Engines |
| 2011 marks the centennial anniversary for Chevrolet. Some of the bow-tie brand's most long-standing contributions to the automotive world have been engines. We've compiled a list of Chevy's ten best powerplants -- some have been revolutionary, some have been game-changers, others have been just downright awesome. |
| October 25, 2011 |
| The All-New 2012 Porsche 911 (Driven) |
| The first real seven-speed transmission and several other nice features |
| November 29, 2011 |
| The Small Car 6-Pack |
| Bud Light is a means to an end. You don't drink watered-down, fizzed-up yellow beer for the taste. You drink it to get drunk. If you're cheap, if you're playing beer pong, or if you've planned far enough in advance to know that you'll be vomiting before the night is over, that's when you drink Bud Light. |
| May 10, 2011 |
| Through the Baltic States in a 2011 Jaguar XJ |
| "All politics is local." So Congressman Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, the late Democratic power broker, once famously observed. Although the legendary New England buttonholer's succinct aphorism originally concerned an election he'd lost in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the 1930s, his words continue to resonate. |
| December 20, 2011 |
| Toyota Fun-Vii (First Look) |
| The Tokyo auto show is never short on funky and futuristic concept cars. Toyota is already planning a number of concepts for this year's show, but has just released full details on the wedge-shaped and internet-connected Fun-Vii. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| Toyota GT 86 (First Look) |
| But the wait is almost over -- after numerous concepts and pre-production cars wearing the FT-86, Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ names, Toyota has taken the wraps off of its rear-wheel drive project with Subaru and given it an official name (at least for Europe): the GT 86. |
| November 29, 2011 |
| Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid (First Look) |
| Toyota unveiled the NS4 plug-in hybrid at the 2012 North American Auto Show. Toyota is using the NS4 to demonstrate future safety features, connectivity technology, efficient drivetrain, and design ideas. Many members of the crowd were expecting to see another variation on the Prius theme and were surprised to see one of Toyota’s most interesting designs. |
| January 10, 2012 |
| Toyota Yaris HSD Concept (First Look) |
| Not every compact Toyota hybrid model need wear the Prius badge. In keeping with its previous pledges to offer a full range of hybrid models in Europe by 2020, Toyota unveiled the Yaris HSD Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and promised to push a version into production by the end of 2012. |
| March 3, 2011 |
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| Volkswagen Bulli (First Drive) |
| The Volkswagen Bus is back -- for good this time, we hope. Four months after its debut at the Geneva show, the one-off Bulli concept car was shipped to Southern California where it met its forebear, a 1963 Type 2 Deluxe fifteen-window bus. Bridging a formidable forty-eight-year age gap, the two time-travelers drew a crowd wherever they went. |
| August 15, 2011 |
| Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept (First Look) |
| Must all electric vehicles look like boring boxes? Volkswagen is answering with a resounding "no" at the Detroit auto show, by showing a new electric concept with a striking design. Based on the gasoline-powered Beetle coupe, the E-Bugster is a two-seat show car that blends the retro styling of the 2012 Beetle with the zero-emissions promise of an electric drivetrain. |
| January 9, 2012 |
| Volvo C30 Polestar (First Drive) |
| We've always liked the Volvo C30, and, in fact, it made our All-Stars list in 2008. However, we probably sabotaged its chances to ever be cool when we called the little hatchback "cute" in that same issue. Twice. |
| August 10, 2011 |
| Volvo Concept You (First Look) |
| Volvo's Frankfurt concept is called the You because the Swedish company says it's taking a human-centric approach: it's "heart is in Sweden but [its] eyes and ears are all over the world," said German-born Volvo boss Stefan Jacoby. Right after he praised the company's Chinese owners. And after he took the microphone back from British design boss Peter Horbury. |
| September 13, 2011 |
| Volvo S60 DRIVe |
| Putting small capacity turbo-diesel engines in large cars seems to be becoming all the rage, so hard on the heels of Peugeot's 508 e-HDI comes Volvo's take on the concept, the S60 DRIVe. |
| July 5, 2011 |
| Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept (First Look) |
| At the 2012 Detroit auto show, Volvo will unveil a concept version of the XC60 plug-in hybrid. The electrified crossover was conceived specifically for the American and Chinese markets, and will go on sale in a few years' time. |
| January 6, 2012 |
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| Winfield Rod & Custom |
| Wrong place at the wrong time -- that was Gene Winfield's problem. Sixty years ago, when the custom car was being defined, the big-name builders who got all the ink were guys like the Alexander Brothers in Detroit, Joe Bailon in the Bay Area, and L.A.-based George Barris, the showman who dominated the Southern California magazines that brought hot-rodding to the rest of the country. Meanwhile, Winfield labored in obscurity in the sleepy farm town of Modesto, California, chopping tops and channeling hoods in a chicken coop behind his mother's house. |
| April 29, 2011 |