NEW TRUCKS

2016 Infiniti QX60 14

Road Test Review – 2016 Infiniti QX60 AWD – By Tim Esterdahl

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Review: 2016 Infiniti QX60 AWD Great Style, Small Misses Over the past several years, Infiniti has really turned up the heat on its competitors by adding great styling and really improving their interiors. Add in a host of new features and a competitive price point, the 2016 Infiniti QX60 is really good, yet small details and a lack of torque hold it back. With Infiniti products, I often refer to them as the “sleeper” luxury pick. Why? Where other manufactures have a strong brand presence to bring in customers – like BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi – Infiniti, for whatever …

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Toyota_TRD_Pro_Trophy_Truck1_DCFDFDA11048217A2F6036C2E2DA3A75475F51FC copy

2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRD Pro Trophy Truck – Best in Baja?

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Toyota Signs Championship Off-Road Racer BJ Baldwin to Multi-Year Sponsorship Two-Time Baja 1000 Champion Reveals Tundra TRD Pro Trophy Truck at AMA Supercross Finals May 07, 2016 LAS VEGAS, Nevada, May 7, 2016— Before a roaring crowd of AMA Supercross fans, Toyota announced its sponsorship of BJ Baldwin, off-road racing superstar and mastermind behind the successful #Recoil video franchise. “Ballistic” BJ, an off-roader who has won the grueling Baja 1000 twice without the assistance of a second driver, will join Toyota’s diverse roster of sponsored athletes and will field a Tundra TRD Pro Trophy Truck in the SCORE International and …

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2014 Toyota RAV4 Limited

First Drive Review – 2016 Toyota RAV4 XLE Hybrid – By Ben Lewis

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HYBRIDS.  Thanks for … Somethin’? But first, a little credit where it’s due. Or sacrilege. You be the judge. While we salivate over the Porsche 918 and BMW i8, and at $845,000 and $140,000 respectively, slobbering is about all we’re going to do.  We owe gratitude to the Toyota Prius. Yes, the Prius. While Porsche actually developed the first hybrid automobile in 1901, it was the agrarian little sedan from Toyota that started making hybrid a household name, way back in 1996. And in just 20 years, it has gone from one painfully slow 4-door to become the best selling …

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World Premiere Freightliner Inspiration Truck

Want to Become a Commercial Truck Driver? Learn How Here

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So, you are thinking about becoming a truck driver? Maybe you know some people who drive trucks and like the way they live their lives. Maybe you think the idea of seeing the country while being paid a good wage is a great idea. Whatever your motivation, there are steps you have to take to become a truck driver. Hot shot carriers are not born, they are made. The first step to becoming a truck driver is to be trained. Yes, there is such a thing as truck driving school. In school you will learn how to drive a truck. …

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BEIJING 2016 – Top 10 Chinese Production Models

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PART TWO One look at any of the top concepts from the Beijing Motor Show will tell you: China has come of age in the car business. These were some of the most well-executed, on-trend and exciting models in the entire, gigantic show. The Chery FV2030 earns our vote as the best in show for futuristic concepts.  The Hongqi S Concept wins best in show for production-intent machines. And a special nod to the custom Karlmann King!  This SUV may or may not be a superlux, stealth-skinned Ford Expedition.  For $1.9-million.  =] A variety of sexy EV concepts and supercars definitely …

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BEIJING 2016 – Top 10 Chinese CONCEPT Cars and SUVs!

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One look at any of the top concepts from the Beijing Motor Show will tell you: China has come of age in the car business. These were some of the most well-executed, on-trend and exciting models in the entire, gigantic show. The Chery FV2030 earns our vote as the best in show for futuristic concepts.  The Hongqi S Concept wins best in show for production-intent machines. And a special nod to the custom Karlmann King!  This SUV may or may not be a superlux, stealth-skinned Ford Expedition.  For $1.9-million.  =] A variety of sexy EV concepts and supercars definitely warrant a …

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BEIJING 2016 – Analysis: State of the Chinese Car Industry + Top 12 Global-Brand Debuts

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The Beijing Motor Show is the flagship event for the absolutely gigantic Chinese car market, and as such is a great barometer of how the industry there is evolving.  For many years, the narrative has been twin threads: — huge potential and rapid advancement from bicycles 25 years ago — shameless flouting of IP via copies of well-known brands and cars, right down to the smallest details. All executed in horrible fashion.  Door shutline gaps that could swallow a hand, paint mismatches, cabin gawps, weird detailing and — last but not least — some laughable names to English-speaking ears. Enter, …

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Road Test Review – 2017 Kia Sportage SX FWD – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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Review: 2017 Kia Sportage SX FWD By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman So I get a new Kia Sportage dropped off in my driveway on March 21, 2016.  I look at the window sticker and is says that’s it’s a 2017 model.  What’s up with that?  Seems a little early in the year to be bringing out next year’s model, no?  And they’re still selling 2016’s, next to the all-new 2017’s.  Sometimes I just can’t figure out how the car companies work.  So depending upon when you’re reading this post, you’ll get an insight into this authors work habits.  Do I write …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD – By Tim Esterdahl

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Review: 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 Is Safe, Family SUV When it comes to safety few automakers go to the same level that Volvo does and the 2016 XC60 is a perfect example of this. From the built-in booster seats for children, to the host of alert systems, this SUV is perfect for safety-conscious families. The 2016 Volvo XC60 is a 5-seat, SUV with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged/supercharged engine which produces an impressive 302 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine is mated to an 8-speed transmission which is geared for a low-end pop off the line with a …

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2017 Mazda CX-4 9

Beijing Debuts – 2017 Mazda CX-4 is New Crossover Coupe for China

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Mazda has been growing their CX lineup of crossovers over the last few years and has revealed yet another new one in Beijing. Slotted in-between the CX-3 and CX-5, the CX-4 uses Mazda’s Kodo design language which incorporates a rather handsome hatchback-like design rather than a traditional SUV design. Mazda says that the CX-4 has a “sleek, coupe-like” look and their claims seem to be correct. On the inside, the CX-4 is similar to its other Mazda siblings with a touchscreen infotainment system wedged on the dashboard along with traditional analog gauges and a three-spoke steering wheel. There are two …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Mazda CX-5 – By Tim Esterdahl

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A surprise hit for many automotive journalists, the 2016 Mazda CX-5 has been called out for its “impressive efficiency, responsive handling and bold style.” Add this journalist to the list of those pleasantly surprised by the CX-5. It is really, really good. One of the first things grabbing you about the CX-5 is the exterior styling and, more specifically, the nose. The look is almost a take on a Mercedes-Benz GLE which is a big compliment to the Mazda designers. Fortunately, it doesn’t stand out as a direct knock-off and the CX-5 retains its own personality with a well-designed front …

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2016 Lincoln MKX - By Tim Esterdahl 2

Road Test Review – 2016 Lincoln MKX Black Label – By Tim Esterdahl

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Spirited, Luxurious Drive with Amazing Seats Review: 2016 Lincoln MKX Black Label Loaded with features, powered by a spirited and fuel efficient powertrain along with a comfortable and spacious interior, the 2016 Lincoln MKX Black Label is a growing competitor in its segment. It is clear why it is. I didn’t want to stop driving it. The all-new MKX is Lincoln’s newest push to knock the Lexus RX juggernaut from atop the midsize premium SUV segment. This is the largest segment in the luxury market and represents one-quarter of the market. In order to counter newly refreshed RX models, Lincoln …

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2016 Ram 150 HFE EcoDiesel Review 1

Road Test Review: 2016 Ram 150 HFE EcoDiesel – By Tim Esterdahl

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Bare Bones And Fuel Efficient Review: 2016 Ram 150 HFE EcoDiesel A point of contention among truck fans is the rising price of full-size trucks. These prices are largely driven by the growth in so-called “Cowboy Cadillacs,” yet basic trucks still exist. Marrying the basic truck features with great fuel economy, we recently got to test a bare bones 2016 Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel. Ringing in just under $40k, it was surprising how different a truck feels without all the upgraded features. Our test model was a Quad Cab, 4×2 with standard equipment and only a $695 optional equipment package …

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2016 Volkswagen BEIJING CONCEPT 1

2016 Volkswagen BEIJING CONCEPT – CrossBlue GTE Preview?

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The only way out of this VW TDI mess is product.  That much is clear.  Product, asap! So this latest reveal from VW is very promising. Even as just teaser images. The specs outlined below from VW are enticing: 516-pound-feet of torque via its PHEV drivetrain.  Along with 6.0-seconds to 60-mph and a top end of 139-mph. No word on what the production intentions are for this new truck, nor the number of seats.  But this Beijing Concept is a good look at a five and seven-seat medium crossover coming from all VW regions in the mid-term future. Sliding under …

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2016 GMC Terrain Denali Review 1

Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Terrain Denali AWD – By Tim Esterdahl

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Review: 2016 GMC Terrain Denali AWD Falls Short In Key Areas While most people think of a “Denali” as a large, luxury SUV, the name really applies to a whole range of products GMC offers. One of these is the small Terrain SUV with ample cargo room and lots of features. However, if you are looking for the Yukon or Sierra Denali experience in this smaller package, it just falls short. Officially, GMC lists the Terrain as a mid-size crossover utility and it was launched in 2010 – replacing the Pontiac Torrent when the Pontiac brand ended. It shares the …

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Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell Presents - Volvo FH Truck vs Koenigsegg One1 11

Top 4 Reasons to Become a Professional Truck Driver

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Considering how in-demand truck drivers are, this career path seems like a pretty good one to get into. Every type of business in every industry needs truck drivers for all sorts of deliveries, so why can’t that be you? With the demand for these professionals as high as it is right now, it seems like today is a good time to get into the industry. Here are a few reasons why you should be looking at trucking jobs today to seal a profitable career: Get Paid Well Everyone wants to get paid well, and being a truck driver is a …

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2016 Toyota UBOX Concept 5

2016 Toyota UBOX Concept – Clemson’s Gen Z Vision for EV Offroader

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UBOX is a very fresh face from Toyota!  This all-EV off-roader was created by the grad students of Clemson University’s CU-ICAR research center to meet the upcoming needs of generation Z on the road. The design is actually quite refreshing, with sharp creases and a chic minimalism to its appeal.  That includes a bluff and trucklike nose and ride height, paired with a giant reconfigurable cabin. But why that minivan windshield angle? That is a big part of an innovative new “pultrusion” process for making carbon-fiber roof rails.  This technique is apparently all-new and very interesting to top Toyota brass …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum with Tim Esterdahl

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Review: 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum – Fully Loaded SUV Goodness As the leader of the SUV market, the all-new 2016 Ford Explorer has big shoes to fill. Fortunately, Ford filled the Explorer Platinum with an almost absurd of luxury features making sure it not only hits all the marks, but it blows customers away. Simply put, it feels like a luxury SUV and that is precisely the point. The new Explorer is an evolution of where the SUV has been heading in the past few years and for this recent iteration, Ford really went after the design. There is new …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Yukon DENALI 4WD

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GMC unknowingly timed their full Yukon redesign perfectly:  as the new full-size trucks arrived in 2015, gas prices dropped to historic lows.  Rave reviews on the new trucks’ style, tech and performance propelled massive sales gains: nearly double the sales of the overall vehicle, and almost tripling the previous year’s Yukon XL sales. These are still down from their heady highs in the 70k-units-plus annual tallies that evaporated after 2008’s gas-price spike.   There is much more to the success of the Yukon Denali than external factors like gas prices., however.  This lux truck is a perfect sweet-spot between yummy …

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2016 INFINITI QX80 Limited AWD Review - EXTERIOR PHOTOS 3

Road Test Review – 2016 INFINITI QX80 Limited with Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman

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2016 INFINITI QX80 Limited AWD Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   The first thing I noticed when the Infiniti QX80 arrived in my driveway was how big it is.  It’s HUGE.  How huge is it?  I think the front bumper resides in a different zip code than the rear bumper. (Rim-shot)  You don’t look for a parking space as much as a mooring. (Another rim-shot).  If you are not Shaquille O’Neal, you better get a ladder if you want to wash the roof. The QX80 is a full five-inches longer than a Cadillac Escalade, and has a five-inch longer wheelbase.  That’s …

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1894 Silsby Fourth Size Horse-Drawn Steam Pumper 9

1894 SILSBY Horse-Drawn Steam Fire Engine – RM Auctions Amelia Island 2016 Highlights

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Motorized, steam fire engines were some of the highest-tech wagons on the roads between 1850 and the dawn of the motorcar 50 years later. The need for mechanized, high-volume water pumps to extinguish urban and industrial accidents was what drove such huge innovation at the time.  These high-tech water wagons didn’t know at the time that their steam-engine solutions would spur internal combustion.   For this machine, the steam boiler drove a turbine, which then drove a water pump. Hoses attached to the input would pull water through the system and out the main fire-fighting nozzles and ladders at high pressure and volume. …

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Future VW USA SUV Roadmap Projects 15 Variants by 2021

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The new Tiguan is a great shining hope for VW lately, and they could use a win.  Here is the loaded Euro-spec model in its first photoset.  Around Berlin and a fun off-road park, the next-generation model is defined by much greater scale all around.  Wider and much longer, with the roof looking quite chic and low.  The new Tiguan’s style is also a close preview of its larger, US-made CrossBlue.  The CrossBlue is set for launch as a seven-seater, with a fastback 5-seat model likely for 2019. The Tiguan as we see here will spawn a few variants itself: …

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2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 27

Fresh Metal! 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is New Fastback X4, Macan Rival

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Bringing Mercedes’ Crossover Coupe Count To Two! “If BMW does it, so should we!” This has probably been the mantra at Mercedes-Benz ever since BMW created the X6 “Sports Activity Coupe”, or “SAC” back in 2008. Many years later Mercedes brought out the GLE coupe to fight the X6, but BMW had already created a smaller version of the X6 called the X4. Mercedes was ready this time with their smaller crossover coupe: the GLC coupe. First introduced at the New York International Auto Show, the 2017 GLC Coupe showcases how Mercedes takes the approach of crossover coupe for their …

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Concept Flashback - 2001 Chevrolet BORREGO Concept 2

Concept Flashback – 2001 Chevrolet BORREGO Concept – Reborn Subaru Brat?!

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At first sight, the short-wheelbase pickup truck concept from Chevy in the early naughties seems to be a baja or rally variant of some kind of truck in the existing range.  Perhaps the S10 or even the Blazer of the 1990s?  Surely a small-block V8 up front, right? In fact, this machine is something else entirely. Under its trendy panels and reconfigurable tailgate — to allow the two-seater to add two more in back — the Borrego is actually an AWD Subaru under its Chevy-tastic panels.  Turbo four and all…. Needless to say, this ‘Brat 2.0’ was never built… as …

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Top 7 Soviet Concept Cars – GAZ Streamliners, Armored Snowmobile, JetCar and HoverCar!

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GAZ is best known these days as the maker of the iconic Volga limousine, but the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (Gorky Car Plant) was also tasked with creating one-off prototypes and concept vehicles throughout the Cold War period. Their feasibility for mass production still remains questionable all this time later, but they are wacky and show clever ingeniuty.  And a willingness to experiment! Here are six extra curious models, starting with the most recent and moving back in time from 1962 to 1950.  You may note the striking evolution of GAZ vehicles in this same period.  From streamlined aero prototypes at first, …

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Review + Videos – 2016 Nissan TITAN XD 5.0L Cummins TDV8 – The CRUSHER is HD Truck of the Year!

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As you may have noticed, there is usually lead time for these full reviews after the cars leave the CRD speed fleet.  Time to process and refine the review content is usually really helpful, despite that seeming counterintuitive. Not in this case.  Titan XD jumps the line, and is firmly top-of-mind a day after its departure. The Titan XD blew us away so thoroughly with its unique skills and capabilities that we’re tempted to name it HD Truck of the Year.  Not just tempted, it’s done. This is our HD TOTY for 2016. Diving in deep yesterday for the drive videos helped crack …

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TopCar GLE INFERNO Coupe 1

TopCar GLE INFERNO Coupe – Wide, Low and Ready to Brawl!

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Wide, low and in a full blackout!?  Am i looking in a mirror or at the hottest GLE upgrade on the market? Updated 3.28.16 with live photos TopCar is taking its Porsche love to new heights in 2016: a major stand at the Geneva show set the brand on level footing with other supertuners like Brabus, KAHN Design and Novitec Group.   TopCar is focused on all Porsche models, clearly, but also now with great new upgrades for Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes SUVs. The latest creation?  An AMG GLE dubbed the INFERNO! Bold names are not something TopCar needs help …

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PART THREE – #NYIAS Showfloor Mega Gallery (+150 Photos)

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Wrapping up a ridiculously busy week of new car debuts at the New York auto show — in the best way possible! How? A highball of pure Fireball? By sharing all the great showfloor action in a full-screen mega gallery. Interesting cars in this third installment?  The new Camaro ZL1, Abarth 124, Chevy Cruze 5-Door, Nissan TITAN XD Crew Cab with the gasoline V8, more photos of the new Toyota 86 with its fresh nose and LEDs all around, Volvo S90 and even the TITAN Warrior Concept. The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and new Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Summit and Trailhawk, …

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2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid 4

NY Debuts – 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid – Li-ion eAWD 7-Seater

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The brand-new Outlander PHEV from Mitsubishi just brought state-of-the-art to the masses.  And their kids! Lithium-ion batteries in potent 12-kWh form let the car drive as an EV for real distances, seat seven people and even have AWD via twin rear-axle motors. Seriously impressive — and the same template as the Cayenne S E-Hybrid costing nearly $200k. The new Outlander PHEV will have a premium over the $22k base of the gasoline trucks, but should still come in at an estimated $35k base when it arrives in USA showrooms in September 2016 as a 2017 model-year.  Full release below for …

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#NYIAS – 2017 JEEP Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit (+Visual Comparo vs 2015)

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Jeep just revealed its updated 2017 Grand Cherokee look with two fresh trim levels: the Trailhawk and Summit. These specials are the most hardcore off-road, and most soft-core luxury, variants of the broad GC lineup.  They introduce a new shape for the seven-slot grille that is slimmer than before, and integrates new bumpers and a few other tweaks. New LED fogs in the Summit model are great SRT-inspired elements.  The new mid-nose below the grille drops the smiling accent crease in favor of a chunkier, body-color pair of cheekbones below each headlamp. As before, LED DRLs are not standard but …

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#NYIAS Live – Showfloor Mega Gallery – Part One in 222 Photos!

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Action-packed New York auto show this year! Much new and very hot metal to see and touch, with highlights including the new GT-R, the 911R, Civic Hatchback and Prius Prime.  MX-5 RF (retractable fastback) is cool too, as is the new 718 Boxster and Buick Encore with its sharp and premium new LEDs. Also included below is the first look at the new Subaru Impreza, Jaguar F-Type SVR and 2018 VW Tiguan. #NYIAS Live – Showfloor Mega Gallery

2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited – Live from New York

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NY SOV? Share of Voice was the original acronym above. But NY State of Mind seems like a better headline for the new QX70 Limited’s moody, modern aesthetic. The Infiniti QX70 Limited is fresh for 2017 with a slew of design and luxury modifications to the original super-SUV shape. Rear-drive or AWD and running a V6 exclusively these days, the new QX70 Limited debuts the fresh grille that will adorn all QX70’s from mid-summertime… and more. A new lower fascia in contrast bright pewter is eye-catching, as are the new LED DRLs taking the spot of the round foglamps on …

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2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Leads Updated Range (+50 Images)

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Very cool to see Acura’s well-liked SH-AWD Hybrid tech join the firm’s best-seller: the MDX! Since its debut on the RLX and now the NSX, the Sport Hybrid has been the saving grace for at least one of those cars.  We’ve yet to sample it but the sheer pace alone is impressive: it drops the RLX’s sprint times almost two seconds.  The tech is tuned more for comfort and efficiency in the MDX Sport Hybrid, adding seven MPG at all times and 35-horsepower too. Will it work the same magic on the MDX? Acura certainly hopes so! The less we …

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2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR Concept (+Video and Live Photos)

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  First look this morning at a *stunning* vision for the future Lincoln Navigator. Innovative and super-posh throughout, as you would expect, but also extremely elegant outside and in.  The most striking element at first sight is the clean and all-new styling for the nose, tail, glasshouse and panel surfaces.  Most elements of the truck-based model are banished in favor of a million-mile first class airline experience.  This extends to the giant showcar gullwing doors, of course, but also to the lower panels and the design in total.  As though a Range Rover and Bentayga met in a bar and …

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Hawkeye Drives - 2016 Acura MDX Review 1

Hawkeye Drives – 2016 Acura MDX Review

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Hawkeye Drives – 2016 Acura MDX Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The 2016 Acura MDX is a luxury crossover with seating options for up to seven people, and can be had in front wheel drive, or all-wheel-drive, like the test car. The MDX is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out a hefty 290 horsepower, and 267 ft. lb. of torque.  Power gets to the pavement via a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.  That 9-speed is designed to increase gas mileage, which comes in at 19 City and 26 highway (which includes the engine start/stop features).  Our real …

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NY Debuts – 2017 GMC Terrain NIGHTFALL Edition

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Black Pack is not really a popular term in the auto world.  But how many other ways are there to say it!?   Midnight, Black Badge, Black Out… not really ideal either Nightfall is the latest descriptor to be applied to this hot and very-stylish look — and comes to the GMC Terrain for 2017.  Just the SLT and SLE-2 models in the mid-range will feature this optional upgrade, which comes in four colors with a dechromed, dark charcoal grille, dark trim details and black-accented alloys.  It does wonders for the style of the giant-inside crossover! Just one image of …

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New York SoM! 2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited Special Pips Big Debuts with Early Reveal

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NY SOV? Share of Voice was the original acronym above. But NY State of Mind seems like a better headline for the new QX70 Limited’s moody, modern aesthetic. The Infiniti QX70 Limited is fresh for 2017 with a slew of design and luxury modifications to the original super-SUV shape. Rear-drive or AWD and running a V6 exclusively these days, the new QX70 Limited debuts the fresh grille that will adorn all QX70’s from mid-summertime… and more. A new lower fascia in contrast bright pewter is eye-catching, as are the new LED DRLs taking the spot of the round foglamps on …

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2017 Maserati Levante - Dynamic Photos 8

430HP, 5.0s 2017 Maserati LEVANTE S – Full Specs, Pricing + 60 Photos Inside & Out

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Update1: Pricing for the Levante is reported to be from $72k, and up to an $83k base for the Levante S.   A full and immersive look at the upcoming Maserati Levante tonight — and things are looking quite hot and slinky! The look, for one thing, is damn hot from dead ahead.  And those slimline headlights are far more unique and striking than the current Ghibli of QP.  Or even the GranTurismo, really. They preview a meaner next-gen look for the whole line. Up front, this is defined by the carved-out inner intake and grille in vertical form just …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC

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By Anthony Fongaro The quintessential hatchback-on-stilts. As luxury automakers continue to make their vehicles bigger and bigger, smaller and cheaper models are created to fill the gap. Case-in-point: the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC. Not only is it the smallest crossover in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup but it’s one of the least expensive. But there’s an immediate problem: it’s basically a tall hatchback. It’s weird to have a vehicle that looks like a hatchback but higher up. That, however; may not be a bad thing. The usability of a hatchback but with AWD and being higher up could prove to be great come …

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2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 17

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

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The new GLC43 AMG just made its online debut ahead of the big reveal in NYC next week.  And it looks just about perfect! Low roof, long hood, air springs, and 367HP V6TT through a nine-speed auto?! Mighty enticing indeed! The car is set for a US arrival as soon as June of 2016 as a 2017 model-year. 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC: First mid-size SUV from Affalterbach Affalterbach Affalterbach. The mid-size SUV model series gains a particularly dynamic addition in the form of the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC.The 270 kW (367 hp) 3.0-litre V6 …

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2017 Toyota HIGHLANDER 7

2017 Toyota HIGHLANDER Preview – Revised Styling, New V6 and 8-Speed Automatic

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Toyota just pulled the wraps of its revised 2017 Highlander ahead of its public debut in New York. The updates are fairly extensive for such a new truck, starting from the streamlined exterior with new lights, grille and tail for the new model year.  Under the skin, the base Highlanders stick to their trusty 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic. But the sporty new SE trimline, all four varieties of Hybrid and most others get big improvements in the drivetrain.  The 3.5-liter V6 is said to be all-new, but we do not have power or efficiency figures yet.  They are …

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2016 Ford EDGE AWD Titanium 7

Hawkeye Drives! 2016 Ford EDGE Titanium AWD Review

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By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The Edge was dropped off at my house just after a little snowstorm, which made for some unflattering photos because of the street salt residue all over it, but I was fortunate to be able to test the all wheel drive vehicle in the slippery stuff. The first thing I noticed was that the brakes were very touchy and grabby right from the top of the pedal travel.  In fact it caused the ABS to kick in when on my driveway merely rolling it back to park, and when inching forward to leave the driveway.  Naturally, …

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2016 TechArt Magnum SPORT 1

TechArt Magnum SPORT for Porsche Cayenne is New Carbon Flagship

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Great showing at Geneva for TechArt! They have a wild Cayenne for every level of madness…. right up to the new exposed-carbon Magnum Sport. But below the Magnums are many flavors of hot exhaust, rims, bodykit elements and more — all chosen and sold individually to the Cayenne lover in your life.     2016 TechArt Magnum SPORT Leonberg, March 9th, 2016   For over a decade, four TECHART Magnum Generations are synonymous with unsurpassed Premium Refinement based on the Porsche Cayenne models. Renowned for their unmistakable design, breathtaking performance and superior quality.   From March 3rd – 13th, the …

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TECHART Magnum for Porsche Cayenne 10

Must-Hear Monster! 700HP TECHART Magnum in 35 New Photos, Engine MP3s

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In the TechArt world, Magnum is shorthand for every Cayenne upgrade in the catalog!  The team has been finalizing their style,. performance and tech upgrades for this third-generation Cayenne MAGNUM over the last few months — and the results are pretty intense! The exterior upgrades fit all 2015-current Cayenne models, while the optional suspension and exhaust mods also enhance everything from the Cayenne S Diesel to the full-fat Turbo. An extra 120 horsepower come from all-new turbochargers, engine breathing and cooling on the Turbo — with 640HP available at all times, and the massive 700HP coming on steam with the …

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7 New JEEP Concepts Hiding Among Easter Jeep Safari Madhouse! +30 Live Photos

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There is alot of love and alot of great tradition on display for this year’s seven-pack of all-new concept vehicles for the MOAB Safari. One in bright green will be churning up much of the excitement… and that is the Trailcat! An ultra-intense race truck aimed at the glacier-climbers of Iceland… this off-roader really does pack the engine of the Hellcat.  707-horsepower through a stickshift will make quite the entrance wherever it goes! In terms of production feasibility… this dusty desert party of Jeeps also has some clear winners beyong the Trailcat.  The Crew CHief 715 is the clearest production …

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2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 4WD White Diamond Tricoat 73

Do I NEED An SUV In The Midwest? Introducing Anthony Fongaro

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  By Anthony Fongaro They’re everywhere. You can’t go more than two feet in suburbia without bumping into one. They’re hard to ignore and more popular than a boy band in the 90s. Yes, we are talking about SUVs/crossovers. High driving position and four-wheel-drive is appealing but brings us to a question that literally no one has ever asked me: “Do I need an SUV in the Midwest”? While it’s nice to have a SUV, thinking that it’s a necessity to own an SUV just because white powder falls from the sky under certain conditions is ridiculous. Yes, driving in …

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2017 Abarth 124 Spider 10s

2017 Abarth 124 Spider – Boosted Turbo, Shouty Exhaust and Butch Body Mods

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Stunning new Fiat from Abarth at Geneva this year — proving the in-house tuner is still a big asset in the brand’s expansion worldwide.  The Mirafiori speed demons have wasted no time upgrading the design, performance and panache of the adorable baby Fiat: the new 124 Spider. From its cute looks emerges yet another harsh, focused look at what Abarth does best.  The scorpion logo makes sense the first time you fire up one of their specials: pops and brummy exhaust and engine notes that recall Maserati much more than Mazda. Then you turn to see… and are shocked that …

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2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype 5

Best of Geneva – 2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype – 300HP Kicks Off 2017 Abarth Racing Revival

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  In case the hot new Abarth Fiat 124 Spider were not enough to get your heart revving, Abarth Racing has brought along an even hotter version! A rear-drive rally racecar that started life as a ragtop!?  Sounds like a winner to us.  And it definitely looks like a winner too. A slightly raised ride height, boosted engine putting down 300Hp, plus a locking rear differential promise exciting, tail-out action to rally fans next year. Custom fender extensions, sill extensions and brake air vents behind the back axle speak to this car’s gravel-slinging dreams.  As does its gigantic, fire-spitting single …

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2017 Audi SQ7 TDI – Triple-Turbo Diesel V8 is Ultimate Tax on Society

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  Could there be a worse time for the SQ7 TDI to make its world debut? Ultra-high-performance.  Diesel.  SUV. These top models like the previous V10 turbodiesel appeal to a tiny slice of the population, mostly in crowded European city centers, who are incentivized by the tax programs of their countries to choose a high-powered diesel over a similar gasoline model. The differences in tax, insurance and running costs for any diesel — no matter how hot — are dramatically lower than a similar Cayenne Turbo of GLE63 AMG.  Ballpark?  About a third cheaper for the diesel models like this 90k …

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2017 Audi Q2 – Slides Below Q3 with All-New Design Language, Cheaper Price

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Audi only secured the naming rights to the Q2 and Q4 trademarks in the last few weeks — coming right down to the wire before the car’s global debut in Geneva this week. Alfa Romeo had resisted giving their Q2 and Q4 drivetrain descriptors up until recently, and Audi likely paid big loot for the privilege. So just imagine — this car went through the entire VW/Audi development cycle without a confirmed name! And it does show, a bit, in that the Q2 makes little visual sense in the Audi lineup.  Its design is far more modern than the new …

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Hawkeye Drives - 2016 Dodge Journey Review 14

Hawkeye Drives – 2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad Plus AWD Review

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The Dodge Journey is mostly unchanged from the previous year’s model. In fact, it’s little changed since its introduction back in 2009. There was a refresh in 2011, but that was mostly cosmetic. Beneath the skin, it shows its age a bit as the other competitors in its class, like the Nissan Rogue, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, or the Kia Sorento, have out classed it over the years. The Journey just isn’t as sophisticated as the others, and feels a bit dated. That’s not to say that the Journey doesn’t have some positive attributes. Unlike the Honda, Toyota, and …

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Geneva 2016 – Showfloor Mega Gallery – Part One

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Highlights in the gigantic, 250-photo gallery below?  Definitely the W Motors Lykan Hypersport!  Painted to match the Furious 7 hero and attending Geneva for the first time. Others definitely include the Opel GT Concept, VW T-Cross Breeze, Arash AF10 (perhaps), Honda Civic hatchback concept, 2017 VW Up!, SEAT Alteca, Peugeot Traveller and many more! The new Smart Fortwo cabrio is looking sharp in bright baby blue, as are the new C-Class twins in C400 and C43 Cabriolet. Geneva 2016 – Showfloor Mega Gallery – Part One

Geneva Debuts – 2016 Subaru XV Concept – Less Hideous, More Production-Ready

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Subaru has been bringing shockingly ugly concept cars to Europe for the big auto shows as long as anyone can remember. We’re equally unimpressed by this concept’s detailing, style and design decisions. As we were with the Viziv before.  Less repugnant… is still repugnant though. The difference is, this new XV Concept model is actually very, very close to production form.  Strip away the fug-nasty orange trims, fake honeycomb LEDs and the pricey paintwork, and we could be looking at the next-gen XV Crosstrek.  Of course, we will also see door handles and a frumpier roofline. The best angle is from the back, …

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Geneva Debuts – 2016 Volvo XC90 EXCELLENCE – Quad-Throne PHEV Limo for Davos Crowd

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  Not just Rangies… but S-Classes and Audi A8’s too! The superlux livery market just found a new favorite: the XC90 T8 Excellence. Plugin-hybrid to ease your (guilty) conscience?  Check. SUV-easy entry and exit, plus jumbo cargo bay?  Check. Individual, 787-first-class seats in back with a full-length console and nap-ready headrests? Check. 4×4 grip for ski holidays or slushy commutes home?  Check. Subtle to the point of almost disappearing behind the bright window-edges and deep-tinted glass all around?  Check. The new XC90 Excellence certainly looks great on paper as the next favorite limousine for the Davos crowd. The Excellence order …

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2016 Chevrolet Silverado eAssist – 500-Unit Hybrid V8 Cali Special

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Here is a very smart addition to the world of trucks: a state-of-the-art mild hybrid.  The latest li-ion system from GM promises a 15-percent bump in fuel efficiency for just $500 more than the standard 5.3-liter V8. The system is built into the new eight-speed automatic transmission to add electric drive for 13HP and 44-pound-feet of torque.  Along with an eager stop-start, cylinder-deaction and re-generative braking…. the Silverado 1500 eAssist seems like the way forward in a fuel-savvy world. The system is just set to be offered on the 5.3-liter V8 and not the base V6, and for 2016 will …

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Best of Geneva – 2016 BMW X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer

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  ACS has gone to town on their new X6 Falcon flagship! The engine kit is available for both the 35i and 50i models, bumping horsepower a cool 75 for the top-flight 650HP output of the showcar. It is the tasteful and hi-viz exterior makeover that really catches the eye, though.  Quite an X6 Evo…. and definitely with more visual intrigue than the X6M.     2016 BMW X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer Powerful, fast and impressive The X6 FALCON by AC Schnitzer  It flexes its wings, applies the gas and shoots towards its prey like a torpedo. The latest exceptional …

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GeigerCars.de 2016 Ford Mustang SHELBY GT350 – Nurburgring-Ready, and Now Adjacent!

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One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. vote below to see live results of this fourgy of horsepower! …

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2016 RAM REBEL by GeigerCars

2016 RAM REBEL by GeigerCars.de

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  Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Vote below to see live results of this fourgy of …

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GeigerCars

GeigerCars.de 2016 Chevrolet CORVETTE Z06

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One of Europe’s biggest US supercar sources just landed a quartet of title fighters — some of the best American iron ever put on four wheels. By handling the shipping and acting as a retailer, Geiger offers a no-fuss way to rock a non-imported machine down the autobahn. That is… if you can resist asking them to customize and mod it for you right off the bat! Which would you pick?  The air-freight containers include this Mustang GT350, a new 2016 Viper ACR, blue-streak Z06 and a monster RAM Rebel…. vote below to see live results of this fourgy of horsepower! …

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2017 Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country Facelift Revealed

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We’re huge cheerleaders of Volvo’s long-deserved reboot. The new XC90 and S90/V90 point strongly toward the 2020 goals of the firm for its entire range.  And they are off to a racing start!  Sales of the XC90 are through the roof — recording some of the only volume gains the firm has achieved in at least the last decade. The entire line will be fully switched from its current platforms over to the new all-hybrid architectures in the future, but some models will obviously benefit from this before others. The V40 is new enough that it is falling to the …

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Concept Debrief – 2007 Land Rover LRX

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THe LRX today is kindof a non-event to view — simply because we are all so familiar with the production Range Rover EVOQUE’s design.  They are dead ringers for one another. But in 2007 when this stunning design vision rolled onstage, it was unlike any green oval truck ever before. Simply magnificent in its chunky, low and sporty proportions…. the LRX also evolved the tech-intense appeal of the LR and RR brands.  Monoblock surfacing all looks milled from solid billet steel — broken up only for ultra-slim and advanced LEDs and a blacked-out, low-roof glasshouse. The production Evoque would appear …

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Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

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While shamelessly photoshopping the life out of (and in to) numerous vehicles… it is good to get a sense of our roots. Range Rover SuperSport   Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

2016 Citroen C4 CACTUS Rip Curl Edition – Dark Detailing, GripControl + Glass Roof for Surfer Special

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Here is a pretty cool special-edition that Citroen is bringing to Geneva 2016: the C4 Cactus Rip Curl Edition. This light cosmetic makeover darkens the looks of this funky lifestyle-mobile, adds some funky graphics to the bodysides, and includes the best standard-equipment like a panoramic glass roof and other goodies. But how, one might ask, will a front-drive crossover be the right vehicle for a surf trip? Well, even without AWD or 4×4, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl hopes to park comfortably right on the beach.  Standard mud/snow tires join forces with a new GripControl ESP system that enables more slip …

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Range Rover Autobiography Helps Christen VIRGIN GALACTIC SS2 Unity

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The revised SpaceShipTwo from Virgin Galactic made its debut this week — towed into the glamorous launch ceremony by none other than the best 4×4-by-far! The Range Rover Autobiography is a dashingly tiny vehicle versus this rocket-powered space plane.  Towing in such a gigantic aircraft is a great showcase of the Rangie’s 7700-pound max tow rating. Speeds were considerably lower here than normal highway towing…. but there is no better-looking trailer… in the universe!   Range Rover Autobiography – Virgin Galactic SS2 Unity RANGE ROVER HELPS UNVEIL NEW VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACESHIPTWO AT GLOBAL REVEAL AND NAMING CEREMONY 19/02/16   – Land …

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Review 1

Hawkeye Drives – 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6T Review

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Two years ago, I needed to replace the wife’s aging Hyundai Santa Fe.  Since the new Santa Fe models had grown considerably in size, and she still wanted a small SUV, I went to the dealer to buy the Tucson.  We were a Hyundai family, as both daughters and a son-in-law owned Hyundai various models, and everyone was happy with their vehicles.  But I found the generation II Tucson was the first Hyundai I had ever been disappointed in.  So disappointed, we wound up with a Nissan Rogue, which we’ve been happy …

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2017 Maserati Levante 1

2017 Maserati LEVANTE Is Official!

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We’re curious about the name.  Is it said “lay-von-tay” or “lah-vant”  ?   And is it affiliated with the region in the Middle East? First look tonight at the Maserati savior: the Levante SUV. This long-confirmed model is already rolling off the assembly line in Italy ahead of its public debut at Geneva in a few weeks. These four images offer our first official bite of the new Italian Cayenne-fighter’s looks. This model is absolutely critical to Maserati’s survival.  The GP and Ghibli are bombing hard in the US market, and the GC needs an update asap. That’s their whole …

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2016 Infiniti QX50 Review 34

Road Test Review – 2016 Infiniti QX50

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The QX50 is a crossover that every single carmaker in the world would love to have in their lineup. Just think about its core package: a standard 3.7-liter V6 making 325HP, to the back wheels, through a 7-speed automatic. A balanced chassis, and roaring Z-car-like performance from a base price of just under $35k!  Sign me up. Is the QX50’s rare offering the one you want leading your fleet, though?  Let’s find out… The QX50 is the kind of anti-minivan, performance SUV that typically carries pricing in the 50s as a BMW X4, Mercedes GLC or perhaps Dodge Durango R/T.  What else can be purely rear-drive and …

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2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 AWD 72

HD Road Test Review + Videos – 2016 Nissan FRONTIER Pro-4X V6 4×4 Automatic

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Is newer better? That is the fundamental question many car shoppers ask themselves, and roundly find that Yes is the answer. But for truck owners, newer is far less likely to be automatically better. For the 2016 Nissan Frontier, the proven mechanicals, extra-tough frame and V6 4×4 setup is as trusty as your best friend. And luckily, it is almost as fun! We threw the Frontier into a few wild off-road donuts just minutes after its arrival… and came out that cloud of dust and dirt with rekindled love for the Nissan mid-size truck in 2016. Yes, even more than …

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BMW X4 M40i

355HP, 4.7s 2016 BMW X4 M40i in 78 New Photos from Monterey Press Drive

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This might be one M car you have to drive and hear to appreciate. The looks aren’t really doing it for me at the moment…. Power takes a big leap up to 355-ponies and 343 pound-feet of torque. Through the standard eight-speed auto and new M-calibrated xDrive, the X4 M40i shoots to 60-mph in just 4.7-seconds. That is about a half-second quicker than the existing range-topper, the X4 xDrive35i M Sport with its $50k base price. We expect the M40i X4 to come in around $55k with its light tweaks to the style outside, grey detailing all around, and custom …

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2016 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 8

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

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

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2017 SEAT Alteca – Sharp Spanish Marque’s First SUV is a No-Brainer

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  Despite the name: this is no Aztek!~ More and more lately, SUV reveals make you think only one thing:  what took so long? It started most recently with the Bentley Bentayga, but the theme runs frothy through even the most unlikely brands.  Jag F-Type?  Will be a HUGE seller?  Again.  One thinks: what took so long! Of course, $1-a-gallon gasoline certainly helps spike the SUV mood worldwide.  But this new ALTECA is prepped for a variety of futures.  Big engines, small engines, mini diesels, hybrids… all package-protected and ready to roll out in the coming years. This ALTCA crossover …

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2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 12 copy

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro – Kevlar-Reinforced Tires, Rigid Industries LEDs and Black-Dipped Styling Details

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Here is a seriously cool new Tacoma from Toyota: the 2017 TRD Pro! The wildest new Tacoma includes a variety of very cool mods to the factory machine — all aimed at making the unstoppable Tacoma even more rugged. Fox shocks and a 1-inch ride height lift are key to the extra off-road ability of the truck– as are the new skidplates underneith and 16-inch black TRD Pro alloys that resist snow and mudpack much better than normal alloy wheels.  Goodyear Wrangler tires with kevlar-reinforcement are fantastic innovations for a production truck, as are the Rigid Industries foglams that are …

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

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

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2017 Nissan ARMADA Swaps From Truck Basis To Bomb-Proof Global PATROL Models

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  This 2017 Nissan Armada is a go!  You’re forgiven for recognizing this exact vehicle as the international Patrol model, or the US Infiniti QX80.  That makes sense — they are all on the same next-gen platform that is stiffer, more refined and just as gigantic as the current truck-based Armada. The new Armada majors on active safety along with its extreme, go-anywhere capability.  The drivetrain of the new Armada loses only 10 horsepower versus its very-potent QX80 sibling: 390HP. All through a seven-speed automatic with available 4WD.     2017 Nissan ARMADA ALL-NEW 2017 NISSAN ARMADA DESIGNED FOR FULL-SIZE …

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2017 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package

2017 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Pack Is High-Impact Styling Upgrade with Blacked-Out Trims, New LED Fogs!

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  Everyone wants their new Explorer to look cool and mean, like some kind of crosso between a Raptor and a Range Rover Sport. But not everyone is willing to pay for the Explorer Sport and its V6TT engine. Solution? XLT Sport Appearance Package! Despite the awful name, the results of this very-sexy upgrade to 20-inch dark grey wheels, dark grey or black trims all around, and semi-suede sport seats are clear to see.  Still stuck with this ghastly halogen foglights, but that is a quick DIY bulb swap to LEDs if you want. I stand corrected — the XLT …

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2016 Nissan WINTER WARRIORS! Murano, Pathfinder and Rogue Get DOMINATOR Tracks

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Nissan just revealed three deeply cool concepts for the Chicago Auto Show! These three comfy family crossovers might be slightly unlikely candidates for tank tracks, and that is what makes them so cool. The Winter Warriors are crossovers upgraded with black wraps, Nissan accessories and Dominator brand truck tracks.  Sleek red foil wraps look shimmery over dechromed V-motion grilles.  On a white backdrop with dark tints all around makes these quite captivating to see.   Our favorite part of the new look — besides the tracks! — might be the extended V shape in black up the hoods of the machines.  It is …

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Porsche MACAN PD600M Widebody by Prior Design – Chopster Looks, Easy Pricing

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  Prior Design is a favorite for the gorgeous enhancements they provide to a huge range of exotic cars.  The Macan is a fave too!  Any SUV that can do an accidental four-wheel-drift when making a U-turn is a hero car for us!!   And you are forgiven for thinking these customs are $100k or more atop whatever the base price of the car is — a la Brabus or Mansory, among others.  Those firms are known for one-off and bespoke carbon-fiber creations, full fender swaps and general re-engineering on a very dramatic scale. Prior Design is more of a …

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2016 OPEL Mokka X Previews Upcoming Buick Encore Refresh

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  Fantastic updates for the Opel Mokka X are set for a Geneva debut next month, and they bode extremely well for its American twin, the Buick Encore! We really like the Encore. It’s punchy turbo engine delivers admirable thrust for the segment, while its very good Quiet-Tuned refinement is a huge step up from the Chevy Trax or Jeep Renegade. This refresh brings an all-new nose, LEDs front and rear, and a total redesign of the cabin tech. The center stack — long the Encore’s sore point — is fresh with a giant new touchscreen and streamlined climate/audio controls. …

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2017 FORD F-150 RAPTOR – 2016 Event Schedule + 33 New Race-Spec GIFs!

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Check out the 10-speed turbonator in ‘factory stock’ race spec! You can here, and see it do its debut jumps at the below race dates.  Check out the latest 60 pics of the production 2017 Raptor in the lower gallery too. First deliveries?  By December first is the rumor…. =] Dates and locations to catch F-150 Raptor racing events this year are as follows: Parker 425, Parker, Arizona, Feb. 4-7           Mint 400, Las Vegas, March 10-14 Laughlin Desert Classic, Laughlin, Nevada, May 5 Vegas to Reno, Nevada, Aug. 17-20 Bluewater Challenge, Parker, Arizona, Sept. 10-Oct. 6 Pahrump Nugget 250, Pahrump, …

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2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance 15

~4.3s, 367HP 2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance – Latest RS-UV Delivers Stonking Power, Style Upgrades

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Audi’s RS Q3 is now even hotter than ever!  This Euro-only model is now up to 367-horsepower via its turbo five-cylinder engine — and sprint pace to 62-mph is down to an official 4.4-seconds. Both of these are big improvements over the RS Q3 in its previous 310 and 340-pony varieties. Officially, the RS Q3 shot to 62-mph in 5.2-seconds when launched, down to 4.8s for the 340HP 2016 model.  The 4.4-second blast is extremely promising — and might correspond to the shorter 60-mph run as quick as 4.0-seconds dead. This new RS Q3 ‘Performance’ model looks extremely cool on the way to …

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2017 Audi Q7 Visualizer – Colors, Cabins, Pricing and Options Guide

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The new Q7 is already burning up the sales charts in the Audi USA lineup! Beset as the brand is with many woes at the moment, the SUV lineup is still a shining beacon of hope.   And cash. Lots of cash! The Q7 in its all-new 2017 generation appears completely immune to the dieselgate saga.  After all, the TDI variants were only ever a 9-percent slice of the model’s sales. The new Q7 really leapfrogs its Touareg and Cayenne cousins for this generation.  Where those two are the lightest of light facelifts for 2015’s refresh, the new Q7 is …

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2016 Mercedes-Benz ZETROS – Next-Gen Heavy Hauler Combines 6×6 Grip, 110-Ton Max GVWR

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We love the Special Trucks section of the Mercedes Commercial Vehicle website. Just the name is a bit exciting!  It speaks to their obscene engineering and armageddon-proof construction strength, as well as their purposes for buyers. Few two are exactly alike thanks to MB’s Custom Tailored Truck group — that is able to upfit the three truck bases into virtually anything. Luxury motorhome, fire-fighter, crane/loader, locomotive…. pick your purpose! Unimog, Zetros and Econic are the Special Trucks crew, and each is exceptionally special indeed. We all love the new Unimog — or any ‘mog, actually — with its sleek new …

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2016 GMC SIERRA All Terrain X – Black Ops Hero Doubles Down on LEDs +10HP Sport Exhaust

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Dreams really can come true! Especially if they are blacked-out GMC pickups! =] Just a few weeks after we dechromed a Sierra HD All Terrain in photoshop, along comes this stunning new 2016 Sierra ATX. GMC Yukon Denali – VIP Rendering GMC Sierra HD – Black pack Renderings     The newest Sierra 1500 club-member is is concept-cool take on the outdoorsman pickup theme. This time, the truck is seriously specced up for black ops.  New 18-inch wheels, mud rubber, custom side steps, bed box with LED-ready setup for off-road spotlights and LED main headlights. These are above and beyond …

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Exclusive! TopCar Teases New Mercedes-AMG GLE Inferno Coupe

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TopCar is taking its Porsche love to new heights in 2016: a major stand at the Geneva show set the brand on level footing with other supertuners like Brabus, KAHN Design and Novitec Group.   TopCar is focused on all Porsche models, clearly, but also now with great new upgrades for Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes SUVs. The latest creation?  An AMG GLE dubbed the INFERNO! Bold names are not something TopCar needs help with, clearly.  =] This new take on the GLE Coupe looks quite striking. Major changes in mood and style are visible from even 1000-paces thanks to contrast-carbon …

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1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic with White FRP TOP 15

1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic with White FRP TOP

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Not clear what kind of strange mood your snapper was in during the Mecum walkthrough.  Whatever it was, we came home with some curious finds! This certainly fits the bill! Freshly restored to as-new condition outside, the truck looks stellar with its white details over shiny blue-black metallic paint. The cabin is a delightful throwback — also looking absolutely crisp and clean.     1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic Mecum Auctions Lot S168.1 // Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser Trans Automatic HIGHLIGHTS – From the Unique Collectibles Collection – Turbo Diesel engine – …

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1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera 12

Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs

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This amazing one-off Bronco has a special ops / Lambo Rambo vibe in all the best ways. That’s no accident: this beaut by Chimera Customs was made to taise money for the Armed Forces FOundation. ANd did it deliver! A cool half-mill bought this desert jackal in 2013. The 2016 estimate is a snip then, at just $125k. Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs Lot T205// Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 1969 Ford Bronco Built by Chimera Customs   Engine 406 CI Trans 5-Speed Color Black Interior Black ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $125,000 Chimera Customs of North Palm …

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2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO Black Out Edition is $35k and Dripping Wet Gloss!

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First time catching the new 2016 Silverado Black Out Edition in the wild! The truck looks so amazing in the flesh.  Every last detail is gloss black — right down to the blackwall tires and black bow-tie badges front and rear.  The big impacts come via the dark grille, headlights and 20-inch five-spoke wheels. The finish?  Gloss black, of course! These photos are with all the lights/LEDs off.  That white glow of the LED DRL is just its white glow shell.  Needless to say: the impact of the sinister 2016 Chevy look is even more striking with them on. Why is that …

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1961 Dodge POWER WAGON WM300 Pickup 7

1961 Dodge POWER WAGON WM300 Pickup – An American Hero: As-New, In Box

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What makes this Power Wagon special?  Few in person will need concrete reasons to love it: the pre-war curves to the roof, fenders and hood all speak to the design charm of extreme utility. The truck is an icon worldwide as one of the US Army’s main troop transports and 3/4-ton haulers. Back at home, few Power Wagons stood the test of time after less than half returned from foreign theaters of WWII. Sold off as army/navy surplus and widely adopted for farm and mining use, the Power Wagon legacy literally went to dusty rust with the introduction of salted roads and …

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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4MATIC

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 – Air-Sprung Crossover In US Dealers Now! $45k Pricing, RWD or 4Matic + 9-Sp Auto

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The new GLC just started arriving to Mercedes dealerships here in the USA — and seems like an outstanding all-new SUV for the brand.  The GLK and its boxy look is exiting the lineup of a half-dozen ‘Benz jeeps’ this year, making room for everything from the baby GLA to this GLC, up through the GLE and GLE Coupe and the top GLS for 2017. The GLC, as its name implies, is aligned in shape and tech with the C-Class. This brings a massive set of benefits for performance drivers — particularly in its standard rear-drive setup. Just one engine and …

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5.1s 2017 JAGUAR F-Pace SUV – USA Photos, Colors/Wheels Visualizer and Pricing – From $42k!

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In case you hadn’t heard: Jaguar is on a villainous quest for growth in the USA. From 2016, the lineup includes the all-new XE sedans, now-alloy XF and facelifted XJ.  F-Types hard or soft. And by summertime, the coup de grace. The F-PACE SUV! Looking as wild as a concept, as pricey and posh as a Cayenne Turbo, and with a cabin so delicious you will want to move in? Plus SERIOUS speed.  That ‘Pace, Grace and Space’ adage definitely applies to the aluminum feline crossover.  The slowest V6, for example, makes 340HP but shoots the F-Pace to 60-mph in an official …

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Part 2 – NAIAS 2016 Showfloor MEGA Gallery – 110 All-New Photos

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Some real hotties in here! The first pics of the all-new VFL Force 1 concept by Henrik Fisker are a highlight. As are the Nissan TITAN Warrior Concept and the Raptor Supercrew in frozen white. Also nice to see more angles of the Acura Precision Concept, a car whose design is really expressive and deep in real-life photos versus the initial renders.  The beak is still rough, but there is promise here. Part 2 – NAIAS 2016 Showfloor MEGA Gallery  

2017 GMC ACADIA Shows Radical Redesign: 700Lb Weight Loss, New All Terrain Spec

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My my, what have we here! A very sexy makeover for the well-liked GMC Acadia? This three-row crossover has been winning friends for years with its Yukon-like cabin room, but easier parking manners and comfier ride quality. The 2017 model builds on these strengths… but does it drop some capability along the way? Surely, something MUST have fallen by the wayside for the 2017 Acadia to be a massive 700 pounds lighter than the current model.  No swap to aluminum a la the Range Rover or new Q7.  High-strength steel can only do so much, right? It turns out what …

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NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery – Day One in 180 Photos

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Uh oh!  Detroit’s NAIAS is so intense for 2016, we are well past our peak of effective coverage.  What comes next?  Deep hand and forearm soreness from so much typing.  And… alas… into just outright bitchiness about some of the more questionable model reveals.  Cough… Acura, cough-cough… But we will power through!   Resist the snark! Part of that is sharing the latest showfloor photos… en masse. =] Here are 180 images from press preview day one at the Detroit North American International Auto Show.   NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery    

2017 Honda RIDGELINE – Challenges Mid-Size Roughriders with Smooth, Plush and Efficient Pickup Solution

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At first look, the new Honda Ridgeline seems like even more of an open-bed Pilot than ever before. And in many senses, that is exactly what it is. Then you zoom out a bit, and consider the growing mid-size pickup truck market. The new Colorado, Canyon, Tacoma and upcoming Frontier refresh will make a totally reinvented truck class. And within that group, the general theme is full-size ability — now in a fun travel size. For a large swath of buyers, the refinement and road manners of the Ridgeline make it a unique offering. With nearly all the towing and …

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2016 Kia TELLURIDE Concept – LWB SUV Brings 7-Seat Chalet Cachet

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The face of this all-new KIA Telluride concept hit me like a sucker punch in thumbnail form.  What is that, a Lada Bentley? But after a closer look, we have nothing but praise the this Telluride’s bluff yet rounded design themes. The core basics are all there: short front overhang, awesome long and level hood, plus a steep windshield rake like a future G-wagen. It all really works for the Telluride, especially in profile. Here the elegant, techy and innovative glasshouse wears a signature brightwork wrap-around.  In the tail, we have more clean lines and vertical forms. Yet all smooth …

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