Road Test Review – 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible – The Perfect Summer Time Ragtop

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When the Lexus LC 500 coupe first made its appearance a few years ago, it proved that Lexus was indeed capable of designing a sharp-looking Coupe that could be a contender to rivals from BMW and Mercedes as well as select Maserati models. The exterior styling looked like rolling artwork, and the interior was comfortable and well insulated from the outside world. But while it functioned well as a coupe, some wanted a droptop. Lexus has delivered the 2021 Lexus LC500 convertible. But is it the ultimate toy?   LC500’s Exterior Styling Has Us Longing For The Quiet Days Of …

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Ford To Debut Potent Mustang Duo At 2021 SEMA Show, HPP Package Mustang Gets SEMA Treatment

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Ford will be bringing a proverbial army of vehicles to the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas as the show prepares to welcome attendees once again after COVID forced the 2020 iteration to be canceled. This time around, we wanted to focus on the two Mustang customs that will wow the crowds at Ford’s display booth.   All Star Mustang Ecoboost HPP The HPP package made some reverberations when it was unveiled as an all-new performance package for four-cylinder-equipped Mustangs. While it’s already a very potent package in its stock form, this one-off custom by Gene Tjin takes things and …

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GMC Shows Off 2022 Hummer EV Accessories Ahead Of SEMA Debut

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The off-road segment is a booming business for many automakers and a key element that helps make them a sales success is the vast pool of accessories that customers can put onto their rigs before they hit the trail. GMC is no exception and knows that its Hummer EV will be popular with lifestyle buyers looking for trail-ready capability. Many of these buyers will also want to adorn their Hummer with accessories, and GMC will use the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas to preview some of them before they make their way to dealerships.   GMC Will Offer Over …

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Rolls Royce Ghost Becomes Spectre Of The Night With All New Ghost Black Badge Model

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Rolls Royce is riding a wave of success, especially regarding its Black Badge lineup of ultra-luxury models. Black Badge alone represents about 30 percent of Rolls Royce’s global sales, with the company planning to offer Black Badge versions of nearly all of its models (Phantom excluded). That includes the newest member of the Black Badge family, the Ghost Black Badge sedan.   Ghost Back Badge Adds Sinister Charm To Exterior Styling The Ghost Black Badge largely follows the exact patented blueprint that has defined other Black Badge models. Black is the color of choice here, with the large chrome grille …

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Mercedes-AMG Reboots An Icon With 2022 SL Roadster, More Power And Style Define Open Top Roadster

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The Mercedes SL roadster has always been an iconic marque in the droptop luxury roadster segment. The two-seater was the benchmark for the segment and did a good job projecting Mercedes’s influence in the luxury car game for the bulk of its existence. But the outgoing SL represented a decline, with the roadster suffering from a sales slide and some signs of aging. Mercedes aims to change all that with the 2022 SL, which will be the most significant change that the model has seen.   AMG Infused Exterior Styling Gives This SL More Visual Bite A significant change for …

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McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt Resigns From Company, Supercar Maker Looking For Successor

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In a surprise announcement earlier today, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt revealed that he will be stepping down from the company after an eight year run that saw Flewitt lead the company through some of its biggest triumphs as well as the challenges that were brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.   Flewitt Was Instrumental In Adding More Green To McLaren’s Lineup With Flewitt’s departure, he’ll leave behind a very potent legacy in the company’s history book. He was a key player in helping McLaren rapidly expand its operations in Asia while also pushing through several hybrid supercar offerings. The …

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Land Rover Reveals 2022 Range Rover SUV, Smoother Styling Blends Elegantly With New Technology

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It’s not often that a radically upgraded Range Rover enters the world, but Land Rover certainly knows how to make a splash when it does. The outgoing Range Rover performed its job well but criticized its exterior styling and some of its technology. Land Rover is out to the right those wrongs and has unveiled the 2022 Range Rover.   New Exterior Styling Smooths Out The Edges, Generates New Discussion One of the significant changes that’s coming to the 2022 Range Rover is also one of Land Rover’s biggest gambles, with the SUV now adopting a minimalist approach to exterior …

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2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX review by Ben Lewis

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If we say large Kia SUV, what do you say? You’d probably say “Telluride”.  And we can’t blame you, the rugged 3-row SUV has been a huge hit, and right now, many are commanding impressive amounts above sticker on the showroom floor. But there’s another 3-row Kia that should be on your radar as well – the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento. Does the Telly’s little brother live up to the family image? Let’s look. Bold Style This is the 4th generation Sorento, and like the Telluride and Carnival minivan, it is modern, crisp, and sporty. Designed by Kia’s California design …

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Chevrolet Goes Ferrari Hunting With 2023 Corvette Z06, Debuts Most Powerful NA V8 To See Vette Duty

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When the mid-engine equipped Chevrolet C8 Corvette emerged several years ago, it was a potent sports car offering, but it was also a blank canvas in some ways. This canvas invited plenty of questions and what-if scenarios, including what a potential Z06 model looks like? Chevrolet has given us the glorious answer with the unveiling of the 2023 Corvette Z06.   Flat Plane V8 Steals The Show, Makes Z06 Track Monster The real star of the show is the 5.5 liter V8 that is mounted in the mid-engine position. Unlike other supercar entries that have introduced turbocharging to their V8 …

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Ford Expedition Timberline Pricing Leaked, Reportedly Starts At $68,385

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The Ford Expedition Timberline fired a warning shot at the Jeep Wagoneer when it debuted at the 2021 Motor Bella extravaganza in Detroit. While a mini monsoon prevented us from getting to know it better, Ford is confident that this flavor of Expedition will be a good Jeep rival. However, pricing information remained elusive. But thanks to a report from Ford Authority, it appears that Ford has covered all angles when it comes to dethroning the Wagoneer.   Trail Ready Fun That Stays Under $70k Ford Authority claims that it gathered its findings from sources “familiar with the 2022 Expedition …

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GMC Reivents Luxury And Capability With All New 2022 Sierra Lineup, Denali Ultimate Model Drops The Mic

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The GMC Sierra has always been one of the pillars that has helped support the GMC truck brand. In recent years, the Sierra has added extra levels of technology to its already impressive arsenal of rugged performance hardware in an attempt to help it stand out from rivals like the Ram 1500 and the segment-leading Ford F-150. The current generation truck is no slouch, but it was held back by lackluster interior and exterior design. GMC has decided to take action and has unveiled the all-new 2022 GMC Sierra.   Mid-Cycle Evolution Adds Precision To Venerable Nameplate While this is …

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Ford Announces 2022 Maverick Hybrid Fuel Economy Numbers, Beats Most Compact Cars

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A big selling point for the 2022 Ford Maverick when it first appeared on the scene was the high fuel economy figures that Ford was targeting, with company execs claiming that the truck could get 40 mpg. Fast forward a few months, and the EPA has now released the official numbers, which not only beat Ford’s projections but also managed to outclass an entire segment of automobiles too.   Ford Maverick Hybrid Gains Two Extra MPG, Puts Compact Cars On Notice The official figures for the 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid are 42 mpg city, 33 mpg freeway, and 37 mpg …

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Chevrolet Teases 2023 Corvette Z06, Shows Off 8,600 RPM Redline

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We’re less than a week away from the unveiling of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and while this model is shaping up to be the most potent C8 offering yet, we still had some questions that remained unanswered. One of them was how high the beefed-up V8 could climb before it hit the redline. Chevrolet has answered that question boldly with the unveiling of an all-new teaser video.   Z06 Redline Is Not Quite Over 9,000, But It’s Pretty Close 8,600 minutes until the worldwide feature-film premiere revealing the All-New 2023 #Corvette #Z06. Tune in 12pm ET on 10.26.21. pic.twitter.com/fy6viEdwex …

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Honda Unveils 2022 Civic Si, Better Performance Is Paired With Mandatory Manual

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Honda is preparing a new wave of performance offerings. While the 2023 Type R is still waiting in the wings, the Japanese auto giant has chosen to unveil the latest generation Si, bringing more performance and substance to an iconic model that has been a popular choice among young budget-minded performance buyers.    Manual Transmission Is Still Mandatory On 2022 Civic Si A critical question that we had going into today was whether the Civic Si would add the CVT standard on many lesser Civic models? Unlike Civic Sis of the past, this one would have to contend with a new …

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Honda Unveils Rally Bred Passport SUV, Will Compete In American Rally Association

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It wasn’t too long ago that Honda focused on promoting reliability, practicality, and value with its utility vehicle lineup. While this certainly catered to a wide swath of buyers, that meant putting things such as off-road capability, trail readiness, and fun on the backburner. Thankfully, the Japanese auto giant is finally changing its tune on those latter three and has put a greater emphasis on promoting them to consumers. That includes the growing TrailSport lineup, but Honda promises these models are just the first act in a broader show. We got to see a slice of this on the motorsport …

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2022 Honda Civic Touring Sedan review by Ben Lewis

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You’ve got to admire Honda. With the all-new 2022 model, the carmaker is calling it “The Best Civic Ever!” With this being the 11th generation, there are a lot of previous models, and previous owners who might be skeptical. But hey, we’ve got an open mind – let’s see if it’s as good as they say. All Grown Up The first thing that hits you is the maturity of the design. No not, modern maturity, just a clean grown-up look. While we loved the previous model, we can understand why some felt it was a little to boy-racer over the …

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Honda Teases Civic Si Again, Confirms Speedy Honda Will Make Its Debut Tommorow

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The current generation Honda Civic is shaping up to be the one where performance and maturity have finally managed to coexist in one sleek package. The reworked sedan and hatchback delivered a Civic that was more polished than its crudely penned predecessor and it even promised to add some spice back into its step. Honda confirmed that it will be debuting the new Civic Si tomorrow, but it has decided to release one final teaser image before we see the sprightly Honda in all of its glory.   Orange Paint And Darkened Taillights Signal Return To Form This latest teaser …

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Latest Acura Integra Teaser Image Confirms Six-Speed Manual Transmission

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The Acura Integra is coming back, and Acura is pretty keen on achieving the same lightning in a bottle effect that it accomplished with older Integra’s especially those that appeared during the early 2000s. However, one lone question we had was whether the car would get the key ingredient that made it all work (a manual transmission.) Acura has released a new teaser video that not only serves as a nice trip down memory lane, but also confirms that the latest chapter in the Integra story will include a six-speed manual. Shifting Yourself Has Never Been So Much Fun Acura’s …

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2022 Lexus LX600 Is A Land Cruiser In A Tux, Will Be Coming To The U.S. Market

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Toyota soured the mood of many of its U.S. fans when it revealed that the next-generation Toyota Land Cruiser was not coming to the U.S. due to evolving segment needs (as well as sluggish sales.) While that particular off-roading icon is not coming to the U.S, luxury brand Lexus has delivered a very potent consolation prize and revealed that the 2022 Lexus LX600 would be coming stateside.   A Land Cruiser In Platform Only, an LX600 In All The Right Places With the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser serving as its core basis, it should come as no surprise that the …

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Hyundai Taps The Dark Side Of Sonata Performance With All New Sonata Night Edition

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The Hyundai Sonata N Line is already an exciting performance sedan in a segment feeling the heat from surging utility vehicle demand. But what if you’re looking for a Sonata N that channels the inner darkness of your performance desires while also paying tribute to G.I. Joe? Hyundai thinks it has the answer with the all-new Sonata N Line Night Edition.   The Eyes Of The Serpent Gaze Upon This Sonata While this flavor of the Sonata does not pay homage to an iconic Cobra-badged muscle car, Hyundai claims that the serpent this model pays homage to is sneaky ninja …

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2021 Toyota Prius Prime Review by Ben Lewis

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Do you remember the original Prius? It first came ashore in the US in 2000, and it was really the first Hybrid that was mass marketed. It was a slightly odd-looking agrarian sedan, but the technology was fascinating. Nowadays, you can get a hybrid on pretty much anything – heck, Toyota alone offers you a hybrid choice on 5 model lines. And almost every other maker offers a hybrid powertrain – all the way up to Porsche. Still, you must pay props to one of the originals, and along the way, Toyota has continually developed both the Prius and the …

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Lucid Motors Unveils DreamDrive ADAS Platform, Promises Conditional Automated Driving

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Lucid Motors just began full-scale production of its Air EV sedan. Still, while the Air already comes with an impressive array of standard equipment, the company revealed that the Air will eventually debut an all-new DreamDrive ADAS platform that promises to bring automated driving to the next level.   Conditional Automated Driving Is No Longer A Dream Before we get into some of the core essentials that define the DreamDrive system, it’s essential to reveal that the system will not be available at launch, but it will eventually come to the Air via an Over The Air update (OTA). The …

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Learning The Ropes On And Off The Track, We Spend A Day At BMW’s Performance Center West

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Growing up as a kid, I always had a solid drive to learn new things, which helped me be very adaptable in various aspects of my life and allowed me to participate in a multitude of roles during the first few years of my time in the working world. That would later extend to my press career, where I learned to hone my driving skills. But something always seemed to be missing, like the critical piece in a Lego set needed to complete whatever model one is working on completing. To help fill that proverbial void, I traveled to BMW’s …

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2021 Lexus NX 300h

2021 Lexus NX 300h Luxury Review

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On It’s Way Out The 2021 Lexus NX is being redesigned for 2022, but how does this outgoing model stack up to the competition? Outside The exterior of the 2021 NX 300h is sleek and modern and really doesn’t look like it’s in need of an update. Up front, the signature Lexus spindle grill is massive and prominent. Projector LED headlights sit up high with Nike swoosh daytime running lights just below them. LED fog lights sit inside of aesthetic cooling ducts at the bottom of the bumper. Moving down the side, the small proportions of the NX become more …

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Ford Expedition Timberline Off-Grid Concept Goes Extra Mile For Trail Ready Capability

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The recently unveiled 2022 Ford Expedition Timberline aimed to bring extra off-road capability to the large family hauler while also jumpstarting the Timberline sub-brand. But with a high-ranking Jeep rep going on record to throw shade at the Timberline’s trail credentials, it appears that Ford wanted to set the record straight and has unveiled the Ford Expedition Timberline Off-Grid concept.    Beefier Styling Adds Butch Vibes To Expedition Off-Grid Concept In addition to perhaps silencing Jeep’s online trolling, the Expedition Off-Grid is also designed to cater to the growing trend of more off-road buyers embracing the overland lifestyle. The concept …

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2022 VW Taos SEL FWD review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the all-new VW ID.4 EV SUV and came away impressed. VW is on a roll. So, we were equally excited to test the all-new Taos, their smallest SUV that slots below the Tiguan. And since the automaker no longer is going to sell a Golf TSI hatchback, the Taos is your go-to for affordable and capable VW-ness. Let’s see if VW has another hit, or a sophomore slump. Family Resemblance Well, the exterior is clearly VW. And in the case of Taos, it’s a big player – it is almost as large as its big brother Tiguan, …

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Mazda Confirms CX-50 SUV, Will Spearhead Five New Utility Models With Inline Six Engines

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Mazda has admitted in the past that it plans to rapidly expand its lineup of utility models as the performance-minded car giant shifts its priorities to take greater advantage of the recent surge in SUV demand. Various rumors helped provide glimpses into this future, but Mazda has finally confirmed it, revealing that it will not only bring an all-new CX-50 into the family but that it will also bring four more utility models into the fold.   Upcoming CX-50 Is A Sign Of Things To Come While Mazda is choosing to wait until November to reveal the CX-50 in full, …

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Chevrolet Teases Upcoming Silverado EV, Will Make Its Global Debut At CES 2022

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The EV pickup wars are rapidly heating up, with the Ford F-150 Lightning currently having a sizable head-start over rivals GM and Ram. Chevrolet has undoubtedly taken notice of the Lightning’s challenge and has revealed that it will be formally unveiling the Silverado EV at the 2022 CES event in a clear message that’s squarely aimed at Ford.    Silverado EV Delivers The Goods In Attempt To Outshine Lighting The last time we saw the Silverado EV, it was in a brief computer-generated teaser video that confirmed the Hummer EV’s four-wheel-drive system would be carried over to the Silverado EV. …

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SC Classic Cars - Photo Tour of 50 RARE ICONS 143

Insider: The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Upgrade Your Classic Car

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Why do we buy classic cars?   You’ve all got a handful of reasons that made you buy yours, but it largely boils down to the fact that classic cars have a unique look and feel to them that modern ones can’t replicate. The car is different – it’s one of a kind.    With that being said, driving a classic car is a completely different experience from driving a modern one. Your vehicle could be decades old, meaning it doesn’t function as well as it once did. As such, classic car owners tend to do some upgrades to make …

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General Motors Announces Plans To Build New Wallace Battery Innovation Center, Part Of Broader Move To Cut Costs And Enhance EV Range

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General Motors Is out to show that it can dominate the EV marketplace. With arch-rival Ford recently announcing plans to build a massive EV-focused complex called “Blue Oval City” to enhance battery cell development. GM has revealed that it will be building a battery cell facility of its own as the General scrambles to shore up its EV operations.   Wallace Battery Innovation Center To Be Key Hub For GM EVs Dubbed the Wallace Battery Innovation Center, the facility was named after Bill Wallace a former GM executive who played a key role in developing GM’s battery technology before he …

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2022 Kia Carnival

2022 Kia Carnival Review: Better Than Ever

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Changing the Game Over the past decade Kia has made great strides in every aspect. Their vehicles are more powerful, more capable, more reliable, and more comfortable than ever before. All of that rings true for the 2022 Carnival. 2022 Kia Carnival Worldwide Kia’s minivan has been known as the Carnival for years, but now Kia is bringing that nameplate to the United States. With the name change, Kia has taken the opportunity to revamp the design of the minivan which they call an MPV or Multi-Purpose Vehicle. We had more people asking about the Carnival than just about any …

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Honda Teases 2023 Civic Type R, Previews A Stylish Future For Potent Performance Entry

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Honda is preparing the next chapter of Type R performance. While the company has still not revealed too much about some of the core details lurking beneath the surface, the Japanese car giant has released a pair of teaser photos for the 2023 Type R that help provide a better look at the exterior and help shed some light on what’s in store for Type R fans and how it builds on the standard Civic sedan.   Skin Tight Wrap Hides Revamped Exterior Design While the outfit that Honda slapped onto this particular example obscures some of the more elaborate …

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Nissan To Enter 2022 Rebelle Rally With Retro Flavored Frontier Pickup, The 1980s Have Returned

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Nissan is pushing ahead towards an all-electric future, but while the world is going green, the company is still very mindful of the past. That includes the 1980s, a decisive era for Nissan’s pickup lineup thanks to strong showings by Nissan Hardbody trucks in off-road racing. The Japanese auto giant is hoping that a small infusion of the past will be the magic elixir needed for the firm to win the 2022 running of the Rebelle Rally event with the help of an exceptional Frontier pickup.   Red White & Blue Vinyl Wrap Gives This Frontier Retro Flair The Frontier …

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Genesis Officially Unveils GV60 EV, Drift Mode And Potent Performance Are On Board

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The Genesis GV60 promises to bring electrification into the broader Genesis lineup, and while the GV60 concept did a good job giving us a preview of what the GV60 would look like, we were still left in the dark about some of the performance statistics that the EV had lurking under its sleeve. Genesis finally delivered the goods and has unveiled some new details about its upcoming electric CUV   Drift Mode Highlights GV60’s Performance Potential Genesis only released a handful of new photos for us to enjoy, but the luxury brand made up for it by unveiling a whole …

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2021 BMW 330e Sedan Review by Ben Lewis

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2021 BMW 330e Sedan review by Ben Lewis We recently tested the Audi Q5 PHEV Plug-in hybrid, and found it gave near the performance of the pricier SQ5, with a price and efficiency closer to the base Q5 – especially when the federal and state tax breaks were added in. So, we were equally excited to driver the BMW 330e – the 3-series sport sedan with plug-in hybrid powertrain. While the previous gen had a similar version, the 2021 features the all-new 3-series that came out a couple years ago. Was this another plug-in we could love more than a …

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Rolls Royce Makes Electrified History, Confirms That Spectre EV Will Be First Production Rolls Royce EV

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Rolls Royce has always been a very consistent entity in how it handled core aspects of its business. All of their models focused on being the best luxury cars globally, the company focused on achieving symbolic perfection, and the V12 reigned supreme in the engine bay. That third item has always been a central pillar for Rolls, with company execs getting hot and bothered when the subject of green technology is raised. However, it appears that the V12’s dominant reign could soon be coming to an end with the unveiling of the all-new Spectre model.   Ghostly Spectre Signals All-Electric …

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Jeep Unveils 2022 Grand Cherokee Two-Row Model, Trailhawk Debuts And 4xe Gets 25 Miles Of EV Range

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The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L served as a very interesting prequel to the full rollout of the revamped Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup. But the three-row Jeep is only one piece of a broader puzzle, and the off-road brand has finally unveiled the remaining core pieces in the lineup, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee two-row model and the fuel-sipping 4xe variant.   Exterior And Interior Continues Following The Script, But Add New Features The exterior and interior design of the two-row version of the Grand Cherokee follows the same footprints left by the larger L model, with the exterior and …

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Maybach Celebrates A Century Of Existence With S-Class Edition 100, Only 100 To Be Built

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Mercedes-Maybach is celebrating 100 years of building bespoke ultra-luxury models. The brand has seen its fair share of ups and downs since Mercedes revived the moniker in the early 2000s. Its current iteration as a sub-brand (versus a slow-selling standalone brand) has allowed Maybach to have a renewed vigor and an impressive amount of success not only with its established S-Class-based creations but also in the SUV market with the Maybach GLS600 showing what it can bring to the growing market. Maybach has prepared a special birthday present for its unique clientele with the unveiling of the all-new Edition 100. …

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Ford Announces Massive $11.4 Billion Investment, Plans For Blue Oval City

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It’s no secret that Ford plans to put all of its chips into making and selling EVs moving forward. But while past investments have focused on existing plants and models, they were mere stepping stones towards a larger objective, in this case, an $11.4 billion investment that will see the creation of the first-ever “Blue Oval City,”   Tennesse Campus To Be Called “Blue Oval City” The fore-mentioned investment will be split into two parts, with the first chunk being used in a $5.6 billion “mega campus,” which will be called “Blue Oval City.” The name is not a mere …

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Genesis Confirms GV60 Reveal, Will Unveil Bespoke EV On September 29th

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The Genesis GV60 has led a mysterious existence up till now. First appearing as a concept, the GV60 merged controversial styling elements with the E-GMP platform that also sees duty in the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. However, Genesis chose to keep many of the technical aspects of the GV60 close to the vest. However, a new teaser video that the Korean luxury brand released earlier today sheds some new light on the production version of the GV60 concept and confirms that it will be making its debut on September 29th.   GV60 Set To Make Its Mark On …

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Chevrolet Releases First Teaser Photo Of 2023 C8 Z06, Looks Ready To Hunt Ferraris

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We have always wondered what it would look like if Chevrolet decided to go hunting for Ferraris with the 2023 Corvette ZO6, and thanks to a newly released photo of the 2023 Corvette ZO6, we have a look at the sharper and more ferocious member of the C8 Corvette family ahead of its October 23rd debut.   Core Vette Design Gets Beefed Up With ZO6 Add-Ons When you compare the standard-issue Corvette with the new ZO6, you’ll see that GM’s changes to the car are not as extensive as some might have expected. The core design is still present and …

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Electrification Coming To Grand Cherokee, Jeep Confirms 4xe Model And Confirms Other 2022 Grand Cherokee Details

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When we last saw the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it was in its stretched L form, which brought three-row seating to the GC for the first time, made the Dodge Durango instantly irrelevant, and promised to be the best one ever made by Jeep. However, the giant elephant missing in the room was the standard-sized Grand Cherokee with Jeep repeatedly saying that it was still undergoing development. Thankfully, the wait is almost over, with Jeep confirming that it will be unveiling the short-wheelbase version and the 4xe model on September 29th.   A Return To Form For Jeep’s Bread And …

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2022 Nissan Frontier Shows Off Nismo Off-Road Parts At 2021 Overland Expo

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Nissan first promised a whole suite of Nismo branded accessories for the 2022 Frontier when the revamped mid-size pickup made its global debut earlier this year. But the company kept the bulk of these accessories under wraps, until now, with the company debuting the first wave of these accessories at the 2021 Overland Expo.   Nismo Parts Trail Ready And Eager To Please The Frontier that Nissan will have on display at the event comes loaded to the brim with accessories. It appears that the truck has even more accessories than the original number that the company announced late last …

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Ram Unveils Three New Special Edition Ram Models, Spicy TRX Igntion Edition Leads The Charge

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The State Fair Of Texas has unofficially become ground-zero for the pickup wars with the Domestic Big Three (Ford GM and Ram) using the festivities to show off their latest wares. Ram has chosen to go to a familiar but welcome chapter in their playbook with a wave of special edition models, with the trio being led by the Ram TRX Ignition Edition TRX Ignition Edition Adds Bright Color To Unchanged Performance Hardware The 2022 Ram TRX Ignition Editon leads the way, which adds some unique trim applications to the truck. The firebreathing 702 hp Hellcat V8 and the performance …

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Ford Confirms Rumored Bronco Raptor Model, Will Appear In 2022

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We should’ve known that Ford would have a huge surprise in its bag of tricks when we listened eagerly to the brand’s announcement of the 2022 Expedition lineup. What seemed like the typical conclusion of a press conference diverted in an exciting direction when Ford reps revealed that not only is the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor a production reality. But that we wouldn’t have to wait very long for it either, with the beefed-up Bronco expected to make its appearance sometime in 2022. Brief Teaser Provides A Literal Glimpse Of The Bronco Raptor And Not Much Else While our glimpse …

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2021 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro review by Ben Lewis

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We recently tested the all-new VW ID.4 EV and loved a lot about it. But there’s part of us that still loves the sound and feel of a good old gas engine. Is there a best of both world’s vehicle? Well, we just tested the Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid to find out if we can have our EV thrills and conventional engine cake all in one bite. Let’s look. Fresh Face For 2021 Audi has freshened the looks of what was already a handsome SUV. Up front, you’ll see the octagonal Singleframe grille is thinner and wider, with taller side …

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Ford Unveils Refreshed 2022 Expedition, New Trim Levels And Technology Form Bulk Of Changes

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The current generation Ford Expedition is entering its fourth model year of service. But while the big utility is still a top go to for family buyers, some aspects of its game were starting to age badly in the face of relentless competition. Ford has taken note, and has given the family hauler a light refresh for 2022 that aims to sharpen its resolve while also allowing it to stay on the curve with rivals like the Chevrolet Suburban and the Jeep Wagoneer family.   Light Exterior Refresh Nips And Tucks The Expedition’s Functionality At first glance, the exterior revisions …

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Lotus Unveils 2022 Emira Packages And European Pricing, U.S. Gets To Wait

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The 2022 Lotus Emira will serve as the final swan song for ICE-powered Lotus offerings before the storied British sports car maker embraces an all-electric future. But while the Emira looks gorgeously elegant and seems to have the performance essentials to make it stand out from the crowd, we still had some questions especially surrounding the final price tag. Lotus has been listening and has put the Emira’s configurator online that gives us a look at the various packages on hand and initial pricing.   Emira Pricing Puts It In The Running With Porsche And Others Before we go on …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Karma GS-6 – Karma’s Entry Level Hybrid Rises From Fisker’s Ashes

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In mythology, the legendary bird known as the phoenix symbolizes rebirth and a new beginning. In the case of Karma Automotive, it’s the rise from the ashes of the original doomed iteration of Fisker Motors. Henrik Fisker promised to bring a revolutionary take on the plug-in hybrid when the original Karma first appeared a decade ago. But a combination of outside factors, as well as Henrik’s errors, doomed it all to fail. The car itself, however, remained a viable platform for creation, with the newly formed Karma Automotive buying the pieces via a Chinese firm. But has Karma finally created …

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Toyota Debuts 2022 Tundra Pickup, All-New Twin-Turbo V6 And Optional Hybrid Sharpen Focus On Rivals

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The truck wars in the U.S. remain a hotly contested battleground for automakers. While the bulk of sales are focused almost exclusively on the Domestic Big Three (Ford GM and Ram), a few disruptors are trying to shake up the system. One of them is Toyota, who used the power and appeal of the NFL to formally unveil the 2022 Tundra, which is the most extensive reboot that the truck has ever received. Here are a few things you should know about Toyota’s revamped pickup.   Exterior Styling Is Major Departure From Past Tundras The exterior styling of the 2022 …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Hyundai Venue Denim – As Capable And Value Filled As A Pair Of Slick Jeans

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The sport utility market seems to be at its breaking point when it comes to the sheer number of offerings that are available in the market today. From big to small, it’s apparent that the world’s automakers are trying to fill every possible niche in the battle for SUV dominance. The Hyundai Venue is one of those that are trying to make its mark in the compact SUV segment. But does the Venue still have what it takes to bring it to competitors looking to trounce it on value? And why does our tester look like a pair of blue …

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Ford Brings Green To Crimefighting With Creation Of Mach-E GT Police Interceptor Concept, Will Enter MSP Trials

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Fighting crime is tricky for many police departments, and it’s natural to assume that electrification and green motoring might not fit into the script at first glance. However, while the bulk of the spotlight is focused on creating EV entries for the civilian market, Ford wanted to cover all angles and unveiled an all-new Mach-E Police Interceptor, which will be spending some time with the Michigan State Police Department.   Mustang Mach-E Will Have Very Formidable Shoes To Fill The latest Mach-E Police Interceptor concept will have two sets of shoes to fill if it gets full approval for police …

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2022 Ford F-150 Lighting Enters Pre-Production Stage, Company Confirms 150,000 Reservations For EV Pickup

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is still not ready for full consumer consumption, but the Dearborn-based company has confirmed that the Lightning has entered a key step in its development with the all-electric truck entering the pre-production phase, which also signals that it will begin real-world testing before it makes its way to dealerships in 2022.   Rouge Electric Vehicle Center Preps For Mass Production The first few pre-production examples of the Lightning are rolling out of Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, a recently added expansion to the broader Rouge plant where the gasoline-powered F-150 is made. The start of …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Volkswagen Arteon SEL Premium R-Line – CC Replacement Does An Even Better Audi Impression

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The Volkswagen Arteon had alot on its plate when it first appeared in the U.S. in 2018. Not only did it have to replace the languishing CC in the U.S., but it also showed that top-notch Volkswagen design could move beyond the GTI and Golf R hot hatches and into other nameplates that might not have as much firepower under the hood. But does the Arteon truly succeed in finally bringing cohesive luxury to buyers in this regard? We followed up our west coast encounter of the Arteon with a sequel here on the east coast to see if the …

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2021 VW ID.4 PRO S review by Ben Lewis

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We really admire VW. After the Dieselgate trauma, the brand was really on the ropes, especially here in the U.S. We wouldn’t have been surprised if the German brand would have pulled out of the US market. But they didn’t. Instead, the fixed what was wrong with the Diesels, and started building exciting new models, like the all-new GTI and the Jetta GLI. VW also threw itself into being one of the leaders in EV tech. The first offering we saw was the E-Golf that we really enjoyed, but like many other carmakers, it was taking an existing vehicle and …

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Mazda Unveils Updated 2022 CX-5, Tweaked Styling Promises To Elevate Elegance And Sportiness

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The Mazda CX-5 is one of the few in the utility vehicle segment that has managed to nail the perfect balance of sport-inspired performance and value-focused luxury that can actually blur the line between mainstream and luxury when equipped properly. But even the ultimate jack of all trades needs to be refreshed once in a while, and the company has unveiled the updated 2022 CX-5, which follows closely on the heels of its recently unveiled Chinese market cousin.   Subtle Evolution Focuses On The Essentials The exterior styling of the 2022 CX-5 shares a lot of its basic traits with …

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Rivian Builds First Customer Bound R1T Pickup, Marks Signficant Step For Company

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The electric pickup segment has been rapidly growing over the past few years, with entries from Tesla, Ford, and others aiming to take full advantage of this new frontier. The big question on everyone’s minds, though, was which of these companies would succeed in producing a truck that was ready for consumer consumption? It appears that we finally have the answer, with Rivian revealing that it has produced its first customer-ready version of the R1T pickup in a historic day for the electric pickup market.  Being First Came After Years Of Hard Work After months of building pre-production vehicles, this …

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Toyota Confirms September 19th Debut For 2022 Tundra, Will Make Physical Debut At Motorbella

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The 2022 Toyota Tundra‘s teaser campaign has been a very interesting ride for us over the past few weeks. Marred by multiple leaks, the Japanese auto giant has been teasing the world with subtle glimpses of its next-generation full-size pickup over the past few months, with each one being more intriguing than the last. Thankfully, it appears that we are in the home stretch, with Toyota confirming that the new truck will make its global debut on September 19th.   Kicking Off The Truck Wars In Style According to Toyota reps, the new Tundra will make its official debut as …

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Nissan Unveils GT-R T-Spec, Features Callbacks From The Past And T-Spec Exclusive Styling

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The Nissan GT-R has soldiered on in some shape or form since 2008, with two facelifts in 2011 and 2017 helping to keep Father Time away. In addition to these facelifts, special edition models (along with potent performance numbers) have also played a big role with Nissan using the latter reason to take the veil off of its newest special edition GT-R the all-new T-Spec Edition.   New T-Spec Colors Bring Back Memories Of The Past The exterior styling of the GT-R has not changed very much, and the T-Spec leaves the core albeit aging design alone. Instead, it focuses …

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2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing vs 2022 BMW M3 – A Battle Of Numbers And Bragging Rights

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In our last Blackwing-related slice of coverage, we took a look at the numbers surrounding the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and compared it with one of its rivals to see how the big bad Caddy fared when it came to benchmarking the competition. While we did find some surprises when we compared it to the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Cadillac’s insistence on making this model a tweener forces it into a grey area when it comes to rivals. This time around, we chose to take a more direct approach and crunched the numbers to see whether the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing …

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Subaru Unveils 2022 WRX Sedan, Promises New Performance In Familiar Wrapper, Debuts GT Trim [Gallery]

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The cancellation of the 2022 New York Auto Show due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns forced automakers to completely rethink how they unveiled products that were originally intended to shine under the spotlight in the Big Apple. Subaru was a firm affected by the abrupt cancellation, but that did not stop them from unveiling the 2022 WRX, which aims to bring new performance to buyers and embrace the familiarity that has become a hallmark trait of the model.   Familiar Impreza Lines Are Enhanced In WRX Transformation When you first look at the 2022 WRX, you can see that it shares …

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2022 Nissan Pathfinder Drive Review

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Heading Back To Its Roots For many, the R51 Pathfinder is the peak of the Pathfinder era. It had a stout 4.0 V6 and an optional V8. Power was run through a reliable 5-speed auto to a transfer case with a true low range. Finally it had body on frame architecture, making modifications for off-road much easier. So how does the 2022 Pathfinder stack up? Nissan sent us a pre-production model to test for a week. As such there may be some minor flaws that are still in this vehicle that will be worked out before production begins. 2022 Pathfinder …

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Chevrolet Unveils Refreshed 2022 Silverado, Super Cruise And ZR2 Model Highlight Updates

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Evolution, it seems, will be a very prevalent theme for the full-size pickup segment. The 2021/2022 Ford F-150 is reaping the benefits from its suite of updates, and it appears that Chevrolet is eager to throw its hat in the ring, too, with the bow-tie brigade unveiling the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado. Here are 3 things that you should know about this sleeker Silverado.   Reworked Silverado Front Fascia And Interior Aim To Address Weak Points When the outgoing Chevrolet Silverado appeared a few years ago, it was obvious that the truck had some notable weaknesses, with the front fascia and …

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Toyota Announces Official 2022 Corolla Cross Pricing, Sales Start In October

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The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was initially an international market-only model, but the Japanese car giant unveiled the U.S. spec version of the model back in June. We had some questions about where the Corolla Cross would fit in the company’s utility lineup. Still, the Japanese auto giant has dropped a hint with Toyota reps revealing the official pricing ladder for the Corolla Cross before it goes on sale in October.   Value-Conscious And Proud Of It The Corolla Cross helps Toyota fill a budget-sized void in its crossover lineup. Base models start at $23,410 when you include the $1,215 …

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2022 CT5-V Blackwing vs 2021 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Market Comparison- A Look At The Numbers In The Sport Sedan Segment

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The Cadillac Blackwing series of performance cars promises to be the last true swan song for performance in the world of Cadillac, with the performance mantle being taken up by EV models over the next few years. While we covered the Blackwing models in-depth here, we wanted to see how the Blackwings stacked up against one rival selected at random. We ran the numbers, crunched the prices, and set out to see how Cadillac did benchmarking their competitors. For this go-around, we chose to start with the CT5-V Blackwing and find out how it measured up against the 2021 Alfa …

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Lexus Leaves RC F and RC F Fuji Speedway Edition Virtually Unchanged, You’ll Have To Look Real Hard To Spot The Updates

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The Lexus RC F is arguably Japan’s version of the iconic muscle car. Like Detroit’s best, the RC F has a long hood, short rear deck, ad a large 5.0 liter V8 lurking under the hood. The RC F Track Edition pushed the envelope further when it appeared two years ago. It then evolved into the Fuji Speedway Edition, with some of the lessons learned from its predecessor being infused into it. But while the rest of the segment is going through a state of flux due to strong demand for performance SUVs, Lexus revealed that it’s making minuscule changes …

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2022 Toyota 4Runner Debuts Wild Lime Rush Color, Adds New Model And Safety Tech Too

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The Toyota 4Runner has been a rugged off-road warrior for Toyota over the years. While the current generation 4Runner is long overdue for a redesign, the current generation model is still a popular choice among off-roaders. The Japanese auto giant has revealed some notable updates coming to the 4Runner for the 2022 model year.   Lime Rush Adds Boldness To Color Pallette   A big change that many buyers might notice on the TRD Pro model is the all-new Lime Rush exterior color. This hue first made its appearance on the Tacoma TRD Pro, and the vivid green is one …

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Cadillac Adds Light Changes To All Of Its Models For 2022, Smart System Comes To All Models

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While Cadillac is focused on preparing for the future with all-electric models like the Lyriq EV (which we had the chance to see up close recently) the luxury brand hasn’t forgotten about its ICE powered production vehicle lineup and has revealed a lighting dusting of changes that will hit all of their models for the 2022 model year.   Entire Cadillac Lineup Gets More Safety Gear With New Smart System Before we dive deep into some of the individual changes for each model, we might as well focus on the one addition that unifies them together the addition of the …

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Cadillac Aims Higher With 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, Musical Moniker Is More Than A Gimmick

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When Cadillac unveiled the 2023 Lyriq EV SUV, it promised that the model would elevate the levels of luxury that a Cadilac model could provide while also serving as an elegant example of its Ultium technology in action. The Lyriq certainly appears to have the goods to pull it off and it even looks elegant in pictures, but how does it measure up in the real world? Cadillac invited us to GM Tech Center to spend some time with the Lyriq in-person to see some of its inner workings in person.   Near Production Exterior Radiates With Lighting, State Of …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge – Rolls Makes A Performance SUV And The World Takes Notice

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Rolls Royce is rolling the dice in the SUV segment with the 2021 Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge. When The Cullinan first appeared in 2019, it rewrote the definition of the pinnacle in luxury automobiles. It wasn’t long ago that owning a Phantom or even a Ghost sedan signified that you made it in the world. Still, with SUV demand rising globally, the British ultra-luxury carmaker knew it had to adapt to rapidly changing times. Our initial taste of the Cullinan was brief, with our 30-minute encounter doing little to answer how the large SUV would fare in long-term ownership. …

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2021 Honda CR-V 1.5T AWD Touring review by Ben Lewis

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Sometimes you wonder about something that’s a best-seller. Are they really good, and everybody knows about it? Like all those Marvel movies. Or maybe they’re just cheap and convenient. Like convenience store coffee from the pot that’s been there since the Clinton administration. So, here we have the 2021 Honda CR-V, Honda’s best-selling vehicle, and one of the best-selling vehicles of any kind. But what do those numbers really mean? Is this a superhero you can cheer for, or a nasty cup of joe that’s going to take a whole lot of sweeteners to get down? Let’s look. Clean and …

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Road Test Review – 2021 BMW Alpina XB7 – An X7 M In A Fine Velvet Suit

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BMW usually has a pretty consistent game plan when it comes to making performance models. It’s willing to sprinkle the vaunted M badge on all kinds of models, but it leaves the largest models (X7 and 7-Series) alone. Those models get a special trip to BMW tuner Alpina where they are transformed into exceptional performance luxury specials. Alpina is making history in 2021 by unleashing the Alpina XB7 onto American shores for the first time. But can Alpina’s first U.S. bound SUV entry to shake up the ultra-luxury performance SUV segment? Alpina Exterior Touches Transform XB7 The BMW X7 is …

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Ford Goes For A Swim With Ranger Splash Package, Is Tribute To 1990’s Era Special

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Fans of 1990s nostalgia (or those that actually grew up in the decade) will undoubtedly remember the Ford Ranger Splash package. The Splash was Ford’s attempt at channeling the west coast design trends that defined the 1990s. It came with package exclusive decals, a lightly tweaked interior, and a flare side bed. Ford is looking to channel some of this magic for the current Ranger and has revealed that it will be reviving the Splash treatment for the new Ranger.   Tamer Styling Package Still Spices Up Ranger’s Game With Sharp Graphics Unlike the original Splash, Ford designers chose to …

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Morgan Confirms All-New 3-Wheeler, Will Use Ford Sourced Three Cylinder Engine

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When Morgan Motor Company revealed that the current generation Morgan 3-Wheeler was going away with the P101 Edition, the British carmaker confirmed that it was not the end of a three-wheeled Morgan having a place in the current lineup. The company has confirmed that an all-new 3-Wheeler is coming and released a lone teaser image and some early details about its upcoming cyclecar.   A 3-Wheeler In Everything But The Name Morgan stopped short of whether it will be using the long-running “3-Wheeler” moniker, but we suspect that it will continue to do so when this new iteration makes its …

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Whoops, Subaru Canada Unveils Beefier Forester Wilderness Model Early

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The Subaru Forester has managed to carve a very compelling niche for itself in the utility vehicle market. With a combination of quality, capability, and in recent years, standard equipment, the Forester has always risen to the occasion time and time again. But there’s always room for growth, and thanks to an ill-timed reveal by Subaru of Canada, we now get to see that the Forester will be the latest Subaru model to earn the Wilderness badge for the new model year.   Forester Bulks Up In Wilderness Trim While Subaru’s plans for an epic surprise rapidly turned into dust …

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Subaru Teases 2023 Solterra EV, Latest Fruit Of Partnership With Toyota

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The Toyota bZ4x teased a glimpse into what an electrified future could look like at Toyota. It would come with a very odd moniker and also bring some slick green vehicle technology to green vehicle buyers. With the Japanese auto giant’s partnership with Subaru going well, it should come as no shock to hear that Subaru will be getting a version of their own. It lurked in the shadows for a while, but Subaru finally released the first teaser images of the upcoming Solterra EV SUV.   Exterior Styling Is 100% Subaru. Before we dive deep into what makes the …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Honda Civic – Tamer But Still In Firm Benchmark Territory

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The Honda Civic is in a very elite club when it comes to being familiar with drivers across the U.S. The Civic was one of the models that helped the Japanese automakers get a foothold in the U.S. compact car market, and the Civic has not relinquished its grip on the segment since it appeared several decades ago. But the outgoing Civic was very controversial, especially with its exterior styling. The company wanted to re-embrace its performance heritage but ended up letting the designers go too wild with their creativity. Honda has learned their lesson with the 2022 Civic, but …

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2022 Kia Niro Hybrid Gets Revamped Badge, Tweaked Pricing Ladder

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As a wise man once said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It appears that the folks at Kia took this lesson to heart when it came to the 2022 Kia Niro and as a result, it appears to be fundamentally unchanged from the outgoing model. However, look closer and you’ll see that Kia made some minor revisions to the Niro which allow it to march in unison with the rest of the updated Kia lineup.   New Badging Is Sole Update In 2022 Niro When we said minor revisions, we’re not kidding in that regards with Kia designers …

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Hyundai Releases 2022 Kona Pricing, Base Model Starts At $23,375

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Hyundai promised bigger and better things from the 2022 Hyundai Kona when the Korean car giant first unveiled it some time ago. We got to see all the changes that Hyundai made to the exterior and the interior of the revamped compact CUV while also learning that a fire-breathing Kona N would also be joining the family for performance-seeking buyers (this author included.) But amid all the extra horsepower and technology, Hyundai forgot to disclose just how much of your hard-earned money would be needed to add a Kona to your garage? The wait is over on that, with Hyundai …

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Nissan Eying Nismo Global Expansion Plans, Still Working On Future Products

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Nissan may be going through a massive lineup reboot, but the Japanese auto giant has not lost sight of the importance of the Nismo performance sub-brand to their long-term sales strategy. It has been a while since we heard anything from Nismo outside of the GT-R sports car, but a new statement by a high-ranking Nissan exec appears to confirm that Nissan still sees potential in the performance market.   Expanding The Global Footprint Requires Some Pieces That’s according to NISMO Global CEO Takao Katagiri, who opened up on Nismo’s future in a recent interview with Automotive News. Katagiri admitted …

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2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Review by Ben Lewis

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We’ve been looking forward to the review of the Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo for some time. As part of the Mazda 3 chassis family, we’ve enjoyed the Mazda 3 Sedan and Mazda 3 hatchback immensely. And when Mazda started squeezing the 250-horsepower 2.5-liter, turbo 4-cylinder in these models (as well as the CX-5), we have hoped for a thrill machine like the old MazdaSpeed 3. Close, but no cigar. While the turbo motor does make these mounts quite quick, it seems that Mazda was leaning much more towards sophistication. Nice cars. But they didn’t get your blood up. Well, we …

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Road Test Review – 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz – Rewriting What An Adventure Vehicle Is While Doing Truck Stuff

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When Hyundai first introduced the 2022 Santa Cruz to us during our brief time with it in Metro Detroit, the Korean car giant made it clear that it shouldn’t be called a truck. Instead, the company likes to call it a “Sport Adventure Vehicle” and claim that it’s the best mixture of two segments, the comfort, and performance of an SUV and the open bed flexibility of a pickup mixed into one interesting canvas. The Santa Cruz is far from the first offering to attempt to straddle the line with the Honda Ridgeline and even axed models like the Subaru …

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Hyundai Teases “Hydrogen Wave” Sports Car, Promises Seven More Entries

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With the bulk of the automotive world focused on traditional electrification, it can be easy to forget that some firms are still studying the feasibility of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells. Hyundai is perhaps one of the biggest supporters of Hydrogen, and the Korean car giant has revealed that it has taken the next step by teasing the all-new Hydrogen Wave sports car and some future plans too.   Hydrogen Wave To Define Clean Performance The sports car in question is tentatively called the “Hydrogen Wave,” While we doubt that this name will stick around for production, the vehicle itself …

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Comparison Battle – 2021 Ford Bronco Manual vs Bronco Automatic – Which Flavor Of Bronco Is Best?

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The 2021 Ford Bronco is shaping up to be a huge thorn in the side of the Jeep Wrangler. While the hardtop versions are currently being held back by the company to address lingering quality issues, the soft top models are slowly making their way into dealer lots. Along with the choice in tops, the Bronco also offers buyers either a seven-speed manual or an optional 10-speed automatic. This presented a very compelling question for us, which transmission choice is better? We were eager to find out.   Manual Equipped Bronco Does A Good Wrangler Impression While the crowded streets …

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2022 Porsche Taycan Gains Android Auto And New Colors

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The Porsche Taycan and its shooting brake sibling, the Taycan Cross Turismo, were designed to carry Porsche into a green future thanks to their clean lines and their advanced lineup of driving technology. But even these futuristic super EVs need an update once in a while to keep rivals like Tesla from snatching their vaunted spot in the EV sales race. Porsche has delivered the goods and has announced some new tech upgrades and a few splashes of extra color for the 2022 model year.   Vibrant Colors Infuse Depth Into Taycan Pallette Charts The Taycan has always been a …

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2020 Kia Sportage SX AWD Review

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Kia Sportage Old but Pertinent We are expecting an updated Kia Sportage for 2023, but for now our local media fleet has a 2020 model still available. We decided to take a look at this soon to be replaced model to see how it compares to the newer competition.  Outside Reminiscent of the Subaru CrossTrek, the Kia Sportage appears to be a lifted, more off-pavement capable version of a compact sedan. However, unlike the CrossTrek, there is no sedan counterpart for the Sportage. In the front, the familiar Kia grill is actually small by today’s standards. The hood bulges on …

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Mazda Releases Official MX-3 Pricing, Confirms Owners Can Borrow Other Mazdas

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This year has been a very interesting one in terms of new vehicle launches. While the Ford Bronco hogged the spotlight in regards to its own developmental journey, the Mazda MX-30 has had an interesting story of its own that has taken place in the limelight. First making its original debut in 2019, the MX-30 has undergone its fair share of changes to help it make the transition into formal production and Mazda has now announced the final pricing ladder for production versions.   California Exclusive MX-30 Comes With Value Focused Pricing And Perks The MX-30 will come in two …

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First Drive Review – 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – Can It Replace The GT350?

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Ask a group of Mustang enthusiasts which current iteration of Ford‘s iconic muscle car is the best pony of the bunch, and the chances are good that they will point to the recently axed Shelby GT350 model. Both the standard version and the hotter R variant made their mark on the track, where they proved to be excellent corner-carving weapons. However, their manual-only demeanor left them out of reach of an ever-growing pool of enthusiasts, and their ultra-stiff suspensions made them unsuited for the everyday commute. But Ford thinks it has the answer to these drawbacks with the 2021 Mustang …

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2022 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD V6 Review by Ben Lewis

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It’s hard to believe that the Kia Stinger debuted 4 years ago as a 2018 model. There was so much talk about it – here was an up and coming brand, breaking free of the inexpensive–but-rugged reputation, and getting ready to soar. And they brought out a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan to take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes! So, we really looked forward to getting back into a 2022 Stinger. Was it as good as we originally thought? How has it aged? And should you be stopping by the Kia dealer on your way to the Audi or BMW …

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2022 Ford Explorer ST-Line Brings Sporty Looks Without the Hardware

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Beauty, it seems, is sometimes in the eye of the beholder, and while having a performance-focused car is the dream of every enthusiast, sometimes the full package can be out of reach for buyers. Ford has thought of this with the ST-Line package, which brings the performance looks without the increased price of the associated hardware. This trim has been a staple in Europe, but it has had a decidedly subtler run in the U.S., with the axed Fiesta ST-Line and the recently launched Edge variant being the lone entries. But Explorer buyers will soon get in on the act …

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The Stuff Between the Monterey Car Week Events

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The logistics of Monterey Car Week can be excruciating. Truly the only way to do it with any style is if you can helicopter into to every hour’s event. If you can’t afford that, you at least can find interesting bips and bops while you are moving from place to place. Here are some photos of the people, places and things that were good for a quick snapshot, often times one-handed, and poorly framed.  

Porsche transports you back in time and space during Monterey Car Week

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In the heart of Monterey, Porsche transformed the Barn at Molera into a yesteryear Zentrum. The wonderfully-cozy outdoor space has its own orchard, barn looking edifice, and of course its own resident Porsche 917. If you approach as I did, from the orchard entrance, it really does make you feel like you’re in a quaint little Italian village. As you stroll towards the barn, where musicians were warming up during my time there, the 917 peeks out from behind the trees. Also on hand was a 911 50th Targa, and a Carrera GT. Everything the consummate Porsche-file would desire for …

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Lexus leaves the SUVs home, brings LF-Z concept and wide range of cars to Pebble Beach

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The big reveal for Lexus was the new LF-Z concept reveal. The LF-Z is another BEV put out to test the waters, reception by the public. It features the now-landmark grill, but with no interlaced openings, just the flat white front, but does feature an illuminated Lexus badge. Along with the concept, the already established LC 500 convertible, RC-F and IS F-sport were in attendance for display as well. One featured display was the RC-F race car. Tagline: Seek and Destroy, which is on the surface the antithesis to the usual Lexus persona. But a good looking race car, nonetheless. …

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2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn Overdose 300 photos

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The concept lawn. What a concept. It’s the nucleus around which the entire Monterey Car Week orbits. It anchors the past, present and future of automobiles in the chosen few cars set on this practice putting green. All of these cars are or have touch-points that reach back for inspiration, and build upon beautiful and sometimes radical visions of the future. One such radical future-think was the Audi Skysphere. It was conceived to extend or contract a foot in length. Project Sandbox is the perfect example of all worlds colliding. Part 911/959, part rally car. The key to doing the …

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Aston Martin goes the perfect green for 2021 Pebble Beach Concours

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To the naked eye, it’s arguably the most diverse color for a car maker’s palette. Green. Add to that today’s connotation, and the mere use of the term and color is tricky to negotiate. I for one am not a fan of most chosen greens, save for the 18th one that Aston Martin’s 2021 display booth faces. That being said, there is something to  behold in person, as your brain takes in this particular green that Aston has donned these fantastic cars with. They literally had to snap me out of mesmerizing stare, as they were preparing to host a …

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Mercedes brings its own vintage plaid to Pebble Beach and the next SL as well

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Sorry, but the SL preview was strictly eyes-only. There were two notable, new features never found on any previous SLs, and both of which are aft of the front seats. More on that later. But if you could not make it to Monterey Car Week, and shame of you, make it a bucket list item, then here are my photos of the Mercedes pavilion this year. Champagne as always is free flowing at so many events, if that helps anyone motivate to get to the events.

AMG GT loses roof and windshield courtesy of Bussink Speed Legend

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Add to the growing list of topless, and windshield-less performance cars that are being introduced. Bussink Speed Legend made its rounds on the streets during Monterey Car Week. AMG afforded them a place at their location that showcased their partnership as well. Fit and finish looks ready for orders. The unique top bar allows for a more standard placement for rear-view mirror as well as suspected roll-over protection.  

© Kimball Studios

2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Dawn Patrol 140+ Car Gallery

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2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Dawn Patrol is the pre-dawn arrival of the show field cars. Only the die-hard PBC fan will get up at 3 am, and make the trek from far-flung lodging, and negotiate the labyrinth of barricaded Monterey back roads. But, hopefully the result of the best photos here of Dawn Patrol are to everyone’s liking. My highest thanks to photographer Sherman Chu who provided me the best Dawn Patrol guidance a few years ago.     Featured image : © Kimball Studios