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Presto, Here-We-Go! Animated Evolution of GMC from 1902 Rapid Truck to 2015 Sierra Denali HD + Brand Origin Explained

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 11, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

GMC really has some deep truck roots! Even while Chevrolet hoovers up most of the sales volume these days — and has for many years — the GMC legacy actually predates Chevrolet. Something that has never changed in the 102 years of this evolution span is the need by Americans for heavy-lifting trucks. The GMC line added two-ton weights, panel cabs and chassis cabs in 1915, and has never looked back. But what did GMC really “stand” for when added to the General Motors portfolio as GMTC, selling Rapid and Reliance trucks from around 1909? Two clues are right there …

Lexus International Is High-Culture Exemplar – Design Awards + Swarm – Coding Motion is Elegant Technology at its Best

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 11, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Lexus is getting very clever. Showroom experiences have broadened from just a warm dealer with leather chairs and dough-nuts. The brand is fully immersed in the art, media, fashion and culture segments. One stunning piece of this Lexus culture mission is the below “Swarm” video link from Lexus International. In addition to its obvious high-art appeal, the Swarm projects applications are tantalizing. The Swarm theme and arching mission? Find a snack for the hungry museum residents — T-Rex’s and other long-deceased creatures. It speaks to technology looking forward, anticipating an orgnaism’s needs, and even wishes. But the humor in …

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Easiest Luxury Limo – 2014 Lexus LS460 – F Sport and AWD vs RWD + Pandora.com Cavallo Point Flashbacks

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 11, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Jan 25, 2014 @ 12:46 Back to work! After some side projects recently, it is time to get back to action. The Lexus LS is the perfect car for “getting down to business.” So let’s dive in. When shopping for a new luxury limousine, the question most car magazines ask is: “Which is Best?” But does this miss the point of a limo entirely? Which is easiest seems the most on-target for many shoppers in this segment. Sidebar: As I get more experienced with auto news and reviews, I am starting to recognize many of the photo …

Update1 – 2015 Lexus NX300h and NX200t F Sport Revealed! Expected Fall Arrival To US From $29,900

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 11, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

The eagerly-awaited Lexus NX compact crossover is here! With the NX300h and a brand-new turbo option called the NX200t F Sport, the NX is shaping up to be a fine addition to the Lexus global model line. Its compact five-seater dimensions will also make room above it for the RX to grow in size, perhaps even adding a third row of seating in some form of a length stretch — a la the BMW X7. Yes, Lexus currently has a broad SUV and crossover lineup with the GX460 and LX470 models at the very top of the ladder. These cars …

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Exclusive! Caterham Seven — USA Buyers Guide — LHD, Street-Legal Superformance From $38k! — 5 Engines: 160, 280, 360, 480 and 620R

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 10, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

The only questions to ask yourself when ordering a Caterham from Superformance are remarkably basic: — How quickly would you like to have a huge grin on your face via monster performance and uber-tactile handling? — Will 2.8-seconds to 60-mph be worth an extra $30,000 or so versus the devastatingly-rapid Seven 480’s 3.4-second sprint? Or is 4.9-seconds in the affordable Seven 280 acceptable? — How wild do you prefer to be with color and style — as this can ratchet up all the below pricing dramatically. Easy, right? The Superformance distribution deal with Caterham finally allows these hilarious machines to …

MOPAR Adding Huge JEEP Upgrade Options — Cherokee Adventurer, Cherokee Dakar and Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Trail Warrior

March 2, 2019, 11 amApril 10, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Jeep just debuted a six-pack of new concepts for next week’s Moab off-road rally — which annually gathers thousands of Jeeps and Jeepers together for adventures out on the rocky desert trails. And more than a little fun back at base camp, too! This annual event is a huge part of Jeep culture — and is surely one of the biggest off-road extravaganza’s anywhere in the world. The new Cherokee adds Adventurer and Dakar spec levels via the MOPAR upgrades, while the Grand Cherokee is now upfit as a Trail Warrior in EcoDiesel spec. A diesel is perfect for off-roading …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD Arriving Now To Dealers Nationwide — High Country Edition Tops The Range in Style

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 10, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

The first Silverado HD trucks are rolling into dealers nationwide this month — with the High Country topping things nicely via a monochrome exterior and a Denali-level cabin overhaul. The 2015 Sierra HD will offer a Denali pack — which, if we’re not mistaken, is a new flagship equipment level for GM’s 2500HD and 3500HD rigs. The Silverado HD’s updates are actually much deeper than a facelift, with the largest changes coming from the way the truck body is mounted to the chassis. Chevrolet is using a new type of welding process that is claimed to bring large increases …

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Annotated Design Analysis — Peugeot EXALT — How To Make the 2016 Peogeot 509 Sexy — Mazda6 vs Ford Fusion Examples

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 10, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Ed’s Note: This article is feeling condescending as I review and ready it for publishing, and I regret that tone. Nobody likes being spoken down to. That is not my intention. Just to explain it all, as best I can, to someone for whom car design might not a passion area. How to make a front-drive car sexy and stylish — while keeping it primarily front-drive? Not an easy task, and one that has taken many years to get anywhere near resultion. The clearest example of the ideas and design analyses explored below is the latest Mazda6, which is far …

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WOW! 2014 Peugeot EXALT Concept — Onyx 4-Door GT — Raw Alloy Body with Sharkskin Textile Wrap + 340HP HYbrid4 Power

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 10, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

One has to admire the resilient spirit of Peugeot Citroen. Budgets too tight to stay in LeMans? Take the powertrain up Pikes Peak in the new 208’s body shell! And then keep rocking that super-diesel at the 2015 Dakar rally’s of Chile! A similar feat today with the just-revealed Exalt concept for Beijing. It carries forward many of the ideas first explored on the bare-metal Onyx hypercar concept, but this time with the gorgeous proportions of a RWD four-door coupe. That cab-backward layout is something French engineers and the buying public have been clamoring for since the demise of the …

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Wealth Dreams: Powered by the Evergreen Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 9, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Dec 30, 2013 @ 9:08 There are some cars whose optional engines and trim levels are really ‘make-or-break’ items, but the evergreen Mercedes-Benz SL roadster is not one of them. Put simply: there is no bad option, only excellent and beyond excellent. The SL550 is a real dream-boat of a machine. A three-season athlete of a cabrio – one that even looks chic and fast with its hard-top up. That is not something that can be said of many other hardtop convertibles. Enjoy this exterior love-fest, featuring the gorgeous SL550, SL63 AMG and the scary-fast SL65 AMG. …

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DRIVEN REVIEW: 2014 Kia Sorento SX-L Feels Lux Inside, But Steering Is Very Unusual

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 9, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Dec 4, 2013 @ 10:18 My Snow White Kia Sorento SX-L loaner from the other week has been very perplexing. On the one hand, I was downright smitten with the interior quality and materials. As my first press loan from Kia, I started the week very eager to impress the company’s California-based team as well as the executive bosses at HQ in Korea. But my time with the Sorento was not a love-fest. With recent driving impressions of the very impressive Ford Explorer Sport and Nissan Pathfinder 4×4 Platinum, the Sorento had competition in the seven-seat …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 9, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

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

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FORD Debuts 2015 US-Spec Focus Sedan — Style Update Brings Chic Dark Trims, Plus Enhanced Tech — But No HIDs…?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 9, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Hot off the presses! Initial thoughts? Much improved! The dark trims really make the sedan’s nose much more appealing. This dark trim will no-doubt be available on the five-door as well. The Good News: The tail of the hatch is also much cleaner in its appearance from directly behind, while the production-spec Focus Electric goes from the looker of the bunch to a bit eco-wimpy. The dark grille of the sedan is by far the best and biggest single improvement. The Not-So-Good News: The latest US Focus does still appear to lack the bi-xenon + LED lighting from the …

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MEGA Buyers Guide — 2015 BMW 740Ld Forms 11-Strong Model Range — Pricing, Diesel Build-Out, Tech Specs and Must-Have Options

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 9, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

The previous article here on Car-Revs-Daily.com slammed the BMW 7 Series for its loss of focus since the wretched third-gen car stole my hope and courage and aspirations with its vile redesign. This is now the fifth-gen car, introduced in 2012. Is is all better? No. Is it much better? Yes. But let’s get a bit more real for this one. Is it or was it ever a bad car, or just one that is trying to change with the times? Change is hard. It really is. That is why I cannot stop over-sharing, try as I might to keep …

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2014 BMW 750Li Definitely Not Beautiful or Focused (Yet) — But Less Adrift as 750i M Sport + Squared-Off LED Lights Option

February 22, 2019, 3 pmApril 9, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

The BMW 7 series was long my favorite executive sedan — until 2003. Along with everyone on Earth, I was appalled by the redesign of this crisp and solid-handling machine into a lardy boat of Avalon-ian proportions. Things have barely improved in the ten years since this disaster of a redesign ruined every shred of ethos or cred this car had going for it versus the S-Class. Various steps have been taken to improve the tactile responsiveness of this giant barge, but the exterior style is still well past its PSI inflation rating. Regretfully, even the 2014 model looks so …

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Build Your Own 500HP Chevy Truck with Valvoline! 5 Body Styles, 5 Engines, 10 Colors, Wheels, Graphics!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 8, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Valvoline and Hendrick Motorsports have nabbed two of the biggest names in US auto racing for the entertaining and fun ‘Reinvention Project.’ It pits Dale Jr. versus Jimmie Johnson in a battle of resto-modding wits — five vintage Chevy truck bodies to choose among, and engines up pushing nearly 600 horsepower! It is both an on-track grudge match with drag racing and burnout contests for the resulting real-life pickup trucks each racer designed himself — a riot of power and semi-politeness among the guys. Cruise over to Facebook.com/valvoline to give them a thumbs up, and vote on your favorite. The …

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Concept Flashback — INFINITI Q30 from Frankfurt 2013 — Design Previews 2015’s Sexiest Compact Crossover

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 8, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

The Infiniti Q30 concept is coming very soon — likely by this year some time as a 2015 production model. This is great news — the Q30 is gorgeous and very slinky and sexy versus the similarly-named, similarly-priced and similarly-sized Audi Q3. The Audi ends up looking a bit stubby and awkward by direct comparison… 2015 AUDI Q3 INFINITI Q30 Concept

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Audi SUV and Crossover Showcase — 600-Photo Galleries of Q3, Q5 hybrid, SQ5, and Q7 TDI S-Line Plus

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 8, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Between 1994 and 2004, Audi’s biggest barrier to more US sales was a pretty limited number of model choices. In 2014, that is definitely no longer an issue: Audi’s American model range is huge. Disregarding the many, many engines available in each model, as well as S and RS cars — Audi is now packing at least 30 body styles. Add five more with the A3 and Q3 family for 2015, and keep adding five extra mystery machines for at least the next four years. Overall, plenty to choose from — with pricing that starts at $30,000 for the crossovers …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 8, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

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

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Op_Ed: Ferrari Formula One 2014 Whine-a-Thon — Actually Just Poor Engineering? But Surplus of Arrogance, Entitlement and Cronyism

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 7, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

INTRO: No kid says, “I want to be one of the angry and out-of-touch old men in charge, long after my prime and causing damage to my sport, or my team.” They say, “I want to be a racecar driver.” Formula One is bringing a bit more drama to all the backstage maneuvers this year — which is at least half the fun of the sport lately. Bogged down by a tome of a rulebook, Bernie Ecclestone’s forced hiatus from running every lockstep in the sport brings with it significant pitfalls for the most legendary team on the grid: Scuderia …

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Best Wind Tunnels – Mercedes-Benz Opens New 165MPH AeroAcoustics Test Center

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 7, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Jan 3, 2014 @ 15:33 Welcome to part one of the CarRevsDaily Wind Tunnel series. What is the mystery X factor for anything moving at high speeds? Air. Always changing density, direction, humidity and speed: defeating wind is a real black art. How do I know this? Indoor skydiving: seems easy – jump from platform into the chamber, whose floor is 60-feet below. Flex your body to control your lift and position. Sounds easy, is actually incredibly difficult and chaotic. Wind tunnels are nothing new: they go back more than 100 years and are critical for …

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Nissan Taps Skyline Bloodlines for Future IDx Rear-Drive Compact Range

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 7, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Originally: Published on: Dec 31, 2013 @ 21:39 All hail, the IDx NISMO Concept. Along with its Freeflow sibling, these twins reclaim some of Nissan’s proudest – and most stylish – historical moments. Just a brief thumb through the Nissan Heritage archives shows the huge strides made by Nissan between 1965 and 1975. The cars went from down-sized, durable and cute bubbles into sedan shapes with much blockier lines. The BMW M Division, AMG or NISMO strategy is long-established with the Skyline range, which has come in all flavors: from luke-warm four-doors all the way to extreme fastback …

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In-House Racing Expert Chris May Asks — Are Established Tracks Safe For Today’s Race Pace?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 7, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

By: Special Contributor Chris May Established Race Tracks: Are they Safe Anymore? It’s a loaded question that I have been wrestling with over the past couple of weeks. So you might ask, ‘Why is this on your mind, bit of a random thought?’ Well, the genesis of the thought process started last year when the racing community lost Allan Simonsen tragically at Le Mans. I, just like many other racing fans, was glued to the TV as we watched the historical event unfold and the tragic cloud that fell upon the race with 23 hours left …

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Car Basics: How To Jumpstart A Dead Car… in less than 10 Words

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 6, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

Jumpstarting Reminder: Red to Red, Black to Black With the good car running: Red to red, black to black. Step-by-step guide from GEICO’s Dawn McCaslin: Start by protecting your clothes and your hands with protective clothing or a blanket on the ground and gloves. Open the hood to your car. Sometimes when you “pop” the hood, you need to also release the latch. This can be found by running your fingers under the slightly open hood until you find a little lever to push on. Use the stick to prop the hood open while you work. Locate the …

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2015 Ford Transit Is Nearly Here! Summer 2014 Arrival — Work Van Revolution Via RWD Diesel and EcoBoost V6 Plus Decent Cabin

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 6, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

Cargo van, passenger van, cut-away or chassis cab: Three wheelbases. Three roof heights. Three engines: 2.5-liter turbodiesel, 3.7-liter V6, 3.5-liter EcoBoost. Rear drive. Six-speed automatic. The 2015 Ford Transit is nothing short of a revolution. This is perhaps my fifth time through the configurations and specs since the first teasers emerged about this time last year — and certainly my third or fourth total article on how important this new truck is. Building it in Kansas City is not small achievement for this once-European model, now honed and up-fit for American truck buyer needs. The second challenge? Ford has been …

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2014 Hennessey Venom GT Worlds Fastest Edition- 270 Stunning Photos of 270MPH Venom GT Spyder

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 6, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

The Venom GT is a major success story that keeps building momentum with every aerodynamic tweak and trip to the Kennedy Space Center! This video below is pretty awesome. Great intro via a great JFK speech, HPE! Pretty outstanding results, too =] The latest WFE reached the long-held ideal of one kilogram of weight per horsepower, with both totaling 1244 thanks to the latest tweaks to the Hennessey twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The Hennessey team notes that not only is the Venom GT now the world’s fastest car, it is also the quickest. A 2.7-second sprint to 60-mph only increases in …

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Porsche Brand Showcase — 1000-Photo Gallery of 918 Spyder, 919, Macan, Panamera, 911, 718, Boxster and Cayman

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 6, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Ever wanted just a huge lump of images? Well, your wish is my command! Something is wrong with the lightbox function, so please simple control+click to open these gallery photos to full-size in a new window. 918 Spyder 919 LeMans Macan Panamera 911 Cayman/Boxster 907 718 RSK

2015 Escalade ESV Standard, Premium and Luxury – Buyers Guide and Pricing from $72k

February 25, 2019, 5 pmApril 6, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

The 2015 Escalade is easily the hottest full-size truck of the year. Its arrival is still forthcoming, but the first Tahoe’s and Yukon’s are already starting to trickle onto dealer lots. Extra attention to the Escalade’s cabin and driving experience explain why the Cadillac is not shipping first. But better late and perfect than early and unfinished. For most buyers in the market for an Escalade-sized truck, there would be a few solid preference to keep in mind: — ESV length versus the shortie would be a no-brainer for me — the price increase is only $3,000 but the increased …

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2014 Cadillac CTS and CTS-V Wagons — Cult Classics — 3.6-liter V6 Offering Dark Vsport Grille via New Touring Package

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 5, 2014, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

The Cadillac CTS Wagon is a plum machine, and one so rare you may never pass yourself going the other way on any road, worldwide. Available with a rear-drive 3.0-liter V6, or the upgraded 3.6-liter in rear-drive or AWD, this is a massively practical car that just happens to be gorgeous. It would be my pick in a heartbeat over the CTS Coupe, but versus the new sedan? That is a toss-up. What the Wagon does bring is that intangible sense of coolness that every fast wagon driver will know and love. What does that actually earn you? Nods of …

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Speculative Renderings – 2016 Cadillac Escalade V – How Does 650HP ZR1 Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 Sound?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 5, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Guess who does not like renderings one bit? Manufacturers….! A great Escalade buyers guide article is in final draft form, and coming soon to actually drive sales versus just unique visitors to this news website. But as long as I’m burning bridges shore to shore… A Cadillac Escalade V-Series? The idea is a bit tough to fathom or accept at first, but is a firm fit with buyer wants in this segment. One look at the aftermarket or even the GL63 AMG shows that once cost is no object, buyers often simply want it all. Light off-road ability plus a …

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INFINITI Q50 Upping Pressure on BMW With Aggressive New Turbo Engines — 2.0L Turbo for Europe … or 560HP GT-R V6 for US!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 5, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

Okay, that is not super fair. The European market is also a sure thing for the Q50 Eau Rouge, which runs a 560-horsepower twin turbocharged engine that is closely related, if not the exact same, as what powers the upgraded 2014 Nissan GT-R. But the bigger news may be down at the lower end of the range: Europe is the first market to benefit from a new sharing deal with Mercedes-Benz. Infiniti will borrow the brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that is seeing duty, or will soon see action, in everything from the CLA250 to the E250. So, the Infiniti Q50 …

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Latest GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali and 3500HD Bring Class-Exclusive LEDs and Very Premium Designs

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 4, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD is quite an appealing machine. Its chunky fender arches and butch panels are at once both very stylish as well as very functional. The LED addition in the headlamps of the Sierra HD are a treat, and a segment-exclusive item for the time being. They really help the Sierra line feel new and unique versus the latest Silverado line, which lack this element and can feel a bit stale visually by comparison. The Chevrolet HD trucks are more distinctive in being new versus the 1500, but all the Chevy trucks are less revamped than …

Citroen DS Brings Parisian Street Style to Beijing with DS 5LS — 5LS R Version Packing 300HP!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 4, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Citroen and Peugeot are hugely popular brands in China. But so far, the cars on offer have not achieved the market share to go along with all that admiration. Step forward, Citroen’s high-fashion DS brand. With a logo that looks like French designer couture, the exteriors and interiors of many current Citroen models become far more stylish and appealing. The 5LS sedan is a great example of Citroen’s re-alignment toward not only having a fashionable brand, but selling hundreds of thousands of that car in China’s extremely competitive market. WIth every brand on Earth trying to tap the same “Cuppies” …

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Lexus NX to Debut in Beijing This Month — 2015 NX250? NX200 Turbo? Based on Fascinating LF-NX Turbo Concept

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 4, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Lexus just revealed the production face of the Lexus NX crossover, which is widely expected as a 2015 model to slot under the RX in the brand’s lineup. The NX willl debut in Beijing on April 20th, with styling that is quite fresh and unique — if not as sharp-sided as the LF-NX Concept car. Either way, it is a very promising step into the future of Lexus design. Teaser of production car is just these top four images. Orig Published on: Dec 1, 2013 @ 10:53 The Lexus LF-NX Turbo is the second iteration of the concept shown in …

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2015 Acura NSX Set for Goodwood Debut — REAL Pre-Production Model — Plus! Dream Colorizer — 150 Shades of Hybrid Supercar

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 4, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

The NSX Concept is still making the rounds in near-production form — but there is big news on near-term horizon. Our prediction? The New NSX will debut in production form this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England in late June of this year. While the debut is only confirmed so far as the “prototype,” we have reason to believe this prototype is actually the real pre-production car. Why is this our prediction? Some inside info or a hot tip? I wish. No — we are working on a hunch. Informed by just historical data, careful analysis of the wording …

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4.2s, 425HP 2015 BMW M4 Convertible! Full Details + 39 Photos of Wide-Track Menace — Arrival to US Buyers by Late August 2014

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 3, 2014, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

Sierra Denali HD? Acura NSX Goodwood 2014 debut? Both articles bumped. Dinner skipped. The 2015 BMW M4 Convertible has arrived. Looking amazingly athletic and aggressive from every angle, the 2015 BMW M4 Convertible just popped up in our inbox ahead of its first public outing at the New York Auto Show in just two weeks time. First stats are remarkably impressive: — manual six-speed or seven-speed M-DCT transmissions, with 4.4-second and 4.2-second sprint times, respectively — Bigger trunk than before, new three-piece folding hardtop that drops cruising cabin noise levels by 2-decibels — Incredible agility and a characterful howl from …

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Update1 – 2015 Kia Sedona, Is That You? KIA Previews NY Debut of Sharp New Van

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 3, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

KIA just send out a curious teaser — but we have a strong hunch this is the next Sedona van! That, or a swanky crossover with sliding doors? That seemed silly to type, but why do no SUV models have sliding rear doors? The nose design looks to closely mirror the very handsome Sportage. All will be revealed in a few weeks. KIA 2014 NYIAS TEASER Kia will unveil an all-new midsize multi-purpose vehicle at the 2014 New York International Auto Show in two weeks. This global debut will challenge the segment and will offer the functionality …

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DIY Car Mods Series — $20 Honeycomb Grille Insert — From the Ford Crown Vic!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 3, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Easy and Cheap Honeycomb Grille Insert DIY This Subaru did not come with a honeycomb grille, obviously — nor is it an STI! So silly looking back at all these absurd modifications — many of which are circa 2006-2007. But I digress. Honeycombs are awesome. Want one? Sweet! Many online performance shops will sell you a fancy custom grille — but here’s the thing: they usually cost $400 or more, and are unpainted and perhaps ridiculously-bad quality. My solution to update the Legacy GT’s nose? Cut out inner grille bars, replace with Ford Crown Victoria honeycomb mesh. Cost …

DIY Car Mods Series — Plasti-Dip Your Chrome or Painted Grille Matte Black

March 23, 2019, 5 pmApril 3, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Part Six of a new ‘DIY Car Mods’ series. Definitely some really trashy stuff included in this series of articles. But what is the best/worst part of modifying your own car? No matter the price of the upgraded parts — you have zero guarantee they will perform as promised, or even fit. So please take all these with a hefty dose of salt. Ideally, these are just ideas based on what has “stuck” on my car’s cosmetic refresh list over the years. Many, many even trashier upgrades have been installed and later removed from deep shaming by car-guy pals. And …

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Sexy Embedded Photo Polls — Round One — Color Showdown! 2014 Corvette Stingray Colors in Tournament Brackets

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 3, 2014, 8 am by Tom Burkart

With color a critical choice for loving any car long-term, care to see what others prefer on the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible? Winners from each bracket will move on in the tournament, while losers will face immediate knockout — until only one color is left standing! Instructions: vote for each color you prefer, the next bracket will come up automatically. Stay tuned for the results next week, and feast your eyes on all the colors via the images below.

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3.8s 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible — MEGA Buyers Guide — Pricing, Specs, Equipment, Interiors, Colors, Wheels and Options

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

INTRO: You do not see 150-image buyers guides in any car magazine or magazine iPad app, that is for sure! Why? It takes sooooo, soooo loooong to put something like this together. I hope it is helpful and entertaining to those with — or without — a Stingray ragtop in their future! There is fresh content all the way down to the bottom of this page. =] A few insights after a very deep dive into the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible’s specs, pricing and configuration options. — In my opinion, the drop-top looks even better than the hardtop…. but, the …

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Honda Heritage Celebration — Official Togichi Museum PhotoSpheres — 71 Honda-isms and Milestone Achievements Since 1936

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Auto Museums are super cool. Even if your eyes glaze over at the thought of visiting a dark and endless art museum — if you like cars, you will be ecstatic the moment you walk into any car museum. Why? The cars are there because they are objectively so, so important. So important that they cannot even be stored in the basement archives of the car company — but need to be proudly displayed for both internal teams and the public to admire. Another amazing reason car museums should be on your radar? These collections are expertly-curated and laid out …

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Op-Ed — Is Motors Liquidation Corp (Old GM)’s Rotten Culture Actually Gone? Refusal To Provide Safe Loaner Cars Is Shameful

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

I hate politics. Rarely will you catch an article on here about NHTSA’s ridiculous, farcical witch-hunts around recalls. If you think this stuff is not political, think again. Do not get me started on the useless, fleabag vote-mongers in both houses of congress, from both sides of the aisle. Counterpoint: Or the NHTSA’s actual customer assistance in ensuring recall work is fulfilled by manufacturers? “Send them a letter” is not sufficient, @NHTSA — when you are steamrolling billions of company value from the books with these opportunistic investigations. A disgusting disgrace for the agency, and one that will not go …

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Automotive Artist Showcase — Hisashi Saito — 3D Mechanical Illustrator with Heart — 30 Stunning See-Through Honda Designs

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Have you ever wondered how the technical illustrations in the best car magazines are created? Is there some kind of giant automotive X-ray scanner like Border Patrol and the Ports Authority use to see inside 40-foot shipping containers? The answer is no. These are generally done by skilled artists who are able to know a car’s design and mechanical details so thoroughly that they can peel away the bodywork for the eye to see inside. Hisashi Saito is one such talented artist. His work has earned him worldwide recognition and numerous awards — but his drawings for Honda are some …

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Writers Wanted! Bikes, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Planes, Trains… The Mechanized World Is Your Oyester

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

New Car Website Seeking WRITERS! On this new site, we are looking for writers with motivation, passion about cars that borders on the insane, and professional degrees. Writing and producing automotive news content is AWESOME. But it is also a job in the traditional “exhausting” sense. A demanding one that takes skills, might cause chills, and …. eventually might even pay the bills. Is it a “paying” job? Ummm…. For the time being, special contributors will be compensated only by the glory of seeing their car opinions and insights as published articles. There is no budget to even pay myself …

2014 GT-R + 2015 GT-R NISMO Now Far More Beautiful, Luxurious… and EVEN FASTER!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Nov 22, 2013 @ 11:33 The next GT-R just debuted in Tokyo, and boy, is it magnificent. A beautiful vision in anthracite grey. Hugely redesigned surfaces appear all over the exterior, with the nose and grille graphic perhaps the most enhanced versus the current car. All-new LED lighting is featured throughout, finally bringing the GT-R’s styling up to the same caliber as its world-beating performance. The evolution of the 2015 GT-R brings much of the revised technical solutions from the brand-new 2014 Nissan GT-R NISMO — but wraps the enhancements in that far prettier exterior and now, …

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Update1 -3.8s 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 in 78 Original First-Drive Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

Update — Originally published in November, when I foolishly included over 350MB of images on one web page. That leads to a lousy user experience, shockingly! With slow pages, browser crashes and other issues. We are learning, however, and improving. The compressed images do not lose too too much quality when shrunk from 5MB each down to 1MB each — but you will like them better because it will not crash the entire Internet. =] The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 3LT is poised to be the absolute hottest sports car for 2014: pricing just below $70,000, carbon-fiber galore, and even …

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray — Animated Evolution in Polo White

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 2, 2014, 7 am by Tom Burkart

Ever since the debut of the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban in September 2013, General Motors seems to — finally — be a far more forward-thinking company. The irony was not lost on anyone during the 1980s and 1990s: the largest and most successful industrial entity of the 20th Century, and perhaps all of American history, was rapidly in decline and risking it all via short-sighted management strategies that equaled awful cars. Part of looking forward is knowing where you came from, of course. Good (but often not-so-good) skeletons of cars in the closet would no longer be swept under the …

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Okay Now! European JUKE Nismo RS Features Matching LEDs Above and Below The New Round HID Lamps

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 1, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

The recent European Nissan JUKE article spent a faintly absurd amount of words and on the color choice of the show car, as well as the LED lighting functionality of the JUKE Nismo. Hiding on my desktop is another Geneva debut I have yet to cover: The JUKE Nismo RS with the solution to both the LED and icky color problems! This photo of the JUKE Nismo RS for Europe confirms: all three lighting elements can now be used simultaneously. Perhaps a trivial distinction, but one that American JUKE Nismo owners will understand. The JUKE Nismo RS in …

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Iconic Classic: 1938 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6C Xenia at Mullin Automotive Museum

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 1, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Nov 5, 2013 @ 13:12 If it seems like we have an unhealthy fascination for the Mullin Automotive Museum, you might be right. The cars inside this Oxnard, California collection just… write their own stories. I have a dozen more that I would like to feature, but we must start at the true nexus – or “Xenia” perhaps – of the art of French coach-building by Jacques Saoutchik and his contemporaries. How all these cars got to sunny California is no accident. In many cases – the cars in the collection were painstakingly built – sometimes …

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Mega Photo Gallery – 2014 Dodge Charger SRT and Pursuit in 70 Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 1, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Nov 20, 2013 @ 18:14

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Concept to Reality — Design Analysis — Hyundai HCD-14 to the All-New 2015 Genesis — Plus US Pricing and Equipment

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 1, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Last week we explored the fresh and innovative appearances of the Hyundai Intrado concept SUV, HCD-9 Coupe concept and the PassoCorto sports car concept — with generous praise for the ideas and execution shown in all three. Will that gravy train keep rolling with the new Genesis? Unfortunately, after comparing the two side-by-side and in detail: the answer is a firm “No.” Overall, the transition from HCD-14 to Genesis loses all of the concept’s unique surfaces, elegance, and all semblance of premium appeal. The artful and contemporary sweeping shapes of the HCD-14 are all completely gone; replaced by …

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Speculative Renderings – Future Corvette Z51 Speedster and Z06 Spyder

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 1, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

INTRODUCTORY CAVEAT: I hope these do not irk General Motors too much. They are all labeled as ‘speculative renderings’ — in case the dismal quality of these Photo”Chops” did not make that clear already to everyone. It is harder than it seems to achieve anything like photo-real results. To avoid any confusion among buyers is my goal in labeling everything as renders, but also to explore these ideas visually. A separate (and amazing!) article coming in a few hours will be a thorough, real-life buyers guide to the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible’s trims, wheels, colors and options later this afternoon. …

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2014 Acura MDX Colors, Options + Wheels Guide From $43k

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 31, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

Let’s say you are on a road trip. But you are in the back seat! Ahhh! You are not just a grown-up like Tom Hanks in BIG. You are just a large, tired human. Best stretch-out-comfy cabin this side of Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class? The Acura MDX. New for this year, the MDX really excels in its smooth, confident and quiet luxury crossover mission. This is a car for people who need to feel fewer jabs in the ribs in general — let alone paying the a German SUV to bounce you around choppy pavement. For these shoppers, the …

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1928 BMW Dixi Roadster – Zentrum Museum

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 31, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Okay! Final roadster article from the BMW Zentrum Museum and delivery center in Spartanburg. The Z3, Z8 and Z4 Alpina and many others are featured in this mini museum, but these three are stand-outs for me in how the each speak to their respective decades so effectively. What do I mean? Well, the 1928 Dixi is far ahead of its time versus the heavy and getting-heavier American cars of the period, which were anything but sporty in corners. Or the slow-coaches of England, for that matter, where 5-mph was generally “too fast.” for urban areas or rural routes. The …

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Concept Flashback: 2006 BMW GINA Light Visionary Roadster – Animations of Dynamic Surfaces

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 31, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

2006 BMW GINA – Animations of Dynamic Surfaces The 2006 Concept GINA is still a memorable favorite. While the idea of a fabric-wrapped, space-frame skeleton is tough to fathom, it is a real possibility in the coming years.Why? Active aerodynamics and panel shaping are far simpler without stamped steel or alloy for the main panels. Even though the GINA is visually polarizing, this concept is certainly ahead of its time. Imagine surfaces weighing 1/10th the amount of even the lightest carbon-fiber panels. The BMW Z4 would suddenly tip the scales at perhaps 2,200 pounds versus ~3,500 – which is nothing …

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2013 Nissan GT-R Black Edition – Drake the Akita

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 31, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

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

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1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC -High Demand but High Price

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

1989 BMW Z1 in Spartanburg, SC -High Demand but High Price A bit less to say about the Z1, which is unusual for me. For many, many years the Z1 was my all-time favorite car. I saw one in Germany as a young child and was instantly smitten by its power-sinking doors and ultra-refined aero profile. To me, it was everything a BMW sports car should be. Versus the large and imposing 635CSi and 750iL of the time, it was nothing short of a revelation for BMW lovers worldwide. Even today, its shapely panels are quite bewitching. The Z1 was …

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Car Museums Showcase – 1937 BMW 328 and R60 Bike in Spartanburg, SC

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

The 1937 BMW 328 is a little-seen roadster gem from BMW that was, perhaps, the firm’s most advanced and sophisticated achievement outside of aircraft engines at the time. Seeing one so close in the flesh really rings home how advanced this 328 was versus its contemporaries from Aston-Martin and Jaguar — two much-better-known sports-car innovators (and competitive benchmarks) of the time. Where those cars both still wore giant flat fenders, the 328 is completely smooth in all areas. This aero-led thinking was surely a testament to BMW’s aeronautic history until this point, but also a deep bow to the …

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2014 Ferrari California 30 Edition – Blu Mirabeau – 60-Angle Sunny Photo Shoot

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

With the California T coming in September as a 2015 model car, the sonorous atmospheric V8 is becoming even more desirable. Yes, the turbo will surely still sound lovely. But any turbo engine sounds far more muffled than a natural breather. This final 30 Edition model weighs 60-pounds less overall, and has a sharper performance focus to all its moves. Lastly, pretty sure this is Blu Mirabeau, but it might be Azzurro California. Cruise over to Ferrari.com to configure and order your own!

QOROS e-BIQE Concept Is Human Pedal Power + Plug-in Electricity

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

QOROS e-BIQE Concept Is Human Pedal Power + Plug-in Electricity QOROS is showing some real promise lately. Here is the basic idea behind the QOROS brand: World-best European engineering, branding and safety expertise. Built in low-cost China, but to German quality standards. The idea certainly has promise, and some huge-name executives behind the efforts. Most of them are German OEM refugees — who know a thing or two about excellent quality, safety, performance and handling on two wheels, four, or 18. If there is one core template for (real) global transport exports from China, it will be led by a …

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HD Road Test Review – 2014 TESLA Model S 85 – Smooth Power, Great Dynamics, Unequivocal EV Brilliance

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

2014 TESLA Model S 85 Review After a scathing Op-Ed the other week about Tesla Motors’ many (perceived) shenanigans on Wall Street and in Washington: I decided it was time to get behind the wheel to experience the car itself. I registered my interest in the Model S at TeslaMotors.com and promptly received a nice phone call from Silicon Valley to help arrange things. But the nearest Tesla dealers were at least five hours away from me, so I put a pin in the Tesla test drive and went back to work on normal vehicle reviews/ keeping the website up/ …

2014 LeMans LMP1 – Toyota TS040 Hybrid – A Dark Horse in Audi vs. Porsche Battle

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 30, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

The TS040 Hybrid is looking mighty rapid this year, with a huge increase in stamina and budget for the Toyota Motorsports Group based in Cologne, Germany. Training with past winners and local talent can only be considered a huge new asset in the Toyota WEC racing ambition for its LMP1 cars. TS040 Hybrid running from ToyotaGB on Vimeo. So, is the TS040 fast and powerful enough to outwit the Porsche 919 Hybrid and Audi R18 trio? Fast enough remains to be seen, but the Toyota effort in LMP1 has garnered five race victories since 2012, which is certainly nothing to …

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European Nissan JUKE Previews Deeply Cool LED Designs Front and Rear — Securing High-Style Kudos After Dark

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 29, 2014, 9 pm by Tom Burkart

The updated Nissan JUKE debuted in Geneva this month, with only a light refresh visible outside. Until it gets dark, that is! The LED updates now place V-Motion swish marks in the top indicator lamps up front, bi-xenon LEDs for the main round beams below, and some refreshed lower trim styling that now includes painted areas inside the lower grille region. The main front blinkers are still in the top lamps on the hood — just as much smaller amber LED units, we expect. This remains unknown as of now. The overall appearance is greatly enhanced by these revisions, and …

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

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 29, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

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

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Road Test Review – 2014 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL – Great Handling, Refinement, Efficiency and Cargo Space

February 22, 2019, 3 pmMarch 29, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

2014 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL Review Looks like I shaved before taking video two (in blue shirt), which always helps to look less like a mountain man…! Second video is directly below and is a bit more interesting overall. These are from last Fall, but went unpublished due to my then-editor rejecting the story topic. This was pre-GoPro — which just proves how much easier it is to make quality content when you have a week with the car versus twenty minutes. Sadly, my long-form original review and photos of this machine were shredded via a previous Toshiba laptop. My …

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2015 Cadillac Escalade Colors, Leathers and Specs Preview

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 29, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

2015 Cadillac Escalade Colors, Leathers and Specs Preview Introducing the 2015 Escalade. The 2015 Escalade is looking pretty desirable as the winds change and snow starts falling in Chicagoland. The full line of codename “K2XX” SUV’s are all vastly improved for 2015, with Tahoe’s starting in the high $30,000’s at the low end. At the high end is the latest Escalade, which repositions itself as the true flagship of Cadillac. And, perhaps, General Motors. Starting with prices about at the same level as previous models, the Escalade is scheduled for an early Spring 2014 roll-out to dealers nationwide. Exterior …

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BMW X3 and X4 Spartanburg Factory Tour in 111 Photos!

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 29, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

BMW Spartanburg Factory Tour During this factory tour of the X3 and X4 assembly line, I could not help but to keep looking around for the rest of the facility. The loud parts., The hot parts. Places where workers are wearing the typical combo of HazMat + X-Ray lead vests for safety. But in fact, these areas were nowhere to be found. This is partly due to the extremely cutting-edge processes employed in Spartanburg, but also because some key components are handled off-site: including engines from Germany and stampings from Magna Steyr’s facility just down the road. This model factory’s …

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1982 BMW 1.5-liter F1 Turbo Engine Makes 1100HP! Two Videos and 17 Detail Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 29, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

1982 BMW 1.5-liter F1 Turbo I love a good turbocharger, and this is certainly one of the best. The carbon-fiber shell for the turbo unit and the engine cover itself has a very National Aeronautics and Space Agency feel to it — showing how advanced this material was in the early 1980s. No company had brought the artful woven patterns we take for granted today from Pagani and all the rest — C-F and Carbon-Kevlar were simply the strongest materials known to man. Looks were a firm afterthought on the space shuttles as much as for this F1 engine. But …

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Update2 ~2015 BMW X7 Officially Joins X3, X4, X5 and X6 at Spartanburg

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 28, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

UPDATE2: 5.28.14 with Digital Rendering Spartanburg is a crowning achievement of the BMW Group today, 20 years since the first US-built BMW rolled from this once-small South Carolina factory in 1994. Today: the Ultimate Driving Machine is far more than a just a machine. BMW has become a sentient being, born and raised on trustworthy US soil. BMW today is a compelling human endeavor as well as one whose faith in the United States makes it the ‘Ultimate Driving’ employer, taxpayer and corporate citizen. But to most SC residents? A global titan of a company we are giddy with …

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2014 BMW 228i M Sport in 36 All-New, High-Res Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 27, 2014, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

How is it in the flesh? Very new, very low, very wide. The ideal BMW Coupe! The proportions are dead-accurate to the desirable long-hood appearance BMW coupes have long delivered their loyal fans (and fan-boys alike). The is the car I would order versus the pricier 235i — the 228i in M Sport trim. The other options are a bit tamer outside without this front bumper and other sport enhancements. Stay tuned for the big first drive article soon — plus photos of the 228i Luxury that sat beside this M Sport car. Overall — a great entry into rear-drive …

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Best of Awards – 2014 BMW 335i GT M Sport – 1000 miles at 100MPH… In One Day?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 27, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Orig Published on: Jan 27, 2014 @ 16:37 What car would you pick for the ultimate day of dawn-to-dusk road tripping? Great style, pace and space in back will become far more important than previously thought. The 2014 BMW 328i xDrive GT and 335i xDrive GT are looking better and better to these eyes. Even while prepping the 328d and 328x Touring articles last week: I could not help but liking the 3GT from most angles versus its low-roof-wagon sibling. The nose is really the clinch-point for a car’s style, and the 3GT is arguably more handsome and well-resolved than …

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Amelia Island Time Capsules: $903k 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster — Leaves Me Cold — Find Out Why?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 26, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

Plowing through my gigantic Amelia Island photo folders. =] Not only do I rarely meet a Bugatti I do not like — I think the Amelia Island 2014 event was the first time I have ever touched any Bugatti, whatsoever! Therefore, you can imagine my internal surprise at my blase feelings toward this magnificent 1939 57C — which were less than positive. I just didn’t like it. The color seemed off, the coachwork overwrought, and certainly not nearly as stunning, genuine and authentically-desirable as the racecars across the room. I blamed poor lighting on day one due to the car …

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2014 911 Targa4 and Carrera S Featuring PDLS LED System

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 26, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

After yesterday’s article on all my failed LED headlight attempted, my admiration for the Panamera Turbo and Cayenne Turbo’s quad-point LED setup is very clear. Sidebar: Posting so many of my hideous DIY failures is really mortifying. But at least a break from the 600-or-so Amelia Island photos I am still sitting on?! Here is a 360-degree spin from one of the beach-walk decks in front of the Ritz-Carlton. This is a point of view panarama — versus a subject-focused turntable like many of my fly-arounds that center on an automobile. It was grey, overcast and raining that day, which …

2015 INFINITI QX80 Eau Rouge – Digital Rendering – 700HP Turbo V8 To Stomp GL63 AMG?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 26, 2014, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Okay, this is admittedly very silly on many levels. But here you go! It started out as a Photoshop experiment to de-chrome the QX80, but then, it got really out of control. The roof chop is particularly delightful to these eyes, but not necessary for the below performance upgrades of a possible IPL or Eau Rouge edition. Next thing I knew, I was adding Q50 Eau Rouge details left and right! Ahhh! But one thing is certain: the 5.6-liter V8 in the QX80 could, in theory, make 700 horsepower with some of the GT-R’s turbo technology. Heck, with a K&N …

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2014 INFINITI QX80 Review – Specs, Options, Pricing, Colors + 30 Real-Life Photos

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 26, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

When planning this article, I cannot help but think of the QX80 is a ‘reliable Range Rover,’ a smoother and better-handling Land Cruiser, or an Escalade with actual class. But throwing sand never wins any points in life. So let’s stick to the high road with this newly-renamed QX56 model for 2014. A few extra packages enter the fray for 2014, including a huge number of laser/radar and sonar-based active safety elements as standard — and even more with the optional Tech Package. 400-horsepower through a seven-speed automatic continues with this chain-driven marvel of a V8 — and the big …

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302HP 2015 GMC Canyon COLORS Guide

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 10 pm by Tom Burkart

The 2015 GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are shaping up to be huge news in a stagnant segment: mid-size trucks. Compact trucks? Not a “thing” anymore. Everybody who is anybody is going mid-size. As the Toyota Tacoma grew in size markedly to match the (long-gone; not missed) Dodge Dakota in size, others are quickly following suit. The next Nissan Frontier is debating various diesel engine options for a big revision for the 2016 model year, and even Ford is internally debating reviving the Ranger model for US sales. But the real news in this segment? Buyers are terminally bored with …

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Evolution of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class from 1904 to Present

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Evolution When Mercedes-Benz launches a new S-Class, the lead-up coverage is remarkably similar each time. Safety innovations, luxury, tech, style to make Lexus and Jaguar weep. But there is more to the story than just the 1960s forward. In fact, the first in this bloodline dates to 1904 in a hilarious red jalopy of a stagecoach. Hilarious in retrospect only! This was no joke at the time – the peak height of class and luxury travel. This red magic stagecoach did not require horses out front to move its occupants along in comfort and manure-free bliss. And so, …

2.8s QUANT e-SportLimo – Design Shootout vs Porsche 918

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

2.8s QUANT e-SportLimo – Design Shootout vs Porsche 918 Why so curious about this car’s origin and vision? A few things seem a bit unusual. Let’s dive into the salty blue of QUANT together. We knew suspected from first seeing this car’s badge that it comes with a large beer-mug of Bavarian heritage: the Quandt (with a D) family is a major controlling shareholder in the BMW Group. Along with the Porsche’s and the Piech’s — these are some of the most revered industrial dynasties in Germany. And also some of the most shielded and private. But is …

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My #LED #FailWhales — 123 Photo Showcase of Later-Junked DIY Headlights — Quad Projectors, LED Blades, LED Eagle Eyes… and 10 Other Icky Iterations

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Many of you may wonder about some of the eye-catching elements in my headlights over the years. The LED passion obsession started in 2009 for me, and took three years and six pairs of headlamps for me to realize: stop wasting time and money. But I was convinced! The tech to build DIY LED headlights was out there, I would say to myself over and over. For context, this was after I had already spent much time in 2007-2008 upgrading to HID low-beams and stripping the middle element of the headlights (the chrome shroud) out completely. But what style …

Cosmetic Car Mods Part 5 – White LED Emblem Baseplate

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Cosmetic Car Mods Part 5 – White LED Emblem Baseplate LED emblem base-plate. (Sticks under badge, wired into low-beams) This one is self-explanatory. Can be fun, and also comes in various styles for the rear ends of many brand logo’s as well — making the white outline flip to red under braking. But these are just the single white baseplate I had on my Subaru (briefly). Quality is dismal, and this one was never the exact same oval shape as my OEM Subaru badge — but for $12 or so, you definitely get some up-close curb appeal. Who else has …

2014 ItalDesign Clipper Crossover by Giugiaro – A Mad Six-Person Golf Variant?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

ItalDesign’s Clipper Crossover by Giugiaro – A Mad Six-Person Golf Variant? The thing with VW owning Giugiaro these days is that many of the concepts have much more production-possibility than ever before. Take the Parcour SUV — many of its ideas are flowing directly into a future Lamborghini model. The style and themes shown on this Clipper van most directly relate to Volkswagen’s newly-clean aesthetic — but take the block forms and flat surfacing to a very interesting place. Is it beautiful? Oh no. But might it be after refinement into a production vision? Perhaps. Additions like a brand-specific element …

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Top Cosmetic Mods — Part Four — DIY LED Brake Light Bar Under Glass — Total Cost Barely $20

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 25, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

And now, Part Four of the DIY cosmetic mods series. LED light bar under glass: Unique and V.Cool LED style enhancement. This one is not easy to find, but is very cheap to buy and a 5-minute install for most applications. Full article coming up about this in the future. — Why? Brings a Bentley or Audi A7 look to any car, better safety, makes car look impossibly low and wide at night. — Cost: this LED set from a junkyard Cadillac Catera cost me $2.50. Two dollars, and 50 cents. Total. — CAVEAT — You must find a DIY …

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Black Swan SLS AMG GT3 In Detail — Incredibly Fascinating Aerodynamic Solutions Under Disguise Mirror Wraps

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 24, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has long been the oversteer king of Deutschland. We all recall Clarkson cooking many, many sets of tires in his — and even trying to locate a replacement in rural North Carolina a few years ago. So how would this car do on the track with that handling attitude and tail-first handling mantra? Well, of course. But only once it spent countless hours in the wind tunnels of Mercedes-Benz. For racecars, the engineers’ brief on aerodynamics is much easier overall than road-going supercars. Yes, tons of downforce and Yes: zero lift whatsoever, no matter what it …

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Amelia Island 2014 – 1939 Aston Martin 15/98 ans DB4 SuperLeggera

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 24, 2014, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Amelia Island 2014 – 1939 Aston Martin 15/98 ans DB4 SuperLeggera Before we dive into this incredibly delicate but very powerful 15/98 shortie roadster — here is a selfie of your humble scribe with a touchably-smooth (caressably-soft?) 1960 DB4. Smooth, but definitely not soft. This DB4 wears the cherished SuperLeggera badge — indicating its body was made of aluminum-alloy versus steel.Aston-Martin worked with Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring on a number of projects in this era. Estimated weight saving with alloy? 250-pounds or more. This DB4 sold for $462,000 by RM Auctions on March 8th, 2014. Adding $150,000 to that total takes …

2014 SEAT Leon Cupra Scores First OEM Embedded Spin-Table! Plus 3 Reasons The Leon Cupra Spanks Renaultsport Megane (…and VW GTI)

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 24, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

The most unlikely fan of SEAT? Any American! While our LED obsession is well-documented — it is not just the available full LED headlights that are big turn-ons for the Leon. We love the latest SEAT car style, value proposition and brand statement. Any favorites in the ten-strong SEAT range? We are huge Leon admirers especially. Why? Check out the (mid-range) Sports FR Kit below and tell me it is not incredibly sexy. Three reasons to crave the SEAT Leon: 1.) — Value: Versus the VW GTI, the Leon is significantly more affordable for new-car shoppers, both in actual transaction …

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Geneva 2014 ShowFloor Gallery — Aston Martin Rapide S and Vantage S V12 Wearing N430-Inspired Livery

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 23, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

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Top Cosmetic Car Mods Under $50 — Part 3 — Plasti-Dip Your Wheels Into Metallic Anthracite Grey — How-To Instructions and Photo Results

March 23, 2019, 5 pmMarch 23, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Part Three of a new ‘DIY Car Mods’ series. Definitely some really trashy stuff included in this series of articles. But what is the best/worst part of modifying your own car? No matter the price of the upgraded parts — you have zero guarantee they will perform as promised, or even fit. So please take all these with a hefty dose of salt. Ideally, these are just ideas based on what has “stuck” on my car’s cosmetic refresh list over the years. Many, many even trashier upgrades have been installed and later removed from deep shaming by car-guy pals. …

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Top Cosmetic DIY Car Mods Under $50 — Part 2 — Fake Brembo Caliper Covers — How-To Instructions and Photo Results

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 23, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Part Two of a new ‘DIY Car Mods’ series. Definitely some really trashy stuff included in this series of articles. But what is the best/worst part of modifying your own car? No matter the price of the upgraded parts — you have zero guarantee they will perform as promised, or even fit. So please take all these with a hefty dose of salt. Ideally, these are just ideas based on what has “stuck” on my car’s cosmetic refresh list over the years. Many, many even trashier upgrades have been installed and later removed from deep shaming by car-guy pals. And …

Top Cosmetic DIY Car Mods Part 1 Switchback Blinkers LED DRLs Under Glass LED Turn Signal 2

Updated With Night Photos — Top Cosmetic Car Mods Under $50 — Part 1 — Switchback LED Blinkers — How-To Instructions

March 23, 2019, 5 pmMarch 23, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Part One of a new ‘DIY Car Mods’ series. Definitely some really trashy stuff included in this series of articles. But what is the best/worst part of modifying your own car? No matter the price of the upgraded parts — you have zero guarantee they will perform as promised, or even fit. So please take all these with a hefty dose of salt. Ideally, these are just ideas based on what has “stuck” on my car’s cosmetic refresh list over the years. Many, many even trashier upgrades have been installed and later removed from deep shaming by car-guy pals. And …

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2015 Chevrolet Impala Station Wagon? Twin Renderings Explore The Speculative Idea

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 23, 2014, 7 am by Tom Burkart

These are just for fun – a way of imagining new body styles for the hugely popular new Chevy Impala sedan. Yes, the Chevrolet SS with its big V8 and rear-drive does have a wagon variant abroad, as does the Buick Regal in the Opel Insignia Tourer. But this front-drive, “affordable large car” has a great track record of success with American family car shoppers. These new parents are the most unusual in their buying habits: they generally want whatever type car they did not grow up riding around inside as a child themselves. So as the full-frame SUV …

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BUGATTI Marque Showcase — Geneva, Salon Prive and Pebble Beach — Veyron Vitesse and GS Rembrandt — Plus Venet, Jean Bugatti, L’Or Blanc and GS Vitesse

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 23, 2014, 7 am by Tom Burkart

So many Bugatti’s, so little time! Just kidding. It really is the opposite, in fact, with a production run closing in on the final 75 units pretty soon on the horizon in 2015. But when your car costs as much as these magnificent specimens, who wouldn’t want a custom theme and livery? Quick shorthand: GS signifies the targa cars, while the Vitesse models are the fastest and newest of the all. The Vitesse wears significant updates and shaping to the entire nose, with a mid-wing in the air ducts that is not present on the earlier cars. Geneva 2014 …

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Geneva 2014 ShowFloor — Ferrari California T, 458 Speciale and F12 Looking Brilliant, Per Usual

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 22, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

Any doubts about the California T’s new nose or the rationale of the 458 Speciale will be silenced in their first in-person viewing. Ferrari California T Ferrari 458 Speciale Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

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Geneva Booth Babes 2014

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 22, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Geneva Booth Babes 2014 “It’s hard out here for a bitch.” — Lily Allen No life is easy, even for the most attractive humans in Switzerland. But standing and being approached by unwashed journalists for days on end at Auto Shows? That is some of the hardest trade show work there is. A big round of applause for these very attractive gals from Geneva 2014. “Blue Steel” Honorary Achievement in Mean/Sexy Posing: shown directly below.

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My MINI Build-Out: Hardtop Customizer Shows Cool Upgrades Throughout + At Least Half Are Zero-Cost Additions —

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 22, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

The new 2014 MINI Cooper Hardtop is arriving now in the US — and not a moment too soon for the many loyal fans this car has earned! But which is best for you? The four themes explored on the previous article highlight only a small smattering of the customizations available outside, inside and within the all-new 2014 MINI Cooper line. We spent a good chunk of time building out our perfect MINI — highlighting the most critical options and style upgrades available. Overall, a few key discoveries to share: — the interior is where the real customization action gets …

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2014 MINI Hardtop Debuts Four Theme Packs to Kickstart Your Wild Imagination — Arriving Now from $23k

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 22, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Okay, perhaps $35k is a better price cap for that bold claim — which we are eager to prove if need be. It is far more than Union Jack flags on the roof and mirrors these days at MINI, as well, even though that classic staple remains available. Vivid Green: gives accessories a youthful, fresh look with striking dashes of rich green against a black background. Speedwell Blue: adds a touch of sporty flair and a sense of tradition, thanks to a reinterpretation of the red, white and blue of the Union Jack, combined with a warm brown tone. John Cooper Works …

TurboSquid 3D: Mercedes SSK, Jaguar D-TYPE Longnose and Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 22, 2014, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Including TurboSquid.com’s 3D design models of the Pagani Huayra ‘Extreme’ last night opened a really stinky can of worms for your humble scribe — who tries to Do The Right Thing more than even Spike Lee. On the one hand, these design models can and should be used for ethical and legal purposes. On the other hand: let’s imagine you own the intellectual property at play. Making the entire design available for just $100 or so to anyone online would be like Coca-Cola giving away the secret recipe after a customer takes their first sip of soda. Not in anyone’s …

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Unpainted Black Carbon-Fiber is Draining Hypercars of their Beauty! McLaren P1 Before/After Digitally Painted Surfaces

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 21, 2014, 10 pm by Tom Burkart

The epidemic of unpainted or dark-lacquered carbon-fiber is magnificent to behold from just a few paces. But for the rest of us, from far away, there is little beauty in these dark, cavernous ‘holes’ in the latest hypercar bodywork. Both the Pagani Huayra and the McLaren P1 have liberal amounts of unpainted CF — but must it be this way? Without a McLaren P1 configurator available to the public — the car is already sold out — we have taken it upon ourselves to visualize the P1 with fully-painted surfaces. Of course, nothing is simple in the hypercar battle royale …

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PAGANI HUAYRA Extreme Renderings — Plus Bugatti EB110 and SSC Tuatara

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMarch 21, 2014, 8 pm by Tom Burkart

These are very photo-realistic 3D building blocks for designers. In fact, so good that the website greets you with this large caveat: these are not real! While these might not live outside computer screens: they are some great ideas regardless. Who would need these highly-detailed 3D maps of the entire car’s surface? Does this not infringe upon Pagani’s trademarked and copywritten designs with the EU Patent Office? The answer to those questions is: we do not know for certain. Overall, these screenshots sampled here promote TurboSquid.com’s expertise — design renderings used for legal and ethical means. TurboSquid.com About Us …