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2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 6.6L Gas V8 – Off-Road Review + Video – By Matt Barnes

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Chevy has updated the 2500 and 3500 Silverados for 2020. The grill is even bigger than before, the cab is longer and more spacious, the bed is wider and longer, and they are now offering a bigger V8 gas engine. Chevy has used the 6.0 gas V8 for over a decade now, and it’s long past due for a major update. We found the new 6.6-liter V8 gas engine to be more than adequate for most uses. With a towing capacity of up to 16,600 pounds most weekend warriors will be able to take their boats to the lake or …

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2018 RAM 2500 Limited 4×4 Long Box – Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

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When thinking of an HD pickup truck, the first things that come to mind are diesel power and a terrible ride. Only one of those two things is true with the 2018 Ram 2500 Limited Crew Cab 4×4 Long Box. Our test vehicle came with a lot of upgrades and packages, making it one of the most comfortable three-quarter ton trucks we have ever driven. Exterior This was an attractive truck from nearly any angle. It really stood out from all the other vehicles around it due to its enormous size and alluring deep indigo red paint. The Limited Tungsten …

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2018 BMW M550i – HD Road Test Review

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What if one of the most comfortable cars you’ve ever driven … is also one of the fastest? A big sedan that pivots like a track star? How has BMW defied physics?  Yes. The M550i is a revelation on the road.  After a week of flogging this beauty for kicks – and the cameras – we came away absolutely in love with BMW’s fastest ever 5 series. The 3.9s sprints to 60-mph from the almost-violent launch control are enough to make up for its lack of M5 sounds from the V8TT.  The hyper-adaptive suspension and standard xDrive turn a soft car …

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2017 Jeep Compass 4×4 Limited – HD Road Test Review

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Guess who does not love compact crossovers, generally, for their woeful speed and handling?  This guy. So the 2017 Compass really had its work cut out for it when it came to CRD for a review.  We were pre-biased and would’ve been tossed from a jury trial for inability to be impartial. Our personal disdain for micro-SUVs is dead wrong based on vehicle sales charts, though. Mini crossovers are the hottest segment of the car business these days.  They are replacing huge chunks of traditional compact and midsize car sales – through their combination of coolness and capability. Jeep is …

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2017 VW Golf Alltrack S w/ 4Motion – HD Road Test Review

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Wagons are back! Have you heard? Small families and bachelors alike are rediscovering how easy, smooth and practical they are versus the endless line of mini SUVs.  Wagons have better mileage, handling and — sometimes — even long-roof style. There are places where the Golf Sportwagen’s low ride height is simply not ideal — even with that car’s optional 4Motion AWD system.  For mountain states like Colorado or Vermont, there can never be enough tall, 4×4 wagons to choose from. Subaru has had this market on lock for decades now with their big Outback and smaller Crosstrek wagons. VW is …

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2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 – HD Road Test Review

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The Dodge Charger has always made big, loud speed its reason for being.  Even the simple R/T V8 runs a shouty HEMI and gets close to 5 seconds on the 60-mph sprint.  Simply heroic thrust on the road.  All with pricing that is a damn bargain versus any hot Camaro or Mustang, let alone anything else with a V8 and four doors.  (Rare breed indeed, lately). So now we have this Daytona edition with its Hellcat-alike bodywork and sexy black details.  Atop the Daytona kit you can add a three-number code that shouts POWERRR from the heavens:  the 392. Now …

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2017 Toyota LAND CRUISER – HD Road Test Review + 3 Videos

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Driving the incredible Land Cruiser for a week is a major dream-come-true for any car reviewer. So legendary!  So rare! Practically speaking, Land Cruiser is also a test of skills to describe – and do this unique machine justice.  But all the while?  A huge grin on my face and a major thrill to accept this challenge. What makes Land Cruiser so special?  For one, it sits proudly atop the Toyota hierarchy in terms of pricing.  This is the most expensive Big T by far. Continuous production since 1951 is evidence of enduring appeal. And sure, Land Cruiser’s worldwide acclaim …

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2017 Toyota Prius PRIME – HD Road Test Review

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Our hopes about Prius Prime were through the roof.  Gorgeous new looks.  A battery pack 10X as large as the most thrifty standard Prius.  Luxed-up cabin and 20 miles of EV range? It seemed like a winning formula on paper, and it is a winner in the flesh on the road. We spent a happy week in the Prime to see how this Super Prius compares versus young gun Hyundai Ioniq as well as full EVs like the eGolf, Focus Electric or even a pre-owned Tesla.  ANd how about the upcoming Honda Clarity Plugin? There is great and less-great news to …

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2017 Jaguar XF 35t AWD R-Sport – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos

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Shhh.  The Jaguar XF does not know it’s a sedan!  With a big back seat and giant trunk! You won’t realize that either when driving.  This is a sports sedan that puts the SPORT proudly FIRST. Here is a car that doesn’t need the (optional) leaper cat emblem.  Why? Because a supercharged pop off the line delivers 5.1-second sprints to 60-mph — no matter what. This AWD variant is a tenth quicker than the rear-drive model.  So it aims to be just as quick rain, snow or shine. We took the XF by the scruff of the neck for an HD …

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2017 Lexus ES350 – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos – By Tom Burkart

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The Lexus ES was refreshed for the 2016 model-year to enhance its styling and luxury equipment, along with a new build location as the first Lexus to be made in the USA. Its upgrades are fairly skin-deep, however, so we worried this car would be left behind by all the new midsize luxury models.  Vehicles like the Lincoln Continental or C-Class are all significantly fresher than the ES350 outside and in.  The ES has a huge target on its back — even from upstarts like the latest Avalon, Acura TLX and even Kia Cadenza. These rivals often have the latest turbo …

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2017 VW Golf R 6-Speed Manual – HD Road Test Review

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How does the Golf R’s halo/hero status match up with reality in your garage? Well, it scores huge with 5-second sprints and a $36,475 price right off the bat.  Then you get Golf R into its race mode and HANG ON for its throaty brummm up redline/supralegal speed. It’s been a thrilling few months of hot hatch and performance car reviews around here – so we feel well-placed to judge this hot hatch king.  Focus RS will be the main competitor for comparisons, but also feedback on how Audi S3 differs too.  Longtime Subaru WRX fan/owner helps to appreciate Golf …

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2017 Nissan Maxima SR Midnight Edition – HD Road Test Review

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Is the coolest Maxima in ages also the best? We found out over a week of driving the 2017 Maxima SR Midnight and came away impressed, if full of caveats.  And understanding some of the fanboy hate for the Maxima’s drivetrain these days. We didn’t get too bogged down by worries about how true a 4DSC the Maxima really is in this generation.  You see, describing Maxima as a four-door sports car sets some pretty unrealistic performance expectations. Let’s explore this complex car for what it is: a stylish and comfortable full-size sedan that is blessed with a standard 300-horse V6. Breaking …

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2017 Jeep Cherokee TRAILHAWK – HD Road Test Review Plus 2 Videos

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True or False: The Cherokee Trailhawk is just as serious an upgrade as any M car from BMW — but tailored to making the Jeep unstoppable offroad versus chopping its track laptimes. Preposterous comparison?  M car versus Trailhawk package? We might have thought so too until spending a week in the Trailhawk and testing out its off-road drive systems (on video below!) on some deep mud/clay here in South Carolina. The transformation of the Cherokee in off-road beastmode is as dramatic as any Sport Plus on a high-performance car.  Perhaps even more-so for how intense the drivetrain becomes in its 4Low …

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2017 GMC Acadia SLT-1 FWD – HD Road Test Review

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You know the shorthand details on the all-new 2017 Acadia from GMC:  it is 700-pounds lighter and overall far more carlike than its predecessor. While still seating six or seven with its three-row seating. Another few changes slipped out of the big news, though: the Acadia is gorgeous now, and runs a gorgeous 26-mpg highway via its standard front-drive, four-cylinder power. This is pretty huge news versus the Acadia’s at the top of the range with their big V6 engine and ubiquiotus AWD and huge wheels.  A rarity in the car-reviews business, then. We have ourselves an entry-level model to …

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2017 Chrysler Pacifica – HD Drive Review – VAN OF THE YEAR Award-Winner

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Forget what you know about minivans. Forget being sure that the Odyssey or Sienna were top of their class for quality, luxury and comfort. They are not. Both Odyssey and Sienna are firmly outclassed by the new Chrysler Pacifica. To an extent that is shocking! This fact is clear in the first block of a Pacifica test drive: the van drives like a luxury car, is quieter than some luxury cars, and has tech to shade any other family machine on the market. We have 50 photos, an HD drive review and section headings of Exterior, Interior, performance and Pricing …

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2017 Genesis G80 5.0 Ultimate – HD Road Test Review – By Tom Burkart

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The Genesis launch is in full swing for 2017! No more Hyundai badges to be found anywhere on the two-model range.  Flying wings for the nose and tail are a huge relief for customers who disliked the previous dissonance of two ‘brand’ emblems on the same car. The G80 and its EQUUS-replacing G90 are both lightly refreshed beyond the badge upgrades, however. We were blessed to spend a week in the top G80: the 5.0-liter V8 Ultimate.  This rear-drive sports sedan delivers some SERIOUS heat to chase its 550i and E550 rivals. How do 420 ponies and sub-5-second sprints sound …

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2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SPORT – HD Road Test Review

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The trusty midsize sedan segment of the car business has found itself in an unusual spot these days. SUVs and low gas prices mean the old days where Camrys and Accords sold by the dozen are long gone.  They are now fighting to be a purchase not of necessity, but one of desire. Subaru has stepped up with a serious rival in this high-stakes game.  A car that is still easy to buy and own, but with added pizzazz to make it pop versus the onslaught of new, high-riding competition. Subie’s answer? The new-for-2017 Subaru Legacy SPORT trimline.  The car is …

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2016 Nissan TITAN XD Platinum Reserve 5.6L V8 – HD Road Test Review

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The Titan XD is making trouble in the full-size truck business! Like many disruptive troublemakers, though, they are doing a great service to the rest of the class.  Think of the rigid 1500 vs 2500 hierarchy of Fords and Chevys as the annoyed teacher, and buyers as the giggling classmates – in this broad metaphor. The established players in the segment are deeply invested in the half-ton, full-ton distinctions.  Beefier springs and a heavy-gauge chassis equals massive profits for the established truckmakers. Nissan has shaken things up with its all-new, ground-up redesign of the 2016 Titan XD – or Every …

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2016 Volkswagen PASSAT 1.8T SEL Premium – HD First Drive

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    Watch us put the new VW Passat through some autocross corners around Georgia’s Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Thrilled with the 1.8T engine’s thrust and the car’s handling balance — as well as the six-speed automatic, which fooled us into thinking it was a DSG!  But actually just a terrific Tiptronic with Sport mode.  Impressive.   2016 Volkswagen PASSAT 1.8T SEL Premium 2016 Volkswagen PASSAT 1.8T SEL Premium – Interior

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Lincoln MKX EcoBoost AWD – Best of Awards

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Who makes the best sport SUVs? ‘Ze Germans! It is the Germans, without a doubt. The Germans have really defined the genre with their excellent Macan Turbos and X550i’s — with little serious competition from Japan or the US.  At least since the Infiniti FX and original, RWD Cadillac SRX faded. Something about an SUV cargo area, megalux cabin, corner-hungry handling and shouty 5-second sprints to 60-mph!  The combo is magic. There is a new hotshot on the block.  Just moved in. Named MKX. The 2016 Lincoln MKX EcoBoost AWD. I know, I know.  I understand your incredulousness. A truck as fast and …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Jaguar XF 35t R-Sport RWD

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Here is another new Jag that absolutely wallops the competition. Brutally competent.  Ruthlessly efficient.  Stylishly elegant. Very fast with a 5.2-second sprint to 60-mph, yet never too shouty about it. The new 2016 XF is stunningly good.  This mid-range model lives between the base Ingenium diesel here in the USA and the top XF S with its 380HP and sport exhaust. 340 ponies are always on tap thanks to the supercharged engine configuration.  Same goes for the worlds-best ZF eight-speed automatic.  And the lightweight, part-aluminum chassis that drops hundreds of Lbs versus its arch-rivals the 535i and Mercedes-Benz E350. How …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai SONATA SPORT 2.0T (+Drive Video)

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The new Sonata generation has not been universally loved.  It largely abandons the previous swirling design and CLS-style low roof in favor of a longer wheelbase and larger rump.  Backseaters will be thrilled: it is now truly jumbo back there and in the trunk. The benefit of this move is a much larger, and technically full-size, cabin versus its mid-size rivals.  What was lost, however, was the near-premium appeal of the Sonata on the roads versus identical Accords and Camrys. We’re into the second year of this new Sonata generation, and the range is filling out to meet many buyer …

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2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR – HD Road Test Review + Drive Video

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The Nissan Altima is a favorite around here.  Even drivers coming from exotic cars would be astounded by the compentence of this vehicle for 2016. We recently dubbed it the ‘world’s smoothest sedan’ in 2.5SL form.  That smoothness is from effortless drive manners, the infinite-ratio Xtronic automatic and, of course, the pillowy ride quality of the mid-spec Altima. This SR trimline is new for the 2016 model-year on the four-cylinder engine.  An effective nose darkening with smoked headlamp lenses and optics sets a great mood from the start.   Larger wheels and sport-suspension and cabin are added bonii. All good, …

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

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

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Nissan Maxima SR – Bonneville GT-R is Ace

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We had a pet name for the Maxima SR during its awesome week in the speed fleet. But like some nicknames are, it is hauntingly accurate and also slightly insulting… Resisting it in this review created major writer’s block.  How to clear the logjam? Tell you our nickname for the 2016 Maxima SR, and then explain why it is actually a loving salute to the car’s awesome, Dodge Charger-rivalling handling and machismo on the road. So what is it? We referred to the Maxima SR as… The Bonneville GT-R. Now, that might not sound too bad.  But among car enthusiasts, any mention of …

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

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

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Land Rover LR4 HSE Black Pack

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  Wheel time in the 2016 LR4 with its sexy new Black Package has turned my frown upside down.  We really thought the car was outflanked in 2016 by the exploding market for seven seat crossovers, let alone the new three-row varieties of Range Rover Sport and Discovery Sport also in the American lineup. The LR4’s familiar silhouette hides an all-new — and SUPERB — standard powertrain, all-new LEDs all around and even the dripping-wet hotness of dark 20s and a full blackout of every exterior detail.  All this is either new since 2015 or fresh for the new model …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR – Porsche-Beating YESSS Machine?

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It is hard to drive any 550HP car and come away unimpressed.  We worried this Range Rover might be the first. Nope.  In fact, it is so awesome, we’d pick it over the Cayenne Turbo.  How?  Why? Read on: 100 new photos and two HD videos to get you onboard.   HD Drive Video – 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR The Range Rover Sport SVR is proudly the fastest, quickest and sportiest Landie ever to wear the green badge. And after the first few hard corners, you almost wonder what took them so long. The SVR is absolutely heaven to …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Dodge VIPER GT – LOVE at Full Throttle

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2016 Dodge Viper – HD Track Drive Video It is pretty fashionable to hate on the Viper right now. Its latest generation took a big leap in price, dropped its ragtop bodystyle option, and lacks the sheer, effortless sprint times so adored in the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo, and even the Hellcat twins. We have heaped a bit of scorn on the Viper as well, and after an oh-so-brief drive last year came away confused. This hulking beast of a car felt heavy, uncomfortable and hopelessly one-dimensional versus the STELLAR Corvette Z06 and even Z51 base engines. Even that …

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SPECTRE Jaguar Laps GP Circuit with Felipe Massa on HD Video + 88 New Photos

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    A hypercar that is NOT available to purchase is suddenly the hottest on the planet? Perhaps! The SPECTRE Jaguar C-X75 is on a world tour both promoting the James Bond film and the Jaguar brand alike. It is a thrill to watch this stunning machine in action — as we saw through the back-streets of Roma in the film. But what can the car really do in theright hands? With the right open sweepers and world-class racetrack? Cut to Williams Martini Racing star Felipe Massa coming down the steps from his helicopter and over to this hypercar hero …

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2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video + Photoshoot

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The CX-3 looks incredible in person and drives very nicely as well. The matching LED projectors, DRLs and foglamps are a particular highlight in this compact crossover segment. The cabin, while narrow and slightly tight in back, delivers an excellent drive position and effective Eco/Normal/Sport drive modes. We have major gripes with Mazda USA at the moment, so are holding off recommending the CX-3 beyond this video brief. 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT Review

Car of the Year Review – 2015 Lexus RC-F

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The RC-F was a true highlight among all the cars tested in 2015. And in the weeks since the Lexus sports flagship spent time in my garage, the deep longing and feelings for the car have not subsided. The first week was deep mourning at its absense, and the other seven stages of grief have passed over the CRD team like the eye of a hurricane. Finally, a bit of a light at the end of this tunnel: we must crown the RC-F the Car of the Year. In doing so, we honor its incredible strengths and the legacy it …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is BOSS – PDR + Exhaust Note Videos

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Speechless. Muttering “ermahgerd” over and over as the 2016 CTS-V whipped into the pits of Autobahn Country Club following a five-pack of fast lead-follow laps. Smile plastered on, hands tingling and throttle foot twitching involuntary for more. This is a super-sedan of the absolute first order. M5, E63 and CTS-V are now as closely matched as any three assassins in history. 640HP from the CTS-V comes on strong, of course, but it is how clean and balanced the Cadillac is on power that really sticks with you. The CTS-V’s massive engine upgrade to a supercharged V8 has done nothing to …

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2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe – V. Cool, V. FAST! HD Track Drive + 120-Photo Flyaround

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This is one of those cars that absolutely craves abuse!  Absolutely savage is the best way to describe the 464-horsepower V6TT in the new ATS-V coupe. The test car wore a very-subtle Phantom Grey and standard painted alloys — but those Q-car looks hide a beast of an upgrade. The most enticing and perhaps ideal Cadillac V-Series powertrain, optional eight-speed auto, plus the choice of four doors or two!? That hotness shines through even the Armani-style relaxed color outside. Firing the ATS-V around the first few corners is like getting past third base for the first time. It is a …

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2016 Ford Focus ST Kona Blue ST1 Flyaround in 120 Pics + HD Video

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    Really had a ball flogging the Focus ST on track the other week. GoPro video came back as a photo-set by accident, so left with *just* these gorgeous 120 photos of the new slugger. Kona Blue is the color, with minimal options and an as-tested price very close to the $25k base. Versus the $36k of the RS, the ST really earned its keep out there in the twisties. Strong brakes, awesome front diff grip that felt totally understeer-proof, plus a snorty throttle intake and shouty new exhaust. The stick is as feelsome and snicky as ever — …

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HD Road Test Review - 2015 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 4x4 Reserve 25

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lincoln NAVIGATOR 4×4 Reserve – Best Full-Size SUV?

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We’ve loved the new Navigator since a brief drive back-to-back with an Escalade. The design might not be as flashy as the new GM trucks, but initial comparisons leaned heavily in favor of the Lincoln for ride, handling and performance. After many miles in Yukons, Suburbans and Escalades since that first drive, there is clearly much to love about their utility and V8 power. The new eight-speed automatics for the 6.2-liter V8s in Escalade and Denali are particularly impressive. But do they beat the anytime surge of turbo torque in the Navigator? Or the easy cabin tech controls? Same scenario …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 FIAT 500X Trekking is Bei Bei-Cute but Drives Euro-Sharp

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INTRO Really wanted to incorporate Best of Awards  into the headline for this new Fiat 500X — but just ran out of space. What a stellar machine! With a drive experience recalling BMW’s and Audi’s, plus a cabin with fantastic Euro feel, the 2016 500X is an absolute gem from its $20k base price. Over a week of flogging the 500X Trekking in full sport mode glory, we fell hard for the 500X’s charms. To the point that even the design of the nose started to feel familiar and cute! As cute as Bei Bei the Panda cub at the …

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2017 SUPER DUTY Fords Revealed: Stunning Alloy Terminators in F-250, F-350 and F-450

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Feast your eyes on the 2017 F-Series Super Duty!  The F-250, F-350 and F-450 are all-new next year, with stunningly modern and futuristic looks available. Solid bars in the grille recall the Atlas concept in all its glory — LEDs and brushed-satin finishes included! The stunner of the trims shown below is really the F-450 —  which benefits from a huge quantum leap in tech and style. The new trucks arrive in late 2016 as 2017 models. More details to follow.   2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty       …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Mazda MX-5 Is INCREDIBLE!

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Freshly back from a track drive with the 2016 MX-5 Experience tour — and have some serious vehicular brilliance to report! As you might know already, or simply expect, this latest MX-5 is an absolutely breathtaking evolution on the light/rear-drive roadster theme. Improving upon a genre the Miata defines conclusively? Not easy to do — especially with firm price and power caps limiting headline performance numbers. Yet the latest engineering, style and handling excellence from Mazda has done wonders for the MX-5. After all, if Mazda can make the CX-5 into a lively steer, the SkyActiv mantra should really make …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick ENCORE – Drives Like an Audi, Priced Like a Kia?

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Compact crossovers could not be hotter right now. They avoid the depressing drive experience of small sedans, no matter how tight they might be inside. The flipside is that carmakers can be tempted to overprice the mini-SUVs — with options taking the ultra small machines deep into real SUV territory.  This is certainly the case with the $48k BMW X1 sDrive28i we tested last year. Or how about the $67k AMG GLA45? Clearly the temptation of luxury features, equipment and options is powerful for both the brands and to buyers, though. The compact SUV is therefore quite perplexing at times: …

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2016 SHELBY Mustang GT350 vs GT350R Track Duel in 80 Gorgeous Action Shots and Shrieking Video

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Here is a perfect Friday happy-hour: a HOT video of the new GT350 and GT350R rocking out on track.  The flat-plane crank of two GT350R’s around the same corner is nothing short of racing nirvana. Grattan Raceway in Michigan hosted the GT350R launch drive, while the GT350 cranked at the corkscrew of Laguna Seca. Fast way to tell them apart? The GT350R wears the red Shelby badges versus a polished alloy finish for the GT350 Shelby emblems. A good thing to note at this point is that none of these cars is even a Shelby Cobra…. so there is still …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan JUKE Nismo RS Manual

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Imagine a core group of Nissan GT-R engineers, drivers and designers set loose on the Nissan Juke NISMO. Task? Take the quickest and most performance-focused crossover, and make it truly track-tight in every way. That is how the Juke Nismo RS came into this world — with astounding results. The speed, style and drive experience of the Nismo RS is absolutely incredible versus its $28k competitors — and even versus pricier cars like the AMG GLA45, WRX or Mustang EcoBoost. The Juke Nismo RS is incredibly focused from first sitting in its racing Recaro hard-back bucket seats. A pair of …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus IS250 Nails Apex-Carver Fundamentals

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  The 2015 Lexus IS250 nails the sport-sedan fundamentals so hard, you forget all about mainstream mid-size cars after a block in the driver’s seat. That is a fact. A pure-cornering, rev-loving fact. Drive position in the Daytona GTB/4-style tan seats is instantly flawless, as are the major pedal anc control inputs. Crank up the SXM, rotate to sport mode…. and never look back. 4K Drive Video – 2015 Lexus IS250 Review INTRO The 2015 IS250 is such a fantastic sports sedan that we wanted to drive a 320i right afterward to confirm the RWD love for this Lexus was …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD

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Hot Buicks are some of the most adored American cars of all time. So when Buick decided to bring over the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia to the US market for the first time, the excitement over receiving their OPC/VXR performance variant was palpable. Confirmation that the big brushed-alloy fangs would make it across the pond to US buyers for the first time brought many GNX rumbles to the surface. Would this hot Buick be able to inherit the Banker’s Hotrod legacy? A turbo engine and all the autobahn-ready handling seemed like a perfect statement of intent for Buick at the time. …

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4K Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge CHARGER R/T Is Four-Door Musclecar Dream From $34k

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The 2015 Dodge Charger is a real favorite. So much so… that it might have ruined me for other cars. Since balling around Charleston this summer in the Redline Red HEMI R/T, it has been hard to get back into my normal groove of turbo stickshifts. Why? 370HP for 37k. That is a power and price combo that can’t be beat from any manufacturer, nor are others close to the excellence of the eight-speed ZF auto. Or the cabin comfort, room and tech. Or the style outside — which is eye-poppingly cool. Driving the Charger R/T redefines effortless speed, and …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL 4×4 with New 8-Speed Automatic

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Denali lovers have never had it so good: this swanky trimline now extends beyond the Yukon and into the full range from GMC. But for many shoppers, the sweet spot of the General Motors truck range is the Denali XL. Nearly all the tech and luxury of the Escalade, with a less shouty overall presence on the roads. This paradox of the Denali being more humble, yet costing similar to the Caddy is plain for all to see. The idea is that everyone knows the Denali is Caddy-plush, and costs about as much, too. For a big swath of buyers, …

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2016 Scion iA Review – Best Compact Sedan… Ever? 55 Pics + HD Drive Video

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Quick: what are the biggest issues with compact cars? — They are typically a total snooze outside — And alarmingly depressing to drive Is that just an unbreakable curse, or can Scion engineer and design its way to greatness on its first attempt? INTRO Scion has a double threat of new compacts for 2016: the all-new iA sedan and iM hatchback take over for the discontinued iQ, xD and xB. After years of wild niche models, Scion is refocusing its mission to speak to 2015 buyer wants and needs via far more traditional body styles. The iM is a tC-based …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 INFINITI QX80 Limited AWD

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In the global Renault-Nissan portfolio, the QX80 Limited lives among greats like the R35 GT-R or RenaultSport Megane Trophy. Being such an event car and flagship has always been a core part of the massive truck’s appeal among owners. With all the class of a Range Rover, but all the guts of a Denali — the QX80 is famous worldwide for its bomb-proof chassis toughness married to a standard 400HP V8. The QX80 is fresh for 2015 with new nose detailing, LEDs and an extra-swanky new Limited option pack. Fabulous opulence inside this cabin rivals any superlux mark worldwide, and …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk Is Fun, Stylish and Smart!?

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    INTRO – 2016 Jeep RENEGADE Trailhawk Review HD Off-Road Drive Video 1 Nearly everyone has a great Jeep Wrangler memory from their youth. You were thin and gorgeous, laughing and loving the top-down lifestyle. Hanging a foot out the doorframe on a sunny afternoon. Tunes were playing, and exploring the world around you took on new meaning. Or you were discovering the huge straight-six torque that defined the truck for decades. Or just pining from the sidewalk at your sexy crush driving away. That collective memory is a core element of the brand’s appeal — and always has …

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4K HD Drive Review – 2016 Mazda6 GT is FANTASTIC! (90 Pics)

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The best-looking and best-driving midsize sedan in the world? The 2016 Mazda6! The new programming for the transmission and Sport drive modes resolves our only previous concern about the Mazda6: that it should be quicker. But now– we have no weaknesses to report. The GT trim here with its gorgeous anthracite 19-inch alloys is a masterpiece of design appeal, only reinforced by the newly-luxurious cabin materials and playful road manners. Please enjoy the below 4K drive video, plus 90 photos of this 4K HD Drive Review Video – 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring INTERIOR 2016 Mazda6 Grand …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai AZERA Limited Vastly Outhandles and Outcomforts Avalon, LaCrosse + 300

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Few automotive market segments have such a tightly defined target market as full-size sedans. And unlike minivans, SUVs and even musclecars, the real-life buyer profile of large cars is almost always this core set of consumers. The full-size sedan buyer is in their mid-50s, seeks limo-large back-seat space, and wants the latest premium tech. All with a price cap of $40,000. For their cash, full-size sedans typically deliver a huge bump in roominess versus their mid-size siblings, but sometimes with unintended consequences. After all, it is extremely tough for even the best carmakers to pack S-Class tech into a half-price …

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2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 1/2 Ton 4WD Review

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    American brand icons do not come much more glorious than Chevy. In the automotive realm, Chevrolet has been a constant throughout the last 100 years. A powerhouse in the General Motors stable, Chevrolet has seen off dozens of business lines and market segments. Divested in favor of keeping Chevy healthy, GM left the heavy trucks business altogether and dropped half its brand portfolio in the last ten years. Thus, the recent history of the firm has been shaken up more this century than the ten preceding decades. But the results speak for themselves. Never in my lifetime has …

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HD Video Drive Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata ECO Introduces 1.6T and 7-Sp DCT

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The 2015 Sonata ECO is the perfect blend of the base Sonata and the loaded Sonata Sport 2.oT. With styling inside and out that is darker and sexier than the base model, the Sonata ECO wears a tasty black chrome for its grille that really moves the car’s look upmarket. At least from the front. From the side and in profile, the ECO is a bit more humble. 17-inch low-rolling resistance tires look a bit silly and undersized, while a single exhaust pipe out back is down by half versus the Sonata Sport 2.0T. But where the ECO really pulls …

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4K Video Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD (77 Photos)

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   A few animated flyarounds of this sexy and low Durango to go along with the 4K drive vid.   4K Video Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD 2015 Dodge Durango Citadel V6 AWD    

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Road Test Review – 2015 Chrysler 200C V6 Is Quickest Mid-Size Sedan!

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INTRO – 2015 Chrysler 200C V6 Review This is likely not the first Chrysler 200 review you have read. And in fact, it is not the first we have written. But keep reading, because this 200C is a completely transformed machine with the optional 3.6-liter V6. The top trim level with the top engine, the 200C we tested lacked only the dual-pane moonroof and AWD from the options list. Besides those two elements, this 200C is a match for the Maserati Ghibli feature-for-feature. The Maserati comparison rings true many more times during a week of driving and a road trip …

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2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept – Mid-Engine 2016 TT-Fighter in HD LeMans Lap

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Surprise reveal for the next chapter in Alpine sportscars! This 2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept is a mid-engine prototype that represents the first look at the brand’s move to a stand-alone marque in the RenaultSport fleet. Initiated as a collaboration with Caterham a few years ago, the plan was to acquire a low-cost and proven sports-car chassis from the English. Custom bodywork and RenaultSport engines would provide authentic French zing for the machine – which would become a halo sportscar for the entire Renault/Dacia lineup — worldwide. HD Le Mans Lap Renault ran into major troubles synchronizing its big-company safety, reliability …

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2015 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4 Supercrew Review 34

HD Video Review + Walkaround – 2015 Ford F-150 Platinum 4×4 Supercrew

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Two HD drive videos, three animated flyarounds and 110 photos of the new F-150 Platinum! This truck is incredible in every way. It is easier to focus on areas where the Platinum F-150 does not feel as special or sporty as a Range Rover Sport. From behind the wheel, any similarity with that sweet super-truck is a huge asset for the full-size 4×4 market. The Platinum is really convincing in its design and tech upgrades outside, if a bit less so inside. The tacky wood accents are a low point, as is the lack of lateral support in the somewhat …

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB 5

Road Test Review – 2015 RANGE ROVER Supercharged LWB – Royal Plush on HD Video + 75 Photos

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB Review       As we discuss in the video above, there is a grand tradition in long-wheelbase Range Rovers making the shorties obsolete. Once the first-gen Range Rover Vogue LWB was included in the US lineup for 1993, it was quickly curtains for the standard-length ‘County’ models. The big jump in length on that first-gen truck helped balance the looks nicely, with almost no downsides to the performance or price of the truck. In fact, there was only upside to be had. More rear legroom, a less pinched ingress and egress process, and an …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Trax LT on HD Video + Colors, Wheels and Pricing

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  As you move up in the world, there are certain luxuries in life that are total game-changers. Things that make it impossible to go back once you have experienced their brilliance. As a young buck moving from the college dorms into a small first apartment, you have a hard gig in life overall. You might not even have a dishwasher or a washer and dryer in your unit. Typing this now in my 30’s, the idea of living without such modern conveniences is almost unfathomable. Going back to a laundromat two blocks away or a musty basement of half-functional …

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Rainy First Drive Review – 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT on HD Video!

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  The spooky thing about the 475-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is not its deep rumble from the twin pipes in back. Nor is it the 4.8-second sprint to 60-mph and a 0-30-mph pace to rival a 911 Turbo. Not even the heavily upgraded exterior and loaded, sport-seat-equipped cabin. Nope, the thing that really sticks with you after driving the Grand Cherokee SRT is that it changes direction like a shark on the hunt. This is a machine that will seriously pivot and dive toward corners like a track car. The steering has a real biting precision that lets you …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Chrysler 300 Limited – Great Box, So-So Rack

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The Chrysler 300 is fresh for 2015 with more than half of its parts either all-new or redesigned. The upgrade list is massive — and even includes the American full-size icon’s exterior. But the changes outside are far more subtle than those under the skin and in the cabin. Chrysler is keeping the original 300 style alive for 2015 — hoping to ignite the same huge swell of passion that surrounded the original 2005 model. What a launch that was. Makes you smile to recall the full-size American car reclaiming its former glory as gigantic, affordable wheels. This segment of …

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2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door – HD First Drive Video + 150 Photos

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With a base price of $25,000, the 2015 MINI Cooper S 4-Door Hardtop overlaps closely with an unlikely competitor: the new Focus ST. Both are fun-running favorites with a cultlike following, and both achieve 60-mph in the low 6.0-second range through six-speed manuals. Though the Cooper S is down 65 horsepower versus the Focus ST, the MINI’s Cooper S upgrade is more important than ever for 2015. As with the MINI hardtop, the base Cooper runs a three-cylinder to the Cooper S’s turbo four. Power is up from 134 horsepower in the Cooper to 184 in the Cooper S, a …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Ford Focus ST in HD Video + 150 Photos!

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Loved meeting the 2015 Focus ST in the flesh recently for a fast blast around Texas Motor Speedway. Not high in the banked oval, unfortunately. Just a bit of on-camera hooning in the roads nearby. The town name of “No Limits” seemed applicable to flying past dozens of vacant track parking lots. The changes for the 252-horsepower 2015 model are perfect updates. A new nose with a low and mean style, standard LED headlight accent blades, HID headlights for the ST2 and ST3 trim packs, and standard Rado Grey wheels. The tail is also revised with a new rear window …

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HD Exhaust Note Video! 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Z07 Convertible in the Wild

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Parked between a Ferrari 360 Modena and a custom Camaro SS — both literally and figuratively — lives the 3.0-second 2015 Corvette Z06. Not just one but a pair of Corvette Z06s in the wild at Charleston Cars & Coffee this weekend. NICE! Both manuals, both Z07-package-equipped, and both pulling in many drooling car-guys up close. Snapped a video of the Convertible revving to the heavens. Sounds SOOO GOOD! HD Exhaust Note Video – 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Both owners had just taken delivery within the last week, so definitely confirms that Z06 production is up to full volume. Wait …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe in HD Video + 99 Photos!

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The amount of beauty and glamour in the 2015 S-Class Coupe is almost unreal. Sharing a name and much of its style with the S550, the new Coupe totally banishes all thought of the CL-Class — immediately and permanently on first sight. We’ve been very eager to try out this new high-fashion two-door for months now. But pouring rain means many of the photos are not up to the normal high standards we keep here at Car-Revs-Daily.com. Luckily, GoPro video in the cabin for our full-throttle drive was recording in full HD glory! Check out the video for a a …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport – Ultra White in 2 Videos + 200 Photos!

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  INTRO These are hot times in the sports coupe business, my friends! Buyers have never had more choices for high-performance, rear-drive vehicles with racy rooflines and track-ready platforms. Diving head-first into the fray of BMW 4 series, Cadillac ATS, Audi A5 and Infiniti Q60 is the 2015 Lexus RC – a hot new design with five major models starting from $43,000 and hitting $64,000 in the RC-F. HD Drive Review Video Part One With standard and F Sport trim levels both offering rear or AWD, the RC350 comes in hot with a standard quad-cam V6 making 306-horsepower through a DirectShift …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Volkswagen Golf R Feels Like 400HP Heaven

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  What makes a so-called “cult classic” ? Without looking up any textbook definitions, we can easily define it by a photo of the 2015 VW Golf R. How? It is a car that will appeal to only a single-digit percentage of car shoppers seeing a 4.9-second sports-car for around $40,000. For the other 95-percent of car shoppers, the VW Golf R’s very demure exterior makeover, similar turbo four engine to all other USA Golfs and fairly dull curb appeal will rule it out of the consideration set. After all, a BMW 235i, 4 series or Lexus IS350 are all …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Ford Expedition Platinum EL

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Test drives are so instantly illuminating. Writing (and reading!) car reviews, you can think you know all about a machine from afar. Then you slide behind the wheel and buckle in, tap the start button and are surprised beyond belief. In some cases, the car or truck you think you will love is not quite all you hoped. In other scenarios, a full-size SUV that looks pretty mature and dull outside can actually be the best-driving, most-satisfying and best-value truck you’ve ever driven! This 2015 Expedition EL Platinum falls into the latter category. So incredibly amazed was this driver that …

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Update1 – 2015 Mercedes-AMG GT-S Duo In 150 All-New Photos + Startup Video

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One of the biggest highlights from the first day of the 2015 Amelia Island Concours is the pair of AMG GT’s outside the Ritz Carlton event location. The only difference beyond colors and wheels for these two GT-S models? The blue car features the optional Carb0n Package and yummy caramel leather. HD Startup and Exhaust Note Video 2015 Mercedes-AMG GT-S Red     2015 Mercedes-AMG GT-S – Interior 2015 Mercedes-AMG GT-S Carbon Package Blue     2015 Mercedes-AMG GT-S Carbon Package – Interior

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost in Triple Yellow with Performance Pack

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2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Review INTRO There are a few occupational hazards in writing car reviews.  The most serious risk of all?  Falling in love with a press loaner. You spend the first day shocked by your good fortune and impressive networking to have this sweet ride parked in your driveway. Just seeing the Mustang outside on its gorgeous black 19-inch wheels was a huge rush. Day two is about being smitten with surprise and delight features while driving. The Mustang rewards with an amazing driving position, fantastic rear-drive dynamics and Track mode. See the summary for the end-of-week thoughts. …

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2014 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 2 – HD Video Startup, Specs and Colors

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RTR upgrades for the Ford Mustang are new on the scene, but gaining ground fast with their affordable, high-performance and high-impact style upgrades. Short for Ready To Rock, the RTR upgrades come in Spec 1 changes available for the V6 or V8 Mustangs since 2010, or the Spec 2 for only the V8s from 2013 and 2014. There are also packs for the 2015 car. We caught up with a Spec 2 RTR 2014 Mustang at Charleston Cars and Coffee yesterday and nabbed a few photos and a startup video of this steriodal ponycar. The exhaust note alone is enough …

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2016 Nissan TITAN XD in 35 New Photos

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You know that the Nissan Titan is the sixth-ranked truck in US sales, and has been for years. But we’d wager you did not know exactly how far the Titan lags behind the top-five trucks: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. Per The Wall Street Journal’s report today, the 2014 calendar sales of the Nissan Titan were less than 15,000 units. In total. For the whole year. Versus the Ford F-150’s 750,000 2014 sales, the Titan made up just 2-percent with its paltry 15,000-unit tally. The Titan peaked around 2006 with around 80,000 sales …

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2016 Nissan TITAN Hopes to Quadruple Sales With HD Style and 5.0L Cummins Diesel

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You know that the Nissan Titan is the sixth-ranked truck in US sales, and has been for years. But we’d wager you did not know exactly how far the Titan lags behind the top-five trucks: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. Per The Wall Street Journal’s report today, the 2014 calendar sales of the Nissan Titan were less than 15,000 units. In total. For the whole year. Versus the Ford F-150’s 750,000 2014 sales, the Titan made up just 2-percent with its paltry 15,000-unit tally. The Titan peaked around 2006 with around 80,000 sales …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 is 200k-Mile, 2025 TOTY

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Review Spending a week in this Ocean Blue Chevy Silverado is enough to make anyone a truck guy. Effortless capability and strength have always been key elements of the Silverado, and continue for 2015 — even as the rest of the truck becomes far more tech-savvy, comfortable and fun-to-drive. The Z71 LTZ 1500 trim of the test truck brings the best style and equipment to the table, and really helps show the Silverado in its best light. The upgraded cabin for 2015 is packed with cool goodies: some standard like the 4G LTE wi-fi, and …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe 2.0T Performance

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 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe Review A great luxury sports coupe needs a few critical areas of excellence. In the second page of this article, we show the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe in a 150-photo mega gallery showing the style and sexiness of its two-door shape. Cool LEDs all around, a great stance, proportions to envy — the ATS Coupe has style for days. In this full review, we’ll cover two other critical successes of the ATS Coupe: Its  cabin luxury and incredibly fun, tactile and playful power and handling. Included are three drive videos. The outline of this article is: …

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2015 Silverado HD CNG 6.0L Bi-Fuel V8 is a Natty G Revolution!

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This energy revolution will not be televised. It will rarely draw stares or have other drivers following you to ask questions. The 2500HD CNG is all-new from Chevrolet this year and marks the beginning of a potentially game-changing new trend in heavy-duty pickup truck efficiency. As nice as a diesel engine’s extra 25-percent fuel efficiency is, what about a powertrain package that doubles overall range and can be flipped between gasoline and compressed natural gas at the touch of a button? If there are no CNG filler stations on your route, simply run the truck on gasoline and enjoy is …

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Animated Evolution of the Chevrolet Suburban from 1915 to 2015

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  One thing has been pretty constant throughout the last 100 years: Chevrolet. The icon of Chevrolet for most people is the truck line. Imagine a world where Chevy could only keep making one car. That is it. Which model would you pick to evolve through year 2100? Many people would choose the Suburban. The “Chevrolet One Ton Commercial Truck” can do it all. As an all-new model arriving to Chevy dealers just before the Super Bowl 2014,all signs show this upscale workhorse will be a huge hit with shoppers. Who does not have an awesome Chevy Suburban memory? Growing …

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Update1 – 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 6.6L DuraMax Diesel

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Updated 12.1.14 With 35 Real-Life Photos Nothing too revolutionary here – the new 2015 Silverado HD has been on the roads since mid-summer. But even so, took the chance to snap this flagship of sorts in Florida. A flagship truck? Yes, when it is the top Z71 LTZ 4WD with the stump-pulling DuraMaz diesel option! This truck might not be as flashy as the lighter-weight 1500 models, but is a major force of nature on any work site. The sticker price proves how far trucks have come in the ranges of General Motors: this $71,000 Silverado HD is one of …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry XSE Is FAST and QUIET!

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  Fast and Quiet? Yep. A variation on Fast ‘n’ Loud is what most sedan shoppers actually prefer in their daily drivers, and the Camry XSE nails these benchmarks better than any other mid-size sedan. INTRO Can you imagine how tough the Camry is on competing cars like the Accord and Fusion? As far as we see it, the Camry gets better and better every year — without one slot in the armor of this best-seller to sneak an arrow through? The only area where the previous Camry let its competition get some ideas was with the overall exterior design, …

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Best of Awards – 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i M Sport in HD Drive Video + 50 Gorgeous Photos

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The BMW X4 and X4 crossover coupes are easy to write off as silly fashion cars. But in the flesh, they are undeniably sexy and far cooler than a normal SUV. The X435i is simply the best SUV we have ever driven. It is a car that would fit hip commuters and track junkies alike — with room in the trunk for pups and in the back seat for pals. Love it. And in a dark color, the X4 is even sexier than this too-popular red. In fact, the X4 is so good — we recommend everyone at Cadillac spend …

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Best of Awards – 2015 Lexus RC-F Review in 3 Videos, 170 Photos and 467 Reasons It Beats BMW M4

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TRACK DRIVE VIDEO     The downside of being the first guy in the seat of the amazing Lexus RC-F last month at a big track drive event in Chicago? We were part of the first laps around the track – barely scratching the surface of the RC-F’s abilities. But the upside? Driving one of the hottest and most-anticipated supercoupes in years. We absolutely love the RC-F and find it is a huge leap from the IS-F before in almost every way. Included here are: track drive video, pit lane intro video, an exhaust/startup video 30 all-new photos from Autobahn …

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Updated With 188 New Images – Road Test Review – 2013 BMW 535i M Sport – Animated Visual Buyers Guide

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Updated 7.29.14 with 188 new images Update info: BMW GLOBAL The BMW 5 series is incredibly trim-sensitive. It can obviously look amazing in full M5 track apparel, but looks very lonesome and humdrum in the low-range 528i and even 535i without the M Sport package. As a strong indication that this four-year-old model range is on the way out next year — there are hardly any new BMW press photos of the car since 2011. So we turned to the BMW.com global site configurators to try and make an amazing-looking 535i or, even better, a 550i. Even *more* recent update! …

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Updated with 60 New Photos – 2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Gets RESULTS with 580HP and 3.9s Sprint

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If the goal of the Z/28 is to get some respect for the Camaro’s performance and track speed, the goal of the ZL1 is to get results out on the street. With 580-horsepower from the supercharged LSA V8, an available automatic with fool-proof launch control, and magnetic shocks as standard — the ZL1 is the easiest performance bargain on the market. Notably, the way the Z/28 has delivered most of its sheer pace is through weight reduction and detail handling tweaks over the ZL1. Dropped luxuries like the optional Kicker audio and ZL1 subwoofer will be missed, along with all …

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HD Video – 1953 Gordini 24S Blasts Around Its Favorite Tracks Before RM Auctions Paris Sale

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 This car defies logic. On one hand, it looks adorable and cute. So narrow and low, with the blue bodywork peeled back around the exhaust manifold and the straight-cut pipes. Watch the below… The Gordini starts to howl at about the half-way mark of this video preview. Kudos to its bold driver, who is not shy with the loud pedal. Firing up the 24S takes a prod onto an organ-stop switch – included as the fuel cutoff for racing. This very car won the Tour de France (a car race at the time…) and also traded paint with Porsche and …

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2015 GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD – Real-Life Launch Photos of the King-Kong 2015 HD Truck

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GMC is on a roll right now – sales are way up, market share is up, and diesel engine adoption is above 70-percent among HD truck buyers. This is all great news for the company, and shows that buyers are stepping up to the HD trucks in record numbers. The trade-offs for doing so are less than ever before, and the payout is far more capability. To make the transition as smooth as possible from the loaded half-ton trucks to the 2500 and 3500 HD lines, the Denali trim comes along and now the All Terrain package (available of SLE …

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Travel Adventures: Rally Roads – Phantom Canyon in Colorado

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HD Driving Video: Best Rally Roads – Phantom Canyon in Colorado Published on: Jan 30, 2014 @ 6:00 I got some great drives during a recent trip to Colorado, including the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb route. After a week in the area, I discovered that the really fun roads are the smooth but unpaved mountain roads in the region. Included in the first Travel Adventure Series, here are descriptions, maps and video of a 22-mile stretch of rally-style gravel heaven called the Phantom Canyon Road in Adelaide, Colorado. My criteria for off-roading trails are pretty wimpy. My car, a 2005 …

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2014 BMW M5 Track Tested at Road America in 1080P HD Video

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Have you ever dreamed about something for so long that you start to lose hope about ever doing it in real life? That is the BMW M5 for me. But I drove this dream. Not just drove it around a parking lot, either: we hit 130-mph at Road America. Afterward, the M5 asked me to remind you…: “Dream Big.” The BMW M5 is the hottest woman, the biggest house, and the best job all rolled into one super saloon car. I have longed for the car – felt the ache in my loins to get behind the wheel every morning …

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HD GoPro Video + Track Action Photography: Top 3 Mustang GT350s of Charlotte Motor Speedway

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In the 1960s, almost all American cars came equipped with an 85-mph speedometer. Only the wildest exotics of the time dared go to 100-mph on the speedo – which was usually the ‘hoped for’ rather than ‘verified’ top speed…. So for this 65 GT350 to be so, so fast (and loud!) when howling around Charlotte Motor Speedway was really something to see, hear and feel resonating in your lungs — and brain — long after it has gone past.   Days later, I was still feeling the high-def bellow of these race-prepped GT350 Mustangs – in a good way. Every …

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GT40 vs Cobra Track Battle VIDEOS! Superformance Brings American Racecar Glory Global via Shelby Asia

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Superformance Ford GT40 – in-car track cam Editor’s Intro: Can you tell I am getting excited to visit Olthoff Racing tomorrow in Charlotte, NC?   Have you ever wished you could just wake up tomorrow day inside Gran Turismo?  Or even better, in the pit lane of Daytona circa 1965 ? Well beyond 3D — and into 4D of not just SSM (sight, sound and motion) but SSMTSFG — Sight, Sound, Motion, Touch, Smell, Fear and Glory? Well, for a modest amount of cash and enough skill – Superformance racecar recreations can do just that. These two videos demonstrate the …

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2014 Camaro ZL1 Convertible Blasts Off in Wild Sprint Starts — 2 In-Car and 1 HD GoPro Hood-mounted Video

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These videos really speak for themselves, do they not? They speak in a language of burnt rubber, supercharger hum and exhaust bellow — but the message is loud and clear: the ZL1 is a huge monster of a machine and a dream muscle car without a doubt. Even with an automatic… this car is a heat-seeking missile! In-Car Video of Same Launch Above First Corner…   Bonus! the Z06 Convertible is front and center in the new Chevrolet performance lineup images released today. Our United States Navy pal’s 2014 ZL1 Convertible  

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

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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 …

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

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

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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 …

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HD Road Test Review – 2013 BMW 535i M Sport

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2013 BMW 535i M Sport Review Carmax? Oh yes. A new depth of drudgery in our quest to bring amazing car news to the world! This pre-owned BMW 535i M Sport called my name today across five lanes of traffic. I zoomed in on the beefy Alpine White/Gloss Black M Sport presence and knew: you must be mine!  

My 30PSI-Boosting Subaru Legacy GT on HD GoPro Video + Photo Comparo vs Cadillac CTS 3

My 30PSI-Boosting Subaru Legacy GT on HD GoPro Video + Photo Comparo vs Cadillac CTS 3.6 Wagon

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This one is pretty fun. My first external GoPro mounting that also includes some very hard driving. Challenge: Name that Video’s Locale! At least half the time in this film was spent worrying that the camera would fly off the hood at any moment! Got lucky this time, but definitely looking into a more reliable and stick-able suction mount. My Personal Subaru Legacy GT Limited Wagon in photo comparo versus 2011 Cadillac CTS 3.6 Wagon. Which would you prefer? Worth noting is that the Subaru is currently in the shop at the moment for a 115,000-mile service. A “Custom Tune” …

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Three-Part HD Road Test Review + 60 Photos -- 2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport LT -- Euro-Capable, High-Speed EconoCross!6

Three-Part HD Road Test Review + 60 Photos — 2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport LT — Euro-Capable, High-Speed EconoCross!

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These videos are pretty good!  I have worked hard to ‘up my game’ in terms of video production quality. Is this just a fancy way of saying: numerous camera mounts and a fresh GoPro Hero3+. But also a renewed focus on delivering high-quality, often humorous, and insightful expert automotive road tests. The results are now imminently high-quality, meaning a shower and perhaps a shave are definitely mandatory items before going in front of the 1080P lens. But while I highly recommend the GoPro Hero3+, what do I think of the 2014 Captiva Sport LT, which brings new-for-2014 touchscreen MyLink controls …

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HURACAN LED blinker GIF22229

2015 Lamborghini Huracan — New Sunny Photos — LED Blinker Sequence — USA Launch Galleries — HD Video

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The beauty of outdoor photos is that they do not require intensive photo editing. To publish 120-plus photos and video from Friday evening after the Huracan’s American debut in Amelia Island, Florida on the same night that it debuted was not easy. We labored pretty exhaustively to add light to these twilight photos. The other photographers had called it quits after perhaps ten photos each. Not me. The results are still miraculous even when it was already well past sunset — especially thanks to this Huracan’s reflective silver/grey paint finish. But on the lawns the next morning? Not a tap …

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