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McLaren Senna by Novitec makes all the right noises and looks wickedly awesome [Video]

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When McLaren first released the Senna a few years ago, it was supposed to be the defacto paradigm for what a modern supercar should be, while also paying tribute to legendary F1 driver Ayrton Senna. With the impressive levels of down force, slick styling, and the potent performance that the base Senna brings to the table, the last thing many folks would say is that it needs more power. Obviously, this memo did not reach the folks at German tuning firm Novitec who have added their magic to this already impressive vehicle. This first and look comes from Youtube user …

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2020 SHELBY GT500 Ford Mustang – Covid-Safe(r) Track Drive Event

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The launch rollout of the rockstar Mustang GT500 took a bit of a hiatus over the springtime for obvious reasons but it’s back on!   Covid-safe wit masks, lots of cleaning, disinfectant mister guns, helmet oven sanitizer and many other precautions were in place. Meeting the 760HP, 625-pound-foot GT500 on the track really is the perfect way to stretch its legs and test its limits.  Make no mistake, the rumors of #BestMustangEver are very true here. The car is so good that it even wears the famed Shelby Cobra snake logos all over — something we missed a bit on the …

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Updated with First Real-Life Photos – 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1

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One of the only Mach 1’s currently in existence was present for the GT500 Track Tour and it was cool to see in the flesh.  Hot color and aero/grip focused makeover for what Ford’s calling the highest-performance 5-liter Mustang, ever. The double chin spoiler (!) and round light block elements are eye-catching at first glance, as is the spoiler right from the GT500. Super cool new spider-spoke alloys and even a lip on the front fenders to cover the wider rubber.  A new bumper shape up front changes the face slightly too. The in-person effect is subtle but undeniably very …

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Ford Unveils 2021 Mustang Mach 1, Mixes New School Performance With Old School Looks [Video]

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When we last saw the Mach 1 moniker applied to a Mustang, it was back in 2004 and 2005 when the moniker was used on a limited production run of Mustang models. While that iteration featured a shaker hood, not much else was done with performance. Ford engineers opted to remedy that for 2021 with the limited edition Mach 1. Like before, the 2021 Mach 1 is tapping into a very potent piece of nostalgia, with the car being adorned with graphics and stripes that are supposed to be a callback to the original 1969 model. This connection also extends …

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2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro – Off-Road Review – By Matt Barnes

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Like nearly all other body-on-frame vehicles Toyota makes, the Sequoia is getting old. The current generation came out for the 2008 model year. Of course, there have been updates here and there over time, but there hasn’t been a major redesign in 12 years. For 2020, Toyota has introduced the TRD Pro trim level to the Sequoia. Like all other TRD Pro vehicles, the Sequoia has upgraded suspension components and a few unique color and trim items. Exterior No matter how you look at it, the Sequoia is a beast. Nearly everything about it is big. The front greets you …

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Car-Revs-Daily.com’s Most Popular YouTube Video! 2021 Cadillac Escalade Walkaround

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What’s the most-viewed video over on youtube.com/carrevsdaily ? Is it the drive reviews that take hours of prep, planning and editing?  Nope. It is a humble and quick walkaround of the 2021 Escalade in the sun at Amelia Island Concours. The appeal of this big beast is universal and shooting vid right before the covid quarantines gave it plenty of time to be top of page on Escalade search results. Take a look below and check out the gallery too.  It looks slightly strange in person to these eyes, but is clearly a massive upgrade inside and out. The new …

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Upcoming Nissan Z Sports Car Teased In New Video Clip [Video]

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The Nissan 370Z has always been a very capable two door sports car, with a chassis that can still create smiles, and a V6 that can give it respectable chops in a dog fight out on the race track. But it’s no secret that after 12 years, the 370Z is starting to look very dated in the performance car scene. Nissan is out to change that, and has released an all new teaser video previewing the replacement for the 370Z. While it is unknown if the new offering will put a new number designation after the “Z” moniker as has …

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Ford Unleashes Certified Bronco Online Community, Aims To Expand Bronco Following With Forums, Merchandise, and More [Video]

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Ford is very keen on making the revived Ford Bronco into a serious competitor against the Jeep Wrangler. While the Bronco will bring alot of off-road equipment, customization, and technology to buyers in an attempt to steal sales, Ford execs know that the Bronco also needs to build a versatile community that can be on par with the massive following enjoyed by Wrangler fans. The Dearborn automaker has done just that, and has revealed its first certified and nationally recognized online community – TheBroncoNation.com   The site in question offers many of the basic features that one would expect including …

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Road Test Review – 2020 Mini Cooper S Clubman – By Carl Malek [Video]

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The 2020 Mini Cooper S Clubman is the answer to a very interesting question. What would happen if you take a Mini Cooper hatchback, and try to apply some of its quirky charm and appeal to a segment blurring utility focused model? The end result is the Clubman which tries to add more versatility and cargo hauling ability into its distinctly British flanks. But while the Clubman Panel Van a few years ago was a short lived and ultimately flawed experiment, the standard Clubman has managed to gather a sizable following of loyalists over the years. We were eager to …

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Morgan Celebrates 60 Year Partnership With Trio Of Special Edition Models [Video]

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When you’re a company that has over 110 years of history, chances are that you have a solid group of friends that you can always count on. In the case of Morgan Motor Company, it has managed to gain a few key allies over the years. One of them is Dutch auto dealer Louwman Exclusive which focuses mostly on Morgan, McLaren, and Maserati models and has worked with the company for over 60 years. As a way of saying thank you, Morgan has unveiled three special edition models that highlight Louwman’s contribution to Morgan’s business. Morgan will only build five …

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First Drive Review – 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC63 AMG [Video]

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In a world where the very notion of shoving a supercar derived V8 into a compact CUV would typically cause the politically correct to throw their hands up in protest, we are glad that there are a few outliers in the industry that are willing to throw a wrench into this thinking. One of them is Mercedes-Benz and the AMG performance sub-brand which has been on a roll over the last few years thanks to its impressive lineup of performance focused offerings. Our first taste was the flagship G63 AMG SUV which was out to show the world that the …

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2020 BMW X6 40i – Off-Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

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Sports Car in a Crossover’s Clothes: the New BMX X6 German vehicle manufacturers have recently been flooding the US market with a variety of crossovers; Audi offers six, Mercedes offers eight, and BMW offers seven. For BMW, they offer their SUVs as wagons and coupes. The X1 is the wagon and X2 the coupe riding on the same platforms. This goes for the X3 and X4, and the X5 and X6. The only wagon without a coupe is the new X7 as there is no X8 available yet. BMW was kind enough to give us a week with an X6 …

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Hyundai Confirms DCT Option For Veloster N, Puts GTI On Notice [Video]

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When Hyundai first unleashed the Veloster N a few years ago, we eagerly awaited the arrival of this potent hot hatch to see if it could indeed bring the fight to the benchmark Volkswagen GTI. The quirky three door hatch proved to be a hit with buyers, and we even had the chance to experience the Veloster N on the winding turns of the Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. But Hyundai is also known for having a surprise or two under its belt, and in a Instagram post that was released earlier today, Hyundai’s N brand confirmed that …

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Twin Test: 2020 Hyundai Kona Turbo FWD – Cheaper, But Much Less Grip

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In the first part of this twin test we crowned the Kona Turbo AWD a best-of-2020 winner and clearly the superior Kona Turbo for performance enthusiasts.  This segment takes a look at what the differences are via a drive review and a new photoset of the 2020 Kona 1.6T front-wheel-drive. The upcoming Kona N performance model makes perfect sense to anyone who has driven the turbo version of these cars.  (The base Kona trims have significantly worse more affordable mechanicals beyond the engine so the boosted upgrade is very worthwhile.) But once you have sprung for the turbo, should you …

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Road Test Review – 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4 – By Carl Malek

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It’s hard to deny the love affair that buyers have developed for rugged light duty trucks like the dune slaying Ford Raptor, the Ram Rebel 1500, as well as the Chevrolet Silverado Trailboss. With these models becoming key cogs for their respective brands in terms of sales, it only seems natural to extend this magic to their heavy duty counterparts. The Ram Power Wagon, The Ford Super Duty Tremor, and the Nissan Titan XD Pro 4-X were the early shots into this endeavor and naturally GMC had to issue a rebuttal of their own with the Sierra HD AT4. But …

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2021 Hyundai Elantra To Officially Debut March 17th In L.A. [Video]

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A new Hyundai Elantra is indeed on the way, with numerous sightings of testers all over the world hinting that something is indeed cooking within the halls of the South Korean automaker. With the Elantra’s debut fast approaching, Hyundai has released a couple of teaser images to provide a small taste of what is to come, and also revealed that the revamped four door will be making its debut on March 17th. The arrival of this iteration of Elantra is a much needed boost to the nameplate, with the current generation model receiving some criticism for its odd exterior styling, …

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Bentley Bacalar Brings Bespoke Details, Exclusivity To Bentley Lineup [Video]

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Are you a certain kind of customer that has climbed atop the financial mountain and think that the standard and already elegant Bentley Continental GT Convertible is simply not enough of a styling statement to signify that achievement to the world? if that fits you, the British luxury car company has the answer to your needs with the all new Bentley Bacalar by Mulliner limited edition convertible. It was originally supposed to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show (before it was cancelled) but we took some time to formally examine things in-depth to find out if the Bacalar …

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2021 Toyota Supra Gets Big Boost In Power, Sleek A91 Special Edition [Video]

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When Toyota first took the wraps off of the 2021 Toyota Supra during the days leading up to the Daytona 500, Our attention first gravitated towards the all new Supra four cylinder which aimed to bring lighter weight and a lower asking price to buyers looking for an alternative way to get into the Supra. But for those that only crave the sound of the six cylinder working its magic, the Japanese auto giant also revealed the updated six xylinder model which brings more power and a whole suite of extras to the sleek two door for 2021. Before we …

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Jeep JPP20 Debuts New Mopar Accessories, Signals New Direction For Jeep Performance [Video]

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Are you a Jeep Wrangler buyer that loves to customize your Wrangler with accessories, but you want to avoid the long build times associated with buying all the parts you need individually? If this sounds like you, Jeep and Mopar have the perfect solution for you the JPP20 Wrangler. Available only for the 2020 model year, the JPP is your one and only ticket to getting a fully customized Wrangler with minimal fuss and without the trouble of building it yourself. Dubbed the JPP20 “Jeep Performance Parts” the model is a visual example of what the recently minted Jeep Performance …

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Cadillac Targets Navigator With Tech Laden 2021 Escalade [Video]

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When the revamped Lincoln Navigator appeared a few years ago, It sent reverberations through the full-size luxury SUV market. Once the proverbial and literal punching bag of the segment, the big Lincoln’s newfound mojo caused it to rise above many of its foreign rivals, and even threaten the sales superiority enjoyed by its domestic rival the Cadillac Escalade. With the Navigator posing a revived threat to the Escalades benchmark status, Cadillac engineers knew they had to do something drastic to help stave off this challenge, and have unveiled the fruits of their labor, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade.   Controversial Styling …

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2020 Cadillac XT6 Premium AWD Platinum Package – Review & Road Test Video

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It’s been very frustrating to watch Cadillac suffer this past decade as their sedans seem bolted to showroom floors while all the other luxury brands have launched dozens of hot-selling three-row crossovers.  Finally — finally! — Cadillac can compete in the car-based SUV market with a rockstar entry that combines amazing style, Euro handling, a lux cabin and the perfect size/value equation. The XT6, ladies and gentleman, is that vehicle.  Sliding in with base prices of around $50k means this machine is a cool $25k less than the shortie Escalade and a whole lot easier to drive, own and garage …

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Road Test Review – 2020 Lincoln Aviator Black Label – By Carl Malek [Video]

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Lincoln is on a roll, We first experienced Lincoln’s assault on the luxury SUV sgment when we had a chance to get behind the wheel of the flagship Lincoln Navigator. But for all the glitz and glamor wielded by the Gator, it cannot bear the weight of Lincoln’s future alone. The Nautilus has been an admirable guest star, but Lincoln is placing its bets on two new models, the Aviator and the smaller Corsair. To find out what each of the duo brings to the table, Lincoln invited us to test them back to back, but can the Aviator and …

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2019 BMW Z4 M40i – Road Test Review & Drive Video

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It was a BMW fun-fest at Car-Revs-Daily.com this Fall and we loved every minute of it. Driving the new Z4 let us experience the amazing torque-rush of the B58 “M40” motor we loved so much in the X4 in a lighter and far more aerodynamic package.  One with the wind in your hair and sun on your face.  There are quite a few contrasts in the new Z4’s mission: to be both more luxurious while still keeping its playful and sporty appeal intact. We came away thrilled with the machine for so many reasons — and only mention the Supra …

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Lamborghini Huracan Evo Gains Amazon Alexa Capability For 2020 [Video]

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It’s not too often that Italian supercars brand Lamborghini makes an appearance at CES, but the bespoke firm used the opportunity to reveal that the Huracan will be adding Amazon‘s Alexa technology to its suite of infotainment system tricks for the new model year. Lamborghini even unveiled a brief video clip of Alexa in action, with the system having the ability to alter the color of the cabin interior lighting, change the climate control settings, open the garage door, find nearby points of interest and so much more. Alexa is slated to be an optional extra that can be equipped …

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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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2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport – Road Test Review + Drive Video

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Hyundai’s global Elantra sedan brought fresh style and tech details for the 2019 model-year and this Elantra Sport trim is at the top of the range.  Pricing for the Sport comes in at about a $24k base that is well above the $18k stickers for some of the cheapest Elantras out there. For that extra cash you get a big upgrade in power, style and equipment, as you might expect.  Swapping from the default four to the turbo 1.6T with 201HP brings along an extra 52 ponies and standard 7-speed double-clutch automatic.  A stick was briefly offered but the Elantra …

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2019 BMW M850i Convertible Review and Drive Video – The Richmaker

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What is it like spending a week behind the wheel of the new M850i?  There are barely words to capture how amazing it is, but we will try. This reborn 8 series continues the essence of that original shark-nosed executive supercoupe perfectly — updating and evolving it into the present and future. How well?  After a few days behind the wheel, this M850i will make you feel ridiculously rich. Tax haven rich. City, beach and Tahoe ski house rich. Capital gains tax rich. So rich you stop calling it money and start calling it wealth. So rich you can barely …

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2019 BMW X4 M40i Review and Drive Video – A Love-Bug Passion Play

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There are some cars you just click with right away as a reviewer, and the rest of the week with that ride just makes you love it more and more. I sometimes refer to these as “first-block” cars.  Vehicles that enchant you moments after putting them in Drive and rolling away for the very first time.  These are machines that sell themselves better than any salesperson ever could.  For me, the X4 M40i is one of those cars and is actually one of my top-three SUV drives of 2019.  (Behind Levante Trofeo and X7 M50i). X4 is an amazing machine …

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Ford Unveils Bronco R Baja Racer, Showcases Clues For Production Bronco [Video]

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Ford is still very keen on keeping the wraps firmly tightened around the production Ford Bronco, but the company has given eager fans of the iconic nameplate something extra to chew on with the unveiling of the Bronco R Baja racer. Designed to tackle the upcoming Baja 1000 desert race, the revived model will also help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rob Hall’s Baja 1000 victory in a first gen Bronco based entry. As another nod to the past, Hall’s granddaughter Shelby Hall will drive it during portions of the grueling race. Before all that happens though, Ford will take …

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2019 Nissan Maxima SR – Road Test Review + Drive Video

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Have you ever seen a sexier facelift?  This term for a vehicle’s mid-cycle refresh is usually a bit of a put-down but in Maxima’s case it takes a sexy silhouette and gives it the nose and tail the design always deserved. It is enough to make folks do a double take on the road and that is quite surprising for such a popular mainstream model. Maxima’s 2019 upgrade and also 2020 tweaks to the range update the machine very nicely — and not a moment too soon in the face of impressive new competition from the Kia Stinger, the ever-popular …

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2020 Hyundai Palisade – Road Test Review + POV Video in All Seats

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Our first outing the the Palisade was up at the beautiful Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains.  As you can read and watch, we hauled our butts up a mountain then did some off-roading in a mad caravan of Palisades.  We looked like a villain’s entourage with so many black luxury SUVs in convoy form! This follow-up was much more down to earth.  When the villains go home for the weekend, perhaps, and take on normal parenting and lifestyle duties. This involved a boring commute in traffic, jaunts around town running errands and lots of everyday life …

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2019 Nissan Murano SL AWD – Road Test Review + Video – By Matt Barnes

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Nissan has done a good job of making their SUV’s feel higher class than they have in the past. Often, Nissan’s are thought of as budget Toyotas, with great reliability but very basic. However, in the past few years, Nissan has moved into luxury interiors with comfortable seating and plenty of standard safety features. While bare bones base models are still available for price conscious customers, it’s Nissan’s middle and upper trims that really bring out the comfort and convenience features. Outside Our test model was an AWD SL trim with the premium Sunset Drift paint color. It is a …

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2020 Buick Enclave ST – Road Test Review + Drive Video

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The new-for-2020 Enclave ST looks amazing!  It is shocking how much the body-color grille edge and new gloss-black inner mesh changes the look of this jumbo crossover. Nowhere near as shocking as the resounding praise you’re about the read, though!  Believe me, this car will make anyone who drives or rides inside into a Buick fan. This coming from the kid who truly believed the 1990s Skylark was the most hideous vehicle ever made, and had disgusted reactions to every element of LeSabre and Century. This is a new era though, and this Buick is the best ever. ST stands …

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2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD – First Drive Review Video + Mega Gallery

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Lots of Palisade love this summer! You can really tell how seriously Hyundai is taking this full-size SUV launch by the media events scheduled on its behalf. Instead of one major media drive with an ultra exclusive invite list, Hyundai did a Palisade road show and had at least five of them across the country.  Presentations from the product teams and great roads to try out this three-row biggie’s capabilities. The one we attended was in Asheville North Carolina, a short jump inland from CRD HQ in Charleston, SC.  But years in the ‘lowcountry’ made me forget all about hills …

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Road Test Matchup – 2019 Kia K900 Luxury V6 Vs Genesis G90 3.3T V6 – By Carl Malek [Video]

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When it comes to large luxury cars, they are rapidly becoming a dying species. With Ford and General Motors cleaning house with the axing of their large car models (CT6 and Continental excluded for the moment) this particular segment is slowly becoming more dominated by import brands. Case in point are the Genesis G90 and it’s Kia equivalent, the 2019 K900. Both of these large four doors aim to double down on providing plenty of size and luxury to those that refuse to conform with the revived trend of buying a large luxury SUV. We have had plenty of opportunities …

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2019 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss – Off-Road Traction Systems Test

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Spending time with the 2019 Chevy Trail Boss allowed us to dive deep into how the various traction systems work on all light duty Chevy trucks. We combined the information we gained from speaking with an engineer at Chevy with some real-world testing and here is what we found. All of the systems below work in 2WD, AWD and 4WD Chevy trucks except of course for the 4WD auto, 4WD high and 4WD low for vehicles not equipped with 4WD or 4WD low. Brake Limited Slip There are a variety of manufacturers that use a brake limited slip system as …

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2019 Hyundai Veloster N – Road Test Review + Performance Drive Video

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What’s the purpose of owning a car besides just transportation? Sure, you need to be able to scoot around town, commute and take the occasional road trip. But beyond that, the real joy of car ownership is the entertainment value. Having a car you love to drive, and one that makes you smile every time you tap the start button, is one of the true joys in this life for some of us. Over the course of 2019 there is no car that has elicited more howling laughter in my hands than this Veloster N. Here we have Hyundai’s first …

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The King Has Returned, Land Rover Revives Legendary Defender Nameplate For 2020 [Video]

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When The Defender ended production in 2016, it signaled the end of an era where brute ruggedness and world class off-road capability were enough to stand out from the rest of the SUV ranks. Indeed, the Defender came packed with capability, and it also had a very impressive bloodline that traced its roots back to some of the first Land Rovers ever produced. But while European buyers were without their fix for only a few years, U.S. fans had a much longer wait, with our version of the Defender leaving our shores back in 1997. But at long last, a …

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2019 Ford Mustang GT BULLITT – Road Test Review + Drive Video

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These days you know you’re about to drive an awesome car when it has Ford Performance sill plates and a Ford Performance window sticker. These are not regular Fords, people!  From Raptor to Focus RS and Shelby GT350 — these are some of the best-developed speed specials on the road. Regular cars.  Made a million times better for enthusiasts. It is extra gratifying to know that the Bullitt Mustang is not just a badge and stickers job.  Gratifying to think about and especially behind the wheel.  We’re talking just 20 extra ponies but a very different rev character for the …

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Road Test Review – 2019 Mopar Ram 1500 Big Horn – By Carl Malek [Video]

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With all the diverse talents that the 2019 Ram 1500 brings to the table, it’s no surprise to hear that sales as well as the 1500’s broader reputation in the segment are on the upswing. Once considered the perennial third place offering behind Ford and GM, FCA’s plucky pickup entry has completely shifted the status quo, and is clawing its way towards usurping the Ford F-150 from its throne on top of the pickup truck sales charts. But a key and often lesser known story is how important the vehicle accessory market has been in the Ram’s ongoing success story. …

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2020 BMW 330i M Sport xDrive – First Drive Review Video & Photo Gallery

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A rainy morning in hilly northern Wisconsin was the perfect time and place to try out the new BMW 3 series with AWD.  This redesign was sure to be pretty excellent – focused on the interior roominess and luxury, and maintaining the excellent pace and agility that the sedan perfected generations ago. We flogged its turbo four to really feel the 5.3-second sprint to 60-mph and came out grinning.The xDrive AWD models have the same turbo four as the rear-drive models but this time tuned with about 80 extra pound-feet of torque. BMW has done this for years and it …

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2019 Silverado 5

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2.7L Turbo – First Drive Review Video

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One of the most horrifying pieces of car news this year is the entry of four-cylinder power to the world of full-size pickup trucks.  Yes, this new 285HP 2.7-liter four from Chevy matches the 2.7TT in the Ford F-150.  But the psychological impact of the four banger is still extra shocking. We were eager to flog the new base SIlverado to see how it compares with the previous V6 LT model.  Our tester was 4×4 which makes a big difference in ride height and curb-side masculinity.  But it also can tend to dull the power quite a bit.  The new …

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2019 McLaren SENNA – Design Walkaround Gallery & Video – Amelia Concours Highlight

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There are so many wild design elements in the McLaren Senna that we discovered four or five never-before-seen details hidden in this track-attack aero design. The most notable design theme and element is the flow-through of air. The fenders front and rear feature massive venturi tunnels and air channels aimed at maximizing grip through downforce. Everywhere you look you find more slices in the design aimed at pulling or pushing air and heat away from the heart of the beast. This livery of owner Paul Orwicz pays homage to Ayrton Senna’s Brazilian heritage with yellow and green details over lacquered …

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Morgan Shelves V8 Engine, Teases The Future In New Teaser Video [Video]

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It is not too often that we hear from our friends at Morgan. The bespoke British sports car maker has won over our hearts with their unique and iconic interpretation of what a proper British sports car should be. However, even Morgan has to occasionally adapt to the ever changing marketplace, and it has done so by ditching the V8 engine for good, and preparing a bold surprise for a future generation of Morgan enthusiasts (this eager author included.) While the outgoing Plus 8 and Aero 8 models are the only two V8 Morgan models in the stable for right …

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2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 – Road Test Review w/ Performance Drive Video

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Toyota does not shy away from a challenge. In the face of shrinking interest and sales of four-door sedans, Toyota has gone and made the evergreen Camry seriously better.  This new Camry is easily the best ever, and sets a high bar for its cheapie rivals all the way up to cars like the Audi A4. Nobody might have taken a Camry vs A4 battle very seriously until this generation. This is not just hyperbole: we were firmly expecting a lightly re-heated model with updated tech and style for the 2018 redesign. It is only since driving the top Camry …

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2018 SRT TRACKHAWK Jeep Grand Cherokee – Road Test Review

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Ever felt like traffic was standing still around you? That spooky feeling when your car is just exploding with power from all four wheels. Ready to pounce and snarl. You have to actively hold this truck back 99% of the time. But then what happens?   You find a clear spot on the horizon. You are about to learn what it feels like to floor this Hellcat Jeep.   Find out in this re-edited Trackhawk video.  No donuts or wheelspin whatsoever in this version of the performance drive review.       INTERIOR The Trackhawk cabin is certainly a special place …

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2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Redeye Ushers In New Regime of Muscle [Video]

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2019 is shaping to be a big year for Dodge and its growing family of muscle car offerings. The highlight of course is the Dodge Challenger, and the new model year will bring more power and substance to this iconic two door as well as an all new range topper that is eager to carry on where the limited production Dodge Demon left off. The big story here is the all new range topping model the 797 horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. This monster leaps to fill the gap left by the departing limited production Dodge Demon. This sinister vehicle …

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2018 Mazda3 GT 5-Door – Road Test Review w/ Perf Drive Video

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Want to know the true reason why nobody should suffer driving a car they don’t love? And also the reason why car shoppers are fools to make up their mind online instead of on the test drives? The shining example for both is the delightful 2018 Mazda3 GT.  Here is a car that will hit 35-mpg on the highway and keep your payments easily below $300 a month.  All while having truly fun performance and actual torque to keep you ahead of traffic! Driving the Mazda3 for a week is like a slap in the face or a dunk in …

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Car Maintenance Product Review – SunJoe SPX3000 Pressure Washer – By Carl Malek [Video]

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With all of the vehicles that make there way in and out of the Car-Revs-Daily, it’s always a treat when something unique makes its way into our offices. That was exactly the case when the folks at SunJoe/SnowJoe reached out, and asked us to review their newest pressure washer offering. Can the all-electric SPX3000 succeed in being the perfect jack-of-all-trades offering? Or is it all washed up?   To find out, we unleashed our tester on a wide range of jobs at our office to see how it measured up in real world use. Before we could do that though, …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392- Road Test Review – By Carl Malek

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In an era where fuel economy and a push for green technology are becoming paramount initiatives in the automotive industry, FCA and its SRT performance brand are still providing customers a lineup of vehicles that aim to defy political correctness, while also pushing the boundaries of performance even further. While the bulk of the spotlight is centered around the growing family of Hellcat powered offerings in its stable, as well as the limited production Dodge Demon, SRT has not forgotten about its other models. One of these is the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT which aims to transform an already competent …

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2018 Toyota C-HR XLE Premium R-Code Design – Video Road Test Review w/ Mega Gallery!

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  Don’t get too bogged down in what type of vehicle C-HR is before you start to love it.  SUV Compact?  City Style Hatchback? It is a racy five-door hatchback with off-road-ish looks and playful road handling. Exclusively front-drive and sliding in right above the Corolla in fun-to-drive and standout style. Pricing matches that four-door but there are many differences under the skin. This C-HR for example runs a slightly tighter wheelbase and overall length.  And a slightly wider stance with its bubble hardtop accentuating the racy roofline and concept-like body shapes on both ends. But really, all the style …

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium – Road Test Review

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Subaru refreshed its Outback Jr for the 2018 model year with a bump in horsepower and fresh LEDs on the top trims.  New cabin tech and the slightest of slight design upgrade to detailing outside and in completed the refresh. Most notably, the top Crosstreks now have a sexy LED DRL that comes standard with the upgraded bi-xenon, auto-highbeam cornering lamps on the Crosstrek Limited. Humbler trims like our 2.0i Premium tester have to make do another year with bulb DRLs and a decidedly dowdy look on the road. No LEDs in front for this trim but some searingly-bright LED …

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2018 Ford Expedition Platinum – HD Road Test Review

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If you love big trucks and fast Fords…. the 2018 Expedition will be a game-changer for your family. Here is a truck so full of substantive improvements and taste upgrades that a reviewer barely knows where to start. How about 10-speed automatic and chassis rigidity that is through-the-roof versus any Expedition before. And then there is exterior style that takes time to even sink in.  Ultra-modern. Best LEDs on the road. Stance for days comes naturally with these new alloy body panels. We have a terrific drive video, 100 photos and standard headers below for this class-leading full-size SUV.   HD …

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Jaguar Unveils Fire Breathing 550 Horsepower F-Pace SVR [Video]

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When Jaguar first unveiled the F-Pace back in 2016 at the New York Auto Show, the SUV proved to be a winner for Jaguar, both in terms of style, as well as awards with the SUV picking up several awards while out on the auto show circuit. However, the world wondered what would happen if the F-Pace was given the claws to back up its svelte looks? Thankfully, the folks at Jaguar’s SVR division have answered this compelling question, and unveiled their latest diabolical performance offering, the 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR. Wheras the standard F-Pace is a V6 exclusive affair, …

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Rolls Royce Teases “Viewing Suite” Ahead of Cullinan Unveiling

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As Rolls Royce beings the final preparations for the unveiling of the brand’s first ever SUV, the British luxury maker has turned up the wick on teasers for the upcoming Cullinan. The most recent teaser touts “the best seat in the house” and it shows off some of the features that we can expect to see from the Cullinan when it eventually makes its world debut. Before we begin, don’t call it an SUV in front of Rolls Royce representatives, who prefer you dub it “a slab sided high riding motor car.” While we ponder the logic behind this reasoning, …

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Road Test Review: 2019 Infiniti QX50 (AWD) – By Carl Malek

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When the Infiniti QX50 first appeared back in 2007, it was known at the time as the EX35, and boasted a wagon-like profile that sought to lure in luxury crossover buyers that would have otherwise gravitated towards offerings from BMW, Lexus, and Audi. However, the rear-wheel drive based offering missed the mark, and despite a refresh in 2014 that added a name change and tweaked styling to the mix, customers still stayed away in droves. Infiniti aims to shake up the segment with the newly redesigned 2019 QX50. But can its radically altered sheet of clothes, and a new engine …

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Ford Brings More Power, Style, To NAIAS With 2019 Bullit Mustang [Video]

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Prior to its unveiling, the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullit had to be one of the worst kept secrets of the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Rumors of its existence wafted throughout the outer reaches of the internet, and it was even spotted out on a photo shoot prior to its big debut in Detroit, but the wait was certainly worth it, with this iteration of Bullit perhaps being the most potent, and distinctively retro looking Mustang offering ever built by Ford. The exterior styling of the Bullit is largely based on the 2018 Ford Mustang with much of that …

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Morgan Confirms Plans For 50th Anniversary Plus 8 [Video]

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With the venerable but aging 4.8 liter BMW sourced V8 reaching the end of the line with the current generation Aero 8, Morgan has revealed that it will be marking the engine’s departure in the Plus 8, with a limited run of 50th Anniversary models. While the Plus 8 has largely existed behind the spotlight shone on the forementioned Aero, this special roadster was actually the first V8 powered model that the niche British sports car maker ever produced. Originally revealed as a running prototype back in 1968, the car featured a Rover sourced V8, and sent power to the …

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2018 Lexus LC500 – Supercar of the Year – Road Test Review

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No test car here at CRD has created more of a stir than this Lexus LC500. Long-lost pals sought out rides. The Cars ‘n Coffee crowd was enchanted LC even stirred wild thumbs-ups from other drivers on the road. Nobody loved this next-generation Lexus supercar more than its driver, though. This all-new platform started life on a mission to sink the engine lower and much more mid-ship than any Lexus before.  The results not only lighten the handling mood dramatically, but they also sharpen the turn-in radically. A new 10-speed automatic joins the thrilling 5.0-liter V8 from the GS-F and …

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OP_ED: KIA Taking Major Risks with STINGER Launch Rollout

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The 2018 Kia Stinger is amazingly cool in the flesh.  Low, wide and longer than any KIA you’ve ever imagined.  It is shaping up to be a real Audi A7 rival, but with pricing that starts in the low 30s for the cheapest models.  Closer in pricing are the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 series GranCoupe — both of which kick off their pricing near where the Stinger tops out around $50k. We’re all for this new sporty KIA.  The initial drive reviews are coming back amazingly positive, and there is real buzz as the first cars arrive at …

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2017 Mazda CX-5 GT Premium AWD – HD Road Test Review

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The compact crossover segment has a ‘masculinity gap.’  There are more than a dozen of these cute utes on the market, but none of them really looks or drives manly.  Yes, the Audi Q3 and Honda CR-V are good cars. But do they increase or decrease their driver’s sex appeal? Among the dudes of the world coming up from econoboxes and blah mid-size sedans, CUVs are theoretically perfect machines.  A bit of all-weather ability here, a dash of extra practicality there. Like it or not, people buy cars based on strange psychology.  Men and women are usually both fine with …

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Worst of Tokyo – 2017 ZAGATO IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo Sport

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Not one to brag about my automotive skills, mostly.  But I can see a Corvette reskin from about five miles away.  And I certainly know what cutting-edge design does and does not look like. Zagato’s New IsoRevolta IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo is fairly hideous on first inspection.  It is a dated example of surfacing with little to no aerodynamic engineering to justify its many wings. The carved bodywork and pseudo floating fenders are interesting.  How could a giant Chevy V8 fit under a hood even lower than the stock Corvette?! This VGT Sport concept is ostensibly available to buy.  Not sure who would want …

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VIDEO – 2017 Jeep Compass Limited 4×4 Finds Bomb-Crater Lake

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    How awful are those posts on sites that just open to a video.  No words really, just a giant play button.  And you never really want to watch the video that second, right? We try to spare you those posts here.  But there are exceptions. When a video production approaches true The Grand Tour production values.  When a drone-cam tracks your Jeep romping in tall grass and from over water.  When dual GoPro’s with different cabin angles was ridiculous but still tolerated by the talent. When you’ve found a peachy dirt road to mimic rally speeds around corners — tail …

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2017 Ford F-150 RAPTOR 4×4 Supercab – First Drive Review

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When Ford gives you Raptor keys, there is an instant rush of blood to the brain.  Me!? Yes! The truck is absolutely gigantic even in shortie Supercab setup here.  A half-foot wider and big step taller than any stock F-150 around.  The cabin is the tiniest part of the huge widebody fenders, wide-track racing suspension and jumbo offroad tires. It is quite an event — even just parked calmly in subtle magnetic grey. What’s the first thing you do with a Raptor?   For me, it is Go find mud!  A rock quarry with greenlight from the dudes working?  YES! …

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4.5s 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 – First Drive Video + 50 Photos

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  Every SUV with a sprint time near the 6’s feels monster fast. Being up that high amplifies G-forces, making even Escalade and a few other big SUVs feel fairly quick. But what about a 4.5-second time?  Even BETTER! This GLC43’s major advantages over rivals are its air-ride suspension with varying levels of firmness.  From pillow soft to fudgey firm – the GLC43 has impeccable ride qualities.  The handling balance of this SUV is also notable.  It really just takes to corners like a fast wagon more than a proper truck. But this silhouyette looks amazingly practical, and the cabin …

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2018 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – First Drive Review w/ Video

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This heavily revised Sonata arrives in the nick of time. Its two core rivals in Camry and Accord have just undergone dramatic redesigns – bringing the latest tech, style and efficiency to their legions of devoted owners. Staying competitive on the design front means every panel besides the doors and roof of Sonata are fresh for 2018.  All wear a very Genesis-like ‘cascading’ front grille for the first time, as well as a brand new tail with longer and sharper detailing. It really works in the flesh.  Pulling the visuals of the car’s nose downward and the tail further back …

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2017 Lincoln Continental 3.0T AWD Black Label – Road Test Review

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Welcome to a future where the Lincoln Continental has the grace of a Bentley.  It has cabin comfort worthy of a private jet and a backseat to shame most Mercedes. Impressive?  That barely does the Continental’s first impression justice. We spent a week getting to know the machine inside and out.  Learning the delights of cooled and massaged comfort in all four corners of the machine.  And flinging the Continental out of corners with unreal speed thanks to the Focus RS-style torque vectoring AWD system.  Of course, the whole time, surfing full throttle of 400HP/400 pound-feet of torque from the …

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2018 Land Rover DISCOVERY – Off-Road First Drive

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When the truck that gets stuck — metal to rock — in front of you on an offroad course is a 2017 Raptor, you start to wonder if your truck will make it through the same obstacle. Except when it is a Land Rover? We found out just how incredible the 2018 Disco was offroad the other week.  And documented the experience thoroughly! Not totally fair to call this a review of any sort.  Seat time was less than an hour, while we never touched pavement.  So these observations are nearly static impressions. But here goes. WOW! The most ultramodern …

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2017 KIA Soul Turbo – HD Road Test Review + Video

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The Kia Soul is a runaway  success. It is the best-selling global Kia vehicle in the brand’s history.  And it has outlasted its Nissan Cube or the Scion xB box-car rivals in the marketplace by being better. This acclaim is perhaps why the Soul still wears its original sheetmetal — albeit revamped slightly for the exterior of this latest iteration.  Fresh LEDs, bumpers and trim details are all this car needs to be fresh in 2017. If the core package was so right-sized and right-priced, it does make sense to keep it humming along nicely with the same look. Beneath …

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Road Test Review – 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring (6MT) + 2 videos – By Carl Malek

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It’s no secret that the Mazda MX-5 is always a welcome visitor in the Car-Revs-Daily offices. We have sampled the roadster in many locales, and even had seat time behind the wheel of its Italian cousin the Fiat 124 Spider. In short, the MX-5 (in either guise) has become an iconic example in how to make a proper two seat roadster. However, we also like the idea of adding something new to this proven recipe, and we were quite excited when Mazda unveiled the RF version. But does the addition of a folding hardtop roof add a bit more pep …

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2018 Toyota CAMRY – First Drives of LE, XLE and XSE – By Zeid Nasser

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[Parts of this post originally appeared on TheIntelligentDriver.com] Toyota knows how valuable the Camry is. It’s known as one of the most reliable, efficient and safe vehicles on today’s roadways. But times are changing, and many of today’s vehicles ace those hallmark Camry qualities. Toyota wants to keep their customers happy and maintain their sales lead with emotional design, leading tech and an engaging (gasp) driving experience. Did they accomplish it? Well, first some background info. Back in 2006 when I earned my license, I convinced my mother that the newest generation 2007 Camry was the way to go. I …

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2017 Lexus GS350 RWD Luxury – Road Test Review + Drive Video!

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The GS slides into 2017 with great stance, racy handling and serious value. The Lexus transformation into a performance-car brand is firmly ON TRACK with this new GS.  So smooth and easy… but handles and hustles in Sport+? Even without the F Sport package, our tester drew stares like the GS-F during its week in the speed fleet. We thoroughly enjoyed its performance and luxury, with a special nod to some amazing options that make a good car into a great car. Standard article headings and a quick drive video of the fresh-faced Lexus GS here to share. HD Drive …

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2018 Jaguar E-Pace – 300HP CUV Pricing and USA Launch Details!

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Jumping for joy! This new Jaguar E-Pace compact SUV is the perfect model for Jag right now.  Hot on the heels of the F-Pace SUV’s knockout launch, this E-Pace is firmly on the way for the 2018 model-year — and even has USA pricing in full included below!  Spoiler alert: it runs from $39k to about $55k. While the I-Pace name has been linked to a full EV concept from the big cat, this new E-Pace is a close relative.  Sharing a platform and much design and tech, they are both starting assembly in the next six months. Jaguar is …

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2018 Acura TLX A-Spec SH-AWD – First Drive Video + 42-Photo Flyaround

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The new TLX A-Spec is the first affordable Acura to share the NSX’s halo coolness.  And this sport special is certainly macho in the flesh. The dark grey grille is menacing and its unique A-spec internals are fresh.  New LEDs up front bring LED indicators in a lit amber setting as normal plus LED fogs for good measure.  This A-Spec’s lower bumper is all-new and unique with a swirl of body-color intake above the contrasting front splitter.  Dark alloys and A-spec badges are cool, as is the dechromed exterior in general. The stance of the SH-AWD TLX is incredibly low …

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2017 Lexus IS350 F Sport RWD – Road Test Review + Performance Drive Video

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The IS350 was a perfect way to hit the roads of CHicago and Wisconsin ahead of a track event the other week. Here is a fun, fast and tactile sport sedan for the ages! Fun because it loves revs and Gs. Fast as its F-Sport induction harmonics encourage floored throttle all the time. Tactile because its steering is alive in your hands.  IS350 F-Sport steering feel has heft like a great sports car, but also a sharp and eagerness to change direction any time.  Any place.  This IS350 pivots like a boss. Just a big soppy lovefest for this car, …

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2017 Nissan GT-R Premium – First Drive Review w/ Video + 77 Photos

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Let me invite you behind the scenes for a moment.  Reviewing the photos that come back from my Nikon is an exercise in Deletion.  Usually every third photo will be wonky.  Either out of focus, framed wrong or perhaps with just one LED lit.  Taking 100 photos then leaves us with about 60. Not so with this Nissan GT-R.   We’re finding focus and beauty in almost every frame! A lot like the drive, in fact.  This car in a downpour outside Road America racetrack in Wisconsin was 40 minutes in heaven.  The roads were slick, wound through the woods …

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2017 Honda Civic Type R – Nurburgring Record Video & Photos

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The new CIvic Type R is on full boost now.  Its US launch is two months out and production is in full swing.  This must mean the first shipment is already on a giant boat headed stateside! Excitement for the most-powerful Honda Civic of all time is palpable lately, especially with the Si  launch just last week. To prove that AWD is not necessary to take on the Focus RS and Golf R, Honda took the new Civic to break some records on track.  This is now the quickest front-driver of all time around with a 7:43:80 time.  Watch the …

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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 Ford Focus RS – HD Road Test Review

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From the moment the Focus RS fires up with pops from its race exhaust system, you know you are in for something special. How could a normal car, one that is practical and affordable, be so hilariously fast, playful and potent? 350HP to all four wheels makes this a hyperhatch.  Or maybe a boiling hot hatchback.  This is car on that can sprint to 60-mph in the 4’s and have WRX STi levels of grip as its flung around corners.  Yet one whose Drift Mode and ultra-hightech rear axle also give you tail-out adjustability like a stunt car. Now that …

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3.5s, 180MPH 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT TRACKHAWK – 25-Photo Debut w/ Video

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Dodge brought some world-shaking POWER to New York this year.  The 840HP Challenger Demon is honestly one of the most insane production cars of all time. And now this.  Which, before Demon arrived, would certainly have been near the top of the “insane” list. Ladies and gentleman, please welcome: the most powerful SUV in the world. The 3.5-second, 707HP Cherokee TrackHawk. Bow down. Where did SRT hide the ram-air intake for this Hellcat 4×4?  One of the lower foglamp areas is a direct line to supercharged heaven/hell. The GC looks similar to how we know and love it, but the …

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2017 VW Jetta GLI DSG Automatic – HD Road Test Review

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The Jetta GLI is the ultimate humble brag. For those in the know, the GLI is clearly a joyous drive and a frisky friend. A car that majors in FUN while never really showing much effort.  But as you pull up to stoplights, it will take a car-guy/gal to appreciate that this a sweet sports car.  Wrapped in mild-mannered and supremely practical four-door form. We spent a week with the throttle floored to learn if GLI’s charm can make up for its extremely subtle design and brand worries. Two videos and 60 photos accompany section headings of Exterior, Interior, Performance and …

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2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring – HD Road Test Review w/ 2 Videos

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The 2017 Mazda6 is an affordable midsize car for those seeking something better.  A car with premium handling, design and cabin feel.  Yet with pricing that undercuts its spiritual Audi and BMW rivals by tens of thousands. We’ve been a big fan of the Mazda6 for years now.   Our reco of the car has even led more than a few friends and neighbors to buy one. And for most of those people, the car was not even on their radar. So to answer the question of ‘Why don’t more people buy the Mazda6?‘ the answer is a lack of …

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2017 Hyundai IONIQ Electric – First Drive Review w/ Video

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The sleeper hit of the Hyundai Ioniq launch? The full EV! This will be the rarest of the three Ioniq models as it will be sold in California only for the first year.  [First arrivals around April/May in stores, by the way, and Ioniq EV can be special-ordered nationwide at that time too.] It was not just the incredible normalcy about the EV drive Ioniq that makes it surprising.  Really it’s the thoroughness of the engineering and exceptional value this car represents. Hold your horses, though!  Let’s discuss what this car offers, how it looks, drives and feels.  Click play below …

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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 Porsche Panamera TURBO – Startup/Exhaust Video + 44 Photos

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  The new Panamera Turbo is all about headline numbers versus the rest of the range. 3.4-seconds to 60-mph. 190-mph top speed. All-new 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 with 550HP and a snarl worthy of the Porsche crest. The exterior is indeed very evolutionary from up front.  New PDLS+ and LED matrix lighting sets the car apart as the new model, as do the new intercoolers behind every nose hole.  Intercooler as fashion statement!  They are bright silver so definitely stand out to the eye — in the best way.   Around the side and rear end, the car looks much …

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2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S – Autocross Drive Video

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The new 718 Cayman and Cayman S certainly are not baby Porsches any more!  These are proper track stars in any configuration.  The price gap between the Cayman and 911 is now pretty wide — about $75k ($54k base) plays about $90k and up for the big brother. As ever, most of the goodies you will really want are optional and can take the price of the 911 in particular easily into the 130s for a Carrera 2S. So Cayman seems like a viable, smart choice. Power from the new 718 Cayman S comes from a turbo four for the …

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2017 Porsche 911 GT3RS – 180MPH Ride Along

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  Hearing and feeling the 911 GT3 RS pull a smooth-yet-violent launch start followed by savage fullthrottle all the way to 180-mph was a life highlight we got to enjoy this weekend. Granted, the queasy stomach feeling from all the launch and acceleration G-force did ruin me for mere mortal vehicles. Even Focus RS felt a but slow getting out of this Porsche. The other most memorable element?  The ring in your ears from the boxer six at full chat.  Not sure if it is the fuel pumps or the simple engine harmonics — but this is a heavenly sound …

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2017 Audi S3 Quattro S-tronic – HD Road Test Review

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This big question you have for yourself when spending near $50k for a compact exec car is:  does the performance upgrade make up for its lack of scale? For the same money as the revised 2017 S3, you can find yourself in a (small-engined) fullsize luxury car like Genesis G80 or even Audi’s own A6. While that is a rational thoughtline for your brain, it all goes out the window in real life. The money spent upgrading an A3 to this S3 quattro sedan with S-tronic all goes directly to your cheeks.  To help you smile bigger, and laugh harder! …

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2017 VW Golf TSI SEL (Wolfsburg Edition) – Road Test Review w/ Video

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Three tentpole themes define the VW Golf SEL for 2017:  its discreetly sporty drive manners, its intense build quality, and how the SEL might be sweet spot of the Golf line.  Some clarity into the SEL vs Wolfsburg trims, too. This post is centered on the very-good performance drive video below.  We start outside the car and hop in to floor it down some country roads.  Then a right turn into one of the twistiest roads we have here by the Atlantic Ocean here in South Carolina.   Fun to Drive There we find the Golf’s mid-spec 1.8-liter turbo plays very nicely …

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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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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Dodge CHALLENGER R/T Scat Pack

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What is the best part of driving a near-500-horsepower car every day? Is it the thunderclap of this 6.4-liter V8 on startup that makes you feel as powerful as Thor?  Or might it be the savage ingear power on the highway? Or is it the sheer bloodlust feeling of all that HEMI power beneath you?  Knowing that a floored throttle — or anywhere close — will create a riotous crackle of engine, exhaust and squeeling tires is quite intoxicating. For us mere mortals, driving a car with such godlike power and pricing of about $40k is the absolute dream come …

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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 Faraday Future FF91 – Updated with Live Photos/Video

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The saga of Faraday Future has been a roller coaster ride ever since the company was first formed especially with the recent defections of several top Faraday executives. However, the company chose to put these rumors to the wayside with the unveiling of the FF91 EV. The FF91 is a key offering for the mysterious upstart company, and on paper at least, the crossover-esque vehicle is a potent beast. The car will come equipped with a 200 kW fast charging capacity, which works in tandem with the 130 kWh battery pack to deliver a 378 mile driving range with the …

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2016 VW Golf TSI SE – HD Road Test Review + Video

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Where does the Golf fit in VW’s great comeback? The Golf has long been the most intellectual, well-travelled and worldly compact hatch.  Despite pricing from the low 20s, the Golf is clearly a classy machine.  A car for those who recoil at the idea of driving just another Corolla or Focus. VW as a ‘cognoscenti special’ in the Golf was badly bruised by the dieselgate scandal.  That much is clear. But there is no TDI badge on the back of this car.  The TSI emblem in back confirms this is a high-tech gasoline turbo engine. Revisions for 2016 now bring …

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2017 Fiat 124 SPIDER – Road Test Review + HD Drive Video

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It is 124 Spider week here on CRD! Carl Malek got the joy of hooning the Abarth 124 around Monticello, New York while we were flinging the 124 Lusso around Charleston, SC. Both cars are absolute heroes.  Is any 124 Spider one of those rare cars that you’d love to drive 1000 miles at the drop of a hat? Yes, yes it is. His Abarth slid in with pricing in the mid-30s, while our midspec model with automatic transmission kissed 32k out the door with a few options. For these prices, there is nothing else on the road that will bring …

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2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4×4 V6 – Road Test Review

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Welcome to the most luxurious Jeep Cherokee of all time. Dubbed the Overland as this new-for-2016 trim, the Cherokee now packs its feature lists to overflowing proportions. You name the luxury feature, and this truck has it. Along the way, the Cherokee Overland 4×4 V6 has almost grown out of its Ford Escape and Honda CR-V competitive set.  In power, safety and premium elements, this Cherokee Overland competes much more closely against the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. The problem with those much-tougher rivals is easy to imagine: they are great little trucks that handle well, have speedy turbo powertrains and …

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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

2017 Hyundai ELANTRA ECO - HD Drive Video Review 2

HD First Drive – 2017 Hyundai ELANTRA ECO

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    Just the HD drive video and 40 pics of this plucky little sedan. One pic for every highway MPG this advanced-tech compact can achieve?  Yes indeed.  32-mpg city and 40-mpg highway are the audited, confirmed EPA numbers on this most-efficient Elantra ever. No full review today. Our time in the car was too brief to really make many lasting impressions.  Do recall loving that seven-speed DCT and 128-pony, 1.4-liter turbo engine.  Less the stinky brakes/clutches after a fast drive and those embarrassingly tiny alloy wheels.  At least they painted up the mini alloys a discrete anthracite grey to …

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2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – HD Drive Video + 64 Lakeside Photos

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A really fun steer — and one whose urge and handling delighted the sports-car fan in all of us!  We do even make a “Corvette hybrid” reference-slash-joke while flying around the corners of Lake Lanier Island, Georgia.     2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – Exterior Gallery 2017 Chevrolet VOLT Premier – Interior Gallery