May 22, 2013
- There are no shiftier sands than those that underlie the heavy duty truck market. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been locked in the same interminable sniping match for years, each delighting in picking their competitors off with new, more powerful drivelines and ever loftier tow ratings. Right now, Ram sits at the top of the heap with its 2013 3500 HD. With the optional Max Tow package, the truck is rated to pull an astonishing 30,000 pounds. That's ludicrous weight - the kind of heft...
- Employing complex scientific formulas and methodologies probably best described as "Whatever we felt like choosing," Automobile has named its All-Stars for the 2013 model year. The 11 vehicles earned their trophies for being "the best and most significant" offerings to the mag's staff and contributors, and while we were surprised to see a couple of them on the list, none of them were shocking. In no particular order, they are: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (seen above) Porsche Boxster Subaru BRZ/...
- Runtime: 8:52 In a historic move, General Motors is going to move its Treasurer’s office from New York to Detroit. With new car sales running strong in the American market, Ford chops its summer vacation in half. Mitsubishi announces its next-generation global compact sedan, called the Attrage. All that and more, plus host John McElroy [...]
- Steve Cropley meets Ford Global Product Development Vice President Raj Nair We’re at Ford’s Lommel test track on the Belgian-Dutch border. Raj Nair is talking animatedly with a group of his engineers, making classic cornering gestures with his hands as they walk towards the glassy, chalet-like cabin the dynamics team maintains for conferences and meetings.It is hidden well away from the admin offices, squeezed between an enormous skidpan called The Black Lake and the now-famous Track Seven...
May 21, 2013
- Pros and Cons* Pros Great handling and visibility and attractive interior design make the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic a strong sub-compact contender. Cons Unproven reliability, small and uncomfortable rear seats, outdated 1.8-litre engine and numerous additional options are certainly not in its favour. Price Both hatchback and sedans start at $13,665 with automatic transmission versions starting at $15,965. The LT model has a MSRP of $16,815 which...
- U.S. automaker says it's catching up in quality; Ford 4-banger forecast; Chevy plays along with 'Mad Men' plot.
May 20, 2013
- U.S. automaker says it's catching in quality; Ford 4-banger forecast; Chevy plays along with 'Mad Men' plot..
- Automotive News reports the European automotive market has posted first gain in 19 months. Germany and Spain helped push the swell thanks to higher-than-average consumer confidence, though the EU saw registrations jump two percent overall compared to the prior year. In April, buyers took home 1.08 million new vehicles, up from 1.06 million during the same month in 2012. Analysts are hoping the news is the first sign of a legitimate recovery for a region that has suffered some of the slowest...
- A couple of years ago, we brought you news that Chrysler was planning a supercharged HEMI V-8 engine to lift the performance of its SRT models closer in line with rivals from Chevrolet and Ford. While we’re yet to see such an engine from Chrysler, news of the supercharged HEMI’s existence is once again making headlines. Automotive News...
May 18, 2013
- This weekend, the Australian V8 Supercar Series heads to America for the first time in its storied history. Tackling the new Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, Australia’s V8 Supercars will complement the World Challenge race at the same venue. 28 cars in total will be competing in the inaugural event with Ford, Holden, Nissan,... more
- Pros and Cons* Pros The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox distinguishes itself from its competition with its passenger-friendly cabin, excellent build quality, generous interior space and sliding rear seats. Cons The oversized A-pillars that reduce forward visibility, complex audio controls, anemic 4-cylinder engine and expensive options hinder its desirability. Price The base LS model starts at $26,935, to which $1,950 must be added for those who desire all...
- The Ford Mustang is a known quantity. For Americans who care about cars or those who don't, it's likely the Mustang conjures up memories and associations. And like other muscle-car reincarnations like the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, it takes some of the look, and the sound, of the old pony cars, yet it lives in the present. The...
May 17, 2013
- While Cadillac sells more models every month than Lincoln, Ford’s premium brand offers more SUVs. Where Cadillac showrooms feature the Escalade and SRX, Lincoln offers the Navigator, MKT, and MKX, while development continues on the Ford Escape-based MKC crossover. We’re revisiting a thread originally started last year, in which Motor Trend forum member PR32A asked [...]
- Pros and Cons* Pros Offering a wide choice of engines and ergonomic controls, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf 5-door is comfortable and handles the road smoothly, yet with agility. Cons However, the back seats are tight for room and the heavy fuel consumption and high prices of a few of its premium models may deter some buyers. Photo: Volkswagen Price The basic model starts at $21,475. For $23,025, you get heated seats and...
- I was more than a year removed from my last experience with the Mustang GT and its delicious 5.0 V8 when this new 2014 example rolled up to my driveway recently. Good weather and a planned road trip across the state meant that I would get plenty of seat time in this conservatively specified example, too. In total, I logged about 400 miles in a week of driving - not a lot for some of you super commuters out there, but quite a lot for this work-from-home journalist. The basic formula of the 5.0...