Archive for April, 2014
What If…1965 Ford Mustang
What if…the Mustang had been penned by a company other than Ford?
By Frank Peiler
Little did anyone know that the Ford Mustang would be such a big hit. The first-ever pony car spawned a segment that would soon include the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, AMC Javelin, and Dodge Challenger, to name a few.
The vaunted Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star might look a bit out of place on a utilitarian cargo van, but the company is well known for trucks in other parts of the world.
Although built by Mercedes-Benz and long a common sight in Europe, what is now the ubiquitous and well-known Sprinter arrived on these shores in 2001 wearing a Freightliner badge, and two years later was also sold with a Dodge nameplate. At the time, both of those manufacturers were in partnership with Mercedes, and they were deemed more fitting outlets for such a clearly utilitarian vehicle.
1953-1955 Triumph TR-2 brochure
In no particular order, the things I like to look at are cars, women, camera equipment, cars, and women. Actually, that list was pretty close to being in order. Flip the first two items and I think we’re set. Some guys might substitute golf equipment for the camera stuff, or maybe fishing gear, but I suspect my list is not otherwise uncommon.
Test Drive: 2014 Lexus LX 570
The 2014 Lexus LX 570 starts at $82,690 including the $910 destination charge. Our test car came to $88,555 equipped with a DVD entertainment system, luxury-equipment package, and premium audio system.
2014 Lexus LX 570
Miles Driven: 308
Fuel Used: 16.3 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 13.8 mpg
2015 Honda HR-V
NEW YORK — It’s been rumored for quite a while, but Honda finally unveiled the production version of its new pint-sized SUV at the 2014 New York Auto Show. Based on the platform of the recently introduced 2015 Honda Fit subcompact car, the HR-V will slot into Honda’s lineup below the current CR-V “in both price and size,” says the company. That would likely put it somewhere between the Fit’s base price of $16,315, and the CR-V’s starting sticker of $23,775 (both figures include destination).
The 2015 Dodge Challenger Family (and its 1971 inspiration)
NEW YORK — Dodge unveiled revamped versions of its muscular Charger and Challenger duo for 2015 at the 2014 New York Auto Show. Neither car sees a ground-up redesign–instead, both get new styling, new interiors, and new technology features.
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
NEW YORK—The 2014 New York Auto Show marked the U.S. debut of the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C coupe, and with it the Alfa Romeo brand’s return to the North American market. Alfa Romeo parent company Fiat is planning to offer the 4C in select U.S. Fiat dealerships, where it will certainly look racy alongside the cheeky 500 and 500L.
2015 Hyundai Sonata
NEW YORK — Hyundai pulled the wraps off an all-new Sonata at the 2014 New York Auto Show. The 2015 Sonata inaugurates the seventh generation of Hyundai’s mainstream midsize sedan, and the company promises a stiffer body structure, better ride quality, improved quietness, and a host of new safety and convenience features.
2015 NIssan Murano
NEW YORK – Nissan’s highly stylized Murano has carved out a small niche for itself in the burgeoning midsize SUV market ever since the first generation was introduced for 2003. But the second generation that arrived for 2009 didn’t carry quite the visual impact, which perhaps narrowed its appeal somewhat. With the 2015 redesign, Nissan appears to be heading back toward the Murano’s more-radical roots.
2015 Toyota Camry
Photo by Jill Ciminillo
NEW YORK — Although it didn’t turn out to carry the radical styling of some earlier sketches and concepts, the redesigned 2015 Toyota Camry unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show certainly sports a more modern and aggressive look than the outgoing model, which was introduced just three years ago for the 2012 model year.
