Archive for November, 2015
5 Forgotten Mazdas
Mazda MPV
Mazda may feel like a relative newcomer to the American car market, but the plucky Japanese carmaker is actually a U.S. sales veteran. In 2020, Mazda will celebrate 50 years of doing business Stateside–and that half-century doesn’t include several years of Canadian sales prior to that.
First Spin: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
Although it looks similar to the previous-generation Camaro, the 6th generation bows in smaller, leaner form with more-powerful engines and numerous new features.
This was one press preview that was as much about the journey as it was about the car.
That’s not to say the car itself wasn’t worthy of our undivided attention. It’s just that this particular car isn’t one you just “drive”; it’s one you “experience.”
Here’s about one half of the 1970-’71 Hemi ‘Cudas and Challengers that were on display at the 2015 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. These are the rarest, most desirable, and most valuable regular-production muscle cars in existence.
The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals rolled through Chicago last weekend, taking over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Every year since the inaugural show was held in 2009, MCACN has delivered an unparalleled mix of cream-of-the-crop muscle cars, Corvettes, and racing vehicles, in addition to first-rate attractions such as freshly discovered “barn-find” cars, Schwinn Sting-Rays and other nostalgic “muscle bikes”, and seminars by leading historians and auto-industry luminaries.
Test Drive: 2016 Honda Pilot Elite
2016 Honda Pilot Elite
2016 Honda Pilot Elite AWD 
Class: Midsize Crossover
Dates tested: 8/17/2015 – 8/24/2015
Miles driven: 235
Fuel used: 12.9 gallons
First Spin: 2016 Nissan Altima
Although the body is unchanged, the face is new. Altima adopts Nissan’s “corporate” V-Motion grille for 2016 along with several added high-tech safety and infotainment features.
The perennially favorite Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long been the front-runners in the midsize-sedan race, but it might surprise some to learn that the Nissan Altima is now coming in a strong third. That puts it ahead of such well-known competitors as the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Subaru Legacy.
Mobility Ventures MV-1
Steve Martin once famously said, “Comedy is not pretty.” Nevertheless, Martin’s album bearing that title would go on to be a smash commercial success—proof that ugliness is a relative thing. And so it goes in the world of taxicabs—well, at least one cab in particular.
2015 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
2015 Jaguar XJL Portfolio AWD
Class: Premium Large Car
Dates tested: 6/22/2015 – 6/29/2015
Miles driven: 787
Fuel used: 34.1 gallons
Chinese truck builder Foton was established in 1998 and produces primarily heavy-duty vehicles for its home market.
As a professional car guy and amateur curmudgeon and skeptic, I miss the early years of the 21st century. I miss them, because those were the years that Chinese automakers were making the most noise about selling cars in the U.S.
Journalists who attended auto shows in the early 2000s where companies such as Brilliance, BYD, Geely, and Changfeng Liebao presented their wares will recall with glee spectacular U.S. sales projections and shockingly tone-deaf video presentations.
2017 Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai rolled out an all-new generation of its mainstream compact car at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Elantra sedan is an inch wider and just under an inch longer than the current model. It maintains a fastback-like profile, but sports a bold rendition of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille. Hyundai claims better NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels, improved structural rigidity, lower weight and improved ride quality and handling.
Subaru Impreza Sedan Concept
Subaru gave the public a clear preview of what the next-generation Impreza sedan will look like by unveiling the Impreza Sedan Concept at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Impreza Sedan also serves as an indication of the styling direction of other future Subaru models; Subaru refers to the new motif as “Dynamic x Solid design language,” and says that the new Impreza will employ a modular platform that will underpin other future Subarus as well.
