Previewed as a concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Suzuki Kizashi was described by viewers as “a highway athlete, emotionally appealing and full of energy and glitzy.” The production Kizashi, though visually toned down, was definitely full of energy at a recent test on the Virginia International Raceway. Put through its paces on [...]

(Part one of two) “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  Winston Churchill. This was one of the quotes displayed at the recent launch of the Suzuki Kizashi, a mid-size sedan. Kizashi, in Japanese, means something great is coming. “It’s a change in mindset,” explains Gene Brown, [...]

“We love our engine so much we stamped Bentley on the screws,” explained Brian Gush, Bentley’s Director of Chassis, Powertrain & Motorsports, as we were looking under the hood of the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports. “Frankly, we feel that a brake caliper should look good,” he added. “Even a mechanic working on this car should [...]

2010 Range Rover Sport (part one) “The challenge is keeping the brand unique while keeping it relevant. It has to be unmistakably a Land Rover,” noted Gerry McGovern, Design Director for Land Rover at the recent launch of the 2010 LR4, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover. To note: McGovern was also the designer for [...]

So, who says that GM can’t create an SUV that looks good, drives well and delivers on gas? We were certainly surprised with the 2010 Chevy Equinox that we drove this past weekend. We drove the 2.4L 4-cyl, 6 speed automatic on a weekend trip upstate. Normally, I would be happier to drive the 6-cylinder [...]

When my co-driver wedged himself into the Nissan NISMO 370Z for our test run, he took a deep breath and said, “I think that the 370Z Roadster is more my style.” I understood. The NISMO was not a good fit for his physique. The NISMO is not for every body and that’s what makes it [...]

It’s October 1966 and the first TV commercial for the new V8 powered rear wheel drive muscle car, the Chevy Camaro, is aptly titled VOLCANO. A SS350 Sport Coupe with hidden headlamps, broad rally stripes and a custom interior with an innovative fold-down rear seat, blasts out of a volcano. The dusty Butternut Yellow Camaro [...]

“This is one of those cars that’s fun to talk about. We call it the magic car… for some reason the budget is always in line, the target is always hit,” noted Larry Dominique, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. The car was the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. We were in San Jose, [...]

Ford Fusion Hybrid I’ll open this article with this thought, “Geez, I wish I had bought more Ford stock a few months back!” When Consumer Reports chooses the Ford Fusion Hybrid as their top-rated domestic sedan you gotta’ think that times are changing. “Essentially tied with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid achieved an [...]

Besides the EcoBoost engine with lower mileage, emissions and more power, there’s lots of other new technology and fun stuff in the 2010 Ford Flex. Consider the following: Ford Sync, a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft for hands-free communication.You can call up your favorite music from your iPod; dial from your address book; ask for [...]