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Archive for the ‘midsize cars’ Category

The Dodge Coronet was first introduced in 1949 as one of the company’s first post-war body style. Production spanned over four generations until it was discontinued in 1959. The nameplate returned in 1965 on the B-body platform, shared with the Plymouth Belvedere and Road Runner and the Dodge Charger among other Mopar vehicles. The sixth and seventh generations followed in 1971 and 1975, but the Coronet was discontinued for good in 1976. Arguably the most iconic version of the Coronet was that produced between 1968 and 1970 when the nameplate was also involved in Detroit’s muscle car wars.

After three years on the market, the fifth-generation Coronet was redesigned in 1968, as was the Dodge Charger, which shared the B-body platform. The facelift brought a more aggressive design, new appearance packages, and upgraded engines. Dodge even introduced a station wagon version of the Coronet 500, but the star of the lineup was obviously the range-topping Super Bee trim. This version was produced from1968 through 1971 model years only and was Dodge’s version of the successful Plymouth Road Runner.

Continue reading to learn more about the Dodge Coronet Super Bee.

The 2018 BMW M550i is the quickest 5 Series currently offered thanks to its 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 making 456 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque – aided by both a smartly calibrated ZF eight-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive AWD system. At full grunt, the prodigious power will launch the 4,300-pound M Performance sedan to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. But that’s not this Bimmer’s coolest feature. No, that goes to its HVAC system with dual fan speeds for the driver and front passenger.

Take it from me – a guy living in Florida testing a dark blue car with un-tinted windows in August – you’ll love having the extra control. That’s especially true if your wife is like mine. She’s the type who turns her seat heater on despite afternoon temperatures exceeded 100 degrees. Her cold-natured skin simply doesn’t need the cooling my does. In most situations, this results in her turning her vents toward me or off completely, while my dual-zone temperature is set to “Low” with the fan cranked to “Max.”

Thankfully, the BMW M550i has a solution: dual fan speeds. Yes, the driver and front passenger can set their own A/C temperature and fan speed. Welcome to the future. This means we both can have our A/C set exactly how we’d like without disturbing each other. I can be cool and breezy while she’s happy with warm and toasty.
What’s more, we each can select our own blower location. That means she can warm her feet while I cool my body. Both sides also have a full Auto mode, too. It’s this level of individuality that truly ushers in luxury within a vehicle. The rear seat also has its own temperature control, though it’s set by a knob from cool to warm without displaying the actual temperature. Vent speed follows the front seats.

I know having dual fan speed capabilities must cost more, but would you like to see this feature on more vehicles? I know BMW’s 7 Series also has dual fan speeds, but that’s about it. Can you name any other vehicles with this feature? Let me know in the comments below.

The EV war is in full swing. One could argue that it all started with Tesla and the Tesla Roadster, but shots weren’t really fired until Tesla debuted the Model S – the car that would trigger just about every major automaker out there to begin a grueling research and development process that promises a huge influx of all-electric vehicles by the early 2020s. While the big boys plug away at developing models that are affordable and capable of longer range smaller, specialty manufacturers have jumped into the pool head first. Case in point – Lucid Motors Air. Primed to be a true-to-life Tesla Model S fighter, this funky electric sedan comes with a 100-kWh battery pack that’s good for a 240-mile range on the standard model and allows for 400 horsepower of near-instant power on demand. The car itself looks like a mix between a deformed Mazda RX-8 with a larger rear door and a Tesla Model S, really, but with a price of just $52,500, it’s a strong proposition in the not-so-crowded EV segment.

What’s more, Lucid Motors developed a battery that is efficient and allows for quick charging without the risk of damage in the long run. But, it’s not just the 100-kWh battery that is what’s so amazing. It’s the 130-kWh battery that allows for a 315-mile range and as much as 1,000 horsepower – the exact numbers promised by the Launch Edition model, or the first 255 models to roll off the production line. This means that Lucid should be able to offer a whole range of Air models with varying horsepower and range, and should be able to undercut Tesla quite easily. How it will compete in a few years when all of the big boys throw on the gloves is a different story, but for now, let’s take a good look at the Air and talk some more about it.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lucid Motors Air.

The EV war is in full swing. One could argue that it all started with Tesla and the Tesla Roadster, but shots weren’t really fired until Tesla debuted the Model S – the car that would trigger just about every major automaker out there to begin a grueling research and development process that promises a huge influx of all-electric vehicles by the early 2020s. While the big boys plug away at developing models that are affordable and capable of longer range smaller, specialty manufacturers have jumped into the pool head first. Case in point – Lucid Motors Air. Primed to be a true-to-life Tesla Model S fighter, this funky electric sedan comes with a 100-kWh battery pack that’s good for a 240-mile range on the standard model and allows for 400 horsepower of near-instant power on demand. The car itself looks like a mix between a deformed Mazda RX-8 with a larger rear door and a Tesla Model S, really, but with a price of just $52,500, it’s a strong proposition in the not-so-crowded EV segment.

What’s more, Lucid Motors developed a battery that is efficient and allows for quick charging without the risk of damage in the long run. But, it’s not just the 100-kWh battery that is what’s so amazing. It’s the 130-kWh battery that allows for a 315-mile range and as much as 1,000 horsepower – the exact numbers promised by the Launch Edition model, or the first 255 models to roll off the production line. This means that Lucid should be able to offer a whole range of Air models with varying horsepower and range, and should be able to undercut Tesla quite easily. How it will compete in a few years when all of the big boys throw on the gloves is a different story, but for now, let’s take a good look at the Air and talk some more about it.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lucid Motors Air.

One look at the current automotive landscape is all you need to see the incredible popularity of the crossover and SUV bodystyle. Not only is the high-riding, off-roader-esque style widespread in the U.S, but it’s gaining steam overseas as well. Taking advantage of the upwards trend is French automaker Citroen, which is reinvigorating its C3 nameplate with a new, next-gen crossover dubbed the C3 Aircross. Packing loads of customization options, a host of modern interior technology, and a wide selection of efficient gas and diesel powerplants, the C3 hopes to bring Citroen that sweet jacked-up hatchback success in a variety of markets across the world (minus the States, of course).

Framed as a “people-minded” crossover “inspired by customer expectations,” the new C3 Aircross follows in the footsteps of the Citroen C3 Aircross Concept revealed in April at the Shanghai Auto Show, while also drawing inspiration from the C-Aircross concept that dropped at the Geneva Motor Show. Now, following an official debut at the Paris Motor Show, we have a ton of info on the new production-ready Citroen C3 Aircross. Read on for all the details.

Continue reading to learn more about the Citroen C3 Aircross.

One look at the current automotive landscape is all you need to see the incredible popularity of the crossover and SUV bodystyle. Not only is the high-riding, off-roader-esque style widespread in the U.S, but it’s gaining steam overseas as well. Taking advantage of the upwards trend is French automaker Citroen, which is reinvigorating its C3 nameplate with a new, next-gen crossover dubbed the C3 Aircross. Packing loads of customization options, a host of modern interior technology, and a wide selection of efficient gas and diesel powerplants, the C3 hopes to bring Citroen that sweet jacked-up hatchback success in a variety of markets across the world (minus the States, of course).

Framed as a “people-minded” crossover “inspired by customer expectations,” the new C3 Aircross follows in the footsteps of the Citroen C3 Aircross Concept revealed in April at the Shanghai Auto Show, while also drawing inspiration from the C-Aircross concept that dropped at the Geneva Motor Show. Now, following an official debut at the Paris Motor Show, we have a ton of info on the new production-ready Citroen C3 Aircross. Read on for all the details.

Continue reading to learn more about the Citroen C3 Aircross.

For a while now, rumors have been circulating, and it seems as if the Lexus GS may find itself on the guillotine at the end of the fourth and current generation. That generation has been around since 2011 and was just updated in 2015, however, the GS has had some seriously insignificant sales, which is probably why rumors seem to point toward the ES taking the GS’s place in as the mid-sized executive box on wheels. And, considering Lexus sells roughly 10 times more ES than GS models, the rumors make sense. However, we’re now looking at some spy shots that point to those rumors being wrong. We’re guessing the model you see here is the new GS, but it could also be the next-gen ES as it’s currently about time for a generational shift as well. Either way, there is something fresh coming to Lexus’ stable soon, and if it is the GS, rumor has it that the next-gen GS F will get a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that’s good for some 590 ponies and 500 pound-feet of torque.

With that said, the spy shots show a fairly revised model regardless of what it really is, but we don’t know much else about it at this point. It is clearly a hybrid, as the yellow tape on the back window is a safety requirement for hybrids testing on the Nürburgring. Potential debut dates, based on the current life cycle of both the ES and GS, point to a late 2018 debut with the potential to be a 2019 model with 2020 seeming more feasible. So, we should be learning more about what’s lurking under the camo in the somewhat near future. But, until then, we’re going to assume this is a next-gen GS, so let’s take a better look and talk some more about it.

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Buick Regal is heavily based on the European-made Opel Insignia and shares most of its features with the German sedan. Featuring a transverse front engine and front-wheel drive as standard (AWD optional), the new Regal has already spawned Sportback and station wagon versions, just like its European sibling. Come 2017 and the Opel Insignia GSi, the brands higher performance version is coming to the U.S. as the Regal GS, a nameplate that Buick has been using since the 1990s.

Described as a vehicle in which “spirited driving meets attainable luxury and sleek, sporty design meets modern usefulness,” the GS is a massive improvement over its predecessor. Not only boasting an extra 51 horsepower, it also has all-wheel-drive and all the new technology available in the standard Regal. “The new Regal GS is in the sweet spot of the market: more refined and luxurious than the mainstream, more value for the price with style and premium features on par with higher-end competitors,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. Let’s find out if this is true in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Buick Regal GS.

In a world where SUVs have pretty much taken over the automotive market, Mazda is actually coming up quite short in its offerings, with its current lineup consisting of no more than the CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9. Over in the brand’s home market, Japan, things are even thinner with just the CX-3 and CX-5 making up Mazda’s entire SUV lineup. All that is about to change in the near future, however, as Mazda has just announced a new SUV. It will be called the CX-8 and is apparently designed with the Japanese market in mind. Details are pretty scant as of this writing, but it will be just a tad bit smaller than the CX-9 we know here in the U.S. and is said to be powered by a 2.2-liter diesel that’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It will offer three rows of seating and, depending on configuration, will offer seating for six or seven people.

For now, Mazda has released just one image of the interior and has decided to keep exterior design filed away in its top-secret database. But, given the nature of Mazda design, you can rest assured that the exterior will likely mimic that of the CX-5 and CX-9 with a few little changes here and there to make it stand out from the rest of the models in the lineup. For now, there’s no word on whether or not it will come to the U.S., but given every other automaker’s attempt to offer as many SUVs as possible, it’s not outside the spectrum of potential possibility. With that said, we’ve decided to speculate a little more about this upcoming model, and what it might bring to the table.

Update 7/25/2017: Mazda has released a single image of the new CX-8 prior to its debut. Check out the special update section below to learn all about it.

The current BMW X5 is four years old as of 2017 and, according to the company’s lifecycle plan, it will be around for a couple more. However, the fourth-generation SUV has already been spotted testing on public roads, and as a result, we’ve already created a rendering based on the camouflaged prototype. Now, BMW has begun testing the beefed-up M version near the Nurburgring at it’s time to have a closer look at the range-topping version of the SUV.

Likely to break cover toward the end of 2018, the upcoming X5 M will ride on the same CLAR platform as the new 5 Series sedan and the next-generation X5 it will be based on. Of course, the M-badged SUV will get unique chassis tuning as well as a wild V-8 with massive output. Interestingly enough, the new X5 M will arrive just in time for the redesigned Mercedes-AMG GLE63, also due to break cover in 2018. Find out all you need to know about the upcoming X5 M in my speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW X5 M.

The 2020 Ford Bronco has been (unofficially) confirmed as a four-door SUV based on the upcoming 2019 Ford Ranger pickup and will be powered by the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 matched with robust off-road capabilities like 19.5 inches of water fording – all for a price starting around $30,000. The information comes from a Ford engineer who spoke to Gear Patrol on the condition of anonymity. The insider also divulged some telling truths about the Bronco’s revival, including that Ford is now starting the third design phase for the iconic SUV, having not been satisfied with the first two because it “looks too much like the Wrangler.” Typically, vehicles only get a single design phase before being pushed into production.

The Bronco’s correlation to the Jeep Wrangler isn’t surprising since Ford used the Wrangler Unlimited as its benchmark in off-road capability, save for its rock-crawling abilities, claims the Ford insider. “If you’re familiar with the [Ford] Troller, out of Brazil, that’s the basic concept, but it’ll look like a four-door version of that,” the engineer told Gear Patrol. A two-door version isn’t happening because Ford doesn’t think it would sell. Power will come from “something like” the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. In the 2018 F-150, that EcoBoost makes 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque – respectable numbers in a Wrangler-sized SUV. Sadly, the engineer says the Bronco won’t be the hard-core off-roader many are hoping. Rather, it’s designed primarily as a comfortable on-road, family-friendly SUV, though sprinkled with off-road hardware. When asked about a Raptor version, the insider said, “it’s not even in the works yet.”

Continue reading for more information.

Alpine’s return from the grave may have been marked by the launch of the A110 sports car, but the returning French automaker is still in the business of making money, and there’s no better way of doing that these days by joining the hustle and bustle that is the SUV market. Turns out, that’s exactly what Alpine plans to do now that the A110 is on the market.

According to Auto Express, the French automaker’s rationale for building an SUV boils down to one simple and inevitable reason: it needs to make money. That piece of urgent business is even more important now that the A110 has reached dealerships because if the company wants to build on the sports coupe with other performance cars, it’s going to need a cash cow model to help generate the funds to do so. And as promising as the A110 is, it’s won’t be able to generate that much financial business compared to an SUV. By contrast, an SUV would be more than capable of generating the influx of money the company needs to stay relevant in the game. Plans are already underway to develop the vehicle with an expected launch date of sometime in 2019. It may seem weird at first to think of an Alpine SUV given the company’s long history as a performance and racing brand, but the sign of the times call for certain actions to be made. A lot of other companies with little to no history in the SUV game have made similar leaps of fate. If Alpine wants to stay in the business longer this time, it recognizes that it’s going to have to do the same.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

The truth finally comes out, at least for those who probably weren’t aware of it from the very beginning. Victoria Beckham, the ex-Spice Girl and current Mrs. David Beckham, was in no way responsible for the design of the Range Rover Evoque. In fact, Beckham didn’t even do much in the way of actually designing the Evoque, so says the man who actually did design the SUV. Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern minced no words in finally clarifying a years-old rumor, telling The Daily Mail that Beckham exaggerated the role she played in designing the Evoque.

“I’ve forgotten more than that woman will ever know about designing – to be a car designer takes years,” McGovern said in the most direct and emphatic take-down of Beckham’s rumored involvement in the design of the SUV. The design chief was apparently irked when Beckham told the world during the Evoque’s unveiling in China five years ago that she was the one who designed the car and wasn’t mindful of the fact that she was only there to lend her name and star power to the crossover. To be fair, Beckham did have some input on the Evoque, although that was limited to the special edition model that bore her name. Even then, the company briefed the former pop star that the alterations she could make would be limited to “restrained color and detail changes” and not actually overhauling the car’s overall design. So there you have it. The mystery surrounding Victoria Beckham’s involvement in the actual design of the Range Rover Evoque has been answered.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

Folks like us do some pretty silly things in the name of performance. Whether its justifying the purchase of a new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as a “family car,” or breaking your back running coilovers on the daily driver for a few seconds per lap on the weekends, you wouldn’t be wrong for calling our perspective “skewed” at best. That said, where there’s a will, there’s a way, as evidenced by this intrepid young Subaru driver’s unorthodox approach to boosting horsepower. Documented in a short five-minute, 21-second video from our friends over at 1320 Video, the Subaru in question is a mostly stock early 2000’s Forester running flat out at the Pikes Peak Airstrip Attack event at the Colorado Springs Airport. In a bid to crest the 100-mph mark, the driver fabricated a new intake from a Pringles can and cereal box, plumbing it through the headlight for a budget-friendly ram air effect. The result is just enough extra power to reach three digits, making this driver our new hero.

Never mind the Mustangs and Vipers this kid is running against. We’re much more interested in the box-shaped, 15-year-old grocery getter chipping away for a personal record. This is real enthusiasm, people, and it’s infectious. Fingers crossed the owner continues to have fun for years to come.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Honda Accord has a long, illustrious history that goes all the way back to 1976 when it started out life in Japan as a compact car. Over the years, it’s been through a total of nine generation changes, effectively jumping segments twice, from compact to mid-size and, more recently, to full-size. The most recent generation kicked off in 2013, but that was before Honda really got its act together, so this generation is destined to be short-lived, with 2018 ushering in the 10th-gen Accord. Highlights include two new engines, a 10-speed automatic transmission, an all-new body design, all-new chassis design, and the full suite of Honda’s safety and driver-assistance technology as standard equipment. It has more ultra-high-strength steel than any other Honda on the market today and features a tech-savvy cabin that has an almost-German look matched with a rather busy layout.

Inside and under the skin, the Accord has gone through a complete transformation while the exterior’s new look is more evolutionary than revolutionary. One could even argue that the teasers were a bit misleading when it comes to the lesser models, whose front end just looks cheap. Higher-end models look a little better up front, but the overall look is a little risky in a segment that’s got cars like the new Toyota Camry ready to reign supreme. Want to learn more about the new Accord and get a better look at what it offers for 2018? Keep on reading for a quick breakdown.

Continue reading for more.

Introduced at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, the sixth-generation Subaru Legacy received its mid-cycle facelift exactly three years later, at the same event. Redesigned inside and out, the current Legacy carried over with the same four- and six-cylinder boxer engines, but gained a host of new technologies and active safety features. The facelift leaves a rather soft print on the midsize sedan styling-wise, with the most significant upgrades having been operated in the technology department. The sedan now features better materials, smartphone integration, and new apps, among other features. The revised Legacy arrived just as Subaru of America posted its eighth consecutive year of record-breaking sales.

Although Subaru isn’t the kind of automaker you’d expect to challenge giants like Toyota, Volkswagen, or General Motors, the Japanese firm is definitely on a roll that will lead to biggest investments in brand-new cars in the future. The Legacy is still some three years away from a complete redesign, but needless to say, the four-door is still up for a good battle in this crowded segment. Sure, with the brand-new Camry almost in showrooms and the current Accord setting new benchmarks in the midsize market, the Legacy could use a fresh look and better tech, but it’s not as dated as it seems. Find out how it stacks against competition from Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Nissan in the review below.

Updated 06/23/2017: Subaru revealed prices for the 2018 Legacy that will arrive into retailers this Summer. Check the “Prices” section for the full details.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Subaru Legacy.

Hyundai just showcased a facelifted version of the third-generation Santa Fe at the 2016 Chicago Auto show in hopes that the current generation would help make up for the brand’s lack of a full SUV lineup. Just a year later, our photographers caught up with what appears to be the next-gen Santa Fe testing on public roads. At a quick glance, it looks like the next-gen model will sport a look similar to that of the upcoming Hyundai Kona, including the thin running lights up top and larger headlights a little further down on the nose. It should get the same honeycomb grille design seen on the 2018 Elantra GT and will come with front-wheel drive as standard equipment. There’s no word on potential engine options or availability, but we suspect Hyundai will carry on with most of its current units, all of which should be retuned to deliver slightly better power and fuel economy.

There’s no word on when the fourth-gen Santa Fe will make its debut or go on sale, but we’re expecting an early 2018 debut and sales beginning later in the year as a 2019 model. That gives Hyundai plenty of time to drop some of the current camo and iron things out a bit, but let’s not waste any more time – it’s time to dive into this first test mule to see just what we can make out through all of that thick camo and padding.

Update 8/18/2017: It’s only been two months since the fourth-gen Santa Fe was caught stretching its wheels on the Nurburgring, and now it’s back out on public roads with less camo and a big smile. Check out the latest spy shots and what we can spot in the Spy Shots section below.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.

At one time, Hyundai was one of the best econobox suppliers out there, bringing affordable and efficient vehicles to those who, quite honestly, didn’t have much to spend. Fast forward to today, however, and the brand’s evolution has brought it to a place where its cars are quite luxurious, comfortable, and a pleasure to drive. One prime example of that is the Hyundai Sonata, which has now gone through an extensive facelift for the 2018 model year, bringing about a new and more aggressive exterior look, a revamped, balanced interior, and some enhancements under the metal that include revised suspension and steering systems, a new transmission, and some new safety features as standard equipment.

When the seventh-generation model debuted for the 2015 model year, the Sonata featured DNA from the HCD-14 concept and a few cues from the Hyundai Genesis. It was a big departure from the previous model, but sales still dropped from 2014 to 2015. So, Hyundai went back to the drawing board and revised its Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language into what you’re looking at here today – a car that means business and looks good doing it. Will its new looks, updated interior, and revised suspension be enough to give models like the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Chevy Malibu a run for their money? Let’s takes a closer look and find out for ourselves.

When Toyota pulled the sheet off of the 2018 Camry at the Detroit Auto Show a few months back, we were quite literally stunned by what sat in front of us. The crappy econobox from the late 80s and early 80s has officially grown up. So much so, in fact, that we even took the time to compare it to the Mercedes E-Class. It actually fared pretty well. But see, here’s the thing. Over in Toyota’s home country of Japan, the Camry has a slightly different face, and even more important than that, it’s going to be offered in TRD and Modellista form too!

As far as the Japanese version of the Camry, there really aren’t too many differences to note. It does have a different fascia with a much larger grille. As such, it gets rectangular fog lights and a sporty lip at the bottom. The headlights are also more toned and feature clear side markers. Around back, it gets a different rear fascia and a different set of tail lights. Whether or not it’s more attractive is a matter of opinion, but one thing that I can say for sure is that I want to know when we’re getting the TRD and Modellista versions here in the U.S. See, the TRD gets a much larger lip, sportier side skirts and a new lip in the rear as well – basically a four-piece lip kit. There’s no word on any performance enhancements, but with the TRD badge being prominently displayed, I certainly hope there are some. As for the Modellista, it gets some healthy doses of chrome and likely offers up more luxurious materials inside.

Keep reading for the rest of the story

At this point, I think it’s safe to classify the Hyundai Sonata as a rock solid standby in the affordable mid-size commuter sedan segment. The nameplate has been in use since 1985, with its current seventh-generation first introduced in 2014. To keep it going strong, Hyundai just announced a newly refreshed iteration for the 2018 model year at this year’s New York International Auto Show, and it’s bringing revised styling, new features, better technology, and updated hardware. All in all, it’s a rather standard mid-cycle facelift for the seventh-gen, but still quite significant in its impact.

In fact, that’s what Hyundai was aiming for all along, especially when it came to the exterior styling. The fresh look incorporates what the automaker calls a cascading grille design up front, plus a “more assertive profile,” and a redesigned rear end outfitted with a new, svelte taillight design.

We think it looks pretty good, moving the aesthetic ahead in a refined, attractive way. Not only does it look nice, but Hyundai also managed to dig under the skin to make it handle better, not to mention make it a little quicker and a bit more efficient as well.

Looking for details? Read on.

Continue reading to learn more about the new Hyundai Sonata.