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New Vehicle Reviews

This section will review cars, trucks, products and books related to the auto industry.
By Don Bain Jun 21 2011 - 11:33pm

RMDE III: Riding, driving the High Plains on Day 1

A significant aspect of the Rocky Mountain Driving Experience held June 15-16 is the opportunity to drive the latest models from numerous manufacturers on the open highways of Colorado’s high plains as well as venturing up the highest paved road in North America, often in the company of a brand representatives. This adds a real world component to the significant if less common experience provided by the off-road and track aspects of the two-day event.
By Patrick Rall May 26 2011 - 1:48pm

A week in the life of the 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat - inside and out

I recently had the pleasure of spending a week behind the wheel of the 2011 Dodge Avenger Heat, which included a nice long road trip to the Mecum Indy Spring Classic along with the duties of daily driving tasks – all of which clearly displayed the improvements made to the Avenger compared to the previous model year.
By Roman Rosa May 22 2011 - 11:45am

The cars that make us feel 10 years old again.

I will never own one, I will never be able to touch one, and chances are, I will never even get to see one. All I have is a picture of it on my computer screen and that alone is enough to instill a blank, starry-eyed look on my face as I stare longingly at it. This car has instantly spun the world backwards in time and turned me back into a 10 year old boy.
By Patrick Rall Apr 27 2011 - 1:14pm

TorqueNews review of the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium - part 1

In the early days of the sport utility vehicle, the companies who built them focused so much on utility that there was never any suggestion of luxury but even those with the means to purchase a high end vehicle can desire the roominess and capability of a SUV – enter the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium.
By Patrick Rall Apr 15 2011 - 2:22pm

A trip to the Dynotech Engineering driveshaft facility

What do the last 33 NASCAR champions (Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Trucks) over 11 years, the 9-second stock-motor Evolution Performance 2011 Mustang GT, the world’s fastest prop-driven boat (209mph), 3 time NMRA Pro 5.0 Champion Donny Walsh, 7-time American Le Mans Series Champion Pratt & Miller, 3-time FIA Pro Stock Champion Michael Malmgren, 4- time NMRA Hot Street Champion Charlie Booze and every modern Ford Cobra Jet Mustang all have in common?
2011 Ford Fusion
By Patrick Rall Apr 11 2011 - 10:54am

A review of one of America’s best-selling cars - the 2011 Ford Fusion

Over the past year, the 2011 Ford Fusion has been one of the bestselling cars in the US market with both standard gas and hybrid variants taking on the best of what Japan has to offer, helping Ford Motor Company to become the sales leader in the US and recently, I had a chance to spend some time in a 2011 Fusion.
By Don Bain Apr 11 2011 - 12:08am

Close-up: The 2011 Lexus ES 350

Simply put, the 2011 Lexus ES 350 is one of the most satisfying sports sedans this writer has had the privilege of driving. It is an endearing cocktail mixing a luxuriously appointed interior, state of the art technology, gratifying handling and exhilarating performance into a deeply satisfying vehicular libation.
By Keith Griffin Mar 11 2011 - 7:38am

Acura TSX Wagon a Strong Alternative to Big SUVs and Crossovers and Fun, Too

Station wagons are suddenly hip again (or at least car manufacturers think so). They're a sensible alternative to thirsty crossover and sport utility vehicles. Plus, vehicles like the Acura TSX Wagon are the right size for the nuclear family.

Some companies, like Toyota, are trying to position minivans as the vehicle of choice, even calling the family haulers like the Sienna a "swagger wagon" in the hopes of appealing to younger buyers and latching onto that station wagon vibe.

By Keith Griffin Feb 28 2011 - 11:12am

2011 Volvo S60 Not Naughty as Marketing Implies - It's a Nice Premium Sedan

It took all of two minutes for the 2011 Volvo S60 to grow on me. Hopping on the highway, I was impressed by the quick acceleration offered by the standard 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. According to published reports, it can hit 0-60 in six seconds, which is more than fast enough in real world driving situations.

By Don Bain Feb 11 2011 - 4:34pm

Close Up - the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide

That’s thanks to a raked, understated B-pillar that blends into the interior from many angles. Then there’s the clean lines, side vents, wheels that appear to be spoked, the sexy, slanted eyes with LED lashes and the toothy, vaguely menacing smile.

Inside the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide it’s just as beautiful as it is comfortable – blue haze and cream truffle leather with contrasting stitching. Wood accents and seats that cradle you snugly as you anticipate launching this V12 rocketship.

By Don Bain Feb 10 2011 - 1:56pm

Has the Age of the Electric Car begun?

A funny thing about industrial or technological ages is they usually begin well before we notice. It was on January 29, 1886 when Carl Benz filed for a patent on his three-wheeled combustion engine motorcar. At the same time Gottlieb Daimler was creating the first four-wheeled automobile fueled with petrol.

Today we recognize those efforts as the dawn of the Age of the Combustion Engine Auto, but actually at that time electric motorcars were somewhat more common.

Electric cars had been around since the 1830’s and remarkably ran initially on non-rechargeable electric cells.

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