Home

New Vehicle Reviews

This section will review cars, trucks, products and books related to the auto industry.
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.

By Patrick Rall Feb 3 2011 - 1:27pm

Tackling the blizzard of 2011 in a Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Typically when you think about a 355 horsepower Lincoln, the first aspect that comes to mind isn’t its ideal performance in the snow but thanks to the storm that has pummeled nearly the entire country for the past few days, I got to spend the day after the “Blizzard of 2011” in a 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – with fantastic results.
By Frank Sherosky Jan 18 2011 - 3:32pm

2011 auto sales depend on strong dollar and jobs for younger market

After the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the auto industry still has its work cut out. Despite a rise in the stock market, a housing slump, rising energy prices, food and medical costs are still competing for the remaining money in pocketbooks. More than sustainable jobs, a strong dollar is necessary.
By Keith Griffin Jan 17 2011 - 9:58am

Subaru WRX STI, Always a Snarling Sports Car, Eats Up the Snow

This past summer I had the opportunity to drive the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI at its press introduction in Aspen, Colo. It was fun playing with the impossibly fast and well-handling sports sedan in the summer playground that is Aspen.

At the time, part of me really wished I could flog this car through a heavy snowstorm. After all, the beauty of this car is it’s a Subaru. It’s meant to be driven through all kinds of inclement weather with nary a concern.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 7 2011 - 4:49pm

Detroit Auto Show live tweets to power auto media

While GM reengages to get the social-media lead back from Ford with a team of bloggers from its new agency, Big Fuel, a host of media representatives and reporters will be on hand to witness first hand all the 2011 NAIAS news events. They, too, will use social media venues like Twitter and Facebook as never before in auto show history.
By Frank Sherosky Jan 5 2011 - 1:32pm

GM stock posting higher highs since IPO

Ask any investor who believes in technical analysis. Stocks that breakout to the upside or to the downside need to be accompanied by high volume. GM has yet to exceed any of the post-IPO high volume days, even on the breakout of December 30. At best, the GM stock price on Jan. 3 made a new high, with volume of 32 million shares registering #4 on the volume hit parade.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 4 2011 - 12:52pm

TRW stock still showing bullish trend bias

According to the TRW news release, the presentation, which will be simultaneously webcast, is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. (Eastern Time), and is expected to run for approximately forty minutes.

During the presentation, TRW's president and chief executive officer, John C. Plant, and executive vice president and chief financial officer, Joseph S. Cantie, will provide a general business overview and discuss other related matters, followed by a brief question and answer period.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 3 2011 - 11:47pm

2011 will be the year of Electric Avenue reality

For certain we will see the continuation of technical innovations like Ford’s EcoBoost engines that have the power of a V8 in a 6 cylinder, but the gas mileage of a 4 cylinder. Moreover, we will continue to see the mainstream deliveries of a plethora of plug-in hybrid vehicles, like Chevy Volts, Nissan Leafs and Fisker Karmas. Even the Toyota Prius will follow suit with its own version of a plug-in.

By Keith Griffin Jan 3 2011 - 5:42pm

Driving the Maserati GranCabrio and Three Other Delectable Droptops

Let me explain who she came to smile on me recently. The annual New England Motor Press Association Ragtop Ramble, a gathering where members drive convertibles and other sport cars north from Boston to Kennebunkport, Maine, commences with the selection of keys from a lockbox to determine what your first car of the day is going to be.

By Keith Griffin Jan 3 2011 - 5:24pm

Being a Chauffeur Just Fine in 2011 Bentley GTC Speed 80-11

So, it was with no reservation that I welcomed the opportunity to make the drive recently with Cliff Atiyeh, auto channel guru at Boston.com. Then he dropped the bombshell that our ride would be a 2011 Bentley Continental GC Speed 80-11.

At first I feared my role would be as navigator (and even then I would be supplanted by an iPhone). Then when I found out the Bentley fleet specialist Robin March would be tagging along I was convinced it would be 240 miles of small talk while Cliff got all the fun.

By Keith Griffin Jan 3 2011 - 7:28am

Redesigned 2011 Scion tC an Appealing, Sporty Coupe

The Scion brand seemed to have so much potential when it was first introduced nationwide back in 2004 after a limited rollout in 2003. Scion was going to be Toyota’s hip, young alternative to its relatively stodgy, mainstream line of vehicles. It would be marketed using guerilla marketing techniques that eschewed mainstream outlets (and predated Facebook and Twitter).

By Frank Sherosky Jan 1 2011 - 6:46pm

Mercedes-Benz shows driver focus with advanced technologies

Some of the latest advanced technologies from Mercedes-Benz may support green elements, but are not necessarily totally green. One look at the advanced technology videos you will see a direct emphasis on the driver.

The overview includes the following: the Hybrid Transmission, the NightView Assist, Distronic Plus, Command, and Rear View Monitor.

Pages