First they showed us part of a new grille, with the next photo being a long, lean and low profile shot, darkened beyond recognition in typical teaser fashion. Now we can clearly see the Q80 Inspiration concept, albeit only from its rear quarters.
This is good enough to depict its segment classification, however, the Q80 Inspiration slotting into the premium four-door coupe class to potentially do battle with the Audi A7, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Porsche Panamera. Infiniti categorizes the car in the "premium fastback segment," new terminology that doesn't appear to be used by any other manufacturer other than Ford in naming its new 2015 Mustang GT Premium Fastback. They can call it whatever they choose, of course, but "category-breaking," as the press release states, might be going a bit far.
Then again, where it differs from the aforementioned four-door coupes is size, the Q80 Inspiration a true full-size four-door rather than most of its Read Full Story
News & Reviews
Reworked 2015 Honda CR-V puts its bolder new face forward
It's one thing to have little to lose as you try to climb your way up the ladder of success, but it's an altogether different kind of problem to maintain number one status year over year. Of course, the sales leadership title Honda Canada enjoys with its best-selling CR-V compact crossover is exactly the type of problem every rival brand would welcome, and the Japanese automaker isn't about to let any of them catch up easily. Therefore, in order keep the little SUV on top, a 2015 model year mid-cycle update promises "significant enhancements."
What we can see by the lone photo Honda supplied with its miniscule press release is a "new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style," or so says about half of that bulletin. Honda completely redesigned the CR-V for the 2012 model year, so the timing is right for revisions. It's easy to see its bolder presence via the image Honda released, especially its more rugged looking grille design, reworked headlights and more aggressive Read Full Story
What we can see by the lone photo Honda supplied with its miniscule press release is a "new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style," or so says about half of that bulletin. Honda completely redesigned the CR-V for the 2012 model year, so the timing is right for revisions. It's easy to see its bolder presence via the image Honda released, especially its more rugged looking grille design, reworked headlights and more aggressive Read Full Story
2014 Mini Cooper Roadster Road Test Review
When was the last time you slid behind the steering wheel of your car, started up the engine, dropped the top, put it into gear, and giggled mischievously as you drove away?
If you're like most car owners, your daily ride is more about shuttling from A to B than hanging it all out on a sweet set of S curves. It's ok. Even we auto scribes spend most weeks behind the wheel of regular cars for regular folks, so we understand completely. Just the same, wouldn't it be nice to buy yourself something totally frivolous? And I don't mean going wild on a double ristretto venti half soy nonfat decaf organic chocolate brownie iced vanilla double shot gingerbread Frappuccino. No, I'm talking about some real serious fun. Isn't it time for a grin-inducing, sun-seeking, three's-a-crowd, two-seat roadster from the company that doesn't know how to make boring cars at all? That company is Mini, and the car is the long and lean looking, low-slung Cooper Roadster.
It's easy to fall Read Full Story
If you're like most car owners, your daily ride is more about shuttling from A to B than hanging it all out on a sweet set of S curves. It's ok. Even we auto scribes spend most weeks behind the wheel of regular cars for regular folks, so we understand completely. Just the same, wouldn't it be nice to buy yourself something totally frivolous? And I don't mean going wild on a double ristretto venti half soy nonfat decaf organic chocolate brownie iced vanilla double shot gingerbread Frappuccino. No, I'm talking about some real serious fun. Isn't it time for a grin-inducing, sun-seeking, three's-a-crowd, two-seat roadster from the company that doesn't know how to make boring cars at all? That company is Mini, and the car is the long and lean looking, low-slung Cooper Roadster.
It's easy to fall Read Full Story
Leaked Toyota C-HR crossover concept images shown ahead of Paris
If you thought for a moment that every possible vehicle niche has been filled, think again. We've yet to even imagine what the many think tanks within the various automakers are busy creating, but one thing we can be sure of is they're on a never-ending quest to come up with the next big (or small) thing.
The world's largest automaker is no exception, of course, its latest creation due on the Paris auto show stage in only a couple of weeks. That vehicle has been designed to fill a crossover niche normally exclusive to the premium sector; a combination sports coupe and crossover SUV, or so it appears.
The only images we have include a mysteriously darkened teaser photo of the CUV's side profile purposely revealed by the Japanese brand late last week, plus more recently a couple of additional shots of the front and overhead rear have leaked onto the interweb.
While we can't be specific about the new concept's size, the C-HR looks to be compact in dimension, Read Full Story
The world's largest automaker is no exception, of course, its latest creation due on the Paris auto show stage in only a couple of weeks. That vehicle has been designed to fill a crossover niche normally exclusive to the premium sector; a combination sports coupe and crossover SUV, or so it appears.
The only images we have include a mysteriously darkened teaser photo of the CUV's side profile purposely revealed by the Japanese brand late last week, plus more recently a couple of additional shots of the front and overhead rear have leaked onto the interweb.
While we can't be specific about the new concept's size, the C-HR looks to be compact in dimension, Read Full Story
2015 Jaguar XKR Road Test Review
In no particular order, here are some fun facts about the 2015 Jaguar XKR: It's gorgeous in a sensual and curvaceous kind of way; the start/stop button pulses red with a heartbeat-like double flash when you unlock the doors and climb in; the supercharged V8 pushes enough power to the rear wheels that with the traction control turned off it'll smoke the tires and step the tail out with glee; and everyone else on the road drives too slowly when you're behind the wheel.
Now here's a sad fact about the 2015 Jaguar XKR: It's the last of its line, with Jaguar discontinuing the model at the end of the model year in the face of increasing sales pressure from the smaller, cheaper F-Type, and a pressing need to free up production capacity for the company's upcoming XE small sedan.
The Jaguar XK first stormed onto the scene back in 1996 (essentially replacing the XJS), and a second-generation version debuted in 2007. It has changed little since than, and that's just fine as it Read Full Story
Now here's a sad fact about the 2015 Jaguar XKR: It's the last of its line, with Jaguar discontinuing the model at the end of the model year in the face of increasing sales pressure from the smaller, cheaper F-Type, and a pressing need to free up production capacity for the company's upcoming XE small sedan.
The Jaguar XK first stormed onto the scene back in 1996 (essentially replacing the XJS), and a second-generation version debuted in 2007. It has changed little since than, and that's just fine as it Read Full Story
2015 Lexus RX 450h SportDesign Road Test Review
Once upon a time, the only luxury crossover SUV available with an efficient hybrid-electric drivetrain was the Lexus RX. Now, 10 years later, many premium brands offer hybridized CUVs. While the RX remains the leader, Lexus is fully aware that they can't rest on their laurels while competitors play catch up, reason enough for introducing numerous upgrades with their 2015 RX 450h SportDesign.
Like the conventionally powered RX 350, the RX 450h benefits from a refreshed front fascia, keeping this latest iteration's styling fresh two years after the mid-cycle upgrade it received for the 2013 model year, when Lexus added its now trademark spindle grille. The unique design works as well on the RX as it does with other vehicles in the Toyota-owned luxury brand's lineup, the model's continued sales success proof of its general acceptance amongst RX fans.
Lexus manages to capture a certain windswept sportiness with the latest RX design, the bold grille and chiseled lower fascia Read Full Story
Like the conventionally powered RX 350, the RX 450h benefits from a refreshed front fascia, keeping this latest iteration's styling fresh two years after the mid-cycle upgrade it received for the 2013 model year, when Lexus added its now trademark spindle grille. The unique design works as well on the RX as it does with other vehicles in the Toyota-owned luxury brand's lineup, the model's continued sales success proof of its general acceptance amongst RX fans.
Lexus manages to capture a certain windswept sportiness with the latest RX design, the bold grille and chiseled lower fascia Read Full Story
2014 Mini Cooper Convertible Road Test Review
What's one of the best ways to lap up the final rays of sunshine left over from what has been a particularly warm and beautiful Indian summer? Spending time at the wheel of a convertible, of course. Such was the case on a perfectly sunny afternoon last week, the sun warming our bones and a crisp wind whooshing through our hair, my partner and I strapped into a very stylish and ultimately fun-loving 2014 Mini Cooper Convertible.
If you've been paying attention to Mini news and reviews as of late, you'll already know that a completely redesigned 2015 Mini Cooper Hardtop has been flaunting itself at all the trendiest locations in the country. I've driven and reviewed it, and can attest to its many improvements. Just the same, time spent in the older model, which will be with us in drop-top form for another year, reminded me of just how good it is, and how much I love its impish, feisty and altogether more assertive styling.
Let's face it, the majority of us choose styling Read Full Story
If you've been paying attention to Mini news and reviews as of late, you'll already know that a completely redesigned 2015 Mini Cooper Hardtop has been flaunting itself at all the trendiest locations in the country. I've driven and reviewed it, and can attest to its many improvements. Just the same, time spent in the older model, which will be with us in drop-top form for another year, reminded me of just how good it is, and how much I love its impish, feisty and altogether more assertive styling.
Let's face it, the majority of us choose styling Read Full Story
Ford unveils refreshed C-Max ahead of Paris auto show
Although Ford's C-Max isn't a household name like Toyota's Prius, it should be. The compact family hauler is big on space, nice to drive and filled with top-tier features, while like the Prius it's only available as a hybrid electric vehicle or advanced plug-in hybrid, the latter dubbed C-Max Energi.
This last point is only true here in North America however, because in other markets the C-Max can be had in conventional gasoline as well as diesel power, one of which is likely how the all-new model will debut in Paris early next month.
The C-Max is based on the popular Ford Focus, which is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan here in North America, or in hatch and five-door wagon form in Europe. Unlike the Focus, the C-Max has a taller ride height for more of a crossover/mini-minivan (MPV) feel, while Ford of Europe extends the range further with a longer seven-passenger Grand C-Max version.
According to Ford, the model set to debut in Paris Read Full Story
This last point is only true here in North America however, because in other markets the C-Max can be had in conventional gasoline as well as diesel power, one of which is likely how the all-new model will debut in Paris early next month.
The C-Max is based on the popular Ford Focus, which is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan here in North America, or in hatch and five-door wagon form in Europe. Unlike the Focus, the C-Max has a taller ride height for more of a crossover/mini-minivan (MPV) feel, while Ford of Europe extends the range further with a longer seven-passenger Grand C-Max version.
According to Ford, the model set to debut in Paris Read Full Story