Automodello creates the engine, and Lotus 49 Few engines have the pedigree of Ford’s 3.0-liter twin cam V8, nor can boast the overwhelming success. But calling it a Ford is a bit of a stretch. Most folks refer to the engine as the Cosworth DFV (double four valve) because Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin of... Continue Reading →
2016 Cadillac CTS AWD
Cadillac CTS remains edgy, fast sport sedan Cadillac’s CTS remains one of GM’s biggest success stories and for good reason. The mid-size sport sedan features edgy styling and handles like a fine European sport sedan, but with better ride characteristics and now, all-wheel-drive. The dark metallic gray test car was the CTS AWD 3.6L Premium... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Replicarz’s Mickey Thompson Challengers
Replicarz creates Thompson's sleek land speed record cars In today’s world where the speed of sound bites being delivered via every digital medium is of utmost importance, it’s difficult to imagine the days when men driving cars at record speeds would grab newspaper headlines. Nowadays even newspapers are passe! But Mickey Thompson was a headline grabber from... Continue Reading →
2016 Scion iM
Sporty Scion iM epitomizes simple driving fun Maybe because I test drive so many trucks and crossovers these days, but a week behind the wheel of a sporty hatchback is refreshing. It reminds you that driving, at its simplest levels, can be fun. Scion, the low-cost arm of Toyota, has figured this out. Let’s hope others... Continue Reading →
2015 Jeep Renegade Limited 4×4
Jeep's new baby still can crawl off road A lot of folks are calling the Renegade the Baby Jeep, and there’s some truth to that because it’s the smallest Jeep and solidly puts the brand into the growing small crossover/sport-ute segment. Renegade rides on a short 101.2-inch wheelbase and shares a platform with parent company Fiat’s... Continue Reading →
2016 Scion iA
Scion iA a snazzy low-cost small sedan Rarely has so little felt like so much. Scion delivers possibly the highest value car for the entry-level market and does it with a good looking small sedan that is value priced and yet looks and feels much more like a mid-priced compact sedan. The new iA,... Continue Reading →
2016 Kia Sedona SXL
New Kia Sedona improves on solid package I had driven the new Kia Sedona early this year and frankly, it had a few issues. I liked much the minivan had to offer then, and now. But I’m most impressed that all of my earlier concerns seem to have been tended to within the first year.... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: BoS-Models’ Chevrolet Corvette Corvair Concept
Corvette Corvair Concept sharp car at low cost Early Corvettes were stylish sports cars, not the big fire-breathing muscle rods they became by the 1970s and that they continue as today. So a fastback model in 1954 would have been cooler than even Ford’s Thunderbird and shows General Motors had the right idea, if only... Continue Reading →
2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country T5 AWD
Volvo S60 Cross Country tall, awkward looking I really liked the last Volvo S60 sedan I drove and was curious about this new Cross Country model that adds all-wheel drive, plus more pronounced fender flares to give it a somewhat different look. AWD continues to gain popularity, especially in the northern climes such as ours.... Continue Reading →
2015 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye
Dodge Dart SXT sharp looker, affordable I’ve always liked the lightly regarded Dodge Dart because it’s a sporty looking entry-level car with a low price tag. It’s affordable and doesn’t look like a cheap econobox. I gave it my Zoomie Car of the Year award in 2013. So I was a bit surprised I wasn’t as... Continue Reading →