Lackluster new RAV4 underwhelming Underwhelmed, that was how the new Toyota RAV4 left me. Oh it looks fine, pretty much like every other compact ute out these days, and with all the features and electronic options and doodads you’d want. But given Toyota’s history, I was surprised by how lackluster it felt and it had fit... Continue Reading →
2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD
New MDX lighter, loaded with gadgets galore Acura put its popular MDX sport-utility on a serious diet, tweaked its dimensions a bit and in the test version, attached every electronic gee-whiz feature its engineers could muster – hence the $57,400 price tag. First, the sport-ute added considerably to its use of high-strength steel and a new... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Autoart Lamborghini Countach
WOW ... Autoart’s Countach an eyeful of detail It’s hard not to be wowed by most Autoart Signature Series models, this is diecast near its peak. And there’s a lot of wow factor with a bright orange Lamborghini Countach LP400. You may need sunglasses to examine it up close. Countach was the first Lambo to... Continue Reading →
2013 Chrysler 200
Chrysler 200 Touring feels like a rental car, but scores with good MPG I wasn’t expecting much when the silver Chrysler 200 Touring arrived. It’s not a styling leader and isn’t far removed from its Sebring predecessor. It looks like a rental car and feels like one too. This one tried to spiff up a bit... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Corgi 2012 Lotus F1 E20
Corgi's 1:43 F1 Lotus E20 racer offers detail at value price By Mark Savage Lotus and its founder Colin Chapman are legendary, especially in Formula 1 racing circles. Chapman perfected the lightweight, fully stressed monocoque chassis and rear-engine design that revolutionized open wheel racing, both F1 and Indy Car, in the 1960s. Under Chapman’s guidance... Continue Reading →
2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Core
Challenger SRT8 puts 470 ponies under you Muscle is one thing. Looks are another. But I still expect a boatload of amenities at $41 grand. The “TorRed” Dodge Challenger SRT8 Core that I blasted around town in last week targets the fanatical muscle car lover. It packs a 6.4-liter V8 SRT HEMI that punches out... Continue Reading →
2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD
New Lincoln MKZ's crisp style shows flair, staying power More than three years have passed since I last tested a Lincoln, which tells you a lot about how stagnant Lincoln’s lineup has been. Lincolns have been little more that gussied up Fords for some time, but that may be changing as Lincoln gets serious about... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Auto World’s True 1:64 Series
Muscle and detail in 1:64 scale? Yes, from Auto World Hats off to Round 2 and its Auto World line of TRUE 1:64 scale cars, both muscle cars and newer models, all offered at modest prices for collectors to augment their collections. These are new tools and Auto World is taking a unique strategy with... Continue Reading →
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion
Tiguan shows VW still struggling in U.S. Ever since Volkswagen lost its way in the U.S. market, about the time it phased out the old Beetle, it has been struggling to regain its footing. Nowhere is that struggle more evident than its small sport-utility offering, the Tiguan. VW’s small ute was restyled and remade a... Continue Reading →
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
New Silverado quieter, more refined and plenty strong A pickup is a pickup, there’s no two ways about it. Pickup trucks are tall and boxy and, well, originally intended for work, primarily in farm fields and on construction sites. That’s why they ride higher and even the new – nose to tail – Chevrolet Silverado has an... Continue Reading →