Tag Archives: featured

Car Reviews

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC

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Outlander a star in Mitsubishi’s quiet lineup …2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi is the quiet company in the U.S. auto market; we hardly hear a peep out of the Japanese vehicle maker. Its lineup is compact and advertising minimal.

But the star of its lineup for several years has been the Outlander, a competent crossover with available AWD and a standard third row seat. That’s certainly something to tout to families looking for inexpensive wheels and the ability to carry 7 passengers. Continue reading 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC →

Car Reviews

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited

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Pacifica plug-in hybrid rocks the MPG …2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid 2018 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid

What would you say if I told you there’s a 5,000-lb. minivan that will get 84 miles per gallon, maybe 88.9 mpg?

I thought so. You’d laugh. You’d think this Savage dude has gone off his noodle, is a couple bricks shy of a full load, has an elevator that doesn’t go to the top floor. Continue reading 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited →

Car Reviews

2018 BMW M550i xDrive

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BMW’s M550i a hot, but sophisticated, rocket! … 2018 BMW 550i xDrive

BMW 5 Series sedans still rock.

I know I about drooled myself silly praising the BMW 530e xDrive I tested about six weeks ago. I lauded it as epitomizing BMW’s motto of The Ultimate Driving Machine, and I still believe that. But …

Along comes its sister sport sedan, the M550i xDrive, and well, my lather has returned. That’s because in place of the silky smooth plug-in hybrid system of the 530e, with its 248-horse twin-turbo I4 and electric hybrid system, the 550 drops in a throbbing V8. Yes, this one has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that creates — hold on — 456 horsepower. Continue reading 2018 BMW M550i xDrive →

Braking News, Car Reviews, Fun Stuff, SUV/Truck Reviews

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Muddy Fun

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Muddy fun for a Jeep geek

2018 jeep wrangler unlimited, jeep, wrangler, wrangler unlimitedFull disclosure: I’ve been a Jeep guy for a very long time having first driven the SJ Cherokee back in the late 70’s.

I was forwarded on and email from my blogging partner, Mark Savage, who received an invitation from the Jeep people but couldn’t make it to an event. I was all over it and jumped at the chance, along with other media folks, to discover the off roading capabilities on the new JL Wrangler at Cliff’s Insane Terrain Off Road Park in Marseilles, IL.

This latest rendition created a lot of buzz prior to its release earlier this year, maybe even more than the last redesign in 2006.  All kinds of speculation about what the JL would have and maybe not have. No worries off roaders, the Jeep guys were all over this from the start.  Continue reading 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Muddy Fun →

diecast cars

Die-cast: Replicarz 1925 Duesenberg Indy 500 winner

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Pete DePaolo’s Duesenberg is a beauty … Replicarz 1925 Duesenberg Indy 500 winner

Last time we laid eyes on Replicarz’s 1/18 scale Indy-winning Duesenbergs they were prototypes. Now comes the real deal, and just in time for next month’s 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

Granted Duesenbergs haven’t been ripping up the Speedway recently, but they were a force in the 1920s. And Peter DePaolo may have been the best-known racer of his day, and Duesenberg’s main man too. So this 1925 Indy winner should be the fastest mover of the three winners (also 1924 and 1927) now available. Continue reading Die-cast: Replicarz 1925 Duesenberg Indy 500 winner →

diecast cars

Die-cast: Replicarz’s 1985 March 85C, Indy Winner

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Spin and Win Indy 500 winner a beautiful race car …1985 Indy 500 winner, March 85C

The March chassis was a dominant one in Indycar racing during the 1980s, and it was a beautiful racer.

That’s what makes Replicarz’s new 1/18 scale March 85C, the Miller beer-sponsored red and white beauty driven to the Indy 500 win by Danny Sullivan in 1985, such a winner. Continue reading Die-cast: Replicarz’s 1985 March 85C, Indy Winner →

Car Reviews

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited

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Crosstrek sporty, practical, moderately priced …2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru takes a serious step forward with its new Crosstrek, a small crossover that mates sporty styling with practicality and moderate cost, a winning combo. Continue reading 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited →

SUV/Truck Reviews

2018 Audi Q5 2.0T quattro w/Prestige

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New Audi Q5 remains smooth, luxurious …2018 Audi Q5

Evidently once a smooth operator, always a smooth operator.

Audi’s new Q5 compact luxury crossover/sport-ute carries on its tradition of smooth, sporty performance with luxury ladled on for good measure. It’s a bit larger than its predecessor and slightly more fuel efficient too. This is an all-around winner. No wonder the Q5 is Audi’s best-selling vehicle. Continue reading 2018 Audi Q5 2.0T quattro w/Prestige →

Car Reviews

2017.5 Mazda6 Grand Touring

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Mazda6 GT stylish and loaded with goodies … 2017.5 Mazda6

While theaters are bulging with “Star Wars,” auto dealer showrooms are embroiled in car wars as top-selling mid-size sedans butt heads with their latest models. Continue reading 2017.5 Mazda6 Grand Touring →

Car Reviews

2018 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T

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Honda Accord styling catches up with its competence … 2018 Honda Accord

Finally Honda has come out of its conservative styling funk to make its always solid Accord sedan look like more than a very reliable box. Continue reading 2018 Honda Accord Touring 2.0T →