Tag: Reviews

2020 Land Rover Defender 110 HSE P400 – First Ride

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 29, 2020

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Quick and comfortable: This ain’t your daddy’s Defender.

Mike Cross aims for the gap in the trees, and guns it. There’s a muted snarl from the 395-hp straight-six under the hood, the hiss of rubber on wet gravel and the whoomp! whoomp! whoomp! of muddy water exploding from potholes. Cross is slouched in the driver’s seat, relaxed but eyes laser-focused as he waltzes 5,035 pounds of SUV through mud-slicked corners with deft, minimalist movements of the steering wheel, his right hand periodically making the short reach across to the high-mounted shifter to grab another gear.

The road straightens, and Jaguar Land Rover‘s chief engineer, vehicle integrity, buries his right foot. We hit 100 mph, hovercrafting over the cratered surface on the long-travel air suspension. Then it’s hard on the brakes and three quick snicks of the stubby shifter, ready for the rapidly approaching 90-degree corner. Off the brakes, turn-in, and on the power. The big SUV slides gracefully for a moment before being collected with a quick flick of the wrists. The four-wheel-drive system digs through the surface slush and propels us toward the next corner.

Tags 2020, land-rover, land-rover-defender, Reviews

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2020 Mazda 3 – Sights and Sounds

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 29, 2020

By Erick Ayapana – Words – Motor Trend

I’ve come to appreciate a few things in our long-term Mazda3 that set it apart from its main rivals, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. For starters, the optional head-up display (Active Driving Display in Mazdaspeak) is well executed, and Mazda gets bonus points for including its brightness and screen height in the programming of the Driving Position Memory buttons (another rare feature in the segment).

The display is fairly sharp and includes a comprehensive list of info, including vehicle speed, active cruise control settings, cross-traffic alerts, and lane keep assist warnings. I’m also a fan of the blind-spot indicators, which flash on the left or right side of the screen. One downside? Head-up displays are notorious for “disappearing” when you’re wearing polarized sunglasses, and unfortunately the Mazda’s screen does appear dimmer through the lenses of my Ray-Bans.

Tags 2020, mazda, mazda-3, Reviews

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What Comes With the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S’s Sport Design Package?

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By Greg Fink – MotorTrend

We have details on the 2021 Porsche 911 kit’s visual bang, which likely costs a lot of bucks.

The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S is an undeniably attractive (and hugely powerful) car, but say you want to make it stand out a little more? Then Porsche’s recently unveiled Sport Design package might interest you. While the sports car manufacturer initially showed photos of the package on a Lava Orange 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, it did not share the kit’s specifics or price. We now have details on those specifics, though, unfortunately, no word yet on its cost.

Tags 2021, porsche, porsche-911, Reviews

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2020 Lexus LS 500 Review

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By: DENIS FLIERL – Automoblog

The 2020 Lexus LS 500 makes a strong case for driving enthusiasts who also want to cruise along in comfort. We did feel a little younger behind the wheel, but our lower backs appreciated all the different power adjustments and massage functions of the seats. Even though we will probably never get used to the touchpad interface Lexus uses, it’s still hard to argue with the LS 500.

The 2020 Lexus LS 500 is a real head-turner and we snapped a few necks this week as we drove the luxury model around the streets of Denver. Inside, the LS 500 stretches the limits of the luxury with beautiful wood inlays, cut glass insets, and woven fabric on the door panels.

Tags 2020, Lexus, lexus-ls-500, Reviews

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2020 Audi RS Q8 Review

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By TONY BORROZ – Automoblog.net

The 2020 RS Q8 is the first SUV from Audi in the United States to have an RS badge.
Under the hood, a turbo V8 creates nearly 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft. of torque.
At the famous Nürburgring racetrack, the RS Q8 set a new speed record for an SUV.

The 2020 Audi RS Q8 combines the company’s high-performance RS undertones with the practicality of a full-size SUV. Powered by a bi-turbo V8 engine, the RS Q8 looks to set a new standard as the prestigious spearhead of the RS model line.

Or so sayeth Audi.

Tags 2020, Audi, audi-q8, Reviews

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2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo Review

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By: Jeff Perez – Motor1

The Nissan GT-R is so old (how old is it?) that when it debuted in 2008, McLaren wasn’t anywhere near the tour de force the brand is currently. These days, the British manufacturer offers two excellent alternatives to Nissan’s supercar – the 570S and the 720S – as well as a handful of hypercar and GT options. Meanwhile, the GT-R has barely changed.

There’s still something extremely likable about the Nissan GT-R, though, specifically the hardcore, track-focused Nismo model we recently got our hands on. This version, though it debuted more than six years ago as part of a mid-cycle refresh, touts more power, better aerodynamics, and a modern-ish cabin. And for the record, it’s still fast as hell despite its age.

Tags 2020, Nissan, nissan-nismo, Reviews

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2020 Toyota Supra Review

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By: Jeff Perez – Motor1

The Supra is great. Full stop.

Yeah, we know – the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 are pretty much one and the same. Apart from the removable roof, the two cars ride on the same platform, use the same engine, and for the most part, have identical interiors both loaded with the latest BMW infotainment system. For a nameplate as storied as Supra, some purists might be put off by the obvious BMW parts. But, honestly, get over it.

The Toyota Supra is a great sports car, regardless of the context. It’s quick, competent, and comfortable, with a refined ride and a punchy turbo engine that pairs well with BMW’s impressive selection of tech and safety equipment. It’s hard not to fall for the 2020 Supra, even with its obvious German ties (and some major additions on the way).

Tags 2020, Reviews, Toyota, toyota-supra

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2021 Kia Seltos – First Test

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By Miguel Cortina – Words, Motor Trend

The subcompact SUV segment is red hot. Over the last four years, names like Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota C-HR, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Kicks and Mazda CX-30 have emerged or been resurrected in the U.S. The 2021 Kia Seltos joins that list, but it falls on the larger side of the pack—at 172 inches long, it’s closer to the size of the larger Sportage than the smaller Soul, its two siblings.

The Kia Seltos arrives to the U.S. market from South Korea, and it differentiates itself from the pack with its attractive looks and roomy interior. We had a chance to test a Seltos SX with the 1.6-liter turbo and were pleased with the way it drove and handled around the track.

Tags 2021, Kia, kia-seltos, Reviews

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2020 Nissan Rogue Sport – First Test

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 28, 2020

By Jesse Bishop – Words, Jade Nelson – Photos – Motor Trend

As I write this, we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With every browser refresh, there’s more breaking news, and the commentary online ranges from doomsday prognostications to hoax conspiracies. For many of us, sports provide an escape from the serious news of the day, but as every hour brings news of sporting event cancellations, that escape is drying up fast, leading some in the sarcastic corners of the internet to wonder if e-sports will be the only sports left.

And that leads others to ask: What even counts as a sport in the first place? The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport raises similar questions.

(Is this really the most important question of the day? No, of course not. But cars, like sports, provide a mental escape for many of us. Below, you’ll find a pandemic-free analysis of the name Nissan gave its subcompact SUV.)

Is The Nissan Rogue Sport Actually Sporty?

Tesla Model Y Review – Doug DeMuro

Post author By axelrin
Post date March 25, 2020

By Andrei Nedelea – Inside EVs

First deliveries of the highly anticipated Tesla Model Y have commenced and videos of the car are now starting to pour in. This Tesla Model Y Review by Doug DeMuro is the longest and most in-depth look at it so far, so sit back, grab some popcorn and take the time to take it all in – the video is over 32 minutes long, so snacks and a drink are definitely in order.

DeMuro gives the Tesla Model Y a fair evaluation and says there is plenty to like about it, although he does make it clear that he thinks it’s not quite perfect. He reviews a well-specced Performance model that comes with the Performance Upgrade package.