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• Ford Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi: Smarter Than the Average Electric Car

  In Road Tests / By Tom Anderson / 9 May 2013

  

  Some 50 weeks ago, we accepted an invitation from Ford to try out some of its newest and coolest creations on the streets and freeways of Los Angeles County’s South Bay region. We came away from the experience more than a little impressed with not just the hog wild rides like the Mustang GT and SVT Raptor, but also the more sensible rides like the then-new Escape crossover and the remarkably zippy Focus Electric. We could barely believe this was the same company that, a few short years earlier, brought the American motoring public vehicles like the “Did someone ask for MOAR OVALS?” third-gen Taurus and the “Pay no attention to the rest of the world’s Gen 2 Focus behind the curtain” Focus Sedan and Coupe.

  This year’s test drive event picked up more-or-less where the 2012 edition left off, but there were some notable changes this time around. For one, there were no V8s or naturally-aspirated V6s present. And, perhaps not coincidentally, Dearborn sent multiple examples of its two new Energi plug-in hybrid models – the Fusion mid-size sedan and the C-Max wagon/crossover/mini-minivan thingy – for us car journos to try out.

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• Review: 2013 BMW 640i Coupe w/ M Sport Package

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 28 April 2013

  

  The original 6 Series was introduced in 1979 as BMW’s ‘executive’ coupe and was iterated until 1989 when production ceased after an arguably solid run. There was then a long hiatus until 2003 when the 6 Series re-emerged like a lazy ex-prizefighter with a bloated physique, as if during its dormant state it had been eating Bratwurst and Mettbrötchen while binge drinking Oettinger beer.

  Now, in its 3rd generation, the new F12 model looks like GSP at a UFC weigh-in: athletic, chiseled, lean and ready to battle the competition. It’s hard not to be drawn to the 6 Series’ sleek, sculpted flanks, sharp grill and sweeping roofline. The 2013 BMW 640i sits low and wide with excellent proportions, really an aesthetic marvel.

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• Review: 2013 Acura ILX Premium 6MT

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 12 April 2013

  

  Acura has had a tough run during the past decade– from working through a styling identity crisis to peddling an arguably uninspiring lineup of vehicles to dealing with the financial fallout precipitated by the latter. But that hasn’t stopped the company from taking a long, hard look at their performance and making a concerted effort to re-establish the brand, which has come on especially strong the past two years. The most recent example of these efforts can be clearly seen in the all new 2013 Acura ILX Premium.

  We can’t help but call up memories of the Civic-derived Acura Integra when thinking about the ILX. In 2002, the exalted Integra was discontinued as Acura tried to switch the brand’s market perception from premium beer to elegant wine. And while models like the TSX attempted to fill the void, the sheer size and weight of that vehicle led to its instant disqualification as an enthusiast favorite.

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• Review: 2013 Scion FR-S

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 11 March 2013

  

  The basic formula for automotive merriment is pretty straightforward. You need rear-wheel drive, decent horsepower, a taut suspension, crisp handling, solid braking capabilities and a transmission up for the task. Unfortunately, this has been a particularly elusive phenomenon in the sub-$30,000 car market, with the exception of the Mazda MX-5, Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang. However, now, after an excruciatingly long time in the making, the reincarnated Hachi-Roku, aka 2013 Scion FR-S,  is finally here. And it was well worth the wait.

  The story of how this car came to be is a whimsical tale in the book of automotive lore, or so we would like to think. In the mid-2000’s, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), parent company of Subaru, parted ways with GM after they sold their stake in the company to Toyota. By way of some backdoor prodding by the Japanese government, Toyota Motor Corporation and FHI began to look at ways they could work together outside of investor meetings. Around this same time, Akio Toyoda, of the original Toyoda clan and current president, declared that the company needed to build a sports car to revive the passion in its lineup of snoozemobiles. Once the gauntlet was thrown down, Japanese hop-to-it efficiency created a task force post-haste.

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• Review: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 9 December 2012

  

  The new Hyundai Veloster Turbo looks like something that just rolled out of a tuning shop on its way to a street race. Compared to the standard version, it has been reworked in a number of key ways to establish its own identity. Starting up front, there is a new fascia with larger hexagonal blacked-out grill, projector beam headlight with LED running lights, round fog lights inside black bezels and a chin spoiler. The effect is menacing and modern. From its profile, the lower side sills resemble ground effect and 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome accents add to its modified look, especially when in motion. Out back, the accentuated diffuser, LED tail-lights, round red reflectors that match the size and shape of the foglights, and the dual center-mounted exhaust round out the exterior revamp.

  Perhaps the most striking feature of the Turbo is the optional $1,000 matte gray paint which, by default, catapults the car into another echelon. Matte finish is an expensive option either for paint or vinyl wrap and sometimes even more so as a factory option. For instance, BMW’s “Frozen” matte paint starts at around $3,500 and Mercedes’ “Mango” matte paint is a $3,950 option. Hyundai provides special care instructions which include hand washing only and, of course, no waxing or polishing. The old two-bucket method should be in full effect.

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• Review: 2013 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon 4×4

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 2 December 2012

  

  For as long as I can remember, the words ‘Jeep’ and ‘off-road’ (as in ‘vehicle’) have been pretty much synonymous — a case where the brand name has, over time, surpassed its functional description (think ‘Kleenex’ and ‘tissues’). The storied history of the Jeep dates back to 1941, when the US Army commissioned two manufacturers, Willys-Overland Motors and Ford, to produce a 4×4 based on stringent specifications and tight production deadlines to be used for battlefield transportation. After the war, the two companies continued to make civilian versions but only Willys was able to use the term ‘Jeep’ after Ford unsuccessfully sued for the rights. The first four-wheel drive versions were dubbed CJ for Civilian Jeep. Eventually, decades later, high-end manufacturers such as Land Rover and Mercedes began to try and duplicate the 4×4 success of Jeep.

  Over the years the brand has had many owners. After Willys was officially granted the trademark in 1950, Kaiser Motors, American Motors Corporation, Chrysler, Daimler Chrysler AG and now Chrysler Group LLC have all had their hands on the brand. The first generation Jeep Wrangler was dubbed the YJ and production ran from 1987 through 1995. After a one year hiatus, the second generation TJ ran from 1997 to 2006 and was available in SE trim (120hp 2.5-liter 4 cylinder) as well as X, Sport, Sahara and Rubicon models (190hp 4.0-liter V6 engine). The third generation Wrangler ran from 2007 to 2011 and featured a 3.8 V6 good for 202 hp, along with a 6-speed manual transmission, removable soft top, anti-lock brakes, multistage airbags, electronic roll mitigation and traction control. This body style successfully revitalized the brand, moving it from its hardcore off-roader niche to more of an everyman’s vehicle. We are currently in our 4th generation, born with the 2012 model year.

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• Review: 2013 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 16 November 2012

  

  The first generation Lexus GS, aka Toyota Aristo, landed in the US in 1993, and was shoehorned between the upmarket LS and the diminutive IS. Despite its design pedigree from the likes of the exalted Italdesign Giugiaro, it arrived as an amorphous blob of sheet metal, in an arguably (and minimally) successful attempt at mimicking organic shapes.

  Despite its simple look, Lexus was white hot at the time and the hip-hop community immediately embraced the car, with rappers like the Notorious BIG giving it shout-outs in songs. Ever since then, the GS platform has been on a roll. Each generation has seen the vehicle come more into its own as Lexus has solidified its own unique design language and has taken some aggressive risks, moving away from the status quo.

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• Review: 2013 Volkswagen Golf R

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 8 October 2012

  

  N.B. In this review, we’ve chosen to forgo the usual multi-paragraph diatribe that has become the status quo for road tests. Considering the information overload to which we’re typically exposed, we realize that attention spans are limited. So we’ve chosen to truncate our reviews to focus only on must-have information.

  Living in the US, you may not know it but the Volkswagen Golf is the world’s third best selling vehicle of all time, and for good reason. The original Golf was introduced in 1974 and its small stature resulted in huge sales. More sales were racked up the following 2 years with additional flavors and the GTI, “hot-hatch” variation, was introduced shortly thereafter in 1976. On our shores, it was renamed The Rabbit. It wasn’t until 1983, when the Volkswagen GTI came across the pond (actually it was built in America), that the hot-hatch craze in the US was really kickstarted. Even though it had just 90hp, offered by way of a 1.8-liter four banger, it weighed only 2,100 pounds and was quick and nimble on its feet with a 5-speed manual.

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• Review: 2012 Nissan 370Z Roadster with Sport Package

  In Road Tests / By Ari Cox / 28 May 2012

  

  Starting with the Nissan Fairlady Z in 1969, aka Datsun 240Z for those of us stateside, this marquee has been a member of the sports car lexicon for decades. With six generations under its belt, Nissan has been able to hone the Z into a battle-tested stalwart that has risen above the ranks in a sea of stiff competition. The archetypal sports car formula is in full effect – wedge shape, two-seats, rear wheel drive, 300+ horsepower, lightweight chassis – and the 2012 Nissan 370Z Roadster arrives in a package that is fitting of its performance aspirations.

  The 370Z Coupe was introduced in 2009 and quickly became a star, dropping the kind of stats and figures on both the street and the track that put much pricier vehicles to shame. And the 370Z Roadster finally silenced all of the critics of the 350Z convertible (which looked like an awkward teenager going through a growth spurt but never reaching maturation) by designing the car from the ground up with a drop-top version in mind. In any case, the revised 370Z is a stellar overhaul of the 350Z. So we set out to find where the largely unchanged 2012 Nissan Z Roadster Touring edition shines and where it can use some spit polish.

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• Ford Redefines Total Performance for the 21st Century

  In Road Tests / By Tom Anderson / 22 May 2012

  

  From 1963 to 1969, Ford embarked on a marketing initiative called “Total Performance.” This campaign was built around not only Ford’s involvement in pretty much every major racing series on this dihydrogen monoxide-rich orb (NASCAR, Formula 1, Indy car, drag racing, sports cars, touring cars and rallying), but also the tire tormenting capabilities of the cars Dearborn sold to Joe Consumer. Here in the U.S. of A., that meant things like mountain-motored Galaxies, booming Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustangs, and wind-cheating fastback Torinos. Suffice it to say, high-test-gulping good times were had by all.

  Skip ahead a half century or so to today, however, and the world is vastly different. The act of burning Texas Tea like it’s going out of style has, in fact, gone out of style. These days, the average new car or truck buyer is more interested in things like low operating cost and, in quite a few cases, ecological responsibility than out-and-out speed. Ford is well aware of this, but a funny thing happened when we accepted its invitation to try out some of its latest wares last week: We found that performance is alive and well under the Blue Oval. It just looks and sounds different.

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