James Raia

Articles by James Raia

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2015 Lexus ES 350: Perfect sedan for a 2,000-mile desert trek

What car enthusiast wouldn’t welcome the opportunity to drive across three sates, including long stretches in the desert, on wide, high-speed roads? And considering super cars to classics, what would be an ideal car to drive just under 700 miles from Sacramento, California to Logan, Utah? And after eight days in Utah, how satisfying would it be to make the return trip on the ninth day and in one day instead of the two-day departure journey? Performance freaks might select any number of rarities. Perhaps others would prefer a sports car or a gas-guzzling exotic. But what about a vehicle the public has readily available at an affordable price? I haven’t driven a sedan priced at the entry level luxury

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Sandra Button: Queen of the Concours d’Elegance

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was doing fine 30 years ago. It had honored the 100th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz and celebrated milestones of many others carmakers along the way — Bugatti to Ferrari to Maserati. Sandra Pruin (now Button) had also been hired as special events coordinator for Pebble Beach Company to help organize dog shows and golf tournaments — and the Concours d’Elegance part-time. The Conours was already internationally prominent and it remains the apex of Monterey Auto Week. But Button has now orchestrated the event for three decades. And she’s been a keen observer as the peninsula’s importance as an automotive-themed destination for events ranging price-gasping auctions to memorabilia shows has expanded. Niche events have come and gone

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Car art thriving at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

The artistry of automobiles is among the focal points of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Books to movies to songs, the style, history and craftsmanship of cars is celebrated in different ways. The Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) will observe the 30th anniversary of its members’ preferred method — automotive-themed fine art — during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. An estimated 250 works of art by about two-dozen artists will be showcased with the more than 200 cars on display. The work of three guest artists and two visiting artists from Japan will also be exhibited. An invitational-only preview is scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday night followed by a full-day’s display with the presentation of automobiles from 9 a.m. to

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Hyundai among 14 concept cars at Concours d’Elegance

Concept cars, sometimes called prototypes or dream cars, are made for many reasons. At car shows, they can attract vast attention as one-of-a-kind, far-fetched machines never to be driven by the public or even seen again. But concept vehicles can also allows manufacturers’ to gain public reaction to vehicles just before they’re launched. The vehicles offered, like some of the current 14 concepts scheduled to be showcased at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, could only a few minor differences from the vehicles that will soon be public.Either way, car enthusiasts thrive on concepts, often the more outrageous the better. According to Sandra Button, chairman of the Concours d’Elegance, concept vehicles returned and were featured with new manufacturers’ models in the

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Concours d’Elegance: Derek Hill is the new voice of iconic show

As a spectator, participant, judge and son of the most distinguished individual in the event’s history, Derek Hill has attended the Concours d’Elegance for as long as he can remember. This year, seven years after his father’s death, Hill will have a new role — master of ceremonies. Hill, 40, a prominent professional driver in numerous disciplines, will assume the responsibilities of Edward Herrmann, the former actor, director and automotive enthusiast who died last December. Hill’s father Phil, the 1961 Formula One world champion and three-time 24 Hours of LeMans titlist, died in 2008 in Salinas at age 81. He was a judge at the Concours d’Elegance for 40 years and won Best of Show in 1955 with his restored

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2015 Porsche Panamera Hybrid: The perfect cycling car?

The fledging Airgas-Safeway cycling team is still seeking competitive clout. But the squad has attracted major attention at the Tour of Utah — if only in the caravan of race vehicles. The first-year team and its exuberant owner, Chris Johnson, secured the use of two 2015 Porsche Panamera S Hybrids as team cars for the biggest race of the team’s short tenure. Subaru is a race sponsor and there’s the usual assortment of manufacturers represented among team vehicles, Kia to Volvo. But it’s a safe bet to assume $110,000 high-performance, four-door hybrid sports cars with 380 horsepower are a first in the sport. “I think cycling is a perfect type of audience; a lot of cyclists drive Porsches,” said Johnson,

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Driving the Tour of Utah in a 2015 Lexus ES 350, #1

Driving from Sacramento, California to Logan, Utah is doable in one day. It’s about a 685-mile trek and takes 12 hours with stops. I opted for the two-day version, and one reason was because of my ride, a 2015 Lexus ES 350. A logical approach to attend the Tour of Utah bike race was a first night’s stop in Elko, Nevada, a 415-mile effort east on Interstate 80 to Reno, Nev. It was then into the desert for several-hour effort into open range, past small towns, plenty of sage brush and where the 75-mph speed limit is barely a deterrent. The 2015 Lexus ES 350 is the upscale version of a Toyota Avalon. It’s a four-door, luxury sedan featuring a

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Say goodbye to three Honda models in 2015

Honda makes great cars. The Honda Civic, Accord and CR-V are annually among the top-10 best selling vehicles in the United States. But even Honda admits failure sometimes. Which is why at the end of the 2015 model year, three Honda models will be discontinued. Gone will be the Civic Hybrid, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the natural-gas powered Civic GX. Honda has plans for a new plug-in hybrid and battery electric models. But in the meantime, here’s a look at the three departing Honda models: It’s a Natural Honda Gas The innovative Civic GX was arguably the least appreciated car in the United States. About four years ago, Honda made a concerted effort to market its natural gas vehicle.

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2015 Toyota Sienna: no more minivan stigma

Minivans get a bad rap. They’re boxes on wheels. They’re only for soccer moms. Neither criticism seems fair to me, and one reason is the 2015 Toyota Sienna. Manufactured since 1997 when it replaced the Toyota Previa, the 2015 Toyota Sienna has been refreshed in the fourth year of the third generation introduced in 2011. Among the most versatile and safe vehicles available, the Toyota Sienna received a new tail light and interior design refresh. The Sienna SE reverted to the original pre-facelift “sport” tail lights and Sky Blue Pearl, Creme Brulee Metallic and Attitude Black Metallic are new exterior color choices. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver was the Toyota Sienna SE, the eight-seater and one of

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Special Edition Toyota Camry

After its extensive redesign a year ago, the 2016 Toyota Camry will be offered in a Special Edition. The newest Toyota Camry will feature  a more aggressive look and increased technology. More than 2,000 changes were made in the 2015, with only the roofline remaining from the previous edition, the new Special Edition model of the 2016 Toyota Camry will based on the Camry SE. The limited production Camry will add sporty interior and exterior features. In addition to features found on the Camry SE, standard equipment on the Special Edition will include: * Unique 18-inch alloy wheels with machined face contrasted with gloss black painted accents and P225/45R18 tires * Power tilt/slide moonroof * Smoked tail lamp treatment * Blue

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2015 Ford Mustang: Iconic muscle car turns 50 in style

The 2015 Ford Mustang marks the car’s 50th anniversary, and the carmaker celebrated the milestone with a surprise. It didn’t spoil the party with an over-the-top, too powerful machine. Instead, it offered an EcoBoost four-cylinder as one of six trim levels. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its Competition Orange exterior paint and black ragtop, the 2015 Ford Mustang attracted as much attention as any car I’ve driven with the exception of a Rolls-Royce Wraith. Young people in the neighborhood yelled out praise. Strangers in parking lots offered compliments, and a few drivers accelerated past me on the highway seemingly wanting to have drag races. None of these onlookers knew, but my Ford Mustang test vehicle for the week was

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Toyota Mirai, 312-mile range hydrogen car, gets info site

The Toyota Mirai, the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle that uses no gasoline and emits only water vapor, will be available in its “request” phase beginning July 20. Potential buyers will then be able to request the only electric vehicle with an EPA estimated driving range of more than 300 miles. The EPA has given the Mirai a range rating of 312 miles and an EPA estimated 67 mpge in combined city and highway driving. The, $57,5000 sedan will be available only at eight California dealerships. Only California residents can buy the car. It will include an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on “key fuel cell vehicle components” and three years — or $15,000, whichever comes first — of fuel. Toyota reported the Mirai won’t debut

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2015 Nissan Rogue: Worthy SUV in packed segment

What can an underdog sport utility vehicle offer to gain a share of the vastly competition automotive segment? The Nissan Rogue found a way. It didn’t start well. The Rouge debuted in late 2007 as a 2008 model and was met with a mediocre response. The Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4 and Ford Escape, among others, had well-established audiences. And who wanted a vehicle named Rogue? Did it define its name as “good for nothing” or vagrant? But with its second generation unveiling in 2014 with better gas mileage and a more comfortable, better-made interior, the Rogue was not longer scorned. Its scoundrel, low-selling image was gone. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I first drove the 2015 Nissan Rogue for a

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Volkswagen camper set to make return as electric van?

The Volkswagen camper, the iconic niche vehicle fancied by surfers, Grateful Dead fans and camping families, may soon be available in the United States after a decade hiatus. Volkswagen has officially discounted the prevalent rumor of the return of the Westfalia Camper edition. But Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the head of production of VW has reportedly said the bus will be back in a surprising way — as an electric vehicle. Neusser, as reported on the web site, inhabit.com, has that detailed the camper will have a small electronic motor to power the front wheels. The battery pack will be under the floor. The VW camper will include three design features reminiscent of the former bus: a wide, solid D-piller, the boxy

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2016 Scion iA, iM: worthy new underdog sub-compacts

It seems like only a few years ago when Scion joined the automotive community and touted its edgy, inexpensive cars. They were geared toward active young buyers, then called Generation Y, and who had limited funds. But it’s been 12 years since Scion debuted in the United States, and the brand produced by Toyota is still marketing its vehicles to active young buyers, now called millennials. Scion says its cars are ideal for those constantly on the move and with less than $20,000 to spend on a new car. Beginning with a national debut on September 1, Scion will focus on two new 2016 offerings. The Scion iA is a sporty entry level sedan; the Scion iM is a five-door

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2015 Subaru BRZ: handsome, fun, not so fast

Now in its third year, the 2015 Subaru BRZ, a four-seat compact coupe, has a few updates and the new limited “Series.Blue” edition. The BRZ acronym name means: “B” for boxer engine. “R” for rear-wheel drive. And “Z” for zenith. It remains the Japanese manufacturer’s only model without the brand’s well-received symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Beyond the new trim, updates for 2015 Subaru BRZ include a retuned suspension, new exhaust tips, a “shark fin” antenna and a higher quality interior. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like all of the carmaker’s models, the 2015 Subaru BRZ has vast list of standard features. The Premium comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, summer tires, a limited-slip rear differential, automatic bi-xenon headlights, LED running

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