Muscle car madness: Corvette tops the power list

Muscle cars may be defined differently by different enthusiasts of the car segment. But it’s unlikely there’s a more diverse list of muscles cars than those outlined by the website autodesk.com. In an non-bylined article, the editors have chosen their list of the top-15 muscle cars still manufactured. In reverse order, the list begins with the Dodge Viper and ends with the Chevy Corvette. The list also includes some curious choices. Here’s what autodesk wrote in part about the Dodge Viper: “In January 1992, Dodge introduced the Viper to the public as a car that was unlike any other American

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Jerry Seinfeld does coffee, cars with Jon Stewart

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Eighteen-wheelers, station wagons, vintage AMC cars and Jaguars have little in common. Unless, of course, Jerry Seinfeld and one of his comedian friends are the occupants in one of the vehicles and they’re going for coffee. The fourth season of the web series, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” will debut June 19. It will be the first episode in a new five-season deal with the Crackle network. The new season introduction video (see below) shows Seinfeld in short clips with his guests for this season, Jon Stewart, George Wallace, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Klein and Aziz Ansari. Since its debut,

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GM image enhancer: Test-drive a Cadillac, get $100

General Motors hasn’t been a beacon in the automotive industry recently. As such, the company is looking for new ways to market, like giving potential buyers $100 for test-driving a Cadillac. According to several automotive sites, the Cadillac promotion is simple. Customers would receive a $100 gift card after test driving a Cadillac. There are two “catches.” The new test-drive promotion is open to drivers over the age of 21 and who own a non-GM vehicle that’s newer than 2004. General Motors’ theory behind the promotion is simple marketing. The company believes potential customers will be so impressed with Cadillac

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Remember me? Alfa Romeo set for U.S. return

Chrysler has awarded 86 Alfa Romeo franchises in the United States and Canada ahead of the Italian brand’s limited return of the Alfa Romeo 4C coupe later this year. The franchises are in 33 states, primarily in California, Texas and Florida, according to the automaker. Seventy-nine of the initial 82 franchises in the United States were given to existing Fiat dealers. The initial supply of Alfa Romeos will be limited. Only 1,500 Alfa Romeo 4Cs will be distributed in North America annually. A mid-sized Alfa Romeo sedan, based on the brand’s new Georgio architecture, is expected to debut in Europe

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Hyundai Sonata, 2015 Preview: New features, new trim

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata, which will feature a refined appearance and a stiffer body structure, among other improved features, will be priced beginning at $21,500, Hyundai has announced. The new Hyundai will include new range-topping Sport 2.0T Ultimate that offers class-above features such as hands-free Smart Trunk, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata will offer a better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. Production of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has begun at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama

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REVIEW: 2014 Honda Crosstour versatile, polarizing

Introduced in 2010 as the Accord Crosstour, Honda dropped Accord from the official name two years later. The 2014 Crosstour still shares its chassis and powertrain with the Accord. But five years into its first generation, it still has its own polarizing identity. Like its predecessors, the 2014 Honda Crosstour has been heavily maligned. Its critics don’t know how to categorize the car. It’s not a wagon, SUV or sedan. It’s category defying and some folks just aren’t comfortable with that. Honda defines the Crosstour as a 5-door hatchback. But its rear hatch design limits available cargo space and it

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Eight diverse 2014 cars for less than $20,000

Consumer Reports has lots of car lists. A recent addition is the best new cars to buy with prices less than $20,000. The eight-vehicle list is varied . . . from an SUV to several sedans, and there are a few surprises. All cars on the list have manual transmissions. An automatic transmission in any of the vehicles would come with a high price. Here’s the list of eight 2014 cars all available for less than $20,000: Vehicle/MSRP/National Market Avg./Potential % Savings/Potential $ Savings Ford Mustang Coupe V6, $23,335, $19,635, 15.9%, $3,700 Jeep Compass Sport 4×2, $19,690, $16,949, 13.9%, $2,741

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Best Family Cars for 2014: Mazda3 to Honda Odyssey

What are the best family cars? What defines family? And what are the needs of families, small and large? Edmunds.com and Parents magazine have combined for the past seven years to present their combined list. For 2014, their top-10 list, as usual, is divided into categories, family friendly subcompacts to large sport utility vehicles. Car experts from both organizations examined hundreds of vehicles and narrowed the selection to choices in each category to those vehicles with features that make daily family journeys easier. The criteria include: reliability, impressive mileage and ample cargo capacity. “Whether they’re taking a summer road trip

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PREVIEW: 2015 Subaru BRZ adds Limited Edition

The performance-packed, low-profile designed 2015 Subaru BRZ line will include a limited edition and will have a starting price of $25,695, Subaru of America has announced. The 2015 BRZ has a sports car design: low vehicle weight, ultra-low center of gravity and precision steering, and it’s powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter BOXER engine. New for 2015 is the introduction of the BRZ Series.Blue limited to 1,000 cars for the continental United States. It will offer a combination of STI-branded functional aerodynamic body design, black-painted STI-branded 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim creates. The BRZ Series.Blue will arrived Subaru dealerships in

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Elio Motors start date halted after funding delay

The much-hyped, three-wheel Elio has plenty of supporters and perhaps an equal number of detractors. Chalk one up for those who are cynical about the $7,500 car and its heavily touted specs. According to Louisiana news reports,  the previously announced March 2015 production start date at the former GM plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been delayed six months until September 2015. The reason: Company founder Paul Elio has announced a funding delay. The News-Star newspaper reported Stuart Lichter, an industrial developer leasing the plant, was set to invest $7.5 million in Elio Motors — in conjunction with the purchase of

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2014 Lexus CT 200h: Great economy, utility, refinement

If an average hybrid gas/electric auto seems worthwhile, you might want to try an upper-class one. The 2014 Lexus CT 200h gas/electric hybrid is the lowest list-priced Lexus. But it’s still a Lexus so don’t expect a cut-rate model. This refined compact front-drive hatchback sedan has typical Lexus amenities and delivers a noteworthy, estimated 43 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on highways. The CT 200h uses the same proven hybrid powertrain as the Toyota Prius. Unlike the Prius, it’s rather exclusive because it’s not sold in large numbers. Many Americans still keep their distance from hatchbacks and

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2015 Volvo V60 T5: Wagon comeback in a big way

The 2015 Volvo V60 T5 is a new car the United States. It’s been in Europe for a few years, but for the American market it’s unlike any other Volvo wagon. They were previously all built like small passenger tanks and were about as attractive. Volvo stopped making its larger wagons a few years ago. But with the debut of the V60, the Scandinavian-influenced carmaker with parts from Sweden, Germany, Japan, the United States and Canada, could have an entirely new following. The 2015 Volvo V60 resembles its long-ago sibling, the P1800s series, now collectors’ cars. The new offering is

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2014 Cadillac CTS: Smooth, powerful, plush

Now a dozen years old, the Cadillac CTS is a midsize luxury car available as a coupe and sedan. For 2014 and its third generation, the Cadillac CTS (Catera Touring Sedan) has been re-designed inside and out. Throughout its tenure, the CTS has been named to many top yearly car lists, and the 2014 edition has been and will likely add more end-of-the year honors. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan is offered in six main trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Performance, Premium, Vsport and Vsport Premium. The trims are matched to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a

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Jerry Seinfeld is back with rare cars, comedians, coffee

Jerry Seinfeld’s passion for cars and comedy has proven the right formula for the web series, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The fourth season and the first in a new five-season deal with the Crackle network will debut June 19. Crackle.com, a unit of Sony (SNE) Pictures TV, reports luxury automaker Acura has extended its exclusive deal to sponsor 24 new episodes of the car & comedy mashup. “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” is an online series appearing on Crackle.com that revolves around Seinfeld driving fellow comedians around in rare and expensive cars (and sometimes not-so rare and inexpensive cars)

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Rare Used Cars: 1993 Cadillac Allanté

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The Cadillac Allanté, now considered among recent rare used cars, is a two-door luxury roadster manufactured by General Motors. It was designed by Pininfarina of Italy and sold for only seven years despite its superior performance and unique styling. About 21,500 Allanté units were made, equating to slightly more than 3,000 per year. In its final year, 1993, Cadillac made 4,670 Allanté units with a high-end price of $65,000. Originally designed under the code name “Callisto” to compete with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar XJS, the Allanté featured a modified variant of the 4.1-liter V8 used across Cadillac‘s lineup. The

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PREVIEW: 2016 updated Ford F-650, F-750 series

Ford has announced its 2016 F-650/F-750 medium-duty truck lineup with a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel. It will feature three engine power ratings, including best-in-class standard diesel horsepower and torque, and no vocational limits on top ratings. The three diesel power levels available for the 2016 Ford F-650/F-750 are: 270 horsepower/675 lb.-ft. torque (best-in-class standard); 300 horsepower /700 lb.-ft. torque; 330 horsepower/725 lb.-ft. torque. The 2016 F-650/F-750 features a bold look inside and out. Offered in Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab styles and in straight frame, dock height and a new dedicated tractor model for heavy towing applications.

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