Luxury cars

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2026 Chevrolet Corvettes Redefine the Driver-Centric Cockpit Experience

The entire lineup of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvettes introduces a thoroughly reimagined interior that marries cutting-edge technology with elevated craftsmanship, effectively addressing one of the most controversial elements of the C8 generation while maintaining the vehicle’s driver-focused DNA. This significant refresh affects the entire Corvette family-Stingray, E-Ray, Z06, and ZR1-bringing larger displays, fresh colorways, and improved ergonomics that promise to cement the iconic American sports car’s leadership position for years to come. For the 2026 model year, Chevrolet has completely redesigned the Corvette’s cabin, addressing driver and passenger needs with an emphasis on both functionality and luxury. Most notably, designers have eliminated the controversial “button wall” that divided the driver and passenger compartments since the C8’s introduction in 2019. This

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2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: worthy EV underdog

The Hyundai Ioniq debuted in 2016 as a newcomer sedan with an odd name. The all-electric variant, the Ioniq 6, arrived last year. It joined an impressive lineup answering to the fusion of the words ion and unique. It’s also given the floundering sedan segment hope. Offered in SE Standard Range, SE, SEL and Limited trims, the 2024 Ioniq 6 throughout its lineup is the same as the vehicles’ debut models. The SE Standard Range is the value leader, with a 53-kWh battery pack and a single motor (149 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) driving the rear wheels. At its top end, the reviewed Limited edition is far less known, but the strongest challenger for a Tesla Model 3. It

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Top-line 2024 BMW X5 SUV: too much of a good thing

Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) is a few years away from its centenary as an automaker. It introduced its first sports utility vehicle 25 years ago as the industry continued its dominating switch from family sedans to sport utility vehicles. The 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and its rivals take the SUV saturation to another level. It’s a luxury family hauler with track-level performance. It’s needed for the high speeds necessary when visiting the local nursery, hauling lumber and groceries or transporting youth soccer players. In other words, it’s a vehicle that defines automotive excess. Yes, the X5 M Competition is a descendant of the original. But it’s as far removed as feasible from Merriam-Webster’s original definition of an SUV: “a

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2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 defines luxury SUV with a hefty price

Big and bold and wearing a front-grille badge the size of a serving platter, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 sport utility vehicle is all about luxury, power and excess all in no uncertain terms. The biggest SUV from the manufacturer’s high-performance subsidiary, the three-row family hauler does nothing subtle. It features a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with hybrid assistance and delivers 603 horsepower. It generates another 21 horsepower from the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG). It’s a 48-volt auxiliary on-board motor that operates an electrical system giving a boost power to several systems. Operated via a nine nine-speed automatic transmission, the SUV advances from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is pegged at 174 miles per hour and the

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2023 Genesis G90: Large luxury sedan class

The automotive industry is fixated on gas mileage averages, emission efficiency and alternative fuels that may one day make internal combustion engines the outliers. It’s all fine. Until then, here’s to the open road and full-size luxury sedans represented well by the six-year-old Genesis G90. Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the aging stalwarts with loyalist buyers. Genesis is a confident newcomer, comfortable for its occupants and confident transporting them. It’s the young automotive endurance athlete, respectful of its European elders but perfectly capable of leading the pack if the opportunity arises. Offered as the 3.5T and 3.5T E-Supercharger, the 2023 Genesis in both trims is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The base trim V6

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Hello, Goodbye: Next-generation Porsche Panamera Unveiled

Porsche’s unveiling of the new, third-generation Panamera says hello to a new appearance and engineering and goodbye to the Sport Turismo wagon models. The new sedan’s online debut saw the release of a redesigned Panamera and Panamera 4, as well as the current flagship Turbo E-Hybrid. No Sport Turismo models were present as poor sales and a only marginal increase in practicality over its sedan counterpart forced the automaker to cease production. Upon first glance, the Panamera’s most significant change is its appearance. A new front end utilizes enlarged intakes and a sharpened profile but otherwise maintains the original slick styling of the previous generation. Center-lock wheels, a first for four-door Porsches, and a full-length lightbar punctuate the rear end.

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#272, Genesis: not the band, not the Bible but the fast-growing South Korean carmaker

Jarred Pellat is the senior manager public relations and communications of Genesis Motor North America. It’s the eight-year-old luxury vehicle division of the South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company. A native of Canada who lived in South Korea for several years, Pellat is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich was on assignment, so John Berg, a new automotive columnist and photographer for The Weekly Driver, joined me for our interview during Best of the West. Pellat, the fourth employee of the Genesis, was a guest during a two-day gathering of the Western Automotive Journalists (WAJ), the San Francisco Bay Area organization of automotive media professionals and industry influencers. During the two-day gathering,

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2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 defines EV performance sedan luxury

The 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 is among a small group of luxury electric sedans with good intentions and still trying to appeal to a not-yet-convinced consumer majority. Matched primarily against the Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S, the i7, like its competitors, is a compelling choice for many reasons. It’s electric, fast off the line and further impressive accelerating at highway speeds. It’s plush and spacious and built with top-line material and innovative features. The 7-Series has long been BMW‘s full-sized flagship. The i7 was introduced in April 2022 as a 2023 model to coincide with the nameplate’s 45th anniversary. The i7 xDrive60 and M70 have dual electronic motors and all-wheel drive. The i7 has a single-speed transmission,

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2023 Cadillac Escalade V fueled by power, money

There was a time when the epitome of success for many automobile consumers was ownership of a Cadillac Eldorado or a Cadillac DeVille. The former was a personal luxury coupe and lasted 50 years and 12 generations from its 1952 debut. The DeVille, a full-size luxury sedan, lasted 46 years and eight generations until its 2005 demise. The brand has evolved with smaller, non-land-yacht offerings except for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade V. The 2024 model marks the monstrous sport utility vehicle’s 25th year. The auto industry is steadily addressing environmental concerns. Projected sales of electric vehicles in the United States this year may reach one million for the first time. It’s still a small percentage of total sales, with one

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2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante honors owner icon

Englishman David Brown was a machinist’s apprentice and he was knighted. He raced motorcycles, built tractors, played polo and bred racehorses. He also bought Aston Martin in 1947 and thus began the British automaker’s use of the initials “DB” on its vehicles. Brown died 30 years ago, around the same time of year this year the periodically struggling niche manufacturer unveiled the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante. The industrialist orchestrated models through the James Bond movie heydays when the sports car‘s image was at its apex. It’s also had its share of automotive doldrums when the company’s debts ballooned and a buyer couldn’t be found. Still, brand purists likely wonder how Brown might have assessed more recent models, including the

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2023 LEXUS IS 500 F SPORT DEFINES SPORT SEDAN’S VERSATILITY

Now in its second year, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is a manufacturer outlier. The luxury brand extension of Toyota is geared toward upscale interiors and comfort on the open road. The 2023 edition of the V8 sedan is more focused on performance while maintaining the Lexus reputation. Without much change from its debut offering, the 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport is available in Base and Premium trims. The Launch Edition is gone. Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 472 horsepower engine, the small luxury sedan’s engine ia paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom drive modes for customizing the driving feel. Gas mileage averages are underwhelming, with 17 miles

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Porsche 911 S/T commemorates 60 years of 911

The Porsche 911 is among only a handful of vehicles on the product line for 60 years. Porsche commemorated the legendary sports car recently by unveiling the limited-edition 911 S/T. The S/T is best described as two cars in one. It combines fan-favorite elements from the 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 Touring models. For the first time, it marries a 992-generation 911 with a manual transmission to a GT3 RS engine as well. Only 1,963 of the S/T will be manufactured, paying respect to the first production year of the original 911 just as Porsche did with the 911 50th Anniversary edition. Designers and engineers at Porsche are able to make purists’ dreams realities by combining the practical usability

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Genesis GV70: new EV SUV worthy of price

Seven models years into its legacy, Genesis added its Electrified Genesis GV70 for 2023. It’s the carmaker’s eighth vehicle and its first built outside of South Korea. With its origins and continuing heritage with Hyundai, the sport utility vehicle hails from Montgomery, Ala., and is available in two trims. The Advance trim is equipped as a base model but it includes more than other brands’ upgraded offerings, a healthy list of technology features. The reviewed Prestige trim adds $6,800 to the starting MSRP of $66,975 and offers, among other upgrades, a head-up display and a Lexicon premium audio system worthy of road symphonies. The top-end GV70 also includes active noise control, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and Nappa

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Mercedes Vision One Eleven reimagines an icon

Mercedes-Benz has taken a big step back to the future in its unveiling of the Vision One-Eleven concept. The German auto manufacturer gives the nod to a previous iconic design, specifically the 1969 C111 concept, with the appearance of the Vision One-Eleven. Mercedes’ designers didn’t stray radically from the vintage lines of the C11. Retained were the two large, contrasting hood scoops, side vents and, most importantly, gullwing doors that made the C111 so iconic. However, the past ends and the future begins with the Vision One-Eleven’s augmented reality capabilities. Mercedes has integrated an augmented reality headset which can be used by occupants to enhance user experience, combining the car’s physical interior with a digital interface. For instance, AR makes

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Aston Martin Bulldog exceeds 200 mph 44 years after debut

The first and only Aston Martin Bulldog has finally reached the 200 miles per hour milestone it was built to achieve. It took decades. Classic Motor Cars, a United Kingdom-based vintage car repair shop, recently announced the Bulldog reached a top speed of 205.4 mph at a former NATO base in Scotland. Darren Turner, three-time Le Mans class winner and test driver for Aston Martin, piloted the Bulldog. “Bulldog’s 200 mph goal has been over 40 years in the making, being part of that legacy is a fantastic feeling,” said Turner whose previous attempts at reaching 200 mph in 2021 fell short. Classic Motor Cars spent 7,000 hours over 18 months to bring this Bulldog as close as possible to

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BMW luxury sedan thrives on split personality

The 2023 BMW 760i xDrive combines the best of an executive sedan and a luxury car without visible pretentiousness. It’s comfortable and stylish, smooth and quiet. It has a sizable backseat theater screen that unfolds from the headliner with controls embedded like smartphones into the rear seat handles. From its exterior, the new BMW looks more sporty than extravagant, with its aggressive nostrils grille, 21-inch M sport package wheels, brakes and black calipers. The sportiness continues on the interior, mixed with its luxury elements. The cabin design’s upscale quality combines high-scale wood and superior-quality leather. The stainless steel door design adds to the overall classy look, with inlaid speakers and the aforementioned smartphone control panel on the inside of the

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