Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
A Mazda patent published July 2 shows flip-up butterfly doors on a small sports car. Read closely, it is a crash-structure filing, and it may not be the MX-5.
Read moreA viral claim says driving a manual sharpens your brain and fights dementia. We traced it back. There is no peer-reviewed study, and the source is telling.
Read moreMazda confirmed the next MX-5 Miata will be electrified. A look at the SkyActiv-Z engine, the sub-one-tonne weight target, and why a hybrid Miata may not be bad.
Read moreToyota's GR GT was caught testing against a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at the Nurburgring, and the company has already said extreme aero is not off the table.
Read moreThe 2025 Subaru WRX tS stands as the most capable and focused WRX ever sold in North America. Priced at $46,875 including destination, this “tuned by STI” variant combines STI-developed suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, and aggressive summer tires with the WRX’s proven 271-horsepower turbocharged boxer engine. For enthusiasts who have been waiting for Subaru to deliver something closer to the discontinued WRX STI, this is not an STI. It does not have more power. But it might be exactly what you need. What tS Means The lowercase “t” and uppercase “S” stand for “tuned by STI,” referring to Subaru Tecnica International, the motorsport division founded in 1988 that brought Subaru three World Rally Championships and 47 WRC wins. This naming
Read moreThe 2024 Subaru BRZ tS is Subaru‘s wild child, the one that decided to ditch the all-wheel drive and head to the gym instead. We’re talking rear-wheel drive, a punchy boxer engine, and handling that’ll make you grin like a kid on Christmas morning. As the flagship of the BRZ lineup, the tS model is engineered to satisfy purists who crave nimble handling, precision control, and a driver-focused interior. I was excited to experience first-hand what sets this performance variant apart. Distance driven: 656 miles. Driving conditions: Sunny weather, rain storms, windy mountain roads through Sierra Nevada and Pope/Chiles Valley, Napa. The Experience The 2024 Subaru BRZ tS in WR Blue Pearl, offers a focused driving experience that comes with
Read moreElon Musk, the founder of Tesla, doesn’t do subtle. He makes spaceships that explode and underground vehicle transportation tunnels to nowhere. For the past 16 years, his company has also manufactured the only electric cars to infiltrate the internal combustion engine automotive industry successfully. After several marketing promises gone awry, Musk has also introduced the Cybertruck, the massive utilitarian pickup he unveiled as a concept four years ago. It’s a futuristic contraption of extremes in design, construction and relevance. It’s the first stainless steel vehicle since the DeLorean featured in the 1985 movie “Back to the Future.” Tesla enthusiasts have praised the Cybertruck as revolutionary. Detractors claim it’s reminiscent of poorly made metal origami wedges. With public sightings infrequent and
Read morePorsche’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.
Read moreElectric and continuously variable transmissions are increasingly refined. So much so, dismissing the once-dominant manual transmission makes sense for new car buyers. Why bother with all that three-pedal fuss? Still, while the industry is always in flux, one prominent publication recently reported 17 mainstream manufacturers offer 31 cars in 2023 models with manual transmissions. BMW also still understands drivers with a preference for shifting. The stalwart German manufacturer is among a few carmakers with several lineup choices offering manual transmissions. BMW’s selections are all performance-focused, the M2, M3 and M4. The newly redesigned 2023 BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the luxury automaker’s entry-level 2 Series coupe. The rear-wheel drive, two-door features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 453 horsepower.
Read moreEnglishman 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
Read moreGunther Buerman and his wife Maggie Buerman opened the Newport Car Museum in 2017 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They’ve constantly updated the combined automobile and history museum including its latest presentation — an homage to Porsche. Gunther Buerman, whose interest in automobiles began as a young boy when practiced wax paper transfer etchings of car advertisements from National Geographic Magazine, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. A repeat guest who was willed a 1966 Ford Mustang nearly 40 years ago, Buerman owns dozens of vehicles, none any more important than his collection of the German sports cars of his early youth. He moved to New York as a young boy with his family where
Read moreNow 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
Read moreThe 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
Read moreIf you own one of Subaru’s driver-focused BRZ’s, you know it packs a lot into a small and affordable package. The carmaker recently unveiled the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS at Subiefest in California featuring upgrades that instantly elevate it to the top of the sub-$50,000 sports car crop. The lightweight tS takes an often top-rated and highly sought-after car and improves it via a top-level trim that sits above the Premium and Limited specifications. Unlike the previous generation, the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS is not production limited to 500 units. tS stands for “Tuned by Subaru Tecnica International (STI),” Subaru’s performance division. “More” is the keyword surrounding the 2024 Subaru BRZ tS. New wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires
Read moreEmbarking on a college journey is invigorating. From the hustle of studying, attending lectures and tackling assignments to the joys of learning, socializing and exploring, there’s never a dull moment. Having a reliable and practical vehicle can make a significant difference. Whether it’s for everyday commuting, weekend trips or occasional road trips, the right car can enhance the college lifestyle. Many students often wonder what car best fits their college lifestyle. The decision hinges on many factors, including budget, functionality, and the car’s fuel efficiency. And while you may rely on online paper writing services and have the best online essay writers write an essay for me if you’re asking “do my essays for me“, when it comes to choosing
Read moreCollege life is an amalgamation of studying, handling school assignments, meeting deadlines, making new friends, and sometimes, managing a car. As a student, you probably know getting from point A to point B quickly and efficiently can often be as crucial as finding reliable paper writing services when you’re swamped with assignments. For many, a car isn’t just a mode of transportation, it’s a lifeline to the world outside the campus. But how can you make the most of your car while you’re in college? Here are some essential car hacks that will make your life easier: Save On Gas and Boost Efficiency As you progress on the learning path, it’s crucial to develop financial savvy. With the growing cost
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