Typically, when a vehicle comes to the end of its five- to seven-year production cycle, folks are relieved to see it go. With dated styling and obsolete technology, it is almost archaic in its form and function. There’s rarely celebration for the last car off the line.
That counts double for most sports cars, whose actual lifespan typically lasts a mere 18 months before competitors shave its lap time record and designers create something even more outlandish upon which well-heeled buyers may feast their eyes.
Not so with the Porsche 911, generation 991.2.
Yes, we’ve been graced with the new 992-era Carrera S (with an estimated as-tested price of $143,350), and it is indeed awesome. We dynoed it at 487 hp and 478 lb-ft at the crank. Tractable, endlessly powerful, almost graceful in its assured movements, the 992 responds precisely to your every input. And it will do [...]
The future is electric, even for Porsche. The Macan will be one of the first vehicles from the brand to go electric; the next generation will be a fully electric series rolling out at the start of the next decade. After driving a preproduction Taycan, we’re not worried about a new model losing its Porsche DNA to electrification. But as much as we enjoy electric car performance, we love this car’s sonorous turbo-six.
Unlike most SUVs, which make compromises in ride and handling, the Macan’s biggest strength is performance. Accurate steering makes life easier, and corners come easy despite the 4,338-pound curb weight. Paired with the optional adaptive air suspension, our Macan S tester glides over uneven surfaces. Even though it sits on large 21-inch wheels, it shields the cabin from road imperfections, smoothing out dips and bumps you’ll find on everyday roads. Not overly firm, it almost calls to mind the buttery smooth ride [...]
All-digital instrument clusters are all the rage these days. High-resolution screens give you nearly unlimited options for displaying vehicle information, so it’s no surprise the all-new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has one standard. Join us behind the wheel to see what it can show you.
If you ever sat in a seventh-generation Corvette, you’ll be familiar with some of this. The C7 had a combo analog/digital instrument cluster with a customizable screen, and the C8 ditches the needles and dials for an expanded screen. Although it’s super customizable, there are a few digital gauges that don’t move: water temperature and fuel are always on the bottom, and speed is always in or just off the center of the screen. As before, there are different screens for each driving mode, but you can also select your favorite screen and keep it up all the time. Everything’s controlled from the right spoke of the steering wheel, and you [...]
Mercedes just gave itself one heck of a housewarming gift. The Vision Mercedes Simplex is a modern take on the classic Mercedes 35 PS (or 35 HP) as well as an excuse to let designers stretch their muscles and have some fun. We got up close to the Simplex concept at Mercedes’ new design center in Nice, France. Here’s what you need to know.
Compare photos of the new Mercedes concept to the turn-of-the-20th-century car that inspired it in our photo gallery.
It’s Got That New Design Center Smell
When we visited earlier this month, the new European design center (officially dubbed an international design competence center) had been open for just four weeks. Mercedes plans to use the Nice complex for all kinds of design, from the ones we all instantly think of—exterior and interior—as well as a few focus areas some of us may not, like [...]
After revealing the somewhat potent CT4-V earlier this year, Cadillac is now showing off the more frugal base version. The 2020 Cadillac CT4 joins the lineup as the brand’s new entry-level sedan.
The CT4-V boasts a tempting 325 hp from its 2.7-liter turbo-four, but not all small sedan buyers will need, or want, that much power. The regular CT4 comes standard with an eight-speed automatic and a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Hey, at least that’s more hp than a base 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA or Audi A3. The Premium Luxury trim offers a detuned 2.7-liter with an estimated 309 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Models with the 2.7-liter are paired to a 10-speed automatic.
The CT4 is available with rear- or all-wheel drive, and in Luxury, Sport, and Premium Luxury trims. Brembo performance front brakes are standard kit on the Sport model, as well as cosmetic upgrades such as [...]
