The V-12-powered Aston Martin DB11 may be gone, but something even better has taken its place. With improved handling, more power, and thoughtful cosmetic upgrades, the DB11 AMR improves upon Aston Martin’s original formula for grand touring.
Aston’s AMR sub-brand has created high-performance variants of the Vantage and Valkyrie, and now the DB11 benefits from the treatment. Slotting above the 503-hp DB11 V8, the model packs a 5.2-liter V-12 with 630 hp. This is 30 more hp compared to the old V-12 model. Top speed is rated a healthy 208 mph.
In our recent First Drive, we noted, “It’s beautiful, powerful, and elegant, and now—with a bit more hair poking out of its shirt—the AMR is a compelling proposition. Before, there wasn’t enough daylight between the AMG-engined DB11 V8 and the big V-12 in terms of power, plus the lighter V8 drove better. Now, the handling advantage goes to the AMR. It’s one iteration more [...]
T Sportline can take a plain Tesla Model X and turn it into a “Yesla” Model X if you have a small pile of cash to burn.
The West Hollywood, California-based Tesla tuner transforms everything from old Roadsters to brand new Model S cars. Its latest offering is a limited edition T Largo package for the Model X P100D.
Naturally it starts with a carbon-fiber wide-body kit that adds two inches to each side, a new front apron, front bumper duct, wide-body over fenders, wide side skirts, rear diffuser, and a rear wing cover “crafted from pre-impregnated carbon fiber” we are told.
It rolls on stealthy 22-inch forged wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. T Sportline states, “The T Largo was built for our most ambitious clients who like to stand out of the herd.” No doubt about that.
The company welcomes current Tesla Model X P100D owners [...]
Well, that went fast, and the loss is palpable. Honestly, I miss this car. When it arrived, we said the 2017 M2 was “as good as it gets” among BMW’s current offerings. (I now temper that statement with the recently remastered M5.) The M2 remains a Goldilocks “just-right” benchmark, not only for the high-performance coupe segment but also for BMW itself—and the company knows it. I spoke with a BMW product planner who admitted that in the past several years, the company had taken to heart reviews about poor steering, isolated driving dynamics, and a general failure to live up to the “Ultimate Driving Machine” motto. So the M Division took the well-received, now cult favorite 1M Coupe and used the Frankenstein’s monster recipe—borrowing parts from extant M cars—to make its successor even better.
That’s not to say the M2 is flawless. My routine: fire it up, toggle [...]
For 2019, Volkswagen has made the Jetta more competitive with segment stalwarts like the new Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The German entry offers a new 1.4-liter engine, a more spacious cabin, and the same MQB underpinnings as the fun-to-drive Golf. Perhaps the most polarizing change is the sedan’s new styling. We know the old Jetta was starting to look a little dated, but did VW go too far with the design changes in this new iteration?
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta receives a completely new front end with squared-off edges. The grille appears larger now, and at the top sits a chunky chrome bar. Instead of the rounded lights on the previous model, the new Jetta features rectangular headlights that are integrated into the grille. You’ll also notice new lines on the hood that give the Jetta a slightly more athletic appearance.
It may be a long time before self-driving cars arrive, but in the meantime, Cadillac is looking to expand its reach when it comes to semi-autonomous driving. The brand will make Super Cruise available on all of its models beginning in 2020.
Cadillac rolled out Super Cruise last fall on the CT6 sedan. It uses LiDAR map data in addition to sensors, GPS, and real-time cameras to control steering, braking, and acceleration. Unlike Tesla’s Autopilot, Super Cruise is billed as “hands-free” for the highway, meaning drivers aren’t called to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. But they must always pay attention to the road. By tracking a driver’s face and eye gaze direction, the car detects if a driver loses focus, and if this is the case, it will prompt the driver to look at the road or take control of the vehicle. In the event the driver becomes unresponsive, the [...]
