By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(November 16, 2015) Lexus has sold two million RX crossovers since its introduction in 1998. It is the highest selling model in the Lexus lineup, followed closely by the ES sedan. Like that vehicle, it has been one of the softest, conservative and most cautious designs in the stable. Until now.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(November 2, 2015) The Tokyo Motor Show is the home room for the weird, the wacky and the wild. It is a reflection of the people who inhabit the island, and a place where technology fuses with unfettered imagination. This year’s show was no different, though it did spawn more than a few production worthy concepts.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 31, 2015) I remember taking my brother Bill for a ride in the NSX a few years after its introduction. On a deserted back road we touched 135 mph in surprising comfort, and not more drama than you might experience taking your family sedan up to the store to get some milk.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 21, 2015) The limited edition (799 units) Ferrari F12tdf  pays homage to those Ferrari racers that dominated the Tour de France road race in the 1950s and 1960s. Performance is the watchword for this car as Ferrari claims it will accelerate for 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds, from 0-124 mph in 7.9 seconds, and lap the company’s Fiorano test track in 1 minute 21 seconds.

Dear Chevrolet:

I was worried that the many items dragged into and out of the bed of the 2015 Silverado 1500 4WD LS would scratch the bed liner, and I’d have to inform you of my transgression. Only they didn’t. Proof that the $475 cost for the factory applied spray-on bed liner is durable and well worth the money.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 5, 2015) This spring, Land Rover will introduce the production version of the pedal car it showed last month at Frankfurt. That car is a tribute to the historic full-size Defender model.
The show car has all of the highlights of the first production Land Rover, which was nicknamed “Huey” after its “HUE 166” license plate. That means cylindrical running bars, off-road tires, mud flaps and protective checker plate atop the front fenders and elsewhere.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(September 28, 2015) BMW and Toyota have a number of agreements, including one to co-develop a sports car in the next couple of years. It can’t come too early. Though Toyota — with the able help of Roger Becker of Lotus — produced some stellar vehicles, including the first generation MR2 and A60 P-Type Supra. Plus, I am a firm believer — based on the basic handling characteristics of the car and Toyota’s closeness to Lotus at the time — that the Scion FR-S received early input from the sports car maker before finishing the job itself. It has some distinct Lotus handling characteristics, but falls down hard in terms of ride comfort and finesse. Since that vehicle, Toyota’s efforts have swung between lackluster and harsh.