September 2020

Lexus, McLaren among headliners at Barrett-Jackson fall auction

(September 18, 2020) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barrett-Jackson will offer a docket that includes an impressive selection of contemporary collectibles, all with no reserve, during the 2020 Fall Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Oct. 22 -24, 2020. Among the most significant crossing the block is a 2012 Lexus LFA, which is one of only 178 sold in the U.S. market, and a 2017 Blade Silver McLaren 570S  with only 2,831 actual miles.

Ram launches third phase of U.S. Armed Forces-inspired limited editions

(September 18, 2020) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ram Truck today announced that production of the third installment of “Built to Serve Edition” trucks will begin next month at its Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant. Ram is celebrating America's five land, sea and air-based armed forces with “Built to Serve Editions” of its popular Ram 1500 half-ton pickup truck lineup. This third installment offers an aeronautical-inspired theme with both Anvil and Billet Silver exterior colors offered along with a black interior with Light Diesel Gray accent stitching.

I hate sunroofs!!

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DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour      

As regular readers of my diatribes have probably determined, I’m filled with more hate than a Super Bowl filled with Detroit Lions season ticket holders. However, there are some things I find more hateful than others…and one of them is a car’s sunroof.  Call it what you want…a sunroof, moonroof or even a Marsroof…I hate them!

2021 Mazda CX-30 gets a performance boost with 2.5-liter turbo four

(September 18, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — The Mazda CX-30’s compact profile help it gracefully navigate through tight turns, while its bold proportions provide ample space to travel with all the essentials. The subcompact crossover is an ideal companion for chasing what’s next. Beyond its impressive styling, CX-30 delivers an engaging driving experience that is now being amplified with more power. Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has announced the addition of the turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine to the 2021 CX-30.

Nissan Z Proto looks into the future, inspired by its past

(September 17, 2020) NASHVILLE, Tenn.  — The new Z is coming. Nissan has unveiled the Z Proto, signaling the company's intent to launch a new generation of the legendary Z sports car. Shown at an event beamed around the world from the Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan, the prototype features new design inside and out, as well as an upgraded powertrain with a manual transmission.

Volkswagen names its new upcoming compact SUV — Taos

(September 17, 2020) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America has announced the name for its new compact SUV— the Volkswagen Taos. The Taos model was designed specifically for the North American Region and, as such, the name was chosen to resonate with American customers.

“We’re thrilled to announce the name for the newest member of the Volkswagen family,” said Hein Schafer, senior vice president for Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America.

Rambler Marlin in state of disrepair



The two-door Rambler Marlin was built by the American Motors Corp. (AMC) from 1965 to 1967. Marlins were fastback versions of the mid-sized two-door hardtop Rambler Classic. AMC aimed it at buyers wanting a sporty fastback that was roomy and comfortable, contrasting it with the smaller Barracuda and Mustang fastbacks that had arrived a year earlier. The Marlin, following the muscle car launches of the 1960s, was intended to outflank competitors as a product they did not offer. The car could be ordered with a 327 cubic inch V-8 with a 0-to-60 time of about 10 seconds. This stripped-down example was found in eastern North Carolina. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

Mitsubishi teases Eclipse Cross redesign

(September 17, 2020) Mitsubishi Motors has released a first look at the redesigned Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the next step in the company's commitment to delivering a showroom full of new and extensively redesigned vehicles in the United States by the second quarter of 2021. A full reveal of the reimagined Eclipse Cross will showcase the details of the design, and the vehicle will arrive in showrooms across the United States in the first quarter of 2021.

Ultium Drive to help power GM's all-electric future

(September 17, 2020) DETROIT — General Motors’ next-generation EVs are expected to be powered by a family of five interchangeable drive units and three motors, known collectively as “Ultium Drive.” Ultium Drive will help the company transition its current portfolio to a fully electric lineup, providing significant advantages over GM’s previous EVs in performance, scale, speed to market and manufacturing efficiencies.

Hyundai reveals all-new fourth-generation Tucson


(September 16, 2020) SEOUL — Hyundai has launched the all-new Hyundai Tucson. The fourth-generation compact SUV (C-SUV) is a global model, with a long-wheelbase variant and a short-wheelbase variant for meeting various customer needs. The all-new Tucson is an important launch for Hyundai as the model is among its most popular, racking up global sales of more than 7 million units since its original launch in 2004.