2011

Infiniti M — Achieving premium luxury sport sedan status

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The technologically advanced sporting nature of the new muscular M would not suit the needs of any number of people; their needs being for more sedate mid-sized luxury as found in the Lexus ES and GS, the current Cadillac STS, and the Lincoln MKS.

Comfort and refinement are demanded at the price-point of mid-sized luxury shoppers. This in no way implies that the revised M is not comfortable or superbly refined. It is. But it also possesses a sporty driving experience that would be wasted on the “comfort” crowd. In fact, the M’s stiffer ride compared to many other luxury nameplates might be a turn off.

Jeep Grand Cherokee — Still goes anywhere, on or off-road

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

In designing its all-new Grand Cherokee, Jeep had two distinct goals.

The first was to build an engaging family hauler to compete with the vast array of compact and mid-sized crossover products now available and thereby gain a bigger slice of the segment pie.

The second was to keep Jeep’s vaunted off-road “Trail Rated” capability intact, a trait not found in most crossovers, which are simply minivan and station wagon replacements for suburban families.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe — Keeps one young

By Al Vinikour 
MotorwayAmerica.com

GM’s Cadillac Motor Division once had a tag line that read, “Cadillac…Standard of Excellence Throughout the World.” It might want to think up a new slogan, something like, “Cadillac…Supersonic Luxury.”

2011 Dodge Journey

NAVATO, Calif. — To bastardize a famous title, for this Dodge it has been a long day’s journey into light. Not long ago we spent 1,500 miles behind the wheel of a 2010 Journey. It was spacious enough for our stuff, it averaged about 21 mpg, and it was relatively comfortable. But there was a problem.

Nissan Leaf — Plug and play

By Al Vinikour 
MotorwayAmerica.com

Many things will make a believer out of someone but the best way I know of is to experience something first-hand. Thus, when tasked with “field testing” the 2011 Nissan Leaf, dubbed the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car, I was skeptical because all one hears is “Green,” or "Environmental Friendly.”

2011 Dodge Charger



SAN FRANCISCO -— Proving you “can go home again,” the 2011 version of the new-generation Dodge Charger enhances its position as the flagship of the Dodge brand. Although only available as a four-door sedan it has all the proportions of a fastback coupe.

Toyota Sienna — Getting a head start

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Minivan sales are going to rebound.

That’s not our prediction or a proclamation by automotive experts although sales of the people movers have been on the upswing. That’s the prediction of the Japanese Big Three (and Chrysler Group). They are voting with their pocketbooks, betting billions of dollars on the once-healthy segment returning to a semblance of its former glory.

2011 Chrysler 200



NAPA VALLEY, Calif. --- The Sebring sedan replacement made its world debut in L.A., but we found ourselves behind the wheel of the new 200 a couple of weeks prior to its public premier. Although Chrysler refers to the 200 as a mid-cycle refresh virtually every system in the sedan is new or upgraded.

2011 Chrysler Town & Country



SAN FRANCISCO — In 1983, Chrysler Corporation unveiled the minivan to the world. Soccer moms were created, the mobile family was born and “bringing your stuff with you” was the order of the day. Through various incarnations, Chrysler’s heralded minivans are still the best-selling vehicles in the segment.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport — Luxury on or off the road

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Land Rover in 2006 added a stylish high-performance model to take on competitors such as the BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.

The goal with the Range Rover Sport, now entering its sixth model year, was to plug a hole in the British brand that has been known for decades as offering an unsurpassed combination of ultimate luxury and off-road toughness.