Articles by David Goodspeed

Fiat 500 Abarth an Italian ‘Hottie’

When I first reviewed the Fiat 500 last year I found the new little import to be fun and quirky but it lacked one important aspect – performance. Ladies and gentlemen, I now give you the Fiat 500 Abarth. Embodying the “small but wicked” spirit of namesake Karl Abarth’s hot little Fiats in the 1960s (something akin to John Cooper’s hotrodded Minis back in the day) the modern Abarth brings to the model line everything the base model is lacking for driving enthusiasts. Right off one sees the styling upgrades along with unique paint and logo applications that adorn not…

Vehicles & Gear

Chevy to Offer Real Hot Wheels Camaro

Hot Wheels fans who dream of driving some of their favorite miniature toys are getting their wishes as Chevrolet has announced it will offer a limited-edition run of the Kinetic Blue Camaro it debuted at SEMA in Las Vegas. “Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages.” The unique model will be available for orders Nov. 1 and will be produced in the first quarter of 2013….

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Admiral for a Day as we Test the Flagship 2013 Lexus LS Lineup

On July 30, Lexus introduced its latest LS flagship to the world in a unique “Lexus Laws of Attraction” unveiling exhibit in San Francisco. More recently, we got to spend time behind the wheel of the 2013 models including the new F Sport edition during a regional press event in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to driving we were given a bit of history on the Lexus brand and the LS specifically. Lexus began as an idea in the mind of the head of Toyota Motor Company in 1983 and by 1989 the first Lexus LS was delivered to the world. Since…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Rises to New Levels of Luxury with 2013 F-Series Pickups

This fall, Ford is bringing a refreshed F-Series lineup to the consumer that will include new top-of-the-line trim levels as well as enhanced technology. The 2013 F-150 and Super Duty pickups will now feature some exterior and interior refinements along with some new running gear (wheels) while across the board Ford will offer new MyFord Touch and SYNC systems across the entire lineup of new trucks, technology optimized in these platforms for truck owners. Big Blue Oval gave members of the automotive media a sneak peek (and early drive) of both F-150 and F-250 pickups as they prepare for the…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe in Steamy, Hot Magma Red

Certain automotive formulas work for some automakers. Porsche has its 911, Ford has the Mustang, BMW (of course) the 3-Series and for Nissan it’s the Z. Build a good car that is fun to drive, back it with a loyal customer base and the model line is set for a long lifespan – 43 years in the case of the Nissan sport coupe. “Since the original 1970 Z was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,”…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2012 BMW 335i Luxury Line

The BMW 3-Series luxury sport sedan has long been held up as the “industry standard” in its segment and for 2012 the Bavarian automaker gives us the sixth-generation of this modern icon. Globally, however, the 5-Series sedans sell better and here in the states sales have fallen off a bit for the champ. The reason? The field has become so crowded consumers are spreading their investments across three theaters of production now, those being traditional Europe, Japan, and now newcomer Detroit and the likes of the Cadillac ATS. There is not much I can say here that Bimmer enthusiasts don’t…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2013 Mazda CX-5 Crossover Brings the Zoom

The all-new 2013 CX-5 crossover utility vehicle from Mazda faces a daunting task – it is replacing not one but two models in the automaker lineup this year as both Tribute and CX-7 have received pink slips. CX-5 is also the first Mazda to take full advantage of the automaker’s new SKYACTIV technology that incorporates powertrain and chassis components working harmoniously. “The 2013 CX-5 is the vehicle compact SUV shoppers have been asking for – that only Mazda can build,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Poised to join a fast-growing and increasingly competitive segment,…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

The 2012 BMW 650i Coupe Connects with Drivers’ Emotions

Over the course of an average Gear Diary calendar year, I drive more than 80 new vehicles for review. During that time, there are many vehicles I will not shed a tear over when it is time to relinquish the keys, as they’ve fallen just a bit short of making any sort of emotional connection with me. And then there is the BMW 650i Coupe. “I can’t find the keys;” “BMW called and said I could just keep it;” “The dog ate my homework.” (Wait, saving that last one for school this week. Sorry.) Alas, the week was over all…

Vehicles & Gear

Two Words Came to Mind While Testing the 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid: ‘Why’ and ‘Ouch’

When I first saw the all-new ILX from Acura at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, I wondered to myself, “Why?” Acura already had the TSX sedan with premium content and an attractive appearance, so why would the “luxury” division of Honda create what appears to be a competitive model in its own stable? The new ILX is based on the Honda Civic architecture but looks little like its pedestrian counterpart. And short of calling the new Acura a modern Integra, the automaker comes close by choosing “I” for its moniker. Style-wise, the new ILX reminds me of a…

Vehicles & Gear

Stop-start Technology Making Its Way to American-Market Vehicles

Imagine this: You pull up to a stop light in rush-hour traffic and BAM – your engine stops. For many drivers this is a huge fear, but for others, this is the new normal. Regarding the latter, this is the new stop-start technology that is finding its way into new vehicles. This technology has been in vehicles overseas and is now working its way into vehicles sold in North America. “Engine stop-start isn’t a brand new technology, but the latest systems benefit from significant advances made in the last few years,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and…

Vehicles & Gear

2012 Audi A6 Blends Athleticism and Elegance

When Audi was preparing to release the seventh-generation A6 luxury sports sedan, it knew the marque was an improvement over the model it replaces. How much better? Winning the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for 2012 AND the coveted red dot award honoring benchmarks in quality for starters, not to mention year-to-date sales increases topping 123 percent for the model. Yeah, it’s that good. Audi’s trophy case is filling nicely since introducing the 2012 A6 model last fall, placing an emphasis on athleticism and elegance. It competes with the BMW 5-Series and E-Class from Mercedes along with the new GS…

Vehicles & Gear

Raptor vs. Rover: Ford Puts the Mars Curiosity Rover in Perspective

In playful commemoration of the successful Mars Rover Curiosity program, Ford decided to pit its best off-roader, the F-150 SVT Raptor pickup, in a side-by-side comparison with the unique machine that is now on the surface of our neighboring planet. Ford released an infographic showing each vehicle’s key features and specifications as well as a comparison in powertrains, prowess, and pricing. For me personally, I’ll take the Mars Rover as our last outing in the Raptor found us needing assistance in getting out of some ordinary East Texas mud. Sure, the Ford has air conditioning and, well, a driver’s seat,…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Das 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Gleiskreuzung ist Wunderbar

“Gleiskreuzung” is the German word I found when translating “crossover,” as in crossover utility vehicle. I don’t know if Mercedes-Benz used that in naming its entry luxury GLK (as they still refer to it as a sport utility vehicle), but I am sure you can see the possibility. Regardless, Mercedes gives its cute ute a major makeover for the 2013 model year (inside and out) that includes some 1,000 new parts. We recently received the 2013 GLK350, and immediately one notices the new corporate face chiseled into the body styling. The new look does, however, give an appearance of an…

Vehicles & Gear

The EV Life, One Year Later

In the summer of 2011 I penned an article centered around my daily struggles driving (and living with) an electric vehicle. I was testing a Chevrolet Volt Extended-Range Electric Vehicle and if you recall, I could not find anywhere to recharge my test unit but, in less than a year, my how things have changed. I still don’t have a home charging station but there are four public spots at the office building I frequent, two at the nearby shopping village, and I see so many popping up all over the area now. And next to those EV spaces at…

Vehicles & Gear

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec a True Competitor

Dictionary.com defines the word “Genesis” as a coming into being, an origin or a creation. Hyundai defines Genesis as “a vehicle crafted to rival the world’s premier sport sedans.” When Hyundai introduced its new Genesis sedan lineup to the media a few years back, I wrote, “I define Genesis as the next big thing. Get ready because you are going to be seeing a lot of these cars on the road soon.” Hyundai has basically taken the design elements of the world’s leading luxury sport sedans and combined that with performance parameters of the top rear-wheel-drive models on the road…

Vehicles & Gear

First Drive: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Subaru is preparing to launch the 2013 XV Crosstrek as the latest member of the All-Wheel Drive family, entering a growing yet crowded compact crossover utility segment, one Subaru already competes in with other models. Crosstrek, the made-for-America moniker added to its new global XV model, appears as an even more “cutting-edge” model for the brand, slicing another segment into bite-size pieces for the consumer. We spent a little time getting to know the new Subie on the block on the beautiful island of Oahu and despite the weather or terrain, the new XV Crosstrek performed wonderfully. Crosstrek is aimed…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco with eAssist Is a Very Mild Hybrid

For 2013, the Chevrolet Malibu enters its eighth generation and the first version released is the Malibu Eco. Let me begin by saying I love what Chevy has done with the Malibu of late. Vast improvements have been made to styling – inside and out – and the overall driving experience. It was not too long ago when the automaker gave Malibu its due attention, but for 2013 the vehicle needed to be hitched to a new global architecture as this is the model soon to be seen ‘round the world. All that said, I believe this Eco version and…

Vehicles & Gear

First Drive: Forget-Me-Not 2013 Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h

“Impossible to ignore, impossible to forget.” That is the marketing phrase Lexus is using to launch the next-generation ES premium midsize sedan. The 2013 model ES will arrive as the sixth generation of the popular model line. Once a sales leader in the segment, Lexus is pinning its hopes of returning to the top with the new ES that includes – for the first time – a hybrid variant. Lexus anticipates the luxury market to grow this year, especially the entry luxury segment where the ES resides. Currently it has a 17 percent market share between its CT 200h, IS…

Vehicles & Gear

First Drive: 2013 Nissan Altima

Quick, name the No. 2 best-selling car in America last year. Difficult, isn’t it? I, for one, did not realize the Nissan Altima was the second-best selling car in the U.S. in 2011, nor have I really given it much thought (or digital ink) save for the coupe we took to New Orleans a couple of years ago. Altima has been on sale here in the states for two decades now and for 2013 Nissan has decided to lean a little heavier towards revolutionary (as opposed to evolutionary) for what will be the fifth-generation of the car. Granted, they have…

Vehicles & Gear

2012 BMW X3 ‘Simply The Best’

I know what you’re thinking, “Oh, here we go, another fanboy litero-gasmic rambling extolling BMW as the king of the blah, blah, blah…” Yep. Only I am not your typical “drank-the-Bimmer-koolaid” automotive journalist, in fact, it took me a long time to even recognize some of BMW’s prowess in the driving arena, and I still believe there are many other vehicles out there in their respective categories that outshine these Bavarian crèmes. Not so in the case of compact crossovers. After a week with the new BMW X3 I believe this is the best little CUV on the market today….

News, Vehicles & Gear

Ford Opens Silicon Valley Lab, Enshrines SYNC in Computer History Museum

There has been quite a bit of technology news coming from Ford over the past week including its announcement of the new Silicon Valley Lab opening and its SYNC system being enshrined in the computer museum. Founder namesake and Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford was on hand in California to participate in both events saying, “We have been innovating for more than a century at Ford, but we acknowledge we don’t have a monopoly on creativity. Our new office will complement our existing research efforts by allowing us to tap into the region that has been driving consumer technology forward…

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