BMW and Polyphony Digital, Inc. will make their rare BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car into a playable reality in the Gran Turismo 6 game on PlayStation 3, which is at a newly reduced price for the holidays. This free content will appear in an update later this month. The actual car was produced by BMW of North America.
I hadn’t driven the Lexus CT 200h hybrid Cross Tourer since its launch four years ago, despite my efforts to the contrary. I enjoyed testing the new hybrid-only wagon-like vehicle from Toyota’s luxury division and looked forward to spending a full week behind the wheel, but it did not come to fruition until only recently. And I still liked it.
Dodge, the performance brand at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. As part of the festivities they threw themselves (and 2,000 of their closest friends and fans) a little party in Dallas that featured a huge Dodge and Mopar car show, Viper drifting, Challenger drag racing and a concert by a little band called Mötley Crüe.
Last week I spend a day with Chevy at their Milford Proving Grounds. I saw first-hand demonstrations of Chevy’s latest vehicle safety features, and I left feeling like it might be time to finally upgrade my GM vehicle to the latest version: GM’s newest technology may not be completely automated, but the technology removes a lot of guesswork and anxiety.
When I reviewed the Mazda CX-5 crossover utility vehicle two years ago I gave it high praises for replacing two outgoing CUVs in the Mazda lineup while giving consumers what I felt was one of the best new cute utes on the market. I had one wish for the model, feeling it a bit underpowered. Ask and ye shall receive.
Some vehicle models just seem to come around often here in the GearDiary test driveway, and the Nissan Titan pickup seems to be one of them. I drove it when it first launched more than a decade ago, punished it on a wet off-road track in North Texas and most recently saw my third Titan in the past five years.
What do you get when you cross a Lexus GS, IS and IS convertible? The all-new 2015 Lexus RC 350. Toss in a generous helping of IS F and you get the RC F performance coupe from the luxury division of Toyota. Lexus launches its RC line this fall, its first new coupe model in 15 years…and it’s a winner.
Some vehicles go for more than a decade without changing much (Nissan Titan, I am looking at you) but others seem to get makeovers as often as the seasons change. The Honda Fit falls into this latter category as although it was introduced to the U.S. in 2006 as a 2007 model, MY2015 is the third-generation of the tiny Honda.
Disney has released an amazing preview for their upcoming mystery adventure film Tomorrowland starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy and Hugh Laurie with Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) directing, co-producing, and co-writing. Tomorrowland will release on May 22, and it offers a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
The Volkswagen Beetle has seen great success and is one of the true automotive icons around the globe. Now in only its third generation since debuting in 1938, Beetle has seen the engine move from the rear to the front, but aside from that – and a few modern technologies – the model is as easily recognizable today as when first introduced.
How does an automaker improve a vehicle that’s seen sales success for nearly 38 years running? Aluminum. Yes, Ford has wiped the slate clean on the best-selling vehicle in North America and rebuilt the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup from the ground up, giving it aluminum skin, a new frame, new engines, and a lot more technology.
The HD Black Box Car DVR is a nifty little dashcam that’s a great budget pick for those looking for good quality video recording at a budget-friendly price. It comes with a suction cup mount and cigarette lighter adapter for easy installation. You can order your 1080P HD Black Box Car DVR today for around $79.95.
It is hard to believe the Hyundai Sonata has entered its seventh-generation. Seems like just yesterday we were all struggling to figure out how to pronounce the brand’s name; here it is 2014, and the Korean automaker is launching an all-new version of its now very popular midsize sedan that is larger, quieter, smoother and more advanced than ever.
Did you know that when you drive an electric vehicle, random people will wave at you, like you’re a member of some special club? It’s true. I leaned that the other day while driving the 2015 Kia Soul EV. I also figured out that while electric vehicles are getting much more attainable, they still aren’t a realistic choice for me. I haven’t had a lot of experience with electric cars. I live in West Texas after all, and our infrastructure is simply not yet ready for vehicles which — with the exception of the $71,000 Tesla — typically only get 100 miles or less per charge. The other reason I haven’t seriously considered Electric…
I’ve never seen myself as a minivan type of person, but I have always considered myself practical. What will allow me to haul my family from Point A to Point B safely, comfortably, stylishly, and perhaps most importantly — without feeling like I’m driving a land barge? The 2015 Kia Sedona is a multi-purpose vehicle that easily accomplishes that goal. I recently spent an afternoon driving a loaded Kia Sedona SXL through some of the twisty Southern California hills near Dana Point. While I may not be the typical Minivan customer, I left thinking that driving a Kia Sedona was a much more attractive option than…
Following the makeover of its light duty pickup models, Chevrolet has given its Heavy Duty lineup of trucks a thorough overhaul as well. Featuring all-new exterior styling and all-new cabs and interiors, the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD get the latest technology and powertrains offered by the automaker including a bi-fuel option burning gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG).
This is a first for me; we’ve covered plenty of external battery packs on Gear Diary, but never one that was able to serve as both “an emergency vehicle jump-starter and portable power bank”, which is exactly what the Viatek’s new Pocket Jump does. You can back on Kickstarter for as low as $40 or get two for $70.
Two years ago I drove the then all-new, fifth-generation Nissan Altima and despite only spending an afternoon in the vehicle I knew it was a hit for the automaker. Fast-forward a couple of summers, and after spending an entire week behind the wheel of a 2014 Nissan Altima SL I am further convinced this may be one of Nissan’s best.
So you’re driving down the road when suddenly your check engine light comes on. Not too long ago this meant heading back to the dealership or your local garage for them to roll out their expensive code-reading machine and in turn hand you a hefty bill. An alternative to this is using the Lemur Monitors BlueDriver OBD2 Bluetooth Scan Tool.
Lincoln Motor Company is in the midst of a product revival, a task not helped by rumors of its demise not too long ago. In fact, new product has been rolling off the assembly lines of Ford’s luxury division over the past couple of years in the form of the MKZ/MKZ Hybrid and MKC models, and amidst this they have given the flagship of the fleet – Navigator – a decent makeover for 2015.
A Facebook post by Judie last night sparked renewed interest in the cars we pre-ordered from Elio Motors last January. Our upcoming vehicles get an amazing 84 MPG, top speeds of 100 MPH, and cost just $6800. In fact, since Judie and I each went all-in and put down a non-refundable $1000 deposit, our Elios will be just $5300!