Automobile News & Reviews
Al Capones Armored 1928 Cadillac is for Sale at the Low Price of Just $1 Million
What youre looking at here isnt only allegedly Al Capones very own Cadillac, but it may also be one of the worlds very first armored cars. While theres no for-sure way to know if Al Capone really owned this baby, a Milwaikee Sentinel story from 1921 did trace the cars license plates to Mae Capone, Als wife. History of the car is known from 1933 onward, however, so theres nearly a century worth of known history to go with it... [read more]
Kia Gets Deep and Serious with its Super Bowl LIV Campaign
Kia is always an active participant during the Super Bowl, and this year is no different. The Korean...
Rolls Royce Ghost
The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost is the second-generation model of the company's full-size four-door sedan. An upcoming vehicle that's still in the testing phase, the 2022 Ghost will replace a first-generation model that's 11 years old as of 2020. Just like its predecessor, the 2022 Ghost will slot under the Phantom sedan and above the Wraith grand tourer. The second-generation Ghost will be heavily based on the current Phantom, which was introduced in 2017 with extensive updates. The sedan will retain... [read more]
The DeLorean DMC-12 is Finally Making a Comeback With More Power, Better Tech
The whole new DeLorean Motor Company situation has been happening for a while. Production of New DMC-12s was supposed to start way back in 2017 but due to a delay in the Low Volume Manufacturers Act an act that allows companies to build up to 325 examples of cars at least 25 years old all of that has had to go on hold. Now, the act has finally be pushed through and the new DeLorean DMC-12 can finally go into... [read more]
How Well Will The Ford Ranger FX4 Fare Against a F-250 Super Duty Tremor In A Drag Race?
Drag racing trucks is the thing these days. We have seen trucks of all sizes go up against their similarly-sized competitors. But, how would a drag race between two trucks that are at the opposite end of the spectrum fare? The folks at TFL decided to check it out by bringing in two vastly different pickup trucks from the same stable. One is the Ford Ranger with the turbocharged EcoBoost engine, and the other one is the huge F-250 Tremor... [read more]
Subaru Legacy - Driven
One automaker after another is facing a new reality: Most people prefer SUVs to cars. Thats nothing new to Subaru, whose cars have played second fiddle to its crossovers ever since it turned the midsize Legacy station wagon into the Outback in 1995. A crossover before the term crossover existed before even car-based SUVs had really emerged on the scene the Outback was a Legacy with some butcher detailing and, soon after its launch, a higher ground clearance. Since then... [read more]
The Best Affordable Track-Friendly Cars You Can Buy In 2020
Want a car you can schlep to work during the week and take to an autocross course or a racetrack on the weekends? They exist, trust usyou don't need to purchase two separate cars to fill those seemingly disparate needs. You don't even need to spend all that much money to buy one car that can handle commutes as well as tracks. Carsat the lower end of the price spectrum these days are better than ever at most things, and... [read more]
1953 Porsche 356 America Roadster vs. 2019 Porsche Speedster: Old Meets New, Old Beats New
A funny thing happened on the way to drive the Porsche Speedster. That thing is a 1953 Porsche 356 America Roadster, the 17th of 17 ever built, a distant predecessor of the 2019 Speedster. Well get to the Lilliputian Porker in a moment, but first I should put my cards on the table regarding the newest chopped-windshield speed machine from the folks at Zuffenhausen by way of Weissach. Whats the best car on sale today? If you ask me, its... [read more]
Tuner Gintani Motor Works has Created the First Twin-Turbo Porsche 911 GT3 RS and It Sounds Amazing
We dont have a lot to tell you or show you yet, but Gintani Motor Works has created one hell of a beast out of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The company does offer an ECU tuning kit GT3 and GT3 RS, but its limited to a 25-horsepower and 15 pound-feet increase in power output, but this is an entirely different animal. The tuning company has managed to do what nobody thought would ever be done its created the worlds... [read more]
Six Snapshots from GNRS
Six years ago, I submitted a story about the Grand National Roadster Show for my weekly Jalopy Journal entry. In retrospect, it was particularly inspired, with characters, setting,... continue reading
The C8 Corvette Z06 Is Taking Aim at the Porsche 911 GT2 RS on the Track!
If youre about tired of hearing news about the 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette, well, this is only the beginning. We still have, at the very least, the C8 Corvette ZR1 and the C8 Corvette Z06, the latter of which is set to make its debut next and was just spotted sitting next to a 991-gen Porsche 911 GT2 RS the proverbial best of the best on the track. What does this mean for the Corvette Z06?
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Is Back for 2020
The Rubicon Recon is back. The new trim level is now available on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler , donning red and black accents and serious off-road capability. Jeep offered the Rubicon Recon on the previous JK Wrangler , but this is the first time it has appeared on the new-generation JL model. The trim gets standard LED headlights and taillights, and a Recon badge on the fender. Several parts of the exterior receive black accents, from the grille to the... [read more]
2021 Genesis GV80 First Drive: Seat Time in Korea's New Flagship SUV
Its rare to see a new vehicle unveiled in the morning and then drive it later that same day. But such was the case with the new 2021 Genesis GV80 , the first SUV fromthe Hyundai Motor Group's luxury brand. MotorTrend was among a handful of foreign journalists invited to Seoul for the global debut of the car that went on sale immediately in South Korea; it will arrive in the United States and Canada later this year, likely in... [read more]
Man Runs From Cops, Jumps His Mercedes 400 Feet Across River, Dies
Let's be clear: Running from the police is never a good idea, and this example from ABC 30 Action News in Fresno proves it. The driver of what appears to be a silver 20032005 Mercedes-Benz E-class eluded police in Fresno, California, after refusing to pull over. The car was swerving, which caught officers' attention. After calling off the chase for safety reasons, the police watched incredulouslynarrating all the while on their radiosas the sedan raced to over 100 mph and... [read more]
The Range-Topping Cadillac CT5-V Will Have a V-8, But Not the One You Want
Theres been a lot of talk regarding what the top-dog Cadillac CT5-V will hide under the hood, with the likely candidate being Caddys new Blackwing 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine. A recent report, however, suggests that the CT5-V range-topper will indeed get a V-8 engine, but it wont be Blackwing-badged. Its safe to say we didnt expect that, but for now, were also taking this with a pinch of salt until official word comes from Cadillac to confirm or deny the... [read more]
Watch an Old Hyundai's Disgusting Interior Undergo a Miraculous Cleaning
If you think your cars interior is dirty, then have a look at the insides of this old Hyundai Elantra . The cabin of this compact sedan is so disgusting, in fact, that YouTube user Stauffer Garage describes it as the nastiest car ever. While were sure there are nastier cars out there, we wont deny that this little Hyundai s cabin has seen better days. Much better days. But theres no challenge too difficult for Stauffer Garage, and the... [read more]
2020 C8 Corvette Wheels Stolen, Car Left on Blocks! But No Parking Ticket, At Least
No car, no matter how beloved to the auto workers in the city of Detroit, is safe from having its wheels stolen. At least, it sure seems that way, given the state of this 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 , which was photographed today on a street in Detroit's West Village. Its wheels are missing, only the middle of the carits bare rocker panels, no lessis supported by blocks, while the mid-engine Vette's tail sits on the ground without so much... [read more]
2020 C8 Corvette Wheels Jacked, Car Left on Blocks
No car, no matter how beloved to the auto workers in the city of Detroit, is safe from having its wheels stolen. At least, it sure seems that way, given the state of this 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 , which was photographed today on a street in Detroit's West Village. Its wheels are missing, only the middle of the carits bare rocker panels, no lessis supported by blocks, while the mid-engine Vette's tail sits on the ground without so much... [read more]
A BMW Rival For the Porsche 911 "Would Be a Nice Idea"
Do you know how fashion is a cyclic affair? What was trendy some decades ago comes back to the highest peaks of popularity? Well, in the car industry, this sort of thing sometimes happens for old reports. Take the one claiming that BMW is looking to build a rival for the Porsche 911. It was floated on the Internet back in 2016, together with the info that the 6 Series will be phased out to make room for the new... [read more]
Not Vaporware: Rivian Preparing to Build EVs for Ford, Amazon, and Itself
Tesla and Rivian are both modern automakers dedicated to producing only electric vehicles. Both bought mothballed conventional assembly plants to build their new vehicles. Both have reconfigured those facilities as they grapple with how to disrupt manufacturing as their vehicles have aimed to disrupt the auto industry. One difference: While Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent nights in a sleeping bag at the end of the assembly line at the plant in Fremont, California, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has the good... [read more]
1995 BMW M3 Lightweight from Paul Walker's Collection Brings Insane Auction Result
Just a week after the famed 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback featured in the Steve McQueen flick Bullitt sold for a hefty $3.7 million, Fast & Furious star Paul Walkers 1995 BMW M3 Lightweight set a new world-record sales price at auction for the model, at a massive $385,000. The car sold as part of a 19-vehicle collection from the late actors estate that was auctioned at the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction . The entire cadre of vehiclesbrought in $2,279,750... [read more]
1968-76 Chevy Corvette Wiring Update Kit
Upgrading the wiring harness in your 68-76 Chevrolet Corvette just got a lot easier thanks to the fine folks at American Autowire. Their new wiring update kit is a modernized, vehicle-specific wiring system for a 1968-76 Chevy Corvette. This kit includes modern style fuse panel, extra circuits for additional power accessories, ability to connect to stock or aftermarket components, vehicle-correct light sockets and switches, and full color instructions and schematics. For more information on this and the many great wiring... [read more]
High Performance Motor Oil for Classic Cars
Finding good synthetic oil that has the zinc protection classic car owners demand can be challenging. The crew at Driven Racing Oil has answered the call with their GP-1 line of Synthetic Blend High Performance Motor Oils they are uniquely formulated from Pennsylvania Grade Petroleum, compounded with a high zinc additive package to deliver maximum engine protection. GP-1 is designed for competition, classic cars and imports. Available in 20W-50, 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-20, 70 Grd, Conv Break-In 30. For more information... [read more]
Chevy Wagon Nomad Spare Tire Well Delete Panel
Not all 50s GM wagon enthusiasts want to take up valuable space in the back of their ride with a big and unattractive spare tire, and with cell phones in everyone pocket theres less reason to. Removing that big tire well left behind is a different story. The guys at Real Deal Steel have just what you need to get your rear floor usable. Their 8-Gauge steel replacement Panel, includes 7 stamped ribs to add strength and simulate the Nomad... [read more]
Reports Indicate That a 600+ Horsepower Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA is in the Works, Rumors Quickly Denied
A new rumor has surfaced that Alfa Romeo is looking to celebrate its 110th anniversary by introducing a new, limited trim level of the Giulia namely the Giulia GTA. Reports hint that it will be a track-inspired, road-going beast with as much as 620 horsepower and a considerable increase in torque output compared to the 443 pound-feet delivered by the standard, Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter V-6 in the Giulia Guadrifoglio. It was even said that this model would debut in June of... [read more]
Thinking of Tuning Your Lexus LC500? Hows This For Inspiration?
These days, tuners will slap a wide body kit on pretty much everything that has four wheels, and while some cars are suited for such a treatment, other are not. The Lexus LC500 falls in the first category, but fitting it with wider wheel arches and beefier bumpers might not be for everyone. I mean, should you ask for our two cents, wed tell you that the LC500 is design perfection in stock guise. However, we're glad that there are... [read more]
Ram 2500 HD - Driven
Although Ram has been around the block for almost four decades, it was not until recently that the brand became a household name and a serious contender to the undisputed king of the industry, the Ford F-Series. Ram is essentially a by-product of Dodge and is a fully-owned subsidiary of the FCA since 2014. The name might be new, but the company has been building trucks since the 1970s under the name 'Fargo Trucks' which was sold outside the United... [read more]
A Year of Trials and Tribulations in Our 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE
If there was a way to measure a vehicles overall utility, our long-term 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE would score very highly. Whether it be a weekend camping trip with friends, moving day to a new apartment, or hauling around a load of videographers and their many cases of equipment, the Atlas was the go-to vehicle to borrow from the MotorTrend fleet. I now know what its like to be that friend with a truck! In previous updates, Ive talked at... [read more]
What Is the Difference Between the Ford EcoSport and Escape?
The Escape has been a staple of Ford s lineup since the turn of the millennium, offering buyers a smaller alternative to the Edge and Explorer. Just a few years ago, Ford expanded its lineup with another small SUV, the EcoSport . Having been sold for a long time in other markets, the EcoSport made its way to the U.S. for the first time in 2018, joining a competitive space as a latecomer. Whats the difference between the Ford EcoSport... [read more]
The 2020 Polaris Slingshot Can Be Had With An Auto Gearbox Sort Of
The Polaris Slingshot has always looked like a mechanized Zerg ready to devour mile after mile of asphalt. For the 2020 model, looks remain pretty much the same, albeit with a slight touch of extra cohesion overall. Its the internals, however, that bring the revolution. Perhaps the biggest change for the Polaris Slingshot is the introduction, for the first time ever, of an automatic gearbox. Its not an automatic per se, but a hydraulically actuated five-speed manual that will broaden... [read more]
Kustomland: Out of Print!
Car books are a tricky business. Some really great ones come along in a small run, getting snatched up quickly, and for some reason they never get a... continue reading
We Could Soon Live in a World Where Bugatti Sells a Daily Driver
Fresh off the news about Bugatti planning more Chiron-based cars and only weeks after Bugatti teased a new supercar, were now learning that Bugatti could actually be focusing on a daily driver as a second model in its lineup. So far, theres no word as to what shape this second model might take as Bugatti continues to insist that no decision has been made. There is, however, a toss up between whether this second model will be an all-electric sedan... [read more]
Volvos Already Getting in on The SuperBowl Fever with The Contest of a Lifetime
Super Bowl LIV is less than two weeks away and while the world turns its focus on the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, the car-loving population is just as interested in finding out what our favorite automakers have planned for the big day. Swedish automaker Volvo has already thrown the first salvo, not with a commercial for the game there will be no Volvo commercial in the game, actually but with a contest that could end with... [read more]
The Laffite G-Tec X-Road is The World's First All Terrain Supercar
Launching the worlds first all-terrain supercar, the Laffite G-Tec X-Road is not an SUV. Compact with a singular passenger seat, the G-Tec eliminates the stereotypical all-wheel-drive layout, massive touchscreen infotainment systems and a bevy of cup holders. The Laffite G-Tec X-Road is The World's First All Terrain Supercar Weighing an estimated 2,866 pounds, this miniature two-seat, rear-wheel-drive supercar's chromium-molybdenum steel chassis is power packed with a GM LT3 V8 engine, amassing a horsepower which ranges from 420 to 720 under... [read more]
That Third Genesis Luxury SUV That's Coming? It's Fully Electric
Genesis , the fledgling luxury brand of the Hyundai Motor Group that launched in 2015, will have a lineup of vehicles closer to what is trending in the automotive world, with plans to add three crossovers in the next two yearsone of them a pure electric vehicle. That's good news, because Genesis's portfolio so far consists only of sedans: the G70 which was the 2019 MotorTrend Car of the Year , the G80, and the recently updated G90 . A... [read more]
When Was The Last Time You Had A Car Accident
Listen to the interview with iCar at the end of the podcast for great info on what to do to ease the pain of a car accident. Press "Play" below to listen to this episode
GMs Latest: Trailers That Brake as Well as Trucks
We take it for granted that our braking distances extend when towing a trailerespecially a heavy one. But does this have to be the case? General Motors aims to challenge that paradigm by making the eBoost electronic braking module that handles the brake-by-wire programming for its current crop of larger trucks available to trailer manufacturers and encouraging them to up their game on trailer brakes and tires. The theory is this: If a heavy trailer has brakes and tires that... [read more]
First Ride Review: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Earlier this month near Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz offered us an early hands-on opportunity to get to know the 2021 E-Class before it hits showrooms later this year. Head of E-Class development Michael Kelz took us on a ride through Red Rock Canyon in a couple different 2021 E-Class prototypesan E 450 and a plug-in E 350e hybridand told us whats up. The current fifth-generation W213 E-Class debuted as a 2017 model, and the revisions for 2021 amount to a midcycle... [read more]
Turns Out the Toyota Supras BMW DNA Stares Its Drivers in the Face
When Design Works was acquired by BMW in 1995, it became a full member of the BMW family and was disallowed from working on projects for other automakers. Outside of BMW, the design firm handles non-automotive projects, from personal computers to John Deere tractors. (In fact, John Deere is the outfits second biggest client next to BMW itself.) And yet, BMW Design Works is behind the 2020 Supras gauge clusteras in, the Toyota Supra s instruments. You could say an... [read more]
Car For Sale: 2005 Ferrari 575 GTC Evoluzione
The Ferrari 575 GTC Evoluzione is a gorgeous, loud, and fast beast. It also heralded the end of an era for Ferrari as the last race car to come out of Maranello powered by a V-12 engine. What is more, Ferrari never built another GT1 car nor has there been a front-engined Ferrari on the race tracks of the world since the 575 and its sibling, the 550 Maranello, retired from top-level competition at the tail end of the noughties... [read more]
New Jeep 4xe Plug-In Hybrids Are Getting First EditionsYay?
Jeep is preparing to offer an electrified version of every one of its vehicles by 2022, and were just starting to see the fruits of that labor. Today, Jeep dropped more details on its Compass and Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrids that arrive this summer in Europe. Customers in certain European countries can now put a deposit down on First Edition models. These produce 240 hp from their plug-in hybrid powertrains, Jeep confirms. A 1.3-liter turbo engine, paired to an automatic... [read more]
Want This 1967 BMW-Glas 3000 V8 Fastback Coupe? You Can Have It
German manufacturer Glas rode into the sunset a long time ago, but a beautiful piece of its history, this 1967 BMW -Glas 3000 V8 fastback coupe, is alive and well. The gorgeous one-off prototype was created by Italian designer Pietro Frua, and is so rare we feel its only helpful to fill you in on its history before you soon will have a shot at owning it. Provided, of course, you can make it to next months Bonhams auction at... [read more]
Gas vs. Electric: Which Is the Better Hyundai Kona?
To the average American, electric cars arent an option. They dont work as the main household transportation, and too many folks cant plug in at home. Forget about long trips; the charging network sucks, and it takes forever to recharge. And arent they prohibitively expensive for a car that has so many limitations? Those arguments, however, are falling apart fast. Even ignoring Tesla s (expensive) cars and (expansive) Supercharger network , EVs increasingly offer longer ranges and fast charger compatibility... [read more]
The First 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Sells for Millions
The first 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 just pulled in $3 million at this years Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sale, purchased by Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR. This trumps the sale price of the final C7-generation Corvette , a 2019 Z06, by $300,000, and sets the record for the highest price paid for a charity car at a Barrett-Jackson auction. The Corvette that crossed the block is a pre-production vehicle, and its specification differs slightly... [read more]
BMW Could Build the 3.0 CSL Hommage R - For the Right Buyer, That Is
Remember the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept from 2015? Silly us, of course you do. But we bet you didnt think thered be the slightest possibility of seeing it in road-legal guise, as it is, right? Well, Supercar Blondie got to drive, rev, and explore the concept in and out right inside BMWs home, but she also had a chat with the carmakers Head of Design Domagoj Dukec, who let it slip that for the right kind of customer... [read more]
Faster with Finnegan, Episode 2: 1986 Ford Thunderbird with Stock Windsor V8 vs. 1974 Jaguar XJ12 Draguar on the Dragstrip
Want to go fast? Want to do it cheap? On Faster with Finnegan, Mike Finnegan and his friends will show you the secrets behind making Roadkill-esque heaps into truly raceable junkepisode 2 is now streaming! Sign up to the MotorTrend App while the deal of the year is still going on ! What have the boys gotten themselves into this time? In episode 2 of Faster with Finnegan from the world of Roadkill and now streaming on the MotorTrend Appthe... [read more]
Decade-Old Hyperion Finally Has a Hydrogen-Powered Prototype Ready to Debut
Do you happen to remember the energy company Hyperion? Its not surprising if you dont the company was founded back in 2011 and mysteriously showed up on our radar back in 2015 when it released a darkened teaser for a very odd-looking car. Since then, the company has been largely silent since this time last year when more images started popping up on social media, just for the account to go silent once again (you can see all the images... [read more]