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Consumer ReportsTop Cars in Our Road Tests | Best & Worst Cars
Each vehicle is put through a battery of tests at our track to determine its performance and some models stand out while others do not. Our list highlights the overall top-scoring vehicles in our...
boldride.comListen to How Beautiful This Viper ACR Sounds With Straight Pipes
If you’re looking for one of the quickest ways to improve your lap times around a track, simply put—buy a Dodge Viper ACR. The legendary “American Club Racer” series has been renewed for 2016, following a six year absence, but the recipe surely hasn’t been lost during its time away. The new Dodge Viper ACR […]
boldride.com959-HP Ford Mustang ‘Espionage’ Makes Other Muscle Cars Look Tame
In movie history, the Ford Mustang fastback has traditionally been the hero’s car—think Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds (both of them), even Need for Speed. The rationale makes sense. It’s a gorgeous design, a potent performer, heck who wouldn’t want the Mustang to win? This Ford Mustang however treads a fine line between hero and […]
boldride.comHow Fast Is Fast? 214 MPH In A Ferrari LaFerrari
Very few people get to experience what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a supercar on an empty runway, and simply floor it. I can only assume it’s quite the sensation, especially in the $1.4 million dollar Ferrari LaFerrari. While the driver doesn’t reach the limit of 217 mph, (or the claimed 215 in […]
DAVID McHUGH and TOM KRISHERBad week for German automakers: Huge costs, new probe
WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) — It's been a bad week for German automakers.
boldride.com850HP Audi R8 V10 Plus Proves More is More
Right off the assembly line, the 2016 Audi R8 V10 Plus offers 610-horsepower, and 583 lb-ft of torque. Combine that power with the 3,364 lb curb weight and you get a car capable of 0-100 sprints of 6.1 seconds, or roughly about the same amount of time that it took you to read these first […]
Business InsiderBMW has a hot new car with 610 horsepower — And only 5 are coming to America
BMW unleashed a new lineup of high performance luxury limos this week to celebrate the company's...
Business InsiderThis is Fiat Chrysler's biggest problem
Outwardly, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles looks as if it's doing great. The carmaker, long the most...
Road & TrackBugatti's Million-Dollar Veyron Is Being Recalled Like It's a Regular Car
Apparently, even world-beating hypercars get recalls every now and then.
Digital TrendsBMW’s third-gen X5 could get axed after just four years on the market
The fourth-generation BMW X5 will arrive much sooner than expected, a new report finds. The X5 that’s currently sitting in showrooms (pictured) was introduced less than three years ago, so it’s not old by any means of measurement, but BMW is already preparing a replacement. The fourth-gen model will ride on the modular Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform that’s also found under the new 7 Series. Switching to the CLAR platform will make the next X5 lighter and more efficient than the current model, which shares many components with the second-generation X5 it replaced. The shift will also allow BMW to streamline its production process by trimming down the number of platforms it needs to build. Mechanically, the next X5 will carry on with six- and eight-cylinder engines, and BMW has previously made it clear that it remains committed to selling diesel-powered models in the United States in spite of the Dieselgate scandal. A plug-in hybrid capable of driving on electricity alone for short distances will be offered, and an M-tuned variant designed to hit the track will sit at the very top of the X5 hierarchy. All but the entry-level X5 will be offered with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. The next X5 will continue to offer an optional third-row seat, but buyers looking for a more spacious BMW SUV will need to patiently wait until the X7 makes its official debut. Also based on the CLAR platform, the X7 is a flagship model that’s being designed to take on the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Audi Q7, and the Volvo XC90. Related: BMW’s answer to the stylish Mercedes-Benz CLA could arrive in 2018 The X7 isn’t expected to begin rolling out of BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, factory until 2018. Marc Werner, BMW of Australia’s managing director, told website Motoring that the next X5 will arrive before the X7, which seems to indicate that it will go on sale next year. Also watch: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus First Drive Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Yoni Heisler, BGR NewsGM executive fires shots at Tesla’s Model 3
In the span of just one week, Tesla managed to secure more than 325,000 reservations for the recently unveiled Model 3, a spectacular tally which blew away expectations and even surprised Elon Musk . But the auto industry being what it is (read: hyper competitive), GM executive Dan Nicholson couldn't help but take a shot at Tesla's mass market EV during a recent speaking engagement. DON'T MISS: The MacBook Air might be dying, but that’s a good thing Notably, GM, via Chevrolet, has high hopes for a mass market EV of its own, the Chevy Bolt EV. Introduced earlier this year, the car is comparably priced to the Model 3 ($37,500 vs $35,000) and sports a range of 200 miles. Now the Bolt EV may not have some of the bells and whistles that will likely accompany the Model 3, but it will certainly hit the market a lot sooner, a point that Nicholson used to throw a quick jab Tesla's way. The Detroit Free Press reports : Dan Nicholson, GM's vice president of global propulsion systems, said the Chevrolet Bolt battery electric vehicle will go on sale long before Tesla's Model 3 — a car that has generated far more national buzz. "I am very proud of the Chevrolet Bolt that’s coming out, which will be the first to market as a long-range affordable battery electric vehicle," Nicholson said today at an engineering conference in Detroit. "It will have more than 200 miles of range and it will be in production by the end of 2016, so it’s not necessary to put down $1,000 and wait until 2018 or some time after that." On a practical level, it's a fair point. The Chevy Bolt delivers where it matters; it's affordable for mainstream buyers and has Tesla-level range. What's more, Nicholson's snide remark about the Model 3 not being available until 2018 isn't off the mark. From the Roadster and the Model S to the recently released Model X, every single Tesla vehicle ever released has launched later than Elon Musk initially promised. For what it's worth, Tesla claims to have learned from its past mistakes, though it remains to be seen if the company can actually meet its late 2017 launch date for the Model 3. The Chevy Bolt, in contrast, will be available much sooner as it will likely be available later this year. The big question, though, is if it even matters. There's so much hype and excitement surrounding the Model 3 it's hard to imagine any competing EV really putting a dent in Tesla's armor. One might even say that the only thing that can stop Tesla at this point is Tesla, which is to say that they better get a handle on production as to avoid any product delays. Lastly, it's worth noting that Tesla had nothing but kind words to say about the Chevy Bolt EV after its January 2016 unveiling. "Commitments from traditional car makers to build electric vehicles advance Tesla’s mission to accelerate the advent of sustainable transportation," Tesla said in a statement at the time. "We hope to see all those additional zero-emission vehicles on the road.” Of course, it's easy to welcome competition with open arms when you're at the top of the food chain.
Popular MechanicsThe Libyan Desert Is One Big World War II Museum
Grab your toolbox and meet us in the North African desert.
The DriveThis Batmobile Concept Makes the Batman v Superman Version Look Terrible
But let's not lie, Bat-fleck's Batmobile didn't need much help with that.
The DriveChevy Camaro SS Hits 171 MPH, Police Barely Catch Up
What did that Minnesotan Madman get? A “coupon.”
The DriveVolkswagen Pissed Off the Wrong Dealership
Steve Kalafer is the chairman of a Volkswagen franchised dealer. He's also an Oscar-nominated documentary producer. There's a storm coming.
Jackie WillisScott Eastwood Joins 'Fast and Furious' Franchise: 'Paul Walker Was Like an Older Brother to Me'
Clint Eastwood's son says he wants to make Paul proud.
Road & TrackNine Unreliable Classic Cars We Can't Help but Want
These cars are pretty much guaranteed to cost a fortune in repairs and maintenance, but we want them anyways.
Digital TrendsNew Ford police Interceptor Utility harder to spot than ever
Depending on your perspective, headliner lightbars on the 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility police SUVs could be a good thing or, on the other hand, a bit off-putting. You might as well start assuming any newer black-on-black Ford Explorer is an unmarked vehicle. When there are no department decals, big spotlights, extra antennae, or even traditional lightbars, it becomes even harder than ever to spot cop cars. Some prior model police SUVs and sedans use aftermarket interior lightbars that clip to the window visors but often restrict driver visibility and headroom. In the Wilmington, North Carolina area (where I happen to live), black and grey plain body Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, Suburbans, Expeditions, and Explorers with no exterior markings or lights are common sights on certain speed-sensitive roads. These vehicles can belong to the local police department, county sheriff’s office, or state police troop. The new Interceptor lights are built into the headliner right at the point where it meets the windshield so they are not as bulky as aftermarket add-ons. Related: Ford’s Chicago-built 2016 Interceptor Utility comes equipped for the pursuit Ford Interceptors have been a police department standard for decades, but the full-size, rear wheel drive Crown Victoria sedan is no longer in production. The last Crown Vic Interceptors, the version restricted for sale to law enforcement organizations, were built at the end of 2011 and sold as 2012 models. If you were driving in the U.S. between 1992 and 2012, it’s likely the distinctive shape of a Crown Vic was implanted in your subconscious. We remember stories about people buying Crown Victorias and lookalike Mercury Grand Marquis sedans not just because they wanted large vehicles, but also because they liked the way traffic seemed to magically open up for them when they were cruising down the highway. The police issue Interceptors back in the day were not the standard soft-riding Crown Vics. So too are the current rugged Interceptor Sedan (based on the Taurus) and Utility models, which have heavy duty suspensions, brakes, batteries, cooling systems, performance and durability features inside and out. Police can even order ballistic doors to go along with their new hidden lightbars. Also watch: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus First Drive Please enable Javascript to watch this video
boldride.comThis 700HP Jeep Wrangler Pickup is What Dreams are Made Of
For years, the Jeep faithful have begged the company to build a pickup truck variant of its perennial strong-seller, the Jeep Wrangler, and come 2018 it appears they’ll finally get one. We won’t string you along—this isn’t it, however some Jeepers will surely wish it was. It’s giant, it’s supercharged, and it was a star […]
Popular MechanicsThings are getting tougher for Harley-Davidson in the US
In the US motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson has long been the choice of bikers who want a big...
Digital TrendsCadillac’s world-challenger CT8 flagship sedan has been canceled
At this point, I should save this phrase in a word document so I can just copy/paste into every other article: Everyone wants a crossover right now and it’s changing the automotive marketplace. There, with that out of the way, let’s look at the implications of that reality in Cadillac’s world. It was clear that the XT5 model would be critically important for the luxury automaker, as would the other rumored crossovers to be added in the next few years. However, it wasn’t clear that Cadillac would rescind plans to introduce a BMW 7 Series/Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival to bring more utility vehicles into the lineup first. That news broke yesterday when Road & Track reported that the CT8 sedan had been canceled. The key word here is “cancelled,” not “delayed” or “postponed.” We’ve obviously seen similar behavior from other luxury marques in a mad dash to give the people what they want, but most still offer sedans alongside crossover options. Related: 2016 Cadillac CT6 First Drive Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen had previously stated that the CT8 would directly challenge the best luxury sedans on the market, and considering the S-Class and 7 Series are selling very well these days, it’s a bit of a surprise that Cadillac would cut the project altogether. Nothing has been made official, but it’s a fair bet that the CT8 resources have now been applied to a sub-XT5 crossover and perhaps even a BMW X7 competitor. Before the CT8 was yesterday’s news, it was expected to use an all-new V8 engine and ride on an extended form of the new Omega platform that underpins the CT6. If the news proves true, it’s even less likely that the rumors of a Cadillac-badged Rolls Royce rival due sometime next decade have any substance. Though the CT6 doesn’t directly challenge German automaker full-size models, it can still be optioned to a very luxurious spec, so Cadillac will likely continue to push the CT6 as a lighter, cheaper alternative to other brands. Also watch: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus First Drive Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Road & Track2017 Tesla Model 3: This Is It
Tesla's long-awaited $35,000 electric car makes its official debut.
Digital TrendsBentley Continental GT Speed gets more power, new Black Edition
With 12 cylinders and two turbochargers under its regal hood, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is already an impressive machine. But Bentley nonetheless decided to make a few changes, finding a bit more power and a pinch more … er, speed. Like before, the Speed boasts a performance-tuned version of Bentley’s 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In the updated model, the engine produces 633 horsepower and 619 pound-feet of torque, compared to 626 hp and 605 lb-ft before. That extra power doesn’t actually add up to much greater performance, not that the Speed needs help in that area. Top speed remain 206 mph, making the Speed the fastest production Bentley ever and something of a physics miracle considering its enormous weight. The 0-60 mph time drops slightly from 4.0 seconds to 3.9 seconds. Both figures likely apply to the coupe; the convertible is probably a bit slower. Related: 2016 Bentley Continental GT first drive Besides the upgraded engine, Bentley is also adding a new Black Edition model. Not to be confused with performance models from a certain German automaker, the Continental GT Speed Black Edition is essentially a trim package. Normally shiny exterior trim gets a gloss black finish, there are black 21-inch wheels, and the front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser are available in contrast colors. The interior gets carbon fiber trim on the dashboard fascia and center and overhead consoles. Black Edition models also feature sections of contrasting leather, matching the contrast pieces on the exterior, and there’s some contrast stitching as well. While existing tweaks help keep the current model fresh, an all-new Continental GT is expected some time in the near future. It will likely move to the same Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform that supports the Bentayga SUV, and get that model’s new W12 engine along with a smaller V8 option. The current Continental GT has had a good run; it’s basic design dates back to 2003, with major revisions in 2011.
Business InsiderThe Chevy Bolt has one gigantic advantage over the Tesla Model 3
Tesla unveiled its mass-market Model 3 vehicle in Los Angeles last week. It was an exceptional...
Digital TrendsJeremy Clarkson left bloodied and beaten after ‘dangerous’ car stunt
Promoting his upcoming Amazon Prime car show, Jeremy Clarkson posted a selfie showing a seriously beat up face on Saturday. No, his damaged mug was not, as far as we know, the result of an altercation with a member of the crew over a lack of hot food following a day-long shoot for the show, but instead the aftermath of what he described as “the most dangerous stunt” he’d ever attempted. Teasing fans, he declined to offer any details of his apparently daring escapade, though a blackened face and bloody nose suggested he may have crashed a supercar down a coal mine. Some of his Twitter followers speculated the sooty look was more the work of the make-up department than any outlandish antics, though to one doubter the presenter responded, “You’re going to feel silly when you see the show. It so isn’t make-up.” I survived the day. Just. pic.twitter.com/I9IB9OGwv1 — Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) April 1, 2016 The day before posting the picture, Clarkson tweeted, “Tomorrow morning, I’m doing the most dangerous stunt I’ve ever attempted. This may well be a goodbye.” The former Top Gear presenter has been getting into a few scrapes while filming for the new show, last month posting a photo of a mangled wreckage of a car after “a bit of an accident.” Clarkson, along with long-time presenter buddies Richard Hammond and James May, started filming their new show last October, though a release date hasn’t yet been announced. Related: A custom Porsche 993 Turbo goes up in flames at the New York Auto Show Amazon nabbed the trio after the BBC fired Clarkson from Top Gear last year following a bust-up with one of the show’s producers. CEO Jeff Bezos said the deal turned out to be “very, very, very expensive” for his company, with some reports putting it at $250 million for 36 episodes over three years. Top Gear, meanwhile, is gearing up for a relaunch with a bunch of new presenters and refreshed format. Fronted by British TV and radio personality Chris Evans alongside Matt LeBlanc and five others, the BBC show starts airing on May 8. Commentators are keen to see which wins out among the competing shows, though the likelihood is that gearheads will simply lap up both offerings.
