All about classic Volkswagens! How much do you know about Volkswagen? Perhaps a better question is this one: how much do you think you know about an automotive brand founded during Germany’s darkest years, specifically the 1930s? Volkswagen translates to “people’s car” from German, a vehicle authorized by Adolf Hitler … Read more
Flat-plane crank V8 engine and all that. When is a Ford Mustang not a Mustang? Answer: when it is a Shelby GT350 (or GT350R). Well, the Shelby is a Mustang, a special version bearing the name of the late Carroll Shelby, a racing driver and automotive designer of renown. Shelby’s … Read more
A 2017 WAPA Rally first look at Dodge’s hot SUV. High-end performance SUVs are nothing new. In the early 1990s, the GMC Typhoon lifted the fun quotient considerably by delivering a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 engine, Garrett intercooler, BorgWarner transfer case, and a self-leveling rear suspension. It rivaled the performance of … Read more
Fall is officially here and that means it’s time to grab your gear, jump in your four-wheel drive vehicle and hit the trails. Where the pavement ends, off-roading adventures begin. Fall provides the perfect weather and scenery to enjoy the trails. So, get out there before the snow flies. Wheelfire.com, … Read more
A Kent Island glimpse at a compact luxury PHEV sedan. The Mercedes-Benz brand has remained elusive among my press fleet vehicles, a situation I plan to amend by next year. You simply can’t properly evaluate the market without a steady dose of M-B models to compare with Audi, BMW, and … Read more
Many miles and smiles with Kia’s Optima Hybrid sedan. Hybrid sales peaked in 2013 and have fallen steadily since. Low fuel prices are a significant contributor, falling below $2 per gallon at times with those low prices covering large swathes of America. Another reason is the advent of modern electric … Read more
Drive time in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay for the WAPA Rally. Once each year, members of the Washington Automotive Press Association gather at a special location in the DC area to test drive new vehicles. The annual WAPA Rally is an important event, which also allows members to … Read more
Hyundai’s largest SUV in Ultimate form. Hyundai is just a few months away from welcoming a fourth SUV to its product line, the subcompact Kona. And it can’t come soon enough. Indeed, with sales of its compact Tucson up 26.8 percent year-to-date through September, strongly suggesting another small model would … Read more
Odometer fraud can cost you dearly. Consumers looking to buy a used car understand the importance of checking it thoroughly, including the finish for rust and the key components such as the engine and transmission for damage. Brakes, lights, seats, air conditioning, steering and electronics should also be inspected, but … Read more
On the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Think “winter driving school” and you might imagine yourself navigating switchbacks in the Rockies on studded tires or with all-season radials wrapped in chains. Indeed, how else might you learn whether a four-set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 tires will you … Read more
Hyundai’s Ioniq line of electrified vehicles is here. The Prius has long been synonymous with “hybrid” ever since Toyota launched this model two decades ago. Since then, various manufacturers have attempted to replicate Toyota’s success, but nearly every new model has failed to make a dent in Toyota’s dominance. But … Read more
Infiniti takes on the bottom end of the luxury market. America’s insatiable appetite for crossovers hasn’t been lost on manufacturers, including luxury brands such as Infiniti. The Infiniti QX30 is the latest model from Nissan’s luxury brand, a compact crossover with a strong hatchback vibe. Introduced in 2017, the QX30 … Read more
Quick action on your part may help you get your vehicle back. You step outside of your home and immediately notice that there is an empty spot where your car was last parked. You are the only one who holds the keys and you also know you did not lend … Read more