Matthew Keegan 
Chevrolet’s designers were inspired by motorcycles when they developed the Sonic. One evidence of that is the car’s instrument cluster; another is its round headlamps and tail lamps. Don’t even mention the word “Aveo” around Chevrolet’s brand managers. That word is anathema, representing a car that never lived up to … Read more
Hot Holden model dons a Chevrolet dress. At first glance, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV looks a lot like the Impala, particularly from the rear. When dressed in its unadorned detective version, the Caprice resembles the Pontiac G8, itself an American cousin to the Australian built Holden Commodore. On the Market … Read more
Former GM vice-chairman offers an insider’s look at a once proud industry. Bob Lutz is one of the most colorful, if not controversial figures in the automotive industry today. Although he officially retired from General Motors in 2010, ending a 47-year automotive career that also began with GM and included … Read more
Mercedes is about to pull the veil off of an important subcompact car, its A-Class concept, which will be unveiled at a pair of auto shows in Shanghai and New York this month. As has been the trend in recent months, Daimler AG has posted sketch work of this proposed … Read more
Before 2010, the Hyundai Sonata was a “ho-hum” if not downright unappealing midsize sedan. In its earlier years, that didn’t matter as much because the competition offered much of the same. However, if Hyundai was to differentiate itself from the pack, then offering a vehicle that was stunningly different would … Read more
Sibling to the Jeep Liberty, the Dodge Nitro was introduced for the model year 2007, a five-passenger unibody sport utility vehicle designed for on- and off-road use. Like the Liberty, the Nitro goes places most modern SUVs cannot go; unlike the Liberty, this Nitro has an edgy, retro look representing … Read more
Today is the first of two media days for the 2011 Chicago Auto Show with Friday the official start of the public segment. From February 11-20, 2011, Chicagoland residents will be able to take in what organizers say is the largest and longest-running auto show in the nation. Earlier today, we … Read more
Truck tires are broken down into a broad range of categories. To decide what kind of tires to install on your truck you really need to consider a few things before jumping into a decision, perhaps regretting your purchase if you act in haste. First, ask yourself a few questions. … Read more
A working pair of car wiper blades are a must for any vehicle. When blades are worn, they’ll streak, smear and skip, and won’t adequately clear your windshield. You need to have maximum visibility when driving – worn blades should be replaced immediately. Winter can present challenges to your wiper … Read more
Chevrolet’s Corvette has been around since 1953, one of the most enduring model names of all time. Only in 1983 did the world miss out on a brand new Corvette, as General Motors worked through quality problems and production delays to bring out its fourth generation model in 1984. Six … Read more
Younger readers probably won’t remember Steve McQueen, the Hollywood actor who died in 1980 from mesothelioma. Avid car enthusiasts know who McQueen is, at least they recognize him as the Lt. Frank Bullitt in the 1968 classic car chase movie, Bullitt. That movie featured what is perhaps the best car chase … Read more
I am not nor have I ever been interested in designing cars myself. But, that does not mean I am not interested in what a car looks like, especially its exterior visage. Just one glance is all it takes when I survey a car – it may possess a stunning … Read more
Automotive design has had its shining moments, something we still see today in select Italian sports cars, German luxury sedans and, if I daresay, in America’s current drove of pony cars. There was a season from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, when most cars were predictable and uninspiring, … Read more
Do you have a need for speed? We hear you! There is nothing that compares to getting behind the wheel of your favorite ride and zipping down the highway. No, wait – let’s amend that statement! There is nothing that compares to getting behind the wheel of a race car … Read more
Who is going to argue with PPG? The former Pittsburgh Paint and Glass company is the world’s leading supplier of paint finishes to the auto industry and has been tracking color trends since 1990. Paint Trends The silver family — consisting of silver, grey and charcoal — has always been … Read more
I am not the biggest fan of books comprised merely of compilations of short stories written by different authors. Most of these books seem to offer a mishmash of writing styles and story ideas, taking the reader all over the place. But, that is precisely the charm found in “Life … Read more
This handheld cleaner gets the job done. I was given the chance to review a new handheld vacuum cleaner this month, jumping on the opportunity when I learned that the product was cordless and made by Dyson. Dyson is a manufacturer of household vacuum products, known for their chic design, suction … Read more
Built Ford Tough The most storied name in the world of pickup trucks is the Ford F-Series, a broad line of full-sized trucks introduced by the Ford Motor Company for the 1948 model year. More than six decades later the Ford F-150 and related trucks are the best-selling trucks in … Read more
We automotive writers will sometimes use language most everyday folks don’t understand. That’s a problem, because when you’re attempting to explain something in simple language, automotive jargon can creep in and leave the reader wondering what you are talking about. Big Six Auto Trends Magazine attempts to keep the language … Read more
Behind the Wheel With the Great Automobile Aficionados Automotive aficionados have helped shape the car industry we see today, men and women who possess a passion for speed, styling, engineering and technology. Without their exuberance and particularly their “need for speed,” today’s cars wouldn’t be much faster than a horse-drawn … Read more
Hyundai continues to challenge the market. The medium size sedan market, or D-segment, is a crowded field. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the two biggest sellers, but both Ford and Chevrolet have enjoyed success in recent years with their Fusion and Malibu models respectively. Every automaker fields at … Read more
Electric cars, are they really better? Vehicle electrification is in the news thanks to recent announcements of the planned launch of several electric-powered vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf, Fisker Karma and the Ford Transit Connect EV. Electric vehicles offer distinct advantages over their gas-powered counterparts although their price premium can offset some of those … Read more
Many of today’s automotive engines are complex, as they incorporate sophisticated technologies such as direct injection and turbochargers to squeeze more power and deliver better fuel efficiency from a smaller engine. Your engine may “prefer” premium fuel in order to run efficiently, but in some cases, premium fuel may be … Read more
Ford’s EcoBoost engine technology, which was introduced last summer in the Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, and Lincoln MKT, will soon expand to other vehicle lines. That original 3.5-liter V6 engine represents the first of a family of direct injection, turbocharged engines, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine up next. The smaller … Read more
One of my chief complaints about GM’s restructuring is that the automaker got rid of Pontiac in favor of keeping GMC. Not that I have anything against GMC, but when Pontiac sells more cars than Buick and GMC, and the latter only offers rebadged Chevrolet Trucks at a higher trim level, then … Read more
Driving a car is a privilege, not a right, which means you must pass a state-mandated test in order to receive your driver’s license. Actually, two tests is more like it: a written or oral test demonstrating your understanding of various signs, laws, and procedures as well as a road … Read more
Your Porsche Cayenne is truly one hot SUV! But, have you outfitted your ride the way that you want it to be? Aftermarket accessories and supplies can personalize and protect your Cayenne so we’ve listed seven “must have” items for Porsche enthusiasts. Porsche faithful nearly died several years back when … Read more
I am not one for seeing the federal government create endless taxpayer assistance programs, believing that the consumer is the best party to determine what he or she should buy. However, I’ve resigned myself to seeing Congress and the Obama administration spend money like no administration before it, supposedly in … Read more
GM’s announcement last week that they would consider a full or partial sale of Hummer has already brought forward the news that two automakers, competing Indian brands, might be interested in buying Hummer. Internet blogs and news sources are suggesting that Tata Motors or Mahindra & Mahindra, might be interested … Read more
If you had choose one vehicle from Chrysler produced over the past twenty five years that best represents the automaker which one would you choose? Jeep Wrangler? Dodge Ram? Chrysler 300? Something else? Personally, I would choose the company’s fleet of minivans which have been sold under Chrysler, Dodge and … Read more