New Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

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

Australian Built Chevy Caprice Cop Car Rolls Out

Australian Chevy Caprice police car

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

Car Guys vs. Bean Counters (Book Review)

Car Guys vs Bean Counters book review

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

Out of This World Mercedes A-Class Concept

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

2011 Hyundai Sonata Specs & Overview

Hyundai Sonata

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

2011 Dodge Nitro Specs & Overview

Dodge Nitro

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

2011 Chicago Auto Show Highlights

2011 Chicago Auto Show

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

Not All Truck Tires Are Created Equal

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

How to Inspect Your Wiper Blades for Winter Wear

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

Legendary Corvettes (Book Review)

Legendary Corvettes book review

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

McQueen’s Machines (Book Review)

McQueens Machines book review

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

How to Design Cars Like a Pro (Book Review)

How to Design Cars Like a Pro book review

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

The Allure of the Automobile (Book Review)

Allure of the Automobile book review

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

7 USA Racing Schools

Chevrolet Corvette

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

PPG Says Silvercoat Finishes Stand Out

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

Life Is a Highway (Book Review)

Life is a Highway book review

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

Product Review: Dyson DC31

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

The Big Six Automakers Defined

car assembly line

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 (Book Review)

Behind the Wheel book review

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 Sonata Disturbs D-Segment

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

Are Electric Cars Really Better Than Gas Cars?

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

Turbocharged Engines and Premium Fuel

premium gas prices

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 Edge Will Get First I4 EcoBoost Engine

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

GMC Granite: Urban Utility Vehicle

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

What Does It Take To Get A Driver’s License?

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

7 “Must Have”Accessories For Every Porsche Cayenne Owner

2019 Porsche Cayenne

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

Cash For Clunkers Doesn’t Go Far Enough

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

Indian Automakers Eyeing Hummer?

2007 Hummer H3

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

Chrysler Marks Minivan 25th Anniversary

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