2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

The Volkswagen Golf was the original hot hatchback, but it's no longer a solo act as a class benchmark. Today's Mazda 3 and Ford Focus have nudged their way onto that particular stage, while Honda, Hyundai and Kia still take occasional swings at the Golf, albeit halfhearted ones.
While those other hatchbacks have gotten lighter and more lithe, the Golf has been putting on weight, going a little grey in recent years. That's stopped with the 2015 VW Golf--a two- or four-door hatchback that turns back the clock to its best days. It's lighter but larger, more powerful but more fuel-efficient, more spacious but more nimble, too.
If there's any compromise the Golf makes, it's in styling. The upright shape comes as little surprise, though the wheels have been pulled closer to the front, the pillars have been slimmed out, and the roofline's picked up a slight arch. There's a pronounced character line in the sheetmetal starting at the back of the front fender and running alongside the doors, but for the most part this is a design that favors curves and gentle sculpting over angles and sharp creases.
Inside, the dash is canted more toward the driver, with the whole instrument panel carrying more of a gently sculpted, flowing look as a whole and a cockpit look up close to the driver, a la Audi. A mix of light and dark materials as well as sparing bright accents looks like it will help lift VW further up from the drab, dark interior themes of previous Golfs.
VW's ancient in-line five finally is history: the Golf TSI gets a 1.8-liter turbocharged four with 170 horsepower that nets up to 6 miles per gallon better than its predecessor, and up to 37 mpg highway with the manual gearbox. If you’re really looking for fuel economy, though, skip right to the Golf TDI's 2.0-liter turbodiesel, rated at 150 horsepower. In testing, we've already observed 47-mpg fuel economy, far above the EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway rating.
The two Golfs have distinctly different driving feel. The TDI has a torsion-beam rear suspension, at least for this year, but still handles very well, with firm steering responses and a ride that strikes the right balance of comfort and sport. Much the same is true for the TSI, though it has a fully independent suspension that gives it a far more absorbent ride that most of its competitors. It also has some of the best electric power steering tuning, and road-noise isolation.
The 2015 Golf is still right in the middle of the compact class, with an overall length of 167.5 inches. That's 2.2 inches longer than the previous generation, and its wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer—creating more interior space and helping improve the crash structure. The front seats set the pace for the class, and VW claims more elbow room front and back, as well as an 8-percent gain in cargo space--16.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, under the parcel shelf, or 22.8 cubic feet from the cargo floor to the roof. With the seats folded down, the Golf has 52.7 cubic feet of storage space, easily enough to stow a bicycle.
On the safety front, the Golf already has earned the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ award, though the NHTSA hasn't crash-tested it yet. All versions can be fitted with a rearview camera, though it doesn't become standard equipment until prices reach into the $25,000 range. Bluetooth is also standard, and the Golf offers forward-collision warnings.
Feature-wise, a new touch-screen infotainment system is included in all Golf models; lower-level models include a 5-inch touch screen, while upper trims get an 8-inch version with navigation. Twin USB ports and full iPod control are part of the base setup. Leatherette upholstery and panoramic roof options
For performance fans, the VW GTI is priced from $25,215. It's reviewed separately. The high-performance Golf R isn’t due until the first quarter of 2015. Other Golf variants in the planning include the all-electric e-Golf due in the fourth quarter of this year as well as the Golf SportWagen due in early 2015, with the latter coming in both TSI and TDI flavors.

2014 Ferrari California - Review

The Ferrari California isn't the highest performance offering from the brand, nor is it the most beautiful. But it lays a strong claim on being the most practical--and that's a wonderful thing for a Ferrari to be.

Daily driving and Ferraris aren't concepts that normally go together, but with the California, you'd be forgiven for the mashup. After all, the California's folding hardtop lets it perform double duty as a near-coupe and a convertible; its balance of performance and comfort make it very well-suited to both a spirited canyon run and the daily commute.

The California's exterior design is, after several years on the market, lagging somewhat behind the latest cues and kinks from Ferrari's newer models, but it still presents a dramatic, clear branding statement. The long, flowing lines, arched fenders, and curvaceous sides all complement the classic roadster proportions. Inside, the California looks very much like its newer brethren, with a careful mix of leather, metal, and plastic laid out in Ferrari's typically lush, yet purposeful fashion.

Powering the California is a potent 4.3-liter V-8 engine rated at 490 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. Prior to 2013, the California was rated at 460 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to the additional power, the California now accelerates to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, and hits a top speed of 193 mph.

Handling is, as you'd expect of a Ferrari, quite impressive--at least up to about 9/10ths. Pushing the limits is not in the California's repertoire, as it's tuned for comfort and practicality more than track-ready feats of speed. Still, a Handling Speciale package is available for those who desire a bit more edge, and even at 9/10ths, the California is blazingly quick.

As a hardtop convertible, the California's cabin merges the best of the roadster and coupe worlds, with a well-built, sturdy feel to the interior that's not typical of Ferrari. Seat room is good up front, but the plus-two rear seats are best reserved for children or extra gear. The trunk offers fair space, but isn't quite capacious. The folding hardtop operates smoothly and quickly, opening and closing in about 15 seconds.

A pop-up rollover protection system is standard, and a rearview backup camera is available.

Standard features on the California include navigation, USB connections, and even the unthinkable: cupholders. For those with a taste for more, Ferrari is open to personalization of the California through its various programs. Last year, a new selection of triple-layer colors were added to the 5,000 hues already offered.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette - Review

The all-new, seventh-generation 2014 Chevrolet Corvette has an edgy new design that's still instantly recognizable as a Corvette, plus a new engine line, and the promise of even better handling and performance thanks to weight reduction, improvements to the chassis, and more.
What does it all add up to? That the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe and Convertible might just have the right stuff for sports car fans all around the world.

At the heart of the 2014 Corvette Stingray is a new LT1 V-8 engine. While it displaces the same 6.2 liters as the previous base Corvette’s LS3, the LT1 is lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient. Rated at 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, the 2014 Corvette Stingray is about 5 percent more potent than the last car--but it's lighter, too.

In fact, when fitted with an available Z51 Performance Package, which adds a host of upgrades, Chevy boasts its latest 'Vette can accelerate from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds and achieve more than 1 g in cornering grip. For comparison, that’s almost quick as the previous C6’s Z06 trim.

The Z51 Performance Package is designed for track enthusiasts and includes an electronic limited-slip differential, dry-sump oiling system, plus integral brake, differential and transmission cooling, as well as a unique aero package that’s said to further improve high-speed stability.
In practice, the Z51 package seriously sharpens the Stingrays already nimble reflexes, as well as giving it the cooling capacity to handle hard use on a hot summer day at the track. Adding the optional magneto-rheological (MR) dampers gives the Stingray a more mellow street ride while preserving the flat, firm handling you want when driving hard.
Balanced and easy to control even near the limit even with the Performance Traction Management system engaged in Track mode (and Race sub-mode), the Stingray can be a bit harder to control with all of the aids off, though it still exhibits remarkable traction and balance. In fact, the Corvette Stingray can realistically run with sports cars costing twice its price.

The interior of the 2014 Corvette Stingray has also been substantially upgraded from the C6. Improved materials, more modern design, and significant upgrades to technology such as the Drive Mode Selector and latest-generation Chevy MyLink infotainment help bring the Corvette on par with European and Japanese offerings in the highly competitive, but relatively low-volume super sports car segment.
All Corvette trims get a fully-wrapped interior, where every surface is covered with premium, soft-touch materials. Available materials, depending on the trim level, include Napa leather, aluminum, carbon fiber and micro-suede. Customers also have two seating choices: a regular GT seat and a Competition Sport seat with more aggressive side bolstering for greater support on the track.
Even during longer driving sessions, the Corvette's new GT seats are comfortable and supportive, despite the low-slung nature of the cabin. Leg and head room are good even for those over six feet tall, and, as with the last Corvette, there's plenty of room for a weekend's travel in the rear hatch area.
If you're accustomed to the idea of 'cowl shake' yet the Corvette Stingray Convertible intrigues you, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. These drop-top models manage to offer exactly the same level of ride-and-handling prowess as their Coupe counterparts. Since the C7 was designed as an open-top roadster initially, you don't give up any structural integrity. And the automatic soft-top arrangement, which will operate at speeds of up to 30 mph, is tight-fitting and doesn't block too much visibility when it's up.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is also more fuel efficient than the previous model, scoring 17 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with the seven-speed manual transmission; the paddle-shift six-speed automatic loses 1 mpg on each score. The new seven-speed manual transmission adds a taller cruising gear for greater highway mileage, and cylinder-deactivation technology also helps.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash-tested the Chevy Corvette in recent years, but a rigid chassis, a full complement of airbags, plus stability and traction control, and the Corvette's innate grip and handling should make it relatively secure in emergency situations.

2015 Acura MDX $42,565 - $56,780

Acura's only seven-passenger SUV, last updated in 2010, soldiers on for 2013 with its competitive mix of luxury amenities, refined powertrain, and handsome styling. The brand's 3.7-liter V-6 makes 300 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque and sends its thrust through a six-speed Sportshift automatic gearbox (with paddles) then Acura's SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system. Shuttling people in the city will have the MDX return an EPA rating of 16 mpg, while on the highway, that rating jumps to 21 mpg. Inside its leather-lined, high-quality plastic world you'll notice such premium standard features as tri-zone climate control, Bluetooth, 253-watt Acura Premium Sound System, and a backup camera. Exterior goodies include HID headlights, LED taillights, and 18-inch alloys (19-inch wheels are available). Buyers can also choose between three optional packages to up the amenity ante: Technology (which adds Milano leather, 8-inch multimedia screen, Acura ELS audio), Advance (Blind Spot Information system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Damper System), and Entertainment (Rear Entertainment System, 115-volt outlet, heated rear seats). Given the long list of such included protection systems as dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, and front-seat active head restraints, buyers will also have peace of mind when it comes to safety

8 Available Trims

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee $29,495 - $64,380

Jeep's mainstream SUV pulls no punches, capably combining a well-appointed interior and off-road ability in a user-friendly package. The Grand Cherokee is pared down to Laredo, Laredo X, Limited, Overland, Overland Summit, and SRT8 models. All models a 360-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with cylinder deactivation waits in the wings to add performance and hauling/towing capacity. As you'd expect from Jeep, there are multiple 4x4 systems offered - three in the Grand Cherokee's case. Quadra-Trac I holds the fort down before Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II can be optioned in, each delivering a greater level of four-wheel drive capability. Supplementing the 4WD systems are Selec-Terrain and the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the latter of which can lift the Grand Cherokee another 4.1 inches. Six airbags protect occupants within the cabin and more than 45 safety and security features ensure that driving the Grand Cherokee is always a safe experience. The limited-production Grand Cherokee SRT8, riding on 20-inch wheels and summer tires, isn't meant for the off-road trail but has no trouble tearing up the streets. This high-performance Jeep brings a 470-hp, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 to the performance SUV party and puts the power through the road-oriented Selec-Track all-wheel-drive system
start out with the 290-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 while

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class $102,370 - $99,770

The 2014 E-Class is a 2- or 4-door, up to 7-passenger CL, CVCL, SL, SLSS, or WL, available in 12 trims, ranging from the E250 BlueTEC Sedan to the E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC Wagon.



Upon introduction, the E250 BlueTEC Sedan is equipped with a standard 2.1-liter, I4, 195-horsepower

12 Available Trims

2015 Lexus RX $40,795 - $48,845

The 2015 RX is a 4-door, 5-passenger UL, available in 5 trims, ranging from the 350 FWD to the 450h AWD.



Upon introduction, the 350 FWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed a transmission .

5 Available Trims