Comparison: 2024 Alpina B8 and BMW M8 are the Best, Served Two Ways

Alpina B8 Gran Coupe 3/4 side

I have an extraordinary opportunity staring at me, a chance to drive the best from BMW’s 2024 lineup in back-to-back test drives.  And the pair of keys to which I have access couldn’t be more exciting; the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe and M8 Competition coupe are at my beck and call.  This will be a… Continue reading Comparison: 2024 Alpina B8 and BMW M8 are the Best, Served Two Ways

Test Drive: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Has Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’

I've lived with our 2018 Tesla Model 3 for over five years now, and it is the most practical and reliable car I've had. Yes, it is an electric appliance with just a smidge of soul, but if I need to effortlessly get across town or across the state, the Model 3 is the car I’ll pick… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Has Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’

Test Drive: 2023 Chrysler 300S is Canceled Americana

The second-generation Chrysler 300 is well past its golden years.  While broadly loved at its release for its retro-handsome styling, the sedan has largely been forgotten over the last decade, and its sales numbers are 20% of their peak.  So, has the public overlooked a standout American sedan? Chrysler has long played in the entry-level… Continue reading Test Drive: 2023 Chrysler 300S is Canceled Americana

Comparison: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 is a Massive Improvement over the GT S

There's a lot I love about my 2016 AMG GT S. It buzzes with feedback and excitement, it's an absolute joy to hoon through the corners, and it has exotic curb appeal.  But it's not flawless, and I'm curious to see how AMG has remade the AMG GT coupe for 2024.  What are the faults… Continue reading Comparison: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 is a Massive Improvement over the GT S

Test Drive: 2024 LC 500 Convertible has V8 Perfection

I'm looking forward to the LC 500 convertible—like, really looking forward to it. For me, the LC convertible is the perfect showcase for Lexus's masterpiece 5.0L V8. I've sampled this engine in the LC 500 coupe and the IS 500 sedan, and I know it blends splendid symphonies with ripping road performance. I figure the… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 LC 500 Convertible has V8 Perfection

Test Drive: 2023 Lexus IS 500 is Hot, but Won’t Scald

It’s been three years since I sold my 2011 E90 M3, yet I still turn and stare whenever I spot one on the road. The V8 M3 did so many things right—it had a phenomenal engine, balanced handling, and livable luxury—and yet it hurt to own because of its frequent maintenance issues. But there weren’t… Continue reading Test Drive: 2023 Lexus IS 500 is Hot, but Won’t Scald

Test Drive: 2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 is Excess Meets Excellence

I don’t like the Mercedes G wagon, and I especially disdain the twin-turbo V8 G63 in front of me. I see it as the automotive embodiment of everything distasteful about showy Los Angeles wealth: It’s an eye-smacking truck that says I can flaunt luxury toys and destroy the planet. And its wallet-flattened price says I… Continue reading Test Drive: 2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 is Excess Meets Excellence

Test Drive: 2021 Lotus Evora GT Defies Expectations

Gleaming like an emerald, the vivid green Evora GT backs out of the showroom and into the sharp morning sunshine.  Its creased and sculpted lines are festooned with carbon-fiber scoops, gaping grills and vented panels.  The Lotus looks angular, aggressive, and—in this bright color—made to snap necks at high speed.  It’s over the top, and… Continue reading Test Drive: 2021 Lotus Evora GT Defies Expectations

Test Drive: 2017 Maserati Ghibli is the Armani Charger

As I scrutinize the Maserati Ghibli’s spec sheet, I wonder about its competition. By its dimensions, it is a midsize sedan, the Italian equivalent of a Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 series. But its interior space—and especially its tight rear seats—is better matched to the compact Cadillac CTS or BMW 3 series. Not that dimensions… Continue reading Test Drive: 2017 Maserati Ghibli is the Armani Charger

Test Drive: 2023 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is a Prehistoric Pleasure

BMW would like to sell you a shark on wheels.  They call it the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, and it is a beastly machine meant for dusting Dacias and pulverizing Peugeots on the autobahn.  If you have petrol in your veins, I think you’ll like it. Be warned, though, in the age of performance EVs… Continue reading Test Drive: 2023 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is a Prehistoric Pleasure