sedan

Rolling out in the Rolls-Royce Phantom

Settling into the plush leather seats of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, it dawns on me that even the smallest vehicle in the Phantom line is still as large as a small truck.

Rolls had invited us to test drive its entire vehicle lineup at an event in Los Gatos, Calif., including the Phantom Sedan, the Phantom Extended Wheelbase, the Phantom Coupe, and the Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Inserting the smartkey into its receptacle and pressing the Start button, I expect to hear the 6.75-liter V-12 roar to life. Instead, I hear almost nothing. And it's not just because the … Read more

Kevin Rose leaks Tesla Model S pics via Twitter

Digg.com co-founder Kevin Rose has a bit of a penchant for being uncannily accurate with his Apple predictions. Is it possible that he now has some sort of inside information on Tesla Motors' upcoming Model S electric sedan?

Via Twitter, Rose announced, "someone leaked me some Tesla Model S (electric car) pics, seems to have a huge touch-screen display."

Rose finishes his post with a link to his Flickr page containing photos of the interior and exterior, including the aforementioned "huge touch screen" (which I must say is a bit of an understatement; that thing … Read more

2009 Mazda Mazda6 i Grand Touring (review)

As you approach the Mazda Mazda6 i Grand Touring, your walkway is illuminated by the Welcome Lighting on the underside of the rearview mirrors. Don't bother taking the smart key out of your pocket, a mere touch of the door handle will unlock the vehicle. Don't bother futzing with the headlamps or windshield wipers either, it's automatic. Just settle into the heated leather-trimmed seats, press the start button to bring the peppy engine to life, and you're off.

For 2009, the Mazda6 has grown in both size and ambition. When viewed from the front or rear … Read more

2009 Hyundai Genesis video

Brian Cooley checks out the new Hyundai Genesis Sedan and Coupe, two very different vehicles under the same nameplate, at the 2009 Detroit auto show.

Next-generation Mazda3 sedan revealed early

With Mazda's redesigned Mazda6 sedan completed and on showroom floors, the automaker has turned its attention to the smaller Mazda3.

Scheduled to be revealed at the 2008 LA Auto Show in November, Mazda has given us a sneak peek at the all-new Mazda3 sedan, and it is a sexy little number. Details are still sparse, but the first thing we notice is the dramatically swept back front end, which brings the 3's aesthetic in line with the new Mazda6. Expect more power and more space over the current incarnation, as is par for the course with model updates. … Read more

Video: Lamborghini Estoque Concept

Check out this video of Lamborghini's Estoque Concept from the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The four door--yes, you read that correctly--supersedan is either a possible competitor to the upcoming Porsche Panamera or the ultimate in Italian blasphemy, depending on your perspective.

See all coverage of the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Review: 2008 Lexus GS 460

The 2008 Lexus GS 460 works as a good example of powertrain engineering, where Lexus took its existing GS model and dropped in the engine and transmission that it launched in the 2007 LS 460. We were very impressed with this powertrain in the LS for its fuel economy, and it loses nothing in the smaller GS 460. Of course, being a Lexus, this car also offers a very comfortable cabin with a solid array of technology, from a rich graphical interface to a superb-sounding Mark Levinson audio system. None of this cabin tech is particularly cutting-edge at this point, … Read more

First drive: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe

As a fan of the predecessor to this current M3, the e46, I was skeptical about driving what some called a heavy, underpowered car that didn't quite live up to its ancestors' legacy. A few die-hard enthusiasts, amid cracking tired Bangle jokes that are oh-so-five-years-ago, called it the MPIG, bemoaning the addition of more sensors and high-tech gadgets that added weight and deterred DIYers. And I almost bought into it.

Sure, I'll never love the look of the car like I love the e46. But the new M3 is, for better or worse, one of those cars you … Read more

2008 Honda Accord first look

During a time when many car manufacturers are scaling down to offer smaller cars with improved fuel economy, the new 2008 Honda Accord is hitting the market with a "bigger is better" philosophy.

Besides having an obviously new look, the new Accord is larger in all interior and exterior dimensions. It's longer, wider, and taller on the outside, and roomier on the inside. In fact, the 3.3 cubic feet of additional interior space was enough to bump it into the EPAs "large car" category, although Honda says the car will still compete in the … Read more

2008 Cadillac CTS: Race ready?

The word "performance" seems to be thrown around a lot in the automotive world these days. With increasing expansion and competition within the luxury sport sedan category, manufacturers are eager to drop statistics about horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 speeds, and other numbers to woo (and maybe even slightly intimidate) potential buyers. But specifications alone can't convey the true spirit of a car; as Aristotle said, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. So it makes sense that the ideal road test subjects the car to a wide range of variables: twisty turns of varying camber, … Read more