Skip to main content

Latest by Peter Braun

Audi S4 Cruise

Tech startup Cruise offers autonomous driving package for $10,000

Start up company Cruise is offering a system that retrofits Audis into autonomous cars for just $10,000. It sounds great, but there is more to it than that.
Best sedans

Joyride: 2015 Honda Accord Sport

An excellent suspension, peppy four-cylinder, and a slick-shifting six-speed manual help the Accord stand out in the midsize sedan market.
XR_PHEV_Photography_6

Mitsubishi unveils its future in LA: the XR-PHEV plug-in hybrid

Mitsubishi unveiled the details behind the XR-PHEV plug-in hybrid concept at the LA Auto Show, which the company hopes will define its future.
2016 Acura ILX

For 2016, the Acura ILX gets a sassy makeover with a new engine and ‘Jewel Eye’ headlights

With a new engine and acres of new tech the 2016 update unveiled at the LA Autoshow may finally turn the Acura ILX into the car it always deserved to be.
2015_nissan_juke

Custom colors and a new engine make the Nissan Juke even wackier than before

For 2015 the Nissan Juke gets a characteristic make over. Customers not only get more tech they can choose from 12 custom color accessories.
2015 Acura RDX first drive front angle 2

Joyride: 2015 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX has a lot of good features: a silky smooth, efficient powertrain, a well-built interior, and - not least - a quiet and comfortable ride. Despite this, the RDX remains a somewhat flavorless vehicle when compared to the competition.
tom magliozzi car talk dies age 77

Click and Clack no more: Tom Magliozzi of NPR’s ‘Car Talk’ dies at age 77

Tom Magliozzi the long time co-host of Car Talk has died Monday of complications related to Alzheimer's. He was 77 at the time of his death.
Ford Police Interceptor 2

In order to keep police safe, Ford develops a ‘black box’ for cop cars

Ford has developed a new technology that will police the police by allowing police departments to track just how their officers are driving in real time.
2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat

First drive: 2015 Dodge SRT Charger Hellcat

Dodge has done something remarkable with the 2015 Charger and built something for everyone, whether it’s a stylish and speedy family hauler to a Porsche punching V8 sports sedan. No matter which variant buyers choose of the Charger, none will disappoint. So, the only question is “how much to spend?’’
2015 Audi A3 TDI

First drive: 2015 Audi A3 TDI

The Audi A3 TDI may be rated at just 43 highway mpg, but it is capable of much, much more. That is, if the driver is willing to suffer. This practical, comfortable sedan can manage 63 mpg for over 800 miles, in the hands of a skilled and committed driver.
Mitsubishi Mirage front angle

Joyride: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES

Is there any reason anyone should buy the most basic car in America? As it turns out, no there is not. The Mitsubishi Mirage is not cheap enough to make up for the fact that nicer, better-looking, more comfortable, and far safer cars are available for similar money.
Acura_TLX_Prototype_01

Acura’s TLX Prototype combines sensible Japanese luxury with a compactier sport sedan

A prototype of the Acura Tl's replacement, the TLX just debuted at Detroit, and it is smaller, more focused and more aggressive than its predecessor.
first drive 2015 volvo v60 s60 polestar side angle 3

On track or highway, Volvo’s V60 Polestar is as unrelenting as it is unassuming

With its new performance partner, Polestar, Volvo is trying to take on the Germans. If the 350-horsepower, 155-mph V60 Polestar is any example of what they are capable of, Volvo and Polestar might just be able to do it - and with a wagon to boot.
BMW i Center charging stations

BMW throws a cord to i3 EV owners with cheaper fast chargers, year of free juice

BMW is committing to EVs and charging infrastructure in a big way. Today the Bavarian automotive giant announced a new comprehensive charging plan for i3 customers and a revolutionary new fast charger.
whats name cadillac adopts new naming scheme grille

What’s in a name, anyway? Cadillac forsakes its identity, adopts new naming scheme

Johand de Nysschen's sweeping changes to the Cadillac brand aren't done yet. The company's new chief is introducing an all new naming scheme.
Volvo XC90 R-Design 3

Volvo’s all new XC90 gets a sporty R-Design upgrade

Volvo wasn't satisfied with just introducing the all new XC90, they want to build one for everyone. Hence the all new sporty R-Design edition.
2015 Mazda Mazda 6 front angle

Joyride: 2014 Mazda Mazda6 Grand Touring

The Mazda6 stands out from family sedans in much the same way a supermodel would at a CPA convention. Even better, the Mazda's qualities aren't skin deep. With numerous features and an upscale feel, the Mazda6 also represents tremendous value. If only its powertrain weren't anorexic.
2015 Dodge Viper SRT

Bargain-basement supercar: Dodge drops Viper price tag $15k and rolls out new GT model

In the wake of the Corvette Z06 Dodge is serious about shifting some Vipers. To that end it has dropped the entire Viper range a stunning $15,000 for 2015.
Mustang GT350 Rendering

Watch out Challenger: Mustang GT350 special editions on their way

The 2015 Mustang isn't even out yet, but Ford is already working on special editions. Including a track taming monster dubbed the Mustang GT350.
invasion budget korean automaker ssangyong may enter us market actyon sports

An invasion on a budget: Korean automaker Ssangyong may enter U.S. market

Korean automaker Ssangyong has confirmed its plans to try and enter the U.S. market. If all goes well it could be selling cars in America by 2017.
2015 Mazda MX 5 side angle

Joyride: 2015 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring

For 25 years, the formula has been simple, lightweight, front engine, rear-drive and a universe of headroom. The recipe is good but the Mazda MX-5 has always been more than the sum of its parts. Now in its penultimate edition, it is the best it has ever been.
nissan juke nismo rs perfect car unhinged driver front three quarter

Meet Godzilla’s little brother: The 800-horsepower Nissan Juke

A Russian tuning company has done the impossible, or at least the inadvisable, packed 800 horsepower into a Nissan Juke, a car the size of a shoe.
Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin officially unveils the Mid-East-only Lagonda super sedan

The latest in bespoke motoring is here: the Aston Martin Lagonda. The limited edition sedan has been officially unveiled in Oman as it undergoes testing.
2015 Volvo XC90

Volvo’s XC90 isn’t just a new SUV, it’s the new face of Volvos to come

Volvo has literally pulled the covers off its all new, 2015 XC90 model.
bryan cranston aaron paul julia louis dreyfus audi commercial

Even Audi’s laser headlights can’t outshine the starpower in its latest commercial

Car commercials are getting weird. Audi is promoting the Emmys with a comedy sketch featuring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
2015-Acura-TLX-screens

Sorry automakers, 2 screens are definitely not better than 1

When it comes to cars more is better, but that isn't the case with infotainment as the frustrating new trend of two screen infotainment systems shows.
volvo teases new platform pictures xc90 thor s hammer

Volvo teases images of all new XC90 front fascia and and new scalable platform

Vovlo is very close to debuting not just its stunning new XC90 SUV, but also the platform and engineering that will define its cars for the next decade.
rotary driven hybrids future endurance racing im01 5

Le Mans tech: Are rotary-driven hybrids the future of endurance racing?

The Dutch motorsport team InMotion is developing an exciting new hybrid racer, powered by a rotary engine twice as efficient as most piston engines.
china women will get lamborghini questions asked gallardo spyder

In China, women will get into a Lamborghini … no questions asked

In a video making the rounds of China's social networks, a series of young women get into a Lamborghini with a stranger, no questions asked.
toyota trd pro series better roading 2015

Toyota’s TRD Pro Series tech lets any idiot conquer trails like a champ – Updated

Toyota's Racing Division has just released not one, but three, extreme off-road competitors to the Ford Raptor, and we have been driving all three.
battle affordable performance 2015 vw golf r vs subaru wrx sti front 970x548 c

2015 VW Golf R versus 2015 Subaru WRX STI: Battle of turbo’d AWD ‘practical’ sports cars

The VW Golf R and Subaru WRX STI can take your family to the store ... at 100mph and all for thousands less than the alternative. But which is better?
Volvo XC90 Safety 8

Volvo’s all new 2015 XC90 is so safe, it detects and avoids accidents before they happen

Volvo continues to pioneer on safety with the new XC90. Not only is it built more strongly than any of its competitors it has multiple safety world firsts.
Tesla Charging Station

Forget about range anxiety. Elon Musk says a 500-mile range Tesla is coming soon

Tesla has already impressed with the range of its Model S, but now CEO Elon Musk says that a car with nearly double that range is possible, and soon.
Tesla Model S China

Bad news, Tesla owners: the Chinese have successfully hacked a Model S … sort of

The results are in from the SyScan security conference's competition to hack into a Tesla Model S. Hackers managed to remotely control the horn and lights.

Maserati’s 2015 Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna: a masterclass in design

It's hard to beat the Italians when it comes to design, and thanks to new Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition it has just gotten harder.
2015 Ford Mustang 1

Good news, pony car fans! The 2015 Mustang’s power statistics are finally here!

It has been a long wait, but the 2015 Mustang power statistics are finally out, and we can officially say the pony car has more punch than ever before.
2015 SRT Hellcat 4

Dodge’s 2015 Challenger Hellcat burns 1.5 gallons of gas every minute, priced at $59,995

Apparently shattering power records wasn't enough for the 2015 SRT Hellcat, it also has to dominate on price. The range topping Hellcat will cost just $60K.
Tesla Model S China

Tesla facing legal battle with Chinese trademark trolls

Tesla is being sued by Chinese entrepreneur Zhan Baosheng over what he claims is a violation of a trademark he filed three years after Tesla was founded.