The new RC 350 F Sport finds itself nestled in a comfy niche right between refinement and subtle savagery. Sixty thousand dollars. 311 horsepower. Very, very red paint. Orange brake calipers. A TORSEN limited-slip rear differential. Rear-wheel drive. Does that sound more like a Mustang than a Lexus to you? Yes, but this is no...
The Trailblazer returns, determined to be the Little SUV that Could. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world economy to a halt, and the automotive sector is no exception. Here in the U.S., the effect of the crisis has been the predictable overall flattening of new car demand. The quant jocks at Boston Consulting Group...
In this book review, I examine the story masterfully written by Matt Stone detailing one of most obsessive speed-smiths I’ve ever known. (This is a reprise of a review that I wrote here in LACar a few years back, and today, July 10, 2020 is a bit of a signal day in the life of...
This excellent book written by Chris Willes depicts the various struggles and challenges that go with starting a race team with limited resources. Below is a book review from guest contributor Tennyson Kwok. Developing a Champion: The Electromotive Nissan GTP Story is not available on Amazon, but on Chris Willes’ Facebook page. From 1958 to...
Jaguar managed to tame this ferocious feline enough for comfortable around-town cruising. It’s up to you to un-tame it. Prepare for a heavy dose of cat scratch fever; this is the Jaguar XK. This article is from the LACar vault written by long-time contributor John Grafman. Enjoy this flashback to the past. 2011 Jaguar XK...
A sterling streak screams along the streets. Sleek and speedy like a silver bullet. It’s not Superman, it’s the S8. This article is from the LACar vault written by long-time contributor John Grafman. Enjoy this flashback to the past. 2007 Audi S8 specs Price $92,000 Horsepower 450 hp @ 7000 RPM Torque 398 lbs.-ft. @...
LACAR takes the newest Highlander out for a spin and finds that Toyota is poised to defend its market share in the red-hot crossover SUV space. If you’re the CFO of a mainstream automotive OEM, there’s only one battle worth fighting: the battle for supremacy in the red-hot SUV/CUV marketplace. Americans love their wide-open spaces,...
Author Don Emde brilliantly depicts the famous Hemmingway quote in ‘The Speed Kings’: “There are really only three sports that matter: bullfighting, mountaineering and motor racing and that the rest are merely games.” LACar/com Book Review The Speed Kings. The Rise and Fall of Motordrome Racing By Don Emde Forward by Kenny Roberts Review By...
The new Kia Telluride is magnificent. Dare we say it’s the Goldilocks SUV. Not too big. Not too small. Just right. Right off the bat, the 2020 Kia Telluride impresses. It’s the largest vehicle Kia builds, offering more interior room than any competitor while maintaining a sense of nimbleness. It’s loaded with advanced tech, high-quality...
If you’re looking for a behemoth SUV, the Palisade might be your best choice. Check out Brian’s video review of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited on our YouTube channel. Big, boxy, and beautiful. When I first got a glimpse at the Hyundai Palisade, I thought, “Oh my, what a monster. It looks like something the...