Hennessey Performance (HPE), based in Sealy, TX, is building their very own SUV based on a modified Ford F150 SVT Raptor; it’s called the VelociRaptor. No, it’s not a modified Ford Expedition, the VelociRaptor is a Raptor-based SUV that can hold up to eight people. “Over the past three years we have built nearly 400 [...]
It could be said that during the past thirty years, diesel engines, especially those from Mercedes-Benz, have seen the most radical changes of any power train. The diesel engines that powered the likes of the 1980′s Mercedes 300TDs were inefficient, loud, smelly, and, worst of all, completely unresponsive to throttle input. Diesels of the past [...]
The new 2014 KIA Sorento is 80 percent new. From the outside it might look like a slight refreshed car, but it has a new direct injected 3.3L V-6 engine, new interior and new suspension set-up. It also three rows of seats and and all-wheel-drive. Most people will use the 2014 KIA Sorento as a [...]
The new 2013 Buick Encore is the automaker’s first small crossover vehicle. It comes with front- or all-wheel drive and has luxury, nimble handling, four-door hatchback versatility and decent fuel economy. The Encore also has just adequate open-road acceleration from its small, turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine. It’s fairly heavy at 3,180-3,309 pounds, so [...]
The three row crossover segment is one the hottest on the market right now. These large people movers are flying off dealer lots across the nation. The 2013 Dodge Durango R/T adds a unique and macho entry into this fiercely competitive segment. The Durango just had its best sales month (March 2013) in eight years. [...]
The new 2014 Subaru Forester XT is a family hauler with the ground clearance of a Jeep Wrangler and Subaru’s well know symmetric all-wheel-drive system. Recently we took the 2014 Subaru Forester off-road in one of the worst Colorado snow storms of the year and we quickly go the Forester stuck. Without proper snow tires, [...]
The new 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT is bigger and more fuel efficient than the previous model…but is as off-road worthy? We decided to find out in one of the worst Colorado snow storms of the year by taking it up our usual test trail. For 2014 Subaru has added X-Mode button for more traction. Of [...]
The 2013 MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4 is the newest and perhaps most unique MINI you can buy today. The Paceman All4 has three doors, four seats and sloping roof line making it a unique, if not all that mini, all-wheel-drive coupe. It seats only four, but comes with a very strong dash of character [...]
We already know that the Lexus RX is the market leader in the five passenger luxury crossover segment. The 2013 RX 450h takes all the strengths of the RX-line and adds class-leading fuel economy. Is this the perfect luxury utility vehicle, or does it still have a few nicks in its armor? Lets look and [...]
The 2013 MINI Cooper S Paceman ALL4 is the newest and perhaps most unique new MINI on the market. The 2013 MINI Cooper S Paceman All4 has three doors, four seats and sloping roof line making it a unique, if not mini, all-wheel-drive coupe. In this fun and informative TFLcar 0-60 MPH review we test [...]
First seen at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, the Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV Concept may very well represent the future of the German automaker’s SUV lineup. However, Volkswagen group showed their continued commitment to contemporary design when the above sketches of the CrossBlue Concept Coupe were leaked today, two days before the April 20 [...]
Now in its third generation of sheet metal and power train, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has taken some conservation classes (of the gas variety) while working on its athletic looks. Gas sipping abilities with a rocking audio system make this family hauler a viable option for the minivan-phobic. Not to be confused with the lesser-equipped [...]
There are very few instantly recognizable vehicles on the road, but the Jeep Wrangler is surely one of them. Moreover, Jeep as a brand has transcended to define a whole category of vehicles. When somebody says “Jeep” – you immediately think a stubby and tall four wheel drive off-road vehicle. Although, Jeep’s lineup has expanded [...]
The mid-size 2013 Santa Fe Sport crossover has rakish new styling similar to that of Hyundai Sonata and Elantra sedans. It also has car-like road manners and plenty of room. The Santa Fe Sport should do well, even though it’s up against rivals such as the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano and [...]
