"The 2019 Acura RDX signals the start of a new era for the Acura brand by delivering design, performance and prestige that will elevate its position in the luxury market’s fastest growing segment," said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This RDX is our most extensive redesign in more than a decade, a truly ground up reimagining of the RDX around our Precision Crafted Performance brand direction." Acura also debuted the 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec sport appearance variant – distinguished by larger wheels, gloss black accents and unique interior treatment including an available two-tone red and black interior. With the addition of A-Spec to both the RDX and MDX, Acura has fulfilled its commitment to expand A-Spec to all core models. Sharp, Low and Wide Design The production 2019 RDX carries forward substantially all of the design cues that debuted with the Prototype RDX in January. In creating the new RDX, … [Read more...] about 2019 Acura RDX Review @ Top Speed
Concert review
DRIVEN: 2018 Lexus LS review – semi-autonomous driving in Yokohama
For perhaps the last three decades, German and Japanese carmakers have been locked in a perpetual arms race, each trying to overtake the other with the latest technological advances. As companies chased for more airbags, turbocharged engines, larger touchscreens and lighter materials, cars have become faster, more economical, safer and more connected than ever before, all while keeping weight from ballooning. But as development of the car as we know it reaches its zenith – and with the South Koreans catching up and the Chinese not too far behind – autonomous driving has become the next frontier. The goal of zero deaths in road accidents has spurred manufacturers to deliver their own versions of self-driving vehicles as soon as possible, with most setting a deadline of the end of the decade. With the Olympic Games returning to Tokyo in 2020, all eyes are on the Japanese to make good on their promises. While Honda says it needs until 2025 to be able to put Level 4 autonomous … [Read more...] about DRIVEN: 2018 Lexus LS review – semi-autonomous driving in Yokohama
REVIEW: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883
“Yeah, the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 has been brought up-to-date. It now comes with ABS.” Those words were spoken to us when we went over to Harley-Davidson Malaysia to pick up the Sportster Iron 883, and the author nearly swallowed his Marlboro. Now, when you speak to your normal man- or woman-on-the-street, ask them to visualise a motorcycle brand-name, and invariably the image that comes to mind is Harley-Davidson. That the American brand’s marketing is ubiquitous would be putting it mildly. Movies, advertising, product placements, merchandise – Harley has covered nearly anything and everything. But, riding on a company’s heritage and image will only go so far. The modern consumer, specifically the younger set of motorcycle riders, have a different mind-set when it comes to what a motorcycle is supposed to portray in terms of image and performance. Recognising this, Harley has embarked on a concerted marketing effort to draw in the … [Read more...] about REVIEW: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883
DRIVEN: F39 BMW X2 review – substance beneath the looks?
It’s safe to say that BMW is playing catchup in the premium compact segment at the moment. The company actually had the jump on everyone (well, except Audi with the A3) with the introduction of the 1 Series hatchback in 2004. At the time, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class was still an oddball MPV-esque monobox, designed more for space efficiency rather than a fashionable style. But Munich failed to capitalise on its head start – the 1 Series’ controversial styling and cramped interior brought on by the rear-wheel drive layout meant that the car remained a bit player in an increasingly lucrative segment. Meanwhile, Stuttgart revitalised its compact offerings with the more stylish third-generation A-Class, the swoopy CLA four-door coupé and the GLA crossover, and promptly raked in the cash. Finding itself on the back foot, BMW has been hard at work trying to get back on track. After more than a decade of sticking doggedly to a rear-drive platform, the 1 Series will soon … [Read more...] about DRIVEN: F39 BMW X2 review – substance beneath the looks?
BMW C evolution scooter ride review: Dancing on the limits of electrical range
My friend and colleague John L. Stein is one of, if not the most, respected motorcycle journalists alive. He has been writing about motorcycles since the Nixon administration. Stein needed a BMW C evolution at his house and I happened to have one. I knew his house was a hike from mine, but who was I to argue with such a distinguished figure in my field? No one, that’s who I was. So I said, “Sure!”It was only after saying “sure” that I actually looked at Google maps. His house is 109 miles away. This was a problem because even on its best day the C evolution can only go 99 miles on a full charge, according to BMW, and my preliminary jaunts on the thing suggested the actual mileage figure was much less than that.The C evolution has a hefty (for a scooter) 12.7 kWh battery driving the rear wheel through a shaft mounted to the craft’s single rear swing arm. The whole thing’ll put out 53 lb-ft of torque, which will get you away from stop lights muy … [Read more...] about BMW C evolution scooter ride review: Dancing on the limits of electrical range