For years, Mazda has been a bit of a “locals only” secret spot where you’d find the in-crowd hitting its four-wheeled waves, leaving mainstream consumers to surf the popular swells of sheetmetal from Toyota and Honda. But word is getting out. From the CX-5 crossover to the Mazda6 midsize sedan, Mazda is slowly gaining popular appeal, and the most important car in Mazda’s move away from being a badly kept secret is the compact Mazda3. More than a decade ago, the first Mazda3 filled a Protegé-shaped hole and set itself apart by being somewhat sporty in a segment devoid of sportiness. The second Mazda3 came out a few years later and set it further away from the norm, thanks to its clownish grin and fluidic styling. This third-generation car pushes even more, swapping quirkiness for sexiness. Staff and passersby alike couldn’t ignore the hatchback’s handsome, modern styling. The S Touring model we ordered for our Four Seasons test came with … [Read more...] about 2014 Mazda 3 S Touring – Four Seasons Wrap-Up
Web design chicago
2014 Mini Cooper – The Novelty Wears Off
Some toys are unbelievably cool on your birthday, but get relegated to the back of the closet after just a few weeks. The novelty is also wearing off when it comes to our 2014 MINI Cooper. We were initially thrilled with its cutesy design and funky interior, but we’re starting to tire of the car’s many quirks.MINI Cooper around the environs of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the funky red-and-white hatch disappoints as a city car. With a numb clutch, lazy throttle tip-in, and tall gearing, the Mini is a nuisance to drive in stop-and-go traffic. The left pedal is damped so much that finding the clutch bite point is guess-and-check, while the right pedal has a soft, lazy response that makes accurately slipping the clutch a chore in our 2014 Mini Cooper. I either over-rev the engine and chirp the winter tires away from stop signs, or lug the engine and chug away like the car has only two cylinders. “I was really turned off by the Cooper’s turbo-three,” chimes in … [Read more...] about 2014 Mini Cooper – The Novelty Wears Off
An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet
Through the many badges it’s worn here in America since launching here in 1994, the Land Rover Discovery has played an undeniable role in the early seeds of SUV mania. Even after the Disco name was dropped for North America in 2004 with the launch of the third-generation model in favor of the LR3 moniker (which evolved to LR4 years later with the launch of the fourth-gen), the iconic SUV endeared itself to would-be adventurers as a tantalizing mixture of rugged grit and upstanding British appeal. And although the original name is back, this new, fifth-generation model brings with it host of changes that, for better or worse, shake up the tried-and-true Discovery formula. To get a better handle on just what the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is made of, we snagged one for our Four Seasons fleet. Automobile’s first-ever Four Seasons test with a Land Rover featured a 1996 Discovery. That tough-as-nails off-roader was adored for its fearsome capability but mistrusted for its … [Read more...] about An Orange 2017 Land Rover Discovery Joins the Four Seasons Fleet
2014 Kia Cadenza – Four Seasons Wrap-Up
It’s not hard to think of the 2014 Kia Cadenza as a fresh-faced new kid in the office, one with a firm handshake and a bright smile, who tries extra hard to ingratiate himself even though no one is quite sure why he’s there. Newly arrived in the Kia lineup for 2014, the Cadenza might be part of the brand’s over-eager attempt to push itself upmarket, but after living with one for 12 months and 20,650 miles, we found the car to be so well-executed and just downright pleasant that we couldn’t help but like it. Upscale environs: Comfy and spacious, the Cadenza interior boasts a surfeit of electronics (some of them optional), which thankfully proved easy to use. As always, it helps to be good-looking. (Yeah, we’re shallow.) Conservatively handsome, as per the corporate style under design boss Peter Schreyer, the 2014 Kia Cadenza avoids the pitfalls of flamboyant over-design. This isn’t a car that causes bystanders to stop and stare; it also isn’t … [Read more...] about 2014 Kia Cadenza – Four Seasons Wrap-Up
Editorial: How GM Tried to Win Me Over, Part One
A few weeks ago, I received this from GM Communications: “I’ve noticed some of your comments on our Fastlane blog. We are looking for passionate and influential consumers to participate in an upcoming showcase on August 10, 2010 [sic], in Detroit, MI. Would you be interested in a GM-hosted opportunity like this to learn more about our future vehicles and company?” I was more than a little surprised; my FastLane posts are generally uncomplimentary regarding GM’s products and business decisions. “Do they know we own three Toyotas?” my wife asked. “And we gave a fourth to our daughter, who’s happily driving it at 150 thousand miles?” “I think that’s part of it; they want to know what it will take to win me over.” “They could try building cars that are as reliable as Toyotas.” “I’ve suggested that.” “Don’t you dare bring home a GM car,” she warned.I asked my … [Read more...] about Editorial: How GM Tried to Win Me Over, Part One
How To Be An Auto Journalist Part I: The Press Drive
Inspired by the Michael Karesh review of “Sixty To Zero” today, I thought I would share some aspects of auto journalism with the TTAC readers. To the best of my knowledge, this kind of information has not appeared anywhere in the print-rag world or “blogosphere”… and perhaps after reading this, you will understand why.What I propose to do is to take you along with me for a “typical” product reveal. I’m combining various “signature” aspects of different companies’ press events here to create an imaginary journal for my trip to see the introduction of the 2011 Mythos 200EsI.. Now, if you’ll grab your bags, we have a plane to catch…8:30am EST I’m going through security at Port Columbus International Airport (CMH). Since I’m a TTAC writer, I spend my own money to get to the airport and park my car for the next 48 hours. We’re only talking $40 or $50 here, but it’s money I won’t get … [Read more...] about How To Be An Auto Journalist Part I: The Press Drive
Quote Of The Day: Maximum Retirement Edition
With news of Bob Lutz’s planned May 1 retirement leaking to the web, the auto journalism world is falling all over itself to get his reaction. When the Chicago Tribune caught up with the man of Maximum, they asked him to describe his work at GM and compare himself to (get this) either King Midas or Jesus Christ. You know, for the purposes of journalistic inquiry. Lutz’s reply avoided the self-flattering comparisons, and revealed some of the dynamics that led him to retire:It’s gotten a little scary. Everything has been so good since I got here [at GM] that I’ve been thinking there really is no place to go but down because not all of my ideas will succeed. No one bats 1.000. It’s been so nice that it’s been a bit disconcerting. I try to establish a climate of irreverence as well as fun. I want to talk, but I want to listen. I want people to disagree and talk me out of things, too. But I’ve gotten no resistance from anyone to anything I want to … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Maximum Retirement Edition
Ford Revives the Taurus, Hybrids are Too Quiet, Chatty Billboards, and Machetes at the Dealership
Taurus returns to save Ford: As recently as the Detroit auto show in January, the 2008 Ford Five Hundred was still the Ford Five Hundred. At the Chicago show in February, Ford announced that the '08 car will be known as the Taurus. Similarly, the Mercury Montego, sister ship to the Five Hundred, will become the Sable. And in a move that cost your humble servant one Abe Lincoln in a bet, the Ford Freestyle, the sport-utility based on the Five Hundred, will be known as the Taurus X. Presumably, Ford sees Taurus and Sable as names that still resonate with customers, or at least more so than Five Hundred and Montego. Hybrids don't go vroom-vroom: Here's a new complaint against hybrid vehicles. The National Federation for the Blind would like automakers to install noisemaking devices in their hybrid cars so blind pedestrians can hear the oh-so-quiet cars while crossing the street. Blind pedestrians often rely on the sound of car engines to determine when it is safe to cross a street. … [Read more...] about Ford Revives the Taurus, Hybrids are Too Quiet, Chatty Billboards, and Machetes at the Dealership
Ford Work Solutions for F-series Pickups
The Chicago auto show has been quite the event for the Blue Oval—it also introduced the Transit Connect super-utility van, and the Ford Edge Sport—but no Ford Windy City debut is as seriously cool as the Work Solutions suite of gadgets. A four-pronged attack on inefficiency and lost productivity among skilled tradesmen, contractors, and large truck fleets, the Work Solutions gizmos include an in-dash, Windows CE–based mobile computer; an RFID tool tracker; a fleet telematics and diagnostics system; and a bed-mounted equipment lock. All of the devices are designed for 2009 F-series trucks, E-series vans, and the Transit Connect, although any of the tech is available as a dealer retrofit to some existing vehicles, including F-series trucks from 1997 or later, thanks to the in-dash computer’s double-DIN compatibility. Surfin’ “Casual Encounters” in Your Truck While most tradesmen and contractors consider their … [Read more...] about Ford Work Solutions for F-series Pickups
Motorcars, Manhattan and Money
It’s impossible to visit Manhattan without noticing wealth and privilege. Though I’m loathe to use the P word as it’s been corrupted by politics, how else can you describe someone driving a S Class Mercedes-Benz with “MD” New York license plates other than as affluent and expecting special treatment from parking enforcement that won’t be extended to some zhlub from Jersey in a Camry?New York City generates so much wealth that the people there can afford the opportunity and real costs involved with insane traffic, general congenstion and expensive infrastructure. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising, then, that the New York International Auto Show is where car companies go to show off their goods from the top shelf. Detroit may not be the center of the universe that NYC is, but the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is a huge event with the participation of a number of the largest corporations on the … [Read more...] about Motorcars, Manhattan and Money