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An Oven for Pizza Idiots, the 2019 BMW X7 & More

In this episode of This Week In Gear: Eric Yang and Will Price test Breville’s countertop pizza oven, Henry Phillips discusses the $5K Leica Q2 and Nick Caruso raves about the all-new BMW X7. Also in this episode, a Bryan Campbell reviews the Honda Talon side-by-side – in 30 seconds – and AJ Powell explains why the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds are the last thing he bought.

This episode of This Week In Gear is presented by Crown & Caliber: the convenient online marketplace for pre-owned luxury watches. Visit crownandcaliber.com/gearpatrol to get $175 towards any watch purchase until May 31st.

Featured Products

Breville the Smart Oven® Pizzaiolo

“This thing is fuckin’ awesome at what it does. It works for the pizza idiot to the pizza savant.”

Leica Q2

“All the improvements feel iterative, deliberate and genuinely helpful to the end user. The Q was my general price-no-object recommendation for a great camera for basically everyone. The Q2 takes that place no problem.”

2019 BMW X7

The X7 very well may be everything great about BMW, fully realized.

Honda Talon SxS

“Add an exciting application of DCT technology and it’s fair to say that while the Talon 1000R and 1000X aren’t necessarily game changers, they’ve sure as hell raised the bar.”

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless Earbuds

“I believe the Momentum earbuds could replace each headphone in my current rotation — including my Bowers & Wilkins P5 on-ear headphones.”

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

April 13, 2019 / Comments Off

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This 1989 Nissan Skyline Will Make You Forget All About the New Supra

These days, buying a vintage Toyota Supra will set you back more than buying a new one. Instead of making a tough choice between a ’90s Supra and a down payment on a house, why not save some money and get even more attention at the local meetup with this JDM legend 1989 Nissan Skyline R32 on sale at Japanese Classics right now for a more reasonable $16,495?

Now, this isn’t the famous GT-R “Godzilla” Skyline R32; that car can be quite a bit more expensive. But the GTS-t Type M is still a rather special version. It has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline six that delivered 212hp and 195lb-ft out of the box.It’s rear-wheel drive (the GT-R is AWD) and weighs just 2,844 pounds, which puts it near the power-to-weight ratio of the beloved Honda S2000.

This Skyline R32 comes with a five-speed manual and right-hand drive (because, y’know, it’s imported from Japan). When new, this car accelerated from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, which is amazingly quick for 1989.

While the Skyline R32 is a known favorite of tuners, this example is virtually 100-percent stock beneath the skin, even down to the clutch and the exhaust. The body also appears to be in excellent shape for a car this age not kept behind glass. It even has a still-functional factory-spec retractable front splitter.

This R32 does have 131,000 miles on the odometer, but don’t consider that a weakness. After all, if you’re buying a 30-year-old Japanese car you plan to drive, you want one that’s been driven regularly and well-maintained.

April 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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19-year-old creates insane caged Lamborghini Huracan rally car

If you’re looking at this car and thinking, “what the F?” or “why?” or “ruined!” or “money doesn’t buy taste,” then Alex Choi accomplished what he set out to do with this build. Being different brings out the negativity in people who don’t understand the desire to stand out, and that’s exactly what Choi wants: to be different. He calls it the Unicorn V3, and it’s now one of the wildest custom exotics in the saturated California car scene.

As indicated by the V3 tag, this is the third major overhaul of Choi’s Lamborghini Huracan, but he’s made numerous alterations since he first took delivery of the car in June 1, 2017. Choi, who also has a widebodied winged BMW “M2-R,” first gave the car a pink and blue camo scheme. Then he added a ski box, a wing, a carbon hood, and took off the rear bumper. For the Gold Rush Rally, he unveiled V2 with a pink BAPE wrap. He then gave the car underglow and put the rear bumper back on. V3 is the crazy creature seen above.

Before Unicorn V3 gets revealed, here’s the history of the Unicorn: June 1st, 2017, the Unicorn was born, and i took delivery of the car. V1️⃣.0️⃣: the pink and blue camo. V1️⃣.1️⃣: ski box!! V1️⃣.2️⃣: @ms.emelia enjoying her picnic on my new lunch table wing, with a new carbon hood, and joining the bumper delete gang. V2️⃣.0️⃣!!!: broke a lot of necks on Gold Rush Rally with a pink bape wrap. V2️⃣.1️⃣: Underglow. and due to popular request, i put the rear bumper back on. V3️⃣.0️⃣: expected launch date, April 9th, 2019. Twin turbo, and something else that has never ever been done before that will make everyone’s head explode, and be the most controversial Lamborghini, (or perhaps even car in general) to ever exist. ? *not responsible for any head explosions

A post shared by Alex C (@alex.choi) on Mar 28, 2019 at 9:31pm PDT

Choi first upgraded the engine with Sheepey Race twin-turbo power. RSR then added “monkey bars,” as Choi calls them, a hand-crafted chromoly and stainless steel cage that surrounds the entire car. This look was inspired by the Flip Car from Fast & Furious 6. Speed Tech Lights added the Group B-inspired round rally lights up front, and gave it a roof-mounted light bar straight from a cop car.

The wheels were custom-made for Choi’s Lamborghini by Brixton Forged Wheels. They’re technically not new, but he changed the color from white to black. The Michelin PS4S tires also have white stickers that give a white wall impression when the car’s in motion. Enormous foot-long semi-truck cannon air filters on each side of the rear give it a very Star Wars-esque look, and on the driver’s side, there is a one-off air-to-air intercooler. The carbon fiber rear wing is also a carryover from V2, but it was raised a foot. Finally, Choi added a rear diffuser and flipped the rear taillights upside down to create an entirely different light signature.

Choi says the car’s major changes are done with, but he plans numerous small tweaks in the near future. If you’re one of the people who likes the car (this author included), he does regular updates on his Youtube and Instagram pages.

April 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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The 2020 Audi R8 Makes Its U.S. Debut in New York

It Is Now Stateside

The 2020 Audi R8 has finally arrived in America. The car was officially unveiled last fall, but now it has come to America. The will appear at the New York Auto Show. The Audi R8 underwent a facelift recently. It now has more aggressive styling. It’s the best looking the R8 has ever been.

The front fascia is different, with a unique honeycomb grille, and most of the other elements of the front end, including the headlights, hood, and bumper have been reworked. The car also has new side skirts, a new rear bumper, new rear diffuser, and a new spoiler. Inside, the cabin looks more or less the same. It features two new colors, though. They include Pastel Silver and Palomino Brown.

The supercar gets a 5.2-liter V10 that produces 562 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. That engine is connected to a seven-speed S tronic transmission that filters power to all four wheels via Audi’s renown quattro all-wheel-drive system. Zero to 60 mph comes in a quick 3.4 seconds, and its top speed is 201 mph.

If that’s not enough, you can make the jump to the Audi R8 V10 performance and get 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This bumps the 0 to 60 mph time to 3.2 seconds and the top speed to 205 mph. The Audi R8 has always been a true performer, and now it looks better than ever, too.

There’s a roadster version of the car, too. It’s a little slower but other than the drop top, not all that different from the coupe version of the car.

April 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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2019 BMW M850i Cabriolet Review

The BMW 8 Series was a car of huge significance for the German titan. It represented a vast step up for its coupe game, the mildly opulent 6 Series became a full bodied GT car – well I thought so anyway. BMW are adamant, stubborn, nigh on hellbent on insisting that the 1955 kilogram, 4.8 meter long hunk is a ‘sports car’. In my mind, you say sports car and a 911 pops into my head, not the 992, but that is a story for another time.

The M850i Coupe is the only 8 Series I had driven until I landed in sun soaked Faro, Portugal – the other option being an 840d that many claim suits the cars character far better than the V8. BMW had lobbed the top off the coupe and I was here to put the M850i Cabriolet through its paces.

BMW M850i Cabriolet Exterior

In my mind I was pleased that I would have the opportunity to drive the 8 Series as a Cabriolet, not because I like the wind passing over my balding scalp, but because I imagined it would feel even more like a GT and not a sports car.

So what are the headlines? Very similar to the coupe – there’s the same new 4.4-litre, twin turbocharged V8 pumping out 523bhp. As the name suggests, the M850i xDrive is all-wheel drive, so it will fire you from 0-100km/h in 3.7sec, identical to the coupe despite weighing 125kg more.

Sounds sporty enough? What are you moaning about? On paper, yes – it is very sporty. Start it and you still get the same vibes courtesy of some V8 roar and artificial yet amusing pops. It has certain sporting elements, but they do not come together to make this something you want to fling around a mountain pass or even a wide racetrack. The sheer size and weight juxtapose the sport touches by making you feel a little nervous that, in Cabriolet form, the 2,105 kilogram mass will not make a corner or stop where you would like it to. Don’t get me wrong, it will, but it does not feel like that is what it was built to do.

It contradicts itself and removing the roof only makes you want to cruise instead of attack a pretty sweeping road. So I found myself in Faro driving roads I had previously enjoyed in an M2 Competition just cruising and topping up my brown boy tan instead of attacking apexes and chasing the redline as I had done previously.

BMW M850i Cabriolet Interior and Details

For such a purpose it is fabulous. The V8 burbles away, the steering (void of almost any feedback) is light and the whole experience is very soothing, sedate – peaceful. They you find the spec and price list and things are not so peaceful anymore. It is a very expensive piece of kit – the M850i Cabriolet starts at £107,045 before you start adding options such as the Bowers & Wilkins HiFi that you will want and special paint options that make the sensual lines of the 8 Series look their best.

One thing you get as standard is the the roof that retracts elegantly in just 15 seconds whilst driving up to 50 km/h. The roof is also well put together, BMW claims that the Cabrio is just 2% less stiff than the Coupe, a the weight increase being a fair price to pay.

It all comes together to make the M850i Cabriolet something that is indeed special as it feels like a premium product the cossets and makes you feel comfortable cruising whilst basking in the suns warmth.

I maintain that it is a fantastic cruiser and not a sports car. It is premium, but cannot be likened to a Bentley Continental GT C or Aston Martin DB11 Volante. Those cars warrant such price tags as they are super GT cars that sit in different leagues to the 8 Series Cabriolet. I imagine the M8 and its variants to be the bonafide sports cars that will wear an even more inflated price tag, and for good reasons. Until then, the M850i Cabriolet is there to be enjoyed as a Cabriolet to saunter to the coast or a nice dinner in.

April 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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Petersen Hollywood Dream Machines Exhibition

Sometimes we can’t discern between our love for a movie or the iconic car that can sometimes steal center stage. The Tumbler from “Batman Begins” comes to mind, as well as Doc’s DeLorean DMC-12 time…

Will Ferrari Build a Modern Testarossa?

Bringing Back an Iconic Nameplate

There’s a new rumor floating around that Ferrari could bring back the Testarossa nameplate in a modern car. According to The Supercar Blog, a recent supercar collector told the publication about a collectors’ dinner with the company where it was revealed that the company would be bringing back the Testarossa name.

According to this unnamed source who is supposed to have insider information, the modern Testarossa will come with a V12 engine and produce over 1,000 hp. The insider was quite clear that it would be a Testarossa. He said that was all that he could say about the vehicle, though.

What that means is that Ferrari will reimagine one of its most iconic cars. However, we don’t know what it will be or when it will be coming. We’d assume it would happen fairly soon. If it wasn’t going to, Ferrari wouldn’t have spilled the beans to its collectors at the dinner.

The original Testarossa packed a 4.9-liter, V12 engine that made 390 hp. It had a sleek shape and was the epitome of 1980s excess. The Testarossa helped define the ’80s. It is well-regarded among Ferrari and sports car lovers. A new version of the car would have to do wonderful things in terms of styling and performance in order to live up to the previous car’s name. It will be interesting to see if these rumors ring true and Ferrari does really bring back the Testarossa in some fashion.

April 11, 2019 / Comments Off

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Roush Unveils Its 2019 Stage 3 Ford Mustang With 710 HP

Can’t Wait for the GT500? Get the Roush

Tuner company Roush recently revealed its new 2019 Stage 3 Mustang and announced it will have the vehicle on display at the New York Auto Show. What’s special about the Stage 3 Mustang? It gets a Roush TVS R2650 supercharger. That brings the 5.0-liter V8 engine’s power up to 710 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. This is the Mustang you always wanted, and if you can’t wait for the GT500, you should get it.

The car also gets a special Roush active exhaust system that allows the owner to choose from four different exhaust settings. One of those settings is a “Custom” setting that allows you to choose the exhaust note they want. Roush couldn’t let stop there, though, the vehicle also gets plenty of exterior styling updates to tell the world that this is no typical Mustang.

There’s Roush badging on the front and rear of the car, a larger front splitter, special grille, new air intakes, different hood with special venting, side skirts, black wheels, rear lip spoiler, and new rear diffuser. While the car still looks like a Mustang, it’s like no other Mustang on the road.

The car will come with a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It costs $21,925 on top of whatever it costs you to get your hands on a 2019 Ford Mustang GT. Roush will have this on display at the New York Auto Show next to its new version of the Ford F-150, that should be equally impressive.

April 11, 2019 / Comments Off

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Koenigsegg Jesko gets the scenic photoshoot it deserves

Koenigsegg just opened a new shop in Switzerland, and to mark the occasion, the Jesko was taken out for a proper photoshoot. Koenigsegg had previously only released images from auto shows and the studio.

On March 22, Koenigsegg opened a brand-new facility in Lucerne, Switzerland. It houses Koenigsegg’s newest dealership, which includes a showroom full of stunning vehicles and a workshop. Carage, as it’s called, packed the house for the opening, with cars such as the Koenigsegg Agera R Speed Racer, CC8S, CCXR Edition, Trevita, and the naked carbon Regera. Other makes such as Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati, and Porsche help make the place special, but the centerpiece was the Koenigsegg Jesko.

After the Jesko debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, it was also able to breath in some of the fresh high-altitude air during a photoshoot. Eric Griess and Steven Wade set the supercar to a backdrop of gorgeous Swiss mountains, green pastures, and sprawling Lake Lucerne. Yet, the details of the hypercar still stand out.

Take a look at the full gallery above, but try not to fall too deep in love. Remember, all Jeskos are already sold out.

April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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You Can Buy a Brand-New Alfa Romeo 8C

A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity

Sometimes you get second chances, and that’s exactly what this sounds like to us. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is now offering up one Alfa Romeo 8C Coupe and one 8C Spider for sale. Neither car had ever left the factory despite the fact that they were built in 2007 and 2010 respectively. This means they’re brand new.

The 8C was the car that started the revitalization of the Alfa Romeo brand. The car was produced in limited numbers and was one of the most beautiful cars of the last several decades. Alfa made only 500 of the coupe and 500 of the spider. These two cars were a part of the Automobiles’ Reloaded by Creators, which is an FCA Heritage program. The department decided to sell the 8C cars it had, according to CarBuzz.

Both of the cars only have a few miles on their odometer and have been gone through and certified by FCA Heritage. When the cars were new, the coupe went for $265,000 and the spider went for $299,000. The value of the 8C has gone up considerably in recent years, so these two cars should fetch more than that.

There’s a new 8C coming, but it won’t be like the old. It will be a mid-engine supercar capable of producing over 700hp. If you want the original, real deal item, then you’d better pony up the money for one of these special cars. There likely isn’t an 8C out there in better condition.

April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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McLaren Senna $13K model by Amalgam has a remote that operates doors and lights

Headquartered in Bristol, England, Amalgam Collection makes some of the most detailed (and most expensive) automotive scale models on the planet. After releasing a static McLaren Senna in 2018, the company thought it could do the car even better justice. So, Amalgam created a remote specifically for the 1:8 model that controls a variety of features, including the lights and the doors.

Amalgam has an incredible lineup of models. We could gush about every car on the site, but some of the most notable recent examples have been a chrome Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, a 1:4 Bugatti Chiron engine, a Ferrari 488 Pista, and a Lamborghini Miura P400 SV. Amalgam is currently working on a McLaren Speedtail, a Porsche 917 Martini, and the Ferrari SP twins. Unlike Hot Wheels, however, these are not the types of models one can pile up. Buying just one requires a separate savings account.

Originally, Amalgam’s first Senna model cost $8,324. The new-and-improved model is listed at $13,444. This is mainly due to the new remote that comes with the model. About the size of a smartphone, the branded remote has eight different buttons. It can lock and unlock the doors, turn on the hazards, turn on the headilghts, turn on the reverse lights, open the left and right door, or turn on interior lights.

Amalgam McLaren Senna Model

The model comes in a black “presentation box” and is mounted on either a carbon fiber or leather base, all covered by a clear acrylic dust cover. Inspect the details in the gallery above and see the doors and lights in action below.

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April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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Bugatti SUV: Call it what you will, it’s waiting for a green light

Three years ago, then-Bugatti CEO Wolfgan Dürheimer said the hyper-indulgent brand was looking at four different bodystyles for a second model line. He wouldn’t identify the styles, but they were thought to be a sedan like the 2009 Galibier concept or 2+2 GT, a less extraterrestrial supercar, an electric car, and an SUV. Some rumors of late suggest plans for a “Royale electric limousine” are in the pipeline. Before that, though, Car magazine says “a crossover-influenced sports car” is only waiting for sign-off from Volkswagen Group execs.

As far as we can tell, the phrase “crossover-influenced sports car” is a way to escape calling this reported product an SUV. Remember, brand CEO Stephan Winkelmann said in January that “There will be no SUV from Bugatti” because it didn’t fit the Molsheim automaker’s heritage and disposition.

There could be shades of Italianate wrangling between a boutique brand and a parent company going on here. When ex-Ferrari CEO Luca de Montezemolo said the brand would never build an SUV, he was soon overruled by parent-company CEO Sergio Marchionne. That’s how we’ll get the Purosangue next year, which the Modena sports car maker calls an FAV, for Ferrari Activity Vehicle. So Luca, with help from the marketing team, was technically correct.

Point being that when discussing the shape of the next model, Winkelmann explained needing to balance investment with return, and said, “it’s not me to decide.”

If said proposal gets the green light, it “won’t be a traditional SUV.” The picture painted is of something like a two-door Lamborghini Urus with a higher seating position, much faster bodywork, and much less weight. Underneath would be a Bugatti platform not shared with the rest of the group. Instead of the 641 horsepower kicked out by the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the Urus, the report says Bugatti would inject some sort of electrical assistance to achieve 1,000 hp.

Winkelmann is known to be against a hybrid powertrain for the eventual Chiron successor because of the weight and space penalties, but a crossover-like sports car would alleviate those concerns. The form factor would also achieve the more livable brief Bugatti’s been talking about for ages, and address global emissions issues such as EV-only zones being proposed in cities around the world.

The model would sit “below the Chiron but on top of every other model,” and cost less than the $3 million Chiron. Production is said to be capped at 800 units per year. The CEO said he would insist on building it in Molsheim, but to do so means expanding production capacity there, and that means more investment, which makes the hottest bodystyle in the world an even more logical choice. Whatever it is, we’re promised “a real Bugatti” and “a reference for other manufacturers.” Even if given the green light today, we’re looking at 2022 or 2023 arrival at the earliest, so you have that long to get used to the phrase “Bugatti crossover.”

April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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Aston Martin Project 003 details revealed in dealer brochure

Aston Martin showed the as-yet-unnamed Project 003 hypercar at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Now that the English carmaker is accepting deposits for the coupe, it has provided dealers with brochures for prospective customers. Two of those prospective customers let Carscoops and Diario Motor flip through the pages and see what the fuss is about. Each site words some of the specifics a bit differently, which we’re not sure is down to the language in the brochure or the way it’s written up. Carscoops says Aston Martin’s targeting a combined 1,000 horsepower, DM says there will be 1,000 hp. Either way, it’s a pleasant ballpark to play in.

We say “combined” because there will be a brand new twin-turbo V6 in back and an electric motor on the front axle. The duo means all-wheel drive in addition to that potential four-figure horsepower. If Aston Martin does hit 1,000 ponies, that would put the “son of Valkyrie” just behind the Valkyrie, which makes all of its 1,160 hp with a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 built by Cosworth.

The brochure says dry weight will come in below 1,350 kilos, or 2,976 pounds. The brochure also asserts a power-to-weight ratio of 750 bhp per tonne. Working backward, that ratio would mean 1,012 hp if the 003 came in right at 2,976 pounds. Shifting through an F1-inspired eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the carmaker expects a 0-60 time of “less than 2.5 seconds,” to be expected for a car about 100 pounds heavier than a McLaren 720S with at least 200 more horsepower. And according to Diario Motor‘s telling, top speed will crest 350 kilometers per hour, or 218 miles per hour; Carscoops says terminal velocity lies beyond 220 mph.

Lots of Valkyrie tech will be adapted for the junior coupe, including the active suspension and active ride height, as well as platform control. A limited-slip differential will keep the back end in line with what we’re sure will be fancy electric motor control on the front axle. Seems all that was said about the sci-fi cabin — which TopGear magazine’s Jack Rix showed us recently — is that ingress and egress will be less challenging than on the Valkyrie.

Only 500 units will leave the factory, in both left- and right-hand drive, deliveries to begin in 2021. American purchasers will need to leave $300,000 with their dealers to hold a place in line. Those monies will be applied to an MSRP that starts “at no less than £875,000” before options, or roughly $1.2 million in green money.

April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

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The 2019 RAM Power Wagon Is the Most Capable Pickup You Can Buy

Americans aren’t big on compromise. If we find ourselves at a fork in the road, with one choice only made at the exclusion of another, our instinct is to turn said fork into a spoon so we can scoop up both options. How else do you explain the longstanding boom of the pickup truck market? Pickups are the most popular American vehicle and, you could argue, the best: expensively developed, overbuilt and packed with standard features. The new crop of RAM Trucks is a great example, ranging from well equipped 9-5 duty rigs to luxurious haulers with premium cabins that put certain luxury car companies to shame.

And of the entire Ram truck lineup, the 2019 Power Wagon is the most compromise-averse, a highly capable three-quarter ton off-roader that offers a 17 speaker Harmon-Kardon audio system, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. This isn’t just having your cake and eating it, too; it’s having your cake, eating it, then crawling over inhospitable, hardscrabble desert in comfort and luxury to go steal everybody else’s cake.

The Good: This truck has incredible off-road capability, especially for a ¾ ton pickup. It’s also the only vehicle in America to come with a winch from the factory, and thanks to a synthetic cable (instead of steel) that winch is lighter for 2019 but still rated to 12,000 pounds. The available 360-degree surround view camera will no doubt be clutch in tricky off-road situations. The new 8-speed transmission a huge improvement over the old 6-speed.

Who It’s For: The truck guy who wants to be able to tow and haul as well as climb and crawl. A spacious crew cab is the only option, meaning there’s plenty of room for friends and family to enjoy the ride; people who look at a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and think “not enough room for people or stuff” might land in a Power Wagon, given its combination of size and legit off-road capability.

Watch Out For: This is a three-quarter ton pickup, so obviously it’s big. Visibility over the hood and to the sides is good on the pavement, but off-road you’ve really got to use your mirrors when maneuvering, or the camera system if so equipped. The truck has lost some weight over the previous generation, which is impressive, but it still runs on a 6.4L Hemi and drinks fuel accordingly. The dash-mounted rotary gear selector takes some getting used to vs the old column mounted lever.

Alternatives: There isn’t no alternative: the Power Wagon is the only three-quarter-ton off-road specialist. Drop down to a half-ton and you have the Ford Raptor, the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss and the Power Wagon’s kid brother, the RAM Rebel. In some ways, given the Power Wagon’s very special set of (off-road) skills, a Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited or the forthcoming Gladiator Rubicon seems a better comparison.

Review: My first taste of the 2019 Power Wagon came deep in the Nevada desert, so close to the Arizona border that my phone kept switching between time zones. Out here, going from a trespasser to a target can happen quickly, so it was good the Ram folks had secured permission for the local trails to demonstrate the redesigned Power Wagon’s off-road capabilities.

Going into the experience I assumed the truck, while looking properly badass, was simply too big to be enjoyed anywhere but a wide-open space, like a mud pit, and certainly couldn’t be the extra-capable trail machine as advertised. And though I was right about the size — the three-quarter ton Power Wagon had a crew cab and a 6-foot-four-inch bed — my concerns about its capabilities were proved unfounded within minutes. Good visibility, great mirrors, and a surprisingly generous turning radius (even with the front and rear differentials locked) made maneuvering the Power Wagon up a steep, boulder-strewn hill a cinch. I didn’t even have to unlock the front sway bar for the first ascent, but I would soon find myself in a spot where doing so was mandatory. The ability to simply push a button and gain serious articulation capability will never cease to blow my mind. It’s expected in a Land Rover or Wrangler Rubicon, but having that feature in a full-size pickup was a welcome surprise.

Another welcome surprise: discovering you can still cheat your way into a cheaper Power Wagon by adding the Power Wagon “package” to the entry-level “Tradesman” RAM 2500. As was the case with the previous generation truck, you can start with a Crew Cab 4×4 2500 Tradesman for $39,850, then tick the Power Wagon option box for $7,995. This can get you into a Power Wagon for under $50,000, and leaves room to add a few choice options before hitting the $52,900 base price of the off-the-shelf Power Wagon. Personally, I’m a big fan of building one out based on the humble Tradesman trim level, since certain details on the factory Power Wagon — grille, giant RAM letters on the tailgate, and graphics on the side of the truck bed — aren’t to my taste. Sure, these things can be removed from the truck with little effort, but the Tradesman Power Wagon’s under-the-radar look has a cool “sleeper” factor all its own. Had I been rolling around Wyoming and Utah in an ostentatious truck heavy on the graphics, I imagine I would have missed out on the nods, waves and questions at the gas pump.

Having eaten up major miles in the Tradesman Power Wagon, I can say that while a 12-inch screen, heated and cooled seats and adaptive cruise control are nice to have, the basic 4-inch unit with Bluetooth, cloth bench seats (with fold up console!) and regular cruise control gets the job done just fine. Road-tripping in the truck was a nice reminder that, while we may hate making compromises, once in a while it’s good to take stock of what you really need to get the job done. Then, just go with what works rather than trying to have it all.

Verdict: Whether you opt for the well equipped Power Wagon from the factory or start with a 2500 Tradesman then add the Power Wagon package and options a la carte from there, you’re getting a lot of truck for your money. There simply isn’t another three-quarter ton pickup that can do all the things the Power Wagon does so well. For once, it seems, a company has made sure their lofty advertising quotes are backed up across the board.

This is certainly not a truck for everyone, especially those living in dense urban areas just looking for a capable weekend off-roader. But for those with the lifestyle to dig what this truck does, they’ll be glad they can round up four or five friends, tow a large boat to a lake and then charge to the top of the nearest mountain, just for the hell of it.

Specs:
Model Year/Brand/Model: 2019 RAM 2500 Power Wagon
Purchase URL: www.ramtrucks.com
Price: $52,450 (As tested)
Engine: 6.4-Liter V8
Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic
Horsepower: 410 hp
Torque: 429 lb-ft
MPG: 18/23 City/Highway

Ram hosted us and provided this product for review.

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April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

554

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Revealed Officially

The first performance version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Landed this week in the form of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35. The baby sedan gets entry level performance from the Mercedes-Benz in-house tuner with an increased spec sheet, potent engine and new styling tweaks. It’s a stop-gap until the CLA 45 arrives, yet it seems more than worthy of carrying the AMG badge!

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 will prove attractive to those looking for affordable performance. Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 302 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It hits 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds with a top speed limited to 250 km/h. The power is routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and multi-plate-clutch four-wheel drive system.

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe

At the chassis side of things, AMG have retained the front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension with specific setup. An optional adaptive damping system provides three settings. This can be combined with the variable-ratio steering system. AMG has focused on performance and handling for the CLA 35, aiming to capture the “young active lifestyle” group.

Visually, the 35 gets a heavily restyled front bumper with a lower front splitter element, larger air ducts and a revised grille. The side elements include AMG door mirrors and more prominent sills. The rear bumper is also redesigned. It gets a new multi-channel diffuser and a small lip spoiler together with twin chromed tailpipes.

Inside, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 gets the latest Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX operating system. It uses standard digital instruments and an infotainment display. It gets AMG specific features including a Supersport mode that introduces AMG-specific data. Design touches have also been added such as the ARTICO man-made leather surfaces with DINAMICA microfibre in black with red contrasting stitching and red seat belts.

Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 has yet to be announced. It will debut at the New York Motor Show 2019 which starts later this month.

April 10, 2019 / Comments Off

522

Zombie Cars: 8 discontinued vehicles that aren’t quite dead yet

Image Credit: Mitsubishi

Like zombies, these dead cars still sell among the living

Car models come and go, but as revealed by monthly sales data, once a car is discontinued, it doesn’t just disappear instantly. And in the case of some models, vanishing into obscurity can be a slow, tedious process.

That’s the case with the eight cars we have here. All of them have been discontinued, but car companies keep racking up “new” sales with them.

There are actually a lot more discontinued cars that are still registering new sales than what we included here. We tried to keep the list to the oldest and most unlikely old vehicles still being sold as new, including a couple of supercars. Click on the image above to get started.

Last updated April 2019

Image Credit: Dodge

2017 Dodge Viper: 1 sale

We’re starting our list out with a car we love. We don’t think there are a bunch of unsold Dodge Viper coupes sitting on dealer lots all across America. Nevertheless, one lucky individual managed to bring a new Viper home this year.

At least we know that buyer is out there having fun!

Dodge Viper Information

Image Credit: Chrysler

2016 Chrysler Town & Country: 1 sale

The Chrysler Town & Country was already an old vehicle when it was officially killed off in 2016. The basic van was introduced for the 2008 model year, and saw only refreshes until its conclusion eight years later. Some of those updates were helpful and kept the car at least somewhat competitive.

Still, we’re thankful Chrysler replaced it with the Pacifica, a superb van that is arguably the best in the segment. And if you do happen to really like Chrysler’s older minivan offering, the Dodge Grand Caravan is still being sold in 2019.

In any case, Chrysler managed to sell one of these minivans so far this year. Here’s hoping the buyer scored a great deal.

Chrysler Town & Country Information

Image Credit: Lexus

2012 Lexus LFA: 3 sales

The second supercar on this list (which otherwise is full of highly lackluster automobiles) is the Lexus LFA. It’s an exhilarating car to drive, and is packed full of interesting technology. So far, Lexus has sold a total of 3 LFA coupes to what we have to guess are very satisfied customers. By our count, there ought to be 5 more unsold LFAs sitting somewhere on dealer lots in America.

It’s also worth noting that Lexus only sold the LFA for two model years, 2011 and 2012, which means it is by far the oldest new vehicle of the year.

Lexus LFA Information

Image Credit: Mitsubishi

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer: 3 sales

The Mitsubishi Lancer wasn’t a particularly good car when it was killed off after the 2017 model year, so we guess it’s not terribly surprising that there are apparently a few of them still left unsold in America.

Mitsubishi has sold a total of 3 Lancers so far in 2019. We send our condolences, um, we mean, congratulations to the lucky buyers!

Mitsubishi Lancer Information

Image Credit: Infiniti

2017 Infiniti QX70: 6 sales

Infiniti stopped selling the QX70 crossover at the end of 2017, though the crossover-heavy brand still offers the QX30, QX50, and QX60 (plus the hulking QX80 SUV). That gaping 70-sized hold in the lineup will probably be replaced eventually, but for now, it’s empty.

No matter, the premium Japanese brand managed to sell six QX70s so far this year.

Infiniti QX70 Information

Image Credit: Dodge

2016 Dodge Dart: 8 sales

Dodge discontinued the compact Dart back in 2016, just three years after its launch. The automaker just wasn’t able to compete with the segment leaders like the Honda Civic or the sales juggernaut that is the Toyota Corolla. Despite the fact that it’s been dead for three years, Dodge managed to sell eight Darts so far in 2019.

Dodge Dart Information

Image Credit: Jeep

2017 Jeep Patriot: 10 sales

The Jeep Patriot initially launched back in 2007 alongside its more car-like Compass sibling, but while that vehicle got a redesign and is still on sale in Jeep dealerships, the boxier Patriot ended production in 2017.

Apparently there are a few Patriots still collecting dust on dealership lots in America, because the automaker has tallied 10 total sales so far this year.

Jeep Patriot Information

April 9, 2019 / Comments Off

246

Could Bugatti’s Next Vehicle be a Crossover Coupe?

Bunk or a Rumor Worth Listening to?

We recently reported that Bugatti wants to add to its lineup. At the time of that report, there was no indication as to what that vehicle might be. However, now it seems the automaker could be looking at a crossover coupe as its next model. The crossover coupe could be based on the Lamborghini Urus, according to CAR magazine.

The publication revealed that there is a proposal for such a vehicle that is awaiting sign-off from the high-level executives at VW. VW and Bugatti have said nothing of this, so there’s a chance it’s not true or that the company will not sign off on it and we’ll hear nothing else of it. With that in mind, with the way the automotive market is currently going, it would make sense for the automaker to do so.

Stephan Winkelmann, the head of Bugatti, previously worked on the Urus, so it would make sense. Also, the model is a true force to be reckoned with. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of about 190 mph.

If Bugatti were to tap the Urus for its own crossover, the reports indicate that it will be a smaller, two-door crossover that’s even more extreme in terms of performance. As Carscoops points out, there is the opportunity to hybridize the powertrain and still use the engine from the Urus to bring the power output closer to 1,000 hp.

All this goes against what Winkelmann said of the upcoming vehicle. As we reported a few days ago, Winkelmann seemed pretty adamant about the car having its own platform, and keeping it unique to the Bugatti brand. With that said, we could see Bugatti coming up with its own platform and then using things like the engine from the Urus. Time will tell, but reports indicated a 2023 projected date for the vehicle. Bugatti better get moving if it wants to make that happen.

April 9, 2019 / Comments Off

501

2019 Jeep Gladiator “Wayout” Concept

Here’s the perfect overlanding ride. Jeep and Mopar just unveiled a bevy of new concept cars, one of which is the above, called the Jeep Gladiator Wayout. It’s of course a modified Jeep Gladiator, set to be a part of Jeep’s Easter Safari off-roading excursion.

Sure, it’s essentially a Gladiator pickup at its core. But it’s got some notable upgrades plus an intense roof rack that can support a built-in two-person tent and canopy. The pop-tent rests on a rack at the top of the bed, and it comes with a ladder for more efficient access.

For those truly aching for the overlanding experience, Jeep’s got you covered. It put two extra tanks in the bedsides, an onboard air-supply line, and even drawers in the bed. There’s also a custom roof rack over the cab for extra storage. As on other off-roaders, there’s a winch and snorkel on-hand just in case.

Underneath, you’ll find a lift kit sourced from Jeep Performance Parts, 17-inch steel wheels, and 37-inch mud tires. They come together in this gorgeous Gator Green paint, which looks gorgeous, if a bit too on the nose. Inside, the seats are made of brown leather and feature stitched topographical maps. A nice, unexpected touch. And in case you ever need more illumination, there are LED lights onboard.

Unfortunately, the Jeep Gladiator Wayout doesn’t come with powertrain adjustments. Which means it’s got the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. But that’s no cause for concern, as the production Gladiator doesn’t disappoint, anyway.

VISIT JEEP

Photos courtesy of Jeep and Mopar

April 9, 2019 / Comments Off

859

This Might Be the Ultimate Custom Defender

A Note on Pricing: The going prices for these cars are accurate at the time of publishing but may change the longer the classified ads are live.

Between cars from East Coast Defender, Icon 4×4 and Arkonik alone, there’s certainly no shortage of custom Land Rover Defenders out there. The downside to those unique and insanely detailed builds is their price tags regularly crest the $250,000 mark. This 1993 Land Rover Defender 130 200Tdi, on the other hand, might be your chance to own a decked-out Defender without completely annihilating your bank account.

The most subtle parts of this Defender build are the 2.5-liter turbodiesel inline-four and the Alpine white paint. From there, everything seems to be over the top but never crosses the line in to ostentatious. In addition to the natural brawniness of the Defender 130, this build comes with fender flares, a new front bumper replete with a 10,000-lb winch, a roof rack, a snorkel and auxiliary lights — all of which sits on powder-coated 18-inch Land Rover Sawtooth wheels wrapped with 37-inch Federal Xplora M/T tires. While Defenders are known to have barren, straightforward interiors, this example provides a little more luxury than usual with custom Armagnac and charcoal stressed leatherette upholstery.

As of this writing, this Defender is going for $39,000, but with the amount of work and upgrades that’s gone into this build, it probably won’t stay that low for long. However, seeing as how it’s a private build and not from one of the more famous outfits like Icon 4×4, and that it has 71,000 miles on the clock, it’s safe to assume the price tag won’t hit the same quarter-million-dollar heights. So, barring any unexpected aggressive bidding wars, you could be looking at a hell of a deal for a custom restomodded Defender.

April 8, 2019 / Comments Off

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1968 Porsche 911 Soft-Window Targa

In 1968, Porsche built 268 examples of the 911 Soft-Windows Targa. Above is one of the last ones that exist. It’s one of Porsche’s sexiest rides, featuring a desirable body style that’s got a full open-air 911 motoring experience. Porsche didn’t make one like that until came the SC Cabriolet arrived in ’83.

1968 served as the final year of the SWB body style, sadly. Many Porsche collectors prefer this shape, especially those who appreciate the beauty of the original Porsche 911 design. The above is an extremely rare matching-numbers example that comes with a copy of its Porsche COA.

At 77,000 used, it’s been driven aplenty. RM Sotheby’s says it’s “believed original,” so bid at your own risk. Still, it comes with the original interior still preserved. That means pristine factory black leatherette seats, door panels, armrests, dash, mats, and mostly original carpeting. You’ll also find a rare rear seat delete compartment, a Blaupunkt radio, steering wheel, trim, and accessories. The convertible rear window and Targa top are both original, as well. The tonneau boot, meanwhile, is completely new.

The car finished its full disassembly and repaint recently, by the way. And it comes in its rare factory shade of Sand Beige code no. 6807. The newly rebuilt engine features less than 500 miles, so there’s plenty of rubber to burn. We get it: it does feel like we’ve seen all the Porsche 911s in the world. The quantity does lessen the notability of the base car. But make no mistake — this one’s as rare as they get.

GET IT HERE