Categories: Car Reviews

Odds are, if this is the first time you’re hearing about the TZ3 Stradale, you are never going to own one. Don’t worry, we won’t either. More on that in a moment. First some back story: The TZ3 pays homage the TZ1 which was a tubular steel-framed GT car that debuted in 1963. The TZ1 made good use of a 1.6-liter DOHC inline four cylinder motor. The TZ3 also makes good use of an engine; it just happens to be more than five times that of the original TZ1. 

In announcing its debut episode Wednesday, I mentioned The Car Show’s key to success—don't be Top Gear—and it seems TCS has taken my advice. Top Gear is more of an entertaining show (at least the BBC version is) that tries to be automotive, whereas The Car Show aims to be an automotive show that tries to be entertaining. The eclectic group of qualified misfits they’ve assembled creates a dynamic group that almost any car enthusiast can relate to in some way.

One of the perks of being an insanely popular TV personality is the pecuniary success to build and run your own garage, packed with automotive gems past and present. One of the perks of having a personal car collection, while maintaining celebrity status, is that major auto brands like VW are more than happy to oblige your urge to test drive their latest toys. Jay Leno proves that point in his latest article, showcasing a test drive of the oldest surviving VW Beetle followed by an upcoming 2012 model. Watching the video, it’s easy to see how much Leno respects and cherishes classic cars. However, his enthusiasm for the latest Beetle appears equally colorful—and with good reason. Leno pushed his test vehicle in excess of 130 mph.

As if the SUV market did not already resemble 40 students packed into a 20-chair classroom, Saab is transferring their newest pupil, the 9-4X into one of the most cut-throat, jam-packed segments out there.

The 9-4X is a full-sized SUV that represents the last project General Motors and Saab will have in common now that their partnership is over. Now, that sheet metal might look a little familiar to some and there is a good reason why. Old habits die hard, and GM has always had the mindset that two are better than one, even if both of those two are almost identical. The 9-4X will be built in Mexico with its two-year-older brother (and classmate), the Cadillac SRX.

Could there be any denying that the previous Hyundai Sonata was heavily influenced by the Camry and Accord? No, I think we can all agree on that. While the old Sonata borrowed lots of influences from the aforementioned reigning champions, the latest Sonata was completely redesigned for the 2011 model year. Now with sharply styled interior and exterior, safety features, plus the added benefit of extreme fuel efficiency; the 2011 Hyundai Sonata comes into its own.

Whatever you’re planning to do, from cross-continental voyages to weekend trips at the local mud pits, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is good-to-go. Yes, BMW makes some expensive motorcycles, but they are widely regarded as the best on the road for the all-important emotional draw of jumping on a bike and riding into the great unknown. The new BMW R 1200 GS Adventure model is the king in BMW’s class of Enduro bikes. In addition to being incredibly handsome, the R 1200 GS Adventure packs some serious specifications, making this bike ready for even the most trail-hardened journeyman.

Have you heard about that new car with the 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 in that bargain priced car? Yup, the one that produces well over 400-horsepower and accelerates like a bat out of hell? Oh, you have? It's amazing that a five-passenger sedan can make that kind of power, isn't it? Wait, what? You thought I meant some Pony Car? Oh no, no! This is the newest big bad... Hyundai. Yes, Hyundai—No, I'm serious.  

It seems that the Korean automaker is very intent on becoming a serious competitor to high-end automakers, as well as... well, everyone else. Quietly, we are seeing the emergence of a sport line called R-Spec. First, with the Genesis Coupe and now comes the 2012 Genesis R-Spec Sedan. This seductive sedan is equal parts luxury looker and boulevard bruiser, albeit in a much more tame manner than anything wearing an M badge from Germany or F badge from Japan.

Okay, so in case you haven't been keeping up Lamborghini has a few Gallardo models on display. Technically, the newest drop-top was introduced back in November, but honestly with blustery winds and sub-zero temperatures right around the corner, we didn't think that it was the best timing. However, now with summer officially kicked off, there is quite a bit more interest in a nearly 600-horsepower open-air beast. The following is Lamborghini's official press release for the new Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante, albeit with much better timing.

Sant'Agata Bolognese. With the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, Lamborghini is setting a new benchmark in the most fascinating automobile segment of all—the open-top super sports car. As "Performante", the Gallardo Spyder is even lighter thanks to CFRP technology, even more agile and even more dynamic. The new Spyder Performante is an automotive high-performance athlete that combines sheer sporting excellence and extreme performance with that unique open-air feeling that only a soft-top spanning the ten-cylinder power unit can offer. Ultimately, every spin in the Spyder Performante is like a journey into the eye of the storm.

Some cars and trucks are just ahead of their time. Sometimes, the world is just not ready yet for an idea; it's either too soon, too much, or just too unusual for the world to deal with and, as such, that idea usually either dies or goes into hibernation until the world catches up. Such was the life of one of the quickest and fastest trucks ever produced. The GMC Syclone was not a high-selling success, but this tricked-out pickup truck brought new meaning to the word "Hauling."

This pint-sized pickup started off life as a garden variety GMC Sonoma, but went on to be the first hot rod truck ever produced by a dealer. Starting with a very spartan 3500-pound truck, GMC sent their mild-mannered pickup to Production Automotive Services, Inc. (the same company that produced the 1989 Turbo Trans Am that went on to become one of the quickest Firebirds Pontiac ever released) and got back a 4.3-liter turbo-charged, liquid-cooled V6 nightmare.

So while the world is celebrating the beginning of the reign of the Aventador as king of Sant' Agata and singing its praises, it just so happens that there is at least one more new kid on the block worth getting excited over.

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but the all-time best-selling Lamborghini is not the Murcielago, nor is it the fire-breathing Diablo, and no, it isn't even the legendary Countach (although the Countach may hold the record for most car posters ever sold). Nope, it's the occasionally underappreciated Gallardo. Yes, really. Since its debut in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Gallardo has given no less than 10,000 drivers ultimate bragging rights. Surprised? Don't be; Lamborghini has successfully done what other car companies have tried to do for years:  Make an old car into a new car without changing too much, but changing enough to warrant some new excitement. 

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a completely new model that brings a hint of lavishness to inexpensive small cars. One of the utmost compliments you can give a car is to say it feels more expensive than it is; that is surely the case with the Cruze. In terms of small car competition, Chevrolet has never had a competitive player. The mediocre Cobalt, as well as the generally terrible Cavalier that preceded it, was doomed as its rivals consistently outperformed them in key areas. Having said that, Chevrolet did a lot right here; when compared to this segment's traditional leaders, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the Cruze is fully competitive (or even better) in terms of design and driving dynamics.