Top Cars

2022 Mini Cooper SE: The Best Sporting EV You Can Buy?

2022 Mini Cooper SE: The Best Sporting EV You Can Buy?

In this video we discuss the Mini Cooper SE and go through the logic of why it might be the ideal EV.

By Bradley Iger | August 26, 2022
Review: 2021 Lexus IS 300 AWD – Sharper Looks, Still A Good Value

Recently, we were lent the brand-new 2021 Lexus IS 300 AWD for a couple of days. When we took delivery, we immediately noticed some nice upgrades over the previous, 2020 Lexus lineup. We wouldn’t say these are significant upgrades, but rather the slow-and-steady, gradually-over-time type, which has proven to be a successful strategy for the Japanese luxury brand.

By Bradley Iger | October 16, 2020
Driven: 2022 BMW M340i

The 2022 BMW M340i sits in an interesting spot in the Bavarian brand’s beloved 3 Series lineup. After spending a full week with it, we really enjoyed its ability to be both a mild and comfortable, daily a-to-be cruiser, yet also transform into a fast, athletic, and thrilling sports sedan.

By Bradley Iger | July 13, 2022

Cars

Driven: 2014 BMW M5 Competition Pack

BMW has taken some flack over the past few years for what some diehard fans consider the dilution of its M performance brand, first by allowing forced induction into the equation after staunchly sticking to the use of naturally aspirated engines in M cars for decades, and then by gradually loaning out the M badge to appearance packages and more pedestrian upgrades to lesser vehicles. At its core though, M performance has long centered around two vehicles in particular: the M3 coupe and the M5 sedan. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the E39-generation M5 achieved near-mythical status as the ideal every day driver’s car, and many still regard it as a high watermark for BMW sedans. Whether or not the E39 M5 is worthy of such praise (we think it is), it set fairly lofty expectations for its successors. Two generations later we find ourselves with the F10 M5, here outfitted with the Competition Pack, ready to spend a week trying to determine whether or not this particular spec of the M5 still champions the same principles that placed its predecessors in such high regard.

By Bradley Iger | May 15, 2014
Update: 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Driven on Street and Track

After a decade-long run and 14,000 sales – almost half of the total number of Lamborghinis sold in the company’s 51 year history – the Gallardo is finally being put out to pasture, and the Huracan has stepped in to take its place. Its all-new aluminum and carbon fiber chassis, active suspension and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission all point the way to a thoroughly modernized driving experience on paper, but what’s it like behind the wheel?

By Bradley Iger | May 14, 2014
WR TV: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Mercedes-Benz has taken the bold step to venture downmarket with the new-for-2014 CLA-Class, which starts at a paltry $29,900 ($36,545 as tested). So, what does $30k get you in new a Mercedes-Benz? In terms of powertrain, the CLA is propelled by a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline four cylinder engine, making 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That mill is hooked to a seven speed dual clutch gearbox which sends the power to the front wheels. Notably, all wheel drive is standard on the hopped-up CLA45 AMG.

By Winding Road Staff | May 09, 2014
Driven: 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507

As the launch of the next generation C-Class fast approaches, AMG decided to release one more third generation C63 with a little extra chutzpah. Slotted between the standard C63 AMG and the more track focused C63 AMG Black Series, the Edition 507 borrows some hardware from the Black Series parts bin while retaining much of the comfort and convenience from the standard C63. We set out to determine whether it’s the best of both worlds or merely curious combination of the two.

By Bradley Iger | May 05, 2014
Update: Ferrari LaFerrari Driven on Street and Track

With the battle already well underway between the Porsche 918 Spyder and the McLaren P1, many have been wondering when Ferrari would finally unleash its own hybrid powered hypercar so we could find out how it stacks up against the competition. That day has finally come.

By Bradley Iger | May 01, 2014
Driven: 2015 Cadillac Escalade

The all-new fourth generation of Cadillac’s full sized luxury SUV brings with it a new look, a new engine, a totally revamped interior and a decidedly different approach to “bling”. But is it the family hauler and track day workhorse you’d want to put in your driveway? We took to streets of Los Angeles and, somewhat courageously, Mulholland Highway to find out.

By Bradley Iger | April 28, 2014
WR TV: 2015 Subaru WRX STI

We enjoyed our drive of the new STI-flavored WRX on and around Laguna Seca back in February so much that we just couldn’t keep ourselves away from the rally-bred bruiser. This time we got a chance to capture the manners of the STI around the streets of Los Angeles and on the twisty roads of the Angeles National Forest.

By Bradley Iger | April 22, 2014
Driven: 2014 Audi RS5

It’s been a while since we last spent some time with the sharpest iteration of Audi’s A5 sports coupe. As such, we thought we’d reacquaint ourselves with the RS5, see how things have progressed in the interim, and get a better sense of what it’s like to live with it in the real world.

By Bradley Iger | April 16, 2014
Update: EVO Drives the Porsche 911 Targa 4S

Tiff Needell takes the new Porsche semi-convertible around the Italian countryside while trying to decide whether or not the extra girth – and price – are justified in the name of partially open top 911 motoring.

By Bradley Iger | April 09, 2014
WR TV: 2014 Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang GT POV Test Drive

While a new factory-stock Ford Mustang GT is a capable performer in its own right, once the guys at Roush get their hands on it, this pony is transformed into a whole new animal. While the Roush Stage 3 package sports a host of suspension, brake, interior and appearance upgrades, the star of this particular show is clearly Roush’s exhaust upgrades and the supercharger bolted atop the GT’s 5.0-liter V8. Output now stands at 575 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque, and when mated to a six speed manual transmission like this particular example is, tires everywhere tremble in fear.

By Winding Road Staff | April 07, 2014
Driven: 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT

Nearly a decade after the car first made waves when it was reintroduced for the 2005 model year, the 300 – and Chrysler’s LX platform as a whole – have earned their fair share of both praise and criticism. Due for a major refresh for 2015, we spent a week with the current car to see what works, what doesn’t, and what we’d like to see updated when the new 300 makes its debut later this year.

By Bradley Iger | April 03, 2014
WR TV: 2014 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Coupe

This week Chris Amos gets up close and personal with BMW’s all wheel drive, full sized, coupe-like four door sedan. Powered by BMW’s 3.0-liter twinscroll-turbocharged 24-valve inline six-cylinder motor, here making 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque and mated to an 8-speed automatic, the 640i xDrive Gran Coupe may be just the thing for those who want a 5-Series with a little more panache.

By Winding Road Staff | March 28, 2014
WR TV: 2014 BMW 435i xDrive Coupe

This week Multimedia Editor Chris Amos traverses the snowy Michigan roads in a 2014 BMW 435i xDrive Coupe. Equipped with BMW’s venerable 3.0-liter inline 6 cylinder twin scroll turbocharged engine, a six speed manual gearbox, BMW’s xDrive all wheel drive system, and a smattering of M Sport goodies, this 4-Series certainly sounds up to the task.

By Winding Road Staff | March 18, 2014
WR TV: 2010 Volkswagen GTI at Gingerman Raceway – POV Track Test

With spring approaching and temperatures starting to rise a bit, the beginning of track season is starting to take shape. A few months ago when the weather was a bit kinder in Michigan, Multimedia Editor Chris Amos took his 2010 GTI out to Gingerman Raceway to put the MK6 through its paces. As the winter starts to thaw and we get ready for more track days, here’s a look at some fast laps around the course, as well as a rundown of the current setup Chris is using on his GTI.

By Winding Road Staff | March 17, 2014
Driven: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

It’s been a long overdue, but we finally got some quality time with the seventh generation Corvette. Since its unveiling, volumes upon volumes of superlative-laden praise have been written about the C7, touting this new car as a massive step forward by nearly every measurement. So it’s no surprise that it was with a fair bit of excitement that we took delivery of this Laguna Blue example, equipped with GM’s new seven-speed manual gearbox, the highly touted Z51 Performance Package, and a host of other goodies. Still, something had us slightly concerned. Had all this anticipation created expectations that would be nearly impossible for the Corvette to achieve? Could the new Stingray even hope to live up to the mountain of hype that surrounded it? Well folks, there will be no M. Night Shyamalan-style plot twists here – the hype is in fact true, the new C7 Corvette Stingray is a truly fantastic sports car.

By Bradley Iger | March 07, 2014
Driven: 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

Last year we got a chance to road test the hardtop version of the Vanquish, and we left the scene suitably enamored. Here we find ourselves at the helm of the drop top version of the Vanquish for the first time, simultaneously congratulating ourselves on the incredibly fortunate sequence of events that led us to this point in life, and also immediately realizing that despite perhaps losing a step to its hardtop brethren, the Volante is, without question, the more ideal configuration of the Vanquish.

By Bradley Iger | March 06, 2014
WR TV: 1985 BMW 535i – POV Test Drive

Our courageous Multimedia Editor Chris Amos gets behind the wheel of a 1985 BMW 535i equipped with a 5-speed, a limited-slip differential and a set of snow tires and attempts to gingerly navigate the slippery snow-covered roads of Michigan. Spolier alert: the snow tires are no match for Chris’s lead foot. When was the last time you threw in some opposite lock at 3mph?

By Winding Road Staff | March 06, 2014
Driven: 2014 Jaguar F-Type V8 S Convertible

Last year, Jaguar gave us a the opportunity to get some seat time with both the V6 S and V8 S models of the F-Type drop top. While spending a few hours with a car on a predetermined route can offer a fair bit of information about what it’s like to drive in certain situations, spending an unsupervised week with it provides you with a better idea of what it’s like to live with in the real world. It also gave us a chance to record some footage with one of the most raucous and intoxicating exhaust notes this side of pit lane.

By Bradley Iger | February 24, 2014
WR TV: 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante – POV Test Drive

This week Aston Martin was gracious enough to hand us the key to a Vanquish drop top and set us loose on the streets of…

By Winding Road Staff | February 21, 2014
WR TV: 2014 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged

This week Multimedia Editor Chris Amos gets his hands on the 2014 Range Rover Sport. Equipped with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 dishing out 510 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque coupled to an eight-speed automatic that’s routing power to all four wheels on a full time basis, this Range Rover certainly has no shortage of grunt. Combined with the Range Rover’s automatic load leveling air suspension and a towing capacity of over 7,700 pounds, the new Sport just might be the ultimate blend of luxury, SUV capability, and street-driven athleticism.

By Winding Road Staff | February 18, 2014
Driven: 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru recently launched the fourth generation of its WRX and has now, with little delay, followed that up with the top-level STI version of the car. We were invited to the Monterey peninsula to drive the car on a variety of winding roads and at the Laguna Seca race track.

By Tom Martin | February 17, 2014

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