AUTOS
-The absolutely evil sounding, track-ready Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is a racing-inspired marvel among mass-produced cars, a fact that’s most clearly highlighted by the wheels Ford is putting on the thing: R models come from the factory with carbon-fiber wheels, a distinction previously reserved for a handful of special-order Koenigsegg hypercars. – We’ve known this fact since the Shelby GT350 and GT350R debuted late last year, but today Ford released
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– As the 1990s segued into the new millennium, the world was busy not ending and the world’s computers were busy not crashing—at least not more than usual. And California was getting blasted by the next big car-culture tsunami: import tuning. People with the money to tweak new cars were cranking up the boost on the factory-turbocharged engines in Mazda RX-7s and Toyota MR2s and Supras. Those without the money
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– Let’s start with the good news. Heinz Hollerweger, head of Audi’s Quattro GmbH, says that expanding sales in the U.S. is vital for improving the division’s performance. “Europe is becoming a less important market, the U.S.A. and China are where we see growth happening,” he told us at the press launch for the new Audi R8. So naturally we asked him about the replacement for the current RS4 (pictured)—specifically
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-WHAT WE LIKE: The Kia’s old-man-car ride quality, silent interior, and sprawl-out space continue to garner praise from road-trippers. In fact, several logbook comments have zeroed in on what a decent Lincoln the K900 would make. (Oh, but for a Town Car redux.) READ MORE ›› –
– General Motors has announced a safety recall affecting its three-row crossover lineup, which includes the Chevrolet Traverse, the Buick Enclave, the GMC Acadia, and the (now-discontinued) Saturn Outlook. – The issue is faulty “Prop Recovery System” software that might not recognize when the gas support struts become worn and can no longer support the weight of the liftgate. The Prop Recovery System is “intended to accomplish a controlled, slow return
– Alfa Romeo’s long-awaited new sports sedan, the Giulia, has proven to be every bit the sexy Italian the brand needs as the follow-up to the 4C. We can’t wait to drive the new Alfa, which is due to arrive here in mid-2016. Of course, the automaker will need to further flesh out its lineup globally, both to satisfy its dealer body and to maximize the return on its investment in
