Sun, Jun 1, 2014
We're starting where we left off with our 1993 Nissan 240SX, by finishing the brakes and upgrading nearly the entire suspension system. Also being installed are Recaro seats and a wide body kit to clear the massive wheels and tires we installed last time. Finally, we get the Nissan firing on all cylinders and test it to see how much a difference the new parts have made.
Sun, Jun 29, 2014
Carlos Lago heads back to Italy for a rare opportunity to drive Ferrari's latest flagship car, the Ferrari LaFerrari. Featuring a high revving 6.3 liter V12, and the industry's latest and most advanced hybrid engine technology, this $1million+ hypercar produces a combined 950 horsepower, and is so special that the company named the car after themselves. In the world of the Mclaren P1 and Porsche 918, how does the LaFerrari stack up? Stay tuned to find out.
Sun, Jul 27, 2014
Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of the new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C to see if Italy's reintroduction into the entry level sports car market is worth all that it's hyped up to be. With it's dynamic handling, lively turbo soundtrack, and it's expertly crafted F1-style carbon fiber tub, the 4C is essentially a $55,000 supercar on paper, but how will it perform on the mountain roads and in our usual gamut of tests?
Sun, Aug 10, 2014
Carlos Lago drives a 1967 Maserati Ghibli, a prime and beautiful example of the Italian grand touring cars from the late 60s. Recognized as one of the most important Maseratis ever produced, this Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed coupe was noteworthy in its day for its styling, which helped it outsell both the Ferrari Daytona and Lamborghini Muria. This pristine example is owned by Motor Trend technical director Frank Markus, who graciously allowed us to find out what it's like to drive.
Sun, Aug 24, 2014
Motor Trend's senior features editor Jonny Lieberman takes a hard look at the new plug-in hybrid performance car from BMW, the crowd stopping i8. The electrification of the sports car is upon us, and BMW's wild looking entry features a puny turbocharged three-cylinder behind the driver that powers the rear wheels, as well as a potent electric traction motor motivating the fronts.
Sun, Sep 14, 2014
Carlos Lago drives the most powerful production muscle car on the market: The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. While it isn't the most powerful production V-8 in the world (which loses to the $1 million McLaren P1 by 20 hp before electric motors), the Hellcat's 707 hp rating seems too incredible to believe -- especially when you consider the cost.
Sun, Oct 12, 2014
Carlos Lago drives the first turbo, four-cylinder Mustang in three decades: the EcoBoost. Featuring 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, this Mustang should easily outpace the V-6 and, with half the cylinders, it also boasts less weight over the front end than the GT. Add in a performance package and - finally - independent rear suspension, and this Mustang should prove a lot of fun.
Sun, Nov 23, 2014
Carlos Lago heads to the infamous Road Atlanta circuit to test the limits of the all new Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Reworked from the ground up, the 2015 Z06 ditches the screaming naturally aspirated V8 of the last generation for a supercharged unit producing 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Correction: The displacement of the Z06 is displayed incorrectly as 5.0L in the video. The actual displacement of the Z06 is 6.2L.
Sun, Dec 7, 2014
Carlos Lago and Mark Lenardon finally do what they've been talking about for so long: Install a Chevy E-Rod LS3 and T56 Super Magnum into our 240SX. Our CARB legal setup (that's right, it's street legal) makes 430 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque. What's even better is that it doesn't change the weight balance of the car.
Sun, Dec 21, 2014
Carlos Lago heads to the winding road and Big Willow race track to test Porsche's highly anticipated 911 GT3. The GT3 is the 911 for the crazed driving enthusiast fringe that think other 911's just aren't enough. Packing an all new 3.8 liter flat six that revs to a monstrous 9000 rpm and makes 475 naturally aspirated horsepower, is this 911 a barely disguised racecar for the street?