Luxe Summer Rides

June 1st, 2018

By Don Armstrong

Cadillac CT6

Cadillac CT6
Meet the new flagship from Cadillac, the CT6 Sedan. Despite is lackluster name, the car is a masterpiece in the luxury market.

Its exterior design is both modern and conservative with vertical lighting fore and aft. Minimal chrome bits adorn vent openings up front while quad, chrome tipped exhaust tips flank the lower rear valance. A high beltline pays tribute to Cadillac’s enormous era.

The interior is purely Cadillac, American luxury can’t get any better. A slight rise in the upper leather dash covering marks its digital instrument cluster below. The centrally located touch screen is wide, easy to use and understand. A finger-touch pad control can be found just ahead of the shifter on the center console. Seating surfaces are top notch leather, firm yet comfortable with adjustments for every body type.

A highlight of the CT6 is its semi-autonomous driving feature called SuperCruise that allows you to let the car drive itself when highway conditions permit. For this reporter, it was a strange feeling releasing the wheel and letting the car do its thing. It worked amazingly well.

Power options include a 4-cylinder or one of two V-6 engines.

Pricing starts at an astonishingly low $54,490.

Audi S5

Audi S5
If you’re a lone commuter, perhaps a German Coupe would be a good fit. May we suggest the Audi S5?

Conservative exterior styling is the key note for the S5. Personally, we like the sleeper look this car exudes with its relatively straight lines, big, open-mouth grille and run-of-the-mill taillights. The quad exhaust tips can be a slight tipoff that something may be lurking under the hood.

The 3.0-liter V-6 delivers 354-horsepower to its full-time all-wheel drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission. We thought it was a V-8 at first. Yes, its 369 lb.-ft. of torque hits you that hard.

The interior brings a lot to the table. Like the exterior, design is conservative – nothing swoopy here. But, the S5 has the latest techno-stuff to keep you as occupied as you want to be. Seating is comfortable but legroom for adults in the back could be an issue on long trips.

Like the Cadillac CT6, the S5 has a similar semi-autonomous driving feature available but engagement is accomplished a little differently than the American way.

There at two trim levels, the Premium Plus and Prestige, with pricing beginning at $54,600.

Beauty and the Beast

May 1st, 2018

By Don Armstrong

Each year, we get to drive dozens of new vehicles. However, it isn’t often we get excited enough to boast about a couple of all-new rides. This month we drive two, SUV’s that we think you’ll get excited about too after your test drives.

The 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir tows a boat Wednesday, July 19, 2017 in Milford, Michigan. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for Buick)

Buick Enclave Avenir
Used to be, Buick was a “near” luxury brand. No longer. The completely redesigned Enclave Avenir can now be considered full-on luxury and a “Beauty” to behold.

We recently drove the “Avenir,” an all-new trim name for top-of-the-line features that now place this Buick in direct competition with Lexus and Infiniti.

The Avenir includes an exclusive three-dimensional mesh grille paired with chrome wings inspired by Buick concept cars, as well as 20-inch wheels. Five premium exterior colors are available along with a Chestnut interior with Ebony piping on the seats and contrasting stitching. Avenir floor-mats; a wood-accented steering wheel and Avenir-scripted sill plates are just a few items you’ll want to point out to your now jealous next-door neighbors.
A smooth 3.6L V-6 engine delivers 310-horsepower to 2 or all-wheels. An imperceptible nine-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.

A premium suspension system with continuously variable real-time damping is also available.

Starting price for the Enclave is $40,970. Add several thousand dollars for models sporting the Avenir emblem.

BMW X3 M40i
The venerable X3 has become one of BMW’s most popular models with seating for 5 and a mastery of ride quality and handling. The all-new M40i adds the “Beast” factor to an already capable factory do-all.

When we say “all-new” we mean from the ground up, but you’d be hard pressed to see any noticeable deviations from the outgoing model. Side-by-side though, the ’18 model is larger than the old, which translates into more interior room.

We love inline 6-cylinder engines and BMW makes one of the best. Add TwinPower turbocharging to its 3.0-liters and you’ll have 355-horses that get to a full gallop faster that you can say, “giddyap.”

Its 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with Launch Control is a delight in either full-automatic mode or paddle-shifted intervention. The full-time all-wheel drive system is the only one available, as it should be.

BMW is typically at the cutting edge of in-car connectivity but in the X3, Apple Car Play is in, and Android Auto is out.

The X3 M40i starts at $64,045.

Summer Ready: Toyota Tacoma & GMC Canyon

April 1st, 2018

By Don Armstrong

Trucks are all the rage. They move the kid’s dorm furnishings, go camping and make hauling a load of mulch a breeze, all while whisking the kids to soccer, baseball or softball. In this months review we focus on a couple of hot mid-size offerings.

Toyota Tacoma
You see them everywhere, and for a reason. The Toyota Tacoma not only looks good but has built a reputation for dependability. And with no fewer than 30 variations, how could you not find one that checks off every box on your want list?

The latest edition of the Tacoma was completely redesigned 3-years ago. 2018 updates include a revised grille and a new enhancement called Toyota Safety Sense P. This feature packages a pre-collision system with lane departure alert and sway warning, among others, that place the Tacoma ahead of the pack in safety.

A 4-cylinder engine is available, but we recommend the 3.5-liter V-6 and 6-speed automatic transmission. This combo increases the towing capability, gives you more oomph wherever you need it and power for passing.

Whether you are an off-road enthusiast or not, you’ll love the TRD Pro edition. This bad boy includes bigger springs, a 1-inch taller stance, Fox shocks, hefty skid plate and fog lights, among others, to enhance the Tacoma’s capability.

Entry level Toyota Tacoma pricing starts at $25,130.

2018 GMC Canyon Denali​

GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon and its Chevy twin, Colorado, are the latest entries in the mid-size truck segment. But parent company General Motors has taken a “less is more” approach with packages and options. We count two beds and two cab configurations along with six trim levels. Like the Toyota, GMC offers a 4-cylinder and V-6, but for those that want to maximize capability there is even a diesel option, a 2.4-liter I-4 that can tow up to 7,700-pounds and get up to 30 MPG-highway.

The Canyon is offered in an off-road-inspired All Terrain package that includes the Z71 suspension, automatic locking rear differential and standard transfer case skid plate but if you want to step up to the TRD Pro level, you’ll have to head to the aftermarket.
As you would expect, the Denali version gets premium appointments.

GMC has one of the better performing infotainment systems on the market so whatever trim-level you decide on, get the 8-inch screen with all the bells and whistles.

Pricing starts at $22,095.

Fun Fall Rides

October 1st, 2017

By Don Armstrong

Despite growing sales of SUVs and coupes, sport cars continue to intrigue aficionados and car lovers alike. This month, we look at America’s sport car and a 4-place coupe that will whet your appetite for fall weekend road trips in search of autumn leaves, crooked roads and cooler weather.

Chevrolet Corvette GS
Readers of this column always ask us, “what is your favorite car?” Raising kids dulled sport car thoughts for the past two decades but a recent drive of a 2018 Corvette GS awakened sleeping desires.

For 65 years, the Corvette has been the dream of every red-blooded, American kid, including me. I’ve owned many in my lifetime and enjoyed each one.

The new 2018 GS is a notch above the base level Corvette and gives the driving enthusiast all the attributes of the ultra-powerful, Porsche-killer, Z06, but without its mega-horsepower.

Let’s face it, the base 455-horspower, 6.2-liter V-8 that resides under the hood of the GS is enough to get even the most skilled pilot into some serious trouble.

Equipped with a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, this Chevy makes it easy to compete on the track and get you to the office in style. Add the carbon fiber package and ceramic brakes and you’ll announce to the world that you mean business.

The entry-level Corvette begins at $56,490, add another 10-grand to get the GS package.

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
As the name implies, this is not your mama’s every day, run-of-the-mill, luxury coupe.

New for 2017, the Q60 Red Sport 400 is Infiniti’s way of getting to the fast lane in style.

What differentiates the Red Sport from the lower Q60 trim levels is the 400-horsepower, twin turbo V-6 that powers the rear wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available. Just by touching the paddles on the steering wheel, the Q60 comes alive with a whoosh of power.

The 2-door sport coupe seats 4 in ultra-plush leather. Even the dash has supercar flair with its dual screens located in the laidback center stack. The instrument pod sits under a notable sunshade that rises in front of the driver.

With adaptive steering and ride adjustability, road trip destinations will become the number one searched item on your new, expensive smart phone.

The Infinti Q60 Red Sport 400 starts at $51,300. Add another 10-grand for a loaded up one, like our tester.

Factory Heat

June 1st, 2017

2016 Chevrolet SS Sedan

By Don Armstrong

Not since the late 1960’s has there been more high-horsepower, factory hot rods in dealer showrooms. This month Bay Area Houston Magazine and In Wheel Time examine two powerhouses that will shred a set of tires at the tap of the throttle.

Chevrolet SS Sedan
Grab one while you still can, these are the last days of the Chevrolet SS, an Australian-born bad boy that snuck under the fence and we didn’t even know it.

There is no 4-door Camaro but that’s kind of what we have here. The SS is based on the Holden Commodore, a car that is raced in the Supercars Championship.

The SS is powered by the previous generation 6.2-liter V-8 Corvette engine, boasting 415-horsepower and 415-lb. ft. of torque. When compared to the Dodge Charger Hellcat, it can’t hold a candle to its 707-HP but there is a $17,000 bump in price, so the SS may be the bigger bargain.

The SS’s exterior does show its age. Brought to market in 2013, it really hasn’t seen the updates its competitors have. Despite its roomy interior and comfortable seating, you won’t find the latest GM infotainment system, it too is the prior design.

All-in-all, the Chevrolet SS is still a competitor in the muscle car segment and is an exciting drive no matter its short-comings.

$48,920 MSRP

2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

Dodge Charger Hellcat
When we first heard about the Dodge Charger Hellcat, we couldn’t believe that an American production car would ever leave the factory with an emission-legal 707-horsepower V-8. They have but are being snapped up as quickly as they are built – every single one spoken for.

The Charger itself really hasn’t changed much in the last few years. It’s still a large 4-door sedan that is strikingly good looking even in its base trim. Add the SRT trim package along with the Hellcat engine and you have a roadgoing monster that could easily play among many in the supercar genre’.
For those of us that came of age during the first muscle car era in the late 1960’s, an automatic transmission would be sacrilegious but in the case of the Hellcat, there is still plenty to do without manually rowing through the gears. Like driving.

Within the Uconnect infotainment system is a button labeled SRT. By touching this icon, you’ll open an app that allows access to settings that will help keep you in control of this beast.

Starts at $65,945.

Factory Hot Rodding

May 1st, 2017

By Don Armstrong

Auto enthusiasts appreciate most things with 4 wheels, but those equipped with powerful V-8 engines still rule the roost. Here are a couple of new factory hot rods that get our blood pumping.

Lexus GS F
Most folks don’t think of the Lexus brand as being a capable contender in the performance category but the 2017 GS F challenges other luxury brands muscle in zooty fashion.

The GS has always been Lexus’ sport sedan and with the 467-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 grumbling under the hood, it gives new meaning to the luxury sport moniker. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Paddle-shifters give the driver an effortless way of becoming a Formula 1 pilot with just a squeeze of the trigger.

A Driver Mode Select feature allows you to control performance algorithms through the on-board computer. Choose between Normal, Sport and Sport +.

The GS F’s body is a wind-cheating arrow despite its polarizing, oversized grille. Carbon fiber bits are strategically placed front and rear.
Likewise, the interior exudes the performance motif with carbon fiber on the console and dash. We found the demanding joystick controller for the infotainment system frustrating to use but the Mark Levinson sound system superb.

Overall, the Lexus GS F should give Cadillac, BMW and Mercedes a run for the money. Pricing begins at $83,940.

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
Here is every red-blooded American boy’s dream; a street-legal factory racer that can out-power every one of its competitors. Imagine a 6.2-liter, supercharged Hemi engine that doles out a whopping 707-horsepower and 650 pound feet of torque to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. To get all that grunt to the pavement without burning the tires, Dodge uses computer assisted launch and traction controls.
This bad boy is so powerful, the car comes with two separate key fobs, one red, the other black. Red for the owner, which allows delivery of the full 707 HP punch, the black fob limits it to a meager 500 ponies.

Once you learn the car’s traction limits, then you’ll need to learn how to enter parameters in the built-in computer program via the infotainment screen at center dash. Here, you’ll be able to set launch rpm, traction control, shift points, etc. Bring along a 10-year-old to help you get through it all.
Hellcat pricing begins at $65,945.

Bay Area Houston Magazine