Track Test: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Black Stingray Corvette Car

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a very impressive car; in part because it delivers so much exotic performance, for far less than an exotic price. But, also because that performance doesn’t keep it from being a very comfortable street driver. Still, this new Corvette needs a race track to really show what it’s made of. And fortunately for us, GM sent us this Laguna Blue coupe for a little further research. 

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is already an unqualified success. As we go to air with this test, there is already a 6-month waiting list. Thus to say they least, they are hard to get. So we were very pleased when this C7 was delivered just so we can get some serious track time to see if it fully lives up to its potential. 

Our exam took place on the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park, and having never driven this particular piece of West Virginia asphalt, the Stingray proved to be a willing companion to learning a new track, as that friendly nature that we’ve always praised, remains.

The track is tight with not too many places for the 'Vette to really stretch its legs, but it still made easy work it. The standard Active Rev Match feature that comes with our cars 7-speed manual transmission was certainly appreciated for easing our way into the track’s many corners.

2014 Monte Carlo Roger Federer

Despite the relatively small engine, performance is beyond reproach: Mercedes says that the all-wheel-drive GLA reaches 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, and it tops out at a lofty 145 mph. Figures for the standard front-drive variant haven’t been made available yet. Benz’s American arm hasn’t revealed any fuel-economy estimates, either, but in the notoriously optimistic European cycle, the GLA250 4MATIC receives a mark of 33.1 mpg.

At 173.9 inches long, 71.0 inches wide, and 58.8 inches tall, the GLA-class has dimensions that make it a formidable city car. Even still, rear-passenger room should be sufficient for most trips, and cargo space swells when the rear seats are folded down. The interior treatment borrows heavily from the GLA's compact sister models, but it does feature distinct color combinations and decorative trim. Benz’s MB-Tex synthetic leather is the standard upholstery, while the genuine article is available as an option. The dash panel can be specified in aluminum, or a choice in wood finishes: high-gloss or a matte that we find exquisite. Galvanized switchgear is abundant and generates a premium look that’s reminiscent of more-upmarket vehicles.

Jeep Cherokee

The new Cherokee, based on the same engineering as the Dodge Dart sedan, will be available with two engine choices: a 184 horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 271 horsepower 3.2-liter V6. Both engines will come with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep promises serious off-road capability for those who want it. The ultimate will be the TrailHawk edition with added ground clearance and a revised front end to better attack steep hills.

Kia Restores Our Faith in Big MPVs with All-New 2015 Sedona

Offering up to eight seats, the Sedona features “CUV-like styling and proportions”, according toKia, offering “all of the functional convenience of the segment while defying its design limitations.”

The front fascia and the cab-forward design are sleek, with the Sedona’s muscular face and smooth look being highlighted by the brand’s signature grille and headlamps. The new Sedona has a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and this affects the side profile in a good way, making it look more fluid. At the rear, the LED taillights, integrated bumper guard and standard roof spoiler give the MPV a sporty look.

Most people will buy the Sedona for the interior, with Kia saying the new model provides more front shoulder room, greater legroom in the front, second and third rows, as well as a slightly higher hip-point – despite retaining the same width and height as the bland outgoing model.

Available in two configurations, with seven or eight seats, the Sedona offers flexible seating and a multitude of storage options. Second row Slide-n-Stow tracked seating slides and folds upright to allow for “on-the-go” cargo hauling, with the MPV also offering the choice of second row “First Class” lounge seating that can be positioned rearward.

Since families with kids are the obvious target customers, the Sedona offers standard "YES Essentials" fabric technology, said to provide anti-microbial protection from spills, anti-static protection from irritating electrical shocks as well as stain-repelling and stain-releasing fabric characteristics.

Under the hood, a new Lambda Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 3.3-liter V6 engine replaces the 3.5-liter V6 found in the previous generation model. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 3.3-liter engine delivers more power than its predecessor, boasting 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 248 lb-ft (336 Nm) at 5,200 rpm.

2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible is Chevy's Surprise for New York Show

Chevrolet has unwrapped one of the three world premieres it has in store for us at the New York Auto Show next week, the all-new 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible, complete with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 pushing out at least 625 ponies and 635 lb-ft (861Nm) of torque – the other two cars are the refreshed Cruze and a new small car, if you're wondering.

Like the fixed-roof Z06 Coupe, the ragtop model will also be available with three different aero packages, which GM describes thusly:

• The standard Z06 features a front splitter, spats around the front wheel openings, a unique carbon-fiber hood with a larger vent, and rear spoiler
• An available carbon-fiber aero package delivers aerodynamic downforce four times greater than the standard Z06. It adds a carbon fiber front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill – a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce. The package is available in black or a visible carbon-fiber finish
• The available Z07 package adds larger winglets to the front splitter, along with an adjustable, see-through center section on the rear spoiler enabling customers to tailor the aerodynamics to their preference.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition

It’s the charismatic off-roader Ferrari would build if it built 4x4 pickups. This amped-up F-150 is fortified with a long-travel suspension, Fox Racing Shox, 35-inch-tall off-road tires, and awesome-looking super-wide bodywork. The Raptor flies over dry riverbeds at ridiculous speeds, rides like a Lincoln on-road, and has starred in many YouTube jump videos. It’s available as a two-door standard cab or four-door SuperCrew, both with a 411-hp V-8 to power its three tons of mass. 

rforming, uncompromising off-road pickup truck with the features and luxuries found in today's premium trucks," said Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. "Since its launch in 2009, we've continually moved Raptor forward in capability and design, and the 2014 Special Edition is the best Raptor yet

ACURA TLX GT RACE CAR TO DEBUT AT DETROIT GRAND PRIX

Acura Motorsports today announced that the new 2015 Acura TLX GT will make its Pirelli World Challenge competition debut at the May 30-June 1 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix double-header race weekend.

To be campaigned by long time Acura Motorsports partner Real Time Racing, the new TLX GT will move Acura into the top category of the Pirelli World Challenge, facing competition that includes the Audi R8 LMS, Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes SLS, Nissan GTR, 

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade expands the brand's global vehicle lineup, entering the growing small SUV segment, while staying true to the adventurous lifestyle Jeep is known for. Renegade delivers a unique combination of best-in-class off-road capability, open-air freedom and convenience, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission that contributes to outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics, fuel-efficient engines, world-class refinement, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings. The result is an efficient vehicle created to attract youthful and adventurous customers around the world to the Jeep brand.

ALL-NEW FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE 2015

◾All-new Ford Mustang convertible gets a unique design with a clean, cohesive shape that stands on its own
◾2015 Mustang convertible roof uses a new electro-mechanical drive and single-handle center latch to lower in half the time of the current car
◾Roof features a standard fabric outer layer and is fully lined and insulated for quieter ride
◾More compact roof and independent suspension contribute to §egmènt-leading trunk space that can hold two golf bags - even with the premium audio system