First Drive: 2013 Infiniti JX35

The concept of a brand is a funny thing. There’s a starting point, where a new brand begins to find its way. From there, it evolves and morphs into a position that is appreciated by a certain group or audience. Over time, the people behind the brand will work hard to maintain its position with the core audience that’s grown to love whatever it is the brand stands for, but there still needs to be a continual evolution to reach new buyers or fans.

There’s no doubt that it’s tricky work pushing a brand to grow. Sometimes it can turn out exciting new products, while other times it might lead to a divergence from the core values. This concept is easily seen in the world of automakers and their wares.

The 2013 Infiniti JX35 is the latest product from Nissan’s luxury arm, and it has to hit a few major points if the automaker wants to make sure fans of the brand will recognize it as a true part of the family they’ve come to love. Quite simply, the JX35 needs to be a stand-out in the style department, provide a level of luxury and tech features that make sure the Germans are paying attention, and offer up an engaging experience for the driver that puts key fob in the pocket of their upper-class-income jeans.

Will two out of three cut it? Keep reading to learn more…

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Quick Drive: Turner Motorsport 2012 BMW ActiveE

In June of 2009, BMW’s MINI division introduced the MINI E. This machine was a field trial of electric vehicles opened up to the public for the term of a lease. A total of 450 cars were let loose in the New York City and Los Angles areas. The goal was to obtain real world data on electric vehicles and feedback from the operators.

The 2012 1-series based BMW ActiveE is continuation of the field trial started by the MINI E. When I contacted BMW about the ActiveE, I did not get a response. Hooniverse isn’t exactly high on the automaker’s radar. We have good friends though, and the car shown here is leased by Will Turner, owner of Turner Motorsport, a well known BMW racing team and tuner. We’ll have more on Turner Motorsport in the near future. For now, let’s take a look at the ActiveE.

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Quick Drive: 2013 Toyota Prius c

It’s been twelve years since the original Toyota Prius came out. It wasn’t until the second generation, however, that people really started talking about the hybrid as the vehicle’s launch coincided with a spike in gas prices. Shortly thereafter, all the automotive experts were calculating the potential savings from buying “one of those new hybrids” versus a conventional Corolla or a Civic. The following years saw people talking about batteries and accident safety and, finally, the whole throttle pedal fiasco.

The Prius, like the tortoise in a long distance race, ignored all this, and did its own thing. In the process, it outsold all of the other hybrids on the market… combined. To call the Prius a success would be an understatement. Still, there’s always been the issue of its premium hybrid price tag versus the cost of comparable non-hybrids. With the all-new 2013 Prius c which starts at $19,710 that issue no longer exist.

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First Drive – 2012 Hyundai Azera

To say a person has “made the leap” means they’ve moved from performing at a lower level to a higher one. The phrase is constantly used in the sports world for those that’ve gone from rookies to all-stars, or from performing well in college and then doing just as well in the big leagues. It seems an automaker is capable of making the leap as well.

Hyundai started by hustling its wares as rolling examples of affordability. Now, the automaker offers a suite of products that are stylish, well made, and achieve excellent fuel economy ratings. Additionally, new car shoppers are flocking to Hyundai vehicles so quickly that supply can’t keep up with demand. Hyundai, it seems, has made the leap.

Car shoppers can also make the leap. Naturally, automakers prefer that said leap happens within the the brand portfolio. For Hyundai, that means they want folks to graduate from an Elantra to a Sonata, while aspiring to someday own a Genesis or even an Equus. There’s a problem though, because that’s a mighty big leap to make. Now, however, there’s a new kid on the block that provides the appropriate landing space for Sonata owners looking to live just a little bit larger. Only it’s so much more than a simple stopgap. It’s the 2012 Hyundai Azera… and it’s excellent.

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Quick Drive: 2012 Range Rover Evoque

I am just going to come out and say it now, only because you hoons will find out about it soon enough. I love Land Rovers. My father is a 4×4 guy and he has been telling me how great these are since I was about zero. I spent six weeks in a D110 Wagon (TD5) driving around South Africa. I once almost bought a rusted D90. I once almost bought a $2000 ’89 Range Rover. I once almost bought a Discovery with cracked cylinder heads. There is not justifiable explanation for my lust with these vehicles, so just accept it. And don’t judge me.

When I learned of the new Evoque I was a bit skeptical however. The Freelander’s failure (trivia: the USDM V6 Freelander has three timing belts) hovered in the back of mind along with the off-road ability of most FWD-based crossovers. The reviews were fantastic however! Truck of the year this, Best of that, Top 40 here, all gleaming positive reviews. Last weekend I got to drive one very briefly and… I was completely disappointed!

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First Drive – 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

“Did John Krafcik just compare Hyundai to The Beatles?“

I’m writing this in my notebook, circling it, and staring at the ink which squirted forth from my pen and formed those very words. I even bothered the journalist to my left, making sure my ears are working at this relatively early hour of the morning. Krafcik, CEO of the North American arm of Hyundai, has in fact uttered those words. I’m in a Las Vegas hotel conference room, I’m not drunk, and I’m… nodding in agreement.

The manner in which Krafcik has compared his automotive brand to one of the greatest bands of all time is an interesting one. You see, The Beatles were not exactly an overnight success. They formed in the mid-to-late ’50s, and the proceeded to grind out their sound in German nightclubs. Over the next few years, Stu Sutcliffe died, Pete Best was replaced by Ringo Starr, and Beatlemania soon became a “thing” a few years later.

Hyundai hasn’t exactly been an overnight success here in the United States. The brand made its North American debut in 1986 with the Excel. Sales were actually strong for a first year foreign brand selling its wares stateside. Still, that early Excel was … not good. For the next two decades, Hyundai was selling vehicles viewed as sub-par to the rest of the offerings available to consumers. Fast forward to the beginning of 2012, and John Krafcik is explaining to assembled media members that Hyundai is the 6th best selling brand in the United States, is seeing a rise in the average transaction price, has shot from 7th to 3rd in ALGs ranking of residual value, and is now working hard just to keep pace with demand for its latest vehicles.

One of these latest vehicles is a refreshed version of the automakers rear-wheel-drive sports car, which has its sights set on competitors such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Nissan 370Z, and the upcoming Scion FR-S. Hell… Hyundai PR folks are even throwing the Infiniti G37 in the mix of possible competition. Are they crazy, or will we love, love this coupe?

I have the keys to examples of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with both engines, access to the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch racetrack, and the good-day sunshine, so let’s find out.

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First Impressions: 2012 Hyundai Equus 5.0

I Love the ’90s was a series on VH1, which ran for 10 episodes over the course of five days. Many might get nostalgic about the past, but not everyone loves the ’90s. Korean-automaker Hyundai, for example, is sick of hearing about its products from days gone by. As a member of the automotive media, I’m also sick of hearing about these stories. Yes, we’re all aware that the 1997 Accent was a pile of junk. So was the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, but no one brings that up in a discussion of where Chevrolet is know. Why should we continue to do the same with Hyundai at this point?

We’ve moved on here in the 21st century, and so has Hyundai. In fact, the automaker is pushing out new or refreshed product at an almost alarming rate. It’s not forcing out junk either… we’re talking about cars that range from good to great.

Recently, we got a chance to sample something from the good column, that just so happens to have a great engine mounted under its hood. The 2012 Hyundai Equus has been updated for the new model year, and we scored the keys to the automaker’s  latest lengthy luxo barge under the neon lights of the Vegas strip.

[Lead photo courtesy Zach Bowman]

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Driving Impressions – The Coda EV

In Italian, Coda means tail, or end, which may be an odd name choice for a car company which is striving for a successful beginning. Regardless of the brand’s moniker reflecting the point in time – musically – when the fat lady sings, the Coda EV is as dirt simple as you could imagine to start and drive.  … Continue Reading

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The numbers: is Toyota GT 86 a turkey?

Thanksgiving leftovers?

On Thanksgiving Day, just before getting saturated with football and stuffed with all kinds of yumminess (how is Thanksgiving like not the best holiday EVER!?), we discussed some automotive turkeys. Among others, there was an ugly truck, a shitty car, a magical device, and the Shelby Series 1.

Over the weekend Toyota semi-officially unveiled its much hyped GT 86 sports car. Like any self-respecting Monday morning automotive quarterback, I went right to the specs:

• 2.0-liter boxer with D4-S injection – direct AND port injection.
• 197 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm.
• Dimensions: 167” long, 50.6” high, and 101” wheelbase.

My first inclination, in the days when the secretary’s Mustang has over 300hp, was to call this thing a turkey and move on with my life. After all, Honda has given us more than 200 horsepower out of a NA 2.0-liter since the late 1990s, so where is the progress?

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First Drive: 2012 Jeep Compass

One is not like the other

This is the third, and last, installment of quick drives of some 2012 Jeeps. The first was the Wrangler, followed by the Grand Cherokee, and now the Compass. We will also have extended review of the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon as that vehicle has generated a lot of interest. After that, no more Jeeps!

I did not want to drive the Compass. I just did not think I would have anything good to say about it, but the nice Jeep spokesperson insisted that I drive it, so I did. My first impression was similar to my first impression of the 2011 Chrysler 200 I drove some time ago – Chrysler took an existing vehicle and did their best to modernize it without spending the time and money to develop a completely new vehicle. It’s a smart move as it buys them time to develop an all-new product while having something new in the showrooms.

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