Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged luxury
2011 Lexus CT200h
Feb 17th
I first met the CT200h at the New York Auto Show last April; it was part of a lavish display that said much about it being the “dark side of green” and its sporty nature, but very little about its underpinnings, or about why it existed. Sure, the “h” means hybrid in Lexus slang, but were Lexus buyers really clamoring for a sporty five-door? The IS300 SportCross vanished without a trace, remember.
Take away that distracting hybrid-ness, and the CT200h makes somewhat more sense. The premium compact market is still a limited one, but with cars like the Volvo C30, Audi A3 and now the BMW 1-Series running about, there’s definitely a place for a smaller and more efficient luxury vehicle in the hearts of a few American buyers. Lexus has just chosen to sweeten the pot on its new entry-level car by making it an extremely efficient hybrid. More >
2011 Buick Regal
Jan 8th
Remember the Buick Regal? It’s okay if you don’t; though it was in production from 1973 to 2004, it was always the runt of the Buick litter. Though it was a brisk seller, it spent the last decade of its production run virtually unchanged, and became a rental-fleet mainstay before being quietly retired.
Don’t look now, but the Regal is back, and if you’ve forgotten about the previous model, you’re already on the right page, because the new Regal is a thoroughly different animal. It’s still the entry-level Buick, but the injection of a bit of Chinese into the mix makes it a refreshing blend of expected and unexpected. The all-new Regal features all-new styling, a pair of efficient four-cylinder engines and the brand’s signature comfort, and it’s the next step in Buick’s revitalization. More >
2006 Jaguar XJ Super V8 Portfolio
Jan 8th
How do you feel about classic lines, a spacious and comfortable back seat, sumptuous leather and wood and a supercharged V8 under the hood? It’s hard to argue with Jaguar’s vision of luxury. The unique XJ has been prowling the automotive jungle for decades now, and its long, low silhouette has been a part of the Jaguar lineup through thick and thin. Mention the name “Jaguar,” and chances are this is the car people will think of. Even the iconic E-Type of the 1960s can’t quite compare to the sheer staying power of the XJ’s basic design. For 2006 Jaguar introduces the most luxurious XJ ever: the Super V8 Portfolio.
The seventh-generation XJ was introduced in 2004; the long wheelbase (LWB) version followed later that year as a 2005 model. The wheelbase has been stretched five inches, and most of that is devoted to improved rear legroom. Does it work? The LWB model accounts for more than half of XJ sales. For 2006, the lineup gets subtle design tweaks, a higher level of standard content, and, most significantly, the Portfolio limited edition, of which only 150 will be brought to North America. Inspired by Concept Eight show car that hit the circuit in 2004, the XJ Portfolio builds upon the impressive, all-new platform introduced in the same year. More >