Category Archives: AutoPilot

2014 Jaguar F-Type – June 10, 2013

AutoPilot_2014_JAG_F_TYPE.qxdOverview

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Description

Sir William Lyons would be pleased, but likely perplexed at the same time with the arrival of the 2014 F-Type roadster. Under his reign, Jaguar’s founder oversaw the creation of numerous sports machines, culminating with E-Type (marketed as the XKE on our shores), regarded as one of the most spectacularly gorgeous cars ever produced.

The two-place E-Type convertible and its hatchback sibling went on sale in 1961 and enjoyed a 10-year run. Now, four decades later and 28 years since Sir William’s death, the British automaker’s current minder, India’s Tata Group, has signed off on a fresh roadster.

 

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2014 Acura MDX – June 3, 2013

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Description

For years, the term “all new” has been an abused and incorrectly applied phrase in the lexicon of automotive jargon.
However it’s exactly the right term to describe the 2014 Acura MDX. This premium-grade seven-passenger wagon shares nothing with its predecessor and also breaks new ground in content, technology and fuel efficiency.

 

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2014 Jeep Cherokee – May 27, 2013

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Description

Are you shocked and slack-jawed about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee that will arrive later this year?

Who can really blame you. After all, it was the immensely popular – and very square – XJ-designated Cherokee that introduced truckloads of buyers to the virtues of four-wheel-drive as far back as 1984. For the next two decades, it remained steadfastly unchanged until the Liberty stepped in for the 2002 model year.

 

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2014 Mitsubishi Mirage – May 20, 2013

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Description

It’s lean times these days for Mitsubishi fans. With only a variety of Lancer and Outlander models plus the iMiEV electric car on showroom floors, product diversity is definitely lacking.

Fortunately, some relief is at hand in the form of the 2014 Mirage sub-compact.
In the distant past, various Mirages were imported to North America wearing Mitsubishi, Dodge and Plymouth labels (Chrysler and Mitsubishi once worked closely together). That well dried up after the 2002 model year, but it will be at least partially replenished this fall by a small four-door hatchback that the automaker promises will be one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrids you can buy.

 

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2014 Kia Sorento – May 13, 2013

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Description

Now new the 2014 Kia Sorento really is depends on how you look at it, or more correctly, where you look at it.

Kia’s current design renaissance encompasses the street-wise Soul and Sportage wagons as well as the Optima and Rio sedans. You can also place the current-generation Sorento that was launched for 2011 on that list. The lines are so right on the money in terms of contemporary style and carrying capacity that there was obviously no point in monkeying around with the mid-sized wagon’s looks.

 

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2014 Lexus IS – May 6, 2013

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Description

The 2014 IS remains the class rebel of the Lexus fleet, which is great news for those who derive their driving kicks from compact luxury cars that are fleet of foot, strong of character and provide power to either the rear, or all four wheels.

The main reason for the IS’s existence is to bait BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class fans into switching teams. Toyota’s premium division has learned plenty from its previous two IS generations and now appears to be an even stronger contender with the new-for-2014 version.

 

 

 

 

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2014 Fiat 500L

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Description

Fiat means business and that means making the 500 more appealing to North American small-car buyers by giving them more of what they really, really want. That’s where the all-new 500L enters the picture.

Sure, the original “Cinquecento” two-door hatchback and its semi-convertible Cabrio and Abarth offshoots are kind of adorable. But let’s face it; any car that’s half a foot shorter than a Mini Cooper is bound to be a tight fit, especially for anyone occupying the back seat.

 

 

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2013 Ford Explorer Sport

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Description

In most cases, the term “sport utility vehicle” ranks as one of the most improperly used appellations ever devised, especially the “sport” part. But some members of this big-and-tall category, like the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport, actually get it right.

If you equate the word sport with a muscular demeanor, this unique Explorer trim level is right up your alley, or off-road path. Specialized body bits such as a darkened mesh-style grille combine with a similarly shaded lower air intake/spoiler to produce a somewhat menacing presence…

 

 

 

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

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Description

The driving distance from Veracruz, Mexico, to Santa Fe, N.M. is about 1,700 miles. But Hyundai’s recently retired Veracruz wagon and the 2013 Santa Fe are much closer, at least in spirit.

Until its demise following the 2012 model year, the Veracruz represented Hyundai’s mainstay transport for people requiring accommodations for up to seven-passengers and their belongings. Its drawbacks, including a hefty 4,300-pound base weight, eventually placed it out of the running…

 

 

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2013 Volkswagen GTI

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Description

The formula for producing the GTI is a simple one. Start with one standard-issue Volkswagen Golf two- or four-door hatchback, drop in a spunky engine and other sporty content and watch them literally fly out of dealer showrooms.

Sounds straightforward enough, yet surprisingly few automotive brands have dared challenge…

 

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