Mercedes Benz C300, C350, C63 AMG (2008)

With the market tightening down, German automakers are focusing on their bread-and-butter models. The new Mercedes C-Series is fantastic example of how far Mercedes has come since its split with Chrysler. Featuring a new V6 engine and host of new features, the C-Series is the best value in the Mercedes line-up.

When you sit in the new C-Series, you realize what an improvement it is over the older model it replaces. Every surface you touch in the interior feels rich, warm and inviting. Niche features including a pop-up navigation screen and an optional panoramic sunroof up the ante amongst German competitors.

Switching between the C300 and C350, you realize how much sportier the C350 is. Its gnarly exhaust note is reminiscent of a BMW, while the 7-speed transmission seems to spend less time shifting through cogs and instead, just allow you to ride the endless torque curve. Pricewise, the C350 is a substantially better value, giving you better performance and includes more standard features like the Premium 1 package and automatic transmission.

If you perfer more performance, the C63 AMG is one of the most entertaining cars I've ever driven. Its steering is linear and reminisent of a Porsche or Lotus, while the V8 motor serves up endless torque with an intoxicating exhaust note. Everything about the C63, from its modified body panels to its custom AMG wheels, seems to shove its performance advantage in the face of every M3 driver. If you spec the competition package, you also get treated to such fine features of an alcantara steering wheel and limited-slip rear differential.

If you're looking for the best all around German car for around 35-grand, the Mercedes C-Series is the clear choice. It may not be as fast as the BMW, or as sharp as the Audi, but certainly feels the most competent. 

Mitsubishi Evolution MR (2008)

What a ride! I dropped by a local Mitsubishi dealership in Arizona to take one out for a test drive. Having driven numerous performance cars including the Mercedes SL55 AMG, Mercedes S55 AMG, Mercedes C63 AMG and Jeep SRT-8, I am awfully numb to speed.

I was not prepared for what the Mitsubishi Evolution MR had to offer. Featuring Mitsubishi's new Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission, the car is an absolute riot. First starting the car, I was absolutely suprised how silent it was. A sheep in wolf's clothing. Switching the transmission into super-sport mode, we pulled out of the lot. At quarter throttle the car pulled harder than almost every other production car I have ever driven. The twin-scroll turbo-charger is relentless.

Shifting is unfathomably agressive with super-sport shifting in mere milli-seconds. In fact, unless trying to impress friends, I would leave the transmission in regular or sport mode. As we wound up the road, the Evo was encouraging me to press it harder than I would dare on legal roads.

Overall, the car presents itself as a great Sunday track-car. Stiff supportive Recaro seats, aggressive suspension, extra peaky turbo, and faultless four-wheel drive. As an everyday car however, I would rate is as too unrefined. The throttle is so featherlight that trying to modulate it in stop and go traffic would be tiresome.

My interpretation; buy this car because you love the rally heritage and the hooligan speed. Also with super aggressive lease rates, its one of the least expensive specialty cars on the market. Steer clear if you can afford an Audi S4, because once you drive the Evo, it becomes quickly apparent why the S4 is worth an extra $20,000.

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                                                                                                         (2008) Chevrolet Corvette LT-3

Being a huge fan of American Muscle, I decided that I should finally separate myself from my Mopar roots and go out and try a Corvette. I decided that for purposes of this review I would try the 2008 Corvette with the new LS3 engine and 6-speed transmission. With over 435hp on tap with the sport exhaust, I figured this would be plenty adequate for day-to-day commuting.

First off, the upgraded interior package that is part of the LT-3 package is well worth the expense. The black-tan two-tone interior really livened up the interior and eliminated the germanic feel that comes with all black interiors. The LT-3 package also included some neat features including the Heads-Up-Display.

Having an SRT-8 Jeep as my daily driver, I'm used to having a lot of horsepower on tap. The combination of 435hp with a light-weight body coupled with rear-wheel drive was an entirely different experience. The Corvette definitely lacks some of the refinement of say an SL55/63 AMG but for the price, its a performance bargain. The new LS3 is definintely an improvement over the old LS2 block as well.

The Corvette has definitely reached a new level of refinement with this iteration, but with a wide turning radius and darty road manners, a competitor such as the Dodge Challenger is an overall better performer. 
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Nissan 370Z

Review Coming Soon

Range Rover Sport Supercharged (2007)

Once you take a seat in the Range Rover Sport you quickly realize that it is no ordinary SUV. Although hefty at 5671 pounds, it feels light and nimble on the road. It's 390hp supercharged engine sourced from Jaguar feels more than adequate tackling every day maneuvers.

What really makes this vehicle stand out from its competitors is its exemplary transmission tuning. The ZF 6-speed transmission's ratios are perfectly spaced. In sport mode its rev-matching downshifts and lightining quick up-shifts allow you to tackle any country/mountain road with ease.

The only complaint I have about the Sport is its Delphi sourced suspension. Even with the active body control that comes standard on the Supercharged model, the suspension still feels floaty and woefully inadequate of tackling a race-track unlike BMW's X5 and X6 models. However, this is to be expected on a vehicle that is capable of tackling some of the world's toughest terrain.

Overall, I feel the Range Rover Sport to be a great urban cruiser. It has more clout than a BMW and is an overall more rewarding driving experience. Just do not expect it to be a track-star performer, as its weight and off-road roots make it come up short of rivals like the aforementioned BMW range.
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Hummer H3-Adventure/Championship Edition (2008-2009)

Hummer H1 (Alpha-2006)

The Hummer H1 is truly one of the most capable vehicles on the earth. Being well acquainted with the Hummer brand since 1999, I thought I knew all there was to know about one of the most widely recognized military vehicles on the planet. I was sorely mistaken.

GM's first goal for their newly acquired product was to make the interior more habitable. The original H1, was available with either a grey or tan interior, with standard cloth seats. The new Alpha generation did away with the old interior, reshaping it so that it was more ergonomic. In addition, the interior was sheathed in new materials and colors more fitting of a vehicle costing upwards of $120,000.

Although the new black/brown combination interior was much more pleasing to the eye, as a Hummer enthusiast, I noticed numerous details that would disappoint a die-hard Hummer owner. First, the seats in the new Alpha are a serious downgrade over the old product. Although the shorter front buckets allow for better visibility for rear passengers, they are wholly inadequate for the front passengers. The headrests are so low that anybody over 5 foot 5 inches will have difficulty mating their head with the head rest. In addition, vehicle information gauges (temperature, oil pressure etc.) are now just dumb gauges with no integrated markings. This make's it difficult to determine optimum operating levels.

The biggest improvement to the Alpha is the new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel mated to Allison's 1000 series transmission. The new engine produces over 300hp at 3000 RPM and 560 lbs-ft of torque at 1600 RPM. This improvement equates in a 43% faster 0-50 time (8.37 vs 12 seconds). Maximum towing capacity with the Duramax is around 9000 pounds (depending on whether it is a wagon or open-top variant). Numerous drive-train improvements were installed to help cope with the increased torque (braking etc.). One of the most noticeable were the splined gear-hubs. These reduced the lurching sensation that was prevalent in pre-2006 H1's.
 
Important to note: There were two variations of the Alpha variant. Generation one vehicles are distinguised with a black and brown interior, while generation two vehicles have an all black interior. An important improvement in generation two vehicles includes an improved six-speed Allison Transmission (vs. a five-speed in generation one vehicles).

The new Alpha is a breeze to drive on-road. Although I have always been impressed by the road-manner's of the H1, the Alpha is a sincerely more driveable vehicle. The new Duramax is light-years ahead of the old 6.5L engine, producing noticeably less diesel clatter and greatly improved throttle response. The new found power, coupled with the independent suspension, and Grant  three-spoke steering wheel allow the H1 to act like a sport truck in comparison with its older sibling.

The H1 is the purest truck an individual can own. The Alpha improves on an already spectacular package, and after driving one, I can say that the price premium is worth it.

Coming Soon!!!