Author Archives: Vincent Nguyen

Third new model in the British car company's Second Century Plan, the 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Super GT is arguably the most striking so far. Aston's goal of introducing seven new models in a span of just seven years is no small challenge, and when you're replacing the much-loved Vanquish - not to mention aiming to lock heads with the Ferrari 812 Superfast and Bentley Continental GT - everything must be pitch-perfect.

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You never forget your first AMG. Even just hearing the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine firing up for the first time, under the bulging hood of what was in 2015 the all-new Mercedes-AMG C63 S, I was instantly in love. That's why I’m totally fine with Mercedes-AMG keeping the same engine in this model year 2019 AMG C63 S mid-cycle refresh, though that's not to say Mercedes' fearsome tuners have slept on the rest of the car.

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There are plenty of issues with being a frequent traveler, but finding the right bag can be one of the most frustrating - and lead to one of the biggest addictions. Packing for multiple trips, especially back-to-back, can be a challenge, especially when they can vary due to climate, the type of event you'll be attending, and factoring in specific equipment. In short, deciding what to pack is just as important as figuring out what you're going to pack it all in.

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The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE all-electric SUV is finally here. Contrary to what others might say, the I-PACE is not primarily designed and engineered to dethrone the capacious Tesla Model X. Instead, Jaguar’s first fully-electric car will stay true to the old Jaguar credo of space, pace, and grace, only now the ‘pace’ part is motivated, not by a supercharged V8, but by a pair of powerful electric motors.

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The all-new 2019 Audi Q8 flagship SUV is not merely Ingolstadt's answer to the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and the Range Rover Sport. Audi's push further into the upper echelons of luxury transportation, it will also serve as the foundation of the automaker's new design language for its future Q-product line up. And, though "four-door coupe" may still sound like an oxymoron to some, an unexpectedly extended drive in the new Q8 proved to me that this is more than just a new badge.

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The Cayenne E-Hybrid is positioned between the newly redesigned Cayenne S and the Cayenne S for 2019. In southern France, I had the opportunity to test out Porsche’s sharp end of the sword against competitors: a “sporty” and “luxury” variant based on options and I’m here to report back that the E-Hybrid is mighty-impressive.

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You pick up a few names in the space of forty years, but whether you call it the Mercedes Geländewagen, the G-Wagen or, its most modern moniker, the 2019 G-Class is still legendary in every sense, whether you're on or off the road. Mercedes-Benz's unwavering commitment - some might say obsession - to maintaining the G’s core essence is instrumental in making it so successful over the past four decades. Even so, it's strange to think that the late model G-Class from 2018 is now considered a "classic," courtesy of this all-new model just around the corner.

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Audi gets an A for showmanship, introducing the world’s first 95kWh battery for the upcoming all-electric Audi e-tron SUV in a lighting-filled Faraday cage. Typically, you wouldn't want the sort of high voltages your EV relies on to be visibly dancing around the car, but a big battery deserves a big splash. When it reaches the road, mind, the e-tron's bleeding-edge power tech will be an even bigger deal.

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In the long-running battle between Porsche and Aston Martin, the familiar - and legendary - 911 is getting a very different challenger. The all-new 2019 Aston Martin Vantage is the automaker's new weapon, starting with a clean sheet design from the ground up, inside and out. Its goal is simple: be the most badass, Ferrari, Porsche and Bentley-hunting machine you could hope for.

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The battle is no longer just Camaro versus Mustang. The 2019 Camaro Turbo 1LE is the tip of a new spear for Chevrolet: an entry-level track car with a key differentiator that sets it apart from what its rivals - beyond simply Ford - are offering: it's all under warranty, should something blow up on the track. Final pricing hasn't been confirmed but, with a sticker expected to fall somewhere inside $30-$35k, the Camaro Turbo 1LE is on course to be appealingly affordable, too. Still, is that appealing enough to sway would-be buyers in this increasingly competitive segment?

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The all-new 2018 Hyundai Kona is the new kid on the block with plenty to offer first-time new car buyers on a budget. Mind you, don’t let my use of the word budget and a starting price of $20,450 imply a lack of style, creature comforts, safety, or even that it’s cheaply built. Those opting to fully spec out the Kona - as was the case for our test car, fittingly, on the Island of Kona, Hawaii - will be nothing short of delighted, just as long as their expectations are in check.

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The 2018 Stelvio Quadrifoglio is always fast, all the time, regardless of what drive mode you're in. How could it not be, endowed as it is with 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque oozing out of a glorious, 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine? If there's only one take-away from my first impressions of this overpowered crossover, it's this: brace yourself, whether you're driving or just along for the ride.

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