Author Archive: John Matras
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L review: Base bug
Most reviews of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have focused to some extent on whether the Beetle is masculine enough for a self-respecting he-guy to drive. This one won’t, because everyone either believes the Beetle is no longer the girl’s car the New Beetle was—or is so girly-girl that even if the front end were protected [...]
2013 Scion FR-S first drive review: Join the cult
Here’s an easy prediction: The 2013 Scion FR-S will become a cult. It’s a simple prognostication because the Scion FR-S is that kind of car, with the same basic elements as the original Mazda RX-7 and Miata, the Datsun 240Z, and Toyota’s own MR2 and particularly, the little-known Toyota AE86. They were attainable as they [...]
2013 Dodge Dart SXT first drive review: Point man
When Dodge discontinued the Neon and filled its place on the showroom floor with the Dodge Caliber—an odd sort of crossover vehicle—it effectively abandoned the compact car market. So when the decision was made to drop the unhappy Caliber and bring back a compact car, the new car—which would become the Dodge Dar—had a blank [...]
Mazda extends final run of RX-8 Spirit R by another 1,000 cars
Naysayers notwithstanding, the rotary engine just won’t go away. As we reported last October , the RX-8, already no longer being imported into the U.S., was supposed to have a final 1,000 Spirit R models as a sayonara for the Japanese market, production winding down in June, 2012. But due to popular demand, Mazda decided [...]
2012 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV review: Not all new but still sweet
There isn’t much new with the 2012 Nissan Maxima. If you look closely, there’s a new grille design, new rear combination lights, and new 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, depending on whether standard or optioned up. You’re excused for not having noticed. Inside the 2012 a new meter cluster illumination color—white—new Dark Piano-hairline trim, and [...]
2012 Hyundai Accent SE review: Lots of stuff and good touch too
After spending a week with the 2012 Hyundai Accent SE, a couple of factors are evident. One is that the Hyundai tradition of getting a lot of stuff for the money continues. The other is that everything touchable feels like it should feel. The lots of stuff included on our $15,925 Hyundai Accent SE cruise [...]
New Jaguar supercharged V-6 named for Jaguar F-Type, Jaguar I-4 also announced
Now we know what will power the Jaguar F-Type. The new smaller sports car from Jaguar—the first two-seater since the demise of the E-type—will be powered by a 380-horsepwer supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that “draws on key technology used in the Jaguar 5-liter V8” will be used exclusively in the Jaguar F-Type. Along with the new [...]
Shocking NASCAR news: 2012 Ford Focus Electric to pace Richmond 400
There’s an old automotive marketing adage that goes “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday.” In other words, people will buy the car—or at least one like it—that won the race. A corollary extends that to pace cars, and Ford announced today that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric has been selected to be the first-ever all-electric [...]
2012 Infiniti G37xS Coupe review: It’s cool, but we wanted it cold
Usually when we have a sleek and powerful sports coupe for testing, we want fair skies and warm temperatures. Not so with the 2012 Infiniti G37xS Coupe. We wanted snow and ice. If that seems odd, consider that small, lower case “x” in the car’s name. It stands, of course, for all-wheel drive, a feature [...]
Berdymukhamedov wins Turkmenistan’s first auto competition in a no-surprise finish
Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov drove in his country’s first automobile race. Guess who won. Berdymukhamedov, who also triumphed in the country’s most recent election with 97.14 percent of the vote against seven opponents, drove to the event in his Bugatti sports car, and upon arriving reportedly asked, “Can I take part?” According to an Associated [...]
