Blog Posts by: David Zenlea  

Tesla has reported its first-ever quarterly profit as Model S production hits full swing. The company said it made about $11 million dollars in the first quarter of 2013. A huge chunk of that came from a bit of accounting magic: Tesla was able to eliminate from its balance sheet some ...    Read more

Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, Ford F-150 King Ranch, Toyota Tundra 1794. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a fad. Automakers are cashing in on cowboy kitsch and increasing demand for luxury pickup trucks. Now Chevrolet wants in on this lucrative niche. Late this year, it will offer the ...    Read more

Ford and General Motors are teaming up to develop nine- and ten-speed automatic transmissions that should launch in time for the 2017 model year. “The collaboration enables both automakers to design, develop, engineer, test, validate, and deliver these new transmissions for their vehicles faster and at lower cost than if each ...    Read more

High-end versions of the 2014 Toyota Tundra  indicate a shift in focus from volume to profit.   A new 1794 edition, along with significantly richer looking Platinum and Limited models, all offer distinctive exterior trim with premium, tech-laden interiors. Although the Tundra has always featured a relatively nice ...    Read more

There’s a lot of distraction during the press days of the Detroit auto show. Business conferences, interviews, parties, free coffee. My show even included a 34-hour round trip to an engine plant in Mexico Nevertheless, I judge auto shows by a simple standard: Were there cool cars? This year, automakers ...    Read more

Volkswagen will soon offer its highly regarded turbocharged four-cylinder in its U.S.-market Passat. The word came Tuesday as the company celebrated the commencement of engine production at its newest plant in Silao, Mexico. The facility will build 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter turbo engines rated at 168 and 208 hp, respectively. The turbo 2.0-liter ...    Read more

Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber has been on the job for less than a year but faces critical decisions. He must determine the future of the Continental line and, along with new head designer Luc Donckerwolke, has to fix the disastrous EXP 9F crossover. We sat down with him at the ...    Read more

The Infiniti Q50 is all-new, but brand chief Johan de Nysschen is already looking ahead two years, when the G-sedan replacement finally gets a much-needed four-cylinder. “I imagine that with a powerful and efficient turbocharged four-cylinder we could probably see the total sales mix exceeding 40 percent, and all that’s incremental ...    Read more

Worst drive: 1971 Datsun 240Z in rural Tennessee. 100 degrees, no air conditioning, and black vinyl seats. My iPhone blacked out from the heat. I nearly did, too. Best drive: Uh, 1971 Datsun 240Z. Classic styling, amazing Tennessee backroads, and unfiltered steering. Who cares if I got a little sweaty? ...    Read more

Ford is, at last, confirming that the Fiesta ST will be sold in the United States. With a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 197-hp and 214 lb-ft of torque, it may be the new performance king in the fledgling subcompact car segment. We have seen the Fiesta ST before —Ford introduced the ...    Read more

Fuel economy has never been a major part of the Range Rover strategy. That will change, at least in European markets, when the 2013 Range Rover hybrid goes on sale. The hybrid pairs Land Rover’s turbo-diesel V-6 and an electric motor packaged within a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. A 1.7 kilowatt-hour ...    Read more

The new Acura NSX concept is perhaps the most important design ever for a brand that hasn’t always presented a clear, consistent face. We walked around the concept with Acura head designer Jon Ikeda to learn what he likes best about the new concept. Though he cautions that this is ...    Read more

Automobile Magazine design editor Robert Cumberford sat down with Bob Boniface, head of exterior design at Cadillac (but best known for the Chevrolet Volt) for a frank discussion of the luxury brand’s design direction. Needless to say, there was some disagreement, although they’re at least of the same mind when ...    Read more

For the first time since, well, ever, heading up small car development at General Motors commands some respect, both outside and within the company. The Chevrolet Cruze is a certified sales hit, and newer entries like the Sonic and Buick Verano have been well received. And it’s no coincidence that ...    Read more

Cadillac has caught up with luxury competitors in terms of performance, style, and refinement. It’s even taken strides in the critical area of high-performance station wagons. The brand still lags behind the pack, though, when it comes to in-car technology. ...    Read more