Blog Posts by: Mike Febbo  

Critics have been complaining for years that F1 has become too boring. There isn't enough action, not enough passing. Some even think the drivers could use a little more personality and little less PR regulation. Pirelli will be the single tire supplier for F1 this year and they have a ...    Read more

It is not uncommon to see BMWs of the two-wheeled variety, even cops are riding them now in several states. It is, however, more unusual to see a BMW bike without an engine. Unknown to most, BMW does have nearly 60 years of bicycle building in its past. Nearly three-quarters of ...    Read more

While Mini was very specific about the Rocketman being a concept and a design exercise during its press conference in Geneva, it is no surprise that its influence will be seen in future models. Ian Robertson, Mini's markting boss, hints that the rocket-science filled smaller car will influence the entire ...    Read more

Jaguar wants to be back on top of the premium car segment. In order to do that, it needs to make a statement about performance, exclusivity and its ability to play with other world-class car companies. Its newest performance GT might be just the ticket. Fifty years ago at the Geneva ...    Read more

In order to maximize the small amount of allotted time for press conferences at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes combined its time with Smart to show one big brand building image that included old cars, new cars and even a concept. Mercedes started out the day with a brief introduction ...    Read more

Everybody loves a new model introduction. Mini took the launch of the new Rocketman to literal levels at this year’s Geneva Auto Show with everything but the bubble wrap. From the beginning, Mini has been about minimizing its footprint while maximizing its interior space. The Rocketman takes this design concept to ...    Read more

Most people haven’t even seen a 2011 Mercedes CLS in person yet, but that hasn’t stopped German tuner Brabus from building a line of performance parts for the sleek new four-door coupe. Improving on  everything from more power to better aerodynamics the full line tuner is offering as much function ...    Read more

With the launch of the Cayenne Hybrid, some say the world has officially turned upside down and that Porsche is turning into a green car company. Now, the launch of a Panamera hybrid model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show has brought louder cries that Porsche is forgetting its roots. ...    Read more

While it didn’t invent the sports car, some might say Jaguar nearly perfected it. Fifty years ago, the E-Type was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show and its timeless design is still influencing automotive designers today. “Half a century of progress has not diminished the significance of the E-Type,” said Mike ...    Read more

Known for building cars like the amazing Yellow Bird CTR, Porsche tuner and manufacturer Ruf is starting to set its sights on green performance vehicles. Although development work is still continuing on a bevy of supercars and a V-8-powered 911, the company is also advancing its development of electric-powered 911. Ruf ...    Read more

In 1906 Ferdinand Porsche designed what is believed to be the first hybrid car. Although they may not be considered an environmental company, they are always forward thinking. To test out the viability of an all electric sports car, Porsche has built three Boxster E’s with full electric drive trains. Details ...    Read more

The 2011 Jetta S, SE and SEL have been a huge sales success for Volkswagen. The redesigned, larger and more affordable small sedan has been recording sales increases measuring as much as 40% month to month over the previous model. As well as the new sedan is doing in the ...    Read more

The first rule of business is make sure you have customers. Ford wants to make sure teen drivers are around long enough to become customers by educating them on safe driving techniques. Over 3,000 teens die every year in traffic accidents on American roads and Ford is investing $1 million ...    Read more

While enthusiasts argue of horsepower and lap times, most real consumers care more about what it will actually cost them to own a particular vehicle for the next five years of their lives. With this in mind, Intellichoice.com researches the total cost of ownership and selects its Best Values of ...    Read more

Very few companies offer the extensive line of personalization products available on Mini’s Web site and through its dealer network. Slightly less well known are the special edition cars Mini releases just about every year. For 2011, the Clubman Hampton Edition is being offered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ...    Read more

Mini has always tried to be about performance through efficiency. The regular models do a great job of mixing the two while performance and diesel models allow buyers to go to one extreme or the other. With the introduction of Cooper SD models, Mini will bring the two extremes closer ...    Read more

In recent years, Mini has shied away from high-level motorsport involvement. With a racing pedigree that stacks up to many sports car builders, it is surprising the brand known for building driver’s cars hasn’t gotten the itch sooner. That will, however, change in 2011, when Mini returns to the World ...    Read more

The 2011 Geneva Auto Show may bring some big surprises from the Volkswagen Group. While the company has long used the venue to roll out new production cars, this year's show will likely host several VW-crafted vehicles that may or may not ever reach an assembly line.. VW group design chief ...    Read more

Mercedes has planned something big for the 125th anniversary of the automobile. Not only are they throwing down in their home town of Stuttgart, Germany; they are taking the party to the people by driving around the world on hydrogen power. Three B-Class F-Cell Mercedes are on the road for ...    Read more

Not all car enthusiasts come from the same mold. Sure we accept there are guys who spend all weekend polishing all 320 individual chrome spokes on their car’s wheels rather than actually burning the tires off, but they still like the smell of gas and the roar of an open ...    Read more

Mercedes may have launched the new C-Class  earlier this month, but it is the performance version that has had enthusiasts holding their collective breath. The 2012 C63 AMG is set to debut at Geneva, but Mercedes just couldn’t wait to let the ferocious cat out of the bag. When Mercedes released ...    Read more

Most people can handle pronouncing the Pagani name. Even the name of the company’s first car -- Zonda -- rolled off the tongue as quickly as it rocketed to 60 mph. That said, the nameplate affixed to the firm's latest supercar -- Huayra -- may leave bystanders tongue-tied. Technically, the Huayra ...    Read more

If you have been holding off on buying that Gumpert Apollo because you just aren’t sure you can live with it on daily basis, good news has arrived. The supercar maker has enlisted coachbuilder extraordinaire Touring Superleggera to create a new vehicle that might be slightly more practical. Touring Superleggera has ...    Read more

The 2012 SLK roadster may be Mercedes-Benz's latest and greatest convertible offering, but the automaker believes the new offering is firmly rooted in the company's legacy of building supreme drop-top machines. Mercedes started building small roadsters with the 1955 190 SL. Conceived as a compliment to the legendary 300 SL Gullwing, ...    Read more

Lexus keeps pushing the bounds of relevance with their ad campaigns. Cars shattering wine glasses, playing instruments etc. Their newest ad apparently has received such a confused reaction they felt the need to send out a press release explaining it. The release focuses on the Lexus ad “Chain” which features five ...    Read more