Midsize SUVs and crossovers are hugely desirable these days, even more so if they wear a premium badge like Mercedes’ all-new GLE does. But being so desirable also means that all manufacturers want as big a slice of the market to themselves as possible, and these models have become increasingly talented in recent years, so it’s a hugely competitive segment.

The GLE is all-new for 2019, so the engineers and designers behind it have had time to study the previous model and models already on sale, learn from them, and try to improve. Once such very talented rival is the Audi Q7 which, in its current generation (introduced in 2016,) is arguably one of the best vehicles in its class, even if it’s by no means a flamboyant effort.

Despite being direct rivals, the two adopt very different styles both inside and out, offering visually different solutions to the problem of creating a modern midsize SUV.

Ford offers an array of Focus-derived variants of its latest generation compact hatch that include the base model, a sporty looking ST Line, a posh Vignale and a high-riding Active. All are available as practical wagons, and the Active is no exception, arguably making more sense to buy as a wagon than the standard hatch.

The Focus Active tourer (and the regular hatch too) sit 30 millimeters higher on its suspension compared to the standard model and features plastic body cladding for a more rugged overall appearance. Front and rear bumpers are different too, as is the grille which gets its own unique design.

This is Ford’s response to similar models from other automakers, like the Skoda Octavia Scout or VW Golf Alltrack, although unlike these models, Ford doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Conceived as a tribute to the birth of the Royal Enfield WD/RE series of motorcycles and Royal Enfield’s military heritage, Royal Enfield launched a special limited run version of the Classic 500 called the “Pegasus” edition back in August this year. Not even a month later, the Indian brand launched another machine highlighting its association with the military.

Called the “Classic Signals”, this special edition motorcycles is based on the brand’s Classic 350 and pays homage to its close association and partnership with the Indian Armed Forces. It gets new colors and cosmetic updates and is also Royal Enfield’s first offering to get ABS in the Indian market where the Signals edition will be launched for.

Motor Trend is back at it with the World’s Greatest Drag Race. The annual event pits 12 of the fastest and most powerful cars in the world in the ultimate test of acceleration. All 12 performance machines were present at the Vandenberg Air Force Base to see which among them can take the checkered flag in the latest installment of the World’s Greatest Drag Race.

Also known as the Shakee Sports Racer, this car is one of the first built by Fabcar Engineering from Roman Slobodynski’s designs. The former AAR Chief Designer was commissioned by Tom Spalding.

Inspired by early ’70s Can Am beasts, the Shakee never raced in the Citicorp Canadian-American Challenge itself which had, by 1978, turned to a single-seater formula where former F5000 open-wheelers were converted to closed-bodywork sports cars. It was most likely used for SCCA-sanctioned races or Autocross events.

Tom Spalding was involved in the Can-Am series running the Bob McKee-designed Schkee DB1 which won the first race of the rejuvenated series with works driver Tom Klausler a year before.

The car doesn’t have a verified racing history but is akin to C-Production sports cars that run in SCCA championships in the US.

Gone are the days when trucks were designed for one of two things– off-roading or being put to work, both of which meant there were next to no creature comforts whatsoever. Ram has announced the 2019 Ram Rebel 1500 12 edition, and it feels like nothing short of a luxurious truck. Ram has a lot of new technology offerings along with its natural rough-and-tough characteristics. Has Ram hit the bullseye with the new Rebel 12?

Just a few years have passed since the GLE first hit the scene, but Merc isn’t waiting around to usher in a new generation for the 2019 model year. Bringing revamped, off-roader-inspired styling, a new interior design, a vast array of tech-heavy features, an updated engine line, and a new 48-volt mild hybrid system, the latest GLE is locked and loaded to take on the mid-size luxury SUV segment, with rivals like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 set squarely in the brand’s crosshairs.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Audi will revive the Horch name with the facelifted version of the A8. The current generation of Audi’s flagship full-size sedan will feature an ultra-luxurious trim level named after the long-discontinued brand Horch when the facelift is introduced three to four years from now. The car might come with a W12 engine like previous A8 L models but will not be stretched beyond the L’s wheelbase.

It will be almost 70 years since the last Horch was built, back in 1953, when Audi will introduce the nameplate again as a top-of-the-line trim package for the A8. Akin to Mercedes’ Maybach S model launched in 2015. It will mark Audi’s entry in the ultra-luxurious sector where it will also face brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Audi has learned from Mercedes’ past error, that of introducing Maybach as a separate brand, and will offer the A8 Horch as just a trim level under the Audi umbrella. It’s also unlikely that we’ll see the Horch moniker on the C-Pillars of other Audi sedans although Audi hasn’t ruled the idea completely out.

Last year, BMW Motorrad showcased its Vision Next 100, a motorcycle that is an entirely radical concept of the traditional machine on two wheels today. It is a self-balancing motorcycle that makes the side stand become mundane and mute. It promises to enhance the stability of the motorcycle when on the move and also balances the bike when in stationery.

Now, the German chaps have made a motorcycle that starts its engine on its own, recognizes bends, accelerate and brake all on its own. After more than a couple of years of research, development and testing, graduate engineer Stefan Hans and his team revealed their autonomous BMW R 1200 GS at the BMW Motorrad Techday 2018.

Indian revamped its Chieftain lineup ahead of the 2019 model year, and that includes an extensive rebuild of the Chieftain Dark Horse. Sleeker components meet the eye in a clear bid to lend the “CDH” a performance-minded look to match its potential, and the factory added to the paint packages for a total of three colorways from which to choose. The factory enhanced comfort- and safety-related equipment this year — as well as the infotainment system — to make this newest iteration an almost all-new machine. As always, it comes down to the details as much as the broad strokes, so let’s dive right in and see what else Polaris has going on over there.

Continue reading for my review of the Indian Motorcycle Chieftain Dark Horse.

The Ford GT once owned by WWE superstar John Cena is back up for sale. It’s the fourth time — maybe fifth? — that Cena’s Ford GT is on the market and the second time in the past month alone. The Liquid Blue Ford GT last hit the auction block during Monterey Car Week back on August 25. Barely a month later — seriously, it’s only September 24 — the supercar us now listed in Mecum’s auction next month.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was Ford Motor Company’s response to GM’s Chevrolet Camaro as the Pony Car war reached its peak. It was the meanest looking Mustang up to that point, humiliated the GT in sales to the point the latter got discontinued and could be optioned with the COPO-rivaling 7.0-liter Cobra Jet engine.

BMW has produced a lot of cars over the years, and the Z8 has arguably been one of its highlights. The minimalist looks and a strong engine make this a car in demand even 20 years after its launch. The BMW Z8’s most famous appearance has been in the James Bond movie franchise. In this video, Joe Achilles tries to answer why the Z8 is so special, and what makes this car a true gem.

In the changing circumstances of the car market, car manufacturers have to reimagine their business models and discontinue a number of cars we became so accustomed to. Last year, Hyundai axed the Azera, Nissan stopped producing the Quest, and even the Dodge Viper met its end. This year and the next year, another five cars are bound to be discontinued. We may search for reasons for ages, but the simple fact of the matter is that these cars don’t sell well enough for car companies to keep them in production.

In an effort to shift focus from sedans and hatchbacks to SUVs, companies are forced to reinvent their lineups. In the world of today, this means that they have to pull some radical moves. Here are five cars that are on their way out.

The Chrysler Portal Concept was unveiled last year at the Consumer Electronics Show. The electric van received a lot of attention, and perhaps because of that interest, FCA has given the green signal to commence production. According to Automotive News, the van will hit the assembly line; however, it will come at the cost of the 300 sedan in the brand’s lineup.