Car reviews

The 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder is the facelifted version of the original model launched in 2016. It’s basically an upgraded variant of the rear-wheel-drive alternative to the standard Huracan, which features an AWD layout. Visual upgrades are in line with the rest of the Huracan lineup, but the RWD stands out with a unique front bumper and rear diffuser. More notably, it’s more powerful than the old model, as it now features the V-10 engine of the old AWD model. The naturally aspirated mill cranks out 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The 2020 Huracan Evo RWD Spyder hits 62 mph from a standing start in 3.5 seconds.

Manhart has a new toy for big boys and it’s based on the smoking-hot BMW M8 Competition, a car that’s already brimming with performance. Yet Manhart didn’t settle for the stock grunt because, honestly, that’s not what tuners do. So what you’re seeing here is the MH8 800, the fastest BMW M8 Competition... in the world.

The Lexus RX invented the luxury crossover. It invented the luxury hybrid. And it’s consistently America’s best-selling luxury SUV. That’s why the current-generation RX’s shortcomings have been so surprising. It debuted in 2016 with polarizing styling, limited cargo space, no available third-row seat, cumbersome controls, and missing infotainment features.

At least based on the sales numbers, buyers registered no objections. They either embraced or accepted the RX for what it is, continuing to be drawn to its quiet ride, rich leather, and promise of headache-free reliability. But Lexus has steadily improved the vehicle since that 2016 debut. It added an extended-length three-row model for the 2018 model year, known as the RX L. Now, the 2020 RX features an upgraded infotainment system and tweaks to the styling and suspension.

With 615 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, the BMW X5 M Competition is one of the most powerful BMWs ever made, a 5,500-pound behemoth capable of going from naught to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and do it while enveloping you in a luxurious cabin blending leather and carbon fiber. We took the X5 M Competition out for a spin because we know that it shares its engine with the M5 and the M8 Competition but we wanted to find out if it also drives like BMW’s quick sedans.

When BMW came up with the X5 over two decades ago, the unique selling proposition of the first Bavarian crossover of any kind was that it offered all the benefits of an SUV - like the added practicality, the higher driving position, and off-road ability - while staying true to the BMW ethos and thus delivering that much-coveted driving pleasure. BMW even tried to create a brand-new niche with the arrival of the X5, calling it an ’SAV’ which is something that still applies to this day, with the only difference being that, over the years, the X5 did become sportier and felt more and more like a sedan able to belie its generous dimensions.

The Mk. 8 Golf GTI TCR will build on top of an already amazing package to take things to the next level. As a model that’s more oriented toward the driver, it’ll feature a whopping 300 horsepower, all of which will be shunted through an eight-speed DCT. There’s no definite on-sale date as of yet, but it should launch in late 2020 as a 2021 model.

Update 5/12/2020: The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR was spotted in the wild with almost no camo. Check it out in our special “Spy Shots” section below!

The Jeep Wrangler has been around for many decades now. Its reputation in the automotive community and sales figures are testimony to the SUV’s success. Folks who are looking for an adventurous truck with impeccable off-roading skills often have the Wrangler at the top of their list. Even when aftermarket companies work on the Wrangler, they generally work on increasing its off-roading prowess. However, there are only a few who work on the aesthetics inside out. And, there’s no doubt that the Wrangler does not top the list when it comes to luxury and the finesse.

However, a British company called Sterling Automotive has decided to take this route for its version of the Wrangler. Sterling hasn’t made any changes under the hood or to the mechanicals of the SUV. It’s only cosmetic and aesthetic upgrades are to the exterior and the interior.

The 2020 Callaway SC630 is an upgrade to the Chevrolet Camaro performed by Callaway Cars, an engineering company that’s been offering drivetrain upgrades for Chevrolets since the 1980s. The SC630 package revolves around supercharging the 6.2-liter V-8 offered in the sixth-generation Camaro and it’s available for the LT1, 1SS, and 2SS trims. Although exterior and interior add-ons are minimal, the supercharger increases the engine’s power from 455 to 630 horsepower. The SC630 is thus almost as powerful as the Camaro ZL1,but it comes at a notably more affordable price.

The Lamborghini Huracan EVO is one of those cars that arguably needs little to no improvement. It already packs a 5.2-liter V-10 engine that produces 631 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. It can split a 60 mph time in just 2.9 seconds and it peaks at a top speed of 201 mph. Lamborghini set up the Huracan EVO to be a monster, but as we’ve seen over and over again, even the fiercest of monsters have levels that they can go up to. That job doesn’t fall on Lamborghini; that falls on the shoulders of aftermarket tuners like Novitec.

The Italian aftermarket company is known far and wide for its elaborate programs for Italy’s finest exotics. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Prancing Horse or a Raging Bull, Novitec can build tuning programs like nobody’s business. Take this kit for the aforementioned Huracan EVO, for example. It’s not enough that the mighty Lambo is what it is; Novitec wants to make it better, and that’s exactly what it did. From an aerodynamic body kit to a new set of wheels to an engine upgrade program, Novitec’s aftermarket program for the Huracan EVO is as extensive as it gets.

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mazda is giving loyal fans a reason to celebrate with the launch of the MX-5 R-Sport Limited Edition. Available only in the U.K., the MX-5 R-Sport Limited Edition is a fresh take at the beloved roadster, complete with exclusive touches in the exterior and interior.

The Mazda MX-5 R-Sport Limited Edition is a fresher and bolder version of a roadster that’s not lacking in impressive design qualities. Only 150 units of the special edition MX-5 will be available. Each model is priced at £27,700, which converts to around $34,600 based on current exchange rates. It’s unclear if the special edition MX-5 will be sold in the U.S., though knowing how these things work, don’t get your hopes up.

For the past two years, Nissan has been selling about 210,000 Altimas, the mid-size sedan that’s been lurking in the shadows behind its Japanese peers from Honda and Toyota since 2014. The introduction of the sixth-generation model in 2018 didn’t turn the tides in Nissan’s favor and we drove a range-topping Platinum with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to see why more people and businesses choose an Accord or a Camry over the Altima.

Fresh-faced and with a variety of clever features such as semi-autonomous driving functions, the Altima is Nissan’s bid to regain the lead in the once-booming mid-size sedan segment. While people generally moved away from sedans in favor of MPVs and SUVs, the big players in the market still move in excess of 320,000 units a year of their best-selling models and Nissan hopes the Altima, a $24,000 proposition in its cheapest form, can keep the company’s otherwise leaking boat from sinking.

ABT and Audi kind of go together like peanut butter and jelly. Just this year alone, we’ve seen a handful of ABT-tuned Audis, like the bonkers RS6-R Avant, the RS Q8, and the RS6 Avant. Now, ABT has managed to take the Audi Q5 55 TFSIe, one of Audi’s latest plug-in hybrids, and give it a healthy dose of extra grunt that pushes it well beyond its original specification.

The A90-generation Toyota Supra is now more than a year old, which means its time to expect some updates to roll out for the sports coupe. To its credit, Toyota is wasting little time getting that ball rolling with the arrival of the special edition Supra Horizon Blue Edition. Based specifically on the RZ trim of the sports coupe — it’s a JDM model — the GR Supra RZ Horizon Blue Edition arrives with a steady diet of new and exclusive features, none more obvious than the splashy Horizon Blue paint finish. The Toyota GR Supra RZ Horizon Edition is limited to just 100 units, all of which are earmarked for the Japanese market.

The 2020 Morgan LE60 Plus Six is a limited-edition version of the company’s six-cylinder roadster. Designed to celebrate the company’s partnership with its Dutch retailer Louwman Exclusive, the LE60 is based on the brand-new Plus Six that replaced the Plus 8 in 2019. The LE60 is limited to only four units, two finished in Ice Blue and two painted in Scintila Silver, each also fitted with special appointments. All four are being shipped to Louwman Exclusive. The LE60 lineup also includes a 3 Wheeler model.

Isuzu D-Max is one of the most affordable and reliable trucks in the U.K. It offers absolute bang for the buck and suits the needs of urban trade customers, farmers, and small businessmen.

However, Isuzu decided to expand into the off-road segment as well. In 2019, the company launched the XTR trim for the D-Max that catered to off-road enthusiasts. To make sure the product’s hype didn’t go down, Isuzu decided to release a new Colour Edition for the model that featured cosmetic upgrades inside and out. From what it’s worth, the aesthetic update certainly adds a nice zing to the truck.

The 2021 Ram Rebel TRX is one of the most anticipated vehicles this year. Unlike most of the other exciting launches lately– like the Gladiator, or the mid-engined Corvette, or even the upcoming Bronco, for that matter – the Rebel TRX doesn’t have any nostalgia or preconceived expectations attached. This isn’t a moniker that is being revived after decades or a trim of a vehicle that an automaker has denied to offer for a very long time to the enthusiasts. People like the 2021 Rebel TRX for what they’ve seen so far and all the hype is just based on how good the product is shaping out to be.

Fun fact – Did you know that TRX stands for Tyrannosaurus Rex? It is also a bigger dinosaur than the Raptor. Mind games there, Ram?

The McLaren P1 GTR-18 is an aftermarket conversion of the McLaren P1 supercar performed by Lanzante. The package is essentially an exterior upgrade that enhances aerodynamics, but the cars are also finished in historic racing liveries. Now specialized in servicing and restoration of classic cars, Lanzante used to run its own motorsport team, including the one that won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans with a McLaren F1 GTR under Kokusai Kaihatsu sponsorship. In 2016, Lanzante converted six P1 GTR models to road-legal specs and called them the P1 LM. The P1 GTR-18 is thus Lanzante’s second project based on the P1.

Audi has launched a new plug-in hybrid trim for its wagon, the A6 Avant. It is based on the A6 Avant 55 TFSI trim, the plug-in model was first revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. It isn’t a new powertrain as it’s already been doing duty in the plug-in hybrid versions of the A7 Sportback and Q5. The wagon will be capable of covering 32 miles on battery power alone. Neat add-on to one the most popular station wagons, isn’t it?

The Volkswagen Arteon came to our attention back in 2017, during its unveil at the Geneva Motor Show. Three years into the fastback-shaped sedan’s career, Volkswagen is planning to give the Arteon a well-deserved nip and tuck which would keep customer interest fresh and address the areas that needed further improvements.

With the refreshed Arteon, however, we’re expecting Volkswagen to introduce a spicier, more performance oriented version under its notorious R badge. Our suspicions are backed up by a recent set of spy shots that show a virtually undisguised test mule that wears a lot of R-specific features. Allow us to detail, then.

Update 4/29/2020: The Volkswagen Arteon R was spotted once again, this time sporting a look that represents the upcoming facelift and what we can expect from the new Arteon R. Check it out in our special Spy Shots section below!

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen! It’s been a long road to get to this point, but now we’re finally getting our first look at the next-generation Volkswagen Golf R. A test mule of the big daddy Golf R was recently spotted doing some test runs in the snow, and yes, this particular prototype is wearing nothing but fresh paint.

There’s no camouflage in sight, allowing us to see the next-generation Golf R in all its glory. Specific details in the prototype present clear markings of the Golf R’s DNA so unless Volkswagen has a surprise for us with a different Golf-based hot hatch, what we’re looking at here is the next-generation Golf R.

There’s no set timetable on when the Golf R is expected to arrive, but with the just-as-new Golf GTI expected to debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen could hold off the Golf R’s debut for later in the year. Or it could join the Golf GTI in Geneva. Either way, the all-new Golf R is here.

Update 4/29/2020: The 2021 Volkswagen Golf R was recently spotted doing some on-track testing with no camouflage. Check out the special Spy Shots section below to check them out and learn more about it.

Mere days after we saw a prototype version of the all-new BMW M4 prancing around in test mule form comes its hardtop sibling, which, not surprisingly, is also decked in full camo regalia. To be fair, this isn’t the first time that the BMW M4 Coupe was spotted in the wild.

Back in December, we caught a glimpse of the sports coupé being unloaded from a car transporter. That sighting didn’t amount to much, but this fresh batch of spy photos shows the M4 Coupe — still wrapped in heavy camouflage — in its more natural state, engaged in test runs in and around the streets of Germany.

Just like its roofless sibling, the all-new BMW M4 Coupe is set to debut sometime this summer ahead of its market launch at the end of the year. But before any of that happens, BMW will continue doing test runs of the M4, hopefully with fewer camo wraps in the succeeding sessions.

Update 4/28/2020: The BMW M4 Coupe was spied testing once again, and this time we’ve gotten a look at the interior. Check it out in our special Spy Shots section below!

The 2020 Audi SQ7 is the facelifted, range-topping version of the second-generation midsize SUV. Unveiled alongside its regular sibling, the 2020 SQ7 sports a revised front fascia and a new interior borrowed from the Q8. More importantly, it’s the first iteration of the SQ7 that features a gasoline engine. Launched in 2016, the SQ7 was a diesel-only model up until now. The gas-powered 2020 SQ7 features a turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 engine that generates 500 horsepower, making it the most powerful Q7 model yet. It’s also the quickest to 62 mph. The arrival of the 2020 SQ7 gives Audi a proper alternative to the BMW X5 M50i and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580. Find out more about this high-performance SUV in the review below.