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Right tires go beyond all-wheel-drive security
All-wheel-drive is common on top models, such as the Mercedes AMG E53, but the choice of tires still makes a difference in severe winter storms.
'T-Rex' devours competition -- including Raptor
The battle for pickup supremacy has seen the recent rise of the Ram, which adds to its status with a 2021 Raptor-fighting TRX, boasting 702 supercharged Hellcat horsepower.
New diesels take on traditional pickups
New diesel pickups such as the Gladiator 3.0 EcoDiesel and Silverado 3.0 DuraMax add value, while the Toyota Tundra, ironically, may now be the most traditional pickup alternativ
WRX STI still sets pace for Subarus
Subaru has added numerous new SUVs to its stable, but the virtually unchanged WRX STI remains pure and potent as an AWD hot rod.
Accord Hybrid vs. severe cold in novelty duel
Every year, the Honda Accord evolves to remain among the U.S. favorites, and for 2021 the Accord Hybrid meets all those criteria. even in severe cold.
Winter storm? You need a Defender
After being stashed for over two decades, Land Rover has brought back its Defender model, with a modern tech approach to the same old values.
Stick brings Rapid Red Mustang 'Bob' to life
Ford has made all sorts of specialty versions of the Mustang during its six decades of life, but the new base model deserves a nickname, and I'm recommending "Bob."
High-tech Sonata adds higher-tech Hybrid
Striking design of Hyundai's 2020 Sonata, coupled with addition of a Hybrid model, boosts Sonata to the top of the midsize segment.
Bright leaves no match for Lexus LC500
The new era of Toyota design and performance is nearly upon us, and the Lexus LC500 might be the best example as the pinnacle of Toyota's upscale line,
Ram vs. Ram in pickup battle
The versatility of Ram pickups have led to competition within the brand, as the Rebel EcoDiesel compares sporty off-road readiness to the iconic V8 Laramie's luxury.Exhaust Notes:
PADDLING More and more cars are offering steering-wheel paddles to allow drivers manual control over automatic or CVT transmissions. A good idea might be to standardize them. Most allow upshifting by pulling on the right-side paddle and downshifting with the left. But a recent road-test of the new Porsche Panamera, the paddles for the slick PDK direct-sequential gearbox were counter-intuitive -- both the right or left thumb paddles could upshift or downshift, but pushing on either one would upshift, and pulling back on either paddle downshifted. I enjoy using paddles, but I spent the full week trying not to downshift when I wanted to upshift. A little simple standardization would alleviate the problem.
SPEAKING OF PADDLES The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has the best paddle system, and Infiniti has made the best mainstream copy of that system for the new Q50, and other sporty models. And why not? It's simply the best. In both, the paddles are long, slender magnesium strips, affixed to the steering column rather than the steering wheel. Pull on the right paddle and upshift, pull on the left and downshift. The beauty is that while needing to upshift in a tight curve might cause a driver to lose the steering wheel paddle for an instant, but having the paddles long, and fixed, means no matter how hard the steering wheel is cranked, reaching anywhere on the right puts the upshift paddle on your fingertips.
TIRES MAKE CONTACT Even in snow-country, a few stubborn old-school drivers want to stick with rear-wheel drive, but the vast majority realize the clear superiority of front-wheel drive. Going to all-wheel drive, naturally, is the all-out best. But the majority of drivers facing icy roadways complain about traction for going, stopping and steering with all configurations. They overlook the simple but total influence of having the right tires can make. There are several companies that make good all-season or snow tires, but there are precious few that are exceptional. The Bridgestone Blizzak continues to be the best=known and most popular, but in places like Duluth, MN., where scaling 10-12 blocks of 20-30 degree hills is a daily challenge, my favorite is the Nokian WR. Made without compromising tread compound, the Nokians maintain their flexibility no matter how cold it gets, so they stick, even on icy streets, and can turn a skittish car into a winter-beater.
About the Author
John Gilbert is a lifetime Minnesotan and career journalist, specializing in cars and sports during and since spending 30 years at the Minneapolis Tribune, now the Star Tribune. More recently, he has continued translating the high-tech world of autos and sharing his passionate insights as a freelance writer/photographer/broadcaster. A member of the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year jury since 1993. John can be heard Monday-Friday from 9-11am on 610 KDAL(www.kdal610.com) on the "John Gilbert Show," and writes a column in the Duluth Reader.
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