News and Features

2009 Dodge Challenger – Preview

Joseph LaMuraglia
New York, New York – I spend Thursday of last week driving the 2009 Dodge Challenger in and around New Jersey and New York. While we can’t post our driving impressions of the Challenger, we can show you photos and give you a quick update. The Challenger launched in 2008 and was available only in the SRT8 trim level. The 2009 model year brings a broader spectrum of choices to the Challenger nameplate starting with a entry-level 250 HP 6-cylinder SE, a R/T with a 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine that pumps out 376 horsepower and the aforementioned SRT8 with 425 horsepower 6.1 liter HEMI ®. Also new is the available 6-speed manual in the R/T and the SRT8. [...]

BlueTec by Mercedes-Benz – Video

Joseph LaMuraglia
Mercedes-Benz has been synonymous with Diesel cars for over 100 years so it makes sense that they are the first to introduce the latest diesel technology to the U.S. market. Dubbed “BlueTec”, it is a clean diesel technology that will have you and your friends not believing your ears or eyes. It is clean, quiet and actually FUN to drive. [...]

VanityFair.com Launches Gay Car Blog

Joseph LaMuraglia
July 25, 2008 – I got an email forwarded to me this morning describing a new column on VanityFair.com called “Stick Shift – The Gay Car Blog”. My first reaction was puzzlement as Vanity Fair and columns about automobiles don’t reside in the same logic quandrant in my brain. Alas, having started a non-traditional business three years ago, I mustn’t be quick to judge. [...]

2010 Camaro Revealed – Webcast and Photos!

Joseph LaMuraglia
Monday, July 21, 2008 – Detroit, MI – I am in Detroit today as a guest of GM to attend the official unveiling of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro at 4 PM EST. Many of you may be asking “Why should I care about the Camaro? I don’t have a mullet and my last name doesn’t end in a vowel”. According to Travis Parman, GM’s LGBT media relations manager, “the Camaro – like its expected buyer – has evolved and become more sophisticated over the years”. While it sounds like Travis might be drinking the PR Kool-Aid, our initial viewings of the concept cars support his comments. The 2010 Camaro will certainly appeal to a wider audience than the last iterations of the nameplate. [...]

2009 Mazda6 – Preview

Joseph LaMuraglia
July 16th – I just spent the day driving the new “6” from Mazda. This is a very important vehicle for Mazda as it is their entrant in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Think Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Chevy Malibu. These are the workhorses of the auto industry and their 5-passenger capacity, fuel economy and roomy trunks meet the needs of a LOT of people. [...]

GM Plots a New Course–With Fewer Trucks

Joseph LaMuraglia
This morning’s announcements by General Motors hit its workforce and retirees hard, but among the bad news, the company is sending a message that it’s changing the way it does business–permanently. The way they did it? Confirming a slew of new products for the 2009 and 2010 model years, while admitting that the replacements for the current full-size pickups and big SUVs, like the Tahoe and Escalade, will have to wait until fuel prices come down. GM’s executive team said point-blank in this morning’s press conference that they don’t expect that to happen anytime soon–if ever. [...]