Go Behind the Design: Interviewing a BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept Designer

We traveled to Munich for the official debut event of the BMW 4 Series Coupe concept, and besides writing a thorough First Look article, we talked to one of the car’s key designers to get an inside look at the design’s inspiration.

Motor Trend 2013 COTY Contender: Toyota Prius C

The Toyota Prius C was another Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year contender. Were we judging OCOTY (Orange Car of the Year), the Toyota Prius C would be a front-runner. The Habanero Orange color maximizes the four-door hatchback’s cheap and cheerful appeal. But how cheap is the new compact Prius variant, really?

Review: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Volante – Put Your Aston Blinders On

It’s difficult not to enjoy a $300,000 convertible as beautiful and powerful as the 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Volante, but with the new Vanquish arriving soon, we wonder in this Motor Trend review just how desirable the DBS Carbon Volante really is.

Review: 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost – Explore the Edge EcoBoost or Escape?

The 2012 Ford Edge SEL EcoBoost is an ambitious part of the automaker’s plan to use downsized engines across its SUV lineup. But how good could a turbocharged four-cylinder engine possibly be in a midsize crossover as large as the Edge?

You’re Buying What? $80,000 Coupe-Like Four-Doors From BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, and Audi

Mercedes-Benz created the so-called coupe-like four-door segment with the original CLS-Class sedan but, today, there are plenty of automakers that want a piece of that profitable automotive segment. On the same day BMW released pricing information for the 640i Gran Coupe, Motor Trend capitalized on the car’s spiking popularity with the latest in the You’re Buying WOT blog series.

Cheaper Thrills: Motor Trend Blogs Cover Car Deals for Enthusiasts

One of the latest semi-regular blog series on Motor Trend’s WOT is the monthly deals post that, unlike others on consumer-oriented automotive sites, focuses on cars, SUVs, and trucks that enthusiasts might actually consider driving. Five vehicles with notable specials are highlighted in the photo-friendly blog, which uses punchy sub-sections to prevent the blog from being any longer than necessary.

Review: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist – Not LaCrosse GLamorous

The Buick LaCrosse GL concept demonstrated how impressive the brand’s full-size, front-drive-based luxury sedan could look, but the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist proves to be the yin to that yang, wiping away much of the style that so effectively distinguishes the LaCrosse from competitors like the outgoing Lexus ES.

Review: 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate sedan – Hyundai’s Forward Momentum Hits a Speed Bump

Hyundai’s 2012 Equus Ultimate is a reasonably executed flagship luxury sedan — but should anyone care? Flagship luxury and sound financial sense just don’t go together, and that’s what makes the 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate so tough to review.

Quick Takes Automotive Reviews – Another Successful Motor Trend Site Addition

While plenty of vehicles visit the Motor Trend headquarters garage, not all of them are tested or significant enough to warrant a full story highlighted on the MotorTrend.com homepage. The new Quick Takes review format is designed for these previously tested and reviewed vehicles. Along with some driving impressions, the Quick Takes reviews feature specific comparisons to other competitors for a more in-market buyer’s guide spin than you’re likely to see in a regular Motor Trend review. Recent subjects of Quick Takes reviews include…

As CRA Winds Down, We Look Back At Our South L.A. Marlton Square Video

USC’s Intersections South L.A. is reporting that the California Redevelopment Agency — responsible for many potential development projects in South Los Angeles including Marlton Square — had its last official day this week. Nearly three years ago, I completed one of my first USC video news stories, which covered Crenshaw’s Marlton Square, an eyesore that’s needed redevelopment for years. Click through to watch the video.