Motorcycle enthusiasts like me undoubtedly remember the Japanese liter bike “horsepower wars” waged from the 1990s to the late 2000s. Although the superbike era unofficially began in the early 1970s with the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1 900, it shifted into high gear (pardon the pun) surrounding the turn of the century. The economy was […]
Author: Michael Stridsberg
Michael is a professional writer with a lifelong passion for the automotive world. He spent six years as the media director for Thunder Road Speedbowl and currently serves as the track’s Victory Lane announcer and pit reporter. He is also interested in muscle cars and hopes to one day own a vintage Ford Mustang. Michael graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a performance and technical theater degree. When not writing or talking about cars, he enjoys playing guitar, working out, reading, and watching football.
Coming to the Grid: A Round-Up of New Brands in Formula One
Change is inevitable on the Formula One circuit. There were times when fans thought Mercedes domination would go on forever or that we’d never see a day without Lotus and Brabham on the track. Admittedly, the days are long gone of seemingly half a dozen teams springing up or folding in a calendar year and […]
Going Off the Beaten Path With the 2025 Frontier PRO-4X
When it comes to off-roading, Nissan might not be the first name that comes to some people’s minds. But since the Nissan Frontier for sale was inflated from a compact to a midsize pickup in 2005, it has established itself as a dependable truck that can do a little of everything, including driving over the […]
How Much Can You Tow With a 2025 Grand Cherokee?
One of the reasons for buying a large SUV has long been the ability to tow trailers, small campers, and other equipment. Even if someone is trying to get away from it all, they usually have toys they want to bring with them. The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee has found its way to North American […]
Ducati Makes an Off-Road Splash with the Desmo450 MX
Ever since Ducati introduced its first motorcycle in 1950, the Italian company has been known for sleek, powerful machines that are equally at home on the track and the road. After three-quarters of a century, Ducati is running as strong as ever. In 2024, they swept the manufacturer’s titles in the MotoGP Grand Prix, FIM […]
The Coolest New Supercars of 2025
The word “supercar” is enough to make plenty of mouths drool—including mine. Ever since the 1966 Lamborghini Miura unofficially launched the segment, exotic cars have offered mind-melting power, handling, and style to those who can afford them (maybe someday I’ll join that list). The best part is that more supercars come along all the time […]
The 2025 Ram Heavy Duty Lineup Revealed: What’s New With This Redesigned Truck?
After seeing sales numbers for its Ram truck brand drop three years running, Stellantis decided the time had come to revamp its 2500 and 3500 series pickup trucks. On January 7, they unveiled the first major facelift to the Ram Heavy Duty since the fifth generation launched in 2019. Although officially still part of the […]
Should You Choose the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Over the Silverado 1500?
There are plenty of reasons half-ton trucks like the Chevy Silverado 1500 are so popular. These pickups offer excellent power, hauling, and off-road ability for everyday drivers and even some commercial applications while still being road-friendly. You can do a lot with a half-ton—and they don’t require a commercial driver’s license nor massive arm muscles […]
Can Lotus Cars Survive?
For more than 75 years, Lotus Group has been a paragon of the luxury sports car market. With a history including seven Formula One constructor’s championships and a cavalcade of famous vehicles like the Seven and Elan S2, this UK automaker built a legion of fans with its reputation for pristine aerodynamics and track-ready handling—and […]
How the Chevy Colorado’s Off-Road Tech Upgrades Your Adventures
In the modern age of off-roading, it’s about more than having the biggest engine, strongest transmission, and toughest axles. Just like automotive technology has upgraded the on-road experience, it can also enhance off-road excursions. The right technology can help you find your way on a trail, change the vehicle settings for more traction, improve your […]
Is the 2025 Maverick Lobo a Triumphant Return for Street Trucks?
The Ford Maverick has received a refresh—and a new alter ego to go with it. Scheduled to hit the roads in early 2025, the Maverick Lobo aims to revitalize the classic “street truck” for the modern enthusiast. This variation on the 2025 Ford Maverick promises high performance and urban style from the country’s most popular […]
Does Genesis Have What It Takes to Challenge Endurance Racing?
The news came quietly on September 12, 2024, with a simple two-paragraph statement: Genesis and Hyundai Motorsport would be joining LMDh, part of the premier endurance racing class that competes in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) SportsCar Championship and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) World Endurance Championship (WEC). Although they didn’t offer any […]
Explaining the 2025 Corvette Lineup
Few, if any, American vehicle nameplates are more legendary than the Corvette. Originally a solid-axle muscle car that debuted in 1953 to a mixed reception, it has become a genuine supercar synonymous with speed, competition, American innovation, and sheer power. The 2025 model year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Corvette, making it the longest-running […]
The Kawasaki Z900: A Naked Bike That’s Anything but Standard
When Kawasaki announced in 2016 that it was discontinuing the Z800, it didn’t make a lot of waves. Although the successor to the Z750 had received good reviews for its versatile performance and comfort, it was just four years old and already outshined by other mid-level bikes like the Triumph Street Triple R. As it […]
Five Exciting Used Chevy Models for Budget-Friendly Thrills
Over the century-plus history of the brand, Chevy has produced more than its fair share of exciting vehicles. Whether it’s eight generations of the famous Corvette, classic full-size cars like the Chevelle and Bel Air, or its fleet of trucks and SUVs, the Chevy name is synonymous with generating buzz among drivers and passengers every […]
What Is Snow Wheeling? A Guide to the Winter Off-Road Phenomenon
Do you think that winter’s arrival is the end of your off-roading adventures for several months? On the contrary, the fun has just begun. Snow wheeling has become a common way for 4×4 aficionados to test their limits, braving the cold weather and the large white blanket covering the trails. Think of it as snowmobiling […]
Is the Sequoia TRD Pro the Best Full-Size SUV for Off-Roading?
Serious off-roaders need more than a run-of-the-mill SUV or tricked-out crossover. They demand the best combination of power, suspension, body design, and tech to get them across rough terrain. This is especially true of rock crawlers, dune bashers, and competitive off-roaders who constantly face the worst Mother Nature and course designers can offer. To this […]
Previewing the 2024 Rainforest Challenge Grand Final
Hardcore off-roaders already have the dates from November 29th to December 9th circled on their calendars. That’s when the 27th annual Rainforest Challenge Grand Final will bring participants from around the globe together in Malaysia for an event that tests humans and machines in equal measure. Named one of the world’s toughest off-road events, it […]
Yamaha’s Fascinating, Little-Known History of Making Car Engines
When I say “Yamaha,” there are a few things you might think of. One may be the world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer, churning out everything from pianos and guitars to drumsticks. Another is the audio company that, among other things, developed the first successful digital synthesizer and the first CD recorder. If you’re reading CarLifeNation, […]
Freakishly Fun: The Oddest Motorcycle Engines Ever Made
In many respects, the evolution of motorcycle engines has been straightforward. Internal combustion piston engines established themselves as the predominant engine type by the early 1900s, and most designs—two-stroke, four-stroke, parallel-twin, V-twin, etc—have built on this. Along the way, horsepower and torque kept going up, just like with cars. But in the book of motorcycle […]