While Japan’s kei cars have been imported to the US since the late 1940s, they’re enjoying a bit of a resurgence thanks to countless social media posts and YouTube videos. A bonafide viral sensation, kei cars are tiny cars, trucks, and vans that almost resemble playthings next to larger vehicles dominating American roadways. Defined by […]
Have you ever been to a Honda dealer, seen the HPD emblem on a vehicle, and wondered what it stood for? Racing enthusiasts will likely clue you in on its meaning straight away. HPD stands for “Honda Performance Development,” and it has been the high-octane arm of the brand here in America for decades. Most […]
For more than 115 years, the Bugatti name has been associated with vehicles that offer the highest performance and luxury. Bugatti was arguably the original supercar and hypercar manufacturer, and modern rides like the EB 110, Veyron, Chiron, and Bolide have carried on the tradition. Soon, another nameplate will be joining this illustrious list. On […]
For decades, manual transmissions in American vehicles have been an endangered species. According to Motor1, less than 2% of cars sold stateside in 2023 were equipped with manual transmissions. Yet despite the proliferation of automatic transmissions, stick shifting has carved a niche with automakers like Honda still offering it in certain vehicles. Honda even trumpets […]
Since Chevy announced the impending return of the Corvette ZR1, fans have barely been able to contain their excitement. The C8 Corvette Stingray and performance variants such as the Z06 are already continuing the vehicle’s fine tradition, with the Corvette Z06 winning the 2023 MotorTrend Performance Car of the Year Award. If you didn’t think […]
Today, it seems like automotive engineering is advancing at a breakneck pace. More technology is being introduced every year, and electrification has created entirely new types of vehicles seemingly overnight. However, this isn’t anything new in the automotive world. Looking back to the early 1900s reveals an age in which engineering and design were advancing […]
The Wilbraham Hill Climb dates back to 1908, when some of the earliest cars took on the challenge of being the fastest up Monson Road in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Today, the event is still going strong and has become a celebration of vintage vehicles of all types. The 2024 Wilbraham Hill Climb had 21 entries that […]
While it might have since faded into the rearview mirror, American Motors Corporation was a formative brand that helped shape the auto industry. The defunct automaker might not be familiar to younger drivers, but for those who remember the days of tail fins, chromed-out bumpers, and gaudy hood ornaments, AMC likely played a part in […]
Hill climbs are one of the oldest forms of motorsports, dating back virtually to the invention of automobiles. Most enthusiasts have probably heard of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which has run since 1916, but there are even older events across the country that you have probably never heard of. The CarLifeNation team recently […]
When I used to DJ on college radio many years ago, I’d love to put together sets that were inspired by different subjects. Halloween would always feature scary songs, and I’d often program a block of summer sunshine music when the Massachusetts sky gave us a blizzard. But my favorite sets were the ones built […]
There’s little doubt the eighth-generation Chevy Corvette Stingray is the most powerful, best-handling Corvette ever produced. The culmination of more than seventy years of research, development, and open-road thrills, this all-American machine is beloved by critics and enthusiasts alike. Over the decades, the Corvette has evolved from a basic roadster to a coupe that screams […]
Convertibles might seem like a luxury in today’s market, but these open-air rides were actually some of the world’s first cars. That said, these early horseless carriages don’t have a lot in common with today’s convertibles, and the original 1897 Daimler Grafton Phaeton might not draw the right kind of attention when you’re cruising by […]
For over 50 years, the BMW M Series has brought racing-inspired performance to the streets. What started on the racetrack with the BMW Motorsport division became a way for the common person to experience the same power, precision, and thrills as the world’s best drivers from Circuit of the Americas to Silverstone. You have many […]
When the Toyota GR Corolla hit showrooms in early 2022, it was a jolt to the system for the Corolla nameplate and for high-performance compact lovers alike; the Corolla Hatchback that people knew for decades as a solid, dependable commuter car was suddenly fun. Then, the GR Corolla Circuit Edition joined the Core trim in […]
It’s fair to say that diesel doesn’t have the best reputation in the US. Years ago, this bias was pretty well-founded: old diesel engines were loud, provided a hard ride, and emitted an ungodly amount of smog. But advances in engineering have changed that. Today’s diesel engines are quieter, smoother, cleaner, and must meet similar […]
Once the odometer finally ticked over the final mile of its recommended break-in period, it was time to finally take CarLifeNation’s new 2024 test car out for a joyride to see what it really feels like with its full capabilities unlocked. Unfortunately, winter has plagued our New England headquarters, so we weren’t able to fully […]
Most drivers have probably noticed that Ford has shifted its focus away from hatchbacks and sedans over the last few years. In fact, as of this writing, the Mustang stands alone as the only true “car” in a Ford lineup now dominated by crossovers, SUVs, and pickups. That’s not to say that those in the […]
In some ways, the Honda Accord is a victim of its own success. There’s no denying the Accord’s impressive track record in the modern auto market––Honda’s midsize model moves around 200,000 units a year and easily finds a place on the list of the best-selling cars––but that sort of success can be a bit of […]
Calling a car “beautiful” isn’t unusual. Plenty of cars are styled with a certain aesthetic in mind, and for dedicated gearheads, a well-engineered machine is truly a breathtaking spectacle to behold. From their distinct appearance to the glorious symphony of a revving engine, car manufacturers combine art and engineering to provide drivers with a captivating […]
Cadillac is a brand with a reputation for luxury but not necessarily for great performance. And yet, if you look around your local Cadillac dealer, you can certainly find some high-powered cars backed by enviable stats. One sure-fire way to know you’re getting a true performance vehicle is to look for a V-Series model. The […]
