Hot in the City: Ford Flex wins Urban Truck of the Year

Last fall, I sat on the meeting between Ford Flex interior designer Anthony Prozzi, Automobile Magazine Editor Jean Jennings, our in-house artist extraordinaire Lee Quinones at the scrumptious Il Bagatto located in the East Village. Prozzi was the super star of that meeting when restaurant regulars found out that he had worked on the Flex. Turns out an inner city law enforcement officer was quite proud of his brand new Flex – and he called it – the hot new ride on... Read More

2010 Volvo XC60: From Sweden (to San Francisco) with LOV

Hearts intact, we’re leaving San Francisco where the January sky is unseasonably blue and wide above our panoramic moon roof and the lip of the Pacific Ocean tickles the imagination beneath the driver’s window of the 2010 Volvo XC60. My driving partner and I are making our way north along meandering roadways of the panoramic 101 from our starting destination at Cavallo Point for serious launch business. It’s one of those days where this job doesn’t feel... Read More

From Subaru Tribeca to Brooklyn

January is a month of beginnings. And so we set forth in a 2009 Subaru Tribeca, bags packed, ready to fly to colder pastures. With the message of hope resonating, it feels like a time for togetherness — even here in New York City, generally a beacon for solos. And so it’s an appropriate time to examine moderately-priced family cars. The New York-centric named 2009 Subaru Tribeca is a good starting point for investigation. Automakers must have anticipated this era... Read More

Chrysler and Fiat Two Step

Chrysler pulled a fast one on the auto industry, or at least a deft lane change by turning over a 35% stake to Fiat. We’ll be watching this partnership unfold. Somehow, we can’t help but think back on Chrysler’s other foreign touchstones — Mitsu, Lambo.. the list goes on. But in those situations, the big dog was on the other side of the fence, that was until Daimler Dachsund came around. This whole thing still might not fly, according to the Detroit Free... Read More

Moving Words: Obama’s inaugural speech

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is... Read More

Art, Messages, and Signs for our Times: Shepard’s Obama Poster Campaign

Our good friends Shepard and Amanda Fairey and their posse told us about their commitment to the Obama campaign this time last year when we visited them in their hometown in Los Feliz, California. Back then, Fairey’s iconic poster was just gaining attention from the underground swell of Obama supporters as it made its way to the mainstream. The “hope” message resonated and Shepard was chosen to create the official inaugural art. It’s no wonder — Shepard... Read More

All Aboard! The Obama Express

We are enthralled with the speeding locomotive making it’s way to Washington, D.C.. Trains are solid, steady, moving forward on a clearly lined path, dependent on tracks laid, leading the way and grounded, and an oft forgotten favorite American journey. Abraham Lincoln set the precedent for much of what we esteem to be honorable — and much of what will define the essence of what Barack Obama will shape his rhetoric upon. The 16th president, traveled through 70 American... Read More

Obama was a Mopar Man

My mother drives a silvery Chrysler 300C sedan. She was all too happy to hear that once upon a time, so did Barack Obama. The 2005 Chrysler 300c is loaded with a V-8, GPS and leather seats. Obama rode for 19,000 miles before he green-graded to a Ford Escape Hybrid, according to reports. I don’t think moms will be bidding on almost President Obama’s former ride that starts out at $150,000 on ebay and has been rumored to draw bids in the $1 million dollar range. A Chicago... Read More

2009 Detroit Auto Show: Don’t forget the sexy.

While most of the auto show buzz centered on the despairing economy and the crippled auto sales, there’s enough sexy contours to ease the stress. These cars remind that there’s still swagger in the car game. For seduction powner no further than the Audi Sportback. This foxy 5-door winner nabbed prizes from Eyes on Design. Also scoring oohs and ahhs is the Cadillac Converj. As Michael Strahan awaits delivery of his Fisker Karma, the S Sunset convertible sees daylight... Read More

Detroit Auto Show Days, Snow Days, Slow Days

Detroit is down shifting. It was not long ago that the Big Three were best known for speed, horsepower and big hefty torque. So 2008. While the Camaro, Challenger and Mustang souped-up additions were on display, their presence was subdued in lieu of the electrified concept machines — making a slower go at fuel economy. The most surprising is the Lincoln C-Concept with a 4-cylinder EcoBoost. Yet, the word about town was how great Chrysler’s EVS are to drive, as one... Read More