Tuesday, December 29, 2015

China's alternative approach.



China is the world's largest automotive market. Bumper2Bumpertv got a chance to take an up close look at how the nation is not only catching up with the rest of the industrialized world but also how it is addressing one of the problems that comes with economic growth.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

From Bicycles to an Automobile Culture,China Is Catching Up!



China's becoming the fastest growing automotive economy on the planet. But that also comes with a new set of challenges to match that success. Bumper2Bumpertv recently got a first hand look at the dichotomy during a visit to Shanghai where a growing middle class is showing their strength by the cars they drive.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Lexus NX 200t--turbo power comes to the brand!!!



While Lexus has cultivated a brand image as a luxury car maker there is a performance edge as well. Bumper2Bumpertv got a taste of what happens when some serious performance chops are added to the Lexus recipe

Saturday, November 28, 2015

The challenges of connected car technology



While a lot of attention was on the new cars at the LA Auto Show a smaller group is focusing on connectivity and evolving technology. Bumper2Bumpertv got a chance to delve into this and learned along with progress there are some challenges.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Cars were the stars at the 2015 LA Auto Show.



The newest, sleekest, smartest and some say the most appealing cars in the world were on display at the LA Auto Show this year. So it was a busy time for us at Bumper2Bumpertv while we tried to hit the highlights and see some new products.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

2016 Green Car Award presentation



Who is the "Greenest Car on the Road" this year. The honors were presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show with entries from Hyundai, Toyota, Audi, Chevrolet and Honda.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

What has Toyota done with the latest version of the Prius?



The first mass marketed hybrid vehicle has undergone a major makeover. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at some of the new technology and features in the Toyota Prius which defined the automotive segment.

Friday, November 6, 2015

SEMA- the land of automotive dreams



If you consider your car much more than an a mobile appliance then the SEMA show can be like a visit to a candy store. Bumper2Bumpertv was there and came away with more than can be imagined for folks who want to put "the personal touch" on their rides.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Mazda tries to grow by going smaller with the CX-3



Mazda has enjoyed some success with the development of a line of crossover based vehicles. Now they are going squarely after the urban driver market with the CX-3. Bumper2Bumpertv says the move is a recognition of changing times in the automotive marketplace.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A Honda that is finding a new space--the HR-V!!!



When a car maker enters a new space there is always a question of will it work? Honda thinks the HR-V may be their answer to the demand for an urban sized crossover. Bumper2Bumpertv says the results have some pluses and minuses.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, a holding action or a "Hail Mary" play?



The Outlander has undergone some serious design and technology upgrades for the 2016 model. But Bumper2Bumpertv questions is it enough to save the Mitsubishi brand in North America, which was already one of the smaller players in a very competitive crossover/SUV market?

Monday, October 12, 2015

Acura MDX, a bridge to the luxury segment.


from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.


A bit of technology here, a new level of mechanical enhancement there and the Acura MDX has become a "tweener" SUV. While it is not quite ultra luxury it is definitely a step up from the ordinary. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at what works and what may be coming down the line.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Lincoln --trying hard to fit in as a luxury brand.


Lincoln --trying hard to fit in as a luxury brand.
At one time Lincoln was the standard bearer for an American made luxury car. But with the rise of intense foreign competition and a portfolio that got stale the brand lost some of it allure. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at what is being done with one of Lincoln's smaller platforms to turn things around.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

VW's honesty crisis on the issue of TDI engine emissions.



The Volkswagen brand has been battered by accusations from Federal and state environmental regulators that the car maker cheated on how its exhaust emissions are calculated. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at the crisis which has reached into the upper management of the global automaker.

Monday, September 21, 2015

If it works in Europe , will we see it here?



The annual European auto show saw a few luxury manufacturers venturing into the SUV segment in one form or another. Bumper2Bumpertv has a quick look at what is making news in Frankfurt this year.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Sunday, September 6, 2015

A fast first look at the Scion iA and iM


A fast first look at the Scion iA and iM from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.


Scion is trying to catch up with the times by offering some changes to its vehicle lineup. Bumper2Bumpertv got a chance to take a fast look at a new sedan and hatchback being offered by what was created as the "youth division" of Toyota.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Mazda CX5 stepping up in class!!


Mazda CX5 stepping up in class!! from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.


Mazda is doing a slow walk up on other automakers in the crossover segment by building vehicles with a lot of content and keeping the price as low as possible. Bumper2Bumpertv got a look at how that is going in the 2016 CX5 Grand Touring Edition

Sunday, August 23, 2015

A second look at the Prius V


from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.


Hybrid vehicles are universally accepted these days and some are a little more functional than others. Bumper2Bumpertv kept that in mind when we took a second look at the Prius V which like a lot of cars with developing technology has also been subject to a recall.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Is the Nissan Rogue getting a little too big for its own good?


from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.


A reality of the crossover or small SUV segment these days is that often smaller is better. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at the current version of the Nissan Rogue which is a long time offering but may have gone a little off track

Monday, August 10, 2015

It is a lot more than a Golf cart--the GTI by Volkswagen.



One basic platform with a lot of variations. Volkswagen is doing that with the Golf GTI which has been around in one form or another since the late 1980's. Bumper2Bumpertv likes the firebreathing aspects of this version of the vehicle.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Lux truck or a work horse? The Chevrolet Silverado Z71!!!


Lux truck or a work horse? The Chevrolet Silverado Z71!!! from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.

It is designed to "do the work" on the farm, the construction site, or even at the home. But Bumper2Bumpertv finds that the Chevy Silverado Z71 can can also get fancy enough to be presentable in high society-- especially when the gathering may be off the beaten path.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Nissan's crossover that has moved in a different direction.


Nissan's crossover that has moved in a different direction. from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.

If you haven't been paying attention Nissan has made a major shift in its approach to SUV's and crossovers. Bumper2Bumpertv says the best vehicle that demonstrates the change is the Pathfinder which is still off road capable.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

A sedan that restores sport back to the small luxury car- Lexus IS350 AWD!!!



Can a compact luxury sedan really be fun to drive? Lexus engineers are trying that approach in the IS350 FSPORT and Bumper2Bumpertv thinks they are getting very close to the goal without using turbo technology.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

The Lexus that is close to being a Super Car--at least for now!!


2015 Lexus RC Sport Coupe: The Closest Thing to a Super Car from Bumper2BumperTV on Vimeo.

It comes as no surprise that Lexus has created the RC Sport Coupe and if you follow the brand, then an F Sport edition was expected. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at the vehicle which is the refined version of the concept which got performance enthusiasts very excited.

Monday, June 22, 2015

A true performer hiding in plain sight- Mercedes ML63 AMG



When Mercedes- Benz turns a vehicle over to its AMG performance division expect the results to be a pavement burner. But as Bumper2Bumpertv found out, the upscale M class Sport Utility Vehicle also takes luxury to a new level.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Finding the right spot in the large luxury segment- Acura RLX



The flagship sedan for the Acura lineup has undergone a name change, some restyling and technical revisions. Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at where the RLX stands in the upper end automotive world.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Automobiles, Apples and Androids



In the past week two major automakers Hyundai and General Motors announced plans to make Android car and Apple Play an integrated part of their new models. This is a development Bumper2Bumpertv saw coming a long way down the road and it is only a small step in changing how cars are designed and engineered.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Honda Civic EX, well done but still needs some tweaking!!



Honda is very sensitive about the Civic Sedan which has been a big seller for the brand. Bumper2Bumpertv has a closer look at the EX model which is the top of the line trim level and finds there is still room for improvement.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Sixth Generation Camaro revealed



After a lot of teasing General Motors made it official and has revealed what the next Camaro will look like, Bumper2Bumpertv has a look at the model which is leaner, taller and wider than the car it replaces.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Lincoln Navigator in search of a new way



The Lincoln Motor Company, as it prefers to be called is trying to make their brand more of an exclusive experience to compete with international luxury automakers. Bumper2Bumpertv thinks one place they could start is with a big shift in the large SUV Segment where the Navigator was once a ground breaking vehicle.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

2015 GAAMA Family Challenge, a peak behind the curtain.



How do you decide what is the best family car? What works and what doesn't ? Which one has the best technology? Well Bumper2Bumpertv is going to give you a sneak peek at how automotive awards are chosen.

Monday, April 27, 2015

The VW Golf, something to consider for the long drive!!



The current version of the every purpose car from VW is the Golf with its multiple variants. At Bumper2Bumpertv we have come to prefer to diesel version which is more than capable to play in the long game.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

An Expedition to the high county?



If you are going to go big in terms of an SUV you may as well go with all of the toys? Bumper2Bumpertv believes that is the thinking behind the Platinum Edition of the Ford Expedition.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Make a statement while going topless!!



Driving a Mercedes-Benz qualifies as an upscale motoring experience and the brand's convertibles hold true to the principle. Of course it even gets a fancier name-- a Cabriolet--a European term for an open car, as Bumper2Bumpertv experienced.

Monday, April 6, 2015

An overview of the 2015 New York Auto Show



The auto industry is showing the world the biggest, best technology and some of the fastest production cars on the planet at this year's New York Auto Show. Bumper2Bumpertv also found some interesting new offerings that might be practical considerations.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Charging into the alternative fuel segment, the KIA Soul EV



It is getting crowded in the electric vehicle segment. Now KIA has joined the party with the Soul EV. Bumper2Bumpertv sees this entry as the latest move in the industry that is taking a serious look at alternative fuel vehicles.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Destroying the stereotype, the KIA Sorento



When a crossover upgrades its styling, improves its handling and delivers a near luxury driving experience can it still be called 'an affordable option" Bumper2bumpertv has a look at the Sorento from KIA which is trying to fill in all of those boxes.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Ford F150 more than just a lightweight!!



You wouldn't think the leaders of Ford would be taking a chance with one of their core products would you? Bumper2Bumpertv thinks the company is trying to raise the stakes in the light truck segment with the new F150.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Toyota takes Camy to the next level?



The Camry, which defined the mid sized segment for a while has undergone some cosmetic and a few engineering upgrades. Bumper2Bumpertv thinks some are worth the effort while some things need to be questioned.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

KIA Sedona, a mini van for those who want more?



Does anyone really care about the mini van market these days? While some automakers are avoiding the segment Bumper2Bumpertv thinks KIA is trying to offer more than what you would expect in the platform once the standard for "soccer moms."

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Mustang at 50, still turning heads



Ford made a big deal over the 50th anniversary of the Mustang and why not. It is an American Classic and the latest version has something for enthusiasts as well as daily commuters.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Windy City Flex!!



As usual it was extremely cold at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. But as Bumper2Bumpertv tells us the event which is a favorite of consumers showcased new products and an upbeat vibe for the auto industry.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Look out for the Sonic Doom!!!



We got a chance to stop by the Technology garage at the 2015 Chicago Auto show before it was officially set up for the press or the public. While there Bumper2Bumpertv ran across some budding engineers who created an electric vehicle as part of a larger project to empower young women

Saturday, February 7, 2015

2015 Mercedes Sprinter 2500



A full sized passenger van almost disappeared from the automotive landscape until Mercedes-Benz decided to try their hand at it. But as Bumper2Bumpertv has learned this is an example of more utilitarian than luxury design for a vehicle from this auto maker.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage



There is a place for small inexpensive cars in the North American market and that is where Mitsubishi has traditionally made itself known. But Bumper2Bumpertv is less than overwhelmed by the compact Mirage which is an example of how less may not always be better.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

2015 GMC Canyon



General Motors knows how to make a luxurious truck. The Sierra and its multiple iterations are proof of that. Bumper2Bumpertv thinks a lot of that experience and institutional knowledge made its way down to the mid size Canyon.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Kia 900 and Hyundai Equus--a comparison.



Who would of thought that Korean automakers could really compete in the large luxury segment? Well someone really believed in that possibility and Bumper2Bumpertv says corporate siblings KIA and HYUNDAI are challenging the world.

2015 NAIAS Trucks



This year automakers are touting what they can do with their full size trucks in terms of capability and fuel economy. Bumper2Bumpertv has a quick survey of what's new in this segment.

Monday, January 12, 2015

NAIAS 2015 Sunday Concept Cars



Sunday is getting to be a pretty exciting day at the North American International Auto Show. Bumper2Bumpertv likes the "concept cars" that usually make a debut there before being built and sent to the showrooms.

Friday, January 2, 2015

2015 Audi A3 TDI



Can a subcompact be efficient, luxurious and aggressive enough to handle the open road with ease? Bumper2Bumpertv has found Audi is trying to hit all of these marks with the A3 Diesel platform.