This is the highest non-full M model; the M440i with xDrive as standard.  MSRP starts at just under $60,000.  It’s a luxury performance car that delivers high levels of both attributes; it’s fast and fun while at the same time comfortable and techy.  Its heart continues to beat with a 3.0-liter turbo-6 but one that yields significantly more; 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, allowing it put away 60mph 3/10ths of a second faster, now clocking an eye-opening 4.3 seconds assisted by launch control.  With an additional 48-volt battery providing mild hybrid technology, this car’s mixed metal makeup tallies an extra 150 pounds versus the previous model but it feels even more athletic.  With the benefit of extras such as the Adaptive M Suspension and High Performance Tire Pack, the M440i is a blast to drive with supreme road holding confidence, a cabin-infused with delightful sounds and the ability to rocket out of corners thanks to the M Sport Differential.  A double push of the Sport button takes you to into Plus and it’s this setting where the car truly earns its moniker “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”  The 8-speed auto is incredibly smart so using the paddle shifters isn’t even necessary to keep the gearbox in the sweet spot.  The steering is quick and nicely weighted and the engine is extremely responsive, backed by some convincing sounds in the cabin and a chassis that’s willing to dance.  The windshield is squinty but the leather sport buckets with adjustable side bolsters allow you to find an agreeable seating position that sits you low, closer to the car’s center of gravity for a feeling of greater connectedness.  And there’s a head-up display to keep you focused on the road ahead.  As for the ride quality?  It’s exceptional no matter what mode you’re in.  Combined with a quiet cabin and a long list of modern comfort features, the 4 can happily play serene and composed.  Despite the additional power, the stellar gas mileage holds the line thanks to the mild-hybrid setup, earning 25mpg in mixed driving. If you’re down with the new styling, rest assured the rest of the 440i is going to make you very happy.  

Red Sport is the name Infiniti gives to its highest performing cars and when it comes to the Q50 it’s definitely the 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 that you want.  Here’s what you need to know when shopping the 2021 model.  
Infiniti is a brand in transition with its final destination planned to be more Nissan+ and less luxury which means rear-wheel drive platforms, longitudinal engines and geared transmissions might soon be a thing of the past.  So it’s no time to sleep on their only sports sedan that possesses all of those attributes; the Q50 Red Sport 400.  I’ve always kind of had a thing for this car and even though it’s not getting any younger, it remains an intriguing alternative.  Yes, it requires a suspension of disbelief to think that it’s wholly better than say an M340i for nearly the same price, but if you relish driving something you’re unlikely to encounter another one of on your travels – unlike the BMW – then it’s worth entertaining.  And one key attraction of the Q50 is its style. 
The Q50 offers more passenger and cargo volume than the new 3 Series, as well so there’s that.  Mine is up fitted with USB charge ports in the rear – a place that feels just as comfy as that in the front.  A benefit of the car’s age is its simplistic controls – there’s nothing to confuse you here and the dual screen infotainment setup is easy to work and supports phone projection – just not wirelessly.  It’s an eye-catching interior with gorgeous seats, red stitching, metal speaker grilles for the powerful Bose sound system and matte black carbon fiber.  The touchpoints feel legit, as well.  And all of the safety goodies come standard and are more easily configurable than they used to be so if there’s something you don’t like – such as lane departure warning – you can kill it while leaving the other features turned on.  And you know I love having the around view monitor button right here where it can be quickly accessed.  All told, this one stickers for $63,611 while returning thirsty gas mileage of 22mpg in combined driving on premium.  
It’s not going to wow you with the latest bells and whistles, but this Red Sport looks sharp, is exciting to drive and sounds just as fun all the while providing 4 season drivability with room for 4.      

ALL-NEW 2022 SUBARU BRZ MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT. The all-new, rear-wheel drive 2022 Subaru BRZ sports car made its Global Debut today at the Thermal Club Raceway in Thermal, CA. Subaru developed the all-new BRZ with the same fundamentals of sports car design that it used to create the original: low vehicle weight, an ultra-low center of gravity with precision steering and handling in an affordable 2+2 package. But for the 2022 model year, the BRZ features more power, better handling, improved styling, a 50-percent increase in torsional stiffness and a modern interior. A pure sports car with Subaru DNA.

Running counter to the current trend of power over precision, the 2022 Subaru BRZ focuses on simplicity and fun. Designed to deliver an unmatched driving experience, the all-new BRZ features a new and more powerful 228 horsepower 2.4-liter horizontally opposed engine. Sitting low in the chassis, the Subaru BOXER’s unique design allows the BRZ to achieve a Center of Gravity (CoG) even lower than the previous BRZ and on par with exotic hyper-cars. The ultra-low CoG is critical to delivering unrivaled handling, with a low polar moment and quick reaction to driver inputs. The 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine redlines at 7,000 RPM and delivers a 15-percent increase in torque. The 2022 BRZ will be offered in both Premium and Limited trims and is available with two transmission choices; a standard six-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic with a new Sport mode designed for more aggressive driving. The new Sport mode allows for more rapid downshifts with automatic throttle blipping and utilizes yaw sensors to hold the transmission in a lower gear during hard cornering to maximize performance.

KIA UNVEILS SORENTO YOSEMITE AND ZION EDITIONS. Since the arrival of the award-winning Telluride last year and the head-turning Seltos in early 2020, Kia Motors America (KMA) has had its sights on building a robust and reimagined SUV line-up. As the next step in this capability-focused product strategy, the all-new 2021 Sorento is poised to bring customers a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand. To celebrate this rugged personality, KMA unveiled a pair of custom-built Sorento SUVs – the Yosemite Edition and the Zion Edition – during the brand’s virtual national dealer meeting this week. The two wilderness-themed SUVs build upon the production Sorento X-Line model, a variant that highlights off-road prowess with unique 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 8.3-in., improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, and a more robust roof rack than the outgoing Sorento.
Customized by LGE-CTE Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, each vehicle receives its namesake and inspiration from the outdoor environments found in America’s great national parks. The Sorento Yosemite Edition is a dream build for high elevation adventuring and mountain living, painted in “Pine Green” in a matte finish with gloss and matte black accents. The Sorento Zion Edition is a desert escape vehicle made for stomping dunes, painted in “Desert Sand” in a gloss finish with gloss black accents.
Both feature custom fender flares that sit atop 20-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. Body armor includes custom skid plates and brush guards in a satin chrome finish. For packing gear, the Yosemite edition wears a brawny roof rack, while the Zion Edition comes equipped with a full-length cargo top. The duo will be making special appearances around the country to capture the imagination of adventurers and enthusiasts, alike.
While most customers will not take their Sorento to the level of customization seen on the Yosemite and Zion Editions, many have shown a penchant for personalizing their Kia SUVs. To satisfy that desire, Kia will offer an exciting range of port-installed and dealer-installed accessories. Customers can tailor their Sorento to their lifestyle and needs with attachments such as roof rack crossbars, tow hitches for trailers, and side steps for easier load-in of toys.
The 2021 Kia Sorento will arrive in showrooms beginning in November.

2022 INFINITI QX55 FIRST LOOK BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES.
When it arrived 3 years ago, the QX50 small SUV was supposed to be the centerpiece of an Infiniti revival. Instead, sales have been extremely disappointing and now parent company Nissan is planning on steering the brand away from its luxury aspirations and more towards, what their COO has described, as a Nissan-plus brand.  That brings us to the just revealed 2022 QX55 – a coupe-styled derivative of the QX50.  The pair fleshes out the small end of Infiniti’s trifecta of SUVs and share much in common.  The new 55 is powered by the brand’s innovative variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder producing the same 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.  And no surprise, the CVT remains as the only transmission.  The biggest difference between the two is that this one comes with all-wheel drive and 20” wheels as standard.  Bolder in its design, the QX55 is for the owner who is willing to sacrifice some cargo room for greater style.  Other than a reduction in luggage volume, the 2 are nearly identical dimensionally.  Available in Luxe, Essential, and Sensory trim levels, details regarding pricing and fuel economy will be announced closer to launch in the spring of 2021.