There are pickup trucks and then there are pickup trucks. I’m talking about ones with dual rear wheels, diesel engines that push up to 1,000 pound-feet of torque and that can tow over 33,000 pounds.   Well, that’s exactly the resume of this all-new Ram 3500 Heavy Duty.  And on top of that, it can be optioned like a luxury sedan. 

The 3500 is the biggest, most capable truck that Ram sells and for 2019 it brings with it many of the polished innovations first seen on the all-new 1500; fusing the brawniest mechanical elements with those of a luxury rig.  Like all trucks, Ram’s Heavy Duty series can be configured in a multitude of cab, box and engine layouts in both 2500 and 3500 payload capacities.  But they don’t get any bigger than this one – the 3500 Mega Cab 4X4 dually weighing over 4 tons and measuring 21’ long with a 6’4” box. Payload: 5,420 pounds.  Max Trailer Weight Rating: 33,020 pounds, thanks to the twisting force of Ram’s newest high output turbo. The 3500 Laramie 4X4 Mega Cab starts at about $55,000 and totals $83,670 as-tested.  Made in Mexico, this new Heavy Duty is for the ranch or business owner who doesn’t sacrifice comfort for capability.        

Much like Jeep, the iconic G-Wagan has evolved over the past 4 decades from a utilitarian, military-spec 4-wheeler to the top rung of Mercedes’ luxurious SUV lineup. And it’s been redesigned this year with a more grandiose personality and of course more earth scorching power. This is the new G 63 Edition 1. Its coolness factor is off the charts.  Its cult status decidedly secured.  But now there’s a newfound pragmatism to Benz’s most ludicrous vehicle that makes it even more desirable.

Affordable, fun and frugal; the GLI has been fitting that bill now for a number of years. And even though this model is all-new the GLI continues to deliver on that heritage. Getting into a VW is like going to visit your grandparents; familiar, welcoming, but kind of stuck in time. You know exactly what you’re going to get and that’s not necessarily a criticism because VW’s formula for building fun to drive cars simply works. The GLI still offers a stick shift and it’s as easy as Sunday morning, the flat cowl provides excellent forward visibility and the turbo adds zip. It’s not groundbreaking stuff but put it all together and it just feels right. Spacious, efficient, reasonably priced and dialed in the GLI is the right Jetta for the driver who wants a little more.

If you’re not famous but seek instant rock star status this car can get you there without ever learning a chord. It’s the BMW i8 and it’s one of the most magnetizing cars I’ve ever driven, now available in top-down style.
The i8 Roadster isn’t a car that needs to be driven hard to be enjoyed.
This top of the line i8 Roadster Tera World Copper with everything as standard is priced at $166,795 and qualifies for a $5,700 Federal Tax Credit. 5 years after its release the wow factor is still off the charts and the i8 continues to strut an eco-friendly sport-car future. 

Your memories of driving before that SUV arrived in your driveway may be getting a little fuzzy. So do yourself a favor and go test-drive a car…you know, one with 4 doors and a trunk. It’ll remind you how good it can feel to ride a little lower and all of the subtle attributes that go along with it; especially if it’s a German luxury sedan like this new A6. Stately and powerful, smooth and comforting, the new A6 is where it’s at in the techy luxury business sedan segment. The 2019 A6 starts at about $60,000 while this heavily optioned Prestige trim checks in at $77,290. And just when you thought the Germans couldn’t be any more confusing with their vehicle naming, Audi now refers to this A6 with the 3.0T as the 55 TFSI quattro S tronic…the 55 representing the vehicle’s relative power output in kilowatts to add “clarity” for customers, according to Audi. I’m not kidding.