Driving Sports

Western Automotive Journalists Gather For "Media Days" At Laguna Seca

The Western Automotive Journalists organization gathered this week in beautiful Monterey, Calif. to test drive the 2008 sports and luxury car field from virtually every automaker doing business in North America. Journalists from up and down the west coast arrived to test the full fleet of 2008 cars on the winding mountain roads of Carmel Valley and at speed on the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Yes, that's the new Nissan GT-R parked next to the NISMO Edition 350Z in the photo to the right. Yes, they're as good as you think they are.

Events such as this serve a number of purposes, including a rare chance for side-by-side tests of comparable cars from different automakers, and also to allow a relaxed atmosphere to talk shop with the manufacturer representatives. But I wouldn't lie to you and tell you it was anything like working - this event is big-time fun.

Seoul Ride: Kia Spectra5 SX Reviewed

It’s been a long time since I liked an economy hatch as well as the Kia Spectra5 SX. Like most people who have been around since the Korean automakers came the U.S., I haven’t gotten over the expectation that the cars will be cheaply made and underpowered - until now.

I had few preconceived notions about the Kia Spectra5, but I expected it to be about like the Kia Rio5 SX I had last fall - a decent entry-level car that you might buy for your kid to take to college.  In short, not a car that I’d ever consider for myself.  But after a week in the Spectra, I would class it with the Mazda3 or any other Japanese or domestic hatchback in the sub-20K price range. The Kia Spectra is definitely worth your consideration if you’re shopping that segment.

Kia Kites Killer Koup Koncept

The KOUP concept from Kia Motors America was unveiled today at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The simple yet bold and aggressive KOUP exterior is complemented by its realistic and sleek interior design. Originating from the Kia Motors America Design Center in Irvine, Calif., the KOUP concept embodies Kia's philosophy of "Exciting and Enabling" with its balanced proportions and fluid design set to evoke an emotional driving experience.