Marty Padgett's Inside Scoop on Auto News and RL

2010 Ford Taurus Pushes The Luxury Envelope

By Richard ReadRichard Read, August 4th, 2009

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a sweet ride, and by many accounts it's more classically stylish than previous Taurus iterations. On the lots, it'll go head-to-head with other full size sedans -- for example, the Chrysler 300, which is also priced in the upper $20s and features the same low roofline/high beltline silhouette that's turning heads these days. However, we're not entirely sure that the Taurus is a perfect competitor for the hearts and minds of Acura or Lexus buyers -- and yet, that's what Ford is pushing in its new ads like the one above, which talks about the Taurus' paint job. Um, any thoughts on that? [NextAutos]

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a sweet ride, and by many accounts it's more classically stylish than previous Taurus iterations. On the lots, it'll go head-to-head with other full size sedans -- for example, the Chrysler 300, which is also priced in the upper $20s and features the same low roofline/high beltline silhouette that's turning heads these days. However, we're not entirely sure that the Taurus is a perfect competitor for the hearts and minds of Acura or Lexus buyers -- and yet, that's what Ford is pushing in its new ads like the one above, which talks about the Taurus' paint job. Um, any thoughts on that? [NextAutos] Read More

Tags: Advertising, Marketing

Posted in: Ford, Acura, Lexus, Taurus, RL, LS 460

The 2009 Acura RL Is a Top Safety Pick

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, August 5th, 2008

Maybe it's the multitude of airbags and electronic stuff--or maybe the proud new bow up front gives it the extra oomph in crash tests. Whatever the reason, the 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest Top Safety Pick. The institute--funded by the insurance industry, and tougher on cars in its crash tests than the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration--says the new Acura RL has superior crash protection as well as standard stability control, making it a natural selection for the IIHS' top honor. Among the improvements that vaulted the new RL into the ranks of the safety elite are... Maybe it's the multitude of airbags and electronic stuff--or maybe the proud new bow up front gives it the extra oomph in crash tests. Whatever the reason, the 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's newest Top Safety Pick. The institute--funded by the insurance industry, and tougher on cars in its crash tests than the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration--says the new Acura RL has superior crash protection as well as standard stability control, making it a natural selection for the IIHS' top honor. Among the improvements that vaulted the new RL into the ranks of the safety elite are... Read More

Posted in: 2009, Acura, Sedans, Luxury, RL

Scion’s Second '08 Release: tC 4.0

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, February 7th, 2008

While a few automakers staged introductions of important new vehicles at the Chicago auto show--the Chevrolet Traverse, the redone Acura RL, and Ford’s Transit Connect among them--Scion’s low-key effort in the Windy City came in the form of a limited edition of the tC coupe. The second Scion limited edition thus far in 2008, the tC Release Series 4.0 (tC RS 4.0) starts with the basic tC and adds Galactic Gray Mica paint, a DAMD body and grille kit, and can be dolled up with a body-color spoiler. On the inside the RS 4.0 sports gray and black Alcantara seats with embroidered logos, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather... While a few automakers staged introductions of important new vehicles at the Chicago auto show--the Chevrolet Traverse, the redone Acura RL, and Ford’s Transit Connect among them--Scion’s low-key effort in the Windy City came in the form of a limited edition of the tC coupe. The second Scion limited edition thus far in 2008, the tC Release Series 4.0 (tC RS 4.0) starts with the basic tC and adds Galactic Gray Mica paint, a DAMD body and grille kit, and can be dolled up with a body-color spoiler. On the inside the RS 4.0 sports gray and black Alcantara seats with embroidered logos, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather... Read More

Tags: Chicago Auto Show, Shoppers

Posted in: 2008, 2009, Acura, Scion, Coupes, RL