The newly revised 2013 Land Rover LR2 ( or you could call it a Freelander ) is ready to take on the road and everything beyond.
At least that’s what Land Rover tried to demonstrate when they let us loose with the newly revises 2013 Land Rover LR2.
The redone entry level crossover features a new 240 HP 4-cylinder turbo charged engine, new headlights, new interior that’s very similar to the bigger brother LR4.
In this exclusive TFLcar first drive Off-road review we put the LR2 through a snowy Canadian winter to see just how well it handles the mud, ice and of course snow of Great White North.
Editor’s note: Contrary to speculation, there is more to the 2013 Land Rover LR2 than being an overdressed Ford Escape. The underpinnings are off road capable, beyond an average crossover, and the 2013 Land Rover LR2’s interior refinement is reported to be outstanding. There is no reason why the 2013 Land Rover LR2 can’t compete with the likes of the Audi Q4 and BMW W3.
With that said…
There are several components that are, indeed, shared with Ford.
The same can be said for the award winning Range Rover Evoque. Both vehicles are loaded with Ford mechanical tidbits, electronics and running gear. Does that make the 2013 Land Rover LR2 a bad vehicle? Hell no. We all know how crappy British components used to be and the performance coming from those aforementioned Ford components is top notch.
We’ll put the 2013 Land Rover LR2, and it’s Ford bits, to the test when we get one out to the Rocky Mountains.
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is huge hit for Chevrolet.
The Chevy Cruze is an affordable, fuel efficient and modern car that Nathan recently had a chance to drive and review in sunny Southern California.
Except that is wasn’t sunny at all.
In fact it rained the entire time but that didn’t stop Nathan from driving the manual version of the Cruze to get the full scoop on what makes it such a successful ride.
Editor’s note: Chevrolet did something few competitors can match: they built an economy version of a small car that’s fun to drive. There are others, but in General Motors’ North American history, there are very few to note. This is a car with a zippy personality that returns outstanding economy. I averaged about 30 mpg while driving like an automotive heretic – in Los Angeles.
This is an example of how turbocharging makes life better.
Sure, the 2013 Chevy Cruze Eco has some shortcomings: it’s backseats area is very tight, the gear spacing is immense with the six-speed manual and its stereo is adequate at best. Still, I was repeatedly pleased with the overall performance and genuine fun the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Eco returned.
Walter P. Chrysler Museum is closing its doors to the general public.
After sharing its automotive history and heritage over the past 13 years, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum is slamming its doors to the general public on Jan 1st, 2013. Opened in 1999, the non-profit museum was built and paid by the Chrysler Group. The Walter P. Chrysler Museum has 5 full time employees and 126 volunteers that were notified on December 6th of the closure. The museum is located in the Auburn Hills, MI campus of the Chrysler headquarters.
For some years now the Walter P. Chrysler Museum has been financially strapped running in the red. My question is why? Didn’t Chrysler get a government bail out? Shouldn’t they have used some cash to improve the museum and carry on the history for future generations? Just a thought. The closure will mean no more permanent public displays, but rather the Chrysler Group LLC will operate it as a special exhibitions museum. The plan is to transfer the assets owned by the Walter P. Chrysler Museum foundation to the bigger Chrysler Foundation. Basically, no longer open six days a week, but rather used for special events and requests for employees, retirees, and any other party that wants to rent the facility.
Brian Glowiak, president and CEO of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum was quoted as saying, “Our museum has faced the same financial challenges that many other, even long-standing, cultural institutions have encountered.” “We believe the only viable strategy is to merge the museum foundation into the Chrysler Foundation.”
All I can wonder is if this has something to do with Chrysler being controlled by Fiat? I guess the phrase “Imported from Detroit” could be more true now than ever.
Destin Raybun
As a Mustang Bullitt owner, occasional auto-cross racer, and off-road adventurer, Destin has been an automotive fanatic since his first matchbox car over thirty years ago. Spare time is usually spent searching the web and reading anything of what’s new and old in the automotive industry. In the summer months, he is either displaying his Bullitt at car shows, participating in an SCCA amateur auto-cross, or exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies on off-road trails in search of historic mining ghost towns.
The redesigned 2013 Lexus ES350 sedan is smooth as silk and fully worthy of the Lexus nameplate. Hybrid version has higher fuel economy.
Prices: $36,100-$38,850
Now in its sixth generation, the redesigned 2013 Lexus ES breaks away from its 20-plus-year tradition of being a nice upscale Toyota Camry.
The new front-wheel-drive ES has a nearly 2-inch longer 111-inch wheelbase shared with the all-new top-line Toyota Avalon and is an inch longer overall. It has the signature Lexus spindle grille and looks more like the higher-line Lexus GS than the Camry. Its bolder appearance features such items as larger headlights and LED daytime running lights. Taillights look as if from the GS and sit above nifty dual chrome-finished exhaust tips.
The low front end can result in curb damage, but helps allow smoother air flow under the car for better aerodynamics.
The ES 350’s engine and transmission are carryovers from 2012. Its smooth 3.5-liter V-6 generates 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque through a responsive six-speed automatic transmission with an easily used manual shift feature.
The engine makes the ES 350 fast off the line and during 65-80 mph passing on highways. Fuel economy is improved by a few miles per gallon in the city and on the highway. The ES 350 delivers an estimated 21 in the city and 31 on highways.
Lexus wants to attract more younger buyers with the new $36,100 ES, without losing the pampered older ones it long has attracted. The precise electro-assist power steering thus has a quicker ratio. A more-rigid chassis works with revised rear suspension geometry and improved shock absorber damping with gas-pressurized shocks to allow the all-independent suspension to provide a nicer ride.
Front/rear anti-sway bars help keep body sway in check during fast drives through curves, although the ES 350 is not a sports sedan. The emphasis is on a comfortable ride because this Lexus remains a refined, comfortable, well-equipped and affordable luxury sedan. The brakes have good pedal feel for smooth stops.
The list of standard ES 350 luxury and convenience items is long. It includes power front seats, push-button engine start, automatic dual-zone climate control, premium audio system, keyless entry, a power tilt-and-slide sunroof and 55-series all-season tires on 17-inch wheels.
Options include heated and ventilated front seats, a lane departure alert, hard disc drive navigation system with a backup camera and 8-inch VDA screen, voice command, a power tilt/telescopic wheel and 17-inch wheels with a liquid graphite finish. Offered for the first time are 18-inch wheels, and also available is a 835-watt 15-speaker premium audio system.
Safety features include 10 air bags, including dual front knee air bags. There’s also a vehicle stability control system and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and a brake-assist feature An optional blind-spot monitor with a rear cross-traffic alert helps when backing out of parking spots.
The ES 350 is the first ES offered as a gas/electric hybrid model—the $38,850 ES 300h. It has a gasoline/electric powertrain from the Camry, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
The ES 300h has an estimated combined 200-horsepower and works with a continuously variable automatic transmission. It’s slower than the ES 350, but delivers an estimated 40 miles per gallon in the city and 39 on highways. Only the ES 350 was available for testing.
The hush-quiet interior of the ES 350 offers better visibility and is roomier, with appreciably more backseat knee and leg room. Seats are supportive, and the redesigned cabin is more modern, with curved lines complemented by wood trim. The standard leather dash is hand-stitched, and the analog dashboard clock looks elegant.
Bright backlit gauges can be quickly read, even in sunlight that tends to wash out many auto gauges, although controls are a little more complicated.
The trunk is roomy and opens with conventional hinges that don’t get in the way of cargo. It has a wide opening and easily gripped interior pull-down feature, but also a rather high liftover.
The hood has an interior lining for enhanced sound control and raises smoothly on twin struts—although I suspect most ES 350 owners will leave under-hood maintenance checks to their Lexus service department.
On the TFLcar scale of:
– Buy it
– Lease it
– Rent it or
-Forget it
I recommend that you Lease It!
Price: $24,200.
Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times–far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.’s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008. For more of Dan’s thoughtful and insightful reviews please visit his web site HERE.
You might be looking at the shape of future Honda SUVs – or you might not.
Honda has a history of diluting their concept vehicles before they reach production. In some cases, like the oversea’s Civic, the end result can be quite good. Unfortunately, Honda has gone the opposite direction with many vehicles right here in the United States. I won’t name fingers and point names, suffice to say, we have some Honda products here that fail to inspire.
Lo – but what do I see? A sleek concept !? Dare I hope?
Here’s the only thing Honda is saying about their concept vehicle which will debut at the 2013 NAIAS:
“An all-new Honda compact “Urban SUV Concept” vehicle will make its world debut in January at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The Urban SUV Concept, teased in a sketch released today, is a global concept model combining a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious, functional interior. The concept will be introduced during Honda’s NAIAS press conference.” – – Honda Media Newsroom
Not much info, is there?
I hope Honda can, once again, make their sheet-metal pleasing to the eye. I love their vehicles – under the skin, and I know how well engineered their components are. I wish I could see more of this design, but based on the size of the wheels, arches and overhands (AND the fact that they called it compact) , I’m going to assume that it is a concept based on the current CR-V.
What do you guys think?
Here’s a video of of the redesigned 2013 Honda Civic from the L.A. Auto Show!
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.
Holiday Show: Everything you always wanted to know about Team TFLcar
So how did the boys of team TFLcar get started reviewing cars?
In this special Holiday Show we answer the Top 9 Questions that we received from our viewers and readers.
If you ever wanted to know what cars we own, what cars we dream about owning and what cars we first owned this show will answer those question plus many more.
Happy Holidays from Team TFLcar!
Editor’s note: The Fast Lane Car (TFLCar) may be small, but our feedback, subscribers and viewership is huge. We certainly punch above our weight and we read all of our reader’s/viewer’s responses. Pulling these queries out of the thousands of questions was a long process and we barely scratched the surface.
Millions of views per month make the comments more unique than we could have ever expected.
With that said, TFLCar can only answer certain questions as many pertain to our personal lives and could be used in negative ways. Let me put it another way: I’ll tell you all about the cars I’ve driven, but I will not disclose information about my kids. Besides, TFLCar will be more enjoyable to the public if we keep a few tidbits secret – right?
Here’s the cute, little Subaru Pleo Plus!As compelling as it is for Subaru to lower their CAFE numbers (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) – I doubt they will bring the cute, little Subaru Pleo Plus to the United States. With that said, it would be awesome if they did… for consumers and for Subaru.
The Subaru Pleo Plus is a Daihatsu Mira slightly altered. For people in North America who remember Daihatsu, this is a completely different automaker overseas. Daihatsu is a high quality automaker who makes some of the most revered “Kei” cars in Japan.
The 2013 VW Polo R WRC looks ready to take on the best in the World Rally Championship. It is too bad that Sebastien Loeb, consecutive nine time WRC champion, retired at the end of this season. Well, the show must go on, and Volkswagen is sparing no expense. This racer packs a small 4-cylinder motor that makes huge 315 horsepower. With a light 1,200 kg race car body, the Polo R WRC can do 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Volkswagen is very serious about this WRC entry and it lined up premier sponsors and two of the best young driver/co-driver teams. As you can see in the images: Red Bull, Castrol, and Michelin are on-board. As for the drivers. VW picked up Sebastien Ogier from France and Jari-Matti Latvala from Finland. Ogier is backed by fellow Frenchman, Julien Ingrassia, and Latvala has a fellow Fin, Miikka Anttila, by his side. Both Ogier and Latvala have WRC rally wins under their belts, while competing against the legendary Sebastien Loeb.
All business in here
Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Jost Capito, is at the helm of Volkswagen’s serious push into motorsports. It is clear the Volkswagen’s goal is to win a WRC championship and do so, maybe not in the first year, but on a very aggressive schedule. Capito also states that the technology on the race Polo R WRC is not that far off what you can see at your local dealership. The 1.4 liter turbo motor in the race car is related to the 1.4 motor in the US Jetta Hybrid, as well as many other models on the European and other markets.
Volkswagen surely hopes that the Polo R WRC can take the phrase “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” far into the 21st century.
Please enjoy this TFLcar video review of the VW Golf R
Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, and software engineer. On the weekends – you may find him at a car show, an auction, watching a race, or tinkering with a car in the garage. When not working or spending time with the family – he often scours the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback stakes a claim as one of the most efficient and practical cars for the money — but just how good is it on a 1,200-mile road trip?
In this week’s Ask Nathan:
Comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-70 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
What happened to my 1997 Ford Expedition?
This week's first...
The newly revised 2013 Land Rover LR2 ( or you could call it a Freelander ) is ready to take on the road and everything beyond.
