December 2016
Friday, December 2, 2016 at 12:00AM December 26, 2016: We at TVD hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and will have a great New Year's Day. We'll see you in a couple of weeks from the floor of Cobo Hall where we'll be attending the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
December 16, 2016: We been catching up on our reading as we head into the Christmas holiday. And 
despite the somewhat eclectic mix of titles that have appeared on these pages in the past, the recent Road Reads are all car books. First up is The Complete Book of American Muscle Supercars. It starts with the Grand Spauldings, Yenkos, and Nickeys of the musclecar world, and continues right on up through the factory hot rods of today. Is it as the title suggests, or an overly ambitious attempt that falls somewhat short of its stated goal? Next up is Camaro 2016, one of the new breed of quick-to-market books aimed at model enthusiasts, and blessed by the brand’s PR and marketing departments. Can this composition serve two masters, reader and corporation, equally well? Then we have a self-published work from an owner of the vehicle in question. Iron Fist, Lead Foot follows the story of the 2003 Mustang Cobra from its gestation on a development drive to the last model off the line. It’s a compelling story, but can a self-published tome like this exhibit the polish of a more traditional automotive title, not to mention the expected objectivity? Next, our Editor at Large throws everything out the window to pursue an alternate reality where truth and fiction swap sides. You may think you know the truth about the featured cars, but chances are you don’t. Finally, in the spirit of the season, we take a look at a Lamborghini-inspired speaker system for your home. But, before you pull out your credit card, you might want to check your bank balance.
December 2, 2016: This week Ford held a giant press conference to introduce the 2018 Fiesta. Interestingly, it isn’t scheduled to go on sale in Europe for seven months, and there was little information as 
to how the U.S. version will differ from its European counterpart. Speaking of Europe, Volkswagen released its plan to transform the brand in light of the diesel scandal, and the growing trend toward electrification. But is it the right recipe and direction for the brand and company? Mazda’s new CX-9 deftly straddles the sport, tech and luxury segments with a unique and capable mid-to-large crossover with very few vices. But is it enough to break through the clutter, and finally put some sales on the board for the scrappy automaker from Hiroshima? The Mini John Cooper Works Rally is a unique crossover, one designed to compete in grueling events like the Dakar. We take a look under its unusual skin in search of the Mini beneath. Cadillac is returning to endurance racing, this time with IMSA in the Daytona Prototype international class. Read why its uniqueness is pretty much skin deep. Rounding out the racing theme, the Virtual Collection has a pair ofracers with deep NASCAR roots. Both come from Ford, but one was destined for Le Mans, and the other the high banked ovals.