Quick Spin

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The 2021 Jaguar F-Type R is Everything Good with Cars Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

The Jaguar F-Type R might not have changed much in the years since it made its first appearance in 2013, but that lack of change is what makes this 2021 model so special. In its R-trim, this F-Type moves down the line by way of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 making 575 hp and enough noise to let your neighbors know that you love cars.

On this episode of Quick Spin, Wes Raynal hops behind the wheel of this two-seat Jaguar and puts it through its paces. Raynal guides you through this quick Jag during the walk-around portion and gives you details about the features of this F-Type. After that, Raynal takes you along for the ride while he reviews the car in real-time. Peppered in between is Raynal talking with host Wesley Wren to elaborate on what he said in those segments.

The 2020 Mazda Mazda6 Keeps the Midlife Crisis at Bay Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Just because sedans are falling out of favor with some buyers, it doesn’t mean that sedans are going the way of the dodo. Not yet anyway, as long as Mazda has a say. Mazda’s mid-sized Mazda 6 takes the fun-to-drive Mazda mentality and shapes into a family-friendly sedan shape. Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder mill making 250 hp in Signature trim, this Mazda makes more than enough power to get you up to highway speed.

Join Autoweek’s Robin Warner as he guides you through the car before bringing you along as he evaluates the car. Warner also joins host Wesley Wren in the studio to expand on his thoughts and dive into the essence of the Mazda 6 and gives the car even more context in the greater car world.

2020 Mercedes AMG GT R Review: The Beast from Green Hell Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

The Mercedes-AMG GT is one of the most beautiful sports cars to ever roll out of a factory. Seemingly taking inspiration from the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the AMG GT has an almost timeless style that will surely age as well as the 300SL. Though, not to ride just on good looks, Mercedes has progressively cranked the AMG GT up notches and produced the AMG GT R.

In this episode of Quick Spin, Robin Warner puts the 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged AMG GT R to the test. Warner tackles how it looks, how it performs and how it feels, all the while bringing you along with him. Warner also hops into the studio to talk about all things AMG GT R with host Wesley Wren, before grinding out the essence of the AMG GT R.

2020 Land Rover Defender: Mountain Climbing Drive Review Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

The Land Rover Defender is making its way back to the United States after 23 years, which means you now have a chance to eat a scone, sip some tea, and hit the trails in a British legend. The revived Defender competes with the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen for the title of most capable off-roader ripped straight from the showroom. With its off-road chops as one of its major selling points, what would be better than taking one of these off paved streets?

In this episode of Quick Spin, Patrick Carone does just that with a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. He takes the new Defender through Land Rover's off-road course in Manchester, VT, to test its abilities before piloting it up the side of a mountain. Along the way, the vehicle encounters the kinds of real-world challenges off-road enthusiasts might face on any given weekend. Rounding out the discussion, Carone and host Wesley Wren try to get to the essence of the new Defender.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a Seven-Seat Rocket Ship Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Some vehicles are designed specifically to shuttle people to and fro in comfort and that is their lot in life. That’s fine, those vans, large sedans and large crossovers can do a great job at just being boring, unassuming shuttles. However, that doesn’t cut the mustard in Affalterbach, and the folks at AMG can’t leave anything alone (we’re looking at you R-Class). The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a prime example of excess being a good thing, especially in the automotive world.

On this episode of Quick Spin, Wes Raynal puts the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 through its paces and comes away with a smile on his face. Raynal takes you along for a drive in the hulking Mercedes SUV and narrates his adventure. He also elaborates on these recordings with Wesley Wren in the studio. Most importantly, Raynal dives deep into the GLS 63 and finds why the thing exists in the first place.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Review: Not Just Another Boring Crossover Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Alfa Romeo might be best known for its long legacy of sports cars and its Duetto Spider’s starring role in The Graduate. While it’s true that Alfa Romeo is still churning out sports cars like the 4C and sports sedans like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the Italian brand knows it must also make crossovers. Hence, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Stelvio represents its attempt at a tall station wagon. And, thankfully, it doesn’t sacrifice the mystique of owning an Alfa.

In this episode of Quick Spin, Patrick Carone slides behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio to put it through its road trip paces. Carone gives insights about the Stelvio’s on-road performance while driving the car, then elaborates on these thoughts in the studio with Wesley Wren. The guys also get to the essence of the Stelvio and discuss what separates it from the fleet of other high-end crossovers.

Tune in below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever podcasts are played.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Review: Does Everything Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

The seventh-generation Volkswagen GTI has reached the end of its road, with the eighth-gen model just around the corner. That’s a good enough excuse for a long-term test and take one last drive of the outgoing GTI, and whet our appetite for the upcoming new model. Adding to that, there’s no better place to test this beloved, hopped-up Golf than the twisting roads of Los Angeles, California.

That’s why Mark Vaughn joins us on this episode of Quick Spin and guides us through the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI as we tag along for a ride. Vaughn criticizes some of the Golf GTI’s interior problems and notes that it’s not a true sports car. Instead, he shows us that it's both a workhorse to tackle most of your daily needs with ease as well as a fun-to-drive machine that puts a smile on your face. Vaughn also talks to with Wesley Wren in the studio to explain and elaborate some of his points, and gets to the brass tacks of the quintessential hot hatch.

2021 Ford Bronco: Experience the Bronco Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

The Ford Bronco might be the most hotly anticipated new Ford since the latest Mustang hit the streets in 2015. Targeting the Jeep Wrangler, Ford will spread its new off-roader across the spectrum of cost and capabilities, with entry-level models starting below $30,000 and fully loaded models costing, well, much more than that.

While Ford has not unleashed these Broncos onto the hordes of salivating fans and car writers, Jake Lingeman had the opportunity to ride along in a Ford Bronco sporting the Sasquatch package. In this episode of Quick Spin, Lingeman is bringing you along on that trek through a special Ford off-road course in the newest generation of Ford Bronco, as well as giving you the details of what this new SUV feels like in the flesh.

Unsurprisingly, Lingeman has a blast riding along in the new Ford Bronco. We’re still waiting to get our hands on a Bronco for our own testing needs, but experiencing a ride-along will the tide us over until that day comes.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD: Fun Mode Engaged Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

The Lamborghini Huracan recently received a significant refresh and added the hefty “Evo” tag to its name. Evo, for those out of the loop, is short for evolution. Essentially meaning that Lamborghini has taken the Huracan to the next level. While the Huracan Evo debuted with the expected all-wheel-drive system affixed to its driveline, Lamborghini recently added the lighter, enthusiast-focused rear-wheel-drive model to the lineup. Powered by a naturally aspirated V10 making a reasonable 602 hp at 8,000 RPM and 413 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 RPM, this Lambo is sure to put a smile on your face.

Well, on this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek’s Mark Vaughn climbs behind the wheel of the Huracan Evo RWD and puts it to the test. He also joins Wesley Wren in the studio to talk not only about his drive, but to give context to Lamborghini’s position in the world of supercars. The pair talk about Vaughn’s experience with Lamborghini’s lineup and give credit to Lamborghini for the direction the company is headed.

2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S: Is This 503-Hp Machine a True Sports Car? Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe takes the bones of a perfectly acceptable C-Class coupe and covers them with brute muscle. Powered by Mercedes-AMG's beloved 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 503 horsepower, the C63 S is a finely tuned beast. (It also possesses one of the best-sounding exhaust notes of any regular-production V8 available today.)

On this episode of Quick Spin, Wesley Wren talks with Managing Editor Robin Warner about his time with the C63 S Coupe. As Warner takes you along for his test drive, he shines a light on what makes this high-end hot rod something special in the luxury car world. He also asks a fundamental question about its nature: Is the C63 S a true-blue sports car? Listen and find out.

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