Kirk Bell, Senior Editor

The Senior Editor in charge of Motor Authority, Kirk has oil in his blood. He grew up in the automotive culture, helping his father drag race a pair of Pontiacs, rather unsuccessfully, at Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Kirk has been reviewing cars and writing about the automotive industry since 2001, when he joined Consumer Guide Automotive. At Consumer Guide, Kirk wrote and edited several books, including the award-winning Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle and NASCAR Chronicle. Most recently, he spent eight years as a freelance journalist, with such clients as the Chicago Tribune, the New York Daily News, and MSN Autos. In 2014, Kirk was named to the North American Car and Truck/Utility of the year jury. Prior to his time in the automotive industry, Kirk was editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine, the leading magazine about the model car hobby. In his spare time, Kirk imagines the Midwest has better roads on which to drive his 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Articles

2021 Porsche 718 Boxster 25 model celebrates a quarter century of mid-engine fun Kirk Bell January 12, 2021

Porsche is celebrating 25 years of the Boxster with the 718 Boxster 25 model, the company announced on Tuesday. Limited to 1,250 units worldwide, the Boxster 25 is based on the 718 Boxster GTS 4.0...
Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings to be revealed Feb. 1
The high-performance versions of Cadillac's two new luxury cars will finally be shown on Feb. 1. We expect power and performance to beat their predecessors.
Kirk Bell January 7, 2021

Mercedes-Benz EQS to debut full-dash MBUX Hyperscreen infotainment system
With screen space that spans the entire dash, haptic feedback, and augmented-reality overlays, the Hyperscreen redefines the leading edge of Mercedes interfaces.
Kirk Bell January 7, 2021
Best Car To Buy 2021: How we named the Chevrolet Corvette our winner
The mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette won Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 because it's an engaging sports car
Kirk Bell January 5, 2021
Chevrolet Corvette: Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2021
The Corvette's switch to a mid-engine design makes its power more accessible and turns the car to an every man's exotic. That earned it Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 award.
Kirk Bell January 4, 2021
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2021 nominee
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 dominates the dragstrip and road course with 760 horsepower and race car moves, making it a finalist for Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 award.
Kirk Bell December 21, 2020
Acura TLX: Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2021 nominee Kirk Bell December 16, 2020

The Acura TLX and the TL before it have always been higher-end versions of the Honda Accord, with varying degrees of success in making the leap to luxury car. Acura rethinks that formula for 2021 by...

First drive review: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E ponies up the fun
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E may not feel like it's pony car namesake, but it's a fun electric crossover with up to 300 miles of range.
Kirk Bell December 15, 2020
Review update: 2020 Porsche 911 S flirts with perfection
The 2020 Porsche 911 S is the perfect sports car in many ways, with just a few minor imperfections.
Kirk Bell December 11, 2020
Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Edition celebrates the E-Type's 60th birthday in gorgeous green
The Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Edition revives a green paint color not used since the 1960s to celebrate the E-Types 60th birthday.
Kirk Bell December 9, 2020
One of these 5 cars will be Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021
Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 will come down to the Acura TLX, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Ford Mustang Mach-E, or Genesis GV80.
Kirk Bell December 8, 2020
Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 is about to kick off
It's Motor Authority's Best Car To Buy 2021 awards season, and this is what to expect.
Kirk Bell December 1, 2020

First drive review: The 2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo moves with maturity Kirk Bell November 20, 2020

A 2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo just arrived for a two-day loan and it’s time for the test Mazda fans have been anxiously awaiting. If I remember my turbocharged Mazda 3s correctly, a deep stab of...
Preview: 2022 Hyundai Tucson goes long on screens and style, adds N Line model
The redesigned 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover gets a bold new look inside and out, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Kirk Bell November 9, 2020
First drive review: 2020 McLaren GT tours grandly with a supercar edge
The 2020 McLaren GT has the cargo space of a sedan and the power and moves of a supercar.
Kirk Bell November 5, 2020
2022 Audi E-Tron GT brings the heat, then gets rid of it
The 2022 Audi E-Tron GT will use the same basic suspension and performance as its Porsche Taycan sibling, and Audi will cool the battery for fast charging.
Kirk Bell November 5, 2020
315-horsepower 2022 Volkswagen Golf R brings more tech, more performance
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will be the most-powerful ever, and performance will be improved on all levels.
Kirk Bell November 3, 2020
First drive review: 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 scintillates with smooth performance
The refreshed 2021 Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan delivers a satisfying balance of power, sportiness, and luxury.
Kirk Bell November 2, 2020

First drive review: 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 is a billy goat that's not too gruff Kirk Bell October 29, 2020

It’s a dry, 60-degree October day in Chicago and it’s now or never no matter how ill-advised my mission may be. A 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 First Edition dropped in my lap two days...
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge, company's first EV, costs $53,990
Volvo launches its first electric vehicle, the 2021 XC40 Recharge, in push to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Kirk Bell October 21, 2020
First drive review: 2021 Cadillac Escalade intimidates with size, ingratiates with tech
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is bigger, more luxurious, and loaded with tech.
Kirk Bell October 19, 2020
Preview: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a superb track car for $52,915
Ford has just launched an electric Mustang crossover but old-school muscle car fans have their own new Mustang variant to look forward to.
Kirk Bell October 14, 2020
2021 Audi R8 adding less-expensive rear-drive models
The 2021 Audi R8 adds rear-wheel-drive coupe and Spyder models with 532 horsepower and lower starting prices.
Kirk Bell October 8, 2020
2020 Chevrolet Corvette production extended through end of the year
Production of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette will extend through December.
Kirk Bell October 8, 2020

Kirk Bell, Senior Editor

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