Kirk Bell, Senior Editor

The Senior Editor in charge of Motor Authority, Bell 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. Bell 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, which earned him gold and silver International Automotive Media awards. 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, Bell was named to the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, and he gave back by serving as Secretary-Treasurer. He was also Vice President and then President of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Prior to his time in the automotive industry, Bell was editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine, the leading magazine about the model car hobby after graduating from Marquette University. In his spare time, Bell imagines the Midwest has better roads on which to drive his 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Articles

Tweaked 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and cabriolet turn up the tech Kirk Bell May 26, 2020

The mid-size Mercedes-Benz E-Class might not be the brand's flagship, but it bristles with technology and seldom stands pat. Now, midway through the current generation's lifecycle, the 2021 E-Class...
History of the Toyota Supra: From fancy Celica to frenetic sports car in five generations
The history of the five generations of the Toyota Supra, from its humble roots to today's pocket rocket.
Kirk Bell May 14, 2020

Coronavirus could limit 2020 Chevrolet Corvette production to 2,700 cars
The company says it plans to build more 2020 Corvettes, depending on when it can reopen its Kentucky plant.
Kirk Bell May 6, 2020
Review update: 2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe combines style with substance
The 2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe is the brand's style and performance leader.
Kirk Bell May 5, 2020
Bell: The one that couldn’t get away
The search for my dad's drag car kept bearing fruit.
Kirk Bell May 3, 2020
2021 Polestar 2 to cost about $60,000 at launch, less than expected
The company said the first fully electric vehicle from the performance EV brand would cost $59,900, not including destination.
Kirk Bell April 23, 2020
First drive review: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave is a blast in the sand Kirk Bell April 14, 2020

If I stand in this sandy gravel, I sink about three inches. If I try to run, I look like Wile E. Coyote windmilling in place as he takes off after the Road Runner. But for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator...

GT of the future: The design of the Polestar Precept
Polestar Head of Design Max Missoni talks about the design of the Precept concept car.
Kirk Bell April 7, 2020
10 features that make you and your new car faster
Want your car to go faster? Choose these performance features when it's time to buy.
Kirk Bell March 30, 2020
Land Rover Defender playing defense against coronavirus
The ultra-capable SUV will be used to assist Red Cross operations.
Kirk Bell March 27, 2020
Aston Martin's new V-6 will be the heart of its most potent powertrain
The automaker announced that its turbo V-6 will be equipped hybrid motors and batteries and be the brand's most powerful powertrain to date.
Kirk Bell March 24, 2020
Review update: 2020 Porsche Macan S goes heavy on performance and light on utility
The 2020 Porsche Macan S thrills with performance but trades off some utility.
Kirk Bell March 17, 2020

First drive review: 2019 Saleen S302 White Label evokes 1980s style with modern performance Kirk Bell March 13, 2020

The year is 1988. Five Marquette University dudes hop into a white 1988 Ford Mustang Saleen convertible to head to the hotspots of downtown Milwaukee, feathered hair and mullets flapping in the...
7 things to know about 2020 Chevy Corvette development and performance
Check out these facts about how the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette was developed and how it performs.
Kirk Bell March 4, 2020
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport channels Divo for road course readiness
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is built to tackle corners as much as it is to go fast in a straight line.
Kirk Bell March 4, 2020
Aston Martin V12 Speedster brings topless performance to the select few
Aston Martin has launched a bespoke speedster and is limiting production to just 88 examples.
Kirk Bell March 4, 2020
2020 Chevrolet Corvette, 2020 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: The Week In Reverse
We drove the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette; the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was spied; we hopped behind the wheel of the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. It's the Week in Reverse, right here at Motor Authority. We piloted the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette on the track at Spring Mountain Motor Ranch & Country...
Kirk Bell February 28, 2020
First drive review: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S deals out luxury and performance equally
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S accelerates and handles while keeping passengers comfortable.
Kirk Bell February 28, 2020

Review: The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette sticks its mid-engine supercar landing Kirk Bell February 25, 2020

I feel cocooned buckled into the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette. There are driver-focused cockpits, and then there is this one. The center screen is more steeply angled toward me than in any other car, the...
2020 Jeep Wrangler JPP 20 is a Mopar-made off-roader for after the apocalypse
Whether it's surviving the apocalypse or simply going camping, Mopar has you covered with the Jeep Wrangler JPP 20.
Kirk Bell February 7, 2020
Bell: Attention truck makers: How big is too big?
Today's full-size light and heavy duty pickups are the best they've ever been, but do they have to be so big?
Kirk Bell February 7, 2020
2020 Ford GT ups horsepower to 660, offers $750,000 Liquid Carbon special edition
Ford's GT for 2020 receives a bare carbon option similar to what you find from exotic brands like Pagani and Koenigsegg.
Kirk Bell February 6, 2020
2020 Kia Cadenza gets better looking, more driver-assistance features
The luxury mid-sizer for Kia gets better looks and updated tech inside.
Kirk Bell February 6, 2020
2021 Chevrolet Equinox takes cues from Blazer brother
The updated Equniox adds a new-look exterior, including sporty touches on its RS trim level.
Kirk Bell February 6, 2020

Kirk Bell, Senior Editor

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