Sean Szymkowski, Contributor
Articles
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BMW of Belgium has let the cat out of the bag. And by cat, we mean arguably one of BMW's best sport coupes in recent times. The Belgian company published images to its website and it shows the 2018...
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Shaquille O'Neal now has a Ford F-650 pickup as his daily driverA big guy needs a big truck. Simple math, really. Except, Shaquille O'Neal isn't your average big guy. He's pretty freaking tall by any standard. Measuring 7-foot-1-inch tall and weighing in at a few biscuits more than his 325-pound playing weight, Shaq was on the hunt for a new daily driver. He...
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Amateur driver pays tribute to Gymkhana with first-gen Subaru ImprezaWell, color us pretty darn impressed. Ken Block isn't the only guy capable of flogging rally machines for the sake of awesome, expertly executed stunts. We have an emulator on our hands. Tyler Witte took inspiration from the famed Gymkhana series and decided to set up an amateur version of the...
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This Camaro ZL1's exhaust is so loud it blows the airbags at speedThere are exhaust modifications, and then there are exhaust diverters. The latter is responsible for some pretty loud noises in this 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. In fact, it's so loud, it caused the side curtain airbags to deploy. Here's the backstory. YouTuber GuitarmageddonZL1 ordered a pretty...
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How to fix a misreading speedometerIt's a problem many may not know they're experiencing until flashing lights in the rearview mirror tell them otherwise. How do you know if your vehicle is reading an accurate speed? And if it isn't accurate, how do you go about fixing the problem? Have no fear, because Jason Fenske from Engineering...
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Maserati launches CPO program with 2-year unlimited mileage warrantyBuyers seeking out a bit of Italian luxury and performance have had the opportunity to purchase a used Maserati for years, but the brand itself is now sweetening the deal. Maserati has officially launched its new certified pre-owned program and it offers plenty of benefits. Foremost, purchasing a...
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Those hoping to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Chevrolet Corvette's birthplace--the Bowling Green, Kentucky, manufacturing plant--may need to bump up their travel plans. July 16 will mark the...
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Fully self-driving cars will be ready in 2019, says Elon MuskIt's no secret Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a pretty ambitious guy who likes to look to the future, and his latest prediction keeps pace with those of the past. In only two years, Musk believes, fully self-driving cars will be on the road. Musk made the prediction during a recent TED talk where he also...
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Oregon man fined for researching traffic light algorithms sans licenseFile this one under things unlikely to become a problem, but sure as can be, it has. An Oregon man, Mats Jarlstrom, has been fined $500 by the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying for researching, studying, and presenting his findings on traffic light patterns. Why has...
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Mercedes-Benz details suite of active safety features coming to 2018 S-ClassThe 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ushers in refreshed looks, new powertrains, and a repackaged interior, but the changes go further than skin deep. Specifically, Mercedes is ratcheting up the active safety features with the S-Class' mid-cycle refresh. The nervous system of the entire driver assistance...
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Porsche is testing the 918 Spyder at the Nürburgring again, but why?In an interesting turn of events, Porsche has once again returned to the Nürburgring with its most recent hypercar, the 918 Spyder. Why is this so interesting? The Porsche 918 Spyder exited production in 2015, yet, here the company is, flogging the car during industry test runs. The 918 Spyder...
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Report: BMW 3-Series, X3 to gain diesel engines in the futureWe previously learned BMW hasn't given up on the idea of a diesel-powered 5-Series, but the marque is reportedly preparing to also bring diesel power to the future 3-Series and X3. According to BMW Blog, a reliable source has confirmed at least one future variant of both the 3-Series and X3 will...
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Lexus seems to have something green planned for the near future, judging by a new trademark filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Lexus has moved to protect the "LS-FC CONCEPT"...
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2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 deliveries begin this monthChevrolet had teased off-road enthusiasts way back in November of 2014 with a potential desert-running Colorado ZR2. Flash forward to May of 2017, and the most off-road capable Chevy pickup is shipping out to customers. The brand announced customers who placed early orders will begin receiving...
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Ken Block lays down a massive burnout in his brand new Ford F-150 RaptorWhat's the best way to kick off your family road trip in your brand-new vehicle? If you happen to be rally racing hero Ken Block and that vehicle is a 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor, you load up the bikes, the wife, and the kids, and do one massive, smokey burnout ahead of a 1,000-mile road trip. Block...
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Lexus fears the sedan's extinction due to crossovers and SUVsLexus is taking the threat of crossovers and SUVs very seriously. The Japanese luxury brand fears the sedan may not be long for this world if the traditional body style doesn't begin to offer buyers something different from a crossover or other utility vehicle, according to Automotive News...
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Experience 5 gs and 190 mph in an IndyCarThe next time someone argues racing doesn't require much skill, show them this video. Not only do IndyCar drivers possess the skills to drive 200-plus mph, concentration, preparation, and physical endurance are also absolute musts. As the video shows, an IndyCar driver will reach speeds of 190 mph...
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Kia is killing off the Forte KoupThe Kia Forte Koup has been sent to the automotive guillotine as consumer demand for small cars continues to dwindle in favor of larger crossovers and SUVs. It hasn't helped that the 10th-generation Honda Civic coupe has come out swinging this time around either. Kia confirmed to CarsDirect the...
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2018 BMW M5 reportedly coming with 8-speed automatic, AWD that switches to rear drive Sean SzymkowskiJuicy new details have surfaced surrounding the 2018 BMW M5, and it seems the German marque is hellbent on injecting some of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" character lacking in the last generation...
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Marchionne says Ferrari will always offer naturally aspirated V-12s"Nuts." That's how Ferrari chief Sergio Marchionne described the thought of turbocharging V-12 engines in future vehicles. With that blunt opinion, Marchionne confirmed Ferrari will always offer a naturally aspirated V-12 engine. The statement also casts out fears of downsizing or even killing off...
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This Volkswagen Golf Mk2 can beat the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon in the quarter mileYes, yes, we know. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon comes straight from the factory and can clip off incredible achievements such as a 0-60 mph time of 2.1 seconds (with a catch) and a quarter-mile time of 9.65 seconds. But, there's always going to be someone, somewhere, who's faster. In this...
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Porsche patents active rear diffuserWhile the horsepower wars continue, automakers are searching elsewhere to see where precious time can be shaved off of a hot lap. Porsche, in particular, is looking to redefine the rear diffuser. New patents published on April 27, 2017, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office show a rear...
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BMW believes in diesel: 540d confirmed for US marketVolkswagen has done a bang-on job at making diesel a dirty word, but BMW isn't counting it out quite yet. A BMW spokesperson has confirmed an all-new 5-Series diesel will be arriving in the United States this year. Car and Driver reports the diesel-powered 5-Series will take the 540d name, and it...
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'The Fast and the Furious' liveries applied to modern equivalents still look goodWhen "The Fast and the Furious" debuted in 2001, Universal likely never expected it would ignite a love affair with fast cars and the underground street racing world. Its effects on car culture persist to this day as the franchise has grown to a multi-billion dollar saga. That's billion with a big...
Sean Szymkowski