Robert Duffer, Senior Editor

Robert Duffer is an award-winning writer, editor, teacher, automotive journalist and the Senior Editor for The Car Connection. As the former autos editor for the Chicago Tribune, Duffer reported on stories of national and local significance, and his syndicated auto review column appeared in hundreds of publications in print and online. He has written for Forbes.com, Cars.com, US News Autos and other publications, ranging from the New York Times to Canadian Builders Quarterly. A master’s graduate of Columbia College Chicago and Skip Barber Racing School, Duffer believes in the Oxford comma, electrified powertrains, and the minivan as the greatest utility vehicle. His most enduring automotive lesson was imparted by his father, who would speed up to nice cars and say, "Don't look. Don't give the jerk the satisfaction." The elder Duffer is the jerk driving the ‘68 Mustang convertible. Duffer is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association.

Articles

First drive review: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 Coupe converts a couple Robert Duffer January 15, 2021

Coupe is only one letter off from couple. This silly thought occurred to me in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 Coupe. The refreshed coupe would take me and the woman I’d been dating on our first...
Review update: 2020 Chevy Corvette excels on the road, too
The mid-engine C8 Corvette makes for a comfortable enough grand tourer but it helps to add tech that clears up the blind spots.
Robert Duffer October 1, 2020

First drive review: The conspicuous case of the $477,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge
The 2020 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge convertible gets a power boost and a darkened treatment with an aero cowling to stand out even more in its rarefied class.
Robert Duffer September 17, 2020
Review update: 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S cuts corners in the best way
The 2020 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S carves out a place as an attractive crossover coupe with athletic moves.
Robert Duffer September 4, 2020
First drive review: 2020 Audi A6 Allroad cures the crossover blues
Driving the 2020 Audi A6 Allroad wagon from Chicago to Detroit and back again served up the perfect antidote for crossover SUV fatigue.
Robert Duffer August 31, 2020
First drive review: 2021 Bentley Bentayga SUV adds it up
The refreshed 2021 Bentley Bentayga ultra luxury SUV adds more rear leg room and better tech, but the highlight remains the peerless interior finishes.
Robert Duffer August 11, 2020
The Ford Bronco over the years: A brief history Robert Duffer July 14, 2020

On Monday night the sixth-generation Ford Bronco will launch, making it the first Bronco in the company’s lineup since 1996. The off-road SUV available in two or four doors with removable doors...

First drive review: 2020 Polaris Slingshot R pulls back the practical, fires up the fun
The 2020 Polaris Slingshot R splits the difference between car and motorcycle, with a focus on fun.
Robert Duffer July 7, 2020
1967 VW Bus attracts the kind buds we all need
Camping in a 1967 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus 21-Window Samba proved that there's still kindness and consideration in the world.
Robert Duffer July 2, 2020
Movie magic: 5 great car chase scenes and why they endure
Film critic Dann Gire and movie historian Raymond Benson pick their top car chase scenes and explain what makes them great.
Robert Duffer May 20, 2020
Review update: 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 Coupe is a thrilling work of art
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe thrills with its looks, performance, and attention to detail.
Robert Duffer May 11, 2020
Duffer: Lego builds bridge between three generations of car lovers
A $150 Lego Technic Porsche 911 RSR kit may sound expensive, but the way it brought together three generations of car fans was priceless.
Robert Duffer May 8, 2020

Duffer: Kids ruin Porsches Robert Duffer March 27, 2020

Kids ruin Porsches.

This realization hit home not long after we struggled to fit a second hockey bag in the cargo area of the 2020 Porsche Macan S. It wasn’t so much that my daughter’s...
“Faster”: How author Neal Bascomb wrote the underdog racing story of the century
We interview Neal Bascomb, author of "Faster," which tells the story of a Jewish driver who took on the Nazi machine backed by an American woman.
Robert Duffer March 23, 2020
First drive review: 2020 Audi S4 outruns expectations
A lonely stretch of Southern California desert is where we drive the updated 2020 Audi S4 to see if the sport sedan is still sharp, but also more comfortable now.
Robert Duffer February 29, 2020
2021 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2020 Lincoln Navigator: How the full-size SUVs compare
The two mega-sized luxury SUVs will compete for buyers looking for maximum comfort and maximum space.
Robert Duffer February 10, 2020
2007 Nissan Frontier with one million miles is in it for the long haul
Brian Murphy's Frontier still looks good after covering more than a million miles—in year-round Chicago delivery duty.
Robert Duffer February 5, 2020
First drive review: The 2020 BMW M8 may be a large coupe, but it cooks
The 2020 BMW M8 can handle whatever you throw at it.
Robert Duffer January 22, 2020

Tesla vehicles scrutinized for sudden acceleration defect Robert Duffer January 17, 2020

Some Tesla vehicles may accelerate unintentionally and crash, according to a petition filed to NHTSA on behalf of consumers, Reuters reported Friday. The petition says an estimated 500,000 Tesla...
First drive review: 2020 BMW M340i refuses to compromise
The 2020 BMW M340i balances track capability with everyday comfort in a sport sedan package that says you've arrived.
Robert Duffer January 9, 2020
First drive review: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i keeps the Sunday drive alive
The 2020 BMW Z4 M40i captivates from behind the wheel and for onlookers, too.
Robert Duffer January 7, 2020
Duffer: The time is right for the 2022 Cadillac El DeBarj
With Cadillac changing its naming conventions when it releases its electric vehicles, we surmise a good name would be the 2022 Cadillac El DeBarj.
Robert Duffer December 13, 2019
More powerful Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge dark modes the luxury SUV
The high-dollar Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge costs more than $384,000 and is darker than newsroom humor.
Robert Duffer November 7, 2019
UAW strikes against GM for higher wages despite union controversy
The United Automobile Workers union are on strike for higher wages from General Motors
Robert Duffer September 16, 2019

Robert Duffer, Senior Editor

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