Motor Trend's 2013 Best Driver's Car

"Mosqvich" (mosqvich)
08/21/2013 at 11:43 • Filed to: Motor Trend, 2013 Best Driver's Car

There was a time when I thought Motor Trend was a joke. I read Automobile , Road & Track , Car and Driver , and some of the other more esoteric Euro car mags, but never, and I mean never, Motor Trend . I mean seriously, it chose the K-Car as Car of the Year in 1981.

But somewhere along the way Motor Trend changed. Last year I paid Motor Trend a visit in Los Angeles and had a great opportunity to sit down with Michael Floyd and Angus MacKenzie. Angus blew me away with his fluid discussion about anything brought up and his air of leadership and authority. Mike gave me a great tour of their facility and was an incredibly gracious host. It was a great day meeting great auto enthusiasts and professionals.

Fast forward to now. Motor Trend has been trickling out its Hot Lap videos from Mazda's Laguna Seca track in support of its upcoming 2013 Best Driver's Car issue. Motor Trend , hands down, has the best videos of all the major magazines. They release a lot, they are interesting, the cinematography is first rate, their "chat" shows are actually watchable and engaging. The Best Driver's Car videos are no exception. We either get an introduction from Carlos Lago or Angus himself, followed by the hot lap with pro driver Randy Probst. They are well worth your time to watch. Randy has such balanced commentary for the wide range of vehicles he shepherds around the track. The range of vehicles runs the gamut from a Bentley Continental GT Speed to a Ford Focus ST. One quickly picks up the idea that the track time isn't the ultimate deciding factor being considered. It's clear they are contextually looking at each car. Take a look and enjoy.

Visit photos from " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " - I didn't take any pictures on my visit!

DISCUSSION (7)

magman007 > Mosqvich
08/21/2013 at 15:55

when ever drive doesn't have new content, I head to motor trend. Great youtube channel. I like X car and evo as well.

Mosqvich > magman007
08/21/2013 at 18:09

We watch the same stuff! I also watch Everyday Driver and The Getawayer.

magman007 > Mosqvich
08/22/2013 at 09:44

I like ED, but can't daily watch it, the guy with the old guy mullets voice gets under my skin a bit, not sure why. I will have to check out the getawayer.

Also, I highly recommend the "Depth of Speed" videos on vimeo!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Mosqvich
08/22/2013 at 15:50

Listening to the hour+ results video.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/perfo…

Anon > Mosqvich
08/22/2013 at 16:37

Also they do roadkill which is awesome if you haven't seen it yet.

moarpowerr > Mosqvich
08/23/2013 at 13:20

I agree with you on Motor Trend, however Carlos Lago gets under my skin a bit. I feel like he over exaggerates his hand motions and his facial expressions a little too much, and he also tries way too hard to look like he is in deep thought about whatever he says. But I have to give it to him that he isn't full of bullshit and I feel like I know what he is talking about. I hate the american guy who does the Car and Driver videos, he acts and looks like a complete douchebag. Jethro Bovington (?) is probably the only reviewer I like on Car and Driver, and I also like the "underbelly" videos that they do as they are informative and interesting. Evo is also pretty good. Xcar is pretty good as well but they usually do cars that aren't super new, but a couple years old or older.

Mosqvich > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 13:37

Carlos is pretty good, but he is a "pretty boy" for sure. Most of EVO's work is first rate, except for their attempt at a "chat" show. It blew chunks. Their diaries are my favorites.