Compared to M-performance versions of BMW vehicles, and AMG Mercedes-Benz models, The RX 500h is less canyon carver or straight-line muscle machine, and more grand tourer; it rides better than many of those caffeinated crossovers, and is less expensive. Lexus has struck a fine balance of sporty feel and serious luxury that premium-crossover shoppers will appreciate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance is not a compromise, but an alternative to premium crossovers that may be a little too sporty.

Between jobs, as it were, automotive designer Henrick Fisker took a little time off to do a little art. That art, of course, was automotive, but compared to designing all-new vehicles, Fisker chose to work with vehicles already in production, sparing himself considerable development time, as well as cost. This “side project,” was named Fisker Coachbuild, and it produced just two different vehicles, and not very many of them.

The hosts welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show. Sam shared his impressions of the GMC Sierra electric pickup, and talked about the pickup-truck market in general.

While the we lament the price increase, and will miss the tidy and accessible A4/S4, the redesigned S5 is an impressive replacement, boasting a little more passenger space and a sexier profile. For many luxury sedan shoppers, we suspect the “standard” A5 will fit the bill, but for enthusiasts looking for extra commuting excitement, we suggest putting the S5 on your test-drive short list.

By 1978, American Motors had all but run out of steam. With the midsize Matador on the way out, the Kenosha, Wisconsin-based carmaker would soon be selling only small cars, and dated small cars at that. And though one of those models, the subcompact Gremlin, was to be significantly updated for 1979—and renamed—AMC chose to give  the old model a proper sendoff.