manuelcarrillo3

[manuelcarrillo3]

This is the first Lotus I’ve ever tested; the Evora GT. I wanted to love it. I even felt pressured by my colleagues to love it. I handed back the keys only liking it. This four-passenger Lotus exceeded expectations with its quiet cabin and excellent seat comfort. My brother Scott was even able to ride in the back (barely). Unfortunately, the Evora doesn’t quite hit the mark as the world-class sports car it’s primarily trying to be. The front end gets floaty at high speeds, smooth throttle modulation in turns seems to interrupt cornering stability, even the shifter lacks precision. In other dynamic areas such as acceleration, braking, steering and ride comfort, the Evora GT does fine, but this is a Lotus. Just fine doesn’t cut it. At its best, this car instigated a smile when it should have made me laugh hysterically. At its worst, I actually laughed at how complicated it sometimes was to start the engine, among other quirky British car inconveniences. I’ll never forget this machine for its twisted sense of humor, but I wish it were unforgettable for other reasons. (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMgLd_mnNkn/?igshid=1hyxj3jhnz9nj

[manuelcarrillo3]

My first time in Glamis (where they filmed Tatooine scenes) was this past Sunday morning with the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. I dug myself out of a 3:30 a.m. grave to catch the sunrise over the dunes as the holiday revelers began their mass exodus. Even without airing down the tires, the 4Runner felt in its element on the sand. Too bad we were unsuccessful at pulling out a burrowed truck and trailer. I probably should’ve aired down the tires. Photos of my tired corpse by @keiron_berndt. 4Runner photos by me. (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWsXY2HGZF/?igshid=bc53zdkwaw24

[manuelcarrillo3]

Happy Thanksgiving (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CID9MXgHwqK/?igshid=wvqve12ah77e

[manuelcarrillo3]

Forgive me for my Instagram-laziness these days. I’ve been shooting more than ever, but posting a pittance. 🤷🏽‍♂️ That’s your brief update for now. Regarding this photo of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Crew LTZ 4WD, I quite enjoyed the shove from the 3.0L Duramax I6 turbodiesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. I’m not so impressed with the fuel economy. After 310 miles of testing, I saw 21.5 mpg. I’ve had to *try* to get below 30 mpg in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. This Chevy is worth considering, but I’d rather have the equivalent Ram. This truck’s price as tested: $59,770. P.S.: I was a kid in the sand box setting up these shots. (at Rowher Flats OHV Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6jXX5HTqd/?igshid=1q99c1zswfcpm

[manuelcarrillo3]

Power Wagon (at Hungry Valley SVRA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDxOKiFnmRQ/?igshid=1wkovyfejfvdp

[manuelcarrillo3]

Pretty impressive for a 15-year-old design. The Nissan Frontier debuted in its current form in 2005. For 2020, the truck gets the new 3.8-liter, 310-hp V6 and nine-speed transmission from next year’s all-new Frontier. With 281 lb-ft of torque, the engine provides adequate power and acceleration. The transmission is jerky on takeoff, but decent the rest of the time. Up freeway grades, the nine-speed drops a gear or two, and holds it — unlike the Toyota Tacoma, which selects ratios as indecisively as your annoying relative who can’t pick a table at the restaurant. Prior to off-roading, I was averaging about 19.5 mpg after a few hundred miles of mixed driving. This top-spec, Pro-4X model is about $39,000, which is roughly $10,000 less expensive than the loaded competition, but this truck doesn’t include as many features. That’s fine, though. Less to get in the way of recreation. No fancy terrain-sensing gizmos here. Just select 4x4-low, pick a mountain, and conquer it. Aside from one occasional, faint and distant squeak, this soft-riding rig spared me of rattles across rutted earth, and feels really sturdy. Over the few days I’ve had this, I’ve helped a friend move, loaded up the reasonably spacious cabin with plants from a farmer’s market, and I even took a relaxing drive to San Diego. The cabin is surprisingly quiet, and the seats are comfortable enough for road-tripping, but not best in class. There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the 7-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and the 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio system is bumpin’. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and blind spot monitoring? Nah, not on this relic. Solid work and recreation accomplice? Absolutely, which helps explain why this pickup remains popular a decade and a half since its last redesign. This is my first time driving the Frontier, and it’s exceeded my expectations. What a charming little guy. The next-gen Frontier will no doubt be an improvement over this one, but as far as likability, the 2021 model will have a lot to live up to. (at Rowher Flats) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCTrSPhnbch/?igshid=n13um1wltn70

[manuelcarrillo3]

I could have carved canyon all day in the new Cadillac CT4-V. Heaps of fun, and this was the all-wheel-drive version. First drive review coming soon to @robbreport. (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6xJ8FnWwL/?igshid=1wpc06uqml1vp

[manuelcarrillo3]

This week I’m wrapping myself in performance-enhancing sculpture with the 2020 @astonmartinlagonda DB11 AMR. It’s powered by a 5.2L, twin-turbo V12 making 630 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. 0-60: 3.5 seconds. Top speed: 208 mph. I had fun shooting it all over LA yesterday. Today it sits in my front driveway to stir up neighborhood gossip for some #carsandcoffeeathome fun. (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CARFIpmnzCl/?igshid=d389ogufnoo6

[manuelcarrillo3]

this was almost my Zoom profile pic 📷: @keiron_berndt (at Santa Monica Mountains) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VkTrxn_yO/?igshid=p850jwwjvbwd

[manuelcarrillo3]

pre-rona shots by @keiron_berndt (at El Segundo, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B--kf6AHADQ/?igshid=b2vurev3x8th

[manuelcarrillo3]

I was still beginning my career in automotive media when the seventh-generation Corvette debuted in 2013. In other words, I’ve been waiting pretty much my entire auto-writer life to get a chance to cover a Corvette launch, and be a part of this nameplate’s history beyond just driving the car at various programs over the years. For now, I’ll simply say the eighth-gen car did not disappoint. Full story coming soon to @robbreport. (at Spring Mountain Motorsports) https://www.instagram.com/p/B82QhgZnnvn/?igshid=19213syf14e8x

[manuelcarrillo3]

I tested the Cadillac XT6 last week. Likes: interior comfort and interior/exterior design. Dislikes: jerky transmission in rush-hour traffic. Cabin noise. (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rJyUKnGpT/?igshid=11st8koh8iujw

[manuelcarrillo3]

The BMW M2 by Futura 2000 makes the art car concept more accessible, and I’m OK with that. (at Paramount Studios) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8md7xGnjw9/?igshid=1hd3lz9j3xke0

[manuelcarrillo3]

Feel the Power ——————————————————————— 📷: @funkefunkefunke (at Hollywood) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7O_iYLn3m5/?igshid=utayupkwxuns

[manuelcarrillo3]

Topless Lust (at The Motoring Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3JgIepnAJS/?igshid=1fbfa9tny2fpw

[manuelcarrillo3]

My face when I read the skillfully crafted words of the beyond-talented @dereklanepowell. ——————————————————————— 📷: @livemotochromatic - @livemotofoto (at Redondo Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu_rM7MHS-h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11jutg4ohu3d4

[manuelcarrillo3]

Dashing through the snow, in a 181-horse, open sleigh, over fields we go, laughing all the way. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuXonaenLDp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c2cpolqy4uyg