Frank Markus
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Articles by Frank Markus
Yes, the Tesla Roadster flew. Here's how the rocket-powered car works
The most staggering technology introduced on the new Tesla Roadster is a propulsion system pulled directly from SpaceX—the rocket, satellite and artificial intelligence company also owned by Elon Musk. In the Roadster shown at the event, four metal nozzles sit just above the rear bumper and look for all the world like the exhaust tips on your standard supercar (think C8 Corvette but spread farther apart).
How Did the Tesla Roadster Fly? Here's How It Works Original
Tesla Roadster thrust system explained: How SpaceX technology could help it hit 60 mph in 0.8 second. The most staggering technology introduced on the new Tesla Roadster is a propulsion system pulled directly from SpaceX—the rocket, satellite and artificial-intelligence company also owned by Elon Musk. In the “Thrust” variant of the Roadster, four metal nozzles sit just above the rear bumper, and look for all the world like the exhaust tips on your standard supercar.
Should you buy or lease the Hyundai Ioniq 5? The answer isn't that simple
Affordable new EVs have been having a bit of a moment lately (at long last), spurred by the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and the new Kia EV3—each with pricing clustered near $30K. All these new value options may have encouraged Tesla to cost-cut its Model 3 Standard rear-drive model down into the $30s. All these EV-value plays have also inspired some mighty attractive lease and purchase options for the 2023 MotorTrend SUV of the Year–winning Hyundai Ioniq 5 .
Should You Buy or Lease the Hyundai Ioniq 5? The Answer Isn't That Simple
Affordable new EVs have been having a bit of a moment lately (at long last), spurred by the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and the new Kia EV3—each with pricing clustered near $30K. All these new value options may have encouraged Tesla to cost-cut its Model 3 Standard rear-drive model down into the $30s. All these EV-value plays have also inspired some mighty attractive lease and purchase options for the 2023 MotorTrend SUV of the Year–winning .
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Leasing vs. Buying: Which Option Saves You More Money? Original
Before you sign on the bottom line for an Ioniq 5, compare the numbers that matter most to you. Frank MarkusWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerManufacturerPhotographerOct 08, 2026 Affordable new EVs have been having a bit of a moment lately (at long last), spurred by the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and the new Kia EV3—each with pricing clustered near $30K. All these new value options may have encouraged Tesla to cost-cut its Model 3 Standard rear-drive model down into the $30s.
The 2007 BMW 335i Convertible Hid a Clever Trick Nobody Else Had
[This story originally appeared in the April 2007 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "Full-Bodied Cab."] could've topped its fourth-generation 3 Series with handsomely tailored five-layer twill fabric like the one it just rolled out on the supercalafragalistic Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. But while the fabulocracy will write a check for a Flying Lady whatever her scarf is made of, the working rich are a whole lot fussier. For them only a tin-top will do these days.
The 2007 BMW 335i Convertible Hid a Clever Trick Nobody Else Had Original
[This story originally appeared in the April 2007 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "Full-Bodied Cab."] BMW could've topped its fourth-generation 3 Series convertible with handsomely tailored five-layer twill fabric like the one it just rolled out on the supercalafragalistic Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. But while the fabulocracy will write a check for a Flying Lady whatever her scarf is made of, the working rich are a whole lot fussier. For them only a tin-top will do these days.
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet first test: It makes the rational supercar case. Almost.
Mind-bending performance Great wind management, top up or down No rattles or shakes Grumpy engine note Obscene price Stingy standard equipment list Full disclosure up front: There is no conceivable universe in which I would spend my own $304,330 worth of lottery winnings on this 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. I remain immune to the Porsche 911's myriad charms.
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet First Test: It Makes the Rational Supercar Case. Almost.
Great wind management, top up or down Full disclosure up front: There is no conceivable universe in which I would spend my own $304,330 worth of lottery winnings on this 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. I remain immune to the Porsche 911’s myriad charms. But I’m an amateur actor, so in approaching this review I will lean on time-honored acting tools to help channel the character of its intended buyer and thereby weigh the car’s relative merits as they might.
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet First Test: The Rational $304,000 Supercar? Original
Its astonishing speed is nearly unusable on public roads, so the real question is what this 701-hp hybrid convertible gives its owner beyond performance.
Is the Volkswagen ID Buzz Already an Icon? We Took It on the Road to Find Out
Our 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz draws crowds everywhere it goes, proving its VW Bus roots resonate. But its price and EV-only powertrain complicate the story. Does our long-term 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz qualify as an icon? During a roundtable discussion held in conjunction with this year’s New York International Auto Show, then president and CEO of VW of America, Kjell Gruner, was asked whether low-volume products like the Golf GTI/Golf R and were worthy of continuation.
2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Yearlong Review: Has VW Created Another Automotive Icon? Original
People recognize the VW Bus DNA instantly, but enthusiasm changes when price and EV power come up. Frank MarkusWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerSep 22, 2026 Does our long-term 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz qualify as an icon? During a roundtable discussion held in conjunction with this year’s New York International Auto Show, then president and CEO of VW of America, Kjell Gruner, was asked whether low-volume products like the Golf GTI/Golf R and ID Buzz were worthy of continuation.
The 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 Proved the C6 Was More Than a Facelift
[This story originally appeared in the September 2004 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "First Test: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51."] You read what our spies and industry insiders suggested the new Corvette might be like. We told you what told us about the new Corvette . We shared the information chief engineer Dave Hill and his team wanted you to know on the new Corvette roadster.
The 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 Proved the C6 Was More Than a Facelift Original
Roads, racetracks, and one surprise revealed just how much Chevy had changed. Frank MarkusWriterRichard PrincePhotographerSep 18, 2026 [This story originally appeared in the September 2004 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "First Test: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z51."] You read what our spies and industry insiders suggested the new Corvette might be like. We told you what Chevy told us about the new Corvette coupe.
2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra: Way Smarter Screens, Passenger Display, and 19 Cameras Original
GM's redesigned truck interface adds smarter shortcuts, improved screen programmability, and an all-new passenger display. Among the most crucial General Motors product launches happening this year will be the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup trucks we previewed back in June, noting among other things that—as with seemingly all new products—the quantity of available screen real estate is increasing.
GM's New Truck Tech Is Surprisingly Thoughtful in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado (Plus It Includes Apple CarPlay!)
Among the most crucial General Motors product launches happening this year will be the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra half-ton pickup trucks we previewed back in June, noting among other things that—as with seemingly all new products—the quantity of available screen real estate is increasing. Well, we just got a first look at some of the specifics about how the General plans to improve the quality of user screen interaction as well.
The 2027 Ford F-150 Just Got Smarter, Tougher, and More Affordable Off-Road
With archrival Chevrolet teeing up an all-new Silverado for 2027, perennial (49 years!) truck-sales-leader Ford felt compelled to up its ante as well—albeit a comparative penny ante. Here’s what’s new with the 2027 Ford F-150: The 2.7-liter V-6 base engine is broomed for a related 3.0-liter EcoBoost mill.
The 2027 Ford F-150 Just Got Smarter, Tougher, and More Affordable Off-Road Original
Raptor Low delivers base-Raptor powertrain and suspension gear and broadened bodywork but deletes such creature comforts and non-performance related features as the head-up display, fog lamps, 2kW Pro Power Onboard capability, Mobile Office package, power passenger seat, and under-seat storage, while swapping the power-adjustable steering column for a manual/tilt column and canceling six of the 14 B&O speakers. The changes end up saving about $4,000.
2027 Audi A2 e-tron first look: Audi's most efficient EV ever has a catch
One of Audi's perennial forbidden fruits, the A2, is making the leap to e-tron full electrification: the A2. The original 1999 A2 was Audi's and indeed the world's first mainstream affordable all-aluminum car, following five years after the flagship A8 adopted the material.
Audi A2 e-tron First Look: Audi Revives the A2 as Its Most Efficient EV Yet Original
Audi's tiny electric hatch delivers up to 401 miles of range, V2H capability, and incredible efficiency—but don't expect to see it in U.S. showrooms. One of Audi’s perennial forbidden fruits, the A2, is making the leap to e-tron full electrification: the A2. The original 1999 A2 was Audi’s and indeed the world’s first mainstream affordable all-aluminum car, following five years after the flagship A8 adopted the material.
2027 Audi A2 e-tron First Look: Audi's Most Efficient EV Ever Has a Catch
One of Audi’s perennial forbidden fruits, the A2, is making the leap to e-tron full electrification: the A2. The original 1999 A2 was Audi’s and indeed the world’s first mainstream affordable all-aluminum car, following five years after the flagship A8 adopted the material.
Ford Bronco Patent Reveals Sleeping Platform, Rooftop Tent, and Camping Features Original
A new set of Ford patent images imagines a Bronco with heated beds, rooftop sleeping, and clever camping upgrades. Ford, in its never-ending quest to one-up the Jeep Wrangler with new Bronco innovations, has sought to lock down all the good ideas for turning its light overlander into a tiny house capable of sleeping four people. To that end, it filed Patent No. US 2026/0233661 Al on August 13.
We Camped in the Peace Vans VW ID Buzz Pop-Top Camper, and Now We Want One Original
Here’s how to turn our 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz into the pop-top camper we remember from childhood, complete with beds, a kitchen—and a six-figure price tag. Frank MarkusWriterJulia LaPalmePhotographerSep 03, 2026 The key to leveraging an iconic vehicle the buying public has an emotional attachment to is leaning into those buyers’ fondest memories.
2028 Dodge GLH: Everything We Know About the Compact Muscle SUV Original
What It Is Dodge has swung and missed several times at building a spiritual successor to the plucky 1984–86 Dodge Omni GLH hot hatch, most recently with the stillborn 2015 Dart GLH and 2022 Dodge Hornet GLH concepts.
2027 Chrysler Pacifica First Test: After a 1,700-Mile Road Trip, It’s Still Hard to Beat Original
On paper, the Pacifica looks overdue for a redesign. On the open road, it proved why families keep choosing it over newer rivals.
2028 Ram Ramcharger: Everything We Know About Ram’s New Full-Size SUV Original
Ram is betting on a full-size SUV to knock Chevrolet out of the Number 2 spot behind Ford.
2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro First Test: The Base Turbo vs. V-6 vs. Hybrid Performance Review Original
Turbo lag and languid transmission shifting tried our patience in this era of electrified instant acceleration. Frank MarkusWriterJim FetsPhotographerAug 31, 2026 Head-turning design Spacious, accessible interior Class-leading tech stack Laggy powertrain Handling compromises Overheating phone chargers Electric vehicles and hybrids are making us impatient. We’re becoming addicted to peak torque at zero rpm or electrons filling in while combustion ramps up. So much back-shoving, so little waiting.
The 2007 Mazda CX-7 had a wild idea: Make an affordable SUV drive like a sports car
[ This story originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "Underanticipated Overachiever." ] Our eyes were discreetly rolling from the start of the presentation. As if the slogan "The SUV you never saw coming" weren't trite enough, the presenters started throwing around verbiage like "the first midsize, low-priced sports-car/utility-vehicle crossover." Well, the first one introduced on a Wednesday morning in March anyway. Our ears glazed over.
We Pushed the 2008 Infiniti G37 and 2007 BMW 335i to the Limit and the Underdog Won
1st Place: 2008 Infiniti G37S More muscle and technology deliver BMW brilliance on a budget. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW Stay Ahead of the Curve. Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox! By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use (including the dispute resolution procedures) and have reviewed the Privacy Notice.
Driving a Pristine, 315-Mile 1994 Honda Accord EX Coupe 32 Years Later Original
For the Accord’s 50th birthday, Honda handed us the keys to an astonishingly original 1994 EX Coupe much like one our author reviewed back in the day. Frank MarkusWriterJim FetsPhotographerAug 24, 2026 Happy 50th birthday, Honda Accord! To date, the Japanese automaker has moved more than 15 million Accords in the U.S., with about 13 million of that number having been built right here in America’s Heartland.
2029 Dodge Copperhead SRT: Everything We Know About the Viper-Inspired Halo Car Original
Say hello to Viper-inspired styling, a possible Hurricane or Hemi powertrain, and Nürburgring-level ambitions to challenge the Corvette ZR1 and Mustang GTD. Frank MarkusWriterAndrei AvarvariiIllustration ByAug 24, 2026 What It Is “A hyper-muscle car,” in the words of Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’ head of American brands. But it’s not a direct Viper replacement. Think of it as a closer competitor to high-end performance versions of the Ford Mustang and the next Chevrolet Camaro.
2025 Ram 1500 Long-Term Verdict: Still the Half-Ton Truck to Beat Original
A year of towing, hauling, road-tripping, and living with Ram’s redesigned half-ton only reinforced why it earned our Truck of the Year Calipers. Frank MarkusWriterJim FetsPhotographerAug 21, 2026 Would we still award our Truck of the Year Calipers to the 2025 Ram 1500 had we extended our evaluation window to 12 months? You betcha.
2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack First Test: Gorgeous Looks, Big Performance, Bigger Compromises Original
Dodge’s 550-hp twin-turbo muscle hatchback is quick and packed with personality, but living with it isn’t as easy as it looks. Frank MarkusWriterJim FetsPhotographerAug 21, 2026 Hazzard-ous good looks Fun performance pages, line lock, etc. Five cool chromatic color options Tragically compromised packaging Mass, turbo lag obscure 550 hp Bull dimensions on china-shop streets Imagine, if you will, multinational companies as big families.
The Best American Car Designs of All Time: 12 Cars That Changed Automotive History
Some became instant icons. Others quietly reshaped the industry's future. These are the American car designs that left the biggest mark. Frank MarkusWriterBring A TrailerPhotographerAlan MuirIllustration ByManufacturerPhotographerAug 20, 2026 The automobile may not have been invented here, but the notion that automotive styling could be a vitally important driver of car sales equal to or exceeding that of technical specifications arguably was.
The Tiny 1965 Honda S600 Hid Race-Car Tech Decades Before Its Time Original
A 9,500-rpm engine, chain-drive suspension, and one man's refusal to follow the rules. Frank MarkusWriterBrian VancePhotographerAug 19, 2026 [This story originally appeared in the August 2007 issue of MotorTrend with the headline "Soichiro's Jewel."] Perhaps Soichiro Honda was a Yankee pioneer in a previous incarnation. His approach to life certainly would've been more at home in America's Wild West than it was in traditional Japanese society.
Moby Dick Returns! Porsche 911 GT2 Flachbau RS Echoes the Legendary 935 Look Original
Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division takes an expensive trip down memory lane and makes this GT2 RS slipperier in the process. Behold the second full factory one-off creation from Porsche’s boutique bespoke Sonderwunsch (special request) department, since becoming its own business unit in 2021.
2027 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Convertible First Look: 795 HP With the Top Down Original
The supercharged Mustang keeps all the horses but trades some track focus for open-air grand touring. For those who have just about worn out their 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 convertibles, waiting for its successor, we bring some good news: Behold the 2027 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC convertible. The formula is largely the same as the one used 13 years ago, albeit with all the dials cranked up to modern-day standards.
Brembo Boldika Is Its Most Powerful Brake Caliper Yet, Built for Heavy Trucks and SUVs
Swapping pads should be a breeze as well—just remove the caliper-mounting bolts, slide the caliper off, pop out the Enesys springs, and the pads are free to fall out the middle, as the retaining pins don’t span across both halves. 20-Inch Wheel Fitment These first Boldika calipers are designed to fit a 15.7-inch rotor inside a 20-inch wheel, but the design is easily scalable, and other heavy trucks and SUVs with differing needs are likely to adopt the design in the near future.
Kumho wants to take on Michelin and Bridgestone. This new tire makes a strong case
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Could Kumho’s New Road Venture HT Make Your Winter Tire Swap Optional? Original
We pushed Kumho’s new 3PMSF truck and SUV tire hard to see how much compromise comes with it. Kumho Tire wants you to consider it a peer of top tire brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental—in other words, a leader in tire innovation and engineering. Toward that end, the brand has introduced a line of light truck and SUV tires that may allow a lot of northern-tier buyers to safely get by without a dedicated set of winter tires.
2026 Ford AEV Super Duty FXL First Test: The Ultimate 40-Inch Overlanding Truck? Original
AEV transformed Ford’s Super Duty into a 40-inch overlanding monster, but living with it reveals a few surprises.
We Keep Hearing About Solid-State Batteries. Here’s What’ll Actually Reach the Road.
Tiawan’s ProLogium has inked a memorandum of understanding with Rimac to develop its “superfluidized all-inorganic lithium ceramic battery.” Its fourth generation SF-Ceramion electrolyte reportedly acts like a solid, behaving like a liquid only where it interfaces with the electrodes. ProLogium claims this removes the need for pressurized modules. Stay Ahead of the Curve.
We Keep Hearing About Solid-State Batteries. Here’s What’s Actually Coming First.
We’ve covered a lot of noisy headlines about , which will supposedly be ,” by delivering hundreds of miles of range and then recharging in minutes.
The Future of Car Interiors Goes Way Beyond Touchscreens
AI Is Becoming the New Luxury Feature Big screens and flashy dashboards are so common that they’re becoming old news. Automakers are now betting big on AI, hoping to make voice assistants actually useful instead of just a party trick. Plenty of brands are in the race, but a Chinese automaker just dropped what might be the boldest system yet. Omoda, a sub-brand of Chery, just showed off its Super AI Cockpit.
The Future of Car Interiors: AR Windshields, Smart Cabins, and Screens Everywhere
Your phone, windshield, and dashboard are about to become one seamless experience. Frank MarkusWriterManufacturerPhotographerAug 04, 2026 Emerging trends in cockpit design and augmented reality include software-defined cabins where differing surfaces become the display and where personal devices are integrated into the human-machine interface architecture.
Hennessey Blackbird First Look: 800+HP V-8, 6-Speed Manual, Zero Screens
Tired of porky hypercars filled to brimming with batteries, motors, screens, and computers constantly doing their gol-dangedest to drive the car for you? Well, Texas’ favorite son John Hennessey has got you covered with his third hypercar offering: the Hennessey Blackbird, of which only 71 will be built. See, the thing is heavily influenced by the retired Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird long-range, high-altitude, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
How Advanced Crash-Avoidance Tech Will Change Car Safety by 2029
Volvo Multiadaptive Safety Belts Volvo Multiadaptive Safety Belts leverage info from occupant sensors and myriad others around the car—including those sensing an impending or occurring crash—to tailor the actions of the seat belt retractors and force limiters to each individual occupant, expanding the load-limiter profiles from three to 11.
Our Long-Term 2025 Ram 1500 Spills Its Guts
Millions of sensor readings revealed exactly how we really cold-started, drove, towed, traveled, and burned fuel. Frank MarkusWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerJul 27, 2026 Back in our Update 2 accessorizing story we mentioned connecting a DIMO LTE R1 device to our 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie’s OBD II port to record and share data. In this update, we’re poised to share an unprecedented amount of granular driving data with you, dear readers.
An All-New Honda Ridgeline Is Officially Coming, but There’s a Catch for Today’s Buyers
Hondaphile truck buyers act fast: Your beloved Honda Ridgeline will be taking a gap year starting later in 2026, as Honda will be ending production of the second-generation model while the all-new, all-American version of the third-generation truck finishes its gestation. We first reported on the pause a few months ago. Now we’re learning a bit more about its replacement.
We Took Three Cheap Hatchbacks on a Road Trip to Find the Ultimate College Car
Three bargain hatchbacks, one road trip, and a surprising winner that still holds up better than you'd expect. Frank MarkusWriterDavid FreersPhotographerJul 22, 2026 Let’s say you’ve got what it takes to go to college (money). For your high-school graduation present, your parents—who love you very much but are looking forward to some peace and quiet once you’re safely ensconced in a dorm many hours away—have offered to buy you a set of wheels.
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