Head 2 Head

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, join MOTOR TREND Senior Features Editors Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman to find out if Chevy’s 2017 Camaro LT 1LE can beat on the BMW M2 the way its V-8 big brother defeated the M4. For the first time ever, Chevy is offering the 1LE elite track package on its six-cylinder Camaro. The 1LE is no slouch, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, thanks to the 335hp, 7,000-rpm V-6 under its matte black hood. The BMW M2 is more similar than you may think—a handling-focused rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-cylinder. Its twin-turbo straight-six produces 30 more horsepower, enough for a blazing 4.4-second run to 60 mph, but is that enough to justify the M2’s approximately $15,000 price premium?

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, we travel to the frozen, snow-covered Bridgestone Winter Driving School to test two high-performance SUVs. MOTOR TREND Senior Features Editors Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman pit the Porsche Macan GTS against the Jaguar F-Pace S in a series of handling and acceleration challenges. Rumor has it that Jaguar delayed the F-Pace’s introduction until it was a worthy competitor of the spectacular Macan, so we find out how it stacks up. Each vehicle has a forced-induction 3.0L V-6 and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. Which is better? There’s only one way to find out.

The world’s quickest sedans battle it out on this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack. The Audi RS7 and Tesla Model S have nearly identical silhouettes and are within 0.2 inch in length. They’re both all-wheel-drive, four-door, hatchback sedans with an eye toward luxury and supercar-taunting powertrains. The RS7 was the quickest four-door car MOTOR TREND had ever tested, but the Performance model adds 55 more horsepower for a total of 605 hp from its 4.0L twin-turbo V-8. The Tesla Model S P90D was even quicker, and now the P100D with Ludicrous Plus proves to be even more speedy. It is, in fact, the quickest-accelerating vehicle MOTOR TREND has ever tested—ever. MOTOR TREND Senior Features Editors Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman get the two über-sedans together to see which world’s quickest sedan is better. This episode includes a special appearance by the fastest gasoline-powered car you can buy today, the 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S, and a whole lot of horse manure.

Wondering if a Miata can beat a Hellcat? Then this Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack is for you. This is an epic battle between two of the best sports cars on sale today. Yep, you read that correct: the Miata and 86 are real sports cars in the traditional sense, focusing on the driving experience rather than delivering outright speed. MOTOR TREND Senior Features Editors Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman take to the backroads to decide whether the new Targa-topped, retractable hardtop Miata is more fun than the new, updated BRZ, err… FR-S… err… GT-86, err…86. Then, they head to the racetrack where they’re joined by SCCA Hall of Fame race car driver Randy Pobst. After he sets a lap time for each car, we see whether a 707hp Dodge Charger Hellcat can beat either of the two cars—despite having more than double the horsepower of a Miata and 86 combined. You may be surprised by the outcome, but to find out which is the best sports car, you’ll have to watch this episode of Head 2 Head.

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman explore the burgeoning segment of mid-grade performance machines. Way back in Episode 67, the then-brand-new Jaguar XE beat the once-dominant BMW 335i to capture the crown. In terms of pure driving joy, Jag had Bimmer’s number. But there’s a new AMG in town, and the boys can’t even agree on whether or not it’s a “real” one. On the one hand, 12 months ago, the essentially unchanged C43 was sold as a non-AMG C450 4Matic. On the other, in terms of acceleration, the C43 barrels down a dragstrip like a real AMG. Acceleration notwithstanding, is the C43 good enough to stick it to the subtle, lithe, lively Jaguar? There’s only one way to find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman take a hard, smoky look at the latest battle in a war that began 50 years ago. In 1967, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro to do battle against Ford’s hugely popular Mustang. The ponycar war has been raging ever since. While there have been fantastic Mustangs and Camaros for generations, there have never been two quite like these. In the white corner sits the most powerful Camaro ever. Kicking out a stonking 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, the supercharged Camaro is capable of both humbling supercars and the greatest burnouts we’ve ever seen. The Shelby is down on power but is up on magic. Also able to embarrass cars costing two or three (or four/five) times as much, the GT350R has something special going on. Which of these two performance giants is the current king of the ponycar? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jonny Lieberman and Randy Pobst examine two of the highest performing vehicles on sale today, and they’re both called GT-Rs. Or is that GT Rs? From Nissan comes the Nismo version of its long-running supercar. Power is unchanged for 2017—still a healthy 600 hp—but structurally, the body in white has been strengthened. This seemingly simple change pays huge dividends in terms of overall performance and is in line with Nissan’s mantra of gradual improvement. The AMG GT R, on the other hand, is pretty radical compared to the regular-strength GT S. Power is way up, the front and rear tracks are wider, the torque tube is carbon fiber, the gears in the twin clutch are different, the body is flared, and the exhaust, front splitter, side skirts, and carbon-fiber rear wing are brand-new. Let’s not forget the four-wheel steering. Each of these monsters was created to do damage to the Nürburgring, but how will they do in the twisted canyons of Southern California, as well as a slightly less formidable racetrack? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, hosts Jonny Lieberman and Randy Pobst take a look at two entry-level convertible supercars, the Audi R8 V10 Spyder and the Porsche Turbo Cabriolet. These are the base versions. The brakes are steel, the engines are in a relatively relaxed state of tune, and the suspensions have been dialed down a notch or two. Still, with each convertible pumping out 540 hp and sporting seven-speed, dual-clutch transmissions that send power to all four wheels, these two aren’t exactly no frills. Pobst and Lieberman put the two through their paces, on a winding open road and a racetrack. Which superconvertible is best? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jonny Lieberman and brand-new host Jethro Bovingdon head to Wales to have a look at new versions of two of the most legendary high-performance coupes around, the AMG C63 and Audi RS5. When these two first battled on Head 2 Head four years ago, the mighty Merc’s superior feel was enough to overcome the Audi’s performance advantage. This time out, both cars have gained twin turbochargers and shrunk in displacement, but the Audi has lost two cylinders. Can the V-6–powered RS5 hope to beat up on or even keep up with the V-8 AMG coupe? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jonny Lieberman and new cohost Jethro Bovingdon go on the ultimate gearhead road trip in Germany and Austria—from Autobahns with no speed limit to the wild Nürburgring race circuit, and finally a mountain pass that climbs to a stunning glacier. The contenders? Well, it had to be the two iconic German sports cars: the BMW M4 and Porsche 911. The brand-new M4 CS is lighter, more powerful, and more focused, but can it really compete with the brilliant 911 GTS? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jethro Bovingdon and Jonny Lieberman head to Spain to sample two of the finest grand touring cars in existence, the new Aston DB11 and the big LC from Lexus. Back during 2017’s Best Driver’s Car competition, the Lexus shocked the MOTOR TREND staff as a credible driver’s car. The Aston? Not so much, with the V12-powered DB11 garnering a last-place vote. However, this time out, the DB11 is packing an AMG-built twin-turbo V8, 253 fewer pounds, and a reworked suspension. Will the sharp-looking Japanese luxury cruiser deliver more GT thrills than the handsome Brit at half the price? Watch and find out!

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jethro Bovingdon and Jonny Lieberman head to Spain to sample two of the finest grand touring cars in existence, the new Aston DB11 and the big LC from Lexus. Back during 2017’s Best Driver’s Car competition, the Lexus shocked the MOTOR TREND staff as a credible driver’s car. The Aston? Not so much, with the V12-powered DB11 garnering a last-place vote. However, this time out, the DB11 is packing an AMG-built twin-turbo V8, 253 fewer pounds, and a reworked suspension. Will the sharp-looking Japanese luxury cruiser deliver more GT thrills than the handsome Brit at half the price? Watch and find out!