Meet the Equus Bass770, born from a passion for genuine 1960s and ‘70s muscle cars. It brings the best of both worlds with luxury and performance and ties it into one perfect 21st-century package. This is a brand-new muscle car complete with old-school styling. 

The interior cabin is entirely leather wrapped by hand with tastefully chosen pelts, and delicately highlighted by bright metal accents. A living collection of elegant colors, materials and finishing are developed by our designers in order to fulfill your wildest dreams for your EQUUS BASS770.

 Featuring many of the styling elements of iconic cars from the sixties, the 2014 Equus Bass 770 is a completely new take on classic American muscle packed with a lot of today’s automobile technology. The car’s most noticeable design influence is clearly the sloping lines of the Fastback Mustang, but there are some hints of past Camaros and Challengers as well. 

The body is also dressed to impress, covered with innovative aluminum sheet metal entirely lined with carbon fiber. This helps keep the body solid, but still keeps it lightweight and lively. Stopping power is provided by carbon ceramic Brembo brakes. When it comes to handling, the Bass770 features Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Performance Traction Management, Active Handling System, Traction Control and variable-ratio power steering.

READ MORE - 2014 Equus Bass770 Review

As the above image showcases, this particular prototype seems to be sporting a convertible roof. However, the photographer believes this could just be a ploy from Chevrolet to fool keen-eyed carparazzi from mistaking it as nothing more than the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible. 

Little is known about the next-gen Z06, but rumor has it the range-topping Vette is scheduled to arrive for the 2016 model year wearing a Z07 badge. Updates will include a sportier suspension, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin tires, while the tweaked V8 engine is expected to deliver 600 HP via a Tremec TR-6070 seven-speed manual.

 Motivation for the Z07 will be provided by a small block V8, but look for displacement to shrink compared to the standard car's 6.2L LT1. But power freaks need not worry the Z07's smaller V8 will be paired with a couple of turbos, resulting in a final output of about 600 horsepower.

 A model closer in specs figures with the upcoming Corvette Stingray Z07 is the recently launched 458 Speciale. The Italian supercar features the same 4.5-liter V-8 powerplant from the base 458 Italia, but tricked to deliver a total of 596 horsepower. With the extra power, the 458 Special will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only three seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

READ MORE - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z07 Review

The sporty Acura TSX and TSX Sport Wagon return for 2014 with minor changes. The base TSX with a 201-hp I4 comes with a five-speed automatic transmission for $31,530, including destination. That’s a $125 bump from last year. 

Speaking of the Technology Package, the option features an LED backlit full VGA navigation screen, rearview camera, Song By Voice (SBV) user interface, and the ability to download 15-gigabytes of personal music to the TSX’s hard disk drive. The TSX remains based on the European-market Honda Accord, but its style is nowhere near as pedestrian as the U.S. model of the same name. 

The TSX is aesthetically very appealing inside and out particularly in wagon form though it does have its low points. A "bionic beaver" snout still feels like an odd introduction from the front to what's otherwise a crisply styled yet understated form. 

The dashboard is well laid out with independent controls in the center cluster for the audio and navigation system. Acura's control knob system was definitely superior to BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI when it debuted several years ago. However, the user interface is starting to get long in the tooth both visually and functionally. Newer designs from Ford, BMW and Audi have higher resolution screens and easier to navigate menu structures, but it still serves the purpose and serves it well.

READ MORE - 2014 Acura TSX Design

Kia has updated the Sportage compact crossover for the 2014 model year, which gets a new grille, an updated 2.4L four-cylinder and a few other upgrades. The Sportage's updated isn't a big change, but the bigger news is the updated base 2.4L four-cylinder, which is now more powerful thanks to the addition of direct injection.

 In the engine department, the crossover received a new 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder unit. The direct-injected powerplant was already on offer, but now it offers an extra 6 HP and 9 lb-ft (12 Nm) of torque, delivering a total of 182 HP and 177 lb-ft (239 Nm). The unit works with a six-speed automatic and, in front-wheel drive configuration, returns an efficiency of 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. 

In the interior the new Sportage R uses 4.2 inches color TFT LCD super vision cluster like in the latest Kia models (like in the K5), Flex Steer system with three Driving Modes (ECO, Normal and Sport). More details included are new alloy wheels design, an sporty package for the 2.0 T-GDi version (take a look to the blue Sportage pictures), front and rear heated seats (and also front ventilated seats), new sound system with 4,3 TFT LCD, UVO eServices, Tyre-pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), heated steering wheel, rear air vents, Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS). 

Speaking of standard features, the 2014 Sportage also gets a new tilt and telescopic steering column, rear ventilation and reclining outboard seats, on all trim levels. The mid-rage EX models also come with heated front seats, Infinity Premium Audio, auto-dimming mirror with Homelink and heated outside mirrors. Meanwhile, an available Premium package adds ventilated front seats, navigation with SiriusXM TrafficTM, leather-trimmed seats, panoramic sunroof, smart key with push button start, and power-folding outside mirrors.

READ MORE - 2014 Kia Sportage Facelift New Design

The GMC Yukon gets updated powertrains, new fold-flat rear seats, and a trimmer new look for the 2015 model year, following a year after the truck brand's complete renovation of its Sierra 1500 pickup truck.

The new big SUVs are slated for showrooms first quarter next year as 2015 models. A 5.3-liter V-8 is standard in all but the Yukon Denali models, which get a 6.2-liter V-8 rated 420 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque. 

Direct-injection EcoTec3 engines contribute to that effort, as well. For now, Suburbans and Tahoes get a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. That's up 35 hp and 20 lb-ft over the 5.3-liter in the 2013 models of the trucks. The standard Yukon and Yukon XL get that same 5.3-liter, but step up to the Yukon Denali and you'll enjoy a 420-hp, 540-lb-ft 6.2-liter V8. All models share a six-speed automatic transmission. 

Such a long model cycle makes sense once you live a few weeks in the life of one of these luxury trucks. For most of the Tahoe’s and Sub’s out there, the key mantra really is Like a Rock. Just get the basics so right that buyers will forgive the shiny and nasty leathers, previous purple-power colored plastic interiors, and a thirst for fuel like a Nascar fan slamming morning beers in the infield.

 The interiors of the Chevy and GMC SUVs have been updated, as well. The prior Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon have never featured fold-flat third-row seats - just fold-and-flip seats – but all three now come standard with fold-flat second- and third-row seats, which can be equipped with an optional power-folding feature. Second-row passengers also get two inches more leg room. Multiple USB ports and power outlets are littered throughout their interiors, including one 110-volt, three-prong outlet. The Yukon also includes SD card slots.

READ MORE - New 2015 GMC Yukon Denali