Brian Douglas

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Lifestyle Editor at Ranch & Coast Magazine

Publisher and Editor at autoeditor.com

Breaking news and views from the car guy.

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Articles

A captivating balance of performance and handling

3 weeks ago | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Just like two-seat sportscars, convertibles are nice halos for automakers, but there’s not much volume to help amortize development and manufacturing costs. In the luxury brand category, just BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus offer convertibles on our shores. Audi was a player until last year and Lexus has just one convertible, the six-figure LC500.
Toyota’s GR Supra carries the legacy forward

1 month ago | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Building a two-seat sportscar is not for the feint of heart. The market for these fun coupes and roadsters are either young enthusiasts who have not yet started a family, or empty nesters who have the wherewithal to acquire a “fun” second car. My apologizes if I’ve inadvertently left your demographic out. But the segment is always challenging for major automakers who like the scale of high volume.
Concours d’Elegance 2025: The Amelia escapes the weather for a splendid Concours

2 months ago | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

• A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, left, won Best of Show “Elegance” while Chris MacAllister’s Jim Clark-driven Lotus 49 F1 race car, right, captured Best in Show “Sport” at the Amelia Concours. Photo courtesy Deremer Studios A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, left, won Best of Show “Elegance” while Chris MacAllister’s Jim Clark-driven Lotus 49 F1 race car, right, captured Best in Show “Sport” at the Amelia Concours.
Genesis GV80: Power and luxury in a premium package

2 months ago | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Just 10 years ago, Hyundai Motor Group announced the Genesis luxury brand and launched its G90 flagship sedan. Not everyone thought that the newly aggressive South Korean automaker would succeed. The big-three German luxury marques Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were the market leaders. What’s more, nearly four decades ago, Honda launched its Acura brand, followed by Nissan’s Infiniti and Toyota’s Lexus. And America’s own Cadillac and Lincoln vehicles have served luxury buyers for more than a century.
Alfa Romeo’s Tonale Tributo Italiano

Dec 4, 2024 | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Regulators approve FPL storm costs Body Customers of Florida’s largest power company will see a bump of about $12 in monthly bills next year to cover restoration costs from the 2024 hurricane season. Administration gets Florida flavor Body President-elect Donald Trump looked to his adopted home state as he quickly started to fill in his administration, with Floridians drawing key appointments and some gasps.
GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate: Defining luxury

Dec 2, 2024 | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Not very long ago, I reviewed GMC’s Sierra Denali 1500 pickup, and since its MSRP was an eye-popping $87,385 with options, I assumed this was about all one could lavish on a truck — at least when powered by petrol. But the GMC premium brand offers more. A Sierra EV Denali will set you back at least $98,400, and if you’re toting additional disposable income, GMC’s electric Hummer starts purring at $108,650. Few owners will haul yard waste in one of these fancy critters.
GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate - Defining Luxury

Nov 26, 2024 | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Not very long ago, I reviewed GMC’s Sierra Denali 1500 pickup and since its MSRP was an eye popping $87,385 with options, I assumed this was about all one could lavish on a truck- at least when powered by petrol. But the GMC premium brand offers more. A Sierra EV Denali will set you back at least $98,400 and if you’re toting additional disposable income, GMC’s electric Hummer starts purring at $108,650. Few owners will haul yard waste in one of these fancy critters.
Concept and production cars unveiled at the 2024 Monterey Car Week — Ranch & Coast Magazine

Sep 9, 2024 | ranchandcoast.com | Brian Douglas

Print Title "Unveiling Automotive Magic"Published Monday, September 9, 2024 Image Credits Courtesy Photography The annual Monterey Car Week is heavily populated with wonderful vintage vehicles, some racing at Laguna Seca and others preening on manicured lawns. But the legendary car gathering also includes the unveiling of concept and production cars that were once the focus of major car shows.
Terminally Cool | News-Leader, Fernandina Beach Florida

Aug 3, 2024 | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

Pot initiative pulls in $313M Body A political committee leading efforts to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow use of recreational marijuana raised $313,566 from July 6 through July 12 and had about $12.6 million in ca Trump chooses Vance over Rubio for VP Body Former President Donald Trump on Monday bypassed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in making his vice-presidential pick, averting what could have been a major change in Florida’s political landscape.
Hyundai’s new stylish Santa Fe

Jun 27, 2024 | fbnewsleader.com | Brian Douglas

For just a moment or two, I thought the press fleet team had delivered a Range Rover instead of the Hyundai Santa Fe I was scheduled to evaluate. Later, a neighbor volunteered the same opinion. The similarity of the shape and persona of the two different brands caused me to recall the story of the press introduction in 1975 for the new Cadillac Seville, when GM’s legendary chief designer Bill Mitchell was asked if he “borrowed” the sharply creased rear roof line from Mercedes-Benz.