Heels and Wheels: How an industry group brings together women who love cars
From minivans to sports cars.
Boston.com Cars is your go-to resource for coverage of local car news, events, and reviews. In the market for a car or truck? Check out our new car specials and used car specials curated by our local dealer network.Car companies regularly hold events to show off their latest models, but they’re generally not targeted specifically at women. It’s not unusual for the average first drive of a new vehicle to have only a few women journalists in attendance. Despite playing a big part in the purchase of new cars, women still have a small voice the media coverage of those cars.That’s where Heels and Wheels, a networking group for women journalists covering the automotive industry, comes in. Christine Overstreet, a public relations professional in Portland, launched the group and a series of associated events back in 2011. “I would look around at launch events and see women in the back, afraid to come forward and ask questions,” Overstreet said. “Hosting women every other year gives us all a place to ask the questions we want to ask, and try out cars how we will use them in our lives as moms, as business owners — as whatever our life path determines is our specific need.”The 2017 event gathered 22 women from across the country for a day of driving in Portland, Ore. The mix of attendees was eclectic with traditional journalists, lifestyle bloggers, photographers, and videographers each united by their common interest in cars.
2017 Nissan Rogue Sport: The city-sized crossover.
This year’s event featured a variety of vehicles, and no, they weren’t just family cars. Nissan had its new Rogue Sport, the younger sibling of the popular Rogue and Rogue hybrid crossovers. The Sport’s smaller dimensions make it perfect for urban dwellers who want the versatility of a crossover combined with city-friendly sizing, and it also comes with all-wheel drive.
The Chrysler Pacifica hybrid was also available for test drives. This minivan has room for seven passengers, a rear seat entertainment system, and outstanding fuel economy. The Pacifica boasts a 566-mile range that includes 33 miles of all-electric driving. It gets an estimated 84 MPGe, making endless errands and that summer road trip more affordable propositions.
A spin in the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack proved today’s wagons are a whole new breed of vehicle. Ready for the city or a weekend’s adventure in the Berkshires, the Golf Alltrack features a peppy 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It’s practical and fun with great styling and the flexibility to carry passengers or plenty of cargo.
As for sporting vehicles, the Range Rover Evoque convertible offers a luxurious way to soak in the sun. It’s also a convertible that won’t pale at the site of snow with the four-wheel-drive capability that’s a hallmark of the brand. The Jaguar F-Type SVR attracted plenty of attention, too. It’s not in any way practical, but with gorgeous styling, a luxurious interior, and a 575-horsepower engine, practicality doesn’t even figure into the equation. The Lexus LC 500 hybrid combined its sports car fun with the environmental responsibility of a hybrid and was equally adored.
The crown jewel of the event had to be the Aston Martin DB11, with its style, powerful V12 engine, and hand-stitched leather interior. Even though the iconic brand is widely known for its association with James Bond, the Heels and Wheels crowd found it pretty spectacular, too.
Nicole Wakelin is a contributor to BestRide.com and CarGurus.com; she can be reached on Twitter @NicoleWakelin.
