TE37 Volks on S2000
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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I completely forgot about this beauty. If you remember, it’s Dut's S2000 posing on Volks TE37.
Ford And Microsoft Are Hohm-ies
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The car above is the Ford Focus Electric. Ford and Microsoft say it will be the first of many vehicles to use Microsoft's new technology, Hohm.
The news release begins thus:
Imagine a future where your garage is smart enough to tell your car when the least expensive time is to charge your plug-in electric vehicle. Where, based on settings that you can adjust from a laptop or smartphone, you could optimize the energy efficiency of your home appliances, lights, air conditioning or heating and, maybe most importantly, your car.
If that's intriguing to you, you can read the entire news release here.
If it's slightly troubling, you can read what Bob Lutz said this morning here.
Lutz: Americans Won't Be Driving In 30 Years
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General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, an auto show floor and reporters are always a recipe for a good quote. But this is one we could have gone forever without hearing.
"Maximum Bob" told reporters at the New York International Auto Show today that Americans won't be driving themselves 30 years from now...the cars will do it for them. Read it yourself at The Detroit News.
Mazda 6 Diesel: 43 MPG Highway?
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Mazda's CEO is telling The Detroit News that its new diesel engine will get hybrid-like numbers "without any electrification."
As in 43 MPG highway in the 2012 Mazda 6.
Full story here.
2011 Chevrolet Volt: First One Built
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The first "manufacturing validation" example of the Chevrolet Volt electric car went down the assembly line earlier this week.
The Detroit News reports that several hundred more will be built for evaluation and testing before production of for-sale cars begins this fall.
2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible Unveiled At NY Auto Show
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More pulse-quickening stuff from the New York International Auto Show as Bentley showcases the 2011 Continental Supersports Convertible.
The juicy details: Twin-turbo W12 with 621 horsepower that can run on both gasoline and E85 bioethanol.
0-60: 3.9 seconds.
0-100: 9.6 seconds.
Top speed: 202 mph. It's 198 pounds lighter than the Continental GTC Speed model.
And the Supersports Convertible features a "unique, driver-focused cabin".
For you? $280,400.
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Unveiled At New York Auto Show
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An oxymoron died today.
The one that pairs "station wagon" with "lust".
Behold the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon.
556 horsepower from a 6.2-liter V8.
Six speed transmission. Manual or automatic, you pick.
Magnetic ride control, Brembo brakes, dual 3-inch exhausts.
And that's where you get to sit. Perforated sueded 14-way adjustable microfiber seats, a Bose 5.1 surround system with a 40 gig hard drive....
Full details in the official GM Media release here.
Toyota, Police Investigating New Unintended Acceleration Claim
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76 year old Myrna Marseille of Wisconsin was parking her 2009 Toyota Camry at the local YMCA when she says it accelerated suddenly...into the Y's wall.
She insists her foot was on the brake, not on the gas.
Toyota tells WISN-TV it's investigating. Potentially helpful...the Sheboygan Falls Police Department is right across the parking lot from the Y....and has security cameras that may have caught the entire event.
Mugen CRX Del Sol
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I’m not a big Del Sol fan, but this one has got magic on me. All the best goodies, from Mugen MF8 rims, Mugen seats, to Takata Green harness. Reminds me very much on Mugenized Integra I posted some time ago. List of candies is probably rich for both of them, Mugen all the way! DelSol powered by K20 unit, which is of course the ultimate Honda’s engine at this time.
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Review
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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Ignorance is bliss.
During my week in the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, I was won over...the user-friendliness, utility and ease of driving erased misgivings I had about the materials inside being a cut or so below that of a Honda Odyssey.
It was delivered without a window sticker, so I checked the Dodge website. Base price $27,825. Reasonable, bordering on a bargain.
I knew it was loaded...but I didn't realize how loaded until I asked for a copy of the sticker. This minivan had more than $13,000 in options...jacking the bottom line all the way up to $41,385. No longer reasonable nor a bargain.
Well, Swivel 'n Go, which allows the second-row captain's chairs to turn and face the third row, with a stowable table between (just like the old VW vans) was novel and a hit with the kids, but it has its drawbacks...in order to give the driver and front passenger legroom and maximum distance from the airbags, the second row seats have to slide on their tracks toward the rear of the van...and then there's not much legroom for the four people face-to-face. We found that out with two tall teenage boys one afternoon. This car had about $725 worth of Swivel 'n Go related options, so I'd uncheck that option box.
But the biggest expense is the electronics extravaganza...a combination of uconnect (Dodge's cellular phone interface), navigation, an upgraded Infinity audio system (506 watts and nine speakers) with hard disc drive, a rear-seat entertainment system (DVD player and two screens, one for the second row and one for the third)and Sirius Satellite TV for live TV on the move (hope you like Disney Channel, Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network...they're the only channels it gets). All those together add up to $3500 worth of options.
Now, some of that (I'm a sucker for a good stereo and believe hands-free cellular communications should be standard equipment) is worth keeping...but Dodge's website doesn't make it look like they're in the a la carte option business anymore. It might not be possible to option one just they way I want it.
That's not unusual in the car business. The Japanese have been doing it that way for years, it reduces complexity and cost, and right now that's something Dodge's parent company Chrysler (and any American automaker, for that matter) need to do.
But it does mean that it's not easy to get a well-equipped (but not overloaded) $35,000 minivan instead of a $41,000 one...and once the Grand Caravan starts to lose the value argument, the other choices (Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna) begin to seem like smarter buys.
UPDATE: Recently had a 2010 Grand Caravan SXT and there's some good news. For beginners, base price has actually dropped to $26,730. The interior is marginally nicer than last years...no real revisions...just feels like the suppliers improved materials a quarter-notch.
But best of all, the option packages are re-worked. This one managed leather, Swivel 'n Go, a premium group including iPod controls and an upgrade to a 500-watt, 9-speaker Infinity audio system, 3-zone climate control and the 4.0 liter 6 for $34,100 after destination charges. And Dodge has a 4.0 liter engine discount of $630 (essentially making it free), so the bottom line ended up at $33,470.
That makes a lot more sense than $41,000 for the first one...and makes a favorable comparison with the VW Routan (same van, different styling and interior touches). Still, it ended up $1,200 more than the comparably-equipped Routan we tested(the Routan doesn't offer Swivel n'Go)..and we'd probably buy the Routan.
But this is likely all academic...we're about a week away from time in the new Toyota Sienna....rumored to be close to a game-changer.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Build In May, Sell In July
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The product drought is coming to an end for Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers. The 2011 Grand Cherokee begins production in May and should begin arriving in showrooms by July.
2011 Nissan Juke
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The smaller-than-a-Rogue Nissan Juke crossover got its official auto show introduction in Geneva a few weeks ago, but Nissan put on on display in New York Tuesday night ahead of the Wednesday opening of the New York International Auto Show.
Automotive News was there.
Nissan Leaf Orders Begin April 20; Price $25,280 With Tax Credit
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Nissan says it will begin taking North American orders for its electric vehicle, the Leaf, on April 20.
The New York Times reports the sticker will be $32,780, but a federal tax credit gets it down to $25,280...which pretty well puts it head-to-head with the Toyota Prius.
There's also a $2,000 charger, but a federal tax credit will reimburse half of that cost.
100 MPH+ In An Oldsmobile Bravada. Shots Fired. Just Another Day In L.A.
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The CHP spots an Oldsmobile Bravada on I-15 near Cajon Pass, runs the plate and finds out the car is wanted in connection with an attempted murder in Indiana. And the chase is on...all the way to Universal Studios....with gunfire in stopped traffic...innocent motorists mere feet away.
Full story from the Los Angeles Times (with different video from KTLA).
CHP Officer On Mulholland: "Go Ahead, Make My Day." Motorcyclist Obliges.
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Really kinda speaks for itself, doesn't it?
NASA To Help Investigate Unintended Acceleration
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Gee, maybe it is rocket science.
Despite decades of experience and data indicating that the vast majority of unintended acceleration incidents fully investigated end up being cases of drivers standing on the gas instead of the brake, the Obama administration has decided to launch not one, but two investigations...one by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the help of The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the other by The National Academy of Sciences...to get to the bottom of the unintended acceleration incidents that have been plaguing Toyota and other manufacturers.
How long? 15 months.
How much? $3 million.
370Z bodykit by Zele performance
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Actually one of the best styled body kits for Nissan 370Z I have seen so far. Not too hard, but still aggressive enough. Bumpers, side skirts + carbon fiber front lip and rear spoiler for complete perfection.
Check out Zele performance for more Fairlady Z34 parts!
NSFW (Not Safe For Work) Safe Driving Promos
Monday, March 29, 2010
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If you told me the above was a documentary about what's behind a lot of sudden acceleration claims from Toyota Prius drivers, I wouldn't argue.
But it's actually one of several safe driving spots from Australia, targeting young, distracted drivers and being just a bit rude to cut through the clutter. See the rest here.
Lincoln Hybrid MKZ Unveil At NYC Auto Show
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Lexus is rolling out the hybrids, so why not Lincoln? Expect an announcement this week at the New York Auto Show that there will be a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Not that big a stretch, really...given that the MKZ is a derivative of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, both of which have hybrid models. We loved the Milan Hybrid...but will the MKZ be different enough to justify the Lincoln price tag?
The Detroit News talked to at least one analyst who isn't so sure. Story here.
Mazda To License Prius Hybrid Technology From Toyota
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You'll see Mazda hybrids on the street in 2013, but there'll be Toyota technology helping to power the new Mazda Sky engine.
Carbon Motors: All We Need Is Cash
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A week ago, BMW was telling us that it had landed a big deal with Carbon Motors to supply its purpose-built police cruiser, the E7, with six-cylinder diesel engines.
Today, Carbon Motors says it's all good...if the U.S. government loans it $310 million.
Story from Automotive News here.
China's Geely To "Liberate" Volvo
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It's a done deal. Volvo is now the property of Chinese automaker Geely, whose founder says Volvo is a "tiger" that needs to be "liberated".
Part of that "liberation" is wider distribution, and the production of 300,000 units a year in a Chinese factory.
Como fazer trilha
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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10 MANDAMENTOS DO TRILHEIRO
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