Works VS-XX on Lexus IS-F

Posted by kopok Sunday, February 28, 2010 0 comments

V.I.P. Lexus IS-F showing off on the parking lot. Those attractive 3 piece Work VS-XX rims seem to go just perfect along with luxury coupes and sedans. Definitely one of the top choices for Lexus IS-F although gold ones would look better I think:)

Work VS-XX Lexus IS-F Lexus IS-F Work VS-XX

Impreza STI + EVO on snow

Posted by kopok Saturday, February 27, 2010 0 comments

Subaru Impreza STI vs. EVO 8 in their natural environment.

Finally winter time is running out, at least in my city. I envy owners of AWD cars, especially Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi EVO owners, who probably had so much fun during the winter. With my fwd EG6 on snow, I can just drive slower than my grandma on Sundays.

I hope you all had fun this winter and I wish I join AWD club sometime soon in a few years:)

It’s a question that never ends, but which one goes with your your style?

EVO VIII snow Impreza STI snow

Consumer Reports Best American Cars For 2010

Posted by kopok Friday, February 26, 2010 0 comments

Consumer Reports does a lot of things differently (like not accepting advertising, buying the cars they test). And one of them is creating a separate list of Top Picks from American car companies.

Well, this year's list is out now...and it's a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Chevy/GMC/Cadillac list. Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep are nowhere to be found. For that matter, Buick is MIA.

Interestingly, the editors couldn't recommend an American vehicle in the "family hauler" category.

NHTSA Buys "Possessed" Lexus; Will Test

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One day after disclosing that Rhonda Smith sold the car (today's clarification from NHTSA: traded it to a Toyota dealer) after what she called a "near-death" experience and that a family has put 27,000 trouble-free miles on the vehicle since then (something that no one mentioned during Tuesday's hearing), the NHTSA has written that family a check and taken possession (pardon the pun) of the vehicle. They plan to test it.

Toyota Accused Of Withholding Test And Design Data

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The chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform accused Toyota on Friday of withholding relevant documents when fighting lawsuits filed by crash victims.


Impreza WRX on Works

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Impreza WRX on Work VS-XX rims. Really special rims for JDM monster.

Impreza Work VS-XX

Mithubishi ASX

Posted by kopok Thursday, February 25, 2010 0 comments
Les presento el nuevo modelo de Mithubishi ASX. Este modelo que se comercializará en Europa, con un motor de 1.8 y 6 velocidades. Será presentado en el mes de marzo en Ginebra y se espera que sea un éxito en ventas.

Tendrá un precio bastante accesible, de 19.500 dólares en su versión más económica, y 27.000 dólares la más completa.






"Possessed" Lexus Still On The Road...27,000 Trouble-Free Miles Later

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If that were your car, what would you do?

The Wall Street Journal (sub required...comments can be read free) reports that Rhonda Smith sold it...and another family has been driving it since.

That's right. Not  "demanded Toyota replace it under the Lemon Law".

Not "parked it and sued Toyota for its replacement cost".

We need to know just how that went down, I think. Trade it in and let the dealer work out the ethics? Craigslist? eBay? A close friend or neighbor?

And Rhonda? She needs to head right back to Capitol Hill, sit down in front of that committee, under oath, and give a word-by-word description of just how that transaction went down.

I mean, what do you say? "3,000 miles, creampuff, only tried to kill me once"?

"It's to die for?"

"Once you drive it, you'll never stop?"

Did she show them the CarFax?

Rhonda Smith's testimony is that she really believed she was going to die in that car.  The fact that she would then sell it to another human being (even a dealer trade assumes it will end up being driven by someone again) raises questions about whether her testimony was, in fact, true.

As does the fact that the new owners have put 27,000 miles on the ES350 trouble-free.

And where was this fact in Tuesday's hearing? Nowhere. Not mentioned by a single member of the committee, by Toyota Motor Sales USA president Jim Lentz and certainly not by Rhonda Smith.

In this week's Memo From Michael, I make the argument that we don't know enough about what's causing the Toyota incidents to accuse dead or injured drivers of incompetence.

Mrs. Smith is alive and wasn't hurt. The sale of the vehicle opens questions about her actions on the road that day, and the veracity of her testimony Tuesday.

Skyline battle

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R34 GTR vs R32 GTR in a battle. Icons of JDM “heavyweight” boosted monsters, legends of tuning industry since 1989, the start of first R32 Skyline production:)

r34 vs r32 GTR

Photo Radar Tickets: 62% Unpaid In One State

Posted by kopok 0 comments

Desperate for money, city, county and state governments around the country are looking hard at anything that throws off cash with little or preferably no effort and manpower.

Which brings us to photo radar. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would like to change the law in his state that currently bans speed cameras (red-light cameras are legal in the Golden State), which he says could generate $338 million.

But...as The Los Angeles Times reports...$338 million in tickets doesn't necessarily means $338 million in fines paid.

Kegger At The Sierra Club: GM Kills Hummer

Posted by kopok Wednesday, February 24, 2010 0 comments

Automotive News (you can register for free) broke the story late Wednesday that Hummer is history. After two years on the block and a thisclose deal with a Chinese manufacturer, the deal just couldn't be done. GM says Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. Ltd. was "unable to complete the acquisition", and so they'll wind down the brand.

It's hard to remember now, but Hummer was white-hot when it first hit showrooms in the early '00s. Its peak sales year was 2006, when 71,524 of them found homes, largely in suburbia.  The economy in general and gas prices in particular slammed the brakes on...with only 9,046 sold last year.

FBI Raids Toyota Suppliers

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirms it raided the offices of three Toyota suppliers as part of an anti-trust investigation. Toyota itself says it wasn't contacted by authorities. Full details from the Los Angeles Times:

Toyoda To Obama: "Toyota Cars Are Safe"

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Toyota president Akio Toyoda told Congress today he takes full responsibility for the recall of millions of his company's cars, but that he would tell President Obama "Toyota cars are safe".


                          

This, in the same hearing where Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a deja vu moment linked to his February 3 testimony that owners should "stop driving" their Toyotas, only to retract it at the end of the hearing, told lawmakers the millions of recalled Toyotas "were not safe". As before, he amended his comments by saying the cars needed to be repaired and owners should consult their dealerships.

LaHood at times appeared to be in the hot seat to a greater degree than Toyoda, as members of the Congressional Oversight and Government Reform Committee probed to determine whether the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is doing its job  and whether the U.S. government's ownership stake in General Motors might affect equal treatment of automakers under its watch.

Impreza WRC brakes

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Nice presentation from Eurosport. What makes Impreza WRC better than stock Impreza STI? Most crucial are suspensions and brakes. Those steel brakes are worth of gold.

Live Video Streaming and Blogging of Toyota/Toyoda Testimony

Posted by kopok Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0 comments

The Lede, The New York Times News Blog, will be providing live blogging and MSNBC live video streaming of Toyota president Akio Toyoda's testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as well as other testimony and discussion Wednesday. 

Click here to follow.  There's also commercial-free, break-free video streaming available from C-SPAN.

Hyundai Halts Sales of 2011 Sonata Over Door Lock Issues

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5,000 of the vehicles, which arrived in showrooms 2 weeks ago, are in the U.S. and so far, only about 1,300 in buyers' hands.

Parts will reach dealers beginning tomorrow and Hyundai says the sales halt will end as soon as repairs to models in stock are made.

Lentz to Congress: Recall May "Not Totally" Solve Problem

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Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday, Toyota Motor Sales USA president Jim Lentz told lawmakers the gas pedal recall affecting millions of the company's vehicles may not solve the problem.

Lentz said the company is still investigating the problem, including the possibility that the electronics system may be at fault.

Also testifying today, United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who told the committee the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has found no evidence of electronics issues and believes floor mats and sticky pedals pose the greatest threat.

And the committee heard the testimony of Rhonda Smith, who says her Lexus sedan sped out of control for six minutes, reaching 100 miles an hour in 2006.  Mrs. Smith called Toyota's response to her complaint "a farce."

There was an emotional moment as Lentz mentioned that he had lost his brother in an automobile accident 26 years ago. His voice breaking, he told lawmakers "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of what these families go through."

Volk TE37 on NSX

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I’m buried in work these days,almost no spare time left for blogging, but I try my best lol :)

Shiny Acura NSX with white TE37 Volks just for you. Enjoy!

NSX white Volk TE37 red NSX Volk TE37

Tomorrow's News Today: Akio Toyoda's Prepared Testimony Released

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The House of Representatives seems to be running ahead of schedule...at least when it comes to testimony. It released Toyota Motor Sales USA President Jim Lentz' Tuesday testimony to the media late Monday...but we know what Akio Toyoda will say Wednesday at lunchtime on the west coast today.

Consumer Reports Issues Automaker Report Card; Suspends Recommendations For Recalled Toyota Models

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It's report card day at Consumer Reports...Hyundai and Ford are happy. Toyota? A mixed bag. But the Prius keeps its Recommended status. Read the results here.

Lentz: Toyota "Didn't Live Up To The High Standards Our Customers Expect"

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The Detroit News has published an advance copy of Toyota Motor Sales USA President Jim Lentz' remarks before a Congressional committee today, as well as those of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Lentz says the company has "taken too long to come to grips with a rare but serious set of safety issues."

Chrysler/Dodge Minivan Airbag Recall

Posted by kopok 0 comments

312,000 model year 2005 and 2006 Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans are being recalled.

The airbag sensors can crack, water can get inside and then the airbags don't work as designed.

Read the recall notice here.

Not too comforting...the actual recalling and repair doesn't start until June.

VIDEO: University Professor Induces Unintended Acceleration In Toyota Avalon With ABC's Brian Ross At The Wheel

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Southern Illinois University professor David Gilbert says a short-circuit can cause the cars to accelerate suddenly and not leave a trace in the car's fault codes.



Toyota's response? Click here.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Yas Eagle

Posted by kopok Monday, February 22, 2010 0 comments
Si en algún lugar del mundo nadan en lana, es en el Golfo Pérsico, pues hay tanto petróleo como arena… y si nos apuran, tienen la misma dosis de gusto cuestionable, por decir lo menos. Pero eso no detiene a Rolls-Royce de complacer cada capricho que salga de la región.




Y los entendemos, al fin y al cabo tienen que vender coches y no hay muchos compradores de coches de 200 mil dólares. Por eso es que el Rolls-Royce Phantom Yas Eagle, construido para celebrar la llegada de la Formula 1 a la región, con el Gran Premio de Abu Dhabi.





El kit puedes pedirlo en cualquiera de las versiones del Phantom: sedán, coupé y convertible. Consiste en una pintura bitono blanco con azul cobalto, interiores en piel de pitufo y diablo, paneles de madera y tapetes azules, panel de instrumentos blancos y doscientas sandeces más.



Fuente: Maxituning

JDM vs EUDM CTR

Posted by kopok 0 comments

Another comparison of JDM and EUDM Civic Type R. This time from Best Motoring, the real experts.

FN2 vs FD2, it you watched Fifth Gear comparison of that 2 cars, you know the winner already.

Toyota's Hired Gun

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When Toyota goes to Capitol Hill this week, or before a federal grand jury at a date to be announced,  they won't be walking in alone.

The Los Angeles Times has a profile of the U.S. company Toyota has hired in hopes of disproving claims that their cars are capable of unintended acceleration caused by electronic throttles.

Previous clients? Exxon (Valdez), NASA (Challenger), FEMA (Oklahoma City federal building bombing) and at least one of Toyota's competitors (Ford).

Toyota: Records Subpoenaed by U.S. Grand Jury, Requested by SEC

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Toyota announced today that it received a subpoena for documents related to unintended acceleration and braking issues which prompted its huge recall from a federal grand jury (southern District of New York).

Date they got that subpoena? February 8.

As in two weeks ago today.

This, of course, is a big fat hairy deal...and Toyota should know it. If the grand jury doesn't like what it reads, the end result can be criminal charges.

A bit more recently, Toyota says it got a voluntary request from the Los Angeles office of the Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday (February 19) for related documents, including the company's disclosure policies.

Document: Toyota Saved $100 Million By "Negotiating" Sudden Acceleration Recall With Feds

Posted by kopok 0 comments

Be careful what you put in writing. Dad probably told you that. But according to a report in this morning's Los Angeles Times, Toyota Motor Company execs put together a presentation in July, 2009 that talks about how the company saved $100 million by negotiating with the U.S. Government to limit a recall linked to sudden acceleration claims..from all vehicles possibly involved to 55,000 floor mats.

The Times also reports Toyota realized cost savings for delaying the implementation of a federal safety rule, stalling or mitigating safety regulations, and avoiding a government probe of a vehicle Toyota had issued a buyback program on.

Stand by for more. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has 50,000 documents in its posession from Toyota...and will get 5,000 more today from a former company counsel who says Toyota tried to hide evidence of safety defects from regulators and the public.

AE86 drifting x4

Posted by kopok Saturday, February 20, 2010 0 comments

What’s better than tripple AE86 drift? More of Toyota Hachirokus at once, the better it is, especially with hands up. I wonder how much repeats they had to take for this shot?

AE86 drifting x4

Como Economizar Gasolina

Posted by kopok Friday, February 19, 2010 0 comments
Como Economizar Gasolina

Não há como, toda vez que enchemos o tanque do carro ou moto o bolso sempre grita, mas para quem ainda não sabe existem algumas dicas que podem ajudar para economizar no consumo da gasolina. Antes de tudo é necessário que você meça a quantidade de combustível que seu carro ou moto consome, para isso, encha o tanque e coloque o hodômetro (equipamento destinado a medir a distância percorrida) do veículo, sendo que ao encher o tanque, assim verifique a quantidade de quilômetros percorreu e faça uma operação, isto é, divida a quantidade percorrida pela quantidade de litros gasto. Tome como exemplo: 250Km e 25 litros, resultando em 10Km por litro. Sabendo o consumo de seu carro ou moto no estado em que você dirige, é de grande importância para a economia de consumo de combustível seguir as dicas logo abaixo:

-Carga desnecessária: é indicado que você elimine o peso desnecessário do veículo, pois quanto mais pesado, mas você deverá que acelerar para alcançar a velocidade desejada, por isso, se livre das malas, malas, livros, brinquedos, ferramentas e o que mais for desnecessário. Pode não ocorrer uma melhora significativa, mas ajuda na economia.
-Pneus: sempre calibre os pneus do veículo pelo menos uma vez por semana ou se preferir toda vez que encher o tanque, sendo que é preciso saber a pressão ideal e para se informar a respeito, basta ler o manual do veículo.
-Limpeza: para quem sempre tem que estar viajando e em períodos longos, mantenha limpo e encerado o carro, pois segundo estudo nestas condições o veículo possui uma economia de pelo menos 7% graças a diminuição do atrito do veículo com o ar, assim aumenta-se a aerodinâmica.
-Transito lento: em um transito congestionado é indicado desligar o motor, caso permaneça mais de cinco minutos parado, pois o motor não terá que trabalhar evidentemente diminuirá o consumo.
-Marcha lenta: é indicado que o motorista utilize sempre marcha alta, principalmente quando viajar em velocidade média e permanente. Quando o veículo inicia a se mover é necessário ter maior força do motor, assim é preciso utilizar a primeira marcha, e quando o mesmo alcança uma determinada velocidade é indicado trocar de marchas até a maior sem que haja vibrações ou força desnecessária do motor. Assim, você necessitará apenas pressionar suavemente o acelerador fazendo com que o carro consuma menos gasolina.
-Ar condicionado: Em determinados trechos curtas de sua cidade ou relativamente com abaixa velocidade evite utilizar o ar condicionado, pois o uso deste aumenta cerca de 10% o consumo de combustível. Já em viagens longas e de estrada, é indicado que você não mantenha as janelas abertas para evitar a criação de uma resistência aerodinâmica e até mesmo uma turbulência no interior do automóvel que resultará no maior consumo de gasolina.
-Estilo de direção: é sempre recomendado dirigir com calma, principalmente se você estiver no transito lento ou na cidade, pois de nada irá adiantar dirigir velozmente, forçando o motor e consequentemente aumentando o consumo de gasolina, pois não adianta de nada acelerar e para na próxima esquina. As aceleradas violentas aumentam de forma exagerada o consumo de combustível do veículo e em curtas distâncias não haverá economia.

Dicas para dirigir moto no frio

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Dicas para dirigir moto no frio


Com o inverno os motociclistas são os que mais sofrem com as baixas temperaturas, entretanto, há os motociclistas que deixam a moto de lado e utilizam apenas o carro. Mas para aqueles que não contam com um segundo meio de transporte, é necessário ignorar o clima e continuar sem problemas a pilotar sua moto, driblando o frio sentindo-se confortável e seguro simultaneamente, com? Veja nossas dicas relacionadas a este tema.

Podendo ocasionar em uma série de problemas ao organismo quando em contato em tempos longos, o ar gelado, como lentidão de nas respostas do corpo tanto nas mãos quanto nos pés, prejudicando desta forma a pilotagem. Isso se deve a ausência de calor que faz naturalmente mantém os membros do organismo na temperatura estável. Além disso, o ar gelado pode trazer outras complicações como rinite e sinusite, e juntamente com a poluição em longo prazo problemas no quadro respiratório ocasionando em bronquite.

Quando resfriado o motociclista respirará apenas pela boca graças ao nariz entupido, e com isso, o ar gelado entra nos pulmões em baixa temperatura podendo ocasionar problemas sérios. Além disso, por causa do resfriado o motociclista embaçará a viseira graças a respiração pela boca, prejudicando assim a visibilidade. A dica é que você utilize equipamentos como parabrisa, protetores de mão, balaclava, roupas muito mais grossas e quentes, enfim, é preciso combater o frio o máximo possível para não ficar possivelmente de cama.

Volkswagen Golf TDI Review

Posted by kopok 0 comments

As good as the new Volkswagen Golf is...there are two three-letter combinations that can make it even better.

One is "GTI".

The other is "TDI".
                          

TDI is VW's clean diesel engine. And as much as we love it in the Jetta sedan,  it's a revelation in the new platform Golf.

It's the usual diesel attributes...tons of torque, excellent long-term prospects (diesels last longer) and killer mileage (the EPA says 30 city, 41 highway).


                       

And, in the Golf, VW moves to make TDI and "premium" synonymous. The base priceof $22,590 is $5,100 higher than the gasoline Golf...but the standard equipment level gets bumped up. As with the gasoline version, VW found only a few options left to put on it (Navigation, Sunroof, Cold Weather Package and Bluetooth connectivity)...running the bottom line with destination charge up to $26,514.

Ouch?

Yeah.

But do as I do...skip the $1,750 nav system...your cell phone or a portable GPS can do the job. Passing on that automatically kills the $199 charge for Bluetooth connectivity (get an earpiece). Though my wife disagrees, I've always thought sunroofs were overrated, a distraction and an unnecessary weakening of the car's structure, so blow that off and save $1,000. And the cold weather package? Heated seats and washer nozzles are nice...but you've done without them and been just fine, right? $225 falls off the sticker.

Now, with destination charge, the price is $23,640. And that's a great value for what you get.

The Golf TDI replaces the Jetta TDI on both the TireKicker Top 20 Cars (so far) and slots in just above it on the TireKicker Top 20 Fuel Savers. But the next-gen Jetta TDI is sure to bring its "A" game. We'll be waiting.

Lexus IS250 on Work Emotions

Posted by kopok 0 comments

Style of a movie star, Lexus IS250 just for you. Can’t believe how a good styling (lower springs and Work Emotion rims) can make that perfect stock in a gorgeous high-class monster. Bottle of champagne and what else? :)

 Lexus IS250 frontLexus is250 back Lexus IS250 side Work Emotions

House Committee Subpoenas Documents From Former Toyota Counsel; Toyota Had Filed Injunction To Prevent Their Release

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The same House committee (Oversight and Government Reform) before which Toyota President Akio Toyoda will testify next week about the automaker's gas pedal recall has subpoenaed records in the possession of former Toyota American National Managing Counsel Dimitrios Biller.

Biller told ABC News earlier this month that Toyota had tried to hide "evidence of safety defects from consumers and regulators and fostered a culture of hypocrisy and deceit." Biller said he had documents in his possession that would validate that claim.

Toyota filed an injunction preventing Biller from releasing those documents, but the House committee subpoena overrules that.

The complete news release from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is here.

Como tirar arranhões de motos

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Como tirar arranhões de carros e motos

Como tirar arranhões de carros e motosQuando se compra um carro sempre ficamos atentos para que ele não risque ou tenha algum tipo de dano em sua pintura. Mas não podemos ficar de olho nele vinte e quatro horas por dia sendo assim ele terá que ficar exposto muitas vezes nas ruas e correndo assim o risco de levar um arranhão.

Um carro danificado dependendo da gravidade do risco fica muito feio e até perde seu valor comercial sendo
novo ou usado tomar cuidados seria a melhor coisas a fazer, mas se você e mesmo assim ocorreu algo do tipo, será que existe um jeito de remover o arranhão . As vezes o estrago e grande sendo assim da a impressão que não tem mais jeito.

Ou mesmo machas na lataria, ficam horríveis, o carro fica com um aspecto muito estranho. Com as manchas temos algumas técnicas para remove-las basta você espremer um pouco de limão no local da macha, esperar por alguns minutos e passar um pano úmido. Mas temos agora vários produtos para tirar manchas e pequenos riscos, basta procurar os tais removedores, mas se o risco for profundo, você precisará de uma oficina mesmo.

El auto de Yoda

Posted by kopok Thursday, February 18, 2010 0 comments