Sources
- Autoblog
- AutoMuse
- Cars! Cars! Cars!
- David Leggett's automotive industry blog - from just-auto.com
- GM FastLane
- Grant's Auto Rants
- Jalopnik
- The Car Connection
- Report: Southeast Toyota dealers pull ads from local ABC stations citing "excessive stories" on recall
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Toyota
Southeast Toyota, which is the largest franchised distributor of Toyota vehicles in the world with 173 dealers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina & South Carolina, has reportedly pulled all of its advertising from local ABC stations. Why? Apparently, the group decided that the television stations were airing "excessive stories on the Toyota issues" by ABC News and its chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross.
So, where is all that latent advertising money going now? According to one unnamed ABC station manager, Southeast Toyota's commercials were shifted to non-ABC stations "as punishment for the reporting." We have to wonder if those non-ABC stations aren't covering the Toyota recall issue with as much fervor?
Marcia Owens-Reder, senior vice president at Atlanta-based 22Squared, the advertising agency that handles the account for the dealers, said in an email to the ABC stations, "We have counseled the client on the pros and cons of this, and ultimately it was their decision to make." Thanks for the tip, Rene!
Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.
[Source: AFP via Yahoo | Image: David McNew/Getty]Report: Southeast Toyota dealers pull ads from local ABC stations citing "excessive stories" on recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Hennessey's Cadillac CTS-V ready for prime time [w/video]
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Cadillac
Hennessey Cadillac CTS-V - Click above to watch the video after the jump
When we were fortunate enough to have a Cadillac CTS-V for a week to review, we said it was "one of the finest cars on the road today and one of the best vehicles ever built by General Motors." Of course, there's always room for improvement. At least Hennessey Performance thinks so, and they have come up with the V700 upgrade package that boosts the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 to more than 700 horsepower.
What does it take to squeeze more than 150 more horsepower out of the LSA V8? Hennessey adds a cold air induction system, a smaller supercharger pulley, a new engine management system, long tube headers, three-inch exhaust system with high-flow cats, an upgraded intercooler, more aggressive cam, and high-flow heads.
The result? Horsepower is up to 707 at 6300 rpm, and torque is rated at 701 lb-ft. That all adds up to some impressive performance on-track, including a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of of 211 mph. Fortunately, Hennessey had the cameras rolling during test, and you can watch the Hennessey CTS-V tear up the drag strip in the video after the jump.
[Source: Hennessey Performance]Continue reading Hennessey's Cadillac CTS-V ready for prime time [w/video]
Hennessey's Cadillac CTS-V ready for prime time [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Gran Turismo 5 gets Data Logger Visualization, imports track day video [w/VIDEO]
Filed under: Videos
Click above to view the video after the jumpOne day we're going to finally get our hands on Gran Turismo 5. And when we sample Polyphony Digital's long-awaited sequel we'd be amazed (and delighted) if the game lives up to its constantly growing hype. While we still have absolutely no idea when GT5 will hit the shelves, when it does arrive it will come strong with a raft of new features gamers have been clamoring for.
Beyond damage rendering and a cornucopia of racing styles, GT5 will reportedly also come with Data Logger Visualization. DLV will enable gamers to go to a track in the real world and shoot in-car video, upload that clip to the PlayStation 3 and then compare that footage side by side against a virtual run in GT5. The folks at Polyphony Digital tested the functionality for themselves, and the resulting video after the jump is pretty impressive. Amazingly, the only difference between the live and game footage is that the real-world camera was shaky and uncrisp while the GT5 video is expectantly perfect. Very cool. Now if we can only get a copy for ourselves before Forza 4 arrives for the XBOX 360...
[Source: GranTurismo via Cold Track Days]Continue reading Gran Turismo 5 gets Data Logger Visualization, imports track day video [w/VIDEO]
Gran Turismo 5 gets Data Logger Visualization, imports track day video [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.8.10
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds
The all-new GT500 is here, and not only does the super snake pack more horsepower and torque, it's gone on a much needed diet. Bow down.
Poll: What was the best Super Bowl car commercial of 2010?
Some people watch the Super Bowl for the game, others watch it for the ads. If you stepped out for a beer during one of the breaks, we've got the best of the best automotive spots for your perusal and a poll to determine the top ad from the game.
Porsche 911 Turbo S unveiled with 530 HP of goodness
The 997 Turbo has yet to benefit from an S variant, but that changes today with the arrival of the 204 mph 911 Turbo S.
Also of interest:
- Dodge celebrates 40 years of performance with Furious Fuchsia Challengers
- Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva?
- GM to engineer RWD hybrid powertrain for future Cadillacs?
- Report: Toyota to extend recall run to Prius and Lexus HS over braking issue
- Danica Patrick impresses in stock car debut, confirms NASCAR debut in Daytona
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.8.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Video: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 plays its new aluminum soundtrack
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 - Click above to watch video after the jump
You've no doubt read by now everything we've had to say about the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 with its new aluminum engine. But what does it sound like? Glad you asked. We've got two clips of B-roll after the jump showing both the GT500 coupe and convertible out running on what appears to be a frigid Michigan afternoon (feel sorry for the guy driving the drop top). Fortunately, lots of time is spent mashing both their throttles so we can hear that new 5.4-liter supercharged aluminum engine howl. Question: Can a car look lighter? If so, the GT500 definitely does, especially at WOT as the car transfers its weight to the rear wheels with haste and boogies off. Follow the jump and twist the dial to 11 before you hit play.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Video: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 plays its new aluminum soundtrack
Video: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 plays its new aluminum soundtrack originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Spy Shots: Hyundai HED-5 leaves show stand for snow mound
Filed under: Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Hyundai
Hyundai HED-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's been nearly two years since the Hyundai HED-5 concept bowed at the Geneva Motor Show, but in late 2008, the Korean automaker announced that a production version of the compact crossover would arrive in 2010. And here it is.
Spied while testing in Northern Scandinavia, Hyundai's unnamed answer to the Opel Zafira gets substantially toned down from its conceptual predecessor, although shades of Hyundai's new "Fluidic Sculpture" design language are peering through the camo.
The hood's squat proportions are balanced by the acres of windshield, and if there wasn't enough glass up front, Hyundai has seen fit to add a set of small windows aft of the A-pillars. Even with the camouflage covering much of the rear hatch, it's obvious that the mini-'ute is destined to provide plenty of cargo space, and judging by the size of the rear doors, back seat passengers won't be wanting for legroom.
Although the original HED-5 concept was powered by a 2.2-liter diesel putting out 212 horsepower and 340 lb.-ft. of torque, when Hyundai announced production plans for the crossover, it mentioned a new 286-hp, 2.0-liter Theta Turbo GDI engine. When it eventually makes it to markets abroad, expect either the 115-hp 1.7-liter diesel from the ix35 concept or a 136-hp 2.0-liter oilburner to be available, along with a few choice gasoline powerplants. No word on U.S. availability, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the production version on the show stand in Geneva next month.
Spy Shots: Hyundai HED-5 leaves show stand for snow mound originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Patent drawings reveal Toyota's next concept?
Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota, Electric
It would seem that Toyota has an interesting and hitherto unknown concept vehicle up its sleeves, judging by a European patent that L'Automobile in France was somehow able to dig up. Despite our best efforts, we weren't able to locate the actual patent filing ourselves, so you'll have to head on back after clicking here to see the rest of the associated images.
So, what do you think? Judging by the absolutely minuscule engine compartment and Toyota's well-earned position at the top of the hybrid vehicle food chain, it would be a reasonable assumption to conclude that this is some kind of new hybrid vehicle concept. It does seem to share some design cues with the 2007 1/X concept, though it could also be an all-electric, fuel cell or conventional design.
L'Automobile seems to think that this vehicle may wear a Lexus badge and could possibly debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but we can't say for certain. In any case, it's an intriguing design that shows what styling direction the Japanese giant may take with future people movers.
[Source: L'Automobile (translated)]Patent drawings reveal Toyota's next concept? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Report: Saab dealers stumping up $24M in unsolicited funds to make Spyker deal a reality
Filed under: Saab, Earnings/Financials
Spyker's deal to purchase General Motors' ailing Saab division out of the throes of insolvency appears to be moving along quite nicely. Production of vehicles is underway, a plan is in place to launch critical new models and the European Union has approved of a European Investment Bank loan of 400 million-euros ($546 million) to Spyker.
It would seem that the road to a successful acquisition is so sure that the executive committee of Saab dealers have made an unsolicited offer of $24 million dollars to help Spyker complete the deal. Peter Hallberg, president of the association, said, "Those of us close to the business think that there's substance to Spyker's business plan for Saab, and that there are no great, imminent risks."
What's more, Spyker has just reported that it has entered into an agreement to secure a $25 million convertible loan from an investment company owned by Heerema Holding Company Inc. that's conditional on the EIB's aforementioned $546 million loan. Details can be found in the press release after the break.
[Source: New York Times, Spyker]Report: Saab dealers stumping up $24M in unsolicited funds to make Spyker deal a reality originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO, is that you?
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari
Few letters hold the same lore for Ferrari fans as G-T-O. Pontiac muscle-cars aside, the letters were first used on the iconic '60s-era 250 GTO. The 288 GTO followed two decades later and laid the ground for the F40, the first in the modern age of Ferrari supercars. Now the name is set to come back again on an extreme version of the 599 GTB
Bridging the gap between the roadgoing 599 GTB Fiorano and the track-bound experimental 599XX - and filling the hole left by the Enzo - the 599 GTO promises epic levels of performance (and extreme exclusivity) worthy of the GTO moniker. The prospect first broke cover back in November when internal documents referred to a "599 GTO Limited Edition," and was followed up with more speculative details - including a 700-horsepower output figure - early last month. Now an intrepid observer in Maranello with a camera handy appears to have snapped a camouflaged prototype out in the wild.
Aside from the yards of white vinyl and black tape telling you something's up, this 599 test mule is wearing big black alloys, a blacked-out roof (like that of the 599XX, albeit sans the extra winglets), a monster rear diffuser and Prova-style factory plates. Beyond that there's little to tell, but this is the first evidence we have beyond rumors and conjecture as to what Maranello is up to next.
[Source: alVolante.it]Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO, is that you? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - End of the Road: American Chopper chopped, fat lady sings
Filed under: Etc., Motorcycle, Celebrities
It's been a long time coming, but celebrity gossip site TMZ reports that American Chopper has finally been canceled. A spokesperson for TLC, which picked the show up after its first few years on The Discovery Channel, said, "The Teutuls will always be a part of the Discovery family and we congratulate them on a tremendously successful series run." The final episode will air February 11 at 9:00 PM.
It wasn't tough to see this one coming from a mile away. The hit show has seemingly been just a shell of its former self since two of the original Teutul trio have stopped speaking to their father and disappeared completely from the Orange County Choppers shop.
Recall also that Paul Teutul filed a lawsuit against Paul Teutul Jr. for over a million dollars a couple of months ago and it's easy to see that things have been going south for quite some time. Finally, now that the crew has built customs that run on everything from gasoline to ethanol, diesel, compressed natural gas, electricity and even a hybrid, there just don't seem to be any more alternative fuels left to conquer.
[Source: TMZ]End of the Road: American Chopper chopped, fat lady sings originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Bernie Ecclestone and Genii Capital looking for another carmaker to buy?
Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities, Rumormill
With his stranglehold on Formula One's commercial rights firmly in place, Bernie Ecclestone is more accustomed to taking money than spending it. But after selling his prized classic car collection a couple of years ago, the F1 supremo teamed up with Luxembourg-based Genii Capital in a bid to take over Saab from General Motors. With precious little time to iron out a solid business case, Ecclestone and Genii lost out to Spyker in the Saab deal, but according to reports, that may not be the end of the road for the dynamic duo.
According to an interview Ecclestone gave with Pitpass.com shortly before the Saab deal was hammered out, Bernie and Genii - which recently acquired a stake in the Renault F1 team - could team up together again in the future in a fresh attempt to acquire another automaker, should such an opportunity arise. And with mergers forming and collapsing seemingly every week, the two investors just might get another shot before we know it.
[Source: Pitpass.com | Image: Clive Rose/Getty]Bernie Ecclestone and Genii Capital looking for another carmaker to buy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva?
Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën
Citoen DS3 Racing leaked - Click above for image gallery
Think of a road-ready rally machine, and what pops into your head? Likely the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, right? Well Subaru hasn't won the World Rally Championship in seven years, Mitsubishi in eleven. In fact, neither is even trying anymore: Both have withdrawn from the championship. No, that territory is Citroen's to claim. The French automaker (with its star driver Sebastien Loeb) have been the reigning champs since 2004, but Citroen hasn't really capitalized on its gravel-drifting prowess with anything even approaching what of the WRX and Evo. Until now.
Although the current C4 Loeb has won the past three world rally championships in remains in active duty for another season - with former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen taking the wheel in the junior team - after that the new rally-spec DS3 (previewed in a batch of spy shots a few months ago) will take its place. From the looks of things, however, Citroen isn't waiting around for the DS3 to match the C4's dominance before they roll out the street version.
Following an earlier report last month hinting at the hot DS3's arrival, a handful of photos showing what insiders suggest is the finished product have leaked onto the interwebs. Brought to us by our compadres over at Autoblog Spanish, these shots were recently confirmed as the real deal (and not as photochops as originally suspected) when the same car showed up in other images released (and since retracted) by the factory.
The car pictured features wider wheel flarings housing bigger hoops and riding on a dropped suspension. Sources peg it at 15 millimeters stouter than stock, with NAFTA four-pot brakes front and rear. Under the hood, the 1.6-liter turbo four is tipped to produce between 200 and 210 horsepower, driving through a six-speed manual (the jury's still out on the presence of a limited-slip differential) and likely to the front wheels to propel the DS3 Racing to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The Halloween livery may be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but this is likely what we'll see, if the reports prove accurate at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. For our part, we'll take ours in deep blue, with a big red leaping bull on the side and our names printed above the doors.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Azera frolics in the snow
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai
2012 Hyundai Azera - Click above for high-res image gallery
In its current form, the Hyundai Azera (known as the Grandeur outside the U.S.) has been around since 2005, and despite the new Sonata's push upmarket, Hyundai apparently still sees the need for another model to slot in between its new Camcord competitor and the Genesis Sedan.
Although a refreshed Grandeur was revealed for other markets late last year, judging by these latest spy shots, Hyundai is hard at work on a more thorough makeover, complete with an even more coupe-like roofline, Sonata-inspired fascia and chrome strip extending its way atop the front fender.
The four-wheel independent suspension is sure to remain, and Hyundai is likely to continue offering a choice of V6s - a 263-hp 3.8-liter or a 234-hp 3.3-liter - each mated to a six-speed automatic. We'd expect a small bump in output when the all-new Azera debuts late next year as a 2012 model.
[Images: CarPix]Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Azera frolics in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Video: New Matech Ford GT for GT1 racing looks and sounds gloriously evil
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Videos, Ford, Racing
2010 FIA GT1 Matech Competition Ford GT - Click above for video after the jump
It wasn't that long ago that Ford was selling a genuine supercar, one that made no excuses as it took on the world's best. The Ford GT had one foot in the past and one foot in the present, with its '60s GT40 good looks and somewhat more modern 5.4-liter supercharged V8. Altogether, some 4,000 or so GTs were built during its production run. Sadly that program ground to a halt in 2006 and nothing has come along from the Blue Oval to replace it. Still, the GT lived on as a great platform for tuners and racers.
One race team that has grown particularly fond of the GT is Matech Competition, and the Swiss team has already raced it to championships in FIA GT3 racing in Europe. The retro roadcar was never intended for racing, but like its forebearer, it is once again hunting Ferrari and Porsche racers on Europe's most famous tracks. After successes in GT3, the GT has shown it might be ready to move up in class. While the small independent Robertson Racing has run a GT in the GT2 class of ALMS for a few seasons with mixed results, it's Matech once again that will take on the next challenge - GT1.
For 2010, Matech has developed their GT1 version of the car that builds on lessons learned during the 2009 campaign when the team ran a prototype in the same class. Although similar in overall looks, Matech tells us that the two cars share no parts whatsoever. With an all-new formula for 2010, that's not very surprising, but 2009 was a development year for the teams. After the jump you can read the press release regarding the car's initial outing, and better yet, there's a video of it in action. The clip is painfully short but will give you goosebumps when the car sprints away. Besides its wonderfully melodic tone, the car looks plain badass, definitely up to the challenge being brought by GT1 competitors like the Nissan GT-R, Reiter's Murcielagos, Aston Martin DBR9s, Maserati MC12s, and our local boys the Chevrolet Corvettes. No wonder the clip is titled "Matech Symphony No.1." Top tip, Johannes!
[Source: Matech Competition]Continue reading Video: New Matech Ford GT for GT1 racing looks and sounds gloriously evil
Video: New Matech Ford GT for GT1 racing looks and sounds gloriously evil originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Dodge celebrates 40 years of performance with Furious Fuchsia Challengers
Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Dodge
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8 in Furious Fuchsia - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the record, the Dodge Challengers you see above are not pink. Despite a Pepto-ish hue, they're actually Furious Fuchsia. It would seem that Chrysler is choosing not to remember that it offered a similar shade back in 1970 and 1971 known as Panther Pink. This despite the fact that Dodge president and CEO Ralph Gilles tells us in the press release after the break that the R/T Classic and SRT8 Furious Fuchsia editions "[commemorate] four decades of Challenger performance" and "modernize one of the most memorable hues from 1970."
It seems to us that if it's acceptable to reintroduce Plum Crazy in its original purple flavor that it's equally okay to call these cars Panther Pink, but whatever. In any case, there's also an optional set of Pearl White performance seats with Furious Fuchsia stitching that we think would look just dandy with the Bright White A-line body-side R/T stripes and functional hood scoop on the R/T Classic (above left).
If the R/T's 376 horsepower just aren't enough for your tire-screeching needs, you can always upgrade to the SRT8 (above right) and its 6.2-liter Hemi V8, which offers up a willing 425-horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque... but act fast as there's only 400 slated for production. Base price for the 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic in Furious Fuchsia Pearl Coat comes in at $35,140 with the SRT8 model at $45,150 (both prices include $725 destination) and cars will hit dealerships in March. We'll do our best to bring you live shots of the pair from the Chicago Auto Show later this week.
[Source: Chrysler]Continue reading Dodge celebrates 40 years of performance with Furious Fuchsia Challengers
Dodge celebrates 40 years of performance with Furious Fuchsia Challengers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - GM to engineer RWD hybrid powertrain for future Cadillacs?
Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Cadillac, GM
General Motors' two-mode hybrid system hasn't exactly been a commercial success. GM has had a hard time finding customers willing to part ways with $10,000 or more for a fully capable SUV with sedan-like city fuel economy, but that reportedly isn't stopping the Detroit, MI-based automaker from improving its hybrid formula for its next generation of vehicles. GM is said to be working on a new electric motor that will reportedly shrink in size by 25 percent while increasing power by 20 percent. These smaller, more powerful motors will reportedly help The General put its hybrid tech in even smaller vehicles.Automotive News reports that Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations, told reporters that the company's next two-mode setup will be lighter and more affordable when it hits the streets in 2013. The system will reportedly still be available for SUVs and trucks, but Stephens says the system will also be available in rear-drive cars. Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics reportedly told AN that the easy money is on Cadillac getting the upgraded Two-Mode tech, with the next generation CTS and the ATS as the best bets to include the hybrid powertrain.
Given the fact that Cadillacs command a higher price tag, we're thinking that the Wreath and Crest is a good place to start if the automaker ever wants to make a profit off of a full hybrid vehicle. And with the STS likely to go away before 2013, we're thinking the CTS and ATS could be the only rear-drive Caddy sedans by the time 2013 rolls around. It can't hurt that the ATS and the next CTS will share the same platform either, making it easier/cheaper to add Two-Mode tech to both vehicles.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]GM to engineer RWD hybrid powertrain for future Cadillacs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ever since Ford introduced the modern Shelby GT500 four years ago, almost no one has complained about the prodigious power levels produced by its supercharged 5.4-liter V8. With as much as 540 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque in the 2010 model, there was no shortage of grunt. No, the issue was an excess of mass.
Before the contemporary GT500 was born, Ford had a blown aluminum block 5.4-liter V8 in the short lived GT supercar. However, when the engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team developed the GT500, they opted to mount the GT's cylinder heads on the cast iron block used in the big F-Series pickup trucks. After debuting a visual refresh for the Mustang a year ago, Ford has spent the last two months announcing fresh new powertrains for the base and GT models. That process has now come full circle with SVT rolling out a heart transplant for the Shelby GT500. The 2011 model finally has the aluminum powerplant we all wanted when it debuted, and the effect is absolutely en-lightening. Read on to find out more.
Live photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds
2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Consumer Reports gets first drive impressions of 2011 Hyundai Sonata
2011 Hyundai Sonata - Click above for high-res image gallery
Hyundai won't be giving the American automotive media its first crack at driving their new 2011 Sonata until next week. However, new Sonatas have apparently already started rolling off the trucks into Hyundai dealers across the country. Unlike the rest of the media horde (Autoblog included), when the folks at Consumer Reports want to test a new vehicle, they actually go out and buy one.
Such was the case last week when they purchased one of the first examples of Hyundai's stylish new mid-sizer. CR tested a base GLS model Sonata and felt that while it does handle better than the 2009 equivalent, it still isn't quite up to the standard of the sportiest examples in the segment including the Ford Fusion and Mazda6. There is, however, a more aggressive SE model which CR hasn't tried out yet, so this might not be a truly apples-to-apples comparison.
CR's testers did feel the interior was an improvement over the outgoing model with higher quality materials and a particularly roomy rear seat. We'll have our own first hand impressions by the end of next week.
[Source: Consumer Reports]Consumer Reports gets first drive impressions of 2011 Hyundai Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Video: Motor Trend pits the Nissan GT-R against the Scion TC RWD drifters
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Nissan, Scion
Nissan GT-R vs RWD Scion drift cars - Click above to watch video
Motor Trend hosted a summit of monsters that could be called "Where the Wild Things Are," gathering a Nissan GT-R and two back-wheel-driven Scion TC drift cars.
The question asked of the GT-R could have come from Autocar magazine's Ken Sutcliffe: "Will it drift?" After running through some standard MT performance runs, the cars were let loose around El Toro airfield to find the answer. You can click through the jump to see the video and find out...
[Source: Motor Trend]Continue reading Video: Motor Trend pits the Nissan GT-R against the Scion TC RWD drifters
Video: Motor Trend pits the Nissan GT-R against the Scion TC RWD drifters originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Poll: What was the best Super Bowl car commercial of 2010?
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos
Super Bowl XLIV has come and gone, with the New Orleans Saints pulling out a convincing albeit surprising victory over the Indianapolis Colts (An onside kick to start the third quarter?!?!?!). You're in the minority if that spoiled a surprise, as the Super Bowl is traditionally the most watched televised event of the year. And because of that, commercials that run during the big game are often the most expensive to produce and fun to watch.
For the most part, this year's crop of commercials lived up to their expensive price tags. The auto industry was in full effect with eight commercials that aired, six of which were by automakers themselves including Audi, Dodge, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen. The other were two were from Bridgestone and Cars.com.
Now that we're all back at work nursing hangovers and upset stomachs, it's time to cast judgment and decide which car commercial aired during Super Bowl XLIV was the best. Follow the jump to view them all and cast your vote.
UPDATE: Want to know what the experts have to say about this year's batch of Super Bowl car commercials? Check out Julie Roehm's feature on AOL Autos. It's got charts and everything!
Continue reading Poll: What was the best Super Bowl car commercial of 2010?
Poll: What was the best Super Bowl car commercial of 2010? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
- Tire-d Race Fans
I commented last year on the class action suit brought against Michelin (and others) by angry race fans for Michelin-equipped cars that pulled out of the U.S. Grand Prix due to a controversy over tire performance. Uh, it seems the... - Judiciary Eyes McCarran-Ferguson Act
The Senate Judiciary Committee is taking a hard look at the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which exempts insurers from the application of federal antitrust laws. The testimony of the witnesses is very interesting and for those who prefer to listen (while doing... - Examining Direct Repair Contracts
The following is my article on the issues facing collision repair facilities when confronted with insurer "direct repair programs" appearing as the June 2006 cover article for Body Shop Business (reprinted with permission from Body Shop Business.) Examining DRP Contracts... - Drive Time: Not much fun anymore
A California law firm brought a class action suit against used car dealer Drive Time for leaking customers' private financial information given for the purpose of obtaining credit to outsiders. The suit alleges that the dealership disclosed L.A. area consumers'personal... - Technical Difficulties
Please forgive the lack of posts recently. We're having technical difficulties with a conflict that keeps rearing its ugly head between the blogging software and server. We should have that worked out very soon. In the meantime, just think of... - Auto Law: A Law Unto Itself?
Ian Best of 3L Epiphany kindly sent me an email telling me that he had listed AutoMuse under the topic Automobile Law in his taxonomy. AutoMuse finds itself alone in this vast category. Interestingly, however, there are 3, yes 3,... - Auto Law: A Law Unto Itself?
Ian Best of 3L Epiphany kindly sent me an email telling me that he had listed AutoMuse under the topic Automobile Law in his taxonomy. AutoMuse finds itself alone in this vast category. Interestingly, however, there are 3, yes 3,... - Gas Prices Curb Vehicles
Sounds obvious, right? The higher gas prices go, the lower consumption is. Well, it is obvious, and what is more compelling is that, after gang-buster sales in the wholesale used vehicle market for the last two months, Manheim Auto Auction's... - Fast + Car = Stephen Bainbridge
Noted UCLA law professor, Stephen Bainbridge, recently dropped by the AutoMuse email room to answer some prying questions about his fascination with sports cars, the recent break-up of his relationship with BMW, and his new romantic entanglement with Porsche. Witty,... - Up for and On Air
Gasp! After being buried with work for weeks it feels sooo good to come up for air -- especially when it is On Air. The AutoMuse reappears on the radio show Crash Talk broadcast live out of Seattle on Saturday,... - Muses to Fools
George Wallace of Declarations & Exclusions and A Fool in the Forest is hosting a brilliant edition of Blawg Review (#51) today. While the AutoMuse has been too buried under paperwork to post anything meaningful lately, George kindly remembers the... - Safeco's Diminished Value Settlement
Money received from Safeco's diminished value settlement in Georgia helped fund the Georgia Mock Trial Competition in Lawrenceville last week. Jonesboro team wins state mock trial competition | ajc.com... - DOJ's Criminal Resource Manual
I was looking for some specific information on vehicle identification numbers today via the net, and found something astonishing in the Department of Justice's Freedom of Information Act Reading Room. Under the "Title 9" heading, DOJ actually has a subheading... - 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10
To clarify right out of the box, the first picture is that of a 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10, not the 2005 that I am driving. However, as they look the same from the outside, we are not having great... - AutoMuse Cited to the U.S. Supreme Court
It is a great honor to be quoted in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. Congratulations to SCOTUS which was cited as well. It's comforting to know that others are as concerned as I over the U.S. Supreme Court's...
- Screen Door Factory Gets a New Neighbor!
There's gonna be a new car company in Delaware? Next to the screen door factory? Seriously, this is where we'da rather seen the car bailout money go -- to new start ups with new ideas. Referenced articles emptywheel: Biden To... - A Loan
OK, so Koenigsegg Group AB want to buy the Saab division from GM. But they need a loan to do it. It looks like about $600,000,000 is needed. So, at the current rate of 19 Saabs sold per day at... - Just One. Really?
Just one GM was returned during the 60-day guarantee? MeanwhileHe [GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz] says consideration for GM vehicles is up 15 percent and says its market share in September, 20.5 percent, is the same as last year. Consideration,... - Recall!
No, not good 'ol GD, just some Fords. One million? No, keep going. Two? Nope. Three. Think mo. Mo mo mo. Four?! Oh, stop, we'll answer for you. 4,500,000 All the way back to when Clinton was in office! Sweet... - Can't Be Real
There is no way that DeLorean Motor Company is considering building a car based on the Pontiac Solstice. That car helped kill Pontiac and Saturn. No, it did not single car-ily kill both companies, but it was a great example... - Time To Make A New Category
Not that we care all that much for Trucks* but what the hell is Chrysler thinking? A brand just around the RAM trucks? It's not like these things have been selling like hotcakes... so WTF? Is Chrysler going to spin... - Saab On The Brain?
Sorry for our rants about Saab recently (No Way), but what is up with Saab? How can this niche brand still be around? Specifics? Sure, in August and September Saab sold 19 cars a day. Two months in a row!... - No One Could Have Predicted
Actually, we didn't. But we knew this was a no go. There were no cars to sell. And it's not like people were lining up to buy any Saturns anyway. So what happens now? Saturn just closes and "the dream"... - Go, Safety!
Offset crash (then vs now): Man, give us new over old any day! - Honda Falls
How did Honda fall so far so fast? With the release of the photos of the Crosstour, one has to wonder who quit in the last few years since the original Acura TL was released. Seriously, how many ugly vehicles... - No Way
There is no way that Koenigsegg is buying Saab. Really? No, there is no way. For Alison's sake, they sold 19 each day during August. That's during the cash for clunkers sale no less. Saab is dead. GM killed it.... - An Alternative It Is
Idea maybe for a new blog, hmm? Yes? OK, enough of the Yoda talk. Can you imagine if more people did this rather than driving? 42 bikes in one car spot. Referenced articles gizmodo: How Many Folding Bikes Does It... - A New Ford
The new Ford's here! The new Ford's here! And is he more qualified than ever or what?Anybody who can keep junior high school kids not only in their seats but focused on a lesson plan can deal with any supplier... - I'll Buy That For a Dollar
Who in their right mind would buy a car company that sold 22 cars a day in July? But you say, "So what if they don't sell a lot of 'em. Profit it profit, dear Cars! Cars! Cars! writer." First...
David Leggett's automotive industry blog - from just-auto.com
- Chevrolet Spark
I'm up to Wellingborough (Northants, southern fringes of the English midlands) today for a Chevrolet Spark drive event. The Spark, you may recall, is the small car that was picked for production by the public from three concepts. The styling certainly looks very interesting, though I note the car has already received some criticism for its drive in some quarters. I guess that depends to some degree though on what you are comparing to; eg new Fiesta or the outgoing Spark/Matiz...
I'll be interviewing Chevrolet UK MD Mark Terry later on today.
Besides the usual drive in the car, the Chevrolet PR people have set up a 'Spark and Ride' depot at the home of the Chevrolet World Touring Car team where they have commandeered a warehouse for the week. There are some interactive product presentations and we are also promised 'monkeys, bananas, Welsh footballers and magic pianos'. That's some combo. Ryan Giggs on acid?
- Parts commonality bites Toyota back
It wasn't so long ago that Toyota's progress seemed rather relentless. The company posted one set of record results after another. There has been something of a rude awakening lately on quality.
Maybe the firm has tried to grow a little too quickly. And there have been pressures to cut back on cost - which perhaps partly explains what has been going on with the recall.
One of the striking things about Toyota's accelerator pedal problem is just how many vehicles are affected. The component is common across many Toyota models globally.
That's how you get cost down, by employing vast scale economies on parts like that which can be described as 'commodities' - a part of the vehicle that is unseen and makes no difference to the end-product in terms of customer perception. It doesn't need to be specified differently according to model, as an interior trim component that the customer sees and feels might be. The lower the cost, the better.
That's all fine and dandy when there are no problems with the component or its design. But if anything goes wrong, the commonality of supply that got the unit-cost of the part so low becomes a double-edged sword: the fallout is wide.
I would guess that some other manufacturers are looking on with mixed feelings. Yes, they are probably feeling that Toyota taking a hit like this one provides a market opportunity for them, at least in the short-term. But they may also like to reflect on the dangers of global sourcing and scale economies.
The pressures for 'cost-down' have never been as big as they are these days and Toyota's experience provides a warning on the risks that come with that.
- Video clip showing US dealer dealing with recall
I have been sent this clip from FOX Business in which you can see a service centre manager explaining the technical fix to the pedal problem. Interesting thing is, there's also a car in the workshop getting a software download that means the brakes will override the accelerator pedal in an emergency - I guess for a little added reassurance.
- Toyota troubles
I heard Toyota GB's PR man Scott Brownlee on the radio this morning being interviewed over the accelerator pedal recall. He gave a decent performance, responded clearly and confidently to the potentially awkward questions and it occurred to me that for the PR people at Toyota, it maybe feels a little bit like soldiers going off to the front line for the first time. No more phoney war. This is it; this is what we trained for. Helmets on.
This global recall on a safety-critical component has blown up like a squall out of nowhere to become the perfect storm that some commentators reckon will do great damage to Toyota. It is clearly a serious problem not to be belittled, but I wonder whether it will really do much long-term damage to Toyota sales. A lot depends on how quickly this issue is dealt with and how quickly a sense of business as usual at Toyota can be restored.
Can a reputation for industry leading quality and reliability built up over decades really be ruined overnight? A few people in the media are jumping on this particular bandwagon (and predictably taking some knee-jerk investors with them), but I'm not so sure.
For many, the idea that Toyota equals quality and reliability, even if it comes with a little blandness of product, is very deeply ingrained. It's almost a given and it will take a fair bit of shifting. I'm not saying that cannot happen, just that we're not there yet.
If Toyota can ride the initial bad PR (no escape from that) and get the pedal problem fixed quickly, the car-buying public may well view it as an outlier or blip, a one-off that was very effectively dealt with. It could even end up being viewed as a positive, a case study on how companies handle product-based PR nasties. In this admittedly optimistic scenario Toyota's image is hardly dented and a short-term hit to sales is contained.
The eventual outcome may, of course, fall somewhere in the middle with the costs and sales fallout turning out worse than Toyota is planning for, but not as bad as the worst fears. By next year it's becoming a fading bad memory; Toyota still a brand associated with generally good quality and reliability.
That word 'containment' is important. Any sense that there is more going on than just the accelerator pedal, that there are underlying quality and reliability issues at Toyota, would certainly impact long-term sales. Keep an eye on that Prius brakes situation. And things got ratcheted up a notch in the US yesterday with some politicians' comments (always be wary of politicians wading in publicly over something like this).
Toyota has perhaps had its aura of invincibility on quality punctured a little in recent years with other recalls, but it is hardly a company devoid of good processes, a laggard among its peers or one that is instantly associated with poor quality product - far from it.
We're too early into this recall to say that Toyota has royally screwed up and that's done it, reputation for quality now in tatters. Crisis management and shaping perceptions will be key. It is all still to play for, Toyota's managers and PR people very much in the heat of the battle.
Good article - below link - from special agent Coolbear looking at 'Throttlegate'. He makes some very good points concerning Toyota's overall strategic direction, cost-cutting dangers, the risks inherent in parts/design commonality across model ranges and the new emerging markets model - Etios.
- Rubbing shoulders with yer actual Royalty
I think I mentioned last week that I was attending an event at which Prince Michael of Kent would be present. The people at Automotive PR have sent me a pic - you can see that HRH and I are in deep conversation (that's my best angle, I reckon). He was asking me about just-auto, numbers of readers, who they are. I remembered not to call him Mike. He prefers Mick.
Is my hair really that grey? Guess so.
UK: Recovery to UK economy and auto industry fragile - academic
- Peugeot's 'Mu'
There's an interesting scheme called 'Mu' that Peugeot has got going in France that is coming to Britain. On the face of it, it sounds like a bit like a car club - but with more choice of vehicle on offer (so long as it's a Peugeot - you can get a scooter, a bicycle or a van, for example, as well as a car).
It could be a mobility solution for some, especially in cites where outright car ownership is a hassle as well as costly. There's a bit more to it that that though: the idea is to build brand loyalty and help lift car sales in the long run. In the preferred Peugeot scenario, people are still buying cars and acquiring Mu points for other transportation purposes which could include short-term vehicle rentals or bike rides.
It will be interesting to see how it goes with Peugeot's scheme and whether other makers will try something similar. There's a good description of 'Mu' in an article from yesterday's Sunday Times (below link).
- Ford and the converging global consumer
The US light vehicle sales numbers for January should make for interesting reading when they are published later this week. Indications are that the overall market will be weak, with a seasonally adjusted annual running rate that has slipped back from December's level. It will be another sign that the economic recovery and recovery to car sales will likely be slow in the US this year and that car demand remains very, very low by historical standards.
It could well be another good sales month for Ford, with market share continuing to edge up. And Ford is on a high right now. It has just posted financial results that look pretty good. In the context of the severe crisis that has hit Detroit, they are even better than pretty good. They suggest that volume car manufacturing in America by long established American companies is not necessarily in terminal decline and that if companies can get the product right, the customer will - eventually - follow.
But the real test for Ford is probably still to come. The next Ford Focus is in many ways a physical embodiment of Alan Mulally's 'One Ford' strategy. This will be a truly global car on a global platform that comes with what Ford hopes will be class leading technologies culminating in a compelling product package that will work anywhere in the world. The biggest challenge for the car will probably be in the US where pricing on a smallish car - even a heavily loaded one - could put margins under considerable pressure. We'll see.
Are consumers around the world converging? Yes. But there are significant regional taste differences. Until now, Ford Focus in Europe has been a very different proposition to Ford Focus in North America. Ford is betting that the global convergence in consumer tastes will continue and that the platform allows sufficient tweaking for some regional differentiation.
It's about a global brand transformation with Ford brand values consistent across the world, along with a higher degree of consistency of product (though Ford won't, say, drop the F-150 pickup for North America; some things stay regional).
We'll know in a few years' time how successful Ford has been with the next Focus. Expectations are going to be high for a car that may turn out to be Ford's first true 'world car'.
- Anand Mahindra in Davos
Some helpful folks at the FOX Business Network have sent me a link to a clip of Anand Mahindra being interviewed at Davos. He delivers some interesting views on how the Mahindra & Mahindra Group of companies is organised - it's a 'federation not a conglomerate'.
And the dramatic setting for the interview - the backdrop - is about as good as it gets.
Did you know Mahindra is going to be making Embraer-style jets? It has picked up cheap aerospace company assets in Australia. An advantage with conglomerates is that they can be in a position to quickly add value to a new business through utilising synergies/infrastructure with other parts of the group. Mahindra fingers are clearly going into quite a few pies these days.
Can't be a bad life for Anand Mahindra washing up at places like Davos to do a bit of PR and marketing (I like his candid comments about getting his IT services company in front of international big business leaders).
- Is Toyota 'doing an Audi' in the US?
The problems Toyota is having with alleged 'unintended acceleration' related to mechanics - as opposed to the floor mat problem - in the US sound reminiscent of what some may recall as a similar problem for Audi in the 1980s. Except that Audi's 'similar problem' back then - exposed on an influential US TV programme called '60 minutes' - turned out not to be a mechanical problem. The TV programme had misled (it turned out to be driver error connected with the positioning of the pedals), but such was the hullabaloo, that Audi sales in the US subsequently collapsed and took a decade to recover.
The difference this time with Toyota may be that there is actually a mechanical fault with sticky accelerator pedals. The publicity will be a big worry for the company, but at least it is now acting. And if a car company addresses the issue openly, quickly and sorts it out, doesn't that actually improve its image? Can it be turned around into a positive, public relations disaster avoided? Maybe, but Toyota's hitherto squeaky clean reputation for industry-leading quality - a massive selling point for the brand - is taking a dent.
- Thoughts on UK economy
Well, there you have it folks. Recession over. Please resume normal working; it's business as usual. Er, no, not quite. Official figures show that UK GDP actually grew by a none-too-sprightly 0.1% in the fourth quarter of last year. Technically, the economy may have stopped contracting (though the margin is so slim it could be wiped out by future revisions to the data) but to many it will not feel like things are very much better.
This has been one heck of an economic dip and, even if things have stabilised, the future is clouded by debt and the need to repair balance sheets - households, businesses and, let's not forget, governments that have spent big to mitigate the effects of recession and prevent an even more serious economic slump. Many say that more economic weakness is ahead.
As Robert Baker at the SMMT pointed out last week, the volume of GDP has gone way down, so any recovery is coming off a very low base. The absolute level of GDP will struggle to regain pre-crisis levels until 2013. This year will likely see the UK car market contract by around 10%. Party time it ain't.
I'm expecting to hear plenty on the economy/market environment later today at a lunch I'm attending hosted by Automotive PR. Professor Garel Rhys will be there and is sure to broach the subject at some point.
Actually, Royalty will be present also (the one who looks like Tsar Nicholas II).
Etiquette comes into play on these occasions. On first introduction I need to remember to refer to the main man as 'Your Royal Highness' and he should subsequently be addressed as 'Sir'. Fair enough - a quaint bit of tradition and I'm all for that in this world of constant, and frequently unsettling, change. I just hope I don't lose it and corpse badly. I do have some form. I once caused mayhem in a serious meeting because I just couldn't stop laughing when something struck me as absurdly ironic and very, very funny. I could not stop laughing and, after a period of stunned bemusement around the table, that triggered others off.
But there's nothing funny about the Royal family is there? Jeez, let's not go there. Thank goodness today it's the guy who looks like Tsar Nicholas II and not the comically outspoken 'Phil the Greek'. That really could push me over the edge.
- Richard Parry-Jones
I interviewed ex-Ford engineering supremo Richard Parry-Jones yesterday - the interview will first appear in the next edition of the Lotus Engineering publication proActive. If you know your Ford history, he was a key figure in the development of the 1998 Ford Focus and it was certainly interesting to hear his views on product development generally, as well as matters such as the challenges facing the auto industry, the '50-metre test' and what Jackie Stewart taught him, and the UK government initiative that is the 'Automotive Council'. His time management in 'semi-retirement' (he left Ford at the end of '07) sounded pretty good - I won't go through the lengthy list of outdoor sports he participates in.
We did the interview down the telephone as he drove from his home in Wales to London. Fair play, he could have been sat in an office with a cup of tea - very composed and clear. In what was near perfect timing, we finished the interview as he reached a tube station in London to park. Was he taking the tube? No, he was transferring to a Brompton fold-away bicycle, which he maintains is the best way to get around central London. Fascinating bloke.
- Jaguar Land Rover reshuffle
CEO David Smith's departure from Jaguar Land Rover raises a number of questions. It seems to have been a rather sudden announcement yesterday that caught the press office on the hop - there's not much by way of explanation so far. There's certainly a lot in the mix at JLR that might have played a part. There are cost-cutting pressures from the parent, a deepening dispute with labour unions and the strains that come with the premium end of the market being stressed wherever you look. If they are generally not happy in Mumbai, maybe the man in the CEO seat was taking the heat. And maybe they have been quietly lining up ex-GM Europe head Carl-Peter Forster to take his place. With Ravi Kant just keeping the seat warm for now...
- 2010 outlook survey - last chance!
The just-auto 2010 outlook survey is still live, but we will be analysing the results soon. Over a thousand people have completed it now, so it's a pretty decent sample size. If you want to get in and have your say while you can, please follow the below link.
- Rationalising capacity in Europe
Last week saw General Motors in Europe move to close its Antwerp plant. Announcements of plant closure are never happy events, but this is an important step in improving GM's European manufacturing efficiency and raising its rate of capacity utilisation. We will know more about GM's European plans by the middle of next month when a business plan is finally supposed to emerge.
As Nick Reilly has said, they would rather get that Opel/Vauxhall business plan right than rush it. That's fair enough, but further delay will cause consternation for the workforce and GM's suppliers. There comes a point at which you have to put stakes in the ground and say to the world: this is the plan. And while we are on the subject of things appearing to be a little drawn out, it would be good to know what's happening to Saab. Maybe this week we will find out.
Also on the European production capacity front, last week saw some curious goings on at Renault. It was mooted that the next Clio (Clio 4 - due to enter production in 2013) might be made wholly in Turkey and not in France. Turkey is a low-cost place to make cars and, although it is not a member state of the EU, it enjoys a customs union with the EU and so is a particularly good place to source cars cheaply for sale in the EU area. A number of manufacturers, including Renault, have been quietly expanding operations there over the past decade.
This Clio 4-from-Turkey-only possibility did not go down too well with the French government. President Sarkozy duly hauled Messrs Ghosn and Pelata into a meeting. Afterwards, Ghosn declared that there would be dual sourcing on Clio 4 - some continuing to be made in France (at the Flins plant) and some in Turkey. What was less clear was the split between the two locations. The French production is presented as being dependent on capacity considerations concerning the Zoe electric vehicle - due in 2012 - at Flins. So, it's still a bit murky as far as Clio 4 in France goes. All Renault is signed up for is to make some in France. Numbers and the time period are unspecified.
But Sarkozy could claim he'd got something out of the meeting - an assurance that Clio will continue to be made in France. There are French regional elections in March, so that may explain some of the heightened political interest in French car companies right now. But, as Opel's failed sale last year also demonstrated, the political dimension to capacity rationalisation in Europe remains important and frequently runs counter to business logic.
Later this week (on Thursday) Ford releases its 2009 Q4 and full-year financial results. Will they be good results, Ford posting a decent profit? Quite possibly if Ford's Q4 sales figures are anything to go by. If Ford does post good financials it is likely that Alan Mulally will bring forward the guidance on when Ford will be full-year profitable from 2011 to 2010.
Ford has been through some pretty painful restructuring in North America to get its cost base there down. Sooner or later, European-based car companies will probably have to bite that bullet, however politically unpalatable, in order to have a shot at long-term success. Productivity improvements - helpful though they are - can only take you so far.
- New Mini Countryman
I'm not 100% sure about the new Mini Countryman's styling, but I think I'll reserve final judgement until I have seen it in the flesh. Maybe some people will have a problem with the idea of such a muscular looking Mini, but it could really work - especially in the US.
One of the guys at Autocar has made some very good points - below link - about what this new Mini variant may mean for the Mini Clubman. If there are people wanting a Mini with a bit more utility and interior space than the standard model, they may well prefer the Countryman package over the current Clubman, with its single 'club' door and its few extra inches. If US consumers really vote for the Mini Countryman in a big way, that could perhaps mean curtains for Mini Clubman.
Does Mini Countryman spell the end for the Clubman?
GENEVA PREVIEW: Fourth Mini line to take a bow
- SMMT webinar
If you are interested in prospects for the UK vehicle market and production, the SMMT is hosting a free webinar this Friday at 10:30am GMT - it lasts around an hour. I dialled into one of their webinars last year and I thought it worked really well, in terms of the content, format and the webinar technology employed.
You simply dial in, follow links, then look at your PC screen as a slide presentation proceeds in sync with the audio from the presenters which you receive via your telephone - which enables you to easily ask a question if you want to.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt will share his thoughts on key challenges and opportunities for 2010. Robert Baker, SMMT's chief economist, will present the latest economic forecast for the year followed by Ian Henry, director, AutoAnalysis, who will offer his insight into production volumes of the major OEM's and the potential impact this could have on suppliers.
If you are interested, follow the below link.
- Predictions for 2010
I have found myself having quite a few conversations lately over the outlook for different aspects of the auto industry over the next year. One thing about this industry that doesn't change - there's plenty going on and there are plenty of opinions around.
One thing we have done this month, partly just to see what the reaction would be, is create a simple online survey canvassing views on the year ahead. You just have to check multiple choice boxes and it only takes a few minutes to complete. Those that complete the survey will be sent a report of the results when we have analysed the completed surveys. Just follow the link below. Oh, and thanks!
- Renault gets slippery on Clio 4 and Flins
There have been some interesting manoeuvrings in Paris over where the next Renault Clio - 'Clio 4' - will be built. Renault has clearly come under considerable pressure from President Sarkozy to say that the Clio car will continue to be built in France at the Flins plant, rather than be switched 100% to lower cost Turkey (an option said to be under consideration).
Renault has now said that the plan is to make the electric Zoe at Flins with Flins also making some Clio 4. If the Zoe is hugely successful, then Flins capacity will be taken up with that - Clio 4 volume then being displaced elsewhere - but there is certainly double sourcing to start with. And Renault is also apparently guaranteeing employment levels at Flins. Zoe production volumes are, of course, a great unknown.
Sarkozy is therefore off the hook - able to say that some Clios will continue to be made at Flins, contrary to reports, and that employment levels are guaranteed - while Renault has kept things more than a little bit hazy on how many Clio 4s will actually be built in France.
And that haziness on the France/Turkey split should also be enough to keep the European Commission off Renault's backs, too - if it had indicated it had changed its mind and would now be making more Clios in France after Sarkozy's objections to the Turkey transfer idea, Brussels would certainly be taking more interest on state aid/competition grounds.
Nice bit of politics.
- Cadillac in Europe
Will they ever learn at GM that the Cadillac brand is a very, very hard sell in Europe? We found out today that there are new plans to kick-start the brand in Europe after the Kroymans bankruptcy last year. It won't be easy.
Even if you have some good product, it's hard work getting people away from the established prestige brands. And, I would think, it's even harder in these very lean times at that premium end of the market.
That said, maybe there is room in the market for Cadillac at fairly low volume; enough non-conformist moderately affluent people who really don't want a BMW or Mercedes-Benz and want to make a public statement to that effect. Caddy can perhaps establish a small bridgehead and gradually build on that. Maybe that's the thing - come up with a realistic business and marketing plan, steady as she goes, learn to walk before attempting to run.
I was reminded of a warm spring afternoon in Luton a couple of years ago when Jonathan Nash laid out the thinking on things like Cadillac brand positioning and distribution. I guess if you have a brand like Cadillac and want it to be global then, sooner or later, Europe just has to be back on the agenda, whatever the history may be.
GENEVA PREVIEW: Cadillac eyes European comeback
THE EDITOR'S INTERVIEW: Jonathan Nash, MD Saab GB and GM UK's Caddy man
- Saab latest
This must be an intensely frustrating time for Saab workers. After the Trollhattan factory reopened yesterday, they still don't know their fate and can only scratch their heads at the reports in the media.
Could the new 9-5 line be shipped to China for the car to be rebranded as a Buick? Stranger things have happened, but the denials from GM have been pretty unequivocal. It is a major asset though, and one that GM might not want to completely give up on. We'll see, but the view from Bob Lutz appears to be that GM would rather scrap the model than rebadge or sell it on.
Sad to think that a model that has been through the (expensive) development process and is 'ready to go' might not actually make it to market.
GM is also keeping the pressure on bidders by sounding tough on wind-down. Is it a tactic? Could be, but the clock is surely ticking for some sort of deal - including Swedish government guarantees and an EIB loan - to come out of the wash.
The difficulty in getting the finance lined up on a reasonable timescale was the reason that Koenigsegg backed out. That still seems to be the case, with GM facing wind-down costs that are at least known today versus uncertainties on potentially large future liabilities if 'New Saab' goes bust. That must be at the core of the difficulties in doing a deal I would think. GM also knows that turning a profit at Saab won't be easy - if it was it might hang on to it.
So there's a paradox here. GM doesn't want the hassle of trying to make Saab work, but it needs to know that a new owner has a decent shot at it because it doesn't want to be left holding the baby if it fails.
It's a sorry tale.
- Photo of the Day: Chevy Impala
Today?s photo comes from THEjdawg. Be sure to look at all of THEjdawg’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - Chevrolet Volt at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver
By Marc Comeau Vice President, Chevrolet in Canada There are some exciting things happening with Chevrolet in Canada, especially in Vancouver as the world focuses its attention on the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Chevrolet is proud to be part of this iconic event, along with the entire General Motors of Canada family, through our partnership with [...] - Photo of the Day: 1966 Buick Riviera GS
Today?s photo comes from Brian Starr. Be sure to look at all of Brian Starr’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - Photo of the Day: 1958 Chevy Corvette Montage
Today?s photo comes from Paulo Keller. Be sure to look at all of Paulo Keller’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - One Giant Leap in Robotic Technology
By Alan TaubGM Global Research and Development Vice President I remember back in 1969 when Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon and made the legendary statement, ?That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.? Today, GM is working with NASA to take another step – in the development of the [...] - Photo of the Day: Chevrolet 3100 Truck
Today?s photo comes from RoadsidePictures. Be sure to look at all of RoadsidePictures’ photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - VIDEO: Susan Docherty on January Sales
Susan Docherty, VP, U.S. Sales, Service & Marketing, discusses January 2010 sales results. - Will Stewart, blog editor - Photo of the Day: 1956 Chevy Bel Air
Today?s photo comes from sjb4photos. Be sure to look at all of sjb4photos’ photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - Photo of the Day: Chevy Impala
Today?s photo comes from Ozan. Be sure to look at all of Ozan’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.” - Photo of the Day: 1957 Chevy Nomad
Today?s photo comes from HarleyPilot. Be sure to look at all of HarleyPilot’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with ?gmfyi.”
- Im Memoriam -- Phill Hill
Born Phillip Toll Hill, Jr. on April 20th, 1927 in Miami, FL. Phill Hill was raised in Santa Monica, CA where he would reside his entire life. As the sole US-born race driver ever to win the coveted Formula One... - "Equillibriance"
The time value of money (i.e. that a dollar today is worth more than the promise of the same dollar at some point in the future) is one of the most important and fundamental principles of economics. As a society,... - Horse(power) Wars
By any measure, animals and roadways have never had a particularly good relationship. Aside from breaking up their natural habitats and delivering hordes of gun-toting hunters directly to their doorstep, the highway has become an outright death-trap to many a... - People's Service for the People's Car
Volkswagen has recently announced that they will begin offering a free scheduled service program starting with their upcoming Tiguan model. The program is not limited to just their new pint-sized SUV however, and will apply to all of the 2009... - Ding...You are now free to move about the cashier's office
For anyone who has experienced it, the new boarding process at Southwest airlines seems more like a bizarre study in sociology than the time-saving seat selection protocol it was no-doubt designed to be. What was likely perceived as a clever... - Loud Pipes Save Lives?
This de facto motto that Harley-Davidson had adopted is more than just a tag line. In all likelihood, there is probably as much truth and substance to it as there was to that temporary campaign they once used specifically to... - Things that make you say "hmm" - NAIAS 2008
All of us have at one time or another slid on a pair of our favorite jeans only to find an errant sock or pair of underwear balled up in a pant leg completely throwing off an otherwise comfy fit... - New Year's Resolution
If you traveled at all this past holiday season, it is an unfortunate certainty that you likely ran into some delays or other transportation-related problems somewhere along the way. To be fair, the holidays are an extreme and will burden... - Customer service with a side of 5 Series.
Every so often you come across a product that is a real game-changer. These are the items that are executed so well that competitors can actually thrive just by emulating them and offering an inferior copy. It seems that just... - Year end clearance...
Well, the holiday season is officially upon us. This is the time of year when people are thinking about travel plans, trendy gifts and dropping temperatures. One thing noticeably off that list is the purchase of a new (or used)...
- Ford Transit Connect Taxi: Say Hello To The Next NYC Cab [Chicago Auto Show]
Ford's got two new flavors of Transit Connect targeted squarely at the commercial market. One's an all-electric. The other's a customized Transit Connect running compressed natural gas or LPG for taxi fleets across the country — including New York City.The Ford Transit Connect is one of the rare cases of commercial vehicle that's actually pretty neat. It's compact, fuel efficient, has massive payload capacity and tons of room. Now Ford's adding a couple new twists to the lineup — CNG or LPG capability for a Taxi version and an all-electric version for other commercial applications. The Transit Connect Electric serves as a harbinger of things to come, with the electric Focus Sedan launch following the Transit Connect Electric and a next generation hybrid system including plug-ins coming in 2012. So what's under the hood on the electric Transit? Well, literally there's a motor controller and a electric motor to start with, but in a more figurative sense there's also a lithium-ion battery good for eighty miles of driving. With a 220V charging system it'll charge in four hours, the traditional eight hours at 120V. The finished chassis comes into the US without a powertrain and will head to an as-yet unannounced site in Michigan for electrical upfit by Azure Dynamics, the supplier on the controls and drive line. Acceleration is on par with the standard Transit Connect with a top speed of 75 MPH.
The Taxi version's the one with more upside potential for Ford. With the ubiquitous Crown Victoria nearing the end of its long and illustrious taxi career, something will have to replace it — especially given the NYC TLC has put out a new bid for a replacement product. Enter the Transit Connect Taxi. It's the standard Transit Connect passenger version outfitted for taxi duty with 3 inches of additional leg room in the back, an integrated fare tracking system, a specialized version of the Ford Works Solutions system up front, and a combined information and entertainment and fare collecting system in the back. The Taxi is also being shown with the Compressed Natural Gas system fitted to the vehicle. It includes modified engine controls and fuel delivery system as well as a tank behind the passenger seat. There's also the option of LPG and both systems can be had on a non-Taxi Transit Connect, if you place a big enough commercial order.
Ford spokespeople are clear "the New York City taxi business is very important to us" but they're also telling us that they're still examining the bid by New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) for the next-generation taxi cabs. But, that said, for the moment we're being told that the Transit Connect taxi you see above stands a damn good shot at being their candidate to replace the ol' and busted Crown Vic. So although it's not yet Ford's final choice, they frankly don't have any other choices to throw down with.
- Commenter Of The Day: Defying Expectations Edition [Commenter Of The Day]
A girl I dated once shared a college class with Jenna Bush and, despite what you'd expect, the first daughter was about as normal a college student as you'd find with the exception of the secret service detail. So as not to interfere with the life of a young person, the Secret Service agents protecting her took her classes and tried to blend in with the background as best they could. Everyone in the class was convinced the agent was a tall young man with a well-deep voice built like a football player instead of an English major. One day this girl and I were at a bar in Austin when she pointed out the secret service agent. It was none other than an old friend of mine who, in reality, was an English major and not the protector of the president's daughter. When we asked does your car interfere with your love life our own Maximum_Sarge also turned expectations around.
For the record, I meant I expected a comment mentioning someone owns a newer Porsche to be obnoxious. I was wrong.
- Is This The 2012 Indy Car? [Racing News]
2010 was originally set to be the last year of competition for the aging Dallara IndyCar chassis. Political turmoil has postponed the changeover, however, and the IRL is currently evaluating its options. This car is part of Swift Engineering's proposal.The Indy Racing League has had a tough couple of years. Rising costs, shrinking TV audiences, and the very public CART battle have left the series on somewhat unstable ground. Its star drivers have a bad habit of defecting to greener pastures (see Hornish/Patrick/NASCAR, etc.), and its spec car is neither dramatic nor particularly inspiring to watch run. In a nutshell, the IRL is floundering, a series in search of a soul.
Plans to revamp the league have been underway for some time, but concrete results have yet to appear. The current car — a dumpy-looking spec chassis built by Italian manufacturer Dallara and powered by a Honda V-8 — is one of the areas targeted for change. Several meetings between IRL officials and potential engine suppliers took place in 2009, and chassis proposals have been recieved from manufacturers like Lola, Dallara, and the Chip Ganassi-backed Delta Wing. Exact specifications are still up in the air, but the engine package has reportedly been narrowed down to a vague set of requirements: a displacement under two liters, no more than four valves per cylinder, and allowable direct injection and turbocharging.
The car you see here is part of a proposal by American racing-car manufacturer Swift Engineering, one designed to help reinvigorate the series while offering fan- and driver-friendly qualities. (Swift has a long history of race-car construction; the firm essentially reinvented Formula Ford in the early 1980s and is responsible for the current Toyota Atlantic chassis.)
There isn't much available in the way of specifics, but Swift's proposal appears to offer two separate body styles — a low-drag setup for ovals and a downforce-heavy arrangement for road courses — and an exposed driveline. Will it or one of its competitors be enough to jolt some life back into the IRL? Only time will tell.
- Dodge Confused By Women, Seeks Beard [Super Bowl Ad Watch]
Dodge's Super Bowl ad was all about women making it hard for men to be themselves. A companion ad involves dumping a slightly butch woman and their Facebook campaign's a search for "super" beards. Something you wanna tell us Dodge?If the Super Bowl commercial was a treatise on how hard it is to be a man then their companion ad — a female version — is about how hard it is to date a woman who really likes Heart and flannel shirts. This would just be a coincidence if there wasn't a simultaneous campaign on Facebook involving a search by Dodge for the "Super Beard."
And who said CBS wouldn't let anyone run a Super Bowl ad targeting gay people?
(Hat tip to Aaron)
- Life Too Normal? Try The Alfamino Project [Found On EBay]
The dude that owns this thing calls it the "Alfamino." Cool conversion, lame name. (We prefer "Giuliamino" — it doesn't match the sticker, but it doesn't sound quite as dorky.) eBay, your wonders never cease.This beast is sitting on eBay with six days to go and twelve grand on the clock. It was converted from a sedan in 1986, and the seller has owned it since 2001. The last time it ran, it sported Bosch L-Jet fuel injection and air-conditioning. The block and head are from a 2.0-liter Spider; those wheels are supposedly Jongbloeds. The car is half-assembled and fresh from a bout of rust repair and a respray.
You want this. You do not want this. We know the feeling. Who in their right mind would cut up a Super? Who in their right mind wouldn't cut up a Super? You sit and you start thinking up excuses — anything to justify the weirdness. Maybe a tree fell on it. Maybe it was rear-ended. That back glass is pretty cool. If only it weren't twelve — twelve! — freaking grand. Maybe we just want a Colli instead.
Still, cool. La Giulia che vince indeed.
(If you're interested, additional pictures can be found here.)
(Hat tip to James!)
- The Funniest Lap Of The Nurburgring Ever [LOLCars]
Think that jerkoff track day instructor was bad? Wait till you see this driver/instructor combo arguing through an entire lap of the Nurburgring. Worse, this driver actually manages to pass a few people.Hat tip to D-Fence
- Protoscar Lampo2: Ugly, Electric, Interesting [Geneva Motor Show]
The Protoscar Lampo2 is built on GM's Kappa platform but dispenses with the attractive Solstice/Sky shell for bad sci-fi styling and replaces the gasoline engine with two separate electric powertrains tied together to deliver 408 HP.While having a look that burns like fire, the Lampo2 does has some slick ideas, not the least of which includes two completely separate powertrains at each axle. Running together the engines have a total output under full power of 408 HP and 472 lb-ft of torque. The car weighs in at a respectable-for-a-full-EV 3,483 lbs and delivers a 0-to-60 MPH time of five seconds flat and a top speed of 124 MPH. Not too shabby.
If you run out of juice you can take the traditional deep charge which takes about 8 hours and delivers a 124-mile range, though the second and more interesting option is a 10-minute quick charge using a stand-alone, high-power charging system for a claimed 62 miles of additional range — it's like Xanax for range anxiety.
- Burnouts In A 300SEL 6.3: Hoon Or Heresy? [Hoon Of The Day]
Take one of only 6,500 Mercedes 300SEL 6.3s ever made and give it to a couple of Aussies with a workshop. The smokey result is predictable, but is this any way to treat a rare classic?Skip to about the 3:00 minute mark if you want immediate burnout gratification.
Hat tip to LiketheWord
- 2011 Shelby GT500: A Snake With A 550 HP Aluminum Heart [New Cars]
The 2011 Shelby GT500 only gets minor exterior tweaks, but underneath the hood it chucks the heavy iron block truck engine for an all-aluminum 5.4-liter supercharged V8 for 102 lbs less weight and a smokin' 550HP.102 lbs lighter. The new aluminum engine is 102 lbs lighter than the outgoing iron block engine — for a combine full-car reduction on the coupe of 120 lbs. There are plenty of other spec upgrades on the new Shelby GT500 that we'll get to in a moment, but the one that's got our jaw slackened is the weight reduction provided by this new engine. It's almost like taking an entire passenger out of the cabin and yeah, it'll probably have an impact on steering feel, track performance and overall balance in the notoriously nose-heavy GT500.
But, just because we're quite pleased with the weight reduction doesn't mean the increase in power isn't noteworthy. The lighter 5.4-liter dual overhead cam supercharged V8 makes another 10 HP over the outgoing model, with 550 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque (same as current) with 80 percent delivered between 1,750 and 6,250 rpm. It's also made the change to electronic power steering to reduce accessory belt drag and completely does away with iron cylinder liners, using a patented Plasma Transferred Wire Arc liner system to apply a 150-micron composite coating for friction reduction. These efforts have come together to make not only improve horsepower but improve fuel economy, with Ford expecting the car to move off the gas guzzler tax roles, with projected economy of 23 MPG highway and 15 MPG city (remember, that's with 550 HP!)The rest of the car has undergone some noteworthy tweaking as well. Since the front end has been significantly lightened, the tuning up front has been adjusted to provide appropriate grip and the front struts get a coat of red paint because, um, why not? The cars now get the option of the glass roof currently on the lower level cars, standard HID headlights, MyKey (which will come in really handy when tossing the keys to Junior), and fold down rear headrests to comply with new visibility standards.
Finally, the SVT Performance Package, designed for the track-day fiend who wants to eke out more performance from the Shelby GT500. The package includes Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G:2 tires designed specifically for the Shelby, lighter wheels, stiffer springs, a higher rear axle ratio and all are available on both convertible and hardtop. We're told the package reduces track time by an average of 3 seconds on a 2.3 mile track. So, basically, the Shelby GT500 is lighter, more powerful, gets better fuel economy and is faster around the track. Yes, we're happy about this upgrade.
- Jerkoff Track Day Instructor Outed On YouTube, Fired [LOLCars]
A High Performance Driving Event is usually a great place to safely learn the limits of your car, on a track, with a helpful and professional driving instructor. Unless your instructor is this asshole.
As this was the first time the owner took his MazdaSpeed3 on the track it's surprising the instructor freaked out. Seriously, he seems to have done nothing wrong other than a couple of jerky shifts. Luckily, the student got it all on film, uploaded it to YouTube, and the instructor's boss saw it. Guess who won't be frightening newbie drivers at Thunderhill anymore?
(Hat tip to Joe!)
- Man Builds Mustang Out Of Lamborghini, World Goes "Huh?" [Custom Cars]
So get this: Guy likes Lamborghinis. Guy likes Fords. Guy takes a 2007 Mustang and shoves a massive V-10 and transaxle into its middle. We can't look away.Building this monstrosity took one Mustang shell, one Mustang parts car, one Lamborghini Gallardo parts car, and several thousand hours of labor. Everything from the transmission to the all-wheel-drive system is claimed to work. And we'll be damned if we know what to do with it.
What we have here depends entirely on how you view the universe. A few things are undeniable: The fabrication is impressive, the attention to detail staggering. It is like that time you saw that gorgeous, six-foot-tall blonde in line at the grocery, heard her surprisingly deep voice, and then noticed she had an Adam's apple. You want to look away, but you can't. And whether or not you like the end product, you cannot help but admire the effort that produced it.The only details we have come from the folks who put it up for sale on Jameslist:
The crown jewel of our private collection: The Tractorri. The short version? This is a body-in-white '07 Mustang shell with the mechanicals from a Lamborghini Gallardo underneath. From the ABS to the AWD to the E-gear transmission everything works. The long version adds two more Mustangs for parts, thousands of hours of labor and enough one-off parts to make most show cars blush. Oh, and our president drives it around—he put over 1500 miles on it this summer alone! Built and maintained by our own Rick Roush this is a werewolf in wolf's clothing! Check out the pictures for now and we'll have a full description of the build and show history up shortly!
Admit it: Much like the Alfabeast, this is appealing. And you can't explain why. Neither can we.(Also, "Tractorri," the official name for this project, ain't cuttin' it. What would you call this thing? Stangallardo? Lambostang? Disgusting Ball of Horrible Greatness?)
(Hat tip to Love!)
- Irish Bookies Issue Odds On Next Automaker Recall [Carpocalypse]
Irish bookmaking firm Paddy Power (yes, that's its real name) recently announced that Toyota is the "odds-on 1/3 favorite" carmaker to issue the next major recall. We have no idea what this means, but it sounds important.Confession time: We know nothing about bookies. We have no idea what a "1/3 favorite" is, we don't know a damn thing about parimutuel betting, and we are wary of men who want to take our money in exchange for something that may not have monetary value. And when it comes to matters mathematical*, we are easily confused.
Still, the Irish are a fun people, and we're always inclined to trust those who seem to be having a good time. If Paddy Power says that Toyota will be the next manufacturer to issue a major product recall, we might as well . . .
Oh, hell. Who are we kidding? What in blazes do a bunch of Irish oddsmakers know about the global car industry? Isn't this a bit ridiculous? Who takes this kind of thing seriously? Is Akio Toyoda going to mount some sort of massive quality campaign based on the ramblings of a bunch of sporting bettors? These people will literally — it's their job — bet on anything. This is like asking a porn star for her opinion on which dildos cure cancer. Completely. Un. Re. Lated.
You know what? Screw this. We apologize for having wasted your time. As penance, we offer up the following video. Enjoy some 250 TR howl. Turn it up. Have a nice day.
*This includes, naturally, equations both the simple and quadratical.
- Does Your Car Interfere With Your Love Life? [Question Of The Day]
The premise of Dodge's Super Bowl ad was being a man means making sacrifices... so you can drive a Charger. Does your car interfere with your love life?As automotive journalists, cars constantly interfere in our romantic escapades and relationships. We're away driving them, we're out taking pictures of them, we decide to test the brakes in a press car without noticing our significant other is adjusting her makeup. Even before the sweetest gig ever we had our share of problems. Having a penchant for cheap cars and a limited budget, the occasional improvised roadside repairs did delay a few romantic interactions. At one point we were told by a young woman she'd love to go on another date on us... as long as we picked her up in a different car.
Has your love of cars interfered with your love of human contact?
(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of the Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)
- That's It — We Are Officially Tired Of Danica Patrick [Racing News]
This Vanity Fair cartoon, along with this TV spot, did it. Nothing against her personally (and the VF interview is actually pretty funny), but we're pretty much done. Tell NASCAR we said hi. [Vanity Fair]
- Jetliner Part Falls From Sky, Scares Crap Out Of People In Miami Parking Lot [Planelopnik]
A 150-pound piece of a Boeing 747 fell into Miami on Friday, landing in the parking lot of a local mall. This picture was taken the same day in Washington, D.C. Which is worse — blinding snow or falling parts?A canoe-shaped fairing fell from an Atlas Air 747 in Miami last week. The fairing, dropped from approximately 1500 feet, landed in the parking lot of the Miami International Mall. No one was hurt, no cars were damaged, and the plane in question had no issues landing.
So yeah, we couldn't stop thinking of random Chicken Little jokes for this one. We obviously didn't come up with any, and we have to admit, we're a bit embarrassed. (A story with the words "Cocky Locky" and "the sky is falling" at it center? Seems easy, no?) Someone help us out here. Please. It's gonna bug us.
(For reference, if we had to choose, we'd pick snow. Blizzards may suck for travel, but at least they won't take your head off.)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
- 2011 Shelby GT500: What To Expect [New Cars]
Doing anything at 1:30 PM EST today? OK, doing anything important? No? OK, then come here to see the 2011 Shelby GT500 unveiled online ahead of the in-real-life unveil at this week's Chicago Auto Show. But what should we expect?All we know is the big ol' iron block is expected to be replaced with an all-aluminum engine block for reduced weight plus a few additional horses.
Additionally, the new Shelby also will get Ford's electronic power-assist steering system, high-intensity headlamps and a few other minor improvements. Other new options for 2011 include a glass roof for the GT500 coupe and two new colors: Race Red and Ingot Silver Metallic.
We're also hearing a new SVT package (SVT Cobra? Yeah, sorry, probably not) will include — according to a Ford order book by way of the Detroit News — a new version of the limited-slip rear axle, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear painted forged aluminum wheels, as well as upgraded front and rear springs and rear shocks.
The SVT package also will include a special gear shift knob, a different paint scheme with unique striping.
We'll find out more later today.
- Can You ID These Two Snowpocalypse-Frosted Volvos? [Snowpocalypse]
The snowfall from this weekend's Washington D.C. snowpocalypse made a pair of stranded Swedish cars look curvier than they should. Can you I.D. these two frosty Volvos?We got it half right.
UPDATE: Here's a hint, it's in this Google Map somewhere. Both of them together.
Photo courtesy of John Ulaszek
- 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S: Old Dog, New Tricks [New Cars]
There's a reason we don't generally complain about minor upgrades to aging Porsche platforms. In the case of the facelifted 997, it's the top-of-the-911-line 530 HP 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S.Don't call the 997 platform old unless you know another seven-year-old car capable of hitting 62 MPH in 3.3 seconds from a cold start, 196 MPH at the top end and can still look so good doing it. Thrown into the mix Porsche's Ceramic Composite Brakes, seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox, 19-inch RS Spyder wheels and a new leather interior to hold your bottom as you criss-cross poorly supervised backroads.
Oh, and it's like, efficient or something. But who cares about that?The 2011 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet will be available in May, 2010 with an MSRP of $159,100 and $170,200 respectively.
- Cadillac ATS, Next-Gen CTS To Get Greenwashed With New Hybrid System [Over The Back Fence]
Jim Hall, of 2953 Analytics in suburban Detroit, expects GM's next-generation hybrid system to be offered on the rear-drive sub-CTS Cadillac ATS expected to go on sale next year as well as the next-generation CTS, scheduled for 2012. Why? [AutoNews]
- Greetings From Florida (With Double-Barreled Porsche Exhausts On Fire) [Moment Of Zen]
The flat expanse of Sebring International Raceway has never looked as good as here beneath the flaming exhausts of a Porsche 935 at the 1984 12 Hour of Sebring.This photograph is just one of many taken by Paul Woodbury at the race, all set in a gorgeous, warm analog glow:
"It was a very hot day in 1984 and the sun was very bright. The GTP era is taking over from the 935’s now, but a 935 gets its last win in this race. Actually an end of an era as this was the last major race won by a 935,” writes Paul. The year was indeed the swansong of the 935, with its fearsome successor the 956 already racking up wins in Europe.
Far from being a single-race enthusiast, Paul appears to be a proper photographic historian of IMSA GT, American endurance races and Porsche sports prototypes. To click on his Flickr page is to descend into an endless maze of opposed cylinders. Not a bad plan for the weekend, come to think of it.
Photo Credit: Paul Woodbury
- Aurora Cobrorealis for $29,000! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]
It's been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Today, Nice Price or Crack Pipe has a Cobra that, because it's an imitation, might not sincerely flatten your wallet.Okay, first things first- this car is not a kit car. While home-built Cobras outnumber the real deal by probably one hundred to one, series-manufactured cars meeting all DOT and EPA requirements are an anomaly. And they don't get more anomalous than this.
In the late ?70s, the Canadian company Aurora decided to undertake a monumental task- building a replica 289 slabside that was legal to sell in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. That entailed splashing a real Cobra for the fiberglass body (laid up by C&C Yachts), securing a supply of Ford 302 engines and assorted drivetrain pieces. It also required creating a dual-plane tubular chassis which supported both the low-speed bumper crash and side-intrusion standards, and then crash-testing the cars to get certification.
As anyone who has attempted to sell a low-production car in the U.S. will attest, the onus of meeting federal pollution and safety regulations can bankrupt a business faster than having Bernie Madoff as your investment broker. That's part of the reason why Aurora only managed to build 157-170 cars over three years of production- the final cars going out the door incomplete as the asset liquidation auction shuttered the doors for good.
Before that happened, this Ferrari-red 1980 car made it out those same doors under its own power. And that power is provided by a Holman & Moody-modded Ford 302 crate motor that puts out 260-bhp. Backing that up is a B/W (I think) 4-speed and the world's shortest driveshaft. Suspension is independent all around, and features a Salisbury rear-end with in-board discs in back.
Unlike a kit, but very much like the original 289 MKII Cobras, these cars were hand-built - taking up to 450 man-hours to complete - and were sold and serviced through select Ford dealers. With an original price tag of more than $35,000, they fell in between the cost of building one in your garage (and going to bed itching from the fiberglass in your shorts), and buying one of the approximately 528 original Mark II Cobras in existence. Of course since then, real Cobra prices have skyrocketed, and even more kits have rumbled out of home-builders garages. With buying a kit-car there'll always be the question of the competency of the builder, as well as the stigma of driving someone else's project. You could always build one yourself, and wait, oh- five or ten years for it to be completed. Or, there's the option of getting one of the turn-key cars from Factory Five or other licensed builder. That'll set you back more than what this car costs.
The big issue with all of those options is that they're almost all the later MKIV 427 bodies, not the lithe and beautiful slabside cars. And while those brutish behemoths have their advocates, their almost too common these days. That's where the Aurora holds appeal- it's better thought-out than a kit- even having working A/C, and it's not the steroidal 427. This '80 edition most closely replicates the original MKII, with no external door handles, and a convertible top that you might want to enlist the services of a boy scout to erect. Despite those nods to authenticity, it features Smiths Gauges in an engine-turned dash panel, leather seats and leather-trimmed Wilton wool carpeting that would not have been found on the cars leaving Shelby's Southern California Shop. Being a product of the '80s it lacks any of the modern mechanical enhancements such as ABS or traction control, and it's set up to oversteer whenever you even look at the throttle, so it would take some care and education to drive.
And it would also take $29,000 for you to drive it. That remains significantly cheaper than a real Cobra, or even what it would probably cost to build one yourself. Perhaps there's a few dozen completed kits out there for sale that could be had for less, but isn't that like picking up a hooker on the Meth-side of town- you're likely to come away with more or less than you bargained for?
Given that pretty much everybody who bothers to click on that Jalopnik bookmark everyday would dearly love to have a Cobra in their herd, this would be one way to do so while still having a car you could drive nearly every day.
So, do you think $29,000 is too much to ask for a fake snake? Or, does that price make this Canuck Cobra the real deal?
You decide!
BTW: ten points to whomever can guess the source for those tail lights.
Competitionsource.com, or go here if the ad disappears. Also, check out lots of shots of the car here.
Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.
- When Connecting Rods Go Bad [24 Hours Of Lemons]
There's nothing like a race track full of beat-to-hell hoopties to give you a crash course in Blowed Up Engines 101. The Southern Discomfort race offered plenty of busted blocks, oil pans full of bearing shards, and the like.
The top image shows a fairly standard BMW M20 thrown-rod "after" photo. Above, we see a Toyota 4AGE oil pan with bits of damn near every major engine component in a soup of sparkly iron-fortified oil; when a high-mile engine lets go at 8 grand, you're lucky the if oil pan catches most of the chunks.
Speaking of oil pans, what do you do when newly liberated rods make their escape through the bottom of your Ford Windsor's pan? Buy a junkyard short block and patch the pan, of course!
When the race-leading Ford Probe's engine blew up, it wasn't just your regular ventilated block. Check out that big crack- broken nearly in half!
- Audi's Enviro-Facist Green Police Super Bowl Ad [Super Bowl Ad Watch]
All the hubbub around Audi's Green Police Super Bowl ad surrounded the Nazi-esque name when, in reality, the "Green Police" are merely fascist for the environment. We wonder how many people will miss the joke.
- Toyota Announces 2010 Toyota Prius Recall During Super Bowl, Jerks [Toyota Recall]
As we've already reported, the worldwide 2010 Toyota Prius recall is happening. We guess they thought by letting it slip while the Super Bowl was happening we wouldn't notice. Oh, we noticed.Seriously, guys, this is not cool. This is an exciting game. I wanted to write more about the Kia furries. As you'll remember, this is all happening because of a brake delay that occurs under certain situations and, you know, because their drivers don't know how to drive anymore. [New York Times]
- The Stig Makes Appearance In Google Super Bowl Ad [Super Bowl Ad Watch]
Some say he appears in the strangest places, including Google's Parisian-love themed commercial. All we know is we like The Stig better than John Galt and Lady Gaga combined.
Seriously, this guy shows up everywhere these days. All this commercial was missing was The Arcade Fire. (Hat tip to Jack!)
- Dodge's Man's Last Stand Super Bowl Ad Better Than Charger [Super Bowl Ad Watch]
Amid approximately 3,000 Hyundai ads was Dodge's much-anticipated "Man's Last Stand" commercial. The concept was sort of fresh but the Dodge Charger, sadly, is as stale as the ad's perspective on male-female relationships. See it below.
- Just Like Them 60s Racin' Mercuries: The 2003 Marauder [Classic Ad Watch]
We really, really wanted the 2000s iteration of the Marauder to be as badasstical as its NASCAR forebears (or at least the admittedly bloated yet still fantastic X-100 Marauder), but its Grand Marquisness was a bit too apparent.Still, we love the Marauder, slushbox and all? but imagine what it would have been had Ford reached a bit deeper into the parts bin and built something more like this.
- And the Real Winner Is... [24 Hours Of Lemons]
Sure sure, some folks get excited about the LeMons car that gets the most laps, but the Index Of Effluency winner gets the real bragging rights. Today, General Motors takes another big win thanks to the Track Pillagerz! Buick LeSabre.We're not talking about any of your bottom-half-of-the-standings IOEs here; this Buick hung in the top ten for most of the weekend (though they ultimately placed 23rd after some mechanical problems), never broke, and got only one black flag. How quick is it? Check out this video, shot from a hot
Corolla FX16MR2, of the Pillagers! (whose team name, like Yahoo!'s, contains an exclamation point) tearing up Nelson Ledges during the Lamest Day LeMons:
Not only that, (most of) the giant dragon stayed intact all weekend. Congratulations, Track Pillagerz!
- Break Out The Lutefisk! Saab Takes 24 Hours Of LeMons Overall Win! [24 Hours Of Lemons]
I need to get busy helping pack up the Tilt-A-Whirl, here at the LeMons Traveling Carnival, but this scorching-hot news can't wait: the Robin Bank Racing Saab 900 Turbo has won the 24 Hours Of LeMons Southern Discomfort '10 race!
The last several hours were nail-biters for the three top overall-win contenders, with the Saab, the South Of The Border VW GTI, and the Endurance Karting Mazda Miata swapping leads on multiple occasions. In the end, though, the Saab came through with a two-lap edge for the win. Yes, everything changes once GM ditches Saab! Congratulations, rbanksracing.com!
- Back To The 80s: Outrunning The Tennessee Highway Patrol In A Shelby Charger [Retro]
Those of you who remember Mopar restoration expert Randy's Tale Of Two Chargers might have a tough time believing this, but this man once owned a Tercel! Thankfully, he ditched it in favor of a Shelby Charger.Randy's a good writer and he loves his Mopars, so we'll turn the storytelling duties over to him. Enjoy:
In the fall of 1987 I started back to college after a year hiatus. After getting my GI Bill worked out, I decided to buy a new car. Being a Mopar guy, I went to the Dodge dealer. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to choose from performance wise then. I test drove a Turbo Shadow. Yawn. I wasn't really into trucks, and they were slow anyway. I reluctantly decided on a ?87 Shelby Charger. Maroon with Silver stripes, Gray interior, sunroof, rear louvers, turbo 4 cyl and 5-speed. It wasn't really fast, but it was better than the Toyota Tercel I had previously been driving. It did handle well in curves.
You see, with my pride ?n joy 69 Charger burnt, and all my other Mopars sold. I had been reduced to driving this little '81 Tercel that I usually had to roll off as it wouldn't start on it's own most of the time. Can you believe I sold a 71 383 Plum Crazy Challenger just a short time before? Ok, so it had no heater. I mean NO heater. The heater box was gone and it had rags stuffed in the firewall. I drove it all winter hanging my head out the window and scraping ice with my "Sears" card. It really wasn't that bad a car, but it needed some work. It had 2.76 gears and would do 130 quite easily. It even had a little bit of pedal left. However, the nose would start to lift at those speeds, and I decided not to drive it that fast until I got a front spoiler or something. I called it my race car because it had soo much fiberglass stuffed in the quarters and rest of the body. But, it had pretty Purple paint and Cragar Wheels. You know, the kind that were Centerline knockoff's, in chrome. Very nice. Oh, the shame. A Tercel. It was bright Yellow, so it stood out. You couldn't miss it.
Well, as luck would have it, I got a few dollars ahead and decided to have the local foreign car expert fix that dang starting problem. His name was Randy Also. He told me that Toyota didn't make a rebuild kit for that carb that would fix the specific problem it had. Instead it would require a new carb. The new one was something like $350, which was way out of my budget at that time. So, he says he thinks he can do some machining and fix it for around $150, but doesn't know how long it will last. I tell him to go ahead and do that, I'm gonna trade it anyway when I start back to school and the GI Bill kicks in.
While it's at the shop, he experiences a break-in and several cars have their stereo stolen. Mine was one of them. The only decent thing in that car was the stereo. I think it was some sort of current issue Pioneer. He tells me to give him a bill for the radio and his insurance company will reimburse me. Well, guess what? My radio was worth exactly what his bill was for. We made a deal, even swap. He didn't report it on his insurance and I didn't pay for a "modified" carb. I went to the local cheapie electronic store and bought a "Bestco" cassette stereo for around $20 and installed it. I threw the box in the back seat. It worked well enough, for $20 it was awesome.
So, I drive the Tercel to college and trade it on the Shelby Charger within a couple weeks of being there. I didn't get a good deal. Think I paid $12K for it. I was just a kid and they saw me coming. Reeled me in hook line and sinker. Live and learn I guess. When I left in the Charger, they couldn't get the Tercel started. Snicker, snicker. I saw it about six months later at a "?tote the note" car lot in town. I stopped to be sure it was the same car. I think I got $500 trade-in and they wanted $3500 for it on the lot. I knew it was mine by the dented gas filler door and Bestco box in the back seat. Yep, they never moved it. Well, I laughed it off and went about my business.
I wish I could tell you the Charger was a great car. It wasn't. It had lots of mechanical issues and the dealer was awful to deal with. Yet, another learning experience.
Anyway, one winter day in '87, I stayed in my hometown over the weekend a little too late. In order to get back to school in time, I had to get up around 4 or 5 in the morning and haul butt back to college which was about 3 hours away.
I'm hauling butt down I-75 and around the Ooltewah, TN. exit, a light Blue Dodge Diplomat gets on the interstate behind me. The State Trooper's drove these during that time period and I was pretty good at spotting the headlights and grille from a distance and slowing down. So, as he pulled on the interstate behind me, I noticed the grille and slowed down. He pulled around me. I noticed the guy driving was in civies (civilian clothes) and the car had a normal Tennessee state license plate on it, not a government service plate like police cars usually did. I also noticed it had one single antenna on the decklid. Looked like a cb antenna. So, I thought to myself, "This guy is a businessman with a cb. I'll just follow him."
He takes off and runs it up to 80 mph. I park it about 2 car lengths off his bumper and stick with him through the very light traffic. He starts to go faster. And faster. And faster. We get up to 110. We are now zig zagging through traffic and tractor trailers at 110. I'm still 2 car lengths off this bumper. Did I mention the little car handled well? We went that way for several miles. Somewhere before the transition to I-24, he suddenly slows down and pulls up beside me. I look over and he's looking at me real mean. I shrug it off, drop my car into fourth and pull away from him. I get some distance on him, and drop the speed down to 80. He pulls up beside me again, and we repeat the same sequence of events with me leaving him behind. On the third time, I'm thinking, I've offended him somehow and he is probably going to flip me the bird or something. He pulls up and this time his dome light is on. He has a badge in his hand and is motioning for me to pull over.
Oh no, I'm in big trouble now. I just knew I was going to jail. I pulled over and he pulled a few cars in front of me. I got out and, was standing by my car. He got out and said, "Tennessee Highway Patrol. Son, you need to slow that thing down." I started babbling and explained I was going to school on the GI Bill and was late for finals. I thought he was just someone to follow and make some time. He asked how he could tell I was really a student. I showed him my parking pass hanging from the rear view mirror. He said, "That's a fine running machine you got there. Slow it down, I've got a drug bust to go to." And with that, he walked off. I was shaking the whole way back to school and drove 55. I was sure he had radioed up ahead and said, "If this kid comes through speeding, throw him under the jail !! "
It was an odd encounter. I guess he was scared I was going to blow his cover, or was maybe one of the bad guys. Maybe he realized stupid college kids are not as big a threat as drug dealers. Don't know, but standing on that interstate in the cold early morning darkness, I realized that following him was probably not the brightest thing to do. If by some strange chance he ever reads this, I want to say thanks for not throwing me in jail, or writing me a huge ticket.
- Longest Distance Between Two Points? Road Rallye! [Rally]
You won't be Travis Pastrana or Ken Block while you're participating in a local Coursemarker/Gimmick Road Rallye, but there are still trophies to be won. Check out The Rallye Club's latest Bay Area adventure.To run a road rallye you don't need to be factory backed by Subaru. Actually, all you need is any means of transportation, from a Ferrari to a Hyundai, a clipboard, a pencil, $20 for the entry fee and a full tank of petrol.
Coursemarker/Gimmick Road Rallyes are street legal competitions which are run on public roads and have no speed element. During a drivers' meeting, a driver and a navigator are given route instructions to drive along a prescribed route. The instructions are filled with clues and gimmicks to take the team off the "correct route" and put them on what is known as the "turkey route." During the rallye there are questions to be answered on a score sheet, and depending on which route you're on, makes the difference in your total score.
One of the things you are looking for on a Coursemarker/Gimmick rallye are the different coursemarkers throughout the route. Some of these coursemarkers will give you points and new route instructions. Some of the coursemarkers are "fish" meant to trick you and cause you to lose points (and possibly get even more lost than you already are).
There are drivers' meetings before the rallye and checkpoints along the route to make sure everyone is on track and also to hand out more instructions and clues to possibly confuse the drivers and navigators along the way (it's all part of the fun). I've heard road rallyes explained as a large board game where the neighborhood is the board and your car is the game piece (in this game you always get to be the car and don't get stuck being the top hat or the wheelbarrow).
Jalopnik ran The Rallye Club's (TRC) We're Off to See the Wizard rallye. We learned that during a rallye you will probably make a hundred u-turns, the navigator will get carsick at least once (I personally learned that my navigator ate green beans at some point during the day) and, very important, you can never have too many lights at night. The rallye ended at a local pizza joint where beer was poured and the "rallye" bench racing began. Scores were added up and here are the winners:
Winning the Master/Expert Class with a near perfect score of 990 out of 1,000 was Navigator Jim Davidson and Driver Ted Boet driving an Infiniti G35. No surprise these guys won as they also run their own rallye series with the El Dorado Touring Club.
Winning the Expert Class with a score of 990/1,000 was Navigator Julie Kline and Driver Steve Kline all the way from Nevada.
Winning the heavily contested Senior Class with a score of 925/1,000 was the father-daughter team with Navigator Christy Thomas and Driver Bob Cunningham.
Winning the Novice Class with a score of 920/1,000 was Navigator Jessica Powell and Driver Trevor Thompson.
Winning the Beginner Class with a score of 935/1,000 was Navigator Heidi Brown and Driver Peter Brown.
Winning the First Timer Class with a score of 915/1,000 was Krider Racing with twelve year old Navigator Gus Krider and his dad, Driver Rob Krider, beating the hell out of a Hyundai (and coincidentally giving Hyundai their first rallye win of 2010).
To find out more about rallyes or check out the schedule for future events go to the website for The Rallye Club.
- Engine Of The Day: Continental Motors [Engine Of The Day]
Engines manufactured by Continental 1920s and 1930s powered about four million cars, which seems moderately impressive. Read Daniel Strohl's list of Continental-powered marques, however, and you'll be floored!Of course, that list should lead you right to Strohl's original Hemmings Motor News piece. It's true that we're looking at an engine company here, not a specific engine model, but we're still impressed by the vast number of vehicles that relied on Continental power. Thanks to Judge Jonny for the tip!
[Hemmings Auto Blogs, Hemmings Motor News]
- Holy Nickelbag Twin-Ghettocharged GMC Van Takes To The Street, Sounds Good! [Engine Swap]
When we last saw the Snoopy's Quest For The Holy Nickelbag race van, it wasn't quite running. Did you think this fine racin' machine would launch all its rods into the next county the first time it fired up? Wrong!It seems to run just fine, and we're thinking it ought to be quite a sight on the racetrack at the American Irony 24 Hours Of LeMons race this April.
- 1978 Buick LeSabre [Down On The Street]
Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Many Americans bought gas-sipping Colts and Chevettes when Malaise fuel prices hit? but some stayed with big Buicks!
This 32-year-old, daily-driven LeSabre sports traditional Detroit design and looks much less dated than economy cars of the same era.
The standard LeSabre engine for '78 was the 105-horsepower Buick V6, which wasn't much engine for a 3,500-pound car. You could also get a 165-horse turbocharged V6 or a Chevy 305 with 140 horsepower (and V8 torque). OK, fine, it's ridiculously underpowered. Even a minivan with an entire kids' soccer team inside would blow this car away in a drag race, but which vehicle would you rather drive to Vegas?
First 500 DOTS Vehicles ? DOTS FAQ
- Innovations In LeMons Justice: The Teach Your Girlfriend's Sister How To Drive a Stick Shift Penalty! [24 Hours Of Lemons]
We've all had to do this: incredible pressures are brought to bear upon you, forcing you to teach someone you barely know how to work a manual transmission. A great idea for a 24 Hours of LeMons penalty, we say!
It turns out that Assistant LeMons South Perpetrator and nice Southern girl Chantelle (you may remember her from the LeMons Moonshine Taste Test) has been working at race tracks for quite a while, yet never learned how to use the third pedal on the left. We resolved that we'd not only fix that problem, we'd ensure that she had her very first racin' experience at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?
So here's how the Teach Your Girlfriend's Little Sister To Drive A Stick Shift Penalty (from this point forward to be referred to as the TYGLSTDASSP) works: A manual-trans-equipped team that racks up a ridiculous quantity of black flags in a short period of time must take Chantelle to the edge of the paddock and get her up to speed on the intricacies of manual transmission operation, preferably without destroying the race car or killing anyone. After that, they must round up a complete set of fireproof racing gear to fit a slim 5' 11" racer and let her drive a full-on LeMons race session. If it turns out to take all day...well, the LeMons Supreme Court has all the time in the world! Oh yeah!
Chantelle turned out to be a fast learner, however, and the Purple People Eater RX-7 team had her ready to go in about 15 minutes. Recognize this former LeMons winner? Yes, she was driving the Mazda that won the first-ever LeMons South, and she did great!
Once the word got around that we had a genuine prodigy on our hands, the guys on the Dorifto Dogs E30 team- who also have a LeMons South overall win under their belts- figured it would be an honor to let Chantelle pilot their BMW for a while.
Thing is, the Dogs' clutch was a bit funky. Hey, no sweat-o; just give her 45 seconds of instruction and she'll be good to go!
While Chantelle certainly wasn't fast on her first race, she drove better than a pretty high percentage of experienced racers.
- When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Chili In Your Volvo's Valve Cover [24 Hours Of Lemons]
We decided to hold the First Annual LeMons South Chili Cook-Off today, and the Best Chili Presentation trophy- if we had such a thing- would have to go to the Tunachuckers Volvo Amazon team.
The Index of Effluency and Heroic Fix-winning Tunachuckers had some bad luck early on; their engine's oil drain plug fell out on their very first lap under the green flag, which led to all the oil spewing onto the asphalt and a spun rod bearing. Whoops!
They tried to de-seize the engine by push-starting, but no dice. Then they took the ol' B20 apart, grabbed the decorative rod from the car's roof (a souvenir of their Heroic Fix 40-minute long block swap from the last race), cleaned up some trashed parts-stash bearings with a Dremel, and got the whole mess back together.
Success! In an ideal world, the Tunachuckers would have gone on to take the overall win... but, in the real world, their "rebuilt" engine lasted about five minutes before spinning some more bearings. That's when the team, with no spare engines in reserve, decided to shift their focus to chili cooking.
- Southern Discomfort Day One In the Books, Saab Leads [24 Hours Of Lemons]
We've spent a long, cold day in South Carolina, and the level of racing drama has been high. The lead changed again and again, the first- and second-position cars were knocked out by mechanical woes, and a Saab now leads.Let's take a look at the top five at the end of the first session. Are we excited that a Saab is doing so well? Hell yes!
1. rbanksracing.com, Saab 900 Turbo
2. Team Red Rocket, Ford Escort
3. www.endurancekarting.com, Mazda Miata
4. Team SOB (South of the Border), Volkswagen GTI
5. JunkWorks Racing, Mazda E30ata
- What's The Heaviest of Metalhead Rides? [Question Of The Day]
Beer-soaked burnouts in the Circle K parking lot while Slayer cranks on the Kraco. Yeah, it's the real American Dream in full effect, but what kind of car fits the headbangin' lifestyle the best?
I came of driving age during the early 1980s, so for me the answer will always be the primer-gray early-70s Plymouth Satellite with a tunnel ram through the hood and the rear end jacked up about five goddamn feet off the ground. However, objectivity demands that I acknowledge the third-generation Chevy Camaro as the car Lemmy Kilmister would be driving right now, had he been born in Bakersfield and his band had never gone beyond the dive-bar stage. And, really, a big ol' Delta 88 with Vise-Grips for window cranks is also quite metallic. What do you think goes best in the Heavy Metal Parking Lot?
To get in the right fame of mind for this exercise, you need to crank up the fuckin' volume and listen to Udo Dirkschneider screaming directly into your soul! AIIIIEEEEE!!!
- Luxury For Pyramid Builders: The 1998 Lincoln Navigator [Classic Ad Watch]
After reading this New York Times piece about ten-year venture-capital profit numbers finally catching up with the Dot-Com Bust, the first thing to come to mind was? the original Lincoln Navigator!This ad sure doesn't disappoint. Apparently targeted at building contractors who struck it rich with exurban-sprawl cul-de-sac jobs, the '98 Navigator's ad shows the connection between the ancients (who built huge pyramids in the desert) and heavily focus-grouped Navigator customers (who built McMansions a mere two-hour commute from Rapid City). Never mind that it's just an Expedition with some glitzed troweled on, because Navigator leads the way on the Road To Success.
- Uh-Oh! Race Leader Nukes Engine [24 Hours Of Lemons]
It looked like the BoomPow Surprise Probe might to walk away with the race... but a lot can happen in a long endurance race.
Fire! Engine parts bouncing off the asphalt!
Normally, the team in second position would be quite excited about this development, but the Magnum PU Prelude suffered a serious brake-fluid fire at the same moment. That means that the Rbankracing.com Saab 900 Turbo takes over as the leader. You may recall this Saab as the car that stood on top of the standings at the end of the first day of the LeMons South Spring '09 race... then proceeded to rack up about five black flags in the first hour on Sunday. Could a Saab take the overall win?
Skip to about the 3:00 minute mark if you want immediate burnout gratification.
- 2010 Chicago Auto Show: Ford's Green 2011 Transit Connects
At the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, which kicks off Wednesday morning, Ford will have several introductions. Among them are two green versions of its 2011 Ford Transit Connect small commercial van. All-electric van First, Ford launches its very first all-electric car, to be known as the Transit Connect Electric. Converted in the U.S. by Azure Dynamics...
- 2010 Volvo C70 Bottom Line
With a hardtop convertible system and a peppy turbocharged engine, the 2010 Volvo C70 is a fun and fast top-down tourer, but limited cargo space and small rear seats mean it's best suited to two adults rather than four. The Volvo C70 is mostly a carry-over from 2009, with a few new options and packages for 2010. While tThe C70's exterior design is...
- Toyota Recall Already Denting Residuals, Resale Values
Some of the most respected companies that look at depreciation are predicting that Toyota (NYSE: TM) vehicles won't be worth as much as much as previously predicted when customers go to trade them a few years from now. Yes, even the ones that aren't recalled. But how much they'll fall in value depends much on how well Toyota Motor Sales addresses...
- GM Announces Pontiac Vibe Sudden Acceleration Fix
Pontiac is dead and soon to be gone--only a handful of cars remain on dealer lots--but General Motors today announced it will be fixing all 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe models affected by the sudden acceleration issue. The Vibe shares most of its parts and design with the recalled Toyota Matrix. The fix is the same as Toyota's: Pontiac dealers will...
- More Than 30 MPG Highway: The New Benchmark For Green Cars?
So what exactly IS a "green car"? At both the Los Angeles Auto Show and Detroit Auto Show, you could find the word "green" all over the place. LA has been pitching itself for years as the greenest auto show, with fewer muscle cars and more hybrids, clean diesels, and so forth than any other U.S. show. Judging from the signs, it appears that...
- 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Preview
We've known for weeks most of the major outlines of Ford's 2011 upgrades for the Shelby GT500 thanks to a few early leaked documents, but now the official info and photos are out, confirming most of what we knew, and filling in the details. The car gains 10 horsepower as its 9-poundaboost supercharged engine gets an all-aluminum block for a total...
- 2010 Chicago Auto Show Preview: Challenger Goes Fuchsia, Chrysler Shows Mobile TV
The 2010 Chicago Auto Show is going to be a neurasthenic and tech-laden event for Chrysler, as they key exhibits will feature the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and R/T in Furious Fuchsia and Chrysler's live mobile TV service now available in eight 2010 model-year vehicles. Challenger fans will remember the Plum Crazy Purple version from late last...
- 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Bottom Line
Serious off-roaders who also want to be stylish and fashion-conscious don't have many choices. But the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser offers unique, rugged, retro-chic style and excellent off-roading ability—all in a more cohesive, practical package than most other affordable SUVs. There are few if any vehicles that combine retro and contemporary styling...
- Video: 2010 Acura ZDX Customized For MusiCares Auction (Ends Today!)
A musician's life isn't easy. Like other entrepreneurs, the musician has to hustle, piecing together jobs to make a living, but the earnings can be slim and the competition tough. Putting aside cash for healthcare and personal emergencies is often difficult, if not impossible. That's why in 1989 the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences...
- 2010 Toyota Tundra Bottom Line
The Toyota Tundra was last redesigned in 2007, when Toyota asserted itself by supersizing this full-size pickup—making the Tundra every bit as massive as the largest versions of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. It gets a very minor refresh for 2010, with a new grille design for some trims and a new taillight design for the entire lineup...
- Ford Marks 7,000,000 Ford Rangers
Amid the ongoing global economic turmoil and the unfolding Toyota recall fiasco, we'd like to take a moment to commemorate a brighter bit of news: the 7,000,000th Ford Ranger rolled off the assembly line in St. Paul, Minnesota last month. Folks of a certain age will recall that the Ranger name was once associated with a styling package available...
- Bluetooth Blues: Why Won't Your Phone And Car Play Nice?
If you upgrade to one of today's most popular high-end smartphones—like the iPhone or a Blackberry—from a standard flip-phone, you might be surprised to find that you can no longer take advantage of some of the features in today's most technologically advanced vehicles. Even in Ford's full-featured Sync system, we've observed, you can't access...
- 2010 Ford Transit Connect Bottom Line
It's new to the United States for 2010, but more than 600,000 Ford Transit Connect small delivery vans have been sold in Europe and elsewhere since 2003. Ford brought the 2010 Transit Connect Stateside in the hopes of cultivating a small but loyal audience for the oddly endearing van; it plans to build the next generation in an American factory...
- 2010 Saab 9-3X Now Available (For Pre-Order, Anyway)
New Orleans Saints fans aren't the only ones with good reason to spring (or crawl) out of bed this morning. According to SaabHistory.com, Saab fans have cause to celebrate too, as Saab dealerships are now taking orders for the 2010 Saab 9-3X. (Saab enthusiasts from New Orleans: pace yourselves.) The good news comes with a few caveats, though. For...
- Preview: 2011 BMW X5
BMW has enhanced its X5 SUV for the 2011 model year, updating the vehicle’s powertrain and styling to keep it fresh in what has become one of the most closely fought segments in the industry. Originally launched back in 1999, the BMW X5 helped change the SUV segment by showing that the driving dynamics, responsiveness, and handling of a car...