4wheelstuff

2011 Honda Accord Review

2011-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

MSRP $21,180 (Base)

The 2011 Honda Accord is the eighth generation of the vehicle and is now selling in dealerships. An exciting styling refresh is expected, with plans to make the Accord look more like a four-door coupe than a family sedan. Honda will most likely accompany the outer styling changes with revisions to the interior as well. Read on for a preliminary car review of the 2011 Honda Accord.

Specifications
With the 2011 Accord, Honda is upping the ante yet again. The latest incarnation of the popular sedan - or coupe - boasts a starting price tag that ranges between $22K and $32K. With two different 4-cylinder engines available, and one souped-up V6, the 2011 Honda Accord should please those with a need for speed. Five-speed automatic and manual transmissions are available, and all Accords feature front wheel drive. With enhanced fuel economy, it’s safe to say that the 2011 Accord is a definite winner. Here are several of the specs on the 2011 Accord:

•Pricing: prices of the new Accord range from $21,180 to $31,730 MSRP; no invoice data available

•Fuel economy:23 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, 27 mpg combined

•Engine: two four-cylinder engine options, one offering 180 horsepower, the other 195 horsepower. The V6 engine option should produce about 275 horsepower.

•Drivetrain: four-cylinder engines can be paired with a five-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission; V6 Accord coupes are available with a six-speed manual

•Acceleration: V6 2011 Accord completes 0-60 mph in about 7.5 seconds

•Model lineup: no changes are expected to the current lineup of Accords despite rumors of a resurrected gas-electric hybrid Accord.

•Car safety features: buyers can expect standard safety equipment like stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and side-curtain airbags. The brakes in the 2010 Honda Accord were sub-par, so Honda may tweak them for the new model year.

•Suspension: double-wishbone front suspension, independent multi-link rear suspension

•Warranty: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of corrosion protection

On the Road
While the 2010 Accord wasn’t quite sporty enough for some drivers, tweaks to the designs of the 2011 model’s engine and transmission make up for it. Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the roominess of the car; even when every seat is filled, it never feels truly cramped. Handling is quite good, especially in coupe models. Although it performs admirably on the freeway, the 2011 Honda Accord does suffer from slightly elevated road noise that may bother some drivers.

The light, assured handling of the Honda Accord, combined with its fuel efficiency and punchy horsepower, makes it a true pleasure to drive. Unlike heavier sedans which feel clunky or awkward when being maneuvered around turns, the 2011 Honda Accord feels as if it is floating above the highway, touching the ground in the most minimal way. In fact, the floating feeling can cause the judicious owner to check his or her tire pressure to make sure it is indeed at the appropriate 30 PSI. Although the Accord is not a sports car, it has enough power to make it an excellent choice for long forays across the open road, and enough dexterity to handle the abrupt stops and jumps of city driving. The brakes are clean and responsive, and make navigating exceptionally curvy pathways at relatively high speed effortless.

Under the Hood
Despite its low price tag, the 2011 Honda Accord is packed to its gills with power. Topnotch engineering gives all three engines plenty of oomph. The 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, for instance, gets 177 horsepower; the more finely-tuned 4-cylinder that comes with EX and EX-L sedans - and all coupes - gets 190 horsepower. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces a whopping 271 horsepower. Five-speed manual (or six-speed manual in the case of the V6) and automatic transmissions get the job done, and reduced engine frictions through new gear ratios produces much better fuel economy.

Exterior Features
Almost every auto review of the 2010 Honda Accord agreed that the car was in desperate need of a styling refresh, and Honda is expected to deliver on that in 2011. In initial photos of the 2011 Honda Accord, you’ll see an extremely futuristic-looking car with high body lines and pulled-back headlights. The new Accord has very short overhangs and pronounced wheel arches. Overall, the new style gives the Accord a sporty, aggressive, coupe-like look that is very attractive.

Interior Features
The seats are roomy and designed to maximize comfort. Honda has always had an excellent sensibility when it comes to providing enough room for its passengers without wasting space. Perhaps the most cheering development is the addition of more ergonomic control panels, which make it much easier not only to read the displays and equipment, but to adjust them without taking any attention away from driving. With a full selection of audio/accessory perks, including a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, this vehicle is truly equipped for the 21st century. When combined with climate control, riding inside of a Honda Accord is an immersive, pleasurable experience.

Drivers have come to expect quality from Honda vehicles; the 2011 Accord does not disappoint. Technology lovers will appreciate the new USB iPod interfaces that are now included; rearranged climate controls enhance the experience of getting around town in comfort. Roomy, comfortable seats make for a very pleasant ride, while an abundance of high quality materials make the car feel much more sophisticated than others in its class. The enhanced navigation screen and new backup camera all round out the high quality of the interior of the Honda Accord to a considerable degree.

Performance
Although we won’t have any firm information on handling and performance until the 2011 Honda Accord completes an official road test, what’s under the hood is likely to remain the same for the upcoming model year. The Accord doesn’t need to improve fuel economy or add horsepower in order to remain competitive in the midsize sedan class, so changes are improbable. One change critics would like to see in the 2011 Accord, however, is improved braking ability. The 2010 model took an unnecessarily long time to come to a stop—an issue that Honda will ideally correct next time around.

Pros
There are plenty of perks involved with the 2011 Honda Accord. The price tag will attract initial interest, while exceptional fuel economy - sedans equipped with automatic transmissions get 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway - will reel many drivers in. The graceful design and ample technology that comes along with even base models of the 2011 Accord are all positive attributes, too. Honda has comprehensive warranty policies that give drivers significant peace of mind. Each component is engineered to deliver maximum quality; therefore, breakdowns due to purely mechanical failures are rare. Although regular maintenance is required, simple functions like changing the oil, rotating the tires, and otherwise performing routine, relatively inexpensive checks will keep the vehicle performing at a high rate for years. Developing a good relationship with a certified Honda mechanic will enable him or her to create a history of when each repair has been performed, allowing him or her to anticipate the need for additional maintenance. Anyone who is looking for an affordable sedan or coupe should consider the class-leading Accord.

Cons
In order to get at the cons of the 2011 Honda Accord, one has to get a little nit-picky. Road noise is one glaring issue, especially since many drivers don’t appreciate having to turn up the volume in order to hear their music. Some of the buttons continue to look rather similar, producing a bit of confusion. After growing accustomed to the Accord, though, it should cease being an issue for most drivers. The sedan is not as trim as other vehicles, and therefore uses slightly more gas than a two-door couple. For those individuals with families, the Honda Accord is the best choice in terms of maximizing comfort for multiple passengers.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG - First Drive Review

2011-01-18T21:33:00.000-08:00

A smaller engine with larger output makes for an enticing new CLS63 AMG.

BY JENS MEINERS
January 2011

When it comes to what’s under the hood, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG launches with a name that is now more misleading than ever. AMG’s “63” moniker, after all, never was entirely correct: At 6208 cc, the last-gen CLS63’s naturally aspirated M156 engine missed the 6.3-liter mark by less than a 10th of a liter. And now, most AMG “63” cars are having their 6.2 replaced by a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 dubbed M157.

The smaller, turbocharged engine manages far better fuel economy than its predecessor (Mercedes expects EPA ratings for the 2012 CLS63 to be 16 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway, up from 12/18 for its predecessor) with, conveniently, more power. This CLS63 chalks up an 11-hp increase over the old car, from 507 to 518. Torque, meanwhile, gets a kick upward of 51 lb-ft, from 465 to 516. If that’s not enough, the optional Performance package cranks boost from 14.5 psi to 18.8, ratcheting power up to 550 horses and torque to 590 lb-ft.

Aided by a seven-speed automatic—the same transmission found in other V-8 AMG cars, it has a multiplate wet clutch replacing the torque converter—the CLS63 charges forward like a supercar and pulls relentlessly way beyond the 100-mph barrier. Top speed is governed at 155 mph, or 186 with the Performance pack, which also drops Mercedes’ estimated 0-to-60-mph time from 4.4 seconds to 4.3. As we clocked a previous-generation CLS63 to 60 in 4.1 seconds, we’ll call those estimates conservative. Turbocharging does squelch some of the bawdy V-8 roar that contributes so much to our enjoyment of the M156, but we’d say the extra power and torque are an adequate salve for that disappointment.

The AMG brand is often associated with straight-line performance more than balanced cornering. For some vehicles in its vast portfolio, which includes literal heavyweights such as the S-class and G-wagen, that is accurate; but the CLS defies that stereotype. The steering—controlled by a fat, somewhat oversized, Alcantara-wrapped wheel—is a touch too light but very precise, and the adjustable suspension allows only minimal body roll, behaving predictably up to the limits of adhesion. Try to surpass those limits, and the traction-control system intervenes sharply. It can be turned off entirely, but doing so is only recommended for trained professionals. The brakes feel a bit too aggressive around town but are perfect on the open road.

If you drive the CLS63 AMG with civility (good luck with that), it is actually quite comfortable. And it’s even green (sort of): The engine automatically shuts off when the car is stationary, and a prominent “eco” light illuminates in the instrument cluster whenever the driver isn’t sucking too much fuel. Okay, so that’s not really green at all. Any effort at political correctness is thoroughly negated by AMG’s design team. The grille, with its single horizontal crossbar, quotes Mercedes’ traditional sporty motif like the grille on the gullwing SLS does. From the gigantic front air intakes, venomous-looking LED headlights, and wide fenders to the quadruple exhaust tips, the CLS63 AMG is a hostile take on the already extroverted second-generation CLS, and it has us in equal parts scared and seduced.

2010 Mansory Porsche Panamera

2009-10-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

MANSORY Switzerland enhances the Porsche Panamera. The specialist for exclusive refinement of premium automobiles turns the four-door Gran Turismo into a power pack which is even more dynamic and exclusive and most of all has a significantly more distinct appearance.

Originally, the company owner Kourosh Mansory solely focused on British luxury cars, but meanwhile he has also proven his talent for Italian brands such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and automobiles like the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. After the Chopster Cayenne, the Panamera is already the second Porsche which is given the honour to become entirely modified by MANSORY.

Also, the new Porsche will receive an individual design language according to the MANSORY tradition. Its engineers produce the new aerodynamics components in high-strength polyurethane (PU-RIM) and Prepreg-Autoclav-Carbon, the characteristic material for MANSORY. As the car is lowered by 35 millimetres and equipped with new wheels measuring 9,5x21 and 11,5x21 inches as well as a sport exhaust system, the new personality of the Panamera becomes significantly more visual and audible.

In order to provide the driver directly with the experience of an automobile refined by MANSORY, the engineers included extensive refinements. A widespread leather interior can be individually matched with the most precious woods, finest varnish or dynamic carbon. The pedals made of brushed aluminium perfect the interior equipment. With the newly designed sports steering wheel, the driver can feel the elegance of the refined Porsche straight in his hands.

MANSORY Switzerland bestows an individual appearance to the Porsche Panamera. The complex refinement turns a sports car for journeys into a characteristic personality – after all a real MANSORY.

For more information about the exclusive refining programme by MANSORY Switzerland AG please visit the web site www.mansory.ch

2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost

2009-10-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ghost is a vision of simplicity – of taking the core values of Rolls-Royce and creating contemporary effortless luxury. Ghost has been engineered to ride and drive in peerless fashion. The chassis’ poise delivers a dynamically engaging experience for the driver, yet a serene, comfortable ride for passengers. Engine power is delivered in a manner which has become an engineering signature, seemingly effortlessly and endlessly. The latest in-car technology falls easily to hand while forming part of the background.

Ghost embodies 21st-century Rolls-Royce: more than 100 years of engineering and design excellence expressed in modern and uncompromised style.

*Rest of World specification – figures for North America can be found in the technical specification

** Option not available in some markets due to legal restrictions

Honda Skydeck: unhinged

2009-10-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the Skydeck gallery.
After its unveil this week in Tokyo, we thought we’d give you a bit more information about Honda’s Skydeck, the crazy-doored concept sharing a stand with the nearly-production CR-Z.

The only problem is that there isn’t really much more information. The Skydeck is described as a hybrid MPV demonstrating how Honda’s petrol-electric technology can be squeezed into different shaped cars.

In the Skydeck, the battery pack sits within the central ‘transmission tunnel’, lowering the centre of gravity and freeing up interior space.

Honda has also done its best to incorporate every weird door configuration known to man: the front doors are scissor arrangements that hinge forward, Lambo-style, while the rears drop down and slide to the back of the Skydeck. We’re a bit disappointed they didn’t manage to fit at least one gullwing in there somewhere...

Beyond that, we know not very much. It has been speculated that the Skydeck previews a replacement for the FR-V, most probably because it is similarly six-seated, albeit in three rows of two rather than two rows of three.

But Honda is keen to stress that the Skydeck is nothing more than a design study, with no plans for production. A pity, or are those doors just too damn kerrazy for you?

Bugatti’s super touring car

2009-10-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Remember that Mercedes SLS ‘Black' we showed you the other week? It was a rendering by Dutch designer-chap Sytse Dijkstra that turned Merc's gullwinged supercar into a LM-style race car.
Well, we liked it. So much that we decided to step it up a notch. What, we wondered, is the most ridiculous fantasy racer we could imagine? A Bugatti Galibier. On 23s and ready for the grid at Le Mans.
Daft, isn't it? Note the open engine covers with Veyron powerplant nestled beneath and ridiculous rear spoiler.
Anyway, we thought we might do some more of these, so get signed up on our commenting thing below and give us your ideas. We'll pick the best five and get them illustrated.
But remember, don't take it too seriously. The more absurd the better, please...
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bugatti-touring-car-2009-10-20

Stig spotted in Amsterdam

2009-10-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

Following last week’s SENSATIONAL ARREST in Dublin, is the Stig now on the run from the police?
Our tame racing driver was spotted yesterday piloting a boat down a canal in Amsterdam, a city which, coincidentally, is included on this year’s Top Gear Live world tour for the first time.
“I had no idea that it was even possible to oversteer a barge,” said one astounded onlooker with a slightly amusing accent. “The tyre smoke was somewhat inexplicable, also. I mean, do barges even have tyres?”
After alighting from his commandeered vessel, the Stig made his getaway in a bright orange Spyker and was last spotted heading in the direction of Holland’s largest clog factory.
Dutch police refused to comment on whether the Stig was now being treated as a international fugitive, but did confirm that an unidentified white-suited man was wanted for questioning in connection with an incident involving an Edam cheese warehouse.Rumours that Stig’s law-bending European tour is nothing more than a blatant stunt to drum up publicity for Top Gear Live have been vehemently denied.

Shelby tops Iacocca at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

2009-10-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

It looks like the top-shelf, one-off 550-hp engine upgrade for that new Iacocca Mustang is worth about $362,000, at least to one buyer. The fifth of just 45 2009 1/2 Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustangs to be made crossed the block on Saturday at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas with a winning bid of $320,000. After fees, the car's final selling price was a whopping $352,000. That's well above the $89,950 MSRP of the other 44 limited-edition, coachbuilt specials. We just wrote about the Iacocca 'Stang and said that the car's exclusive dealer, Galpin Motors of California, would offer engine upgrades for an undisclosed premium. We seriously doubt that the actual surcharge will come anywhere close to the premium secured on the Barrett-Jackson car.

So what made this particular Iacocca attractive enough to bring such a lofty price? Well, for one, it had that upgraded, supercharged 550-horsepower engine. Another reason this one sold for a price nearly four times higher than the base model was that it was sold at auction, with the bidders getting whipped into a typical Barrett-Jackson feeding frenzy. Finally, it was in Las Vegas, a city where fiscal responsibility takes a backseat to, well, pretty much everything. While we love the custom composite coachwork on this special fastback Mustang, and acknowledge that this one is unique with its supercharged engine, that price just seems completely insane. The Iacocca topped many impressive other rides that were up for grabs; follow the jump to read more results. Apparently, everything that happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.

BMW X6, The Newest Evolution SUV

2009-10-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

The BMW X6 is a vehicle that will go with all this things that many are seeking. Let’s look deeply at this incredible automobile. There are some vehicles that were just made for those people who like excellence and perfection. The exclusive automobiles that will satisfy them are many and will just suffice their travel needs and even go ahead and give more.
BMW consider that the X6 offers the Newest evolution in S.U.V.s combining dynamic excellence with driver enjoyment, and designed to take on rivals in the form of the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Mercedes ML63. Nevertheless with uncertain petrol prices, high running costs and growing public antipathy towards large 4×4’s a lot of previous SUV owners are returning to more humble hatchbacks and saloons.
Interior the BMW X6, the driver is still afforded the lofty driving position that would be recognized by any 4×4 owner, even so it is the performance and handling that provides the biggest surprise. The BMW X6 goes with an 8 speed automatic that can be controlled by paddles on the steering wheel should you feel the need to make the gear changes yourself. The DPC senses the power and grip ready to each wheel, and then when one starts to slip, power is automatically transferred to other wheel that has more grips.
From the exterior the BMW X6 is certainly an impressive sight with its large 20 inch alloy wheels, powerful xenon headlights, and smooth coupe style body.

MotorShow

2009-10-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

The 63rd annual IAA heralded the introduction of a slew of environmentally-aware new vehicles from European automakers. The vast exhibition halls in Frankfurt played host to the avant-garde BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, four new electric car concepts from Renault, a 2.5m-long futuristic concept from Peugeot, Citroen's Revolte showcar and the L1 tandem vehicle concept form Volkswagen. But that's not all. Frankfurt debuts also included the Ferrari 458 Italia, two new performance-oriented Coupe and Roadster concepts (which we will see emerge in production form in the near future), and the Mercedes SLS AMG, proving that the performance car segment is still alive and well.
http://www.cardesignnews.com/site/home/auto_shows/display/store190/item171706/

Scorching T

2009-10-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

The road car that looks like an F1 car and has twice the power-to-weight ratio of the Veyron. Jeremy has to wear a fireproof suit in case it bursts into flames again.
From Series 10, Episode 5
http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/scorching-t

2009-10-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

The newest generation 2010 Ford Taurus has gone through whole lot of changes as compared to its earlier generation models. The 2010 Ford Taurus now comes equipped with certain safety features suchlike cruise control, collision control system and some another rather specific and first of a kind features.
The 2010 Ford Taurus is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, ready in 6 trims, ranging from the SE FWD to the SHO AWD. Upon introduction, the SE FWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the main road. The SHO AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 365-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
A specific safety feature that is been incorporated in the 2010 Ford Taurus is the MyKey system, wherein the adults can specify driving parameters and setup alternative control measures in case their kids are driving the car. On the exterior of the car, ample design changes have been made to ensure that the car gets a new and modern look. Really, a car completely revitalized. For people who have knowledge about cars and car lovers, Ford Taurus has since the time it has been launched has been related to a masses car, being comfortable but there being no relation to the term called luxury. With the new 2010 Ford Taurus, Ford has raised the bar when it comes to setting benchmarks in terms of luxury offerings, safety features, driving experience and performance etc.
The design and detailing of the car is completely freshly and futuristic with care being taken to ensure that the car oozes a completely new look both under the hood as well inside.

Popularity: 1%

A Plymouth's Story

2009-10-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

My 1960 Plymouth Savoy was purchased new by my father on June 13, 1960

from Rossmeyer Chrysler/Plymouth in Metuchen, NJ Since the purchase of the 60

came not long after having moved into a new home, my father wasn't exactly flush

with cash with which to buy, or run a new car. However, the 1949 Plymouth he was

driving was on its last legs, and a replacement for it was imperative. Therefore,

though a new car purchase had been decided upon as unavoidable, the car had to be

reasonable in cost to purchase and operate, thus a six cylinder Savoy model became

the vehicle of choice for my father. As time went on, and the miles rolled by, the

choice made in 1960 proved to be a wise one, as the 1960 Plymouth provided many

faithful, economical years of service as the family Taxi, grocery getter, etc. The Slantsix

which powered what is now my Plymouth definitely gave the economy of

operation my father needed from the car, while giving ample power to haul a full

complement of passengers comfortably, (six at least), and their luggage.

My Plymouth was the household mainstay until June 1972, when it was

displaced from its top dog position. By 1972 my Plymouth was starting to show the

effects of 12 years of heavy duty service, and my parents decided it was time to

purchase a new family car. Unlike its predecessor though, my Plymouth was not

traded in on its replacement, but as can be surmised, just demoted to second banana.

Unfortunately for my Plymouth, demotion wasn't the worst fate it was to suffer.

About a year after its demotion, a "friend of mine", convinced this then naive

teenager that my Plymouth's engine needed to be rebuilt, and lucky me, he could

help me in that endeavor. It seems that my Plymouth's engine would smoke upon

start-up, and for short time thereafter. So knowing little about engines, or cars in

general, I believed my friend had to be right about the need to overhaul the engine.

Well, you know 20/20 hindsight is wonderful, in that now I can say, what a mistake

that was believing my friend's astute observations, not to mention my unbridled faith

in his mechanical abilities. After the "rebuild", the Plymouth's engine wouldn't even

turn, didn't smoke, but it also didn't do anything else. The first thing that dawned on

me at that point in time, was I should have checked with an experienced Mechanic

regarding what to do about the smoke problem. The next thing I realized, was I

should have asked my father if I should even think of getting involved in such a big

job as an engine overhaul, without his supervision, after all dad was a Mechanical

Engineer.

After the ill-fated engine overhaul, my Plymouth sat for about a year. At one

point during that year of sitting idle, my father considered simply junking the car, but

the paltry $25.00 he was offered for the car, if he hauled it down to the junkyard,

dissuaded him from doing so. At the end of the year of idle time, I made yet another

not so good decision. I decided I was going to purchase a "good used engine" from a

well know national automotive mail order firm. The engine turned out to be a piece of

junk, and since it took my High School Auto-Shop teacher three months to get around

to installing it, the mail order company refused to take back the engine. The end

result of this latest fiasco, was still more idle time for my Plymouth, until I could find

an engine rebuilder who would be at least willing to look at the used engine to

determine if it was at all salvageable. I finally did locate an engine rebuilder through

my Aunt, who happened to be doing accounting work for the rebuilder. The rebuilder

looked over the used motor, and determined that it would cost more to salvage it

than it was worth, and offered me core credit towards an already rebuilt motor. The

rebuilt engine was installed, and the rebuilder also replaced the transmission they

damaged due to errors made by their workers doing the engine installation. Six

months after arriving at the rebuilder's shop, and what ended up being 1-1/2 years

after my original fateful engine rebuild decision, plus some threats of legal action

brought on by the rebuilder's foot dragging in the engine installation process, my

Plymouth emerged from the shop under her own power for the first time. The year by

this time was 1975, the month was February.

I then embarked on the long, arduous task of restoring my Plymouth to her

former glory. The task was complicated by my lack of knowledge as to where to

source needed restoration parts from, (i.e. fenders, patch panels for the rear

quarters, and trim pieces), and an over exuberant youth's driving technique. Needless

to say that between what was already deteriorated from age, what broke by my

pushing the old gal to the limit quite often, compounded by my lack of knowledge as

to where to get many of the parts my car needed, slowed the rate of progress in the

restoration of my car. Though it took a few years, some dented fenders, and lots of

hard earned money, I did finally wise up, treating my aging Plymouth more carefully.

I also started attending car shows, as well as joining a couple of car clubs, finding

along the way, that through the car clubs and shows I could get information on

where to locate parts for my car. I also made many new friends through my

involvement in the clubs.

2011 Jaguar XFR-S Rendered for your Delight

2009-09-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

At last year's 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar revealed a limited production version of the XKR called the XKR-S that featured subtle chassis alterations and a series of visual enhancements. While the British firm has not announced any plans for the introduction of a similar version of the new XFR sport saloon that was unveiled at the Detroit Show earlier this month, chances are that Jaguar will most likely give the green light (if it hasn't already) for the development of the XFR-S.

With this in mind, the crew over at Jaguarmania came up with a series of renderings depicting the XFR-S. In their opinion, the 'S' model will gain a set of unique 20-inch alloy wheels, different side sills and a new rear-diffuser incorporating larger tailpipes. We're guessing that if Jaguar goes ahead with the XFR-S, it will most likely get an even more aggressive look with a new front spoiler, blacked-out chrome effects, a larger wing and a lowered suspension.

2010 Toyota Sequoia

2009-09-10T00:48:00.000-07:00

Base Price: $39,155 - $58,905

Body Style: SUV

Performance & Efficiency: 5,663 cc 5.7 liters V 8 front engine with 94.0 mm bore, 102.1 mm stroke, 10.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder 3UR-FE. Unleaded fuel 87.

Rebates & Incentives:
36 Month Finance Rate: N/A; 48 Month Finance Rate: N/A

1967 Plymouth Barracuda Floor Restoration - Floor It

2009-09-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

Project B3 Bomber Gets Floored

By Dave Young

Photography by Dave Young, Amy Coleman

Complete article

Chrysler Hemi engine

2009-09-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

A Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is an internal combustion engine built by Chrysler that utilizes a hemispherical combustion chamber. Chrysler built three generations of hemi engines for automobiles: the first (known as the Chrysler FirePower engine) from 1951 - 1958, the second from 1964 - 1971, and the third beginning in 2003.
A hemispherical (i.e., bowl-shaped) combustion chamber allows the valves of a two valve-per-cylinder engine to be angled rather than side-by-side. This creates more space in the combustion chamber roof for the use of larger valves and also straightens the airflow passages through the cylinder head. These features significantly improve the engine's airflow ("breathing") capacity, which can result in relatively high power output from a given piston displacement. With a hemi combustion chamber, there is minimal quench and swirl to burn the fuel-air mix thoroughly and quickly; the spark plug is frequently located at or near the centroid of the chamber to facilitate complete combustion. Engines with hemispherical combustion chambers often use dome-topped pistons to attain the desired compression ratio.
The hemi head requires intake and exhaust valve stems that point in different directions, requiring a large cylinder head and complex rocker arm geometry in both cam-in-block and overhead cam engines. Hemipsherical combustion chambers lack the quench area found in wedge combustion chamber designs, making the hemi more sensitive to fuel octane; a given compression ratio will require higher octane to avoid ping in a hemi engine than in a wedge engine.

Ford Mustang

2009-09-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car.^[1] Production began in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964 and the car was introduced to the public on April 17, 1964 at the New York World's Fair. It is Ford's second oldest nameplate currently in production next to the F-Series pickup truck line. However the F-series pickup truck has undergone major nameplate changes over the years. The Mustang was Ford's most successful launch since the Model A.^[2]
Executive stylist John Najjar, who was a fan of the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane, suggested the name.^[3]^[4] An alternative view was that the Mustang name was first suggested by Robert J. Eggert, Ford Division market research manager. Eggert, a breeder of quarterhorses, received a birthday present from his wife of the book, The Mustangs by J. Frank Dobie in 1960. Later, the book’s title gave him the idea of adding the “Mustang” name for Ford’s new concept car. As the person responsible for Ford’s research on potential names, Eggert added “Mustang” to the list to be tested by focus groups; “Mustang,” by a wide margin, ” came out on top under the heading: “Suitability as Name for the Special Car.” ^[5]^[6]^[7]
The Mustang created the "pony car" class of American automobile — sports car-like coupes with long hoods and short rear decks^[8] — and gave rise to competitors such as GM's Chevrolet Camaro,^[9] AMC's Javelin,^[10] and Chrysler's revamped Plymouth Barracuda.^[11] It also inspired coupés such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, which were exported to America.
Mustangs grew larger and heavier with each model year until, in response to the 1971-1973 models, fans of the original 1964 design wrote to Ford urging a return to its size and concept.
Although some other pony cars have seen a revival, the Mustang is the only original pony car that has remained in production without interruption after four decades of development and revision.^[12]

Chevrolet Camaro

2009-09-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, commonly classified as a pony car.^[1]^[2]^[3] It went on sale on September 29, 1966 for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. The car shared its platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced for 1967. Four distinct generations of the car were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived again on a concept vehicle that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro, production started on March 16, 2009.^[4]

Before any official announcement, reports began running in April 1965 within the automotive press that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Ford Mustang, code-named Panther.^[5] On June 21, 1966, around 200 automotive journalists received a telegram from General Motors stating, "...Please save noon of June 28 for important SEPAW meeting. Hope you can be on hand to help scratch a cat. Details will follow...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations – SEPAW Secretary." The following day, the same journalists received another General Motors telegram stating, "Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations SEPAW Secretary." These telegrams puzzled the industry.
On June 28, 1966, General Motors held a live press conference in Detroit’s Statler-Hilton Hotel. It would be the first time in history that 14 cities were hooked up in real time for a press conference via telephone lines. Chevrolet General Manager Pete Estes started the news conference stating that all attendees of the conference were charter members of the Society for the Elimination of Panthers from the Automotive World and that this would be the first and last meeting of SEPAW. Estes then announced a new car line, project designation XP-836, with a name that Chevrolet chose in keeping with other car names beginning with the letter C such as the Corvair, Chevelle, Chevy II, and Corvette. He claimed the name, "suggests the comradeship of good friends as a personal car should be to its owner" and that "to us, the name means just what we think the car will do... Go!" The new Camaro name was then unveiled. Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers, "What is a Camaro?" and were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs."^[6]
The Camaro was first shown at a press preview in Detroit, Michigan on September 12, 1966 and then later in Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1966. The Camaro officially went on sale in dealerships on September 29, 1966 for the 1967 model year.

Hybrid vehicle

2009-09-05T02:55:00.000-07:00

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle.^[1] The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

Stunt Guys - DUBAI

2009-09-05T02:41:00.000-07:00

The guys who living in gulf countries, especially the DUBAI guys will rocks in the automobile stunts. They guys are basically interested in two things, one is girls and other is automobiles. Dubai is surrounded by deserts, so 4x4(4 wheel drive cars) cars are the awe-inspiring in the gulf countries. They will extremely take risk on car stunts, these stunts are not for currencies. I have enclosed some photos below…. It’s really astonishing to view. This stunt can do only in 4 wheel drive cars, for example; Toyota Land cruiser, Land rover, Nissan path finder, bmw x5, Nissan x-trial, hummer etc… These are the high performing 4 wheel drive cars in the gulf countries. Look at the images, hope you will enjoy…….

2009-09-05T02:27:00.000-07:00

The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car that was manufactured in Northern Ireland by the DeLorean Motor Company for the American market in 1981-1982. It is most commonly known simply as the DeLorean, as it was the only model ever produced by the company. The DMC-12 featured gull-wing doors with a fiberglass "underbody", to which non-structural brushed stainless steel panels were affixed. A modified DeLorean was featured as a time machine in the Back to the Future trilogy.

3 intresting and rare super cars you need to know about

2009-09-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

The motive behind this article is not bemusing. Its predominant purpose is not to enlighten you on the boring 0-60 times or the number of superchargers but to highlight the turn of events that unfolded during the planning and development stages of these extreme machines.

Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR

We kick start today's special with the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR. In the year 1998, what could a sum of 1.1 million pounds get you? A medium-sized yacht, yup;a grand apartment in central London, hmm...maybe; a CLK-GTR ?, Obviously!

The CLK-GTR was the same car that helped Mercedes win two consecutive 24 hr Le Mans races in the 90's. Instead of building one unit as per the regulations to contest in the races, Mercedes made 25 examples. The CLK-GTR wasn't sold in showrooms. Twenty five numbers meant they were 'offered' to the extra-ordinarily exclusive bunch of their 'clients.'

The car was put together in batches of 3 at Mercedes' AMG facility near Stuttgart, Germany. Each batch taking a time period of up to 4 weeks to finish, engineers played craftsmen and toiled to attain precision of the highest order. Modifications included a body shell made of Kevlar, a modified suspension to increase ride height for road use. Similarly sports seats, 3-pointed seat belts and dual airbags were the additions which assisted in making the car fit for the road.

A carbon fiber monocoque kept weight under check and housed a mammoth 6.8-liter engine developed by Ilmor engineering. Power was sent through a 6-speed manual gearbox which could be controlled by the driver via paddles placed behind the steering wheel.

There were key differences between the Mclaren F1 and the CLK-GTR. In fact, the purposes behind these car shared little in common. Both the cars had big engines that developed a million horsepower and both were aerodynamically efficient and used advanced technology, but that's were the similarities terminated. The Mclaren F1 was a road car built borrowing race car technology while the CLK-GTR was a race car which was tamed for use on the motorways. Power brakes, power steering and traction control aided the cause, which the Mclaren F1 lacked.

Jaguar XJ220

Jaguars are visually stunning and sensational in terms of performance. Leave alone the fact that their ownership changed several hands and were monetarily challenged on multiple occasions, Jags have shown how beautiful cars can be.

For three straight years, the Jaguar XJ220 wore the crown of the world's fastest production car before being tipped by none other than the Mclaren F1. The interesting story began one fine day in the year 1984 when Jag's director of engineering Jim Randle, hit upon a creative idea of creating a 500 bhp supercar. In the mid-80's, Jaguar was deeply engrossed in the work cut out for them and a supercar wasn't in any way associated to their agenda. After a few discussions, Jag planned to get together on Saturday mornings to work on this dream project and it took four long years to realize it.

The car was put together in batches of 3 at Mercedes' AMG facility near Stuttgart, Germany. Each batch taking a time period of up to 4 weeks to finish, engineers played craftsmen and toiled to attain precision of the highest order. Modifications included a body shell made of Kevlar, a modified suspension to increase ride height for road use. Similarly sports seats, 3-pointed seat belts and dual airbags were the additions which assisted in making the car fit for the road.

A carbon fiber monocoque kept weight under check and housed a mammoth 6.8-liter engine developed by Ilmor engineering. Power was sent through a 6-speed manual gearbox which could be controlled by the driver via paddles placed behind the steering wheel.

There were key differences between the Mclaren F1 and the CLK-GTR. In fact, the purposes behind these car shared little in common. Both the cars had big engines that developed a million horsepower and both were aerodynamically efficient and used advanced technology, but that's were the similarities terminated. The Mclaren F1 was a road car built borrowing race car technology while the CLK-GTR was a race car which was tamed for use on the motorways. Power brakes, power steering and traction control aided the cause, which the Mclaren F1 lacked.

Jaguar XJ220

Jaguars are visually stunning and sensational in terms of performance. Leave alone the fact that their ownership changed several hands and were monetarily challenged on multiple occasions, Jags have shown how beautiful cars can be.

For three straight years, the Jaguar XJ220 wore the crown of the world's fastest production car before being tipped by none other than the Mclaren F1. The interesting story began one fine day in the year 1984 when Jag's director of engineering Jim Randle, hit upon a creative idea of creating a 500 bhp supercar. In the mid-80's, Jaguar was deeply engrossed in the work cut out for them and a supercar wasn't in any way associated to their agenda. After a few discussions, Jag planned to get together on Saturday mornings to work on this dream project and it took four long years to realize it.

The mid-engined 6.2-liter V12 supercar was displayed for the first time at the Birmingham Motor show in 1988. Sporting a stylish design and a much hyped scissor doors, its top speed was estimated to be well over the 200 mph mark.

Ford acquired Jaguar in 1989 but nevertheless, they too found this idea interesting and set out to produce it. But the production version had its differences to the concept car. It was eight inches shorter and the V12 was stripped and instead, a twin turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 filled the void. With that said, there was no compromise on power. The engine was powerful enough to generate 524 bhp which could take the beast to a record shattering 213 mph. 0-100 mph came in an eye-blinking 8 seconds! (Let's remind ourselves that we are in 1991)

Customers and motoring journalists adored the new supercar which was quite comfortable too. The only bad bit was the exhaust note which sounded a little non-supercarish (we made up that word). The XJ220 costed the earth. At 403,000 pounds it wasn't cheap. Sadly a lot of controversy surrounded this supercar after they sold a few and production was halted right after the 275th model was put together in 1994. 350 numbers were proposed initially.

A disguised version of the XJ220, the XJ220-C was a lighter car which emerged the winner at Le Mans in 1994 but was later disqualified due to a technicality. All in all, the XJ220 was the best supercar Jag made and the best ever made, some say. It had to bite the dust due to controversies and problems, a death that can be described unfortunate.

Ford GT40

Ford has always been conceived as a brand that makes cars for the average man. The reason for this has been their racing background which is nothing to write home about. The same problem plagued them in the 60's and when they were looking at seriously contending in the Le Mans 24 hr races, they had nothing but a clean sheet of paper at the design table.

To gather pace, Ford acquired rights to the Lola 63, a car that a had a poor showing in the earlier years at Le Mans. Using this car as a platform, Ford developed a very successful race car - a car that dominated the 24 hr races for 4 straight years. Yes, we are talking about the Ford GT40.

40 years later in 2002, Bill Ford unveiled the Ford GT concept car at the American Motorshow and a mere 45 days later, they announced that a production model was heading right to the showrooms in a short while. The new car was similar in appearance to the original car and the performance figures weren't too far off either.

Taller and longer than the original, the Ford GT was what one would term as a charming hooligan. The performance figures would leave one with a wide open mouth. Powered by Ford's biggest V8, the all-aluminium 5.4-liter engine produced a whopping 540 bhp pushing it into the league of engines with 100 or more bhp per liter.

An Eaton screw-type supercharger was the culprit behind the mountain of power and all of it was transferred to the rear wheels through an advanced six-speed trans-axle and a helical limited slip differential, the sort of stuff that would make an automobile engineer jump up and down with
joy.

The advanced technology wasn't restricted to the inner mechanicals. Superplastic-formed aluminium body panels reduced overall weight while simultaneously enhancing looks. The underbody design was new which took care of the rear-end lift, a problem that troubled the 60's GT.

These machines are special and unique. They give a whole new identity to the term 'Supercars,' while showcasing how much technology has affected performance figures which is at present in a new level altogether.

2009-09-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Bologna-Raticosa Hillclimb (430 pics!)

Lamborghini Reventón

2009-09-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Reventón is named after a fighting bull in keeping with Lamborghini tradition. The bull, raised by the don Heriberto Rodríguez family, was best known for killing famed bullfighter Félix Guzmán in 1943.Reventón means "explosion" or "burst" in Spanish, when used as a noun. In the vernacular, it is also used to define a very large party or a night on the town. It's commonly said "vámonos de reventón", which means "let's go party tonight." In automotive terms, it means "blowout, flat tire" when used as a noun. When it was used as the name of a bull, however, it was intended to be interpreted as an adjective, a quality or property of that bull in particular. In this last sense, Reventón means "he who seems to be about to burst".

Performance

The Reventón's engine was a slightly tuned version of the Murciélago LP640's 6.5 L V-12, rated at 640 hp (480 kW). According to the official release, the Reventón accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the same time as the Murciélago LP640 (3.4 seconds), and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of over 340 km/h (210 mph). Using the internal speedometer, the recorded top speed was displayed as 356 km/h (221 mph).

Interior

The instrument panel in the Reventón comprises three TFT liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with two different display modes. The instruments are housed in a structure milled from a solid aluminium block, protected by a carbon fiber casing. The G-Force-Meter is completely new and it is one of the talking points of the Reventón. It displays the dynamic drive forces, longitudinal acceleration during acceleration and braking, as well as transversal acceleration around bends. These forces are represented by the movement of an indicator on a graduated 3D grid depending on the direction and intensity of the acceleration. Formula One teams also use a similar device to analyze dynamic forces. The seats of the Reventón are black leather and brown Alcantara.
By simply pressing a button, the driver can switch to the second, quasi-analog display, where there are the usual circular instruments; speedometer and tachometer. The G-Force-Meter still remains at the center of this display mode.

Exterior

Rear view of the Lamborghini Reventón.

The Reventón features an all new carbon fiber exterior. All Reventóns have the same exterior color, described as "mid opaque grey without the usual shine."
Lamborghini has also picked up some of parent company Audi's design language. Its is the first Lamborghini to incorporate daylight running lights into the headlamps. Seven Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at each headlamp flank the Bi-Xenon main beam and stay lit whenever the car is in movement. Due to the high temperatures in the rear lower part of the car, special heatproof LEDs are used for the indicator and hazard lights, stoplights and rear lights with a triple arrow optical effect.