Things To Know

Intersting Car For Sale on Craigslist!

2012-10-17T08:38:00.001-07:00

-Looking at cars for Sale on familiar Sites, you may find some personalities with some of the cars that you are searching for.

-On Monday October 14, 2012, an individual had post a 1991 Honda Accord for sale with some interesting things that comes with it. The posting begins by offering for sale advertising for $100.00 which it Automatically rings that, " This could be a (Clunker)". It doesn't seem to be the case when you start reading the post.

-Poster claims that there's ONE " Major Problems with the vehicle ".......

- " THERE'S ONE MAJOR PROBLEM "

- Poster: ` The last owner took care of this car as if it was his own Child. It was his pride and joy (he bough it new).... he became sick and died in 2007.......in the car.
THIS CAR IS SO HAUNTED IS NOT EVEN FUNNY. I always see him in the backseat in the rear view mirror. He will honk the horn every night. wipers go on and off randomly. Doors will lock and not let you out for up to 30min......

-The story keeps going.... HERE IS a Picture I took from the Poster.....

- Interesting!!, Sounds like this car could be used for a Terror movie scene.......

Watch experts crash a jet on purpose

2012-10-02T08:54:00.002-07:00

Bracing for Impact Ups Chances of Surviving Plane Crash, Test Crash Finds

By NEAL KARLINSKY | Good Morning America – Mon, Oct 1, 2012 6:26 AM EDT

A test crash of a Boeing 727 in the Sonoran desert to learn more about what actually happens to passengers when a plane goes down found that simply bracing for impact could help save lives.

In one of the most ambitious tests ever undertaken in the name of airline safety, Discovery TV had a Boeing 727 equipped with more than a half a million dollars worth of crash test dummies, 38 specialized cameras and sensors, and a crew of incredibly daring pilots. The pilots, who'd donned parachutes, bailed out of a hatch in the back of the aircraft minutes before the huge jetliner careered into the ground in a horrific crash that tore the plane apart.

Staged last spring as part of the Discovery Channel's "Curiosity Plane Crash," the test crash was the result of four years of planning and consultations with a huge team of experts, all to better understand what happens to passengers when an aircraft goes down.

Cindy Bir, a professor of biomedical engineering at Wayne State University, took charge of the crash test dummies, examining them immediately after the the plane hit the desert to get an idea of what injuries might have been sustained.

" I suspect … one may have a concussion, one may have a broken leg," Bir said as she looked over the dummies.

Bir told ABC News that her data made it clear that bracing for impact -- placing one's head down and putting one's hands over one's head -- could increase the odds of survival.

During the crash, which was a belly flop done nose first, passengers near the front bore the brunt of the impact. Rows one through seven held the "fatal" seats -- seat 7A was catapulted straight out of the plane.

Many of the seat-belted dummies who weren't bent over in the bracing position incurred spinal injuries from jerking forward in their seat belts.

Bir also simulated a woman holding an infant on her lap -- a familiar one-seat money-saving move many parents opt for. After a relatively minor simulated impact, the mother could no longer hold on. Bir cautioned that holding a child on one's lap was not safe.

The test crash also revealed other aspects of plane crashes, such as the tremendous amount of debris that could prove deadly to any passenger sitting upright, and how important it was to be able to get out of the plane fast. Generally, sitting within five rows of an exit gave passengers the best odds.

An MIT study that drew on worldwide safety data from 2000 to 2007 found that the chance of dying on a scheduled flight in developed nations such as the United States, Japan or Ireland was one in 14 million. In other words, a passenger who took a single flight every day could on average go 38,000 years before dying in a plane crash.

Discovery's test findings offers some tips on how to perhaps improve those odds even further.

Watch the full Discovery Channel documentary “Curiosity Plane Crash” on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 9 pm ET.

Rhode Island Street Racing Law!!!

2012-09-30T17:00:00.001-07:00

Rhode Island General Laws 31-27-22. Street racing -- Justin Nunes' Law

Rhode Island General Laws > Title 31 > Chapter 31-27 > § 31-27-22 - Street racing -- Justin Nunes' Law

^{Current as of: 2009}

^{Check for updates}

This act shall be known and may be cited as "Justin Nunes' Law".
   (a) For the purpose of this section, "street racing" means the act of two (2) or more individuals competing or racing in a situation in which one of the motor vehicles is beside or to the rear of a motor vehicle operated by a competing driver and one driver attempts to prevent the competing driver from passing or overtaking him or her, or one or more individuals competing in a race against time.
   (b) It shall be unlawful to engage in street racing on any public road, street or highway of this state, whether or not there is a formal agreement to race.
   (1) Every person convicted of a first violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and be required to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution. The person's license to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended for a period of not less than ninety (90) days nor more than six (6) months.
   (2) Every person convicted of a second violation within a five (5) year period, shall be guilty of a felony and be subject to imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and be required to perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution. The person's license to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended for no less than six (6) months nor more than two (2) years.
   (3) Every person convicted of a third (3rd) or subsequent violation within a five (5) year period, shall be guilty of a felony and be subject to imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) and required to perform not less than one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution. The person's license to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended for no less than one year nor more than five (5) years.
   (c) Any person found in violation of subsection 31-27-22(b) while having one or more passengers in their motor vehicle shall be subject to imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, and a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and be required to perform no more than one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution. The person's license to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended for no less than one year. This enhanced sentence is to be served in addition and consecutively to the sentence provided for the underlying offense.
   (d) If a person is found in violation of subsection 31-27-22(b) and the vehicle used in the violation is registered to that person or where the registrant permits the use of the vehicle, the vehicle may be impounded at the registered owner's expense for not less than one day or more than thirty (30) days.

Ready to give credit card info to Facebook?

2012-09-28T12:36:00.004-07:00

Facebook Launches “Gifts”: Are You Comfortable Sharing Your Credit Card?

By Henry Blodget | Daily Ticker – 4 hours ago

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Facebook (FB) announced a major new feature Thursday: "Gifts."

The company will be working with partners to allow Facebook users to send cookies, chocolate, socks, and other types of gifts to other Facebook users, simply by clicking a small "gift" icon.

The service will keep track of special dates, like birthdays, and ask a user's friends whether they want to send something. The gift will consist of a coupon or physical item: Your friends will be prompted to enter the address to which they want the gift shipped, and then you'll be asked for a credit or debit card to pay for it. According to Facebook, you can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover branded credit or debit card.

Related: Will Groupon's Move into Mobile Payments Revitalize the Daily Deals Company?

Facebook has tried other eCommerce features before, but they've mostly failed. People go to Facebook to hang out and share things with friends, not to shop. One merchant recently said that trying to sell things on Facebook was like trying to sell things in a bar--namely, futile.

That said, this feature takes advantage of what Facebook is best at, which is relationships between friends. Assuming the gift service is convenient and easy to use, it might well work.

Of course, no sooner had the idea of a Facebook commerce service hit the wires than people began worrying about the risk of sharing credit-card and shipping information with Facebook. Many privacy advocates say Facebook already has way too much information about its users, and the addition of credit cards and addresses could compound that concern.

Related: Facebook Privacy Concerns: Majority of Facebook Users Don't Trust It

That said, although some people do tend to be freaked out about privacy concerns, most people aren't. If Facebook's gift service is simple, convenient, and helpful, most people will likely get over any privacy fears, the same way they have long since gotten over them with eCommerce companies like Amazon (AMZN).

According to Facebook's website, "when you pay for a Facebook Gift, we store your credit card for future use. If you don't want to have your credit card information stored on your account, you can remove it after making a purchase."

(Believe it or not, back in the 1990s, there were briefly similar concerns about Amazon.)

The true test for Facebook's gift service will merely be whether people have an interest in using it. If it's easy and helpful, they probably will. If it isn't--or if Facebook users simply can't be bothered to send gifts--they won't.

Apple blew it with Maps, CEO admits

2012-09-28T12:27:00.001-07:00

Apple CEO: Agreed, We Blew It With Maps

By Chris Nichols | The Exchange – 5 hours ago

Apple (AAPL) has endured a week-plus of heavy -- and rare -- criticism for the lousiness of the Maps program on its new iPhone 5, and now CEO Tim Cook is pleading for forgiveness.

Cook said in a statement that Apple had let its customers down by putting out a subpar product. "We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and are doing everything we can to make Maps better," the statement read.

Apple's iPhone 5 went on sale Sept. 21, and complaints about the shortcomings of the Maps program started early and came often. In short, phone buyers felt Apple Maps wasn't even approaching the standard set by Google Maps, much less surpassing it, prompting a frantic search for a replacement. (Fortunately for the truly desperate, Google (GOOG) Maps continues to be accessible via the Web.)

Biggest Launch Under Cook

For Cook, the apology comes only days after one of the biggest Apple product launches he's overseen since the death of company co-founder Steve Jobs last October.

"[W]e strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment," Cook said in his letter.

And for those who badly miss what they used to have, even Cook suggested heading for another option for the time being. "While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their web sites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," he wrote.

Worth pointing out also is the fact that, despite the hand-wringing, Maps hasn't exactly been ignored by owners of the new phone. "In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations," Cook indicated. "The more our customers use our Maps, the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you."

Now, if you're tempted to think nothing like this could have ever happened under Jobs, just go back a few years. Though Jobs had a reputation for being exact, Apple products under him weren't without problems and he did have to address a few issues, even if he did so reluctantly. In 2007, a price cut on the first iPhone enraged buyers who paid the higher price, and three years later, he had to make it up to users unhappy with the iPhone 4 antenna.

Even so, Jeff Macke suggests what Jobs wouldn't have done is push out something that he truly felt wasn't up to Apple user expectations, especially when a solid alternative existed.

"Apple didn't need to use its own Maps app," he wrote on Breakout. "The company had a relationship with Google that would have allowed it to use that company's map service at least until the iPhone6 was released. Presumably, Apple would have used the time to make its own maps program less humiliatingly awful."

Tarantula tattoo makes you look twice

2012-09-28T12:24:00.003-07:00

Ultra-realistic tattoos blur art and life

By Yahoo! Games | Unplugged – 16 hours ago

Image courtesy of Yomico MorenoNo, you're not looking at a cyborg — just someone with unusual taste in body decoration, brought to life courtesy of Venezuelan tattoo artist Yomico Moreno.

Born in Puerto Cabello, Moreno has been honing his craft for almost a decade, and it shows. Moreno's art has brought him to international tattoo conventions from Caracas to Liverpool to Denmark, where, in 2010, he received awards for "Best Artist" and "Best Color Tattoo."

Moreno's approach is a venerable one, dating back centuries. Known as 'trompe l'oeil' (French for 'deceive the eye'), it's a technique meant to blur the distinction between art and reality by painting objects that appear to be integrated into the world beyond their frame. Applying this technique to a human body — rather than to a wall or ceiling, as is more typical — creates a striking effect.

Below are a few of Moreno's tattoos, more of which can be seen on his website. Thanks to Beth Stebner at the Daily Mail for spotting these remarkable artworks.

Image courtesy of Yomico Moreno

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Police: Minn. Office Shooter Kills 4, Then Self

2012-09-28T09:44:00.003-07:00

Police: Minn. Office Shooter Kills 4, Then Self

By ANTHONY CASTELLANO and LEEZEL TANGLAO | Good Morning America – 16 hours ago

A man who apparently lost his job at a Minnesota sign-making business returned to the company and allegedly killed four people before fatally shooting himself.

The shooting took place at Accent Signage Systems in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood in Minneapolis at about 4:35 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement released this morning by the Minneapolis Police Department.

The suspected shooter has been identified as 36-year-old Andrew Engeldinger, a former employee who recently lost his job at Accent Signage Systems, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Police wearing body armor began searching Engeldinger's home early this morning.

The bodies of the four victims were found shortly after police arrived at the scene while evacuating other employees, according to the police statement. Police have not officially named the gunman or the victims. Minneapolis Police Deputy Chief Kristine Arneson would only confirm that the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The company's owner, Reuven Rahamim, was killed in the shooting, according to the newspaper.

Four others who were hurt in the shooting were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center. Three of the victims are listed in critical condition with gunshot wounds. The fourth victim had minor injuries, according to police.

"We received three patients who came to the hospital and they are in critical condition and they continue to be in critical condition this evening. They are three adult males," Christine Hill, the hospital's Media Relations Specialist, told ABC News Thursday evening.

Director of Operations John Souter and production manager Eric Rivers were among the four that were taken to the hospital, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The other two victims in the hospital have not been identified.

Police originally reported that at least two people were killed Thursday afternoon, but later would only say that "several" bodies had been found inside the business.

Barbara Haynes was driving home from her teaching job when she got stuck in traffic near the scene.

"I've never seen that many police vehicles on the scene and SWAT teams, uniforms, the guns ... pretty heavy artillery," Haynes told ABC News.

Marques Jones, 18, of Minneapolis, said he was outside a building down the street having his high school senior pictures taken when he and his photographer heard gunfire that sounded close.

"We heard about four to five gunshots," Jones said. "We were shocked at what happened and we just looked at each other. We all just took off running to our vehicles."

Accent Signage Systems' website says the company makes interior signage and listed its founder as Rahamim.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said employees who were working when the shootings occurred were together and being cared for Thursday evening.

"We are deeply sorry about what has happened here," he said, calling the shootings "a horrible tragedy."

ABC News Radio and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive offers shocking performance — and prices

2012-09-27T18:57:00.001-07:00

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive offers shocking performance — and prices

There's nothing exotic about electric vehicles -- not now that every automaker has dabbled in or built a handful, and hundreds of homebuilt EV conversions roam the roads. At least that's what I thought until today, when Mercedes-Benz revealed the production of its electric-powered Mercedes SLS AMG coupe, offering 740 hp, all-wheel-drive and a body that looks like liquid metal. It's price carries quite the shock as well.

While Mercedes has vowed to build an electric SLS AMG, it had to go to such extensive lengths to make sure the electron-powered SLS AMG lost nothing on its gas-powered brethren that the car could be considered all new. Power comes from a levee of lithium-ion batteries developed with the help of Mercedes Formula 1 engineers, packed into the tunnel where the drivelines and transmission used to reside. Using two electric motors on each axle, Mercedes was able to program the SLS AMG so that each wheel can be spun and braked independently -- a trick that should make for impressive handling.

With 60 kWh of battery storage -- the same as the mid-range version of the Tesla Model S -- Mercedes says the SLS AMG Electric Drive can travel about 155 miles on a charge. As there is no comparable all-wheel-drive electric supercar for sale yet in the world, at least until the Audi R8 eTron hits sometime next year. And because electric car owners want to stand out, Mercedes will offer the color above, which it calls "AMG electricbeam magno."

As for the cost: In Germany, the electric SLS AMG will run the equivalent of $536,804, making it the most expensive vehicle Mercedes-Benz has sold since the demise of Maybach; it's also double the price of a new Ferrari 458 Italia. There's no word yet on whether a few wealthy Americans will have the chance to buy the electric SMS AMG.

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5 cars you won't see anymore in 2013

2012-09-27T18:41:00.002-07:00

5 cars you won't see anymore in 2013

MORE AT CNNMONEY.COM

Discontinuing a car line isn't like closing a Broadway show or cancelling a television series. In addition to hundreds of millions of dollars in sunk cost, a lot of marginal profit is being sacrificed -- the profitability of a car line can actually increase as it ages because the development costs have been amortized.

But at some point, a mercy killing for the weak is required. Sales have fallen too low, another model has come along to replace it in the product lineup, or the car has simply become an embarrassment.

At least two of the three were the reasoning behind Daimler's decision to stop making all five Maybach models in June, six months ahead of schedule. Often compared to an airport executive lounge on wheels, the car never found an audience among either the established or nouveau rich. Its sales had sunk to a pitiable level. Through July, only seven Maybachs had found buyers this year vs. 224 for Rolls-Royce, according to numbers compiled by Automotive News.

Here are some other models that will be breathing their last at one point or another in 2013:

Chevrolet Avalanche

GM is getting ready to launch a new platform for its full-size pickups and decided not to make a reengineered Avalanche one of the spin-off models. Sales of the once-popular truck/SUV combo have been slipping for six years in the face of higher fuel prices and the greater availability of crew-cab trucks. In past years, GM might have kept the old vehicle in production as a "classic" -- its owners are exceptionally devoted -- but that doesn't appear to be in the cards this time.

Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler is starting the 2013 model year with two minivan brands, but it will likely end the year with just one. Badge engineering is a no-no for CEO Sergio Marchionne, who says customers are smart enough not to be fooled by minor cosmetic differences. It remains to be seen whether the Caravan or Town & Country gets the ax.

Mazda CX-7

A crossover unlike most others, the CX-7 was an outlier in the segment with its minivan-like interior packaged in an aerodynamic shell. It makes way for the smaller CX-5, which is already winning kudos for its efficient use of space and unusually sprightly handling.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Eclipse has struggled through the 2012 model year -- only 601 have found buyers since January -- and it will not make it to the starting blocks for 2013. The last one was built in August 2011. Those with long memories will recall that the Eclipse was introduced in 1990 as triplets. Two versions were marketed by Chrysler divisions now defunct: the Plymouth Laser and Eagle Talon. Now a senior citizen by sporty car standards, the Eclipse outlived both of them.

Lexus HS 250h

Toyota stopped building this hybrid in January, though it waited until May to confirm that production was ending. Customers clearly objected to paying a $10,000 premium for what they viewed as an upgraded Prius, and only four HS's were sold in July. Its demise was hastened by the looming arrival of another Lexus hybrid, the ES 300h, which gets to dealers in August.

Four ways Mitt Romney can still win the election

2012-09-27T18:23:00.002-07:00

Four ways Mitt Romney can still win the election

By Scott Bomboy | National Constitution Center – 6 hrs ago

Despite recent trends in public opinion polls, Mitt Romney is far from out of the presidential race, if several historic trends break his way.

The release of new polling data this week from two sources showed the incumbent, President Barack Obama, opening up sizable leads in the key swing states of Florida and Ohio.

If accurate, the gap-especially in Ohio—would put Obama and the Democrats within a handful of electoral votes of a win in November.

The consensus Real Clear Politics electoral map now shows President Obama with a projected 265 electoral votes, with Ohio placed in the Obama win column. The winner needs 270 electoral votes.

By that count, seven swing states remain: Colorado, Iowa, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Virginia. Also, RCP has another swing state, Wisconsin, in the Obama column.

But a lot can change in the last six weeks of a presidential campaign. If trends didn’t shift in an election’s home stretch, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and George Bush would have lost their elections in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

Here’s what has to happen for Mitt Romney to get back in the game – if he’s even out of it at this point.

Lesson 1: The latest poll numbers aren’t the final election results

Those two polls, from the Washington Post and CBS/New York Times/Quinnipiac, show what has been a four-point swing in Ohio and Florida toward Obama. The average margin of error for those two polls is 3.75 percent. The other recent poll for Ohio, from Gravis Marketing, puts Obama up by one percent.

Also, in 2008 the Quinnipiac poll consistently gave Obama higher numbers in Ohio than other polls. In late September, Quinnipiac had Obama up by eight points in Ohio, while Rasmussen had McCain with a one-point lead.

The final Quinnipiac 2008 poll in Ohio had with a seven-point lead for Obama; he won the state by 4.6 percent.

The 2008 Quinnipiac poll in Florida had Obama slipping from an eight-point lead in late September to a 2-point margin in late October against McCain. Obama won Florida by 2.6 percent in the election.

So the poll numbers in late September aren’t the final election results, especially in Ohio. In 2004, eight of nine polls in the election’s final week under counted Bush’s win over Kerry in Ohio.

And we won’t get into the 1948 election, which Gallup projected a Thomas Dewey win by four points in the national election. Gallup under counted Truman’s votes by 9 percent.

Lesson two: History shows a national vote can swing late in the game

In this week four years ago, Obama had a three-point lead in Gallup’s national polling over his GOP opponent, John McCain, among regular voters. Obama’s lead grew to 11 percent among regular voters by Election Day.

In 2004, George Bush had an 11-point lead over the challenger, John Kerry, in the last week of September among regular voters. By October 10, Gallup had the national race tied at 48 percent for each candidate. Bush rallied to win the election.

In 2000, Al Gore had an 8-point national lead over Bush among regular voters in late September. That lead slipped to three points by early October. Bush won that election.

Another example of a late election rally was Ronald Reagan’s stretch run against the incumbent, Jimmy Carter, in 1980. Carter had a six-point lead over Reagan late in October as the campaign’s only debate loomed. Reagan made up nine points in the Gallup poll and took it into Election Day on November 4, 1980. Reagan won the popular vote by 8.3 percent on that day.

Lesson three: Debates can be the great election game changer

As we recounted earlier this week, John Kennedy made up six points in the national Gallup poll in 1960 after his first televised debate with Richard Nixon.

Link: How the Kennedy-Nixon debate changed politics forever

And as we explained above, Ronald Reagan made up nine points after winning his debate against Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Those facts haven’t been lost on the Romney camp and the challenger has been using Ohio Senator Rob Portman in his mock debate preparations.

President Obama will spend three days in Nevada preparing for next Wednesday’s debate in Denver. There were reports this week that Obama will spend less time preparing for the debates than Romney, because of his presidential schedule.

And while more people will likely watch the first of three debates, a mistake in any debate can prove costly. Gerald Ford made his “Eastern European” mistake in the second 1976 debate.

Ford went down three points in the Gallup national poll after the gaffe. However, he also made up six points in the election’s final weeks.

Lesson four: The arithmetic is all about the Electoral College

While the national vote is a big indicator of who wins the general election, you can ask former vice president Al Gore about the importance of the Electoral College.

Gore won the 2000 popular vote by 0.5 percent, but lost the Electoral College by six votes.

The fact is Mitt Romney can win the election, even if he loses Ohio and Virginia. He just needs to take the other seven swing states, including Florida.

If Virginia goes to Romney and if Romney also takes Florida, he has a 13-vote cushion in the Electoral College with 283 votes. Five of the remaining swing states have fewer than 13 votes: Wisconsin (10), Colorado (9), Iowa (6), Nevada (6) and New Hampshire (4).

So in the 2012 version of presidential bingo, Obama could “double down” on Nevada and Iowa, and still lose to Romney if the GOP can hold Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, and keep the other three swing states.

While Ohio would be a big loss for the Republicans, it’s not nearly as big as Florida. If Obama takes Florida, Romney needs to win all eight swing states, including Ohio, as his only mathematical option.

And as a final footnote, Romney can win the four biggest swing states—Florida, Ohio and North Carolina and Virginia—and lose the Electoral College by two votes.

The GOP needs to wrap up the smaller states—Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire—to have a significant chance of winning.

The Buick Regal GS 2012 Review

2012-09-27T12:28:00.003-07:00

The Buick Regal GS 2012 Review

In Auto Reviews, Buick / By Sana Noor / 10 March 2012 / 0 comments

For many years the European manufacturers have tried to develop a car worth the praise and honor and glory that the well known NASCAR used to have. The need to have a car that would not only be easy on the pocket and hard on the fast lane, led to the development of the Buick Regal GS. The year 2012 has great news for people who not only require a car that shows its might but also saves on the escalating fuel prices. The Buick Regal GS is one invention that is not meant to move slowly, its engine is meant for the people who love living on the fast lane. The beauty of this machine is not only in the engine but also on the body works. Indulge in the reviews contained herein and certify that it’s truly the best thing to happen in 2012.

The Buick Regal GS is considered to be the successor of the Buick Regal Grand National. The name change allowed the company to desist from having to make royalty payments to the minds behind the NASCAR. The Buick Regal GS has a front wheel drive, a two liter turbo charges that propels the massive energy to the front wheel to great speeds. The engineers working on this baby are continuously trying to come up with a auto transmissions system. This will greatly replace the manual transmission that is currently installed in the models in the market today.

With the great demand for speed and power, many car manufacturers have come up with various designs that will clearly be a speedy wonder. The Buick regal GS has not been pared either. It has gathered its fare share of competition. The GS competition includes Kia Optima Turbo, and Hyundai Sonata Turbo. These two cars have more power and speed. But their exorbitant prices leave them only affordable to the Big Fish in motor industry. Other notable GS opponents include the Infiniti G25, Volvo S60, Acura TSX and the Lexus IS250. All these cars are not a complete package as compared to the lovely Buick Regal GS.

The designers also burnt the midnight oil to come up with the GS designs. Right from the front to the rear the designers made sure the GS would be top class car. The structural aerodynamics of this car will marvel in any place whenever the GS zoom past. Inclusion of vertical air scoops will not only allow cooling the engine providing the massive torque but also blend the aerodynamics of the GS. The pair exhausts allow airflow into the engine and deliver the desired power. Fog lights have been replaced by innovative LED lamps; a rear spoiler allows improved performance of the 20 inch alloy rims.

So much about the outside, the inside of the Buick Regal GS is total crystal black. An aluminum finish and trimmed panels make the overall appearance to be eye catching. The steering wheel does not disappoint in design either. It I designed to allow one to be in total control of the massive power. LCD displays of all the meters, bolstered front seats, an audio GPS guide and 12 volts output sockets complement the whole interior design With a certified power dense engine, 270 horsepower, 6 speed manual gear shift the Buick Regal GS there can be no speed limit. Get one of the new GS today and feel the power. The cost of the GS is at an affordable range. And with the right financial assistance this baby can be in the driveway waiting for the road rash. Get the desired dealer to get the GS and embrace the newest automotive technology in 2012.

ABC News Tracks Missing iPad To Florida Home of TSA Officer

2012-09-27T12:02:00.001-07:00

ABC News Tracks Missing iPad To Florida Home of TSA Officer

By MEGAN CHUCHMACH, RANDY KREIDER and BRIAN ROSS | Good Morning America – 9 hours ago

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In the latest apparent case of what have been hundreds of thefts by TSA officers of passenger belongings, an iPad left behind at a security checkpoint in the Orlando airport was tracked as it moved 30 miles to the home of the TSA officer last seen handling it.

Confronted two weeks later by ABC News, the TSA officer, Andy Ramirez, at first denied having the missing iPad, but ultimately turned it over after blaming his wife for taking it from the airport.

The iPad was one of ten purposely left behind at TSA checkpoints at major airports with a history of theft by government screeners, as part of an ABC News investigation into the TSA's ongoing problem with theft from passengers.

The full video report will be seen today on "Good Morning America," "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" and "Nightline."

We want to hear from you. Tell us about your experience with the TSA by joining the conversation on Facebook.

"This is the tip of the iceberg," said Rep. John Mica, R.-Florida, chair of the House Transportation Committee and a frequent critic of TSA senior management. "It is an outrage to the public, and actually to our aviation system."

The TSA said Ramirez was no longer with the agency as of Wednesday afternoon. In a statement to ABC News, the agency said it has "a zero-tolerance policy for theft and terminates any employee who is determined to have stolen from a passenger."

According to the TSA, 381 TSA officers have been fired for theft between 2003 and 2012.

The agency disputes that theft is a widespread problem, however, saying the number of officers fired "represents less than one-half of one percent of officers that have been employed" by TSA.

PHOTOS of TSA officers charged in connection with theft from passengers.

In the ABC News investigation, TSA officers at nine of the ten airport checkpoints followed agency guidelines and immediately contacted the owner, whose name and phone number were displayed prominently on the iPad case.

Luggage checked at the same airports with iPads and cash went through security undisturbed.

But in Orlando, the iPad was not immediately returned and two hours later its tracking application showed the device as it moved away from the airport to the home of the TSA officer.

After waiting 15 days, ABC News went to the home and asked Ramirez to return the iPad.

He denied knowing anything about the missing iPad and said any items left behind at security checkpoints are taken to lost and found.

The Orlando airport lost and found said there was no record of an iPad being turned in on the day in question.

Ramirez produced the iPad only after ABC News activated an audio alarm feature, and turned it over after taking off his TSA uniform shirt.

His explanation for the missing iPad in his home was that his wife had taken it from the airport.

"I'm so embarrassed," he told ABC News. "My wife says she got the iPad and brought it home," he said.

Moments later, his wife appeared at the door to say she had found it and "no told my husband."

Asked how that was possible given that ABC News tape showed him handling the iPad at the security checkpoint, Ramirez shut the door and has not responded to questions since.

No TSA official, including director John Pistole, would agree to be interviewed by ABC News about the issue of theft and what steps TSA has taken to address the long-standing problem.

In its statement, the TSA said it "holds its employees to the highest ethical standards."

A spokesperson said Pistole has established the Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate allegations of misconduct and that most TSA employees are "honest, hardworking people."

Congressman Mica says TSA management has failed to properly do background checks on the employees it hires as officers, and had earlier this year asked the Government Accountability Office to do a full investigation of TSA's theft problems.

"[If] you're not vetting them before you put them on the job, and allow them to rummage through

Science Proves God

2012-09-27T10:07:00.001-07:00

Science Proves God

***[Moderator Note] Pahu is no longer a member of Think Atheist. If you would like to add your thoughts to this thread, that is your prerogative; however, the original poster is not able to respond.[/Moderator Note]***

When we set out to explain why and how something happens, we must use the evidence, facts and experience available to us if we are to arrive at a logical conclusion. Using available evidence, experience, facts, observation and experimentation, we know that the universe had a beginning and that before that beginning there was no universe and therefore there was nothing. We know this because of the Law of Causality (for every cause there is an effect and for every effect there is a cause). Based on this law, we can use the following logic:

1. The universe exists.

2. The universe had a beginning.

3. Before the beginning of the universe, there was no universe.

4. Since there was no universe, there was nothing.

5. Since the universe does exist, it came from nothing.

6. Nothing comes from nothing by any natural cause.

7. Therefore the cause of the universe is supernatural.

8. Life exists.

9. Life always comes from pre-existing life of the same kind (the Law of Biogenesis).

10. Life cannot come from nonliving matter by any natural cause.

11. Since life does exist, the cause of life is supernatural.

Many people with a naturalistic worldview assume everything can be explained by natural causes. From the beginning, they reject the possibility of a supernatural cause. Because of this they are left with no scientifically valid answers to the question of how the universe could come from nothing, which is impossible by any natural cause of which we are aware. Many answers have been proposed that go beyond the realm of known evidence, experience, facts, observation and experimentation and therefore enter the realm of fiction.

The same logic applies to life. Using available evidence, experience, facts, observation and experimentation, we know that life only comes from pre-existing life of the same kind.

[color=blue][i]“Spontaneous generation (the emergence of life from nonliving matter) has never been observed. All observations have shown that life comes only from life. This has been observed so consistently it is called the Law of Biogenesis. Evolution conflicts with this scientific law by claiming that life came from nonliving matter through natural processes”[/color][/i] [[url=http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/]From “In the Beginning” by Walt Brown[/url]]

Life never comes from non-living matter by any natural cause of which we are aware.

Now that we have seen proof that God exists, using logic based on known evidence, experience, facts, observation and experimentation, we need to see if He has revealed Himself to us. In the Holy Bible there are hundreds of prophecies given by God who is speaking in the first person. In both Bible and secular history we find that those prophecies have been accurately fulfilled. No other writing on earth comes close to doing this! Only God can accurately reveal the future, ergo, He is the author of the Holy Bible. Within the pages of the Holy Bible He reveals His nature, our nature, His relationship to us, our need for salvation and His plan of salvation for us.

The reason the universe and life cannot come from nothing by any natural cause, but can come from a supernatural cause is because God is the self-existent creator of everything and everyone. He is not subject to His creation. He created it and sustains it. It is a mistake to judge God by human standards and human perspectives. God reveals that He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

If you are interested in more detailed proof, read, [i]“Evidence that Demands a Verdict”[/i] by Josh McDowell.

What to do in Rhode Island

2012-09-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

What to do in Rhode Island

Little Rhody is packed with 400 miles of coastline and 20 percent of the country’s historic landmarks. Newport is the sailing capital of the world, home to the famed Gilded Age mansions. Providence’s celebrated restaurants, award-winning theatre, and vibrant arts scene is enhanced by an elaborate river-walk. Block Island’s natural beauty beckons you to unwind. Whether you choose South County’s pristine beaches, East Bay’s magnificent coastal bikeway, footsteps through history in Blackstone Valley, or shopping in Warwick, you'll experience authentic Rhode Island.

Beaches
We've got more than 100 beaches crammed into our tiny frame.

Fishing
Charter a boat and snag a blue or battle some bass in a pristine river.

Boat Tours
Relax on a narrated boat cruise along the islands of the Bay.

Science and Nature
Unlock the mysteries of our treasured waters and preserves.

Farms and Gardens
Enjoy the scenery, excite the senses or soothe the soul down on the farm.

Children's Activities
Rhode Island is the ideal spot for the quintessential family seaside vacation.

Events
Special events, fairs, festivals, and concerts are happening year-round.

Jewels of the Bay
There are scores of ways to explore Narragansett Bay for fun and learning.

Heritage Trails
Explore our rich heritage, breathtaking scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine.

Nature Trails
Discover the natural gems located in every corner of our state.

Culinary Trails
We may be the smallest state, but our food fanfare is second to none.

Watersports
Our protected harbors and inlets provide a perfect refuge to enjoy the water.

Nightlife
Learn where to let loose after a memorable day of unwinding.

Golf
Our 40 golf courses offer some of the best green in the country.

Birding and Nature Walks
Check lots of birds off your list. We'll show you where to look.

Hunting
Hundreds of acres just waiting to be conquered. Are you game?

Biking
Here, a bicycle can not only provide recreation; but practical transportation.

Paddling
Whitewater or flatwater...we got it.

Hiking
Our islands and coastal areas provide a variety of hiking opportunities.

Amusements
Simple pleasures often make up our sweetest memories.

Vineyards and Wineries
Discover Rhode Island's fine wines.

Does RI Need a Legal Place to Drag Race?

2012-09-27T07:18:00.001-07:00

Sports

POLL: Does RI Need a Legal Place to Drag Race?

An online petition has received more than 1,000 signatures from residents throughout New England who would like to see a legal drag strip built in Rhode Island.

By Sara Bagwell
Email the author
April 20, 2012

PHOTOS (2)

Upload Photos and Videos

Rhode Island drag racing enthusiasts are petitioning for the State Senate to designate an area of land for a legal drag strip.

An online petition on Change.org has gained a quick following this month, with supporters pushing for the state to allow a private investor to build the designated space.

According to Providence resident Joshua Upham, who started the petition, our state has been the home of "many accidents (sometimes fatal) of illegal street racers."

"These 'Street Races' are dangerous, Illegal, and a nuisance to the citizen's of Rhode Island," he writes in the petition.

Consequently, he wants to "persuade the State of Rhode Island to set aside a slot of land to build a drag racing strip where legal drag-racing can occur."

According to Upham's petition, a legal drag strip in Rhode Island would give the community a safe place to drag-race and would "keep 'street racers' off the streets." So far, more than 1,000 people have signed the petition from locations throughout Rhode Island and other New England states.

Currently, there are three legal drag strips in the immediate New England area. However, the closest strip to Rhode Island is New England Dragway located in Epping, NH. The other two are located in Oxford and Winterport, ME, both of which could be considered a long haul for many Rhode Islanders.

Many supporters, including petition signer Eric Tirado, say a legal drag strip would also "bring more revenue to the state from people buying admission into the drag strip as well as many companies wanting to promote themselves and bring tourists in to the state."

On the other side, those who oppose the petition claim that if the state were to allow for a legal strip, it may appear that the state condones racing both on and off of the drag strip.

What do you think? Should Rhode Island provide drag racers a legal place to race?

Vote in the poll and share your thoughts below in the comments section below. You can view the petition on Change.org.

2011 Heavy-Duty Truck Comparison Test

2012-09-27T07:04:00.001-07:00

2011 Heavy-Duty Truck Comparison Test

Media Player

2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD versus 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty versus 2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Picture

Who's the boss? 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD or 2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500? | January 25, 2011 | Scott Jacobs for Edmunds

1 Video , 100 Photos | See more photos in this gallery »

Comparison

Who's the Boss?Top 14 Features Data and Charts Final Rankings and Scoring Explanation

Our buddy James doesn't realize it yet, but he wants a new truck. Of course, he'll still say, "I don't need a new one. Mine is fully paid off."

But we've never met the truck owner who doesn't toy with the idea of upgrading his rig, and especially now that all three of the big hitters in the heavy-duty category are hawking new product.

James might be playing it cool, but we know he wonders if he couldn't do better. So we've taken matters into our own hands by acquiring each of the potential replacements for his pickup. Here's the list: 2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty and (filling in for the Chevrolet Silverado) 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 HD.

These are serious heavy-duty 1-ton pickups. Each has diesel power, four-wheel drive and single rear wheels, and each wears a crew cab and a 6-foot-something short bed.

Of Rumbling and Getting Ready
James regularly uses his bright-yellow 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty to tow a bright-yellow, triple-axleenclosed trailer. Inside you'll find one of his bright yellow cars, so the trailer's loaded weight can range from 11,000-13,000 pounds. If you've got a serious pickup, you're probably a serious tow guy, which is why we've knocked on his door before and asked to borrow his trailer. Of course we're obliged to provide our own ballast vehicle, so we're bringing along 3,860 pounds of decidedly un-yellow 2009 Audi A4 Avant to increase the loaded weight to 12,480 pounds.

If you're thinking towing is a big part of our test plan, you're right, since we'll be visiting 11.5-mile Jacumba Grade, our usual tow-test slope. But of course no one tows 100 percent of the time, so we'll spend a considerable amount of time driving these trucks trailer-less on the straight and level. Finally, we'll put the trucks through the usual paces at the test track.

Meet the Fresh Meat
We last did something like this with HD iron back in 2006, although they were enormous trucks, duallys with 8-foot beds. This time around the trucks are all a bit more usable in an all-around way, and each can be had with a six-speed automatic transmission, each has an integrated diesel exhaust brake and each has an electronic trailer-brake controller.

Our 2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 is an example of a truck that had its extreme makeover in 2010 with new sheet metal and a fresh interior. This truck's 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6 produces 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, so the Ram is vulnerable in the power department. On the other hand, its 24,000-pound Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and 16,450-pound tow capacity are impressive.

The lineup of 2011 Ford Super Duty pickups has been redone, notably with the replacement of the controversial 6.4-liter V8 PowerStroke diesel built with Navistar. This Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab 4x4 features the all-new 6.7-liter PowerStroke V8 turbodiesel designed by Ford, and it churns out 400 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with the standard 3.55:1 axle ratio, this F-350 has a 23,500-pound GCWR and is rated to tow 15,800 pounds.

The lineup of 2011 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado HD pickups features new running gear and a substantially beefier frame beneath familiar sheet metal, while the revised 6.6-liter Duramax V8 turbodiesel makes 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque. We've brought the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 because the top-level Denali trim is newly available on GMC's trucks. With the standard 3.73:1 final-drive gears, this Denali carries a 24,500-pound GCWR and is rated to tow 16,800 pounds.

3rd Place: 2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4
Let's get one thing straight. That is, 3rd place does not make our Dodge Ram a bad truck. There's a lot to like here, and it's the least expensive truck in this group.

We're using pricing for the 2011 Ram to keep our test scoring on the level (it works out perfectly because the electronic brake controller is now standard instead of optional). The Laramie's base price of $51,465 might seem high, but that's largely because the diesel engine is baked into the price as standard equipment. What's more, dual rear wheels are standard, so you can deduct $995 if you pass on the dually configuration like we did.

And then there's the Mega Cab. It offers a massive 44.2 inches of rear legroom, plus rear seats that recline into a void for cargo that's big enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases. Go for an equivalent Laramie 4x4 with a mere Crew Cab (like the other trucks here) and you'll save $700. Dressed in heated and cooled leather seats, a navigation system and other goodies, the Mega Ram's final price comes to $56,945.

The front half of the cab is every bit as welcoming as our fondly remembered 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab. The interior design and materials say "truck" without hitting you over the head with it, the controls make good sense and the seats are firm and supportive over the long haul. The Ram is also the only one here with side curtain airbags.

Ride comfort is another matter entirely, as our 3500-Series Ram 4x4 is more stiff-legged than either of its opponents. The cabin isn't the quietest one here, but it's not far off. But our sample truck sometimes emits an annoying drone when cruising at about 60 mph.

When the Ram's steering is discussed, this 4x4's solid front axle produces a surprisingly natural level of feel and response. The Ram backs it up by winning the slalom with an effort of 56.5 mph (not so speedy, but it's a big truck, after all). A stop from 60 mph takes 152 feet, which sounds awful until you realize this behemoth weighs 7,640 pounds.

Things go a bit south when we press the Ram's accelerator. No surprise, since it gives up about 50 hp and well over 100 lb-ft of torque to the others. It takes 9.1 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill (8.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip), a second quicker than a Prius but 1.6 seconds behind our Denali. All of 16.8 seconds go by before the Ram 3500 finishes the quarter-mile at 81.7 mph, no less than 6 mph slower than the GMC.

With the trailer in tow, the Ram's performance is more of the same. It crests the summit of Jacumba Grade in 12 minutes and 12 seconds, some 36 seconds behind the winner. Minimum speed sags to 49.8 mph in the steepest section, slowest of the bunch by more than 7 mph. We didn't directly measure time spent at wide-open throttle, but the Dodge languishes below our target speed window for 6 minutes and 41 seconds with the throttle mashed — that's well over half the trip.

Through it all, the Ram's rear suspension handles the tongue load with ease, and the truck remains steady and composed through the bends, bumps and crosswinds on the winding descent. The diesel exhaust brake is effective, but it also isn't quite as proficient or adaptive as the other trucks, so we have to prod the brakes a time or two.

No fuel economy ratings exist for heavy-duty trucks, so we measured our own. Unladen, the Ram rolls along at 14.2 mpg. This drops to 6.4 mpg on our 35-mile tow-test loop. Both are the lowest in the test, but not by much.

Bottom line: The Dodge Ram 3500 is a very good truck that needs a stronger engine to keep up with the others. Of course, those who don't tow much (or live in places where it's as flat as Kansas) might not care.

2nd Place: 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab 4x4
The 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab 4x4 makes the most horsepower (400) and generates the most torque (800 lb-ft) in this group, so why doesn't it take the prize? For one, it's mighty expensive.

That's not the whole story, but let's start there anyway. Compared to the Dodge Laramie, the $49,725 base price of our King Ranch appears lower. But then you have to add another $7,835 for the optional diesel engine. A moonroof adds another $995 and 20-inch rubber adds $1,375 more. Navigation ($1,875), bed upgrades ($1,075) and other assorted options inflate the as-tested price to $64,965, of which $2,500 represents fluff we could do without. Yet even without that stuff, the F-350 would still be the priciest truck here.

Inside the cabin, the King Ranch lives up to its price tag, as it looks like a saddle shop, with the brand of King Ranch stamped and sewn into the leather. The Ford crew cab might not be as long as the Ram's Mega Cab, but 42.1 inches of rear legroom is still mighty healthy. The spell is broken because the dash screams "truck" louder than necessary. The glovebox door is even molded with those indentations you normally find at the bottom of a truck bed. Ford tough, and all that. We get it.

Thankfully, Sync is part of this F-350's array of features, plus a new trip computer that has clever displays, including programmable trailer settings and fuel consumption feedback. The Ford is also the only truck here with a telescoping steering wheel. And the F-350 has power-operated extendable tow mirrors, while the Ram and Sierra's tow mirrors must be manually deployed.

Once under way, the Ford is a mixed bag. The ride is smooth (for a 1-ton truck) and admirably quiet. You know there's a diesel under the hood, but the sounds are muted. But that telescoping steering wheel barely feels connected to anything and it takes lots of steering lock to get anything done. All together, the F-350 does not inspire in the corners, and steering it is like tapping a microphone while asking, "Is this thing on?"

The F-350's character affects its behavior on the track as well. It reluctantly navigates the slalom at 52 mph, some 4 mph slower than the rest. And not only does the F-350 take 159 feet to stop, brake fade (not to mention the stink of smoldering brake material) makes an unwelcome appearance. The physics of this package help explain some of this, as the F-350 stands 80.8 inches (2.5 to 3.4 inches taller than its rivals), weighs 7,900 pounds (260-400 pounds heavier) and has a fractionally narrower track.

The F-350's weight and size might also be the reason why the PowerStroke's big power numbers don't translate into stomping performance on the drag strip. Sure, the Ford bests the Dodge, but the margin is thin. The F-350 accelerates to 60 mph from a standstill in 8.8 seconds (8.4 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) and covers the quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds at 83.8 mph.

Towing is where the Ford comes into its own. Jacumba Grade's 11.5 miles are history in 11 minutes, 44 seconds, only 1 minute, 9 seconds of which are spent under the target climbing speed. Even at its worst, the F-350 loses only a little pace, slowing to 57.6 mph. Through it all, there's not a single shift, as the Ford transmission settles into 5th gear in tow-haul mode and stays put.

But on the way up the throttle feels somewhat reluctant to respond to small adjustments. Like the vague steering, it's a bit unnerving. It's not an engine issue; it's more of a throttle pedal calibration characteristic, and we're not big fans.

The F-350 does as well as we could want downhill, as the six-speed transmission and exhaust brake make all the right moves. The Ford is the only truck here that doesn't have an exhaust brake switch on the dash — its activation is controlled exclusively by the ECU in response to conditions.

When it comes to the consumption of diesel fuel, the Ford isn't much better than the Ram, as the F-350 earns 14.6 mpg in mixed normal use and 6.5 mpg on the steep tow-test loop. (We call this a tie.)

Bottom line: The 2011 Ford F-350 King Ranch 4x4 is a strong truck that tows quite well. It's quiet, smooth and well equipped. But it's big, heavy and aloof to the point that even the driver can sometimes feel like a passenger. And the price is substantial.

1st Place: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4
The 2011 GMC Denali 3500HD Denali Crew Cab wins this comparison by a narrow margin primarily because it's a well-rounded truck. It performs well, is efficient and doesn't cost a lot of dough.

Starting at $47,150, the top-of-the-line GMC Denali has the lowest entry price of our trio. But because the diesel engine ($7,195) and the mandatory six-speed automatic ($1,200) are priced separately, diesel power is actually an $8,395 jump. Once you add navigation ($2,200), a rearview camera ($450), a heated steering wheel ($150) and other options, this Denali prices out at $59,545.

Things don't start out well for this GM truck because the Sierra's redesign for 2011 has skipped over the cab. Yes, the new Denali trim is handsome, but the center stack with its fussy tiny buttons still annoys us. There's room in the front of the cab, but adult-size passengers might be troubled by the 39 inches of rear legroom in the back of the Sierra's crew cab. The other trucks in this roundup have it covered.

Turn the steering wheel and the GMC begins to show its strength. It rides on independent front suspension as before, but the geometry is utterly new and all of the components have been significantly beefed up. The 2011 Denali goes down the road arrow-straight and turns into corners with a predictable honesty that the Ford can't manage.

And the Sierra 3500HD has a reasonably quick steering ratio, so less input is needed to do just about anything, such as make a U-turn within 50.5 feet, the tightest turning circle in this bunch. At the track, the GMC slips past the slalom cones at 56.3 mph. Stops from 60 mph take 147 feet, the shortest of all these trucks. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the 7,500-pound GMC is the lightest of these three.

But the throttle is the Sierra's biggest trick. Power delivery is deceptively smooth on the way to a 7.5-second sprint to 60 mph (7.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) and the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic makes quick shifts until the quarter-mile ends in 15.6 seconds, 87.7 mph and total domination of the F-350 and Ram 3500.

With a big yellow trailer latched onto its hitch, the Sierra does almost as well. It surmounts the mountain in 11 minutes, 36 seconds, a handful of seconds quicker that the F-350. Throttle response is much more immediate and linear in the Sierra, allowing us to accurately hold the target speed with much less fuss on the lower slopes. Once we encounter the steeper upper sections, the Sierra has a similar minimum speed (57 mph), but it does spend a little more time (2 minutes, 44 seconds) at the bottom of our speed range during a couple short bouts of full throttle.

On the winding 6 percent downgrade, the Allison six-speed transmission and the diesel exhaust brake comfortably regulate the Sierra's descent speed. As with the F-350 and Ram, manual shifting capability is provided, but there's no need to partake. Engage Drive, select tow-haul, set the cruise and you're done.

Through it all, the Sierra uses the least fuel. Our routine driving is good for 16 mpg, and the truck earns 7.3 mpg on the tow test loop, about 10-12 percent better than the other guys.

The 2011 GMC Sierra Denali wins because it does the important truck things well. It accelerates, brakes and just plain drives better in just about any situation, towing or not. And on the big hill it holds its own with the slightly more powerful Ford. On top of that, it costs significantly less to buy and it drinks less fuel.

What Have We Learned Today?
All of these trucks have improved significantly since our last heavy-duty roundup in 2006, and now none of them is a bad choice.

If anything, the 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 proves that standing still on the motor front is not a viable option in this crowd. The 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty's commanding size and weight set it apart in this group and could become a liability as fuel efficiency and cost of ownership loom larger in the future, since such concerns certainly cut into its theoretical advantage here.

For now, the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali is our idea of the winning combination, albeit by the thinnest of margins. There's no denying its strong all-around performance and good driving manners, but it's overdue for a new cab and a fresh interior. With those it could have won this contest by a landslide.

As for our friend James, he reminds us once again that his truck is paid for. But since he's a truck guy, he's always interested in a better ride and we've essentially done his research for him. When it comes to hauling his own trailer, at least, his choice comes down to two of the three. We'll poke our head around the back of his shop in a few months and let you know if a new yellow truck appears in his driveway.

The manufacturers provided Edmunds these vehicles for the purposes of evaluation.

Who's the Boss?Top 14 Features Data and Charts Final Rankings and Scoring Explanation

1st Place: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Crew Cab

With plenty of power, torque and poise, the Sierra overcomes its smallish cab and dated interior to take the overall tough-truck prize.

2nd Place: 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab

Comfortable, quiet and well-equipped, the Ford F-350 Super Duty is the choice when the road is straight and level, especially if you're towing something.

3rd Place: 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab

The Ram 3500 is an engine away from being our favorite. It's got cab and it handles, but the turbodiesel needs more horsepower and torque.

Tags

2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD comparison tests diesel heavy duty pickups road tests

Specs & Performance

Vehicle
Year Make Model	2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A)
Vehicle Type	4WD 4dr 5-passenger Pickup
Base MSRP	$47,150
Options on test vehicle	Duramax 6.6-Liter Turbodiesel V8 Engine ($7,195 -- includes 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine; exhaust brake; dual heavy-duty 730-CCA batteries; engine block heater); Navigation Radio With CD/MP3 ($2,250 -- includes AM/FM stereo with MP3-compatible CD player, speed-compensated volume, DVD-based navigation with voice recognition, USB port, XM Satellite Radio with XM NavTraffic, Bose premium speaker system with subwoofer in center console); Allison 1000 6-Speed Automatic Transmission ($1,200); Rearview Camera System ($450); Power Rear Sliding Window ($250); Heated Steering Wheel ($150); Diesel Engine Winter Covers ($55 -- includes covers for radiator grille and front bumper openings for diesel engine-equipped vehicles in winter weather [automatically included in ME, NH, VT, MN, ND, SD, MT, AK, ID, WI, WY, MI, CO and NY]); Front License Plate Holder ($0 option in states where front plate is required); 3.73 Axle Ratio ($0); 11,500-Pound GVWR ($0)
As-tested MSRP	$59,545
Assembly location	Flint, Michigan

Drivetrain
Configuration	Longitudinal, front-engine, part-time four-wheel drive
Engine type	Turbocharged and intercooled direct injection diesel V8
Displacement (cc/cu-in)	6,599cc (403 cu-in)
Block/head material	Iron/aluminum
Valvetrain	Pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio (x:1)	16.0
Redline, indicated (rpm)	3,250
Fuel cutoff/rev limiter (rpm)	3,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)	397 @ 3,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	765 @ 1,600
Fuel type	Ultralow-sulfur diesel or B20 biodiesel
Transmission type	Six-speed automatic with column shifter, manual shift buttons and tow/haul mode
Transmission ratios (x:1)	I = 3.10; II = 1.81; III = 1.41; IV = 1.00; V = 0.71; VI = 0.61
Final-drive ratio (x:1)	3.73

Chassis
Suspension, front	Independent double-wishbones, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear	Non-independent solid live-axle, leaf springs
Steering type	Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, recirculating-ball power steering
Steering ratio (x:1)	16.1
Turning circle (ft.)	50.5
Tire make and model	Goodyear Wrangler SR-A
Tire type	All-season
Tire size	LT265/70R18 125S
Wheel size	18-by-8
Wheel material	Polished aluminum
Brakes, front	14-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers
Brakes, rear	14.2-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers

Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)	2.9
0-45 mph (sec.)	4.8
0-60 mph (sec.)	7.5
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)	7.2
0-75 mph (sec.)	11.1
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)	15.6 @ 87.7
0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.)	3.2
0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.)	5.2
0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.)	7.9
0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)	7.5
0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.)	11.5
1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph)	15.9 @ 87.6
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)	38
60-0 mph (ft.)	147
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph)	56.3
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON	54.0
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON	0.73
Sound level @ idle (dB)	49.5
@ Full throttle (dB)	90.4
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)	74.1
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)	1,700

Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments	The Denali gets off the line smartly and with a minimum of turbo lag, but power braking really made the turbodiesel come alive. Impressively quick down the drag strip, with reasonably quick shifts at about 3,200 rpm each time. It was fairly easy to achieve just the right amount of wheelspin with traction control turned off.
Braking comments	From the first 60-0 panic stop, the Denali's brake pedal was travelling almost all the way to the floor -- a bit disconcerting. Nevertheless, all six runs were within just a few feet of each other, and they were short compared to the other trucks in this test.
Handling comments	Slalom: Compared to the Ram and the F-350, the Denali felt like the sports car of the bunch. Steering is quick and precise and the suspension is less prone to body roll. Also, it feels as if it has a lower center of gravity, aiding its ability to slither around the cones. But the ESC system did cut in at times, even when it was turned "off." Skid pad: The Denali performs at about Prius levels -- which might not seem like a compliment, but it is. The ESC system added brakes periodically, and was so rough about it that the Denali would suffer from massive chassis-jacking.

Testing Conditions
Test date	11/9/2010
Test location	Auto Club Speedway
Elevation (ft.)	1,121
Temperature (°F)	67
Relative humidity (%)	29
Barometric pressure (in. Hg)	28.91
Wind (mph, direction)	1.4, headwind
Odometer (mi.)	798
Fuel used for test	Ultralow-sulfur diesel
As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi)	60/80

Fuel Consumption
EPA fuel economy (mpg)	Exempt from EPA fuel economy ratings
Edmunds observed (mpg)	16.0 (unladen), 7.3 (tow test loop)
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.)	36.0

Dimensions & Capacities
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.)	7,496
Curb weight, as tested (lbs.)	7,500
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%)	60/40
Length (in.)	240.1
Width (in.)	80.0
Height (in.)	77.4
Wheelbase (in.)	153.7
Track, front (in.)	68.8
Track, rear (in.)	67.3
Legroom, front (in.)	41.3
Legroom, rear (in.)	39.0
Headroom, front (in.)	41.2
Headroom, rear (in.)	40.5
Shoulder room, front (in.)	65.2
Shoulder room, rear (in.)	65.1
Seating capacity	5
Bed dimensions, L x W x H (in.)	78.8 x 62.4 x 21.0
GVWR (lbs.)	11,500
GCWR (lbs.)	24,500
Payload, as equipped (lbs.)	4,004
Tow capacity, as equipped (lbs.)	13,000 (conventional), 16,800 (5th wheel/gooseneck)
Ground clearance (in.)	8.4

Warranty
Bumper-to-bumper	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain	5 years/100,000 miles
Corrosion	6 years/100,000 miles
Roadside assistance	5 years/100,000 miles

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Specs & Performance

Vehicle
Year Make Model	2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A)
Vehicle Type	4WD 4dr 5-passenger Crew Cab Short Bed Pickup
Base MSRP	$49,725
Options on test vehicle	6.7-Liter PowerStroke Diesel V8 ($7,835 -- includes 3.55 axle ratio; 40 psi turbo boost gauge; 26-gallon fuel tank [37.5 gallon fuel tank on SuperCabs and Crew Cabs with Long Beds]); Navigation Radio With Satellite Radio and HD AM/FM Radio ($1,875 -- includes voice-activated controls; HD AM/FM radio; 10GB hard drive; Sirius Satellite Radio and Sirius Travel Link real-time traffic with complimentary 6-month subscription); 20-inch Premium Wheels and Tires ($1,375 -- includes all-terrain tires and cast-aluminum wheels); Power Moonroof ($995); Tough Bed Spray-In Bedliner ($450 -- includes spray-in bedliner; tailgate guard; black tie-down hooks and bed attachment bolts); King Ranch Chrome Package ($445 -- includes chrome exhaust tip; chrome tow hooks; unique chrome mirror caps; chrome pickup bed tie down hooks; 6-inch angular chrome step bars); Electronic Locking Rear Differential ($390 -- includes 3.55 axle ratio); Tailgate Step ($375); Stowable Bed Extender ($250); Upfitter Switches ($125); 200-Amp Alternator ($75), Engine Block Heater ($75 -- standard in AK, CO, IA, ID, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NY, SD, VT, WI, and WY), Electronic 6-Speed Automatic Transmission ($0); 11,500-Pound GVWR ($0 -- available only with diesel engine and 20-inch wheels and tires)
As-tested MSRP	$64,965
Assembly location	Louisville, Kentucky

Drivetrain
Configuration	Longitudinal, front-engine, part-time four-wheel drive
Engine type	Turbocharged and intercooled direct-injection 6.7-liter diesel V8
Displacement (cc/cu-in)	6,651cc (406 cu-in)
Block/head material	Iron/aluminum
Valvetrain	Pushrod, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio (x:1)	16.2
Redline, indicated (rpm)	4,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)	400 @ 2,800
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	800 @ 1,600
Fuel type	Ultralow-sulfur diesel or B20 biodiesel
Transmission type	Six-speed automatic with column shifter, manual shift buttons and tow/haul mode
Transmission ratios (x:1)	I = 3.97; II = 2.32; III = 1.52; IV = 1.15; V = 0.86; VI = 0.67
Final-drive ratio (x:1)	3.55

Chassis
Suspension, front	Non-independent solid live-axle, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear	Non-independent solid live-axle, leaf springs
Steering type	Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, recirculating-ball power steering
Steering ratio (x:1)	20.4
Turning circle (ft.)	51.8
Tire make and model	Michelin LTX A/T 2
Tire type	All-season, all-terrain
Tire size	LT275/65R20 126/123R
Wheel size	20-by-8
Wheel material	Cast aluminum
Brakes, front	13.7-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers
Brakes, rear	13.4-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers

Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)	3.3
0-45 mph (sec.)	5.7
0-60 mph (sec.)	8.8
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)	8.4
0-75 mph (sec.)	12.9
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)	16.5 @ 83.8
0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.)	3.7
0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.)	6.0
0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.)	9.1
0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)	8.7
0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.)	13.1
1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph)	16.7 @ 84.8
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)	41
60-0 mph (ft.)	159
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph)	52.0
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON	51.1
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON	0.71
Sound level @ idle (dB)	49.3
@ Full throttle (dB)	67.2
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)	65.0
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)	1,650

Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments	With traction control on, the Ford was extremely sluggish off the line and then the turbo hit hard, spinning the rear tires a little ways after it left the line. Spooling up the turbo via power braking let the truck spin the tires in a more controlled fashion for a better launch. There was a bit of turbo lag following each upshift.
Braking comments	The Ford's brakes struggled to cope with the truck's immense weight (over 8,000 pounds with a driver aboard). After the second stop, each run got progressively longer until a final run of 177 feet, at which point the pedal was going all the way to the floor and the brakes felt like they were barely keeping up.
Handling comments	Slalom: The Ford requires so much steering to get around the cones that I almost felt the need to shuffle-steer to keep up. It's clear that this big, tall and cushy truck is not designed for anything even remotely resembling a slalom course. Skid pad: We ran only with ESC on here to keep from demolishing the tires. The Advancetrac ESC system was surprisingly adept at keeping the King Ranch on its intended arc by reducing throttle. I could keep my accelerator foot flat to the floor and let the computer do all the work. Surprisingly good grip for such a big and heavy truck.

Testing Conditions
Test date	11/9/2010
Test location	Auto Club Speedway
Elevation (ft.)	1,121
Temperature (°F)	67
Relative humidity (%)	25
Barometric pressure (in. Hg)	28.9
Wind (mph, direction)	5.4, headwind
Odometer (mi.)	2,275
Fuel used for test	Ultralow-sulfur diesel
As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi)	65/80

Fuel Consumption
EPA fuel economy (mpg)	Exempt from EPA fuel economy ratings
Edmunds observed (mpg)	14.6 (unladen); 6.5 (tow test loop)
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.)	26.0

Dimensions & Capacities
Curb weight, as tested (lbs.)	7,900
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%)	60/40
Length (in.)	246.8
Width (in.)	79.9
Height (in.)	80.8
Wheelbase (in.)	156.2
Track, front (in.)	68.3
Track, rear (in.)	67.2
Legroom, front (in.)	41.1
Legroom, rear (in.)	42.1
Headroom, front (in.)	40.7
Headroom, rear (in.)	40.8
Shoulder room, front (in.)	68.0
Shoulder room, rear (in.)	68.0
Seating capacity	5
Bed dimensions, L x W x H (in.)	81.8 x 69.3 x 20.0
GVWR (lbs.)	11,500
GCWR (lbs.)	23,500
Payload, as equipped (lbs.)	3,790
Tow capacity, as equipped (lbs.)	14,000 (conventional), 15,800 (5th wheel/gooseneck)
Ground clearance (in.)	8.2
Approach angle (degrees)	19.3
Departure angle (degrees)	20.8

Warranty
Bumper-to-bumper	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain	5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion	5 years/Unlimited miles
Roadside assistance	5 years/60,000 miles

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Specs & Performance

Vehicle
Year Make Model	2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6M)
Vehicle Type	4WD 4dr 5-passenger Pickup
Base MSRP	$51,465 (2011)
Options on test vehicle	Laramie Quick Order Package ($1,575 -- includes 6-speed automatic transmission; 3.73 axle ratio; auxiliary transmission cooler; Tip start); Chrome Accents Group ($1,175 - -includes chrome body-side molding, tubular side steps and exhaust tip); Media Center ($800 -- includes AM/FM stereo; single-disc CD/DVD player; MP3 playback; 30GB hard drive; 6.5-inch touchscreen display; audio jack input; Uconnect phone with voice command; 1-year Sirius Real-time Traffic Service; GPS navigation); Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats ($500 -- includes leather-trimmed lowback bucket seats; 115-volt power outlet; heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; power 10-way driver seat with power lumbar adjust and memory; power six-way passenger seat; rear 60/40-split-folding seat); Under Rail Box Bedliner ($245); Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat Paint ($225); Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera ($200); LT265/70R17E OWL All-Terrain Tires ($200); Remote Start System ($185); Power-Adjustable Pedals With Memory ($150); Heavy-Duty Snow Plow Prep Group ($135 -- includes transfer case skid plate shield; 180-amp alternator); Engine Block Heater ($90); Add Clearance Lamps ($80); 4.10 Axle Ratio ($50); Rear Window Defroster ($85 -- includes fixed glass window that replaces the standard equipment rear window); Single Rear Wheel Group ($995 -- includes single rear wheel; 11.50 rear axle; 17-by-8-inch aluminum wheels; Michelin LT265/70R17E black sidewall all-season tires); GVW rating of 10,100 pounds; 5,200-pound-rated front axle included when ordered with four-wheel drive; deletes clearance lamps and wheel spats).
As-tested MSRP	$56,945 (2011)
Assembly location	Coahuila, Mexico

Drivetrain
Configuration	Longitudinal, front-engine, part-time four-wheel drive
Engine type	Turbocharged and intercooled direct injection 6.7-liter inline-6 diesel
Displacement (cc/cu-in)	6,690cc (408 cu-in)
Block/head material	Iron/iron
Valvetrain	Pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio (x:1)	17.3
Redline, indicated (rpm)	3,400
Fuel cutoff/rev limiter (rpm)	3,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)	350 @ 3,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	650 @ 1,500
Fuel type	Ultralow-sulfur diesel
Transmission type	Six-speed automatic with column shifter, tow/haul mode and manual shift capability
Transmission ratios (x:1)	I = 3.23; II = 1.84; III = 1.41; IV = 1.00; V = 0.82; VI = 0.63
Final-drive ratio (x:1)	4.10
Transfer-case ratio (x:1)	2.72

Chassis
Suspension, front	Non-independent live-axle, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear	Non-independent live-axle, leaf springs
Steering type	Hydraulic-assist recirculating-ball power steering
Turning circle (ft.)	52.5
Tire make and model	BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A
Tire type	All-season front and rear
Tire size	LT265/70R17 118R
Wheel size	17-by-8 inches front and rear
Wheel material	Forged aluminum
Brakes, front	Ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers
Brakes, rear	Ventilated cast-iron discs with 2-piston sliding calipers

Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)	3.4
0-45 mph (sec.)	5.8
0-60 mph (sec.)	9.1
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)	8.8
0-75 mph (sec.)	13.6
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)	16.8 @ 81.7
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)	39
60-0 mph (ft.)	152
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON	56.5
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON	0.72
Sound level @ idle (dB)	51.0
@ Full throttle (dB)	72.3
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)	66.7
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)	1,900

Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments	The Ram felt more sluggish than the others and never has the rush of turbo power for brief instants like the Denali and F-350. It always shifts at 3,000 rpm, and manually shifting the automatic via the rocker switch on the shifter stalk proved slower than pure automatic mode.
Braking comments	The Ram's brake pedal felt solid and stops were consistent. The first run and the final (sixth) run were both 152 feet, which indicates zero fade (in the unladen condition, at least).
Handling comments	Skid pad: Even though the stability system wasn't helping us at all, the Ram posted a respectable number. Its understeer could be controlled by breathing the throttle, but care was required to not feed back in so much that it switched to power-on oversteer. Slalom: Despite the Ram's long wheelbase and soft suspension, it's an agile handler thanks to sharp steering and the lack of interference from the electronic stability control system, which never cut in even though we never fully disabled the system.

Testing Conditions
Test date	11/9/2010
Test location	Auto Club Speedway
Elevation (ft.)	1,121
Temperature (°F)	67
Relative humidity (%)	28
Barometric pressure (in. Hg)	28.87
Wind (mph, direction)	3.9, headwind
Fuel used for test	Ultralow-sulfur diesel
As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi)	60/75

Fuel Consumption
EPA fuel economy (mpg)	Exempt from EPA fuel economy ratings
Edmunds observed (mpg)	14.2 (unladen); 6.4 (tow test loop)
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.)	34

Dimensions & Capacities
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.)	7,424
Curb weight, as tested (lbs.)	7,640
Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%)	61/39
Length (in.)	248.4
Width (in.)	79.1
Height (in.)	78.3
Wheelbase (in.)	160.0
Track, front (in.)	68.3
Track, rear (in.)	68.2
Legroom, front (in.)	41.0
Legroom, rear (in.)	44.2
Headroom, front (in.)	41.0
Headroom, rear (in.)	40.3
Shoulder room, front (in.)	66.0
Shoulder room, rear (in.)	65.7
Seating capacity	5
Bed dimensions, L x W x H (in.)	76.3 x 66.4 x 20.1
GVWR (lbs.)	10,100
GCWR (lbs.)	24,000
Payload, as equipped (lbs.)	2,610
Tow capacity, as equipped (lbs.)	12,000 (conventional), 16,450 (5th wheel/gooseneck)
Ground clearance (in.)	7.5
Approach angle (degrees)	23.4
Departure angle (degrees)	27.6
Breakover angle (degrees)	18.3

Warranty
Bumper-to-bumper	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain	5 years/100,000 miles
Corrosion	5 years/100,000 miles
Roadside assistance	3 years/36,000 miles

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

2012-09-27T06:44:00.003-07:00

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

2012 Paris Auto Show

Published: 09/26/2012 - by Erin Riches, Senior Editor

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Picture

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. | September 26, 2012 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

8 Photos

2012 Paris Auto Show

Just the Facts:

Porsche releases a shooting brake concept of the Panamera sedan the night before the 2012 Paris Auto Show.

The Panamera looks better as a wagon, but the real point of the Panamera Sport Turismo is to preview Porsche's upcoming plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The Panamera and 918 plug-in hybrids go on sale in 2013; the Cayenne plug-in hybrid follows in 2014.

PARIS — Porsche unveiled the Panamera Sport Turismo at the Volkswagen Group Night on the eve of the 2012 Paris Auto Show. It's a wagon concept based off the Panamera sedan, and it previews the company's upcoming plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the production Panamera and Cayenne, which launch in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Porsche calls the Panamera Sport Turismo "an outlook on a possible Porsche sports car of tomorrow." Stepping out of the cockpit, Matthias Muller, Porsche president and CEO, told the crowd of media, "It's for an active sports car driver who occasionally needs more loading space."

The drivetrain in the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo concept is very similar to what we've already seen in the Panamera Hybrid and Cayenne Hybrid. It's a parallel hybrid setup where you have an electric motor sandwiched between a gasoline engine and the transmission. The concept uses the now familiar supercharged 3.0-liter V6 rated at 333 hp, and although Porsche hasn't disclosed the transmission, it's likely an eight-speed automatic driving the rear wheels.

The big difference is that the electric motor is now rated for 70 kilowatts (instead of 35kW), and it's receiving power from a much bigger lithium-ion battery pack with capacity of 9.4 kilowatt-hours — a big upgrade from the small, 1.7 kWh nickel-metal hydride pack in the regular Panamera and Cayenne Hybrid. Total system power is 416 hp according to Porsche, but bear in mind that with just one electric motor and a conventional transmission, Porsche's plug-in hybrid still won't be able to blend its gasoline and electric power sources.

What it will be able to do is cover an estimated 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) solely on electric power, with a claimed EV mode top speed of 80.8 mph. Porsche is citing a sub-6-second 0-60-mph time for the Panamera Sport Turismo, which at 194.8 inches long is about an inch shorter than a normal Panamera. It's also 2 inches wider (78.3 inches) and no doubt heavier with its larger battery pack.

There's an "ehybrid" badge on the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, and you'll see that again on the plug-in versions of the Panamera, Cayenne and 918 Spyder.

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