Season 18 of Top Gear has just started.
You're welcome.
....What? No I'm not going to give you a blasted link, go find one yourself! It's probably on Youtube or something by now, it shouldn't be that hard. It's only the most popular motoring program in the WORLD...
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Pet Peeve #742: Rolling Garbage Cans
Everyone knows someone like this. Everyone's seen a car like this. You look in the window, and you can't find the seats. Or the carpet. The car has been turned into a mobile trash bin. Burger wrappers, empty cigarette packs, empty cans, dead hookers and other detritus fills the cabin to the point you wonder how the owner manages to drive that thing around safely.
I consider my interior dirty when there's a stray drink straw wrapper in the cup holder. I don't understand how anyone can let a car go like that and just fill it with trash. Take my friend for example. He drives a 1993 Subaru (which already has one foot in the grave). Not only does he do the bare minimum to keep the car roadworthy, but the car is ALWAYS filled with trash. He never cleans it. He never washes it. And because he's a 2 pack a day chain smoker, the car reeks of stale tobacco constantly.
I had another friend with an old Sunbird whose car was so full of trash, the only usable seat was the driver's seat. The rest were filled with garbage. Yes, even the trunk was stuffed with crap.
I don't know how anyone can mistreat a car like that. And not only is this filthy, it's a safety hazard. In an accident those bottles and cans floating around the backseat will turn into projectiles, and that won't be fun for anybody.
People, please keep your cars clean. Or at least keep your junk in the trunk.
I consider my interior dirty when there's a stray drink straw wrapper in the cup holder. I don't understand how anyone can let a car go like that and just fill it with trash. Take my friend for example. He drives a 1993 Subaru (which already has one foot in the grave). Not only does he do the bare minimum to keep the car roadworthy, but the car is ALWAYS filled with trash. He never cleans it. He never washes it. And because he's a 2 pack a day chain smoker, the car reeks of stale tobacco constantly.
I had another friend with an old Sunbird whose car was so full of trash, the only usable seat was the driver's seat. The rest were filled with garbage. Yes, even the trunk was stuffed with crap.
I don't know how anyone can mistreat a car like that. And not only is this filthy, it's a safety hazard. In an accident those bottles and cans floating around the backseat will turn into projectiles, and that won't be fun for anybody.
People, please keep your cars clean. Or at least keep your junk in the trunk.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Welterweights: Honorable Mentions
I figured that there should be some wrap up for the c-segment, and I wanted to offer my take on some of the other competition out there.
2012 Honda Civic
Seen here in the Si Guise, the Civic has always been a solid performer in the C-segment. The current styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary. I've only driven the previous generation, but according to more folks, the car is much the same as the previous generation, though the Si is less rev-happy in the interest of being more fuel efficient. I did get a chance to sit in one at the recent Silicon Valley Auto Show, and I found the interior to be very contemporary, almost futuristic. In short: worth your time, but there may be better options out there.
2012 Hyundai Elantra
I haven't driven one, but it's a very handsome car, and for the money, you can get a lot of value for your money. The high end runs about $20k, but with that, you get satellite radio, heated front AND rear leather seats, and a list of options as long as your arm. Bottom Line: If passenger comfort is your goal, this is probably your best bet.
2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Seen here in the GLI trim, the new Jetta is another solid, if large, performer in the c-segment. Sporting German heritage and styling, this is a solid performer. Some problems: in the base segments, the rear suspension is torsion beam rather than multi-link as in previous Jettas (though the multi-link is standard in the GLI). This gives the car a slightly less perky demeanor than in previous generations. Bottom Line: Go for the TDI or the GLI. Don't bother with the baseline.
2012 Ford Focus
Think of this as the American 2nd cousin to the Mazda3 (or vice versa), the new Focus is a great thing for the American market. Available in 4 door sedan or 5 door hatch, new styling, and a great driving dynamic, the new Focus is a little softer than its distant Mazda relation, but may be a better balance for comfort.
Bottom Line: If the general Focii are too tame for you, wait for the upcoming Focus ST. The hairy chested version of the Focus should be good for 250+ horsepower.
All in all, there are plenty of great options out there in the C-Segment. The Trick is finding one right for you.
2012 Honda Civic
Seen here in the Si Guise, the Civic has always been a solid performer in the C-segment. The current styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary. I've only driven the previous generation, but according to more folks, the car is much the same as the previous generation, though the Si is less rev-happy in the interest of being more fuel efficient. I did get a chance to sit in one at the recent Silicon Valley Auto Show, and I found the interior to be very contemporary, almost futuristic. In short: worth your time, but there may be better options out there.
2012 Hyundai Elantra
I haven't driven one, but it's a very handsome car, and for the money, you can get a lot of value for your money. The high end runs about $20k, but with that, you get satellite radio, heated front AND rear leather seats, and a list of options as long as your arm. Bottom Line: If passenger comfort is your goal, this is probably your best bet.
2012 Volkswagen Jetta
Seen here in the GLI trim, the new Jetta is another solid, if large, performer in the c-segment. Sporting German heritage and styling, this is a solid performer. Some problems: in the base segments, the rear suspension is torsion beam rather than multi-link as in previous Jettas (though the multi-link is standard in the GLI). This gives the car a slightly less perky demeanor than in previous generations. Bottom Line: Go for the TDI or the GLI. Don't bother with the baseline.
2012 Ford Focus
Think of this as the American 2nd cousin to the Mazda3 (or vice versa), the new Focus is a great thing for the American market. Available in 4 door sedan or 5 door hatch, new styling, and a great driving dynamic, the new Focus is a little softer than its distant Mazda relation, but may be a better balance for comfort.
Bottom Line: If the general Focii are too tame for you, wait for the upcoming Focus ST. The hairy chested version of the Focus should be good for 250+ horsepower.
All in all, there are plenty of great options out there in the C-Segment. The Trick is finding one right for you.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
This is why you don't steal someone's parking space.
Taken, I'm guessing, in China somewhere (based on the language).
You know, after seeing this it no longer surprises me how they get all that food into those tiny little containers.
Youtube
You know, after seeing this it no longer surprises me how they get all that food into those tiny little containers.
Youtube
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Brief Thought on Winter
You know, the winter weather season is a good time to save money on gas. At least it is for me.
Why? Well it does get rather cold up here, and we get our fair share of snow. On the one hand you'd think we'd waste gas warming up cars so they thaw out, but in reality I burn a lot less fuel during the winter than the summer. This is mostly due to driving less often in the first place.
Now keep in mind I was raised in this kind of weather. Driving in the snow doesn't really bother me. The problem comes when I have to clean off the car. Simply put I'm just too damn lazy to clear off the car and go for a random drive. Until I suddenly have to. Then I spend half an hour cleaning off 5 days worth of snow and ice...
Why? Well it does get rather cold up here, and we get our fair share of snow. On the one hand you'd think we'd waste gas warming up cars so they thaw out, but in reality I burn a lot less fuel during the winter than the summer. This is mostly due to driving less often in the first place.
Now keep in mind I was raised in this kind of weather. Driving in the snow doesn't really bother me. The problem comes when I have to clean off the car. Simply put I'm just too damn lazy to clear off the car and go for a random drive. Until I suddenly have to. Then I spend half an hour cleaning off 5 days worth of snow and ice...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Welterweights, Pt 6
Well, here we are. 1st place. I'll bet you're dying to know what it is.
1st Place: Mazda3
I know what you're thinking. "WHY SO SERIOUS?" Joker grin aside, this little car has enough going for it to put a grin on your face.
For starters, let's talk about this car's pedigree. Mazda is one of the few car companies out there that makes its mission to have every car it makes be fun to drive. Not just the sport models. Every.
Car.
This is where their "Zoom Zoom" philosophy comes from, and if you make that big of a claim, you better be able to back it up. And this little car is key to doing that.
First, let's talk engines: buyers have a choice of a 2.0 I4 with 148 horsepower, their new 2.0 liter Skyactiv system (more on that later) with 155 horsepower, a 2.5Liter I4 at 164 horsepower, and for the crazies, you have the Mazdaspeed3,with a turbocharged 2.3 liter I4 good for a whopping 263 horsepower. Transmissions are also varied, with five speed autos and manuals for the regular 2.0 liter and 2.5, while the Skyactiv engines and the supercharged 2.3 come with a six speeds.
In all versions, the suspension is firm without being harsh, and cornering offers very little body roll. At all speeds the car feels planted, with no dead spot on steering. Turn in can be aggressive for those not used to it, but that's good for a pocket sized driver's car.
Pricing is right on the money too. You can have one for as little as $15,200, which is spartan, but comes with plenty of spunk. At the high end, you'll run about $25,000, and there you have the choice of either the high end trim (Grand Touring) or you can get yourself a Mazdaspeed3. Both levels are nicely appointed.
You can have the car as either a sedan or a hatchback (though the Mazdaspeed3 is hatchback only). It should be noted that the hatchback starts off at about $19k, although at that level the base engine is the Skyactiv or the 2.5 liter. Plus it has more starting features, such as Bluetooth.
By now, you're probably wondering what this Skyactiv stuff is all about.
Essentially, it's Mazda's new approach to having not only fuel efficient cars, but fun ones as well. The 2012 Mazda3 is the first of Mazda's cars to implement these initiatives in a mid cycle refresh. (The first full Skyactiv Mazda is their brand new CX-5, which you can see photos of in my earlier post at the Silicon Valley Auto Show). What does this mean for the Mazda3?
40 mpg, ladies and gentlemen. Now you can have your cake and eat it too.
The weak points? Well, the interior is plastic-y, and while the steering wheel buttons are easy to get to, they are a little small. At some of the lower trims, the materials feel a little cheap. Plus, the rear passenger leg-room isn't much unless you're a kid.
And a lot of you are probably still staring in disbelief at that goofy grin on the front.
But when you're talking about entertainment value for your money, and having a car that will last you a long while, look no further.
Driver's Pick: Any of them, really, but if you can, shell out the extra cash for one of the Skyactiv engines.
1st Place: Mazda3
I know what you're thinking. "WHY SO SERIOUS?" Joker grin aside, this little car has enough going for it to put a grin on your face.
For starters, let's talk about this car's pedigree. Mazda is one of the few car companies out there that makes its mission to have every car it makes be fun to drive. Not just the sport models. Every.
Car.
This is where their "Zoom Zoom" philosophy comes from, and if you make that big of a claim, you better be able to back it up. And this little car is key to doing that.
First, let's talk engines: buyers have a choice of a 2.0 I4 with 148 horsepower, their new 2.0 liter Skyactiv system (more on that later) with 155 horsepower, a 2.5Liter I4 at 164 horsepower, and for the crazies, you have the Mazdaspeed3,with a turbocharged 2.3 liter I4 good for a whopping 263 horsepower. Transmissions are also varied, with five speed autos and manuals for the regular 2.0 liter and 2.5, while the Skyactiv engines and the supercharged 2.3 come with a six speeds.
In all versions, the suspension is firm without being harsh, and cornering offers very little body roll. At all speeds the car feels planted, with no dead spot on steering. Turn in can be aggressive for those not used to it, but that's good for a pocket sized driver's car.
Pricing is right on the money too. You can have one for as little as $15,200, which is spartan, but comes with plenty of spunk. At the high end, you'll run about $25,000, and there you have the choice of either the high end trim (Grand Touring) or you can get yourself a Mazdaspeed3. Both levels are nicely appointed.
You can have the car as either a sedan or a hatchback (though the Mazdaspeed3 is hatchback only). It should be noted that the hatchback starts off at about $19k, although at that level the base engine is the Skyactiv or the 2.5 liter. Plus it has more starting features, such as Bluetooth.
By now, you're probably wondering what this Skyactiv stuff is all about.
Essentially, it's Mazda's new approach to having not only fuel efficient cars, but fun ones as well. The 2012 Mazda3 is the first of Mazda's cars to implement these initiatives in a mid cycle refresh. (The first full Skyactiv Mazda is their brand new CX-5, which you can see photos of in my earlier post at the Silicon Valley Auto Show). What does this mean for the Mazda3?
40 mpg, ladies and gentlemen. Now you can have your cake and eat it too.
The weak points? Well, the interior is plastic-y, and while the steering wheel buttons are easy to get to, they are a little small. At some of the lower trims, the materials feel a little cheap. Plus, the rear passenger leg-room isn't much unless you're a kid.
And a lot of you are probably still staring in disbelief at that goofy grin on the front.
But when you're talking about entertainment value for your money, and having a car that will last you a long while, look no further.
Driver's Pick: Any of them, really, but if you can, shell out the extra cash for one of the Skyactiv engines.
Monday, January 9, 2012
This is the Chevy Code 130R Concept
You saw it here first! ...unless you went to one of the other auto blog sites before you came here.
Chevy kept a tight lid on this little bugger. Nobody knew what it was or what it looked like until today. So here's the details. Chevy polled a bunch of 20-somethings all over the country and asked them what they wanted in a car. This is what they asked for. It's a compact, rear wheel drive coupe with a 150HP 1.4L turbo four and manual transmission. It'll also have GM's eAssist system for marginally better fuel economy as well. Pricing? GM estimates they could sell it for the low to mid $20,000s, if they decide to build it. Frankly I'd like to see a few more ponies out of this if they do. If it's got around 200HP, it'd be a solid competitor to the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ. Otherwise? I'm afraid it's just not quick enough for that kind of money.
So GM..are you listening? BUILD IT. We've told you we want it so build it. And ditch the name. Call it a Nova.
This is the 2013 Ford Fusion
Well there it is.
....What? Oh you want to know more, do you? All right. The '13 Fusion for the US gets a whole new platform, now shared with the Euro market Ford Mondeo. This is part of Ford's effort to globalize as many of its cars as possible. This can only be a good thing for us Americans, as the Mondeo has been praised as a great driver's car over in Europe.
The part you're likely all interested in is what's under the hood. In that regard you've got a few choices to make. Actually a lot of choices to make. The base motivator is carryover from 2012--a 2.5L DOHC four making 170HP and 170lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. There's a hyper-efficient gas option, which pairs a 1.6L Ecoboost four with a 6-speed stick. Yeah you read that right, the Fusion is getting it's shift back. The good news? With 179HP and 172lb-ft of torque, the eco-ride won't be a snooze-fest. The better news? You get a mid-size sedan with an estimated 37 MPG on the highway--the best of any nonhybrid in its class. The top of the line engine is a 2.0L Ecoboost making 237HP and 250lb-ft of torque, but it's only available with the slushbox. AWD is also available for the top-line Fusion, making what's likely already a sure-footed car even more planted to the road.
Hang on, I'm not done yet with powertrain options. Let it never be said Ford doesn't give the customer a choice. The Fusion will also keep its hybrid option. Paired with a 2.0L non-turbo four (no official HP figures as of yet) the Fusion Hybrid will get up to 47 MPG highway. That's better than the Prius, with more interior room, much better looks and a whole lot less smug. And I'm STILL not done, as a plug-in hybrid system is also going to be offered--though details like battery pack size and EV-only range haven't been released yet.
Yes, the V6 is gone. It was ditched to give the Fusion some breathing room between it and the uplevel Taurus. I don't see this as a big deal however. The Malibu is ditching its V6 option, and I'd imagine more mid-size sedans will follow suit if gas prices keep going up.
Look for the Fusion on dealer lots later this Fall.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Covering the Silicon Valley Auto Show
We DID have boots on the ground for the Silicon Valley Auto Show (namely, mine and my toddler son's) and we're gonna do our best to give you some of the highlights of the show.
Above is a Lamborghini Gallardo provided by Club Sportiva (think of them as a high end sports car sharing company. One of the few cars that looks good in yellow.
Look out! It's Godzilla! The Nissan GT-R is one of the hottest cars on the market, and one of my all time faves.
The legendary BMW M3. Long the gold standard of the luxury sport sedan market, this specimen was dressed in a matte black paint job that looked absolutely stunning.
Fiat had a selection of their 500's to peruse. The best looking in my opinion was this 500 Sport in Nero paint with a Nero interior. Amazingly, I was able to fit all 6'1", 240 lbs of me in the back seats. Note the tachometer inside the spedometer. Nicely laid out.
This is the cockpit of the new 2012 VW GTI, the great granddaddy of the Hot Hatchback. Like the rest of the car, the interior was refined. Spartan (and for some reason missing a piece of the bottom part of the steering wheel), but highly functional. Plus, I like the fact that they offer it with a dual clutch and flappy paddles.
Practically dripping with retro charm, this 2012 Challenger SRT-8 is one of my personal favorites of the current muscle car offering. Sadly, most of the car's lesser guises are too heavy for the engines currently mounted in them. But it's so charming you won't care if it farts in bed and picks its nose. This is a cool car.
(Does not include booth babe).
The two above pictures show the exterior and interior of Mazda's Mazdaspeed3, probably the best answer to the GTI. As you can see, the interior is a little busier and the styling is pure boy-racer. Then again, it's got 60 more horsepower than the GTI, and more torque. This is another one of the cars on my personal "short list" of cars to own.
Another new showing from Mazda, this is their all-new CX-5. While it's not the first Mazda vehicle to feature their patented Skyactiv technology (supposed to deliver better fuel performance without sacrificing performance integrity), the CX-5 is the first vehicle to be designed with Skyactiv from the ground up. Sadly, since this was one of only 2 actual vehicles stateside, we weren't able to tour it.
Finally, the Mazda MX-5 (aka the Miata). The roadster reborn, there's little that can be said about this car that hasn't already been written, save that I can actually fit my bulky self in there.
Barely. But I can.
One of the best selling rally-cars around, this is the 2011 Subaru WRX. Featuring a blown H4 flat Boxer engine good for 260 horsepower and all wheel drive, the WRX is a potent vehicle. Below is the interior for the hotrodded WRX STi. Sadly, Subaru were unable to ship the all new BRZ for their show, but if they had, you'd bet your tail we'd be all over it.
Seen here is part of the vaunted Hyundai Genesis Coupe. And a hefty guy. This variant has a 3.8 liter V-6 good for 306 horsepower, rear wheel drive, and a very tasteful interior with good visibility. Note on the interior the blue screen at the top of the center console. Not only does it show your average fuel economy, but peak torque too. Flappy paddles round out the performance pedigree for this vaunted coupe. A note for taller passengers though: don't expect to fit in the back seat unless you are under the age of 14, are a little person, or have somehow cut off your head and legs.
One of the more unusual showings from the korean company is the new Hyundai Veloster. This odd little 3 door hatchback has something endearing about it. Whether it's the odd third door on the passenger's side, the available six-speed dual clutch transmission, the plethora of technology or the fuel economy, this baby's a compelling little vehicle. Sadly, most reports come in that it's a little underpowered, so keep your eyes peeled for a turbocharged variant later this year.
We had a celebrity here at the auto show. This Camaro SS dressed up in its movie-star persona (complete with Autobot symbols), this is another great muscle car. It does have its faults (little visibility, for one, and somewhat questionable ergonomics for another) but is still a great car.
We're pretty sure here that Bruce Wayne would have at least one of these to drive to work or through the hills above Gotham when he's not kicking various supervillians. This is not just the CTS coupe, it's the CTS-V. What does that mean? Well, how does a 556 horsepower supercharged v-8 sound to you? Note that there are no exterior door handles. This car is entirely keyless. What's that you say? You need more space than a coupe? Well, we have the answer to that below.
Who doesn't like a little swagger wagon? Same engine as the other CTS-V's, this one has an extra bit on the end, so after you're done running around with your hair on fire, you can make the run to Home Depot and finish the honey-do list.
Seen here is the all new Fisker Karma. What is there to be said about this car? Well, for starters, it produces a monstrous amount of horsepower. Granted, this is sort of a "feel good" car for the rich and famous (the wood they use is rescued from underwater, for instance). However, there's a good indicator for what's going to be available for the average consumer. And it is a very striking vehicle.
Rolls Royce Ghost. Not many details on this one. This is the sort of car you buy to be driven around in, not to drive.
The Lotus Evora. Marketed as the softer, more civilized Lotus sports car, it's not as hard edged and sharp as the Elise. It is, however, slightly more practical (rear seats anyone?).
At one time, the McLaren F1 was the fastest car in the world at 240 miles an hour. And if you want to, you can purchase it's proud and handsome grandson pictured here. Sure, it's not going to beat a Bugatti Veyron, but a) where are you going to take it where that will be an issue? and b) the only people who care are going to be your fellow snobs at the country club.
A Gallardo Spyder. The Gallardo is getting long in the tooth, but until the Aventador comes out, it's more or less our only choice. Then again, it's good looking, and it's fast enough to smoke just about anything else on the road.
The Jaguar XF. The replacement for the old S-type. This is probably one of the more distinctive luxury sport sedans on the market. And it has a real sense of occasion about it. I intend to cover this car in greater detail in another post because it truly deserves it.
Pictured above are the exterior, dashboard, and gadget tray of the Kia Forte Koup. This is arguably the sportiest guise for the Forte. I am pleased to report that for this new generation, the plastics in the cockpit, while still hard, certainly feel less cheap than the previous iteration. However, this isn't the only sporty offering from Kia.
This is one such offering. This is the Kia Optima. It's a handsome car, this. Sporting a turbo-charged 4 cylinder engine and striking styling evocative of Audi and Volkswagen, the car makes a compelling case for itself. Additionally, the materials inside have an upscale feel to them, offering good value for the average consumer.
This is another sporting offering from Kia. The Sportage Turbo with AWD offers similar performance for the Optima, but with an AWD crossover twist for those of you who don't like sedans. The upscale materials persist in this car as well, and the cockpit sports plenty of room for 4 adults.
That's all for now. I'll be posting more of these photos as the week goes on. I don't want to saturate you all too much.
Above is a Lamborghini Gallardo provided by Club Sportiva (think of them as a high end sports car sharing company. One of the few cars that looks good in yellow.
Look out! It's Godzilla! The Nissan GT-R is one of the hottest cars on the market, and one of my all time faves.
The legendary BMW M3. Long the gold standard of the luxury sport sedan market, this specimen was dressed in a matte black paint job that looked absolutely stunning.
Fiat had a selection of their 500's to peruse. The best looking in my opinion was this 500 Sport in Nero paint with a Nero interior. Amazingly, I was able to fit all 6'1", 240 lbs of me in the back seats. Note the tachometer inside the spedometer. Nicely laid out.
This is the cockpit of the new 2012 VW GTI, the great granddaddy of the Hot Hatchback. Like the rest of the car, the interior was refined. Spartan (and for some reason missing a piece of the bottom part of the steering wheel), but highly functional. Plus, I like the fact that they offer it with a dual clutch and flappy paddles.
Practically dripping with retro charm, this 2012 Challenger SRT-8 is one of my personal favorites of the current muscle car offering. Sadly, most of the car's lesser guises are too heavy for the engines currently mounted in them. But it's so charming you won't care if it farts in bed and picks its nose. This is a cool car.
(Does not include booth babe).
The two above pictures show the exterior and interior of Mazda's Mazdaspeed3, probably the best answer to the GTI. As you can see, the interior is a little busier and the styling is pure boy-racer. Then again, it's got 60 more horsepower than the GTI, and more torque. This is another one of the cars on my personal "short list" of cars to own.
Another new showing from Mazda, this is their all-new CX-5. While it's not the first Mazda vehicle to feature their patented Skyactiv technology (supposed to deliver better fuel performance without sacrificing performance integrity), the CX-5 is the first vehicle to be designed with Skyactiv from the ground up. Sadly, since this was one of only 2 actual vehicles stateside, we weren't able to tour it.
Finally, the Mazda MX-5 (aka the Miata). The roadster reborn, there's little that can be said about this car that hasn't already been written, save that I can actually fit my bulky self in there.
Barely. But I can.
One of the best selling rally-cars around, this is the 2011 Subaru WRX. Featuring a blown H4 flat Boxer engine good for 260 horsepower and all wheel drive, the WRX is a potent vehicle. Below is the interior for the hotrodded WRX STi. Sadly, Subaru were unable to ship the all new BRZ for their show, but if they had, you'd bet your tail we'd be all over it.
Seen here is part of the vaunted Hyundai Genesis Coupe. And a hefty guy. This variant has a 3.8 liter V-6 good for 306 horsepower, rear wheel drive, and a very tasteful interior with good visibility. Note on the interior the blue screen at the top of the center console. Not only does it show your average fuel economy, but peak torque too. Flappy paddles round out the performance pedigree for this vaunted coupe. A note for taller passengers though: don't expect to fit in the back seat unless you are under the age of 14, are a little person, or have somehow cut off your head and legs.
One of the more unusual showings from the korean company is the new Hyundai Veloster. This odd little 3 door hatchback has something endearing about it. Whether it's the odd third door on the passenger's side, the available six-speed dual clutch transmission, the plethora of technology or the fuel economy, this baby's a compelling little vehicle. Sadly, most reports come in that it's a little underpowered, so keep your eyes peeled for a turbocharged variant later this year.
We had a celebrity here at the auto show. This Camaro SS dressed up in its movie-star persona (complete with Autobot symbols), this is another great muscle car. It does have its faults (little visibility, for one, and somewhat questionable ergonomics for another) but is still a great car.
We're pretty sure here that Bruce Wayne would have at least one of these to drive to work or through the hills above Gotham when he's not kicking various supervillians. This is not just the CTS coupe, it's the CTS-V. What does that mean? Well, how does a 556 horsepower supercharged v-8 sound to you? Note that there are no exterior door handles. This car is entirely keyless. What's that you say? You need more space than a coupe? Well, we have the answer to that below.
Who doesn't like a little swagger wagon? Same engine as the other CTS-V's, this one has an extra bit on the end, so after you're done running around with your hair on fire, you can make the run to Home Depot and finish the honey-do list.
Seen here is the all new Fisker Karma. What is there to be said about this car? Well, for starters, it produces a monstrous amount of horsepower. Granted, this is sort of a "feel good" car for the rich and famous (the wood they use is rescued from underwater, for instance). However, there's a good indicator for what's going to be available for the average consumer. And it is a very striking vehicle.
Rolls Royce Ghost. Not many details on this one. This is the sort of car you buy to be driven around in, not to drive.
The Lotus Evora. Marketed as the softer, more civilized Lotus sports car, it's not as hard edged and sharp as the Elise. It is, however, slightly more practical (rear seats anyone?).
At one time, the McLaren F1 was the fastest car in the world at 240 miles an hour. And if you want to, you can purchase it's proud and handsome grandson pictured here. Sure, it's not going to beat a Bugatti Veyron, but a) where are you going to take it where that will be an issue? and b) the only people who care are going to be your fellow snobs at the country club.
A Gallardo Spyder. The Gallardo is getting long in the tooth, but until the Aventador comes out, it's more or less our only choice. Then again, it's good looking, and it's fast enough to smoke just about anything else on the road.
The Jaguar XF. The replacement for the old S-type. This is probably one of the more distinctive luxury sport sedans on the market. And it has a real sense of occasion about it. I intend to cover this car in greater detail in another post because it truly deserves it.
Pictured above are the exterior, dashboard, and gadget tray of the Kia Forte Koup. This is arguably the sportiest guise for the Forte. I am pleased to report that for this new generation, the plastics in the cockpit, while still hard, certainly feel less cheap than the previous iteration. However, this isn't the only sporty offering from Kia.
This is one such offering. This is the Kia Optima. It's a handsome car, this. Sporting a turbo-charged 4 cylinder engine and striking styling evocative of Audi and Volkswagen, the car makes a compelling case for itself. Additionally, the materials inside have an upscale feel to them, offering good value for the average consumer.
This is another sporting offering from Kia. The Sportage Turbo with AWD offers similar performance for the Optima, but with an AWD crossover twist for those of you who don't like sedans. The upscale materials persist in this car as well, and the cockpit sports plenty of room for 4 adults.
That's all for now. I'll be posting more of these photos as the week goes on. I don't want to saturate you all too much.
NAIAS - Detroit Coverage
Hey everyone.
While we'd love to be there at Cobo Hall covering the 2012 North American International Auto Show, unfortunately this year we don't have any boots on the ground out there. That said, you can be sure we'll be cherry-picking the most interesting bits out of everyone else's coverage and putting our own special spin on things. And by special I don't mean like short bus special. Or maybe I do, depends on whether or not I'm doing the writing.
Stay tuned!
While we'd love to be there at Cobo Hall covering the 2012 North American International Auto Show, unfortunately this year we don't have any boots on the ground out there. That said, you can be sure we'll be cherry-picking the most interesting bits out of everyone else's coverage and putting our own special spin on things. And by special I don't mean like short bus special. Or maybe I do, depends on whether or not I'm doing the writing.
Stay tuned!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Welterweights, Pt 5
2nd Place: Chevy Cruze.
Chevrolet's replacement for the Cobalt is a quantum leap forward for the bow-tie badge, and it shows. The Cruze was one of the top selling cars in the states last year, and looking at it, it's not hard to see why. For one thing, it's a very handsome car. For another, it's big for a C segment car. Plus, with starting features like OnStar, Satellite Radio, power locks, windows, auxilliary input, and a fairly spacious interior, it's well appointed for $16k.
What's more, the average consumer has a choice of engines. Standard is a 1.8 liter I-4 good for 138 horsepower and 123 ft/lbs of torque. However, on all but the LS (low end) trim, a 1.4 Turbo I-4 is good for the same horsepower, but 148 ft/lbs of torque. Turbos aren't normally standard fo American cars, but the execution is well done. There's little turbo lag, and power comes smoothly.
The interior is quite nice as well.
With a mix of soft and hard touch plastics (or, optional GASP! leather!) and intuitive, ergonomic controls, the cabin is a nice place to be.
The car handles well too. Steering is nicely weighted and precise, and the car feels planted at all speeds. The suspension strikes a nice balance between firm and comfortable. The transmission is responsive even with a manumatic.
In many cases, this is one of the best American C-segment cars out there. It's roomy, well appointed, handsome, and moderately priced for its segment.
So why did it finish second?
For starters, get up into the high level LTZ trim and this baby will cost you more than $25,000 without incentives. Granted, you can get the turbo 1.4 liter engine without going there, and other nice features, but as a high water mark that's way up there.
Another problem is weight. Yes, there's the stereotype that Americans are overweight, and this car doesn't do much to dispel that notion. That extra space and room comes with extra weight, and even the high output 1.4 liter turbo doesn't do much to compensate for it.
Overall, it's a great domestic showing, but sadly for the bow-tie, there's a one other candidate that can steal the crown.
Driver's Pick: the 1LT or 2LT. Don't bother with the LTZ unless you love this car and want leather. Avoid the 1.8.
Chevrolet's replacement for the Cobalt is a quantum leap forward for the bow-tie badge, and it shows. The Cruze was one of the top selling cars in the states last year, and looking at it, it's not hard to see why. For one thing, it's a very handsome car. For another, it's big for a C segment car. Plus, with starting features like OnStar, Satellite Radio, power locks, windows, auxilliary input, and a fairly spacious interior, it's well appointed for $16k.
What's more, the average consumer has a choice of engines. Standard is a 1.8 liter I-4 good for 138 horsepower and 123 ft/lbs of torque. However, on all but the LS (low end) trim, a 1.4 Turbo I-4 is good for the same horsepower, but 148 ft/lbs of torque. Turbos aren't normally standard fo American cars, but the execution is well done. There's little turbo lag, and power comes smoothly.
The interior is quite nice as well.
With a mix of soft and hard touch plastics (or, optional GASP! leather!) and intuitive, ergonomic controls, the cabin is a nice place to be.
The car handles well too. Steering is nicely weighted and precise, and the car feels planted at all speeds. The suspension strikes a nice balance between firm and comfortable. The transmission is responsive even with a manumatic.
In many cases, this is one of the best American C-segment cars out there. It's roomy, well appointed, handsome, and moderately priced for its segment.
So why did it finish second?
For starters, get up into the high level LTZ trim and this baby will cost you more than $25,000 without incentives. Granted, you can get the turbo 1.4 liter engine without going there, and other nice features, but as a high water mark that's way up there.
Another problem is weight. Yes, there's the stereotype that Americans are overweight, and this car doesn't do much to dispel that notion. That extra space and room comes with extra weight, and even the high output 1.4 liter turbo doesn't do much to compensate for it.
Overall, it's a great domestic showing, but sadly for the bow-tie, there's a one other candidate that can steal the crown.
Driver's Pick: the 1LT or 2LT. Don't bother with the LTZ unless you love this car and want leather. Avoid the 1.8.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Annual Winter Driving Lament
This is the penalty I pay for living in a northern state. What's that, you ask? The annual ritual of flaky white stuff falling from the sky and everyone suddenly forgetting how to drive, that's what. Listen people. We have been through this before. This is not the first time in your entire lives you've seen snow, OK? Let's use a little common sense and not drive with our asses.
I heard a guy on the radio earlier today say "They shouldn't call it snow, they should call it stupid powder--because it turns everyone into a complete moron." Sir I do not know your name but if I ever meet you I'm buying you a beer. Comedy gold, that.
Look, driving in the white stuff isn't really all that hard. You just need to take your time and use a little common sense. Of course it also helps if you've got some good snow tires, but they won't save your ass from being an idiot.
What we have here on the road is every bad driving habit amplified to 11 and combined in one massive crap sandwich. Idiots driving too fast. Morons driving too slow. Txters weaving in and out of traffic. Weeaboos in Imprezas and Evolutions flying down the road like they're Ken freakin' Block.
LEARN HOW TO DRIVE, YOU ASS-BRAINS!
I heard a guy on the radio earlier today say "They shouldn't call it snow, they should call it stupid powder--because it turns everyone into a complete moron." Sir I do not know your name but if I ever meet you I'm buying you a beer. Comedy gold, that.
Look, driving in the white stuff isn't really all that hard. You just need to take your time and use a little common sense. Of course it also helps if you've got some good snow tires, but they won't save your ass from being an idiot.
What we have here on the road is every bad driving habit amplified to 11 and combined in one massive crap sandwich. Idiots driving too fast. Morons driving too slow. Txters weaving in and out of traffic. Weeaboos in Imprezas and Evolutions flying down the road like they're Ken freakin' Block.
LEARN HOW TO DRIVE, YOU ASS-BRAINS!
Welterweights, Pt 4
Continuing on the series. I know you all have been waiting patiently.
3rd Place: Kia Forte
Introduced as a replacement for the forgettable Spectra, at the time, the Forte was a dramatic leap forward for the Korean contender. The formerly bold styling of the Forte has been overshadowed by more radical looks from Kia (in particular the new Optima and the freshly redesigned Rio). However this car still has a lot to offer. (In fact, on Top Gear, this is their current "Reasonably Priced Car", which Kia sells in the UK as the Cee'd).
While the baseline car starts off at $15,200, you do get quite a lot for your money.
A 156 horsepower, 2.0 liter engine, for example.
A digital radio that is XM ready.
USB and Aux input jacks, and Bluetooth for those of us who live in hands-free states.
Plus, I am a big fan of how the cockpit is laid out.
Seen here in EX trim guise (mid-range, in Kia Marketing parlance), the interior has a contemporary, if slightly busy layout. Most of the steering-wheel mounted controls are thumb mounted, which is handy (see what I did there?). Plus, the Aux and USB mounts I mentioned earlier are mounted on a shelf directly in front of the shifter, as well as two cigarette-lighter/power outlets.
One important thing any car company needs to work out is how they lay out their interior controls and gauges. Yes it's one thing to add mountains of horsepower to a car and give it a good suspension, but if your controls are unfathomable and difficult to operate, your average driver is going to have a hard time driving when they have to take their eyes off the road to see which button changes the radio.
One thing that I do like about this car is that it does seem to be made for the modern consumer in mind, and is planned out as such.
Plus, you have options as a buyer, and options are good. In addition to the regular sedan, the Forte is also available as a coupe (also, kleverly kalled the Koup) or a 5 door hatchback. Plus, the SX trim in all three boosts your horsepower up to 177, has optional leather, push-button ignition, smart key, sat-nav, and that starts at under $20k. With Leather (and heated front seats) and the sat-nav, you should ring the registers around $23k without incentives.
Having driven the EX, the car feels composed on the road, and road noise is fairly minimalistic. Cornering is relatively flat with little body roll. The shifter is a little sluggish, and online, a manual is only offered with the base LX trim (though the high-end SX trim has paddle shifters).
All in all, the Forte in all its iterations is a fairly solid buy for the average consumer, and bakes a lot into its value proposition for around $20k.
So why did it finish in third place?
I have to admit, it was really close for this. All of the Forte's aforementioned advantages really helped it move to the top three. However, its faults are what kept it from advancing higher.
For starters, the base trim doesn't come with power windows, locks or mirrors. I'm sorry, but this is 2012, for pity's sake. Is it that hard to put power windows on a car that is XM ready?
Second is the interior.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" I can hear you all asking, as you scroll up a few paragraphs to see where I praised the interior layout. "What is this madness?" you say, trying to see how I'm going to square this circle.
Well, just as important with the interior layout are the materials used, and I'm sorry, but there is nothing but stiff, hard plastic everywhere in this interior. Very little cloth abounds, and the plastics all have the consistency of a Rubbermaid trash can. Sadly, as well laid out as the interior is, it's not laid out well enough to disguise the fact that you're driving around in a tupperware container.
The fuel economy isn't much to write home about either, sadly.
In the end, what Kia have made is a well performing, handsome, and reasonably priced car. However, the car's faults kept it out of the top two. Still, it is definitely worth your time to look at.
Driver's Pick: Forte Koup SX. Avoid the LX trim, unless a stripped down version is your thing.
3rd Place: Kia Forte
Introduced as a replacement for the forgettable Spectra, at the time, the Forte was a dramatic leap forward for the Korean contender. The formerly bold styling of the Forte has been overshadowed by more radical looks from Kia (in particular the new Optima and the freshly redesigned Rio). However this car still has a lot to offer. (In fact, on Top Gear, this is their current "Reasonably Priced Car", which Kia sells in the UK as the Cee'd).
While the baseline car starts off at $15,200, you do get quite a lot for your money.
A 156 horsepower, 2.0 liter engine, for example.
A digital radio that is XM ready.
USB and Aux input jacks, and Bluetooth for those of us who live in hands-free states.
Plus, I am a big fan of how the cockpit is laid out.
Seen here in EX trim guise (mid-range, in Kia Marketing parlance), the interior has a contemporary, if slightly busy layout. Most of the steering-wheel mounted controls are thumb mounted, which is handy (see what I did there?). Plus, the Aux and USB mounts I mentioned earlier are mounted on a shelf directly in front of the shifter, as well as two cigarette-lighter/power outlets.
One important thing any car company needs to work out is how they lay out their interior controls and gauges. Yes it's one thing to add mountains of horsepower to a car and give it a good suspension, but if your controls are unfathomable and difficult to operate, your average driver is going to have a hard time driving when they have to take their eyes off the road to see which button changes the radio.
One thing that I do like about this car is that it does seem to be made for the modern consumer in mind, and is planned out as such.
Plus, you have options as a buyer, and options are good. In addition to the regular sedan, the Forte is also available as a coupe (also, kleverly kalled the Koup) or a 5 door hatchback. Plus, the SX trim in all three boosts your horsepower up to 177, has optional leather, push-button ignition, smart key, sat-nav, and that starts at under $20k. With Leather (and heated front seats) and the sat-nav, you should ring the registers around $23k without incentives.
Having driven the EX, the car feels composed on the road, and road noise is fairly minimalistic. Cornering is relatively flat with little body roll. The shifter is a little sluggish, and online, a manual is only offered with the base LX trim (though the high-end SX trim has paddle shifters).
All in all, the Forte in all its iterations is a fairly solid buy for the average consumer, and bakes a lot into its value proposition for around $20k.
So why did it finish in third place?
I have to admit, it was really close for this. All of the Forte's aforementioned advantages really helped it move to the top three. However, its faults are what kept it from advancing higher.
For starters, the base trim doesn't come with power windows, locks or mirrors. I'm sorry, but this is 2012, for pity's sake. Is it that hard to put power windows on a car that is XM ready?
Second is the interior.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" I can hear you all asking, as you scroll up a few paragraphs to see where I praised the interior layout. "What is this madness?" you say, trying to see how I'm going to square this circle.
Well, just as important with the interior layout are the materials used, and I'm sorry, but there is nothing but stiff, hard plastic everywhere in this interior. Very little cloth abounds, and the plastics all have the consistency of a Rubbermaid trash can. Sadly, as well laid out as the interior is, it's not laid out well enough to disguise the fact that you're driving around in a tupperware container.
The fuel economy isn't much to write home about either, sadly.
In the end, what Kia have made is a well performing, handsome, and reasonably priced car. However, the car's faults kept it out of the top two. Still, it is definitely worth your time to look at.
Driver's Pick: Forte Koup SX. Avoid the LX trim, unless a stripped down version is your thing.
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