Archive for April, 2008
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
HOT ROD--Exhaust Systems
Tri-Y headers can improve performance on real-world street cars.
Classic Tri-Y headers were first introduced in the mid-’60s and today are primarily manufactured by two different companies: Doug’s Headers, a Division of Pertronix (www.dougsheaders.com); and Doug Thorley Headers (www.dougthorleyheaders.com).Tri-Ys are named for how they merge the four, initially separate, primary tubes: Two pairs of primary tubes first merge together ahead of the collector to form two secondary pipes, then the two secondary pipes join together within the main collector body. This gives the appearance of forming three Y-shaped unions, or a “tri-Y.” Tri-Ys greatly simplify overall header design, resulting in a lower-cost product that’s easier to package in a tight chassis.
More important from a performance standpoint, the consensus among engine builders is that the tri-Y design broadens the low-and midrange torque curve—perfect for the typical street car. In theory, tri-Ys should be slightly down on power at the top end, but classic tests once conducted by David Vizard indicate that on the average street performance engine using cams with less than 260-270 degrees advertised duration, tri-Ys produce nearly the same power as a good four-into-one header set.
Sometimes tri-Ys have even been known to boost the performance of more radical mills. The Pontiac guys at H-O Enterprises (www.hoenterprises.com) once built-up a ’73 Trans Am 455 D-port motor with 10.25:1 compression and a 0.480/0.480-inch lift, 232/242-degrees duration (at 0.050-inch tappet-lift) cam. Using tri-Ys with 1-5/8-inch x 2-inch collectors picked up 1 mph in the quarter-mile over a conventional set of 1-3/4 x 3-inch four-into-one headers.
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Convertibles, BMW, UK
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW M3 convertible.To signal the beginning of sales of the
M3 convertible in the UK, BMW decided to release two-dozen more photos of its
drop-top super coupe, and that's enough of a reason for us to include them in a gallery with its white counterpart. Everything remains the same, including the choice of either a six-speed manual or
six-speed DCT gearbox, all without that pesky roof to keep you from enjoying the 420 hp, 4.0-liter V8 when your sending it up into its 8.400-rpm redline.
BMW's UK press release is posted after the jump.
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PRESS RELEASEThe new BMW M3 ConvertibleIntroductionThe new BMW M3 Convertible, the third derivative and concluding chapter in the current M3 line-up, adds a new dimension to the BMW M ownership experience.Not only is the new open-topped M3 the first M car to feature a Retractable Hard-Top, it's the first M3 Convertible to be powered by a V8 engine and the first BMW to feature an all-new seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.Although it possesses the same 4.0-litre, 420hp V8 engine as its M3 Coupé and M3 Saloon siblings, the fourth-generation M3 Convertible is very much a model in its own right. It has been designed from the ground up to be a four-seat convertible with supercar performance that showcases market-leading technology.BMW M3 Convertible (manual gearbox)Power (Hp) 420 Torque (Nm) 400 Zero to 62mph 5.3 Combined mpg 21.9 Emissions (g/km) 309 Price OTR £54,760BMW M3 Convertible (with M DCT gearbox)Power (Hp) 420 Torque (Nm) 400 Zero to 62mph 5.1 Combined mpg 23.0 Emissions (g/km) 293 Price OTR £57,350The new M3 Convertible produces more than twice the power of the original 1988 model, yet the spirit and design philosophy remains the same. With outputs of 420hp and 400 Nm, and following the precedent set by its forebears, the M3 Convertible engine comfortably breaks the all-important 100hp per litre barrier. What's more, the new model has a power to weight ratio that is over 10 per cent higher than the outgoing E46 M3 Convertible - itself the previous benchmark open-top sports convertible.EfficientDynamics at the performance end of the marketThe new M3 Convertible is both more fuel efficient and produces less C02 than its predecessor, despite this breathtaking performance. The introduction of BMW's EfficientDynamics programme - which features Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and lightweight materials - ensures that both running costs and emissions are kept to a minimum. The M3 Convertible returns 21.9 mpg on the combined cycle - a five per cent improvement over the previous generation model.Transmission champA new option for all M3 buyers is BMW's new seven-speed M DCT gearbox. Offering drivers the chance to enjoy seamless gearshifts with no interruption in power delivery, this state-of-the-art transmission is so efficient that it outperforms the manual gearbox car in terms of acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.Lifting the lidThe new BMW M3 Convertible is the first M car to feature a Retractable Hard-Top as standard. The electro-hydraulic roof is fully automatic and can be lowered in22 seconds. The M3 Convertible is fitted with SunReflective leather, allowing owners to leave the top down for extended periods without the risk of the seat leather overheating. With SunReflective leather, which was initially developed by BMW Motorrad to keep motorbike riders cool in hot climes, the surface temperature remains up to 20 degrees Celsius lower than conventional leather.ChassisUnderneath the M3 Convertible's muscular torso lies a chassis and suspension system tailor-made for the demanding requirements of an open-top car. Torsional rigidity has been significantly improved over the previous model, while the suspension has been fine-tuned to take into account the specific weight distribution of a convertible.SafetyThe combination of a strong structure and advanced occupant restraint systems means the BMW M3 Convertible offers the highest possible standards of passive and active safety for occupants. Like the standard 3-Series Convertible, the M3 version is equipped with a rollover sensor system that constantly monitors the vertical and horizontal movement of the car. If the sensors (which are located in the centre of the car, on the B pillars and in the doors) detect that a rollover is imminent, roll bars located behind the rear headrests pop up. At the same time, the front seatbelt pre-tensioners are activated and the head/thorax airbags are deployed.Klaus Kibsgaard, the new Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd, said: "To be stepping into BMW's third largest market just as brand shapers such as M3s and the X6 are launched is a rare treat. Throughout my time at BMW I have been aware of the strong lure that the M badge has on our UK customers. This latest car underscores our competitive advantage in the market place. It is the only performance car of its type to feature innovations such as energy saving technology and a folding metal roof."I believe the M3 Convertible is a sublime product and one of the best from M. It will be hugely satisfying for both our existing M3 Convertible owners looking to buy the new generation as well as prospects who, as yet, have not had the pleasure of hearing an M engine on full song."MarketThe M3 Convertible goes on sale in the UK on 26 April 2008, priced at £54,760 OTR. BMW expects to sell approximately 900 M3 Convertibles in a full year. This compares to 1,900 M3 Coupés and 400 M3 Saloons.M3 Convertible key facts:o. First M3 Convertible to feature a Retractable Hard-Top roof.o. The only high-performance convertible in the sector to incorporate specialist environmental fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology.o. First M3 Convertible to be powered by a V8 engine.o. The eight-cylinder engine is lighter than the outgoing six-cylinder unit.o. First M3 Convertible to feature M Double Clutch Transmission. Available as a £2,590 option. And it's cleaner, faster and more frugal than a manual transmission.o. 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds* makes it the fastest M3 Convertible ever.*Note: When fitted with M DCT gearbox.
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Time Warp, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln, Pontiac
Click on the 300C to see all five stamps in high-resolutionAll the way back in 2004, we
wondered out loud why the U.S. Postal Service chose only to showcase cars from the first half of the decade starting in 1950. All of you waiting on pins and needles now have an official date when this offense will be rectified: October 3, 2008. Starting on that day, each of the 37,000 Post Office locations will begin offering five new "50s Fins and Chrome" 42-cent first-class stamps as part of the "America on the Move" series. We've gallerized each of the upcoming stamps for your viewing enjoyment:
These new stamps were unveiled at the auto-mecca that is the Spring Carlisle Collector Car & Swap Meet in Carlisle, PA. The designs were illustrated by Art M. Fitzpatrick using an example of each car which is still currently road-worthy. We think Fitz did a darn good job on these particular stamps, which will make the mundane act of sending letters just a bit more palatable starting in October.
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[Source: U.S. Postal Service]
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Subaru
Thanks to Subaru's newest marketing campaign, we finally know what really
makes a Subaru a Subaru. Love. Really? Allow Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, to explain, "Love is the most powerful emotion and 'I love my Subaru' is the most used phrase I hear about our brand. We wanted to show the bond between Subaru owners and their cars through this work."
While it seems that current owners may love their cars, Subaru's research into the subject shows that the majority of the population have no strong feelings toward the brand at all. Past Subaru ads have communicated the rational reasons for purchasing a Subaru, but the marketing team now intends to key in on three specific subjects: the heart, the brain and the wallet, highlighting all of the considerations of a consumer looking for a new car. Will the new advertisements resonate with consumers? Dunno, but we do know that while
we love ourselves some STI, there isn't much else that Subaru has to offer which make our hearts race.
[Source: Subaru]
Subaru of America, Inc. Unveils New Marketing Campaign CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced a new marketing campaign based on the strong emotional bond Subaru owners have with their vehicles. The campaign, developed by the company's brand agency, Carmichael Lynch, features print, TV and digital media components.Two key research-based insights led to the campaign: the first was that while most consumers have heard of Subaru and believe it to be a good product, 60 percent have no strong emotional opinion or attachment to the brand. The second was that Subaru owners are known for their outspoken passion and love for the brand, and this applied across all models around the country.The campaign squarely places the car and the consumer at the center of the advertising. John Colasanti, chief executive officer of Carmichael Lynch said, "Subaru owners are 'experience seekers' -- they want to live bigger, more engaged lives. They choose Subaru as a conscious alternative to the mainstream. To them, the car is the enabler of that bigger life."By focusing on the love they have for their car, Subaru is challenging non-owners: do you love your car?"Love is the most powerful emotion and "I love my Subaru" is the most used phrase I hear about our brand," says Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, Inc. "We wanted to show the bond between Subaru owners and their cars through this work."Kevin Mayer, director of marketing communications for Subaru of America, Inc., states, "In the past, a lot of work was done that spoke to the strong rational reasons for buying a Subaru -- now, we're adding a level of communication that focuses on the heart, or the emotional connection owners have with their Subaru."The work is split into three tiers: The Heart, The Brain, and The Wallet, based upon the process of how consumers approach a new vehicle purchase. The Heart tier answers the question -- "Why could this brand be for me" and is not just about Subaru's durable, reliable and capable vehicles, it's also about the love people have for the brand and how it enables them to lives their lives. Heart TV Spots Welcome Party Subaru owners are individualists and yearn for richer experiences. Welcome Party tells the story of four brothers that travel in their Subaru Outback to the eastern most point in the U.S., every year, in order to be the first ones to welcome in the New Year. It's not an experience just anyone or car could have, but it is one a Subaru makes possible. Subaru Heaven For Subaru owners their vehicle becomes a trusted friend. Rather then just be sold off for scrap metal, Heaven shows how a Forester owner wants to make sure his well-traveled Forester has a special final parking spot. Followed by his friend in his new Forester, they make the journey to Subaru Heaven; a final resting place (recycling and salvage yard) for beloved old Subaru vehicles. Here the owner says goodbye to his old Forester, and drives away in his newly-redesigned Forester as he starts the next chapter of his life. Priorities Life is about making time for things that matter. A busy father caught up with multitasking at home takes a step back from work life to notice his son playing with a toy airplane and sees the opportunity to bond with his son. A trip in their Subaru Tribeca takes them to an airfield where they watch real airplanes flying overhead, giving his son a memorable experience.The Brain tier answers the question: "Why is this the right vehicle for me now?" This tier features specific models and shows the rational side of buying a car with the unique features and benefits that come with owning a Subaru. Brain TV Spots Not for Sale Forester owners ... are Forester owners. A couple decides to buy the newly-redesigned Forester and make room for it in their lives, and garage. Rather than sell their old Forester, they decide to sell their boat and keep both Foresters. Wash Me Outback owners search for adventure and escape the everyday. Wash Me shows an Outback owner traveling to remote deserted areas: Forest -- Mt. Biking, Beach -- Surfing, Desert -- Hiking. With his adventures has come dirt on the Outback, which he showcases as badge of achievement. Each time the man comes back to his vehicle there is no one around but the words "Wash Me" have been written on the rear window. Puzzled, the man drives off. The spot ends with a city shot of rain washing the dirt away; taking care of the car as nature and man had intended. The Fly Out The Subaru Forester enables confidence and empowerment in questionable conditions. A nature photographer travels to a remote, hard to reach, bird refuge in her newly redesigned Forester to photograph Canadian Geese. The seemly difficult trip over rough terrain is made easy with her newly- redesigned Forester. As she is setting up for the perfect shot her camera makes a noise startling hundreds of geese that fly away and leave a "present" on the Forester. The woman doesn't get the perfect shot, but has an experience that is even better. Parking Meter Impreza owners have an unspoken bond. A Subaru Impreza owner walking back to his car on a city street notices an Impreza WRX STI is about to get a ticket from a meter maid for an expired parking meter. Respecting the STI, he aspires to own one some day, he plugs the absent STI owner's parking meter before the meter maid can get to the Subaru vehicle and write the ticket. Confused, the meter maid sees the man get into the other Impreza and drive away.The Wallet tier focuses on the financial and value aspects of buying a Subaru and allows for the inclusion of timely news and information and can be used for local dealer advertising.
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Canada
Transport Canada has been planning on implementing a
change which would lower Canadian bumper safety standards from the current 8 km/h standard to 4 km/h. This halving of the standard would bring the Canadian testing in line with the regulations of both Europe and the U.S. Apparently, Transport Canada believes that vehicles would be cheaper to import while maintaining automobile safety. In fact, Canadian officials believe that the new standard could actually improve pedestrian safety. Or not, according to the IIHS, which has
sent a letter to Transport Canada urging them to reconsider making the change. The IIHS response is pretty scathing, Using words and phrases like "unsubstantiated, incorrect assumptions, ill-informed and misleading," but the response could seemingly be summed up this way: Yo hosers, what were you thinking, eh?
Thanks for the tip, Karen!
[Source:
Auto North]
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Supercars, Maserati, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari
The auto industry may be mired in tough times at the moment, but the sales downturn here in the States doesn't seem to be bothering Ferrari and Maserati. Ferrari sales were up 4% year over year to 1,654 units, due in part to outstanding sales of its
612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano. Brisk sales of the hot Italian supercars led to a 20% increase in revenue over last year's record numbers, to 456 million euro. It never hurts when you have an 18-month backlog of buyers that are waiting patiently for their Italian Stallion, and
new models are on the way to potentially boost sales further.
Maserati has also seen a resurgence in sales, with a 21% improvement in year over year sales to 2,234 units for the quarter. While Maserati made a profit of 10 million euro for the quarter, which sounds lousy until you consider the famed Italian automaker was in the red for 17 straight years until 2007. While the Italian automaker has a checkered past with regards to sales and earnings performance, the gorgeous
GranTurismo and a steady backlog of customers translates into good times for quite a while at Maserati.
[Source:
Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Green, GM
When automakers reach out to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) community, there's always a risk involved. Just ask Ford, which had to deal with the
American Family Association's boycott just for advertising in gay-centric publications. General Motors apparently doesn't care what associations like the AFA think and is reaching out to the LBGT community for its
Project Driveway program that places a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevy Equinox in the garages of ordinary people for three month-long test drives. Travis Parman, who GayWheels.com cites as the automaker's media relations manager for the LBGT community, says "Our goal is to get Equinox Fuel Cell test drivers that are as diverse as America. And since the LGBT community tends to have a lot of early adopters, we wanted to reach out and encourage LGBT residents to apply." GM is looking for people who live in specific zip codes in New York, Washington D.C. and Southern California to apply. We're not sure if being anything but heterosexual will help your cause, but at least GM is saying it wouldn't hurt.
[Source:
GayWheels.com]
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: I.C.E., Cadillac, GM
Bose in-car audio systems were originally introduced in 1983 on the Cadillac Seville and in the ensuing 25 years have made their way into all manner of expensive road-going machinery. Most recently, the purveyors of high-end in-car audio systems have outfitted the
Bose Media System in the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. That system, which features a 30-gig hard drive and a simplistic button layout including proximity sensors on the knobs to detect a user's interactions, will soon be available to the rest of us hacks. Bose is currently and actively pursuing partnerships with other automakers to offer the system in more plebian forms of personal transport. One of those automakers could be General Motors, which has had a long history with the company. The new system will also feature all the other features of expensive head units that we've come to expect, including navigation, satellite radio, voice commands and hands-free mobile phone integration.
[Source:
Detroit Free Press]
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, GM, Pontiac, Driving
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Pontiac VibeWhen the original Pontiac Vibe hit dealer showrooms for the 2003 model year, it was a different kind of General Motors vehicle in just about every way. Sure, it wore a Pontiac badge and had that horrible plastic cladding hanging off its sides, but the vehicle's basic shape was unlike anything else in the General's lineup. There was a very good reason for this, as the Vibe is produced by GM's joint venture with Toyota called
NUMMI, or the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. This JV currently produces the Vibe, Corolla and Tacoma pickup for both automakers, and the new Vibe is basically the same vehicle as the
2009 Toyota Matrix with a different skin and interior.
For 2009, the Vibe loses all that plastic armor but keeps its Toyota ties, receiving the
recently updated Corolla underpinnings and powertrains. Will the Vibe's many changes make the little Pontiac good enough for prospective buyers to consider again? We took a brand new 2009 Vibe GT for a week-long spin to find out.
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All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc. click any image to enlarge
Our Red Hot Metallic Vibe GT came in at a total MSRP of $20,595 with standard features like five-spoke 18-inch wheels, a 158-hp 2.4L engine, leather-trimmed sport bucket seats, and 320-watt Monsoon sound system. The only option of note was a $700 power sunroof that we could've gone without.
The basic shape of the outgoing Vibe was kept, but overall the appearance is more aggressive than the previous model. The hatchback shape is now comprised of smooth sheetmetal that contrasts with hard creases, which gives the updated five-door a more dynamic look than its predecessor. Our GT tester's set of striking 18-inch rims also made the little Vibe look sportier than it does in base form, even if both models share the same anemic four-cylinder. We liked the looks of the Vibe GT quite a bit, and more so than the direction Toyota chose to go with the
Matrix and its new styling.
The new Vibe is within an inch of the old model in almost every dimension, yet the new GT weighs almost 300 lbs. more than the outgoing sport model. While additional safety equipment and larger wheels account for some of the heft, the tall wagon's new 2.4L engine also adds to the tonnage. The larger engine is much smoother and more refined than the smaller 1.8L offered in lower trim levels, but the extra weight and torque is felt at the pump where fuel economy is 21 mpg around the city and 29 highway. The available 1.8L four-cylinder in the base Vibe gets 26 mpg city/32 highway for those interested in pinching a few pennies at the pump, but both engines feature Toyota's VVT-i technology to make the most of their meager displacements.
On the inside, the basic look of the old model carries over though dash materials have been upgraded with a more tactile feel. The center stack looks much the same as the outgoing model, and while the cartoonish bulging plastic knobs look very '90s, everything is at least easy to use. Console-mounted shifters like the one in the Vibe are usually a pet-peeve of this blogger, and though it still looks goofy, the upright ergonomics in the Vibe make it a necessity.
The leather, sport-bolstered seats in the GT are the big bright-spot of the Vibe interior, with plenty of support for when you're diving nose-first into the twisties. They were also comfortable on long commutes, which is a big deal on my daily 35-mile trek to the office. The Vibe is a tall hatch that also rewards you with plenty of space on the inside. With the rear seats folded down and their flat plastic backs facing the ceiling, you can fit some big things in this little car. We would have liked a deep well carved out behind the second row of seats when they're not folded, but aside from that found the Vibe to be an immensely practical package.
On the road, the car's Corolla-based chassis handles bumps and pot-holes adequately and is a bit stiffer than the 2008 model, but this GT is no sports car. While it looks the part of a sporty hatch, neither the engine nor chassis allows the Vibe GT to act the part. Hitting corners at moderate speeds results in significant body roll, and while we appreciate the silky nature of Toyota's 2.4L engine, we would have preferred a bit more power than what it had to offer.
More attractive styling and an improved interior makes the 2009 Pontiac Vibe a better car than the outgoing model, for sure. Both GM and Toyota did a nice job modernizing the Vibe/Matrix and the update couldn't have come at a better time. Gas prices are at historic all-time highs and smaller, more utilitarian vehicles are becoming more popular. That description fits the Vibe to a tee, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if sales increased as a result. If you don't mind spending $20,000 on a sporty-looking vehicle that delivers in the practical department but not on performance, then the Vibe GT is for you. If you want the power and athleticism of a true hot hatch, however, look elsewhere.
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All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.
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Friday, April 25th, 2008
Filed under: Government/Legal, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tata
In what seems like an official bookend to the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford to Tata, the European Union, like the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission, has given its official
seal of approval to the deal. The E.U. had received no complaints regarding the impending purchase, so approval of the $2.3 billion deal had been expected. In fact, the "simplified procedure" used by the European Commission has never ended up with anything but acceptance. No more speed bumps appear ahead of the Indian automaker, which previously had specialized in small and inexpensive vehicles. Now that these formalities are over and done with, hopefully we can simply look forward to what an injection of cash can do to the two classic British marques.
[Source:
Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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