tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81890290393868480222024-03-13T11:40:49.373-07:00Auto AccessoriesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-34654525289771968672013-07-01T18:26:00.004-07:002013-07-01T18:27:43.587-07:00The Latest Trends in Car Customizing 2013Over time, many alternative developments have come and gone in the automobile accent field. Trendy fads that had been once widespread embrace neon under physique kits, thirteen" wire wheels pushed out, neon washer nozzles, headlight and taillight covers, air shocks and large rear spoilers, just to call a few. Today, lots of the same types from the previous are nonetheless well-liked but with a barely totally different interpretation or style.<br />
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<a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-latest-trends-in-car-customizing.html" target="_blank">The Latest Trends in Car Customizing</a></h2>
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One such item that has come and gone over time is smoked headlight and taillight covers. These things had been very fashionable in the mid to late nineties and gross sales slowed down early within the new millennium. However, many individuals still just like the look of blacked out headlights, simply without the various downfalls of lexan covers akin to dangerous fitting parts, points with the covers coming off as a result of set up with double-sided tape, and the largest downfall of this stuff: dramatically lowered mild after dark. These merchandise also got here under shut scrutiny by native legislation enforcement officers over time for his or her discount in light that caused many accidents.<br />
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While many customizers still like the look of blacked out headlights
and taillights, the newest fad is to actually tint the factory or
aftermarket headlights, marker lights and taillights. There are
companies that sell kits that use a type of film to accomplish this
project; however, the problem with these kits is that they are hard to
get full coverage, often leaving gaps uncovered around the edges. The
most reliable way to tint automotive lenses is to actually spray-tint
them with automotive paint. Starting with a black basecoat, the painter
reduces the transparency of the paint by adding reducer and then sprays
that onto the light. The light is then clear coated and wet sanded to
create a very glossy, glass-like finish. In the past many of the custom
lighting options on the market were only available to owners of popular
models such as the Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Dodge Neon, Ford
Focus, etc. By painting the factory lights, this is a custom lighting
option available to the owner of any vehicle, not just the most popular
models.<br />
<b>The Latest Trends in <a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-latest-trends-in-car-customizing.html" target="_blank">Car Customizing </a></b><br />
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The next few items that are popular today in the car
accessory field actually had their beginnings in the truck accessory
industry and only recently made a crossover. One trend that is making a
comeback in the car accessory field is chrome trim products. In the
past, many saw cars that had chrome edge trim on every conceivable edge
on the car including the door edges, gas cap, trunk lid, rain guards,
etc. Rather than using universal stick on chrome trim, many parts today
are custom made for specific vehicles and are designed to appear as if
they are factory made. These items include chrome door handle covers,
mirror covers, pillar post trim, rocker panel molding, headlight and
taillight trim and even chrome rain guards and bug shields. Most of
these items are easy to install, installing over the top of the factory
parts using double sided adhesive. These items are made specific for
each vehicle and can greatly enhance the looks of a base model vehicle
when used in moderation.<br />
Another item that also had its beginnings
in the<b><a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-latest-trends-in-car-customizing.html" target="_blank"> truck accessory</a> </b>market are custom grilles. Over the years,
custom grille packages have been popular among many car enthusiasts.
However, these items were often hard to find for cars, and many vehicles
that featured these products had items that were custom made by custom
auto shops or by their owners.<br />
Today, there are a wide variety of
grilles available for cars, trucks and SUVs. These include billet
grilles, chrome mesh grilles, honeycomb style speed grilles, chrome
factory style grille shells, chrome custom aftermarket grille shells,
aluminum mesh, and many different styles of grille overlays including
flames, "punch-out", and many other different designs. The current and
most popular style is the chrome mesh that resembles the mesh grilles
found on Bentleys. Among the companies that offer this style of grille
are EFX, Grillecraft, T-Rex, Strut and Precision Grilles. These grilles
often are more expensive than the billet style grille, but the finished
product on many vehicles is much more impressive than what the billet
grille can offer.<br />
Many companies have recognized the appeal of
upgrading the grille on the vehicle to consumers and have made
tremendous strides in the availability of items in this area. Today,
there is a custom grille option for just about any make and model of
vehicle, allowing this type of customization on just about any car.<br />
These
items are just a few of the newest trends in the car accessory
industry. As described earlier, many of these items have been around
for years but have found different styles or interpretations in today's
marketplace. Hopefully some of the items of the past will never return,
but only time will tell.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-77984994940790614112013-07-01T18:23:00.001-07:002013-07-01T18:24:11.645-07:00Flat Automotive Paint - A Comeback Trends 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are some individuals who say that the scheme of the <a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/flat-automotive-paint-comeback-trends.html" target="_blank"><b>car's paint</b></a> says rather a lot in regards to the driver more than the true automobile itself. Borne out by the decades of the customization, numerous whom handle to formulate even the Pinto Wagons look very sinister, whereas others have the outstanding expertise of making even the coolest of vehicles look boring and outdated. Probably the most important a part of selecting the paint scheme is to decide on a theme that suits personality and the automotive, and then stick with it.</div>
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<b><br /></b><a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/flat-automotive-paint-comeback-trends.html" target="_blank"><b>Flat Automotive Paint</b></a></h2>
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Flat is Again<br />
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The strongest activity in the current automotive market is flat paint or semi-gloss (suede) jobs. The best things concerning the flat paint is that it usually seems very good in nearly any coloration, and also can give any car an additional worldly look while applying the brilliant colors like blue, yellow and red. The flat earth-tones are very elegant and present any road-rod with a pretty unique paint appearance.</div>
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Supplies<br />
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When doing the flat paint job you will want <a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/flat-automotive-paint-comeback-trends.html" target="_blank"><b>specific supplies. For security</b></a>, it is advisable to use the respirator mask whereas sanding, spraying the primer and paint. The sanding creates a heavy poisonous mud that when not nicely protected it can get into the respiratory system and result in excessive damages over time. Each primer and paint are extremely toxic. Latex gloves, goggles and the protecting clothing will be worn.<br />
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The materials required to paint flat in your automotive are twin action slander, sandpaper, masking tape, primer, block slander, clear coat, paint of your choice and the flattening agent.<br />
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Getting ready the Paint<br />
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<a href="http://yayausman.blogspot.com/2013/07/flat-automotive-paint-comeback-trends.html" target="_blank"><b>Every flat paint job begins</b></a> with the automotive's floor preparation. Sand your car down with the twin motion slander and the eighty grit sandpaper. Then clean it off and use the paper and masking tape to cover up any elements of your car that will not need painting. Spray two thin coats of primer, allowing each coat to dry at an average of 30 minutes. Lightly sand the primer with the 120 grit sandpaper and apply a protracted sanding lump to search out any dings or dents. Repair the areas after which spray the primer on those areas. Sand the refurbished areas as soon as more with the 120 grit sandpaper.<br />
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Portray Flat<br />
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Paint the automotive, using no less than three or four light paint coats. The spraying strokes can be applied horizontally and overlapping every other. Begin on the automobile's roof, the hood and the trunk and then shift to the car's side, spraying from the front towards the rear. Let every coat dry for 30 minutes before applying another.<br />
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Earlier than spraying the clear coat, add the flattening agent to chop the gloss and shine and create the flat outlook. It is rather essential to use the same brand merchandise when painting the automobile, including the paint, primer, flattening agent and clear coat. Spray three skinny coats of the flattened clear coat, permitting it a mean of half-hour to dry between coats.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-71676597009146966732013-03-11T09:16:00.000-07:002013-03-11T09:16:00.104-07:00Ferrari's 950 hp LaFerrari hybrid debuts! <div>Taking inspiration from its own successes, Ferrari has unveiled its new range-topping model: The Ferrari LaFerrari.<p>The ultra-limited LaFerrari will be the automaker's first production hybrid vehicle and its fastest road going car ever. One of the highest-performance vehicles to make extensive use of electrification, it boasts technology gleaned from the automaker's Formula 1 efforts.</p>Ferrari calls its system HY-KERS (its name derived from the F1 KERS tech) and, notably, it can't be driven as an EV (Ferrari says that an electric only mode wouldn't “fit the mission” of the LaFerrari). By comparison, the competing <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fmclaren%2Fp1%2F">McLaren P1</a> can be driven in EV mode.<p>At its core, the LaFerrari uses a high-revving (to 9,250 rpm), high compression (13.5:1) 6.3-liter (6,262 cc) V12 engine rated at 789 horsepower. From there, the engine is coupled to a 120 Kw electric motor, which bumps total maximum output to 949 horsepower. Two electric motors are actually on board – one to power the drive wheels and one to run ancillary devices.</p><p>Notably, the electrification boosts torque across the range to more than 664 lb-ft. (Ferrari hasn't released an exact specification).</p><p>Ferrari says its new flagship should hit 62 mph in fewer than three seconds. On the Fiorano race track, it achieved a 1:20 lap time – five seconds faster than the Ferrari Enzo and three seconds quicker than the F12berlinetta. A 218 mph top speed has been specified.</p><p>An F1-grade seven-speed dual clutch gearbox plays a part in both firing off fast shifts and directing power to the battery pack for charging.</p><p>The LaFerrari's battery pack weighs about 132 lbs. and it's attached to the supercar's floorboards. The batteries are recharged during braking – even when the ABS is activated – as well when excess torque is being produced, such as during hard cornering. Carbon ceramic brakes are, naturally, part of the LaFerrari's package.</p><p>By carefully positioning the battery, Ferrari says it was able to achieve what it considers ideal balance: A 59 percent rear weight distribution. Also, because the battery is mounted so low in the chassis, it helps to lower the car's center of gravity.</p><p>Ferrari racing drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa had input in positioning the driver's seat similar to where it would be in a single-seat vehicle.</p><p>Underneath, the LaFerrari naturally makes extensive use of Formula 1-grade carbon fiber, which improves rigidity and reduces overall weight.</p><p>Stylistically, the LaFerrari was designed primarily with aerodynamics in mind. Lead designer Flavio Manzoni penned a model not terribly far removed from a Formula 1 race car. In the wheel department, the LaFerrari rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear tires wrapped in 265/30 and 345/30-specification tires.</p><p>Continuing tradition, Ferrari intends to build just 499 LaFerraris. If you want one, you'd better hope your name is on Ferrari's list. <br /></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-79452539730477550202013-03-11T08:53:00.000-07:002013-03-11T08:53:00.937-07:00From XL-1 to Veneno, Volkswagen Shows Cars For Everyman <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Flamborghini-veneno-4.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="lamborghini-veneno-4"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480136" title="lamborghini-veneno-4" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/lamborghini-veneno-4-450x253.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="253"/></a></p><p>The volks who worry about Volkswagen being incapable of directing its big band of brands should make a trip to Geneva. Today, the boys from Wolfsburg launch a barrage at all target groups.</p><p>Aimed at the â?œblogger who drives motherâ?™s old Celica and googles for super car picsâ? segment, Lamborghini delivers more bull: <span id="more-480133"/><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Flamborghini-veneno-3.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="lamborghini-veneno-3"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480137" title="lamborghini-veneno-3" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/lamborghini-veneno-3-450x279.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="279"/></a></p><p>Lamborghini’s 750 hp Veneno fits that segment like a USB gaming glove, and it is priced right: At an MSRP of $4.65 million, the production run of three (yes, three) is probably just right. Five would be channel stuffing.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Flamborghini-veneno-2.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="lamborghini-veneno-2"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480138" title="lamborghini-veneno-2" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/lamborghini-veneno-2-450x253.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="253"/></a></p><p>The design â?“ clearly inspired by the package design of overclocked Taiwanese motherboards, with a riff on late night vegetable cutter infomercials â?“ is perfect. The crowd loves it. The engine, well, the engine still needs some work. Despite finely honed product planning, the target audience is complaining. Not about the price of the car. About its lack of power: Just 750 hp? The covers were barely pulled off the latest bull by buxom product specialists, and the target audience is already moaning into its keyboards:</p><blockquote><p><em>â?œMy reaction wasnâ?™t â?˜750hp, Holy crap!â?™, but rather â?˜Really? That’s it?â?™â?</em></p><p><em>+1 , +1, +1</em></p><p><em>â?œIts like seriously WTF.â?</em></p></blockquote><p class="c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2FXL-1-2.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="Picture courtesy Volkswagen"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480140" title="Picture courtesy Volkswagen" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/XL-1-2-450x300.jpg" alt="XL-1" width="450" height="300"/></a></p><p>There will be some who complain that the three 750hp Lamborghinis will seriously enlarge the WTF ozone hole. For those, Volkswagen offers, on the other side of the spectrum, its 261 mpg XL-1 super green machine.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2FXL-1.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="Der neue Volkswagen XL1/XL1 ? Drive Luzern nach Genf"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480141" title="Der neue Volkswagen XL1/XL1 ? Drive Luzern nach Genf" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/XL-1-450x299.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="299"/></a>Prices are still a secret, the rumor machine cites six figure numbers. Like Lamborghiniâ?™s bull, the XL-1 is made from sheets of hand-laid unobtanium and provides similar cramped interior space. Volkswagen brought what looks like this year’s full production run to Geneva.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2FGolfs.jpg" rel="lightbox[480133]" title="Der neue Volkswagen Golf TDI BlueMotion"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480134" title="Der neue Volkswagen Golf TDI BlueMotion" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/Golfs-450x318.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="318"/></a>For the silent majority,.Volkswagen shows at least 6 Golfs, from a natural gas powered Golf TGI Bluemotion all the way to a hot station wagon, the Golf Estate R-Line.</p><p>The bull gets the Tweets, the Golf gets the volume.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-31777273527071924352013-03-11T08:25:00.000-07:002013-03-11T08:26:35.678-07:00Marchionne Wants To Set New World Record On The Jeep <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F02%2FF5B1A05901.jpg"><br/></a><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F02%2FF5B1A16851.jpg" rel="lightbox[480389]" title="F5B1A1685"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-478695" title="F5B1A1685" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/F5B1A16851-450x303.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="303"/></a></p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fjeep-cherokee-embargo-cripes-alright-ttac-busts-it%2F">All of you who talked smack about the New Jeep Cherokee,</a> take note: Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne believes in this car, so much that he predicts Chrysler selling more than 800,000 Jeeps worldwide in 2013.</p><p>At the Geneva Motor Show, <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2F2013%2F03%2F06%2Fus-autoshow-geneva-fiat-jeep-idUSBRE9250VU20130306">Marchionne told Reuters:<span id="more-480389"/></a></p><blockquote><p><em>“Last year we sold more than 700,000 Jeeps and this year we’re aiming to sell more than 800,000. With the new Cherokee coming out in May we’ll be in the largest vehicle segment in the U.S., and that’s important.”</em></p></blockquote><p>800,000 would be a new world record as far as Jeeps go. In 2012, Jeep sales were 701,626, up 19 percent. The previous high mark was set in 1999 with 675,494 units.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-13005813153101087362013-03-07T07:03:00.000-08:002013-03-07T07:03:00.761-08:00Trying To Sort Through The Opel Mess: It’s A Pre-Programmed Crash <div><p>I have been trying to make heads or tails out of <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fgms-euro-trash-all-agree-on-opel-deal-except-for-the-union-boss%2F">yesterdayâ?™s contradicting news about the big deal between Opel and the unions</a>, and so does German media. So much is clear: The truth and GMâ?™s press release about a â?œsuccessful conclusionâ? of the negotiations with the Opel works council are miles apart. There is no deal. Unions and Management are still in negotiations, the negotiations will continue this coming week. Then, the workers have to vote. It does not look good: Bochumâ?™s works council is dead set against the deal. It gets worse.<span id="more-479624"/></p><p>Bochumâ?™s works council chief Rainer <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.handelsblatt.com%2Funternehmen%2Findustrie%2Fzukunftsplan-bochumer-betriebsrat-rebelliert-gegen-die-opel-sparplaene%2F7863442.html">Einenkel tells Handelsblatt that he</a> â?œdoes not agreeâ? to the deal. He characterizes his negotiations with management as â?œvery brief.â? He says that management told him that there is â?œnothing to discuss,â? and that Bochum either says yes, or jobs will be imperiled from 2015 on.</p><p>Einenkel did not want to sign on to what appears to be on the table:</p><ul><li>Opel continues building cars in Bochum, at least through 2016</li><li>The Bochum auto plant will be converted into a component and logistic hub for a total of 1,200 jobs or more.</li><li>Opel attempts to settle new companies and technologies in Bochum, and expects â?a four-digit number of high-quality, new industrial jobs.â?</li><li>Bochum goes from three shifts to two, at the expense of 700 jobs, starting in the second quarter of 2913. Affected workers will receive â?œattractive severance packages and partial retirement programs.â?</li><li>Production and jobs at the other three German plants in Eisenach, Kaiserslautern and Rüsselsheim are safe.</li></ul><p>And what woukd the concessions of the unions be?</p><ul><li>The payout of salary increases under the collective bargaining system is deferred until the next salary increase goes in effect.</li></ul><p>The last â?œconcessionâ? makes you wonder how bad the situation really is at Opel. Management, had tied its hands before and agreed to keep plants open through 2014. Now it puts itself into handcuffs and agrees to keep the doors open and the lights on in Germany through pretty much the end of the decade? And the price for that is what? A contractual pay raise on credit? How much are we talking about? Letâ?™s check.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2012%2F10%2Fopel-prolongs-the-pain-no-layoffs-plant-closures-through-2016%2F">Last October Opel owed its German workers some $15 million</a> due to a 4.3 percent pay hike negotiated for all IG Metall workers in May. That money was paid in November. The next contractual pay hike is due this May. Then, another $15 million are due. After that, the workers will get their extra 4.5 percent monthly, and whatever the next raise is will be loaned to Opel for another year. Letâ?™s call that $30 million, or three years of Akersonâ?™s salary. Is Opel so hard up for money that it has to bargain away its ability to make serious adjustments of its capacity for what looks like a payday loan? Remember: These are not salary concessions. Instead of getting paid monthly, itâ?™s paid by the end of the year.</p><p>And itâ?™s not that the bleeding will stop. Those 700 jobs of the third shift? They will be very expensive to make go away.</p><p>Let me again kill a myth. It is not impossible to close a factory in Europe. Not at all, if you have the money. You can close factories to your heartâ?™s content. You canâ?™t fire the people. If you do, it costs you. A lot.</p><p>The closure of Fordâ?™s Genk factory was <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2012%2F10%2Fthatll-hurt-ford-thought-to-close-belgium-plant-price-tag-1-4-billion">estimated at $1.4 billion, or $332,000 per worker.</a> Ford allocated money, the matter went down with a minimum of fuss. When GM closed its Antwerp facility, <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fopel-the-bleeding-continues%2F">it did cost GM around $532 million in termination benefits.</a> Divided by 2,600 workers, it came out to a little bit over $200,000 per worker.</p><p>How much do you think those â?œattractive severance packagesâ? for the third Bochum shift will be if there is a contract that says that their jobs are safe through 2014?</p><p>How much will it cost to shift 1,000 workers into those mythical â?œhigh-quality, new industrial jobs?â? The workers arenâ?™t stupid. Every year they worked at Opel is worth serious money in severance when they get fired. Close to retirement, very serious money. They wonâ?™t give it up for nothing. You will have to pay them â?“ a lot â?“ to take those high quality jobs.</p><p>Ford did the right thing. It bit the bullet, paid, and moves on. GM on the other hand â?¦</p><p>Opel and GM strike me at someone who refinances to a few bucks of a lower payment, but with a much bigger balloon a few years down the road. There is only one way to escape the inevitable: Take Opel bankrupt. The more problems are being kicked down the road, the more attractive and likely a bankruptcy will get.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fnot-really-new-opel-gets-a-new-man%2F"> Today is Karl-Thomas Neumannâ?™s first day on the job as Opel CEO</a> and chief of GM Europe. Germanyâ?™s news channel <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n-tv.de%2Fwirtschaft%2FNeumann-besteigt-Schleudersitz-article10222191.html">N-TV greets him with the headline:</a></p><p>â?œThe Opel Adventure Begins: Neumann Takes The Ejection Seat.â?</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-8744857764524731412013-03-07T06:36:00.000-08:002013-03-07T06:37:14.132-08:00Geneva LIVE: 2014 Volvo S80 <div>Volvo's flagship sedan has been given a modestly revised front end and a few high tech details inside for an early 2014 model year.<p>Although exact North American <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fvolvo%2Fs80%2F">Volvo S80</a> specifications haven't been detailed, it's safe to assume that our model - which will likely bow later this month at the New York show - will be externally identical to its European brethren.</p>Emulating the style seen on the Volvo You concept shown at the 2011 Frankfurt show, the new S80 features a more organic front fascia than before. At the rear, only small revisions mark the new year. Also added to the options list are 19-inch alloy wheels.<p>Inside, the S80 continues with most of the updates it received for the 2012 model year, but a trio of new screens located in the instrument cluster have been added for user-configurable gauge and trip computer functions. In addition, the automaker's Sensus infotainment system now offers full internet browsing (when the vehicle is stopped) and it doubles as a WiFi hotspot for connected devices. </p><p>New ambient lighting and an optionally heated steering wheel are joined by additional leather upholstery and wood trim choices. </p><p>On the powertrain front, the S80's 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder and 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six are unchanged. </p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-30024778254831740682013-03-06T08:37:00.000-08:002013-03-06T08:37:00.250-08:00Tesla Suit Against Top Gear Thrown Out Again <div><p>A U.K. court dismissed a libel lawsuit from Tesla against the BBC show â?œTop Gear,â? <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Forigin-www.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2013-03-05%2Ftesla-libel-suit-over-bbc-s-top-gear-dismissed-by-u-k-court.html">Bloomberg reports.</a></p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2011%2F10%2Ftesla-loses-top-gear-libel-suit-still-pursuing-malicious-falsehood-charge%2F">The case had been thrown out before</a>. Tesla appealed.<span id="more-480165"/></p><p>In the show, Jeremy Clarkson said the car would only run for 55 miles on a full battery. Tesla said he lied, and that the breakdown was scripted.</p><p>Three judges dismissed the appeal today, saying they were not persuaded that “the case which Tesla seeks to make has any real prospect of success.”</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-84059958205919080192013-03-06T08:07:00.000-08:002013-03-06T08:07:00.549-08:00Geneva preview: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 <div>Porsche has unveiled its all-new fifth-generation 911 GT3 ahead of the sports car's first public appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The GT3 will sit atop Porsche's naturally-aspirated 911 lineup.<p>The 2014 911 GT3 arrives with a new 3.8L flat-six engine borrowed from 911 Carrera S, but with several mechanical improvements. Porsche upgraded most of the engine's components – including titanium connecting rods and forged pistons – bumping power from 400 horsepower to 475 horsepower.</p>That power is sent to the 911 GT3's rear-wheels via an updated version of Porsche's PDK dual-clutch transmission that promises faster shifts and the ability to put the car in neutral by holding both paddles. Sorry, purists, the 911 GT3 will not be available with a manual transmission.<p>Further deviating from the norm, the 2014 911 GT3 will benefit from the addition of a new active rear wheel steering systems – the first ever fitted to a production Porsche. The rear steering system can move the back wheels in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, which Porsche says improves both stability and agility.</p><p>All of those performance goodies net a 0-60 time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 195mph. The 2014 911 GT3 is also capable of lapping Germany's famed Nurburgring in less than seven-and-a-half minutes.</p><p>The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year with a starting price of $131,350, including a $950 destination charge.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-73186029245398660392013-03-06T07:43:00.000-08:002013-03-06T07:43:00.410-08:00Ke$ha’s Gold Trans Am is a Metaphor For Her t—What? <div><p class="c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2FKesha-Picture-courtesy-Flickr.com_.png" rel="lightbox[479700]" title="Kesha - Picture courtesy Flickr.com"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-479737" title="Kesha - Picture courtesy Flickr.com" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/Kesha-Picture-courtesy-Flickr.com_.png" alt="" width="300" height="300"/></a></p><blockquote><p><em>Editor’s note: This article contains a discussion of organs. Not those in churches, more the ones found between legs. If this offends you, please don’t exercise your right to click-through. If you click through, please don’t complain that you found a story about private parts instead car parts. If you do express outrage, we will understand that this was for the benefit of the moral police at your workplace or home. </em></p></blockquote><p>I’m approaching an age when one is more likely to be thinking about hip replacements than about hip hop or being hip, so I’m not really sure who <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FKesha" target="_blank">Ke$ha</a> is. I presume she’s a musician or singer or rapper of some kind because she apparently writes songs, one of them about her gold Trans Am and at The Truth About Cars we can dig songs about cars. Well, she says it’s about her <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB2-sU-Hbda8" target="_blank">Gold Trans Am</a>, but in reality, it is about her ladyparts.<span id="more-479700"/></p><p>If you don’t believe me, click on that YouTube link while at work and later you can tell us all about your meeting with HR – it is definitely rated Not Safe For Work. <em>(On second thought, our technical team assures us that it can be viewed with “Safe” settings on at YouTube.  YoiuTube must be going down the YouTubes.)</em> Considering that one of the most common automotive cliches one will see or hear is that <em>men</em> drive big cars or sports cars or SUVs or whatever to “compensate” for some kind of anatomical or sexual “shortcoming”, I find <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fsol%2Fhomepage%2Fshowbiz%2F4813475%2Fkeha-i-wrote-a-song-about-my-vagina-with-my-mum.html%23ixzz2M7DIKPkO" target="_blank">Ke$ha’s recent comments to Q magazine</a> rather humorous.</p><blockquote><p>â?œ<em>[Gold Trans Am] began as a song about my car, which is a gold Trans Am, and it works about 40 per cent of the time. I donâ?™t have another car because I love that one so much. But then like all great pop it became a metaphor for something else â?“ my pu**y. But my vagina is in tip top working order. Valeted and souped-up and working 100 per cent of the time â?¦</em>â?</p></blockquote><p>I was in seventh grade once too, so the jokes practically write themselves. Is her “Trans Am” the High Output version? Has it been bored and stroked? What’s the displacement? Does it come with a blower? Is there a factory approved lubricant or is it lubed for life? I’m sure the Best and Brightest can come up with your own. <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtiMMGC706SU" target="_blank">Tire tracks all across her back</a> indeed.</p><p>Now I’m not saying that no man has ever written a song ostensibly about a car but actually with salacious intent (or <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTDIipofjBQg" target="_blank">non-automotive songs with salacious intent</a>). I’m pretty sure that Ike Turner offered a backup singer or two a ride on his <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGbfnh1oVTk0" target="_blank">Rocket 88</a>, and that’s considered to be the first rock ‘n roll song ever. I’m also pretty sure that if the lead vocalist of some cock-rockish band today said that “this song is about my d*ck”, most folks would just laugh at him, just like Zappa did 40 years ago when mocking B’wana Dik’s “Harley”.</p><p class="c1"><span class="vvqbox vvqyoutube c2"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJfvT6CyUL3A"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/JfvT6CyUL3A/0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a></span></p><p>Discuss among yourselves. I’m going to go watch some <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DID7ZbADXYXM" target="_blank">Archer</a> reruns.</p><blockquote><p><em>Ronnie Schreiber edits <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carsindepth.com%2F" target="_blank"><strong>Cars In Depth</strong></a>, a realistic perspective on cars & car culture and the original 3D car site. If you found this post worthwhile, you can dig deeper at <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carsindepth.com%2F" target="_blank">Cars In Depth</a>. If the 3D thing freaks you out, donâ?™t worry, all the photo and video players in use at the site have mono options. Thanks for reading â?“ RJS</em></p></blockquote></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-66903846284689852612013-03-06T07:23:00.000-08:002013-03-06T07:23:00.184-08:00New Suzuki SX4 Goes Unnoticed In Geneva <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fsuzuki-sx4-3.jpg" rel="lightbox[480279]" title="Suzuki SX4. Photo courtesy AutoExpress"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480280" title="Suzuki SX4. Photo courtesy AutoExpress" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/suzuki-sx4-3-450x300.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300"/></a></p><p>Irony is a cruel mistress. Just as Suzuki’s American auto sales arm is winding down, the newest version of the SX4 was revealed at Geneva, and it doesn’t look bad at all – save for the awful snot green shade.</p><p>A switchable AWD system will allow drivers to choose between one of four modes. Two super low emissions powerplants, both 1.6L 4-cylinders (a gas and a diesel), will be offered. The diesel emits just 110 grams of CO2 per km, nearly in line with the benchmark 100 grams that the Prius emits. The diesel gets a 6 speed manual while the gas car loses a cog. A CVT is the only choice for those who don’t want to shift. The Hungarian-built SX4 will obviously not be coming to the States, but there’s a chance that Canadian-plated versions may end up on American roads sometime in the future.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-85553089935789693022013-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:002013-03-06T07:08:00.076-08:00Piston Slap: An Irrational Preference for Hyundais? (PART II) <div><p><em><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fpapsautocom.jpg" rel="lightbox[479834]" title="(photo courtesy: papsauto.com)"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-479836" title="(photo courtesy: papsauto.com)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/papsautocom.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337"/></a>JP</em> writes:</p><blockquote><p>Sajeev</p><p>I’m following up on <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2012%2F06%2Fpiston-slap-an-irrational-preference-for-hyundais%2F">this Piston Slap episode</a>: soon after the column, a family member needed a car temporarily for work. He ran the Satan Fe for 7000 miles and to 3% brake pad life last fall without a hitch. After that, the Satan Fe didn’t seem so devilish but it was still one more Hyundai CUV than I needed. I decided to hybridize your advice with my ambitions. I got the ridiculous offer from Carmax (they told me it would head straight to auction). Then I put a funny and honest listing on Craigslist (“Korean snowmobile…I mean 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe”). I started at $500 below the local rate and I slowly dropped the price.</p><p>At first all I got were emails of the “cool ad” and “I’ll trade you a 1998 Accord with bad paint and 220k” variety. One guy would only communicate via text messages even though we live in the same town. There was also a sob story asking me to donate my car so “Mom doesn’t need to drive me to magnet school anymore”. Craigslist!</p><p>As the price came down, I became resigned to keeping the car as a beater. On cue, the winter weather and interest in the Korean snowmobile both got serious. A couple of weeks ago, someone paid for a PPI and bought the car for nearly double what Carmax offered. The buyer had been looking for a while and knew my car compared favorably to other options in the price range. I got decent money but don’t feel like I ripped anyone off. What a relief.</p><p>Gas prices are peaking again and I just unloaded our most efficient car. Any thoughts from you or the peanut gallery on what has a good mix of reliability, enjoyability, safety, and efficiency in sub $10k manual transmission hatches and wagons? I’m thinking about the Vibe/Matrix, Impreza/9-2x, V50/3/Focus, Xb, Elantra Touring segment but I have never driven any of them. Yeah, there’s a Hyundai in that mix.</p></blockquote><p><em>Sajeev</em> answers:</p><p>Since this is a Piston Slap follow-up, I will stick with the “reliability” and cost effectiveness portion of your follow-up query. My favorite of the grouping you mentioned is the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, because Toyota parts-service is cheaper/involves less labor/easier to diagnose than anything from Subaru or Europe. The Focus, xB or Elantra? Not bad choices, either.</p><p>Of course, you must test drive these machines to see what you actually like. And, when you like something, find an example with a host of service receipts.</p><p>The plus side? Compared to the parts concern I mentioned in the previous Piston Slap about older Hyundais, odds are the newer ones in your price range are probably better. Probably. Tell us what you think, Best and Brightest.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-71335731893305249102013-03-06T06:39:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:39:00.092-08:00TTAC Salutes The C6 Corvette <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fc6.jpg" rel="lightbox[479674]" title="Chevrolet Corvette C6. Photo courtesy Automotive News."><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-479675" title="Chevrolet Corvette C6. Photo courtesy Automotive News." src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/c6-450x269.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="269"/></a></p><p>Today marked a sad occasion at TTAC; <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autonews.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D%2F20130301%2FOEM01%2F130309992%2Flast-c6-corvette-rolls-off-the-line%23axzz2MKLGU3GW">the final C6 Corvette rolled off the line</a> at Chevy’s Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly plant.</p><p>The last C6 was a 427 Convertible with an engine built by Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter. The car is destined for GM’s museum in suburban Detroit, and in an ironic twist, demolition of the C6's assembly line began mere minutes after the last C6 rolled off of it.</p><p>Despite constant haranguing regarding a perceived anti-GM bias, there is universal admiration for the C6 in these parts. The base car and the Grand Sport represent some of the best sports car bargains available and the Z06 and ZR1 are among the world’s best performance cars at any price. Reaction to the new Corvette Stingray’s styling has been mixed, but given the superb performance of the C6, it’s easy to be optimistic about the C7's capabilities. But the C6's styling will always remain as the definitive modern ‘Vette, evolving the best cues of the C5 into a timeless shape that was distinctly American. A Black C6 Z06 is high upon my “must own list”.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-57043582214691222782013-03-06T06:15:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:15:00.955-08:00New Or Used? : Wah! Wah! My Life Is Over!… Edition <div><blockquote><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fgrilletechcom.jpg" rel="lightbox[478938]" title="(photo courtesy: grilletech.com)"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-479904" title="(photo courtesy: grilletech.com)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/grilletechcom-450x284.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="284"/></a></p><p>Hello Sajeev and Steve,</p><div><p>I need to get a bit of advice, and I need to get it from real car guys, so I decided to ask the two of you, and the B&B, to give me some input on my situation.</p><p>I currently drive a 97 Honda Prelude. I’ve had it for the last 5 years, and it has taken a lot of abuse from me. The problem is that the body has 230k miles on it, and like clockwork, every 2 weeks something goes wrong.</p><p>Let me list the things that are currently wrong with it:<span id="more-478938"/></p><p>There are 2 exhaust gaskets that have perished, there is a rear main seal oil leak, a valve cover oil leak, the alternator bearing is dead, the power steering pump bearing is dead, the high pressure hose for the power steering fluid is leaking, I am missing 2 kick panels from the interior (they were broken by me and/or a passenger), shift boot is shot, the temperature control lever is broken, the temperature control cable the connects the interior lever to the heater control in the engine is rusted solid (that’s a pain to change), the shocks are on their last legs, it seems to be chewing through rear tires at an alarming rate, for some reason, getting an alignment doesn’t work (probably needs ball joint, bushings, the lot), and there are rust spots forming everywhere.</p><p>The good parts are the motor and the transmission, since they were swapped over about 70k miles ago, and the car shifts smoothly and the engine feels very strong. I am mechanically inclined, but I really don’t have the time or patients to be overhauling a car that supposed to be my daily driver, so I decided that it was time to upgrade my ride. Now I have always been raised to buy used cars, because hey, don’t be a sucker by taking such a hit on depreciation, but the used car market right now seems to be overinflated. As an enthusiast I am looking to get the most bang for my buck, and really, there are only 2 cars that interest me, one being an S2000, and the other a WRX. Because I realize an S2000 is more of a fun weekend car rather than an all weather daily driver, I have been looking around at a lot of WRXs. The problem is that used ones cost only a grand or 2 less than an equivalent new one! If I want a 2006 WRX with less than 60k miles I am looking at plopping down about 18k, and that’s way too close to the new WRX in asking price.</p><p>Another thing to consider is that I am going to finance this car. I know, buying a car cash is the best thing because a car is a devaluating asset, and financing such a thing blah blah blah, but the truth is that I am laden with student loans already (started with 40k 3 years ago, down to 21k today) so most of my spare cash has been going into paying off that debt. I have about 5k saved up for a car, so I wanted to ask: What would you do in my situation, fix my ailing car, sell it and finance a new WRX, sell it and get a used WRX, or quit life and just get a 1998 Civic?</p></div></blockquote><p><em>Steve Says:</em></p><p>$2000</p><p>That’s my answer. Sell it for $2000.</p><p>As for what to buy, let’s face it. You are obviously a bit confused. Why do you want to buy a hysterically overpriced, fashionista oriented, financed to the nether-regions of human stupidity, Honda Civic? When you could just easily find yourself a fun sports coupe from a defunct or second tier brand that offers infinitely better real world value.</p><p>I would go where the fanbois of the automotive world fear to tread. Domestic. Defunct. Or heck, maybe a <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carsurvey.org%2Freviews%2Fmitsubishi%2Fgalant%2F2002%2Fsingle-page%2F">2002 Galant</a> GTZ with all of the trimmings. Throw in a bit of luxury and you may have the makings of a great ownership experience.</p><p>There is a lot out there. So my advice is to start venturing down that path. Find a few good owners who don’t treat their cars with all the care of a worn out mop. That’s WRX territory. Now you need to find yourself a fun, sporty car that has been conservatively driven and well maintained.</p><p>My choice… is an acquired one. Drive a few cars that have strong owner reviews and fall in the “unpopular because of the brand” category. Find the right prior owner, get it inspected, and you may just find yourself a nice long-term keeper.</p><p><em>Sajeev Says:</em></p><p>Caring about reducing debt and owning a Subaru WRX (especially considering how fragile they are when abused) does not compute. I’m not saying you need to buy a <del>Crown Victoria</del> Honda Civic, but you need to decide if you really give a crap of advancing your future finances, faster.</p><p>WRX’s are premium fuel thirsty. They are expensive to insure, fix, etc. They are a horrible car for someone in your situation.</p><p>Time for you to take stock in what REALLY matters to you, and buy that. If you want a WRX, no biggie. Just make sure you know how much more money you’ll spend every month over something more normal, more sedate. I’d suggest a first gen Mazda 6, honestly.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-21109147550201256462013-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:01:37.307-08:00Review: 2013 BMW 750Li (Video) <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-003%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479063"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-479063" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Exterior, Side, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-003-450x257.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="257"/></a></p><p>The full-sized luxury market used to be a small pond before the Lexus LS appeared. Up to then all Mercedes had to worry about was the German brand known for their delightfully crude 2002. Jaguar? 1980s Jags spent so little time running they were more garage ornament than transportation. Fast forward to today and BMW is the new Mercedes and the full-sized luxury segment is getting crowded with entries from Audi, Porsche and an XJ that spends enough time running to count. Where does that leave the S-Class’ old foe? BMW tossed us the keys to their most popular 7 to find out.</p><p class="c2"><span class="vvqbox vvqyoutube c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAin1_2i1xWM"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Ain1_2i1xWM/0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a></span></p><p>Luxury cars are status symbols. Status can be two things however, buying something unique or showing that you can afford the same sedan as that guy from the country club. With that in mind, sales are important. In 2012 BMW nearly beat Mercedes in America shifting 11,098 7-Series vs 11,794 S-Classes making the 7 a popular and safe bet. If you’re looking for something less common, Audi shifted 6,002 A8s, the XJ hit 4,852 while that Japanese entry that rocked the boat in ’89 had a slow year at 8,345. Porsche moved 7,614 Panameras proving that you don’t need 5-seats to move your six-digit roller.</p><p>Because full-size luxury cars are low volume but important for brand image, frequent makeovers are more common than redesigns. Like many of its owners, the 7-Series went under the knife for a face lift, resulting in a blunter nose and larger grille openings along with redesigned front and rear lamps.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-018%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479050"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479050" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Interior, Driver's Side, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-018-550x366.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366"/></a></p><p><strong>Interior</strong></p><p>Mercedes ditched the short-wheelbase S-Class in America but can still get your Beemer in different lengths. BMW tells us the long-wheelbase 750Li (as tested) is the most popular flavor so that’s what we requested. Our tester started at $90,500 and mildly optioned it landed in our driveway at $113,000. Despite being a refresh year, little changed on the inside in terms of style and parts. Still, the dashboard and doors were slathered in hand-stitched leather goodness and nary a seam was out of place. Compared to the Mercedes, the 7 feels like it is assembled from a more expensive parts bin but if you need better bits, BMW is happy to up-sell you things like a ceramic iDrive knob for $650. Jaguar and Porsche earn higher scores in this area thanks to better material, but you’ll pay dearly for them. Meanwhile Lexus delivers 95% of the interior elegance for 80% of the price.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-007%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479039"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479039" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Interior, Rear Seats, Picture Courtsy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-007-550x366.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366"/></a></p><p>Unless you’re slummin’ in the “discount” $73,600 740i, all 7s come with 20-way power front seats with four-way lumbar, extending thigh support, “butterfly” airline-style headrests and seat backs with adjustable curvature. They may not be as cushy as the Barcaloungers in the S-Class, but they win the award for contorting in the most directions possible. If you can’t find a comfortable position, you’re not human. Mercedes and Jaguar tout massaging thrones, but BMW’s active contour seats are more my style. Like the anti-fatigue seats in the Ford Taurus, the system uses air bladders in the seat to improve blood flow and reduce that “numb butt” feeling on long trips. (It also feels like someone is slowly groping your bottom, you know, if you’re into that.)</p><p>Interior parts quality usually declines as you move rearwards, but not for the high-rollers. The rear doors, center console and controls are all just as nicely finished as those up front and all 2013 models have standard 4-zone climate control. For an extra $3,700 (standard on the 760) the optional “luxury rear seating package” gives the rear passengers 18-way power/memory seats that heat, cool and massage your royal personage. Reclining rear seats aren’t new, but BMW takes the range of motion to an all-new level. As you’d expect, legroom is good in the 750i and excellent in the 750Li matching the XJL for most rear legroom and beating everyone else. If getting a decent massage in the rear seat is on your must-have list, buy your driver the Lexus, as it’s shiatsu massage system uses rollers instead of air bladders and gives a much deeper rub.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-015%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479047"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479047" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Interior, infotainment, iDrive, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-015-550x366.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366"/></a></p><p><strong>Infotainment and Gadgets</strong></p><p>Luxury sedans are prime gadget breeding ground thanks to owners with disposable cash. This year brings BMW’s latest version of iDrive (4.2), hands-free trunk operation and an “attention assistant” to tell you when you’re sleepy. Of course if you were in Europe you’d also have access to “dazzle-free high beams” which shade the vehicles in-front of you from your high beam allowing it to stay on for the rest of your field of view. Sadly the DOT has decided the fancy lights aren’t allowed in America.</p><p>The newest iDrive replaces the CD button with a “Media” button, adds voice recognition commands for searching your USB/iDevice, mildly tweaked menus and mapping software with improved 3D graphics. I find BMW’s latest iDrive iterations to be one of the more intuitive and feature-rich systems available at any price. Sadly the latest heads-up display in the 3-Series that shows infotainment details hasn’t made it to the 7 yet. Now that BMW has patched the glaring hole that was the lack of iDevice/USB voice commands, I have nothing to complain about other than the $3,700 price tag on the Bang & Olufsen sound system. <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-008%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479040"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479040" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Interior, Rear Seat Entertainment, iDrive, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-008-550x366.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366"/></a></p><p>Debuting in the 7-Series is a new take on rear seat entertainment. Up till now, RSE systems have been kept mostly separate from the infotainment system up front. Even the latest Jaguar/Land Rover vehicles which use similar graphics on the headrest screens don’t interact with the system in the same way users up front do. BMW’s new system uses 9.2-inch LCDs attached to the front seats that “float” as BMW calls it, but that’s not the interesting part: the system uses an iDrive controller and accesses the car’s central iDrive system. The twin displays aren’t the same aspect ratio or resolution as the front, but rear users have essentially the same level of iDrive access as the front allowing you to enter a navigation destination, change the media source, access BMW Connected apps and control media devices. The only thing I found odd is the rear seat user can’t control a USB/iDevice plugged in up front and vice versa. The price tag on this rear seat love? $2,800.</p><p>Like Audi and Mercedes, BMW offers an expensive night vision system. The $2,600 system uses a FLIR camera and image processing software to detect pedestrians and highlight them in yellow on the iDrive screen. It will also place a yellow pedestrian icon in the gauge cluster. Because we’re in America and our lighting laws are stupid, the system won’t shine a spotlight on the pedestrian’s legs like it would in Europe. (No, I’m not kidding about that one.) Of course, I find that the best way to detect pedestrians is to simply look out the window. My advice to Americans: save your cash or spend it on the less expensive but much more useful full-range active cruise control.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-026%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479058"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479058" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Engine, N63B44TU, N63 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-026-550x366.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366"/></a></p><p><strong>Drivetrain</strong></p><p>There is no doubt the Germans lead the pack when it comes to engine options, the 7-Series offering a single turbo inline-6, two twin-turbo V8s, a ridiculous twin-turbo V12 and tree-hugging hybrid.</p><p>Not originally planned for the American market, the base 740i and 740Li are the result of dealers wanting a <del>less front-heavy 7-series</del> lower 7-series price point. The twin-turbo 3.0L N54 I6 is out in favor of the newer twin-scroll turbo N55 engine. Power is up slightly compared to the N54 and the update adds â?œValvetronicâ? which is BMWâ?™s variable valve timing and lift system that also acts as the engineâ?™s throttle body.</p><p>The 750i and 750Li, get an updated 4.4L twin-turbo V8. The new N63B44TU engine (the TU part is what’s new) gets Valvetronic and tweaked software programming to boost power from an already strong 400HP to 443. Torque takes a similar jump from 450lb-ft to 479lb-ft from 2,000-4500RPM. The power increase shaves nearly two-tenths of the 750's sprint to 60 vs the 2012 model.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-013%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479045"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479045" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Interior, Gauge cluster, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-013-550x320.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="320"/></a></p><p>Instead of a twin-turbo V8 hybrid, BMW has downsized to a 3.0L turbo inline-6. The system uses a pancake motor between the engine and transmission to boost the same N55 engine as the 740i to 350HP and 360lb-ft. Fuel economy increases from 19/28MPG to 22/30 vs the 740i. You can expect a return on your investment sometime around the 12th of never when you consider the $10,700 premium.</p><p>If you need more cylinders, there is a twin-turbo V12 which adds more weight to the nose in exchange for 535 ponies and 550lb-ft of stump-pulling from 1,500-5,000RPM. Despite the numbers, the V12 isnâ?™t the performance choice because of the added nose weight and long wheelbase, thatâ?™s where the Alpina B7 comes in. The B7 is a 750 that’s been tweaked by BMW’s a boosted version of the 750's 4.4L twin-turbo V8 putting out 540HP and 538lb-ft of twist.</p><p>All engines are now mated to ZF’s 8-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels or to all four if you check the xDrive option box. For 2013 BMW has decided to program 740, 750 and B7 models to essentially decouple the engine and transmission when you lift off the accelerator pedal. The effect is like shifting to neutral and can be disabled by keeping the car in Sport or Sport +. BMW has also fitted the I6 and V8 engines with their mild start/stop system which uses a heavy-duty starter and a glass mat battery.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-002%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479062"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479062" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Exterior, Front, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-002-550x368.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="368"/></a></p><p>The 7-Series used to have the reputation of “the driver’s luxury car” but BMW’s mission has changed. That’s not to say that BMW is emulating Lexus, but our 750Li with dynamic dampers and rear air suspension felt far more isolated than the XJ Supercharged or a Panamera S. Even the badly broken pavement and pot-holed off-camber turns in the Sierra Nevada foothills were unable to upset the supple ride. Of course, a luxurious ride is at odds with crisp handling, but that is a “problem” every luxury sedan must contend with. Where does the BMW land vs the competition? Firmly in the middle. The BMW 750 uses 245-width rubber front and rear, notably smaller than the S550's 255-width tires and the XJ’s staggered 245/275 setup. This coupled with the 4,745lb curb weight meas the 750 can’t pull as many Gs on the oval as the lighter XJ or Panamera. It also means the 750 has a harder time applying its power when compared to the competition with staggered rubber.</p><p>Don’t mistake me, the 750 is no slouch on the road. Mash the go pedal from a stop and our 750Li blasted to 60 in 4.95 eerily quiet seconds, only a few tenths off a Mustang GT (with a professional shifter at the stick.) 8.35 seconds later, the Bavarian heavyweight crossed the quarter-mile at 107MPH. Shoppers should take two things from this: First, the 750Li is a few ticks behind the lighter XJ Supercharged and second, there isn’t much of an exhaust note. You see, the turbos that give BMW’s 4.4L engine its epic shove are in the exhaust stream and that means BMW had two choices, make it quiet or live with the turbo-song. (That’s why the M5 plays canned V8 noises through its stereo.) If you want your luxury car to look <strong><em>and</em></strong> sound mean, the Panamera screams like a banshee at WOT and the XJ Supercharged and Supersport growl like a monster in a horror flick.</p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2F2013-bmw-750li-004%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479064"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-479064" title="2013 BMW 750Li, Exterior, Rear 3/4, Picture Courtesy of Alex L. Dykes" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/2013-BMW-750Li-004-550x308.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="308"/></a></p><p>Although the optional active four-wheel steering ($1,750) and active roll-stabilization ($2,500) make the 750 more dynamic on the road, nothing will change the fact that the 750 is a large, softy sprung sedan with numb electric power steering. The Audi A8, despite being redesigned to put the engine farther forward in the body still has a 55/45 weight balance and front-heavy (albeit predictable) driving dynamics. While we’re talking about the Audi, it’s important to remember that there is no RWD version of the A8. Of course it goes without saying that the S550 is still Buick soft and the air-ride suspension makes it somewhat ponderous over bumpy roads. The Lexus LS 460 may be the slowest of this bunch as it’s the only one left with a naturally aspirated engine, but thanks to a relatively light curb weight and balanced chassis it has some of the most direct road feel and manners of the group.</p><p>After a week and 836 miles with the 750Li I have to admit I was smitten, but despite BMW advertising the 7-series as “the driver’s luxury car,” it had little to do with the way the 750 drove and everything to do with the back seat. Sure, the 750 is fast, sure it’s impressively nimble for a vehicle that’s one cheeseburger away from 5,000lbs, but honestly if driving feel and handling ability were your top concerns, buy the Jaguar or Porsche. If you’re after the best back seat experience, but the 750Li, it’s a better place to spend your time than a number of ultra luxury sedans I could mention. Where does that place the 750Li vs its nemesis the S550? On top for a variety of reasons. The 750Li is more engaging to drive than the S550 yet also offers a higher level of gadgetry and creature comforts. Mercedes promises the all-new 2014 S-Class will shake up the luxury market when it lands next year, but until then the Jaguar XJL should be at the top of your list followed closely by the 2013 BMW 750Li.</p><p><strong><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Freview-2013-bmw-750li-video%2Fprint-6%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-479324"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-479324" title="Hit it or Quit it?" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/Hit-it-or-Quit-it-Horizontal.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="67"/></a></strong></p><p><strong>Hit it</strong></p><ul><li>Best Rear Seat Entertainment system available. Period.</li><li>BMW’s full-color heads up display</li></ul><p><strong>Quit it</strong></p><ul><li>Night vision. It’s kind of “gimmicky” and your cash is better spent on BMWâ?™s excellent full-speed adaptive cruise control.</li><li>V12 â?“ nose heavy and seriously, the twin-turbo V8 is incredible.</li></ul><p class="c2"><em>Specifications as tested</em></p><p class="c2"><em>0-30: 2.2 Seconds<br/></em></p><p class="c2"><em>0-60: 4.95 Seconds<br/></em></p><p class="c2"><em>1/4 Mile: 13.3 Seconds @ 107 MPH<br/></em></p><p class="c2"><em>Average observed fuel economy: 21MPG over 836 miles<br/></em></p><p class="c2"><em>BMW Provided the vehicle, insurance and one tank of gas for this review</em></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-22795740517407260612013-03-05T06:19:00.000-08:002013-03-05T06:19:00.419-08:00Spyker previews B6 Venator ahead of Geneva debut <div>Dutch boutique automaker Spyker will return to the Geneva Motor Show after a two-year hiatus to unveil a concept called B6 Venator. The word venator translates to "hunter" in Latin, and it was the nickname given by the Dutch to fighter jets during World War I.<p>The lone image published by Spyker confirms that the Venator takes the form of an aerodynamic two-seater coupe that borrows design cues such as its wide grille and its sleek headlights from the C8 Aileron, the company's only model at the time of writing. The car tips the scale at about 3,080 pounds thanks to a carbon fiber body and an aluminum chassis.</p>The B6 Venator is roughly the same size as a Porsche Boxter, but CEO Victor Muller has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on the popular German roadster.<p>"Anybody who says they're going to build a Porsche killer is crazy," said Muller in an <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle_email%2FSB10001424127887324662404578330253825246818-lMyQjAxMTAzMDAwMjEwNDIyWj.html">interview</a> with the <em>Wall Street Journal</em>.</p><p>The B6 is powered by a mid-mounted gasoline-burning V6 that makes 375 horsepower. The engine's provenance was not disclosed but <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fes.autoblog.com%2F2013%2F03%2F02%2Fy-el-spyker-venator-se-filtro%2F">rumors</a> indicate that it was pulled out of the <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Flotus%2Fevora%2F">Lotus Evora</a> parts bin.</p><p>When it goes on sale, the B6 Venator will cost anywhere between €125,000 (about $162,000) and €150,000 (roughly $195,000). Spyker hopes to build several hundred examples of the car.<br /></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-4856479376908291212013-03-05T06:01:00.000-08:002013-03-05T06:01:00.330-08:00Apple, IBM Top List of Most Valuable Global Brands in 2012 <a id="dd_start" name="dd_start"></a><div class="dd_post_share"><div class="dd_buttons"><div class="dd_button"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/share');" href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="http://socialnewswatch.com/apple-ibm-top-list-of-most-valuable-global-brands-in-2012/" data-count="horizontal" data-text="Apple, IBM Top List of Most Valuable Global Brands in 2012" data-via="@socialnews"></a></div><div class="dd_button"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialnewswatch.com%2Fapple-ibm-top-list-of-most-valuable-global-brands-in-2012%2F&locale=en_US&layout=button_count&action=like&width=92&height=20&colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" class="c1" allowtransparency="true">[embedded content]</iframe></div><div class="dd_button"></div><div class="dd_button"></div></div><div class="c2"></div></div><div class="c2"></div><p><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.fordofbranford.com/the-most-valuable-brands-in-the-world');" href="http://www.fordofbranford.com/the-most-valuable-brands-in-the-world"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/HsoAU.jpg" alt="Most Valuable Brands in the World" width="600" border="0" /></a><br />From: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.fordofbranford.com');" href="http://www.fordofbranford.com">Connecticut Ford</a> Via: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.millwardbrown.com/BrandZ/Top_100_Global_Brands.aspx');" href="http://www.millwardbrown.com/BrandZ/Top_100_Global_Brands.aspx">BrandZ</a></p><a id="dd_end" name="dd_end"></a><div class="dd_outer dd_inner"><div class="dd_button_v"><iframe src="http://www.reddit.com/static/button/button2.html?width=51&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialnewswatch.com%2Fapple-ibm-top-list-of-most-valuable-global-brands-in-2012%2F&title=Apple%2C%20IBM%20Top%20List%20of%20Most%20Valuable%20Global%20Brands%20in%202012&newwindow='1'" height="69" width="51" scrolling="no" frameborder="0">[embedded content]</iframe></div><div class="c3"></div><div class="dd_button_v"></div><div class="c3"></div><div class="dd_button_v"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialnewswatch.com%2Fapple-ibm-top-list-of-most-valuable-global-brands-in-2012%2F&description=Apple%2C%20IBM%20Top%20List%20of%20Most%20Valuable%20Global%20Brands%20in%202012&media=');" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsocialnewswatch.com%2Fapple-ibm-top-list-of-most-valuable-global-brands-in-2012%2F&description=Apple%2C%20IBM%20Top%20List%20of%20Most%20Valuable%20Global%20Brands%20in%202012&media=" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="vertical"></a></div><div class="c3"></div><div id="dd_name"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/bufferapp.com/diggdigg');" href="http://bufferapp.com/diggdigg" target="_blank">Digg Digg</a></div></div><p><em>This entry passed through the <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/">Full-Text RSS</a> service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers">fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers</a>. <a href="http://fivefilters.org">Five Filters</a> recommends: <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/715-eyes-like-blank-discs-the-guardian-s-steven-poole-on-george-orwell-s-politics-and-the-english-language.html">Eyes Like Blank Discs - The Guardian's Steven Poole On George Orwell's Politics And The English Language</a>.</em></p><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-69965409392650948932013-03-05T05:36:00.000-08:002013-03-05T05:36:00.035-08:00Lloydspharmacy loses third boss in two-and-a-half years <p class="byline"><span class="date">1 March, 2013</span> | <span class="author">By <a rel="author" href="http://www.retail-week.com/tiffany-holland/1200489.bio">Tiffany Holland</a></span></p><div class="section_twocolumn" readability="17.830845771144"><div class="section_column1" readability="36.5"><div class="standfirst" readability="8"><p>The UK boss of Lloydspharmacy Mark James has stepped down as the pharmaceutical retailer appoints its fourth managing director in two-and-a-half years.</p></div><p>James left the business yesterday after less than a year as managing director of Lloydspharmacy UK’s parent company Celesio UK. He has been replaced by the managing director of the group’s Irish division Cormach Tobin with immediate effect.</p><p>James was appointed to lead the UK arm of the pharmaceutical retailer in April last year as the company revealed a new Celesio UK country board structure which included its wholesale division AAH, where James had been group managing director.</p><p>Prior to this former Woolworths boss Tony Page had headed the business as Lloydspharmacy managing director from February 2011 but left almost a year later in January 2012.</p><p>Before Page, the business was without a boss for a year after Richard Smith exited the business in 2010.</p><p>Lloydspharmacy declined to say why James exited the business but a source close to the situation said his lack of retail experience had contributed to his departure.</p><p>Lloydspharmacy has been the subject of huge change of late. Two of its top team - chief commercial officer Steve Gray and business efficiency director Philip Streatfield - left in May last year and shortly after the company made 120 head office redundancies.</p><p>The retailer then posted a 45% pre-tax profit plummet to £57.2m for 2012.</p><p>But more recently, the retailer has attempted to boost business by trialling a more service-led offer and a store refresh across its whole European store estate. But it emerged it had closed its trial Healthcare Villages in Thurrock and Brent Cross.</p></div><div class="section_column2"><h3>Share this article</h3><h3>Connect with Retail Week</h3></div></div><h3><a href="http://rwkb.retail-week.com/Default.aspx">From store level to board room, <strong>Retail Week Knowledge Bank</strong> analyses company strategy, predicts intentions and details vital financial records across every retail sector</a></h3><p><em>This entry passed through the <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/">Full-Text RSS</a> service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers">fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers</a>. <a href="http://fivefilters.org">Five Filters</a> recommends: <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/715-eyes-like-blank-discs-the-guardian-s-steven-poole-on-george-orwell-s-politics-and-the-english-language.html">Eyes Like Blank Discs - The Guardian's Steven Poole On George Orwell's Politics And The English Language</a>.</em></p><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-51085539634443553202013-03-05T05:10:00.000-08:002013-03-05T05:10:00.063-08:00China's Chery hires ex-Porsche designer <div>China's Chery has appointed ex-Porsche designer Hakan Saracoglu as the head of its new design center in Shanghai. <p>Chery plucked 47-year old Saracoglu from Porsche's design team last October and recently promoted him. In his new position, he is in charge of a team made up of 30 designers whose task is to help give Chery a design language that it can apply to its entire range of vehicles. In the past, the automaker has often outsourced its design work to miscellaneous firms inside and outside of China so its cars lack a strong brand identity.</p>While at Porsche, Saracoglu worked on the 918 Spyder, the Boxster and the Cayman. His expertise will undoubtedly help Chery to build better-looking cars in the short run but its new design identity will not be created immediately.<p>"Having somebody with a known profile gives you more credibility. But it's going to take a long time to really embed those capabilities," explained Bill Russo, the president of an auto consultancy called Synergistic, in an <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2F2013-02-25%2Fchery-hires-porsche-designer-to-oversee-car-design-from-shanghai.html">interview</a> with Bloomberg.</p><p>Saracoglu is one of Chery's first European executive but its joint-venture Qoros hired ex-MINI designer Gert Volker Hildebrand to help design the 3 Sedan that will make its world debut next week in Geneva.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-66957018252633698182013-03-05T04:48:00.000-08:002013-03-05T04:48:00.790-08:00How The Indian Government Screws Its Automobile Industry <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fbest-selling-cars-around-the-globe-from-russia-with-lada-and-hyundai-and-kia-and-renault-and%2Frenault-duster-picture-courtesy-of-dusterclub-ru_%2F" rel="attachment wp-att-476511"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-476511" title="Renault Duster. Picture courtesy-of-dusterclub.ru_" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/02/Renault-Duster.-Picture-courtesy-of-dusterclub.ru_-450x301.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="301"/></a></p><p>The whole world is betting big on India and China. I don’t have much idea about China, but India definitely needs to move its game if it wants to become a biggie in the automobile sector. Scams, scams and some more scams is what India is becoming more famous for, resulting in a huge deficit for the government. This in turn results in hue and cry by the ministers, resulting in increased taxation.<span id="more-477158"/></p><p>Just recently the 2013-14 budget was announced. I have mentioned the small car definition before, but I shall re-iterate it once again for the benefit of all. Any car having a length of less than 4-meters, powered by engines less than 1.2-liter (gasoline) / 1.5-liter (diesel) in cubic capacity is considered a small car in India. These cars are subjected to an excise duty of 12 percent. Any car above 4-meters in length but falling in the above engine capacities is charged with 24 percent excise duty. Then there are those cars which are neither 4-meters in length nor falling in the above engine capacities: 27 percent excise duty.</p><p>Many car makers have tried to play around the rules and trimmed bumpers to fit in the under 4-meter category. The Ford EcoSport is one such vehicle. It is a small car according to government definitions and will be subjected to lesser duties. Ford was delaying the EcoSport launch hoping the Government would reduce duty by 2 percent to 10 percent on small cars. This was the prevalent duty a couple of years back.</p><p>To create more revenue, the Indian Government created a new tax, casually referred to as the SUV tax (not applicable on taxis). According to the new ruling, SUVs will be charged 30 percent excise duty, instead of 27 percent. This news came as a shock to manufacturers. More so, because while all other segments were showing decline, the SUV segment was showing a good growth and was looking promising.</p><p>The finance minister claims that SUVs occupy more space on the roads and hence should be taxed more. Wait a second, most of the popular SUVs are not even as long as the Honda Accord. But if he meant SUVs occupy vertical space, then how is that a bother?</p><p>Don’t be shocked, because the worst is yet to come. So what is an SUV? The government has defined an SUV as a vehicle which is more than 4-metres in length, having an engine capacity of more than 1.5-litres (gasoline or diesel) and a ground clearance of 170 mm or more. This has led to many sedans being classified as an SUV, being subjected to higher duty. The reason why sedans have such ground clearance is, so they don’t scrape their underbody. Indian roads are in horrible condition and one can’t really drive a car with low ground clearance without gradually damaging the underbody over time. I know I had a Honda City (Jazz/Fit sedan) and the rubber under the front bumper kept falling every two months!!</p><p>In other bad news for the Indian auto industry, the Government has hiked excise duty on imported cars from 75 percent to 100 percent. The new Range Rover costs over $4,00,000 and is going to get even costlier now. The Porsche range is now going to be dearer by $50,000 to $2,00,000 (remember I said costlier, add the base price and you know how expensive it is to buy a Porsche in India), Ouch! Even the duty on imported motorcycles has been hiked from 60 percent to 75 percent. If you hear news about the Indian car market being wobbly, now you know why.</p><p><em>Faisal Ali Khan is the editor of <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorbeam.com%2F">MotorBeam.com</a>, a website covering the automobile industry of India.</em></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-80880229411322706072013-03-05T04:27:00.000-08:002013-03-05T04:27:00.065-08:00Vellum Venom Vignette: Ridin’ Spinners <div><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2FvELLUMVENOM.jpg" rel="lightbox[480060]" title="Riding Spinners? (photo courtesy: Sajeev mangling GM PR photos)"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-480063" title="Riding Spinners? (photo courtesy: Sajeev mangling GM PR photos)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/vELLUMVENOM.jpg" alt="" width="305" height="216"/></a></p><p>Here’s the funny thing about being a failed designer-turned-blogger in today’s world of information overload: designers make mistakes and we get to discuss them. The autoblogosphere is buzzing about the <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fsoft-top-stingray-surfaces%2F">upcoming C7 Stingray softtop</a>, but as my mangled merging of GM’s PR photos show, someone forgot to sweat the details before hitting the news wires. <span id="more-480060"/></p><p><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fvwvortexcom.jpg" rel="lightbox[480060]" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480067" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/vwvortexcom-450x312.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="312"/></a>Perhaps you’ve never considered the Left-to-Right concerns of designing a directional wheel, a fad that really took off in the late 1980s ’till the mid-1990s. If so, the above photo of Honda (Prelude?) wheels proves the point. You always want directional wheels that <em>visually move to emulate the forward momentum</em> of the vehicle…unless you’re a Porsche 928 owner that drives in reverse all the time.</p><p>Ahem! So looking at GM’s original photos:</p><p class="c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fstingraydroptop3.jpg" rel="lightbox[480060]" title="Looks good. (photo courtesy: General Motors)"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480062" title="Looks good. (photo courtesy: General Motors)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/stingraydroptop3-450x272.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="272"/></a>That’s pretty cool. With all the thrusting planes in the C7 Corvette, directional wheels keep the flow going for all the right reasons. If anything, the dynamic hoops help explain the rest of the body.</p><p class="c1"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480061" title="Oops. (photo courtesy: General Motors)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/stingraydroptop-450x285.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="285"/></p><p class="c1">Forget about DLO FAIL, how about DW FAIL?</p><p class="c1">Since it’s a safe bet this problem stops at a computer rendering error, let’s assume GM made a set of right-hand directional wheels for production. Because these might be the coolest wheels seen on the C7 to date. And while this, combined with directional tires, makes tire rotation no fun (possibly impossible considering staggered sizes front-to-back) it is totally worth it to the ADHD among us…or design fans in general. This body is made for directional wheels.</p><p class="c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fvwvortex2.jpg" rel="lightbox[480060]" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480064" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/vwvortex2-450x343.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="343"/></a>And while the C7 Stingray is leaps and bounds ahead of the C4 Corvette, I can’t resist showing off the masterpieces from one of my favorite vehicles. But let’s slap them on one of my other favorite vehicles; the MK IV Jetta…<a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fvellum-venom-2003-volkswagen-jetta-mk-iv%2F">previously studied here</a>.</p><p class="c1"><a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thetruthaboutcars.com%2F2013%2F03%2Fvwvortex3.jpg" rel="lightbox[480060]" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-480065" title="(photo courtesy: vwvortex.com)" src="http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/03/vwvortex3-234x350.jpg" alt="" width="234" height="350"/></a>Damn son…who cares if that’s the wrong emblem! Just add another inch or two to the stance <em>–since most of us live in the world outside of the <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stancenation.com%2F">Stance Nation</a>–</em>and we have proof of why directional wheels are so cool when done right.</p><p class="c1">Your thoughts on directional wheels is greatly appreciated.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-66250585789429367652013-03-05T04:06:00.000-08:002013-03-05T04:07:07.800-08:00Geneva preview: 2014 Hyundai ix35 (Tucson) <div>Hyundai will unveil a revised version of its European-market ix35 crossover at next week's Geneva Motor Show. The ix35 is sold in the United States as the <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fhyundai%2Ftucson%2F">Hyundai Tucson</a>.<p>So far Hyundai has only released a single image of the new ix35, but it is clear the compact crossover is in line for a few styling tweaks. Although the ix35's overall look will remain the same, the revised CUV will arrive in Geneva with an updated grille design and new headlights that feature LED lighting.</p>We hear the ix35's interior could be in line for a more thorough update, with rumors suggesting nicer materials and an upgraded infotainment system. New powertrains could also be on tap.<p>Be sure to check back next Tuesday for Leftlane's live coverage of the Geneva Motor Show.</p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-32085311550096356022013-03-03T13:51:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:51:00.328-08:00First Drive: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT [Review] <div>It's hard not to levy high praise on a vehicle platform that, with only a handful of changes from the factory, can <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fjeep-grand-cherokee-first-drive-review.html">scale boulders one day</a> and hit apexes on the track the next day.<p>The photos you see here aren't deceiving you: This is the 2014 <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fjeep%2Fgrand-cherokee%2F">Jeep Grand Cherokee</a> SRT and it's at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, the brand new Formula 1 race track that hosted the United States Grand Prix just a few months ago. In other words, it's not exactly the kind of territory where you might normally find a Jeep.</p>But the Grand Cherokee SRT has been thoroughly revised for 2014, in the process losing the 8 that previously came at the end of its name. Headlining the list of changes is a stout eight-speed automatic gearbox, the same ZF-developed unit that is now used in a host of Chrysler products in addition to BMWs and Bentleys. If anything, it's slumming in this application – although we're not sure that label really applies with 470 horsepower on tap.<p>That power comes courtesy of an essentially unchanged 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine and it's complemented by 465 lb-ft. of torque and a single-speed four-mode variable all-wheel-drive system. Putting power to the ground is a set of Pirelli P-Zero tires sized in a decidedly supercar-like 295/45-20 specification (all-season Scorpion Verdes are optional for snow belters).</p><p>Naturally, a stiffened and lowered suspension and upsized Brembo brakes are included, as is a revised hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering system. To make the most of the power on board, a new launch control mode optimizes throttle, gearbox and traction settings for drag races – both official and not-so-official.</p><p>At the opposite end of the spectrum, all Grand Cherokees including the SRT include an Eco Mode button that dials back throttle response and forces earlier upshift to save premium fuel. With an EPA rating of 13/19 mpg, this one's a guzzler.</p><p>A few other upgrades are also on board for 2014: An 8.4-inch touchscreen monitor in the center of the dashboard for Chrysler's terrific Uconnect infotainment system (<a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fspotlight-on-chrysler-uconnect.html">detailed here</a>), a 7-inch TFT screen in the instrument cluster and some minor styling changes highlighted primarily by new eagle-eyed headlamps.</p><p><strong>Formula Jeep</strong><br />No, we're not expecting a spec series for Jeep Grand Cherokee SRTs, but one would be a hoot. Austin's COTA is a technical and challenging track, although its location in the flatlands east of town mean that there aren't as many elevation changes as you might expect.</p><p>In a straight line, the Grand Cherokee SRT vaults to 60 mph in a few ticks under 5 seconds and it will run the quarter mile sprint in the mid-13s. At COTA, we pegged around 130 mph on the longest straightaway, about 5 mph shy of a “leisurely” run we witnessed in the passenger seat while an SRT engineer was behind the wheel.</p><p>But with enough power, anything – even a 5,150 lbs. Jeep SUV – can be made to go fast (and for 2014, it can tow an extra 2,200 lbs. for a total of 7,200 lbs.). The challenge is making it go around corners in a way that's entertaining for all the right reasons.</p><p>Boy, does the Grand Cherokee SRT deliver. Helped in part by the prodigious grip offered up by both its all-wheel-drive system and the $490 apiece Pirellis, the Grand Cherokee SRT is almost impossible to let loose.</p><p>A control knob just aft of the transmission lever (itself an oddly unintuitive T-shaped handle) lets drivers select between standard, snow, towing, sport and track modes that modify the stability and traction control and how power is apportioned between the axles. Sport and track modes allow limited and virtually no assistance, respectively, from the electronic nannies. For 2014, a separate sport mode on the transmission modifies the gearbox's schedule.</p><p>The result is a newfound level of choice – and aggression – for this brute of a vehicle.</p><p>On most high performance cars, track mode means “danger,” but the Grand Cherokee SRT is remarkably easy to drive fast. Pushed into a corner, it hangs on with little in the way of the frightening drama that you might expect for a big SUV.</p><p>Helping matters is a purposeful three-spoke steering wheel with integrated paddle shift levers that is newly exclusive to the SRT variant. Though the steering isn't as communicative as you might find in a dedicated sports car, or even a <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fporsche%2Fcayenne%2F">Porsche Cayenne</a> GTS, it is well-weighted and sufficiently precise.</p><p>For more gentle on-pavement excursions, we selected both transmission and drivetrain sport modes for a growling, fast-paced experience. In normal driving with passengers aboard, we actually preferred the Eco mode simply because of how it dials back throttle response. The system unintentionally makes the Grand Cherokee SRT feel rather more like a luxury car in its tuning. No, this roughneck in a tuxedo won't convince you that you're behind the wheel of a German super-crossover like a <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fbmw%2Fx5%2F">BMW X5</a> M, but the Jeep is easily as entertaining and it's a bundle less expensive.</p><p>In fact, about the only thing the Grand Cherokee SRT doesn't do is pass by gas stations or intentionally leave the pavement. But if those are on your wish list, Jeep can build you just the right Grand Cherokee without an SRT badge.</p><p><em><strong>Leftlane's</strong></em> <strong>bottom line</strong><br />Finding buyers for the 5,000 or so Grand Cherokee SRTs Jeep figures it'll sell annually won't be a challenge.</p><p>Though it's a little rough around the edges, the Grand Cherokee SRT more than makes up for its shortcomings by providing a driving experience essentially unparalleled at anything approaching its price point.</p><p><strong>2014 <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fjeep%2Fgrand-cherokee-srt8%2F">Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT</a></strong> base price, $62,995.</p><p><em><strong>Words and photos by Andrew Ganz. <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftheandrewganz">Follow</a> Andrew on Twitter.</strong></em><br /></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-75797668151063341782013-03-03T13:30:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:30:01.086-08:00Half-term and cold weather drives John Lewis sales up 17% <div class="standfirst" readability="9"><p>Sales at department store John Lewis rocketed 17.2% to £63.3m in the week to February 23, as half-term and cold weather helped to boost performance.</p></div><p>Across the first four weeks of the new financial year, sales were up by “an impressive” 16.8%.</p><p>All stores reported an uplift last week, with Nottingham rising 27%, Liverpool 25% and Trafford 26%.</p><p><a class="intextlink" href="http://www.retail-week.com/companies/john-lewis" rel="intextlink_1">John Lewis</a> relaunched its website in the week, and managed a 20% sales uplift “despite the transition”.</p><p>Simon Russell, director, retail operations development, at John Lewis said the relaunch is a “significant milestone and a result of many months of planning and hard work by the IT and online selling teams”.</p><p>Electricals again drove overall sales, soaring 33% on last year. Vacuum cleaners, heating and tablets were the standout areas.</p><p>Home sales were up 10%, with furniture, accessories and textiles all up double-digit. Seasonal lines were “particularly strong”, with sales of Mother’s Day gifts increasing 87% and Easter ranges rising 20%.</p><p>Fashion sales also increased by 10% as the cold weather drove demand in knitwear, while new-season stock including own-brands John Lewis & Co and Kin were “strong” in menswear.</p><p>Half-term “stimulated interest in childrenswear”.</p><p>Russell added: “Mother’s Day and Easter are the key season’s focus for the next few weeks. We have some great products and are well set to continue our good start to 2013.”</p><p><a class="intextlink" href="http://www.retail-week.com/companies/waitrose" rel="intextlink_0">Waitrose</a>, sister retailer of John Lewis, enjoyed a 9.4% sales rise (excluding petrol) to £110.5m, with goods for cooked breakfasts and potatoes for “warming dinners” performing well in the cold weather.</p><p>Soup was among the top-performing categories, and the upmarket grocer sold 25% more pairs of tights and 38% more pairs of socks.</p><p>However, spring was also in the air last week, as sales of British daffodils increased 50%.</p><p>Online sales “continued to be strong”, rising 42%. The retailer will open its first drive-through in Cheltenham in March, followed by services in branches in Southend, Salisbury, Wolverhampton and Lincoln. Shoppers will be able to order groceries online at Waitrose.com and pick them up from a collection area in the branch car park in designated time slots.</p><p><em>This entry passed through the <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/">Full-Text RSS</a> service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at <a href="http://fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers">fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers</a>. <a href="http://fivefilters.org">Five Filters</a> recommends: <a href="http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/715-eyes-like-blank-discs-the-guardian-s-steven-poole-on-george-orwell-s-politics-and-the-english-language.html">Eyes Like Blank Discs - The Guardian's Steven Poole On George Orwell's Politics And The English Language</a>.</em></p><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8189029039386848022.post-47050156423206797872013-03-03T13:11:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:11:00.445-08:00Track-inspired Kia concept leaked ahead of Geneva debut <div>A batch of <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldcarfans.com%2F113030254523%2Fkia-provo-concept-breaks-cover">leaked</a> images have prematurely revealed the Kia Provo concept ahead of its scheduled debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.<p>Curiously named after a medium-sized city in Utah, the concept takes the form of a three-door hatchback that is without a doubt one of the most aggressive looking Kias ever built. It features aerodynamic bumpers and LED lighting on both ends, a highly-stylized body and an eye-catching two-tone paint job. A rear air diffuser and large center lock wheels complete the race-inspired look.</p>Passengers are treated to an aircraft-like cockpit that features several touch screens, a tasteful amount of chrome trim and a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel that appears to be upholstered in Alcantra.<p>Details are still scarce, but rumors circulating around the European media indicate that the Provo might preview a production-bound Juke-fighting crossover. If that is the case, the vehicle's ground clearance will be noticeably augmented in its transition from a concept to a production car.</p><p>Another plausible possibility is that the Provo will spawn a Europe-only premium sub-compact that will fight in the same arena as the Citroën DS3.</p><p>Kia is not hiding the fact that it is trying to lure a younger audience into showrooms and performance will be the order of the day on the firm's stand in Geneva next week. In addition to the Provo concept, the automaker will also unveil a duo of hot hatches called pro_cee'd GT and cee'd GT. Designed by Peter Schreyer, the GT-badged <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fkia-pro-ceed-gt.html">cars</a> will take on the iconic <a href="http://redirect.viglink.com?key=11fe087258b6fc0532a5ccfc924805c0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leftlanenews.com%2Fnew-car-buying%2Fvolkswagen%2Fgolf%2F">Volkswagen Golf</a> GTI with a 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Hyundai Veloster Turbo.</p><p>Official details about the Kia Provo concept will be revealed in the coming days.<br /></p></div><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><br />This post was made using the <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org/auto-blogging-software.html' title='auto-blogging software'>Auto Blogging Software</a> from <a href='http://www.webmagnates.org' title'make money online'>WebMagnates.org</a> This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11189638148973072346noreply@blogger.com0