Recent Comments:
Officially Official: New Ferrari California exposed! {Autoblog}
May 13th 2008 12:21PM The designers at Ferrari apparently just donated to the "Save Ferris" fund. He's a righteous dude, ya know.
But seriously, need to see where this falls price-wise in the Ferrari cadre of speed, but I'm liking it. Not sure about the folding hardtop, but they've done pretty well with convertibles in recent memory.
Autocar pits GT2 against Z06 in a drag competition {Autoblog}
Mar 28th 2008 3:23PM Yay! The Porsche wins!
But seriously folks, I agree with those who've asked why have this test to begin with. I mean, on the grounds of a price difference, you have a good reason to judge these two. Everything else, is well just a silly test.
What wasn't mentioned in either the video or the article above is how much these two cars weigh. The GT2 comes in at around 3175 lbs curb weight. The Z06 comes in at 3132 lbs curb weight. Now, despite what the bloke says in the video about it being a light car, it's 43 lbs lighter. That maybe a big difference if we were looking at two cars with roughly the same bhp. Since they are roughly the same weight (camera man or not), you've got 25 hp difference to climb in acceleration. Then tack onto the fact that the Porsche (because of where its weight sits) is going to have better traction off the line regardless, then this test gets a little silly.
Mind you, the GT2 is a mind-blowing car. Really, I love it. But, I think the real story is for roughly half the price, I can get to even close the same power with the Z06. Still would love to see the 'Vette have something other than leaf springs in the rear though.
New York '08 Preview: More Hyundai Genesis Coupe pics come online {Autoblog}
Mar 17th 2008 1:51PM naggs
I know it's a new car. I was speaking about Hyundai coupes as a whole and in general.
New York '08 Preview: More Hyundai Genesis Coupe pics come online {Autoblog}
Mar 17th 2008 9:48AM The Hyundai coupe has always been a bit of an odd child on looks. The first couple generations went from different to down-right weird and then back to bearable. All in all, I can imagine this one will turn out to be a charmer though. Arguably, of all the Hyundai coupes, this is the best looking one. The rear is pretty classy and if you look closely, you can pick up hints of a Jag XF in the center grill or some similiar lines to an Infiniti G37. Not a big fan of the front bumper, but all in all, I think this will be a pretty good sell for Hyundai. Hyundai has been taking styling cues from a number of other companies for years (remember their faux-Mercedes Benz?), but I think they're spot-on with this one. Honestly, I've never been a big fan of Hyundai, but even I looked at this and said that could be a winner.
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO] {Autoblog}
Mar 14th 2008 10:24AM I've enjoyed what Volvo has brought to the states for years now. Although I don't rate them as an auspicious luxury brand, I typically see them as a little better than average. My point being is if you are Volvo, and you are a little better than average, you really need to show it.
The XC70 has always been an odd child in my opinion, much like the Audi All-road. Yes, the styling is masculine (moreso now for the XC70) and the engine choices were great. The latest version above is a pretty good addition, just not a great one. In all honesty, the dashline they showed is boring. It takes cues from BMW dashes. Also, Volvo needs to address how much "nanny'ng" they put the driver through. That part about the parking assist is a turn-off in my opinion. Give us the option, but don't automatically turn it on for us and don't make it a pain to turn off either.
Also, if you're going to offer an AWD system, it better be competent in the snow. If you boil it down, most Americans equate AWD with bad weather traction and not performance. Hence, if you have a car that suffers in snow, you've got a problem if you're slapping an AWD badge on it. I agree with the others who've questioned about snow tires though.
I've owned an '03 S60 2.5T for a couple years now and I do love it. I even debated looking into moving into a XC70, but to be honest, the XC90 is just that much better. A low mileage, used XC90 would honestly be a better choice than this new XC70.
Ask Autoblog: How are Michigan roads made? {Autoblog}
Mar 10th 2008 12:32PM Another title for this article could be:
"Worst Road Crews EVAR!! Michigan takes on England's Department of Transportation for coveted title"
New Ford Falcon won't be exported to the States {Autoblog}
Oct 22nd 2007 12:18PM If we look at the US and European line-ups, consistently the European ford has been the better contender. I agree, the pricing would be an issue, but we needn't bring up the Euro-spec Focus argument up again. This decision (besides low sales on the Falcon) returns to the underlying reason that the US market does not know what to do with itself anymore. Do we want hybrids? Do we want SUV's? Do we want whatever they're calling a stationwagon now? At the forefront of this is Ford who seem to have shut off the phones connecting their European design house and their US counterparts. If we brought the Mondeo to the states, then the Fusion or the Taurus would die. Vice versa for the Falcon. The Focus isn't even an issue. I love domestic cars, but the US Focus has always been a watered-down O'douls-type of car compared to the Everclear Euro-spec. Even Ford's vans (people-carriers to be exact) are better in Europe. Regardless, as we are all saying, Ford will continue to slip in market share if they continue selling the same bland, dull, unispired drivel to the US market. I'm surprised that half of Ford isn't on suicide watch right now. I wonder as the months go by whether the market forces will finally force Ford's hand in this, but they haven't yet. Might as well get your axe-handles ready cause the Ford-faithful are going to revolt soon enough.
Tokyo 2007 Preview: Daihatsu Mud Master-C {Autoblog}
Oct 10th 2007 12:50PM Hmm... Suzuki Super Carry much? Did Daihaitsu just leave their engineering books at home for this one? A off-road vehicle needs good torque and ground clearance. Ground clearance means a higher center of gravity which will make it more prone to roll. You can counteract that by lowering the center with weight or by widening the wheelbase. They've already said that its lean on weight. Look at that wheelbase though! With a wheelbase that skinny, any sideways incline would tip it over. Doesn't matter how much torque you can put down, if you can't keep the thing stable over the rough bumpy stuff, its not an off-road vehicle. I mean, they say it can ford streams, but you'd be crazy too considering any decent amount of water and current would just flip the thing over too. If you want a good example of skinny wheelbase vehicles flipping, watch the Top Gear episode where they test some vans.
Sorry Daihaitsu. Maybe you did some service by naming it mud, cause that's about how good that thing is... Definitely an off-road vehicle in name only.
Ruh-roh: New name hasn't helped Ford Taurus sales {Autoblog}
Oct 8th 2007 4:50PM Besides the apologists who could list all the positives and benefits of going with the Taurus rename, who really thought that this was a good idea in the first place? The original Taurus, albeit innovative and forward thinking style-wise, isn't one of those endearing and timeless American car names like say Mustang or Camaro. Fact is, they renamed an already boring, mudane family sedan with a name that had long become boring and mudane with the hopes that somehow people would get excited. I agree with people who say that the return of the SHO badge would have been interesting, but Ford hasn't even shown more than a hint of interest in doing that.
I think a "bold move" would be to unify the European and American style houses around the popular Mondeo, C-Max, and Focus and replace the tiring Taurus, Freestar, and American Focus brands. Large family sedans are one thing, but you can't just slap a 1980's approach to the present market. Not any more, that is.
Chrysler says its interiors will get more attention {Autoblog}
Aug 7th 2007 9:56AM Umm, progressive exterior design? If by that you mean "we design one exterior idea and then force-feed the public with it by putting it on all of our cars", then you've got a minor appreciation for progressive styling. Chyrsler, how about you get rid of the ribbed hood design considering it's not making your Sebring a success story. Listen, the most interesting element in your car line over the last year has been cupholders that chill your drink. I don't think it's just the interiors you've been having a problem with Chrysler... This is a company that once cared more about styling than it did actually nuts and bolts engineering and now it's a company that can't get any of it right. I don't think a few bits of wood and metal-looking plastic is "forward thinking".
