Recent Comments:
BASF to capitalize on new diesels by raising AdBlue prices {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 6:30PM What happens if you run out of urea solution? I imagine piss in a jug filled 2/3 with water, then just fill 'er up. Screw BASF, make it yourself!
VIDEO: Driving the Mazda Furai concept at Buttonwillow {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 6:27PM Thanks, AB, now I got a woodie. Very funny.
No more body on frame SUVs likely from GM {Autoblog Green}
May 12th 2008 1:52PM I'd like to see the Tahoe go away (the Lambda triplets fulfill that duty), yet keep the longer Suburban for real towing. More use of high-strength steel and aluminum, as well as lighter motors (for power seats, etc) and thinner seats could help stop its bloat. Next gen SBC engines with VVT and DI will also increase efficiency of the Suburban, but the use of unibody structure will also help the numbers (vehicles of comparable size get 2-4 mpg better).
GM's SBC V8's are so excellent that I bet the 5.3 in a Lambda triplet would get almost the same MPG numbers, especially when they get DI.
GM may divorce trucks and full-size SUVs {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 1:17PM After some thinking, I believe the Lamda Triplets have made the Tahoe obsolete. THey are as big as the Tahoe, but offer more room and better mileage. They still tow a small boat or camper or jet-skis.
For people who need to seat 8, or haul a bunch of plywood, or hit the trail occasionally, or tow a large, 8000 lb boat, get the Suburban! Honestly, its just a Tahoe with a 20" stretch. Its not that different. I doubt a prospective Tahoe buyer would say, "Oh no, the Suburban is just too big for my needs, I'll go with the Tahoe."
Similarly, Ford's Edge almost nixes the need for the Explorer. Just give it a stretch to handle 3 seats, and then offer the Expedition(s) for real towing.
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 12:57PM Yes, b/c being shaped like a brick is much more beautiful than being aerodynamic while still offering lots of interior space.
And even though national consumption of oil went up not unnoticeably due to poor fuel economy of SUV's, at least we are stylin'!
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans {Autoblog}
May 9th 2008 12:54PM You know what? My family had a station wagon, even with 4 kids. One of us had to lay down in the cargo area with no seatbelt because it didn't have a 3rd seat. When the 5th kid came around, we had to get a new vehicle. Thank God for the minivan! The Ford Aerostar served us very very well, and was much easier to drive (and on gas and purchase price) than a full size van (which we did have shortly).
The minivan was a godsend to a family with 6 kids. These new ones are luxurious, are much sleeker than brick-like SUV's, and certainly aren't pretentious like SUV's and the mindset of those driving them (who could just use a minivan). Minivans are great, and if I have more than 3 kids someday (don't plan on it), I'd love to get one.
I have a feeling that people who hate minivans have never had one. Or if they have, they are so concerned with image and looking cool to their neighbors that they "have" to have an over-the-top SUV.
Mazda survey reveals pricing and packages for Mazda6 {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 3:53PM 21/29 for the 4 cylinder? I thought the new 2.5 would bring better fuel economy. Well, its not far off from the competition, but still, moving the wrong direction.
First Peek: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 3:47PM Dan- True, diesel is extremely expensive right now, but look at its history. At times, it has been cheaper than regular, most times not more than 10% more than regular. It swings wildly, and in the future, it could be only 15 cents more than premium.
Also, biodiesel should be cheaper by now (though putting biodiesel in a new diesel engine would make even me wince, not knowing how well it would go). I say make a government mandate for all diesels be able to run B20, and increase that quickly to B99.
First Peek: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 2:30PM Hmmm....I don't see brisk sales coming for this truck. Fine truck, sure (380hp, coil-springs in back, 4.10 gear...fun!), but gas getting to $3.70 per gallon, $4 soon. $4 is where a lot of people will change their minds.
If car manufacturers want to sell more trucks, they need to start selling smaller ones. I'm not talking Tacoma (the QC is very big), I'm thinking how they used to be in the late 80's and early 90's.
Also, more diesels for the trucks, I4 and V6 diesels. Don't need to be really fast, the torque will satisfy most people. And they will love the 30% fuel savings.
Chevy's hybrid Silverado is a good idea...but too expensive right now. The 4.5 V8 diesel will be a big plus to GM.
AMD announces 6- and 12-core Opterons {Engadget}
May 8th 2008 1:36PM Well the upside to this story is that the planned chips are going to be based on an entirely new chip architecture. Did I read that right? While AMD's stuff they announced a couple years back sounded promising, it hasn't really turned out to be that affective. So having a new architecture sounds promising....fresh start!
