Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford talking unibody Ranger replacement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/ford-talking-unibody-ranger-replacement/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/ford-talking-unibody-ranger-replacement/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/ford-talking-unibody-ranger-replacement/#commentsFiled under: ,

Global Ford Ranger tailgate

Now here's some welcome news. Car and Driver reports Ford is seriously mulling a replacement for the recently deceased Ranger, but the successor to the compact pickup's throne may not look anything like what we've seen from the nameplate in the past.

While speaking at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Doug Scott, marketing manager for Ford Trucks, said there's still a market for a smaller pickup, but that buyers expect to see a larger differentiation between the smaller utility vehicles and their full size counterparts in price, capability and fuel economy.

According to Scott, that means a vehicle with a payload capacity of around 1,000 pounds paired with a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds and "a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption." But the biggest piece of that recipe is the price tag, and Scott says to keep the MSRP far enough away from the already cheap F-150, the answer could come in the form of a unibody design. Scott says target customers in this market don't care whether the truck has a traditional frame or not, so long as it's tough enough to do the job and has the capability they need.

We should be clear here: Ford hasn't approved such a vehicle for production, but the company is working on developing a business case for the model. Even so, it could be years before buyers see another small pickup on dealer lots.

Ford talking unibody Ranger replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2015 ford rangercar and driverdoug scottfordrangerunibody pickupMon, 18 Feb 2013 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20465381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/18/ford-talking-unibody-ranger-replacement/20465381/article-detail.xml 20465381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ranger-tail-gate-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ranger-tail-gate-628.jpg <![CDATA[Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/old-vs-new-2014-srt-viper-takes-on-upgraded-16-year-old-dodge/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/old-vs-new-2014-srt-viper-takes-on-upgraded-16-year-old-dodge/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/08/old-vs-new-2014-srt-viper-takes-on-upgraded-16-year-old-dodge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Old vs. New Viper - C/D video screencap

It's easy to play the "Would you rather have a New X or an Old Y with a bunch of upgrades?" game more often than we care to admit, but the crew at Car and Driver have taken bench racing to the next level with their latest video. In it, the magazine pits a brand-new 2014 SRT Viper against a highly modified 1997 Dodge Viper GTS. There are 16 years between the time this particular GTS rolled off the production line and when the new car bowed, but that doesn't mean the old snake's owners have been sitting on their hands.

Thanks to a spate of modifications, the GTS offers up a better power to weight ratio than the new machine, but is that enough to overcome the technological leap forward represented by the 2014 Viper? We won't spoil it for you. You'll just have to check out the full clip below for yourself.

Continue reading Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper

Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1997 dodge viper gts2014 srt vipercar and driverdodgeold vs new videosrtsrt vipervideoviperviper gtsFri, 08 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20454330/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/08/old-vs-new-2014-srt-viper-takes-on-upgraded-16-year-old-dodge/20454330/article-detail.xml 20454330 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/old-v-new-viper-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/old-v-new-viper-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> gets a deeper look at the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/car-and-driver-gets-a-deeper-look-at-2014-mercedes-benz-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/car-and-driver-gets-a-deeper-look-at-2014-mercedes-benz-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/26/car-and-driver-gets-a-deeper-look-at-2014-mercedes-benz-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It's still under a suit of camouflage, but Mercedes-Benz brought an E63 AMG to Southern California and invited Car and Driver columnist and former Editor-in-Chief Csaba Csere to ride shotgun. Before clicking in, Csere does a walkaround and notes the changes, most of which we've seen on the refreshed standard E-Class. He then takes a ride with the head of AMG, Olla Källenius, and asks questions that Källenius spends much of his time not exactly answering.

Things get more informative when Csere hops in the car with Tobias Moers, AMG's head of vehicle development, to find out exactly what separates the AMG E-Class from its less-heated brother. Csere especially wanted to know if the addition of 4MATIC killed the sporting intentions of the AMG sedan, and was pleased to find out that that wasn't - well, not exactly - the case.

Car and Driver also puts numbers to the coming sedan, pegging the 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 at 550 horsepower and 531 foot-pounds of torque, for 32 more horses and 15 more torques than the outgoing model. In Csere's written piece for the magazine, he predicts a sub-3.5-second time for the 0-to-60 mile-per-hour sprint (in the video it's predicted to be 3.3 seconds), with the run to 100 mph needing another 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile is estimated to take 11.7 seconds, and gas mileage is expected to remain the same: 16 miles per gallon in the city, 24 mpg on the highway. For context, Car and Driver's split for the 2012 E63 AMG was 3.8 seconds for the sprint from naught to 60 mph, and a 12-second quarter mile.

The super-sedan will go on sale next summer, with more official specs being revealed at the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, there's the video below.

Continue reading Car and Driver gets a deeper look at the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Car and Driver gets a deeper look at the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 detroit auto showamgcar and driverdetroitdetroit 2013e 63 amge-classe63 amgmercedes-benzolla kalleniustestedtobias moersvideovideosyoutubeWed, 26 Dec 2012 13:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20410404/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/26/car-and-driver-gets-a-deeper-look-at-2014-mercedes-benz-e/20410404/article-detail.xml 20410404 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/e63amgcandd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/e63amgcandd.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



Forgive us for having the distinct feeling of déjà vu, but it certainly feels like we've been here before. By that we are referring Car and Driver and the announcement of its annual 10Best vehicles for 2013. To be sure, it's an impressive selection of cars that combine heart-pounding performance and frugal sensibilities, but it also represents something of a broken record on the part of C/D. We're not so sure that's a flaw, though, as the resulting list is tough to argue with.

Vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Porsche Boxster, and BMW 3 Series have maintained their high-horsepower spots on this list for several years now. Even on the more practical and nimble end, the Honda Accord, Honda Fit and Mazda Miata have not budged. These continued spots are even in light of redesigns for some vehicles such as the Accord, Boxster and 3 Series.

In fact, the only newcomer to the 10Best list this year are the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, which knocked out the Cadillac CTS-V. We think it would have been a huge misstep to have excluded the FR-S/BRZ, even in light of the supercharged Caddy's lamentable departure from 10Best.

Without further ado, here are 2012 Car and Driver 10Best winners:

After perusing our gallery of the winners, bounce on over to Car and Driver to check out the full 10Best roundup, along with a collection of videos on each car. Be sure to let us know in Comments what you think of this year's list!

Car and Driver lists 10Best for 2013, same as it ever was originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 best10best3 seriesa6a7accordaudibmwboxsterbrzcar and drivercar and driver 10 bestfitfocusfocus stfordfr-sgolfgtihondamazdamiatamustangmustang boss 302mx-5 miatas6s7vw golfWed, 05 Dec 2012 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20394696/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/05/car-and-driver-lists-10best-for-2013-same-as-it-ever-was/20394696/article-detail.xml 20394696 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan-1354717181_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-honda-accord-ex-l-sedan-1354717181.jpeg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/car-and-driver-masters-of-the-middle-comparo-sizes-up-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/car-and-driver-masters-of-the-middle-comparo-sizes-up-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/car-and-driver-masters-of-the-middle-comparo-sizes-up-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Car and Driver mid-size sedan comparison test - 2013

Last year, the Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE won a Car and Driver comparison test of mid-size sedans, beating the Honda Accord V6 and Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. A couple of months later, the same Passat model won a mid-size comparo from Motor Trend against the Hyundai Sonata GLS and Toyota Camry LE. Earlier this year, the VW won an even larger C/D comparison test, beating the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Accord EX-L, Sonata SE, Kia Optima EX and Camry SE.

That's a convincing string of victories, but they're all against the old hotness. So C/D put the Passat 2.5 SE against the freshest mid-sized competitors, the all-new-for-2013 versions of the Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost, Honda Accord EX and Nissan Altima 2.5 SV, and, well, you'll have to see if the German's enormous back seat and good chassis were enough to keep it on top. You can find out how they all ranked, and why, in the video below.

Continue reading Car and Driver "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord

Car and Driver "Masters of the Middle" comparo sizes up Passat, Fusion, Altima and Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusion2013 honda accord2013 nissan altima2013 volkswagen passataccordaltimacar and drivercomparisonfordfusionhondanissanpassatvideovolkswagenMon, 12 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20376709/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/12/car-and-driver-masters-of-the-middle-comparo-sizes-up-p/20376709/article-detail.xml 20376709 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cdmid-sizecomparo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cdmid-sizecomparo.jpg <![CDATA[Porsche Boxster S takes on 911 in possible patricidal throwdown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/05/porsche-boxster-s-takes-on-911-in-possible-patricidal-throwdown/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/05/porsche-boxster-s-takes-on-911-in-possible-patricidal-throwdown/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/05/porsche-boxster-s-takes-on-911-in-possible-patricidal-throwdown/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Porsche Boxster vs 911 drag race

In the 2013 Boxster, Porsche has created a supremely fun, supremely capable sports car. But is it good enough that it has negated the purpose of the 911? To address such a debate, Car and Driver has pitted the iconic 911 against the Boxster S in the latest edition of "Car and Driver: Abroad."

The gestation of the Boxster is essentially encapsulated in the opening line of the video: "People used to say that the Boxster was a poor man's Porsche, an imitation of the iconic 911, but the latest model has really come of age. In fact, it might now be the best sports car in the Porsche range." While that notion has become the topic of much debate, C/D is doing more than pondering as both cars are taken to the limit on the dragstrip and the racetrack.

Which Porsche is faster in a straight line? Which car can more quickly and accurately navigate a racetrack? You're just going to have to watch to find out! Check out the Porsche-centric comparo video below.

Continue reading Porsche Boxster S takes on 911 in possible patricidal throwdown

Porsche Boxster S takes on 911 in possible patricidal throwdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 porsche 9112013 porsche boxster911boxstercar and driverporscheFri, 05 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20342878/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/05/porsche-boxster-s-takes-on-911-in-possible-patricidal-throwdown/20342878/article-detail.xml 20342878 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/boxster-911-race_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/boxster-911-race.jpg <![CDATA[Drinking And Driving: Open-container laws in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/drinking-and-driving-open-container-laws-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/drinking-and-driving-open-container-laws-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/drinking-and-driving-open-container-laws-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,



We're going to make this very, very simple for you. No one has any business operating a vehicle under the influence or driving with an open container in the cabin regardless of local law. That said, the good people at Car and Driver have taken the time to work up a quick infographic touching on open container laws in various states (click here to view).

A total of 11 states are either noncompliant with federal guidelines prohibiting open alcoholic beverages in the passenger compartment or don't have a law against open containers on the books. Those states see federal funding directed from construction activities to safety programs as a result.

That's not to say those 11 are easy on those who imbibe and drive. As Car and Driver points out, all 50 states now have ignition-interlock laws for citizens convicted of a DUI. Those laws require a breathalizer to be installed in the offender's personal vehicle. If the driver doesn't blow a perfect zero blood alcohol level, the car won't start.

Drinking And Driving: Open-container laws in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car and driverdriving under the influenceduiinfographicopen containeropen container infographicopen container lawWed, 12 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20320048/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/12/drinking-and-driving-open-container-laws-in-the-u-s/20320048/article-detail.xml 20320048 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gov0079.jpg-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gov0079.jpg-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Bentley bringing new sports car concept to Paris Motor Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/bentley-bringing-new-sports-car-concept-to-paris-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/bentley-bringing-new-sports-car-concept-to-paris-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/bentley-bringing-new-sports-car-concept-to-paris-motor-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Nevermind the fact that Bentley hasn't built anything resembling a real production sports car since W.O. was running things - and back then sports cars were inspired by locomotives rather than jets. Still, the Volkswagen-owned luxury marque intends to bring just such a concept to the Paris show next month, according to Car and Driver.

The notion of Bentley building a car that doesn't weigh as much as a Brontosaurus certainly strikes our fancy, as the corporate powertrain department certainly has no shortage of monster motors to motivate a more lithe Bentley beast. Perhaps the marque could even make a return trip to Le Mans with a racing version that's more Bentley and less Audi than the old Speed 8.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves here, as details at this point are as scarce as modern Bentley owners who could tell you who Woolf Barnato is. In fact, besides the fact that the Bentley sports car is coming, about all the magazine says it that the concept should be the sportiest thing to wear the Flying B since the 1999 Hunaudières concept car. That shouldn't be difficult - let's just hope that this time VW doesn't steal the design for Bugatti.

Bentley bringing new sports car concept to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley sports carcar and driverHunaudièresparis 2012paris motor showspeed 8volkswagenTue, 28 Aug 2012 18:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20311065/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/28/bentley-bringing-new-sports-car-concept-to-paris-motor-show/20311065/article-detail.xml 20311065 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bentley-logo-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/bentley-logo-250.jpg <![CDATA[GT-R-powered Nissan Juke-R lines up against Porsche 911 GT2 RS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/gt-r-powered-nissan-juke-r-lines-up-against-porsche-911-gt2-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/gt-r-powered-nissan-juke-r-lines-up-against-porsche-911-gt2-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/22/gt-r-powered-nissan-juke-r-lines-up-against-porsche-911-gt2-rs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



The insane automotive concoction that is the Juke R has been doing its thing, beating the doors off supercars, or at the very least giving them a run for their collective money.

If you recall, this Nissan creation may have the body of a nimble runabout crossover, but it rides on a hacked-up GT-R chassis. With its fire-breathing 485-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and stupendously advanced all-wheel-drive system, the Juke R is Godzilla in black sheep's clothing.

To see where this high-powered grocery-getter really stacks up in the supercar world, Car and Driver matched the Juke-R head-to-head with one of the best in the game; the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Car and Driver European correspondent Jethro Bovingdon hopped behind the wheel of the mad crossover first. In Bovingdon's words "everywhere you look, and everything you touch is GT-R, but you are in a Juke and about two feet higher." He is delightfully pleased with the ride, and says its even more aggressive than the Juke-R, due to the short wheelbase.

Bovingdon point to the extra weight as a potential issue in high-speed runs, but concedes that the Juke-R is "a massive amount of fun."

By comparison, the 911 GT2 RS is a stripped-down, rear-wheel-drive, 611-horsepower monster, operated via a traditional six-speed manual. Its a purist's car, stacked up against a high-tech, all-wheel-drive Frankenstein.

The GT2 RS, in comparison to the Juke R, can be unruly in wet conditions. With traction control off, effort was made to warm up the tires. Did it pay off? You're just going to have to watch the video below to find out which car is faster in the C/D test.

Continue reading GT-R-powered Nissan Juke-R lines up against Porsche 911 GT2 RS

GT-R-powered Nissan Juke-R lines up against Porsche 911 GT2 RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan juke r911911 gt2 rscar and driverjukejuke rjuke-rnissanporscheporsche 911 gt2 rsWed, 22 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20306730/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/22/gt-r-powered-nissan-juke-r-lines-up-against-porsche-911-gt2-rs/20306730/article-detail.xml 20306730 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/juke-911-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/juke-911-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>C/D</i> flogs Ferrari 458 Italia Spider on Stelvio Pass]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/c-d-flogs-ferrari-458-italia-spider-on-stelvio-pass/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/c-d-flogs-ferrari-458-italia-spider-on-stelvio-pass/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/c-d-flogs-ferrari-458-italia-spider-on-stelvio-pass/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Seems that Jethro Bovington, who we recently spent time with while he reviewed the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta for EVO, wasn't finished with prancing horses after he turned in those keys. Putting on his Car and Driver hat, he took a 458 Spider for a spin up and down Italy's 180-year-old Stelvio Pass.

The combination Bovington set out to examine was perhaps the world's best mid-engined convertible supercar on perhaps the world's greatest driving road. Giving the grunt is a 4.5-liter V8 with 562 horsepower, and while there's a mere 110-pound penalty over the coupe, the open-air reverberations of that exhaust are indeed worth it, especially set to the scene of 60 hairpin turns and long, narrow straights over 9,045 feet of elevation and every kind of weather. So yeah: nobody loses. Scroll down to watch.

Continue reading C/D flogs Ferrari 458 Italia Spider on Stelvio Pass

C/D flogs Ferrari 458 Italia Spider on Stelvio Pass originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>458458 italia458 spidercar and driverferraristelvio passvideoWed, 08 Aug 2012 14:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20295951/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/08/c-d-flogs-ferrari-458-italia-spider-on-stelvio-pass/20295951/article-detail.xml 20295951 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/jethro458stelvio_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/jethro458stelvio.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> dissects the physics of monster trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/28/car-and-driver-dissects-the-physics-of-monster-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/28/car-and-driver-dissects-the-physics-of-monster-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/28/car-and-driver-dissects-the-physics-of-monster-trucks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ram-bodied monster truck crushing Mazda

It doesn't really matter what age you are, we can all agree that monster trucks are awesome. How can you argue with a 20-foot tall tube-frame harbinger of destruction, mowing down row after row derelict cars and trucks? Every "SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!," somewhere in America, a dirt-filled arena is hosting this spectacle of high-horsepower automotive carnage.

For the more mathematically inclined, monster trucks are a also feat of engineering, sending over 10,000 pounds hurtling through the air at 30+ mph. To this end, Car and Driver has put together a little breakdown of the physics behind these beasts. For instance, a monster truck needs 1,500 horsepower, developed from a supercharged, alcohol-fueled V8 to rocket into the air at a 45-degree angle at 40 miles per hour. The likes of Bigfoot and Gravedigger reach a peak altitude of 32.5 feet, moving through the air at 32 miles per hour.

When a monster truck makes its descent, things get interesting. A direct landing can come down with the force of 25,500 pounds. That's enough to turn a Crown Victoria or Oldsmobile 88 into a doormat.

Some other fun facts: two-thirds or roughly 7,000 pounds of a monster truck is unsprung weight. In the main, that means the wheels, axles and rubber. The tires themselves are about 66 inches tall.

C/D explains that with the four-wheel steering systems on these behemoths, these trucks can maintain spins in a nearly inverted turning radius. As their speed rises, the center of gravity pushes to the outer wheels, and the truck can topple over.

Hold on to your corn dogs.

Car and Driver dissects the physics of monster trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigfootcar and drivergrave diggermonster jammonster truckmonster trucksphysicssuperchargerSat, 28 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20287674/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/28/car-and-driver-dissects-the-physics-of-monster-trucks/20287674/article-detail.xml 20287674 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/monster-truck-ram-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/monster-truck-ram-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mini confirms Countryman Coupe coming in early 2013]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/mini-confirms-countryman-coupe-coming-in-early-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/mini-confirms-countryman-coupe-coming-in-early-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/mini-confirms-countryman-coupe-coming-in-early-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mini Paceman Concept

Car and Driver is reporting that Mini has confirmed the three-door version of the Countryman will debut at the September Paris Motor Show. Rechristened "Countryman Coupe," the production version of Mini's 2011 Detroit Auto Show Paceman Concept will go on sale early next year as a late-arrival 2013 model.

C&D doubts that the real deal will have the bronze accents of the concept, but says the rest will be "nearly identical." The Countryman Coupe specs and options lists will likely follow suit with the four-door version of the crossover, according to the report.

If you need a refresher on the Paceman, be sure to click through our gallery.

Mini confirms Countryman Coupe coming in early 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mini countryman coupecar and drivercountrymancountryman coupeminipacemanpaceman conceptFri, 22 Jun 2012 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20264456/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/22/mini-confirms-countryman-coupe-coming-in-early-2013/20264456/article-detail.xml 20264456 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/08-mini-paceman-detroit-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/08-mini-paceman-detroit-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Who makes the best night-vision system? <i>Car and Driver</i> weighs in]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/who-makes-the-best-night-vision-system-car-and-driver-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/who-makes-the-best-night-vision-system-car-and-driver-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/who-makes-the-best-night-vision-system-car-and-driver-we/#commentsFiled under: , ,

C&D test night vision systems

Car and Driver Tested continues with an episode comparing the night vision systems from the Big Three German luxury makers. While the testing involves a remote-controlled turkey and a deer crossbred with a construction cone, the most interesting thing the guys from C/D do is to cover the windshields of the cars to try and drive through an autocross course relying on technology alone. Hence the conversation through the sunroofs you see pictured above.

And the results? While we wouldn't call it an epic fail, it is an entertaining one. Night vision is one of the bells and whistles that's probably not destined to trickle down from the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class anytime soon, but like most luxury features it's an impressive display of engineering.

Scroll down to watch the full episode.

Continue reading Who makes the best night-vision system? Car and Driver weighs in

Who makes the best night-vision system? Car and Driver weighs in originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7 seriesa8audiautocrossbmwCar and Drivercl-classmercedesnight visionnight vision systemMon, 18 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20260610/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/18/who-makes-the-best-night-vision-system-car-and-driver-we/20260610/article-detail.xml 20260610 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/cd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/cd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> drives Ruf's legendary Yellowbird, new CTR 3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/car-and-driver-drives-rufs-legendary-yellowbird-new-ctr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/car-and-driver-drives-rufs-legendary-yellowbird-new-ctr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/car-and-driver-drives-rufs-legendary-yellowbird-new-ctr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Car and Driver with Ruf Yellowbird and CTR3

There are so many tuners and so little time given to historical research that we tend to dismiss a fettled car with "Oh, another one...". German speed merchant Ruf actually is different: it's actually classified as a manufacturer, not a tuner, it's been in business since 1939, and it began working on Porsche models with a 1963 Porsche 356. Ruf also made an indelible mark with its 1987 CTR Yellowbird, based on the standard Porsche 911 Carrera but then taken to infinity and beyond with lightweight body panels, an RS interior, and a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter flat-six doling out a claimed 469 horsepower - it was suspected to be much higher - and 408 pound-feet of torque.

The result was that the 2,600-pound coupe that got from standstill to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. More importantly, at an event held on a Volkswagen test track, it ran 211 mph, beating supercars like the Porsche 959 and Lamborghini Countach, then topped that with a 212.5-mph on the Nardo test track. Road & Track called it "The fastest car in the world."

In an episode of Car and Driver Abroad, Jethro Bovington drives that original car on a wide-open airport runway, speaks to Ruf about the car and its accomplishments, then takes its modern successor, the CTR 3, out of the gates for a 200-mph blast on the Autobahn.

You'll find the video just below. As well, Bovington mentions the legendary "Faszination at the Nürburgring" promo video for the Yellowbird, so we've included a clip of that, too. It features Ruf test driver Stefan Roser - wearing no helmet, no gloves and no driving suit - caning the original CTR while threading afternoon 'Ring traffic. It should not be missed.

Continue reading Car and Driver drives Ruf's legendary Yellowbird, new CTR 3

Car and Driver drives Ruf's legendary Yellowbird, new CTR 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911car and drivercar and driver abroadctr 3ctr yellowbirdfaszinationjethro bovingtonporscheporsche 911rufruf ctr 3stefan roservideoyellowbirdWed, 13 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20257444/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/13/car-and-driver-drives-rufs-legendary-yellowbird-new-ctr/20257444/article-detail.xml 20257444 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/rufctr3yellowbird_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/rufctr3yellowbird.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Road & Track</i> hits the road, makes tracks to Ann Arbor, Michigan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/31/road-and-track-hits-the-road-makes-tracks-to-ann-arbor-mi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/31/road-and-track-hits-the-road-makes-tracks-to-ann-arbor-mi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/31/road-and-track-hits-the-road-makes-tracks-to-ann-arbor-mi/#commentsFiled under:

Road & Track

Ann Arbor, Michigan, is best known for the University of Michigan, punk rock progenitor Iggy Pop, and foodie favorite Zingerman's Delicatessen. We know, you're wondering why you should care. Well, it's also now home to three of the four major monthly car magazines.

Hearst Corporation has announced that Road & Track will be moving from Newport Beach, California, to Ann Arbor over the summer, joining its other automotive title, Car and Driver. Automobile also calls Ann Arbor home, as does R&T's new editor-in-chief, Larry Webster. He will take over for current boss Matt DeLorenzo on June 4.

Webster had been automotive editor at Popular Mechanics since January 2010, and worked for Car and Driver for years before that. He has a mechanical engineering degree from Lehigh University and counts racing and vintage car restoration among his hobbies. Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Road & Track hits the road, makes tracks to Ann Arbor, Michigan

Road & Track hits the road, makes tracks to Ann Arbor, Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ann arborautomobile magazinebuff booksCar and Driverhearstlarry websterpopular mechanicsroad trackroad and trackuniversity of michiganThu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20248893/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/31/road-and-track-hits-the-road-makes-tracks-to-ann-arbor-mi/20248893/article-detail.xml 20248893 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/road-and-track-covers_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/road-and-track-covers.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> chronicles the death of a car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/car-and-driver-chronicles-the-death-of-a-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/car-and-driver-chronicles-the-death-of-a-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/car-and-driver-chronicles-the-death-of-a-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Car and Driver chronicles the death of a car

Bloggers we may be, but we're still fans of good old fashioned long-form journalism - or what passes for it in this day and age. Yes, digital attention deficit disorder and the failing fortunes of print publishing have combined to largely neuter the art form, but there are still some publications willing to think high concept and go out and spend some shoe-leather on stories.

Here's a good one: Car and Driver buys a used-up car to take to the auto recyclers, then traces the derelict vehicle's progression through the process of being reduced to its elements.

The magazine's choice, a 210,000-mile 1993 BMW 3 Series, is a brilliant way get us emotionally involved. The E36 is one of those cars that is just so likable, a product that was head and shoulders better than anything else in its time, that we can't help but care what happens to it once it's cast into the clutches of the salvage yard.

The story is fascinating in the way it focuses our attention on things we rarely think of when we ogle sheet metal and obsess over the performance profiles of new models. The numbers are all there too - who knew that a scrap BMW catalytic converter was worth $250?

But enough with that, just go read it for yourself at C/D's website.

Car and Driver chronicles the death of a car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-Seriesauto recyclingauto salvagebmwcar and drivere36recyclingThu, 10 May 2012 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20235770/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/car-and-driver-chronicles-the-death-of-a-car/20235770/article-detail.xml 20235770 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/a-3-series-dies-inline-photo-452602-s-original-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/a-3-series-dies-inline-photo-452602-s-original-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> investigates how motorsports' HANS Device saves lives]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/car-and-driver-investigates-how-motorsports-hans-device/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/car-and-driver-investigates-how-motorsports-hans-device/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/car-and-driver-investigates-how-motorsports-hans-device/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

HANS Device


It's common for people to consider the head and neck safety device, or HANS device, a millennial item, something developed ten years ago or so. But it was actually conceived after an accident in 1981 and the first prototype was donned in 1986. It sold only sporadically throughout the 90s, but after Dale Earnhardt died in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 - coincidentally, of the same injury that lead to the HANS device's creation - it went from oddity to obligation in every major racing series.

Car and Driver looks at the physical numbers behind the device: in a 40g head-on collision, a HANS device can reduce total neck load by about 75 percent, to less than half the force of the injury threshold. That's not bad for a one-pound contraption made of carbon fiber, padding and a fabric-and-polyester strap.

Click here to check out the C/D piece, and follow the jump for some enlightening visuals on just what the HANS device can do. There's a video of a test crash with and without the device fitted, as well as the different kinds available and the story behind them.

Continue reading Car and Driver investigates how motorsports' HANS Device saves lives

Car and Driver investigates how motorsports' HANS Device saves lives originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car and driverdale earnhardthanshans devicehead and neck safety deviceSun, 29 Jan 2012 13:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20153904/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/29/car-and-driver-investigates-how-motorsports-hans-device/20153904/article-detail.xml 20153904 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/hanscd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/hanscd.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> Lightning Lap is back, throws two trucks into the mix [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/car-and-driver-lightning-lap-is-back-throws-two-trucks-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/car-and-driver-lightning-lap-is-back-throws-two-trucks-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/car-and-driver-lightning-lap-is-back-throws-two-trucks-i/#commentsFiled under:



Car and Driver is back with its annual Lightning Lap roundup for a sixth year, with 20 of the world's best vehicles taking to Virginia International Raceway to lay down the quickest time around VIR's 4.1-mile Grand West Course.

Included in this year's running is a suitably diverse spread of sports cars and sedans, ranging from the lowly Volkswagen Jetta GLI to the formidable Porsche Panamera Turbo S - a difference of 350 horsepower and over $168,000. And, just to add a bit more spice to the festivities, C/D introduced a new class (LLT) to include two trucks in the running: the BMW X5 M and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

But what C/D gives, it taketh away. Gone is the LL5 class ($250,000 and up) and so are the LLU cars, like the Mosler MT900S, the current Lightning Lap champion. And we're perfectly okay with that. After all, we're more interested in how the Lotus Evora S hangs with the Porsche Cayman R and where the BMW 1 Series M Coupe stacks up against the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca - and not just for convoluted naming conventions. Check out a video after the break for a taste and then head over to C/D for the full story.

Continue reading Car and Driver Lightning Lap is back, throws two trucks into the mix [w/video]

Car and Driver Lightning Lap is back, throws two trucks into the mix [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car drivercar and driverlightning laplightning lap 6Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20155936/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/24/car-and-driver-lightning-lap-is-back-throws-two-trucks-i/20155936/article-detail.xml 20155936 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-c-d-ll-2012-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-c-d-ll-2012-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> reveals its 2012 10Best cars [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/car-and-driver-reveals-its-2012-10best-cars-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/car-and-driver-reveals-its-2012-10best-cars-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/car-and-driver-reveals-its-2012-10best-cars-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Each year, the scribes at Car and Driver go through every new vehicle on sale and pick the ten best cars available here in the United States. And while some major automotive awards are only shelled out to vehicles that are all-new or significantly updated for a certain model year, C/D's approach is to look at the full scope of cars currently on sale. After all, there are some cars that are simply perennial favorites, even if they haven't changed year over year.

For 2012, the Chevrolet Volt and Hyundai Sonata have fallen off the list to make room for the Audi A6/A7 and Ford Focus. The other eight vehicles that round out the 10Best list have carried over from the 2011 winners, but we can't say we're surprised. These ten cars indeed represent some of the best vehicles on sale today.

The 2012 Car and Driver 10Best winners are:
Head over to Car and Driver to read the full 10Best roundup, and follow the jump to see a video of this year's winning fleet, then check in to Comments to share your thoughts on C/D's list.

Continue reading Car and Driver reveals its 2012 10Best cars [w/video]

Car and Driver reveals its 2012 10Best cars [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 best10best2012 10best3 seriesa7accordaudibmwboss 302boxstercadillaccar and drivercts-vfitfocusfordgolfgtihondam3mustangporscheten bestvolkswagenTue, 06 Dec 2011 14:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20121966/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/06/car-and-driver-reveals-its-2012-10best-cars-w-video/20121966/article-detail.xml 20121966 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/cd10best628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/cd10best628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> calls out J.D. Power IQS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Ford Explorer

Ford has taken it on the chin from J.D. Power since the carmaker rolled out its new MyFord Touch system in the 2011 Explorer. Ford's ranking in the influential Initial Quality Survey dropped from fifth last year all the way down to 23rd, in large measure because of customer dissatisfaction with the new technology and its voice recognition interface, but also because of refinement complaints about the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission in the Fiesta. But unlike, say, the Houston Cougars, who plummeted in the Bowl Championship Series rankings after getting blown out in the Conference USA title game this weekend, Ford can make a pretty good case that it's getting jobbed.

The traditional definition of quality when it comes to new cars and trucks has been based on those vehicles being free of defects. But in the last few years, the tide has been turning, in large measure because J.D. Power is increasingly weighing customer complaints related to design and, in particular, new electronic technology. Car and Driver paints the complaints that have dogged Ford among the latter, suggesting that these are less valid quality metrics than something like a poorly assembled door panel.

The venerable buff book doesn't stop at defending Ford, however, cautioning against what it sees as a trend "toward the lowest-common-denominator solutions to reduce design 'problems.'" Citing examples like BMW moving its cruise control from a separate stalk to buttons on the steering wheel to appease whining customers and Porsche getting dinged on IQS for using brake pads that generate too much dust, C/D doesn't say it outright, but certainly implies that J.D. Power is no longer pushing automakers in the right direction.

Car and Driver calls out J.D. Power IQS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apealapeal studycar and driverexplorerfiestafordinitial quality studyiqsj.d. powerjd powermyford touchmylincoln touchpowershiftqualityMon, 05 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20120747/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/20120747/article-detail.xml 20120747 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-fd-opt.jpg -1 2