Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[<i>The Car Show</i> is cancelled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/07/the-car-show-is-cancelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/07/the-car-show-is-cancelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/07/the-car-show-is-cancelled/#commentsFiled under:



Word around the internetz today is that SPEED channel's The Car Show has been cancelled and will not be returning for a second season. The Car Show debuted last July 13 on SPEED and was seen by many enthusiasts as that channel's answer to the U.S. version of Top Gear on The History Channel, which we learned a few months ago was picked up for a second season. The Car Show leaves behind its panel of hosts, which included comedian and car guy Adam Carolla (who moves on to Celebrity Apprentice with Michael Andretti and Paul Teutel Sr.), Pulitzer Prize-winning auto journalist Dan Neil, former NBA star John Sally and host and producer of The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah.

The Car Show is cancelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carollabreakingdan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed tvthe car showthe car show cancelledSat, 07 Jan 2012 16:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20142893/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/07/the-car-show-is-cancelled/20142893/article-detail.xml 20142893 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/carshow630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/carshow630.jpg <![CDATA[Dan Neil calls BMW 1M Coupe ugly... is he right? [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/dan-neil-calls-bmw-1m-coupe-ugly-is-he-right-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/dan-neil-calls-bmw-1m-coupe-ugly-is-he-right-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/dan-neil-calls-bmw-1m-coupe-ugly-is-he-right-w-poll/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Dan Neil, car critic at The Wall Street Journal and The Car Show presenter, is pretty smitten with the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, at least on most fronts. As a devotee of the E36 M3, Neil is happy to see that the fairly lightweight coupe comes with an honest inline six-cylinder engine under the hood, even with its forced-induction shenanigans. And the six-speed manual transmission with its excellent clutch and solid shifter apparently warranted spilling some ink over as well, but not all is right in the land of baby M models. According to Neil, the 1 Series M Coupe is "one of the ugliest, most disturbingly wrong car designs in modern history."

As the locals are fond of saying; them's some strong words. We won't be caught leaping to the defense of the vehicle's aesthetics, but we will say Neil comes down a bit hard on the smallest of the M clan. Sure the car isn't the prettiest belle at the heel-toe squaredance, but ugliest of them all? That's a big stretch. We would carefully point Neil's attention toward the likes of the the Dodge Caliber, just about any crossover from SsangYong or even the hideous of all hideousness, the Pontiac Aztek as contenders for that title. What do you think?


View Poll

Dan Neil calls BMW 1M Coupe ugly... is he right? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 series1 series m coupebmwbmw 1 series m coupedan neilm coupeMon, 24 Oct 2011 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20089105/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/24/dan-neil-calls-bmw-1m-coupe-ugly-is-he-right-w-poll/20089105/article-detail.xml 20089105 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/03-2011-bmw-1-series-m-review-628-1319488201_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/03-2011-bmw-1-series-m-review-628-1319488201.jpg <![CDATA[<i>The Car Show</i> pits Ferrari 308 vs. Toyota Camry, DeLorean vs. Toyota Sienna]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/the-car-show-pits-ferrari-308-vs-toyota-camry-delorean/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/the-car-show-pits-ferrari-308-vs-toyota-camry-delorean/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/09/the-car-show-pits-ferrari-308-vs-toyota-camry-delorean/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

the car show camry vs ferrari

Our favorite cars from when we were younger aren't always the exciting machines we expect them to be. Matt Farah and Dan Neil decided to explore this idea on a recent episode of The Car Show. Neil picked a Ferrari 308 GTS while Farah went with the gullwing-wearing DeLorean DMC-12. Both are sports cars from an older era, and serve as perfect examples of misplaced idolatry.

Each host provided a modern machine to use in a drag race against the older vehicles. Lining up at the strip in his 308, Neil faced down Farah who piloted a 2010 Toyota Camry SE. To combat Farah's DeLorean, Neil called a 2010 Toyota Sienna SE into action.

We won't spoil the results, but you can probably guess which vehicles wound up victorious. Still, it makes for an amusing video, which you can watch after the jump.

Continue reading The Car Show pits Ferrari 308 vs. Toyota Camry, DeLorean vs. Toyota Sienna

The Car Show pits Ferrari 308 vs. Toyota Camry, DeLorean vs. Toyota Sienna originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan neildeloreanferrari 308 gtsmatt farahthe car showvideoFri, 09 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20039037/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/09/the-car-show-pits-ferrari-308-vs-toyota-camry-delorean/20039037/article-detail.xml 20039037 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/the-car-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/the-car-show.jpg <![CDATA[Elon Musk bets Dan Neil $1 million he can get Tesla Model S out on time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/elon-musk-bets-dan-neil-1-million-he-can-get-the-tesla-model-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/elon-musk-bets-dan-neil-1-million-he-can-get-the-tesla-model-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/elon-musk-bets-dan-neil-1-million-he-can-get-the-tesla-model-s/#comments

Can a million dollars hold Elon Musks' feet to the fire? That's the value of a bet that Wall Street Journal auto journalist and all-around interesting guy Dan Neil and the Tesla Motors CEO reportedly have going over the release of the upcoming Model S.

According to Green Car Reports, the bet hinges on Neil's 2009 comment that the Model S is "ambitious" and that Musk's promised delivery date of late 2012 was, "an audacious timeline that makes many in the car industry roll their eyes." Musk, also a bit of a boisterous one, apparently emailed Neil in 2009 to say: You wanna bet? The exact emails have apparently been lost, but GCR says the details, according to Neil, are as follows. For Musk to win, the Model S:
  • Needs to start series production and be delivered to the first paying customers by the end of 2012.
  • Have to be certified by NHTSA with a four- or five-star safety rating and it has to have seven seats.
  • Needs to be priced at $57,400 (for the base model with the 160-mile range), $67,400 (230 miles) and $87,400 (300 miles).
These are all targets that Tesla itself announced, so Neil is simply asking the company to follow through on its promises. There is one final sticking point, and for this we'll quote GCR directly:

[The Model S] has to have a battery pack that allows en-route swapping at a highway roadside station, similar to the Better Place battery swapping scheme.

We hope, for Musk's sake, that someone got their wires crossed here. As far as we know, the Model S was never supposed to have Better Place-style batter swap capability. Instead, the plan has always been, "When [Model S drivers] take an occasional two-way long distance trip, they'll get a replacement pack and then pick up their original one on the way back," with the swaps done at Tesla dealerships.

We have to assume Musk would like this clarified, too, since Neil claims that Musk will have to donate a million dollars to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) if Tesla doesn't hit these targets. If Neil loses, he's willing to donate a more modest, journalist-level $1,000 to MSF. Which side of the bet would you rather be on?

Elon Musk bets Dan Neil $1 million he can get Tesla Model S out on time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan neilelectric vehicleelon muskmodel stesla model stesla motorswall street journalFri, 26 Aug 2011 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20028061/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/26/elon-musk-bets-dan-neil-1-million-he-can-get-the-tesla-model-s/20028061/article-detail.xml 20028061 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/tesla-model-s-alpha-driveway-630n_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/tesla-model-s-alpha-driveway-630n.jpg <![CDATA[<i>The Car Show</i> with Adam Carolla: First impressions from the set]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/the-car-show-with-adam-carolla-first-impressions-from-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/the-car-show-with-adam-carolla-first-impressions-from-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/the-car-show-with-adam-carolla-first-impressions-from-th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Car Show - Click above for our high-res image gallery

Comparisons are both unavoidable and inevitable. Tomorrow evening, SPEED debuts its all-new and highly anticipated weekly automotive television series, The Car Show. Hosted by comedian and car buff Adam Carolla, with co-hosts Dan Neil, Matt Farah and John Salley, the self-touted "ultimate car lover's show" will be scrutinized from set design to sign-off as viewers attempt to parallel its agenda and personality with the BBC UK's wildly popular Top Gear and the more recent domestically sourced Top Gear USA show from The History Channel.

The glue that will need to hold the show together is the chemistry between the hosts.
After a day spent on the set at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles last week, we left smiling and very impressed.

As expected, a decent chunk of the production is filmed outside the studio. The venues vary from public roads to race tracks (both concrete and dirt in this particular episode) and other interesting gathering spots (Carolla interviews several amusing civilians and delivers some good laughs at the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show). However, the glue that will need to hold the show together (and keep viewers from channel surfing over to Mythbusters) is the chemistry between the hosts back in the studio. They've got a good shot at this - these guys are a witty and amusing cast of characters.

Our take is that The Car Show is a clever blend of unscripted individuality. It is a carefully calculated mix of The Man Show humor, The Smoking Tire rambunctiousness, The Wall Street Journal objectiveness and the curiosity of the The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Bring out Peter Brock with his stunning Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII, a live interview with Dario Franchitti and some special guests and the hour becomes even more compelling.

Catch The Car Show this Wednesday, July 13, at 10 p.m. EDT on SPEED.

The Car Show with Adam Carolla: First impressions from the set originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carolladan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeed channelspeed tvthe car showthe car show with adam carollaTue, 12 Jul 2011 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19988673/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/12/the-car-show-with-adam-carolla-first-impressions-from-th/19988673/article-detail.xml 19988673 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/carshow630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/carshow630.jpg <![CDATA[Dan Neil calls out D.C. drivers as the world's worst]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/dan-neil-calls-out-d-c-drivers-as-the-worlds-worst/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/dan-neil-calls-out-d-c-drivers-as-the-worlds-worst/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/dan-neil-calls-out-d-c-drivers-as-the-worlds-worst/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dan Neil
Dan Neil on DC drivers - Click above to watch video

Dan Neil isn't exactly known for being Mr. Sensitive. In fact, Neil has built an entire career around ruffling people's feathers and not saying sorry. In a clip from SPEED's upcoming The Car Show, Neil calls out drivers in Washington, D.C. as the worst, not in America, but in the world. Harsh.

That said, we can't say we disagree. As far as we're concerned, thumb screws are preferable to an afternoon spent trying to traverse the D.C. Beltway. Click the image above to check out the video at The Car Show's Facebook page.

Dan Neil calls out D.C. drivers as the world's worst originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardan neildcshowthe car showwashingtonwashington dcSun, 03 Jul 2011 16:06:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19982393/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/03/dan-neil-calls-out-d-c-drivers-as-the-worlds-worst/19982393/article-detail.xml 19982393 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/dan-neil-dc-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/dan-neil-dc-lead.jpg <![CDATA[First promos released for SPEED's <i>The Car Show</i>, hosts talk about their first cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/first-promos-released-for-speeds-the-car-show-hosts-tal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/first-promos-released-for-speeds-the-car-show-hosts-tal/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/first-promos-released-for-speeds-the-car-show-hosts-tal/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Car Show
The Car Show with Adam Carolla - Click above to watch videos after the jump

SPEED has released the first volley of promos for its upcoming Top Gear U.S.A. rival, The Car Show with Adam Carolla. While one of the videos gives us a quick glimpse into what the show will bring to the table when it debuts next month, the rest introduce us to the program's four hosts. Each of the guys take time to tell us about their very first vehicles and driving experiences, from a Honda 400 Four in the case of Adam Carolla to multiple pilfered rides in the case of Dan Neil.

It's clear that each of the guys have a penchant for all things automotive, and there are some pretty entertaining personalities in the bunch. The Car Show hits the air on July 13, so we'll have to wait awhile before we can say with any finality whether Carolla, Neil, Matt Farah and John Salley make for more lively hosts than the Top Gear U.S.A. three musketeers. Hit the jump to check out the videos for yourself.

Continue reading First promos released for SPEED's The Car Show, hosts talk about their first cars

First promos released for SPEED's The Car Show, hosts talk about their first cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carollacarolladan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed networkthe car showthe car show with adam carollavideoMon, 27 Jun 2011 12:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19977245/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/27/first-promos-released-for-speeds-the-car-show-hosts-tal/19977245/article-detail.xml 19977245 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/the-car-show-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/the-car-show-630.jpg <![CDATA[Adam Carolla's <i>The Car Show</i> debuts July 13 on SPEED]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adam-carollas-the-car-show-debuts-july-13-on-speed/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adam-carollas-the-car-show-debuts-july-13-on-speed/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/adam-carollas-the-car-show-debuts-july-13-on-speed/#commentsFiled under: ,

adam carolla in the car showThe History Channel and Top Gear are about to get some competition from SPEED, as The Car Show is set to premiere on July 13th at 10pm. Over the course of its one-hour run time, Adam Carolla intends to talk about anything and everything automotive. He, along with Dan Neil, John Salley and Matt Farah, should give the U.S. Top Gear trio a run for their money.

SPEED has a few more shows up its sleeves as well. In August, two new shows are set to premiere; Dumbest Stuff on Wheels and My Ride Rules. The former sounds like an automotive-themed version of The Soup, while the latter pits four folks against each other to see who has the best ride. Contestants will actually get to hop in each other's car to see exactly what every person's vehicle is like.

This summer marks an aggressive expansion in programming for SPEED, and The Car Show might just be one of the driving forces in a bid for increased ratings.

More information on the upcoming summer schedule can be found in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Adam Carolla's The Car Show debuts July 13 on SPEED

Adam Carolla's The Car Show debuts July 13 on SPEED originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carollacar showcarolladan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed tvthe car showWed, 22 Jun 2011 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19973445/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/22/adam-carollas-the-car-show-debuts-july-13-on-speed/19973445/article-detail.xml 19973445 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/thecarshowfp4c5-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/thecarshowfp4c5-1.jpg <![CDATA[Autowriters Aaron Robinson and Ezra Dyer added to <i>The Car Show</i> on <i>SPEED</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/autowriters-aaron-robinson-and-ezra-dyer-added-to-the-car-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/autowriters-aaron-robinson-and-ezra-dyer-added-to-the-car-sho/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/26/autowriters-aaron-robinson-and-ezra-dyer-added-to-the-car-sho/#commentsFiled under: ,

the car show
First look at The Car Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

SPEED is betting big on its newest TV series, called The Car Show. You're most likely already aware that the program will be hosted by Adam Carolla, Dan Neil, Matt Farah and John Salley. Now, SPEED has announced that some well-known auto scribes are joining the team to pitch in on writing duty.

Aaron Robinson and Ezra Dyer have become a part of The Car Show family. Robinson is the Technical Editor at Car and Driver, while Dyer has written for a handful of publications and has a running column at Automobile. The two will add their automotive knowledge and insight to a team that already knows a good deal about cars. Well, we're sure of everyone except Salley. The Spider owns four NBA championship rings, was a member of the Chicago Bulls record-breaking 72-win season, and wasn't terrible in the film Eddie. None of that translates to cars, but we're hoping the writers stay away from attempting to squeeze his six-foot, 11-inch frame into a Mazda Miata.


Gallery: Adam Carolla's The Car Show


[Source: Speed]

Continue reading Autowriters Aaron Robinson and Ezra Dyer added to The Car Show on SPEED

Autowriters Aaron Robinson and Ezra Dyer added to The Car Show on SPEED originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron robinsonadam carollacar showdan neilezra dyerjohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed tvtelevisionthe car showtvTue, 26 Apr 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19923314/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/26/autowriters-aaron-robinson-and-ezra-dyer-added-to-the-car-sho/19923314/article-detail.xml 19923314 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/the-car-show-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/the-car-show-opt.jpg <![CDATA[First look at Adam Carolla's <i>The Car Show</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/07/first-look-at-adam-corollas-the-car-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/07/first-look-at-adam-corollas-the-car-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/07/first-look-at-adam-corollas-the-car-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Car Show set
First look at The Car Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

No, we don't have any video yet of the pilot episode for Adam Carolla's The Car Show, which we announced yesterday has just been picked up by SPEED for a 13-episode run. But what we do have are the first still images from the pilot episode, which give a quick glimpse into what may become America's real Top Gear competitor.

What we can see are the show's hosts, which include Adam Carolla, Pulitzer Prize-winning auto scribe Dan Neil, former NBA star John Salley and Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire, in various states of taping and posing around cars. The three images show a wide variety of vehicles, including obvious supercars like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Chevy Corvette ZR1, but also odder additions like a Volt, DeLorean, Toyota Camry and what we think is a Ferrari 308 or 328. We can also see some of the set where they'll be taping the in-studio segments, as well as the outdoor arena where they'll be testing cars.

As we mentioned yesterday, don't get too attached to the show's current name, The Car Show, despite its presence on a monitor in one of these images. Chances are it'll be changed by the time the show airs. That is, unless the show's producers can convince The Consumer Automotive Repair Show to give it up.

Gallery: Adam Carolla's The Car Show

First look at Adam Carolla's The Car Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carolladan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedthe car showThu, 07 Apr 2011 11:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19905988/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/07/first-look-at-adam-corollas-the-car-show/19905988/article-detail.xml 19905988 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/the-car-show-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/the-car-show-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Exclusive: Adam Carolla's <i>The Car Show</i> gets picked up by SPEED]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/exclusive-adam-carollas-the-car-show-gets-picked-up-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/exclusive-adam-carollas-the-car-show-gets-picked-up-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/exclusive-adam-carollas-the-car-show-gets-picked-up-by/#commentsFiled under: ,

Funnyman and car guy Adam Carolla

We've been hearing about Adam Carolla's The Car Show for months, and we can now confirm that the show has been picked up by SPEED Channel. The folks at SPEED dropped us a line to let us know that the show has been picked up for 13 episodes, with an option for 13 more. The hour-long show, which is scheduled for a July premiere, will be hosted by Adam Carolla, super auto journalist Dan Neil, former NBA player John Salley and Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire. SPEED hasn't even released a press release yet, but we'll get something official once the show's July production schedule is fleshed out.

We told you back in December that Carolla's show will feature news and car conversations plus the typical pre-recorded features. And don't get too attached to The Car Show as the show's name, as SPEED tells us that there is a good chance it will change. The show will be produced by Mandt Bros. Productions.

We're not sure how this show will turn out, but you can bet that we'll be watching when it hits the airwaves in July.

[Image: Mitchell Zachs/AP]

Exclusive: Adam Carolla's The Car Show gets picked up by SPEED originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carollaadam carolla the car showadam+carolla+speed+channeladam+carolla+speed+networkadamcarollaspeedchanneladamcarollaspeednetworkcar showcarolla+speed+channelcarollaspeedchanneldan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed channelspeed+channel+adam+carollaspeedchanneladamcarollathe+car+show+adam+carollathecarshowadamcarollaWed, 06 Apr 2011 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19904672/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/06/exclusive-adam-carollas-the-car-show-gets-picked-up-by/19904672/article-detail.xml 19904672 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/adam-carolla-on-stage_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/adam-carolla-on-stage.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Adam Carolla, Dan Neil to host <i>Speed Channel</i> pilot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/report-adam-carolla-dan-neil-to-host-speed-channel-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/report-adam-carolla-dan-neil-to-host-speed-channel-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/report-adam-carolla-dan-neil-to-host-speed-channel-pilot/#commentsFiled under: ,

Adam CarollaTop Gear USA just not doing it for you? Well, here's some potentially good news: Speed Channel has reportedly inked a deal with Mandt Bros. Productions to pilot a new automotive television series (currently untitled) hosted by Adam Carolla, Pulitzer-winning journalist Dan Neil, former NBA 'baller John Salley and Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire.

Consider our interest piqued by the cast alone. We've seen Carolla do his thing - including witnessing the taping of the un-aired pilot for the defunct NBC Top Gear project, which has nothing to do with the current iteration on History - and he definitely knows and loves cars.

Moving past the headline-generating Adam Carolla, we've long been fans of Dan Neil, and John Salley was rather good on The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Finally, Farah has carved out a nice niche and has garnered a fan base of his own on The Smoking Tire.

As far as the show's format goes, it sounds similar to the Top Gear model with "news and conversation centered around cars, as well as pre-recorded features shot on the road." It could be interesting, but we'll take our usual wait-and-see approach...

[Source: Variety]

Report: Adam Carolla, Dan Neil to host Speed Channel pilot originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carolladan neiljohn salleymatt farahspeedspeed channelMon, 13 Dec 2010 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19758611/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/13/report-adam-carolla-dan-neil-to-host-speed-channel-pilot/19758611/article-detail.xml 19758611 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/adam-carolla-tg_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/adam-carolla-tg.jpg <![CDATA[Unlikely Ire: Dan Neil excoriates 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/unlikely-ire-dan-neil-excoriates-2011-porsche-boxster-spyder/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/unlikely-ire-dan-neil-excoriates-2011-porsche-boxster-spyder/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/unlikely-ire-dan-neil-excoriates-2011-porsche-boxster-spyder/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we look at the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder rap sheet, it's hard not go get a bit excited. It looks seriously terrific, it weighs but 2,811 pounds, and it packs 320 mid-mounted ponies. Good stuff. When we spent some time behind the wheel of the Spyder, we fell more than deeply in love with this, the purest of Boxsters. If only automotive super-journo Dan Neil agreed.

Neil's review of the Boxster Spyder in The Wall Street Journal falls somewhere short of glowing prose - in fact, it's about 500 miles short of glowing and a mere six inches past poor. The Pulitzer prize-winning author pans the Spyder's top as beyond difficult (we called it "trick"). Okay, so a convertible top that was designed to save 46 pounds is probably going to shape up as less than ideal (Neil: "Find me the guy who designed the canvas top. Bring me his head on a platter"), but if Neil thinks this top is Erector Set hell, he should get his hands on a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster.

Anything else wrong here? Well, there's the power for starters. Neil feels the Spyder's 320 horses are hamstrung by 273 pound-feet of torque that can only be best accessed when pushing the flat-six hard. And then there is the six-speed manual transmission, which Neil feels is inferior in every way to the PDK dual-clutch tranny ("Those purists out there still clinging to your six-speed manuals, please go home. Your black-and-white TV is on the fritz.").

So... is the Boxster Spyder God's gift to lightweight roasters or is it a reason to fire the engineers who designed this Porsche's lightweight top? We know Dan - he's a swell guy and one hell of a writer, but even though we're decidedly short on Pulitzers, we can't help but think that to slate the Spyder for not being a great everyday car is to miss its point altogether. Factory lightweight specials like this one are always a bit silly for street use, always ask for more concessions of their drivers, and, if they're German, they always cost a bunch more, too. And yet... we'd still rock the top Boxster any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Oh, and we're just fine with the three-pedal setup, thanks - like seemingly every dual clutch gearbox, the PDK still has lousy low-speed drivability - and you can call us hopeless romantics, but when it's not about chalking up lap times, we still love to row our own gears.

Head over to the WSJ to read Neil's scathing review for yourself.


Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder


Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal - sub. req.]

Unlikely Ire: Dan Neil excoriates 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dan Neil, an automotive journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2004 for his weekly column Rumble Seat in the Los Angeles Times, is reportedly leaving his job in Los Angeles to serve as the automotive columnist for The Wall Street Journal.

Perhaps it bears mentioning that the LA Times killed off its Auto section back in the summer of 2008, though Neil's columns continued to appear in the Business section.

Mike Miller, Deputy Managing Editor for The Wall Street Journal, had this to say in an email message to WSJ's Bureau Chiefs:

Dan is the nation's preeminent car columnist, whose deep knowledge, wit, writerly flair and insight have made him must-reading for everyone who cares about cars and many who don't. He joins us from the Los Angeles Times, where his car reviews won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 2004. Before that he worked at the Raleigh News & Observer and Car and Driver magazine, among other publications. He will start writing for us in print and online this spring.

[Source: Romenesko]

Pulitzer winner Dan Neil reportedly leaves Los Angeles Times for Wall Street Journal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan neildan neil wall street journalDanNeilDanNeilWallStreetJournalLA TimesLaTimeslos angeles timesLosAngelesTimeswall street journalWallStreetJournalFri, 05 Feb 2010 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19345739/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/05/pulitzer-winner-dan-neil-leaves-los-angeles-times-for/19345739/article-detail.xml 19345739 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/dan-neil_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/dan-neil.jpg <![CDATA[Dan Neil on GMC Terrain: "No bark, no bite, but plenty of fleas"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/dan-neil-on-gmc-terrain-no-bark-no-bite-but-plenty-of-fleas/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/dan-neil-on-gmc-terrain-no-bark-no-bite-but-plenty-of-fleas/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/13/dan-neil-on-gmc-terrain-no-bark-no-bite-but-plenty-of-fleas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2010 GMC Terrain - click for high-res gallery

Sometimes, we come across head-scratchers. What's the meaning of life? Nancy Kerrigan's anguished "Why?" Or most recently, "what is the point of the 2010 GMC Terrain?" The answer to the latter seems easy - it's to sell, silly. It appears to be having some effect; GMC finished December 2009 four percent ahead of its 2008 numbers. We've driven the Terrain and find it virtually identical to its sister car, the Chevrolet Equinox. The biggest difference is that we find the GMC to be significantly harder to look at. The Los Angeles Times' auto pundit extraordinaire Dan Neil has gotten some seat time in a V6 Terrain and notes its stylistic hardships: "the Terrain looks like it has a a window air-conditioning unit attached to the nose." Amen.

Other incongruities and letdowns crop up in Neil's assessment, not the least of which is the entire vehicle's raison d'être in GMC showrooms in the first place. After all, Neil notes, the Terrain is a relatively blatant example of GM's historical practice of badge-engineering. Neil goes on to wonder aloud as to why General Motors bothers with a GMC version at all - especially when the money could have been better spent raising the vehicle up to excellent from a point that he contends is solidly mediocre. The majority of the automotive press has come away rather more impressed with the Terrain/Equinox package (heck, the Chevy was a finalist for the just-announced North American Truck of the Year award), and despite our misgivings about the GMC's looks, we've found the platform to be quite competitive with its classmates.

Still, the badge-engineering issue with this vehicle is one we've discussed in-depth on our podcast, and it remains a nettlesome topic. But then again, no consumers appear to be concerned about it those issues, as both the Terrain and the Equinox are selling at a handsome clip.


Gallery: 2010 GMC Terrain


[Source: The Los Angeles Times]

Dan Neil on GMC Terrain: "No bark, no bite, but plenty of fleas" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dan Neil drives the Audi e-tron - Click above to watch video

The LA Times' Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic, Dan Neil, had a chance to sample the Audi e-tron while the electric R8 (R8e?) was down in So. Cal. for the LA Auto Show, and he's suitably impressed with the nine-month-old prototype that -- unlike your average concept -- is actually functional.

Not only does it go, stop and turn, the e-tron has a fully functional climate control system, power windows, MMI system and a host of other gadgets on board, making it a rarity in the world of one-off concepts. Granted, it's still just an overly-stylized mule (thankfully, the million-spoke wheels were dispatched in favor of the R8 V10's hoops), but this is less about the driving experience (although Neil raves about the dynamics and power delivery) and more about the world's largest automakers getting into the electric vehicle game.

Neil's primary point is that while Tesla and Fisker are laying the foundation for EV proliferation, automakers like Audi, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all have electric whips in the works. Neil contends that the standards set by the major OEMs are what's going to drive EVs into the mainstream and if the e-tron (and the forthcoming electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG) are any indication, enthusiasts can have their cake and eat it too. Check out the full write-up and hit the jump for Dan's video review.


Gallery: LA 2009: Orange Audi e-tron


[Source: LA Times]

Continue reading VIDEO: Dan Neil drives the Audi eTron, tells Musk and Fisker to watch out

VIDEO: Dan Neil drives the Audi eTron, tells Musk and Fisker to watch out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi e-tronaudi etronAudiE-tronAudiEtrondan neildan neil audi e-trondan neil audi etronDanNeilDanNeilAudiE-tronDanNeilAudiEtrone-tronetronvideoFri, 18 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19287082/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/18/video-dan-neil-drives-the-audi-etron-tells-musk-and-fisker-to/19287082/article-detail.xml 19287082 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/etrondanneil_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/etrondanneil_opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Time Magazine</i> lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/07/i-time-magazine-i-lists-its-10-most-exciting-vehicles-of-201/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/07/i-time-magazine-i-lists-its-10-most-exciting-vehicles-of-201/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/07/i-time-magazine-i-lists-its-10-most-exciting-vehicles-of-201/#commentsFiled under:

Time Magazine's 10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010 - Click above to begin

Before we begin, let us say that when it comes to cars, Time Magazine can get it right. Like the time they hired Dan Neil to write The 50 Worst Cars of All Time. That was really good. However, now Time has the "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010," and boy is it really awful. In fact, it's so awful that we're dying to hear what Dan Neil thinks of it. Time's list isn't just regular bad, it's take all your credibility on a given subject and light it on fire bad. Akin to letting Glenn Beck run the civil rights desk. OK, but in car terms how bad? The Volkswagen Golf is one of Time's most exciting vehicles of 2010 - and that's not even the really terrible part. We're making you follow the jump for the really bad stuff.


Gallery: Time Magazine's 10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010

time-top-1-kiasouldemion_01time-top-2-gencoupe_1280_01time-top-3-01-2010-ford-taurus-sho-fdtime-top-4-ctssportwagon---01time-top-5-05-2011-jeep-chero-presstwo

Continue reading Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree?

Time Magazine lists its "10 Most Exciting Vehicles of 2010" - Do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cadillac CTS WagonCadillacCtsWagonDan NeilDanNeilFord Taurus SHOFordTaurusShoHyundai Genesis CoupeHyundaiGenesisCoupeJeep Grand CherokeeJeepGrandCherokeeKia SoulKiaSoulMercedes-Benz E-ClassMercedes-benzE-classNissan 370ZNissan370zSuzuki KizashiSuzukiKizashiTime MagazineTimeMagazineToyota VenzaToyotaVenzaVolkswagen GolfVolkswagenGolfMon, 07 Sep 2009 09:12:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19147027/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/07/i-time-magazine-i-lists-its-10-most-exciting-vehicles-of-201/19147027/article-detail.xml 19147027 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/2010-kia-soul_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/2010-kia-soul.jpg <![CDATA[Los Angeles Times kills autos section]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/#commentsFiled under: , ,


No flowers, no cake, not even a eulogy. The Los Angeles Times has delivered its auto section an ignominious ending. Tucked among Dan Neil's Pulitzer-winning prose was a small, unceremonious Editor's Note notifying readers of the change in a matter-of-fact fashion. Circulation figures are down, advertising revenues are way down, and the LA Times' ownership, Chicago's Tribune Company, has been desperately slashing for years now, trying to return profitability. Fans of Dan Neil will now be able to find his Rumble Seat reviews and rants in the Business section, along with other automotive content. At least they're smart enough to hang on to one of the best automotive writers out there, even if he does occasionally give advertisers hissy fits. Thanks for the tip, Dave.

[Source: LA Times]

Los Angeles Times kills autos section originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan neilDanNeilla timesla times autola times auto sectionla times highway 1LaTimesLaTimesAutoLaTimesAutoSectionLaTimesHighway1Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1250949/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/07/10/los-angeles-times-kills-autos-section/1250949/article-detail.xml 1250949 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/highway1rip_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/highway1rip.jpg -1 2