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ng Connect's Connected Car Concept Will Blow Your Mind

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:45 EST

[Source: Richard Posluszny]

With many developments in broadband technology, a few companies have decided to take the advancements and implement them in a different way. In your car.

The whole story begins with the development for a successor to 3G technology. Dubbed 4G or Long Term Evolution, it is approximately four to five times faster than your standard 3G connection, according to Derek Kuhn, the Vice President of Emerging Technology and Media at Alcatel-Lucent. Keep in mind that the possibility for greater bandwith is there as long as infrastructure grows stronger.

With this innovation, there is the possibility to use the system in different ways in order to spur more convenience for you, the consumer.

If you want the low-down details on the car, you have to watch both of these videos. After spending about 30 minutes toying around with the system, it blew my mind.

Check it out:

[Source: AutoSpies]

LF-A Overload: Lexus' Supercar Breaks Cover In Tokyo & On Our Shores

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:48:05 EDT

[Source: AutoSpies]

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Blowin' Up The Rolls

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:02:55 EDT

In a video that is making its way around the 'net, an armoured Rolls-Royce is seen undergoing testing. Mutec, also known for their other armoured creations and stretched Rolls, take an immensely expensive Roller and turn it into swiss cheese.

Check it out below:

[Source: Carscoop]

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iTunes, Podcasting, and HD Problems...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:53:23 EDT

For those of you who like to podcast Fast Lane Daily through iTunes, you may have been wondering why the past few episodes haven't been syncing correctly.

Get an error similar to this?

Then we have a temporary solution for you. If you did miss out on those past episodes, simply open up iTunes, Select the episode you're having trouble with, and go to the Advanced menu at the top. Then choose either "Create iPod or iPhone Version", or "Create Apple TV Version." You should then be able to drag that video onto your iPod/iPhone after iTunes completes the conversion for you.

Note: This only occurs when we publish an episode in HD.

At the moment we have decided to remain in SD, until our HD content can be delivered in a method that everybody can appropriately enjoy.

VIDEO: The M3 Madness Continues, M3 CSL/GT4?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:42:14 EDT

Continuing with today's M3 theme, I have located an interesting video showing some of last week's mystery M3 testing on the Nurburgring. Whether or not it is a CSL or GT4 being armed for the street still remains beyond anyone.

What we do know: it has a spoiler, it is loud and it is white. Yeah, we're like the CSI unit of the NYPD up in here. Enough of my babble, check out the video below:

[Source: M3post]

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IND E90 M3 Is A One-Off Dream Come True

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:01 EDT

For years I have found myself lusting over the BMW M3.

From the E36 to the E46 and now the E90s, there is something about the allure and rawness that M GmbH brings to the table. When I imagine how I would mod my ideal M3, there is one word that comes to mind: Individual.

It is one thing to have an Imola Red M car but when you see what BMW Individual is capable of, it is just astounding. The color pallette is just about anything you can think of and the variation in materials, trims and textures is jaw dropping.

Started in 1991, the Individual program was created to meet the demand that was growing from customers with a desire for something a bit more unique. The problem surrounding the program is that because buyers in the U.S. were so fickle, they decided to not offer it in lieu of dealer lots full of custom cars that no one wanted.

Although, once and a while something comes along that blows everyone away. IND-Distribution's latest project, dubbed Atlantis, shows exactly what is capable when an enthusiast, a tuning shop and special OEM packaging come together. IND would love to tell you the center piece of this E90 is the hand-built, one-off carbon fiber roof but there is so much to appreciate about every little mod this car has, you cannot really pick one aspect.

Taking a closer look you will notice the gloss black kidney grills, gloss black sidemarkers, gloss black powdercoated exhaust tips. Another clutch mod are the 380mm Brembo brakes, which are color-matched Atlantis Metallic. Clearly, no expense was spared.

My mother always told me, "if you're going to do something, do it right."

I am still curious as to how the boys over at IND know my mother. Hats off to you, chaps.

[Source: AutoSpies]

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VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 & Gran Turismo 5

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:58:25 EDT

After seeing the comments from last week's episode featuring the latest project from Toyota, the FT-86, I knew you guys would appreciate some live action footage. But, there is a twist. Apparently Gran Turismo 5 -- release date is set for March 2010 -- is going to star the FT-86 in the game. This is what I conjured up.

Enjoy:

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Stereotypes Sent Tumbling

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:56:26 EDT

Thought you knew what the LGBT crowd was interested in? Think again. Gaywheels.com conducted some hardcore research through this year's third quarter and came up with some interesting results.

According to Gaywheels, the stereotype suggested that gay consumers were solely interested in "all luxury and all convertibles."

Joe LaMuraglia, Founder of Gaywheels, furthers on "We learned that gay men and lesbians have disparate needs and purchase reasons for their vehicles...I've said this many times, the LGBT consumer is the most diverse diversity group and this data supports that statement."

LaMuraglia is onto something. Really, who thought the Audi R8 and Nissan Quest would ever make the same top 10 list. For the complete index, click here. If you want a look at the full press release, follow here. And for the third quarter's top 10, read below:

Gaywheels.com Top 10 Most-Researched Vehicles -3rd Quarter 2009

1 Audi R8
2 VW Golf
3 VW Jetta
4 VW Eos
5 Nissan Quest
6 Mitsubishi Outlander
7 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
8 Mazda MAZDA3
9 Saab 9-3
10 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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[Source: Gaywheels]

NY To FL In Five Minutes

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:17:20 EDT

New York City to Florida is not exactly the easiest road trip to make. Theoretically, if you are working at a normal pace you should be able to get down to paradise after two days. But because J.F. Musial is a member of Team Polizei and was riding in the highly-modified E39 M5, they did it in 22 hours. Straight.

Take the Pepsi Challenge and watch it all go down in five minutes below:

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Audi's All-New S4 Is "...a step ahead," Of BMW's 335i

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:22:20 EDT

BMW's have perennially set the benchmark in the entry-level sport sedan class. Now, the 335i has a bit of competition in form of the Audi S4. Remember, the S4 and M3 used to go head-to-head, but with horsepower wars/prices ramping up it does not seem to be a justifiable match anymore.

When I saw Edmunds' thoughts on the battle, I was surprised because the 335i has been so well received. Having not driven the new S4, yet, I cannot be entirely sure if I agree. However, I will say that the new S5, bearing the supercharged S4 engine, felt strong when paired with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Even better than the feeling was the sound. Below is the beginning of the Edmunds review:

"Given all the praise heaped on the BMW 3 Series over the years, we can't blame you for thinking there's more to the story. We've heard all the conspiracy theories, most of them involving checks in large denominations from Munich.

This might seem believable to a certain segment of the population, but there's a far less interesting truth behind all those wins: The BMW was the best car. Sure, certain rivals often upped their game in one area or another, but the 3 Series always put it all together in a way that made it better.

So now the 2010 Audi S4 is here to take another shot...."

Give it a read and let us know your thoughts!

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[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

THE QUALITY, IT'S SO BAD!!!

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:43:38 EDT

For those of you who enjoy watching our shows on Youtube versus our player, have no fear, the quality will improve. If you don't frequent Youtube, you can kindly disregard this message.

Please take note of the following image: (Click for full image)

There's a little message at the top that states "This video is still being processed. Video quality may improve once processing is complete."

We believe that the people over at Youtube designed this message for a very good reason. Maybe...

Powerrrr! Manhart Creates An M3 Monster

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:42:33 EDT

Although I usually reserve performance vehicles to the actual manufacturer's, you have to fully appreciate when a tuner takes a stock car and modifies it with a mix and match of predominantly OEM parts. Take Manhart Racing, for example. The brand has gone and created something BMW will likely not even consider, do not bothing thinking it would put this on a drawing board. A BMW M3 Estate made with a mis-mosh of E90/92 M3 and E60 M5 parts.

Since we know here at FLD that it is highly unlikely that BMW will produce an M3 wagon at any point in the near future, we adore this. And as mentioned in todays' show, we love hot wagons -- Audi's B5 RS4, Volvo V70 R and BMW's E39 540iT. The odds are even less likely now that the Bavarians are making a push for the Gran Turismo-styled vehicles. You can bet if that car sells better than the wagons, the gloves are off and the U.S. market may not see a wagon for a very long time.

Rather than let the BMW gods decide the fate, Manhart took matters into their own hands. Those maniacs shoehorned the E60 M5's V10 under the hood and retrofitted the seven-speed SMG gearbox, also from the M5. Interestingly enough, the Manhart modified motor produces just over 540-horsepower. This means 0-60 comes in 4.3 seconds and the M3 Estate can hit a top speed of 201 miles per hour. Imagine taking the kids to soccer practice THAT fast! Equally as impressive as the engine are the StopTech brakes. Measuring nearly 15 inches in front and just about 14 inches in the rear, they are clamped by six and four pistons, respectively.

Becoming better acquainted with the cabin reveals an interior that puts the stock M3's to shame. Alcantara surrounds the BMW Performance seats -- damn the U.S. DOT, the headliner and door seals. BMW's performance steering wheel makes an appearance; it includes illuminating indicator switches, quarter mile and acceleration times.

But all of this kit does not come cheap. Get ready to sell your most cherished possesions because this vehicle will set you back about $180,000. Woof, that hurt just saying it.

The only thing that could possibly be better and cheaper than this is a Cadillac CTS-V wagon, if they ever were to build one.

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[Source: World Car Fans]

Lexus LF-A, "The Best Car I Have Ever Driven..."

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:16:56 EDT

Whether or not you love/hate the new Lexus LF-A/LF-L you have to admit a couple of things: 1) It sounds absolutely astonishing. 2) You have to respect when someone says this:

So, what are your thoughts now?

In case you all are wondering, Thomas Bangma is an experienced journalist and has driven more than probably all of us put together. But, you have to be slightly skeptical. The McLaren F1 is arguably the most pure driving experience known to man and the Pagani Zonda makes just about every enthusiast squeal with delight. Is this just the work of Toyota PR or was it what "sounded right," while being on a press drive?

J.F. is awaiting Tiff Needle's thoughts.

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[Source: YouTube]

MTM's RS6-R Rips Apart Sports Cars @ Nardo

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:53:14 EDT

Let me start off with this: I have always been fan of Audi Avants. Yeah, so?! I like wagons, don't judge.

I have good reason, too. Have you ever seen the legendary video of a modified, MTM B5 RS4 making an E39 M5 look as though it is moving in molasses? If not, give it a look below.

Since that moment, I have always wanted a hardcore wagon just so I could blow away anyone who wanted to play at a light. And the boys behind that wicked RS4, MTM, have decided to get a little more crazy-go-nuts with their latest Audi Avant, the RS6-R.

If the "regular" RS6 Avant did not have enough oomph for you, this modified version will certainly fix you up, real quick. The entry-level MTM RS6-R only requires ECU modifications that up power to 656-horsepower and grows top speed up to approximately 193 MPH. In addition, torque swells to nearly 580 lbs-ft making the modified RS6 turn 0-60 in under four seconds. Still yearning for more? MTM produces an even more beastly version packing 702-horsepower.

What makes this such an interesting story is that the MTM RS6 managed to beat out all of the competition at Auto Motor und Sport's high speed event at Nardo. This included: a modified Lamborghini LP560, Ferrari 599 GTB, F430, Porsche 997 GT3 RS and 9ff 800-hp 911, Mercedes-Benz SLR 722S, SL55 AMG, S65 AMG producing 730-hp, Maserati Gran Sport and a Corvette ZR1.

Needing more eye candy? Check out the MTM RS6-R below.

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[Source: GTspirit]

Fast Lane Daily turns 700!

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:51:20 EDT

Today marks a big number on the internet, for podcasts, for automotive news. Fast Lane Daily celebrates its 700th episode today. Join us in the celebration, and give Derek a virtual high five, or high 7. If you can.

Thank you to everyone who's contributed to the show over the past 2+ years. Thanks to our community, staff, friends, and everyone else involved over time. You've all helped build the best automotive news show online today!

Lexus' LF-A "Full Throttle" In The Wild

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:17:28 EDT

Thanks to our friends at AutoSpies, we are able to share this video with YOU. After we told you yesterday's news about the Lexus LF-A making it's way to the Tokyo Motor Show, we had to let you listen to this high-pitched squealer. Check it out below.

Yesterday's Episode:

You cannot even begin to tell me that this car is not appealing. Yeah, so it does not look as voluptuous as a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale but it will be extraordinary with that powertrain. Said to be composed of a 4.8 liter V10 producing approximately 550-horsepower and yield a top speed over 210 miles per hour, I think it is an interesting take on the supercar. With Lexus you get several things: reliablility, easy to use systems and five-star treatment at dealers.

To put it in perspective, Lexus treats their normal customers as if they have already picked up an exotic. Can you imagine what the consumer who plops down more than 200 heads of lettuce will be treated like? Something in my mind thinks Maybach status with your own concierge that will essentially be at your service. Either way, with all of the haters out there on the LF-A, I am in support of it. To keep up with the times, all brands are reinventing themselves.

Some examples: Buick is seeing major changes in the next five years with a possible push into luxo-compacts, Jaguar has propelled themselves to design cars that look as though they belong in the 21st century and Porsche is producing inventive, new diverse vehicles; it is not all about the 911 anymore.

Now it is up to Lexus to unveil the damn thing already. It has only been several years now.

I would like to see more of one in Pearl White with gunmetal rims, please.

[Source: AutoSpies]

Mercedes Madness @ FLD

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:28:34 EDT

So in the past couple of weeks I have had the chance to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz CL550 and SL550. Both are respectable automobiles but in their own ways. So, here are the specs:

CL550 4MATIC

Performance & Handling:

5.5L V8
382-horsepower
391 lb-ft tq
0-60 in 5.4 seconds
7-speed dual-mode automatic
All-wheel drive
Power assisted, speed sensitive steering rack
AIRMATIC, air suspension system w/ adaptive damping
Front brakes: 13.2" cross drilled discs w/ four-piston calipers
Rear brakes: 11.8" w/ single-piston calipers

SL550

Performance & Handling:

5.5L V8
382-horsepower
391 lb-ft tq
7-speed tri-mode automatic
Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system
Front brakes: 13" perforated w/ four-piston calipers
Rear brakes: 11.8" w/ single-piston calipers

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Bob Shubin Jr. - How 'Bout a Deal, Music Video & MP3 Download

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:53:21 EDT

Bob Shubin Jr. - How 'Bout a Deal!

For those of you not "in the know", Bob Shubin Jr's first music video debut this previous Friday, October 2nd, on Fast Lane Daily.

Many requests to download the song were emailed to us, so we decided to make that available to you.
Visit Derek D's website here and download to your hearts content. Feel free to watch the entire video here:

Hummer Owners Have Got It All Wrong

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:59:48 EDT

For an auto enthusiast, these days have not been easy. Fluctuating gas prices, which have been high and low, stricter emmission regulations, the "Green" movement and technology softening cars all make up the list. With that said, it seems that there has been an assault on sport utilty vehicles. After years of admiration for the hefty haulers, it seems the Green push has squelched the lovefest.

But according to Hummer owners, you would be surprised to hear otherwise. As a matter in fact, Humvee drivers are smitten with their sport utilities and they have an interesting reason as to why.

Hint: it is not because of its breathtaking off-road performance or its large interior volume.

According to The Journal of Consumer Research, a survey of 20 Hummer owners found that the predominant reason for their selection is due to the ideals the behemoth stands for. It is all about the image.

The report says "the moralistic critique of their consumption choices readily inspired Hummer owners to adopt the role of the moral protagonist who defends American national ideals."

Do not get me wrong, I liken myself to as much of a patriot as Uncle Sam. But, to purchase a thirsty SUV that will most likely never be driven off-road just because you can seems downright moronic. Although it is interesting that these individuals claim they are defending American's rights, it is absolutely the wrong way to go about doing so.

I wonder how many of these "patriots" voted in the last election. Because if they did not, it would be hypocrisy at its finest.

Today's lesson: a car is bought for a purpose, not to make a statement.

There is a silver lining to the Humvee faithful: if we need to fight for a cause, we now know that we can get Humvee owners together and start dumping tea in Boston Harbor, I am sure they will be interested.

[Source: AUTOCAR]

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2011 BMW M5 Information Leak, Turbo V8 On The Way

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:01:03 EDT

The car that started it all is due up for a refresh, and we have the most up-to-date information on it. Thanks to Edmunds, information from a company "insider" has leaked on one of the most iconic vehicles within the past two decades.

Since its incarnation, the BMW M5 was meant to stand apart from the crowd. It is solely responsible for starting the sport sedan revolution. By combining an exciting powertrain and solid handling characteristics, in a practical sedan setup, made the car likable with families and enthusiasts alike. As an M car, its duty is to set the benchmark in its class. With this in mind, BMW may be upping the ante for the fifth generation, which is rumored to include Formula 1 technology.

The details that broke on Saturday included information on the engine. BMW had two routes to choose from: natural aspiration or forced induction. The leaked information is telling us BMW has selected the latter. Car terminology 101 -- Forced induction simply means that power will be upped by means of a turbo or supercharger.

Said to be propelled using a twin-turbo V8, derived from the X5/6M, it is likely the motor will be producing more than 550-horsepower. This is exciting news because the twin-scroll turbo setup in the X5/6M allows the vehicle to take off with virtually zero lag, which is common in normal turbocharged motors.

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

Having driven the X5/6M at IMPA recently, I will be the first to say the car surpassed my expectations and performed at a level where M's should. Between the dual-clutch transmission, Ferrari-like exhaust note and gobs of power, the X5/6M was my favorite drive(s) of the day.

If the turbo'd motor is not enough, speculation has been floating around suggesting that BMW may put F1-inspired technology into the next M5. Known as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, the hybrid drive increases power at the touch of a button. This would bring total output to approximately 600-horsepower.

Whether or not this system will make its way into the fifth generation M5 remains unclear; Motor Authority believes it may still be a generation off.

What does all of this mean for the F10 M5? To be succinct, the future is very bright and likely it will be setting the bar very high for the competition.

By the sounds of things, it seems that things are on track to make up for the current generation E60 M5. Although it boasted a lovely V10 powerplant, it was lacking in the looks department. And if current spy photos are any indication, it appears the next generation M5 will be a pretty good looking car.

Stay tuned for the latest at Fast Lane Daily. Always fresh, everyday.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Audi Marketing: Genius

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:49:28 EDT

From the company that brought you this:

And, this:

Now, the marketers behind Audi have brought us something a bit more interesting. It is a garage door sized poster that gives the appearance that you have an R8 V10. Whether you are a soon-to-be owner on a wait list, a poser or a dreamer, this can be yours too for nearly $500 -- whether or not that is Canadian dollars is beyond me.

So, who's ordering theirs before I even finish this blog?

[Source: Marketing]

2008 World Car of the Year Coming to U.S.: Mazda2 Arrives in 2010

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:11:01 EDT

Looking for something cheap, fun and spunky? Mazda may have the answer to your petit lust. Finally, the zoom-zoom brand has responded to their dealer's desires and will be bringing the Mazda2 to American soil.

Late last week in a meeting with the company's top dealers, Jim O'Sullivan, Mazda's CEO, announced that after much waiting, the 2 will be making an appearance in U.S. showrooms in late 2010.

"You've asked us for it for a while now, and we've been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America...as consumers' tastes and attitudes towards small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least expensive car, the Mazda 3."

This is good news for Mazda's U.S. operations as the 2 has proven its success around the globe. It won 2008's World Car of the Year and was named Car of the Year in more than 20 separate countries. Clearly, with cars like the Honda Fit seeing tremendous sales increases, Mazda could have a cash cow on its hands. Time will tell.

The good thing about the Mazda2 is that it can be versatile. No word on which version(s) we will be getting but Mazda has numerous options abroad: a three-door hatchback, a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan. Considering the Mazda's positioning, I am willing to bet they will send us the hatchbacks and nothing more.

Make sure to cross off December 4 - 13 on your calendar. If you are in the L.A. area and are interested in the Mazda2, you should stop by the L.A. Auto Show, where it will be on display.

More information will be made available from Mazda as the launch date approaches.

[Source: Mazda]

SPIED: Pre-production Audi Mule In Colorado

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:20:13 EDT

Ah, I love the smell of new Audi's in the morning. Look at what we just got in. A "spy" photo of what appears to be a pre-production Audi mule running around. But what is it?

At first glance, it looks like a current A6 with wider fender flares. But, is there more to it than just some fender flares? We happen to think so.

There are several options: a current generation RS6 mule, a next generation A6 or a next generation RS4. After some hemming and hawing we have determined it must be a next generation RS4. Let me tell you why.

Audi AG made the underpinnings of the the B8 A4, otherwise known as the Modular Longitudinal Platform, for current use in the new A4, A5 and Q5. Recent rumors have circulated that it could be used in the next generation A6 but that has not been clarified. This means it could fit on a "dummy" A6 body.

This technique has been seen before with Ferrari Enzo prototypes, or as we like to call them - mules, that were using a mixture of 348 exterior parts.

Another point that could hint that this is an RS is that it has large fender flares. Flares that large translate into a much widened track as seen on the C63 AMG, which was widened 1.5 inches in front to increase performance characteristics compared to the standard C-Class.

What really cements our belief is the timeline for RS vehicles. Quattro GMBH has said previously that they will only work on one RS car at a time. After the B7 RS4, the uber Audi division worked solely on the twin-turbo RS6 and word suggests that work on the RS5 has been completed. Thus, it is time to begin work on an RS4 replacement.

Taking into consideration the raw look to this Audi mule, constructed with exposed rivets, it is likely that this is a very early stage prototype of the next generation RS4. Or we could be completely off and this is the next generation A6. You tell us.

Edo Creates FXX-clone For The Street

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:18:38 EDT

Since Ferrari needed to test future technology, to be implemented on upcoming models, the FXX was born. It was one serious piece of kit, too. Sounding nearly identical to an Formula one car, it was designed with only one focus in mind; performance. Herein lies the problem: Ferrari only built 29 and made one more for the Ferrari god, Michael Schumacher.

So, this got Edo Competition thinking and they went to work on tuning the regular-spec Enzo. The result is staggering: a 6.3 liter V12 producing 840-horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. And to get a little more "oomph," Edo says that without mufflers the Enzo XX Evolution should be able to make over 860-horsepower.

In addition, other engine components were modified. This includes: new camshafts, new titanium valve spring retainers and connecting rods, modified cylinder heads, new high-performance exhaust headers, high-flow catalytic converters, mufflers and air filters, and new solid tappets that allow the monstrous engine's revs to climb up the ladder to an unreal 9,600 RPMs.

Compounding this insanity is the enhanced drivetrain. Edo was not impressed with the lethargic, 110 millisecond shifts in the "regular" Enzo, so, they modified their own creation to shift nearly half as fast -- 60 milliseconds. To put this in perspective, a F1 car makes a gear shift in 40 milliseconds. Obviously, this radical change required the use of a new heavy duty clutch.

If you thought the carpet-less stock Enzo was Spartan, the tuners at Edo stepped it up a notch and eliminated another 220 pounds from the vehicle.

Another cool gadget that Edo rigged up are the remote-controlled butterfly valves. Setting up the Enzo XX Evo with this allows the owner to toggle two different sound levels for the exhaust. One note can provide absolute, rip-roaring hell and the other can remain more subtle so you can scoot around town without frightening the Joneses.

On top of all this, the Edo version has a race-spec suspension thanks to KW Automotive. It features low-friction three-way adjustable shock absorbers.

These hardcore mods translates into a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, 9 seconds until 124 MPH and 186 in 19 seconds. If you can manage to find the space, top speed is said to exceed 240 MPH. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on an Edo-converted Enzo, your best bet is an abandoned airfield.

The kicker to all of this madness is that although the Ferrari FXX remains only operable on the track, the Edo Competition Enzo XX Evo can be used on public roads. This is ironic, considering it is spec'd out to hit the track.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Ten Tips to Avoid a Traffic Ticket

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:21:22 EDT

Oh-no! You probably shouldn't have done that. Here they come, creeping up on you and your heart starts pounding. They must be a foot off your bumper and the tension builds. And, then…

The lights are switched on.

Your heart sinks and the judgment has been made; you are getting pulled over.

Sound familiar? If so, read on because I have 10 tips that will either help you get out of a ticket or at least contribute to a lesser fine.

1) Signal and pull over as soon as possible

While this may sound elementary, a lot of people get caught up in the moment with their anxiety and forget to signal. Not only does this add to the officer’s list of offenses you committed but you also could create additional confusion and make the ticketing officer uneasy.

Pulling over ASAP is essential, unless you are making a go for Tijuana.

2) Pull over in a safe environment

As much as anxiety may have you acting impulsively, it is best to take a breath and observe your surroundings while pulling over. Surprisingly, pulling over in a safe location, such as a quiet parking lot, can make a difference because it is a subliminal cue that you care about the officer’s safety. The last place an officer wants to be standing is on a busy freeway while cars are whipping past at 80 miles per hour. Especially, when many officials are killed while making routine traffic stops.

3) Place your hands on top of the wheel

By making your hands visible it ensures that you are not reaching for a weapon and helps you earn an officer’s trust. Fast movements and unseen hands can quickly build tension and anxiety for a ticketing officer. After all, one of the most common places for a pistol is under the driver’s seat. The more trust you can build the easier the process will be.

4) Roll windows down

Not only should you roll down both front windows but you should also roll down your rear windows, particularly if there are ANY tints. Doing so increases visibility into the vehicle and will erase the officer’s belief that you could be attempting to hide something.

Most officers will glance into the back seat and foot well area. By making it easier for them to observe erases any need for further questioning.

5) Be firm

An observation I have noted: there appears to be a correlation with brown nosers and receiving tickets. By talking too much and attempting to earn an officer’s good side by being a “friend,” usually backfires. After all, it is pretty obvious to see when someone is trying to worm their way out of a ticket – these guys see it all day.

Stay firm, speak when spoken to and do not try to compliment the officer’s shiny boots.

6) Announce where your paperwork is before retrieving it

Although it is not such a concern in states where carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited, it always is wise to announce any movements within the cabin. Once again, it is crucial to earn an officer’s trust and ease tension.

7) Have documentation up to date and ready

Tied in with the second tip, you want to make the paperwork exchange as seamless as possible, specifically if it is on a highway. Throw out any old insurance and registration cards because they will only confuse you further as anxiety is increased while shuffling through an endless stack of papers.

8) Be honest

By far the most important rule of them all, be upfront with what you did wrong. Acknowledging your mistake displays that you are aware of what you were doing behind the wheel and were not acting carelessly. Playing dumb actually provides more incentive for an official to give a ticket in order to teach a lesson.

I would not suggest using the “I was speeding because I have diarrhea,” bit. A shameless friend of mine tried and did not succeed while being absolutely humiliated. Remember, the police have heard it all. Stick to what you know best, the truth.

9) Have a clean driving record

This may be tougher for some than others, but, it has pulled me through a pinch every time. Cops do not like to root for the bad guys. So, if your driver’s abstract looks like Aston Kutcher’s twitter page, you are certainly doomed.

Make sure to sign up for those defensive driver courses. If you already took a course then only time is on your side.

10) Hang something from your rearview mirror

Oh-Kay, here is the wild card. Hanging something on your rearview can work for or against you. Although I have yet to hear it work against a driver, technically it could if warranted.

By having an object there, a sympathetic officer may write you up for an “obstruction of vision,” ticket. Which would you rather have: a ticket for going nearly double the speed limit, or, a menial fine – without points – for obstruction of vision?

Worked several times, in my experience.

What is VOD Cars?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:05:37 EDT

What's that new name above your favorite online car shows? It's VOD Cars. The #1 Broadband Car Network. Yeah we're bragging, but who cares; everyone else does it.

Millions of video views a month -- Fast Lane Daily, Garage 419, FLD Tours, Shakedown -- and it all started with a little online program called VOD Cars. The tagline said it all: "No Talking, Just Speed," and that's exactly what VOD Cars delivered. The best car clips on the web -- submitted by you and edited by us -- into a few minutes of guilty automotive pleasure. Now, the spirit embodied in those raging minutes of automotive glamor gives life to the VOD Cars automotive network.

VOD Cars is the home of Fast Lane Daily, the only daily car news show on the web ever to make a Thomas Paine joke. Do you know how hard it is to make a Thomas Paine joke about cars? We do, and we did it anyway. But it's not all jokes. If you'd watched FLD this past year, you'd have known six months before anyone else that Hyundai was working on a turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive coupe (the 2009 Genesis Coupe). You'd have also known Mercedes was working on a new version of its classic "Gullwing" sports car (Mercedes SLS AMG). But of course you were watching, and now all your friends think you've got an auto-industry spy on speed-dial. You can thank us later.

VOD Cars is also where you'll find Garage 419. If you ever wanted to take an Audi R8 ice racing on a frozen lake, drive a diesel-powered Smart car at ridiculous speeds on a go-kart track or blast a 100 shot of nitrous through a rental car just to see what happens, you'll be a fan of Garage 419 for life. But you probably already are. In that case, uh, good to see ya.

In the coming months on VOD Cars, you'll be seeing lots of new automotive programming on VOD Cars, some of it spun off from Fast Lane Daily, like FLDetours, our two-minute-and-change review of the latest showroom bait, or Shakedown with Leo "The Suit" Parente, an irreverent look at the world of motorsports. And FLD's own automotive sales consultant and halfway-decent guy, Bob Schubin, Jr. says he'll make sure you won't get ripped off when you buy your next car. Heyhowboutit...

Coming up, you'll also see more programming from the most important person in the world -- no, not Bob Schubin Jr's tax accountant, Vinnie Gotabuginmeir -- YOU. We want to know about the car scene in your hometown. What's the latest street action in Dubai? Who's got the fastest rally car in Romania? What's the weirdest engine swap in Des Moines or Los Angeles or Ingolstadt or Changwat Chaiyaphum? What are they doing for fun in Rovaniemi, Finland or Hellhole Palms, California. We want to know. Grab video camera, shoot video, let us know about it, sit back and watch. It's that easy. That's tips@fastlanedaily.com. Oh, and friend us on Facebook.

Welcome to VOD Cars. Feel free to look around, and try not to break anything. Sorry, I mean try to break everything, because if there's stuff you can break, we're not doing our jobs. Let us know what else we can do for you at tips@fastlanedaily.com. Some fresh-squeezed orange juice perhaps? Jeez, enough arse-kissing already.

Mike Spinelli Creative Director, VOD Cars

Lexus IS Convertible

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:40 EDT

For years, Lexus has been renowned as a luxury brand that focused on refinement and class. With cars like the legendary, game-changing LS sedan and the performance-focused IS, it is known for undercutting the competition by price while amping up standard features.

Following the hard-top convertible experience gained by their SC430, Lexus has produced the IS convertible in an effort to bank upon the success of the wildly successful sedan. Give the IS 20 seconds and headroom becomes infinite. But, the SC suffered from the design of a misshaped egg. Would Lexus do it again?

When a company slices off the roof of a vehicle, two outcomes can occur: an utter catastrophe that looks disproportioned – see the Jenifer Lopez inspired Ferrari California – or one of the most elegant creations known to man – like the Aston Martin DB9 Volante. Although I do not believe the IS-C is as beautiful as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, it is far from the looks department of a manatee, which is essentially a sea cow.

The backside of the car is adorned with revised, LED taillights and two roll bars that flank the rear headrests. Like many new hard-top convertibles, the trunk lid opens in a clamshell design to house the three-piece roof when you feel like getting a tan – or burn in my case. The two bulges that were placed on the top of the boot lid behind the two rear headrests is a subtle touch that wins design points from me. Hopping behind the driver’s seat, you are confronted with typical IS switchgear, plastics, gauges and navigation unit. It is basically unchanged. This means that the soft-touch plastics are quality, yet the buttons and switchgear leave a Toyota-esque taste in your mouth.

Looking over your shoulder reveals that the dramatically rising beltline hampers rearward visibility. Although it is not quite as terrible as say the Nissan 370Z, where you downshift two gears and pray no one is on your side, it does chisel away at lane-changing confidence. Thankfully, Lexus’ engineers designed the rear headrests so they can drop at the touch of a button. With that said, you have a fighting shot of seeing any lingering motorists. After seeing the vehicle in real light and up close, apart from the auto show’s dizzying lighting and distance created from the barricades, it is apparent it has the styling to become a contender. Albeit, for a particular crowd. Now, let’s get down to brass tacks: how does it drive?

Interesting, to say the least. Neglecting to get behind the wheel of the IS250, there is nothing exciting about a 2.5 liter V6 producing 204-horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque where 0-60 comes in a not-so-quick 8.4 seconds, I piloted two of the several IS350s on hand. Creating 306-horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5 liter V6, the IS350 matches BMW’s 335 convertible claimed 0-60 of 5.8 seconds. The motor is supported by a six-speed automatic transmission with intelligent shifting and paddle shifters mounted to the back of the steering wheel. Even in “S” mode the transmission failed to relinquish total control. This became quite irritating. The “intelligence,” needs to go because although it thought it knew what I wanted it continued to fumble through gear changes without my approval.

If you want a manual, the IS250 can be optioned accordingly. In my twenty something memory, I am pretty sure that would make it the first Lexus with an optional manual. Thanks to the addition of nearly 400 pounds from the aluminum top, the convertible does not stand a chance of contesting the performance of the IS sedan. Wide open throttle does not cause a scene or drama, the 350 just motors on with a lackluster crescendo.

Top up, wind noise is surprisingly hard to find. Even near triple digits the car maintains its composure and does not make so much as a peep. Top down, wind buffeting is kept to a minimum without the wind screen, which was not equipped in my test vehicle. With a wind screen I can imagine smoother sailing that would be quite blissful especially at high speeds.

Taking corners, the 350 does experience some body roll but it refrains from becoming piggish. The firm yet forgiving suspension does a plentiful job at negotiating bumps and turns without becoming a floaty, magic carpet ride or a tooth crushing nightmare. Its structural integrity is upheld through underbody chassis additions as well as numerous reinforcements to the frame; however, some cowl shake remained noticeable over rough terrain. Steering feel remains light as air but direct to the touch. So, if you want to drive with your pinky, go for it. At speed, the lightness thankfully dissipates for the most part and keeps confidence intact. The stock brake kit is decent with 13.5 inch rotors up front and 12.2 inch rotors out back. By no means will they put your head through the windshield, but, they serve their purpose for daily driving needs.

The real story has yet to be discussed, though.

Unexpectedly, Lexus outfitted several of the convertibles on hand with some F-sport hardware. Piloting a black on black IS-C equipped with lowering springs/shocks, a big brake kit, free-flowing cat-back exhaust – by Toyota Racing Development – and the 18 inch forged, gunmetal rims transforms the frumpy Lexus into the “bad guy,” from the movies.

By lowering the convertible and slapping on the dark, matte rims, Lexus changes the whole look of the car. It looks badass! Say goodbye to wheel gap. Not to mention the ride becomes notably stiffer. Although it is not quite as stiff as say the IS-F, which had the flexibility of an oak tree, it dials in the seriousness and tightens up turns and freeway cruising. The exhaust is most likely one of the most crucial additions of the F-sport accessories. Thankfully, it loosens up the IS’ exhaust note and creates a bubbly blast at about 4,500 RPM and cranks into a scream until its redline. Its massive BBK with blue calipers and drilled rotors creates a much more crisp bite and when you apply ample pressure you feel that strong pull that lurches your head forward. According to several Lexus executives, these add-ons will be available as dealer-installed options. Personally, I am a “factory guy,” and would prefer it that way but it is what it is.

During my time with the new IS350 convertible, I achieved mid to high 18 MPG with hard driving and in the low 20s while driving more responsibly.

TThe future of the new IS is certain. With Lexus anticipating national sales of 1,000 units monthly, I imagine them hitting that mark. Why? Because they have created two personalities with the IS convertible. Not the obvious coupe/convertible sensation, neither.

You can have your softer, Boca Raton cruiser in baby blue with a cream interior IS250 or you can have a sinister IS350, black on black that looks as though it is going to take your daughter out for some “fun.” It’s your choice, really.

With a base price of $38,940 for the IS250 and $43,940 for the IS350, Lexus has certainly made the hard-top convertible craze much more difficult for perspective buyers.

Garage419 Forums Now on FinalGear.com!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:11:08 EDT

Be careful what you ask for, it may come true.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Official Garage419 Forums are now live on FinalGear.com. Go register, login, and post what's on your mind. We are there, you should be too. Stop FaceBook messaging Matt and harassing me by instant message. It's time to bring it all to one place: FinalGear. Click Here to Visit the Forums

2010 Ford Mustang GT Review

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:18:58 EDT

As some of you may know, my first sports car was a Mustang. I bought it used, a bone-stock 1994 GT Coupe, and quickly decided that it didn’t go fast enough, turn well enough, or look good enough for my tastes. I tore the whole car apart, replacing stock components with a hodgepodge of parts from the Summitt Racing catalog without a single clue what I was doing. In fact, the single biggest factor in deciding to buy a Mustang was the plethora of aftermarket parts available. In 1999, when I had my Mustang, there were so many parts available for the car that I didn’t even know where to start. So I just replaced everything.

Which brings me to the point, and my 2010 Mustang GT test car. From the first second I saw the new Mustang, I knew that the people working on it had their heads in the right place. Unlike the mid-cycle design change that happened in 1999, where the curvaceous body style got all angular and awful, the outgoing model’s facelift leaves the bits that I liked about the old car, replaces the bits I didn’t like so much, and really makes the ’05-’09 Mustang body appear dated. That’s probably a good thing, because by now there have been so many variants on that body, from Saleen, Roush, Shelby, and countless others, that I’m actually getting light-headed trying to think about it. On the other hand, the endless upgrade possibilities give the die-hard Honda fans a reason to buy American.

On the outside, the revisions are evolutionary. I happen to love the new rear end. Not only does the forward-leaning panel give the GT a more aggressive stance, but also the new shape around the tail lights is sophisticated and upscale compared to the outgoing model. One of my favorite modifications for the last-gen cars was the “sequential blinker,” which lit the taillights in sequence from the center of the car outward. Apparently Ford took notice, because sequential blinkers are now standard on the 2010 model. The new hood, with its raised and sculpted cowl, provides a much more aggressive look than the fake “shaker scoop” from the last GT. Note to Ford and other car manufacturers: hood scoops are cool, but only if they are functional. The two most distinct features of the new car are the pinched mouth, which looks like it was copied off a Camaro, and the sculpted rear ¾ line, which looks like it was copied off the Challenger. Original ideas? Maybe not, but at least they chose to copy the best parts of those other cars.

Opening the door and peeking inside truly reveals what this new Mustang is all about. Real leather with custom stitching? Check. Chrome shift knob from the Bullitt? Check. Giant nav touch-screen with SYNC awesomeness? Check. Automatic dual-zone climate controls? Check. Well-finished door panels? Check.
Someone at Ford really put some thought into this interior, and it shows. The center stack is still hard-ish plastic, but the buttons are laid out logically, and the whole setup looks more expensive than it is. The seats are phenomenally comfortable, and my once-repaired, twice rehabbed spine gave the driving position two thumbs up, as even after two hours in awful LA traffic, I wasn’t in pain or fatigued in the least. I do have two gripes concering the interior: the steering wheel buttons, and the trunk. The steering wheel buttons work fine, but they are small and all look and feel the same, so I found myself having to look down at the steering wheel while fumbling for the right button, sort of defeating the purpose of having buttons there in the first place. The trunk’s got plenty of space for myself and a buddy’s stuff for a week in LA, but the restyled rear end makes the trunk opening smaller and more difficult to fit large suitcases through. The solution? Pack smaller bags, and bring more of them.

And the one thing that I’m really glad carried over? The 12V outlet between the vents atop the dash, which is perfect to keep my Valentine One cord from dangling in front of the Nav screen as I double the speed limit on California’s 5 Freeway. I blasted northbound toward Willow Springs Raceway, to find out what this car is really capable of without risking jail.

Taking the GT out of the parking lot and onto an open highway really is quite a joy. The engine, though “just” a SOHC, 3-valve V8 now makes 315 horsepower with 325 lb/ft of torque and sounds every bit the part, with an exhaust note so fine I found myself winding out the car just for the hell of it. Tunnels? Mandatory downshift. The shifter’s chrome knob and slick gearchanges are perfect for cruising, although my test car had a little problem with the second gear synchros, grinding a bit on high-RPM 3-2 downshifts. This could be either a fault with the car, or the fact that Vaughn Gittin Jr. drove my particular test car across the country, no doubt drifting and powershifting several hundred times along the way. I’d say it’s the latter, as I’ve driven lots of Mustangs with this same transmission and never had a problem. On the highway, the GT is a fantastic cruiser, living up to its Grand Touring heritage at 80mph with the engine at 2500 RPM in 5th. Wait, 5th? Yes, the GT still has a five speed. I don’t know why that bothers me, since it really just means less shifting, and the 4.6L engine makes more than enough torque to pull in any gear. I just feel like highway driving would be more fun if 5th were a fun gear and 6th was the economy gear. That, and the Mustang still has a live axle. Antiquated technology aside, the live axle doesn’t bug me nearly as much as it does other people, mostly because despite being antiquated, it works just fine. The GT handles well and is very compliant in all street driving conditions, and never left me wanting more. Clearly, both the transmission and axle issues are the result of wanting to keep the Mustang GT’s base price well away from the $30,000 barrier. According to my ass-dyno and Car and Driver’s estimates, the GT will hit 60 mph in 5 seconds flat and run the quarter mile in the mid-low 13’s, very not bad for a 4-seater under $30 grand.

Then I got to the race track. The Streets of Willow Springs is a 1.8 mile road course about 90 miles outside of Los Angeles. I happen to know some uber-pimps in LA who rented out the track for the day, so I intended to take full advantage. Now, changing the entire format of this article, here’s what I learned at the race track:

1)   When you buy a Mustang GT and it comes with the “Track Pack,” take that with a grain of salt. I didn’t have a non-track pack car to test against, but after 7 or 8 laps the brakes got a bit, well, squishy. The good news is a 20-minute cool down session was more than enough to bring them back to normal. Maybe “Track Pack” should be renamed “Drag Pack,” since the upgrades are more suited to a drag strip than a road course.

2)   When tracking a Mustang GT, make sure to turn traction and stability all the way off. The good news is that the electronic babysitters DO work as advertised, and may save your ass on the street. Even better news is they can be put to bed, so those who know what they are doing can have some real fun.

3)   After learning the course at low-speed, I attempted to push the car to its limits and find out where they were. I thought I had found them. Then I handed the keys to 2-time Formula Drift winner and X-Games Gold Medalist Tanner Foust, and hopped in the passenger seat. Turns out I hadn’t found the GT’s limits. Tanner had. I learned that while going sideways at almost 90mph, yet still totally in control. Sweet……

4)   The Mustang makes a FABULOUS drift car. Unfortunately, I do not make a fabulous drift driver. I’ll leave that to Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr.

5)   On the other hand, a good driver (me) in a Mustang GT can easily catch up to a bad driver (unnamed celebrity) in a Porsche 997 GT2.

6)   Though it may not come fully track-ready from the factory, the 2010 Mustang GT really is one of those cars that you can drive to the track in the morning, kick the crap out of all day long with a giant smile on your face, and drive home, no worse for the wear. And THAT, ladies and gentlemen is the quality that I most look for in any sports car.

In conclusion, Ford has done a great job updating the Mustang for 2010. The chassis, body, and interior are screwed together tightly, with higher quality materials than ever used before, and the car looks and sounds very aggressive from every angle. But the reason I like it is because with the GT, as in my 1994 GT, I see real performance potential. The chassis is fantastic; everything else can be bolted on. Add an exhaust, headers, some suspension bits and track-spec brakes (all available through Ford’s Motorsport catalog, with a warranty!), and you’ve got a track monster ready to chase down the best of them. A couple grand more for a supercharger, and now you’re talking about supercar levels of performance for under $45,000. And to prove it, I’ll be attending the press launch of the 2010 Shelby GT500 in a couple weeks and I’ll be right here at Garage419.com to tell you all about it!

(Ford provided the car, transportation to and from LAX, and a tank of gas. Some photographs blatantly thefted from Autoblog)

P.S. Someone, anyone, needs to take the 3.5L EcoBoost engine out of the new Taurus SHO and put it in this Mustang, STAT. Anyone there? Shelby?

2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0TDI Review

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:05:03 EDT

It's long been known, to me and about eight other people, that California, New York, and Massachusetts ruined it for everyone. By restricting nitrous-oxide-spewing diesel engines from their stupid little states, they led the rest of the nation, via the ignorance highway, to believe fun and economy had to be mutually exclusive. Blasphemy I say. Having driven several fun and economical new diesels from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, I'm impressed by the massive torque, eerie silence, and absurd driving range. Take that, you Prius-driving right laners. And now, may I present the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI.

Mercedes-Benz thwarted tough anti-NO2 restrictions with a urea-injection system that turns nitrous oxide gas into chicken bullion cubes or something. MB licensed the system to BMW, which used it to scrub emissions from the 335d, a car with enough torque to give the Earth an Indian Burn. In the latest Jetta TDI, Volkswagen uses a a NOx-storage catalyst instead of urea injection to meet some states stricter emissions regs.

VW boffins screwed the Jetta together tightly, with soft-touch plastics on the dash, and buttons performing their functions in the most basic and obvious way. The seats are comfortable, with a roomy, yet performance-oriented driving position and feature more bolstering than most, if not all other economy cars' seats. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels great in my hands and has basic menu and radio controls integrated into the spokes. In short, the Jetta's interior is par for VW: functional, basic, and utterly emotionless.

I've never been a fan of the current Jetta's exterior. Suffice to say, it makes a Chevy Malibu look exciting. Enough said.

My test car had the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, which really is just as good an option as the stick. Upshifts and downshifts are lightning quick, with virtually no delay in power delivery. It didn't have the sport package, which means no steering-wheel paddles, leaving only the console lever for shifting. Paddles make DSG better, so go for the sport package. I'm sticking with manual; if it's the same six-speed swapper from the GTI, I'm in.

At idle, the TDI is louder than the six-cylinder diesels from both Audi and Mercedes, but is still far from noisy. At speed it's dead silent, with a hint of turbo whistle in the mix during hard acceleration. As an Audi engineer once told me, what you're "not hearing" is more energy spent on propelling the car forward and less on making noise. The Jetta TDI apparently bears him out. The torque figure of 236 pounds-feet isn't a small number for any car, much less an economy sedan. By comparison, the 2.0T engine from the GTI only musters up 207. It wouldn't be fair to call the Jetta a rocketship, but lined up on a runway against other cars in its class, the Jetta dominates. While the tuner crowd clamors about over horsepower, such a drag race would demonstrate the kind of force a high-torque engine brings to the table. From 30 to 60 mph and 60 to 80 mph the Jetta hauls ass with the best of them. The combination of midrange torque and DSG's propensity to choose the right gear quickly make for highway passing bliss. Just toss the Jetta's willing suspension toward the left lane and drop the hammer. Soon that Prius loafing along in the middle lane will be just an e-memory.

Highway mannerisms, eh? With its tiny little wheels and low rolling resistance tires, the Prius feels, well, hairy at speeds of over 80. The Jetta TDI, on the other hand, is Benz-solid. Want to take a trip across the country? Have a tight fuel budget? The Jetta's your ride. It's smooth, compliant, quick, and quiet. Cruising at 80 or 90 mph is totally effortless; one finger on the wheel would do just fine.

From the Jetta's highway performance, it would seem VW forgot it was an economy car. And then there are the brakes. I'm not saying that for $23k the Jetta should come with 15-inch ceramic discs. But at the rate this car accelerates, you'd expect more bite from the stoppers. Would your average economy car buyer notice? Perhaps not. I did.

There's another problem. The diesel question still haunts some buyers. Will they have to run frantically from station to station to find diesel? No. Is diesel more expensive? Yes, but the improved economy and range more than put the finances in balance. Don't forget, the "regular" Jetta 2.0T engine requires 93 octane, evening out the equation quite a bit.

In three days of driving, I put 248 miles on the car, and used just under half a tank of gas. Although I didn't fill it back up afterward to check VW's math, the on-board computer registered 36.7 MPG average. And I was driving HARD. You hear that people? A 500 mile plus range..... Not bad for $23,000 and as much torque as the GTI R32. I just hope the oil-burner's sales figures remain strong enough to continue building and improving diesel technology here in the US.

Producer's Blog: Did we really do that?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:08:50 EDT

Yes. That was a real Audi R8 and we did bring it onto a frozen lake. Trust me though, that was probably the safest environment for that car besides maybe the Bonneville Salt Flats. With 36-inches of ice and nothing to hit for a mile in most directions, it was a car guy's dream. Though, the negative 20 degree weather did take a toll on all of us. The crew really did a fantastic job. Tom Morningstar, our all-star shooter and editor pulled all his tricks out of the bag while Tom Albrecht was there to make sure none of us did anything foolish. A great experience that seems to have made a great story for all of you to watch.

So what's next? Well this Friday, as some of you Audi fanatics may already know, Truth in 24 will air on ESPN. Well, guess what - we've already seen the movie. An amazing movie to say the least. This Thursday expect to see a special Garage419 episode shot from inside NFL Films. Thats right, we got some great footage you will not want to miss include scenes from the film that you didn't see in the trailer.

That leads me to my final thought. What do you expect from Garage419 in the future? What should we change, what are we doing wrong, what are we doing right? The beauty of Garage419 is that there are no middle men. The people who make this show read these comments. The people who pay for this show read these comments. If there is something you want any of us to know, just tell us below. Seriously - this whole internet community thing actually works.

Failure Always Leads to Car Porn

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:53:01 EDT

Cheetos Boredom Buster

I was recently instructed by my boss Mike Spinelli to make a miniature Formula One car out of Cheetos. Clearly, Mike had lost his mind. There was no way I was going to spend my evening trying to jam toothpick axles through a very delicate snack food [I said to use wire axles. Have you no sense of physical space? -- ms]. Plus, why should I listen to the guy who recruited several co-workers help him finish a paper-craft project he still managed to waste two days making [Clean out your desk -- ms]. Twenty-five minutes and 30 horribly mauled Cheetos later, I gave up. It was a stupid idea to say the least.

So as I sat at my desk, trying to recover from a cold that sent me home early from work that day, I stuffed my face with Cheetos, chased with orange juice. (It sounds worse then it really is, trust me.) It took me a good hour to figure out what exactly I was going to write about, and then it hit me.

When I'm bored or trying to think about what to write, I always turn to car porn. The internet is an assortment of the stuff, easily found. People even make money from using tags like "Corvette ZR1" or "Nissan GTR." That leads me to this week's Cheetos Boredom Buster: car compilation videos.

Every type of motorsport has its own cult of obsessed fans. These are the guys that would spend a sunny weekend downloading and watching every video related to their favorite sport. In off seasons, with little new content, these fanatics turn to making their own cool car videos.

These compilation videos show all the highlights of a race or season, generally eliminating the need to ever watch any of the races in real time. Race series like World Rally, Formula 1, American Le Mans, and even NASCAR all have obsessed fans who are capable of putting together these compilation videos. All it takes is a simple Google or YouTube search. Use tags like "Montage", "Compilation", or "Highlights" and you are set. Just check out a few of my favorites on this post. Become a search geek and you'll find anything you'll ever need. So if you are ever bored, sick, or just want to piss off your boss at work, grab a bag of Cheetos and a glass of orange juice and enjoy some car porn. And leave the toothpicks.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - In Edit

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:54:53 EST

It takes a lot to put together two new Garage419 episodes each week. I honestly don't know how we do it with such a small team, but we do it. The past few months you may have noticed a dramatic increase in the quality of our production. We are working hard to bring you the best automotive content and car porn available on the internet... well, besides Top Gear at least.

The good news is that our future looks great; bigger and better produced episodes are just around the corner. Two weekends ago we raced a Dodge Challenger SRT-8 against a plane and train. You'll have to wait for the episode to see the results, but I will tell you now that it will be one of our best. Expect a longer episode with much more content. Episodes will be availible in the normal places, but keep in mind TiVo users - we are now located in the YouTube section on the TiVo main menu. Moving up to bigger and better places I guess you could say?

Finding Great Roads

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:34:29 EST

Cheetos Boredom Buster

Interstate highways aren't for driving enthusiasts. The Eisenhower-era system was a cold-war project, built as much to move peaches out of Georgia as to deliver Abrams tanks to the landing site of a Russian sea attack. The design assumed speeds of 75 mph and dictated pancake-style flatness of no more than a six percent grade. Such road-building conservatism may make intercity travel more efficient, but for serious drivers it's like taking a shower in a Hickey Freeman suit.

So how do you find great driving roads off the beaten path? That's the subject of this week's Cheetos Boredom Buster.

Searching every road in the US for the best places to stretch out your BMW M3 or MG TC would be a lifetime project without Google Maps.

The western US holds some of the newest and most beautiful roads in the country. The key to finding the best ones for driving is to follow the natural terrain of the region using Google's terrain view. The trick is to look for elevation changes. Check out these examples from the Rockies and Sierra Nevada ranges.

Roadbuilders use rivers and streams as reference points, which is why most b-roads follow water sources. Once you find a promising spot, turn on Google Streetview to see if it's as good as it looks from above. Look for road conditions like busy intersections, the presence of zombies or the nests of giant mutant lobsters that could ruin your day out. Then, just print out directions and hit the road. The best part is you can do all this at work without anyone getting suspicious. If they only knew...

You're Doing it Wrong!

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:55:42 EST

Cheetos Boredom Buster

The internet is always a valued source for getting car news, car buying tips, and even answers to your mechanical issues that plague your beater. In my years of experience dealing with cars, I've found that the online car enthusiast message boards and forums are some of the best places to get information about anything automotive related. One such forum is known as The Car Lounge on the Volkswagen enthusiast site VWVortex. The Car Lounge is a place for any type of car nut to go and discuss that day's auto news, tips on buying or selling a car, or even funny experienced they may have had - obviously car related. The Car Lounge also has the reputation of coming up with some of the best forum threads on the web.

That brings me to this week's Cheetos Boredom Buster: VWVortex's "You're Doing it Wrong" thread. Put simply, this thread is just one big list of user-contributed photos of people doing stupid things or making poor decisions with their automobiles.

The thread has made its rounds across the internet with many of the posted photos becoming internet famous. Where else can you see an assortment of failed Bat-Mobiles and idiots putting snow chains on the front tires of his rear wheel drive mustangs? Only on this thread. The "You're Doing it Wrong" thread is a great way to pass the time, especially at work. The beauty of my job is that when I'm looking at photos of idiots in their cars, I really can claim that I'm doing actual work. You may not be as lucky, but its still worth checking it out.

Corvette: Modded

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:02:58 EST

I've been waiting for 2 months to finally post these pictures, but my beloved 1998 Corvette is finally back from the shop, with all sorts of goodies put on! I got the car new, and she has just 20,000 on the clock. Up until August of 2008 it was bone stock. Now, thanks to some great people, it feels, looks, and sounds perfect.

Engine:
Ported and Polished Intake Manifold, Throttle Body and Heads
Vararam Ram Air Intake
Kooks Long Tube Headers
Trick Flow off-road X-Pipe
GHL Bullet Exhaust
Custom Dyno Tune
Driveline:
West Coast Corvettes Chassis/Roll Bar
Hurst Billet Pro Short Shifter
Pfadt Adjustable Coilover Suspension - Lowered 2" from stock
Pfadt Front/Rear Swaybars
Pfadt Control Arms
Pfadt Caster/Camber Plates
Stoptech 14" Slotted Front Brakes - 6 piston caliper
Stoptech 12.7" Slotted Rear Brakes - 4 piston caliper
Hawk Street/Track Pads
Interior:
Sparco Evo2Plus Seats w/ Red Suede Inserts by AI Design
Sparco Race Wheel
Sabelt 6-point Harnesses
Exterior:
One-off 3-piece Forged wheels by Proformance Industries, color matched to car
-Front 19x10
-Rear 20x11.5
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar Assymetric Tires
LeMans-style projector headlights, fixed
20% Tinted Windows

AI Design in Tuckahoe, NY hooked me up with the sick red suede inserts for the Sparco seats. Check out their sick gallery of work at AIDesign.com. You may have heard of them, after all, they have worked on some high-profile cars such as Alex Roy's Polizei 144 BMW M5, and the Audi "Blackbird" R8.

Front Wheels

Rear Wheels

The wheels are truly a work of art. George at Proformance Industries designed them and created them from scratch. He is THE MASTER of custom wheels, and has created designs for 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, several of the Knicks, Giants, and Yankees, and others for whom off the rack wheels simply won't do. As you can probably imagine, I'm one of those people. This is the only set of these wheels ever created, but they can be re-created in any size for any car. So if you wanna roll like me, literally, hit those guys up.

All of the installation work was performed by Anthony Contarino at B&A Motorsports in Mamaroneck, NY. He is an amazing tech and is very talented at setting up a street/track car. All the work is always perfect the first time.

ROLLS-ROYCE 200EX CONCEPT FIRST PHOTOS

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:48:44 EST

Embargo Broken: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept First Photos

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:46:31 EST

2009 Mercury Mariner VOGA Edition Review

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:40:01 EST

Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to go somewhere with the girl I love, so snowboarding in Vermont seemed like a good call, and indeed it was. But wait a minute, I have three cars, and none of them will do! The Mini? Yeah right. Front wheel drive and summer tires pretty much took that out of the equation. Corvette? Aston Martin? Um, no. What about her 1998 Volvo V70XC? That would be fine, except for the fact that her interior looked like Hiroshima on August 7th, 1945. No, what I needed was a car that could carry two people and our respective stuff to Vermont for four days with a minimum of trouble and a maximum of comfort and convenience.

This is when I called Ford. Tara, one of the friendliest of PR people, informed me that, though the Super Duty F-350 Quad-cab Dually I requested would not be available, nor the pre-production Raptor, they had a Mercury Mariner that should “suit my needs nicely.” I have to admit, my hopes were not high. But, beggars can’t be choosers, and with AWD, snow tires, and a folding rear seat, it would do.

I will continue this review in the order in which I experienced the Mariner. In the interest of being as specific as possible, I was driving a 2009 Mercury Mariner V6 Premier VOGA Edition. Never heard of the VOGA edition? That’s cool, me either. The good news? I looked it up. VOGA means “fashionable and trend-setting” in Italian, which this particular Mariner could have been…in 1988. I have never seen a whiter vehicle in my entire life. The paint was blinding white, with white trim, and a white interior. And if that wasn’t enough, chrome 17” wheels with VOGA center caps finished off the package. If I didn’t know better, I might think I was piloting the Sun up the West Side Highway. I’m not sure what parts of the interior had been VOGA-ized, and I’m not even sure I care. But I’ll tell you this: Steven Adler, after an eight-day coke bender, might try to crush up the Mariner and snort it.

The Mariner’s 240 horsepower V6 is actually much higher-revving than I expected, and when combined with Ford’s standard 6-speed autobox, accelerates positively briskly, although the close-ratio cog swapper always requires a downshift for the slightest of pace increases once on the highway. On the other hand, when going up hills the transmission does hold the lower gear until I reach the top of the hill, which you don’t really notice until you’ve got it, and then you wonder why transmissions haven’t done that all along. Strangely though, the transmission only had P-R-N-D-L settings. A 6-speed transmission that can’t be downshifted manually at all? That seems strange, all those gears and no way to shift them. Fortunately the roads in Vermont weren’t slippery enough that I needed to hold a lower gear while descending a hill, so I left it in D and forgot about it.

Let me make one thing very clear: The Mercury Mariner is not a driver’s car. The steering feels reminiscent of my sister’s last-gen Toyota Highlander (not a good thing), and the suspension bumps and bounces over highway ripples like, a drunk fat chick on a mechanical bull. Nor is it a car for any male over six feet tall. Sure, I fit easily in both the driver and front passenger seats, but my girlfriend says I look completely ridiculous in this car. She’s right, as her opinion is seconded, then thirded, and then fourthed by my friends upon our arrival at the ski house. “Men who look like you should not drive compact SUV’s,” she said. “That’s a rule.”

Hey, anything to keep her happy.

The Mariner’s interior created something of a polarizing love-hate relationship over the course of my vacation. On the one hand, the rear seats fold down flat, creating a cavernous amount of rear storage, and there is tons of legroom for a car of its size. The center console is laid out wonderfully, with lots of smart storage and places to put my cell phone other than in a cup holder. My favorite spot for that is when carmakers don’t have the door pulls go all the way through so you can use them as cell phone pockets. On the other hand, I can’t stand the seats. The VOGA edition is the top trim level for the Mariner line, coming in at over $35,000. All cars at that price point should have an adjustable lumbar support and some sort of side bolstering, even if the seat back has manual adjustments. After just 2 hours behind the wheel, I had to get out and stretch my (admittedly bad) back. And although I didn’t sit in the back seats, my two friends, the taller of whom is 5’9”, complained about hitting their heads on the ceiling while riding over bumps. The dash, console, and doors are made of plastic. Not soft touch plastic, or imitation leather, but just regular-old textured hard plastic. Fortunately, the fit and finish of the plastic is good, and the steering wheel and shifter are wrapped in real leather, and that’s where my hands were anyway. That, and I was blind from looking at the white hood spread out in front of me.

Gadgets and gizmo’s? Check. Make that a double check. I am absolutely in love with the Ford SYNC system. After just a few minutes of fiddling around with the touch-screen infotainment system I was a master of all things music, weather, destination, and traffic related. Connecting my Blackberry via Bluetooth took all of 15 seconds, and I didn’t have to touch my phone at all after that. Calls can be made and received using only your voice, and text messages are displayed right on the screen, provided you have the correct phone (I did!). From the home screen, it only took 4 screen taps to get to the Killington ski report, 2 screen taps to get to local weather, and 5 screen taps to find out if there was any traffic along our route. One more tap re-routed us for 4 miles around the traffic, no problem. I could also look up sports scores for all manner of professional sports, movie times sorted by film title or distance, and seamless iPod connectivity. I have never owned a car, at any price point, which had so many features built in to one unit, and at this level of simplicity. I’ll say it right now. SYNC makes this car. As a matter of fact, I may just go back to buying Ford products because of it. The automatic dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and trip computer with built-in eco-meter rounded out the gizmo count nicely.

And what about that fuel economy anyway? The Mariner’s window sticker indicated 19/26, which clearly is only attainable if the driver is either a) ninety, or b) has legs so short that they literally cannot press the accelerator all the way to the floor. After over 700 miles of driving, 512 of which were highway, I averaged 19.5 cumulative miles per gallon. It is what it is, and almost 20 mpg out of any SUV on a road trip isn’t noticeably horrible.

You want to hear something funny? Despite the cocaine-white, non-driver oriented, too-small-for-me Mariner experience, I was actually very impressed with the car. Sure, guys like me aren’t exactly the target market for that car, and that’s fine. But for our specific purposes: a vacation for two in a snowy location, lots of gear and a four-hour drive each way, the Mariner was actually quite perfect. The AWD and snow tires conquered the windy, hilly roads with ease, SYNC’s navigation system took us door-to-door, around traffic, and entertained with no fuss, and the excessive VOGA whiteness made for endless hours of comedy along the way.

At $35,000, the VOGA edition really is too much money for this much car. But, take a V6 Mariner in a normal trim level, throw in heated seats and the SYNC system, and you’ve got a useful, intelligent, conservatively styled car great for a small family, road tripper, or master of all things practical. And you can get it for just under $30 grand. Good call.

(I stole some of my photos from Jack Baruth in exchange for his choosing the worst quotation ever from me for The Truth About Cars)

Japanese Papercraft for Car Geeks: Is Masking Tape Allowed?

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:10:16 EST

Cheetos Boredom Buster

Back in the 6th century, China's Sui Dynasty introduced papercraft to Japan, part of the countries' free-flowing cultural trade of the time. That became what we know now as origami. Behavioral experts say origami stimulates the interaction between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, and improved nonverbal and verbal intelligence. But can it be a CHEETOS BOREDOM BUSTER for car geeks? FLD writer Mike Spinelli finds out when he tries to build a Japanese Honda NSX Super GT racecar by stealing office supplies.

[Epson Nakajima Racing]

Production CTS Coupe Revealed!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:18:00 EST

GM just unknowingly released the first picture of the production-spec Cadillac CTS Coupe. Ok, maybe not so unknowingly. After seeing all the reports of Chrysler's leak of the 2010 300C and Grand Cherokee in their Viability Report, I figured I'd take a gander at GM's. Finding a slew of new 2009 and 2010 models in the appendix seemed fruitless, all having been released officially by GM in the past couple of months – the Chevy Equinox, Volt, and Cruze; the Cadillac SRX and CTS Sportwagon.

And then that picture of the CTS Coupe caught my eye. We already knew that it was going to be built in the General's Lansing, Michigan plant sometime in 2010. And no surprise there that it was going to come with the same 3.6L V6 and 6-speed auto as its sedan and wagon counterparts. What we didn't know, however, was exactly how it was going to look. Well, here it is folks. Don't be mistaken, this is not the CTS Coupe Concept. Production spec mirrors, grille, wheels, lights, and tailfin antenna are the give-a-ways. Ok, so it's not that dramatic of a design departure from the CTS Sedan, but it builds on what's already laid out of the table. Assuming GM continues putting out metal with looks as sharp as this, and moves as good as the other CTS's, the General will be more than viable in the coming decades.

Snobootz - A Better Version of Tire Chains?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:55:06 EST

I have always been stubborn about getting snow tires or putting chains on my car in the winter. After all, I don't want to run the risk of having the wheels scratched when the new tires are put on, and I certainly don't want to have a set of chains rattling around, metal-on-metal. Who even knows what kind of damage that would cause.... Then I found Snobootz, a sort of a treaded wrap for your wheels with steel and rubber treads to give much improved winter grip. The rubber pads give the feel of a snow tire in the deep stuff, and the "ice grabber" steel points give traction, obviously, on ice.

During testing, a rear-wheel drive truck equipped with snow tires took 22 seconds to accelerate to 20 mph on ice. The same truck with snow tires and chains took 9 seconds, and with Snobootz, 7.5 seconds. I can assume that braking is equally improved. A set is only (roughly) $250, the price of just one good snow tire, so if you currently use chains or you are stubborn like me, it's something worth looking into.

Have a look here

Formula One Racing Porn

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:01:51 EST

Cheetos Boredom Buster

In the past five years, the internet has become saturated with car videos. Filtering through the mess of burn-outs, crashes, and ricers can be a mind-numbing process. But even with dedicated automotive video portals such as streetfire.net that help filter out the mess of idiots and their cars, it's still hard to find those heavily produced, well-edited driving videos that make all of us smile.

When you think all is lost and its time to get a new hobby, I give you this week's Cheetos Boredom Buster. The answer to all your headaches comes from the most obviously of places - the biggest racing series in the business, Formula One. Found on their constantly updating website, Formula1.com, the series organizers have started to make their own pornographic car videos. Released only two days after each race, you now have a valid excuse for why you slept in on Sunday morning and missed the race live on TV. The recap videos incorporate all the action of the race including the four passes, the one crash and the festivities of that race weekend's venue, all at your convenience.

In my opinion, these videos are the best in the business and are the pinnacle of racing pornography. The editing is superb, cut masterfully to music which fits appropriately to the the mood of the Grand Prix. Each montage piece opens with a few key cultural establishing shots from the country hosting that weekend's race.

Watching the season's three minute recap videos is a way to travel the world following your favorite drivers and teams while at the same time is an easy way to waste an hour of dead time. Also, the videos will certainly give you the realization that no matter how much you practice on Gran Turismo, you will never have the talent of any F1 driver.

The the cinematography and production is something I strive for; where else will you find thermal camera shots of F1 cars in the pits? Thats why this week's Cheetos Boredom Buster are the Formula One's recap videos found at www.formula1.com

Ultra-rare Porsche-inspired Boat For Sale on Ebay!

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:16:50 EST

Believe it or not, I spent the evening finding out if there was a Yacht Apocalypse to friend the Carpocalypse on Facebook, and there is! I sat in front of my computer for hours just giggling at how cheap a 35' yacht is. The answer? CHEAP. I found a nice one as low as $6,000. Sure, it was from 1982, but it was in good shape and, hell, it was a 35 Foot sailboat that would comfortably sleep 4. Then I found this, the custom speedboat clearly inspired by the maniacal Carrera GT. It certainly looks the part, and with a 550HP V8 it should do 60mph without much trouble. And if the sale prices of these boats are any indication, it's going to go for a bargain basement price. What I find particularly interesting is that the auction says it should be serviced at a Porsche dealer, given the unlikelihood that Porsche had anything to do with the boat's mechanicals.

Take a look HERE

Garage419 Goes to Washington D.C.! Saturday 2/21/09

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:07:14 EST

Here's an idea for a show: Let's blatantly rip off Top Gear with no shame, and race a Dodge Challenger SRT8 against Delta and Amtrak from our offices in New York to the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Fountain in Washington, D.C. Think that's a good idea? Well good, because we're doing it. It's all going down on Saturday, February 21st. I'm driving the Challenger, JF is flying, and Tom is taking Amtrak. We're departing the office at 8AM sharp, and should be arriving at the fountain around 12 noon. I'd love to see any of our Washington, D.C. fans out there to greet us! Plus, we want to get some fan reactions to the Challenger, so stick around and get on camera!

Bring a Trailer Fun

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:05:21 EST

Cheetos Boredom Buster

Sometimes I get lost in all the automotive news that crosses my desk each day. Working as the producer of FLD means I not only have to find interesting stories before 9:00am, but also tamp down the latest Derek D. temper tantrum and pound my fist on computer workstations. Believe me, I have the chronic case of club hand to show for it. It's all to make sure viewers like you get the episodes as fast as possible, even at the risk of my own health.

Finding fresh stories each morning is harder than it seems. And sometimes it's emotionally draining. You try and watch the same Honda NSX prototype lap the Nurburgring day after day while news comes from Japan the project is dead and not want to pull your ear hair through your skull. I'll bet you can't do it. Go ahead, try.

That's when I need to take a break. Where does a guy who lives, sleeps, and breathes the auto industry go when he needs to get away from the madness? Bringatrailer.com, the ultimate car geek getaway and my Cheetos Boredom Buster. Each day I log on there's another closet classic going for sale, either beat to hell, found in an old barn covered in dust, or that some poor guy spent years restoring at the expense his his knuckles, his kid's college fund and his marriage.

Some you will literally need a trailer to get home, either because they're weighed down by all the rust and rodent dung or because they've been restored to the point of insanity and worth more than AIG's travel budget. Browsing the site brings joy to my life. Its not about flash, or horsepower numbers or guys who treat their cigars better than their mistresses. These are classic antiques which have been lost and forgotten about, and yet now, they are back on the market to start a new chapter in their life.

Porsche unveils facelifted 911 GT3

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:34:42 EST

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Following the release of the facelifted Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models late last year and the new Targa, come the first details and images for the updated 911 GT3. Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its race-bred GT3, opting to focus on changes taking place under the revised sheet metal instead.

Power has been boosted by 20hp (15kW) over the outgoing model, with the car’s naturally-aspirated flat-six engine now pumping out 435hp (325kW). Changes to the powertrain include a larger 3.8L of displacement, as opposed to the former’s 3.6L, as well as an updated VarioCam system with adjustable exhaust valves. The end result is a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 312km/h. Other changes include enlarged carbon-ceramic brake discs and a new adjustable front spoiler that can be raised by up to 30mm at the push of a button. Visually, the new 2010 GT3 can be differentiated from its predecessor thanks to new bi-xenon headlights, new LED tail-lamps, and revised air intakes in the front bumper.

Porsche Reveals Facelifted 997 GT3

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:31:34 EST

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Spoon Sports 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:08:09 EST

The crew over at GTchannel cut together some really cool exclusive footage for the Spoon Sports 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. Spoon President and driver Tatsuru Ichishima managed to almost make it through the entire qualification without a hitch, but ended up crashing on the last lap. Also included is in-car footage from race day showing off the magnificent performance abilities of these JDM race cars on the track at the Macau Grand Prix.

Nissan GT-R SpecV

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:58:42 EST

In this video, we have the new GT-R SpecV at Nurburgring with an interview with an insider explaining the car, unfortunately in Japanese only. But still a cool look at the car none the less.

Garage419 at Palm Beach Supercar Weekend

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:13:19 EST

Friends and Fans, this weekend, Gene and I will be heading down to West Palm Beach for Supercar Weekend. We would love to meet up with fans at the show, or even go to a bar on Saturday night after the festivities. Email me, Matt@garage419.com and let me know of the good spots in Palm Beach, and we can arrange a fan meeting, or just come to Palm Beach Supercar Weekend and just say hi!

-Matt

BMW X6 M spotted in Los Angeles

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:03:11 EST

VODCars photographer Jason Thorgalsen followed this BMW X6 M mule through the streets of Los Angeles Friday night. Jason's pursuit lead him on a 25 mile journey until finally, the BMW engineers were forced to stop for gas. Jason reports that under acceleration he may have heard the wine of a turbo-charger under the prototype's hood. No word from BMW as to when we will officially see the X6 M but BMW has been known to tease future models such as the X5 M in online viral videos.

BMW X5 M official teaser video from the Nurburgring released last month by BMW.

2009 Audi A4 Avant Review

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:04:16 EST

The station wagon has caught a bad rap with gearheads the US ever since the wood-sided land barges of the late sixties rolled out of Detroit factories and onto the small screen, shuttling around the Brady bunch in an awful suburban nightmare. And then, as if out of nowhere, came the 2009 Audi A4 Avant, a wagon so beautiful even this childless, 27-year-old lout would love to own one. I like the new A4 sedan body style, but the droopy tail hasn't grown on me, whereas the stylish rear end of the Avant improves the A4's look dramatically.

Brilliant Red paint and a sport package do wonders to this wagon's curb appeal as well. The 18-inch wheels fill out the arches nicely, while the blinding brightness of the Avant's crimson hue stands out in a sea of black and silver BMW's and Benzes in my hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. Standing in line at Starbucks for my daily quad espresso, three very large, somewhat thugged out construction workers asked if I were "rockin' that sick ass wagon outside" and asserted that, "damn, that shit be hot!" Not the reaction I'd expected, given the wagon's implicit purpose of hauling kids and their stuff around suburbia.

The 2.0 TFSI four cylinder powering my test car is a wonderful engine, quiet, torquey, and economical. The six-speed tiptronic transmission, however, didn't do it justice. The autobox's mandatory "start from idle" acceleration chart makes the turbocharged plant feel laggy off the line. Still, as automatics go, the latest Tiptronic's manual shift mode is just about the fastest and most precise I've used (save for the DSG and wet-clutch type systems). Despite the lack of flappy paddles, I spent most of the time in manual mode, shifting with the lever. Going manual is the best way to keep the engine in "the fun zone," above 2,500 RPM.

On the second day of my four-day test, I got lucky. Mother nature took a four-inch white dump on New York and Connecticut, giving the Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system a chance to shine. Route 17, north of Harriman, New York had about an inch and a half of the white stuff in pre-plowed trim, and the Audi had no problem maintaining 70 mph without a hint of instability. Back roads rife with obstacles such as snow, ice, retarded drivers, and snow plows did little to upset the Avant's sure-footedness. No storm was too much for the Avant to handle with ease. I'd want my mother driving this car just as much as I'd want to be driving it myself.

The A4 Avant is most at home on a long highway trip, where its adjustable suspension can be left in automatic mode, leaving brain cycles leftover to play with the lightly-revamped multimedia interface (MMI) system, which features navigation, satellite radio, and all the usual goodies. Controls for the HVAC are kept out of the MMI interface (thank god), and switching between functions is done via large buttons around the central control knob as opposed to with an onscreen main menu. After a day or two using the system, I was able to switch back and forth between navigation, trip information, and Sirius radio without looking down at the center console at all. I also liked that I could have the navigation directions on the gauge cluster screen with radio functions on the main screen, maximizing usefulness.

The new A4 Avant has its drawbacks. My test car was essentially fully loaded, sporting Audi Lane Assist, sport package, full leather, MMI, Xenon/LED lights, and dual-zone climate control. The problem? A $47,000 sticker price. Ouch. I know. Forty-seven grand is a lot for a car with a four-cylinder engine, turbocharged or not. The good news is that if you're willing to skip over some of the extras you can drive one home for just over $35,000. That's a big difference for a car that will essentially look, feel, and drive exactly the same. Also, the steering is a bit light at highway speeds. In parking lots the boosted power steering is nice, but at speed, there were times I wished for a BMW tiller's firm feedback. I'd like some more power, too. Like, a lot more power. Like, an S4 Avant. Unfortunately, Audi says the S4 Avant won't reach the US this time around. I'm not surprised; the company sold only 400 B7 S4 Avants in the US in 2008. But with a body this sexy and the new 3.0L TFSI Supercharged mill powering this generation's S4, I have a feeling the company might reconsider. They would have at least one customer, that's for sure.

Revealed: Fisker Karma for Production, Sunset Concept

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:29:48 EST

The production version of the luxury four-door plug-in hybrid debuted in Detroit today. That, nearly a year to the day since the company bearing the name of Danish auto designer Henrik Fisker unveiled the Karma pre-production concept. Fisker says the Karma is powered by a hybrid powertrain developed by Quantum Technologies, developer of the Aggressor prototype attack vehicle. Details on the powertrain are light, but Fisker says it’ll get 50 miles on a charge, with a 300-mile total range, or an equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. The company also says the production Karma will get from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, with a top speed of 125 miles per hour.

Fisker says it’s already taken 1000 deposits on the Karma, which will start $87,900. Also in Detroit, Fisker revealed the Sunset concept roadster. That the company says will preview a short-wheelbase model that could arrive by 2011.

Revealed: Audi Sportback Concept

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:23:41 EST

Photos: 2010 Ford Taurus

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:21:18 EST

World Premiere of the VW Bluesport Roadster

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:20:24 EST

Wolfsburg/ Detroit, 11 January 2009 - Maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption: This is the standard by which Volkswagen is starting the new car year 2009 and is presenting the roadster Concept BlueSport at the North American International Auto Show. "The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency," confirmed Volkswagen's Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.

The Concept BlueSport is making its appearance at the car show in Detroit with a Flex Silver exterior and orange fabric convertible top. "It is the symbiosis of outstanding technology and timeless Volkswagen design that makes this car an exceptional sports car. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure", explains Volkswagen chief designer Walter de Silva. The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. Immediately visible to the eye is the intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen. Perfectly adapted to the interior are the leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.

Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter delivers dynamic performance. A 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers power to the rear wheels. In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. Also having a positive impact on the car's low fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100 km and reduced emissions are two technologies that are part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Concept BlueSport to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 liter per 100 kilometers in city driving.

Detroit Preview: 2010 Jaguar XFR

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:10:12 EST

Jaguar has released the first images of the Jaguar XFR. Packing the punch of 510hp from the supercharged 5.0 liter V8 engine getting the car from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. Expect to see the car in the flesh at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

So You Want to Race in the Snow?

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:22:59 EST

Rallycross in the snow isn't just for folks like me and Dave Mirra anymore! In fact, Monticello Motor Club, the northeast's premier private race track is open for select weekends this winter for anyone to come rally it up! All you need is a street-legal, AWD car and the $250 daily track fee! Winter Driving Series - Monticello Motor Club Let the snow fly - The MMC Winter Driving Series is designed to deliver driving excitement, rally car style, on our track that happens to be covered with ice and snow! On January 10th, 2009, weather permitting, MMC will be opening for its second event this winter. An exciting fun filled day of getting sideways and mastering four-wheel drifts awaits you. Our last event on December 20th, 2008 featured Dave Mirra, BMX legend and 2008 Rally America Rookie of the Year along with Vermont Sports Car, who runs Subaru Rally Team USA. Dave drove his Open Class 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car and was able to improve his lap time by nearly 1 minute by the end of the day. Check out www.drivemmc.com for pictures. Utilizing the South Circuit, groomed to perfection, the Winter Driving Series will be open to all licensed driving enthusiasts. Bring your friends and family to watch as you test the limits of your car through time-trials, open lapping sessions, and other exciting formats. Just because winter is here doesn't mean the motoring fun must come to a halt. So let it snow at the Monticello Motor Club. Winter Driving Series Highlights: * MMC South Circuit - 1.8 Miles with 11-turns consisting of large sweepers, increasing and decreasing radius corners, and thrilling elevation changes. * Exciting Formats - Go against the clock in head to head time trials or test, tune, and practice your skills in our open lapping sessions. * Rally Events - Break out the rally car, mix it up with fellow drivers of Rally New York and the USRC to put on a show for spectators. 2008-2009 Schedule Weather Permitting: Please call or check www.drivemmc.com for the latest track conditions. Schedule will be updated by noon the day preceding each event. Event Location: 67 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701 Registration and Vehicle Inspection: 8:00am - 9:00am Event Hours: 9:00am - 4:30pm Dec. 20, 2008 - Opening Day - Testing/Open Sessions/Time Trials * Jan. 10 - Open Session/Time Trials - Open to First 100 Cars - Limited space available, call to register today! * January through March weekend dates - To be determined. Hospitality/Driver Services Food and beverages will be available to spectators and drivers for purchase. Facilities are limited so please dress appropriately. Rules and Regulations Events from January - March will be limited to the first 100 cars and pre-registration is required. Entrants will have the option of participating in time trials, open lapping sessions, and other formats (subject to MMC participation agreement)! Seatbelts and helmets must be worn at all times. Studded tires are not permitted. Admission is $199 per driver (pre-registered) or $250 per driver at the gate, and $15 per person for spectators. MMC requires a credit card authorization form on file to cover additional fees for towing and any damage to the facility. All drivers must read and acknowledge additional rules and regulations in the participation agreement prior to entry. Vehicle Inspection Participant's vehicles are required to pass an inspection. This is to ensure no studded tires are equipped, working seat belts are installed, all safety lights are operating properly and each driver has an approved SNELL 95 or newer helmet. Vehicles will also be inspected to ensure there are no loose objects within, and that the vehicle is track ready. Daily Schedule * 8:00-9:00am: Participant Registration – Main Entrance -> Vehicle Inspection – Upper Parking Lot * 9:00–9:20am: Drivers Meeting in Tent * 9:30-12:00pm: Time Trials * 12:00-12:45pm: Lunch - Food & beverages available all day * 1:00-4:15pm: Time Trials / Open Sessions * 4:15-4:30pm: Recognitions / Acknowledgments /Conclusion Formats * Time Trials - Cars are released at intervals and drive 1 lap at a time, improving each lap * Open Sessions - Cars are grouped and released for 20 minutes at a time for testing and open lapping. Check out www.drivemmc.com for all details, scheduling and updates. Call or email to reserve your spot today! Contact Monticello Motor Club mgottlieb@monticellomotorclub.com www.drivemmc.com Office: 877.578.RACE (7223) x293 Fax: 845.468.7039

Hennessey announces plans for 705hp HPE700 Camaro

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:32:58 EST

SEALY, TX – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), well known for their extreme performance sports cars and muscle cars, announces their Limited Edition 2010 HPE700 Camaro.

At the heart of the beast is GM’s new LS9 supercharged V8 tweaked as only HPE could to 705 horsepower and 717 lb-ft torque. To qualify as a supercar under the HPE banner it can’t just go, it has to whoa. With optional 15 inch carbon brakes from the stunning new Corvette ZR1, light weight HRE wheels with Michelin PS2 tires and full suspension upgrades the HPE700 Camaro will be able to make full use of its new found power.

In addition to the power and handling upgrades., Hennessey will also be offering an exterior aerodynamics package to improve downforce at high speed. Penned by British designer, Steve Everitt, Hennessey’s Cam-Aero ™ body upgrades include: Carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon fiber side rocker panels, carbon fiber front splitter, front fascia with hideaway-look headlights and front billet grille. Completing the look of the HPE700 is a ZR1 inspired hood design with window showing off the Hennessey’s tweaked LS9 powerplant.

“The HPE700 Camaro allows our customers to combine supercar power and performance with classic American muscle car looks in a modern, daily-drive usable sportscar with a backseat and a trunk!,” said John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering. “We will be announcing other Hennessey turnkey vehicle packages for the 2010 Camaro in the near future along with an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories. But for now, the LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro, replete with ZR1 inspired looks and performance promises to be at the top of the American muscle car food chain later in 2009.

HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey’s 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom.

Hennessey is offering the first HPE700 Camaros exclusively to registered bidders at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. Orders can be placed at the Hennessey display at the show or by phone or email beginning Tuesday, January 13 through Sunday, January 18, 2009. On Monday, January 19, 2009 the HPE700 Camaro will be available to the general public and can be ordered from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey Performance Engineering.

Base price for the 2010 HPE700 Camaro is $109,500.

Located just west of Houston Texas at the Lonestar Motorsports Park complex, HPE has been building American supercars for nearly two decades with its Veyron-beating Venom Vipers, Ford GT’s and recently released Dodge Challengers.

Nissan reveals 2010 GT-R SpecV

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:50:11 EST

TOKYO (Jan. 8, 2009) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a new limited-production Nissan GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale at seven specially selected Nissan dealers throughout Japan on February 2, 2009. The GT-R SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle.

Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, which was introduced just more than one year ago to universal global acclaim, the new SpecV model builds on the original's "ultimate supercar that anyone can enjoy driving anywhere, at anytime" philosophy - taking it to an entirely new level of "oneness between man and machine." The SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the GT-R's unmatched performance to even higher levels.

The GT-R SpecV's new exterior features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, a carbon fiber grille, and carbon fiber brake ducts. The SpecV is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body color. Inside, the SpecV's unique two-seat interior (non-SpecV GT-R models also include a two-place rear seat) offers special Recaro carbon fiber bucket seats, while carbon fiber insets embellish the rear center storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas.

Performance is enhanced with a new high gear boost control device, which momentarily increases boost of the engine's twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy. Other modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes that provide powerful stopping performance.

The GT-R SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminum wheels that were developed for this model and have been sold by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) since September 2008. The lighter unsprung weight provided by the new wheels, together with the enhanced braking capability, an exclusive suspension and high-grip tires, combine to deliver the SpecV's exceptional performance.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:46:36 EST

Developed under Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, the new 2010 Shelby GT500 is the most powerful SVT product to date with 540 horsepower, a host of exterior & interior enhancements, suspension improvements and better highway fuel efficiency. The refinements made on the 2010 Shelby GT500 are due in large part to the work done by Ford and Shelby on the GT500KR.

“We’re proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we’ve now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. “Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive.”

At the heart of the 2010 Shelby GT500 is the supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V8 engine producing 540 horsepower and 510 ft-lbs. of torque with redline being 6,250 rpm. The 40 additional horsepower comes by way of a cold air intake using a conical air filter to bring in more air. A six-speed transmission utilizes a twin-disc setup with larger diameter discs made of copper and fiberglass to make them stand up to almost anything.

New features found on the 2010 Shelby GT500 include 3.55:1 gear ratio, cold air intake, aluminum power dome hood with heat extractor, “Gurney Flap” spoiler, upgraded twin-disc clutch for six-speed transmission, 19″ wheels with Goodyear F1 Supercar tires on coupe and redesigned splitter.

The interior uses genuine materials such as real leather in all seats, real aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara inserts on the seats, steering wheel and shifter boot. The shifter ball is one-of-a-kind being the iconic white with the “H” pattern for the gears and racing stripes going from end to end. The seats are inlayed with a racing stripe theme with the Cobra logo embossed into the headrests.

For lack of time to write more check out the press release and high-res photos of the 2010 Shelby GT500 after the jump.

Google Street View Catches Porsche Engineers in Colorado

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:24:36 EST

It's no secret that car manufacturers do most of their new car testing on the public roads. Spy photographers get good money for shots of a new car even if covered in a thick layer of camouflage. Sweden provides the perfect location for cold weather testing and the Nurburgring can replicate a year's worth of suspension wear and tear in only one lap. In the United States, Death Valley in California is the prime location for hot weather testing while only 10 hours east, Colorado is known for having some of highest paved roads in the world for high altitude testing.

Car manufacturers go to great lengths to disguise new cars when testing them around the world. Each car company has different procedures as to what should be done when coming into contact with spy photographers. Mercedes has even been known to have decoy cars flank a prototype in order to block any of the photographer's shots. But what happens when the spy is in the form of Google Street View?

Since Google Streetview was deployed a few years ago, the internet has been flooded with photos of the weird things the Google team has captured on camera while driving around the country. While doing some research for Garage419, or rather researching my next vacation and road trip, I was looking into some high mountain roads in Colorado. The Mount Evans Toll Road was one road that really caught my attention with its twists and turns upwards of 14,000 feet. When I followed the road to the summit on Street View, I was met with a surprise. What happens when Porsche engineers testing the new Caymans and Boxsters spot a Google StreetView car coming their way? They duck and cover. Also spotted looks to be a face-lifted 911 Turbo and Targa.

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Fisker Sunset Teaser Photo Released

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:24:15 EST

In addition to the production version of the Karma, the first luxury plug-in hybrid, Fisker Automotive will also be taking the wraps off a new concept during the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

FastLaneDaily has Fisker's own Twitter feed to thank for this leaked teaser shot of the new concept. You can follow Fisker Automotive on Twitter by checking out their profile here: http://twitter.com/fiskerauto.