Archive for March 2006

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Buying (4)

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    Jalopnik Review: 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo SE, Part 2

    Exterior Design *** The Gallardo is bedeviled by its details: a snout that drops a hair too precipitously, oversized air intakes and headlight openings, etc. Taken as a whole, the Gallardo looks a bit like a mid-80's Countach with all the addenda removed (rear wings, side skirts, haunch-mounted air intakes, federalized bumpers), that's been squeeshed from both ends. In short, it's dramatic and modern, and about as sexy as a Danish furniture.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jalopnik Review: 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo SE, Part 1

    Of all the thrills provided by a performance-oriented hyper-exotic automobile, my favorite is the singularity. In physics, a singularity is the point of mass density where gravitational forces are so great they distort space and time — and then the whole shebang collapses into a black hole. The Lamborghini Gallardo SE's supercar singularity arrives somewhere around 5000rpm. The intensity of the V10's operatic bellow becomes so great that forward thrust and relative speed become subjectively unqu

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, Part 2

    Exterior Design * The strict horizontality of Lincoln s trademark waterfall grill makes the Zephyr look small (which it is) and gives its snout more than a passing resemblance to Richard Kiel's jaws. Lincoln's ertswhile designers achieved a similar reverse Tardis effect at the rear using over-sized tail lights. In short, it's a thoroughly unconvincing attempt to disguise a Ford Fusion.

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    Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, Part 1

    Can someone please explain the existence of the badge-engineered Lincoln Zephyr? First, are there really potential Zephyr buyers who don t realize that the new model is nothing more than an expensive, tarted-up Ford Fusion? Seriously. I live in an alternate carniverse. For all I know, Lincoln salesmen spend a good part of their day sniggering at the saps who stroll into the showroom thinking Ford s luxury division have fashioned a brand new car imbued with unpretentious luxury. In the Internet a

    By Mike Spinelli Read More

Entertainment (1)

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    Google Video Mining: Jeremy Clarkson On BBC Motorworld

    We Yanks are largely unaware that in 1995 Jeremy Clarkson hosted a 12-episode series called "Jeremy Clarkson s Motorworld," one portion of which focused on Detroit. In this episode — courtesy of Google Video (aka, Lord Everythinge Goode) — Clarkson attempts to translate the Motor City into, well, English, attending a Telegraph Road drag race, riding in a Caddy with Bob Seger and lamenting the good old days. Well, not exactly lamenting as backhandedly romanticizing (no mean feat). "Cars like this

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News (57)

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    This Week In Comments

    Mmm...Nascar Tastes Like Pork! "Anyone caught grilling unsanctioned meats in the infield will be shot in the face by the ghost of Earnhardt on sight." by Will Moseley

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    Breaking! Details On Delphi's Determined Dumping Of Devalued...Everything?

    In a release just posted to Delphi's web site, CEO Robert "Steve" Miller outlines the "Transformation Plan" to a 2007 emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We've got some quickly put together talking points here, and we have the entirety of the press release after the jump. All we're hoping is that further detail don't involve transforming their Troy headquarters into Omega Supreme and blasting off into space. And by space, we mean Mexico.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Jimmy Is Not Happy With Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach

    If you weren't already tipped off by the millions of dollars being withdrawn from 401Ks from here to Calabasas, the annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction started last night and runs through Saturday. If you go to check out the cars and the Benjis, ask for Jimmy. He'll be the one in the scowl:

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    Pimpstar: The Movie

    Takeaways from the online commercial for Pimpstar light-up rims by Dub Wheels: 1) Blondes are intrigued by shiny objects. 2) You can change the LED design on the fly, using software and a wireless modem. 3) Chicks may or may not respond to being propositioned by guys who flash their phone number on a chrome wheel. 4) Green faces are scary.

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    Chrysler To Introduce Long-Wheelbase 300C Today

    Word just came down on Firehouse.biz, Chrysler Group's press blog, that the company will introduce a long-wheelbase version of the 300C at 1:00pm today. It's got six-inches of extra length, which allows for more legroom in the rear, or for well, you know. [UPDATE: Full press release after the jump.] Related: Chrysler to Offer 300C Limousine [internal]

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Jeremy Clarkson On The Alfa 159: It's Christopher Walken

    The Times UK's resident ten-foot-tall car reviewer, Jeremy Clarkson, turned his Fi Fi Fo Fum on the Alfa Romeo 159, a stunning take on the sports sedan that had us head-over-digicam at the Geneva show two years running. Alfa's latest, he says, is the Christopher Walken to the BMW 3-Series's Tom Cruise of sports sedans: a non-obvious star that's capable of a one-in-a-million performance. Of course, what would an Alfa be without at least one example of engineering lunacy:

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    This Week In Comments

    Am I Evel? I Am Cad: Knievel s De Camino "I feel like if this article somehow involved whiskey and breasts, I might transcend this plane of existence." by Will Moseley

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    Mommy, Why Is A Picture Of A Naked Girl On The Wheels Of That Car?

    Sometimes driving in a pimped out Escalade isn't enough. Sometimes you need to add a bit more flash and bling to your ride. Sometimes your ride seems well, simply not-so-fresh. Well here's an interactive driving accessory sure to perk that wilted flower of a ride up. It's called the Pimpstar, and it's well...maybe it would be best if we let Customwheel.com tell you, cause we are totally about to fall down and die here on the floor in laughter:

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Screw La-Z-Boy, I'm A Gonna Get Me A Rolls!

    We could so use some comfy chairs, and if BMW/Rolls Royce wants to make the Jalopnik Team each a chair for us to use while we sit at our computers, and in the spirit of cross-branding between the erstwhile units of Rolls-Royce, the BMW division and the builder of marine turbines and aero engines would so be our newest bestest friend. We're fairly certain Captain Bob Cooling of the HMS Illustrious, the Royal Navy's flagship, is having some nice thoughts about the makers of his boat's new captain'

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    Over The Back Fence: Is Porsche Planning A New 928? Ferrari A New Dino?

    We loves us some gossip mongering, especially when it comes to exotics (what the fancy folks call ass-pirational vehicles). Some of the most compelling speculation has been about new, up-market, front-engined coupes to challenge the Aston Martin and Bentley GT juggernauts of late. Pistonheads has been on the Porsche beat, watching for talk of Stuttgart's line-expansion plans, while speculation of a new Ferrari Dino has been retailed on Ferrari message boards and in buff books. One Ferrari offici

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Choose Your Own Adventure: GM Edition

    They just announced the news over the radio here at the plant, I feel like I've won the lottery. This all sounds too good to be true. But I'm concerned because there seem like so many options, and I just don't feel qualified to make these decisions.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    No Money Or Mo' Money?: Most, Least Expensive Cars To Insure

    Insurance aggregator site Insure.com dropped its latest lists of vehicles most and least expensive to insure. Like most such lists, the most expensive column is mainly a function of "most likely to be stolen," where light trucks like the Ford F-Series and Dodge Ram figure prominently — though not the GMC Sierra — as do hot-selling Japanese models like the Civic, Accord and Camry. Minivans, not so much. Click through for the lists.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Oh Noes, GM! Tougher Fuel Standards For SUV's!

    Can't the General get a break? First, you had The Prez postulatin' US automakers are more Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's problem than a national one. Next, Commerce Secretary Guttierez in Detroit earlier this week basically tellin' the Detroit Economic Club "hell no" to providing help to US automakers. Now, the Bush administration looks to be getting one of those election-year green thumbs, and considering a push for higher fuel-economy standards for SUV's and sports-utes. Uh Oh.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    • Survey finds 82% of infant car seats in Ireland aren't being installed properly. Reason to believe it's more statistical error than fact: The survey was taken on St. Patricks' Day. [Ireland Online] • So let me get this straight...it's ok for China to tax our cars by 20% but the Administration won't do the same to their cars. Tell me again how this is "free" or "fair" trade? But seriously, they're also taxing chop sticks. Those commie bastards... [Bloomberg.com] • AAA announces its top car p

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    Fistful Of Metal: Aluminum Price Needs To Drop To Replace Steel

    The Reuterses are talking all 'bout a revolution. Not televised. Motorized. Except for one thing. The revolution's gonna be pricey. Despite aluminum's inherent advantages in terms of adding lightness, the cost structure ain't exactly simplicated when it comes to using the metal over steel. At $2,500 bucks per metric ton, parts still cost anywhere from 20 to 50% more than their steel equivalents. People who know say that cost needs to drop at the minimum to twice the price of steel before usage i

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    • Word to the wise Delphi workers, picketing can be hazardous to your health. We're not saying not to strike...but you've been warned. [Globe and Mail] • Jeez...banning smoking in private cars? How else can we get our nicotine, caffeine, fat and news buzzes going all at once if we can't be smoking, drinking coffee, eating a donut burger and reading the paper while we are driving? [news.com.au] • Although Nissan has more Dong than it ever needed, apparently they've got too much Diesel. Why not gi

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    NYT's Warren St. John Sued By Redneck Over Motorhome

    Aware of our quixotic quest to justify to ourselves that the only purpose that Alabama's truly suited for is to become the Bay of Georgia, CTE tossed us this nugget from our all-things-media-humpin' brother and sister over at Gawker. Times style reporter, Warren St. John is being sued by obsessive Crimson Tide fan Ron St. John over the use of a photo of his '72 Dodge RV on the cover of his chronicle of batshit-loopy Crimson Tide fans. Why?

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    50-Foot Queenie: Wagoner Forced To Apologize For GM Small-Car Exec

    A friend of ours who, until recently, was in the car-review biz, gave the Chevy Cobalt SS a lukewarm review, pointing out the harsh motor, plasticky interior and doofy rear wing. GM's response? Anger, misery, yanking of advertising from the publication he worked for. When the HHR dropped, GM Executive for small cars, Lori Queen, dropped by personally with the test vehicle, pointing out all of the features, but, to quote our friend, "But, when we asked simple questions like, 'Why does this look j

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Thar She Blows: Fiero-Bodied Boston Whaler For Sale On eBay

    Jigga what? Fishermen with Pontiac Fierolust (c'mon, they must be out there somewhere) can spend their hard-earned clams (heh) on this 14 ft Boston Whaler hull covered in snowy white Fieroness. The vessel sports bucket seats, Fiero dashboard and steering sheel, sunroof, running lights, foam-filled tires, and 40 hp Johnson outboard, which has no problem pulling the plastic sportster shell. Reserve not met at $3,500. [Thanks to Dave for the tip.]

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    Not-So-Much In Like Flint...Actually About A Generation Too Late

    Our Man Flint is off on a rampage on either vehicle platform design or the design of vehicles, hell, maybe both. We're not really sure what The Car Connection's crusty old man, Jerry Flint, is arguing about because he seems to shift the gaze of his angry rhetoric from paragraph to paragraph. Don't get us wrong, we've got our own issues with the Big Three. Sharing platforms to reduce costs though, ain't one of them. We don't know about you Flint, but we like to keep prices low on Ford Mustangs, C

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Oh Fudge! More Geely Humor Found In Translation

    We thought nothing could top the poorly-translated Geely brochure we saw in Detroit, but we were wrong. We were treated to even more giggles when an enterprising reader (hat tip Farlane) uncovered Geely's website, which appears to have been translated using Babelfish with editing work provided by Ralphie and his Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring. Although almost all of it is golden, here are some of the more humorous translations...

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    This Week In Comments

    El Nisamaro? Holy Sheep Dip! "That's what a Plymouth Superbird would look like if you shook it while it was still in the egg." by TexansAreHot

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    Oh Noes! It's Road Construction Season!

    The joke has always been Michigan's the kind of place that gets two seasons of driving..."snow" and "construction". While we feel that's a humorous oversimplification of the beauty of the changing seasons here in Michigan, we are most certainly entering the time of year when road construction hits its peak...

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Autoextremist On Carlos' Folly

    You know, we always thought Carlos Ghosn's plan to uproot Nissan North America from Southern California and re-pot it in Tennessee sounded like a risky go. After all, what has Nashville given us of any worth since Hank Sr. and Patsy passed on to the great big Opry in the sky? Meanwhile, SoCal's given us all manner of great stuff Bukowski, X, Black Flag, the Minutemen, dubs, 909ers, Ishtar, etc. Still, Carlos' claim that "most" employees would make the move is turning out to be false. Unless by "

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    I Drive My SUV So I Won't Get A Boo-Boo When I Crash

    Cruising down Woodward the other day, we couldn't help but notice the number of soccer-mom types riding above the traffic in their SUV's. We always find the image to be slightly humorous; middle-aged suburban mom shopping for groceries in a tank built to hold seven plus a chain gun.

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Foot-Pounds Vs. Newton Meters: Jalopnik Goes To School

    So we mentioned in our R10 post from earlier that we didn't get the whole lb. ft. And because our addled little brain is somewhat screwy when it comes to physics (we did well in Honors Bio but struggled through high-school Chemistry and didn't bother with physics if it involves math, forget it). And we could've saved ourselves a lot of embarrassment if we'd just looked up a conversion table on this glorious interweb at our fingertips. But we didn't. Anyway, kindly reader Weston writes in and exp

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    We Are So Going 2TalkAbout Honda Now!

    What happens when a car company gives the public an open-for-all-to-post blog? You get a mess. That's really all we can say about 2TalkaboutHonda, the new Honda UK blog. (Hat tip to a gentleman in Auburn Hills.) We cannot believe the PR folks are happy about the way this one has turned out, with equal parts corporate blogoganda and posts reading:

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    Tahoe Truthiness: Ol' Busted Versus New Hotness

    We decided we would pick up the glove dropped during today's podcast. With the helpful advice and numbers from some very enterprising young readers, we decided we should do our own experiment. We called three Metro Detroit Chevy dealers, to find out how much in incentives and rebates we could get if we wanted to walk away today with either a 2006 or 2007 Chevy Tahoe. While sampling three Chevy Dealerships located within the same metropolitan area is obviously lacks geographic diversity, it's a

    By Ray Wert Read More
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    Like The Dog, GM Is Hearing The Bell

    The 2007 Chevy Tahoe SUV, redesigned with a new front-end, better fuel economy (by one mile per gallon) and a more powerful engine, has been selling like gangbusters for the General. This gives us an alternate explanation for why GM's been asking their suppliers to speed ahead with production of components for the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon, the Generals new full-sized SUVs.

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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    • Reason #456 for always wearing shoes while driving. Even if you are Britney Spears. [Life Style Extra] • We don't know if you can call charging people who work for you more for health insurance an "innovative change" to your employee health care plan. [PRNewswire] • Four Michigan inventions included in a new book...who would have thought two of them would have nothing to do with transportation? [Freep] • Nissan isn't saying to Renault that they aren't going to be a friend anymore, just maybe t

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    Jalopnik Emissions: Hump Day

    • We expect nothing but hardball from a guy named Dick. [Freep] • Repeat that one again. Sales are up and profits are down in China? Are the underpants gnomes putting together the business plans for the Chinese auto market? [Detroit News] • Ever since we got a new car, we've been hoping to have an opportunity to bring a PYT with us and...uh, well...it's just that we really don't have time for 200 hours of community service. Oh, that was in the UK? Oh, then we are totally gonna go find one! [BBC

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    Venturi Heritage GT3 Car Completes Test Drive

    Recently reborn Venturi tested its new H ritage GT3 car on the Paul Ricard circuit last week, as part of the FIA GT3 championship's test days. Despite gearbox problems, the Audi V8-powered H ritage — the French specialty automaker's first racer since it was adopted by new sugar daddy — appears to have tested well. JMB Racing, will run a team of three of the cars during the 2006 season. We'll see later this year whether the company's got a winner, or whether it'll remain best known for having Int

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Go, Go, Go! Ale, Ale, Ale! La Copa De La Vida!

    It's been eight years since Ricky Martin forever destroyed World Cup Soccer for us, to this day we still cannot hear the words "Copa," "World Cup" or "Soccer" without cringing. What hurts even more is that its totally killed our normal level of excitement over a special edition of the Volkswagen Gol hatchback.

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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    • And the winner of the 2006 South African Car of the Year is...drum roll please....the Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T FSI manual! [iAfrica.com, Motoring] • We love speed. We always love speed. We always love speed except when a fire engine or ambulance is in front of us. Did we mention we hate schmucks who love speed when a fire engine or ambulance is in front of them? [SFGate.com] • 13-year-old Aussie leads police on car chase. How will we ever compete with the Aussies in hoonage when they start them

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    Prelude To Maximum Grillage: When Autos Attack!

    Well, they may not be attacking yet, but they are certainly getting angrier looking. They are getting demonic grins, glaring eyes and jutting foreheads. To tell you the truth, cars are turning into some mean-looking vehicles. Here's a question for the automakers...why all the anger? Do you not like us anymore? Are we not supposed to like other drivers anymore? Do we smell funny?

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    Between The Lines: Automobile On The Future Of Cars

    The future is a terrible investment. Consider Tommorow- land. Disney s ode to the joys of scientific progress has been causing the Mouse conniptions ever since it opened in 1967. And no wonder. Unlike the past, the future is always changing. One minute everyone s flying around with nuclear-powered backpacks popping food pills like a Jacqueline Susann character, the next they re freight training across intelligent highways in fuel cell minivans munching on apples genetically engineered to make th

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    Blogging "The Apprentice," Chevrolet Tahoe Promo Episode

    On this week's episode of NBC's "The Apprentice" the cast of prospective Trumps and Trumpettes, split into corporate teams Synergy and Gold Rush, were bid to create an event for GM's dealer-owners. The events centered on the introduction of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe to dealers (back in October, when the show was filmed), while piggybacking on an online promotion of the Tahoe. Did Chevrolet get its money's worth? We have no idea, but we did get all blogosphere on NBC's and GM's asses. Click throug

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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    Haven't we always said that Alabama legislators are childish and petty when it comes to their parking spots? Well check out this guy, cause he's really a douche. [AP]

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    Defeat Speed Camera Via Dorky Add-On?

    We posted earlier that cars with wonky suspensions could render speed camera photos unusable in Australia. Reader Chris writes in with another tip, although it mightily raises the vehicle's redneck quotient. Then again, that could be a plus for some readers. Click through for the tip.

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Corregated Rod

    Sculptor Chris Gilmour is known for rendering conveyances — like wheelchairs, a Vespa and a Fiat Cinquecento — in cardboard at full scale. His latest work is a finely detailed Model A hot rod, titled "Ford," which is on display today (run!) at the Pulse show in NYC.

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    The US House Loves The Lease Deals

    It's that time of year again when the Detroit Free Press publishes the results of their annual Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request list of House members paying for leases using their office budgets.

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    I'll Trade You My "Jumpy" "Mickey Mouse" For Your "Navel"-Less 1910 Michigan

    Everyone knows cars are collectible. In fact, they are second to none, despite our love of all things you can categorize, number and store...baseball cards, barbie dolls, comic books...lingerie. I even had a really sweet signed 1968 Topps Don Wert card (not that it was THAT difficult). But who knew that license plates could be springing up a collectible industry all its own?

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    The Jalopnik Morning Shift

    So whatever happened to that whole "value pricing inititative" at the General? They must not have been talking about lease incentives, because they're leading the way in 'March Madness' lease deals. Makes me wish that maybe I should have waited a couple of months before picking up my new lease. [WSJ]

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    This Week In Comments

    Oh My God! They Killed SVT! You Bastards! "I believe it's important that Ford has some SVT vehicles. If I accidentally owned a Ford Contour I would hope that it would be an SVT version. This way I could leave as quick as possible before anyone could see me driving it." by YellowDucati

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    GM No Longer Marketing "Till All Are One"

    Like Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus, it seemed like only yesterday GM was talking about that whole idea of consolidated brand marketing. You remember, the whole "lets logo badge everything the same" and "let's put all of our cars in one ad" concept. And that made sense, right? Cause folks LOVE to buy their Saab 9-3 and Cadillac XLR knowing that they're buying a vehicle with the same nuts and bolts that keep the Chevy Cobalt together.

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    Mr. Flex Goes To Canada: Funkmaster's Car Show Hits Toronto

    You know, we're like the inverse of Funkmaster Flex. He's wide. We're thin. He's rich. We're poor. He hips to the hop. We punk out. He's black. We're white. But, despite the differences in views on how a car should be properly customized, we share the same view on great raw materials: "A '69 Charger R/T 440 six-pack. Mine was bronze. I still got it. Screamin'. Now I got a '70 Chevelle, and a '66, a '67, a '69, a '71 and a '73. I got two '68 Camaros, two '69s, I got a '68, a '69 and '70 Mustang.

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    Jalopnik Junket Watch

    Jalopnik is proud to present a new feature charting the travels of the world's automotive journalists, as they test the latest whips in exotic locales (on automakers' sugar-daddy dimes). While we're not entirely sure if these intrepid scribes declare their air miles as income on their tax returns, we're positive you'll enjoy this look at some of the world's best destinations. Well, if you don't, we certainly hope the journos did.

    By Mike Spinelli Read More
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    Between The Lines: AutoWeek On Norway's Car Taxes

    Our little corner of the infosphere is not immune from political considerations. We re often ground zero for petro-political debates about the connection between American foreign policy and the way the needle in your big-ass SUV's gas gauge swings to E like a Big Band bee-bopper. We re also the subject of discussions about the negative effect of the exhaust gasses blasting out of the conjoined pipes of your Cayman S on California s Mighty Redwoods. Zzzzzzz.

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    Sitting On The Lot

    According to J.D. Power and its squad of Associates, the average new vehicle sells in 58 days so far this year, an increase over 54 days in the fourth quarter of 2005, but a drop (in the right direction) from 66 days year-to-year. Of course, that's just the average, which means at both ends are the best and worst performers. At the top, it's the new Lexus IS sedan followed by the entire Scion line (in various top-ten spots), the Toyota Prius, Porsche Cayman, Toyota RAV4, Pontiac Solstice, and...

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    Between The Lines: Gary Witzenburg On The Cost Disparity Between Domestic And Asian Automakers

    As bankrupt and bankrupting suppliers begin to supply General Motors with potentially lethal trouble, the debate over free trade is quickly heating-up. Despite the issue s enormous complexity, or perhaps because of it, auto writers are beginning to analyze the effect of international trade relations on American automakers and, by extension, American workers. Despite being a former GM Spinmeister, or perhaps because of it, The Car Connection scribe Gary Witzenburg has decided to tackle the Big Ka

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    Sheer Awesomeness: Vanners Respond

    Now and then, we post on custom vans. Because, well, they're simultaneously ridiculous and totally badass. Somehow, one of our van posts came to the attention of a collective of vanners today and we started getting mail from the vanning die hards. Click through for the vanners' take, including info on the Econoline pictured above.

    By Davey G. Johnson Read More
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    Holy Diver, Soul Survivor: Autoextremist On The Pontiac Predicament

    Last night, we were IM'ing with a fellow autojourno about GM's brand predicament. And then we IM'd some more with Detroit's Wonk about it. And this is our plan: First, kill Buick. Redo the Enclave as a Saab. Use Saab to replace Buick in the marketplace. Pair up Pontiac and GMC in the dealerships (which, by and large has been going on for years). Pair Saab up with Hummer. Make Opel/Vauxhall split the difference between Holden and Saturn, while spreading more development between the Ponchos and th

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    Dude, Where's My Land Rover: The Land_e Concept

    It's not exactly a design concept (considering it has no body and very large breath mints for wheels), but Land Rover's latest prototype is loaded with meaning. The company calls it the Land_e (get it, Landie. C'mon.), and it's meant to show off an integrated system of technologies that will undergird its next generation of on-road (mostly) off-roaders. The company says the systems — known collectively as e-Terrain — will improve the vehicles' performance, make them more fuel efficient (with up

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