Variance

Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1211 World debut of the BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Car A world debut full of emotion-precisely this is what BMW is presenting at the Frankfurt Motor Show: The BMW Z4 Coupe concept car, more than any other exhibit, clearly represents and embodies the motto of the world's largest car show: the Thrill of Motoring. Presenting this concept car, BMW is establishing new trends in terms of design, concepts and technology. And with its performance truly outstanding in every respect, the Z4 Coupe concept car clearly bears out all the classic values of the BMW brand. Considering the consistently growing market for high-profile premium sport cars, finally, the decision to build such an emotional two-seater Sports Coupe as a regular production model is almost obvious. All the prformance of a thoroughbred sportscar The long and sleek engine compartment lid, the passenger compartment moved far to the rear, and the short overhangs front and rear impressively visualise all those atrributes so typical of BMW: within the engine bay lurks a longitudionally mounted staright-six conveying its power to the rear axle in the interest of supreme driving dynamics. In conjunction with the car's long wheelbase and the centre of gravity visibly moved far to the rear, the Coupe right from the start creates the impression of a top-flight athlete urging forward with all his energy. The concept car is powered by BMW's new 3.0-litre straight-six developing maximum output of 195 kW/265 hp and peak torque of 315 Nm/232 lb-ft. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is expected to take only about 5.7 seconds, with the car's top speed ending at the 250 km/h (155mph) mark applicable to BMW's production models. Equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated suspension control systems, Electrical Power Steering (EPS), as well as a high-performance brake system, the Z4 coupe concept car is able to use all its power safely and reliably. The extremely stiff bodyshell, in turn, ensures driving dynamics of the highest standard, together with a level of above-average crash safety quite unusual in a sports car. Contrats, not comprises: dynamic also in design With its uncompromising technical features focusing on top-level performance, the Z4 Coupe clearly offers driving dynamics of the highest standard. And the car's designers have been just as uncompromising in giving the car an unparalleled look of dynamic perfomance right from the start. Contrasts in the car's design ensure an acute sense of supreme tension- also creates and bears out dynamism in design. The fascinating aesthetic look of the Z4 coupe concept car is based on the highly expressive design language of the BMW Z4 Roadster. Indeed the interplay of concave and convex surfaces merging in powerful and striking lines gives the body of the car not only unique character, but also a touch of clearly perceptible dynamism even at a standstill. The flowing roof line, in turn, characterises the BMW Z4 coupe as a classic coupe with its centre of gravity moved at least visibly to the rear axle. The recess in the middle of the roof, in turn, reinforces the sporting look and character of this classic coupe, the combination of tyhese elements giving the car a touch of forward-oriented dynamism from every angle: The BMW Z4 coupe is low, fast and, at the same time, elegant in its looks. The glazed part of the passanger cell referred to by experts as the "greenhouse" visibly tapers out into the rear end, accentuating the rear wheel arches in a powerful and muscular look. The spoiler designed into the rear lid, in turn, ensures optimum aerodynamics and streamlining, with the third brake light integrated beneath the spoiler in the rear lid. A further effect of the spoiler and brake light is the additional emphasis they give to the sheer width of the car's rear end. The seam around the rear lid extends discreetly along the rear side windows, finally merging into the sill line of the car. As a result, the Z4 coupe concept car retains the sporting look of its rear side windows with that characteristic Hofmeister "kick" also with the rear lid open. And beneath the rear lid, finally, the Z4 offers luggage capacity quite remarkable for a sports car of any calibre. Exterior paintwork in Glacier Silver developed exclusively for the concept car gives tis unique coupe the silky-matt glossiness of a sculpture made of massive aluminium. Nineteen-inch aluminium wheels clearly revealing their three dimensions and finished intentionally in a dark colour contrasting with the paint of the car underline the highly focused and powerul expression conveyed by the Z4 Coupe. Made exclusively for this Concept Car, the wheels are a product of the most elaborate casting technology. Dynamism for your senses: the interior Giving great attention - and indeed love- to detail, BMS’s colour and trim designers have created a unique interior tailored in every respect to the BMW Z4 Concept. The most modern materials in first-class quality are combined with one another exclusively for this Concept Car, offering features and highlights never seen before. Hence, the sophisticated interior points far into the future of interior design with all its potentials. Like the exterior, the interior of the Z4 Coupe Concept uses contrasts instead of compromises to generate the sensation of dynamism and excitement. The use and combination of materials and colours harmonises the technical and sporting features of the exterior with soft and harmonious elements within the interior, thus creating a world of peacefulness and tranquility. Matt and glossy surfaces form intentional contrasts intermingling with the numerous solid aluminium units inside the car, extending the technical features fortes of the Z4 Coupe visibly far into the interior. And at the same time soft, top-quality leather in warm brown colours exudes the feeling of being cocooned within this Ultimate Driving Machine. “Cold” high technology and “warm” cosiness- in this case this is not a contradiction in terms, but rather a harmonious blend of supreme qualities. Light and dark surfaces interacting with one another Black and coloured surfaces clearly distinguish the various function levels from one another, the driver perceiving the black surfaces along the car’s upper sill line as a clear delineation from the exterior at the same time creating a feeling of pleasant safety. The contrasts and brightness of the interior clear signal of open-mindedness and grandeur. An expression of space further enhanced by the arrangement of colours on the dashboard and the interior trim. High-Gloss and Woven Leather as clear signs of tradition and progress Silky high-gloss leather and classic, timeless woven leather form an intentional contrast to the almost silky Nubuk leather inside the car. The aluminium pedals and the footwells come complete with inserts made of robust burr leather. And we find the same combinations of top-quality materials within the luggage compartment and in the travel baggage integrated therein. Aluminium- an experience in looks and touch Over and above sumptuous leather, the interior is characterized throughout by polished and brushed aluminium components in the trim around the door closing handle, with the rotary knob for the air conditioning, the pedals and the loading sill on the luggage compartment all milled out of one single block of aluminium. So that these massive aluminium components are genuine experience not only in their looks, but also in their touch.

Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1206 Honda Pilot receives new look and new technology for 2006 Honda of America has issued the following press release: The versatile and popular Honda Pilot sets a new standard in the 8-passenger mid-size SUV segment for 2006 with more features and significant enhancements to the interior and exterior, along with the addition of two-wheel-drive (2WD) versions with Variable Cylinder Management(tm) (VCM(tm)) engine technology. The 2006 Pilot exterior becomes more expressive with new designs for the grille, hood, fenders, headlights, bumpers and tail lights that accent the "Honda Truck" family appearance. In addition, EX trim levels receive fog lights, and both EX and LX trim levels feature sporty, new alloy wheel designs. Inside, new styling and features include a new instrument panel design, seat fabrics and an adjustable headrest. Available features now include the latest Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(tm) with Voice Recognition and a 7-inch screen, a Honda DVD Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen and a 115 Volt accessory outlet. A rear-view camera is standard on vehicles with the navigation system. The 2006 Honda Pilot is available in an all-new two-wheel-drive version featuring a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with VCM. Equipped with advanced valvetrain technology that can deactivate three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration, VCM enhances fuel efficiency and provides seamless operation between three- and six-cylinder operation modes. Pilots equipped with 2WD and VCM achieve an EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 18/24 mpg, compared to 17/22 mpg for models equipped with 4WD and conventional VTEC. This is the first-ever application of VCM technology in a Honda SUV - the Honda Odyssey and Accord Hybrid also utilize VCM. Vehicles equipped with VCM include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Honda's Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system. The ANC and ACM systems work in cooperation to cancel both noise and vibration that could occur in relation to the cylinder deactivation process. As part of Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all trim levels of the Pilot include Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags as standard equipment. This further compliments the vehicle's existing standard Driver's and Front Passenger's Airbags (SRS), Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Air Bags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). The Pilot LX, available in either 2WD or 4WD, comes equipped with a long list of standard comfort and convenience items including remote keyless entry, power windows with auto-up/down driver's window, dual power mirrors, adjustable steering column, front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system, AM/FM/CD 4-speaker audio system, cruise control, multi-function center console with cell phone cradle, painted alloy wheels, body colored side molding and Immobilizer Theft Deterrent System. The full-featured Pilot EX, available in either 2WD or 4WD, builds on the LX features and adds synchronized automatic climate control, rear privacy glass, a 6-speaker audio system, a 6-disc in-dash CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, machined alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights and the HomeLink® Remote System. In addition to the EX features, the Pilot EX-L adds leather trimmed seating surfaces in all three rows, a power moonroof, a conversation mirror with sunglasses holder and a rearview mirror with compass (non-navigation models). Pilot EX-L models are available with a new Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System featuring a larger 9-inch video screen, integrated remote control, wireless headphones with Personal Surround Sound technology and a 115-Volt power outlet in the center console. Or, EX-L models can be equipped with the latest generation of Honda's Satellite-Linked Navigation System with expanded Voice Recognition capabilities and exclusive features like Zagat Survey® restaurant guide information. The Pilot interior offers room for eight passengers (two front, three middle, three rear) with an adaptable seating system that can transform the second and third rows into cargo areas along a 60/40 split in the bench-style seats that fold into the floor. Family-friendly storage areas and beverage holders are featured in all three rows of seating. World-class fit and finish, a new more sophisticated interior design and dynamic exterior styling elevates the Pilot to a new standard in the mid-size SUV segment. Like all Honda products, the Pilot has world-class ergonomics with controls that are intuitive and easy to operate. New noise dampening materials have also been applied to make this the quietest Pilot ever. Powertrain technology for the 2006 Pilot includes a 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine with VCM technology on 2WD models, and a 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC engine on 4WD models. Drive-by-Wire(tm) throttle control is standard on all models, and the Pilot's standard 5-speed automatic transmission features a direct control shift system for smoother gear changes. Both the VTEC and i-VTEC engines produce 244 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net, revised 8/04)*. The Pilot utilizes an independent front and rear suspension and a rigid body structure to help deliver top-of-class ride and handling performance that also helps to minimize cabin noise and road vibrations. The Pilot is manufactured at two locations in North America using domestic and globally-sourced parts: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, and Honda Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario.

14 4 15

Ditto.

I actually like it in black; it looks evil. I'd guess this would sell well for rich families with a lot of members who don't want an SUV.

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107194 CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple Computer said it will expand the presence of its iPod portable music player into more new vehicles in the 2006 model year. In an announcement Wednesday, Apple said it has deals with Acura, Audi, Honda and Volkswagen to integrate the iPod into their car stereos in the coming year. Apple previously had a similar agreement with BMW, and said vehicle manufacturers, including Ferrari and Infiniti, soon will offer iPod integration. That makes 15 companies worldwide now offering or planning to offer iPod integration, the computer maker said. It expects more than 5 million vehicles to ship with iPod support in 2006, including more than 30 percent of the cars sold in the United States. The Music Link iPod support provided by Honda and Acura on many of their 2006 models will be the first to include text-to-speech capabilities, or VoiceID, which is used to search for playlists, artist and album names or genre. VW will offer iPod integration on most of its 2006 vehicles. Audi will provide iPod support on the A4, A6 and TT. What this means to you: If you buy a 2006 vehicle, chances are one in three that you'll be able to plug and play your iPod.

<-----Action packed.

I remember liking any car that had four doors and all red (no amber) tail lights when I was 8 or 9. And I mean, any car. I liked a freaking Dodge Omni for God's sake. :blink: I didn't know Acura and Honda were related at first. I thought ribbed tail lights were cool. (i.e. like those on an Aerostar or Town & Country) I grew up quickly after I got a greater knowledge of cars. :P

I saw a black current-gen Viper today. It was the first one I saw in real life. It sounded pretty good for the two seconds I could hear it.

Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1205

Link: http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_subaru_develops_turbo/index.htm

Well, after much trial and error, I've done the rear of the ETC-V+:

The music is what caught my attention. I wasn't looking at the TV when the commercial came on but when I heard the music I turned and gave it a look. So I guess if they wanted the commercial to be an attention-grabber, it worked on me at least.

I'm assuming you're referring to the SS Supercharged since it's about equal in horsepwer to the Si. It's kind of a tough choice for me as I find both to be good-looking cars. I think I might take the Si because I prefer it's interior to the Cobalt's.

Link: http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticl...IKE-AIRBAGS.xml

It's pretty good for what it is. Small Hyundais have come a long way from the era of Excels.

*Homer Simpson drooling sound*

Link: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103139

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0.../A01-306470.htm

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0.../C01-306262.htm

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0.../C03-306253.htm

Better images:

Link: http://autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant The Kings of Short-Term Thinking Get Caught Flat-Footed - Yet Again. Detroit. The horrific, gut-wrenching scenes from the Deep South are grim and never-ending, and our hearts go out to everyone in the region, with the scope of the devastation and desperation impossible to comprehend. The effects from Katrina will be felt across this nation for years to come. But beyond the human toll and destruction brought on by the hurricane, we are now experiencing a furious storm of another kind that will cause a fundamental shift in the way the American driving public approaches vehicle purchase decisions and, in turn, a fundamental shift in the U.S. auto industry - literally overnight. We've seen countless reports over the years estimating the price gasoline would have to reach before people reconsidered their vehicle purchase decisions - and the recurring figure always seemed to come in at around $3.25 per gallon. But in most areas of the country now the price for a gallon of gas has blown right by that figure. Certain analysts in and around the auto industry still suggest that this spike will be temporary and that it won't have a long-term effect on the driving public's vehicle consideration parameters. But I'm not buying that perspective for a second. Too few people remember the gas crisis of 1973, other than the old news footage clips, but this time, with the oppressive coverage by the media of events as they unfold, along with the instantaneous connection offered by the Internet and the fact that gas stations across the U.S. are raising prices almost daily, the message is being received loud and clear by everyone. And the message resonating with the driving public is that the era of cheap fuel is well and truly over in this country. Combine the global impact of energy usage around the world as developing nations demand more and more energy with the effects of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and you can almost hear the unified cry of people as they drive around, saying, "Okay, we get it now!" Whether or not you believe this shift is long overdue (I certainly do), this will be no temporary revelation on these drivers' parts, either. After gorging on faddish, oversized SUVs for years, while studiously avoiding more rational vehicle choices, drivers in this country have woken up with a relentless hangover from Katrina made up of the double-whammy of tight supplies and jaw-dropping prices. This isn't some speculative doomsday scenario in the Op-Ed pages of The Wall Street Journal either - instead this is real-time, day-in and day-out reality for the American driving public, and it's hitting them in the head like a two by four. Forget the "I told you so's" for a moment and consider what effect this is going to have on the U.S. auto industry. The short answer can be encapsulated into two words - not good. SUV sales aren't just slowing - they're crashing to a halt. And the auto industry, especially here in Detroit, is reeling. My gut tells me that fully 50 percent of the full-size SUVs sold in this country in the last five years were purchased by people who had no real need for them and had no business buying them. So, you can take those people right off the table, because after dealing with the new gasoline cost reality in this country for a few months, they simply won't be back. Of the SUV buyers left, I would estimate that 25 percent of those have already made the decision that $200 per week fuel bills are simply unacceptable, under any circumstances, so they won't be back either. That leaves the market for full-size SUVs in this country in my estimation at 25 percent of what it once was - with only the people who actually need these types of vehicles or those who can afford to ignore $125 dollar fill-ups left to have their pick of the full-size SUVs in the market. Why could just about everyone with a passing interest in this business see this scenario playing out except for the denizens of the Motor City and the other automakers around the globe who decided that there was no end to the artificially-induced SUV craze? Artificially induced you ask? That's exactly what it was. Although there are several current high-ranking auto executives walking around today who will sit there and tell you with a straight face that Detroit and other manufacturers were just "giving the people what they wanted." That is flat-out unmitigated bullshit. Detroit marketers in particular created "the need" and "the want" here, folks - and don't for a minute be misled into thinking otherwise. Detroit single-handedly pushed an egregiously callous marketing strategy that revolved around launching more and more variations of larger SUVs into this market and creating the demand for vehicles that were a dismal combination of laughable space utilization, miserable handling dynamics and piss-poor fuel economy - wasteful mastodons that made little sense even under the most wildly optimistic scenarios. Not only did they push bigger and bigger SUVs and "urbanized" pickup trucks, they made these vehicles drive like cars so that people would realistically consider them as benign alternatives for their transportation needs - even if they were woefully inappropriate choices in every respect. And while these vehicles generated mind-numbingly huge short-term profits, Detroit ignored warning after warning, while adding more SUV models and the plants to build them, thinking the big-time profits and cheap gas would last forever, even though certain high-visibility individuals at these companies with a modicum of vision and rational thinking had long advocated that the whole SUV craze may indeed be a short-term boon - and a long-term disaster in the making. Today, that disastrous scenario has become reality. And the auto industry and Detroit in particular have no one to blame but themselves. They turned what should have remained a small but serviceable niche in the market into the cornerstone that they banked their livelihoods on - and now the whole thing has come crashing down on them. Don't be surprised if these automakers can't engender much sympathy at this point for their plight, either. Once again, industry critics - from Washington, D.C., and the media intelligentsia in the Northeast, to the green movement on the West Coast - have been given carte blanche to tee-off on Detroit for all manner of sins, and Detroit will not be able to mount even the feeblest of defenses. The ship has sailed on this discussion - and the finger pointing will be going only one way. Ironic in all of this is that you can bet Toyota will escape the critical firestorm aimed at Detroit, even though the Japanese giant not only has a wide array of gas-swilling SUVs wearing Toyota and Lexus nameplates - they're about to open a huge new plant outside of San Antonio to build a bigger and better full-size pickup for the North American market. Toyota will emerge unscathed from the anti-Detroit, anti-SUV media carnage, and the Teflon bunch will escape the ire of the critics yet again - due to the fact that the "Master Manipulators" at Toyota PR have managed to convince everyone in the free world that they're the Jolly Green car company that makes nothing but hybrids that run on a magical combination of fresh air, hugs and a smile. What happens next? This fall's automobile market will be grim, perhaps the grimmest in U.S. history. Car companies will obviously be scrambling to muster new vehicles to market that aren't SUVs (see "On the Table" - ed.) - and they will desperately try to make a go of it while unsold SUVs become permanent fixtures on dealer lots across the country. It certainly didn't have to be this way, of course, but after all of the hand-wringing and analysis Detroit has proven yet again that a lack of vision, creativity and conviction will absolutely kill you in this business - and nowhere is that demonstrated more on a daily basis than right here in the Motor City. Drunk on the astounding profits generated from SUVs and blithely conducting themselves as if the end of the good time party would never come - the kings of short-term thinking have been caught out on the wrong side of the market yet again. Thanks for listening, see you next Wednesday.

Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1204

Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1203