Variance

Right, so that is the new Pilot's front end and from what I can see, it doesn't look pretty.

Firefox has its pluses but it's a resource hog and some sites function differently when viewed through Firefox.

I gotta say it handles corners pretty well. The grip is excellent. The surfaces I went over felt smooth as silk. I looked at the M3 but like I said, it's kind of played out now and sort of overpriced compared to the Fusion. There was also a Quattro but that was kind of old and I wanted something much newer. Unfortunately, the blades will need to be replaced from time to time but this being a domestic product, the parts are pretty cheap.

Ah, the M3's old news. The Fusion is much more modern-looking with that five-bladed face.

Perhaps, but I find the automatic smoother and more comfortable in operation.

TCC Test: 2007 GMC Yukon Denali If you aren't put off by the price or the fuel economy and need something in a full-size SUV with all the comforts of Bill Gates' home, the Denali is your truck. But as fewer customers are willing to clear those hurdles, the day may not be far off that Smithsonian starts clearing a spot next to its locomotive in the museum for vehicles like these. Read "2007 GMC Yukon Denali: The finest, last example?" @ The Car Connection

Rendered: 2007 S-Class Convertible Our sources in Germany are telling us that Mercedes will surprise the world with an S-Class Convertible Concept at the upcoming 2007 NAIAS in Detroit. But there's no reason to wait till January. Our favorite illustrator put together these renderings to give us all a preview of the huge four-door convertible concept. Read "Spy Shots: ’07 Mercedes S-Class Convertible" @ The Car Connection

I guess we know why they call it "Asspen". Haha! Get it?! :rotflmao:

Spied: 2008 Honda Pilot Editor's Note: Yes, it's gotten uglier. You gotta hand it to Honda; they are consistent. Every one of their new SUVs has been uglier than the previous generation. The first impression I get from the spy pics is a new MDX/RDX rear end grafted onto a Ridgeline front end. Read "Spy Photos: 2008 Honda Pilot" @ Edmunds

I popped over to my local Nissan dealer this weekend and gave the new Maxima quick lookover. I prefer the new exterior (never cared for the 04-06 bucktooth) and the interior looked much improved (didn't get to sit inside).

I decided to see what the big deal was about, so I picked one up last week. I put images up in a slideshow: http://img101.imageshack.us/slideshow/play...560665486d.smil

Spied: AMG "63" Brigade C, CL, GL and R63 AMG all caught on film. SPY PHOTOS: Latest Mercedes AMG Models @ World Car Fans

Is the Chrysler Group in an Identity Krise? -Variance August 5, 2006 In 1998, Daimler-Benz merged with the Chrysler Corporation to form the company we know today as Daimler-Chrysler. Some would say this wasn’t so much a merger as it was a takeover. Either way, after a shaky start, the Chrysler half of DCX has made some solid strides in terms of product, most notably when it comes to RWD machines: 300C, Magnum, Charger and all of the great SRT versions (not to mention the upcoming return of the Challenger). However, what I’m concerned with here is the Chrysler Group itself. In other words, what the company sees itself (or at least, what it wants to portray itself) as: German, American or an equal mix of the two. I kind of get the feeling they are trying to show themselves as all three in a way. American as Apple Pie On the one hand, you have cars from Chrysler that just say “American”; whether it is simply bold, in-your-face design as with the 300C and Magnum or things everyone just knows as being associated with American design as with the vehicles from Jeep and the new Challenger. With these designs, I’m not sure the average Joe or Jane would realize the companies have German influence in them unless they were told (or saw the “Dr. Z” ads – more on that later). Each brand of the Chrysler Group likes to show they’re American in different ways: -Jeep likes to play up the “we’re very American” thing as evidenced by the vehicle names (Patriot, Liberty, and Commander) as well as “Freedom Drive”, the name Jeep gave the new Compass’ four-wheel drive system. -Who can forget the Dodge “That thing got a HEMI?” guys? (I would kind of like to.) What about the HEMI engine itself? The name was revived and played on memories of the days when HEMIs powered the classic Mopar muscle cars. The Dodge ads themselves evoke a sense of being the “American bad-ass” as well. -Chrysler is probably the most in touch with its Euro side. However, in my opinion, Chrysler mainly attempts to appeal to the more sophisticated American consumer and they do this mainly through design. The 300C for example, looks the part of a modern-day American boulevard cruiser. The Crossfire is similar in that it looks American but in a different way. It doesn’t really look like anything a designer from Europe or Asia would produce (even though it was designed in Germany). The best I can put it is: It’s American through process of elimination. German as Oktoberfest On the other iron-fist, you have the company showing pride in their (somewhat) newfound German influence. And we have Dr. Z on the front lines to thank for bringing to the mainstream light. Most of us have seen the recent “Ask Dr. Z” ad campaign featuring Dieter Zetsche, chairman of DCX extolling the virtues of the German influence in Chrysler Group vehicles. Here are few examples the good doctor cites: -The German-designed Charger suspension -Advanced four-cylinder engines -The “world’s cleanest” diesel engines -Better overall vehicle quality, performance, capability and safety Catch-22? The problem is these can be opposing interests. You display how American you are to American consumers to evoke a sense of loyalty and pride in them (and also to attempt to pass muster with die-hard “Buy American” crowd). American vehicles are also seen as reasonably affordable and easily obtainable, a plus when trying to win over the lower and middle classes. However, being an American brand means being stereotyped by some as being low-quality, cheap (in a bad way) and basically not worth even looking at. So fine, you proclaim “I’m so Euro!” European cars are widely looked at as high-quality machines that are something to be seen in. If you associate with them, more people (particularly somewhat more affluent consumers) will consider your product. Not so fast. While people may typically see German cars as high-quality, they often do in a “...when they work” kind of way. The stigma can be even worse than the reliability concerns placed on American cars because at least they are typically cheaper to fix if they do break. You can risk rebuffing consumer looking for reliable transportation. Plus, you just lost the “Buy American” crowd. Of course, there’s no assurance that those scenarios would illicit those exact responses necessarily but the point is there are negatives to either one. However, having said that, I think the Chrysler Group should make a choice. So what is the Chrysler Group? DCX may like to play both sides of the fence but in my opinion I think should make a solid stand on just what Chrysler is. This is just speculation mind you, but I have a feeling average car-buyers don’t bother labeling anything German-American, Japanese-American or British-American. I think average consumer just stick with single nationalities (i.e., Mazda is Japanese, not Japanese-American; Mini is British, not British-German). They way DCX is doing things makes me think they aren’t quite sure what they want the Chrysler Group to be. If DaimlerChrysler is serious about being seen as a true fusion of Germany and America, would not logic dictate that they be two distinct German (Daimler) and American (Chrysler) factions? In other words, should not the Chrysler Group be portrayed to be a 100% American as possible? Doesn’t showcasing the German influence in a supposedly American group confuse things? Would it be better to just call DCX fully-German if you’re going to go to the trouble of showing how German your “American” arm is? Maybe there’s a different way at looking at this but as far as I’m concerned this is a matter DaimlerChrysler should look into.

I think the "WTF?!" is how he got e-mail from over 2 months in the future.

If you say so... It's more interestng than the Sequoia, IMO.

Spied: Toyota Hatchback Our resident spy photographer Chris Doane (CD/BP) is sure to be impressed by the state-of-the-art camo Toyota applied to this tester. Read "Spy Shots: Toyota Hatchback Coupe" @ The Car Connection

'Twas truly a freaky Friday.

Basically: Go here: http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=logi...nglish&p_d=trmk Use "Free Form (Advanced) Search". Type search in this format: (First word of company name)[ON] AND (Second)[ON] AND 2006????[FD] i.e.... General[ON] AND Motors[ON] AND 2006????[FD]

August Update GM Astro Body: ? Ford "Life is calling, where to next?": Slogan, cheesy. GTX1: (Published for opposition -- August 29, 2006) DCX "Disciplined pizzazz": OMG... GLK220/280/350: Mini-me GLs on the way. 722 Edition: Discussed before. GL65: GL AMG-style. CLS55: Ditto. Honda Mon Pal: Too ridiculous not to be a concept name.

July 2006 Sales: Subaru of America CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 1, 2006 -- Subaru of America, Inc. sales soared in July posting its best July in company history, with sales totaling 18,923 units, up five percent for the month compared with the same period last year. Both the Subaru Impreza and Legacy posted double digit gains, while total sales for the brand are up three percent year-to-date from the previous year. SUBARU OF AMERICA SALES SOAR TO BEST JULY IN COMPANY HISTORY (Word Document)

July 2006 Sales: Ford Motor Company *Retail sales for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr were a record 19,440 in July, up 18 percent compared with June. Total sales (including fleet deliveries) for the company's new mid-size sedans were 20,129. *Overall, Ford's July retail sales were up 7 percent compared with June – the second best retail month in 2006. *Ford's total July sales were down 34 percent compared with July 2005 when Ford offered employee prices to all customers. JULY '05 EMPLOYEE PRICING CASTS SHADOW ON JULY '06 SALES RESULTS

Frail-Rated: Over 800K Jeep Liberties Recalled WASHINGTON - Chrysler Group is recalling more than 800,000 Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicles because of the potential loss of steering control, the automaker said Tuesday. DaimlerChrysler AG spokesman Max Gates said the front suspension lower ball joint could experience excessive wear and looseness, leading the ball joint to separate. The recall affects 832,000 Liberty SUVs from the 2002-2006 model years. Read "Jeep recalls 2002-2006 Liberty SUV" @ Yahoo

Must be. I can't imagine they'd be proud of it.

July 2006 Sales: Audi of America AUBURN HILLS, Mich.- Audi of America, Inc. today reported July 2006 sales of 7,005 units, down just 2.6 percent compared to year ago sales, as the company is experiencing its lowest vehicle inventories in several years. Sales through the first seven months of 2006 remain on a record pace; Audi dealers have sold 47,460 vehicles this year. AUDI OF AMERICA, INC. REPORTS JULY SALES

July 2006 Sales: Volkswagen of America AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – August 1, 2006- Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported July sales of 22,627, a 5.0% increase over prior year July sales of 21,553. VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS JULY SALES INCREASE OF 5%