Flybrian

California should've considered a little thing called urban planning before imposing their draconian regulations on everyone. Our federal stadards already meet/exceed European and Japanese requirements.

Ooooh. Sounds wonderful! 3.6l is the way to go with a CTS.

VW reinvents Volkswagen with up! A 21st century version of the peoples’ car Greg Kable | drive.com.au | 11/09/07 Volkswagen has taken clear inspiration from its iconic Beetle in creating a new rear engine, rear-wheel drive concept car. Unveiled prior to the official start of the 2007 Frankfurt motor show was the new Volkswagen up! Called Volkswagen up!, the contemporary looking three-door hatchback points the way to an affordable new entry level model to be sold around the world from 2010. The up! is part of a program aimed at seeing Volkswagen going back to its roots and concentrating its efforts on producing volume selling models with wide customer appeal. That’s a dramatic turnaround after Volkswagen’s recent flirtation with the luxury car segment. By opting for an unfashionable rear-engine/rear-wheel drive layout for its latest small car, Volkswagen is seeking to achieve dramatically reduced production costs and clear packaging advantages over the small car competition, the majority of which rely on a more conventional front-engine/front-wheel drive layout. The move is not without precedent, though. The smaller two seat Smart due to go on sale in North America early next year is also based around a rear-engine/rear-wheel drive design, leading to rumours in Frankfurt that parent company Mercedes-Benz may be interested in seeking a co-operation with Volkswagen on the development of a new small car platform for a possible four-seat Smart model. The up!, which Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn hints could eventually be sold under the Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda brands as part of a concerted three-pronged attack on the small car ranks, was styled at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters in Germany under the leadership of Walter de Silva. Well known for his transformation of the look of the Audi line-up in recent years, the talented Italian designer has given the up! a highly modern appearance with a clean and uncluttered look that is aimed at appeal to buyers of all ages and ensuring classless appeal. At the same time, he has also provided new interpretations of Volkswagen’s classic badgeplate, including one that sits under the clear plastic screen at the rear and lights up when the tail lamps are in operation. The up! is just 3450mm in length and 1630mm in width. Despite these compact dimensions, Volkswagen claims to have provided it with class leading interior space. By adopting a similar mechanical layout to the original Beetle (as opposed to today’s front-engine model) and positioning its engine and other components low down at the rear, VW’s latest concept provides accommodation for four adults along with a limited amount of cargo space under the stubby bonnet up front and over the engine at the rear. The interior design of the up! blends with that of the exterior with a simple yet attractive look enhanced by a touch screen monitor to access all minor controls. Winterkorn says the upcoming production version of the up! is being developed in two distinctly different versions: an upbeat city car for thriving metropolises and a low cost variant for emerging markets. Along with the three-door hatchback on show in Frankfurt this week, other bodystyles are also being planned according to Volkswagen insiders. At the upcoming Tokyo and Los Angeles motor show, Volkswagen will reveal further takes on the new car, which is referred to internally under the name “New Small Family”. Volkswagen is remaining characteristically tight-lipped on the mechanical specification of the up!, saying only that it could “conceivably run all facets of technology.” Drive can confirm the German car maker is already well advanced on a range of small capacity direct injection petrol engines to power various models. Among them are turbocharged three-cylinder and turbocharged two-cylinder units – the latter of which is claimed to be returning fuel consumption figures of 94mpg in early road going tests. Officials also confirm Volkswagen is studying various plug-in hybrid concepts, although they admit the costs of applying such technology to a car like the up! may ultimately prove too high for it. In comments to the German press in recent weeks, Winterkorn has regularly affirmed the business case for the up! is strong and insists the future entry level model will make money.

New Astra, too. AURA, VUE, Cutty Supreme 'vert...geez. Extreme product placement.

This is one seriously awesome game. The graphics, the realism, the combat modes...and mostly, the scenario. In 1989, the Soviet Union mounts a full-scale invasion of the United States (Seattle, to be exact) and you're engaged in various campaigns to route the Russian advance. Its single and multiplayer and this is probably the first multiplayer game I'm going to take part in because its so neat. http://www.worldinconflict.com/ Downlod the demo and try it out or at least watch the trailers under DOWNLOADS. This is great.

But...its made by BMW, so if you didn't enjoy it, you're not a real driver. Go back to your CTS, you car operator.

The Value Edition was not only junk, but phantom junk - a barely-existent dealer come-on scam to get folks in there with the promise of a cheap monthly payment. I'm glad its gone.

GM @ FRANKFURT Opel Flextreme Concept - Press Release Dynamic, Versatile E-Flex-Concept Opel Flextreme Emits less than 40 g/km CO2 Opel Flextreme - Image Gallery Plug-in Electric Vehicle Features 55 Km of Emissions-Free Range E-Flex architecture with diesel engine extends driving range Dynamic, sporty, compact electro-monocab concept car FlexDoors® and FlexLoad®: New for doors, tailgate and luggage solutions – and an extra mobility option Opel’s Flextreme concept car, which makes its premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt (September 13 – 23, 2007), boasts the body of a dynamic monocab, as well as the completely new environmentally friendly E-Flex electric propulsion concept and a host of innovative details. Flextreme is part of GM’s ongoing commitment to develop vehicles that reduce CO2 emissions and the automobile’s dependency on petroleum. In contrast to conventional vehicles and hybrids, GM’s E-Flex system uses an electric motor, powered by a lithium-ion battery, to propel the Opel Flextreme concept for up to 55 km of electric-drive-only range. A 1.3 turbo-diesel onboard engine generates additional electricity to replenish the battery and extend the vehicle’s driving range fully charged, the Flextreme’s 55-km all-electric driving range is enough for most daily commuters in Europe to travel without using any diesel fuel or emitting any CO2. The Flextreme takes the new design language debuted in the GTC Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show several steps further. With the rear-hinged back doors (FlexDoor®) that enable comfortable access to the interior, a large transparent roof and two tailgate doors that open from the side and swing upwards (FlexLoad®), the concept car embodies Opel’s tradition of particularly flexible and practical body concepts with attractive designs. This also includes the FlexLoad’s additional underfloor luggage compartment the latest in a series of innovative Opel solutions such as the Zafira’s seating system (Flex7) and the integrated rear carrier system FlexFix found in the Corsa and Antara. And the big surprise is the integration of two high-tech electric personal transporters, ingeniously packaged below the cargo floor. They can be used in areas that cars cannot enter, thereby adding an extra mobility option. The electric scooters provide up to a 38 km (23 miles) of clean mobility. For the IAA, FlexLoad® carries special cargo in tune with the Flextreme’s electric propulsion: electrically-powered Segway® Personal Transporters (PTs). These high-tech transportation devices (1) have been modified for their mobile garage. With a twist of the handlebar-mounted release, the handlebar telescopically retracts and rotates downwards for easy loading into the Flexload® compartment. Once docked, the batteries of the Segways can be charged along with the Flextreme’s batteries. Propulsion: Low-emission mobility with E-Flex technology The Flextreme’s drivetrain is a good indication of what low-emission mobility could look like in the mid-term. It is based on General Motors’ electric vehicle architecture E-Flex and is always electrically powered. The energy source is a lithium-ion battery, and additional energy comes from a 1.3-liter CDTI engine as needed. This engine is not connected to the wheels; it is only on board to charge the batteries when they are empty and no plug-in facility is available, thereby extending the operating range. The concept car’s diesel engine features latest technology that helps to further reduce exhaust and noise emissions. The cylinders’ pressure-based closed loop technology is used to control the combustion process. Based on the current European test cycle for plug-in vehicles, the Flextreme is expected to emit less than 40 g of C02 per km.(according to European test procedure ECE R101 for range extender vehicles). Plug-in – full capacity after three hours of charging at 220 volts The E-Flex strategy is based on combining various drivetrain systems in the same vehicle architecture, depending on what energy source is readily available in the driver’s area. The concept has already been presented in two further versions: at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2007, it debuted with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine designed for operation with gasoline or E85 (a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). And at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2007, GM presented the electric concept car with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. Exterior design: Dynamic design language in compact monocab form The Flextreme body’s key characteristics highlight the new elements of Opel design language: more sculpted surfacing molding, clear style elements such as narrow, boomerang-shaped lights and sloping swage line in the side graphics. The 4796 mm long Flextreme was also designed following the motto of technological efficiency: vehicle weight and aerodynamics are optimized by using advanced materials and simulation technology. The result is a wide range of innovative solutions. The bottom edge of the windshield has been pulled far forward, so the hood with its characteristic crease is very short. The integrated power socket in the cowl panel allows the car to be charged at any mains supply. A look at the front of the car quickly reveals that the front grill and rims are covered by lightweight transparent trim, which is made from polycarbonate to improve aerodynamics while maintaining visual aesthetics. The same is true for the special light alloy wheels. Their look remains unchanged, yet disruptive air turbulence is avoided. Like the wheel design, the large boomerang-like curved front light units are visually deceptive. The designers continue a theme which began with the GTC Concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, and take it to a new level. The vertically oriented front lights slice up the front end in an unusual manner. The boomerang shaped high tech LED headlamp unit houses lightweight crossbeam, fog lamps and air intake for brake cooling which are particularly small in comparison to current trends. The optical illusion continues with the tail lights: at first glance, the concept car appears to have none. The curved rear lights are completely integrated into the tailgates and hidden beneath glass. Just like all the other windows and a large part of the roof, the windshield is made of especially light polycarbonate. The Flextreme’s panoramic windshield provides a light and spacious interior ambience and stretches over most of the roof, which is reinforced by a spine-like composite structure that extends all the way to the rear floor. Doors: Unconventional and practical In keeping with the vehicle’s extraordinary features, access to the FlexLoad® luggage compartment is through two butterfly rear tailgate doors that individually swing open upwards along the central axis of the vehicle. The advantage is that the Flextreme’s trunk is accessible from the side when parked tightly against a wall or another vehicle. Another key Flextreme innovation is the trademarked FlexDoors® driver and passenger doors: while the front doors open in the conventional manner, the rear doors are rear-hinged. And as there is no center roof pillar (B-pillar), opening both doors on one side creates a large opening for easy entry. The large side opening makes it much easier for parents to secure children in seats in the rear than is the case with conventional doors. Interior: Futuristic and top technology Honeycomb structures, which are characterized by low weight and high rigidity, are used extensively in the Flextreme’s interior. This functional, geometric structure can be found in the instrument panel’s lower portion, cabin floor, cargo floor and above the center tunnel where the lithium-ion batteries are located. Innovative lightweight construction is used for the seats which are anchored to the car’s floor by a mono track rather than the usual two, creating more foot space in the rear. The seats have a light and elegant look thanks to refined upholstery, with some parts in fabric/mesh and corners made of especially soft material. The steering wheel hub also houses a high-tech feature: a full-size driver airbag that is packaged with a special vacuum technique that reduces its overall volume to the minimum. Set directly under the windshield, the large panoramic display (size: 1.20 m x 0.10 m) in the interior is especially eye-catching. The display fields are configurable. They can show a complete all-around view of the car’s surroundings, for example, as instead of exterior mirrors the Flextreme has two side cameras, one front-facing and one rear-view camera. Alternatively the displays can also show information about the car, radio, phone, etc. One touch is enough A second display on the center console features touch-screen operation. At the top, the programmable one-touch buttons are designed like computer shortcuts. They provide easy access to various intuitive menus, including air conditioning, communi¬cation/infotainment and navigation functions. The buttons can be freely programmed and adapted to new infotainment systems. Slightly further down is the Flextreme’s touch screen drive selector gate with three driving positions: D, P and R (drive, park and reverse). The gears can also be comfortably selected via touch screen control. A clever storage system at the front and back of the center tunnel offer brand-typical flexibility. Front and rear passengers can stow items such as mobile phones, MP3 players, iPods and PDAs in two drawers. The best part: the electrical devices are recharged in the drawers by induction and Bluetooth-capable systems can transmit their data to the onboard infotainment system.

FIRST GLIMPSE! 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Link to Original Post @ TheHollywoodExtra

Two US Marine Corps plates (my Olds, my dad's SSEi) since my father served in the Marines during Vietnam. A nice white/blue 'Antique' plate for the Buick 'cause it qualifies.

But honestly, all those Cuttys I posted look damn nice...with regular wheels and suspensions. I like the paint jobs and the fact that its not a piece of trailer trash like too many G-body coupes in West Central Florida...

Woo! Donk it! Donk it! Donk it!

That's quite a looker now. The decals do make the difference.

Don't lie; you weren't playing GTA for any of that.

Have you considered doing the Swap Your Ride deal, but when they give you another Ford, you just drive away and never come back?

Note that the newer cars on that list are 'bad' because they're 'evil' i.e. consume fuel. Also, the vast, vast majority of those cars are oddities, unique one-offs, or ahead of their time. The Dymaxion was extrodinarily forward-thinking for its time. Very aerodynamic with a top speed of 120mph, it sat eleven passengers and cruised at 30 mpg. Subsequent cars like the VW Microbus were inspired by it. But, its a 'bad' car because it crashed due to another car. The Corvair was an attractive, sporty car that was pigeoholed by one man's arrogant vendetta against GM and the auto industry as a whole. And yet, despite his attention-whoring, the Corvair was successful (it didn't steal sales from intermediates like Ford's Falcon), legendary, and still collectable. The Waterman Aerobile blurb is such a piece of $h! its not even funny. Throughout, it implies this was a hastily slapped-together deathtrap waiting to happen. Yet, ignored, is the fact that this was perhaps the safest of all the flying cars ever pursued, being spin- and stall-proof. How about calling out that God-awful Mizar that actually crashed and killed its creator? There's so much hypocrisy here, too. The Aztek and SSR are 'bad' because they weren't popular; the Model T and Explorer are 'bad' because they were so popular. What?? God, I can't tell you how irritating this piece is. What should be a list of 'Oddities - some good, some bad, some just plain ugly' is twisted and culled into a OMG THESE CARZ IS TEH WURST!!!1! list for a headliner. Time has zero cred.

Ugh. Not even the G35. The new one may actually be worth the fervor and asking price, but it still resembles the old one too closely, and the old G was so totally a Nissan it was sad. Hood prop? Puleeze.

Sadly, I should be able to understand what is written. Yet I do not.

To not be everyone.

Surface detailing was certainly influenced from the Velite, but the Centieme provided much of the overall look, including that weird C-pillar deal that I still don't like.

Rich folks don't hide their money in offshore shelters or anything shady like that at all; that's Ray-Ray pushing the rusty KMart shopping cart who does his banking in the Caymans. They totally pay every rightful cent of their taxes owed and spend their disposable income on American products. Yup. Definitely.

Coming from always having/wanting/driving a domestic car, the stark lack of expected creature comforts in most Japanese vehicles is shocking. I have to again point to the Nissan Murano I had for a month. This is Nissan's big deal, end-all crossover that everyone find appealing for some reason. Aside from the Silhouette-sized dash, the single most irritating thing was this... ...a huge, glare-reflecting LCD screen that does absolutly NOTHING useful. It displayed average fuel economy for two trips, had one of those vague instant MPG bars, and had a handy 'oil life reminder' program that required you put in the mileage and when you wanted to change the oil (3, 6, 9, 12k miles). If I have to input that info and I'm not the engine, how is it an oil life reminder? More like a rudimentary calendar with less usefulness than my Casio digital watch. I get back into my decade-old Olds and I have a fully-informational driver's info center in a thin, easy-to-read, non-glare dot matrix display that displays 20 functions, 60 warnings, and occupies a space a little wider than a business card with buttons that are hidden when not in use. Where is the true innovation? Sorry, jamming a moving map display into a dash and reducing overall functionality for occasional usage is not innovation. Where's the safety of a heads-up display? Where is the air compressor in the trunk so I can air up my own tires? Where are the automatic headlamps? Twilight Sentinal? Electrochromic mirrors? Reverse-dipping passenger mirror? Its not in most of the cars from Asia and if it is, it isn't affordable.

That's going on a brass plaque.

GM @ Frankfurt 2008 SAAB 9-3 Turbo X Link to Original Article @ Trollhattansaab

Maybe by 'of the time' he means 'of Ford.' It fits in with the horrific styling of its more expensive cousin: And though I do poke fun, I would much rather own an Edsel than any of those grotesque Lincolns. The Bermuda wagons are especially strangely alluring.