Flybrian

From the guy who says to be nice to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hummer H4 no longer just a concept vehicle Conceptual Rendering by NOS2006 Link to Original Article @ HUMMERGUY Hummer dealers from around the nation recently gathered in California to attend the annual Hummer All-Dealer meeting. The meeting showcases upcoming products such as the Hummer H3 Alpha and the upgraded 2008 Hummer H2, as well longer term concepts like the H3T and HX. HX is the name Hummer has given to the most heavily rumored concept vehicle which will be designed to compete with the Jeep Wrangler – some are calling it the H4. Whatever name you want to call it, it’s coming. Martin Walsh, Hummer’s General Manager, used the meeting to officially announce that the HX will be available at dealerships in 2010 as a 2011 model, and is no longer just a concept vehicle. Walsh went one step further, by opening a curtain revealing the HX to the lucky few at the meeting. GM reps were on hand to make sure attendees wouldn’t even remove cell phones, which may have picture capabilities, from their pocket. However, we’ve got a pretty good description. The first impression of the two door and four seating HX is unmistakably a Hummer. This is mainly due to the design of the front, incorporating similar grille, headlights, and bumper designs from previous Hummer models. The high metal to glass ratio, and design of the doors also kept Hummer’s iconic design. Overall, the vehicle was much shorter in overall height and wheelbase and appeared more car-like than its larger counterparts. The model shown had very large, aggressive tires, which may or may not be standard (most likely not). Some of the most unique abilities of the Hummer HX are the removable panels. The two doors are completely removable, as well are panels on the roof. The model on display had everything intact, so it would be hard to tell what kind of open air feeling the removable panels give you – and whether it feels more like a convertible or a T-top. Also removable are the fender flares, which can be taken off to lessen the likelihood of damage during off-roading. The rear of the HX will have an optional slant back, similar to the original Humvee option. “The vehicle almost looked like an enclosed dune buggy with big aggressive tires and exposed shocks,” said one attendee, “And it didn’t have a cheap, flimsy-looking exterior like a Wrangler.” The Hummer HX will be the 5th vehicle in Hummer’s lineup, since the fourth vehicle, the H3T will be making its debut at dealerships in the Summer of 08. Unfortunately, we have another three years to see the Hummer HX (H4?) produced.

Venseattle, our faithful representative at the Buick Nationals held in Washington this year sent me these two pics from his camera phone.

Perfect truck, my friend...perfect!

Mated to the 4cyl? No one else has a 6-speed as an option.

The cladding is f@#king horrible and tasteless.

Cadillac Revs Up for European Road Trip Date posted: 07-27-2007 | Link to Original Article @ Edmunds BREUKELEN, Netherlands — Cadillac has announced that it will hit the road in Europe this summer with the SRX and a customized Escalade that has been pimped out with advanced DJ equipment by Bose and Pioneer. The road trip is designed to win over customers on the Continent who as of yet may not be thoroughly convinced of the merits of the brand. "Club Cadillac" will swing through Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and Austria. The automaker said the event is designed to "further increase Cadillac's brand perception in Europe this summer." The one-of-a-kind Escalade promises to be an eye-catcher. Among other amenities, it will feature a full turntable that folds out when the rear hatch is opened. Updates will be posted at the Club Cadillac Web site. What this means to you: Cadillac makes a serious run at appealing to more than U.S. athletes and rap stars. Now it's going for European athletes and rap stars — and those who love their lifestyle — too.

Spied: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Date posted: 07-27-2007 | Link to Original Article @ Edmunds SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Astute spy photographers caught photos of what is believed to be the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, a midlevel model positioned between the base Lancer and the upcoming 300-plus-horsepower Evolution version. While the former Ralliart model offered little more than a body kit and fancy wheels, this next-gen version is expected to have all-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder making somewhere in the neighborhood of 220-230 horsepower. With that kind of hardware, the Ralliart will be well positioned to compete with the latest Subaru WRX, a sedan with similar specs but a controversial new design. In addition to the Lancer's favored styling, the Ralliart will also benefit from Mitsubishi's latest optional technology. Optional equipment will most likely include a 30 GB hard drive, Bluetooth and a Rockford Fosgate audio system. What this means to you: Not digging the new look of the standard Impreza, but don't have the scratch for an STI? The Lancer Ralliart could be the answer.

Saab releases pricing for '08 9-3 Link to Original Article @ LeftLaneNews Saab has redesigned its popular 9-3 model for the 2008 model year and today the General Motors-owned Swedish carmaker released some pricing details for the upcoming model. The base 9-3 2.0T will start at $28,385 in the United States, an increase from the $26,995 MSRP of the '07 model. The Aero model, which includes a turbocharged V6 engine, starts at $35,365, about $1,800 more than the '07. The new model does include some additional equipment to help make up for the increase, however, including OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a tire pressure monitor and significantly increased sound deadening. Those features weren't all available individually for '07, but we're guessing they come pretty close to making up the price increase. The convertible model, which now includes a remote power convertible top as standard, starts at $39,710 for the 2.0T and $45,665 for the Aero. Station wagon models, called SportCombis in Saab-speak, run $29,630 and $36,265 for the 2.0T and Aero, respectively. The only changes we've heard so far for Saab's larger, 260-horsepower, aging 9-5 model, are standard OnStar and a tire pressure monitor. We don't have specific changes yet. It'll be priced from $37,205 for the base model, and $38,300 for the performance-oriented Aero. Wagons add $1,250.

Weekend With a 'Bu By Bob Lutz - GM Vice Chairman Link to Original Post on GM FastLane Blogs

It fits with our other plates... The ASS ORGY one, btw, was proven to be a random issue plate. P.S. You can tell someone spliced two plates together in the I LUV-ANL one.

GM is too large with too many fingers in too many pies to ever go away. Too many have too much invested in it (especially in America) to ever let it fail. Even in the current environment of multinationalism, this country has too much to lose if GM just goes under. No way. Ford will just continue divesting itself of everything non-core. It'll stay, too. Chrysler may or may not. No real global presence (a toehold in Europe, groundwork of an alliance with Chery on some $h!box), no one besides Cerberus wanted Chrysler when it was for sale, and they may not even get the finances to buy Chrysler now. So...who knows?

I wouldn't exactly call that road 'open.' The guy in the GT was driving like an assclown, pure and simple. Others were being more reasonable.

Well, honestly. I don't really care. I don't forsee Chrysler being around for much longer anyway.

Those differences come from Chrysler's Build and Price application on their site.

Neither here nor there. Yes, I agree, in the past the brands were well-defined (or at least better-defined). However, not the case as much today. As far has Chrysler having better interiors and equipment levels, compare the 300 and Charger. For the $2600 premium paid for the base model Chrysler, what do you actually get over the Dodge? A glove box light, a rear seat cupholder, and an 8-way power driver's seat. For $2600. There was a time when the Charger was similarly cheaper, but had the 3.5l, stability control, etc....cheaper with more power and luxury? Plus, compare an Avenger and Sebring...one really looks more luxurious on the inside...?

Chyrsler and Dodge overlap in so many fields its ridiculous. The difference comes down solely to styling preference and if Chrysler intends to be 'premium,' it should probably start working on it.

Another instance of Chrysler's divisions being poorly-defined. This is where a Plymouth brand comes in hand, offering a bottom-barrel 2.7l Fury and a 3.5l Gran Fury. Chrysler gets the 3.5l standard out of the gate; Ditto with Dodge.

Better than, what, $10mil for that General Lee?

1985 Pontiac Fiero - 2,904mi* (*-Fire extinguisher not included)

Mercedes' Green Thumb Stop-start technology slated for entire lineup By TONY LEWIN | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek | Published 07/24/07, 12:44 pm et LONDON - After watching rival BMW dominate the headlines at the Geneva auto show in March with the introduction of carbon dioxide-reducing stop-start versions of the 1 series, Mercedes-Benz will fight back. "We will catch up and get ahead," said Thomas Weber, head of R&D at Mercedes parent DaimlerChrysler. Mercedes-Benz will launch stop-start technology across its entire lineup, beginning with the A- and B-class entry-premium cars in September, Weber said at a press event here. All carmakers are looking for ways to reduce CO2 because the European Commission plans to introduce legislation that cuts average European fleet emissions of CO2 to 130 grams per kilometer for new cars by 2012 from about 160 now. Stop-start systems work by shutting down the engine when the car stops. The engine restarts when the driver lifts his foot off the brake or pushes the accelerator. Sources say Valeo will supply its belt-driven stop-start system in the A- and B-class models. Weber said Mercedes would use a different solution for its larger, rear-drive models. A Mercedes official who did not wish to be named said that for these models, the company will use a so-called ISG system - in effect, a flywheel that functions as both starter and generator. Such a system also can reduce engine vibration and provide fill-in torque to smooth out gearshifts. The official would not reveal the supplier of the system.

B-Class for America Baby Benz headed for our shores By EVAN MCCAUSLAND | Link to Original Article @ AutoWeek | Published 07/26/07, 10:22 am et Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. portfolio is about to grow—by adding a small car. According to Bloomberg, the next version of the B-Class compact crossover is being designed for sale in the U.S. Available in Europe since 2005, the B-Class is due for a makeover in 2011 or 2012. Previous attempts to alter the current car for U.S. sale were nixed for cost reasons, but the new car is being designed for global sale from day one. This process lowers cost, allowing the B-Class to build a better business case. “At least we have the door open, so the decision will probably be done in two or three years,” said Ernst Lieb, chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz USA. Based on the smaller A-Class, the mini-crossover is sized beneath a Toyota Corolla but is still much larger than Smart’s Fortwo. Although current B-Classes offer a choice of two diesel and five gasoline engines, any U.S.-bound cars likely would use something similar to the 2.0-liter, 193-hp turbocharged I4 found in the current B200 Turbo.

I can. Real Burl Walnut, harder plastics typical of this era, but surprisingly resilient in the destructive Florida sun. It is still the single most ergonomic car you will ever sit in.