Flybrian

DEBUT: 2008 SAAB 9-3 Lineup Image Gallery 2008 SAAB 9-3 Press Release Sedan

Not too long ago, some guy driving one of these things that Shrek puked on... ...took it upon himself to lean over and look at my pump readout, saw my 19 gallon/$60.00 fullup, and said, "Does it feel good driving something that uses so much gas? Its such a waste." I asked him if he just took a $h! on his car or did he buy it like that.

Qashqai. They really need to drop/fix their CVT in this thing. As is, its junk.

SPY SHOTS! 2009 Nissan Murano Link to Original Article @ TCC Nissan is preparing a replacement for the successful Murano, which has been on the market since 2003 in the United States and in Europe since 2004. These photos show, for the first time, a prototype of its successor, caught during secret testing in Southern Europe. It is a right-hand drive car and was accompanied by the just-launched Nissan Qashqai. Despite the prototype's disguise one can recognize the new styling of the front-engined SUV, which will again be available with front- or all-wheel drive. Judging by the advance stage of this test car one can expect the new Murano's launch by the end of next year.

Cargirl: Safety Systems Of the Future The nuns are still after me. by Kate McLeod | (2007-06-10) Link to Original Article @ TCC Active safety systems are kind of know-it-all passengers that carpool with you every time you turn the key . . . (Oops, I'm sorry I mean push the starter button. Keys are so 2005. Starter buttons--they're the new black. You put the key fob in the cupholder where you will forget it, leaving the car open with the keys in it.) A couple of weeks ago I drove an Infiniti M45, equipped with, among other active safety systems, a lane departure warning system, which uses a camera situated behind the rear view mirror to spy on you. These systems, now on many of the high-end luxury vehicles, are among a number of active safety systems designed to protect us from ourselves-outsmarting our inattentiveness and saving our lives. The question is, will we accept them or disconnect them? Active safety systems, like anti-lock brakes, traction control, brake assist and electronic stability control, act without your input. They decide an accident is coming and act to control the car before the accident happens. (Passive safety systems, like seatbelts and airbags, differ in that they engage once an accident has happened.) But there's a new crop of active safety systems that give you warnings to which you must respond, like the lane departure warning system that beeps at you (M45) or vibrates your steering wheel (2008 BMW 5 Series) when it detects you're departing from your proper lane. These systems beep, flash, light up and cause vibrations in your seat and steering wheel. There are a host of these baby sitters, which are being developed because we aren't just driving--we're falling asleep, drifting and fiddling with the audio or our phone and people are getting killed. Interested parties like the big insurance companies have been pushing these technologies behind the scenes mostly because they want fewer fatalities, and fewer payouts on claims. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is conducting a study on the lane departure warning system now. Results will be in over this summer and IIHS and will probably recommend the system when the study is complete. The big question is whether or not drivers are going to embrace these systems. "These new technologies that are coming along could prevent some of the fatalities, but we need to sort through which ones of these ideas are actually going to work," says Adrian Lund, president of IIHS. "Always, when you change the driving task you have to find out if drivers will pay attention and how behavior will change." Until they are in mass use, it won't be clear how drivers will respond­­. Will they annoy drivers who then turn them off or will they be used as a second pair or ears and eyes? Or will they encourage more carelessness because we figure the car will take care of itself? Over a 300-mile drive the M45 Infiniti beeped at me every time I got near the center lane. I had the road to myself, it was daytime and I was relaxed-sure I drifted a little. Cornering, I touched the center line. The slightest deviance set off the beeping-it was like having a convent full of nuns in the car continuously chastising my behavior. Predictions are that this system will become more invasive, monitoring body posture, head position and eye activity. Your car will decide if you're falling asleep and may be capable of slowing the vehicle down and engaging stability control. I wouldn't buy a car with this sensor if it were the last car on earth. If it becomes required equipment like the tire pressure monitoring systems will be in 2008, a gusty business in sensor disconnections will blossom. I can't imagine any driver accepting this kind of policing. I can't remember much else about the drive or the car. All I remember is the beep, beep, beep. Last weekend I drove a Volvo S80 with a blind-spot detection/side assist/collision warning system. It doesn't beep. A soft amber light illuminates when a vehicle comes up along the side of your car driving or parking. Volvo has positioned it so that it is within your peripheral vision-you see it out of the corner of your eye. At first, I thought I would get used to it and forget why it was there. But I found that the amber light quickly became driving habit. It came to the rescue on several occasions. This system is also used by Audi. Other systems like the one BMW uses cause the steering wheel or seat to vibrate. I haven't tested that but I can see where it could be effective--and/or annoying. My husband thought that the light made him forget to look often in his rear view mirror. That's possible but you'd only know that after a longer test. As to the car testing, I had plenty of time to notice the Volvo S80, its design, beautiful interior and sensational driving dynamics. I love the amber light. It's a gentle assist, not a nun with a yardstick raised above her head. More of these sensors are coming-adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation that is on many luxury models now will work its way down the ladder. Right now it is a costly option. If this system senses a potential collision it will brake hard and tighten seatbelts. Once the danger is over it returns your vehicle to the original cruising speed. Personally, I'm not opposed to having a second pair of eyes and ears when I drive. I'm a pretty careful driver but there's a lot of really bad driving going on where I live. But I have some pride. For example, I don't want some sensor to parallel park my Lexus LS 460L for me. I'd be so embarrassed. If you can't parallel park your vehicle you should go back to driving school and learn how to do it. Having experienced the invasive beeping, I am skeptical about how drivers are going to respond to these driving aids. After all, we're still trying to get people to buckle up and seatbelts are mandatory in every state exceptNew Hampshire where they still live free and die.

Two unimpressive organizations collaborating on a substandard product. Good luck.

Ready for Take-off: Saab Launches 60th Anniversary Celebrations Saab fans and enthusiastic owners from all over the world are gathering in the Swedish town of Trollhättan this weekend, to celebrate Saab’s 60th anniversary as a car manufacturer. Four days of events and festivities will culminate in a huge gathering of historic Saabs outside the Saab Car Museum on Sunday, June 10 – exactly 60 years to the day after the first Saab car was revealed. To learn more about activities at the Saab 60th Anniversary Festival, visit www.saabfestival.se. Back in 1947, Saab was known only as an aircraft manufacturer - the name is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB, or Swedish Aircraft Company Limited. That first car, the Saab 92, looked like no other with its streamlined shape and innovative engineering. Hardly surprising, since it was conceived by a team of aircraft engineers not bound by the conventional automotive design wisdoms of the day. Now, more than four million cars later, Saab is established as a global premium car brand selling in more than 60 countries around the world, many represented by enthusiasts coming to Trollhättan, Saab’s home town. Much has changed in the automotive industry since those post-war years, but the same spirit of innovative, independent thinking behind the Saab 92 continues to inspire the Saab brand and the development of its products today. It is a perspective driven forward by a unique brand heritage, reflecting the values of Scandinavian culture and Saab’s roots in aviation. It was Saab who pioneered numerous advances in car safety, good driver ergonomics, environmental responsibility and, of course, enhanced engine performance through turbocharging. Today, while most manufacturers have followed Saab’s lead in adopting turbocharging, the company has again ‘moved the goal posts’ with its innovative BioPower technology. This unleashes the potential of turbocharging to deliver more performance, as well as greatly reduced fossil-based CO2 emissions, when using E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% gasoline). It is technology that has propelled Saab to the forefront of Europe’s emerging market for ‘flex-fuel’ vehicles. Turbocharging is typical of the ‘less is more’ Scandinavian mind-set and, in an era when the need to save energy and achieve improved efficiency has never been greater, it continues to be a cornerstone of Saab’s future development. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the 60th Anniversary Festival. They will celebrate the people, the cars and the events that have shaped a unique brand. It is a rich heritage of which Saab is justifiably proud and one that will ensure the next 60 years of independent thinking are just as exciting. SAAB Heritage Gallery 1st row (l-r): 1946 SAAB 92001 Ursaab prototype | 1950 SAAB 92 | SAAB 21 fighter & SAAB 92 | 1955 SAAB 93 | SAAB 'Monster' 2nd row (l-r): 1956 SAAB Sonett | 1969 SAAB 96 | 1969 SAAB 96 Rally | 1970 Sonett III | 1969 SAAB 99 3rd row (l-r): 1978 SAAB 900 | 1986 SAAB EV-1 concept | 1992 SAAB 9000 Ecosport | 2006 SAAB Aero-X

To better serve our members in keeping up-to-date with all things GM especially in regards to future vehicle development, I'd like to take this time to announce two new forums on the C&G website. The Volt-ometer subforum located within the Chevrolet Forum will chronicle the development of this amazing new vehicle from concept to production. In the same way the Camaro Center represented the emotion surrounding the rebirth of Chevy's muscle car, we hope The Volt-ometer will foster the same spirit and enthusiasm for this truly revolutionary vehicle. All other GM developments in biodiesel, ethanol, fuel cells, and related demonstration vehicles will be chronicled in the Alternative Fuels & Propulsion forum, located in the Tech Section.Thanks, and please let us know if you like the new setup and, of course, if you have any other suggestions, comments, or ideas!

Monsoon rocks boxxorz to teh maxxorz. Seriously. We had an 8-speaker setup in the Regal GS; it didn't make sense, but it rocked the $h! of that Buick.

Monsoon sound systemDual-zone HVAC A great driver's info center Lighter A far better color pallette And honestly, IMO, better-looking in most colors Plus the discounts... The Impy SS is cheaper still, but I don't drive Chevy.

Sounds acceptable. New deadline of Friday, June 15. All current entrants can still revise their entries and resubmit if they feel like it.

Deadline extended to June 13th to fall in step with the sketch competition. Let's see those Caminos!!

And the winners are... 1st place - Bulldog - 12pts 2nd place - Blackviper8891 - 11pts 3rd - MDM - 10pts Only a handful of entries, but a barn-burner finish! Congratulations to Bulldog for his first winning entry here on C&G, a pretty wicked rendition of a customized HHR Panel van. Let's hope the customization fad catches on with these Panels and we see real HHRs as creative as these. Hope to see you back next time, Bulldog, and thanks to all who entered! Our latest competition - Choppin' Competition #41 - Chevy El Camino - has been extended for your entries! Go ahead and create a new El Camino or Caballero and rebirth the segment! Be sure to get your entry in before the 11:59PM June 13th deadline! Hurry hurry!

Even all of that was not near as bad as not even taking the effort to change model names.

Sorrento...lol

What's with the $499 rear body kit?

GP has some pretty nice features not found in the Charger, though.

After reading the details, I understand the argument for the law. I skimmed over the exemption part, my fault.

All the Sebring/Nitro yuk-yuk aside, the real disconcerting fact here is the Chrysler needs to actually sit down and be told this by someone, whether it be employees or being assisted from an outside firm. How long has Chrysler been in business? How long has Chrysler been designing cars? Didn't Chrysler design some decent cars at some point? I swear to God that the more you read about how Chrysler plans to 'improve' its failings in styling, management, production, or craftsmanship, the more you realize they have no business producing automobiles. Some of you say, "Well, at least they admit their mistakes...and that's good." Is it? Is it really? Is it actually a positive thing than an 82 year-old corporation repeatedly apologizes and say that their own product is junk and they promise they'll do it better next time mommy? Is Chrysler really getting advice from a consulting group that worked with Hyundai...f@#king Hyundai?! Newsflash, people: Hyundai still makes lousy cars and Chrysler is saying that they can't do any better. And, no, this is not the same as GM and Ford saying things are wrong. They're saying - correctly, mind you - that their products are competitive if not better and the problem is perception. They're taking their cars and trucks and SUVs out and proving their superiority. You see Chrysler doing that? Of course not...they'd get massacred. Chrysler isn't saying, "Consumer Reports says our new cars suck, and we have to work on that perception issue", they're saying "Our cars DO suck...and we should probably fix it so they don't suck quite so much." Their "extremely aggressive" corrections will - hopefully - take them to being in the MIDDLE of the pack?! What?! Are you kidding me? They're shooting for the same mediocrity and this is Chrysler's own people saying it! Its like standing in the middle of a hurricane and thinking you should probably go get some plywood now. Look at Chrysler's problems - engine vibrations in cold weather, junk interiors. Didn't these same issues exist with the Valiant? I mean, c'mon. GM and Ford have moved beyond Chrysler's level and everyone else has, too. I don't even know what a convincing argument for Chrysler staying in the automobile business sounds like anymore. And I know alot of you are going to hate me and defend Chrysler because you like their cars and that's fine...but you cannot ignore that there is a deep, serious problem within Chrysler that the other two domestics don't suffer from. I call it 'We Just Don't Get It Anymore Nor Do We Care'-itis.

GM May Add Smaller Saturn Car to Meet Rising Demand Link to Original Article @ Bloomberg June 8 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp.'s Saturn, the fastest-growing brand in the U.S. this year, may add a smaller car because of rising demand for fuel-efficient models. "We think there is definitely room at the bottom for an economy car for Saturn,'' Lisa Hutchinson, the brand's product- development director, said today in an interview in New York. "There is a growing interest in fuel economy as prices have gone up." She didn't say when the division might add the car, known as a subcompact. The Opel Corsa subcompact, one of GM's most popular models in Europe, is a possible candidate for Saturn's lineup, she said. Saturn and Opel have been sharing vehicles. Saturn already has benefited from new models such as the Aura sedan and Outlook sport-utility vehicle that have helped boost its U.S. sales 30 percent through May. Subcompact sales have increased 43 percent, the most of any vehicle segment, as average gasoline prices rose as high as a record $3.23 a gallon. Subcompacts include models such as Toyota Motor Corp.'s Yaris, GM's Chevrolet Aveo and Honda Motor Co.'s Fit. "Those are a good vehicle to have in your lineup because they generate interest in the brand and showroom traffic," said Jim Hossack, an analyst at AutoPacific Inc. in Tustin, California. "It's a reasonably good fit for Saturn, a good idea." Saturn's smallest vehicle now is the Ion car, which the division will replace late this year with the Opel Astra. The current lineup for Saturn includes the Aura, added in last year's second half; the Ion; the Sky sports car, added in 2006's first half; the Outlook, added late last year; the Relay minivan; and the Vue SUV. The division also began selling a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Vue in late 2006. The division will have five 2008 models, Hutchinson said. Competitive Test Drives Saturn dealerships on June 11 will begin a program that lets their prospective buyers test-drive Toyota Camry and Honda Accord sedans for comparison to the Aura. All but about five of Saturn's 430 U.S. dealerships volunteered for the program, which runs through July 31, Hutchinson said. The dealers will buy the Toyota and Honda vehicles themselves, she said. Hutchinson declined to say how much the program will cost. The Camry is the best-selling car in the U.S. this year. The Accord is third, behind the Camry and Toyota's Corolla. Sales through May totaled 193,900 for the Camry, 153,431 for the Accord and 22,535 for the Aura. GM shares rose $1.32, or 4.4 percent, to $31 at 4:20 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained less than 1 percent this year.

Granted. Anyone else, also please advise.

Extensions needed? Please let me know ASAP!

Extensions needed? Please let me know ASAP!

Want a 1984 Hess & Eisenhardt Cutlass Ciera convertible? These are rare; 300 Century convertibles were done by H&E and I assume a similar number of Oldsmobiles. $1800. http://tampa.craigslist.org/car/345674416.html

Great solution.