Drew Dowdell

It's about picking the right tool for the job. When one is driving Pittsburgh -> Philly -> NY -> Connecticut -> Rhode Island -> Maryland -> Charlotte -> Pittsburgh in the matter of a week and a half like I was regularly doing, an "exciting" vehicle gets tedious to deal with. That kind of mileage, through that kind of traffic, on that kind of schedule, it's all about comfort and economy. Sure, I was getting mileage reimbursements, but that meant I wanted to keep my MPGs high, and I'd make a profit off of it. Rolling that same route in an Avalanche I'd lose money. At the time we bought it, I was making those long-distance trips often. Albert had a 60-mile r/t commute. We wanted quiet comfort. Same reason we have the 300C now. I buy things with 2 wheels for the thrills.

Buick's quiet tuning is a real and noticeable thing. The Encore and Encore GX have active noise cancelation that really works. Buick was the first in their respective classes to offer it and Toyota and Chevy don't. It makes the OG Encore a calm place to be.

I kinda like it. I see it as the natural evolution of the original Encore that I and Albert both liked. Our only issue with the Encore was the size and the power. There are times, while I'm wheeling an Avalanche through suburbia, that I really miss the Encore. For a one or two-person travel car, it was fantastically comfortable for what it was. For someone who had to do a lot of driving travel by himself, the Encore was a great solution. I haven't driven the current-gen Encore GX, but I suspect if they kept the weight in check, the increase in horsepower plus the 9-speed auto probably makes this tolerable. Not fast, just tolerable. That said, I bought my Encore as a 2013 in 2012, and it was as top-shelf loaded as you could get without getting chrome wheels... and 11 years later, the Avenir model is slightly less money MSRP. (Mine was $34,9 for a Premium AWD) So they definitely kept prices in check.

They already have a 280hp/258lb-ft version of this engine in the Arteon. They're just fiddling with the peak numbers from that for the Atlas; giving it more torque at a lower RPM is good for a heavy vehicle like this, but moving the peak torque down the curve cuts off the max horsepower number.

I've done an Edge 2.0T v an Explorer 2.3T... so pretty close. And yes, there was a difference. I felt like I was spinning the hell out of the 2.0T to keep up with Texas traffic. The 2.0T is a lot smoother though, so Ford could get away with it.

Highlander also has a hybrid version for more power, and the Highlander Turbo 4 has almost half a liter on the VW. It may not sound like a lot, but there is a significant power delivery difference between a 2.0T and a 2.4T, even if max output is similar. The problem for the Atlas is that drivers will constantly be in the boost to keep this thing moving. This is a refresh of the model on the existing platform, and the current Atlas is a heavy crossover. It will likely post an EPA increase over the V6, but I'm betting real-world fuel economy will be poor, just like the Kia SUVs with the 4-cylinder turbo and the older Acura RDX.

Yesterday was the first nice day we've had in a loooong while with sunny weather and 70 degrees, and the cars were out for it. I was on the motorcycle, so I couldn't snap pics. I spotted: Early 70s Delta Eighty-Eight Convertible Mid-80s Buick Grand National 90-91 Seville STS in red and gorgeous condition, lookin like this but the brighter red they offered: Subaru SVX Early 80s Ninety-Eight Old Beetle convertible original Toyota MR2

That was the point

The individual brands are still calling the shots on Advertising, is seems.

It was an intel, but it’s optical 10g port

@David - Network cards on Dell servers

I need to go through and complete a bunch of deferred maintenance. Oil and brake fluid changes. Adjust the valve clearances (a BMW boxer sensitive area). The headlight assembly needs to be replaced. The right turn signal doesn't work. Plus a bunch of cosmetic stuff. I also need to synchronize the throttle bodies. I put it on the sync measurement tool back in the late summer so I already know it is way off, but I didn't adjust it back then. It struggles with idling until it is pretty well warmed up and getting those in sync will fix that. As weather allows, it will probably be: Valve clearance adjustment Alternator belt change Throttle body sync General debris cleanup Oil change, brake fluid change Headlight assembly and turn signals (switch to LED where possible) I still will need to acquire a new front faring and possibly a windscreen. There is some fogginess in the windscreen that looks bad and I can't seem to get it clean. From there, I'll ride and reassess. Yesterday I found that the bike has the same accessory plug as my Scrambler, so I am able to have them share the battery tender easily. I ride as cold as 50 degrees if I have thermals on with my Scrambler. I'll have more wind protection with this, so I might be able to go lower. Done so far: New tires mounted cylinder sync test (failed) Brake pad and rotors checked for spec (passed, but not surprising because the lone receipt I have for maintenance is for new pads in 2018) Tank drained Battery replaced Positive battery cable terminal replaced Air filter replaced (had been mouse munched)

Since it's been so cold I haven't done much work on it. But last month I took the wheels off and dropped them off to have new tires fitted. Put the wheels back on today and repaired a positive battery cable that I had broken in the fall. Today it moved under it's own power for the first time in probably years. I took it for a very short spin up the block and back.

Name: 1999 BMW R1100RS Category: Vehicles Date Added: 2023-02-06 Submitter: Drew Dowdell 1999 BMW R1100RS

I was wondering how Toyota was going to make a business case for the Crown with just one expensive sedan, but it looks now like they are making it sub-brand with several models, so that makes more sense. I attended a press presentation for the Crown via Zoom back in December and it was interesting. The powertrain is very compelling, but I'm not yet sold on the looks. I'm also not sold on that being a "first class cabin". It's nice and all, but I look to Genesis for first class cabins... even high end Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade for what a first-class cabin should look like. This is a Hyundai Sonata Limited.

You need a car just to get from the far garage to the house!

The main issue with Harley back in the day was oil leaks, but they've got that problem solved for a bunch of years now. I personally don't like the noise and vibration that comes from the traditional Harley engine. Most of the Harley look-alike V-twins (including Indian, Honda, and Yamaha) attempt to replicate that to appeal to Harley buyers, and it has turned me off from those bikes by those manufacturers as well. The Revolution Max from Harley is the only V-Twin I've encountered that I not just liked but really liked.

The dealbreaker Triumph exhaust for me. Mine goes down and under.

Yeah, mine is a Scrambler too. I did look at the Triumphs also, but they were slightly too heavy for my trailer hitch carrier plans, but the real killer for me was the placement of the exhaust. I get enough heat from the big jugs hanging out the side of my bike, I can’t imagine what it would be like with the exhaust going next to my inner thigh.

The Livewire brand was sold off over the summer, it's no longer owned by H-D, but H-D still does some of the manufacturing. I've never been a fan of the traditional H-D pushrod V-Twins, but the Revolution Max in the Sportster S (larger than in the Nightster above) is hella good and had me doubting my BMW purchase when I got two test rides over the summer. For those of you into bikes, I have been building a motorcycle equivalent of C&G for the past couple months and it is getting very close to launch. Let me know here if you'd like a pre-launch preview invite.

2023 marks 120 year of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and the company is pulling out all the stops with new models and special editions. Commemorative Editions will be offered in seven classic models. On the top-of-the-line CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary model, seats are covered with Alcantara with gold and red contrast stitching. A special Heirloom Red color painted over Anniversary Black and outlined with a bright red pinstripe and hand-painted gold paint scallop. A gold-plated tank medallion is a retro Art Deco version of the Harley-Davidson eagle. Gold-tone powertrain inserts with bright red rocker boxes and pushrod tube collars complete the look. A similar paint and trim scheme will be offered on six other 120th Anniversary models, but with red fade powertrain inserts. Harley-Davidson is limiting the production of the anniversary editions, and each one will have a laser-etched serial number on the fuel tank. CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary (production limited to 1,500 examples globally) Ultra Limited Anniversary (1,300 examples) Tri Glide® Ultra Anniversary (1,100 examples) Street Glide® Special Anniversary (1,600 examples) Road Glide® Special Anniversary (1,600 examples) Fat Boy® 114 Anniversary (3,000 examples) Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary (1,700 examples) In addition to the Anniversary Models, Harley-Davidson is (re)introducing models to its North American lineup and adding trims to existing ones. 2023 Breakout Back after leaving the North American market in 2020 is the Harley-Davidson Breakout. This factory chopper features more models with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin. They’ve increased the fuel-tank size to 5 gallons and lengthened its profile to give the bike a leaner look. The handlebar riser and polished stainless steel handlebar is ¾-inch taller than the previous model. Chrome is applied generously and new 26-spoke cast-aluminum wheels are machined and finished in gloss black. Power specs were not released for the Breakout, but we expect it to match the 124 lb-ft of torque other bikes with the 117 engine have. 2023 Road Glide 3 Joining the Freewheeler in the Trike lineup is the new 2023 Road Glide 3. Essentially a Trike version of the popular Road Glide, the Road Glide 3 adds a frame-mounted aerodynamic fairing with splitstream vents to reduce rider helmet buffeting, the Boom! Box 6.5-inch color touch screen with navigation and Bluetooth that powers two 5.25-inch fairing speakers, weather-proof trunk with two cubic feet of capacity, electric reverse gear, and Trike-specific safety features like Enhanced Cornering Braking, Enhanced ABS, Enhanced Traction Control, and Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control. For 2023, the Freewheeler swaps out the chrome for dark finishes and gets new gloss black cast aluminum wheels. 2023 Nightster Special Model Built on the Sportster platform but given a more classic silhouette, the Nightster blends modern technology and H-D’s most technologically advanced engine family, the Revolution Max 975T, into one classic bike. For 2023, the Nightster gains a Special Model. The additional Special Model Features include: Cruise Control Passenger pillion and foot pegs Headlight faring Cast aluminum wheels with tire pressure monitoring system A new handlebar and riser to move the hand controls two inches up and one inch back. Four-inch round TFT screen from the Sportster S that allows integration with the H-D app for navigation using turn-by-turn on the display and audio instructions over Bluetooth. All-LED lighting Selectable Ride Modes 3.1-gallon fuel cell located below the seat, which lowers the center of gravity Power for the Nightster Special Model comes from H-D’s Revolution Max 957T, which produces 70 ft-lb of torque at 5,000 rpm and a maximum of 90 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. The engine is integral to the frame to help provide a significant reduction in weight. Harley-Davidson is celebrating its anniversary with a homecoming festival in Milwaukee, WI. The festival will run from July 13th - 16th this summer and will feature the Foo Fighters and Green Day as headliners. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.h-d.com/HomecomingTickets View full article

Updated the article to show that the range in Stealth Mode is 5 miles.

70 years ago today, the first Corvette debuted at Motorama in New York City, so for the 70th birthday of the Corvette, Chevy unveiled the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, an all-wheel drive hybrid capable of 0-60 in just 2.5 seconds. The E-Ray is billed as an all-season Corvette, so naturally, it is available in a removable roof coupe or hardtop convertible configuration. The eAWD is two separate power trains in one car, naturally aspirated V8 in the rear and electric driving the front, a first for the sports car segment. The small block V-8 produces 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque for the rear wheels, while the electric motor up front contributes an additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. When called for, the combined powertrains produce 655 horsepower, making the E-Ray the fastest production Corvette ever made, clocking through the quarter-mile at 10.5 seconds. Power is stored in a small 1.9 kWh battery pack sandwiched between the seats. (For reference, the original 1997 Prius had a 1.78 kWh battery.) The two power systems are entirely independent. All battery charging comes from the regenerative energy from coasting and braking during normal driving. In making the Corvette a hybrid, Chevy has leaned heavily more on the performance improvement side of the spectrum over fuel economy. The Corvette can maintain electric driving up to 45 mph when placed in “Stealth Mode”, though the range for that only 5 miles. Additionally, the car can lean on the electric motors to keep the active-fuel-management V8 in 4-cylinder mode for more extended periods. There are six available driver modes, Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, My Mode, and Z-Mode. Additionally, there is a Charge+ feature to tell the car to focus on recharging the battery. Coming in with a base MSRP of $104,295, the E-Ray gains some additional features above and beyond the eAWD hybrid system. These features include: New lightweight lithium-ion 12-volt battery that supports the LT2 V-8 engine’s stop/start functionality Standard Brembo Carbon Ceramic brake system for optimal braking performance Standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with three distinct suspension settings Staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires2 are available with an optional performance package Low, wide stance with crafted body styling that is 3.6 inches wider overall than Stingray Visceral sound experience that embodies the car’s dominating presence. The electric front motor works in harmony with the LT2 engine to create an invigorating sound Enhanced roster of driver assistance technologies (shared with all 2024 Corvette models), including Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning3, Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking. Four aluminum wheel finishes Fourteen exterior color choices — including new for 2024 Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray and Cacti An E-Ray-exclusive body-length stripe package in Electric Blue Standard carbon flash badging Available black exhaust tips and bright badging Available carbon fiber ground effects Optional carbon fiber wheels in carbon flash, visible carbon fiber finish or visible carbon fiber with a red stripe The E-Ray offers seven interior colors, including an all-new Artemis Dipped interior with deep green tones, debuting on the E-Ray, but available on all 2024 Corvettes. The 2024 Corvette E-Ray goes on sale in late 2023 and is being produced at Corvette’s traditional home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Performance and Specifications on Page 2 PERFORMANCE 0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds (approx.) Quarter-mile: 10.5 @ 130 mph (209 km/h) (approx.) Max Lateral G Force: 1.1g ENGINE Type: LT2 6.2L V-8 VVT with direct injection and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start Bore & stroke (in. / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92 Block Material: A319-T7 cast aluminum with cast-in iron cylinder liners and nodular main bearing caps Oiling System: Dry sump-type (7.5-qt. capacity); includes oil-spray piston cooling Oil Type: Dexos 2 0W40 synthetic Cylinder Head Material: 319-T7 cast aluminum Combustion Chamber Volume: 59cc Compression Ratio: 11.5:1 Valvetrain: Overhead valve, two valves per cylinder; dual-equal variable valve timing Valve Size (in. / mm): 2.13 / 54 hollow (intake) & 1.59 / 40.4 sodium filled (exhaust) Fuel Delivery: Direct injection with Active Fuel Management: Max pressure: 2,900 psi (20 Mpa / 200 bar) Firing Order: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 (all cylinders); 1-7-6-4 (with deactivation) Throttle Body: 87mm single bore (electronic) ECU: GM E99 (32-bit processing) Horsepower (hp / kW): 495 / 369 @ 6450 rpm Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm): 470 / 637 @ 5150 rpm TRANSMISSION & AXLE Type: MLH 8-speed dual clutch (DCT) ELECTRIFICATION SYSTEM Type: Single motor and gearset Motor: Permanent magnetic drive motor Power: 160 hp / 120 kW Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm): 125 / 165 @ motor Battery Type: Lithium-ion Energy: 1.9 kWh Combined Power (with engine): 655 hp / 481 kW CHASSIS & SUSPENSION Front Suspension: FE5 Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, forged aluminum upper and cast aluminum L-shape lower control arms; monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0. Adjustable front lift with memory is available Rear Suspension: FE5 Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, forged aluminum upper and cast aluminum L-shape lower control arms; direct-acting stabilizer bar; monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 Steering Type: Variable-ratio rack-and-pinion with electric power assist; includes Active Steer Stops with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 Steering ratio: 15.7:1 Turning Circle (ft. / m): 36.4 / 11.1 Brake Type: Front and rear eBoost-assisted carbon ceramic discs with Brembo six-piston/monobloc front calipers and four-piston/monobloc rear calipers Brake Rotor Size (in. / mm): Front: 15.7 x 1.5 / 398 x 38 Rear: 15.4 x 1.3 / 391 x 34 Wheel Size: Front: 20-inch x 10-inch (w/5 x 120mm bolt pattern) Rear: 21-inch x 13-inch (w/5 x 120mm bolt pattern) Tire Size: Front: 275/30ZR20 Rear: 345/25ZR21 EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS Wheelbase (in. / mm): 107.2 / 2722 Overall Length (in. / mm): 184.6 / 4699 Overall Width (in. / mm): 79.7 / 2025 Overall Height (in. / mm): 48.6 / 1235 Track (in. / mm): Front: 66.3 / 1685 Rear: 66.1 / 1678 INTERIOR DIMENSIONS Headroom (in. / mm): 37.9 / 962 Legroom (in. / mm): 42.8 / 1087 Shoulder Room (in. / mm): 54.4 / 1382 Hip Room (in. / mm): 52 / 1321 WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES Dry Weight (lb. / kg): 3774 / 1712 (coupe) 3856 / 1749 (convertible) Cargo Volume (cu. ft. / L): 12.5 / 355 FUEL TANK CAPACITY (approx.) 18.5 gal. / 70 liters View full article