A grainy image has emerged from inside the Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan of the 2012 Dodge Magnum commonly referred to as the ’12 Dodge Durango. Our opinion? As a Durango, it looks great and very similar to a Mercedes G-Class! Magnum fans are, not surprisingly, roundly booing this new development. Your opinion?
I think it would be difficult to argue that Top Gear UK is the pinnacle of driving television at this point. Into the beginning of its fifteenth season the show has continued to bring excellent, no holds barred, car reviews, wacky challenges and stunts, as well as interesting races.
So when I heard that BBC America was working on an American iteration of the show I was suitably happy, and skeptical.
And that was in 2008 when it was first announced NBC had ordered the pilot. Jay Leno turned down hosting the show, stating that it works in England because it’s government funded and they don’t have to worry about offending advertisers. Potentially a valid concern, I read on Wikipedia that Richard Hammond traveled to America to buy a Dodge Challenger because Chrysler felt they were ‘too harsh’ about their cars. Now can you imagine Chrysler sponsoring a show where they panned the PT Cruiser for looks and function (not much of a concern now since it’s dead and buried, but you get the drift). And consequently what kind of car enthusiast would take a show that gave the PT Cruiser critical acclaim seriously? The hosts that NBC did line up were racer and stunt driver Tanner Foust, comedian Adam Carolla and the carpenter from a show called Clean Sweep Eric Stromer…that’s all Wikipedia really said about him, other than that he was a weekly guest on Carolla’s radio show. NBC eventually declared the show dead and gave the BBC permission to shop it around, despite the fact that the pilot tested well. Eventually it ended up in the laps of the History Channel, of all places, and Tanner Foust landed with it, but now with comedian Adam Ferrara (who played a guy in Paul Blart: Mall Cop) and Speed Channel analyst Rutledge Wood.
And apparently it’s coming out in the fall of this year.
Now there’s the background, which I stripped mostly from Wikipedia, you’re welcome.
But now the real question:
Will it stand up to its British counterpart? And should it?
As for the hosts, only time can tell. There’s a certain chemistry working between Hammond, Clarkson and May, they’re very different people with very different tastes, but they come together well in the way they go about their business. Will the same be possible for the American trio? Like I said, only time can tell on that one. Personally the chances of them working as well looks to be fairly poor, but I do like their chances of being more entertaining than the crew from Fifth Gear, where almost every joke is either terrible or poorly delivered.
What about the cars? That’s hard to say, I’ve already seen a picture in a Top Gear magazine showing them at the line on a racetrack in what look to be 80s muscle cars. There is no doubt that there will be differences, and there should be. Driving is very different in North America than it is in Europe. We have acres of land, big roads, and, unfortunately, a penchant for driving hideous vehicles like the PT Cruiser, or anything made by Buick since the Grand National, so I would expect more of a lean toward American muscle. Car modification is extremely popular in the United States, the Fast and the Furious series being an obvious testament to that, and I imagine that will factor heavily in this show, which means Asian imports will also factory heavily, I imagine drifting will also be touched on, straight line speed seems to be important to us here so there will be drag races, there will be even less rally coverage (shame), and more coverage on races that only turn left (bigger shame).
Car reviews will be fine and dandy for the two door models of most of the American cars, however when it gets to the four door coverage instead of Bentleys, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi we will most likely see Buick, Lincoln, Chrysler and Cadillac.
I will admit that even though my interest in this show will never be as high as my interest in the UK version, I guess I’m just not wired right for NASCAR and ugly sedans, I’m still eager to see what it can do and what they will show, but it’s important that they don’t try to mimic the UK version, nor try to hold the two up next to each other. If it does launch in the fall, I believe there will be two factors that will determine its success:
1) The ability of BBC America to adapt the show to the North American driver as opposed to the European driver.
2) Whether the North American public is ready for a show like this, the economy still isn’t what it should be and two of the big three US automakers almost sunk last year and, unfortunately, this show will not be too big to fail.
Okay, maybe it’s not a real spy photo by definition but it’s the first official photo we’ve seen of a 2011 Challenger and there’s nothing very remarkable about it. If you like the previous Challengers, you’ll like this one. The only noticable difference is that the lower grille is inverted as you see by comparing it to the 2009 model.
And pardon me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that rearview mirror on the ’11 look like it’s broken?
We’re quite likely the very last car blog to report on the final demise of the Chrysler PT Cruiser but view this more as an editorial that reporting.
I only have one question: How is it in 2010 that the Chrysler PT Cruiser is still being produced? It actually began life as a 1999 Plymouth and since that time has seen virtually no revisions at all, aside from a boring front end alteration and an equally unimpressive engine swap. That’s right, instead of engineering upgrades, the only real change during its lifetime was the 2005 convertible version – quite possibly the most absurd American car since the Dodge Shelby? And just exactly what market was the PT Cruiser Turbo supposed to compete in? Gimme a break. By 2008 the PT Cruiser had suffered years of major oversight by Chrysler, resulting in the superfluous designation by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety as the “Most Dangerous New Small Car In America.” Who bought these abominations, other than hot-rodding grandmas and car rental agencies?
The design scheme I hated the worst was the Woody version with the faux wood panels which was almost always driven by a senior citizen. My only question is What vehicle of the past was it supposed to resemble? A Panel Van? I think not! Ben from Jalopnik gives it a fantastic description in his post today: “The PT was a shrunken minivan, a bloated Neon, a car for families who needed something basic and leaned a little too hard on nostalgia.”
I remember my brother and I being forced to either walk or accept a Neon Minivan, err, I mean PT Cruiser when on vacation in 2006. The humiliation was unbearable. I’d rather have been seen in a VW Beetle, Sebring convertible, or a Subaru Forester with an Apple bumper sticker and golden retriever in the back. At least we were on another coast at the time. When leaving a red light, we gave it gas and then checked the stock ticker for updates as we awaited acceleration and the accompanying earsplitting drone of the hamsters’ treadmill cycling up. The engine noise was so bad we exited the freeway to check for gravel in the oil and in the process relied way too much on the drum brake system.
I hate(d) that damn car and am delighted to see it go.
In a video just posted to YouTube, Evolution Performance of Ashton, Pennsylvania pounds some pavement in their ’11 Mustang GT (automatic transmission) as they run sub-12s in the 1/4 mile. With a set of Mickey Thompson radials bolted on, the Mustang dips into the 11’s and ultimately lays down a best of 11.91 at 117 MPH. An 11-second car with only a set of drag radials and a few bolt-on’s is quite impressive no matter where your loyalties lie. What may be even more indicative of the raw power the ’11 Stang possesses is the fact that the first few runs on the car were in completely bone stock form and we can clearly see and hear that traction through the first couple gears just isn’t really there to show the true performance of this car, netting high 12-second elapsed times and chirping the tires off the starting line.
The modification list on this particular GT includes a C&L cold air intake, Evolutions’ custom 93 octane tune, American Racing 1 7/8” headers with 3” collector and catted x-pipe, Magnaflow Competition Series 3” catback exhaust, Ford Racing 4.10 gears, Steeda Ultralite lowering springs, and Evolutions’ adjustable panhard bar. Evolution Performance is grabbing lots of attention lately and their Kona Blue 2011 Mustang GT 5.0L 4V is on the cover of the September, 2010 Issue of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords Magazine and a feature article titled “2011 Track Thrash!”
Posted below is a Press Release from General Motors advising early availability of the ’11 Cadillac CTS Coupe. In fact, according to this post at Jalopnik, the CTS-V Coupe, orginally slated for release by the end of 2010, is now appearing in the Midwestern United States. Generally regarded by buzz-hungry American car enthusiasts as one of the most georgeous designs to roll out of Detroit in some time, this announcement is sure to generate tremendous excitement and anticipating, especially by those who have either model on order at the dealership.
2011 CTS Coupe Headed To U.S. Dealers
Lansing Grand River Assembly adds latest model to award-winning CTS line
Lansing, Mich. – Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant has begun production of the 2011 CTS Coupe and started shipping models to U.S. dealerships ahead of schedule. The all-new CTS Coupe has a starting price, including destination charges, of $38,990.
The CTS Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon, an award-winning line that has been named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for three straight years. All three CTS models and the Cadillac STS sedan are made at Lansing Grand River Assembly.
Lansing Grand River Assembly team members spent months preparing for the launch of the CTS Coupe to ensure the highest levels of quality, said Plant Manager Scott Whybrew. Lansing Grand River Assembly topped all U.S. plants in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey. The CTS ranked among the top 10 of all vehicles in the quality survey.
While the CTS Coupe joined the existing CTS family, the Coupe’s dramatic design called for many unique parts and processes. The Coupe has a lower roofline, shorter overall length and wider track, providing a more aggressive stance and athletic profile. Lansing Grand River team members ensured the CTS Coupe had the same high standards as the other Cadillacs built at the plant, Whybrew said.
“We have very experienced assemblers at Lansing Grand River,” Whybrew said. “They work hard to make sure each vehicle meets the levels of quality and craftsmanship expected in a Cadillac. We want customers to feel as much pride in owning a Cadillac as we do in building them.”
The launch of the CTS Coupe has added excitement to Lansing Grand River Assembly, said Mike Green, president of UAW Local 652. The plant launched the first CTS almost 10 years ago. It expanded the CTS line to include the CTS Sport Wagon last year.
“It’s nice to add a product that gives consumers another choice, especially one such as the Coupe that’s been getting such rave reviews,” Green said. “The Lansing Grand River team members deserve a great deal of credit for making the Coupe a reality.”
The CTS Coupe won the Eyes on Design concept award at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Autoblog described the production model as “audacity in motion.” Car and Driver wrote that the 2011 CTS Coupe added “more style and a higher concentration of performance to the CTS’s winning formula.”
Posted below is a Press Release from General Motors advising early availability of the ’11 Cadillac CTS Coupe. In fact, according to this post at Jalopnik, the CTS-V Coupe, orginally slated for release by the end of 2010, is now appearing in the Midwestern United States. Generally regarded by buzz-hungry American car enthusiasts as one of the most georgeous designs to roll out of Detroit in some time, this announcement is sure to generate tremendous excitement and anticipating, especially by those who have either model on order at the dealership.
2011 CTS Coupe Headed To U.S. Dealers
Lansing Grand River Assembly adds latest model to award-winning CTS line
Lansing, Mich. – Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant has begun production of the 2011 CTS Coupe and started shipping models to U.S. dealerships ahead of schedule. The all-new CTS Coupe has a starting price, including destination charges, of $38,990.
The CTS Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon, an award-winning line that has been named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for three straight years. All three CTS models and the Cadillac STS sedan are made at Lansing Grand River Assembly.
Lansing Grand River Assembly team members spent months preparing for the launch of the CTS Coupe to ensure the highest levels of quality, said Plant Manager Scott Whybrew. Lansing Grand River Assembly topped all U.S. plants in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey. The CTS ranked among the top 10 of all vehicles in the quality survey.
While the CTS Coupe joined the existing CTS family, the Coupe’s dramatic design called for many unique parts and processes. The Coupe has a lower roofline, shorter overall length and wider track, providing a more aggressive stance and athletic profile. Lansing Grand River team members ensured the CTS Coupe had the same high standards as the other Cadillacs built at the plant, Whybrew said.
“We have very experienced assemblers at Lansing Grand River,” Whybrew said. “They work hard to make sure each vehicle meets the levels of quality and craftsmanship expected in a Cadillac. We want customers to feel as much pride in owning a Cadillac as we do in building them.”
The launch of the CTS Coupe has added excitement to Lansing Grand River Assembly, said Mike Green, president of UAW Local 652. The plant launched the first CTS almost 10 years ago. It expanded the CTS line to include the CTS Sport Wagon last year.
“It’s nice to add a product that gives consumers another choice, especially one such as the Coupe that’s been getting such rave reviews,” Green said. “The Lansing Grand River team members deserve a great deal of credit for making the Coupe a reality.”
The CTS Coupe won the Eyes on Design concept award at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Autoblog described the production model as “audacity in motion.” Car and Driver wrote that the 2011 CTS Coupe added “more style and a higher concentration of performance to the CTS’s winning formula.”
A couple of months ago I heard a rumour that an unemployed resident of Chicago had bought a $500 1991 BMW 318i, not to race it in the 24 Hours of LeMons or Chump Car, but to race it in legitimate rally events.
I figured that couldn’t be right. No one would attempt to race a 20 year old rear wheel drive sedan in competitive rally events.
Then I thought of what an awesome idea it would be, to buy an old RWD BMW or something and race it in a local rally we have yearly just outside Ottawa and I figured more power to him, he’s found a way to do what he loves without really ‘breaking the bank’.
Up here in Canada rally racing doesn’t get much coverage, if any, on the television. It’s not covered by TSN (our version of ESPN), and it’s typically not covered on SpeedTV either. But a friend of mine from New York told me that someone had entered into a Rally America event with 20 year old BMW. William Caswell had gone down as a DNF in the 2010 Sno*Drift rally. He wasn’t the only one racing an old car though, there was actually an early 90s Volkswagen GTI and a mid 80s Golf in the same race, and they actually finished.
I was interested though, so I did some searching around. Eventually I came across this article on Jalopnik. It’s an excellent write up of how Bill Caswell brought his 1991 BMW to WRC Mexico and raced it on the same dirt roads as Seb Loeb and the rest of WRC. Now obviously he didn’t win, but he also ran the race with a co-driver he barely knew, no mechanical crew, and without the endless supply of spare parts that the huge sponsored drivers get. If you have the time I highly recommend watching the youtube videos, as they’re very entertaining.
Since WRC Mexico, Bill has driven his BMW at the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, gaining the summit of 4, 721 feet, 12.42 miles of road, in 13:
50.1. (The record for gaining the summit of Pike’s Peak is 10:01.401, by Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima in a Suzuki Sport XL7 Hillclimb Special).
I’ll be eagerly watching Bill’s career as he continues to live his dream and will hopefully continue updating this space with his competitions and results.
A couple of months ago I heard a rumour that an unemployed resident of Chicago had bought a $500 1991 BMW 318i, not to race it in the 24 Hours of LeMons or Chump Car, but to race it in legitimate rally events.
I figured that couldn’t be right. No one would attempt to race a 20 year old rear wheel drive sedan in competitive rally events.
Then I thought of what an awesome idea it would be, to buy an old RWD BMW or something and race it in a local rally we have yearly just outside Ottawa and I figured more power to him, he’s found a way to do what he loves without really ‘breaking the bank’.
Up here in Canada rally racing doesn’t get much coverage, if any, on the television. It’s not covered by TSN (our version of ESPN), and it’s typically not covered on SpeedTV either. But a friend of mine from New York told me that someone had entered into a Rally America event with 20 year old BMW. William Caswell had gone down as a DNF in the 2010 Sno*Drift rally. He wasn’t the only one racing an old car though, there was actually an early 90s Volkswagen GTI and a mid 80s Golf in the same race, and they actually finished.
I was interested though, so I did some searching around. Eventually I came across this article on Jalopnik. It’s an excellent write up of how Bill Caswell brought his 1991 BMW to WRC Mexico and raced it on the same dirt roads as Seb Loeb and the rest of WRC. Now obviously he didn’t win, but he also ran the race with a co-driver he barely knew, no mechanical crew, and without the endless supply of spare parts that the huge sponsored drivers get. If you have the time I highly recommend watching the youtube videos, as they’re very entertaining.
Since WRC Mexico, Bill has driven his BMW at the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, gaining the summit of 4, 721 feet, 12.42 miles of road, in 13:50.1. (The record for gaining the summit of Pike’s Peak is 10:01.401, by Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima in a Suzuki Sport XL7 Hillclimb Special).
I’ll be eagerly watching Bill’s career as he continues to live his dream and will hopefully continue updating this space with his competitions and results.
Renault has released first images and details of its latest concept car, DeZir, ahead of its public debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
The DeZir project is led by Laurens van den Acker and marks the start of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault Design’s new vision for the future. This futuristic sports car also previews styling cues for future Renault vehicles.
This two-seater coupe is powered by an electric motor with 150 hp and 226Nm of torque. Not very powerful, but plenty for a 1830 lbs car. 0-62 mph comes in 5 seconds and the top speed is 112 mph. 24 kWh lithium-ion battery provides the car with a range of 100 miles.
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