How far is too far? In a recent press release, the Insurance made a plea to the federal government to require anti-lock braking systems on all motorcycles sold in the U.S. The group cites a newly-released study showing 22 percent fewer damage claims are made on compared to non-equipped models, in part, as justification for the law.
Although we cannot agree more with Institute president Adrian Lund when he says, “the best motorcycle accident is the one that never happens,” we also can’t help but notice the possibility of selfish motives on the part of the insurance industry. If you’re a lifelong gearhead, you might agree that a good “insurance agent” can be a great asset, however, would you want them effectively telling you what you can and cannot do on your motorcycle?
Are we saying that motorcycle ABS is a bad thing? No way. In fact, with each new ABS-equipped bike we ride, braking performance seems to improve dramatically. However, one of life’s greatest pleasures can come at the precise moment tap your brake to initiate a sliding entrance into that sharp left-hander, just before powering out with a pasted-on grin. Dangerous? Of course, but that’s why we buy good insurance, right? Check out the IIHS’s complete press release after the jump, and let us know what you think of the proposal.
It’s no secret that we’re fans of the Škoda Fabia S2000 rally car. The good news for us Europeans is that VW’s Czech brand has decided to integrate some of that racing DNA (at least appearance-wise) into a Fabia RS model scheduled to debut at Wörthersee 2010.
This is Škoda’s first visit to the big GTI gathering, and they’ve obviously come prepared. A green roof and alloys aping those used on the S2000 racer are the Fabia RS’s showcase elements, along with a brutal lower front lip, smoked glass all around, darkened chrome work, a rear spoiler, and side skirts. The Fabia RS joins goodies like the Golf GTI Adidas, which will also be formally unveiled, and it will be on display from May 14-16.
With all the news reports about issues with unintended acceleration in in recent months, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company stepped up with a purported solution. Santa Barbara-based . is now marketing a device called the Decelerator, which they claim provides a brake override to prevent the car from taking off on the driver.
We spoke with Sean O’Neil, the CEO of the Solutions Group, to learn more about the Decelerator. The device is another box of electronics that can intercept and modify signals to the engine throttle body from the electronic control unit (ECU). Installation is straightforward. The wiring harness from the ECU to the throttle body is unplugged and connected to device, which is then plugged into the ECU. A second connector goes to the brake pedal switch. The brake pedal input provides the 5 volts needed to power the Decelerator.
Inside the Decelerator is a micro-controller and some firmware that sits idle until the brake pedal is pressed. While the brake is off, there’s no power and the to the throttle body is simply passed through unmodified. Read on to find out what happens after the brake is applied.
Is about to repeat the mistakes of and ? reports that Hyundai has been showing off a modified pickup at some consumer clinics to gauge interest in such a product. This wouldn’t be the first time the Koreans have looked down this road. A midsize pickup based on the new had been considered before being killed off two years ago. Tackling the full-size truck market could be an even more perilous endeavor.
Nissan never made a significant dent in the big truck segment with the six-year-old . The enormous resources that Toyota has poured into the development and production of the are considered by some analysts to be one of the causes of the automaker’s recent spate of quality problems and recalls. While many of Hyundai’s recent introductions have done well, not everything has been a hit. The hasn’t been particularly successful in the larger CUV segment and the , while getting good reviews, is still very much a niche player against the likes of the and .
2010 Mazda6 – Click above for high-res image gallery
As Americans, we typically view as our friendly neighbors to the north. So friendly are they, in fact, that it seems unimaginable that one would do anything as vile as, say, sell a woman with reduced mental capacity a used at a 60-percent markup over new. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Madeline Leonard claims happened to her when she visited an Orangeville, Ontario .
Leonard brought her 2004 Mazda in to have its tires replaced, and somehow wound up being talked into purchasing a 2010 Mazda6 demo with around 3,700 miles on the odometer. To make matters worse, the car’s final price tag totaled around
with taxes and numerous upsells. Among other things, the salesman convinced Leonard that she needed extras like stain guard, rust protection and window etching. While the Mazda6 carries an MSRP of $, the Orangeville dealership had priced the car at .
Despite being unemployed and living on a fixed income that nets her under $2,000 CAD per month, the dealership financed Leonard with an eight-year loan that will end up costing her an additional . The Orangeville dealer currently has a D+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and faces changes from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council of engaging in unfair practice by making an unconscionable representation. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
Since the McLaren F1 finished its GT competition career in the late 1990s, seeing more than one of them in any single location has become an increasingly rare event (unless you happen to be in the Sultan of Brunei’s garage). Only about 100 McLaren F1s were ever built, with 64 of those being standard road-going editions.
The remaining cars included the five F1 LMs that commemorated the first Le Mans victory and the various GTR race cars and prototypes.
For the recent launch of the new MP4-12C sports car, McLaren invited current F1 owners (and their cars) to the factory in the Surrey suburb of Woking. Surprisingly, 21 F1s actually showed up, making it perhaps the largest-ever gathering if the model.
Thankfully, not all of the McLaren F1s are ensconced in museums. A number of them do get driven on a regular basis.
Mahindra pickup – Click above for hi-res image gallery
Plagued by a series of setbacks, , and that little thing called “,” Mahindra has EPA federal emissions certification for its TR20 and TR40 pickups. But man, they must be getting really close. Right?
John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles USA, Mahindra’s exclusive U.S. distributor, says that all the emissions testing on the trucks has been completed and the paperwork is being submitted to the EPA for final approval. Approval itself is expected to take about 30 days. At that point, Global Vehicles could begin importing the trucks to the United States. They’d arrive on our shores 30 to 60 days later.
By our math, that sounds like we could have Mahindra pickup trucks on U.S. roads before the end of August, but neither Perez nor Mahindra’s corporate offices are talking sale dates yet. Experience has probably taught them not to make predictions, but with 330 dealers signed up and raring to go, we’re sure that official sales date can’t come soon enough for any of the parties involved.
When they eventually go on sale, Mahindra pickups will be offered in two configurations: a two-door regular cab, the TR20, and a four-door crew cab, the TR40. Both will offer Mahindra’s slightly modified version of the mHawk 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder diesel engine. Official EPA numbers obviously haven’t been determined yet, but the trucks are expected to have fuel economy ratings around 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Not too shabby considering their 1.3-ton hauling capability. Pricing is expected to start around $22,000.
You wouldn’t know it from the average chromed-out Road King that rides by you on your way to your favorite off-highway destination, but actually has an extremely impressive racing heritage. That’s especially true when talk turns to flat track racing, where the Bar-and-Shield brand’s XR750 has taken top honors for nearly two decades straight.
In other words, last Saturday’s Grand National Flat Track victory at Arizona’s Yavapai Downs Mile by Joe Kopp aboard a custom-framed, air-cooled flat track racer is nothing if not historic. The feat is even more impressive considering that Ducati’s flat track effort only began last year and this was the Italian marque’s third race in competition. The powerplant used in the Ducati racer was borrowed from the company’s .
The racing was close throughout, with Kopp drafting past Sammy Halbert’s Harley-Davidson XR750 on the race’s final lap. The margin of victory was just .024 of one second. Nicely done! Check out the official press release from Ducati after the break.
2011 Mini Countryman Getaway package – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’re all guilty of letting personal belongings pile up in our cars from time to time. And unless you’re a bona fide hoarder, most people excuse this clutter as a means to be well-prepared for any situation that may arise out on the road. understands, and in fact, is now encouraging owners to take time to stop and smell the roses (or take a nap) while traveling. The automaker’s Getaway package for the 2011 Countryman micro-crossover includes a host of kit designed to inspire rest area sleepovers impromptu picnics or scenic relaxation.
Selling for (the apparent retail value of roadside spontaneity), Mini’s Getaway package includes two folding seats that can be converted into a table (extra chairs can be purchased if you find that larger gatherings are in your future). In addition to that, you’ll get what Mini calls a “five-in-one cover,” which can be used as a poncho, sleeping bag, picnic blanket or bed cover. Talk about one-size-fits-all. From there, Mini throws in a set of boots, a parka and a (limited-edition!) Mini t-shirt. You know, just in case.
That’s right, folks – fully-licensed merchandised living in (or out of) your car has never been easier. For all the details, hit the jump to read Mini’s press release.
Ever since the all-new 2011 went on sale in February, it’s been selling faster than ever. Over 18,000 units were moved in both March and April and the new turbo and hybrid models are still to come later this year. In order to continue meeting the demand for the new sedan, moving Santa Fe SUV production out of Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama factory (where the Sonata is also built) is now under consideration. Montgomery’s been running overtime for weeks.
But if the Santa Fe is ousted to open up additional Sonata capacity, where would it go? Sister brand recently opened factory in West Point, Georgia that builds the . Relocating Santa Fe production there could work, since it the and Sorento share many components already. If Hyundai does pull the trigger on a production shift for the Santa Fe, it could happen before the two new Sonata models are added in the fall.
The Ferrari 599 GTO tears up the tarmac – Follow the jump to
You have to love the human being’s ability to rationalize almost anything. After all, how else can you explain calling a near half-million-dollar sports car a “best value?” Yet that’s exactly what Autocar has done in evaluating the new Ferrari 599 GTO. By comparing it’s £300,000 price tag against the £1.3 million 599XX while noting that the GTO is at least 4/5ths of the more expensive car, it certainly comes across as something of a bargain, absurd as it sounds. Of course, since almost no one reading this likely to ever afford either car, the point’s moot anyway.
One thing that jumps out at us in Autocar magazine’sFerrari GTO video review is what we’ll be missing if electric cars ever take over the world: the glorious sound. Sure, torque-heavy electric motors can generate a car that may be just as fast, but no electric car will ever sound as good as this thing. It’s the kind of noise that can make a man find religion. Check out the video , and drop a comment letting us know whether you agree. A tip of the hat to Giulio!
Ferrari 599 HY-KERS – Click above for high-res image gallery
By now, you’ve likely seen the various hybrid vehicles shown off by , both for racing and for in concept form. Purists might be more than a bit put off by the idea of a supposedly eco-friendly vehicle wearing the famed Prancing Horse badge, and it seems that Ferrari head Amadeo Felisa commiserates with them.
Speaking to Autocar at the recent Beijing Motor Show, Felisa had some rather interesting remarks on the future of his company, notably regarding the powerplants needed to meet future emissions and fuel mileage requirements. Says Felisa:
Our customers are looking for the essence of Ferrari – the emotion, the performance, the technology and so on. The way in which we fix emissions is not their problem but ours. If we are not able to fix it, only then will it become a problem for them.
That’s rational, we’d say. But here’s the point where Felisa’s comments seem sure to garner a few raised eyebrows amongst the environmental set:
[Hybrids will come in] 2015, if we are forced to by the [government] regulations. The issue of emissions for Ferrari is more a political one than real one. Lowering emissions of every Ferrari will not save the planet, but it will cost us a lot of money… In the next five to 10 years, hybrid technology will develop and maybe something else will come up. Maybe it’ll be hydrogen, but for our cars only hybrid is ready.
So, hydrogen isn’t ready for Ferrari (or vice versa) and the only reason the sportscar manufacturer is even looking at hybrids is because the various governments of the world are making them. Oh yeah, and . At least that much we can all agree upon.
Safety is expected when you’re Volvo, and when something goes wrong it’s particularly embarrassing. Such was the case this week when media were invited. to a demonstration of one of Volvo’s latest latest safety technologies.
Aston Martin has finally answering your prayers… assuming that you, like us, have been offering up daily supplications asking that Aston send over its V12 Vantage to those of us living in the States.
While we could usually care less about the comings and goings of Megan Fox, occasionally she wanders into our neck of the interwebs by getting dangerously close to cars like the new Bumblebee Camaro.
It’s always nice to know that someone is listening to your ramblings. A couple of days ago when we saw a speculative of the new Kia Optima, we postulated that its cousin the Hyundai Sonata would make a great Shooting Brake. Well, we’ve now seen two renderings of a long-roof Sonata from two different artists and we are sold on the concept.
The image to the right was generated by the same who created the Optima wagon. Don’t get us wrong, we generally love the we saw in Beijing. However, unlike the designers at , Theo understands the history of the Shooting Brake and rendered a proper two-door plus hatch, and it works beautifully with the Sonata’s fluidic sculpture design. .
We’d also like to thank Jon Riska who, while acknowledging his less advanced photoshopping skills, still produced the very handsome four-door Sonata wagon above. If you’d like to try your own hand, send your images along to tips at autoblog dawt com and we may add them to the reader gallery.
Note to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik: We know you check out Autoblog. Come on, you know you want to build one of these!
With its lightweight aluminum spaceframe and miniature luxury aspirations, the first generation Audi A2 was a vehicle a bit ahead of its time. That would make the little a revolutionary vehicle were it not for the fact that customers weren’t all that interested with the price premium that comes with expensive spaceframe technology, and it could be argued that the A2 wasn’t all that attractive, either. See above and decide for yourselves.
In any case, Autocar reports that the four-ringed automaker will make a second go at the A2 in 2012, but this time the innovative and expensive spaceframe won’t be part of the package. The British site claims that the next A2 will inherit a version of the traditional steel unibody layout from the , giving Audi more cost leverage when competing with the likes of and in the small front drive near-lux segment.
Audi chairman Rupert Stadler reportedly stated that an EV variant is a possibility for the upcoming A2, with hardware not unlike that of the . Regardless of the variant of A2 Audi is considering, we’re not too hopeful that the little German will ever make its way Stateside.
The minds at Inside Line have taken it upon themselves to ponder the improbable by sketching up a few renderings of a Convertible. We should be clear and point out that no one from has said word one about dropping two doors and the roof off of the company’s sharp new sedan. Still, the Inside Line crew makes a good case for having the Korean shed its top.
Their logic? The market is noticeably bereft of a well-priced drop-head with functional rear seats. Former heavy hitters like the , Solara and even the Pontiac G6 are either dead or dying, and that’s created a void that’s gone unfilled. Clipping the roof off of the already well-styled Sonata certainly wouldn’t hurt the design in anyway, especially if Hyundai stuck with a power soft top instead of a heavy retractable hard-top version.
There’s no doubt that the automaker could pull it off if so motivated, but we have to wonder whether it would be worth Hyundai’s time. Be sure to hop over to Inside line to see the full renderings.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black – Click above for high-res image gallery
has finally answering your prayers… assuming that you, like us, have been offering up daily supplications asking that the crew from Graydon to send over its V12 Vantage to those of us living in the good ol’ United States of America.
Specs? Here goes: 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 510 horsepower, and 420 pound-feet of torque with a top speed of 190 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.2 seconds. Not bad. But Aston is also claiming that its newly muscled Vantage is also “our most agile model with our most powerful engine,” adding that it “represents the definitive Aston Martin driving experience.”
According to the automaker, some subtle changes were necessary to the structure of the car in order for it to meet North and South American regulations. In addition to these enhancements, Aston has also announced that it will be adding a new Carbon Black version of the V12 Vantage exclusively for the American market.
Included in the dark and sinister makeover will be “a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina; painstakingly created through a hand painting process taking 50 man hours.” Further, the side strake will be fashioned from carbon fiber, wheels will be gloss black 10-spoke diamond-turned alloys and a bright finished grille will be featured up front.
Inside, you’ll see plenty of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with contrasting hand stitching in silver. Piano black interior trim will join black tread plates and unique sill plaques, and a 700w Premium Audio System will be standard equipment. Ordering begins right about now and initial deliveries are slated for fourth quarter of 2010. Want to know more? Check out our high-res image gallery below and then hit the jump for the press release.
Opel Insignia hatch (left) Buick Regal sedan (right)
When the new goes on sale in the U.S. later this month, it will only be available as a four-door sedan. However, the Regal’s German twin, the Opel Insignia, is available as either a five-door hatchback or a .” During our recent jaunt to Germany, we spoke with Buick officials about offering alternate body styles, and were particularly enamored by the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer with its 325 turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive.
Alas, Buick sales and marketing manager Craig Bierley told us that chances of the wagon making it to America are slim (but not impossible). What’s more likely to make it to the U.S. is the five-door. Buick thinks the hatch has a better chance of success in the States because it doesn’t look like a hatchback. In fact, aside from slighter shorter rear decklid and more raked rear glass, it’s difficult to distinguish from the sedan while still offering the extra utility of the large cargo opening. If the Regal proves successful in the States, the hatch variant could arrive in a year or two. The question is, what do you want?
is set to descend on the yearly Audi/Volkswagen meet up in Worthersee, Austria with a pair of reworked GTI hatches. First up is a collaboration with Adidas that features a rash of aesthetic changes, including new wheels and sports seats. You’ll also find the stock headlights and tail lights swapped out in favor of the trick hardware found on the . VW says that it will push 4,410 examples of the Adidas-branded GTI via European dealers.
Then there’s the Golf Excessive Edition. As far as we can tell, the company hasn’t bothered to breathe on the stock turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Instead, VW has a wider track with bodywork to match. Throw in a reworked set of springs, bigger brakes and a free-breathing exhaust and you’ve got a recipe for getting us all hot and bothered.
VW hasn’t released any photos of the Golf Excessive Edition just yet, so we’ll have to wait until the Worthersee event kicks off next week to lay our eyes on the creation. Stay tuned. In the mean time for the translated press release.
Safety is expected when you’re , and when something goes wrong it’s particularly embarrassing. Such was the case this week when media were invited to a demonstration of one of Volvo’s latest latest safety technologies. The collision warning system on the S60 is supposed to detect an impending impacts and then autonomously apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a halt, . Except it didn’t!
The S60 was launched at 30 mph toward the back of a parked truck and the crowd watched as it rolled straight into it without ever braking. Volvo representatives later claimed human error in the preparation of the vehicle for the test. On the plus side, the car showed no apparent damage to the passenger compartment, again demonstrating that, even if a Volvo does crash, it will protect its occupants. In the meantime, we’ll just to go back to being active participants in the driving process. Check out the video . Hats off to all the tipsters!
