Archive for July, 2012
The 2012 Porsche Cayman R offers outstanding performance around the track and is refined enough for occasional street driving. Click to see more pictures of the 2012 Porsche Cayman.
Model: 2012 Porsche Cayman R; 330-horsepower 3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission
Base Price: $66,300
Options: Automatic dimming mirrors, Porsche Communication Management w/navigation, xenon headlights w/cornering lights, sound package plus storage, automatic A/C, sport chrono package plus, XM satellite radio, universal audio interface, black painted wheels
Price as Tested: $79,285
Initially, the Fit EV will be available only in California and Oregon. Additionally, it will only be leased, not sold.
Unlike many model-name acronyms that seem to carry no significance whatsoever (what exactly are we supposed to infer from “ILX,” “XTS,” or “MKS”?), the letters “EV” have meaning. And in the coming years, you’ll likely see the abbreviation for “electric vehicle” on more and more badges.
Walking around this Frankenstein, I half got the sense it might run again. At first glance, this appears to be a Chevy, but keen-eyed fellow editor Don Sikora is pretty sure it’s actually a Mack.
I am the first to admit that technically I am a pretty weak photographer. I have more camera than I need or deserve, and a wife and child that are too understanding of the time I spend prowling around the back roads of industrial complexes and rotting commercial properties. The net result of this unfocused prowling is albums full of images that have been seen once or twice, usually only by me. (Try forcing your 12-year-old kid to sit still while you explain why an old F-150 with some graceful sun-induced patina is cool.)
The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertible is an impressively powerful and extremely luxurious performance-oriented car. Click to see more pictures of the 2012 Jaguar XK Series.
Model: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertible; 550-horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and 6-speed automatic transmission
Base Price: $138,000
Who needs seat belts?
Auto safety has come a long way since the 1950s. Check this ad for the Irvin Auto Safety Harness for “children 8 months to 6 years,” courtesy of CG Auto Publisher (and proud father) Tom Appel. (How does he make time to find such things?) (Car Safety for Kids)
2012 BMW 3-Series sedan
2013 Cadillac ATS
This is the first in a series of articles comparing the redesigned 2012 BMW 3-Series sedan with the brand new 2013 Cadillac ATS. Also see Part Two: Drivetrains, Part Three: Handling, Part Four: Interior Comfort, and Part Five: Value.
How Cars are Stolen
If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of vehicle theft, you may have unintentionally done one of the following things to contribute to it. However, many times the theft is completely out of the car owner’s control. We assume that no one actually wants to have their car stolen, so the information below can be understood as more of a guideline for how not to get your vehicle taken from you.
This Fitzpatrick illustration, for the 1959 Pontiac Bonneville, combined bright colors and sophistication.
If you saw a Pontiac ad or brochure from 1959 through 1971, you were probably admiring the work of Arthur Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, along with his collaborator, Van Kaufman, produced all of Pontiac’s illustrations, and Pontiac relied more heavily on artwork than other automakers in the Sixties. Their work is identified by the initials “AF VK.”
The ultra-high-performance Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric is a lot more tire than you’ll need on your Toyota Corolla.
If you’re like most consumers, you likely purchase tires only slightly less often than you get married or shop for a new mattress. Additionally, it’s likely that every time you do buy tires, you’re buying them for a different vehicle, meaning your needs change each time you shop.
Honda Fit EV
When you enjoy the kind of reputation Honda does, you don’t really want to take a lot of risks. Any fault with one car line is a blemish on the whole company (and Honda has suffered its share recently), so you want to limit exposure any time you venture off in a new direction.
