tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55868042011-04-21T13:13:08.105-07:00Car stuffSeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comBlogger781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1146590850123851732006-05-02T10:26:00.000-07:002006-05-02T10:38:01.396-07:00

Lots to talk about in this month's Car and Driver. But, the most curious might be the road test of the Ford Futura Sprint. Lots of clues that the car and test are fakes.My favorite was the steering wheel without an airbag.Big question is why?Very interesting thread at focaljet.com. The posters seem to capture the little moments of absurdity, like this from the technical specs:Chassis/Body:Type:

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1145540511345467672006-04-20T06:38:00.000-07:002006-04-20T06:48:09.046-07:00

Even if it's staged, this pedestrian v. car battle is hilarious.Go granny!Link is from our buddy Aaron, who claims, without proof, that it's better than honku. (Click on the "Story of honku" button.)

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1145421095448710422006-04-18T21:31:00.000-07:002006-04-18T21:31:35.706-07:00

Doesn't a thirteen-year run building the Aston Martin Lagonda count as a "serious stab at a super-luxury sedan"?

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1145300512759482862006-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:002006-04-17T12:04:34.690-07:00

We feel just like we did in our law school days when the professor posed a tough question and we knew the answer.About the increasingly unreliable electronics in expensive cars and trucks, Professor Kaus asks:The interesting question is why the rich tolerate this--why doesn't at least one European luxury automaker back off the iffy, cutting edge electronics and market a car that, you know, keeps

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1144782342775498232006-04-11T10:57:00.000-07:002006-04-11T12:05:43.310-07:00

Remarkably, it's front-page news on the Wall Street Journal that Chrysler has upgraded its factories so that they can make more than one car without extensive retooling (subscription required).Haven't the Japanese manufacturers been doing that since, oh, forever?

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1144421899843944202006-04-07T07:11:00.000-07:002006-04-07T08:19:58.873-07:00

We want to weigh in on the "too tough" Dodge Caliber ad. (Jalopnik's got a post. Leftlane News focuses on Chrysler's response.The ad is bad on so many levels.The controversy, such as it is, is entirely predictable and avoidable. Whether or not outrage is justified, Dodge's surprise that anyone would be offended is either disingenuous or willfully naive. We do not live in a homophobia-free country

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1144343400273497772006-04-06T10:01:00.000-07:002006-04-06T13:17:06.176-07:00

The Downshift family is planning a two-small-car strategy (Golf for her, 3-series for him). For ninety percent of our travel, we don't even need the room of the incument Passat wagon.But, what do you do when you would really like some room? Trip to New Jersey to visit Grammy Downshift. Costco run. Dinner with a couple you'd like to impress.In the spirit of the exotic car clubs, we're thinking

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1144340183078608672006-04-01T09:16:00.000-08:002006-04-06T10:01:26.730-07:00

Dodge is putting 300hp through the front wheels of the Caliber SRT, even though AWD is an option with less potent motors.Okay, the argument that it's too costly to upgrade the AWD workings to handle the SRT's power and torque makes sense. But, doesn't the DCX parts bin have some relatively cheap parts available to put the power to the rear wheels? The platform's already configured for a

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1141667216039062952006-03-06T09:42:00.000-08:002006-03-31T09:46:37.460-08:00

Not a surprise -- The list of the slowesst moving models includes the Chevy SSR. It sneaks in at ninth, the average unit cooling its heels for 197 days. (From Jalopnik.)Bit suprised to see the Mazda MPV in eighth (206 days), but hope to use that to our personal advantage.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1133210347936779182005-11-28T12:33:00.000-08:002005-11-30T19:17:45.566-08:00

Quicker Croc -- The first (?) tuner Cayman is upon us (via Jalopnik).Looks nice, but it's all show parts. We'd really like to see a hey-Stuttgart-shoulda-done-this message mobile: a stock Cayman save for a motor tuned as closely as possible to the specs of a Carrera S. (One assumes you could drop a Carrera S motor into the Cayman, no?)

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1130470369939944632005-10-27T19:57:00.000-07:002005-10-27T20:32:49.996-07:00

How's-that tires -- Love the XC-70 concept car we saw on Jalopnik. (J'nik caught it on swedespeed). But what's with those micro-profile off-road shoes? They can't be functional, can they? (Defining functional as useful for the ostensible purpose.) Does it matter? Would slapping them on a dub-wearing H2 make it any more likely that it would travel off-road? Nah.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1129263560230486662005-10-10T20:24:00.000-07:002005-10-13T21:20:40.463-07:00

If there were no Bangle -- The new Z4 Coupe has none of the charm of the old Z Coupe. Fortunately, Audi picked up the option on kinda-ugly/kinda-cool breadbox.The Z4 coupe is still a massive improvement on the roadster.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1127759891188338892005-09-26T11:27:00.000-07:002005-09-26T12:25:40.546-07:00

Wrong question -- Jalopnik asked a high-profile Porsche salesman whether the Cayman would be a 911-killer. He answered no, sort of. The question ought to have been be: should the Cayman kill the 911?The 911 (and its variants) has been our favorite car since our toddler days when we would pass the time sitting on the step identifying (accurately, we're told) every car that passed by. But sentiment

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1127614913492483432005-09-23T19:06:00.000-07:002005-09-24T19:34:20.333-07:00

It's a Unibeca -- At various times, various companies have followed the "same sausage, different lengths school" of brand management attributed to pre-Bangle BMW. (We've linked to an unintentionally hilarious Fast Company moist smooch to Bungle Bangle profile.) But check out this electro-Subie posted on Jalopnik. The Mini Me to the universally derided Subaru B9 Tribeca takes the practice to a new

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1127616627924181142005-09-19T17:40:00.000-07:002005-09-24T19:50:27.926-07:00

Odd Jetta This New York Times review nicely makes the case against the Jetta that grew up. It's fat and the chrome slathered smile is ridiculous.But the review confuses the target audience for Jetta marketing and the of marketing for previous Jettas and the buyers. Unquestionably, the Jetta was a favorite among urban youth, but

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126623906983323412005-09-13T07:58:00.000-07:002005-09-26T12:25:28.650-07:00

What's that? -- Jalopnik compares the Cayman to a 1982 911SC. Yeah, if the Cayman were built on a VW Golf chassis and were going to be part of a decades-long run of sports cars with a fundamental design defect.In 23 years, we're all going to look back at the Cayman as the model Porsche should have built in 1982 instead of the 911SC.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126672376976328312005-09-12T21:24:00.000-07:002005-09-13T21:48:23.706-07:00

Not a good week -- Mini loses its marketing agency Crispin Porter to VW and it reveals that its next variant will be longer but otherwise essentially the same as the base hatchback.The Mini's great and it remains a big seller, but we still think BMW is missing out on the larger brand equity represented by the "Let's Motor" campaign. Lost geniuses and lost opportunities in the same week.That said,

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126671291069720762005-09-12T21:10:00.000-07:002005-09-13T21:16:34.896-07:00

Frankfurting -- Three good places for Frankfurt coverage: Jalopnik, Autoweek, and cars.com.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126670277445857072005-09-08T19:49:00.000-07:002005-09-13T21:59:31.910-07:00

Hallelujah, brother Csabe -- We fondly recall a golden age at Car and Driver when the editors kept a keen eye on the scale and never failed to castigate automakers for letting cars get porky. In particular, we remember them getting on Mazda as the RX-7 put on the pounds over time. Nowadays there's the occasional tsk, tsk about increased avoirdupois, but none of the withering scorn of our

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126658123867148272005-08-23T17:30:00.000-07:002005-09-13T19:46:52.036-07:00

Stupid Truck Full Employment Act -- We've figured out why GM keeps extending the Employee Discount program. They haven't yet cleared the lots of all those woeful SSRs.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126665913024033342005-08-17T17:38:00.000-07:002005-09-14T06:56:41.776-07:00

Brock's obsession -- Given that, in his own words, hybrids "are stuck at about a one-half-percent market share of the roughly 17 million annual new car and light-truck domestic sales," why has Brock Yates devoted a disproportionate amount of his precious column space to castigating the green machines? ("He's long since had anything meaningful to contribute to the automotive discourse" is not a

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1126657710033062112005-08-15T17:10:00.000-07:002005-09-13T22:01:48.576-07:00

It's like art -- Forget the wet kiss to Bob Lutz rulebook-tearer-upper that opens this Car and Driver preview of the HHR. (Note to Aaron: Lutz has had four years. Name one Lutz product that's a segment leader or near leader.) What blew us away was the fact that the hood on Chevy's entrant into the now over retro craze "with its deep concavity and delicate accent lines requires five separate 'hits

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1123792092736559082005-08-11T13:18:00.000-07:002005-08-11T13:28:12.746-07:00

That's more like it -- Mercedes will be selling special Signature Edition R-class minivans sports-tourers as part of Saks Fifth Avenue's Key to the Cure breast-cancer fundraiser (from Jalopnik)

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1123781853692058272005-08-11T10:35:00.000-07:002005-08-11T10:37:33.700-07:00

Baffling -- Seriously, how come Bob Lutz still has a job and Phillip Murtaugh doesn't?

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1123255436558267842005-08-05T08:19:00.000-07:002005-08-05T08:23:56.566-07:00

How not to create repeat customers -- A company called Scala-Rider has created a bluetooth hands-free headset for a motorcycle helmet. As if there's not enough else to concentrate on while you're riding a motorcycle.Repeat after us: It's the conversation stupid!At least the morons using the headset will be wearing helmets.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1122926790643807902005-08-01T12:44:00.000-07:002005-08-01T13:06:30.653-07:00

Defining value -- GM's doing what we hoped/expected with its Employee Discount For All program (officially over, as of today): they're recalibrating. Instead of the ceaseless rebates/financing deals/dealer incentives, they're going to lower MSRPs. If the EDFA was a transition to stickers that resemble out-the-door prices, great. Farago has an excellent summary of the likely problems (and at least

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1122925437677883152005-08-01T12:37:00.000-07:002005-08-01T12:43:57.683-07:00

Not sitting well -- We were just about to post a wet kiss to the lovely seats in the Nissan Quest, when we saw this in Autoweek and this at Jalopnik.We love those seats. So styling, so Gallic, so not-Chrysler minivan.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1122395748945693652005-07-26T09:18:00.000-07:002005-07-26T10:08:24.313-07:00

Somebody's in trouble, now -- Mercedes goes to all that trouble trying to convince the world that its new minivan is not a minivan (primarily by omitting the minivan's best feature: sliding rear doors) and what do we get on the doorstep of casa de downshift? The latest Pottery Barn Kids catalog, with a promotion to win a new Mercedes R-class minivan sports-tourer. Fortunately for our loyal

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1121833430475406352005-07-19T20:54:00.000-07:002005-07-19T21:48:55.513-07:00

Nope, Bangle just sucks -- Rich Ceppos does an admirable job attempting a flying-in-the-face-of-conventional-wisdom rehabilitation of Chris Bangle and his hatchet job on the BMW marque. But, he comes up a little short.The automotive world is a little better place because the current generation of the Mercedes S-Class abandoned the gunship slab sides of its predecessor and introduced curves and

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1121825348125581172005-07-17T16:34:00.000-07:002005-07-19T20:46:57.623-07:00

Relax -- According to the New York Times, greenies are aghast that manufacturers are using hybrid technology to deliver better performance, not better fuel economy. Exhibit A is the Honda Accord hybrid that boasts more power than the regular V6 at mileage that rivals the base four.While it may seem an epic feat of managing cognitive dissonance, the performance-loving Downshift considers itself

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1120831979463608242005-07-06T08:25:00.000-07:002005-07-08T07:12:59.496-07:00

Seven strikes -- Need evidence that GM is structurally unfit to compete effectively on the world automotive stage? The for-now world's largest automaker has seven minivan nameplates that combine for just 14.1% of the mini-van market. With the Odyssey alone, Honda sold just 2,931 fewer minivans.Clearly there's an execution problem. GM has brought nothing innovative or class-leading to the segment

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1121830318571371852005-07-05T19:16:00.000-07:002005-07-19T20:42:57.826-07:00

We can't be trusted -- For years, various Car and Driver editors have been railing against the command-and-control nature of traffic regulations. As one example, the regular drumbeat to get rid of the arbitrary, one-size fits all national speed limit in favor of road-specific limits that reflect the 85th percentile speed. The argument: traffic finds a rational compromise between speed and

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1120830183335223872005-05-14T22:39:00.000-07:002005-07-08T06:43:03.350-07:00

Name game -- All the beefing about Mercedes calling a four-door sedan a coupe, nobody's noticed the little nod to truth on the rump of the car: CLS. We at Downshift Central (DCS) feel certain it stands for coupe-like sedan.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1114021630263615682005-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:002005-04-20T11:40:05.246-07:00

Limits of Power -- Kevin Wilson and Autoweek staffers query some big names (Mays, Lutz, Ghosn, among others) about the future of horsepower in an era of 400 hp Corvettes and Mustang Cobras. Not suprisingly, the consensus is that the horsepower wars are likely to rage on ...Unfortunately, the inquiry seemed to be looking for a specific horsepower number -- 600, 700, 800 -- that will find its way

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1108535791049150902005-02-15T21:56:00.000-08:002005-02-15T22:36:31.053-08:00

Get Motoring -- While BMW has been hailed for brilliantly executing the revival of the Mini, a look at another resurrected British classic -- Triumph motorcycles -- demonstrates how BMW probably has not taken full advantage of what they (re)created. While BMW has gotten good mileage out of the Mini Cooper model, it has not capitalized on the brand it created.What is remarkable is not just the

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1108533286977413882005-02-15T20:44:00.000-08:002005-02-15T21:54:46.983-08:00

Time to kill the 911 -- No car has occupied the fervid Downshift automotive imaginative universe like the 911 and its variants. The ultimate dream car.Now it's time to kill it.That the 911 continues to be one of the best performing, particularly best handling, cars in the world is testament to Porsche's engineering brilliance. But, what if they didn't have to overcome the handicap of the engine

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1108535995695327252005-01-15T22:38:00.000-08:002005-02-15T22:40:34.726-08:00

Rev on -- Not only is the BMW M5 ugly, it sports a torque-challenged, high-revving race motor. Just the thing to power a two-ton sedan.The M5, the four-door S2000.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1102995544692493742004-12-13T19:27:00.000-08:002004-12-13T19:40:18.556-08:00

Let the sunshine in (just not through the windows) -- More on the increasing fortification of our mobile environments. Automotive News reports that ACS is going to show an open-roof SUV at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. (Link requires registration.) The roof consists of a series of fabric panels that can apparently be moved forward and back in a variety of open-air configurations. We've

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1103000771052030152004-12-10T19:43:00.000-08:002004-12-13T21:08:34.056-08:00

Halo cars are stupid -- According to Automotive News, Chevy's got a 301-day supply of SSRs. Small surprise. Not only are SSRs poor sellers, we're willing to bet they've had no positive effect on sales of other Chevy products. If halo cars ever contributed to the sale of other models, they almost certainly do not now, the wicked cool ad with the bootleg turn, notwithstanding. Here are a few

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1089313667576743162004-07-08T11:54:00.000-07:002004-07-08T12:07:47.576-07:00

Beltline indicator -- Hemlines are supposedly good economic, social, and political indicators. What does it say about the country that vehicle beltlines keep going up? Exhibits A through C: the Hummer H2 and it's slits for windows, the high-shoulder Chrysler 300C, and the new Mercedes CLS. In the Downshift P-wagen, the sills are so high, it's impossible to hang out an arm out the window without

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1087243568585984492004-06-14T12:16:00.000-07:002004-06-14T13:09:59.773-07:00

The End of Power -- Rich Ceppos has an interesting column about his mother's '67 GTO v. the new one. His bottom line is hard to argue with: today's average car takes a smaller bite out of an average family's yearly income and delivers a lot more than the average car of yesteryear. But, he makes two errors. First, he equates his mother's Goat with the current model. Okay, every column needs a hook

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1087239517866243082004-06-14T11:24:00.000-07:002004-06-14T12:06:37.070-07:00

Of course -- VW has announced that the New Beetle will be a "one-cycle" car, meaning that they aren't going to redesign it. Tweak it, yes, but nothing new. Surprised? Shouldn't be. We predicted the Beetle demise as a function of the Downshift Retro Roadblock: Resurrect an iconic design, and you've locked yourself into the end of a model. (The brief second life of the T'bird is exhibit A.) Instead

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1086878523875607132004-06-10T07:29:00.000-07:002004-06-14T12:12:45.946-07:00

Hatchback comeback -- Since the days of the GM X-cars it's been received wisdom that Americans don't buy hatchbacks, they prefer sedans. The point was made most pointedly when the latest Saab 9-3 came to market in only sedan variant, foresaking years of Saabness being equated with hatchbackness. This "Not for U.S. Sale" review of the Opel Astra revisits the point, wondering why the Astra isn't

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1074232226782868702004-01-15T21:50:00.000-08:002004-01-15T21:51:47.936-08:00

What ails ya? -- So, Ford wants a national health-care policy that will help relieve it of its burden of providing medical insurance to its workers and retirees. (According to the article, only 1/3 of the cost covers current employees.) According to Ford's vice chairman Allan Gilmour, it's a competitive problem. Ford's substantial health-care burden adds about $700 to the cost of every car it

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1074147302101436852004-01-14T22:15:00.000-08:002004-01-14T22:16:22.840-08:00

Lutz Reads Downshift -- He must. Check out the Chevy Nomad concept, then our 8/10/03 post. Okay, they must have had it cooking longer than four months ago, and we clearly don't recommend any retro-styling, so it's tough to take too much credit. (Though, the Nomad may be fresh enough to avoid the Downshift Retro Roadblock.) It is a good-looking car. Who would ever imagine that the Nomad nameplate

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1074146708288156022004-01-14T22:05:00.000-08:002004-01-14T22:24:22.293-08:00

VW Bug-gy -- When we first saw it, Downshift and some colleagues could only laugh at the audacity of the VW Concept T. Bold, muscular, modern. More pics here with superbly overheated PR prose to boot. But, the glow hasn't even lasted a week. After a few looks, it's not much of a stretch from its inspiration, the Bug-powered Meyer Manx. Sure, the new VW family face (from the Toureag) is neatly

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1074048342020266452004-01-14T21:42:00.000-08:002004-01-14T21:43:03.606-08:00

Subie-do -- If there are any doubts that the regulatory landscape distorts the market for cars v. light-trucks, let Subaru's latest gambit put them to rest. Subaru's going to jack the Outback sedan and wagon's height from 7.3" to 8.7" so that they will qualify as light trucks. As light trucks, Outback sales will not count against Subaru's obligation to have its car fleet average 27.5 mpg. Instead

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073191266941858182004-01-05T20:54:00.000-08:002004-01-05T00:37:48.090-08:00

The Mustang's back -- The production version of the new Mustang is in print and it looks every bit as handsome as the concept. We'll leave the detailed styling analysis to others. Suffice it to say that it's clean, crisp, handsome, and distinctive. Ford will sell a ton. Then they'll have to kill the brand. The new Mustang is the ultimate Mustang, the quintessential execution of the Mustang

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073287696076223582004-01-04T23:28:00.000-08:002004-01-04T23:29:26.810-08:00

Detroit links -- Two good places to get the latest from the Detroit Auto Show:The official site on MSN. Check out the ">multi-media daily show coverage. The press-day photo galleries are also good.Autoweek's coverage is usually excellent and comprehensive.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073285931670088482004-01-04T22:58:00.000-08:002004-01-04T23:19:53.686-08:00

Another Ford rehash -- Somebody please stop J Mays. Seriously. Now. Bill Ford introduced the new Mustang (more later) and the Ford GT as part of a Power Trilogy. What's the third prong of the trinity? If you guesses another modern-day execution of a Ford icon, congratulations. It's an all-new Shelby Cobra! Unlike the unquestionably handsome Mustang and GT, this one's is a bit of a dog. But,

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073285001596350362004-01-04T22:43:00.000-08:002004-01-04T22:44:32.153-08:00

Holy Crossfire -- Chrysler unveiled a supercar prototype at the Detroit show. Enzo-like specs: quad-turbo V-12 by AMG, 850 bhp, 2.9 seconds to 60. Enzo-like price: $450,000 (less trade-in on the Town & Country, presumably). Enzo-like pedigree: Not! Thought 1: This is forward-looking design. A clean-sheet design that incorporates brand cues. Of course, Chrysler doesn't have a LeMans winner to look

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073281894788806572004-01-04T21:51:00.000-08:002004-01-04T22:04:46.640-08:00

No cameras? -- Last month, the IRL released its report of the crash that killed Tony Renna on October 22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All of its conclusions are based on telemetrics and eyewitness accounts. Remarkably, there is no video footage. Given the millions spent racing and testing at IMS and the frequent crashes (some of which, unfortunately, are fatal), we just assumed that there

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1072856593233232502004-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:002003-12-30T23:52:12.340-08:00

Look, Ma, no brains -- The grossly disproportionate CAFE standards applicable to cars and trucks, while criminally stupid, is at least historically and politically explicable. What Downshift has never understood is why there are different rules about tinted glass. Most SUVs and minivans have dark glass from the factory, while sedans and wagons don't. That's because light trucks can have tinting

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1073195099235691622004-01-03T21:44:00.000-08:002004-01-03T22:26:42.420-08:00

Less Acclaim -- Much less happening at the LA Auto Show than is promised at the Detroit show in a few days. Check out the official show site or a pre-packaged roundup of pre-show press releases from Car and Driver. Still haven't found a page with pictures from the show. Among the more interesting debuts and concepts: Lotus Elise (gotta have one), Maserati Quattroporte, Volvo S40, RX-8 look-alike

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1072858068083196362004-01-02T00:07:00.000-08:002003-12-31T00:13:23.250-08:00

Bangle bungle -- If anything encapsulates the arrogance and cluelessness of Chris Bangle, it's this quote in a Car and Driver article on the new 6-series:"We've decided we can't figure out how to design a car that looks good in pictures," he says with a shrug.We get it. The forward thinkers at BMW are so pure in their pursuit of design perfection that they are incapable of something as vulgar as

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1072857356158094102003-12-30T23:55:00.000-08:002003-12-30T23:57:01.483-08:00

We're back -- Downshift's new year's resolution is two posts a week, at least. Enough said.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1072855732492290692003-12-30T23:28:00.000-08:002003-12-30T23:55:34.856-08:00

Power Gglut -- A while back, Missed Shift's favorite writer, Gregg Easterbrook, had a good blog entry essentially bemoaning the fact that recent powertrain improvement has been focused on power rather than efficiency and suggesting that power should be regulated in the name of reduced fuel consumption. Easterbrook's headed in the right direction, but nobody's going to limit power. Fortunately,

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1063941333642613152003-09-18T20:15:00.000-07:002003-09-18T20:28:06.870-07:00

No More GM Minivans -- GM has announced that they are changing the names of their Chevrolet and Pontiac minivans from Venture and Montana to Uplander and Montana SV6. Apparently, Venture and Montana without the SV6 are just too closely aligned with the minivan as mom-mobile. First, GM's got neither enough minivan sales or so-called mindshare to have too close an association with its products and

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1063155769444840792003-09-09T18:02:00.000-07:002003-09-09T18:12:26.120-07:00

Frankfurt! -- Nothing like a major autoshow to get the blood flowing! Can we start with the new Ford concept, the Visos? Was someone channeling the early 70's Volvo P1800ES, especially the back? (Here's another view). Certainly, Ford's entitled to harken back to early examples from the family archives, even to a car that was built well before Volvo married into the family. There are worse cars to

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1062557467040503952003-09-02T19:51:00.000-07:002003-09-02T20:01:57.870-07:00

Objectively Subjective -- In the September issues, both Car and Driver and Road & Track pulled together big comparison tests of high-dollar convertible sports/sporty cars. Makes sense. See how the new Cadillac XLR stacks up agains the rest of the world. No suprise that they gathered the same cars (except, surprisingly, Car and Driver neglected the Maserati Spyder without comment). What's really

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1062556566324552222003-09-02T19:36:00.000-07:002003-09-02T19:59:53.723-07:00

No kidding -- You're going to have to trust us on this one, but Downshift has been planning a post on the new VW Touareg, about how cool it is (despite its being a truck-based ute, and one of particularly weighty weight), and how the family Downshift might just have to get an Airstream International CCD to justify buying a Touareg. (Yes, Downshift knows that the Airstream figures in the Touareg

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1062121494418748862003-08-28T18:44:00.000-07:002003-08-28T18:46:27.170-07:00

Fat, ugly, and slow -- Porsche's going to build a V-6 Cayenne. All the zip of a 914 and the desirability of a 924, at about twice the weight of both combined. They ought to sell like hotcakes.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1060563848517109772003-08-10T18:04:00.000-07:002003-08-10T18:28:18.796-07:00

New Bowties -- Chevrolet is about to unveil a slew of new cars, including a tall, wagon meant to evoke the 1949 Suburban. A tall wagon, like the PT Cruiser, is a great idea. Cheap-to-buy, cheap-to-own, useful, versatile, and playful. A truck look on what's emphatically a car. May they sell a million. The retro-look may be a mistake, however. Undoubtedly, the 40's era Chevy truck styling will fare

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1060270758059603542003-08-07T08:39:00.000-07:002003-08-07T08:43:38.633-07:00

Cost of Cayenne -- Here's the consequence of Porsche spending it's limited R&D money on the Cayenne: we won't see this spiffy Boxster coupe until mid-2006. As much as Downshift can't wait for the fixed-head Boxster, he couldn't help but notice the Pontiac Sunfire-esque rear quarter panel. Looks better on the Porsche.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1060191991184101622003-08-06T10:46:00.000-07:002003-08-06T10:48:50.770-07:00

Good, bad, and good news -- Lincoln's pulling the plug on the Aviator. No tears shed at Downshift Central. Mercedes is not sending us the A Class, but might send us something based on the platform. Downshift can't wait.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059666172322508982003-07-31T08:42:00.000-07:002003-07-31T08:43:09.816-07:00

Wagon Ho! -- Just check this out.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059500157261211272003-07-29T10:35:00.000-07:002003-07-29T10:36:35.206-07:00

This can't be good -- The next head of GM design, Ed Welburn, is the man responsible for the execrable Chevy SSR. Not promising.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059499014855054952003-07-29T10:16:00.000-07:002003-07-29T10:18:32.540-07:00

Do you think so? -- Downshift's dear friend Missed Shift writes:Admit it. You criticize the perception that the Element is for old folks who think they are somehow "hip" or "urban" because YOU are thinking about buying one. You are old. You think you are hip. The mirror is painful here. Well, duh!

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059498201768876542003-07-29T10:03:00.000-07:002003-07-29T10:27:42.890-07:00

Hohummerdinger -- The Sierra Club's Hummer H2 satire site is, well, just plain lame. Yes, it's big and thirsty, but that doesn't make the H2 an example of 50's-era technology. Showing identical Hummers with different fuel economy ratings makes no sense. The fuel economy sticker that the GM executive stands in front of is a red herring. As the Times points out, the H2 is so heavy it doesn't have

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059168521275718142003-07-25T14:28:00.000-07:002003-07-25T14:33:21.220-07:00

China focus -- Seems that every issue of the Automotive News Daily Update has some item or items about auto manufacturers plans/expectations/hopes for sales to the Chinese. Makes sense. The very definition of an untapped market: Lots of people, not a lot of cars ... yet. (Sign up for the update here. It's often deeply inside baseball, but the product related information is generally fresh and

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059167385933162182003-07-25T14:09:00.000-07:002003-07-25T14:09:45.940-07:00

Scion Youth -- It's only based on a month's sales, but according to this Edward Lapham commentary, Toyota's claiming that the average age of Scion buyers is 36. That would make it the winner in the youth-movement sweepstakes, a year younger than the VW Golf GTI. Downshift still thinks the Element is an old fogey's car argument overblown, but with a 41-year-old average buyer, the Element is

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059154446856704152003-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:002003-07-25T13:02:32.460-07:00

The Meme that Swallowed the SUV -- Can coverage of the Honda Element escape the "missed-the-demographic" analysis? This Autoweek long-term test update adds a few more column inches. For more on the issue: Mickey Kaus (scroll down to the bottom of the June 4 Element entry), Automotive News's Mark Rechtin (very funny), and Business Week. While interesting, the assumption's wrong -- Element buyers

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1059065079044314772003-07-24T09:44:00.000-07:002003-07-25T13:53:03.206-07:00

Rollover Update -- Interesting Autoweek article about a Continental-Neves road show of their stability control systems. Continental is the company that supplies Ford with the rollover prevention system in the Volvo XC90. Downshift guesses it's not Bill Ford's technology to give away.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1058930758763365392003-07-22T20:25:00.000-07:002003-07-22T20:36:27.076-07:00

New Golf -- VW Vortex has pictures and a description of the new Golf. Looks neat. Update: Mrs. Downshift says, "It's looking a little less signature-Golfy." Make of that what you will.

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1058895080797633032003-07-22T10:31:00.000-07:002003-07-22T10:41:46.533-07:00

Modu-car -- Honda is pondering a youth-oriented brand, like Toyota's Scion. An unsolicited game plan: Build a relatively conservative looking car. (The 2002 Honda Civic Si comes to mind.)Make all the exterior part that are popular to customize -- headlight clusters, taillight clusters, bumper, grill, sills, etc. -- simple and easy to replace. Make it easy for third-parties to manufacture modules

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1058887545844447662003-07-22T08:25:00.000-07:002003-07-25T14:02:46.310-07:00

Really Useful Technology -- SUV deaths by rollover are up by 14% to 10,666, according to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration. And, more than 60% of deaths in SUVs involve rollovers. Makes the Volvo XC90's Roll Stability Control pretty significant. RSC notices when the XC90 is beginning to roll (sensors detect excessive yaw) and applies brakes as needed to make the thing

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1058405834707468052003-07-16T18:37:00.000-07:002003-07-17T07:53:30.786-07:00

What coulda been -- Reading the Car and Driver review of the Porsche Cayenne was disheartening. If you are a Porsche-phile, even if you oppose a Porsche SUV on principle (and there are so many principles to choose from), you had to hope the Cayenne was every bit the category killer a Porsche ought to be. Apart from it's stupendous acceleration, awful design, and stunning weight, there's nothing

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586804.post-1058405023547418222003-07-16T18:23:00.000-07:002003-07-16T18:24:59.806-07:00

Cream of the Crop -- Csaba Csere distills the experience of driving "several hundred cars and trucks ... over the past couple of years" to produce a list of his favorite and least favorite "powertrain or structural components." What tops his list? BMW's active steering or SMG shifter? Audi's dual-clutch sequential shifter? Mercedes emergency braking anticipation thingy (you lift of the gas

Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970717228497656251noreply@blogger.com