The Automotive Addicts Blog

NEW AUTOMOTIVE BLOG!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:15:00 +0000

Please visit our new and improved Automotive Addicts Blog at: http://www.blog.automotiveaddicts.com.

We have revamped our entire Blog posting system and created a more user-friendly environment for all users. Please feel free to comment on any of the posts and come back often to check updates. We have also added and improved our Blog Feed that any user is welcome to subscribe too. Once you subscribe you will received weekly updates on the latest car information and the newest Automotive Blogging material. All information is free and open to the public.

Automotive Addicts thanks you for visiting and we hope you enjoy your stay.

Volkswagen has a car project that gets 200 miles per gallon

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:59:00 +0000

Volkswagen has a car project that gets 200 miles per gallon. It may be a very small car but gosh, it would be pretty neat to get 200 mpg. Volkswagen is really starting to push out some new inovative technology. I thought this was an interesting techology news bit for cars/automobiles.

read more | digg story

2010 Porsche Panamera - What will it look like?

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:33:00 +0000

Everyone is wondering what the new Porsche Panamera will look like. Well, we just do not know yet. They have done well keeping this new Porsche under wraps until we inch a little closer to the release date in a couple years.

Few people tell us and few people give us new photoshop edits of the new 4 door sports P-ride.

I am sure you can only image what the new Porsche will look like from the various renditions online and the multitude of talk. You can make your very own visulization from a couple of the images provided. Maybe you would like to post your own automotive photoshop edit or link to the "actual" photos or what is in your dream.

LS600h More Than a Bigger Toyota Camry

noreply@blogger.com (lgtsi) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:33:00 +0000

I hope Lexus is not thinking that just pricing the LS600h in the 100k range will automatically earn them a place in the high end luxury market.

My past experience with Japanese luxury vehicles is that they are always lacking in the feel of i am getting what I paid for. The feeling comes from having owned two BMW's a 1988 320 and 1992 750iL. When my friends would say I spent too much when I could have purchased a comparable Japanese luxury vehicles for less. I just opened the doors and shut them sharply and say no thanks. The feel and quality at that time was just not in the same league. I distinctively remember the Nissan commercial calling the ES300 a Camry with some bells and whistles.

My first Dislike of this vehicle is the fact that it has a very similar silhouette looking very close to that of the Camry. The only distinct difference is the front grill and If I was thinking of paying 70 to 100 G's for a car I would not want anyone to mistake it for a Toyota Camry.

The LS600h (the h is for hybrid) has a few unique features such as a messaging rear seat even though it is only on the right side. I guess you rear seat passengers will have to take turns sitting on that side on long trips. I remember my 750iL having a power reclining rear seat that was available on both sides so the other passenger would not feel left out.

The LS600h has a pre-collision system that uses a camera to scan the area ahead for obstacles but also trains a camera on the driver, to determine whether that driver is responding adequately; the system flashes a light and sounds an alarm to warn the driver of a possible impending crash, helps the car respond by quickening the steering ratio and by starting to apply the brakes automatically , and prepares the car by tightening the seatbelts and closing the windows. This will really help to avoid crashing your $100k hybrid.

The LS600h is demonstrating Lexus ability to provide performance with energy conservation and environmentally considerate by giving you V12 performance with V8 gas mileage. Lexus puts the combined output of the 5.0-liter V-8 and the electric motor at more than 430 hp (versus 380 hp for the LS460’s 4.6-liter V-8). The company claims that the hybrid delivers acceleration on a par with twelve-cylinder luxury sedans while providing fuel economy that beats competitors’ V-8s. The LS600h L continues Lexus’s philosophy of positioning its hybrids not as fuel-sipping green machines but as the highest-performing, top-spec models in the range. As such, the LS600h L will be the most expensive version of the LS, and will be offered in the United States with the long-wheelbase body only. Whereas the LS460 comes with rear-wheel drive, the hybrid will have standard all-wheel drive. Seating is for only four, with a console between the individual rear seats and power sunshades in the doors and a Maybach-style articulating footrest.

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2007 New York Auto Show Video Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:54:00 +0000

Bringing you the latest coverage from the New York Auto Show.

2008 Lexus LX 570 SUV at the New York Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:46:00 +0000

The new Lexus LX 570 debuts at the New York Auto Show this year. The big SUV sports the new 5.7 Liter V8 as found in the Toyota Tundra with 381hp and 6 speed auto tranny. The Lexus LX 570 will be able to tow up to 8500lbs and has the good old Toyota SUV traits from the outgoing Lexus LX model. Some notable features will be the automatic suspension system that will naturally lower the vehicle at highway speeds for better stability and to reduce drag which in this day we could all use this to save a little on gas consumption.

More to come on this new vehicle later in the New York Auto Show sections to come at Automotive Addicts.

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - Some people are not too happy with what they SEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:38:00 +0000

Car enthusiasts alike are not LIKING the new WRX's looks. We could not agree more with the general car enthusiasts public. Pretty much what it comes down to is, the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX is just plain ugly. Of course that is AutomotiveAddicts' opinion, but I am sure it is a "good" opinion when you compare the new styling to the outgoing model.

Some changes have been made up under the new skin such as a lower center of gravity, yes, the new uglo-mobile is a little lower than the 2007 WRX. Only slight engine changes were made.

The new WRX has the same turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four with the same ol' 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque. The only difference is peak horsepower now comes at 5200 rpm instead of 5600, and peak torque arrives at 2800 rpm which is down from 3600 on the outgoing model. The base Impreza’s 2.5-liter drops 3 hp to down to 170hp while the torque jumps to 170 lb-ft up from 166.

So you can be the judge, or you can leave it to us to express our honest opinion on the new 2008 WRX.

A closer look at the new forth-gen BMW M3 (2009 model year)

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:36:00 +0000

BMW is now revealing the production version of the 2009 M3 due to go on sale in North America in mid-2008. The new V8 weighs just 445 pounds—about 30 pounds less than the inline-six it replaces. With 420 hp at 8300 rpm, the new V8 delivers 77 hp more than its predecessor, while torque is up 26 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft at 3900 rpm. The new M3 is an actual techno-marvel. BMW’s recently unveiled brake energy regeneration system stores power generated on a trailing throttle and under braking, using it to top up the battery when required rather than drawing precious power from the engine to spin the alternator. The new engine’s ability to rev to a stratospheric 8400 rpm is the real defining element. The new car gets a six-speed manual gearbox with a revised 3.82:1 final drive, dumping power through a hydraulic differential providing 100 percent lockup to the rear wheels. The result, according to Richter, is a car that has lost none of its renowned traction qualities yet can be pushed into lurid powerslides despite the addition of nearly every driving aid in BMW’s new catalog—ABS, ASC, CBC and DSC for those keeping tabs. A double-clutch gearbox might be closer to introduction than first thought, since there will be no sequential-manual gearbox option.

Car enthusiasts would be happy to know the new M3 stand around 3483 pounds, according to BMW. This figure is about 70lbs. more than the outgoing (E46) M3 model. That gives this new beast a much better power to weight ratio. Lets see how this sucker can fly.

BMW claims 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the previous model. But don’t make the mistake of dwelling too much on the M3’s straight-line performance—handling and agility have always separated the M3 from its rivals. The latest model uses a combination of MacPherson struts up front and multlinks at the rear; however, the wheelbase is dramatically longer and wider, and the suspension geometry has been radically altered. Buyers will also be able to specify electronically controlled dampers providing three levels of firmness: normal, comfort and sport. They are chosen via the new MDrive button that also is used to alter engine mapping and steering response. Ventilated disc brakes measuring 14.1 inches up front and 13.8 inches at the rear complete the package.

2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition at the New York Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:52:00 +0000

Chip Foose brings his customization to the new Ford F-150. Chip Foose known for as a custom hot rod builder who created his empire mostly out of the 1950’s inspired automotive designs. Recently he is known for bring a few of the new Ford Mustangs up to his Foose retiual standards. The company Blue Oval has noticed and taken an interest in Chip Foose’s work and ash recruited him to develop the in-house custom vehicles for them.

Foose’s first “official” Ford project seen here is the new 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition. This truck is more than show, it is packed complete with a 450hp supercharged V-8 engine. The plan is to put out about 500 of these and sell them at select Ford dealerships throughout the US.

The pricing of this new Ford gem has not been set yet but we expect to see something much more than the old Ford F-150 Lighting and you might want to tag on several thousand to a normally configured F-150 double cab.

2008 Mercedes Benz CL65 AMG Coupe at the New York Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:23:00 +0000

The all new version of the Mercedes Benz CL65 lineup is the AMG’s Benz “sup-up” version of the CL65, the new CL65 AMG. Equipped with all new 612hp V-12 biturbo engine allowing the new CL65 AMG to hit 62mph in just 4.4 seconds. Adaptive driving programs along with a few other new gadgets will get you this new big body Benz for probably over $179,600 as this was the set price of the previous CL AMG version of the Benz lineup. Give or take that price and I am sure you would also think that the speedo dial will reach the same number to match he pricing with all of the 612hp on tap.

There will be a 40th Anniversary edition of the CL65 AMG with only 40 of these gem models available for the whole global market. It will come complete with a custom paint scheme and original interior not found in any other Benz to differentiate it among other run of the mill Mercedes Benz CL65 AMG’s.

2008 Cadillac STS - Slightly New and Refreshing

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:16:00 +0000

This year’s lead up to the New York Auto Show is getting heated. Cadillac just released the first images of the new refreshed 2008 Cadillac STS. It is not all that different from the previous (current) model. Some of the big changes will be the new huge grille and side vents. The STS’ look is now more in line with the new Cadillac Escalade and the new upcoming CTS which we will see at the Detroit auto show.

Along with the few new refreshing changes is a new direct-injection V-6 engine. This will be the standard engine while it gets 298 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive remains an option on the 2008 STS. A lane departure warning system will also be available for the first time.

V-8 equipped models and AWD V-6s will get an electronic stability system, although we think it should be standard throughout the lineup. We’re also disappointed with the mostly unaltered interior.

Prices aren’t finalized at this time but it should be very close to the previous pricing if not a little more.

Eddie Griffin Crashes an Enzo Ferrari

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Eddie Griffin Crashes Daniel Sadek's Enzo Ferrari into a barrier wall. View the videos here of the actual footage. The Enzo Ferrari worth well over $1.5 million while only under 400 of them remain from the original 400 produced. Here is one less Enzo. The car is un-repairable and taken as a total loss while the most important thing is Eddie is okay and ready for his new movie premier "Redline" opening in in theaters April 13th. The vehicles in this movie, including the Enzo that Eddie crashed, were all funded and provided by Daniel Sadek and worth over $26 million combined.

Enjoy the videos!

2009 BMW M3 Sedan

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:30:00 +0000

Exclusively for the back seat car enthusiasts. Yes, BMW is bringing back the M3 sedan. Here are a few spy shots recently posted on the net. Why yes, it will have the same rumored and now confirmed V8 producing over 400hp… probably around 410hp to narrow it down.

We expect to see the M3 coupe this fall, with the convertible coming about a year from now and the sedan joining the fold in the fall of 2008. Last time BMW sold an M3 sedan, in 1998, consumers had their choice of two or four doors for the same base price. This time around, we expect the M3 to start at about $55,000. Choices, choices.

2007 Infiniti G37 - Breaking the cover

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:16:00 +0000

2007 Infiniti G37? Yes, that is correct, no typo here. If you are trying to guess, more liters, then you guessed right. Nissan has upped the 3.5L to a 3.7L in the new Infiniti G35’s version of it’s new coupe called the G37. It puts out 330hp and will have… ready...?... a 4 wheel steering version of the new coupe. We shall see how long this one will last! A new re-designed touch screen navigation system will be optional as well. Shall we see something like this from Toyota. Look for our next few posts on Toyota’s new “sports” car.

Honda is to get ready a race-car version of the S2000

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 10:19:00 +0000

Yes, the Honda S2000 is still around and it is still selling. Honda plans to produce some-what of a race car version of the Honda S2000 called the Honda S2000 CR due to go on sale this fall and is to debut at the New York Auto Show next month. We do not know much about it yet but Honda says it will be "agressively tuned" and from a name like Honda look for a high-revving high HP output engine.

Official 2008 BMW M3 E92 Pictures/Images

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:55:00 +0000

Packed with the new V8 Engine the all new 2008 BMW M3 Concept Car is much like what we will see at its release late this year (2007). A lot of car enthusiasts still say this looks like it will have a lot of growing to do before they "like" the new design. You can be your own judge. Enjoy the images.

The New 2008 Jaguar XJ - The Big Daddy!

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:23:00 +0000

The new 2008 Jaguar XJ is set to debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. New improvements include 2 new V-8 options, a 300-hp version and a big daddy 400-hp version. Look to see a much bigger improved interior with new techie features such as Bluetooth that accepts up to 5 different cell phone users via the in car phone system.

Expect to see the new Jag in dealerships in August 2007.

Darren’s Supercharged BMW M3 (E46) Images.

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:27:00 +0000

Darren’s Supercharged BMW M3 (E46) Images.

View more images of our follow car enthusiast project car, his 2005 BMW M3 (E46) with active autowerks stage 3 supercharger. Also catch other images of the Orlando, FL Cars for the Cure Car Show at the same following link. View other images Here at Automotive Addicts.

2005 BMW M3 E46 Supercharged Dyno Video - Jacksonville, FL

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:13:00 +0000

Darren Golez, an automotive enthusiast who has taken pictures for Automotive Addicts, had his car placed on the Dyno yesterday. Here the video footage of that took place. He was able to lay down around 430+ HP to the wheels and over 290 ft. lbs. of torque. From the original stock for of his 2005 BMW M3 (E46) he has had the installation of the Active Autowerks Supercharger at a stage 3 level. It is a very clean install and the vehicle produces well over the stock form of 333hp at the flywheel. I had the chance to drive the car for myself and I can say it is a great improvement over stock and in addition it still has potential to get even more power out of the S54 BMW motor Inline 6 cylinder.

Enjoy the Dyno Video.

First Look: Maserati GranTurismo

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:44:00 +0000

We’re not your normal exotic-car destination, but we still find wildly expensive, wildly powerful and wildly designed supercars fun to look at, especially when there’s a new one on the block. Today Maserati unveiled the first images of its new two-door sports car, the GranTurismo, which is sure to get ultraluxury buyers excited when it debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

This is actually a very significant model for Maserati, as the company’s current coupes have not aged well. Most people know of the Quattroporte four-door sedan and its celebrity status in Hollywood, and Maserati’s close ties to Ferrari generate a lot of love from exotic car fans.

The GranTurismo was styled by Ferrari’s design house, Pininfarina, and is powered by a 405-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine. Weight is distributed almost perfectly, with 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. Like many new exotics, the GranTurismo features an automatic transmission with shift paddles for manual gear selecting.

There’s no word on price or an on-sale date, but expect the price to be similar to or higher than Maserati’s current GranSport coupe, which hovers right around the $100,000 mark. For now, you can join us in just taking in this new exotic.

Within Inches - Kevin Harvick steals Daytona 500 from Mark Martin

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:25:00 +0000

By AL PEARCE AutoWeek

Thanks to two late cautions, this year’s Daytona 500 went from being an all-time snoozer to an instant classic in a few laps. The cautions created a surreal scenario in which Kevin Harvick beat Mark Martin on the last lap of overtime as seven cars crashed behind them. That melee followed a crash five laps earlier that bunched the field and put almost 10 drivers in position to win the year’s biggest NASCAR race.

Until then--for most of the day, in fact--the 200-lapper at Daytona International Speedway was basically a single-file parade, lacking compelling side-by-side racing or passing up front. There were only six lead changes in the first 150 laps, four of them while pit stops cycled around. But the final 50 laps had at little of everything.

It started when second-running Kurt Busch and leader Tony Stewart crashed on lap 154. Twenty laps later, five drivers (including ’06 winner Jimmie Johnson) crashed together. Twelve laps later, five more crashed. Then, a three-car incident on lap 197 set up the three-lap shootout that led to the controversial finish.

In it, Harvick beat Martin by 0.020 seconds for his first 500 victory. Jeff Burton was third, followed by Mike Wallace and rookie David Ragan. The top-ten included teammates Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne, then pole-winner David Gilliland, Joe Nemechek and David Stremme. Harvick, Martin, Burton, Wallace and Nemechek were in Chevys. Stremme, Sadler and Kahne drove Dodges, and Gilliland and Ragan were in Fords.

The finish remains confusing. Martin led through Turns 3 and 4 and seemed home free until Harvick eased by in the final yards. But Martin was clearly ahead when seven cars began wrecking behind him. Inexplicably, NASCAR didn’t wave the caution until Harvick took the checkered flag. In the four to six seconds between the first wreck and the checkered flag, Harvick completed the pass. By NASCAR rule, though, the running order is frozen the instant the yellow waves for an incident. (NASCAR said Harvick was ahead at the first scoring loop past the accident scene).

Martin refused to get pulled into the argument. “NASCAR was doing their best to get an exiting finish to the Daytona 500,” he said. “I have no idea what happened behind me. I know I was ahead when they were wrecking behind me, but my focus was on beating the 29 (of Harvick). The reason you’re not going to see me argue is that nobody wants to hear a grown man cry. That’s what it is and I’m not going to cry about it. It’s their decision. I’ll have to live with it.”

Someone reminded Martin that his cool-down lap conversation with crew chief Ryan Pemberton included these words: “They waited! They waited! I can’t believe they waited.” But Martin said he hadn’t slowed down, hadn’t expected to see a caution just because people were wrecking behind him.

“I never thought twice about the prospect of the race going yellow,” he said. “I could hope because I was out front at the time, but I knew it wasn’t going to be over until we got to the line.”

It wasn’t an especially good day for Toyota, or Dodge driver Juan Pablo Montoya. None of the four Camrys got anywhere near the front, finishing 22nd (Dale Jarrett), 30th (Michael Waltrip), 34th (Dave Blaney) and 40th (David Reutimann). And Montoya ran poorly all day, dropping a half-lap behind at one point. But his Dodge got better during stops and he finished 19th after gaining about 10 spots over cars damaged in the final three cautions.

The win came exactly six years after the death of Richard Childress Racing icon Dale Earnhardt in the ’01 Daytona 500. Harvick was tapped to succeed Earnhardt in Childress’ flagship car, renumbered from 3 to 29. “Winning tonight is great for today’s deal, but I don’t think anything will ever replace a friend, Dale Earnhardt, a great American race driver,” Childress said. “Winning the (’98 Daytona 500) with him was great. I think the healing started for me when Kevin won in Atlanta, the third race (after Earnhardt’s death). I think when Junior won here on July 4th that year was some healing, too. And today, to win this race…everything is healing.

“But we still all miss him today as much as we did the day we lost him.”

Dodge Demon concept roadster - Video

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:22:00 +0000

Most automakers provide video for the media to use as a background to news coverage about auto shows and the vehicles themselves. It’s generally pretty boring stuff, but Dodge just uploaded more than 9 minutes of footage of the new Dodge Demon concept that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and we’ll say it’s worth about the first 3 minutes of your time. We just like the fact that the video was shot someplace sunny and warm. Oh, and there’s no sound, so don’t worry, your computer’s speakers work just fine.

"Redline" The Movie - Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:48:00 +0000

This is the latest trailer for Redline the Movie. In Theaters April 13th 2007.

Not exactly "Fast and Furious", well maybe... only these cars cost a little more.

Enjoy!

Beat the Devil - Tribute to James Brown - BMW Films

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:49:00 +0000

An older car enthusiast video from the BMW Films archive...

James Brown tries to renegotiate his deal with the devil. Fantastic short film featuring James Brown, Gary Oldman and Clive Owen.

Dodge Demon Concept

noreply@blogger.com (Malcolm) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:46:00 +0000

Dodge is previewing its plan to jump into the affordable roadster market with this jaw-dropping concept set to debut in Geneva next month. We’re personally a bit miffed that this wasn’t shown in Chicago last week, but we’ll forgive Dodge because the Demon looks like a winner.

Last year, GM began sales of its own small roadsters, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, and they were met with great fanfare and sold briskly. The Demon, which is still just a concept, would join those two vehicles as an affordable sports car aimed at driving enthusiasts — and we’d guess it would also be priced near the same $21,000 mark.

Chrysler’s new global engine, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, produces just 172 hp — compared to the Solstice/Sky’s 177 hp — but the car weighs in at an estimated 2,600 pounds, versus the Solstice/Sky’s 2,860 pounds. Of course, all power goes to the rear wheels

The Demon could prove another victory for the average Joe enthusiast; it’s radically styled, but not as polarizing as the Dodge Viper. Check out the photos below and let us know if you think this is a winner.