motorcycle: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Car Insurance

You two better have a good car insurance company.

2009 Audi A3 2.0T vs. 2009 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

We've all heard it a million times. Americans don't dig hatchbacks. The Euros can't get enough of them, but bring one to the States and it instantly becomes some kind of niche vehicle with a cult following. A very small cult following.

Audi knew all this when it introduced the A3 back in 2006, but it plowed ahead anyway. It was hoping that the A3's more reasonable price, potent 2.0-liter engine and useful configuration would finally win over some buyers who couldn't quite step up to an A4 Avant.

So how much are you giving up by choosing the A3 over the all-new A4 these days? The balance of power has shifted a bit, as the A4 now uses an upgraded 2.0T that delivers 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The A3's similar size four-cylinder continues with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft.

In this case, our A3 tester was helped out by the presence of a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive to save some weight. The more powerful A4 uses a traditional six-speed automatic funneled through a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Care to guess which one was the better track car? Full details after the jump.

Audi, Hatchbacks, IL, Track, Tested, Sedans, audi, a3, a4,

Shrugs Off a West Texas Thunderstorm

It's late June so the whole state of Texas is baking near the century mark during the day. When I notice big cumulus clouds at the I-20/I-10 interchange, I figure our Gold Leaf 2010 Ford Taurus and I will be driving through a thunderstorm before I get to El Paso for the night.

I'm not disappointed. Those clouds quickly go all cumulonimbus. The storm is brief, but I'm struck by how quickly flash-flooding sets in. But here the P255/45R19 100V Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on our Taurus Limited prove their worth. Nope, this is not a sporty car, but considering how much water is on the road (and that the windshield wipers can barely keep up with the torrential rain), the tires don't slip much. No hydroplaning. No hasty countersteering.

This is exactly what I'd expect from a safe, conservative, front-wheel-drive, full-size sedan and the 2010 Ford Taurus delivers.

Ford, Road, Trips, Sedans, ford, taurus, limited, road, trip, Taurus

BMW Officially Announces 2010 7 Series

Following on the heels of yesterday's leaked photos of the new M Sport package for the BMW 7 Series comes an official announcement from BMW. In addition to the new M Sport package, the 2010 7 Series will add two new diesel options (in Europe, of course) as well as optional all-wheel drive.

As we predicted, the M Sport package is essentially a cosmetic upgrade that includes revised front and rear fascias, shadowline trim and new double-spoke wheels. There's also an exclusive new Carbon Black Metallic color available with the package along with a few interior upgrades.

The 740d and 730d models are for Europe only at this point, but given the 730d's low-emissions profile, it could theoretically make it to the U.S. Such a move would have been unheard of before, but new fuel economy rules may force BMW to start offering the big 7 with smaller, more efficient power plants.

And finally, there's the addition of BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system. It will be available on both long- and short-wheelbase versions of the 750i and is essentially the same system already found in the 3 and 5 Series sedans.

BMW, Diesels, Future, Vehicles, Luxury, Cars, Sedans, bmw, 750i, diesel, m, sport,

The Shelby GT500 Super Snake

GTSS 1 555.jpg

After the amount of press Mr. Hennessey has been getting with his modified Camaros, we figured it was time to post a ridiculous GT500 tune: the 725 horse Shelby Super Snake.

Starting with a GT500 Coupe, Shelby engineers strap a new supercharger onto the 5.4-liter V8 that brings output to 725 whopping horsepower. The Super Snake also includes an upgraded intercooling system, cold-air intake and a high-flow JBA exhaust system. The company also offers a much more modest (respectively) 630 hp version with a Borla cat-back unit.

A racing suspension with adjustable dampers, stiffer springs and thicker antiroll bars work with the 20-inch Alcoa wheels to improve handling and give the 'Stang a new stance. Baer six-piston calipers with cross drilled and ventilated discs provide stopping power.

Shelby outfitted the exterior with a new hood with an oversized scoop, racing stripes, rear-quarter window scoops and carbon-fiber side skirts and front lip.

Pricing starts at $29,495 for the 630 hp model and goes up to $33,495 for the 725 hp kit. The first cars will be built this August. Go here for more info.

With John Hennessey recently upping the power ante with his LS9-powered Camaro, the question remains - would you rather have a GT500 Super Snake or a 638 horsepower LS9 Camaro?

Make the jump for more pics...

GTSS 2 555.jpg

Ford, Tuners, and, Modifications, 2010, Mustang, GT500, Chevrolet, Camaro, John, Hennessey, Shelby, Super, Snake

BMW X1 SUV in Mallorca

A Look Inside BMW Designworks USA

Like most automakers, BMW maintains a design studio in Southern California. It's tucked away in the Los Angeles suburb of Newbury Park, so few in the area know it even exists. It's cranked out numerous car designs over the years and its former head, Adrian Van Hooydonk is now the head of BMW design in Germany.

Unlike most satellite design studios, however, BMW Designworks also does contract work for companies outside the automotive industry. Boats, planes, coffee makers, you name a consumer product and Designworks probably has a drawing of it on the walls somewhere. Most of those drawing are rarely seen, but BMW has just posted an in-depth tour of the facility that gives a pretty detailed look at how the studio functions.

There's some good insight into the world of design and how BMW sees its place within that world. If anything, the series might give you a little background on some of the company's more controversial designs and how they made it through the design process.

Auto, Industry, BMW, Future, Vehicles, Luxury, Cars, Trends, bmw, designworks,