Variance

I'm working on another article for the C&G Feature Articles section and I want to try something different this time around. My idea is that I'd "interview" a few of you guys via PM using some questions that I'd integrate into the article. The subject is currently concerning GM and the media (it might change but I have good feeling about it right now). I haven't lined up the questions or anything yet but I'd just want to get an idea of who'd be interested in participating. I may or may not use all of you guys depending on how long I want to make this. I'm planning on having this article done as early as Sunday or late as Wednesday. (I'm working on a paper for college as well.) So any volunteers? :)

C'mon Sixty, no love for the Diplomat? :P

Killer gituar and killer of Mustangs.

I was just wondering out of those of us who celebrate Christmas, who uses a genuine tree and who doesn't. Personally, I feel it's not really Christmas if you don't pick out, decorate and have the smell of a real Christmas pine tree in your home. :)

All good things must come to an end sometime... At 500 posts and GXP member status, the bewbs and current signature will be changed. Just an advance notice. :AH-HA_wink:

Yeah, it could be a computer touch-up or maybe they just had a studio set-up and left it as it was for a week. At any rate, it'd be interesting to see a time-lapse video of this.

NISSAN DEVELOPS WORLD'S FIRST CLEAR PAINT THAT REPAIRS SCRATCHES ON CAR SURFACES TOKYO (Dec. 2, 2005)-- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has developed the world’s first clear paint that repairs scratches on painted car surfaces, including scratches from car-washing machines, off-road driving and fingernails. “Scratch Guard Coat” contains a newly developed high elastic resin that helps prevent scratches from affecting the inner layers of a car’s painted surface. With “Scratch Guard Coat” a car’s scratched surface will return to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch. The water-repellant paint also has a higher resistance to scratches compared with conventional clear paints. A vehicle painted with “Scratch Guard Coat” will have only one-fifth the abrasions caused by a car-washing machine compared with a car covered with conventional clear paint. Scratches from car-washing machines account for the majority of scratches to painted car surfaces. “Scratch Guard Coat” is effective for about three years. “Scratch Guard Coat” will be applied for the first time on an SUV model that is scheduled for a partial makeover in the near future. The paint will be applied to the car’s chassis, bumpers, door mirrors, among other parts. Car painted with “Scratch Guard Coat”: New scratches One week later Link: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2005/...51202-01-e.html --- This could really eliminate fears of dark paint maintainance.

I just have to say I've never seen a lazier attempt at a main title or sub-titles in a review. :P

2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 Another spin on the definition of SRT-ness. by John Pearley Huffman (2005-12-02) If you're the type of person who looks at the day's news and forecasts nothing but doom, gloom and societal collapse for the future, the Dodge Charger SRT8 simply isn't the car for you. Not because you won't appreciate its surplus of power or the composure of its chassis but because this car is hopelessly optimistic. This car spits in the eye of "peak oil" theorists, global warming doomsayers, and every member of the Sierra Club and slurps down fuel in giddy gulps with the sort of confidence that only comes from certain knowledge that tomorrow will be better than today. It's the sheetmetal manifestation of everything the rest of the world hates about Americans. And precisely why so much of the rest of world wants to come here. The SRT-ness formula The essential element in the transmutation of the Charger R/T into the Charger SRT8 is the 6.1-liter version of the current (at some point it stops being "new") HEMI V-8. That's no surprise since the upsized HEMI is also part of what turns the Chrysler 300C into the 300 SRT8, the Magnum R/T into the Magnum SRT8 and Jeep's Grand Cherokee into the Grand Cherokee SRT8. As in the Magnum and 300 SRT8s, the 6.1-liter HEMI is rated at 425 horsepower in the Charger SRT8. And, surely no coincidence, it's the same rating that the classic street-bound 426 HEMI carried throughout its production run between 1966 and 1971. And it's up 85 horsepower over the 5.7-liter HEMI used in the Charger R/T. Here's another way to put this engine's output in perspective: After a four-year absence, Dodge brought back the Charger name in 1982 on a version of the Omni 024 front-drive coupe. With a "big" 2.2-liter four under its nose it was the most powerful Charger (or Omni) then offered to the public. That engine made 84 horsepower. So you could buy a 2006 Charger R/T (a powerful car in its own right) and a 1982 Charger (no slouch back then) and add their horsepower ratings together and you'd still be a horsepower behind the SRT8. So the SRT8 literally has the power of two Chargers under its hood. Or, to take this to the absurd extreme, since the 1983 Charger's standard 1.7-liter four pooped along with only 62 horsepower, the SRT8 has the power of 6.85 old Chargers on tap. The HEMI's additional displacement comes from bore diameters 3.5 millimeters larger than that of the 5.7-liter version. But the makeover moves well beyond that with new flat-top pistons that bump the compression ratio from 9.6:1 to 10.3:1, cylinder heads that flow more efficiently, and oversize intake valves with hollow stems. The block itself is reinforced and there are oil squirters aimed at the butt-end of the pistons to cool them during high-speed operation. Of course the intake, exhaust, and engine management systems have all been optimized to work with increased output as well. Putting aside the engine's thirst for premium-grade fuel another moment, this is a simply glorious engine with which to romp. The 420 pound-feet of peak torque is produced at 4800 rpm and there seems to be enough torque just off idle to pull the truth out of Scooter Libby. It's not particularly loud but the sounds it does make have the driver feeling like Don Garlits when the road is straight and like Richard Petty when it turns to the left. And when the road turns to the right… um… er… you feel like… uh… some other famous HEMI-borne race driver from the late Sixties. The engine revs quickly, there are no hiccups in the power curve, and the throttle is linearly progressive. Clearly this is the best high-performance V-8 ever installed on a Dodge production line - better than any old 340 or 440 Six-Pack and, yes, better than the old 426 Hemi. A lot better. The only transmission offered with this engine is a five-speed automatic featuring the "AutoStick" manual control system. The shifts are noticeably firmer than in the R/T, but not so firm as to be annoying and the AutoStick works okay enough. Still, at some point this engine deserves to be lashed to a good six-speed manual in some vehicle so that the driver can stir in its mechanical glory more directly. Now, about the fuel economy. To use the word "economy" while describing it is to be ironic. Maybe even a little arch. The EPA rates the 4180-pound Charger SRT8 at 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, but drive the car the way it begs to be driven and single-digit numbers in the city aren't just possible but likely and maybe unavoidable. In an era of dang-near or more-than $3 per gallon gas, that demands a significant financial commitment on the part of the owner. And not just at the pump, because this car gets a gas-guzzler tax slapped on it to the tune of $2100. Ouch. Decorated for SRTness Of the vehicles coming from Street and Racing Technology division, if the Charger SRT8 isn't the best-looking it's at least in the top three (the Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Viper SRT10 join it on the aesthetic success short list). Styling elements that seem like half-thoughts on the regular Chargers find full expression on the SRT8. The 20-inch wheels inside P245/45R-20 Goodyear F1 tires athletically fill out the hunky fenders, the deeper front air dam seems to make the gunsight grille seem more serious and the hood scoop gives the car a scowling countenance that flat screams "bad ass." So what if the scoop has no mechanical function? Isn't its appearance function enough? The rear end of the Charger, even with the SRT8's trunk spoiler, is still too indistinct to make much of an impression. But generally speaking it's easier to see what the designers were getting at with the Charger design in first place than in any other Charger version. The re-decoration inside is similar to the outside with more aggressively bolstered seats, "carbon fiber technical leather" trim on the steering wheel and satin silver colored trim. Otherwise it's pretty much standard Charger and that's no bad thing. No one is going to buy this car because of the seats. Running into SRTness With a suspension lowered a half-inch from other Chargers, and special spring rates and anti-sway bars and an electronic stability program geared to allow more thrilling antics before halting the fun, the SRT8 makes good use of those oversize tires. This isn't a car that handles flat like a MINI or squirts between corners like a Miata, but a bruiserweight pounder that growls along consuming road. The steering is actually quite good with very quick reflexes and the turn in is rapid thanks to the relatively sticky Goodyears. The driver never will never forget he's piloting more than two tons of car stretching out nearly 17 feet long, but this is one sharp-handling sedan. And whenever it starts to understeer, adding some throttle will balance the car back to neutral. This car is fun to toss around. It just needs room to maneuver. And it would be better with a manual transmission. There's nothing wrong with the SRT8's automatic gearbox, but there's nothing particularly right with it either. Compared to a manual its shifts are slow and skipping gears just isn't an option. It's the laggardness of the shifting that mutes the entire car's personality. And that's too bad, because otherwise this is a very loud and unmuted car. The brakes deserve particular praise. On the big track at California 's Willow Springs Raceway, the Charger SRT8 did lap after lap and Brembo brakes never even hinted at fade. That's particularly impressive in light of the car's heft. Best of all, however, is that despite this car's obvious ability, it still rides well and is otherwise perfectly comfortable. Dodge owes Mercedes a big debt for loaning it those suspension components. The value of SRTness Dodge claims the Charger SRT8 will rip from 0 to 60 mph in just about five seconds with quarter-mile times under 14 seconds. Those numbers may not put a lot of fear into the hearts of Ferrari owners, but they're seriously quick. Of course Ferraris don't have four doors, room for five or $35,320 base prices. But like the SRT8, the base price of a Ferrari doesn't include the gas-guzzler tax. In many ways the Charger SRT8 isn't much different from its brother the 300C SRT8 and Magnum SRT8, but this car seems to embody the spirit of SRT more fully and more joyously. It's a little bolder, a little less circumspect, and maybe a bit cooler. It's a muscle car with four doors and it wants the world to know it. That's whether the world likes it or not. Link: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Re...S184.A9615.html

Fixed it. :P Forgot to mention, I saw an IS350 today. It was a nice dark blue example and though technically last month, a couple of days of ago I was seeing an obsene amount of Range Rovers in downtown Stamford (about seven within two hours).

Well, to kick things off this month, I saw a black E60 BMW M5 today. B)

Bingo. :) They filled in the gap between the '95 and '97 model years using leftover '95s.

I believe the theory is that with the gauges placed in the center, you don't have to move your eyes from the road to view them. That and it think it makes it that much easier to convert the interior between LHD and RHD configurations.

Felicitações. (I don't like being redundant. :AH-HA_wink: )

That's not it.

1996 BMW 525i Vehicle Dimensions Wheelbase, in. 108.7 Overall Length, in. 185.8 Overall Width, in. 68.9 Overall Height, in. 55.6 Curb Weight, lbs. 3484 Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 16.2 Fuel Capacity, gals. 21.1 Seating Capacity 5 Front Head Room, in. 36.9 Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.6 Rear Head Room, in. 36.4 Min. Rear Leg Room, in. 37.0 Engine type/size: dohc I6/2.5L Hosepower: 189 Torque: 184 Fuel economy:5-speed manual: 19/28, 4-speed automatic: 18/25

Lois: Do you like eating red carpet, huh?! Peter: Yes! Lois: Say it! Peter: I like eating red carpet! --- Doctor: Mr. Griffin, that's not a growth. That's your penis. Peter: Oh. Well, what about the, uh... Doctor: Testicles. Peter: Huh...

No Yankee Cars: The Anti-American Road Show From the desk of Paul Belien on Mon, 2005-11-28 16:06 Car dealers importing American cars in Belgium are on the brink of bankruptcy. For the past three months the Belgian government has been refusing to deliver the required safety certificates for the cars. Since 1 September companies importing non-European cars must be able to show European certificates guaranteeing the safety of the cars. The Belgian authorities are making no problems for Japanese, Korean or other non-American cars, but are refusing to give safety certificates for Dodges, GMCs, Chevrolets, Chryslers, Lincolns and other American car brands. Belgian dealers can import the cars via Germany, where the certificates are delivered without any fuss, but this costs them up to an additional 3,000 euros per car – a surplus which they do not like to inflict on their customers. There are about twenty car dealers in Belgium selling some 5,000 American cars per year. Since September, however, they have not been able to sell a single American SUV, jeep, pickup truck, or other “big American.” According to Jos Meulemans of Geronimo Automobiles in Blankenberge, one of the largest importers of American cars in Belgium, the American cars are being singled out because their gas consumption or their appearance “do not conform to the European – read: Green – culture.” He says the ministry is pestering the importers of American cars by not answering their requests for information and by claiming that the American safety belts are below standard. One car dealer, who was interviewed last Friday in Antwerp’s daily newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen, said he is facing bankruptcy as he has not sold a single car in weeks. In the past it took only one week to get an American car cleared, but since September it has become impossible. The dealer wishes to remain anonimous “as he fears more harassment.” Renaat Landuyt, the Socialist Belgian minister of Mobility, told the paper: “It is a matter of road safety. I will make no concessions.” Landuyt maintained that the fact that his administration is slow “proves that my people take their job seriously. One cannot be too cautious in matters regarding safety.” Link: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/523

-Suppose someone is serving a life sentence, which is being imprisoned for the rest of your natural life and something happens to them in which a doctor's declares them legally dead. Afterwards, they detect signs of life from you and successfully revive you. Would that technically count as serving your sentence since your life had ended? :huh: -Speaking of life sentences, you know how judges often sentence people who have committed more than one murder to an amount of life sentences commensurate to how many people they've killed (i.e., kill three people = three life sentences in prison)? Also, if not that, they'll be sentenced to an unrealistic amount of years in prison (i.e. 115 years in prison). Is there any point to that beyond a symbolic gesture?

Why fix what ain't broke? Nonetheless, I'm betting one is on the way. Perhaps...the regular steering wheel is a bit plain. This seems like a good idea as long as it's subtle. People see the V8 badge and go "Hey, a V8. You can't get that in any Acura."

A little more info via Autoweek: First Drive: 2007 Suzuki SX4 Re-creating the small crossover BOB GRITZINGER Posted Date: 11/30/05 If you thought Suzuki offered one small crossover vehicle in its Aerio five-door hatch, think again. Next September the Japanese automaker will introduce the slightly larger 2007 SX4, which it will market as a small “sport crossover vehicle.” Premiering at the 2006 New York auto show in spring, SX4 will take on a wave of small-on-the-outside, big-and-practical-on-the-inside entries such as the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Verso and Toyota Yaris. In SX4, Suzuki aims to capitalize on its heritage and strength in four-wheel-drive sport/utility vehicles. It must also overcome acknowledged Suzuki negatives: odd styling and weak chassis. The SX4 could be the remedy. Styling is improved, whether in the more rugged sport/ute trim with fender flares and tough-looking lower front and rear fascia accents, or in the cleaner Euro trim. While “sporty” isn’t the first word we’d use to describe SX4, test drives reveal minimal chassis roll, predictable steering, good brakes, stability at high speed, and excellent suspension control devoid of harshness. The five-door SX4 is powered by a 2.0-liter, 147-hp, 135-lb-ft inline four-cylinder. The SX4 comes in front-wheel drive or electronically coupled four-wheel drive, each with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. With U.S. sales estimated at 30,000 annually, SX4 is expected to play a key role in doubling Suzuki’s overall U.S. sales to 200,000 units in 2007. Link: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103702

Toyota Motor Corporation announced today the nationwide launch in Japan of the new compact sedan, Belta, through "Toyopet" ("Osaka Toyota" in the Osaka area) and "Toyota Corolla" dealers. The new Belta, which means "beauty" or "beautiful person" in Italian, was designed to be a compact and stylish sedan, incorporating all of the appeal of a compact sedan into a vehicle with sophistication and beautiful styling to create beauty in the day-to-day lives of customers. Featuring one of the smallest minimum turning radiuses and one of the best fuel efficiency performances in its class, the new Belta also boasts a comfortable and roomy cabin and a large cargo space. In addition, the Belta possesses the supple and stable driving feel that only a sedan can provide, as well as a wide range of advanced equipment and class-leading safety and environmental performance. With a sophisticated feel that enables drivers to enjoy the fun and satisfaction of driving, the new Belta, Toyota's smallest sedan, is further characterized by beautiful styling and the ability to meet the needs of a broad range of customers, including those who prefer compact hatchbacks and similarly sized vehicles. Monthly sales targets 3,000 units Dealer launch events December 3 and 4, 2005 Assembly Plant: Iwate Plant, Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. Vehicle Outline Sophisticated Styling Pursues Simplicity and Functional Beauty Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity," striking proportions—created by the spacious cabin characteristics of a sedan, a curved beltline and a long wheelbase—evoke a sense of vivaciousness. Combinations of contoured surfaces create beautiful nuances to express a sense of class-breaching sophistication and presence. A V-shaped form that integrates the bumper creates a front view with a sporty and open feel. An extended cabin, restrained height and long wheelbase create a side view with a flow characteristic of a sedan. The three-dimensional shape of the rear combination lamps conveys a sense of vitality, while the wide, lower bumper form expresses stability. Superior Package and Numerous Luxury Items Create Comfort and Amenity A superior package combines the appeal of both a compact car and a sedan to provide class-leading backseat legroom and cargo space. In addition, the car boasts a minimum turning radius of 4.6 meters, the best in its class (when fitted with 165/70R14 tires). The comfortable legroom (the distance between the front and rear seats is 905 millimeters) is equivalent to that of a sedan one class higher and is combined with an expansive, 475-liter (on front-wheel-drive models) cargo space. The center cluster has a vertical format, expressing an advanced and sophisticated feel, while the central instrument panel and gate-type shifter take into consideration both visibility and ease of use. The center cluster also features a silver-like finish, and has a vertical liquid crystal display and a geometric heater control unit, conveying a progressive feel, while the placement and form of the easy-to-use switches enhance convenience. The seats are formed from simple and gentle curves to provide comfortable seating with a good fit. Numerous, highly functional storage spaces, including a wide console box with a lid (doubling as an armrest), serve to enhance the sense of luxury and utility. The Smart Entry & Start System employs a Smart Key to lock and unlock the doors and a button to start the engine—all one needs is to have the vehicle key on one's person. An automatic air-conditioner with a pollen-removal mode filters out pollen, dust and other impurities from the air around the driver. A new air-cleaning technology, called Plasmacluster Ions®, which releases a balanced ratio of positive and negative ions into the cabin, prevents the propagation of airborne germs, mold and bacteria, and eases the occupants' stress. Superior Cruising Performance Achieves Comfortable, Flexible Driving Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) achieves comfortable driving and smooth acceleration. The VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine combines excellent driving performance with class-leading fuel efficiency of 22.0km/l (1.0-liter engine) or 19.6km/l (1.3-liter engine with two-wheel-drive) under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle, as certified by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Newly developed brakes provide excellent braking performance and a comfortable and responsive braking feel. A new suspension design enables brisk maneuvering and stable cruising, as well as a comfortable ride. Body rigidity has been increased and vibration-controlling, sound-absorbing and sound-blocking materials optimally installed in various parts of the body ensure a quiet cabin space. Class-leading Safety and Environmental Performance The GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) construction has been further evolved to create a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact. During collision tests, the speed was increased to 55km/h from the previous 50km/h, with collision energy also increased approximately 20%, and the vehicle was subjected to omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests under stricter-than-normal collision standards. Through the use of a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and crash dummy injury. The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been evolved to further reduce pedestrian head injuries, pursuing a class-top level of protection. In the pursuit of class-leading safety performance, the front-seat structures are based on the WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) concept, providing stronger seat frames and possessing greater backrest give, and were designed based on analyses using THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety), incorporating structural design that reduces stress on the neck during low-speed impacts from the rear. All front-wheel-drive vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles, and boast fuel efficiency that exceeds by 5% the level called for by the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards, thus qualifying for incentives under the Japanese government’s Green Taxation System. Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)—Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system—was implemented to achieve, as efficiently as possible, the overall reduction of environmental impact, from initial development to disposal, throughout the vehicle's entire lifecycle. LCA (Life-cycle Assessment) was also carried out, aiming to reduce CO2 and other atmospheric pollutants, not just during the use stage, but also during the vehicle's entire lifecycle, from manufacture through to disposal. A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used, and, thus, a reduction in the discomforting odors emitted from such compounds. Link: http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1277

Do tell... who does the Salvation Army disciminate aganist?

It's that time of year when the Salvation Army guys are standing on busy street corners or outside your local supermarket with their red bucket while jingling their little bell. I don't really mind giving when I have change. I've given a dollar here and there but does anybody feel pangs of guilt or selfishness when you simply walk past the guys or say you don't have any change (whether you do or not)? I dunno....even when I really don't have any change on me, I feel a liitle guilt. :unsure:

Nope. The Infiniti car V8 is a 4.5L.