Cory Wolfe

Snazzy. Though I do wish they would have done a simple coupe. 

I am not impressed. Subaru just doesn't excite anymore, having become too mainstream. Looking at it in context to its competition, it's made no advancement whatsoever. The only reason you would ever buy it is because of the AWD, and even that has been neutered with a CVT as the only transmission available. I'd rather buy a Corolla... It atleast gives you the choice of a stick. 

Let's start by saying that I love my GTI. Maybe I'm not as smitten with it as I was when I bought it, but I still genuinely like the car a lot. Generally, when I've had a car for nearly a year, the attraction has waned like the lover you forced yourself to marry because of the accidental child your loins produced. This isn't the case this go around likely due to the fact that it's not a Toyota Avalon.

Oh, the embarrassment of telling people you bought a Toyota Avalon at the age of 23... I can't wait to become the average age of the typical Avalon buyer just so I can forget about actually buying one. That car, however, did have one thing going for it: Guaranteed reliability. While I loathed every minute of it, I had nearly 60k worth of 99% trouble free miles after 3 years of ownership and two accidents (I hate deer and I hate bears). The only thing to ever actually break was the power rear sunshade one of the few times I used it. 

So, moving ahead, as I was buying the GTI, I didn't expect it to be trouble free like the Toyota. In fact, I expected it to be a reliability nightmare. If it wasn't CPO, I would have bought an extended warranty. I knew it wouldn't be a matter of if something would break, but a matter of when and how often. I've actually been pleasantly surprised it took this long for something to act up enough to warrant repair. The issues themselves could even be classified as minor annoyances, though their fixes are anything but. 

The first issue I've been having is a bit of rattle in the engine at cold starts and under minimal load up to about 3k RPMs where it will abruptly go away. This hasn't affected driveability at all and never set off the CEL. There are two common problems with VW's TSI engine and I figured it had to be one of the two. The first is the timing chain tensioner; the original design has a tendency to loosen up and inevitably fail causing catastrophic engine failure. The second the intake manifold; a common enough problem that there is actually a warranty extension to 10 years/120k. They've diagnosed the problem as the intake manifold and are replacing it under the aforementioned warranty extension.

The second is something that I wasn't originally going to bring up, but figured "since I'm here..." I might as well. Every now and then the DSG will jerk into gear from a stop. In addition, it will sometimes clank while disengaging a gear coming to a stop. Both issues only happen randomly enough that I've never really been that bothered by it. After diagnosis, they think its the differential. They way the tech described it to me is that it's located within the transmission and it's easier to just replace the entire thing. As in, the entire transmission. 

With that said, I love my GTI and I can't wait to have it back so I can continue enjoying its greatness. But in the words of Ricky Bobby... Thank you lord, sweet baby jesus (for warranties). 

I obviously love it. Great pick. 

Civic sales are up 30%... Impressive. 

Actually it's more like this: 

Perfectly acceptable:

Outrage:

That's an interesting claim. From the link :

 

 

 

If we take 200 mph as a nice round terminal velocity for a restricted engine, removing the plates and doubling the engine power to 900 hp would only increase the terminal velocity for the unrestricted engine to 252 mph.

 

The unrestricted record for Talledega is 228. Pre-restrictor qualifying laps were around 212 MPH IIRC.

I'm not seeing the math that dropping 450 HP results in a decrease of only 12 MPH. If they went to 250 HP, could they still hit 180?

I don't understand why we're talking about Nascar, but...

You're only looking at this from a single angle. Talladega is but a 2.66 mile track. You are not going to reach terminal velocity on a track of that shape and size. The track in which the Veyron achieved its record has a straight that is 5.4 miles; That's just the straight, not including the corners or the other half of the giant track. The listed terminal velocity of 252 is likely accurate for an unrestricted Nascar racer outside the confines of a track such as Talladega. The key here is that its limits are greater than the track allows. Add a restrictor plate, reduce the horsepower to 450, and 200 mph is also likely accurate. Taking into consideration the weight (listed as 3250lbs), the aerodynamics, and cornering ability, its likely that the terminal velocity is going to be less than what the track allows. Is it really that crazy to think terminal velocity for a vehicle of that weight, power, and aero is as much as 200 mph? Case in point, a 2006 Corvette Z06 weighs about 3150lbs with 505 horspower and was drag limited to 198 mph. I bet it wouldn't take much tweaking of the aerodynamics and gearing to exceed that. Furthermore, my cutesy VW with its measly 200hp, porky 3200lbs, stubby profile and without its electric limiter is drag limited to 150 mph. This isn't the 1950's, afterall.

Tesla Model S vs Tesla Model X - Dragtimes.com 

Husband vs wife, sedan vs crossover, insanely fast vs unimaginably fast; All are accurate ways to describe this comparison of Teslas. The latter of which was quick enough to claim a World Record run for a crossover (or so the article states) of 11.61 seconds at 116 mph. Crazier yet is that it managed to hit 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. Don't take it from me, though, watch the video below. 

Mind = Blown. 

It's an honest truck... except for that fake hood scoop. Why not make it functional and give it some cajones under the hood to boot? Your move, Chevy.

This is actually a pretty impressive vehicle, all things considered. It's good-looking, promises great fuel economy (if it delivers), doesn't have a cvt, and hits the sweet spot of the market. Depending on how everything holds up in the real world, this could be a fairly successful vehicle for Kia. 

I wish they would have done more with the rear, but I suppose those changes would have been more expensive. Those taillights are still probably my least favorite part of the vehicle, even sans the frumpy front fascia of the pre-refresh. Even so, this refresh is a massive improvement overall. If the material quality inside improves to the point where it's at least on par with its rivals, it could be enough to convince more people to not buy an HRV. 

This is wrong on all levels... but I sort of like it. The look suits Nissan more than it does Infiniti with the QX80. 

V6 1LE... Chevy, what are you trying to do to me? My only complaint echoes what ccap said; I really don't like the hood. It's tacky, mostly due to the fact that the shape isn't great for the contrast. On the old 1LE, the hood's shape helped the contrast seem more... natural, I suppose. Maybe I'm just weird. 

This:

Looks better than:

Thanks to the intersection with the a-pillar as shown via my photoshopped arrow.

Feeling nostalgic. 

All I get out of this is... Quad taillights!

I hope they can give the Trax a similar treatment soon. I was pretty disappointed with it upon actually sitting inside. 

 

Model S, a far more upscale product than the Model X, starts @ $70K.

 

Since the pricing has already been discussed, I just want to focus on the upscale comment. I wouldn't say the Model S is a far more upscale product, by any means. Each vehicle is available with similar performance, features, and luxuriousness. If anything, the Model X will actually be more upscale due to the new features they've engineered for the vehicle, assuming they don't "trickle down" to the Model S. 

I see nothing about the Model X that would make it a compelling buy over the Porsche Cayenne, for example.  For a luxury SUV the Porsche is larger inside, has a better range, etc.   And has normal doors, not gimmick doors. 

Really? You can't find anything about it that could make it more compelling to a prospective buyer over a Cayenne? I certainly could. Performance? The quickest Model X will reach 60 a second faster than the quickest Cayenne. Passenger Space? The Model X has more usable people space, and can hold an extra 2 people. Efficiency? The most expensive to run Model X will cost you half as much annually as the most efficient Cayenne. Compare apples to apples and that margin will grow. Despite the lower range, you will still save money in the long run. Also, Tesla's supercharger network is ever-growing. As far as luggage space, while it might not be quite as practical due the lack of a folding second row of seats, with those slid forward and the third row folded, it looks to be pretty comparable. There is also the frunk to keep in mind, as well. Really, the only areas that the Cayenne would truly trounce the Model X would be in towing and off-road ability. 

But... the electric car is not relevant.  Even if Obama's criminal $10/barrel oil tax comes to fruition.  How advantageous it is for oil prices to be down for those who refuse to see the truth... let's tax the $h! out of it now and USE the people's money to force them into something they do not want!

Every single person I know who isn't currently living in the dark ages of Amish living either admires Tesla or adores Tesla. It's not until I stumble into C&G that I ever see such hatred for its vehicles. Perhaps, in the good ol' days when an electric car was the equivalent to a back-yard Fiero kit car, they weren't relevant. Hell, even up until vehicles like the EV-1 and newer ones as recent as Tesla's own Roadster or Nissan's Leaf, that may have been true. What Tesla has managed to do, however, is to single-handedly change the game for electric vehicles. They altered the public's perception completely. People aspire to own these electric cars, hence the reason a $70k vehicle is able to outsell a $35k Volt and Leaf. Not only that, without Tesla paving the way for it, there would have been no Bolt. Speaking of the Bolt, I foresee that vehicle being the true bridge to a feasible electric vehicle future. Not relevant? Wake up and smell the roses, the future is coming sooner than you may realise. 

Personally speaking, as much as I love internal combustion and all the sounds and vibrations that come with it, I can honestly say that I would not hesitate one bit to jump into electric car ownership with the way this industry is progressing. Tesla and the Bolt are likely just the stepping stones to greater, more attainable things to come. 

After seeing it in person, the new Civic is damn ugly. I don't care how good the thing drives, the looks are a deal breaker.

^ Yeah I saw one driving this past weekend... I completely agree. 

Yes they are flooding the dealer lots and are freaking ugly.

I have to disagree. Seeing it in person, inside and out, the car just looks a class above everything else in the segment. Even in lower trims, it looks like a more expensive car than it really is. If I had to levy one complaint, it would be that in the body looks a bit big for the largest wheels Honda offers. It could use a nice set of 18's or 19's to really perfect the look. 

Congrats, the engine alone makes it a stand-out choice. 

It's the 2GR-FE... which is an awesome V6 btw. I can't believe how good of a V6 it is.. Toyota hasn't needed to update it in a long time, and it's a creamy smooth engine too... I can't believe that it's not butter. I guess they could add D4-S port/direct injection and add 5 more years to its shelf life.

 

But no, it has not EcoBoost. 

I can attest to that. It was the only thing I really liked about my Avalon. I had nearly 60k of trouble-free miles, many including some heavy right foot usage.

I'm fairly certain that is just a photoshop. 

I have added an official gallery with a selection of images from the show. Nothing fancy, just the leftovers that weren't sent to Auto Evolution. 

Also, I have decided to go back to public days so I can actually have a chance to enjoy the show. I went to last year's public days as well and its almost entirely different experience. It's nice to not have to be rushed around the show floor whilst carrying a back-breaking camera bag everywhere. In addition, Josh really wanted to go and we're even going to bring my Mom so she can experience it. It's just too bad I won't be able to enjoy the Volvo Lounge for another one of these:

Hilarious. I expected no less than blatant insults concerning GM products from this writer considering he posted a picture of a damn Honda wannabe P/U.. and he didn't fail me. The tidbit about the Acadia.. was classic. GMC handed them the market.. by changing a CUV that doesn't own the market, while continuing to build the Traverse and Enclave essentially unchanged. Makes sense..Not. I personally think it was made up, but hey.. its just a vibe I get from his overall "experience." Loving the Malibu demerits too. Most reviews go far to point out the improvements in interior fit and finish... yet this guy suggest that its a step back?

 

. Lastly.. and most curious. I came into this thread thinking I was gonna see some PHOTOGRAPHS from the Dazed (and seemingly Confused) Photographer.

No, no... Hilarious is what I'd consider this post of yours.

Firstly, I used that Ridgeline photo because of the cowboy and his deep-in-thought appearance regarding the truck. You can practically just read his mind, thinking along the lines of "I just ain't too sure about this pick-up." I think its probably the best photo I took at the show for that reason. It was sort of a once-in-a-blue-moon photo opportunity. 

As Drew pointed out, I didn't personally comment on the Acadia. Those were competing Manufacturer representatives making those comments. The one making the comments even asked if I could move out of his way while I was doing my job. I'm not his friend, and I found his comments to merely be post-worthy on the merits of entertainment. If you want my opinion of the Acadia, ask before you throw shade my way. 

And the Malibu, if you read around, there have been mentions of cheap materials. The entire dash is hard plastic in the same vein as the current Cruze; the only soft-touch areas are those that can be covered in cloth or vinyl. Its largely the same with the door panels. Fit and finish is fine, material quality is a bit lacking. One of the strong points of the previous generation Malibu was what I thought to be its high quality dash and door materials. It was ugly, but everything was nice and soft-touch. Also, as mentioned, I had just sat in the updated Fusion and it was a night-and-day difference. 

Lastly, I have loads of pictures, many of them being used by Autoevolution.com. I decided to limit this post to a single photo based on the unexpected length of the article. 

By Cory Wolfe

As another year falls into the grasps of history, a new one lands filled with drinks, dreams, and the Detroit auto show. With all its shiny cars, crazy automotive espionage, and endless cappuccino, Cobo might just be my yearly heaven. Or is it my own personal hell, taunting me with sore feet, pushy journalists, and a severe lack of sleep? This year may just pin it towards the latter... This show sure can make someone relatively young feel frighteningly old rather quickly. Then again, a smart and well-prepared individual likely wouldn't have this problem, nor would that individual attempt to lug a 20-pound camera bag on his back for two days straight. Yeah, what the hell was I thinking when I bought that? I need a bag with wheels, not one that will put me in a chair with wheels. Enough about my poor planning, though. Let's get on with all the pretentious nitpicks and juicy behind-the-scenes commentary through the eyes of one exhausted photographer.

Surprise! There's No Surprise

Auto show season is upon us; its that time of year when automakers tend to go out-their-mind with introductions. This year, though, brought us a decidedly restrained show full of boring. Not only were the majority of the vehicles unsurprising, the reveals themselves were just average. A few lifted covers, various fog machines, and numerous turntables were the norm. Nissan, most notably, didn't even bother to try a bit of secrecy with its concept Titan. There it was, 7 am on day one, sitting out on display a full day before the press conference was scheduled. Lincoln was another offender in this regard, however not to the same degree; they at least waited until the day of to let it out. Beyond those, every automaker seemed to wait. Hold on, come to think of it, is it really any different? It's like clockwork, 12 am hits, the embargoes drop and each ensuing unveil is ruined in the process. There's very little in the way of true surprises any more. With the exception of Buick, everything was either leaked, teased, or previously shown. Leave it to the brand that's capitalized on little old lady's proclaiming "That's not a Buick!" to have the one true shock of the show.

The biggest disappointment with the show in terms of the lack of surprise has to be the sheer number of non-debuts. No, I don't mean the carry-over models; I'm talking about those aforementioned introductions that were already shown. The Bolt? Electrified at CES. The M2? Revealed in October. The S90? Displayed in December. The 911 Turbo? Announced in November. The G90? Disrobed in Korea. The entire Mercedes press conference? Printed from the photo copier. The number of true world premiers were truly lacking at this show. Even the models that were generally something new were actually just new versions of existing debuts! A few more or less doors, an added trim, a bit more dressing; there was even a concept version of a production car that originated as a concept. Seriously, why?

Oh Big Beautiful Concept, You

While there were many debuts that literally put at least one journalist to sleep, there was a bit of excitement to be found at others. Perhaps one of the best kick-offs to an auto show ever, Buick proved once more that it can make a damned nice concept. What the Avista lacks in clever naming can be suddenly forgiven upon sight of that beautiful body. Every detail of this car is exquisitely perfect. This is one vehicle that could really change the perception of what a Buick is, unlike those silly commercials. It's not even that far fetched, in all honesty. Sure, many of the exaggerated details would never make it to production, but the heart of this concept could. With a platform that is just begging for my capacity and a powertrain that's been picked from the parts bin, I can't imagine it would be difficult to bring to reality. If the reception from the media days are any indication, there will be a lot of people shouting "Take my money!" during public days.

Another concept that I was pretty impressed with was the Acura Precision concept, albeit with another terrible name. This one is bit different than the Buick in that you have to see it in person. No, really, you do. Pictures do not do this car any justice, instead making it look overly angular and uninspired. Once you're up close and see how the light hits each panel as the car rotates on the turntable, its something to appreciate. Like the Buick, this is a vehicle that could help Acura become more than just the tarted-up Honda it's always been. There's an identity here to be established, and thankfully, its shield-less. With that said, this one isn't likely to be sitting in your driveway with a huge bow on it for Christmas. In fact, it never will be. What may actually come from this, however, is a new design theme for Acura; a design full of diamonds. Let's hope the diamonds stay with the concept while the rest reinvigorates the brand's appeal.

There is one car that looks like a concept, feels like a concept, and probably even smells like a concept, but it isn't one. The Lexus LC500 is by far the most shocking production car for that reason. Lexus has come quite a ways from the quiet days of yore when it was best known as a Japanese Buick. It's recent style revolution to change that image has been mixed, to say to the least, with each redesign gaining more spindle and more katana-formed angles. It hasn't been pretty. This car, however, is something to behold. This is a design that was lovingly sketched and nitpicked to perfect. Every line has a divine purpose as ordained by the design deity. The detail, precision, and craziness of this design could put most exotics to shame. Lexus, somehow, managed to craft a beautiful car. Yes, a beautiful Lexus finally exists; I never thought I'd say that.

Are We Sharing or Are We Copying?

In the automotive world, you'll quickly notice that new trends spread like wildfire throughout the industry. From the tail-fins and rockets of the 50's to the velour and design by cardboard box of the 80s, or the faux fender vents of this past decade; these trends come and go like that drunken hook-up you wished you never had. It's not just limited to design either, as I've come to find after sitting through numerous press conferences. By the end of the show, there was one spec I was continuing to hear over and over and over. I'm fairly certain a 3.0 liter turbocharged 6-cylinder with about 400 horsepower is the next must-have item on your luxury-sports car. First Buick, then Infiniti, and finally Lincoln all hit with exactly the same engine specs, while many more have varying horsepower figures but still employ the same basic engine. It's a repeat of the 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinders that everyone and their mother has.

Corporate Jealousy and Espionage

Media days at an auto show means a couple things will be present. For one, you'll see everyone hitting up the cappuccino stands trying to get as much a caffeine buzz as possible before running to the next press conference. You'll also notice an abundance of pushy people getting in your way at every step. Within these droves of human annoyances are a few different types of people. You have the determined photographer, the erratic journalist, the elitist CEO's and their protective posses, and finally there are the numerous manufacturer issued spies that run about making comments, taking notes, measuring gaps, etc. That last one is what I want to focus on. Let me just get this out of the way: I hate every single one of you. You get in my way constantly fiddling with sun visors and rubber moldings. No one cares what you think about company A's fit and finish compared to your company B's. Please, for everyone's sake, find a new, more meaningful job.

As much as they got in my way, there were some funny conversations to be heard. At the launch of the GMC Acadia, there were reps discussing the downsizing. Pretty much went like this: Rep A to Reb B: "Wow, this is suicide! They just handed the market to you and your new crossover. What were they thinking?!" Meanwhile, I'm siting beside Rep A trying to casually take a picture and pretend I'm not paying any attention. Hilarious. Then, we have the Honda Ridgeline and various reps crawling underneath to check out the bed construction. Afterwards, they point out how the bed is designed to appear separate all in the name of looking more traditional and manly but is really just a faux cut-line with some rubber weatherstripping. Finally, I'll leave you with a positive comment from another rep examining the Lincoln Continental. As he was admiring the door handles, he took note of the soft-close feature saying quite sternly "We don't have that." I wish I would have caught which manufacturer he worked for.

The Swedish do Everything Better

As a tired, hungry, and dehydrated photographer, sometimes you have to find time to stop and replenish. That actually doesn't happen, the stopping part that is. In this context it means switching from running to stationary not to relax, but to import photos and send them off to some online editor in a timely manner. Generally, this means working while waiting for the next press conference to begin. You can however, get lucky and sit down in the one of the various automakers' lounges. Here, you may do your work in a nice comfy seat with some delightful cappuccino. After running around I finally found my favorite spot to be: The Volvo Lounge. Staffed with genuine Swedes (one was pretty cute, too, not going to lie), they put the most care into making their drinks. Other lounges simply make a cappuccino while they lovingly crafted a cappuccino. Absolutely wonderful, I'm going to miss the Volvo Lounge.

Final Notes of the Quick Variety

After the photos I needed were taken, edited, and uploaded off to Romania, I finally had some free time to roam the show floor. This is the best part of media days at an auto show. Unrestricted access to nearly every car on the floor is a wonderful thing. There's no one to stop you from getting into any car you wish, except that damned Alfa Romeo Giulia; the Italians have no trouble denying you. I took this opportunity to sit in a few new releases as well as a few older releases I've been eager to fondle with the utmost disrespect. Readers beware: I suspect I may ruffle a few feathers with some of the following comments.

• Lincoln Continental: This car surprised me. I saw the spy photos, the press shots, etc. and I expected it to be a disappointment. In person, it has a certain presence, an air of prestige in which Lincoln has been lacking in recent years. This continues insides where it truly exudes luxury. They really nailed the look and feel of the materials, at least in the pre-production cars on display.
• Ford Fusion: As a vehicle that was already in my personal top 3 of its respective segment, I wasn't expecting anything crazy. In fact, I wasn't sure how I felt about the refresh at first. I don't know what I was worried about. The updates look good, but that's not the story here. Neither is the addition the delicious Sport model. I sat in the the new Premium trim and was blown away by how good it is.
• Chevrolet Malibu: Here is where I should say about how much of an improvement this model is over its predecessor. I'm not. Don't get me wrong, it's better, but its entirely incremental. The biggest departure is its looks and it does, in fact, look fine; it's certainly not offensive at all to my eyes. My gripe lies with the interior and what looks and feels like a downgrade in materials. Maybe I shouldn't have sat in the Fusion first, as that car makes this one feel positively cheap.
• Volkswagen Golf R: "Ah ha," you're probably thinking, "Here comes that bias!" Unfortunately for you, you will see no such thing. While I have briefly sat in a MK7 GTI before, it was at another auto show and I really didn't have much time with it; I didn't this time either. I did, however, have enough time to come away rather disappointed. As a current MK6 GTI owner, I really noticed a difference in quality between the two. It's enough of a downgrade to question whether I'd really want to every upgrade.
• Mazda MX-5 Miata: Oh sweet Jesus, if there is one car I would have liked to bring home with me, its this one. Such a gorgeous little car. It's as close to a perfect package as you can get and it fits me like a glove. Great touch points, slick shifter, comfortable seats, and practical enough considering its a roadster. If I had to nitpick, it would be over the rather useless cup holders and their nearly impossible to comfortably use position.
• Chevrolet Bolt: Strangely enough, I really like this little electric car. It's the first one of its kind that could actually be used as your only vehicle without having to shell out an arm, leg, and perhaps a testicle or two. The expected performance is even appealing and perfectly acceptable for its price. I could see myself owning a Bolt in the not too distant future. Am I crazy? I hope not.
• Genesis G90: This car gave me an experience opposite to that of the Continental; I expected it to be legitimately surprising. In all honesty, it wasn't. Inside and out, this car failed to feel special. It has the content and everything falls in line within the segment, but it's value price betrays it. It looks and feels a step below its competitors, even if its just slightly so. Perhaps that's something to be proud of. Personally, I'd hand over the extra cash for the real thing, one with a soul.
  

With that said, this show wasn't its best year, nor was it the worst. A bit lacking in excitement, this years show didn't blow me away with exotic reveals or highly anticipated debuts. It was merely an adequate showing in Cobo. Does it matter? Of course it does. Despite everything, this was still an important show that somehow managed to feel more hectic than usual. It almost seemed as if attendance at media days greatly increased over my last stint here, having to fight more than usual for a good seat at each press conference. All in all, I think I may have to go back to press days for more touchy-feely goodness. It's just too bad I won't be able to enjoy Volvo's lounge... That was some damn good cappuccino.

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Sig is now updated to reflect current vehicle status for the two of us. 

Mmmm, I'm curious about that 400hp Q50. I felt the old Q50 with the 3.7 and 7-speed auto was a little underwhelming when I drove it.