Drew Dowdell

Black diamond Wifi keeps dying. Lot more pics coming.

2 shots for you

Magnesium paddle shifters

Gets a diesel 3.6 is over 320 hp 2.5 gets well over 30 mpg Most mass efficient sedan in the segment. Automatic braking _ "virtual bumper" Manual transmission available in all trims

Mudmonster, Z06, and I are at the ats reveal now.

The ATS structure.

Second stop and still registering 36 mpg

First stop in Ohio and I'm getting over 36 miles to gallon... The computer tells me I have over 440 mile range after filling up.

I like it so far, I'll tell you what I think when I see it in person tomorrow.

The North American International Auto Show starts tomorrow and for the trip up to Detroit, Buick has provided me with a 2012 Buick Lacrosse with e-Assist. For 2012, the Lacrosse has a standard a 4-cylinder engine with a light electrical assist and automatic stop. The e-Assist system is somewhere between BMW's Efficient Dynamics auto-stop/brake regeneration system and Honda's Integrated Motor Assist in terms of the level of hybridization. E-Assist offers a 15 horsepower and 79 ft-lb of torque electrical boost to the gasoline engine where Efficient Dynamics offers none. The Honda IMA system adds 23 horsepower and 78 ft-lb of torque. So how does it drive? Having driven a 2011 Lacrosse 4-cylinder without e-Assist the very first thing I noticed was the extra torque in the low RPM range. You won't be pulling stumps with your Lacrosse, but the electrical boost at low RPM gives the 4-cylinder a more V6 feel in terms of take off. The gear ratios are also tuned well to get you rolling up to speed swiftly. It is still a 4-cylinder, but in normal city and suburban driving, it will feel like a V6. Speaking of city and suburban driving, according to the computer, I'm averaging 26.6 mpg in that combination. The transmission will keep the RPM higher when needed and Buick's QuietTuning does its job keeping engine noise out of the cabin. Full throttle acceleration isn't swift, but the tach will swing nearly all the way to 7,000 rpm without protest. Refinement of the 2.4 coupled with the electric motor is excellent, continuing with the nearly V6 feel displayed in city driving. Those wishing for more power for drag racing would do best to check off the box for the 303 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 and be on their way, but the 2.4 with e-Assist will satisfy 90% of buyers out there who are more concerned with fuel economy than pink slips. I have yet to test out the long distance highway fuel economy, but as soon as I click save on this post, I am getting in the car to start my 250 mile trip to Detroit where I'll pick up our friend Z-06. Send me your questions in the meantime. View full article

expect the unexpected

it's a shame that the kazashi just isn't moving...

AMERICAN SUZUKI 2011 SALES UP 11 PERCENT OVER PREVIOUS YEAR For 2011, car and truck sales climb 10 percent and 15 percent respectively 2012 Suzuki Auto Product Line Suzuki is proud to offer the most affordable all-wheel-drive lineup available in the U.S. and maintains a versatile array of vehicles, including the spirited SX4 Sport sedan, multipurpose five-door SX4 Crossover, SX4 SportBack hot hatch, refined Grand Vitara compact SUV, award-winning Equator pickup truck and performance-oriented Kizashi Sport. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki’s standout virtues of durability, leading-edge style and high-content at a competitive price. All 2012 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America’s #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty. Suzuki America December 2011 Sales Chart View full article

now that we've solved the mystery of the film...what's with the positive camber? it's airborn...

Chrysler is further behind in their recovery than GM and Ford are. The updated LX cars, the Grand Cherokee and Durango were all started prior to the bankruptcy. The Grand Cherokee was started while Mercedes was still at the helm! The Dart will be the first indicator of if they've learn anything or not. I know you don't like the styling of the LX cars, but compared to the competition, they are competative. The 300 is a 300hp, RWD large sedan that gets 31mpg highway, has an 8-speed auto, U-Connect, and a pretty nice interior for $27k. Go to Nissan and you're paying $31.7k for less fuel economy and still get cloth seats for a base Maxima. Go to Toyota and you're paying $33k for less power, less fuel economy but you do get leather seats. Go to Honda and you can only get a loaded Accord that has less power and slightly less fuel economy, as well as sacraficing size. My point is, step back from your distaste of the Chrysler styling for a moment, note that other people do like the styling, and Chrysler has put together a rather compelling piece of hardware for the price.

removed already?

You mean worse than the guy who premptively beat and rusted his new Camaro?

While I'm sure it's a fine car, I'm not sure it's a fine enough car for the price. That is very very gently used CPO CTS money.

yes, but an Hydrogen ICE is not a Hydrogen fuel cell. two entirely different beasts.

40 mpg COMBINED!? What's the Highway going to be!?

except not as good looking.

BMW Group Achieves Second Best Sales Year Ever in the U.S. BMW is the 2011 Premium Segment Leader MINI reports best December and best ever U.S. sales year Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 5, 2012… In 2011, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best sales since the record year of 2007 retailing 305,418 vehicles, up 14.9 percent compared to the 265,757 vehicles sold in 2010. BMW Group reported December sales of 32,545 vehicles, an increase of 17.9% from the 27,600 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. “BMW Group sales momentum has been increasing all year and this new burst of consumer confidence filled our dealer showrooms putting both BMW and MINI over the top,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “I have great confidence that 2012 will be even better especially with the all-new BMW 3 Series arriving in the U.S. in February with more new and refreshed models coming in the months after.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 15.3% in December for a total of 26,834 compared to 23,280 vehicles sold in December, 2010. For the year, BMW brand sales were up 12.6% to 247,907 vehicles compared to 220,113 sold 2010. For 2011, best performing vehicles included the 5 Series, up 30.4 percent to 51,491 units; the 6 Series, up 61.4 percent to 3,903 units; the X3, up 357.5 percent to 27,793 units and the X5 up 13.3 percent to 40,547 units. Overall, the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment (X3, X5, X6) continued to show incredible growth with sales up 54.9 percent for the year to 74,532 units compared to 48,108 in 2010. SAV sales combined with its all-wheel-drive (AWD) passenger cars have made BMW the best selling manufacturer of premium AWD vehicles in the U.S. in 2011. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles In December, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) totaled 16,264, an increase of 3.5% from the 15,714 sold in December 2010. In 2011, BMW pre-owned once again was leader in its segment. December proved to be the second best month ever and 2011 was the third best year ever for BMW pre-owned. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported sales of 5,711 automobiles in December, up 32.2% from the 4,320 sold in December 2010. For the year 2011, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 26% on volume of 57,511 compared to 45,644 sold in 2010. “MINI’s record setting sales results in 2011 prove that small is a success in its own right even without the prodding of rising fuel prices,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “Our U.S. customers have found they can have a great motoring experience even while enjoying strong fuel economy and a smaller footprint. Motor On!” BMW Group NA December 2011 Sales Chart View full article