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Koenigsegg drops a duo: CCGT and 1018 HP biofuel CCXR

2007-03-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

Koenigsegg decided to release images and specs of the two supercars that will occupy their booth at next week's Geneva Motor Show. First, the CCXR, which is a standard CCX that's been converted to use ethanol and produces 1018 HP and 780 ft.-lbs. of torque. Those fortunate enough to already own a CCX can have their current vehicle retrofitted with the biofuel mill if desired.

The second vehicle to grace the stand will be the CCGT, which was produced in order to meet FIA GT1 series regulations. As such, the 806 HP supercharged 4.7L V8 has been nixed in order to bring power output down below the 600 HP mark. To do so, they removed the huffers and bored the V8 out to 5.0L. In addition to the HP reduction, the weight had to be increased and the aerodynamics had to be altered in order to meet regulations. Surprisingly, the aero changes produce less downforce than the standard CCGT. Devolving to meet racing standards is nothing new, but it still brings a little tear to our eye.

The press release is after the jump and expect a gallery of both vehicles up before night's end.

Dubspeed Driven Road Test - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

2006-11-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

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Story by Dubspeed Driven Associate Editor, Carl Modesette
Photos courtesy of General Motors

Arguably, no other car in American history has a legacy as rich as the Chevrolet Corvette. From humble beginnings in 1953 with a 150 horsepower inline-six engine, to today’s 505 horsepower world-assaulting Z06, the Corvette has run the full spectrum of sports car ideology. However, recent years have seen the demise of many storied nameplates, while others have been resurrected. Looking forward, can the Corvette continue to capture enthusiasts’ hearts in a performance-rich, horsepower warmonger market?

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Nearly every automotive journalist has already accurately reported on the C6 Corvette’s performance prowess. A 400 horsepower LS2 engine propels the ‘Vette to 60 mph in about four and a half seconds, and through the quarter mile in about thirteen seconds flat, if not a shade faster. With a relatively low curb weight just shy of 3300 pounds, and maximum cornering grip a hair’s breadth away from 1.0 g’s, the Corvette offers an overall performance package that few cars can compete with. The fact that it’s reasonably comfortable, gets great fuel mileage, and can swallow a weekend’s worth of luggage (or a pair of golf bags) is icing on the cake. The true strength of the Corvette, however, has traditionally been found on the window sticker. Offered at a price point significantly undercutting its cross-Atlantic rival, the Porsche 911, the ‘Vette is, and continues to be, a value among world-class sports cars.

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New to the 6th generation Corvette is the 6-speed Paddle Shift automatic transmission, which we recently had the opportunity to sample. Representing nearly 2/3 of overall Corvette sales (growing to nearly 3/4 excluding the Z06), the automatic transmission is fundamental to the success of the Corvette. This new gearbox adds two cogs to the outgoing C5’s aged 4-speed unit, making better use of the LS2’s torque curve, and at the same time adds a pair of shift paddles to the steering wheel. Rather unconventional in their operation, these paddles are mirror images of one another – pull either one with your forefingers to downshift, and push the top of either one with your thumb to upshift. Typically, these shifter paddles are independent – one for upshifts, the other for downshifts. Seemingly great in theory, these paddles are a bit cumbersome in practice. The small size of the thumb-operated “+” buttons make them difficult to locate quickly, and essentially force the hands into a 9-and-3 position. In addition, pushing forward to upshift is counterintuitive, if not awkward whilst being propelled forward by those 400 horsepower at wide open throttle. The immediacy of shifts commanded by the paddles is also a bit disappointing - one must plan ahead to achieve shifts at the desired instant. Thankfully, use of the paddles is optional, as this slushbox offers both standard and Sport Drive modes. Adaptive electronics are employed to soften shifts under normal acceleration, and stiffen them up under hard acceleration. Performance in the Sport Drive mode should satisfy any “enthusiast” demanding an automatic transmission in the first place, relegating the paddle shifters largely to the realm of conversation material on the way to the golf course.

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Despite this author’s quibbles over the new Paddle Shift transmission, make no mistake – the C6 Corvette is still a phenomenal performance automobile. It’s rare to see a successful marriage of performance, comfort, and practicality – much less with the relative economy and value that the Corvette offers. 27 miles per gallon on the highway from a V-8 making 400 horsepower doesn’t happen every day. This is an attainable driver’s car that can actually be driven daily.

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And yet, there are other dimensions to the Corvette that most fail to comment on, dimensions easily overlooked when overwhelmed by the knowledge that such performance can be had at so relatively low a price. Those dimensions are quality, longevity, and staying power. It’s tough to argue the numbers: in 2005, the C6 Corvette’s introductory year, sales grew nearly 10% over the C5’s final year of production. 2006 sales should show even stronger gains, with the addition of the aforementioned 6-speed automatic transmission and the fire-breathing Z06 model. But will this trend continue?

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Undeniably, Chevrolet has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Corvette can compete with the Porsche 911 on paper, leveraging their tradition of powertrain prowess. Lay their respective spec sheets side by side and dare someone not to choose the Corvette, when price plays into the decision. However remove price as an object, and the decision becomes tougher. Quite frankly, the Corvette can’t compete with the 911, much less many other cars both foreign and domestic, when it comes to judging overall quality. While the look and feel of interior materials have improved in the C6 iteration, the overall package still looks – and feels – just like any other pedestrian Chevrolet. It’s a bit disheartening to climb inside the Corvette and find a standard-issue Chevy Malibu steering wheel staring you in the face. Shut the driver’s door and begin to get comfortable, and you’ll notice that the center stack housing the audio and climate controls will flex alarmingly when you rest your knee against it. Scan around the interior and you’ll notice that the textured aluminum trim on the door-release buttons and shifter knob doesn’t match the painted silver trim on the center stack, dash, and steering wheel. That’s a lot to stomach from a car whose sticker starts upwards of 40-large, no matter how fast it might be. While driving, there also remains a difficult to quantify rough-around-the edges feel that’s absent in a Porsche, much less other cars in the same price range as the Corvette – in fact, some cars costing half as much as a Corvette exhibit better overall quality and feel.

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So what is it about the Corvette that makes it so popular? It’d be easy to dismiss it as value advantage, but in this writer’s humble opinion, that doesn’t fully capture the essence of the Corvette’s appeal. The demographics of Corvette buyers are what one would expect: predominantly middle-aged males with a median income of around $150K (about the same demographics as the 911, except triple the salary). No surprises here, really. Yet consider the historical significance of such buyers – these are people who were in their teens during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. This was the era of the musclecar, when horsepower was king and the Corvette was that upper-echelon car that everyone dreamed about, but few could afford. Back then, the European sports cars were far rarer and Japanese sports cars had yet to enter the scene. Fast forward to now, and those then-teenage dreamers can finally afford the car of their dreams – and it’s actually halfway practical to own one.

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But take heed Chevrolet, because the clock is ticking and Baby Boomers are aging. Backs are getting bad, and the need to fulfill visceral rushes of acceleration is waning. A new generation of buyers is coming of age and buying power - a generation who’s grown up on the quality of Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys, and the performance of highly-tuned Japanese and German sports cars. Gone are the days of the adage “there’s no replacement for displacement.” The fact that more than one automaker can reliably extract over 100 horsepower per liter from smaller displacement engines makes even the Z06’s 505 horsepower, 7.0 liter engine seem, well, rather underachieving.

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The fact is that tomorrow’s Corvette buyers will be inundated with a dizzying array of attractive alternatives, and to them, the Corvette won’t hold the same symbolic appeal, for the emissions mandates of the 70’s and 80’s weren’t so kind to performance cars. Merely competing on paper won’t be good enough; tomorrow’s Corvette will need to compete in the flesh. That is, the Corvette will need to be a paragon of quality as well as performance. If The General can raise the bar on quality (and I truly hope they will), they’ll ensure the Corvette will be around for years to come.

We want to know YOUR thoughts, so please leave a comment!

Lincoln Announces MKX to Start Under $35,000

2006-10-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

DEARBORN , Mich. , Sept. 22, 2006 – As crossover sales escalate at a blistering pace, the all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX joins the Lincoln showroom this November at a starting price under $35,000. It takes on a highly competitive market, challenging established players with a host of advantages – including value.

Even when exceptionally well equipped with the Ultimate package – which includes features like adaptive headlamps, chrome wheels, and heated and cooled front seats – the Lincoln MKX is still priced below the base sticker of all of its top competitors.

“The new Lincoln MKX delivers the features luxury customers want at the best value in its class,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. “It will enter one of the hottest segments in the market and show customers that American luxury can be both desirable and attainable. At the same time, we’re building on the success of the Zephyr with the launch of the new Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan. These strong new entries, plus our best Navigator ever and the all-new Navigator L, give us an outstanding opportunity to attract new customers to Lincoln showrooms.”

The new Lincoln MKX features a starting manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $34,795 for front-wheel drive and $36,445 for all-wheel drive models, including $675 for destination and delivery.

A Confident New Player

The Lincoln MKX makes a refined luxury statement with its dynamic American styling. Its distinctive chrome grille, clean, flowing lines and broad-shouldered athletic stance communicate confidence and elegance. Eighteen-inch Euroflange wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips signal power and performance. Wraparound tail lamps and a spoiler complete the rear.

Innovative technologies on the Lincoln MKX combine art and functionality. An all-glass available panoramic Vista Roof™ allows customers to experience open-air freedom at the touch of a button. Distinctive lighting includes a Lincoln first: available adaptive headlamps that swivel around curves, pivoting as the driver steers and lighting up to 36 more feet of roadway around a corner. In addition, an LED liftgate panel provides edge-to-edge illumination.

Inside, the five-passenger Lincoln MKX delivers exceptional comfort along with Lincoln’s hallmark craftsmanship. Its luxurious leather seating features Ford’s first application of its patent-pending Active Comfort Engineering process, with specialized contours helping to reduce pressure points and fatigue. The second-row seats recline to a best-in-class angle and can fold and pivot in one movement. Lincoln MKX provides comfort for all passengers, no matter the temperature, with available heated and cooled seats. The spacious center console offers customers versatility, with a standard MP3 audio jack and a power point hidden inside. Three additional power points also are provided in the cabin.

A host of innovative features keeps Lincoln MKX customers connected and in command. An optional a DVD rear-seat entertainment system plays DVDs or CDs with infrared remote. Lincoln MKX also features an intuitive DVD-based navigation system, able to deliver text-to-speech information in English, Spanish or French. An available THX-II sound system and available SIRIUS satellite radio also contribute to the Lincoln business class experience.

The Lincoln MKX delivers smooth power on demand for effortless driving enjoyment. It’s powered by Ford’s new fuel-efficient 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with the class-exclusive 6-speed transmission automatic transmission. The independent front and rear suspension are luxury tuned for responsive ride and handling. As the quietest Lincoln ever, Lincoln MKX is designed to give customers a quiet ride on virtually any road surface. Ford engineers have introduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) absorbers behind nearly every trim panel of the Lincoln MKX for new levels of refinement and quietness.

The available intelligent AWD system on the Lincoln MKX delivers luxury performance and offers confident all-weather driving. It continuously monitors vehicle speed and throttle input and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels as needed, helping improve balance when cornering.

Outstanding Value

The Lincoln MKX is available in a single series, featuring a full complement of standard premium equipment along with select options, making it easy for customers to order. Customers may select standalone options, or choose the Ultimate and Elite option packages for additional value (available for FWD and AWD models).

Key standard features include:

New 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, certified on regular 87-octane fuel
Class-exclusive 6-speed automatic transmission
Luxurious interior, with genuine wood, leather, and satin nickel trim
18-inch 8-spoke machined aluminum Euroflange wheels
Wraparound tail lamps and full-width LED lighting panel
MP3 audio input jack
8-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat
Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
Excellent NVH characteristics and unique suspension
Dual zone electronic automatic temperature control with particulate air filter
Standard safety features including: industry leading AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, ABS, Safety Canopy™ with rollover sensor, front- and front seat side-impact air bags, occupant classification system, adjustable head restraints, LATCH system and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Lincoln MKX Options

Ultimate Package includes:

Adaptive headlamps
10-way power driver and front passenger seats, including power lumbar support
Heated and cooled front seats
Driver memory seats and mirrors
18-inch 8-spoke chrome-clad aluminum Euroflange wheel
Power liftgate
Reverse Sensing System
Homelink
EasyFold™ second-row remote seat release
Easy entry driver’s seat and driver’s side electrochromic exterior mirror

Elite Package* includes:

Panoramic Vista Roof™ with dual power sunshades
DVD-based navigation system with a 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology for travel directions aloud in English, Spanish or French
THX II-Certified ® audio system with 14 speakers and 600 Watts of power
SIRIUS™ satellite radio with six-month subscription
* Each feature in this package is also available as a standalone option.

Additional standalone options include:

Rear-seat DVD Entertainment System
Class II trailer tow
Heated rear seats

The Lincoln MKX already is turning heads as it crosses the U.S. in a 10-city tour, “Savor the Dream,” which gives consumers an advanced look and test-drive opportunity before the vehicle arrives in showrooms later this fall. “Savor the Dream” is a lifestyle showroom tour that plays into a key passion of Lincoln consumers: fine food served in a casually elegant setting. It encourages consumers to enjoy all of life’s best moments. The tour features celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito and top local chefs from each market. Thousands of consumers are turning out to see the Lincoln MKX, along with the new Lincoln MKZ, the new Navigator and all-new Navigator L. The tour runs through mid November.

With crossover sales projected to reach 3 million units by the end of the decade, Lincoln’s first luxury crossover offers the brand a unique opportunity to reach new consumers. Lincoln MKX already is generating considerable buzz. Since January, more than 380,000 consumers have visited the Lincoln MKX Build & Price Web site on www.lincoln.com, producing more than 140,000 configurations. About 65 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to purchase or lease the vehicle they configured.

The new Mini - Consistant Evolution

2006-08-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Auto-stopstand

Koenigsegg drops a duo: CCGT and 1018 HP biofuel CCXR

Dubspeed Driven Road Test - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Lincoln Announces MKX to Start Under $35,000

The new Mini - Consistant Evolution

Chrysler Announces 2007 Sebring Pricing

Details on the new 2007 BMW X3 for the US

Team Toyo™ Drift’s Tanner Foust Wins Round 2 of Formula D Championship

NYIAS 2006: Scion Announces Pricing For tC Release Series 2.0

Toyo Tires® Unveils New Toyo Girl Posters for 2006

The Mercedes-Benz S65 - Worlds Most Powerful Production Sedan - World Premier at 2006 NAIAS

Nissan at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show

GM Announces Corvette Chief Engineer David Hill to Retire

Ford Unveils All-New 2007 Explorer Sport Trac at Texas State Fair

The BMW 130i - A New Dimension in Driving Pleasure