Gallery : Mustang 427R Roush

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE

Mazda has built an RX-8 Hydrogen RE with Norwegian specifications for Norway’s HyNor project. The project establishes a hydrogen filling infrastructure along a 360-mile stretch of highway between Oslo and Stravenger. The hydrogen-fueled RX-8 was unveiled to the public on May 11, 2009 in Oslo, Norway during the opening ceremonies of the HyNor filling stations.

Following is the full press release from Mazda -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has built the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle with Norwegian specifications, developed specifically for participation in HyNor, Norway’s national hydrogen project.

The first unit will take part in ceremonies marking the official opening of HyNor’s hydrogen filling stations. The initial opening ceremony was held in Oslo on May 11, 2009. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will then undergo certification to meet local standards and will be used for maintenance staff training. Mazda plans to commence leasing of Norwegian specification RX-8 Hydrogen RE models in Norway in summer 2009. Unlike the RX-8 Hydrogen RE currently being leased in Japan, the HyNor-specification Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE is based on the latest European-specification Mazda RX-8 with left-hand drive and a manual transmission. The HyNor project aims to enable hydrogen vehicles to travel along a 580-kilometer stretch of highway by establishing a chain of hydrogen stations between Stavanger and Oslo in Norway.

Mazda agreed to collaborate with HyNor on the project in November 2007 and began validation of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE’s driving performance on Norwegian public roads in October 2008.

 

History of Mazda’s hydrogen vehicle development:-
1991    Developed first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X
1992    Conducted test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell
1993    Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2
            Developed MX-5 test vehicle equipped with hydrogen rotary engine
1995    Conducted Japan’s first public road tests of a hydrogen rotary engine   vehicle, Capella Cargo
1997    Developed Demio FC-EV
2001   Developed Premacy FC-EV, conducted first public road test in Japan
2003   Announced RX-8 Hydrogen RE prototype
2004   Received MLIT approval for public road testing of RX-8 Hydrogen RE
2006   Started commercial leasing of RX-8 Hydrogen RE in Japan (eight models have been delivered to date)
2007   Signed agreement to provide RX-8 Hydrogen REs to Hynor, a Norwegian national project
2008  Commenced public road tests in Norway with RX-8 Hydrogen RE validation vehicle
2009   Commenced commercial leasing of Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid in Japan; Produced the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE with Norwegian specifications

The Houston Classic Auction – 2nd May, 2009

The Houston Classic Auction (Concours d’Elegance) has started today at 11:00 A.M. Dallas Time at the Auction Arena at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX (2425 NASA Rd, 1, Seabrook, TX-77586). The Concours d’Elegance begins today and goes through Sunday, May3, 2009.

Showcase:-

The inventory for this auction has over a hundred automobiles. Some of these are listed below:

1904 Cadillac Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau

1930 Cadillac Series 353 V8 Convertible Coupe

1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Series GA Coupe

1997/04 CMC Custom Softtail Chopper Shovelglide

More Details on the Auction:-

Directions:

From I-45 or Clear Lake, TX take the NASA Rd exit (exit 25) for 7 1/2 miles until you see the O’Reilly Auto Parts store sign in the distance on the right hand side. Make a right turn on to Seventh Street before you pass the store. The street to your right is Lidstone, turn right on Lidstone and proceed to the LYC gate and follow signs to auction event center.

From HWY 146 turn on to NASA Rd 1 and after you pass the O’Reilly Auto Parts store turn left on Seventh Street. The first street to your right is Lidstone. Turn right on Lidstone and proceed to the LYC gate and follow signs to auction event center.

Auction Preview:

Friday, May 1 – 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Auction Arena, Lakewood Yacht Club

Vehicle Checkout: By Noon, Monday, May 4, 2009

Bidder Registration Fee:

$150 includes catalog and VIP seating for two. For registration call +1 260.925.6789

Buyers Premium: 10%

General Admission to Auction: $75 (limited seating; includes admission for two and one catalog)

Top 7 Convertibles…

 

7. Audi TTS

A turbo-four with V6 power, Quattro all-wheel-drive, and a sleek, squat style are what make the TTS a good all season alternative to a Boxster. The best-in-class interior gives the cabin a perfect balance of both luxury and sport.

 

6. Porsche Boxster S

The anti-Corvette : refined, though not relaxed, and communicative. Feels underpowered, but quick.

 

5. Chevrolet Corvette

Whether you think of it as the most refined muscle car or the most affordable GT, the Corvette provides punch and pace without making you suffer. It feels special because it is not a sedan or a boy racer, though could be slightly more communicative.

 

4. BMW M3

Does almost everything well : ride, handling, power, comfort, and usable space. Works in the city, on the twisties, and on long-term tours. Rewards at 3/10 and 9/10.

 

3. Dodge Viper SRT10

With an engine that delivers supercar-level mid-range thrust and a chassis that has good turn-in and confidence-inspiring balance, the Viper almost seems under-priced.

 

2. Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston finally delivers beautiful, rare and responsive car in one package. Thanks to the new 4.7l engine and suspension tweaks. Still not quite as communicative as a Carrera S but on longer runs, it is more enthralling. Exactly what you deserve at this price point.

 

1. Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder

A perfect example of the new breed of user-friendly Lamborghinis. Anyone with a $220k to burn can go like-stink and look fabulous in the process. E-gear only transmission line-up, and an utterly unflappable nature will weed out the hardcore. No better car than this on sale today.

 

2010 Camaro : The Ugliest Chevrolet

The obvious comparisons surrounding the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro pit the reconstituted pony car against the Mustang and Challenger. Well duh. I submit, however, that the obvious overlooks something right before your eyes; a Camaro versus Camaro face off. Our premise is this: the most important decision regarding the purchase of a new Camaro does not pit the Chevy against Ford or Dodge, but against itself fitted with either the V-6 or the V-8. After spending hours behind the wheels of Camaros with each of the four available powertrains, this new car revealed two distinct personalities based solely on cylinder count.

The Powertrains

Since General Motors first showed the Camaro Concept in January 2006, we’ve known something about which motors would power the reconstituted icon. At first, everybody focused on the V-8, and that only stands to reason because past V-6 Camaros tended to be eminently forgettable. At best, such cars were dismissed as mere “secretary cars.” (For younger readers, this was a blatantly derogatory descriptor with roots in a time when executives had low-wage earning female secretaries compared to today’s better-paid, gender-neutral, administrative assistants. In other words, V-6 Camaros used to be cheap chick cars).

This classification for the 2010 V-6 Camaro would be incorrect. New Camaro LS and LT editions use the 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 first seen in the Cadillac CTS. But even though this all-aluminum V-6 produces V-8 levels of power (304 horsepower), its EPA highway fuel economy bests many four-cylinder cars; 29 mpg.

The V-6’s Personalities

The above numbers explain something of the new Camaro’s personality, but they don’t fully describe the dynamic differences between the V-6 and V-8 editions. Camaros running the V-6 and automatic come across as being an accessible sports car for people who think a clutch is a small purse. The engine’s lively response works well with the six-speed automatic. Enthusiasts may find the combination benign, but the Camaro chassis helps make the complete package enjoyable. The new suspension was developed by GM’s Australian Holden group, the same team that developed the Pontiac G8.

It’s buttoned up. While Ford has elevated the 2010 Mustang’s ride using a refined live rear axle, the Camaro’s independent rear suspension simply drives better, smoother, and with less twitchiness. Drivers who know what a third pedal is will vastly prefer the V-6/ six-speed manual combo.

The V-8 Attitude
Be warned, torque is an addictive drug, so use with caution. Under its influence you’ll be drawn to deserted cul de sacs to perform ruckus doughnuts that produce so much tire smoke that squirrels will be smoked out from surrounding trees.

The engine is so powerful that once the tires break loose, the tach swings toward the red faster than you can say, “We should leave now.” The power difference between the Camaro’s two 6.2-liter V-8s isn’t something most drivers will notice. Only the most experienced backsides can pick out a 26 horsepower increase when it accounts for only a six-percent increase, especially when a torque converter helps mask the difference.

Other Impressions

Practically, there’s more to the Camaro that what’s under the hood. The total Camaro experience must recognize the car’s visual magnetism and the fact that it’s a 2+2. Those who have experienced the 2010 Mustang might find the Camaro’s interior lacking because the Ford’s offers more interesting style and detailing along with genuinely top-flight leathers with the premium interior package. Certain of Camaro’s cues, like the twin-pod gauges are interesting, but the door panels and the balance of the dash are dull. One could hypothesize that the interior design team ran out of budget after the gauge package was finished.

Overall, the examples we drove were higher quality than any production Camaro that’s ever turned a wheel.

Memories are a funny thing. They color life’s past, tending to make the good better or the bad even worse.

Audi TTS Roadster : Review

Top up, or top down, Audi TTS Roadster is a cozy and comfortable place to be. I was rather impressed with how spacious and coupe-like the Roadster’s cabin feels with the top up, save the obvious added wind noise and complete lack of rear seating and storage. The TTS’ interior would be the first thing that impresses you, and the noise it makes when you fire up the turbocharged 2.0l engine will be the second. Audi has modified the overall exhaust, fitting a quad-pipe arrangement at the rear, and the sound is really intoxicating.

There’s a low, menacing grumble present at all times. There was a brief lack of power at initial throttle tip-in, but once revs reach the 2200 sweet spot, the Audi’s turbocharger kicks in with a faint whine and the speedometer needle starts to climb faster than expected. It’s not the kind of acceleration that knocks you back in your seat, but it really makes the standard TT’s 3.2l V6 seem obsolete. What’s more, there was a complaint about the 6-cylinder TT feeling a bit nose-heavy. Audi’s stunning 2.0l engine seems to be a perfect fit within the TT and TTS, allowing for better weight distribution and a much more enthusiastic power delivery.

No matter what the weather, the TTS handles like a dream. Quattro all wheel drive means that you can hug corners relatively quickly, though I wish that the steering feel was a bit more engaging. Audi seems to target the Porsche Boxster with this car, bit the Porsche’s mid-engine layout and better steering feel will allow for a more rewarding driving experience overall. Still, the TTS can definitely hold its own when the roads start to get twisty, and the Audi’s turbo-four setup provides slightly more punch than the Boxster’s normally aspirated flat-six. Pricing for the TTS Roadster starts at $47,500 – just over $2000 more than a base 3.2l TT Roadster.

The extra cost will net you a more aggressive powertrain, a meaner exterior appearance (complete with LED running lamps), better suspension geometry, and an exhaust note that will make you smile every time you hit the throttle. Three cheers for four-season-friendly sports cars, especially those which like to take their top off.

Specifications:

Engine	Turbocharged inline-4, 2.0l, 16v
Output	265hp / 258lb-ft
Top Speed	155mph (Electronically limited)
0-60 mph	5.1 sec
Weight	3373lbs
Base Price	$47,500
Ex-showroom price	$57,125

Top 10 BMWs of the millennium

Scroll through the gallery below to see all ten of these great cars, and if you think I missed one, be sure to debate it out in the comments section.

 

10. M1

 

The M1 was exactly what you might have expected out of a partnership between BMW and Lamborghini.

 

9. Z3 M Coupe

 

The original M Coupe’s love-it-or-hate-it design won big praise within the automotive press, though some enthusiasts were a bit skeptical about the hatchback’s overall appearance.

 

8. E24 M6

 

After the huge success of the M1, BMW decided to take a modified version of the 3.5-liter six and put it into a true Grand Touring car. Not only was the M6 sleek and stylish, Motor Trend magazine featured the M6 as one of the ten fastest cars in America — understandable, what with the car’s suggested 0-60 time of just 6.1 seconds.

 

7. E30 M3

 

Legends have to start somewhere, and the E30 M3 set the bar high for future performance oriented 3-Series cars. Power came from a heavily reworked 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, cranking out just under 200 horsepower. Not only was this BMW’s first serious everyday sports car, but tuning companies like Prodrive and AC Schnitzer even called upon the E30 M3 to compete in rally, touring car, and DTM racing competitions. Near the end of its life, the E30’s engine was boosted to 2.5 liters and could make up to 340 horsepower in full race trim.

 

6. Z4 M Roadster

 

There was a lot to love about the original Z3 and Z3 M roadsters, but the second-generation droptop M really stole our hearts. It’s attractive, powerful, and a true example of what fun, sporting convertibles should be. While there aren’t any definite plans to bring on an M version of the new-for-2010 Z4, the last-generation M Roadster will always have a special place in our hearts.

 

5. 2002 Tii

 

This is the car that started it all for BMW in America. The 2002 was such a success that it really confirmed BMW’s place in the world as a premium sports car brand, and the 2002 tii started a huge trend of small, sport sedans. After all, this car is the ancestral grandfather to the original 3-Series, and in modern times, the new 1-Series.

 

4. E39 M5

 

The last-generation 5-Series was an iconic, elegant design, and the M5’s 395-horsepower V-8 engine made it a great choice for people who didn’t want to compromise performance for luxury. Available with only a six-speed manual transmission, the M5’s tuned suspension, brakes, and steering ratio made it a worthy track car while still being a smooth and powerful cruiser for the highway.

 

3. E36 M3

 

America didn’t get to taste the E36 M3 until the 1995 model year, but it was well worth the wait. Power came from a 3.0-liter inline-six capable of around 240 horsepower, and this M3 was eventually sold in coupe, sedan, and convertible configurations.

 

2. Alpina B7

 

Near the end of the last-generation 7-Series’ life-cycle, BMW brought out the Alpina B7 packing a 500-horsepower supercharged engine, a sporty body kit, and some nice interior upgrades. And while a lot of people took issue with the 7’s Bangle design, the Alpina’s mix of luxury and power was sure to win people over. In fact, some tests say that the B7 was quicker in the quarter mile than a 911 Carrera S.

 

1. 135i

 

When BMW launched the new 1-Series in the U.S., they were hoping that it would be sort of a modern-day 2002. While that may not be the case, there are a raft of reasons why the 1 is one of our favorite BMWs available today. The 135’s twin-turbo six and superb driving dynamics make it an attractive choice for enthusiasts, though the price point can get to eyebrow-raising levels when fully optioned out.