Chrysler has revealed images and information about the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, and while this site doesn’t normally write about new SUV launches, it’s worth mentioning for one reason: It’s not heinous.
2011 Dodge Durango Revealed – Surprise! It’s Not Heinous….
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010Reviewed: 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
When you hear the name Buick, what comes to mind? If you get a senior’s discount you’ll sit back on your hemorrhoid cushion and say, “Ah yes, fine automobiles. All the luxury of a Cadillac without drawing attention from the IRS.” If you’re reading this while living in a house that’s worth 50% of what you bought it for, you look at Buick the way Teddy looked at Matt Damon in Rounders; you owe me some f***in’ money. For me the brand reminds me of my grandma, because she’s the only person I’ve ever known who owned one. Sure, Tiger Woods did, but only because his endorsement deal made him.
Basically, Buick’s have always had a reputation as being a car for old people, but after spending a few days with the 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS, they might have been on to something.
Backstage Pass to the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio
Monday, August 30th, 2010
The American LeMans Series is probably the closest we can get to European-style LeMans competition here in the states. As such, we like it very, very much. The prototypes are cool and all, but our favorite is the GT2 class, where we can watch Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, and Aston Martin duke it out on the racetrack. When you find yourself with the opportunity to attend a race, you had better bring your cameras, like we did. (more…)
Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Racing Rapide Appear in Los Angeles
Friday, August 27th, 2010
One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles is that, in the weeks following Pebble Beach weekend, many of the cars make their way south, where their respective showrooms throw parties and invite really cool/rich/beautiful people to come admire them. Obviously, I wasn’t invited, so I went to Galpin Auto Sports anyway, wearing a seersucker blazer, and made myself at home.
Our Kind of Hybrid: Lexus Powered Hot-Rod
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
I don’t know what it is, but most ’32 Ford’s just bore me to tears. They are all essentially the same, built off the same combination of Billet grilles, reproduction bodies, and mag wheels, with Chevy 350 power. It’s rare that I see one that really makes me stop and peek around for more than 5 seconds. This one had me for 5 minutes.
I’ve heard of Lexus-powered hot rods before, but never actually seen one. The engine is a fully-built motor based off a GS400, which originally made 300hp. It now makes about 420, and is mated to a Tremec 6-speed transmission. Unlike many other deuce roadsters, the pedals and shifter are set up for actual driving, and the sound of the engine is extremely unique for a hot rod, because of its small displacement. Think late 1950′s Corvette, but with a little extra bass thrown in. We love the headers and carbon-fiber valve covers as well.
Spotted at the Ruby’s Cruise Night in Redondo Beach. Apologies for the camera phone pics, it was an impromptu visit.
Lifted F-250 Shows Us What’s Wrong With America
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Most people I know, including about 99.9% of the females I’ve been in cars with, hate lifted Super-Duty trucks. And this photo shows us exactly why. The general attitude towards these trucks are that they simply take up a ton of space on the road, and for no particular reason. They are annoying to tow with ( and towing is the Super Duty’s specialty), the load height is way too high to be useful, and I rarely, if ever, see one being driven hard off-road. The driver wasn’t even in 7-Eleven, and he just HAD TO take up 2 parking spots to make sure no one parked anywhere near his penile implant on wheels.
To put things in perspective, I drive a bright orange Ford Raptor, also known for being one of the more obnoxious vehicles on the road. My truck is a full 4 inches wider than this F-250, and yet, in this same parking lot, I was able to fit in a single space, no problem.
Bonus douche points for the American Flag nose spoiler. What other country would you be from when parked like that in something that big?
McLaren MP4-12C Live Unveiling – What’s it Like to Touch and Sit In?
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Last week, The Smoking Tire had the pleasure of being invited to LA’s newest exotic car dealership, McLaren of Beverly Hills, to check out the new MP4-12C in the flesh, as well as learn some very interesting information about what could be a game-changing supercar.
We were first shown a bare powertrain chassis with only seat and steering wheel attached. We were shown how low the internally developed 3.8L, twin-turbo V8 sits in the middle of the car. We were shown the carbon fiber tub, and the fact that the entire car was designed around the perfect driving position. We were shown the lack of swaybars, replaced by an electro-hydraulic damper system that adjusts itself on the fly, and, in “comfort” mode, is deactivated entirely for the smoothest ride possible. We were shown why the exhausts go upwards, through the rear bumper, instead of downwards: it saves 2 kilograms, and doesn’t interrupt airflow over the rear diffuser. We were shown the 7-speed DCT transmission and why it is the smallest and lightest unit available, to keep the center of gravity closest to the middle of the car. And we were told how the McLaren MP4-12C doesn’t share any componentry with any other car on the road. Every piece, down to the last nut and bolt, is pure McLaren.
And then they took the cover off the finished product. (more…)
The Raptor Diaries – Part 2: Raptor as a Grip Truck
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
I’ve heard that some Raptor owners don’t actually use their trucks as trucks; that they just drive them as cars, and then use them for off-road shenanigans. Now, I completely understand that, since, from the factory, the Raptor has a body-color painted bed and they don’t want to scratch up the paint. Fortunately, I went for the dealer-installed Linex bedliner ($400), since I plan on actually using this thing as a truck to haul my crap around in, not just a camera car or off-road toy.
Do You Know This Porsche? 997GT3RS in Street Racing Crash in Venice, CA
Saturday, August 14th, 2010
Is this your Porsche? Because if so, you’re a douche that doesn’t deserve it. And you know who you are. You were racing a black Ferrari through the streets of Venice, CA today, lost it, crashed into a Mercedes, and had your car towed out of there before the cops showed up. Just for good measure, a close-up of the Porsche’s plate: California plate 6LjR555.
[Source: Yo! Venice]
Quick Spin: 2011 Infiniti M37
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
The Infiniti “M” series, now into its third generation, has had a rough run so far. The first-generation car was closely based on the JDM Nissan Gloria, so much so, that the design was considered outdated by the time it hit US shores. It was considered a sales flop, which is sad because it’s actually quite a good car. The second-generation M35/45 sold much better, but always seemed to play tag-along with the BMW 5-series, Lexus GS, and Mercedes E-Class in sales, despite winning several comparison tests.
Now, we’re testing the third-generation car, and wow, is this something new and improved. But is it new and improved enough to take down the German heavy hitters in the mid-large segment? Hit the jump to find out.
