Speaking of the Double Nickel, anybody for legalizing triple digit speeds? Donald Sensing at Winds of Change offers a persuasive case in favor of liberating us plebes on the highways of automotive life.
Ouch! Reason Foundation's Hit & Run Blog exposes the backstory of a Ladies Home Journal puff piece for red light cameras. Seems the LHJ tried to keep somebody's self-interest out of sight in the editorial trunk.
Peter DeLorenzo at AUTOEXTREMIST is flat out amazed at the short-sighted thinking on the energy crisis that, for once, is not coming from Detroit.
Hydrogen-powered prototypes are trickling into the hands of auto journos and other societal outcasts. Dan Reihl of The Fast Report tells about his recent encounter.
Chris Hafner at Car Lust praises the 70 Camaro as best looking Camaro ever. The 70 Firebird wasn't bad, either. As I recall, somebody (Car & Driver?) described their exterior styling as inspired by early 50s Ferrari and Maserati lines.
Know what "Equillibriance" means? Grant's Auto Rants explains it all and you need to read this if you happen to be upside down on a car loan.
Pontiac decides to call it the G8 ST. Jill McIntosh is not impressed.
On the other side of the globe, Paul Tan has some shots of the Honda Jazz on a transporter. Is that we get as the Fit?
How's the new Mazda6? Lori Hindman at Mother Proof says it's much improved, but ....
Did you hear about the Tampa Fraud-Boy? The Auto Prophet has all the details of a truly incredible story.
And speaking of amazing stories from our automotive past, Justin Berkowitz at The Truth About Cars reveals that a certain VW diesel was actually first produced in 1820. Yes, it's incredible but true, and you get an entertaining review of the new Jetta TDI to boot.
WHAT I'M DRIVING THIS WEEK: Audi R8
Well, not all week, just a couple of hours at the Audi Sports Car Experience at Summit Point Motorsports Park. SPMP's Shenandoah Circuit is mostly tight turns, with only one straight to speak of, but no matter - the R8 is gorgeously exotic close-up, is ridiculously easy to drive extraordinarily fast in relative safety, and is actually comfortable as a daily driver. As an old Formula Ford racer, I fell hopelessly in love after about three laps.
The mid-mounted 4.2 liter V-8 produces 420 horses, plus just the right kind of aural tones that come only from having two rows of four pistons pumping away at a 90 degree angle. With the Audi Quattro powertrain putting the muscle to all four corners, the R8 in third gear fairly leaped out of the Carousel Corner on the Shenandoah Circuit.
The cabin is roomy but snug, and the driver's seat would work just fine in concert with a five-point harness and a roll bar. The peddles are exactly where they should be and I even found myself un-distracted by the gated shifter, thanks to nicely weighted clutch and intuitive shift linkage.
Nits? Is it permitted for critics to have nits about this kind of vehicle? I would lose those cheesy LED lights adorning the headlamps. And from some angles the snout looks a bit over-done. But such thoughts instantly flee at the sound of that V-8 blipping on a downshift and the sublimely balanced feel of the chassis at turn-in. This thing is a joy for the serious driver.
autoboy16 says:
06:15 AM, 08/16/08
That was as close to a news broadcast as one can get! It was great! Escpecially the double nickel!
Just one question: Why so much space at eh bottom of the blog?
-Cj
Bob Holland says:
06:21 AM, 08/16/08
Hey Mark! I was at the Audi Summit Point event too, on Thursday around 1:00! Too bad I didn't know you were going, as we could have hooked up.
I saw a black R8 there taking some hot laps. Was that you at the wheel?
stovt001 says:
01:04 PM, 08/16/08
Absolutely brilliant selection of links this week.
The Auto Extremist article was dead on correct. The biggest problem facing Detroit today is truly the American hatred of American products.
Grant's auto rant should be required reading for any consumer. Since I got my car on a 6 year 0% loan, I'm a little upside down on it, but I'll be right side up again in just a few months, and I anticipate keeping it for roughly 4 years after that. Believe me, I'm counting down the days. 4 years of equity sounds mighty nice.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
01:24 PM, 08/16/08
Fine selection of links this week, thank you.
Triple Digit speeds on our current roads? Makes no sense unless 1) cars are better streamlined for efficient fuel use at 70+, 2) drivers are better trained, 3) Roads to be used for triple digits are thoroughly rebuilt/resurfaced (a pothole at 100+ would be ugly).
Peter / Auto Extremist makes a compelling statement this week.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
11:44 AM, 08/17/08
However, you didn't mention TTAC's link to Most ridiculous car ever made (A street-extreme Toyota Prius: nice exterior paint, but ridiculous doors (site says they are a pain to open) and cluttered interior imaginable).