When GM first announced their efforts of producing a hybrid system for their Troop Carrier class SUV’s the Chevy Tahoe and the GMC Yukon their estimates were for a modest 25 percent gain in fuel economy. After more testing it seems their modest estimates were too modest and that the real fuel savings has leapt to 50 percent. That would mean that this road behemoth would average around 21 mpg in the city; which is right there with the Camry. …Not so behemoth like.
The complete EPA rating for the Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid will be 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Those may not be the same average leaps found from other hybrid models, but when you consider the gasoline variant of those SUV’s gets 10 mpg in the city that is a colossal improvement.
If you are in need of a couple more reasons to look into the new Lexus IS-F I think we have a couple for you. The videos below are from a track day with 3 IS-F’s roaming the track and grinding some rubber into the road beneath them. It is just one demonstration of what the 5.0 liter V8 engine can do with its 400-hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque.
Looking at the Dodge car and truck line-up for 2007 and 2008 I am left with one burning question that begs for some discussion: Dodge! What have you done with the decades worth of research the world has put into aerodynamics? While some manufacturers build cars that are sweet enough they should probably be delivered to your door in a box, Dodge saw the box and said, “Let’s put some wheels on that thing and fill it with lots of horsepower!”
Now do not go thinking that I am anti-horsepower, because that would be a mistake. I love the horsepower and possess great reverence for the history of the Hemi engine. Dodge however seems to believe that with enough horsepower they can just muscle their way against the opposing forces. In a world where fuel mileage is as much a factor in buying a new car as horsepower is how does Dodge not recognize the effects all that drag has on the potential mileage of the car? Or are they just choosing to deny it?
As video game fans flocked to their local stores to score their copy of the new Halo 3 game for the XBOX 360 there will be one lucky(?) gamer about to win a new car. BestBuy has souped up a Pontiac G6 into a special Halo 3 GXP Street Edition coupe in tribute to one of the most financially successful games. To win the specially decal-ed G6 all you have to do is buy the Halo 3 video game and register as a contestant on this site on the release date of the game (September 25th).
From all the registrants there will be a drawing of 144 winners who will walk away with a substantial collection of Microsoft Points. From the 144 points winners one name will be drawn that will be the winner of the Halo 3 Pontiac G6 GXP Street Edition that is emblazoned with the Halo 3 graphics and interior package.
While the graphics may leave a lot to be desired for some there may be a few fans out there anxious to display their loyalty and devotion to the game. The interior received the Halo 3 treatment aswell with LCD screens in the headrests and an XBOX 360 mounted between the seats.
A suggestion for next time BestBuy wants to grab a cheap car and give it some Halo inspired alterations: go mini van. It may not be totally cool to cruise around in a mini van you can at least game in comfort and have installed larger LCD screens.
Last month we had written about a diguised Ferrari 599 that was spied perusing the streets. This time that same Ferrari test model, that is now rumored to be the next Dino, was caught turning laps on the Nurburbring. Ferrari has decided to remain mum on any talk of an entry-level Ferrari or a Dino model, but evidence is mounting.
The Ferrari Dino is expected to be running a V8 engine, possibly 4.0 liter, that is producing 400-hp. The production range is expected to be about 4000 cars annually. Early reports from previous spottings of what was being labeled the Ferrari 599 had it running much quieter than the current 599 and even quieter than the F430.
To get a visual taste for what all the fuss is about take a look at the video down below. And for more on Ferrari stay tuned for news from the January North American International Auto Show taking place in Detroit. Ferrari is scheduled to unveil their new 2+2 Convertible.
While many of us auto-philes with a penchant for gaming are awaiting our chance to run some laps on the track in a 2008 Nissan GT-R some real laps on the Nurburbring track are opening some eyes. It is being reported that the Nissan GT-R produced lap times that were a full 2-seconds faster than the current model Porsche 911 GT2. The Porsche GT2 has a recorded time of 7:32 on the same track, and the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera has a track time of 7:38. That would give the Nissan GT-R an official, hand-held timer, track time of 7:30.
Ofcourse track time is not everything, but when you factor the sales price listed for the compared cars to that track time you gain a whole different perspective. The Porsche 911Â GT2has a sales price of $191,700. The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera can be yours for $220,300. The Nissan GT-R will have 3 variations when it hits the streets late this year. The base model will be a 480-hp supercar selling for $57,000, the V-Spec model will be listed at $67,000 and the top of the line EVO-Spec with its 530-hp will be available for you to drive home at a mere $94,000.
Ofcourse to the basic car buyer the Nissan GT-R may be priced far out of range, but in the realm of supercar shoppers the price and performance available for under $100,000 makes for quite the bargain.
Twice during the year in Sea Isle City, the Promenade, with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as its background hosts an Antique Car Show. This show is held as the finale of the Skimmer Weekend, (always held in June), and the Fall Festival, (which is usually the second weekend after Labor Day). This year, RideLust was on hand to enjoy the atmosphere and grab some great shots of some great shots.
Antique car shows are great because you always learn something new about some older models as the owners of these gems talk about each precise detail along with the stories that go with each unique vehicle.
The 1974 AMC Javelin
This AMC Javelin was my favorite of the show. Black with attitude. I’d love to see a modern version of this sucker.
We have said it before and we will say it again, product placement in movies, video games and sports stadiums when done properly is pure marketing genius. Having your car in one of the greatest racing video game franchises ahead of its release is a good move to help build the hype for its unveiling. Yet Sony has done Nissan even better by placing the Nissan GT-R within the downloadable demo of the new Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. They also moved up the date of the demo’s release to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the Tokyo Auto Show.
On October 20th those eager fans that download the demo to Gran Turismo 5 for the Playstation 3 will be the first car fans to climb (digitally) behind the controls of the new Nissan GT-R. The car in the game will be the actual production model and should contain the proper performance figures for the car.
Sony has also moved up the release date of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue to December 13, 2007. It is not clear how much of that release date change is Nissan (unlikely) and how much of it is the makers of Gran Turismo 5 just being ready with the game ahead of schedule. Either way it is a nice Christmas bonus for the fans of the racing video game.
To get YOUR hands on the controls of a new Nissan GT-R ahead of its official release call up your buddy with the PS3 and request he download the demo on October 20th (expect a call, Todd).
Back in Augustwe had told you about the Shelby Supercar (SCC) Ultimate Aero TT and its goal of usurping the Bugatti Veyron’s unofficial claim as fastest production car in the world. On September 14th The Ultimate Aero TT under the astute eyes of the Guinness Book of World Records finally made its speed run on a closed section of Washington State Highway. The recorded time as averaged from the two passes turned out to be 255.83 mph. Thus beating the Bugatti Veyron’s recorded time by just under 3 mph.
In the end the ultimate challenge for the SCC crew was in finding a suitable location to make their run at the record. Being a small research and production company means that they do not have the large test tracks in their possession that many of the large auto makers have at their disposal.
When I first caught a glimpse of the Artega GT I was pleased with its graceful lines as it appears to be casual ripples of water in motion. But what really struck me was the debate within as to whether we really need another $100,ooo-plus sports car on the market? Are there not enough specialty sports cars fluttering between the $100k and $1million mark to satisfy the multitude of millionairs seeking a means to stand out? What makes the Artega GT any different from the others?
Some of the particulars are the Artega GT:
The car was designed by designer Henrik Fisker who is renowned as the mind behind the Austin Martin DB9. The Artega GT is powered by a rear engine 3.6 liter FSI V6 that produces 300-hp and has a zero-to-62 time of 5 seconds. It is a 2-passenger sports car with room for luggage both behind the seats and a bit beneath the hood up front.
