RideLust

From the 1960′s until the early 1980′s there was one man who glorified the daredevil like no other. His name was Evel Knievel and the motorcycle stunts that he attempted were the stuff that legends are made of. His most famous stunt, the jump attempt at Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls, Idaho, fail miserably, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of most famous daredevil entertainers in history. Knievel past away back in 2007 and now it seems that someone is trying to cash in his fame by selling one of his old rides. The car in question is a 1974 Stutz Black Hawk, an automobile that in my opinion takes tackiness to the level.
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Smoke 'em if you've got 'em

Ford’s Shelby GT500 was voted the “vehicle I’d most like to have in my driveway” by attendees of the Chicago Auto Show. In a subcategory, it was also voted the “vehicle whose owners are most likely to have a tire dealer on speed dial”.

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2011 Ford Edge Sport

I was one of the few gear heads who took to the Ford Edge when it was released back in 2006. Ford may have called it a crossover, but to me it represented the evolution of an American classic – the station wagon. Got passengers and cargo to haul? No problem, throw ‘em in the wagon. Need to haul lumber and paint? Drop the seat, throw down a tarp and you’re good to go. Want to drive the US from coast to coast with three kids and a dog? Although I have no idea why any sane individual would want to do this, simply bolt the Turtle to the roof rack, load up the flock and you’re off on vacation.

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No longer content to be the butt of jokes about disposable cars, Kia unveiled the radical “Ray” concept at this week’s Chicago Auto Show. Designed as a “plug-in hybrid”, the Ray combines the green appeal of an electric car with the go-anywhere practicality of a gasoline hybrid. For trips of fifty miles or less, the Ray can rely solely on battery power. For longer trips, or in situations where both battery and gasoline power is required, the Ray’s 1.4 liter, 153 horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection motor takes over. The car’s low drag shape, coupled with low rolling resistance tires and hybrid power, help to create a fuel economy rating that tops 200 miles per gallon in electric mode and approaches 78 miles per gallon in hybrid mode.

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2010 Ford Transit Connect CNG

Having spent the bulk of my adult life living near NYC, I’ve got an affinity for NYC taxis and the misfits who drive them. Generally speaking, a proper NYC cab is a massive, American made rear-drive beast that handles like a garbage barge (and smells about the same). Taxi drivers, who come from every forgotten third-world country on the planet, exhibit uncanny car control skills and have not a single fear. I’ve driven race tracks at speed with FIA licensed drivers that did not demonstrate the ‘testicular fortitude’ of the average NYC cabbie.

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2009 Scion tC Release Series 5.0

For those that are fans of the Scion line, and for some reason I feel ashamed to admit that I am, customization is highly encouraged by the long list of available dealer and factory options.  As an example and further encouragement, Scion has packaged together many Toyota Racing Development (TRD) parts and offered it as the 2009 tC RS (Release Series) 5.0.

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Well, in an uncharacteristic attempt to be positive we will say this: at least the sleek exterior styling and reflective vest-colored paint job helps us momentarily forget it’s a Kia…

Officially unveiled in standard ICE form at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show back in February, the HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) variant of the 4-door Kia Forte received its big debut today with its inaugural appearance in Korea. Powered by the same hybrid propulsion system found beneath the hood of the Hyundai Elantra, the Kia Forte LPI Hybrid receives its propulsion from a 144-horsepower 1.6L liquefied petroleum injected (LPI) engine, a small 20-hp electric motor, and an advanced lithium-polymer battery pack. Mated to a continuously variable transmission, the Kia Forte LPI boasts a fuel-consumption average of around 41 mpg and, interestingly enough, appears to be edging in on the Chevy Volt’s territory. According to sources, the Forte LPI’s lithium battery pack is produced by LG Chem, the same company charged with supply the battery pack for the upcoming Chevy Volt. What’s more, when the new Kia Forte LPI hits the market in late summer, it was effectively become the first lithium-polymer powered vehicle in the world to reach mass production.

With both a plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicle also currently in development, Kia has hinted that the Forte LPI Hybrid is but a small part of what is ultimately intended to be an aggressive presence in the global hybrid car market. Details surrounding official launch European and North American dates are still fuzzy, however, with guesses ranging anywhere from 2010 to 2012. Although we personally care very little, we’ll keep you updated as more information is released. Read More…

Thanks to the GM-exclusive On Star safety system and an extensive list of segment-leading technology, the GMC Acadia crossover utility vehicle has taken home top honors in the field of pet/animal safety. Granted top federal and insurance industry scores for crashworthiness, pet safety advocates Bark Buckle UP recently awarded the Acadia top bragging rights withs its coveted Pet Safe Choice Award for 2009. “With so many pet owners traveling with their pets today, safety is key – not just for pets, but for humans who travel with them – to making a conscientious purchase,” said pet safety expert and Bark Buckle UP founder Christina Selter. “We believe the GMC Acadia has earned high marks in this area for its outstanding leadership in car design and function.”

Check out live video coverage of the awards ceremony after the jump Read More…

Both the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks broke cover at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show this week, returning to the segment this year with even more work-ready performance options. Once again equipped with Dodge’s famed heavy-duty engines, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 are optionally powered by either a 350 horsepower 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel or a 383 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Seeking to offer harried work crews the cushiest ride possible while still maintaining practicability, the 2010 Ram pickups come with a host of luxury options as well as a several-hundred pound increase in towing and payload capacity. For more information, check out the official press release and photo gallery after the jump. Read More…

Much to the delight of municipal workers and private contractors everywhere, the 2010 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck made its official debut today at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. Powered by an all-new 4.6L V8 engine, the 2010 Tundra achieves a significant improvement over previous generations and is now capable of putting out 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft. of torque, while still managing to earn a fuel-efficiency average of 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway. For serious workmen looking for a little more pickup in their pickup (sorry, we couldn’t resist), the 2010 Tundra also comes optionally equipped with a 381-horsepower 5.7L V8, featuring a maximum towing capacity of 10,800 lbs.

Bottom line: it’s still no F-150.

Full gallery and press release after the jump Read More…