Apparently this new varient of the miata MX-5 is slated to debut next month at the British auto show. while Euroblog is worried that the extra weight might impact Continue reading →

The fun folks who have brought us such great tools as gmail, google maps, google video & of course added the verb google to our culture are now going to join us in our cars!

That’s right, Google is set to launch dMarc, a service that will provide gps based, location specific advertising. Just like the web ads that know what city you are in, this can tell you what is coming up in the next block. Not only will it remind you to pick up a new suit, but it will direct you to a store in the next block. How cool is that?

Ok, so there isn’t a story to go with it or anything, but this program cover for the CanAm race at Bridgehampton, posted by Jalopnik, fits in well with some of the programs we’ve got here in The Garage archives.

This weekend VARAC will celebrate it’s 27th Vintage Festival at the historic track at Mosport and what a weekend it will be. This is also the 40th anniversary of the famed Trans Am series. Mosport is one of the original tracks the the Trans Am ran at and there is no better place to see these ground pounders race. In addition to the on track action, there is a huge car show in the infield. Don’t forget to walk around the paddock, where you can get up close and personal with some of the coolest racers in the world. If you’re really unlucky, you might even find me wandering the paddock on Saturday afternoon.

In the new model year, which begins on August 1, the Boxster and Boxster S will be given more power and torque. Both these mid-engined sports cars will then offer even better road performance and low fuel consumption. The optional Tiptronic S transmission and the Sport Chrono Package have been given additional functions.The 2.7-liter Boxster engine now develops an additional 5 bhp, bringing the total to 245 bhp (180 kW). Torque has increased to 273 Nm, available from 4,600 rpm. Fuel consumption is now 9.3 liters per 100 kilometers, a reduction of 0.3 l/100 km. The Boxster accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 258 km/h. With the optional six-speed gearbox, 260 km/h can be achieved. The Boxster S engine, which has been increased in size from 3.2 to 3.4 liters, develops 295 bhp (217 kW) at 6,250 rpm – 15 bhp more than its predecessor – and 340 Nm of torque. The Boxster S sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds – a tenth of a second quicker than the previous model. This open sports car’s top speed has gone up by 4 km/h to 272 km/h. Its average fuel consumption is 10.6 liters per 100 kilometers.

Both flat-six engines are now equipped with VarioCam Plus valve control, with variable valve timing (VarioCam) and changeover valve lift (Plus). Inlet camshaft timing is adjusted by a vane-type actuator with a range of 40 degrees. The valve lift changeover mechanism uses two-position bucket-type tappets on the inlet side, actuated by an electrohydraulic valve.

The bucket-type tappets consist of one tappet inside another; the two tappets can be locked together hydraulically by a pin. Thanks to this technical device, the Boxster and Boxster S engines have a characteristic that combines strong pulling power with high peak output at low fuel consumption.

The Boxster and Boxster S can be supplied with the revised Tiptronic S transmission, which has new hydraulics and electronics as well as variable shift programs. When combined with the Sport Chrono Package, the sporty characteristics of both these mid-engine roadsters can be experienced even more intensely: up- and downshifts are made only at engine speeds above 3000 rpm; downshifts for engine braking are subject to less delay and take place at higher engine speeds. In the manual-shift mode, up-shifts are not made automatically when the engine reaches its maximum rev limit.

On both Boxster models, access for servicing has been improved: the coolant and engine oil filler caps are now behind an easily accessible flap, so that better use can be made of the rear trunk. For the first time, the Boxster and Boxster S are available with the 19-inch turbo forged alloy two-tone wheels that were developed exclusively for the new 911 Turbo. For Boxster models they are offered as an option in sizes 8 J x 19 (front) and 9 ½ J x 19 (rear).

The basic price for the new Boxster is 37,700 euros. Including sales tax and country-specific requirements, it costs 43,935 euros in Germany. The Boxster S has a basic price of 45,600 euros. With sales tax and country-specific requirements added, this more powerful model costs 53,099 euros.

Source: Porsche Press release

Related: Cayman S road test

Aussie illustrator Andrew Georgiou has animated this Mini Cabrio with characters from Mr Gisby’s Totally Gay Pet Shop. If you are into gay humour, then check it out. Some of this stuff is funny as hell, The kids will love Dress Irving in Drag!

Don’t forget to head over to Tapscott Behind the Wheel to get the scoop on whats hot in the blogosphere this week.

It’s Father’s Day weekend and what better way to spend it, but in front of the TV watching the world’s premiere 24 hour race. Speed TV will be broadcasting 20 hours of the race, but there are other ways to keep up with the action. The official Le Mans site has up to the minute reports and pics, while Radio Le Mans offers live or by podcast.

Above, the Number 8 Audi is wheeled back to the garage this morning for a replacement differential after the sister car had problems in the warm up session.

Top Stories

Can Audi get the first Le Mans win for a diesel powered car?

Can the Corvette team (including Toronto boy Ron Fellows) hold off the fast, but so far unreliable Aston Martin.

Related

The greening of modern race cars

1965 Le Mans program

With offices in Cali and the Motor City, AutoPacific keeps tabs on the auto industry and consumer opinion. With this in mind, they have released their list of the Top Rated vehicles. This list indicates vehicles that are considered closest to their ideal package by owners. Manufacturers should pay attention to this list, as it showcases what buyers really think of their vehicles.

Top-rated 2006 Ideal Vehicle brand: Hyundai
Top-rated 2006 Ideal Product Segment: Large Car/Luxury Car

Top rated 2006 Ideal Vehicles by segment:

PASSENGER CARS:
Premium Luxury Car                           Lexus LS
Entry Luxury Car                             BMW 3-Series
Large Car/Luxury Car                         Mercury Montego
Premium Mid-Size Car                         Hyundai Sonata
Mid-Size Car                                 Mercury Milan
Image Compact Car                            Toyota Prius
Compact Car                                  Ford Focus
Sports Car                                   Porsche 911
Sporty Car                                   Acura RSX

SUT, SUV, and MINIVAN:
Sport Utility Truck                          Honda Ridgeline
Luxury Sport Utility                         BMW X-5
Large Sport Utility                          GMC Yukon
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility               Nissan Murano
Mid-Size Sport Utility                       Hyundai Santa Fe
Compact Sport Utility                        Subaru Forester
Minivan                                      Honda Odyssey

As a car crazy kid in the Seventies, I loved to read car stuff. I had (still have) the full collection of Black Tiger racing books from the Sixties. But the most fun memories are of riding in the backwards seat of the old Dodge Monaco wagon, reading about Krass & Bernie in the CARtoons comics. From the groovy bell bottoms to the wicked slicks and sidepipes, these guys rocked my world. Then, as time marched on, Mom threw them all out one day and I’ve never seen or heard of them since. Until yesterday, when I found Paul Makowski and his site dedicated to CARtoons and the other comics that the Petersen group put out. Well done Paul, your site brings back many memories.