Archives for September 2009

The Lesson of Saturn: It’s the Cars, Stupid

September 30, 2009 by Tom Williams 1 Comment

1998 Saturn SL2-1

The Garage’s fearless leader Gary Grant broke the news earlier today that Saturn is on the fast-track to extinction after Roger Penske was unable to secure a manufacturer (most say Renault) Ã‚Â to provide cars for the brand once GM is done building Saturns themselves. Don’t blame Roger though. Saturn had great intentions-to build a small car that was on par or better than a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic or VW Jetta. And people got fired up about such a car-the public was fed a mentality that us Americans were finally gonna stick it to those foreigners and build a small car that would kick their asses.

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Lower Prices, New Model for 2010 Subaru Tribeca

September 30, 2009 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

2008Tribeca._LongLead2

Since its introduction as a 2006 model, the US-built Subaru Tribeca has already undergone two facelifts, and thankfully dropped the awkward B9 designation. Previously, buyers had the option of a five or seven passenger Tribeca, but for 2010, the three-row, seven seat configuration will be the only choice. Prices have dropped, and a new Touring model is now the top-dog Tribeca. All three models are mechanically identical: a 3.6L boxer six with 256hp coupled to a 5-speed automatic, and of course, all-wheel drive.

A breakdown of the models:

3.6R Premium includes 18″ alloys, power/heated front seats, dual-zone auto climate control, stability control for $30,495USD.

3.6R Limited adds Harmon Kardon audio, XM radio, Bluetooth and leather for $32,495USD.

3.6R Touring adds a monotone paint scheme, HID headlights, auto-dim rearview mirror with integrated back-up camera and power moonroof for $35,795USD.

Navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems are optional on the Limited and Touring models.

Penske Auto Group backs out of Saturn deal, brand begins to swirl down the bowl

September 30, 2009 by Gary Grant 5 Comments

This just in: Car brands swirl clockwise just like any other turd.

I vaguely recall reading somewhere last Spring that Saturn turned a profit exactly once during it’s existence. It was a surprise then (to me at least) that Biz Whiz Roger Penske had offered to buy the whole kit and kaboodle. The story was that he intended to keep building Saturns until he could find a suitable European brand to slide into the dealer network.

Perhaps there was no suitable brand. Perhaps Roger and his pals just came to their senses. Perhaps we’ll never know, but the long and short of it is that PAG has walked away from the bargaining table and the Saturn brand, along with the dealer network is going down the shitter. Soon.

GM press release after the break
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Best sounding race car ever: Ford GT40

September 30, 2009 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

The following may be a rather embarrassing moment for the driver of this GT40 or perhaps the beast has just been angered by the mistake. Either way, this is one angry sounding monster of internal combustion.

Captain Slow crashes a caravan…attached to a balloon!

September 30, 2009 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Think in your very best Monty Python voice while you read this quote from the Daily Mail:
“I was walking through the village and suddenly this giant airship appeared carrying a caravan, it was a very strange sight,” said Peter Clarke, 37, from Eltisley.

It goes further…
“I understand they were planning to land on the village cricket green in the middle of a match. All the cricketers were there dressed in their whites waiting for it to appear, but it started drifting off in the wrong direction.”

Apparently there was a race between Hammond in a Lambo and May in the contraption you see above. No word on the whereabouts of Clarkson during this wackiness.

Neither May nor any cricketers were harmed in this failed attempted landing.

Perhaps Captain Slow should henceforth be known as Cricket.

Source Daily Mail via Jalopnik

What is the best sounding race car of all time?

September 30, 2009 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

The Canadian Motor Sport History Group on Yahoo has a bit of a fun debate on the go at the moment which I thought we should spend some time with it here in The Garage: In your opinion, what is the best sounding race car of all time?

The discussion has been broken down into 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines to start with. Of course this rapidly changed with the acknowledgement of 10, 12 and 16 cylinder monsters.

So far, there are some pretty serious contenders.

4 bangers:
Lotus
Alfa
Cosworth Atlantic
VW Bug turbo drag car
On contributor feels that most 4’s sound like crap
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2010 Kia Forte

September 29, 2009 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

After being pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed the 2010 Kia Soul, we were anxious to see if the all new Forte would live up to our new found expectations of Kia. The company has a lot riding on this small sedan which is aimed squarely at the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Hopes are high at the Kia offices, as it seems that everyone absolutely loves the Forte almost as much as they love the Soul.

On first glance, the stylists have done a great job as the exterior is arguably equally attractive as the two main targets. Our tester was an SX model with sharp looking 17″ alloy wheels that made the Forte look quite rich set below the Radiant Red finish. Walking around the car, fit and finish is on a par with cars that cost many thousands more.

The SX model comes with a full load of goodies, both inside and out. The interior is a nice mix of quality, soft touch plastics in dark grey, while the attractive and well thought out dash has inserts that do a good job of mimicking brushed aluminum. All models receive an AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with AUX and USB inputs and voice activated Bluetooth capability. Note that I said all models! That system is augmented in the SX with 6 speakers in place of the standard 4 and Sirius satellite radio. Also included in the SX model are automatic climate control, steering wheel mounted cruise control, windshield wiper de-icers, leather wrapped seats and steering wheel, power sunroof and alloy sport pedals.
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More Safety for 2010 Nissan Versa

September 28, 2009 by Tom Williams Leave a Comment

2010Versa_101

Entering its fourth year in production, the Versa is Nissan’s entry-level car. All Versa’s get a new grill treatment and wheels for 2010. Most of the news involves the top-line 1.8SL model, starting with a low-cost available Navigation and XM Satellite radio package. New standard features on the SL this year include an iPod interface, Vehicle Dynamic Control, and Traction Control. Anti-lock brakes are now standard on the 1.8S, and continue to be standard on the 1.8SL. The Sport Package body kit is now standard on the 1.8SL hatchback, pictured after the jump.

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Classic Motorsports visits Jay Leno’s garage with Group 44 Triumph

September 28, 2009 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

Regular readers know that I have been a disciple of the Grassroots Motorsports crew for many, many years. You could call them the underdogs of the automotive publishing world. Real car guys who write about real projects and have fun hanging out with their readers. Pretty cool stuff. A few years back, GRM spawned a new mag called Classic Motorsports to which they applied their same laid back style to old cars and vintage racing.

The leader of all this action is Tim Suddard, who got his hands on the original Group 44 Triumph GT-6 a few years back. Not only is this a history laden, championship winning car but promised to make a great project car for Classic Motorsports. Restoration finished just days before the long haul from Florida to California for the Monterey Historics. Following a successful (ie – nothing broken, nothing bent) weekend on track, Tim had the chance to spend some time with non other than TV funny man Jay Leno. Also known as a laid back car guy who loves to talk toys, Leno shows some genuine interest in the historic racer and asks all the right questions.

Best of all, they’ve put it all on video to share with the interwebs. Video after the break.
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The making of G37 Art Car

September 28, 2009 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Any one of the graphic talents who have worked with me in The Garage will attest to the fact that I am more than a little bit graphically challenged. I can tell you if I like the way something looks, but don’t ask me to make a drawing of what I want to see. It just won’t happen. As a result, I am beyond envious of anyone with artistic visions and the talents to make those visions real. Check out the incredible Heidi Taillefer as she transforms an Infiniti G37 into a rolling work of art for Infiniti’s 20th anniversary.

Archives for September 2009

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