Café Cars

If you cant Dodge it Ram it

The Smoking Tire — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:26:23 +0000

These days its so hard to just jump out the window in New York to try and kill yourself, as this poor sap found out the hard way. On September 1st, Thomas Magill, 22, feeling not so chipper, decided to call it quits and jump 400 ft to his death. Witnesses and residents of Tom’s [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Video: Art Morrison 1955 Chevy Bel Air – Is It Faster Than a Ferrari?

The Smoking Tire — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:26:23 +0000

The Smoking Tire hits Supercar Sunday and the canyons with the Art Morrison 1955 Bel Air, one of the best handling hot rods around. We toss this 55 year-old car through some of the tightest curves in California to find out if there really is such a thing as a Hot Rod for drivers. Add [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Jesse Jackson’s Gas Guzzling SUV stolen then stripped

loganr_176 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:02:00 +0000

First Detroit mayor Dave Bing's GMC Yukon was hijacked last week, then the Rev. Jesse Jackson's rented Cadillac SUV was stolen Monday, while he was in the Motor City to promote government-funded green jobs. Police found the vehicle stripped–windows busted and rims, nowhere to be found. Reportedly, the SUV was blinged out with rims that were worth over $1,000 each.
Jackson, who led a march along with United Auto Workers President Bob King, supposedly saw nothing wrong with renting a gas guzzling SUV while at the same time pushing for green jobs. "We were promoting a car…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Test riding the 2011 Harley-Davidson XL1200X Sportster Forty-Eight

kenbin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:11:00 +0000

I had never been on a Sportster before, so when I had the chance this afternoon I took it. And I promptly did something I've never done before: I scraped hard parts. The steering dynamics on this bike apparently are quite different from what I'm accustomed to, so on my first right turn it seemed like I needed to lean it way over to make the turn. I did, and the turn went smoothly, but there was this surprising sound and feeling down by my right foot. I was kind of amazed.
On my next right turn I figured I'd try not leaning it so far, and I ended up running wide, across the…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Even the Dutch are goin’ electric…

Fireball Tim — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:38:12 +0000

Ran into this lil’ red rocket as I pulled into a Home Depot. The Dutch dood said that it’s all electric and the only one in the states. I believe him because you’d have to be nuts to drive this tiny tyke where every other car is a mammoth SUV. Red is for road kill.

He didn’t know how long a charge would last, ’cause he plugs it in when he gets home. But he did say that it was fun to drive and get the attention. Kudos to the guts…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Matt Tries to Hook Up With a Supermodel, Fails Miserably

The Smoking Tire — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:18:45 +0000

Despite being fat, bald, and fuzzy, I’m actually pretty good at talking to girls. I have no shame, which helps. A warning: This story has nothing at all to do with cars. If all you care about is reading car news on this site, check out some other posts, but if you want some insight [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Um, that’s a big weiner…

Fireball Tim — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:45:33 +0000

Ok, don’t get all huffy. I didn’t mean anything other than what this shows. I mean, REALLY! What do you take me for?

Yes, this is the official Oscar Meyer Weinermobile. In all it’s long glory. I walked my buns around it taking shots after it thrust up to my favorite spot in Venice, The Rose. Visions of ketchup and mustard filled my noggen, remembering the original weiner as it perused the streets of LA when I was a punk. And I was.

But this one is a hole ‘nuther package. It’s all hi-tech, comfy and supercharged with extra relish. Even has captain’s chairs.

I’m diggin’ on the license plate, too. HI-O WEINER! AWAY!!!

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Video: Tanner Foust Slaughters The Competition at New Jersey Rallycross

The Smoking Tire — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:00:36 +0000

By now, we all know that Tanner Foust has some skills behind the wheel. From drifting public roads to winning two gold medals at X-Games Rally and Super Rally, Tanner is the kind of driver we like to get behind, and a damn good friend to The Smoking Tire. Tanner has been competing in the [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Hollywood Movie Cars Galore at Fireball Tim’s “Redster” Premiere – Mega Photo Gallery

The Smoking Tire — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:20:10 +0000

“Fireball” Tim Lawrence has built some of the most iconic movie cars of all time, from Ghostbusters’ “Ecto 1″ (pictured above) to the original Kitt. Now he’s teamed up with Autotrader Classics to build a new car for this year’s SEMA show, and he invited us over to his Hollywood Fantasy warehouse to check it [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Fiat Launches Japan-Only 500 Arancia Special Edition

John @ Carscoop — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:03:00 +0000

Even dedicated fans of Fiat’s 500 mini will have a hard time tracking down all the special edition models released by the Italian company over the years, but for those that continue to care, here’s one more limited production version of the car, this time made exclusively for Japan.

It’s named the 500 Arancia, which is Italian for orange, and…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

2011 Dodge Durango Revealed – Surprise! It’s Not Heinous….

The Smoking Tire — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:02:20 +0000

Chrysler has revealed images and information about the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, and while this site doesn’t normally write about new SUV launches, it’s worth mentioning for one reason: It’s not heinous. Now in version 3.0, the Dodge Durango has an uphill battle to fight. The first generation SUV was an attractive, though shoddily built [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Reviewed: 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS

The Smoking Tire — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:35:07 +0000

When you hear the name Buick, what comes to mind? If you get a senior’s discount you’ll sit back on your hemorrhoid cushion and say, “Ah yes, fine automobiles. All the luxury of a Cadillac without drawing attention from the IRS.” If you’re reading this while living in a house that’s worth 50% of what [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Holden to test Brazilian market with limited edition Chevrolet Omega Fittipaldi

John @ Carscoop — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:17:00 +0000

Oh, would you look at that? GM will indeed be making some of its left-hand drive Holden conversion money back after all! Unfortunately, it’s not doing anything other than cop cars in the States, just yet. Brazil, on the other hand, will be getting its own Holden Commodore Series II wearing the Omega nameplate. This move marks the return of Holden…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

The Smoking Tire Featured on G4′s Attack of the Show!

The Smoking Tire — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:56:29 +0000

Tonight, I appeared on G4 TV’s Attack of the Show, which, if you haven’t heard of it, is essentially a show about cool tech gadgets, video games, and the best of the web. I spoke about the Camaro SS, Ferrari 458 Italia, some of our experiences on Bullrun including the ticket tally, and spill some [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Toyota to Emphasize Its Leadership in Hybrid Technology at Paris Auto Show

Green Car Advisor — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:26:27 +0000

Toyota announced today that it will make its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology the focus of its stand at the Paris Auto Show late next month, reflecting the recent launch of the British-built Auris HSD and European Prius sales passing the 200,000 mark.

The modularity of HSD makes it readily adaptable to make use of different power sources. This is reflected in Prius Plug-in Hybrid, 200 of which are now on the road around the world in selective lease programs, paving the way for being marketed globally in 2012.

Toyota's presentation at Paris will include the Hybrid Synergy Drive Gallery, an interactive exhibition that charts the company's drive towards sustainable mobility through its development of HSD for use in plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

The future expansion of HSD technology into other market segments will be represented by the FT-CH Concept (pictured), which will make its European debut at the show and is Toyota's first proposal for a full hybrid for the small compact car segment.

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon UPDATE

The Smoking Tire — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:44:43 +0000

If someone tries to sound smart by telling you that the $240,000 $185,000 ** Aston Martin V12 Vantage takes .9 seconds longer to hit 60 than a Ferrari 458 for the same price, or .8 seconds longer than a Porsche GT2 for $20,000 less, punch them in the face right then and there, because they [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Nissan releases Leaf lease rates, residuals so you can calculate your own offer

Eric Loveday — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:02:00 +0000

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

When Nissan rolled out pricing for its Leaf electric vehicle (EV), the lucrative lease rate of $349 a month for 36 months popped out as a rather good offer. Of course, Nissan arrived at those numbers by including a $1,999 down payment, and that number excludes fees charged for tax, title and license. While the deal sounds good, some of us may want to put more money down on the Leaf, lease it for a shorter or longer term, or try to wing one of those zero-down leases. Luckily, Nissan is willing to stray from the $349 a month / 36 month lease option and is open to offering the Leaf on terms that suit your desires.

Nissan has finally revealed the Leaf’s residual values, money factors, acquisition fees and all of that other stuff that allows one to calculate individual lease rates. By using any one of the many online lease calculators, you can now punch in the numbers and arrive at a rate that hopefully suits your budget. For example, if you lease the uplevel SL model for 48 months with a down payment of $5,000 and factor in the $7,500 federal incentive, you’d spend around $295 (or less) a month to lease the Leaf. But that’s merely one example. Hit the jump to find the numbers you’ll need to calculate a personalized lease rate and don’t forget to add in any of the Leaf’s options that you desire.

[Source: My Nissan Leaf]

Continue reading Nissan releases Leaf lease rates, residuals so you can calculate your own offer

Nissan releases Leaf lease rates, residuals so you can calculate your own offer originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon

The Smoking Tire — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:41:29 +0000

If someone tries to sound smart by telling you that the $240,000 Aston Martin V12 Vantage takes .9 seconds longer to hit 60 than a Ferrari 458 for the same price, or .8 seconds longer than a Porsche GT2 for $20,000 less, punch them in the face right then and there, because they just don’t [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Backstage Pass to the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio

The Smoking Tire — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:50:26 +0000

The American LeMans Series is probably the closest we can get to European-style LeMans competition here in the states. As such, we like it very, very much. The prototypes are cool and all, but our favorite is the GT2 class, where we can watch Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, and Aston Martin duke it out on the [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Ford GT40 Roadster

Concept Carz — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:02:41 +0000

This Ford GT40 Roadster (GT108) was the first of the open cars completed in March of 1965. It was first delivered to Carroll Shelby shops and tested at Silverstone by John Whitmore and Dickie Atwood, and by Ken Miles at Riverside that year. The car was the official factory test bed for the ZF transaxle, and resulted in all GT40s using the ZF from then on.

From 1965 to 1992 the car was owned by George Sawyer, John Robertson and Tom Congleton. The car was restored for both Congleton and Robertson and successfully vintage raced through the 1980s and 90s. It is the only intact example that still carries the correct 1965-style nose, and the low tail section unique to roadsters. This car is also the only roadster , or ‘Spyder’, to remain in as-built condition.

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

We Find a Possum in TST Headquarters

The Smoking Tire — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:08:03 +0000

I’ll admit it: this has absolutely nothing to do with cars. I don’t know how, but for about 5 days, an Opossum was living in my house, underneath the furniture. Tom and I found and captured it. Here’s the video.

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Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

A week in the 2010 Mazda CX-9: Introduction

ifcar.net — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:35:00 +0000

After a recent test drive, this reviewer was quite impressed with Mazda's new subcompact hatchback. The 2011 Mazda2 adds a measure of sportiness not often found in the tiniest, cheapest cars.
Nor do seven-passenger SUVs have a reputation for agile handling, but Mazda's familiar "Zoom-Zoom" slogan is proudly displayed on the license plate frame of the company's largest and priciest vehicle: the CX-9.
A 200-inch-long, 4,500-pound, $39,000 CX-9 Grand Touring is spending a week with the Autos Examiner to answer the question of whether Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom&quot…

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Racing Rapide Appear in Los Angeles

The Smoking Tire — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:22:47 +0000

One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles is that, in the weeks following Pebble Beach weekend, many of the cars make their way south, where their respective showrooms throw parties and invite really cool/rich/beautiful people to come admire them. Obviously, I wasn’t invited, so I went to Galpin Auto Sports anyway, wearing [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Video: The Woodward Dream Cruise and the Firebreather

The Smoking Tire — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:22:45 +0000

The Woodward Dream Cruise, now in its 16th year, is the largest single-day car show in the US. Literally millions of people, and tens of thousands of cars gather on Woodward Avenue and cruise up and down the 8 mile stretch of road for hours upon hours. Spectators can pick a spot along Woodward and [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

AutoblogGreen Q&A with Transonic Combustion: can supercritical fluids give a 30% mpg boost?

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, AutoblogGreen Q & A, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

Given that the traditional four-stroke Otto-cycle engine piston engine only has a thermal efficiency of 25-30 percent, there is clearly still plenty of room for improvement. While most of the green automobile attention in recent years has been focused on electrification, liquid fuels still have about 100 times the energy density of today’s best lithium-ion batteries, a difference that probably won’t change significantly any time in the near future.

With that in mind, there is still plenty of effort being expended on improving the humble internal combustion engine. These efforts range from completely different architectures like EcoMotors’ opposed piston opposed cylinder (OPOC) to new combustion processes such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI). One of the more interesting combustion-related developments comes from a California-based startup known as Transonic Combustion. In 2007, the company was claiming it could get an ICE vehicle to 100 miles per gallon. A lot has happened since then, and we finally have a better idea what the company’s technology is. We sat down with CEO Brian Ahlborn to learn more about what the company is working on, and you can read all about it after the jump.

Gallery: Transonic Combustion

Continue reading AutoblogGreen Q&A with Transonic Combustion: can supercritical fluids give a 30% mpg boost?

AutoblogGreen Q&A with Transonic Combustion: can supercritical fluids give a 30% mpg boost? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Our Kind of Hybrid: Lexus Powered Hot-Rod

The Smoking Tire — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:48:51 +0000

I don’t know what it is, but most ‘32 Ford’s just bore me to tears. They are all essentially the same, built off the same combination of Billet grilles, reproduction bodies, and mag wheels, with Chevy 350 power. It’s rare that I see one that really makes me stop and peek around for more than [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Lifted F-250 Shows Us What’s Wrong With America

The Smoking Tire — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:33:39 +0000

Most people I know, including about 99.9% of the females I’ve been in cars with, hate lifted Super-Duty trucks. And this photo shows us exactly why. The general attitude towards these trucks are that they simply take up a ton of space on the road, and for no particular reason. They are annoying to tow [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Remy and MotoCzysz to Bring Advance Electric Drive System to Automobile Market

Green Car Advisor — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:59:11 +0000

Remy Electric Motors and design and engineering firm MotoCzysz have to work together bring a revolutionary, new generation electric drive system to market.

———-
Right, Remy International's HVH motor.
———-

The announcement comes less than two months after Remy International Inc., the largest U.S.-based supplier of electric motors for hybrid cars and Remy Electric Motors' parent, said it will work with Enova Systems on developing an electric-motor control system.

The unique drive system announced today leverages Remy Motors' patented High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology and patent-pending cooling and integration technology from MotoCzysz, the companies said in a joint statement today.

"The resulting breakthrough is a complete electric-drive system optimized to elicit and manage the full performance benefit of the powerful Remy motor," they said.

The companies said the new integrated D1g1tal Dr1ve is the first of its kind of a new classification of complete electric-drive solutions. They hope its compact size, originating from motorcycle racing, will provide a remarkable efficiency advantage to automobile and other vehicle manufacturers.

The system was originally designed to fit a motorcycle frame. When applied to automobiles, this weight and size advantage, coupled with disproportionately high performance, "will leapfrog other systems and provide OEMs, integrators and converters unheard of efficiencies," the companies said.

In typical electric vehicles, various components from a variety of vendors are assembled and then connected together via wires. The D1g1tal Dr1ve system optimizes and matches all high-voltage components in a single housing. The highly integrated system is packaged as a "super axle" located between the two drive wheels, delivering torque with claimed unprecedented efficiency and compactness.

The first D1g1tal Dr1ve utilizing a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet motor will create class-leading 250 pound-feet of torque at 93 percent efficiency, measured at the rotor, the companies said. Future models will extend the D1g1tal Dr1ve range to include an even more powerful drive as well as a smaller, more compact option.

Remy and MotoCzysz will make the game-changing D1g1tal Dr1ve unit available in the second quarter of 2011, the companies said.

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Bizarre Roadside Sightings: Vision SZR

The Smoking Tire — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:14:59 +0000

It’s sad to say but after living in LA for more than a year, my brain has become a little jaded. AMGs are so common I’m shocked if I see a “regular” Benz, trucks are less common than 997 Turbos and Bentley Continentals are basically expensive cockroaches.
However this car had me jump out in traffic [...]

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Bizarre Road Sightings: Vision SZR

The Smoking Tire — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:34:03 +0000

Café Cars - Small talk about Glamorous Transportation and Going Green

Café Cars

If you cant Dodge it Ram it

Video: Art Morrison 1955 Chevy Bel Air – Is It Faster Than a Ferrari?

Jesse Jackson’s Gas Guzzling SUV stolen then stripped

Test riding the 2011 Harley-Davidson XL1200X Sportster Forty-Eight

Even the Dutch are goin’ electric…

Matt Tries to Hook Up With a Supermodel, Fails Miserably

Um, that’s a big weiner…

Video: Tanner Foust Slaughters The Competition at New Jersey Rallycross

Hollywood Movie Cars Galore at Fireball Tim’s “Redster” Premiere – Mega Photo Gallery

Fiat Launches Japan-Only 500 Arancia Special Edition

2011 Dodge Durango Revealed – Surprise! It’s Not Heinous….

Reviewed: 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS

Holden to test Brazilian market with limited edition Chevrolet Omega Fittipaldi

The Smoking Tire Featured on G4′s Attack of the Show!

Toyota to Emphasize Its Leadership in Hybrid Technology at Paris Auto Show

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon **UPDATE**

Nissan releases Leaf lease rates, residuals so you can calculate your own offer

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon

Backstage Pass to the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio

Ford GT40 Roadster

We Find a Possum in TST Headquarters

A week in the 2010 Mazda CX-9: Introduction

Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Racing Rapide Appear in Los Angeles

Video: The Woodward Dream Cruise and the Firebreather

AutoblogGreen Q&A with Transonic Combustion: can supercritical fluids give a 30% mpg boost?

Our Kind of Hybrid: Lexus Powered Hot-Rod

Lifted F-250 Shows Us What’s Wrong With America

Remy and MotoCzysz to Bring Advance Electric Drive System to Automobile Market

Bizarre Roadside Sightings: Vision SZR

Bizarre Road Sightings: Vision SZR

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon UPDATE