Month: December 2014

Audi’s Next-Gen Cockpit

Due in the new 2016 TT (MK4), Audi will have its next-gen digital driver centered display in its TT. The plan is to follow this up on the next R8. Although its an innovative design I believe gran-tourers or coupes should be less concerned with a highly equipped driver instrument panel. Having a simple center cluster for the driver should be priority while having extra instruments for the passenger to keep themselves busy.

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However this might also be the push from executives to engineers to be ready when Audi’s self-driving automobiles are released. Mercedes has 5 years until their S-class will reach this goal, so maybe Audi is trying to beat them to it. BMW is pushing so many changes that I can’t keep up.

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We are in a computer age and its much easier to access a 2016+ car via computer hardware, and its only going to get much easier for you…………..or someone else.

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North American Muscle Era: Move Over German Autos

American cars have really stepped up their products, and as some German auto companies fumble with new models and nomenclature of their line-ups it seems North American muscle cars are taking advantage and attracting consumers outside the states. I myself agree, I’ve never seen such amazing and “pretty” cars in all North American line-ups. There has also been an increase in earlier muscle cars value.

The first of all Autoshows is coming up quick this next year and it might just pull Detroit out of bankruptcy, well I’m not an economy guy soooo….. Anyways I’ll be there and I can’t wait to see Detroit and the car show!!

Here are my favorites (some are unreleased or upcoming):

1. Cadillac ATS and CTS V models

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2. Viper GTS 2015

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3. Corvette Stingray Z06

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4. Dodge Challenger Hellcat

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5. Ford Mustang (Shelby or GT)

The All-new Shelby GT350 Mustang

6. Camaro Z28

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7. Focus ST

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Rebirth and destruction: NSX

The Honda (Acura) NSX finally has a production model scheduled and showing on January 2015 at the North American Detroit Motor Show. Also in this release is an update for the “baby” Acura, the ILX, “replacement” of the RSX (Integra), which has been out-of-production for almost eight years. I seriously can’t believe how old I am now.

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Anyways the rebirth of the NSX was something we have been waiting for. The Japanese sports car era of the 90’s came to a sudden halt, mostly because of a move to create an efficient vehicle portfolio. Toyota was the forefront runner and really hasn’t released a sport coupe model for nearly 12 years; not considering the Scion brand . As for Honda, they kept dipping their toes with the NSX. Previously the NSX was to sport a V10, however that was scrapped and the V10’s were put in HSV racing cars. Honda however still had the S2000 till 2010, and the Si and Type-R civics were still hot commodities. Nissan was the only company to truly have a high-performance supercar, until the LFA triggered a stampede to other manufacturers.

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With the rebirth there is also destruction, and that’s with the last manual tranny in the Acura group. The ILX is the last to get its LED eyes to welcome the NSX and that goes with dropping the manual transmission to an 8-speed auto. This is due to sales and interest, which really doesn’t surprise me as Lexus did the same thing. The styling doesn’t really prompt a sporty feel as the RSX did, however it does have sharp lines. Honestly I’ve never been asked what transmission I would like when going to buy a car. Usually if the car has a manual the sales guy/gal will say, “now this only comes in a manual” or “this one has a manual, but we can try and find one without to match your needs.” Its never the opposite with current automatics.

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Its been too long for the NSX and although I would have hoped for a 6 or 7-speed manny on a V-10, seeing this innovative track car will be a day of reckoning for the GTR as well as BMW’s i8. The NSX should be turbo’d with a hybrid set-up. All-wheel drive as all Acuras are standard now wish the SH-AWD and it will be built in…….Ohio?!?

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Bugatti can’t leave their title alone.

Looks like a younger sibling is coming to overtake its brother.

Rumored by some blogs, Top Gear, Car and Driver…..etc. Bugatti is making a come back called the Chiron, and hopefully this one actually sounds better than the Veyron. The Lamborghini Aventador sounds light-years better than the Veyron and its 1/3 of the cost of a Bugatti Veyron.

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