First Drive (EVER!!): Porsche 911

I've waited years for this moment to come. For as long as I can remember, the iconic and unforgettable Porsche 911. The specimen is the regular 3.6L 320 horsepower coupe with a 6-speed manual transmission. Although nearly 10 years old, the black beauty with orange leather was nearly flawless.

I sat low in the body-hugging sport seats, much lower than I had anticipated. With the ignition being on the left side of the steering wheel, I incorrectly turned the key to the left. Nothing happened. Akwardly, I pulled it back to the right, and vrrm came the thrum of the 3.6L. The exhaust gurgled pleasantly.

The clutch was a little more firm than I had imagined it would be, but the gears were not clunky or stiff. Everything came together nicely and fit perfectly into place. Pulling out of the parking lot, I gave the car half throttle. With the moon roof open, tones of pure exhaust ecstasy met my ears. It was hard not to smile.

The 911 felt extremely planted to the ground on each turn. It didn't creak or squirm or shake at all! Just smooth, buttoned-down cornering. Finally I reached the freeway and rode the gears all the way to redline. The tires chirped going into second and third, despite most of the weight being in the rear end and torque not surpassing 275 lb/ft.

No one really noticed me as I merged into traffic and cruised, smiling, for miles. A black Porsche that's nearly 10 years old doesn't really turn heads. And that was fine with me. I didn't have much seat time in the car of my dreams, but every second surpassed my every expectation. I have no doubt that Porsche has the best recipe for a sports car.




Thanks for reading.-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

A what? Is that a sushi roll, or some type of traditional Japanese dress?

After a brief online search, it appears that Kizashi has no meaning. Anyway, let's move on to what the Kizashi really is.

This is the car that will save Suzuki in America. Suzuki elsewhere (like Japan) is a highly profitable company with an array of small cars and other eccentric modes of transportation. Worldwide they are known for their motorcycles. In America? Most folks will have no idea they even sell cars in the US. However, take the badges off of this new Kizashi in, say Georgia, and it's likely you'll get an "Infiniti" or "Lexus" response. With that alone you'd think Suzuki had nailed it. But not quite.

The Kizashi is a great car. It doesn't have a V6 option, and the optional CVT automatic transmission is sluggish. The top of the line 185 horsepower 2.4L isn't necessarily quick or extremely fuel efficient either. Still, this Camry-sized contender is one of my favorite cars on our car lot right now. The interior is excellent with the optional leather seats and Rockford Fosgate sound system. The keyless ignition, being the gimmick it is, creates the illusion that this really might be a luxury car. Plus, it's one of the few cars in its class that offers an all wheel drive powertrain, making it perfect for snow-combating northerners.

There's no doubt that Suzuki came a long way creating this car. It's beautiful to look at. The wheels, the flared arches, and even the tail lights are pleasantly shaped and perfectly proportioned. So why isn't the Kizashi taking off like a rocket? It's affordably priced, and well-equipped, and gorgeous. The 7 year 100,000 mile warranty isn't bad, either. In a word, it's Suzuki's fault; not the Kizashi's. I have seen little to no advertising of the Kizashi anywhere. The name might not be a great choice, either. Even "Suzuki Kamikazi" might have sounded better. Petty things aside, I think the Kizashi has what Suzuki needs to make their US market successful, in the same way that silver bullets are exactly what a vampire hunter needs. Unfortunately, that vampire hunter left his gun at home.
Thanks for reading.-Biggs

Test Drive: 2011 Mustang GT 5.0

Well, it's been nearly a year since my last post. I would apologize, but my audience has always been non-existent. So that's that.

The other day I swung by a Ford dealer on my way home from work to cash in on a free gift card incentive they had going. It was late, and the lot was dead. A couple of salesmen lurked outside in the shadows, and one approached me as I neared the entrance. I told him why I was there, and he graciously retrieved my free gift card. Through our simple conversation, I realized the kid was new, and a little quirky. I decided to try my luck and asked to drive a 5.0 Mustang with the six speed manual tranny. He was bored, and not yet corrupted to salesman status, and seemed excited by my request.


We found the car at the end of the lot, the last of the manual herd. My sales guy stalled the car half a dozen times before I forced him into the passenger seat. The car was comfortable, and the interior lighting was cool and techy, like visit inside TRON's grid. The clutch was light and soft, but a good amount of gas was needed to prod the 412 horses forward.

I took it nice and easy through the loop at first, enjoying the slight gurgle coming from the twin tail pipes. With giddy anticipation, I then gave the car about half throttle through first and second. A playful trot. The Mustang urged me to let it loose, to open the gates and let it gallop out to the open pasture. I gleefully obliged.

From a standstill, and with a perfect launch, the 'Stang gets up to 60 miles per hour in about 4.5 seconds. By comparison, a Corvette does about the same time, and costs $48,950 base compared to the $29,645 for the Mustang GT, yet the Corvette has always been known as the "best bang for the buck." A reputation that I doubt the Vette will continue to uphold.

I can't describe the awesomeness of the Mustang's acceleration. It's a feeling that must be experienced, and cannot possibly be told. To drive such an iconic American muscle car is an absolute thrill, and something that should be on every American's bucket list.

Thanks for reading.-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: Hot Hatch Heaven

Volkswagen single handedly defined the "hot hatch" segment, but others were quick to discover that hatchbacks are steadily growing in favor among Americans. While commonplace in Europe, Asia, and South America, they've been a sign of weakness in the states.

But not these four. Motortrend recently picked up four of the segment's best contenders. All of them are turbocharged, and none of them resemble anything weak.Among those chosen are the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Subaru Impreza WRX, Volkswagen GTI, and Mazdaspeed3. The goal? To find the most versatile and fun hatchback for the money.

At 275 horsepower and 263 horsepower, the WRX and the Mazdaspeed3 respectively are the brutes of the group. The Speed3 sends all power to the front wheels, and is often criticised for it's "torque steer." The Impreza, along with the Lancer Ralliart (237 hp), send their ponies to all four wheels, providing better grip and handling.

The Volkswagen GTI was rated at the bottom of the pack in terms of horsepower. At a mere 200 horses, the GTI appeared to be out of place in this competition, yet unanimously won the favor of the judges. While not the quickest, it provided the best balance, versatility, drivability, and overall fun factor. And with all the standard features and comforts, it felt more like an Audi than a Volkswagen.

Having driven models of each of these cars (actually the STI and EVO versions of the Suby and Mitsu), I can tell you personally which one is my favorite. The GTI is the easiest and, yes, the most fun to drive. It easily makes up for it's lack of power with build quality, handling, and bang for the buck.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Burnin' Rubber: Porsche Going Green

That's right folks, Porsche is coming out with their own version of the Prius. It's got three electric motors mated to a 3.4 liter V8, good for a combined 700 horsepower.

Okay, okay...so it's not like your mom's Prius, but it's still green, right?

I've written a couple of posts previously, one about a 911 GT3 hybrid and, more recently, a Ferrari 599 hybrid. This big bad Porsche is called the Spyder 918 Concept, and is set to take over the Carrera GT supercar from 2004.

With 700 horsepower, the Porsche Spyder 918 can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and tops out around 200 mph. Engineers say the car could hit a higher top speed, but it would require more downforce, which means more drag. As it stands, the concept has a drag coefficient of .34, which is considerably better than the Carrera GT at .39.At any rate, the future is clear. More and more car manufacturers are developing hybrid powertrains for their vehicles, and it's no longer restricted to commuter cars and mid-size SUV's either. The electric motors in this Porsche provide over 200 horsepower, meaning they more than make up for the weight they add.

Keep an eye on future developments. This is merely what was revealed at the Geneva Auto Show. More to come soon.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Burnin' Rubber: Ferrari Going Green?

Mean and Green, that is.

No, it has no connection to the Prius. Not all hybrids are boring, uninspiring modes of point A to point B transportation. In a previous post, I mentioned how Porsche has created one of the first hybrid race cars, allowing energy to be conserved through braking, and using that energy for temporary boosts in power.

Ferrari has done roughly the same thing. No specifications are out yet for this Ferrari 599 Hybrid, but I'm sure we'll learn more about it quite soon.



I find it upsetting to see people bashing these hybrid sports cars, saying they're just promoting tree-hugging fashions and destroying everything a "real enthusiast" loves in a car.

I'd have to say that only the opposite is true. Ferrari and Porsche are two of the biggest names in the racing world. I'd like to think they know a thing or two about racing. If they say that hybrid systems are the way of the future, who am I to dispute that? Who is going to argue against better performance AND efficiency? Hmm...lemme think...NO ONE! By the way, and if you're anti-hybrid, listen up....hybrid doesn't equal "Prius." Hybrid is defined as two different objects coming together to perform the same function, such as the gasoline engine and an electric motor(s) working in conjunction to propel the car forward. They don't work against each other, they add their strength! It makes it FASTER, not slower. Get it through your heads! Embrace the future of the machines we love.

The funny part is that people 50 years from now will laugh at our primitive combustion-only mode of thinking. Technology evolves and propels humanity forward, never does it slow us down.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Short Throw Shifter: Hummer Extinction

No, the Hummer Extinction is not a new model or concept vehicle. Hummer is officially dead, and many, including myself, hope that it stays that way.

The only true Hummer is and forever will be the original, military spec Hummer (Humvee). Everything that followed, the H2, H3, etc, was an overpriced and underperforming hunk of plastic junk, with horrendous gas mileage and small cabins despite their behemoth exteriors.

The original Hummer was a pure, offroad brute. It had a wide track and exceptional capabilities. The newer generations, however, were barely even roadworthy, much less offroad worthy (see image below).In a nutshell, GM (aka Government Motors) failed to seal the deal with a Chinese company for the transfer of the Hummer Brand. GM is now conducting an "orderly wind-down" of the brand. The only people I feel sorry for in all of this are the Hummer employees.

Good riddance Hummer.
-Biggs

Burnin' Rubber: Citroen Limited Edition DS3

Yet another hot hatch that likely won't ever come to US soil.

Citroen, a French company for those of you who aren't car-literate, is one of the top runners in the World Rally Championships with their light and nimble cars. As a special treat, Citroen is unleashing a special edition DS3, a fast and sporty turbocharged hatchback.With 200 horsepower and 203 lb/ft of torque, the specs are right on par with the Volkswagen GTI, which is the top car in the sport compact class. In addition to the power, Citroen has gone to great lengths to make this car perform better in every way. Bigger brakes, better springs, a wider stance, and stiffer suspension included.

The special edition car, to my knowledge, comes in gray with eccentric orange accents. I think it looks great, and even though it's French, I really like this car. Maybe I should finally move to Europe.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: The Infamous Nissan Patrol

Okay, so maybe it's not terribly well-known here in the states. I'll admit I hadn't heard of it before. But apparently the Patrol is one of the world's best 4x4 SUV's, competing in other markets against the Toyota Landcruiser for supremecy.

The Nissan Patrol is finally heading to the biggest SUV market in the world...as one of the biggest SUV's out there. It dwarfs anything in it's class, and with 400 horsepower and 413 lb/ft of torque, it outpowers (and should outperform) them all too. Only, the Patrol isn't coming here as a Nissan. It will be an Infiniti, more accurately, the QX56.
Unlike Nissan and Infiniti's current SUV/truck lineup, the QX56 has it's very own chassis, and it's manufactured in Japan, on the same line as the world famous Patrol. Prepare to see these gas-guzzling giants patrolling a street near you sometime this summer.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: 2011 Ford Fiesta

As of yesterday, Ford is taking deposits for their highly anticipated Fiesta. The car, which has been sold in other world markets for some time now, is finally coming home.The Ford Fiesta is set to compete, if not decimate, the eco-hatch segment. With contenders like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Chevy Aveo, the Ford Fiesta offers much more bang for your buck, and sets the bar even higher when it comes to fuel efficiency. Ford claims 40 mpg on the highway, better than anything in it's class. It doesn't look bad either, like the wimpy Aveo and boring Yaris.

Ford is really doing things right these days. Expect to see the Ford Fiesta in showrooms this summer, with a starting price of $13,995, and more standard features than you've ever seen at this price point.

Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen hearkened to the people, and created another people wagon: the new 2011 Touareg. This model is thinner, thanks in part to the popular Subway diet and eating right for it's blood type. Over 400 pounds have been shed from the beast, despite it gaining length and remaining just as wide.Through it's veins and pumps runs, primarily and most popularly, diesel fuel. However, Volkswagen has seen fit to offer a gasoline hybrid model, and it appears that a solely gasoline powertrain won't even be offered. A good thing, especially when looking at the fuel economy stats of previous models. The diesels have faired better in the past, but their exclusivity made it tough for the masses to accept the brute ute.

With the hybrid craze at full blast in the United States, Volkswagen's decision to include a hybrid model is clearly a wise one. The Porsche Cayenne will share the same hybrid powertrain as the Touareg. While the mpg numbers haven't yet been released, Volkswagen assures us they will be better than ever, since the principal focus for this go around has been reduced weight and better fuel economy.
As far as styling, the Touareg looks great, following the new grill scheme introduced with the Mark VI Golf/GTI. Overall, the SUV looks and sounds impressive, but complaints regarding the lack of a 3rd row are so far unanswered, as the design showcases the same 5 person seating capacity.

Check back for more information as it pours forth from the source.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Burnin' Rubber: The First Porsche Hybrid

You read right. Porsche now has a hybrid sports car. You're not going to see 50 mpg like the Prius, but what you will see is innovative technology, more power, and the first of the hybrid supercars.

Porsche is introducing the 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the Geneva motor show. The car is a track car, an all wheel drive hybrid beast with a massive rear spoiler. However, instead of using a traditional battery to store the electric power, Porsche has an integrated flywheel generator, capable of spinning up to 40,000 RPM during deceleration, which will power the electric motors attached to the front wheels. The design is such that the electric motors provide up to 8 seconds of an additional 160 horsepower to help the GT3 power through corners.
This car is amazing, and in the end, it will get better fuel economy around the track. Better fuel economy means fewer pit stops, which of course means better times. Once again Porsche is paving the way.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Wait a second, just hear me out. You might be questioning a review on a Hyundai, much less the unattractive and porky SUV known as the Tucson. But you're only thinking that because you haven't seen the new model, and boy will you be surprised.

Completely redesigned for 2010, the new Tucson ditches rugged to hook up with style. And since it's designed by Germans, it better be stylish!

Not only does it leap and bound beyond it's older self in terms of looks, but everything is better. It's base 4 cylinder engine puts out more horsepower than the previous top-of-the-line V6, at 178 hp. It's fuel economy trumps the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevy Equinox, three brands known for their great fuel economy in recent history. When mated with the all-new 6 speed transmission, the Tucson acheives 23/31 city/highway mileage.

The Hyundai Tucson is faster, lighter, and more fuel efficient than anything in its class....and did I mention it's the best value? Load one up for less than $23,000, slap on that standard 100,000 mile warranty, and you've got the best deal on wheels since the original Volkswagen Beetle.

You can bet your bottom that the new Tucson is high on my list for my first SUV.

Thanks for reading.
-Biggs