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

Short Throw Shifter: Volkswagen Scirocco

Yet another way cool car is produced for a European-only audience. The all new Volkswagen Scirocco (sure-rock-oh) is being witheld from the largest auto market in the world, the United States. Volkswagen fears that it won't sell enough units to make it cost effective, and they also are afraid they will sell too many and distract buyers away from the GTI's.Volkswagen (and non-VW, for that matter) enthusiasts are begging for this car to come stateside, even if in limited quantities, but Volkswagen hasn't mentioned anything.

I happened to see one of these on the freeway a few months back, going down to the Volkswagen testing facility located between Phoenix and Tucson. It was dark and hard to see, but I could definitely see the amazing silhouette of the Scirocco. Unfortunately the Euro-spec Scirrocos are equipped with, at best, the same engine as the GTI. It needs a little more power to fit better with the aggressive styling, in my opinion.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Joyride: 2006 Subaru STi

So last Saturday we got a 2006 Subaru STi on trade. Poor sap traded it for an FJ Cruiser...which isn't all that bad, but he lost an awesome car.

I woke up this morning to cloudy skies and wet streets, water droplets arranged like morning stars on my windshield. I love this weather, and here in Arizona, we don't see it often enough. I pulled into our dealership after a longer-than-normal commute, thanks to Arizona drivers who confuse rain with snow, and lo there was the Subaru STi, staring me in the face. I could have sworn that the headlights followed me as I slowly pulled past, begging me to drive it.

And so I did. The monstrous wing on the back got my heart pumping even before I turned the key. The four cylinder engine didn't rumble as it turned over; more like it purred, softly, deceivingly.Turning out of the dealership I punched it, thick tires glued to the wet road, and before I could blink I was going 60 mph. The road was a bit rough, and feeling every single bump caused me to slow a little. The brakes felt extremely solid, and not a bit touchy, and instilled perfect confidence in me, the driver.

The freeway on ramp could have allowed me to easily get up to 120 mph, but traffic stopped me short, another chance for using the brakes. The Subaru all wheel drive kept me going in a straight line, regardless of the rain or the 300 horsepower lurching the car forward with heavy shifts. That's one thing...the shifter felt a little stiff, and although a short shifter, it wasn't nearly as smooth a transition as my Civic Si. Of course the Suby would demolish that ol' Si, even if I turboed it.
The STi was a blast to drive, and I can see why auto reviewers rave about the car. The car felt light and nimble, but with the lightness some of it felt a little cheap. The doors, for example, were extremely light and pingy sounding, and the interior felt like a $15k car, not a $30k one. I would definitely love to drive the current model, mainly to see what improvements Subaru has managed to make to the car. I'm not sure if it would be my first choice for a daily driver, with the somewhat rough ride and the shoddy shifter, but it would be a hoot to drive every now and again.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Short Throw Shifter: Hybrids Done Right

Gone are the days of sluggish hybrids that can't outhandle minivans. Say goodbye to "hello, my body rolls!" hybrids (yes, I'm looking at you, Prius). A new age of hybrids are here.
Honda and Volkswagen, two companies known for their well-made cars that are fun to drive, are reinventing fuel economy.

First up, the Honda CR-Z is bringing back the classic CR-X style of the eighties and early nineties. It's small 4 cylinder engine is paired with an equally small hybrid powerplant, giving it roughly 140 horsepower and an equal helping of torque. Honda says the "sporty" hybrid can whiz it's way to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. While it's not anything spectacular, it's pretty good when compared to a Prius at about 15 seconds or so. It does that and still maintains a respectable 32-35 mpg average.

The New Coupe Concept (NCC) from Volkswagen does even better. With about 170 horsepower and roughly equivalent torque, the NCC scoots to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, or about the same as a diesel Jetta. Not too shabby, especially when VW claims a 45 mpg average. Sign me up!This is the way hybrids should be, and will be in the future. Hybrid sports cars might be ridiculed simply because the Prius has made driving cars a boring venture, but the future waits to be told. Hybrid and electrical drivetrains can promise HUGE amounts of torque, something necessary for fast acceleration. The Audi E-Tron concept has proved that.

The future is now. Prepare to see these hi-tech cars on American roads within a year.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: Euro Focus Coming to USA

Ford has drawn considerable criticism for it's lackluster Focus here in the states, and for not offering the sportier, more stylish Euro-spec model. But all that is about to change.
Ford, who has been doing better than GM and Chrysler, who has also avoided shame from government bailouts, is really taking the market by the horns. Their Fusion sedan has won the Car of the Year award, and the F-series trucks are always at the top of their class.

Now in 2012, expect to see the European model of the Ford Focus cruising down your neighborhood streets. It's more efficient, faster, fun[er], and better looking. Ford, good move, and it's about time. Subaru, you should take notes... Special Edition STI! *cough cough*
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs

Burnin' Rubber: Special Edition Subaru STI

Subaru is coming out with 400 of these special edition WRX STI's, but only in Japan. Yes, sadly, the United States is always an afterthought when awesome cars come out in Japan and Germany.

You can expect to miss out on 320 horsepower and 318 lb/ft of torque, a significant gain over the stock STI numbers here stateside, of about 305 ponies and 290 torquies. The suspension is beefier, the brakes are bigger, and the car is more potent than ever.

Too bad we never get these awesome cars.
-Biggs

Kickin' Tires: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Cadillac's CTS sport sedan has been quite a hit, and new for this year comes the coupe variant. The most anticipated version of the car is the CTS-V, the supercharged beast that will crush your granny's caddy like a tin can.

It appears that Cadillac has kept most of the popular aspects of the CTS-V sedan and made the car better. The Coupe is shorter and lower than the sedan, and sports a wider track for the rear wheels for better handling. The supercharged V8 will likely remain unchanged, good for a neck breaking 556 hp and 551 lb/ft of torque. GM (General Motors or Government Motors?) says the car can launch to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Personally, I've not been a huge fan of the CTS Sedan, though I've never driven the CTS-V. I'm sure I'd be drooling all over myself if I did get that chance. The Coupe looks remarkable, even to someone like me who finds Cadillac's styling to be obtrusive and obtuse. I definitely look forward to hearing one of these roar past me at full throttle.
Thanks for reading.
-Biggs