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