Making new friends: Small Blog V8: One Ticked Off The Bucket List

Check out a friend from Jalopnik's Blog! Great find!

Small Blog V8: One Ticked Off The Bucket List: This article is so called because I've said from the start that I will drive this car before I die. As of 12/8/11, I have. For my combine...

The Things We Learn About BMW M

Autoblog goes into short detail about the six things they learned about BMW's M division but I'm going to sum them up right here. The following is my summary of the interview with Albert Biermann, BMW's head of Product Development for BMW M. Now let's begin:

1. Where's the Z4M?
A. Oh, well, we really want to but the dollars just don't allow us to have the balls enough to produce any incredibly awesome, M powered coupes.

2. What about weight?
A. We don't care about weight, we make magic. Did you see a sign outside that said Lotus?

3. Will we see an all electric M?
A. In short. Yes. ~ Okay, that's pretty awesome actually.

4. What's the final word on the all wheel drive M5?
A. Not needed you crazy American.

5. Where's the M5 wagon?
A. Did you miss my answer to number 1? Insert wagon for coupe.

6. When do we get a manual M5?
A. Grumble..grumble..grumble...Next year as promised. You know, it cost me a lot of money to design a manual transmission to transfer this thing called torque for you lazy, non performance minded, I need to shift my own gears, Americans. Oh, but you are still paying the bills so it's all good.

Ok, so as you can tell, I made up my own version of the condensed answers. No need for panty twisting. Just poking a little fun at the answers given. If you don't like mine, the real ones are obviously available. I was glad to see Autoblog asking some of the right questions. Read into it what you will but you may find that my versions of the answers may not be far from the truth. Proud to see that somewhere in this world there really is some awesome still being spread around a large group of models. Times have changed and so have the M cars. Just get with the times if you can't let the e30 go. M cars have always astounded me and will not let myself go without driving one or many. But before I dive too deep into that, let's take a look at my outlook on all of the answers and questions.

1. I see some genuine interest here but the public has to demand it. Otherwise it's no clown shoe for us ever again. That's a sad future indeed.

2. Meh, like I said, the M cars produce magic, as a matter of fact, I think that's actually what it stands for. Look at the X6M, it shouldn't be fast, agile or able to produce the results it does. But it does. Just like Joe Dirt's dad said.

3. Awesome. Ready for more Tesla like fun in a more useful package.

4. Nothin' says lovin' like some rear wheel drift!

5. Seriously, there just isn't any money in it. I want it too.

6. Not sure if serious. No, I'm not kidding. I don't know if this is some kind of criticism to be taken to heart or just light heartedly. Now, he was specific to the M5 at least, in the interview so maybe that's more of their line of thinking. I am doubting it. Either way, I'm glad the new M5 will be both RWD and manual optioned.

Most of the focus was on the new M5, which is debatable right now as to how utterly awesome it will be with it's audio infused engine sounds. But I certainly look forward to another AMG fighter.

Speaking of AMG, I don't want anyone to think I'm not interested or respectful of the new sequential manuals. I am. They are faster, more fluid and overall the better transmission. Hell, they are even fun when the car has enough power and not um-teen gears. But a drivers car, tends to be a manual one. Where making a mistake, learning how to rev-match, heel-toe. It's a skill that is learned and respected. Yeah, I get why most race series have gone sequential, it's just competitive and accurate. But these are race cars, not ones that you race on Sunday and drive to work on Monday. They are dedicated race cars. They don't need essence, they need speed.

So according to Al, I'll take my dumb driving self and take the little dumb one since they only offer it in a manual. Because there is a purity there that is missed with a sequence box. One with errors and mistakes because we just can't put our entire lives in the hands of perfection every time. But if you really have to, BMW makes one of the worlds best gear boxes.

Finally, a Prius I can get behind!

So it would appear that Toyota is looking to go all Super Mario Bros. and take a chance at one upping Audi in LeMans prototype racing. Don't they know that Peugeot already did that just this year? Oh well. You know, when I first saw the tag line I was like oh great, here we go again, another hybrid LMP. Though if Toyota is genuine about advancing their technology by racing in series such as this, it really could be a great thing. Yep, you and I are on the same page, a big honkin' Prius in the sky..er, I mean track. No, not really, it will be a true to life LMP1 car much like that of the Audi R18 TDI. Another great advancement of diesel technologies have been produced by such road racing heros from the Audi team. So why not Hybrids? Porsche is doing it. Just think, maybe in a few years we can all be shown how wrong we were to doubt hybrid technology. Prius SS models or should I say, Prius TRDs may run the ring with Corvette's, Mustang's, BMW's...and I think I've gotten a little ahead of myself here. For now lets just concentrate on how Toyota will actually use this market monster. Much like Audi did? Can't say I blame them, it can sell a bunch of fun, little, lower powered 4 cylinder turbo diesels and the like. But Audi did finally do some justice with the V10 stuffed into the R8. So here's to hoping and maybe some great hybrid technology to come. Soon enough, Gazoo Racing will be tuning a Hybrid LF-A for race season! Well, we can at least think that way right?

Hit the Road Course Running in Detroit

It's been 4 years since motorsports have been an actual part of Motown but that is about to change with Chevrolet's agreement with Penske and IndyCar to bring back the series to Belle Isle! This is great news, one would hope, for Detroit and the state of Michigain. I guess I can't complain since the US Grand Prix is set to be in Austin for 2012. So this is great news that an American based, open wheel racing series will see even more road courses but sticking to some great US locations. Detroit needs all the help it can get and if this helps then it should be a great thing for the city. We're routing for you Detroit, but not for the Tigers! This blog is based out of Texas you know! Check out the full rap over at Jalopnik.

Get to steppin' it's time to go topless!

If you haven't heard by now, Chevrolet is prepping a new Camaro, the ZL1. And its mean. Yeah, it's a big boy, but it now has all the muscle it needed to prove its worth. Though what you should also know is that it is built almost identically to the new Cadillac CTS-V and CTS-V Coupe. So if you really can't wait they are available right now. You just have to get your Caddy that zigs at a very Caddilac V series price. Not to say this is no sale price slouch, this is the most expensive production Camaro to date. With 580 Hp and 556 Lb-Ft of torque, the power mark is well above its competitor the Shelby Mustang GT500. The article in Jalopnik has a nice little comparison of like qualified cars for perspective. For another round of perspective, the 1993 454 Chevrolet 1 Ton truck didn't deliver near that amount of torque, think more along the line of half that amount. It was capable of hauling the HD frame and a goose neck trailer with at least 2 cars on it. So imagine almost twice that amount of piston canon under the hood of a convertible, retro-themed, muscle-rocket! It gets the blood pumping in almost any heart. Though the Camaro steals its engine from the Cadillac, the LSA does deserve some serious credit. Chevrolet is using an engine that they have engineered to near bulletproof and now they are supercharging the dickens out of it. When everyone is going turbo, GM goes supercharged. In true 'Merican fashion. I will say that I think it's about time that the GT500 had some real competition. If you are ignorant enough to believe that the GT500 was out for Corvette blood, you are sorely mistaken and quite delusional. Maybe doing hot laps with a C5 Z06 you might have some success but the C6 has always been in a new league. But we aren't here to talk about that American hero, were here to talk about the high end muscle war that is about to commence in the ranks of the supercharged bullies. The GT500, current king of the hill and the now infamous Camaro ZL1. It will be interesting to see how long this feud last with all the recession talk and greenies out to hipsterize (yes I made that up) the Pony/Muscle market. I can regurgitate the specs all day long, and I can even tell you that the Camaro in top-on form crused the famed Nurburgring circuit in 7:14:27, quicker than a 2010 911 Porsche Turbo, or the Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV! I can ramble on about how the magnetic shocks are technology that you can find borrowed into the Ferrari 458 Italia. But this is just a lot of awesome and while a personal favorite for the Mustang, I can always apprecieate a great muscle car. It's what's in my blood and was what moved my interest as a car nut. So go wild and take your top off, 'cause this IROC ain't made for the drag strip!

Photo credit to GM.

Lincoln - On life support, just like its customers

Alright so the title is a bit harsh and I mean no offense but this is the way things are going down in Detroit for the former premium brand. My rant today comes from an article published in Car and Driver Magazine - How Ford Plans to Fix Lincoln. Read about it here.

So here's my take:
If Ford's plan actually works I will eat my hat. But this is one of the worst "last stand" efforts I've seen. At least in a long time anyway. None of the paradigm mentioned is the path of redemption for Lincoln. If anything it's exactly the same path they have already tried. And failed. This is just sad to see. I do completely understand the effort Ford has made to increase the buyer experience. It is true, after owning a premium automobile, a person gets used to being treated like they own a premium automobile. It's more comfortable, organized and professional. So on that, great job with looking to being a more customer oriented service.

I was told by another that Lincoln is the poor mans Rolls. While that may not be the most PC of statements, it is, in a way, true. And I'm ok with that. I don't think that Cadillac is near the same company it was but they successfully took the challenge of rivaling MB and BMW and won in most regards. Won enough at least. I never took Lincoln to be that kind of brand. Lincoln is responsible for the Posh side of American auto luxury. With powerful cruisers, great interiors and well appointed technology. Chrysler was more successfull in executing this with the 300. Although a little more cheaply, they captured the audience that Lincoln needed. Lincoln, at one time, had sex appeal. It needs that back. Like Mad Men sex appeal. Not an actor from Mad Men. Low slung, sexy sedans, even a sedan convertible possibly. A hip and stylish coupe and sedan. An entry level EcoBoost power plant to get that entry level market they are looking for. Model Audi, longitudinal engines with good power and minimalist bodies. No more bloat. I feel like the current line looks like a regular car put on a flotation device. The larger models should ooze class, style and sex. Classy, but with cajones.
It would appear to me that Infiniti has certainly taken the role that Lincoln should have as the domestic competitor. Infiniti has a line up that has complete design language, starts with a premium but entry level sedan the G25, and works it's way through a sleek coupe, a more powerful G37 Sedan, on into the M class that is large, attractive and touts all the luxury and technology one could ask for in a highway mastering large premium sedan. All are rear or all-wheel drive. SUV's both small/medium and a large version. All carrying the essence of the sedan line up. This is what appears that Lincoln should have been aiming for when combining the "I wish" scenarios of the MK VIII, LS, Town Car and Continental. All different eras but all cars that were dreams of what could be. Many of them with confused identities. Except the Continental, that's what Lincoln proved it could produce all on its own. A big, beautiful, low riding land yacht of American glory.

Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh. They deserve a fighting chance. Lincoln has been weak sauce for a while now though. Getting very lucky with the Navigator to carry them through the late 90s and early 2000's. Lincoln lost it's image completely. Acura, Infinity, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes Benz and even Buick either gained a great new perspective or never lost their old one.

Success may just be about selling cars, and I hope they are successful. But Lincoln will have to become Acura or Buick, not Audi or BMW. Maybe that's what they want. If they want to be Buick, then go at it, full bore. I hope it transpires. For now, Lincoln is dead as we know it. A brand still struggling to figure out what is is now.

I'm sorry Lincoln, I'm sorry. Close your eyes. Goodnight old friend. Goodbye.

XDC Drift Finals/Remix Car Show

Throwing Rods has been topped of with car culture over the last week with the XDC Drift Finals and Remix car show. It's been great to get back into the car show season even if it is a late start. After years of missing out on the summer show season, it's great to be back in the swing of things. My first show season included the typical fair of local hot rods, muscle cars and a few exotics. Nothing worth writing home about, but it was someone's special piece of work and that's what matters.
The Remix car show is certainly more up to date, tagging a long side the XDC Drift Finals. Now I've been around a great deal of local dirt track racing, drag racing and even American LeMans racing. This was my first drift event. Granted I was no stranger to drifting, this was officially my fist attendance at a sanctioned event. Which is great because now, not only do I miss show season, I now want more race season. It was great to be around the sights and smells of race fuel and ziptied front bumpers. Nothing beats it. Well, almost nothing.
Just about any hoon I know does or at least should love some opposite lock and these drift pro's take it to extremes. In a great percentage of the drift cars, the equation was simple: Great RWD platform + Chevy LS V8 = Maximum Drift car. It may not be the absolute but it was a very worthwhile combination. Not only did it create an odd tick in the brain to see a 350Z and hear that deep pushrod V8 growl as the racers plowed through the corners at full pace. Again, the pictures tell the story but what isn't told is that drift events know how to have a pretty good time. The atmosphere was inviting and attitudes were in good shape. It's always a great time when spectators have a chance to see the cars in action not only on the track but with their crews back in the pit staging. Most racing events these days get away from the fan centric and energized feel of being able to see, touch and hear the cars as they are tuned and repaired before they run back out to the course for hot laps.
The local scene of show cars hasn't changed a whole lot but much of the attitude has. The last time I showed was in sport trucks and most of them were hot rod based and the answer to any question was either lay frame or MOAR POWER! This time around it's interesting to see the "Hellaflush" or "Stance" crowd start to make a showing. From my perspective they are the new version of Mini-Trucks. So not new to me but they are creating a social car culture that is built of of current trends and some pop culture assistance. Which is honestly a great thing to see these days. Most enthusiasts are just hidden in the burrows of car clubs and late night street races. These new kids on the scene have clothing lines, lingo and a culture all their own. But the thing is that it is much more main stream than I've ever seen anything I've been involved with. Especially the super outcast crowd of Truckin' guys.
This has given me a great amount of motivation to keep up the work for Throwing Rods as I would like to take the mentality of the more progressive auto cultures and mold them with the popular culture that should be making up a new crowd of enthusiasts even if they are commuter enthusiasts. Plenty of cars are out there these days that make a daily commute a great time. But only the cool kids set the trends and this has to be done with finesse.
The pictures certainly take the cake for how the car show went as a few of the Infiniti G car clubs that were my guide to the show, ended up taking some top honors! Find the pics here and let me know what you think!

Dallas Cars and Coffee

Today I had the pleasure of attending the Dallas Cars and Coffee. To my surprise we followed in a car I certainly had never seen in person, a Spyker C8 Aileron! It was certain it would draw quite a bit of attention, even amongst the DeTomasos, Ferraris and Lamborghinis. While the pictures should tell the entire story of an auto enthusiasts gawkfest, it is always a great event to see all types of enthusiasts come together. As I had spoken with many of the local car owners, the overall mind set appeared to be just a bunch of enthusiast and car/motorcycle owners that want to come together for a good cause and to showcase their ride. Something Throwing Rods is all about! Even though most of the cars were grouped together by make or model, the overall goal is for all auto lovers to be able to see and be seen. Take a look at all the awesome cars here on our Facebook page! Hit us up while you are there and Like us!