The EPA finally got around to rating the fuel economy of the Chevy Volt late last month, which means that Volts are now inbound to dealers in launch states (California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington D.C.). There’s been quite a bit of confusion surrounding what the Volt is (an extended range electric vehicle, a serial hybrid) and what it isn’t (“just another hybrid”, a parallel hybrid), so Chevy produced this video to help consumers understand the Volt’s fuel economy rating. The fuel efficiency while running the gasoline generator (officially 37 MPG, although I saw better economy driving from NYC to Detroit in the Volt) is calculated the same way as with a conventional automobile: divide miles driven by gallons of gas consumed to get MPG.
1980 Toyota Corolla Defines ‘Sleeper’
Hood scoop aside, the car looks so innocent.
Not many project cars leave me speechless, but this one comes close. What kind of a mad genius wakes up one day thinking, “I wonder if I can stuff a 454 cubic inch Chevy V8 under the hood of my Toyota Corolla?” Even better, how many people would act on such an utterly insane notion? The amount of fabrication you’d have to do is staggering, since there’s no such thing as a big-block-Chevy-conversion-kit for a 1980 Toyota Corolla. Stuffing a small block Chevy into a 280Z is for amateurs, and enough people have shoe-horned LS3s into Mazda Miata’s that even the most incompetent shadetree mechanic still has a chance at making it work. A big-block in a Corolla, however, is something else entirely.
First Chevy Volt Auctioned For $225K
The very first Chevy Volt left the plant in Michigan and headed straight to auction. Do you think GM Motors wants to soak up the electric car glory? Well, this one is all for charity, folks.
The very first Volt for sale sold for a whopping $225,000. It sports VIN BU100002 and comes with a not-so-cheap 240-volt home charging station. The money is going to the Detroit Public School Foundation that supports science, math, technology and engineering.
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Reminder: Even In A Vintage Car, Ken Block Is Faster Than You
Here’s some archival footage of Ken Block tearing up the back roads of New York State in October of 2009. He’s driving a car you probably won’t be familiar with on this side of the pond, since Ford never brought the 1978 Ford Escort Mk II over here. In the rest of the world, the Escort was a sensible family car developed as a joint venture between Ford of Britain and Ford of Germany. Engines ranged from an anemic 1.1 liter inline 4 up to a 1.8 liter double overhead cam four, and even the same 2.0 liter inline four from the Ford Pinto was available in certain countries or certain models. You wouldn’t think that a car with such humble beginnings would become one of the all time great rally cars, but it did.
Cadillac To Take The CTS-V Coupe Racing
Here’s another good sign that General Motors is getting healthier by the day: Cadillac is returning to SCCA World Challenge racing, this time with the CTS-V Coupe. The brand had previously raced in World Challenge from 2004 to 2007, using the first generation CTS-V sedan. The sedan was competitive enough to win the manufacturer’s championship in 2005 and 2007, and it earned Andy Pilgrim the driver’s championship in 2005. This time, Cadillac will field a Pratt & Miller-built CTS-V Coupe in World Challenge GT class competition.
Ford May Be On To Something With This Whole EcoBoost Thing
Just in case this video isn’t enough to convince you that a turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 is as good as a large displacement V8, consider this: the very same motor was indeed used in a truck that ran the Baja 1000, and the truck finished the race in 38 hours. Sure, that’s not exactly a winning time, but the truck did experience mechanical issues unrelated to the EcoBoost engine, and let’s not forget that even finishing a Baja 1000 is a major accomplishment. I’m not sure I’d be willing to try the same stunt with a normally aspirated, low-revving V8, because I don’t think I’’d be too happy with the results.
Toyota Lost Bid To Dismiss Lawsuits Claiming Death, Injury
Will you buy another Toyota?
Toyota is digging themselves even deeper. Trying to dismiss over 400 lawsuits claiming injury and/or death due to Toyota’s defect in their vehicles causing sudden acceleration. Well, they lost that bid to dismiss these claims. Toyota has recalled over 8 million vehicles due to sudden acceleration. Back in September 2009, 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles were recalled due to floor mats getting jammed up under the brake pedal.
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Hyundai Considering Separate Luxury Brand
Wait, that's a Hyundai? The Hyundai Equus, looking sharp. Photo: Hyundai America
You’ve got to hand it to Hyundai: in just 24 years, the Korean manufacturer has clawed their way up from the bargain basement to compete, very successfully, against some of the world’s best cars. Their Sonata sedan has grown into a lust-worthy commuter car, complete with its own sense of style and an interior that rivals the best in class. Their Azera sedan proved that entry level luxury can still be affordable, and helped pave the way for premium cars like the Genesis sedan and the flagship Equus. Even the Equus helped to re-write how luxury cars are sold; instead of making you go to a Hyundai dealer, an Equus specialist will come to you, at a time and place of your choosing. Schedule a service appointment and Hyundai sends a valet to your home or business, drops off a loaner Equus or Genesis, and picks up your Equus. When service is complete, your car is returned when and where you want it. In fact, an Equus buyer never needs to set foot in a Hyundai dealership; Hyundai calls it a competitive advantage, but I call call it sheer marketing genius.
Mitsubishi Evo Dyno FAIL!
There a few things to keep in mind to avoid a dyno catastrophe. I don’t care how anxious you are to see your numbers, if your car flies off the dyno, your numbers are going to be the least of your worries!
Beauties And The Beasts Of Turkey Rod Run
I’m sure you’ve been to some kind of car show at some point in your life, but have you really been to one “helluva” car show? Yeah, you may say yes, but I bet this one in particular may rock your socks off. The Turkey Rod Run fills up the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. It starts on Thanksgiving Day, goes through the entire holiday weekend and has 6000+ participants!
The fun doesnt stop at the Speedway, though. Head east toward Daytona Beach and hop on A1A north. Your next destination is BelAir plaza. What would normally be a ten minute drive could take you a good thirty minutes as you are bumper to bumper with mostly hot rods and modern muscle. The stares from the bystanders standing along the strip, some even sitting in lawn chairs, is well worth it. BelAir plaza, I call it “Gear Head Heaven”. It’s pretty much a hot rod afterparty.
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