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2010 Dodge Ram 2500RAM! BAM! BLIZZARD, WIZZARDby Casey Williams
When The President wakes up to find piles of snow in his driveway, he orders up an armored Suburban and continues with his appointed rounds. When Casey wakes up and finds the same mess of white, he brushes off a Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 and laughs in the face of Mother Nature. She puts up a good fight with 8" of snow and 30 mph winds, but the Ram is no baby. Snow, sun, empty, or loaded with a fifth-wheel trailer, the new Ram Super Duty is not to be stopped. Of course, brushing off the Ram takes a big brush with an extendable handle as the updated Customers were clear that they wanted no pansy-assed designer messing with their tough truck, but they mentioned a couple of other things they wanted. Regular cabs are OK on the ranch, but they really want four full-size doors to carry friends and offspring. Dodge complies with roomy Crew Cab models like our test truck, or the Maybach-sized cabin in Mega Cabs. It won't shock you that 90% of Ram buyers are male, average 55 years old, and married. Over a third graduated from college. Before we coo over the tough work boys behind the wheel, Ram's interior is fit for cowboys who keep their precious little hands warm with heated steering wheels and toast their chapped buns with heated leather seats. I'm afraid they also need to protect their manicures with thick rawhide gloves, but a man has to look good. Power adjustable pedals let their strong legs fit right in. Tough boys also like Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connections for cell phones, cooled seats (God Bless Texas!), rear in-floor ice boxes for soda (or other beverages), automatic climate control, touch-screen navigation, Super Gulp drink holders, trip computer, and an Alpine audio system with in-dash CD changer. Sirius Backseat TV with three channels of programming is available to keep the tykes content. Fashionistas will go nuts over the perfectly shaped three-spoke steering wheel, woodgrain dash and door inserts, and new age silver finishes on the center console. Nothing looks like a Ram, and nothing works like one either. Trucks come standard with a 383-horsepower 5.7-litre HEMI V8, but real men will shell out for the available 6.7-litre Cummins Turbo Diesel that produces 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and Godlike 650 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,500 rpm. Diesels are 50-state compliant. If you can't pull the trailer you own with the Ram, buy a Kenworth. Giving a hint to the engine's longevity, Dodge recommends overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles. You can get a six-speed manual transmission for that over-the-road big truck feel, but most of us will prefer the six-speed automatic transmission and let the computer do the heavy shifting. All of that torque is divine when towing or hauling, but spins the wheels in deep snow and ice. Engineers refined the chassis for ride comfort. A front five-link coil spring with beam axle system compliments rear leaf springs. I don't know that I would commute to the office in it every day, but traveling from sea to shining sea would be a no-brainer. Fluid-filled hydromounts in the C-pillar improve damping and remove vibration from the truck's chassis. Compared to previous Rams, this is a dreamboat. Since way before they became handsome, Rams earned a well-deserved reputation for doing the tough jobs that other trucks couldn't. The 2010 edition is just as capable, but wears finer tailory, pampers weary guys and gals in a luxury cabin, and provides a ride that no other heavy-duty truck can match. It will also blow snow with glee. The President can take his Suburban. I'll choose the blizzard wizard Ram Heavy Duty 4x4.
Best Superbowl Car CommercialsWe posted teasers to five automotive-related car commercials prior to the 44th NFL Superbowl. Now that it is over and Bourbon street is rocking, we picked the Top 3 automotive commercials aired during the game. For the record, we think Toyota should have gone with this one. Our favorite is from VW. It is an awesome follow up to their "We Found Sluggy" campaign. Second place goes to Kia. I have to be honest, I didn't want to like this. Those life-sized toys really freaked me out in the teaser - especially the ribbed thing with arms. But the ending was good and it made my nephew laugh. A VERY close third place goes to Dodge. The product is not new but the campaign speaks DIRECTLY to the target market and it made both my 50+ year old brothers laugh hard.
Toyota Recall Video Ad
Recalls and quality problems are not unique to Toyota. In fact, Ford still holds the title of the largest recall campaign on record. What has differentiated Toyota, and what is infuriating a lot of customers and the press, is their slow response to the issues at hand. News is leaking that they were aware of some safety issues long before they were required by the government to issue recalls and their PR efforts to date have been interpreted as insincere. I saw this on Gaywheels.com this morning. It is a video ad discussing Toyota's 50-year history of producing "safe, reliable, high-quality vehicles". The tone of the ad is informative and apologetic. In my opinion, it is their best effort yet to communicate a sincere apology and explain their efforts to rectify the situation. Additional ads and a link to their recall site after the video.
For more information from Toyota about the recalls, visit http://www.toyota.com/recall
Superbowl Car Commericals - VWVW's new ad agency Deutsch LA is making their creative debut at the Superbowl with a new campaign featuring a modern interpretation of a classic game - "Punchdub". We posted a story last week about introduction of "Sluggy", the inventor of the Punch Bug game. Their new advertising campaign will take that to the next level. The teaser below hints at how Punchdub it works. Make sure you watch the game to see the full ad. It is awesome.
Superbowl Car Commercials 2010
Alas, I digress...for those of you that aren't really interested in the game, there is always a LOT of hype over the commercials shown during the match. Companies spend MILLIONS to air a 30-second spot in the hope that it will help them sell their products. Ad agencies go all out to create memorable ads and the PR types do their best to create buzz early on. We've put together a collection of ads that we know are coming this coming Sunday, February 7th. Some brands, like Audi and Hyundai, have already shown their commercials in their entirety. Others, like VW, Kia and Bridgestone, have published "teasers" to pique our interest. Click on the brand logos below to see their respective commercials/teasers for the big game.     
Superbowl Car Commercials - AudiThis ad is one of a series of spots from Audi that are pseudo public service announcements about enforcing green policies. The ads have been causing some controversy over the use of the term "green police". Seems that some people are offended that the same name was used for police in Nazi-era Europe. Audi passed the ads by Jewish leaders in the U.S. and got their approval before airing them. You can't please everyone... Controversy aside, the ads aren't exactly groundbreaking and while I can imagine how Audi is going to make the connection to their clean diesels, the campaign seems beneath them. Especially after their amazing commercial called "Oil Parade" and their prior superbowl efforts like the ad featuring the steaming Jason Statham. I suppose we'll be watching to find out how this plays out..and THAT, in the end, is exactly what they want us to do.
Superbowl Car Commericals - KiaI don't know where to start...Kia has two teasers out right now featuring life-size creatures from a kid's program (I had to ask) in an ad for the new Kia Sorrento. The car is barely in the shot but the music is catchy and the creatures are weird enough to make you want to know more. Just don't get me started on that tall, ribbed, rubber thingy..... Click on the brand logos below to see their respective commercials/teasers for the big game.
Dept. 180 at ChevroletI got this via Twitter this morning. It looks like Chevrolet is launching a new web series First there was VW's "discovery" of Sluggy - the inventor of Slug Bug and now Chevy 180. I'm liking how the brands are using the "social" media to be, well, more "social". In this example, the engineers are real people, not actors, doing their jobs. It just so happens that their jobs are VERY interesting. Who wouldn't want to drive a Camaro SS at speed on the track? I'm looking forward to seeing more of this from Chevy and other brands. In the meantime, what the hell does that logo mean and why does it flash "Scan Me" at the end of the clip? Inquiring minds want to know! This is WAY cool and an awesome integration of a traditional message via new media.
Superbowl Car Commercials - HyundaiHyundai is showing their full Monty before the game is aired. The first ad below features Brett Favre ten years from now discussing his potential retirement. Context appropriate but will it be usable after the game? The second ad is more a quality/product shot featuring the hot new Sonata. Beautifully filmed for sure, but not exactly Superbowl worthy in my opinion. It will, however, have legs long after the game is finished. Click on the brand logos below to see their respective commercials/teasers for the big game.
2010 Lexus GX 460The Old Guard in New Garb
by Ms. Cocoa Efficient
In this time of downsizing, belt-tightening and the ever relentless pursuit of greener transportation, the Lexus GX 460 seems a bit of a relic; the last of the old guard, fuel-thirsty SUVs that so many want to see fade into Olds-blivion. But reality is a cruel mistress, and for all the advantages of a hybrid RX or small BMW X3 the truth is neither can seat seven passengers, tow a horse trailer or forcibly banish left-lane-bandits simply by appearing in their rear view mirrors. No, there are just sometimes in life when you need a big, V8-powered SUV, and the new Lexus GX 460 makes an admirable choice. My first walk around the new GX left me, well, to be honest a bit under whelmed. Looking Salvation from the exterior can be found inside, where the GX 460 lavishes its occupants with Those who know me well know I like my V8 engines like I like my men: strong, smooth and nearly always silent. The new GX 460 meets this requirement and then some. Those with a Overall, the new GX 460 serves a purpose and serves it well. If the high cost of fuel isn't a detractor, and the styling doesn't strike you as it does me, then this Lexus could very well be in your garage by week's end. The GX 460 starts around $52,000 and with all the bells and whistles tops out just over $71,000. The GX 460 is on sale now.
VW Finds "Sluggy"We called it Punch Bug when I was a kid and we played it on the way to school and on every road trip. We never questioned where the game of punching someone else when you saw a VW Beetle came from but in this brilliant campaign launched today, VW claims to have found the guy that did. Sluggy is a little rough around the edges, but that makes him lovable. Kudos to VW for incorporating something so ingrained in our culture into a modern social media campaign. You can follow Sluggy on Twitter, "meet" him on VW's site and even follow him on his blog. If they can keep his unique personality and manage what is sure to be voluminous following, VW just upped the ante on social media campaigns with emphasis on the emotional connection component of "social". ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b7ce192b-f455-44d2-b51d-e6a41d602616)
Featured DealersOur dealer locator is one of our most valuable tools on Gaywheels.com and we are going to begin featuring dealers as they become listed as Premium Gaywheels.com Dealers on the site. Remember, if you see a dealer listing that is activated with hyperlinks, mapping functionality and an email address, that dealer is actively supporting your community by advertising with us. It is very important that we as a community support the businesses that support us. LGBT media sites like this one are supported by advertising and without it we cannot continue to provide information to our users. Even if you aren't in the market for a car, call or email these dealers and thank them for supporting the community. This month's featured dealer is in Belmont, MA - a suburb of Boston. 
Previous featured Dealers:
GM Press Announcement - Saab Saved?
I suppose we'll know in a few hours. I, for one, have my fingers crossed. ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=6f0aae19-d63e-4994-b3ba-5577b855fa9e)
2010 Cadillac SRXCOOL CADDY CROSSOVERby Casey Williams
Cadillac and the 1950s are inextricable - both having come from the age of rock-and-roll, pompadours, pink trousers, and some of the most memorable voices of the last century. For 2010, Cadillac completely re-designed and re-engineered the SRX. The vehicle was moved from the Cadillac CTS' vehicle architecture to one at least loosely based on the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. A third-row seat is no longer available for club hopping and friend gathering, but the marketing wizards dropped the price several thousand dollars in exchange. SRX becomes a true crossover and not just a station wagon in cloak. It is flash style, slashed in your face and refreshing for its invigoration - a little jewel with a A new age requires new powertrains. If you want a V8, forget it. As much as they've been a key part of Cadillac's history, you'll soon only be able to get a V8 in the CTS-V and Escalade. SRX comes standard with a smaller version of the CTS' award-winning engine, displacing 3.0-liters and enhanced with direct injection to produce 265 horsepower while turning in 18/25-MPG city/highway. For a few dollars more, go for the Euro-spec 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 and its 300 horsepower. Both engines connect to the front (or all) wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and keeps power at the ready. Properly equipped, the SRX can tow 3,500 lbs. - enough to move a motorcycle, jet skis, or 2 Smart cars. Flashing light tubes to other motorists in town or on the highway, the SRX moves with vigor. Handling, enhanced by a four-wheel independent suspension system, tight steering, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are pretty good also. Engineers could put the SRX on a weight loss plan to elevate its athleticism, but the wagon feels like three dead water buffalos wouldn't jolt it in the least. There was some very un-Cadillac harshness over rough roads, but that is likely a function of the 20" loafers. None of that will matter from the clubroom interior that wafts through your senses with the smell of perfectly tanned hides the first moment you peek through the door. Real timber panels the dash, doors, and steering wheel. What isn't leather or wood-covered, like the door, dash, and center console coverings, are French-stitched. Everything feels like it was crafted with an attention to detail that would embarrass Gucci. There's enough electronics and gadgets inside to have run NASA fifty years ago. Heated Unlike with the first-generation SRX, this model is no sport sedan. It is tall, roomy, and luxuriously appointed with enough ground clearance to actually get through snow or pull a boat out of the water. Given that much of its engineering was handled by Opel in Germany, it is no surprise the SRX feels heavy like a BMW or Mercedes. The suspension could use some hushing, but that's about where the issues end. Every inch of it is modern and fully equipped. As we cast off the last decade, we need more than optimism - we need a great crossover. The SRX isn't a Lexus, BMW, or Infiniti. It is a Cadillac. You will mistake it for nothing else. Cool.
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Photos Courtesy of GM
Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles - 4th Quarter 2009January 21, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Audi R8 Maintains
Pole Position, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda3 on the Move Top 10
Most-Researched Vehicles 4th Quarter 2009 New York, NY - Today, Gaywheels.com announced its list of the Top 10 Most Researched new vehicles from the last three months of 2009. They are:
"A common theme amongst the vehicles represented is that they are all niche, stylish representatives of their respective segments," said Gaywheels.com founder Joe LaMuraglia. "The list also shows that LGBT consumers are drawn to a myriad of body styles and price points." The Audi R8 held its position on the top spot of the list for the second quarter in a row. The Mitsubishi Outlander and the Mazda Mazda3 knocked two vehciles from VW out of the 3rd and 4th spot respectively. VW's Golf stayed in the second spot. The VW Jetta and Eos are down in the ranking but hardly out. The Top 10 Most-Researched list is based on website statistics gathered from Oct 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009 from Gaywheels.com's new car data partner vLane.com. Gaywheels.com publishes the Most-Researched list quarterly. About Gaywheels.com Launched in 2005, Gaywheels.com is dedicated to promoting responsible consumerism and affecting change by encouraging car shoppers to patronize gay-friendly companies throughout the vehicle purchase process. Users of the site are able to investigate which automakers and other automotive companies offer domestic partner benefits to their employees, thus qualifying them as "gay-friendly," plus read general reviews about cars, trucks and SUVs from those manufacturers. With that information at hand, they can make educated choices during the car-buying process. For more information, please visit www.gaywheels.com. ###
2011 Ford Fiesta - Preview
Ford Fiesta is bringing the small car party to the U.S.by NICK KURCZEWSKIA "Fiesta Movement" might sound more like a circuit party than a way to sell cars, but Ford Ford has taken a slightly different approach - and avoided alienating buyers with polarizing styling, like that found on the Scion xB. For starters, Ford didn't just focus on urban dwellers and the occasional graffiti artist to do the (marketing) dirty work. The company picked 100 people from around the U.S. for a six-month trial run of a European-spec Fiesta hatchback. While the Fiesta is brand new to North American shores, the car has been on sale in Europe since 2008. Yours truly drove several variations while living in the land of wine, cheese and surly customer service - a.k.a. Paris, France. But more on this later... Insurance and gas bills were covered by Ford, but it was up to these "young trendsetters" to So what's the point? The easy answer: to drum up sales! Ford reports that over 80,000 people have expressed interest in the Fiesta thanks to this program. Of course, considering a car and actually putting a deposit down are two vastly different things. To get car buyers behind the wheel, Ford is now shifting the Fiesta Movement into second gear. Twenty teams will be stationed around the country and more agents hired before the Fiesta goes on sale this spring. Prices for the Fiesta start at $13,320 for the base sedan, and $15,120 for the hatchback. So we think Ford's efforts will pay off? Yes, but the reason will likely be more to do with the solid value and fun-to-drive characteristics of the 2011 Fiesta. Having recently spent nearly five years in Europe, I had the chance to drive several variations of the Fiesta - along with its mechanical twin, the Mazda2. Nimble, comfortable, and with enough grunt for city driving or long distance highway cruising, the Fiesta was a personal favorite amongst Ford's accomplished European lineup. Diesel versions offered phenomenal fuel mileage - I frequently saw close to 60 m.p.g. on the highway. But while the gasoline-powered version sacrificed a bit of economy, the zingier and more energetic feel of the gas motor felt better-suited to the car. If the Fiesta Movement can convince U.S. car buyers to go for a test drive and discover how good this car really is, Ford will have plenty of reason to celebrate. Photos Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SSCAMARO EXPRESSES OUR MOMENTBy Casey Williams
"Design is an expression of the moment we live in, purposefully or subconsciously moving in step with political order, societal disposition, popular culture, and technological improvement," wrote Sam Grawe, Editor-in-Chief of Dwell Magazine in the Dec/Jan 2010 issue. He could have been writing about the 2010 Chevy Camaro that is advertised on pages 16 and 17. GM V.P. of Design, Ed Wellburn, must be pleased with the Camaro. I have to admit I was not impressed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show debut. The latest Mustang had just hit pavement and the Dodge Challenger was on the horizon. Camaro was recognizable, but not retro. Four years later, after the Ford and Dodge designs have nearly passed a generation, the car from Wellburn's team is dead-on for the start of the next decade. Traditional features like the Coke bottle curves, quad taillamps, grille, and roofline are reinterpreted for the digital and Gen-Y without offending baby boomers. Wide exotic rear fenders fill the rearview mirrors and the long hood is clearly visible from the driver's seat. You have to love the 20" alloy wheels, low roofline, pouncing stance, and thin decklid spoiler. Our test car was painted metallic orange with black stripes. It looked great - like a '69 Camaro had evolved over 40 years without a crazy trip through the '70s. Designers spent as much time on the interior as the jewel of an exterior. Round instruments in square pods and available console-mounted auxiliary gauges take you back to another era while Despite what your daddy told you, this is the golden age of muscle cars. It is not just about being fluffed and buffed - the coupe also comes stoked to run like no Camaro before. SS models I love the SS, but would probably choose the 304-HP 3.6-litre direct injection V6 (shared with Cadillac CTS) for everyday use. The SS' clutch can wear you out in traffic and 304 HP is more than adequate. That powertrain comes in a car that starts at $22,680 and achieves 29-MPG hwy! Finally, Camaro gets a chassis that can keep up with its powertrain. Developed by GM's Holden division in Australia, and sharing a basic architecture with the outbound Pontiac G8, the four-wheel independent suspension is stiff, but can handle mid-corner bumps without drama. There's also no rear wheel hop as in the old days; nothing you can do to a solid rear axle matches the Camaro's chassis refinement. Much of the final tuning was done with the help of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. My dad equates power with spinning tires as on the '64 and '69 Chevelle SS models he drove in Several months ago, there was a story about a modern house in Dwell with a bright yellow vintage Camaro in the garage. The car looked timeless and the new one has the same feeling. It is a new, but familiar, design that embodies our time of flat screen TVs, and iPhones, but roars off with responsible amounts of obscene power. It is a car ready for the children and grandchildren of those who first fell in love - a car for this moment.
Photos Courtesy of Chevrolet
Update - Bank of America WILL Finance SaabsJanuary 19, 2010 - We originally posted the story below on January 5, 2010. It was recently picked up by our friends at Autoblog and Examiner.com. Early this morning I got a few Twitter updates saying that Jalopnik posted a story that claimed Bank of America is NOT denying loans to those who want to purchase a Saab. According to Jalopnik, Bank of America will consider loans for those applying to purchase a Saab but they haven't bothered to change their website to indicate this. Oh Ray, how do you say it in Twitterspeak? BofA = #fail. Or better yet #bofagetyourshittogether
A
friend was investigating a car loan online and came across something
very interesting. It seems that if you are looking to buy a Saab and
want to use Bank 
of America, you are S.O.L. In the fine print on their site, they
outline the auto loan eligibility requirements. They are relatively
straightforward; outlining guidelines about no commercial vehicles, no
lemon law vehicles, no motorcycles etc. Then it clearly stats "No Isuzu
or Saab vehicles".Eligibility
Ok, Isuzu I understand. They aren't even sold here any more but Saab? Their fate is still up in the air and there are still Saabs on dealer lots that somebody will buy eventually. What about Pontiac or Saturn? Will Bank of America finance them? File this under "OUCH". You can see the eligibility requirements HERE
Lincoln Says "Touch Me"LINCOLN GETS THE TOUCH
If Lincoln gets your attention,
pressing buttons may soon be a relic of the last decade. Taking iPhone-like technology to the
automotive console, MyLincoln Touch allows you to engage your car like you've
never imagined before. Forget about
buttons, just wave your hand and flick your wrist - two motions that should
come easily to big queens who want to command their cars like kings. Beginning with the 2011 MKX,
Lincoln will introduce its new touch-sensitive technology that allows drivers
and passengers to operate the climate control and audio by moving their fingers
across a bar on the center console. You
can intuitively adjust fan speeds or audio volume by either sliding your
finger, or giving it a quick three swipes to attain maximum output. Once a feature is selected, it is highlighted
by amber lighting. Lincoln's crisp white
lighting shines when the option is not engaged. The technology that makes all of
this possible is pretty cool. Touch
cells, similar to what's used on touch screens, create an undetectable electric
field that, when broken by a finger, goes on and off like a switch. Engineers have even tested to make sure
gloved fingers will work just fine. An
audible "beep" lets you know the system has complied with your wishes. Besides volume and fan speeds, MyLincoln Touch
controls the radio seek, station tuning, CD track, defrosters, and
air-conditioning. The system also allows
you to save favorite interior temperature like a radio preset to serve multiple
drivers. To accompany all of the touch
tech, Lincoln gave the MKX a thorough facelift for 2011. Head-on, the front dispenses with its classic
'60s-style mesh grille and adopts the brand's new signature "bow wake" theme
that is based on the '40 Continental.
Accentuated "cycle" front fenders, LED taillamps, and custom stitched
interior materials stay true to Lincoln's tradition of craftsmanship. All that and a new 305-HP 3.7-litre V6 engine
make life much tougher for the Lexus RX and Cadillac SRX. Read why the 2011 Lincoln MKX was one of our Top 5 from the 2010 Detroit Auto show "The 2011 Lincoln MKX is a marvelous high-tech showcase, especially with the addition of MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology," said Sonya Nematollahi, driver information and electronic finish panels engineering supervisor. "Integrating our unique driver connect technology with touch-sensitive technology creates a customer experience not offered by any competitor." MKX has always been an elegantly designed crossover
that drives like a sport sedan.
MyLincoln Touch and its fancy new attire make it one to covet.
Top 5 From the Detroit Auto Show
I attended the 2010 North American International Auto Show (a.k.a. The Detroit Auto Show) earlier this week as a guest of General Motors. As always it is great to start off a new year with my "other family" of journalists, PR pros and automotive executives at what I call the mother church of the auto industry - Detroit. The show was smaller than in years past and as a result, it was a bit more manageable. There were amazing concept cars shown like the Buick Regal GS and the GMC Granite (click here to watch the press conference), the Chevrolet Aveo RS (video of press conference) and the Audi e-Tron and VW's New Compact Coupe. As usual, we choose the Top 5 new vehicle introductions from gay-friendly companies. My picks for this year are the 2011 Lincoln MKX, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, the 2011 Ford Focus and the 2011 Honda CR-Z. To read about each of our Top 5, click the links above or the images below. Photos of every car are shown on their individual pages.      ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=cb223cf0-a52b-473e-a660-219c5301a3bf)
2011 Lincoln MKX Debut
The 2011 Lincoln MKX that debuted at the 2010 Detroit Auto show is the latest Lincoln to undergo a styling update. It is not an all-new vehicle but the styling enhancements are significant. The entire front end is new and it brings the MKX up-to-date with the Lincoln design language - for better or for worse. Actually, the Lincoln grill is growing on me and while not as elegant as the MKZ, the new schnoz on the MKX is distinctive and gives it an entirely new character. The rear of the MKX has been redesigned as well. The biggest news concerning the MKX is the new elegant interior featuring the first application of MyLincoln Touch - a system of electronics that allow owners to customize the features and information shown on the dash and in the center screen. The system is not only slick, it makes a LOT of sense as the majority of the owners of the MKX will be older and less comfortable with the massive amounts of information available. They can simply opt to show just the basic information. For those of us who want it all, a few clicks of the controls and you have all the information you want displayed beautifully on the dashboard. The 2011 MKX features a new 3.7-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission. It pumps out 305 HP and helps the MKX get up to 25 MPG on the highway. Photos Courtesy of Lincoln Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3e6aced8-a19a-4ed6-b5eb-fc37e41ec7d4)
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Debut
Cadillac used the Detroit show to officially launch their loosely-held secret - the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. The CTS already looked the part but with the advent of the V-Series, it has even more performance to backup its dirty-hot looks. On sale in early summer of 2010, the CTS-V coupe has a 6.2L supercharged V-8 pumping out 556 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. All the oomph delivers a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds! Cadillac's excellent Magnetic Ride Control will allow for spirited performance whilst delivering a comfortable ride and Brembo brakes promise to drag the driver back into reality after reaching warp speeds. The interior is the same design as the CTS coupe with a unique Saffron interior trim color. We won't go as far as saying the CTS-V Coupe is beautiful. Rather, from some angles it looks heavy and cumbersome but there something about the design that gets enthusiasts warm in the loins....it is far from lithe and flowing. It is stocky, muscular and looks like it can kick the ass of its competitors...and that is why we like it. ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=056bf913-8ff7-43ff-85b3-3bd134fe9324) Photos Courtesy of Cadillac Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio Debut
Mercedes-Benz debuted an addition to their lineup with the E-Class Cabriolet. Eschewing the trend towards hard top convertibles, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet features a soft-top. The benefits are less weight and more cargo room when compared to a folding hard-top. It also allows the designers more freedom to keep the lines true to the E-Class DNA. Speaking of tops, the soft-top on the E-Class keeps the noise out via extensive sound-damping insulation. Mercedes claims that it is the quietest four-seater convertible in its class. It can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph and goes down in 20 seconds. Perfect for entertaining yourself and others during a boulevard cruise. Mercedes worked hard to stay true to their motto of "four seasons, four people" with the new E-Class Cabrio. It features an electric AIRCAP® wind deflector that reduces wind turbulence inside the cabin with the top down. Optional features include the next-gen AIRSCARF® heating system built into the front seat. It blows warm air from adjustable vents in the head rests to keep your head and neck toasty like and invisible scarf. Looking at the photos below, I think you'll agree the E-Class Cabrio is one of the few cases where soft is better than hard. Photos Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
2011 Ford Focus Debut
The Ford Focus is a very important car for Ford. It represents one of the largest segment of vehicles sold around the globe and the platform that underpins it will be the basis of up to 10 vehicles sold around the world representing 2 million units annually by 2012. The first Focus sold in the U.S. did well despite some initial quality hiccups. The current generation has been a bit of a disappointment to those who know what Ford is capable of overseas so it is with great anticipation that the 2011 Ford Focus arrives on our shores. The new Ford Focus is the second example of the "One Ford" philosophy that dictates that Ford products are built to be sold around the world. So the days of seeing hot Ford products in movies that we can't have are over - FINALLY! The 2011 Ford Focus will feature a new direct-injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is more powerful and more efficient than the current model. It will be mated to a 6-speed "PowerShift" automatic transmission. The Ford Focus will also debut the MyFord Touch - a system of technologies in addition to their excellent Sync system that will allow owners to configure their vehicle interface to meet their whims. Pricing and full specifications have not been announced. We can say that the 2011 Ford Focus looks amazing! Photos Courtesy of Ford Motor Company Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
2011 Honda CR-Z Debut
Honda was the first car company to launch a hybrid in the U.S. in 2000, beating the Toyota Prius by a few months. The 2000 Honda Insight was futuristic looking, got amazing fuel economy but was limited by its limited seating and lack of any real cargo capacity. Honda eventually canceled the Insight and their Accord Hybrid which left them with one hybrid vehicle, the Civic Hybrid. Honda seems to be getting back into the hybrid game with their debut of the 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe. It is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid-electric system for a combined peak engine output of 122 HP. The CR-Z won't move on electricity alone. Rather, the motor acts as a power boost when needed and helps the CR-Z achieve 36 city/38 highway MPG when ordered with the optional CVT. When equipped with the standard manual transmission models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 31 city/37 highway MPG. The 2011 Honda CR-Z combines the sporty look and functionality of the old Civic Si with the proven and well-loved hybrid system from the Insight. Pricing has not been announced. Watch the press debut of the Honda CR-Z at the Detroit Auto show: Photos Courtesy of American Honda Click on the images to read about our Top 5 picks from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Cadillac Press ConferenceI am a guest of GM at the North American Auto show here in Detroit. Cadillac will be revealing their new large sedan. Watch it live here on January 12, 2010 8:40 - 9:05 a.m. Eastern. It will also be here for you to watch at your convenience after the live press conference.
Chevrolet Press Conference - Watch LiveI am a guest of GM at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Chevrolet will be revealing some great new product here. Watch the press conference live on Gaywheels! Chevrolet Press Conference (January 11, 2010 3:55-4:20 p.m. Eastern)
Buick Press ConferenceI am at the 2010 North American International Auto show as a guest of GM. Watch the Buick Press event live here. Starts at 9:25 AM EST 01/11/2010
Just got this from GM's agency. It is a few minutes BEFORE the Press conference. GMC Granite concept
Roadtrip - 2010 Golf TDI
The 2010 Golf has come a long way from the original compliment to the Beetle in 1974. This model year brings it into its sixth generation and while not a complete replacement to the VW has offered a TDI option in the Touareg and Jetta for the past few years but is finally returning this engine option to the Golf for 2010. It is very efficient, very clean and compared to diesels of our youth, VERY quiet. Equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the Golf TDI achieves 30 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway with 0-60 times of 8.6 seconds. If you opt for a automatic shift option, the DSG-equipped cars get the same fuel mileage in the city but a slightly better 42 MPG on the highway without sacrificing performance - it has the exact 0-60 times as the manual-equipped vehicle. I just took delivery of a blue four-door Golf TDI with VW's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG®) and To give you real feedback from the car, my co-driver and I will be using Twitter to tweet our thoughts about the car from the road. If my initial impression from my trip to Germany is any indication, the TDI should get high marks during this trip. But, as they say, there is nothing like a long road trip to make a car show its true colors. Ok, THEY don't really say that, I say that...but it really is true. Our tweets will appear in the box below. If you come to this page after we've finished, simply hit the play button in the center of the box to read what we had to say. Scroll down to see photos and links to specs and pricing.
Photos Courtesy of Volkswagen of America
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GTNo Longer OK to Overlook The timing for this assignment could not be better. I am currently shopping the market for my own personal crossover utility vehicle, or CUV. My future chariot requires four-wheel drive (I live in Montana, it's mandatory), good fuel economy, a super comfortable set of front seats, cutting edge audio and cell phone connectivity and sports-car like handling, all at a price that fits my meager journalist budget. I like the Honda CR-V, but it's lacking in power and front seat leg room, has a minimalist four-wheel drive system and the audio choices are simply pathetic. I also like the Subaru Outback, which has a great all-wheel-drive setup, available Harman/Kardon audio and even offers a manual transmission on some four-cylinder models. On the flip side, the handling is far from sporting and the exterior styling is, well, lets just say she's not the glamour queen she once was. My list goes on, through the Jeep Patriot to the Chevrolet Equinox to the Toyota RAV4 and even the Ford Edge. If only I could mix and match the best attributes of each. Alas, as of last month, I had resigned myself to two choices, neither quite living up to my ideal. But then, just as I was about to toss a coin, I got the call. Mitsubishi had a new Outlander ready for testing, and I was just the man they wanted (Okay, they wanted the other Joe, but the got me, so deal with it Mitsubishi!).
OnStar Reveals Mobile App for Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle that most owners will plug in at night. Owners will be able manage recharging times via an in-vehicle interface to maximize off-peak electricity usage and minimize cost. Will the launch of this mobile app, owners can now manage the vehicle remotely. In addition to adjusting charging schedule, owners will able to communicate with their Volt and do the following: · display charge status - plugged in or not, and voltage (120V or 240V) In addition to the above, the application allows owners to lock and unlock their vehicle via their mobile device. Imagine this scenario: you are on a business trip in another city and your partner has left his/her sunglasses in your Volt. Instead of dealing with the burning of their retinas by going without their Guccis, you can now simply hit a few buttons and unlock the vehicle remotely. Drama averted. OnStar saves the day. Slick.
Saab Can't Get a Break
A friend was investigating a car loan online and came across something very interesting. It seems that if you are looking to buy a Saab and want to use Bank of America, you are S.O.L. In the fine print on their site, they outline the auto loan eligibility requirements. They are relatively straightforward; outlining guidelines about no commercial vehicles, no lemon law vehicles, no motorcycles etc. Then it clearly stats "No Isuzu or Saab vehicles".Eligibility
Ok, Isuzu I understand. They aren't even sold here any more but Saab? Their fate is still up in the air and there are still Saabs on dealer lots that somebody will buy eventually. What about Pontiac or Saturn? Will Bank of America finance them? File this under "OUCH". You can see the eligibility requirements HERE
Saab Enthusiasts Not Giving Up
Case in point; SAAB. Its story in the recent past would put a daytime soap opera plot to shame. It was announced that it was for sale, a suitor found, that same suitor dismissed, the potential buyer coming back for another chance, GM selling off old assets, then announcing that an agreement couldn't be met and that Saab would be wound down and close. But like an infomercial, "Wait!, there's more!". The deadline has been extended, new bidders have entered the fray and the fate of the quirky brand from Sweden is still undecided. Enter the Saab enthusiasts - Saabisiti, Saabiacs, whatever they go by, they are attempting a last ditch effort to make their love of the brand known before GM makes their final (?) decision on January 7, 2010. Here is a release from Saabhistory.com. If you turn your ignition between the front seats, you'll be interested in this: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Thursday, January 7th, a deadline will expire and GM will ultimately need to decide the fate of Saab Automobile. "Sell Opposed To Shutdown". There are two known interested parties that have submitted bids to buy Saab, Spyker Cars & Merbanco. As time is of the essence, Saab Enthusiasts have therefore decided to take an initiative by gathering near GM's world headquarters in Detroit, in order to send a message to GM to "SELL SAAB". Saab owners and enthusiasts from the U.S. & Canada will gather near the GM Renaissance Center at approximately 1pm by showing their unwavering Saab spirit in lining up their Saabs, holding Signs, taking group photographs and speaking to the press about how important it is to sell Saab. Since GM emerged from bankruptcy court this summer, they are now 60% owned by the U.S. Government. Saab owners, Saab dealers and U.S. taxpayers alike, all want to see Saab sold in order to preserve thousands of jobs and and nearly $500 million dollars from the 218 Saab dealerships, small business assets in the United States. "If there are enough Saab owners and enthusiasts parked outside of the GM Renaissance center in Detroit, perhaps we could really show them how serious we are in wanting Saab Automobile to have a bright future and be sold." says Ryan Emge, editor of SaabHistory.com, an independent promotional news site. This timely event marks a final effort in the Saab Community to save a company that has historically seen the value in saving the lives of its customers. What: Saab Enthusiast Gathering Near GM Renn Center To Save Saab When: Meet On Tuesday, January 5th at noon. / Saab Car Gathering is at 1pm nearby. (Press To Attend) Where: Lunch At GM Renn Cenn Food Court followed by Saab car gathering at the public lot at the corner of Atwater and St. Antoine alongside the bay behind GM Renn Center. For more details, please visit: http://www.saabhistory.com/2009/12/30/saab-history-suggests-a-saab-enthusiast-convoy-to-detroit/
2011 Mustang GT Gets 5.0 V8
Following up on the news of the updated 3.7L V6 with 305 HP and estimated 30 MPG on the highway, Ford announced the return of the 5.0L V8 in the GT. The new V8 pumps out 412 HP and is estimated to get a respectable 25 MPG highway. Combined with some minor interior upgrades and a new 6-speed manual transmission the new 5.0-liter V8 will address the complaints of it being underpowered compared to its arch rival the Chevrolet Camaro. We didn't get to get behind the wheel but they started and revved it for us. Words cannot describe it. I got tingly all over..and I mean ALL OVER. More great product news to come from Ford. Watch for our live coverage of the Detroit Auto show January 11 - 12, 2010.
IRA Toyota of Milford
Click on their logo above or email Brad Taylor directly below. Make sure you tell them Gaywheels sent you! Name of Dealership: IRA Toyota of Milford Brands Sold: Toyota City, State and Zip: Milford, MA Contact Name: Brad Taylor Telephone: 1-866-225-5472 Website: IRA Toyota of Milford
2010 Cadillac SRX
If Cadillac's goal is to get Gen-Y excited about their brand, it seems to be working. My very The biggest complaint so far have been the driving dynamics. Much has been written by my automotive journalist colleagues about the lack of power and relative heft of the SRX. Cadillac has responded saying that the majority of their target market will be satisfied with the 265 HP 3.0 V6 engine and will especially enjoy the estimated 25 MPG on the highway for FWD versions. I have no complaint with the power train. It is more than adequate for the people that the SRX was designed for. If you want a sportier driving experience, there are other products in the Cadillac portfolio (CTS Wagon for example) that are more fun to drive and carry equal amounts of people and cargo. My issue in the first few days has been ride quality; more specifically the level of harshness transmitted to the cabin and the accompanying rattle from the sunroof or hatch (I haven't isolated it yet). The Premium trim level is equipped with 20" wheels which are certainly partially to blame. The roads here in Northern NJ also leave a lot to be desired. So, I am embarking on a road trip to test the SRX. I'll be tweeting along the way and they will be captured below. Look for my final words in a day or two. If you want to follow me on Twitter, you can do so HERE.
2010 GMC TerrainL'UNIVERSELLE GMC TERRAIN
By Casey Williams
In 1955, GMC created a front-drive "mini-van" it named L'Universelle for its supposed ability Like its older and larger sibling, the Acadia, Terrain is a car-based crossover that drives like a sport sedan, but leaps poor roads and brings its haul from the home store like an SUV. Based on the German-engineered Saturn Vue architecture that also underpins the Cadillac SRX and Chevy Equinox, Terrain jumps up about four notches in style and refinement from the outbound Pontiac Torrent it replaces. Styling is based on several recent concept vehicles with deeply sculpted fender flares, chiseled front facia, and cheese grater grille with flashy chrome surround. More chrome covers the rear bumper and connects the high-mounted taillamps. Terrain looks like it could slog it out on backwoods trails then shower up for a night at the club. Looking ready for cyberfest, interior forms follow trends set by the full-size Acadia. Two-tone seats and door inserts add flair while large red-lit analog gauges, perfect-sized steering As a response to customers, GMC offers the Terrain with a 182-horsepower 2.4-litre I've driven models with the four-cylinder engine, and it has plenty of guts to get on down the road, but the V6 is superb. You give up a little in fuel economy, but gain 80 much-appreciated horses. If you want to run with the big-lunged German crossovers from BMW and Mercedes, go for the V6. To conserve fossils, the four-cylinder is plenty of powerful and über efficient. Driving the Terrain is also impressive. Steering responses, thanks to rack-and-pinion and a "We wanted to carve the GMC Terrain away from the pack and establish its identity as a powerful, fresh crossover SUV with a confident and strong stance," said John Cafaro Jr., director of exterior design, Global Crossover Vehicles. "Everything about the Terrain communicates a sense of tailored toughness and passionate craftsmanship." Cafaro knows something about confident vehicles with passionate craftsmanship - he designed the C5 Corvette. From first glances, he and his team did a great job with GMC's newest crossover, which competes against the Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe. Terrain is universal in its capability to carry person and stuff great distances inside a shell that does Motorama proud. ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=2a504f9a-4a80-4a8d-8495-2e0f3641eb36)
Get a free gay-friendly insurance quote for a 2010 GMC Terrain Find a GMC dealer near you! Read other GMC reviews by Gaywheels.com's writers
Best Date Car of 2009
Joe LaMuraglia - 2009 VW CC
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Best "Car for Me" of 2009Joe Tralongo - 2010 VW GOLF TDI
Nick Kurczewski - Dodge Challenger R/T
Casey Williams - Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
Joe LaMuraglia - 2010 Subaru Outback
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Best Family Car of 2009
Casey Williams - 2010 Subaru Tribeca
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Best Club Car of 2009Joe Tralongo - 2010 Kia Soul
Casey Williams - 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS
Joe LaMuraglia - 2010 Lincoln MKT
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Best Makeover of 2009Joe Tralongo - 2010 VW GTI
Casey Willams - 2010 Ford Taurus
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Best New Car of 2009Joe Tralongo - Chevrolet Camaro
Nick Kurczewski - Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Casey Williams - Buick LaCrosse
Joe LaMuraglia - Chevrolet Equinox
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2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe SlideshowBack to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show
2011 Mazda2 SlideshowBack to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show Back to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show
2011 Ford Fiesta SlideshowBack to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show
2011 Buick Regal SlideshowBack to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show Back to the Top 5 From the 2009 LA Auto Show
Top 5 New Vehicles - LA Auto Show I attended the 2009 LA Auto show and provided daily updates via Twitter (click HERE for a compilation of my tweets). As is customary, I choose the Top 5 vehicles from the show and post them here. Note, these are new vehicles introduced from gay-friendly manufacturers. Some of my colleagues will more than likely point out the absence of the excellent vehicles introduced from Hyundai and Kia. Until they extend their same-sex domestic partner policies throughout their organization, they do not qualify to be in our picks from the auto shows. Our Top 5 Picks from the 2009 LA Auto Show (in no particular order): 2011 Toyota Sienna  2011 CTS Coupe 
 Ford introduced, for the umpteenth time, the 2011 Fiesta at the LA Auto show. While the existence of the vehicle was hardly a secret thanks to a heavily publicized and popular social media blitz, we did get some intriguing details about the hot new hatch from Dearborn. A 1.6L four-cylinder engine will be available with Ford's version of a dual-clutch automatic transmission called PowerShift. It is more efficient than a traditional automatic transmission and this type of gear changer is usually found on more expensive, high-performance vehicles form Germany. Expect 40 MPG highway with the PowerShift. Also available is a traditional 5-speed automatic for those control freaks like me. The Ford Fiesta starts at $13,320 but quickly gets into the low $20s.See more photos of the 2011 Ford Fiesta.
 2011 Buick Regal  Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard and the turbo model will have an optional 6-speed manual. The design is clean, tight and athletic but don't expect this to be a people mover as the rear seat headroom is tight. The interior is another exercise in functional, stylish simplicity - thank you Opel. The 2011 Buick Regal is available in late Spring 2010. See more photos of the 2011 Buick Regal
2010 BMW 550i GTBMW stamps its authority on the luxury cross-over world The 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo is the latest chapter in the age of the luxury cross-over. With the practicality of a station wagon and panoramic ride height of a traditional SUV, the 5 GT has all the goodies you expect in a German luxury car: power, agile steering, a classy cabin, and enough room in the trunk for antiquing (of which we'll discuss later).  The interior is loaded with polished metal and leather - no great surprise, given the 5 GT's substantial base price of $64,725. The mere thought of a spilled latte or muddy paw prints on the backseat of this Bimmer has relationship-breaking potential. BMW has expended considerable energy streamlining the functions of its much-maligned (and in its first generation, exceedingly irritating) iDrive system. Take note, because the criticism ends here with the fourth installment of iDrive. After only a few miles behind the wheel, I found it easy to toggle through commands for the navigation system, radio, and various other vehicle functions. If you screw up, don't panic (or start cursing German engineering). A handy "Back" button returns you to the previous screen and gets you out of trouble.  There is seating for five adults and plenty of room to stretch out. The backseat is extremely spacious and shames the room offered in many large SUVs. The rear seat moves back and forth and the angle of the seat back can be adjusted. For $3,950 an optional luxury rear seat package replaces the middle seat with an attractive center console. But unless you truly need the back seat to have the comfort and amenities of a Lear jet, this seems an expensive way to reduce seating to only four. In terms of safety, the optional night vision system seems a bargain at $2,600. Okay, it also happens to look extremely cool and will impress your friends. A premium sound system, ventilated seats, rear entertainment system and alloy wheels (stretching to 20-inches in diameter) are all available. One of the best bets is the Sport Package, which rings in at $4,200.  To be honest, the comfort setting feels too soft and Lexus-like for a BMW. The company's traditional weighty steering suddenly felt numb and lifeless. Normal mode offered a much better balance of comfort and agility, though I usually spent most of my time in sport and sport+ mode. This made the ride noticeably firmer, and provided the steering with extra verve and character.  The rear hatch can be opened in two parts. The bottom half opens like a conventional trunk-lid if all you need is to throw small items in the back. For bulkier items, the entire rear hatch and back window swings up and out of the way. It's a clever feature, one of those things you never knew you needed until you had it - like my antique end table (a bargain at only $30 bucks!). For car buyers with the means to afford it, the 550i GT offers a tempting blend of horsepower, tech-gadgets and real-world functionality. Some might be turned off by the exterior styling - I personally prefer the macho looks of the BMW X6 - but the trade-off is a more livable cabin with limo-like levels of space and luxury. Check out Nick's Blog at True/Slant Get a free gay-friendly insurance quote for a 2010 BMW 5 Series GT
2009 LA Auto Show - Buick Press EventBuick is on a roll and from early reports, the new Buick Regal is going to continue the momentum for the brand. Watch GM unveil the hot new Buick Regal live at the date and time below or via reply soon after the event. BUICK PRESS CONFERENCE (Regal)
2009 LA Auto Show - Chevrolet Press EventChevrolet will debut the production Volt and Cruze on Wednesday, December 2nd at 12:35 PM EST. Both are pivotal products for Chevrolet and will be an integral part of their "from gas-friendly to gas-free" campaign.
And here is a YouTube Video of the new Chevrolet Cruze.
2009 Los Angeles Auto Show Live UpdatesI am a guest of GM at the 2009 LA Auto Show and will be reporting live from the event on Wednesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 3rd. GM has kindly supplied code so that people can watch their press events live from their computers and it they will be available for replay soon after they occur. You can see those by clicking on their respective descriptions below. Also, I'll be using Twitter to update the site during the day. You can see the compilation of my Tweets by clicking HERE
2011 Audi A8 Preview I am in Miami as a guest of Audi to witness the reveal of the new 2011 Audi A8. Audi chose Miami to reveal their new flagship in part as the kick off of the Art Basel show - self described as the most important art show in the U.S. We learned very little about the new car other than some top line specs: The new A8 will come to market with either of two engines, a 4.2L V8 with 372 hp and a 4.2L V8 TDI with 350 HP They will be followed by a 3.0L V6 TDI with 250 HP. Both engines have Audi's legendary Quattro system as standard and are mated to a new 8-speed tiptronic transmission. They also mentioned another 3.0L V6 TDI that will be introduced later in model year. It is a FWD vehicle and they estimate a 39.2 MPG on the highway. No confirmation yet if all these model variants will be available in the U.S. It was difficult to get close to the car as there were hundreds of journalist ignoring the celebrities in attendance (Chris Noth, Christina Ricci and some guy from Southland) and rushing the vehicles on stage. It isn't as radical as I thought and it actually looks considerably smaller than the current A8 but again, take all comments as light commentary. The lighting wasn't optimal, there were too many people there and I had a few champers in me. I did manage to muscle my way into the rear seat of one A8 and the dashboard, and the entire interior for that matter, look sumptuous. Phenomenal materials and understated design that are the calling card of Audi are all present. I've included all the photos available from Audi below. You can judge the design for yourself. Note that this is one of those vehicles that looks better in person. I look forward to getting behind the wheel in the near future.
2010 Cadillac CTS Sport WagonCADILLAC AT LASTby Casey Williams Rufus Wainwright is an eccentric out artist best known for his baroque pop compositions that blur the lines between a Broadway musical, Beethoven’s Fifth, and next wave pop. Most will know him from his renditions of Hallelujah and Complainte De La Butte from “Moulin Rouge”, but his 2009 album “Milwaukee At Last!!!” takes his art to new extremes…just as Cadillac raises its fins to new heights with the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. Get ready for a multi-generational, multi-dimensional power trip fit for the self-proclaimed gay messiah.  The album was recorded in a working-class town not unlike the Detroit from which Cadillac originally came. As if rising out of the dusty murk of the mid-west, the CTS is a stunning example of modern design and competent performance. It will also coddle your bum with the grip of heated and cooled, side-bolstered, sweet-smelling, cowhide-covered seats.  As Cadillac’s first attempt at a proper “station” wagon, the CTS is about as good as it gets. The front wears a huge and bold grille from the CTS sedan. Edgy fenders rise from the stacked headlamps, through the beltline, and end in the middle of the sky high, light-tubed taillights that accent bulging exotic-width rear fenders. Head-on, the CTS is aggressive and concept car cool. Out back, you could spot the car from three miles behinds and know who builds it. Just as Wainwright out-wails even Judy Garland at his concerts, Ed Wellburn’s design team at GM shaped a bigger tailfin than the grand master of ‘50s flash, Harley Earl himself. Blue Diamond Tricoat paint glimmers like a diva’s dress.  Inside, one finds an opera hall of decadence. From the perfect leather and wood steering wheel to real Sapele wood on the dash and doors, the smell of heaven from the seats, power tilt/telescoping steering column, analog clock, heated/cooled seats, hand-stitch door and dash coverings, everything reeks of the quality of Luis Vuitton, George Nelson, and the Ritz Carlton all tossed inside one glorious cabaret act. Contemporary electronics allow for a pop-up navigation screen, 40-gig music hard drive, programmable liftgate (can be limited to prevent collisions with garage doors), and Bose 5.1 surround 10-speaker audio with XM or Sirius Satellite Radio. Keyless entry and starting and a rearview back-up camera make using this rolling orchestra a cinch. From the two rows of seats, the CTS Sport Wagon is like any other CTS, but with the rear seats folded flat and the rear hatch powered up, a 58 cu. ft. cargo area opens up – easily able to swallow a couple of mountain bikes laying flat. The Ultraview sunroof lets in a sky’s worth of light. During the Milwaukee concert, Wainwright walked out on stage wearing heels and tights, the diva-bitch of Canada, with a conservative black jacket to wail out a Garland tune. Jacked up on 18” alloy wheels, tearing to the road through available all-wheel-drive, the CTS Sport Wagon is ready to wail its own road-burning tune. AWD is great for performance on dry pavement and a lifesaver during less than glamorous days. Stabilitrak electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, and four-wheel ABS disc brakes are the perfect accompaniments. Flat out, or floatin’ through a back road dance, the CTS Sport Wagon rides like a billet of Pittsburgh steel – even if loaded with 20 cases of Milwaukee brew. Stepping on this swift cat’s tail sends the 304-HP Direct Injection 3.6-litre V6 (or base 3.0-litre 270-HP DI V6) into the rafters to sing its high notes while sending ample power to the road through a six-speed manumatic transmission and gripping the road through all four corners. There’s plenty to step off the line in a tear, but enough in reserve to give Camaros a good run on the open road. Driven with less gusto, the car achieves 18/26-MPG city/hwy while burning regular unleaded. The CTS Sport Wagon is a car for all moods and destinations – luxurious and elegant when desired, as down-home and work-boy as the folk music Wainwright sometimes plays, or as flamboyant as Judy Garland in heels. CTS bears witness to Cadillac’s glory days while thrusting at least one fin into the future. This is the final coming of Cadillac we’ve all been promised – until, let’s pray, a V-version with the sedan’s 550-HP supercharged V8 arrives. Expect to pay plenty for this exclusive concert ticket, making the Caddy’s appearance a frightful sight for the Volvo S70, Mercedes GLK, and BMW 3-Series. Want to contact Casey? Email him HERE Get a free gay-friendly insurance quote for a 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
VW Owner Welcome My brother drives a 2009 VW Jetta TDI. As a owner, he gets a subscription to VW's magazine DasAuto. I intercepted it the other day for some good bathro...I mean, downtime reading material. Owner's magazines are nothing new and DasAuto magazine has the usual product propaganda and branded trinkets to buy. But I also found some really useful information that VW is offering to their owners - the most interesting being their online instruction manual for new VW owners. VW's Owner Welcome site is an online video library of instructions tailored to each vehicle that Volkswagen sells in the U.S. Say for example, you bought a new 2010 VW Jetta and you are among the 95% of new owners that don't open their owner's manual. You probably have NO idea that you can program the car to unlock specific doors when you press the key fob. Well, you CAN and VW outlines it in clear, German-accented English on the Owners Welcome site. The site has short instructional videos for everything from operating the Multi-Functional display to how to open the rear hatch on a VW Golf (if you need to watch that one, please let me know when you are going to be driving. I don't want be within 100 miles of you). You can also forward the videos to you mobile device so you can watch them while you are in the vehicle. Excellent stuff. One suggestion we have for VW: make all these videos available on the Navigation system so the consumer can sit and watch from the front seat when stationary. Otherwise, we love the idea and think others should follow VW's lead. If Saturn had done this, my sister wouldn't have gone 6 months of driving an Astra without knowing it had cruise control!
2010 Nissan GT-R PremiumWhat a Difference a Letter Makes GT is short for "Gran Turismo" and no, it isn't just a video game. It is Italian for "grand touring" and when applied to vehicles it is meant to mean a powerful, comfortable long-distance cruiser. At some point during the past three decades, automotive brands of various lineage adopted the "GT" moniker and slapped it onto everything from econo-boxes to station wagons with the hope that it would make them sound sportier. Sadly, because of this overzealous adoption of "GT", its true meaning has been lost, perhaps forever.  Then along came Nissan. The brand wasn't immune the "GT" fever but happily their initial iteration and its various strains have been unique and with an additional letter; In 1969 the Japanese brand put a powerful motor in their mainstream sedan and the GT-R was born. It came and went and was re-introduced in the Japanese market but it never officially made it to the U.S. until the 2009 model year. Arriving on our shores with 480 horsepower, AWD and a whole lot of attitude, it fulfilled the dreams of automotive journalists and geeks alike. I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a 2010 GT-R. It is amazing what a difference one letter makes.  The Nissan GT-R is what they call a Halo car in the auto business. Nissan won't sell thousands of them and will most likely lose money on each one it sells but it is a showcase of everything that the brand stands for - its rolling DNA if you will. The GT-R is a racing machine that you can ostensibly live with on a daily basis. It has set records for speed on the famous Nürburgring in Germany - something we'd never be able to duplicate - and its adjustable suspension and AWD supposedly make it suitable for year-round trips to the store and even, gasp, commuting. We set out on a long weekend to test the latter.  The 2010 Nissan GT-R has a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 485 hp to all four wheels via a 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Yes, that is 5 more horsepower than last year. I guess the Nissan engineers follow the adage of "if it ain't broke, make it better". To describe the car as fast is a gross understatement. It simply launches forward seemingly at the thought of pressing of the accelerator. If it were any faster, it might bend space and time.  To put it into geek terms, it takes 3.5 seconds to get to 60 MPH from a standstill. To put it into more mundane verbiage, it'll make your passengers scream with glee or terror, depending on the traffic situation. I made my colleague Miriam scream when I took her on a quick spin here in NYC. She didn't realize that while we were approaching the taxis on the West Side highway at light speed, I had massive Brembo brakes at my disposal that drag the GT-R to a halt almost as quickly as the engine thrusts it to speed. Not sure Miriam will be riding with me again any time soon. On a weekend trip to Cape Cod, I accidentally hit triple digits (there was a one, a two and a five involved) three or twenty times. It isn't hard to do in the GT-R and I was amazed at how easily it occurred as well as how a pleasant, controlled experience it is. I felt in total control at all times and came to terms quickly with the fact that the GT-R was a beast at my command - never the other way around. The cockpit is put together with high quality materials and everything you touch is luxurious. Nissan's luxo brand Infiniti could go shopping at the GT-R store for some ideas. The adjustable suspension in Comfort mode gave a smooth (for a sports car) ride on well-paved roads and just about every electronic gizmo is available for the driver. I say "just about" because I did find a few minor complaints. Missing were a rear-view camera and automatic lights. I know, I know, I sound like a prima donna but if they really want to make the car for "anyone all the time" these things are important. If I shelled out $84K for a car, I would be paranoid about backing up and I'll be damned if I want to worry about leaving my lights on.  Another complaint was the positioning of the heated seat switch. I couldn't find it for two days. Its position on the outer side of the seat wedged between the door and the seat cushion seems like the afterthought that it most likely was. Yes, minor complaints but these things are better engineered on a entry-level car, right? At its core, the GT-R is a race car with pseudo-pedestrian clothing. Its raw power is evident every time you hit either pedal and while positioned to be a everyday car, those racing roots show themselves when in less-than-perfect situations. The transmission, for example, is brilliant under full throttle delivering perfectly-timed, crisp shifts but in a more real-world situations - around the city or even in the villages of the Cape - it got confused easily. It was as if it was a gazelle frustrated at the task better suited for a mule. The GT-R was made the run fast in wide open spaces and doesn't like the stop and go or low-speeds speed of daily life. Like a race car, the interior of the GT-R heated up quickly - a reminder that all the pretty materials were tightly wrapped around a serious, heat generating machine. In low speed situations, I had a hard time finding a comfortable temperature. Then there's the suspension. Yes, it is adjustable but on the roads around the NY metro area even the Comfort setting wasn't enough to make it livable. My new definition of torture is driving the GT-R on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway with a full bladder. Something to keep in mind if you live in an area with less-than-perfect roadways. There is no such thing as the perfect car and I can image some of my readers rolling their eyes at my complaints introduced above. The Nissan GT-R is hardly perfect - if you want a comfortable cruiser. But for someone looking for a high-performance machine that doesn't cost as much as a small house, the Nissan GT-R is truly remarkable. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* is $80,790 for the GT-R, and $83,040 for the GT-R Premium model. Destination & Handling (D&H) is $1,000. Get a free gay-friendly insurance quote for a 2010 Nissan GT-R
Images Courtesy of Nissan North America
2010 Buick LaCrosseLaCROSSE STYLES GM’S FUTURE Buick was the cornerstone of General Motors as it was birthed into being by William Durant. Through the past century, the brand has occupied a rung right below Cadillac, offering prestigious luxury and beautiful design with an affordable price tag. As GM went through its little hiccup this year, I kept thinking if the company could just make it until this fall, the world would see the future of GM. Now, it is here. The 2010 LaCrosse will do for Buick what the CTS did for Cadillac.  LaCrosse is one stylish smoothster, ready to take on the best from Asia and Sweden. If the big sedan looks Japanese, you aren’t far off. The car was penned by designers at GM’s studio in Shanghai to be elegant, contemporary, and classically-inspired. A big toothy grille, ventiports on the top of the hood, and sweepspear side sculpting make it clear this is a Buick even if it appears washed in a Zen garden. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels with wide low-profile tires fill the wheelwells beautifully. It was entertaining watching the looks on peoples’ faces as the LaCrosse slipped by. Their mind obviously registered “Lexus”, but the big grille and styling was clearly Buick. It was as if seeing a car like this from the blue hair group was unimaginable. Imagine it – and enjoy it. It is a stunning design that will influence all Buicks to follow.  Friends and family will want to slide in for a night on the town or even a three-day cross-country tour. Either way, the LaCrosse entertains with a Harman/Kardon 384-watt 11-speaker audio system, available XM or Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity for cell phones, USB port (connects iPODs directly to the car’s controls), and a 120-volt home-style rear seat power plug. Unlike in the Lexus RX, there are also cigarette lighter power outlets. An extra large glass sunroof is perfect for light and leisure. Passive entry, push button starting, back-up camera, and navigation keep drivers as pleased as passengers. Most cars will roll out of the factory with front-wheel drive, but AWD is optional with the 3.0-litre V6. No matter which engine you choose, the LaCrosse will drive like no Buick before. That’s not to say the car rides harsh. Our test car rode on the available electronic suspension system with real time damping that allows the chassis to soak up quite-horrible road rash while never losing its composure. Put the car into a corner and its wide print 19” treads grip like Grandpa’s dentures. The car is quiet, poised, and a most-relaxing place to travel. With its latest generation of vehicles, Buick is driving on new roads. Given Pontiac’s imminent demise, Buick must cover the range from luxury-oriented compacts (coming soon), sport sedans ( you won’t believe the 2011 Regal), crossovers (Enclave still reigns), and full-on luxury sedans like the LaCrosse. At the same time, it must also cope with significantly higher government fuel economy standards and downsize (this is the last year for the Lucerne) without the bad 1980s aftertaste. Designed in China, and engineered in Germany, the LaCrosse is ready to munch around the world. Who would have thought that the Chinese and Germans could build better Buicks? I just hope they won’t scare the old ladies away. Get a free gay-friendly insurance quote for a 2010 Buick LaCrosse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Like Taylor Lautner packing on 30 pounds of muscle for "New Moon," Ford has given the Taurus a similarly strict gym regime. Pumped up with handsome new looks and bursting with power (we're talking about the car folks!), the new Taurus is suddenly a stand-out in the crowded family car market. If you crave high-speed thrills as much as I desire Taylor's six-pack abs, the 365-horsepower SHO is the best choice. 
