Car News Articles

Volkswagen Touareg by Je Design

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:09:20 +0000

It seems Je Design has a little of a crush on Volkswagen as they are constantly tuning models from the German marque. And since we have a new generation Touareg, it would only make sense that the German tuner would follow right behind with a new tuning package for it.

Making the Touareg even sportier than the SUV already is, Je Design has added a new sports radiator grill, front spoiler, front and back wheel arch kit, rear apron insert, roof spoiler, and rear hatch blend, all made in Polyurethane.

And like the excellent tuners they are, Je Design didn’t stop at the exterior modifications. After fiddling around with the engine using optimized engine management, the tuner was able to boost the performance of the 4.2-liter TDI-engine to 410 HP and 930 NM of torque. This increase provides the Volkswagen Touareg with a 0-60mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 167mph.

Along with the engine modifications, Je Design has also provided the SUV with a pneumatic electronic suspension lowering module that can lower the SUV’s ride by 35 millimeters, dual exhaust pipes, and, of course, a new set of wheels.

Press release after the jump.

Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango - What’s your pick?

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:09:20 +0000

67.8180286436%14

Jei 10:32PM (9/02/2010)

@MarketAndChurch:

If you chose the Grd Cherokee…then you’d be choosing the new Durango. Both the GC & Durango share a common platform which itself was jointly developed with M-B with the intention of using the same platform for next-gen versions of the GLK, ML, R, GL vehicles. Just knowing that bit of info shows that the the GC & Durango are some “very well thought-out” vehicles. So many models from one extremely versatile platform.

I won’t discredit the new Explorer though. Ford has done a great job at keeping the icon fresh and innovative. They knew that the majority of past Explorer owners rarely used it’s off-road capabilities and made a more street-oriented CUV that should appeal to the very audience that should eventually purchase it.

↓↑report

Tokyo to L.A. - The Hard Way - In a Suzuki Kizashi: North American Saga Begins

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:09:40 +0000

DAY 14: ANCHORAGE TO BEAVER CREEK, YT, CANADA
Frank Wisniowicz recommends the venison sausage. Although he’s not a breakfast kind of guy, he tried it the morning of my arrival from Detroit and liked it. It’s a bit spicy.

GM won’t go for IPO until after mid-term elections

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:09:00 +0000

General Motors Co. doesn’t plan to begin a “roadshow” and launch its public offering before the Nov. 2 midterm congressional elections.

VW names Porsche veteran as new product guru

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:09:00 +0000

VW has hired Klaus-Gerhard Wolpert as its new chief product strategist. Wolpert, who spearheaded development of Porsche’s best-selling car, the Cayenne premium SUV, is the latest Porsche AG executive to shift over to VW. Starting Oct.

Fort Worth and Dallas area dirt track and dragway schedule (Sept. 2-5)

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:09:20 +0000

Fort Worth and Dallas area tracks and dragways. If the forecast calls for inclement weather, check the track Web sites or call the track to make sure the racing is still on schedule:

Dirt tracks
Cowtown Speedway (Kennedale)
Sept. 4 (Saturday): Regular program featuring Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, Winged 600s, Bombers and Dwarf Cars. Demolition Derby
Schedule: Hot laps begin at 7 p.m.; racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 for adult general admission; $5 for ages 6-11; $2 for ages 3-5; $9 for child (11-under) reserved seat. $18 for adult reserved seat; Pit passes are $30. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the track Web site at no additional cost
More info: www.cowtownspeedway.com
Phone: 817-478-9952

Kennedale Speedway Park
Sept. 2 (Thursday): 6th Annual Southern SportMod Nationals
Schedule: Gates open at 6 p.m.; practice 7 - 10 p.m.; pit admission $15
Sept. 3 (Friday): 6th Annual Southern SportMod Nationals. IMCA Modifieds $1,000 to win, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Southern SportMods
Schedule: Gates open at 4 p.m.; heat races start at 8 p.m.
Sept. 4 (Saturday): 6th Annual Southern SportMods, $2,000 to win, IMCA Modifieds $1,000 to win and Street Stocks
Schedule: Gates open at 4 p.m.; heat races start at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Adults are $12, children 6-11 are $5, kids 5 and under get in free. Pit passes are $25
More information: http://www.raceksp.com/
Phone: 817-478-7223

85 Speedway (Ennis)
Sept. 5 (Sunday): 4th Annual IMCA Southern SportMod Regionals, $750 to win, Cruisers, Bombers and Twisters
Schedule: Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults are $12; senior citizens are $9; children ages 6-12 are $5 and children under 6 get in free. Pit passes are $30 for adults
More info: www.ennis85speedway.com
Phone: 972-875-8500

281 Speedway (Stephenville)
Sept. 4 (Saturday): Regular program featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Southern SportMods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks and Compact Cruisers. Kids Gold Rush
Schedule: Gates open at 6 p.m.; racing begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Adults are $10; children 6-12 are $3; kids under 6 get in free; pit passes are $25
More information: www.281speedway.com
Phone: 254-965-3092 or 817-721-5204

Heart O’ Texas Speedway (Elm Mott)
Sept. 3 (Friday): Regular program featuring Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Cruisers, Jr. Mini Stocks and Twisters. Texas Mini-Sprint Nationals
Schedule: Gates open at 6 p.m., racing begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (age 60 and above) and students (12 and over or college ID); $3 for children 6-12; children under 6 are free; $25 for pit passes
More info: www.heartotexspeedway.com
Phone: 254-829-2294

Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite)
Sept. 4 (Saturday): Championship Finals, ASCS Outlaw Sprints, RaceSaver Super Sprints. USA Modifieds, Late Models, USA Limited Modifieds and Street Stocks
Schedule: Gates open at 6 p.m.; racing starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Adults are $10 (reserved seats at $2 extra); students 12-15 are $5; children 6-11 are $2; kids 5 and under get in free; pit passes are $25
More info: www.devilsbowl.com
Phone: 972-222-2421

Dragways

Texas Raceway (Kennedale)
Sept. 3 (Friday): Motor Madness 7.0. Fun N Grudge
Sept 4 (Saturday): National Dragster Bracket Race, Walls to six winners
Sept. 5 (Sunday): 1st Annual All-Out Grudge race
More info: www.texasraceway.com
Phone: 817-483-0356, metro 817-572-3580

North Star Dragway (Denton)
Sept. 3 (Friday): LoneStar Performance Ultimate Street Night
Sept. 4 (Saturday): Texas True Ten 5 and Top Gas Motorcycles
More info: www.northstar-dragway.com
Phone: 940-482-9998

Dallas Raceway (Crandall)
Sept. 3 (Friday): Test N Tune, Grudge Races
Sept. 4 (Saturday): Test N Tune, Grudge Races, Texas Outlaw 3.30 Jr. Dragsters
More info: www.dallasraceway.com
Phone: 972-474-2600

News & Rants: MotherProof.com Reviews the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:09:00 +0000

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STi probably isn’t the first car you’d think of when looking for a family car. MotherProof.com’s Chief Mama Kristin Varela spent a week test-driving the WRX STi and found a lot of features that appeal to parents, including standard all-wheel drive, a big trunk and an easy-to-use Latch system for child-safety seats. Can the high-performance WRX STi hold its own in the carpool lane? Read Kristin’s review to find out.

Yup

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:09:20 +0000

Chrysler’s Fiat/Alfa Dealer Plan: 50k Sales From 165 Stores In 119 Markets

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:09:40 +0000

Chrysler execs met with some 400 potential Fiat dealers today to discuss plans for a new network of Fiat and Alfa-Rome brand stores in the US, and as we have noted, a certain amount of overlap can be expected. Chrysler says that “as many as 200″ stores could be opened for the Italian brands, but the company has only identified 119 metropolitan markets in 38 US states where it projects sales growth in small car sales. Even with only “about 165″ stores planned for the initial rollout, quite a few markets could host dueling Fiat/Alfa stores. According to the NYT’s Nick Bunkley, Idaho, Iowa, Alaska, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, The Dakotas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming will not receive Fiat/Alfa dealerships. Meanwhile, the AFP reports that Chrysler plans to sell 50,000 Fiat 500s in 2011 alone, meaning each of the 165 stores will sell an average of 303 units per year.

California Moves Towards Photo Parking Ticketing On Street Sweepers

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:09:20 +0000

The California state Senate last week gave preliminary approval to legislation giving local governments the green light to install automated ticketing machines on street sweepers to generate parking tickets. The measure, introduced by state Assemblyman Steven C. Bradford (D-Gardena), passed in the lower chamber in April by a 49 to 24 vote. It would go to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) upon a final vote by the Senate and an Assembly vote to approving the upper chamber’s amendments. On Friday, the full legislature sent a related measure cracking down on municipalities that have been using an unauthorized civil fine system to bypass state traffic laws for speeding and red light camera tickets.