Fast Cars

When Bobby Labonte gets behind the wheel of the #43 Petty Racing Dodge Charger this weekend, he'll see an STP logo through his windshield. To help promote its new oil stabilizer product, STP is the car's primary sponsor for this weekend's Aarons 499 Nextel Cup race at the Talladega Superspeedway. This marks the first time in six years that the 43 car will wear the classic STP/Petty red, white and blue livery.

Such a beautiful car.

Louise Smith, the first woman to be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, died Saturday April 15, at the age of 89. Smith was known for her fearless style, she won 38 Modified events and gave as good as she got.

Even though it's only a concept vehicle (for now), Camaro makes all the right noises. The idle was a guttural rumble that made me want to hear what it sounded like under real acceleration. One guy next to me wondered aloud how much money it'd take to have the driver "light 'em up."

Last Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show, Ford's Mark Fields brought out the 2007 Shelby GT-H Mustang (with Carroll Shelby riding 'gun), saying it represented two tiers of Ford's new performance strategy: personalized performance and Ford Racing Parts.

Saying that the introduction of the new LS was an emphatic statement from the company, Carter said that this car, the LS hybrid, was the exclamation point: a car that "explored the outer reaches of performance, style and technology. A vehicle as efficient and familiar as it is indulgent and advanced."

Honestly, I look at these photos and can't believe I'm looking at a Saturn. That's how significant these changes are. This is better than anything that has ever worn the little red planet badge, and by a significant margin.

In my opinion when it comes to pure and raw sexyness, lambo > ferrari

The picture Gizmodo is running of that 399 rare Ferrari Enzo that Ericksson trashed is worth the clickthru alone.

2. Too much emphasis on "gas guzzlers." The hypocrisy in this statement is rampant since most people who make it are ardent supporters of the "free market." The trouble for these hypocrites is that a major free market principle is the law of supply and demand. According to Seattle Times columnist Shaunti Feldhahn, consumer demand for big, bad SUVs has doubled in the last 15 years. So much for the argument that American car companies aren't building what consumers want to buy. Just like American companies have been scrambling to satisfy the one percent of car buyers who want hybrids, Japanese car makers have been scrambling to catch up to Ford and GM by offering bigger and badder behemoths (at even worse gas mileage ratings than American SUVs). GM has more models with over 30 mpg. highway (2006 EPA estimates) than any other auto maker. Last month I revealed that my 1996 Lincoln Town Car now has over 160,000 miles with no signs of letting up. What I didn't mention is that my car has averaged 24 mpg since September 2001, which is a result of combined mostly highway driving during the week and mostly city driving on weekends. Not bad for a big luxury car.

American Suzuki has made four show cars out of product currently on the market, and they've been showing them at various auto shows around the country. They are the Grand Vitara "Blizzard", Grand Vitara "Dune", Grand Vitara "Wave" and Forenza "Sea."

It’s 1,320 feet long, straight, with 2 tracks. Just your car, side-by-side with another one, ripping down the drag strip. A brief shot at glory before returning to your day job. That’s what makes the Sportsman (non-professional) drag events so much fun; regular people on the world-class proving grounds of Gainesville Raceway, trying to see what their car can do. During the Gatornationals, a pair of them is launched down the strip about every 40 seconds, all day long.

The speculation is over. The 2007 Audi TT has been unveiled for the world to see, and you know what? It looks good.

Pontiac has released images of the G6 GXP coupe show car that will get its official unveiling next week at the New York International Auto Show. In remarks I made earlier, I stated that Pontiac should give the GXP treatment to the sedan or the convertible.