Article Content:

Yesterday, a tanker truck traveling I-75 carrying 13,000 gallons of fuel crashed and exploded at an underpass just north of Detroit. Flames were seen launching miles into the air, video and pictures captured by many “onlookers” (who were actually miles away) show the insanity of all that gas and smoke flying into the air.

(Sorry about the Fox News Clip, it was the best we could find)

Miraculously only minor injuries were reported, including the tanker driver. The mile-9 marker at Hazel Park, MI, is closed for an indeterminate amount of time. The bridge, which was instantly engulfed by these flames, collapsed.

A few cars were caught in the wreck, but still everyone involved somehow escaped. Maybe God figured the residents in and around Detroit have suffered enough. One State Police Lt. was quoted as saying “We don’t know exactly what caused the explosion, but it did explode…” – really?

auto dealers

Article Content:

Continuing with the trend of making American versions of British TV shows, word comes that the BBC’s hit show, “Britain’s Worst Driver” will be remade for the colonies in a show called, “The Streets of America: The Search for America’s Worst Driver,” and it’s destined for Travel Channel. Now I’m sure the producers of this show have a nice methodical plan, and they know how they’re going to go about looking for the baboon that will “win” … but just in case, I can tell them where to start looking. If you really want to narrow down your search, there’s really only one state to look in.

Hawaii.

Yes, Hawaii, our 50th state, the one with all the aloha and bikinis and what not. No two ways about it, people in Hawaii have got to be the worst drivers I’ve seen in America.

Now, a case can be made for Florida. I had a friend when I was living in Hawaii, Matt, who was born and raised in Miami. He said that Hawaiians were actually better than Floridians behind the wheel. I have only driven through Florida, not lived there, so I suppose I should defer to Matt’s expertise. And Lord knows that I’ve seen some bad moves on the highways and byways of the Sunshine State, and I’ve heard some terrible tales. I’ve read about people who got pulled over for watching the flat screen TV they mounted in the driver’s side sun visor. They were driving OK, there was no accident involved, which is amazing, it’s just that the cop noticed them and THEN pulled them over.

And sure, there’s a lot of noise about drivers in New York or Massachusetts, or most drivers from New England for that matter, but I’ve found them to be rude and pushy, but not necessarily bad drivers. After all, being as rude and pushy as they are, if they were bad drivers, you’d see many more accidents in places like New York or Massachusetts, and, surprisingly, you don’t.

Now Hawaii …

I’m not sure what it was, exactly, whether it was the movie set views, the “spirit of aloha”, all the tourists, or what, but the sad fact of the matter is that people in Hawaii just can’t drive all that well. Now, let me just get something straight, I don’t mean NATIVE Hawaiians. They seem to be no better or worse than the hoales, hapas or all the rest. Everyone in that state is to be dealt with boatloads of caution.

For example, I was driving into town one day, cruising down the H1 at 65 or so. Beautiful, clear day, about 11.30 in the morning. It was just after Pearl, where the highway is 5 or 6 lanes wide, and the traffic was very light, only 4 cars.

To my right, about 100 yards in front of me was a woman in a new, gray Jetta. About a quarter mile in front of her and one lane over was an ol’kine pickup. And about half a mile up and in the far left was some sort of SUV. That was it, four cars as far as I could see.

The gal in the Jetta, puts on her left blinker (a rarity, in and of itself) and moves one lane to the left. Then, with the blinker still on, she violently swerves all the way to the far left lane. Off goes the blinker, she’s fine, straight and narrow, for about 200 yards, and then without warning, makes a 90-degree right hand turn without slowing down and t-bones the right hand Jersey barrier.

There was nothing on the road surface, no oil, it had not just rained or anything. It was as if she had said, “Screw it!”, and yanked the wheel hard right just to see what would happen.

And I would see people do stuff like that on a weekly basis.

I saw people driving down the freeway with the driver’s door open – I don’t mean ajar, I mean hanging open by a foot and a half. I saw people hauling TV cabinets the size of refrigerators in Miatas, and doing so just flat out booking. I’ve seen people driving on three wheels and a break disc, sparks flying all over the night sky, and no one around them so much as batting an eye.

And that’s just the stuff I’ve seen in one week.

Spend any amount of time there, and it becomes painfully clear that people in Hawaii just don’t drive very well.

used auto

Article Content:
Auto Reviews

When a 2009 Mazda MX-5 showed up on our review schedule, I was a bit concerned. See, I’m a little over 6′4″ tall, and shaped somewhat like a pear. I’ve never had much luck getting comfortable in smaller cars, and little compacts like the Honda S2000 and Mercedes SLK are completely hopeless. I figure the MX-5 (aka Miata) would suffer the same fate.

When they dropped off the MX-5, I was able to drive the car with relative comfort, assuming the top was down and seat was all the way back. But the size of the MX-5 is part of what attracts its buyers; being so small and nimble is what gives the driver such a close connection with the car, and the top down makes it a pleasure to drive.

When the MX-5 Miata was introduced 20 years ago, it was an instant success, having brought back the enthusiasm of the old British roadsters. Driving enthusiasts rejoiced, and are still doing so today. The MX-5, while not as modern or refined as many competitors, was the original small roadster in North America and has more fan clubs than almost any other car in the world. It’s hard for any manufacturer to garner that many loyal enthusiasts for a car, so what makes this one so special?

Since I was never part of the roadster movement, and never fell in love with one, I don’t have brand loyalty clouding my judgment while driving this new Miata. After squeezing in and driving to the store, I see why people like these cars. Despite being a big guy, I can drive the MX-5 comfortably. The 6-speed manual transmission really should be the only option in this car, but a 6-speed automatic is available for people who don’t “get” this type of car, and the SV and Sport trims have a 5-speed manual instead. Assuming you do this right thing and go with a manual gearbox, you’ll get 167 hp out of the 2.0-liter four-banger sitting under the hood. Autos drop the power down to 158 - a victim of powertrain loss. Sadly, the MX-5 does not have a high-powered turbocharged version, unlike its competitors.

Driving around town, I began noticing the shocking number of Miatas on the street, as each passing driver gave the casual two-finger fellow-Miata-driver wave of respect. Wow, people really do love these cars. I just had to find out why, so we decided to take it to the coast. I plugged my iPhone into the standard auxiliary jack, started my “Driving Music” playlist through the 7-speaker Bose sound system, folded down the roof, and off we went.

Thankfully, we had pleasant weather for most of the four-hour drive there and back, except for a 20-minute long thunderstorm that required us to close the top. This gave my skin a break from the vicious sun beating down, but for a tall guy like me, also made the cabin claustrophobic and uncomfortable. When the sun came back out I pulled over and held the button to fold back down the retractable hard-top, which takes only 12 seconds to go up or down. When the windy roads came, I really started to see where this car shines. Our review model had the 0 Sport Suspension package, which gives the car extra sharp handling through turns and pure driving pleasure. Suddenly my jaw began to hurt, not having realized I’ve been grinning ear to ear for the past 20 minutes.

On the coast, the MX5 was rewarded with plenty of looks, despite many of the more “prestigious” cars cruising around. The styling was modified a bit for 2009 to make the car appear more aggressive - a welcome change from the pill-shaped car from last year, but I can’t get past the huge grin of the front-end. Cute, but looks just like Lightning McQueen. Despite looking like a Disney character, it’s not an unattractive car. While it may not be as aggressive as the Honda S2000 or Saturn Sky, it has a more humble charm.

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 is certainly more of an everyday driver than it used to be. Unlike some of the older models, you can now get quite a lot of luxury and technology bits thrown in, and still only barely cross the ,000 mark. The 2009 MX-5 starts at ,500, but doesn’t include A/C. Want the bare basics? At least go with the Sport trim, and if you’re looking to buy a daily driver, you can get into the Touring or Grand Touring packages for a few more grand. If you want the retractable hardtop, expect to fork out another ,800-2,600, depending on trim level. I’d go with the soft-top, personally. The hardtop looks better when it’s up, but it’s heavier, more expensive, and you’ll have the top down most of the time anyway.

For 2009, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has stayed true to its roots, offering a light, fun, and quick roadster for people who look at driving as something more than just a method to get to work and back. And now that it’s even more drivable (and can comfortably fit a guy my size,) you can do exactly that, every day.

Competitors:

Saturn Sky
Honda S2000
Pontiac Solstice

Article Content:

Mercedes, logically, slowly and methodically, is getting into the green game more and more. Check out the latest example, the S-Class S 400 Hybrid. The boys from Stuttgart aren’t doing things half way, they’re not trying things out on lower range models, and then moving things up the corporate food chain. Nope, Mercedes is starting right at the top, with the S-Class.

When this press release first landed on my desk, the first thing I thought of was the top of the line Lexus hybrid (probably not what Mercedes would have liked), and the enviro-boondoggle they found them selves in when they sent copy number one to Paul McCartney via air freight (think about it for a second).

Anyway, Mercedes won’t be making that sort of mistake, I’m sure.

The press release starts off in the most bombastic fashion: “Exclusive design, the greatest possible comfort and trailblazing innovations … ” Good God, I hope it calms down or I won’t be able to read much more. Luckily it did, and some hard data is contained within.

For example, not only is Mercedes interested in what a hybrid drivetrain can do, but they also looked at the entire car’s life cycle, and how to maximize environmental benefits. The S 400 HYBRID (and yeah, Mercedes uses all caps for some annoying reason that is never made clear) is made to have as little impact on the planet as possible from production to operating the car and eventual the recycling/disposal of the ride when its time is done. As a matter of fact, Mercedes so worked the environmental aspect of the cars life cycle that they received an environmental certificate by the independent examiners at the technical inspection authority TÜV Süd. The 2005 S-Class was the first automobile worldwide to get this certification, and now Merc has added the hybrid S-Class to the list.

The new S 400 HYBRID is the world’s first series production car to feature a hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery. Under the hood there’s a V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module that cranks out a combined 299 hp, with a combined maximum torque of 385 Newton meters. The S 400 HYBRID hits 62 from a standstill in 7.2 seconds and tops out around 250 km/h. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

The S-Class hybrid also features an ECO start/stop function that automatically switches the engine off when the S-Class comes to a stop. And during deceleration, kinetic energy is recovered and stored in the lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment.

There’s no mention of when the S-Class hybrid will hit the showroom floors in the press release, nor is there any mention of price … but you’ve got to figure it will be expensive as all get out. Still, if you’ve got the scratch and the inclination to drive a hybrid, it will be a car worth looking into.

The press release:

Signed and sealed: the environmental compatibility of the new S-Class - S 400 HYBRID: Luxury for the Environment
Stuttgart, Jul 14, 2009
Exclusive design, the greatest possible comfort and trailblazing innovations – the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class is once again accepted to be the pacemaker for automotive progress. During the development of the world’s most successful luxury saloon, the focus was however not only on further improvements relating to the classic core values. In addition, the engineers and technicians were able to achieve decisive further progress towards optimal environmental compatibility. In this respect, the S 400 HYBRID is particularly impressive alongside the fuel-efficient versions with a V6 or V8 engine. The very latest hybrid technology makes this model the most economical luxury saloon with a petrol engine.
This comprehensive environmental commitment over the entire lifecycle of the S 400 HYBRID - from production to the operating phase and eventual recycling/disposal - has now been recognised by the independent examiners from the technical inspection authority TÜV Süd with the grant of the sought-after environmental certificate. This recognition was already accorded to the preceding
S-Class model in 2005, as the first automobile worldwide, and subsequently also to the Mercedes A, B, C and E-Class. In early 2009 the GLK-Class became the first Mercedes-Benz SUV model family to obtain the coveted certificate.
With the new S 400 HYBRID, the world’s first series production car to feature a hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery, Mercedes-Benz is emphatically underlining its claim to leadership with respect to design, comfort, innovation and environmental compatibility. The combination of a further improved V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module makes this model the world’s most efficient luxury saloon with a petrol engine. Its fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined) corresponds to carbon dioxide emissions of 186 grams per kilometre. The combined output is 220 kW/299 hp, with a combined maximum torque of 385 newton metres. The S 400 HYBRID accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of around 250 km/h - environmentally compatible drive systems and outstanding performance are not necessarily a contradiction in terms.
The S-Class hybrid offers all the advantages of this drive concept: a comfortable ECO start/stop function automatically switches the engine off when the S-Class comes to a stop - for example at traffic lights. During deceleration, kinetic energy is recuperated and stored by the compact lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment. This energy is put to use when required, for example when accelerating.
During the environmental certification process for the S-Class, more than 40,000 individual processes were examined, analysed and evaluated to produce a comprehensive eco-profile. It is not only the environmental effects during the vehicle’s operating phase that were assessed. Instead engineers examined every environment-related process, from development and production to operation and eventual recycling/disposal. This overall profile provides the basis for the environmental certificate. A detailed presentation of the examination results is available to the interested public in the form of the “Life Cycle” documentation series, which may be found at www.mercedes-benz.com.
High level of environmental compatibility over the full lifecycle
For the comparative assessment forming part of the environmental certification process, the S 400 HYBRID with a combined output of 220 kW (299 hp) was compared to the 200 kW (272 hp) S 350 petrol model. Even the conventionally powered S 350 impresses with good fuel consumption figures for this vehicle class: only 10.0 to 10.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres - depending on the tyres. This excellent figure is easily bettered by the S 400 HYBRID, which consumes just 7.9 to 8.1 l/100km. This corresponds to a remarkable 21-percent reduction. The S-Class with hybrid technology also achieves top figures when it comes to CO2emissions, which are between 186 and 189 g/km.
Taking the entire lifecycle into consideration, namely production, operation for 300,000 kilometres and recycling/disposal, the S 400 HYBRID produces 18 percent lower CO2emissions than the comparative model. This saving per vehicle corresponds to roughly 1.6 times the annual per capita emissions of the average European*. The lower requirement for energy resources caused by the lower fuel consumption during the operating phase leads to a 17-percent reduction in the primary energy requirement. This corresponds to the energy content of around 7000 litres of petrol.
*European Environment Agency: EAA Report 05/2008, Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2008.

Lithium-ion battery integrated into the recycling process
In the case of the S 400 HYBRID the recycling concept was produced in parallel with development of the vehicle, with the individual components and materials being analysed during every stage of the process. Aspects given close attention included the segregation and ease of disassembly of certain thermoplastic components such as bumpers and wheel arch, side member, underbody and engine compartment claddings, with a view to easy recycling.
This first use of a lithium-ion battery in a series production car also presented new challenges with respect to eventual disposal and recycling. In collaboration with suppliers and disposal specialists, innovative recycling concepts were developed which enable the valuable material constituents to be retrieved. All in all, it was possible to show a high material recycling rate of 85 percent, and an overall recycling rate of 95 percent. This means that the S-Class already complies with the overall recycling requirement coming into force from 1 January 2015.
Use of recycled components and renewable raw materials
A number of recycled parts and renewable natural materials are used in the production of the S-Class. All in all, 45 S-Class components such as wiring ducts or underbody panels with a total weight of 21.2 kilograms are made from recycled, high-quality plastics. Another aim was to obtain recycled materials from vehicle-related waste flows as far as possible, so as to create closed loops. Example: the recycled material used for the front wheel arches consists of reprocessed vehicle components such as the housings of starter batteries and bumper claddings from the Mercedes-Benz Recycling System, as well as waste material from cockpit production.
In the S-Class, 27 components with a total weight of just under 43 kilograms are produced with the use of natural materials. Wool is used in the seat upholstery, while coconut fibre and natural latex go into the driver’s seat backrest for a perfect seating climate. The backrest cladding is of wood-fibre, and the attached retention points are produced directly from the waste materials during production of the cladding, thereby allowing a closed materials loop.
Further uses of renewable raw materials in the S-Class: the interior trim is enhanced with real wood veneers, and the parcel shelf lining is made from flax fibres.
The S 400 HYBRID sets new standards, not only in the fields of technology, innovation and driving pleasure. The luxury saloon offers an overall excellent environmental lifecycle assessment, with favourable fuel consumption, low emissions, a comprehensive recycling concept and a high share of renewable and recycled materials.

auto dealerships

Article Content:

Wait! What’s this I see? Hertz rental cars in Italy is now offering the use of a Lotus Elise? Wait! Not just any Lotus Elise, but the supercharged version? Oh … dear … God … Calm down. Stay Calm. Breath, just breath.

OK, Chris, boss of bosses, holder of the “limitless” Automoblog corporate checkbook, I only have two words for you:

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!

OK, we’ll get the specifics out of the way first, and then I’ll dig into some serious trip planning after that.

Hertz, the rental car company that probably most of us have dealt with at one time or another has offices all over the world. Their Italian arm thought it was a good idea to offer up the sublime Lotus Elise SC to anybody with the Liras (sorry, Euros) and the inclination to rent one of the little guys.

And no, in case you’re wondering, this was not Hertz idea on its own. Lotus itself has set up a new agreement with the car hire company Hertz Italiana to supply a whole slew of yellow Elise SC for its rental business in Italy. OK, that’s not perfect, they cold have been red, or, if your a Lotus traditionalist like I am, green with a double yellow stripe, but I’m not quibbling. The near-perfect two-seater roadsters will be available to hire from Hertz throughout Italy beginning from the middle of July, which should be right about now.

“For many, to drive a Lotus is to fulfill a lifelong dream and now, thanks to Lotus and Hertz Italiana S.p.A. this dream can be realized for a longer period than just a quick test drive at a Lotus dealer,” said Andrea Manni, director of the official Lotus dealer in Rome.

“We expect some drivers who hire an Elise or Exige from Hertz Italiana S.p.A to visit a Lotus dealership afterwards, as once you have experienced the exciting and adrenaline fueled capabilities of a Lotus, there is no turning back,” Manni added.

We’re not arguing with you there, Andrea, not at all.

Now, where to go … where to go …

Well, Rome is a good place to start, but if they have offices up north, that would be my inclination. Do the old Mille Miglia route: Brescia to Rome to Brescia. Three days easy, but two days would be even more fun. Imagine blasting over the Raticosta pass in an Elise? In through that long straight into Mantua, dip the lights and blip the throttle in memory of “il Mantova Volante”.

OO! I wonder if they have any available in their Napoli office? That’d be a good jumping off point. Catch the ferry to Sicily, and have two or three laps of the old Targa Florio course.

The possibilities are just endless … Calm down. Stay Calm. Breath, just breath.

auto accessories

Article Content:

Normally, I’m not that much of a wagon kind of guy. The farther away you get from something like, say, a Lotus 7, the more I have a tendency to dislike it. But when I saw that some tuning outfit called Vath had done up a Mercedes wagon that was putting in excess of 500 HP to the ground, I decided to give it a look, if not change my mind right off the bat.

Look, I’m not totally opposed to station wagons (or estates, as Euros call them). Eventually you’re going to need something with hauling capacity, or you might own three huge dogs, or you might have a kid in jazz band … or you might be a drummer in a jazz band yourself, so sure, there could be plenty of reasons to be practical and get a station wagon.

So if you’re going to need a wagon, doesn’t it stand to reason that you should get one that’s as fun as possible (within your budget)? Makes sense to me.

Enter the Vath tuned Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. Vath is a German firm that has just released a new tuning package for the wagon that increases power and gives the car a more aggressive look. It would seem that in Europe (but not here, sadly) Merc wagons can get the full AMG treatment. In this case, that means a 6.3 liter V8 heavily massaged by MB’s in house tuners.

For Vath, that was just a jumping off point.

Vath (and there’s an umlaut over the “a”, which means they should be a heavy metal band, if you ask me) (Hell, who knows, maybe they are) has a go at the engine first, tweaking the “standard” 6.3 V8 to crank out 580 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. They also thought it would be a good idea to remove the electronic speed limiter so the station wagon now tops out at a Ferrari-like 187 mph.

Going is nice, but stopping is also something to be considered too, and Vath has that covered with a new, high-performance brake system and chassis mods. You get 6-piston calipers, and they lowered air suspension by 35 mm and slapped on new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245 rubber in the front and 285 out back. They also saw fit to develop a new carbon fiber front lip spoiler that they say will add about 20 pounds of pressure on the front axle along with a specific rear diffuser at the back. Probably needed aero tweaks for a frickin’ wagon that can cruise at 160 MPH all day long. Inside the E63 AMG Estate’s interior, Vath offers a variety of carbon fiber accessories (natch) and Alcantara trim for the roof.

No, no word on if, or how to get one into the good ol’ U.S. of A … but if anyone does, let me know, it’d be fun to see just what this grocery getter can do.

Auto Reviews

Article Content:

Vehicles come and go in life. Some are remembered fondly, others are simply cast aside after a few years for something different, never to be thought of again. But those rare cars, ones that make people smile when they’re remembered, never leave the mind.

For me, the 2009 Audi S5 will be one of them.

Arriving late to this shindig in 2007, the A4-based two-door comes in two flavors, the A5 comes in V6 “mild” and the more-powerful S5 comes in V8 “wild”. The coupe competes against the perennial segment heavyweights such as the BMW 3-series and Mercedes CLK-class. It may not have the total sharpness of the BMW, nor does it have whatever made the Mercedes as popular as it is.

What the S5 does have is style, panache and power.

Look at it. There are dozens of vehicles that may peak the interest of any car enthusiast, but to me, there are three cars in the past five years which turn me into a drooling buffoon: The Chrysler 300C; the Maserati Quattroporte; and this beauty from Ingolstadt.

For this test, I decided to take the Audi to my home town of Pittsburgh, Penn. It was Father’s Day weekend and I figured why not surprise the family, and the rest of Steeler-nation, with a hot set of wheels.

There are no wrong angles on this car. The S5 is long, at just over 15 feet in length, but it is very well-proportioned. The long hood with the wheels pushed to the corners creating short overhangs and the long, sloping rear windshield make this Audi exceptionally pretty. The front end slopes down to a signature Audi split grill while the headlamps house these elegant high-intensity lights and attention-grabbing LED daytime running lights. The S5 gets a more aggressive chin spoiler up front and chrome-rimmed driving lights.

Moving along the side, eyes will fall first on a set of gorgeous 10-spoke 19-inch wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sport Max SP rubber. Between those wheels are more aggressive side skirts and a subtle body crease. Above the door handle is another subtle crease leading from headlight to taillight and gives the car a lovely line to follow the body. The trunk lid has a small lip on it and quad exhaust tips down below a more aggressive rear bumper. The rear extends beyond where the bumper should be, but it works well in this application.

A Friday night out with a friend led to the South Side section of town, where the younger crowds get together for libations and socializing. It was the perfect area to watch and see if the Audi appealed to anyone. Whether parked or cruising down E. Carson Street, plenty of eyes were fixated on the elegant black coupe slowly thumping down the street. Ladies were drawn in by the LED lights in the headlamps and guys glared in envy as it passed, leaving them with a wonderful rumble from the V8 as we drove by.

The high-style on the outside carries into the inside, where riders are greeted by a high-quality interior and a driver-oriented cockpit. Slide into the ultra-supportive 10-way sport seats and the car instantly wraps around the driver position. All controls in the dashboard and center console are contoured toward the driver, which make for a user-friendly interior. Don’t worry, if the driver is too busy, it’s easy for the navigator to take over control.

Occupants sit low in the car with the driver holding onto a plump three-spoke steering wheel in front of them. Behind the wheel are twin gauges housing the tachometer and speedometer. I’m not a fan of the gray background, but the white numbering helps make seeing how fast you are breaking the law. Directly next to the gauges is Audi’s Multi-Media Interface screen which houses everything from the audio choices to the optional navigation screen.

The MMI system is simple to use considering it’s not a touch screen system. Four buttons take you to the navigation screen, radio screen, Bluetooth telephone and on-board computer. A few twists of the knob and you can be chatting hands-free with a friend or following the route to your destination. Also, when backing up, an optional rearview camera comes to life to make sure you don’t dent that pretty rear end.

The interior of the S5 is quite spacious. Even with the small backseats, two people can spend time riding semi-comfortably. I wouldn’t suggest a long road trip unless the front occupants relinquish a few inches of legroom. There is plenty of shoulder room and leg room, but headroom is minimal for tall drivers as the Panoramic glass roof takes over valuable noggin space. The trunk is also roomy at 12 cubic feet, and can hold several golf bags with ease.

Enough of the boring and technical stuff. Time to get to the fun.

On the highway, the S5 has a firm ride, but it was very compliant on the less than stellar road surface making Interstate 70. The Dunlops do produce a bit of drone, but a quick tap on the accelerator brings the V8 alive to cover the noise.
Speaking of the engine, Audi builds a superb little monster. Also found in other Audi vehicles such as the S4 and S6, the S5’s small 4.2 liters (the lesser A5 comes with Audi’s venerable 3.2 liter V6) produces and impressive 354 horsepower and 326 lb. ft of torque putting power down through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.

This car is nothing to scoff at, and even though the car is a hair under two tons, the direct-injected engine hustles the car with sensational acceleration blanketed in an subdued Michigan-based exhaust note. And somehow, it gets almost 25 miles per gallon on the highway, three more than the EPA lists.

This particular S5 came with a six-speed manual transmission. It is a slick unit, with direct shifts in all gears but third, which gets hung up usually between gates if rushed. The clutch does have a high engagement point, but it’s deceptively light it is action. What I loved about this combination is I could leave the car in any gear and there’s no bog. The engine will pull from anywhere in the rev range, the manual will happily let you chose the right gear (unless it’s third gear), and you will leave.

And don’t think it’s just a looker. The S5 is a driver too.

Southwest Pennsylvania is a terrific place to test vehicles, with the rolling hills lining the Appalachian Mountains to test acceleration, braking and handling. There are numerous roads in which cars may be rung out on, but my favorite road is the 34 mile stretch of Route 910 from Harmar to Ambridge. A windy piece of automotive heaven north of the city, its rolling topography is the perfect place to really test a vehicle.

The beginning of the trip starts out with a few easy miles of soft curves, long straights and broken pavement. The S5 can handle this very well, with plenty of grip and almost zero body roll. The firm ride does transmit energy into your seat, but it’s muted. The engine just goes, even in a higher gear, and makes mince meat of the varying height changes.

Once the car crosses over Saxonburg Blvd, things become different. The road smooths significantly, however the turns become incredibly tight downhill corners and uphill off-camber thrill rides. This is where Audi’s optional Drive Select system comes into play. With the press of a button, the car can be changed from Comfort to Dynamic mode, and the S5 transforms from a comfortable cruiser to a more hardcore sports car. The suspension damping and Servotronic steering stiffen noticeably, and the throttle response is sharpened.

For the most part, I love the system. The stiffen suspension keeps the car hunkered to the road. Roll is all but extinct. The steering becomes heavier and quicker. The gas pedal is much more apt to pick up on your throttle inputs. The S5 had no problem keeping up with a cherry Chevrolet C6 Corvette with temporary tags trying to lose me outside the Wexford area. (If you are reading this, I am sorry to disappoint you.)

It ate the corners with such a massive amount of grip and power. There seems to be an endless supply of stick. You can tell this is a front-wheel drive vehicle with the 4.2 liter sitting far forward and the understeer popping up in tight turns, but the Quattro system seamlessly passes power front and back to make sure the S5 feels more balanced and sure-footed. Point the car wherever you want and it will follow with great enthusiasm, and if you want to be daring, lift-off oversteer is possible.

It is a very good car, except for a few minor setbacks. I am not a fan of the Dynamic steering setting in the Drive Select system. The setting may make the system more responsive, but it makes it also incredibly overboosted. Think of it as driving a car without power steering. Thankfully the MMI will allow you to custom-tailor the system to your preferences and allows the steering to stay in comfort mode. It may be lighter, but this keeps the car fun to drive without being brutal.

Another big negative for me is the price. Sure, it may start at ,400 with those leather seats, on-board computer, Bluetooth, CD changer, 19-inch wheels and S5 sport-tuned suspension. Seems loaded, but it’s not.

Start adding luxuries such as the aforementioned navigation system and the Drive Select, and couple those with the gorgeous red leather, Technology package (consisting of parking system with rear camera, adjusting headlights, keyless entry/start and a blind-spot monitoring system), and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and the price jumps to over ,000. They are all worth it, especially the wonderful stereo system, but for the entry price, things like the navigation, and parts of the Technology package should be standard. Don’t forget about the ,300 gas guzzlers tax either.

There is a ton to love about this car. The week I had it, I had a great time no matter what I was doing, whether it was letting family and friends drool over the metallic paint, chasing domestics in the hills of Pennsylvania, or letting onlookers give me the stink eye. Next year, Audi will be releasing a convertible version as well as the new the supercharged 3.0 liter V6 introduced in the A6 earlier this year.

Audi’s got a real winner on its hands, and if the price sounds reasonable enough, I guarantee it will not disappoint. Make sure you get the V8 before they are all gone.

Base Price: ,400
As Tested: ,415
Architecture: Front-engine, all-wheel drive four passenger midsize coupe.
Drivetrain: DOHC, direct-injected, 4.2 liter eight cylinder with six-speed manual transaxle
Length: 182.5 inches
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Mileage: 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway
Weight: 3891 lbs.

audi auto

Article Content:

And the say that politics makes for strange bedfellows … it turns out that Audi has an in house industrial design firm, cleverly called Audi Design (sort of like the Porsche outfit that designs watches and sun glasses). Apparently Audi is doing this partially as a celebration of their 100th anniversary as an automaker, and to a car guy, some questions naturally arise. Such as “Who’s Bosendorfer?” and “Who’s going to get the connection between pianos and cars?”

Well, if you just happen to be a car guy AND a musician, it might make a certain kind of sense. And as it turns out, I just happen to be a car guy and a musician.

I know this is all just some sort of coincidence, and not some nefarious plot to get me to both buy an Audi and a Bosendorfer, but it just so happens that Bosendorfers have my favorite keyboard action of any of the major piano manufacturers out there. Sure, it’s kind of heavy, but you can really lean into them, and they don’t complain much. Strong as an anvil, those Bosendorfers.

Which is good … to get you up to speed, Bosendorfers are Austrian pianos that originated in Vienna (the companies headquarters). They first made a name for themselves as being the only concert grand pianos that could stand up to the pounding that Franz Liszt dished out in concert. Other brands were, literally, reduced to pieces in short order under his playing. Keys would collapse and hammers would snap off and come flying out onto the stage.

Bosendorfers are tanks, and the sound is pretty darn good too. Not as sweet as a Steinway, but really close. The main downside for Bosendorfers is that they are REALLY expensive, 10 or 20 percent more than a Steinway, right off the top, and this Audi designed model sadly carries that trend onward. €100,000, or 0K in U.S. money, which is pretty steep.

And this isn’t just a one off get some attention for both companies, Bosendorfer is planning a production run of these things. So if you have the inclination, see your regional dealer; I’m sure they’d be happy to work with you.

Apparently the design team at Audi Design was made up primarily of young people who worked closely with Bosendorfer to make sure the overall design did not adversely affect the acoustics of the concert grand. Sure, that’s what they say, but it just so happens that I’ve done a lot of professional work with acoustics firms, and that whole “waterfall” element on the left hand side worries me, sound-wise. And I could go into the upper left hand corner design, and how that could effect the mid-range response, or the fact that no mention of materials used was ever made (and that’s of paramount importance), but this is a car website, so I won’t.

Got to say though, I DO like the look of the brushed aluminum for the pedals and legs. That’s a nice touch, and I’m sure the action will be great.

“You can imagine the respect with which we approached the challenge of redesigning a musical instrument. The limitations we faced were necessary as a means of stimulating our creativity. We were obliged to study the instrument in depth, and develop an all-embracing concept from the very start. The project was a useful source of experience for our young designers, and will benefit them later when they work on car design,” said Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design.

Anyway, the Audi Design Bosendorfer had its world debut at a major ceremony yesterday at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt Germany, and like I said, it will be available for purchase if you are so inclined.

So instead of staying home and watching the same movies over and over again whispering the dialogues you now seem to remember by heart, you can now enjoy a great day somewhere beautiful. Actually you can drive anywhere you want with the help of Satellite Navigation and knowing that your car insurance is in place, you can rest your mind and excite your senses and amuse your friends. This is what life is all about anyway, isn’t it?

Article Content:

Google’s reign of power over us all may soon reach your local highway. Design engineers at the search engine giant have put together an autonomous car for the future – ATNMBL. Once produced, we’re betting Adsense links will crawl across your front windshield.

Computer generated photos show off Google’s Solar Powered ATNMBL (Autonomous Automobile) parked at various locations, including a subway stop…not really sure how the car got down there. ATNMBL has no steering wheel, or accelerator/brake pedals, or regular car seats. Instead, a 7-seater wrap around couch, much like one your college-age cousin has in his frat house, holds passengers as they simply instruct an onboard computer towards various destinations.

If ATNMBL follows in the footsteps of Google’s other achievements it will be the model other car companies mimic for years to come – but will be in Beta testing for 5 years.

Car Window