Wednesday, January 20, 2016

2016 DETROIT AUTO SHOW

MERCEDES-AMG 
S63 Cabriolet "130 Edition"

WHAT'S NEW?
  • 585 hp Twin Turbo V8
  • 4Matic All-Wheel Drive
  • 20" Matte Black Wheels
  • Red Brake Calipers
  • High Gloss Alubeam Silver w/ Bordeaux Red Convertible Top
  • Bengal Red (or) Crystal Grey designo Nappa Leather Seats
  • Bengal Red (or) Crystal Grey custom embroidered Floor Mats
  • AMG Carbon Fiber/Piano Black Interior Trim
  • Center Console Numbered Plaque...#_of 130
  • Custom Fitted AMG embroidered Indoor Car Cover
  • Only 130 produced
  • On sale April 2016; starting @ a price you probably cannot afford!

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?

Ohhhhh HELLLLL YES!!

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

How to make one of my favorite vehicles even hotter...by Mercedes-AMG


GENESIS 
G80
 G90

WHAT'S NEW?
  • 5 additional Genesis models planned to launch in the next 5 years.
  • LED signature headlights (G90) 
  • LED Daytime Running Lights 
  • Casablanca White, Manhattan Brown, Santiago Silver, London Gray, or Caspian Black
  • 365 hp twin turbo V6 (or) 420 hp V8
  • 19" turbine-blade design alloy wheels
  • H-Trac AWD
  • Automatic Emergency Braking / Pedestrian Detection 
  • Smart Blind Spot Detection
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • Rear Cross-traffic Alert
  • Driver Attention Alert
  • Dynamic Bending Headlights w/ Automatic High Beams 
  • MultiView Monitor
  • Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop/Start
  • Head-up Display
  • 22-way power driver's seat including side bolsters, cushion extension and shoulder adjustment; approved by a German campaign for healthier backs
  • 16-way power passenger seat
  • 2-person Memory for seat, mirror and steering wheel positioning
  • Heated and Cooled front seats
  • 12-way power rear seats (14-way power in V8) & w/ heating & cooling 
  • 12” HD widescreen monitor in the center stack, operated via control knob. 
  • LED ambient mood lamps in the overhead console and throughout cabin
  • Genesis-logo approach lamps are projected on the ground via the sideview mirrors
  • 17-speaker Lexicon Premium Sound w/ Quantum Logic Surround & 10” subwoofer
  • Dual rear 9" HD touch screen monitors controlled from the rear controller (G90)
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control w/ CO2 sensor
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Wireless-charging & front/rear USB ports.
  • Power rear window & side-window sunshades
  • Smart Trunk w/ hands-free opening; Power door closers
  • windshield wiper deicer, rain sensor and auto-defogging

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Yes I think I would seriously check it out

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?


The Genesis brand is an all-new luxury spin-off from Hyundai...yes I said Hyundai. So for 2016 the luxury sedan vehicle class has Acura (made by Honda), Infiniti (made by Nissan), Lexus (made by Toyota), and now Genesis (made by Hyundai). Something tells me if this brand takes off for Hyundai, we'll see KIA's flagship sedan the K900 fade away into the Korean sky it came from. This car is so elegant looking that I'll go so far as to say if it had a 3-pointed star on its trunk the valet at Spago might just mistake it for a Mercedes S-Class. 

BUICK
Avista Concept

WHAT'S NEW?
  • 4-Passenger 2-door Coupe
  • 400 hp Twin Turbo V6
  • 8-speed Automatic
  • Rear Wheel Drive
  • Chrome Fender Vents
  • 20" Wheels w/ Dark Sapphire Jewel Painted Inserts
  • Superior Blue w/ Mist Gray Leather Seats, Console, & Door Trim
  • Carbon Fiber / Aluminum Interior Trim
  • Full-Length Interior Center Console runs from the front to the back of the car
  • Concept Vehicle only...DAMN!

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?

Where do I sign up? 

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

Wait...did I just say that about a Buick? I gotta say whoever Buick has hired as their designer lately, he/she has been hitting them out of the park! And again...I STILL cannot believe I'm this excited over a Buick!!

INFINITI 
Q60

WHAT'S NEW?
  • ALL-NEW Sexy & sleek design 
  • 4-passenger premium sports coupe
  • 208 hp Turbo 4-cylinder, 300 hp Twin Turbo V6, or 400 hp Twin Turbo V6
  • 7-speed Automatic 
  • Rear Wheel Drive (or) Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
  • 22-24 city MPG ratings depending on engine choice 
  • 13-Speaker BOSE Performance Audio
  • Standard 19" Wheels 
  • Optional 20" Wheels
  • Infiniti InTuition Infotainment
  • On sale September 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?

Ummm...I'd have to be CRAZY not to put it at the very TIPPY TOP of my list!

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

(kids close your eyes on this one) I think it's the fucking sexiest most orgasmic inducing mutha-fuckin beast to come from our friends overseas in decades!! Strong enough opinion?

CHRYSLER
Pacifica
Pacifica Hybrid

WHAT'S NEW?
  • All-new platform w/ longer wheelbase, lower ground clearance & 20" wheels
  • Can carry 8 people in comfort (or) run to Home Depot for an 8' x 4' sheet of plywood
  • LED Daytime Running Lights 
  • Bright White, Tusk White, Dark Cordovan, Jazz Blue, Velvet Red, Silver Teal, Billet Silver, Molten Silver, Granite, or Brilliant Black
  • 285 hp Pentastar V6 (or) Hybrid V6
  • Key Sense Programmable Key Fob
  • Electric Parking Brake
  • Collision Warning + 
  • Blind Spot Monitoring
  • Lane Sense Lane Departure Warning +
  • Park Sense Parallel, Perpendicular, & Rear Parking Assistant
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Surround View Monitor
  • Adaptive Cruise Control w/ Stop & Hold
  • Remote Start w/ Keyless Enter-n-Go
  • Handsfree Sliding Doors & Rear Liftgate Door
  • Heated and Cooled front seats
  • UConnect Theater; watch movies, play games, stream content, & surf the web
  • Rear Seat Entertainment features (2) 10” HD touchscreen monitors 
  • UConnect features navigation, voice command, & wi-fi 
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Standard 6-speaker Audio
  • Optional 13-speaker Alpine Audio
  • Optional 20-speaker Harman Kardon Audio
  • Stow-n-Go Seating & Storage
  • Stow-n-Vac integrated vacumn
  • 6 trim levels & goes on sale May 2016
  • Hybrid's have different grille, wheels, & badges
  • Hybrid's will travel 30 miles on full EV power before gas motor kicks in
  • 2 Hybrid trim levels & goes on sale September 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Beats anything else out there so yeah I guess it does deserve a look see.

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

Not being a soccer dad in any sense of the term, I guess it's hard for me to judge this minivan. I will say in Chrysler's defense they did actually pioneer the whole minivan market back in 1984 w/ the Dodge Caravan. Anemic, generic, & downright dowdy overall as it was they did something right because it soldiers on....

LINCOLN 
Continental

WHAT'S NEW?
  • Black Label themes; Chalet, Thoroughbred, & Rhapsody
  • E-latch Door Release; push button door opening & power door closing
  • Lincoln Drive Control; Comfort, Normal, & Sport modes
  • Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection
  • 360 degree Camera
  • 400 hp Twin Turbo V6  
  • Front (or) All-Wheel Drive
  • Adaptive LED Headlamps
  • Adaptive Steering
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Panoramic Moonroof
  • 30-Way Power Perfect Position Seats inspired by private jets
  • Rear Audio / Climate Controls
  • Rear Window Sunshades
  • Rear Heated, Cooled, Reclining, & Massaging Seats
  • 20-speaker Revel Audio
  • Leather Seats w/ Wood (or) Artesian Aluminum Interior Trim
  • Goes on sale November 2016 starting at $54,500

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?

&....again...YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT IT WOULD BE!

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

This thing is beautiful....enough said!

FORD 
Fusion
Fusion Hybrid
Fusion Energi 

WHAT'S NEW?
  • NEW V6 Sport trim level
  • NEW Platinum trim level has antique Cocoa Leather I.P. & door panel trim + Venetian Leather steering wheel, Magnetic painted grille, & 19" polished wheels
  • Fusion Energi will travel 19 miles on just EV power then switches to gas motor
  • 325 hp EcoBoost V6
  • Front (or) All-Wheel Drive
  • Pedestrian Detection
  • Hands Free Parallel & Perpendicular Parking
  • Lane Keeping Assist
  • Blind Spot Warning / Cross Traffic Alert
  • Goes on sale June 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?

Yeah I'd give it a look see...why not

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

FINALLY this car gets a facelift & a darn good one I'd say. I'll tell ya what, the Accord, Camry, & Altima don't even come close to having anything that matches 325 horsepower.....advantage Ford!

GMC 
Acadia

WHAT'S NEW?
  • NEW Standard 4-cylinder (or) 310 hp V6
  • 4-cylinder gets 28 hwy MPG
  • V6 gets 25 hwy MPG
  • Front (or) All-Wheel Drive
  • Standard LED Signature Lighting
  • 5, 6, (or) 7-passenger seating
  • Tow Vision Trailering Package
  • NEW Dimensional Front Grille
  • NEW Wraparound Headlamps
  • GMC Intellilink w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • OnStar 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot
  • Safety Alert Seat reminds driver if they have left an item in 2nd/3rd row seat 
  • Lane Keeping Assist / Lane Departure Warning
  • Following Distance Indicator
  • Blind Zone Alert
  • Pedestrian Braking
  • Automatic Braking
  • Collision Alert
  • Surround Vision Camera
  • NEW All Terrain trim level
  • Made in Spring Hill, TN & goes on sale May 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
I suppose so

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?

A crossover is a crossover is a crossover etc etc...one thing I do think won't go over so well is GM sticking what's bound to be an anemic 4-cylinder in such a big crossover. I'm guessing it's gonna be gutless as all hell!

HONORABLE MENTIONS...

NISSAN 
Titan Warrior Concept
VOLKSWAGEN 
Tiguan GTE Active Concept

Sunday, January 17, 2016

CARS of THE BRADY BUNCH

The Brady Bunch was a sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired on ABC from 1969 to 1974. The series revolves around a large blended family with six children. 
Here are the cars they regularly drove...

DODGE 
Polara 500 Convertible


PLYMOUTH 
Sport Fury Convertible


PLYMOUTH 
'Cuda Convertible


CHEVROLET 
Caprice Convertible


PLYMOUTH 
Satellite Wagon


 (Satellite after Carol's parking lot accident)


DODGE 
Coronet Crestwood 

(Hawaiian Vacation episode rental car)


Saturday, January 16, 2016

TV CARS....DALLAS!

Dallas aired on CBS from 1978, to 1991. The series revolves around a wealthy Texas family, the Ewings, who own the independent oil company Ewing Oil and the cattle-ranching land of Southfork. Originally it focused on the marriage of Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes, whose families were sworn enemies with each other. As the series progressed, oil tycoon J.R. Ewing grew to be the show's main character, whose schemes and dirty business became the show's trademark. When the show ended in 1991, J.R. was the only character to have appeared in every episode.
The show was famous for its cliffhangers, including the Who shot J.R.? mystery. This 1980 episode is still the second highest rated ever. It also featured a "Dream Season", in which the entire ninth season was revealed to have been a dream of Pam Ewing.
Larry Hagman starred as greedy, scheming oil tycoon J.R. EwingBarbara Bel Geddes was family matriarch Miss Ellie and Jim Davis as Ewing patriarch Jock, his last role before his death in 1981. The series won four Emmy Awards, including a 1980 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series win for Bel Geddes.
Dallas also spawned the spin-off series Knots Landing in 1979 that also lasted 14 seasons. The revival of the series continued the story of the Ewing family airing on TNT from 2012 to 2014.
In this post, we see the cars the Ewings & a few other characters drove during it's 14 year run. The main cast of characters were as follows:

Ellie Ewing.......................played by Barbara Bel Geddes
Jock Ewing......................played by Jim Davis
Bobby Ewing....................played by Patrick Duffy
Sue Ellen Ewing...............played by Linda Gray
J.R. Ewing II.....................played by Larry Hagman
Ray Krebbs.......................played by Steve Kanaly
Pamela Barnes-Ewing......played by Victoria Principal
Lucy Ewing.......................played by Charlene Tilton
Cliff Barnes.......................played by Ken Kercheval
Donna Krebbs...................played by Susan Howard
Clayton Farlow..................played by Howard Keel

LINCOLN 
Continental Mark V



 VOLKSWAGEN
Cabriolet


MERCEDES-BENZ 
450 SEL


 500 SEL 


 CADILLAC 
Allante


 MERCURY 
Colony Park Wagon


  MERCEDES-BENZ 
500 SEC


  450 SL / 380 SL / 560 SL


 MASERATI 
Biturbo Spyder


 CHEVROLET 
Corvette


 PORSCHE 
911 Cabriolet 


 JEEP
J-20 Pickup


 LINCOLN
Town Car


 FIAT
X/19


 TRIUMPH 
TR-7


 PORSCHE
924


 BMW
630 CSi

\
 SAAB 
900 S Cabriolet


 (L-R)

Bobby, J.R.

Pam, Ellie, Sue Ellen

Lucy, Jock


  (L-R)


Clayton Farlow, J.R., Sue Ellen,

 Donna Krebbs, Ray Krebbs,

Jenna Wade, Ellie,

Pam, Cliff Barnes


 A Few Scenes...