Archive for May 2007
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 31st, 2007 3:37 PM
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It occurred to me that enthusiasts could use a new equation to better quantify a vehicle’s capabilities in view of its cost—something like horsepower-per-pound-per-dollar, a metric that more artfully balances power, weight, and financial outlay. Thus, the “Speed per Dollar” concept was born.
Being something of a buffoon at mathematics and graphics, I sought help to turn the idea into a meaningful standardized equation that would yield useful numbers. The staff at WINDING ROAD rallied around the concept and contacted the fine folks at Funnel Inc. (motto: “Information design that makes the complex clear”), and the concept became a reality.
The basic calculation they came up with is as follows:
(Horsepower ÷ Weight) x 10,000 ÷ Price Point x 100,000 = SpD
We think this SpD metric is uniquely useful because it weighs a vehicle’s accelerative capabilities against its cost. There’s no doubt that the Bugatti Veyron 16/4 is a tremendous technical achievement, but as a value proposition, well, it fails miserably—a development that should come as a shock to exactly no one given its plutocratic price tag.
We like the SpD because it celebrates affordable sports like the Mazdaspeed3, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Ariel Atom. It isn’t perfect (it doesn’t take into account a vehicle’s handling envelope), but nevertheless, we think it’s a better evaluation of enthusiast vehicles than existing calculations.
A few sample equations:
2007 Ford Mustang GT: (300 hp ÷ 3356 lbs.) x 10,000 ÷ $26,370 x 100,000 = 3390 SpD
2007 Lotus Elise: (190 hp ÷ 1984 lbs.) x 10,000 ÷ $42,990 x 100,000 = 2228 SpD
2007 Saleen S7 TT: (750 hp ÷ 2950 lbs.) x 10,000 ÷ $580,000 x 100,000 = 437 SpD
Check out the chart above (click on it to expand), then grab a calculator and run your own vehicle through the formula for fun-the higher the SpD, the better. Additionally, be sure to click here to download our July issue (which explains the SpD further), or on the link below if you need a free subscription.
Feel free to let us know what your ride’s SpD is, and what you think of the formula in ‘Comments.’
+ Funnel Incorporated
+ Not Yet A Subscriber to WINDING ROAD Magazine? What are you waiting for? Click here for a free 36-month subscription, no credit card required!!
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 31st, 2007 1:49 PM
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Subcompact sales in America are booming–in fact, they’re trending to heights not seen in more than a decade. In the first quarter of 2007, the segment is ahead an astounding 95.1-percent year-over-year, and they’re expected to account for more than 535,000 units this year.
So, is it escalating gas prices and concerns over environmental impact that have spurred the trend? Perhaps it’s more of a chicken-egg thing. The segment was essentially barren in North America for years, but with compelling new entrants from Toyota (Yaris), Honda (Fit), Nissan (Versa), and Suzuki (SX4), it’s arguably a case of “If you build it, they will come.”
There’s no sign that the trend will slow down, especially not with new competitors arriving in the marketplace all the time. Hyundai has its new Accent, Scion its xD, and domestic automakers are busily developing their own entrants to this blossoming segment, as well (for now, Chevrolet’s Aveo is the only American offering in subcompact sandbox).
Even still, the subcompact segment isn’t exactly thick with profits, and its overall numbers are still dwarfed by that of other segments. Hopefully manufacturers are finding ways to make these small cars profitable, as we’d like to see the segment remain robust for years to come.
+ SEMA.org: SUBCOMPACT SALES SOAR
Written By: Peter Nunn
May 31st, 2007 11:30 AM
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Acura’s new $15 million Design Studio in Torrance, California is now officially open for business, signaling a new determination by Honda to differentiate and promote its luxury brand. Acura often gets lost in the swirl these days, even though it was the first Japanese luxury brand to set up in U.S., launching in 1986 and thus predating Lexus and Infiniti by a good three years.
Acuras have been designed at Honda’s Design Studio in Los Angeles as well as back in Japan until now, but many feel the brand has never fully lived up to its potential, with cool, sporting Japanese DNA as its theme. Maybe now that will start to change. The state-of-the-art Acura Design Studio brings new independence and a goal “to create emotional designs that create a strong and distinctive image for Acura products.”
The studio’s most celebrated mission right now is to craft the V-10 powered Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept—better known as the next NSX—the next development of which will appear at October’s Tokyo Motor Show looking very different.
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 31st, 2007 11:23 AM
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Nissan’s urban chic Cube is set to come to the States in 2009, but the automaker believes the model will attract different customers than the new Scion xB.
According to Larry Dominique, VP of product planning, Nissan sees the xB as “…a little young, macho dude car.” Uh-huh. Conversely, the automaker views the Cube as a more gender-neutral proposition (read: they expect more female buyers). The fact that the xB has just grown markedly in size, power and price has apparently pushed it out of contention with the Cube in Nissan’s estimation. The company still sees prospectives of Scion’s first-generation model as its bogey, as well as perhaps those shopping the brand’s new xD.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Nissan attempts to market the funky little shack in America, as it doesn’t have the luxury of a “youth brand” to operate under. Will America warm to asymmetrical styling? Will the model be seen as feminine? Have your say in ‘Comments.’
+ WardsAuto: Nissan Cube Won’t Target Scion xB, Exec Says
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 31st, 2007 9:42 AM
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Is Toyota bracing for a major recall on its new 5.7-liter V-8 Tundra pickups? The Detroit News thinks it’s a distinct possibility.
The company is aware of 20 engine failures in the new trucks, due to faulty camshafts. Officials indicate that they became aware of the defect back in February, and reacted to correct the problem at that time. But it remains unclear as to how many of the 30,000 5.7-liter Tundras are at risk for camshaft failure, so Toyota has launched an internal investigation into the problem. The supplier responsible for the camshaft part has not been named.
Toyota had hoped to shift 200,000 Tundras this year, but the model’s launch has been plagued by fits and starts, as well as slow consumer response out of the gate. Will they reach their goal? Have your say in ‘Comments.’
+ Detroit News: Toyota Tundra may be recalled
+ WINDING ROAD: Toyota Tundra Double Cab Road Test
Written By: Peter Nunn
May 31st, 2007 8:44 AM
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Japan has become the first market to get the mighty Lexus LS600h and long wheelbase LS600hL hybrid sedans.
In a lavish ceremony, the two cars were introduced to the Japanese press by Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe, who also confirmed Lexus wants to sell 7000 units by the end of this year: 4000 in Japan, the rest overseas.
With their groundbreaking 5.0-liter hybrid all-wheel drive technology, the two Lexus titans hold down a unique place in Japan’s automotive culture, in more ways than one.
While the “base” LS600h kicks off at ¥9.7 million (some $80,000), the stretched, full-house LS600h with optional separate rear seat package goes all the way up to ¥15.1 million ($125,000, or thereabouts), making it the most costly Japan-made car ever and biggest ticket Lexus until, one imagines, the LF-A super coupe shows up.
Though the LS600h is neither light nor cheap…
(more after the jump)
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Written By: Chris Paukert
May 30th, 2007 4:02 PM
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Mazda’s rotary engine celebrates turning 40 today. The at once iconic and iconoclastic powertrain was birthed on May 30, 1967, under the hood of the Cosmo Sport (above). Since that particular twin-rotor design was introduced, Mazda has shifted almost two million vehicles with rotary power.
Of course, rotary power didn’t come Stateside until 1970’s R100, but the unusual engine architecture never really hit its stride until it was introduced in 1979’s lightweight, shapely RX-7. Mazda’s rotary effort has a maintained a strong Motorsports presence throughout its development, and even notched an overall win at Le Mans back in 1991. Mazda says its rotary-powered sports cars have claimed in excess of one hundred victories in the U.S. alone.
Currently, Mazda’s sole U.S. rotary offering is the RX-8, which was first introduced in 2003 with the Renesis powerplant, an engine that introduced side porting that the company says helps control emissions and improves performance.
(Click through to the jump for Mazda’s press release, or on the link below for an official album detailing the history of the company’s rotary models vehicle-by-vehicle)
+ Mazda Rotary Vehicle Album
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Written By: Chris Paukert
May 30th, 2007 3:11 PM
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According to Reuters, ethanol’s rise in popularity could precipitate a tequila shortage. How’s that, exactly? Apparently, the booming popularity of ethanol has raised the price of corn to the point that Mexican farmers are torching their blue agave fields to make room for more corn plants. Blue agave is the chief ingredient in tequila.
The problem looks to be a long-term issue, as the cactus-like blue agave can take some eight years to mature. A shortage of the plant in the early 2000’s led to an increase in the attempts to grow the crop, as farmers sought to capitalize on its rising prices. Now that corn is greater demand as a basis for ethanol—a development that is likely to remain for some time—fuels for vehicles (think: E85), imbibers could see their favorite tequilas rising in price.
(Additional details and video after the jump)
+ Reuters: Ethanol boom may fuel shortage of tequila (via MSNBC)
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 30th, 2007 1:02 PM
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Back in March, the folks responsible for the SSC Ultimate Aero TT convened in Nevada to try and take a crack at the top speed record for a production vehicle. A number of factors precluded shattering the official record of 242 miles-per-hour, currently held by the Koenigsegg CCR (Bugatti’s Veyron 16/4 has unofficially seen 253 mph), but the firm is back at it, and we’ve got the skinny from Junus Khan, SSC’s marketing director.
According to Khan, the company has successfully completed a pair of additional testing sessions, and the Ultimate Aero TT hit 241.4 mph while undergoing transmission temperature testing on May 22. Did we mention that the wheelman only deployed 71-percent of the car’s available throttle to reach that figure? (the SSC UATT boasts nearly 1183 brake horsepower).
The company has dutifully been coordinating with data acquisition firm Dewetron to authenticate and document the car’s results, and is hoping to officially break the world production speed record once-and-for-all in the “very near future.”
Written By: Chris Paukert
May 30th, 2007 11:52 AM
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Noble’s trackday star, the M15, is getting a horsepower upgrade.
While the current car’s 455-horsepower/455 pound-feet of torque was certainly nothing to sneeze at, the British firm has apparently been hard at work on the twin-turbo V-6, looking to extract a full 500 horsepower. The current car’s drivetrain was enough to propel the car to 60 miles-per-hour in 3.3 seconds, so it was hardly a moving chicane, but we reckon there’s something compelling about a nice, round number like “500.”
WINDING ROAD contributor Nick Hall actually had the good fortune of driving an M15 prototype last year, and he chronicled his experience for us, a review that’s available here.
Lee Noble’s mid-engined brainchild is expected to sell around 50 to 60 units per year, and be priced somewhere south of £100,000.
+ Autoweek.nl: “Noble M15 dit jaar in productie” (via MotorAuthority)
+ WINDING ROAD: Noble M15 Prototype Road Test
Written By: Steven J. Ewing
May 30th, 2007 11:22 AM
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Audi TT Roadster 2.0T
Price as tested: $41,425
Miles driven during test: 310
In base form, Audi’s new TT Roadster comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. This setup lacks the brand’s brilliant Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and a six-speed automatic with Audi’s S-tronic manu-matic feature is the only available transmission in America. For the enthusiast who needs more, the TT can be had with a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine, Quattro, and the option of a honest-to-goodness manual gearbox. After spending some quality time with Audi’s latest droptop, we can say that while we are sure that the larger powerplant provides a pleasant boost of power and that Quattro ups the dynamic envelope (especially when it comes to foul-weather fortitude), enthusiasts would do well to not overlook the base configuration– it’s quite good.
Our brilliant black test car had an as-tested price of $41,425. We did without satellite navigation, full leather seating surfaces, adaptive xenon headlamps, and other bells and whistles that Audi will gladly throw into your TT if you pony up the dough. We found our tester to be enjoyable as-is, and rarely wished for more. In fact, we felt that the interior of our roadster was an improvement over the previous TT, which often felt cramped and claustrophobic.
Click through the jump for more driving impressions and a gallery.
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Written By: Reilly
May 30th, 2007 10:48 AM
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Cadillac’s CTS sedan is set to debut later this summer to legions of fans and more than a few curious onlookers who previously bought BMW and Lexus sedans. Our friends at Brenda Priddy and Company have snapped shots of the CTS’s angrier older brother, the V-series model. Priddy’s sources suggest the new car has an internal GM code of “GMX322 V S/C,” with S/C suggesting that the car will be offered in both sedan and coupe form.
Priddy reports that the new V will feature an engine currently called the “LSA,” which is a new supercharged V-8 good for “at least 500 horsepower.” This would be a significant upgrade over the current generation CTS-V’s 400 horsepower (from a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter small-block V-8). For transmissions, Cadillac will apparently offer both a manual six-speed and an automatic with paddle shifters.
Production is expected to start in the end of 2008. Pricing should be higher than the current car’s $53,470, but not as high as $60,000.
(Click through for more images and details)
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Next >
Cadillac CTS-V Laps Nurburgring in Sedan Record 7:59:32
Opel Insignia Hatchback Spied Undisguised 
The Rise of Hyundai: From Mitsubishi Borrower to Possible M-B Supplier
First Look At Possible New MG TF
So Long Super Aguri: Financial Woes Cause Formula One Team to Call it A Day
