Healthy Car Diets

A debate which has gone on between car enthusiast since, the invention of the automobile, is the argument that lowering the curb weight on a car increase the engines horsepower. In terms of ratios, the most agreed upon number is 10:1, meaning that for every ten pounds of weight you shed off a car, the engine is now capable of generating one more horsepower. In my personal opinion, I do believe weight loss plays a pivotal role in giving your car the extra edge against other competition on the street. I have actually experimented with lowering the weight on a vehicle to see if there are any performance benefits.

I previously owned a 2008 Volkswagen R32 which produced 250 hp at the crank, accompanied by 236 torque. The first modification that was done to the vehicle was the replacement of the bulky stock wheels. The stock wheels weighed nearly 26.8 pounds each wheel, bringing the grand total to about 108 pounds for all four wheels. I decided to buy O.Z. Racing wheels as replacements for the stock wheels fro two reasons; they are a very strong design and weigh nearly 10 pounds lighter, per wheel, compared to the stock wheels. The O.Z.'s were the Ultraleggera model wheel which has a fork like design that uses a minimal amount or metal, reducing weight. Each Ultra weighed about 17.1 pounds, a significant amount less than each stock wheel. Just by replacing the wheels, I lowered the cars curb weight by about 40 pounds.


The second modification I did was replace the stock exhaust system with a lighter, less restrictive system made by MagnaFlow. MagnaFlow offered two types of cat-back exhaust systems for the MkV R32, one with a resonator (dampens exhaust noise) and one without a resonator; naturally I chose the one without the resonator. As compared to the stock exhaust, the MagnaFlow weight 11 pounds less! Now that eleven pounds doesn't sound like a lot but you must also remember that the exhaust added performance by being less restrictive. It was less restrictive in the sense that all of the piping was nearly and inch wider in diameter compared to the stock exhaust piping, the muffler was smaller, and the MagnaFlow was non-resonated.

Overall, I shed about 51 pounds of weight off the car which, in terms of the weight loss to horsepower gain ratio, gave the engine about 5 more horsepower. I never put the vehicle on a performance dyno before or after I installed the after market parts so I cannot technically say that there was any particular increase in horsepower. However, I can honestly say that I did notice a little more punch when stomping on the gas peddle, particularly when accelerating from a standstill. In conclusion, I am a firm believer in putting your car on a diet if you want to be able to compete on the streets or on the track. Pulling a little bit of weight away here and there wont ever hurt the car, in fact, it made mine look and sound like something truly special.

Audi RS 5

In the history of Audi, many of there most well known sports cars donned the "S" denotation before the numeral that represented the particular model vehicle (i.e. A3 - S3, A4 - S4). Because of the immense popularity of their S model vehicles, naturally Audi would come out with an S version of their newest and quite possibly, most beautiful car ever, the A5 - S5. The handsome coupe is available with either the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder or the 3.2 FSI six-cylinder in the A5 model or a 4.2 FSI eight-cylinder in the S5 model. Now all of these different trim and performance levels will surely suite a wide range of enthusiasts, however, some will be needing deeper pockets than others. With all the success in A5 sales, and the popularity of the S5, many have been wondering if Audi will roll out an RS 5. Long have the Audi RS model vehicles been fan-favorites and only owned by few, due to the rarity of the models and limited production. The RS models take performance to a whole other level, far beyond that of a standard Audi model and even an S model.

Thus far, not much information has been leaked on the RS 5 for the exception of a few astonishing numbers. As compared to the Audi S5, which boasts a plentiful 354bhp, the RS 5 will be producing 450bhp! It will skip along 0-60 in about 4.6 seconds which, interestingly enough, is only about one tenth of a second faster than the S5. The RS 5 will use a 7-speed twin-clutch transmission, similar to VW's DSG design (Road&Track). Since it would appear that the extra 96bhp found in the RS 5 doesn't move the car any quicker than the S5, what is the real selling point? Audi has stiffened the shocks and thrown on a few sway bars to help the AWD coupe corner, and run the slalom, a hair quicker than its younger brother. One interesting added feature worth noting would be the deployable trunk spoiler on the RS 5. Once 75mph is reached the spoiler raises a few inches off of the trunk and then retracts when speeds are dropped down below 50. Don't get too excited because the spoiler is mainly for shock-and-awe purposes seeing that it's size helps to provide almost zero pounds of downforce even at 75mph.

Unfortunately, you will not see the RS 5 in America since Audi has decided to only keep it on the other side of the pond. I wouldn't fret too much since the car isn't that much more of a performance beast than the S5 and looks nearly identical. I also must not forget to mention that the RS 5 is nearly $45,000 more than the S5, topping out at around $105,000. So you are getting less performance than a BMW M3 but paying the price of a BMW 750i? Doesn't sound like anything Americans would be interested in; Europe can keep the gorgeous, overpriced, underpowered coupe.

5.0 Litre Eater

The Ford Mustang has played a large role in shaping American muscle car heritage since 1964, when it first rolled out of Dearborn, Michigan. From that time on the Mustang had gone through major changes in terms of styling and performance. Whether it had the tire-smoking power of the Cobra or the economical gas mileage of the V6, the Mustang always made a statement with every new model produced. One particular aspect of past and, now soon to be present, Mustangs was the ever-famous 5.0 litre V8.

The 2011 model Mustang GT will be powered by a revamped version of the old 5.0 litre V8 that was last used in the 90's model Mustang GTs. The new V8 will produce nearly 416bhp and 390 torque which are not small numbers by any calculation! Note: Ford has yet to release the 0 to 60 time. However, the real question on everyones mind is how the new Stang will stack up against its famed rival, the Chevrolet Camaro SS. In the past, the Mustang GT usually came up short in terms of overall performance but made up for it by sporting a fresher look and nicer interior. With the launch of the new Camaro, Chevrolet has truly produced one of the most attractive vehicles ever to be labeled American muscle. The SS packs one hell of a punch with its 426bhp V8 that is accompanied with nearly 400 pounds of torque.

Now in terms of horsepower, the two cars are not that far apart, however, when comparing the overall engine size, the Chevy may be in a league all of its own. The Camaro's V8 is a 6.2 litre which surpasses both Toyota's iForce V8 (5.7 litre) and Dodge's Hemi V8 (5.7 litre) that are found in there full-size pick-up trucks! Now some enthusiasts would say that given the small difference in horsepower, 10 to be exact, the cars will perform about the same. This may be true to some extent but you cannot tell me that the extra 1.2 litres found in the Chevy are simply left on the side of the road somewhere. You will truly feel that extra 1.2 litres when burning-out from traffic light to traffic light or showing your, ever-appreciating, neighbors how many doughnuts you can do on the street in front of your house. Maybe Ford has finally pushed hard enough to bring the new 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 up to the Camaros SS's level. However, isn't it nice to know that you have a few more litres on the Stang ready to race you to the next traffic light?

BMW E46 M3

I want to take the time to give recognition to a automobile that will forever hold a place in the history of touring cars, the BMW E46 M3. Not only is this my all-time favorite car it is also one of the most well respected touring cars ever made. The E46 M3 was in production from 2001 to 2006 and was the most popular selling M in the history of BMW's existence (BMWUSA). Over the course of the cars existence there was the standard hardtop and convertible models as well as a GTR and CSL model as well. The most popular of all the models was, of course, the hardtop. This was also the last model M3 that can strictly as a coupe, unlike the E92 M3, which has a four door model. The E46 model certainly embodies everything that a pure bread luxury-sports car is and always will be.

The body design of the E46 grew from the E36 body design, found on all M3s made from 1992 to 1999. The overall shape of the E36 model was a bit boxy from the front to the rear. The boxy shape of the E36 was scrapped in 2000 and the release of the E46 model had critics raving. The front end shared the same circular headlights as the E36, but were now encased in a rounded rectangular housing; this helped accent the vehicles lines. Along with the redesigned headlights, the fenders were flared to give the car a wider looking stance front to back. One significant redesign found on the E46 was the addition of the chrome side grilles which complimented the 19" optional chrome wheels (available with the sport package). Moving toward the rear of the car, the taillights were tweak a bit but still retained the classic Bimmer look. To conclude our tour of the exterior we must mention the most recognizable aspect of the E46 M3, the quad tailpipes located at the center of the bumper. The E36 model sported the generic dual tailpipes offset to the left but the E46 had been given twice the amount of pipes and the location of them made for a very F1-style design. In fact, the center-set design of the E46 M3's tailpipes was so popular that it was carried on to the new E92 model M. Note: the interior remained basically the same for the exception of a optional navigation in-dash navigation system.

The E36 M3 made for a nice track car and was also the first M3 to be powered by a six-cylinder (BimmerWorld). The tradition was renewed in the E46 model, which had a very similar inline-six that had been tuned to produce 333bhp with 269 torque. The overall handling and engine performance helped the E46 M3 finally make a name for BMW's M line, winning countless awards over the time of its production. The engine mated with a six speed manual transmission, or the less popular SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox), made for a smooth ride around town but was easily capable of tacking down nearly anything it faced on the track. The naturally aspirated engine found in the E46 was one of the best engines ever made in terms of the size to power ratio and is capable of sustaining nearly 1000bhp. Not that it is at all necessary, but a vast range of after market performance parts are available for the E46 model from a range of manufacturers.

In conclusion, the BMW E46 M3 has been put through the paces time in and time out and has passed with flying colors. Even though the model has not been produced since 2006, the car is still one of the most sought after sports cars on the market today and still turns heads when cruising down the street. Whether you plan on tracking the car or just using it as your daily driver, the E46 M3 will behave nothing short of touring-car royalty.

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

Circa 2007, when Mercedes remodeled their ever-famous S class, they may have built the most attractive super sedan on the market. With its eye-catching looks, smooth ride, and over-the-top interior styling, the car was almost perfect... The real issue, besides the outrageous price tag, was the V8 or V12 gas-guzzling monsters that resided under the hoods of a majority of the S classes. After seeing all of the beautiful lines on the exterior of the car and experiencing the luxury of the interior, any practical person would still say that averaging about 18 mpg (that's the V8) is horrendous considering the price of gas is not going to drop anytime in the near future. Hearing a load of grief from countless enviro-friendly consumers, Mercedes may have finally come up with an automobile that will silence their voices; the new 2010 S400 Hybrid.

The new S400 may look nearly identical to the S550 inside and out but is certainly worlds apart. The S400 will not be powered by the enormous V8 found in the S550 but by a less powerful but a whole lot more fuel efficient, V6 Hybrid. There is nothing screwy about the V6s internals because it is built and runs just the same as any other V6, however, it is mated with an electric motor. The fact that the engine has not been tampered with in order to somehow fit another electric motor or ion battery inside should be a relief to those who are skeptical of new technology. The electric engine is powered by a lithium-ion battery and is truly the first of its kind. The pair produces upwards of 295bhp accompanied by 284 torque, no small numbers indeed! Now it must be said that the overall performance of the S400 is in no way comparable to the S550's V8, however, it does pack quite a punch when you put your foot down.

The new hybrid design in the S400 actually restores energy when you stop at a traffic like or stop sign due the engines "stop-start system" (MBUSA). This adds to the already impressive gas mileage achieved by the V6. The average mpg for the S400 is an astonishing 22.5 mpg; very impressive given the overall size and weight of the vehicle. Now yo may think that high gas mileage equals miserably slow 0 to 60, the Merc does it in a respectable 7.2 seconds. Another interesting spec to note is that the hybrid technology found in the S400 is the first to use a lithium-ion battery as its powertrain. Times certainly are changing and Mercedes seems to be headed down the right track with this new automobile. If you recall what I had said earlier about the only real issue with the S class Mercs is the terrible gas mileage; problem solved! It is also important to mention that the vehicle's MSRP is $87,950; just a small price to pay on the way to environmental cleanliness. On a final note, the car is truly a work or art in the sense that you can still get a ritzy Benz and help save the environment too, but don't think they wont make you pay for it!

Leno Camaro

For as long as muscle cars have existed the powerful V8s hiding under the hoods have made a name all for themselves in terms of overall horsepower and torque...and poor gas mileage. This holds true for the new Chevrolet Camaro SS, with its 426bhp engine producing nearly 400 torque. The SS, being the most powerful trim level for the new Camaro, averages about 19 mpg which isn't all that bad considering all that power. But in contrast to the SS model, the LS and LT model, which are powered by V6s, average an astonishing 23 mpg! Even if you decide to be a bit more mindful of the economy and purchase a V6 powered Camaro you wont be disappointed with the overall performance considering both the LS and LT models have 304bhp and 273 pounds of torque. Now I'm certainly not saying that driving the V6 is more of a thrill than the eight cylinder, however, the overall handling of the V6 dominates that of the V8. The two extra cylinders found in the eight add significantly more weight to the front of the care which causes a few handling issues; in fact the V6 out performs the V8 in many handling tests (Edmunds). So the real question is do you prefer overall power or overall handling; or what if you could have both?...

GM has teamed up with the late night legend and major car enthusiast himself, Jay Leno, to build a Camaro that will surely break the muscle car mold. What has been name the "Leno Camaro" was first seen at the SEMA auto show this past year and got a whole lot of buzz. Now of course from the exterior the Leno Camaro has all the hood intakes, over sized air-dams, and shiny wheels you would expect to see on a concept but its one particular modification that had people really wondering whats going on under the hood. The front fascia is nearly twice the size of the one found on the standard Camaro, and for good reason. The V6, yes I said V6 and not V8, found under the hood has been gracefully modified to run with two Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers. The twin-turbo V6 puts out 425bhp (torque figures not mentioned) which is only one shy of the monstrous V8 found in the SS. The kicker is that you are getting all the same V8 power with the gas mileage of a six cylinder!


Unfortunately the Leno Camaro will most likely never see production because it will share the same power as the SS but have a higher price tag. However, GM has made a move in the right direction given the oil "crisis" and looming economy which will inevitably push gas prices up come summertime. I have to say that a true muscle car should have a huge gas-guzzling V8 under the hood but, speaking realistically, that is going to be out of the question in a few more years. People, no matter how much they love hearing the roar of a V8 when shredding the tires off in a burnout, will come around and realize that it is truly impractical and uneconomical to own Detroit muscle. Thanks to GM, we now have a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of muscle car survival!

Synchrorev Match Transmission

This past year Nissan has released the 370Z to continue on the famed heritage of the past Z series automobiles. Along with a redesigned exterior, technically advanced interior, wider wheel base, and a bit more power, comes a very unique technical achievement. The newest Z, like past Zs, has the option of being purchased with a sports package which gives you the usual stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, and spoiler. However, there is one more added option that comes with the sport package that hasn't been seen on any past Zs, or any other vehicle for that matter; that is Nissan's new Synchrorev Match Transmission (SRM).

The new SRM system does exactly what it sounds like and matches your rpms to the proper power range when downshifting. For those who are unfamiliar allow me to explain; when downshifting in a manual car it is best to "blip" (apply a small amount of power) the throttle in order to make the shift smoother. People who are accustomed to driving manual cars know that finding the perfect rpm while downshifting isn't as easy as it sounds. The SRM transmission in the new Z does all the work for you; all you need to worry about is using the clutch and actually moving the shifter, all the rpms are matched perfectly when moving down through the gears. Not only does the SRM transmission help to smooth out your downshifts but it also helps quicken upshifting. It uses the same technique as it does down shifting by holding the rpms up higher in range so no power is lost when banging through the gears.

Now this advancement in technology surely helps the common driver with everyday upshifting and downshifting and its proven itself on the track, however, some enthusiasts still don't buy into it. Many "drivers" say that the SRM transmission takes away some of the overall skill in being able to drive a stick. They also state that half the fun of driving a stick is having complete control of the vehicles power when moving up or down through gears and when braking in hard corners. Nissan's answer to these individuals can be found in any of the 370Zs that lack the sport package but this is to say that you will be missing out on the stellar 19 inch RAYS wheels, Bilstein suspension, and deck spoiler. my best guess is that the SRM transmissions will be standard throughout Nissan's lineup or at least be an available option. All in all, the SRM transmission is a fantastic innovation in automobile technology and will surely be sought out by other car manufacturers; but for now, Nissan holds the key to an aggressive yet smooth shifting ride.

Rental Car, Not So Miserable...

I am writing this in response to my most recent blog about the "misery" or driving a rental car when on vacation. First of all, I must say that it was not as terrible as I had originally thought it was going to be; in fact, it was an eye-opening experience all together! The car I ended up getting was the Nissan Versa, a small four door that had a surprisingly peppy 4 cylinder. The car was white and anyone who has ever experienced the Floridian sun knows that any light color paint is your best bet. The car had a black cloth interior which didn't seem to bother me too much because at no point and time did I ever burn the back of my legs; leather will do that to you of course! The car had standard "steelies" which were covered by silver hubcaps which were, most certainly, nothing to write ho me about. The standard non-xenon headlamps did a nice job of illuminating the roadway for me the few times I drove in the dark and the in-dash display glowed of amber. The automatic drivers-side-window was also a nice touch!



There was nothing ergonomic or exciting about the center console although I will say that the 6-cd changer as well as auxiliary jack came as a surprise to me; neither were used. The center cup holders were blocked in by the gear shifter and the rear ones were too much of a pain to use. The car, in relation to its overall look, was actually more spacious on the inside than one would guess. We were able to fit four adult-sized individuals comfortably. As stated in my previous blog, performance is usually not relevant to any rental car you get and that proved true this past week. The Versa's little 4 cylinder did get us to where we needed to go but there was not "left-lane driving" on any of the excursions. I will note that, because of the small engine, it seemed as if it wasn't ever necessary to stop for gas! we managed to drive nearly 400 miles on a little over a tank (all of which were highway miles). Another nice feature about the Versa is that it took the lowest grade gasoline so filling it up didn't run my pockets dry.

Overall, the Versa worked out just fine and helped us reach all of our fun destinations, not in a hurry or comfortably, but it managed. I will say that for the starting price of the Versa being under $10,000 you get a decent car. The little 1.6lt. engine wont suck down the gas and the amount of space in the cabin doesn't make you feel like your riding in a compact. The base model also comes with six standard airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system (Nissan USA). Will I ever own one? Not if I can help it. Will I ever rent one again? Yes, because at the end of the week the Hertz bill didn't put that big of a dent in my already-empty pockets!

Rental Car Misery

Many people who drive cars that are remotely sporty or luxurious always dread what is waiting for them outside of the rental car office. This spring break, I will once again be a victim of rental car misery. Of course, in an effort to save money, I have chosen to go with the compact car option, plus, I will only be traveling with one other person. Now when I think of a compact car a Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Versa, or Honda Fit do not come to mind; I think more about the VW Golf or maybe a Ford Focus. Now I know how the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for," but quite honestly when you compare the base prices of all of the previous vehicles mentioned, there really isn't a whole lot of difference.

The real problem I have with rental cars is that you can never really seem to get one that excites you. For instance, the three that I will most likely be stuck with are either the Aveo, Versa, or Fit. Neither of these cars have any ounce of sportiness or luxury in them but that, of course, isn't to say that the car companies that build them are junk. These cars are the bare bones of any model vehicle they are. No navigation, mp3, or 6-cd changer can be found in any of these cars and leather would probably be to much to ask for. I am mentally preparing myself for the cheap plastic dashboard and operation nobs that will be inhabiting my view along with the beautiful Florida sunshine.

Moving away from the unergonomic, mess of an interior that all three of these cars have I really do not have much to say about overall performance and the "thrill of the drive." Neither of these cars could reach 60mph in less than 11 seconds to save their tailpipes! I project that, at highway speed, I will need at least a half mile to pass the hoard of tour buses that will all be slugging along to Universal Studies. No manual transmissions or RWD cornering precision, just plain old boring automatics and torque-steering FWD. All I ask is that the rental car companies do a little bit more research into what their customers want to drive or at least invest in cars draw a second look from people when rolling down the road! Hopefully, this time around, my rental car experience will will be a more exciting one.

EVO-lved Once Again

Whether it be mechanical issues with their vehicles or just lack of popularity and sales, Mitsubishi Motors has fought there way through rough times and still remains afloat in this dismal car market. On a lighter note, I would venture to guess that in the past few years Mitsubishi has pumped a larger amount of money into their R&D department because the newest lineup of cars has been drawing significant attention. The Lancer, being one of the most popular model Mitsubishis, has be completely redesigned and bolsters a very new-age aggressive look. The headlights running back along the quarter panels give the car a scorning demeanor accented by somewhat over sized, yet sporty, taillights. Those who are familiar with the heritage of the Lancer know that with the redesign of the DE model (base model) comes the redesign of the rally-street king itself, the Evolution X, and what an Evo it is!

This is the tenth installment of the Lancer Evolution model, as represented by the roman numeral X, and may quite possibly be the best ever. Staying true to its rally roots, the Evo X is powered by a 2.0 lt. turbocharged engine which meets the allotted max engine displacement, 2.0 lt., found in nearly all rally racing guidelines. As in previous models, the Evo X engine is still Mitsubishis famed MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and Electronic lift Control) engine but has been re-tuned to pump out 291bhp and an impressive 300 lbs. of torque. Somthing else that is noteworthy is the stock Brembo brakes, whose red color accents any of the exterior color options very well. As all of the past Evos, the power from the engine is delivered to all four wheels using Mitsubishis SAC (Super All-wheel Control) drivertrain system. The SAC system is a true masterpiece and has been put to the test time in and time out. It is the same system used in the rally edition Evos and has held up just fine in dealing with all the jumping, power sliding, and hard breaking found in racing rally circuits.

Externally, the Evo X is very well designed which leads you to believe that's where the majority of the R&D money was invested...and you're right. The interior of the car just screams "under-developed!" It isn't that all the fixings you would expect to have in any modern car are absent but that everything just looks like it was thrown together the night before production began. Of course you have your mp3 compatibility, 6-cd changer, MFD (multi-functional display), and a glimmering array of gauges but there is no real sense of refinement. Mostly everything you can touch is made of cheap plastic and the usability you get out of the MFD is that of a an iPod that only reads in French... Now taking a step back, one must put aside all of these little things and remember that this is a rally car, isn't it?

The overall comfort of the Evo Xs ride isnt anything short of annoying however you cant expect it to be the pillow-soft-ride of a Cadillac because in the end it is just a Japanese tuner car. Along with the stiff, bouncy ride comes fantastic handling accompanied by the AWD system. Some critics speculate that the Evo IX may have actually ran the ski pad faster however the handling of the X is sufficient enough for the track. Now in reference to the track, the Evo X already has a bundle of aftermarket parts availble to help get a little more juice out of the already powerful MIVEC engine. Many after market tuning comapnies, such as GReddy and HKS to name two major ones, have researched and tested quality bolt on after market parts that will bring out the inner beast the Evo X has to offer. Not only are the supply of parts endless, the labor and parts themselves are relatively cheap. The GSR model prices out at around $34,000, which given the overall performance, seating capacity, and four doors appeals to more than just the younger crowd. Overall, the Mitsubishi Evolution X is a fantastic bang-for-your-buck, track-ready tuner with all of the endurance and durability of a rally racer infused with street car poise!

Redesigned 5 Series

BMW has been a favorite car company of mine for many years and it is a safe assumption to say that I love all of there vehicles, well almost all of them. The BMW 5 series has been at the bottom of the barrel in terms of overall design as compared to other BMW models. Since the release of the E39 model back in 1995, my eye had never been caught by one driving down the road simply because its looks did not set it apart from other cars in its class. This isn't to say that the overall quality and performance of the vehicle was sub par to that of any other model, it was just the body style they never seemed to satisfy my taste.

The E39 model 5 series sported a similar, "aggressive," looking front as did the 3 and 7 series bimmers during the same time period but the car just looked so awkwardly long. The 7 series, BMWs largest sedan, is expected to have the elongated hood and overall body shape simply because it is the grandaddy of all the other series. Along with the never ending hood the rear end was an un-aerodynamic mess of straight lines and boxed edges complemented by over sized taillights. The look of the car had none of BMWs usual "stand-outish" styling and blended in right along with the mid size Lexus' and Mercs. The E39 was caught somewhere between the sporty 3 and luxurious 7 and never really found its place.

The next generation 5 series, the E60, had a more aggressive body style as compared to the previous model. Almost the entire body was redesigned from the headlights to the taillights! BMW scrapped the rectangular front end, found on all of its models from 95' to 04', and moved towards a more rounded aerodynamic look. The E60 with its well know "dragon eye" halo headlights and LED taillights lit up the street with its flashy looks. This model definitely was a notch above the competition on terms of looks with the tear-drop shaped headlights and the taillights creeping up the side of the car; the look was very modern but not over the top.

In the past few months BMW has released snap shots of what the 2011 5 series is going to look like and I must say that I am infatuated. The car has had major reconstructive surgery all around and is donning a fantastically similar look to the current 3 series. The front end shares nearly the same look as the 3 series sedans which actually makes the new 5 look a bit leaner than it measures up to be. The rear shares a slightly modified version of the 3 series sedan's taillights with of course a bigger trunk. Overall the new look is refreshing and will not disappoint the long time 5 series followers. We can expect to see the 2011 5 series hit the market some time late next year.

Used, Better than New

In the time of a dwindling economy and rising taxes many people feel as if they will be stuck with the old outdated car sitting in their garage. Certainly the purchase of a new BMW is out of the question seeing that many tend to be a bit pricier than most a willing to pay given today's economy. Now of course as you can probably imagine most car dealerships are having trouble steering people away from their used car lots and onto the showroom floor, however, BMW cant complain about their buyers points of interest.

In the past two years the market for used cars has nearly doubled that of new cars and it isn't slowing up either. This means that obviously there is a large demand for used cars but some individuals, such as myself, are a bit skeptical about who was the first to sit in the drivers seat. Certified Pro-Owned (CPO) cars give you the piece of mind that the car was not abused in any way, meets all safety standards, and performs beautifully. Many car companies do not operate any sort of division that deals with the resale of there automobiles, BMW has chosen otherwise. BMW's CPO program is rated the best on the planet in terms of quality and overall reliability (Edmunds.com).

First of all the vehicle must be a BMW in order to qualify to be a BMW CPO car, but this doesn't mean that just any old Bimmer that rolls on to the lot has a chance to wear the CPO badge. The vehicle must also have no less than 6,000 miles and no more than 60,000 miles to be considered. The cars are then put through many rigorous tests to evaluate the cars worthiness. It must have had all maintenance done on time and recorded at BMW or at a BMW certified garage, the wheels and tires must meet perfect specifications as they did when they were new, the "fit and finish" of the vehicle must be pristine, and the car must be in proper working order mechanically (BMW USA). There is a master checklist to account for all of the information as well as four signatures to be had by the head technician, head service manager, CPO manager, and of course the customer.

The overall benefit of buying a CPO BMW is the assurance that the used car you a buying is reliable and most importantly, safe. There is, however, one more added benefit to buying a CPO BMW and that is the extended warranty. A CPO BMW's warranty is good up to 6 yrs./ 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Note: "the CPO warranty is not an extension of the original New Car Warranty; the CPO warranty simply takes over after the New Car Warranty expires" (BMW USA). The CPO warranty covers everything from the engine and transmission to the suspension and ABS brakes, as well as the cooling and electrical systems; as you can see all major mechanical parts are covered. However, one should know that, same as the warranty with a new BMW, the CPO warranty is voided when "aftermarket" parts are put on the car.

BMW has given the economical car buyer the assurance that the used vehicle they purchased will not turn into a bottomless money pit as some used cars do. People can now buy the "Ultimate Driving Machine" for an affordable price, in a time of a less than favorable market, and still make it out with some change left in their pockets.

Diesel Driven

For the past ten years many automobile makers have been trying to incorporate a diesel powered car into their lineups. Some were successful but many just could not find the the perfect mixture between diesel fuel efficiency and performance. BMW introduced the 335d back in 2008 with the intentions of selling a fuel efficient sports car; they nearly succeeded. The diesel car market really has not taken off nearly as fast as many have predicted. This is unfortunate because diesel powered cars are going to most likely be the first real push towards fuel efficiency. Electric and hydrogen powered cars are starting to become a more popular research and concept topic for manufacturers but it is their impracticality that is holding up mainline production.

Volkswagen currently leads the diesel market in terms of fuel efficiency with there Jetta TDI but the car really isn't anything impressive outside of it mpgs. Along with VW Audi has also incorporated a few diesel models of there own; none of which that stand out in the performance category. BMW took the design of the 335i sedan and just simply replaced the famed inline six with, yes you guessed it, another inline six but this one is powered by diesel. Don't get too excited by the numerical denotation of the 335d because the overall performance falls between the 328i and the 335i; not that any less performance than the 335i is unsuitable for the common man. The 335d does share the same two baby turbos as the 335i which helps it to outrun the 328i in a dead sprint. The engine boasts a plentiful 265bhp but the real kicker is the massive amount of torque, a whole 425lbs. worth. The 335d skips along 0 to 60 in about 6 seconds flat which is a hair better than most of the cars found in its class.

The 335d has a 16.1 gallon gas tank which is the same size as the 328i and 335i's tank but the diesel gets far better gas mileage than even the smaller engine 328i. The mpgs come in at 23 city and 36 highway, at an average of about 29.5 mpgs. The 328i averages about 23 mpgs while the 335i rolls out about 21.5 on average. Many diesel powered cars tend to run significantly louder than that of there gasoline equivalent, however, the 335d doesn't run any louder than the 328 or the 335 but only produces a different sound under the hood and out the exhaust pipes when accelerating. The 335d prices out at around $44,000 give or take a few of its limited options which is more around the price of a 328 as compared to a 335. The diesel only comes in a four door model with no word of a coupe ever being built. BMW definitely has produced an attractive fuel efficient sports sedan but are people really ready to leave their gas guzzling petrol burners behind?

Economical Cabrios

Since the debut of the original retractable hardtop convertible, the Mercedes-Benz SL class in 2003, many automakers have introduced competing models of their own. Now seeing that the SL class Mercedes was a bit beyond the average persons price range, most thought that attaining a hardtop convertible was a bit out of reach. It was not until BMW, GM, Lexus, Volkswagen, and Volvo came out with more economical convertibles appealing to the masses. BMW and Lexus obviously comes in a bit pricier than the rest and both GM models are true bargains, however, the 'bang for your buck" award definitely can go to either the Volkswagen and Volvo.


The Volkswagen Eos first came onto the market back in the spring of 2006 and has been quite a big seller for VW. The Eos, bearing its name from a Greek goddess (VW), has a two-piece hardtop which completely retracts beneath the Eos' trunk. The top takes about 17 seconds to retract and about 20 to completely close and uses a electrical hydraulic systems of levers and sensors to successfully open and close the top. The Eos' top does a decent job of canceling out road noise and insulates heat well during the winter. With its top up in looks just a sleek as any other sporty coupe but even better when the top down is down. To match its sporty looks, the Eos has a powerful four cylinder turbocharged engine pumping out 200bhp and 207 torque. The cabrio can run 0 to 60 in about 7.4 seconds with its front wheel drive system. Since the vehicle uses the same FWD systems as the Golf GTI, aggressive cornering is something you will want to do on a regular basis. The Eos, well equipped, comes in at about $40,000 according to Volkswagen. The forty thousand dollar price tag offers all of the bells and whistles that a new age navigation can get you including Bluetooth, Sirius Satellite radio capability, and mp3 compatibility. From the dual-climate control to the cast alloy aluminum wheels, the Eos has has every creature comfort you could possibly fit into a two-door convertible.


Hailing from Sweden, the Volvo C70 is good competition against the Vdub with many similar attributes but a reputation of safety that usually edges out most of the competition. The C70's hardtop uses virtually the same retractable hardtop system as the Eos. The top closes and retracts nearly the same as the Eos and sound proofing is nearly comparable. The C70 is powered by a five cylinder turbocharged engine producing 227bhp and 236 torque. The C70 slugs along 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds due to its excessive amount of unnecessary weight. The curb weight of the vehicle does indeed give it a smoother ride than that of the Volkswagen but the cornering feels a bit loose; not to mention the overall length of the car is felt when maneuvering aggressively. So this car definitely isn't as much fun to drive as the Eos but is a bit more refined overall. The interior, although it is made from the same overall materials as the VW, looks and feels a bit nicer and the leather is indeed smoother to the touch. The Volvo has all of the same options as the VW but when equally equipped comes in substantially higher in price. A C70 with all of the same options previously mentioned in the $40,000 Eos, rolls in at about $46,000.


In conclusion both cars are truly a treat to own, however we cannot settle with a tie now can we? If new age looks and overall performance is your style, you definitely will not be disappointed with the 2010 Volkswagen Eos; plus you will not be leaving the dealership with a near-empty wallet. In contrast, if overall comfort and class is something your most interested in, the 2011 Volvo C70 is the car for you but do not think that they wont make you pay for it! With its sporty looks, efficient gas mileage, fun-to-drive DSG transmission, and overall necessity-filled interior, the Eos is my overall pick for the most economical cabriolet.

VW Wolfsburg

The Wolfsburg Edition (WE) Volkswagen's have been long time collectors items that first came on the market back in the mid 80s. The denotation of "Wolfsburg" comes from the head assembly factory located in Wolfsburg, Germany. Wolfsburg has always been the home of Volkswagen even after they decided to expand there assembly factories outside of eastern Europe. In honor of the original factory they decided to make a limited number of Wolfsburg Edition vehicles every new model year.

In the United States, it was only the Jetta that came out in a WE. Unfortunately the WE didn't offer any other engine trims besides the standard one found in the base model Jetta. However, other cosmetic things can be found around the interior and exterior of the car. The VW center-cap logo as well as the stick shift is replaced by the Wolfsburg logo. On the earlier models that came out in the late 80s had Wolfsburg stitching on the front and rear seats. On the latter models the rectangular Wolfburg badge could be found on the passengers side dashboard.

The exterior of the car posed the most noticeable differences that the WE offered. A spoiler came standard with also a special edition sparkling dark gray metallic paint which was found on some Wolsburg models. The WE Jettas had special wheel packages which consisted of uniquely designed wheel patterns wrapped in performance or all-weather tires. On the MkIII Jetta (96' - 98') the taillights were actually tinted versions of the stock Jetta taillights. The newer model WE Jettas donned the same type tinted stock taillights. The rectangular WE logo can also be found on the right side of the trunk lid.

Even though the WE Jettas were not top track performers, or had any bigger engine than the stock Jetta, many VW as well as German automobile enthusiasts long to own one. They were limited edition in their production which added to the excitement of owning one. The rarity of these cars makes them a real treat to see on the road whether they are someones daily driver or show car.

BMW Efficient Dynamics

Nearly six months ago BMW created a new division called Efficient Dynamics. This division is dedicated to the advancement of environmentally friendly, sustainable, vehicle technologies. One of their major projects consists of a redesigned BMW 1 series which runs solely off of electric power. This means that the vehicle has zero emissions which is a big jump from the current hybrid technology which still creates small levels of emissions. The new BMW 1 will be called the Concept ActiveE.

The Concept ActiveE will look exactly the same as the current 1 series coupe and will have all the same dimensions inside and out. The only real difference is the engine powering the car and the wheels. The engine is electric and is run by a quick charging lithium-ion battery. The battery can be recharged in about four and a half hours (BMW USA). The entire engine unit is located on the rear axle instead of under the hood. This helps with the 50 - 50 wait distribution and overall handling of the car. Also, since the engine is located on the rear axle, and the vehicle is RWD, there is virtually no power loss from the crank to the wheels.

The electric power plant produces upwards of 170 bhp and 184 lb. of torque. This by no means is a large amount of power and in comparison to the smallest engine found in the 1 series, it has about 70 horse power less. The car can hit 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds. This short coming is made up for by the vehicles tremendous amount of weight loss found in various sections of the car. For instance, the electric engine weighs significantly less than the, mostly aluminum, motor found in the standard 1 series. Other weight is dropped on other parts of the car with the incorporation of carbon fiber. This helps tremendously with the vehicles stopping distance in contrast to that of a regular 128i.

On a scientific note, the vehicle can actually produce its own energy by way of kinetics. When the driver takes their foot off of the pedal, in an attempt to slow the car down, the vehicle will convert the kinetic energy into power (BMW USA). This energy is then stored within a battery pack to be used later on. The batteries found in the car are liquid cooled but BMW has incorporated a new-age cooling technology into the Concept ActiveE. The unique shape of the wheels funnel air underneath the car to help cool the batteries as well as the engine (Road & Track).

I don't know if I am too crazy about the lack of power or space age wheel design found in the Concept ActiveE, however, this vehicle does indeed scream sustainability. BMW has created a fantastic cornerstone to build off of and they will surely be competitors to beat in the eco-friendly car market of the future. So, look out Chevy Volt there is a new electric car on the block; this one is from across the pond and is sure to give you a run for your money!

Winter Wonderland

Now normally sports cars and snow do not mix but since the early 80s Audi has changed the game. Using their legendary all-wheel drive (AWD) system, Quattro, they have now made it possible to enjoy a sports car in less than desirable weather. When most enthusiasts think of the ideal sports car, rear-wheel drive certainly is the preferred drivertrain. Now being completely realistic, most of us do not live in a climate where the sun is shining all year round with minimal rain, let alone snow; so rear wheel power may be out of the question. Since front-wheel drive really isn't all that much better in adverse weather, and performance usually suffers from it, you only have one other option, AWD.

BMW, Porsche, VW, and Mercedes-Benz have all come out with competing AWD systems to compete with Audi but none have been comparable competition. Audi's Quattro combines traction-control and stability with outstanding performance. Audi's AWD system has been so successful because it has been put through the paces seeing that it was originally used in the Audi Quattro. The Audi Quattro was Audi's first generation rally car which made its name by winning numerous championships since its debut in the mid 80s. They incorporated the same system found in their rally cars into nearly all of their production models. Today, Quattro can be found in all of Audi's models ranging from the A3 the the R8 supercar.

Nearly all of the new Audi models come standard with front-wheel drive and the Quattro is an available option. The exception is found in all of the RS models and of course the R8. AWD truly is a fantastic innovation for all purpose use, however, this isn't to say that it is a good idea to take your car out in a few inches of snow or heavy rain and speed around like a maniac. The Quattro does a exceptionally good job at keeping cars from sliding off of the track when its dry but should be used with just as much caution as a four-wheel-drive SUV in inclimate weather. So if you ever find yourself in a winter wonderland and want a high performing "sleigh," Audi Quattro is your best bet!

All That Glitters

Since the founding of Mercedes-Benz in 1881, people the world over have been in awe of their extraordinary elegance and beauty. Up until the mid 90s many Mercs were almost completely assembled by hand in Germany. As we neared the millennium, machines took over in the building of the vehicles and brings many to question the overall quality of the Mercs. The best example of "lack of quality" is found in the new C class. If you can draw your attention away from the enormous, gaudy emblem found on the hood, take a look inside the new C to understand where I am coming from. The interior, although it does have the sparkle of "carbon fiber" and the flip-up navigation, really isn't aesthetically pleasing. It seems now -a-days you need to pay at least $60,000 to get a dash NOT made of hard, cheap looking plastic or seats made from tough leather. Sitting in the new C class really makes you feel like you are in the lowest model Mercedes.

In contrast to Mercedes-Benz, BMW doesn't sacrifice quality throughout the range of their vehicles. Whether you are sitting in the 128i, the lowest price Bimmer, or an $85,000 650i, the quality is parallel. From the wood grain dashes to the leather sport seats, nothing is made better or worse if your budget hinders you from purchasing any of the higher priced BMWs. Mercedes defends themselves in stating that, "you get what you pay for," but is there really anything wrong with giving the baby Benz a little extra attention on the inside? The redesigned C class brings a whole new meaning to the saying, "cars aren't built like they used to be."

Now I understand that Mercedes-Benz prides themselves on luxury but be sure to know that they will make you pay for it! BMW on the other hand, catering more towards the sports car enthusiast, will make you pay for performance. Keeping the previous statement in mind, its interesting to know that the C class's Bimmer equivalent, the 3 series, is equally priced but has a more refined interior and a beefier engine! With an interior equalling the quality of a 7 series, an engine nothing short of spectacular, worthy price tag, AND an impressive residual, the BMW 3 series blows away the inferior C class! I mean there IS a reason why they call it "The Ultimate Driving Machine."

To Turbo or Not to Turbo?..

For as long as enthusiasts can remember BMW has always geared their engine's performance towards the raw power delivered to the wheels. They never fooled around with forced induction (turbochargers) as the Japanese had been doing for nearly 3 decades. As a matter of fact, it was not until the 335i broke out onto the scene back in 2007, that BMW experimented with turbocharging their vehicles. BMW recognizes that by downsizing your engine and then equipping it with a turbocharger will actually help to pump out a few more mpgs (miles per gallon). With today's economy and the current "oil crisis," people are becoming more aware of how fuel efficient their vehicles actually are. In contrast to the previous statement, this is NOT to say that BMW plans on sacrificing performance for more mpgs. Thank God!

The "twin-turbocharged" 335i uses BMW's famed inline six but is given a bit of extra pep by two baby turbos. Before moving on, let me clear the air when it comes to using the terms twin or bi-turbo. To put it simply, twin-turbos act independently of one another and bi-turbos fire together. Now with that said, the twin-turbo 335i uses one of it's two turbos right around the 1500 rpm mark while the second turbo does not kick in until around 4000 rpms. It is not that BMW is just trying to "one-up" the single turbo competition; they actually have a very important reason for using two turbos. As any gearhead would know, many single turbo cars suffer from "turbo-lag." This happens when the, usually underpowered, engine doesn't receive it's turbo boost until the higher rpms. Unfortunately this makes the powerband unreachable until you hit anywhere between 4000 and 6000 rpms (dependent upon the vehicle). Turbo-lag is nonexistent in the 335i's rev range and the powerband kicks in from the moment you step on the peddle to when you hit redline.

The two newest additions to BMW's turbo family are the X5 M and the X6 M. Both of these vehicles are powered by a twin-turbo 4.4 lt. V8 producing upwards of 555bhp. Some of you may recognize the 4.4 lt. V8 to be that of the since departed X5 4.4i which made its debut in 2000 and ran until its departure in 2006. Since many were taken back by the overall performance of 4.4 when it was in the previous X5, BMW decided to build off of that same platform when it came time to design the X5 M and X6 M's powerhouse. The new all wheel drive M SUVs use the same turbo technology as the 335i which is sure to produce monstrous performance on and off the track! In addition to these two turbo beasts, there has been word that BMW has decided to drop the 10 cylinder in the current M5 and turbocharge a V8 for the 2012 model. Figures are scarce to come by but it is said that the car should be pushing an upwards of 600bhp, as if 505 was not enough...

Introduction

Hello all, and welcome to my blog! This blog will be built around the passion I have for automobiles, most of which that come from the great-auto empire of Germany (BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc.). This is not to say that examining vehicles coming from other countries is out of the question, but that I will do so all in contrast to that particular vehicles German competition. I encourage feedback, negative or positive, and welcome any conversation about the topics I post. With the exception of the statements I declare as being factual, which will be followed by a reference in parenthesis, all statements are my opinion and my opinion alone.

Now for a bit of history... Since I was young automobiles have always been my hobby. From the design of the exterior to the power hidden under the hood, I cannot help but get excited when examining and driving cars. In my lifetime I cannot even recall how many car shows and exhibits I have attend as well as the amount of different vehicles I have driven. Up to this point I consider myself to be an above amateur car enthusiast with knowledge ranging far and wide across the entire automobile spectrum.

In my lifetime I have owned two cars thus far: 2000 BMW 323i, 2008 Volkswagen R32. Both of these vehicles gave me a taste of what Germany has to offer; one being the "Ultimate Driving Machine" (BMW) and the other "Das Auto" (VW). To date, I have actually sold both of these cars and am currently in the market for a new vehicle. Each of my two previous vehicles, both of which were very different from each other, made and impact on me in a number of different ways. The more luxurious BMW 3 gave me the comfort and "reliability," I use that world very very lightly, of one of the top German car companies. With its renowned inline six cylinder, still used by BMW today, it gave me the pep when I needed it but was tame enough to casually be driven around town.

Circa 2007, it came time for the bimmer to go due to a blown transmission which was, interestingly enough, made in Mexico! Feeling snake bitten by the unfortunate events that had come about with the BMW I decided to turn to Germany's more affordable and economic car company, Volkswagen. By the end of June 2008 I had my hands on a Mkv VW R32 (MkV being the model designation). With its all-wheel-drive system, VR6 engine, and DSG transmission this car was truly one of a kind. In fact, my R was number 1750 out of 5000 that came to the United States. If you have already done the math you will have found out that I only drove this car for about a year and a half. It was not that I didn't like careening down Route 33 at 128mph then finding myself climbing the Appalachians for a adrenaline filled ride back down the other side into West Virginia. It was more or less just a need for a change of direction; I mean that figuratively of course seeing that you only really have about two feet between you and the guardrail meant to keep you from tumbling down the mountain's edge. So now the R was gone and I was back, and still am, in the market for my next toy.

As I conclude, I would just like to thank all who have read this post and I hope that you enjoy the many more that have yet to come. Thanks.