| Refreshed X3 holds the sport-ute high ground
WHEN it comes to sport-utes, my dad is what could be called "old school," and that's no dig at his 80 years on this planet. It's just that he started driving SUVs when there was no sport to them, only utility -- discovering the superior traction of Jeeps during his stint in the Canadian army during the Second World War. And, for the next 40 years, numerous Jeeps of various size and description graced his driveway. So, when he opined that the optional sport suspension on the BMW X3 was "silly," I wasn't surprised. To Dad, sport-utes (or, in BMW's case, sport activity vehicles) are rough and tough. They don't have handling characteristics similar to those of a first-class sports sedan. Despite my dad's disdain, some SUVs and car-based crossovers are taking on similar performance characteristics to their automotive brethren.
Audi Reports Record November Sales
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi of America, Inc. today reported sales of 9,209 for the month of November, making it the best November in the company's history. Sales are up 16.4% over the same period in 2005. For the calendar year to date, Audi sales total 78,219, up 5.4% over 2005. Audi is on pace to set a sales record this year. The Audi A4 and Audi Q7 models set the sales pace for the brand. A4 sales totaled 5,124, an increase of 13.0% year-over-year, and consumers purchased 2,019 Audi Q7 SUVs. Since its launch in June, sales of the Audi Q7 have reached 7,682 units. "Consumers have three great reasons to put the Audi A4 on their shopping lists," said Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America. "The A4 was recently named a 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the A4 delivers class-leading residuals, and when equipped with the 2.0 liter TFSI engine, the A4 has best-in-class fuel economy." Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales also closed the month strong.
Carbon-ceramic brakes on their way down to the peons
The sight of a race car streaking into the darkness, brakes aglow as it slows for the next corner, is one of those incredible images that just sticks with you. Those massive carbon-ceramic rotors can take a lot of abuse and their light weight and durability have made them a racing staple for more than 15 years now. Street cars, on the other hand, have been slow to adopt the technology. Although their superior performance is unquestionable, the high cost of carbon-ceramic brakes has made them pretty much exclusive to exotics and supercars.Porsche was the first to use them on a street car when they fitted them to the "widowmaker" GT2. Soon after, they found their way onto the "regular" 911 Turbo as well. Now you can get carbon-ceramics on any Ferrari, most Lambos and Porsches, the Bentley Conti GT Diamond and the Audi RS4.
Prince of Persia Rival Swords
The Prince of Persia makes his way home to Babylon, bearing with him Kaileena, the enigmatic Empress of Time, and unspeakable scars from the Island of Time. But instead of the peace he longs for, he finds his kingdom ravaged by war and Kaileena the target of a brutal plot. When she is kidnapped, the Prince tracks her to the Palace - only to see her murdered by a powerful enemy. Her death unleashes the Sands of Time, which strike the Prince and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Cast to the streets, hunted as a fugitive, the Prince soon discovers that the Sands have tainted him, too. They have given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit gradually possesses him. Game features include: • Play and master two distinct characters: Wield the powers and weapons of two master warriors with different combat styles, attitudes and histories.
Chrysler Firepower shot down by management
The Chrysler Group's less than stellar performance in 2006 has led to the official decision by management not to produce the Firepower Concept that debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The Firepower was designed from the ground up, sharing only its 6.1L Hemi V8 with other vehicles in Chrysler's lineup. In order to make a production version that could even hope to return a profit, the automaker would have to build it alongside the Dodge Viper at its Conner Ave. assembly plant in Detroit and charge a price similar to the Viper's $80k+ MSRP. Apparently the business case for such a vehicle just isn't there.We love Chrysler concepts for the simple fact that each one is produced with just enough production intent to take it seriously should public reaction be favorable. Hell, even the ME412 supercar was on the table for a bit.
Generator Sets are rated at 80, 100, 125, and 150 kW.
December 8, 2006 - Suited for supplying standby power to medium-size buildings, generator sets feature low-emissions design that reduces oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, and PowerCommand digital electronic control that combines engine and alternator controls. Model 80 kW DSFAE features Cummins QSB5 in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged CAC Tier 3 diesel engine, while Models DSGAA (100 kW), DSGAB (125 kW), and DSGAC (150 kW) feature 6-cylinder QSB7 turbocharged charge air cooled diesel engine. .
2006 Dodge Ram Cummins 4x4 - Silver Standard Ram
You may have followed our Great White Dodge Ram project that, with all its modifications, became quite a truck. We loved it, but wives, 88-year-old moms, etc. refused to drive or ride in it because it was "too wide (fender flares) and too high (suspension and tires)." It wasn't too wide or too high, but this wouldn't do for one of the family's daily drivers. We decided to build another truck with no lift (except slightly larger tires and a few modifications) that would make the vehicle an easy-to-live-with, all-around workhorse. We chose to go with a silver '06 Dodge Ram Quad Cab shortbed 4x4 with an H.O. Cummins diesel and automatic transmission. The Dodge has the SLT trim level with Big Horn option group that includes aluminum wheels, trailer tow package, Sirius satellite radio, and other desirable items.
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Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Quad Cab
This big Ram 3500 truck is powered by a 6-cylinder 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine that delivers 325 hp and 610 lb.-ft. of torque. Its 4-speed automatic transmission has a Trailer Mode setting to help minimize those annoying up and down gear changes that take place when you're pulling something behind you. The Ram 3500's base price is $42,210; the truck tested was outfitted with plenty of options, including the popular Laramie package, upping that figure to $52,395. Heavy trucks aren't rated for fuel usage, but during a one week test drive I averaged 15 mpg in combined city and highway driving. .
Woman Killed In Crash On Interstate 75
A woman was killed in a crash involving at least three vehicles on Interstate 75 Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Pat Santangelo of FHP said the woman was in an SUV with her young son and her mother when another car struck the SUV, causing it to overturn. The boy was not injured. The grandmother was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. .
Editor's Desk: November / December Edition
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know Ford and GM are having a rough time. Granted, these are big (more like huge) companies with tremendous resources at their disposal, but things are looking serious. I don't normally worry too much about business affairs or financial issues, but what's happening now could greatly affect what types of vehicles we get down the road or what types of option packages are available right now. Of the two companies, Ford is probably having a tougher going. F-150 sales have recently fallen considerably and for the first time in close to 15 years, at this point in the year the Ford Explorer isn't the best-selling SUV in North America. Last month, the Toyota RAV4 sold more than any other SUV or crossover, with Honda CR-V and Pilot running close behind. Things are changing, and not in a good way.
POLICE REPORT: Driver involved in accident gives fake name, gets ...
Police responded to a minor traffic accident. One of the drivers gave officer's a false name and signed a traffic citation with a false name. She was then found to have outstanding warrants and was arrested. Family violence, 1013 Douglas Road. A man assaulted his girlfriend during an argument, at a Christmas party.
Officers contacted a suspicious person who was looking into cars at a closed business in the 1200 block of North St. They found him to have outstanding municipal warrants, and he was arrested. ——— Public intoxication, FM 2609. Deputies responded to a disturbance. They found one of the people involved in the disturbance, and he was intoxicated to the point that he could hurt himself or someone else.
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