The CarGurus Blog

Once again the CarGurus team has put together an interesting review of the 09 ZR1 ‘vette.  This car has amazing power and potential. If you have ever watched the C6 series Corvettes racing in the American Le Mans series you know what I mean.  This car is slated to go down in history. 

The CarGurus View

The ZR1 is brutal, almost atavistically so. Imagine a Neanderthal with an aluminum bat; all of the force with none of the vulgarity. If you’ve got the money, and a desire to shame Ferrari owners, go for it. Read More…

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

CarGurus published its review of the 2009 Tesla Roadster.  Without dealerships throughout the country though it will remain a rare car indeed regardless of the price.  I certainly do not want to be living in New England with the closest service being located in LA.

The CarGurus View

The trend-setting Tesla Roadster certainly demands all the attention it has received over the past couple of years, and the slightly revised 2009 version improves on the original, but limited production numbers and a high pricetag mean the Tesla won’t enter the mainstream anytime soon, so we’ll wait for the rumored lower-priced Tesla family car to see if an electric vehicle can gain traction in the mainstream marketplace. Read More…

2009 Tesla Roadster

With the imminent arrival of two movies based on iconic TV shows of the 1960s, it seemed like a good time to compare their equally iconic cars. Both Get Smart and  Speed Racer appeal to our inner child, feature cool retro looks, and star actors with good pedigrees (Steve Carell and Alan Arkin in Smart, Emile Hirsch and Susan Sarandon in Racer). But more importantly, how cool are their cars, and will I be able to get one?

The Get Smart car is a convertible Sunbeam Tiger, developed by the Rootes Sunbeam group in England in conjunction with Carroll Shelby, he of Shelby Cobra fame.  Based on the 4-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine, the Tiger took cues from the Cobra by putting a large Ford V8 engine into the Alpine’s lightweight European frame, transforming the touring convertible into a sports coupe. The 4.2 V8 achieved 164-hp in its heydey, which unfortunately only lasted four years, from 1964 to 1967, when Chrysler bought out Rootes and soured on the idea of producing a car with the rival Ford engine.

Can you still get one today? Sure, but they’re hard to find. Since only around 7000 were produced in its short lifetime, the Tiger is a highly sought-after collectible. In fact, they are so hard to find that the upcoming film actually uses the identical-looking Alpine as a stand-in, because they could not find an actual Tiger in Canada, where they were shooting. Even harder to locate are the Tigers that come fully equipped with ejector seat, dual hood machine guns, exhaust pipe oil slick, cigarette lighter grenade launcher, and the Cone of Silence, so naturally the production Alpine had to be slightly modified.

Let’s face it, Get Smart is more about gadgets and gags than the actual car, whereas Speed Racer is all about the car. The Mach 5 drove Speed and Chim Chim to many a victory, so there was a lot of pressure on the filmmakers to get the look just right. And apparently they did. Yes, fans, the actual Mach 5 racer exists, and it was revealed by producers in Potsdam, Germany, where most of the shooting took place.

Unfortunately, this particular Mach 5 is more of a mockup than an actual production vehicle, so don’t start dipping into your savings account in anticipation of this car showing up at your local dealer. In fact, most of the Mach 5 that you’ll see in the movie will come straight from CGI computer effects.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t be built. Compare the above picture with the film’s CGI-enhanced model. Pretty close, down to the M logo and red number 5 on the side. Back in 1999, a prototype Mach 5, based on the Corvette roadster chassis, was built in conjunction with a child safety car campaign that toured around the country. These Corvettes featured a 5.7-liter, 385-hp V8. The original now sits in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, but it drew so many adoring male fans that 100 production vehicles were built and signed by the original creator and voice of Speed Racer.

So if you look hard enough, both theSunbeam Tiger and Mach 5 are out there somewhere, plying the roads (or more likely resting comfortably in collectors’ garages) waiting to challenge the next Racer X or evil KAOS agent. 

Following the announcement of the World Green Car at the New York Auto Show last month, World Car of the Year awards were handed out in a number of other categories, including World Design of the Year, World Performance Car, and the overall Car of the Year.

Top honors went to the Mazda2 (above), which was selected as the 2008 Car of the Year by a panel of 47 automotive journalists, out of an initial field of 39 entries. Completely redesigned for 2008, the Mazda2 made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show, and initially will be sold in the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as in Japan, where it’s known as the Mazda Demio. According to reports, the Mazda2 will be available in the U.S. in 2009 with some minor tweaking, although it will be rebadged as the Ford Fiesta.

The Mazda2 supermini car, similar in size to such cars as the Toyota Yaris, features a sporty, aerodynamic exterior design, a three-spoke steering wheel, white instrument gauges, and an all-new center console. It’s powered by 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter gas engines, as well as a turbocharged diesel, although U.S. powerplants have yet to be determined. The lightweight five-door hatchback has been designed to handle nimbly in traffic, thanks to electric power-assisted power steering and a short-throw gear shift. And despite its compact size, the Mazda provides plenty of storage spaces inside for all types of gear. Two trims are currently available — the TS2 and the Sport.

The top three finalists for the Car of the Year also included the Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, while the Cadillac CTS, the Volvo C30, and the Audi R8 were among the other contenders.

While the 2008 Audi R8 (above) didn’t take top honors, it was singled out by the awards committee as the World Design of the Year, as well as the World Performance Car of the Year. Not bad for a consolation prize.

Organized and conducted by automotive journalists from around the world, the World Car of the Year awards is a non-profit, non-affiliated program designed to select the world’s top cars using objective criteria. For more information, visit the World Car of the Year’s website at www.wcoty.com.

As the Detroit Auto Show (officially the North American International Auto Show) winds down this week, a number of automotive trends have emerged. The biggest, of course, is that all automakers are steering toward greener, more fuel-efficient cars. Hybrids are popping up everywhere (see previous posts). Even Ferrari has announced a green version of its F430 spider (above), a projected 489-horsepower sport convertible with a V8 engine that will run on E85 biofuel.

That’s a newsworthy development, and it brings us to another, more subtle trend, but an important one nonetheless — the debut in the past week or so of a number of new convertibles. BMW, for instance, has just leaked details about its 2009 BMW M3 Convertible (the car’s world premiere will take place in Geneva in March). As its M3 designation indicates, the new convertible continues BMW’s line of motorsports-derived cars, and will feature a new 420-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine that will drive the drop-top from 0 to 62 mph (100 kilometers per hour) in just 5.3 seconds.

Reportedly, the new BMW convertible will feature an updated, more muscular exterior, a stiffer body, a reinforced suspension, and a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The M3 Convertible, which should be available at dealers later this year, will also come with a retractable three-piece hardtop.

Not to be outdone, Lexus also showed off a new convertible, the LF-A Roadster, which debuted as a concept but is expected to go into production soon. The shapely roadster will be constructed from carbon fiber and aluminum to create a rigid yet lightweight body, and will be powered by a V10 engine expected to produce about 500 horsepower. Details beyond that are still sketchy, although the new roadster will come with a retractable rear spoiler, but it seems clear that Lexus has set its sights on convertibles from Ferrari and Lamborghini with its new drop top. The price tag is sure to be in the stratosphere — somewhere north of 100K — but perhaps for its next trick, Lexus will produce a green or hybrid super-convertible. Lovers of open-air driving can only hope.

Getting on the good side of the cosmic universe and earning environmental karma points for the future might have fueled the naming of the Fisker Karma, a new eco-friendly, electric hybrid sports sedan designed by Danish-born, American-based Henrik Fisker. This is the design guy behind some of the stylish Aston Martins and the BMW Z8, and the company itself made its name by restyling Mercedes and BMWs. This impressive legacy has clearly influenced the design of the sexy, curvy, low-slung Karma.

Karma points come from the plug-in hybrid engine. Dubbed Q-DRIVE because of the involvement of Quantum Technologies, the Fisker Karma powertrain claims to go further on one charge than the upcoming Chevy Volt. The lithium ion battery lasts for 50 miles before the four-cylinder gas engine kicks in. This engine regenerates the battery and increases driving distance to 620 miles. If it actually meets its goals of production-ready vehicles by 2009, Fisker will be the first on the scene with a workable lithium ion hybrid, assuring the public it has worked out the overheating problems that have plagued this technology in the past.

With the flip of a switch on the steering wheel, the driver can choose between the two different power sources. The economic Stealth Drive uses only the electric motor, while the Sports Mode combines the engine and motor for that extra power and endurance. Thanks to the use of lightweight aluminum for body materials, top speeds in Sports Mode will peak at 125 mph, and Fisker is touting a 0-60 time around 5.8 seconds. It ain’t no Porsche Carrera, but never has helping the environment felt so fabulous.

To enhance handling and lower the center of gravity, the battery packs will be centered between the two axles. An optional solar roof panel extends the eco-friendly character — it helps regenerate the battery as well as maintain a comfortable interior temperature when the car is parked. And this electric sports car has received the ultimate green seal of approval. One of the first people to express his desire for one? Al Gore.

But don’t let that deter you from buying one. Even with all this green street cred, the Karma is far from nerdy. It has not neglected one of the most important reasons people buy a sports car — killer looks. Based on the response at its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show, the Karma seems to deliver with its sexy curvilinear profile, high front fender arches hiding 22-inch wheels, wide stance, low ride height, extended hood, and short rear overhang. James Bond would not be embarrased to steal one from a casino.

Here’s the catch. They say karma isn’t bought, it’s earned; but in the case of this Karma, you’ll need $80,000. But with that kind of cash, you’re also guaranteed a certain degree of uniqueness. Fisker plans on producing only 15,000 of the Karmas a year. And if you’re lucky to be one of the first 99, you’ll get one autographed by Henrik himself. 

Frankfurt and Tokyo were the appetizers, but here comes the main course — the Los Angeles Auto Show, which kicks off on Friday, Nov. 16 and winds up on Sunday, Nov. 15. More than 40 auto debuts are scheduled during the show, including the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, the redesigned 2008 Toyota Sequoia, and the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt (above).

The new Bullitt, which is a particularly intriguing debut, will feature a slightly souped-up V8 engine, a specially tuned exhaust, and Dark Highland Metallic exterior paint that mimics the car driven by Steve McQueen in the 1968 cop-and-chase film “Bullitt.” The new Bullitt will mimic the original Mustang GT 390 in a number of other ways as well. Like the original car, the 2008 version will be stripped of its exterior badges, scoops, and spoilers, with the exception of the a “Bullitt” graphic on the rear trunklid. Even the chrome pony on the new black-mesh grille will be absent, as it was on the original car.

The BMW 1-Series coupes and convertible will receive their official U.S. unveiling in L.A., as will the Bentley Continental GT Speed (see “What Would George Washington Drive?” below). Other cars scheduled for their U.S. debuts include the Lamborghini Reventon, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, the Jaguar XF, and the Mini Clubman, a cool little number based on the popular Mini, with a longer wheelbase and a vertically split tailgate. A number of concept cars are also scheduled to be unveiled, including the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Audi A1 subcompact.

Finally, the Green Car of the Year will be announced at the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 15th. Reportedly, the nominees have been narrowed to five vehicles. We’ll have to wait until next week to find out which car will be declared the winner. Stay tuned for more info on all the unveilings at the L.A. Auto Show.

So it’s midnight, you’re on the road, and you have no idea where you are. You look for a map, but frantic searches in the glove compartment and trunk yield nothing. You ask Scotty from the Starship Enterprise to beam you over some directions, but he’s apparently in sick bay. So what do you do? Pull into the local gas station and print out directions from Google.

Starting next month, gas pumps made by North Carolina-based manufacturer Gilbarco Veeder-Root will have a small computer screen where you can Google your directions via touchscreen, then print them out. Initially, you’ll find 3,500 of these machines across the nation , but expect this idea to expand if you and your fellow drivers like the idea enough. While the maps come ad-free, retailers will offer coupons through the service.

Personally, I like the idea. I’ve taken a number of road trips where I got lost in my destination city and had to ask for directions from gas attendants who didn’t speak English. And when it comes to people more stubborn than me, gas-pump Googling should present a welcome last resort that relieves stress on-demand.

- posted by Taeho Lim

So if you were a presidential candidate, which vehicle would you drive? (Limousines don’t count, and your political party doesn’t matter.) If you’re running for the country’s highest office in 2008, the consensus seems to be the Ford Escape Hybrid. According to a graphic posted recently on the ABC News website, five current presidential candiates, including Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), John Edwards (D-N.C.), Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), and Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), all say they drive the Escape Hybrid. Another (former) candidate, Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), says he drives a Honda Civic Hybrid, while Barak Obama likes to get behind the wheel of an unnamed flex-fuel E85 vehicle.

Obviously, hybrid or flex-fuel vehicles are politically correct this election season. But the automotive preferences for some of the other candidates are a little more revealing. John McCain (R-Ariz.), for instance, notes that he’s partial to the Cadillac CTS. Joe Biden (D-Del.) drives a ‘67 Corvette that was given to him as a wedding present by his father. Rudy Guiliani (R-N.Y.) has been seen behind the wheel of the Cadillac Escalade, while Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) drives a 2005 Ford Mustang convertible. And Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) tools around town in a Ford Focus. Who says the car doesn’t fit the driver’s image?

Which got us to thinking — what would some of our former presidents have driven if they had had a choice? What would George Washington have driven, for instance, or Abraham Lincoln, if they had had cars in their days? We did a little brainstorming and came up with the following guesses.

For George Washington, we wanted something that was classic and continental. Earlier in his career, before he became the father of our country, Washington sought a commission in the British army. Believing that he would prefer the refinement of a British set of wheels, we selected for him the Bentley Continental GT Speed (above), which Bentley calls “a revolution of power.” (And no, we did not make that up). The Continental GT Speed combines performance and styling in a refined, truly unforgettable car — perfect for an unforgettable gentleman president.

For Abraham Lincoln, we chose — what else? — a Lincoln. The 2008 Lincoln MKZ (below), with the optional all-wheel-drive package, 263-horsepower V6 engine, and THX audio system, seems like a good fit for the 16th president. In black, of course.
From there, our recommendations become fairly diverse. JFK? Has to be a Porsche. Teddy Roosevelt? Something with plenty of ponies and off-road capabilities, like a Hummer. LBJ? A vintage Cadillac, something with fins, like a ‘59 Fleetwood Sixty Special (below). But it has to be in canary yellow, not black (for Lady Bird). And finally, what about Richard Nixon? This one required some thought, but we finally settled on the Dodge Stealth. Somehow, it seems fitting.

You may need a scorecard to follow this story, but here goes. Envisioning himself as the next Enzo Ferrari, British entrepreneur Arash Farboud founded an exotic sports car company, called Farboud Sports Cars, in the late 1990s with the goal of producing a supercar to rival some of the best in the world. After several attempts, he developed a concept for a car he called the Farboud GTS. But realizing he was stretching himself too thin, and preferring to focus his attention on auto racing as well as managing his family’s pharmaceutical company, Farboud brought in British automotive designer and producer Chris Marsh to oversee the company and produce the GTS.

However, in moving the mid-engine supercar from paper to production, Marsh made a number of critical changes to the car’s design, mechanics, and powerplant. For instance, Marsh opted for an easily acquired Cosworth-tuned, 3.0-liter Ford Duratec V6 that produces 262 bph (British horsepower) and is capable of driving the GTS from 0 to 60 in just under 5 seconds. That car is currently in production at the automaker’s small factory near Bath, England.

Okay, fine so far, but here’s where the twists begin. After Marsh made changes to the GTS’s design, Arash Farboud became disillusioned with the car, since it had strayed too far from what he had originally envisioned. So he launched another car company, which he called Arash Cars, a few years ago. Fearing there might be some confusion (are you confused yet?) in the minds of prospective buyers, Marsh, who remained at the original company, decided to rename his car. And so was born the Farbio.

Granted, it’s an odd name, a sort of Italian twist on the Farboud name. But the Farbio GTS is indeed about to make its way out onto the British, and perhaps American, roadways. The two-seater features a full carbon-fiber body, a steel-tube frame, a complete flat underfloor that helps the supercar stick to the road, and a six-speed manual gearbox. Inside, the Farbio GTS features an ergonomic design, with Sparco Milano reclining seats, a touch-screen navigation system, and bespoke leather organizer pouches, as well as the standard air conditioning, sound system, and power everything.

Pricing for the Farbio GTS will be 59,525 pounds, or around $121,500. A supercharged version will be available for 71,675 pounds, or about $145,000 and change. Reports indicate that the GTS will be available in the U.S., possibly sometime in 2008.

And what of Arash Farboud and his new company? Never content to be left in the dust, he’s in the process of launching the Arash AF10 (below) which, oddly enough, bears a striking resemblance to the GTS, although with a slightly different rear deck design and a more Ferrari-esque front end. No official word yet on when it will be available, but at least it’s nice to know that if you have the bucks, you’ve got a choice of British supercars.