British Classics Found in Coastal New Hampshire

What state has the shortest coastline of any in the US? That would be New Hampshire, with a tiny 13 mile strip of exposure to the Atlantic Ocean to call its own. On a picture perfect summer evening, we snaked our way from cheesy Hampton, boasting gorgeous beaches and surf  (think New Jersey Shore, but it's in New England) to our digs in Portsmouth, a chic small city which many affectionately call a 'Boston in miniature'. I might disagree, as I find Portsmouth has a character unique to itself. She's an old port city loaded with charm and charisma.

But I digress. Our car for the trip was an Infiniti G37S four door, bestowed with a six-speed manual. On our trip back to Portsmouth, ocean on our right, with mansions costing millions of dollars on our left, the sights were breathtaking. With windows down, and sunroof open, the music of Jimmy Buffet reflecting our relaxed demeanor, the Infiniti proved to be a fantastic end of summer vacation car.

Yet, soon our road diverged from the coast, where we came upon Brit Bits, a seller and restorer of British cars in Rye, New Hampshire. If I see a row of British sports cars, I must stop, and I did. What a treasure trove of Brit cars. Plenty of MGB's, Midgets (one had a hardtop with portholes, ala T-Bird), a well worn Jag E-Type, a Morris Minor my wife was smitten with, in addition to other beloved cars in various states of repair. Readers, I hope you enjoy the photo gallery as much I did admiring these cars.

Related posts:

1. St. Patrick's Day Classics in Connecticut
2. A pair of delightful British machines
3. 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: The British
4. Superbird found in a field will visit The Garage soon
5. British Ultima GTR supercar destroys Top Gear Ferrari FXX lap record. Without The Stig!

Fiat Announces 500 Turbo

Instead of a convention center at an international auto show, Fiat chose Concorso Italiano, a huge Italian car show in gorgeous Monterey, California during the week of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'elegance to take the wraps off of the newest member of the 500 family, the Fiat 500 Turbo. The 500 Turbo essentially bridges the gap between the 500 Sport and the more intense 500 Abarth.

The heart of the 500 Turbo is in the engine bay, of course, where you will find a 1.4L turbocharged, intercooled four cylinder rated at 135hp, paired to a five-speed manual. Despite the extra oomph, Fiat predicts 34MPG on the highway. Visually, the 500 Turbo makes itself known with a unique front fascia, side skirts, blacked out headlight and parking light bezels, spoiler and rear diffuser. A sport tuned exhaust and beefed up suspension round out the package. The 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo goes on sale this Fall with a starting price of $19,500USD.

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Watch a kid crash his Mom's M3 in the desert

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that handing the keys to an M3 and sending him out on a twisty desert road will not end well. Add in a GoPro and you have a recipe for a record of the impending disaster as the kid attempts to prove just how fast he really is. In this teaser clip from an upcoming episode of Mischief TV, we see just how badly this scenario can play out on a road in rural Arizona.

Related posts:

1. Single Moms pair up for Desert Rally
2. Watch Will crash and burn at Thunderhill
3. Massive rally crash caused by missing roof vent!
4. Motorist dies in bizarre crash with a deer
5. Incredible capture: Mike Conway's Indy 500 crash

Review: 2012 Nissan Armada

When I was asked what car I was currently reviewing, I replied it was the Nissan Armada. The question that followed was 'Oh, what do you think of it?' As someone who talks about cars in paragraphs, not short sentences, I paused, and replied 'Well, it's like a Chevy Tahoe, except made by Nissan.' That may upset fans of the Bowtie, or perhaps maybe even Nissan. But the reality is the Armada and Tahoe compete head to head in a shrinking market for full-size, truck-based SUVs, so the comparison is inevitable. After living with a Tahoe for a week last December and an Armada this past July, the similarities and differences became clear.

The Nissan Armada as we know it is no spring chicken. Introduced as a 2004 model, in today's automotive arena the Armada is ancient. In its favor, the styling of full-size SUVs moves at a glacial pace, so in spite of its eight year old design, it still manages to look current. In spite of its size, the Armada is quite understated compared to the stern, serious face of the Tahoe. Chunky 20' alloys and enough, but not excessive use of chrome trim lent just enough elegance to justify the price of admission. Our test car, finished in Galaxy Black did an excellent job of masking the Armada's most glaring design flaw. From the side profile, the roof of the passenger cabin rises and swoops downward, where it is met by the cargo area, where the roof is flat. In brighter colors, it looks like two different design committees designed the Armada, and never met to compare notes for a cohesive design.

Inside, the Armada offers the level of quality and ease of use we've come to expect from Nissan. All controls are simple to use and easy to understand. Seats front and rear offered plenty of room and were quite comfortable. Our Armada was capable of seating up to eight, although the top-spec model with second row captain's chairs drops that number to seven. What I appreciated about the Armada was the amount of interior storage and cubbies available, whereas the Tahoe seemed lacking. While some complain the Armada offers less cargo room, I'll counter with this. If you to want access that extra cargo space in the Tahoe, you'll have to physically remove the third row seat to get to all of it. The Armada? Press a button, and the third row seat simply folds flat. I'll take the latter option, thank you. To sum, the cabin of the Armada seems far more family friendly.

Just as the Tahoe is based on the Silverado pick-up truck, the Armada is based upon Nissan's top-dog truck, the Titan. All Armada's are powered by a 5.6L V-8 pumping out 317hp, mated to a five-speed automatic. Buyers have the choice between rear wheel and all-wheel drive. Our test car was a 4×2, with EPA fuel economy estimated at 13/19 MPG city/highway. In mixed driving, our Armada's trip computer was showing an average of 14 MPG, so she is one thirsty girl. In a 4×4 Armada, expect about a 1 MPG drop. Towing capacity in our Armada is an impressive 8,200 lbs, while a 4×4 can tow up to 9,100 lbs. Acceleration from the V-8 is strong, and makes the right sounds, and is without doubt more refined than the Tahoe's mill. Despite its size and weight, the Armada is very easy to drive and wiggle your way through town or highway traffic. Yes, it handles like a truck, because, well, it is, but that is not to say it lacks refinement or is at all crude. If you expect the creaminess of a Nissan Murano, you're missing the point.

The Armada is available in three trim levels: SV, SL, and Platinum. Our test car was the mid-level SL. While I was thankful for being spared the bling of the chrome 20's on the Platinum, I was incredulous that if you want navigation on your Armada, you must choose the top-spec car. Standard on our SL was a leather interior, power, heated front seats, 11 speaker Bose audio, XM Radio, Bluetooth, rear sonar, rear view monitor, dual zone and rear auto climate controls, and power rear liftgate. Options on our Armada included a rear DVD entertainment system, replete with wireless headphones, remote control and 8' screen, and power moonroof. Including destination, our Armada carried an MSRP of $48,965USD. Hardly cheap, but the price is on par for full-size, well equipped SUVs. Still, the lack of navigation, even at this price just seemed wrong.

So when asked about the Armada, equating it to the Tahoe was the simple answer, but as you've seen, it is far more complex. Appearance is subjective, but I'd have the say the Tahoe is by far more handsome. It epitomizes the look you want from an SUV of this size. On the other hand, the interior of the Armada was much more family friendly. Comparing how they drive, the Armada felt more nimble. But as always is the case in the car business, it's the sales that matter. By the end of July,  2012, for every Armada Nissan sold, Chevy sold nearly four Tahoes. In spite of this, I would say these two trucks are evenly matched enough they merit comparison shopping. So before you drop that check off at your Chevy dealer, you may want to make a detour to Nissan first.

If you do, to quote the Rolling Stones, just 'Paint It Black'.

Related posts:

1. 2010 Nissan Armada Offers Simpler Packaging, Better Value
2. 2008 Nissan Armada spy pics
3. Review: 2012 Nissan Maxima
4. Review: 2012 Nissan Versa
5. 2009 Nissan Armada: Road Trip Warrior

NASCAR ' Biffle Takes the Checkered and the Points Lead at MIS ' Hendrick Motor Failures Cause Concern

Greg Biffle performs his celebration burnout at MIS after winning the Pure Michigan 400

Ford has not seen the checkered flag at MIS in 7 consecutive races.  In real life terms that means 3 and a half years.  The last time a Ford had been to winners circle was back in 2008, in the Michigan race after Dale Jr. started his winless streak.  Greg Biffle decided that it was time for change.  Running int he top 10 for most of the day the #16 Roush Ford car looked strong.  As the final laps wore down it was beginning to look like another good day for the Chevy crowd.  Then on lap 195 Jimmie Johnson lost his engine in spectacular fashion in a cloud of smoke.  The restart had a Dodge (Kesolowski) , 2 Chevy's (Dale Jr and Kasey Kahne) and a lone Ford filling the front 2 rows.  All 4 cars had been fast all day, Kahne had recovered from an early spin in the Mark Martin wreck and everyone was itching for the win.  When the checkered flag dropped and the cars roared across the line, the crowd actually fell silent for a moment as they waited for the outcome.  It was the Ford of Biffle that took off into the clean air and no one could catch him.  Biffle may not have led the most laps throughout the day, but he led the one that means the most as he crossed the line taking the checkered flag in the Pure Michigan 400, and ending the drought for Ford in their own back yard.

Biffle credits the jump he got on the restart to Dale Earnhardt Jr who started behind him in row 2 on the final restart that allowed him to earn his 18th career win.

'Junior gave me a huge push for that win,' Biffle said. 'I have to thank him for that. I saw Brad laying back [on the restart] like always, and he got a little jump on me.'

'We're going to make a run at the title,' Biffle promised. 'I know they don't talk about us a lot, but they will when we get to Vegas.'

Brad Kesolowski gave it everything he had but just could not catch the 16, especially since he was in a heated battle for 2nd with a hard charging Kasey Kahne.  Finishing .417 seconds behind the leader Kesolowski was disappointed with his result at his home track.

'This is my home track,' said Keselowski, who has finished second in two consecutive Cup races. 'I want to win here just as bad as I want to win a race in the Chase ' probably more. There was a stretch where I felt like we were going to win it. I had some goosebumps going on.

'But it wasn't meant to be, and I'm still very proud of the effort. ' I just want to get that one more spot. I want to win races, and we've been running solid ' and I'm proud of that ' but we want that one more spot, too.'

Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Marcos Ambrose rounded out the top 5.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Jimmie Johnson looking concerned after his engine failure in the final laps of the Pure Michigan 400

Hendrick Motorsport engine builders will be doing a lot of head scratching this week as they try to figure out how they lost 4 engines over the weekend.  Two of those engines belonged to Jimmie Johnson in the #48.  Having issues on Saturday they opted to swap their engine out and start from the rear of the field for Sunday's start.  They looked fast as they moved through the field and were in the top 10 by lap 97.

Then early in the race the #14 Stewart Haas entry driven by Tony Stewart started sounding rough, later to be determined that he lost a cylinder due to a valve spring breaking.  With 4 of the Hendrick engine builders looking at the engine they patched it up and sent him back out for points but he was no longer a contender.

45 laps later it was the #24 car that suffered the same issue ending Jeff Gordon's chances for a win and continuing the 4 time champion's streak of bad luck that has been following him around throughout the season.

The last and final straw was right at the end of the race as the #48 lost their second engine of the weekend with only 5 laps to go in the race.  In a cloud of smoke the 48 fell back through the field before pulling behind the wall in a rare DNF for their team.

'[I was] just running along there and, all of a sudden, dropped a cylinder,' Gordon said. 'The No. 14 [Stewart] had that same issue. This is a tough place on engines. We rarely have these issues. ' When you come to Michigan and you turn these kinds of sustained RPMs on this fast of a track, it's always of concern here.'

'It's just a bad day, not the norm, for sure,' said Stewart, who radioed that it felt like his car was running on seven cylinders early in the race. 'We have the best engine department in the world, in my opinion. We had three engine tuners down there [in the garage] trying to get it fixed for us. [Sunday's result] wasn't for lack of effort.'

The failures were also a cause for concern in the 88 camp of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Crew chief Steve Letarte waited patiently for word on what the cause of the failure was as he watched his driver moving forward through the field.

'Without a doubt [I was worried],' Letarte said. 'One doesn't bother you. That's part of racing. But when the 24 had their issue, the concern went up.

'I'm disappointed for the motor guys. I know they work tremendously hard. This is one of those places where, as fast as we're running, it's just hard on equipment. We'll get back to the shop, look into them all, and I'm sure we'll have good direction coming to the Chase.'

Related posts:

1. NASCAR ' Biffle Holds the Points Lead and Takes The Pole Heading Into Bristol
2. NASCAR ' Stewart Makes it 2 For 2 in Championship Chase and Takes the Points Lead in the Standings
3. NASCAR ' Edwards Takes Vegas, Stewart Has a Late Race Pit Stumble But Ties For First in Points Lead
4. NASCAR ' Kahne Takes The Checkered Flag in Charlotte For His First Win in the #5
5. NASCAR- Greg Biffle Takes the Pole And Feels Like He Can Win It

NASCAR ' Mark Martin Takes The Pole for the Pure Michigan 400- Late Practice Troubles for Hendrick Cars

Mark Martin signs autographs as he walks the red carpet at MIS before the June race

At 5'6' and 135 lbs Mark Martin does not strike an imposing figure.  But when you listen to the drivers in the garage talk about him you would think he was 8 feet tall and had wings.  With the years of experience behind him, the reverence you see in the eyes of the drivers when they talk about him is well earned.  Mark Martin may be the oldest active driver on the track, but yesterday he was also the fastest.  Carl Edwards said that he thought he had left maybe a little bit of speed out there, well he did, and Mark Martin found it.

'The one thing that you'll get from me is every ounce that I can find,' Martin said. 'You get that no matter what the result may be.'

It's the experience that counts, and Martin has earned more than anyone else in the garage.

'Gosh, I've had a few years of practice,' Martin said. 'I don't need a whole bunch of practice. I just need a race car like what I drove [Friday]. I need fast race cars, and that's what [crew chief] Rodney Childers is giving me.

'All it is is driving the car ' I've been doing that since I was 15.'

With a speed of 199.706 MPH Martin came close to breaking the 200mph mark that was seen here at MIS back in June.

'It was obscene. It was crazy,' he said. 'To be able to get that lap is a nice thing [but] the fastest car does not always win the race.'

'I believe this race team is up to the challenge of contending and winning a race somewhere along the way,' he says. 'I can't know if it could possibly be this one. All I know is we're probably not going to have to take a middle-of-the-pack race car and try to win with it. That is a feather in our cap.'

Carl Edwards will start on the outside of Martin in the 2nd position with his qualifying effort of 198.626 MPH.  Edwards was all smiles as he talked about seeing his time fall to Martin right at the end of the knockout qualifying session.

'There are generations of people who have all had little Mark Martin toys,' Edwards said. 'Who knows? My kids some day might be racing against the guy. ' And they will probably be just as frustrated.'

'He is living the dream,' Edwards said. 'He has had a successful career and [now] he's able to pick and choose which races he's going to run ' and he performs well at them. I think that is pretty amazing, especially at his age. ' He can probably bench press more than all of us.'

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

Dale Earnhardt return to the track where he earned his last 2 wins, 4 years apart.  In June he dominated here and although he had handling issues in the early stages of the race he made his way to the front and led the field to the checkered flag with ease.  He may have a little bit more of a struggle this time.  The car he won with in June was what he was prepared to run until a late crash in the 3rd and final practice.  Although the backup car he will be using has never turned a racing lap at MIS it has been here before for testing.

Carl Edwards, Dale Jr., and Matt Kenseth answer questions in a Q&A session Friday after qualifying.

'We tested it here when we first came, so we know a lot about the car here at this particular track, where in most cases you don't,' said Earnhardt. 'We have that going for us. We have a lot of information, and I feel like we should be able to put a car out there that's relatively in the ballpark. ' Other than just starting at the back, I don't think it's hurt our chances too much. I mean, you hate to wreck the primary car, but the consequences and the situation really couldn't be more favorable with the backup than it is here for us.'

'We were making some changes on the car, and got the car too loose, and it just came out from under me in the corner,' he said. 'A little bit of being too free, and probably running harder than I should have been in practice.'

Jr. is confident that chances can be taken early in the race to move forward, and if not he is prepared to drive his way to the front.

'We can take no tires, two tires, whatever, and gain a lot of track position throughout the first part of the race if we get the opportunity under yellows,' he said. 'If we don't have yellows, we're going to have our work cut out for us.'

'When we won here in [June], we fell all the way to the back having some trouble with the balance of the car, and made some changes. So we've come out of a hole before here and won the race, so I feel pretty good about our chances still. We've just got to make sure we do all our homework up in the front of the hauler here, and when they put it out on the starting grid, it's close. It needs to be close. We don't want to have to deal with the car being way off balance-wise at the start of the race. Because that could make it tough for us to finish well.'

Jr. will not be alone starting from the rear of the field as his teammate Jimmie Johnson replaced an engine Saturday, a change which requires vacating his 3rd place qualifying position on the grid and move to the rear of the field.

Related posts:

1. NASCAR ' Mark Martin Takes The Pole For Phoenix ' Hendrick's Teams Look For Big Rebound
2. NASCAR ' Biffle Takes The Pole in Michigan for the Pure Michigan 400
3. NASCAR ' Mark Martin Takes the Pole for Talladega Proving You Are Never Too Old to Go Fast
4. NASCAR ' Mark Martin Leads the Field, Drivers Playing it Safe, Dale Jr Fastest in Practice
5. NASCAR ' Mark Martin Edges Out Trevor Bayne for the Pole at Daytona

Review: 2012 Kia Rio

The first Kia Rio was dropped on these shores back in 2000 as the Korean automaker's entry-level car. Short on refinement with forgettable looks and little more to brag about than a cheap price, the Rio had little going for it. The Rio has finally grown up and is fully prepared to take on all comers. Now in its third generation, the 2012 Rio is a complete redesign, and just from looking at the pic above, the Rio is no wallflower. But it takes more than good looks to stand out in this competitive market. Read on to see if the Rio is a true, well-rounded car.

The first thing you notice are the striking looks of the Rio. If the Rio has a European accent, that is not by accident, as a former Audi designer heads up Kia's design department. But it works, and the Rio has a fresh, contemporary, upscale look that belies its low starting price. Our test car was the SX model which added smartly styled 17' alloys, twin chrome exhaust tips, fog lights and LED lighting front and rear. Our Rio looked decidedly upmarket, and far classier than any other car at this price point.

Inside, the Rio is also a car that confirms the days of economy car cabins as dreary penalty boxes are behind us. And again, the cabin carries the theme of the exterior-smart, clean, and classy. Yes, there are hard plastics to be found, but the general look and feel of the interior does not shout bargain basement. I appreciated thoughtful touches like the chrome ringed gauges, metallic trim and aluminum pedals, which added some brightness and personality to our test car's all black interior. The seats were comfortable, and overall the interior offered plenty of room. The trunk offered enough room that should suit any small family.

The Rio is offered with one engine, a 1.6L direct injected four developing 138hp. A six-speed manual transmission is offered only in the base LX model, while other trim levels come standard with a six-speed automatic. I find it a little odd that our SX test car is the considered the 'sporty' Rio, yet the buyer has no choice but to get an automatic. Not that I had any complaints about it, as our car banged off smooth, crisp shifts. Our Rio zipped through local traffic easily. While not at all harsh, Kia has not quite yet reached the level of refinement seen in Honda and Toyota four cylinders. Especially admirable are the Rio's EPA fuel economy rating of 30/40 MPG city/highway. Our Rio has a tightly buttoned down, firm ride, which I appreciated. Our SX had a sport-tuned suspension, so lesser Rio's will no doubt has a softer ride.

From the start, the Rio has always been offered in both four door sedan and hatchback body styles. A base Rio LX sedan with a manual transmission starts at $13,600USD, with EX and SX trims filling out the line. Our test car was the top-spec SX sedan. All Rios come well equipped, but in addition the features already mentioned, our SX came standard with Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth, UVO in-vehicle infotainment center with a rear view camera, steering wheel controls, and power folding  heated exterior mirrors. Our test car included the Premium Package, which added GPS Navigation with Sirius Traffic, power sunroof, push button start with smart key, leather seats, and heated front seats. Including destination charges, our Rio had an MSRP of $20,545. For that price, that is quite reasonable for a car packed with premium features that were once the domain of luxury marques with prices triple that of our little Rio.

For 2012 Kia has reinvented the Rio from a forgettable als0-ran to a top-flight contender. With the choice of sedan or hatchback, basic transportation to a car packed with the latest in technology features, Kia has the field covered, while doing so at a very reasonable price, regardless of your preference. My sole fault was with its dashing, sporty good looks that the SX cannot be had with a manual transmission. Add that and you'll look and feel like you're driving a smaller sized Euro sport sedan. To sum, Kia has knocked this one out of the ballpark. This once forgettable car now stands at the head of its class, and is a must-see for anyone in the market for a small four door car that gives up nothing for style and features while delivering the value and economy buyers demand.

Related posts:

1. Review: 2012 Kia Sorento
2. Review: 2012 Mazda2
3. Review: 2012 Kia Soul
4. Review: 2012 Fiat 500C
5. Review: 2012 Mazda5

Interview with Team Falken Racing

Recently I've been helping out my friends at Performance Racing News with some video content. In that role, I sat down with the guys from Team Falken Racing at the recent Grand Prix of Mosport at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers talked about racing, fitness and Mexican food!

Video after the break.

Related posts:

1. Gallery: Thursday in the paddock at Grand Prix of Mosport
2. Porsche racer stops to save his own wayward wheel
3. Introducing Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, formerly known as Mosport
4. Corvette Racing appeals to the faithful while justifying selves to naysayers
5. Get ready for some great racing at the 2008 VARAC Festival with Can-Am

Review: 2012 Nissan Versa

Bank. Money. If you have ever tuned into Food Network's 'Diners, Drive0-Ins and Dives' in the US, this is how host Guy Fieri describes a successful recipe he's sampled. It's good, and as a restaurateur himself, he knows it's profitable. Rewind the clock back to April of 2011, where yours truly, along with our Founding Editor Gary Grant stood for the global reveal of the all-new 2012 Nissan Versa sedan. It's no secret the automotive press has been excited about the new interest in sub-compacts, but the sort of plain Jane image of the Versa has left us a little cold. And Nissan is fine with that. Why? The Versa is the best-selling car in its class, that's why.

Even with a light show and pounding techno beats from the 2011 New York International Auto Show as the Versa was shown to us, it was tough to muster up any excitement. Now off the stage and in the real world, it was time to sample, and live with the Versa for a week. The Versa comes off as sort of narrow and top-heavy, and the skinny, high sidewall tires do nothing to add here. Thankfully our test car was the top-spec SL, which at least added chrome trim, body colored side-view mirrors, fog lights and 15' alloys. Finished in a subdued Sandstone metallic, our Versa may have looked slightly oddly proportioned, but did not look at all out of place on Main Street in the wealthy town of  Litchfield, CT among the chic shops and restaurants.

If the exterior of the Versa is a tad less graceful than the competition, there is a reason. The interior. Inside, the Versa offers an incredible amount of space. Other subcompacts like the Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta have nothing on the Versa for interior room, especially in the rear seat. The amount of room in the rear has no peer in this class of car. Up front, there was more than enough room as well. Seats were cushy with little in the way of lateral support. All controls were intuitive to use, and easy to read. Icing on the cake was a positively enormous trunk.

The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is powered by a 1.6L four cylinder rated at 109hp. Only the base model is offered with a five-speed manual, while all other trim levels come with a Continuously Variable Transmission. As an automotive enthusiast, I despise CVTs, but Nissan is fully committed to the CVT, and as awful as they are, I concede that Nissan builds the best of the lot. No, the Versa is not quick, and as we toured the curvy roads of Litchfield County the Versa was struggling a bit. At highway speeds the Versa was completely comfortable, but passing takes some planning. With EPA fuel economy figures of 30/38 MPG city/highway, it is fuel economy that matters most over performance.

Yet even sticking to country back roads with tight corners and elevation changes, the Versa kept its cool. The steering was numb, the suspension soft, but the car never felt sloppy, and while not going slow, my wife and son never complained.

The Nissan Versa is one of the cheapest cars for sale in the US, with a base MSRP of $10,990. Our top-spec SL added the previously described features, as well as Bluetooth, audio steering wheel controls, iPod controls, trip computer, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, and cruise control. Options on our test car included floor and trunk mats, and the Tech Package, which added GPS Navigation, a 5' color touch screen and XM Satellite Radio. Including destination charges, our Versa came in at a reasonable $17,190USD. That's a good amount of of kit for what Nissan is charging.

It may not be sexy or most fun to drive in its segment, but Nissan owns the subcompact car segment in America. And to quote the blonde-bleached spiked hair Food Network persona Guy Fieri, that is money.

Related posts:

1. Review: 2011 Nissan Versa SL
2. More Safety for 2010 Nissan Versa
3. First Drive: 2007 Nissan Versa
4. Nissan Versa media launch in Nashville
5. Nissan Keeps New Versa Mellow for '12

Scary yellow flag crash should never have happened

One of the darkest days of Canadian motorsport came in the early Seventies when Wayne Kelly drove under an emergency vehicle at Mosport and was killed instantly. Forty years later, we should know better!

During a recent German Formula Master race, a very similar incident to the one that killed Kelly occurred. Everyone involved was VERY lucky. It was interesting to note that organizers brought out the red flag after the carnage.

Video after the jump.

Source: Youtube via AofO

Related posts:

1. Colin Mcrae dies in helicopter crash
2. Video: Digital simulation of Kubica's crash in Montreal
3. Incredible capture: Mike Conway's Indy 500 crash
4. Scary Charlotte
5. Patron Highcroft Racing rebuilds after massive crash at Road Atlanta

2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed

With this crazy Summer of travel I've had with my daily gig at Wheels.ca, I haven't had much time to share stuff here in The Garage, which means I have more than a few massive galleries worth of content to share.

In June, I was delighted to make the trip to Jolly Old for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, courtesy of Audi Canada. With a total of 10 1/2 hours at Goodwood Estate (and not many more in England) there wasn't time to get any in depth stories, so I went photo crazy instead. The hill itself is what people go to see, but there is so much more. In fact, the forest rally stage at the top of the hill is far more exciting for real gearheads, as the action is right up close. Where else can you get face to face with true World Champions? Sure, Vettel and Hamilton (and many more) were on hand in the F1 paddock, but good luck getting to talk with them. Even still, the mix of old and bleeding edge new on the hill is incredible.

Hit the jump to check out a gallery of images from Lord March's Spring party on the lawn. You won't be disappointed. You'll also find a quick video that I put together for Wheels.

Related posts:

1. Goodwood Festival of Speed images are already out
2. Video: Skyline GT-R at Goodwood Festival of Speed
3. 350Z Fastest up the Goodwood hill!!
4. Nissan GT-R puts in an appearance at Goodwood
5. Nissan 350Z GT-S Concept going up the hill at Goodwood

Ralph Gilles talks about Dodge's decision to pull out of NASCAR

As many fans try to figure out why the Dodge brand has decided to pull out of NASCAR at the end of the season, Ralph Gilles sits down in front of the camera to explain the reasoning. Put short and sweet, they have not been able to put together a deal with a team like Penske that has a complete package. If a team has to rely on outside help, then it doesn't make sense for Dodge to go racing with them!

Check out the video after the jump.

Related posts:

1. Ralph Gilles tells the tale of Challenger at Targa Newfoundland
2. Dilley Finishes Twenty Third at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
3. Podcast: Tony Stewart talks about Darlington win
4. GREAT PROGRESS AT CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE FOR THORNDYKE
5. The General in Merger Talks with Chrysler

Going Further With Ford Part II

Sorry for the delay folks, but I am pleased to report my second installment for the Go Further With Ford trend conference. In case you missed it, The Garage was chosen from an elite group of bloggers to attend this year's Go Further With Ford event. Day one consisted of a series of interesting panel discussions which provided a glimpse of where Ford is headed.

For Day Two, Ford drove us to Dearborn proving grounds-the test track. Just to be there was a thrill. The cars you buy from the dealer are tested and fine-tuned right here. You get a sense of the seriousness of the facility with a control tower, much like an airport, overseeing all track activity.

As a car guy with some, but limited race track experience, my hopes of being unleashed on the proving grounds were dashed. Which I can understand. As a car guy, I was in the minority here, with bloggers representing subjects from the environment, fashion, parenting, etc. Ford would be nuts to let them loose.

But to keep things fun and interesting, we had to complete four tasks. My first challenge was to autocross the all-new 2013 Ford Escape. Our bogey time was 38 seconds, with a two second leeway. Ford's intent was for us to push the Escape hard, which I did. I just made the cut, and have the I Love Pandora t-shirt to prove it. In my 40 seconds of driving it, the Escape was nimble and quick off it's feet, but look for a full, proper review in the future. In fact, the new Escape will be in my driveway for Labor Day weekend.

Next up was the 2013 Ford Mustang GT. We had three choices. You could drive a Mustang with an automatic. You could drive a Mustang with a manual. You could be driven by a pro driver in a Mustang Boss 302. I'll lay out the conversation:

Ford: 'Mr. Williams, do you want to be driven on the course by a driver?'

Me: 'No, thank you, I would prefer to drive myself.'

Ford: 'Manual or automatic?'

Me: 'Manual'

It was a brief stint, but the Mustang GT was a hell of a ride. I never got higher than third gear on the course Ford provided us. While I'll always prefer driving myself, I have to say the drivers Ford had on hand to give rides on the Boss 302 'Stang put on one hell of a show. Full-on power slides and burning rubber was the order of the day for the Boss cars.

And from brute-force muscle car Ford takes me to the new Focus EV for a drive. On a short road course the Focus EV has buckets of torque, rides just as well as the conventional Focus The Garage tested, but what impressed me most was it's greater range over the Nissan Leaf. I have been to events where EV's were present, and there was always a desperation to keep a car plugged in. Not so with the Focus. The car simply kept plugging along.

My next challenge was to experience Ford's latest technology. I tag-teamed another fellow. His task was to run to a Ford Escape, sync his phone and make a call. Once done, he passes a baton to me where I have to use a Ford Flex to park itself. I confess, I have had cars with this technology but was too fearful to use it. Under the eyes of Ford, I had to, and by golly, it worked. All it took was simply line up near a parking space, and the Flex uses its sensors to 'find' the opening. With nothing more than simple brake modulation, the Flex, by golly, parked itself. My task complete, I hand the baton back to my teammate, who samples another nifty Ford technology with the Escape. With a key on you, all it takes is a swipe of your foot to open and close the rear liftgate. Ingenious stuff for when you're carrying a child or groceries. Yes, it was silly, but a fun way to sample the latest technology available in Ford vehicles.

Last event was an offroad romp in a 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. With a mighty 6.2L V-8 belting out 411hp, the Raptor is the ultimate truck for a muscle car fan. No, we would not be able to drive them-instead members of the Ford SVT team would take us out on Ford's off-road course, and positively punish and beat the living snot out of the Raptor. Yes, there were some slow, and extreme angle off-roading that would match any Land Rover, but the emphasis was on the brutal power of the Raptor, as we drifted in a cloud of dust, its V-8 wailing as we pounded the truck. This was no burst of the throttle, dog and pony show. No. I had to wear a race helmet. By the time my ride was over, hanging on for dear life, my camera, cell phone, and car keys had been thrown from my pockets throughout the Raptor's interior. In other words, way harder than I ever would have driven it. When I asked the driver after a long morning of punishing the Raptor if it was getting tiring, he simply replied 'Hey, any other day I'd be sitting in a cubicle!'

After a catered lunch and some formalities, that pretty much closed out Go Further With Ford for 2012. Leaving Ford's proving grounds, I looked on as cars continued to race around the track, the new Fusion more than any other car. For a moment I thought 'This car is ready for production', but in reality development and fine-tuning never stops. And I did  a double take when I saw a car I'd never seen before with no badges whatsoever as it made its way to the track as we pulled out. Hmmm'.

With a couple hours to spare at the Detroit Airport, I contemplated the Go Further event. It was my second trip to Dearborn this year, having been in Detroit for the global reveal of the Fusion. There were fewer of us then, and a pronounced international presence. This time around, with about 250 of us who mostly seemed to be American. As a car guy, again, it was interesting to be hosted by a car company with a group of people who have nothing to do with cars. If that doesn't make sense to you, hear me out. Ford is using social  media to promote its product, and as a fellow blogger told me, not all car buyers seek out automotive media outlets to learn about cars, and he is absolutely right.

In the span of two days Ford not only showed the technology they have now, but are fully prepared for a car market that is changing, and by all accounts Ford seems ready for it. Exhausting, yes, but extremely informative and entertaining. It was an honor to be Ford's guest, and receive a front row seat to where the company is headed. It was a pleasure sharing the experience with you.

Ford Motor Company paid my airfare, hotel room and meals for this media event, but I was not compensated monetarily.

Related posts:

1. Inside the Ford Brain Trust, The Garage in Detroit Part III
2. The Garage Goes Further with Ford
3. 2012 NAIAS Part I: The Bloggers Descend Upon Dearborn
4. Forgotten Sporty Cars Part I: Ford EXP/Mercury LN7
5. Road test: 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Part 2

NASCAR ' Gordon Wins and Hendrick Scores With All 4 Cars in Rain Shortened Pennsylvania 400 from Pocono

After the season he has had so far this year, Jeff Gordon will take a win anyway he can get it.  Having everything that could possibly go wrong already happen to him so far this season, a little bit of good luck was bound to finally blow his way.  And blow it did, as a major weather system blew in dumping torrential rain in Pocono, effectively ending the Pennsylvania 400 62 laps short of a full race, only 18 laps past the halfway mark, making it a complete race in the books.  Not only was this a win for Gordon on the track, the points race looks a whole lot better from his perspective with this win.  Moving into 13th in points + the win puts him in place for the wild card spot to get into the chase for the 2012 Sprint Cup, a spot he knew he needed a win to get to.

'It's nice to know that things can still go our way,' Gordon said. 'The way our year has gone, we'll definitely take it like this. I tell you what, with all the things that have gone wrong for us this year, I'm hoping that this is the one that makes up for it all.'

Gordon took the lead when his teammate Jimmie Johnson got loose on the final restart of the race, sliding up the track into Matt Kenseth causing them both to slide back on the track and taking out Denny Hamlin's #11 car as well.

'I've never seen the seas part like that,' said Gordon. 'I got a good restart, so I really got up to fifth as we were getting into the braking zone going into 1. I don't know what happened to the 48. I just saw he got loose, and when he got loose, it took everybody that was in front of us up the race track or into the wall.

'I just made it right to the bottom, stood in the gas and drove out ' and we were leading.'

Hendrick teammate Kasey Kahne also got the benefit of the wreck moving up into the 2nd spot on the track and as the caution came out they realized that his left rear tie was flat and would need changing should the race go back to green, which of course never happened.

And to make the rain soaked miracle even better, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had been knocked back to 32nd because of a blown transmission and was looking at a loss of 3 positions in the points, retained the top spot as Matt Kenseth slid backwards in the wreck with the 48.  Greg Biffle was also moved backwards allowing Johnson to finish well enough to retain his 4th place standings in the points as well.  All 4 Hendrick teams are now in contention to make the chase because of Jimmie Johnson's accident.  Funny how things work out like that.

Dale Jr had what looked to be the fastest car on the track.  Johnson had just taken the lead away from him when his transmission issue happened.

'We had a good run going,' he said. 'This Chevrolet was pretty fast. Jimmie [Johnson had] the quickest car out there. But we felt like we might be able to work on ours and get a little better.'

'We put it in [Saturday] and during qualifying it was fine,' said Earnhardt. 'When we restarted [on Lap 23], it was kind of aggressive, and then [we experienced] a bit of a vibration. The car was just really out of time, and it just kind of started missing some shifts and [was] difficult to get in gear.

'Finally, in third and fourth [gear] coming out of the tunnel, it didn't have any fourth. Then I didn't have third.'

After Jr. lost his transmission, Kahne started feeling vibrations in his gear box as well.  At first he was worried, but his fears were laid to rest when his crew chief talked with Letarte and they advised Kahne it was not the same issue.

'I don't think I really had much of a problem,' Kahne said. ' I think I was worried because Junior broke one or broke something with the transmission, I'm not sure what. I was struggling with mine a little bit when that happened ' so I just quit shifting for a while, and I was a lot slower.

'[Earnhardt's crew chief] Steve Letarte said it wasn't a big deal. What happened with them was not what I feel was going on with mine. So from that point on, I focused on shifting again and didn't even have an issue. Once I quit worrying about it, we were flying.'

So it appears that Mother Nature is indeed a fan of racing, and her team of choice is none other than Hendrick Motorsports.  Why else would all of the bad luck the Gordon has experienced all season be wiped out by a single rainstorm just when the timing was perfect?

 

 

Related posts:

1. NASCAR ' Gordon Wins at Pocono For His Second of the Season
2. NASCAR ' Mark Martin Takes The Pole For Phoenix ' Hendrick's Teams Look For Big Rebound
3. NASCAR ' Broken Foot and All, Kesolowski Gets His Second Win in 2011 at Pocono
4. NASCAR ' Hendrick's Leads the Field as Gordon Takes the Pole, Drivers Comment on The 2 Car Push
5. NASCAR ' Kenseth Wins Another With Martin Runner Up as Late Race Call Wins The Race

NASCAR ' And The Pole Winner For Pocono is.. Montoya? ' Earnhardt Has The Points Lead ' Allmendinger Released From Penske

Juan Montoya has the pole for todays race in Pocono Pennsylvania

Although he has been most well known for fireworks off the track in incidents with other drivers, and for a firey crash at Daytona to start the year, Montoya has been pretty quiet so far this year.  Not having won a pole since Richmond in April of 2011, he surprised even himself with the pole in Pocono for the Pennsylvania 400.  With his last win in NASCAR coming at a road course, Watkins Glen in 2008, Montoya has been working to achieve more consistant results, and being patient for that next win, or any win on an oval, to show that he is more than just an aggressive road course driver.

'We know we're working in the right direction, we know we're working hard, we feel the cars are getting a little better,' Montoya said, 'but to go out there and get a pole ' I just went through the hauler and all the engineers, they're all happy and laughing. I'm used to long faces, a lot of long faces, a lot of stressful faces. We needed something like this as a company. This is big for us.'

'I think we're quite a ways away from as a company where we want to get to,' he said. 'We want to be able to come every weekend knowing you can beat a Hendrick, beat a Gibbs. That's our goal.'

Montoya knows he was as unlikely as any driver to win the pole.

'If you told me this morning I was going to be sitting on the pole, I'd say, `pfff,'' he said. 'I thought we were going to be OK. I thought we'd be 12-15. And we're sitting on the pole.'

'I know tomorrow is going to be a reality check,' Montoya said. 'I'm really open-minded about tomorrow. But let's enjoy today.'

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''-

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will Start 8th today and has the points lead for the first time since 2004.

Following on of his most consistent season of his career so far, Dale Earnhardt Jr is atop the leader board this weekend after taking the points lead at the Brickyard.  Running well for the entire race, his points position drastically improved when a late race incident with the 17 of Matt Kenseth ended with a 36 place finish, while Jr. finished in 4th allowing for a 32 point gain and the top of the board.

'I think a lot of people downplay it,' Earnhardt said of being the points leader. 'I think it means the same to the other drivers, probably, but they downplay it obviously because the guys that are saying that may find themselves in the points lead or battling for it more often than I have been. It's been a long time since I was in the points lead. It's been forever ' I can't even recall the last time we were in the conversation for the championship. These things are really validating the effort and the work we've done.'

After dealing with the pressure of a long drought, Jr finally got the monkey off his back in the June race in Michigan, and he has been showing even more confidence each week since then.  His relationship with Steve Letarte has been under constant watch by the fans who were unsure that it would bring results, but moving forward, Jr has been more consistent than at any other point in his career.

'We worked hard, and we found some speed,' he said. 'We've been having those type of deals all year long where we're working hard, and there are some gains that are made. I've worked my tail off most of my career for little gains ' or, at times, no gains. So this year it's been awesome to go to the race track on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and work with Steve, and come away really happy with what happened. ' The points lead is sort of the symbolic piece to all that effort. The points lead recognizes all that hard work, for me.'

Knowing that the points lead with shuffle when the chase begins a mere 6 races after this weekend, Jr knows he needs to get at least one more win to take some pressure off his championship hopes for this year.

'We're running well, but we need to win more races. We need to show up and be the fastest car more often,' he said. 'We've been quick, but in my opinion we've been the fastest guy only once or twice this year, and I don't know if that's good enough. I'm going to say it's not good enough. I know our team would like to win more races, and to be able to contend for the championship, our team needs another 10-15 percent.'

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

A.J. Allmendinger will be without a ride after being released by Penske Racing earlier this week.

Finally, after weeks of drama, A.J. Allmendinger was released from Penske racing earlier in the week.  After failing a random drug test administered by NASCAR, and having his B-test fail as well, Allmendinger has entered the road to recovery program provided by NASCAR in hopes of returning to the track as soon as possible.  After his apology to fans and to his sponsors, Roger Penske released him form his contract and has put Sam Hornish Jr in the number 22 for the forseeable future.

'Penske Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy, and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results,' Roger Penske said. 'AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismiss him is consistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCAR's Road to Recovery program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR.'

A.J. himself made a statement that echo's the sentiment of his former team.

'Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as driver of the No. 22 Dodge Charger,' Allmendinger said in a statement. 'I wish to thank Mr. Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors, and especially all the of the No. 22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for their support in this difficult time. I also, again, would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this. I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment, and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and its completion to compete again in NASCAR in the near future.'

It is going to be interesting to see if Allmendinger is able to return to NASCAR.  While everyone likes a comback story, in this sponsor driven world where image is everything, it may be hard for A.J. to find a ride of the caliber of the one he just lost, which was also the best of his career so far.

 

 

Related posts:

1. NASCAR ' Biffle Holds the Points Lead and Takes The Pole Heading Into Bristol
2. NASCAR ' Edwards Takes Vegas, Stewart Has a Late Race Pit Stumble But Ties For First in Points Lead
3. NASCAR ' Allmendinger Wins the Pole At Kansas, Engine Trouble for Logano Moves Him to the Back of the Field
4. NASCAR ' Stewart Makes it 2 For 2 in Championship Chase and Takes the Points Lead in the Standings
5. NASCAR ' Kyle Busch Wins in Richmond, Earnhardt Jr Takes Second on Track and in Points

2012 24 Hours of Le Mans in photos

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My daily gig over at Wheels.ca has brought me some incredible opportunities to scratch a few events off my bucket list this Summer. Unfortunately, all of these trips have been keeping me too busy to also keep our readers here in TGB up to date. With a long weekend here in Ontario this week, I’m [...]

Review: 2012 Scion iQ

The Garage was present at the 2010 New York Auto Show for the reveal of the new Scion iQ. In a darkened room, the iQ was shown to the press with a well choreographed light show and typical thumping techno music, that yes, still raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Sold as a Toyota elsewhere in the world, our Scion iQ was exciting because it is actually the first micro car sold in North America in current times by a mainstream automaker. And Scion execs made it clear at the time New York City was the ideal setting to show such a tiny urban-focused car. Unfortunately, due to the catastrophic tsunami that ravaged Japan, and a very gradual roll out, it would not be until 2012 when the first iQs trickled onto the showroom floor. Was it worth the wait? Read on!

Naturally, the first thing you notice about the iQ is its extremely diminutive size. It's almost laughably small, to the point people feared my safety, and questioned my sanity about strapping in my six-year old son in the back seat. The reality is the Scion is stuffed with all the latest safety features, and no fewer than 11 airbags. Sure, at a party with my son's classmates I was a little out of place with minivans and SUVs, but the little iQ is solid. But back to its looks. For a tiny car the iQ does not overdue the 'cute' factor, which they easily could have done. Scion also resisted the path for a retro look, opting instead for a thoroughly modern, contemporary design. Scion, after all, is seeking a younger market, so a repeat of some 1960's mini-Toyota would not resonate with this crowd.

As tiny as the iQ is outside, the cabin is surprisingly roomy. At 6'1' I had all the room I needed and then some. With some clever packaging Scion positioned the passenger seat forward somewhat without sacrificing room, with a rear seat to boot. Our small family of three were actually quite comfortable in the iQ, but there would be no way for someone to occupy the seat behind me. Scion calls the iQ a 3+1, which I interpret as seats three with a spot to place a bag. Interior design complements the exterior, meaning a clean, current look. The driver faces an analog speedo and tiny tach, flanked to the left by a small LCD screen with other vitals, and a large color display for the infotainment center, with a simple center stack below. All in all, the iQ is an easy place to get used to quickly. As expected, quality of materials and workmanship are bar none, even though are test car was a pre-production model. My only complaint is in Scion's quest for ultimate interior volume, there is no glove compartment, or any concealed storage at all. Phones, cameras, iPods, etc had to be hid under the floor mat.

The Scion iQ comes in one flavor only, a 1.3L four rated at 94hp paired to a CVT (continuously variable transmission). European markets can have their iQs with a manual tranny, but not us, which is a shame, as I could only imagine how much more enjoyable the iQ would be to drive. With a car like the iQ, naturally one of the first questions that arises if that of fuel economy. The EPA rates the iQ at 36/37 MPG city/highway. Not bad, but when asked by others the response was typically 'That's all it gets?' And I agree. There are larger, more practical cars that can top 40 MPG on the highway.

You see, the iQ is an urban car, and I was living with it in a suburban environment. Instead of the hip 20-something urban dweller, I'm knocking on 40 with a wife and a kid. So yes, I see things differently than Scion's target market. But still, the Scion actually managed to be a perfectly functional car. Even with three passengers, I was able to load in a couple bags of mulch and some groceries. Invited to the 2012 Go Further With Ford media event in Dearborn, Michigan, the iQ was called upon for airport duty. Rear seats folded down, the iQ easily handled my luggage. After a grueling trip, the iQ, which takes its time getting up to speed, surprisingly was a peaceful oasis on the drive home from the airport, solid as a rock as I held a steady 80mph on a steamy late June evening.

The iQ is Scion's least expensive offering, with a base price of $15,265USD. Bluetooth, A/C, power accessories and decent audio are standard. The iQ is no stripper, and was not built to a price. Our test car added a rear spoiler, fog lights, and 16' alloy wheels which definitely gave the car a sporty look. With an astonishing three separate floor mat options added, leather shift knob and Pioneer Premium audio system, our iQ rang in at $18,347, including delivery. No, the iQ is not cheap if you judge it by its size. For just over ten grand you can buy a Nissan Versa, but Scion is not after that buyer.

I find it ironic that after Ford flew me back to Connecticut, speaking to me about the future of the car industry and what future buyers desire, the answer was already awaiting me in the form of the Scion iQ. There is a profound shift in Generation Y's automotive expectations, a generation who grew up on the internet, whose right of passage was getting a smart phone, not a license to drive. This is a generation that is gravitating back to the city. Economy, small size, connectivity and thumping audio are greater concerns than 0-60mph times, and on that level the iQ excels. And if there was ever a car to knock out the Smart ForTwo, it is the iQ.

Related posts:

1. Review: 2011 Scion tC
2. Scion Debuts iQ
3. Scion Annouces US Pricing for iQ
4. Scion marketing iQ with Babes, Donuts and Milk
5. Scion's xB and xD on Final Lap