IMPA Test Days 2012: Part I

If it's late September, it can only mean one thing-the annual International Motor Press Association's annual two-day Test Days event. This is The Garage's fifth trek to this event. Test Days is open to IMPA members only, but is a massive event, bringing together a large group of manufacturers with an impressive showing of cars. This was Test Days' second year in the beautiful Catskill Mountain area of New York State. For two days the event was hosted by the professional staff at Monticello Motor Club, a private, members-only race track. Think of it as a country club, but instead of swinging a golf club, you're pounding your sports car on a track.

Test Days is divided into two distinct sessions. Day one has us enjoying a wide variety of cars on the scenic, winding roads of the Catskills. Day two is track day, where we get to unleash the cars at Monticello's fantastic race course. During both days, a rigorous off-road course was available. On day one, I kept to the tarmac. Here's a sampling of the cars I drove, all of which can be seen in the photo gallery at the end of this post.

On a crisp autumn day in the Catskills, the weather was picture perfect. Taking my time in picking my first car to drive, I made a promise to stick to cars I normally don't get my hands on. I started with the Range Rover Evoque. I love the looks of the Evoque, and it was a comfortable ride, but my doors weren't blown away. With a 2.0L direct injected turbo four making 240hp, the Evoque was adequate, but not particularly as fast as its sporty profile suggests. And with an as tested price tag of over $54,000USD, I have a problem with that. I'll take a BMW X1 with the twin-turbo inline six with the M Sport Package and laugh all the way to the bank.

A little let down by the Evoque, it was time to turn my attention to something more interesting. Well, the 2013 Corvette Grand Sport (pictured above) seemed suitable. With the roof off, nothing but me and the open road ahead, the Corvette was positively glorious. Powered by a 6.2L V-8 knocking out 436hp paired to a six-speed manual, the 'Vette was the perfect driving companion. Turning from a stop sign it was all to easy, and hilariously fun to kick out the tail on take-off. The Corvette will be whatever you want it to be, as she is happy to be driven hard, or simply loaf along. And whatever your choice, she is so easy to drive and very forgiving. Our heavily optioned Grand Sport rang in at just under $71,000, but for what you get it is still a great performance buy.

It is events like Test Days that sometimes give other cars an unfair advantage. After enjoying the Corvette, I jumped into a 2013 Nissan 370Z Roadster. Top down, gorgeous day, I take off in the Z, and well'I'm bored. Had I picked a Prius, I'd likely be praising the 370Z (as I did in 2009). The Nissan Z had no faults to point out, but the Roadster had such a calm demeanor that I did not recall from driving the hardtop. No doubt a fine car, but the Corvette was a very tough act to follow.

If any car really surprised me that day, it had to have been the Jaguar XJ Supersport. While fellow car journalists stood in line for V-8 powered AMG Mercedes, and M-powered BMW's, the Jaguar was sitting all by itself, so I figured 'Why not?' What I found was an exceptionally comfortable Jaguar. Oh and quite a fast one. Powered by a 5.0L supercharged V-8, this leviathan launches like a beast starving for asphalt, and for all the refinement, offers a glorious V-8 bellow to boot. If there was one wrinkle in the car, when I opened the sunroof, there was an annoying creaking sound. Had I just spent the $112,000 price of admission, I would not be pleased. That aside, the XJ Supersport is a luxuriously lined rocket ship. For a car company who thought it was best served waxing nostalgic about the 1960's for decades, with the XJ Supersport firmly points to the future direction of Jaguar in the 21st century. Just fix the damn creaky sunroof.

And well, yes, if there is a Nissan GT-R at my disposal, I am going to drive it. This was the Black Edition, packing an impressive 545hp. This was my second time at the wheel of a GT-R. The capabilities of the car are sky high, far greater than a mere mortal like me could possibly achieve. The prodigious power, lightning-quick shifts and remarkable grip are accomplished with little drama, apart from the G's you're feeling in the deeply sculptured sport seats. The GT-R's performance is astonishing, but it is done so with virtually no emotion. If you've read reviews comparing the GT-R to a video game, that assessment is right. And for nearly $108,000, I don't just want to go fast or have perfect grip, I want to feel something.

I drove into Ellensville, New York late on what had been a stormy night in a new Hyundai Elantra Coupe the night before. Even with GPS, I got a little lost. Nearly midnight, this low slung four door pulls up while I am studying the route guidance. It's a fellow from press fleet management company STI at the wheel of a Fisker Karma, a company who provides several of the cars you see me review at The Garage. So, Fisker is here? And yes, I wanted to sample one.

If a Fisker Karma guided me to the resort IMPA was using, my test drive of the Karma was somewhat misguided. Spotting one of the two Fisker's available to drive, I hopped in, started her up, and rolled away, with Fisker's PR staff just feet away. I proceeded about 20' straight ahead, where again I needed clearance from IMPA staff to leave the parking area in a press car. I was waved on. So, after a test drive, I was shocked when a Fisker PR person marched up to me to inform me there was a waiting list for the Karma, and someone was supposed to accompany me. I apologized, but I don't understand why Fisker and IMPA simply let me drive away.

I do wish I had an engineer with me. Granted, the Fisker had been driven up from northern New Jersey the night before, and the resort had no plug-in facility for plug-in hybrids. So power was from the 260hp gas engine, and whatever energy the batteries could capture under braking. It was late in the day, batteries depleted, the Fisker did not feel all that fast. With climate control set to 68 degrees F, A/C on, the car struggled to deliver cool air to the cabin. The car was plenty comfortable up front, but the rear seat, which only seats two, was pretty tight, especially for a car this size. Materials were of good quality, but owners of comparably priced BMW's and Mercedes-Benz's will look at the the Karma and dismiss it as high-end kit car.

That's a tall order for a car that starts at $96,000 with an unproven track record, not to mention the debacle at Consumer Reports where their loaner had to be towed away. Yes, the car is drop dead gorgeous, especially in person. In electric mode, the Karma emits an eery sound to make you aware of its presence. If you've watched Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and recall the sound of the Empire's shuttle, it's sort of like that.

But I will reserve final judgement of the Fisker Karma if I ever have the chance to properly review one. It's similar to when The Garage reviewed the Chevy Volt. It really took a week of living with the Volt to understand it, and I suspect the Karma is no different. Driving a Volt with little to no battery juice does not paint a realistic picture, and the same is the case with the Karma.

And on that note, it was time to call it a day and make the half hour drive back to the resort. Final thoughts? The Range Rover Evoque as equipped would have been fine, if only priced about $10,000 less. The Fisker Karma is an unknown quantity, having not experienced it properly. The 370Z Roadster's relaxed nature came as a surprise. The Jaguar XJ Supersport is an unsung hero car at the top of the luxury sport sedan food chain. But the hero car for the day was without a doubt the Corvette Grand Sport. Not the highest tech, nor most powerful car, nor expensive, but the Corvette pushed all the right buttons. Loud, raw, and brutally fast when you want it, or calm and comfortable as well, the Corvette represented the best of both worlds.

Please stay tuned for Part II of my commentary on IMPA Test Days where I tackle the race track and the most brutal off-road driving I've ever done. And I hope you enjoyed riding shotgun with me!

 

Related posts:

1. IMPA Test Days 2011 Wrap Up
2. IMPA Test Days: Track Day
3. IMPA Test Days: Getting up to speed
4. IMPA Test Days: On the hill and muscling the twisties
5. IMPA Test Days: An overview

This is why you use the parking brake!

I suspect most drivers have gotten out of their car and forgotten to put the shifter into park or apply the parking brake if the car is stick. I know I have, but when you have parked on a hill, you might put a little more thought into it.

If watching this young lady back up the driveway isn't painful enough, what comes next is unreal. At the top of the driveway, she gets out of the car and walks back to pick up something on the driveway. Somehow she manages to avoid being crushed by the runaway Mercedes-Benz, only to get smoked by the driver's door.

This one came VERY close to becoming a Darwin Award winner!

Related posts:

1. IMPA Spring Brake 2009
2. No Parking on Both Sides
3. Special parking spots, a rant
4. An Amish Brake Stand
5. Lexus includes book of Valet parking tips with ES350

Tony Stewart two hand's Delana Harvick

Ok, so the video below has absolutely nothing to do with racing. I just think it's pretty funny, because it is something I would do. Of course I probably wouldn't do it in front of a TV camera, but you get the idea.

Not only does Smoke take hold of Kevin Harvick's Wife's butt, he gives both cheeks a good squeeze!

Related posts:

1. Interview: Tony Stewart talks about Talladega win
2. NASCAR ' Tony Stewart Scores the Pole for Charlotte in the Half Way Race of the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship
3. NASCAR ' Tony Stewart Wins and Asks 'Who Says it Never Rains in California?'
4. Post car swap interview with Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton
5. Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton swap rides at The Glen

Buick Prices Updated 2013 Enclave

It may seem hard to believe, but the Buick Enclave has been ferrying kids to the local prep school since 2008 with only minor tweaks since then. Buick has been busy since then with the Lacrosse, Regal and Verano, and with the Enclave now entering its sixth model year, it would be reasonable to expect a replacement. Not so. Instead, Buick is updating the Enclave to keep it current. The brand boasts the Enclave is the best selling 3-row luxury crossover in the US.The Garage reviewed a 2010 model, click here to read our review.

And other auto makers want a piece of that cake. The Enclave's greatest threat may be the all-new Infiniti JX35, which has its sights aimed directly at the Enclave. The styling has been updated, most notably in the front for a more chiseled, refined look that makes the '12 car look puffy in comparison. LED daytime running lights and taillights add a contemporary touch. Inside, ambient lighting is a new feature. New dual flow dampers on the suspension contribute for a smoother ride and improved handling. Finally, more standard equipment and safety features, including an industry first front-center airbag round out the changes.

For 2013, the Enclave will be available in three trim levels. Pricing includes destination charges.

Enclave: $39,270 Standard on the base Enclave is a 7' touch screen with IntelliLink, HID headlights, rear park assist, rear view camera, remote start and power lift gate.

Enclave with Leather Group: $43,285 Adds leather seating, heated front seats, power passenger seat, memory setting for the seats, Side Blind Zone Alert and Cross Traffic Alert.

Enclave with Premium Group: $46,430 Adds 19' chrome alloys, articulating headlights, Bose premium audio, cooled front seats, power folding mirrors, and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

All Enclaves are available with optional all-wheel drive, navigation and trailer packages.

The sense I get from Buick is that as is, the Enclave is leading the pack in terms of sales, so why reinvent the wheel? The changes here are minor, but badly needed to keep the car current. Buick has been helped by the fact that other 3-row luxury crossovers like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class are far more expensive. The Infiniti JX35 has priced itself uncomfortably close to the Enclave, so it should be interesting to see who retains the crown as best seller in its class.

 

Related posts:

1. Review: 2010 Buick Enclave
2. Buick Announces Prices for '11 Regal
3. Dodge Prices out 2013 Dart Family
4. The Great Divide
5. Review: 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

Review: 2012 BMW 328i

The BMW 3-series. She is the Gold Standard. The sport sedan against which all others are judged against. The rules of entry level sport sedans are written by BMW, and even its competitors concede to that fact. And when a new 3-series arrives, well, it is big news. And for 2012, a new 3-series four door sedan has arrived. The Garage had patiently waited for months to get access to this car, as we were so impressed with the last generation 335i convertible we reviewed last year.

No one denies the 3-series legacy, but as a former E30 325 owner, I was especially keen to see what BMW had cooked up. And when my red 328i was delivered to my door, it was like serendipity, as my 325i was also red, and was the car I owned when I started to date the woman who has now been my wife since 1998.

That said, upon receiving the 328i, it looked fairly large. Sleek and sophisticated without a doubt, but the compact style of prior 3-series seems to have been lost. Attention to detail is absolutely meticulous, and BMW ranks at the top of the stack for quality and execution. Although it appears larger than prior 3-series, the car is graceful, elegant, and sporty. I emphasize elegant, a quality prior 3-series did not really have. They do now. If I had any complaint, it is the dual kidney grille is no longer set by itself.

As you would expect, the cockpit is driver focused. The iDrive is workable, but still inferior to its premium Japanese competition for ease of use. Seats were perfectly comfortable, and easy to find a perfect driving position. Thankfully, the gauges are still clear as day, it just takes some getting used to the other tech the new 3 offers. The new 3 is not opulent, but rather adheres to the German standard of old-nothing fancy. That said, I loved the supportive seats and the simple, no nonsense interior. The quality of materials and workmanship are exceptional.

BMW has given up on its model number reflecting the engine displacement under the hood, as our 328i is powered by a 2.oL turbo four rated at 240hp. Our test car was blessed with a six-speed manual, though an 8-speed automatic is an option. Ever present overseas, the new 3-series harkens the return of a four cylinder BMW to our shores. The little turbo four makes an impressive bark at start-up. The car was plenty quick merging on the highway, in passing, and was quite at home on back roads. You can still order up a six cylinder, but in the real world, the four was more than adequate. And it's tough to argue with EPA fuel economy ratings of 23/34 MPG city/highway.

In the effort to preserve fuel, the 328i features stop/start technology. Meaning, you bring the car to a halt, and instead of idling, the engine shuts down, and starts up again once you depress the clutch. The trouble is, this engine, as I said, has a bark on ignition, so this is a fairly abrupt process, with plenty of noise and vibration. This is something that my passengers complained about as a real annoyance. Worse, on a blazing hot week in July, in stop and go traffic, each time the engine shut down, we lost a lot of cold air from the AC. Again, something my passengers, or myself for that matter were not happy about. The only way around the problem was to set the climate control to MAX, which kept the engine running at all times. I see the need to conserve fuel, but this system is in serious need of fine tuning. I am honestly surprised BMW rolled this technology out in its current state.

BMW still considers themselves the makers of the Ultimate Driving Machine, and I am pleased to say the 328i was a joy to drive. Handling, steering and braking were flawless and befitting the roundel on the hood. The trouble is, the competition is closing the gap, namely the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with the Infiniti G37 nipping at the 3's heels. I'd still say the BMW is the most rewarding to drive, but the playing field is getting more level all the time.

The 2012 BMW 328i four door starts at $34,900USD. Standard equipment includes Driving Dynamics Control, iDrive, HD Radio and 17' alloys. Our test car added Melbourne Metallic red paint, Sport Line Package (includes sport steering wheel, 18' alloys, M suspension, sport seats, brushed aluminum trim), Premium Package (includes keyless entry, moonroof, auto dimming mirrors, power seats), Premium Sound Package (XM Satellite radio, Harmon Kardon audio), Technology Package (Navigation and head up display), heated seats, park distance control, xenon headlights, and BMW Assist. Including destination, our 328i had a sticker price of $50,370. That's quite a chunk of change, and as tested, more money than a base Audi S4. At this price I was incredulous our car did not have a back-up camera.

Don't get me wrong, the new 3-series is a great sports sedan, and is likely still the best. But I never heard the 'Hallejuah' chorus. I thought I'd be hearing Carly Simon reinforce it with 'Nobody Does it Better' from James Bond fame. Because in my lifetime I've had many similar moments driving many BMW's'but not this one. I can't point to a specific fault. Maybe it's because the competition is now catching up. BMW, the 3-series is still the best around, but your enemies are getting ever closer.

Related posts:

1. Review: 2012 Hyundai Veloster
2. Review: 2012 Kia Rio
3. Review: 2012 Mazda5
4. Review: 2012 Mazda2
5. Review: 2012 Honda CR-V

Fashion's Night Out with the Ford Fusion

On a warm late summer night last Thursday, The Garage was invited by Ford to be a part of Fashion's Night Out with the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion. The event was called a 'pop-up' and was no simple display of just a new car. The concept originated from Donna Karan as a means to show how sustainability and environmental friendliness are working in the fashion industry'and the new Ford Fusion. This is actually a part of a web series known as Random Acts of Fusion. If the notion of high fashion and a mid-size American car sound, well, odd, bear with me.

New York City has been an easy train ride away my entire life, but I've never been to the Meatpacking District where Ford was hosting the event. I'm no stranger of the intensity of NYC, but that night it was times two. In talking with Ford's PR staff, I was told the emphasis was on the topic of sustainability. What the means in real talk is Ford is taking lengths to use more environmentally friendly and renewable resources in constructing their cars. And it just so happens the new Fusion is, in my opinion, drop dead gorgeous, so the car hardly looked out of place in the midst of high fashion and models.

Ford has flown me to their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan twice this year. First to see the global reveal of the new Fusion, and again for the Go Further conference. This was the first time I have seen what Ford had been telling me from the comfort of their home office in person. Ford feels the next generation of car buyers see cars differently from anyone currently above the age of 30, and they are right. Stats show younger generations are gravitating to the city. Technology is a must, not a luxury.

Back to Gansevoort Plaza in the heart of the Meatpacking District. Next door, TV's Oxygen Network is having a private party for a show I know nothing about, but there are velvet ropes, red carpet and people holding clipboards. Everywhere there are huge men in black suits. Across the street there is a club with a line 50 people deep waiting to get in. And then some random protest group making noise, about what, I could not tell you. Music was pounding from all directions. I had spoken to Ford, taken my pictures. I needed a break.

I found a place around the corner without a line, and sat with a $9 pint of Heineken, and tried to contemplate what just happened. Across the street from me stood a fleet of Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series awaiting their owners. The Ford Fusion competes against the most common cars sold, the Camry, Altima, and Accord. Yet, at what seemed to be the epicenter of hip New York social life, people were checking out the Fusion. In droves. What struck me was that people were checking out a car that will sell just fine in Kansas City, Missouri to an average middle class working family, but some of these people were dressed in outfits that probably cost as much as my first Volkswagen.

I had time to spare, but I wanted to go home. Back to my family and bungalow by Long Island Sound. I hailed a cab, and when I told him to take to me Grand Central Station, he sighed 'Thank God, I have got to get out of here!' That says a lot from a NY cabbie. Even sporting my trusty Doc Martens and a sharp plaid shirt, I was hopelessly out of place. We cruised through Chelsea, where I've attended other auto events, which were much more my speed.

If it sounds like I had a bad experience, I did not. I was here for an assignment, and I learned a lot about how Ford is marketing their pride and joy. I questioned if they expected any of these socialites would buy a Fusion. But if anything, they are aware of it, and that it appeared to seamlessly meet their extremely high standards of style and fashion speaks volumes of the work J Mays and his design team has put into the Fusion. In my opinion, it was a success, and raised an awareness of a car this crowd never would have given a second thought to.

On my quiet train ride home, surrounded by exhausted New York businessmen playing with their smartphones, I am again impressed at the lengths Ford is going to reach out to new markets, and especially the ever elusive Generation Y. Having a plush Lincoln MKT awaiting me made the quick ride to home all the better, where I comfortably slipped back into my family life again.

Related posts:

1. Going Further With Ford Part II
2. New to The Garage: Fusion Race Cars
3. The Garage Goes Further with Ford
4. Inside the Ford Brain Trust, The Garage in Detroit Part III
5. Drive a Ford Edge around a Detroit parking lot

Monterey Car Week 2012

(Above: Can-Am and Le Mans legends take to the track at Laguna Seca.)

Every August, the small seaside town of Monterey, California, briefly becomes the center of the automotive world. With the historic races, now officially known as the 'Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion', at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and a multitude of auctions selling collector cars of all kinds, there's something for everyone. It feels like every corner you turn on the Monterey peninsula reveals another 'once in a lifetime' sighting of a car you never expected to see outside a museum.

(Above: Charles Wegner's 1959 Ferrari 250LWB.)

The Rolex Reunion has a featured marque every year, and this time it was the Shelby Cobra. 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of Caroll Shelby's iconic car, and in the aftermath of his sad passing, this year's events in Monterey became a celebration of the great racer and builder's life, as well as of his cars. At Laguna Seca, 45 original competition Cobras took to the track in their own dedicated class, including one of the six original Daytona Coupes, several others appeared in other classes, and hundreds of Cobras were on show in the pits, paddock, and camping areas. Quite a few significant Cobras were on show across town at Pebble Beach, as well.

 

(Above: the Cobra class pace lap passes through Turn 6.)

 

(Above: Just a few of the many historic Cobras on display.)

Classes at Laguna Seca represented almost every period of auto racing before the current generation. From the dawn of motorsports in the early 1900s, to the peak of performance at Le Mans and in IMSA in the 1980s and 1990s, and with everything from Mille Miglia-style GTs to historic NASCAR stock cars, just about every form and era of road racing was on track.

(Above: 1950s and '60s sports cars and GTs dive into Laguna Seca's infamous 'Corkscrew.') 

(Above: The Ford GT40 probably needs no introduction! This 1966 example is from the Collier Collection at The Revs Institute.)

(Above: James Alter's 1952 Jaguar XK120.)

(Above: 1991 Mazda RX7 GTO IMSA car. One of the most modern machines of the weekend.)

(Above: This BMW E9 3.0 CSL was driven by BMW North America's chairman, Ludwig Willisch.)

(Above and below: Dick Deluna in his 1917 Hall-Scott 'The Four'.)

(Above: Rob Fisher's 1957 AC ACECA.)

(Above: Ranson Webster's 1976 Porsche 956.)

(Above: This Porsche 935 was recently 'rescued' from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum and restored by renowned collector Bruce Canepa.)

On Sunday, the Pebble Beach country club, a few minutes away from Laguna Seca, hosted their famous Concours d'Elegance. This is one of the most prominent events in the classic car concours world, and the event was filled with owners, fans, manufacturers, and celebrities. In addition to the Pebble Beach show proper, several manufacturers of high-end cars showed off their newest concepts, and some had stands displaying their current models.

(Above: A beautiful Ferrari 250GT LWB Scaglietti Berlinetta. This car belongs to David Cottingham, in England.)

 

(Above: Cars of the Maharajas were featured at Pebble Beach, and 1910 Brooke 25/30HP 'Swan Car' was a crowd favorite')

(Above: 'especially since it was accompanied by this companion car! Both can be found in the Louwman Museum, in The Netherlands.)

(Above: Dodge's new Viper GT-S.)

(Above: Lamborghini's 'Sesto Elemento' prototype. This carbon fiber trackday monster weighs less than 2300lb, and will make around 600HP in production form. Too bad it won't be street-legal!)

(Infiniti was the title sponsor of Pebble Beach this year, and their EMERG-E electric supercar concept attracted quite a bit of attention. Infiniti hasn't confirmed production, but there are two fully-functional 'mules' being tested, and it would certainly make an impressive rival to Lexus's LF-A and LF-LC.)

Auctions are also a major part of the Monterey scene. Gooding, RM, and Mecum are just some of the events held during the week. Gooding's auctions, held at Pebble Beach on Saturday and Sunday, set a new record for total sales at an event auction.

(Above: This 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototype crossed the block for $6,000,000, at the lower end of the estimate.)

Stay tuned for future features on the cars and events from Monterey 2012!

Related posts:

1. Gallery: 2009 Monterey Sports Car Championships presented by PatrÃ'³n
2. The Garage visits 2008 Monterey Historics
3. Friday Freeway
4. As If It Couldn't Get Any Better
5. Rennsport Reunion IV