More blog posts coming very soon, so stay tuned!!  Dude, I made another inadvertent rhyme.  Shoulda been a rapper…….NAH!!!!

Again, thank you all for visiting and showing support.  It really means a lot to me.

-Triple Deuce

If you look at the stats for Scion sales, you’ll see that more old people buy tend to buy the cars that are targeted at younger buyer.  I projected that Kia’s new hatchback, the 2009 Soul, would end up much the same way.  I would still have this car regardless (I’m 24 year old  mind you) no matter how many diaper-wearing octogenarians are driving them . Well I haven’t check the books, but this advert for the Soul may prove me right.  Check out the vid below and watch how granny get down.

Just want to let you all know that when the new year gets started, so will my new website.  Yes, I’m expanding beyond this blog to my own domain.  Going to do it a little smoother, a bit more grand, but it’ll still be the same old me. I will post a link when the site is up and running.  Until then, have a merry one and thank you for your support!

I don't care much for the wheels, but that 5.0 badge looks good on ya!

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In keeping with the retro-made-modern theme, as well as staying competitive, Ford is bringing something all new and all too familiar back to the market.

Well…that’s only half true.  The only thing new about this engine is the technology and techniques used to squeeze more power out of those cubes.  Other than that, this block is basically a bored and stroked version of the all aluminum 4.6 liter V8 Ford has been making since 1991. So how do you squeeze 412 hp out of an old dog? Well, there are a few ways.

**Warning: Nerdy stuff coming**

As said before, displacement is now up to 5.0 liters even. Been a while since we’ve seen a nice round number like that when it comes to engine displacement. Much has been done in the way of getting more air into the engine, so better intakes and optimized air flow to the block  have been applied for better combustion. They’ve  also included all new headers, incorporated dual overhead cams, and made it 4 valves per cylinder instead of just 3.  Variable valve timing and variable cam timing also aid in producing more power, making a broader torque curve(all 390 ft-lbs of it), and improving fuel consumption to 25 mpg on the highway.

I brought up in a previous post the possibility of this new engine adding weight to this relatively light car.  And I’m afraid it has–a miserly 10 lbs.  That’s like saying putting your newborn in the backseat. We’re talking 412hp for 10 extra pounds of weight.  The Mustang had the best power-to-weight ratio in its class when it only had 315hp worth of motivation. It’s just a bit over 3,500 lbs now , compared to the 3,800+ lbs Camaro SS  and the 4,200 Challenger SRT8.

Wait wait wait! I’ve come bearing more good news. I thought it was cool that the 4.6 was still rockin’ the 5 speed manual, but it couldn’t stay that way forever.  So, Ford has seen fit to give us a 6 speed do-it-yourself and a 6 speed I-don’t-wanna-break-a-nail transmission.  It’s the best move to make sure they get the best out of the new V8.

And let’s not forget that there’s a new V6 coming as well.  When more info becomes available, I will let you know.  In the meantime, World Car Fans have some vids  of the CoyoteV8 destroying the ozone layer up on Youtube.  Breathe it in, my friends. Breathe deep.

-TripleDeuce

Now with more bad ass fewer give-a-damns!!!

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Just in folks!!! The 5.o liter V8 that Ford is dropping into the 2011 Mustang will be churning out 412hp!

What’s that, you say? Not as much power as Camaro and Challenger? Dude, like it matters!! The 4.6 liter V8 was never too far behind the Camaro 0-60 time and just ahead of the Challenger’s.  Need I remind you, that was back when the Mustang only had a 315hp answer for 422-426hp of the competition.

412hp isn’t as much as 426, but the Mustang started out being lighter than both of it’s rivals.  Even if the 5.0 liter V8 weighs more than the old iron 4.6 (it shouldn’t because the 5.0 is aluminum), it won’t be enough to matter.  This isn’t just a chess game of power numbers, but of power-to-weight ratios.

The Mustang had the new muscle market corner right until the Challenger hit the streets.  Then the Camaro put up it’s dukes and claimed superiority in 2009.  But like a lot of things in the universe, the car industry is cyclical, and the Mustang is poised to be the leader of the pack again in 2010.  Oh look! A rhyme!

-Triple_Deuce

About a week or two ago, Toyota issued a recall on the several models due to “unintended acceleration.”  Usually, you hear this term used when someone stomps the gas when they mean to press the brake. But, in this case, it’s the floor mats in these cars that have been leaving people’s throttles stuck wide open and causing accidents.

Models on this recall include the Toyota Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350.  If you own one of these vehicles, you can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236.

Even if you don’t own a Toyota or Lexus product, this is still an unfortunate event that could happen to you.  Edmunds Inside Line has been kind enough to make this helpful PSA on the topic and I would encourage you all to check out their video below.  For more details, follow the link to Autoblog.com :  http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/breaking-toyota-to-recall-3-8m-vehicles-to-reshape-and-replace/#continued

Long live the king.

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There was speculation that since Fiat and Dodge/Chrysler will strategically lend helpings hands to one another, and being that Fiat owns Ferrari, that the successor to the retiring Dodge Viper could receive some Maranello magic.  Apparently, everyone who was either happy or worried about such a thing no longer have to be concerned with the matter.

Ralph Gilles, the Dodge brand chief, basically said that was some ol’ bullsh*t.  ”Ferrari is Ferrari. Viper is Viper.” , he explained simply.  I agree a million percent!

Though the prospect of a Ferrari/Viper fusion sounds wonderful in terms of performance, many, including myself, feel as though that would be…what’s the word?  Stupid.  That’s it. It’d be stupid (not my best moment, I know).  I don’t really mean stupid, but it would be…tainted somehow.  You see, the beauty of Ferrari is that they are Ferrari and no one else makes cars like they do.  The same can be said for the Viper.  Viper is Viper no matter how unpolished, old fashioned, brutish, and rough it is.  Whatever the characteristics of the car, they make that car what it is.  I’m just relieved to know that even with the companies working together on a B segment car, Dodge intends to maintain the integrity of the Viper legend, even in its replacement. To smooth away the Viper’s ludicrously vicious styling, the massive v10, and fill it with high tech go-fast stuff is like pissing on Michael Jackson’s grave: hate it or love it, you have to respect the legend.

From what I’ve read on the comments of Autoblog.com and some other message boards, people seem most worried that Dodge is nix the 8.4 liter v10. I can’t say that I don’t share the same feelings. That’s one of the best engines ever made.  However, I wouldn’t be opposed to something like…say a twin turbo V8.  Just sayin’.

Check out the Top Gear test and review video below and try not to get all misty eyed.

-Triple_Deuce

You will be missed, but surely never forgotten.

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Everything that has a beginning has an end (yes, that’s from The Matrix Revolutions and yes, I am a nerd), be it good or bad.  As Dodge moves to restructure itself and build us a new company, they also begin to turn out the lights on the beloved American super car — the legendary Viper.

Having been around since 1989, the Viper has had a long, fruitful run.  Hell, the Viper has been around since before Dodge even had the SRT division.  It has become a performance icon known around well around the world and Dodge intends to give it a proper retirement party with a slew of special editions, first of which will be the track -ready, non-street legal ACR-X. “Doesn’t Dodge already make an ACR for the track?” Chyeah!!  But this one has a damn “X” at the end of it now.  You can guess what that implies. If a race spec, 640bhp ,8.4 liter V10 isn’t X-treme enough for you, go set your man bits on fire.

Check out the video below of the confirmed, track-ready 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X and try not to cry as they discuss the closing the curtain on this truly epic American exotic.

-Triple_Deuce

"My Name is Ram, and I win."

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Congrats to Dodge on this one.  Yes, it’s merely the opinion of some journalist that the all new Ram Heavy Duty is the best new truck, but it’s not like the praise isn’t warranted.  Dodge know who they are up against and what they have to do to beat the likes of the Ford Super Duty, Chevy Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, and ToyotaTundra 4.6.  Kudos to them for meeting the challenge head-on.

In contrast to the post I made about the Dodge Caliber, the new Ram is something that Dodge got right on all fronts.  Inside and out, under the hood, under the bodywork, the chassis, the price…everything just works.  Kudos to you, Dodge.

I do have to give it credit. It was the manliest-looking hatchback in the bunch.

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Earlier this year, Dodge announced that it would give the interior of their compact hot hatchback, the Caliber, a makeover and then it would be no more.  A part of me was happy to hear this news due to the poor market reception of the vehicle,  but another part of me hurt for this little car that never had a chance to live up to its full potential.

The Caliber hit the scene in 2006 as a replacement for the aging Neon.  Caliber was to offer a roomier cabin, more power, better fuel economy, more style, and greater functionality.  It met all these goals (though some will disagree about the styling), but it fell short all at the same time. Why?  Because Dodge did it all wrong.

Just like sending your child to school without books, paper, or pencils, Dodge handicapped the Caliber straight out of the gate.  Forgiving the polarizing styling,  things such as a cabin full of bland, hard textured plastics and an overall flat interior design practically forced consumers to look elsewhere.  Sure, it had cute gimmicks like a drink cooler in the glovebox, lights in the cupholders, and an overhead lamp that doubled as a flashlight.  But what good is any of that if the rest of it looks and feels like someone put the fewest number brain cells to work when coming up with the design?

The drivetrains were nothing to write home about either.  The base 1.8 liter four cylinder engine was useless. The 2.0 liter made more sense as a base engine, and better still, the 2.4.  I’ll even forgive Dodge for not letting us have the 2.0 liter diesel they offer to the Europeans.  The problem is they decided to mate them through continuously variable transmissions (CVT) instead of just using geared automatic transmissions.   The CVT was used as a means of increasing fuel economy. It did nothing but make them slower, and, if it broke, the whole transmission had to be replaced. If you could get one with a 5 speed manual, lucky you.  If you could afford an SRT-4 version, I hate you.

It sounds as if I hate this car, but I really don’t.  I am just angry that Dodge spoiled such a good thing.  Caliber could have been a contender of high caliber (I’ve been saving that one for a while now. Can you tell?), but it was a pellet in a shooting range of 9mm and .45 bullets.

Dodge have teamed up with Fiat, who will be helping them develop a new small car to try and make us forget all about this red-headed stepchild of a vehicle.  But those of us that love this mini-mini van will always remember it as a good car that Dodge murdered before it had a chance to breathe.  In closing, I feel a familiar phrase from Top Gear best sums up the Dodge Caliber: brilliant, but rubbish.

-Triple_Deuce