MOBODOJO » Automotive

FeedReaders #5 Coming Today

Tyler Regas — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:58:08 +0000

As you may have heard, at least in the automotive world, there’s some big news. I delayed the recording of FR#5 to include that headline. At least I think its big. We’ll just have to see, won’t we

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More Zolfe Black Pics & ZolfeUSA News

Tyler Regas — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:19:08 +0000

Welcome to Zolfe Central, folks. We’ve got the hottest and the latest. Word is that yours truly will soon be traveling to see a Zolfe in person and I promise to have bucketloads of details for you then. Right now, gawk at some snaps of a gorgeous righthander Zolfe in sexy, sultry nightcap black.

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More Zolfe Left-Hander Pics

Tyler Regas — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:42:58 +0000

If you’ve been following my Zolfe coverage, then you’re aware of this sweet new, nicely priced, British sports coupé which has been confirmed to be coming to the US. Don’t expect to be picking up one, though, as they will be shipping in low numbers. My source has sent me a few shots of the three left-hand drive models which are nearing completion. Here’s one showing the internal framework with the other two showing the nearly complete cars after the jump.

Here are all three Zolfes in Zolfe Orange. Note the one in black in the back. Very sexy!

These two are just gorgeous looking. I could easily be persuaded to like orange if I were handed the keys to one of these very hot coupés.

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Citroën Unveils DS3 Inside Concept

Tyler Regas — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:47:20 +0000

Citroën is apparently working on reinventing itself, and its going to be doing that by reviving its legendary DS model line. Now, I’m not going to claim that I know much about Citroëns aside from that prank pulled in the Val Kilmer comedy, Real Genius, where they disassembled one and rebuilt it in the guys dorm room. I’m also actually aware of a few of the innovations Citroën introduced in the DS line, most notably the hydro-pneumatic, self-adjusting suspension, the swiveling headlights, and the nifty transmission. Here, then, is a look at the new DS 3 Inside concept car. Gorgeous, but unlikely to have any significant innovations.

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Zolfe GTC-4 Details Abound!

Tyler Regas — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:05:19 +0000

Yes. In this picture its still orange, but I’ve got a shot after the break which will snap your car-loving heart in two. Following that image, I’ve got all of the specs for the models they will be offering. First question’s answer: Yes. It is coming Stateside, and soon. Second question’s answer: Base models will start at £30,000, which is about US$44,400. Not bad at all, considering, but you’ll see in the drivetrain section in the specs. My PR contact sent me a bevy of details, so here goes.

Zolfe’s test car has been running for thousands of miles and is still receiving tweaks. In the meantime they are preparing their first batch of Orange GTC4′s is almost ready to roll, including the first two US-bound cars following later this month. The first US road test will go to Evo Magazine. Now to the meat…

Here’s that image I promised you:

Oh yeah. I can’t wait to see some of these on the road or to get behind the wheel of one and run it around the track a few times. Only time will tell. Here are those specs:

Drivetrain
Base Unit    2.0 litre Ford Duratec or 2.3 litre Ford Duratec
Power Output    185bhp @ 6000 rpm    285 bhp @7500 rpm
Torque Output    170lbft @4200 rpm    210lbft @ 6000 rpm
Bore    87.5    87.5
Stroke    83.1    94.0
Induction System    Bespoke direct to head throttle bodies    Bespoke direct to head throttle bodies
Engine Management System    MBE Systems with data logging    MBE Systems with data logging
Oil System    Bespoke Raceline Wet Sump    Bespoke Raceline Wet Sump

Transmission
First:    3.136    3.709
Second:    1.888    2.190
Third    1.330    1.536
Fourth    1.000    1.177
Fifth    0.814    1.000
Sixth    -    0.832
Reverse    3.758    3.603
Final Drive    4.100    3.727
Mph per 100rpm in Top Gear    19.4    22.0

Dimensions
Length     3888mm
Width    1696mm
Height    1135mm
Front Track    1480mm
Rear Track    1435mm
Wheelbase    2375mm
Kerb Weight    698kgs
Kerb Weight Distribution    50% front : 50% Rear
Weight Distributor with Driver    48% front: 52% Rear
Fuel Tank Capacity    2 x 25 litres or 11 gallons

Wheels
Front & Rear 6.5″ x 15″ Single piece aluminium alloy
Rear – Optional 9.0″ x 15″ Single piece aluminium alloy

Tyres
Front & Rear 195/45R15 Avon CR500
Rear – Optional 245/40R40 Avon CR500

Front Upright
Vertical link/Knuckle Forged Steel
Bearing Assembly Generation 2 hub assembly

Front Suspension
Configuration    Unequal length double wishbones with anti roll bar
Dampers    Bilstein
Springs    Eibach

Rear Upright
Vertical link/Knuckle Bespoke cast Aluminium Alloy with adjustable toe & camber
Bearing Generation 3 hub assembly

Rear Suspension
Configuration    Unequal length double wishbones with toe control link
Dampers    Bilstein
Springs    Eibach

Braking System
Master Cylinder    AP Racing Tandem
Front Brake Disc    AP Racing 288mm vented & drilled
Front Brake Caliper    AP Racing 4 pot opposed piston
Front Brake Disc    AP Racing 288mm vented & drilled
Rear Brake Caliper    Brembo incorporating handbrake

Steering
Mechanism    Rack and Pinion
Turns lock to lock    3.2
Turning Circle    9.8m

Cooling
Radiator Bespoke Aluminium core/plastic tanks
Fan Pack Twin 280mm

Body
Lightweight glass re-inforced plastic

Glass House
Bespoke windscreen with optional heating element
Bespoke rear screen with optional heating element
Bespoke door drop glass with optional electric operation

Performance (Claimed)
0-60mph (Seconds)    5.3    3.8
0-100mph (Seconds)    11.8    8.4
Maximum Speed (Mph)    140    161

More details for the US market can be found at the official US site for Zolfe. I’m pleased as punch to see that a dealership will be opening in Santa Monica. Yowsa! Now we just need to fix this damned economy and get people back into jobs so people can buy these things. Damn, I hope they’re good.

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Volkswagen Rolls Out CC Sedan

Tyler Regas — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:23:08 +0000

VW just announced their new CC, yet another oddly named vehicle from the prolific German auto fabber. The CC comes at the top of the Sedan line for VW, after the entry-level Jetta and the now mid-range Passat. I have to say that, for the price, the CC is a gorgeous sedan with a unique appearance and what will very likely be high VW build quality. You can get yours starting at US$26,790, which appears to be well equipped. It looks like it tops out at near US$40K.

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Zolfe Now Offering Orange Redux

Tyler Regas — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:57:10 +0000

There are no additional details regarding the Zolfe Orange yet, but I’ve sent a note to Zolfe requesting them. All I know is that they have started selling them, though I believe they will likely be a very limited production run. In the meantime, wrap your eyes around this gorgeous roadster from England. I’d just rather it not be orange. BRG would be nice.

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Brand New 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT?

Tyler Regas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:20:26 +0000

I’ll make an admission. I really wanted one of these Pontiac Fiero GTs when they came out. The standard 4-banger notchback mid-engine Fiero was crap looking, but the V6 powered fastback GT was sweet. This was the Fiero Pontiac should have been racking, but they only rolled it out just before they canned the line. Feh. Double feh for the fact that I don’t have US$35,000 to hand over for this one. Believe it or not, Hinton Chevy in Washington State has a perfect, mint condition, 221 miles on the odometer, never bought Pontiac Fiero GT V6 with Automatic and feature package. That’s right. its never had an owner. I’d give just about anything to be that first owner. Ah well. One can always dream.

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Porsche Panamera == FUGLY+

Tyler Regas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:18:27 +0000

Jeremy Clarkson is right. Porsche’s designers suck, and not in a good way. The 911 has remained (thankfully) significantly unchanged for decades. Every single divergent path Porsche takes with the 911 design is fundamentally flawed and my evidence is in the (in order of hideousness) Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, and now the pinnacle of fugliness, the Panamera. I cannot and will not be held responsible for anything which happens to you or any nearby family members as you view the following monstrosity.

I beg of you, Porsche. Please DO NOT produce this vehicle.

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R.I.P. 2009 – Car And Driver Magazine

Tyler Regas — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:56:56 +0000

Unless Hatchett Filipatchi can tap Patrick Bedard to helm Car And Driver, then I’m afraid that the magazine will fall into the same sad, commoditized writing hole that Motor Trend did back in the late 80′s (I’m ready for your letters, MT phanboiz!). Why? Because Csaba Csere, the man who has run the leading US gearhead rag is calling it quits starting on Jan. 1st, 2009. Anyone who has read even a single Csaba Csere column knows that he is one of the finest automotive industry pundits there are. There’s no reason indicated for why he’s choosing to step down, but the guesses in are that HF’s conglomeration of CND and R&T content is diluting the brand. Shame. Shame! [Source: Jalopnik]