Great time capsule video back when Pan Am was one of the gateways to the world. One of my first international flights was on Pan Am and I still remember it like it was 25 years ago...Oh, wait, it was 25 years ago. Anways, enjoy!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pan Am's World
Thursday, July 09, 2009
2010 Jaguar XJ launch gala photos
Elle MacPherson and some car called the 2010 Jaguar XJ (source: jaguar)
Jaguar held quite to gala to welcome its new flagship sedan into the world. Jay Leno was on hand to make a few remarks, but honestly Elle MacPherson was all I really need to see.
The XJ is a big one for Jaguar and the shapely sedan looks to be capable of providing a much need boost for the leaping cat.
Elle MacPherson, 2010 Jaguar XJ and Jay Leno (source: jaguar)
2010 Jaguar XJ before Elle rips off the cover (source: jaguar)
If you are after shots of the 2010 XJ, please view this post for studio shots and some screen captures of various interior color combinations.
Whatever they might have paid "the Hoff" to show up, it was too much (source: jaguar)
One final shot of Elle (source: Jaguar)
For more info: Visit Jaguar's website for a complete overview of the 2010 Jaguar XJ.
Hello kitty! 2010 Jaguar XJ photos hit the Internet
2010 Jaguar XJ is one sleek cat!
Here are the first official images of the 2010 Jaguar XJ.
This XJ will replace the classic, but long in the tooth current model. While the current XJ sported a lot of weight saving aluminum, buyers were unimpressed with the very familiar looks of the car.
I loved the classic XJ's appearance, but over time its understandable that buyers want something completely new and fresh. The new XJ promises "new and fresh" in spades with a sleek, taut skin that improves upon the XF's somewhat muddled mug.
Elle MacPherson lights up the stage! (source: jaguar)
Speaking of kitty, don't miss these great shots of the launch gala with Elle Macpherson, Jay Leno and David Hasselhoff.
In the side view, I see some Audi A6 towards the rear.
Based off these shots, there is very little to criticize. The new interior is very curvaceous and sporty. There is an annoying "Jaguar" label in the top, middle of the dash that the company says can be customized to owner's tastes. Personally, I'd rather have a solid wood band and skip placing my monogram there. The gauges are "real" at all, but rather part of a 12.3-inch TFT screen just like the refreshed Range Rover. I imagine that this kind of technology will eventually supplant traditional gauges altogether.
I like the unique backside, it looks expensive!
Pricing for the 2010 XJ will start at $72,500 and scale all the way up to $115,000. Looking at 2009 pricing, the 2010 base model in the U.S. seems to have jumped around $6,000 give or take sawbuck.
Some folks are bothered by the black applique on the rear pillar, it definitely needs closer inspection
The 2010 XJ is already active on Jaguar's website so you can build and configure with wild abandon.
I'm a sucker for classic looks and the current XJ is a handsome, if familiar, devil
There will be no confusing this butt with the 2010 XJ's new derriere
2010 XJ Interior: Did they have to put "Jaguar" right in the middle of the wood surround?
Playing with the online configurator: London Tan w/ Navy contrast and rich oak veneer
Playing with the online configurator: Cashew w/ Truffle contrast and figured ebony veneer
Current XJ interior
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Win Dale Jr's Camaro (8/17/09)
Total prize package includes:
All New Camaro
A chance to meet Dale Jr.
A PRS Starla Guitar autographed by Dale Jr.
A trip for two to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the Richmond International Raceway on September 12
Round-trip air transportation
Hotel accommodations
Click here to enter the Camaro sweepstakes!
Monday, July 06, 2009
Saab story: Final Saab 9-5 has left the building
The last 9-5 was produced on July 2, 2009.
You could never accuse the current Saab 9-5 of lacking staying power: The Trollhättan produced car has been in production since 1997. The Saab 9-5 received a couple of refreshes in 2002 and 2006, but has been basically the same design for 12 years.
Supposedly the production version of the next 9-5 sedan source: saabs united
While quite competitive when first launched, the Saab began to slip behind the pack as the years piled on. The 2006 refresh gave the 9-5 a nose job that did little to improve the car's appearance.
Supposedly the production version of the next 9-5 wagon source: saabs united
No matter its warts, the Saab 9-5 will long be remembered as a very comfortable, safe car. The next generation 9-5, set to debut at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show, would do well to emulate its predecessor's lengthy tenure.
For more info: Visit the original (translated) article.
Tango electric car to make stop in Redwood City
The Tango T600
The folks over at Commuter Cars recently contacted me about doing an article on their ultra-narrow, electric car called the Tango. I had spotted a Tango driving around Redwood City last year and it certainly is eye catching.
The Tango is perhaps better known to some as the Clooney-mobile since George Clooney was the first person to take delivery back in 2005. A lot has changed since that time and the company is now producing the car in Washington.
Retail price of the Tango T600 is $108,000. It is being sold as a mostly-assembled kit (less than a day to complete) in order to avoid the time and cost of a fully certified vehicle. The Tango T600 has been built around a race car roll cage designed to protect occupants in 200 mph crashes. It has four times more protective steel in each door than a typical SUV, for example. It also has 4-point racing harnesses giving ease of mobility as well as outstanding security. Its 80-mile range is nearly 4 times the distance the average commuter travels per day. With high-tech batteries, range could exceed 150 miles per charge. To minimize any day-time inconvenience, the Tango can charge to 80% in just 10 minutes from a 200 amp charging station. This gives approximately 50 additional miles of range per quick-charge. Typically one would just plug in each night to a dryer outlet and get a complete charge in less than 3 hours and be ready for work the next morning.
I’ll have a complete write-up and more detailed specs after today’s visit. For those folks in the area, the Tango should be visiting Redwood City today, July 6, 2009, arriving around 4:30PM at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield RD (corner of Middlefield and Jefferson). I can’t promise test drives, but I think it would still be fun to check the car out! We should be meeting in back of the City Hall parking lot.
The representative says that they are going to be filming some lane splitting on 101 to show off the commuting skills of the Tango. That should be extremely interesting! I have embedded a video of a Tango that had been placed in the second-floor office of Google CEO Eric Schmidt as part of an April Fool's Day joke
For more info: Visit commutercars.com
Saturday, July 04, 2009
smart fortwo $99 'cash for clunkers' offer packs a secret wallop
Be sure to read all the fine print and check out your other options before signing
Years ago my sister-in-law's three children were fighting over a single balloon. After half a day of bickering, she became so frustrated with trying to mediate 'balloon time' that she took the Mickey 'n Minnie balloon and smashed it against a coat hook. The resulting pop startled all of us, there was a moment of silence and then the two girls ran off crying. The boy, however, walked towards the lifeless body of the balloon, picked it up, and caressed it: "The balloon" he whimpered softly. Well, you'll be whimpering too if you buy into smart's $99 cash for clunkers deal which uses the maximum $4,500 incentive as your down payment and then requires you to pay $99 for 36 months. It all sounds good so far, yes? Here's where the balloon comes in, at the end of the 36 months you are required to write a wallet choking check for $6,667 as a balloon payment and unlike the kids who received ice cream treats to smooth things over, you'll be all on your own. While the offer states no cash out of pocket at signing, the payments don't allow for tax, title and license, so you'll be forking that over either initially or monthly to cover those expenses. The underlying interest rate for this deal is 5.9 percent which is worse than the 4.2 percent promotion that smart had offered.
Searching around on the Internet, I quickly found a credit union that was offering 3.99 percent for up to 60 months for a new car loan, which easily defeats these offers. Using the quoted MSRP (inc destination) of $13,335. We subtract out the clunker allowance of $4,500 for a total financed of $8,835. At 3.99 percent for 36 months you will pay approximately $261 a month or if you take it to 48 months (max term allowed by this credit union for $8,835) it would be $199 per month. Either way you aren't left with a monster payment at the end of 36 months.
This 'smart' deal seems to be designed to grab your attention, not save you money.
For more info: Visit smartusa.com
Friday, July 03, 2009
Win a Harley-Davidson XR1200 (July 13, 2009)
Oh, to own a bike again. Click here to enter the Harley sweepstakes!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Suzuki asks what's better than $1.49 gas? How about free!
Anytime a manufacturer has to dress its car up with lightning bolt stickers and a cape in its advertisements, you know things are getting a bit desperate. Suzuki took it in the shorts last month with an industry-worst 78 percent decline in June sales. Now, Suzuki is including "free gas" as an incentive to buy its SX4.
American Suzuki Motor Corp. has announced a nationwide sales promotion offering car buyers three months of free gasoline on retail purchases of new 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan and 2009 SX4 Crossover models. In addition, Suzuki is offering $2,000 in customer cash on all 2009 SX4 models equipped with manual transmission. The Suzuki "Free Gas for Summer" sales program, which kicked off July 1 and runs through Aug. 31.
It's important to note that "free" does not mean "unlimited." The SX4 sedan buyer will get debit card for $270 worth of free gas, while the SX4 crossover receives a card worth $290 in free gas.
Suzuki has also taken to referring to the SX4 as being "Mightier than the MINI" however it's sales would suggest otherwise. I recommend they try including the lightning bolt stickers and cape with every sale, they might pick up a few extra buyers.
Are you petrosexual?
Olga Kurylenkoand with the Ford Ka source: Ford
How intimate are you with your car? Do you have a firm grip on its inner workings? How does it feel to sit behind the wheel? Do you find yourself caressing its curves? If you answered yes to any of those, then you might be a petrosexual. UrbanDictionary.com defines a petrosexual as “A term used to describe a person who is obsessed with cars.”"
Online used car seller, Carmony.co.uk, commissioned an independent survey which delved into all aspects of car obsession. The study found both men and women share similar car knowledge, love shopping in their car, wear comfortable underwear and listen to the same music while at the wheel.
There are gory details, for example the study found five percent of male BMW drivers wear a thong and 12% of male Audi drivers believe their car makes them seem well endowed.
The study was based on a sample size of only 1,013 British drivers and being a British survey there are a lot of references that may puzzle Americans.
For more info: You can find a copy of the study at Newspress.co.uk
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