Back up in yo’ass with the resurrection! The elder Niedermeyer’s Curbside Classic on the Boaterhome got a bit of an unexpected boost from links on Reddit and elsewhere over the weekend. The Boaterhome is an odd device, for sure, but it doesn’t really speak to the imagination the way the newest Blastolene special does…Meanwhile, our friends at YouTube have a bit of a problem. Everyone understands that a major part of YouTube’s business is taking other people’s copyrighted works and putting their ads next to them. Right now that’s illegal; should SOPA, PIPA, or any of those other odious bills become law, it will probably be punishable by death. In an effort to come up with new, unique content, YouTube has funded a variety of projects, including DRIVE. Our friend Matt Farah, who was very possibly the only part of “The Car Show” that was even watchable, is now on board with DRIVE. Take a ride with him on the Deco-Liner by clicking here. … [Read more...] about Two Unlikely Objects: Flying-Bridge Motorhome, Original Content On YouTube
Content
Generating Content
A heretofore unknown publication dubbed Gadget Review published a video outlining “How to Charge BMW’s i3 Electric Car in a Desert (or Any Where)” using a Honda generator. I’m sure that somebody somewhere thought that this would be a great concept for “shareable” content (including the part where the host attempts to run the generator inside the vehicle). The actual idea didn’t yield a ton of juice for the i3’s battery, but the idea of using generators to assist EV charging isn’t entirely unknown.Long before the Chevrolet Volt, GM’s EV experimented were far cruder, and involved, you guessed it, Honda generators rigged to battery packs as an ersatz range extender. According to a former GM engineer and friend of TTAC, the generator would kick in as the batteries depleted themselves, allowing the prototype vehicle (a Geo Storm) to recharge the batteries and make its way home. “Some of those guys ended … [Read more...] about Generating Content
Mazda Shows Chassis for Next-Gen 2016 Miata, Calls It a “Table of Contents” [2014 New York Auto Show]
![Mazda Shows Chassis for Next-Gen 2016 Miata, Calls It a “Table of Contents” [2014 New York Auto Show]](https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_340,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2016_miata_chassis-11-626x417.jpg)
According to a rather florid press release, the 2016 Mazda Miata chassis on display at the New York auto show is book parts. To wit: “With no richly layered, character line-laden sheetmetal to hide beneath, the Skyactiv-Chassis lays out a narrative of MX-5’s continuing story with a perfectly arranged table of contents.”To parse that a wee bit, it means the fourth-gen example of the erstwhile Eunos Roadster will apparently wear some bold implementation of the company’s Kodo design language, giving us an excuse to exclaim, “KODO: SOUL OF MOTION” and revel in the warm whonngggg of an imaginary gong hit.Mazda claims a weight-reduction target of 220 pounds for the next Miata. It’s been a while since we threw an MX-5 on our scales (the current automobile bowed for the ’06 model year, after all), but Mazda claims a 2480-pound curb weight for the most feathery 2014 edition, suggesting that the new car will be lighter than the second– and … [Read more...] about Mazda Shows Chassis for Next-Gen 2016 Miata, Calls It a “Table of Contents” [2014 New York Auto Show]
Canadian Built Cars Have The Most Foreign Parts Content
More than any other country, Canadian-built vehicles seem to have an inordinate amount of foreign parts content, according to a study done by Scotiabank Economics.The Windsor Star reports that Canadian made cars have an average of $15,000 worth of foreign parts content, compared to $11,000 in the U.S., $10,500 in Mexico and $10,000 in Western Europe. The global average is said to be $7,400.Scotia’s chief economist Carlos Gomes cited engines as the costliest foreign component, stating “Despite several top-notch engine plants in Canada, over 80 per cent of all vehicles built in Canada contain imported engines.” Transmissions and electronic systems also rounded out the top 3, and Gomes noted that the lack of a strong base for these kinds of parts means Canada’s auto parts trade deficit will only expand in the future. Furthermore, the vast majority of Canadian auto parts are not exported, which doesn’t help matters … [Read more...] about Canadian Built Cars Have The Most Foreign Parts Content
Avoidable Contact: Cocaine and content, gold Lamborghinis compete with faux reviews and straight ballet-ers.
“It’s just sooooo much better on coke, you just wouldn’t believe it, that’s how I prefer it, really, it’s so much better it almost isn’t worth doing it sober.” Though I remained professionally impassive behind my Prodesign 4360 eyeglasses, I was simply amazed at the story that my old high-school classmate was telling me over a few drinks. Back in 1986, she’d been just another quiet, reasonably pretty girl, and in the present day she’s a suburban housewife with the requisite $70,000 Toyota and the mandatory country club memberships. In between, however, she’d apparently done some pretty crazy stuff, including a couple of cocaine-laced three-way weekend throwdowns in Las Vegas. “You go to Vegas for your car thingies, don’t you?” she inquired, her nostrils flaring in Proustian sympathy.“Er, not any more I don’t,” I hastily replied. Twenty minutes later I was quite deliberately out the door, … [Read more...] about Avoidable Contact: Cocaine and content, gold Lamborghinis compete with faux reviews and straight ballet-ers.
2017 Cadillac ATS Loses Base Engine, Gains More Feature Content
The 2017 Cadillac ATS sedan will enter U.S. showrooms this summer with one less engine option for consumers to choose from, as the former base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is going the way of the dodo. In its stead, the brand’s 272-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will now serve as the entry-level powertrain, as it currently does in the ATS coupe. A 335-hp V-6 remains optional.With a base price of $35,590, the 2017 Cadillac ATS sedan’s starting price rises by $1380 but also includes such features as Cadillac’s CUE infotainment with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose surround-sound audio system, and a rearview camera. These features appear on the base Cadillac ATS coupe as well.Despite the entry-level car’s higher price, Cadillac promises all other ATS trim levels—Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Premium Performance—will offer more feature content at less cost, with Automotive News reporting that … [Read more...] about 2017 Cadillac ATS Loses Base Engine, Gains More Feature Content
Cheaper Base Price, More Content as the Toyota Prius Fights Back
Newfound hybrid competition from the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq has forced Toyota into a mid-year strategy shift. Starting imminently, the automaker plans to offer a less expensive base model of the Prius while bulking up the model’s content with no-charge added safety features.According to automotive research and car-shopping website CarsDirect, the entry price of a Prius should drop by $1,210, bringing its base MSRP (including destination) to $24,360. That helps close the gap between it and the Ioniq, which has strategically positioned itself as the segment’s value pick.After destination, the new-for-2017 Ioniq starts at $23,035.To drop the Prius’ price without taking a financial hit, Toyota has shaved off the rear wiper, spare tire and seatback pockets for both rear occupants. The automaker plans to call the slightly stripped model the Prius One, CarsDirect claims, while keeping all pre-existing driver’s aids.Toyota spokesman Nate Martinez has … [Read more...] about Cheaper Base Price, More Content as the Toyota Prius Fights Back
Don’t Touch Vehicle Content Rules, Say Automakers Ahead of NAFTA Negotiations
As the clock counts down to the beginning of talks aimed at revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement, automakers in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada know one thing they don’t want to see changed — rules of origin.Auto manufacturers must abide by minimum regional (NAFTA-wide) content rules in order for vehicles to remain free from import tariffs. President Trump’s proposed reforms aim to benefit U.S. companies, but could lead to greater costs heaped onto automakers — something no profit-minded company desires.Naturally, automakers wants their feelings known well before the three countries get down to brass tacks.According to Reuters, the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) has announced automakers in all NAFTA counties agree the existing rules of origin should remain in place. Under NAFTA, a North American-produced light vehicle must contain a 62.5 percent level of regional content to confirm to the rules.“Our position is … [Read more...] about Don’t Touch Vehicle Content Rules, Say Automakers Ahead of NAFTA Negotiations
2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T First Drive – More Content, More Face, Same Power
As Tim Cain put it so succinctly earlier this afternoon, the seventh-generation Hyundai Sonata’s exterior design, coming on the heels of the quite edgy 2011-2014 model, didn’t set American’s hearts aflame.Even as standard content increased and the model’s value proposition burned just as brightly as before, its distinctively watered-down design turned off buyers. Well, Hyundai wants its apology heard loud and clear. For 2018, the Sonata atones for the previous generation’s sins by showing up with something to look at.Namely, a brand new face. Oh, and how about that rear end, now with less ovals? While fore-and-aft facelifts are the hallmark of a mid-cycle design refresh, the 2018 Sonata’s changes aren’t just skin deep.Of course, the first thing you’ll notice is the Sonata’s adoption of the corporate “cascading grille” seen on the Elantra and its variants, including the fully redesigned 2018 Elantra GT. Flanked by wide … [Read more...] about 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T First Drive – More Content, More Face, Same Power
US New-Truck Leases Rise Thanks To Higher Residuals, Transactions, More Content
Forget about leasing Benzes and Lexuses: trucks are the new hotness, thanks to higher residuals and transaction prices, as well as more content.Automotive News reports leases accounted for 14 percent of light-duty truck sales in the United States, which is smaller than the 20 percent overall figure for U.S. new-car leases, as well as the ~50 percent figure for luxury vehicle leases.For automakers, this means they can continue to ride the strongest streak in sales the light truck market has experienced in current times, while also bringing customers into showrooms every three years. In exchange, they also gain less profit from leases — even with higher residuals — and more risk on whether or not the resale value will be strong in three years’ time, especially with external factors like fuel prices and the strength of the economy when the leases are up.Factors driving the current leasing boom in the light-duty truck segment include higher average transaction prices … [Read more...] about US New-Truck Leases Rise Thanks To Higher Residuals, Transactions, More Content