vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Future”

• From around the web: 2010 Lexus LF-A

  Banovsky on November 2, 2009

  Oh, we're not bitter that we haven't yet driven the supercar-slaughtering Lexus LF-A. Oh no. We're just very, very jealous of those who have. Seriously, I may buy a lottery ticket with the hopes of spending part of the jackpot on a dark green-painted LF-A. Anyhow, Let's see what the lucky bastards gentlemen had to say.

  2010 Lexus LF-A reviews

  

  Jalopnik.com says: "An over enthusiastic application of the sharp throttle had the 552 HP, 4.8-liter V10 spinning rapidly towards its 9,500 RPM redline and the tail sliding out towards the grass. Normally that'd have been an oh-&#!@-I'm-going-to-break-a-$400K-car moment, especially in an unfamiliar supercar, but in the LFA it barely requires conscious correction as it just blended into rocketing down the following straight at three-figure speeds."

  Autoblog.com says: "Generally, when I come off of a new track after a few hot laps in anything – Versa or Veyron – my hands are a bit shaky and my legs a little on the wobbly side. With the LFA, it feels like I just re-robed after a Swedish massage."

  Autocar.co.uk says: "What’s more impressive though, is that the LFA has a character of its own, rather follow a preset supercar template. That it is more solidly constructed than anything Italian, and less flamboyant, is perhaps to be expected from a Lexus. What’s surprising though is how honed and sharp it feels to drive. While it has GT qualities it’s no soft-edged GT. Instead it is a serious and credible supercar."

  And finally, Autocar has a video of the LF-A in action on their site; it's well worth a look.

  Read More:

  • A Front-Wheel-Drive Ferrari
  • Hot Cars from Around the World
  • Driving the Ford Model T

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Lexus, Future, Sports car, 2010, 2011, From the web, LF-A

• Upcoming: #carchat 34; October 28 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 28, 2009

  This week: Jalopnik's Bob Lutz duel, do fuel economy figures matter, GM sales are up, and picking cars for Mad Max.

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST October 28, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: Jalopnik challenges Bob Lutz to a duel…tomorrow!
  • Discussion: Do fuel economy figures matter that much?
  • Discussion: GM sales are up…
  • Discussion: Mad Max is back…What should he drive?

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Future, Mustang, Ford, Ford, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Cadillac, Twitter, Bob Lutz, Original

• Car brands: Who owns what

  Banovsky on October 23, 2009

  With all this global automotive industry turmoil, it seems as if vehicle brands are trading hands like poker chips. How will you know if you're buying a British car…if it's owned by an Indian automaker?

  Here's an updated list for the major automotive manufacturers in the world.

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Future, Feature, WTF, Goodyear, manufacturers, 2009, Original

• Chevrolet Caprice police car to criminals: don't run

  Banovsky on October 5, 2009

  Usually, police cars are slow and ponderous. Sure, there's the old adage, "You can't outrun the radio," but let's face it: if the officer doesn't get a look at your Lamborghini, there's no way the wheezy 240-horsepower Crown Vic he's driving will catch you. That may soon change with this, the Holden Statesman Chevrolet Caprice police car.

  

  2011 Chevrolet Caprice police package

  Imported from Australia, the Caprice will be sold only as a police car. Equipped with a 6.0-litre V8 engine, it'll hit 60 in under six seconds — far faster than most other dedicated police vehicles.

  Some features:

  • Powerful 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability delivers expected best-in-class 0-60 acceleration (sub six seconds) and top speed; a V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year
  • Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags allows a full-width rear-seat barrier for greater officer safety
  • Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one of them dedicated to powering various police equipment
  • Designed for five-passenger seating, meaning the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference
  • Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology
  • Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers whose car is their effective office, including space that accommodates the bulk of a typical equipment belt

  Click for more photos and the release!

  [via Jalopnik]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Grey Import, Government, Future, News, Sedan, Chevrolet, police, Australia, Holden, 2012

• Upcoming: #carchat 29; September 23 @ 3PM EST with Bob Lutz

  Banovsky on September 18, 2009

  Big news! Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman and marketing chief will be our featured guest on #carchat next week, at a special 3 PM EST to 5 PM EST time slot. Our topics will fall under a General Motors theme for obvious reasons…

  

  Bob Lutz

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 3 PM EST September 23, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 3 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for Lutz, please do so in the comments below or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Note: Lutz will be tweeting from the @gmblogs Twitter account. Make sure you follow them on Twitter. Also, use the hashtag "#lutz" when asking questions, this will make the discussion easier to manage!

  Topics from 3 PM EST — 3:30 PM EST:

  • Discussion: Your best General Motors product experience
  • Discussion: Your worst General Motors product experience

  Topics from 3:30 PM EST onward:

  • Discussion: Buick's new tagline, why?
  • Discussion: The importance of marketing
  • Discussion: Is good design really "free"?
  • Discussion: How to change people's perceptions about GM

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Future, Advertising, Advice , Discussion, carchat, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Twitter, vLane, Buick, Bob Lutz, GMC

• What the…? Audi's e-TRON concept

  Banovsky on September 14, 2009

  Ok, so Audi's going to show this, their R8-based electric car concept, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, tomorrow. Why do we think it might be special? Audi keeps saying it'll be "electricity, untamed."

  

  The 2009 Audi e-Tron concept

  Though it looks like some low-rider enthusiasts mounted the rims, everything else is essentially a smoothed-over R8. Audi's microsite, at electricityuntamed.com (thanks, stergios!), gives facts that electricity "travels at speeds more than 670 million mph."

  We'd be happy if this Audi was faster than a Tesla Roadster. Just sayin'.

  

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, Green, News, Audi, WTF, Sports car, Concept, Coupe, 2009, Germany, Electric car, e-Tron

• Upcoming: #carchat 27; September 9 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on September 8, 2009

  This week we return to Twitter, only seven days past our six month anniversary. It's been great. So we'll be talking about Time Magazine's awful list of "exciting cars", the Gordon Murray T25 (and just how many small cars we'll buy in North America), and what we here at vLane can do to better utilize and improve #carchat.

  If you're confused, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST September 2, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions and participate.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics for next week, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Discussion: Time Magazine's list of 10 most "exciting" cars…ugh…
  • Discussion: The Gordon Murray T25, and small cars
  • Discussion: What can vLane do better on/with #carchat?
  • Discussion: The first road-worthy vehicle you'd buy after winning the lottery, and why

  So click through and read a few links, see some photos, and check out a video related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, WTF, Advice , carchat, Twitter, vLane, LOL, From the web

• Tonight: Autoline After Hours #23, 7PM EST

  Banovsky on September 3, 2009

  David E. Davis, Raconteur, Writer and Storyteller, will grace the Autoline studios with his presence as he sits down for some great conversation on the latest news to come out of the auto industry. As usual, Peter De Lorenzo the Autoextremist and David Welch of BusinessWeek will also be on tap for the discussion.

  

  Click through to participate from right here at vLane!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, Advice , This week, Discussion, Social Media, Autoline Detroit, Detroit

• Refreshed Audi Q7 on-sale this fall

  Banovsky on September 1, 2009

  We're not too crazy about the Audi Q7 as it is, but fans of the vehicle should probably hold off their purchases until this "refreshed" 2010 model is at their local dealer.

  

  The 2010 Audi Q7

  So what's different? The big news is an "energy recovery system" that sounds like regenerative braking, but aren't too sure what that entails…we'll let you know as soon as we do!

  The base model is powered by a 280 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 will start from $46,900, the 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel with 240 hp from $50,900, and the top-level 4.2-litre V8 with 350 hp for $61,000.

  Exterior changes for 2010 include new alloy wheels, updated bumpers, revised exterior lights, reworked single frame grille in gloss black with chrome strips, and new lower body panel trim on all models.

  Inside? Optional ventilated front seats, new "decorative trim" on the passenger side dashboard, ambient lighting on all four doors, an upgraded MMI system, additional interior chrome accents, and a new instrumentation font. Hooray.

  The updated Q7 goes on sale in September.

  Read More:

  • Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Experimental Safety Vehicle
  • 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
  • Porsche Panamera Trailer Hitch

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, News, SUV, Audi, SUV, 2010, MEH, Q7

• Overseas awesome: 2010 Peugeot RCZ

  Banovsky on August 30, 2009

  Whoa, right? From the chrome-trimmed double-bubble top to the gaping "mouth" front air intakes, this 2010 Peugeot RCZ makes us jealous of Europeans.

  

  The 2010 Peugeot RCZ Coupe

  Powered by a range in engines — both gasoline and diesel — and ranging from 1.6-litres to 2.0-litres, you wouldn't think the front-drive-only RCZ would be much of a driver's car. But you'd be wrong. The most powerful motor, a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder (with twin-scroll turbo) pumps out an astonishing 200 horsepower, blasting the car to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds.

  Oh, and did we mention that the least efficient RCZ will do 33 mpg? The diesel will do a Prius-eating 46 mpg…

  

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, News, Europe, Coupe, Photos, 2010, Peugeot, RCZ