Vacation Time

I will be going on vacation for about a week so Krazy Car Junkie won't be updated until next Sunday. Just letting everyone know that Krazy Car Junkie is still alive and kicking, far from just another dead blog. Happy Memorial Day everyone.

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91st Indianapolis 500 - Live Streams

Track Cams:

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/301_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx

Onboard Cams:

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/302_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/303_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/304_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/305_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/306_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/cvbg/21436/307_cvbg-91st_indy_500_070523.asx

Enjoy!

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2008 Saturn Auru Green Line - Tested

Strolling into the parking lot to hop in the Aura at the end of the day, we noticed our Aura Green Line was red. A red Green Line? How about a Red Green line: “If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

The Red Green Show was a Canadian parody of home-improvement and outdoor shows that ran on CBC and PBS from 1991 to 2006. Main character Red Green was known for his nuggets of humble wit.

What would Red think of the Aura Green Line? Well, the people have spoken and they already seem to think the Aura is a handsome car. We do. Red, what if the women do find you handsome? Does that mean you don’t have to be handy, then?

Good for the Aura Green Line, because the mild hybrid powertrain in this car is not particularly handy at either acceleration or saving fuel. This is the same drivetrain that powers the Saturn Vue Green Line, and not the sort of hybrid that will whoosh around on nothing but electric power. Rather, the electric motor spins the accessory drive when the Aura is stopped, allowing the gasoline engine to shut down when stationary. When the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal, the engine starts back up.

GM says that this sort of mild hybrid, although it saves less fuel than a full hybrid, is a cheaper way to hybrid enlightenment, which is correct. With a base price of just $22,695, this is the cheapest hybrid on the market today, but just barely. The Aura only undercuts the Toyota Prius by $100. Our example came with just one option, the $375 Preferred Package, which includes a power driver seat, power mirrors, and steering wheel audio controls.

GO TO CAR AND DRIVER FOR FULL TEST REVIEW:

Tested: 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line - Short Take Road Tests - Car and Driver May 2007

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BMW To Sell Engines?

Don't go getting too excited, it probably won't mean a crate version of the S65 or N54 for Roundel fans. Running an automaker is expensive, especially a manufacturer that leans more toward niche status than casting a wide net. BMW is looking at all options for future revenue, and one of the thoughts that's occured to the well-respected manufacturer of cars with chutzpah is to bank on its engineering chops and sell engines to other carmakers. Lotus has pimped themselves out for years to other automakers, and the Porsche name has ended up on things like hard drives, so BMW selling their award-winning engines to gain an extra stream of return on their investment is a far less radical move. Hey, if selling their more mundane powerplants to emerging markets like India and China keeps the coffers full and awesome performers rolling our way, we're all for it.

Autoblog

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Porsche Roxster SUV

Porsche caused much controversy among Porsche loyalist when they introduced the Cayenne. a Porsche SUV. Well, just as the cloud of loyalist propaganda seemed to pass over, Porsche is set to introduce a new SUV according to a report from Autobild magazine. A compact, more affordable one to complement the Cayenne. The small ember could turn into a full-out roaring fire again.

The vehicle will be based on Audi's upcoming Q5 platform, with the Q5 set be released in 2008. The Porsche Roxster is believed to be sized up to the BMW X3 and upcoming Mercedes-Benx GLK-Class. No official productions dates have been announced.

Chrysler And Chery Resume Talks; Hornet Confirmed

Chery officials say the pause in their discussion with Chrysler was so the Chinese company could get a better idea of the American's future. Now that Cerberus has taken over, Chery sees the coming years filled with puppy dogs and lollipops.

And in their giddiness, someone at Chery leaked a few details of the project to Automotive News. Chery will build two cars for Chrysler, to be sold under the Chrysler brand. Chery is already building one of the two in China (possibly the A1?), but for Chrysler it will be shipped in kit form to South America where it will be assembled for that market. The Hornet will be both engineered and built in China as soon as 2010.

I really like what the concept the Hornet appears to present: a fun, small, good-handling, affordable vehicle. I would love to see an SRT version whoop some butt out there, I hope Chrysler gets this one right. They need to.

2011 BMW 6-Series

BMW's followup to the dramatic 6-Series won't bring anything shocking to the table, but it should address concerns with the existing model and increase the large coupe's competitiveness, according to a new report by Germany's AutoBild.


While the current 6-Series — introduced in 2004 — is arguably one of BMW's most aggressive and controversial designs, its successor won't do anything to push the envelope further. Instead, it will serve to move the 6er further toward grand tourer territory.

Longer than today's model, the 2011 6-Series will offer more legroom for rear passengers. At the same time, it will get a sportier cockpit with a more driver oriented console layout.

As signaled by BMW's new CS concept, the automaker will be abandoning its awkward trunk design features on the 5-,6-, and 7-Series in favor of a more streamlined design.

Three engines options will give customers a choice between 306, 408, and 507 horsepower, the report claims. The 306 hp model will make use of BMW's new twin-turbo inline-six found in the 335i. It's unlikely the 635i will make it to U.S. shores, since Germany luxury makers generally don't offer entry-level engines in premium cars in America.

The 650i's successor will climb in output to 408 horsepower — up from 360 horsepower in the current model, which itself was a significant jump from the 645i's 325 horsepower. The M6 is expected to retain BMW's 5.0-liter V10, with output of at least 507 horsepower.

The convertible version is expected to make use of a folding metal roof, like the new 3-Series convertible. Front overhang on both models will decrease by an inch and a half, despite increased pedestrian safety requirements. Wheelbase will grow three inches.

A previous Autobild report suggested BMW would also offer a four-door variant of the next-gen 6-Series codenamed F14, but it now appears rivaling the Mercedes CLS will be the job of the CS-based 8-Series.

Kia Getting Their Own AMG/SRT/M Series?

Kia Cee'd XR

Okay, the title is laughable and and it has reason to be. But don't underestimate the Koreans on this, especially with the announcement of a rear-wheel drive V8 Hyundai sedan. Kia has recently said that they are working on both supercharged and turbocharged performance engines.

"Turbocharged engines would be aimed at Europe and supercharged engines at the American market because of different customer demands," the source said.

The brand will have a name too. Kia is planning to release a range of performance saloons and hatchbacks over the next three years all under the "XR" badge. XR most definitely will not be an AMG or an M Series or an SRT performance branch in the beginning but more like a Ralliart or Mazdaspeed. Hey, it's a start. Not a bad start either.

2008 Cadillac CTS

 

A sharp eyed reader of the Jalopnik blog managed to capture the first pictures of the 2008 Cadillac CTS in the wild without any camouflage. These pictures give us the first non-GMpr look at this critical model for Cadillac.

The CTS, which was wearing a stunning coat of black paint, was spotted at the Waterford Hill Road Racing course next to an older model Volvo station wagon.

New Automotive Era Around The Corner?

We know about Chevrolet's Volt, some thought it was just a fantasy concept including me. Well, guess again. Bob lutz confirmed his enthusiasm about the Volt with comments he made sating that the Volt is his dream car and he's more excited about the Volt than he was about the Viper. Let me tell you that this vehicle on a 60 mile trip can obtain 150 mpg. With that information in mind, think about when this car could come into productions. We've heard shocking figures like this before, only to be disappointed that the technology is 10 years or more off. Well, Lutz said that GM hopes to have the Volt in productions by 2010.Yes, 2010, not 2020 or 2025. I must say that if GM pulls this off, I along with millions of other people will be impressed. This is definitely one green vehicle I would consider.

Will The Real Truck Please Stand Up?

        My parents had an Isuzu Rodeo once upon a time. I loved the truck for what it was: a real truck. What is a real truck you ask? Well let's see:

1. Loud Engine
2. Bouncy Ride
3. High Ground Clearance
4. Real Off-Road Capablilty
5. Loves Abuse

        The Rodeo had them all and then some; it was all-out, non-forgiving truck. I also loved the fact that it had the coolest opening tailgate/hatch swinging wheel I had ever seen. But that's beside the point; Isuzu was in it's heyday when they made real trucks. Their own trucks. The Rodeo was a hit among consumers as was the Trooper. I don't know what happened after that, but something called the VehiCross came along. Not too far behind came the Axiom. Since then, Isuzu has stopped production on all of their own unique models, relying on hand-me-downs from General Motors. The only thing keeping Isuzu alive is their commercial truck branch. I yearn for the day the Rodeo makes it's triumphant reurn, but the chances seem bleak.
        The age of the real truck is dwindling faster than the tail of the extinction of dinosaurs. The Rodeo and first-gen Pathfinder (my brother owned one) were unique in their own way. They didn't have many admirers, but many enthusiasts. In an age when a vehicle based off a Hyundai Elantra can be considered a truck, it's disheartening. Don't expect the return of trucks like the Rodeo and first-gen Pathfinder anytime soon as the gas prices inflate more than a politician's budget.
        It was nice while we knew ye.

Pontiac G8 And G6 GXP Featured In 50 Cent Video

In an effort to promote its vehicles, Pontiac lent 50 a concept G8 and a G6 GXP to feature in his music video "Amusement Park." The cars make their appreance at around the 2:00 mark into the video for about 4 seconds. Here's the video:

50 Cent-Amusement Park-2007
Uploaded by VidzMan971

2009 Audi R8-RS Spied

I knew Audi wouldn't be able to resist putting the Lambo V-10 under the hatch of that beautiful machine. Power output is expected for at least 500 horsepower, making it a threat to Lamborghini's own Gallardo. The Gallardo should be expecting a revision soon after this. Click here for spy pics and more info on the Audi R8-RS.

New Economical Toyota Brand?

Automobile Magazine reported today that Toyota is considering creating another brand, named after its successful Prius to better market its hybrid cars.

After the 2011 model year, Toyota hybrids will no longer be sold under the Toyota nameplate, but instead under the Prius brand, the report said.

The Prius line of cars will be markedly different from their Toyota counterparts with unique sheet metal and hybrid powertrains. The Prius line will offer three different models which have been internally dubbed Prius A, Prius B and Prius C, ranging from Yaris to Camry in size. The Prius A will be introduced in 2009, "B" will be introduced in 2010 and the "C" will launched in 2011.

The exterior of the new Prius cars won't be as controversial as the first and second generation Prius, but Toyota forsees difficulty in providing a spacious interior and trunk space because of the size of the battery packs, meaning designs will have to be somewhat unconventional.