Run to the Sun 2010


Where was I the last couple of days? I was at the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) “Run to the Sun.” This annual driving event brings a number of new cars and NWAPA members together for a multi-day driving extravaganza.

The field featured a variety of cars from various segments from entry level to ultra luxury. The list looked like this:

- 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech
- 2010 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2010 Chevrolet Corvette GS Convertible
- 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T
- 2010 Viper SRT10 Coupe
- 2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium
- 2011 Honda CR-Z EX w/Navigation
- 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
- 2011 Infiniti M37X AWD
- 2010 Jaguar XFR
- 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible
- 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX
- 2010 Lexus IS350 Convertible (w/F-Sport parts)


- 2010 Lotus Evora
- 2010 Mazdaspeed3
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet
- 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
- Mitsubishi iMiEV
- 2010 Nissan Z Roadster
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
- Suzuki Kizashi Turbo Concept
- 2011 Volvo C70 T5 Convertible
- 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition

Over the course of three days, I got to drive each one of these cars on some great roads in northwestern Washington. There were a number of remarkable cars. Here are just a couple that really stood out:

Favorite Overall Car: 2011 Ford Mustang GT
Why: I’m a long-time Mustang fan, and the ’11 GT is the total package. They’ve brought the 5.0 back with dual overhead cams, a 7,000 RPM readline, and lots of thrust (412 hp, 390 ft/lbs. of torque). But, it’s more than that. The outstanding combination of comfort, handling, obtainable price, and sound make this such a complete, well-executed package. This American icon continues to be iconic.

Biggest Surprise: Cadillac CTS-V
Why: The CTS-V is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8-powered luxury sport sedan. I knew it’d be fast, and figured it’d be a “nice” car. However, I didn’t expect it to be as fast or as nice as it was. It goes like hell, sounds like heaven, and has a cool interior (the speedometer and tachometer leave red trails as they rev up—really neat). Here again, the combination of suspension tuning, interior quality, outstanding exhaust note, and overall badassness really impressed me. It’s great to see American cars that are truly impressive!

Favorite Small Car: Honda CR-Z
Why: Hey, this is Subcompact Culture, right? Of the smaller vehicles at the event (not including the excellent Lotus Evora), the Honda CR-Z was a standout, and not just because it’s brand-spakin’ new. The combination of size, shape, and driving dynamics confirmed that the CR-Z is a fun, frugal, and reasonably priced car. The interior is appealing, the exterior looks better in person, and if driven like a hybrid in Eco mode, you will get better-than-EPA-rated fuel economy.

Most Amazing: Mercedes AMG SLS; Viper SRT10 (tie)
Why: Equally amazing cars for way different reasons. It’s a tale of the scalpel versus the sledgehammer. The AMG SLS is extremely fast, yet is easy to pilot, Its gorgeous, inviting and comfortable interior features gullwinged gateways. All superheros should be gifted an SLS AMG.

The Viper is punishingly fast and is more than two handfuls to control. Viper allows you to sit inside it and then makes you hold on for dear life under full throttle. The automotive equivalent of trying to ride a bull. Make that a rabid bull possessed by the devil—but in a totally good way.

They’re both stupendously powerful, perversely extreme in many aspects, and get more stares than Megan Fox at a nude corndog eating contest. And I’ve said too much.

Expect to see some more driving reports about these vehicles soon!

Source – Subcompact Culture

July 23, 2010 | Andy Lilienthal | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Dajiban

Last week Andy from Subcompact Culture sent me an email alerting me to something beyond awesome.  I know what you are thinking.  You’re thinking he sent me a link to Bill Cosby fighting the Witch from Narnia and then buying everyone Jell-o pudding cups.  No, this is even more awesome than that (hard to believe I know).  But it’s truly more awesome.

Andy sent me a link to a thread with a whole bunch of pics and info on a craze I had never seen before.  It’s called Dajiban which basically means “Dodge Vans”.  These things are absolutely fantastic.  Cats in Japan are taking huge full sized Dodge Ram Vans and slamming them down and racing them.  Yes, they are really doing this.  And if they are not racing these things, they are just making them look damn good.

How badass are these things?!  Answer: Extremely!

Yeah, those are RS Watanabes!  Aren’t these vans some weird lug pattern?  I wonder where they found the wheels for such a crazy lug pattern.  My guess is re-drilled wheels.

I have always loved these vans, especially the later 90’s ones.  They had a certain sense to them that I could never understand but they always drew me in.  Not to mention that they seem somewhat rare around me.  I see Ford and Chevy vans all day, but never really see these.  I have been wanting one to bag forever.

WIN parade right there.

Told you they raced them.  They hold events and everything to go out and have fun.

These guys are my kind of people.

Their interiors are just as cool.

Shoe horn some small block power in there, seems about right.

Carbon fiber cup holders, amazing.

This is my kind of interior, simple and has everything you need.

These cats are serious about their suspensions.  I gotta find out more about the suspension.

A big part of this scene seems to be them finding old American stickers to put on their vans.  They have all kinds of stuff from the days of Americana.  It’s pretty damn cool.

Finding more info on this is slow, so bear with me as I search out more stuff.  But I am really digging this and definitely plan to post more on it.

HT thread

Courtesy of our content partner: OMG Pancakes

January 19, 2010 | Marlon Chopra | Tags: | No Comments »

U.S. Air Force Creates Super Cars as Recruitment Tools

It’s no great secret that the United States has a tough time recruiting new soldiers these days. Always clever though, the military offers plenty of programs to help entice young adults into serving their nation. Whether it’s money for college, money to help buy a house, or kick starting your life away from the boring suburbs, the military can usually offer something to everyone.

In a generation of video games, short attention spans, and a lackluster view at the military, the Air Force has cranked out a few really interesting recruitment tools. While not every kid fresh out of boot camp will get to drive one of these, it is a pretty unique way to show the kids what kind of toys the Air Force has at their disposal. Plus, it’s a little hard to land an F-22 Raptor in a city and taxi it up to a high school, but getting the Mustang there should be no issue.

Southern California based Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) recently finished these one off cars for the Air Force. Known as X-1 and Vapor, the Mustang and Challenger were both built to showcase the advanced technology and know how the Air Force has at their disposal. From a single center seat in the X-1, with a host to features like thermal vision, night vision, a concealed steering wheel, the X-1 completes the package with a 500HP modded version of the Mustangs 4.6L V8. The X-1 is slated to be showcased along the East Coast, and with menacing looks, and with a unique “cockpit,” it should cause quite a buzz at the recruitment tents at Air Shows and schools.

Touting biometric finger print access, proximity sensors, and an advanced computer system with Internet access, the Challenger based Vapor is about as close as you can come to a Stealth Bomber for the road. Covered in the Air Forces own radar absorbing black paint with enhancements to the bodywork, this baby rides on carbon fiber wheels, and has a specially modified exhaust that allows it to run almost silently. Don’t bother trying to sneak up on one though, as the 360 degree camera can spot from easily from 1/4 mile away.

For further information, including videos on the build up, testing, and more information on event schedules in your area, click here to view the U.S.A.F. website.

(Pictures courtesy of the United States Air Force)

-KF

June 5, 2009 | Brendan Dolan | Tags: , , , | No Comments »