ALL-NEW 2008 G8 LAUNCHES AS PONTIAC FLAGSHIP SEDAN

That’s how the headline read in the press info we received in San Diego where we were invited to spend some wheel-time in GM’s all-new rear-wheel drive HALO car from Pontiac.

There has already been a lot written about this car, most of it positive, and a lot of that has to do with bang for the buck. The numbers are easy to understand; a plenty potent 256 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission bases at $27,595. However, what's really exciting is that you can get the 6.0 liter 361 horsepower V8 GT iteration mated to a 6-speed automatic for under $30,000.

And if you think that loading the GT up with options will jack the price up significantly, guess again. Pretty well loaded out including a sun-roof the G8 GT still comes in under $33,000, not bad for what you get. I’m going to be addressing the GT in this blog because this is where I feel Pontiac really got it right.

The 6.0 small-block puts out the aforementioned 361 horsepower which is substantial, but more importantly it pumps out 385 lb-ft of torque which allows for a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. The 6-speed Hydra-Matic transmission is linked to a limited-slip differential and the Drive Shift Control feature works very well on twisties with its rev-matching down-shifts being very tight, but I must admit it doesn’t up-shift with the same tautness however that said, it does not upshift on it’s own so you can maximize performance but keep in mind, the rev-limiter will prevent the engine from exceeding redline.

The G8 performs as well as some of the best European performance sedans costing thousands more according to vehicle chief engineer Doug Houlihan, and I don’t think it’s a big secret that he’s referring to BMW’s 5-Sedan. In truth he's pretty much on target according to the numbers I’ve seen coming in but I want to be quick to point out that non of the exec’s we talked with are in any way comparing the G8 to the Beemer. They’re simply saying that the G8 GT performs in the same league, and having driving both cars I’m inclined to agree.

There’s a lot to talk about with this sedan and we’ll be doing just that on our website soon but the G8 seems to be another positive step that American manufacturers are making and that’s good news for the buying public and everyone in the industry.

For more information visit http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/.

Taking the shine off new cars

In the ever more difficult search to stand out from the maddening crowd car buyers are taking a shine to a car with a matte finish. While it isn’t surprising to think of some small concept cars like Chevy’s Groove or Jeep’s Renegade diesel-electric or Mazda’s concept Furai with a matte finish, how does a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or Audi R8 V12 sports car strike you?

Well, a matte finish is available in all the above, and according to a lot of people at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, people have well, taken a shine to matte finishes. Not that matte finishes haven’t been used on vehicles before, it’s just that it was mainly used to accent and highlight special features on a car like on this Jeep Renegade Concept.


Interestingly, a matte finish allows the design features of a vehicle to stand out because the eye is not drawn to the finish of the vehicle because there are no reflections to detract the focus from the car itself. Not surprisingly manufacturers understand that Millennial’s are used to matte finishes on their cell phones and laptops so it stands to reason that they’d look for the same finish in their cars.

Chevy Groove Concept

It will be interesting over the next few years to see the emergence of exotics that use more matte finishes to enhance the visual effects of their intricate design cues. These are just a few of the cars that you’ll find with a matte finish.


Mazda Furai Concept

Watch the smoking tires on the IS-F

Bill Z with Two for the Road USA tickles the throttle on the IS-F in Vegas

TWO FOR THE ROAD - MEETS WITH GM CEO RICK WAGONER OF GENERAL MOTORS

Rick Wagoner, GM CEO

Bill and I were able to meet with Rick Wagoner, GM CEO of General Motors, at a press conference organized by Jeff Holland of GM communications. Mr. Wagoner was in Arizona to celebrate the opening of Brown and Brown's new Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealership in Gilbert.

The Press asked a few questions about the Big Three and GM's ranking with regard to Toyota. Rick was diplomatic in his answer, citing the few cars that made the difference, and congratulated Toyota on a job well done. Another topic of interest was the future of dealerships; closing some and combining brands and models under the GM badge.

However, the true focus of the interview was where GM stood with alternative fuels. Mr. Wagoner was able to give the press a good idea as to a timeline and commitment. Here is a capsule version of Mr. Wagoner's response to the Phoenix press association and other press related articles that same week.

GM is releasing an average of one new hybrid model every three months for the next two years that includes the Saturn Vue and Aura Green Line, and Chevrolet Malibu. This year, we've introduced the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon two-mode hybrid (the only hybrid system developed and built in the U.S. at our Baltimore, MD transmission plant) that get a 50% improvement in city mileage over gas versions. This level of performance earned the Chevy Tahoe two-mode hybrid the "Green Car of the Year" award at the LA Auto Show. For next year, we'll be launching three additional two-mode hybrid versions of the Cadillac Escalade, and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pick-ups.

In addition, GM is significantly expanding its development work on electrically driven vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle. This year GM launched Project Driveway, the world's largest test fleet of fuel cell vehicles, that will have 100 Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles distributed in California, New York and Washington, DC. Also this year, two advanced battery development contracts were announced and in August, GM and A123Systems announced an additional agreement to speed development of batteries specifically designed for the Chevy Volt's extended range electrical powertrain.

Photo of Cathy Droz, Jeff Holland , Bill Zervakos at Brown and Brown Buick Pontiac GMC dealership

Tell us what do you think of General Motors timeline and alternative fuel choices.

Two for the Road USA drives Lexus’ potent IS-F Sports Sedan

Cath and I had the pleasure of going to Lake Las Vegas with Lexus to drive the all new IS-F sports sedan. There’s a lot to say about this car and I’ll have that up soon but I thought readers might find the story behind the story of the development of the IS-F interesting so here’s what we found out about how of this killer car came to fruition.

Most people don’t know that when the idea of Lexus was first conceived some 20 years ago, the project was coded “Circle-F.” The Circle-F designation evolved into the name Flagship One, or F1, which became the code for their very first car, the LS 400. The LS of course stood for Luxury Sedan and the 400 represented the 4.0-liter engine. So, according to Lexus, taking it to the next level, the “F” now symbolizes Lexus’ special “flare” as well as a separate brand designation within Lexus. And the first production car to carry the “F” as part of the formal identification is the IS-F Sports Sedan.

I think it’s important to mention that the development of the IS-F was far from the normal deliberate process that epitomizes Lexus, but rather by a lone engineer that had a dream to produce an all-wheel-drive supercar with huge horsepower, racetrack handling and great stopping power. The problem, Lexus didn’t buy into the idea so, an engineer that had been with Toyota for over 30 years who had been involved with performance cars like the turbocharged Toyota Supra, took things into his own hands and designed the IS-F pretty much after hours with a very limited team and an even more limited budget.

Basically what happened was that Yukihiko Yaguchi wanted to build a car that he wanted to drive and own that would be a take-no-prisoners Sports Sedan that would combine comfort, sophistication and performance to compete or beat the best that the world had to offer. He got tired of waiting for an okay, so he decided to figure out a way to build it, and he did. While it’s easy to romanticize about an engineer having the spunk to challenge a company like Lexus and completely circumvent product planning and come up with a winner, well let’s just say Yaguchi earned his stripes. Non-the-less, it is a remarkable story.

Yaguchi pitched his concept to product planning which is unheard of, and after a lot of negotiating, he received approval to go ahead with the project. That was the good news, the bad news was, there was no budget for the project. That didn’t deter Yaguchi because like a true gear-head Yaguchi recruited his own special “Skunk Works” team to work under the radar in their spare time and between assignments and the result is one incredible Sports Sedan that I absolutely loved driving.

This is what Lexus PR said about testing the IS-F in their press info. “To be certain performance targets were met on the IS F, it was tested at racetracks that count, at tracks that have challenge and heritage. Those test tracks include the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, in Germany’s Eiffel Mountains; Circuit Paul Ricard, in the South of France; Circuit Zolder, in Belgium; Laguna Seca Raceway; and at Fuji Speedway, in Japan.
In fact, the “F” logo design comes directly from the shape of Turn One at Fuji Speedway, the home circuit of IS F.
The “F” might also mean “fast,” or “fun,” “fascinating,” or “formula,” suggesting a precise recipe for excellence. But as much as anything else, it’s also a symbol of our “focus” on satisfying every element of the market.
Most importantly, it could also mean “finally.” If it means that, it’s only because it signifies our relief that there’s now a serious, fire-breathing enthusiast’s car that embodies all of the Lexus flagship DNA.”

I’ll have a lot more about the Lexus IS-F on our website, Two for the Road USA soon.

Boomer and X with JFK Car on Channel 3

With all the automotive auctions in Arizona this week; causing traffic jams and media frenzies, Boomer and X were asked to drive over to Channel 3 in a historical classic car from

RM Auctions of Canada.  www.rmauctions.com

 

From the Biltmore Hotel to Channel 3, Cathy and Melanie had the privilege to ride in the back of this 1962 Lincoln Continental Limo that belonged to President John F. Kennedy.  This White House vehicle had only a glass partition separating the driver from the passengers and a large phone secured in an armrest.   There were no seatbelts, no cup holders and it was not bulletproof.   

 

Kennedy rode in this vehicle in New York City just 7 days before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  This vehicle went up for sale at the internationally known RM Auctions at the Biltmore Hotel, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

 

Only three were made that year by Ford Motor Company for the White House.   One has been destroyed and the other belonged to his wife, the first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis (called the "bubbletop" Limo) which was sold last year at the RM auction for$700,000. 

 

 

There are no guesses on what this limo will bring at the auction, but how can you put a price on a piece of history?

 

Channel 3's Your Life A-Z Host, Lisa Haffner, was as impressed and charming as always.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Two for the Road USA meet Coach Jack Lengyel

"WE ARE MARSHALL"

Cathy and Bill had the pleasure of meeting Coach Jack Lengyel at the office of KKNT Radio in Scottsdale, Arizona this Christmas season. Yes, the coach that Hollywood made a movie about called "We are
Marshall " in 2006.

Jack was portrayed by the handsome actor Matthew McConaughey in the film. The story is about the tragic loss of almost the entire Marshall University Football team; in an airplane crash back in l970. The school and the town were devastated by the loss of their team, several parents, and coaches.

One of the football players, who was not on the plane, decided to get the University behind him to put a new football team together to honor his fallen teammates. However, the University President was unable to hire a coach to reconstruct the team. Not until Jack Lengyel asked for the job, after reading about the tragic story in the newspaper, did the town and University have a purpose again.

Jack told Two for the Road that he didn't dress as wild as McConaughey did in the movie, and he wasn't as
quirky as they portrayed him.

If you get to view the movie, and then meet Jack, you will see that outgoing personality, warm smile and his ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the room when he is talking. A genuine nice family man, who lives in Arizona.

What a wonderful gift we received in meeting Jack this season.

This blog entry may have nothing to do with the automotive industry, but it does have to do with rebuilding; and we know how that relates to the auto manufacturers. Maybe Mullaly and Lutz should watch the movie, maybe they can aspire to be a sort of Lengyel? Let's hope so.