Man I have to admit, the Pontiac Solstice roadster is a really hot looking car. It should be released this summer at a retail price of $19,995 ... not bad for a car this amazing looking. Sporting 18" wheels and a 177hp 4 cylinder engine standard it looks like they will sell very well. One of the best looking cars I've seen in a looooong time!

Has anyone seen the new Cobalt Commercial on TV yet?

It's scene has a man leaving home for work, and a whole bunch of people following him as they want to ride with him in his new Cobalt!

But if you look closely...all the homes that these people came from have a silver Elantra on the driveway! About 20 of them!

I guess Chevy has felt the pressure from Hyundai, so they are getting back at them and declaring that they have more value for dollar than the Elantra does!

"The new M6 resets the sports GT benchmark, with supercar performance, dispatching the zero to 62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds"

THE NEW BMW M6

Text and images courtesy of BMW Group


The beauty of the M6 is also its ability to comfortably crush kilometres on a cross-country cruise.

The BMW M6 is the new standard-bearer for BMW’s M car range, as well as the return of a much loved and highly regarded BMW badge. The latest M car features –

5.0-litre V10 engine producing 507bhp
Seven-speed SMG (personally programmable)
Lightweight body panels including carbon fibre roof
0 – 62mph in 4.6 seconds / 62 – 0 in 36 metres
155mph limited top speed
MDrive Manager control settings

__________________________________________



Like its predecessor - the legendary 1985 M635CSi – the new M6 resets the sports GT benchmark, with supercar performance, dispatching the zero to 62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds and achieving a limited top speed of 155mph. If derestricted, the M6 would be capable of a 200mph+ top speed. During tests at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, the new M6 regularly clocked eight minutes lap times. These rarefied performance statistics are, however, backed up by ‘real world’ economy and efficiency - the new M6 delivers a combined EU fuel consumption of 19.0mpg and a CO2 rating of 357g/km.

Powered by the same 4,999cc engine that set new standards in the M5, the 507bhp power output ensures that the new M6 maintains the M car tradition of breaking the 100bhp per litre benchmark. Peak power is developed at 7,750rpm with the red line set at 8,250rpm. Peak torque of 520Nm is developed at 6,100rpm of which 450Nm is available from just 3,500rpm. The 90-degree V10 aluminium-silicon alloy engine block is extremely light yet robust and is the first V-arrangement engine to use a bedplate construction. The aluminium bedplate with cast-iron inlays ensures the engine’s rigidity throughout the rev range, but the complete unit still weighs just 240kgs.

The capable chassis of the new M6 permits lateral acceleration in excess of 1g. To cope with such forces, the V10 engine features a lateral force-controlled oil supply that, from 0.6g of lateral movement, activates one of two electronic oil pumps to draw oil from the cylinder head and delivers it back into the sump to ensure perfect lubrication even in the most extreme situations. It is because of the extreme forces that can be induced by the M6 that the car also makes use of a semi dry sump lubrication system with an oil reservoir on each side of the front subframe.

Masterminding all the M6’s engine electronics is one of the most advanced engine control systems ever developed. The MS S65 control unit coordinates all engine functions using three 32-bit processors that handle more than 200 million operations per second from over 50 incoming signals. Each of the 10 cylinders has its own throttle butterfly, with its position being monitored 200 times per second. Reacting to changes in throttle position, the butterfly can move from closed to fully open in a mere 120 milliseconds (approximately three times faster than the blink of an eye).

Like the M5, the new M6 also uses BMW’s new third-generation seven speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) with Drivelogic. Drivelogic offers the choice of 11 different change patterns, depending on the speed of change required. Six change patterns are available in the manual mode and five in the ‘automatic’ mode, in which the gearbox will automatically select the most appropriate gear depending on driving conditions.

The new SMG gearbox also offers safety benefits when downshifting on slippery surfaces. If it detects the rear wheels locking up, the clutch opens for a fraction of a second to ensure traction is maintained. Hill Detection is another SMG feature. In automatic mode, the SMG gearbox recognises that the car is travelling on an incline and holds gears uphill to maintain acceleration and selects lower gears when progressing downhill to make the most of the available engine braking.

The suspension of the new M6 is based on the ‘standard’ 645Ci geometry. With the exception of components such as tie bars, wheel mounts and bearings, the double-arm spring strut front axle is made completely of aluminium. The U-shaped front subframe houses the rack and pinion steering assembly, anti-roll bar and track control arms.

The Integral IV rear axle assembly is also made from aluminium to reduce unsprung masses. In addition, the new M6 features BMW’s variable, speed-sensing M Differential Lock. Featured on all current BMW M models, the M Differential Lock builds up locking action whenever one of the rear wheels begins to spin, channelling drive to the wheel with the most grip to improve handling and stability.

Electronic Damper Control is also standard on the M6. Offering the driver three suspension settings – Comfort, Normal and Sport, drivers can select the most appropriate setting for their driving style or road conditions. The new BMW M6 also features a BMW M version of Servotronic steering with two specific settings corresponding to the Electronic Damper Control settings, Sport or Comfort.

BMW’s DSC stability control system has been adapted for the M6. Featuring M Dynamic Mode (first seen on the new M5), drivers can take their cars to the limit of the laws of physics, allowing considerable angles of controllable oversteer when circumstances allow.

The new BMW M6 comes with a Power button (pioneered in the M5) in the centre console. Initially the car pre-selects the P400 setting, delivering 400bhp for town or city driving, for example. Engaging the Power button modifies the response of the throttle and enables the P500 setting to deliver the full 507bhp generated by the V10 engine.

Control of all of these features has been brought together using the M6’s MDrive Manager. MDrive allows the driver to pre-select specific settings for the Power button, SMG gearbox, DSC, EDC and Head-up Display. With one push of the steering wheel-mounted button, the driver selects his or her chosen character. For example, the car can be set up for an exciting 30 mile A-road drive to and from work or, on the other hand, for a city commute. More extreme settings can be pre-programmed for track use.

For a car with such potential, high performance brakes are needed and the new BMW M6 doesn’t disappoint. Using aluminium double piston callipers and cross-drilled disc brakes, the car can stop from 62mph in just 36 metres and from 124mph (200km/h) in only 140 metres – equivalent to 1.3g deceleration.

Specially developed tyres ensure that the prodigious horsepower and braking power are transferred to the road. Measuring 255/40ZR19 on the front and 285/35ZR19 on the rear, the tyres are mounted on lightweight five-spoke 19-inch forged aluminium wheels, each weighing 1.8kgs less than a normal cast alloy wheel.

Like other 6 Series models, the new BMW M6 uses a hybrid construction of aluminium, thermoplastics and SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound). This mixture of materials delivers an extremely rigid, yet light, body structure. The front wings are made of thermoplastics, the doors and bonnet of aluminium and the boot lid, SMC. Like the legendary M3 CSL, but unlike the 630i and 645Ci, the new BMW M6 also uses carbon fibre in the construction of the roof panel to reduce the weight yet further – this feature alone saves nearly five kilograms and contributes towards the overall weight of just 1710kgs.

Visually, the new M6 differentiates itself from the 6 Series by a deeper front valance with air intakes for the engine and brakes, more contoured sills and rear valance that includes a diffuser to increase aerodynamic efficiency. Nestling under the rear valance are BMW M’s telltale four rear exhaust pipes. To complement the changes in body styling, the new M6 is available in four exclusive M colours – Indianapolis Red, Sepang Bronze, Interlagos Blue and Silverstone alongside three other 6 Series colours.

Inside, the new M6 comes with fully adjustable M sports seats that include lumber support and an adjustable backrest width as standard. They are covered in extended Merino leather, with the owner able to choose between Black, Silverstone or Sepang. As an option, full Merino leather can be specified in Indianapolis Red and Portland Natural Brown alongside the other three colours that includes a leather covered dashboard and alcantata headlining.

The new BMW M6 also features BMW M’s version of the new Head-up Display system. Unlike the standard Head-up Display available on 5 and 6 Series models that offers navigation instructions and cruise control information, the system on the M6 projects driver-focussed information such as engine speed, gear selected and road speed directly into the driver’s view, obviating the need for the driver to take his or her eyes off the road ahead.

The new M6 will go on sale towards the end of 2005. Dates and prices will be announced in due course.

Bucking the whole "folding hardtop" design that is the latest trend Ferrari is making a traditional canvas top convertible version of it's F430 Coupe.

Here's a spy shot from the car connection:

The hottest car color? Silver is coolest when it comes to American car buyers.

"It just looks great on pretty much any body style," says Susan Lampinen, chief designer of color and material design for Ford Motor Co.

It's the runaway favorite with consumers across the board, from family sedans to sport utility vehicles.

Even in some sports cars, if silver isn't first choice, it's probably a not-too-distant second. The color conveys a clean, mechanical image that appeals to consumers and mirrors the technology that dominates modern life.

"People are becoming more aware of design," says Teresa Spafford, lead designer for Mazda North American Operations. "Our cell phones, our computers, our furniture, our home decor accessories -- everything has some sort of metallic accent or detail or element of metal."

For 2005 vehicles, silver accounts for 24.1 percent of sales, according to statistics compiled by Power Information Network, a division of J.D. Power and Associates. The next runner-up: black, with 16.7 percent.

"Silver really shapes cars the best," says Ron Will, manager of product planning and design for Subaru of America, Inc. "With dark colors, it's difficult to see the shape. Whites don't do it. Solids don't do it. You need metallic or pearlescent in a lighter color. That's why I think silver works the best."

It's also practical. Silver, like a lot of lighter colors, hides dirt.

So how long will the consumer love affair with silver cars continue?

"This has been an enduring trend for the last three or four years," says Margaret Hackstedde, director of product design for color and trim for the Chrysler Group. "We're not anticipating it will change overnight."

But other experts believe silver could be losing its appeal.

"We're actually seeing it stabilizing," says Chris Webb, exterior color and trim designer for GM North America.

"I would say it's starting to decline a bit," adds Cynthia Leighton, product planner for color materials and finishes with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. According to the company's recent market research in Los Angeles, "Silver is not the No. 1 choice for future buyers," she says.

Next up? Many auto makers are having good luck with shades that incorporate silver with a little bit of color -- ice blues, celery greens, and even warmer, golden-toned hues.

Others believe that greys -- deeper, darker metallics -- will eclipse the lighter silvery shades. "Grey offers more dimensions, from warm to cool," says Leighton. "It's a fresh look and an alternative to silver."

And blue is gaining fast. "There is a whole trend in blue and purple," says Webb. Of the 21 new shades his company is currently developing, "at least half are blue or have some evidence of blue in them."

Looking into the future, car colors will still be "fairly conservative," says Will.

"We're not going with brights except for our sports cars," he says. Instead, look for colors with subtle tints, like rich blacks that tend toward green.

Size and price
When it comes to car color, size matters. "Smaller cars you tend to be able to do in brighter colors," says Spafford. But on an SUV, "It's a lot of color, so you have to be aware of how much color you are putting on the road," she says.

And as SUV designers marry aspects from cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles, colors are also becoming less distinct, says Webb. "Because the line has blurred as to what the vehicle is, it has blurred when it comes to color."

SUV buyers are turning to "more sophisticated, indefinable colors," says Spafford. "Not a true blue or true red or true orange. Off. A mixture of something."

As SUVs evolve from an off-road alternative to the family vehicle, expect to see them mirror the softer, more sophisticated colors of high-priced sedans, says Will. Manufacturers are "trying to make the SUVs look very luxurious and high-end."


Sometimes, the particular brand or model will dictate a particular color or palette -- like the jewel tones popular on the Mini Coopers, the brights on Volkswagen's Beetle or the traditional dark green that's become the signature color for the Jeep brand.

In sports cars or even sportier models, "People are willing to take a chance with a brighter color," says Leighton. Brighter blues, reds, yellows are a hit. But black and silver tie for the lead, each accounting for 23.5 percent of sales, according to Power stats.

One big hit: Xirallic paints, which contain flakes of metal that catch the light. "It really sparkles," Webb says. "So when customers walk into the dealership, these colors will grab their attention."

Price impacts color choices, too. While many makers find that entry-level buyers will experiment with color, they tend to get more practical as the price of the vehicle goes up. For 2005 full-sized sedans, beige inched out silver by less than 1 percent, according to Power stats.

In 2005 luxury cars, black leads silver by one-third of 1 percent, Power numbers revealed.

"When a customer is spending $60,000 or $70,000 on a car, they're going to be a little more conservative," says Spafford.

Shifting out of neutral
Some makers believe that real color is making a comeback. The star? "Blue is the biggest color moving forward," Webb says.

Orange is also making an appearance. Hues from terra cottas to brighter sunburst shades are popular for several makers.

"Blue is still a fairly important color," says Hackstedde. "Same as yellow and orange -- they are your impact colors right now." And red "is still a very classic traditional automobile color," she says.

Another impulse that's driving the color quest: the desire for individuality.

"All the rules that used to exist are being thrown out," says Webb. Truck buyers used to stick to black, white, silver, beige and dark shades of blue, green and red. "Now you're seeing orange, yellow," he says. "The customer wants something different than other people."

But look for the return of brown, says Webb. Traditionally a very difficult color for cars, look for "elegant" shades in some of the high end 2007 and 2008 models, he says.

No matter what they are driving, people "want their cars to be more luxurious," says Will. And that extends to the color. As the paint technology keeps improving, mid- and lower-market consumers will have access to paint options -- such as pearlescent colors -- that were once only available on higher-end vehicles.

"Technology keeps moving and bringing the price down," Will says.

It's a small world after all
So what does all this silver, grey and neutral say about the consumer mindset?

"Some people say that when the economy's low, people buy more vanilla-type colors," Spafford says. "But on the other hand, if they have money to make a purchase, they may want something that will pick them up. You can flip a coin either side."

But buyers are getting more observant when it comes to colors. In 2003, Ford jazzed up the red on its 2003 Ford Explorer, adding compounds that gave the color more depth and sparkle, says Lampinen. Red shot from the eighth-most-popular choice to the second.

Consumers devour books, magazines and TV shows about design. And that has spilled over into their automotive choices.

"We have a much more design-savvy consumer now and they are more picky," Spafford says.

And car colors are going global.

"The world is a lot smaller," says Webb. When he compares palettes for his company's colors in various parts of the world, "almost three quarters are identical," he says. "It really shows how people are aware what's going on globally and are really sensitive to their colors right now."

For some ridiculous reason the EPA uses emissions to calculate fuel efficiency. This is a problem when new vehicles have ultra low emissions. This causes the MPG estimate to be high. In the case of hybrid vehicles since their exhaust patterns are completely different during acceleration and Idle and driving than standard vehicles the MPG stats are way off. Some are estimated by the EPA to have 10-20 MPG higher ratings than they actually get. A report I read showed that the Prius actually gets only 5MPG better than our GT's at best. One report showed that the average person would have to drive a Prius more than 20 years to make up the price difference between in and a similarly equipped standard vehicle with fuel savings. I can't see spending 5-10 K extra to save a hundred $ a year in gas! The MPG rating should be determined by having the EPA drive the damned car a few hundred miles in the city and on the highway and see how much it uses! That is how I determined that I am getting 32 MPG in my GT when I drive normal, and 27 MPG when I drive with a lead foot. I also get about a 5MPG drain off of the AC in the summer!

Being a big Jeep fan.... One can't help but get wowed by this latest concept from them. I mean this Jeep is able to turn all four wheels in and spin on its own axis! Not to mention, twin V8 hemi's producing a combined 650hp.... sweeeeeet. Check it out jeepers....

http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/1...etas_hurricane/