Spring Rally 2009-American Muscle at Road America

In a time when the American car companies are holding on for dear life, consumers’ savings have all but evaporated, and more stringent CAFE regulations looming in the future, the Big Three are giving us power-hungry, tire-thrashing car lovers a goodbye party with the cars listed below. I’m sure there will be fighting for supremacy from loyalists of each brand, but what we all have to remember is this may be the last time we see anything like this from Detroit.

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy one of these vehicles, because I certainly did…

2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO

After an eight year abcense, the 2010 Camaro is back on the streets using General Motors’ Zeta platform. Compared to the previous generation, this new one has 11.2 more inches in its wheelbase, but is three inches shorter overall. It’s also an inch wider.

Grunt comes from two engine choices, the 3.6-liter, 304 horsepower DOHC V6 out of the Cadillac CTS will power the LS and LT trim levels. Or for those of you with gas running your veins, check out the 426 horsepower 6.2-liter LS3 V8 in the SS. Each can be had with either an automatic or manual transmissions pushing power to the rear wheels.

The Camaro SS loaded to the gills with leather, twenty-inch wheels and the six-speed manual was taken out for a drive around the country roads surrounding Road America. First impression are the ungodly amount of thrust produced. From a standstill, there is a touch of wheel spin, but the tires hook up quickly and you are gone. This car is unbelievably powerful, and its V8 roar sounds terrific.

In the corners, you can certainly feel the 3700 lbs. the Camaro has to hustle, but it feels very capable of handling anything you can throw at it. The standard Brembo brakes felt up to the task of stopping you in short distance, and the steering, while having to use a ship’s helm for a wheel, delivers good force and acceptable feel.

But the looks are what will pull people in. It is a mixed bag of love and hate for the new Camaro from others, but I love the look. This has been the only car in recent times that has pulled off the whole “modernizing retro” look. It mixes yesteryear nostalgia with modern touches. It got that intimidating front end, high lines and a blunt rear end. This thing screams power. Even the interior plays on that theme, but is not as successful. I love the gauges and the old-school gauges below the center stack, but it’s illumintated with this hideous green glow. Make it red, make it angry.

The only fault, outside the slightly off-key interior is the manual transmission. It was impossible for me to drive this car smoothly. Hustling a one-two shift caused the imprecise shifter to not fully engage and pop out of gear. The clutch was also a nightmare, with an odd engagement point at the top of the pedal. I stalled more than once. I’m going to chalk it up to being a pre-production model and will report back with a full review when I take delivery of one later this summer.

2009 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8

While not the freshest vehicle you see in this article, it certainly is worthy of mentioning. It may not be as aggressively styled like the Camaro, but it carries the old-new look over at about 70 percent. It looks good with it’s tight lines and that rear taillight bar really sets off an otherwise boring rear.

The Challenger has an impressive level of different options to meet any buyer’s needs. The base Challenger SE comes with the well-known 3.5-liter, DOHC V6. Then there is a choice of two V8s. The mid-range R/T has the 5.7-liter pumping out 372 horses and 400 lb. ft of torque. But those who want the cream of the crop, look no further than my test vehicle, a fully-loaded SRT8 six-speed. This puppy with its 6.1-liter Hemi sends 425 horsepower and 420 lb. ft of twenty-one inch wheel shredding power. Either engine can be had with a five-speed automatic or the aforementioned six-speed manual.

This is a big car, there’s no denying it. With a curb weight of over two-tons, it may be as well be the elephant of the muscle cars. But it doesn’t feel quite as big as most expect. The big lumbering V8 will move the SRT8 with authority and produce a sound God would envy, but it lags behind the Camaro’s brutal acceleration. The transmission and dual-plate clutch are much better than the BowTie’s, with an excellent feel to the clutch pedal and much more positive shifts using that big pistol-grip shifter.

Handling is good, but it wasn’t as much fun pushing it hard. The SRT8 is capable of running on a track, stringing itself out in the straights and taking longer, wider corners with aplomb. In tighter turns, though, you can really feel every single ounce in this car. Cornering very flat and with plenty of grip, it feels unsure with all that girth, and the unfortunate lack of steering feel doesn’t help the situation much. The brakes don’t feel very reassuring either. This will all be analyzed more thoroughly in a full test next month, but for now, just stick to cruising down your favorite boulevard or a road with soft curves.

The interior gets a well-needed bump in quality. The dash is now covered in a soft vinyl and most of the plastics have been upgraded. The seats are La-Z-Boy comfortable and offer excellent support all-around. There’s even room for regular people in the backseat. If you can get over the black hole of the interior, this is a nice place to be.

2010 FORD MUSTANG GT

Not to be outdone by the new Camaro, Ford has retuned and retooled their pony car to better handle their competition. From the sleeker, more modern body on the outside to the wonderfully redone interior, the 2010 Mustang will not be left in the dust.

The new body looks infinitely better than last years. The Mustang looks as though the design team hit the old model with a heat gun to shrink it down, making it look much more aggressive and cleaner. The rear still retains that 1969 look, but it’s sculpted cleaner, making the rear have a more distincitive look.

Inside, everything has been thrown out from the old car and replaces with good feeling materials throughout. Even the center stacks looks much better, getting away from the carryover controls for radio and ventilation which was found in almost every other Ford vehicle.

The suspension has been tuned for better body control and improved handling characteristics. It has paid off ten-fold. This new Mustang feels so much smaller now, so much more chuckable in the corners. There is still too much body movement in the corners, but that can be overlooked by the more positive feel from the better steering, stronger-feeling brakes and how light it feels compared to is competitors. This was the easiest of the three to fling around the racetrack.

The only disappointment with this car is the engine. The carryover 4.6-liter, four-valve V8 gets a very modest power and torque boost, to 315 and 325 respectively. The 110 horsepower difference over the other two by the light weight, but it doesn’t feel as quick as the others. It doesn’t feel an urge to run all out. Thankfully, the 2010 Mustang has a very good clutch, with a nice progressive engagement, and the five-speed manual with it’s white ball shifter is very easy to shift and find the right gear.

Luckily when driving it, a feeling of Frank Bullitt trying to catch that Challenger in his GT Fastback washes over the interior when the throttle is opened. Why? Because this GT will barely stay with the Challenger, but it will sound piped in will instantly remind you of what you’re after.

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Mercedes-Benz CL-Class AMG Convertible Conversion

With every passing year, there seems to be more convertibles on the market. But if you live in a sunny clime like California's, enough sunshine is never enough. That's where convertible chop-shops like Newport Convertible Engineering step in. The folks at NCE will take just about any automobile and turn it into a custom cabrio to a buyer's specifications. The company's portfolio includes recent conversions of a Dodge Challenger, Toyota Prius, Cadillac CTS, Hummer H2, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and this Mercedes-Benz CL AMG. Unfortunately, from the photos seen here, the soft top doesn't seem to collapse quite flush with the rear deck, leaving something to be desired in terms of aesthetics – to say nothing of rearward visibility. Here's hoping there's a snug-fitting cover lurking in whatever trunkspace remains.

More Pics ---> Auto Blog

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Funeral Cars Just One Feature to Consider when Shopping

When shopping around for the funeral home at which you want to have your service when you pass away, the price of funeral cars is one of the costs you will need to consider . But many people get a little squeamish when it comes to shopping around at funeral homes.

Your funeral, however, is probably the third largest purchase you will ever make behind your home and your car. That is why it is so important to shop for a funeral home you like in much the same way you shop for your home or next car so you can get exactly what you want without getting ripped off.

"You’re more likely to make a hasty financial decision in an emotionally charged situation," said Connie Perna-Pellegrino, the owner of Perna-Pellegrino Funeral Home near Buffalo, New York. "People need to be educated consumers so they’re making sound decisions rather than reacting to a crisis situation." Although we would like to think that funeral directors have our best interest at heart, they are still in business to make a profit and one way they make a profit is to sell their products.

One of the options you have if you really want to "go out in style" is a luxurious Cadillac hearse . On Wednesday, we’ll discuss this idea further and tell you how you can be thriftier with your money while pre-planning your funeral.

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Cadillac Hearses Just One Option to Consider

When preplanning your funeral,Cadillac hearses are just one option you will need to consider. But if you do decide to preplan your funeral, it is important to make financially sound decisions to avoid spending too much or getting scammed. Here are some things to keep in mind when it is time to make the preplanning decision.

• Get an itemized price list. When you are planning a funeral, the director is required to give you an itemized price list at the start of the discussion. This will give you an idea of how much you will be spending right away. You can also choose items from the list separately rather than an entire package if you choose.

• Ask if there are caskets not listed on the price list. Some funeral homes may not list their lower-priced caskets. If the director says they are out of stock, ask how long it would take to get one because many of them can be delivered in a matter of hours.

• Go online and make phone calls. Funeral directors are required to tell you prices over the phone for professional services. Many of them may even list their prices online to make your “shopping” experience even easier.

These are just a few things to consider when shopping for a funeral home. If you stay calm during the process and ask a lot of questions, you are more likely to be comfortable with your purchase.

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Caddy Rolls Out All-New SRX Crossover & CTS Sport Wagon

Caddy has decided to get more into the, er, crossover game by setting two new models loose on the roadways of America this summer. One is the all-new SRX Crossover and the other is a Sport Wagon variant of their CTS small sports sedan.

Essentially, they’re both station wagons, no matter how the PR and marketing flacks try to get you to use the term “Crossover”.

The all new 2010 SRX Crossover, scheduled to begin production this summer, will have a starting priced of $34,155, which ain’t all that bad for a Cadillac if you think about it. The SRX is a 5-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle with front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive and Caddy calls it a “midsize luxury crossover”. There are two engines available. Standard is the 3.0L DOHC V-6 direct injection, variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder, and there’s an optional 2.8L DOHC turbocharged V-6, four valves per cylinder mill to be had.

The trannys hooked up to the two engines are, respectively, a 6T70 Hydra-Matic six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission and a AF40 Aisin Warner six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission. Which is about what you’d expect. Both engines come with traction control and the steering is via hydraulic-power-assisted rack-and-pinion for V-6 models. Brakes are discs on all four corners, and the curb weight comes in at 4224 pounds.

The CTS Sport Wagon is a four-door wagon, that is available in either RWD or AWD. There are two engines available. A 3.0L DOHC V-6 direct injection, variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder power unit or a 3.6L V-6 VVT (variable valve timing) with spark-ignition, direct injection mill. The three liter cranks out 270 HP @ 7000 RPM and the 3.6 puts out 304 HP @ 6400 rpm. The torque figures are 223 pound feet @ 5700 and 273 pound feet @ 5200 rpm respectively.

The transmission choices for the wagon are either an Aisin sourced AY6 fully synchronized 6-speed manual with single overdrive or a Hydra-Matic 6L50 6-speed, RWD/AWD, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch. The weight of the wagon is yet to be announced.

Either way, these look like two fine vehicles that have the usability of an SUV, without the jerk factor (if you can stand to be seen driving a wagon).

Here’s Caddy’s presser:

Cadillac Launches Two New Vehicles This Summer

* All-new SRX Crossover starts at $34,155

* CTS Sport Wagon strengthens CTS model lineup

* SRX Crossover Specifications

* CTS Sport Wagon Specifications

DETROIT – Cadillac’s model lineup expands with two dramatically-designed new luxury vehicles that also bring new dimensions of versatility and efficiency to the marketplace. Cadillac announced today that the 2010 SRX Crossover, scheduled to begin production this summer, will be priced aggressively starting at $34,155.

Later this summer, the acclaimed CTS family will expand again with the arrival of the CTS Sport Wagon. Together with the all-new SRX, these two dynamic new Cadillac models are in sync with the changing priorities of today’s luxury consumers.

“In a tough market the new SRX and CTS Sport Wagon are the right products at the right time, says Steve Shannon,” executive director of marketing for Cadillac. “They offer new dimensions of versatility and fuel efficiency, along with Cadillac’s signature design and technical features.”

The all-new SRX launches into the strong luxury crossover vehicle segment, a category that now accounts for nearly one-fourth of all luxury vehicles sold in the U.S. market. The SRX features new downsized and fuel efficient engines in a completely redesigned vehicle that delivers a dynamic alternative in terms of visual appeal and driving character.

“We believe the Cadillac SRX offers emotional appeal to a segment previously devoid of much of that,” says Shannon. “At the same time, it also has very practical new features such as advanced All-Wheel-Drive, and an efficient standard 3.0-liter Direct Injection V6 engine. And with an entry price of $34,155 the new SRX presents an attractive offer to consumers, while taking on the traditional segment leader aggressively.”

The new CTS Sport Wagon offers the same design and technical features of Cadillac’s centerpiece model, the CTS sport sedan – but in a wagon body style that effectively doubles the car’s cargo space. The new Sport Wagon includes the same 3.0-liter Direct Injection engine that serves as the standard engine in the new SRX. In the Sport Wagon, highway fuel economy is estimated to reach 28 mpg.

Both the new SRX and CTS Sport Wagon will be presented in a special video webcast from one of Cadillac’s design studios. Visit www.cadillacstudiolive.com for an inside look at the highlights of both new models.

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Columnist Discusses Uses for Hearses

We all know the most common use of hearses, but did you know a classic hearse can serve so many more purposes than carrying deceased people around? One columnist reflects on other fun uses for Cadillac hearses after seeing one while stuck in traffic one day.

One fun thing you can do with a hearse is to go camping. With all of the extra space in the back, there is plenty of room for all your gear. You may even want to unload the back and use it at night for sleeping if you are not creeped out by that. You might even be able to save money at the local campground if you tell them you are there to do a “pickup.”

Hearses would be ideal for fishing trips, too, the columnist thought. With the extra long space in the back, you can put your best fishing poles back there and avoid broken rods and tangled fishing lines. He also surmised that it would be great for areas with heavy traffic because he could put a light on the top and people would pull over to allow him to pass.

These are just a few uses for hearses besides the traditional purpose. Can you think of other things you could use a hearse for? Let us know your thoughts below.

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Funeral Home Ads Use Hearses to Make a Point

If you live in the Seattle area, you may have seen some new advertisements on the back of metro buses and other places for the Evergreen Washelli Funeral Homes. The ads seem more like a public service than an actual advertisement, but they are still rather effective.

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Homes are using the space to encourage people to put down their cell phones when they are driving. The advertisement reads, “OMG dnt txt and drive…We’d hate to be your new service provider.” There is also a picture of a hand texting on a cell phone while behind the wheel of a car.

Sarah Geiger, the manager of the funeral home, said the company walked a “fine line” with this campaign. “Before, the advertising we had done was along the lines of honor, love and cherish and remember,” she explained. However, they made the change because they just did not think those types of ads were “catchy.”

The first bus ad the creative team came up with showed a Cadillac hearse with a tagline that read, “Don’t drink and drive. We’ hate to be your designated driver.”

The team still has several more ideas for ads that are coming up in this particular campaign. Do you have any clever ideas that would make great advertisements?

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Rival Undertaker Steals Hearse

I’ve heard of rivals in sports. I have even heard of rivalries in business. But this is the first time I have heard of rival undertakers!

This story from the United Kingdom may be one of the most bizarre stories I have ever read. Let me just quote the first line of the story to give you an idea of how weird it is: “Mourners at a funeral were stunned when the keys to the hearse were stolen by a rival undertaker as the coffin was about to head to the cemetery.”

The incident occurred at Patricia Thorburn’s funeral at the Salvation Army citadel in Middlesborough. Undertaker David Wood, who believed undertaker Joel Kerr had been poaching customers from him, waited outside the funeral home until the time was right. When nobody was looking, he jumped in and stole the keys out of the waiting Rolls-Royce hearse. As a result of his actions, the family had to wait for another hour before they could follow the hearse to the cemetery as workers at the funeral had to hotwire the hearse. The family was offered a similar Cadillac hearse from a different company, but they insisted on using the Rolls-Royce hearse for the procession.

“The level of disrespect is unbelievable, dreadful,” said Irene Jessop, a funeral director that works with Kerr. Wood is due to stand trial after pleading guilty to theft.

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Hyundai Genesis Sedan (Full Review)

Inasmuch as luxury car buyers might turn their noses up when they hear the name Hyundai mentioned among BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, the fact remains that the Genesis holds its own against many of the top names in the business. And, with a price comparable to a Buick Lucerne or Toyota Avalon, the Hyundai Genesis is likely to attract customers looking to make their first luxury sedan purchase without busting the bank.

A Hyundai Surprise In The Form of the Genesis Sedan

Korean automaker brings high end luxury to the masses.

Say “Hyundai” and the image of an automotive brand producing the likes of the compact Elantra and the affordable Sonata comes to mind. But, in a bold and perhaps risky move, Hyundai has expanded its line to include a luxury model, one appropriately named Genesis.

Yes, this is a season of new beginnings for Hyundai (rhymes with Sunday) as the Korean automaker seeks to change the perception consumers have about its products while deciding against creating an all new luxury brand just as Toyota did with Lexus more than twenty years ago. With the Genesis, Hyundai has built a car that rivals the best German brands while pricing it closer to what people would pay for in a Buick Lucerne or a Toyota Avalon.

Taking Aim At German Luxury and Craftsmanship

The Genesis is actually two different cars, one a full sized sedan, the other a sport coupe. For this review I’ve covered the sedan, a vehicle Hyundai designed with Mercedes and BMW in mind. Indeed, the current Genesis has a strong resemblance to the Lexus GS, itself a European styled model just inches shorter than the Genesis but carrying a ten thousand dollar price premium over the similarly equipped Hyundai. That price differential is what Hyundai hopes will convince people to take a look at the Genesis when shopping for German or Japanese luxury.

Available in rear or all wheel drive, the two ton Genesis is powered by a base 3.8L V-6 engine or a 4.6L V-8. Both the rear wheel drive configuration and beefy V-8 engine are firsts for Hyundai, at least for the American market. Hyundai has been building larger cars for its home market of South Korea for many years; the Genesis represents the first of its kind for American export.

Should You Really Have A V-8?

My test model came equipped with the V-6 and not once did I feel that its 290 horsepower engine wasn’t enough to move the sedan. The V-8 produces 375 horsepower and runs on premium fuel; both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The center console mounted transmission shifted effortlessly responding to my demands to see how quick it could be brought up to highway speed. Handling is very good, not spectacular, but the cabin is quiet and the ride is very smooth.

For the record, the V-8 will get you from stop to 60 mph in just under six seconds while the V-6 motor is about a half second slower. You’ll choose the larger engine if matching Audi performance is important to you, but if you go with the V-6 you will get ample power, better fuel economy and be able to fill up with regular gasoline.

In a League of its Own

Inside, the Genesis is like no Hyundai before it. True, the Hyundai Azera Limited offered a first glimpse at what Hyundai could do by building a well optioned sedan, but the Genesis clearly is in another league.

Seating five passengers, the cavernous interior is well appointed and offers more leg and head room than any of its competitors. The front seats are very comfortable, with leather seating surfaces and heated seats standard while a cooling option is also available for the driver. Rear seats can neither be warmed nor cooled, but the support and legroom offered is quite good. Surprisingly, the rear seat doesn’t fold down, an attribute commonly found in similar sedans.

An electroluminescent instrument cluster is complemented by a well designed center stack, itself containing cabin comfort, navigation and audio controls, many of which are duplicated on the steering wheel or placed adjacently to the transmission shifter. Sound is out of this world as the Lexicon 7.1 Discrete audio system features an 11-channel, 528-watt digital amplifier and 17 speakers. The Rolls Royce Phantom is the only other car in the world to offer this amazing sound system, a point Hyundai notes when they market the Genesis.

Every Safety Feature Imaginable

In developing the Genesis, Hyundai made sure that all of the state-of-the-art safety features were included as standard equipment. Beyond dual front airbags, the sedan includes front and rear-seat mounted side-impact bags as well as roof-mounted curtain side-impact bags. Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist as well as specially reinforced front and rear crumple zones underscore the importance of safety.

Choose the premium or premium plus packages and you’ll also get a rear back up camera with front and rear parking assistance sensors, power rear sunshade and auto-leveling headlights among other features.

Trunk space is a full sixteen cubic feet, clearly at the higher end of its class. The opening is wide and the floor is flat; despite the rear seat not folding down, there is a pass through area for skis and similar lengthy objects.

Priced Like a Chrysler, Engineered Like a Mercedes

Despite concerns by some that the Genesis is a knocked down Lexus or Mercedes, those fears are quickly allayed as the sedan easily beats expectations. Base sticker price is in the low 30s and remains below $40,000 when fully optioned; slightly higher for the V-8. That price advantage will work towards convincing current owners of cars such as the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac G8 to consider the Genesis while giving BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac and Audi drivers the message that the Genesis is a serious contender despite wearing the Hyundai name.

Photo Credit: Hyundai Motor America

Related Reading — First Drive: Hyundai Genesis Sedan

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Holden Cruze Set For June Launch

If GM’s restructuring plan doesn’t wreak havoc with its upcoming product release schedule, then by this time next year the compact Chevrolet Cruze should be in North American showrooms.

Meanwhile, the model continues its gradual global roll out, having first been introduced to the world as the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere in October 2008 (South Korea) and later as the Chevrolet Cruze for the Chinese market. In coming months the Chevrolet Cruze will go on sale in Europe while next month Australia and New Zealand will get the Holden variant. The Holden Cruze sedan is built at GM’s Gusan, South Korea plant, however a five door hatchback model is in the works and will be built in Australia.

Daewoo, Holden, Chevrolet and Opel

The Cruze, in whatever form it is called, is GM’s all new compact car platform. Indeed, the 2010 Opel Astra is also based on the Cruze and will continue to be produced no matter whether GM keeps its stake in Opel or sells some or all of it off. The United States and Canada appear to be among the last markets that will see the Cruze, a car that will likely become GM’s bestseller across its many brand lines once all markets have been penetrated.

The five passenger Cruze is a vast improvement over the Chevy Cobalt, the model it replaces. I don’t have the benefit of having seen the Cruze in person, but photos seem to do it justice — the Cruze is stylish, well engineered and possesses standard safety features not usually found in a vehicle in its segment.

Traction control, brake assist, electronic stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution and anti-lock brakes come with every Holden Cruze, likely the same sort of set up the Chevrolet Cruze will reflect in North America. Also, six airbags including side impact and side curtain airbags are standard along with plenty of cabin amenities including six speaker audio system with MP3 compatible in dash CD, radio and MP3 functionality; power windows; steering wheel audio and cruise controls and for higher end models leather treatments for the steering wheel and seats.

The Holden Cruze is offered with either four-cylinder 1.8L gas or 2.0L diesel powerplants mated to six speed automatic transmissions.  Currently, no diesel engine is planned for the US market, but an engine as small as 1.4L will likely power the base North American model, enabling the Chevrolet Cruze to top 40 mpg.

Top Safety Award Given

The Holden Cruze recently aced an important crash safety test down under, with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) awarding the Cruze its highest rating of five-stars. Structural strength along with active and passive safety systems helped the Holden Cruze finish on top.

GM invested four billion dollars to launch the Cruze which includes new engines and transmissions. The Chevy Volt, GM’s electric car, is built on the Cruze platform and could itself eventually spin off a number of different (Voltec) models in the years to come with the Cadillac Converj being one attractive concept that may someday become a reality.

The North American spec Chevrolet Cruze will be built at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio plant. Production is expected to begin in April 2010.

Source: GM Holden

Photos Copyright: GM Corp.

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Ssssay! SsangYong Motor Company Survives.

One of the more unpronounceable names in all of autodom is SsangYong Motor Company, a South Korean automaker who doesn’t export their vehicles to the US. That’s good news for a couple of reasons, one for having a name that doesn’t roll off of the tongue with ease. The other reason being the company has been on life support since January when it went into receivership, a move which placed the automaker one step away from bankruptcy liquidation. American car buyers are shying away from bankrupt Chrysler and troubled GM, why add SsangYong to the mix?

51% owned by SAIC, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, the loss of SsangYong probably would have been small to the  South Korea economy as the automaker ranks behind Hyundai, Kia and GM Daewoo in sales while just ahead of Renault Samsung among the five Korean automakers. Currently, SsangYong builds three models — the Rexton, Kyron and Rodius S, a family of SUV, crossover and people hauling vehicles built chiefly for the passenger market.

Ugliest Vehicle Ever Built?

By the way, the Wikipedia file photo shows the Rodius S which may explain just why SsangYong is having a difficult time of things.  Auto critics the world over have called the people hauler the ugliest vehicle ever made which is good news for GM as the Pontiac Aztek apparently has met its match. With seating for seven, nine or eleven passengers, the three or four row Robius S has all of the personality and appeal of a Cadillac hearse.

SsangYong does have a distributorship network in place for the UK where all three of the company’s current models are sold. That UK entity recently reported that the automaker is of more valuable operating as a going concern instead of being liquidated, meaning the company has passed an important test to ensure its survival. 

SsangYong C200 Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Moreover, the company is planning to cut its workforce and go ahead with a new model, the C200, which has been described as a compact urban vehicle. The C200 will offer the usual gas and diesel models but it also offer an unusual diesel-electric hybrid configuration which SsangYong hopes will help stimulate sales. Available in front or all wheel drive, the C200 is expected to go into production by year’s end, just after the company emerges from receivership.

Of course, given the current trend toward global consolidation, SsangYong’s future may hinge more on the fortunes of state-owned SAIC than on other factors, even the relentless growth of the Hyundai-Kia juggernaut which is on its own quest to eventually become the world’s biggest producer of passenger vehicles.

Sources: SsangYong Motor Company, Wikipedia

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Nissan GT-Rs Purchased Via UK Cash For Clunkers Law Loophole [Nissan GT-R]

The point to be solved with “Cash For Clunkers” legislation is they be seized of holes big enough to drive a Nissan GT-R through them. In the UK, the holes are full enough to driving-course two GT-Rs through.

Scrappage laws like “Cash For Clunkers” are meant to stimulate the economy and cut into disrepute on greenhouse emissions by means of providing an incentive for consumers to trade in older, more environmentally-unfriendly vehicles for newer, more fuel efficient vehicles.

Unlike other European countries that nauseate old cars, the UK didn’privately bother to put limitations on price, consumption, or emissions of the cars purchased under the scrappage laws, so you can trade in your junker and get a Cadillac Escalade if you like. Two noteworthy hoons traded their cars in put on a suit of Nissan GT-R’s which, under the best possible conditions, could get 21 MPG if you could keep your foot not on the yeehaw pedal. That consumption puts it in the highest tax bracket for emissions, something like the US gas guzzler tax. This is a perfect example of why scrappage or “cash for clunker” incentives are silly. The free emporium has already established a time honored life-cycle according to a car, and interrupting it with an unnatural incentive for scrapping it before its time is fair asking for trouble, especially if those incentives are paid in the place of with tax dollars. Not to mention it puts sweet old steel in peril for no good reason. [AutoTrader]

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The 2nd gen high-performance CTS-V will be in the 4th quarter of 2008 as a 2009 model year. This car will share a 550 hp (410 kW) detuned version of the LS9 used in the 2009 Corvette ZR1. The standard transmission will be the 6-speed TR-6060 manual with the option for a 6-speed 6L90 automatic.
Cadillac Cts 2009 Images

Cadillac Cts 2009 Images

Cadillac Cts 2009 Images

Cadillac Cts 2009 Images

Cadillac Cts 2009 Images

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Cadillac SRX Pictures and Full Info

For the 2010 model year, Cadillac will introduce an all new SRX based on the Provoq concept vehicle. The production car will share the front-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform with Saab which will get its own CUV, the 9-4X; the same platform will also produce the GMC Terrain and second-generation Chevrolet Equinox. The V8 is largely dropped on this model. Expected competitors include the Acura MDX, Lexus RX and Lincoln MKX.

The first official pictures of the production vehicle were released on August 15, 2008. The car was officially unveiled in January 2009. It comes with either a 3.0 liter V6 with direct injection derived from the 3.6 liter unit in the Cadillac CTS, or a 2.8 liter turbocharged V6.

The base 3.0 liter V6 produces 250 hp (190 kW) and 221 lb·ft (300 N·m) of torque while the 2.8 liter turbocharged V6 has 300 hp (220 kW) and 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) of torque. Both engines are paired with 6 speed automatics.
Cadillac SRX Pictures

Cadillac SRX Pictures

Cadillac SRX Pictures

Cadillac SRX Pictures

Cadillac SRX Pictures

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Montreal Museum Exhibits Hearses and Other Funeral Exhibits

A museum in Quebec is having an exhibit that showcases the historical and cultural aspects of death and dying in this Canadian city.

The exhibit, which is named “Celebrating the Dead: A Living Heritage,” focuses on the history of the funeral business in and around the Quebec region. It has displays of old-time hearses, a recreation of a dying person’s bedroom from 1890 and several other objects that people will find interesting.

“It’s not a morbid exhibition,” explained curator Stephane Chagnon in hopes of encouraging people to come visit the exhibit rather than scaring them off. “It’s an exhibition that’s fascinating to look at because of its objects and content.”

As you go through the displays, Chagnon talks about the history of funeral rituals in Quebec. “Before 1960 when someone died people took care of the dying person at home and after the death the body stayed there,” he explained. “Family members came to pay their last respects and the wake could last for three days.”

You will not see any Cadillac hearses on display at this exhibit as it focuses on the horse-drawn hearses of many decades ago. You will, however, learn a lot about how far we have come in the death business and how things have changed. You can decide for yourself if they have changed for the better or for the worse.

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Charity Organization in Australia Defraying Costs of Funerals

The cost of having a funeral simply is not cheap. Between paying for the facility, the casket, the Cadillac hearse and the services required when a person dies, some people are simply overwhelmed and at the end of their rope. That’s why the Charity Bereavement Assistance organization in Australia is helping some families in that country give their deceased loved ones a proper burial.

While the organization does not help pay for the funeral, they do offer a less expensive alternative: A pauper’s funeral. But that does not mean they do not handle the bodies with respect. They treat each person with the utmost courtesy and dignity that they deserve. They simply offer “destitute burials,” which are low-cost burials in a pauper’s grave.

The recession has contributed to their business, too. They say they have had four times as many burials since the recession has gripped the nation and that there has been a “noticeable increase over the past six to 12 months.” Last year, the Charity Bereavement Assistance organization held services for about 150 paupers. They expect to do at least 200 this year and the number will likely grow to more than 400 in the next couple years.

Times are getting tough everywhere. Is there any end in sight?

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