Most Popular Used Cars in USA

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Tech, Acura

When Acura designed the RDX, they wanted to give it a lightweight mill that was powerful enough to compete in a class rife with six-cylinder power. A V6 would provide the desired output, but it would add too much mass over the front axle, so instead, Acura decided to slap a turbo onto a four-cylinder and boost output accordingly. Honda, Acura’s parent company, has developed some of the best performing four bangers in terms of horsepower-per-liter, so the engineers had a lot of innovation at their fingertips. The package put together for the RDX is a 2.3-liter inline-four, complete with Honda’s i-VTEC variable valve timing and creating 240 hp at 6000 rpms and 260 ft-lbs of torque at 4500 rpm. Thanks to the addition of the turbocharger, it makes more torque than any other engine in Acura’s lineup — not a huge feat considering that most of Honda/Acura engines are devoid of any low-end grunt. The engine also features some economical innovations to keep the RDX’s price tag from skyrocketing, so when we found this engine on display at the Acura booth at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, we thought a closer look was in order. Follow the jump for an in-depth view with pictures from the display engine and Acura’s own renderings. (more…)

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

Well, if you’re reading this as it goes live on the site, that means you’re not out shopping on Black Friday like a maniac. Nice. Instead of dropping dough at the mall, why not think about what to do with all that oil left over from yourr deep-fried turkey (hint, it involves biodiesel) or turning a Mini into a piece of art.

• Thanksgiving thoughts: biodiesel from a deep-fried turkey
• Waiting for the diesel Accord? Check out the current Euro-spec Accord diesel
• LA Auto Show videos: Lohner Porsche, Hyundai’s QarmaQ
• PSA sends a Peugeot 307 Hybride to the Challenge Bibendum
• Doing it again: A Mini is becoming a piece of art
• What goes around comes around (as art) with the junk scooter
• Alfa Junior named “Furiosa”
• Australian Labor Party commits to $500 million in hybrid funding

Filed under: Motorsports

Those who have followed the post-Talladega Nights stream of Formula One refugees fleeing to NASCAR will be happy to learn that former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has been awarded Rookie of the Year in the Nextel Cup.

The announcement of Montoya’s citation comes right after the series’ season closer at Homestead, where Jimmie Johnson took the title after a hot season-long showdown with teammate and title rival Jeff Gordon.

Montoya becomes the fourth Rookie of the Year for Texaco/Havoline Racing, who, in their 21 years in NASCAR have also sponsored star newcomers Davey Allison (who got the award in 1987), Kenny Irwin, Jr. (1998) and Jamie McMurray (2003). Montoya’s award also calls to memory the Rookie of the Year award which fellow former F1 driver Robert Doornbos took this year in Champ Cars with Team Minardi USA, which likewise crossed the ocean to oval tracks for this past season. They’re coming for you, Ricky Bobby.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Chip Ganassi Racing]

Continue reading Montoya of the Year

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Assouline Publishing has created this treat just in time for the most wonderful time of the year. Racing Style pictorially celebrates the Goodwood Revival, which, in turn, is a modern day celebration of the cars that raced at Goodwood during the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, with modern drivers dressed in period clothing. (more…)

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Aston Martin, UK

With sales of Aston Martin’s existing sports and GT lineup continuing at a strong clip, the question of where to build the new Rapide four-door becomes more problematic. For a company that is still relatively low-volume (7,000 cars last year) like Aston, investing in tooling for more capacity is difficult. That’s where contract builders come to the rescue. Aston is reportedly talking to Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna-Steyr and Valmet about assembling the new car, with a decision due by the end of the year. Even though Aston Martin is one of the most quintessentially British brands, having one of these companies build the new car probably won’t hurt too much. They’ve assembled vehicles for the likes of Porsche, BMW and many others without doing much harm to their reputations. (more…)

Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet

The Corvette is no stranger to being used for pace car duty, having led racers around tracks like Indy countless times over the years. Come February, NASCAR will be staging its flagship Daytona 500 race for the fiftieth time, and the two-seater from Bowling Green will be making regular trips out the track to create the appearance of competition whenever an empty beer cup or stray hot dog wrapper lands on the racing surface. In honor of the anniversary status of next years race, the Z06 pace car will blind onlookers with a special, super-blingtastic gold paint job. (more…)

Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog

John McElroy is host of the TV program “Autoline Detroit”. Every week he’ll bring his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.

DRIVING A FUEL CELL EQUINOX
By John McElroy

I think I’m going to puke if I have to go to another auto show that promotes itself as the “greenest” of them all. These days, every auto show in the world claims to be more concerned about the environment than any of the others. And LA was no different. (more…)

Filed under: Auction Action, Pontiac

Hit the picture above for a high-res image.

A truly one-of-a-kind Pontiac popped up on eBay recently. The “Buy it Now” price of $1.3 million says it all. The car is a 1964 Pontiac Banshee Prototype XP-833 Coupe. It is one of two roadgoing Banshee prototype cars designed by John Delorean, although this particular offering is the only one left standing today. The deceased prototype was a white convertible powered by a V8. The existing XP-833 Coupe features a straight 6 cylinder overhead cam engine mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission and is claimed to weigh in at 2,200 lbs. The Banshee project was cancelled due to its encroachment on Corvette territory. However, it is apparent that Corvette engineers paid note to Delorean’s concept as future Vette models are stylistically similar. (more…)

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Police/Emergency, UK

For years it seems there was an unwritten code among law enforcement officers stating that you didn’t give a shield-wearing brother a speeding ticket unless his offense was really bad. Beyond bad, even. That doesn’t appear to be the case in the UK, as the chief constable of South Yorkshire has been cold busted going 90 in a 60 mph zone. Britain’s Med Hughes stepped down after the court hearing, but he states that his decision to walk away from his post of top traffic cop had nothing to do with his lead foot. To that we give a hearty, “Right-o, chap.” Of course as the chief constable, Mr. Hughes preached stringent speed enforcement. The now-defunct top traffic cop even lobbied for hidden speed cameras, which would keep speeds down while racking up big fine money for the department. If Mr. Hughes feels slighted or embarrassed, we’d like to welcome him to our club. As members, when we get tickets we pay the fine, collect the points, and generally suck it up. We’re sure he’ll find it all to be very novel. (more…)

Filed under: SUVs, Euro, Land Rover, UK

Click image to enlarge

Land Rover is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a UK-only special edition Defender 90 they’re calling the SVX. (No, it doesn’t look like a Subaru.) The SVX is a 200-vehicle limited edition (140 convertibles, 60 hardtops) that also happens to be the swankiest version of the short-wheelbase Defender yet. As evidence of this, note the bright metallic grille surround, clear lamps, silver roll cage and spiffy wheels. Inside, Recaros, an upgraded stereo (iPod cradle, subwoofer, etc.), Garmin navi, and alloy shift knobs continue the glitzification. Not to worry, though. Just because this Defender’s been to the haberdashery for some new duds and accessories doesn’t mean it’s any less capable. Like its more casually-attired kin, if the going gets rough (literally), it’s good to go. (more…)