Amazing Driving...Ford Fiesta Gymkhana

What a firebird looks like in a 100mph crash

Moral of the story, bridge posts don't budge.

Add this to the "Just when I thought I saw it all..." list you have going

All the details and pics on how this came about at AmCar Guide.

Mercedes S400 Hybrid

How does one keep a full size, 4,600 lb luxury sedan relevant when the next gas crunch comes? Mercedes has part of the answer for us, the S400 hybrid sedan. I tend to think they may be on the right track if you forget that the sell diesels in the EU that better the hybrids results.
(I'll save that whine for another time).

The full specs and costs can be found at the Mercedes web. Short of it is this 4,600 lb luxury sedan pulls down EPA number one expects from a standard issue midsized V6, not a full boat luxury car like the S Class.

They use a mild hybrid drive, based on the system they co-developed with BMW and GM for use in rear wheel drive applications. This hybrid uses a unique set of gears and similar to SVT technology in a 7 speed automatic transmission that includes an electric motor/generator. It is a mild hybrid in that the electric motor in this application generates power to assist the gasoline engine. This sort of application allows the electric motor to work at city as well as highway speeds and yields a 26% increase in fuel economy over the S550. Contrary to the normal nomenclature over at Mercedes the S400 doesn't use 4l V8, rather it is the tried and true 3.5L V6 typically seen in the C and E classes here. The end result is a rating of 19mpg city/26highway, about the same as the smaller C300.

Mercedes, through its investment in the Tesla group gained access to their lithium ion battery technology. This enabled Mercedes to house the battery pack under the hood, instead of in the trunk area such as we see in the Camry or Fusion when they are turned into hybrids. The result is no loss of trunk space, something that the S Class could ill afford as its trunk has only 16.4cu feet.

The S400 hybrid has unique to this market a "start stop" feature that helps the car achieve its EPA city number of 19mpg. When you roll to a stop and remain stopped for more than a few seconds the engine shuts off completely. It restarts the engine as soon as you take your foot off the brake and is ready to take off as soon as you press the gas. Nice touch that is making its way into more and more cars in the EU and only a matter of time before we see it adopted here. Certainly a big plus for those of us who deal with insufferably long red lights or sit in traffic on the freeway as part of our commutes.

The S400 starts out at just a hair under 88K and is equipped with all the toys one expects standard in a premium luxury car. Hitting the options list and adding the top end goodies can yield prices in excess of $110,000.

Driving: Its what you expect from an S Class, no fuss, no muss does what its told with no stress or strain. Total isolation in the compartment from the noise and bother of the outside world. Your personal cocoon. Not a bad place to visit, one I certainly could appreciate on a daily basis. Then the reality of my meager existence hits home and I remember that there are other cars nearly as capable for a fraction of the cost. Sigh.

This hybrid application is pretty slick. With the drive accessories all electric the cycling on and off of the engine for lights etc.,. is totally unobtrusive. The A/C continues to waft conditioned and filtered air through the cabin, music plays softly just like one expects from a car with the sort of reputation Mercedes is known for in the S Class. Releasing the brake you and stepping on the gas you do feel the engine kick in. Well kick is probably a bad choice of words, you are aware from the slightest of thumps the engine is back to life and ready to serve your menial commands on the gas pedal. I liked it.

BMW Concept Active X6

"Pig in lipstick"? I actually heard one journalist from an environmental publication refer to the BMW Active X6 Hybrid as just that. I have to admit I am in a bit of a quandary as to what to make of the entire genre of crossover vehicles with this basic shape from so many manufacturers. I get that you get the height of an SUV and practicality of a mini-van out of them, I'm just a not a huge fan of the shape regardless of whom is doing it. I can't even call it a cross-over as it is actually a "Sport Activity Vehicle" class that BMW invented. IT still looks like a cross-over with a shape so many have adapted, at least BMW gets credit for using it first.

What you do get from this SAV is BMW's version of the gas/hybrid co-developed with GM and Daimler for use in large rear wheel drive automobiles and trucks. It is a combination generator/motor that is incorporated into the transmission. The transmission is a hybrid in itself as it contains elements of a CVT with some fixed gear ratios for use primarily at highway speeds or when towing.

In the BMW X6 Active the hybrid system allows you to travel up to 35mph for about a mile on battery alone. At that point the Twin turbo 4.4l v8 flips on and takes over. Seemlessly might I add. The batter pack adds some 250 lbs to the already heavy (5400 lb) vehicle but provides a 20% increase in fuel efficiency for a rating of 17mpg city/19mpg highway. Not stellar numbers, but still a decent improvement over a non-hybrid model. This vehicle is actually the first application of the activeX technology that will eventually be rolled out to their 700 series. In the latter application the folks at BMW expect better numbers which will make the series more sustainable and relevant for the future.

For 90K what you get is a very well appointed BMW X6 that includes the hybrid technology. There are still ample options to purchase that can up your price even further the addition of things like the cold weather package, ventilated seats and other items that easily make it into the mid-90's. Definitely a premium automobile. Definitely in the rarified price points out of reach for most car buyers, then again this isn't intended to be a car for the masses.

Driving. Wow, the system is really seemless. The engine actually is off until needed due to speed or reduced charge in the battery as the accessories such as A/C, power steering and brakes are electronically operated. It does take a light foot to move forward without kicking in the twin turbocharged 4.4L V8. Doing so does reward you with an eerily silent driving experience.

Of course stepping on it gives you near instaneous silky smooth V8 power rushes that tempt you to not be a hypermiler but a driver.

Driving dynamics are what you expect from a BWM. Good balanced ride and a car that goes where you point it where you point it with no drama. No noticeable lean or dipping into turns or around corners, nice and level. Not a bad accomplishment for a car that travels at mini-van heights.

The X6 is beautifully built. All top notch goodies one expects in this class and price point where there. Not a niggle insight for me to complain about.

The rear seat is useable, comfortable even for this 6 foot tall large framed guy. Headroom is a little compromised with the swooping roofline. Not that I hit my head on the roof, but you are aware it is lower than what you normally expect in a large BMW. Of course that isn't an issue in the front seat and who even notices when you are in the drivers seat with a powerful V8 underfoot?

For more information on the vehicle specs visit BMW direct.

So Bob Lutz steps in as Keynote Speaker after todays GM Turmoil

When I first heard the news Fritz Henderson was kaput over at GM as the CEO I wondered what/who was going to take over as keynote speaker for this years LA Auto Show. Within a couple of hours this hit my inbox. I can't help but wonder if maybe Bob Lutz will be given his old role with the departure of Henderson. Maybe?

Luckiest man alive - dragster solo crash

Fortunately the producers of this video took the time to do a slo-mo backwards and point out exactly how lucky the man was. Being tossed out of a rolling wreck and surviving to tell the tale is luck in itself, to be able to stand up while the vehicle is still rolling is outright amazing. Just how fragile is the human body I have to ask myself when I see stuff like this happen.