Hello AUTOcrats! Here is a partial photo of a car we drove today. The review will come soon. Can you guess what it is?
Audi R8 Take Off!
Here is a fun video to watch featuring an Audi R8 flying down a road in Europe. http://youtu.be/W2sCEyruLQY
Drifting Camaro? Sure, we’ll take one!
Mikko Viitalia is a Pro Drift driver from Finland, and based off of the video below — he has quite a bit of talent. Driving a 1978 Camaro Z28 which has the front clip of a 1970 Camaro, he carves those turns like it’s nothing. Hearing the roar of his Camaro’s 6.2L LS3 engine (originally from a 2010 Corvette) in a drift car is crazy — considering how we’re used to import tuner drift cars. We can get used to this!
Video from YouTube user MantaAR6.
We Are In “Business”
We have finally received our business cards! What do you think?
SAVE THE DATE! 50’s and 60’s Classic Car Show and Doo Wop
Did you grow up in the 50’s and 60’s? Are you a classic car and music fan? We have the event for you, so save the date! Richard Nader and his Doo Wop group will be performing on June 1, 2013 in East Rutherford, NJ at 7pm at the IZOD Center.
Prior to the Doo Wop, starting at 3pm there will be a classic car show in the parking lot of the IZOD Center, featuring all the classics from the 50s and 60s. Do you have a classic car from the 50s and 60s? Go to this site, http://www.richardnader.com/events/2013-shows/060113-2.html to enter your car and show it off!
The Lincoln Motor Company: 2013 Lincoln MKZ
The Lincoln Motor Company is banking on the 2013 MKZ to be a bright spot in their line up. From the new looks to the state-of-the-art technology, the new MKZ could be a big hit. The MKZ is one of the first steps to reestablishing the name for Lincoln and becoming, once again, a luxury car name. The new MKZ rides on the same platform as the Ford Fusion but it looks nowhere near the same. From the past, we all know if you take off the badge, you couldn’t tell the difference between the two companies.
The first change people will notice about the MKZ is definitely the new style. The split grille takes on a look from the older Zephyr models. The full-width taillight panel is equipped with LED lights and the new glass roof has a front portion that slides back over the rear window.
The MKZ has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and also comes in a hybrid model. One major difference between this and the Fusion, is that there is a third engine option offered, which is an Ecoboost V6 giving out 300 horsepower. Enjoy the video below and browse through the pictures of the new MKZ.
Video Courtesy of The Lincoln Motor Company
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- The newly refined lines of the signature Lincoln split-wing grille integrate seamlessly with the headlamps and flow with the contours of the hood to create a unified, modern design. The sleek grille says in dynamic fashion how fluid the aerodynamic shape of the Lincoln MKZ is, promoting higher efficiency and reducing wind noise.
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- Available hands-free active park assist is one of the many driver-assisting technologies available in the Lincoln MKZ. Active park assist uses ultrasonic sensors to help take the dread out of parallel parking. Simply press a button and the sensors will locate a suitable parking space. Active park assist operates the steering wheel, while you stay in control of the accelerating, braking and shifting.
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- The Lincoln MKZ offers three engine choices. A V6 for the performance-minded, a hybrid that’s the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle in America*, and the innovative EcoBoost® providing the best of both worlds.
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- Whether you’re driving on dry pavement, snow, mud or gravel, you’ll feel confident knowing your Lincoln MKZ offers Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD). That’s because AWD constantly monitors road conditions and automatically distributes engine torque to the wheels having the most traction. AWD is optional with the 2.0L EcoBoost® and 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 engines.
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- There’s nothing else quite like the available retractable panoramic roof. It’s so expansive, like the sky it reveals, you might think you’re riding in a convertible.
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- Dual bright exhaust tips are integrated into the fascia, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of this fine luxury sedan.
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- The available ambient lighting feature lets you select from a palette of seven colors to illuminate the door trim panels, the front door handles and map pockets, cupholders, footwells and console pass-through.
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- Innovative technologies like SYNC® with MyLincoln Touch™ are seamlessly integrated into the instrument panel dash trimmed in genuine wood. SYNC with MyLincoln Touch lets you personalize your driving experience from entertainment to climate with simple voice commands, touch-screen controls or customizable cluster screens controlled by steering wheel-mounted buttons.
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- Available inflatable rear safety belts help distribute crash force energy across more of the torso than a traditional belt, which reduces the risk of injury while supporting the head and neck.
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- Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control provides personalized comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger, with separate heating/cooling settings available to satisfy each individual’s needs.
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- Intelligent Access with push-button start is standard in Lincoln MKZ. With the key in your pocket, purse or briefcase, just open the driver’s door. Once inside, press the brake pedal and then the start button, shift into gear and go. It’s so easy and convenient, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.
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- No matter the time of year, hot or cold, enjoy the exceptional comfort of climate-controlled front seats with three individual temperature settings.
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- Rear passengers don’t have to take a back seat when it comes to comfort. Heated seats are optional for rear outboard seat occupants. The leather-trimmed seats have adjustable head restraints and a large center fold-down armrest with two cupholders.
Photos courtesy of The Lincoln Motor Company
Check out our new Facebook page!
We’ve been working real hard (until 3am! OK, maybe not that late) to bring you our Facebook page — a place where you can share YOUR photos, YOUR ideas, and YOUR opinions about anything cars. We’ll have all of our galleries on there — even the behind the scenes photos that you won’t see here on the blog. Be sure to check it out and tell your friends. Right now, we’re busy populating it with all of our past stories, but stay tuned for more exclusive content!
(and here’s a picture of the new Porsche 911 GT3 because, why not?)
Photo from NY Daily News
2013 Kia Optima SXL Review
Kia has truly come along way — first being known as the economy car, now to being known as a top-of-the-line luxury car. The 2013 Kia Optima was everything we thought it was going to be, plus so much more. The SXL we had from Tenafly Kia was the best model you could get and it had everything in it but the kitchen sink.
Our test vehicle was equipped with unique design 18″ chrome wheels, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, LED tail lights, LED daytime running lights and the UVO eServices Infotainment System with Voice-Command Navigation mated to an 8″ display with Sirius radio. It also had a push-button start with a smart key, Infinity Surround Sound Audio System with 8 speakers, amplifier and subwoofer. It also has heated and ventilated front leather seats. All of these top-notch features gave the car a luxury feel and we feel that there was nothing Kia left out of this car.
The Optima SXL has a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, producing 274 horsepower & 269 ft-lb of torque, hooked up to a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with tiptronic and paddle shifters. Weighing in at 3,385 lbs, the turbocharged 4-cylinder pushed the car to 60 from 0 in just over 6 seconds, which we thought was pretty quick. The Optima also features an ECO-mode which helps the car achieve a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
Pros: A luxurious sports sedan, we thought the Optima SXL was very stylish. The features were a lot better than expected. The amount of technology in the car, from a touch screen voice command navigation, Bluetooth and AUX & USB iPod hookup, was very impressive. When at a rolling start, the pick-up of the turbocharged 4-cylinder was noteworth–we both thought it felt like a high-performance V6. The car values for about 35grand which is no doubt a big bang for your buck.
Cons: Because it’s front-wheel-drive, under normal acceleration patterns, the Optima sometimes struggled to gain traction.
QUICK FACTS:
Base Price: $26,800 || Price as Tested: $35,570
Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, FWD, 5-passenger, 4-door Sport Sedan
Engine: 2.0L, 274-hp, 269-lb-ft. turbocharged 4-cylinder || Transmission: 6-speed electronically-controlled Sportmatic
Curb Weight: 3,385 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 190.7/72/57.3 inches
0-60: 6.6 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 22/34 mpg
RATING: 8.8/10
Exterior: 9
Interior: 9
Acceleration: 8
Braking: 8
Ride: 8
Handling: 9
Gearbox: 9
Audio: 9
Tech: 9
Value: 9
A big thank you goes to Tenafly Kia — ranked in the top 3 Kia dealerships nationwide for Customer Sales Satisfaction. For all of your Kia needs, speak to Keith Yasso at Tenafly Kia and tell them Greg and Dave sent you. Check them out at www.tenaflykia.com.
The Cars of NCIS:LA
If you’ve seen CBS’ NCIS:LA, you know the cars Callen, Sam, Kensi & Deeks drive are pretty bold for federal agents. We’re here to take you through a tour of the cars the characters drive, just in time for tonight’s all-new episode at 9/8c on CBS!
Sam Hanna’s Challenger SRT8
Callen’s new Jaguar XKR-S
Callen’s older XKR
Kensi’s SRX (which Deeks often drives)
Kensi’s older SRX from past seasons
Callen’s Aston Martin Rapide
Callen’s S550 which was sadly destroyed
The Ford Excursion is used for recon missions
Also, check out this video featuring NCIS:LA‘s Executive Producer and Director, John Kousakis, talk about the cars featured on the show.
All photos are from the Internet Car Movie Database.
Lamborghini Veneno: 3.9 Million Reasons to Check It Out
With the Geneva Motor Show barely underway, Lamborghini has already left everyone speechless. Lamborghini has debuted the new Veneno and to add to Lamborghini’s already present exclusivity, they will only be producing three cars. All three Venenos will take on the colors of grey metallic paint, but each will have a different accent color of red, white, or green representing the colors of Italy’s national flag. The Veneno is named after a bull that killed a matador during a fight in 1914.
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- Photos courtesy of Lamborghini
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- Photos courtesy of Lamborghini
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- Photos courtesy of Lamborghini
This exotic machine will hit the road featuring a 6.5-liter V12 pounding out 740 horsepower — we repeat, 740 horsepower! The Veneno is said to have a top speed of 221 mph, racing from 0-60 in under 3 seconds. Some advances were also made to the seven-speed single-clutch transmission, all-wheel-drive system, and pushrod suspension system. As well as to achieve such power Lamborghini made larger intake paths, improved thermodynamics and tweaked the exhaust system.
With the Veneno looking like a track-only car, Lamborghini says it is without a doubt street legal. Seeing one of these beasts on your local road will most likely be next to impossible since they are so limited, with each carrying a price tag of about $3.9 million. One last thing, if you are thinking about purchasing this exotic beauty, you can’t because all three have already been sold!
The Autocracy 