Why Hollywood’s top car ad director bolts his cameras to a Ford Raptor

Tim Damon grew up in Detroit, in the heyday of the muscle car and Motor City madness, when his neighbors would bring home the latest big-block Mustang or Trans-Am for the weekend. Today, Damon works in Los Angeles as the go-to director for automotive advertising — and his drive to find the perfect shot of a car has led him to help build a level of equipment unique in the industry. When you need to mount a camera on a boom arm that can travel off-road at 60 mph, only a Ford SVT Raptor will do.

After graduating from Detroit's College of Creative Studies, Damon built a career as a photographer, cinematographer and eventually director. While he's shot more than 100 commercials, his footage can be seen in hundreds of other projects for automakers and other clients. It's not just a business; Damon's car enthusiasm extends to his own collection, which includes everything from a high-output Cadillac CTS-V to the first car he owned, a '67 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible.

That Detroit grounding, Damon says, makes him particular about capturing a car's design with precision, a task that's only grown more important in the digital era.

"Every time I put a lens on a car I know it has to be perfect, because it's going to live a long time," Damon says. "I take every shot very seriously...it isn't like the old days when there was a body change or grille change every year. There’s stuff of mine that’s five or six years old that I see in new ads."

But to get the shots he needs, Damon needs cameras that can move as fast as the cars he's capturing. As a partner in Camera Car Systems, Damon and associates have designed and built a fleet of vehicles to shoot cars in motion, from a Porsche Cayenne to a Polaris Ranger, a four-wheel ATV with a 40 mph top speed. All of the vehicles use custom-designed crane arms and three-axis, gyro-stabilized camera mounts controlled by a joystick in the vehicle that can pan, zoom and tilt cameras over rough terrain while keeping the shot steady.

Yet all of those vehicles still didn't cover Damon's demands, namely something that could travel at high speed off-road. The solution: a Ford SVT Raptor, painted as all the camera cars are in matte black to cut any reflections on the star vehicle. Using a stock, 411-hp Raptor, Damon's team added a few modifications — from a tougher suspension and skid plates to a rubber flap that hangs across the entire back bumper to keep dust from kicking back into rear-facing shots.

With the Raptor, "I can do stuff on road, off-road — it gives me a huge range," Damon says, "whereas if I have the (Mercedes) ML or Cayenne, I can’t go off-road, or even use all of the road if I have to go on the shoulder." In the commercial above for the Ford Fusion via Jalopnik, Damon used the Raptor on Mulholland Drive while "Top Gear" host Tanner Foust tossed the sedan around corners. "That Fusion was much faster than I thought it'd be," says Damon, who ordered up some more power on the Raptor after the shoot.

Many car enthusiasts of Damon's vintage complain that modern machines lack the grace and style of the classics. Not Damon, who says today's cars are as beautiful as they have been in decades. "In the '60s and '70s, we had this amazing car culture where designers were pushing the envelope, and then all of a sudden we went into a 30-year hold where the bean-counters destroyed design.

"The vehicles right now are so pretty," he adds. "My job is way easier."

Source: Yahoo!

Car Tech Spotlight: 2013 VW GLI’s iPod plug problems

The use of a proprietary cable and connection for iPod integration is a telltale sign of how automakers are typically behind the technology curve compared with most consumer electronics devices. It's also an indication of how long it takes automakers to implement the latest tech trends and ditch outdated ones.

For example, whereas most of the industry has moved on the more universal USB port, a few holdouts still remain, including Volkswagen. The 2014 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn with Nav model I recently tested had a proprietary iPod cable in the center console storage compartment.

As you can see in the photo above, the short length of the iPod cable caused my iPhone to dangle over the cupholders in the center console. It's meant to be stowed in the armrest storage bin, but if you do that, you can't access the phone at all.

While this is a small annoyance, at least I own an iPhone, so I’m not shut out from having a way to plug in my device.

If you own an Android, BlackBerry or Windows device, you’re relegated to the aux-in jack in the dash or to transmitting audio wirelessly via Bluetooth. In both cases you have to use the controls on the device rather than on the car’s touch screen, which can be more distracting.

While swapping a proprietary iPod cable for a USB port may be something that an automaker like VW may not be able to address until the next design cycle, it could at least make the cord a little longer.

And it's better than VW's other method of storing the cable for an Apple device in the glove box, as pictured below.

Source: MSN

UAW Benefits Trust to Sell GM Stock Options, Adding $171M to Fund

Consider the following, and see if it makes any sense outside of Wall Street: If you give me some money today, you might be able to make more money in the future. The odds are pretty grim, and even if you do make money, it’s not going to be very much. I’d like $171 million, please. Today’s announcement from the United Auto Workers VEBA, the financial trust established in 2009 to handle pensions for retired GM, Ford, and Chrysler workers, follows suit.

The VEBA will sell off 45.4 million options to buy GM stock, even though—ready for the kicker?—the options are to buy GM stock at a price way above its current value. Because they’re offered by GM directly, the options are actually called “warrants,” and guarantee the holder the right to buy GM stock at $42.31 per share at any point before the end of 2015.

With GM opening at $36.01 today, there would be no reason to exercise the warrants now, unless your backward mantra is to buy high and sell low. But there are some speculative investors willing to buy the stock warrants, hoping GM’s stock continues the upward trend it’s taken this year. If the stock price passes $42.31 per share, the warrants themselves become profitable. But the warrants themselves were, today, priced at $3.85 apiece. That puts the magic number north of $46.16. Simply stated, in the next 16 months GM would need to become about 30-percent more valuable than it is today for buyers of the UAW’s warrants to make money.

• 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 – Instrumented Test
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• Instrumented Test: 2013 Chevrolet Spark Manual Hatchback

But we live in a world of risky investments and over-the-counter derivatives—the latter essentially are investment insurance for banks, hedge funds, and big-time businesses. The UAW and GM probably will be able to shift all 45.4 million warrants today. It’s a very smart move. If the sale is successful, the VEBA pick up $171 million in cash now, and whether GM’s stock rises enough by the 2015 deadline to make those warrants worth something is someone else’s problem. Whether General Motors stock rises in general, though, remains the VEBA’s problem; it still owns 10 percent of the automaker.

Source: CarAndDriver

March 28: Ford goes into the bomber-building business on this date in 1941

Courtesy The Henry Ford's photostream / Flickr

On this date in 1941, soon after the U.S. entered WWII, Ford Motor Company began construction of the Willow Run factory to mass produce B-24 Liberator bombers. Despite early quality problems, the factory was eventually producing one B-24 per hour.

Source: Yahoo!

Armadillo-T electric vehicle concept folds up for easy storage

 

 

 

From postwar Packards to Beetles old and new, there are no shortage of cars that vaguely resemble the armadillo.

 

Yet none, so far as we know, have mastered the shelled mammal's impressive vertical leap -- and none possess that oh-so-armadillian trait, the ability to curl up into a little protective ball.

 

Not more than once, anyway.

 

Apparently finding this lack of armadillo-ness to be the main factor holding us back from a future of efficient transportation, a group of researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology spent gobs of money on a very, very special prototype.

 

Yes, the Armadillo-T has hit the scene, and nothing will ever be the same. It doesn't jump, but according to the Wall Street Journal, the prototype EV starts off small (about the size of a smart car) and gets smaller, reducing its overall length to just 65 inches after parking. That means you can fit three of the neatly packaged parcels in the footprint of one standard parked car.

 

You might be wondering what happens if the car folds up with the occupant inside. A smartphone activation system is supposed to prevent that from happening, but the very nature of the transition from road-mode to storage-mode -- the rear of the vehicle flips up and to sit on top of, and partially enclose, the passenger pod -- means that locking your friend inside and initiating the transformation probably won't result in a busted spine.

 

And speaking of transformations, we guess the dual nature of the Armadillo-T technically makes it a capital-T Transformer, but its aesthetics -- and lack of weaponry -- leave us a bit cold. Maybe project leader Professor Suh's people could talk to Michael Bay's people and work up something more intimidating for Armadillo-T2: Production Version.

 

Anyway, forget about the car's golf cart-like looks and stance for a moment: This is (one more) prototype for a real, transforming car that has at least a ghost of a chance of entering production. Its mode of operation is different than the ones employed on the Renault Zoom concept MIT's Hiriko/CityCar project, which could possibly make it more viable to build and sell. At the very least, it's interesting to watch it in action.

 

Push the technology a bit further and there's no telling what'll happen: We imagine a family sedan that folds down to the size of a suitcase will remain out of reach, but maybe we can get an S-Class that tucks into a nice leather steamer trunk.

 

 

-- Graham Kozak

 

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Source: MSN

Spyker launches another comeback with the B6 Venator concept

Things haven’t gone to plan for Spyker as of late. The Dutch manufacturer's failed in its attempts to rescue Saab, and has since been planning its own comeback from a limbo of limited production, financial uncertainty and general questions about its existence. This return to the headlines comes in the form of a two-door, mid-engined sports car called the B6 Venator Concept — a machine, Spyker says, it will ship to the United States in the fall of 2014.

The name Venator is Latin for "hunter," giving a nod to the “Hunter” fighter aircraft that the original Spyker firm built early in the 20^th century. It is equipped with a 375-hp V-6 engine meshed to a six-speed automatic gearbox, with a carbon-fiber body bolted to an aluminum chassis.

Aesthetically, the B6 Venator shines. The grille mesh is V-shaped, referencing Spyker models of old, and giant air scoops sit above the rear fender-flares. It looks simple, yet elegant. Clean, yet fast. Weighing little over 3,000 lbs. it isn’t exactly featherweight, but it certainly isn’t heavy either, meaning it will most definitely deliver a sizeable punch.

The handcrafted B6 Venator Concept will be priced around $125,000 to $150,000, and is Spyker’s CEO Victor R. Muller’s attempt at proving their company motto correct: “Nulla tenaci invia est via” – “For the tenacious no road is impassable.” If Spyker can actually build the Venator — as it has not done with previous European concepts — and can sell them in volume amid the Porsches and AMGs of the world, then its motto will have been well-earned.

Source: Yahoo!

Car Tech Spotlight: 2013 VW GLI’s iPod plug problems

The use of a proprietary cable and connection for iPod integration is a telltale sign of how automakers are typically behind the technology curve compared with most consumer electronics devices. It's also an indication of how long it takes automakers to implement the latest tech trends and ditch outdated ones.

For example, whereas most of the industry has moved on the more universal USB port, a few holdouts still remain, including Volkswagen. The 2014 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn with Nav model I recently tested had a proprietary iPod cable in the center console storage compartment.

As you can see in the photo above, the short length of the iPod cable caused my iPhone to dangle over the cupholders in the center console. It's meant to be stowed in the armrest storage bin, but if you do that, you can't access the phone at all.

While this is a small annoyance, at least I own an iPhone, so I’m not shut out from having a way to plug in my device.

If you own an Android, BlackBerry or Windows device, you’re relegated to the aux-in jack in the dash or to transmitting audio wirelessly via Bluetooth. In both cases you have to use the controls on the device rather than on the car’s touch screen, which can be more distracting.

While swapping a proprietary iPod cable for a USB port may be something that an automaker like VW may not be able to address until the next design cycle, it could at least make the cord a little longer.

And it's better than VW's other method of storing the cable for an Apple device in the glove box, as pictured below.

Source: MSN

2014 Toyota 4Runner deploys with sharp edges

The genus of truck-framed sport utility vehicles has sharply declined in recent years, as consumers favor the soft-riding, more efficient car-based models rather than ones which still provide a modicum of off-road and towing prowess. So when an automaker like Toyota updates an older model like the 4Runner for 2014 with all new bodywork and interior, it should be taken as a vote of confidence for those who like their trucks to have a little toughness.

But then you see it, and much like the controversial new Jeep Cherokee, you can't unsee it.

Toyota tweaked the mechanical pieces of the 4Runner, but didn't dilute them; there's still a 5-speed automatic mated to either a pure rear-wheel-drive setup or an optional four-by-four (not all-wheel-drive) with locking center differential. All of which is still powered by the 270-hp V-6, strong enough to score a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. That lack of changes also means only a one mile-per-gallon increase in highway fuel economy for the 4Runner to 22 or 23 mpg depending on drivetrain; the city ratings remain at 17 mpg for all versions.

Inside, passengers get up-to-date seat materials, a more pleasant cabin with softer surfaces and a modern version of the Toyota in-dash computer. Which they should enjoy, because it saves them from having to look at the front of the new 4Runner, an odd collision of angles and scoops that appear inspired by an angry largemouth bass. Those fish need that gullet to thrive in a variety of habitats; making the 4Runner stand out on the road may be Toyota's similar strategy for the 4Runner's survival.

Source: Yahoo!

Car Tech Spotlight: 2013 VW GLI’s iPod plug problems

The use of a proprietary cable and connection for iPod integration is a telltale sign of how automakers are typically behind the technology curve compared with most consumer electronics devices. It's also an indication of how long it takes automakers to implement the latest tech trends and ditch outdated ones.

For example, whereas most of the industry has moved on the more universal USB port, a few holdouts still remain, including Volkswagen. The 2014 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn with Nav model I recently tested had a proprietary iPod cable in the center console storage compartment.

As you can see in the photo above, the short length of the iPod cable caused my iPhone to dangle over the cupholders in the center console. It's meant to be stowed in the armrest storage bin, but if you do that, you can't access the phone at all.

While this is a small annoyance, at least I own an iPhone, so I’m not shut out from having a way to plug in my device.

If you own an Android, BlackBerry or Windows device, you’re relegated to the aux-in jack in the dash or to transmitting audio wirelessly via Bluetooth. In both cases you have to use the controls on the device rather than on the car’s touch screen, which can be more distracting.

While swapping a proprietary iPod cable for a USB port may be something that an automaker like VW may not be able to address until the next design cycle, it could at least make the cord a little longer.

And it's better than VW's other method of storing the cable for an Apple device in the glove box, as pictured below.

Source: MSN

Bugatti Offers First of Six Ultra-Low-Volume Veyron Legend Special Editions

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has been on the market for eight years now, but we can’t say we’ve grown tired of it yet. In its most recent iteration, the Grand Sport Vitesse, it’s actually the fastest roadster on the planet—recently setting an open-top speed record of 254.04 mph on Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track. Now Volkswagen’s ultra-luxury subsidiary is offering the Bugatti Legend Jean-Pierre Wimille, a model designation that masks the fact that it’s actually an elaborately made-up Grand Sport Vitesse.

Name That Shifter, No. 141: 1959 Austin 850 (Mini)

On Monday, we presented this week’s shifter and asked you to identify the make and model of the vehicle whence it came. No one correctly identified the shifter as an Austin 850′s four-speed stick, though one commenter came close with a guess that the shifter belongs to an Austin-Healey Sprite.

The 850 pictured here is from our June 1960 issue, and you probably know it better as the original Mini. The 850 was the first Mini iteration sold here, and measuring in at just 10 feet long, it was quite different from the American vehicular norm at the time. The transverse engine layout, space-efficient interior, and innovative suspension laid the blueprint for modern compact cars, while also returning fun driving dynamics. But it wasn’t quick: Strapped to 1610 pounds of 850, the 37-hp, 0.85-liter four-cylinder needed nearly 30 seconds to reach 60 mph.

Source: CarAndDriver

2014 Dodge Durango Prices Announced: More Features and Cogs, Starting at $30,790

A surfeit of standard features and an enhanced powertrain lineup headline the changes made to the 2014 Dodge Durango. The manufacturer announced today that the starting price of its mid-size, three-row sport-ute will remain the same as last year’s, at $30,790.

The big news for the ’14 Durango, as we previously reported, revolves around a styling refresh and the addition of an eight-speed automatic transmission to both the V-6 and V-8 models. LED-based wraparound taillights, in the style of the Charger and the Dart, make their debut for 2014, as do projector-beam headlights and fog lights. An upgraded center stack brightens the interior, centered around a five-inch touch screen. Durango offers standard seating for seven with three rows of seats.

All-wheel drive remains optional across the model line, and V-6 Durangos thusly equipped also sport a transfer case; V-8 models utilize an on-demand system. Towing capacities for the 2014 model are unchanged: rear-drive V-6 Durangos can pull up to 6200 pounds; all-wheel-drive V-8 Durangos manage 7200 pounds, while rear-drive V-8s can muster 7400 pounds.

• Instrumented Test: 2011 Dodge Durango R/T
• Instrumented Test: 2011 Dodge Durango Crew V-6
• Comparison Test: 2011 Dodge Durango vs. 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Honda Pilot

The Durango will be available in five trim levels, with features as follows:

SXT: $30,790; standard features include a 290-hp 3.6-liter V-6, an eight-speed automatic transmission, LED taillamps, 18-inch “Tech-Silver” aluminum wheels, a five-inch UConnect screen, and a seven-inch TFT reconfigurable digital gauge cluster.

Rallye: $33,985; adds to SXT with a dual exhaust good for 5 extra horsepower, a body-color grille, black interior trim, 20-inch black wheels, and black head lamp surrounds–get the idea? Captain’s chairs for the second row and Uconnect with an 8.4-inch center touch-screen display are optional.

Limited: $36,990; new for 2014, the Limited has all the standard features of the SXT, save for the 18-inch wheels—which have been swapped out for a different set of 18-inchers. LED daytime running lights, parking-assist technology, heated leather seats, and the aforementioned Uconnect with center touch screen are standard. The 360-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with trick cylinder deactivation, matched with an eight-speed automatic, is optional.

R/T: $39,990; features the Hemi V-8 as standard, a 506-watt audio system, as well as the Rallye’s 20-inch wheels and body treatment. The interior boasts standard leather with red stitching, heated front- and second-row seats, the 8.4-inch Uconnect with touch screen, and a heated steering wheel wrapped in leather. The R/T’s ride height is lower by 0.8 inch, giving it a sporty stance.

Citadel: $41,990; takes the features of the Limited and adds nappa leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a power liftgate. Also standard are Uconnect with voice command navigation and live streaming internet radio, and remote start. On the exterior, the Citadel features a unique grille with a chrome surround and 20-inch wheels in a style separate from the Rallye and R/T models. The V-6 engine is standard, and the V-8 is optional.

While we haven’t yet put the 2014 Durango through our paces, we’re optimistic that the improvements to the powertrain and the extra standard goodies are worth the wait, based on our test of the updated Jeep Grand Cherokee. It remains to be seen, however, if Dodge has created a competitor worthy of cannibalizing GC sales.

Source: CarAndDriver

Escort through autumn: Flickr photo of the day

Today's shot of a European Ford Escort by Paul Wardropper Photography comes from the Motoramic group on Flickr; you can add your photos there, or send us a message via Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Source: Yahoo!

Car Tech Spotlight: 2013 VW GLI’s iPod plug problems

The use of a proprietary cable and connection for iPod integration is a telltale sign of how automakers are typically behind the technology curve compared with most consumer electronics devices. It's also an indication of how long it takes automakers to implement the latest tech trends and ditch outdated ones.

For example, whereas most of the industry has moved on the more universal USB port, a few holdouts still remain, including Volkswagen. The 2014 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn with Nav model I recently tested had a proprietary iPod cable in the center console storage compartment.

As you can see in the photo above, the short length of the iPod cable caused my iPhone to dangle over the cupholders in the center console. It's meant to be stowed in the armrest storage bin, but if you do that, you can't access the phone at all.

While this is a small annoyance, at least I own an iPhone, so I’m not shut out from having a way to plug in my device.

If you own an Android, BlackBerry or Windows device, you’re relegated to the aux-in jack in the dash or to transmitting audio wirelessly via Bluetooth. In both cases you have to use the controls on the device rather than on the car’s touch screen, which can be more distracting.

While swapping a proprietary iPod cable for a USB port may be something that an automaker like VW may not be able to address until the next design cycle, it could at least make the cord a little longer.

And it's better than VW's other method of storing the cable for an Apple device in the glove box, as pictured below.

Source: MSN

Oct. 24: Prize fighter Jack Johnson loses race to Barney Oldfield on this date in 1910

Such was the animus toward black Americans in 1910 that when racer Barney Oldfield agreed to a  three-heat race against retired boxer and African-American raconteur Jack Johnson, the American Automobile Association not only denied a license to Johnson -- necessary to make the race official at the time -- but threatened to suspend Oldfield's license if the race went through. Given the nature of both men to never back down from a challenge, and the $5,000 the two had wagered, the AAA's decision only ensured the even would go as planned. On this date that year, the two raced on a dirt track in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, with Oldfield winning easily in the first two heats. "No more of that automobile racing for Jack Johnson," the fighter reportedly said. "I may be able to drive a car fast on a straight road, but I never will take any chances on the turns like Oldfield does." Oldfield would lose his license for two years, but never his search for speed:

Source: Yahoo!

Next-Gen Nissan Titan Could Be a Real Player with New Diesel V-8

After several years of middling sales, a breakup with Dodge, and an eleventh-hour return to square one, Nissan’s Titan program has often seemed just an “i” and a “c” short from a more fitting name. And then Nissan announced that the next-generation Titan will be available with a 5.0-liter turbo-diesel V-8 made by Cummins. Okay, Nissan. Now this is compelling.

The all-new engine will give the Titan more than 300 horsepower and well beyond 500 lb-ft of torque—enough that Nissan probably will be peddling the torquiest light-duty truck in America. Nissan also will be selling one of only two diesel light-duty pickups in the country, too. (The second is none other than the Ram 1500, which launches with a 250-hp, 420-lb-ft diesel V-6 later this year.) If the halfway-to-heavy-duty frame from the NV van ends up beneath the Titan, as we’ve heard it will, Nissan could have a very competitive pickup truck. The only downside here is that a 5.0-liter V-8 is a nonstarter in a compact pickup, so there’s no chance of seeing it in a future Frontier.

A certain irony colors this whole affair. The second-generation Titan was supposed to be on the road by now—and would be, had Chrysler not gone bankrupt in 2009 and canceled its agreement to rebadge the Ram for Nissan. Here we are in 2013, Nissan is almost done with its in-house-developed Titan, and the Ram parallels are abundant. Nissan will offer a diesel V-8 developed by Cummins, which also supplies the diesel engine in the heavy-duty Rams. The only other light-duty truck in the U.S. offering a diesel engine for now is the Ram 1500—and that has a V-6, developed by the Italian firm VM Motori. The guy starring in the promotional videos Nissan released for this Cummins deal is named Fred Diaz; he’s Nissan’s head of sales and marketing. Diaz’s previous job? CEO of Ram Trucks. Nissan poached him this April after Carlos Ghosn said the company needed to approach the American pickup market more seriously.

• Long-Term Road Test: 2013 Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4
• Instrumented Test: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L 4×4 Crew Cab
• First Drive Review: 2014 Toyota Tundra

Even though Nissan hasn’t announced the new Titan’s release date, we expect it to arrive in the second half of 2014 as a 2015 model. For more intel on the upcoming Titan, take a look at our previous coverage here, here, and here.

Source: CarAndDriver

Car Tech Spotlight: 2013 VW GLI’s iPod plug problems

The use of a proprietary cable and connection for iPod integration is a telltale sign of how automakers are typically behind the technology curve compared with most consumer electronics devices. It's also an indication of how long it takes automakers to implement the latest tech trends and ditch outdated ones.

For example, whereas most of the industry has moved on the more universal USB port, a few holdouts still remain, including Volkswagen. The 2014 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn with Nav model I recently tested had a proprietary iPod cable in the center console storage compartment.

As you can see in the photo above, the short length of the iPod cable caused my iPhone to dangle over the cupholders in the center console. It's meant to be stowed in the armrest storage bin, but if you do that, you can't access the phone at all.

While this is a small annoyance, at least I own an iPhone, so I’m not shut out from having a way to plug in my device.

If you own an Android, BlackBerry or Windows device, you’re relegated to the aux-in jack in the dash or to transmitting audio wirelessly via Bluetooth. In both cases you have to use the controls on the device rather than on the car’s touch screen, which can be more distracting.

While swapping a proprietary iPod cable for a USB port may be something that an automaker like VW may not be able to address until the next design cycle, it could at least make the cord a little longer.

And it's better than VW's other method of storing the cable for an Apple device in the glove box, as pictured below.

Source: MSN

Electric cars lose 30 percent of value after one year, NADA says

If you’re looking to sell or trade in a used plug-in hybrid or electric car, prepare to take a major hit on depreciation.

According to a report from the National Association of Automobile Dealers, plug-in vehicles perform considerably worse at resale than regular hybrids or gasoline-powered cars do.

In 2012, NADA estimated that all plug-in vehicles lost nearly a third of their value in one year (the average depreciation was 31.5 percent). By comparison, similar regular hybrids like the Toyota Prius and gas-powered cars such as the Honda Civic saw significantly lower depreciation rates of 14.0 percent and 12.4, respectively – or less than half that of pricier plug-in hybrids and electric cars. 

NADA predicted that the depreciation rate of plug-in EVs will improve only slightly over the next two years -- down to 29.7 percent in 2013 and 27.4 percent in 2014. But the organization said in the report that it expects “used plug-in EV depreciation to continue to outpace the overall market’s rate of loss by a significant margin in the coming years."

Significant hurdles, especially for all-electric cars, have contributed bigger losses. Limited range, few nationwide public charging stations and imperfect battery technologies that cut the vehicle's total range over time all stand in the way.

 

For vehicle-specific examples, NADA looked at the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, the two most popular plug-in cars for sale. The May 2012 edition of NADA’s Official Used Car Guide noted that the 2011 Volt and Leaf carried average trade-in values -- assuming an average mileage after one year -- of $31,060 and $24,857, respectively. But by May 2013, estimated values for each model had dropped by approximately $10,000 to $21,235 and $14,792, respectively.

 

NADA noted that average trade-in values for a similar Toyota Prius hybrid fell by only $4,735 to $16,490, while a Ford Fusion with a four-cylinder gasoline engine declined by just $3,150 to $16,490.

 

NADA expects “subtle improvements” in the depreciation rate of plug-in vehicles as the technology matures and becomes more prevalent. It added that this is consistent with depreciation trends of early hybrids, which initially declined at annual rates of 24 to 26 percent before gradually improving to a range of 16 to 18 percent over five years.

 

“In dollar terms," it added, "this means a plug-in EV worth $20,000 in 2012 is predicted to lose $9,792 of its value by the end of 2014, while similarly priced gasoline and hybrid vehicles are expected to lose $5,573 and $6,455, respectively, over the same period.”

Although NADA did mention the tax incentives available for many EV buyers -- and how this doesn't help used EV buyers -- the organization didn't take those after-sales savings into account for its depreciation values.

"It's important to remember that most buyers of plug-in electric cars received federal income tax credits of $2,500 to $7,500 for purchasing those cars," John Voelcker, editor of GreenCarReports.com, told MSN Autos. "It's much more appropriate to look at the post-incentive new-car price versus the used-car value," he added, "since otherwise it looks like the original owner lost far more money than is actually the case once all incentives are factored in."

[Source: NADA]

Source: MSN

Acura NSX Prototype with Production Powertrain to Pre-Run IndyCar Race

If you’re growing bored with Acura’s seemingly endless parade of NSX concepts—there was the 2012 original, then this one, one with an interior, and, oh, look, a red one!—get ready to flip your britches. That’s because there’s yet another NSX prototype headed for the spotlight, but this time it will move. That’s right, get ready to see your favorite played-out supercar concept take to the pavement; the big debut is scheduled for just before the Honda Indy 200 next weekend at Mid-Ohio raceway.

• Instrumented Test: 2014 Acura RLX FWD
• First Drive: 2014 Acura MDX
• Instrumented Test: 2013 Acura ILX 2.4 Manual

The NSX prototype will lap Mid-Ohio ahead of the race’s start, giving spectators their first audible taste of Acura’s resurrected supercar. Acura promises the test car will use the same V-6 engine and three-motor hybrid setup that comprises the brand’s new Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). The new NSX will launch in 2015, so there’s still time for Acura to bandy a few more NSXs about . . . Regardless, we can’t wait to hear what the mid-engined supercar sounds like.

Source: CarAndDriver

Ferrari cuts production for 2013, vows to never build an electric car

In these boom times for carmakers, it's hard to find one that isn't pushing the accelerator on its factories, from Kia to Bentley. But Ferrari revealed today that after hitting an all-time record for sales in 2012, it will cut its output this year to fewer than 7,000 cars in a strategy to maintain its aura of exclusivity — which Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo compared to waiting for a beautiful woman.

And if you think that beautiful woman will ever arrive in a Ferrari electric car, you will be waiting a long time.

Between a resurgent U.S. economy, strong oil prices and China's move toward luxury goods, high-end carmakers have never had it quite so good. In 2012, Ferrari sold 7,318 cars, its best year ever, and the 499 copies of the LaFerrari supercar unveiled in Geneva in March have already been spoken for.

But unlike Porsche, which has bolstered its line with SUVs and sedans and has aggressive plans for growth, Ferrari has steadfastly refused to expand beyond two-door grand tourers, with only the hatchback FF breaking the mold. By all measures, Ferrari remains the world's most valuable automotive brand — the company makes $100 million a year from licensing its name for luxury goods — in large part because a Ferrari owner can feel like a member of an exclusive club.

Behind The Scenes At FerrariSpeaking at a gathering of reporters from around the world at Ferrari's factory in Maranello, Italy, Di Montezemolo said maintaining Ferrari's image was far more important than trying to push as many sports cars as possible out the gates.

"In order to preserve this exclusivity concept, you must be brave enough to manufacturer the lower number of cars," he said. "Those who buy a Ferrari buy a dream, and they must be reassured that their dream of exclusivity will be fulfilled."

Di Montezemolo wouldn't put a specific number on the cut, saying only that Ferrari would build fewer than 7,000 cars in 2013; it sold 1,798 in the first quarter. He also said the company would match its revenues and profits from 2012 even though it wouldn't move as many vehicles — counting on the innate desire of Ferrari customers to close the gap.

"Ferrari is like a beautiful woman," Di Montezemolo said. "You must desire her, you must wait for her."

As a part of the Fiat-Chrysler conglomerate, Ferrari can also put some of its spare energies toward other brands, namely Maserati, for which it builds six-cylinder engines. And its executives outlined how the company would develop technologies like the Formula 1-based hybrid system in the LaFerrari to meet tougher emission standards.

But Di Montezemolo made clear that Ferrari would never break from the tradition of powerful gasoline engines on his watch, no matter the pressure: "We will never manufacture an electric car as long as I'm chairman."

Source: Yahoo!

Mitsu Mite Priced: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Starts at $13,790, Rated up to 44 mpg

Mitsubishi might be in dire straights here in the U.S., where flagging sales and brand recognition have taken their toll, paring its lineup to just four cars for 2013. Refreshingly, that trend changes for the 2014 roster; Mitsubishi is introducing a new model, a subcompact that resurrects the Mirage name last used on a U.S.-market production model in 2003. The Mirage is intended to be an entry-level subcompact, and newly released pricing and final fuel-economy figures solidify the little car’s price-leader mission.

The five-door Mirage starts at a palatable $13,790, and the most expensive model starts at a still-inexpensive $16,890. Most importantly, the Mirage’s base price undercuts competitors such as the Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, and Ford Fiesta by at least $1000. The Mitsubishi, in fact, is the least expensive five-door subcompact on the market, coming in less than a Kia Rio5, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa Note, Toyota Yaris, and Mazda 2. To beat the point home, the Mirage can be had for only slightly more money than a stripped-out (smaller) Chevy Spark or micro Smart Fortwo. Mitsubishi is offering the Mirage in two trim levels—DE and ES—with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, automatic headlights, tire-pressure monitor, and piano-black interior trim. We’ve outlined each trim level’s equipment below:

Mirage DE ($13,790) + $1000 for CVT

Mirage ES ($14,990) + $1000 for CVT; ES adds keyless entry with pushbutton starting, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 14-inch (!) aluminum wheels, fog lamps, and silver interior trim. Optional navigation system with backup camera ($900) can be paired only with the CVT.

• Photos and Info: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
• First Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Sedan / Hatchback
• First Drive: 2014 Nissan Versa Note Hatchback

A loaded Mirage will set buyers back a tad less than $17,000, which is a lot less money than a well-optioned Fiesta, Fit, or Sonic. The car’s value proposition is made rosier by its astronomical EPA fuel-economy ratings of 37 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway for CVT-equipped models. (The five-speed nets a slightly lower 34/42 EPA figure.) The car’s efficiency can be partially credited to its tiny, 74-hp 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, which has precisely one fewer cylinder than every single competitive vehicle listed above—save for the oddball Smart Fortwo. We’re not about to make the claim that Mitsubishi could have a winner on its hands, but the Mirage could just draw a few penny pinching customers away from Honda and Ford. And that could just keep Mitsubishi hanging on for a little while longer.

Source: CarAndDriver