Tag: road

Help Popular Mechanics find the worst road in America

Filed under: Etc.

road in horrible condition

Popular Mechanics is searching for America’s worst roads, and it needs your help. Readers from all over the U.S. are encouraged to submit photos showing just how bad their local thoroughfares are. Once the submissions have been evaluated, PM will choose its top five.

The “winning” roads will get a visit from the Popular Mechanics crew, who will analyze just how screwed-up it is with a custom data-logging device. Strapped onto a car, the analytical tool’s multi-axis accelerometer will provide information to the researchers and help them determine which road is the worst of the bunch.

A few ground rules are in place, however, because certain roads have to be excluded from testing. The magazine isn’t interested in private roads, or “streets” that lack paving. Editors are looking for standard roads that, over time, have gone from smooth to suspension-busting. Head over to Popular Mechanics for information on sending in your local road for consideration, if you feel it makes the cut.

[Source: Popular Mechanics | Image: Monica’s Dad/Flickr via CC 2.0]

Help Popular Mechanics find the worst road in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forbes releases 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Etc., Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Luxury

2011 Cadillac Escalade

Forbes’ Worst Cars on the Road – Click above for high-res image gallery

Forbes has released its 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list, and the outcome is not pretty for American manufacturers. With the exception of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2011 Smart ForTwo and the 2011 Nissan Titan, the cars on the list are all American-made. Worse than that, they all come from two manufacturers: General Motors and Chrysler. Ford managed to avoid the list completely.

To determine which cars get the dubious honor and which don’t, Forbes compiles results from six studies by Consumer Reports including the Most Reliable Cars Report, Best and Worst Safety Performance Survey, Best and Worst Fuel Economy, Highest Cost of Ownership, the Best and Worst Values Report and Consumer Reports’ overall scores for new cars.

Chrysler made the list with the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country, which racked up dismal scores for reliability and cost of ownership. Both the 2011 Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Liberty made the cut, with the Liberty scoring poorly for reliability and fuel economy. The Wrangler joined the Liberty in the reliability department, and also ranked for worst value, and made a spot on Consumer Reports’ Worst Cars list. The 2011 Dodge Nitro and Dodge Dakota made the list for similar reasons.

The picture is almost as bleak at GM, where offerings from Chevrolet and Cadillac crowded the picture. The base model 2011 Cadillac Escalade earned spots on the Worst Value, Highest Cost of Ownership and Worst Safety Performance lists. The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid hung with the Cadillac for Worst Value and safety, and earned a spot on the Least Reliable roster as well. The Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Colorado rounded out the worst General Motors offerings for 2011.

Though the results make it seem like General Motors and Chrysler still can’t do anything right, there are plenty of vehicles from both manufacturers that didn’t make the list. Added to that, luxury vehicles like the Escalade are at a disadvantage in the value and cost of ownership categories. Head over to Forbes for further explanation on how the worst cars are weeded out. Thanks for the tip, Irving!

Gallery: 2011 Forbes Worst Cars on the Road

2011 Cadillac Escalade2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid2011 Chevrolet Colorado2011 Chevrolet Aveo2011 Chrysler Town and Country

[Source: Forbes]

Forbes releases 2011 Worst Cars on the Road list originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Work, Dodge, Specialty

Ram Long-Hauler concept

Ram Long-Hauler Concept – Click above for image gallery

Need a way to get yourself, four buddies and a whole lot of cargo across the country with the bare minimum of fuel stops? The Ram Long-Hauler Concept is your truck. The rig got a quiet coming-out party at the Mid-America Trucking Show, which was held March 31st through April 2nd in Louisville, Kentucky.

This behemoth of a tow rig sports a 197.7-inch wheelbase, or about as long as your average oil tanker. That much space means it has a full-size eight-foot bed and Ram’s four-door MegaCab passenger compartment. In keeping with the oil tanker theme, the Long-Hauler has the capacity to hold an astonishing 162 gallons of diesel fuel, thanks to a 60-gallon auxiliary tank in the bed. That much fuel should give this thing enough range to cross the country in two fuel stops if you aren’t too liberal with the throttle.

The Long-Hauler is based on the Ram 5500 commercial truck chassis cab, which comes with a 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating. Ram combines that with a self-leveling air suspension on all four corners, a dual-rear-wheel package, 19.5-inch Alcoa 10-lug wheels and an Allison six-speed automatic. Add it all up and you’ve got a gross vehicle weight rating of 37,500 pounds, which should be enough to handle whatever you throw this hauler’s way. Doing the grunt work will be a 350-horsepower, 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six spitting out 650 pound-feet of twist.

The Ram Long-Hauler, should it make production, will be aimed at those who need enormous towing capacity and range, but don’t want to step up to something like a Freightliner SportChassis just yet. There’s still no word on a production timetable or what the truck might cost should it become available.

Gallery: Ram Long-Hauler Concept

Ram Long-Hauler Concept front 3/4Ram Long-Hauler Concept side

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com | Images: Pickuptrucks.com]

Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One family’s remarkable 11-year road trip

Filed under: Etc.

national lampoon's vacation screenshot

Road trips are fun. We recently spent a weekend with the 2011 Airstream Avenue and had a great time running up the California coast. That was three days of adventure. The Zapp family of Argentina also enjoys a good road trip, and they’ve been on their current journey for the last 11 years.

Herman and Candelaria Zapp set off on a trip back in 2000. The couple left Argentina in their 1928 Graham-Paige Model 610 and headed north towards Alaska. Eleven years and 145,000 miles later, the Zapp family has grown by four. Pampa was born in the United States, Tehue in Argentina, Paloma in Canada and Wallaby in Australia. The children are “home-schooled” out on the road, and that allows the Zapps to keep on exploring.

Though the Model 610 can’t go over 40 miles per hour, the Zapps have taken it throughout North America, to parts of Asia and down to Australia. It’s a truly amazing journey and you can read more about it at MSNBC.com.

[Source: MSNBC]

One family’s remarkable 11-year road trip originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW developing adaptive 8-speed transmission that predicts curves, road conditions

Filed under: Technology, BMW

BMW Eight-Speed Adaptive Transmission

BMW Eight-Speed Adaptive Transmission – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW just wrapped up its annual Innovation Days here in Munich, and in addition to detailing its new modular engines (turbocharged three-, four- and six-cylinder powerplants), showing off a range of lightweight components and discussing the possibility of equipping a future EV with a range-extending engine, BMW revealed plans for a new adaptive transmission based on its current eight-speed gearbox.

Utilizing GPS mapping, a wireless data connection, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), front and rear-mounted cameras and radar sensors, the transmission can adapt its shifting pattern and power delivery to suit road conditions.

So, let’s say you’re heading out on the road and it’s raining. The data connection pulls in the most recent weather information, the DSC takes in the coefficient of friction of the road and then restricts power to avoid wheel spin. With the integrated GPS, the system can detect the next curve, recognize you’re in Sport mode and downshift into a lower gear to perfectly suit the bend you’re about to bomb.

The range of applications is only limited by the amount of data the system can pull in and process, and while BMW wouldn’t divulge when this technology would hit production, there’s a good chance that the next iteration of the 7 Series could benefit from the system and then filter down throughout BMW’s range. Check out the gallery below for a series of illustrations showing the system in action and get more details in the press blast after the break.

Gallery: BMW Adaptive 8-Speed Transmission

[Source: BMW]

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BMW developing adaptive 8-speed transmission that predicts curves, road conditions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Driver of shocking road debris accident interviewed by NBC’s Today Show

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Kia

Motorist Wendy Cobb on NBC's Today Show

Wendy Cobb NBC Today Show interview – Click above to watch video after the jump

The driver who very nearly filmed her own death has been interviewed by NBC’s Today Show after video of her shocking road debris accident went viral. Wendy Cobb of Shelby, North Carolina was driving on April 1 when the accident happened.

Cobb says she was using her cameraphone to film two trucks who were holding up traffic so she could report the incident. As Cobb turned her phone toward the road in front of her, the truck and trailer in front of her kicked up a 2×4 lying in the road that shattered the windshield of her Kia Sedona minivan and very nearly impaled her. Luckily, Ms. Cobb’s children weren’t with her when the accident happened, or the results may have been far more tragic. According Cobb, the only injury she received was a tiny glass cut. Damage to her car was limited to the hood and windshield.

Cobb says she hasn’t watched the video since the day of the accident, but has received plenty of emails from people who still think it was an April Fool’s prank – check out the video after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Adam!

[Source: NBC]

Continue reading Video: Driver of shocking road debris accident interviewed by NBC’s Today Show

Video: Driver of shocking road debris accident interviewed by NBC’s Today Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #223: Ford Focus quality, Japan’s quick road fix, long-term Hyundai Equus, David E. Davis, Jr. passing

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Electric

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Here’s Autoblog Podcast #223. The crew this week is Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth. Topics covered are Ford’s commitment to the 2012 Focus by giving early cars a 30-mile shakedown drives, Japan’s amazing ability to repair roads in days, the Autoblog long-term Hyundai Equus and the sad passing of David E. Davis, Jr. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds it up, and we’ve embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #223: Ford Focus quality, Japan’s quick road fix, long-term Hyundai Equus, David E. Davis, Jr. passing

Japanese road crew repairs quaked damaged road in six days
Ford giving 2012 Focus 30-mile quality exam prior to sale
Hyundai Equus Ultimate joins the long-term Autoblog Garage
Auto journalism pioneer David E. Davis, Jr., dead at 80

In the Autoblog Garage:

  • 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  • 2011 Kia Sportage
  • 2012 Ford Focus Titanium


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman Chris Paukert
  • Runtime: 01:17:50

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #223: Ford Focus quality, Japan’s quick road fix, long-term Hyundai Equus, David E. Davis, Jr. passing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next-gen Saab 9-3 will get through-the-road hybrid tech

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Saab

Saab 9-3

Saab has big plans for the next generation 9-3, and a hybrid variant is apparently in the mix. The Detroit Bureau reports that the hybrid would be of the “through-the-road” variety, enabling torque-vectoring all-wheel drive while also improving fuel economy.

A through-the-road hybrid utilizes a completely independent electric motor that motivates only the rear axle. The system is less expensive than the parallel hybrid tech you’ll find in a Prius, for example, while still potentially providing a low-speed electric-only mode and regenerative braking.

Saab management reportedly told The Bureau that the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 currently in use in the 9-5 would motivate the front wheels, while the electric motor and clutch assembly would work its magic out back. The new clutch assembly routes power to either of the rear wheels in a fraction of a second, helping the 9-3 stay on course regardless of the conditions. This setup will reportedly improve performance and agility, while negating the need to run a driveshaft from the engine to the rear axle. The end result is a simpler, lighter drivetrain, and we’re sure the overall gains in fuel economy won’t be to shabby, either.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Report: Next-gen Saab 9-3 will get through-the-road hybrid tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese repair quake-ravaged road in just six days

Filed under: Japan

Japan earthquake fixed road

Japan earthquake damaged roadDue to the extensive damage in Japan caused by the massive earthquake and resultant tsunami on March 11, many have questioned if the island nation can recover in a year, much less a few months. If the swiftness with which the Japanese can repair roads is any indication, we wouldn’t bet against the country cleaning up this catastrophe in short order.

As a result of the quake, a 150-meter section of the Great Kanto Highway in Naka was absolutely obliterated, with massive chasms running right through the middle of the road. Work crews at the NEXCO road repair company sprang into action on March 17, working at a fevered pitch to help get their country on the road to recovery, literally. Amazingly, after only six days of labor, the road is silky smooth and ready for travel. Look at the the before and after photos above to see just how amazing this feat is.

Given the fact that road crews in the U.S. can spend three or more months repairing a single lane of concrete, only to leave the orange barrels on the road for another two weeks, we’re blown away by this feat of engineering. Simply amazing.

[Source: Daily Mail via Jalopnik | Images: AP Photo/NEXCO East]

Japanese repair quake-ravaged road in just six days originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW’s new 6 Series Coupe hits the road

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW, Luxury

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe

2012 BMW 650i Coupe – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Following closely on the heels of the official images-and-press-blast debut of the 2012 BMW 650i, BMW has let loose video footage of its next big coupe.

Having lost the squared-off decklid of the last 6 Series, the 2012 650i is sleeker and more aggressively styled than the last generation. In motion, the coupe looks silky smooth, but ready to pounce thanks to its 400-horsepower twin-turbo V8.

As pretty as this thing is, it’s hard not to start squirreling your pennies away for this thing’s Stateside launch. Pricing for the 650i is still a mystery, but we expect it will be pretty dear. Click past the jump to see BMW’s new grand tourer in motion.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 6 Series coupe

2012 BMW 6 Series coupe

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Video: BMW’s new 6 Series Coupe hits the road

Video: BMW’s new 6 Series Coupe hits the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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