The Absurdity of Fastrak and the HOV lanes

The state of California continues with the ridiculous HOV or High Occupancy Vehicle lanes that are intended for Electric Vehicles, hybrids with limited issue permission stickers, motorcycles and multiple occupant vehicles. As you can guess, eventually these lanes won’t move any quicker than other full access lanes. That’s how stupid they are. They are so poorly thought out that there are multiple scenarios that the system can be foiled.

Of course, not everyone can use these lanes which I covered in a previous article here: http://cartruthblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/abolish-wasteful-and-unfair-hov-lanes.html so they are patently unfair. Now in the infinite wisdom of CalTrans and others, the Fastrak was introduced in order to charge a fee for solo riders who want to use the lanes. This meant adding sensors to detect vehicles but still no cameras for reading license plates. Of course cameras came next along with a revised Fastrak that has a switch to indicate how many passengers are in the vehicle. Now imagine the infrastructure needed to support all this.

The cameras cannot see occupants such as children behind the front seats, especially in vehicles with tinted or covered windows. Lighting and windshield angles with reflections can come into play as well. Will cameras with those abilities come next? How will they be monitored? There’s talk that sensors will be incorporated to somehow detect how many occupants are really in the vehicles. When will this madness ever stop? Until then the poorly conceived notion of the HOV lane, the Fastrak and lanes monitored with license readers can be cheated in multiple scenarios.

Finally, how silly to have to manipulate a essentially a cell phone sized object to adjust for the number of occupants, or keeping it covered in its ESD bag so the sensors can't pick it up. And keeping it glued or velcro'd on our dashboard? That's absurd. Here's another problem about the Fastrak system. A couple lines of code can easily determine the speed traveled between the sensors. And finally, if tolls must be collected, it should be in every lane, the same amount, for everyone and done by a bar code sticker on the windshield or by license plate.

Below are the numerous situation that can be encountered and bluffed. Lie at your own risk.

Solo or Multiple occupants, no vehicle sensor, no license plate reader. Example: San Tomas Expressway:

No Charge

Solo occupant, vehicle sensors but no license plate reader. Example, 680 Southbound, Sunol to San Jose

1. No FasTrak – No Charge

2. FasTrak covered – No Charge

3. FastTrak displayed – disputes charged claiming passenger(s) in vehicle – Account Credited

Solo driver on a license reader equipped road. Example:  580 Eastbound, Pleasanton to Livermore

4. FaskTrak displayed, disputes charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle - Account Credited

5. FasTrak covered, disputes charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle – Account Credited

Solo driver with FasTrak Flex on a license reader equipped road. Example: 580 Eastbound, Pleasanton to Livermore

6. FastTrak Flex set to 2-4 people – No charge

7. FastTrak Flex set to 1 person - disputes charge claiming passengers in vehicle – Account Credited

8. FastTrak Flex covered – charged, dispute charge claiming passengers in vehicle – Account Credited

Multiple Occupants with vehicle sensors, no license reader:

9. No FasTrak – No Charge

10. FasTrak covered – No Charge

11. FasTrak displayed – charge is invalid, disputes charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle - Account Credited

Multiple Occupants with FasTrak and license reader equipped road:

12. No FasTrak – dispute charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle  – No Charge

13. FasTrak covered – dispute charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle - No Charge

14. FasTrak displayed – dispute charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle – No Charge

Multiple Occupants with FasTrak Flex and license reader equipped road:

15. FastTrak Flex set to correct setting – No Charge

16. FasTrak Flex set to incorrect setting – dispute charge claiming 3 passengers in vehicle – No Charge

17. FasTrak covered – dispute charge claiming passenger(s) in vehicle – No Charge

It’s been said, and a Google search indicates that an HOV lane violation is not a moving violation and doesn’t add points on a license in California. They key is to contest the ticket in court, if the officer isn’t there to testify, conventional wisdom says to plead not guilty and no witness present means the ticket will be tossed. If the officer is present, I would ask for forgiveness and a reduced fine. It’s a travesty that a texting ticket is less than a carpool violation ticket. The travesty of the existence HOV lanes and the Fastrak system also needs to be fixed. As in abolished.

Do you really think putting more vehicles in fewer lanes is a good idea? Don't be absurd.

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The Quail A Motorsports Gathering 2017

The 15^th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering was held on Friday, August 18^th this year, of course held at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California. Always spectacular, there were some exceptional displays that contributed to another memorable experience for the limit of 5,000 attendees.

First, the Best of the Best Award for 2016 was earned by a stunning 1954 Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farinia.  It won Best in Show at last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and beat seven other contestants after being selected from a panel of twenty-four notable members of the automotive world including leaders of automotive companies, design, collections, famous race car drivers, etc.

The displays were wonderful, Koenigsegg had an unprecedented ten vehicles on display which made for some fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to finally compare the different models side by side. Floyd Mayweather’s was one of them. AMG had an actual engine builder assembling their twin turbo V-8 for all to watch. On the other side of the wall was the powertrain and suspension of the AMG Project One.

Pagani again had their impressive display and this time the Huayra BC, Huayra Roadster and the Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta. Pulling myself away from the Italian craftsmen to the Porsche display where the new 700 horsepower 911 GT2 RS was featured. Of course the 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. Conspicuously absent was the Bugatti Chiron and the Ferrari 812 Superfast although both can be expected next year. And yes, there were Veyrons and F12tdfs and a Porsche 959. The infamous Rimac was also there, and speaking to the first owner in the US was an interesting conversation about Electric Vehicles.

There were so many notable displays such as Singer, BMW, Bentley, Acura and their introduction of the Acura ARX-05 DPi race car, Lamborghinis with a Huracan Performante, Rolls Royce and more. I really enjoyed studying the McLaren 720S up close. The cuisine was exquisite as always with menus from Beverly Hills, Carmel Valley, China, Italy and France. Additionally, California Caviar, Louis Roederer Champagne, Hog Island Oysters, Dolce Spazio Gelato are welcome returns. 

It’s important to remember that besides the views, the people watching, the food and drink, the Bonhams auction entry and celebrity/VIP sightings and interviews, the charities supported deserve recognition.  The Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation receive contributions as does the Junior Reserve Training Corps.

The only critique I could make is that too many of the 250 or so cars were parked too close together, making photo opportunities difficult. Traffic is always an issue so the total number of tickets has probably reached the max. Perhaps a bus system should be incorporated like at Pebble Beach.

However I recommend arriving before the 10am start and check out the guest drive cars which this year were the Acura NSX and Lamborghini Huracan. Also check out the Porsche building which has their latest models on display, branded goods for sale, etc. Walking the parking lots, which is a show in itself, is also an option and a judging slip was even offered!

One very clever difference this year was keeping the event open with DJs on either end of the show and the drinks flowing at the bars. Talk about THE place to be before the private parties start! It was announced it was done to alleviate traffic which is very true. It also would keep people from leaving for the “other” show that afternoon and evening in downtown Monterey. I broke the cardinal rule of not to leave one good party to check out another event taking place. It wasn’t comparable, I won’t do that again. So arrive early, have a beverage, walk a lot so you develop an appetite for at least two meals and plan on making a great day out of it. I already can’t wait to go again and see what surprises will be there next year.

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Kia Cadenza Limited SXL review

When thinking of a roomy luxury car for a suggested retail price of $45,000 what comes to mind? Think of some legitimate four or five passenger luxury cars, are any of them in that price range? One look at the interior of the Kia Cadenza which was redesigned for the 2017 model year is convincing enough. It’s a luxurious, roomy, front wheel drive sedan with a suite of computer driving aids making for a quiet and comfortable luxury car. This Kia makes a strong case in the segment. This particular loaded Limited SXL model styling is crisp, elegant with a touch of chrome and likely timelessness in the era of the modern sedan. If the name doesn’t carry the panache like Lexus did, the vehicle itself will be considered a gem, if an obscure one right now.

Equipped with the white Napa quilted leather seats, one feels guilty wearing old jeans and sitting in it.  The dash layout is logical, clean and probably best described as elegant. A cute greeting ditty plays when entering the car, then a pretty slick graphical system check is displayed as if preparing for takeoff. A quiet driver with great outward visibility, it’s a very pleasant driver although more shelf for the elbow on the top of the door would be appreciated. Yet such an uncouth driving position is unbecoming in this elegant tourer.

Quite capable on the high speed sweepers, it has a composed feel of proper suspension tuning and a long(ish) 112.4” wheelbase to straddle the bell curve between sport and bouncy old-school luxury.  It’s the tighter turns where you feel the front wheel drive push with subdued tire squeal. Of course that is beyond the intended demographic driving profile. Keep up that behavior and you’re simply betraying the message of the classy exterior chrome accents.

Multiple driving modes are offered and response in the Sport driving mode is noticeably sharp and will immediately spin the tires from a stop despite the classy pretentions. The only other drawback is a slight whine is heard while it continuously holds a lower gear in Sport. Comfort mode offers easy throttle response for driving in traffic, also very well executed with hardware and code. Smart mode is a decent compromise of both but Eco mode kills throttle response and one taste of that lag earned an immediate ban from further use. Despite frequent full throttle usage and over-the-speed-limit cruising speeds, 25 mpg was observed, falling right between the 20 city and 28 highway ratings.

Using all the configurable electronics is fun customization of the features, done on the center driver’s screen. The Surround View Monitor provides a 360 degree view of the vehicle when parking. A close-up view is also selectable for the front, side and rear. It even has a Rear Cross Traffic Alert in case of a passing object when backing out of space or driveway. The heads-up displays just enough information and it is both height and intensity adjustable, even working with polarized sunglasses. A night the LED headlights could be mistaken for brights from the driver’s perspective for the first few trips after dark.

On the 76 mile round-trip drive to the office and back, the Advanced Smart Cruise Control is great for relatively steady speeds. Despite the adjustable following distance, the closest setting was the ideal one as a “two one-thousand” count. Some more tweaking is needed when a large speed differential of the vehicle in front causes a sudden slowdown versus a gentle fade. It’s a little slow to react when a car moves out of the lane but when it does clear, the acceleration is brisk. The programming is logical, the closest setting is much different at 85mph than it is a 35mph, thankfully. In slow traffic when coming to a stop, it becomes necessary to reapply the throttle and the display says as much. Fading over to the lane divider activates the lane departure warning as well as the blind spot warning. Both are effective and not particularly jarring and thankfully not embarrassing if you’re talking on the integrated Bluetooth and the warning(s) beep. 

Stopping at Black Heart Racing’s fabrication shop to discuss a custom tool I needed, the 360 degree cameras were a blessing in the confined parking area of multiple businesses, trucks, etc. The owner Lloyd, a hot-rodder, fabricator and artist I had arrived in a Lexus, which is high praise indeed.

With the weather now getting hot, the air conditioning blows very cold and the ventilated seats are a great luxury, not too cold and very quiet although a higher setting would be welcome for even quicker cool downs. It also has a switch to do it manually. Other little thoughtful touches noticed are shifting into reverse automatically lowers the rear sunshade lowers and silently comes back up after shifting to drive. Locking the vehicle with the remote automatically and silently folds the side mirrors and unfold upon approach. The refinement level is top notch.

A few lacking features that have been out for year in other marques does seem a little odd. Parked car ventilation scheduling isn’t offered. Along the same thinking, holding the unlock button on the key fob does not lower the windows. The moon roof shade doesn’t seem to be able to be moved independently of the moon roof tilt or slide function. It’s either open or closed but the panoramic roof is going to the rear is a nice touch. These are all likely programmable since the hardware is already present.

Regardless of what is lacking, whether a few random features, cylinder count or where the drive wheels are, the Cadenza Limited SXL is impressively equipped. The Kia name may not be synonymous with luxury like the long established brands, yet, but the Cadenza is a strong argument for a roomy, very well equipped luxury sedan that makes driving an enjoyable, efficient and effortless endeavor. 

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Sixth generation Camaro V6 review

Chevrolet updated the chassis of the Camaro for 2016 with the new Alpha platform and by all accounts the approximately 250 to 300lb weight reduction was a huge improvement. Despite having a brilliant chassis and three powerful engine choices, the interior and outward visibility hardly improved at all. I wanted to like this car, I really did. It has some really good aspects but overall it’s only good for going in a straight line, not reverse or backing up out of any parking space, on public roads or modified into a track-only car.  You decide if the interior justifies a $29,000 MSRP. The 2017 model is essentially the same.

The 335hp V-6 is a great engine, responsive, sounds good and with the quick shifting 8 speed automatic, the car is capable of mid-high 13 second quarter mile ETs. It feels every bit as quick as the numbers suggest. It has no appreciable dead spots and has an excellent pull. The 8 speed auto is finicky on the highway though, downshifting at the slightest provocation when closing a gap. Undoubtedly a result of the tall gearing to achieve its impressive highway rating of 28mpg. With a heavy foot, mixed suburban and highway driving, 21mpg was indicated in the readout which was reasonable.

When in the manual mode, upshifts only occur when manually selected. Seems reasonable. But if you hit the rev limiter, it’s a long, race-losing delay before it responds to the manually selected upshift. Unfortunately you cannot manually select with the paddle as an override when the shifter is in “D” when sitting at a light to first gear or second for slippery surface. And further, if in D, and you’re manually shifting once rolling, it won’t automatically upshift at redline which it should. A software update could potentially fix this.

The ride is very well controlled, slightly bumpy over the surprisingly lousy roads in Northern California. The firm suspension controls body motions extremely well with a very solid structure. Transitioning into a turn at speed doesn’t generate the expected body roll of a domestic product. Its target was BMW and it hit it, hands down. Granted this was the base suspension, wheels and tires. The highly acclaimed 1LE suspension would have to be experienced to comment. Road and wind noise is nicely subdued as well. It could make for a great road car except for some glaring faults and odd design decisions that never should have made production.

Complaining about the rear seat room would be silly in a smaller sized front engine coupe whose engine bay eventually contains a 650hp supercharged V8 in the top model, let alone a 3.6 liter V-6 and a decent trunk. Speaking of which, the trunk in the 5^th generation was a joke. This one is deep and goes all the way to the fold down rear seats. It is oddly proportioned though, more on that later.

Another surprise is the fuel tank holds over 16 gallons. It doesn’t say in the manual, but looking at a road test it indicated 19 gallons, which is really nice considering the Mustang and BMW 3-series have 16 gallon tanks.  Also, it doesn’t have a filler cap, a nice touch.

But I can’t recommend this car to drive daily nor weekends. Stop reading if you don’t want to learn its long list of interior design and user shortcomings that are inexcusable in their totality in a modern vehicle, let alone the top of the line model whose MSRP is over $61,000 or this one that is $28,000 plus. It does have some great styling lines sitting on top of a tall body. The taillights are changed with this generation to a more traditional look, more integrated and less “Transformerish”.  Walking up to the car, you notice how low the roofline is which translates to some compromises.

Here we go so hang on. Getting in you might hit your head against the roof because it curves downward like the Dodge Challenger on the sides. Closing the door, you sink into the seat to where your glutes seems pinched front to rear. Later as you drive, if you’re broad shouldered, you can feel the seat pressing on your rear deltoids.

Sitting low and looking left through ten inches of vertical side glass, you can’t see the wheels of the car next to you or the parking curb unless you crane your neck and then you might hit your head on the interior roofline. The door has the tiniest storage cubbyhole that may not even be suitable for a pen. You need a deformed left T-rex arm to activate the window and mirror controls too. Forget putting your arm on the window sill while driving, it would mean your forearm would be up near your ear.

Looking forward, the left bubble for the gauges obscures part of the hood and fender. The hood does slope down nicely but you don’t really know where the right tire might be. The airbag warning on the sun visor is almost as large as the small visor itself.  The thick, flat bottomed steering wheel feels as good as any but at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, the paddles are mounted too close to the steering wheel leaving too little room for the fingers. It also obscures one-third of the tachometer and speedometer and despite the controls that work and feel well for the radio, display and cruise control, the icons are so tiny they are difficult to see and unlit, a big miss. The right shift paddle and windshield wiper stalk completely obscure the start button and the little ridge under it makes it more difficult to find by feel. 

The entertainment system works extremely well, and the Apple Car Play starts immediately upon plugging in the phone. For some reason the screen is tilted downward which makes absolutely no sense. The controls have a quality feel to them and the electronics are well integrated from the user interface to the lighting. It has a lateral and acceleration/braking g-force display as part of the menu showing fuel economy, reminders for turns signals and more.  Even the remote itself is nice and feels like a quality piece.  

Aim the large ventilation vent carefully or you’ll heat or cool your hand on the gearshift or your right thigh. The only place to put your phone is in one of the cup holders in the center console. There is hardly a place for your right elbow on the narrow center console cubbyhole lid. And your elbow ends up above your head when you open the long door to access the two USB ports and an itty, bitty storage hole. I’m not even sure if the silly Fastrak toll transmitter will fit.  Sunglasses only fit in the glove box, period. Same with a radar detector.

The rear visibility makes a back-up camera an absolute requirement, and luckily it’s equipped with one. A reminder again of the downward sloped screen.  There is no looking back to change lanes, it’s a useless attempt. Only the side mirrors are suitable. The rear end is so high and the rear visibility so bad, if a vehicle is following you at a standard distance, you can’t tell what make or model it is by looking in the small rear view mirror. Who the hell approved this interior for production? 

The trunk is a vast improvement versus the 5^th generation but the depth of the opening is only 12 inches. What that means is your laptop or gym bag has to be turned sideways in order to load it. The opening width is 35” which is rather narrow.  However, these are trade-offs that are a big improvement from previous years. Despite the trunk not having much of a lip to lift it, nor an interior handle to close it, it closes with superb precision and dampening. 

The arch rival Mustang is clearly a better choice for day-to-day driving and livability. It’s like a domestic that went to finishing school in Europe and came back modernized and improved. The Camaro is like a European car that visited the US in the 1980s and picked up some really bad habits and ideas. The Camaro is the definition of a great powertrain and suspension desperately needing a vastly improved interior design and ergonomics. Some don’t care or dig the weirdness, but if where you spend time driving matters to you, there are other choices but they just won’t be as brilliant in the curves in the V-6 price range.

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Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring review

Introduced in 1989, the Mazda Miata went on to become the bestselling convertible in history. And particularly because of the Miata, the most raced brand in the world. Now recently into the fourth generation, the Mazda MX-5 Miata dropped a couple major things from the previous generation like horsepower and weight.  A surprising 12 horsepower and a shocking 150 pounds trimmed away to a total of 2,324 pounds in an age where weight gain is the norm, including on vehicles much larger and at least one thousand to two thousand pounds heavier.

Truly the modern quintessential “driver’s car”, this 2017 Grand Touring model with the 6 speed manual transmission extremely light, very nimble, rear drive, quick enough for many. As stated earlier on social media, it’s not about guys, it’s not about girls, it’s about having fun. Because it’s a convertible and quite small, some call it a girl’s car. But seriously, the complete antithesis of this car, something like a Dodge Charger Daytona, is a total dude’s car. Does a gender moniker even matter, especially as the most raced car in the world?

Mazda utilizes several philosophies in their vehicle design and construction. SKYACTIV is the effort to reduce weight while improving safety and efficiency. Their Jinba Ittai process is to elevate the driving experience. This was done by redesigning the cockpit and ergonomics for a more driver centric experience and better fit. KODO theme is the Soul of Motion with a long hood, short overhangs, large wheels pushed to the far corners, and looks good with the top or down. Not many convertibles can make that last claim.

The suspension is tuned spectacularly. Bumps that upset larger cars are easily absorbed with far less drama and rebound. An emergency swerving maneuver from a wayward driver is a simple, routine process without drama. Low speed turns can generate serious lateral g-forces if desired by simply yanking on the wheel. A higher speed sweeper gives superb haptic feedback through the steering wheel without any feel of mechanical assist. The shifter has great movement into every gear, just a bit of engine vibration when in third gear. The upshift indicator gives surprisingly early suggestions which undoubtedly contributes to its 26 city, 33 highway rating.

Very easy to launch from a dig, it has enough power for around town driving. This Grand Touring model equipped with the manual transmission would get rubber going into second gear. At 80mph in 6^th gear which is about 3200rpm, it will pull satisfactory to close gaps or get around slower traffic without downshifting.  But it’s a noisy 80mph so this no long distance commuter for the highway. Some refinement in the engine for a more sophisticated feel would be also be welcome. The only performance aspect that is lacking from the car is power. It meets every other criteria of a driver’s car except for traction management, another 50hp would be very welcome. The only other feature that would be welcome is rev-match downshifting just for the convenience and joy of precision and consistency.

The convertible top has one center latch, folds back with one hand and a press downward secures it flat. Absolutely brilliant. It’s a wonderful feeling leaving the gym, putting the top down, and shifting your way home. Putting it back up is equally simple, just make sure the latch is in the proper position to prevent scratching the exterior of the latch housing. There’s no backup camera, you don’t need one with the top down. If the top is up, the backup sensor works great to make up for the rear three-quarter blind spot from the folding roof.

Yes it’s small, interior storage is limited, about the same as the front passenger space storage capacity as the new Camaro reviewed earlier. The center console will hold two iPhone 6 stacked on top of each other. Behind your right elbow is two cup holders, a difficult proposition to use.  You can put two phones in a small cubby in front of the gearshift but hard acceleration will eject at least one of them unless wedged with a wallet. No container in the passenger compartment will hold a curved sunglass case. 

The trunk however is surprisingly roomy and deeper than expected. Plenty of room for groceries or for two people on a weekend getaway. If you’re going to drive that long, the upper part of the door is body colored painted metal, nothing special yet far more comfortable than many luxury cars with padded and much fancier designs. A notch created by the intersection of the transmission tunnel and center dash is a nice fit for the right knee when cruising. The infotainment systems works well, although a bit quirky with button pushing redundancy. Despite that, the lane departure warning, navigation, and other features all worked very well. Bose speakers in the headrests add to the listening experience to offset the high speed wind noise. 

A classic view of the curving front fenders channels sports cars of the past with excellent forward visibility as well as the side. You don’t feel claustrophobic and size really isn’t a concern until another vehicle fades towards your lane, or decides to pull up too close to the back bumper. Oddly there is the sensation of sitting up a bit high but that went away very quickly.  Seats are very comfortable and supportive for performance maneuvering although a bit tight across the upper back if you’re an extra-large.

Stopping at O’Reilly Auto Parts to pick up some light bulbs for the nephew-hauler, the clerk, a fellow enthusiast, asked about the Miata and what year it was. The gentlemen behind me piped in his Club Sport edition was the one to own. Between over one million sold as of last year and an estimated 5,000 raced globally, finding a fellow owner or fan can happen on any given day, anywhere.

Well-equipped at $31,325, what other convertible is as efficient and dedicated to the experience? While on the seventy-five mile round trip commute, and when passing Porsches in traffic, I wondered if they were having as much fun. Every drive is either an adventure or memorable experience. Not many soft top automobiles that can be driven daily can make that claim and none that are as efficient. 

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The Dodge Demon Red

It’s time to straighten out the misconceptions, ignorance and fake news about the Dodge Demon. Dodge conducted an extensive marketing campaign to introduce the Dodge Challenger based Demon. There was much speculation but the bottom line is it is the quickest production car ever made, only potentially beaten by the all-wheel drive Bugatti Chiron. Further furor struck when Dodge announced the NHRA letter this Demon was banned from their tracks because it was too quick and too fast without a roll cage. Notice the letter stated “this vehicle”.  There is no blanket ban on the Dodge Demon at NHRA member tracks.

There are no letters about the Veyron, La Ferrari, Porsche 918 and McLaren P1? That’s because despite their potential to exceed the NHRA 2008 model year production car limit of a 135mph trap speed or 10.0 second ET, those numbers have to be exceeded and witnessed at an NHRA member track first before the singular, observed vehicle is banned. And not a blanket ban. Not every driver of those cars will exceed those limits and who’s to say they can’t back off in order to stay eligible? Happens all the time with other built cars.

Let’s look at the demonic numbers. The pump gas, emissions legal horsepower rating is 808hp and 717 lbs ft torque. With the optional 100 octane race gas tune Engine Control Unit (ECU), those levels go up to 838hp and 770 lbs ft torque. The race gas tune does not void the powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles either. This optional ECU equipped Demon ran a 9.65 ET at 140mph quarter mile with a 2.3 second 0-60mph time, all NHRA certified. It also has a production car record wheelie distance of 2.92 feet per Guinness World Records. However Motor Trend reported the new Porsche 911 Turbo S also lifts its front wheels.

The stock tires are Nitto drag radials (DRs), 315/40/18s, front and rear. Of course they are not recommended for temperatures below 15 degrees but that is the case with virtually every summer tire designed for maximum fair weather grip as opposed rain, snow, etc. While many scoff at the choice of DRs, there are plenty of users on the internet that report using them during track days on road circuits with the appropriately raised air pressure. Surprise! Dodge reports a 60-0 braking distance of a world class 97 feet as well.

This is not just a supercharger pulley swapped Hellcat. It has a larger supercharger, upgraded connecting rods, pistons, and valvetrain as part of 25 upgraded engine components. It also has a higher stall torque converter, more aggressive final drive ratio and twin dual-stage fuel pumps. The only transmission, an 8 speed automatic, has been strengthened along with an upgraded drive shaft, rear axle and larger half shafts. There is also equipment specific to drag racing such as a Line Lock which allows the rear tires to spin with the front brakes engaged in order to warm them up for more traction off the line. The Mustang GT was the first production car with this feature.

There are some production car firsts. One is a transbrake that engages first gear and reverse simultaneously to allow the engine to build supercharger boost for more power during the launch. An after cooler uses air conditioning coolant in a chiller system to drop the intake air temperature up to 45 degrees to make sure the engine produces optimum power, more consistently, and offset the power robbing effect of hot weather. It also helps cool the engine after a run as well. There is a torque reserve system that builds supercharger boost in preparation for a hard launch with the transbrake.

The front shocks are designed to allow for front end lift under acceleration for better weight transfer to the rear while having firm compression. The rear shocks have firm compression and damping for optimized rear traction. The traction control is also optimized for acceleration and stability control kicks in if the vehicle is no longer traveling straight, further shutting down the jokes about being wrecked immediately leaving Cars and Coffee events.

There are equipment packages available with the Demon which has an MSRP of $84,995 by itself. You can add air conditioning and a radio. Otherwise two speakers are standard, required for seatbelt and key in the ignition chimes. However the two most discussed options cost $1 each. The first one is passenger and rear seats. The second one is a tool crate that includes the aforementioned ECU, skinny front wheels but not the tires, a floor jack and electric impact wrench for removing and installing the wheels. It also includes a tire pressure gauge, fender cover and a tool bag, most of which supplied by Snap-On.

The Challenger platform, while large and heavy, is still relevant today. Can you think of another coupe with room for four that has, say, six hundred horsepower or more than weighs less? What about under $100k? What Dodge has done is for the history books. There has never been a car like the Demon, and in the age of hybrids, environmental concerns, electrification, and more; there will probably never be anything like it again that is street legal. Well done Dodge, you’ve created a modern legend.

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McLaren 675 LT Spider review

Last year when the Powerball lottery hit one billion dollars, I sat down that night and spec’d out a dream car online. It just happened to be a McLaren 675LT Spider in the same blue color as the one I was able to review. There’s something about a Spider, in this case a hardtop convertible that has a strong appeal even when you have to protect yourself from the sun. This one is truly two cars in one, and as I discovered, more than just because of looks or catching a breeze.

This 675LT Spider is the owner’s fourth McLaren. He had good experiences with the 12C’s he owned and his P1 that I reviewed is somewhat famous, especially among Motor Trend readers. Being a fan of carbon tub (passenger compartment) convertibles, partly because the minor weight penalty for the roof coming off, the 675 LT is still a track oriented machine, said more so than their Ferrari 458 Speciale. Comparing to the 12C, which the 675 LT is an evolution of, the engine, engine tuning, transmission, and braking are all noticeably different and improved.

Also inevitable is a comparison to the wild McLaren P1. Leagues quicker with 903hp with better throttle response due to the hybrid system, the lighter 675 LT has a quicker turn-in and more grip. Of course the question of weight comes up. The owner’s experience is McLaren’s stated weights are spot-on, his P1 weighing 3300lbs, giving him no reason to doubt the 3,016 lbs stated by McLaren for the 675 LT Spider. This is a very light car by modern standards, especially combined with the output of the 3.8 liter twin turbo V-8 of 666hp. To put that into performance numbers, what has been reported in the quarter mile is low-mid 10s in the mid-upper 130mph range. Put it another way, if the NHRA observed it exceeding 135mph, McLaren could request a letter from the NHRA that that the observed vehicle was banned unless a safety cage was installed….

Acceleration is manic with a rush towards redline that makes your stomach go light and nearly instantly exceeds the speed limit with a mechanical roar properly placed behind you. A hard acceleration upshift cracks like a gunshot. The lateral grip available approaches the “No way!” internal meter in incredulity, the fully bolstered seat keeping occupants in place. The hydraulically controlled suspension has hardly any body roll and braking is just ridiculous, requiring checking for traffic behind you before hammering the pedal for a non-nose dive, torso-leaves-the-seat extreme deceleration.

The suspension, in all McLarens, widely considered superbly riding with the hydraulic system replacing the anti-roll bars.  In the 3^rd mode, called track, is incredibly stiff. We hit some visible bumps and they were definitely felt, but not heard at all. No crash, creak, thunk, nothing. It was weird and amazing not hearing the vehicle reaction, only feeling it. 

Entering the car, a button under the edge of the door engages the scissor lift opening very smoothly. It’s not a wide opening so enter butt first, then swing in the legs with knees bent.  Pulling down the door requires very even effort from the top to bottom, an obvious attention to detail and superior design. The seat is very snug yet instead of feeling pinched, you settle and seemingly mold to it. It’s another example of one that I never adjusted once sitting in it, whether in height, back angle, bottom angle, etc.

 In one of the videos during the top opening/closing process, the hardtop can observed storing neatly into a carpet lined box behind the passenger compartment in front of the engine bay. Driving with the top down at highway speeds was extremely pleasant, wearing a brimmed hat wasn’t an issue. The rear window also goes down, and the owner says this allows for more engine noise in the cabin when the top is up, which can be a treat.

It’s a different vehicle with the top up. The tire and road noise, thwacks from the pavement and gravel hitting the wheel wells are all heard. With the top down none of that is heard as if it all goes away. The hardtop may be the ultimate track weapon and seeing one with a roof scoop was way cool, but the Spider has got to be so much better off the track and more variety in experience provided.

Front trunk space is quite impressive, more than enough for a weekend. The owner said he likes the sound system and that it’s quite good. Another improvement reported versus past models is the infotainment system works much better than past units. 

Negatives that I observed are few and far between. Getting in and out is rather difficult. And the engine cover/hood isn’t easily removed and doesn’t have an option to simply press or pull a release and lift it open. Those were my observations but the first wouldn’t stop me and the second is just to show it off. Despite all his track time, the lack of a limited slip differential has never been a problem. It’s not driven in inclement weather, uneven surface transitions are taken slowly and with the front axle lift system activated so slippage there isn’t noticed. Maybe exiting turn 11 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca might exploit the open differential but a mid-engine weight distribution and wide, extremely sticky tires also make up for an open differential  When I asked the owner what negatives there were, he had an uncharacteristically long pause, which was the answer right there. This car is spectacular.

McLaren has brought to market a blazingly quick, extremely light super sports machine that is a borderline hypercar yet lighter and more powerful than both the Ford GT and Ferrari 488 GTB. With an MSRP of $372,600, versus the supposedly quicker lapping Ford GT, it is lighter, makes more power, probably was easier to obtain, and is a convertible that isn’t too cramped for two occupants. The styling is stunning with the top down and surprisingly the owner doesn’t have any photos with the top up, nor did I take any.  Yet with the top down, it is a very livable hyper-exotic car with looks and performance to match. Now the even more powerful McLaren 720S has hit the market, presenting still another choice. And I still play the lottery. 

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BMW M760LI xDrive quick review

2017 BMW M760LI XDRIVE – LUXURY ON OVER-DRIVE

Seeing a factory matte finish BMW raises the eyebrows. Strolling nonchalantly toward it, spotting the V-12 emblem puts a pause in your pace. Then reading the back emblem and seeing “M760i” denoting BMW’s 601hp technological tour-de-force definitely raises both eyebrows. Who knew a 2017 model year V-12, twin turbo sedan was available anywhere for nearly $172,000.

This is a CEO car. It’s for the business owner who, nicely put, gives zero cares about what anyone thinks about his or her 16mpg highway Q-ship. They worked hard, employ many, and get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Or maybe wants something that is extremely modern, smooth and quiet and not care where the charging station may or may not be.

Start-up and driving is like any other car in the basic sense. But extra attention is given to the passengers both front and rear. Like it’s a perfect host or hostess for wheeled travel. Maybe that would be a coastess? The rear passengers share a center tablet and there are display screens behind each front seat. Each passenger can set their own seat adjustments in the rear as well.

BMW’s flagship is a first-class experience matching the turbine-like power plant under the hood. Calling it a motor or engine is just too mundane. Acceleration is swift, it leaps when need be and effortlessly closes gaps in traffic with a slight provocation of the foot. Turn-in can be surprisingly quick when manhandling the steering wheel. With the all-wheel drive, traction is never really an issue despite the V-12s best attempt to smoke the tires. Of course it’s heavy, but BMW’s new Carbon Core technology resulted in a massive 285lb weight reduction from the previous 7-series. Granted, adding four cylinders puts some weight right back, but you don't argue with a V-12. Nuff said.

Of course the suspension has adjustments but even in the comfort setting it couldn’t iron out some of the bumps on a backroad, but they were minimized greatly.  Regardless, the sheer insulation and isolation is instantly apparent. As soon as we turned onto the main road my wife immediately looked at me and said, “This is a really nice car!” With particular emphasis on the “really” part. 

It’s the technology that demands time to get familiar with the car, reading the manual, and spending hours learning it but the payoff is priceless. The gesture control seems to work in front of the steering wheel. Perhaps doing so unintuitively, performing gestures in front of the infotainment screen just made me look inept. But in describing this car, inept is not a word that comes to mind, ever.

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Audi Q5 3.2 Test Drive and Review - Still Sublime

The 2010 Audi Q5 is another example of excellence in Audi engineering. As typical Audi, the interior is top notch. Granted most SUVs are not exactly exciting to drive so they better be easy and comfortable. This one isn’t for performance or off-road capability but rather practicality. Not too big, but just right.

Equipped with the 3.2 liter V-6 producing 270 horsepower, it’s quite adequate for daily driving and the owner reports the trip computer states 26mpg at 70-80mph cruising. Audi states a 0-60mph time of 6.7 seconds as well. It does require premium gas but you pay for what you get. I immediately think of some popular V-6s that are 3.5 liters or larger before having that horsepower mark.

It’s really about utility and the automatic rear hatch has a height adjustment for ease of closing. It also has a nice cargo cover and very well thought-out floor plan.

The 3.2 Premium Plus package includes the 2-panel Panorama sunroof, one of the most distinctive features. The rear panel is fixed but the front offers a nice large opening for fresh air. It has a perforated power sunshade as well that isn’t taut. After all, it is pretty large. What is a neat feature is the shade can be closed with the roof open so that you still get the airflow but not the sun beating down on you. There will be some flutter from the shade, however.

While reaching for my pen that fell on the side of the seat, I discovered the button for lumbar support. This one had all the great features of the A5 I reviewed including the integrated navigation, satellite radio and iPod controls in the fantastic MMI multi-media interface. One negative feedback point from the owner is the 3-D view of the navigation system is disconcerting in dense downtown areas with high-rise buildings. Take a look at the Interior Link below and click on photo #5 supplied by Audi. If you use a navigation system currently, you might relate to this complaint.

Driving the SUV…wait, Audi calls this a crossover. Well that really means it’s a lifted station wagon with more headroom and taller cargo area. The other “crossovers” like the Honda Accord (see my San Jose Auto Show article and photos) are just lifted wagons. Alright, so back to the driving impression. Typical Audi turbine-like smoothness. The 6-speed automatic works very well.

The mirrors, while large and excellent for side/rear visibility blocked my vision when turning. Then again, not everyone’s eyes are in the same place when seated. What was also noticed when turning was somewhat heavy off-center steering feel.

The ride is firm yet smooth, a common description with many premium cars. When in the market for a mid-size SUV yet desiring luxury features, the Q5, especially the V-6, offers all the benefits of a sedan, isn’t oversized and offers excellent cargo capacity. Practical, rather efficient and excellent quality.

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Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance 2010: Stunning Again

It never fails; the 3rd weekend in August is special for a reason and Sunday in particular. Its one thing to see incredible factory production cars, quite another to see examples of greatness from decades or even a century ago that will never be produced again. Cars you've never heard of, never knew existed, and now never can afford. Just to see them up close is a special treat. This year is the 60th annual event and it has raised over 14 million dollars for local, national and international charities.

Buy tickets before the show to avoid the same-day mark-up and lines. When you arrive, be sure to park near the posted bus stops and not in a location where there just happens to be cars. Otherwise, it's a long walk to the next stop. Traffic management is pretty good, even arriving late works out well. Be sure to wear walking shoes and even when overcast you can get a sunburn.

The paintwork is flawless, the curves R-rated, the bright work perfectly reflective…you get the point. This year featured Alfa Romeo, Pierce-Arrow, Jaguar and the designs of Ghia. Additionally the Lakesters, Bonneville racers, past Indy cars and antique motorcycles added additional variety.

Even if the overall shape of the car looks identical, take a look at the multiple details inside and out. Rolling sculpture and jewelry before true mass production and aerodynamically perfect details took over. Read the signs in front of them, sometimes their history is also fascinating it's a story you can see in your mind's eye.

The artwork in the tent on the grounds is breathtaking although this year had fewer exhibitors than a few years ago. The food is good, service is excellent and the clothing/memorabilia items are top quality.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attended again and Jay Leno is always bitingly funny announcing the raffle. Edward Herrmann always does a great job announcing the show. Being a fan, I thanked him Thursday night for his contributions and film work at the Credit Suisse cocktail reception.

Other celebrity attendees were seen as well. A new Orange County Housewife and Brittny Gastineau (Mark's daughter) were spotted by my Lovely Navigator. Yes, the cars were that good. But who is really important is the panel of judges.

The judging panel is a who's who in the automotive world. It is an honor and privilege to attend an event where they gather to assess the rolling artwork.

The automobiles that are not entered in the show are stunning as well stay tuned for an upcoming article on the cars outside the Concours, especially if you're an enthusiast of the latest generation of exotics.

The Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance is a must-see for any auto enthusiast. Even if your tastes don't towards the pre-war classics, the variety, ambiance, presentation, people watching and overall experience should be on your must-do automotive wish list.

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Dodge Caliber SXT Review and Test Drive

When driving a car that is new to you, don’t you want to like it? Unfortunately with the 2009 Dodge Caliber SXT, that wasn’t the case. If you have one, don’t read further. I just can’t recommend this vehicle as much as I was hoping to. I don’t want to offend owners, but some people buy a car to be a little different and if they are fairly comfortable, they are happy. Others demand more from what is typically their second largest purchase in their life.

Having driven it for several hundred miles over the course of a few days a number of issues made themselves known. I had issues with the interior , ride, engine, transmission, etc.

The ride was rather floaty with side-to-side head-toss over bumps and dips. In other words the motion would rock the vehicle and that movement is transmitted to the least “secured” part of the body with a weight on top of it – the neck.

Excessive road noise from the tires filled the cabin. When the cargo area is shared with the passenger compartment without a bulkhead or folding seats as a divider, sound management is important. It was loud on the highway and I found it fatiguing.

The steering wheel sat too low interfering with the legs. Oddly, the dashboard actually slopes up towards the windshield where it meets with the upward sloping high hood-line. Adjusting the seat for comfortable position to the steering wheel and pedals meant the exterior view was compromised. With the windshield being so far from the front occupants along with the seating position, the A-pillars caused blind spots that were disconcerting.

This is not a vehicle for those that make frequent trips in nice clothes. The seats had such an abrasive fabric they would wear out a nice pair of slacks rather quickly. If you’re a traveling salesperson and are stuck with this car, buy a seat cover.

It has a continuously variable transmission which is annoying for anything other than casual acceleration. Otherwise it’s buzzy and seems as if it is continuously slipping. A common complaint among CVTs. I don’t find it appealing.

The gauges were easy to read, the radio was fine and the AC cooled nicely. However the vents can’t be moved side to side. I can’t tell you how ridiculous this is. Why in the world is this even allowed in a production car? Maybe it’s marketed to those who hardly ever turn on the air conditioning versus those that are hot all the time. Guess which group the author falls in?

Interior storage is clever. The phone storage is handy and a two level glove box is pretty neat too. A binnacle on the left might be suitable for a Bluetooth earpiece but that is about it. Definitely not for change or for your second cell phone (like personal vs. company issued). The middle storage binnacle has a lower edge that reveals the production tolerances are just okay.

17” wheels and tires were a nice addition. But overall the styling still struck me as odd, related to the Chevy Aztec.

The one thing that I stuck with me more than anything else and for the longest time is the granite-like, narrow inside door edge. If you like to put your elbow up when you drive, it will hurt within moments. It was horrible. I didn’t even put it in my notes and it’s still burned in my memory.

In all fairness, the Caliber is available with some neat features. See the link below for a window sticker. If you’re shopping for a Dodge Caliber, and these things matter to you, buyer beware. If you don’t mind it, you like the styling, its functionality suits you, then go for it.

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Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance: Exotics and Events Outside the Shows

My favorite part of the Monterey Weekend Of Automobiles (MWOA!) is actually the cars outside of the Concours D'elegance that are primarily featured on the day of the show. Sometimes you get a peak a day or two before. Others are seen at the various auctions.

The ones I've wanted to see for a long time in the past year or so were present: Ferrari 458 Italia, 599 GTO and the one and only P540 Superfast Aperta based on the 599 GTB. Also a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 918 Spyder, 911 Turbo S, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, and others. Some surprises were there as well such as the gorgeous Morgan EvaGT and the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 which has the horsepower output the production Evora desperately needs.

The Ferrari display just outside the Concours is up the ramp from the shops near the main entrance. The display was wonderful and deserved a higher traffic location. Some even missed it. The Italia was a very nice dark blue and of course the GTO was red. The only P540 in existence, part of the Ferrari customization program is gold colored.

The Bugatti, an even darker blue-black was especially understated. Even the McLaren was the wrong color, silver, and looks like a small car, not a wide sports car. An interesting perception, I'll be curious to see other colors on the road, hopefully.

The CTS-V is "V-rated" just like the sedan version. Wheels, brakes, hood and grill distinguish it from the standard coupe just like the sedan. The rear end just looks too disproportionately large. A comment overheard was it looks just like some simple trapezoidal shape. There is a very strange cut line near the door touch pad opening that looks like a little square filler instead of being part of the body work.

The Porsche Spyder is simply outrageous. A shorter, more curvy looking ancestor of the Carrera GT, it was also the absolutely wrong color, somewhat of a muted beige silver that didn't do it justice.

The Morgan EvaGT was a stunner. Elements of the 3rd generation Corvette could be seen but with European supercar lines. It's curves were R-rated, not suitable for those with delicate sensitivities. Really, this car is like a Frederick's of Hollywood model lounging in her lingerie on the putting green.

Jaguar's weekend kick-off event featured the remaining 12 of the 16 XK-SS Roadsters at the entrance to the party. An impressive historical sight while all their stunningly elegant models were on display. Race car driver Roberto Guerrero was even one of the very friendly product specialists. The food and large room dedicated for desserts was far more memorable than the fun dance floor.

The auctions offered some other stunners as well such as some gorgeous Ferrari's at the RM Auction held at the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center. In fact, the top seller was a Ferrari that sold for $4,620,000. Now the auction charges $40 per person just to view the cars and even more to attend. Considering the crowds at night, this is a necessary but unfortunate fee.

MWOA is a spectacular time of year. Be sure to mark your calendar for the third weekend in August and be prepared to check off all the "greats" you read and see in the magazines, on Top Gear and You Tube all year.

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Toyota FJ Opinion

Brandon from Brandon, FL writes:
I am always in the market for a new ride I like the Accord. But I really enjoy a Crossover-SUV with the higher up feeling. But there are none that are in my price range so for the past year I've been stuck. But with my warranty now up I am back to searching for a good weekend deal in the paper. What do you think of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, black on black with dual exhaust? It has a good sporty look to it. I also am not really worried about gas I don't drive much at all. My current ride gets about 16/21 mpg city/highway.

Brandon,
The Toyota FJ is a nice beefy, ride. Toyota reliability and distinctive, retro styling are nice touches. In fact, my sister really wants one! It definitely has off-road intentions so that part might be wasted in your neck of the woods. There is nothing wrong with that if gas consumption isn't a concern.

I suggest two things though. If you tend have rear seat passengers or cargo, try climbing in and out and see what you think in terms of access. Second, take the car into a crowded parking lot and park it between cars and back it up a few times. See if the visibility is acceptable for the daily driving you'll be doing. Good luck in your search!

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