Freightliner 18″ Chrome & Cherry Wood Steering Wheel

If you have 1989 Freightliner trucks, maybe this Steering Wheel will make you vehicle look different. 4 Spokes. Cherry Wood Grain. Center is a Horn.

Black Diamond, The Last Variant Of 2013 Avalanche

Due to the sales of Avalanche that continue drop recently, finally Chevrolet has confirmed will stop production of this  variants of Chevrolet pickup double cab and crew cab Avalanche. The latest version of Avalanche will be launched in 2013.

The last variants of Avalanche in 2013 is Black Diamond, this as well as the form of gratitude to the Avalanche fans. This model is equipped with rear camera, park features, automatic gas pedal, as well as fog lamps and remote machine player. There are two variants of Black diamonds that will be launched in the market namely LS and LT series.

Black Diamond has been produced in last June, 2012 and will enter showrooms early 2013.  To boost sales of  Avalanche Black Diamond , General Motors will give discounts of up to U.S. $ 2,500. Avalanche LT Black Diamond will be priced at U.S. $ 39,235 while the variant Ls be priced at  $ 36,975.

Ford Releases Power Figures For The 2013 Shelby GT500

Last November we told you that Ford would launch a revised Shelby GT500 for 2013, complete with a 650-horsepower supercharged V-8. It turns out we were a bit wrong about the Shelby’s horsepower; according to the latest information from Ford, the new Shelby GT500 will actually produce 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque, which makes the car’s 5.8-liter V-8 the most powerful production V-8 in the world.

Think about that last fact for a second – the most powerful production V-8 in the world graces the engine bay of a Mustang, not a Ferrari or an Aston Martin or a Maserati. It beats the Camaro ZL1 by a significant 82 horsepower and 75 pound-feet of torque, and it even beats the Corvette ZR1 in output, at a little more than half the price (although we’re pretty sure the ZR1 will still be faster around a racetrack).

If that wasn’t impressive enough on its own, the new Shelby GT500 will even avoid a gas guzzler tax rating, and actually delivers better fuel economy (by one mpg city and highway) than the car it replaces. Compared to the Camaro ZL1, the Shelby GT500 will return one more mpg around town, but a significant five mpg more on the highway. Not that any buyers shop either car for its fuel economy, of course, and driven as intended fuel economy in the single digits is likely. Read more…

Video: Bugatti Explains The One-Off L’or Blanc

Without new models in the pipeline, Bugatti has been limited to building even more exotic one-off creations with truly staggering price tags. Take the Bugatti L’or Blanc, for example, which was created in cooperation with the porcelain artisans at Berlin’s Koenigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM). The selling price for this particular work of art ? A reported $2.5 million.

As Motor Authority explains, the car is surfaced in aluminum and carbon fiber, painted to match designs created in the KPM studio. Handcrafted porcelain details (not our first choice for automotive applications) are used throughout, including the EB logo, the fuel filler cap, door handle trim, center console tray and the rear bulkhead. The material has been tested to withstand the type of rigors encountered on the road, but we still don’t see a porcelain ornament withstanding a 200 mph stone impact.

The car marks the start of a partnership between Bugatti and KPM, so expect future models to sport such fine art ceramic detailing as well. As for us, we’d be happy to pay less money to get exterior trim that’s a bit more durable and less expensive to replace. Read more…

The Biggest Car Flops or “Whoops!”

The Biggest Car Flops or “Whoops!”

From the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger to the Pontiac Trans-Am and GTO, there are some vehicles that stand the test of time and are universally considered cool, no matter what the year, model or modifications. Then, there are other vehicles so heinous that the mere mention of their name sends shivers down a gearhead’s spine. For some manufacturers, these models are distant bad memories and bumps in the road of an otherwise stellar history.

There are also a handful of vehicles so wretched their mere existence was enough to bring down multi-billion dollar automotive companies. Here are four of the biggest vehicle flops in history:

Lincoln Blackwood

Here is a common list of reasons why any human being on earth with sense, or a guy named Bubba, would purchase a truck over a car: cargo space, rugged dependability, four-wheel drive, space, more space and even more space to haul equipment, tools, furniture or fishing gear. Let’s run down the “features” offered on the 2002 Lincoln Blackwood: a cab that is basically a glorified Ford F-150 fitted with imitation mahogany, a few LED lights and the word “Lincoln” instead of “Ford.” Add to that a cargo bed that is about 6”2 short and adorned with nauseating stainless steel and carpet. Yes, carpeting that was intended to seem “upscale,” but actually turns the Lincoln Blackwood into the Ford F-150’s ugly stepsister. The best part? All of this useless luxury and giggles you’ll hear from your friends that own Ford F-150s and Chevy Silverados (aka real trucks) will only cost you a base price of $50,000.

Cadillac Cimarron

Utter the word “Cadillac” in a room filled with car enthusiasts and you’ll hear several desirable factors being thrown around. Luxury, style, dependability, beauty, elegance….the list goes on and on. Now scream the phrase “Cadillac Cimarron!” and watch the reactions of sheer horror these two tiny words elicit. In response to BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s success in the premium small car arena, GM thought it would be a swell idea to throw their hat into the ring and the Cimarron was unfortunately born. If you’ve never seen a Cimarron in person, just conjure the stock image of a Cadillac in your mind. Now shrink the body, replace the leather upholstery with tacky and cheap fabrics and remove anything luxurious or dynamic. Throw in a few ugly accessories and you have the basic idea. No wonder the car almost brought this classic automaker to its knees.

DeLorean DMC-12

You have to give it to John DeLorean; the man had gumption and a dream to make a car that would suit the needs of every American. He left a job working for General Motors with the intension of turning the automotive world on its head with a car that was luxurious, economical and safe, all the while looking like an unpainted, stainless steel Lotus Esprit. During production, the car was so coveted that potential buyers were willing to pay $10,000 dollar over list price, which was the equivalent to around $63,000 in 2012. Unfortunately, John DeLorean’s dreams of ruling the automotive world were short-lived, and the DeLorean Motor Company went belly-up shortly after the first cars left the assembly line. Before you shame the name of John DeLorean keep one point in mind: what would Marty McFly drive in “Back to the Future” if it weren’t for this gull-winged monstrosity otherwise known as the DeLorean DMC-12?

Ford Pinto

No list of the worst vehicle flops in history would be complete without the Ford Pinto. It’s not that the car’s styling was too offensive to the eyes, had an interior that looked like the shag carpet under Grandma’s couch or sounded like a dying seagull after it hit 55 mph. No, the reason for a general disdain of the Pinto might have something to do with the small, insignificant fact that the car would literally burst into flames if involved in a rear end collision. 27 deaths were attributed to these fires, making the Pinto by far the worst vehicle in automotive history. Who knows, maybe something as simple as replacing the suspension ball joints could have saved the reputation of this snazzy vehicle.

Thank goodness for odd people, because even the worst cars have diehard fans. Several of the world’s biggest flops are actually loved enough to warrant the formation of fan clubs, meetings and extensive car shows in their honor. Even the ugliest ducks are beautiful swans; it just depends on how you look at them.

This post was written and contributed by Edson Farnell. Edson writes about various automotive topics. Many of Edson’s friends refer to him as the Auto Parts Geek.

Forget The Escalade, Give Me An MRAP

As the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan began to ramp up, one thing became clear to the U.S. military: the venerable HMMWV (or Humvee, for short), wasn’t safe for troops facing roadside bombs. Development of a “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicle, or MRAP for short, became priority number one to protect troops in combat zones. In 2007, a total of $1.1 billion was budgeted for the purchase of MRAP vehicles for deployment.

The move had a huge impact on troop safety, and by June of 2008 roadside attacks and U.S. troop fatalities had decreased by some 90-percent. The MRAPs, with their thick armor plating and blast-deflecting hulls, were doing exactly what they were supposed to do: saving the lives of U.S. soldiers in combat.

Fast forward to 2012. We’re out of Iraq, and we’ll be handing the keys back in Afghanistan in 2014, which leaves the military with 20,000 MRAP vehicles it no longer needs. Their weight (over 14 tons each) and sheer size make them impractical to deploy to areas where thick armor and blast protection isn’t needed. As CNN (via Autoblog) reports, the best option is to use the trucks for land mine clearing and bomb disposal, but the military doesn’t need 20,000 MRAPs for that purpose.

For now, the trucks will be parked in storage, reserved for future conflicts where IEDs are a potential problem. If history is any indication, the military won’t hold on to this surplus for long, although we’re not sure if the general public will be allowed to purchase such an impenetrable vehicle at auction. We think they’d make the ultimate platform for a recreational vehicle, allowing owners to sleep in bear country (or anywhere else they chose) without a second thought.

Ford Focus ST Configurator Is (Finally) Live

After nearly two years of waiting, Ford has finally teed up a configurator site for the eagerly anticipated Focus ST hot hatch. There’s still no word on when you’ll be able to take delivery (aside from “late 2012”), but at least you can calculate how much it will cost to buy one built to your exact specs. You can even place a reservation (or “nonbinding order,” in Ford’s words) to ensure that you’re the first on your block to take delivery.

A base price of $24,495 (including a $795 destination fee) gets you a surprising amount of standard content, including keyless entry and pushbutton start; Ford’s SYNC infotainment system; trip computer; unique ST sport suspension; 18-inch wheels with Y-rated tires and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine rated at 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque (or 247 hp and 250 lb-ft, depending upon which Ford source is correct).

You’ll want to bin the stock seats and upgrade to the optional Recaros, which come as part of a package. If you want partial-leather seats, select Equipment Group ST2, which prices at $2,385 but also gives you an upgraded audio system. If you want full-leather Recaro seats, you’ll need Equipment Group ST3, which includes the other bits from ST2 and adds HID lighting and ambient lighting, for a price of $4,435.

Even going heavy on the options produces a sticker price below $30,000, which means that the Mazdaspeed3 may have a competitor for the “best bang for the buck” award. We’ll reserve judgement until we get a chance to drive one, whenever that might be.

Big Muscle Visits The Lingenfelter Collection: Video

When we grow up, we want to be Ken Lingenfelter. Not only does he own Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (which was founded by a cousin, John Lingenfelter), but he also has one of the most impressive car collections in the United States. How many cars are in the collection? Even Ken doesn’t know for sure, saying “about 200,” since he’s afraid to give an exact count.

While the collection is heavy on Corvettes (which make up about 40% of the total), there’s something for everyone. Want a Ferrari F40, a DeLorean DMC1, a Vector, an Opel GT, or a mid-seventies Pontiac Can-Am? No problem. A Bugatti Veyron or an original AAR ‘Cuda? Yeah, they’re in the collection, too.

This episode of Big Muscle centers on one of the most significant cars in the collection, which host Mike Musto refers to as “ground zero” for hot rodders. Lingenfelter owns the Duntov Test Mule EX-8, which was the first Corvette to be tested and evaluated with a small-block V-8 engine. Without this car and its small block Chevy V-8, the Corvette may never have survived beyond the first generation, and hot-rodders may never have embraced a Chevrolet V-8 engine.

Mike spends some time in a Lingenfelter-tuned 1993 Corvette ZR1, too, capable of producing upwards of 600 horsepower. It’s got a rather unique valet key, and unlocking the car’s full power is akin to twisting the two keys needed to launch a nuclear missile. It’s as subtle as an artillery barrage, and makes an impressive statement on how much power was possible from a street-legal car, even back in 1993.

Drive A New BMW 1 Series M Coupe for Free… On Your PC

If you are a car enthusiast like me, chances are you have played your fair share of video games including the Forza Motorsport series, Gran Turismo series games, or even arcade style ones such as Need for Speed or Test Drive. Either way, many of these games have your favorite sports car that you can virtually drive on your big screen at home. BMW wants to give you the opportunity to do the same for specific M vehicles, primarily the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe, in a new free PC game.

The new BMW 1 Series M Coupe ACR racing game is an exclusive BMW Experience offered online via Autoclubrevolution.com. From the site, PC users are able to download, install and play the game along with their online friends and get the ultimate driving experience behind the screen of your computer wheel of a new BMW 1 Series M Coupe.

The video below demonstrates and summarizes what you should expect in this new game with levels of customization tailored for BMW vehicles. Enjoy The Ultimate Driving Machine!

Cadillac Pulls A Page From Hyundai’s Playbook

When Hyundai launched its upscale Equus sedan in the United States, it did so with an innovative marketing move: rather than include a paper version of the owners manual, it loaded the full document onto an Apple iPad, which was included with the purchase of the car. That lasted exactly one model year, and Equus models now come with an abbreviated owners manual and a a DVD packed with the full version.

To mark the launch of its CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system in the upcoming Cadillac XTS, the luxury automaker is doing something very similar. XTS buyers will get a free iPad, but it won’t come loaded with just the car’s owner’s manual. Instead, it will contain an app that mirrors the CUE interface, allowing XTS buyers to learn the system when and where they choose.

The iPad will also contain the MyCadillac app, which allows owners to locate a dealer, schedule service, read the owners manual, get reminders on parking or summon roadside assistance, and the OnStar RemoteLink app, which allows remote locking and unlocking of doors and displays the status of various vehicle systems.

We think this is a smart move on behalf of Cadillac, since infotainment systems can be challenging for some customers to learn (just ask Ford and Lincoln). To ensure this isn’t a problem with CUE, Cadillac is also deploying 25 Connected Customer Experts across the United States to provide a training resource for dealers and customers. It’s even added CUE experts to its customer service center in Austin, Texas, ensuring that questions on specific smartphones and CUE features are answered quickly and accurately.

Just in case that’s not enough, every new XTS and ATS buyer will receive a welcome call from Cadillac, giving buyers a personal contact should questions arise.