Saturday, June 9, 2012

Automotive Addicts

Automotive Addicts

Big Muscle Drives A 1970 440 6-Pack ‘Cuda: Video

Posted: 08 Jun 2012 12:30 PM PDT


If you don't think that cars can be legitimate members of the family, you've never met John Cross. As a young boy, Cross distinctly remembers being pressed into the rear seat of his cousin's Plymouth Barracuda, so when the chance came to buy that same car a decade later, Cross ponied up the $1,000 asking price without hesitation.

Now, 34 years later, Cross still owns the same numbers-matching car. In the quest for more power and better drivability, however, the original engine was pulled for display and replaced with a 440 block bored to 493 cubic inches. When the engine was dynoed at the end of the build, even the shop was surprised to find that it made 684 horsepower and 682 pound-feet of torque.

Since then, Cross has made a few more mods, and now estimates that the power is somewhere in the 700 hp range. That's plenty to ensure warp speed in a straight line, but as Big Muscle host Mike Musto points out, this isn't a car for carving canyons.

Instead, the 'Cuda is best for cruising on a Saturday night, frightening small children when the exhaust dumps are open. Since Plymouth didn't sell nearly as many 'Cudas as Ford sold Mustangs or Chevy sold Camaros, Cross' ride is indeed an exotic animal, worth many times his original investment.

Despite the fact that the car has been in his family for over four decades, Cross would consider a sale "for the right offer." We're guessing that that offer would have to be somewhere in the six digit range; after all, even family members have their price.

Shifting Debacle: BMW Patent Designs for 7-Speed Manual Transmission Exposed

Posted: 08 Jun 2012 06:40 AM PDT


The transmission debacle in the eye of enthusiasts is just as frustrating as listening to the latest political ‘stories’ in the media. In knowing how the manual transmission is going the way of the dinosaurs, BMW still has one last hurrah in what is being exposed as their patent for a 7-Speed manual transmission.

The patent office is always a good place to start when you want to be on the verge of the latest 'things to come', especially in the electronics community and automotive world. Porsche has already had a jump on offering the first 7-speed manual transmission, which is available in the Porsche 911. The 7-speed manual transmission can be a mixed bag for enthusiasts. To look at it from the manufacturer's point of view, it is all about efficiency while still essentially giving the driver what they want.

BMW's design proposal, according to the recent uncovered manual transmission patents, has plans outside of just a 7-speed manual box. It seems the idea for even more gears, potentially 8 or 9 gears, may be considered. In such configurations, today's technology will need to play a large part in preventing miss-shifts or driver confusion with having so many gears to select "manually". The use of a computerized shifting module or "Shift by Wire" system could play a part. Think of this as the SMG unit having a gated shift box only the shifts are registered electronically by servos via hydraulic actuation.

It is great to have such innovative ideas to ultimately make the purist or true enthusiast happy. It remains to be seen if such technology will be favorable among our peers. For now, we are happy to know BMW is still on the very short list of those who have not given up on the manual transmission just yet.

[source: E90Post]

Dany Bahar Terminated By Lotus

Posted: 08 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT


Dany Bahar. Image: Lotus

Group Lotus Plc has announced the termination of its former CEO, Dany Bahar, effective immediately, without releasing any additional details on his dismissal. The move comes as no surprise, since Bahar was suspended for conduct on May 25, pending an investigation by Lotus' new parent company, DRB-HICOM.

Bahar was recruited by Lotus to replace its former CEO, Mike Kimberly, following his retirement in 2009. Prior to joining Lotus, Bahar was senior vice president for the commercial and brand department at Ferrari, which also included marketing and licensing for Scuderia Ferrari. Bahar’s age (37 when he was hired by Lotus) and background in motorsport marketing were seen as necessary components to ensure future growth of the Lotus brand.

Until a new CEO can be found, Lotus' new Chief Operating Officer, Aslam Farikullah, will likely be wearing multiple hats. While DRB-HICOM appears to be committed to Lotus (for now, anyway), the CEO's chair at the boutique sports car brand doesn't exactly come with job security, and that's not going to make the search for Bahar's replacement any easier.
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