Auto Trends

No doubt you have heard about some of the tragedies that succumbed the fate of the Cash For Clunkers program. Of course I am speaking from the point of view of a true car enthusiasts. Other folks would probably say good ridden to just about anything on the road that can achieve a 35 mpg rating with both tires tied behind its trunk. Never-the-less, the Cars.gov website has released its official list of cars that were destroyed during the program, and Auto Blog was right on it, leaving a trail of tears as they read.

For those who are more of a glass is half full type of individual, Auto Blog reminds us that many of the most surprising vehicles on this list, just may be a typing or clerical error. None-the-less, not all of these can be a mistake, so I can assure you that at least a few tears should be in order. So without further adieu, let’s start the Cash for Clunker Trade-in Tragedy pictorial…

1987 Buick ASC GNX

Photo via Travis Isaacs
With its turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, this vehicle has become one of the most renowned 6-bangers in history.

1992 GMC Typhoon

Photo via em0erk
A 4.3 liter turbocharged V-6 SUV that could punch out 0-60 in under 5-seconds.

2008 Foose Ford F-150

Photo via josedesomb66
There were only 500 of these 450 horsepower monsters made, and considering two got clunked, I guess we’re down to 498.

1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante

Photo via fly_on_the_wall
Too painful for me to even think about!

1987 Duntov GT

Photo via essichgurgn
Anything that is this exotic is bound to be worth more than $4,500… even with bullet holes in the trunk!

2005 Mazda RX-8

Photo via CarbonXRS
I kid you not!

2006 350Z Roadster

Photo via tadpole_x
Somebody must have really hated this car!

1985 TVR 280i Convertible

Photo via Matt-Hill
Ah, okay, well that’s enough tears for that one…

Here is the full list of surprises (Read ‘em and weep):

• 1987 Buick ASC GNX
• 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante
• 1997 Bentley Continental R
• 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am
• 1992 GMC Typhoon
• 1985 Audi Quattro
• 1992 BMW 850i
• 2006 Audi A4 Convertible
• 2006 Cadillac STS
• 2008 Foose F-150
• 2007 GMC Acadias
• 2008 Hyundai Accent
• 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster
• 2006 Roush Stage 3 F-150
• 2006 Toyota Corolla
• 2005 Mazda RX-8
• 2002 Kia Spectra
• 1988 Aurora Cobra
• 1996 Buick Funeral Hearses
• 1987 Duntov GT
• 1987 Excalibur Autos Phaeton
• 1990 Honda CRX
• 1985 Maserati Quattroporte
• 1999 Mercedes C43 AMG
• 1985 TVR 280i Convertible

Source: AutoBlog

Toyota Landcruiser Rollover, originally uploaded by alco_dl500b

The rumors have been flying recently, leaving a trail behind them indicating that Toyota may be in a wee bit of trouble. Well, as if lagging sales and plateaued corporate development weren’t bad enough, Toyota is facing a series of lawsuits according to Automotive News.

Former Toyota Lawyer, Dimitrios Biller, is set to step into court with evidence that Toyota was withholding incriminating documentation for hundreds of liability suits, involving among others, rollover accidents. The basic gist of Biller’s lawsuit, is during these other product lawsuits, Toyota was ordered by the court to present information towards each individual case that they either purposefully held back or had destroyed.

An example of this type of cover-up, offered by CBS News, is claims (lawsuits) that Toyota’s roof internal standard does not meet government regulations. Toyota repeatedly testified that a standard for their roofs did not exist, while Biller claims many of their cars and vehicles just plain flat did not meet the standards. The New York Times added that Biller has suggested that Toyota concealed the results of rollover crash tests, stating that they failed to meet the requirement of a 2-inch space above the head of the crash-test dummy.

Toyota claims that Biller does not have a leg to stand on and is counting on his sorted past of mental conditions and lack of evidence to weaken his case beyond just getting out into a couple of news story. Biller on the other hand intends to take the case all the way, claiming that the mental breakdown he suffered was due to the pressure that he was given by upper suits to keep quiet or his career with Toyota would be ended rather unpleasantly. Biller worked with Toyota from 2003 to 2007, before receiving a nice $3.7 million severance package.

The news of Toyota’s resistance to follow courts orders, has prompted a Texas vehicle safety lawyer to revisit and refile 15 lawsuits (six years old) against Toyota last week, which could be the first of many more as evidence surmounts. Toyota has requested that any of the documents held by Biller be withheld from the public eye (seal the case), but the court has yet to decided whether or not it will grant them this request or not, and they probably won’t make a final decision until later this month..

And so now await the final verdict…

Source: Automotive News

2010 F150 SVT Raptor R Debut, originally uploaded by Cenas da Cidade.com.br

In a world of critics, it is hard to make everybody happy. There is always somebody let down by the manufacturers efforts, no matter how much horsepower, function, attention to detail, and convenience you throw into a vehicle. The Ford F-150 has suffered from these very criticisms over the years, and in some folks minds, falls behind the Dodge Ram, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, and GMC Sierra in more than just a couple ways.

Cue in the 2001: Space Odyssey music…

The SVT Raptor however, is Fords answer to anyone who has ever said that an F-150 is not good enough for off-road jockeying. The Raptor was in fact born and bread for its off-road capabilities, and while it may appear more like your typical trophy truck with a few carefully placed badges, vents, chrome, and decals, it’s bite is every bit as “bad to the bone” as its bark.

Suspension & Handling
A Raptor build begins from the ground up, beginning with an F-150 chassis that has been increased in width by seven inches. The suspension is then bolted into place using a custom specifications allowing greater clearance (9.8 inches), improved aluminum cast control rods, axle tube shafts, and heavy-duty steel shock mounts where a set of triple interior-bypass shocks will eventually find their way.

The shocks alone provide the Raptor with a unique ride that is decidedly wild and tame all in the same package. This is thanks to its three-stage design, which allows their firmness to get progressively sturdier as the beaten path calls for it. Throw in a set of 17 inch aluminum wheels with 35-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain’s ($200 per tire), and the Raptor is capable of tackling anything that the swamp ridden East Coast or desert packed mid-west could possibly throw at it.

Power & Performance
The SVT was built not as a glorified race truck, but rather as an all-terrain monster, explaining its initial release of a 5.4-liter Ford powerplant worth 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. At 6,000 pounds, including the driver, the Raptor is not particularly quick (0-60, 8.2 seconds) with its available 6-speed transmission.

Ford will however be offering a much quicker version later in the year, featuring a 6.2-liter which will undoubtedly clear 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. There may even be room for a supercharger option somewhere down the road.

Style & Function
The color availability of paint on the SVT Raptor is relatively sparse with white, gray, blue, orange, and black heading up the list. The interior adds a splash of color to the standard F-150 as well, with two-tone leather seats, stylish white-face gauges, and faux aluminum trim across both the dash and door panels.

Another features of the 2010 Raptor worth mentioning, is its Hill Decent, which allows the driver to coast down a steep hill at a predetermined speed (up to 20 mph), simply by manipulating either the accelerator or brake pedal. The Raptor also features an off-road ABS function, which loosens up the brakes a bit to give the big truck a little more bite when playing in the loose dirt.

Conclusion
At a meager $39,000, I highly doubt you could do much better tapping out your own urban assault vehicle using separate parts and your own labor. Ford looks like they have actually done it this time, and avoided the brunt of criticism. I haven’t got much bad to say about this offering other than the fact that they haven’t yet dropped one off in my driveway. Oh well, I guess tomorrow is another day I can hope!