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rscott posted:I prefer my fonts sans serif for extra aerodynamic efficiency. Heh. It's easy to tell who's been to the track and who hasn't. Those serifs are for downforce.
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Nov 1, 2012 03:25
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So there will be a new RX-7 in 2017. Presumably Mazda will be a Chrysler subsidiary by that time. Who on earth makes product plans that far out?
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Nov 1, 2012 03:35
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Throatwarbler posted:So there will be a new RX-7 in 2017. Presumably Mazda will be a Chrysler subsidiary by that time. Who on earth makes product plans that far out? It's a way of generating hype. For all we know, it could be either a) already in pre-concept design or b) drumming up some hype to see if the market is even volatile enough. But with the success (so far) of the FR-S/BRZ, automakers will probably be jumping over themselves to make a small RWD-based sporty car; and who better than Mazda to bring back the car that was so successful? The RX-7 used to dominate that field 
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Nov 1, 2012 03:43
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Throatwarbler posted:So there will be a new RX-7 in 2017. Presumably Mazda will be a Chrysler subsidiary by that time. Who on earth makes product plans that far out? So what, are they just totally ignoring the RX-8, or was that a retarded flipper baby of the glorious rotary awesomeness or whatever that the RX-7 was? Going by their numbering scheme I woulda guessed they'd call it the RX-9.
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Nov 1, 2012 03:45
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The control system between the front seats, where your hand naturally rests, is absolutely the best place to put your nav controls, and having to gorilla-arm a touch screen is the worst. I think the setup in the new A3 is just about the best possible configuration. Hard controls for climate, controls between the seats for nav.
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Nov 1, 2012 04:08
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 quote:Subaru has released two pictures and some preliminary details of the all-new 2014 Forester that will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The 2.0 DIT motor in the JDM Legacy GT makes almost 300hp, so I'd assume they turn the wick up a bit for the next-gen WRX. Between the next-gen motor and the lessons learned from the BRZ, the new WRX should be awesome.
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Nov 1, 2012 04:16
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Sadly the Forester XT is still automatic-only, it seems (from the leaked Japanese brochures). I'll miss you, hood scoop. It appears to be a top mounted intercooler still, just with an extra gap in the hood for feeding air. 
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Nov 1, 2012 04:20
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DEUCE SLUICE posted:The control system between the front seats, where your hand naturally rests, is absolutely the best place to put your nav controls, and having to gorilla-arm a touch screen is the worst. I think the setup in the new A3 is just about the best possible configuration. Where's the stereo???
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Nov 1, 2012 04:24
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The stereo is controlled through the big dial below the shifter, and displayed on either the big retractable display or the MFD between the gauges. You can also DRAW LETTERS ON THE DIAL to enter addresses.  Seat Safety Switch posted:Sadly the Forester XT is still automatic-only, it seems (from the leaked Japanese brochures). I can see making the Forester a little less aggro but they know better than to get rid of the scoop on the WRX.
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Nov 1, 2012 04:30
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CharlesM posted:Where's the stereo??? Music? While driving? Silly Americans, first you ask for cupholders, and now this!
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Nov 1, 2012 04:31
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Devyl posted:It's a way of generating hype. For all we know, it could be either a) already in pre-concept design or b) drumming up some hype to see if the market is even volatile enough. If it's a cleansheet design, this is when a company would start staffing the project, right? Definitely hype (as in, if they cancel it, it was just making news), but not unrealistic timeline wise.
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Nov 1, 2012 05:29
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DEUCE SLUICE posted:The control system between the front seats, where your hand naturally rests, is absolutely the best place to put your nav controls, and having to gorilla-arm a touch screen is the worst. I think the setup in the new A3 is just about the best possible configuration. Mercedes is really good at this, but I imagine only on their top end cars. The ergonomics in an S550 is just fantastic. I'll probably never be able to afford one, but my 82 year old CEO makes me program everything in his. What comes after that in terms of the luxury and cruiser? I'd guess the Maybach and Phantom are near or at the top. Loan Dusty Road fucked around with this message at 06:17 on Nov 1, 2012 |
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Nov 1, 2012 06:14
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Hashal posted:Mercedes is really good at this, but I imagine only on their top end cars. The ergonomics in an S550 is just fantastic. I'll probably never be able to afford one, but my 82 year old CEO makes me program everything in his. What comes after that in terms of the luxury and cruiser? I'd guess the Maybach and Phantom are near or at the top. Maybach is going the way of the dodo in 2013. They didn't bother to update the car much, it's still based on the old S-class, but at the same hyper-luxury price. I hear they're going to be doing some clearance deals, though. The Phantom is pretty much the only step up from an S-class, though I guess the Ghost kind of slips in between them. 7-series and A8 are both more like sidegrades or even downgrades to the S-class. But I must say, Audi's got a nifty feature in that "draw letters on the dial to enter adresses" thing. Perhaps they've licensed Graffiti from Palm? 
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Nov 1, 2012 08:49
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KozmoNaut posted:Maybach is going the way of the dodo in 2013. They didn't bother to update the car much, it's still based on the old S-class, but at the same hyper-luxury price. I hear they're going to be doing some clearance deals, though. The A8 has had it since 2010, although it's on a seperate laptop-style touchpad. I imagine it's probably useful for the Chinese market where entering Chinese with a dial or whatever the gently caress the BMWs use is cumbersome.
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Nov 1, 2012 09:05
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Seat Safety Switch posted:Sadly the Forester XT is still automatic-only, it seems (from the leaked Japanese brochures). I can see why some people would be ambivalent about the scoop going, but why be glad to see it go? I guess some people just like things as staid as possible.
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Nov 1, 2012 12:34
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It's bad for aerodynamics.
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Nov 1, 2012 13:14
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 RIP hood scoop, you'll be boosting in heaven little angel
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Nov 1, 2012 14:42
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Throatwarbler posted:It's bad for aerodynamics. I guess. But what it loses in aerodynamics it makes up for 100 times over in 
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Nov 1, 2012 17:14
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Seat Safety Switch posted:Sadly the Forester XT is still automatic-only, it seems (from the leaked Japanese brochures).
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Nov 1, 2012 17:59
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tetrapyloctomy posted:Funny, Autoblog just made mention of a new six-speed and a CVT for the Forester; is the former only going to be available in the base model? Seems stupid. This is pretty much a thing with a lot of manufacturers right now. Mazda, Hyundai, Subaru, etc... Base model with no or minimal options available with a stick, any package above base has an auto standard.
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Nov 1, 2012 18:05
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Friar Zucchini posted:So what, are they just totally ignoring the RX-8, or was that a retarded flipper baby of the glorious rotary awesomeness or whatever that the RX-7 was? Going by their numbering scheme I woulda guessed they'd call it the RX-9. RX-7 had 2 doors, RX-8 had 4 doors, an RX-9 would have to have 6 doors.
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Nov 1, 2012 18:23
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Rhyno posted:RX-7 had 2 doors, RX-8 had 4 doors, an RX-9 would have to have 6 doors. full-scale cargo van with dual opening rear doors and a rotary engine
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Nov 1, 2012 18:53
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CornHolio posted:full-scale cargo van with dual opening rear doors and a rotary engine the secret is when you open the cargo area its just one giant rotary spinning like the diesel engine on a battleship. This will also make the van hop at idle, low rider style. BosozukoX9 new for 2017
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Nov 1, 2012 18:58
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tetrapyloctomy posted:Funny, Autoblog just made mention of a new six-speed and a CVT for the Forester; is the former only going to be available in the base model? Seems stupid. Not sure how I feel about the CVT, but given that I would not ever have bought one of the terrible four-speed Subaru autos anyway I guess it's not an issue. From the press release attached to the Autoblog article: quote:Transmission
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Nov 1, 2012 20:21
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Steve French posted:From the press release attached to the Autoblog article: Sorry I missed it. Seriously, hill descent control on a Forester?
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Nov 1, 2012 22:12
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CornHolio posted:full-scale cargo van with dual opening rear doors and a rotary engine I am down for this.
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Nov 1, 2012 22:20
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tetrapyloctomy posted:Sorry I missed it. Seriously, hill descent control on a Forester? Marketing term for engine braking on their CVT.
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Nov 1, 2012 22:44
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So the Hyundai group got caught cheating on EPA fuel economy. http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/labelchange.htm I'm surprised this isn't more common, it seems like manufacturers are gaming the system like crazy. I see many cars now that seem to have higher ratings than older cars that I know get better mileage. It's very difficult to accurately compare fuel economy though, because some places have pure gas, some have E10, weather varies so much between different locations, and some people have heavy feet. I do about 23 in my tiny little Miata while a friend of mine has proven that he gets 26 mpg mixed in a mod motor Mustang.
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Nov 2, 2012 15:52
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Weinertron posted:So the Hyundai group got caught cheating on EPA fuel economy. Every manufacturer does this. Go on any given brand's fan forum and you'll find hordes of threads of people asking why they can't match the mileage that was on the sticker. EPA needs to investigate everyone 'cuz they're all cheating.
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Nov 3, 2012 06:34
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Naky posted:Every manufacturer does this. Go on any given brand's fan forum and you'll find hordes of threads of people asking why they can't match the mileage that was on the sticker. EPA needs to investigate everyone 'cuz they're all cheating. Volkswagen TDI models, on the other hand, usually understate their mileage for some reason.
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Nov 3, 2012 06:36
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Hyundai was bullshitting the numbers way worse then everyone else.
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Nov 3, 2012 06:53
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Yeah, I'll buy that. A Hyundai Elantra is the only rental car I haven't been able to beat the estimated mileage with. Only 38 mpg highway, total rip off. What's surprising is how few people complain about their optimistic speedometers. Now that I have a Garmin with a precise speed readout, some cars drive me nuts on the highway with their +5mph speedometer boost. I can't help but wonder if it's driving up the odometer too. If that's the case then even calculator math is netting me incorrect fuel economy numbers. 
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Nov 3, 2012 07:29
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Hummer Driving human being posted:Volkswagen TDI models, on the other hand, usually understate their mileage for some reason. I haven't found that at all, with both the TSI and TDI (especially the smaller ones) VWs are difficult to get much better than their published figures, whereas with something lower tech like an Accord its easy to significantly beat the official figures.
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Nov 3, 2012 08:41
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The problem with the fuel economy test is it's based on emissions, not actual fuel consumption, and the conditions presented are very easy to game. That test is why the skip-shift exists - GM figured out that if you slap a solenoid on a manual gearbox to force a 1-4 shift under a specific RPM and load condition instead of a 1-2 shift, you'd improve mileage on the test enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax.
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Nov 3, 2012 09:33
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IOwnCalculus posted:The problem with the fuel economy test is it's based on emissions, not actual fuel consumption, and the conditions presented are very easy to game. That test is why the skip-shift exists - GM figured out that if you slap a solenoid on a manual gearbox to force a 1-4 shift under a specific RPM and load condition instead of a 1-2 shift, you'd improve mileage on the test enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax. What? The skip shift does improve mileage, it's "actual fuel consumption". What does emissions have to do with it?
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Nov 3, 2012 10:54
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Funny -- one writer for Car and Driver remarked how he was able to beat EPA estimates on a long road trip in their long-term Sonata 2.0T.
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Nov 3, 2012 13:24
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angryhampster posted:Funny -- one writer for Car and Driver remarked how he was able to beat EPA estimates on a long road trip in their long-term Sonata 2.0T. The Sonata 2.0T isn't on the list of models to be revised. Only the Hybrid is. This is a pretty big egg on their face considering they've been hammering that whole "40mpg across the board" thing in their ads for so long.
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Nov 3, 2012 14:00
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Throatwarbler posted:What? The skip shift does improve mileage, it's "actual fuel consumption". What does emissions have to do with it?
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Nov 3, 2012 14:03
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IOwnCalculus posted:The problem with the fuel economy test is it's based on emissions, not actual fuel consumption, and the conditions presented are very easy to game. If you're curious, the US tests are documented at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml You'll notice that the "highway" test is only about twelve minutes, with an average speed under 50mph, for example. Is there any surprise I see different mileage when I set the cruise at 65mph for three hours at a time?
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Nov 3, 2012 14:13
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MrKatharsis posted:Yeah, I'll buy that. A Hyundai Elantra is the only rental car I haven't been able to beat the estimated mileage with. Only 38 mpg highway, total rip off. I blame German speedometer laws which permit them to be 0-10% fast with severe punishments for manufacturers that show slower speeds. loving Germans!
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Nov 3, 2012 14:43
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