Lost Muira Found - 43 Years later

Dec. 23 - Forty-three years after its debut, the one-and-only 1965 Turin Salon Lamborghini Miura chassis, designed by chassis genius Gian Paolo Dallara, and the raging bull company's first-ever transverse mid-mounted V12 engine (0293) has been acquired by Los Angeles based collectors.

The iconic show chassis had been stored for the past 30 years in Cyprus by that country's original Lamborghini concessionaire, Marios Kritikos. While visiting the Lamborghini factory in 1977, Mr. Kritikos took a fancy to the historic show unit. After successfully negotiating a future home for it, he arrived at the factory with his Range Rover and trailer, loaded it and drove away.

The 1965 Turin Salon Miura represents the very first mid-engined supercar theme for all marques, and is rightly considered to be the Holy Grail from which all road going supercars descend. Its re-emergence represents the most important Lamborghini discovery to date.

Thirty years later, and only one month after its discovery it has been imported to the US and now resides in the restoration facility of author and Muira expert, Gary Bobileff, where it will undergo a complete refurbishment to bring it to its former glory. The car will make its USA debut in the summer of 2009. Details remain to be announced.

Here's an EV You Never Saw Coming

Dec. 22 - Partnering with Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motors Group, Leo Motors of Gyeonggi-do, Korea has developed an
electric multipurpose strategic vehicle for the Korean military. The vehicle can be manned or unmanned and has remote deployable
robotic capabilities.

The vehicle's 6x6 in-wheel motor system control with steering column and skid drive control provides it the ability to traverse various harsh terrain and the ability to turn around 360 degrees in one spot. The FAV (Fast Attack Vehicle) can reach speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph), travel for 100 km (62.4 miles) on a single charge and climb landscape at up to 40 degree angles.

The FAV is equipped with an advanced GPS and laser scan technology for intelligent 3D geometrical navigation. Additional features include specialized control technology to accomplish fast target tracking with silence and speed. Chances are good that you won't hear it coming either.

The company builds other EVs as well, including the S65 Sport Utility Vehicle, which drives 400 km on a single charge and hits 100 km (62.4 mph) from zero in just 4.5 seconds.

Go Riding. Be Happy.

Dec. 19 - Overall satisfaction with the motorcycle ownership experience has increased for a sixth consecutive year to a record-high level, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Motorcycle Competitive Information Study released this week.

The study finds that product quality has improved in 2008, compared with 2007, primarily due to a decrease in owner-reported problems. The overall number of problems reported averages 152 problems per 100 vehicles, down 8 from 2007. In addition, the number of owners who report having a problem-free experience with their motorcycle averages 42 percent in 2008, an improvement of 3 points, compared with 2007.

"Despite the fact that owners report paying 14 percent more for their motorcycles this year, they are also more satisfied with the value received for the money spent," said Tim Fox, research manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "There are several motorcycle models with a higher price point that owners have indicated are a particularly good value for the money."

Also from the study: Among motorcycle owners who visit a dealer for repair work, 79 percent report that the repair was performed correctly the first time. During the past seven years, satisfaction with the engine and transmission has shown the greatest improvement among product-related aspects.

Global Economy Kills NSX

Dec. 18 - The automotive market slump in North America continues to have repercussions around the world. Top management at Honda have announced several measures aimed at maintaining profitability. Sales and profit forecasts have been adjusted downward, while executive pay levels are being cut and a number of plant openings are being delayed.

Along with these measures, further development of the Acura NSX sports car has been cancelled. Positioned as competition for the Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R, the model was well into its develoment cycle and anticipated to be unveiled as a 2010 model. The car was rumored to have a front-mounted V10 engine, capable of output in the 500 hp range. The NSX was also expected to showcase a number of advanced technologies. What was believed to be an NSX prototype was seen testing this summer in Germany.

The original NSX sports car ended production in 2005, after a 14-year run. The distinctive supercar, first shown at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989 featured a mid-engine V6 and an all-aluminum monocoque chassis. With a naturally aspirated VTEC engine delivering 270 hp, the lighteight car was capable of 0 - 60 times just over five seconds.

The company has not ruled out the possibility of an NSX program revival sometime in the future.

Caterham R500 is Top Gear's Car of the Year

Dec. 17 - The British television show, Top Gear, has named the Caterham Superlight R500 its 2008 'Car of the Year'.

The most extreme version of the legendary Seven appeared on the popular BBC show for the first time at the beginning of December,
instantly leaving a lasting impression on presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. First shown at the London Motor
Show, the car weighs in at 460 kg.

Caterham got together with Minster Race engines and nutured an incredible 230 bhp out of the Rover K series motor. With a unique Caterham Racing inlet manifold, steel con rods and crankshaft, Cosworth forged pistons, a dry sump and a specially developed exhaust system with carbon cladding, this is a very impressive power unit that will rev to a 9,200 rpm.

In the hands of Top Gear’s mystery test driver, The Stig, the R500 put in one of the most visually spectacular laps around their benchmark test circuit, Dunsfold. Free of any driver aids, the Seven slipped and slid to a lap time that disgraced cars costing over ten times as much.

Despite incredibly cold conditions, the Seven was less than a second slower than the absolute record around the 'Top Gear lap' and rapid enough to steal the overall fifth fastest time, previously held by the 1 million pound Bugatti Veyron.

Maserati Custom Program

Dec. 16 - Introduced at the Bologna Motor Show, the MC Sport Line customization program focuses on the racing vocation of the Maserati, fresh from its latest international triumph in the FIA GT championship.

The name "MC Sport Line" sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati's designers when it came to styling, reflected in the extensive use of carbon fiber.

Aerodynamics can be modified thanks to the addition of front and rear carbon-fiber spoilers, which benefit from track tests conducted on the GranTurismo MC Concept; the new aerodynamics not only optimizes the vertical load but gives the car a very distinctive appearance, as do the side skirts with central panel finished in matt black, adding a dynamic edge to the side view.

The sporty look of the exterior can be completed with the mirror housing and door handles, also made from carbon fiber. The same dark shade is reflected in the glossy black 20” wheel rims that match the dark line of the exterior perfectly. The steering wheel rim is also made from carbon fiber, as are the control stalks for the electro-actuated transmission and the body of the instrument panel, dashboard and door panels.

Under the skin, the suspension has been stiffened thanks to new, stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars; the new suspension set-up is synchronized with a specific Maserati Stability Program software, allowing the driver more freedom. The car is now 10 mm lower than the GranTurismo S, resulting in a performance on the road of the GranTurismo S that is absolutely uncompromising in terms of handling and driving enjoyment.

BMW Z-4 Re-launches at NAIAS

Dec. 15 - The classic roadster is back... more powerful and more stylish than ever before. The BMW Z4, the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions, rear-wheel drive and a retractable hardtop. The 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster will make its North American debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show on January 11.

This BMW Z4 is the first BMW roadster to protect its occupants from wind and weather with a fully retractable hardtop. The two-piece aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds, while the compact packaging of the folding roof enables the Z4 Roadster to retain the characteristic, slender proportions of its predecessor.

The roof compartment and the luggage compartment are separated from one another by a moveable partition, which may be folded up to increase luggage space if the roof will remain closed.

The new Z4 is being launched exclusively with inline-6 engines, a choice of two engines providing both power and performance. The most dynamic version of the new Z4 comes with the world’s first inline-6 engine to feature twin turbochargers, High Precision Injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase. Maximum output of 300 hp comes at 5,800 rpm, and the BMW Z4 sDrive35i accelerates to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.

Hold Your Breath...

Dec. 12 - Reports from Washington confirm this morning that efforts to secure bridge financing for the North American auto industry have failed. The impact of this announcement is already rolling around the world and North America is not yet open for business.

Dire warnings over bloodshed on Wall Street today appear justified, as shares of European car makers plunged on the news. BMW,
Volkswagen and Daimler were particularly affected. Overnight, shares in Toyota dropped by ten percent on the Tokyo exchange, while Honda dropped by 12.5%.

At risk is the established North American auto parts supply chain, which is intertwined among all auto assemblers in the country - foreign or domestic. The potential collapse of General Motors is likely to pull a significant part of that chain down with it. That loss, in turn, puts the assembly operations of the remaining companies at risk due to a shortage of parts and the time needed for the remaining suppliers to retool.

Already, parts suppliers to Chrysler have started asking for COD terms in an attempt to limit their financial exposure. The company has admitted that it is likely to have trouble paying its bill in the New Year. For some suppliers, it is likely far too late, as the Big 3 have often pushed supplier terms to the limit.

In response to calls for executive action, the White House said it would consider alternatives but offered no assurances.

Credit Unions Invest in America

Dec. 10 - A partnership between General Motors and 1,200 Midwest credit unions will offer credit union members supplier pricing on new vehicles and make $10 billion in auto loans available. More than Four million credit union members in Michigan will be eligible this Dec. through June of 2009.

The Michigan Credit Union League will join the Illinois, Indiana and Ohio credit union associations in the partnership to fill the gap as other auto lenders retreat from the market. The Credit Union Discount from GM will be available beginning December 8, 2008 through June 30, 2009. All current and new credit union members in the four allied states will receive the GM Supplier Discount plus another $250 off of any new vehicle through January 5, 2009. The discounts, among the best and most broad-based values offered by GM, will stack on top of most other incentives being offered.

"Credit unions have a long history of helping hard-working Americans in troubled times," said Daniel A. Mica, president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association, the nation’s largest credit union trade group. The "Invest in America" program will be piloted in a four-state region with possibilities to go nationwide early in 2009.

CUcorp will coordinate the pilot program, and both Ford and Chrysler have also been invited to participate and are working toward similar agreements. The credit union consortium includes the four state trade associations and CUNA.

Fisker Karma Production Car

Shortly after releasing our December issue, Fisker released photos of the production version of the Karma plug-in hybrid vehicle. Remarkably, the design has survived almost completely intact from the initial concept car.

Audi R8 Gets 525-hp V10 in Germany

Dec. 9 - With a 0 - 100 km (62 mph) time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 316 kph (197 mph), the newly announced Audi R8 5.2 FSI adds breathtaking performance to its already stunning design. The 5.2-liter, 10-cylinder engine delivers 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque, using direct fuel injection.

With a specific power output is 100.9 hp per liter of displacement, the V10 engine in the production car will be almost identical in construction to that in the upcoming FIA GT3 race version. Equipped with a six-speed manual gearshift, the new R8 weighs only 1,620 kg (3571 lb). The engine accounts for 258 kg (569 lb) - just 31 kg (68 lb) more than the V8.

The four wheel drive, mid-engine design provides an ideal axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent, running on 19-inch tires (235/35 front, 295/30 rear), with 8-piston calipers clamping 15" front rotors and 4-piston calipers with 14" rotors in the rear.

A very distinctive highlight of the R8 V10 are the LED headlights as standard equipment. Audi is the world's first automaker to use LEDs for the high beam, low beam, daytime running lights, and turn signals. Each headlight integrates 54 of these high-tech light sources.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of EUR 142,400.

Automotive Traveller Entertains, Enriches

Dec. 5 - "I never worry about people stealing my ideas. If it were an original one, I'd have to stuff it down their throats anyway." While our idea of combining cars and travel to build a magazine is something we love, it is far from original. You just have to check out Rich Truesdell's Automotive Traveller web site.

The web site and blog present a contemporary mix of current and nostalgic-driven items and discussions. You can also access four past issues of the Automotive Traveller online magazine. Rich's past adventures range from touring Berlin in a Trabant before the wall came down, to running around Peru and Ecuador in a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

The online magazines are on hiatus at the moment, but Rich is not. Far from it. When I spoke with him earlier this week, he was planning a European trip for next spring that would take in some of the less tourist-oriented locations in Eastern Europe. It is obvious that Rich is an automotive enthusiast in every sense of the word. We cannot wait to see what he comes up with
next.

Far from being a competitor, we have been talking with Rich about content sharing and collaboration over future projects. It is a big world out there and there's an inexhaustible supply of great stories, so there is plenty of room for everyone. Check out and bookmark his Automotive Traveller web site when you've got some time. Be cautioned, though, you just might invest an hour or more.

S1000RR Supersport Preview at Toronto Show

Dec. 3 - The spectacular BMW S 1000 RR Supersport bike, still under development, will challenge the 2009 Superbike World Championship with factory riders Ruben Xaus and two-time world champion Australian Troy Corser. Technical details and pricing for the S1000 RR will be available closer to the market launch in late 2009.

A special sneak preview of this exciting new model will be available at the upcoming Toronto Motorcycle Show. The show features over 165 exhibitors including the most iconic and popular motorcycle manufacturers, such as BMW, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, KTM, BRP, Victory, Harley- Davidson, Buell, Ducati, Vespa, and Lambretta, showcasing their latest 2009 models, some for the very first time.

The Toronto Motorcycle Show runs from December 12th – 14th, 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building. Show hours are Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adult admission is $15 and a family pass is available for $36.

Additional information can be found at the event web site.

Trickle Down

Dec. 2 - For those that cannot comprehend that the Big 3 automakers do not exist inside a baloon, the tire industry has been directly affected by the automotive market slowdown. Well, duh.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, tire shipments are projected to decline by more than six percent this year compared to 2007 with a further one percent decline predicted for 2009. The 2009 forecast assumes that an economic recovery will occur in the latter half of the year. Not everyone agrees with this thought.

One out of every 10 U.S. jobs, or about 13 million, is auto-related. America can't have a healthy economy without a healthy auto industry, because autos represent the country's largest manufacturing base. Almost 4% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is auto-related. Every auto plant job generates about 5 jobs among suppliers and the surrounding community. By comparison, a Wall Street job generates 2 additional jobs.

There are those that seek to punish the domestic automakers because they don't care for their product. This short-sighted, pig-headed approach would ensure the loss of nearly 3.0 million jobs in the U.S. economy for 2009. The loss of tax revenue to federal, state and local governments would amount to $60.1 billion in 2009. Let the lemmings jump off their own cliff, but don't take the rest of us with you.