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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Donny Schmit carved out his own career path to motocross success. The Minnesota native got off to a good start by winning the 125cc West Region title in the 1986 AMA Supercross Series. But Schmit then struggled in the premier 250cc class, particularly on tighter Supercross circuits.
Recognizing that his skills translated better to outdoor motocross, Schmit dropped out of Supercross to focus on the 125 MX series, losing his Suzuki factory ride in the process. Focusing on a grueling training regimen, he was picked up in 1990 by Team Bieffe Suzuki to race the 125 Motocross World Championship. Schmit won four races on this motorcycle en route to the 125 Motocross World Championship...
Safe. A Volvo must be safe. It doesn’t matter if the subject of the safety wand is a big sedan, compact wagon,
or mid-size crossover like the 2012 Volvo XC60. Now gripped in Chinese automaker Geely’s chopsticks, the very-Swedish Volvo proves it has the spice and comfy rice that today’s youthful upscalers demand.
When Lexus, Acura, and others began introducing luxury crossovers, cautious Volvo wasn’t especially eager
to hurry into anything new. Its cars still looked like the boxes they came in and it was quite happy to keep producing the turbocharged station wagons for which it was renowned. A jacked-up V70 wagon became the Cross Country, the company’s first machine that could accomplish some semi-challenging offroading (I once blitzed a power easement with aplomb). The Volvo XC90 threerow crossover, based on its large car platform, showed forever more that Volvo could build crossovers as good as any without losing anything that made it a Volvo. On a little smaller scale is the Volvo XC60.
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| 2012 Volvo XC60 |
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| 2012 Volvo XC60 RSpec |
I about dribbled my dungarees when I saw the voluptuous Passion Red RSpec XC60 roll into my driveway. That wasn’t because I was all a-gunk over its side-curtain airbags. Its mug and shoulders identify itself immediately as one of the Volvo pack, but dressed up with 20” alloy wheels, grey ground affects, and taillamps that follow body curves from roof to bumper looking as ready for the track or Manhattan club
as a convention of corporate health and safety managers. Some of Volvo’s classic design cues were melted for modern, but one can still recognize the 2012 Volvo XC60 lineage from a continent away.
Interior design continues themes set by the S40 and S80, which is to say very Swedish. Major controls are wrapped around the driver, a thin centre control stack clears room behind it for small items, and the climate control can be adjusted with a clever “seated human” chrome accent. The Dolby Pro Logic II audio system with 12 speakers and 910 watts of drenching audio thumped the Glee version of “Teenage Dream” until
my partner threatened to ban the show in our home. Navigation, USB iPod input, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and stunningly beautiful blue analog gauges made travels easy. A full array of airbags also makes them safe.
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| 2012 Volvo XC60 RSpec |
Mother Mary herself must have invented Volvo’s seats. Soft as Martha Stewart’s down pillows, they perfectly
support the contours of your back while plushing your plushier regions. They’re also designed to protect you
in an accident with whiplash-reducing headrests. Heated cushions front and rear soothe in autumn and winter chills.
There’s also safety in performance. In our R-Design, the six-cylinder turbo engine stamps at the ground ready to storm off in a huff, only held back by the driver’s desire to avoid expensive paper from law enforcement. With the aid of a twin-scroll turbo, the power plant generates 300 HP and 325 lb-ft. of torque, enabling a 0- to 60-mph tear in 7.1s on the way to a 130-MPH top speed. A six-speed automatic transmission and torque-shifting all-wheel drive put all of that energy straight to the pavement. Using all of the powertrain’s mighty force will yield somewhat less than the stated 12/8.7 L/100 km city/hwy.
In a crossover the size of the Volvo XC60, three centuries of equestrian gallop is more than adequate to get your heart pumping. Speed-sensitive steering, sport-tuned suspension, and large disc brakes ensure the rest of the vehicle is up to the challenge laid down by its engine. At Interstate speeds, the turbo is in its happy place, generating torque and thrust like the government prints IOUs.
Fort Knox probably has a patent on the super-thick Volvo doors, but one feels like a stinger missile wouldn’t faze the XC60 from the moment they close. It’s how the president must feel riding inside his Cadillac beast. Working to prevent accidents are “BLIS” blindspot warnings, rotating headlamps to follow curves, rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive radar-enabled cruise control, and electronic stability control. Volvo’s new City Safe crash avoidance technology uses a laser to detect slow-moving traffic. The brakes are pre-charged when danger rears, and if you don’t respond the vehicle brakes automatically. Your momma loves you no more.
Built by a Chinese-owned automaker, the XC60 eats with Swedish cross-sticks. What’s most important is
that it is every inch a Volvo ready for a more youthful and style-setting driver. And, safe, don’t forget safe. Price as tested came to a touch over $48,000, making it competitive with the Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, Cadillac SRX, and Lincoln MKX.
If you are looking for a car to take the kids to Yellowstone Park or six friends to a tag team wrestling match, then the 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon is not your car. However, if you want a highperformance vehicle that is sleek in design with a luminous interior that defines quality and elegance, the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon should be your choice. Vertical taillamps extend along the tailgate; integrated roof rails maintain a seamless profile. Rear seats fold down flat, increasing cargo space to 1,642 litres. Also included is an under-floor cargo storage compartment, while a useful power liftgate offers memory height positioning. My wife loved this feature as she filled the back and trunk with Christmas toys for the grandkids.
Altogether, the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon offers rear- or all-wheel sport handling, a luxurious interior, and versatile cargo capacity in one complete package. The Stabilitrak electronicstability control system and traction control enhance the suspension geometry of the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon. Two engines are offered in this model: a 270-HP 3.0L direct-injection V6 or a 3.6L direct-injection V6 that delivers 304 HP. My test vehicle had the 304-HP engine.
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon |
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon |
Passenger safety is a primary consideration throughout the engineering process. A strong unit body is structured around you, front and rear crash zones help absorb forces, and comprehensive use of high-strength steel help channel energy away from the passenger compartment in the event of an impact. OnStar Automatic Crash Response is activated automatically in the event of an accident. The CTS Sport Wagon has a total of six airbags for your safety. It has dual-stage frontal airbags and seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger. In addition, head-curtain, side-impact airbags mounted on the roof rail help protect both front and outboard rear passengers in the event of a side impact.
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon |
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon Interior |
Cadillac offers one of the best luxury coverage policies in the industry with its 5-year/160,000-km transferable powertrain limited warranty with no deductibles, plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. One of the features I liked best about the Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon was the ability to use the rear-view mirror and not be blocked by the headrests atop the backseats. Somehow Cadillac engineers have managed to accomplish something I have not seen on another car: Provide head safety for rear passengers, but not at the expense of a blocked rear window.
The CTS V6 Sport Wagon comes in nine exterior colours and six interior tones. My vehicle had radiant silver outside colour and a light titanium interior.
The fuel economy estimate was 11.8 L/100 km city and 7.5 L/100 km highway. Yet, I got much less than the estimated average, even factoring in how the actual consumption really depends on how you drive. U.S. government safety ratings were all 4 or 5 Star. I liked the fact that the car was assembled in the United States at Lansing, Michigan. The base 1SF package vehicle price was $50,760. The 1SH package model adds a
power moonroof, a wood-trim package, and other luxury items, bumping up the MSRP to $59,680.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand’s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the Cadillac CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup. “2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our technical and design capabilities,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.”
The Cadillac CTS Coupe joins the Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) Cadillac CTS-V and new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac’s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010. The CTS Coupe’s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The CTS Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear-view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe |
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe |
Design
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac’s dedicated design studio, where designers develop and evolve the brand’s Art and Science design philosophy. “Cadillac has always been an emotional brand it’s about delivering art regardless of body style,” said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. “With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong the CTS Sport Sedan and extending its potential.”
The Cadillac CTS coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter. Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille.
- Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile
- A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a dramatic profile
- Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
- Rear fascia with mesh lower grilles
- Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia
- Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes
- Rear spoiler integrated into the signature center high-mounted stop lamp
- Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe |
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe |
At first glance, the shape of Cadillac CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac’s vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.
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| 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe |
Performance
The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac’s emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe’s standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.
The powertrain’s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.
Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.
The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.
Technology
Cadillac CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car’s high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac’s V-Series model, will be offered on all Cadillac CTS Coupe models as an option.
The car offers a host of customer driven technologies, including: Integrated iPod/MP3 capability, 40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio, Pop-up navigation system. Adaptive forward lighting system. Bluetooth connectivity. Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start. Rear Camera system and Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround™ audio system.
As with other Cadillac models, the Cadillac CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.
The new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Prices MSRP $38,365 - $49,110
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Base RWD $38,365
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Base AWD $40,265
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Performance RWD $42,805
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Performance AWD $44,705
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Premium RWD $47,210
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Premium AWD $49,110
The new 2011 Cadillac STS is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the V6 Luxury Sport to the V6 Premium Package. The Cadillac STS (Seville Touring Sedan is a full-size luxury sports sedan / executive car manufactured and sold by Cadillac. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 302-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. That car used the STS name, standing for Seville Touring Sedan on upscale performance-oriented versions beginning in 1988. In 1992, Cadillac split the Seville line into STS and less performance-oriented SLS (for Seville Luxury Sedan) trim lines. The next year, the 2011 STS got Cadillac's then-new Northstar System, including the aluminium DOHC L37 Northstar V8 engine. Throughout its existence, the STS was Cadillac's highest-priced sedan. Worldwide, the Cadillac STS is Cadillac's flagship model. In the United States and Canada, the STS is positioned between the mid-size CTS and larger DTS, but is priced above the latter.
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| 2011 Cadillac STS |
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| 2011 Cadillac STS |
It’s there in the dramatic lines. It’s evident in every detail. The 2011 Cadillac STS stands firmly on the line that blurs performance and sophistication. With a standard 302hp 3.6L direct injection V6 for power, available ZF Servotronic 21 steering that allows precise high-speed cornering, highperformance suppression that minimizes engine noise and available 18 chrome wheels and Brembo brakes, it’s the perfect union of performance and sophistication. Performance Handling Package, including 18 chrome wheels, performance tires and Brembo brakes, is available. ZF Servotronic 21 steering, an available feature, delivers precise high-speed cornering, while high-performance sound suppression minimizes engine noise and vibration. taillamp design is a Cadillac signature, and clearly visible to following drivers. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with IntelliBeam are available to automatically adjust from high- to low-beam and back, to enhance visibility.
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| 2011 Cadillac STS |
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| 2011 Cadillac STS Interior |
Inside the Cadillac STS, awaits a world all your own. Keyless access, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and available driver memory settings greet you properly from the start. Standard OnStar one-year Directions & Connections Plan, eNav and a 3-month trial of XM Radio are included. Heated and ventilated front seats, polished Sapele wood trim, Bluetooth phone connectivity,4 navigation and a Bose 5.1 Studio Surround sound system are all available to further orchestrate your personal reception.
Adaptive Remote Start activates the engine, climate control, defroster and optional heated or ventilated front seats for the utmost convenience. Bose 5.1 Studio Surround sound system, an available feature, offers Centerpoint signal processing and AudioPilot noise compensation technology. 8-way power-adjustable front seats and articulating head restraints, with an available heated and ventilated option, make for a
comfortable ride. Driver Awareness Package, an available feature, offers Side Blind Zone Alert,1 Lane Departure Warning and 4-color Head-Up Display issuing visual and/or audible alerts when necessary. The Cadillac STS Platinum features Tuscany full-leather seats, Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain, Alcantara luxury ultra-microfiber upper trim, a luxurious leather-wrapped interior, premium floor mats, 18 chrome wheels, and Platinum-specific door sill plates.
2011 Cadillac STS Prices MSRP $47,280 - $56,380
2011 Cadillac STS V6 Luxury Sport $47,280
2011 Cadillac STS V6 Luxury Package $50,820
2011 Cadillac STS V6 Premium Package $56,380
Saturday, July 2, 2011
A DAY WITH DIMITRI COSTE from EASTPAK FRANCE on Vimeo.
Today my friend John Carriere send me the video he made about Dimitri " Surfing " his motorcycle.
This video is a pure moment of pleasure ... enjoy. Frank
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Friday, July 1, 2011
A new exhibit at the Harley-Davidson Museum is proof the Milwaukee motorcycle maker is about much more than its classic hogs.
An all-leather motorcycle made in Japan, rarely seen prototype bikes and a rocket engine that powered drone missiles during the Vietnam War are just a few of the items the company has dug out of its archive for "Collection X: Weird, Wild Wonders of the Harley-Davidson Museum." ... Read more
