AutoWeek articles from February 2006

AutoWeek archives from February 2006

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 6, 2006... Due to an editing error, the Jan. 16 Escape Roads story on the Porsche RSK contained erroneous information about Formula One rules in the 1960s. The formula was 1.5 liters from 1960 to 1965 and changed to 3.0 liters in 1966. Porsche's...

THE LAST GREAT RACE - part 2 of 2; What makes Dakar scary? The uncertainty.(Motorsports)
February 6, 2006... Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO It's impossible to know where a competitor has broken down or the most direct route to get there. The most reliable locator is the Dakar website, which allows fans to track whatever vehicle they choose. The support...

Web Watch: AutoWeek.com.(News)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... NEW GALLERY OPENINGS We've got our cover stars pictured from every angle, with more photos of the new Cadillac XLR-V and Jaguar XK convertibles at: autoweek.com/latestphotos DAVE HILL RETIRES See our full-blown profile of Corvette...

McLAREN, MERCEDES STILL COOKING; P8 road car project at full boil.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: GREG KABLE We can expect more than the SLR from the continuing partnership between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, including the once-scuttled P8 supercar that gained a reprieve last year ("Not So Fast, McLaren P8 Supercar Back on...

Busting the Barometer.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: LARRY EDSALL How crazy do people get at auctions? Consider: Barrett-Jackson sold a 1964 Amphicar for $124,000. Yes, a 42-year-old car/boat for the price of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. Someone else dropped nearly $50,000...

Television: Feb. 10-12.(News)(Calendar)
February 6, 2006... Friday, Feb. 10 Legends of Motorsport: Spa 1982, 7 a.m., Speed Car Crazy, 8:30 a.m., Speed American Chopper, 9 a.m., Discovery NBS 24/7, 9 a.m., Speed NASCAR Beyond the Wheel, 9:30 a.m., Speed American Chopper, 10...

RUNNING WITH BIG DOGS NOW; Cadillac XLR-V takes a back seat to no one.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON Cadillac's ambitions to play on the global luxury stage reach new heights with the XLR-V, on sale now. Con-sider: a 443-hp supercharged two-seater with retractable hard- top, a showcase for its maker's technological...

Flash.(Briefs)
February 6, 2006... Healey returns The classic Healey sports car will make a comeback this year as an open-top two-seater in the mold of the 3000, famous for its rallying exploits in the 1950s. The revival was sparked by the sale of the Healey name by the...

FOUR-DOOR 'COUPE' GROUP GROWS; VW plans Passat-based model for the budget-minded.(News)
February 6, 2006... Mercedes-Benz was first out of the gate with a four-door package with coupe styling in its CLS, but it won't own the market for long. As we reported last fall (Flash, Nov. 7, 2005), Volkswagen has publicly confirmed plans to build this upscale...

The hottest STI ever hits Japanese market; Not for U.S. Sale.(Impreza STI S204)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: DINO DALLE CARBONARE Subaru will make just 600 copies of the newly released Impreza STI S204, all for the Japanese market. Building on the success of last year's S203, Subaru's newly released $41,900 Impreza STI S204 gets a...

NEW SUPERHERO Aluma-Cat; The Jaguar XK Convertible Is all Alloy, with a new transmission, too.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Piloting the new XK convertible down a highway in the Sonora desert of Arizona feels like the right way to enjoy the GT suppleness and speed of a proper Jaguar. We were moving along at what an English driver would...

WAR OF THE OFF BUTTONS; IT COMES DOWN TO ELECTRONICS.(News)
February 6, 2006... It is as inevitable as death, taxes and magazine guys writing about their racing exploits thinking someone will care: Every carmaker selling a four-door smaller than a school bus compares its rig to a BMW 3 Series. Most compare it favorably....

THE OUTSIDERS; IRL and NASCAR stars win the Rolex 24.(Motorsports)
February 6, 2006... Byline: GARY WATKINS The lineup of big names from NASCAR, the Indy Racing League and Champ Car lured into taking part in the Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona just kept growing and growing before this year's event. The entry list was the most...

The Common Sense Solution.(Escape Roads)
February 6, 2006... Byline: ERIC TEGLER The 912 is a rather forgotten Porsche. See one on the street and your brain registers 911. But the 912 was more than a junior 911. In the mid-1960s it helped Porsche ease its 356 customer base into the new 901 (911)...

SEVEN WAYS FORWARD; Job One: Bring America some new Fords.(Ford Motor Co.)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Kevin A. Wilson While setting out a vision for The Way Forward Jan. 23 (News, Jan. 30), Ford execs said the key to revamping the company's faltering North American car business is to build vehicles customers want. They admitted to...

Events.(Calendar)(Calendar)
February 6, 2006... April 5-9 Dallas Auto Show Dallas Call (214) 637-0531 or go to dallasautoshow.org for details on this 25th annual show. April 6-9 Barber Motorsports Races Leeds, Ala. For more information on this vintage racing...

But Wait, There's More...(BWTM)
February 6, 2006... Happy Birthday, CARA! Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary Charities turns 25 in 2006. CARA has more than 500 members and has donated more than $4 million to needy causes. Visit caracharities.org and see what you can do to help ensure its...

Looking for Mr. GoodCar.(Column)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Dutch Mandel Automotive marketers are missing something. Yes, they aim to target certain audience demographics-age or ethnicity, social status or lifestyle. With the empty nesters, college commuters and young executives, they even...

Good First Impressions; Ridgeline is no beauty, but it's revolutionary.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Kovach * * * 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTS Pricing & Equipment Base (includes $550 delivery): $30,625 As tested: $30,625 Options: None DIMENSIONS Wheelbase (in): 122 Track (in): 67.1 front, 66.9...

Market.(Escape Roads)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: KEITH MARTIN Bonhams All-Ferrari Sale Gstaad, Switzerland Dec. 17, 2005 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta Red with black leather interior. Wire wheels. Recent new exhaust system, door skins replaced. 35,000 miles,...

THE LAST GREAT RACE - part 1 of 2; What makes Dakar scary? The uncertainty.(Motorsports)
February 6, 2006... Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO "I've now raced at Le Mans and other things-this rally is no problem" -Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Nouakchott, Mauritania. It jumps out at rookies in the bivouac between...

BEING MOST WANTED IS MOST WELCOME.(Revs)
February 6, 2006... Byline: MIKE J. FLOYD If you've been blacklisted or have a rap sheet a mile long, chances are you've led a troubled life. But on EA Games' Need for Speed Most Wanted, trouble is what you're after-and the badder you are the better. It's all...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
February 6, 2006... The reader's choice award I say the Chinese Geely 7151 CK is the most significant car at the Detroit show, instead of the new Camry you chose. People laughed when the first Japanese cars debuted, and when the Koreans showed up people...

Drivers Log.(News)
February 6, 2006... 2006 Scion xB Date in fleet: Jan. 9-23 As-tested price: $16,487 Powertrain: 1.5-liter I4; fwd, four-speed automatic Output: 108 hp @ 6000 rpm, 105 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm Curb weight: 2450 lbs Fuel economy (EPA combined/AW observed): 32.3/25.2...

NEW AUDI TOPS SEBRING TEST.(Audi AG race car tested)
February 6, 2006... Audi sent a warning to its rivals at the second annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway in Florida on Jan. 23-25. It had tested its new R10, powered by a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo diesel V12, privately in Europe,...

Flash.(Briefs)
February 6, 2006... New car for '07 NASCAR will debut its larger, boxier, safer "Car of Tomorrow'' beginning with 16 races in 2007. Six of the races will be on the short tracks at Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond, with two more on the road courses at...

Help Wanted.(emission regulations)(Column)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Richard S. Chang Will someone please partner with Prodrive on the P2 (News, Jan. 30)? Where is the downside to this? A WRX engine tweaked to make 350 hp per ton. A WRC-developed anti-lag turbo that translates to a 0-to-60 in the...

Being Judgmental; TOP CAR DESIGNERS EYE WORLD'S BEST WORK.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: ANDREW LUU The lineup read like a design all-star team: BMW design director Chris Bangle, Ford design vp J Mays, hot-rodder Chip Foose and Ed Welburn, GM's vp of global design. Come to think of it, that's what it was. These...

Never overlook Lexus.(News)
February 13, 2006... The fourth Lexus to get the L-finesse design treatment, the new fifth-generation 2007 ES 350 pushes the front-drive sedan competition with a 3.5-liter, 272-hp V6, six-speed automatic transmission, keyless entry, push-to-start ignition and iPod...

Different Strokes; Aiming to reinvent the compact car.(Dodge Caliber)
February 13, 2006... Byline: ANDREW LUU As we sat in the new Dodge Caliber scribbling notes following a spirited run along some of Arizona's twistiest back roads, we found it nearly impossible to jot down a complete thought. "Is that Dodge's new...

Paying Homage; Toyota updates a classic ute for a new audience.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: NATALIE NEFF In this age of retro everything automotive, would you believe it if someone told you stodgy ol' Toyota had the creative wherewithal to come up with the coolest throwback yet? Not Dodge Challenger cool, perhaps, or even...

Frigid Preparations; TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAR MOTORING THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS.(car maintenance in winter season)
February 13, 2006... Byline: JON WONG The end of winter is still several weeks away, so there remains plenty of time to use that snow shovel. Don't put away the jackets, gloves, hats, boots and scarves just yet. Winter's bitter cold ushers in a whole new...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 13, 2006... Our Standout Styling feature in the Jan. 30 issue should have said the 1999 Nomad concept was designed under the direction of Dick Ruzzin. Christos Roustemis did the outside while Jeff Gail styled the inside, and the concept was built at...

FRENCH SPECIALS IN FLORIDA; Rear-engine, front-drivers take center stage.(Tampa Bay Automobile Museum)
February 13, 2006... Byline: BROOKS BRIERLEY Alain Cerf did not wish to leave his extensive collection of cars behind when he moved from France to the United States. So in March 2005 Cerf established the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum in west central Florida to...

WINTER TIRES: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE; All-season tires are good, but never great.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: ANDREW LUU In this country we've come to take the term "all-season'' literally. If the tires on our car say "all-season,'' then there is no reason to buy winter tires, the thinking goes. So why is it that while most Americans...

Drivers Log.(News)
February 13, 2006... 2006 Porsche Cayman S Date in fleet: Jan. 25-Feb. 1 As-tested price: $67,435 Powertrain: 3.4-liter H6; rwd, six-speed manual Output: 295 hp @ 6250 rpm, 250 lb-ft @ 4400-6000 rpm Curb weight: 2954 lbs Fuel economy (EPA combined/AW...

Tired of infield madness? Got a little Clark W. Griswold in you? There are plenty of fun and offbeat things to see on your way to the tracks.(Motorsports)
February 13, 2006... Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum 31005 Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills MI 48334 (248) 626-5020 marvin3m.com This is a treasure of animatronic dummies, model airplanes, video games and pinball machines. Working...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
February 13, 2006... Style points: Lauren graded Ralph Lauren ("American Style,'' Jan. 30) is a genius. His remarks on business are so simple and fundamental, yet so violated by Detroit. Know your customer. One's automobile makes a statement about who you are...

Sure, the races are why you go, but you've gotta sleep somewhere. If you can't take another night in your camper, try these hotels.(Motorsports)(Directory)
February 13, 2006... The Jefferson Hotel 101 W. Franklin Street Richmond VA 23220 (800) 424-8014 jeffersonhotel.com Built in 1895, the recently renovated "Jeff'' is Richmond's grandest hotel and one of its most expensive. In the long run,...

POD CONTROL; Making iPodding safer to Drive+Play.(Revs)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Jon Wong Citizens of Apple's iPod nation have another reason to rejoice, because using the popular digital jukebox in cars has just gotten easier and safer. Longtime audio firm Harman/Kardon has introduced Drive+Play, an...

IRL DRIVERS SETTLING IN.(Competition)
February 13, 2006... It was supposed to be a busy week for announcements in the IRL. At AutoWeek's Monday deadline, Indy Racing League drivers Vitor Meira and Tomas Scheckter each had an agreement-awaiting only signatures on the contracts-with his respective...

TOUGH CALL; The Nextel Cup field is full of potential champions, but one stands out.(Motorsports)
February 13, 2006... Byline: AL PEARCE Conventional wisdom says experience and familiarity trump inexperience and uncertainty every time. Given your druthers, you would prefer a championship driver returning to a championship team intact from its latest...

Nextel Cup's Must-See Races.(Motorsports)
February 13, 2006... With 37 races on the NASCAR schedule, it can be hard to decide which to attend. Here are the best of the bunch. Daytona 500, Feb. 19, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida The Daytona 500 isn't NASCAR's oldest, fastest...

Click on this!(News)
February 13, 2006... When Toyota showed its FTX full-size truck concept at the 2004 Detroit show, the company said the concept's dimensions and styling would appear in the production model due to debut at Chicago. As of press time, Toyota is mum on its...

GM's continuing Avalanche.(News)
February 13, 2006... Based on General Motors' new full-size sport/utility vehicle chassis, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche improves on the previous model with more bed space and a host of extras like a central-locking tailgate and remote starter. Standard power...

CRAZY CONCEPT.(News)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Here's a wild concept: Bolt a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 into a unibody truck chassis-and send all 345 hp to the front wheels. If that isn't enough to get your attention, consider the Dodge Rampage sport/utility truck concept offers sliding rear doors,...

Tribeca facial.(News)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Tribeca facial Faced with a face maybe only a mother could love, Subaru dresses up its 2007 B9 Tribeca Special Edition with brightwork that would make a Jaguar blush. All '07 B9 Tribecas get a new black grille, while the Special Edition...

Jeep's Dusty Trail.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Bob Gritzinger America's list of true automotive icons is short, but it gets even shorter when you're talking 4x4s. The recent popularity of Hummer aside, what we're talking about here is Jeep in general, Wrangler in particular....

Light the fuse.(marketing sport utility vehicle to women)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... With six out of every 10 midsize sport/utility vehicles (like Jeep Liberty, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape) selling to women, Dodge recognized an opportunity to widen the Liberty's appeal by creating a more macho machine that appeals to men. Enter...

Open to the Environment.(Column)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Steve Thompson When my friend Herb Hester commissioned Peter Morgan to build him a new Plus 8 in 1969, he knew his car would come with a ragtop that was diabolically complex to erect. But Herb didn't care, because he didn't plan to...

Luxury for the Ages.(Escape Roads)
February 13, 2006... Byline: BROOKS BRIERLEY The aftermath of World War II was not the best time to come out with a luxury car, but Jean-Albert Gregoire was not to be deterred. In October 1947 the French engineer introduced an innovative car at the Paris show...

TREADING LIGHTLY; New Jeep Wrangler is a careful evolution of iconic off-roader.
February 13, 2006... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER Remaking an icon is dangerous business-one slip and you're in reputation-repair mode for years to come. So when the time came to build the first new Jeep Wrangler since 1997-and the first since the merger of...

COURSE CORRECTION; Compass charts new direction for Jeep.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Bob Gritzinger When Chrysler global marketing veep Joe Eberhardt arrived at the company's Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters in 2003, one of the ideas on his mind was Jeep-more specifically, how to expand the Jeep lineup. ...

ENCORE? 2005 is a Tough Act To Beat, But 2006 Looks Promising.(Motorsports)
February 13, 2006... Byline: BILL STEPHENS With the Carquest Auto Parts Winternationals' official opening of the Powerade NHRA season at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, Feb. 9, one question will have been rattling around inside the head of each member of...

You're going! Now what?(services of National Hot Rod Association)
February 13, 2006... It's not only a good idea but practically an ironclad necessity to book your accommodations well in advance of attending an NHRA event. Luckily, the three must-see events (see page 50) are in close proximity to adequate lodging and first-class...

Flash.(Mergers, acquisitions and divestments of Automobile industry)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Dotting the i The Mitsubishi Concept i, which we saw last fall at Tokyo (followed by the Concept-CT MIEV hybrid last month at Detroit), is already on sale in Japan. The lightweight two- or all-wheel-drive four-door minicar is unique...

STACKED DECK; Big names and teams will rule NASCAR's support series.(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Al Pearce It may well turn out the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series champion will be a full-time Nextel Cup driver supported by a Cup-level team. And this year's Craftsman Truck Series champion will most likely drive a Toyota for a potent...

ROSSI IMPRESSES IN F1 TEST.(Competition)
February 13, 2006... MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi's first public test in a Ferrari F1 car did not start well in Valencia, Spain. On a wet first day, Rossi spun his Ferrari F2004 (running a restricted V10 engine) on his first lap and beached it in a...

But Wait, There's More...(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Society Notes A U.K. judge ruled that a 21-year-old was not guilty of dangerous driving after police clocked him at 149.9 mph in a Porsche Boxster. "He went fast for a short time only on a straight road with excellent visibility,'' the...

TV: Feb. 17-19.(News)
February 13, 2006... Friday, Feb. 17 NASCAR Live from Daytona Beach, Fla., 1 p.m., Speed (L) NASCAR Nextel Cup practice from Daytona Beach, Fla., 1:30 p.m., Speed (L) NASCAR Busch Series qualifying from Daytona Beach, Fla., 3 p.m., Speed (L) ...

Events.(Calendar)
February 13, 2006... April 8 Hot Import Nights Las Vegas Visit hotimportnights.com or call (949) 789-7439 for show details. April 8 Spring Fling Auto Fest Lancaster, S.C. Check out pmfracing.com or call (803) 320-3913 for more...

NHRA's Must-See National Events; WHERE THE COOLEST OF COOL NITRO FANS PLAY.(National Hot Rod Association)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Mopar Mile-High Nationals, July 14-16, Bandimere Speedway, Morrison, Colorado It's the first race of the notorious Denver-Seattle-Sonoma western swing, but this event isn't about performance since the mile-high atmosphere sucks power out...

In the Next Breath...(Column)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Kevin A. Wilson A few things I'd like to hear said, after the predictable things are said: 1. After wagging its finger in Ford's nose and scolding it for selling SUVs for years when what America "needs'' is flexible-fuel...

A tale of two minivans.(News)
February 13, 2006... Hyundai is aiming high with the 2007 Entourage, the Korean automaker's first entry in the American minivan segment. Powered by a 3.8-liter, 242-hp, 251-lb-ft V6, Entourage (left) is competitive with the leaders in the segment. The van also gets...

NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SCHEDULE.(Motorsports)
February 13, 2006... Feb. 11 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Bud Shootout) Feb. 16 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Gatorade Duel) Feb. 19 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Daytona 500) Feb. 26 Fontana, Calif. March 12 Las Vegas March 19 Hampton, Ga. March 26 Bristol, Tenn....

Market.(Market research of Ferrari S.p.A)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: KEITH MARTIN Bonhams All-Ferrari Sale Gstaad, Switzerland Dec. 17, 2005 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Berlinetta Red with black leather. Originally fly yellow, color changed in 1999 when car was restored. 2.4-liter V6,...

EVEN PROS DON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Anthony Peacock For WRC driver Marcus Gronholm, winter driving's scariest moment came in the 2003 Monte Carlo Rally: "It was January-a crazy event where you often find yourself on wrong tires for the conditions. Heading into...

Flash.(Remodeling and renovation of Motor Speedway)
February 13, 2006... Vegas facelift Track owner Bruton Smith plans to spend $27 million to renovate his 10-year-old Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The track's banking will increase from 12 to 20 degrees, while Smith also wants to create more viewing areas for fans,...

NHRA SCHEDULE.
February 13, 2006... Feb. 12 Pomona, Calif., 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Chandler, Ariz., 7 p.m. March 19 Gainesville, Fla., 5 p.m. April 2 Houston, 4 p.m. April 9 Las Vegas, 7 p.m. April 30 Bristol, Tenn., 7 p.m. May 7 Atlanta, 7 p.m. May 21...

WEB WATCH: autoweek.com.(trade shows of Automobile industry)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Our kind of town With Chicago auto show press days under way, we're posting photos and stories on the intros: autoweek.com/chicagoshow Speaking of new-model news Listen to an exclusive Podcast interview with Ian Callum, Jaguar...

SRT TEAM PUNCHES UP CALIBER WITH TURBO POWER.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER The paint ought to be just about dry on the first batch of Dodge Calibers (page 14) when Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology group reveals its paint-peeling version, the 2007 Caliber SRT4. Making its world...

Taming of the bull; Well-paid secretaries-er, executive assistants-never had it so good.(Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.'s Gallardo Spyder)
February 20, 2006... Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO Nothing terribly complicated here, right? Gallardo Spyder is an evolution of the faster-than-Ferrari baby Lambo, which is already the bestselling Lamborghini ever. Two years after its launch the V10 Gallardo Coupe...

CROSS-ATLANTIC AMBITIONS; Dodge puts buzz in the European B-segment.(DaimlerChrysler AG. Dodge Div.'s Hornet)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2006... Byline: ANDREW LUU Hornet is a venerable name among American cars and in pop culture-Hudson Hornet, AMC Hornet, even The Green Hornet. So what better moniker to carry Dodge's ambitions across the Atlantic and into the heart of the European...

FORGET GOLF AND TENNIS; These clubs thrive on exhaust fumes.(automobile clubs)
February 20, 2006... Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO You've coveted cars like the Gallardo Spyder for as long as you can remember. Problem is, your annual salary reaches only 60 percent of the Spyder's retail price. So what if you could get real seat time in a...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 20, 2006... A Feb. 13 story on the 2007 Jeep Compass should have said it is the second non-Trail Rated Jeep, following the Grand Cherokee SRT8.

DaimlerChrysler wins judgment against Bill Davis Racing.(for breach of contract)
February 20, 2006... DaimlerChrysler won a $6.5 million breach of contract judgment against Bill Davis Racing in U.S. federal court in Detroit. A jury sided with DCX, which accused BDR of passing confidential Dodge information to Toyota while helping the...

Flash.(Briefs)
February 20, 2006... Daytona 500 pole set Jeff Burton at 189.151 mph and Jeff Gordon at 188.877 mph led qualifying for the Daytona 500. They're assured of starting the 500 from the front row; the balance of the 43-car grid will come from qualifying speeds,...

ALUMINUM FOIL; Lotus concept showcases what the Brit maker can do with one alloy.(News)
February 20, 2006... Byline: JULIAN RENDELL Question: When is a multipurpose vehicle a mid-engine sports car? Answer: When it's the APX concept that Lotus plans to reveal at the Geneva show. Stretching platform engineering to previously unseen levels,...

BIGGER IS BADDER; Toyota beefs up second-gen Tundra.(News)
February 20, 2006... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER With George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone blaring from speakers, and images of "true truckers''-loggers, ranchers, construction workers-flashing on oversized video screens, Toyota made one thing abundantly clear at the...

Web Watch: autoweek.com.(News)
February 20, 2006... Fierce competition: The Grand National Roadster show This year many cars were capable of winning the nine-foot-tall trophy, but a certain designer became the Kobe Bryant of rodders, dominating the show and winning the America's Most...

Events.(Calendar)
February 20, 2006... April 19-23 Spring Carlisle Carlisle, Pa. Go to carsatcarlisle.com or call (717) 243-7855 for details on this collector car swap meet and corral. April 20-23 VTR South Central Convention Jenks, Okla. Details for...

OUT OF CONTROL? Bump-drafting concerns overshadow rookie Hamlin's win.(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc.'s Tony Stewart wins at Budweiser Shootout)
February 20, 2006... Byline: AL PEARCE If stock car racing wants a voice to replace the late Dale Earnhardt's, it might have found one. Soon after the Budweiser Shootout, reigning Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart presented himself at the NASCAR hauler. He...

Women Nationals; Suddenly, drag racing isn't just a guy thing.(Shirley Muldowney )
February 20, 2006... Byline: BILL STEPHENS Chauvinists used to have it their way in drag racing. Only Shirley Muldowney ever really taught the boys to show respect on the drag strip by winning four Top Fuel championships, three in the National Hot Rod...

HATE TO SAY WE TOLD YOU SO...(News)
February 20, 2006... Late last year, we captured the all-new Porsche 911 Turbo ("Uncloaked! Porsche's Silver Bullet Spied on Shakedown Test,'' Dec. 19, 2005) and published a dossier on the new model due to make its world premiere at Geneva. Porsche has...