AutoWeek articles from November 2003

AutoWeek archives from November 2003

WILL IT FLY? If America accepts the idea of a luxury Volkswagen, the Phaeton can take off.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 3, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN The name Phaeton has two meanings. The first is from Greek mythology. Phaeton was the son of Helios, the sun god. Every day Helios would drive the family chariot across the sky, wearing the rays of the sun as a...

A STELLAR SHOW: Part 1 of 2; Tokyo 2003 has many highlights.
November 3, 2003... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL, BOB GRITZINGER, MARK VAUGHN, MIKE FLOYD Call it celebrity democracy, where everyone's a star. There was no single standout, over-the-top concept that was the star of the Tokyo show this year, not like the Audi Avus was...

Flash.(Briefs)
November 3, 2003... H-powered RX-8 At the Tokyo motor show, Mazda debuted its latest take on a hydrogen future with the Hydrogen Renesis rotary in an RX-8 that can run on either gasoline or hydrogen, making it an ideal transitional vehicle for a future where...

TAKEOVER BENEFIT; Chrysler's rear-drive cars ride on a load of Benz parts.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Platform development on the Chrysler 300C/Dodge Magnum began back before the DaimlerChrysler assimilation, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been parts sharing. Just how much of that 300C/Magnum is Mercedes stuff,...

Results.(Motorsports)(Las Vegas Motor Speedway)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Las Vegas Motor Speedway 0.25-mile drag strip Oct. 26 TOP FUEL Kenny Bernstein, ET 4.545, 326.87 mph, over Tony Schumacher, ET 5.436, 174.68 mph FUNNY CAR Tony Pedregon, Ford, ET 5.135, 273.39 mph, over Whit...

Results.(Motorsports)(Rally Catalunya)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Rally Catalunya Oct. 24-26 1. Gilles Panizzi, Peugeot 206 WRC, 3h 55m 9.4s; 2. Sebastian Loeb, Citroen Xsara, +13s; 3. Markko Martin, Ford Focus RS WRC 03, +13.6s; 4. Francois Duval, Ford Focus RS WRC 03, +55.4s; 5. Petter Solberg,...

Results.(Motorsports)(Surfers Paradise)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Surfers Paradise 2.795-mile street circuit Oct. 26 1. Ryan Hunter-Reay, Reynard, 47 laps at 72.280 mph avg. speed; 2. Darren Manning, Reynard, 47; 3. Jimmy Vasser, Reynard, 47; 4. Michel Jourdain, Lola, 47; 5. Patrick Carpentier,...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
November 3, 2003... Awesome, but no Enzo While the new Carrera GT is an awesome machine, comparing it to the Enzo, as you do on your cover ("Look Out Enzo! Is This Porsche the Most Fun Supercar Ever?), is misleading. Your article states the GT does...

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... On Sale: December Base price: $60,000 (est.) Powertrain: 4.2-liter, 338-hp, 317-lb-ft V8; rwd, six-speed automatic Curb weight: 5194 pounds 0 to 60 mph: 6.7 seconds (mfr.)

Race Report.(Motorsports)(CART in Australia)
November 3, 2003... For some reason, the Australian stop on the CART schedule is always good for a wild, if not downright weird race. For a semitropical paradise, the weather can be violent and unpredictable, and the quick, 2.795-mile street course, especially its...

RESPECT; Herdez Competition battles for wins and recognition.(Motorsports)
November 3, 2003... Byline: BILL McGUIRE "I think it's been an identity crisis for us at times too, as well as for everyone else,'' says Keith Wiggins, managing director and co-owner of Herdez Competition. Founded by the late Tony Bettenhausen as Bettenhausen...

MUDDY WATERS; Bill Elliott's 2004 plans are still unclear.(Motorsports)
November 3, 2003... Byline: AL PEARCE Pork rinds! It was about pork rinds, for crying out loud. Bill Elliott's "retirement'' press conference at the Atlanta Motor Speedway was a sales pitch for his new line of pork rinds, beef jerky, hot sausage and meat...

But Wait, There's More...(BWTM)
November 3, 2003... "Just because you have a hammer in your hand does not mean that all your problems are nails.'' -Patrick Pelata, executive vice president of planning and design for Nissan, quoting an engineering phrase he said he was taught early on in his...

Drivers Log.(News)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 3, 2003... 2003 Lexus RX 330 Date in fleet: Sept. 30-Oct. 7 As-tested price: $43,313 Powertrain: 3.3-liter V6; 4wd, five-speed automatic Output: 230 hp @ 5600 rpm, 242 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm Curb weight: 4065 pounds HART: How disappointing to get in...

American Culture in the F1 Pits.(Column)(Column)
November 3, 2003... Byline: Matt Davis It's not a big surprise to hear so frequently that the world looks upon the U.S. Grand Prix as an enduring joke ever since it left Watkins Glen in 1980. To some, it's right up there with next year's Bahrain GP. The...

GOOD NEWS: GT-R COMING; Bad news: Not until '07.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn confirms the Skyline GT-R will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, with customer sales starting soon after that. The car will make "around 400 hp'' and offer "top-level driving...

MIRROR IMAGE; Production CLS is spot-on with Frankfurt concept.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... We expected little would change from Mercedes-Benz's CLS "coupe-like'' four-door concept unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September (AW, Sept. 22), but now we're certain. This spy shot shows the production CLS due in the States by early...

West Coast offense.(News)(ASC and SO-CAL Speed Shop partnership)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... That partnership between Michigan's specialty car developer ASC and California's SO-CAL Speed Shop (AW, June 2) bears its first fruit at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas in the form of the West Coast edition...

BOBBY GOAT; Mr. Lutz visits the land Down Under and brings home a bleating great new toy.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 3, 2003... Byline: Natalie Neff Traditionalists Be Damned Pontiac won't apologize for the fact that this car doesn't look, feel or perform like the car for which it was named. It has a V8, sure, but it doesn't even come from the same continent....

Fast Poll.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... The variety of responses to our question of what is the top supercar-Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo or Lamborghini Murcielago-proves that in the half-million-dollar class, there is no wrong answer. The GT is the first supercar to come...

Television; Nov. 7-11.(News)(Calendar)
November 3, 2003... Friday, Nov. 7 Hi-Rev Tuners, 9:30 a.m., Speed Channel (T) Two Guys Garage, 10 a.m., Speed Channel (T) USAR Hooters Pro Cup from Jefferson, Ga., 11:30 a.m., Speed Channel (T) NASCAR Busch Series qualifying from Rockingham,...

There's Power in a Name.(Column)(General Motors leaves Pontiac name off GTO)(Column)
November 3, 2003... Byline: Kevin A. Wilson Great artists sign their work. So, too, do those of more modest ability but equal pride. Personally, I've long felt that if you're not willing to attach your name to your opinion, art or craftsmanship, I've no...

Events.(Calendar)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 3, 2003... Dec. 31-Jan. 4, 2004 San Diego Auto Show San Diego For details on this vehicle expo visit autoshowusa.com/sandiego. Jan. 2-4, 2004 Collector Car Auction Auburn, Ind. Also features a car show, swap meet and flea...

2004 PONTIAC GTO.(News)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... ON SALE: December PRICE: $33,695 (est.) POWERTRAIN: 5.7-liter, 350-hp, 365-lb-ft V8; rwd, six-speed manual CURB WEIGHT: 3725 pounds 0 to 60 MPH: 5.3 seconds (mfr.)

Flash.(Briefs)
November 3, 2003... Let's take it... inside The first indoor special stage ever held for the World Rally Championship is being planned for the '04 Wales Rally GB. Organizers are considering a super-special stage at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the roof of...

JEFF GORDON WINS RAIN-DELAYED RACE.(Competition)(briefs)
November 3, 2003... Jeff Gordon held off Tony Stewart over the final 33 laps to win the rain-delayed NASCAR Winston Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was his third win this year. The 325-lapper ended under caution when Dale Earnhardt Jr. bumped...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 3, 2003... In the Oct. 27 issue, the Tzero caption on page 27 refers to the red Seight sports car on the same page.

A STELLAR SHOW: Part 2 of 2; Tokyo 2003 has many highlights.
November 3, 2003... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL, BOB GRITZINGER, MARK VAUGHN, MIKE FLOYD Honda IMAS concept ]]]] For that wind-in-your-hair driving experience, Honda proposes the IMAS, a lightweight hybrid sports car concept designed to "cut through the wind...

Fast Poll.(News)(2003 Driver of the Year)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... He only raced in one event this year, but that was enough for readers to choose Alex Zanardi as the 2003 Driver of the Year. This goes beyond just winning races and scoring points. Alex Zanardi is driver of the year for his determination,...

BWTM.(briefs)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... ]]]] Sign the End of the Auto World Is Nigh Kannapolis, North Carolina, city fathers have created a two-day holiday shopping and NASCAR event dubbed the Horsepower and Holly tour. On the docket: visits to the Hendrick Motorsports Museum (and...

CORPORATE HOT ROD; Ford 427 show car reveals a glimpse of Detroit's new direction.(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 10, 2003... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL Take a look at the Ford 427 concept and ask yourself whether this can be considered the ultimate tuner car. Though it is a clean sheet of computer drafting screen attached to a thick corporate wallet and a...

BRABUS MAXIMUS; Thoroughly tested tuner turns out treats for america.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: -MARK VAUGHN A few years ago Brabus was looking to come to the United States, the biggest market for Mercedes outside Germany. At the same time Steven Beaty, who was working for Mercedes-Benz North America in the accessories...

GERMANS HELPING GERMANS; Brabus does things to Mercedes. Mean, desirable things.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS In 1977 Bodo Buschmann opened shop in Bottrop just north of the heavily industrialized zone around Cologne, Germany. Call it aftermarket tuner work if you like, but these days what Brabus does to Mercedes-Benz and...

BRABUS MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500.(News)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... ON SALE: Now BASE PRICE: $125,000 POWERTRAIN: 6.1-liter, 420-hp, 458-lb-ft V8; rwd, five-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT: 3750 pounds 0 TO 60 MPH: 4.5 seconds (mfr.)

EVOLUTIONARY RS.(News)(Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 10, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Mitsubishi's stripper Evo may be the ultimate sleeper What could be better than a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution? An Evolution RS, naturally. Mitsubishi trimmed 146 pounds of "nonessential'' items from its...

Events.(Calendar)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 10, 2003... Jan. 7-11, 2004 San Jose Auto Show San Jose, Calif. For more information on this new car expo visit autoshowusa.com/sanjose. Jan. 9-10, 2004 Ferraris at St. Armand's Sarasota, Fla. Call (863) 767-0111 or visit...

Results.(Competition)
November 10, 2003... Daytona International Speedway 3.56-mile road course Nov. 1 1. F. Barber/T. Borcheller, Doran-Chevrolet, 70 laps at 98.807 mph avg. speed; 2. B. Auberlen/D. Theys, Doran-Toyota, 70; 3. M. Borkowski/D. Donohue, Fabcar-Porsche, 70;...

Results.(News)(Phoenix International Raceway)
November 10, 2003... Phoenix International Raceway 1.0-mile oval Nov. 2 1. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 312 laps at 93.984 mph avg. speed; 2. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 312; 3. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 312; 4. Kurt Busch, Ford, 312; 5. Michael Waltrip,...

HUMMER ON THE MOVE.(news)(new 2005 Hummer H2 SUT)
November 10, 2003... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON Among unveilings this week at the SEMA show in Las Vegas will be the 2005 Hummer H2 SUT, the sport/utility truck variant of the H2 SUV. Like other SUTs, notably the Cadillac Escalade EXT with which it shares some...

THE HAUS OF CLAUS; In your sleek Jag he'll help you raus.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Claus Ettensberger's first tuning project was the 50-cc moped he rode as a teenager in the small German village in which he grew up, but you'd never know it from the line of products he sells today. Claus...

TV.(Calendar)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 10, 2003... Friday, Nov. 14 * NASCAR Busch Series practice from Homestead, Fla., 11:30 a.m., Speed Channel (L) * NASCAR Winston Cup qualifying from Homestead, Fla., 1:30 p.m., Speed Channel (L) * NASCAR Trucks from Homestead, Fla., 3 p.m.,...

SPORT COMPACT, SPEED EXPANDED; The NHRA crowns its quickest field of sport compact champions ever.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: JACKIE LING With smoky ashes mixing with methanol vapors, the 2003 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series came to a dramatic close at Pomona Raceway. As expected, the last race for the 10-event, $2.1 million series featured...

PORSCHE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES.(News)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Byline: PATRICK C. PATERNIE The car most associated with Steve McQueen's racing epic Le Mans is the Porsche 917. But it is a slate gray 911S that dominates the opening sequence of Le Mans. For more than three decades, how many of us have...

Driver's log.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 10, 2003... 2004 Saturn Ion Quad Coupe Date in fleet: Sept. 23-Oct. 3 As-tested price: $19,515 Powertrain: 2.2-liter I4; fwd, five-speed manual Output: 140 hp @ 5800 rpm, 145 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Curb weight: 2751 pounds MPG (EPA...

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE; Dale Earnhardt Jr. sends a message for next year.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: CURT CAVIN Barring an extraordinary collapse in the season's final two races, Matt Kenseth will be crowned NASCAR's 2003 Winston Cup champion later this month. But the people's champion has long been decided. Dale Earnhardt Jr....

Renna at speed, out of groove.(Competition)(briefs)
November 10, 2003... The Indy Racing League still hasn't concluded its investigation of Tony Renna's fatal crash Oct. 22 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But this much has been released by the league: Renna's final pass through one of the track's many time...

DOES NASCAR RUB OFF? Sports car racing goes native.(News)
November 10, 2003... Byline: 1BILL McGUIRE They may call it Day-tona International Speedway, but at the Grand-Am season finale they were selling "American fries'' at the concession stand. That tells you all you need to know about the worldview at the home...

Flash.(Briefs)
November 10, 2003... Hai sign for NSX Honda president Takeo Fukui says Acura's 13-year-old NSX will be replaced with a car based on the Honda Sports Concept that took AutoWeek Best in Show honors at the recent Tokyo motor show (AW, Nov. 3). AutoWeek...

JUST A LITTLE BOOST; And a little help from his friends.(News)(Charles Park's turbo boosted Lexus IS 300)
November 10, 2003... Byline: RICHARD CHANG When you start (turbo) boosting cars it becomes very addictive,'' Charles Park said as we sat on a cold concrete bench inside the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, where his Lexus IS 300 was entered in an...

PREREQUISITE: CONVERSION; The parts may be greater than the whole.(News)(Andrae Singh talks about his BMW 330Ci)
November 10, 2003... Byline: RICHARD CHANG Andrae Singh, a Queens, New York, resident and computer-store owner, is a self-described techno-geek. That's why he first got into building an audio system for his SUV, but that's as far as the mods went. "I...

The Memories of Friends Stay with Us Forever.(Column)(death of Tony Renna)(Column)
November 10, 2003... Byline: Dutch Mandel I'll say it: The other day I wept. The news about Tony Renna was an emotional gut punch, and no matter how many miles I put on my life's odometer, this doesn't get any easier to take. When a friend is killed, time...

GOODBYE TO THE CD CHANGER? Hello to the 20-gig, 500-CD cartridge.(News)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Byline: ANDREW LUU It's great to live in a society so technologically advanced that listening to your favorite song requires no more than the click of a mouse button. Yet it boggles the mind that we must still resort to the primitive...

TECH ROUNDUP.(News)(TracVision A5 from KVH Industries)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Byline: ANDREW LUU With these toys, getting there is more than half the fun Would you rather watch three movies or surf through 300 channels-assuming you're not the driver-on a six-hour road trip? With TracVision A5 from KVH...

FANCY CAT; Jochen Arden spices up Jaguar's X-Type.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 10, 2003... Byline: MAC MORRISON Question: What's a Jaguar if not exclusive? Answer: An X-Type. Okay, let's get this straight. We appreciate the X-Type's strong powertrain, grippy chassis and all-season usability. But if we learned anything from...

A CHIP OFF THE OLD FOOSE; DESIGNER CHIP FOOSE BLENDS THE KUSTOMS HIS DAD BUILT, THE CARS OF THE PRESENT, AND SOMETHING HE CALLS "A EUROPEAN HOT ROD LOOK".(News)(Interview)
November 10, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Chip Foose is the pen and clay behind some of the most exciting cars of the last decade. He grew up in the Santa Barbara, California, hot rod shop of his dad, the also-famous Sam Foose. So he had something of a head...

SIBLING RIVALRY; Renntech's E500 takes it to AMG's E55.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 10, 2003... Byline: ANDREW LUU If we have one complaint with Mercedes' autobahn-storming E55 AMG, it's the almost 200 extra pounds the car carries over its E500 sibling. The AMG's supercharged power may rattle your internals, but the chassis lags a...

Flash.(Competition)(briefs)
November 10, 2003... Gene re-ups Marc Gene has re-signed with Williams as its test driver for next year, his fourth straight season in the job. He raced for the team in the Italian Grand Prix Sept. 14, after Ralf Schumacher was injured in a testing crash. Gene...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
November 10, 2003... Bigger isn't necessarily prettier Your photos of the latest Ferrari (Cover Story, Oct. 27) remind me that few auto designers understand the artistic merits of this marque's image. The Chrysler front appearance? A '47 Cadillac side view?...

STATE OF THE CLUB; Of course someone is complaining, but club racing is stronger than ever.(News)(Sports Car Club of America)
November 10, 2003... Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO Call it Showroom Stock B, NASCAR-style. The biggest controversy at this year's SCCA Valvoline Runoffs had nothing to do with events during 24 national championship races 'round the tricky sports car course at...

But Wait, There's More...(BWTM)(briefs)
November 17, 2003... ]]]] Sign the End of the Auto World is Nigh Bill Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup champion and one of the most popular drivers in the history of NASCAR, has a new company that manufactures and distributes snack foods. We can't wait for...

PAR FIVE GOLF; Driving the fifth generation of the best-selling German car ever.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 17, 2003... Byline: MATT DAVIS We've heard of delayed launches in foreign markets, but North America not getting this fifth-generation Golf for 18 months after its launch in Europe feels like cryogenics. Either that, or it's simply facing the reality...

2004 DODGE DURANGO.(News)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... On sale: Now Base price: $35,795 Powertrain: 5.7-liter, 330-hp, 370-lb-ft Hemi Magnum V8; 4wd, five-speed automatic Curb weight: 5079 pounds 0 to 60 mph: n/a

]]]] AUTOWEEK'S FAST FIVE: TOM SEMPLE.(News)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 17, 2003... After a long career in the auto design business, this was Nissan North America head of design Tom Semple's first trip to the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas. His impressions of the show: AW: What's your opinion-is...

Results.(Motorsports)(Rally Great Britain)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Rally Great Britain Nov. 7-9 1. Petter Solberg, Subaru Impreza WRC 2003, 3h 28m 58.1s; 2. Sebastian Loeb, Citroen Xsara, +43.6s; 3. Tommi Makinen, Subaru Impreza WRC 2003, +2m 58.8s; 4. Colin McRae, Citroen Xsara, +5m 28.1s; 5....

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED; Matt Kenseth clinches the Cup with one race to go.(Motorsports)
November 17, 2003... Byline: AL PEARCE Matt Kenseth didn't know how to act or what to say. No surprise there, since he never expected to be embracing the Winston Cup and flashing the "We're No. 1'' finger in the gathering gloom at Rockingham. In his mind, you...

Results.(Motorsports)(North Carolina Speedway)
November 17, 2003... North Carolina Speedway 1.017-mile oval Nov. 9 1. Bill Elliott, Dodge, 393 laps at 111.677 mph avg. speed; 2. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 393; 3. Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 393; 4. Matt Kenseth, Ford, 393; 5. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 393;...

Fast Poll.(News)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... The Honda Sports Concept was the unanimous show stopper at the Tokyo Motor Show; as for the worst, the jury is still out. No doubt the HSC is the best. I'd trade my '98 355 Berlinetta for it in a heartbeat. My vote for the worst goes to the...

UNCLE NISMO IS FINALLY HERE; And he's looking to drive.(News)(Nissan's in-house performance parts supplier)
November 17, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Yes, yes, they've promised you this before, more than a few times in the last two or three years in fact. But this time they really mean it: NISMO, Nissan's in-house performance parts supplier, has parts in U.S. Nissan...

Owners say...(Auto File)(Chrysler Crossfire)
November 17, 2003... I park it in front of my business and folks walking down the street stop to gawk. I particularly like the headroom and legroom. I appreciate the manumatic gearbox because my wife and I share this car. The handling is exceptional and it is very...

Television; Nov. 21-25.(News)(Calendar)
November 17, 2003... Friday, Nov. 21 Speed Racer: Challenge of the Masked Racer Part One, 7 a.m., Speed Channel (T) NASCAR Winston Cup Wednesday: Daytona 500, noon, Speed Channel (T) NASCAR Winston Cup Wednesday: Rockingham 400, 2 p.m., Speed Channel...

REALLY COOL.(Competition)(multiple briefs)
November 17, 2003... Of major manufacturers, General Motors had arguably the coolest thing on the SEMA show floor (page 22). So-Cal Speed Shop, which built a streamlined projectile in the image of a 1940s belly-tank salt racer, made the car for GM to demonstrate...

Drivers Log.(News)(Porsche 911 GT3 and the Jaguar XJR )(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 17, 2003... 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 Date in fleet: Oct. 13-20 As-tested price: $118,250 Powertrain: 3.6-liter H6; rwd, six-speed manual Output: 380 hp @ 7400 rpm, 284 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm Curb weight: 3043 pounds MORRISON: I once said I would sell my...

A Full Step Up from a Truck; Dodge turns engineers, designers and Hemi loose on SUV.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 17, 2003... Byline: JOE KOVACH Driving on curvy, hilly roads, the all-new Durango feels big but smooth, proving that automakers continue to advance in making large trucks feel more like tall cars. The ride and the firm seats are comfortable. The...

Too Cool for School, Unless It's Driving School.(Column)(Column)
November 17, 2003... Byline: Rich Ceppos Let's talk about speed. Speed that thrills, not kills. Your ability to make speed behind the wheel with consummate skill. Mastery of the driving craft. An understanding of the physics and a feel for the machinery. You...

PRETTY AS Petunia; A GT40 by any other name smells just as sweet.(Ford GT)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 17, 2003... Byline: Natalie Neff Turn Six is elusive. It doesn't even look like a turn, more like the exit to a large hairpin. We keep forcing the Ford GT's nose to turn in way too early, plowing the front tires and setting the car up to sail far too...

Flash.(Briefs)
November 17, 2003... SVT line growing Look for Ford to up its ante in special vehicle development. Phil Martens, Ford group vice president of product creation, says the company plans to increase its investment in its Special Vehicle Team in the coming three to...

WHO ARE YOU? Our SEMA forum seeks to find out.(News)(Specialty Equipment Market Association)
November 17, 2003... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Who are automotive enthusiasts and why do they spend so much time obsessing over their cars? To find out, we brought together a panel of experts at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show and threw out that very...

Flash.(Briefs)
November 17, 2003... Drifters announce championship Exact details are yet to be hashed out but there will be a national drifting championship in the United States in 2004. Granted, it will be only four events and the venues are not official, but it is another...

Letterman's Ride Is Definitely in the Top 10.(Escape Roads)(David Letterman's 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica)
November 17, 2003... Byline: Mike Covello Celebrities don't pick up the phone unless the caller has been cleared. So after first introducing myself to an assistant as a freelance writer at AutoWeek, I had to laugh when a familiar voice came on the line and...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
November 17, 2003... It's fairly easy being green Regarding Challenge Bibendum (Oct. 27): As an enthusiast, I welcome efforts to bring increased numbers of "green'' automobiles to market that retain the pleasure of driving. But I resent the notion that...

GOOD SPORT; Crossfire merges Chrysler design, Mercedes muscle.(Auto File)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 17, 2003... Is the Crossfire the best Chrysler ever? Or do buyers just get a really sweet deal on a Gothic-styled, fixed-roof Mercedes-Benz SLK320? Either way, the Crossfire offers a lot for the money, from its powerful and proven 3.2-liter V6 to its...

GREATER ESCAPE.(News)(2005 Ford Escape)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Ford's smallest sport/utility vehicle, the Escape, gets a full-sized redo for 2005, including a new engine, an all-new four-wheel-drive system, and a refreshed appearance inside and out. The new 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder produces 153 hp...

]]]] A SEMA SUCCESS: Part 1 of 2; Vegas, Baby: Action! The Strip! Electric Neon Window Sealant!(News)
November 17, 2003... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL, ROGER HART, WES RAYNAL, MARK VAUGHN ]]]]]] Alan Greenspan should have come to Las Vegas for the SEMA show last week. That would show him a robust economy. SEMA set records in just about every category at this year's...

2005 FORD GT.(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... On sale: Spring Base price: $150,000 (est.) Powertrain: 5.4-liter, 500-hp, 500-lb-ft supercharged V8; rwd, six-speed manual Curb weight: 3400 pounds (est.) 0 to 60 mph: 3.8 seconds (mfr.)