Posts

Posted on

Rambling Road Trip – Grand Junction, CO

By Lloyd Frazier

                                                            

Sometimes business trips by auto can bring pleasant surprises.  It was a challenging tech day for me.  I was called to work onsite on a critical software system for an important client in Grand Junction.  Got done on a late February afternoon.  While heading east on I-70, after a light snow earlier that day, I happened upon some very interesting sunlight conditions being cast upon the snow peaked mountain outcroppings. Continue reading “Rambling Road Trip – Grand Junction, CO”

Posted on

Sportsmobile, Not Your Standard RV – Part 13

Well I’m finally getting to the end of the list. The last section covers the off road equipment. This category is what gives the article it’s name “Not your standard RV???.

4X4 Options:

(Click on smaller images to enlarge)

This is where the road splits between a camper van and an off road vehicle. There are highly debated pro and cons to all of the options in this section. In general the largest con is the all mighty dollar. Forking out the kind of cash it takes to build a four wheel drive vehicle takes a well thought out commitment. I described this in more detail toward the starting of this article (parts 1, 2 and 3). I listed several companies other than Sportsmobile who build four wheel drive RV’s that range anywhere from mild to aggressive. Much of this has to do with what you really need while off roading. Continue reading “Sportsmobile, Not Your Standard RV – Part 13”

Posted on

2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights

Ford and GM were looking to build on success this year.  They put their best foot forward with some great product.  Ford won the North American car AND truck of the year award with the Fusion Hybrid and the Transit Connect.  The General is making a quick comeback with the awesome Camaro and its compact hopeful the Cruze.  Chrysler was obviously struggling to show anything new and promising.  A Lancia rebadged as a Chrysler was about the only thing new.  Chrysler may be marketing the Fiat 500 for 2011 which would put them in a good position in the compact segment.

Check out the: Visitor’s Guide to the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

Take a look at the video highlights from Edmunds Inside Line.

Video from Edmunds Inside Line

Posted on

2010 North American International Auto Show – Detroit

detroit The North American Auto Show starts this week, January 11th, to the industry and over 5000 giddy automotive journalists hoping for some big surprises. The public show opens the following week.

 

News Feeds:

RSS feed from the NAIAS

Freep.com: Ford’s Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect win car, truck of the year

The Auto Channel

Car and Driver Blog

Autoline Detroit Live Feed from NAIAS

Online TV Shows by Ustream

Posted on

2010 Ford Fusion – Motor Trend Car of the Year

2010_ford_fusion This video is one of the more interesting and in-depth I have seen in quite some while.  This contest consists of criteria that is not platform dependent.  The Motor Trend staff were to judge the vehicles on six key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, performance of intended purpose, efficiency, safety, value.  The testing was done at the Hyundai Kia proving grounds in California City, California.  It is a 4300 acre facility with 10 different road courses for a total of 72 miles.  The commentary on this was very interesting and appeared to be pretty impartial.

Ford is really making strides in engineering and refinement.  Because of the success of the Focus Hybrid, GM will really have to come out strong in 2011 with the Chevy Volt.  They only have one chance to really get things perfect.  Ford has left them with no breathing room to make any mistakes in the presentation of the Volt.  Ford has really hit the pavement running with this refined car.

Kudos to Motor Trend sharing this vid on YouTube.