2016 Detroit Auto Show Highlights

I still love the automotive world, although I haven't had time to write about it much in the past few years.  With the 2016 Detroit Auto Show (also known as the North American International Auto Show) that's going on, I find myself wanting to highlight some of the standout vehicles from the show.  In no particular order, here are some of the most interesting and exciting vehicles I read about from the show:

Nissan Titan Warrior Concept

I am hopeful for this.  It's a striking design modification of Nissan's announced Titan XD truck.  Although, I'm not a 4-wheel-drive guy, this look is awesome.  And, with all the love I have for the service department guys at Future Nissan, in Roseville, CA, I'd love to buy another Nissan vehicle.

Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew

After going to Ford and looking over the F-150 re-design, I haven't been a huge fan of it.  I was a little disappointed with some of the plastics and design issues.  This truck, like the Nissan concept above, is build and designed for some big-time 4-wheel-driving.  I love the exterior looks.

The Hyundai Santa Cruze and the Jeep Wrangler Truck

These two "trucks" are interesting.  I remember twenty years ago, I made all sorts of jokes about Hyundai.  Now, along with Kia, Hyundai is making really nice looking cars.  I'm not sure the life of their vehicles and the quality level, but initially the Sorento I drove and the Kias and Hyundais I see look like great vehicles.  And Jeep?  Well, they've been around for quite a while, are known for their 4x4 capabilities, and this truck idea has been kicked around for a while.  I don't think I'd move to either of these two, but they are fun designs.

2017 GMC Acadia

Aside from the price difference, in 2011 we looked closely at the Acadia and GMs other variants of this platform.  This is a strong looking crossover, with a tall stance that helps it look more like a truck than a car.  It's been a favorite of mine in the CUV class.  This refresh looks good.

Coming Sedans, 2017 Lincoln Continental and Volvo S60

These two cars are both working to reinvigorate their brands.  Lincoln, with the return of the Continental nameplate, hopes to revive a tired brand.  I am hopeful, again, for them.  I used to love the Lincoln Continental.  The Volvo has something special, to me.  I love the long oval grill and the sleek lenses of the headlights. I love this car company's history. 

Other Concepts, Acura Precision and Buick Avista

 These are two beautiful concepts, both from companies with very tired vehicles.  Acura has not designed anything I'd buy in 20 years.  I miss the named models (Legend, Vigor, Integra).  Although, I don't see the Precision coming to production, at least as seen at the show, it's a good move in design ideas.  The Buick Avista is amazing and could make Buick relavent again.  Currently, they are just rebadged GM cars and an ugly van thing built on the same platform as the GMC Acadia.


2016 BMW M2

My favorite thing to read about was this M2 from BMW.  It's a return to the small car that is a driver's car.  It's beautiful and powerful.  This is my best in show.

There were lots of other vehicles I read about on Autoblog and The Verge, but now I'm falling asleep.  And since I make no money writing this blog, I'm going to take a nap, without proof reading or reviewing for mistakes.

My YouTube History...Because I Don't Have Time To Blog

I've wanted to post so many things to my blog, but I don't ever have time anymore.  And, because I make absolutely no money sitting at a computer writing my opinion, the blogging takes a backseat to the rest of my life.  But, in the interest of sharing some finds with my few followers, here are some videos from my YouTube History.

Depeche Mode has a new album coming the end of March.  Here is their first released video.


Here is Joe Getty from the "Armstrong and Getty Show" (on AM Talk 650) confirming that he can easily make a 37 yard field goal, unlike David Akers of the 49ers, who missed one in the NFC championship game.  Sure, Akers kicked a 63-yarder and tied the NFL record or something, but he missed the easy one.



Don't run from the police in Slavic countries.


The Trombone was never cooler, except when Commander Riker played his on Star Trek.


My next Ford?  I would love to drive an F150 again, and this concept is sweet.


What cold is in Los Angeles looks silly to the rest of the USA.


Now this is a video.  It's Fresh from Bel-Air.


Do not try this.  Double BMW Donuts.


Cool, crazy things people do.


Audi is about to make Google Maps, Earth, and Search part of its cars.  This video was made by my favorite car company using Google Maps/Street View.


The science of Guiness beer can really be hyped, to the point of making it seem like it's one of the wonders of the world.  Of course, it makes it look like it tastes amazing.


Science is fun.  Should you run or walk in the rain?

BMW 1 Series M Driven With Skill On The US Bank Tower In Los Angeles

According to Wikipedia, The U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, CA, named after "The Most Admired Bank" (see this for more info) is "the tallest building in California, the tenth-tallest in the United States, the tallest west of the Mississippi River, and as of November 2010, the 47th tallest building in the world".  Now, with all that awesome information about that awesome building and the bank that it's currently named after, would you do this?


Well, this is the BMW 1 Series M.  It is being driven by someone with more skill and more insanity than me.  Here is a little more of this driver's and the car's abilities.


Yes, I know I posted these in reverse order from their "parts", but I find the first one more crazy and; therefore, more cool.  Also, the first one lets me talk about U.S. Bank.

Music, Cars, Beautiful Country (VIDEO)

Don't Park In A Construction Zone

This is funny, and this is why you should never park in a construction zone.


Tweet

BMW's Plug-in Hybrid Turbodiesel Concept

I guess with a concept vehicle you can make any claim you want, and BMW is claiming this concept with go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, while scoring 62.6 mpg. Sure. But I liked the look so much posted it anyway. Technology seems like it should be at levels like this claim, but until someone produces it for the masses, I'm not going to believe numbers like this. See more about this at Autoblog.

More Top Gear Goodness

Here's a video with my favorite of all compact cars, the VW R32 (a golf with a V6 and all wheel drive). This is good stuff. Clarkson pits the BMW 130 up against the VW R32.

Can You Say, "Tools"?

This is a BMW 7 series in the hands of "Tools." Notice the idiot hanging out of the passenger side rear window waving to the crowd. I'd like to waive this guys right to drive. It's probably Mommy's car too. This is still my favorite BMW 7 series built. Did you see the first "Transporter" movie. It's the same model as Jason Statham's character's original car. It's awesome. Very much so NOT like these Tools. Huge, huge, Tools. I just realized I also have a label called "Tools." I'll be checking out whatever I labeled "Tools" before.

Poor Dog Got Schooled

This is an awesome BMW M-series commercial. I actually found myself feeling bad for the dog. And, I hate dogs.

El Camino of Assie-land (And Then I Start Rambling)

They still have an El Camino in Australia made by Holden called the Ute. Here's an ad showing the history of the Ute. The Chevrolet El Camino, which was built from 1959-87 (with a break from 60-64), was GM's response to Ford's Ranchero. Although the popularity of the El Camino carried it on for nearly 8 more years beyond the Ranchero, we haven't seen a newly designed El Camino here in the USA since the late 80s. The Aussies; however, have both the GM owned Holden Ute and the Ford Falcon (new name for the Ranchero) today. There is some buzz on the automotive blogs that GM may introduce an El Camino based off the Ute platform here in the USA, but don't hold your breath. Automakers don't bring the popular cars of other countries here because they don't think they will do well. That must be why all the foreign cars do so poorly. Wait, isn't Toyota on top now? Can you say bitter? I'm not really interested in the Ute myself but I do think American Automakers are making decisions that don't fit the pulse of automotive fans here in the USA. Ford and GM both have excellent vehicles they produce and sell in other countries, which are appealing to Americans too. This concept of "World Cars" would probably work if automakers focused there research more on what is hot and what's not. There are probably several problems that I don't know about, like: the unions, differing opinions within the corporations, poor data gathering, self glorifying designers, old school thinking (like Ford and their desire to name all cars with "F" and all SUVs with "E" in the USA). I think there should be more avenues for consumers to give input on what they are looking for. With the Internet this should be easy. Heck, if you read a few blogs and automotive magazines, you'd see what's available in other countries and what's missing here. If you think about it, why do we still have cars with problems like roominess, fuel economy, power, handling, beauty, safety. Why are all the American Automakers losing money every year when this is the county with the most advanced, most wealthy, most wide spread, self indulged, EVERYTHING? How can the automakers RIGHT HERE be so out of touch with the desires of the people RIGHT HERE? Why is it the foreign automakers are out selling, out designing, out EVERYTHINGing the American Automakers? It's sad really. Henry Ford is often thought of as the "Father of the Automobile" (I know there is some debate on this), and Ford is now known for poor quality vehicles. I could talk for hours about the first and last Ford my parents bought (Taurus) and how it killed my parents' bank account. It was a pile of.....it was horrible. And now Ford renames the Five-Hundred to "Taurus". They are so out of touch that they think the Five-Hundred did poorly because of the name? NO! READ A BLOG OR MAGAZINE, FORD! You'll see that it's a boring design, it had a gutless engine, and it's front wheel drive. The Taurus name did nothing to help. And the engine upgrade, done with the name change, wasn't enough to offset the stigma associated with the name "Taurus". At least "Five-Hundred" started with an "F". Haha. Give me an Toyota or Honda so I know I'll see 200K miles. Give me an Audi or BMW so I can love to drive the roads of this HUGE country. Give me my VW Golf with 167,000+ miles and great handling, fuel economy, comfort, sound system, design, etc. so I can know I purchased an inexpensive vehicle that has fulfilled so many of my desires. Sure it's a little small, but it does so much extra that I forget about it's stature (yeah, okay and it's color, jerk). It's blue. Stop calling it purple. Wow. What happened here. I really just lost track of the point of this blog. I need to add a subtitle to this blog. I'm a ramblin' man.

Japanese = German

For a long time now, German cars have been part of the best driving cars made. BMW and Porsche are both awesome cars to drive. Japanese cars have long been produced for fuel efficiency and long hassle free life. Autocar, from the UK, tested the new Nissan GT-R against BMW's M3 and Porsche 911 GT3. Here are the videos. Part 1 Part 2 I love how this guy reminds us that Nissan used to be Datsun. Also, I love the shots of the cars in full drift around the corners. He scored Nissan as equal to Porsche but far above BMW. From everything I saw, I'd go with the Nissan. It will give the most consistent times and handling. The car practically drives itself. I know that sounds off for me, but I'm getting old and lazy. I do like to enjoy driving, and my VW is (in my mind) a scaled down Porsche; but for consistent performance, the Nissan is the way to go. Check out more info and pictures at Autoblog too.

Sweet Simulator BMW M3

Wow. This would be fun.