The Jaguar F-Type–Keeping Calm and Carrying On.
Posted: October 19, 2012 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS, INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2014, Automotive Insights, Classy, curves, F-Type, Flash, Future Vehicles, Industry Talk, Jaguar, Mind over motor, modern, Roadster, sexy, Supercharged, V6, V8 1 Comment »
Jaguar’s been one of the few companies in the past couple of years that hasn’t made a huge mistake with the models they sell. Yes, their product line isn’t as diverse as the competition, but what they have invested in is paying dividends, and the new F-Type is proof that their current focus is one I’m going to keep a close eye on in the near future. From the styling to the engine options revealed recently, I’m unashamed to say that I love this car even before I’ve seen it in the flesh.
R.I.P Carroll Shelby, 1923-2012
Posted: May 11, 2012 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Breaking News, Carroll Shelby, Cobra, Ford, Illness, Industry Talk, Mind over motor, Mustang, Obituary, Shelby Leave a comment »
Today, the automotive world has lost a true legend. Carroll Shelby, winner of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans and father of the Cobra and the original GT350 Mustang, among countless other high-performance cars, died today at the age of 89 from complications from an illness.
We here at Mind over Motor mourn the loss of this man, and he lives on through his groundbreaking and famous automobiles. Car guys and girls will miss this storied personality.
-Albert S. Davis
Ferrari’s got a brand new bag. Some thoughts on the new F12 Berlinetta.
Posted: February 29, 2012 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2012, 599 GTB, 599 GTO, 730hp, Announcements, F12, F12 Berlinetta, F620, Ferrari, Ferrari F12, Ferrari Sp.A, Grand Touring, GT Car, Industry Talk, Launch, Mind over motor, News, V12 Leave a comment »
The new king.
Today is a special sort of day. It’s Leap Day, a day which comes around once every four years–February 29th. And Ferrari got it into their heads to pick today to show off their third new car in 4 years, the replacement for the highly-regarded flagship GT car, the 599 GTB. That car has gone through various variations (the 599 HGTE, 599XX, GTO, and SA Aperta, among others), and now Ferrari has the new replacement, the F12 Berlinetta. In so many words, this new Ferrari is going to blow the roof off the place. Hit the jump for more. Read the rest of this entry »
Some thoughts on the past year’s sales.
Posted: February 22, 2012 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 2011, 2012, America, Annual Data, Cars, Chrysler, Ford, Germany, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Industry Talk, Japan, Mind over motor, Sales, Sales Results, Toyota Leave a comment »
Once again, I give you the bestselling vehicle in America--the Ford F-150.
On January 3rd, all the sales results for each major car brand sold in the United States were made public for the month of December, and consequently, the entire previous year. For the most part, 2011 was an excellent year for sales in the auto industry, a big step in the right direction since the turmoil of 2009. There were of course, some nasty issues that clearly affected sales across the board, but this year, only a select few CEOs should really need a drink today. So, let’s take a look at these numbers and see what falls out of the tree. Read the rest of this entry »
Some thoughts on the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
Posted: January 25, 2012 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: BMW, Car Show, Chrysler LLC, Cobo Hall, Concept, Detroit, Ford, GM, Honda, Industry Talk, Michigan, Mind over motor, NAIAS, New Cars, North American International Auto Show, Opinion, Porsche, Toyota, VW Leave a comment »
Chevrolet TRU-140S Concept
Although I was not in the country for this year’s NAIAS, I followed it closely from my phone when I was in Israel for the past two weeks or so. Overall, I have to say there’s a lot to look at this year, and the new model debuts give me hope that 2012 is going to be even more exciting than 2011 was. The market is changing fast, and as I watch everyone attempt to catch up, there are some clear indications that some brands in particular have most of their ducks in a row. Then again, there’s indications that some are definitely struggling to come up with new ideas. I’m going to go through each country, by major manufacturer, and discuss what I think are the best and the worst of this year’s show. Read the rest of this entry »
Mercedes MLC? Tread lightly, Mercedes-Benz.
Posted: September 9, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Benz, BMW, CUV, Germany, Industry Talk, Mercedes, Mind over motor, Rumor, SAV, SUV, Upcoming, US, X6 4 Comments »
Mercedes-Benz, long a leader in making new segments and forcing others to follow its lead, has changed course with one of upcoming model. Very recently, Mercedes-Benz North America announced the expanstion of one particular USA plant, for the production of the upcoming MLC, which has already been rumored to be a competitor to the already-on-sale BMW X6, a car that hasn’t exactly set the automotive world on fire. Read the rest of this entry »
Acura RL: Is there a point to buying one? No, there is not.
Posted: August 29, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 9-5, Acura, Cadillac, Car, CTS, driving, Industry Talk, Mediocre, Mind over motor, Moderate, Overpriced, RL, Saab, Tepid, TL 3 Comments »
It's just sort of bland compared to the rest of the lineup. A flagship should not be like this.
Acura’s done well for itself over the years, even without a real flagship. The TL has become a desirable luxury/sport sedan. the TSX, despite its humble origins as the Euro-spec Honda Accord, has become a very, very interesting choice for a premium compact that won’t break the bank. Meanwhile, the MDX and RDX are popular in their segments because of their intelligent AWD, responsive engines (especially the RDX’s turbocharged plant), and smart packaging. But what do we all make of their “flagship” RL? I’m not so sure it’s really as good a car as the rest of the line. Read the rest of this entry »
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid–Not just for environmentalists.
Posted: August 4, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Cayenne, Crossover, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Industry Talk, Intelligent, Mind over motor, Porsche, Sports, Supercharged, SUV, V6 1 Comment »
Not too many non-sports cars look good in yellow. This does, though.
So, the Cayenne Hybrid has recently gone on sale. Some are already saying that it’s heresy, in that it’s not only the Cayenne (which is a Porsche SUV, and such a thing is apparently the Antichrist), but a hybrid as well. All is not lost, in my opinion, because Porsche lately has been doing many things right, and they’re stepping into the environmental field with the right foot first. Read the rest of this entry »
The Chevy Volt, and what it means.
Posted: August 1, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Battery, BEV, Car, Charge, Charger, Chevrolet, Chevy, Drive, electric, Electricity, engine, GM, Industry Talk, Leaf, Mainstreet in Motion, Meadowlands, Mind over motor, Nissan, PZEV, Quick Charge, Range Anxiety, Range Relief, Test Drive, Volt Leave a comment »
Shown at Mainstreet in Motion, in NJ. Very easy to drive and has no problem getting up to highway speeds.
A couple of weeks ago, I got to drive the Volt for the first time. Nick’s already gone into great detail about how it drives, so I will only gloss over that. However, I believe that it is a massive step forward for not only General Motors, but the entire industry as well. This is one of the first huge changes in how cars drive and how they move around, and I’m glad to say that GM has done a seriously good job–perhaps it even wipes their record clean from the EV1 fiasco. Read the rest of this entry »
Jeep: If it ain’t broke, dont’ fix it.
Posted: July 25, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Changes, Cherokee, Commander, Grand Cherokee, Improvement, Industry Talk, Jeep, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler, Liberty, Mind over motor, Mojave, Patriot, Wrangler Leave a comment »
The original Willys Jeep MB. Next to a Wrangler--we see the history.
Jeep’s always been one of the more interesting stories of how an automaker came from one specific purpose to one of the most well-known brands in the world. Now, more than ever, the brand is posed to make a significant comeback and become a player in the SUV market for the first time since Chrysler got bought out by Daimler-Benz.
The Dodge Magnum could be coming back–here’s what they should do to it.
Posted: July 22, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 300, 300C, Al, AWD, Car, Charger, Chrysler, Concept, Dodge, engine, Hemi, Idea, Industry Talk, LX, LY, Magnum, Media Response, Mind over motor, Ralph Gilles, Rumor, RWD, SRT, Super8 9 Comments »
2005 Dodge Magnum R/T. Still one of my favorite cars.
This past week, Ralph Gilles, the head designer for the Dodge division, announced that the Magnum could be making a comeback. This news makes me very, very happy.
A RWD Cadillac flagship? Sounds great, but here’s a few suggestions.
Posted: July 13, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 3.6, Caddy, Cadillac, Car, driving, Flagship, General Motors, GM, HFV6, Industry Talk, LS3, LS7, Mind over motor, RWD, Sedan, USA, V6, V8 Leave a comment »
Cadillac Sixteen concept car. Note the number of details Cadillac could use for a flagship here.
I’ve been a fan of Cadillac since I was a little kid. When I was just eight years old, we pulled up in the driveway of my grandparents’ house in Boca Raton, and my grandpa said, “Albert, I have something to show you.” He opened the garage door, and there sat a brand-new 1998 Cadillac Deville D’Elegance, in Gold Firemist, with the Northstar V8. I thought it was beautiful (and this was still before I knew how much better the German cars really were), and I still remember it. Though it certainly wasn’t the best car in the world in hindsight, it started my love affair with the wraith and crest. Read the rest of this entry »
