Comparison: 2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2011 BMW M3 Coupe

Cool article from Motor Trend - showing the highlights here - if you want to read the whole article it is at this link: 

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1010_2011_2011_ford_mustang_gt_vs_2011_bmw_m3_comparison/index.html 

From the October, 2010 issue of Motor Trend  - By Edward Lo

"Now are you high or just stupid? An M3 against a Mustang GT? On a racetrack? Seriously, son, which one is it? High or stupid?"

Yes, we know how this sounds. And had we suggested this matchup just a few months ago, we would deserve more withering scorn than can be found in a week-long Judge Judy marathon.

Why? Because this Munich versus Motown matchup has never been done before. Not even considered because it just didn't make sense. Sure, the M3 went V-8 in 2008, but that's not the issue. The truth is, the Mustang GT was never good enough to challenge Bavaria's finest. That is, until now.

Your doubt is understandable, but check the specs. For 2011, both rear-drive, four-seat coupes use all-aluminum V-8 engines with double-overhead camshafts tickling 32 valves. The M3's 4.0-liter carryover makes 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The Mustang's all new 5.0-liter V-8 cranks out 412 ponies at 6500 rpm and 390 pound-feet at 4250 rpm. But the most compelling number is 0.2: the difference in power-to-weight ratio between the two. The Mustang carries 8.8 pounds per pony to the M3's 8.6. And yet, at the test track, the 5.0 equals or betters the M3 in every performance category we measure. Both hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, but the Mustang is faster to the quarter mile by a tenth of a second and 0.7 mph-12.7 seconds at 111.6 mph. It also stops two feet shorter from 60 mph-a tie as far as we're concerned-and the GT really shatters the M myth on the skidpad. America's original ponycar manages to outgrip one of Germany's most iconic sports cars to the tune 0.2 second through our figure eight and by 0.01 g in lateral acceleration.

2011 TechArt Porsche Panamera Grand GT Carbon Kit

Well, I was never a big fan or Porche - they had my respect of course but I never thought "Hey, I have to buy one!" That all changed with the release of the Panamera - DROOL!!!

This year, 2011, Porsche launched a new masterpiece, the all-new Porsche Panamera Grand GT Carbon kit. The Panamera is the first four door sedan they have made. And now, it’s the second generation of the Panamera. Of course, now I am drooling so much I may need a bib!

Porsche has been known for being a sports luxury vehicle and yet it also has comfort features. This vehicle has a 4.8 Liter V8 engine with a combine of twin turbo chargers that maximize the acceleration and this Porsche has 571 horses. It also has carbon fiber kits on the interior that adds a sportier feel for the driver. And this is where TechArt comes in. The carbon kits not only add a much sportier feel. It also loses the added weight on this Panamera.

In the end though, I will gladly take the lighter OR heavier version! Anyone that wants to get me one for my birthday (in January but I'll take an early present) knows where to find me!

Before the muscle cars...

Yes, before the muscle car era in my life there were imports! (GASP!) Those of you that know me also know that I am an equal opportunity car whore and as far as I am concerned if you think your car is sick, more power to you!

Cars shouldn't be about how much money you bought them for or how many mods you put on them (although mods ARE fun!) It's all about how you feel driving them and how much fun you have.

This Lexus SC430 was one of the first cars I spent some serious time and money on so it holds a special place for me - warm fuzzy memories (actually blurry memories because this baby was FAST!)

Ford Pitches Improved Fuel Economy to Sell Police Interceptors

Ford has dominated the police car scene for years with its Crown Vic Interceptors. But now, with the discontinuation of the venerable model, the Blue Oval faces stiff competition from Chrysler’s Dodge Charger and General Motors’ Chevrolet Malibu.

Ford is pursuing police fleet business with a two-pronged strategy. A Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan will replace the Crown Vic, and an new unibody Explorer-based SUV for those that need a little more space and utility, such as K-9 units. One of the most prominent selling points of the new models are their approximately 20-percent fuel economy improvement over the previous V-8 powered, rear-drive CV-based Interceptor. Using the 6,200 vehicle fleet of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as an example, a fleet-wide 20-percent fuel economy gain would save the department at least $20 million a year at the current California per-gallon average of nearly $4 per gallon.

The Interceptor sedan model is available with the EcoBoost 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 from the Taurus SHO model. While its V-8-rivaling acceleration and performance has certainly won it some fans in the departments that have tested it, the drivetrain’s additional technical complexity with direct-injection, turbocharging, and the associated all-wheel-drive could prove intimidating to some fleet service departments accustomed to working on rear-drive, live-axle V-8 models.