Category Archives: cars

cars: Tesla Model S Plaid is a bargain at $131,000

Posted on 2021-06-17 by skierpage

The Tesla Model S Plaid is crazy. Nitpicking fans are arguing over whether 0-60 in 2 seconds (!) is real because 1-foot rollout and special pavement blah blah, but Motor Trend managed to do it and found: Faster projected quarter-mile … Continue reading →

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cars: genuine excellence vs. milking the ultra-rich

Posted on 2021-06-15 by skierpage

zOMG, the 25th McLaren F1 built with only 242 miles on the clock, including the luggage, the watch, the magnesium toolkit, … Moooo… Back in 1995 McLaren built a jaw-dropping advance on any production car and most race cars for … Continue reading →

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cars: Toyota fumbles the future

Posted on 2019-11-01 by skierpage

Old-line car companies mangle the English language and engage in doublespeak when they talk about how they are leaders in “electrification” and that soon all their cars will be “electrified.” All “electrified” means is their cars will have something more … Continue reading →

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cars: fun with math and physics

Posted on 2015-04-04 by skierpage

People have a hard time distinguishing between energy and power, it really manifests itself when thinking about electric vehicles (EVs). Batteries store energy, and people grasp that they don’t store a lot of it. To travel about 75 miles the … Continue reading →

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car: hydrogen offered, who will bite?

Posted on 2014-11-30 by skierpage

Toyota had a Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) on its stand at the car show, and a dedicated salesperson talking it up. Hyundai had a hydrogen fuel cell Tucson on its stand, but they didn’t make a big deal … Continue reading →

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cars: finally the new snow car

Posted on 2014-10-27 by skierpage

I’ve driven the same Subaru Outback Sport (a Subaru Impreza with slightly increased ground clearance) for 16 years. After dealers sorted out a wonky thrust plate and rear bearing it’s been rock solid for over a decade. It’s a great … Continue reading →

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cars: Fisker Karma, Hot Wheels brought to life

Posted on 2012-07-14 by skierpage

I saw a Fisker Karma on the street for the first time. The car is huge, and insanely distinctive. It swells and bulges all over the place, making a BMW 6-series look like a bland Hyundai. It’s a Hot Wheels … Continue reading →

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cars: BMW i8 climbs down from greatness

Posted on 2012-06-15 by skierpage

The good news is some version of the BMW i8 will probably enter production. It’s still a looker, but the EfficientDynamics Vision concept was beyond belief, easily the greatest concept car so far this millennium. (Watch the designers talk about … Continue reading →

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cars: aftermarket versions as status symbols

Posted on 2012-03-02 by skierpage

When it comes to status symbol cars , I’m always reminded of this purveyor: Cars are an extension of ourselves, like DNA. And if you have the wrong DNA, you should be put out to pasture. When it comes to … Continue reading →

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cars: progress in eco, not in design

Posted on 2011-11-19 by skierpage

Toyota’s 2012 high mpg warpath, Subaru’s best mpg all-wheel drive car. Continue reading →

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