AutoWeek back issues from January 2007:
Drivers Log.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... 2007 Chrysler Aspen Limited 4wd Date in fleet: Nov. 30-Dec. 14 As-tested price: $43,395 Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V8; 4wd, five-speed automatic Output: 335 hp @ 5200 rpm, 370 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm Curb weight: 5043 lbs Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 15.8/11.5 mpg WILSON: So Chrysler ...
Flash.(Briefs)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Don't call BMW BMW says demand has far outstripped supply for those looking to score a free dual-fuel (hydrogen and gasoline) powered BMW 7 Series for six months ("High-End Hydrogen,'' Dec. 4). To promote hydrogen, BMW is giving the cars to influential people and institutions ...
A SHOW WITH HISTORY.(North American International Auto Show)
Jan 01, 2007 ... The first Detroit auto show was staged in a beer garden Dec. 9, 1907, and featured 33 vehicles from 17 motorcar makers. Admission that day was 50 cents, though it bumped to $1.00 for what was called "society night.'' One hundred years later, society night is known as the Charity ...
THE BEST GTI YOU'LL NEVER OWN; VW's R GTI SEMA show car is superb to drive, but you can't.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: MARK VAUGHN The magnificent R GTI is easily the nimblest and most fun-to-drive Volkswagen ever built. Volkswagen's Design Center California and APR of Auburn, Alabama, lightened it up and added huge twists of horsepower and torque. The weight loss came from a ...
Picture Perfect.(Column)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: Richard S. Chang Have you noticed how supercar posters are photographed in the Mojave Desert, the Badlands or some other Ridley Scott-like setting? You never see the cars parked along, say, New York Route 301 in Putnam County or on the shoulder of Route 17A between ...
TV: Jan. 5 - 7.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Friday, Jan. 5 American Muscle Car, 8 a.m., Speed Redline TV, 9 a.m., Speed NOPI Tunervision, 9:30 a.m., Speed Lucas Oil On The Edge, 4:30 p.m., Speed American Muscle Car, 5:30 p.m., Speed Chop Cut Rebuild, 7 p.m., Speed ...
Letters.
Jan 01, 2007 ... The war of the doors Responding to the idea of a four-door or wagon Mustang (News, Dec. 18): Ford did this to the T-Bird and it failed miserably, likewise the Cougar. Chrysler was successful with Charger because it created an exciting car. I heard complaints that it should be a ...
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER; Travis Pastrana was just one highlight of the Race of Champions.(Motorsports)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: Curt Cavin Not too many people imagined that the star of the 19th-annual Race of Champions would be a U.S. motocross rider. But Travis Pastrana, a 23-year-old newcomer to car racing, nearly stole the show in Paris all by himself. Left to represent ...
Resolute in More than Name Only.
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: Dutch Mandel Why should this issue's cover date prompt us to holler, "Do over!''? It may be symbolic to start fresh on Jan. 1 each year, but we're not going to mess with symbolism. Today's as good a day as any to stop smoking, to pursue worthwhile causes, to ...
Flash.(Briefs)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Alonso debuts F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso finally got to drive a McLaren-Mercedes when he debuted for the team during December testing at Jerez. Alonso asked Renault F1 team principal Flavio Briatore for a one-day release from his contract, which did not expire until Jan ....
BOURDAIS, ANDRETTI TEST F1.(Competition)(Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais)(Marco Andretti)(Len Sutton passes away)(2007 Champ Car season's new rules)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais said his Formula One test with Red Bull's Scuderia Toro Rosso at the Jerez Circuit in Spain went so well that he will continue to pursue a ride there. But it won't be until the 2008 season. "My option with (sponsor) McDonald's and ...
SMOKIN' HOT; Is this SEMA concept a glimpse at the Dodge Challenger SRT8?(annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show)(Product/service evaluation)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: ROGER HART The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas is much like the host city: It celebrates wretched excess. Not that we have anything against 24-hour all-you-can-eat buffets, silicone-enhanced "hostesses'' or 500-hp Honda Civics riding on ...
What Might Have Been.(Escape Roads)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: JOHN F. KATZ The 1963 Ramblers were designed for a decade of production-or at least more than a few model years-at a time when frantic change still drove product planning in Detroit. American Motors CEO George Romney cited (in a 1989 interview, years after he had left ...
MIXED MESSAGE; Ford quashes AutoWeek's 'Stang sedan report, announces Mustang-based sedan concept for Detroit.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER Ford officials have "categorically'' denied plans to build a sedan or wagon version of the iconic Mustang, but at the same time confirmed the Dearborn automaker will reveal two Mustang-based, rear-drive, four-door concepts at the upcoming Detroit auto ...
LEADER OF THE BRAND.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Jan. 10, 2007, Cobo Center, Detroit Charlie Hughes, one of the foremost experts on branding, marketing and organizational culture, will present the keynote address at this year's AutoWeek Design Forum. Hughes, president of Brand Rules, recently published the book ...
Dwindling Appeal? Toyota's FJ thrills some, riles others.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: JONATHAN WONG Throughout its first three months in the AutoWeek fleet, Toyota's FJ Cruiser began to win over staffers who initially opposed the throwback SUV: It proved a comfortable long-distance traveler, capable cargo hauler and crowd-pleasing attention getter. In ...
PIPE DREAM? Toyota conceives a 21st-century Supra.
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: WES RAYNAL About a year ago, Toyota asked its designers and engineers a simple question: "What would be a suitable and appropriate Toyota sports car for the 21st century?'' The result is the car you see on these pages, the FT-HS concept. FT-HS is a hybrid ...
2007 DETROIT SHOW PREVIEW.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Not everything stays cloaked until the North American International Auto Show kicks off in Detroit. Press previews are Jan. 7-9, and the show is open to the public Jan. 13-21. S-Type replacement revealed! Jaguar will debut a new volume midsize sedan at the NAIAS dubbed CXF, for ...
Smokin' Deals.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... The start of the new year doesn't mean the great deals are going away anytime soon. Here is a look at four of the week's hottest deals. There is something for nearly every enthusiast's wallet. For the latest deals available on cars, trucks and sport/utes, go to ...
AutoWeek.com.(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Straight from Detroit You know we're all over the North American International Auto Show coverage, even before the doors open. We've got a huge preview site at autoweek.com/Detroit, and we'll be the first to bring you live updates, photos, stories and commentary from our ...
2007 MV AGUSTA F4 1000 SENNA.(Revs)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Byline: George P. Blumberg Sportbike as Italian art. 998.3-cc, 174-hp, liquid-cooled dohc inline-four; 419-pounds dry weight; quarter-mile in 10.2 seconds at 142.32 mph. Competitive set: Aprilia Tuono 1000R, Ducati 1098 Superbike, Honda CBR1000RR, Suzuki GSX-R1000, ...
DREAM COME TRUE; One of America's most notable Ferrari fans once never considered owning one.(Revs)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: PHIL BERG "I always wanted Ferraris,'' admits Jon Shirley, "but I knew that I could barely afford a Jaguar E-type, much less a Ferrari, so I never really considered owning them.'' This was, of course, before Shirley worked his way up to president of Microsoft, before he ...
TIBURON WANTS TO EAT COMPETITORS; Any V6 pony car enthusiasts out there?(News)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: MARK VAUGHN In between the 9000-rpm ultra-whine of a Honda four and the thumping roar of a mighty domestic V8 lies the humble V6-powered Hyundai Tiburon. Face-lifted and chassis-stiffened for 2007, the Tiburon offers a choice for those who can't decide ...
Ooh-La-La.(News)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Freestyle motocross rider Ludovic Guillou, part of Team Ramp Xavier Fabre, wowed crowds at the Race of Champions (page 38) by performing exhibition stunts. On his third back-flip attempt, Guillou landed short and ...
But Wait, There's More...(BWTM)
Jan 01, 2007 ... CAPTAIN OBVIOUS PRESS RELEASE OF THE WEEK ... Winter Brings Increased Risk on Roads ... ...and Headline of the week Crash Tests Find Small Cars Lacking -The New York Times Hyperventilating Hyperlinks: 1 ....
Market.(Escape Roads)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Byline: KEITH MARTIN The Sportscar Auction Geneva Oct. 7 1977 Ferrari 512 BB 4943-cc 12-cylinder, five-speed manual. Rosso Corsa red, black leather interior. Straight body, poor repaint in places with plenty of orange peel. Minor ...
Smokin' Deals.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Swelling inventories have Chrysler looking to move vehicles fast. Here are this week's hottest deals, courtesy of the folks in Auburn Hills. For the latest deals available on cars, trucks and sport/utes, go to www.autoweek.com/incentives Programs might vary by region ...
Bright lights, desert city.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Bahrain International Circuit, midnight, Dec. 15: Ten hours gone, 14 still to go in the inaugural Bahrain 24-hour free-for-all endurance race (page ...
Two for Spain?(competition)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Apparently, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone wants to exploit the series' newfound popularity in Spain-thanks to Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso-by staging a second race there in addition to the Spanish Grand Prix at ...
Das boot.(News)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Inside, outside, upside down. This photo of the Rolls-Royce Phaeton Drophead Coupe (page 12) is quietly disconcerting. Not because its luxury interior was fashioned after 1930s ...
NEW DETECTOR DETECTED.(Revs)
Jan 08, 2007 ... For months, rumors swirled that Escort was poised to introduce a latest-tech radar detector. Here's proof: a reader's shot of this unit-labeled Passport 9500i-stuck to a car's windshield near Escort's ...
Heartbeat in the heartland; for three days in autumn, Corvettes cram the cornfields.(Revs)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: LINDA CLARK Sitting at the junction of two interstates that connect America's four corners, Effingham, Illinois, is also the hub of the Chevrolet Corvette universe on the third weekend of September. That's when some 14,000 Corvette owners from the United ...
SUCCESSFUL REPLACEMENT.(Auto File)
Jan 08, 2007 ... The Dodge Neon's replacement-the compact five-seat wagon/crossover/whatcha-macallit 2007 Dodge Caliber-has leaped far beyond the long-running compact car in terms of content and utility. As for sporting intentions, it's more of a baby step forward. The Caliber is Chrysler's ...
Getting Zapped.(Column)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: Kevin A. Wilson General Motors got a raw deal from the makers of the film Who Killed The Electric Car? That's not just my assertion; it's that of Toyota Motor Sales exec Ernest Bastien, vice president for vehicle operations, as reported by Mark Phelan in The Detroit Free ...
Flash.(briefs)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Mini Sidewalk Convertible Mini's Detroit show stand features the Sidewalk option package for Mini Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles. All Sidewalk packages get leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome interior trim, center armrest and a Harman/Kardon audio system ....
ELAN OF THE ELANTRA; Hyundai's second-smallest car gets a facelift inside and out.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: MARK VAUGHN As Hyundai continues to clean up in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey and expand its model line by previously unimagined numbers (eight different Hyundai models and climbing!), it might have been easy to forget the humble and ubiquitous Elantra plugging ...
BAH! RAIN! A wet and entertaining Middle-Eastern enduro.(Motorsports)
Jan 08, 2007; ... Byline: PATRICK C. PATERNIE A Porsche won and it rained. You could say business as usual for a sports car endurance race, but this was far from the usual enduro. For openers, it was the first 24 Hour Race of Bahrain, held Dec. 15-16. Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One ...
Flash.(Briefs)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Going longer Texans like to say everything is bigger in their state, and now the IRL race will be, too-or at least longer. Officials will add 50 kilometers, or 28 laps, to the 2007 race, pushing the distance to 550K. Other IRL events, such as the Richmond, Virginia, race, are ...
Flirting With Fiberglass.(Escape Roads)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: LINDA CLARK When the first Corvette rolled off the assembly line June 30, 1953, it started a love affair with Americans-and fans around the world-that has lasted for more than five decades. If the Corvette had parents, they would have to be General Motors ...
AUTOWEEK 2006 TRIVIA QUESTION ANSWERS.(Competition)
Jan 08, 2007 ... 1. The drivers in the winning car in the 2006 24 Hours of Daytona were Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Casey Mears. 2. The bulk of the driving in the winning vehicle in the four-wheel category of the 2006 Baja 1000 was performed by Robby Gordon, who shared with Andy McMillan. ...
TV: Jan. 12-14.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Friday, Jan. 12 Redline TV, 1 a.m., Speed NOPI Tunervision, 1:30 a.m., Speed Car Crazy, 2:30 a.m., Speed Chop Cut Rebuild, 7 a.m., Speed American Muscle Car, 8 a.m., Speed Redline TV, 9 a.m., Speed NOPI ...
PHANTOM ROMANCE; Introducing the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: GREG KABLE As clues go, it was big. Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2004, Rolls-Royce's stunning 100EX concept was created to celebrate the famed British carmaker's centenary. That was the official word, at least. By unveiling the Phantom Drophead Coupe ...
Rock on the gavel road; what you need to know to navigate the annual Arizona auction extravaganza.(news)(Event overview)
Jan 08, 2007; ... Byline: BOB GOLFEN Arizona in January means just one thing to car people: a massive gathering of the clan for a love-fest of collector-car auctions, with five top auctions from which to choose. Craig Jackson's instinct for what pleases the crowd brings rock `n' roll ...
ALFA ROMEO RETURNS TO LE MANS.(Competition)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Alfa Romeo will end a three-decade absence from the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2008. The Italian manufacturer revealed it will develop its forthcoming 8C sports car into a GT2 racer. Alfa president Antonio Baravalle made a brief reference to the project at the end of a speech at the Bologna ...
VIPER BITES HARD.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: MAC MORRISON The eternal battle between Corvette and Viper will evolve again this summer, when the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 arrives well ahead of Chevrolet's Corvette SS "Blue Devil'' supercar expected as a 2009 model. Significant changes are signaled by the ...
GLOBAL FLAVOR; GM brings worldwide designs to Detroit.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: KEVIN A. WILSON Concept designs from its worldwide studios appeared at a celebrity-studded fashion/design show near General Motors headquarters on Jan. 6 and then on the revamped GM show stand during the North American International Show. The leading ...
Hello, Kitty; Jaguar C-XF proves that cats can rise from the dead. This S-Type replacement will lead the firm's rebirth.
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL Patience is a virtue, and Ian Callum has patience. To wait five years to make your mark on a celebrated marque like Jaguar clearly shows patience ... and diligence and a bit of anger management, too. Callum started his wait to design Jaguar cars ...
AutoWeek design forum.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Jan. 10, 2007 * COBO CENTER, DETROIT Keynote Speaker: Charlie Hughes, co-author of the book Branding Iron, and president of Brand Rules LLC. Featured Speakers: Robert Boniface, General Motors design; Moray Callum, Ford North America Car design; Michael Chetcuti, ...
AutoWeek.com.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... NAIAS Explosion We know all of you aren't going to rush to Detroit in the cold Midwest winter, and that's okay. Now that the 2007 North American International Auto Show is upon us, we can bring everything from the show to your monitor. Keep browsers pointed to ...
CLEANER AUDI.(Competition)(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Audi, the first manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel engine, also wants to become the first to win it with bio-fuels. Speaking at the World Motorsport Symposium in London, head of engine technology Ulrich Baretzky said, "We want to use the R10 program to go a step ...
DETROIT TAKES CENTER STAGE.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER Three for 3 Tri-fold hardtop for 2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible We've been awaiting the debut of BMW's hardtop convertible version of the fourth-generation 3 Series since our spies first spotted the car more than a year ago ("Hideaway ...
But Wait, There's More...(BWTM)
Jan 08, 2007 ... The holiday greetings have stopped trickling in, and-as usual-our friends in the car biz showed off their creativity. Here are a few of our favorite cards to enjoy as you kick off ...
Letters.
Jan 08, 2007 ... Keep the ponies running I love Chevy's convertible concept Camaro, but I wonder if pony car mania will last until all the Big Three's ponies arrive. Mustang is a success with retro style and bang-for-the-buck powertrains. And if Dr. Z's Challenger will be ready before the ...
Old Ragtops and the Urn.(Column)(chief instructor of Drivetrain USA Gordon Booth dies)(Obituary)
Jan 08, 2007 ... Byline: Steve Thompson The gent sat down next to me, smiled and asked, "So how did you know Gordon?'' I told him about how we'd met and the column I'd done because of my respect for Gordon's work as president and chief instructor of Drivetrain USA. As I finished, we ...
Market.(Escape Roads)(Ford Motor Co. auctions 1955 Ford Thunderbird sports car )(Brief article)
Jan 08, 2007; ... Byline: KEITH MARTIN The Sportscar Auction Geneva Oct. 7 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292-cid V8, four-barrel, three-speed manual. Red with red-and-white vinyl interior. Door fit wide at bottom of passenger door, other panel gaps nice ....
Drivers Log.(News)
Jan 08, 2007 ... 2007 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 Date in fleet: Dec. 13-20 As-tested price: $30,804 Drivetrain: 4.0-liter V6; 4wd, five-speed automatic Output: 236 hp @ 5200 rpm, 266 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm Curb weight: 4045 lbs Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 19/18.6 mpg RAYNAL: The Toyota Tacoma ...
1 1/8-SCALE PICKUP; On third try, Toyota finally goes large.(News)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: BOB GRITZINGER For all of its ballyhooed product prescience-its apparent ability to build the right vehicle for every automotive segment on the planet-no one would argue that when it comes to full-size American pickup trucks, Toyota is down to its third strike. ...
Briefs.(Revs)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: MARK VAUGHN Movies in the Mountains The Southern Yosemite Automotive Film Festival starts March 21 with the great 1950s teensploitation hit Hot Rods to Hell and ends four days and 23 movies later with the racin' family film Collier & Co. But it's not all ...
GOING 4-LOW; Why should all the driving schools be for sports cars?(Revs)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: PHIL FLORADAY Most driving schools give students ample track time to learn the capabilities and limits of fine sports cars. The Hummer Driving Academy, operated by AM General at its South Bend, Indiana, headquarters, does the same thing for its students, though track ...
MURCI SAKES! LP640 Roadster offers the same brain-blowing 640 hp but no roof!(News)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: MARK VAUGHN The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 was already indefensibly outrageous enough and now this, the LP640 Roadster, with the same svelte body and 640-hp V12 engine but no roof! Mama Mia! Yes, yes, it is still uncomfortable as hell and awkward to drive ...
Drivers Log.(News)
Jan 15, 2007 ... 2007 BMW M6 Date in fleet: Dec. 20-Jan. 2 As-tested price: $109,190 Drivetrain: 5.0-liter dohc V10; rwd, seven-speed sequential Output: 500 hp @ 7750 rpm, 383 lb-ft @ 6100 rpm Curb weight: 3909 lbs Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 14/12.8 mpg MORRISON: "The performance ...
Significant Six.(News)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Here's a smattering of other important news from the Detroit show: 1. Sporty car resurgence. We've already revealed the Dodge Viper, Toyota FT-HS (future Supra), Camaro convertible, Jaguar C-XF and Ford Interceptor. Watch for clues to the next-gen NSX in the Acura Advanced ...
BOBBY HAMILTON, 1957-2007.(Competition)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Bobby Hamilton, the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and one of a handful of drivers with victories in NASCAR's top three series, died from cancer Jan. 7, surrounded by his family in his home near Nashville, Tennessee. He was 49. Hamilton was diagnosed with head and ...
The Science of Art; In '02 the Cadillac CTS rocked the world. This new-generation car is as bold with more style.
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: DUTCH MANDEL Leave it to folks at Cadillac-they seem to know where they're going and what they've got to do to get there. General Motors' flagship division, reborn shortly after the turn of this century with a striking, angular family look, must keep its momentum going ....
Ironing Out the Car Biz Problems.(Column)
Jan 15, 2007 ... Byline: Dutch Mandel I became a better automotive journalist. It wasn't that I spent time up to my elbows in bearing grease, or reviewed grammar work sheets. I did neither. I did read Branding Iron, a book whose subtitle is Branding Lessons from the Meltdown of the ...