Le Penseur Roulé

Dodge Sprinter Unmasked - as well as a new Germanic Doppleganger...

2006-09-27T13:14:00.000-04:00

Here's proof that VW and DCX aren't just co-operating on minivans, but on maxi-vans, as well...

I ran into two next-generation Dodge Sprinters being transported around CTC this afternoon,
and luckily for me, they were completely in the buff.

The front fascia is very much the bizzare melding of Mercedes and Dodge cues, as was that of it's predecessor. But this contrasts sharply from the images that Motor Trend published as a Sprinter undergoing testing in the Southwest.

While that van appears to share much of it's design aft of the B-pillar with the Sprinter, it interestingly shares much more design cues up front with VW's Crafter Atacama concept, now showing at a Paris Auto Show far from you.

Memorial Day Car Show, Pt. I

2006-05-27T18:09:00.000-04:00

For as long as I can remember, my hometown of Rochester, MI, has held a vehicular showcase as part of it's "Heritage Festival", each and every Memorial Day weekend.

Normally held on Memorial Day itself, the show typically consists of a wide array of domestic vehicles, but every once in a while, it'd offer some rather unusual subjects as well. Subsequently, this show introduced me to cars like the BMW Isetta, Studebaker Avanti, Amphicar, Crosley, Jensen Interceptor, and strengthened my love affair with the DeLorean DMC-12.

In an unusual move, this year's Heritage Festival marked the first advent of a "two-day" car show. Cars shown on Saturday (today) were not judged in any way, shape, or form, but were under the scrutiny of whatever passers by there were.

While turnout was limited, this show was no exception, and some rather unique cars appeared. Photos, and a few videos of arriving vehicles, are below.

1969 DeTomaso Mangusta

I'm not certain what I love more about this car - the gorgeous styling from Giguario's stint at Ghia, or the fact that it's powered by a Ford 302 cu.in. V8 in the rear. A gorgeous car from any angle, and as the video proves, it attracts both audible and visual attention.

1967 Land Rover Series II 109" NADA Wagon

Caught your breath yet?

The long name basically indicates that this is a long-wheelbase Land Rover that was built for the North American market - something that in itself, makes the truck extremely rare.

This wagon was all-original, extremely clean, and very well optioned (Arctic Pack, Tropic Pack, Roof Rack, etc...).

1957 Chevrolet Lumber Truck

While this truck's at this show every year, it's still rather unique.

A Chevrolet full sized truck underneath, the entire cab, bed, and body have been removed, and fitted with a one-piece steel body that maximizes load space - most notably via a one-man cab.

1976 AMC Pacer X

I smiled as soon as I saw this - and let's face it, what about this car doesn't make you smile?

I'd attended a Michigan AMC meet last summer, and despite more "fishbowls" being in attendance then, none of them were as nice and clean as this example.

It seemingly wore an unusual "Patriot Edition" stripe kit, but it lacked the side graphics as seen in this example. Anyone know anything about this?

1954 Chevrolet Corvette

This is what I call design perfection.

While I also hold soft spots for the '63-'67 'Vettes as well, the very first version of the C1 is, in my mind, one of the most unmolested car designs ever rendered into fiberglass.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette

Aside from missing hood ornaments and 'hood louvres' (they were sitting in the cargo area), this car was clean, and apparently, all original.

1950 Mercury Sedan

Isn't it refreshing to see one of these that hasn't been chopped, channelled, and made into the stereotypical lead slead?

It's a testiment to the FoMoCo design team at that time that even stock, the Merc still looks low-slung, sleek, and smooth.

More pics will come from tomorrow's show.

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend; God bless and thanks to all those who have served - or still do - for this country.

Jeep Engineers Have Sense Of Humor?

2006-04-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

Apparently so, if this Liberty CRD in Auburn Hills is any indication...

If you don't get it, you may want to read up here.

2007 Caravan, Town & Country Photos

2006-03-22T12:45:00.000-05:00

Prototypes for the Chrysler Group's next-gen Minivan, the RT platform, are starting to pop-up around town.

The above photo is of a Dodge Caravan, which, as can be expected, sports the familiar cross-hair grille. While the mask appears to suggest rectangular headlamps, there appear to be round projectors underneath.

While the majority of prototypes have been of the Caravan, a Town & Country body-in-white was spotted. While not fully built, it does give some indication of where the Chrysler variant is going in terms of styling - which is to say, along the lines of the Crossfire, Airflyte, and Pacifica.

Both vans share a design and profile that's very much European in nature, which isn't surprising. For the last two or three years, Chrysler's had many Renault Espaces running around Auburn Hills for benchmarking.

While these vans will be shared with VW for a North-American minivan, no VW-badged prototypes have been spotted yet.

RHD Euro-Spec Caliber Spotted

2006-03-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

While this isn't news to anybody who closely followed DCX's presence at the '06 Geneva Auto Show, I did manage to come across one of the first production-ready examples of a European-market Caliber SXT, sporting a right-hand-drive configuration.

Notable changes, aside from the driver's location being inverted, are metric gauge faces and fender-mounted side marker lights. If this model includes other European lighting changes, particuarly in terms of fog tail lamps, they're integrated into the domestic styling seamlessly - a stark contrast to prior Chrysler vehicles.

And, apparently afraid that European consumers will equate the ubiquitous ram logo with something other than Dodge, European-spec Calibers will also be sporting the marque's name in a small script above the rear logo.

Having seen some diesel-powered Caliber prototypes in the area, the lack of a "Diesel" emblem on the rear hatch signifies that this particular tester was not equipped with the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel available to European customers.

Hey, Big Spender!

2006-01-17T19:15:00.000-05:00

Attention all you motorhead trust-fund babies *! It's time once again for the Barrett-Jackson auction, a grandiose occasion filled with pomp and circumstance that transforms exuberant quantities of greenbacks into a vehicular purchase.

While the notion of the uber-rich dropping cash on cars mere mortals like myself can only fantasize of viewing in the flesh is typically disgusting, the auction lineup features a few cars - particuarly from the GM stable - that are absolutely mind boggling. So much so, that I'm willing to let stereotypes of the auction - as inherently accurate as they are - to slide in this instance.

While slurring through the ranks of the cars available for auction, names like Rolls Royce, Pierce Arrow, Maserati, etc. are simply unimpressive. While in the context of parking next to my '94 Century, they are certainly magnificent, they're in the presence of greater makes and marques at this even.

For instance, how many Lotec C1000s do you see rolling up to urban events hosted by DUB? None. Production of the Mercedes-based supercar was extremely limited, and the vast majority of them were Fed-Ex'ed straight to the land of bottomless petroleum. And getting one of these DOT-certified? Virtually as possible as Bob Lutz agreeing to take a pay cut these days.

Ever hear of the Kellison coupe? The re-engineered Corvette was a powerhouse at road races and the salt flats back in the 60's. This may very well be the next best thing to owning a Scarab.

And for those who secretly wear their mullets with pride when not attending social functions, hot rods assembled by both Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony will hit the block. This may be your chance to get something that matches your replica '5150' guitar you made out of a derelict Stratocaster and white electrical tape...

However, the best items are for those who're hell-bent on concept cars, GM heritage, or a mixture of the both.

The first is the striking Pontiac Bonneville Speedster concept from '54. Long before GM unsuccessfully attempted to re-badge a Corvette as a Cadillac, it toyed with the idea of doing the same under the hood ornament of an indian chief. If you've always wanted one, now's likely your only chance. This is the last of two built, and the other (coppered color) is in the hands of the General itself.

The second is perhaps one of the sexiest coupes to emanate from that gilded dome in the Warren horizon - the '64 Pontiac Banshee coupe concept. I've seen the convertible variant in person, and just from looking at these photos, the coupe looks a million times more powerful in terms of shape, sport, and sex appeal.

And the last is a joy to any wanna-be truckers out there. With fewer than 6 in operating existence, here's your chance to get one of the last remaining GM Futurliners that's not in bombed-out, irreparable shape. Wouldn't this be great to trailer your other GM concept purchases with?

You've got to hurry, though, to cash out your Google stock and to run to Scottsdale. The auction's over by the 22nd, so make your money count!

* = I really doubt there are any trust fund babies reading this. It's likely considered beneath the stratified social status they possess...

Imperial or Emperical? Have Your Say In The Matter

2006-01-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

From the contour cheaply imitating the Rolls Royce Phantom, to the garish metallic sierra paint, and then to the brutally truck-like front fascia, Chrysler's Imperial concept is nothing if not contreversial.

Some view it mainly as a styling exercise gone wrong, and others are utterly bedazzled by the chromed 22" alloy wheels it rides upon. And others, particuarly journalists who attended it's unveiling, were simply ga-ga over the fact that Eva Longoria took part in the pomp-and-circumstance of a press launch.

Now you have a chance to voice your opinion.

Autoblog is currently hosting a poll allowing you - the good ol' voiceless consumer - to vote your opinion on the Imperial concept.

Don't think this is ignored by DCX executives. Autoblog's last poll, a debate of Camaro vs. Challenger concepts, was posted by Chrysler Communication VP Jason Vines in his media-only blog last week.

Of course, that was likely due to the Challenger winning by a minute margin. While they may not post the results of this seemingly negative result (at time of posting, the vote was 67% "unfortunate" with close to 1,800 participants), but rest assured, they'll see it...

Pardon Me, Boys - Is That The Chattanooga Series Hybrid Propulsion Unit?

2006-01-17T12:07:00.000-05:00

OK, it's time for an educational pop quiz! No, you weren't done with these in college, so get ready.

Quick: In terms of size, what upcoming hybrid vehicle would be deemed the largest?

Oh, don't worry. It's not that hard of a quiz...

At this stage, a rational mind would lay the compact Toyota Prius and the shrinky-dink Honda Insight to rest.

Uhh...Chevrolet Tahoe?

While I don't question the joys of negotiating crowded shopping-mall parking lots in such a vehicle, I consider the lack of needing steel berms for steering aids a plus.

Thus, the answer to the question is most likely the up-and-coming GE Hybrid Diesel-Electric Locomotive.

Those without much prior knowledge of trainsets will possibly marvel that something this large could be a hybrid, a term spun so often by 'green' auto manufacturers to represent something that's ecologically beneficial, as well as the latest and greatest powertrain innovation.

That's not necessarily so. Ferdinand Porsche, godfather of the VW Beetle and the brand bearing his name, first built such a car in the late 1800s. Hybrid locomotives have been around since 1913, when GE first implemented diesel-electric systems in their products. And in a twist that's very much ironic, many of those gargantuan dump trucks utilized in strip mining, that detrimental extrapolation of natural resources, are diesel-electric hybrids as well.

In these cases, the powertrain is a simple Series Hybrid layout. In this configuration, the internal combustion motor drives a generator, which is wired to large electrical motors at the drive wheels. As the motor generates electricity, it's sent to the wheel motors, in turn allowing the vehicle to move.

So then, what's so new about this? What's been missing all these years is a crucial factor - energy storage. These locomotives have never carried any form of electrical storage devices, whether it be battery cells, supercapacitors, etc. While this isn't critical to operating a locomotive, it's not efficient.

There's quite a bit of kinetic engery within a train, particuarly one that's both long and loaded - say, 240 tons, on average. Under even the lightest of braking conditions, a tremendous amount of motion is transmitted to energy. GE estimates that the amount of energy emitted by a locomotive's stoppage over the course of a year could potentially power 160 households annually.

That's a vast amount of untapped power.

So, GE offers to solve this with their product with a rather simple idea: regenerative braking. This system, seen most often on electric or hybrid passenger cars, converts the energy released through braking back into electricity, and stores it on board in battery cells. GE's made no announcement regarding the type and size of their battery packs, aside from the fact that they'll be lead free and rechargable - two blatantly obvious facts.

Will this be effective? According to GE's press rhetoric (re: spin), it should be. Estimates show that fuel consumption could be theoretically cut up to 15%, and particulate emissions as much as 50% with such a system. But, for a company that's proud of its "ecomagination", is this enough?

GE could theoretically - and, quite easily - do more. One of the most inefficent states of current diesel-electric locomotives is when it's forced to do nothing more than sit still with it's engine on. This happens quite frequently on railroads, whether the train's at a station, in a switchyard, on a siding, or what have you. The end result is the locomotive's sitting at a stop, but it's powertrain is still working to produce energy to move it.

A simple solution to this would be to allow the engine/generator to charge the batteries while at a stand still. In fact, with this aspect being so prevalent in production hybrid vehicles, it's a wonder that an energy company such as GE didn't think of it as well.

Then again, there's still time. No new specifications on the project have broken since the last year, and it very well may be incorporated into production variants. It'd be nothing short of plain stupid to take a half-step forward in the realm of energy efficency.

Take it from GM, GE - don't go offering 'mild hybrids' when you could do much more.

A Welcome - And An OSHA-Mandated Warning - To All!

2006-01-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Le Penseur Roule.

For the non-francophiles or for those not working at Nissan - The Wheeled Thinker.

While I would love to caringly caress every visitor's cyber-ego at this stage (the fact you're here is incredible...), I'm required by law to first provide you a warning.

ACHTUNG!

THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!

There you have it.

This blog is for those who ask themselves why media coverage of their favorite automobile isn't followed by coverage of their favorite freight locomotive, or forestry skidder.

This blog is for those who challenge preconcieved notions that "brand x" is automatically better than "brand y". That may be true in a vast majority of cases, but let's avoid the stereotypes, shall we?

This blog is for the vehiculophile.

Okay, so I made that word up.

Simply put, "vehiculophiles" are those who are passionate, and not partisan, to their vehicular interests. A "vehiculophile" is one who can truly appreciate the art and performance of the 340 6-pack under the hood of a '70 Dodge Challenger T/A, and simultaneously appreciate the same in a 602 cc 2-cylinder '70 Citroen 2CV.

The end result? You'll see a gamut of product, innovation, and mini-dissertations on what's going on in the transportation world.

Stick around, even if only to criticize the hell out of my work.

P.S.:Contrary to the title of this blog, I'm not French. So there's no need for all you devout Bill O'Reilly followers to abstain from any interaction with this website. Wait until you have a legitimate reason to do so.