It's Z4 the Art, Contest with $20 Prize (Automotive)

James May has made a blank BMW Z4 outline available so that anyone can create the paint scheme of their dreams. The autothoughts.com sponsored Z4 above is sporting tinted windows and a big brake kit. (It's obvious why I am looking outside myself for the best work)

It's easiest to print out the blank version below, and color it in by hand, but for those graphic design junkies some photoshop might be in order. If anyone takes the time to make one of these up, send it over (matt.talbot@gmail.com and please put Z4 Contest in the subject), and I will post it. $20 through paypal goes to the winner.

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/05/BMW_Coloring2.jpg

I apologize for a lack in substantive posts today and this weekend. It's my birthday.

(Thanks Jalopnik.com)

June 07 Auto Mag Roundup (Automotive)

Car and Driver
Four of a Kind
"We look at four distinct ways to spend $35,000 on a coupe and try to figure out which is the best sports car."
4th Ford Shelby GT (5spd man)
3rd Nissan 350Z (6 spd man)
2nd Audi TT 2.0T (6sp auto man)
1st Mazda RX-8 (6 spd man)

Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano hits 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, and 11.2 sec @ 131mph in the quarter

40 Somethings
"BMW's renewed 3-series defends its title as king of the lucury fresh-air four-seaters."
5th Volvo C70 T5
4th Volkswagen Eos 3.2
3rd Saab 9-3 2.0T
2nd Audi A4 2.0T
1st BMW 328i

2005 Porsche Boxster S Long Term Test
"More than a 911, In More Ways Than One"
Mike Dushane- "It's hard to find fault with the Boxster S's combination of capability and comfort. It's my favorite car."

Road Track
Volvo S80 V8 AWD is qicker than expected with 5.6 sec to 60mph and 14.2 second quarter mile at 99.4.

"League of Extraordinary Pocket Rockets"
5th Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
4th Mini Cooper S
3rd Honda Civic Si Sedan
2nd Volkswagen GTI 4 door
1st MazdaSpeed3

Motor Trend
2008 Lexus LS600h L with 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and the quartermile in 14.0 seconds at 102.7mph returning 19mpg during their testing

"Track Attack - We Find America's Best-Handling Car"
Included BMW 335i coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Honda Civic Si coupe, Honda S2000, Lotus Exige S, and Mazdaspeed3 GT, Mini Cooper S JC Works GP, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR, Porsche 911 GT3, and Porsche Cayman S.
After a vast battery of tests:
1st Porsche GT3 (And even more information supporting the this car as my favorite car at the moment, and maybe for a long time)
2nd Porsche Cayman S
3rd Lotus Exige S
4th Mitsubishi Evolution IX MR

Crossover Summit
"A meeting of traction"
1st Place Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD
2nd Place Acura MDX
3rd GMC Acadia SLT AWD

2007 Vortech Corvette Z06
635hp with a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds, 0-100mph in 7.4 seconds, 11.5 seconds and 133.1 mph
2007 Stock Corvette Z06
505hp with a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds, 0-100mph in 7.8 seconds, 11.7 seconds and 124.0mph
The additional power from the supercharger made traction hard to find, but the trap speed in the quarter shows the improvement. Put some slicks on it, hope the drivetrain holds, and say hello to 10's.

Modified Porsche 996 turbo on PCH

Modified Porsche 996 turbo on PCH

It's a Dirty Job, but Someones Gotta (Automotive Advertising)

Ford wasted no time jumping on the Toyota Tundra's less than perfect crash rating, although recently it received a "Good" from the insurance institute which is their highest rating possible. The host of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe, is the current spokesperson for Ford trucks. From what I've seen(on both his show, and other tv appearances including the Daily Show) he is a very likable guy. The combination of his sense of humor, booming voice, and equity of toughness plays well for tv spots like the one posted above. How appropriate that the host of a show called Dirty Jobs has a hand in one of the dirtiest and most difficult jobs of them all, saving Ford. The other spots featuring Mike Rowe are featured below.

I may not be in the proper demographic/psychographic, but I prefer Mr. Rowe over the current spokesperson for Ford's new Superduty. That guy is just trying too hard to be tough and intense. I can't take it seriously. Then again, it may hit those guys that need Superduty trucks just right. (The Superbowl Superduty ad is posted below as well)

Mike Rowe F150 Leaf Spring Spot


Mike Rowe F150 Box Frame Spot


Super Duty Superbowl Spot

This Audi is GR8T. I'm Ashamed of Myself (Automotive)

The reviews of the Audi R8 have been absolutely glowing. To think that there is a higher performance version on the way with a Gallardo based V10 (instead of the RS4 sourced V8) make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Tiff's video review sums up the others very well, practically coming across as an Audi advertisement. It's easy to forget that he is subjectively reviewing the car. Regardless, enjoy seeing the rare sight of a drifting R8.

Those Bridgestones are Something (Automotive Advertising)

I wanted to bring some attention to the new Bridgestone tires television campaign operating under the new tagline, Bridgestone or Nothing. "The new television commercials were produced by Dallas-Texas, based The Richards Group, the largest independent advertising agency in the world. The Richards Group is known for its award-winning brand-building campaigns for such industry-leading companies as Chick-fil-A, Motel 6 and The Home Depot." (Taken from original Chicago Auto Show press release)

One of the three commercials, the spot embedded above, is most enjoyable from an enthusiasts perspective. It is an exhibition of extreme car control/stunt driving and includes some very performance oriented vehicles like the Nissan 350z, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, and Mini Cooper S.

The seconnd commercial in the series embedded below has some beautifully macro footage of roads, and their various conditions. It all comes together with a natural rythm, and then closes with a quick shot of a BMW M5. Another good choice. Last but not least is a spot featuring a debaged Mercedes CLS. This is the most gimicky of the group, but still better than most tire ads.