Mitsu Metamorphosis: The History of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

We compiled this story in honor of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which has been discontinued and is heading off to that great rally stage in the sky. The badge may return, but the Evo as we know and love it is well and truly gone. Sniff. 

The Mitsubishi Evo is not a car—it’s a weapon, one whose roots can be traced back to well before the dawn of the nameplate. In Mitsubishi’s almost ceaseless quest to establish an image for itself, racing has been a priority on several occasions. As far back as 1961, the company was aiming for rally glory with its 500 Super Deluxe, which was developed for racing with its “big” 594-cc, 25-hp, air-cooled, two-cylinder engine. At the 1962 Macau Grand Prix, examples finished first, second, and third (plus fourth) to lock out every other manufacturer from the “Under 750 cc” class podium. By the early 1970s, Mitsu had developed the Lancer 1600GSR that took the top spot in 1974’s tough East African Safari Rally. And in 1985, a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV (sold as the Montero in the United States) won the Paris-Dakar Rally. 

By then the company was clearly committed to pitching high technology and ruggedness as major selling points for its vehicles worldwide. Short of Formula 1, no racing series was more high tech than world rallying, and nothing came close to the ruggedness of rallying, either. Mitsubishi’s first attempt to build a competitive World Rally Championship entry was the Galant VR-4 that was constructed according to Group A rules. It’s somewhat of an oversimplification to assert that the first Lancer Evolution was a Galant VR-4 shoved under the smaller, lighter, more competitive Lancer’s shell. But only somewhat.

Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep Recalls: What Owners Should Do

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Manufacturer image

Part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's civil penalties on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which could amount to $105 million, involve several programs for owners of affected Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. If you have an older Jeep Liberty or Grand Cherokee, a late-model Ram or Dodge Dakota pickup truck or a 2009 Chrysler Aspen SUV or 2009 Dodge Durango SUV, this applies to you.

·         The first program is a $100 incentive for Jeep SUV owners to get their recalled vehicle fixed.

·         The second is a trade-in bonus for a smaller group of SUVs.

·         The third is the buyback program for certain Ram and Dodge pickup trucks plus the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUV.

How do I know if my car has been fixed for these specific recalls?
Find your car's vehicle identification number, which is usually etched in the windshield's lower driver's side corner, and enter it onto NHTSA's VIN search tool vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/vinLookup. If your vehicle has an open (that is, unfixed) recall under campaign numbers 13V-038, 13V-252, 13V-527 or 13V-529, then it's eligible for these offers. We strongly suggest you get the recall taken care of as soon as possible.

What cars will get the $100 incentive to have their recalls fixed?
The consent order requires FCA to offer $100 gift cards toward owners of these vehicles:

·         1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs

·         2002-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs

The Liberty and 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee are under a formal 2013 recall for problems in the fuel system that could cause fires in certain rear-end crashes.

The 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee is not under a formal recall, but NHTSA is requiring FCA to extend the $100 gift card to owners of those SUVs to have similar repairs made. A FCA spokesman said the company will repair these later Jeeps "as part of a customer satisfaction initiative" beginning in September.

How much will I get for my car?
According to NHTSA, the buyback program requires FCA to give a refund of the purchase price minus depreciation plus an additional 10 percent.

What if I modified my vehicle? Will the modifications be refunded in the buyback program?
Not unless they were on the car when it was new. Any modifications made after the vehicle's retail sale won't be calculated into the purchase price, according to NHTSA.

For more information visit: https://www.cars.com/articles/chrysler-dodge-ram-jeep-recalls-what-owners-should-do-1420680933813/

Best Performance Summer Tire Values

We want the best tire for the best prices. Take a look at the following options when you're shopping for a set of tires this summer.
Extreme Performance Summer

Hankook's Ventus R-S3 (Version 2) has proven to be a strong performer and a favorite with autocrossers around the country. It offers a great combination of excellent lateral grip, responsiveness and price. 

Max Performance Summer

The Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position launched at the same time as the vaunted Michelin Pilot Super Sport and did not receive near the same attention as its Michelin counterpart. However, the Bridgestone tire provides shockingly similar performance to the Super Sport at a much lower price point in most sizes. This one is definitely worth a look! 

BFGoodrich's g-Force Sport COMP-2 provides grip and responsiveness with broad size availability. The tire is a great performance value for those who want summer tire grip, but better longevity than a Max Performance Summer option. The COMP-2 does suffer a bit from an increased amount of tread noise compared to other options in the category.

Infiniti Releases First Picture of 2017 Q30

Infiniti released the first image of its 2017 Q30, a small hatchback developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz parent, Daimler. The front-quarter photo shows a butched-up adaptation on the Q30 Concept that debuted about two years ago. But it's faithful to its forebear, with roughly the same face and even similar interplay along the door's cut lines.

see more at: https://www.cars.com/articles/infiniti-releases-first-picture-of-2017-q30-1420680882522/

Ford Developing Fancy Adaptive and “Spotlighting” LED Lamps

The American automaker has revealed that it, too, is developing a slick multi-function front lighting system that goes beyond the sort of swiveling adaptive headlights currently allowed in the U.S.

Ford’s technology relies on more straightforward principles than, say, Audi’s Matrix LED setup to adapt the headlight beam for varying road conditions and to illuminate roadside objects deemed a potential collision danger. With Audi’s system, each headlight unit incorporates banks of multiple LEDs that can be individually switched on and off to “move” the headlight beam around corners; that system also can selectively shut off individual LEDs to put oncoming cars in a “shadow” to prevent dazzling their drivers, and flash a beam at pedestrians at the roadside.

To see complete story click: http://blog.caranddriver.com/ford-developing-fancy-adaptive-and-spotlighting-led-lamps-w-video/

A man’s home is never complete without the odd toy

Exorbitant bicycles made from carbon fibre are not uncommon these days. When you have one as jaw-dropping as the B-9 however, you have something truly spectacular on your hands.

Bratislavian design group BME Design took the iconic chiselled shape of the F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft and handcrafted it into a bike which weighs 9kg sans the wheels. The unit runs a single-speed carbon belt drive and and comes with a formidable security system by Atomic22 to match.

Want one? There’s only 100 units being made with every bicycle purchase allowing for personal settings and customisations. The price? A bargain…in comparison to car maker bikes which can easily retail for over $10,000.

for more info click: http://www.dmarge.com/2015/06/take-my-money-issue-32.html

These Futuristic Car Tires Never Go Flat

OVER THE PAST 100 years, many things about the automobile have advanced. Safety, fuel efficiency, and price—they’ve all improved dramatically. But one thing that hasn’t been revolutionized is the tire. Sure, we have advanced compounds to optimize fuel economy and traction in the snow, but at their core they’re just piles of air, surrounded by a rubber donut.

Now, Hankook has completed initial testing on its fifth-generation airless tire, dubbed the iFlex. The tires do not require any air pressure, instead relying on a new type of eco-friendly material (the company demurs when asked for details). Geometric shapes built into the material provide the bounce and springiness normally provided by air pressure. But, unlike the previous iFlex, this version’s designed to mount onto a traditional rim, making it compatible with current vehicles.

Hankook ran the iFlex through a battery of tests to compare it to more conventional rubber, measuring durability, hardness, stability, slalom and speed, at up to 80 mph. The company says the tires matched conventional tires in terms of performance.

Hankook isn’t the only company working on airless tires, either. Bridgestone has an idea for a tire that looks like apsychedelic spirograph and a company called Resilient Technologies is working on a prototype aimed at wheeled military vehicles—tires that can’t be blown out would be useful if you were under attack.

The company wouldn’t make any predictions about when the tires might hit the market nor what pricing would be, but if the Korean manufacturer has anything to say about it, the days of flat tires might soon be over.

Source: http://www.wired.com/2015/07/futuristic-car-tires-never-go-flat/

Chevy Gives Silverado New Look, Transmission for 2016

Truck sales are booming and to stay competitive Chevrolet has rolled out an updated Silverado 1500 for 2016. It has a new look up front, some new tech inside and a new eight-speed transmission available under the hood.

Read all about the changes over on PickupTrucks.com.

Michelin Debuts National Tire Safety Curriculum for Teen Drivers

Continuing a national awareness program to reduce preventable crashes among teen drivers, Michelin and ADTSEA (the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association) will launch their first joint tire-safety workshop on Saturday, July 11, at the 2015 ADTSEA National Conference in Raleigh, N.C. The workshop will introduce a new tire-safety education module to driving instructors from across the United States, aimed at teaching teen drivers simple facts about tire safety that will help them avoid crashes. Research shows that vehicle crashes are the top killer of teens in the United States.

“Michelin and ADTSEA are taking a key step forward in our shared mission to change the way new drivers are taught about the simple, life-saving topic of tire safety,” said Sheryl Wilkerson, vice president of federal government relations for Michelin North America, based in Greenville, S.C. “Michelin is committed to filling the large gap that exists in essential tire-safety knowledge among teen drivers to keep them safe on the roads.” 

As part of the new ADTSEA tire-safety module, Michelin will also debut new Tire Safety and Maintenance Videos that discuss how to properly check tire pressure, measure tread depth and install new tires.

To read more about this iniative visit http://michelinmedia.com/c2/michelin-tire-safety-curriculum/

Michelin launches #FirstCarMoment campaign

Michelin North America Inc. is launching a driver safety initiative that ties in with the nostalgia of getting keys to a car for the first time. The #FirstCarMoment was inspired by a survey commissioned by Michelin  that found four out of five Americans can detail information about the make or model of their first car, but only one in five (21 percent) can remember details about the types of tires.

The #FirstCarMoment campaign encourages consumers to share stories about their #FirstCarMoment and learn more about the importance of tire safety. The campaign is an extension of the company's larger effort increase awareness of road safety.

Michelin’s survey additional findings included:

• More than half of Americans (58 percent) got their first car before age 18.
• While half (57 percent) purchased their first car themselves, more than one-third (39 percent) received it from someone else (either as a gift specifically purchased for them or as a hand-me-down).
• When thinking about their first car, one-third of Americans (33 percent) were not familiar with how to maintain tire tread, and only half (53 percent) kept a tire pressure gauge in the glove box.

read more at: http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20150619/NEWS/150619914/michelin-launches-firstcarmoment-campaign

The New Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

Bridgestone has maintained a strong foothold in the Extreme Performance Summer category for the past few years with the Potenza RE-11 and RE-11A. Both options provide very good dry and wet grip and maintain one of the quieter and more comfortable rides in the category, making it the perfect choice for spirited street driving.  

While very good all-around performers, the RE-11 and RE-11A found themselves at a disadvantage to other brand's entries on the track. Enter the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R. With a wide center rib and directional tread design, there's little mistaking that the RE-71R is about business. The RE-71R is a fantastic driver's tire. It's responsive, extremely grippy in the dry and impressive in the wet. Like a lot of younger offerings however, the RE-71R is unapologetic about a little extra noise.

- See more at: http://the-new-bridgestone-potenza-re-71r#sthash.r6bWzfnJ.dpuf

Michelin Introduces New Line Of Off-Road/Motocross Tires With StarCross 5

Following an extensive three-year development and testing program, Michelin has launched the new StarCross 5 range of Off-Road/Motocross tires that deliver high performance in a wide array of conditions. The new StarCross 5 line introduces Michelin’s latest technologies for one of the most exciting and competitive two-wheel segments.
The StarCross 5 was designed based on feedback from riders of all levels, from amateurs to world champions, often riding in extreme conditions, who shared their experiences in the field with Michelin Motorsports and Michelin’s world-class research and development team.

Integrating Michelin innovations shared across tires for Agriculture and Off-Road truck racing, the MICHELIN StarCross 5 line sports a self-cleaning tread design to help release soil from the tire. The design includesrevolutionary fine horizontal tread lines to release soil and enhance traction in a range of different soil conditions.

Additionally, the MICHELIN StarCross 5 Soft rear tire features “Mud-Phobic Bars,” which also enhance tire cleaning to prevent soil from building up and reducing traction. The MICHELIN StarCross 5 Sand rear tire features a specially designed tread with monster scoops, which work to evacuate sand more efficiently.

The MICHELIN StarCross 5 range is available in a large number of sizes, including some key new sizes to cater to all Off-Road/Motocross riders

http://michelinmedia.com/pages/blog/detail/article/c0/a359/

15 Words That Car Lovers Use Better

The English language is filled with words that have multiple meanings. Car enthusiasts have taken homonyms to a whole new level with their usages of some fairly common words.

Slicks
When non-car enthusiasts refer to slicks, they usually mean oil buildup on a road or a body of water. Raincoats are also called slicks by some people.

Spinning
Spinning is a type of cycling exercise class that many people talk about. If a car lover mentions spinning, it refers to drifting around corners and going into a power slide.

Bra
To most people, a bra is a type of women's undergarment used to provide support. To car lovers however, a bra can mean something entirely different. Special leather or vinyl covers that protect a car's hood and front end are usually referred to as bras.

Rod
A rod is often a type of shaft or connecting arm in machinery or mechanical equipment. When a car lover mentions it, there's a good chance that he or she is referring to a specific car.

Mint
The word mint refers to either the fresh herb, the flavor, or a small candy. To a car lover, the word mint refers to an automobile that is in excellent condition.

Sleeper
The word sleeper generally refers to a creature that is sleeping, an RV with beds, or a tractor-trailer truck cab outfitted with sleeping quarters. When a car lover is using the word, it is in reference to a car that looks like it has very little power, but in actuality is quite powerful and fast.

Horses
Horses may be large, gentle animals that are often bred on farms and sometimes seen racing, but when car lovers are talking about horses, they're probably talking about the amount of horsepower that an engine produces.

Specs
Eyeglasses are sometimes called specs. To a car lover, the word often refers to a car's specifications in comparison to other vehicles.

Boost
When the word boost is used , it is usually referring to helping someone reach a high place or object. When a car lover mentions boost, it's in regard to a turbocharger creating a powerful boost of speed.

Visor
A visor is the front part of a cap and helps to protect the eyes from the sun. A car lover however, might be thinking of the sun visor that hangs above the windshield on most cars.

Cruise
For many people, the word cruise means embarking on an ocean voyage while on board a giant cruise ship. For a car lover, the word cruise means taking a leisurely drive when you are not in a hurry.

Lifted
The word lifted usually means that something was picked up or raised. To other people, lifted can mean stolen or shoplifted. But when a car lover uses the word, it means a car that has been raised by a body or suspension lift.

Spoiler
A spoiler is often a person, thing, or circumstance that can prevent desired action from taking place. A spoiler can also mean leaked information before its time. When a car lover thinks of a spoiler, chances are good that he or she is thinking about an aerodynamic apparatus mounted to the rear of a car.

Pickup
To most people, a pickup is a small truck. To others, a pickup is a person who they meet and quickly become romantically involved with. To a car lover, the word pickup represents how fast a car accelerates.

Flush
Most people are talking about toilets when they mention the word flush, or potentially a game of poker. A car lover however, would be referring to the process of modifying a car's wheels to line-up "flush" with the car's fenders.

see more at: http://www.odometer.com/lifestyle/4362/15-words-that-car-lovers-use-better#slide/4

Happy Independence Day

Pirelli Promoting Men's Health through Twitter Campaign

Working with the non-profit Men’s Health Network, Pirelli Tire North America is launching a #HealthierMan Twitter campaign to promote healthy living.

“The #HealthierMan initiative, which coincides with Men’s Health Month in June, aims to encourage men to share their commitment to a healthier lifestyle with their family and friends – through simple tips on healthy diet, exercise, sports activities and more,” said Pierluigi Dinelli, chairman and CEO Pirelli Tire North America.

Pirelli is encouraging the public to participate in the campaign by sharing what they or the man in their life are doing to become healthier on Twitter via a short tweet, photo or video, the tiremaker said.

Between now and July 16, everytime the hashtag #HealthierMan is used on Twitter with @PirelliUSAtagged, Pirelli will donate $1 to the Men’s Health Network organization.