Category Archives: Manufacturer news

EV6 GT from Kia Packs an Electrifying Punch

The EV6 GT from Kia America, a 576 horsepower all-electric crossover,  was revealed at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. The presence of the EV6 GT alongside supercars from around the world signified that their electric beast was ready to step up with the “big boys”. Monterrey, California hosts a variety of auctions and classic car events in August every year.

The EV6 GT is the most powerful Kia production vehicle and highlighted what the EV6 is capable of. 2023-EV6-GT-rear

The EV6 GT offers a dual-motor power train that sends AWD power to all four wheels.  The 77.4-kWh battery pack powers a punch to a front-mounted 160kW motor, combined with the rear-mounted 270kW motor. That translates to a combined power output of 430 kW (576 hp) and 546 lb.-ft. of torque.2023-EV6-GT-hero

Street performance from an electric KIA EV6 GT

The EV6 GT accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is listed at 161 mph.

The EV6 GT steps up the performance of the EV6 with a sports suspension and electronically controlled dampers. It also comes with an electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) when cornering, by directing torque to the wheels with the most grip. Larger ventilated front (15-inch) and rear (14.2) disc brakes are standard.2023-EV6-GT-interior

With the push of a button on the steering wheel, GT Drive Mode optimizes the performance of the EV6 GT’s motors, braking, steering, suspension, e-LSD, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems into their most dynamic settings. The Kia EV6 GT offers seven driving modes. Drivers can also create custom-tailored settings to suit individual driving preferences using the included “My Drive” Mode.2023-EV6-GT-detail

Electrical specs for the EV6 GT

The EV6 GT features an all-electric range of 206 miles, coupled with 800V fast charging capabilities, which enables drivers to replenish 70 percent of battery capacity in under 18 minutes at 350-kW chargers. Or the owner could use slower chargers from 50 kW to 350kW.  It allows for “Vehicle to Load” functions to power your electrical needs off the grid, powering 1900 watts if necessary.  It also features twenty standard ADAS safety features.

The KIA EV6 GT will grace the showroom floors at the end of this year but don’t wait. They will fly off the dealerships fast.

Would you like one?

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Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022 Revealed

Overland Expo revealed the Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022 at Overland Expo West held in Flagstaff, Arizona this weekend. This vehicle displays Overland Expo’s unique vision of the ultimate overland vehicle.

Built on the all-new  2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X, the Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022 utilized parts and components from more than twenty Overland Expo exhibitors and was assembled by MULE Expedition Outfitters.Ultimate-Overland-Vehicle-2022-06

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X comes with a 6.2.-liter V8 engine and a four-wheel drive system with front and rear electronically locking differentials. The AT4X’s Multimatic DSSV spool-valve suspension dampers should make for a smooth ride even when off-road.

Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022 Conversion

The pickup bed was replaced with a 6.4-foot tray and three-foot canopy from MITS Alloy North America. The MITS tray and canopy conversion reinforces the utility of the truck as an overlanding machine.Ultimate-Overland-Vehicle-2022-25

The canopy roof includes a solar panel to store energy in  two lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are used to maintain the Dometic 110 refrigerator.

Inside the canopy is a kitchen and shower. The vehicle comes with an onboard air system to inflate the tires and air springs as needed. There are plenty of auxiliary lights to see this vehicle from miles away.Ultimate-Overland-Vehicle-2022-13

2022 Use of the Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022

The Ultimate Overland Vehicle 2022 will make hit all the Overland Expo shows this year along with some scenic trails, before being auctioned off on Bring a Trailer with 100% of the proceeds going to the Overland Expo Foundation.  Nice to see the proceeds go to a great outdoors need.Ultimate-Overland-Vehicle-2022-01

We love 4X4’s but this beast from Overland Expo raises the bar.

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Make-A-Wish for More Lingenfelter Horsepower

Lingenfelter Eliminator Spec Engine Raffle Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Make A Wishdave-kindig-of-kindig-it-design

Ken Lingenfelter is more than crafting innovative engineering into winning performance. He likes to get involved with charity events. Ken Lingenfelter often opens up his private collection for charity events. Now he is helping children with critical illnesses make some life-changing wishes come true through the Make-A-Wish foundation.    

Through a raffle drawing, the proceeds will help children obtain their wishes.   Plus the winner of the raffle takes home a Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Eliminator Spec Engine valued at $30,000.  This engine was built to the same specifications used on the engine for the 1953 Kindig-It CF1 Roadster built by Dave Kindig at Kindig-It-Design.Kindig-It-Design-CF1-Roadster-Drawing

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Eliminator Spec Engine

  • 650 Horsepower
  • Lingenfelter 427 LS Engine
  • Lingenfelter LS3 Ported Heads with LSX Springs
  • Borla 8-Stack Injection
  • Billet Specialties Tru Trac Front Drive
  • Forged & Balanced Rotating Assembly
  • Lingenfelter Roller Camshaft
  • Lingenfelter Certificate of Authenticity
  • Signed by Dave Kindig and Ken Lingenfelter

The Lingenfelter Performance Engineering’s Eliminator Spec Engine Program of custom-built engines are “ENGINEERED FOR THE TRACK, BRED FOR THE STREET.”   Lingenfelter-Make-A-Wish-Eliminator-Spec-Engine-Raffle

To add to the excitement, the winning raffle ticket will be randomly drawn by Dave Kindig, owner of Kindig-It-Design and the star of the hit TV show “Bitchin’ Rides” at the Lingenfelter 21st Annual Blue Suede Cruise on July 30th, 2022.

Be there or Be Square

 The winner does not need to be present to win, but all are welcome to join the fun and meet our celebrity guests, Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele “KevDogg,” for three days of 1978 and older hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars & trick trucks.  It is a great event for the entire family with a car show; fun runs, drag racing, manufacturers midway, great food, live music, fireworks, and a coloring contest for all ages judged by Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele!  It all happens July 29th-31st,  2022 at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. 

For details click below

Make-A-Wish Raffle Tickets

Event Info  

Event Tickets

Blue-Suede-Cruise-2022-Logo

 

 

 

NAPA Deal 10-10-20 Only Save 25% Maybe Get $20 Back

Today, Saturday 10-10-20 NAPA is having a 25% off sale on nearly everything, both in their stores or at NAPAonline.com  Great chance to stock up on needed supplies

But wait there’s more NAPA savings

We’re big fans of the NAPA gold filters. So you could stock up with the 25% off NAPA sale. But buy the triple crown of NAPA filters aand you can get a $20 debit card as a rebate.

The “triple crown” of filters is buying an oil, air and cabin filter.  Easy to change out and generally the air and cabin should be swapped out every two years.

Sorry for the short notice but at least the rebate on the three filters is good through the end of October!

Goodyear Brakes Breaks Into The Brake Parts

Whoa, partner.

There is a new player in town when it comes to brakes. Goodyear Brakes, a licensee of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, now offers up to the consumer DIY auto enthusiast a set of calipers, rotors, brake pads with all the related hardware for many vehicles, from daily drivers to SUVs to light trucks.Goodyear Brakes Bundle

Their website GoodyearBrakes.com is designed to support both do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me customers. In an interesting twist, the brand is trying out the direct to consumer avenue by offering their items solely through Amazon.com and other Internet based sellers. Expect to see consumer focused advertising and social media to push the branding efforts.

Goodyear Brakes

Goodyear Brakes manufactures and distributes a full line of brake system solutions. The brake pads are manufactured for them by a company with more than 50 years of experience in friction science. The rotors are made to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards by other manufacturers while their calipers are actually remanufactured units.

Goodyear Brakes offers brake pads, brake rotors and calipers. They also offer bundles of the pieces for a one-stop shop experience.

Goodyear Brakes Website

Their website will specify the correct brake pieces based on your car and VIN. The website also offers up some helpful guides for the shade tree mechanic. In addition Bruno Massel, a TV host and NHRA racer is featured with some videos to help consumers know what is involved when changing out the brakes.Bruno Massel

Presently the direct to consumer channel is the only way to acquire the Goodyear brakes. That is an interesting approach, as most repair shops are not going to be able to let a car sit around for a few days while the parts are enroute. For the DIY’er ordering and waiting a few days for delivery would not be a sticking point, especially if the pricing is right.

Brakes are a vital component of cars and with consumers holding on to cars longer, the need for brakes will crop up more often. Now Goodyear Brakes offers consumers a new option for brake components.

Would you be willing to break out a new brand?

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Images courtesy of Goodyear Brakes

 

 

 

 

 

Great Subscription Offer from Round-Up Publications

The good folks at Round-Up Publications know a thing or two about good deals. Their magazines are packed with deals tighter than five teenagers in a trunk sneaking into a drive-in movie. Remember those?

For a limited time the publisher is offering an exclusive offer.  Get a year’s subscription to not one, not TWO but all THREE of their award winning magazines.  Yes folks, you’d get a year of Classic Car Round-Up and Truck Round-Up. These are monthly issues so that translates to twenty four sets of great deals and car articles.

But WAIT there’s more. You also get a year’s subscription to Auto Round-Up magazine, the star ship of the fleet from the publisher. This comes out every two weeks so you’ll get 26 issues delivered to your door.

Round-Up Magazines

With that many magazines, your mailman will need a back brace. Plus you’re bound to find at least one amazing deal on one amazing car or truck or …

Besides the great ads for cars and trucks, there is always a mass of parts and supplies offered for sale.  So don’t delay and get your order in. Operators might not be standing by, but the electrons of the WWW – world wide web are. So hop to it!

Here is the link for ordering this awesome set of magazines.

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NASCAR Paint Schemes for ISM Race

NASCAR races are always colorful and exciting. Beyond the roar of the engines and the cars chasing around the ovals (or in the case of ISM Raceway the dogleg), one can sense the crowd’s anticipation as they follow their favorite drivers. While three manufacturers, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, are sponsoring cars in the NASCAR Monster Energy Series these cars bare little resemblance to the cars on the showroom floors. Many people complain that the NASCAR cars are “all the same” and no longer do they “buy on Monday, what won on Sunday.”NASCAR Paint Scheme

NASCAR Color Schemes

But one way to differentiate the cars is by their color scheme. Some teams will keep a consistent scheme for their sponsor but with a mix of sponsorships and style many cars will change up their colors on a constant basis. Which if you collect the racer’s models means you need to buy multiple sets too.

At the recent NASCAR Monster Energy Bluegreen Vacation 500 race held at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Arizona the Chevy cars did not have an impressive day, with Denny Hamlin (Toyota) winning and the highest Chevrolet finisher was Kyle Larson in fourth place. But we still opted to check out the cars and their colors for the day.NASCAR Paint Scheme

A special nod to Ty Dillon, whose sponsor Geico noted their government and military basis by adding “military” under their brand. Very fitting since the day after the race was Veteran’s Day.NASCAR Paint Scheme

Color Schemes

Of course calling these “paint” schemes might be tad misleading since now days most of these colors are vinyl wraps. Much easier to apply and swap out as the needs arise.

Alex Bowman’s continues the rainbow scheme that Jeff Gordon used with DuPont/Axalta. NASCAR Paint Scheme

Notice how many sponsors’ names are splashed on the hood to show up and yet Monster Energy drink is happy with just their logo on Kurt Busch’s car. We’ll miss Monster’s title sponsorship of the top tier in NASCAR.NASCAR Paint Scheme

So what do you think? Which color scheme garbs you?

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Supra from Toyota Revived at Barrett-Jackson

The Toyota Supra is a Japanese sports car  produced starting in 1978. The original four generations of the Supra were manufactured from 1978 to 2002. The styling of the Supra was a take off of the Toyota Celica, but with it being both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra model became a separate model distinct from the Celica.

In 1998, Toyota regrettably ceased sales of the fourth generation Supra in the United States and in 2002 Toyota officially stopped production of the Supra even in Japan. But in 2019, the fifth generation Supra is unleashed.

The new 2019 Supra was displayed at the recent Barrett-Jackson auction held in Scottsdale, AZ. Besides the new model, the marketing folks from Toyota rounded up a fine set of white clad specimens representing the previous four generations for a nostalgic look.  During the auction, a 2019 Supra GR still to be built, but number 1 on the VIN was auctioned off for $2,100,000 with the proceeds going to charity.2019 Supra

Supra First Generation A40

The first generation Supra was based largely upon the Toyota Celica lift back, but longer. The doors and rear section were shared with the Celica but the front panels were elongated to accommodate the inline-6 instead of the stock Celica’s 4-cylinder engine.Supra First Generation Driver Side

Supra Second Generation A60

In mid 1981, Toyota completely redesigned the full Celica lineup, thus including the Supra, for its 1982 production year. Still being based around the Celica platform, there were several key differences, most notably the design of the front end and fully retractable pop-up headlights. but a six cylinder was still offered.

Supra Third Generation A70

In February 1986, a totally separate model Supra was introduced. It was no longer based on the Celica. . The Celica changed to front-wheel drive, while the Supra kept its rear-wheel-drive set up.

Supra Third Generation

Supra Fourth Generation A80

Official mass production began in April 1993. The fourth-gen Supra again shared its platform with the Lexus SC. However, the two cars looked nothing alike and the Supra was more than 13 inches (340 mm) shorter than its Lexus stable mate. Supra Fourth Generation


Supra Fifth Generation A902019 Supra

The latest version of this iconic nameplate is generating some buzz, both good and bad. Its engine was a joint effort with BMW and it even garnered its own “pinball wizard” Super Bowl commercial.  As with many “revived” nameplates, it will be interesting to see what the public thinks of the latest Supra?  What are your thoughts?

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PRS4 from Praxair Cuts to the Chase at Barrett Jackson

Besides 1,850 classic cars being auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, there are a variety of vendors showing their wares. Beyond artwork, mattresses and outdoor furniture, one of the most intriguing displays was the Praxair’s Lancer PRS4 Automated CNC plasma cutter.

Lancer PRS4

This entry level plasma cutter is a ferrous metal cutting machine. At an initial price point of under $25,000 this device can allow a small business owner to enter the custom metal work industry.  Using existing templates or designing their own from line drawings or sketches, a user can quickly get to work, cutting up to 7/8” steel plate.Praxair Plasma Cutter Sparking

At the show the plasma table was using compressed air and electricity to cut out everything and anything. Besides hearts and ghouls, they were cutting out cars and animals as well. They even were up to the challenge and made a custom Corvette cut out.Praxair Plasma Cutter Corvette

PRS4

Chris Vihnanek, Senior Director at Praxair, explained that his device had several advantages over a water jet. Besides price point, the water jet while versatile can’t cut at the speed of the plasma cutter and the lack of the water jet abrasive allowed for a better control of the subject metal. Users can run with one of two plasma systems  Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics- and the welding table starts at a pre-fabbed 4′ x 4′. The PRS4 can cut up to an astounding 500 inches a minute.

Given the crowds surrounding the machine, there were tons of interest in this machine. So why is Praxair offering a device that uses some consumables but no specialized gasses?  Well it is a plasma cutter and they hope companies will follow along up the product chain where argon or oxygen gas would be needed and consumed. Smart marketing with a nice hook.Praxair Plasma Cutter Finished Product

They’ll cut through about $7,000 worth of metal as they cut up all sorts of images promoting the PRS4 and other CNC machines.  So if a bidder can’t buy a car, maybe they’ll end up with a car cut out?

What would you use a CNC machine for?

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Custom Works Zon at Mooneyes

Zon2One of the most prestigious custom car and bike shows is held in Japan and is commonly called the Mooneyes Show, although officially it is the Hot Rod Custom Show. The one day show attracts entries from across the globe but this year’s winning “Best of Show Motorcycle” was a home grown entry from Custom Works Zon with an eye opening engine from BMW.

Custom Work Zon Founders

The two leaders at Custom Works Zon are Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda who are no strangers in the motorcycle world. Their creations frequently cross the ocean for American shows.Zon4

Custom Works Zon

Their entry is shrouded in a mysterious new boxer engine from BMW. The specs on the engine and further details are still not official. But from this entry you can expect air and oil coolers with a high displacement BMW boxer style engine.
The bike itself feature a low profile and skinny tires, 21″ up front and 25″ at the rear. The folks at the shop hand crafted the tank, seat and trim.Zon9

Custom Works Zon Wins Prize

Given that over 650 bikes are typically entered at this Yokohama show, nabbing the coveted top prize was quite an honor for the duo and BMW. Can’t wait to hear more about the engine.

Photos courtesy BMW