2014 Ram 1500 Motor Trends' Truck of the Year

Every year, cars and trucks battle it out for the chance to be named best of the year by Motor Trends. Unfortunately, the reality doesn't match the demolition derby that I long for, but the slog is no less grueling. This year, Motor Trends named the Ram 1500 their Truck of the Year, and it was no surprise. In fact, it was voted so unanimously by the 11-judge panel, which must be something of a comfort to Ram. The 1500 was the target of a number of changes, most of which work for the better. The market for pickups stretches a long way past the farm or site these days, and Ram obviously kept this in mind when redesigning the new model year.

The highlights of the 2014 1500 are much broader than its forebears, and stretch further than horsepower and torque. Gas mileage, of course, is a huge concern for any truck owners, be they farmers, haulers, or a less professional consumer. With this in mind, Ram is making new 8-speed automatic transmissions the standard on the new V6, with V8s to follow soon. The 1500 V8 is currently launching with the old 6-speeds. The Hemi V8 is seeing some changes across the board, too, with economy in mind: variable valve timing, more efficient cooling, and even electrical power steering.

The new air suspension will probably surprise a lot of consumers, but this makes sense with the variable weight trucks carry (anywhere between one human and some tons of people and cargo). A popular feature this model year, especially on trucks and other utility vehicles, is a variable ride height. At highway speeds, the truck gets better gas mileage lower to the ground, but two further settings lever the truck up (1.2 and 2.0 inches, respectively) to help clear obstacles when at lower speeds.

There are some problems, though; the design isn't perfect. Ram is taking seriously that its customers are hard workers and many of the toggles, switches, and dials are designed to be used by gloved hands. This works well for the most part, but they have placed gear-shifting devices in odd places, claiming gloved hands as motivators. This includes a twist dial for the 8-speed transmission, which is dash-mounted, and manual gear shifting buttons on the steering wheel. The steering-wheel mounted buttons are easily confused with the cruise control buttons next to which they are mounted.

Overall, the Ram 1500 is well thought-out and well executed. The new features, for the most part, are useful. For instance, the truck can be made into a WiFi hotspot, which is undeniably handy. Some things could use more polish, but even the mistakes show a good understanding of what their market needs; these mistakes aren't made from sloppiness or laziness. And while it's rare for a mid-grade truck like the 1500 to see a near-total make-over like this, it's even rarer to see one of these redesigns go over so well. So kudos to Ram, and congratulations!

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/index.htm and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on motor trends' truck of the year.

Check it out here for more information: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/1302_2013_truck_of_the_year_ram_1500/

Who Will be Named as the 2013 Muscle Car of the Year - Will it be Your Car?

If you are a vehicle enthusiast, you have probably read the Popular Hot Rodding Magazine. Dedicated to delivering information on American-made performance cars, Popular Hot Rodding Magazine provides readers with the latest reviews, news, secrets, and event information on all the top performance vehicles. And if you have ever dreamed of being part of such a hot magazine - now is your chance! Popular Hot Rodding Magazine is currently looking for individuals who would like to compete in the 2013 Muscle Car of the Year Competition.


If you have a vehicle that you think deserves the title "Muscle Car of the Year", then this compeititon is for you! The magazine is currently looking for 20 different muscle cars to compete in the upcoming competition, each of which will be entered into a day long track-testing in the summer of 2013. How do you enter? Just speak up! Enter your vehicle into the competition by letting the magazine know exactly what you have. From there, select competitors will be invited to compete in the Muscle Car of the Year competition, absolutely free of cost!

What does the competition entail? The Muscle Car of the Year competition will hold three different events. Included within these are the drag strip event, the speed/stop braking challenge, and the autocross event. Each three categories will count for the same amount of points. At the end, the vehicle with the best score will be named Muscle Car of the Year and will be presented in the 2013 December issue of Popular Hot Rodding Magazine. But not only will the vehicle be featured, so will you! That's right, the winner of this competition will get their photo smack-dab on the cover of the magazine, being declared the winner of the 2013 competition!

So what exactly is the magazine looking for? Their main objective is to find models that were created between 1955 and 1981, which have been completed within the last year. With that said, they are also open to vehicles that have been completed in the years prior which have not yet gained media attention. The magazine is looking for vehicles that offer top performance, delivering in all areas of the categories listed above. Whether your vehicle is school built, garage built, built for the track, or award winning, the magazine is looking for vehicles from all backgrounds. And while many people think that the main goal is to crown a winner, the real goal behind the 2013 compeition is to expose readers to new and interesting vehicles that will capture their attention!

  by  Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer 

What does the competition mean for you? Not only will you get a spread in Popular Hot Rodding Magazine and a photo on the front, but you will also have a day full of sun and fun. If you are selected as one of the competitors for the summer competition, you will get to race the track with your machine, as well as meet other car builders, drivers, and manufacturers. Don't want to race the vehicle yourself? No problem, you can bring any driver you like. In addition, you get a free lunch!

If you think your car has what it takes to become Muscle Car of the Year, send Popular Hot Rodding Magazine a quick email that includes a photo of your vehicle, the year and model of your vehicle, a spec list of your vehicle's mods, a contact number, and your location. Also be sure to include any information related to other media events that your vehicle has been apart of. To enter your vehicle in to the 2013 Muscle Car of the Year Competition, send an email to "john.hunkins@sorc.com". The subject line should read “2013 MCOTY.”

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/ and search for a location near you.

Read the Full Article Here: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/hotnews/1212phr_december_2012_muscle_car_of_the_year/

Greenest Car of the Year - The Ford Fusion

Recently, there has been an increasing amount of attention placed on "going green" and doing our part in protecting the environment. And nowhere is this growing trend more noticeable than in the automotive industry. The last few years have placed a great deal of emphasis on the idea of battery powered automobiles. But automotive insiders are cautioning that, despite the advancements that have been seen in this area, the truth is that there is no "fix all" solution. In this sense, there will never be an automobile that will completely green, clean, and efficient.

The message above was one that was driven home by what was named as the greenest car of the year - the 2013 Ford Fusion. The "greenest" car of the year award is one that was created to spotlight the importance of clean and efficient automobiles. So what led the 2013 Ford Fusion to be named as the greenest car of the year? It was the fact that this midsize sedan offers a variety of power-train options including more traditional gasoline power options, to more modern plug-in options.

The Green Car of the Year Award is now in its 8th year, and has recently taken a more counter-intuitive approach in deciding who the winners will be. While many of the green awards have gone to hybrids, the jurors have also given praise to vehicles with diesel engines such as the Audi A3 TDI. And, contrary to what many would expect, the top 5 finalists in this years "green" category include 2 gas-only models - the Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv crossover, as well as the 2013 Dodge Dart.

The truth about battery cars and plug-in vehicles is that they do offer extremely impressive gas mileage. With that said, they are a difficult sale. Not only that but, contrary to popular belief, many of these vehicles don't actually have much of an environmental impact. Other technologies like the Ford turbocharged EcoBoost engine might not offer the same mileage, but they do set a better example in the way of eco-friendliness.

In regards to the 2013 Ford Fusion being labeled as the greenest car of the year, Dave Mondragon (Ford's marketing manager) states that he is very honored by the reward and is hoping that it will show consumers how far Ford technology has come in regards to fuel economy. While Ford was once lagging behind the pack in the way of fuel mileage, this award has now made it a leader.

One of Ford Fusion's biggest competitors is the Japanese vehicle producer, Toyota. Hoping to steal the Green Car award for themselves, Toyota's Prius C has been labeled as a leader in the green car market.

Ford is hoping that their win of the Green Car award will help them to challenge the perception that Toyota is in the lead. According to Amy Marentc, Ford's senior marketing executive, winning the green award will definitely help Ford sales. She hints that they will be using this award as a promotion technique for advertising the Fusion, and possibly other products as well. In her words, "We're going to have to talk this up".

With the increasing emphasis on greener vehicles, it is fascinating to think what could arise in the future - stay tuned!

Read the Original Article at: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/ford-fusion-named-green-car-year-1C7337955

Getting Siri-ous About Driving

When it comes to the latest infotainment technology, General Motors is getting "Siri-ous". If you own an Apple iPhone, or if you know anyone who does, you have probably heard of the voice activated "Siri" application. Well, now this voice activated personal assistant is being introduced to the automotive industry, being placed in 3 different Chevrolet models in 2013.

Just as older voice activated automotive technology does, the new Siri technology will allow users to control things such as the radio, the CD player, and the GPS. But as you would probably expect, the latest technology takes things even further, allowing you to contact with your iPhone, check or add appointments, or even find local businesses with just the sound of your voice.

The idea behind the new Siri automotive technology is to allow drivers to accomplish tasks without taking their eyes off of the road. This, of course, makes driving safer. According to Cristi Landy, Chevrolet's marketing director for small vehicles, Siri is a complement to already existing technology such as MyLink. It is designed to provide drivers with an incredible experience and a safer drive.

So where will you find the latest Siri technology? It is said to be offered in the each the Chevrolet Sonic subcompact and Spark minicar. It is also said to be found in the new 2014 Spark EV battery-electric vehicle. Just as already existing voice technologies are, a special "Siri" button will be placed on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to access the voice activated assistant with ease.

Each of these three vehicles are designed to appeal to a more youthful audience that are more technologically savvy. The Apple iPhone has become so popular that General Motors estimates over 90% of their buyers already own one. But these aren't the only models that are expected to have Siri integrated into them. General Motors has already made announcements that it plans to add a more advanced version of the ChevyMyLink system into future versions of the Impala.

In case you are not aware, Siri was first introduced to the Apple iPhone 4 series, and was later added onto the newer iPhone 5 version. The addition of Siri to vehicle technology is something that has been spoken about for quite some time now, providing drivers with more flexibility when driving. According to General Motors, Siri will be added to the Sonic and the Spark well before it is added to the more luxurious brands.

Of course, not all activities can be activated by Siri. While the technology does allow more flexibility while driving, there will be certain activities that are blocked by the program. These include any activities that would require the driver to look away from the road while driving.

For many safety advocates, distracted driving has become a major issue. It has become such a large issue that the U.S. Department of Transportation has recently estimated that over 11 percent of all driving fatalities are caused by distracted driving - texting being one of the biggest concerns. Advocates for Siri suggest that the voice activated technology will be able to reduce such distraction while driving.

But Chevrolet is not the only automaker who will be introducing Siri to their vehicles. Other automakers that intend to add Siri capability include Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota. Mercedes Benz has also confirmed that they will be adding voice activated technology to their vehicles, but it has not yet been released as to whether this technology will be Siri or some other iPhone like assistant.

Along with Siri, Chevrolet also intends to integrate other applications into their vehicles in the near future.

Breaking Records at the Barrett-Jackson Auction

On January 13, 2013, one of the largest car auction companies in the world opened it's doors to it's biggest auction in over 42 years. Barrett-Jackson, first established in 1971, is an auction company that features vehicles, products, and services for classic vehicle collectors. Founded by Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett, Barrett-Jackson auctions are enjoyed by first-time buyers, vehicle enthusiasts, and families alike. The company, once owned by Russ and Jack, was passed down to Craig Jackson, who now dedicates much of his time to the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund which was founded in the memory of his brother Brian and his father Russ whose lives were taken by colon cancer.


Running from January 13 to January 20 of this year (2013), Brian and Russ were not the only ones being remembered at the auction. This specific auction was held to honor the death of Carroll Shelby. Born on January 11, 1923, Shelby passed away of pneumonia on May 10 of last year (2012). The automotive icon's life was dedicated to designing and racing vehicles, and he was best known for his involvement with the AC Cobra and Ford Mustang.

Hosted at the WestWorld of Scottsdale, the recent Barrett-Jackson auction was said to feature over 1, 400 cars. This number has created a new world record, offering the largest number of No Reserve vehicles in one auction. Not only did the auction set a record for the largest number of No Reserve vehicles, but it also set the record for the most Shelby vehicles to be sold at one auction. So how many Shelby's were being sold? Over 40! Whether bidders were looking for the 1965 GT350, or the 2012 GT500 Fiftieth Anniversary Super Snake, the Barrett-Jackson auction offered it all this week. And most surprising to find at the auction? The rarest Shelby of them all - the Green Hornet Double Prototype 1968 Shelby Mustang!

  by  dodge challenger1 

According to owner Craig Jackson, the Scottsdale auction was held to bring all of the best cars forward to their bidders - and that is exactly what they did! Craig Jackson also mentions that in their 42 years of existence as an auction company, the one held this week offered some of the most impressive vehicles that have ever been offered at any of their auctions. Jackson was very excited about sharing this experience with bidders and fans, and results of the bids are some to look forward to.

Not only is the auction alone something to get excited for, but the fact that the company plans to dedicate much of their earnings to charity is also something to raise excitement. Committed to helping people from all around the world, the Barrett-Jackson company currently supports over 17 different charities. Included within these are the Armed Forces Foundation, Cox Charities, the David Foster foundation, the Translational Genomic Research Institute, and the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. Also receivers of donations from the Barrett-Jackson company include the Carolinas HealthCare foundation, the American Heart association, and Bennett's House (among many more). To date, the Barrett-Jackson company has raised over $34 million for charity. Following their recent auction, they plan to break the $50 million mark. The proceeds from over 21 vehicles will be donated to charity - now that's something to get excited about!

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/index.htm and search for a location near you.

Read more about the article here: http://blogs.hotrod.com/barrett-jackson-scottsdale-to-set-records-44549.html#axzz2I5JUd7Xc

The New Algae Based Fuel

Is it possible to take the green scum that forms on your swimming pool, fill your gas tank with it, and drive off? Well no, not exactly. What you can do, however, is fill up your vehicle with biofuel that has been derived from that exact scum - algae.

For many years oil and fuel comapnies have been searching for a way to replace petroleum with fuels that are more renewable. Last summer, one of these alternatives came under fire. Corn-based ethanol did help to replace petroleum, but put a dent in the food supply during the drought. Luckily, the new algae based biofuel will not do the same. Developed by Solazyme, Inc which is located in South San-Francisco, this new development is not expected to have any negative consequences - just positive ones!

Known as B20, the algae based fuel combines 20% biofuel with 80% conventional diesel. With that said, many company officials do beleive that it would be possible to use 100 percent organic diesel, without causing a disruption in the performance or lifespan of a diesel engine.

The largest concern for this type of fuel is the price. As one would expect, it costs significantly more to produce biofuel than it does to produce fuel from petroleum. The first four stations serving this new fuel are each charging an average of $4.25 per gallon. While this fuel is being marketed in a month long pilot program, companies like Solazyme and Propel would like to continue marketing it if consumers agree.

Scientists are constantly looking for new ways that they can replace petroleum with alternatives. Such alternatives that they are looking for would be cleaner and more renewable than petroleum, but it would also be great if they were cheaper to produce as well. The most widely available of all biofuels right now is ethanol. Ethanol is a type of alchol that is used in many late model automobiles. It is generally a 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol mix.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the use of ethanol is that many production facilities rely on corn to turn it into fuel. The result, as discovered last summer, is a shortage of corn. This is why many proponents have tried to gear away from food based ethanol and shift their focus to a "cellulosic" ethanol that can be created from a variety of different things including waste paper and grain chaff. But despite their attempts to constantly make ethanol more food friendly, very few consumers seem to be using the fuel anyways.

As for algae based fuel, there are many companies that seem to be looking into the idea. Included within these companies are Solray Energy and Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation. Companies are looking into using different production methods, trying to learn which method is the most efficient for fuel production.

Read the Original Article at: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/californians-can-now-fill-algae-based-biodiesel-1C7125794

Don't Buy, Carshare!

The idea for the business "HiGear" came several years ago and was developed by a man named Murtaza Hussein. It came about when he one day decided that he would spoil himself with a new BMW Z4 roadster. But what Mr. Hussein did not realize was that, while this roadster is definitely a piece of art to look at, the two-seater limit really stunted the vehicles functionality. In return, this beautiful piece of art spend most of its time in the garage. So what did Hussein do? He decided to rent it out to his friends! The feedback that he received from his friends made him realize that they might not be the only ones interested in renting such a vehicle. And this is where his business idea for HiGear began.

So what exactly is HiGear? Launched three months ago, HiGear is a business that was created by Martaza Hussein which allows owners of luxurious or sporty vehicles to rent them out to people who want to drive them, but don't want to buy them. The business is known as a twist on the regular "car sharing" idea.

According to Hussein, there are many carsharing companies out there, but most of them place their focus on renting vehicles to people who are in the midst of car shopping. The business model for HiGear is slightly different in that it is not for car shoppers, but for people who simply want to drive a luxurious vehicle. In most cases, this will probably be for a birthday, anniversary, or some other special occasion.

A similar company was created by a man named Shelby Clark. His business idea came one day when he had to ride his bicycle on a cold winter day just to rent a car. Known as "RelayRides", Clark's business idea is very similar to Husseins, except Clark focuses more on mainstream vehicles as opposed to luxury ones. The two companies share the concept, twisting the idea of "car sharing".

How will these businesses make money? In busy and crowded urban centers such as New York, San Francisco, and Paris, many people want the convenience that comes along with a vehicle, but don't want the hassle of actually owning one. This fact alone suggests that the concept of carsharing will see great success.

Of course, Hussein and Clark are not the first ones to have this idea. The most well-known company in a similar area of business is Zipcar. Founded in 2000, the Zipcar company owns a fleet of vehicles which they make readily available by scattering them in popular locations around town. Once a customer buys a Zipcard, they can line up a rental immediately, regardless of the day or time. The card itself will unlock the vehicle, where the keys are hidden inside. Vehicles are rented by the hour as opposed to by the day, a concept which comes natural to most of their customers.

For green friendly customers, a new carsharing service will soon be launched in Paris, scattering a variety of electric powered vehicles around the city. Like Zipcars, these can be rented on the spot.

As for services like RelayRides, these are specifically appealing in communities that are very socially active. But what will draw people to such businesses? If not for the convenience, many people will be attracted to the cost. According to RelayRides, the average vehicle costs over $250 per month to rent. RelayRides can save owners up to 65% of that. As for HiGear, the average cost of renting a more luxurious vehicle (BMWs, Lamborghinis, etc) is $410. HiGear can help customers save up to 70% of that.

And while carsharing is expected to be a growing trend, it is not expected to change the number of people who buy cars. If anything, it could increase car sales by familiarizing customers with automotive products. If they have a good experience in a vehicle, they may be more apt to buy that specific vehicle in the future.