Shift Magazine http://www.shiftweekly.com Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 07 May 2013 16:38:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Shift emag May 6, 2013 http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/05/shift-emag-may-6-2013/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/05/shift-emag-may-6-2013/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 16:14:18 +0000 jeffm http://www.shiftweekly.com/?p=2615 Cool things to read in the May 6, 2013, edition of Shift

1) CHINA DOLLS: Vehicle launches aren’t just happening in China, the cars are being tailored for that country. — by Tom Jensen

2) VEGGIE CARS? Stronger than steel? Well, mom always said that vegetables were good for you

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/05/shift-emag-may-6-2013/feed/ 0 No tricks on your eyes, it’s a Mirage http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/no-tricks-on-your-eyes-its-a-mirage/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/no-tricks-on-your-eyes-its-a-mirage/#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:11:05 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/no-tricks-on-your-eyes-its-a-mirage/ A minor reversal of fortune appears to be in the works for Mitsubishi. After shedding a number of models over the past few years, including the Eclipse coupe and convertible, Diamante and Galant sedans, Montero and Endeavor Sport utes and Raider pickup, The Sleuth can confirm that its sub-compact Mirage

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/no-tricks-on-your-eyes-its-a-mirage/feed/ 0 How flat can you run? http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/how-flat-can-you-run/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/how-flat-can-you-run/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:13:18 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/how-flat-can-you-run/ The Sleuth examined a report by quality analysts J.D. Power and Associates and its findings regarding the replacement frequency of run-flat tires confirm his suspicions. The report claims that nearly one-third of 2011 and 2012 new car buyers using these tires replaced one or more due to a flat or

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/how-flat-can-you-run/feed/ 0 A sleek and slinky Subaru? http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/a-sleek-and-slinky-subaru/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/a-sleek-and-slinky-subaru/#comments Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:08:55 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/a-sleek-and-slinky-subaru/ Actually, The Sleuth is dead serious, but extremely giddy about the next-generation WRX concept-cum-reality sedan model. The New York Auto Show-stealer represents the kind of design that the automaker’s legendary performance vehicle has always needed to move the sales needle up several notches. All the right touches are there, including

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/a-sleek-and-slinky-subaru/feed/ 0 Reports of the Durango’s demise were greatly exaggerated http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/reports-of-the-durangos-demise-were-greatly-exaggerated/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/reports-of-the-durangos-demise-were-greatly-exaggerated/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:05:53 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/reports-of-the-durangos-demise-were-greatly-exaggerated/ Your intrepid Spy Guy was recently led to believe that the Dodge Durango sport ute was destined for retirement at the end of this year. Now it seems that someone in the Fiat-controlled Chrysler Ivory Tower (possibly head honcho Sergio Marchionne himself) has had a change of heart. Front and

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/reports-of-the-durangos-demise-were-greatly-exaggerated/feed/ 0 New Z/28 gets the Corvette Z06 engine http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/new-z28-gets-the-corvette-z06-engine/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/new-z28-gets-the-corvette-z06-engine/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:02:55 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/new-z28-gets-the-corvette-z06-engine/ The Sleuth is supremely delighted that Chevrolet will revive the Z/28 Camaro for the 2014 model year. The appellation was originally introduced as a performance package for the 1968 Camaro. On the track, mega-mogul racing proprietor Roger Penske and his ace driver, the late Mark Donohue, dominated the TransAm series

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/04/new-z28-gets-the-corvette-z06-engine/feed/ 0 Self-driving cars are real, but not right around the corner http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/self-driving-cars-are-real-but-not-right-around-the-corner/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/self-driving-cars-are-real-but-not-right-around-the-corner/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:33:51 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/self-driving-cars-are-real-but-not-right-around-the-corner/ Internet search engine powerhouse Google Inc. claims that the self-driving vehicle systems it’s currently developing should be available to the public in about three to five years. Currently the company has test cars operating in Nevada, California and Florida. Some mainstream automakers also have plans to follow suit. The sneaky

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/self-driving-cars-are-real-but-not-right-around-the-corner/feed/ 0 Hey where’s the diesel payoff? http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/hey-wheres-the-diesel-payoff/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/hey-wheres-the-diesel-payoff/#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:34:00 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/hey-wheres-the-diesel-payoff/ The Sleuth notes that Chevrolet will introduce a turbo-diesel version of its compact Cruze sedan this summer. The automaker claims that the engine, rated at 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, should achieve 42 mpg on the highway. Although that sounds impressive, the number is identical to the Cruze

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/hey-wheres-the-diesel-payoff/feed/ 0 Lucky 13 for Mercedes-Benz? http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/lucky-13-for-mercedes-benz/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/lucky-13-for-mercedes-benz/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:37:15 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/lucky-13-for-mercedes-benz/ Running in third place among the world’s luxury brands (behind BMW and Audi) apparently doesn’t sit well with Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche. The Sleuth’s sources that are within frequent earshot of Dr. Z claim the plan is to add 13 brand new models to the M-B lineup by the 2020

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/lucky-13-for-mercedes-benz/feed/ 0 Did some car companies fumble the ball on February 2? http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/did-some-car-companies-fumble-the-ball-on-february-2/ http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/did-some-car-companies-fumble-the-ball-on-february-2/#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:33:13 +0000 admin http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/did-some-car-companies-fumble-the-ball-on-february-2/ Kudos to General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Mazda plus an assortment of smaller automakers that each saved millions of dollars in airtime and production expenses by not purchasing TV air time during the Super Bowl extravaganza. With 30-second slots reportedly selling for up to $4 million and a total of nine

]]> http://www.shiftweekly.com/2013/02/did-some-car-companies-fumble-the-ball-on-february-2/feed/ 0