If ever a car made us think of mullets, Cragars, racing suits and Natty Light, this is it. And we don’t mean that in a bad way. The COPO Camaro concept that Chevrolet showed off at SEMA last year is officially becoming a production reality for everyone; however, only 69 people will be able to own it. In celebration of the 69 COPO Camaro ZL1s built in 1969, Chevrolet is building just that many of its modern drag-strip-only racer. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: February 2012
Two months with our long-term 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is enough for me to know that history will not look back kindly on this generation of VW’s long-running compact sedan. As has been covered, rather exhaustively I might add, the 2011 refresh of the Jetta brought with it a significant reduction in interior fit, finish and overall quality. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Mazda CX-7 Leaving The U.S. Market After 2012
We had a feeling this was coming, but the cat’s now officially out of the bag: The Mazda CX-7 is being discontinued in the United States. The recently launched 2013 CX-5 will effectively replace the CX-7 (as well as the Ford-sourced Tribute), meaning there won’t really be a void in Mazda’s product lineup. “CX-5 has a clearer competitive set, unlike CX-7, which was in the middle of two segments,” explains Mazda product communications specialist Beverly Braga. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Goodyear Develops New ‘Spring Tire’ For Space Exploration
Goodyear is getting closer to the next generation “tire” that could be used on wheeled rovers for space exploration. We highlight the word tire because those on the original lunar rover were made of piano wire with treads made of titanium cleats – no rubber, no air. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: 2012 Toyota Prius V
Form follows function, so it’s easy to find one element of a vehicle that explains everything you need to know about it. Look at the widened haunches of a 911 and you know there’s serious hardware in the Porsche’s rump. Check the elongated bed of an F-150 and its obvious the Ford should be roaming free on the ranch. Look at a Smart ForTwo… Actually, don’t. It’s for your own good. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Safety Groups File Lawsuit Against New U.S. Trucking Standards
A range of safety groups are calling for judicial review of federal rules for truck drivers’ hours of service. According to a lawsuit filed by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Public Citizen, the Truck Safety Coalition and two truck drivers, the new rule doesn’t protect the public from tired truckers. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
