Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Fastest Production Car? The Caparo T1

I can say that I've never been asked this question, but I definitely know the answer now.  How do you turn a F1 car into a street car?  Allow me to introduce you to the Caparo T1:

You're probably wondering why Checkered Flag is talking about a car that will never exist in its line-up.  Weeeeell this might be a far-fetched run-on thought process, but Caparo supplies body structures for some of the Tata cars, and Tata Motors is about to be the new parent of Jaguar, so the Caparo is going to be a cousin to Jag!  With that technicality out of the way (and terrible use of grammar), let's get back to this little monster....you can decide whether this could be an exciting relationship for Jaguar.

The Caparo is a British-engineered car created by two engineers who were responsible for much of the McLaren F1's design and development.  Due to a combination of carbon fiber and a specialized honeycombing of aluminum being the materials of the car, the T1 weighs in at 1,036 lbs. (a smart car weighs about 1,600 lbs....and a smart car doesn't even have 100 horse power).   The T1 has a 3.5L V8 producing over 500 horse power.  Keep in mind, this is a race-tuned motor able to run on race gas - this is a very different animal than your every day car.  According to Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear (in the video below), he says it has twice the power to weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron (the Veyron has over 1,000 hp and costs over $1,000,000).  At the same time the Caparo has a price tag of just over $300,000, so it is much more "affordable" - ha ha.  I do know which one I'd rather have on a rainy day though.  It is better to see it in action - here is Top Gear's testing of it:

As someone who loves performance cars, I look forward to Tata's and Caparo's relationship possibly finding its way into future Jaguars....although this could be a far-fetched wish.  However, knowing Tata has a passion for Jag, that future is bright!

-research on this project was done using LeftLane News and Top Gear.   

Not Your Mother's Diesel

We do our best to be apolitical at The Checkered Blog. Politics, it’s just not our thing. Our "thing" of course is Checkered Flag and cars and our customers and community and subjects peripherally related to those things. I can’t help but think of certain hotly contested political contests though, when I listen to the current debate between the "Diesel" people and the "Hybrid" people. Both are advocating change, but with radically different strategies. Hybrid proponents have long had a leg up on diesel advocates due to the wild success of the Toyota Prius and the fact that most people remember diesels as loud, smelly 1970's cars and trucks that pollute. All of that is about to change we think, as more European manufacturers are attempting to test out American waters with advanced "clean" diesel systems.

I recently spoke with John Hall, general manager of Checkered Flag BMW, and he informed me that they are expecting two new diesels in the fall, the 335d and X5 xDrive 35d. Keep in mind, BMW hasn’t sold diesels in the U.S. since the 1970's! In Europe however, they account for a growing majority of the company’s sales. In order for the vehicles to meet EPA standards here, BMW created the Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance using a special ammonia based solution (AdBlue) that is injected into the exhaust converting some of the nitrous oxide into water vapor. There is also a fancy filter that further reduces emissions. The "straight talk" from BMW is that the 335d will come with a twin-turbo 3.0 liter inline six capable of 265hp. The ability to go 0-60mph in about 6 seconds and get quite respectable mpg (estimates are 23city/33highway) will surely pique some interest. And, the best part is that the 335d also delivers...wait for it...425 lb-ft of torque. This means that you’ll feel every bit of acceleration, but smoothly because you won’t have to shift gears as often.

The Checkered Blog isn’t inclined to take sides in this debate and we believe that consumers, who "vote" with their wallets, will ultimately decide the outcome and/or the power balance between hybrids and clean diesel. We will say, however, that it seems that having more choice is always a good thing!

Ford says "Tata" to Jaguar

According to MSNBC:  DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. is selling its storied Jaguar and Land Rover businesses to India’s Tata Motors Ltd....The deal announced Wednesday will expand the Indian carmaker’s reach around the globe and give Jaguar and Land Rover badly needed capital to update and expand their product lines.  The sale had been in the works for months as cash-strapped Ford sought money to fund its turnaround plan.  Read the full story:  Click Here.

We are thrilled with this news at Checkered Flag Jaguar!  Although Ford did a great job with the Jaguar line-up, we foresee Tata Motors Ltd. will bring a new passion to the brand.

Hyundai Hopes for a Hybrid Hit

  Earlier this week, the chairman of Hyundai International announced the company's plans to begin mass production of hybrid vehicles. Hyundai, a South Korean company, already provides some hybrid vehicles for government use.  Starting next year, Hyundai will manufacture the Avante (Elantra here) LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injection) hybrid, a car that uses both Liquefied Petroleum Gas and electricity. In 2010, Hyundai also plans to introduce mid-sized hybrids that use gasoline and LPG. Hyundai-Kia Chairman Chung Mong Koo said,

"The importance of developing futuristic, environmentally-friendly cars is increasing for sustainable growth.  Therefore, technology for advanced cars, like the hybrid, is imperative. We also plan to produce a small fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles from 2012."

We say, with all the success Hyundai has had with new models, it's promising that they are finally throwing their hat in the hybrid ring.  We'll keep you posted on the newest developments.

Get Ready to Meet Max.

The more things change, the more they stay the same is how the saying goes. Volkswagen is going back to its roots as "The People’s Car"...sort of. Beginning in late April or early May, we consumers will be introduced to a fresh ad campaign featuring VW’s new spokesperson...er, spokes-vehicle(?), Max. The word on the street is that Max is a talking 1964 VW bug who will co-star with "Project Runway" host and supermodel Heidi Klum as well as her singer husband, Seal, in commercials to launch the new-to-the-U.S. VW Tiguan SUV. We couldn’t find any early visuals of Max or the ads, but as soon as we do, we’ll post them on The Checkered Blog.

Whenever I think of talking Bugs, I think of "Herbie The Love Bug" but I am willing to give these new ads a chance because, frankly, I think recent V-dub commercials have left something to be desired. Those "crash" commercials were downright scary. The VW brand seems to me to be about having fun and being young, or at least acting like you are, as well as having a reliable, safe, hip European car and that hasn’t really come across in recent ads. 

Scion Hako Coupe Concept

Here's the new Scion Hako Coupe concept that made its debut last week at the New York Auto Show.  I think I like it.  What are your thoughts?

Want a smart? You'll probably have to wait awhile. Want to look smart? Get the gear today.

I know that there are customers out there very anxious to get their hands on a smart car.  I have witnessed their enthusiasm and, let me tell you, "very anxious" is a wildly generous term.  I stopped by smart center Virginia Beach today and was glad to see that, after two full weeks in business, the staff was still in one piece and the dealership had not yet been pillaged. And, while there is still a somewhat lengthy waiting list for the itty-bitty vehicles, smart center Virginia Beach can hook you up with your smart gear TODAY.  Here's just a sampling of what they have to offer... 

Stop by 5193 Virginia Beach Blvd. if you want to look the part before you buy the car.

Meet Checkered Flag JPA's Phyllis Hunter!

It’s officially spring and there just might be music in the air at Checkered Flag JPA. I recently caught up with Phyllis Hunter who joined Checkered Flag in 2006 and currently serves as a Jaguar Silver Certified Sales Consultant, Audi Brand Specialist and a New and Pre-Owned Sales and Leasing Consultant. When I first met Phyllis I was beyond excited to learn that she is also an incredibly accomplished soprano!

Originally from Texas, Phyllis has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, at the Frankfurt Opera’s Bicentennial celebration and during the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. She has also sung all across the U.S. and Europe, in cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Sante Fe as well as in Vienna, Austria and Brussels, Belgium!

Phyllis has lived in Hampton Roads for 25 years and is the co-founder of the Virginia Art Song Society, a unique organization dedicated to the study and performance of art song. She has appeared in many productions locally, including the Virginia Opera’s Die Walkerure and the Virginia Symphony’s rendition of Hailstork’s Songs of Love and Justice. In the spring of 2002, she toured Sicily with the William and Mary Symphony.

When not performing or working with customers at Checkered Flag, she enjoys cycling, reading, cooking and spending time with her husband and three sons.

March Madness

Take a look at this most hilarious video from Top Gear featuring a self steering BMW 330i...you will laugh and be amazed, I promise.

Keeping Your Vehicle Secure

A recent press conference held by Norfolk Police Chief Bruce P. Marquis and covered by The Virginian-Pilot   touched on some trends in auto theft and vandalism in Hampton Roads. Of course, we know that having a vehicle broken into or stolen is a really lousy thing, just an emotionally and financially draining experience. I thought it was worth passing on a few tips on theft prevention from the police department.

• Never leave keys unattended.
• Store valuables in the trunk. Keep high value items like GPS units, iPods and laptops out of sight. The NPD also recommends storing docking stations because they can indicate that a device is in the glove compartment or console.
• Document serial numbers of portable devices.
• Secure your license plate with theft deterrent screws which you can buy at auto parts stores.
• Lock your doors. Roll up windows and close sunroofs, even if you’re just running inside for a moment (this is one I need help with...I always, always forget the sunroof!).
• If possible, park in well lit areas.