Could you be tempted by an AWD “performance” version of your favorite Volkswagen model … IF it was available with a diesel? According to recent comments at the LA Auto Show, VW could be offering their “R” line all-wheel drive with a TDI … and in more than the hatchback.
“The future is diesel and all-wheel-drive,” Richter told us on the floor of last week’s LA Auto Show. That could mean that the next great performance offering from VW R could come in the form of an AWD diesel hatch – essentially an oil-burning Golf R. Further, Richter contends that he can make an R version of any vehicle in the VW stable, so don’t be surprised to see a Passat R in the coming years and the Beetle R getting the green light.
Even if you’re not a CNBC watcher or someone who focuses on the financial markets each day, you may have heard of Rick Santelli and his rant in 2009 during the peak of the U.S. financial bailouts. I included the clip in a post which many believed may have spurred the Tea Party movement (some have called him the Paul Revere of our time). Anyway with Monday’s congressional super committee failure one would expect a little lightening coming from his reporting post in Chicago (video below).
While the CBNC anchors and guest host Ken Langone discuss what could have been done by the “do-nothing” congress to move the country forward even if it were a “token.” Santelli chastises the idea of giving the “knuckleheads in DC” more money to spend … “no way” — and his point is well supported by the evidence that our government can’t live within its means (borrowing more than 40 cents of every dollar they spend — crazy).
Besides being frustrated with congress, I also blame President Obama as he did … and does … little in being a leader in order to forge an agreement that will create jobs or improve the economy. Instead his rhetoric divides and splits the country even further apart. To Langone’s credit, his token idea of raising taxes on the wealthy, not to solve anything (not enough money), but in order to negotiate the real cuts that are needed in order to deal with the deficit and growing debt.
After Asus introduced its Padphone prototype in the spring of 2011, additional phone/tablet Padfone information was leaked yesterday regarding the specifications (below). According to several tech sources the new Android phone will use the Snapdragon SoCs chipset and Adreno 225 GPU. The new chip supports global frequencies including the HSPA+ and LTE offering very impressive 4G speeds. The new handset is running Gingerbread 2.3.5, but the release version most likely will have Android Ice Cream Sandwich tailored for the larger screened tablet. The handset itself has the qHD 960 pixels by 540 pixels 4.3 inch display, which is found on other praised handsets from makers like HTC, Samsung and Motorola. According to the DigiTimes, the combo may be release as early as February 2012. If the build quality is good and price is comparable to most of Asus products, this might be a well received phone and tablet?
The financial markets responded negatively Monday morning to the general conclusion that neither Europe or the U.S. can come to agreements over out of control spending. The congressional super committee charged with coming up with a solution telegraphed failure this weekend as neither Democrats or Republicans seem interested in compromising their positions. I ask you, why do we continue to fund a disfunctional government and send the same people to govern when they do little to create an environment that will help our economy? A rhetorical question when the split politics of America send two opposing groups of representatives to Washington DC. One motivated group, Republican conservatives, demand “less government control and a shrinking federal budget” and the other, progressive or liberal Democrats expect “more government than we have now and even more federal control.” It is disappointing for our economy and struggling Americans that neither side sees the financial health of our country as in their political interest. Shameful.
EDIT: Although I’m not in the Gov Rick Perry campaign camp, I am frustrated enough with congress and the lack of leadership from the Whitehouse to agree with his comments …
Small Volkswagen and Audi TDIs in North America could always use a little more competition … how about an attractive diesel roadster with both performance and fuel efficiency from Mercedes? The 47mpg SLK250 CDI.
Mercedes’ newest SLK roadster combines thrilling performance, classic sportscar proportions, and (most relevant from our purposes) incredible fuel economy figures: try 47 miles for each gallon of diesel!
The SLK250 CDI is powered by Mercedes’ latest turbocharged, 4-cyl. diesel, which puts 204 hp and nearly 370 lb-ft of torque to the ground through a 7-speed automatic transmission. That engine/transmission combination hurls the sporty roadster from a standstill to 60 mph in under 6.7 seconds, en route to a top speed of more than 150 mph – not bad, in other words, for a car that nearly matches the legendary Geo Metro‘s fuel economy!
Mercedes’ SLK250 CDI marks the first time the German carmaker has put one of its diesel engines to work in one of its roadsters. Considering Mercedes’ history of building super-fast, diesel-powered prototypes and project cars, however, it may not be the last.
In addition to the high-mpg diesel, the new SLK250 CDI is available with Mercedes’ panoramic Magic Sky Control roof, as well as an available “Dynamic Handling Package” that includes the the company’s Direct-Steer system and Torque Vectoring Brakes, developed “for particularly agile and predictable handling characteristics.”
European pricing is set at just under 42,000 Euros. No word yet on US availability and pricing. <= Of course!
Finally, after about a month of trial and error fiddling with WordPress and MySQL since moving to a new server, I’ve figured out why MyDesultoryBlog has been so slow. Initially I blamed the new server since everything was fine at the old host, and even started to wonder if 6 years or so of daily blogging had finally hit a limit for “my” particular install or memory allocation. The experts that I talked with were all over the board and really not of much help – the same for searching, reading and posting on the WordPress support forums.
Finally after clearing out a few log files I looked at the plugin for handling 301 redirection and keeping track of 404 errors … “hmm, I was building up a pretty good sized log record.” The plug-in responsible for managing this is called Redirection and has a manual log deletion button. After who knows how many months … years probably … of building a substantial sized log, I finally deleted it (I could have emptied directly from MySQL, but the plug in button make it easy).
So my advice, if you are noticing database query slowness, and have already “repaired” and “optimized” your database, is to clear out any unneeded log files … especially the one being created by the Redirection plug-in … if you have it installed. Also under the “Options” link be sure to set the “Expire Logs” for something other than zero.
I guess this has been around since a patent application in 2007, but I haven’t noticed toothbrushes like this at my dentist office or in the drugstore. This redirecting water toothbrush looks like a pretty good idea for Cincinnati’s Proctor & Gamble or other toothpaste maker?
As mentioned before, I’m not an active Facebook user but I do check in on my account whenever I receive the cursory email (too many from FB BTW). After noticing an incorrectly tagged photo …twice ….yesterday I made a couple wisecracks to my nephews about it. At about the same time I was sorting through my home office desk drawer and ran across a couple old photos. I’m not sure why, but decided to post one of them to Facebook. These memories made me smile and in keeping with yesterday’s “reminiscing” theme will include the 1981 Ohio Northern University graduation photo above (my roommates: Bill Gordon in front, Jerry Moody, moi and Don Blinn L to R)
I’m not letting my grown nephews off the hook for “incorrectly tagging” me either … so I’ll include a couple “cute” photos of these now 30 year old handsome … and much bigger than me … men below. (Ben and David …. on our sailboat Brenich in 1984 – click for larger.)
Our old house and 5 acres of property on Stow Road in Hudson Ohio
On my trip to NE Ohio this week I had both the chance to enjoy dinner with my daughter in Columbus (always a pleasure) and meeting with Mark Goloback, an old friend from when we lived in Hudson, Ohio. I recently mentioned the passing of his father here, but haven’t really made the time to see him since his father’s death. He is a good friend and our long lunch was worthwhile. We agreed that we should make an effort to do it a couple times a year, but I’ve sadly made those promises before.
🙁
The time with Mark also had me thinking about the recent reconnection with my old high school friend Charlie “Kamakaze” Matthews (photo from our trip to the Florida Keys in 1977). We recently re-connected due to his name popping up on the LinkedIn social networking site. Ever since, we’ve been exchanging email on our joint passion for sailing and common dream. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to meet face to face someday soon and do some sailing too!
Speaking of sailing … Fatty Goodlander posted this photo which had me thinking about a phrase that lovers of sailing use: “A bad day sailing beats a good day any place else.” I think a couple exceptions need to be added! Ouch!
It looks like the boxy designs are nearly gone from most of the domestic and Asian automotive companies in favor of the lighter and more car-like CUV. Scott Burgess shared a little info on Ford’s new 2013 Escape from the LA Auto show.
The Escape has lost the truck-ish SUV look and emulated the CUV sporty designs from Korea and Japan that have been catching my eye. Unfortunately both the six-cylinder and Hybrid powerplant options are gone and in there place Ford has opted for the 2.5-liter as the standard four-cylinder engine and offers the 2-liter Ecoboost turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine for better performance and a small 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder for fuel efficiency – all are are mated to a “new and improved six-speed automatic transmission.” I was impressed with the stated 3500-pound tow rating on either a front- or all-wheel drive models. After driving the Focus the other day, I’m willing to consider Ford and like the idea of a smaller CUV … although really would like a diesel.
The new 2013 Ford Escape is not evolutionary; it’s revolutionary. Gone is the truck-like appearance and boxy body. Gone too is the hybrid option, and even the V-6 powertrain. This is a modern crossover that’s ready for a much more sophisticated customer.
Ford Motor Co. has stocked the new Escape with loads of technology and customer-friendly features. It can park itself, detect another vehicle in its blind spot and still top 30 mpg on the highway, although exact fuel economy figures have not been released.
