Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known in the Automotive World

Let me apologize in advance for that click-bait title. It's hard not to follow the all-powerful Buzzfeeds example because it just works so darn well. But ah yes, as the title states today I want to go over a few things about the automotive world that your common pedestrian might not know. There isn't much that is "secret" about the car business, it is fairly cut and dry. However, there are quirks and neat facts about these companies that (still) surprise others when I mention it to them. If you breeze through this list and aren't seeing any new information than perhaps we should get together because you are the kind of person I want to be friends with. But, on to the point!

Did You Know?...

Volkswagen houses a crazy number of different car companies

Volkswagen has a much higher presence in other parts of the globe than here in the United States and the list of companies under its corporate umbrella are staggering. There is, of course, Volkswagen. But also included are:

-Audi

-Bentley

-Bugatti

-Ducati (Motorcycles)

-Lamborghini

-Porsche

-SEAT*

-Skoda*

* brands not available in the U.S.

This makes VW synonymous with GM as a giant vehicular force to be reckoned with because of it's brand diversity and size!

Acura=Honda, Infiniti=Nissan, Lexus=Toyota

This one I have found a 50/50 balance of those who know and those who had no clue. In 1986, Honda was one of the first mainstream manufacturers to create a "premium, luxury" brand. The vehicles Acura introduced relied heavily on Honda components but were devised to be more luxurious and upscale to set them apart from the lesser pack. 3 years later, both Nissan and Toyota were not going to sit idly by and offered their own luxurious counterparts, Infiniti and Lexus, respectively. In modern day, these brands have gone to great lengths to differentiate their mainstream offerings and upscale offerings and it's a formula that has proved to be very successful. All praise to Honda however, for without Infiniti and Lexus might not exist.

Sexy, right?

Almost all "import" vehicles are actually made here in the United States

Due to the rising cost of importing vehicles from countries such as Japan and Germany, automakers are shifting their production to right here in North America. This is important for multiple factors: it reduces the cost of importing, meaning vehicle price would be lower to balance this, it provides multiple jobs for Americans every year, it lessens the time of production if a vehicle is ordered, and so on. For example, various Volkswagen models are made in Tennessee. The vast majority of BMW SUVs are actually created in South Carolina. However, this isn't to say each and every component of the vehicle is American, quite the contrary. Most parts are actually imported but then assembled at the plant here.

I aimed to keep this list fairly short and simple, as I will add different facts and info throughout the life of this blog so make sure you check back every so often and you might just learn something new for once!

-Cameron

Spotlight: BMW X6 xDrive35i

Okay, yes. Another review of another BMW. I'm sorry what can I say, they have always had a special place in my heart. In the winter of 2013, my mom traded up from her lovely 2006 Alpine White 330i sedan to a more burly Space Grey X6. The X6 has about 100 more horsepower and torque but suffers from a weight gain of almost 2000 pounds. Thats a lot of extra mass to move. The 3 series, on average, weighs about 3,500 to 4,000 pounds. The X6 can weigh upwards of 6,000 pounds! 

However, the X6 is much more posh than the 3 series. With luxuries like a heated steering wheel, keyless access to the doors, and fine leather throughout the vehicle, it's a gem of a car. This post is simple, and short, and simply to showcase the X6 and it's interesting curves and lines as well as the bold interior. I'll throw in a few photos of her 3 series as well. I am proud to say I hand-detailed both vehicles in the photos, detailing has become a huge hobby of mine so if you or someone you know needs a nice detail job, I'm your guy.

At the end is a bonus video showing off the nice exhaust note of the X6 as well. Thanks for reading!

-Click to enlarge images-

-Cameron

6 Questionable Cars on Sale Today

Design is subjective. One mans priceless piece of art is one mans worthless piece of art. Be it a painting, sculpture, drawing, anything in which a creative process was used to construct the piece. Cars are in this very same vein. Cars typically take months and months to conceptualize, detail and finalize a design. A lot of sweat and hard work goes into designing a vehicle, their very life and sales ride on that. As the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover" but when your typical consumer plans to purchase a vehicle, their very first impression is from exterior design. As years have passed, automakers are pushing the envelope on vehicle design, a gamble that has struck big for some and a sour note for others. I want to cover those sort notes, as a (admittedly) subjective view of some of the most ill-designed vehicles that currently are on roads today. As with my previous list, this is in no set order they are all 6 different examples. Let's get started shall we?

-Click on images to enlarge them-

6. Kia SOUL

This car is very precise on it's demographic. It is focused on younger adults, who may or may not have kids, who need ample space and a funky design to stand out amongst the crowd. Their formula worked, these things sell in masses. The styling is different, sure, but maybe too different for the sake of being different. The odd looking face, strangely styled massive wheels and weird pseudo SUV stance are just a bit much for my tastes.

5. Lincoln MKT

Oddly enough, I went from praising a Lincoln in a previous article and am now bashing on one? This car is an entirely different beast though. The MKT is essentially a Lincoln Edge, a vehicle Ford sells that has equally funky but somehow more appealing styling. This Lincoln is, to put lightly, a disaster. The  weird kink in the belt line along the back, the hilariously oversized whale-inspried grill, and poser wagon look will not do this SUV any favors in the future. Which, surprisingly looks bleak as 2015 will be the end of the MKT. Good riddance.

4. Nissan Cube

Okay so I am starting to see a pattern. I really do not hate all boxy, small vehicles for younger demographics. Honest. But maybe it's because they all look similar that I group them into one "nope" group. The Nissan Cube is a vehicle that has long been on sell in its home market, Japan, before being brought over in 2009. The asymmetrical window, buggy headlights, strangely rounded yet also flat body and a very quirky interior all contribute to the fact that this vehicle is for those with more daring taste than I.

3. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Regardless of how successful this vehicle has been for MB (seriously, the factories cannot keep pace with demand), the styling is extremely forced. They tried to incorporate so many trends and cram it into one design and it's just a busy looking little car. The fake air vents on the back, the styling trying to pose as the much costlier CLS-Class, the base model is outdone even by a Honda Accord in luxury. Oh, and it's also front-wheel drive making one of the first Mercedes to adopt this. Yeah, not my cup of tea.

2. BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo

BMW is on a serious binge of hits and misses. In one corner, the have the beautiful 4 and 6 Series models, and then on other they have models like. This. The 5-Series Gran Turismo is BMW's answer to Americas hatred of hatchbacks and wagons. They tried to combine the functionality of those body styles with a sedan and it just did not work out well. The rear end looks like it was grafted from a wagon, with the front coming from a sedan and the slumpy middle section is just very vague. Opt for either a wagon or a sedan, don't try and meet in the middle with this Frankenstein like vehicle.

1. Fiat 500L

The Fiat brand, after being absent in America's market, has returned since 2010 with its widely popular (more common) 500. However, Fiat noticed a need to fill a niche: "Customers want a Fiat, but they want more functionality and room. Let's balloon the 500 way up!" and like magic, we have the 500L. However, unlike the simple and fun design of the 500, the 500L is drab. It resembles a mini-van minus the sliding doors, it's only true competitor might be the Mini Countryman which trumps this vehicle in almost every aspect. The growing trend of downsizing SUV's may have its merits, but automakers are seriously scrambling and throwing money just to fill these niches.

-Cameron

Top 5 Interiors for 2015

2015 is just now under way and with it, it has brought a fleet of new vehicles. Now, new can be a relative term. Some vehicles have been on sale prior to any auto shows. In this case, automakers call these a "face-lift" or "mid-generation refresh" and the purpose being to keep the vehicle fresh and sales up. More exciting for automakers is releasing brand new models, either continuations of a famous nameplate or a brand new name plate!
The Detroit Auto Show is an amazing conglomeration of cars, trucks, SUV's, hybrids, etc. from almost all modern day automakers. This is essentially a chance to showcase brand new models as well as focus on changes of current models, such as different trims or special editions. This all can get a little repetitive (read: boring) so let's just get to the point!
The interior of a vehicle is arguably where you will be spending about 97% of the time. These companies have gone to great lengths to lux up interiors with genuine wood finishes, brushed aluminum accents, stitching throughout and buttery smooth leather. Most companies are catching up, as interior quality for all major brands has seen a massive increase in quality in the past few years. In execution, some interiors are just simply more inviting and unique so here are my choices for the top 5 interiors for 2015 vehicles. (Note this list is not in any particular order!)

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5. 2015 Volvo XC90

The XC90 is a very capable SUV from Volvo that first debuted in 2002. This model (shown above) is BRAND new, meaning this poor vehicle had been on the market thirteen years until a new model was revealed. For comparison sakes, the Honda Accord changes body styles about every five years. But alas, with a new model comes an improvement of just about everything to improve on! This interior is absolutely stunning, the color combo does great things for it. Almost all of the interior panels are stitched in leather and the wood is a fine open pore matte variety. Volvo is known for safety and quality, and this interior seriously does not disappoint those values.

4. 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic

The Mercedes lineup is truly a force to be reckoned with, every model offers something substantial and beautiful at the same moment. This model, the new C-Class just recently hit showrooms and is heavily influenced from the much pricier S-Class which is certainly not a bad thing. The interior reflects this, as all of the details are addressed. The steering wheel is thick with a flat bottom to exude sportiness, the center dash area flows so organically while also being ergonomic. Details such as the air vents, the computer in the gauges and the red stitching show Mercedes isn't playing games anymore.

3. 2015 Lincoln MKC

I will admit I am not initially a fan of American automakers. Yes, the make good cars. Yes, they can be just as reliable as the competition. Yes, they can be as stylish. Well, granted most of these things they started truly focusing on within the past five years and it shows. The Lincoln MKC is a compact crossover that has relations with the Ford Escape but you would never know from the outside or in. The cockpit is very minimalist but it flows. The use of light colors to contrast dark colors and complimentary wood shades is impressive. The stitching on the door panels and dashboard spice things up too. Lincoln nailed it this time around.

2. 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

Okay, I really don't have a preference for Mercedes but they can do an interior like it's nothing. This S-Class coupe is a replacement for the CL, which was at the time a replacement for the S-Class Coupe... either way, it's a home run. The interior is nothing short of world class. It is on par with automakers such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce (no, really.) The leather is hand stitched throughout the interior as well as decorative stitching on the seats which gives it such a unique look. Every angle and detail is cohesive and purposeful, the digital dash that spans to the middle of the console and the Burmeister stereo covers are just small examples. For just about over $100,000 of course you get what you pay for.

1. 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP460

A promising debut from Lamborghini for 2015, the Huracan is (in my humble opinion) one of the cleanest and most realized designs Lamborghini has put out. As per requirement, an incredible interior must match the extremely enticing exterior. Now, the focus is mainly on driver capability and this interior is able to utilize it which always keeping form. Down to the shape of the air vents, to the no frills almost futuristic center stack leading to that ominous looking red ignition button. Luxurious? Maybe not. Utilitarian? Definitely.

When you really think about it, the interior of a vehicle can dictate its fate between being bought or left to languish on the lot. And the automakers are all starting to fully grasp this concept. Honda Civics now have features that BMW's did in the not too distant past, just one bit example to show how times have changed. Of course this isn't the end. These companies are clever and creative. The design of vehicles will never stop evolving and expanding. Its the ones who lead to pack who will come out on top while everyone is simply playing catch-up.

-Cameron

Spotlight: BMW 640i Gran Coupe

The very mention of BMW conjures up images of sporty sedans, coupes and SUV's. And that's is precisely what BMW is about. They inject each and every one of their vehicles with a sporty punch, while also balancing a luxurious ride and cabin life. My mom and brother, Brandon (pictured above) have both owned two separate BMW's. My mom had a 2006 330i and now a 2013 X6. Brandon had a 2004 745Li and now the vehicle you see him with in the photo, a 2013 640i Gran Coupe.

So as not to bore you with all the technical details, I will get down to some unique aspects to this vehicle. The "Gran Coupe" term comes to the shaping of the vehicle. Although a sedan, the sloped roof in the back gives a "coupe-like" look. Many vehicles have started following this trend, it began in 2004 with the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The "40" at the end of BMW numbers determines the engine size, although it can de extremely misleading. For example, this engine is a 3.0 liter, not a 4.0 liter, but because it is turbocharged, it gives the "feel" of a larger engine. Does that make sense? Maybe? Not really? Let's move on.

The headlights on this vehicle are completely LED, which is becoming more common in high-end vehicles. They are brighter, have a longer life, and simply look cooler. In the vehicle, the lights are able to turn with the angle of the steering wheel to give the driver a better view of the road in dark spots. And to help the driver navigate in reverse, a nifty rear-view camera is mechanically driven underneath the logo in the back. Those wheels are an option, and at 20 inches they are a great investment. Brandon recently had them powder coated and it makes them even more striking.

Inside is arguably the best place to be. The entire headlining of the vehicle, as well as the pillars, is wrapped in "alcantara" which is fancy wording for "faux" suede but the effect is incredible. The gauges are 100% digital and can be configured in multiple settings, as can the vehicle be it Comfort mode, Sport or the hardcore Sport+. The gear lever is funky and takes a few moments to truly "get" but works wonderfully. The entire dashboard, door panels and center console are either endowed with fine wood, clean metal or stitched leather. This car truly is a fine piece of machinery. 

With over 300 horsepower on hand, this vehicle is equally suited to being driven comfortably on the highway or around tight weaving corners of a mountain. BMW customers are extremely passionate about the brand, and it's easy to tell why. The quality of the vehicles is impeccable and the performance is so versatile regardless of what vehicle you're interested in.

I guess that's why they chose the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine."

-Cameron

Tips, Tricks and Advice

With any form of writing, authors are faced with a degree of challenges with every single sentence. What will I write about? Is this easy to understand or difficult? Will my audience enjoy it or just me? The anxiety can be problematic even for the most seasoned of writers.

Although I have managed a blog myself not too long ago, it is always strategical when it comes to posting. You don't want to overload your audience, or push them into a coma out of boredom. With some helpful tips from this site, this one, and these ones I have a more concrete understanding of what makes a successful blog tick. Let's run through the basics:

• Keep your posts short, but also to the point and interesting. The average attention span will not make it through a 500 word essay, so if you are writing about something needing the extra wordage break it up either literally or visually with images.
• Speaking of images, use them to your advantage. Make sure, of course, they are tasteful an relevant to your subject. Too many can be visually busy, too few can make it barren try to find a nice balance.
• Make sure to try and maintain your blog, as you would a plant (terrible reference but.) As long as you give it attention and take care of it, posting regularly and keeping things fresh,    the audience is inclined to keep reading and sharing your work.
• Don't be afraid to try and branch out to new ideas. Take videos, try a topic you haven't before, have a guest writer, whatever! This keeps the readers intrigued and might attract new ones that might not have thought to check it out. Have fun with your blog, it shouldn't be a ball and chain.

I've found the advice above some of the most general yet simply effective at establishing yourself and your blog. 

In my personal opinion, I think humor is one of the best ways to hold an audience. Depressing, dark or brutal stories can be a downer (unless of course that's what the reader truly enjoys, more power to them!) Some stories definitely need be in a serious tone, but keep it lighthearted often. It makes the reader appreciate you and know that you aren't taking this all too, too seriously. 

Another insight I have is SOCIAL MEDIA. My personal blog, I posted this little entry and somehow, I have no idea how, overnight it had garnered over 15,000 views amongst numerous likes and posts on Facebook and Twitter. I was stunned, and it all actually started because I posted the link to the story on my feed on Facebook. Then it got shared, and shared and the shares got shared and it was magic. Never underestimate the power you have with these services at your hand, use them! Wisely of course, no one likes to be assaulted with the same posts repeatedly so be casual with it. It's a great feeling to see that so many people have witnessed your work, and even more that they (might) have enjoyed it.

-Cameron