Culture|Garage

As we expand, we hope to provide even more to our c|g readers. We are proud to announce that Alwin Lai has joined us. Alwin’s passion in autos has led him to pursue free-lance automotive writing. He will focus primarily on automotive reviews. His first review on c|g covers off on the Volvo C30 and can be found just below this entry. Join us in welcoming Alwin.

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Pop quiz! What car would you buy to shuttle your kids around with maximum safety? Chances are your answer is probably Volvo. And rightly so, as this Swedish carmaker has carved itself a strong brand recognition by offering some of the safest automotive to the public. Its models garnered numerous awards from IIHS to ENCAP.

However the perception of Volvo cars while safe offers little in terms of excitement and energy. Sure there were some spiced-up models like the 850 T5 or the recent 300hp S70R. What Volvo is missing in their model line-up is a vehicle that reaches out to the 25-35 year-old genre. Being part of Ford’s PAG (Premium Automotive Group), Volvo receives the financial backing otherwise not possible to develop a new model cost effectively. Thus is born the C30 premium sport hatch designed by Canadian Simon Lamarre. The C30 will fill the void for the above buyers and also allow newcomers to the Swedish brand and hopefully build a loyal customer base.
Read the rest of this entry »

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A while ago we featured one of our member’s rides, a 476whp Saab 9000. Since then she has set it upon herself to make it into the Car Domain and Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge. Basically, this is by invitation only. So how do you get invited? What you have to do is make sure that your car is voted for, so now on the Car Domain page there is a section to rate the cars for the 2008 GRM UTCC. The highest ranked cars will be invited to participate at a NASA sanctioned time trial at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Show some support for one of the c|g members by voting for her on her Car Domain page.

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Rally America has announced the list of competitors in the upcoming Sno*Drift Pro Rally, that will take place Jan 25 and 26th. Most notable among them, will be the addition of BMX biking legend Dave Mirra. Mirra will team up with Block and Pastrana as a third car under the Vermont Sports Car team.

Additionally, Amy BeberVanzo with new co-driver Aubrey Volger will form the only all-female team in national rally competition. Also returning is the 19 year old rookie sensation, Kyle Sarasin, who this year will be fielding an Open Class car.

culture|garage is excited to bring you coverage of the Sno*Drift rally, as two of us will be making an 11 hour drive to go stand out in the blistering cold to give you the most up-to-date coverage on the event. If you want to meet up and take us out to dinner contact me at Chris@culturegarage.com.  

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BMW North America has announced pricing on the new 1-series convertible.  The 128i, powered by the 230hp three liter will come in around $34,000 for the base model.  For reference, the 128i coupe comes in around $30,000.  And the 135i coupe comes in at $39,000.  BMW has also said that they will have a 135 ‘vert launching in late 2008.  I still stand by my original thoughts that the 1-series looks extremely disproportionate… oh how I wish BMW had brought over the hatch.

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Chevy recently released this official teaser picture of the production 2010 Camaro.

It looks a little squinty-eyed, but muscular enough. I bet it looks even better in a color other than white.

Can it capture the success of the retro designed Mustang? Can it compete against the upcoming new Challenger? We’ll see.

It should be a fun competition to watch, especially for motorheads in this renaissance of mulletude.

Specs of the new Camaro and a shot of the official rear after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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CNN has video of a teen who was trying to strike revenge, but it went horribly wrong. The neighbor’s home security camera caught it all, including the stop drop and roll and the subsequent de-clothing.

“Video shows the teen taking off his pants and boxers and running off naked with his buddies to a get away car” (laughs at buddies comment)

Police were notified and called local hospitals for them to be on the look out. Sure enough, they were caught shortly there after.

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Kitt is not a fan of valets, according to this recent NBC commercial/promotion for the upcoming Knight Rider tv show… further proof that the writer’s strike is hurting all of us.  I wish my girlfriend’s 9-5 could valet itself, our valet last night forgot where he parked the car, although it was pretty funny watching him sprint back and fourth in 14 degree weather.

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