Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Driving it Today

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS SUMS THEM UP

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS (www.autonews.com) has been around since 1925. Originally Automotive Daily News based in New York City, it moved to Detroit in 1933 and by 1938 took the name we … Continue reading

January 29, 2015 · 1 Comment

THE NAME GAME

A RECENT brouhaha in the name game got me thinking about questionable automotive monikers. Infiniti has been on again/off again about its 560-hp Q50 Eau Rouge, this sports sedan named … Continue reading

January 10, 2015 · Leave a comment

A LUDDITE’S VIEW?

PRESERVATION OF hair on the top of my head was one reason for my choosing a Honda Crosstour . See “2012 Honda Crosstour,” http://wp.me/p2ETap-9S. Another reason that continues to satisfy … Continue reading

January 8, 2015 · 3 Comments

DOING THE CHAPMAN STRUT, AND OTHER MOVES

THE FIRST automotive front suspensions were beam axles with steering spindles at each end, only one step past a kid wagon’s pivoted assembly. Sturdy, simple and inexpensive, it communicated bumps … Continue reading

December 3, 2014 · 4 Comments

ENHANCING THE PRIUS ON THE TRACK

TOYOTA’S TS040 World Endurance Championship race cars, like other cars in the LMP1-H category, are hybrids. So, of course, is the ubiquitous Toyota Prius. What’s more, the company reports that … Continue reading

November 28, 2014 · 2 Comments

LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2014

AUTO SHOWS are good fun, whether they’re overflowing with live-action glitz or merely new-car curious tire-kickers. Here are some tidbits from our local show of international status, the Los Angeles … Continue reading

November 22, 2014 · 2 Comments

THREE BUCKS A GALLON??

ACCORDING TO the American Automobile Association, the average price of gasoline around the U.S. has dropped to $2.995/gal. Shouldn’t the wackos be calling for a Congressional investigation or something? Who’s … Continue reading

November 3, 2014 · 2 Comments

WELL-TO-WHEEL STUDIES

THE CALIFORNIA Fuel Cell Partnership has issued informative updates of fuel cell vehicles and how they might benefit transportation. Given that a Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV has already gone … Continue reading

September 17, 2014 · Leave a comment

TOOT A LOO, AMBY

HINDUSTAN MOTORS Ltd has shut down production of the Ambassador, as reported in a series of BBC News reports, August 27, 2014. It’s an event celebrated in India with mixed … Continue reading

August 28, 2014 · Leave a comment

ENERGY STORAGE IN WEC LMP1-H

HYBRIDS ARE the in thing in this year’s World Endurance Championship LMP1-H; in other words, Le Mans Prototype 1 Hybrid. And a basic requirement of hybrid propulsion—energy storage—is part of … Continue reading

August 4, 2014 · Leave a comment