Steve Parker Motoring / The Car Nut

BUSH VISITS OUR PALM SPRINGS AREA; LEAVES WITH $2 MIL; NO PUBLIC APPEARANCES

A FRIEND OF OURS WHO LIVES NEAR PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT EMAILED AFTER SEEING A C5 TRANSPORT NEARLY TAKE THE ROOF OFF HIS HOUSE. OH YEAH, LET THE TRAFFIC BEGIN AND THE AA JET FUEL AND 91 OCTANE FUEL FLOW! FIRE-UP THE CHOPPERS, THE JETS AND THE FIXED-WINGS...AFTER ALL, THE PREZ IS IN TOWN! (Photos by Carey Parker)

The Presidential entourage travels BIG. Can't even imagine fuel costs. Secret Service agents had been at the hotel where Bush was staying for two nights (The Lodge in Rancho Mirage) for well over a week before he arrived. Also, friends who live in Toscana, where he appeared in front of 160 people for a dinner (and picked up a minimum of $2 million for the Republican Party), told us agents had been there for a week to ten days, and were very unobtrusive. They said if not for the actual event (to which they were not invited), they might not have noticed at all.

Bush did spend some time with the Marines in the huge 29 Palms base about 50 miles north of Palm Springs. It was the first time a sitting President had ever visited there.

Bush also visited the home of former President Gerald Ford and spent a few minutes with him and his wife, Betty. They live near the Eisenhower Hospital complex in Rancho Mirage and Mrs. Ford had been at the hospital "for tests" just a few days before Bush's visit.

I don't begrudge the President and other political VIP's and dignitaries the kind of protection they receive, by law, from our government. Certainly the total amount of fuel they all use on a worldwide basis is a "drop in the ocean" when we consider the totals. Still, one must ask if, given the conditions we find the world in today, this kind of gratuitous use of fuel and vehicles of any and all sorts is truly in the best public interest.

As far as the C5 which my friend noted flying quite LOW over his house (nothing much larger than a 737 ever uses our little local Palm Springs International), he was indeed correct.

Having worked in a few political campaigns, I've had some personal experience with these things so will pass along what I know.

They used K-135 planes for years and years, which were the military variants of the Boeing 707 (though they are COMPLETELY different planes, but about the same size, and Boeing built them). However, it took 2 to 3 of those planes to carry everything, so if they are using C5s now, it would not surprise me. Also, C5 Galaxies can land on shorter runways than the loaded K-135s (amazing, eh?).

What’s in them?

The Presidential vehicles for the motorcade. This includes TWO fully-armored Presidential Cadillac DTS limousines (in America, for decades the cars have shifted back and forth between Lincoln and Cadillac. It is of course considered a tremendous honor, not to mention free advertising, for these limos to be used, so the two companies lobby strongly to get the orders, which go out about every 5 years or so).

The Limos are sold to the government; their price is not known. They are believed to cost about $500,000 apiece. They are built by a company called O'GARA HESS AND EISENHARDT which has factories around the world making bullet- and bomb-proof cars and trucks of all kinds for heads of state and wealthy people. They have been in business for over 100 years building specialty vehicles. They were originally located in the American Midwest.

New limos are added to the White House fleet when their Presidential duties are over. “Used” ones are usually sent to places around the country or to US Embassies around the world when and where their use is still needed. The limo which was used the day of the Kennedy assassination was STILL IN USE somewhere in the  world until only about 10 years ago! They get their money’s worth out of them.

Go to steveparker.com…I have a story about the Presidential limo there somewhere. Try THIS address: www.steveparker.com/COOLCARS/pastcoolindex.htm.

Also in the plane(s) with the limo are 1-2 ‘battle wagons’, the big Secret Service Chevy Suburbans you see directly behind the limos in the motorcades. They would also move these trucks to the local area from the nearest big city (in this case, Los Angeles).

These are the ones with the BIG suspensions and wheels. They placed a BIG order for these trucks; you see them in film news footage from all over the world. Interestingly, the most popular vehicle converted for ‘security’ purposes by O'GARA HESS AND EISENHARDT is the JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, a special favorite because of its off-road abilities. You can get them basic bullet-proofed for about $35,000…they are the favorite of certain “businesspeople” and politicians worldwide, especially in Central and South America.
 
Also on the plane…the PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTERS! Yep, they fly them in right in the belly of those planes! Always at least TWO, one for real use, one as a decoy. One are known as “Marine 1” when the President is on-board. That’s the answer to the 747 airplane’s coding of “Air Force 1” whenever the Prez is on-board…there is a lot of jealousy between the military services in this country. Everyone wants (and gets) a piece of the pie!

Remember that ANY plane the US President is on is AUTOMATICALLY called “AIR FORCE ONE”. It could be the 747, a Piper Cub…ANY airplane anywhere in the world!

Also…a non-descript 4x4 Van, a Ford I think, bristling with antennae, which is used by the Secret Service (SS) for all sorts of radio communications. They have ‘repeaters’ on-board for the hand talkies the SS use, radio and satellite communications worldwide, direct to the White House, etc. It rides in the back of all the motorcades and is never far from the limo.

The actual ‘Presidential motorcade’ consists of only 5-6 vehicles…a lead car, usually a local police car filled with SS agents, then the two limos (one a decoy---the Pres is in the one with flags on the bumpers, usually), then 1-2 SS war wagons, filled with enough SS agents, special forces and weapons and ammo to shoot their way out of a medium-sized African insurgency…and in a hurry, too!

Then that Communications Wagon (which is also off-road capable and is raised WAY up in the air…must have TONS of equipment in it!).

In Washington, DC, when the Prez is on the move often from place to place, they regularly move him around in a motorcade of only 5-6 vehicles. The rest is really just for show and impressing the locals. And giving the local cops something to do so they can feel useful and brag about it later.

About 12 or more motorcycles usually accompany the motorcade (when out of DC), flying up ahead of the route and shutting down side streets and on-ramps. Then as the motorcade passes, they leave those posts and fly up ahead to the next part of the motorcade…it’s fun to watch in action.

When the Prez  is someplace out of DC, there will be several minivans behind the actual motorcade (sometimes it is 1-2 Greyhound buses) filled with staff and ALL the media which stays with him ALL the time.

Usually, one of the vans has a sunroof and there is ALWAYS a TV camera stuck through that sunroof or an open window, aimed at the limos a few cars ahead….just in case anything happens worth showing later on TV.

Behind all this will be at least one paramedic ambulance which follows the route, never far from the VIP.

So, those are some of the things which I *know* are on-board…there’s more, and I can only imagine what it all is! Keep in mind this traveling circus arrives at a Presidential visit location…EVERY ONE…Days BEFORE he even gets there! EVERY SPOT IN THE WORLD…so it costs a few dollars, I would imagine…have no idea where they hide it all in the budget!

SKYLINE GT-R: BUY IT AT NISSAN DEALERS IN 2008

NISSAN'S LEGENDARY SKYLINE GT-R IS GOING TO BE SOLD AS A --- NISSAN IN THE USA. INFINITI DEALERS ARE RATTLED THAT THEY WON'T GET THEIR OWN SPORTS CAR; PRICES NEAR $45,000 TO START.

When we saw the latest version of the fabulous Skyline GT-R at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan execs told us they had not yet decided whether Nissan or Infiniti dealers would get the honor of putting this car in their showrooms.

Nissan made the decision at the recent New York Auto Show and Infiniti dealers are more than upset --- and they are steaming! The Skyline GT-R will be sold at Nissan dealers in the US, with prices starting around $45,000.

Infiniti dealers do not have their "own" sports car to sell; their G-35 is a reworked version of the latest Nissan Z-car. Great a car as it is, most people consider it a softened version of the "real" sports car at Nissan dealers, and overpriced to boot.

The car shown here, which we photographed and videotaped at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, 2005, is, according to Nissan officials we spoke with, "90% correct" as far as the final version of the car. That final version of the Skyline (and there's no guarantee that the Skyline name, as well-known as it is to the tuner crowd, will be used in the US) will be in the US late in 2007 as a 2008 model.

Also no final word on drivetrain, drive wheels and certainly no performance figures are available as yet.

The Skyline GT was introduced to the Japanese public in a big way in May of 1964 at the Second Japan Grand Prix held at the Suzuki Circuit race track. It was built by Prince, a company which later merged with Nissan. The car had lost the race the year before and developed a bad reputation.

However, in this 1964 event, with its 1.5 liter straight-6 engine the Skyline GT won the finals, battling head-to-head throughout with an undisguised Porsche 904 privateer effort. The Japanese public was just starting their all-out love affair with auto racing, which continues unabated to this day, and with the Japan-model car beating the Porsche, Skyline became an instant legend.

In Japan, Skyline went on to not only win but dominate Group A racing. The car also won overseas, capping the endurance event at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. GT-R debuted in 1993 and won all 29 races in its class in the next four years. The 1999 GT-R V spec'd out with a 2.6 liter straight-6 engine, dual intercooled turbochargers, DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder.

The all-new GT-R coming to the USA is the 12th-generation Skyline.

GM SPENDS MILLIONS ON VIAGRA; PERHAPS DESIGNERS SHOULD GET SOME LSD?

Lifestyle drugs -- chiefly Viagra -- are costing General Motors $17 million dollars a year and the cost is passed along to car, truck and SUV consumers. The blue pill is covered under GM's labor agreement with United Auto Workers, as well as benefit plans for salaried employees.

According to the website "ConsumerAffairs.com", GM executives estimate health care adds $1,500 to the price of each vehicle but they do not break out how much of the premium is caused by erectile dysfunction expenses. GM provides health care for 1.1 million employees, retirees and dependents and is the world's largest private purchaser of Viagra.

GM recently raised the co-pay for erectile dysfunction drugs to $18 under a new agreement with the UAW and the company has also pared benefits for salaried workers.

The automaker spends almost $5.6 billion each year on health care. While lifestyle drugs are a small fraction of the total medical bill, every health care expense is added into the price of every new vehicle and is a drag on the struggling Goliath's earnings.

Given the large number of aging autoworkers in the U.S., the industry’s Viagra tab and bill for other erectile dysfunction drugs is certain to continue rising.

Neither Ford nor Chrysler will disclose the amount spent on erectile dysfunction drugs.

While many government and company health plans have eliminated impotence drugs from coverage plans, GM has more than two retirees for every active worker on its rolls and must negotiate eliminating the drugs from the union health plan with the UAW.

LEXUS HYBRID SUPER-SEDAN ON-SALE APRIL, 2007

FINALLY, SOMETHING ELEGANT AND APPROPRIATE FOR HOLLYWOOD "GREENS" TO DRIVE TO THE OSCARS...CAR SHOWN AS CONCEPT IN TOKYO NOW IN PRODUCTION TRIM AT NY AUTO SHOW; LS 600hL PRICED NEAR $100,000 AS PREDICTED AT TOKYO...

LEXUS' LS 600hL INTRO'D AT THE NY AUTO SHOW;
FIRST ASIAN CAR OVER $100K.

One of the most important cars, with terrific harbingers for the future, shown at the NY Auto Show this week was the Lexus LS 600hL, a gasoline-electric V8-powered 430horsepower luxury sedan with all the usual bells and whistles expected at this price level --- and some all-new ones (like a camera locked-down on the driver which sets off an alarm should his/her attention wander --- and even a system which Lexus claims can automatically parallel park this huge bruiser).

Aimed directly at the Merecdes-Benz S-class and BMW 750 Autobahn Sturmers, 600hL will certainly be the most expensive Aisan car ever sold in the USA.

And to think that recently we received in the mail a glossy magazine celebrating the 20th anniversary of Acura in the USA. At that time, the biggest question hanging over the all-new luxury division of American Honda was this: Would Americans pay as much as $20,000 for a Japanese car?

With that question answered, the old joke about cars and trucks raises its head: If a vehicle does not sell, just keep raising the price until it does!

HERE IS THE LF-Sh LEXUS CONCEPT AS SHOWN AT TOKYO, INTRO'D AS A PRODUCTION V8 GAS/ELECTRIC HYBRID AT THE NY AUTO SHOW. CALLED THE LS 600hL, IT WILL BE PRICED AT OR OVER $100,000.

SHAME ON 'AUTOWEEK'; "BIG" AUTO MAGS BLOW IT AGAIN; TOKYO MOTOR SHOW GOES FULLY BIENNIAL; BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR 2007!

SHAME, SHAME, 'AUTOWEEK'...AS *WE* REPORTED MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AGO, THE TOKYO MOTOR SHOW WILL BE A FULL CARS/TRUCK/BUS/MOTOCYCLE EXTRAVAGANZA ONCE AGAIN BEGINNING IN 2007! WE ALWAYS THOUGHT THE "BIG" JAPANESE BUSSES AND TRUCKS WERE AT LEAST AS MUCH FUN AS SOME OF THE CARS...

 

As we reported on our radio and TV shows last October, as we boarded the train back to Tokyo after leaving the Makuhari Messe Convention Center after the second of two Tokyo Motor Show Media Days, there were signs posted informing all that the TOKYO MOTOR SHOW will revert to its old, classic and more enjoyable full-line car/truck/bus/motorcycle exhibit in 2007.

Any reporters who actually attended the 2005 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW saw these signs as they left the Convention Center; they were impossible to miss! The signs were posted all over the entrances to the local train station, barely 500 yards from the Convention Center. Either the reporters from "AutoWeek" (where this "news" is being reported this week, 4-14-06) did not see the signs, or they were not there --- make up your own mind!

Starting in 2007, the Tokyo Motor Show will be held every two years and include passenger cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. The 2007 show will be held Oct. 26 through Nov. 11, with press preview days Oct. 24-25.

The all-inclusive format is a shift back to the way the show was held from its beginning in 1954 until 1999. In 1999, show organizer Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association switched to an annual format for the event.

We feel sorry for reporters who do not know NEWS when they see it in front of them --- And their readers, who need to wait (in this case) over six months for the "news". Evidently these "reporters" can  sit down at their word processors only after receiving an official Press Release from a manufacturer or auto show sponsoring group which they can copy, word-for-word.

SCION Xa WITH FULL-CLEVELAND PACKAGE SNAPPED DURING NY AUTO SHOW!

Sure, there are plenty of hot new cars and trucks being introduced at the New York Auto Show --- But check THIS out!

Snapped during NY Auto Show week by one of the industry's top shutterbugs, this all-new super-secret Scion Xa has Scion's new (possibly 2008) "Full Cleveland" package, with a no-doubt high-quality, long-lasting and definitely handsome Landau roof and more! Testing and further development  continues after the NY Show; Scion insiders tell us to "wait until you get a load of our hot, hot, oh-so-youthful and so-very-hip option which we are calling our 'Continental Kit'!" Well, judging by these first spy snaps, WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

    

NEW 2007 AUDI TT UNVEILED IN BERLIN

NEW 2007 TT FEATURES TURBO-4 AND MORE POWERFUL V6 ENGINE; ALUMINUM/STEEL CONSTRUCTION; COUPE AVAILABLE NOW, DROPTOP COMES LATER

The second generation Audi TT Coupe was unveiled today (4-6-06) in Berlin.

The new TT is 5.4 in. longer than its predecessor at 164.5 in., and 3.1 in. wider at 75.2 in. TT was first introduced in 1998. (Facts and figures and any remaining hyperbole supplied by Audi).

The body is constructed in the ASF Space Frame design developed by Audi and consists of aluminum and steel. 69 percent of the superstructure is aluminium. The steel components making up 31 percent are found at the rear end to ensure balanced distribution of axle loads. To improve downforce, a spoiler is extended from the tailgate when the vehicle reaches 75 mph.

The new Audi TT is initially available as a 2 + 2-seater coupe; a separate roadster model is scheduled for later launch.

Two gasoline engines are available. The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI unit develops 200 hp. With a six-speed manual gearbox, it accelerates the TT to 62 mph in just 6.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 150 mph. The naturally aspirated 3.2L V6 develops 250 hp, accelerating from zero to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and reaching a top electronically-governed speed of 155 mph.

Both engines are equipped with six-speed manual gearboxes. The four-cylinder engine comes with front-wheel drive, but the V6 utilizes Audi’s quattro permanent four-wheel drive system.

The high-tech Audi magnetic ride damper system is optional. Similar to the Magnetic Ride Control on some of GM’s Cadillac models, the Buick Lucerne and Chevy Corvette, tiny magnetic particles circulate in the oil inside the shock absorbers. When a voltage is applied, they alter the damping characteristics within milliseconds. This ensures high levels of ride comfort and sporty dynamism, according to Audi.

The standard features of the new Audi TT include an automatic air conditioning system and a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.

Customers can choose from a variety of high-tech solutions, including the adaptive light dynamic cornering light system and the Audi parking system which aids parking.

Prices for the 2007 Audi TT coupe and convertible have not been announced.

JEEP COMPASS TO BE UNDER $16K

JEEP COMPASS PRICES ANNOUNCED;
STEP RIGHT UP, NOW SERVING THREE!

Jeep's all-new Compass, based on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and the soon-to- come Jeep Patriot, has been priced at $15, 985. Dealers expect Caliber to be one of the best-selling Dodges in some time --- with its "cute" body, large stowage space, all-wheel drive option, good fuel economy and low base price, it could outsell the vehicle it replaces, the venerable Dodge Neon. And that's no easy trick. Aimed at 25 to 35 year old males and females, the Saturn Vue, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are the Compass' chief competitors. Base sticker price of the Compass Limited 4x4 is $21,740.

AUDI R8 IN STREET CLOTHES

AUDI SUPERCAR COMING TO THE USA?

First seen in street clothes at the 2003 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW (l, Carey Parker photo), Audi has been the only German company to not toy with the idea of a supercar -- until now. VW has their Bugatti and Lamborghini divisions, Porsche has their $400,000 Carrera, Mercedes makes the also-around-$400K McLaren and even their Maybach could be considered belonging in this rarified league. Now comes Audi with the R8 (r). Based in looks on their R8 race cars which have dominated endurance racing of late, the car was first seen as a concept  at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003 and just weeks later at the bi-annual Tokyo Bacchanalia. AutoWeek says look for the car to be under-$100K and on-sale in the USA in mid-2007. Audi reecently won the "Sebring 12 Hour" endurance event with R8 machines using DIESEL engines --- wonder if that option will be available in the street version of their R8? The R8 street car is expected to be unveiled officially at this coming June's "24 Hours of LeMans".

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This BLOG is for everyone with any interest in cars, trucks and motorcycles --- from the bedraggled consumer to the Champ Car wrench to the person waiting to buy one of the first Chinese cars in the USA next year...this site is for EVERYONE! And ALL comments and opinions are welcome (at least as long as I approve of them --- no personal attacks, minimum of "colorful" language, nothing slanderous or libelous. If you have to think about whether or not a post is ok, it probably isn't).

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Prius Hybrid Sticker Too Big?

Oh no, I just completed our application for our family for a sticker to legally drive in the California car pool lanes for our Hybrid Prius and then I spotted in the Los Angeles Times about the stickers being overly large!  Yikes, well, I guess we'll have to somehow find a way to use it as needed as suggested by one person in the story (Some drivers are using Velcro and other materials to temporarily affix the decals to their cars, with varying degrees of success) .  Does it really need to be that big?  For crying out loud, if it's a Prius and it's in the car pool lane, it now officially has a right by law to be there, why does it have to have a big sticker as evidence.  Who was the ding-a-ling who designed such a thing??? Perhaps he doesn't own a hybrid and he's just what? hmmmmm... Come on, there's never been a sticker this large for anything in California, has there?

Mrs. Car Nut

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