txGarage 2012 Detroit Auto Show Roundup NAIAS
We didn’t make it to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last week, but we can still jump on the bandwagon and tell you what we thought. There were lots of cars revealed in Detroit, and even if we could post about all of them, you would never read it all. So we are narrowing it down to what we thought were the biggest surprises, biggest successes, what we’re most looking forward to driving, and maybe throw in some fails.
2012 NAIAS - Acura NSX Concept
There has been a lot said about the new Acura NSX concept and although I still have some reservation, which I’ll get to, I’m going to label it a success. First of all, I think that the design looks really good. I’m not one of these people that say it needs to carryover lots of elements and design from the old NSX. I think a fresh start and fresh design is exactly what Acura needed.
The second reason I’m labeling this a success is because it has a mid-engine layout. I liked the last NSX concept that used a front/mid setup, but it never felt right to me. You can mess with the design but you can’t mess with the layout, if that makes sense. I’m not as bothered as most about the fact that the new NSX will be pushing a “hybrid” platform. Look at the Porsche 918 for justification. Continue reading
GAINSCO 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype
Texas based GAINSCO has been testing it’s new 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype racecar for the coming Grand-Am series.
Check out their photos and page on facebook! Continue reading
Hennessey Venom GT Spyder
The Texas based tuning shop turned auto manufacturer that has built the insane 1,200-hp super car called the Venom GT is now chopping the roof off. Hennessey, this week, showed photos of the new Spyder edition of the Hennessey Venom GT. This car has the same 1,200-hp twin-turbo V8, but now has millions of miles of headroom.
From the photos it looks like you still have a roll bar along the roofline to keep rigidity. Hennessey’s CEO Don Goldman said, “With the hardtop removed, the wind and the growl of the twin-turbo V8 will offer our clients an even greater driving sensation.”
[Gallery not found]
Austin F1 - Circuit of the Americas
That’s right. All the news we are getting now confirms that the track in Austin and the race will happen.
If you have been following along, construction of the 3.4-mile track was halted when the Texas comptroller’s office refused to put up the $25 million it pledged to pay for the F1 sanctioning fee. It seems now that an agreement between F1 and Texas and the date has been set for the Austin race next year.
So construction continues and we hope to he having a big F1 party next year! Keep up to date with more from Austin and the track right here.
Jesse James Hennessey GT1000
A few days ago we saw the headline of a Ford GT crashed into the backyard of a residence in in Austin. Jalopnik has done some digging and has all but confirmed that this Ford GT is Jesse James’ 1000 hp Hennessey GT. They have recently got a quote from the Hennessey shop saying, “We’ve built a couple of vehicles for Jesse including our GT1000 twin turbo upgrade on his Ford GT. It’s nice to know that Jesse drives his Hennessey GT hard enough to find the limit. After all, if you don’t crash or break every now and then, you’re not going fast enough.”
Yes this is one reason we love the guys at Hennessey, but more to the point, was this Jesse James’ GT, and if so was he driving. Read what Jalopnik has uncovered and judge for yourself until we get more facts.
[source: jalopnik]
Houston Texas Sinkhole Swallows a Kid
The drought has taken a toll on Texas, including our transportation infrastructure. It’s believed that the dry conditions, mixed with recent rains, caused this massive sinkhole to open up a Houston street.
Standing on the corner, 16 year old Giovanni Long was sucked into this six-foot deep sinkhole. He’s stated “Everything beneath me crumbled. I was trying to dig my way out of the hole, but the ground kept breaking back into me. It’s funny now that I think about it… but when it happened, it was actually scary.”
[source: NBC]
JG's Garage Dallas, Texas
Our friend and local Texas automotive blogger at reflectionsofthedrive.com posted up a great little video of JG’s Garage in Dallas, Texas.
Check out the video below and make sure to check out Reflections of the Drive! Continue reading
2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2 review by txGarage
Writing and editing for txGarage has its perks. I had a very special trip planned to one of my favorite destinations on the Texas coast, Port Aransas, and needed something that could haul me and my friends down there in comfort, plus handle the terrain when we got there. We considered a few different options for this trip, but when GM offered to us the GMC Terrain, we thought it sounded like the perfect choice.
We actually test drove the Terrain at it’s launch in Las Colines back in 2009. Adam had the opportunity to swing it around the urban roads of the area and said he really liked the looks and the way this SUV handles around town. That’s great to hear, but we are taking it on a long cruise to the coast and then looking for some “on the sand” abilities. So how did it fair? Continue reading
Have you always wanted to join in those fantastic cross country car rallies but never had the money or time to make it happen? We might just have the event for you, and it’s right here in Texas.
The Border Run Rally will be a 500 mile, one day journey down amazing Texas roads toward an unknown destinations and unknown adventures. The best part is that the entry fee is only $50. That takes care of the time and money constraints for most people. Continue reading