Accelerate Mpls

Last week I was out in Elkhart Lake, WI visiting the beautiful Road America track with the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). As always, it was a great time. Though it definitely was memorable.

First, let me say there’s a reason for the lack of pictures, and by that I mean pretty much no pictures. It was pouring rain all day Wednesday while we were at the track. So I didn’t even bother taking my camera out. It wasn’t worth risking it. Thursday during the autocross and off-roading I was so busy driving I didn’t even remember to take my camera out. Read More…

Has it really already been a year? Since it is the week before the Memorial Day holiday weekend, that must mean it is time for the spring Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) rally.

Two days of driving the new cars in various conditions. Wednesday we have the opportunity to drive the latest metal around the track at  Road America in Elkhart, WI, and surrounding public roads.

On Thursday we switch modes and spend some time off-roading. After getting the off-road capable vehicles muddy we’ll put some of the cars through their paces on an autocross course.

For those who have forgotten, last year included a quick storm that brought hail and downed some trees. Unfortunately one of those trees landed on a brand new Aston Martin Rapide. Moving quickly a few of us removed the tree but the damage was done. The Aston Martin’s time at the rally was over and it was quickly trucked back to HQ. Hopefully this year will be just as eventful but with less damage, and no storms.

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It’s funny, everyone keeps asking what is in the Feder Feder garage this week. Well as it turns out my press vehicle for this week was re-scheduled for the end of June. Since I sold my Jeep and have yet to decide on what the next Federmobile will be, I clearly had no car for the week. While this has happened more than once since I sold my Jeep, it’s never been an issue and the weather was particularly crappy. It’s supposed to be gorgeous this week, and I can’t think of a better reason to take Uncs Z out to play.

Now, for those of you who don’t know the story behind Uncs Z, well you’ll have to wait. That post is for another day (Note: There will be a post regarding this car and its history.) For those of you who do know the story behind Uncs Z, well then you know just how happy it makes me to have it in my garage for an entire week.

A little over a year ago I reviewed a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse and deemed it to be a highly competitive entry into a cut-throat segment. While some things have changed in the auto industry over the past year, the Traverse has not. I recently spent some time in a 2011 Traverse AWD LTZ to see if, after a year, the big CUV is still as competitive today as it was a year ago. Read More…

Holy crap, it’s already that season again! Actually, if you live in Minnesota you’d find it hard to believe it’s that season again due to the late spring we’ve had. Regardless, it is that season where gearheads, car junkies, kids, wives, and anyone else that wants to get up early on a Saturday morning, gather together to gawk over cars while drinking coffee and eating doughnuts.

The weather was predicted to be quite crappy. When I woke up it was clearly nice outside with dry roads. I did a quick check on the radar and saw a nice storm cell North of us. It was supposedly going to pass through the C&C area. I made an executive decision not to take the 300ZX and instead roll in the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible I had as my press car. Hindsight is 20/20, but the weather turned out to be amazing and I wish I had taken the Z. At least the Camaro was a convertible so I was able to cruise with the top down.

Read More…

Chevrolet introduced the new 2013 Malibu at the New York Auto Show. With a refreshed exterior and completely new interior, Chevrolet hopes to fight off the growing competition. Completely new powertrains will also be part of the package. Below is a quick video walkaround highlighting some of the changes.

At the New York Auto Show I had the opportunity to speak with Hyundai’s Product Planner Mike O’Brien about the new Veloster. Mike provided some insight into the thought behind this car. Below is the video with all the answers.

I’ve had quite a few press cars over the past year, but never have I gotten chills by merely backing into my garage. This was different. Here is is a car that many prayed would see production before General Motors even announced its existence.

So aside from the fact that for many auto enthusiasts, the CTS-V Wagon is nothing short of a dream, is the finished product everything we hoped it would be? Is it perfect? I spent a week with the CTS-V Wagon seeking answers to all my questions. I also tried to find the meaning of life. Lets see what I learned. Read More…