Pod Rods - tricycles for adults, a supercar with tech, new Kias and Nissans; and hard as a rock dashboard accents for Bentley
This weekend's pod Rods takes some rides in three-wheelers; looks at some high performance stuff at the Consumer Electronics Show; teases some Detroit auto show stuff; and "rocks" with a Bentley.
Plus our long-running event calendar looks at the New Year's car events.
First, you may have seen them buzzing around Jacksonville of late - a growing number of reverse trikes called Polaris Slingshots. Drive got the chance to drive two of them at the FIRM - Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park in Keystone Heights. The full story is in our Drive section in the Times-Union, and on line at Jacksonville.com. But here's some videos of my drive in one of them on track - GoPro video from inside - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXiAdF6e9g0 - and first turn shots from outside - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdU8VK-mFTU . Check them out.
Then I found out that there's another reverse trike out there - the Tanom Invader. And the Suzuki Hayabusa superbike-powered three wheeler is the subject of this week's Jay Leno's Garage. Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MAMGQQGTc.
Unveiled at CES - McLaren's 675LT Coupe incorporating the JVCKENWOOD CAROPTRONICS system. Working closely with JVCKENWOOD's Japan-based team, the design group added Carbon Black Nappa Leather on top of the bespoke dashboard, upper beltline and forward portion of the central floor tunnel. A new Geometric Black Technical Fabric with a waxy grained finish to prevent reflections is applied in front of the driver, positioned to appear as if it is floating by a strip of Satellite Grey Technical Fabric across the dash area and into the doors. The center console is removed with the air conditioning system for a more spacious feel. The steering wheel is borrowed from the track-devoted McLaren P1 GTR, with the IPAS and DRS buttons replaced by positioning controls for the Head-Up Display with fighter plane-inspired graphics. The HUD makes conventional instruments redundant, replaced by a vent framed by satin carbon fiber. Outside, JVCKENWOOD silver racing stripes.
Kia Motors America will reveal a new concept car on Monday, Jan. 11, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Conceived at the automaker's California design studio, the concept takes Kia's design language in a new direction, suggesting styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand's lineup.
Also at Detroit, Scion enters 2016 with 11 vehicles on display including the iM, iA and tC, as well as the new C-HR concept for the first time since its world debut last November. The C-HR concept features an iconic design that incorporates functionality and sporty performance. The model targets young urban creatives, or "yuccies," who desire vehicles that are distinctive, sophisticated, passionate and clean. The production version is expected to be shown later this year.
Porsche announced December 2015 sales of 3,936 vehicles, up 20.2 percent over December 2014. This brought 2015 sales of its 918 Spyder, 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars, Macan and Cayenne SUVs, and Panamera sports sedan to a close at 51,756 vehicles, a new sales record and a 10.1 percent increase over 2014.
"We are very proud that for the first time in the history of Porsche in the United States, sales have exceeded 50,000 vehicles in a year," said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. "Our current vehicle portfolio is the most attractive Porsche has ever had, which made this milestone attainable."
In comparison to December 2014, Macan models displayed the largest growth with a 60 percent sales increase. The Boxster model range was up by 48.6 percent and the Cayenne model line also increased in December, experiencing a sales rise of 31.6 percent.
McLaren, which began building sports cars for the street again in 2010, also ended 2015 with another record year, selling 1,654 cars to customers across 30 markets. The global demand for the range of McLaren Automotive cars, especially the recently-launched Sports Series, has driven the need for a second shift at the world-class McLaren Production Center and the immediate recruitment of 250 production team members.
Nissan hopes you will get your Kicks on Route 66 and every other road around the world with the announcement that a popular concept of the same name shown at the 2014 São Paulo Motor Show and 2015 Buenos Aires Motor Show will become reality. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the new Kicks crossover will be sold globally, starting with Latin American markets, all inspired by the Kicks Concept. The Nissan Kicks will be produced at Nissan's Resende Industrial Complex in Rio de Janeiro, and Nissan expects to hire 600 new employees to build it. The Nissan Kicks Concept marked the evolution of the Extrem concept vehicle originally presented in Sao Paulo in 2012. Led by Nissan's Global Design Center in Japan, the Kicks Concept was conceived through a collaboration between Nissan Design America in San Diego and Nissan Design America - Rio.
Like a rock - that was the theme for Chevrolet trucks for years. Now Bentley owners can sing that song every time they look at their dashboards if they choose a new option for the ultra-luxurious British cars - stone veneers. Developed by Mulliner, Bentley's coach-building division, the veneers will be offered in Galaxy, Autumn White, Terra Red and Copper using slate and quartzite stone is sourced from hand-selected quarries in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, India. Split from larger pieces and cured using fiberglass and resin. They are shaped and hand finished by craftsmen in Crewe, England. Don't worry about weight - the veneers are just .1 mm thick.
General Motors' Board of Directors unanimously elected Mary Barra as its next chairman, succeeding Theodore (Tim) Solso, who will continue serving as the board's Lead Independent Director. Barra has served as GM and CEO since Jan. 15, 2014.
"At a time of unprecedented industry change, the Board concluded it is in the best interests of the company to combine the roles of Chair and CEO in order to drive the most efficient execution of our plan and vision for the future," Solso said. "With GM consistently delivering on its targets and on track to generate significant value for its shareholders, this is the right time for Mary to assume this role."
Prior to being named CEO in 2014, Barra served as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain since August 2013, and as senior vice president, Global Product Development since February 2011.
The Bortz Auto Collection returns to the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on March 11-13 with two more concept cars that the Illinois-based collector has saved from the car crusher. But this time, they are new concept cars, one from a car maker that is still around, and the other from one that vanished only a few years ago. The first is the 2001 Lincoln MK9 concept designed by Gerry McGovern and premiered at that year's New York auto show. Built on a Lincoln chassis with an Italian composite body, it has a futuristic interior and a DOHC V-8 engine, atop a 121.9-inch wheelbase. The second concept is from Ford's Mercury division, which was shut down in 2010 after 70 years - the 2003 Mercury Messenger concept. A sporty two-door designed to "save Mercury Division," it has an electric drive system. Bortz Auto Collection founder Joseph Bortz has saved more than 40 classic American concept cars of the 1950s through 2003 from destruction over the past decades.
There aren't a lot of local car events yet, but the year is new, so here's what's up now and soon….
Car events:
??¦ Autism Speaks "Prancing-Horse Raging-Bull" Purpose Driven Tour - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, and the same times on Friday through Sunday, Jan. 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31 at Regency Square Mall, 9501 Arlington Expressway. Drive a Lamborghini and/or a Ferrari for five laps with a driving instructor, with pre-drive instructions and safety gear provided. Prices range from $99 to $199 per person, but all drivers must be at least 18. Proceeds donated to charity. Information: www.exoticgaragepromotions.com/jacksonville-tours.html.
??¦ Farmer's Market Cruisin' Car Show - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Nocatee Town Center Farmers Market at 245 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. Free for spectators and show vehicles.
¦ 2016 Winter Enduro - 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, at Autobahn Indoor Speedway at 6601 Executive Park Court N. The event matches 10 teams up in a 3-hour long go kart battle. Cost is $350 per team with a minimum of 3 drivers. Reserve a spot by emailing Nick Soriano at: Competition.Jax@Autobahnspeed.com.
¦ Second annual Jacksonville Hot Rod Autorama - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat. Feb. 6, at the Prime Osbsorn Convention Center at 1000 Water St. More than 100 custom cars and motorcycles on display. The event is $10 for adults and $5 for children, and $40 entry fee for show vehicles. Information and registration form - http://joeborsodi.wix.com/jaxhotrodautorama.
Cruise-ins:
??¦ Informal cruise-in - 7 to 9 a.m. every Saturday at Krispy Kreme, 11117 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin.
??¦ Automotive Addicts Cars and Coffee - 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Florida Times-Union at 1 Riverside Avenue. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on site for the free event.
??¦ First Coast Car Council - 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Medical and Merchants Center, 11701 San Jose Blvd.
??¦ Callahan Cruise - 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at O'Reilly Auto Parts, 450076 Florida 200 in Callahan.
??¦ Azalea City Cruisers - 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Brooklyn Boys Pizza, 205 NE Commercial Circle in Keystone Heights.
??¦ Clay County Cruzers Cruise-in - 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Ronnie's Wings at 232 Walnut St. in Green Cove Springs. Every second Saturday's cruise-in will now be at a rotating location, so check the Cruzers' website at claycountycruzers.com.
??¦ Jax Beaches Cars and Coffee - Classic Car Cruise from 5 to 8 p.m. every third Tuesday at the Sea Walk Pavilion and Latham Plaza between 1st and 2nd Street. Information - www.betterjaxbeach.com.
?¦ Fruit Cove Cruise-in - 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday night at the PDQ Restaurant, 194 N. Florida 13 in Saint Johns.
Jacksonville's longest-running car event calendar needs to hear from all car event organizers about upcoming shows and cruise-ins. Please send information on car shows, cruise-ins, and automotive and motorcycle events to dan.scanlan@jacksonville.com or Dan Scanlan, Florida Times-Union, 1 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville FL 32202.
