Pod Rods: Leno drives Chinese, lots of car shows, and Mercedes-Benz's luxury yacht
This weekend’s Pod Rods on Jacksonville.com has a lot of
springtime car events to check out locally, as well as a look at some of
last weekend’s. We look at a novel way to turn an SUV into a mini-tank,
see a redesigned city car from a well-known designer, and see what Jay
Leno’s driving.
It’s all in Pod Rods:
-- Spring has sprung as far as car shows in Northeast Florida, with some big shows last weekend and at least six scheduled for today. Despite some showers last Saturday, more than 300 cars and an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up for the 15th annual Fruit Cove Baptist Church Car Show and Springfest at the church at 501 Florida 13. The show was revived after a hiatus last year, and saw everything from a classic 1946 Chevrolet wrecker and a 1953 Triumph Mayflower to whole rows of classic Corvettes and MOPARS. Best in Show was Kerry Hunter’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, with Rick Smith’s 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle and Angelo Vespi’s 1969 Chevrolet Camaro as the runners-up.
-- Meanwhile, the historic campus of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind was filled with horse-power last Saturday as the Mustang Club of America held its Ancient City National. The Mustang-only car show had 363 cars registered, with 223 of them judged in 20 main classes. Mustangs came from as far away as Utah for the event, with 251 trophies presented - 159 gold, 42 silver and 25 bronze. An estimated 1,000 people saw the original pony cars, including one of the first - a blue 1964.5 Mustang convertible owned by Jack and Pam English of Lakeland.
-- Meanwhile, even though winter has passed, here’s a toy for folks who want the ultimate in off-roading the next time it snows. Track-N-Go has developed a tracked system that just straps to the wheels of your SUV, the wheels locking in place to drive the tracks. Track-N-Go says the installation takes a few minutes, and only one person is needed. Take a look at their video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm8J9-x1vSE
-- Gordon Murray has designed Formula 1 cars and exotic sports cars. But a few years ago, his design group came up with a highly-efficient city car called the T25. Now comes a reshaping of the little car, now called “Project M,” backed by Shell and ready for unveiling at the Beijing Motor Show. The little 1,212-lb. car has been put on a diet and lost 176 lbs. Some of its composite panels are now carbon fiber, while a three-cylinder gasoline engine has been reworked by a former Formula 1 expert. The result - an estimated 89 mpg when doing a constant 45 mph, and it can handle three people.
-- Speaking of Beijing, Volkswagen has released a teaser shot of a planned premium sport utility vehicle that it will unveil on Monday there. It isn’t saying much about the concept, other than that it is “one of the most advanced luxury SUVs in the world” and moves the segment design to a more sporty and elegant level. It says the concept has a digital operation and display system with a new level of interactivity, including an Active Info Display merged with its infotainment system. The new SUV will have a plug-in-hybrid powertrain with 376 horsepower (total output) and a fully electric range of up to 31 miles, while accelerating to 60 mph in 6 seconds.
-- Audi and Marvel’s superheroes will team up again in “Captain America: Civil War” when it’s released on May 6, with multiple models featured in the film. Audi has released a new marketing campaign for its cars and the film, starting with a digital video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyWEtvGCykQ) called “The Chase,” done by the film’s directors, Anthony and Joe Russo. The video intercuts a scene from the film with a family in an Audi SUV. And the film debuts some of the car line’s newest, like Captain America in the all-new Audi SQ7, and Iron Man in the Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe supercar. Making its Hollywood debut is the Audi prologue show car for the Black Panther, while Agent 13 sports the new Audi A4 and Zemo drives the A7 Sportback.
-- Honda says its new Clarity Fuel Cell will be joined by an electric and plug-in hybrid in 2017 in the U.S. The new vehicles will sit on the fuel cell car’s platform, making the Clarity the first car to offer three electric powerplants on one platform. The U.S. launch of the Clarity Fuel Cell is later this year, with the electric version in 2017 and the plug-in hybrid in all 50 states later that year. The Clarity Fuel Cell will have a targeted monthly lease price of under $500 and a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact than its predecessor, Honda says.
-- Mercedes-Benz isn’t afraid to get its feet wet, premiering a new product last week on the ritzy Côte d’Azur - the luxury “Arrow460–Granturismo” motor yacht designed by Mercedes-Benz Style. The 14-meter-long, 960 hp “Silver Arrow of the Seas” has “classic automobile proportions” that bring Mercedes design idiom of “sensual purity onto the water in a highly emotional and dynamic form,” the company said. The yacht also combines the advantages of an open boat with a cabin cruiser with large side windows that retract, and a windscreen that can be raised. This means that passengers can sit comfortably inside while feeling like they are outside. Tables and beds are extendable, with a bathroom and separate dressing room plus a “wine-cellar” and an ice-making machine. Power comes from two Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesel engines capable of a top speed of 40-plus knots.
-- The pace car for this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be a 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition, and its driver will be no stranger to that historic track - Roger Penske, marking his 50 years as a race team owner. This is the ninth time a Camaro has served as the pace car, and the 27th time for Chevrolet, dating back to 1948. Four identically-prepared pace cars will support the race, all in Abalone White with “100th Running of the Indianapolis 500” graphics on the doors and the speedway wing-and-wheel logo on the quarter panels. The cars also get exterior cues and graphics unique to the Camaro 50th Anniversary package that goes on sale this summer.
Under the hood, a 455-hp V-8 with no performance modifications to lead the racing field.
As for Penske, he first tackled the Indy 500 in 1969, while still campaigning a Camaro in Trans-Am. Donohue was his driver for both series. And this year, Penske seeks his 17th Indy 500 title as a team owner.
Finally, let’s check out a car that I can’t pronounce and Jay Leno said he’s never heard of until he checked it out on his latest “Jay Leno’s Garage” - the 1978 Hongqi CA770. Here’s the link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf4cOFutuCI
Like I said, lots of car events this weekend and beyond:
Car shows:
■ Wings N’ Wheels - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport. Presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, it includes a static aircraft display and car show, plane rides, live entertainment, food vendors and a kid’s zone. Free parking and spectator admission, and $35 registration for show vehicles. Information - http://wingsnwheels2016.com.
■ San Jose Car and Truck Show – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Dupont Station, 6271 St. Augustine Road. Free to spectators and $20 per show vehicle. New Buick, GMC, Hyundai and Genesis models on view. Proceeds benefit the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center for senior citizens.
■ Clay County Cruzers seventh annual Rev It Up! - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Fleming Island Presbyterian Church, 1743 County Road 220 in Fleming Island. Free to spectators and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles, proceeds to benefit local charities.
■ All Wheels Car, Truck and Bike Show - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Ark of Nassau, 86051 Hamilton St. in Yulee. Free to spectators and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles.
■ Home Depot Spring Cruise-in - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Home depot at 9520 N. Regency Square Blvd.
■ Fifth annual Warrior Shootout Benefit Car Show - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at West Nassau High School, 1 Warrior Way in Callahan.
■ Our Lady of Consolation Car Cruise-In - Part of the parish’s weekend Spring Carnival which starts at noon on Sunday May 1 at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church at 541668 U.S. 1 in Callahan.
■ Avonlea Antique and Classic Car Show – 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Avonlea Antiques and Design Gallery, 8101 Philips Highway. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle.
Cruise-ins:
■ Informal cruise-in — 7 to 9 a.m. every Saturday at Krispy Kreme, 11117 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin.
■ Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise — 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and every fourth Saturday, from First through 12th streets on North Main Street in Jacksonville.
■ First Coast Car Council - The new fourth Saturday cruise-in runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Christ’s Church at 6045 Greenland Road.
■ All-Day Collector Car Cruise-in - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the Jacksonville Auto Museum at 9501 Arlington Expressway.
■ New cruise-in - Sunshine State Chevelles - 5 to 8 p.m. starting on Saturday, May 7, then every first Saturday at the Jacksonville Automotive and Motorcycle Museum at the Regency Square Mall, 9501 Arlington Expressway.
■ New cruise-in: Aw Shucks Cruise-in - 4 p.m. every Friday at the restaurant at 9743 Old St. Augustine Road.
It’s all in Pod Rods:
-- Spring has sprung as far as car shows in Northeast Florida, with some big shows last weekend and at least six scheduled for today. Despite some showers last Saturday, more than 300 cars and an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up for the 15th annual Fruit Cove Baptist Church Car Show and Springfest at the church at 501 Florida 13. The show was revived after a hiatus last year, and saw everything from a classic 1946 Chevrolet wrecker and a 1953 Triumph Mayflower to whole rows of classic Corvettes and MOPARS. Best in Show was Kerry Hunter’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, with Rick Smith’s 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle and Angelo Vespi’s 1969 Chevrolet Camaro as the runners-up.
-- Meanwhile, the historic campus of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind was filled with horse-power last Saturday as the Mustang Club of America held its Ancient City National. The Mustang-only car show had 363 cars registered, with 223 of them judged in 20 main classes. Mustangs came from as far away as Utah for the event, with 251 trophies presented - 159 gold, 42 silver and 25 bronze. An estimated 1,000 people saw the original pony cars, including one of the first - a blue 1964.5 Mustang convertible owned by Jack and Pam English of Lakeland.
-- Meanwhile, even though winter has passed, here’s a toy for folks who want the ultimate in off-roading the next time it snows. Track-N-Go has developed a tracked system that just straps to the wheels of your SUV, the wheels locking in place to drive the tracks. Track-N-Go says the installation takes a few minutes, and only one person is needed. Take a look at their video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm8J9-x1vSE
-- Gordon Murray has designed Formula 1 cars and exotic sports cars. But a few years ago, his design group came up with a highly-efficient city car called the T25. Now comes a reshaping of the little car, now called “Project M,” backed by Shell and ready for unveiling at the Beijing Motor Show. The little 1,212-lb. car has been put on a diet and lost 176 lbs. Some of its composite panels are now carbon fiber, while a three-cylinder gasoline engine has been reworked by a former Formula 1 expert. The result - an estimated 89 mpg when doing a constant 45 mph, and it can handle three people.
-- Speaking of Beijing, Volkswagen has released a teaser shot of a planned premium sport utility vehicle that it will unveil on Monday there. It isn’t saying much about the concept, other than that it is “one of the most advanced luxury SUVs in the world” and moves the segment design to a more sporty and elegant level. It says the concept has a digital operation and display system with a new level of interactivity, including an Active Info Display merged with its infotainment system. The new SUV will have a plug-in-hybrid powertrain with 376 horsepower (total output) and a fully electric range of up to 31 miles, while accelerating to 60 mph in 6 seconds.
-- Audi and Marvel’s superheroes will team up again in “Captain America: Civil War” when it’s released on May 6, with multiple models featured in the film. Audi has released a new marketing campaign for its cars and the film, starting with a digital video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyWEtvGCykQ) called “The Chase,” done by the film’s directors, Anthony and Joe Russo. The video intercuts a scene from the film with a family in an Audi SUV. And the film debuts some of the car line’s newest, like Captain America in the all-new Audi SQ7, and Iron Man in the Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe supercar. Making its Hollywood debut is the Audi prologue show car for the Black Panther, while Agent 13 sports the new Audi A4 and Zemo drives the A7 Sportback.
-- Honda says its new Clarity Fuel Cell will be joined by an electric and plug-in hybrid in 2017 in the U.S. The new vehicles will sit on the fuel cell car’s platform, making the Clarity the first car to offer three electric powerplants on one platform. The U.S. launch of the Clarity Fuel Cell is later this year, with the electric version in 2017 and the plug-in hybrid in all 50 states later that year. The Clarity Fuel Cell will have a targeted monthly lease price of under $500 and a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact than its predecessor, Honda says.
-- Mercedes-Benz isn’t afraid to get its feet wet, premiering a new product last week on the ritzy Côte d’Azur - the luxury “Arrow460–Granturismo” motor yacht designed by Mercedes-Benz Style. The 14-meter-long, 960 hp “Silver Arrow of the Seas” has “classic automobile proportions” that bring Mercedes design idiom of “sensual purity onto the water in a highly emotional and dynamic form,” the company said. The yacht also combines the advantages of an open boat with a cabin cruiser with large side windows that retract, and a windscreen that can be raised. This means that passengers can sit comfortably inside while feeling like they are outside. Tables and beds are extendable, with a bathroom and separate dressing room plus a “wine-cellar” and an ice-making machine. Power comes from two Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesel engines capable of a top speed of 40-plus knots.
-- The pace car for this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be a 2017 Camaro SS 50th Anniversary Edition, and its driver will be no stranger to that historic track - Roger Penske, marking his 50 years as a race team owner. This is the ninth time a Camaro has served as the pace car, and the 27th time for Chevrolet, dating back to 1948. Four identically-prepared pace cars will support the race, all in Abalone White with “100th Running of the Indianapolis 500” graphics on the doors and the speedway wing-and-wheel logo on the quarter panels. The cars also get exterior cues and graphics unique to the Camaro 50th Anniversary package that goes on sale this summer.
Under the hood, a 455-hp V-8 with no performance modifications to lead the racing field.
As for Penske, he first tackled the Indy 500 in 1969, while still campaigning a Camaro in Trans-Am. Donohue was his driver for both series. And this year, Penske seeks his 17th Indy 500 title as a team owner.
Finally, let’s check out a car that I can’t pronounce and Jay Leno said he’s never heard of until he checked it out on his latest “Jay Leno’s Garage” - the 1978 Hongqi CA770. Here’s the link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf4cOFutuCI
Like I said, lots of car events this weekend and beyond:
Car shows:
■ Wings N’ Wheels - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport. Presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, it includes a static aircraft display and car show, plane rides, live entertainment, food vendors and a kid’s zone. Free parking and spectator admission, and $35 registration for show vehicles. Information - http://wingsnwheels2016.com.
■ San Jose Car and Truck Show – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Dupont Station, 6271 St. Augustine Road. Free to spectators and $20 per show vehicle. New Buick, GMC, Hyundai and Genesis models on view. Proceeds benefit the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center for senior citizens.
■ Clay County Cruzers seventh annual Rev It Up! - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Fleming Island Presbyterian Church, 1743 County Road 220 in Fleming Island. Free to spectators and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles, proceeds to benefit local charities.
■ All Wheels Car, Truck and Bike Show - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Ark of Nassau, 86051 Hamilton St. in Yulee. Free to spectators and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles.
■ Home Depot Spring Cruise-in - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Home depot at 9520 N. Regency Square Blvd.
■ Fifth annual Warrior Shootout Benefit Car Show - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at West Nassau High School, 1 Warrior Way in Callahan.
■ Our Lady of Consolation Car Cruise-In - Part of the parish’s weekend Spring Carnival which starts at noon on Sunday May 1 at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church at 541668 U.S. 1 in Callahan.
■ Avonlea Antique and Classic Car Show – 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Avonlea Antiques and Design Gallery, 8101 Philips Highway. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle.
Cruise-ins:
■ Informal cruise-in — 7 to 9 a.m. every Saturday at Krispy Kreme, 11117 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin.
■ Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise — 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and every fourth Saturday, from First through 12th streets on North Main Street in Jacksonville.
■ First Coast Car Council - The new fourth Saturday cruise-in runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Christ’s Church at 6045 Greenland Road.
■ All-Day Collector Car Cruise-in - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the Jacksonville Auto Museum at 9501 Arlington Expressway.
■ New cruise-in - Sunshine State Chevelles - 5 to 8 p.m. starting on Saturday, May 7, then every first Saturday at the Jacksonville Automotive and Motorcycle Museum at the Regency Square Mall, 9501 Arlington Expressway.
■ New cruise-in: Aw Shucks Cruise-in - 4 p.m. every Friday at the restaurant at 9743 Old St. Augustine Road.