World of Wheels

New Porsche Museum Celebrates Its First Birthday

The Porsche Museum has seen more than 530,000 visitors in just its first year.

More than 530,000 visitors from all across the world, 2,555 guided tours and some 14,326 grilled steaks are some of the more significant numbers tallied by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart just a year after its opening.

When the Porsche Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time on January 31, 2009, Porsche officials had predicted optimistically that 200,000 people would visit annually.

No one imagined that more than a half million would pass through the doors and into the world of Porsche.

The new Porsche Museum is arguably one of the most daring architectural designs to emerge among a recent wave of auto museums in Germany.

The award-winning building is host to some 80 of the brand's most famous sports and racecars, numerous small exhibits, as well as little-known prototypes from the company's more than 60-year history.

Jaguar celebrates 75 years

Jaguar is marking its 75th anniversary with cars like the new XJ premium luxury sedan.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name and 75 years of looking forward, designing and building cars that represent the very best of technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success.

William Lyons founded Swallow Sidecars in 1922, and went on to create a range of "SS"-branded motorcycle sidecars and automobiles in the 1920s and early 1930s. When it came to the launch of the all-new SS 100 in 1935, Lyons wanted a new and evocative name for his cars.

After asking his advertising agency for suggestions, Lyons chose a daring new name, and the SS 100 sports car became the world's first Jaguar.

The Jaguar name was an ideal choice. It represented a feline grace and elegance, plus the power and agility that set his cars apart.

Over the years, Jaguar has built some of the world's most iconic cars. The XK120, introduced in the late 1940s, was an instant sensation and the most glamorous sports car of the period.

The C Type and D Type race cars that followed dominated motor racing in the 1950s. The E-Type, launched in the heady 1960s, has repeatedly been called the most beautiful car ever built, and it defined a whole generation.

Sports cars have always defined Jaguar, but the company has also built some of the industry's most memorable sedans like the Mark II of the early 1960s and the renowned XJ.

 

Is This Too Much?

Reader A.J. from Oakville writes: "We all know gas stations are full of advertisements, but today I saw something that really goes over the line. They have a sign for potato chips strapped to the gas pump hose. Apart from the fact it clearly obstructs the "safety" signs around the pump, it catches in the wind, and makes it harder to control the hose. See attached photo.

"Seriously," continues A.J. "there is already more than enough advertising around the gas pump as it is. Where do we draw the line?"

Is this too much?

That's up to the Advertising Standards Council of Canada, which investigates complaints from consumers about advertising. For more information, or to submit a complaint, visit www.adstandards.com/en/standards/report.asp

The end of an era: Mercedes-Benz and McLaren building last Anglo-Teutonic SLR super sports car

The last examples of the SLR – the super sports car designed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive – are rolling off the assembly line now. The end of production is heavy with symbolism, as it also marks the finale of the partnership between the German and British companies, which spans 15 years and the highest levels of success on the Formula One circuit.

The modern SLR was intended as an homage to the legendary 300 SLR racecars of the 1950s. Commissioned by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, then head of passenger-car testing and racing-car development at Mercedes-Benz in 1955, it’s name stood for "sporty", "light" and "raceworthy.”

Famed drivers like Stirling Moss, Dennis Jenkinson, Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling all competed in the original SLR. They tackled famed races like the Tourist Trophy in Northern Ireland and the two Italian classics: Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.

2011 Hyundai Sonata arrives at L.A. show

Hyundai took the wraps off its new 2011 Sonata yesterday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The North American intro of the sixth generation midsize sedan introduces the automaker’s new “Fluidic Sculpture” design language and an all-new, only four-cylinder, engine lineup.

The Sonata will debut early in 2010 with Hyundai’s new Theta II GDI 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI). It’s the first midsize sedan to adopt GDI technology as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertrain. Horsepower and torque will be 198 and 184 lb-ft, while delivering “class-leading” fuel economy.

Later in 2010, a 2.0-litre Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine will be added and a 2.4-litre Hybrid Blue Drive model using a lithium polymer battery pack. Details will be announced at the 2010 New York Auto Show.