2008 Audi S5 Unveiled...Is it any Match for the BMW 3-Series?

Audi has just released specs and pictures of the new 2008 Audi S5.
The car will feature a V8 FSI engine, that puts out 354hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque. The car also has a sportier suspension and modified exterior styling.
The S5 will also have performance wheels and brakes, carbon fiber interior bits and either a six-speed manual or DSG transmission.
There is no word on pricing or the intro date

Another Ford Recall... 500k Ford Escapes are Being Recalled

According to the Associated Press, Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 500,000 Ford Escape SUVs due to engine fires that are related to corrosion on antilock brake connectors.
The recall involves 444,880 Escapes from the 2001-2004 model years in the U.S. and about 75,000 Escapes in Canada, Mexico and Europe. The recall does not affect the Escape Hybrid.
Reportedly there have been 50 engine fires related to the corrosion problem, although there have not been any reported injuries or accidents.
The company said the recall would address missing or incorrectly installed seals on the wiring harness of the antilock brake connector.

Has BMW's Marketing Gone Too Far?

Anyone who has seen an episode of Queer as Folk or maybe even Queer Eye for the Straight Guy may easily be able to know that
a "Top" and a "Bottom" is not just referring to the highest point and lowest point of an object, but instead it is usually a label that a gay person may identify with.
Unfortunately I will not go into further detail about the definitions.
Now to my point. This weekend as I drove through West Hollywood, CA, which is an area known for its large gay and lesbian population, I noticed a number of BMW billboards that were posted around town. What caught my attention was the fact that the ads made references to a "top" and a "bottom", but not in a sexual way, but instead in terms of the new 2008 BMW 3-Series Hardtop Convertible.
One particular ad: "Hard Top. Firm Bottom. It's So L.A." is what caught the most attention. There are many ads that are geared towards the gay community, but the difference in this ad is the fact that it is going one step further. It is using gay sexual references to sell the car.
I thought it was funny how our society has progressed so far that now major companies are now marketing their products to every niche possible. This has been going on for years. For example Subaru has been creating commercials that feature same sex couples in their everyday lives for a while.
My questions are: Are these companies going to far? By seeking out certain populations that are not always favorably viewed in our society, are they going to lose part of their existing fan base? Or instead are these companies going to be viewed favorably better for their efforts to market their products to a broader spectrum? By using gay sexual references in their ads are they going to offend individuals that are not in fact, gay?

Honda Attempts to Diversify its Workforce

Honda is going to build a new plant in Greensburg, Indiana to build 200,000 Honda Civics per year. The plant is expected to start production in the fall of 2008. According to an Automotive News story, the automaker is concerned about a lack of diversity in the upcoming city.
"The Japanese automaker's challenge is hiring a diverse work force in an almost completely white rural area."
The new Honda Manufacturing of Indiana plant is going to start hiring 2,000 workers this fall, but in a city that is comprised of 97% whites, the automaker sees diversity as an issue. The automaker has contacted minority leaders to help them recruit minority employees within 65 miles of Greensburg.
The U.S. Census Bureau counted only eight black residents in 2000 or 0.08 percent of the population. Asians, the largest minority group in the city makes up only 1.4 percent.
The town of Greensburg is known as one of about 10,000 "sundown towns" in the U.S. "Such towns once warned blacks not to "let the sun go down" on them - meaning blacks could work but not live there."

2008 Lexus IS-F Shows up at the NY Auto Show...Is it Better than the New M3?

The 2008 Lexus IS-F made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show this month. It is also being displayed in all its glory at the New York Auto show this week.
The new IS-F has a 5.0L V8 with more than 400hp and 350lb. ft. of torque. It is estimated that the car will go 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. Unfortunately only 1,000 will make it to the U.S.
The biggest question is how does it compare to the recently introduced BMW M3?

2008 VW Touareg

Volkswagen has unveiled the new 2008 Touareg 2 at the New York Auto Show. This is a very mild refreshening of their mid-size SUV. The new version features revised headlights, dark-tinted brake lights and a new chrome grille that is similar to the other VWs.
A VR6 FSI 3.6L engine replaces the old 3.2L engine. The new engine produces 280hp vs. 240 for the prior engine. The V8 and 5.0L V10 from the previous version are still being offered.
Other new additions are a new ABS braking system that shortens stopping distances on loose roadbeds, a new rollover sensor system, an enhanced tire pressure monitoring system, and a system that wipes the rotors dry when the window wipers are activated.
The new Touareg will start at $39,320 when it is released later this spring.
Too bad they didn't refresh the rear end more, the front end looks nice.

2009 Ford Flex Revealed...too Bad its Just a Glorified Station Wagon

Ford has finally taken the wraps off their next "crossover" the 2009 Ford Flex at the New York Auto Show. The new car is supposed to fill the void left by the deseased Ford Windstar/Freestar.
The car will be sold alongside the upcoming Taurus X and Edge crossovers.
According to Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas, "The new Ford Flex crossover is a game-changer. It's the first vehicle of its kind to combine seating for seven, interior spaciousness and surprising features with a striking design that looks great on the road and at home for today's modern American families."
The Flex will be powered by the new 3.5L V6 and will be connected to a 6-speed tranny. It will have 260hp and 245 lb.ft of torque.
At least the overall design of this car is a lot better than the minivans it replaced. It looks a lot like a Honda Element mated with a Scion xB. I don't understand why they need the Taurus X if they have this in their lineup.