Richard L. Shaver Blog

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Vinegar Girl and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler

‘Vinegar Girl’ by Anne Tyler is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series – a project which involves today’s bestselling novelists retelling William Shakespeare’s best known plays. In this modern interpretation of the comedy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, Kate Battista is … Continue reading →

from A Little Blog of Books http://ift.tt/2dkxIyw

RemetzCar Builds World's First Tesla Model S Hearse

One of the funny things about popular cars is that they often get turned into something completely new. Hand something stock to the right set of hands, and the first step is usually a convertible – just chop off the top, add some water-resistant fabric in case it rains, and call it day. The next step is usually a limo – cut it in half, add some extra sheet metal, and voila, you’re free to roam in an expanded rear seat. After that, you start getting into the weird stuff. Enter the Tesla Model S Hearse.

Just in time for Halloween, RemetzCar has unveiled what’s believed to be the first-ever Tesla-based Hearse.

According to RemetzCar’s website, the Netherlands-based automaker first started by removing the all-electric vehicle’s battery pack, which runs the length of the floor. Then, the lightweight body was cut in half, and an extra 80 cm (approximately 31.5 inches) was added in between. After piecing it all together and reinstalling the battery in the floor, the whole thing measures out at 227 inches (nearly 19 feet).

In addition to the increase in length, RemetzCar also added a high roof area in the stern, with glass siding that actually follows the angle of the stock Model S roofline. That’s sure to keep it somewhat aerodynamic – no point in wasting precious electricity on the way to the graveyard.

Continue reading for the full story.

from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2dR3wvQ

Saturday, October 1, 2016

A New Round Of Recalls Are Coming For Certain BMW M Models

Recalls are a hassle, but when one recall leads to another recall, that’s when things get annoying. Unfortunately, that’s the predicament certain owners of the BMW M2 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe, and M4 Convertible are now facing after BMW North America announced a new round of recalls for 2015 to 2017 model years of the aforementioned models, all because BMW dealerships messed up on a repair involving the rear differential during a previous recall last January 2016.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), BMW dealers used the same rear sub-frame bolts to replace the rear differential on the M cars. The problem with that is that these bolts were designed to be used only as one-time-use fasteners, as per the automaker’s own vehicle assembly process. If they’re used more than once, there’s a good chance that the “clamp force may not be achieved when torquing down the bolts,” resulting in the possibility of them loosening as they wear out. When that happens, the car’s handling and control could be compromised, which could then lead to the possibility of a crash taking place.

All told, 66 units are potentially affected by the new recall, including five M2 Coupe made from May 31 to June 20, 2016; 32 M3 Sedans manufactured from June 17, 2014 to June 13, 2016; 26 M4 Coupes built from May 2, 2014 to June 14, 2016; and three M4 Convertibles assembled from May 29, 2015 to May 27, 2016. Fortunately, no incidents have been reported concerning the condition of the affected models.

It must be said though that the NHTSA has absolved BMW dealerships of any blame for the fresh round of recalls. Apparently, BMW didn’t give specific instructions to use new rear sub-frame bolts, which could’ve led to dealership engineers using the same bolts to replace the differential.

The recall is expected to begin on October 24, 2016. In the days leading up to it, BMW will be notifying affected owners and certain dealerships of the impending recall. The latter is expected to replace the affected rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts without owners incurring any costs.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2dicbG3

Mercedes GLS-Class "850 XL" by Brabus

As the full-sized SUV in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup, there’s a lot of pressure on the GLS to appeal to a wide range of customers, ranging from the off-road types to those who have big families. The multi-purpose function of the GLS-Class extends to the tuning world where aftermarket tuners like Brabus determine a specific course of action on how to best approach the SUVs capabilities. For its part, Brabus did what it does best by giving the GLS an engine upgrade of a lifetime that ends with the SUV’s biturbo V-8 engine netting a 838 horsepower and 1,069 pound-feet of torque.

Those power figures are the unquestioned highlight of the program and is the biggest reason why the program is called the “850 XL.” But there’s more to this kit than the massive engine upgrade. It also features a comprehensive wide body aero kit, a new set of 23-inch wheels, and modifications to the interior that really spruces up the life between those doors.

It is an extensive kit and it’s indicative of what Brabus is capable of when it goes all-out on a tuning program. Some tuners exaggerate their tuning kits with names dripping in hyperbole. Brabus has no need for that because its works, both past and present, resoundingly speak for themselves. In the case of the 850 XL kit for the GLS, Brabus has once again developed a tuning program that deserves its own holler.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2d5hV3O

Motor Trend Holds Sixth Installment Of "World's Greatest Drag Race": Video

Motor Trend’s “World’s Greatest Drag Race” is one of those sneakily good web videos that we always look forward to seeing, and no, it’s not because of hosts Jason Cammisa and Jonny Lieberman. While they are good at their jobs, the World’s Greatest Drag Race is all about the cars and for the sixth edition of the race, Cammisa and Lieberman brought out some heavy hitters from all over the sports car landscape.

America was well-represented with the Dodge Viper ACR, Dodge Charger Hellcat, Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, and Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE. Some of Europe’s finest also participated in the race, including Germany’s Audi R8 V10 Plus, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Mercedes-AMG GT S, and BMW M4 GTS, and the U.K.’s McLaren 570S, Jaguar F-Type SVR. The Nissan GT-R Premium and the Acura NSX make up the Japanese contingent.

The ultimate question that’s always asked in the World’s Greatest Drag Race is which of these cars can cover a quarter-mile the fastest. Last year, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 took home top honors with a time of 11.4 seconds at 124.4 mph. With a more impressive lineup in this year’s staging of the drag race, the Corvette Z06’s time would have placed it at tie with the AMG GT S for fifth place.

Yep, four cars were faster than last year’s winner, including Lieberman’s Acura NSX, which posted a time of 11.3 seconds at 123.3 mph, good enough for fourth place. The Audi R8 V10 Plus took home first place with a time of 10.6 seconds at 130.3 mph while the McLaren 570S and the Nissan GT-R Premium came in a close second and third with times of 10.7 seconds at 132 mph and 11.2 seconds at 123.4 mph, respectively.

Bringing in the rear were two American muscle cars, the Ford Mustang Shelby G350 with a time of 12.2 seconds at 118.9 mph and the Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, which came in last at 12.4 seconds at 114.2 mph. Still, that’s not a slow time.

from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2dwL1sH

Toyota 86 – Driving Impression And Review

What’s it take to create a car for “enthusiasts?” What are the ingredients? Truth be told, there are plenty of four-wheeled recipes out there if you wanna stir up some excitement, but sometimes, what you really need is that classic combo of two doors, power in the rear, low weight, and faultless poise in the twisty bits. Considered traditional fare amongst those with a taste for gas-powered adrenaline, modern interpretations usually carry a price tag that’s out of reach for most. Not so with the 2017 86. Toyota frames it as an affordable sport compact coupe engineered for switchbacks rather than straightaways, taking aim at the kind of person who lives for canyon runs rather than stoplight drags. Tossable, controllable, and above all, fun – these are the things that make this kind of car go, and thankfully, Toyota hasn’t strayed from the original recipe.

I recently got a chance to drive the 2017 86 in its native environment – winding, deserted two-lanes stretching towards some far-flung mountaintop. But the question is this – will the new 86 satisfy, or leave a bitter taste in your mouth?

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Toyota 86.

from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2dhHaD1

Ask Alys Fowler: why aren’t my wildflowers blooming?

What’s up with my poppies and cornflowers? Alys Fowler has the answer

Last year, I sowed my garden with meadow wildflower perennials, and by summer there was an impressive display of corncockles, harebells, poppies, lupins and cornflowers. In October they were cut and the area left. This year not a single bloom has appeared. What happened?

It sounds as if the mix was more annual than perennial: poppies, corncockles and cornflowers are a combination of annuals and biennials that need open ground to germinate well. I wonder if they were outcompeted for ground by the perennials.

Continue reading...

from Gardening blog | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2dNDgCy