Dave on Wheels responds to the Chivers! (11 Photos)

October 9, 2012 In: Awesome, Chive Everywhere

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When Sarah Hill discovered Dave on Wheel's Twitter Page, he had 8 followers. Sarah couldn't believe how insightful and funny the profoundly deaf paraplegic with cerebral palsy was. She friended him, followed by Erin Willett, and Dave's following quickly grew to 800 until I posted this story about Dave yesterday. In less than 24 hours, Dave has eclipsed 7,500 Twitter followers.

It's fascinating how technology has unlocked the genius bottled up in Dave. Dave uses a special computer called Tobii to type, it can read his visual instructions. And then there's Twitter, the vehicle that carries Dave's hilarious insights out to the world. A couple short years ago none of what is happening now would even be possible.

Many of you probably noticed Dave's Twitter Machine was silent for most of the day yesterday until Dave's sister hopped on his Twitter to update the Chivers. Dave had a crucial procedure during the day. On a day when Dave needed positive vibes the most, the Chivers delivered it in spades.

Later in the evening, Dave's Twitter machine sprung to life. He was so appreciative for the support as you'll see below. Dave has some very difficult days ahead of him right now, Chivers. He needs all the support he can get. Yet even after a grueling day, Dave didn't complain one bit. Right until the moment when the nurse turned off the lights, Dave was making jokes.

Dave's Twitter Machine.

For updates on Dave’s condition, follow is sister right here.

View the original article here

This is Zoe’s story (21 Photos)

Before Zoe Lush was even born, there were signs of big trouble. Zoe's mother, Chelsea, got the news at her three month ultrasound. When the perinatologist gently pressed the wand down on Chelsea's belly, Zoe's soft skull curiously molded from a circle to an oval shape under the pressure of the wand. A closer look revealed further damage. Zoe's femur was in two separate pieces and many of Zoe's ribs were in multiple stages of fracture. Zoe's bones were already breaking in the womb. The concerned doctor looked up at Chelsea, "Mrs. Lush, there's something very wrong with your child."

Months later Zoe entered into the world broken. She fractured her collarbone during the birth, and within Zoe's first 30 days of life she broke both of her ams and her leg, and then her right arm again. Zoe Lush was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, commonly known as Brittle Bone disorder.

When we hear about Brittle Bone, we often think of somebody who is slightly more prone to breaking a bone than the average person - that would be type I OI. Type I is the Brittle Bone most people are vaguely familiar with. People with Type I don't produce sufficient collagen to grow strong bones. However, most will grow to natural height with normal looking bones that are slightly more fragile than yours and mine.

But there are other, more menacing types of OI.

Zoe has Type III, the most severe type of OI you can possibly survive. OI is a form of dwarfism. Arms and legs are often deformed from both the irregular, under-mineralized bone structure as well as repeat fractures. Many children born with Type III fracture their ribs simply from taking a deep breath. Some infants will pass away from respiratory failure, especially early in life. If a child with Type III does survive those first, formidable months, they will never grow much past 3 feet tall, and will likely spend most of their lives in a wheelchair.

At 3 months, Zoe was breaking so often Chelsea had resorted to splinting Zoe herself because doctors were so unfamiliar with the condition. Often times doctors handle OI children like regular kids, causing even more breaks.

Zoe also has brittle teeth, eating anything but soft food can cause chipping. Zoe's ear bones are just as fragile as any other bone she has. Loud, piercing noises can shatter her eardrums.

Perhaps one of the most important facts about OI is that it does NOT cause mental delays. At a glance, many people see Zoe's physical deformities and conclude that she's also mentally handicapped. Zoe does have difficulty speaking, and often favors sign language instead. During one of Zoe's trips to theCHIVE offices, she accidentally pushed her juice glass to the floor exclaiming, "Oh… poo!"

Zoe has remarkable parents. Curtis Lush just received his degree as a surgical tech from CNI College. Until last week, Curtis would attend classes from 7am - 3pm, then rush to Hoag Hospital where he works as an Operating Room Assistant until Midnight.

Chelsea takes care of Zoe full-time but dreams of returning to school to complete her nursing degree. To assuage Zoe's massive medical bills, the family is living with Zoe's grandparents. Both Curtis and Chelsea are determined to create a better life for themselves and their new family. Chelsea recently found out she's pregnant with her second child.

How we can help:

To strengthen and reinforce her bones, Zoe will need rodding surgeries. Metal rods can be surgically inserted in the long bones to stabilize and strengthen them. Zoe's soft bones will be drilled in 3 sections where expandable, telescoping rods will be inserted. With these rodding surgeries, it's possible that Zoe's legs could support enough weight to walk someday. Zoe needs at least 6 bones rodded, and the surgeries aren't cheap.

Zoe's wheelchair is outdated, some parts are held together with duct tape. The analog chair severely limits Zoe's mobility and, in turn, her ability to discover the world around her. With kids, curiosity is the root of speech. If Zoe cannot wheel over to the object that intrigues her, she'll never learn its name. Zoe needs a tricked-out set of wheels, and we're going to get that for her along with a badly-needed wheelchair ramp at her home. The entire list of Zoe's needs here.

Spread the word:

Because there is so little information available on OI, many kids with Brittle Bone go undiagnosed. As a result, it's common for young children with OI to be taken from their homes by child services. Once that happens, the parents must prove their child has OI. The OI testing process can take months. Meanwhile, the children languish under the improper care of foster providers ignorant to the child's specialized needs, often causing more physical pain to compound the obvious mental anguish.

Let the healing begin:

Zoe is as aware of the world around her as you and I. She feels her bones shatter the same as you and I would, only more often. Throughout her childhood Zoe will travel to strange places and have metal rods wedged into her delicate frame. The collective pain Zoe will endure in her life will make any of our toils seem insignificant. But the space between the hurt is filled with smiles. As you'll see below, Zoe never stops smiling. Together, we can dramatically improve Zoe's quality of life. With the Chivers' help today, we can ease Zoe's pain.

This is the first official Chive Charities campaign. Years in the making, Chive Charities exists for Chivers to champion the orphaned causes of the world. It is the charity for the underdogs. Chive Charities will change the giving paradigm. All of the money raised will go directly to the individual in need. Chive Charities will not faulter under the yolk of excessive overhead or fritter our money away on lavish executive salaries. Leo and I will never take a paycheck from Chive Charites.

Zoe faces a lifetime of travel and medical costs, not to mention badly-needed living enhancement. I'm setting the goal at $100,000, our most ambitious goal yet. LOST Co-Creator Damon Lindelof, host of the video below, is starting with a whopping $5,000 donation and challenged theCHIVE to match it. Done! $10,000 is already on its way for Zoe. The rest is up to you, Chivers. Let's do this.

Click here to explore the new Chive Charities website and CLICK HERE to donate to Zoe.

Chive Charities Twitter Machine.
Chive Charities Facebook Page.

UPDATE #1: We've surpassed $20,000 in the first half hour!

UPDATE #2: $30,000

UPDATE #3: We just surged past $50,000!

UPDATE #4: $60,000. Zoe and her family, including grandparents, are here in theCHIVE offices today. They cannot believe what they are seeing. They've told me to thank theCHIVE Community from the bottom of their hearts.

UPDATE #5: $70,000

UPDATE #6: $95,000. The final push!

UPDATE #7: $100,000 in six hours!!! This is nothing short of amazing. This was an effort made by thousands of individuals contributing everything from $50 to the change in their couches. Each one of you should be so proud of yourself right now, you've changed a little girl's life forever.

The Zoe campaign is closed but theCHIVE Fund remains open, we'll fill you in further on that juggernaut tomorrow but feel free to kick the tires on this amazing new tool to help those in need. Continue donating RIGHT HERE.

For those of us who contribute to these campaigns, we aspire to make the world 10% happier. We are the 10%’ers. Welcome to Chive Charities. This was your idea, Chivers. It was born out of theCHIVE communities’ escalating aspirations to help more individuals in need, and to do so in a fashion nobody has ever seen. Donate RIGHT HERE.

Zoe and Chelsea are with us now in theCHIVE office. We’ll keep you posted on the totals as they come in. Check out the amazing video below. We’d especially like to thank LOST Co-Creator Damon Lindelof for orchestrating the interview, he’s a stand-up guy and a good friend.

UPDATE #4: $60,000. Zoe and her family, including grandparents, are here in theCHIVE offices today. They cannot believe what they are seeing. They’ve told me to thank theCHIVE Community from the bottom of their hearts.

UPDATE #6: $95,000. The final push!

UPDATE #7: $100,000 in six hours!!! This is nothing short of amazing. This was an effort made by thousands of individuals contributing everything from $50 to the change in their couches. Each one of you should be so proud of yourself right now, you’ve changed a little girl’s life forever.

The Zoe campaign is closed but theCHIVE Fund remains open, we’ll fill you in further on that juggernaut tomorrow but feel free to kick the tires on this amazing new tool to help those in need. Continue donating RIGHT HERE.

View the original article here

Chive Everywhere (79 Photos)

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Dave on Wheels responds to the Chivers! (11 Photos)

October 9, 2012 In: Awesome, Chive Everywhere

Follow John on Tapiture

When Sarah Hill discovered Dave on Wheel's Twitter Page, he had 8 followers. Sarah couldn't believe how insightful and funny the profoundly deaf paraplegic with cerebral palsy was. She friended him, followed by Erin Willett, and Dave's following quickly grew to 800 until I posted this story about Dave yesterday. In less than 24 hours, Dave has eclipsed 7,500 Twitter followers.

It's fascinating how technology has unlocked the genius bottled up in Dave. Dave uses a special computer called Tobii to type, it can read his visual instructions. And then there's Twitter, the vehicle that carries Dave's hilarious insights out to the world. A couple short years ago none of what is happening now would even be possible.

Many of you probably noticed Dave's Twitter Machine was silent for most of the day yesterday until Dave's sister hopped on his Twitter to update the Chivers. Dave had a crucial procedure during the day. On a day when Dave needed positive vibes the most, the Chivers delivered it in spades.

Later in the evening, Dave's Twitter machine sprung to life. He was so appreciative for the support as you'll see below. Dave has some very difficult days ahead of him right now, Chivers. He needs all the support he can get. Yet even after a grueling day, Dave didn't complain one bit. Right until the moment when the nurse turned off the lights, Dave was making jokes.

Dave's Twitter Machine.

For updates on Dave’s condition, follow is sister right here.

View the original article here

To all our soldiers, sailors, and veterans, thank you (42 Photos)

November 12, 2012 In: Chive Everywhere, High-Res, Merica

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This year, I've had the privilege of raising a glass with hundreds of our service men and women. I'm humbled that theCHIVE has provided a temporary escape for our soldiers and sailers on deployment as well as our veterans who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom here at home.

A profound thank you and Happy Veteran's Day from everybody here at theCHIVE. We'll see many of your in Austin on Thursday, drinks are on me.

View the original article here

Chive Everywhere (73 Photos)

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

A New Jersey Fire Department needs the Chivers’ help (28 Photos)

The night Hurricane Sandy bulldozed New Jersey, the Moonachie (moo-NAH-kee) Fire Department was already being tested to its very limits. So too, was the town levee. Around midnight the firefighters had just returned from a call when one of the guys noticed a white wall of water rushing down East Joseph Street, taking dead aim at the firehouse. The levee had broken, flash-flooding Moonachi and the neighboring town of Little Ferry under 5 feet of water in minutes.

The firefighters immediately scrambled to save the firetrucks. There was already 6 inches of water in the station but the men could hear the water raging past the firehouse right outside. When they opened the garage door, 3 feet of water poured into the firehouse. Somehow the firefighters were able to get two of the five vehicles out of the garage to a hill where they set up a mobile command center.

Safely on high ground, the Moonachie Volunteer Fire Dept. launched a rescue effort that would make both the local and national news. Using only small boats, the remaining two fire trucks, and true grit, they would relocate over 1,500 Moonachie residents over the course of the evening. Not a single life was lost.

When the water finally receded, they returned to their firehouse to assess the damage. Moonachie Road Firehouse was completely destroyed. Water levels at the firehouse had crested at 6 feet. The gear, equipment, radios, vehicles, and tools they desperately needed to help the residents of Moonachie were washed away. Even worse, many of the firefighters' own homes had been destroyed.

Sandy had struck a blow at the very heart of the town: its fire department. With so many residents displaced and in need of help, the MFD knew they had to rebuild and that time was not on their side. Worst of all, the volunteers were out of money. Time to get creative. That's when I received an email from James Soojian. Our initial conversation left me shaking,

"We're working with a minimal amount of equipment. Everything was destroyed. You won't believe it but we're about to get hit with a snowstorm, sustained winds at 40 mph, it doesn't stop. When I came to work today, I didn't even have gloves."

I asked another MFD firefighter, Mark Mulvaney, what they needed most right now.

"We're pretty good on clothes thanks to the Salvation Army and our brothers at the FDNY. What the people need now is food. A lot of them are using gift cards for the local super market. We're handing them out to residents. If somebody has a $50 gift card, they'll break it up into five $10 cards and give them to their neighbors. That's how people are in this town are. In my truck right now I got $250 worth of grocery store gift cards left. After that, I don't know, John, there's nothing."

The lack of equipment has diminished their capacity to help others. The help has lost their ability to help. MFD's call for help has been lost in the cacophony of cries from so many displaced souls on the East Coast in the wake of superstorm Sandy. Here at theCHIVE our firefighters (and our service men and women) comprise the core of theCHIVE community. This year, I've spent countless nights with firefighters across the country and it's not lost on me that theCHIVE has the power to unite the firefighters if needed - and now is that time.

I don't really know how this works, but I need you guys to grab a helmet and pass it around the station for your brothers at the MFD . Our firefighters will lead the charge. Your donation will help both the Moonachie Fire Dept. and the entire Moonachie community. MFD will redistribute a healthy portion of the funds to help the immediate needs of the town.

As y'all know, we're officially launching Chive Charities in the next two weeks with a story nearly one year in the making. I try to space out our charitiable work to avoid taxing theCHIVE community but I won't stare at the pitch as it goes by either. I think we can all agree at this point that the Chivers always swing for the fences. So I'll need your help once again soon, and I hope that's ok.

Right now in a small town in New Jersey, there's a band of Chivers with their backs against a wall. We're going to get their backs today. Chivers, we all know the drill by now. Grab some heavy lumber, and swing for the fence. The goal is $30,000, whatever that means anymore.

Donate to the Moonachie Fire Department RIGHT HERE.

I will continue to update you on the tally right here throughout the day.

UPDATE #1: Cleared $10,000 in a hurry.

UPDATE #2: $16,000 past the halfway point! Before you leave work today, make a donation and enjoy the weekend, Chivers.

UPDATE #3: $20,000

UPDATE #4: $25,000! Home stretch.

UPDATE #5: $30,000 in 2 hours and the he donations appear to be coming in even faster.

UPDATE #6: $37,000

UPDATE #7: $40,000

UPDATE #8: $45,000

UPDATE #9: $50,000

View the original article here

The amazing Zoe update and the Chive Charities Fund (11 HQ Photos)

December 12, 2012 In: Awesome, Chive Everywhere, High-Res

Follow John on Tapiture

Yesterday was a watershed moment in theCHIVE's history. It marked a day when years of work to bring all of our charity in-house came to fruition. After officially launching Chive Charities, it took the Chivers only 6 hours to eclipse the single largest financial goal we've ever set. We could not have pulled all this off without y'all. You proved to the world that the flash-mob charity model is here to stay and, most importantly, you forever changed the course of a little girl's life for the better.

Zoe and her family were at theCHIVE offices all day. We all sat around the TV watching as the totals came in - kinda' like election day only without all the bullshit. The Lush family was more or less in shock for the first couple hours but it gave way to the most genuine excitement I've ever seen. And finally, gratitude. Zoe's family has asked me to thank the Chivers from the bottom of their hearts. It's been a long hard road for them, and finally now you've brought a light to a dark corner.

Even though Zoe's campaign is closed, hundreds of Chivers have emailed us asking to donate to Zoe. If you'd like to send them anything personally. Here is the address:

Curtis, Chelsea, and Zoe Lush
21342 Compass Ln.
Huntington Beach, CA 92646

Because we have brought everything in-house, we must account for every expenditure that we make. We itemize Zoe's specific needs and set the financial goal based on that. The IRS guidelines force us to be more rigid with our campaigns and that's ok. The days of soaring past our goals are over but our days of helping more people have just begun. Enter the Chive Charities Fund.

There is an important component to yesterday's Chive Charities inaugural launch that I want to make everybody aware of. As many of you know, I receive dozens of emails everyday from Chivers who seek out theCHIVE for help. I still read all of these stories personally. What I've noticed is that many Chivers need a small amount to make a big difference.

For example: Let's say there is a Chivette mother of three. Her apartment burned down recently and she's back home living with her mom. She emails me and just needs help getting back on her feet, $5,000 would do the trick. She doesn't want any more than that.

Now if I launched a major campaign on theCHIVE homepage asking the Chivers to donate to this woman, you'd build her a mansion in the Hamptons, and probably a boathouse out back. It's the amazing flaw inherent in theCHIVER's prodigious capacity for giving, you won't stop until the machine breaks.

The Chive Fund exists to support people in need of smaller generosities than the headline campaigns, help underfunded campaigns meet their goals, and build support that allows Chive Charities to operate (currently 1 awesome employee). Leo and I will never receive a paycheck from Chive Charities.

By becoming a Charity Chiver at one of our 4 levels or making a one-time donation to the Chive Fund, you are helping champion the underdogs. There are a number of cool perks you receive for becoming a member, not least of which is getting your hands on those awesome Chive Charity shirts we're all wearing in these photos as well as first-look at all the 'impossible shirts'.

Or you can simply make a one-time donation.

Chive Charities will be our lasting legacy. I will now be able to read these emails from worthy individuals who just need a little help and offer more than a few kind words of support. With your help I can now offer real help. We'll be sure to bring you the stories of the Chivers you help with The Fund on theCHIVE.

Lastly, I can't thank you enough for what you've done yesterday. Not only did you help Zoe, but across the globe now, we've helped achieve a greater understanding of a misunderstood disorder. Only good things can come from that. The world is slowly getting 10% happier.

Donate to the Chive Charities Fund RIGHT HERE.

Now please enjoy a gallery of yesterday's events...

Zoe is not mentally disabled. She was, on some level, aware of the gravity of the situation. She clapped when we hit each $10,000 level and signed goodbye to all of us when she left.

Thanks again, Chivers.

Donate to the Chive Charities Fund RIGHT HERE.

View the original article here

A New Jersey Fire Department needs the Chivers’ help (28 Photos)

The night Hurricane Sandy bulldozed New Jersey, the Moonachie (moo-NAH-kee) Fire Department was already being tested to its very limits. So too, was the town levee. Around midnight the firefighters had just returned from a call when one of the guys noticed a white wall of water rushing down East Joseph Street, taking dead aim at the firehouse. The levee had broken, flash-flooding Moonachi and the neighboring town of Little Ferry under 5 feet of water in minutes.

The firefighters immediately scrambled to save the firetrucks. There was already 6 inches of water in the station but the men could hear the water raging past the firehouse right outside. When they opened the garage door, 3 feet of water poured into the firehouse. Somehow the firefighters were able to get two of the five vehicles out of the garage to a hill where they set up a mobile command center.

Safely on high ground, the Moonachie Volunteer Fire Dept. launched a rescue effort that would make both the local and national news. Using only small boats, the remaining two fire trucks, and true grit, they would relocate over 1,500 Moonachie residents over the course of the evening. Not a single life was lost.

When the water finally receded, they returned to their firehouse to assess the damage. Moonachie Road Firehouse was completely destroyed. Water levels at the firehouse had crested at 6 feet. The gear, equipment, radios, vehicles, and tools they desperately needed to help the residents of Moonachie were washed away. Even worse, many of the firefighters' own homes had been destroyed.

Sandy had struck a blow at the very heart of the town: its fire department. With so many residents displaced and in need of help, the MFD knew they had to rebuild and that time was not on their side. Worst of all, the volunteers were out of money. Time to get creative. That's when I received an email from James Soojian. Our initial conversation left me shaking,

"We're working with a minimal amount of equipment. Everything was destroyed. You won't believe it but we're about to get hit with a snowstorm, sustained winds at 40 mph, it doesn't stop. When I came to work today, I didn't even have gloves."

I asked another MFD firefighter, Mark Mulvaney, what they needed most right now.

"We're pretty good on clothes thanks to the Salvation Army and our brothers at the FDNY. What the people need now is food. A lot of them are using gift cards for the local super market. We're handing them out to residents. If somebody has a $50 gift card, they'll break it up into five $10 cards and give them to their neighbors. That's how people are in this town are. In my truck right now I got $250 worth of grocery store gift cards left. After that, I don't know, John, there's nothing."

The lack of equipment has diminished their capacity to help others. The help has lost their ability to help. MFD's call for help has been lost in the cacophony of cries from so many displaced souls on the East Coast in the wake of superstorm Sandy. Here at theCHIVE our firefighters (and our service men and women) comprise the core of theCHIVE community. This year, I've spent countless nights with firefighters across the country and it's not lost on me that theCHIVE has the power to unite the firefighters if needed - and now is that time.

I don't really know how this works, but I need you guys to grab a helmet and pass it around the station for your brothers at the MFD . Our firefighters will lead the charge. Your donation will help both the Moonachie Fire Dept. and the entire Moonachie community. MFD will redistribute a healthy portion of the funds to help the immediate needs of the town.

As y'all know, we're officially launching Chive Charities in the next two weeks with a story nearly one year in the making. I try to space out our charitiable work to avoid taxing theCHIVE community but I won't stare at the pitch as it goes by either. I think we can all agree at this point that the Chivers always swing for the fences. So I'll need your help once again soon, and I hope that's ok.

Right now in a small town in New Jersey, there's a band of Chivers with their backs against a wall. We're going to get their backs today. Chivers, we all know the drill by now. Grab some heavy lumber, and swing for the fence. The goal is $30,000, whatever that means anymore.

Donate to the Moonachie Fire Department RIGHT HERE.

I will continue to update you on the tally right here throughout the day.

UPDATE #1: Cleared $10,000 in a hurry.

UPDATE #2: $16,000 past the halfway point! Before you leave work today, make a donation and enjoy the weekend, Chivers.

UPDATE #3: $20,000

UPDATE #4: $25,000! Home stretch.

UPDATE #5: $30,000 in 2 hours and the he donations appear to be coming in even faster.

UPDATE #6: $37,000

UPDATE #7: $40,000

UPDATE #8: $45,000

UPDATE #9: $50,000

View the original article here

Chive Everywhere (72 Photos)

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View the original article here

theCHIVE’s awesomely debaucherous New Orleans Meetup (39 HQ Photos)

October 10, 2012 In: Chive Everywhere, High-Res, Random, Sponsored 7

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Last week, theCHIVERS made our way down to the Big Easy to raise a glass with our NOLA Chivers. You can find us down there every 6 months doing horrible things to ourselves anyway, so we decided to make it official.

Thanks to Seven Psychopaths for making all of this possible. The film opens this Friday, October 12th. We screened the film for all the Chivers before the meetup, it's freaking hysterical.

Thanks again to the Bourbon Cowboy for making the meetup so amazing. It's always great to throw a meetup at a place where all the employees are Chivers.

And thanks especially to all the hundreds of Chivers who showed up to KCCO. It's hard to describe what a Chive Meetup is like until you actually attend one; there's not an ounce of negativity or douchbaggery in the room, just a bunch of awesome people who share a common bond looking to have the best time of their lives… like, ever.

For the first time here I’m announcing out next stop is… SEATTLE! You’ve won us over, guys and gals. Your input on which city gets the next meetup is always welcome, Chivers.

View the original article here

New Subaru Sports Coupe Spy Photos Show Interior, Nose

May 31, 2011 at 3:04pm by David Gluckman

For us auto journalists, there’s a familiar face (and shirt, and shoes) in these latest spy photos, which show a Subaru rear-wheel-drive coupe prototype surrounded by company hangers-on. For everyone else, the important bit concerns the clearest shot yet of the cabin. There, a pretty plain shift lever is visible, as are a row of toggle switches on the center console. The steering wheel appears to be equipped with shift paddles, as promised.

The photos also provide a good look at what we can confidently say is the Subaru nose, which will in fact resemble the Toyota/Scion’s. The cars will share most if not all body panels and will differ minimally, possibly with unique front and rear fascias, but maybe in badge only. As we’ve reported previously, the cars’ overall shapes resemble a toned-down version of the styling seen on the most recent concept version, the Scion FR-S.

The extent of all the badge-engineering should become clear at the end of November when the Toyota and Subaru versions of the car are unveiled at the Tokyo auto show.

Tags: Scion FR-S, Subaru, Subaru coupe, Toyota FT-86 |

View the original article here

Latest 2013 Ford Escape Spy Photos Confirm EcoBoost Power, Vertrek-Inspired Design

May 31, 2011 at 4:43pm by Alexander Stoklosa

We’ve previously spied the upcoming 2013 Ford Escape, but these latest photos both show more of the crossover’s shape and confirm our previous suspicions about what might power it. When last we saw a 2013 Escape test mule, it was wearing current-generation Ford Kuga bodywork, so these new images are the first to show off the new shape. The overall look follows that of Ford’s Vertrek concept, including the swoopy greenhouse, bulging hood, swept-back headlights (whose Focus-style inset turn indicators are taped over here), and strong character line running from the front wheelarch to the tip of the taillights. Those taillights and a new fender vent seem the lone elements that seriously deviate from the Vertrek. That concept sported simple, single-form taillights, while this prototype’s taillights feature a thin extension that wraps onto the rear quarter panels just like those on Ford’s 2012 Focus hatch (see the close-up shot of the taillight in the gallery below).

More compelling, though, are the shots of the vehicle sans front and rear fascias. The exposed front-mounted intercooler confirms our previous hunches about Ford’s adoption of EcoBoost power for its baby sport utility. The base engine for the 2013 Escape is likely to be Ford’s naturally aspirated 168-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, joined in the powertrain lineup by either a 1.6-liter, turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost, or both. The 1.6-liter EcoBoost is the same engine found in the Vertrek concept, and we’d expect it to produce somewhere near 180 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost should be good for 237-ish hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, and would make for an interesting Kia Sportage SX competitor. A hybrid powertrain is almost guaranteed, whether an evolution of the system in the current Escape hybrid or possibly a plug-in affair. We’ll bring you more details as they become available; in the meantime, check out the gallery below for more spy photos of the 2013 Escape.

Tags: Ford, Ford Escape, spy photos |

View the original article here

2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Spy Photos – Future Cars

2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Spy Photos – News – Car and Driver #pallet {margin:0;}#echoice li.category {margin:0;}Car and DriverIntelligence. Independence. Irreverence. VehiclesReviewsNewsFeaturesBuyer's GuideFollow UsSubscribeSearch Car and DriverHome › News › 2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Spy Photos - Future Cars

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2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Spy Photos - Future CarsInfiniti’s three-row crossover may be covered in garbage bags, but it’s still a Nissan.BY JUSTIN BERKOWITZ, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL MCNAMARA FOR BRENDA PRIDDY & CO. AND THE MANUFACTURER
June 2011

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Photos (89)Visit Our Buyer's Guide »InfinitiNews & Reviews2013 Infiniti JX Concept Sketch - Auto ShowsTop CompetitorsAcura MDXAudi Q7BMW X5Lincoln MKTMercedes-Benz GL-class

Infiniti’s EX and FX crossovers are a hoot to drive, but as showroom performers, they’re the Microsoft Zunes of the automotive world. Crossovers like the Lexus RX and Acura MDX trounce the duo’s combined sales by tremendous margins every month in the charts. The execs at Infiniti are well aware of this, and are preparing the three-row JX to properly mount an assault on the luxury-crossover market.

Through the garbage-bag garb of this prototype, we can make out an Infiniti grille that may even beat that of the M sedan for bulginess. The roofline of the car in these photos is clean and elegant, tapering towards the rear into the oval-shaped rear window like those of the EX and FX. The design seems very far along—perhaps it’s even finished—and in profile, the truck is somewhat reminiscent of the low-slung Audi Q7. There isn’t a lot you can do to disguise seating for seven.

Infiniti Badge, Nissan Roots

Unlike the rest of the current Infiniti lineup, which depends on just two rear-drive-based platforms—one for the G, M, EX, and FX, and a second for the QX—the JX will borrow a front-drive-based Nissan platform. (Our guess is the architecture from the Altima and Murano.) The bosses at Nissan and Infiniti haven’t yet spoken to the degree of differentiation between the JX and any Nissan siblings, but we expect the Infiniti to be something more than simply a stretched and rebadged Murano.

Our spy photographer also got a clear shot of the JX prototype’s interior, and the car shows both its Nissan roots and some Infiniti-style touches. The layout of the center stack is clearly dependent on what you’ll find in the Nissan Murano, with a centrally mounted display flanked by air vents. The gearshift lever is similar to what you’d find in other Infinitis, though, and you can also spot the same knob on the center console, situated between the seat-heater controls, that controls chassis settings on other Infinitis.

As we previously reported, Nissan has filed paperwork with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office to trademark JX20, JX25, JX25h, and JX30. Which—if any—of these badges will one day adorn JX crossovers on the road is difficult to say. Infiniti’s current naming convention indicates the engine displacement in liters multiplied by ten, and we have a hard time believing the company would sell a three-row crossover SUV with a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine—at least in the States. What’s more, Nissan doesn’t even have a 3.0-liter engine in the parts bin right now, save a diesel six offered in a few Renaults. In spite of there not being a trademark filing for JX35, we think the crossover is most likely to receive Nissan’s ubiquitous 3.5-liter VQ V-6, which produces in the neighborhood of 290 hp in most of its front-wheel-drive applications. Given Nissan’s proclivity for rubber-band transmissions, a CVT may be the only transmission on offer.

That’s where the speculation ends. In showing off its sketch in New York, Infiniti laid out its timeline for the JX: It will show a concept version at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August, and follow that with a production vehicle at the L.A. auto show in November. Expect more information as those dates near.

 


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