E3 Spark Plugs News

"Revenge of the Electric Car" offers an unprecedented look into electric car research and development programs of America's automakers.

Documentary film director Chris Paine’s follow up to the controversial 2006 Who Killed the Electric Car is proving just as thought-provoking and entertaining as his first cinematic attempt to out automakers he believes are intentionally hindering development of electric cars with mass-market appeal. E3 Spark Plugs finds Revenge of the Electric Car a fascinating look into the inner workings of automakers’ electric car research and development programs and one eccentric drivers’ dogged determination to defy the automotive powers-that-be.

In Who Killed the Electric Car, Paine sought to educate the masses about the electric car’s place in history and expose the destruction in the early 2000s of thousands of new electric cars – by the same car companies that made them. The film took to task officials who squelched the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, along with the laundry list of “accomplices,” including the government, Big Oil, hydrogen proponents and SUV-loving consumers. Today, the industry is seeing a resurgence in the demand for low- or no-emission vehicles and a few automakers are in a heated race to finally bring a widely-accepted option to the market.

A primary draw of Revenge of the Electric Car for viewers is the film crew’s unprecedented access to R&D programs at General Motors, Nissan and Tesla Motors. The cast of real life characters includes legendary GM executive Bob Lutz, Nissan CEO and President Carlos Ghosn and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, as well as Greg “Gadget” Abbott – the eccentric who just won’t wait for the big boys to man up. Each is in a heated race against the others to develop and deliver the electric car that even the most skeptical American drivers will embrace. Also making entertaining appearances are Hollywood hitters Tim Robbins (who narrates), Danny DeVito, Jon Favreau, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Adrian Grenier along with Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Kiedis and political satirist Stephen Colbert .

Says New York Times Film Critic Daniel Gold: “Revenge is that rare artifact, a snapshot of a major industry shift on its way to a tipping point… a slick, enjoyable valentine to a retooling industry.”

And Jalopnik Senior Editor Mike Spinelli: “The strength of Revenge lies in its storytelling. The film’s multithreaded, character-driven narrative humanizes corporate entities that (Paine) once portrayed as monolithic, making a complex business story more gripping for its intimacy … The stakes are staggeringly high. We get the idea that building electric cars isn’t merely an act of political or social significance, it’s a brutally risky endeavor demanding superhuman devotion.”

Have you seen Revenge of the Electric Car? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear your thoughts. Post them on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

BMW i8 Concept Car

If you didn’t make it to the LA Auto Show over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, no worries. E3 Spark Plugs has a few highlights from the 106-year-old event that started with 99 cars (including just one foreign import) on display at Morley’s Skating Rink in 1907. The 2011 show boasted more than 1,000 of the top 2011 makes and models of both domestic and import automobiles packed into the Los Angeles Convention Center. Here are a few of our favorites:

• 2013 Cadillac XTS: Hold on to your spark plugs – Granny’s land yacht just got a sexy makeover. Cadillac’s sleek new XTS replaces the big, boxy DTS. The company’s new flagship sedan boasts a smoother, more polished look with more curved exterior lines and a refined interior. It’s a bit more teched-out, too. The XTS marks the debut of the Cadillac CUE, a new touch screen infotainment system that allows for quick access to interior settings, weather forecasts and even your favorite Pandora Internet radio stations.

• 2013 Lincoln MKT: “Thar she blows!” At least that’s what some are (still) saying about the new Lincoln MKT SUV crossover. A major focus clearly was on exterior design and a direct effort to sway potential drivers unimpressed with the MKT’s looks heretofore. A top complaint had been the oversized grille that, many say, made the vehicle resemble the whale that ate Pinocchio. The new grill has sleeker, more slender lines, lacks horizontal elements and doesn’t extend quite as far down the front bumper. Some love it – some still say it looks like a set of cartoon teeth. In any case, we’re digging the tech features. Among them is a Lane Keeping Alert system that vibrates the steering wheel to warn drivers when they’re drifting out of their lanes without signaling, and a Driver Alert system that monitors driver’s inputs, sounding a chime and flashing a coffee cup icon in the gauge cluster if it senses a driver is getting drowsy.

• 2013 Chevy Spark: Designed for the young, eco-minded city dweller in mind, the new Chevy Spark offers a quirky little runt of a ride with great fuel mileage and a definitely different look. The Spark measures just 144.7 inches long – nearly two feet shorter than the subcompact Sonic. Yet the interior offers a surprisingly high amount of legroom for four occupants (42 inches in the front seat, 35 in the back). You won’t win a drag race in this one, but you will enjoy the tech features, including a seven-inch touch screen infotainment system with smartphone-based navigation and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Look for the oversized headlight that some say resemble a Japanese anime character.

• BMW i8 Concept: Perhaps the straight-up coolest car we saw was the BMW i8 concept car with space-age looks and gull wing doors. This car looks like something out of Tron: Legacy, boasts some serious fuel mileage and is capable of accelerating from zero to 62mph in under five seconds. The hybrid travels 20 miles on electric power alone and comfortably seats four.

Did you hit the LA Auto Show this year? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know which new models are your favorites. Post your pics on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

The 2012 EnduroCross season expands to eight events.

Officials of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series announced its 2012 racing schedule. The 2012 Championship expands to eight events with the series kicking off in Las Vegas on Friday, May 4th on Supercross finals weekend.

Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” EnduroCross pits competitors against each other on extreme off-road tracks featuring boulders, logs, sand and mud pits, a water hole and other surprise obstacles like giant tires.

EnduroCross is a favorite of racing fans both in the stands and on the living room couch. Events air on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and the Versus network. Check TV listings for air dates. And if you don’t want to wait for the programming guys, mark your calendar to catch all the EnduroX events live.

2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Schedule

• May 4, Orleans Arena (Friday during Supercross weekend), Las Vegas, NV
• June 9, Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA
• Los Angeles, CA, date and venue TBD
• September 15, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, CA
• October 6, National Western Complex, Denver, CO
• October 20, Comcast Arena, Everett, WA
• October 27, Idaho Center, Boise, ID
• November 17, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

E3 Spark Plugs is proud to co-sponsor the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series and looks forward to a hard-charging, thrill-packed racing season.

Headed out of town for Thanksgiving? E3 Spark Plugs offers family road trip tips.

If over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother’s house you go this Thanksgiving, be sure your ride is ready. E3 Spark Plugs offers a few road trip tips to help make your holiday a happy one – as long as you’re in the car, that is. You’re on your own with the in-laws and crazy Uncle Louie.

• Go with the flow: Check, change and/or top off all your car’s fluids including the oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluid. It’s a good idea to switch out for a high-quality new oil filter too, particularly if you’re traveling a long distance.
• Hit the brakes: The Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest time of the year on the roadways. Consider that it’s also a big NFL football day and that many post-game celebrants might be less than sober by the time they get back behind the wheel to head home. So being able to brake quickly and safely is critical. E3 Spark Plugs recommends getting a brake inspection before any holiday road trip to make sure your rotors are smooth and your brake pads remain thick. Also make sure your tires still have ample tread and that they’re aired up to proper pressure. Braking on bald or underinflated tires can have tragic results.
• Light up: It’s just the lights on your holiday decorations that are important. Make sure your headlights, tail lights and brake lights all are working as well. This is particularly important if you’re traveling in snowy or foggy weather. Plus, a burnt-out light bulb is a major cop-magnet and that high-dollar ticket will cut into your Black Friday budget.
• Banish bad blades: If it’s been six months or more since you last switched out your windshield wiper blades, chances are you need a new pair anyway. Driving in unfamiliar territory with a backseat full of antsy kids and a dish of green bean casserole is stressful enough. If it’s raining or snowing, a bum set of windshield wipers will really make you a cranky traveler.
• Keep it clean: If you’re traveling in wet weather, all that mud and muck will do a real number on your nice carpet-like floor mats. Opt for an inexpensive pair of all-weather mats for the duration of the trip. And clear your backseat, dashboard and trunk of all unnecessary items – including that 40-pound set of golf clubs. The reduced weight will help you maximize gas mileage and you’ll have more room for bringing home leftovers, Black Friday booty and sleepy kids.
• Keep the spark alive: Clean or replace your spark plugs to help maximize your car’s performance and your fuel economy. Be sure to check E3′s online catalog to make sure you’ve got the right set of car spark plugs or truck spark plugs for your vehicle.

From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

Taddy Blazusiak sweeps the final two events of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championships for a perfect season. Phot by Drew Ruiz via EnduroCross.

The final rounds of the 2011 GEICO AMA EnduroCross series might as well have been dubbed the “Taddy Blazusiak Show.” The Polish phenom won both main events, making it a perfect season. But Taylor Robert came with his A-game as well, earning his first ever EnduroCross podium and claiming the E3 Spark Plugs Junior Championship for top drivers under age 21.

In the afternoon Hot Laps, it looked like Blazusiak had some real competition. Beta’s Cody Webb claimed the fastest lap time in the battle for heat race gate picks. Blazusiak settled for second, followed by KTM teammate Mike Brown, Husqvarna’s Cory Graffunder and Monster Kawasaki’s Justin Soule. Blazusiak, Brown and Webb proved strong enough in the Hot Laps to earn a direct shot to the double main events.

In the first main event, Blazusiak shot to the front right away, winning the $1,000 Girardi Wealth Management Holeshot award. He kept that lead all the way to the finish line, though Soule remained close enough to make the race an exciting one for both the competitors and the fans. Graffunder also rode an impressive race, making it to the podium in his second race after a broken wrist kept him off the tracks for most of the season.

GEICO Honda’s Kyle Redmond claimed the holeshot in the second main event, but Blazusiak was hot on his trail. Blazusiak quickly took the lead – and took it in a big way. He led by a long shot throughout the remainder of the race. Robert, Brown, Soule and Redmond crossed the finish line behind, him. Keith Sweeten and Jacob Argubright finished second and third, respectively, behind Robert for the E3 Spark Plugs Junior Championship.

Visit the EnduroCross website for full results and mark your calendars for the 2012 championship kickoff in Las Vegas May 4. To all the winners this weekend, congratulations from E3 Spark Plugs!

Keeping your teens undistracted behind the wheel? There's an app for that, E3 Spark Plugs says.

Ever circle the block a dozen times looking for a great parking spot? Or lock your keys in the car? Or forget to look at that handy little sticker from the auto shop telling you when it’s time for your next oil change until 400 extra miles have passed? There’s an app for that. E3 Spark Plugs lists a few of the handiest.

• Mind your maintenance: Several smartphone apps help keep you mindful of upcoming maintenance needs. Various apps allow you to record your mileage, gauge your fuel economy and set timetables for routine service reminders alerting you that it’s time for an oil change, tire rotation and balance, alignment, radiator flush, belt or air filter change, etc. A few of the most popular car maintenance smartphone apps are the aCar app for Android and the Car Care, AutoLog and Car Minder Plus apps for iPhone.
• Find a parking spot: Smartphone apps that help drivers find available parking spots in real time are popping up in markets around the country. Most, including the Parker app, rely on municipalities installing sensors in public parking spaces. These sensors then send out signals, letting app users know that a space is open nearby. The Smart Parking app being developed by researchers at Boston University allows drivers to reserve an open spot, detectable via an overhead light. When the right car pulls into the space, the light goes off. If the wrong car beats him to it, the sensor sets off an alarm. And a Parking Auction app used in Manhattan allows those leaving a parking spot to demand a price from nearby spot searchers.
• Get a great deal on gas: Apps like Cheap Gas and GasBuddy allow you to enter your location and see real-time per-gallon gas prices nearby.
• Ditch the distractions: This one’s very popular among parents of teen drivers. Several cell phone service providers including AT&T and Sprint offer smartphone apps that disable a drivers’ ability to text or to make or receive calls on their mobile phones while driving. Of course, they’re still able to dial 911 and to receive incoming calls from up to five designated numbers. Just make sure Mom and Dad’s numbers don’t get bumped for the boyfriend’s.
• Call for help: Using crash-detection technology, Ford’s 911 Assist and My-911 can help drivers call 911 in the event of an accident. Tech triggers include deployed air bags and activated fuel shutoff valves. My-911 takes a proactive approach popular with parents of teen drivers. Parents can be alerted if their teen is speeding or if they drive beyond preset geographical boundaries.
• Unlock your doors: How many times have you locked yourself out of your ride? Services like OnStar and Viper SmartStart offer apps that allow you to remotely unlock or even start your car using your smartphone – and you don’t even have to call a toll-free number. You can also pop your trunk or set off the panic alarm when you’re wandering aimlessly around a parking lot trying to remember where you parked.

Know of any other cool smartphone apps for drivers? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know about them. Post your info in our blog comments section or on the E3 Spark Plugs’ Facebook fan page.

Art Car: The Movie follows several artists as they prepare for the 2010 Houston Art Car Parade.

With 300 entrants and more than 300,000 spectators, the Houston Art Car Parade is the biggest of its kind worldwide. And if you’ve never had the chance to experience it, E3 Spark Plugs highly recommends Art Car: The Movie, an entertaining and inspiring telling of the classic American story of the quintessential form of public art.

Premiering at the Cinema Arts Festival in Houston last night, Art Car follows a cadre of artists as they prepare for the 2010 Houston Art Car Parade. Two artists getting lots of screen time are Rebecca Bass, a teacher at an underprivileged high school struggling with her art class to complete what will be her 20th, and possibly last, art car; and Mark “Scrapdaddy” Bradford, a full-time artist grinding to make ends meet while conceptualizing his ultimate artistic dream. Both are renowned Houston artists and Art Car Parade veterans with one shared goal and two very different approaches for hitting that goal.

Viewers also peek in on the parade’s organizer, the Orange Show for Visionary Art and the City of Houston for a look at the behind-the-scenes stress-fest that makes the Art Car Parade a success each year. Along the way, you’ll also travel across the U.S. with co-directors Carlton Ahrens and Ford Gunter visiting artist, critics and academics in a mind-boggling quest: to define the car’s place in the art world, in American culture and as a reflection of self.

A few celebrities make the cut, too, including 2010 Grand Marshal Dan Akyroyd, 2010 participant Larry the Cable Guy and past Grand Marshal George Clinton. Art Car likely will travel the film festival circuit for a bit before landing theatrical release or DVD distribution. Visit the film’s website for updates.

Have you ever participated in or attended a Houston Art Car Parade? We want to see your pics. Post ‘em on our E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And make your travel plans now for the 2012 parade in May.

16-year-old Austin Barnes is the latest E3 75 winner.

This past weekend’s E3 75 got off to a pretty rough start with the first of four yellow flags falling even before the entire field of 26 starters could get past the starting line. But once the drivers got into the groove, it proved to be a spectacular race.

Part of the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, the E3 75 boasted a field of the best open wheel driving talent from throughout the western states area and a $3,000 winning purse. The pre-race favorite was 16-year-old Escondido, Californian Austin Barnes, who started the day by setting a new track qualifying record of 15.215 seconds. Barnes led most of the race, but nearly lost it to Aaron McMorran, who, in a last-minute deal, climbed into the driver’s seat of the #1H modified normally driven in the series by Thomas Pfundstein.

McMorran clearly had winning on his mind and Barnes’ taillights in his sight. He drove a hard-charged fight to catch and pass Barnes and came heartbreakingly close. Barnes held onto the lead and won by a mere seven tenths of a second. Rounding out the top five were Scott Winters, Bear Rzesnowiecky and Shelby Strobel.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Barnes and all the racers who burned up the Las Vegas Bullring Nov. 5.

Chevy Camaro Hot Wheels car recreation.

E3 Spark Plugs just got back from the 2011 SEMA Show, the world’s premier automotive specialty products trade event. As always, this year’s event featured a massive array of amazing rides. And of course, we have a few favorites. See pics in our gallery below.

We spotted one candy apple red beauty as we walked up to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This 1955 Plymouth Belvedere was rebuilt by Pistons N Pipes Rod and Custom in Katy, TX. And it’s for sale! Take a look at the Pistons N Pipes website if you’re seriously interested. If this becomes your next vintage ride, be sure to post pics on the E3 Facebook fan page.

Chevrolet took us on a memory ride back to our childhood days with this concept recreation of the Chevy Camaro Hot Wheels car in the original Spectraflame green color. Too bad this one will remain just a concept car, or we’d be the first in line to buy one.

Here’s one you CAN buy. For just $15,000, you can get a newly built body for the original Mustang Convertible. It’s made with virgin metal and modern welding techniques, rust-proofed and paint-ready. It’s shipped via freight truck and comes with the doors, trunk lid and sheet metal from the radiator support to the taillight panel (hood and front fenders sold separately). Use it to rebuild a 1964, 1965 or 1966 Mustang.

The D3 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe also turned a lot of heads at this year’s SEMA show. This high-performance sports coupe dubbed the “Le Monstre” boasts a wide body, European track styling and a sinister matte black paint job. It’s powered with a 1,001-hp V8 and will compete in time attack events next year.

What was your favorite SEMA show highlight? E3 Spark Plugs wants to know. Post a comment on our blog or a pic on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.

Chevrolet celebrates 100 years this month.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Chevrolet on its centennial. Founded in 1911 by race car driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet and ousted General Motors founder William C. Durant, the automaker celebrates 100 years this month. And as proud owners over the decades will tell you, “Chevy runs deep.”

The first Chevy, a Classic Six built by Louis Chevrolet, rolled onto the streets of Detroit in 1912. Its engine was a large, liquid-cooled, 299-cubic-inch, six-cylinder cast-iron block with a T-head configuration. It produced 40 horsepower and could go 65 miles an hour – an impressive speed for street-legal cars at the time. Chevy quickly became known as the automaker that brought luxury features to the not-necessarily-wealthy masses. Its vehicles offered technology and features typically reserved for pricier cars and trucks. These included electric starters and electric headlamps during a time when they were rarities even among the high-end cars driven by the country’s elite.

The 1950s and 1960s proved a Golden Age for Chevrolet. The company introduced the iconic Corvette, a two-seater sports car with a fiberglass body, in 1953. Four year later, its first fuel-injected engine, the Rochester Ramjet, debuted as an option on the Corvette and passenger cars for a price of $484. The Corvair, with its rear-mounted air-cooled engine, came out in 1960 and within three years, Chevrolet made one of every 10 cars sold in the U.S.

Over the past century, the iconic automaker has made upwards of 210 million cars and trucks and American pop culture has responded favorably. Chevrolets are mentioned in more than 700 pop, rock, hip-hop, rap and country songs played on mainstream radio. Meanwhile, Chevy continues its tradition of early adoption of new technologies designed to make automobiles cleaner, more efficient and faster, yet still affordable. A key example: the 2011 Chevy Volt, setting the standard for gas/electric hybrid vehicles and racking up North American Car of the Year, Green Car Journal‘s Car of the Year and AUTOMOBILE Magazine‘s Automobile of the Year accolades.

To take part in Chevy’s centennial celebration, one needs only to go online. Visit its Chevy100 website to trace the brand’s history; see weekly webisodes of The Road We’re On, a documentary short series from point of view of Chevy owners and dealers; take a personalized virtual ride in a classic Chevy; and connect with fellow Chevy fans. One of our favorite features: This Chevy True Stories video about two sons’ five-year quest to reunite their dad with the dream car he had sacrificed to help put them through college. Got a great Chevy story of your own? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear it. Post your pics or videos on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page. And be sure to search our online catalog to find the right E3 spark plugs for your Chevrolet.