1987 Porsche 930 Coupe on 2040-cars

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Our love of SUVs is killing people in the streets

Americans are fond of supersized fast-food meals and colossal convenience-store fountain drinks, even though they're clearly bad for our health and U.S. adults keep getting fatter. We also like large vehicles, and our love affair with SUVs is killing people in the streets. According to a recent investigation by the Detroit Free Press/USA Today, the increase in SUV sales over the past several years coincides with a sharp rise in pedestrian deaths in the U.S. — up 46 percent since 2009, with nearly 6,000 people killed in 2016 alone. With SUV sales surpassing sedans in 2014 and pickups and SUVs currently accounting for 60 percent of new vehicle sales, it's no wonder Ford announced in April plans to cease U.S. sales of almost all passenger cars. And this followed Fiat Chrysler's move to virtually an all-truck, -SUV and -crossover lineup. While the Freep/USA Today investigation found that the simultaneous surge in SUV sales and pedestrian deaths comes down to vehicle size, it also points to a lack of action on the part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even though it knew of the dangers SUVs pose to pedestrians. Also blamed are automakers dragging their feet on implementing active safety features. Using federal accident data, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) determined that there was an 81 percent increase in single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2009 and 2016. Freep/USA Today's analysis of the same data by counting vehicles that struck and killed pedestrians instead of the number of people killed showed a 69 percent increase in SUV involvement. As far back as 2001, researchers at Rowan University forecasted a rise in pedestrian deaths as Americans began switching to SUVs. "In the United States, passenger vehicles are shifting from a fleet populated primarily by cars to a fleet dominated by light trucks and vans," the researchers wrote, with light trucks comprising SUVs.

Porsche Cayman GTS in track battle with 996 GT3

Here's your tough question of the day: Would you rather drive a new Porsche Cayman GTS or a slightly older, 996-era Porsche 911 GT3? Certainly, both cars have their plusses. The Cayman is the more modern proposition, sure, but the GT3 is, well, a GT3. So yes, it's a tough decision.
If you're one of the lucky souls that have to make that choice, then this video from Evo should prove pretty helpful. It's a track battle, starring Jethro Bovingdon with a new GTS and an old GT3.
Calling the GTS "fantastically agile" and "fast, but it's also hilariously good fun," Bovingdon bangs home a solid lap time of 1:05.2 before switching to the GT3. It's remarkable to see just how dated the 996-generation 911 looks after viewing the newer Porsche, and from where we sit, it's further proof that the old car's headlights are something that's best forgotten. Styling qualms aside, though, can the GT3 keep up with its racy younger cousin?

Ferraris, Porsches and planes star at McCall’s Motorworks Revival

MONTEREY, Calif. – McCall's Motorworks Revival, sometimes called The Jet Party, kicked off vintage car week here as enthusiasts streamed into the region for days of car shows, official automaker events and hob-knobbing leading up to Sunday's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Held at the Monterey Jet Center, the revival featured an array of exotic and classic cars blended in with planes, racecars, motorcycles and luxury items like jewelry. This year the eclectic lineup of cars included vintage Ferraris and Porsches, a raised 1964 Chevy Impala, a classic Toyota Land Cruiser and a Cobra. The 1960s Ford GT40 racecar sat near the modern Ford GT, while Camilo Pardo, the designer of the in-between generation (2004-06), held court nearby. Iconic planes like the B25, P51 and an ancient biplane were intermingled with the flashy cars. Show-goers tipped drinks, tossed back heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts, ogled the seemingly random collection of amazing machines and prepared for days of celebrating the automobile on the Monterey Peninsula. The revival is in its 26th year and is put on by McCall Events, whose owner Gordon McCall is a class judge at the concours and the cofounder another Monterey car week staple, the Quail. The revival also collects donations for a California police charity. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery McCall's Motorworks Revival 2017 View 29 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Ferrari Lamborghini Porsche Coupe Motorcycle Luxury Performance Pebble Beach