Late Porsche Macan review, COBB settles for $2.9 million, Junkyard treasures, and more
It's been a busy few days. Thankfully, I'm not $2.9 million poorer. Well, yet.
First up: I finally wrote my review of the Porsche Macan that I took for a spin a couple months ago while in Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately it's not the all-new electric model, but it is in fact the first Macan I have ever driven. It's a good drive - and a good read - but it might not be the "911 of SUVs" you think it is. Thanks to the high bar the brand sets, it also has the distinction of being the least interesting Porsche I've ever driven. I mean, they only make like five cars - it had to be one of them. That said, it's a super competent SUV and I can't wait to test out the new one.
COBB Tuning and the $2.9 million settlement
I didn't write a story about it, but today had breaking news about COBB Tuning settling with the EPA for $2.9 million. The settlement also involved several other penalties, including things like removing features from its Accessport (handheld/mountable device to tune the vehicle's engine) that violated the Clean Air Act. It's not the first time the EPA has come down hard on tuning companies. Xtreme Diesel Performance got whacked for a little over $1 million back in 2021. Perhaps even more notably, a North Carolina-based auto parts seller was fined $10 million for installing emissions defeat devices.
COBB stated on reddit of all places - and its own website - that this press release is purely a formality. "Changes that we’ve been required to make have been made for some time. Nothing is changing with the Accessport, Accessport functionality, or our product catalog. We’re excited to move forward and focus on the development of both existing and future platforms." The Texas-based tuner had little more to say. I don't have a lot to add; but I do find it ironic that the COBB Accessport and exhaust modifications are particularly popular among Subaru enthusiasts. For those unaware, Subaru is a brand that goes quite out of their way to help the environment and projects an "outdoorsy" image. Maybe someone should tell the people buying their cars.
Junkyard Treasure
RM Sotheby's has discovered a hidden trove of treasures in south Los Angeles. Simultaneously dubbed both the "Junkyard" and Rudy Klein Collection, it has literally hundreds of cars and parts to pick from. The auction goes live on October 26th, and you can read my piece all about the BMW treasures in the Junkyard over at BMWBLOG. There's a lot of other truly remarkable stuff, too, including old Porsche chassis, a Gullwing Mercedes, and VW odds and ends. Interestingly, the collection's existence wasn't even verified up until very recently, despite its original curator passing in 2001.
I Love the E36 M3; Sue Me
I won't stop telling people how good E36s are until somebody believes me. The chassis is outstanding and dynamic; the looks are retro and rad; and the powertrain is surprisingly stout. The US version - which BMW knackered with a tuned-up M50 instead of the full-blown S50 that European markets saw - is, in some ways, even better. Of course, it's tough finding rationale that makes a less-powerful, arguably less-special car superior to its brethren, but that's exactly what I attempted to do in my latest E36 article at BMWBLOG.
What's Around the Corner
The next full-length article is about something way outside my wheelhouse - the Ram 1500. If that's not intriguing enough (it shouldn't be), the article specifically cites something about it that other automakers should really be emulating. Now there's a taster, because Stellantis doing something right is, well, about as rare as a Stellantis vehicle running right after 50,000 miles. Kidding. Mostly. Talk soon; please share and subscribe if you're enjoying the writing.