Auto News

2008 Volkswagen Touareg R50

Blog Author — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:58:29 GMT

2008 Volkswagen Touareg R50

The Volkswagen has unveiled its new Touareg R50 at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The Touareg R50 is based on the Touareg TDI with the firm’s 5.0L V10 diesel engine. In R50 guise, the V10 gets an ECU tweak to pump more pressurized air from the twin turbos to produce 350 horsepower at 3,500 RPM and peak torque of 627 lb.-ft. at 2,000 RPM. That’s good for a 0-62 MPH run of only 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 146 MPH.

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This story posted by LeaseTrader.com, the automotive service company that lets people transfer out of their Car Leases early. If you're looking to swap a lease or transfer out of your car lease, please visit www.leasetrader.com.

Audi A3 Cabrio

Blog Author — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:40:55 GMT

Audi A3 Cabrio

Just in time for the next summer season Audi will be launching its convertible version of the A3. Much like the BMW 1-Series Convertible recently revealed, the A3 Convertible seen here on the motorway in the south of France gets a red canvas top instead of a metal folding roof as previously rumored and A5 styled rear end. As seen in previous spy photos, the A3 Convertible gets the mid-cycle facelifted front end and is expected to have its public debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show in March along side the regular A3 facelift. Changes include new headlamps and revised front bumper fascia and a wider and reshaped front grille with fitting hood similar to the all new A4 model . The A3 facelift is also expected to receive new engines like the new common-rail diesel with 140 horsepower and the 1.4 liter TSI petrol with a 10hp increase to 150hp.

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2009 Nissan GT-R Photo's

Blog Author — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:19:31 GMT

2009 Nissan GT-R Photo's

By DALE JEWETT

Nissan's GT-R super coupe is set to be a star at next week's Tokyo motor show. So far, the best we've seen of the it are spy shots of prototype vehicles getting hammered around places such as Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, and along the famed Nurburgring race track in Germany.

That was then, this is now: Here's the new GT-R in all its un-disguised glory.
The reason you get to see it this week instead of next is simple--the embargo on information was broken by Motor Trend magazine which put the car on its December cover; an image of which was released to promote an award.

The Nissan GT-R will go toe-to-toe with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo. The GT-R's twin-turbo V6 gives it a startling 0 to 60 mph time of near 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 192 mph. Base price is expected to be less than $80,000.

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2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring

Blog Author — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:55:46 GMT

2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring

Posted by AutoWeek

As-tested price: $35,065
Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; fwd, six-speed automatic
Output: 273 hp @ 6250 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Curb weight: 4312 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 18/18.2 mpg
Options: Moonroof and Bose audio package, including Bose Centerpoint surround sound system, in-dash six-disc CD changer, moonroof with interior sunshade ($1,760); backup camera with auto-dimming mirror display ($665); Sirius satellite radio ($430)

OUR TAKE: If you compare this to its Edge cousin, it certainly one-ups the Ford in the sporty-flavor department. The suspension is tauter for better handling, with an accompanying ride that is a tad rougher. There is also more power in this new-for-’08 3.7-liter V6, with jumps in both horsepower and torque that provide a big improvement over last year’s 3.5-liter, the extra kick helping to move the CX-9’s heft better.

Yet with almost 4300 pounds at the curb, there’s hardly room for much of Mazda’s zoom-zoom claim. For all its sporty intentions, its sharply sloping windshield and radically pinched rear roofline, this seven-seat crossover feels a lot like a front-drive minivan sans sliding doors.

The interior design and layout is generally well done. The interior is comfortable and features higher-quality plastics than you’ll find in an Edge. The Bose radio rocks, and the backup camera image displayed in the rearview mirror is pretty cool. It might be more useful as a ubiquitous dash-screen offering—it’s a little small in the mirror—but the positive is that its location prevents people from relying solely on the screen image. Instead, you have to look at the rearview mirror as you should, plus have the bonus of the camera view.

The CX-9 is a solid piece of automotive practicality. Crossover or minivan, this is one of those vehicles people should just buy for what it is, not what purports to be.

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Volkswagen recalls 340,000 cars

Blog Author — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:46:45 GMT

Volkswagen recalls 340,000 cars

Missing screws used to adjust headlights have caused no accidents but fail to meet U.S. safety standards.

September 28 2007: 4:54 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Volkswagen AG said Friday it was recalling 340,000 passenger cars in the United States because the head lights failed to comply with federal safety standards.

The recall includes 2005-2008 Jetta models and 2006-2008 Rabbit, GTI and R32 passenger cars.

There have been no crashes linked to the issue, a company spokesman said.

Some of the head lamps may be missing required caps in the sockets of the low beam horizontal and vertical aiming screws, the automaker said.

Owners are expected to be notified of the recall beginning in late October.

Volkswagen's customer care number is 1-800-822-8987.

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Fuel-efficient cars - How to shop

Blog Author — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:12:27 GMT

Fuel-efficient cars - How to shop

How to shop for a fuel-efficient car

Keeping fuel economy in mind early can make a big difference.

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - If you're shopping for a more fuel-efficient car, you need to get a handle on what poor fuel economy really costs you. And you'll need to take a hard look at what you actually need in a vehicle.

If fuel economy is important to you, you'll need to keep it in mind early in your decision process. Once you've settled on a specific make and model, most choices you make will have only a slight effect on fuel economy.

Best high mileage cars

Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI - Mileage: 27 city/37 highway
The E-class is a really good all-around luxury sedan. With an optional high-mileage diesel engine, it also gets genuinely impressive fuel mileage. Unfortunately, due to environmental regulations, the diesel E320 is not available in all 50 states.

Toyota Camry - Mileage: 24 city/34 highway
For the 2007 model year, Toyota made the design a little less ordinary while improving just about every aspect of its comfort and performance. Not that any of that was terribly poor to begin with.
"There are cars that are more comfortable and more refined but they also cost substantially more," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com.

Chevrolet Corvette - Mileage: 18 city/28 highway
In terms of performance, the Corvette is hard to beat. When cost is factored in, it just blows everything else away. Its impressive fuel mileage, particularly in highway driving, just adds to the 'Vettes value equation. (Here's a little secret. The manual says "premium," but it'll run fine on regular.)

Toyota Rav4 - Mileage: 24 city/30 highway
With its new V-6, the Rav4 is surprisingly fast. But the four-cylinder engine, which gives the mileage you see here, is more than adequate to the task. The new larger Rav4 gives you a smooth ride, plenty of space and good handling.

Toyota Corolla - Mileage: 32 city/41 highway
A smaller, cheaper Camry with even better fuel mileage, it's hard to go wrong with the Corolla. It also gets good marks in crash tests.

You might want to consider a gas-electric hybrid vehicle. If you do, you should make that choice for reasons other than saving money.

A hybrid car or SUV will burn considerably less fuel than a non-hybrid version. It shuts down its gasoline engine whenever it stops, making it quieter and more relaxing to drive in city traffic. However, according to various calculations, hybrid cars are not cost effective, on a purely financial basis, because they add more in cost than they save in fuel, even when factoring in federal tax credits.

Another option, of course, is to consider whether you could get by with a smaller vehicle to begin with.

Be aware of all your options

If you've decided you need an SUV, for example, ask yourself why. If you need the storage flexibility to occasionally haul large items, don't forget that there are other options.

"Most people I know who drive SUVs use them as large station wagons," said Jack Nerad, editorial director for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com Website.

So why not just buy a station wagon? There are plenty to choose from these days and they generally get better mileage than SUVs

If it's for the sake of getting all-wheel-drive, there are many cars today that offer that as an option. And, if you live in an area where it snows only occasionally, new technology like electronic traction control and stability control offer improved handling and traction in snow without the added weight and complexity of all-wheel-drive.

If you still feel you want the flexibility of an SUV, that doesn't have to mean getting a gas-guzzling behemoth. The so-called "crossover" segment of car-based SUVs has expanded enormously in recent years, meaning that you can probably find something with reasonably good fuel economy.

Fine tuning

In most cases, choosing different engines and transmissions on the same vehicle will make slight differences in your fuel economy. For example, on vehicles with several different engine options, getting a smaller engine -- a V-6, for example, instead of a V-8 -- will usually get you about two miles per gallon better fuel economy, as estimated by the EPA.

Forgoing all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive on a car or SUV will gain you about one mile per gallon in fuel economy by EPA estimates.

How much money that ultimately means depends on the vehicle and, of course, on fuel prices. If gasoline costs about $3.00 per gallon, a one mile per gallon difference in fuel economy will save you about $90 to $150 a year in fuel costs. The difference in annual fuel cost will be larger for vehicles that get poorer fuel economy, like large SUVs, since that extra mile per gallon will mean more in percentage terms.

For some items, like a larger engine or all-wheel-drive, the extra fuel costs will be added to the higher initial cost for the vehicle and higher insurance costs. So, if you can get by with a slightly more fuel-efficient powertrain, it may pay off financially in more ways than just at the gas pump.

Consider other costs

On the other hand, some decisions made for the sake of fuel economy can cost you more in other ways. For example, you might save fuel by getting a stickshift transmission rather than an automatic. But, because automatic transmissions have become very efficient, the savings are slight, usually about one mile per gallon, according to EPA estimates.

Depending on how you drive, the stickshift may actually be less efficient in real-world driving. If you always rev the engine for maximum power, you're burning more fuel than you would have with an automatic transmission. (See correction)

Also, when it comes time to trade in or sell that car, the stickshift version will probably be worth much less, said Nerad. Except for sports cars, cars with manual transmissions are harder to sell in the used car market. So any amount saved on fuel would be more than wiped out at trade-in time.

The same can go for small engines. While getting the smallest possible engine will save you money in several ways, including a lower price for the vehicle and lower insurance costs, you should consider the effect it will have on the vehicle's resale value. Getting an underpowered engine in a car can make it harder to sell later, ultimately costing you thousands of dollars.

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What is Biodiesel?

Blog Author — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:55:42 GMT

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Biodiesel Fuels: What is biodiesel, and will we ever run out of it?

Posted by AskQuestions.org

What biodiesel is and how its made - Pure biodiesel is a biodegradable, non-toxic, clean-burning fuel made from algae, vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled restaurant greases. These resources are abundant here in the United States, and renewable. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with few or no modifications, and it can also be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to produce a biodiesel blend.

Biodiesel is created through a chemical process called transesterification in which the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil, leaving behind two products: biodiesel and glycerin, a byproduct used in soaps and other products.
Why people like biodiesel - Biodiesel fuel in cars burns much cleaner than than petroleum-based diesel, creating about 60% less net carbon dioxide emissions. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as quickly as sugar. Plus, because it is produced in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. According to the National Biodiesel Board website (an industry group), biodiesel production will create an estimated 36,102 new jobs in all areas of the economy, and additional tax revenues from production will more than pay for the federal tax income incentives provided to the industry. It will keep, at minimum, $13.6 billion in America that otherwise would be spent on foreign oil.

How its used - Blends of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel (called "B20") can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines found in many trucks and some cars. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (called "B100"), but may require certain engine alterations to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Some vehicle manufacturers hesitate over its use; in the United Kingdom, many maintain engine warranties only for use with maximum 5% biodiesel blended in with 95% conventional diesel. Yet many other manufacturers praise biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of its benefits: Peugeot and Citroën announced that their HDI diesel engine can run on 30% biodiesel. Scania and Volkswagen allow most of their engines to operate on 100% biodiesel, and pure biodiesel is available at many gas stations in Germany.

According to the US Department of Energy, methanol, or wood alcohol, can be used as an alternative to pure petroleum or biodiesel in flexible fuel vehicles that run on M85 (a blend of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline). However, it is not commonly used because automakers no longer supply methanol-powered vehicles.

Plentiful supplies are possible - The United States is well-equipped to handle an increase in biodiesel production In January 2001, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a program providing cost incentives for the production of 36 million gallons of biodiesel. Bills supporting the use of biodiesel and ethanol also were introduced to Congress in 2003, including one that would set a renewable standard for fuel in the U.S. and one that would give biodiesel a partial fuel excise tax exemption. More than a dozen states have passed favorable biodiesel legislation, making biodiesel a financially wise alternative.

Read More
Biodiesel 101 from www.biodiesel.org

Widipedia article about Biodiesel.

And directions for making your own biodiesel at www.biodieselcommunity.org

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Audi R8 - To Get New Twin-Turbo V10 in 2008

Blog Author — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:05:31 GMT

Audi R8 To Get New Twin-Turbo V10 in 2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The new twin-turbocharged V10 engine debuting in the Audi RS6 at Frankfurt will also serve duty in an upgraded version of the R8 sports car next year.

Rumors of a V10-powered R8 have been circulating ever since modified prototypes were spotted testing at the Nürburgring. With the recent debut of the RS6's twin-turbo V10, word is the same 5.2-liter power plant will find its way into the R8 late next year. With 530 horsepower, the V10 would represent a 110-hp boost over the current 4.2-liter V8. Expect further upgrades in the form of larger wheels and tires, bigger brakes, a stiffer suspension and a few minor styling tweaks to set it apart from the standard model.

What this means to you: If you thought the current R8 was hard to get your hands on, the V10-powered version is guaranteed to be one of the most sought-after supercars of 2008.

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Ford reports sales fell during August

Blog Author — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:01:33 GMT

Ford reports sales fell during August

Analysts blame mortgage issues, Nissan sees rise on truck purchases

The Associated Press

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.’s sales dropped 14.4 percent in August as the struggling automaker ran into a declining market that analysts blame on rising mortgage payments and turmoil in the financial markets.

Ford, the first automaker to release monthly U.S. sales numbers on Tuesday, has blamed declining sales this year on efforts to wean itself off low-profit sales to rental car companies and other fleet buyers.

Its car sales fell 33.7 percent to 64,864 versus the same month last year, while light truck sales slipped 2.3 percent to 152,572, the company reported.

In August, sales to individual retail customers were down 13 percent, but daily rental sales dropped 44 percent, the company said.

But despite what’s expected to be a slowing U.S. auto market, Nissan Motor Co. reported sales increased 6.3 percent for August.

Nissan truck sales, led by the full-sized Titan pickup, rose 7.9 percent versus a year ago, while its car sales were up 4.1 percent, the company reported.

Its figures include the Nissan and Infiniti brands.

At Ford, the company also said that it plans to make 640,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, up 6 percent from the same quarter of 2006. Third-quarter production plans also are 640,000 vehicles, the same as previously forecast, Ford said.

Ford, which is in the middle of a restructuring plan that will close 16 factories by 2012 and usher thousands of hourly workers out the door with early retirement or buyout plans, saw its sales decline slightly more than 12 percent for the first eight months of the year.

The drop could give the company a stronger argument in contract talks with the United Auto Workers to cut what Ford says is about a $25-per-hour labor cost gap with its main Japanese competitors. Contracts between the UAW and Ford, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC expire on Sept. 14.

Ford said sales of its new crossover vehicles, the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, rose in August, with 10,165 Edges and 3,421 MKXs sold. But sales of F-Series pickup trucks, generally the top-selling vehicle in the U.S., dropped 9.9 percent.

Ford’s two top-selling cars, the mid-sized Fusion and the small Focus, both saw big declines in August, with the Focus down 14.7 percent and the Fusion off 19.1 percent.

Ford’s sales include the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands as well as Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover.

In an effort to boost sales this month, Ford also announced that it would offer up to $1,000 cash incentives on most 2007 and 2008 models on top of all existing sales and lease offers. The offer runs through Oct. 1.

Ford’s sales are a sign that the overall U.S. auto market will slow in August as analysts expected.

The automotive forecasting company CSM Worldwide has predicted that U.S. sales will total 16.2 million in 2007, or 350,000 fewer vehicles than last year. That would be the lowest annual sales level since 1998 and more than 1 million vehicles lower than the peak of 17.3 million in 2000, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20588071/

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FORD CUV - Focus Based Kuga CUV

Blog Author — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:18:45 GMT

FORD CUV - Focus Based Kuga CUV

Focus-Based Kuga CUV Ready to Roll

By Ward’s Staff
WardsAuto.com

Ford Motor Co. will deliver on its year-old promise of a new cross/utility vehicle for Europe when it rolls out the Kuga during first-half 2008.

The new Focus-based CUV, which makes its public debut “in near production form” alongside the Verve concept at next week’s Frankfurt auto show, will feature within its powertrain lineup a 134-hp 2.0L Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Available in front-wheel drive or with what Ford calls an intelligent 4-wheel-drive system, the auto maker promises that despite its off-road ability the CUV will put the accent on “driving quality.”

“A major element of our strategy to return the Ford of Europe business to sustained profitability is the introduction of exciting new products – like (the) Kuga – that attract new customers to the brand,” Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe vice president-marketing, sales and service, says in a statement. “The S-MAX proved to us that there is demand for vehicles which offer the customer universal usability for work, leisure and family roles and where ‘driving pleasure’ is also very important.”

The Kuga, inspired by the Iosis X concept vehicle revealed last year at the Paris auto show, continues Ford of Europe’s muscular “kinetic design” styling theme. It carries over the Iosis’ “Ice White” paint scheme, bold wheel arches and 19-in. alloy wheels, an option on the Kuga.

However, the Iosis’s roof line has been raised for the Kuga to better accommodate five passengers. An optional panoramic roof is meant to further enhance the sense of spaciousness inside the vehicle, where drivers will find a Blaupunkt navigation system that also shows images from a rear-view, tailgate-mounted camera on its 7-in. (18-cm) color screen.

A horizontally split tailgate and divided rear lights “ensure the maximum full load width is available” for cargo, Ford says.

The first CUV designed and developed in-house by Ford of Europe, the Kuga will be built at the Saarlouis, Germany, assembly plant.

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