Automotive Reviews

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Honda Civic (Hybrid), 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But the 2009 Civic hybrid has a refreshed exterior design, more interior space and is more attractive than its biggest competitor. Still, the new and improved Civic hybrid isn’t an overt bargain. Among four available trims, the Civic hybrid with leather trim seats and a navigation system is now a $27,000 car. That’s pricey for a Honda Civic — until considering that the average new price of a car in the United States is now nearly $30,000. Then the Civic hybrid makes a lot more sense. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) With its continuously variable transmission, the Civic has a near-limitless number of gear ratios. It’s a nice feature, but none of the gears help the hybrid’s acceleration. But

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Step aside, Toyota Prius (51 mpg). Meet the 2010 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion (61.9 mpg)

And therein lies the problem. Debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show with its sibling, the Golf R (the most powerful Golf at 270 horsepower), the second-generation Golf BlueMotion is the most fuel efficient Golf of all time. But it’s not likely going to be available in the United States, according to a report by the Car and Driver journalist attending the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The Golf BlueMotion is currently available in Germany starting at € 21,650 (approximately $28,000). The European price includes German and EU taxes. The new Golf BlueMotion features a 1.6-liter TDI diesel engine with 105 horsepower. The power is delivered via a front-wheel, five-speed manual transmission. The Golf BlueMotion also benefits from aerodynamic changes, plus

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Lincoln MKT, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

The 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost ia unique car. It’s as luxurious as a . . . well, as a Lincoln. And it’s as fast as a Mustang — if a Mustang came with all-wheel drive. The MKT is equipped with about every modern convenience, including adaptive headlamps and cruise control, self parking, blind spot indicator, and duel sunroofs, to name a few. The Lincoln also comes with a 255 HP V-6 twin turbo that produces 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds. That’s as fast as the 385 HP Jaguar I recently drove. So does all of this luxury work in harmony with the hidden hot rod persona? 2010  Lincoln MKT AWD Price as Tested: $55,885.00; Engine, Transmission: 3.5.L V-6  EcoBoost

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Auto industry dilemma: Adweek examines the selling of electric cars in the United States

The article provides details in several areas: * The Next Big Thing: More and more electric cars coming from a wider range of automakers – from BMW’s Mini-E to Nissan’s Leaf; making the move to the mass market; * Current consumer perception: “range” anxiety, higher price points, and the need to learn about more options in the category – how will automakers change minds?; * A need for the uncomplicated: educating the average consumer through advertising; * From the traditional test drive to viral marketing – marketers going all out. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this

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Porsche to Audi, Lexus to BMW: Best (used) luxury cars under $30,000

For the past few years, I’ve become a regular reader of the AOL Autos. Its writers and editors seemingly have a never-ending stream of top-10 lists while approaching the automotive industry with the consumer in mind. The latest AOL Auto offering, written by Kevin Ransom, is the “baker’s dozen” list of best luxury cars for under $30,000. It’s a diverse selection, Porsche to Lincoln, Audi to Lexus. Says Ransom in his introduction: “For some buyers, the used-luxury market is a way of getting into that Lexus, Lincoln, Infiniti or Porsche you always wanted, without laying out $70,000 or $80,000 for something you’re not actually going to live in.” In conjunction with a recent Consumer Reports study, AOL has published its

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David Letterman: Late night comedy, sex and race cars

Letterman isn’t an avid car collector like Leno. Rather, with his close friend Bobby Rahal, the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Letterman for more than a decade has been co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing. The team is based in Hilliard, Ohio, and competes part-time in the IndyCar Series and in other of auto racing disciplines. The team dates to 1991. Following the 1991 CART season, Bobby Rahal left the Galles-Kraco Racing team. Despite consistent top finishes, Rahal actually won only two races from 1989-1991. Correspondingly, Danny Sullivan left the Patrick Racing team, following a dismal season with the Alfa Romeo engine. The two drivers essentially swapped rides. Sullivan joined Galles, and Rahal joined Patrick. By the winter of 1991, however, Patrick

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Volvo V70, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

If a buyer’s purchase priorities are comfort, performance and safety, Volvo is a fine choice. The 2006 Volvo V70 R (station wagon) further adds to the already nice Volvo overall package with its substantial cargo room. Still, the V70 finds itself in a tough crowd among the industry’s fastest growing sales segment, the premium midsized class. It includes the Mercedes Benz E-Class, the Audi all-road Quattro, Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G35, among others. My test drive for the week was the Volvo V70 R (all-wheel drive), one of four model options including the XC70 (raised suspension). The six-speed automatic features a 2.5-liter turbocharged, 300-horsepower 5-cylinder engine, and it offers more than enough power and acceleration to get the job done.

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Jaguar XF, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Facts & Figures: 2010 Jaguar XF Specification Details Engine 8-cylinder, 4.2L Transmission Automatic (S6) Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 16 city / 25 hwy / 19 combined mpg Fuel Type Premium Gasoline James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.

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Scion xB, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s a subjective call whether any Scion qualifies as royalty. Regardless of its lineage, the Scion xB is a viable SUV alternative. It’s marketed as a urban utility vehicle and often described as a box on wheels. Its appearance prompts attention, and it should gather further notice via its value as a versatile, moderately price family alternative. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) It’s a 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower, 4-cylinder upsized wagon with a four-speed automatic transmission. It’s not slow, but don’t expect much when trying to pass slower traffic on even the slightest incline. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) For its style (OK, a box with wheels), the Scion gets the job done in stride, although it’s not an off-road vehicle. In one

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Ferrari 430: An iconic sports car nearing its final production (with video)

Its replacement, the Ferrari 458 Italia was unveiled on the 28th July 2009, and is expected to go on sale in Spring 2010. The F430’s all-aluminum chassis was produced in partnership with Alcoa and is virtually identical to that of the previous model, the Ferrari 360. In the F430 it has been slightly re-worked and improved with extra stiffening beams around the floor pan. The car shares parts with the 360, including the roof, doors, front windshield, and passenger compartment-to-engine glass. Internally, both cars are referred to with the same model number (F131), although the F430 has the Evoluzione tag attached to show that it features some major changes. Internally, the car is simply known as the “Evo.” The MSRP

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Toyota recall: 3.8 millon Lexus, Toyota vehicles could have faulty floormats prompting stuck accelerators

The recall will cover recent versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans, the Prius hybrid, the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks and luxury Lexus models, the IS250 and the IS350 as well as the ES350. The U.S. safety recall would be the largest in Toyota‘s history. Toyota and U.S. safety regulators warned owners to remove all driver-side floor mats from eight Toyota and Lexus models sold in the United States, including its Prius hybrid, as an immediate safety precaution. The U.S. safety recall would be the largest in Toyota‘s history. A cost estimate for the company’s still-developing recall was not immediately available. In August, an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family were killed in the San

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The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering still planned for 2010 despite hotel closure

For 2010, a few of the celebrated marks will be: Featured Milestone Cars of 1934, 45 Years of the Shelby Mustang and Alfa Romeo Special Coachbuilders. As in past years, the event will also feature the tradition of The Great Ferraris along with Pre and Post-War Sport, Pre and Post-War Racing, Sport and Racing Motorcycles and Super Cars. “We are proud to be recognized as one of the most sought after events during Monterey’s Classic Cars Week,” said Sarah Cruse, General Manager of Quail Lodge. “Our team has excelled in creating an exclusive day-long celebration where automotive collectors and connoisseurs have an unmatched opportunity to compare the aesthetics and engineering of the world’s most extraordinary driving machines in a picturesque

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Chevrolet Malibu, Volvo S60 get largest depreciation, appreciation honors

But the Malibu still can’t find its true identity. It’s been selected as among the country’s most improved vehicles. But it’s also now near the top the list for largest depreciation value. In the most recent statistics released in August by Kelley Blue Book, the Chevrolet Malibu has the second-worst depreciation The Malibu, a midsize, lost 5.5 percent of its value for the month despite being one of General Motors’ most highly touted cars. On the contrary, Volvo (two models), Porsche and Kia were the vehicles with best appreciation. Here are the Kelley Blue Book statistics: Top 10 Depreciating Cars 1. Chevrolet Classic -8.2% 2. Chevrolet Malibu -5.5% 3. Chevrolet Malibu Classic -5.5% 4. Nissan 350Z -4.9% 5. Buick Century

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Old Cars Weekly: Global database for vintage, race cars

With a foundation of facts on 5,000-plus makes and 15,000 models, Old Cars Report makes available the massive databases accumulated over the past four decades by the publishers of Old Cars Weekly and Old Cars Price Guide. Current market pricing, market trends, historic values, recent auction prices realized, historic data on your make and model car, condition rating scales, photos. Old Cars Report has got it all on a scale that has never been attempted. To get started, visit oldcarsweekly.com and click on the Old Cars Report. Select the make, model and year of the car you want to learn more about. If you aren’t sure of one of those categories, we offer a guided search to help you find

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Ferrari Red will also be "Green" says company president

Ferrari, according to company president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, is also developing hybrid vehicles. Ferrari is currently developing a vehicle that will use alternative energy sources and which will be based on its Formula 1 vehicle. In Formula 1, Ferrari uses a Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS), designed to draw extra power from the brakes. Ferrari said its hybrid will be available to the general public in 2015. Montezemolo said he believes the public will embrace a hybrid or electric Ferrari since “It’s the best sports car in the world and it will still fundamentally be a Ferrari.” James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly

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Volvo Cross Country (XC 70) T6, 2009: Roman Mica's Ramblimg Review (Video)

Three-minute speed review: Can you see yourself falling in love with the 2009 Volvo XC 70 T6 wagon. You’ve heard of speed dating. Yes? Today I’m happy to introduce speed reviewing. Give me three minutes and I’ll give you all the important stuff you needabout a car in my three-minute speed review. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An

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