Automotive Reviews

Audi TT 2011: fast, quiet and turns heads

Few of my test cars turn heads or draw compliments, but the bright red 2011 Audi TT coupe I drove attracted an unusual amount of attention. I expected stares I got from young guys, but was surprised when a middle-aged lady, who looked like the Toyota Camry type, glanced at the zoomy TT and said “Nice car!” The TT is offered in a variety of trim levels, including a top-line $50,000 convertible. But I tested the base, well-equipped $38,300 TT model, which should satisfy most TT buyers. The latest TT has minor styling revisions, including redesigned front and rear bumpers and radiator and fog light grilles. But watch out for the car’s low front end when approaching low objects. The

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New royal couple take dad’s vintage Aston-Martin for a spin

In addition to inheriting his father’s appreciation for captivating women, Prince William also apparently shares family’s interest in vintage automobiles, like the Aston Martin DB6 his father owns. After his pending bride Kate Middleton arrived for the Royal Wedding in her future grandmother’s 1977 Rolls-Royce, her husband took her for a spin after the couple’s wedding reception and to the greetings of well-wishers in a pristine Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII. The Seychelles blue convertible has been owned by his father, HRH The Prince of Wales, since 1969. The pictures included in this post don’t represent the Royal Family’s car, but are the same vintage, with the exception left versus right-hand drive. Reuters, the international news service, has posted a

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Nissan Juke 2011 car review

The 2011 Nissan Juke, like its sibling Cube and the Kia Soul, is another automaker’s bold new style. But like two now infamous vehicles of yesteryear — the Pontiac Aztec and Ford Pinto — any new car design too risky prompts diverse opinions. With the Juke, the mini-crossover that debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the reactions were immediate, strong and mixed: Is the Juke an automotive revolution? Is it so ugly it’s cute? Or is the Juke just ugly and ill-conceived? Regardless, the Juke from a sales perspective, is an unqualified success. In Japan, where the Juke debuted to the public in June 2010, strong sales were immediate. Likewise, in Europe and the United States, early sales have

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Kate Middleton will rely on The Queen’s 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom to get to the Royal Wedding on time

After all the traditional considerations — the proper dress to the guest list to the perfect tiara — a pending princess has to get to her wedding on time. For Kate Middleton, that means more tradition — a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom. Middleton will arrive at Westminster Abbey with her father in the Queen’s most famous car. It’s one of the only 374 manufactured. According to report in USA Today, the 34-year-old Rolls Royce was given to the Queen in 1978 as a gift for the 25th anniversary of her reign the British auto industry, a collective called the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Rolls Royce Phantom VI is equipped with a 6.7-liter, 200-horsepower engine, the same as in

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2012 Fiat 500C: Best gas mileage among convertibles

It may not be a car designation that readily comes to mind or has the highest priority for car shoppers. The 2012 Fiat 500 Cabriolet has been designated as the best gas mileage convertible available — or soon to be available. Unveiled at the recent New York International Auto Show, the Fiat “500C”, which will be available early this summer, will average 30 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway) and 33 mpg (combined) in three-door hatchback model with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Fiat 500C equipped with a six-speed automatic is less impressive, at 27 mpg (city) 34 mpg (highway) and 30 mpg combined, with the convertible model the same rating or one mpg lower. Two 500C convertible versions will be

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Hyundai Accent 2012: 40 mpg, 138 horsepower, $12,445

With the new 2012 Hyundai Accent debuting this summer, the South Korean carmaker will have an industry-leading four models expected to receive 40 mpg mileage estimates. In addition to the Accent, which had another unveiling at the New York International Auto Show, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Veloster are predicted to join the 40 mpg fraternity. The 2012  Hyundai Accent, will feature a a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine paired with standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety will include: six airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. The Accent GLS with a six-speed manual ($12,445), will place the entry level Hyundai in rare company as among the lowest priced cars available in

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BMW 335d gets diesel car of the year honors over VW duo

BMW dominated voting over two Volkswagen models and its 335d was named 2011 Diesel Car of the Year by a global vote of readers of The Diesel Driver magazine and as announced at the New York International Auto Show. The BMW 335d received 29.6 percent of 3,669 votes cast by readers from 43 countries. Eighty-three percent of the voters were from the United States. The Volkswagen Golf TDI finished second (16.1 percent) with the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (16 percent) third. Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three diesel automobiles offered in the U.S. For the 2011, votes wer cast among 12 passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles and

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Chevrolet Volt chosen Green Car of the Year in New York

The Chevrolet Volt has been selected ahead of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition and the Nissan Leaf as the 2011 World Green Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. To be eligible for the 2011 World Green Car* award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30th, 2011. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration. The Chevrolet Volt is

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Aston Martin Rapide gets Design of the Year honors

The Aston Martin Rapide has joined a diverse group, including the Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Camaro, and has been honored with the 2011 World Car Design of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show. “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look,” said Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman. “There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to

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Ferrari 458 Italia honored as Performance Car of the Year

The Ferrari 458 Italia, the replacement vehicle for the F430, has beaten out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porrsche 911 Turbo, and named as the 2011 World Performance Car at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car Awards jurors said about the Ferrari: “The replacement for the F430 Fiorano has been voted by nearly every possible ranking this past year as the best performer hands down. The WCA’s would love to break ranks with the crowd, but we also put the 458 Italia squarely among our top three world performance cars. “Whether on the track or on a loosely policed winding two-lane mountain road, the technology on board the 458 sets it and its 570 metric horsepower far

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Nissan Leaf gets World Car of the Year honors in New York

The Nissan Leaf, the zero-emission electric car, powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in about eight hours and has a 100-mile range, has been selected as the 2011 World Car of the Year. The Nissan Leaf was chosen from an initial entry list of 39 new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists: the Nissan Leaf, the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The World Car Awards jurors, announcing the award at the New York International Auto Show, commented: “The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world’s first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. Dropped onto a unique

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BMW unveils first electric car, ActiveE

BMW has unveiled the ActiveE, the German automaker’s first electric car that can drive about 100 miles between charges, at the New York International Auto Show. The ActiveE, based on BMW’s 1-series car, is a plug-in electric vehicle. Unlike, the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster, which are sold through dealers, BMW will lease about 700 cars out for $500 a month over two years. BMW didn’t announce the price of the care, but reported the ActiveE can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about nine seconds with its 170 horsepower engine. The Nissan Leaf can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about seven seconds, while the Tesla Roadster can generate as much as 248 horsepower off its electric engine and can

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Dodge Grand Caravan 2011: Quick, overhauled, carlike

Some thought Sport Utility Vehicles and the newer car-based crossovers would eliminate minivans, but they remain too handy to die. While the minivan market isn’t as big as it once was, Dodge’s redone 2011 Grand Caravan minivan and redesigned minivans from Toyota, Honda and Nissan show automakers have confidence folks will continue to be drawn to minivans that provide much-needed room and a carlike driving experience. Dodge’s entries long led minivan sales, and this automaker has made major improvements to its 2011 front-drive Grand Caravan model to stay competitive with large Japanese rivals. List prices for the roomy Grand Caravan range from $24,995 to $30,995. It  comes as the Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T models. I tested the well-equipped $28,695

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Hyundai announces used car trade-in price guarantee

For the third time in 12 years, Hyundai has announced an automotive industry marketing first. This time, the South Korean manufacturer will guarantee the trade-in price of new cars after two, three or four years. =Hyundai recently ended its industry unique Hyundai Assurance Program. It promised to buy back buyers' cars if they lost their jobs. In 1999, Hyundai became the first manufacturer of offer a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. With the new program, Hyundai buyers can only apply the trade-in value to a new Hyundai. If the assessed value of that car is higher than Hyundai's guaranteed price, the buyer will get to apply the higher value to a new car. If the assessed value is lower, the buyer will

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Honda Civic 2012 debuts, 4 engines, 13 trims in redesign

The redesigned 2012 Honda Civic is simultaneously debuting at the New York International Auto Show and at dealerships nationwide, with pricing starting at $15,600 for the base DX sedan extending to $26,750 for the hybrid with option packages. The eighth generation of the perennially top-selling Honda is the same size as the 2011 edition. But it’s 40 pounds because of a newly utilized high-strength steel and other weight-reducing changes. Standard for the 2012 Civic will be a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower and five-speed automatic transmission. Its manufacturer estimate is 39 mpg on the freeway. The HF model, which features some aerodynamic tweaks and fewer options, will be rated at 41 mpg in freeway driving and 29 mpg in

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Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius to Tesla Roadster, Part 2

Despite vast promotions and bright, constant media spotlights, Chevy and Nissan are not the only new green players. Tesla, the Bay Area-based manufacturer, debuted its all-electric, super-quick but limited production Roadster in 2006. About 2,000 Tesla Roadsters with a 244-mile range, have been sold worldwide.  And the Tesla’s less expensive, estimated $50,000 S sedan will be available next year with three range options. Automakers carefully choose when and how they debut new models, although most often it occurs at various auto shows around country throughout the year, The buzz for hybrids and electric vehicles was particularly prevalent at the Detroit Auto Show, the year’s first major show, in early January. Ford unveiled the Focus Electric, C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid,

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