2008

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Audi A8 W12, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review (Video)

The  2008 Audi A8 W12 is the German manufacturer’s powerful top-of-the-line sedan. It’s nearly a small apartment considering its spaciousness, powerful sound system, rear-seat refrigerator and solar sunroof. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I take a look and the luxurious Audi. 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

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Monterey Auto Week, 2008: Auctions, Concours & Classics

But there’s plenty else to do, parties to rallys, auctions to the many other concours events that have begun to flourish in recent years. Add it all up, and it’s automotive sensory overload. Last year, I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, at Quail Lodge for the first time. I also spent three three days at the historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey. In addition to meeting car owners and celebrities (including Jay Leno) at The Quail, I reintroduced myself to Bobby Rahal after the Legends of Indy event at Laguna Seca. Years ago, Rahal, the three-time Indy 500 winner, invited me into his motorhome on the infield of Laguna Seca. We  talked about golf for an assignment

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BMW, 128i, 2008: The Weekly Driver (Video Review)

After much anticipation, earlier this year BMW introduced to the United States its 128 series. It’s the German manufacturer’s reasonably priced coupe and convertible, and it couldn’t have been introduced at a better time. From my weekly drive with the 128i convertible and its 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, the car is an unqualified success. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I present another of in the continuing series of new car video reviews. Facts & Figures: 2008 BMW 128i Specification Details Engine 6-cylinder, 3.0L Transmission Automatic (S6) Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 19 city / 28 hwy / 22 combined mpg Fuel Type Premium Gasoline James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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BMW 128i (Convertible), 2008: The Weekly Driver

The 128i offers BMW’s trademark assertive engine, rear-wheel drive and the manufacturer’s signature take-charge steering. The convertible option with a six-speed manual transmission is the only way to really appreciate this BMW. Brand purists may disagree, but the sleek design of the smaller BMW seems ideal for the retractable ragtop. The manufacturer states that the push-button (on the console below the radio dials) convertible system will retract in 20 seconds. But it’s actually a few seconds faster than the estimate. And the reverse operation works just as efficiently. Unlike some convertibles that aren’t particularly handsome with their tops down, the new BMW convertible top fits snugly into the trunk compartment. It gives the vehicle’s contour more style, not the appearance

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Ford Taurus, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Of course, the new name should be recognizable. The Taurus enjoyed an auspicious debut in 1985 as an innovatively designed sedan. It immediately attracted the car-buying public and by 1992 was the top-selling American car. But instead of improving the Taurus, Ford aggressively went after the truck segment. That was successful, but the Taurus died a slow death. It eventually left the Ford lineup and emerged in 2006 as the Five Hundred. The name might not represent the number of vehicles sold, yet the Five Hundred never caught on. When Roger Mulally became Ford’s CEO last September he wanted the recognizable Taurus name revitalized, hence the Taurus X unveiling and elimination of the Five Hundred. While the Freestyle was criticized

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Ford F-150 Again Tops Cars.com "Most-American" Index

For the fifth consecutive in succession, Ford‘s F-150 has claimed the top spot on the Cars.com American-Made Index. The index is a semiannual ranking of vehicles deemed most American based on American production, percentage of domestic parts and American sales volume. Domestic-parts content is based on data that appears alongside the window sticker of new cars as a result of the American Automobile Labeling Act, enacted in 1994. The AALA mandates that virtually every new car display the percentage, by cost, of its parts that originated in the U.S. and Canada. Only those vehicles with a domestic-parts content rating of 75 percent or higher are eligible for the American-Made Index. In addition to holding the top spot on Cars.com’s American-Made

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Honda Civic Hybrid, 2008 (Video Review)

The IMA, as previously mentioned, allows a vehicle to operate solely on electric power in certain situations. The CVT feature replaces conventional gears with a belt-and-pulley system that continuously and automatically adjusts to provide a more efficient and nearly unlimited number of drive ratios. Since its redesign in 2006 (the 33rd year of the vehicle’s distribution in the Unites States) the Civic no longer looks staid. It’s now a sporty, full-sized sedan that comfortably seats five. Videogragher Bruce Aldrich and I review the car in a two-minute video. 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

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Honda Accord, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As one of the country’s most successful vehicles, Honda needs little help with the Accord. But for 2008, the Accord was redesigned and it’s a prime of example of taking a vehicle already an industry leader and making it better. Between the coupe and sedan and seven trim options, the Accord is available with more than 30 configurations. My weekly drive was the EX-L. With its new 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 engine and navigation system, it’s the most expensive non-hybrid Accord on the market at slightly more than $30,000. It had a five-speed automatic transmission. (A six-speed manual is also available.) The new Honda is bigger and “badder” in all areas, which might mean one downside — fuel economy. But that’s

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Audi A8, W12 Quattro, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Friends who know and fawn over cars love the 2008 Audi A8, W12 quattro. Friends who own cars but view them simply as necessary transportation love the car. Even automobile cynics, for whom cars are among society’s biggest concerns, love it. And there are many reasons for the adulation. As a luxury car, the Audi A8 W12 has a 6.0-liter, 12-cylinder, 450-horsepower engine that operates with a six-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It features 20-inch alloy wheels and adaptive cruise control and a host of electronic features and high-tech equipment — 16-way power front seats to a 6-disc CD changer and DVD (it’s in the glove box) and an extraordinary Bang & Olufasen sound system

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Land Rover LR3 HSE, 2008: Bill Belew’s Car Review

Magic happens when you drive a Land Rover. I can’t say if it’s good or bad magic, but it definitely happens. The first thing I looked at when I got in the 2008 Land Rover 3 HSE car was the odometer. There was an indicator that told me, among other things, how many miles I had left on the full tank. I drove the car about six-tenths of a mile to meet friends for breakfast and the odometer dropped six miles. “What a gas hog,” I thought. “The treehuggers would have a field day if they knew for sure how much this gas guzzler consumed.” At that rate, a tank of gas might get me 50 miles and I could

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Pontiac G8, 2008 (Video Review)

The Pontiac, G8 is the first full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan from Pontiac since the 1986 Bonneville. The G8 replaces the Bonneville, which ended production with its 2005 model and the Grand Prix, which will cease its tenure with the 2008 model. Pontiac also has a hopeful third market share responsibility for the G8, since it also replaces the V8-powered GTO coupe, which was discontinued in 2006. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I take a look at the new power brokers from Pontiac. Watch it here: https://www.myspace.com/video/vid/36310615 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

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2008 Volvo XC70: Weidel on Wheels

Taking another step from its uninspired, stodgy past, Volvo decided to pursue the makeover route for the 2008 XC70. Typically, there’s nothing wrong with redesigns, they’re sometimes long overdue. Not that the XC70 falls into that category, but it emergeed in 2008 as a more appealing vehicle. The remodeled vehicle is four inches longer overall and two longer in the wheelbase. It origin is Volvo’s premium sedan (S80), not the scaled down S60. The XC70 also has revised interior and exterior design. Although it could be easy to do, don’t confuse the XC70 with the V70 wagon. The XC70 has a raised suspension, now features four-wheel drive and weighs 200 more pounds than the V70, which has front-wheel drive and

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Hybrids Rule: 2008's Top Five, Chevy Malibu to Ford Escape (Part 1)

Depending upon one’s perspective, either a lot or not much changed in hybrid cars until 1997. That’s when Toyota debuted the Prius only to car buyers in Japan. A decade later, the automotive industry is fully engrossed in the world of hybrid and other alternatively powered cars. The Prius remains at the forefront of the industry, accounting for about half of 350,000 hybrids sold in the United States in 2007. But while the high-mileage Toyota dominates the market, an ever-expanding array of manufacturers know there’s plenty of room for everyone. Less than three percent of new cars sold in the country last year were hybrids. As such, economy to luxury, sedans to pickup trucks, more than 65 hybrid choices will

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Jaguar Super V8, 2008: Bill Belew's Car Buzz

Life before and after the Jaguar Super V8 in no particular order. Before — I used to worry about fuel prices. After — If I can afford this car, ($95K) I don’t need to worry about another $1-2/gallon increase. Besides 22 mpg on the highway and the Jaguar will get me from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Cincinnati to Nashville, the New Orleans to Miami. Before — I used to hate getting stuck in traffic. After — I just love sitting in the Jaguar. Who needs to get anywhere in a hurry when you are sitting in a moving living room? Before —  used to have to fumble with CDs. After — Now, I hit the 60’s button, the 70’s,

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Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Confused about the differences between the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute? Don’t be. They are essentially the same vehicle. And if two options aren’t enough, how about three, with a hybrid model? The Mercury Mariner is a close relative to the Tribute and Escape. The Tribute made up some ground in 2008 joining the Escape and Mariner by adding a hybrid option. Other than the Mazda badge, its two-tone coloring scheme and a couple of small styling differences, the Tribute and the Escape are identical. Yes, the hybrid market continues to multiply, with the Tribute among the new 2008 additions. Although too late for any breaks on this year’s taxes, a hybrid purchase means a $3,000 federal tax credit

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2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport: Weidel on Wheels

The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara will not be a first choice for many shoppers. And if money is not an issue, the compact sport utility vehicle may not even make the finalists’ list. Many competitors have better credentials. But if money is an issue, don’t dismiss the Grand Vitara. It has significantly improved in recent years and not only provides an impressive value, it has good qualities as a daily driver. The 2008 Grand Suzuki XSport wasn’t a vehicle I couldn’t wait to bid farewell after a week’s drive. It’s an attractive model with an attractive price tag, $22,349. That’s a tough match for the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, among others in the competitive compact SUV

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