Volkswagen’s compression-ignition expertise translates to one desirable diesel SUV. The Volkswagen Touareg TDI eclipses the fuel economy of other Touaregs without compromising drivability. Volkswagen has a longer and deeper history with diesel in the U.S. than perhaps any automaker beyond Mercedes-Benz, and maybe Freightliner, and the experience shows. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter TDI V-6—while smaller than the gas-fired 3.6-liter V-6 in the base ’Reg—is barely slower and decimates the gas engine’s fuel economy numbers. EPA ratings for the gas V-6 are 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway, while the TDI is rated at 17/25. We achieved 21 mpg combined over the duration of our two-week test, and on a 40-mile, 75-mph highway loop, we saw an indicated 25 mpg on the onboard computer. In vehicles other than diesels, actually achieving the EPA’s highway rating requires traveling well below real-world interstate speeds. Keep Reading: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI – Short Take Road Test No related posts. More: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI – Short Take Road Test Excerpt from:  2009 Volkswagen Touareg TDI – Short Take Road Test

The National Corvette Museum is celebrating its 15th Anniversary later this September with a 4-day celebration event. During one of those four days, the museum will raffle off this one-of-a-kind NCM 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe. The NCM Corvette Grand Sport come with an Arctic White exterior with a unique black/red hood featuring Corvette Racing’s Jake mascot ghost painted in the center bulge. Other touches include a National Corvette Museum logo on the B-pillar, a 6-speed manual transmission, chrome wheels, dual mode exhaust, black headlights and a ZR1 rear spoiler. Inside the NCM Corvette Grand Sport has welcoming two-tone leather interior and a touch-screen navigation. “You can summarize the car this way,” Tadge Juechter, Chief Engineer of the Corvette said, “Zero to sixty in four seconds; 26 miles a gallon.” NCM will sell 2009 tickets at a cost of $150 each, which should make your odds of winning pretty good. The second place winner will receive $10,000 and a 3rd place winner will get  $5,000. 2010 NCM Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport : – By: The Daily Auto Editor Source: CorvetteBlogger         Read more here:  2010 NCM Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport to be raffled off Stop by CorvetteGuys.com and check out their large inventory of C5 Exhaust. See original here:  2010 NCM Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport to be raffled off

Now that more than a few people care about Bentley, mostly due to the phenomenal success of the Continental GT, the company has been hard at work on a new flagship sedan to replace the ancient Arnage. Known only as the "Grand Bentley" up until this point, the new four-door will attempt to pull back some market share from the over-the-top Rolls-Royce Phantom. To assure plenty of attention, Bentley has gone with a pair of monster, gatling-gun type headlight that give it a very distinctive look up front. Early spy photos posted by CAR magazine appeared to show a prototype in a Bentley plant and these latest shots confirm its identity. With its official world debut only weeks away, it won't be long until we get to see the final product. Bentley Teaser See the original post: Spy Photos: Upcoming Grand Bentley Caught Testing Read more from the original source:  Spy Photos: Upcoming Grand Bentley Caught Testing

RUF has upgraded its much-loved Rt 12. Adding an ‘S’ to the end of the badge means a refined biturbo boxer engine producing 685-hp with a maximum torque of 649 lb-ft. Visually the RUF 911 Turbo Rt 12 S gets LED lamps, turn signals, a discreet carbon rear spoiler, air ducts which are integrated in the widened rear fenders and exterior mirrors from the RUF CTR 3. The new RUF Rt 12 S rides on 19-inch light alloy wheels, which provide a nice view of the ceramic brake discs of this high performance brake system. The chassis and aerodynamic upgrades along with lowering the ride height by 50 millimeters allows the Rt 12 S to reach a top speed of an eye-watering 224 mph. The RUF Rt 12 S can be ordered with rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive with prices starting at 255,900 Euros ($360,422). Click through for more pictures . RUF Rt 12 S : – By: Stephen Calogera Source: RUF (via AutoBlog )             See more here:  RUF adds Rt 12 S with 685-hp and a top speed of 224 mph See the rest here: RUF adds Rt 12 S with 685-hp and a top speed of 224 mph

According to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Germany VOSS Study, Mercedes-Benz ranks best among the premium brands in the “Service Satisfaction” category. In total, 16,283 drivers in Germany were polled, during which they were asked to evaluate service consultant friendliness, service facility conditions, and the thoroughness of work performed. After tallying the results, Mercedes ranked first among premium brands, and fourth overall. The rest is here:  Mercedes-Benz Tops Premium Brands In J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Germany VOSS Study

After pictures of the 2010 Suzuki Kisashi leaked out early yesterday, the only thing left to discuss at today's official debut was the equipment under the skin. Notable features on this new midsize sedan include standard all-wheel drive and a standard six-speed manual transmission to go along with the all-new four-cylinder engine. A Continuously Variable Transmission will be optional and Suzuki also announced plans to release a hybrid version of the Kizashi.  In terms of size, the Kizashi is slightly smaller than a Hyundai Sonata. A wheelbase of 106.3-inches means the Kizashi is about three inches short of a Toyota Camry. The Suzuki is also slightly shorter, in overall length, but nearly as wide as most of the sedans in the class. Interior features will include a standard keyless ignition, Bluetooth connectivity and an optional 425 Rockford Fosgate audio system. Sales are expected to begin late this year. More: It’s Official: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Revealed Read the original here: It’s Official: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Revealed

One of the many stipulations of the government Car Allowance Rebate System —aka. Cash for Clunkers—is that your trade-in vehicle must be rendered inoperable and destroyed. Official documentation from the NHTSA tells dealers exactly how to ruin a clunker’s engine. P.S. Don’t try this at home. First, dealers drain the old car’s engine oil and replace it with a 40/60 solution of sodium silicate and water. Sodium silicate is also used for fireproofing and cements. It becomes a thick, abrasive paste at high temperatures, which scours an engine’s insides. Dealers then run the engine at 2000 rpm until the engine stops, which apparently takes three to seven minutes. The engine is left to cool for an hour and is restarted. If it still runs, the dealer repeats the process until the engine is completely clunkered. Finally, dealers add a sticker reading, “This engine is from a vehicle that is part of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). It has significant internal damage caused by operating the engine with a sodium silicate solution (liquid glass) instead of oil.” The rest of the car is sent off to disposal facilities that crush or shred the vehicle. No related posts. Read more: How To: Destroy a Clunker Engine Read the original post:  How To: Destroy a Clunker Engine

Suzuki finally gives us the facts on its long-anticipated Camry-fighter. Well, some of ’em, anyway. After teasing us with three extreme-proportioned concepts , each called “Kizashi,” Suzuki has finally shown us the production version of the mid-size sedan it plans to launch this December as a 2010 model. Now, after having been formally introduced, we have learned more about it, including that it will carry the Kizashi name into production. That’s cool, we think, and refreshing: not only is Kizashi not some sort of alphanumeric—hooray!—but it is also brazenly ethnic. Kizashi means “something great is coming” in Japanese. Something Great (Looking) is Coming Since we didn’t get to drive it at the introduction, we don’t know yet just how “great” the Kizashi might be on the road, but we can say it is quite easy on the eyes. Certainly, it is way watered down from the fantasy-inspired concepts, but the handsome fascias and pleasing proportions remain intact. In front are predatory headlamps and a VW-esque top-to-bottom grille with a gorgeous black-chrome wicker look to its upper weave. Indeed, Suzuki claims that it benchmarked the VW Passat, the Alfa 159, and the Acura TSX because they have “character,” “agility,” “personality,” “flair,” and a few “rough edges.” You can definitely tell the designers studied the Alfa a lot. Keep Reading: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Official Photos and Info Related posts: 2010 Mazda CX-7 – Official Photos and Info 2010 Jaguar XJ – Official Photos and Info 2010 Honda Insight – Official Photos and Info – Car News Originally posted here: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Official Photos and Info Here is the original post: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Official Photos and Info

Looks like it’s one of those good news bad news things from NHTSA. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (the people that keep track of accidents and crash test cars) have just released a new study showing that there are fewer drunks on the roads these days (yay!) but strangely enough, over 16 percent of drivers on the roads at night are on some sort of drug (wha?). If you think about it, it makes a certain amount of sense. Getting high is something that people do AFTER work, not during. You could, for example, have a martini or 5 at lunch, and it’s more “acceptable” than excusing yourself from the product review meeting to go shoot up some heroin back at your desk. On the other hand, when that end of shift whistle blows, you’re on your own time, so THAT’S when you break out the apple bong or do a line or two of weasel dust. And then, like the moron who thinks they’re the center of the universe, you decide to DRIVE home. Bad idea imbecile. AutoBlog recently pointed out that England is mulling over a new law that would take into account drivers that are under the influence of drugs, and that they are looking at using a device that would act like a breathalyzer for narcotics instead of alcohol. That strikes me as odd, because anyone with even a passing knowledge of toxicology knows that breathalyzers, in and of themselves, are pretty iffy, and if you want to do a narcotics screening with one, the efficacy drops off even further. What you need to do is run a blood screen. You only have to think about it for half a second to realize how THAT intrusive of a search would go over with the general public. What the NHTSA study found was that while 2.2% of drivers have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, 16.3% of drivers were on some sort of narcotic. As would be expected, marijuana came in first among drug positives at 8.6%, with cocaine and over-the-counter meds coming in next at 3.9% each. NHTSA plans further studies, naturally, to find out how drugs affect driving impairment, ” … since some narcotics aren’t flushed from the body for weeks.” And therein lies the real problem and points to why this country’s drug polices are screwed up nine ways from Sunday. If the scheme that...

A study conducted by AutoPacific found that 15 percent of new car buyers in the U.S. said they would consider buying their next vehicle from China, while 11 percent said that they wound consider buying from India. That compares to 16 percent who said they would consider a vehicle from Korea “As Hyundai and Kia have been on the American scene for decades now, it’s surprising that consideration for Chinese and Indian brands, sight unseen, would be about as strong as it is for the Korean brands,” said George Peterson, president of automotive research firm AutoPacific and author of the study. “However, with so many premium and high-tech non-automotive products already being made in China and purchased by Americans, why not automobiles too?” The study, called ”Opportunity for Chinese and Indian Brands in the USA,” is based on a national survey of more than 30,000 new car and truck buyers. Peterson said that most of those that would consider a Chinese or Indian vehicle “tend to be young, well-educated, and affluent for their age and have good jobs in administrative, health care and middle management positions.” – By: Omar Rana Source: AutoPacific Read the rest here: Study finds that U.S. car shoppers would be open to Chinese, Indian brands The rest is here:  Study finds that U.S. car shoppers would be open to Chinese, Indian brands

Yesterday, a San Mateo County Superior Court Judge denied “former Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard’s” request that he declared one of only two founders of the electric-car company. The ruling is in accordance with Tesla’s claim that the company was founded by a team of several people, including Musk, rather than just two men. “We agree that Eberhard’s claims on the question of who founded Tesla have no merit. We look forward to proving the facts in court as soon as possible and setting the historical record straight,” Tesla’s current CEO Elon Musk said in a statement. Eberhard is suing Tesla and current CEO Elon Musk for libel and breach of contract. – By: Omar Rana Source: CNET News More here: Judge denies Eberhard’s request to be declared as founder of Tesla Motors Read more:  Judge denies Eberhard’s request to be declared as founder of Tesla Motors

The new E-Class has gotten off to a very successful start, with more than 40,000 units delivered to customers since the market introduction in spring 2009. Mercedes-Benz expects sales of the new E-Class to receive a further boost in the coming months from the vehicle’s introduction in key markets including the U.S. and China and the launch of the new station wagon in fall 2009. The station wagon will celebrate its world premiere at this year’s IAA in September. Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The fact that the E-Class sedan already became the global market leader in May demonstrates how well it is being received by our customers. The new coupe is also extremely popular, thanks to its dynamic design and the new generation of efficient engines. We are very delighted with this positive response because the E-Class has always been of great importance for Mercedes-Benz. It’s an exemplary embodiment of the brand’s basic attributes of safety, comfort, and quality. The new E-Class also sets the standards when it comes to economy in the upper-range segment.” Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. The new E-Class models have outstanding fuel economy. The sedan’s four- and six-cylinder engines have direct injection systems and consume far less fuel than their predecessors despite their greater output. This month also marked the sales release of two new four-cylinder engines, which combine higher fuel efficiency with the level of driving comfort that is typical of Mercedes-Benz. The two new units round out the Mercedes-Benz engine range in the business class. The E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 100 kW/136 hp consumes 5.2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. And the new E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY with direct injection delivers 135 kW/184 hp and consumes only 7.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The model program of the sporty coupe also includes two new four-cylinder engines that require significantly less fuel while offering a clear increase of output and torque. The E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY coupe consumes just 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers while emitting only 135 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which makes it one of the most economical automobiles...

From 21 – 23 August 2009, the largest gathering of smart enthusiasts worldwide will take place. Over three days smart times attendees can look forward to a varied programme with events focusing on the old airport site in Zell am See/Kaprun, Austria. In 1998 one of the most unusual series production vehicles ever was launched on the market. The two-seater smart fortwo with a length of just two and half metres established its own class. Eleven years after its introduction the car brand has a constantly growing and extremely active community of fans. Several thousand smart enthusiasts from all over Europe – some of whom have customised their vehicles in a creative and often unusual way – will gather once again in Zell am See/Kaprun to celebrate their passion for smart cars together. A varied programme awaits them. Highlights for all smart fans are the smart convoy, the smart times contest and the supporting programme with a party, live concerts and of course technical discussions with developers, tuners and industry experts. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. An overview of smart times 2009 21 August 2009: Opening celebration On the evening of Friday, 21 August 2009, smart times will kick off with a joint celebration on the old airport site. 22 August 2009: smart times convoy, contest and party The smart convoy, the parade stretching for kilometres around the lake, will start on Saturday, 22 August 2009 at 11 a.m. from the old Zell am See airport. In 2008 a total of precisely 743 smart cars took part in this impressive rally – and even earned an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for this. In the afternoon attendees can look forward to the exciting smart times contest. A jury will judge and award prizes for all aspects of vehicle modification – from design to styling, tuning, audio and also to driving skills. The motto for the exclusive smart party to be held at Kaprun castle on Saturday evening is “Welcome to the smart class”. The highlight will be a live performance by Steve Appleton, the 20 year old pop newcomer from the UK. His song “Inner City Lover” accompanies the current advertising campaign. 23 August 2009 Finally, all smart times participants are invited to do some...

Daimler’s businesses continue to grow in China. The company’s regional headquarters, Daimler Northeast Asia (DNEA) is managing record passenger car sales and vehicle financing, while continuing to expand joint venture activities. “As the economy and middle class in China continue to expand, more consumers have been able to realize their desire to drive a Mercedes-Benz,” said Ulrich Walker, Chairman and CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia. “We’ve posted record sales for the first half of 2009 and just launched the all-new E-Class which already has 6000 pre-orders. Consumers throughout China can now finance a car or truck, and our joint venture in Beijing is building and selling a record number of vehicles. We will continue to do our best to expand our businesses as the economy continues to grow.” Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. DNEA’s businesses include Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd, passenger car sales, Mercedes-Benz Van and Truck sales, Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance Ltd, BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler (BBDC), Fujian Daimler Automotive (FJDA), as well as sales operations in Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd (MBCL) on July 21 launched the all-new E-Class sedan in China. MBCL continues to expand the portfolio of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars available in China. With the recent introductions of the B-Class, GLK-Class and smart fortwo vehicles in China, Mercedes-Benz offers 16 classes and 40 models of vehicles. The S 400 HYBRID will be introduced later this year. In China, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 28,200 locally produced and imported vehicles for the first half of 2009, an increase of 40% from the same time in 2008. The second half of 2009 is expected to see continued strong momentum. BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler, the 50:50 joint venture in Beijing with Beijing Automotive Industrial Holding Company (BAIC) has produced a record number of C-Class sedans, which has helped drive sales significantly. BBDC will produce a version of the all new E-Class exclusively for the Chinese market starting in mid-2010. While the Chinese economy continues to grow, more consumers are increasingly managing their liquidity so that financing a vehicle purchase has become more and more popular. Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance...

Mercedes-Benz has the most satisfied customers in the premium segment: In the Service Satisfaction category of the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Germany VOSS Study, the brand with the star ranks highest among the premium brands. The J.D. Power survey evaluates overall vehicle ownership satisfaction in the categories of Vehicle Quality, Vehicle Appeal, Vehicle Ownership Costs and Service Satisfaction. This year’s survey polled 16,283 drivers in Germany online with regard to aspects such as service consultant friendliness, service facility conditions, and the thoroughness of work performed. Across all assessment categories for service satisfaction, Mercedes-Benz performed well above the industry average. Mercedes-Benz finished fourth in the overall industry ranking of the J.D. Power survey’s service satisfaction factor. Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. “We’re very pleased with our good performance in this informative study,” says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The result shows us that customers really appreciate the commitment our people bring to the job every day, as well as our staff’s ongoing enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz brand and our long term-oriented quality concept.” The good performance of the Mercedes-Benz service team in Germany had been confirmed last year by no less than four service center tests, with the brand receiving top marks in the tests conducted by the AUTO BILD and AUTOZEITUNG newspapers, the ADAC automobile club, and the magazine auto, motor und sport. Three years ago Mercedes-Benz launched a program to boost customer satisfaction with its sales and service. This program, which has since been implemented worldwide, consists of activities and projects that address direct customer contact management and process and system optimization. Mercedes-Benz is also improving its service performance through intensive, continual and long-term training measures, with some 150,000 service employees having already participated in training programs to date. This effort has paid off, as customer satisfaction with Mercedes-Benz service has improved significantly in nearly all markets since the program was launched. In addition...