Auto News and Trends brought to you by: Midwest Glass Tinters of Deer Park

Posts Tagged ‘Passat’

TODAY, The Chicago Auto Show is pitching an alt-fuel road rally that’s likely to be far quicker than the one that inspired it more than a century ago.

Thirteen vehicles ranging from the Tesla Model S all-electric to the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid to the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will challenge each other in a rally that will start at the city’s McCormick Place and run about four hours.

The race is inspired by 1895′s Chicago Times-Herald Motor Race, regarded as the first road rally in US history. That “race” featured six vehicles attempting the 50-mile round trip between Chicago and Evanston, IL. Just two of the six vehicles finished, with the winner – a Duryea, pictured – crossing the finish line in about nine hours, according to The Henry Ford Museum website.

For anyone keeping track, That Racing Channel recently staged a drag race with a Model S and a Volt. The Tesla finished a quarter mile almost five seconds (and at 20 miles per hour) faster than the Volt.

Rounding out the Chicago Rally are the Nissan Leaf all-electric; Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in; Tesla Roadster EV; Toyota’s Prius and Prius C hybrids and Prius plug-in hybrid; a Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel; a Via Motors Silverado extended-range plug-in; and a Smith Electric Delivery Vehicle.

Reprinted by Midwest Glass Tinters

READ MORE:   http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/14/chicago-auto-show-recreate-1895-road-rally-alt-fuel/

Despite  the renewed popularity of American-made cars in 2011, foreign automakers took home top honors at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. 

Hyundai captured Car of the Year honors for the second time since 2009 when its luxury Genesis won.  For 2012, the Hyundai Elantra took the title, beating out the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Passat.  “Sporty, yet sensible.  Luxurious, yet affordable.  Spunky, yet safe,” said Jayne O’Donnell of USA Today, one of the judges.  The Elantra is a series of paradoxes, and every one is another argument for the latest impressive entry in the Hyundai lineup.”

In the SUV of the Year category, the Range Rover Evoque, which had also won Motor Trend’s 2012 SUV of the Year award, topped the competition in Detroit for its combination of performance and fuel efficiency.  “Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues,” said Fortune magazine’s Alex Taylor, one of the judges.  The Evoque is made at Indian automaker Tata’s UK-based facility.

Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Evoque beat out Honda’s CR-V and BMW’s X3 SUVs.

READ MORE:  http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/09/autos/elantra_car_of_the_year/index.htm

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a used car — not the least of which is the honesty of the seller; but  the most important thing to consider when buying  a used car is the reliability record of the make and model.  To help us with that, CBS MoneyWatch looked at owner surveys, J.D. Power ratings and Consumer Report ratings in 5 car catgories to see which cars had less-than-stellar reliability records and to offer some more reliable alternatives. 

Small Car Category: 

Avoid:  The Volkswagen Beetle — Owners reported problems with the climate control system and power equipment, both of which can lead to expensive repairs. 

Alternative:   Hyundai Elantra — Owners reported no major problems; and the Elantra got the maximum rating from J.D. Power, and is ranked above-average by Consumer Reports. 

Midsize Car Category:

Avoid:  Volkswagen Passat — Consumers reported problems with the fuel, electrical and climate systems, as well as the power equipment.

Alternative:   The Ford Fusion — Fusion won the reliability award in this year’s J.D. Power survey, and Consumer Reports gives it a much-above-average used car rating.

Midsize SUV Category:

Avoid:   GMC Acadia — Owners reported  problems with the suspension and audio systems, and J.D. Power and Consumer Reports both gave it their lowest used car rating.

Alternative:   Toyota 4 Runner — the 4 Runner won J.D. Power’s top reliability award, and Consumer Reports rated it much better than average as a used car.  Owners liked its highway and off-road capability.

Large SUV Category:

Avoid:  The Ford Expedition — Owners reported problems with the transmission and audio systems, and its best gas efficiency is only 18 mpg.  J.D. Powers and Consumer Reports both gave it a low used-car rating.

Alternative:   Toyota Sequoia — While just slightly better on fuel efficiency, the Sequoia gets a high rating from both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.  Owners liked its roomy seating and comfortable ride for long trips.

Minivan Category:

Avoid:  Chrysler Town & Country — Although very popular as a new car, owners reported problems with suspension, brakes, climate system and power equipment.   J.D. Power and Consumer Reports both rated it low as a used-car purchase.

Alternative:  Toyota Sienna — The Sienna won the reliability award for minivans from J.D Power, and it got a better-than-average rating from Consumer Reports.

In addition to the tips above, it’s often wiser to purchase a 3+ year old used car for a couple of reasons.  The biggest new-car depreciation has already taken place, and with new car prices rising sharply, buying a 1 or 2 year old used car often make worse financial sense than buying new.

READ MORE:  http://bit.ly/p99WHy