by Holly R.

Pros:

• LOTS of room inside
• Sits up higher than standard cars - easier to see up the road over traffic
• For only having 166 HP, it feels like it can really get up and move
• Due to the size, it’s really easy to park (pretty much anywhere)
• Voice recognition system

Cons:

• Not-so-smooth shifting which leads to some jerkiness
• Didn’t like the placement of the gear-shift knob (on lower dash)
• Volume control for stereo in non-intuitive location
• Side mirrors are small, which led to head check view between the B pillar and a small sliver of the rear window (eek)
• Voice recognition system

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What is on Farley’s mind other than thinking about his next bag of oats? Parked next to Farley’s corral is the new GMC Yukon Hybrid featuring GM’s 2-mode hybrid system. The 2008 Yukon Hybrid boasts a 332 hp, 6.0L Vortec V8, a NiMH 300V battery, two 60KW motors in the transmission, and nifty software that controls the whole caboodle. Not only can you pack in 8 passengers utilizing the 3rd row seating, but this 4×4 hybrid has the capacity to tow 6,000 pounds. Translation: mom can take the team to soccer practice during the week and dad can tow the family boat to the lake on the weekend.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Polished 4Motion Haldex system
• Scalpel-sharp handling
• Heavenly VR6 exhaust note
• Luxurious interior

Dings:

• DSG only
• Rear styling is hard to love
• Bullish understeer in wet conditions
• Tough to justify next to the new GTI

Ruling: If you want the most refined, mature and well-mannered hot hatch on the market, this is the one.

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The Volkswagen R32 is a great addition to the hot-hatch category. But is it a great value when compared with the VW GTI? Watch our video review and tell us how you think the R32 rates in your book.

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• 268 horsepower V6
• 28 MPG V6
• Serene, silent cabin at highway speed
• Reclining back seat with capricious legroom
• Comfortable leather seats

Dings:

• Blue screen of irritation
• Cheap-looking base audio system
• Not suited for the driving enthusiast

Ruling: Lexus luxury, performance and quality for Toyota price.

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By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Well integrated electronics
• Quiet and luxurious
• Good handling

Cons:

• Noisy under full throttle
• Hard for shorter drivers to see out
• Limited rear seat room

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Mercedes-Benz is continuing to build on its world-leading position in the field of clean diesel technology. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer has become the world’s first car producer to receive a certificate for licensing BlueTEC SUVs in all 50 US states.

Mercedes-Benz will shortly be launching three BlueTEC SUVs – the ML 320 BlueTEC, the R 320 BlueTEC and the GL 320 BlueTEC – featuring the technology for the world’s cleanest diesels. The vehicles, which will first be available in the US, comply with the extremely strict requirements of the American Bin 5 and ULEV emission standards, making Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer to be able to license diesel SUVs in all 50 US states. Following the successful market launch of the “clean diesel pioneer” – E 320 BlueTEC – in October 2006, this new step – which coincides with the 150th anniversary of Rudolf Diesel’s birth – is another extremely important milestone in the diesel initiative launched by Mercedes-Benz.

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• Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell announce the delivery of two Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) buses to Wayne County Airport Authority for terminal-to-terminal shuttle use at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
• Ford is the world’s first automaker to deliver commercial vehicles, powered by internal combustion engines that are fueled exclusively with hydrogen.
• Ford’s hydrogen bus delivers up to a 99.7 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and reduces our dependence on oil.

DETROIT, Mich. March 17, 2008 – Ford Motor Company and U.S. Congressman John Dingell and the Wayne County Airport Authority today announced the delivery of two hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 shuttle buses to be used for transporting airline passengers between terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).

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Porsche has released some additional photos of the special edition Boxster RS 60 Spyder in conjunction with the car’s German debut at the Auto Mobil International show in Leipzig. The Boxster RS 60 Spyder is a tribute to the Porsche that won Sebring 48 years ago. A total of 1,960 will be produced, each one fitted with slightly modified fascias, PASM, a wheel/tire upgrade, and a sport exhaust that bumps output to 298 HP (303 PS). Additionally, the cars are finished in the same silver-over-red combo as their forbear, with a numbered plaque adorning the dash. Following is the official press release from Porsche. Click on the thumbnail images to view them full size. Read the rest of this entry »

Maybe I should be posting this press release on our sister-site, GolfReview.com (?)

I think Tiger Woods far out-distances any Buick on the road today. Of course, that is just my opinion. And I’m not even a fan of golf. If you won the grand prize, would you ask Tiger to be your caddy or choose Tiger Woods’ personal Buick with the autographed plaque? Read the press release below for all the details…

DETROIT – Buick, the premium international automotive brand of General Motors, is giving one lucky person an exclusive opportunity to play golf alongside Tiger Woods, the world’s top golfer. Only this time, Woods will serve as the winner’s personal caddy in Buick’s new “Tee-Off with Tiger” online contest that begins today and runs through Sept. 28, 2008.

Contestants who register at www.teeoffwithtiger.com will have an opportunity to vie for the grand prize to partner with Woods or to win a high-end collectible only Buick can provide: Woods’ personal Buick vehicle – driven by the golf phenom himself – at several tournaments in which he competes during the promotion window. Every Buick vehicle Woods drives will come with a Tiger Woods autographed plaque, which is authenticated by Upper Deck.

“This is going to be as much fun for me as it is for the winners,” said Woods. “I’m looking forward to sharing some golf tips, maybe a few jokes and certainly a lot of laughs,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008 Lexus GS 450h hybrid is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in one trim only, the Sedan. The GS 450h has a VAR speed automatic transmission, 3.5-liter, V6, 340-horsepower, hybrid engine, and is equipped with a completely new Lexus hybrid powertrain which has 80 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car.

“From a stop, acceleration and low speed is all electric power. It’s silent. It’s eerily silent. Sometimes you think the car isn’t running, but once you get going, the transition between the electric and gas [motors] is very smooth…”

By John G.

Hybrid Power Without Compromise – Lexus GS 450h

Up:

• Luxurious yet not ostentatious, inside and out: that’s the Lexus way
• Ridiculous torque makes passing easy and high-speed cruising a pleasure
• Hybrid drive means a performance car that doesn’t feel silly stuck in traffic
• Keyless entry and exit done right

Down:

• “Quick start guide” is 58 pages long
• Weighs over two tons and it isn’t even AWD
• Map lights are really dim, light switches are hard to find in the dark
• Batteries for the hybrid drive don’t leave much trunk space

Sideways:

• Really a 4-door Grand Touring car, not a sports car Read the rest of this entry »

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Sporty and innovative – The Scirocco with adaptive chassis control and 7-speed DSG

Wolfsburg / Geneva - Volkswagen is putting on a spectacular parade of new models in Geneva with a host of international product debuts. Taking centre stage will be the highlight of the show, the new Scirocco – a completely re-engineered all-round sports car. Another vehicle being showcased at Lake Geneva is the Golf TDI Hybrid. This concept car runs on just 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. The 150-PS Passat Estate TSI EcoFuel, also debuting in Geneva, represents a technology leap for automobiles run on natural gas. Other Volkswagen world premieres will be the extremely fuel-efficient Sharan BlueMotion (6.0 litres per 100 km) and the four-wheel-drive Golf Estate 4Motion. The Passat CC will also be on display for the first time ever in Europe.

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By Francis Cebedo

Blings:

• Impeccable interior
• Innovative side headlights that light up when the car is in a turn
• Adjustable ride suspension really works and it adjusts the auto height automatically
• Auto sensing rain wipers worked flawlessly
• So many controls to play with and I never had to open the manual
• The electronic parking assist is a great tool. The rear camera also displays graphics to indicate where the car is going.
• Ahh luxury. Driver and passenger both have powered seats; the kids in the rear have their own climate control and their own heated seats.

Dings:

• Cargo room is limited
• Folding rear seats is painful to operate
• Sunroof is tiny
• Exterior styling seems unchanged from the previous Touareg
• No iPod dock

Ruling: This is a luxury SUV.

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There is a new hot-hatch on the market that blends a little old skool styling with a modern look, and Volvo’s renowned safety features. The 2008 Volvo C30 is a new 2-door hatchback and is Volvo’s smallest car for the U.S. market at 8.5 inches shorter than the S40 sedan. The C30 has a 6 speed manual transmission, 2.5L I5, 20 valve, 227-horsepower engine, seats four and offers a Custom Build ordering process with 17 different exterior color choices and 12 interior combinations.

Volvo C30 Photo Gallery	Volvo C30 Specs
Official website for Volvo automobiles in the U.S. - www.volvocars.com/us/