11 Gas Saving Tips

With gasoline and diesel prices continually rising at an astronomic rate, people are looking for ways to keep their fuel bills from devastating their already tight budget. Without investing into a hybrid or some other alternative fuel vehicle - which has an huge initial cost - you can go a little farther on that tank of gas and realize some immediate results by using some or all of the following gas saving tips. We compiled an easy list of things you can do right away and make fewer trips to the gas station.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Raucous 361 HP 6.0 Liter V8 for under $30K
• Rear-Wheel Drive
• Active fuel-management system
• No Navigation

Dings:

• No manual tranny and no paddle shifters
• Oil and volt gauges out of a 1984 6000 STE
• No Navigation

Ruling: Chalk one up for the merits of Globalization. Read the rest of this entry »

by Gary Chan

Pros

• Comfortable seats
• Quiet cruising
• Smooth acceleration

Cons

• Gas mileage (no where near 27 mpg)
• Brake dive
• Plastic interior not well implemented

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The new Audi Q5:
• The Audi Q5 builds on the foundation established by the Audi Q7, and strengthens Audi’s presence in the SUV segment.
• The Audi Q5 will be offered in the USA as a 3.2 V6 FSI direct injection with quattro® all wheel drive and a six speed Tiptronic transmission.
• The Audi Q5 will be the first Audi offering with Generation 3 MMI, and navigation with real-time traffic information.

Ingolstadt – The new Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure-time and family use. Strong and efficient engines, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and agile running gear have been brought together to create a superior technology package for both on- and off-road driving. The sportiest SUV in its class is dynamic, multifunctional and comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »

by Alex Kramer

Screaming fast turbo-charged engine? Check. Wide grippy tires? Check. Wind in your hair convertible top? Check. Head turning design? Check. New respect for Saturn from the car enthusiast crowd? Check!

Pros:

• Grin inducing acceleration
• Well balanced suspension
• True high performance tires
• “Look at me!” exterior design
• Lots of speed for little cash

Cons:

• Automatic transmission needs a manual mode
• Finicky convertible top
• Cheap interior plastic
• No cargo room

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I admit it - I’m just a weenie when it comes to getting dirty and getting close to nature. Those tiny 6-legged creatures that fly and crawl do not fit in my comfort zone. Mountain biking may be one of favorite sports, but I’m always a hot shower away to returning to my clean suburban home, soft feather mattress, and biodegradable citrus cleaners. Today I took the opportunity to get an intro to off-roading at the Toyota Trail Teams outdoor demo at the Sea Otter Classic in beautiful Monterey, CA. Essentially, the Sea Otter Classic is northern California’s largest cycling event and I was at Laguna Seca for four days covering the event for our sister sites - mtbr.com and roadbikereview.com.

Now, how does a bicycle race fit in with a car review site? Read the rest of this entry »

Troy Sumitomo, founder and president of Five Axis Design, will be making an appearance alongside a collection of his super-modified Scion showcars at the second annual Motoring ‘J’ Style show.

ALAMEDA, Calif., April 16, 2008 - Leading edge contemporary automotive stylist Troy Sumitomo will appear with a collection of his custom Five Axis Scion showcars at Motoring ‘J’ Style. Sumitomo, a California native and founder of Five Axis, has established himself in little over a decade as a rising star in the world of custom automobile design and fabrication. The one-day event, which is dedicated to Japanese car culture, will be held Saturday, May 24, at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, Calif.

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Editor’s note: The following is a detailed review submitted by LarryQW who recently purchased a Taurus X. Larry, whose background as an engineer, family man, and avid mountain biker, gives us his impressions of the Taurus X. Larry also wrote a review of the SYNC system and will be published very soon.

Options Installed

• Navigation System
• Family Entertainment System (with rear DVD player)
• Auxiliary Climate Control
• Limited Convenience Group

Major Pros:

• good handling and power
• large flexible interior for big family and cargo
• electronics haven

Major Cons:

• cheap hard-plastic dash
• low Navigation screen
• only 2000 lb towing
• only 5.1” ground clearance

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By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Very smooth ride
• Plenty of power
• Yep-18 miles per gallon

Cons:

• Expensive
• Susceptible to winds
• WIDE

Introduction
This is GM’s bold entry into the Hybrid SUV market. At first glance, the all black beast was intimidating yet “friendly” with its hybrid decals plastered about. What would it be like?

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Auburn Hills, Mich. - Mopar® and the Mopar Underground team showcased their customized Jeep_® vehicles and Dodge trucks at Moab Jeep Safari 2008 in March.

“Jeep engineering has been coming to Moab for years. Mopar is at Moab to test, evaluate and prove the authenticity of our Mopar Performance Parts for Jeep vehicles and Dodge trucks on the most grueling off-road trails in Moab,” said Simon Boag, President – Service & Parts/Mopar, Chrysler LLC. Mopar is Chrysler LLC’s original equipment parts manufacturer and supplier.

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