The SUV sales took a major slump in the United States this year, due to the rising fuel prices and the worsening economic situation. However, with recent oil prices going down, the gas price also started getting lower. In May and June, when the average gas price was $4.11 per gallon, truck sales fell below 10% of overall vehicle sales. In September, when the price fell to $2.78 per gallon, 14.1% vehicles sold were trucks. During such fragile financial times, I think it’s a stupid thing to go buy an SUV only because gas prices are lower. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?
But if people are reckless, carmakers are not. Because all the companies that announced the drop of some of their SUV, like GM, said they’ll stick to their current plans, where small cars and hybrids are their top priorities. Yvonne Malmgren, manager of global sales and incentive communications for Chrysler LLC told Automotive News that “as a company, we are looking at a future of high gasoline prices [..] That is what we expect, and we’re aligning our business plans with that idea in mind.”
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The Audi R8 is definitely one of the coolest supercars out there and we’d love to get our hands on one of them (at least for a drive test). However, even if you have enough money to think about getting one, it’s not that easy, because, though not very cheap, there are a lot of rich dudes that want one. While in Germany the waiting time is eight months, in the United States there are 50 units available each month, and a lot of people wanting them.
But that’s not all; according to Car and Driver, who spoke with Michael Dick, Audi’s member of the board of management for technical development, Audi are preparing some goodies for the R8 fans. First one is the R8 powered by the 5.2 liter V10 engine from the current S8, rumors saying that the engine might be upgraded up to 535 hp. The R8 V10 will be available in the second half of 2009. In the same period, Audi will also introduce the highly anticipated R8 Cabrio (or Convertible orTarga or Spyder, no one knows for sure what’s it going to be called). However, bad news for US customers. While the R8 V10 will be available in 2009, the R8 cabrio won’t be coming to the US until 2010 or 2011.
Another thing everyone was curious about, was if Audi was planning on actually releasing a V12 TDI version of the R8, like the one which was on display at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but Mr. Dick said that Audi hasn’t yet made a final decision on the project.
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It seems like the high demand for the Jetta TDI convinced Volkswagen to bring diesel engines for more of its US line-up. VW of America Communications Director Steve Keyes told Autobloggreen that the next car to get a diesel will be the Touareg, in March or April 2009, while the Golf VI, which will be marketed as Rabbit, because Americans like it more, will get a 2.0 liter TDI powerplant in the fall of 2009. Unfortunately, there’s also some bad news, especially for Tiguan fans. The mid-sized SUV won’t be getting a diesel engine anytime soon, because, due to the car’s extra weight, VW would have to make some changes to the powertrain in order to fit the 2.0 liter engine on the car.
Photo Gallery: New Volkswagen Golf VI Photos
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In a recent interview for Inside Line, RS6 project manager Jens Koch said that Audi is not considering bringing the current Audi RS6. “We had thought perhaps that it would be possible, given America’s preference for the four-door version instead of the Avant, but the work required on the V10 powertrain to meet the emissions goals hurt the business case.”
However, there are also some good news. According to Koch, the Audi RS5 will debut at next year’s Detroit Motor Show and, after that, it will also be available in the United States, with the RS4 following soon after. About the RS6, even though Americans won’t get the current model, Koch said that the next generation RS6, scheduled to debut in 2012, will be marketed globally, including to the United States.
He also made some other interesting things about Audi’s next sport models. After the RS5 and RS4 debuts, Audi will start marketing the Quattro name differently, to make it more clearly separated from the regular Audi’s. The S models will also be more sporty than the current ones, while the RS will be their top of the line in terms of performances.
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Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi rs4, audi rs5, audi rs6, rs, united-states, us
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In their effort to promote their diesel models range, Audi has announced the Mileage Marathon, an event where 27 cars powered by TDI engines will drive across the United States, on the New York- Chicago – Denver – Monterey – Los Angeles route. The marathon will start on October 6th and the cars are Q7, Q5 and A4 models equipped with the 3.0 TDI engine and the A3 with the 2.0 liter TDI engine. This event probably means that Audi is considering more and more diesel powered models for the US market, because until now, the only model announced is the Q7, which will go on sale in the first part of 2009. Fellow bloggers from Autoblog and Autobloggreen will be among the 184 drivers attending the event, so we hope they have a lot of fun!
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The Passat CC, or the Volkswagen CC will be available in the United States starting this fall, with pricing starting just under $27,000. However, what we didn’t knew was that Volkswagen is also considering bringing a diesel version to the States, especially with diesel models getting more and more popular. According to Brett Scott, product planner for Volkswagen’s trucks and mid-size cars, who talked to The Car Connection, thought a diesel CC is not currently in the product plan, VW is “certainly looking at it.”
When sales will start, the CC will be avaialble with two petrol engines, a 200 hp 2.0 liter TSI and a 280hp 3.6 liter FSI and if the car would get the diesel, it will probably be the 140 hp 2.0 liter turbodiesel already alvailable for the European CC and which will power the US 2009 VW Jetta TDI.
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A recent study by IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) showed that licensing teens at later ages could significantly decrease car fatality rate. In the US, New Jersey is the only state that holds off licensure until age 17 and, according to the study, the 16 year old death rate per 100,000 population is almost 5 times lower than in other states (4.4, comparing to Connecticut’s 20.7). Ironically, New Jersey’s problem is not with 16 year old teens, but with 17 yo ones, which have a slightly higher rate than Connecticut (32.3 comparing to 31.1), but the average still is much lower in Jersey. Of course, the most important issue, which actually prevents the minimum driving age to be raised in most states, is whether car crashes are caused by youth or by the lack of experience and, considering the 17 year old stats, we’d say that experience is really the most important.
The IIHS compares the US situation with countries like Great Britain or Australia where teenagers can get their driving license at 17, while in most European countries the minimum driving age is 18. In the United States, several states, including Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Georgia, tried to raise the legal driving age, but failed.
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Audi has announced that the 2009 Audi A3 will go on sale in the US later this month. The revised A3 features restyled front bumper and hood, large single-frame radiator grille, revised headlights with LED daytime running lights, side mirrors with integrated turn signals and new door handles, while under the hood there have been some minor engine upgrades and the 2.0 liter TFSI is now available with quattro AWD and a ‘S tronic’ double clutch transmission. Customers will also be able to choose Audi’s magnetic ride suspension control. The engine range also include the 2.0 liter TFSI engine (200hp (147kW) and 207lb-ft (280Nm) of torque), the 3.2 liter engine (250hp (186kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque).
Prices for the 2009 Audi A4 will start at $27,745 for the A3 FrontTrak 2.0L TFSI model and up to $37,800 for the A3 Quattro 3.2L V6. Like we said, US customers will be able to place their orders starting later this month.
Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi-a3, pricing, united-states, us
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To be honest, I don’t really like how Nissan is handling their GT-R. I mean yeah, the car’s great, everyone who ever drove it (we didn’t had the chance, yet) says it’s brilliant, but I think Nissan also contributes heavily to the hype. First it was the still unclear situation of the press cars, who seem to have more power than regular ones and now this. First priced at $69,850, Nissan has announced that, starting with Sept 5th, the GT-R’s price has gone up 10 percent, up to $76,840 for the GT-R and $79,090 for the GT-R Premium model. According to the Japanese producer, the higher price was caused by the increase of the raw materials.
Until now, about 70 percent of the cars destined for the USA were sold and the first deliveries will be made on July 7, 2008.
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Post tags: Tags: gt-r, Nissan, nissan-gt-r, price, pricing, united-states, us
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Boston cabs to go hybrid by 2015, drivers not so happy
Boston cab drivers are pretty upset these days, because the Boston police department decreed that all cabs in the city must go hybrid by 2015. And because all cabs must be retired after they turn 6, it is estimated that by the end of next year, almost 50 percent of Boston cabs will be hybrids. “Requiring taxicabs to go hybrid is an essential step in not only improving air quality, but also improving the quality of our taxi fleet,” said Boston Mayor Tom Menino (known locally as Mumbles Menino). “I am confident that these new regulations will greatly improve taxi service in Boston for all residents and our many guests.”
But, as we said, that’s not good news for cab drivers, because an used Ford Crown Victoria sells for about $6,000 or $7,000, while a new (or even an used) Toyota Prius starts at over $24,000. Add the rising fuel prices and we might see Boston losing an important number of cab drivers, who won’t afford a car.
The Boston police department’s decision comes after New York’s mayor, Bloomberg said that all cabs must go hybrid by 2012 and after San Francisco authorities announced that all cabs have three years to cut their emissions by 50 percent.
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I love pets, especially dogs, so this story really made me sad and angry at the same time. Here’s what happened. Michael Gonzales and his girlfriend, from Texas, were really in a hurry to take their poodle, Missy, which was very sick, to the vet. However, they were clocked doing 100 mph and were pulled over by San Marcos police officer Paul Stephens who began writing Michael a ticket. Meanwhile, the dog was chocking on the backseat, but that didn’t impress the cop, who began talking about how driving at that speed puts people lives in danger.
Of course, we don’t agree with speeding on public roads but that doesn’t mean we are insensitive to situations like this. While the couple was almost begging the Stephens to let at least one of them drive with Missy to the vet, he replied “It’s a dog. You can get another one. Relax.” Unfortunately, all this arguing did not help the poodle at all, Missy dying right under their owners’ eyes. Police Chief Howard Williams agreed that Stephens’ behaviour was not one the most appropriate, but probably no measures will be taken against the stubborn cop.
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Last week, Toyota USA announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the 2009 Toyota Yaris. The subcompact car from the Japanese producer will be available in three body styles: sedan, three-door Liftback, and an all-new five-door liftback, each in Base and Sporty “S” grades. Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for all three body styles with an automatic transmission and 29/36/32 mpg for the manual transmission models.
All Yaris grades will now feature a number of standard safety features, including anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. New exterior colors for the 2009 Yaris include Zephyr Blue Metallic and Blue Streak Metallic on Sedan and Yellow Jolt and Carmine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmine Red Metallic on Liftback.
Prices for the Yaris three-door Liftback models range from $12,205 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $14,825 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
The all-new five-door Liftback model prices range from $13,305 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission to $15,125 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
Yaris Sedan model pricing ranges from $12,965 for the Base grade with four cylinder engine and manual five-speed transmission to $15,880 for the S grade with four cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.
Post tags: Tags: price, Toyota, toyota yaris, united-states, us
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After the 2009 Honda Pilot was presented some time ago, today Honda unveiled the new 2009 Honda Ridgeline. The car’s look is influenced by the Pilot, the most important changes being a revised grille, new front and rear bumper and new headlight and taillight design. The engine offer remains the same, a 3.5-liter VTEC V6 engine that develops 250 hp (3 hp more than the previous one) at 5,700 rpm and 247 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission was also revised and offers more responsive acceleration.
On the interior, we’ve got active front seat head restraints, daytime running lights, new steering wheel, 3D-style gauges, while the Ridgeline RTL also has Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and a 115-volt power outlet. 2009 Honda Ridgeline US sales are expected to start in September.
Check out more photos after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: facelift, Honda, honda ridgeline, united-states, us
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On Friday, Audi USA announced the pricings for the new Audi A4, both Sedan and Avant versions. The starting MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) for the 2009 Audi A4 Sedan will be $32,700, while the 2009 Audi A4 Avant will start at a MSRP of $34,500. The sedan buyers will be able to choose between a 211 hp 2.0 TFSI and a 265 hp 3.2-liter FSI V6, both petrol engines and both with quattro all-wheel-drive system (front wheel drive will only be available on the 2.0 TFSI). The Avant will only come with a 2.0 TFSI engine and the quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Audi will begin delivery of customer orders in September 2008, but some dealers will have vehicles available for test drives as early as the week of August 10th.
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Over 600,000 cars in the US Government garage
Car collectors across the world have really been put to shame by none other than the United States Government, owning approximately 642,233 cars. Quite a lot to say the least, putting together this data from the General Services Administration, the Associated Press have reached the conclusion that the costs of maintaining all these cars in running order and fueled costs about $3.4 billion. This without taking into consideration the rise of fuel prices.
Most of these cars are protocol ones, being used by dignitaries and officials from the government, so you would think that they are only used in the interest of the country and are being taken care of by their users, well, not that much. Millions of dollars are being effectively thrown out the window by this administration, such is the case with some drivers earning up to $90,000, with a base salary starting from $46,000. Quite a lot of money for driving around officials without being pulled over by police. A part of those cars are rarely put to work, at a medical center in Cleveland, a few cars have been driven an amazing amount of 16 times in the past year, and to top it all off, a car has been missing for a few months, police having no ideea where it is.
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