Filling That Niche: BMW to Produce 5 Series-Based Progressive Activity Sedan

BMW has given the greenlight to its Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), Autocar reports today. The four-door hatch will apparently slot in-between the 5 Series and 7 Series in terms of size and will act as a tall 7 Series, opposed to a lowered X6.

The lifted hatchback layout should offer multiple packaging opportunities, as more interior space equates to more leg and cargo room. Exterior design cues are likely to follow the form of the recently-canned CS concept and 2009 Z4. Powertrain options should range from the 3.0-liter turbodiesel for European markets and the 3.0-liter twin turbo for the states.

Expect an official unveil sometime in late 2009, possibly as early as the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next September. - http://www.motortrend.com

A Hotter, Smaller Hatch: VW Polo GTI Details Emerge

The VW Polo, the ultra-popular European supermini, will receive an impressive GTI treatment in 2009. Auto Express broke the details today to what should be another favorite in VW’s lineup.
According to Auto Express, the engine will pack a considerable wallop over the last generation in the form of a version of VW's 1.4-liter supercharged and turbocharged TSI unit producing 178 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque (about 30hp and 64 lb-ft more than the last generation) in European-spec trim. Transmissions will include a standard six-speed manual, or a seven-speed DSG. The Polo will also reportedly receive the standard GTI aesthetic, with reworked lower fascias, flared fenders, a roof spoiler and a trademark black grille with red highlight. Added underneath are stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars and upgraded brakes. You can expect a 0-60 mph time of around seven seconds, a 140 mph top speed, and above 30 mpg. Just don’t expect to see it in U.S. dealer showrooms anytime soon, although VW is toying with the idea of bringing the Polo to America at some point. Source: Auto Express/Motor Trend

5 reasons to purchase a Certified Pre-Owned BMW, Volkswagen, Kia, or Subaru

Thanks to manufacturer certified pre-owned vehicle (CPO) programs, buying a used vehicle can involve less risk and provide you with added benefits. Here are some facts to keep in mind as you consider whether purchasing a CPO vehicle is right for you.

1. A manufacturer certification is a guarantee of quality. During the certification process, CPO vehicles (which are typically used vehicles in excellent condition and with low mileage) are put through a multi-point inspection covering more than 100 factors—including the engine’s mechanical condition, electrical system, tires and wheels, and a road test—to ensure high quality. Reconditioning, if necessary, is completed to ensure that the pre-owned vehicle you purchase will perform just as well as a new one.

2. Buying a CPO vehicle can provide you with more car for a lower price. While a CPO vehicle may cost slightly more than a comparable non-CPO vehicle, it will still cost considerably less than a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model. With a CPO vehicle, you may be able to afford a more luxurious model with a greater array of options than you would if you purchased your vehicle brand-new.

3. Most manufacturer CPO programs offer added peace-of-mind and cost-saving benefits. CPO programs typically offer free roadside assistance, attractive financing options, and extended warranties. Be sure to ask your New Motors sales associate what’s included when you shop for a CPO vehicle.

4. The warranty of your manufacturer certified pre-owned vehicle remains valid even if you move, or the dealer ceases to operate. Not all certified pre-owned vehicle programs are created equal, particularly when it comes to warranties. If a vehicle is certified by a dealership or a third party rather than by the automobile manufacturer, the CPO vehicle warranty may become invalid if the dealership or third party ceases to operate, or if you move out of the area. However, when you purchase a manufacturer certified vehicle, your warranty will remain good for the length of its term, and you’ll have the ability to take advantage of the protection afforded by your warranty through the manufacturer’s network of dealerships.

5. You can avoid incurring the cost of a new car’s depreciation. As soon as a new vehicle is driven off the dealer’s lot, the value of the car diminishes by thousands of dollars. With a manufacturer CPO vehicle, you get the benefit of driving a high-quality car without paying for the usual depreciation.

Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Used Vehicle Sales and Certification StudySM

The all new and exciting KIA SOUL is here!

See more details on our New Motors Kia page

First Look: 2009 BMW Z4

The redesigned 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster now has a retractable hardtop and will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit January 11.

It's here! The All New BMW X5 xDrive 35d (Diesel)

The X5 xDrive35d is be eligible for $1,550 tax credit

BMW calls it a Sports Activity Vehicle. It is one of the most well-rounded, high-performance, luxury-caliber SUVs in the marketplace. Now, it's be available with a diesel engine. The BMW X5 xDrive35d will share the same 3.0 liter biturbo inline-six diesel engine that will power the new diesel version of the BMW 335d. The two vehicles will launch together as a veritable one-two punch for clean diesel technology.
Diesel will grant the BMW X5 xDrive35d better fuel economy (as much as a 30 percent improvement to 19 city/26 highway) and higher torque than its gas-powered counterpart. This means the performance-tuned X5 diesel will have even greater acceleration and more low-end pulling power than ever. All while making cleaner emissions a reality.
The advanced diesel system will utilize BluePerformance urea injection, which will allow the BMW X5 xDrive35d to be sold in all 50 states, even those following California's strict emissions standards. BluePerformance uses a solution called AdBlue, that is injected into the exhaust gas to turn nitrous oxides into nitrogen gas and water vapor. This works in conjunction with a particulate filter to further reduce emissions.

" 5 Star Rated "

I was at one of my dealers today and during our conversation the Salesmanager from one of the dealers other stores comes into the office and asks if we had heard about one of the sales guys parents. Apparently they had purchased a Borrego and had been in a VERY bad accident just a few days after picking it up. They were driving at the truck south for the winter to Florida on I-95 at about 80MPH near Roanoke VA, when they got rear ended by a CrewCab Dually Chevy. The rear end of the Borrego lost traction, and started swinging wildly back and forth, and the truck ended up going sideways and rolling over repeatedly. It was hit twice more by the Chevy as they rolled, after going over many times they ended up going off the road down a 30 foot embankment. At which point the truck started flipping end over end. The truck only came to rest when it rapped it self around a tree. In total they probably rolled over and endo’ed at least 20 times. The truck was so beat up, and it had hit the tree so hard, that when they went to winch the truck out the body actually separated from the chassis of the truck.

Why am I telling you this gruesome story?

Both occupants (two older people), just about walked away. While very banged up (mostly from there luggage and other property banging around the truck) the worst of the injuries were that the driver had a broken Sternum, and his wife ended up with a broken collar bone. They both claim they owe there life to the Borrego, and this feeling was backed up by many of the troopers who were on the seen. One of which commented that he has been on the force for almost 15 years, and has seen many wrecks. When he arrived on seen he thought for sure it was a fatality, and was very surprised to find the drivers alert and communicating. He told the owners, that for sure if they had been driving ANY other vehicle they would be dead. This trooper’s second surprise came when he found out the twisted wreck of a truck that had given its life to save its occupants was a Kia.

Now if that is not a success story about how Kia has evolved as a car company, I don’t know what is. Gives new meaning to the term “5 star rated”.

Jim Bigi

Kia Motors

2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards

Best Green Car: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Mention "green" cars today and you certainly don't think of paint colors. Instead, you think of chrome badges, most of which say "hybrid" in one way or another. Add another to that list: the VW Jetta TDI. Volkswagen's 2009 Jetta TDI burns diesel, but it is the best of the oil-burners we've ever seen. It's plenty powerful, quiet, smooth, odor and smoke free, and gets phenomenal fuel economy from every gallon: 30 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway. It also meets 50-state emissions requirements, so Californians can finally get in on the diesel goodness.

2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards

Best Kept Secret: 2009 Kia Borrego

You've seen the ads, and may have dismissed them, but the 2009 Kia Borrego is a V-8 powered, four-wheel drive SUV that's capable, comfortable, roomy, and a worthy competitor to any other midsized SUV you'd care to mention. The 2009 Kia Borrego's V-8 even gets better mileage than the V-6 version. Sure, the market for trucks like this is shrinking, but even in contracting SUV markets, there's money to be made and customers to be won, and seeing such a winning formula from Kia was a pleasant, but definite, surprise.

Stop In And Browse Our Boutique For Holiday Gifts

Many gift ideas in stock, such as:

Coffee Mugs, Car Care Kits
Hats , Umbrellas
Key Chains, Model Cars
T-Shirts, License Plate Brackets
Sweatshirts, Duffel Bags
Winter Hats, Golf Bag/Balls/Gloves
Polo Shirts, Sunglasses
Scarfs, Pen Sets

Maybe even consider a car clean and detailing gift certificate.
We have many wonderful gifts that your family and friends will love!

5 Ways to Protect Your Kids (and Yourself!) from the Flu

The season is changing and we have finally arrived at that bittersweet time of Daylight Savings. I always feel like this simple one-hour time change throws me into a pretty significant physiological shift. For me, it also marks the beginning of the flu and cold season. Ever wonder why the winter months are when we get sick the most? While many experts have their myriad reasons, the culprit is not as simple as "it's cold outside." There are few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from what seems to be the inevitable flu. The guardian of the health of our body is the immune system. While intangible and challenging to identify, the immune system has very specific signs and symptoms. For a moment, put aside the traditional considerations for assessing your child's health. Instead, I’d like you to consider some new approaches and angles that will provide you with insight into the likelihood that your child will stay healthy or get sick this winter season.

1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.Studies have shown that through a complex system of chemical processes sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. There exists a direct link between the amount of these foods that your child consumes and his/her health. Obvious foods such as sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big guns that should be kept concealed. Even more disturbing are the foods that you think are healthy for your child that hide sugar and many refined ingredients: yogurt, and yogurt drinks and “pops;”most cereals; juices; fruit roll ups and “leathers;” “healthy” cookies and treats, soy ice cream and frozen treats. While being marketed as healthy choices, these foods aren’t much better than the obvious poor choices. Work hard during flu season to keep these foods away from your children. Read ingredient labels and watch out for: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or “HFCS,” brown rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, barleymalt and the obvious, sugar.

2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.It’s shocking to me how often I see people turn to orange juice for vitamin C in an effort to fight off a cold or flu. It is important to understand that the majority of vitamin C in orange juice is added after processing. Vitamin C and others like zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium help to support the immune system and are a great defense during flu season. Choose better by having kids eat fresh whole foods such as cherries, berries, and apples, and vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes. I know you probably hear this suggestion all the time, but it can’t be stressed enough. It is imperative to find creative ways to prepare vegetables so that kids will actually eat them. Sautee, roast or grill vegetables with olive oil or real butter, add some fresh sea salt or sprinkle with organic low fat cheese and kids will be more likely to eat.

3. Sleep will boost the immune system.At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system. Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it’s resilient the next day. Be diligent and ensure that kids get a full night sleep of 8-10 hours. Mandate bedtime despite protests and stick to a regular schedule. These are the times that mom and dad really need to be the boss. Resist the temptation to allow your child to stay up late and watch his or her favorite show. At the end of the day when you are tired as well, it’s easy to give in to your child’s vigilant campaign. Remember: Would you rather avoid the confrontation tonight? Or deal with a sick kid tomorrow?

4. Fatigue is the first sign of a distressed immune system.As already stated, the immune system desperately needs sleep to keep the body healthy. When the immune system is fighting to keep your child healthy, it requests that the body get extra rest to help in the fight. If your child seems more fatigued than usual, it could be a very strong signal that your child is on the brink of getting sick. The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work or your child’s school. If you hear of a bug “going around” and you notice that your child is tired, there’s a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu. This is the time to allow extra television and require a mid-day nap.

5. Wash hands frequently, but avoid antibacterial products.This seems counterintuitive, but the best way to kill environmental germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly. Bacteria live all around us. They are on every surface we touch and in every breath we take. Without bacteria, our immune system wouldn’t learn to be strong. Our internal bacterial system fights off invaders and thereby gets more effective at winning the battle. It’s just like working out: In order to become stronger, you must work hard in the gym. Your child’s body is a bacterial gym. Again, this comes back to the immune system. If you foster a strong immune system, your child’s body will fight off invaders and therefore become more resilient to future battles. While it is imperative to wash hands frequently during flu season, remember that the hands are only one very small way that germs enter your child’s system. Killing off the germs on hands with antibacterial products is futile and weakens your child’s- and the world’s- future ability to confront germs.- Holly Perkins, Intent.com

Borrego selected as “Best Kept Secret” by Autobytel

Kia Borrego has just been on sale for less than six months in US market and already received it’s first award. A couple of days ago, Kia Motors America announced Borrego has been selected as the “Best Kept Secret” in the 2009 Editors’ Choice Awards.

Equipped with fuel-efficient V8 or V6 engines, Borrego was chosen for its impressive combination ofcapabilities, space and comfort. Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing at Kia Motors America said: “Borrego continues to gain strong recognition in the press and among consumers, and its Autobyte selection is further proof of Borrego’s value package. It is a reflection of Kia Motors’ new design direction and a pointer to more outstanding product offerings to come.” Read more about this award at Kia Motors America website.

2009 BMW 335d - Short Take Road Test

It’s no secret that we love BMWs. Indeed, browse any auto-enthusiast message board, and you’ll no doubt read about the piles of fresh $100 bills that arrive in our office every month from some German dude named Bayerische M. Werke. The reality, though, is that bribes are unnecessary, especially in the case of the sensational 3-series. It’s the benchmark vehicle for a benchmark company and a car we’ve called “terrific,” “magical,” “world-class,” “definitive,” and “a wing-footed god.” (Although even we admit that that last one might be a bit much.)

Today, we add a new descriptor to our 3-series vocabulary: torquey sumbitch. For 2009, BMW has finally seen fit to offer a compression-ignition 3 in the U.S., gifting on us its twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel engine, which pumps out a goodly sum of power (265 horsepower @ 4200 rpm) and a wicked level of twist (425 pound-feet @ 1750 rpm). Compared with a regular 335i sedan, which boasts 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, the 335d has 42 percent more torque while sacrificing just 12 percent in the power department. That, friends, is the sort of compromise we can live with.

That Old Familiar Feeling
Once you slide the gear selector into drive—the 335d is only available with a six-speed automatic—you’ll see what we mean. Mashing the throttle unleashes a fusillade of torque down the driveshaft, and the nearly immediate availability of same allows the 335d to churn its way to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 100 mph. (A 335i manual sedan accomplishes the 0-to-60 and quarter-mile runs in 4.8 seconds and 13.5 seconds at 106 mph, respectively.) We think the 335d feels even quicker.
The rest of the 335d experience is typical 3-series: perfect steering, sublime body control, strong braking performance (161 feet from 70 to 0 mph), and unparalleled ride quality. In fact, beyond the immense torque and abbreviated tach—redline is 5000 rpm—you’d never even know this is a diesel, especially with the windows up. Little noise clatters its way into the cabin, and our noses picked up no trace of diesel’s unmistakable scent. Even with the windows down, this engine still sounds good. It has a throatier growl than BMW’s gas-fired sixes and none of the click-clack harshness that characterizes most Americans’ idea of a diesel soundtrack.

Fuel economy is rated at an impressive 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, improvements of 6 and 10 mpg over a 335i automatic sedan. Given current average national fuel prices ($2.49 per gallon for premium gasoline and $2.94 per gallon for diesel) and a 12,000-mile annual driving load, however, the fuel-cost saving of a 335d over a conventional 335i is minimal.

iDrive We Can Live With
We had but a few minutes to fiddle with the new-generation iDrive system debuting in 2009 BMWs, but we quickly figured out how to change the radio, start the navigation system, and generally find what we were looking for. In other words, it’s everything the old system was not: intuitive and easy to use. Those of us who have spent more time with the new setup—most notably in the 2009 7-series—have come away similarly impressed. - CarandDriver.com

2009 GTI: Named one of Car and Drivers 10 BEST

2009 Volkswagen GTI
Hot-hatchback hero.

It’s been a quarter-century since the first GTI put an exclamation point on Volkswagen’s Rabbit lineup, and 25 years of continuous development through five generations have yielded a car that still defines the class it established in that other century.

VW’s robust 2.0-liter turbo four provides ample thrust, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission (standard) or, our choice, the slick paddle-shifted dual-clutch DSG automated manual.

But it’s the GTI’s rigid unibody that makes it such an agreeable partner, whether it’s the daily commute or a weekend back-road blast. Exemplary chassis rigidity allowed the development team to tune the suspension for a blend of precise response and smooth ride quality reminiscent of a car wearing BMW badges.

As an added bonus, GTI ownership includes an exceptionally high practicality factor. Like the Rabbit/Golf series on which it’s based, the GTI has grown over the years, growth that’s magnified by the versatility that’s shared by all hatchbacks. The option of three- or five-door body styles augments the practicality factor.

Practicality and fun in a small-scale, sporty German hatchback. It doesn’t get much better.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback
BASE PRICE: $23,640–$24,240
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4Power (SAE net): 200 bhp @ 5100 rpmTorque (SAE net): 207 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual
DIMENSIONS:Wheelbase: 101.5 in Length: 165.7 in Width: 69.3 in Height: 58.4 inCurb weight: 3150–3250 lb
FUEL ECONOMY:EPA city/highway driving: 21–22/29–31 mpg

Jetta TDI Named 2009 Green Car of the Year

LOS ANGELES, Nov 20, 2008 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) ----Green Car Journal Announces Winner at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Volkswagen's milestone 2009 Jetta TDI has been named Green Car Journal's 2009 Green Car of the Year, besting competitors that included a pair of advanced hybrids, a clean diesel sport sedan, and a trendy fuel-efficient microcar. This is the first time that a clean diesel model has been awarded the title Green Car of the Year. Green Car Journal has been unveiling the Green Car of the Year winner at the LA Auto Show every year since it initiated the annual award in 2005.

"The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI epitomizes what the Green Car of the Year honor is all about," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "It raises the bar significantly in environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe emissions. This is all the more impressive when you consider the Jetta TDI is a clean diesel, achieving the kind of fuel efficiency offered by gasoline-electric hybrids but in a more affordable way."
Volkswagen's Jetta TDI features a 2.0-liter, turbocharged direct injection engine featuring the latest in diesel injection and emissions technology that allows it to meet strict emissions standards in all 50 states. Although its mission is to provide buyers a comfortable and fuel efficient five-passenger family sedan at an affordable US$21,990, there's a bit of performance in the bargain because of this clean diesel engine's abundant low-end torque and the Jetta's well-tuned suspension. This Volkswagen's new-generation diesel powerplant is also exceptionally quiet for a diesel, reflecting just how far advanced diesel technology has come in recent years.
A jury of environmental and automotive experts selected the 2009 Jetta TDI from the field of five finalists that also included the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and smart fortwo. This jury is comprised of nine jurors including Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; automotive expert and Tonight Show host Jay Leno; automotive icon Carroll Shelby; and four Green Car Journal editors.

About Green Car of the Year

The Green Car of the Year award is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. Green Car of the Year is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc. Additional information about the 2009 Green Car of the Year can be found at GreenCar.com.

Motor Trend Car of the Year Contender: 2009 Volkswagen CC

Yes, beneath the 2009 Volkswagen CC's, low four-door coupe bodywork inspired by the Mercedes-Benz CLS (many prefer the VW) lurks the humble transverse-engine DNA of the workhorse Rabbit/Golf/Jetta/Passat. That key architectural difference explains why this fully loaded CC with a V-6 and 4Motion all-wheel drive costs $4000 less than a similarly loaded four-banger Audi A4 2.0T quattro.

Relative to that corporate cousin, the CC is 3.7 in. longer, almost an inch wider, 0.4 in. lower, and only 62 lb heavier. Acceleration performance is within a tenth of a second of the Audi's to 60 mph and through the quarter mile. More surprisingly, the handling numbers are as good as or better than the Audi's, with identical braking, higher grip, and a quicker figure-eight lap. "I was surprised to find I prefer it to the A4; better engine sound, steering is more communicative, feels faster, too," says senior editor Ed Loh. "Rather crisp handling," concurs technical editor Kim Reynolds, countering that highway Botts dots can agitate the chassis.The GTI-inspired hardware might not be as adroit as the pricier A4's when hustling over imperfect pavement, but the steering has an organic feel and better weighting than the A4's.Our CC's interior trim draws unanimous raves for its rich materials and four Italianate leather buckets with roll-stitched inserts, though some have been put off by the lack of a center rear seat or Bluetooth connectivity. The rear seat is positioned slightly higher than the front, and yet that plunging roofline affords reasonable space and visibility for the 5-ft-10-and-under crowd.Does the 2009 Volkswagen CC have what it takes to become the 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year? Find out later tonight... MOTORTREND.COM

2009 BMW 7 Series gets the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book treatment

We know it's early, but there's a good chance a few of you out there are already thinking about Christmas, or Christmas shopping at least. Finding the right gift for the gear head in your family can be difficult, especially if you're the gear head and you're trying to get the family to hook you up with car parts. There's just no easy way to drop hints about floor mats for a '67 Mustang, or a new welder. But if you or someone you know is the type who'd like a new car for Christmas -- and have a cool $160,000 grand to throw around -- BMW has you covered. BMW Individual, BMW's in-house customization service, is creating 31 special editions of its new 2009 7 BMW Series for the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book in honor of the model's 31st anniversary.

This isn't the first time BMW Individual has sold customized cars in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, also known as the Christmas catalog for people who make way more money than you. Since all the cars sold out quick last time, BMW is at it again. Why the premium? For starters, the Neiman 7 Series will feature Diopside Black metallic paint, giving it a greenish-black look. Inside, you'll be treated to Champagne Merino leather everywhere, Piano Black trim, and a special BMW Individual steering wheel with an inset Piano Black wood trim ring, all in addition to all the features you'd normally find on a BWM 7 Series.

If exclusivity and special paint and trim aren't enough to pry $160,000 out of your wallet, the car also comes with a trip to the South of France. The 31 lucky recipients of this lavish gift will be flown to Munich to take delivery of their cars, get an exclusive tour of BMW's facilities, then embark on a multi-city tour of South France, after which their cars will be shipped to the U.S. for immediate delivery. The tour will include stops in Nice, Monaco and Cannes as well as plenty of cruising along the French Riviera.

Live from SEMA: Kia Borrego Limited SEMA Concept

Today, Kia took the wraps off its Borrego Limited SEMA concept at its booth aimed at portraying the sleek, classy urban nature of the brand’s biggest U.S. model.
As you can see, designers ran with a black theme throughout the build and incorporated chrome accents all along its exterior. Up front, a new chrome mesh grille are said to “add flair to its already striking and commanding presence," while the door handles, front side vents and mirrors receive the same shiny treatment. A lower stance thanks to a revised spring setup drops the bold ride on 22-in. Avarus Chrome wheels. Inside, passengers will find a custom black leather wrapped cabin embossed in many places with an alligator skin pattern. The interior is finished off with a expansive surround sound stereo system with TV, DVD and navigation systems. - MOTORTREND

2009 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition Concept

The TDI Cup "Street" is powered by Volkswagen's powerful 2.0L clean-diesel TDI producing 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of readily available torque, mated to the six-speed DSG transmission with Tiptronic and Sport mode. The TDI Cup Street edition rides on Yokohama 225/40R18 ADVAN sport tires and 18-in. multi-spoke wheels. The TDI Cup "Street" will be available in similar GLI colors and feature "TDI Cup Edition" applique for the vehicle side and branded door-sill inserts. The interior brings upgrades that include a race-inspired three-spoke steering wheel with the TDI Cup logo and Interlagos cloth sport seats. Based on consumer feedback, the Jetta TDI Cup Edition may be available as early as 2010 with a price starting under $30,000.

New Kia Forte pics hit the web.

As you may already know, after the deluge of official and unofficial reports, Kia has finally debuted it’s all-new Forte sedan today. It seems like we have been waiting for this day to come forever, but it’s finally here, and at last, we can show you the car that has been eagerly awaited by many Kia fans around the world.

BMW mulling a "green" supercar?

By Alex Nunez, Forecast Earth Correspondent Posted Thu Oct 30, 2008 5:47pm PDT

BMW Group
U.K. pub Autocar has the rumor mill spinning like that big money wheel on "The Price Is Right." You know what? We'll bite, 'cause this one's juicy.

In the October 29 issue, Autocar says that BMW wants a lightweight 2-seat supercar that also doubles as a green performance showcase, according to an unnamed "company official." Power could come from a variant of the automaker's excellent direct-injected 3.0L turbo inline-six, which would be further augmented by Efficient Dynamics features such as a stop/start system and brake energy regeneration (both of which are already available on a variety of European-market BMWs). Maybe even F1-style KERS, too.

The idea is to deliver performance to rival Europe's top sports cars, while keeping emissions and fuel consumption on par with a mainstream sedan. If BMW were to style this theoretical supercar like the recent M1 Homage design study (shown above), all the better.
Even if this particular rumor never pans out, the approach described is something we all ought to get used to. As we've noted before, big V8 or V12 power is awesome, but it'll become less prevalent as automakers look to balance performance demands with the realities of emissions limits and fuel economy regs.

BMW prides itself on building performance cars, so it's no surprise to hear that they're looking at how to deliver performance more efficiently.

Prepare to have an Anti-Anxiety Attack.

11 models. 3 years or 36,000 miles. $0 scheduled maintenance fees on 2009 models.

Every 2009 Volkswagen comes with Carefree Maintenance, including a no charge Courtesy Vehicle Check. Add in regularly scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, at no charge,* and you're liable to experience an Anti-Anxiety Attack: an overwhelming feeling that everything is perfectly under control. Peace of mind. It's what the people want.

Nitrogen Tire Inflation System at New Motors

* Visit our Specials page to get your discount coupon and schedule your appointment today!!

Until very recently, advances in tire technology concentrated on the rubber, tread, and the radial metal used in the structure of the tire. Over the past twenty years, the humble tire has come a long way, but one thing remained constant. The means by which the tire was inflated. Now, thanks to huge research into what could improve tire performance for all drivers, nitrogen tire inflation systems are available that are set to revolutionize the whole industry.

Using regular compressed air to fill tires has been the standard practice for more than a century, but the fact is, the air inside the tire is one of the main contributing factors in tire degradation, which can lead to a catastrophic failure in the tire. Using a nitrogen tire inflation system allows you to replace the regular air in the tire with pure inert nitrogen gas, which in turn protects the rubber, and has a number of other important benefits for drivers.

Using a nitrogen tire inflation system allows you to give drivers a more efficient, safer, and more comfortable drive. There are many reasons for this, but they are all related to the fact that when you use nitrogen to fill the tire rather than regular air, less of it escapes, meaning that the pressure is more reliable, so the tire stays at its optimum level.

Normal ambient air contains around 78% nitrogen; however, the remaining 22% is made up of other gases, including around 21% oxygen. Oxygen is one of the most reactive gases in the world, and it can cause a great deal of damage to both the rubber of the tire, and the metal of the rim. Over time, the oxygen degrades the rubber and the metal making the valves less effective, and the rubber more porous. A tire filled with regular air starts to deflate gradually.

Low pressure in a tire means that it has a higher rolling resistance. In turn this means that the engine has to work harder to push the car along, meaning a higher fuel bill. By using a chemically inert gas with a system, you are able to guarantee a higher internal pressure in the tires. This provides a better ride, better fuel economy, and of course better safety, as a tire that is properly inflated is less likely to fail in use due to proper distribution of weight, and even wear.

Over the next couple of years, as concern about man made climate change grows, and with the ever increasing cost of fuel, many drivers are going to be looking for an edge from their workshop. Nitrogen tire inflation systems are set to be that edge. Imagine being able to offer a single service that can improve fuel efficiency by an average of 8%, extend the lifetime of an expensive part of a car, and provide your customers with a better ride. You can with a Nitrogen tire.

These systems have been extensively tested by manufacturers such as RTI, and are demonstrating some excellent results. For example, the RTI RTINTF-15 Plus is an excellent piece of equipment for inflating nitrogen tires. The headline of these results is the 8% improvement in fuel economy. To put that amount into perspective, over 12 months, a person who spends $50 per week on fuel would potentially save up to $200 thanks to just replacing the air in their tires with pure nitrogen.

-Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Miller

KIA MOTORS TAKES PART IN NBA TIP-OFF WEEK

This week Kia Motors and the NBA are joining forces to present NBA Tip-Off Week. Kia representatives are in New York City for all of the exciting events. Tuesday morning KMA held a press event in New York’s Union Square with basketball legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Scottie Pippen along with NBA Commissioner David Stern. The event was even covered by ABC’s Good Morning America and CNBC. KMA is fired up for the beginning of what is expected to be a phenomenal NBA season. Stay tuned for more info on what Kia Motors is doing with the NBA.

2010 Kia Soul

As anticipated, Kia confirms it will go ahead with production of the small but potentially fun Soul compact car after years of teasing with multiple concepts. Look for the Spectra-based C-segment car to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2009.

The production Soul will debut at the Paris auto show in October. Kia is hoping buyers of the five-door hatch will “express their psyche” by personalizing their Soul with custom colors and accessories—essentially taking a page from Scion’s playbook. And the boxy Kia is reminiscent of the Scion xB.

2009 Subaru Impreza - Photos

2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5 GT and 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan

Spycam: 2009 BMW Z4

Sightings of the next-generation BMW Z4, which is expected to arrive in early 2009, have increased as of late. Most recently, it was spotted outside the Nurburgring wearing a seriously funkadelic camo getup.

This particular prototype sports a hard top, supporting rumors that BMW will mimic the Mazda MX-5 with the next Z4 by offering both hard- and soft-top variants. The overall shape of the car remains similar to that of the current one, though the front end gets reworked to match the new version of BMW's style kicked off by 2007's Concept CS. On the whole, it looks like BMW will be taking the same approach with this new Z4 as it did with the new 7 Series: keep what works, polish up what doesn't.

BMW has managed to keep a tight lid on the technical details of the new Z4, but the logical leap is that it will receive the same powertrain options as the 3 Series, including the 300-hp twin-turbo 3.0L I-6. An possible M version may come a year or two after launch powered by the M3's 420-hp 4.0L V-8. -MOTORTREND.COM

First Drive: 2009 BMW 335d

Prepare to have your prejudices shattered and your perceptions altered. Prepare to relearn everything you thought you knew about performance cars. Prepare to drive the 2009 BMW 335d.

The 335d spearheads a freshened 3 Series range for North America that will be unveiled at the Los Angeles show next month. Key changes to the 3 Series for 2009 include a new hood with dual character lines leading down to a broader, chrome-ringed double kidney grille. There are new bumpers front and rear, new exterior rearview mirrors, plus new headlights and taillights. The front track has been increased 6 mm, while the rear has been pumped out 24 mm. Six new wheel designs are available.

Inside are mild upgrades to the interior, including a smattering of classier new materials, revised instrument graphics, and the latest-generation iDrive system, featuring the new controller and button cluster from the just-released 7 Series and the same glitzy, high-resolution graphic interface.

The big news is under the hood, however. The 328i and 335i drivetrains continue unchanged for 2009, but they are joined by BMW's first 50-state-legal diesel, a twin-turbo, 3.0L straight-six that delivers 265 hp at 4220 rpm, and a thumping 425 lb-ft of torque between 1750 and 2250 rpm. Driving through a six-speed automatic transmission, BMW claims this engine will propel the 335d from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 sec while delivering 23 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway.
It sounds too good to be true -- sport-sedan performance with econo-car mileage. But after our first drive of a U.S. spec 335d in Europe, it appears to deliver on the promise. After 120 miles of stop-start Munich traffic, flat-out autobahn blasts (we can confirm that cruising at 120 mph the 335d's engine is turning a lazy 3100 rpm, and that the U.S.-spec version is limited to an indicated 134 mph), and 80 mph cruising on Austrian motorways, the trip computer on our tester showed it was averaging 30.9 mpg.

An afternoon storming up and over the 6800-ft, switchback-laden, Jaufenpass from Austria into Italy, frequently rerunning sections for video, gassing it hard out of the turns, and waiting for photo ops with the engine idling took its toll -- after 203.5 miles, we topped the 335d up with 8.633 gal of diesel, for an average consumption of 23.6 mpg, impressive under the circumstances. On U.S. Interstates, cruising at a lazy 70-80 mph, we figure 36 mpg is easily achievable. With the 335d's 16.2-gal tank, that means at least 550 miles between fuel stops.
While there's a lot that feels 3 Series-familiar -- the taut, tied-down chassis, the crisp steering, the agility -- the 335d is a totally different kind of drive. Forget the silken rush of power and the marvelous top-end bite you've always gotten from a BMW inline-six -- the 335d's twin-turbo diesel growls like Tom Waits gargling Irish Cream and produces a tidal wave of torque from just over 1000 rpm. Squeeze the pedal, and the 335d makes an elastic lunge for the horizon, the transmission shifting early to surf the torque. It doesn't sound like you're going fast. But you are.

-MOTORTREND.COM

MOTOR TREND gives the 2009 Subaru Forester "Sport/Utility of the Year Award"

MOTOR TREND SUV of the YEAR

It would be easy to say that this year's winner is a knee-jerk reaction, that the editors of Motor Trend responded to the skyrocketing cost of gasoline like the rest of the driving public by abruptly abandoning the traditional SUV formula for something smaller, more fuel-efficient, greener, more, well, forest-y. It would be easy to categorize our selection of the Subaru Forester as Motor Trend's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year as a choice made solely at the pump, but it wouldn't be true.
Sure, our Subaru Forester 2.5XT contender posted the best observed fuel-economy numbers (16.0 mpg) for an all-wheel-drive SUV in this year's competition, but that's not the whole story.

So how does a small, quirky, former airplane manufacturer from the Gunma prefecture of Japan finish first among surprise offerings from established players and bold moves by newcomers? How does it beat a chest-thumping, head-turning macho mobile known as the BMW X6? How, when Ford wraps stylish sheetmetal around a Gulfstream V interior and calls it Flex? How can it win, when Kia serves notice to the entire category with its own body-on-frame, V-8-powered Borrego, and Infiniti conjures up seven-speed transmissions and jaw-dropping bird's-eye-view monitoring systems? Just how does the Subaru Forester do it?
Let's start with the humble powertrain. On paper, it's nothing new or particularly special; all Forester models receive a version of the 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder found in the Impreza sedan. Transmission options are even less stunning: a carried-over five-speed manual or four-speed automatic for entry-level 2.5X models; auto only if you opt for the turbocharged 2.5XT variant.

At the track, that four-speed, 224-horsepower Forester 2.5XT zips to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and to the quarter mile in just 15.5. Not as impressive as the 6.6 and 15.1-second runs a similarly equipped Forester 2.5XT managed in our previous comparison ("Turbo Chargers," September 2008), but still as fast or faster than all but the BMW X6, Lexus LX 570, Toyota Sequioa, and Infiniti FX and EX. It's not just fast, but fuel friendly, too. In that comparison, the Forester 2.5XT logged the best observed and EPA-certified city/highway fuel economy (19.6 mpg, 19/24 mpg) against the turbo fours and six-speeds of Mazda CX-7 and VW Tiguan.
Says St. Antoine, "I'm amazed at how well the powertrain works with only a four-speed. The turbo four is torquey enough not to feel like it needs more ratios, and at cruising speed it's not revving overly hard."

The naturally aspirated Forester is no slouch, either. Rated at 170 for power and torque, the 2.5X takes regular unleaded, returns even better EPA fuel economy (20/26 mpg), and is classified as a partial-zero-emissions vehicle. Not only is the Forester class dominant, it's as green as a you-know-what.
More feats of engineering competence were revealed when we broke out the tape measure. While classmates like the VW Tiguan manage only 56.1/23.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front/rear seats, the Forester yields a whopping 63.0/30.8. Similar spatial advantages are seen in the commodious driver and passenger compartments; in our other small-CUV comparison test ("The Frugal Five," June 2008), the Forester provided the most front/rear headroom and front legroom in a field that included the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, and Toyota RAV4.
Still not impressed? Then factor in the one metric that puts the S in SUV: ground clearance. With an undercarriage 8.9 inches (8.7 for Forester 2.5X) above ground, the Forester 2.5XT not only beats every one of the CUVs in the two aforementioned comparisons, it equals or betters fellow SUV of the Year contenders Honda Pilot (8.0), Kia Borrego (8.5), and Lexus LX 570 (8.9). Consider those mere soft-roaders? Both Foresters beat or equal the Land Rover LR2 (8.3), Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x2 (8.7), and Ford Expedition 4x4 (8.7). Inside and out, off-road and on, this little Subaru is truly an impressive feat of packaging.

Despite high clearances, the Forester doesn't drive particularly tall. In fact, in a field that includes two bona-fide hot-rods (BMW X6, Infiniti FX) and, let's face it, a car (Infiniti EX35), the Subaru produced more than its fair share of grins on our real-world/off-road loop.
Says Lassa, "It's as much fun as the EX35 with better mileage. The Infiniti seems more planted, but the Subie is light on its feet."
"Ride quality is remarkably nice on Alisos Canyon Road, and it's way big dirty fun on the rally stage," notes Markus.
Truck Trend editor Mark Williams adds, "A few rough shakes when the tarmac is broken, but overall it handles more like a solid crossover. When it gets on dirt, it seems to encourage you to go faster, almost saying, 'It's all right, I've got your back. Let's go.'" - MOTORTREND.COM

BMW X1 CONCEPT

2008 PARIS AUTO SHOW

It's what the people want, and IT'S HERE NOW!

The people want design that stirs their souls. And engineering that stops their hearts. The people want a feat of engineering that's also a work of art. Meet the all-new Volkswagen CC. Its curvaceous shape gives it an elegance that steals the scene everywhere it goes. But those flowing lines also serve a purpose. They lower the CC's drag coefficient to less than that of a speeding bullet. Which brings us to the CC's impressive turbocharged powerplants - raw power, transferred responsibly and in a civilized gas-sipping manner. Head-turning design, and neck-straining German-tuned performance. It's what the people want.

Stop in today and see for yourself......................

TechnoThrill: 2009 BMW 750Li and 750i: One of the most technically advanced automobiles ever built.

The new 7 Series will make its U.S. debut at the Los Angeles Show next month and is expected in American BMW dealers by spring 2009. Only one powertrain, the 400-hp, 450-lb-ft, twin-turbo 4.4L V-8, will be available, in short wheelbase 750i form and the 5.5-in.-longer 750Li, which is expected to comprise the bulk of U.S. sales. This engine not only outpowers the 4.8L V-8 in the outgoing 750Li, it also has more torque than the 6.0L V-12 fitted to the 760Li.
There are no plans to offer the 326-hp, 332-lb-ft, twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six version (badged, somewhat confusingly, 740i in Europe), nor the sensational 245-hp, 398-lb-ft, single-turbo 3.0L straight-six diesel (730d), which with a 0-to-60-mph time of about 7.0 sec is just two seconds slower to 60 mph than the big V-8, yet uses almost 40% less gas on the European combined fuel-consumption test (BMW claims 32.6 mpg). However, BMW officials admit they will monitor the impact of high gas prices and the looming CAFE regulations to assess whether a smaller-engine 7 Series might make sense at some point in the future.
No official word on pricing yet, but the new 7 Series will be more expensive than the outgoing model. Loud hints dropped at the international launch program in Dresden, Germany, suggest prices will start in the low- to mid-$80,000 range.

That's no surprise, perhaps, given the staggering amount of technology crammed into this car. Here's some of it:

Integral Active Steering: Part of the optional Sport Package, this is BMW's own four-wheel-steering system. Like the systems that were all the rage among Japanese manufacturers during the late '80s/early '90s, BMW's four-wheel steer allows the rear wheels to countersteer the fronts at low speeds and turn in the same direction at high speeds. The result is a tighter turning circle at low speeds (by up to 27.6 in.) -- great for parking maneuvers -- and greater stability through high-speed turns, plus increased comfort for rear-seat passengers during fast driving, as the system effectively reduces the car's yaw rate. And here's the 21st-century wrinkle to what was a 20th-century novelty: The Integral Active Steering System will work with the stability-control system when braking on slippery surfaces, automatically intervening to steer the rear wheels to keep the big BMW on the straight and narrow.

Dynamic Damper Control: Standard across the new 7 Series range, dynamic damper control allows drivers to select between comfort, standard, and sport shock rates. Nothing new in that, except BMW's system adjusts the compression and rebound stages on each of the shocks independently of each other. The lift motion on each wheel is monitored by sensors and compared with the signals from the ride-height sensors to detect body movement. This data is then correlated with road speed, and the Dynamic Damper Control setting selected by the driver, and the correct damping force is applied to each wheel. All this happens in 2.5 milliseconds. Does it work? You bet. The system endows the new 7 Series with a remarkably composed ride. In combination with the Active Roll Control, which is also part of the optional Sport Package, the big 750Li skims across a twisting canyon road like a hovercraft.
FlexRay: You won't see this. You won't even know it's there. And that's entirely the point. Developed by a consortium of specialists under BMW guidance, FlexRay is a new high-speed data transmission technology. FlexRay enables data to be transmitted 20 times faster than the usual automotive systems, allowing up to 16 computer control units on the new 7 Series to talk to each other in real time. This is the enabling technology that allows BMW to coordinate the control units for the drivetrain, suspension, damping, steering, and braking, allowing seamless integration and adjustability.
Speed Limit Indicator: A camera mounted behind the windshield near the rearview mirror feeds a signal into software that recognizes speed-limit signs mounted on overhead gantries or at the side of the road. The system then posts the correct speed-limit graphic on the instrument panel, or on the optional four-color head-up display (which is exceptional, by the way -- the best we have ever used, showing not only vehicle speed, but nav instructions). The system compared the data captured by the camera with data stored in the nav system and gives the camera data priority in the event of a new or modified speed limit on a section of road. This brilliant license-saving technology won't be available on U.S.-spec 7 Series models, however, because the system is currently only coded to recognize international-style signs that use graphics rather than words to tell when speed limits begin and end. But BMW insiders hint that a version optimized for U.S. signs is under development. Which makes sense, given the U.S. is the largest single market for the 7 Series, accounting for almost 36% of sales of the previous model. (Number two market? Nope, it's not Germany, but China, with just over 16% of sales, and counting.)

Side View: Part of the optional Camera Package, this idea was borrowed from the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Small camera lenses are mounted on the side of the car, close to the front-wheel opening. They allow the driver to see traffic coming from both directions when easing out of a narrow side street or driveway, and can help with parking.
Driver Assistance Package: This bundles together three cool technologies: Lane Departure Warning, which vibrates the steering wheel if you change lanes without using the turn signals; High Beam Assist, which switches the headlights automatically between high and low beams; and BMW's new Active Blind Spot Detection, which senses vehicles almost 200 ft behind. If a vehicle enters the blind spot, a warning triangle appears in the exterior rearview mirror. If the driver activates the turn signal, the triangle graphic flashes, and the steering wheel vibrates.
Night Vision: Using an infrared camera, the optional Night Vision system scans a range up to 1600 ft ahead of the vehicle over a 24-degree-wide range. Okay, GM and Mercedes-Benz have both done night vision. But the BMW system can figure out what pedestrians by the side of the road are doing: If they're moving parallel to the road, the system senses and displays the presence on the iDrive screen or the head-up display but doesn't warn the driver. If the person is on a path to cross the road, a warning is displayed.
Aluminum Panels: There's nothing particularly new about using aluminum front fenders and hood to reduce mass. But the new 7 Series also features an aluminum roof panel. It saves an impressive 15.4 lb, but more important, saves it from high up in the body shell, helping lower the car's center of gravity. BMW's gone to a lot of trouble to achieve this -- bringing aluminum and steel panels together usually results in galvanic corrosion, and both metals expand and contract at different rates, causing stability issues. The aluminum roof panel is therefore attached to the rest of the body-in-white using a specially developed glue. The new 7 Series also features aluminum doors, saving a further 49 lb. These are the first aluminum doors built in volume by BMW, and the skill of the body engineers in handling this difficult to work metal is evident in the complex, multi-dimensional stamping required to create the scallops behind the door handles that intersect the sharp shoulder line on the body side.

3-D Nav Display: A newly developed and optimized GPS nav system with high-resolution 10.2-in. monitor (this is also the iDrive control display) is standard in the new 7 Series. The nav system offers all the usual features, plus a 3-D map views that enhances guidance through mountainous or hilly country. At smaller scales, the screen will show 3-D representations of actual buildings, useful in urban areas. The new nav screen features beautifully refined graphics, and the revised iDrive system is more intuitive than before, placing a smaller multi-axis controller amid an array of menu buttons that can be differentiated by touch. It's easier all around to use, and it looks better, too. Rear-seat passengers can join in the fun courtesy of the optional Rear Entertainment System, which places 8-in. monitors in each of the front-seat head restraints. The 7 Series comes equipped with a 40GB hard drive, 13 gigs of which are allocated to music storage. The system is iPod and iPhone compatible, and the optional -- there's that word again -- Premium Sound System sounds stellar.
Internet: BMW claims to be the first automaker to allow unrestricted Internet use in a car. Well, almost unrestricted -- the Internet function is an option, and it won't be available on U.S.-spec vehicles. The Internet connection is made on an enhanced GSM mobile phone technology and is accessed via the iDrive. In Internet mode, the rotary controller operates as a mouse, moving the pointer across the screen, and clicking on a link when pushed. It's a bit clunky, as it's difficult to modulate the iDrive controller precisely. Even more clunky, though, is typing in a URL or a Google search term on screen -- you're taken to a rotary speller similar to that used to punch in an address into the nav system. The Internet function, like the TV function, is disabled while the car is moving, unless you have the rear-seat entertainment system, in which case your passengers will be able to surf away to their hearts' content.

It's an extraordinary piece of work, the new 7 Series. Almost everything -- from dynamic chassis and drivetrain systems to the on-board entertainment and communications functionality -- can be adjusted, set, or configured exactly the way you want it. Even the air vents can be set to provide your choice of direct or diffuse airflow. It's probably just as well the entire owners' manual is contained on the 7 Series' hard drive, where it can be accessed via a few clicks and spins of the iDrive controller. Judging by the press kit, it would be way too big to fit in the glovebox.

-MOTORTREND.COM

Congratulations MINDY!!!!!

Congratulations to Mindy Moses who works in our Internet Department. Mindy and her husband Joe were married on September 13, 2008. Mindy has been a valuable member of the New Motors team since 2005. Best Wishes!!

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD UPDATE

Day Twenty
FINAL STATISTICS:
IT’S A NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!!
Overall 58.82 US MPG
70.64 Imperial MPG
3.99 L/100 KM
11.04 Tanks of Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel
Costing $US 653.06
Average 853 Miles per Tank (1,373 Km’s per Tank)
$US 00.069 cents per mile
9,419 Miles driven

Geography
We left Bluefield Virginia traveling north to arrive in the last State, destination being Beaver West Virginia.

Our last fill was at Shell Beaver West Virginia, using Shell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, for the VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel. Thank you to Marilyn Allen for being our last scrutinizer, on this Guinness World Record Journey.

48 USA States driven through to date:

1.Virginia 2.Maryland 3.Delaware 4.Pennsylvania 5.New Jersey 6.New York 7.Connecticut 8.Rhode Island 9.Massachusetts 10.New Hampshire 11.Maine 12.Vermont 13.Ohio 14.Michigan 15.Indiana 16.Illinois 17.Wisconsin 18.Minnesota 19.Iowa 20.Nebraska 21.South Dakota 22.Wyoming 23.North Dakota 24. Montana 25. Idaho 26. Washington 27. Oregon 28. Nevada 29. California 30. Arizona 31. Utah 32. Colorado 33. New Mexico 34.Texas 35. Oklahoma City 36. Kansas 37. Missouri 38. Kentucky 39. Tennessee 40. Arkansas 41. Mississippi 42. Louisiana 43. Alabama 44. Florida 45. Georgia 46. South Carolina 47. North Carolina 48. West Virginia

New VW Jetta Diesel Tops Prius in Fuel-Economy Marathon Test

It's this year's ultimate MPG comparison test: the just-released 2009 Volskwagen Jetta TDi diesel against the uber-popular 2008 Toyota Prius hybrid. And PopularMechanics.com has it first, with nearly 500 miles of city and highway driving—and some very surprising results.
By Ben Stewart

LOS ANGELES — As oil prices spiked over the summer, consumers had exactly one choice if they wanted to buy themselves a supercar in terms of fuel economy: the Toyota Prius. There were so few options in the marketplace that Ebay saw record numbers of used economy cars and hybrids flood its auction pages. But what about a brand-new clean diesel ride? We drove the Volkswagen Jetta TDi in Europe right after VW introduced it here last fall—at which point many expected this would-be Prius-beater to arrive stateside in June. It didn't. Well after a long season at the pump, VW unleashed the 2009 Jetta TDi on the United States last week. So we picked up our new diesel ride and decided to take it right into battle against its natural hybrid foe (before Toyota's 2009 model gives way to the 2010 plug-in hybrid Prius), to the tune of a two-day, 474-mile efficiency showdown. Our $24,190 Jetta TDi Loyal Edition DSG came fairly well equipped but did lack a navigation system, while at $28,254 our 2008 Prius came with a luxurious $5925 Touring package that included navigation and leather. Nonetheless, we devised a two-day, two-tank regimen to give the fuel economy on both vehicles as thorough a run as humanly possible. Day One crammed in an approximation of a full week's worth of pure city commuting. The second day estimated a typical highway road trip locked on cruise control at a constant speed. Since fuel economy is so dependent on driving style, we accelerated as smoothly and consistently as possible in both tests. Our general rule was to accelerate from each stop with just enough throttle to be as quick as the slowest car leaving the light. This, we believe, best approximates the driving style that an average consumer would adopt with fuel economy as a main priority. So who took the mileage prize? The newfangled diesel or the reigning champ? Here's the bottom line from PM's exclusive test. Warning: The numbers aren't what you might expect.

The CityOur route was a brutal test of both the vehicles' capabilities—and our drivers' patience. It took us 11 hours to travel 238 city miles covering four counties in southern California, under conditions varying from rush hour in downtown L.A. to wide-open, 40-mph country lanes. At no point on this route did we enter a freeway—or even hit a road with a speed limit higher than 45 mph. The Prius gets its power from a 75-hp 1.5-liter four cylinder with 82 lb.-ft. of torque hooked to a continuously variable planetary gearset. It's boosted by two electric motors for a grand total of 110 hp. As you pull away from a stop under light throttle, the electric motors do most of the work—until about 10 to 15 mph, that is, when the gasoline engine kicks in. The experience, as many a Prius driver has learned, is incredibly smooth and silent. And as plenty of new buyers will soon discover, under half-throttle or less the Jetta TDi moves with ease that speaks to its impressive torque figure—236 lb.-ft. of torque generated from a 140-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel paired to VW's six-speed DSG transmission. The new clean Jetta can loaf along, shifting at around 1500 rpm while still providing enough acceleration to keep up with the flow of traffic. The Prius, on the other hand, needs more throttle to accomplish the same speeds. And the few times we did flat-out acceleration runs to 50 mph or so, it was clear that the Jetta is much quicker. The TDI will even chirp the tires, under the right circumstances. So where was the more pleasurable place to spend those 11 hours around La La Land? Inside the Jetta—its more traditional cockpit and far more luxurious materials make the new car as cozy as the Prius is cold. The driving position of the Prius makes you feel like you're sitting on the car instead of in it. And since the steering wheel is only adjustable for tilt and not telescope, larger drivers must move the seat a bit too far forward. Yet the Prius, with its funky shifter and digital dash, still conveys that future-car vibe better than anything on the market. As you hustle and joust with traffic, the Prius's quick steering makes it the more nimble of the two. And at just under 3000 pounds, the Prius carries about 200 pounds less weight. But in terms of ride quality and refinement, the edge swings back to the Jetta.

Results (238 City Miles)Prius: 44.7 mpg Jetta: 32 mpg - We expected the Prius to dominate our city test, and it did. After all, the hybrid powertrain meant that every time we hit a red light or traffic snarl, the Prius would sit silently—burning absolutely no fuel. But the Prius's overall 44.7-mpg count is still about 3 mpg less than the EPA city figure of 48. And, interestingly, the Jetta TDi's 32 mpg are exactly four mpg more than its EPA city rating. Still, it's clear that in city-only driving the Prius has no equal—except perhaps a motorcycle. On the open road? Well that's a very different story. - Popularmechanics.com

VOLKSWAGEN RECEIVES TOP SAFETY PICK AWARDS FROM THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

HERNDON, Va. – A total of four Volkswagen models are the latest of the company’s offerings to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008, the highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. IIHS recognized the 2009 Volkswagen Eos, Jetta, Passat, and Rabbit each as a TOP SAFETY PICK. Earlier this year Volkswagen’s all-new Sport Compact Utility Vehicle, Tiguan, was also named a TOP SAFETY PICK.
The ratings from IIHS also apply to the 2009 Jetta Sportwagen and the 2009 Passat Wagon.
“Safety is a top priority at Volkswagen and this recognition by the IIHS highlights that we are a market leader in offering some of the safest vehicles on the road today,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Our Prevent and Preserve Safety System, standard on Volkswagen vehicles, is an important factor in the high level of safety and protection in our vehicles.”
The TOP SAFETY PICK award recognizes vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side and rear crash test evaluations, and includes only vehicles with electronic stability control (branded Electronic Stabilization Program on Volkswagen vehicles) and head protection airbags.
Volkswagen seeks to provide a high level of occupant protection in all its vehicles through a comprehensive and evolving approach to vehicle safety. Volkswagen was the first non-luxury manufacturer to include an electronic stability control system at no additional cost on every 2009 vehicle it sells – ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring all 2012 model year vehicles to have such systems. Volkswagen’s electronic stability control technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.
The Prevent and Preserve Safety System portfolio for MY2009 consists of important safety features, all of which contribute to protecting the driver and passengers as well as possible, helping avoid crashes and keeping the severity and consequences of possible crashes to a minimum.