Motor Trend First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI

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Driving an SUV is tough these days. Some people look down on them for being too big and inefficient, and with the unpredictable price of gas, these vehicles can be expensive to operate. What is an SUV buyer to do? There are two solutions. The first, buy a smaller, more efficient vehicle that won't do everything you want or need. The more appealing choice, though, is to find a big SUV with the right power, size, and luxury that does it all on less fuel.
Taking a cue (and the technology) from Europe, Volkswagen is bringing its turbodiesel Touareg to North America. In Europe, diesel-powered SUVs are the norm. With the high price of fuel, the excellent economy and range afforded by diesel power allows people to go longer between fill-ups. Plus, the high torque serves up plenty of might to move a large vehicle and whatever is lugged behind it.

The Touareg itself, revised for 2008, remains the same; what's new here is the 3.0L diesel option. This V-6 is smaller than the first diesel offered in a Touareg (the fantastic V-10 with 310 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque), but that engine was big, expensive (a V10 TDI cost nearly $70,000), heavy, and only 45-state legal. While the 50-state-legal V-6 doesn't have the same shocking torque numbers, its 407 lb-ft of torque is more than enough to pull this vehicle along. Plus, the engine's smaller packaging will make it much easier to fit into smaller vehicles, and should cost significantly less to build than the V-10.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0812_2009_volkswagen_touareg_v6_tdi_first_drive/index.html

BMW leading the way.......

BMW Manufacturing Co. wants to lead the way toward green industry in the state. The automaker has received a second wildlife habitat certification, introduced energy-saving lighting at the plant, is conducting a wind power study and is upgrading its methane landfill gas project. It was recognized Monday with a Wildlife and Industry Together certification from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for its research facility at Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research. The certification results from the Information Technology Research Center's wildlife viewing area, habitat improvement, public nature trails, bird houses and feeders and a garden of native plants behind the building. BMW received its first certification in 1998 for a butterfly garden at the Greer plant. Bobby Hitt, BMW's manager of public affairs, said the company hopes the facility will become "a model for sustainable methods of construction and corporate land development." Sara Green, the federation's education director, said the W.A.I.T. program began 12 years ago as an extension of the Backyard Habitat program. Eighteen sites in the state have received W.A.I.T. certification and BMW is one of the few to have multiple certifications. Among the animals living on the 250-acre wetland site are ground and tree birds, birds of prey, raccoons, squirrels, white-tail deer, rabbit and beaver. "They seem to be making themselves very much at home," Hitt said. Also at ICAR, the city of Greenville and Clemson have begun a stream restoration project throughout the campus, with more bird houses, outdoor gardens and seating areas, public walking trails and additional native plantings. Hitt said data has been collected on BMW's wind study and analysis of the results is now beginning. Although "it's too early to tell the viability of the project," he said," the initiative is part of BMW's ongoing commitment to sustainability."

New York Auto Show: Kia Forte

Here is a closer look at the all new Kia Forte due in showrooms this year. With the Soul, Forte, and now the Forte Koup, Kia is creating on a consistent basis cars with personality. In addition to aggressive styling, the Forte Koup offers the choice between a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 156 horsepower and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower. The smaller engine offers an impressive 25/34 mpg, and even the larger engine has expected mileage of 22/32 mpg.In their words:We believe our new design evolution coupled with standard Kia value and safety features will continue to attract customers to the Kia brand.

2009 New York Auto Show: BMW X6 M

Here is another photo of the All New BMW X6 M from the New York Auto Show last week. For those of that asked "Why?" when the BMW X6 first came out, they are probably now asking "Why?!" in the face of the BMW X6 M. Others just look at the highly-tuned version of the X6 with its 555 horsepower, quad exhaust, and massive brakes and say, "Oh yeah." You are either in one camp or the other, and even if you aren't down with the X6 M, chances are BMW has something else in its lineup to satisfy you (like the X5 M that also debuted with the X6 M).
In their words:The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M set new standards of acceleration, lateral grip, steering response, balance, and stopping power among high-performance activity vehicles.

2009 New York Auto Show: Subaru

A couple of photos of the new Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback. These are some nice style upgrades and really show the effort Subaru is putting forth to make great vehicles even better. I for one am very excited about seeing both of them in the showroom real soon!

See more at: www.subaru.com/2010Outback and www.subaru.com/2010Legacy

2009 New York Auto Show: Volkswagen GTI

While the American appetite for small cars has never been overwhelming, the 2010 Volkswagen Golf is as good of a meal as one can fit on a small plate. At this year's show it was awarded the 2009 World Car of the Year, so you know Volkswagen is doing something right. Take your pick between, among other choices, the 2.0 TDI clean diesel engine, which promises excellent fuel economy, and the uber-sporty GTI version (pictured) with 200 horsepower, a track tuned suspension, and great looks.In their words:The Golf and GTI continue to highlight Volkswagen's commitment to offer affordable German engineered cars that are fun-to-drive.

First Look: BMW X6 M and X5 M

Since the X5's introduction in 2000, BMW's M division has refused to tune any of the brand's SUVs, even though that crossover's basic architecture comes from the 5 Series. Now with the intro of the X5 M and X6 M at the New York auto show, BMW is giving in to competition from the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes-Benz ML65 AMG.

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