2009 New York: Mitsubishis i MiEV May Come to America

 This left-hand drive concept isn’t new (it debuted at the 2009 Geneva motor show), but the language surrounding its North American debut is quite interesting. Mitsubishi claims this iteration of i MiEV “hints at future possibilities,” and represents a step towards an eventual US-spec model.

 Changes to the basic i package make such dreams plausible. The i MiEV is still microscopic, but designers widened the front and rear track by 3.7 and 5.3 inches, respectively. The car’s width – a scant 59.8 inches – is greater than the Japanese-market model, and both front and rear overhangs have been increased by two inches to provide better crash protection.
 In spite of these changes, the LHD concept shares its driveline with “normal” i MiEV prototypes. A 63-hp electric motor drives the rear wheels up to 81 mph, and is powered by a 330-volt lithium-ion battery mounted under the floor. It takes approximately 7 hours to recharge the battery from 220-volt outlets (14 hours, if using a 110-volt source), although a three-phase ‘quick charger’ provides an 80-percent charge in approximately 30 minutes.
 In addition to the environmental benefits of an electric car, Mitsubishi says owners could also experience a cost benefit. Compared to the gasoline-powered i microcar, the electric version is nearly 66 percent less expensive to operate. If owners charge the i MiEV during off-peak hours, the car’s operating costs are 1/9th that of the gas i

This left-hand drive concept isn’t new (it debuted at the 2009 Geneva motor show), but the language surrounding its North American debut is quite interesting. Mitsubishi claims this iteration of i MiEV “hints at future possibilities,” and represents a step towards an eventual US-spec model.

 Changes to the basic i package make such dreams plausible. The i MiEV is still microscopic, but designers widened the front and rear track by 3.7 and 5.3 inches, respectively. The car’s width – a scant 59.8 inches – is greater than the Japanese-market model, and both front and rear overhangs have been increased by two inches to provide better crash protection.
 In spite of these changes, the LHD concept shares its driveline with “normal” i MiEV prototypes. A 63-hp electric motor drives the rear wheels up to 81 mph, and is powered by a 330-volt lithium-ion battery mounted under the floor. It takes approximately 7 hours to recharge the battery from 220-volt outlets (14 hours, if using a 110-volt source), although a three-phase ‘quick charger’ provides an 80-percent charge in approximately 30 minutes.
 In addition to the environmental benefits of an electric car, Mitsubishi says owners could also experience a cost benefit. Compared to the gasoline-powered i microcar, the electric version is nearly 66 percent less expensive to operate. If owners charge the i MiEV during off-peak hours, the car’s operating costs are 1/9th that of the gas i

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Gets IIHS Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today named the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a Top Safety Pick. The Japanese automaker's small crossover joined the Lancer as the second Mitsubishi to receive the designation after the IIHS revised its safety tests to include more

Ode to the Audi A8:

For those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile, you know that my dream car is the Audi A8. It’s one of the reasons why I was inspired to start this blog. I figured the more I wrote about the A8, that dream of owning one would become a reality. Although it hasn’t happened yet, I’m determined and confident that I will have one.

Audi Q7 Limo: The Best Wedding Car

 June is here and that means many weddings taking place all over the world. Planning your big arrival is just as important as the big day itself. For a memorable day you need a memorable car. Any car enthusiast should take careful consideration in what car they roll up in, it sets the tone. Of course, we’re a little biased, but we think the Audi Q7 limo would be the best wedding car for the happy couple...

So after the excitement of the big day, what is there to look forward to? After weekends filled with DIY and trips to the in-laws, did you know that most couples will be eligible for a reduction in car insurance rates following the nuptials?
 Marriage is meant to be all about committing your love to another person who you promise to spend the rest of your life with in sickness and in health. However, if you are a newly wed or thinking of popping the question, did you know that marriage can have a

2010 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro MT6 Coupe

 Ever since the Audi A5 coupe model was unveiled back in 2007, it has drawn quite a bit of attention for its style, design, and 258 lbs of torque.  It has 211 horsepower, but don't let that number fool you.  This car has powerThe A5 coupe we tested was a 2.0 TFSI quattro with 6-speed manual transmission.  As much as we were tempted to take it to the 180 mph limit, we had to restrain ourselves and cruise at 80 mph.   The ride was cool and smooth like vanilla ice cream going down your throat on a summer day.
The Interior
 Even in a coupe model, Audi ensured that no detail was overlooked.  Being in a car like this makes you feel stylish and sleek even if you're just wearing sweats and heading to the grocery store.  But you may not want to wear sweats because heads will turn and people will stop you in parking lots to ask you about the car.  Don't say we didn't warn you.
 The leather 8-way power seats with driver lumbar and aluminum "hologram" interior trim throughout definitely made an impression.  The dark walnut wood inlays are an extra, but added even more style to an already stylish interior.  Can you say luxurious?

Being a coupe model, it was to be expected that tall people were not allowed in the back seat, and if a tall person was driving the car, only one person could sit in the back.  However, the interior comfort that is likened to a luxury sedan more than made up for the lack of leg room.
 Surprisingly, though, the trunk has plenty of space if two people want to take a weekend road trip to say, Las Vegas, like we did.  We were able to fit a big keyboard, two medium-sized bags, and a few laptop bags in the trunk.

2011 Audi A3 TDI FWD S-Tronic

In my idea of a perfect world, everyone would be driving cars that get excellent fuel mileage. Until that time comes, thank goodness for the Audi A3 TDI.
 Before I had the opportunity to test drive the A3, I kept wondering if the U.S. was ready and willing to pay for a compact luxury car. The model I tested has a base price of $30,250.00, which features four-wheel drive and a S-Tronic transmission. When I asked a friend if she was would pay that much for a compact car, she told me that if she was single without kids she could picture herself in an A3. However, for $30K, she’d much rather buy a van.

WantAnR8 Campaign

It's time to summon up the creative energy, Audi R8 fans. The twitter campaign that made dreams come true for a few R8 enthusiasts has made its way back to Twitter land. According to Audi, the Twitter hashtag #WantAnR8 has been used over 75,000 times. We probably think it's much more.

Volkswagen CC

Anyone around the office that’s known me for any length of time knows that the less-than-stellar quality experience I had with my fourth-gen GTI left quite an impression on me. So, I’m still an admitted VW skeptic. But I have to admit I was a big fan of the original CC’s styling. When I first saw photos of the 2013 restyle, I thought VW had “ruined” the CC by trying to rigidly apply its new, more conservative corporate design language to this formerly flamboyant, stylish four-door coupe. Thankfully, the restyle looks much more coherent in person. Another added bonus as part of the restyle is the optional addition of a middle seatbelt in the back row, making it a snug, but useable five-seater. I think this will do a lot to expand the CC’s appeal, even if the extra seat is never actually utilized. I still think my Sonata is nearly as stylish as the CC, and infinitely roomier and more practical, but kudos to VW for a tasteful update.

Range Rover Evoque

I don’t think I’d personally own one of these, and feel it’s a little overpriced for what it is. Yes, yes, I know it just won our Sport/Utility of the Year award, but that doesn’t make it an instant personal purchase prospect. Okay, if I’m seemingly so ambivalent about it, why is it on my “favorites” list? Because Land Rover had the cojones to introduce a 2-door compact SUV when nearly everyone else, with the exception of the Jeep Wrangler, has given up on the narrow niche. Granted, just about the only thing the Wrangler and Evoque have in common are four wheels and headlights, but I can appreciate that Range Rover wanted to make a style statement with the Evoque. In both two and four-door form, I’d say it succeeded.

Ford Focus/Fiesta ST

I would gladly take either of these hot-hatch specimens. Having previously owned a Mazda Protege 5 and a VW GTI, I was instantly attracted to this duo. At this stage in my life, I’d probably go for the slightly larger, plusher Focus, but would not sneeze at the Fiesta. Both are solid efforts and show beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ford is intent on being top-and-center on enthusiast shopping lists.

Ford Shelby GT500

Speaking of American attitude, Ford showed it big time with the in-your-face 650 horsepower Shelby GT500. As if more power was what last year’s comparatively tame 550-horse model needed. I guess when your cross-town rival is packing 580, you’d better bring the heat.

Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger SRT8

They might be considered dinosaurs or throwbacks to some, but these two big sedans ooze pure American attitude from every pore. Yes, yes, I know they have some German genealogy, but who among us can say we’re “pure blooded” Americans, other than if you’re Native American? The fact that they can pack as much performance, comfort, and style into one (admittedly large) package for about $50k, is awesome.

Porsche Panamera GTS

For me, anything that crests the six-figure mark is automatically in the “probably not going to happen” arena. Whether we’re talking $100,000, 200,000 or more, the difference is all academic at that price stratum. Porsche rolled out its middleweight Panamera GTS, which offers a 30-horse bump over the “standard” S model, but still comes short of the Turbo S’s mighty 550 horsepower. That said, I wouldn’t turn one down if someone gave it to me. I’ve come a long way from my original opinion of the Panamera, which at the time, I thought was yet another unnecessary addition to the Porsche line. Although the original “unnecessary” addition, the Cayenne, has filled the company’s coffers to overflowing, and given us such tasty goodies as the 911 GT3, Cayman in its various guises, and countless other variations too numerous to name here. Not only that, any big sedan that can hustle to 60 mph in well under four seconds and get more than 20 mpg on the highway is an epic feat of engineering, no matter how you slice it. For me, it’s go big or go home. I like the GTS, but if I had to pick, it’d be the Turbo S.

2011 LA: A Few of My Favorite Cars

I almost didn’t write this blog. After all, what hasn’t already been written about ad nauseum by dozens of other auto journalists, many more seasoned and influential than I, about their picks and pans of the show? I thought, “Does anyone really care about what I think?” But I figured posting this blog doesn’t kill any trees in the Brazilian rainforest, and whatever energy was expended by uploading it to the server is likely offset by the convoy of Prii I saw in the carpool lane this morning on the way in. Or something like that…
For what it’s worth, here are my picks of the show. Granted, some of them are well beyond my immediate reach (notwithstanding the fact third-year resale values on luxury models typically drop off a cliff, from astronomical, to merely outrageous) but I tend to generally get more excited about models that I might have some chance of actually owning someday. So without further ado, here is my personal favorites list.