There's no arguing the fact that the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine has become significantly cleaner over the past decade or so. Still, many experts believe its days are numbered.
Now, don't get us wrong. It's not like gasoline engines will be going the way of the dinosaurs anytime soon. Just the same, you don't exactly need a crystal ball to tell that the next few years will see carmakers introducing a number of new models designed to run on two much more environmentally-friendly alternative fuels.
With that in mind, we thought we'd provide a quick primer on some of the pros and cons of these new "green" powertrains so you can make informed decisions when it comes time to buy your next new vehicle:
DIESEL
Diesel fuel isn't just for trucks and busses anymore. Here's how the new generation of so-called "clean diesel" passenger cars stack up against comparable gasoline-powered models:
Top Diesel Models:
ELECTRIC
While not many people realize it, electric cars once outsold gasoline-powered models. Now they're poised to make a comeback. Here's why:
Top Electric Models:
For a closer look at some of the most environmentally-friendly new models currently on sale, check out the "virtual showroom experience" videos in the Green Cars section of DriverTV.com.
]]>Anyone who's ever channel-surfed in the middle of the night has seen the Girls Gone Wild infomercials featuring scantily-clad college coeds doing things on Spring Break that they'll undoubtedly regret for years to come.
But, let's be honest, Spring Break is about more than just cheap beer and cleavage. It's an opportunity for people of all ages to thumb their noses at Old Man Winter while enjoying the company of their sweetheart, friends, or family, preferably somewhere warm and sunny.
With that in mind, we've put together a list of DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos showcasing new models we think would be ideal for three distinctly different types of Spring Break getaways:
Romantic
Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
Buddy Trip
Family Vacation
No, we're not talking about the athletes of Team U.S.A. currently competing at the Winter Olympics. Just thinking back on some of the home-grown hot rods we've been driving over the past several weeks.
And you know what? Without exception, it's been a surprisingly enjoyable experience. For all the gloom-and-doom that's surrounded American manufacturers over the past year, we think these four models have the potential to lead the way to a brighter future where "Made In The USA" is a good thing:
It's almost scary how much this newest pony car reminds us of the original, like some sort of Detroit déjà vu. One big difference: the 315-horsepower V-8 motor under the hood of the GT model delivers acceleration that would make that 1965 version look like a boat anchor.
While most people use the phrase "reinventing the wheel" like it's a bad thing, this is one example of how a thoughtful re-imagining of a familiar form can end up being both comfortably nostalgic and excitingly fresh. And speaking of excitement, the SS model's 426-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 is enough to make grown men giggle uncontrollably.
The third entry in our flag-waving line-up is perhaps our favorite. The styling is a home run, but here's the real surprise: The V-6-powered version is actually the one we'd recommend, by virtue of its respectable performance, better fuel economy, and much more livable ride quality.
Wherever The Fonz is, this is the bike he's surely riding. Blacked-out trim, a solo saddle, and classic front fork gaiters make this one of the coolest Harley's we've seen in years.
]]>With all the media hype surrounding Toyota's recall of millions of vehicles to repair faulty gas pedals, you'd think the simple act of driving one of these cars or trucks is an act that should only be undertaken by a Hollywood leading man with the steeliest of nerves and coolest of heads.
Naturally, the real-life situation is a good bit less dramatic. Of the 2.3 million cars and trucks involved in the recall, there have been only about 60 reports of unintended acceleration. We're not great at math, but we know enough to figure out that that makes the odds of something like this happening to you pretty remote, despite the frenzy many reporters are trying to whip up.
Still, we suggest erring on the side of caution. If you own one of the affected models and can manage without it for a week or so, then by all means park it and contact your local Toyota dealer for repairs. If you have to drive your car, read this short summary of simple steps you can take on the off-chance you find yourself behind the wheel with the engine racing out of control.
The larger issue this whole episode brings to mind is how an average owner can find out whether their car--regardless of the make or model--is the subject of a recall. Fortunately, the nice folks at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have put together a handy website that offers details on all current recalls. Even if you're not a Toyota owner, we'd encourage you to check it out--you might be surprised what you'll find.
]]>While we can certainly understand General Motors' decision to shut down four of its under-performing brands, we have to say we're sorry to see three particular Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn models go.
You see the irony is that, while these GM divisions had plenty of lackluster products, they had some real gems too. And now savvy buyers can pick up these often overlooked models at clearance sale prices while taking advantage of special zero-interest financing.
Like the Pontiac G8 GT sedan, for example, a car that we found strongly reminiscent of Detroit's muscle car glory days. Or the Saturn Sky roadster (pictured above), as fun a little convertible as you'd ever want to meet, especially in the performance-oriented Red Line trim. And then there's the Saab 9-3 sedan*, convertible, and SportCombi wagon, all of which offer an ideal balance of classy styling, sporty handling, and advanced safety that makes them very appealing.
While supplies of these three models may be getting scarce enough you'll have to do some digging to find them, we think it might very well be worth your time to try and track one down before they're gone for good.
* A deal announced this week may yet save Saab from extinction.
]]>As soon as someone finds out what we do for a living, the next question is usually "What car would you buy?"
While we always point out that our answers to this question are bound to be subjective--it is, after all, like someone asking you to name the best dessert (rhubarb pie a' la mode, if you must know)--we suppose there's probably some value in the perspective of an automotive journalist who's been driving 70-plus new cars a year for the past decade.
With that in mind, here are our answers to the inevitable "What would you buy?" question:
Sport-Utility Vehicles
While the new Toyota Landcruiser and Land Rover LR4 both offer a hard-to-beat combination of comfort and mind-boggling off-road capability, the super-safe, environmentally-friendly, surprisingly rugged, and much more affordable Subaru Forester is the SUV most likely to end up in our garage.
Wagons/Crossovers
GM's luxurious Buick Enclave crossover and new Cadillac CTS wagon both have a lot to recommend them, and we really kind of dig the Ford Flex. But the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sportwagen has won us over with its sporty driving character and sweet 40MPG turbodiesel engine.
Sports Cars/Convertibles
Oh, this is a tough one. We love the mid-engined Porsche Cayman S and could definitely get used to cruising around in the new Infiniti G37 Convertible. But our sentimental favorite, the Mini Cooper S, is still the one way-fun automobile we'd gladly write that monthly check for.
Luxury
If we win the lottery, we're making a beeline for our closest dealer and driving off with a shiny new Lexus LS 460L long-wheelbase sedan. Unless, of course, it's a really humongous jackpot, in which case we'll be rolling through the drive-thru in the back seat of our new Maybach 62.
Minivans
We've always had a soft spot for Mazda's Mazda5 mini-minivan a lot, but at this point I think we'd be holding out for the downright sporty SE version of the all-new Toyota Sienna.
Pickups
Okay, we have no use for a pickup truck and, if we did, the Honda Ridgeline would probably be all the truck we're ever likely to need. That said, we still lust for the Dodge Ram MegaCab and its limo-like back seat.
Green Cars
The new Toyota Prius may still be king of the hill when it comes to fuel economy, but it's the much more low-key and likeable Ford Fusion Hybrid that would get our vote if we were looking to do right by Mother Nature.
]]>We don't normally consider ourselves to be Pollyanna types. But hey, between the ugly weather we've been having and our nation's less than inspiring economic recovery, we figure we could all use a little something to look forward to.
Which brings us to some of the new models that made their public debut earlier this week during the annual media circus known as the 2010 North American Auto Show. While we don't have the space to give you the complete rundown of everything we saw at the humongous Detroit show's press preview days, here's a look at a few of the new designs we think look the most promising:
Take the sporty CTS sedan, lop off a couple of doors and
stuff a 556-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 under the hood and you have a high-performance Caddy that
should give the legendary BMW M3 a run for its money.
Small cars have been big news lately, but none are more eagerly awaited than this great-looking new version of the automaker's popular Focus compact.
Okay, we know this wide-open Mini beach cruiser probably won't ever become a production model, but it does give some strong hints about what the brand's forthcoming crossover will look like.
]]>Let's be right up front: We hate winter. Years spent shoveling snow and pushing cars out of ditches has made it pretty darn difficult for us to see the brighter side (we're told there is one) of the darkest season.
That personal bias aside, the fact is that winter driving can also be downright dangerous if you're unprepared. Every year brings new stories of drivers who get stranded by a wicked winter storm with little more than a plastic ice scraper and the clothes on their backs. Like these folks, for example.
With that in mind, we'd like to take a few minutes to review the key components of our trusty don't-leave-home-without-it Winter Survival Kit. While you may never need it, gathering these few simple items together before you hit the snow- and ice-covered roads is sure to give you a little extra peace-of-mind, knowing that you're ready for the worst winter can throw at you.
Winter Survival Kit
Take a daypack or duffel bag and add the following:
Warmth
Sleeping bags/blankets/space blankets
Warm clothes (hats, long underwear, insulated coveralls
Heat source (Nuwick candle/folding stove)
Waterproof matches/disposable lighter
Chemical hand/body warmers
Nourishment
Non-perishable food (nutrition bars, instant soup etc.)
Bottled water (filled 3/4-full)
Swiss-Army-style knife
Metal camp mug/spoons
Large coffee can (to melt snow/boil water)
Safety
Cell phone/car charger
Flashlight/batteries
Radio/batteries
First aid kit (including prescriptions)
Brightly colored bandana (to tie to antenna)
Automotive
Basic tool kit
Jumper cables
Traction aids (sand/cat litter)
Shovel
Tow strap
Duct tape
Extras
Gallon-size re-sealable plastic bags
Garbage bags (for answering Nature's call)
Paper towels/toilet paper
Paperback book/deck of cards
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As we get ready to ring in the new year, experts everywhere are making predictions for the 12 months ahead. Well, here's ours: 2010 looks to be shaping up as a great year for new car shoppers.
With the U.S. economy showing signs of recovery and banks promising to increase their consumer lending, the biggest stumbling blocks to new car ownership should be removed. The fact that a whole bunch of really cool new models are scheduled to start arriving on dealers' lots, well, that doesn't hurt either.
We've driven some of the ten new models spotlighted below, and found them a remarkably likable bunch. And we know enough about the rest to say we're definitely looking forward to taking our turn behind their steering wheels.
With all that in mind, here's our list of Top 10 New Models For The New Year:
Need something more practical than a sedan but don't want to drive a big honkin' SUV? This new luxury crossover may be just the ticket.
Audi's full-size luxury flagship has long been a favorite and we only expect that infatuation to grow once we get to drive this new version late next year.
If anything can erase this luxury brand's reputation for fuddy-duddy styling, this sleek--dare we say sexy--new midsize sedan ought to do the trick.
Take handling on par with European sports sedans, add the convenience of a station wagon body and you have an ideal balance of performance and practicality.
The roomy interior and huge trunk makes it practical; the SHO's 365-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 makes it way more fun than a family sedan has a right to be.
The problem with most hybrids is that they're B-O-R-I-N-G. This new two-seater looks like it'll be an exception: A rare green machine that's actually fun to drive.
Everything we loved about the outgoing LR3 and more: More style, more luxury, more cool technology and more capability on and off the pavement.
A luxury crossover that combines style, comfort, and a host of high-tech gizmos. Trying out the automated parallel-parking system alone makes it worth a test drive.
This new drop-top version of the legendary Z combines the joys of alfresco motoring with an upscale interior the equal of much more expensive sports cars.
If Porsche cars have one shortcoming, it's their cramped (or nonexistent) back seats. The brand-new four-door Panamera (pictured above) solves this problem nicely.
]]>If you're packing up the kids and heading over the river and through the woods this holiday weekend, we think you might want to consider making the trip in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle.
While the kind of never-mind-the-weather peace of mind these models provide used to be found only in big honkin' four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicles, that's definitely no longer the case. There are now more family-friendly AWD choices than ever before, ranging from luxury sedans to crossovers with room for the whole family and all their holiday loot.
With that in mind, we thought we'd give you a look at the DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos for four of our favorite new all-wheel drive models. Slap a set of dedicated winter tires on one of these puppies and you should be able to get to and from grandma's house without breaking a sweat even when the flakes start to fly:
]]>We love surprises. And we couldn't have been more surprised when we got to drive the new 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan last week.
Now, we know what you're thinking. What could possibly be surprising in minivan-land? Well, with a chief engineer who is a hardcore driving enthusiast guiding this third-generation Sienna's design and execution, the answer is plenty.
For one thing, this new Sienna is one of the best-looking family vehicles to roll off an assembly line in recent memory. The interior also has a few surprises in store, including available second-row lounge seats with reclining backs and extendable foot rests that offer Barcalounger-like comfort.
The biggest news here, however, is the introduction of a sporty SE model (pictured above) that combines performance upgrades like a firmer suspension and lowered ride height with styling tweaks including swoopier body work and 19-inch alloy wheels that make it downright sexy by minivan standards. The driving experience is equally appealing, with handling on par with some mainstream sports sedans.
Ultimately, the new Sienna, which goes on sale early next year, looks like one of the best new ways to get seven or eight passengers down the road to come along in years. For a closer look at a few of our other favorite people movers, check out these DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos:
]]>Even if you're not someone who spends a lot of time thinking about cars, it's a pretty safe bet you can probably name the four or five most common automotive categories (sedans, for example), and maybe even the most popular models within those segments. But what if traditional four-doors like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry don't quite meet your needs? Then, friends, it's time to dig a little deeper to discover the growing number of new models designed to fill in the gaps between these familiar body styles.
Some of the earliest examples, like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Chevrolet Avalanche, have actually been around long enough to become almost commonplace. But the pace of this cross-pollination has accelerated in the last couple of years, with the introduction of lesser known models like Mazda's Mazda5 mini-minivan and the curious Kia Rondo that rolls elements of crossovers, minivans, and station wagons into a compact package that simply defies easy categorization. Add models like the part-sports car/part-SUV BMW X6 and figuring out how to describe them can get downright difficult.
And yet, our experience with these groundbreaking new designs tells us that out this confusion can come vehicles that are more ideally suited to many people's lives than anything that's gone before. Even if we don't know quite what to call them.
For a closer look at more of these gap-filling models, check out the DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos below:
]]>Last week, we told you about the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, a $2.1 million supercar powered by a 1,001-horsepower 16-cylinder engine that positively bellows while rocketing its über-wealthy owner to a top speed of 253 miles-per-hour.
But while most of us have grown up equating that internal combustion roar with unbridled acceleration, the dawn of the electric car era means high-performance automobiles will soon sound a whole lot different. Like the Tesla Roadster, for example, a battery-powered two-seat sports car that delivers Ferrari-esque acceleration accompanied by a turbine-like whine reminiscent of the original Batmobile.
While the battery-electric models from Ford, Mini, Mitsubishi, and Nissan that will be hitting dealer showrooms over the next 12-18 months are built for efficiency more than speed, don't be surprised if the next car that blows your doors off does so with little more than a whoosh--and a maniacal laugh from its driver.
For a look at green cars you can buy today, check out these DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos.
]]>If you believe in the old saying "Nothing succeeds like excess", boy, have we got the car for you.
In an era when 500-plus horsepower high-performance models are increasingly commonplace, the new 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport makes every other factory hot rod on the road look like a poser. To illustrate our point, check these mind-boggling stats: 16-cylinders, four turbochargers, 1,001-horsepower, a zero-to-60 time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 253 miles-per-hour. To say nothing of its $2.1 million price tag.
But as this New York Times review points out, while this over-the-top Bugatti convertible is an impressive piece of work, it's really much too much car to be driven on the street by mere mortals. Even über-rich mortals.
No, while the Veyron Grand Sport may be fun to ogle, personal experience has taught us that even the most lead-footed driving enthusiasts could have just as much fun behind the steering wheel of cars that deliver similarly excessive performance for substantially less dough. With that in mind, we present our list of slightly less exotic models that are both a blast to drive and surprisingly affordable.
To learn more about them, have a look at these DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos:
With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's only a matter of time before the snowflakes begin to fly. But driving on snow- or ice-covered roads doesn't have to be a white-knuckle experience if you're driving a vehicle that's properly prepared.
By far the most important winter prep item on your agenda should be swapping your car's regular rubber for a set of dedicated snow tires. To understand why, it helps to think of the all-season tires your car came with as a pair of sneakers--while you could wear them all winter long, they're not going to give you the same non-slip grip in the snow as a good pair of boots.
Even if your car has high-tech features like stability/traction control and antilock brakes, it's important not to let these safety gizmos give you a false sense of security. Because these systems are only as good as the traction they have to work with it's important to put snow tires on all four corners, since being able to turn and stop effectively are at least as important as being able to get the car rolling without spinning your drive wheels.
If you're concerned your current ride might leave you stranded this winter, you might want to consider replacing it with a new all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive model. To check out some of our current favorites, click on the links below to see our DriverTV "virtual showroom experience" videos: