The continuing saga of the Cash for Clunkers plan has gotten more interesting as new reports emerge that suggest that the program has actually increased the average gas mileage of all new cars sold during that period to a record 23 MPG. That’s an 8% increase from 21.2 MPG in August 2008 and the best numbers recorded since gas hit $4/gallon back in the dark days of 2007. So should we celebrate or sagely shake our heads? More after the jump.
Kicking It Truly Old School: BMW 2002
Like it or not, after a long absence, BMW may bring four-cylinder engines back to the U.S. to help it meet stricter fuel economy standards. According to Bloomberg, rather than make an even stronger case for clean diesel engines, (which Americans just can’t seem to embrace), BMW is seriously contemplating a return to smaller engines. Read More…
Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
Even though the Mercedes SLS has only unofficially been sighted in various places Sasquatch-style, it is not surprising that the German automaker is also planning an all-electric version of the upcoming supercar. Not surprising because it has been a mere two months since Mercedes plucked up a 10 percent stake in American electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors. Read More…
Suzuki Splash: One Byproduct of Suzuki/GM Coupling
Reading like a reenactment of German and Japanese diplomacy during WWII, Volkswagen continues to consolidate its status as the world’s most dominant automaker with discussions of acquiring a stake in Suzuki while the Japanese automaker relaxes ties with former affiliate GM.
2009 Honda Insight
According to the Wall Street Journal, based on the rate at which it is currently selling, Honda is happily bracing themselves and shareholders for huge sales figures of their Insight Hybrid in the coming year. In the U.S. alone, this may amount to between 50,000 and 60,000 new Insights sold this year alone.
Ford hasn’t always been the bold leader of sound automotive judgement that it is today. Though in fairness, most of the god-awful Mustangs listed below were the result of fuel shortages and government regulations, and actually many were sales successes initially. Taking a more zen-like approach let’s remember that without evil or ugliness in the world, true beauty and goodness may not exist either. Nevertheless, to quote Sealab’s Dr. Quinn, “Mistakes were made.” Mistakes indeed. As promised, in Part 2 of a look back at some of the best and worst Mustangs, here are five versions of the ‘Stag that we wish never existed. And actually when WAS the last time you saw a Mustang II on the road? Read More…
Audi Implementing New Technologies
Audi is the latest automaker to announce its adoption of technology that could improve fuel efficiency of as much as 20%. Like Mazda, Audi is addressing one of the most wasteful areas of gas consumption in cars; idling.
House committee chairman James Oberstar, D-Minn., wants congress to enact a mileage-based tax on cars and trucks and believes the technology exists to get the program up and running in approximately 2 years. The income generated from the mileage-based tax system would be used to maintain and upgrade the country’s highway infrastructure. In Minnesota, Oberstar’s home state, road construction programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to create jobs and help shake the state out of this depression.
The method of taxing people based on how far they drive is tied to GPS systems to be fitted into our vehicles. I imagine, if this should pass to law, all new cars sold in the United States would be required by law to have these GPS devices installed, and any other vehicle would likely be fitted with the device during state inspections. Likely there would also be some sort of “grandfather” clause for older vehicles whose worth might be less than that of the GPS device.
Cars that break the 200 mph mark or cost seven figures can be jaw-dropping to both the eye and pocket book, but for most normal folks, a balance of utility and fun must be struck. Below is a collection of vehicles that prove practicality and performance are not necessarily mutually exclusive concepts. Read More…
America’s Only CNG Vehicle: Honda Civic GX
Confirming many allegations, both here on Ridelust and elsewhere in the industry that Honda has engaged in a series of intentional acts to withhold or stall its compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle program, the company has now put into bankruptcy its CNG refueling company, Fuelmaker.
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