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The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010

Filed under: Sedan, Subaru, Volkswagen, Long-Term Garage

Above are Autoblog’s two current long-term test vehicles, the 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT and the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sport Cup Edition. At the moment, they are separated by some 2,460 miles of road with the Legacy at my house in the Greater Cleveland area and the diesel Jetta with Senior Editor Damon Lavrinc in San Francisco. Come next Monday, they will have swapped places.

We could have called a carrier service to deliver the cars across the country. In fact, we looked into it, but who wants to pay over two grand to have a company do what we’ll gladly do for free? So myself and Lavrinc are embarking on a cross-country road trip from nearly opposite ends of the great 48 to swap these cars somewhere in the middle. We’ll both be leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning and plan to return home late Monday night with different vehicles than the ones we left in.

This being my last night with the Legacy 2.5GT, I’ll sum up my feelings towards it by saying that it’s not the sporty sedan I expected. It’s not a true sports sedan at all, in fact, but more like a mid-sizer with a very comfortable ride that injects an extra element of driver involvement with its six-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, it’s not the most precise six-speed I’ve ever rowed, but the 265-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder is a willing dance partner, even if the transmission occasionally has two left feet. And where else can you get a manual transmission paired with a powerful engine that starts under $30,000 in this segment? Not many places, that’s for sure.

So while Damon and I hunker down for the long haul, ask us any questions in Comments that we haven’t answered already in our updates. We’ll try to tweet answers from the road on Autoblog’s official Twitter account (@therealautoblog) or we’ll save the answers for future updates on the site.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

Gallery: Long Term: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senator Levin in favor of a bolder clean vehicle mandate to replace CAFE

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Electric, Diesel

Carl Levin

Michigan Senator Carl Levin has been called the auto industry’s best friend by detractors who say he’s worked hard to obtain that title by defending the status quo. At the 2010 Business of Plugging In conference in downtown Detroit today, though, he made some comments that might put a stop to such name-calling. Levin said he wants to end what he sees as the small, incremental approach to cleaner vehicles the U.S. government is using today in favor of a huge and comprehensive program. “Our goal should be nothing less than making electric vehicles affordable and attractive to every American family,” he said.

Levin talked about seriously overhauling how the U.S. government promotes cleaner vehicles. He said there are three policy drivers pushing us in this direction today: climate change (which he said “is real, it is urgent and we either deal with it now or our children and grandchildren will have to deal with it later when the remedies will be much more difficult, much more expensive and much less effective.”), national security (i.e., oil independence) and the desire for a thriving manufacturing sector (i.e., jobs).

What has held the U.S. back from dealing with these issues in a coordinated way? Levin cited a fear of government support of manufacturing because that was considered industrial policy, what he termed “the kiss of death”:

While our government refused to partner actively with American manufacturers, our competitors were establishing partnerships and making investments to position their manufacturers for the future. The second impediment was the ability of oil-exporting nations to play like a yo-yo.

America made progress on fuel efficiency gains in the 1970s, Levin said, but OPEC knew how to set us back:

Oil ministers of those nations made it clear they would keep the price of oil at a low enough level so that alternative energy sources would not make economic sense and that distracted us from the fact that ending out dependence on imported oil in our long-term economic interest, beyond the need for environmental and security reasons.

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Senator Levin in favor of a bolder clean vehicle mandate to replace CAFE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: swissRoomBox turns any vehicle into a motor home

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Design/Style

swissRoomBox – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Swiss are masters of precision. The world’s most elegant timepieces hail from Switzerland. The multi-purpose and compact tool known as the Swiss Army Knife is praised throughout the world for its utility and dependability. Swiss-made products carry their label as a badge of honor that commands respect.

Philippe Perakis, a former mountain bike racer, is carrying this ethos into an amazing product designed for the outdoor enthusiast. Perakis has created the swissRoomBox, and its simple name belies a complex and mechanically beautiful product. The swissRoomBox is essentially a motor home squeezed into a few boxes, which fit neatly into the back of any mid-size hatchback, wagon, crossover or SUV.

The name of the game here is “ease of use,” and the swissRoomBox delivers. Initial setup requires connecting a supplied cable to the battery and mounting the unit to four anchor points in the back of the car. It can then be installed or removed within ten minutes. Once in, however, it transforms your car into a mini RV. The swissRoomBox can be used to cook food, take a shower, and provide power and drinking water. It can even be detached to create seating or sleeping space.

It’s an amazing piece of engineering that provides an endless amount of useful features. The swissRoomBox goes on sale in October 2010 but pricing has yet to be announced. Bonus: The company has stated that they are able to ship to the United States – get ready, Honda Element owners. Want to see one put to use? We have video of the swissRoomBox in action on the other side of the jump.

[Source: swissRoomBox via The Adventure Life]

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Video: swissRoomBox turns any vehicle into a motor home originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent vehicle you’ll never drive

Filed under: Wagon, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 5 Series Touring

2011 BMW 5 Series Touring – Click above for high-res image gallery

Take a good, hard look at this vehicle, which is currently on display at the Paris Motor Show. Seems like it would be the perfect alternative for someone who wants a luxury SUV but doesn’t need a vehicle that large. It also appears to be the perfect car for a person who wants cargo room yet despises luxury crossovers. This is the 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring – and we can’t have it.

Wagons are, quite unfortunately, going the way of the dodo in this country. A vehicle that makes too much sense won’t sell in a country where sense is tossed into the wind. The problem is, that’s part of what makes this country great – the idea that we can go and buy a V10-powered Ford Excursion even if we just use it to drive the kids to soccer. Yet, that vehicle only makes sense for a small number of people, and those people are buying better tools for their job anyway.

The 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring, assuming of course that you are looking for a luxury car, makes far more sense to far more people. It fits just as many people as the high-riding crossover alternative, while also providing just as much cargo space. It’s arguably better looking than any crossover or sport utility vehicle. More importantly, it has loads of useful space while at the same time being a blast to drive. The only area it would fall in a comparison would be in regards to towing.

You can view the stats for the 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring in the press release after the jump, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. We won’t get to enjoy the 306 horsepower 535i Touring, or any other variant of this wonderful wagon. And before it’s even left in the ‘comments’, yes, we know all about the BMW 5 Series GT.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW 5 Series Touring

Paris 2010: BMW 5 Series Touring

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Paris 2010: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent vehicle you’ll never drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar gets into the vehicle tracking / parental tattletale business

Filed under: Aftermarket, Safety, Technology, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Mopar Jeep Wrangler Lower Forty

Mopar, the motor parts division of Chrysler, has enjoyed a nice long run providing parts and accessories for the entire Pentastar family. Whether you own a muscle car or a muscular off-roader, the Mopar catalog has you covered. Now it’s venturing into a new arena with the launch of the Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System, or EVTS.

A vehicle is not an inexpensive asset and it’s smart to want to protect it. The EVTS allows you to do just that. There are three plans available – Base, Silver and Gold. Each offers an increasing level of protection and service. The Base plan features a GPS vehicle locator, real-time tracking if your vehicle is stolen and a $1,000 theft-protection warranty. Silver ups the ante by including text-based alerts for parents. If a set speed limit or distance cap is exceeded, the owner gets a text message (“OMG, Billy juz hit 107 mph! Hez gonna get spanked, LOL!!!”). In addition to the warning alerts, the Silver plan provides arrival and departure notices, a map of locations visited, an available 24/7 emergency service contact, automatic theft notification and an on-board panic button. The top-tier Gold plan has all of those features but adds unlimited online tracking and a concierge service. The concierge allows the owner to call for directions, make reservations and assistance for other personal queries.

The Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System starts at $495, not including installation. The Silver and Gold plans require an additional yearly subscription priced at $149 and $249, respectively. Quite wisely, Mopar built the system to be transferable and upgradeable. Check out the press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: Chrysler]

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Mopar gets into the vehicle tracking / parental tattletale business originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has dropped the curtain on its latest electrical wonder, the A-Class E-Cell. The vehicle is scheduled for a limited production run of just 500 units, with lucky lessees in Germany, France and The Netherlands expected to receive the majority of them. Unfortunately, a company spokesman told Inside Line that the A-Class E-Cell will not show up on U.S. soil. This Europe-only offering showcases Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electric drive technology and will be produced at the company’s Rastatt plant in Germany.

The four-door, five-passenger, minivanish-looking E-Cell is based on the company’s standard A-Class hatchback. The electric goodies include a 70kW (peak output, 95 horsepower) motor that churns out a rather remarkable 214 pound-feet of torque and twin lithium-ion batteries that supposedly provide up to 124 miles of range between charges. Top speed is a highway-capable 93 miles per hour. Speaking of that electric motor and powerful battery pack, Mercedes-Benz has the following to say:

This makes the A‑Class E‑Cell an outstandingly assured and dynamic performer on the road, taking just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month, but you can hit the jump to discover a whole lot more about it right now.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle

Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do Want: Singer Vehicle Design delivers its first production 911

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Singer 911 production car debut – Click above for high-res image gallery

We first spotted Singer’s 911 Concept in Monterey last year at the historic races at Laguna Seca. From afar, it just looked like another classic Porsche 911, but a closer look revealed much, much more. We met up with Singer and the car back in Los Angeles for a photoshoot and were astounded at the creativeness, attention to detail and absolute beauty of the car. Singer told us that they were hoping to build a production version, but with a targeted selling price of a little under $200,000, we feared that the concept might be the only one ever built.

Thankfully, as it turns out, there are at least a few wealthy car enthusiasts with a taste for a hand-built, vintage 911 with carbon fiber bodywork, custom interior and a modern Porsche flat-six power. Singer completed its first production 911 late last week and delivered to its lucky new owner at their facility in Sunland, CA with a small gathering of those who helped make the car happen.

The car is finished in Singer Racing Green with a Grow Green and Terra Cotta striping package and is heavily optioned with a 410 horsepower 3.82-liter flat-six, Brembo brake package, Bilstein coilover suspension, RSR steering wheel, Heuer chronograph clock, leatherweave seats and more. Building of the second production car will start later this month with a third beginning in October. Check both the mean green machine and the stunning orange Laguna Seca model in our high-res galleries below.

Gallery: Singer 911 Production Car Debut

Gallery: 2010 Singer Porsche 911

Do Want: Singer Vehicle Design delivers its first production 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maker Faire Detroit 2010: Amick A2 wind-assisted electric vehicle

Filed under: Etc., Electric

Amick A2

Amick A2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the makers we encountered setting up for the Maker Faire Detroit on Friday afternoon was Douglas Amick. Amick was unloading the A2, a three-wheeled, battery-powered, wind-assisted tandem-two-seater. The A2 was originally built by Amick’s late father, James, who devised the aerodynamic arch on the rear of the vehicle. That element is claimed to help propel the vehicle forward in crosswinds.

Apparently, airflow coming in at an angle to the vehicle will swirl around as it passes through the arch, actually applying force to the A2’s rear, giving it some boost. We’ll have to check with some contacts with aerodynamic expertise on the veracity of this claim. Regardless, the Amick A2 is kind of cool-looking. Apparently, it originally had aluminum air batteries installed but they’re no longer functional.

Gallery: Maker Faire Detroit: Amick A2

[Source: AmickGlobal.com]

Maker Faire Detroit 2010: Amick A2 wind-assisted electric vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota ‘victims’ urge passage of Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Toyota

No one can accuse our legislative process of being particularly swift. Even in the midst of one of the most productive congressional sessions in years, it takes plenty of hemming and hawing to push a bill all the way from committee to law. Unfortunately, a group of individuals affected by the recent rash of runaway Toyota vehicles must not have gotten that memo. A group of family members of those who died in instances of unintended acceleration recently met with members of congress to discuss the obstacles facing the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010.

The bill specifically addresses the need for brake override systems on all new cars as well as so-called black boxes, or event data recorders, but it also ensures that federal investigators will be able to quickly access information stored on a vehicle in case of a widespread safety emergency. Meanwhile, the bill has run into some opposition. Most automakers have come out in favor of EDR’s, but have found issue with other portions of the legislation.

Other potential snags include worries about the cost of the added technology. As such, proponents of the bill have decided to underscore the need for such a law for fear that the topic will grow cold in the public’s memory. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety | Image: Kevin Burkett | CC2.0]

Continue reading Toyota ‘victims’ urge passage of Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Toyota ‘victims’ urge passage of Motor Vehicle Safety Act originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi sells two millionth vehicle in the States

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Audi, Luxury

In the grand scale of automotive existence, Audi hasn’t been selling vehicles in the U.S. for that long. The company first landed on our shores in 1970 with the introduction of cars like the Super 90 and 100, which means that chances are some of you out there have socks older than Audi USA. Flash forward 40 years to present day, and the company is celebrating its 2 millionth vehicle sold in the United States. The lucky car just happened to be a new A3 TDI – a fine choice if we do say so ourselves – and was sold through Keyes Audi in Van Nuys, California.

Audi is predicting that it will take considerably less time to hit the 3 millionth vehicle sold mark, and we’re inclined to agree with them. The company says that since 2000, it has doubled its model count here in the land of freedom fries – a trick that’s helped to make Audi a legitimate alternative to the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the hearts and minds of American buyers. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Audi]

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Audi sells two millionth vehicle in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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