Mitsubishi Lancer Recognized for Highest Owner Satisfaction In Compact Category

Does anyone look at surveys for owner satisfaction? I do for some reason. I just think that if owners love their cars, there is a good chance that it is a pretty darn good vehicle and worth taking a look at. It leaves an impression on my memory when I hear people that actually own a car love it.

The Misubishi Lancer is being recognized as the compact car with the highest owner satisfaction of 2008.

"Vehicles like the Mitsubishi Lancer that are all new received top rankings in their respective categories," said AutoPacific President George Peterson. "These new-for-2008 vehicles were strongly rated by their owners showing that the industry continues to improve as new vehicles are added to the hotly contested American car and light truck markets."

2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid Wins U.S. Concept Car Award

I'm not sure I can describe this as beautifully as they have here, but this car deserves a bit of publicity at least. Designed for youthful drivers, the 2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid has the looks and feel that anyone who is going to fall in love with their cars would want. The vehicle is designed to give the drive connectivity to its vehicle, offering just about everything you can imgaine except theater seating.

The 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for ultra-efficient power from a 200 hp (147 kW), 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM’s next-generation hybrid system. Projected combined cycle CO2 emissions of just 105 g/km on E85 fuel are testimony to the promise of this package.


“The Saab 9-X BioHybrid blends organic form with ecologically sound propulsion for both aesthetic and environmental appeal”, said jury panel member Arv Voss of Auto Impressions. Added Bob Kroupa of the Automotive Writers Group: “Saab takes center stage with a new design approach for a compact vehicle. With the BioHybrid turbo engine included, we have a winner”.

2008 Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Conference

You can't get away from gas prices right now so interest in the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Conference in LAs Vegas is drawing a bit more attention than it probably has in previous years. Between sessions of checking out the women in their sexy swimwear at the pool some people actually took the time to collect videos of the many presentations that were available on the various panels.

If you go to the Auto Channel page for the Conference and scroll down to the bottom of the article you will find a list of 30+ videos from the conference. Various new technologies are discussed as well as the state of alternative fuels by a few speakers.

Automakers Scramble to Produce Hybrids, Alternative Fuel Vehicles

With gasoline hovering north of $4 a gallon and public demand shifting rapidly, automakers are scrambling to get more energy efficient vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, and hybrids on the market. Wow...way to look a head. Could have done this 5 years ago.

On June 16 Toyota announced two hybrids in the coming year, a Lexus (to debut in January), as well as the third-generation Toyota Prius, which will be out sometime in 2009.

Toyota is at working on lighter, more powerful lithium ion batteries that will first be used in the company's plug-in hybrid, which has a production date of 2010. Still...the lack of hydrogen fueling availability is a concern spurring thoughts that people will be wearing out their Ecco shoes faster than their tires if they don't have fuel available.

General Motors remains confident that their long-discussed, all-electric, Chevrolet Volt will be in showrooms in 2010 as well, with the capability to run 40 miles on battery-power alone. The company has yet to name a supplier for the Volt's battery.

TomTom Brings Tele Atlas to 20 Million customers

TomTom is the fastest growing GPS system out there and they continue to impress.

One of the biggest customer complaints about GPS accuracy. Maps that are out of sync with reality, and get more so every day due to the continuously changing road network. TomTom developed a system called MapShare that is helping to solve the issue. TomTom analyzed the most common map frustrations and enabled drivers to easily and instantly correct map errors directly on their portable navigation device.

Now with their Tele Atlas partnership they are able to share up to date data with their customers better than ever before.

"As promised, the transfer of this feedback marks the first tangible deliverable following TomTom's acquisition of Tele Atlas," said Harold Goddijn, CEO of the new combined entity. "It will ensure that everybody can benefit from this community feedback, and the amount we have received is staggering. On average, by the end of 2008, if you drive anywhere for one hour with a Tele Atlas map enhanced by Map Share feedback, your route will be influenced by more than 20 corrections."

"It is not just the quantity, but the quality of the Map Share feedback that is impressive," said Bill Henry, CEO of Tele Atlas. "Validating and integrating large amounts of data is what we've been experts at for 25 years. But these are not just any corrections, these are issues actual customers cared about enough to report. Tele Atlas has always been at the forefront in terms of industry innovations. For example, we invented and deploy the largest fleet of high-tech map-detection vehicles in the world. Now we will be the first company to use real-time input from the world's largest navigation community to deliver what we believe will be the best and freshest maps and dynamic content products to all our partners. I am particularly happy that we'll be able to get the first results in the hands of our partners this year already."

Choosing the Right Car for a Teen Driver

The last thing you probably want to do is think about getting your son or daughter their first car right now with the ridiculous prices of gasoline. I was actually happy to get gas for $4.09 a gallon today and filled it up with only a 1.4 of a tank gone. Still cost me about $25...ugh.

So they have graduated from hounding you about getting a new video card for their computer so they can play World of Warcraft all day and are ready to get a car. What should you be looking for in terms of a vehicle that your teen will not only be safe in, but something that isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg to maintian, and of course get some decent fuel efficiency.

AAA has produced a brochure you can check out with some helpful tips to decide just what your teen driver needs to have.

2008 Jaguar XKR Coupe Review

Jaguars are the pimp mobiles in my opinion. I absolutely love the look of the classy Jaguar series vehicles. The 2008 Jaguar XKR is no different. Just looka t this bad boy. This is the car you want to be seen in driving to your Los Angeles jobs and trying to look like a Hollywood celebrity.

2008 Jaguar XKR Coupe

Building on the performance and looks of the regular XK by supercharging the 4.2-liter AJ-V8 engine and adding subtle musculature to the bodywork, the XKR is a fine example of a Grand Touring car, an oft-misunderstood term. What does the abbreviation "GT" mean? Not (shudder) the once all-too-common econobox with a spoiler on the trunk and "GT" on the sides. The real meaning is: a car that combines the performance of a true sports car with the comfort, for two people, of a luxury sedan, enabling it to be driven effortlessly for long distances at high average speeds. Because of this, it will be heavier than a pure sports car, with some consequent loss of ability near the limits. But in the real world of speed limits and traffic, that loss is moot. Divergent evolution since the end of World War II has ensured that a contemporary road-legal GT like the XKR is a long way from being a modern race car. Full Review

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

Volkswagon has finally decided to jump into the mid-sized SUV ring with the Volkswagon Tiguan for 2009. A bunch of test-drivers were invited out to Colorado to take a look at the Tiguan, and it seems they are impressed. Comfortable driving and a quiet ride much like a progesterone cream when stresss levels are high.

First impressions of the Tiguan’s driving dynamics as we eased out of town into the mountains were very good. Tiguan is exceptionally quiet inside. Obviously great care was taken to create its auditory ambiance. I’m wondering if the same acoustic attenuation technology used in the GTI is used here. The engine sounds that make it through the insulation into the cockpit are more than just pleasant, they virtually sing at higher rpms. full review