Recent Comments:
VW up! could be switched to FWD {Autoblog}
Jul 18th 2008 1:58PM VW is pushing for RWD on this car because:
-It would provide excellent interior packaging
-Help lighten the weight of the car by reducing the need for power steering (no engine and drivetrain over the front wheels reduces the weight enough to not need it)
-Help meet pedestrian collision safety standards (empty trunk in the front makes it easier to provide pedestrian compliance without the needed for external airbags, lengthened front overhangs, or trick pop-up hoods)
Stability and traction control, along with better placment of the engine in relation to the rear axle, can accomodate oversteer.
I don't know where everyone is getting this idea that the car was going to be a stellar handler because of its RWD layout, but it takes more than powering the rear wheels to make a car a sports car, and VW never gave any indications that was their intention with this configuration. The RWD setup was supposed to be for cost and fuel/space economy concerns.
GM to cut 20% in overall white collar costs, cut truck production by over 300k {Autoblog}
Jul 15th 2008 9:35AM I see they want to reduce spending in advertising.
Hasn't the lack of awareness been one of their problems when launching new vehicles, like the Aura, Astra, the Chevy hybrids, Vue, and Cobalt XFE, just to name a few?
Cutting down on motorsports activities can be debated, but now is the time to let people know you've got some damned cars to offer them, and GM's short-sightedness is taking shape again in their (lack of) advertising efforts.
The wealthy concerned about gas prices? Merc S-class sales fall {Autoblog}
Jul 14th 2008 3:10PM Couldn't this be seen as attributable more to image than gas? These types of cars have been prized by the wealthy image-conscious, more so than any engineering excellence they may possess, and now that "big" is out, could we be seeing the bulk of these sales moving to the smaller offerings of the Germans?
Now, I'm not saying all wealthy are image-conscious, but those with this kind of disposable income are usually more prone to buying the latest and greates (I hate that term), based on both the latest gizmo and the latest thinking. Stepping into a smaller, but luxurious car, without sacrificing the badging, seems to make more sense to me than them seeing premium gas prices at $4.50+ per gallon as "too steep."
Volkswagen releases three concepts... from 2028 {Autoblog}
Jul 8th 2008 3:31PM At least they got rid of the chrome grills.
Photo of the Day: Chinese anti-terror Segway commandos {Autoblog}
Jul 3rd 2008 3:56PM I can't decide which is more strange:
Creating a training program to use Segways for counter-terrorism
or
Telling Segway you need to buy fifty of their units for use in a counter-terrorism squad.
Grease Me Up: Lube sweepstakes giving away a '57 T-Bird {Autoblog}
Jul 3rd 2008 9:30AM I hear they are going to sponsor Lightning McQueen in the next Cars movie. Rust-eez must be pissed.
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse {Autoblog}
Jul 2nd 2008 10:05AM I guess I should clarify my statement.
Other sites and magazines attended the same testing event as AB, which included the Highlander for comparison, and they found the Highlander more stable during the towing maneuvers.
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse {Autoblog}
Jun 30th 2008 12:35PM I'm wondering why other testing magazines and sites (edmunds and winding road to name a couple) complained about the strained and unstable feeling of the Traverse while towing, yet Autoblog found no problems.
Also, not exceeding 45 mph while towing is not a limitation of the vehicle, but a prudent safety recommendation. It is a safety warning, just like the "wear your seatbelts" stickers on the visors. There are many vehicles out there that have that warning in their manuals, so I don't think it should be alluded to that the Highlander is not as capable as the Traverse, just because of this omission in the owner's manual.
Not crazy about more badge-engineering by GM, but I like the interior of the Traverse. Owners seem to love their Lambdas, I just hope GM can't stop slapping new grills and window-sill lines on the same vehicle for different dealers.
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible {Autoblog}
Jun 28th 2008 4:48PM Don't get silly.
This is the Autoblog forum.
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible {Autoblog}
Jun 28th 2008 1:40PM "Where'd you find a word like plangent?"
At the plangentarium.
