Autoblog

click to view more high-res images of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Next Monday is Memorial Day, which many think of as the official start of the summer driving season. That means it's time to pack your families and all their associated gear in the family truckster family sedan and head out to see the relatives. We've already seen one set of choices for the best vehicle with which to hit the open road, and now Kelley Blue Book has decided to throw its hat in the ring as well. They cover all the bases, so regardless of the size of your clan, you'll be sure to find a recommendation that suits you. Some of their choices, like the Grand Caravan sitting at number five, seem pretty obvious and would likely make for a smooth trip. If smoothness isn't really your thing, perhaps the Bugatti Veyron, number two on KBB's list, would be a better choice. Too fuel thirsty for your pocketbook? Consider the Prius at number nine. Take a look at their full list here.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

There are few words in the English language which can conjure up as much meaning, and likely so many memories, as these: road trip. We've all been on them before; some are the highlights of your life and some... well, not so much. But having the right vehicle can make all the difference in the world. Thule, maker of "transportation accessories", has added its name to the ever-growing list of companies that have invented an "__ of the year" award. For this particular honor, Thule has broken the automotive landscape in half, dividing its choices for the best vehicle to take a road trip in at the $30 grand mark. Without further ado, the winners are:

• Best road trip vehicle under $30,000: Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited
• Best road trip vehicle over $30,000: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited

If you really want to read all of the reasons that Thule offers for choosing these vehicles, there's a whole press release pasted after the break. We're not going to argue with their choices, as both the Outback and the Highlander are fine vehicles, which would be suitable for a group of four people and their assorted belongings. Sure beats the old funny-smelling air-cooled VW van that had trouble keeping up with the slow-moving traffic that some of us can remember from our childhood.



[Source: Thule]

We've heard this story a thousand times before. Man finally procures his dream car. It's delivered on the other side of the country. Road trip! It's the age old passage of breaking your car in with a cross country delivery trek. A member of the VWVortex.com forums who goes by the handle uglybastid and his friend Aaron traveled to New York to pick up an Audi S4 for a (very trusting) friend. The black sedan from Ingolstadt was looking good, but uglybastid and Aaron like their Audis in Nogaru Blue, not black. In order to protect the car from rock chips over 2,850 miles, and to switch the color to something more palatable, the two purchased four and a half rolls of 3M Safe-Release blue tape... and covered the car from bumper to bumper in the adhesive strips. It's the best blue tape job ever and also allowed the two to chronicle their adventure via a Sharpie marker on the sheetmetal. Throughout the road trip, uglybastid exhibits an unhealthy knowledge of roadside attractions, and the two pass more plastic cows and muffler men than actual human beings. Keep in mind, the car has no plates and despite being pulled over twice by some friendly fuzz, the two make it all the way across the northern half of the U.S. on their way to back to Seattle where the Audi S4 will find its new home. Please, it's a Sunday, do yourself a favor, click through and read the amazing tale of uglybastid, Aaron and the blue-taped Audi S4.

Thanks to Chuck G. for the tip!

[Source: VWVortex.com]

You might think that Europe has the market cornered on scenic drives, what with its old world charm, looming castles, rolling vineyards and ancient ruins.

The folks at MSN Travel, however, think that the United States has some pretty drives as well, and in honor of the days being ripe for road trips, they've narrowed the list down to their top 10 faves.

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina starts the list off with nature at its best, Highway 1 in California is thrown in there as an obvious choice, and the drive through Sonoma and Napa Valley could give the French countryside a run for its money.

But what about the roads less traveled? Not to disappoint, the article includes drives like Seward Valley through Resurrectoin Bay to Anchorage in Alaska, as well as Going to the Sun Road through Montana's Glacier National Park.

[Source: MSN Travel]

Cable network Outdoor Life Network (OLN) is set to debut a 13-part television series featuring actress Daryl Hannah, a modified Chevrolet S-10, hemp oil, and an AstroTurf-covered 1982 Volkswagen Jetta that runs on bio diesel. Coolfuel: Roadtrip charts the journey of Australian Shaun Murphy (and his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky) as he traverses 30 states on 30 unique vehicles, running solely on alternative fuels.

Highlights include a bio diesel Hummer limousine, an Electra Cruiser electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a BMW Z3 that runs on corn whiskey.

Coolfuel: Roadtrip premieres Tuesday on OLN at 8 pm Eastern.

Check out the link for the show's website, which includes video clips, images, and alternative fuel educational resources.