May 16, 2008
Porsche Named Top Luxury Brand for 2008
ATLANTA -- For the fourth year running, America’s most affluent consumers have declared Porsche the most prestigious car available today.
The Luxury Institute’s 2008 independent nationwide survey of luxury auto brands rated Porsche tops against eleven of the world’s most prestigious car brands. Lexus and Mercedes ranked second and third, respectively.
Continue reading"Porsche Named Top Luxury Brand for 2008"
Posted by Frank at 7:32 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Porsche
May 15, 2008
Porsche Boxster Lease -- Your turn to put on the driving gloves
The instant you turn the left hand ignition you’ll know: The Boxster is a direct descendent of Porsche racing. A nimble body. Mid-engine power and response. It’s built on the knowledge of over 28,000 victories.
No other roadster can boast this combination of performance and everyday driveability. This is no ordinary car. This is the stuff of legends.
Learn more about the Boxster lease offer here.
Posted by Frank at 3:02 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Auto leasing
| Finance
| Porsche
May 14, 2008
Video: 2008 smart car crash test
The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
Continue reading"Video: 2008 smart car crash test"
Posted by Frank at 3:28 PM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Mercedes-Benz
| Safety
| Smart
| Video
Ford working to make Escape, Mariner more fun to drive
DEARBORN, Mich. – The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner are more engaging to drive than ever.
For 2009, the compact SUVs combine improved performance and responsiveness with fuel-economy savings. Improvements include powertrain upgrades, new low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamics refinements – all of which contribute to a more dynamic, fun-to-drive experience.
Continue reading"Ford working to make Escape, Mariner more fun to drive"
Posted by Frank at 2:36 PM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Ford
| Mercury
Powershift transmission cuts fuel consumption by 8% for Volvos
The two-litre turbodiesel version of the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 is now also available with a fully-automatic transmission.
This new Powershift transmission is a six-speed unit and it significantly cuts fuel consumption compared with a conventional automatic transmission.
Continue reading"Powershift transmission cuts fuel consumption by 8% for Volvos"
Posted by Frank at 7:08 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Volvo
Volvo adds flexfuel option to high end vehicles
The Volvo V70 and S80 are now also available with a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine with a power output of 200 hp (147 kW) and 300 Nm of torque.
"The 2.5-litre version adds spice to our environmental offer. It emphasises our aim to offer our buyers the possibility of combining performance with environmental responsibility. With 200 hp on tap, the driver gets a dynamic drive without compromising fuel economy," says Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
Continue reading"Volvo adds flexfuel option to high end vehicles"
Posted by Frank at 6:47 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Alternative Fuels
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Ethanol
| Volvo
May 13, 2008
2008 Chrysler Town & Country named Best Minivan
Why was the publisher of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine strolling the hallways of Chrysler World Headquarters today? The coffee's good here but he wasn't sniffing out a caffeine fix.
Alex J. McKenna trekked here to Auburn Hills to lay some lovin' on the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country LX minivan.
Continue reading"2008 Chrysler Town & Country named Best Minivan"
Posted by Frank at 5:47 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Chrysler
May 12, 2008
2008 Fuel Economy Guide Available for Download
The EPA has issued a comprehensive PDF guide to fuel economy of all 2008 vehicles, which you can download by right-clicking here.
In today's gas market, buyers are more sensitive than ever about buying cars that get good mileage, and more important, they want the government ratings to be as accurate as possible -- nobody wants to buy a vehicle that gets 10% worse mileage in the real world than the sticker rating.
To address this situation, the EPA has started using an updated test to assign more accurate MPG ratings to new vehicles, and you can learn about that by watching the video in this post.
Posted by Frank at 3:04 PM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Acura
| Alternative Fuels
| Aston Martin
| Audi
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| BMW
| Bentley
| Buick
| Cadillac
| Car Tech
| Chevrolet
| Chrysler
| Diesel
| Dodge
| Electric
| Environment
| Ethanol
| Ferrari
| Finance
| Ford
| GM
| GMC
| Honda
| Hummer
| Hybrid
| Hydrogen
| Hyundai
| Infiniti
| Isuzu
| Jaguar
| Jeep
| Kia
| Lamborghini
| Land Rover
| Lexus
| Lincoln
| MINI
| Maserati
| Maybach
| Mazda
| Mercedes-Benz
| Mercury
| Mitsubishi
| Nissan
| Pontiac
| Porsche
| Rolls-Royce
| Saab
| Saturn
| Scion
| Smart
| Subaru
| Suzuki
| Toyota
| Volkswagen
| Volvo
Suzuki offers free gas incentives through June
Through June 30, 2008, you can get "free" gas for the summer when you buy a new Suzuki. The gas spiff comes in the form of a prepaid Visa card, that is charged with up to $470 -- which represents the amount of money you would spend on gas for the specific vehicle, for three months of average driving.
For example, if you buy a Suzuki SX4, you will get a Visa card for $355. The value is calculated by assuming an average 1,000 miles per month, with the SX4 getting 28 miles to the gallon and a gas price assumption of $3.29 per gallon.
To figure the gas card value, divide 3,000 miles [3 months] by 28 MPG, which equals 107.14 gallons. Multiply that by $3.26 per gallon, and you get $352.50. Suzuki then round that up to $355.
Here are the gas card spiff for each Suzuki vehicle, which, are offered in lieu of traditional rebates:
Continue reading"Suzuki offers free gas incentives through June"
Posted by Frank at 8:47 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Auto rebates
| Finance
| Suzuki
May 9, 2008
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 production begins
Auburn Hills, Mich. -- Chrysler LLC today celebrated the production launch of one of the industry's most highly anticipated vehicles—the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Dodge Challenger is back in Chrysler's line-up as a modern muscle car with a new SRT8 model. A full line-up will follow in the 2009 model-year. Consumer interest in the Dodge Challenger has been some of the highest seen at Chrysler.
Continue reading"2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 production begins"
Posted by Frank at 3:45 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Chrysler
| Dodge
May 8, 2008
Mercedes SL 63 AMG Edition IWC, comes with free watch!
The AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO has developed a new limited edition vehicle, the exclusive SL 63 AMG Edition IWC.
Limited to a total of 200 units, the new roadster features an eye-catching designo magno Kashmir white finish as well as an AMG Exterior Carbon package with a matte surface.
In keeping with the exterior appearance, the vehicle’s interior is fitted with Carbon matte trim as well as Tobago Brown nappa leather upholstery that creates additional visual and tactile highlights.
Continue reading"Mercedes SL 63 AMG Edition IWC, comes with free watch!"
Posted by Frank at 10:15 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Mercedes-Benz
The new Volvo V70 R-DESIGN
The best-selling Volvo V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the sporty factory-fitted R-Design option pack. This further cements Volvo Cars' aim to offer unique products to particularly discerning customers.
The Volvo V70 estate car is for many people the very essence of Volvo: practical, safe and exuding Scandinavian elegance. The R-Design pack spotlights a new dimension: impassioned, extrovert and challenging.
Continue reading"The new Volvo V70 R-DESIGN"
Posted by Frank at 10:13 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| 5th Wheel
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Car Tech
| Volvo
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 LX 570 SUV
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 LX 570 SUV, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The LX 570 luxury utility vehicle will increase 1.2 percent, or $900, carrying an MSRP of $74,700.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:08 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 GX 470 SUV
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2008 GX 470 SUV, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The GX 470 luxury utility vehicle will carry an MSRP of $47,315, an increase of 1.1 percent, or $500.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:07 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
Lexus announces price increase for 2008 RX SUVs
TORRANCE, Calif. -- Lexus has announced new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for 2008 RX SUVs, effective mid- to late May 2008.
The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.7 percent overall, or $300, to $41,580 for the RX 400h front-wheel drive model, and $42,980 for the all-wheel-drive model. The 2009 RX 350 luxury utility vehicle MSRP will increase 0.5 percent, or $200. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 will have an MSRP of $37,700, while the RX 350 all-wheel drive will carry a base price of $39,100.
Lexus MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $765.
Posted by Frank at 6:06 AM
| Filed under 2008 Vehicles
| Auto Marketing
| Auto News
| Finance
| Lexus
