Archive for the ‘Auto News’ Category

Internet Car and Truck of the Year

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

I’m getting this blog back up and running. As the saying goes, it is new and improved.

Like just about everything else, it will be a process. As the judges test drive various products, at the end of Augusts we’ll be asked to pick the best five cars and trucks we’ve test driven. Our picks will be pruned to 10 finalists.

Cadillc Converj Concept

Cadillc Converj Concept

Amongst other things, I’m now one of twelve judges for the inaugural Internet Car and Truck of the Year contest. Publisehrs of automotive Web sites as well as automotive bloggers will name the best car and truck of the year winners around Thanksgiving.

In late October, we’ll be asked for our top three choices out of those ten. Those picks become the finalists and around Thanksgiving we’ll take a final vote and voila we’ll have the winners. Here’s the good part, consumers will be asked to do the same thing; once we select the finalists.

In other words consumers will also vote for Internet Car of the Year. The result should give us a winners that are reflective of consumer tastes. The consumer web site http://internetcarandtruckoftheyear.com: Where Internet Pros and Average Joes Pick the Car and Truck of the Year

FW

Popularity: 4% [?]

Bentley Burns Up Pavement

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Bentley calims that its Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience.

The Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both gasoline and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company’s commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012.
Available worldwide from autumn 2009, the Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.

With 621 bhp) and new Quickshift? transmission that halves shift times, the Supersports sets new performance benchmarks for Bentley. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph.

Although it’s a little early for pricing, you can expect the W12 turbocharged Bentley Supersports to cost in the neighborhood of $200, 000 to match its 200 mph speed.

Popularity: 6% [?]

U.S. News Media Group Names 2009 Best Cars for the Money

Friday, December 19th, 2008

The U.S. News Media Group recently released its first annual Best Cars for the Money awards, available online at http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-the-money . The study evaluated more than 200 models based on U.S. News rankings and IntelliChoice.com cost analysis. It will be featured in the December 29 issue of the magazine which goes on newsstands December 22..

The U.S. News Best Cars for the Money awards recognize 14 vehicles that earn the highest marks for overall value and appeal within their respective categories. In determining the award winners, U.S. News has taken its newly released 2009 Car Rankings and combined them with total cost of ownership data provided by IntelliChoice.com.

Although it’s the first time, anything that helps consumers make the right choice is, especially now, worth noting.

Subcompact Cars Honda Fit

Compact Cars Hyundai Elantra

Midsize Cars Toyota Camry (includes Camry Hybrid)

Full Size Cars Toyota Avalon

Upscale Cars Lexus ES

Luxury Cars Lexus GS (includes GS Hybrid)

Sports Cars Mazda Miata

Compact Crossovers/SUVs Mazda Mazda5

Midsize Crossovers/SUVs Toyota Highlander (includes Highlander Hybrid)

Luxury Crossovers/SUVs Lexus RX (includes RX Hybrid)

Full Size SUVs Chevrolet Tahoe (includes Tahoe Hybrid)

Minivans Toyota Sienna

Compact Pickups Toyota Tacoma

Full Size Pickups Chevrolet Silverado

Alas, the list sort of speaks for itself in the sense of what automakers are not on it.

Frank S. Washington

Popularity: 16% [?]