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Clean diesels to topple the hybrid monopoly in the USA?

beckalini submitted on 07/21/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 3:18 PM
from: www.latimes.com

[95] user comments | category: Spy News

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Tags: Clean diesel

Tag Link: Clean diesel

Clean diesels to topple the hybrid monopoly in the USA?

Diesels are catching the interest of more economy-conscious car buyers in the U.S. <br><br>

In a recent survey by J.D. Power & Associates, the percentage of new-car shoppers who said they would consider buying a diesel-powered vehicle rose to 23% from 12% a year ago, while the portion who said they would consider a gasoline-electric hybrid slipped from 57% to 50%. Surveys by Kelley Blue Book have shown a similar trend.<br><br>

Experts credit the allure of new, cleaner diesel engines — which are expected to meet even California's strict air quality standards — as well as the prospect of getting better fuel mileage without sacrificing performance.<br><br>
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Clean diesels to topple the hybrid monopoly in the USA?

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SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 3:52:51 PM

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SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 4:16:41 PM

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BATTERY DISPOSAL: Several readers want to know whether the disposal of these batteries will create an environmental problem.

Toyota and Honda say that they will recycle dead batteries and that disposal will pose no toxic hazards. Experts agree.

"Nickel metal hydride batteries are benign. They can be fully recycled," says Ron Cogan, editor of the Green Car Journal.

Rechargeable nickel cadmium or NiCad batteries -- which were commonly used in consumer electronics -- can cause environmental problems, but "they've been replaced by nickel metal hydride," Cogan says.

"The materials inside those batteries are valuable," says Friedman. The car and battery companies have financial incentives to make sure they're recycled, he adds.

The future Li-ion batteries are even better.

Rupert - 7/21/2007 4:21:35 PMView My AgentSpace

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"Gas hybrids are cheaper, faster, more efficient and far more cleaner. "

I'm sorry that's a complete lie.
Hybrid tech costs far more than diesel tech.
Faster? Arbitrary.
More efficient? Only in town environments, on highway, diesel is better.
More cleaner? (I'll ignore than bad grammar). Polo BlueMotion, lowest CO2 emissions of any car ever (that's not totally electric). Particulate matter is now below petrol levels thanks to filters, and thanks to AdBlue, diesels will soon emit less NOx than even the cleanest gas engines, hybrid or not.
If hybrid tech improves and proves to be sustainable in the long term, I'll support it, but for now, diesel still has my vote.

SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 4:27:01 PM

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Sorry, I meant much cleaner. ;)

PZEV vs. what, (not even) Tier II bin 5 in 2009?

Neverfollow - 7/21/2007 4:30:46 PM

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Wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong!

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/21/2007 4:37:16 PM

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"Gas hybrids are cheaper, faster, more efficient and far more cleaner. "

Let's see here:
cheaper: no
faster: no no
more efficient: no no no
far more cleaner: no no no no

I love these ignorant "fights", thank you for making my day!

enthusiastx11 - 7/21/2007 8:40:13 PM

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you can argue about technologies but you can't argue with the fact that the american public is becoming less interested with hybrids.

alanbcohen - 7/21/2007 8:52:38 PM

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If Diesels are so good, replace the gasoline engine in a hybrid with one and see what you get. Nothing like an experiment!

EnnNorak - 7/21/2007 11:55:54 PM

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Hybrids are more expensive not cheaper. The Prius is a nice-looking vehicle with lots of interior room for its size but it is still too small. The Prius is one of the most expensive small cars around. The battery pack is heavy and will eventually have to be replaced at outrageous cost which adds to the life-cycle cost of the vehicle. The Prius may accelerate briskly for a short time but runs out of energy quickly if driven hard just like a boxer who wastes all his energy in the early rounds.

Toyota will end up sacking some executive for lack of vision in betting on the hybrid instead of the diesel.

My main reason for chosing diesel is the incredible torque and long range between fill-ups on long-distance drives.

SupraNeverBack - 7/22/2007 5:09:57 PM

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Actally, Prius battery weights only 28kg (62lbs) and the whole pack including control and cooling units weights 50k(110lbs).

SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 4:19:34 PM

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The-Truth-About-Diesels:

http://www.autospies.com/news/The-Truth-About-Diesels-17264/

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SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 4:34:16 PM

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Spinning diesels to buy time won't slow others on developing and improving hybrids. With the battery technique breakthrough, plug-in Hybrids are on the horizon.

SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 4:55:39 PM

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Only short-sighted,blind and ignorant people think hybrids are overrated.

vwmbfan - 7/21/2007 5:01:33 PM

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Plug-in hybrids won't be very different than standard hybrids. There are still plenty of emissions sent into the air to create the electricity to charge the batteries. Plug-in hybrids might make their potential owners feel better because there are less emissions coming from their car, but they are still creating them. It's just down the street at the power company.

SupraNeverBack - 7/21/2007 5:06:53 PM

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That's true for the areas getting electricity from burning. Then buy the non-plug-in versions. :)

EnnNorak - 7/22/2007 12:02:06 AM

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Plug-in hybrids may be OK but only for urban driving. The power companies will have to work out a scheme whereby customers can plug in their urban vehicles during off-peak hours and they will have to charge lower rates during those hours. Emisssions issues will then be shifted from the auto industry to the power companies although some emissions may be more easily controlled at the macro level.

consaka - 7/22/2007 2:42:01 AM

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Ha that article was funny.. It says truth in the title and there wasnt any in the article.

atomicbri - 7/22/2007 12:19:53 PMView My AgentSpace

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So Supraneverback...what are you going to say when Toyota introduces their diesels? Still have these same ass lame comments? Toyota is in development of several diesels cause in Europe hybrids do not sell well since the cost of unleaded fuel is still way higher than diesel fuel. Toyota may have created successfully a marketable hybrid, but make no mistake, if diesel starts to take off, Toyota will jump on the bandwagon like they always do. Like I said, they are already trying to develop new diesels the likes of VW's, Mercedes and BMWs...it's in all the Euro magazines.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/24/2007 3:26:44 PM

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If Toyota or Lexus ever comes out with a diesel engine for the USA it will be game over for their credibility concerning gasoline hybrids.

528i - 7/21/2007 5:48:11 PMView My AgentSpace

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LEXUS LEXUS LEXUS.

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moto - 7/21/2007 5:52:41 PM

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Such childish banter!

First, look up the definition of monopoloy before using it in the title of an article.

Second, the choice of powertrain is a very complex one, and the most environmentally-conscious choice varies with many factors, including the location where the vehicle will be driven. This is why so many different approaches are being studied.

There are more than just hybrid gasoline/electric and diesel cars on the market. According to http://www.greenercars.com/pr13.html, the natural gas-powered Honda Civic ranks very highly for ecological impact.

So, please stop arguing one system against the other. Neither is perfect. Diesels emit relatively high amounts of NOx, but hybrids require battery recycling and clean electricity generation. In the end, BOTH are progress over the dirty vehicles we have used for decades, and BOTH will have their place in the future... as will other technologies as they are developed. Isn't it a good thing to have options?

Supraneverback, RobertFrisk - please grow up, stop bickering, and do some homework before posting your adolescent ramblings. If you can't add a link to the data you cite as evidence of your opinion, then your opinion is probably unfounded and will be widely ignored.

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sewingmachine - 7/21/2007 8:10:48 PM

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^^^^ do u want a paper towel to wipe those tears away, cause all u ever do is cry an whine on this site.

consaka - 7/22/2007 2:18:07 AM

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The interesting thing about NOx in diesels is the fact that adjusting the timing can have a dramatic effect on emmisions. Diesels never have let off as many poisons as gas cars did. Ever try to commit suicide by running your diesel in closed garage? LOL no carbon monoxide to speak of. The rest of the exhaust might send you running eventually but it wont kill you unless it uses up all the O2 in the building. The other thing I like about diesels is their lack of complexity. They have less systems to screw up as a general rule. Old style none computerized ones dont even need electricity to run once they are started. My point is that in the future if this country faces a major crisis, be it terrorists or dumb leaders, you can still make your own diesel or modify it to run what oil or fuel you have but a complex hybrid you wont even be able to get parts for. Though in the meantime id like to see some small diesel hybrids. diesel efficiency should be able to improve hybrid numbers even more.

EL34 - 7/21/2007 8:11:06 PM

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When the cleaner German diesel engines get here to America all you hybrid fanboys will $h!t you pants.

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enthusiastx11 - 7/21/2007 8:39:18 PM

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interesting shift in consumer attitudes toward diesel and hybrid.

diesel consideration nearly doubled in JUST ONE YEAR to 23%. while hybrid interest is slipping. why?

my theory is that consumers expect GREAT mpg from hybrids. and with a number of hybrids that get poor mileage, consumers are confused. interest is waning.

diesel is rising because of the surprising good gas mileage. and the realization that enormous numbers of diesels are sold to eco-conscious europeans is making people think twice....

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Anti_Bangle - 7/22/2007 2:16:24 AM

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I won't take hybrid simply because it's only efficient on stop and go traffic.

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Monk - 7/22/2007 2:18:15 AMView My AgentSpace

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I'm getting a diesel MB GL next year...mwuahahahaha

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Monk - 7/22/2007 2:19:10 AMView My AgentSpace

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and it'll be Bluetec so hah

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/22/2007 4:12:35 AM

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G420 or G320?

ctsang - 7/22/2007 1:19:37 PM

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too bad MB's service is below average

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markusck - 7/22/2007 2:20:11 PM

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Actually, I think F1 is right..because Lexus products generally lack excitiment, driving dymanmics, design individualization, they have to make up for it somewhere..so its service and of course...wait for it...RELIABILITY!! Once again, what else is there? All the clever marketing gimicks in the world won't change the fact that they produce vanilla products for an easily influenced demographic..

As for MBs service, like their reliability, its obviously very good. I find that service in any of the premium brands fairly good, one may have better rankings than others. And waving that fact around as some great achievement is meaningless...just numbers on a list..and generally a few ranking spots away from one another..but if thats all you got, wave away..congrats..I would rather talk about interesting cars, technology, design, safety, yeah, the magic that Lexus needs more than a number on a list...

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/24/2007 3:28:14 PM

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He does has a point there...

BigShow50 - 7/22/2007 2:21:12 PM

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Let's not get ahead of ourselves when it comes to who does what and what is better. It's not a threat for Toyota corp, but more so for MB. Simply b/c the have not mastered hybrid technology(mild hybrid is what they can do best at the moment, especially after pumping billions into R&D), and why should MB bother to make that attempt? B/c MB knows that Toyota can come up with a highly efficient diesel system, which is not as complicated than hybrid tech. And keep in mind Toyota aquired Isuzu for mainly their diesel technology. People may not belive this, but Isuzu is one of leaders in hybrid tech, they just did not have the major financial backing to support its' marketing.(another mistake from GM,but what's new?!?!?) So what happens when Toyota finally releases hybrid-diesel with a plug-in?(which is right around the corner) Definitely not topple on the hybrid segment, but another "possible" perfection of having best of 3 worlds. And MB is very aware of this, they are just doin' everything in their power to try to slow Toyota down, but it's costing them in the billions...with little in return for MB. For Toyota it's all about calculated timing.

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ctsang - 7/22/2007 2:38:47 PM

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too bad MB is not thtat reliable

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ctsang - 7/22/2007 2:45:18 PM

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back to the ancient days for MB, ie. diesels; don't trucks have them since when? what else is new for MB? BTW, I can't imagine luxury car buyers getting gas next to those truckers.

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Rupert - 7/22/2007 6:10:42 PMView My AgentSpace

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Well you should, because luxury cars have had diesels for decades in Europe.
The best selling engine in the S class is the S320cdi, not the S280 or 350.
Best selling 7 series is the 730d
Best selling A8 is the 3.0 tdi.
And trains have been hybrids for years too, I don't see what your point is.

ctsang - 7/22/2007 2:52:03 PM

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wait till the plug-in hybirds come out, plug your car in over night instead of getting dirty at the gas station. MB and everyone are so hopelessly far behind toyota in high tech, it's not even funny.

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SupraNeverBack - 7/22/2007 5:12:43 PM

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Many people here just don't see that (more likely pretend they don't).:)

atomicbri - 7/22/2007 7:32:32 PMView My AgentSpace

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And what happens if you live in the city with no garage in which to plug a car up? Run an extension cord? Yeah that will work really well... as someone steals it halfway into the night, or you find it plugged to someone else's plug-in in the morning. I don't see the attraction to a plug in, GM has done it already with that EV they had and so did Honda... so where is this a great thing?

Htay7500 - 7/22/2007 8:47:29 PM

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I'm not kidding, diesel is the way to go for highway commutes, especially since most of the time thts what I'm doing on my dads accord. he might need a diesel, going from MD to VA every weekday, since he owns an accord. once his lease is up , he should try out the accord diesel when avail.

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Htay7500 - 7/22/2007 9:04:32 PM

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not in his budget nor at his expense.

Htay7500 - 7/22/2007 10:05:00 PM

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vws diesels are good, and clean, and advanced too, but he doesnt have tht much to upkeep it.

Rupert - 7/23/2007 10:04:44 AMView My AgentSpace

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formula1 the Honda diesel is renowned for being the best Japanese diesel, on a par with those from VW and the French makers.

ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:22:50 AM

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euro country = old country, euro tech = old tech; why don't the diesel morons buy a hdtv or computer from europe and see how long they last if they even make them?

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Will_ - 7/23/2007 8:27:42 AM

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As far as electronics, Japan and America are clearly more advanced, but as far as automotive technology, Europeans have been considered Numero Uno for a long while.

That being said, I agree with your underlying point that hybrids are a new technology from a region of the world dedicated to new technologies. It is clear in my mind that hybrids aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

JWalkerLegrande - 7/23/2007 9:29:34 AM

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As for electronics, do you consider mobile phones "electronics" ? Nokia builds the most advanced phones in the world, from a tiny Northern European country called Finland. Sony (of Japan) decided to merge its mobile operations with Ericsson (of Sweden) a couple of years ago.

Did you realize the US hype around a gadget called iPhone ? It uses the same basic architecture as two-year-old Nokia Phones. It is also very competitive in mobile technology when compared to three-year-old high-end phones from Europe.

I loved the article title: "hybrid monopoly". TODAY diesel cars/trucks outsell hybrids in the USA 2 to 1.

Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 9:45:50 AM

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apperently, will is rite, in terms of electronics on cars. americans and the japanese are better suited w/ tht

Rupert - 7/23/2007 10:11:49 AMView My AgentSpace

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What about Bosch, or any of the great German electronics makers?
Or Nokia? Or Siemens?
Europe has a thriving electronics industry, and is just as competitive as companies from Japan and the US.

EL34 - 7/23/2007 12:18:34 PM

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formula1, have you seen that new American phone by Apple?

BTW, I've been playing guitar for years and all the best guitar amplifiers are made here in America, Germany and England.

Here's some websites.

(American) http://www.roccaforteamps.com/
(American) http://www.brunoamps.com/
(American) http://dividedby13.com/
(American) http://www.65amps.com/amps.htm

(Germany) http://www.diezelamplification.com/
(Germany) http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html

(England) http://www.cornfordamps.com/launch.html
(England) http://www.marshallamps.com/
(England) http://www.voxamps.co.uk/

(Japan) They make no amps that I can think of!!!

ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:26:38 AM

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formula1 and RobertFrisk are morons and idiots and assholes, etc. What else do you know?

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ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:29:46 AM

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has anyone heard MB is making eyeglasses? how high tech is that? pretty soon, they won't know how to make cars, like they don't know how to make electronics.

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ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:30:32 AM

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We know that RobertFrish is a p*ssy ass b*tch idiot. That's for sure.

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ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:32:21 AM

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whatelse RobertFrisk loser got to say

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ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:33:12 AM

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RobertFrish, Can't you come up with your own insults, b*tch? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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ctsang - 7/23/2007 8:33:59 AM

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RobertFrish, I fucked your little sister.

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investor27 - 7/23/2007 11:35:32 AM

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Hybrids are way over-rated. Didn't the new $120,000 Lexus LS hybrid ended up with less MPG than it's $60,000 non-hybrid brother?

One question that no one seemed to be addressing is that when all those diesel cars come over, the demand for diesel fuel will rise significantly, and so price of diesel fuel will be a lot more expensive as well.

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EL34 - 7/23/2007 12:07:42 PM

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Europe make good electronics.

Like the electronics in the Airbus airliners.

There's nothing hightech in any automobile from any country.

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montyz81 - 7/23/2007 12:23:41 PM

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Hydrogen fuel cells will be the way to go once containment is perfected.

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henbmw - 7/23/2007 1:19:07 PM

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I wonder what we will argue about if diesel-hybrids take off.

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Spectator - 7/23/2007 1:51:35 PM

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Far be it from me to be a hippie however whenever you can be ecologically sound without hurting the bottom line, why not try. As said before gas hybrids are good for one aspect and diesels are good for another aspect, so why not combine them into and ‘ultimate’ technology. Currently diesel hybrid technology exists and is being used in the US’s bus transit system. What is needed is for the technology to get cheaper (by a couple thousand dollars) until it matches current gas hybrid technology. Only then will people buy diesel hybrid cars. This is a problem (as BigShow50 stated) that is being looked at by a joint Toyota/Isuzu team, which expects to have results by 2010. And Toyota and Isuzu are not the only ones looking at this technology. Here are some links people might find interesting.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/toyota-to-sell-diesel-hybrid-by-2010-thanks-to-isuzu/

http://www.hybridcars.com/related-technologies/diesel-hybrid-dreams.html

The real trick would be trying to create a bio-diesel hybrid engine. From what I understand (and correct me if I’m wrong) it’s rather simple to do this. All that apparently is needed is a particulate filter added to the fuel feed line. Once this is done you would have solved quite a few problems (economically, at the macro as well as micro level, and ecologically). Not to mention you would get a car with a truck load of torque.

However this probably won’t become a reality for the US, nor will any large diesel infrastructure, (it might for Europe however) due to the large push by the Corn Ethanol movement (I won’t say more about this as that is an argument for a different post).

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izfuney - 7/23/2007 3:03:51 PM

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There is a very good set of reasons why Diesles willnever quite make it in the US.

1) Emissions - Blue Motion doesent even address meeting CA emissions and consequently diesels arent offered in the biggest import market in the US. Furthermore CA is the leader when it comes to defining emissions for the whole country.

2) The general mood in the U.S. is to raise mileage by ending the free ride given to light trucks/Suvs. This is the biggest change in the US market going forward.

3) Federal dollars are going towards making E85 a relevant fuel as it has a two fold effect of using less external oil while providinga lucrative market for local corn growers.

4) Hybrids are seen as the future as they point towards a future system where the combustion engine has been laid to rest. The technology has a lot fo headroom to improve and there are lot advantages going down this direction.

5) Diesels only make sense in the EU, where diesel fuel is subsidized and gas is overtaxed.

Hopefully this will address why the Prius is such a fantastic hit in the US despite all the so called "car performance" plonker magazines talk about dirving overstuffed ,overwieght euro sedans around corners as a remarkable sport.

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Rupert - 7/23/2007 5:00:42 PMView My AgentSpace

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diesel is not subsidised in Europe, in Britain diesel is more expensive, and in other European countries, diesel is taxed slightly less due to its better MPG and lower emissions.

enthusiastx11 - 7/23/2007 9:34:52 PM

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hybrids are still entirely dependent on internal combustion engines. GM came out with a fully-electric EV1 in 1990--years before the prius. and look where that went. so how is hybrid the future?

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/24/2007 3:31:18 PM

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"Diesels only make sense in the EU, where diesel fuel is subsidized and gas is overtaxed. "

Diesel is not subsidized in ANY EU country!

Agent009 - 7/24/2007 3:49:03 PMView My AgentSpace

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"Diesels only make sense in the EU, where diesel fuel is subsidized and gas is overtaxed. "? Pretty short sighted.
diesel is currently running 20 to 30 cents a gallon cheaper here, so even if the mileage is close the price differential will favor the diesel.

huu76 - 7/24/2007 12:36:47 AM

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Hmmm, same old stupid arguments.

Rupert,
The UK doesn't subsidize diesel, but most of Europe does. It's the sad truth about diesel. Make diesel cheap and dirty enough, and Europe will still buy them.

Hybrid is only good in the city? Okay, in Ontario, the Toronto area as 6.5 million people, the entire province has 12. Tell me if you'd rather have these 6.5 million people idling with a diesel, or an electric motor. Funny how puny European countries like to rant about how efficient diesel are on the highway when you hardly have any.

Give these guys a call and ask them how long their 3 Bluetecs have been sitting and rusting on their lot and why they only have 1 E350 left.
http://www.barrie.mercedes-benz.ca/

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SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/24/2007 3:32:58 PM

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I missed those stupid comments. C'est vraiment ridicule mon ami.

Htay7500 - 7/24/2007 3:59:45 PM

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hey I take french, lol knew what your saying!

Neverfollow - 7/27/2007 4:31:13 PM

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Has anyone given any thought to the fact that Diesel fuel in the US is highly taxed on both the state and federal level. Since most of our diesel is burned by over the road trucks, most of our highway taxes are applied to diesel fuel. Since most of our road repairs are due to over the road trucks it would seem to make sense to tax this way.

HOWEVER! If diesel cars start to take off in the US as many are expecting, won't that create sort of a windfall of sorts for both State and Federal tax coffers?

I'm betting on diesel winning this battle based on that argument alone. Whatever technology lines the pockets of polititions the most will eventually win in the US.

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truckmen - 8/2/2007 6:17:38 AM

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Does anyone remember the gas engine that runs on diesel principles like compression but with petro with more power and the same efficient mielage a diesel gets? I want that engine! I don't believe the current hybrid teck is cutting edge! I also don't believe the goverment really want something too good on fuel either,
Good fuel economy = less tax!

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truckmen - 8/2/2007 6:18:02 AM

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Does anyone remember the gas engine that runs on diesel principles like compression but with petro with more power and the same efficient mielage a diesel gets? I want that engine! I don't believe the current hybrid teck is cutting edge! I also don't believe the goverment really want something too good on fuel either,
Good fuel economy = less tax!

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truckmen - 8/2/2007 6:18:08 AM

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Does anyone remember the gas engine that runs on diesel principles like compression but with petro with more power and the same efficient mielage a diesel gets? I want that engine! I don't believe the current hybrid teck is cutting edge! I also don't believe the goverment really want something too good on fuel either,
Good fuel economy = less tax!

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FORD CEO Alan Mulally Will Drive to Washington D.C. To BEG For Money - But What Car Will He Drive To D.C.? His Lexus, OR Perhaps Maybe a Ford Product?Industry Sales Likely To Be Down 28% In November GM May Fare Worse Lotus Evora order list includes 007 and Top Gear hosts Everyone Is On A Budget, But Are These 5 Your Choice To Keep Living Large?Could The Detroit Recovery Plan Really As Simple As Merging In To One?Fiat Abarth 500 receives Top Gear’s “Best Hot Hatch” award Detroit Tells UAW They Can No Longer Pay For Idled Workers To Play Checkers 2010 Porsche Panamera auto show debut delayed Swedish Government Confirms Discussions With Volvo and SAAB BMW not putting MINI E into mass-production Top Gear Car of the Year 2008 award goes to VW Scirocco New Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-400: Limited Edition with 405HP 2009 Nissan 370Z Driven in Japan 2010 Jaguar XF-R spotted nearly finished UAW wants limits on carmakers' executive pay Does It Hurt The BMW Brand Image When They Are Being Sold At Costco?2008 Essen Motor Show: Vw unveils Touareg North Sails Edition Carlsson releases limited edition automatic watch Video: 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio in action Porsche Museum to open its gates on 31 January 2009 Vw Eos White Night Edition unveiled at Essen UPDATE 1-German carmakers make fresh move to cut output Audi R8 GT3 LMS Hits the Track (Video)GM UK takes two Top Gear awards BMW Konfigurator Using Microsoft Surface for Product Navigator How About A Piece Of Kim Kardashian's Booty For The Holidays?Cars They Wish You'd Forget About - "Hey, they can't all be winners!"Acura V8 won't Arrive Until 2015: Report Brabham M3 revealed at the Essen Show 2008 Essen Motor Show: Dodge Challenger SRT8 by Eibach Nissan 370 Z Japanese Promotional Vide Elite Carbon Maserati Gran Turismo Marangoni M430 based on Alfa Romeo Mi.To 2008 VW Scirocco Collectors’ Edition debuts at Essen Ford at the top of the list for safety in accidents Bamford releases custom Rolex Daytona Ferrari red watch Rolls-Royce RR4 to reveice Bmw’s iDrive technology 2009 Vw Golf VI by ABT shows up at Essen Confessions of A Test Drive Junkie: Funny Experiences & Observations Behind The Wheel of Other People's Cars!Nissan changes its mind regarding the 2009 Chicago Auto Show New details of the next-generation of Audi A2 revealed Top 10 Most Popular Sport Utility Picks Far From Perfect? Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec Diesel SUV Question Of the Day: Just How Long Will Gas Stay This Cheap?