vLane Blog

Articles Matching “US”

• 2010 all-electric Nissan Leaf

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  Welcome to the future. This is the first look at Nissan's world-leading all-electric car, on-sale here in America in late 2010.

  

  The 2010 Nissan Leaf

  
  

  Here are some stats:

  • Fully-electric powertrain
  • 107 horsepower, 206 lb-ft of torque
  • More than 100 mile (160 km) range
  • Priced close to $30,000
  • Slightly larger than a Volkswagen Rabbit
  • Top speed of over 90 mph (140 kph)
  • Equipped with an advanced IT system that provides driver support, range information, etc.

  Click through for more photos and the official release.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Wagon, Technology, Nissan, 2010, US, Electric car

• Community review: 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  Banovsky on July 27, 2009

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our vehicle reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  

  Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  Reviewer Herman says of the 2009 Toyota Highlander that:

  I was immediately impressed with how logical and intuitive the layout of the car was. There was no fumbling around to figure out how to adjust the seats, turn on the headlights, change radio stations, turn on the air conditioning, etc. Everything was where I had expect it to be.

  From there, Herman enjoyed an often overlooked feature in more luxurious vehicles, the "smart key":

  I'm always fumbling around to find my keys, but with the smart key system, I was able to leave the keys in my pocket and when opening the door, making contact with the touch sensor in the door handle automatically unlocked the door for me. Once I was in the car, I just needed to depress the brake and push the power button and was ready to get rolling. It's a small convenience, but one that I got accustomed to having very quickly.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Green, SUV, Crossover, Technology, Toyota, Advice , Review, Discussion, Hybrid, SUV, 2009, US, vLane, Community review, Highlander

• What kind of car buyer are you?

  Banovsky on July 27, 2009

  This guest post was prepared by Tyler Elliston, co-founder and CEO of Carsala, an innovative service to help shoppers find the right used car.

  

  Tyler Elliston

  By his own admission, when it comes to buying cars, he's an innovator — but previously an "old school" buyer. He loves cars, finding great deals, and devising new ways of doing things.

  Are you the Old School, the Insider, the Obsessive Compulsive, or the Innovator when it comes to used car buying?

  Old School

  You begin to buy a car by first going to the dealership on the corner where you bought your last car, then go to a few other dealerships on Saturdays over the next few months (maybe even double check yourself by looking in the newspaper classifieds) and begin your negotiations for the car you decide you want by saying to the salesman, “I only want to spend $xxx on a monthly payment.”

  Three to six months later, you are the somewhat proud owner of a car you are “okay” with. If you're reading this blog, we're guessing that's not you.

  Read on…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, Misc, Advice , Discussion, US, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, buyer, used car, Carsala, Guest post, Tyler Elliston

• Upcoming: #carchat 20; July 22 @ 8PM EST with Rhys Millen

  Banovsky on July 22, 2009

  For our 20th week of #carchat, I figured it was time for something special. Joining us from 8-8.30 PM will be Rhys "Mad Skills" Millen, drifting champion and the man who just set the 2WD Time Attack class record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb behind the wheel of a production-based Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Sound good?

  

  Rhys Millen in his Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe

  If you're confused, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST July 15, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions and participate.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics for next week, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Ask the Expert: Rhys Millen,
  • Discussion: Ford's 4-cylinder EcoBoost
  • Discussion: The Acura ZDX crossover…coupe…Hot or not?
  • Discussion: The Cadillac CTS Wagon commercial might be lame, can we do better?
  • Discussion: Beautiful design details on crap cars

  So click through and read a few links, see some photos, and check out a video related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Event, Industry, Future, Misc, Hyundai, Advertising, Advice , Coupe, Humor, Interview, Motorsport, Discussion, Social Media, Chevrolet, Performance, Twitter, US, vLane, LOL, EcoBoost, Drifting, Rhys Millen

• Ford confirms 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine

  Banovsky on July 21, 2009

  To meet more stringent fuel economy standards for 2015, car manufacturers have to make smaller engines…much smaller engines.

  

  We drove the European Ford Fiesta

  Ford's twin-scroll EcoBoost turbo technology allows for smaller engines to make big power. The new motor will displace 2.0-litres and deliver "at least" 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Our guess for the first vehicle to get the new motor? The 2011 Ford Explorer.

  News:

  • Driving the European Ford Fiesta
  • 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost
  • The Ford Taurus SHO is Back
  [via Edmunds]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, Misc, Ford, Detroit, US, 2011, Engine, EcoBoost

• Would you buy a Chevrolet Caprice?

  Banovsky on July 20, 2009

  I have a growing opinion that the General Motors CEO, Fritz Henderson, is an interesting character. I'm sure he's a wonderful choice on the company side of things — but he hasn't shown that he understands good product.

  

  The Middle East-market Pontiac G8 Chevrolet Caprice

  Bob Lutz, the new marketing chief at GM, championed the Pontiac G8's entry into North America a few years ago. It's a brilliant car. So, when asked if it would die with the Pontiac brand a few weeks ago, he said, "We're studying the feasibility of bringing (the G8) in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public."

  Then CEO Fritz Henderson, once quoted as saying the company would kill the G8 along with Pontiac because he isn't "a fan of rebranding," presumably got Lutz in his office. A few days later, Lutz said this to the media:

  "…The G8 will not be a Caprice after all. I'd mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste…We simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today's market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be."

  Here at vLane, we do think the G8 is too good to waste. Our reviewers have said of the G8, "Best car for the money", "I test drove one last week and was VERY Impressed", and "Dirty hot." Oh, and over 50 per cent of respondents called it the "Best car Pontiac makes."

  Let's ask again…

  Powered by vLane.com See more | Create your own!

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Future, WTF, Sedan, Misc, Advice , Discussion, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Pontiac, Detroit, 2010, US, Poll, Opinion, Bob Lutz, Caprice, Fritz Henderson

• Recap: #carchat 19; July 15, 2009

  Banovsky on July 17, 2009

  Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation.

  

  Since #carchat is ever-evolving, we've included the recap here on vLane as a discussion thread, and we feel it suits the nature of the discussion well — and you can see that we had a huge response over two hours — despite Twitter being down over the first hour!

  Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."
  
  
  
  
  

  We had:

  • Ask the Expert: Seth Leitman, clean energy and electric vehicle expert
  • Discussion: GM and Chrysler updates
  • Discussion: What's good interior design?
  • Discussion: Maybe we'll talk some #NGM talk…

  So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Event, Government, Industry, Future, Green, WTF, Diesel, Concept, Misc, Open-Source, Advice , Humor, This week, Discussion, Social Media, Local Motors, Grant, Twitter, US, vLane, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, Opinion, Electric car

• Tonight: Autoline After Hours #16, 7PM EST

  Banovsky on July 16, 2009

  Tonight's AAH features Michael Sprague, Vice President of Marketing at Kia, joining the crew discuss this week in auto industry news. Tonight, Scott Burgess, Auto Critic at The Detroit News, also joins us to fill Peter's (DeLorenzo) seat while he is out of town. David Welch from BusinessWeek also makes a return appearance along with host, John McElroy.

  

  Click through to participate from right here at vLane!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Event, News, Feature, Misc, Advice , This week, Discussion, Autoline Detroit, Detroit, US, vLane

• Tuner Tuesday: Hennessey Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Z700

  Banovsky on July 14, 2009

  For some, 638 horsepower isn't enough.

  

  Carbon…fibre…everywhere!

  That's how many powers you get when you buy a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the fastest (production) Corvette ever. But tuner Hennessey has done one better with this, the Z700. How many horsepower? Seven hundred and five.

  Still not enough? They'll sell you a Z750 or Z1000… No points for guessing how much power those have. Cost for the Z700? $207,000.

  Powered by vLane.com See more | Create your own!

  Read on for another render and more info…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, News, Sports car, Ferrari, Coupe, Chevrolet, Performance, Ultimate, 2010, Corvette, US, Tuner Tuesday, Corvette, Hennessey, ZR-1, Z700, Z750, Z1000

• Upcoming: #carchat 18; July 8 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on July 7, 2009

  This week, we're talking with Charles Territo, senior director of communications for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers about the auto industry, we chat about how to best launch a new vehicle, vehicle tech we'd like to see, and we'll try to get around to our personal automotive FAILs, too.

  Check out the #carchat How-To, or click through for a #carchat widget. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST July 8, on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Ask the Expert: Charles Territo, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
  • Discussion: How to best launch a new vehicle?
  • Discussion: What tech do you want in a new car?
  • Discussion: (Personal) automotive FAILs

  So click through and read a few links related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Government, Environment, Future, Green, Misc, Advice , Humor, Link, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Grant, Detroit, Twitter, US, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System