pow

I saw a surprising number of American (as in American American) cars on German autobahn... everything from Explorers to North American Odysseys to North American Fusions to Dodge Rams. I think it's because of the local US military base there.

So sensible that we have to wait until 2015? People talk about parallel hybrids as being "too complex", when in fact they've been with us for 10 years now, and everyday you can see moving examples of them on the road. Series hybrids, which are touted as being "simpler", face the same (or greater) issues with battery management. Series hybrids also cost a whole lot more.

The sooner the better. Right now GM NA doesn't have anything for greenies. The Toyota-powered Vibe is their most efficient car.

They're usually mounted on the top of the doors.

This gives some hope, I suppose.

For 2008, they get 170 hp/177 lb-ft, which makes up slightly for the poor fuel economy, which is also improved (or less affected by the new EPA procedures). It's now the same as the four-cylinder Mazda 3 2.3's. But I agree, the new 160 hp 1.8 TFSI I4 would have been better (and more pricey). Ditto the 150 hp 2.0 FSI, which comes from a family of 40 million made.

If VW wants to be a mainstream seller in the US, they have to adapt products to local tastes/trends, like they do in South America or Asia. The Passat, Jetta, Touareg, Eos... they're all a half-segment too high. And they actually need to ship cars here if they expect us to buy them. The demand for Rabbits, for instance, is much greater than inventory.

FUEL ECONOMY ESTIMATES (Based on GM testing. Official EPA Estimates not yet available.) 2WD City/Combined: 20 Highway: 21 4WD City/Combined: 20 Highway: 20 http://www.gmc.com/yukonhybrid/index.jsp Keeping in mind a lighter, more aerodynamic LS600hL gets 20/22, 20/20 is very impressive. Regular Yukons 5.3s get 14/20 for 2WD and 14/19 4WD.

Most manufacturers are voluntarily using them anyway, because there's no way to get a "good" IIHS side rating without them.

I stopped dead and nearly fell to the floor when I saw a black Brera in London this summer. It's... just... so... desperately pretty.

I remember the days (actually, just two years ago) when GM advertised how the Sunfire had a Getrag 5-speed, "the same company who does Porsches!"

The mismatched six-speed manual is only for North Americans who think a "stick" is "sporty" and "cool." The Germans, who see Grandma Schmitzes in manual Golf diesels all the time, are probably scratching their heads. An automatic for the CTS-V is fine. It's not a hardcore race car, but an insanely-fast sports sedan.

It has a very '90s-Buick concept feel to it all.

We're all in this together do doo do du du doo duh duh dooo do doo doo do... That's like the best HSM song ever.

... with fender vents, chrome trim, vinyl on the roof, DeLux badging, and hood ornaments.

I wonder if the EPA fuel economy figures still apply to the Enclave with new programming.

1,000 miles in 18 days? On Enclave forums, owners say the difference is night and day with the new programming. http://www.enclaveforum.net/index.php?topic=678

Very nice. Looks like a concept, and it's a lot more stylish than the Escape, or hell, MKX. Saturn seems to be doing okay with the Antara...

Yep... they're definitely cooler than Tennessee... http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

I remember a few years ago on MTV, contestants who touched an ice sculpture longest (or until it melted) won a Saturn SCLW-whatever.

The local Penske Cadillac still doesn't have it yet..

9-3 sedan

Inappropriately chrome wheels!

Generally I don't go nitpicking an interior with a micrometer and color wheel in hand; all I care about is if I get an overall impression of "quality", or more simply put, whether or not I'd like to spend time in it. With the '08 Malibu, I still get an overall impression of cheapness. But that's just me.

The Jetta is still too posh for its size. Something like a Skoda would fit the US mainstream more.