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What the heck is that? If you've been reading TheCarConnection.com for most of its online life -- more than 10 years online at this writing -- you'll recognize this very early logo. We forgive you if you think it looks like a car towing a computer. Back in the early days of the Web, towing a computer was better than not owning one at all. And, well...we were writers, not tech gurus and certainly not highly paid illustrators.
Times change, and so does the ethos of the Web. TheCarConnection.com is changing too, and in the next few weeks you'll discover more of what we have in mind for the most comprehensive re-think in TCC's history.
You've seen some of the changes so far. We launched an
iPhone application that gives you an idea of the direction our new site will take. The clever readers will notice some minor tweaks to road tests this year. Recently we put our award-winning newsletters on hiatus while we come up with an even better way to deliver the car reviews and news you want directly to your inbox.
There's far more to come. We can't spill all the beans today, but when the changes start coming, you'll find reviews that are the most comprehensive on the Web. You'll get more photos, great pricing and shopping information, globe-spanning
auto show coverage, and a slick new design that's easy to navigate. If I told you more, I'd be out of a job, and I'm no good at pulling espressos.
While our new reviews, blogs, and interface hide behind a firewall, we'll be posting less to the current site. We'll make this down time as quick as possible. In the meantime, please do stay tuned--everyone at the Car Advisory Network is proud of what we're ready to launch soon, and what we have planned for the next year.
Posted in : Shoppers
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The race to meet 35-mpg CAFE standards officially started today as the Department of Transportation laid out the first five-year plan to boost nationwide fleet fuel economy.
The DOT said today that from 2011 to 2015, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) for both passenger cars and
trucks would rise 4.5 percent each year. The "ambitious" proposal, in the DOT's words, would represent a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy provided automakers will meet the targets.
The average fuel economy for the passenger-car fleet would rise from 27.5 miles per gallon to 35.7 miles per gallon by 2015.
Trucks would see average fuel economy rise from 23.5 miles per gallon to 28.6 miles per gallon by the end of the five-year phase.
The DOT estimates the new rules will save nearly 55 billion gallons of fuel consumed by vehicles, but did not supply a dollar amount for the toll extracted on the auto industry, which is struggling with the weakest sales year in more than a decade.
Automakers were generally silent on the new rules, though GM did issue a press release. The world's biggest automaker for now said that "GM intends to meet the tough, new national CAFE standards of 35 mpg for cars and
trucks combined by 2020, a dramatic increase of 40 percent. NHTSA’s proposed rule lays out the first set of standards toward this target. GM will work with NHTSA throughout its rulemaking process on the yearly targets and the sensible mechanisms needed to meet this challenge.”
Posted in : Driving, Politics, Shoppers
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The price of gas headed higher yet again today -- no surprise there -- but now analysts are wondering if $4 a gallon gas will be the national average before long.
The AP reports today that the price of a gallon of unleaded passed $3.51 today, setting a new record, while diesel prices rose to a new record of $4.20 a gallon.
"I wouldn't rule out the possibility that we could get to $4," analyst Antoine Halff told the news service.
The current spiral of prices is, er, fueled by high demand and the fall in the value of the dollar. It's a rough lesson for consumers as prices for everything are rising, especially food, because of transportation costs.
Consumers may be responding in a grass-roots way, however. Cars.com's latest survey of shoppers reports that $4-a-gallon gas for an extended period of time would be enough for 85 percent of consumers surveyed to buy a more fuel-efficient car. Already, the Cars.com survey found, 80 percent of drivers are making sure they do everything to squeeze more miles from each gallon of gas, like properly inflating their vehicle's tires.
What do shoppers think qualifies as a "fuel-efficient" vehicle? Some 73 percent of those polled by the Cars.com survey said 30 miles per gallon would be a good starting point -- and 60 percent said they'd pay $2000 extra for a 40-mpg vehicle. Twenty-one percent said they wouldn't pay any more, though.
It's easy to see the effect of high gas prices on the wallet. But TheCarConnection wants to know -- what are you doing to save money and boost your fuel economy? Tell us in a comment below and let us know if $4 a gallon gas would get you to trade in your guzzler for a sipper.
Posted in : Driving, Shoppers
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Like the
Nissan Altima and
Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry and
Ford Fusion...and...well, like a bunch of other family
sedans, the big new
Chevrolet Malibu is getting a four-cylinder option on its ritziest model.
The newly dubbed
Chevrolet Malibu LTZ will get the 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter version of GM's Ecotec four-cylinder engine. In the Malibu, the engine's teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission that works with it to endow the big family four-door with a 22/32 mpg fuel economy rating. Also appearing on the LTZ version are 17-inch Chrometec wheels and a single chrome exhaust outlet, for carspotters everywhere.
GM's already released pricing on the new model, too. The 2008 Malibu LTZ will sticker at $26,985 including destination charge. The fancy two-tone interior treatment can be had on the four-cylinder LTZ, and heated seats are standard. So are OnStar Turn-by-Turn navigation, XM Satellite Radio and an eight-speaker audio system.
Posted in : 2009, Chevrolet, Sedans, Shoppers
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The most powerful
Mercedes-Benz SL roadster ever goes on sale next year -- and this morning
Motor Trend spilled their guts on the details of the new
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series.
The Black Series takes the AMG V-8 engine and twists it until it screams -- upping horsepower by 66 to a total of 670 hp, MT reports, and torque to 738 lb-ft. Though it's capable of 220 mph, Benz will limit top speed to 186 mph. The buff book estimates the SL65 Black Series can rocket to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds.
A five-speed automatic is the sole gearbox, and the Black Series gets a fixed roof, along with flared fenders made of carbon fiber. The electronic suspension in the standard SL range is dumped in favor of an adjustable coil spring suspension, and 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are fitted. Overall the Black Series loses 570 pounds versus the stock SL-Class, but still pushes 4080 pounds.
Expect a sticker price well over $200,000 this fall -- and a relatively brief window of opportunity, as
Mercedes only plans to build 350 copies total for worldwide consumption.
Posted in : 2009, Convertibles, Mercedes-Benz, Shoppers
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