VW plans to release super-efficient vehicle in 2010

That’s right - 2010. Motor Authority reported late last year that Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed that the VW L1 could potentially hit the market in 2010. Fuel consumption is reported to be around 1L/100km, which translates into 235 miles per gallon. 

The 0.3L one-cylinder engine would reach a top speed of 75 mph according to EcoGeek. A highway vehicle that gets over 200 mpg? This sounds too good to be true.The obvious drawback to this vehicle is styling. Another interesting thing to note: this two-seater is different than most because the passenger sits behind the driver.

Are you willing to sacrifice styling for fuel efficiency? The savings can be tremendous as you could already imagine. Suppose your current vehicle gets 26 mpg highway and you drive an average of 12,000 miles per year. Let’s also say gas will remain at $4.00 throughout the year. You will spend approximately $1848 on gas per year, but if you drive the VW L1 you only spend $208 per year - that’s a savings of $1600!

2010 is still a couple years away so you have some time to think about your next vehicle purchase.

Increasing gas prices hurting American wallets

With oil reaching $126 a barrel today, SUV and truck owners are desperately trying to sell their trucks and SUVs but at considerable discounts. Dealerships are also starting to feel the pinch at the pump. Edmunds.com reported that cash rebates and incentives for SUVs reached over $4000 in March as unwanted SUV inventories pile up at dealerships.

In April alone, SUV sales fell 32.3% compared to a year earlier while small vehicle sales rose 18.6 percent. Crossover vehicle sales have also seen a boost in sales. Twice as many crossovers were sold compared to SUVs in March according to the Auto Dealers Association.

What does this mean to the consumer? If you’re willing to foot the gas bill every month or possibly carpool to work, you can pick up a brand new SUV with roughly $4000 cash back or incentives. Check out dealerships in your neighborhood offering discounted SUVs through our search tool on AutoBrag.com.

When It Comes To Naming Car Models, Who Takes The Cake?

Japan! The best part of this research, however, was the process of combing through the names of cars sold in Japan with odd English titles…  Daihatsu Motor Naked; Honda Life Dunk and That’s; Isuzu GIGA 20 Light Dump and Mysterious Utility; Mazda Motor Bongo; Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear and Pistachio; Nissan Fairlady Z and Prairie Joy; Rickman Space Ranger; Rinspeed X-Dream; Suzuki Cappucino; Toyota Motor Deliboy and Toyopet; Volkswagen Thing and Volugrafo Bimbo.

If we can criticize American automakers for putting hundred-dollar names on ten-dollar cars, so to speak, we must also applaud Japanese automakers, who tend to endow their Japan-only cars with such delightfully puzzling names as Honda Motor’s Life Dunk.

Americans dominate the lists of the best and worst car names, mostly because we can’t fault certain European names for getting lost in translation. The Invicta Black Prince Wentworth?! Then there are just inexplicable misspellings, such as the Chevrolet Luv truck. Ditto for the Pontiac Aztek.

Alphanumeric names are not particularly memorable, meaning that with a piece of this nature, you can skip over everything in the current rosters of Acura, BMW, Jaguar, Volvo, Saleen, Hummer, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Notice a pattern there? The brands that give their cars numbers and letters for names tend to be upscale. (Some upscale manufacturers don’t use alphanumeric names. Rolls-Royce and Bentley are famous for bestowing their cars with such poetic names as Silver Ghost and Azure.) For more favorite Japanese car pics, check out Engrish.com for laughs.

Newest Abu Dhabi Creation

In Abu Dhabi, a G55 AMG owner trying to outdo his neighbor’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo, decided to swap in the 5.5L 720 hp supercharged V8 engine found on the SLR McLaren. The result is a SUV capable of doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds.

A Word from ImportsGuy: While this is a crazy accomplishment, I think its pretty pointless to do. In the end its still an SUV so by putting this extra horsepower into it, its just begging for you to lose control of it, or for the owner to sit at a light burning rubber for hours.

Benz To Get New Charge

Mercedes Benz has announced that the new S400 BlueHybrid, set to go on sale in Europe mid-2009, will be using a lithium-ion battery. The S400 BlueHybrid will be the first production hybrid to use the lithium-ion technology. It will be powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 engine combined with an electric motor, which is good for 299 hp and 277 lb ft of torque. It hits 0-62 in 7.3 seconds, while still maintaining a low emissions level and 29.7 average mpg.

The S400 will be followed up with a S300 Bluetec Hybrid. The S300’s powertrain will be a combination of a twinturbocharged four cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor. The result is a 221 hp 413 lb-ft torque car capable of 43.6 mpg. As of now theres no date set for the diesel’s release.

Boasting greater efficiency and durability than existing nickel-metal hydride batteries, as used by Toyota and its luxury brand, Lexus, in its extensive lineup of hybrids, lithium-ion technology has long been established in laptop computers, mobile telephones and small power tools. However, the concern over its longevity and extensive heat build up in large applications, such as those required for modern-day passenger cars, has proven to be a major stumbling block for carmakers. Mercedes-Benz claims to have overcome these problems by integrating the lithium-ion batteries directly into the cooling system of the car to allow them to operate at an optimum temperature of between 59 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

A Word From ImportsGuy: This is a big advancement in hybrid technology, as it paves the way for more efficent and durable hybrid models. The only apparent drawback is that Mercedes is only going to be offering this with the S-class models. And that means if you don’t have deep pockets you may not see this technology till years down the road.

Green BMW To Roll Out At Geneva 

BMW has announced they will reveal the X5 diesel/hybrid, dubbed Vision, at the Geneva auto show. With the X5 Vision being designed to silence the critics of big SUVs, the Vision claims to be as economical and clean as a modern sedan. The X5 Vision will be powered by a twin turbo 2.0 liter common rail diesel engine, paired with a 15 kilowatt electric motor. The diesel is rated at 204 hp and 295 tq, while the electric motor produces 155 lb ft of torque.

BMW states the X5 hybrid will get 36.2 mpg and produces 172 g/km of CO2, 6mpg better than the most efficient X5 on the market. All-wheel drive and a eight-speed automatic will be standard. The Vision will also be equipped with a roof mounted solar panel that will generate power when the car is stationary. The X5 is the latest installment in BMW’s Efficient Dynamics program, which highlights the reduction in consumption and CO2 emissions.

New Audi Wagon Set for Fall Release

Audi has completed their redesigned lineup with the introduction of the new A4 avant wagon. The wagon set to debut in the fall will have a turbo charged four liter engine as its base engine. The Avant will also be equipped with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and features a new retuned suspension. On the inside the A4 gets new climate controls and safety system. The safety system will control the force of the airbag deployment and the tension of the seat belts.

Ford to Reveal Global Car

Ford is set to debut their global small car at the Geneva Auto Show. The joint development of the Fiesta by Ford’s European, African, Asian, American and Australian divisions marks the Fiesta as the first car to come from Ford’s global product development process. This means that there will specific models for the different markets. Sales will begin this fall in Europe, with 5 different engine options available, 3 gas and 2 diesel. The Fiesta will arrive in North America as a 2010 model, as a five door model, with the 3 door still being a possibility.

French Car Maker to Run Diesel in Le Mans

For their first North American race, Peugeot has decided to run their diesel powered car in the American Le Mans Series’ 12 Hours of Sebring. They will attempt to join Audi as the only other manufacturer to win with a diesel car in the event. Audi won with their TDI powered R10. During testing in January, Peugeot’s car posted up the fastest lap time on the course.

2009 GT3 RS Cup S

With Porsche’s introduction of the GT3 RS, many thought this was their idea of a street-going race car. But now comes the GT3 RS Cup S, a true track monster. The Cup has pretty much the same 3.6 liter boxer engine that is used in the Carrera Cup championships and the Mobil 1 supercup. With 440hp at 8000 rpm and 317lb-ft torque at 7250 rpms this car is more than capable on the track. With 10.5 in. wide wheels in the front, 12in wide wheels in the back, and a rear spoiler taller than some kids, grip and downforce are not a problem. On the track is where this car will truly shine, as the suspension is more than likely way too stiff for daily driving. So for the car enthusiast looking for that weekend track car that will satisfy all his or her racing desires, the Cup S is perfect car for them. The only thing that may come in the way is the $362000 price tag, 2.5 times that of the GT3RS.