Think New. . .or Is That Old? Or Different?

Forget everything you think you know about diesels.

Unless, of course, you are familiar with the contemporary engines that are extensively used for cars in Europe and are barely used for same in the U.S. If so, you know that diesels are superb engines that provide the performance that the typical American driver desires and the fuel efficiency that any driver can appreciate. What’s more, when you take into account that diesels have been around for about as long as the automobile, you can have the sort of confidence in a diesel that you may not in, say, a hybrid of less pedigree, or at least less miles than have been put on diesels over the years.

I’ve just spent a month in various diesel vehicles—BMW X5, Mini Cooper, Honda CR-V, VW Jetta, Audi A4—courtesy of Bosch. The Bosch people wanted me to experience the diesel, not to assess the vehicles. – Read More

2009 Audi Q5 3.2 quattro Tiptronic

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T

2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe AWD

Driven Archives

As Lambo Goes. . .
Certainly among the most-envied cars on the planet are from Lamborghini. The roar of a Gallardo surely works like Pavlov’s bell for many people. But did you ever think that the people at Lambo would even think about carbon dioxide emissions? – Read More

So Simple, Even A Child Can Do It
The automotive industry has failed--yes we said it--to come up with a practical and affordable seaworthy car. Maybe manufacturers need to recruit younger engineers, as in pre-pre-schoolers like the Canadian tike who captained his toy truck 8 miles down the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia. – Read More

Free Tweelin’ on Moon?
With all the reminiscing about Neil Armstrong’s first steps on moon 40 years ago (although Monger considers man’s first lunar golf shot in 1971 a more noteworthy achievement), the national discussion has shifted to whether we should return to the moon or sidestep it entirely for a direct route to Mars. We can guess where Michelin stands. – Read More

What About a Kia Optima Prime?
While some people look at the 2010 Camaro and think that they’ve got to get one of those because, well, it’s an honest-to-goodness cool car and has an affordable price point ($22,245), Chevy’s not taking any chances. They’re calling in Alien Technology. (And, perhaps not entirely accidentally, Megan Fox.) – Read More

Isn’t This Like The Dukes of Hazard?
GreenHouse, an “alternative green energy company,” and Karl Strauss Brewing Co., both of San Diego, are collaborating on a project wherein the brewer will be donating 28 tons of spent beer yeast per week to GreenHouse for distribution to owners of the E-Fuel MicroFueler, a device that allows people to distill their own ethanol. – Read More

Upcoming Industry Events:

PLM Road Map™ 2009
Sept 22-23

The IAA/Frankfurt Auto Show
Sept 17-27

CompositesWorld Expo
Sept 28-30

Eye-to-Eye
Dr. James Womack, of lean manufacturing fame, was asked a question. The venue was the 2009 CAR Management Briefing Seminar (MBS). The level of attendance at the annual industry event, held at a resort in northern Michigan, was down from previous years. Markedly. Until that same first week in August, when the July auto sales numbers were released, ...Read More