This is not a “Driven” per se.  It is close to one in some respects.  But if you want to find the full-fledged review of the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, see the one that my colleague Kevin Kelly has done.  You can find the review (and many more) by clicking on the "Driven Archives" link, below.

But having had the opportunity to spend some time in the car, some things occurred to me, vehicle specific and otherwise.  One of which is that it really is a rather remarkable system.  Not just the hybrid system.  (I’m somewhat puzzled why Kelly seems to be miffed that Nissan didn’t give credit to Toyota for the hybrid system.  After all, one is buying a car, not a powertrain: it is the sum of the parts, not the parts.)  What is remarkable is...Read More...

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2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

2008 Lexus GS 450h

2008 Mini Cooper Clubman

2009 Lincoln MKS

2008 Suzuki SX4

Driven Archives

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Car Design 101
Where will the great vehicle designers and engineers come from in the future? This question haunts many as the industry swings from feast to famine, and from developed to developing nation. Worry no more. With the industry’s obsession with unique vehicles and light weight, the next group of designers and engineers will be coming from the soapbox derby ranks. – View More 

The Fight for Third
While Ford was out helping lessen violent crimes in England, the VW Group passed it for third place in global auto sales. VW delivered 3.31 million vehicles in the first half of 2008, a 7.2% increase over ‘07 figures, while Ford slipped to fourth place in the rankings after delivering a total of 3.22 million vehicles. – View More 

A Mile in Their Shoes
Ford and its Ford Employees of African Ancestry Network employee resource group recently sponsored three young men in a walk against gun and knife crime. The three – Kio McKnight, Mathieu Milbourne, and Shani Cadette – spent three days walking from London to Birmingham, in support of three charities trying to lessen violent crimes in England. – View More 

Yum!
Little did Mercedes know that it would have a former F1 World Champion supplying all of its organically grown food needs when it opened the Gullwing restaurant at Mercedes-Benz World. Located on the grounds of England’s historic Brooklands race track in Weybridge, Surrey, Mercedes-Benz World is a "brand experience center" for owners and potential owners. – View More

Mrs. Magoo
Britain’s Sheila’s Wheels car insurance surveyed women about their attitudes toward wearing glasses while driving. A surprising 27% of the respondents admitted to not always wearing their prescription eyewear in the car, while 10% said they feel "unfashionable" in their specs. A further 11% said they’d been involved in an accident or near-miss due to not wearing their glasses. – View More 

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Making Lean Work for the Job Shop & Small Manufacturing - Oct. 1-2
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Problems on the Other Side of the Pond
Weakening auto sales and lackluster economic growth aren’t only phenomena isolated to the United States.  The ripple effects of rising fuel prices, weakening real estate values and anemic economic growth are beginning to make their presence known on the other side of the pond.
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