EternalMotor.com – The Best Car Tips and Trends

The existing-generation VW Jetta has received its share of criticism, a lot of it directed at perceived cost-cutting measures. Some have even had the nerve to advise that the previous Jetta was the better car.

Because it’s got something special under the hood, although the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta looks set to transform over a new leaf. Gone is the inefficient 5-cylinder engine that held the Jetta back, supplanted by a spunky turbo four that offers to be better in each and every way.

I attended a press event in California’s idyllic Napa Valley to find out if the new 1.8T delivers.

Addition by Subtraction

I’ll admit it: I’m one of the few automotive journalists who actually liked the existing 2.5-liter five. It made fun growly noises, and it also had a lot more punch than your typical economy-sedan engine. But also in an era of 35-miles-per-gallon midsize family sedans, the not-quite-midsize Jetta 2.5 returned just 31 mpg on the road with the automatic transmission. That wasn’t planning to cut it for much longer. Accordingly, it came as no real surprise when VW announced a substitute 4-cylinder turbo for 2014.

Turbocharging’s all the rage these days, together with this new 1.8-liter turbo, it’s easy to see why. Whereas the nonturbocharged 2.5-liter five made 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, the smaller 1.8T generates the same 170 horses as well as a slightly more robust 184 lb-ft. Fuel economy? Try 36 mpg hwy with either the 6-speed automatic transmission or the 6-speed manual. That’s a serious improvement, especially considering that output has risen, as well.

Much like that, it appears the Jetta’s back in the conversation about the best all-around sedan for $20,000.

Real-World Reactions

But does the 1.8T support those numbers on the road? I’ll must take the Environmental Protection Agency’s word for doing it, since there wasn’t lots of time to do a proper test on the event, so far as fuel economy’s concerned. I will confirm how the 1.8T is the genuine article, though with regards to drivability. Furthermore it generate more torque than the 5-cylinder, it also delivers that torque at lower rpm, making the car feel appreciably quicker around town.

I was also impressed by the turbo motor’s smoothness all the way to redline. Although the abundant torque renders high-rpm operation largely unnecessary, it’s nice to know it is possible to pleasurably wind it out as soon as the mood strikes.

Overall, this can be a classy, refined engine using a near-ideal balance of frugality and fun.

One tip, however: You should definitely try the manual transmission if you’re accessible to shifting your own gears. I found the manual notably more responsive and entertaining. Indeed, Volkswagen quotes a -to-60 sprint of 7.3 seconds versus 7.9 for the automatic. Both times, incidentally, are significantly much better than those of equivalent 5-cylinder Jettas, so the turbo doesn’t just feel faster; it genuinely is.

Still a Jetta

Engine aside, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T is pretty familiar from behind the wheel, and that’s mostly a very important thing. Happily, VW has spruced up the interior a bit recently, including the provision of an upscale soft-touch dashboard (albeit with clashing hard-plastic door panels) in the models I drove. One thing that hasn’t changed is the Jetta’s rock-solid composure at speed. This car loves the open road, and I don’t find myself saying that fairly often about budget-priced sedans.

If there’s a very important factor that gives me pause, it’s the fact that the sharp new 2015 VW Golf hatchback will also be provided with the 1.8T motor. Having driven a stick-shift 2015 Golf 1.8T with the same event, I can are convinced that it drives like 90 % of a GTI for about 70 % of the price — and it’s got that handy hatch to boot. Though, there’s lots of fundamental goodness in the Jetta’s genes, if you’re even more of a sedan fan.

Tha Harsh Truth

The Jetta has long occupied an intriguing niche between compact sedans and hefty family haulers, and from now on it has an intriguing mainstream motor, too. If I wanted a sedan in this range of prices, there’s undoubtedly the 2014 Jetta 1.8T will be high on my list.

For GREAT deals on a new or used Nissan check out Mossy Nissan El Cajon TODAY!

Regarding a four weeks rear, we reported that Porsche was suspending shipping and delivery of their 911 GT3 because of claimed mishaps in the engine bursting into fire. A few days later on, Porsche shared with people who own the brand new monitor-prepared designs not to push their autos along with their nearby dealers grab the autos under consideration. Just a couple of times in the past, we documented that Porsche was focusing on a correct, and from now on we now have the state details.

Adhering to an internal analysis prompted by two such situations, Porsche has established which is has determined the trouble as producing “from a loosened attach joints in the linking rod.” The loose attaching rod, Porsche identified, broken the crankcase, which often ended in essential oil leaking then – in a minimum of two instances – igniting.

Our provider is not aware of Porsche getting contacted by GT3 owners concerned about the affect of the replacing engine on the car’s collectibility or resale importance.

To be able to repair the problem, Porsche is exchanging the motors entirely on all 785 affected units from the GT3, appropriate these new motors (along with new versions being created once creation resumes) with “optimised attach fixtures.” Our resource at Porsche signifies that under 200 of your influenced coupes actually attained consumers – the majority are at slot (where by they will be fixed just before reaching showrooms), or at sellers.

We also inquired whether or not Porsche got fielded any phone calls from anxious GT3 users about the alternative engine’s potential affect on their car’s collectibility or reselling value, and our resource advised us they may have not been aware of managers raising any questions. Must this type of case develop, we had been informed that, “The organization will deal with the clients with a situation-by-circumstance time frame. If there is clear and extensive official paper trail about the engine swap, would-be used GT3 buyers and collectors would be happier knowing their car is fitted with a correct, trouble-free engine than they are about not having a numbers-matching car, all of this will be documented in the vehicle’s history file that’s maintained by Porsche.” Presumably.

Hollywood has had a long and very successful love affair with cars and produced some memorable car chases on celluloid which had cinema goers clinging to the edge of their seats. Here are a few of the best examples . . . and a couple of decidedly dodgy ones!

• Bullitt – this 1968 classic with none other than Steve McQueen famously driving his Ford Mustang dangerously fast across San Francisco may not have been the first high octane car chase in the movies but it is still one of the best. He did a lot of the driving himself, just like he jumped his own motorcycle in The Great Escape a few years earlier in 1963.

• Vanishing Point – hit the screens a couple of years later in 1971 – the golden era of American car movies. The former Vietnam war hero with a heavy dose of anti-establishmentism attempts to drive a Dodge Challenger all the way from Colorado to California in as short a time as possible – the inevitable police chases add a real dose of high octane action.
• Driven – is not known as one of Sylvester Stallone’s most successful movies – in fact by his own inimitable standards (Rocky / Rambo anyone) it fell way short of the mark. There are some folks who think that this car movie was a comedy but I’m not sure that Sly intended it to be so . . . no wonder he decided to stick to boxing and being a one man army.
• Smokey and the Bandit – this 1977 movie has it all with non-stop cross country police chases, illicit beer and a wedding looking for a bride. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am sure led those Smokeys a merry dance with stunts upon stunts upon stunts. Awesome . . .

• Days of Thunder – a young Tom Cruise starred in this 1990 motor racing tale. Following hot on the trails of other, more memorable performances this film never really did cut the mustard despite having some excellent, real racing footage clips to add authenticity. Many scenes were captured in real NASCAR races.
• Gone in 60 Seconds – is a must for petrol heads everywhere. Where else would you get to see such a collection of classic American muscle cars and fabulous international beauties in one movie? There are enough Bentleys, Ferraris, Mercedes and Porsches to shake a stick at and his nemesis, Eleanor, the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT quite rightly takes center stage at the end. You may even spot Angeline Jolie complete with fair hair, dreadlocks and pair of greasy coveralls.
• Le Mans – Steve McQueen more than deserves multiple entries in this list – one of the most famous dare-devil drivers of his era. Steve McQueen actually gets to drive the car he drove to second position in the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1970. This 1971 classic certainly deserves its place among the best car movies of all times.

• Two-Lane Blacktop – this 1971 movie may be a million miles away from the super rich and famous of the race track but the action is just as intense. The unnamed Driver and his Mechanic head out across Route 66 in a 1966 Chevy One-Fifty with some real street racing action to keep your interest. This film has some of the best, grittiest drag races ever filmed.
Los Angeles Nissan has a good selection of cars which, while they may not have actually starred in the movies they are still great performers. Check out the choices at Metro Nissan Redlands and see what you think.

It sounds just like an unlikely partnership. General Motors and Segway have teamed up to develop an but it’s true.

urban transportation device that provides personal mobility, while reducing congestion and pollution. The result of the 18-month collaboration is Project Personal Urban Accessibility and Mobility — P.U.M.A. for short.

It isn’t a surprise that P.U.M.A. shares a lot in common with the Segway Personal Transporter. P.U.M.A. features an all-electric powertrain, along with a side-by-side two-wheel layout. Just like the Segway, it uses dynamic stabilization technology to keep it upright and balanced.Where P.U.M.A. pushes ahead is in practicality, safety and usability. Unlike other personal mobility devices such as Toyota’s i-Unit or i-Real, P.U.M.A. accommodates two passengers in a pod-like capsule that’s shielded from the elements (as pictured, this early-development prototype doesn’t get the extra bodywork). It also features a, seatbelts and seats safety cage. Thanks to a far more sophisticated electric battery and powertrain pack, its top speed is 56 km/h, also it can travel approximately 56 km/h between charges.

GM-Segway P.U.M.A. (© Photo: General Motors)

Photo: General Motors

P.U.M.A. also features a few other technologies such as a self-parking function and the capability to hook up to and including network effective at connecting and communicating with other vehicles. In addition to allowing the driver to keep in touch with friends and relations on the go, P.U.M.A. is able to share information about parking spots and local businesses. GM hopes to apply its vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)communication system which will allow for autonomous driving and also the elimination of accidents.

What about cost? In order to interest the masses, such a vehicle would need to be affordable. GM believes it may get the vehicle to market quickly and at a cost that’s affordable to consumers, as many of the project’s technologies currently exist. Larry Burns, GM’s vice-president of Research & Development, says the vehicle might cost as little as one-third to one-quarter of the cost of a standard automobile.

A second-generation prototype, complete with autonomous driving capabilities, will probably be unveiled later this year.

The Subaru Forester was totally revamped for 2014, so the big news for 2015 is added technology in any way trim levels.

The most interesting item is the addition of Subaru’s unique EyeSight driver assist system included in the technology package available on the Forester 2.5i Touring Package (and above). EyeSight uses stereo cameras, installed on either side of the rearview mirror, that integrate adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle vehicle and management lane departure warning. The Japanese automaker says it “is the highest rated front crash prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).” The EyeSight system might be turned on or off manually.

The 2015 Forester 2.5i Limited Package adds a 6.1-inch, multi-functional, voice activated in-dash navigation system with AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMP, DivX, WMA and MP4 SMS texting, Aha radio, Sirius XM, USB, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming. To put it differently, the world close at hand.

Even the base 2.5i model gets a new rearview camera plus a colour multi-function display.

Powertrains remain the same for 2015, with buyers getting a choice of 4-cylinder horizontally opposed (boxer) engines. The 2.5L DOHC engine makes 170 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque while the 2.0L twin turbocharged engine produces 250 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. All Foresters are equipped with Subaru’s proven symmetrical all-wheel drive.

New for 2014, and carried over for 2015, is X Mode, that may be activated on the push of the mouse and prevents wheel slippage at speeds up to 40 km/h, when it automatically disengages.

Subaru Canada also has announced pricing for your 2015 collection of Foresters, which ranges from $25,995 to the base 2.5i with manual transmission to $37,895 for Forester 2.0XT Limited with CVT and optional technology package.

The latest 2015 Foresters should arrive at Canadian dealerships this spring.