Parking skills featured on a couple FailBlog.org video clips
RichC | March 23, 2009
This is one driver that I don’t want to see parallel park! Speaking of “park” … that’s what the letter *P* is for …
Fuel prices at the Pump vs. Interstate signage
RichC | March 22, 2009
Very few things irritate me more when traveling down the interstate and looking for fuel only to find out that the interstate sign doesn’t match the price at the pump. It use to be that when this happened that it was only a couple cents, but now in the day of 10 – 20 cent […]
Topgear America’s project Sipster is coming along
RichC | March 6, 2009
TopGear.com American is working on their “triple 7” — $7000, 70mpg, 0-60mpg in under 7 seconds. They have purchase a VW Rabbit diesel in New York and are transplanting a TDI engine in Regina, Saskatchewan and have labeled the project the “Sipster.” The current video shows the engine transplant (below) although the project was announcmed […]
The VW Jetta TDI or the popular Toyota Prius
RichC | March 2, 2009
In my circle of diesel loving friends I have rarely heard that people have difficulty in deciding between the well equipped 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius, but that isn’t always the case for those listening to all the media hype praising hybrid cars. In case you are one of the few looking […]
Patent granted for diesel engine 106 years ago today
RichC | February 23, 2009
For those that appreciate engineering and diesel automotive history, today was the day in 1893 that Rudolf Diesel was granted a German patent for his diesel engine design. Rather than burning gasoline in a cylinder with spark ignition, the diesel engine uses ‘fuel oil’ (or vegetable oil — peanut oil in Rudolf Diesel’s case) using […]
Enjoyed driving the new 2009 BMW 335d
RichC | February 20, 2009
I called a friend of mine to check on his wife who was scheduled for surgery this week and after hearing that she was in recovery, our conversation shifted to the new 2009 BMW 335d that was sitting in front of the Akron area Dave Walter dealership. Although I know how the soft-sell enticement game […]
How Stuff Works: Motorhead Cuisine article
RichC | February 15, 2009
I’ve been know to heat up some leftovers under the hood before and enjoyed reading the occasional article detailing the process … and talking to the odd-ball few who enjoy motorhead cuisine. In perusing a ‘magazine’ topic at an excellent time-killing site, Alltop.com, I stumbled on a How Stuff Works article on cooking/reheating food under […]
Motorweek picks 2009 VW Jetta TDI as Drivers’ Choice
RichC | February 14, 2009
For those of us already familiar with the new clean diesel breeds, it will come as no surprise that long running PBS automotive program Motorweek selected the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI as the Drivers’ Choice Award winner. They previously reported positively on the VW TDI although on in February announced it along with all their […]
Cincinnati Auto Expo ’09 February 19th – 22nd
RichC | February 12, 2009
I’ve enjoyed the Cincinnati Auto Expo in the past although am unsure if I’ll find the time to head down this year. The Duke Energy Center (Cinergy) will have the filled floorplan set up as unusual and I’ve even heard that the Volkswagen booth is going to be much larger than in previous years (according […]
How many miles should a Volkswagen TDI be expected to go?
RichC | February 6, 2009
People often ask me what make a diesel car attractive enough that one would be willing to not only pay the couple thousand premium on the sticker, but find fewer marketing promotions at dealerships? I’ll usually point to the solid resale and better fuel economy, which is usually a topic of conversation at our GTGs. […]
Diesel BMW 335d and X5 xDrive35d tax credits
RichC | February 6, 2009
A couple nice looking BMW diesels recently available in the U.S. look to be edible for tax incentives this year. They have been added to the IRS list of cars using technology helping promote more fuel efficient vehicles. The new 335d sedan and X5 xDrive35d SUV fit the IRS Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Tax […]
GM to import engine for Volt and Cruze from Aspern, Austria
RichC | February 5, 2009
Last year, General Motors announced that it would build a $370 million engine plant in Flint Michigan to supply the 1.4L engines for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze; autoworkers in the depressed southeastern part of Michigan thought this was good news with so many jobs were leaving the area. In October, GM started the […]
Superbowl XLIII commercials & the Audi Transporter ad
RichC | February 3, 2009
Although all the Superbowl 43 ads are here, I’m only going to embed one … not because it is a favorite, but because I know my Audi-loving son will enjoy it (besides we both enjoyed the Tranporter movies with Jason Statham). Check out the making of the Audi Superbowl ad below …
Volkswagen will have 4 new BlueMotion models
RichC | February 3, 2009
Volkswagen, a leader in clean alternative fuel technology, will be launching four new BlueMotion vehicles. Two of them will be super clean diesels, the Passat BlueMotion, Passat Blue TDI, one running on compressed natural gass — the Passat TSI EcoFuel, and the headliner a Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid. The Touareg with be be VW’s first […]
A couple months for bigger Ford Hybrid tax credits
RichC | January 30, 2009
There are a few changes are coming for the hybrid car buying few … and I mean car buying few … unless Washington DC pulls a few last minute strings. Tax credits are being reduced by about half, so … if you are thinking about buying a new hybrid car this year, it might be […]
Had a busy day of driving. I need a diesel.
RichC | January 24, 2009
Here are a few photos (Treo photos posted to Twitpic) while adding another 700 miles to my Honda Pilot. I would have preferred driving an efficient and long lasting diesel, but feel fortunate to be able to fill with unleaded regular for $1.78/gallon today.
Flying Car: Terrafugia’s Transition Roadable Aircraft
RichC | January 23, 2009
The Transition is another one of those flying car “dream” ideas (or as Terrafugia calls it, “a roadable aircraft”) which seems to be really moving closer in bringing driving and flying together. According to a the company’s website, this concept car/plane was founded in 2006 by a group of MIT students. They have work diligently […]
Motorweek reviews the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
RichC | January 21, 2009
The long running weekly PBS automotive program Motorweek reviewed the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI on last weekend’s show. As expected, they gave it a pretty decent review mentioning that it is now 50 state legal and clarified the emission control features that differentiates it from the “AdBlue” diesels.
PCMike demostrates Parking Assist from Ford
RichC | January 17, 2009
MSNBC’s Mike Wendland reported on the new parking assist technology Ford will be offering in select 2010 models. As seen in premium … and not so premium … models before, it is pretty cool technology. YOUTUBE Video removed
Cold winter weather and the shortage of road salt
RichC | January 16, 2009
With the cold weather we’ve been having we’ll definitely be complaining about home heating bills and the salt shortage when we get to February and March. It definitely has turn cold across most of the nation. I did a double take when I checked the temperature today. I probably shouldn’t include this photo when it […]
Win a New 2009 VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel
RichC | January 16, 2009
During a business call this week, a fellow who listens to streaming radio and knows my interest in Volkswagen TDIs, mention that a station he listens to was holding a sweepstakes offering a New 2009 VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel as their grand prize. The station is KCPW in Santa Monica, California and features “an […]
Direct Injection is the future for gasoline engines
RichC | January 15, 2009
So which automotive technology is in our near future? According to an article in Wednesday’s Marketplace section of the WSJ, “Analysts say sales of vehicles with such engines — which deliver greater fuel economy and power than today’s similarly sized gas engines — will far exceed those of hybrids and electrics for years to come.” […]
Volkswagen Concept BlueSport Diesel Roadster
RichC | January 12, 2009
Autoblog reports on the concept roadster that Volkswagen calls the BlueSport at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Volkswagen’s Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term “diesel performance” a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, we can tell […]
Edmunds Inside Line 2009 VW Jetta TDI report
RichC | January 11, 2009
Edmunds prepare an excellent video review of a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI a couple months ago and thought I would post it here.
Biodiesel powered solar microbus
RichC | January 9, 2009
Here’s a biodiesel hybrid vehicle for those who would like to reminisce; one can be had for $129,000 or if you can fore go the solar setup, go ahead and order one for pocketchange: $69,000 USD. It is a unique vehicle and isn’t just a “woody” — check out Verdier.ca.
Car and Driver praises the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
RichC | January 7, 2009
The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid “won the hearts of the Car and Driver folks,” according to AutoblogGreen. The best of class midsize car bettered even Toyota in the top fuel economy and still performed well when talking performance. The Ford Fusion hybrid goes on sale this spring and is being marketed as “America’s most fuel […]
CinciTDI guys working on a couple new How To clips
RichC | January 3, 2009
A few of us from the CinciTDI group enjoyed Saturday afternoon working on our Volkswagen TDI diesel cars and filming a new Fuel Injection Pump How To video. Bruce Bowling was once again in front of the camera and demonstrated the procedure to replace leaking gaskets and in making injection quantity (IQ) adjustments — both […]
VW Touareg V-6 TDI impresses Popular Mechanics
RichC | December 31, 2008
Popular Mechanics offers a nice review of the new VW Touareg V-6 TDI. Our drive to Mexico and back in a Touareg V6 TDI required few fill-ups. In fact, after several hundred miles we still had nearly two-thirds of a tank of fuel left. If we maintained our 65-mph cruising speed while getting the indicated […]
Can I use biodiesel in my Volkswagen TDI?
RichC | December 30, 2008
In the last issue of Volkswagen’s DasAuto Magazine, the “Ask Volkswagen” segment answered one of the most common questions I hear Volkswagen TDI owners ask. This as to do with how their TDI diesel vehicles run alternatives to petroleum, be it be SVO, WVO (Straight or Waste Vegetable Oil) or biodiesel. The “Can I use […]
Merry Christmas & a VW TDI fuel injection pump leak
RichC | December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas all. We had a nice day relaxing at home and enjoying presents, cookies and each other’s company. Unfortunately I notice a “diesel fuel smell” in the garage when my daughter parked her 2001 VW Jetta TDI in the other night … so I took part of the afternoon to investigate: a leaking fuel […]
How about a 41/36 city/hwy Ford Fusion Hybrid?
RichC | December 23, 2008
Although I’m pretty fond of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean-diesel when it comes to highly efficient, yet enjoyable to drive, transportation, Ford might have a winner if they can build and price the new Ford Fusion Hybrid attractively. Their new 2010 mid-sized vehicle is going to be the most fuel efficient mid-sized car sold in […]
Smartcar photos from “snowy” Seattle
RichC | December 23, 2008
My daughter’s good friend Nora headed home for Christmas in Seattle about the time heavy snow socked in all, but the most capable of winter vehicles … you know … snowmobiles, large 4×4 trucks, Jeeps and Smartcars! (thanks Nora for the great iPhone photos of your dad’s car that I’ll post below)
Volkswagen shows off its 4Motion Golf TDI
RichC | December 16, 2008
Volkswagen announced the availability of its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system for the Golf TDI in Europe … but not in North America, of course. The drivetrain is exclusive to TDI models utilizing the manual-transmission variant of the 2.0L TDI clean diesel engine. The fuel efficiently is down about 8 mpg from the FWD only model, but […]
Top Gear reviews the Honda FCX Clarity
RichC | December 16, 2008
The somewhat irreverent automotive program Top Gear, with its opinionated hosts, generally does a pretty good job of bashing wienie cars with electric motors, but James May in a recent episode offered a different opinion. He had the chance to test drive the Honda FCX Clarity and film a report with guest Jay Leno. The […]
Chinese automaker to bring battery car to U.S. in 2010
RichC | December 15, 2008
According to a WSJ article in Monday’s paper, the Chinese company BYD is demonstrating their new F3DM which runs off batteries today. This “EV” can be charged from a regular electrical outlet and will be marketed to cab operators and other potential fleet customers. They plan to have their all-electric vehicle in showrooms in China […]
Honda said to be rethinking bringing diesels to the U.S.
RichC | December 9, 2008
Will automakers rethink importing diesel cars to North America? Those of us who enjoy driving and owning ‘higher’ performance and efficient diesel cars have had this nagging suspicion that diesel cars may not arrive as planned, considering the auto slowdown and noting the price spread between gasoline and diesel fuel. According to a USA Today […]
Wards’ Auto World lists two diesel as 10 best
RichC | December 7, 2008
Ward’s Auto World has published its 15th annual ten best engines list and two new diesel engines made the list. The dual turbocharged 3.0L inline 6 cylinder diesel from BMW and the Volkswagen 2.0L TDI were the first new 50-state legal diesels to be picked by the Ward’s editors. The other fuel efficient engine was […]
Will GM reconsider clean diesel in North America?
RichC | December 4, 2008
It’s hard to imagine General Motors going the diesel route again after their last go-around 30 years ago, but considering a number of vehicles desired by American purchasers are the larger SUV and light trucks, a clean, highly efficient diesel would make sense. Besides the fuel efficiency of a diesel engine mated to the GM […]
Sunday drive to see EAA friend’s new Cessna 172
RichC | November 23, 2008
Fuel prices everywhere are dropping to surprising lows as we near the Thanksgiving day holiday. While returning from the Moraine Airpark near Dayton, Ohio this afternoon I was able to fill up with unleaded regular for $1.56/gallon. That’s the lowest price I’ve seen for quite some time. Diesel is also working its way lower, although […]
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final episode on Speed Channel
RichC | November 22, 2008
Speed Channel will be broadcasting the final episode 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup documentary on Saturday November 22nd. (Cincinnati area Time Warner listing to the right) This hour long broadcast will focus on the entire 2008 season, the drivers and the race versions of the new clean diesel VW Jetta TDIs. These 170hp 2.0L TDI […]
The 2009 VW Jetta TDI selected Green Car of the Year
RichC | November 20, 2008
With a relatively low starting price, excellent fuel economy and refined driving dynamics: The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI was voted Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal at the LA Autoshow. Check out the announcement at Autoblog.
Low priced gasoline is the only economic bright spot
RichC | November 18, 2008
Fuel prices are pretty low not too far from my house today. I filled up with unleaded regular at a Circle K Marathon station for $1.65 over the lunch hour and decided not to gripe about my 20.8 mpg. (Honda 4wd Pilot) This price is about the lowest I’ve seen and after listening to the […]
Hypermiling: New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Year
RichC | November 10, 2008
The New Oxford American Dictionary has a new official Word of the Year: hypermiling. “Hypermiling” or “to hypermile” is to attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one’s car and one’s driving techniques. Rather than aiming for good mileage or even great mileage, hypermilers seek to push their gas tanks to the […]
Motorweek talks Tire Technology on Goss’ Garage
RichC | November 8, 2008
Motorweek had some interesting information about automotive tires on the Goss’ Garage sections.
UPS moves ahead with diesel-hydraulic technology
RichC | October 30, 2008
Although its going to be a while before this technology takes off, I suspect that the hydraulic hybrid will be one of the best options for heavier vehicles. The advantage of using a mechanical means of boosting a smaller engine when starting and accelerating offers significant advantages over battery and electric motors and could be […]
Clean diesels and the AdBlue headache
RichC | October 20, 2008
Although I’m a big fan of the new ‘clean diesels’ being produced by several companies, I’ve never like the idea that in order to meet emission standards that ‘some’ diesels require an AdBlue urea system. Basically the $4/gallon liquid is stored in a small tank and is slowly injected into the exhaust stream where it […]
I like the new Red TDI badge
RichC | September 9, 2008
During the TDIFest OH8, I put my daughter to work logging in names and tabulating times during the “timed drive” Road Rally. A fellow planner and friend gave her a new ‘red’ badge for her TDI which she installed this past week. She sent me a photo and I thought it looks pretty nice.
2009 VW Sportwagen TDIs are showing up
RichC | September 5, 2008
I stumbled across the first 2009 Volkswagen Sportwagen TDI that I’ve noticed in my area. Here are a few photos of the ‘sold’ vehicle in the FairfieldVW showroom. Sticker was just a bit over $25,000, but the car had that impressively huge moonroof. I could go for this 6-speed manual in black! Picasa Google image […]
TDIFest may have VW Sportwagen TDI after all?
RichC | August 21, 2008
North Carolina TDIClub member “coolbreeze” may bring his new 2009 Volkswagen Sportwagen TDI to the TDIFest over Labor Day weekend – thread. If he does, it will be the first one most of us will have seen. Crossing my fingers that you can make it Bruce!
Wholesale refined fuel prices move lower
RichC | July 18, 2008
Now that wholesale prices for refined fuels are retreating a bit from their speculator driven lofty levels, I’ve been asked by a few people when this change is going to be felt at the retail level? My best guess would be soon … but then I’m wrong more than I’m right these days. Gasbuddy.com reports: […]
My daughter’s VW TDI reaches first milestone
RichC | July 15, 2008
Although this is by no means a challenging milestone for Volkswagen diesel cars, it is a personal milestone for my daughter. Her first car, a 2001 VW Jetta TDI, has been treating her well for 100,000 miles now and she sent me an early morning photo from her Palm Treo Centro as it hit 100K. […]
Test drove the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
RichC | July 14, 2008
The dealer demo TDIs have been slow to arrive to Cincinnati area dealerships, but today did get a chance to head over to Fairfield VW and test drive the new 2009 Jetta ‘clean diesel.’ Its basically the same body (A5) that has been part of the VW Jetta line up for a couple of years […]
Oil gone wild …
RichC | May 17, 2008
The fuel price discussions continue as I made small talk with clients throughout the week; Friday was no exception. Petroleum traded at an all time high to almost $127 per barrel in the morning on strong demand and there is very little evidence that we’ll see an additional supply come online this summer … or […]
Licensing problem for 3 wheel EVs in Ohio
RichC | May 5, 2008
Back in 2006 I had a chance to test drive an all-electric “high performance” 3 wheel vehicle manufactured by Myers Motors in Tallmadge Ohio. I drove it on the public roads without a special endorsement, but the Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported that the Ohio DMV currently has a problem licensing them for Ohio road […]
2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI on Motorweek
RichC | March 11, 2008
The large 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI SUV equipped with the 3.0 Liter diesel was reviewed on the PBS program Motorweek this past weekend. I took a test drive back in August (here) and was impressed with this expensive and large vehicle. It certainly benefits from the diesel powerplant which will be upgraded with Urea injection […]
New Audi TT with a TDI; Roadster too
RichC | February 28, 2008
Wired highlighted the new Audi TT 2.0 TDI, but can’t confirm if it will be available North America. Notice the comment “Roadster” below … might we see a TDI convertible? (LINK to full article) Behold the TT 2.0 TDI. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (pictured above), matched to a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, […]
Fuel prices up close to record highs
RichC | February 23, 2008
Demand for fuel is down, but prices are up to a near all-time high in the U.S., says a USAToday article. Diesel hit a record high of $3.54 per gallon, and unleaded gasoline is up to a $3.11 national average price, which is an increase of more than 6.2 cents in two days. The previous […]
Yummy … an Exhaust Burger
RichC | January 25, 2008
How about an Exhaust Burger? I’ve cooked a meal under the hood before, but never heard of cooking with a grilling device like this using exhaust gas! Well the exhaust gas never hits the meat, but its probably hot enough to barbecue a hamburger — I wonder if I could fix a meal for two […]
More on Honda and Acura clean diesels
RichC | January 22, 2008
Many diesel advocates are anxiously waiting to see just what new clean diesels will be arriving in the U.S. over the next few years. Hardly a week goes by now without some new announcement. For many of us, the Honda Accord 2.2L i-DTEC stands out in the hopes it will be an affordable and dependable […]
Popular Mechanic on clean diesels
RichC | December 30, 2007
Popular Mechanics has a great article in their January issue on the coming clean diesels noting “Hybrids beware!” The author Ben Hewitt points out that the new breed of diesels from companies like Volkswagen are capable of better fuel economy (74.3 mpg for the VW Polo TDI) and produce fewer greenhouse gases than some gas/electric […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.