mpg-o-editor

Hybrid Audi A1 Sportback: First Look

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Audi pulled the cover off their shiny new plug-in hybrid A1 Sportback concept this week at the Paris Auto Show.

The five-door sub-compact four seater is fitted with a 150 horsepower (HP) 1.4 liter TFSI engine along with an electric motor, which drive the front wheels through a S Tronic dual-clutch transmission. Needless to say, this isn’t your Aunt Emma’s pokey hybrid. The A1 Sportback’s 27 HP electric motor delivers an extra 110.6 foot pounds of torque during acceleration, and can provide a very respectable range of 62 miles when driven at low speeds in full-electric mode. Leave it to Audi to build a hybrid that can both crawl and fly. The simultaneous drive provides the A1 Sportback with the ability to reach 62 miles per hour (MPH) in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 124 MPH.

Audi A1 Sportback front view

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Inside the Jetta TDI Cup Paddock

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Ever wonder what a grid full of race cars look like after a hard fought race? I wandered into the VW Jetta TDI Cup paddock with my trusty DVX after the first race of a double-header weekend at the NJ Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ last Saturday and had a bit of fun catching these … Read more

Drill, Baby, Drill? Pffffft.

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Drill, Baby, Drill isn’t an answer. It’s a cattle call … for sheep. When you actually look at the numbers, you’ll see that whatever oil America has untapped is but a tiny fraction of what we will ultimately need. Yes, we should increase domestic production, but only on shore. In order to quickly create jobs … Read more

September’s Auto Sales a Sea of Red

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How bad were last month’s auto sales? About as bad as it gets … or perhaps, has gotten, so far. Autoblog’s chart of automotive sales for September 2008 tells the bloody tale. These are frightening times. Every automaker, save three, saw double digit sales volume drops over September 2007, despite aggressive discounting and marketing programs. … Read more

2008 Nissan Versa MPG Review

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Nissan Versa MPG-o-Matic Nissan Versa Review Summary: With solid real-world mileage results and a comfortable ride, the Nissan Versa is a worthy contender. After a 700 mile review, it’s clear that a 40 miles per gallon (MPG) average is well within range for light-footed drivers under the right conditions.

The Nissan Versa competes with the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Chevy Aveo, among others in the subcompact market. Available as both a four door sedan and a five-door liftback, the Versa slots in under the Sentra as the entry-level model in Nissan’s lineup.

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