2010 VW Rabbit TDI Will Hop [Sorry] Into The U.S. Next Fall

2010 Volkswagen Rabbit TDI Spy Photo

Eagerly anticipated by environmentalists and Vee Dub fans, the 2010 eco-friendly, diesel-fueled VW Rabbit TDI will be introduced to the U.S. in the fall of ‘09. According the VW, the Rabbit TDI’s will be released in a limited number and are intended to measure the market’s receptiveness of compact, diesel cars.

Powered by VW’s 2.0L Clean Diesel engine, the 2010 Rabbit TDI features the same performance as a standard-fuel Rabbit but with double the fuel efficiency. Featuring an EPA fuel consumption estimate of 50 mpg combined, the Rabbit TDI also delivers 140-hp and 235 lb-ft of torque - not to shabby for such a green machine. To separate it from the herd [again, sorry], the 2009 Rabbit TDI will get half the murder treatment, with a dark charcoal/black chrome replacing the usual platinum chrome finish. Price estimates place the 2009 VW Rabbit TDI at around $18k, and I can honestly say that I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

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2011 Jaguar XJ Spy Shots Revealed, Sir William Lyons Turns In His Grave

Jaguar XJ Concept

Spy shots and concept photos published in British publication Car [which I came across via Autopia] reveal a Jaguar XJ that has been redesigned to ensure that Jaguar ultimately meets the same fate as Volvo: obscurity and unpopularity. Abandoning the traditional makeup WHICH MADE THEM LEGENDARY - ahem, excuse me - Jaguar’s design chief Ian Callum appears to have engineered yet another interchangeably-styled luxury sedan. 2011 XJ test mules that were spotted on the test track were heavily disguised under the body work of the current model XJ saloon’s, but I’m not fooled. According to sources, the Jaguar XJ’s new design direction is a heavy crossbreeding of the Aston Martin Rapide and the Bentley Continental GT, which several auto enthusaists have heralded as a much-needed revision of the Jaguar XJ’s “outdated style.”

Sigh.

Ok. Let me break this down for you: When Ford bought Volvo in 1999 they performed the same kind of overhaul, abandoning the “turbo brick” styling. The result was a retooled Volvo that looked like little more than a high-end Ford Taurus. Now, thanks to that brilliant maneuver, Volvo’s popularity as a brand has been “put in the back on the discount rack, like another can of beans,” [to quote Billy Joel]. The only motorists that are still enthusiastic about Volvo are the loyjala fanatiker like myself who remain true to the original Volvo line, manufactured from 1927 to 1999. As a matter of fact, if you ever crack open the pages of Rolling Magazine [the official publication of the Volvo Club Of America], you’ll notice a distinct lack of anything influenced by Ford.

2011 Jaguar XF Spy Photos

Like Volvo, Jaguar’s design isn’t merely an odd, “outdated” aesthetic, it’s a tradition-rich design upon which Jaguar’s legacy has been built. If it’s drastically altered to resemble yet another Bentley look-alike, you will effectively destroy the only traditional thread the Jaguar XJ had left to cling to. Granted, the entire Jaguar line has suffered a fall from popularity, but tampering with it’s only remaining prize-winning formula isn’t going to change that. I say to Jaguar: leave the XJ alone and focus instead on fine-tuning the two models that are already trying to embolden the mix, the Jaguar XK and the XF. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself sitting next to Volvo on the discount shelf…I hope you like beans.

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The 30 Cheapest New Cars For 2008-2009 [And By "Cheapest" We Mean "Nothing We Usually Mean"]

We know we bitch and moan about a lot of the entry level sedans currently on the market - they’re always too small or too slow or too ugly. If you were to hazard a guess based simply on what we write, you’d assume we make beer runs in late model German luxury sedans, but we don’t. Our fervent ride lust is dampened considerably after we balance the checkbook, and when it comes right down to it, all we really need is a good, reliable car to get us from Point A to Point B. We assume that most car buyers are currently in the same boat, so we decided to temporarily abandon our unadulterated hate for penny racers like the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa and assemble an objective, unbiased list of the least expensive, best new car bets for 2008-2009.

1. 2009 Hyundai Accent [$11,745 - $14, 595]

2. 2009 Chevy Aveo [$12,120 - $14, 255]


3. 2008 smart fortwo [$12,235 - $17,235]

4. 2009 Toyota Yaris [$13,625 - $14,425]

5. 2009 Nissan Versa [$13,685 - $14,685]

6. 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer [$14,865]

7. 2008 Toyota Corolla [$15,065 - $17,075]

8. 2008 Chevy Cobalt [$15,070 - $15,780]

9. 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 [$15,160 - $19,945]

10. 2008 Scion xD [$15,170 - $15,970]

11. 2008 Honda Civic [$15,480 - $19,380]

12. 2008 Dodge Caliber [$15,545 - $19,890]

13. 2009 Ford Focus [$15,690 - $18,665]

14. 2008 Scion tC [$15,920 - $18,420]

15. 2009 Scion xB [$16,370 - $17,320]

16. 2008 Saturn Astra [$16,495 - $18,995]

17. 2009 Suzuki SX4 [$16,499 - $17,599]

18. 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit [$16,540 - $19,640]

19. 2009 Toyota Matrix [$16,850 - $18,920]

20. 2009 Pontiac G5 [$16,935]

21. 2008 Subaru Impreza [$17,640 - $19,640]

22. 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser [$17,920]

23. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta [$17,990 - $19,649]

24. 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle [$18,125 - $19,200]

25. 2008 MINI Cooper [$18,700]

26. 2009 Ford Fusion [$18,860 - $20,000]

27. 2009 Mazda MAZDA5 [$18,665 - $19,775]

28. 2009 Toyota Camry [$19,805]

29. 2008 Mazda MAZDA6 [$19,810]

30. 2008 Nissan Altima [$19,315]

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2009 Honda Insight Prepares For Parisian Debut

Today, Honda has confirmed that a bigger, updated model of their hybrid vehicle, the Honda Insight, will make its green entrance at the Paris auto show in October. Introduced in 1999, the Honda Insight is technically billed as the first mass produced hybrid vehicle and, in theory, should’ve beat the Toyota Prius at it’s own game. Unfortunately, in addition to being the leaders in hybrid technology, Honda was also the leader in aesthetically revolting exterior design. The latter distinction ultimately cost them big time; from 1999 to 2006, the Honda Insight only sold a total of 17,001 units. Expected to hit dealer showrooms in April, the 2009 Honda Insight will ditch the 2-passenger, covered rear wheel layout in favor of a five-passenger hatchback and will look absolutely nothing like its rival, the Toyota Prius. We jest, of course.

‘See The 09 Insight After The Jump

2009 Honda Insight

After licking their wounds, Honda sent the Insight back to the drawing board and for 2009, will reveal a fresh design shaded heavily with Prius-brand colored pencils. With a completely new platform, the 2009 Honda Insight adds room for three more passengers and loses those gross first generation rear panels. Although the Insight’s gasoline engine will be its primary power source, the electric motor will generate energy for the car’s auxiliary functions as well as provide additional power for accelerating, starting, and stopping. Surprisingly, the Insight’s upgrade does not spell price inflation - quite the opposite, in fact. Specifics have yet to be released, but Honda has confirmed that the Insight will retail for less than the both the $22,660 Civic Hybrid and the $21,500 Toyota Prius.

We say: We sympathize with Honda because they did it first, Toyota just did it better. We’re sincerely rooting for the Honda Insight, and if we manage to get our hands on a Prius and an Insight, we just might have to schedule a drag race shootout.

[Photo & News Source: Auto News]

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1972 Custom Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: Moderation Is For Pussies

Even through the pain of the after-effects of last night’s drinking binge, we still managed to work ourselves into a lather over our eBay Motors Find of the Day: a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. For some hot-rodders, there’s a point where a ride can jump the shark, and it’s usually somewhere between “Lambo doors” and “Louis Vuitton upholstery.”

We here at RideLust, however, can’t get enough of “tastefully overdone” custom jobs - and we absolutely lost our minds over this one. Its got everything we cream over: suicide doors, 12″ sub woofers, a remote-start Corvette LS-1 engine, and it’s positively drenched in Louis leather.

To view full gallery, click “Read More”

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Shoppers of Nissan GT-R to face Dealer Mark-ups as High as $60,000 over MSRP

As the arrival date of the first of 1500 Nissan GT-R’s bound for the states draws closer the inevitable is starting to take shape. Despite Nissan’s efforts to thwart it general economic principles are going to take the GT-R and run high with it. That is what the fellas at ExhaustNote learned in their survey of various Nissan Dealerships around the country. The high demand for the Nissan GT-R is running smack into a small supply here in the US and that is going to result in premium pricing. To put it simply… do not expect to pay that MSRP price of $69,000.

If you were finding a $69,000 price tag to be a reasonable price and nicely inside your car budget will it still be so with a $20,000 premium? How about a $40,000 premium? What about a mark-up of $60,000? Would a resulting sales price of $129,000 take the Nissan GT-R out of your reasonable car market even considering the high demand? (more…)

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