Day 1 Preview Of The New York Auto Show

2015 New York Auto Show

New York is the last of the big auto show of the season and of course the one of the biggest. All the auto manufacturers have been saving their big releases for this show. 60 national and world wide debuts are shown at the New York Auto Show. Infiniti showed off a new concept with the QX30. It’s a sports meats hatchback, meats SUV it’s going to be the future of crossovers and luxury. Really nice interior and nice on the outside. Infiniti is saying that this is a concept but it will be built.

Ford final brought something that we all have been waiting for a long time for. The Ford Focus RS, this is the hottest hatch Ford has ever brought to the United States. It will have 315 horsepower and 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Also there will be a drifting mood if you would like to drift it. Jaguar has always been the royals car company and they showed off the 2nd generation of the Jaguar XF. all weather all wheel drive and it has a really cool feature. Intelligent speed limiter where if it comes across a change in speed. The XF will speed up or speed down. The thought is you can go into a construction zone and the XF will slow down to help you not get a ticket.

Day 1 Preview Of The New York Auto Show

Test Miles Radio Episode 65

Test Miles Radio Episode 65

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 65

Test Miles Radio Episode 63

Test Miles Radio Episode 63

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 63

Test Miles Radio Episode 62

Test Miles Radio Episode 62

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 62

Test Miles Radio Episode 61

Test Miles Radio Episode 61

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 61

Test Miles Radio Episode 64

Test Miles Radio Episode 64

Test Miles Radio Episode 57 TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 64

Why Buy An All Wheel Drive

Why Buy An All Wheel Drive

Went to some of the roughest condition we could find in North America. Montreal the roads are packed with snow and the temperatures were 25 below freezing so this is the perfect condition to test some All Wheel Drive systems. All Wheel Drive or four wheel drive systems are not just becoming popular with those people that have to navigate freezing icy and snowy conditions, sales are up in the entire country since the vehicles are actually more controllable.

Dealing with unexpected weather or even driving your vehicle onto the beach is much simpler with an all wheel drive system. The on road handling is much more controlled. This is why companies like Audi have all wheel drive in supercars like the R8. The rough conditions in Montreal allow me to test the these vehicles in the worst conditions possible. So who are the winners and who are the losers.

Ram trucks, a no brainer, especially when you include an Eco-Diesel version. the 1500, the 2500, and the Power Wagon eat the snow almost as if it didn’t exist. Needless to say, playing with a snow plow on the Ram 2500 was like being five again in the sandbox. The same goes for the Jeep lineup. It’s almost like the snow didn’t exist and we didn’t play nicey nice. Jeep built an off road course that tested the limits of the vehicles. This course tested hill climbing and dissent, traction control and articulation. The vehicles that got top marks included the all new Jeep Renegade, Jeep Cherokee and the Ram Power Wagon on this “not found in nature” off road course.

Why Buy An All Wheel Drive

2015 Ford Edge

2015 Ford Edge

We went down to Scottsdale Arizona to test drive the brand new Ford Edge. Completely remodeled for 2015 this vehicle has a lot of interesting new features but the most impressive thing to me was the drive and handling. A large family SUV from Ford suddenly got a huge boost in handling and driving capabilities. Ford engineers have been working on making the all new Ford Edge better for well over a decade and the result was worth the wait.

Ford have had 4 years of record sales for the Ford Edge. This is a vehicle that help create the segment now known as a CUV, or Crossover Utility Vehicle; and has maintained its status as #1 in the segment for some time. Crossover vehicles will make up 29% of vehicles sold in the US in 2020 a growth of 4%. 50% of those buyers are women and 60% will keep coming back to the brand for new cars year after year after year.

The Ford Edge has some startling technology in it obstacle avoidacne systems. Vehicle assed parking systems and part out systems that will help get you out of a parking place. The Ford Edge has 3 engine choices, up to 315HP and incorporates Ford’s EcoBoost Technologies. We noticed when looking at the 0-60 times that the Ford Edge on paper loked faster than a BMW X5. So you know we had to put it to the test. The Ford Edge beat the X5 with .1 seconds to spare, and for about $15,000 less that is a very impressive buy.

Pretty immersive vehicle, starting price for the 2015 Ford Edge is just under $29,000 fully loaded the vehicle could be way up into the 30’s and even the $40,000 dollar range and they should be in dealerships shortly.

2015 Ford Edge

GREEN CARS LIVE FROM 13NEWS

GREEN CARS LIVE FROM 13NEWS

TestMiles Radio Episode 59

TestMiles Radio Episode 59

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

TestMiles Radio Episode 59

TestMiles Radio Episode 58

Test Miles Radio Episode 58

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

TestMiles Radio Episode 58

Test Miles Radio Episode 57

Test Miles Radio Episode 57

TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST

Test Miles Radio Episode 57

2015 Subaru Legacy

2015 Subaru Legacy

When we buy something we like it to last, especially when it’s a big purchase like a car. Subaru have the longest lasting midsize sedan in America right now. 96% of Subaru Legacys sold are still on the road. Maybe that is why the company is experiencing good financial times. Well Subaru having some record sales right now, they reported a 22% increase last month from that same time period last year that is 29 months year over year increase in sale. Subaru’s best selling vehicle, is the Forester.

The 2015 Subaru Legacy has four different trim levels. A 4-cylinder and a V6. The best fuel economy that you can possibly get is 26 in the city and 36 on the highway. that is a combined fuel economy of 30 MPG and that is the best combined All-Wheel drive in America. Now the truth is Subaru have had pretty poor interiors of their vehicles, but the 2015 Subaru Legacy has a 7 inch large display. That is new for them. Now it goes on sale for just over $21,000 starting price.

2015 Subaru Legacy

The History Of The Volkswagen Beetle

The History Of The Volkswagen Beetle

Every kid know the most famous road trip game in the country, “Slug Bug”. When you see a Volkswagen Bug on the road you call out the color and tap your travel partner lightly on the arm, “Slug Bug Red.. or White, or Green”. The Volkswagen Bug has come a long way in the last 77 years. It was originally called the Type 1. Europe needed a mass produced economical vehicle that could transport it’s population. Porsche were originally contracted to design and build this new vehicle. Little did Ferdinand Porsche know that this would become the longest running most manufactured car of a single design platform worldwide.

Although it was originally designed in the 19th it is the Beetle was only produced in civets, significant numbers. Starting in the year 1945. The Volkswagen Beetle was always a multipurpose vehicle. It could sustain high speeds on the motorway or autobahn. It could be used for racing and it was clearly a trendsetter. Vehicles like the Fiat Cinquecento and the Mini were all inspired from the Volkswagen Beetle.

In 1998 Volkswagen introduced the new Volkswagen Beetle and even in the 2015 model year, the vehicle retains an unmistakable look. The Volkswagen Beetle is still on the list of affordable subcompact and affordable convertible cars in America. It has become more manly in recent years with wider hips and wider shoulders, a more plummeted stomps animal menacing look. The new Volkswagen Beetle comes in multiple different configurations gasoline, diesel turbocharged, and even a Volkswagen Beetle R line which inherits some racing characteristics from Volkswagen’s long associated relationship with the track. The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle can get up to 41 MPG with the diesel version. The two ups and one down for this car is great starting price at $20,695, spirited drive, and the down would have to be back seat is a little hard to get into.

The History Of The Volkswagen Beetle

What"s New In Showrooms This Year

What’s New In Showrooms This Year

Thanks guys well whats hot in showrooms for the beginning of 2015. This is one of the vehicles. The Toyota Camary. Toyota also bringing the Mirai to market. The Mirai is their first fuel cell vehicle and their showing leadership in a new kind of fuel for America. It will be initially sold in the North East and then California but will drift out to the rest of the Country in the next year or so. Also Toyota showed off a new Tacoma. It was announced at this years Detroit International Auto Show and this smaller tuck is going to be in showrooms at the end of the year.

Another car that is fresh and hot in showrooms this year is brand new Fiat 500x. Now it has a disconnecting rear axle which allows for better fuel economy. It is all wheel drive but disconnect that axle and the fuel economy goes up. Plus there is a drive selector and five different trim levels. This is a small little Italian car that took a little blue and got a hole lot muscly.

Also hitting showrooms this year is a bran new Chevy Volt. Now Chevy put a new engine in the Volt. It also has 5 seats instead of 4. This new Chevy Volt will do 50 miles on electricity alone and 420 miles of total range. And finaly one of the cars that is hitting showrooms this year is the Golf R. This is the most powerful Golf ever sold. 292 horsepower this vehicle goes up against Subaru WRX and the BMW 335i. It’s an all wheel drive vehicle. The Manual will be coming next year but this year we have VW DSG transmission which is an automatic. Starting price is $36,495 dollars. Looking at some fo the new cars that will hit showrooms this year.

What"s New In Showrooms This Year

Preview Of The 2015 Portland International Auto Show

Preview Of The 2015 Portland International Auto Show

The 2015 Portland International Auto Show will take place at the Oregon Convention Center and this year they have some surprises at the show. Including electric cars from Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen. The The Portland International Auto Show will also have the new Chrysler 300 and for first time in Portland a Bugatti Veyron.

When we do well in life we like to reward ourselves. Often those rewards are cars. Now the ultimate reward is obviously a luxury car. It has to have supple leather seats and all the latest gadgets and bits of flashy modern technology, and lets not forget it needs to perform like a thoroughbred racehorse. With a starting price of $54,000 dollars and a combined gas consumption of 18 miles a gallon, the new Kia K9000 is about $20,000 dollars less than some of it’s European competitors. The K900 is definitely fit for a King. Kia has become known as the challenger brand in America, breaking down the ideas of what we thought a luxury car was, and showing us a different road. The price is not the only thing that makes the K900 attractive. Exquisite interior materials and let’s not forget the reclining rear seats. That’s the cherry on the top of this luxury cake. At this years Portland International Auto Show you can get up close and personal with a new premium Land Rover, The Discovery Sport. Starting at just $37,995 dollars. This it looks like the best small Land Rover the company has ever produced. What sets it apart from it’s competitors is a two liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A nine speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive that promises controlled and precise all weather performance. Of course, it’s has Land Rover’s terrain response system which can cope with sand, snow, rocks, mud and on the inside there is seating for seven. The Jaguar F-Type, is at this top of my list of what to buy with my lottery winnings. The F-Type Coupe starts at just $65,000 dollars, which is a highly competitive price in the premium segments, and with its power, agility and distinctive drive the F-Type is a true sports car engineered for high performance and responsive handling a beautiful distinguished body. Supercharged engines, lightweight aluminum construction and advanced driving technologies all deliver an experience that is intuitive, instinctive and definitely makes me feel alive.

All green cars are going to be in one place at this years Portland International Auto Show. The clean Tech Center will have some of the most expensive green cars like the Porsche Panamera Hybrid to every day cars like the all electric Nissan Leaf Last year Nissan sold over 30,000 Leafs. The leaf is becoming a go to car for people who have never considered an electric car and is even attracting customers as far away as Iceland. The Volkswagen E-Golf makes it’s debut at the Portland International Auto Show this year. Hot off the heals of the Golf winning North American Car Of The year, the E-Golf was also named as the North West Electric Car Of The Year. The Golf Platform was designed to fit almost any power train diesel, gas, or electric. One of the biggest attraction of the E-Golf is that it looks just like the gas Golf, but under the god is much greener. The dimensions of the Volkswagen E-Golf are almost identical to the regular Golf. The E-Golf’s 700-pound, 24.2-KWH Lithium Ion battery pack fits flat under the floor, and doesn’t impinge on cargo or passenger interior space. With quite running the 115HP engine is quite enough to pass other cars on the freeway and get you up to speed when you put your foot down. Ford will be showing off their C-MAX at the show with seating for 5 and an fuel economy of 42 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the high way it’s a penny saver. The C-Max is perfect for North West Living with ample cargo space, a small foot print and the size that is easy to park in the city. American car maker Chevrolet will have the Spark electric on display. Starting at under $20,000 the spark can go 82 miles on a charge and brings home the Kelly Blue Book cost to own award.

Preview Of The 2015 Portland International Auto Show

Best Car Superbowl Ads of 2015

Best Car Superbowl Ads of 2015

One of the biggest parts of the Superbowl is the advertisements. This year fewer automakers placed ads in the big game. The controversy of ads in the big game started well before this years match with TV’s Katie Couric. She was a BMW ambassador for the new BMW i3 add but she admitted that she actually drives an Audi. The BMW ad showing off the i3 was a bit of a miss. If the past hosts of The Today Show can’t figure out an electric car, what hope does the rest of mankind have?

Kia comes into the game with a stacked deck after being our choice for winner last year, and this year they pulled even more from the magicians hat with James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan. Pierce is being pitched a new roll that includes him driving the new Kia Sorento. Lots of special effects are finished off with pierce asking if he can keep the car. Jeep pulls at our heartstrings with their rendition of this land is your land. But this commercial was far from just about America. It shows the new Jeep Renegade all over the world. With new Jeep manufacturing plants being built in China and Brazil. This was Jeep telling us they are an international company. Dodge had some words of wisdom from those people who are older and told us they have learned a lot in a 100 years.

The clear crowning glory goes to an ad for the new Fiat 500x. When an Italian elderly lover lose his little blue pill. It pops into the gas tank of a Fiat 500. The result is the 500x. Only Fiat could do this. This was my best automotive ad of the Superbowl. Who would not want to drive a car that had taken a little blue pill. Although I pick a car commercial winner each year. Manufacturers hope they will all be winners with big sales from the Big Game.

Best Car Superbowl Ads of 2015