Sunday, September 13, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4
2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4
A reader asked us if the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 van really as capable as Mercedes-Benz say it is. Yes it is and to prove it we are going to put it through it’s paces in British Columbia. You might think of Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand, but in fact their commercial division defines the segment in many parts of the world. These large cargo vans are just known as Sprinter vans regardless of the manufacturer. Mercedes-Benz showed off their latest luxury vehicles in New York last week including the replacement for the ML, the new luxury passenger 5 seater SUV the GLE.
So when it comes to 4X4 vans how does the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter stack up? These vehicles are tough, 60% of the buyers are construction companies. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter serves multiple user needs. 5 models, and no competitor offers a 4X4. 30% of vans in New York are Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and I like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as much as the next guy. But the fact that you only have to service them every 20,000 miles. A 7 foot tail person can stand up in one and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has 600 cubic feet of space. Added to this the rough and ready 4X4 capability makes them a great business choice.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be a star of the new Jurassic World movie, which I am sure will make it more popular. Now for the bad news, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4 are sold out until September. The success is so high that Mercedes-Benz are bringing a new smaller van to America in October the Metris. It will start under $30,000. The 4X4 system will cost you an extra $6,500 but since the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the only one that offers a 4X4 system it’s the best in class.
2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4X4
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Test Miles Radio Episode 66
Test Miles Radio Episode 66
TestMiles Radio is heard on KXL/101.1 FM radio every Sunday at 10:00am PST
Test Miles Radio Episode 66
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Day 2 Of The New York Auto Show
Day 2 Of The 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. Chevrolet revealed the the 9th generation of the Malibu today. Larger and more fuel efficient and the Hybrid is expected to get 47 MPG. The Malibu will be available late fall. Nissan showed off a brand new Maxima that was inspired by the Blue Angels. The designers took at them and design the interior and exterior from it.
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 2 Of The New York Auto Show
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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
Sunday, March 29, 2015
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
Friday, March 27, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
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
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
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
Saturday, February 14, 2015
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
Monday, February 9, 2015
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