VW Jetta Hybrid

When it comes to a hybrid sedan, Volkswagen will not be left out. Up until recently, the only Volkswagen sedan you could get for fuel efficiency was a diesel, which was just as full efficient as the hybrids, there was still demands for Volkswagen to make a hybrid sedan. Beginning in 2013, the VW Jetta hybrid will be available for loyal VW customers who have been wanting a hybrid over the fuel dependent sedans.

The Features

The VW Jetta hybrid has many amazing features and comes with the same build of the popular body style of the regular Jetta. Just like its predecessor, this little car is spacious, powerful and dependable, all of which help to build the VW brand. The Jetta hybrid actually reached the 50 mile per gallon mark, which blows the competition away. If it is the features about the Jetta that you love, not to worry as they are all features in the Jetta hybrid also.

In essence, the Jetta sedan that VW customers love so much is Jetta in hybrid form. The only complaint has to do with the navigational system that customers do not seem very thrilled with. Even though the system is up to date and useful, it does not provide traffic information. For those customers who have a Smartphone, the GPS system does provide this feature so not having this feature on the hybrid is just slightly inconvenient.

The Price

Besides the navigational system, the only other bad thing about the Jetta hybrid is the price tag, which may cause loyal VW lovers to shy away. A basic model sedan comes with a price of just around $25,000 with a fully loaded sedan fetching a price tag of just over 35,000, which is a bit pricey. This price averages out to be about $5,000 more that the competitors for a fully loaded version. Unfortunately this price may make loyal VW owners rethink getting a hybrid even though there are very few complaints regarding the hybrid. It is well built, provides a smooth ride and all the features are well liked.

All in all, most people seem very pleased with their purchase of the 2013 Jetta hybrid even though the price is a bit high and it does not have all the features other vehicles have. Still, it is fuel efficient, luxurious, and reliable plus the fact that it tested extremely well and comes with a company that will be there to help you should any issues arise. The bottom line is that the 2013 Jetta hybrid delivers on everything it promises like fuel efficiency with a smooth quiet ride and all the competitors do not.

O'Steen Volkswagen is your premier Jacksonville Volkswagen dealership. Our convenient location allows us to serve all of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Visit our website today for the best deals on VW's.

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Mercedes SLS - Electric Supercar

Mercedes have been producing high performance cars for many years, providing highly exhilarating performance cars. If Mercedes high performance cars weren't enough, Mercedes has a tuning brand named AMG, that produce highly tuned, and in some cased track oriented performance race cars based on the current Mercedes model lineup.

Mercedes being an innovative brand have ventured into the electric platform with the help of Tesla. The new version of the Mercedes SLS is an electric vehicle, can an electric supercar work?

What is it.

Mercedes have developed a unique state of the art electric car based on the Mercedes SLS sports car. While the "regular" Mercedes SLS AMG, develops 583 bhp from a 6.2 liter V8 engine, the Mercedes E - SLS develops 751 bhp, as electric motors provide all available torque from a standstill, that massive power difference is even more prominent.

Mercedes claim the Mercedes SLS AMG 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) is 3.7 seconds, while the electric Mercedes E - SLS accelerates to the same speed in 3.9 seconds, that does not sound like a big difference compared to the available power, but you need to consider that the Mercedes E - SLS weighs 500 kg more that the standard model, that puts the figures in perspective.

Having a powerful electric motor allows for instant power delivery, overcoming the Mercedes E - SLS's higher weight, and producing extreme performance. Unfortunately, enjoying the high availability of outright power and performance comes at a price, the batteries deplete very fast and require nearly 20 hours to recharge.

The impact.

With the ever changing regulatory demands, emission standards, added pressure on automakers to reduce fuel consumption, engine size, engine power output and engine noise, it seemed the days of high performance supercars are coming to an end.

Latest innovations in electric motor design, and high powered efficient electric batteries, are changing the game. Tesla have proven that a sporty electric car is viable with the Tesla Roadster, and the addition of the Tesla Model S, high performing electric platforms do work.

Mercedes wanted to showcase an electric supercar with the Mercedes E - SLS, and they have done so, the unique characteristics, performance and usability (if a bit range restrictive), prove that there will always be super performance cars available, for a decent price tag, in this case $200,000.

Emerging technologies are proving that high performance automobile will not disappear form the market place. As long as there is demand for high performance cars and dedicated race oriented cars, there will be a technological answer.

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The Intriguing BMW I8 Concept Car

There has never been a lack of designs that provide us with hints on what the cars of the future are going to look like, with Japan and German car makers making the most interesting and realistic-looking concepts, that could get into mass production in the near future. One such car is the BMW i8 concept, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and it's expected that the Bavarian car manufacturer is going to start producing it in 2013. It's also known as BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, and is part of BMW's "Project i".

This is a plug-in hybrid, that is powered by a high-performance 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder combustion engine, providing 220 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, that works in tandem with two electric motors. This combination provides excellent performances, reminiscent of the best sports cars in the world, but also makes for a very good fuel efficiency at the same time. So, it goes from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 160 mph. The fuel consumption is rated at 70 mpg, and it has an ultra-low emissions rating of 99 grams per kilometer, according to the manufacturer. You can travel up to 20 miles before the lithium-ion batteries need to be recharged, which is one of the aspects of the i8 that must be improved.

Inside, this coupe can accommodate 4 people, with two pairs of sports leather seats in the front and the back. The control panels and all the instruments are arranged in a way that allows you to enjoy a sporty and aggressive ride, and still be in control of the vehicle. There are three-dimensional displays which give information on engine speed, navigation and entertainment functions, as well as battery levels.

The exterior design makes it look as a real futuristic car. It has a lightweight, aluminum chassis, with the sunroof, windows and windshield made of polycarbonate glass. The doors and the roof are completely transparent, which gives you a clear view of the inside and provides a lot of light into the cabin. But, the innovations don't stop here. The BMW i8 features something that is rarely seen on cars - laser lighting. There are laser headlights instead of LED lights, which makes the car a lot more energy efficient than most similar concept cars.

This amazing sports car should become available for purchase in 2014, and according to some speculations, it will definitely cost over $150,000.

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At a Glance: 2014 Cadillac ELR

Vehicle electrification has arrived at Cadillac and the model that gets this 21st century technology is an elegant, sport coupe dubbed ELR. ELR stands for "extended luxury range" or what was once the Converj Concept. The 2014 Cadillac ELR is based on the same platform underpinning the Chevrolet Volt, but has its own body and an updated version of the Volt powertrain.

Slippery Design

The ELR's .305 coefficient of drag underscores this coupe's angular body lines. Typical Cadillac "art & science" design is evident, with strong contours, a creased hood, broad shoulders and sweeping body lines evident throughout. The ELR is reminiscent of the Cadillac CTS Coupe, but its design is its own and the differences between the two models are most evident across the roof line and rear pillars.

The 2014 Cadillac ELR is a front-wheel drive 2+2 coupe. It is a compact car, but it weighs in at 4,070 pounds. Under the hood is a 1.4-liter four cylinder gas engine that is paired with a single speed automatic transmission. Electric motors supply energy for up to the first 35 miles with the gasoline engine kicking in once depleted. All told, the vehicle's range is well over 300 miles.

ELR Dimensions

Riding on 20-inch cast aluminum wheels that are set within all-season tires, the Cadillac ELR features electric power steering, four channel ABS, stability control, traction control and drag control.

This model sits on a 106.1-inch wheelbase and is 186 inches long, by 72.7 inches wide by 55.9 inches tall. Front headroom measures 36.9 inches and there is 34.7 inches in the rear. Front shoulder room comes in at 55.2 inches to 49.9 inches in the rear. Front hip room measures 52.9 inches to 48.6 inches in the rear. Leg room comes in at 42.2 inches up front to 33.6 inches in the back seat. The Cadillac ELR offers 9 cubic feet of trunk storage.

Cabin Amenities

Inside, the Cadillac ELR cabin offers front sport bucket seats and fold down rear seats that extend storage capacity. This vehicle is outfitted with Cadillac CUE, the brand's telematics and connectivity platform, and features leather seating surfaces, chrome trim and ambient lighting. A 10-speaker Bose audio system with noise cancellation technology is standard.

Cadillac designed the ELR cabin with a driver focus, providing an eight-inch configurable instrument panel and display to provide four levels of technical information. That information includes your driving range, charging options, energy usage, infotainment options and other features.

ELR Production 

Production of the Cadillac ELR is expected to start late in 2013 at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant. That facility builds the Chevrolet Volt as well as the Holden Volt and Opel Ampera. At present, GM is sending its EV to 21 countries with the Cadillac ELR slated to debut in North America first with a roll out to Europe, China and elsewhere starting in 2014.

The ELR comes in the midst of a Cadillac renaissance that is bringing new models to the vehicle line at a rapid pace. In 2012, the XTS and ATS sedans were released. Updates to the CTS, SRX and Escalade lines will begin in 2014 and a smaller crossover is also being planned.

Matt Keegan is a freelance automotive writer. He is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including Fabtech Lifts and KYB Shocks.

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About the 2014 Fiat 500L

Fiat fans in the United States have grown a bit impatient in recent years as the Italian brand continues to hawk just one model: the Fiat 500. That vehicle is available in various permutations, but when you get down to that it is still a 500 whether it is sold as a coupe, a cabriolet or as an Abarth. Come 2015, we'll see upwards of six new Fiat models introduced to the North American market, but before then we'll see yet another version of the 500 hit highways and byways by this summer. The 2014 Fiat 500L is that model, a five-door extended version of the popular Italian mini. Here is what we know about this model.

Fiat 500L

Form meets function with the Fiat 500L. This model sits on a stretched wheelbase version of the standard model and offers room for up to five occupants. Besides the longer wheelbase, the two added side doors makes this model easy to enter and leave, making it possible for rear riding occupants to actually have the legroom required to make their trip more than just bearable.

Fiat has a middle seat arrangement for the 500L, something to consider if you need a car that can carry five people in a pinch. Otherwise, that position's seat can be folded down, to give two rear seating passengers access to cup holders and an arm rest.

Performance Specifications

Fiat is leaving nothing to chance with the 500L, equipping this model with its turbocharged 1.4-liter four cylinder engine and pairing it with a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Fiat's MultiAir technology ensures that every engine performs optimally, delivering quick acceleration and top speed on demand.

The Fiat 500L engine makes 160 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. Either transmission choice allows for spirited driving, something that this car delivers on its tiny frame.

Interior Highlights

The "L" in the 500L stands for "length" or extended length, but it could just as easily stand for luxury especially when this model is fully equipped. You get seven standard airbags, Bluetooth connectivity and a tilt and telescopic steering column. You also can opt for a navigation system, an upgraded audio package, SiriusXM satellite radio and a sunroof.

Fiat also makes available leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a larger UConnect touchscreen. More than a half dozen exterior colors including a contrasting white or black roof with coordinated side mirror caps gives this vehicle a unique look.

Urban Utility Vehicle

Early marketing of the Fiat 500L reveals a car that has a roomy interior, ample storage capacity and unique design features including LED treatments that surround the head lamps. We don't know the full measurements of this vehicle yet, but if you're cross-shopping the MINI Countryman, you've found a good place to start.

The Fiat 500L is being plugged as an urban utility vehicle. This front-wheel-drive model should be acceptable for most, but a lack of all-wheel-drive availability will temper its utility vehicle credentials. Still, with its roomy interior and expanded storage capacity, the Fiat 500L does for the brand something that no other Fiat has done thus far: given us room to carry four passengers and their stuff in style.

Matt Keegan is a freelance automotive writer. He is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including BMW rims and aftermarket auto parts.

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irst Drive 2014 Jaguar XFR-S: 550 Horses, Four Doors and A Whole Lot of Fun

Today, I went to an autocross day sponsored by Jaguar to put their latest models through their paces in a manner not generally suitable for the open road. While drifting an XJ and throwing an XKR around a corner was undeniably fun, I was surprised and ecstatic when the Jaguar marketing guy pointed toward a brand-spanking-new Italian Racing Red XFR-S and asked me if I wanted to take it for a spin, on a closed course no less. Me, trying to be nonchalant said "sure." But, I think he may have seen through my mask of cool nonchalance when I nearly knocked the poor guy over sprinting to the Jag's driver's seat.

Before I get into what it was like to actually drive the $99,000 2014 Jaguar XFR-S in a spirited manner (I think this may actually be the first published review of a drive in the XFR-S), here is a little primer on the car. As the baddest high performance member of the Jaguar XF clan and the most powerful Jaguar sedan ever produced, the XFR-S boasts the 550 horse 502 pound-feet supercharged 5.0 liter V8 as the XKR-S coupe. For those keeping score, that's a 40 horse and 41 pound-feet bump over the XFR, all the while matching the XFR's 23 mpg highway. Routing that power through a ZF eight-speed Quickshift transmission and the XFR-S hits 60 miles-per-hour in a scant 4.4s.

The XFR-S is equipped with Jaguar's Electronic Active Differential and Dynamic Stability Control systems, though they have been re-tuned to maximize the XFR-S's increased grunt. Thorough front and rear suspension upgrades better steering response and increase lateral stiffness up to 30 percent, which you can really tell on hard acceleration and in the turns (more on that later). Aerodynamic changes, like an absurdly large carbon fiber wing and rear diffuser, set the XFR-S apart visually and reduce lift by 68 percent. Inside its all contrast stitching, carbon fiber, bolstered seats and dark Alcantara. It's a very nice place to be.

Okay, so what's it like to drive? So glad you asked. In a word... smooth. Fast, precise, confident and... smooth. When climbing into most 550 horse cars you generally have to do just that, climb. They're often low sportscars with thick door sills. Not so with the Jaguar XFR-S. While it is lower than a regular XF, it is still a fairly large sedan, so ingress and egress is easy. The driving position is fantastic. With Jaguar's 20-way adjustable seats and power tilt and telescoping steering wheel there is no reason not to find just the right fit. The seats' power adjustable bolsters are also quite nice as you can essentially decide whether your seat is a slip-and-slide or a hug from your dear aunt Ida. I opt for Ida.

With an air of expectation of what's to come, I step on the brake and hold down the start/stop button. On ignition you're treated to a sonorous V8 rumble that you feel as much as hear. Hit the gas and that rumble very quickly turns into a roar. Man, this car sounds good, way better I ever would image a Jaguar sedan would sound. I knew then that I was in for a very fun drive.

Spin the XFR-S's gear selector right past drive and into sport, and I'm all set to go. I take a second to let a wayward pedestrian pass in front of me and pull to the starting line. Yay. The first part of the course is a short straightaway into a hairpin turn. Double yay. I punch the accelerator and I'm off in a cloud of dust and squealing tires.

Sixty passes in 4.4 seconds. The acceleration is strong, linear and constant but still pins you to the seat. I keep the go-pedal floored until around 80 mph before braking into the turn, hard. I go from 80 to what feels like a crawl in no time flat. The Jag's big brakes clamp down and shed speed remarkably well. There isn't even a hint of wobble in the wheel under very hard braking. Like I said... smooth.

The XFR-S's stiffened suspension and various stability and differential control systems are set to a minimally invasive setting. Even without any insistent computer forcing me to slow down, the medium-sized Jag corners incredibly flat and precise. The steering isn't quite as hard as I would like, but apexes are easy to find and even easier to hit. In theory the tires squeal, but I'm too focused on the drive to hear them.

Reluctantly, after entirely too short a time, I pull the XFR-S back into its parking spot and climb out. But, I climb out having driven the Jaguar XFR-S, one of the best high performance sedans I have ever experienced. I am very very impressed with this car. It goes like the dickens, stops like it runs into a brick wall and turns like it's on rails. The Jaguar XFR-S hits dealers this summer with a price tag starting at $99,000. Not cheap, but well worth a look.

Technical Specifications:

• Engine: 5.0 liter Supercharged V8
• Peak Power: 550 hp 6500 rpm
• Peak Torque: 502 lb-ft at 2500-5500 rpm
• Transmission: ZF 8-Speed Quickshift Automatic
• 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
• Top Speed: 186 mph (electronically limited)
• Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city / 23 mpg Highway

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New Bentley SUV 4x4 Planned for 2014

The historical prestigious car manufacturer, the Bentley Motor Car company has always been at the pinnacle of British automotive engineering and up there with Rolls Royce when it comes to prestigious luxury car manufacturing and design. Even Queen Elizabeth II has two of the "Bentley Arnage R" models as her 'State Limousine'.

Even Bentleys' roots stem from its early years in technically advanced engineering and development practices, coupled with the company's phenomenal start in the motoring racing world with its run of successful victories at the famous 24 hour Le Mans race in France, with a staggering five time race victories during a "10 year" time span.

Bentley have always tried to push the envelope where automotive excellence is concerned and aims to give the best luxury driving experience possible, so its no surprise to learn that Bentley have now announced the development for a new vehicle in their new luxury line-up. The announcement came from the new Bentley motors boss "Wolfgang Durheimer" and confirmed months of speculation that Bentley will be producing a 4x4 SUV model, which should be launched sometime in 2014.

The luxury car marque which is owned by The Volkswagen Group, will be using some its parent company's technology and also using the chassis from the new forthcoming Audi Q7 4x4 SUV. This step into the SUV market is an aim at the upper luxury end of the spectrum and to fill the gap in the current range.

Many of the other luxury car marques are currently producing SUVs in this prestigious motoring sector, although none that should be able to rival Bentley's planned esteemed four-wheeled drive offering. This is also a good move financially as like many of the other luxury car manufactures Bentley Motors are enjoying growing car sales in all of the new and emerging automotive markets, like China, India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates to name a few. This new addition to the Bentley stable is sure to be welcomed in the USA which is another big market for Bentley motor cars, where in recent years certain car brands have struggled, but Bentley seems to be bucking the trend.

The new Bentley SUV will be likely to feature a newly developed Audi V12 TDi engine with immense power that will suit the Bentley SUV and the loyal Bentley car buyers across the globe. As this diesel will undoubtedly return a better average mile to the gallon economy, but also mean is slightly greener option as a power unit for the planned 4x4.

Gregory Greene is writing on behalf of Bramleys in Surrey, the best choice for a Bentley Dealer or when choosing specialist for a complete Classic car restoration and to purchase your next prestigious or luxury motor car.

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