1969 Volkswagen Beetle on 2040-cars

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2016 Volkswagen Golf GTE First Drive [w/video]

For the past few years I've enjoyed a simple automotive tradition: When planning a European vacation, I request a relatively attainable loaner car that's unavailable in the States. These slices of can't-get-it-at-home automotive exotica have tended to be clean diesels, and experiencing them in their native habitat ahead of their US debuts often gives some form of four-wheeled revelation. For instance, before the mainstream emergence of clean diesels stateside, I racked up 1,500 miles on a then-brand-new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. The otherwise unassuming sedan enabled me to cannonball from the South of France to Barcelona on a single tank of fuel, while delivering satisfying torque around town and averaging 41 mpg. The following year, I bombed through the Italian Alps in a Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI, which eked a claimed 17 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor. Once again, I was in car guy heaven, returning home with nothing but praise for these efficient, entertaining diesels that seemed to defy conventional wisdom. And then came the Volkswagen scandal, single-handedly besmirching so-called clean diesels and everything they purported to represent. With a European pleasure trip around the corner (and a request for a press car pending with VW), I wondered what would be waiting for me curbside when I touched down at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola. The GTE packs what is essentially an Audi A3 E-Tron beneath its familiar skin. Enter The High Performance Hybrid Volkswagen, quite understandably, didn't want to arm a journalist with potentially damning commentary about the technology that has already inspired environmental outrage and the ousting of CEO Martin Winterkorn. For the automaker in peril (and the auto writer in waiting), I soon discovered that the 'clean' diesel elephant in the room would be supplanted with a vehicle that could single-handedly deflect controversy. My loaner? A still-can't-get-it-back-home alternative to diesel, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid. First off, let me admit to some prejudicial bias against the GTE. Maybe it's my personal views on hybrids, tainted by the eco self-righteousness exuded by their drivers back home, and epitomized by teeming swarms of Prius drivers who couldn't give a single damn about driving. Or maybe it's the added weight and complexity of a hybrid drivetrain that runs counter to my petrol-loving soul.

Paris Motor Show and a Subaru luxury brand? | Autoblog Podcast #556

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Green Editor John Beltz Snyder. They kick off this episode with driving impressions of the new 2019 Aston Martin V8 Vantage and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Then they recap the 2019 Paris Motor Show, and talk about their favorite cars from the event. They answer some reader mail and try to answer the question: Should Subaru have its own luxury brand?Autoblog Podcast #556 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving: Aston Martin V8 Vantage and VW Jetta Our favorite cars from the 2019 Paris Motor Show Spend Subaru's Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Green Podcasts Paris Motor Show Aston Martin Automakers Subaru Volkswagen Coupe Electric Luxury Performance Sedan aston martin v8 vantage

This week in EVs: Electric Jeeps, Chevy Equinox, reborn VW bus

There's going to be tons of car news next week as the Detroit Auto Show makes its return after 48 years. OK, so the pandemic and the show's shifting calendar only made it feel like 48 years, but January 2019 was still a long time ago. As we await that wave of headlines, let's look back at the substantial week that already was, specifically in terms of the electric car news that broke. Electric Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S blaze trail to brand's EV future Jeep declared Thursday to be 4xe Day as it revealed loads of previously unknown information about its future electrification efforts. The biggest surprise was the extremely cool and 100% electric Jeep Recon. Although it looks like a Wrangler, it's absolutely not a Wrangler replacement, and is indeed quite different for reasons besides its powertrain (independent front and rear suspension, fully enclosed fenders, fixed roof). As the photos attest, though, you'll be able to remove the doors and rear-quarter windows just like a Wrangler. And again, it's electric. Expect the Recon to be one of the most eagerly anticipated new vehicles over the next couple of years. Yes, years, plural. Production will start in 2024 with reservations accepted starting early next year. Jeep Recon View 5 Photos   There was then the Wagoneer S. Despite the name, it isn't a sportier Wagoneer variant or even an electric Wagoneer. In fact, the name is temporary according to chief designer Ralph Gilles. This sleek SUV, which sure looks like Jeep's attempt at a Range Rover Vilar (not a bad thing), will apparently have a 600-horsepower electric powertrain. It too will be produced in North America starting in 2024 with reservations starting early next year. Jeep Wagoneer S View 4 Photos   There actually WILL be an electrified Wagoneer, however: the Grand Wagoneer 4xe PHEV. That's good since the Grand Wagoneer gets pretty atrocious fuel economy. Details were light regarding specs, but we did get a half-decent photo. Finally, the first of these electrified Jeeps to launch will be the Avenger. Yes, Chrysler/Stellantis is dusting off an old Dodge name for a Jeep. That Dodge in question wasn't sold in Europe, though (good for them), which is important since the Jeep Avenger will only be sold on the other side of the pond. It's mechanically based on the same platform as several French Stellantis EV SUVs, and only goes 249 miles on the far more generous European WLTP test cycle.