PORTLAND, ORE — Quirky is apparently the new cool. First Nissan with its Juke, now Hyundai with its Veloster. Two very different vehicles to be sure, but with one common characteristic: There’s nothing currently on the market quite like them.
Thank goodness, and it’s about damn time.
MPG-o-Matic 2011 Mazdaspeed3 Review Summary: Dollar-for-dollar, the 2011 Mazdaspeed3 delivers surprising levels of both performance and fuel efficiency. The official numbers fail to tell the true tale. To the unknowing, the Speed3 looks like a Mazda3, with cosmetic touches; it’s what’s under the skin that makes all the difference.
The 2011 Ford Fiesta breaks new ground on a number of levels, with the optional PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission being the perfect case-in-point.
It’s not often that we get to test a vehicle with both manual and automatic transmissions comprehensively. We had that opportunity with the 2011 Fiesta, spending a week with a manual (back in early autumn) and an automatic (just recently).
The Fiesta’s PowerShift transmission isn’t just the only six-speed automatic in its class. It’s also the only dual-clutch design. While the Honda Fit is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo and Hyundai Accent are fitted with four-speed automatics.
Why hasn’t MINI brought their fantastically fuel-efficient diesel-powered MINI D here to the States?
It’s largely a question of dollars and sense.
The current MINI D uses the 1.6-liter DLD-416 (DV6) I4 turbo-diesel engine. Versions of this engine can be found under the hood of various Citroëns, Fords, Mazdas, Peugeots, and Volvos. The engine is built through a partnership between Ford and Peugeot.
Quite simply, it’s not BMW/MINI’s engine and the investment in producing a 50-state certified version of the engine is not in the cards.
MPG-o-Matic 2010 Volkswagen GTI Review Summary: The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is the latest incarnation of the “Original German Hot Hatch,” and it’s a winner in every way, as the Mark VI GTI delivers thrilling performance, solid fuel economy, excellent handling, and a wonderful cabin. Choosing a GTI over the extremely thrifty Golf TDI comes down to the trade-off between fuel-efficiency and performance.
