The mid-sized four-door has returned with a sticker price of about $8,000 cheaper than the 2012 model, now at  $20,800. There are a few other basic modifications too, including 3.5 more inches to the total length of the car, and the distance between the front and rear wheels had been stretched by about the same amount, which means MORE passenger room!

Volkswagen producers say that the new size of the mid-sized sedan will give North American buyers the kind of size they want and need. The outer changes are the only additions that are being considered, however. The new interior styling is inspired by the Volkswagen’s new Touareg. Clean, spacey, and without the trendy dashboard dips and swoops that competing vehicles are equipped with. The 2012 model’s power has also been changed, as VW has replaced the previous, 200-horsepower/2.0-liter/4-cylinder/turbo-charged power-plant and is now complete with a less-expensive, 170-horsepower/2.5-liter/5-cylinder/non-turbo power-plant.

The model can also come in other options, including a 280-horsepower/3.6-liter OR a 140-horsepower/2.0-liter/turbo-diesel with 43mpg on the highway.

Special features of the 2012 model include:

• automatic climate control
• cruise control
• outside temperature display
• Bluetooth short-range wireless connectivity
• Hill Climb Assist (helps keep manual-gearbox models from rolling backward when you let out the clutch on an incline)
• Leather- and walnut-trimmed interior
• 17- or 18-inch allow wheels
• Push button start
• Fog lights
• Fender Brand audio system

As someone who is already a Passat owner, this new model is exciting because it underlines all the additions/changes that I would want my Passat to have! I’m really working forward to seeing more of this vehicle

I was extremely surprised to find that the idea of a hybrid-style vehicle has actually been around since the 1800’s, better known as the steam car. Beginning in 1839, Robert Anderson of Aberdeen, Scotland built the first electric vehicle. Following Anderson, many car creators were mimicking the same idea, only adding little features as time went on.

Later, in 1898, German Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, at age 23, built his first car, the Lohner Electric Chaise. It was the world’s first front-wheel-drive. Porsche’s second car was a hybrid, using an internal combustion engine to spin a generator that provided power to electric motors located in the wheel hubs. On battery alone, the car could travel nearly 40 miles.

About 100 years later, after Japan and Europe had started to see more makes of hybrids, Honda released the two-door Insight, the first hybrid car to hit the mass market in the United States. The Insight won numerous awards and received EPA mileage ratings of 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway! That kind of mileage is incredible. Toyota also released their Prius hybrid to the US soon after Honda did, and it’s been a hybrid frenzy ever since.

Now, hybrids are far from exclusive. Nearly every car company has introduced a model of a hybrid within the last couple years. Here is a list of all the companies who are currently producing hybrids:

Audi Q5
BMW ActiveHybrid X6, ActiveHybrid 750Li, & ActiveHybrid 750i
Chevy Volt
Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Hybrid
Ford Escape Hybrid & Fusion Hybrid
Honda CR-Z
Hyundai Sontata Hybrid
Kia Optima
Lexus CT 200h
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Camry Hybrid
VW Touareg Hybrid

Only a few years into the US hybrid-producing market, it will be exciting to see what comes out in the years to come!

Sports cars are not known for being environmentally until now…Below I have found a list of the 4 top Green friendly sports cars.

1. The Tesla Roadster – produced from Tesla motors – this all-electric sports car is about as earth friendly as you can get! With a single charge lasting 244 miles – you know you are getting good mileage. Not only does it run 100% on battery but also it can go from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. With a max speed set electronically at 125 mph and a price tag of $100,000 it is worth every green dollar!

2. The Lightning GT – produced from a British manufacture – this all-electric sports car is gets 250 miles per charge. The Lightning GT can go from 0-to-60 in a little under 4 seconds and it has a top speed set at 130 mph. Priced at $300,000 this sports car is not messing around.

3. The Fisker Karma – produced by Fisker automotive – this plug in hybrid electric vehicle features Q drive technology by which a small gas powered generator recharges the battery. Reaching 50 miles with a single plug in and a top speed of 125 mpg it is also impressive. Starting at $80,000 base  – it is a little more friendly to your pocket book.

4. Toyota FT-HS – first introduced in North America Auto show – with 400 hp and the ability to go 0-to-60 in less then 4 seconds it is keeping up with the competition. Look out because this is just the start of the Future Toyota Hybrid Sports.
Next time you are in the market for an earth friendly sports car – be sure to check these models out!