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Hard to believe the Volkswagen New Beetle has been on the road for a full decade, already. Most vehicles would go through two full generations in that period, but the New Beetle has built on the original’s reputation for going the distance. (The classic Beetle was produced from 1938 until 2003!) Since its introduction, over 1 million New Beetles have been produced worldwide, with more than 500,000 sold in the United States. Originally unveiled as a design study car called “Concept 1” at the Detroit-based North American International Auto Show in 1994, the New Beetle made its worldwide debut in 1998. Since then, the hardtop spawned a cute convertible version. Together, both have offered a range of engines, including diesel, for both performance and fuel efficiency. Special editions have injected new life into the production run, including clever online marketing tie-ins for exclusive colors. In 1996, the New Beetle received its most significant update, with revised bumper caps freshening the exterior appearance. Under the curved hood, a five-cylinder engine was fitted, giving the New Beetle a smooth, refined alternative to the peaky, yet highly entertaining turbocharged four-cylinder...
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This past February, Volvo produced car number 15,000,000, and the new owners just took delivery of the history-making 2008 Volvo C70 . The car traveled more than 5,000 miles from its factory birthplace in Uddevalla, Sweden to San Diego, California, where new owners Paul and Aimee Kay received a surprise, a free European deliver trip. Since they already have their Celestial Blue, they will be able to simply enjoy the trip, complete with visit to the factory delivery center in Goteborg, Sweden. Coincidentally, the first Volvo car to leave a Swedish factory in April, 1927, was a convertible. Nicknamed “Jakob,” the OV4 was powered by a four-cylinder engine. Any Volvo customer can participate in the Overseas Delivery Program . The company will arrange to have your new Volvo delivered to any one of 13 European destinations, then you can drive it during your stay, and have it delivered to your home in the United States Research Volvo in the buyer’s guide , complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries. Read our Volvo C70 review .
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The unveiling of a Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 pace car is like opening a present. Bowtie enthusiasts clamor to see the memorable designs that distinguish the pace car and can quote the year on site. After all, the image of a purple convertible with bright yellow wheels can be hard to forget, even if you try. The 92nd Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will be the Corvette’s 10th appearance as the official pace car – a record unmatched by any other vehicle. This year, Chevrolet has treated fans to two pace cars, a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept and a black-and-silver car that pays tribute to the original black-and-silver 1978 coupe. A true collectible, a ‘78 will be on hand to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Corvette’s pace car heritage leading “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Based on the production Z06, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car has fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required to run E85. The head-turning coupe is coated in Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint with a checkered flag pattern. Besides safety equipment and strobe light, the Z06 concept pace car is mechanically stock. The 30th anniversary commemorative edition...
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Toyota Motor Sales has announced updated pricing for a variety of Toyota branded vehicles to take place starting mid May. The revisions see incremental increases in all cases, though the price bumps only impact the models listed below. Base retail prices do not include destination charges. 2008 Toyota Avalon - $27,325 , increases by $250, or 0.8 percent. 2009 Toyota Camry - $18,920 , increases by $200 or 0.9 percent. 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid - $25,650 , increases by $300 or 1.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Camry Solara coupe - $20,180 , increases by $250 or 0.9 percent. 2008 Toyota Camry Solara convertible - $27,440 , increases by $250 or 0.9 percent. 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser - $23,045 , increases by $500, or 2.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Highlander - $27,500 , increases by $200, or 0.7 percent. 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid - $34,200 , increases by $500, or 1.3 percent. 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser - $64,100 , increases by $900, or 1.4 percent. 2008 Toyota Prius - $21,500 , increases by $400, or 1.8 percent. 2008 Toyota RAV4 - $21,500 , increases by $250, or 1.1 percent. 2008 Toyota Sienna - $24,440 , increases by $100, or 0.4 percent. 2008 Toyota Tundra - $22,390 , increases by $100, or 0.3 percent...
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The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate America automotive classics when it rolls out the 50s Fins and Chrome First-Class stamps on October 3rd. These commemorative stamps join the America on the Move series, featuring a ’57 Chrysler 300C, ’57 Lincoln Premiere, ’57 Pontiac Safari, ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk, and a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado. The Postal Service previewed the stamps Friday before thousands of car enthusiasts attending the Spring Carlisle Collector Car & Swap Meet in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Likewise, the first-day-of-issue ceremony takes place at the Fall Carlisle Collector Car & Swap Meet where at least two of the cars—the Chrysler 300C and the Pontiac Safari—are expected to be displayed during the ceremony. This provides a rare opportunity to lick one of these classic cars and share your car enthusiasm with friends, family, and bill collectors across the nation. A welcomed tribute, these classic car stamps may dull the pain of the rate increase on May 12th to 42 cent for First Class. (Reminder: Buy your forever stamps now.)
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The Ford Mustang has experience unparalleled sales success due to its longevity, continuing performance legacy, and value. For decades, it has been a tire-shredding piece of Americana, and as a result, it has reached the rare milestone of 9 million cars built. The Mustang got off to an amazing start, achieving 419,000 sales in its first 12 months on the market, and topped the 1-million mark in the first two years. Today, sales volumes are a more modest, with the Mustang moving 10,180 units this past March, down 30.9 percent from March 2007. Still, Ford continues to refine the venerable pony car range with a variety of special-edition models, including the Warriors in Pink and Bullitt versions, plus the upcoming Glass Roof option. Mustang number 9,000,000 is a Mustang GT Convertible , sold through a dealership in Iowa. Research the Ford Mustang in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries.
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Ever flip through catalogs, browsing for a gift idea? We found one that may be better to receive than to give. Neiman Marcus Direct has an item in their spring men’s catalog that is certain to attract car enthusiasts, a special-edition 2008 Hennessey Venom 700NM. This ultimate Viper will retail for $179,500 and only seven will be produced, ensuring it becomes a legendary future collectible. John Hennessey and his merry, wrench-wielding crew at Hennessey Performance Engineering ( HPE ) have been transforming Vipers into ultimate, high-performance machines for years. Celebrated on magazine covers and in online videos , their Vipers have inspired legions of fans and set many records. The Venom 700NM isn’t quite the hairy, 1,000-horsepower beast that has enlivened recent Car and Driver , Motor Trend , and Road & Track magazines, but it will shame most any production car today and be a legend for the history books tomorrow. The 2008 Hennessey Venom 700NM features Batman-grade black paint with a 200-mph tested rear wing and Venom 700NM badges. Inside, custom details include black and red leather appointments, a numbered limited-edition dash plaque, embroidered floor mats, and matching...
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Audi will introduce a TT diesel sports car at the Geneva Motor Show this week boasting 50 mpg. For the first time, the TT will be offered—in Europe—with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine. Using common-rail fuel injection, this powerplant produces 168 horsepower, with a stout 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Audi claims it produces 20-percent less carbon dioxide than an equivalent gasoline engine. Already offered in the A4 sedan , this TDI engine promises a 0-60 mph time under 7.5 seconds. The TT TDI coupe has a 140-mph top speed and claims 53.3 mpg—quite impressive for a car that promises serious fun and luxury. For those who want to lower the top, the roadster makes do with a 138-mph terminal velocity and thrifty 51.3 mpg. The latest diesel engines are clean, quiet, thrifty, and delightfully powerful. More choices are expected here in the United States over the next couple of years, promising significant fuel-economy gains over traditional engines. However, right now, diesel fuel is priced above gasoline on average, partially negating some operating benefits. As worldwide demand for diesel continues to increase, it remains to be seen what role diesels will play in cars. Would you consider a diesel...
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The Chevrolet enthusiasts embrace the brand’s rich performance history and are drawn to special-edition models, like the current Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car replica. The latest such vehicle resurrects a classic moniker: 427. The 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06 pays homage to the big-block Stingray models of the mid-1960s whose engines match the displacement of the Z06’s 7.0L LS7 small-block V-8. Available this spring, the 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06 will be priced at $84,195 and includes the 3LZ premium equipment package with a custom, leather-wrapped interior. A navigation system is the only option ($1,750). Only 427 will be offered in the United States and Canada, with 78 more exported outside North America. That’s a total of 505 production vehicles – the same number of horsepower produced by the LS7 engine. As with other Corvette models, customer delivery is available at the Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The 427 Limited Edition Z06 is distinguished by: Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior paint with stinger-style graphics and 427 hood badges. Exclusive chrome wheels. Body-color rear spoiler and door handles. Exclusive dark titanium custom leather-wrapped interior...
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