Toyota’s main goal in choosing a powerplant for their new FR-Sports car was obtaining efficient, reliable performance. The development concept of the FR-S was to build a sports car built around the driver and making the car fun to drive took more of a priority than pursuing pure speed.

Everyone knows that the Scion FR-S isn’t the most powerful car out on the market, so the horsepower figures will sound rather unimpressive to many. However, according to the engineers, it was far more important for the car to feel responsive and have linear power delivery all the way up to redline speeds.

Led by Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada, the joint Toyota and Subaru engineering team code named “Team 86” certainly lived up to its goals. Working together, they developed the Subaru FA20 2.0 liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, marking the first time that Toyota’s D-4S direct injection technology had ever been incorporated into a boxer motor.

The result of Team 86′s hard work was a light weight, 200hp naturally aspirated DOHC 16 valve engine with dual variable valve timing (VVTi). The 4UGSE engine redlines at 7400rpm, and responds quickly to accelerator inputs, with easy powerband control.

Usage of the 4UGSE boxer engine gives the Scion FR-S the benefit of amazing handling, due to a low center of gravity. The Scion FR-S has a lower center of gravity than the Porsche Cayman, Nissan R35 GTR, Subaru Impreza STi, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. In fact, only the LFA and the Ferrari 360 have a lower center of gravity than the FR-S at 18.9 inches.

“Super low center of gravity, better than a GTR, better than a Porsche Cayman, in fact comparable to some of the Ferrari models, but basically this car is about bringing passion back to driving. An authentic rear wheel drive car, that produces 200 hp out of a 2.0L engine,” said Jack Hollis, Vice President and General Manager of Scion. “The 100 hp per liter is a key number for us. You see just the right amount, not over, not under, right amount of power, great balance and great handling.”

Hollis also adds, “What it does is this car answers a concern in the industry today, that the vehicles have just become so electronic, so technology-based, not just true driver-based. That’s what this car does. We think it’s going to excite the whole industry not just Scion and Toyota so we are really excited about the Scion FR-S.”

What the low center of gravity does for you is make you feel very connected to the road when you are pushing the car to the limits. The center of gravity is in line with your hips, so, as the car moves around you truly feel the dynamics of the car in the seat of your pants, rather than the car feeling as though it has a much higher pivot point that most people are used to.

What is also obvious is that the Scion FR-S pays homage to it’s heritage, particularly to the 1985-’87 Corolla GT-S – or AE86 as it is known by enthusiasts. The 86 theme is prevalent throughout the vehicle. Mechanically, the two cars share nothing. Spiritually, however, their similarities run deep. There are powerful reason why the humble AE86 remains a highly coveted machine nearly 30 years after entering production. These reasons have nothing to do with the car’s speed, its amenities or its complexity. Rather, it’s the 86’s fundamentally sound design, low cost, and massive potential that give it profound desirability as its third decade approaches. It’s these simple, potent core values on which Scion intend to capitalize with the Scion FR-S.

The 86 Boxer badge on the fender shows pistons on opposing sides of the 86, to signify that it’s boxer engine under the hood. The number 86 is also symbolic of the engine’s square 86×86 bore and stroke ratio. Most Toyota aficionados may not even know this but this square ratio keeps the 4UGSE engine faithful to some of the other engines in Toyota’s 2.0 liter sports engine history. Also, an additional homage to the 86 theme, the inner diameter of the car’s exhaust tips are 86 mm!

The engine has Toyota D-4S fuel-injection system which is both port fuel injection and direct fuel injection at the same time. This allows are really high compression ratio of 12.5:1 which means the FR-S requires premium fuel but that’s a small price to pay.

If there’s one disappointment about this car, it is with torque. The 2.0 liter engine only produces 151 torques at a very high 6400 rpm. Now very few people talk about torque. It’s important because when you get into some slow corners, and you really need a drive out especially if you’re not popping it off the rev…, torque is what will propel you at that point. Though, on the road track, the lack of torque was not really a factor.

On the inside, the FR-S interior is definitely minimalistic. Sitting inside, it’s impossible not to notice the sporty seats and steering wheel. They are comfortable and the substantial side bolstering helps keep the driver in place on a spirited drive. The tach is right front and center, dominating the instrument cluster.

Steering input is good. However, a wish would be for a bit more feedback and communication. It is electric steering, though one of the better electric steerings that we’ve experienced. We must say that it’s very direct. If you turn the wheel, that’s where the car is going and it points really, really well.

Toyota is planning to produce 10,000 units of the Scion FR-S for the 2012 calendar year and plans on 20,000 units for 2013. If you’re writing a wish list or a spec sheet of what you want in a car, the Scion FR-S pretty much does it all. What we like most about the car is that you can have the fun at under triple digit speeds. It doesn’t have 500 hp and it’s not going to do 1.05 Gs around a skid pad, and we don’t care! With the Scion FR-S, you actually have to drive! The FR-S being very analog will not cover up your inability to drive with electronics like so many modern cars. If you make a mistake, it will be obvious, however, the car being perfectly balanced makes it easy to get it all back under control, if you know what you are doing.

Bottom line, the Scion FR-S is a drivers car, period!

We urge you to support this great cause and join us for an amazing night on the Beach with Heal The Bay supporters.

Purchase Tickets!  https://www.healthebay.org/secure/bring-back-beach-tickets

Bring Back the Beach

Heal the Bay invites you to celebrate the ultimate beach party at our annual Bring Back the Beach gala benefit on May 17, 2012 at The Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica.
We will also recognize the eco-accomplishments of this year’s three honorees: past president and chief operating officer of Hilton Hotels Matt Hart, director of photography Danny Moder and actress Julia Roberts, and actress Amy Smart.
 
Relax with your toes in the sand while you meet and mix with leaders from Southern California’s environmental, political, business and entertainment communities. Join us for a fun-filled evening under the stars to celebrate our honorees and support the mission of Heal the Bay.
We look forward to your company at our annual gala fundraising benefit!

Schedule
5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
Dinner
Live Auction
Entertainment

Tickets & Sponsorships
Tables and Sponsorships: $5,000 – $50,000
Individual Tickets: $500
Purchase tables/tickets online

Attire
Beach Chic

The Lakers Youth Foundation raises money to provide educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for Los Angeles area youth.

During the event, there was an auction held to raise additional money, and a bidding war developed between Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and LAcarGUY’s Mike Sullivan for 25% ownership in a race horse!

The race horse started off with a few bids from fans, but then Kobe Bryant started bidding. Then Pau Gasol started bidding and it went all the way up to $8,000 for 25% ownership of the horse, which of course was made by the winner, Kobe Bryant.  After the horse was awarded to the Kobe, Pau Gasol and Mike Sullivan approached Kobe and still wanted to get in on the horse, so they put up another $8,000 for ownership of the horse!

An Australian couple has set a new record for single-tank fuel economy this week, making the more than 1,600-mile trip from Houston, Texas to Sterling, Virginia on just one tank of gas. The duo used an American-built 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel to set the new mark, beating the old one (also set in a diesel-powered Passat,) by 99.5 miles.

Over the course of their journey, Helen and John Taylor drove 1.626.1 miles, using 19.3 gallons of diesel and averaging more than 84 mpg. Their fuel costs averaged out to less than 5 cents per mile, whereas the average new vehicle currently sold in the U.S. will cost its owner more than three times as much to drive.

The couple used a regular, stock Passat TDI (which is rated at 30 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined) for their drive, but were able to use so-called “hypermiling” techniques to get even better fuel economy from a car that is already one of the most efficient non-hybrid sedans on the road.

“The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record,” said John Taylor, in a press release provided by Volkswagen.

Though the Taylors have used a lot of Volkswagen-built diesels for their trips, their mission is about more than just promoting a single vehicle maker’s cars. Last year, they achieved nearly 75 mpg in a Toyota Prius hybrid driving across South Africa, and drove through every U.S. state in a Chevy Cruze Eco at an average of 64 mpg.

In fact, you might say that the couple have turned personal fuel economy into their life’s work. In addition to several record-setting attempts each year, the Taylors teach green-driving seminars through their Australia-based driving school, Fuel Academy. In all, the husband-wife team hold more than 90 world driving records.

One really logical thing—when it can be done—with any commercial or residential building is “site selection”; for example, orienting your walls to take advantage of the sun for heat, and windows for the breeze to go through and naturally cool the house. It’s often a little easier to take advantage of with a home, as the very nature of retail can take precedence, like wanting display windows facing the biggest street.

As it turned out, that’s the situation with our Pacific Audi lot, and so, our main windows face South and West. Nice for sunsets, but a problem with heat and sun in SoCal. So we are working with some innovations to mitigate the impact of this positioning and therefore our energy use. Today, we focus on two big parts of our building “envelope”, what our inside is ‘wrapped’ in.

GLASS is a big deal for any retailer – we want you to SEE our cars as ride or walk along Hawthorne Blvd., right? But glass attracts heat (all year long, here in SoCal) which gets transferred into the showroom, and who wants more of that? Based on the sun hitting our South and West-facing windows nonstop from noon until night, we were able to consider upfront how to compensate for that constant and intense radiated heat, in order to use our A/C less to save energy.

First, our builders are using a “low-e” (or low emission) glass called Solarban100 for our storefront glass. Very generally, low-e glass reflects up to 90% of long-wave radiation, which is heat, but lets in short-wave radiation, which is light. The Solarban high-efficiency glazed windows will cut the sun’s heat going into the showroom and the building owner will use less electricity to keep the building cooler. All these ideas also earn LEED points related to optimizing “energy performance”.

We are also going to use what is becoming more common in SoCal…a “cool roof” (which is so cool, it will get its own post in the near future!). It’s the combination of the “cool roof” with the Solarban100 glazing, in this building envelope, that will contribute 5% of the near 30% improvement in building performance beyond the energy code requirements (Title 24). We are really excited about this!

Another tactic for ultimately less energy use is by building our Southern- and Eastern-facing walls with CMU BLOCKS. These are hollowed out blocks made of an aggregate material of approximately 50% post-consumer and 50% pre-consumer materials. They are stacked between tall wrought iron still rods with concrete poured over. The resulting walls are not only seismically stronger (always a good thing!), but they naturally insulate and hold a lot of the heat in, again protecting the interior of the building from needing to use more electricity for cool air.

Building green is really just based in logic, logic we set aside in the mid-20th century when suddenly A/C and central heating were discovered. But we’re coming back around. And if you personally want to learn more—as a ‘green-curious’ or ‘green-committed’ person—you might want to check out the FREE 9th annual AltBuild Expo in Santa Monica on May 11-12. Ask questions of everyone there, don’t be shy! There’s something for everyone.

We are excited see the garden in person next week at our event with EMA and Rachelle Lefevre from the Twilight movies!

The new Audi RS 5 features a high-revving 4.2-liter V8 with 444 horsepower at a sky-high 8,250 rpm with 317 lb- ft of torque and a seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program. That’s more power than the base Audi R8, and with two more seats. This power is transferred through an innovative crown-gear center differential in the quattro drivetrain, transmitting power to all four wheels, providing exceptional traction and grip for increased performance. This amount of force is powerful enough to rocket the RS 5 to an electronically-governed top speed of 174 mph.

The herculean RS 5 also features an on-demand oil pump, and energy-recovery system that conserves energy during coasting and braking. The standard seven-speed S tronic in the RS 5, with its high gearing ratios and its high-geared top speed, also enhances efficiency.

For the appeal of liberty, the 2013 RS 5 can operate in fully automatic mode, or the driver can select the gears by utilizing the paddles on the steering wheel. In doing so, the Audi drive select system adjusts the vehicle’s transmission shift characteristics, throttle response, dynamic steering and sports differential. The driver can select from auto, comfort, dynamic and individual Audi drive select settings, for whatever the occasion calls for. More impressively, the new crown-gear differential in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring allows for incredible torque distribution. If necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front wheels or as much as 85 percent can be sent to the back. But even the default 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

The brake system employs powerful and internally ventilated discs, which measure 14.4 inches in diameter at the front axle. The high-gloss black brake calipers bearing RS logos are made of aluminum; the front calipers are fitted with eight pistons each. Optional are eramic carbon-fiber brake discs measuring 15 inches in diameter for the front. The electronic stability control (ESC) integrates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

From a design standpoint, the 2013 Audi RS 5 emits a classy, powerful, yet sporty presence. Adaptive xenon plus headlights boasting a sweeping strip of LED daytime running lights are standard. The RS 5 also sports massive air inlets for the engine, while front brakes and the radiators are bordered by attractive lines. The newly designed bumper tapers downward into a splitter and is available in Aluminum-optic paint. But for Audi, it’s just as much about form as it is function. This is because the paneled underbody of the RS 5 integrates air vents for the seven- speed S tronic and front brakes. And at highway speeds, the aerodynamic characteristics of the RS 5 generate downforce to give the vehicle greater maneuvering stability.

The dynamic styling of the RS 5 fully extends to the interior, with power-adjustable sport seats with pronounced side bolserting and integrated head restraints, finished in exquisite Nappa Leather or optional leather/suede inserts. The steering wheel is optimized for performance driving with a flat-bottom design, and has a substantial rim and is covered with soft, perforated leather. The aggressive instrument panel features black gauges and white lettering with distinctive scaling, while the driver information system integrates a lap timer for recording circuit times and an oil-temperature gauge. Just like the optional MMI navigation systems’ monitor, it displays an RS greeting upon ignition.

Overall, the interior is black and the decorative inlays are made of carbon fiber. The pedals, the footrests, and the optional MMI navigation systems’ control buttons gleam thanks to their aluminum look. Moreover, the door handles consist of two slim strips – typical of Audi RS models. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims and RS 5 logos lend dynamic highlights to the interior.

The 2013 Audi RS 5 carries an MSRP of $72,000 in the United States market, aggressively placing the model against the BMW M3.

To show our support for breast cancer awareness and research, we custom wrapped a brand new 2012 Beetle in pink! When this pink beauty is sold, we will donate $500 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer began in 1993 and has raised over $450 million to help fight against breast cancer. For the last two years, LAcarGUY has been a close partner with Making Strides and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.

The pink custom wrap was completed by Premier Wraps. They used the highest quality 3m vinyl that does not damage the vehicles original paint and every wrap comes with a life-time installation warranty. For more details, please give us a call!

Toyota says it has plans to begin manufacturing the Prius in the United States for the first time. Last year, the carmaker recorded its 1 millionth Prius sale in the U.S., and despite supply shortfalls in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, sold more than 136,000 Prii here for the full year. By 2015, the company expects annual North American Prius sales to reach 200,000 units, with total North American hybrid sales projected to hit 400,000 vehicles by that time.

Toyota executive, Koei Saga, told Auto News this week that the carmaker is currently scouting potential North American suppliers. “We are targeting 2015,” said Saga. “Around then we will probably introduce the next-generation Prius, so we are trying our hardest to realize local production of hybrid units then.”

The shift will hopefully spell the end of the dreaded Prius waiting list for American customers, a phenomenon that has been present during all the more major recent oil spikes in the U.S. Being able to meet demand when it is at its highest is one of the main reasons that Toyota started talking about adding production flexibility to the Prius line last year. Another reason is an overall desire on the part of the company to avoid the major losses suffered across the Japanese auto industry as a result of last year’s earthquake, which caused the carmaker to report its first quarterly loss in more than two years, and sent executives searching for ways to diversify their supply chains.

It’s been a long time since the Prius was a niche vehicle spotted mainly in California’s more liberal enclaves, and Toyota can no longer afford to lose potential sales to competing hybrids during production shortfalls. With the expansion of the platform to include not only the standard Prius but also the larger Prius v, the compact Prius c, and the Prius Plug-in, Toyota plans to make the Prius the best-selling vehicle platform in the world in the coming years.

Saga also told Auto News that Toyota plans to stick with nickel metal hydride batteries for the next generation Prius, despite moves by competitors to switch their hybrids to lithium ion. Still, the company says it could begin lithium ion battery production here in the United States to supply the Prius Plug-in and eventually other plug-in vehicle offerings.

This honor recognizes Mike’s personal commitment to supporting so many important local environmental organizations and for actively promoting community projects from beach cleanups to creating school gardens. When Global Green needed hybrid cars for their Red Carpet – Green Car campaign (i.e., taking stars to the Oscars in fuel efficient cars), Mike provided them.

LAcarGUY not only sell more hybrids and clean diesel cars than any other dealership group in America, we also showcase energy and resource conserving practices in its dealerships — including the new Audi LEED certified dealership. The LA Green Team represents the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability by encouraging, inspiring and educating its 800+ employees about reducing their individual and corporate carbon footprint, as well as selling more hybrids and clean diesel cars than any other dealership group in the United States.

We hope you will join us in paying tribute to Mike’s contributions and help support the work of Global Green by sponsoring a table or purchasing tickets to the event. To participate or for further information, please contact MTA Events at globalgreen@mtaevents.com or 818.906.0240 if you require further information. We look forward to seeing you there!

SBC’s Sustainable Business Award results were a tie. The two recipients have impressive sustainability credentials. The Miyako Hybrid Hotel is a Silver LEED certified hotel built to show that business, luxury services and green facilities and operations are not mutually exclusive.

As a business located in the city of Los Angeles, with an active Sustainable City Plan implemented in 1994, LAcarGUY commits to conducting business in a manner that safeguards health, protects the environment and conserves valuable materials and resources.

LAcarGUY won SBC Sustainable Business Award because we are a business that is a leading contributor to the Southern California economy and society. Our sustainable achievements are acknowledged by the general public, scholars, critics and peers. LAcarGUY continues to advance the sustainable business industry.

We have a time-lapse camera set up to track the building of the new store, and periodically we will be posting those to show everyone the progress. Have a look at our latest video, despite some of the crazy weather, we are making excellent progress.

First, our mother company, AUDI, has somewhat recently created a new model for all dealerships worldwide, called the Terminal…mainly to create more space for cars. But—as you may have heard—Germany is pretty progressive minded in building, so they always try to think about sustainable materials and design.

To that end, our new façade will consist of a 2mm thick perforated aluminum, shaped into an outside cover (or ‘skin’) for our building, and anodized bright silver (which, btw, also increases wear resistance!). Not to be dull, it’s decorated with a pattern consisting of hexagonal honeycomb holes. This reduces the weight and gives a 3-D sort of effect.

What we especially like about this is that it’s aluminum, and right now (as we are still building and not yet sure where our product is coming from) we can state that our aluminum will be at least 50% recycled content…it could be more. A little Aluminum education: the total recycled content in domestically produced, flat aluminum for the construction market is about 85%. On top of that on average about 60% for the total product content is from post-consumer sources. And just to continue on the magic of aluminum, someday down the road if this building changes, aluminum is 100% recyclable! (www.aluminum.org)

Now I know you’re dying to hear about those “smog-eating walls”, right? Guess what…they are self-cleaning, too, which means lower maintenance! We think they’re pretty innovative, which is why we wanted to try them out (in a couple areas)…and by using them in our LEED building, we hope to inspire others to do the same!

You’ll be able to see these panels right by our front entrance, and as the service drive canopy. The magic is in a new titanium dioxide coating called EcoClean™ that is pre-painted to a specific aluminum surface we are also using (aluminum covers our whole exterior in one way or another), and it does several things:

SELF-CLEANING: It’s relatively simple science (if you want to think back to high school just for a few seconds): when the titanium dioxide in EcoClean™ is exposed to sunlight, its electrons transfer energy to oxygen and water molecules in the air to form free radicals made of negatively-charged oxygen and hydorxyl radicals. These free radicals become powerful oxidizers that can attack any organic material near them—like dirt, grease and grime—causing it to decompose and fall away from the surface. And when water—like rain—hits this surface, too, everything just slides right off. Pretty nice and low maintenance!

SMOG-“EATING”: EcoClean™ also attacks nitrogen oxide, a primary component of smog. When nitrogen oxide molecules float near those free radicals, they break down the nitrogen oxide into a harmless nitrate. And voila, less bad stuff!

To understand a little more about this, please watch this video.

Audi has confirmed that the long-awaited Q5 Hybrid will finally be coming to the United States for 2013, according to a report on Cars.com’s Kicking Tires blog. The compact crossover will be Audi’s first hybrid available for purchase in North America.

Audi’s experiments with hybrids date back to at least 1989, when it showed off the first of three gas-electric “Duo” concepts. But in recent years, the carmaker has had several false starts when it comes to bringing a hybrid model to the United States. First, it was reported in 2008 that a hybrid Q5 would launch alongside the standard model in the U.S. for 2009, but that plan was soon quashed due to falling fuel prices and the carmaker’s dissatisfaction with nickel-metal hydride battery packs. For a while, it looked like Audi had put hybrids on the back burner in favor of it and parent company Volkswagen’s favorite fuel-saving technology, clean diesel.

Why not offer both? Reportedly, Audi’s clean diesel engines perform equally or better than their gas-electric counterparts in European fuel efficiency tests, making the hybrids a tough sell. In the U.S., Audi will remedy this by offering a 3.0L, 6-cylinder diesel Q5 variant and a 4-cylinder hybrid model-the diesel will be tuned for performance and the hybrid for fuel economy.

The Q5 Hybrid will pair the same 211-horsepower, 2.0L, 4-cylinder engine found in the current base model Q5 with a 54-horsepower electric motor, powered by a 1.3 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Combined, the engine and motor output up to 245 horsepower and 354 pounds-feet of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds.

Using its parallel hybrid system, the Q5 Hybrid can operate in either electric-only or gas mode, and can accelerate up to 62 mph using its motor alone. For a more sustained electric ride, drivers can expect up to 1.8 miles of electric range when maintaining a steady 37-mph speed.

The Q5 Hybrid gets 34 mpg under the forgiving European test cycle, which would likely point to an American fuel economy rating in the neighborhood of 27 mpg. The standard 4-cylinder 2012 Q5 gets 22 mpg combined under EPA testing, and the forthcoming diesel is expected to be about 10 percent less efficient than its hybrid sibling.

Pricing and an official release date have yet to be announced.

The iPad® apps feature new, fully photographic exterior and interior 360-degree views that allow viewers to experiment with paint colors and interior trims. The apps also include interactive feature demos, videos and comprehensive specifications.

The all-new Subaru Impreza 4-Door, 5-Door and Impreza Sport, rally-bred Impreza WRX/STI, rugged Outback, intelligent Legacy and the versatile Forester, all come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a balanced SUBARU BOXER® engine for exceptional handling and capability to match their accommodating interior versatility and comfort. Users can see, hear and explore the Subaru models and the technology right from the interactive iPad® apps.

The 2012 Subaru model iPad® apps build on the success of the industry-leading Dynamic Brochure program, which Subaru debuted in 2011, to give audiences more content and more engaging choices for information, comparison and sharing. The program also supports Subaru commitment to environmentally-friendly practices; the digital brochure platform helps to reduce paper usage, energy consumption, inks, and production waste.

“Subaru is excited to roll out the next generation of our leading-edge, environmentally-friendly Subaru model iPad® apps for 2012. These model app launches will be followed closely by the all-new Subaru Life Book featuring our full line of vehicles in a single app,” said Sondra Shiffer, brochures manager, Subaru of America, Inc.

These iPad® apps can be downloaded for free at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/subaru-of-america/id390914873

The Volkswagen Up! small car has been announced winner of the 2012 World Car of the Year at the New York Auto Show last week. The diminutive new vehicle beat out the Porsche 911 and BMW 3 series to take the honor, with judges citing superior innovation and refinement as the chief reasons for its selection.

“The little Volkswagen Up! has altered what we have come to expect from the citycar segment,” wrote the panel.”Of note are the responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, new efficient engines and the quality of materials and finish… Never before in this economy segment have owners felt so premium.”
The Up! has received critical acclaim and performed strongly in the market since its release in Europe late last year. Volkswagen says it hasn’t decided whether to bring a version of the car to the United States, where small cars are less common and the Up!’s 60-horsepower engine might not be enough to satisfy consumers. What might be very attractive to drivers here though is the vehicle’s 56 mpg under the forgiving European test cycle (official fuel economy numbers would be somewhat lower in the U.S.)

Volkswagen has shown off nearly a dozen variations on the Up! since its debut as a concept in 2007. Two of those variations are the e-Up! electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid modeled on VW’s “1-Liter” concept that gets 79 mpg. Other revealed Up! concepts include an outdoor adventure model called the X Up!, a five-door version, a GTI with 25 percent more horsepower, and the Eco Up!, which runs on both gasoline and compressed natural gas.

Why all the concepts? Volkswagen has been committed to developing what it calls its New Small Family (NSF) class for several years, meeting what it thinks will be emerging demand for ultracompact city vehicles in the coming years. Toyota, Fiat, BMW and others are also very interested in this segment, with Toyota having released its Scion iQ and Fiat its 500 in the United States in just the past year. The Volkswagen Group will be gradually rolling out a number NSF platform vehicles across its multiple nameplates, including a possible new Audi e-tron series.

As yet its still unknown how many of these cars will make it to North America, though Fiat has built significant momentum behind its 500 of late and there is evidence that American consumers are “thinking small” once again—always a good sign for the prospects of a diminutive Volkswagen offering in the United States.

First, did you know that construction and demolition materials account for 29% of the waste stream? But many materials can be reused or recycled, and lengthen our supply of natural resources and potentially save money in the process. (CalRecycle) We’ve really evolved…all waste that would traditionally have left a facility can (mostly) now head to a few basic directions: reuse in-house, or sort into streams to be recycled (and sold) outside a company, or incinerated in waste-to-energy plants.

Fitting in with our LEED goals and because it’s just the logical thing to do, Pacific Audi hired Three D Service Company, Inc. (TDS) to manage this, and they diverted a highly impressive minimum of 85% of the potential waste and did these terrific things with it instead:

1. All of the CONCRETE MATERIALS were crushed on-site, using a portable crusher, into a “crushed miscellaneous base”, a kind of porous material that lives and breathes, has a gravel-like feel and will be used as a base under the driving/parking areas of the lot. If you’re nerdy like we are, we love the details: under areas where trucks go, the base will be 7”, and for cars only 4”.

2. All of the WOOD removed from this site was used in one of three ways.
a) Standard-sized structural lumber was removed and sold in Mexico for reuse.
b) The short wood or wood that was not in good enough condition for reuse will be ground into and sold as mulch.
c) The worst wood material was further ground and sold to the Co-Gen plants located in Mecca, CA, where it will be used as fuel to produce electric power. (We’re particularly excited about this waste-to-energy use.)

Both (b) and (c) were performed at TDS’ recycling facility (Haven Diversion) in Ontario, CA.

3. All construction & demo materials—i.e. studs, drywall, ceilings, flooring, etc.—were transported to TDS’ recycling facility, divided up into separate waste streams and processed into product and sold for re-use. The bulk of these materials were mixed with soils and cow manure which produces a top soil sold on the local markets.

So in the end—as everything can’t be converted yet into a product—only 5% to 15% of the CD materials are reloaded and hauled to a local Class III Landfill.

By the way, the process of “reuse” is something we can all do. There are a variety of companies that demo for reuse, often called ‘deconstruction’. For example, if you bought a home with the intent to rebuild, a company like The ReUse People or Deconstruction and Reuse Network can be hired to remove wood floors, bricks, toilets, roofing materials and even nails. These and other items can be reused in your new house, OR these 501(c)(3) non-profits can take them away and sell the items to others doing remodeling or building! You might even get a nifty tax deduction for deconstruction vs. straight demolition! (Please consult your accountant, your contractor and your deconstruction company.)

We are excited to have done this right, with our partners, and hope you consider plunging in to the diversion and reuse idea if you have a chance in your future!

When it arrives to dealerships late this year, the new Avalon will offer improved dynamic performance, a greater degree of refinement, and a highly spacious, comfortable interior experience with an abundance of outstanding convenience technologies.

The new 2013 Avalon is the result of a North American-focused design and engineering effort. The new sedan’s dramatic exterior and interior design was conceived by a youthful and talented team at the Calty Design Research Inc. facilities in Southern California and Michigan. The car’s engineering development was principally led by a passionate and dedicated group based at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Continuing a North American focused theme, the 2013 Avalon will be assembled at Toyota’s facility in Georgetown, Ky. True to the future product mission set forth by Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda, the new Avalon’s more stylish, bold, sporty exterior design and luxurious interior styling are matched by an enhanced dynamic package, a combination that foreshadows the more compelling and passionate nature of future Toyota products.

Enhanced Avalon Dynamics
In addition to its stunning design, numerous structural and chassis improvements were made to the new Avalon to enhance the ride quality, straight-line stability and handling. The body structure gains improvements in torsional rigidity thanks to additional and strategically placed welds, improved body bracing, and high-strength steel in key areas in order to provide a stiffer chassis and optimize suspension performance. The new Avalon suspension relies on MacPherson struts with advanced valving and rebound springs to balance handling and agility with ride comfort. Coil spring rate and front and rear sway bar stiffness was increased from the current model to help improve body control and body roll. The Avalon’s electric power steering (EPS) system has been tuned to help deliver enhanced controllability and vehicle agility while also realizing superior linear stability.

The new Avalon offers three distinct drive modes that help tailor dynamic performance to the driver’s needs. The drive modes – Normal, Eco, and Sport -are made available through driver-selectable switches. In Sport mode, throttle response is enhanced and steering effort is weighted from center to offer a sportier character. Eco changes throttle response and A/C power usage to help improve fuel economy. Steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters help provide a sportier drive while in the D or S Mode, where the revised throttle helps improve shift response to help maximize engine power and vehicle performance.

Dynamic Exterior Styling
The new Avalon’s dynamic exterior styling defines a sleek and expressive profile that helps communicate a sense of motion for the vehicle even when it is at rest. The beltline has been lowered to accentuate a strong stance. Compared to its predecessor, the new Avalon is a bit more compact yet displays better proportions with a longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders, and reduced front and rear overhangs, lower vehicle height, and reduced body-to-tire gap. New 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel and tire combinations fill the wheel well to enhance the vehicle’s dynamic exterior expression.

Key exterior design elements include the square Double-eye PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) headlamps with HID (High-Intensity Discharge)and elegant DRL (Daytime Running Lights) feature available that provide excellent night time visibility while helping define a narrower, more taut and muscular exterior expression. A wider, more assertive grille design provides a bolder front perspective. At the rear, high-performance LED combination tail lamps are adopted which are more integrated with the revised rear-body styling. The dual rear tailpipe outlets further the more cohesive design theme.

Modern Interior Experience
Design elements enhancing comfort, convenience and technology help create the luxurious experience that will prove tempting to buyers of the next Avalon. The 2013 Avalon offers a modern, spacious, premium interior highlighted by abundant rear seat legroom, while featuring a myriad of available features. Beyond mere dimensions, the new Avalon’s interior design enhances the cabin’s sense of spaciousness and comfort. The front seat’s hip point has been lowered by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) to help create improved headroom. The new power front seat design with increased side bolstering is more supportive and offers an expanded range of downward adjustment. In addition, the structural components of the sunroof and the headliner design have been optimized to help increase the cabin’s roominess. A concave dash panel design, located in front of the passenger, helps create an expansive feeling. While the rear overhang has been reduced by 1.7 inches, the luggage compartment capacity is 16.0 cubic feet, an increase of 1.6 cubic feet as compared to the outgoing model.

The Avalon’s premium interior attains a high level of refinement by reducing wind, engine and road noise inside the cabin. The resultant interior is even significantly quieter and more comfortable than the current Avalon and it creates an ideal environment to enjoy conversation, music or Toyota’s available multimedia system, EntuneTM. Sound absorbing materials have been strategically placed around the cabin and body structure while not inhibiting a reduction in overall vehicle weight. The windshield and front side-glass panels utilize acoustic glass that helps control sound intrusion into the cabin. Reductions in wind noise have been realized by optimizing exterior shape, specifically cowl and louver sealing, outer mirror shape and position, and wiper-blade position, which have all been developed to dramatically reduce wind noise generation. Exterior gaps and steps have also been minimized to reduce wind noise around the door glass areas.

The new Avalon’s interior utilizes premium materials and a high degree of craftsmanship to offer an upscale experience. Rich, supple leather trims the steering wheel, shift knob, and seat upholstery helping add visual and tactile appeal. Hand-crafted, decorative stitching is adopted for the steering wheel, and soft-touch materials on the dash panel and door trim elevate the vehicle’s sense of tactile luxury. Smoked chrome-metallic accents are applied to the instrument panel, center console, door panel, and steering wheel surfaces to help add distinction and exceptional feel. Available push-button controlled soft white ambient lighting illuminates key regions of the interior to help convey the sense of luxury. The new Avalon’s center console includes a convenient console tray that is ideal for the storage of electronic hand held devices. The new Avalon’s console area is equipped with a USB port, AUX input terminal and three 12-volt power outlets to help facilitate device interface and charging.

The new Avalon will offer innovative technologies such as advanced capacitive touch switches with positioning and sensitivity that makes them ideal for vehicle system controls. Other premium in-car technologies include three color display screens that support the multi-information display, the audio/navigation interface, and the climate control panel. An easy to use Display Audio system with 6.1 inch touchscreen is standard on the new Avalon; while a JBL Synthesis Premium Audio system, HDD Premium Navigation with 7” screen, dynamic radar cruise control, heated and cooled front
seats, heated rear seats, and a three-zone air conditioning system are also on the list of available features and equipment.

Safety
Like all Toyota models, the new Avalon will feature Toyota’s Star Safety SystemTM standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.
The new Avalon helps to prioritize occupant safety with a best-in-class10 airbags system. A Pre-collision system is also available that is designed to “sense” an impending frontal collision and can help mitigate damage. A variable ratio brake pedal is adopted that varies the initial and final pedal effort ratios to help realize excellent brake pedal feel.

In addition to a rearview monitor, Avalon offers an available Blind Spot Monitoring system which is designed to help detect vehicles behind the outer mirrors and to help alert drivers in addition to a new Rear Cross Traffic Alert system (RCTA) that can alert drivers of cross traffic when they are backing up.

Make sure that you are following Toyota Santa Monica and Toyota Hollywood on their Twitter, Facebook and Google+ pages to see when the new Avalon arrives in our showrooms!

Not only does the 2013 Porsche Boxster carry broader shoulders, a wider footprint, and more power with less weight, but its handling characteristics are so competent, so agile, that Harris himself is torn between whether or not he would approve the new, more powerful 911 over the lithe new Boxster. It’s that good.

Both the Boxster and more robust Boxster S models are powered by flat-six engines with direct fuel injection enhanced by electrical system recuperation, thermal management and a useful start/stop function for more impressive fuel efficiency. These features can be found in the Boxster’s new base engine, which delivers 265 hp from a 2.7 liter displacement – translating to a ten hp improvement over its larger displacement predecessor. As for the Boxster S, the displacement increases to 3.4-liters, while the power jumps to 315 hp — a five hp improvement over the last Boxster S.

The interior concept offers the occupants more space and reflects the new Porsche outline with a raked center console, which, originating with the Carrera GT ensures improved ergonomics in all models. As such, the passengers are enclosed by the completely redesigned, fully electric top, which now dispenses with a convertible top compartment lid. As Harris points out in the video, the leather accents are something to be fond of.

Both models feature a manual six-speed gearbox as standard — a favorite among traditional enthusiast drivers — with the seven-speed double-clutch transmission (PDK) available as an option for those who prefer more precise, mechanical shifts. Both sports cars achieve their best fuel consumption and acceleration performance with the PDK.

With the re-engineered design, driving dynamics of the new Porsche Boxster are a vast improvement from the old model, with the Boxster accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the the Boxster S does the same in 4.7 seconds.

The new Boxster models are expected in U.S. showrooms in early summer 2012. The basic list price iwill be $49,500 for the Boxster and $60,900 for the Boxster S, not including a $950 destination charge. Look for it.

Venza’s aerodynamic shape has been tastefully modified with a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps and rear taillights. The updated styling is complemented by a new 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica.

The 2013 Venza is available in LE, XLE and Limited grades. The LE and XLE models are available with all powertrain combinations: four-cylinder, V6, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD); the Venza Limited is powered by the V6 engine only, in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. Value has been enhanced and ordering simplified with the addition of many standard features in all three grades.

Venza was developed specifically for the North American market, appealing to customers who prioritize bold, innovative design, a luxurious and refined interior and excellent handling, but they still require roominess and versatility. Venza provides SUV flexibility with its fold-flat rear seats, spacious cargo area, elevated driver sightline, available AWD and up to 3,500-lbs. towing capacity.

The Venza design was the creation of Toyota’s Calty Design studios in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. Calty designers leaned toward a sleek crossover concept with a wide stance that featured a sporty exterior, but they also included important SUV attributes, such as cargo space, towing capability and available all-wheel drive performance.

Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. And It is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in Georgetown, Ky. More than 70 percent of Venza’s components come from North American suppliers.

Performance and Efficiency
The 2013 Venza offers four-cylinder and V6 models in FWD and AWD versions. Venza’s 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 181 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The four-cylinder Venza is EPA-rated at 21 MPG city/27 MPG highway for the FWD model and 20/25 for the AWD.

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. The V6 FWD model has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG city/26 MPG highway and 18/25 for the AWD. Both engines are teamed with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The six-speed ECT-i provides an engaging driving experience and helps optimize fuel economy. Uphill/downhill shift logic selects the proper gear for driving conditions and helps provide moderate engine braking during downhill driving.

Venza’s Active Torque Control AWD System optimizes torque distribution between the front and rear wheels to help ensure stable acceleration and smooth cornering on all road surfaces. AWD offers enhanced traction and helps provide excellent overall handling in inclement weather.

An available Towing Prep Package on V6 models equips Venza with an engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan and heavy-duty alternator.

Handling and Ride
Venza was designed with a lower center of gravity than typical SUVs to help provide dynamic handling, which is further enhanced by the large wheels and tires. The four-cylinder models ride on standard 19-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. Distinctive 20-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are standard for the V6 model. Power-assisted, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes are standard on all models.

Venza’s body structure relies on high tensile-strength steel, gussets and cross members for its strength, rigidity and optimized weight. Front suspension consists of a rigid L-arm-type MacPherson strut with a stabilizer bar, and the rear suspension is a dual-link MacPherson strut setup with stabilizer bar. Electric power steering (EPS), with its ideally weighted steering effort, contributes to the Venza’s spirited driving dynamics. EPS helps provide a more direct steering feel at both high and low speeds and delivers just-right assist when maneuvering the vehicle into tight parking spaces.

Safety
Toyota’s STAR Safety System is standard on all Toyota models and features enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and the Smart Stop Technology (SST).

VSC automatically adjusts engine output and the vehicle’s braking force at each wheel to help control loss of traction during cornering. TRAC helps maintain traction during challenging driving conditions. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking. If the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage ABS, Brake Assist supplements the applied braking power until the driver releases the pedal. Smart Stop offers an additional level of safety by automatically reducing engine power when a vehicle’s brake and accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions, helping to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), also standard on all Venza models, temporarily provides pressure to the brakes while the vehicle is stopped on an incline to help ensure easier starting with no rollback.

In addition, Venza provides seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, driver and front-passenger front-seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Front seat-belt pretensioners retract the seat belt in a severe frontal collision, while the dual-stage force limiters help limit the seat-belt force applied to the driver’s and front passenger’s chests.

Driver and front-passenger seats employ active headrests. If the vehicle is struck from the rear, a cable-actuated mechanism will move the headrest upward and forward to help limit movement of the occupant’s head.

Comfort and Convenience
Venza’s generous utility includes several clever storage locations and lighting. The adjustable center console features a sliding cover and armrest, three iPod®/MP3 player holders with wire concealment features, and a large storage compartment.

The center-console compartment is also equipped with a USB port, auxiliary audio jack and 12-volt power outlet. The upper portion of the center console houses the gearshift lever for easy and comfortable driver reach. An on/off switch on the overhead console enables front-seat occupants to operate all four personal overhead interior lights.

Interior storage is further complemented by a total of 10 front and rear beverage holders (six bottle holders and four cup holders). These include dual-illuminated, sliding front cup-holders in the center console, two in the rear-seat armrest, and front- and back-door bottle holders.

Entune Multi-Media System
The 2013 Venza now offers the Toyota Entune multimedia system. This system leverages the mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune supports engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports. Toyota Entune has a large selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iHeartRadio’s 750+ stations, and Pandora’s personalized music service.

The audio systems combined with Entune feature a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands.

An Abundance of Standard Features
The Venza LE grade comes well equipped with new standard features that include a blind spot mirror and outer mirror turn signals with puddle lamps. Additional key standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second-row-seat vents; eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar; 3.5-inch LCD multi-information display; a tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with integrated audio controls; an overhead console with map lights; rear-seat adjustable personal reading lamps and three 12-volt power outlets.

The LE also comes standard with the Display Audio system, which includes a 6.1-inch touch screen, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology.

The available Convenience Package for the Venza LE adds a power liftgate and a rear back-up camera. The Preferred Package adds a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof and Display Audio with Navigation and Entune.

The Venza XLE provides a major luxury and convenience upgrade to the vehicle and adds standard features such as leather-trimmed seating surfaces, steering wheel and shift knob; four-way power passenger seat; multi-stage heated front seats; driver seat memory; reverse tilt outer mirrors, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune; anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer; Smart Key System with Push Button Start and illuminated entry; power rear liftgate and a back-up camera. Also standard on the XLE is a TFT multi-information display that can be customized to adjust the font size and content, and navigation voice instructions available in Spanish, French or English (XM Traffic is only available in English).

Aside from powertrain choices, the XLE offers one major option the Premium Package, which includes a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, and Display Audio with Navigation , Entune and JBL®, that includes 6.1-inch Touch Screen, AM/FM CD Player with MP3/WMA Playback Capability, 13 JBL® Synthesis Speakers including Subwoofer, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio (Includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package), HD Radio™ withiTunes® Tagging, Auxiliary Audio Jack, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity and Control, Vehicle Information, Hands-Free Phone Capability, Phonebook Access, Advanced Voice Recognition, and Music Streaming Via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology.

The V6-only, top-of-line Venza Limited comes standard with the Premium HDD Navigation with Entune™ and JBL® multimedia system. The system features a seven-inch high resolution touch screen with split-screen capability, AM/FM CD Player with MP3/WMA Playback Capability, 13 JBL® Synthesis™ Speakers including Subwoofer, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capability (Includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package); HD Radio™ with iTunes® Tagging, Auxiliary Audio Jack, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity and Control, Vehicle Information, Hands-Free Phone Capability, Phonebook Access, Advanced Voice Recognition, and Music Streaming Via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology.

The Venza Limited combines the Premium HDD Navigation with Entune and JBL and the panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, and it adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with automatic high beams and LED Daytime Running Lights. The high-beam feature detects oncoming vehicles and automatically switches the headlamps from high- to low-beam.

Customers looking for a pet-friendly vehicle will find a wide range of pet utility accessories available at Toyota dealerships. Among the available choices are a rear liftgate pet ramp, booster seat with harness, pet buckles and rear seat zipline-style harnesses, pet carriers and bucket seat, bench seat and hammock style waterproof seat covers.

Exterior Design
The Venza sports an aerodynamic shape with short overhangs, forward A-pillar, crisp character lines, and a low roofline. Continuous brushstroke lines run from the front grille to the D-pillar. A bold front end features a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps for a sporty yet refined appearance. Venza’s sophisticated and confident appearance is completed by an angled rear hatch, spoiler and wide wraparound taillights that interconnect with the hatch door. Tight tire-to-body gaps contribute to the sophisticated, refined appearance.

The Venza design is highly practical, with a rear load-in height that is almost as low as that of the Sienna minivan. The generously sized liftgate opening enhances the vehicle’s utility. An available power liftgate integrates jam protection that detects obstruction in the door’s path and reverses the motor. Venza provides a low step-over height for improved ergonomics, and because the closed doors cover the rocker panels, the driver and passengers are protected from accumulated road-dust while getting into and out of the vehicle.

Interior Design
The Venza interior is designed to enhance driving enjoyment and offer premium comfort. Venza is available in three interior colors: Ivory, Light Gray, and Black, which is new for 2013. Each color is offered in fabric on LE and leather on XLE and Limited.

The flow of the center console creates a unique “60/60” design that gives both the driver and front passenger the feeling that 60 percent of the space is accessible from their seating position. All grades have a standard Optitron® speedometer and tachometer. The XLE and Limited grades also include a TFT multi-color center instrument panel display. Dual-zone automatic climate system controls are centrally located on the upper console, providing easy access for both the driver and front passenger.

Personal space lends overall comfort to the vehicle’s interior with ample head room, shoulder room, hip room and couple distance. Cargo-area utility is enhanced with fold-down 60/40 rear seats, one-touch fold-down seat levers and a tonneau cover.

Limited Warranty
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

The Venza will also come standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

“The Lexus ES brought new levels of refinement, sophistication and quality to the entry luxury segment when it entered the market in 1989, and through the years it has consistently been a sales leader for us,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “Now, with both gas and hybrid versions, the 2013 ES promises to lead Lexus forward once again.”

ES 350 Now Complemented by ES 300h Hybrid
For the first time, the Lexus ES will be available with Lexus Hybrid Drive. Featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine, the ES 300h hybrid is expected to earn an EPA fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg combined city/highway.

This new, low friction twin cam engine utilizes a sophisticated power management system, 12.5:1 compression ratio, and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). The beltless motor is designed to improve fuel economy and durability, and a near zero evaporative fuel system helps reduce emissions.

The ES 300h hybrid offers the driver four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and EV. EV mode allows short distance drives, at reduced speed, using only the power from the hybrid battery pack. Normal mode provides a blend of performance and efficiency that is suited to everyday driving, while Eco mode favors fuel economy. Sport mode increases powertrain responsiveness.

The ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with Dual VVT-i. The six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) provides enhanced performance, fuel efficiency and smooth shifts. Low friction materials further improve efficiency.

Signature Lexus Design
The new ES features a lower, progressive profile, and clean, continuous styling lines from front to rear. All four corners are pulled tightly inward to the wheel arches, creating distinctive proportions. The wheelbase of the new ES has been lengthened by 1.8 inches, while the overall length of the vehicle has grown by just one inch, resulting in a more spacious interior.

The new ES unmistakably bears the new face of Lexus with its distinctive, spindle grille. The LED daytime running lights and combination rear lamps reflect the “L” design motif. The ES 350’s rear bumper sports dual exhaust pipes, while the ES 300h hybrid features a distinctive rear design with hidden exhaust and an integrated spoiler. New exterior colors for the 2013 ES include Fire Agate Pearl and Silver Lining Metallic.

Interior Designed for Comfort and Spaciousness
The modern interior of the 2013 ES has been designed to provide both a sense of openness and security. Sightlines and visibility are improved, controls are logically placed, and new cabin materials express a high level of craftsmanship.

A newly sculptured seat enhances driver comfort. The steering wheel angle has been reduced from 24 degrees to 22 degrees for a more natural control position. Fluid-filled engine mounts, new sound absorbing materials and a tuned engine intake minimize the intrusion of outside noise.

Greater rear seat legroom and knee room are the hallmark of the redesigned, more spacious cabin. Knee room is increased by 2.8 inches and legroom is increased by 4.1 inches. The new design also offers additional foot room below the front seats.

Available comfort and convenience features include manual door window shades, a power rear shade, and a one-touch power trunk closer. Optional ambient lighting, discretely placed under the wood trim, softly illuminates the surfaces of the instrument panel and all four doors.

The new ES will feature enhanced NuLuxe seating surfaces, developed to reduce environmental impact. Genuine leather is also available, as is semi-aniline leather for an even more refined look and feel. Interiors are available in Black, Light Gray, and Parchment. Trim colors and materials include Piano Black, Espresso Bird’s-eye Maple, and Bamboo.

Crisp, Confident Driving Dynamics
Suspension and steering changes and a stiffer body deliver more precise handling. Opposite-wound coil springs on the front suspension enhance straight-line stability. Revised rear suspension geometry and improved shock absorber damping characteristics enhance ride comfort. A reduction in the steering gear ratio delivers a more responsive and direct steering feel. Increased body rigidity is achieved through lightweight, high tensile strength steel, added bracing and additional spot welds. Despite its larger size, roomier interior and additional luxury appointments, the weight of the new ES is reduced by almost 90 pounds.

The ES will be equipped with standard 215/55R17 low rolling resistance tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, and for the first time, available 18-inch high-gloss alloy wheels.

Driver-Focused Cockpit
Designed with attention to ergonomics and driver focus, the cockpit features separate display and operation zones to help keep the driver’s eyes on the road. The instrument panel, with its long, layered look, places the main information display directly in the driver’s line of sight. Just below the center display is a self-illuminating LED analog clock. Controls are clustered beneath the information zone, on the steering wheel, and on the center console.

The second-generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI) allows the user to operate the climate, audio, phone controls, optional navigation system and more. The screen menus are selected with a controller conveniently located on the center console. RTI reduces eye and hand movement, helping reduce effort and distraction.

Safety Features
An array of safety features aid the driver. The available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) helps detect vehicles in side blind spots. The RCTA alerts the driver to rear cross traffic when backing out of a parking spot. Available Lane Departure Alert (LDA) is integrated with automatic high beam dimming technology. The available Pre-Collision System (PCS) uses sub-millimeter wave radar to detect obstructions and prepare the vehicle for a potential collision.

The ES features a segment-leading 10 airbags as standard equipment, including driver and front passenger knee and front air bags, as well as front and rear seat-mounted side and curtain airbags. Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats are designed to limit excessive head movement in certain rear-end collisions helping to decrease the severity of whiplash-type injuries.

Lexus Safety Connect, including Enhanced Roadside Assistance, an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), Stolen Vehicle Location services, and Automatic Collision Notification to a Safety Connect center is standard on the new ES. A one-year trial subscription for Safety Connect is included.

Lexus Multimedia
The new ES features the next-generation Lexus Enform® system. Lexus Enform® provides seamless connectivity with Bing™ search, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, Pandora®, Yelp® and Facebook Places through compatible smart phones. Apps are updated through over-the-air downloads, so new apps and content can be added as they become available. One-year trial subscriptions to Lexus Enform with Safety Connect and the Application Suite are included.

The standard Lexus Premium Sound System features eight speakers with Automatic Sound Levelizer, CD player, USB/iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® and a SiriusXM receiver. The available Display Audio package adds a seven-inch screen, a backup camera, HD Radio™ with iTunes® tagging, Bluetooth audio, phone transfer, and a vehicle information display. The optional HDD Navigation System includes voice command and an integrated backup camera.

An available 15-speaker Mark Levinson® audio system features an eight-inch display screen, HD Radio™ with iTunes® tagging, DVD audio/video and a SiriusXM receiver. Exclusive GreenEdge technology from Mark Levinson doubles the output of the amplifier, while reducing energy consumption by fifty percent.

“The new Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid combine technology, style and performance to please current ES owners and attract new buyers,” said Templin. “With the addition of the ES 300h, Lexus truly offers something for everyone in the entry luxury segment.”

Revealed as a design prototype at a special VIP preview event the night before the New York Auto Show press days begin, the Fisker Atlantic design prototype is a luxury four-door sporting sedan with a practical interior. It is aimed at young families who want to drive an impactful, high-end vehicle while making a positive statement about responsibilities – both in terms of their commitment to sustainability and the practicalities of everyday life.

The Atlantic uses the latest second generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) technology. It will offer all the benefits of electric drive while at the same time eliminating the “range anxiety” experienced with an all-electric powertrain.

Like the Karma sedan, the Fisker Atlantic is a plug-in series hybrid vehicle that allows drivers to switch manually or automatically between electric and gasoline driving modes and sustain the charge of its lithium ion batteries on the move.

Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. This Atlantic EVer powertrain will offer highly competitive performance for a car in its class. The standard powertrain will be configured for rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version will be offered as an option.

The Atlantic design prototype’s glass roof shows off a ridged ‘spider’ structure. This incredibly strong construction also allows the Atlantic to offer a remarkable amount of rear headroom for a car with its sleek, coupe-like stance. This high-tech approach fulfills and surpasses all current and future rollover safety and crash-test requirements worldwide. The Fisker Atlantic’s long wheelbase also affords extra legroom for rear passengers and more space in the trunk.

The unique, exciting styling of the Atlantic retains and progresses Fisker’s signature design DNA. Henrik Fisker and his design team set out to create the most beautiful and dramatic vehicle in its class. Much of the design was inspired by nature, for example, the dynamic side theme, with strong sculptural lines that optically cross the center and over the rear wheels of the car. This gives a sense of power – replicating the stance of a wild tiger ready to pounce.

Further important design details to note include an evolution of the Fisker Karma signature grille, with a wider sculptured line defining the power dome on the hood. Strong creases emerge from the inside of the headlamps and continue back over the hood to elongate the car. The sharp headlights themselves give an ‘eagle eye’ with a strength of strong character not seen on a production car before. These touches allow the Atlantic to create a greater rear-view mirror presence than any other vehicle in its class.

Additionally, the rear door handles have been elegantly integrated in the rear C-pillars, to continue the sense and look of a sporting coupe without losing the practicality of a four-door sedan. The extremely slim LED tail lamps use the latest technology allowing them to split into two parts to offer a wider aperture for the trunk opening. The rear end of the car is clean and aerodynamically shaped, with a sharp spoiler lip on the trunk that runs down over the side of the car to enhance aerodynamic performance.

Overall, the Fisker Atlantic’s dimensions are comparable to those of an Audi A5. It has been engineered inside and out to offer a dynamic yet compact feel on the road.

“We are exceptionally proud of the Atlantic design prototype, and believe we have created another groundbreaking car that looks and will drive like nothing else on the road in this class,” said Henrik Fisker, co-founder, Executive Chairman, and Design Director of Fisker Automotive.

“Fisker Automotive is transitioning from a start-up automaker to a fully-fledged mainstream car manufacturer and the Atlantic is a crucial milestone in that process,” said Tom LaSorda, CEO Fisker Automotive. “We have a long way to go, but in the near future Fisker intends to deliver this exceptional American-designed, engineered, and manufactured vehicle to showrooms worldwide.”

“I’m confident the Fisker Atlantic will inspire people and win the brand many new customers who may not have considered an EVer powered vehicle like this before.”

More details on the Fisker Atlantic, including statistics, prices and an on-sale date will be given closer to the launch of the production car.

The second model in the Fisker lineup is set to debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. The Nina will bring the style of the Karma in a smaller package, and a smaller, more affordable price.

In recognition of this big debut, and knowing how anticipated it is, Fisker will be live streaming the event, and you are invited to watch! You do need to sign up to get access to the event, just click this link to take you to the form.

“We are incredibly excited to see the next model in the Fisker lineup,” said LAcarGUY CEO Mike Sullivan, “As a leader in design, technology and ecological stewardship, what Fisker is doing as a company, and with the Nina, shows why we are proud to have it as part of the LAcarGUY family of dealers.”

If you can’t wait to see what the Nina might look like, the team at Autoblog have some spy shots as the car was being brought into the show, you can have a look at those here.

The following SBC Industry Achievement Awards will be presented:

• SBC’s Lifetime Achievement in Sustainability Award
• SBC’s Lifetime Business Achievement Award
• SBC’s People’s Choice Award: Inaugural Category: Sustainable Restaurants
• SBC’s Sustainable Business Award

The evening’s festivities will feature:

• Networking opportunities with sustainable business leaders.
• Sustainable restaurant food tasting as part of the People’s Choice Sustainable Restaurant Judging.
• Sustainable wine tasting.
• Inspirational special talks from SBC’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
• An awards ceremony for the inaugural award recipients.
• Delicious dessert buffet and libations.
• Raffle draw for special Lexus-hybrid weekend getaway.
• Drive and rides of the latest hybrid vehicles from Lexus.
• And some yet to be publicly announced surprises!

For more information, contact info@sustainablebc.org and for ticket information, click here.

Audi had an excellent weekend at Sebring, taking the victory in the 60th running of the 12 Hour race, and as they have done in the past, used the Monday after the race to test machinery that they intend to race later in the year at Spa and LeMans. For the test Audi not only continued to work on developing the R18 Ultra, but also the new R18 e-tron quattro.

The R18 e-tron quattro takes the Turbo Diesel V6 from the R18 Ultra and pairs with it a flywheel hybrid system that sister company Porsche have been developing for two years now in the GT3 R Hybrid race car, and that technology has come from the Williams F1 team from the first time KERS was tried in the sport. In it’s first iteration in the Porsche the unit weighed 103 pounds, and by the end of last year it was down below 70, now with Audi also helping in developing the technology, they have cut that weight by another 20 pounds! It’s development like this why you often hear the phrase, “racing improves the breed”.

The flywheel hybrid system works by taking the braking energy, and rather than store it in a battery, or series of batteries, stores it in a flywheel that spins, in this case at over 40,000 RPMS. Then when called upon the energy stored in the flywheel is dumped back into an electric motor which powers, in the case of the R18 e-tron quattro, the front wheels with an additional 110 horsepower.

There is a “network” on YouTube called Drive, it features a series of shows throughout the week which covers cars and motorsport, it’s has some money behind it and so the production is quite good. If you are a car enthusiast, you will know many of the people who host the different show. In this case Leo Parente takes his show “Shakedown” to Sebring and talks with the people running the race program, along with the drivers. It’s a very good 15 minute video, and we encourage you to watch all the way to the end to hear what Ulrich Baretsky (Head of Engine Development) has to say about what they have learned in racing diesels and what that could mean to the future development of gasoline engines.

Looks amazing. We can’t wait for it to get here!

“This tour is a great way to demonstrate our Think Blue philosophy, which is at the heart of the Volkswagen brand,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We are incredibly excited to offer consumers a unique experience that not only showcases Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient product range and manufacturing, but also engages them in fun games and activities that reinforce individual action and eco-friendly behavior.”

Volkswagen will be practicing what it preaches as the tour will be driven by a high-efficiency cab and 53-foot trailer. At each stop, Volkswagen will display a range of fuel-efficient vehicles, including the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid, E-Golf prototype, and the Passat TDI® Clean Diesel.

Volkswagen product and technology specialists will be on hand at each event to guide visitors through the exhibit and be available to the public to discuss the wide range of current and future fuel-efficient powertrain options, as well as the Think Blue initiatives by Volkswagen and its partners. They will also share information regarding the fuel-efficient processes and technologies at work in Volkswagen’s Platinum LEED® Certified manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Visitors will have the chance to get involved by entering contests and participating in games and other activities that reward sustainable behavior. There will be interactive exhibits that range from a Think Blue info kiosk to a pedal-powered smoothie blender and prizes include take home giveaways.

The current tour schedule spans more than 12 cities in ten states from coast to coast, with additional stops likely to be added in the coming weeks. The first three tour events will take place in the West Coast in April-May, including:

April 19-22, Monterey, CA – Sea Otter Classic Bike Race
April 29, Denver, CO – Cherry Creek Sneak (Running Race)
May 6-9, Los Angeles, CA – Electric Vehicle Symposium

The event was held at the Peterson Auto Museum, and as he is known for his unprecedented taste and appreciation of the varied and diverse cuisines in the area, Jonathan brought together some of his favorites. And the reviews are in! From the Huffington Post to LA Mag to local blogs like Chowhound, they all agree that the Gold Standard is the best food event in LA! On the hottest day of the year so far, 2000 attendees ate and drank their way through the best that LA has to offer.

LAcarGUY featured 4 cars at event: the revolutionary Fisker Karma, the exiting Subaru BRZ, the stunning 2013 Lexus GS 350, and the latest chapter in Porsche’s legendary Sports Car icon, the 2012 Porsche 911.

Check out the video below for a glimpse into the event and mark it on your calendar for next year to make sure you are a part of it!

We will be capturing the construction of our new LEED Certified Audi dealership via time lapse. Here is a sneak at first 7 days. Pacific Audi is a proud member of the LAcarGUY family of dealerships

“Scion’s goal was to create an affordable sports car that true driving enthusiasts could enjoy,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “We accomplished that goal with the FR-S starting under $25,000…a total home run! Add in Scion’s complimentary Scion Service Boost, our no-haggle no-hassle Pure Price, and Scion’s network of about 1,000 dealers, and the FR-S is a grand slam.”

Pure Balance
The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel efficiency.

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. During planning and development, it was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The AE86 was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe that was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving “Pure Balance.” The balance begins with the strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

The FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed, horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system that incorporates both direct and port injection. The D-4S system, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a short-throw; while the automatic features aggressive up shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is transferred to the pavement via a standard Torsen® limited-slip differential.

The idea of “Pure Balance” is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight design and compact size. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and confident handling. The coupe’s weight is kept to a minimum by utilizing a lightweight aluminum hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead of a hatchback.

The FR-S’s low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear. Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four corners.

Powerful Exterior Design
The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a solid reflection of its inner power. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood and roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The low stance continues to exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that house the projector-beam halogen lamps. The aggressive front fenders protrude upward and boast the iconic ‘86’ piston emblem, which highlights the car’s AE86 heritage as well as its unique new boxer engine. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with aerodynamic lower treatments that surround the sporty dual exhaust system. LEDs illuminate the edgy taillights, while center-mounted backup lights finish the muscular design.

The FR-S will be available in seven colors including Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm and Whiteout.

Performance-Focused Interior
The FR-S’s interior includes a 2+2 seating configuration that is designed with both form and function in mind. The front seats feature deep bolsters and are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive, while the rear seat folds down flat, creating flexible space. The car will come standard with FR-S badged floor mats. The large center-mounted tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster and features a programmable shift-indicator, informing the driver of the engine’s vitals. Speed is monitored by both digital and analog gauges. The FR-S features a sporty leather-trimmed steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic adjustment.

The FR-S will come standard with an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB 300-watt maximum output Pioneer™ audio system. Standard features also include HD Radio™ technology and Bluetooth® connectivity that allows both hands-free phone connection as well as streaming audio capability.

Sports Car Performance with Excellent Safety Features
FR-S comes standard with six airbags, including dual-stage advanced driver- and front-passenger airbags, front-seat-mounted airbags and side-curtain airbags.

Like all Scions, FR-S features the Star Safety System that includes Traction Control (TRAC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $730 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Warranty and Complimentary Scion Service Boost
Like all Scion models, the FR-S is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile comprehensive warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The FR-S will come standard with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance. 

Scion FR-S Preliminary Specifications

In total, Toyota produces 12 models in North America: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Lexus RX350 and Venza. What’s more, the following United States expansion projects were completed in 2011:

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia completed an expansion resulting in increased 6-speed automatic transmission production bringing the plant’s total employment to approximately 1,100.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama began 4-cylinder engine production in the fall, resulting in 240 new jobs.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi began Corolla production in the fall, adding 2,000 jobs.

Looking forward, Toyota expects to assemble its 25 millionth vehicle in North America this year (2012), and will begin producing its all-electric RAV4 at its Woodstock, Ontario facility.

Toyota’s manufacturing site in Kentucky produced the most vehicles in the United States with 371,694 units produced, where over half of which were Camrys. Toyota’s Indiana plant put in a lot of work as well, producing just under 244,000 units, many of which were Sienna minivans. However, it was Toyota Manufacturing of Canada with the top number, producing 458,729 units, nearly all of which were Corolla sedans and RAV4 crossovers. Also of note is Toyota’s Virginia engine plant, which produced nearly half a million four and six cylinder engines. Kentucky was just under, producing over 415,000 four and six cylinder engines.

First off, we keep using the term LEED.  What IS that?  Some of you may know, but basically it’s short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and it’s an independent building certification created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  Here in L.A., we have a USGBC-Los Angeles Chapter, and there’s even a new South Bay branch of the Chapter that is getting going, so if you’re interested in getting involved, please do contact the Chapter.

What’s nice about the non-profit USGBC-LA, which promotes sustainability in the built environment, is that anyone can be involved, whether as a green building professional, or green building advocate who wishes to promote sustainable living throughout his/her community in related ways.

So, back to LEED. It provides voluntary guidelines for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. There are various levels of ratings (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum, both for residential and commercial) that are based on hitting a certain number of points.  Points are awarded based a number of considerations such as choices of materials, how one positions the building, what is done with any demolition materials, how water will be used, how much energy will be expended/saved in heating and A/C, transportation infrastructure (which may seem funny since we’re a car dealership, but just wait!), landscaping, and even on innovative ideas! Solar is certainly what makes the most headlines, but there are so many cool “inside” elements that are so impactful.  Many architects and an increasing number of general contractors and other building pros build to LEED standards, and we’re luck to be working with some of the best, including Sauers Lopez Construction Inc. and Whitfield Associates, Inc. (architect).

What this means to you is that we’ll be striving to be an even better member of the community by providing a smarter and more beautiful building inside and out.  In these posts we’ll share with you more about how we’ll be saving energy as well as water, mitigating storm water runoff, increasing the use of trees (most dealerships don’t like trees outside…think about it!) for cooler ground, beauty and shade for everyone, and even “eating” smog.

Green-built buildings in any neighborhood across the globe make a difference:

• they make people stop and take notice of what is happening, ask questions, and learn more about the process which might seem intimidating;
• they become a community destination to check out to see how it works and looks; and
• they can galvanize community support and add to the sense of pride within the community.

Yes, our project is a car dealership—and you might think we’re a little ironic for being excited about our green building that will house and sell…well, cars.  But we hope to make a building the community is proud of and enjoys, and that our employees feel better working in.  As LAcarGUY’s Mike Sullivan said at the groundbreaking, “This property just mirrors where the [Audi] franchise [which I’ve owned since 1999] is going, where the brand is going, and where we are going.”  Stay tuned…

More than just the BRZ, we had a DJ spinning, an ice cream station for the kids, and we raffled off an iZip electric bike!

Have a look at our Flickr page for all the photos from the event, and some of the videos from the event as well. Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to make sure you know when the BRZ is ready for delivery!

Mark Williams, editor-in-chief of Pickuptrucks.com and his team pitted seven trucks in a free-for-all comparison test in multiple categories. The lineup included the 2012 Chevy Colorado, 2011 Ford Ranger, 2012 GMC Canyon, 2012 Honda Ridgeline, 2012 Nissan Frontier, 2012 Suzuki Equator, and the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The trucks were thrashed, beaten and bruised on the dynamo, on the drag strip, in the desert, and on the highway — all to find out which truck is worthy of winning the high-budget, high-stakes comparison test.

To begin with, let’s have a look at the Tacoma on paper. With a starting price of just $22,100-$29,900, depending on the model, this purpose-built truck has the option of a 2.7-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 159 horsepower with fuel economy rated at 10.0 L/100 km in the city and 7.7 L/100 km on the hwy. Upgrade to the 4.0L V6, and the output is bumped up to substantial 236 horsepower. Transmission offerings are diverse, with a 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed automatic, a 5-speed manual, and a 6-speed manual. Some rugged options include mud-guards, skid plates for the underbody, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). As a result, the Tacoma was given 372 points out of 400 in value judging and 142 points out of 160 in expert impressions as tallied by Williams and company. And while the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier came close to the Tacoma’s overall score of 514, the Toyota Tacoma won outright.

Another defining element of the Shootout happened to be the unladen quarter-mile testing. The testers collected data from the trucks every 200 feet as the trucks paced as fast as they could down a quarter-mile drag strip. To nobody’s surprise, the Tacoma finished near the top again, crossing the finish line with a time of 16.43 seconds at 85.1 mph. It was second only to the Chevrolet Colorado, which was equipped with a less-fuel efficient V8 engine, edging the Toyota by less than a quarter of a second in quarter-mile acceleration. Also nearly identical between the Chevy and Toyota was 0-60 mph acceleration, at 8.12 and 8.17 seconds, respectively.

The PickupTrucks.com team then filled the beds of all the trucks with 40-pound bags of rock salt, until each truck had its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating maxed. Being that each truck had different capacities, each truck carried a different load. For the Tacoma, it was 22 40-pound bags.  It was the same story as before, with the Tacoma finishing just behind the V8-powered Chevy Colorado, accelerating from 0-60 in 9.27 seconds and crossing the quarter-mile finish in 17.18 seconds at 80.94 mph. But what’s the point of all that pep if the truck isn’t capable of stopping quickly? This is where the Tacoma stood out in a big way.

During empty testing, the Tacoma was the far-and-away winner, with an average stopping distance from 60-0 mph at 40.5 meters. The Honda Ridgeline finished a full 4.5 meters longer in second place, which ended well ahead of the rest of the pack, all in the 45s. During loaded stops, Toyota, once again was the standout winner with 43 meters, with the rest of the group bunching up over 3 to 5 meters longer.

While Toyota was a standout performer and victor in the aforementioned testing, it might have been its off-road performance that stole the show. Toyota’s TRD off-road package ended up being the proverbial gun to a knife fight, scoring 50 out of 50 points in hill climbing, which was double that of the Honda and five points ahead of the Suzuki. The Tacoma scored a perfect 50/50 again in the off-road course, edging the Nissan and the Suzuki once again.

So no matter what the job calls for, according to pickuptrucks.com, the Toyota Tacoma is the best tool in the box.

We planted over 170 trees. Planting trees is the simplest way for you to make a meaningful impact in the environmental movement. Each tree planted generates crucial clean oxygen, serve as noise and pollution buffers, provide beautification and so much more.

We also planted marigolds.  Did you know this flower is not only pretty but an insect repellent?

The Subaru EyeSight system will be one of the most affordable of such technologies available in the U.S. market. Combining safety and convenience features, EyeSight uses two charged-coupled device (CCD) cameras that are mounted inside the car on the upper edges of the windshield. Such positioning, reduces the potential for damage that could occur in bumper-mounted systems.

The technology processes stereo images to identify the vehicles traveling in front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes, and other items. The video information is relayed to the EyeSight processor, which is also networked with the car’s braking system and electronic throttle control. At speeds of approximately 19 mph, EyeSight’s Pre-Collision Braking System is capable of detecting pedestrians or other obstacles in the vehicle’s path and is capable of self-activating in order to mitigate or even avoid the collision. Under certain circumstances, EyeSight is able to bring the to a complete stop. Pre-Collision Braking is always on in the background to act like a second set of eyes for the driver. It can also be turned off temporarily for off-road or rough road travel. The system is programmed to recognize objects such as vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

By monitoring traffic lane markers and lines, the Subaru EyeSight system is capable of detecting when a car begins to wander outside the intended lane without a turn signal being used, or if the car begins to sway within the travel lane. Using the turn signal cancels the warning.

On the freeway, EyeSight’s Adaptive Cruise Control system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front, braking and/or accelerating the car as needed to maintain the driver-selected target speed and traveling distance. Adaptive Cruise Control is functional from 1-87 mph and can fully brake the vehicle to a stop if the system “locks onto” a vehicle ahead.

Other additional EyeSight benefits include the capability of alerting the driver when the vehicle ahead has moved if they have not reacted within several seconds. The technology can also help reduce collision damage by cutting the throttle when it senses an obstacle in front, but the accelerator pedal continues to be pushed. The system is also effective when a driver shifts into “Drive” inadvertently instead of “Reverse” when backing out of a parking space. The stereo camera design of EyeSight provides a detection angle wider than that of radar-based systems.

It is important to keep in mind that EyeSight is not designed as a substitute for driver diligence and attention on the road. The system may not react in every situation and there may be certain operational limitations such as when weather conditions obscure the view of the cameras. Finally, even with the most advanced technology being used, a driver with good vision and who is paying attention will always be the best safety system available.

“Lexus dealers continue to raise the bar in delivering on the promise of industry-leading customer satisfaction,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “We are thrilled that their timeless efforts at exceeding customer expectations resulted in Lexus being the highest ranked brand in CSI for the 15th time, more than any other manufacturer.”

J.D. Power statistics are based on responses from over 84,000 new vehicle owners that rate dealer service performance during the first three years of vehicle ownership. Five facets of customer service are measured in the study: service quality, service initiation,  service advisor, service facility and vehicle pick-up. The responses are gathered from around the world to avoid regional bias, with statistics from 16 countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany and India.

Overall, J.D. Power reports that almost every brand has improved on the Customer Service Index scale in 2012, with 28 of the the 33 eligible brands improving their score. A leading factor in overall attitudes towards customer service is the change from less repair work to more maintenance that is happening at dealers thanks to better built cars, J.D. power says. In 2012, 72 percent of vehicle owners say that their latest dealer encounter was for routine maintenance and not repair work, a 9 percent increase from 2011.

“Subaru is visiting companies that are recognized for having a positive work-life balance,” said Todd Lawrence, promotions and sponsorships manager, Subaru of America. “Our ‘Work Play Love’ tour is a recognition of those efforts and an invitation to come out and play.”

The tour will feature outdoor games, a DIY trail mix station, product demonstrations, giveaways and more. “Work Play Love” was conceived for Subaru by NORTH, brand communications agency based in Portland, Oregon.”More and more people are looking for ways to achieve life-work balance,” said Rebecca Armstrong, principal and managing director at NORTH. “Subaru personifies outdoor play and, as such, is ideally positioned to serve this need.”

“Everyone has an inner adventurer waiting to get out and the all-new 2012 Impreza is the car to get you there. The 2012 Impreza is the most fuel efficient all wheel drive car in the country. Its fuel economy, durability and versatility make it the perfect vehicle for the active, adventurer in all of us,” said Lawrence.

“Work Play Love” attendees can harness their inner adventurer by assuming one of three Impreza personas: The Balance Seeker, The Urbaneer and The Fresh Air Follower. Each Work Play Love tour stop will feature an Impreza outfitted according to those lifestyle personas. Tour attendees can assume those lifestyle personas and engage with their associated products. For example, KEEN is offering attendees of all personas to take recess from work and join a game of tetherball or play corn hole.

The Balance Seeker finds harmony in fresh air and on the yoga mat. While they are successful at their jobs, they never live to work. A typical Saturday might include a visit to the farmer’s market, a walk with the dog and the tree pose in a nearby city park. In short, they know how to breathe. Favorite Impreza features: fuel efficiency and moonroof.

The Urbaneer is an explorer of both cement jungles and tucked-away neighborhoods. Come rain or shine, workload or deadline, they always make time to get out and play. Their car might be filled with flea market finds, bike tubes, restaurant guides and backpacks. That’s because their curiosity cannot be contained and they are up for anything. Favorite Impreza features: zippy handling and built-in Bluetooth.

The Fresh Air Follower loves having a pack on their back and a challenge in their sights. Whether its mountain biking to a hidden spot or camping under the stars, they escape to the trees every chance they get. Favorite Impreza features: all-wheel drive and major cargo space.

To find out more about tour dates and locations, visit http://play.subaru.com/.

The retrofit reduced the energy usage from 245,875 annual kWh to 82,781 annual kWh. The annual energy cost was reduced from $36k to $12k. A total savings of 67%!

In addition to our energy savings, we reduced our carbon footprint even further by using E-Cycle Environmental to recycle 80 lbs of wood, 656 lbs cardboard and over 500 fluorescent tubes and lighting fixtures. Our landfill diversion was 100%.

Mike Sullivan’s Volkswagen Santa Monica opened in 1964 and continues today one of the nations leading VW dealerships.

We’re so excited to be building this. Everything we’re doing [here] is designed around sustainability and making it a very friendly place to be,” states LAcarGUY’s Sullivan. “What we are doing on this property just mirrors where the franchise is going, where the brand is going, and where we are going. It’s just a great marriage and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Located on a 3-acre parcel at the intersection of Hawthorne Boulevard and Spencer Street, the new space is being designed to better serve customers with expanded capacity and convenience within a compelling environment. The structure will make an impressive but welcoming architectural statement in the area with strong use of trees, special lighting, and a well-scaled, open two-story, 17-car showroom, showcasing the brand’s latest collection of luxury vehicles.

Having owned this Audi franchise since October of 1999, Sullivan built the first Audi Hangar-style dealership in California. The progressive nature of the Sullivan organization is a driving force behind the facility being built to meet LEED® standards (created by the U.S. Green Building Council). Highlights of the upcoming LEED® building include LED lighting, inside and out; high-efficiency heating and air components; “smog eating”-finished ACM panels; and atypical landscaping for a dealership. Regular blog posts at pacificaudi.com/leeddealership will soon begin to share the story of the green building’s progress until the scheduled November 2012 opening.

Adds Sullivan, “Our little family of dealerships is continuing to grow and we’re excited… We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve with this beautiful new LEED® certified building here in Torrance, so we’re really pleased.”

Keep an eye on Subaru Pacific as the new 2013 Subaru BRZ will most likely land this summer. Be the first in the South Bay area to own the new BRZ. Fill out the order and information form today! For more information about the 2013 Subaru BRZ at Subaru Pacific, visit our dedicated BRZ page.

Now that the Prius Plug-in is officially in the U.S., Toyota has also released its EPA-confirmed fuel economy numbers. According to Toyota, the Prius Plug-in has an EPA-rated electric-only range of up to 11 miles. Additionally, during “EV Mode” driving, the Prius Plug-in is rated at 95MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). In hybrid mode, the plug-in Prius returns an EPA combined mileage rating of 50 mpg. Total driving range for the plug-in Prius is listed at up to 540 miles.

The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in is $32,000, though the Advanced version starts at $39,525. Initially, the Prius Plug-in will only be available in the following 14 states: California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. A nationwide rollout is scheduled for 2013.

The market for plug-ins has been soft of late, with GM last week announcing that it would suspend production of the Chevy Volt until it could sell off inventory. But there are signs that the Prius Plug-in may be entering the market at exactly the right time. Sales of Toyota and Lexus’s plugless hybrids were up 60 percent last month, as gas prices in many parts of the country roared past the $4-per-gallon mark. If gas were to continue on that trend going into the summer months, it’s possible that prices could break record highs this year―a turn of events that would undoubtedly help to build some steam behind not just the Prius Plug-in, but the electric vehicle market as a whole.

Approximately 100 people were in attendance at the launch event for the all-new 2012 Porsche 911, and everyone enjoyed appetizers, champagne and went home with a special gift bag.

Guests shared their enthusiasm and excitement for the new 911. Many were long-time Porsche enthusiasts who freely shared their passion and praise for the historical vehicle. Check out our Facebook page, and enjoy some of the photos we took.

2012 Porsche 911 Launch Photos

While Braun has told Justin to always be humble, and not to get caught up in the flash of the Hollywood lifestyle, he did find something very special to give Justin for his 18th birthday.

Fisker Santa Monica provided two cars, one for Justin and one for his manager Scooter. The last three days have been spent transporting the cars from West Coast Customs for JB logo embedded in seats to the Ellen studio.

The car was a total surprise and was given to him on the Ellen show, watch the video below to see it all!

Designed to promote the use of Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) and related clean vehicle technologies, the CVRP is a consumer incentive made available in addition to the $2,500 Federal Tax credit¹ offered for qualified vehicles (more information available at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=219867,00.html). The 2012 Prius Plug-in also offers consumers eligibility for the State of California’s HOV lane sticker (information found here).

The CVRP program offers rebates to individuals, business owners, non-profit groups, and government entities that purchase or lease new eligible zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Under this program, the Prius Plug-in is eligible for a $1,500 rebate that will be provided to consumers on a first come first-served basis. These grants are available when a vehicle is either purchased or leased for 36 months or longer. The CVRP is funded by the California Air Resources Board (ARB). Additional information about the CVRP incentive and application resources can be found on the EnergyCenter.org website.

The first-ever Prius Plug-in Hybrid, combines the benefits of the third-generation Prius Liftback’s Hybrid Synergy Drive with a dedicated electric driving (EV) capability, in a package that is priced more competitively than most currently available plug-in hybrids or pure Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). The Prius Plug-injoins the Prius Family, which includes the third-generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the all-new subcompact Prius c, which will be available in March of 2012. The Prius Plug-in features a new Lithium-ion battery, which boosts its overall fuel economy and offers convenient charging times of only 2.5-3 hours using a standard 120V outlet or 1.5 hours using 240V.

While in EV Mode, the Prius Plug-in is rated by the EPA to drive up to 11 miles. It’s also capable of traveling up to 62 mph using electric power alone. During EV Mode driving, the Prius Plug-in is rated at 95MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). In hybrid mode, it has an EPA combined mileage rating of 50 mpg. This means that when the EV Mode is depleted, Prius Plug-in still obtains the same estimated high fuel economy rating as Prius Liftback. With its Lithium-ion power and extended electric vehicle mode, the Prius Plug-in is EPA-rated for a total driving range of 540 miles.

It will be available in two models, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid model comes equipped with an abundance of standard features including LED Daytime Running Lights, Smart Key on three doors, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune™ with integrated backup camera, Touch Tracer Display, heated front seats, Remote Climate (A/C only), EV/ECO/POWER modes, unique15-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, enhanced Multi-information Display and much more.

The Prius Plug-in Advanced model adds additional standard features including Premium HDD Navigation with Entune™ and JBL® GreenEdge™, Plug-in Hybrid Applications through a user’s smartphone (Charge Management, Remote Climate, Vehicle Finder, Charging Station Map², and ECO Dashboard²), Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, LED headlamps with auto on/off feature and integrated fog lamps, SofTex-trimmed seating, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Safety Connect and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is $32,000. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced has an MSRP of $39,525. Both Prius Plug-in models are eligible for up to $4,000 worth of government-supported consumer incentives ($2,500 federal tax credit¹ and $1500 worth of the State of California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program), in addition to offering eligibility for California’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane sticker.

Let us introduce you to the world’s most interesting car. Every square inch of the Fisker Karma underscores clarity and design intent and vested individuality and a scorn for convention. Which is to say that the Karma is unlike any other car. This is a car so far outside the mainstream that it was clearly born out of a grand vision.

That grand vision, and the confidence to make it a reality, belongs to Henrik Fisher, ex-Ford and -BMW designer (Aston Martin D89, BMW Z8), who with former BMW executive Bernard Koehler started Fisker Automotive in Anaheim, California in 2007. Their thesis was simple: Money is easily bored and there are sufficient numbers of carbon-conscious high-end consumers to support a luxury-EV company.

So what makes the Karma so interesting? Where do we begin. How about the gearshift, comprised of a symmetrically reflecting dihedral group of acrylic switches in a pentagonal projection in the center console. You don’t see that every day. The EcoSport package uses veneer from rare hardwoods, salvaged from the bottom of Lake Michigan where they sank while being floated down from the logging camps a century ago. The leather is Bridge of Weir Low Carbon Leather, sourced from ranchers who observe the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. The Lucite panels (100% recycled, of course) in the doors and console have magnolia leaves embedded in them. These many textures provide something the luxury car market sorely lacks: cars with a definitive narrative. We tell stories about our cars because they tell stories about us.

To alert pedestrians of its presence, the Karma emits a ghostly, electronic thrum, almost a “Tron-like” sound, as engineers call it, that reverberates from loudspeakers concealed in the front and rear bumpers. The rear speakers are located behind chrome alloy diamonds where one would expect to find the exhaust pipes. So where are the exhaust pipes? The turbocharged 2.0-liter, 260 horsepower four cylinder engine/generator under the hood actually exhausts through small ports behind the front wheels.

In all electric Stealth mode–with a full charge, a range between 32 miles (according to EPA) and 50 miles (according to Fisker)–the Karma accelerates to 60 in 7.9 seconds on its leisurely way to a 95-mph top speed. Pull the left-hand paddle behind the steering wheel and the car goes in to Sport mode, bringing the output of the battery (20 kWh/180kW max discharge) and the generator (175 kWh) online to energize the two 201-hp electric motors in the rear. In Sport, the car hits 60 in 6.3 seconds which is a mere half second slower than the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

Overall, the Karma is a fascinating and compelling automobile, an arty dreadnought of a car that gets an honest 52 mpg-e (or better, says Fisker) and, for most drivers on most days, uses zero gas. Will the Karma save the planet? Maybe, may be not, but the world is definitely a more interesting place for it.

The A3 e-tron pilot program marks the first step by Audi into the expanding U.S. electric vehicle landscape, which is a central component of the discussion expected at the Audi Social Space at TED2012.

At TED2012, Audi intends to spark a progressive dialogue about the role transportation will play in the global megacities of the future. The Audi Social Space will present a variety of perspectives on this topic on touch-screen video installations allowing attendees to pose new mobility scenarios for future urban spaces and contribute in real time to Audi’s live Twitter feed through the #AudiTED hashtag.

Elements of Audi balanced mobility initiatives will provide a backdrop for the interactive Social Space and spark conversation on future urban mobility and how to achieve CO2 neutrality across the mobility chain. Initiatives include: the lightweight A2 concept EV that features technology built specifically for the megacity of the future, like traffic-friendly piloted drive technologies for stop-and-go congestion; the Audi e- gas project, which utilizes offshore wind turbines to generate clean power for the production of electricity, hydrogen and methane; and futuristic cityscapes designed by partner architects of the Audi Urban Future Initiative.

Audi A3 e-tron, a global debut
Adding a new electric dimension to driving performance, the Audi A3 e-tron pilot program will allow Audi to identify challenges and opportunities with plug-in vehicles as progressive luxury car buyers become increasingly receptive to EV technology. By studying e-tron use across multiple geographical regions, Audi will monitor the effect of climate conditions, driving patterns and energy performance and use insight gained in the final development of future EV technology applications.

The A3 e-tron pilot program will take place in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Denver markets.

“As part of the long-range Audi corporate goal of moving toward CO2-neutral mobility, there will be e-tron plug-in vehicle products exhibiting all of the performance and design attributes Audi drivers have come to expect,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “Audi is committed to refining Audi e-tron technology and we expect our plug-in vehicles to become a significant choice for our buyers within a growing line of advanced, efficient Audi powertrains over the coming years.”

With the A3 e-tron pilot program Audi engineers and technical experts will explore EVs in a real world setting and monitor in real-time how e- tron technology operates in everyday scenarios. The pilot will run throughout the year and provide actionable feedback and telematics data to Audi engineering teams in the U.S. and Germany. This approach follows the Audi philosophy of engineering innovation by introducing fully developed alternative technology to ensure no compromises are needed by Audi owners.

“The A3 e-tron pilot program serves as an important innovation platform for Audi to develop greater insight into electric vehicles and how American driving conditions affect use of the progressive technology in everyday life,” said Jeff Curry, e-mobility and sustainability strategy lead at Audi of America. “We will integrate the data generated from this program into the launch of a range of Audi e-tron models for American drivers.”

The e-tron name indicates that an advanced electrified power train with a plug-in capability is onboard. As a core philosophy of e-tron, Audi engineers are researching e-tron power concepts tailored to different vehicle types and driving needs including full battery-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and extended range electric (EREV) versions. The goal is to have the right product for the market at the right time – the best solution for the individual requirements of Audi customers. Audi e-tron becomes the latest entry to Audi’s stable of ingredient technologies, including Audi ultra lightweight construction, Audi TDI® clean diesel, Audi connectTM navigation and infotainment and Audi’s signature quattro® all-wheel drive.

Based on the award-winning Audi A3, currently sold to U.S. consumers in gasoline-powered and clean diesel TDI configurations, the Audi A3 e-tron features a fully electric powertrain with a 26kw lithium-ion battery, and zero driving emissions. Providing a sporty driving dynamic, Audi A3 e-tron has 199 lb-ft torque, a battery range of approximately 90 miles and a top speed of 90 mph all while retaining the full interior space and versatility of the A3.

Audi also is working on standardizing peripheral technologies that have to be taken into consideration for wide spread EV adoption and use, including driving the establishment in 2011 of common global standards for charging. As part of the pilot program, Audi will develop its network of infrastructure partners, test advanced services and create partnerships that will be central to providing the premium Audi experience for e-tron buyers.

We are starting from scratch with the new store, construction began late in 2011, and our goal is to have it finished before the year is through. In tearing down the old building we are recycling as much of the material as possible and will take the pile of gravel you see in one of the pictures and use that as material for the driveway of the new building!

Happy and relieved the team saw the radishes popped up and are looking delicious! The carrots, peas and peppers are slowly coming along.

The team delivered a rain barrel to assist with the watering, and did a rain dance to speed things along!

This is no trivial achievement as 175+ Porsche dealers did not make the list including most of the largest dealers in the country, and one of only 2 in California to be so recognized.  This came as a result of some very hard work on the part of all of the Porsche employees and management and the commitment of Mike Sullivan to provide Pacific Porsche with all of the tools (and a “small” remodel) necessary to reach the top.  

The entire LAcarGUY family of dealers would like to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication it took from everyone at Pacific Porsche to achieve this elite status.

Slated to debut for 2015, Volkswagen says that its seventh-generation Golf will feature a slew of powertrain options—including a plug-in hybrid version that Auto Express recently rated 5-stars after briefly driving an early prototype. The plug-in hybrid Golf will join the forthcoming 2013 VW Blue E-Motion electric as one of two electric-drive variants on the carmaker’s most popular vehicle.

The prototype plug-in hybrid Golf is based on the currently available Golf platform—not on the Golf VII vehicle—but its powertrain is the same as the one in development for use in production versions of the Golf and other plug-ins. That powertrain features a 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline engine and an 80-kW electric motor. For the next-generation production version, the powerplants will sit on Volkswagen’s new Modular Transverse Matrix platform (abbreviated MQB in German,) which will allow the company to drop an array of drivetrain configurations into any MQB-based vehicle.

Volkswagen claims the plug-in hybrid Golf will offer up to 30 miles of electric-only range, which is similar to the Chevy Volt. Furthermore, VW notes that its plug-in Golf should be rated at approximately 117 MPGe U.S. (based on European test results) and emits 46 grams per kilometer of CO2.

“On the move, the plug-in Golf is very impressive indeed. Under most driving conditions it’s effectively an electric car—and you really need to press very hard on the throttle for the petrol engine to cut in at all,” according to Auto Express. “In town, it’s fast enough for you to breeze through traffic. Plus, the motor is so powerful, the engine is barely used on high-speed roads.”

Volkswagen expects the Golf Plug-in to be priced similarly to its turbocharged Golf GTI model, which currently starts at just under $24,000. That’s an impressive price point that should make the car competitive with other electric-drive options like the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Volt and Ford Focus Electric.

A closer-to-production Golf Plug-in concept is scheduled to be shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this September.

While in the automotive world all the latest technology might enable you to get around a racetrack faster, the question is, are you having as much fun doing it? When the computer is making a majority of the decisions, is the driver as engaged? The Subaru BR-Z will answer that question!

With the new Subaru BRZ it’s back to basics where the DRIVER is the most important thing. Pure driving enjoyment is at the core of this sports car. Rear wheel drive, manual transmission, tires that allow you to truly feel whats going on with the road through the steering wheel, nothing gets in the way of being one with the car and the driving experience.

Powering the BRZ is a 2 liter Boxer four cylinder producing 200 horsepower! That’s 200 naturally aspirated horsepower, no turbos, no superchargers, just pure mechanical power, and 100 horsepower per liter is usually something found only on exotic sports cars, not something that costs $26,000!

It’s a brand new car from scratch, which is a rare thing these days. The product is a result of the collaboration between Subaru and Toyota. As suspected, both companies have had specific tasks within this joint project. Toyota has been responsible for the design and has lent its direct injection technology to the engine. Subaru has done pretty much everything else. This is good news as we know Subaru can build great cars.

The engine is mounted so low that Subaru believes it has a lower center of gravity than the Ferrari 458. A low engine is not only great for handling, but it also means that the driver can be seated lower. The driver’s seat is definitely the place to be. Once on the road, the moment you pull the steering wheel off-center, you notice how rapidly and accurately the BR-Z responds to driver inputs. The weight distribution is not quite 50/50; Subaru engineers will only admit that less than 60 percent of the car’s mass is over the front axle, and the chassis has been set up for mild understeer. But there’s no mistaking the agility borne of low mass, slung low.

If you consider yourself a driver, and enthusiast, a gearhead, then the Subaru BRZ has been designed for you. It’s not a car that can only be experienced at a race track, though it’s happy to do so, it’s a car that you look forward to driving every day, on any road that you can find.

While the hybrid and plugin electric market may only be 2.5% of all vehicle sales in the U.S., the Prius accounts for more than 50% of those sales. The most shocking statistic is that 96% of all Prius’ sold, are still on the road today. Looking to expand the sales of the Prius, Toyota have expanded the sub-brand of Prius into four models, with the goal of the Prius family of vehicles surpassing Camry in sales.

The first expansion of the Prius family was the v, not quite a crossover, yet more than a wagon, it was Toyota’s move to get growing and active families more space to fit their lifestyle without compromising fuel economy or the integrity of the Prius name. The Plugin Prius will be the current Liftback model that will have the ability to drive 15 miles on pure electric, then revert back to a standard Prius Hybrid once the charge has been depleted. The last component is the source of our review, and that is the Prius c. It is a B-segment car, which will be competing against the likes of Toyota’s own Yaris and iQ, along with the Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Spark, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent.

Powering the Prius c is an updated version of the venerable 1.5 liter inline four cylinder engine. It has been updated to improve efficiency with lighter weight valve springs, lighter tension weight piston rings along with a few other items like the elimination of an accessory belt so now that the power steering, air conditioning and water pump are all driven via electric motors to reduce drag and friction and improve fuel economy. This is paired with a Ni-MH battery pack that is about 2/3rds the size of the one found in the Liftback, which provides an additional 25.9 horsepower to the 73 horsepower engine. The transaxle in the Prius c is an all electric unit that has no belts.

Fuel economy is the raison d’etre in the Prius family and the Prius c will deliver that in spades. Rated by the EPA 53 city, 46 highway and 50 combined. We had the opportunity to drive for a short 25 mile loop that was an equal mix of surface roads and highway. On the surface roads we pulled down 63.5 mpg without really making an effort to maximize fuel economy, and at the end of the loop we had a combined 54.7 mpg, and that was while driving highway speeds of 70-75 mph. Keeping with the rest if the Prius family, the c also has start/stop technology, so that the car is running only when it needs to when stopped in traffic. If you are in stop and go driving, this is an excellent way to save a few extras drops of fuel.

Lest you think this B-segment car is cramped inside, it is not. Front seat passengers have plenty of room, no fear of rubbing shoulders with your passenger. For back seat passengers, two normal sized adults will be able to ride comfortably. We had the drivers seat set for us at 5’11”, then jumped in the back seat behind and were able to get in and out with no problem, and our knees were not touching the back of the driver seat either.

The rear seats do fold in a 60/40 arrangement allowing for good load flexibility, bicycles and snowboards will have no problem fitting inside. With the seats up there is 17.1 cubic feet of space in the hatch area, which should be more than enough room for day to day items, or runs to the grocery store.

In the upper trim levels Toyota have made Softex synthetic leather an option. Listening to their consumers, Toyota have eliminated the use of natural leather in the Prius family of cars. The Softext in our test car, was comfortable, had a quality feel to it, and was grippy so that we did not slide around in the seat.

There will be four trim levels to the Prius c, One, Two, Three and Four. Stepping up to trim level’s Three and Four will net you a smart key, which offers the ability to not have to take the key out of your pocket to get in the car, or need it for starting. The upper two levels also get you the top end audio system with navigation. It has a 6.1 in touch screen with AM/FM/SirusXM/HD Radio and also will play CD’s along with MP3 and WMA files through a six speaker system.

All trim levels have bluetooth as standard but trim levels Three and Four allow for advanced voice recognition. The top end audio system also includes Entune. Entune is a system that Toyota have developed that works with the data connection on your smart phone to supply Pandora, iHeart Radio, OpenTable, MovieTickets.com along with real time traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports scores and weather to you.

You register on a specific Toyota website with your cars VIN number, and then you can assign up to four different phones to the system so that everyone can taylor the system to themselves, if multiple people in a household share the car.

The Prius c also contains a 3.5 inch TFT display to the right of the offset digital speedometer. There are multiple levels of menus to explore within. Items like energy monitors, drive information, scoring the last 100 drives and how economical the current one is, 5 minute consumption. There is an ECO Savings level where you can program the current cost of gas in, and also the mpg of another vehicle to see how much you are saving with the Prius c. It also calculates the current cost of your current trip, and past trips, and brake it down into a cost per mile. It will also grade you on how economically you are driving and braking on a scale of 1-5 and display it in a bar graph.

Many people worry about safety in cars that are as small as the Prius c. To address this Toyota is including nine standard airbags along with items like ABS, traction control, vehicle stability control, brake assist, brake force distribution and smart stop.

Smart stop is a system that intervenes when both the brake and gas peddles are pressed at the same time. In a panic situation one might press down hard on both peddles without meaning to. The system senses this, and disengages the gas, it also incorporates a hill assist into the system so that if you are on a hill and stopped, you do not roll backwards when transferring from the brake peddle to the gas peddle.

Pricing for the Prius c in trim level One starts at $19,710, Level Two is $20,760, Level Three is $22,395 and Level Four is $23,990, all prices include the $760 destination fee. While this is certainly on the higher end of the B-Segment price structure, cars like Ford’s Fiesta can quickly top $20,000 as well once they are optioned up. The base price of the Prius c is about a $2,000 premium over the Yaris to give some context.

Out on the road the Prius c drives very well. While the handling can’t be called sporty, it is very competent. It is very agile, has a better ride quality than the Prius Liftback or v, and also transmits less road noise through the tires than the Liftback or v as well. The Prius c engineers took extra time to mitigate as much NVH from the car as possible and their work shows.

Acceleration in city traffic from 0-40 miles an hour is good, though not quick. Merging onto the highway the power can be best described as adequate. It is able to get on to freeways and merge without drama, and while you may feel you need to be going faster or accelerating quicker, once you look at the speedometer, you will see you’ve already gotten up to the speed of surrounding traffic. The car can engage an EV mode where it can run up to a mile with a max speed of 25 miles an hour.

The Prius c was able to run 75 miles an hour on the highway with no issues, it was not moved around by semi’s going past, it felt very stable, and the interior is quiet enough to hold a conversation in a normal tone of voice.

While the other versions of the Prius have never excited us all that much, we feel that the c is the first Prius that we can get behind. It truly was a fun and satisfying car to drive. In a time when gas is again approaching $4/gallon in the U.S., having a car that can pull down 50 mpg is an attractive proposition. And when that proposition asks very few compromises from you, it’s even more so. No the car is not a sports car, or a sporty car, what it is, is a small car that gets the job done, can be well equipped, and you don’t mind driving. While in the past, and even now with the Liftback and the v, the Prius’ could be described as automotive appliances, the c does not have that vibe, it feels like a car first, a hybrid second.

The IS range from Lexus tends to fly under the radar. Most people tend to focus on three models in it’s lineup. The top end LS, the mid level ES and the RX crossover. While there is nothing wrong with those vehicles, they don’t come within a solar system of what you might consider engaging drivers cars, but that’s not what they were designed to be either.

The IS is the exception to that rule. Even in it’s standard IS 350 guise, the IS does not feel “blandtastic” it does have strong elements that at times make you scratch your head and wonder how did this one make it through. That’s before we get to the IS-F.

If you like fun and engaging cars to drive, then the Lexus IS-F is for you. It starts under the hood with a 416 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 which sends power to the rear wheels via an eight speed automatic gear box. It should be required in owning or driving this car that you either (a) have a radar detector, (b) have an attorney on retainer, or (c) be on good terms with your local police department.

Why you ask? Because once you hit about 3500 rpms the exhaust note is so glorious, that you want to keep hearing it! We hope which ever engineers were responsible for tuning the exhaust note got a large bonus because this is one of THE GREAT V8 exhaust notes of all time!

The suspension also gets an upgrade over the standard IS 350. The ride is firmer, but it is also not harsh, it is something that is very livable in everyday driving. The IS-F does corner flatter and is quicker to change directions when called on to do so quickly.

As fantastic as the engine is, the brakes on the IS-F are equally as good. The pure stopping power can generate enough negative g-forces to make you think your eyeballs will come out of their sockets. Yet unlike many big brake systems, it doesn’t feel light a light switch which is either on or off, there is a nice linear travel, with excellent feedback. The brake system is sourced from Brembo and have 14.2 inch discs up front with six piston calipers and 13.6 out back with two piston calipers.

Inside the car has all the luxury touches one would expect in a $60,000 car. The leather is of good quality and the micro-fiber inserts in the seats give it an even more upscale touch. In hot or cold clients the micro-fiber is much more comfortable than leather, while waiting for the cabin to come up or down to temperature. It also offers better traction for your backside when you decide to push the car hard.

Looking onto the instrument cluster, a 9000 rpm tachometer is dead center and dominates your view. While the tach may go to 9,000 shift are handled closer to 7,000. There are a series of lights that change from yellow to red as you close in on the redline helping you if you are choosing to shift up manually in the gearbox.

Best be quick with those shifts as the engine revs very quickly! In first or second gear it is not difficult to bounce the engine off the rev limiter because the engine revs so quickly. There is a digital readout on the tach to tell you your speed, to go along with a smaller speedometer to the right of the tach.

The IS-F has an optional Mark Levinson audio package that comes with navigation. If you are familiar with the system in other Lexus models, it’s features are similar. To our ear, it could use a little more base, and a little more “presence” in delivering the audio, and that is true in listening to several different genres of music, from classical, to jazz, rock and trip hop.

Fuel economy is not unreasonable for the IS-F, the EPA rates the car at 16 city/23 highway/18 combined. Our experience with the car says those numbers are very close, and thats when were were not shy with the right foot. Take it a little easier on the loud peddle and you will see the number increase. We saw fuel economy at almost 20 in the city and 24 on the highway driving in a more restrained manner.

The IS-F has to rate as the most fun cars to drive in the Lexus lineup outside the $400,000 LF-A. The best part of the LF-A is that it doesn’t scream performance car, even though there are some very aggressive styling cues. There will be many a shocked BMW M3 driver when they see the IS-F’s taillights disappearing into the distance, and that may be the point, excellence in performance doesn’t have to be flashy, just quiet professionalism.

• Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100;
• Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; and
• Scion achieves its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping up 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100.

Additional examples of Toyota’s commitment to the highest standards for quality, safety, reliability and retained value include:

• Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand.
• The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.
• Toyota and Lexus won 11 awards – more than half the 21 total awards – in IntelliChoice.com’s Best Overall Values of the Year.
• Fifteen Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles were named 2012 “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than any other automaker. The 2012 models are: Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Prius v, Sienna, Tundra Crew Cab, Venza, and Yaris; Lexus CT 200h and RX, and Scion tC, xB, and xD.
• The 2012 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and Scion tC earned five stars for Overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest rating possible.
• *The Premium Car segment is not represented in the 2012 VDS due to the small sample size for the segment.

Mark Williams, editor-in-chief of Pickuptrucks.com and his team pitted seven trucks in a free-for-all comparison test in multiple categories. They were the 2012 Chevy Colorado, 2011 Ford Ranger, 2012 GMC Canyon, 2012 Honda Ridgeline, 2012 Nissan Frontier, 2012 Suzuki Equator and 2012 Toyota Tacoma. The trucks were thrashed, beaten and bruised on the dynamo, on the drag strip, in the desert, and on the highway — all to find out which truck is worthy of winning the high-budget, high-stakes comparison test.

To begin with, let’s have a look at the Tacoma on paper. With a starting price of just $22,100-$29,900, depending on the model, this purpose-built truck can come with either a 2.7-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline engine that offers 159 horsepower. Fuel economy for this engine is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Upgrade to the 4.0L V6, and the output is bumped up to substantial 236 horsepower. Transmission offerings are diverse, with a 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed automatic, a 5-speed manual, and a 6-speed manual. Some rugged options include mud-guards, skid plates for the underbody, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). As a result, the Tacoma 372 points out of 400 in value judging and 142 points out of 160 in expert impressions as tallied by Williams and company. And while the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier came close to the Tacoma’s overall score of 514, the Toyota won outright.

Another defining element of the Shootout happened to be the unladen quarter-mile testing. The testers collected data from the trucks every 200 feet as the trucks paced as fast as they could down a quarter-mile drag strip. To nobody’s surprise, the Tacoma finished near the top again, crossing the finish line with a time of 16.43 seconds at 85.1 mph. It was second only to the Chevrolet Colorado, which was equipped with a less-fuel efficient V8 engine, edging the Toyota by less than a quarter of a second in quarter-mile acceleration. Also nearly identical between the Chevy and Toyota was 0-60 mph acceleration, at 8.12 and 8.17 seconds, respectively.

The PickupTrucks.com team then filled the beds of all the trucks with 40-pound bags of rock salt, until each truck had its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating maxed. Being that each truck had different capacities, each truck carried a different load. For the Tacoma, it was 22 40-pound bags. It was the same story as before, with the Tacoma finishing just behind the V8-powered Chevy Colorado, accelerating from 0-60 in 9.27 seconds and crossing the quarter-mile finish in 17.18 seconds at 80.94 mph. But what’s the point of all that pep if the truck isn’t capable of stopping quickly? This is where the Tacoma stood out in a big way.

During empty testing, the Tacoma was the far-and-away winner, with an average stopping distance from 60-0 mph at 133 feet. The Honda Ridgeline was second, however it took an additional 15 feet to come to a stop. During loaded stops, Toyota, once again was the standout winner with 142 feet, with the rest of the group bunching up over 10 to 15 feet longer.

While Toyota was a standout performer and a victor in the aforementioned testing, it might have been its off-road performance that stole the show. Toyota’s TRD off-road package ended up being the proverbial gun to a knife fight, scoring 50 out of 50 points in hill climbing, which was double that of the Honda and five points ahead of the Suzuki. The Tacoma scored a perfect 50/50 again in the off-road course, edging the Nissan and the Suzuki once again.

So no matter what the job calls for, the Toyota Tacoma seems to be the best tool in the box. PickupTrucks.com’s testing tells us so.

+ WIND TURBINE CHARGES KARMA AT ILLINOIS ECO RESTAURANT
Savvy Karma owners eating out at The Great Escape restaurant in Shiller Park, Illinois, have been able to charge-up their luxury plug-in hybrids for free and with zero environmental impact, after the restaurant fitted EV charging stations to a giant wind turbine. Keen to do their bit for the environment and to reduce dependence of foreign oil, the restaurant owners erected the 112-foot wind turbine in 2009, providing well over 50-70 percent of their energy needs in a sustainable way – and leaving plenty of energy over to charge up a few Karmas during lunchtime.

+ FISKER DOES DEALERSHIPS DIFFERENTLY
Fisker dealerships are emerging worldwide, with 45 already up and running in the US alone. In keeping with Fisker Automotive’s philosophy of utilizing existing resources wherever possible, the company has tried to avoid building new facilities from the ground up. Instead, Fisker is recycling previously occupied car showrooms and transforming them into new environmentally friendly ones with showrooms furnished with environmentally responsible furniture. This means using sustainable materials in construction, such as reclaimed wood flooring and color and materials containing glass and reclaimed wood veneers. Technology tables with touch-screen functionality allow consumers to configure and order their

Karma while cutting out the use of traditional paper sales materials. Fisker retailers are also installing the first ever solar-powered dealership signs, designed specifically for Fisker Automotive, which contain recycled components, are low maintenance and operate on cloudy days with less than two amps of power. These signs reflect the overall mission of Fisker Automotive, which is Uncompromised Responsible Luxury.

Chris has moved on from EVO in the last few months, he now writes for the PistonHeads blog, and is doing a weekly video show on the DRIVE channel on YouTube.

Chris went to European launch for the FR-S, known as the Toyota FT-86 there, that the Jarama racetrack in Spain. He only had 20-30 minutes to drive the car, so he wanted to make sure he maximised his time. What follows is the video review of that drive, and just so you can have a little context about how much he likes the car, his personal car is a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0!

Make sure you are following us on Twitter and Facebook to find out when the FR-S will be in our showrooms.

The Audi A7 is the epitome of high style and artistry, with a five-door coupe design that is both sporty and elegant. The Audi A7 can also boast being the first car in the world to feature factory-installed Wi-Fi with Audi connect™ and navigation with 3-D Google Earth. From the groundbreaking MMI® touchpad and its gracefully integrated display screen, to the state-of-the-art head up display, the Audi A7 is the perfect marriage of progressive design and sophisticated engineering. The A7 also sets a high standard for performance, handling and efficiency with an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 liter TFSI® V6 engine, 310hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque.

The open top R8 Spyder is a favorite with both the public and experts alike. The high-performance sports car from Audi, the R8 Spyder is a high-tech work of art with the formidable power of its engine, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive and its lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) body made of aluminum. Good everyday practicality and perfect fit and finish typical of Audi complete the profile of this model athlete. With the standard hydraulic motor, the soft top opens and closes within 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro features 430 hp, and the 5.2 FSI quattro features 525 hp.

We were excited to see so many friends and clients show up to see this fantastic new Lexus.

Pictures from the event

Have a look at what some of the people attending thought about the new GS

And lets have Doug Wall give you a walk through!

Unique Place in the Prius Family

A gateway into the Prius Family, the new Prius c will find favor with younger shoppers seeking a smartly designed, fuel-sipping subcompact car packing advanced drivetrain and in-car technology. The SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) rated Prius c will offer engaging driving dynamics and superior urban maneuverability. When the 2012 Prius c arrives in showrooms in March 2012, this all-new hatchback will offer:
* The highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug*; 53 mpg in the city, and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 50 mpg
* A starting MSRP of $18,950 with a proven hybrid powertrain and premium technology
* A premium hybrid experience thanks to a wide array of convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5-inch full color TFT multi-information display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune™

Prius c: Four Grades

The Prius c will be available in four grades, offering desirable features, equipment, and enhanced capability providing consumers compelling value. All Prius c models will be equipped with a Hybrid Synergy Drive 1.5-liter DOHC, 16-valve engine with VVT-i, a 60 hp permanent magnet AC synchronous motor, and a 144 volt nickel-metal hydride battery which generates 25.9 hp of electric propulsion for a total hybrid system net output of 99 horsepower. The Prius c will be equipped with 9 standard airbags, driver and front passenger Advanced Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats and Toyota’s Star Safety System ™ that includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

The Prius c One base grade will offer many standard features such as automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, multi-information display and Bluetooth® hands free phone controls; and remote keyless entry with illuminated entry.

The Prius c Two grade offers a 6-speaker audio system, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with adjustable headrests, cruise control, engine immobilizer, center console with armrest and storage compartment, and a cargo area tonneau cover.

The Prius c Three grade enhances the technology in the vehicle with improved audio and connectivity. The Prius c Three includes a Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune™ that adds a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Sirius XM Satellite Radio capability (includes 3 month trial subscription to XM Select Package), HD Radio™ with iTunes® Tagging, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings, and advanced voice recognition. Toyota Entune™ includes Bing™ and Pandora®; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports, and stocks. Apps available spring 2012 at no charge include iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable®. Access to Entune™ services is complimentary for three years. In addition, the Prius c Three grade includes color-keyed outside door handles with touch- sensor lock/unlock feature, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-information Display, Bluetooth® hands free phone and voice command controls, a Touch Tracer Display, and a Smart Key System on the front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry. The Prius c Three allows buyers to add 15-inch alloy wheels and a power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade as optional equipment.

The Prius c Four grade is distinguished by its 15-inch, 8-spoke alloy wheels, Softex-trimmed heated front seats, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, and integrated fog lamps. Optional equipment for the Prius c Four includes 16-inch, 8-spoke alloy wheels with 195/50R16 tires and power tilt telescopic moonroof with sunshade.

2012MY Prius c Pricing Sheet

SERIES MSRP
PRIUS c ONE $18,950
PRIUS c TWO $19,900
PRIUS c THREE $21,635
PRIUS c FOUR $23,230

2012 Prius c Options and Packages

Available for Prius c Three:
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $850
15-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P175/65R15 tires- MSRP $390

Available for Prius c Four:
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $850
16-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P195/50R16 tires – MSRP $300
16-inch Alloy Wheel Package: combines 16-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P195/50R16 tires and power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $1,150

Available Exterior Colors:
Habanero
Blue Streak Metallic
Summer Rain Metallic
Absolutely Red
Black Sand Pearl
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Classic Silver Metallic
Moonglow
Super White

Toyota has upgraded its expectations for the 2012 Prius Plug-in’s official fuel economy rating, ahead of the vehicle’s March 2012 launch.

According to Toyota Division Group vice-president, Bob Carter, the 2012 Prius Plug-in returns 95 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, and 50 mpg in hybrid mode. That’s a decent bump over Toyota’s previously announced numbers of 49 MPGe in electric-only mode and 49 MPG in hybrid mode. The revised figures were announced by Carter at a Toyota Prius C launch event in California this week.

At 95 MPGe, the 2012 Prius Plug-in essentially matches the rating of the 2012 Chevy Volt. For the 2012 model year, the EPA revised the Volt’s fuel economy ratings, increasing its electric mode rating from 93 to 94 MPGe.
The nearly identical efficiency ratings of the Prius Plug-in and Volt will inevitably lead to comparisons between the two leading plug-in hybrids—despite the vehicles’ divergent technology approaches, style, passenger and cargo space, and driving feel.

The 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers 15 miles of electric-only range at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. The Chevy Volt is always powered via electric motor, though it uses a gasoline engine to recharge its battery pack after an EPA-estimated 35 miles. Due to its Electric Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (eAT-PZEV) status, the Prius Plug-in qualifies for California’s carpool lane access—a perk now granted to the 2012 Chevy Volt as well.

To some, the most striking difference between the Volt and Prius Plug-in Hybrid might seem to be the sticker price. Starting at $32,760, Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid is significantly less expensive than the $39,995 Chevy Volt. However, the Volt qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, while the Prius Plug-in is only eligible for $2,500. The difference between these tax incentives brings the final purchase price nearly to parity.

Ultimately, the two vehicles provide two very distinct approaches to reach similar efficiencies. Throw in the Nissan LEAF (which is rated slightly higher at 99 MPGe,) and the forthcoming Ford Fusion electric (which is expected to crack the 100-MPGe barrier,) and it becomes clear that the actual MPGe ratings of the current mass-marketed plug-in vehicles are fairly close to one another. For consumers, choosing the right electric vehicle will most often come down to price, and finding the best range and drivetrain configurations for each individual or family’s lifestyle.

The supercharged V6 can be found in both the Audi A6 sedan and the striking A7 four-door coupe. Consumers can also find the award-winning engine in the Q7 full-sized SUV, and the athletic S4 and S5 models.

From a sheer power standpoint, the all-aluminum engine is good for a wholesome 310 horsepower and a substantial 325 lb-ft of torque, which peaks between 2,900 and 4,500 rpm. That’s nearly the kind of power found in a modern V8 engine, but because of its compact size, the TFSI supercharged 3.0L V6 is more efficient than an example with two more cylinders, and boasts a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city 28 mpg on the highway (in the A6). And with Audi’s buttery Tiptronic transmission, you can listen to the engine’s fantastic exhaust note through eight smile-inducing gears.

As LAarGUY is a company committed to helping our community, Pacific Audi supports the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation to bring toys and smiles to children in need this past holiday season. Pacific Audi Appointment Coordinator, Ellizabeth Weissman, inspired us at Audi to participate in this program. She remembers growing up and receiving a lot of kindness and generosity in helping her family not just with toys but with food and clothing. She knows the huge difference it can make in a child’s holiday season. Pacific Audi is an official toy drop off center.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

There will be Valet Parking, Appetizers, Wine and Soft Drinks, plus Live Music!

Make sure that you RSVP to lexusevents@LAcarGUY.com

Lexus Santa Monica is located at 1501 Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica. We look forward to seeing you here!

The grueling 2012 Dakar Rally crossed 5,500 miles of rough terrain through the harshest conditions of South America. It’s hell on machines and drivers. The terrain is torturous and can strand even the most capable of vehicles. Since its inception in 1978, the Dakar Rally, which has taken place in Europe, South America and Africa—and has even claimed the lives of 25 participants.

Despite those harsh conditions, on January 15, the OSCar eO, an extended-range electric vehicle entered by the Latvian team, completed the rally. The 2012 race’s route through Argentina, Chile and Peru is a grueling test of endurance for even the most robust vehicles and drivers. The car’s historic finish demonstrates that electric vehicles can survive the world’s most challenging driving conditions.

Powered by a motor that cranks out up to 430 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the OSCar eO is an electrified monster. The eO’s Nissan-sourced gasoline engine acts as a generator, but propulsion is 100-percent electric. Electric range is listed at up to 190 miles, but under the Rally’s extreme conditions, less than 100 miles is the norm. Including range-extended mode, the OSCar eO can travel up to 800 km (or roughly 500 miles,) without refueling.

Before the eO’s historic finish, Maris Saukans, the car’s pilot and a seven-time Dakar veteran, said, “We like to be considered as pioneers. Now we have two tasks on the Dakar: to finish the race and give others inspiration.”

The OSCar eO, driven by Saukans and engineer Andris Dambis, ranked an impressive 77th in the final classification. With its crossing of the finish line, the OSCar eO will forever be listed as the first extended-range electric vehicle to compete in and finish the Dakar Rally.

In any constellation, some stars appear brighter than others. In the constellation of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. – one of Japan’s largest industrial companies – its subsidiary, Subaru, is that shining star.

Literally and figuratively, Subaru, which is the Japanese word for the Pleaides – has been a rock star in the depressed auto sales environment spawned by the collapse of the economy in 2008. Over the past few years, Subaru has seen double-digit sales increases and 2011 was its best year ever.

Perhaps it’s Subaru’s legendary reliability or perhaps its just that the company stayed laser-focused on its core “outdoor lifestyle vehicles” for its rabidly-loyal customers. Whatever the reason, there is no argument that Subaru has hit a successful formula that continues to resonate with hard-core enthusiasts as well as more recent members of the Subaru family.

If you know nothing about Subaru, you should know that it has two defining traits. First, it’s the only mass-market auto manufacturer that uses flat boxer engines in all its vehicles. (Porsche uses boxer engines in its sports cars, but not its other products.) And that boxer engine always drives all four wheels to form what Subaru calls symmetrical all-wheel drive.

Here’s an animation of how the Subaru boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive work:

While Subaru is a popular niche brand in the Southland, you really need to drive up to Big Bear, Mammoth or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest to appreciate how many people choose a Subaru over other AWD cars. The first time I went to Jackson Hole, I was amazed by the number of people (full-time residents) who had a big 4-wheel drive pickup or SUV and a Subaru wagon in their driveways.

The Impreza has been Subaru’s humble entry-level car for many years. For 2012, while Honda and Toyota played it safe with subtle evolutions of their core products, Subaru took a quantum leap with the Impreza. The body, while remaining almost identical in size to the outgoing model, received new creased and crisp sheet metal and the interior lost much of the cheap-looking plastics in favor of more tailored, textured and soft-touch materials.

Beneath the handsome new metal (with nicely detailed wheel wells) is Subaru’s new 2.0L boxer engine making a relatively modest 148 hp 145 lb-ft of torque. The new engine sheds half a liter and 22 horsepower, but you’d never know it because its power and torque is managed much more efficiently by the new Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) that replaces the old-school four-speed automatic. Both a 5-speed manual and the CVT are available, but the CVT is the only transmission offered on the top-line Limited model.

Subaru claims a zero to 60 mpg time of 9.8 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the last Impreza that had a more powerful engine. While it’s not glacial, it’s 1/10th of a second slower than a standard Prius. It did seem quick off the line, but it takes a bit more time and effort for the engine to achieve highway speed.

The big news, however, is that fuel economy jumped from a decidedly uncompetitive 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway to 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway. That stunning 30% increase instantly makes Subaru competitive with other subcompact cars, even while sporting the heavier AWD hardware not available on any competitor like the Honda Civic or Ford Focus.

The new Impreza has a smaller gas tank (14.5 gallons), but with the boosted fuel economy, it still has a potential cruising range of more than 500 miles.

The base 2012 Impreza 2.0i sedan is $17,495. Additional trim levels are Premium and Limited. Add $500 for the 5-door version and $1,000 for the 5-door Sport. I wanted to test the much more rakish and desirable 5-door Sport Limited model; but those are so popular, dealers can’t keep them in stock.

My gracious host at Subaru Pacific had a loaded Limited sedan (MSRP $24,895) ready for me to test. The standard Lineartronic CVT produces the best fuel economy. The sedan is identical to the 5-door/Sport model from the B-pillar forward, so both should have the same driving characteristics.

First, I’d like to state for the record that I’m not a big fan of CVTs. CVTs are a bit buzzy and the mechanical shifts I like to feel when driving are missing. That said, Subaru’s CVT is pretty advanced and civilized. Humming and complaining was reserved for heavy acceleration. However, in normal stop-and-go city traffic and highway speed cruising, the transmission works well and is unobtrusive.

The Lineartronic’s “M” mode gives the driver the feel and control of a 6-speed automatic. Handsome silver paddle shifters behind the steering wheel engage the fun. The LCD information screen between the analog gauges displays the number corresponding to the “gear” you feel you’re in. Slick stuff, but it’s more of a gimmick than useful. You’ll find yourself just leaving it in Drive and saving the manual mode for a steep decline.

2012 Impreza steering wheel with paddle shifters and audio/telephone and cruise controls. You can see the top edge on the paddle shifter barely visible above the right spoke.

The four-wheel independent suspension with double wishbones in the rear and MacPherson struts up front absorb rough surfaces better than in the past and the overall architecture is 110 pounds lighter (mostly from engine weight) and more rigid. Subaru added some sound-deadening materials that makes the cabin a place where you can hold a normal conversation at highway speeds, even if there is some road noise.

2012 Subaru Impreza Sport. It's almost a wagon, and I know people are calling it a wagon. Subaru calls it a 5-Door.

Standard 4-wheel antilock disc brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) grab the wheels with assurance. Some cars in this class are still cutting costs with rear drum brakes. Of course, there are loads of airbags and the standard electronic nannies of traction control (TCS) and vehicle dynamics control (VDC) and the IIHS awarded the 2012 Impreza its Top Safety Pick rating.

Driving the new Impreza is an uncomplicated experience. As I discussed above, it’s not fast, but it is quick off the line which is good for city driving. There is no torque steer, thanks to the AWD and the 50/50 split torque management system. The electric power steering is light and easy, if a bit vague. It tracked dead straight with my hands off the wheel. It also had a great turning radius (34.8 feet) that allowed me to do doughnuts in the Porsche Pacific parking lot.
The little Subie’s low CG and stiffer structure help keep it flat and controlled in corners — this is no Costa Concordia. Visibility was excellent due to a low belt-line and the new higher seating position.

Creature features are present too. There is the usual power windows, mirrors and remote locking. Leather trimmed seats are standard on the Limited model, as is the effective single-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights and two-level heated front seats for those chilly mornings.

The interior of the 2012 Subaru Impreza Limited is much improved.

The back-lit analog instruments are easy to read and a vertical LCD screen between the two gauge displays the gear and fuel level was well as information from the multi-function trip computer including ambient temperature, average fuel economy and time. A 4.3″ horizontal LCD screen centered on top of the dash also displays information from the mufti-function trip computer.

The simple analog gauges are easy to read as in the center car information screen.

The Limited trim level includes a 6-speaker single-CD audio system with USB/iPod/AUX and power port (under the armrest) and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

The $2,000 Moonroof + Navigation Package on my tester added a power moonroof, GPS touch-screen navigation, an upgraded audio system with HD radio, iTunes tagging, XM Satellite Radio, XM Real-Time Traffic, Bluetooth 2.0 audio streaming, an SD card reader (music only) and SMS text messaging capabilities.

The center dash console is decidedly uncluttered and mercifully free of fake plastic wood. I liked the dark graphite plastic surround and the aluminum-look horizontal blades on either side.

The rotary automatic climate control knobs are easy to use and have a quality feel with notches. There is no digital readout for the climate setting. The optional GPS navigation system is uncluttered with only three buttons and one volume knob.

Only three buttons adorn the left side of the navigation screen Audio, Voice Control and Map. Simple, yes, but I was looking for a dedicated telephone button. All radio functions are performed through the touch-screen, but I think physical shortcut buttons for AM/FM/Sat/Aux would be helpful. Redundant audio and telephone controls are on the steering.

My car was equipped with the optional $250 auto-dimming rearview mirror with digital compass and HomeLink garage opener. I love the compass and ditching the garage door opener clipped to the visor tidies things up. It can be factory-ordered or dealer-installed.

Of course, I have a few gripes. I would have liked more legroom and additional driver’s seat adjustments. The good news is that I was able to sit behind myself, and I had the front seat as far back as could go for my 6 foot 1 inch frame. In fact, the 2012 Impreza added one inch to the wheelbase which helped engineers add two inches of rear leg room. This is much appreciated space in a small car.

There is a much welcome increase in rear seat legroom.

The door plastics were still hard, although textured. The dash cowl was covered with softer plastic, more in line with the competition. I give Subaru props for the effort, but compared to the competition, there is room for improvement.

The 6.1 inch navigation screen looks small compared to the 7 inch screen in the Hyundai Elantra and the 8 inch one in the Focus. However, the full color graphics were sharp and the touch screen was responsive. I’d also like a backup camera.

So here’s the deal: A fully-loaded Impreza is just slightly more than a similar Civic or Elantra. But only Subaru delivers as standard equipment, its reliable, proven symmetrical all-wheel drive with a new, efficient boxer engine and a CVT.

The Verdict: The 2012 Impreza is a fun, economical and versatile little car that can take you places no other subcompact dare go. And based on 2012 Impreza sales – a 58% increase in December 2011 alone – I’d say the secret is out.

Note: If you want something with more ground clearance, something in the crossover category, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek, based on the 2012 Impreza platform and drivetrain, is coming in a few months.

“I’ve been with Sullivan Automotive Group or LAcarGUY group of dealers since 1997. I graduated from high school and worked my way though University of Southern California with cars. I had the opportunity to work at different capacities at most of our dealers that we have in our group. I was asked a few years ago to attend the National Automobile Dealers Association, essentially a college for car dealers, in order to better my career and promote my career.”

More recently had the opportunity to be invited to be the General Manager for the Subaru Pacific store. It’s something I’m really excited about because the Subaru brand is kind of an extension of who I am; they’re a very active brand with their cyclists, with their outdoorsy, spirited and environmentally friendly people. I’ve participated in numerous triathlons and I’ve been doing them for the past six or seven years, anywhere from sprint distances to the coveted Iron Man races that so many people talk about.

Subaru’s a brand that’s also philanthropic, and very socially responsible. They do an extreme amount of dog rescues. One of their favorite charities during their “Share the Love” event, where every time a customer purchases a vehicle they have the opportunity to donate to five different charities, Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, Make a Wish Foundation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and American Forests. The ASPCA is very close to me and my wife, we do a lot of dog rescues and have a few dogs of our own so that’s something that’s very special to us.

As I mentioned before the Subaru brand is a very spirited, outdoorsy, adventurous brand… I consider that to be in my genre, too. I enjoy hiking and backpacking, and community involvement. I’m looking forward to growing the Subaru brand, not just in sales, but in the community. They’re heavily involved with Heal the Bay with the Sullivan Automotive Group. Our president, Mike Sullivan, is actually on the board for Heal the Bay, and being so close to the beach I think that’s something all of us in the South Bay know as a very important part of our lives. So I’m doing what I can to help bring the Subaru brand into Hermosa Beach and the South Bay.

As I mentioned. Subaru’s a very environmentally friendly company; their factory in Indiana is actually around an 850-acre wildlife preserve. It’s a zero-landfill factory, meaning all of the waste that comes out of the facility can be recycled. I’ve taken notice to that, and everything that we use to clean the cars (such as detailing products) and other chemicals, we do our best to make sure they don’t go back into the environment and become a hazard. I’ve gone through all the dealers and made sure they’re were signs next to the drains. Being so close to the ocean, everything we drain goes right back into the ocean.

All of our products are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. everything from the hand soaps, to the car-wash, to the stuff we use to clean the cars and so forth. We provide a warm atmosphere for pets, we have dog treats and water bowls, and we plan on hosting pet adoption events in the future and we plan on participating in the community with things such as surfing and triathlon events.”

- It sounds like a store that fits right in with LAcarGUY values. But is Hermosa Beach going to be the permanent location?

“This is actually our temporary location as we introduce ourselves to the South Bay, but we’ve already set our sights bigger and we’ll go from a two car showroom and a four-car service bay to a seven car showroom and a fourteen-car service bay in Torrence in approximately one year. We believe that will better accommodate our guests that are looking for sales and service in the Subaru world.

A great number of guests are already so grateful that we’re here, because there was a void in the past 15 years with regards to people being able to service and/or purchase a Subaru here in the South Bay. In the past they would have to travel south quite a ways or all the way north. We’ve had several people saying what a convenience it is for us to introduce this franchise into the South Bay. Definitely know that we’re going to continue to grow, and leverage the double-digit growth that Subaru’s had over the past 4 years.”

-What are the store hours going to be?

“Our service department will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the intention of opening on Saturday depending on demand. Our sales department will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.”

And for a little more with James:

Lunch will be sponsored both days by Pacific Porsche with “give-a-ways”.

The weather is expected to be tailor made with track records to fall! No rain in the forecast! Please register ASAP so we can plan for the event. Call today for hotel reservations – space is limited due to soccer tournaments in town so rooms are at a premium. There are only a few rooms left at the Marriott Springhill Suites at the POC Rate. Instructors we need your help – contact Dave Gardner asap. Contact Laurie Taylor with your questions and don’t miss this opportunity to shake off the rust and get your Driving Season started!

The “Early Bird” Membership renewal rate of $75 is only good thru 1/31/12. Payment must be received by this date.

Toyota’s chief executive in the United States confirmed last week that electric versions of the Scion iQ and the Toyota RAV4 will enter the production cycle in 2012. The two electric vehicles have been promised for a couple of years, so hitting the delivery dates on time is good news. The bad news is how tentative the production numbers will be.

Toyota Motor Sales president and chief operating officer, Jim Lentz, told reporters at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that both the electric iQ minicar and the battery-powered RAV4 SUV will be small-scale production vehicles and used to “gauge consumer preferences, usage patterns and daily requirements.” In other words, Toyota will continue to sit on the sidelines and study EVs, while Nissan (and others) aim for the biggest possible volume for its electric vehicles.

Lentz also confirmed that the Toyota RAV4 EV will have a range that exceeds 100 miles. It will become the only all-electric SUV available in the US when it hits dealerships-mainly in California-later this year. The second-generation RAV4 EV is also Toyota’s first fully-electric vehicle sold in the United States since it halted sales of the legendary old-school RAV4 EV in 2003. This time around, Toyota will team up with the startup EV-maker Tesla for design and production of RAV4′s drivetrain. Tesla’s Roadster and forthcoming Model S are both capable of ranges well in excess of the 100-mile barrier other fully-electric consumer vehicles have failed to break.

Lentz said the electrified Scion iQ will have a range of 50 miles or less, and that the minicar will be a fleet-only vehicle. It’s expected that most of the 100 or so Scion iQ EVs will be sold to car-sharing programs in urban areas in the US. According to Lentz, gauging consumer preferences means that Toyota will “test” both electrified vehicles for three years, at which point the automaker will determine whether or not the technology is ready for mass production.

Pricing information for both vehicles is still unknown.

Right off the bat, you might notice another interesting detail as the outside rearview mirrors have been moved off the door glass to the door itself. As a result, forward visibility is greatly enhanced due to the large fixed quarter windows, low beltline and A-pillars made thinner through the use of high-strength steel. Inside, the passenger space is larger than before, thanks in part to a slightly longer 104.1-inch wheelbase. An all-new dashboard features more upscale materials and design than previously, including a new navigation system display.

Under the hood, an all-new 2.0-liter BOXER four that not only feels more responsive than the 2.5-liter unit it replaces, but also delivers superior fuel economy. In fact, Subaru boasts 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway ratings that are the highest for a vehicle equipped with all-wheel-drive, which is standard across the line. The engine is rated at 148 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Transmission options include either a CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox. The CVT used in the Impreza is not the same as the one found in the Legacy or Outback. It is one that has been tuned for specific integration with the new 2.0-liter engine in order to deliver a more linear feel to the acceleration and minimize the elasticity to the drivetrain. Best of all is the ability to use paddle shifters in a manual mode to operate the CVT through six distinct gear ranges.

Subaru will offer the 2012 Impreza in five trim configurations: base, Premium, Sports Premium, Limited and Sports Limited. Base models feature power windows and locks, an outside temperature gauge and a trip computer, while Premium trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls, a rear stabilizer bar and a handful of other upgrades. Heated seats and a moonroof are optional for Premium models. Sports trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, fog lamps, roof rails and revised seat trim. Options for Limited include leather seats.

Pricing begins at $17,495 for the base. The base 5-door can be had for $17,995, while the most expensive model, a Sports Limited model, tops out at just over $24,000 with all the options. The 2012 Subaru Impreza is scheduled to arrive in showrooms this month. Continue to follow us on Twitter or check in on our Facebook page to find out as soon as the first one arrives. Or contact us to have one of our sales consultants contact you personally.

Told through the perspective of Volkswagen enthusiasts and drivers who helped bring this car to the United States, the app provides an interactive narrative on the evolution of the Golf from its days as the Rabbit in the 1970’s all the way to the present 2012 Golf R model. Filled with exclusive interviews, articles and footage, this is one app all Volkswagen fans will want to interact with.

“The Golf R app was created to celebrate and thank the Volkswagen brand’s community of enthusiasts because they represent what makes the Golf R special,” said Jon Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “The app will help build awareness around the Volkswagen brand heritage and we are excited to offer this innovative approach that illustrates the performance of the Golf R.”

The editorial-driven iPad app features:
*Exclusive videos, photos, interviews and Golf footage. Highlights include:
*A mini-documentary about the world of Volkswagen including footage of the world-famous Autostadt, created by AWOL Films
*An exclusive interview with designer Chip Foose discussing his passion for the VW brand and love for the Golf
*Accounts from key members of the Volkswagen of America Product Marketing team and Volkswagen R GmbH team
*Fan testimonials and enthusiast stories
*Interactive timeline spanning the history of the Golf
*Golf R brochure with tech specs, photo gallery and 360° view of the car

The “Golf R Drivers Forever” iPad app launches in the iTunes App Store on January 17, 2012 and is free to download. You may download the here: Golf R iPad app

The 2012 Golf R is the most powerful Volkswagen sports performance vehicle ever sold in the U.S. With 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the 2.0-liter TSI® engine offers performance and fuel efficiency, thanks to intelligent downsizing. Like the previous R32 models, the Golf R is equipped with Volkswagen’s 4Motion® all-wheel drive system: the latest generation of this system can divert up to 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, if needed. All Golf R models sold in the U.S. will be equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and come standard with top of the line features including dual-zone automatic climate control, Bi-Xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights, and unique 18” alloy wheels. For the first time, the Golf R will be available in two-and four-door models.

Stay in touch with us on our Facebook, Twitter and G+ pages to see when the Golf R arrives!

The Audi commitment to progress goes beyond vehicles to redefining dealerships themselves. But not simply a facelift or surface upgrade. At Audi, progress is redesigning dealerships to encompass the entire Audi exclusive customer experience.

Designed by the renowned architecture firm of Allmann Sattler Wappner of Munich, Audi’s new “Terminal” dealerships combine the efficiency, performance, luxury, and environmental themes that the brand has become known for in its vehicles.

The Audi Brand architecture has evolved into the twenty first century from the original Corporate Identity known as the “Audi hanger” into the “Audi terminal” concept. The curve, already the characteristic element in the Audi hanger with its unmistakable curved roof has been reinterpreted as a symbol for dynamism within the new Audi terminal architecture.

Dynamism, asymmetry and transparency remain central to the design of the Audi architecture. The main features of the Audi hanger have been abstracted and reintroduced in a spatially more consistent form. Thus the dynamism of asymmetric curves forming three-dimensional environment becomes a defining factor of the Audi terminal.

All vehicles are positioned on the dynamically styled curve segments. All other operations related to vehicle presentation and to the workshop are orthogonally organized. The asymmetrical look is clearly brought out by the juxtaposition of the two structural systems.
By reducing down to the simple but unmistakable basic principle of overlaying a static and a spatially dynamic system, any level of scaling and modularization can be undertaken.

The Audi Terminal dealership does not stop with the architecture. The custom-made furniture and accessories are all designed to fit into the Audi vision and enhance customers’ car-buying experience.

The Pacific Audi Terminal will be here in the winter of 2012.   With over 40,000 square feet available to view and service your next Audi, the Pacific Audi Terminal can display 17 cars on the showroom floor and service up to 22 vehicles at one time!

We will be posting updates of our construction progress on our Facebook, Twitter and G+ pages, so make sure you are following us there, to stay on top of everything!

More importantly, however, is the design of the vehicle, as it points toward what we can expect from Lexus in the coming years. The bold LF-LC shows off the brand’s new spindle grill look, while the lights the front headlamps are in shapes so original they cannot be mistaken for anything else.

What we do similarities with, however, is the beloved LF-A supercar in the LF-LC’s overall profile. If Lexus were to make an LF-A that seats four, chances are it will be pretty close to looking like this. The interior is very well appointed with rich leather and suede, futuristic seating, intricate stitching, and about half a tree’s worth of wood, with a massive center stack bringing the entire cabin together. It’s so big in fact, that Lexus’ designers were able to fit a touch-sensitive 12.3-inch LCD screen that handles all infotainment, climate control, and navigation responsibilities.

Hopefully this rakish coupe will find a way to showrooms in the not-too-distant future. If it does, Lexus claims that the LF-LC will ”remain within reach for premium buyers.” If the LF-LC were to enter production tomorrow, chances are it would match up somewhere with the BMW 6 Series, or perhaps even the Maserati GranTurismo.

To some onlookers, the Volkswagen E-Bugster concept unveiled at the North American International Auto Show was a disappointment. As we say in French, this E-Bugster is déjà vu. We’ve seen it before. Really. Seven years ago, exactly at the same place, Volkswagen unveiled the Ragster concept, which looked pretty much the same. After so much time, you might assume this E-Bugster is a production model, but it isn’t. It’s another concept.

So how is the E-Bugster any different from the dozens of other never-to-be-made concepts you see at motor shows? First of all, it is a functioning automobile. In addition, it has something you don’t find in one-off prototypes—use of a standardized drivetrain, which actually pretty big deal.

Sharing Is Caring

The Volkswagen group sold a record 8.16 million vehicles to its customers in 2011. Record profits are on the way, thanks in no small part to the use of shared platforms and engines. It’s less common in America, but in Europe, the Skoda and Seat brands sell cars with a Czech or a Spanish flavor (respectively), that are 100 percent Volkswagen cars underneath.

How does this relate to EVs? Barely two months ago, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi unveiled an electric A3 e-tron concept. It had the same motor found in this E-Bugster—which is also the one we saw the year before, when Volkswagen introduced an electric Golf called Blue-e-Motion. Eighty of them are currently undergoing a test in Berlin, and preliminary results have reportedly been very positive.

Without much fanfare, Volkswagen has been hard at work on electric mobility, making it better in every aspect, and they’re already getting results. Power from the motor is 85 kW (115 hp), the same as it was the Golf Blue-e-Motion, but the motor has been made lighter. Its weight is down to 80 kg (176 lbs).
The battery pack has more capacity. It was 26.5 kWh in the Golf, and now that’s up to 28.3 kWh. Volkswagen says that it enables a range of at least 110 miles. It’s unknown what cells Volkswagen is using—it tested cells from numerous manufacturers—but it’s unlikely that they will be small cells like Tesla uses.

Charging Ahead

The E-Bugster also shows a huge improvement on the charging side. Thanks to a new Combined Charging Systems (CCS), which was developed in cooperation with all the other German carmakers, as well as Ford and GM, the car can be charged via a unique interface, with different currents.

The E-Bugster uses the same plug connector to charge from a standard American 110-Volt wall outlet, and up to an ultra-fast 50 kW DC current at electric charge stations. That’s way beyond the simple standardization of the plug connector. Volkswagen’s plan is to outdo the other car manufacturers that have designed their cars with several charging systems. The idea here is to have one smart charge controller, and a versatile unique electrical architecture to make the most of the current available, wherever the driver plugs in.

At best, the 28.3 kWh battery in this E-Bugster can be charged in 35 minutes. Volkswagen will invest what it takes to make this impressive feat a reality in all of its electric vehicles. Electric cars using the Blue-e-Motion electric powertrain will go into production in cars like the Golf as soon as next year, with others likely to follow.

Utilizing 14,300 square feet of floor space, the exhibit is divided into distinctive zones, including performance, hybrid and luxury. Overhead sail-like canopies mark the threshold of the exhibit, ushering guests into the “GS Gallery.” The all-new GS has become synonymous with the brand’s redefined image and new evocative styling.

“The 2013 GS has become symbolic of Lexus’ dynamic future,” said Paul Rohovsky, National Manager – Lexus Engagement Marketing. “The GS 350, along with its hybrid variant, the GS 450h, and optional F Sport package, play a vital role in conveying the boldness that customers can expect to see from Lexus moving forward.”

Further proof of the brand’s evolving design direction will be found in the LF-LC sport coupe, a concept vehicle making its worldwide debut on Jan. 9 at NAIAS. Crafted by Toyota’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC’s clean lines emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic vehicle. Within the exhibit, a special pavilion, featuring an immersive theatre experience, has been created specifically for the LF-LC.

Lexus’ 552-horsepower LFA will be located at the heart of the exhibit, spearheading the performance zone. The LFA is a platform that demonstrates Lexus innovation and use of advanced materials and processes that are challenging conventional thinking in every detail of automotive design and production.

Another vehicle making its worldwide debut in Detroit is the updated 2013 Lexus LX full-size sport utility vehicle, due out later this year. The LX has earned the distinction of being amongst the best vehicles in its class since its introduction more than 15 years ago. This venerable vehicle will be flanked by other popular SUVs in the Lexus lineup, the RX and GX.

Interactivity was instrumental in the creation of this year’s exhibit as evidenced by an area dubbed “Engineering Amazing.” This gallery has several interactive displays that illustrate Lexus’ endless pursuit of perfection though engineering expertise and craftsmanship.

Along with the NS4, a pair of other concept vehicles will also be featured in the “Technology Zone” of Toyota’s exhibit, after bowing at the Tokyo Motor Show last month. They include the FCV-R and Fun-Vii. The FCV-R is a fuel cell sedan concept with the “R” standing for Reality and Revolution. The Fun-Vii has been engineered to be able to connect wirelessly with the infrastructure and surrounding roads. The “Vii” is an abbreviation for Vehicle, interactive, internet. The Technology Zone also includes a cut-away vehicle and 3D cockpit display. Both displays convey future safety and convenience technologies presently being studied by Toyota for potential use in the next decade.

Toyota’s renowned Star Safety System will also be on display in the exhibit. Toyota’s standard safety equipment can be experienced interactively via a driving Safety Simulator.

In all, Toyota will have 30 cars, trucks and SUVs on display at the auto show. Traditional window stickers have been replaced by iPads mounted near each vehicle for pricing and options exploration. Product specialists will also utilize iPads and an on-site kiosk to demonstrate the features of Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system, now available on many 2012 models.

There are a few specialty vehicles available in the display, among them a Camry pace car for the 2012 Daytona 500, a Toyota Tundra pickup emblazoned with graphics from DC comics/apparel and a Prius Project Concept Bike – engineered and constructed with Prius’ innovative qualities in mind.

“This year’s exhibit is about where we’re heading as an automaker,” said Ruslan Polinovsky, Auto Show Engagement Manager at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Visitors will not only see our award-winning cars and trucks but vehicles that show our environmental and technological leadership.”

Featuring a 15-foot-tall, overhead LED surround structure, the new exhibit encloses its vehicles and guests in a brand-dominated environment. At the center of the exhibit will be the 2013 Scion FR-S compact rear-wheel drive sports car, making its North American auto show debut in Detroit. The FR-S goes on sale this spring and will be the focus of a press conference at NAIAS on Jan. 9.

In all, there will be nine Scion products on display, among them the Scion iQ micro sub-compact, which went on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011. Each product has a zone and a video wall. Every zone is equipped with a digital product information and comparison tool, plus the Scion sX – an award-winning, immersive guest experience that features branded content, user participation, and information sharing.

“Philosophically, we needed a modular canvass to showcase the breadth of our growing product line,” said Steve Hatanaka, Auto Shows and Special Events Manager at Scion. “Scion is true to its roots of authenticity, personalization and youth. We believe this new exhibit is a reflection of those principles and we’re confident that the media and show goers in Detroit will enjoy visiting our display and seeing our cars.”

The 2013 BRZ, which arrives in Subaru dealerships in late spring, was designed with one goal in mind—exceptional handling. To reach that goal, Subaru engineers developed a chassis that would deliver the lowest center of gravity (CoG) possible utilizing the excellent packaging of the brand’s Boxer engine design.

An all-new naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower horizontally opposed (Boxer) engine was created. The new FA engine was developed to be more compact so that it could be placed lower and farther back in the chassis. To achieve the low CoG, a rear-drive layout was deemed necessary so the engine could be mounted as low as possible in the chassis. The engine placement allows for low polar moment and near-perfect balance for pure sports car handling.

With a low vehicle weight of just over 2,700 lbs., the direct injected 2.0-liter provides quick acceleration as it revs to its 7,400 RPM redline. The Subaru BRZ is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

With a height of just 50.6 inches, swept-back roofline, bulging front fenders, short overhangs and pronounced rear haunches give the sleekly styled BRZ a lean, athletic stance. The Subaru BRZ will offer everyday comfort and practicality with 2+2 seating and expandable trunk space, along with the brand’s renowned safety and quality.

Keep in touch with us on our Twitter and Facebook pages to see when the BRZ arrives in our showroom.

The year 2011 was a landmark year for EVs. We witnessed regional launches of the Nissan LEAF and the Chevy Volt. These two plug-in cars were the start of a new era for electrified personal transportation. The current American car auto fleet, however, is enormous—and two models alone cannot create change on a large scale.

During 2012, these two plug-in cars will have—depending how you look at it—either competition in the marketplace or help in the movement to electrify transportation

This coopetition includes the Ford Focus Electric, the much-anticipated Tesla Model S, and others. Pike Research predicts that more than 250,000 plug-in vehicles will be sold globally in 2012. Regardless of whether or not this prediction comes true, 2012 will bring more choices in vehicle style, brand, size, performance, and price, for cars with cords.

Here is HybridCars.com Top 10 countdown of plug-in cars to look forward to in 2012:

10. LEAF and Volt (Expanded Markets): First on my list is expanding availability of the two cars that kick-started the new era of plug-in vehicles. General Motors rolled out the Volt in four stages during 2011, making it available nationwide at the end of the year. Canada and the UK can expect to see Volts in 2012. The LEAF began shipping to the UK, Japan, and some US states in 2011. Nissan says the LEAF will be available in all 50 US states by March of 2012.

9. Smart ForTwo Electric Drive: Daimler reports that it will launch its third-generation Smart ForTwo Electric Drive to 30 markets around the world in September of 2012. This is a three-month delay for the two-seater initially planned for June 2012. Daimler claims the delay is due to quality control issues at the battery supplier Li-Tec.

8. Honda Fit EV: The Fit EV is scheduled for release in Oregon and parts of California next summer. Only a few hundred cars are expected to reach US shores during 2012, with 1,100 scheduled for production during the next three years.

7. Mitsubishi i: The updated Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been shipping in Japan and the UK for several months. The town of Normal Illinois received hundreds of i’s in 2011 as part of a test program and publicity campaign. The first regularly ordered i was delivered to an owner in Hawaii in December 2011. The national-wide US rollout is scheduled for July 2012. The i is a nice addition to the available EV portfolio because at $29,125 (before state and federal incentives) it is one of the most affordable highway-capable EVs.

6. Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid: With the “Prius Goes Plural” campaign, Toyota has added the Prius V, Prius C, and (relevant to this topic) the Plug-in Prius (PIP). The Prius has a loyal following among green drivers. PIP will be the Prius with the highest MPG rating in the Prius family. This will make it the car of choice for many Prius fans, even with its price premium over the standard model. PIP will be available in 15 states in spring 2012 with nationwide availability in 2013.

5. Ford Focus Electric: Ford initially announced that these were going to start shipping in December 2011. One or two may go out the door, but any real volume won’t happen until Spring 2012. I am looking forward to seeing the EPA rated range and price information. This is the first pure EV of this era from one of the Big 3. It will be a bellwether.

4. Fisker Karma: First promised in 2009, Karma reservation holders have been repeatedly delayed. And with each delay the price ratcheted up, from an initial $80,000 price tag now to $106,000 (as of Dec. 13, 2011). There were a few token deliveries in 2011, including handing key-fobs to Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore and Colin Powell. 2012 should be the year for mere mortals, although you will need six figures of cash to make it happen.

3. Toyota RAV 4 EV (Redux): This vehicle is a joint effort between Toyota and Tesla. The original RAV 4 EV was a favorite among the millennium era EVs. It is scheduled for sale in mid-2012. Initially sales will be limited to California.

2. Ford C-Max Energi: The Ford C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford C-Max wagon (or compact multi-purpose vehicle, or MPV, as it is referred to in the UK). The 2013 Ford C-Max Energi is planned for launch in North America in 2012, and Europe in 2013.

1. Tesla Model S: This is the car I am most looking forward to driving. Tesla followed the tech development model with an alpha and beta phases in 2011 and production samples are now on the road. Tesla plans to build and sell 6,500 units in 2012. However, unless you are already a reservation holder, you are out of luck because 6,500 people have already put down $5,000 each to get a place in line to buy one. Deliveries are expected to start mid-2012.

There are other plug-in cars—from smaller and less proven companies—that could make it to market in 2012, most notably the Coda Electric Sedan. But Coda, as well as BYD, Zap, Zenn, and Wheego—are dark horses in the emerging market. Of course, the only thing that would be truly surprising in this tumultuous nascent industry would be a year with no surprises.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., said, “Safety is a core value that dates back to the foundation of our company. IIHS’ awards further recognize our commitment to helping protect drivers and passengers.

The 2012 model year winners are
For Toyota: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Prius v, Sienna, Tundra Crew Cab, Venza, and Yaris
For Lexus: CT 200h and RX
For Scion: tC, xB, and xD

According to the IIHS, Top Safety Pick awards recognize vehicles that do the best job of protecting
people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick award is the private sector’s counterpart to the government’s own five star rating systems for vehicle safety conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Over recent years it has been difficult for automakers to ace both tests. Today’s announcement shows they are improving safety.

Inductive EV charging—look, ma, no wires!—is gaining momentum, with Daimler testing concepts for the new battery version of the B-Class Mercedes and Nissan actively contemplating making it an option on the 2014 LEAF. Wireless charging leader Evatran will sell wireless kits for the LEAF and Chevy Volt next year, and it’s even hooking up with Sears Home Services to bring its Plugless Power to the masses.

The basic technology is familiar from wireless phone charging and the electric toothbrush. There are a few basic obstacles to creating larger versions for cars: high cost; the 10 percent average energy loss today when transferring power from a floor-mounted transmitter to a car-based receiver; and a start-from-scratch regulatory climate. But there’s no question that wireless charging, which creates a magnetic field to pass an electric charge from one coil to another, is on the ascendancy. It certainly addresses anxiety over having to learn a new way to fill your car up with energy—all you have to do is park, and these automated systems will do the rest for you.

Technology on the Move

It’s far too early to tell if wireless technology will eventually triumph over the wall-mounted home charging system, and no automakers have formally adopted it. “All we have done is shown this technology,” says Nissan’s Steve Oldham. “We haven’t confirmed anything. The stuff that is out there is speculation.” But Popular Mechanics claims that wireless will be an add-on for the luxury Infiniti version of the LEAF in 2014. The Rolls-Royce 102 EX Phantom, which I recently test drove in New York, is also set up to use a wireless charger from HaloIPT.

In the system that Nissan demonstrated, drivers simply align their vehicle over an inductive charging mat. A dashboard-based navigation system uses sensors to guide the rear wheels into place. The touchscreen hosts buttons to start and stop a charging session.

In Alignment

Daimler has teamed up with Conductix-Wampfler on plug-free charging for the Mercedes E-Cell. According to Conductix, one big hurdle is the need for exact alignment between the charger and the vehicle. The signal can travel only six inches or so, so the driver is likely to need an automatic parking system to ensure a good lock-in.

Major auto supplier Delphi and wireless leader WiTricity have their own system under development, using technology invented at MIT. Randy Sumner, a spokesman for Delphi Packard Electrical/Electronic Architecture, told me that automakers have shown considerable interest in wireless charging, which could accompany the second-generation EVs coming out in the 2014-2015 time frame.

Priced Like Navigation?

Wireless chargers have definitely gotten smaller and more efficient. Dave Schatz of WiTricity told me he expects consumer systems to eventually cost no more than car-based GPS navigation. Evatran’s Plugless Power floor-based unit is now the size of a small hubcap, with up to 97 percent efficiency between the charger and the car. It’s also more forgiving of poor alignment. Evatran is testing the system on a fleet of a dozen Chevy Volts. But it’s still far too expensive, at $5,000 for an all-in system in 2012.

The General Electric wall-mount WattStation is now available at Amazon.com for $1,099 (none used yet), so Evatran’s Sears play makes sense. According to co-founder Rebecca Hough, Evatran will make its wireless hardware kit (for the Volt and LEAF) available in 2012 for approximately $2,500, with installation (unpriced so far) extra. The basic installation is for people who are lucky enough to have dedicated 240-volt lines in their garages; the standard install includes that line.

Some regulatory and safety issues have yet to be worked out. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) are set to introduce standards for wireless in the second quarter of next year (fast for SAE), and waiting for that has hindered plans for commercial and public wireless charging. Obviously, you’d want this at Starbucks and the big-box stores, but companies aren’t likely to go ahead without the standards in place.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) issues standards for the strengths of magnetic fields, and Hough says that Evatran has no trouble meeting them. She also says that wireless will incorporate many of the safety provisions built into SAE’s J1772 standard, including safety interconnects and shutoffs.

By the way, claims for inductive charging are somewhat confusing, because there’s a difference between the efficiency measured charger-to-car and the overall system. Evatran boasts an only three percent communications loss, but the overall system is currently at 91 percent. Company engineers think that 93 or 94 percent system efficiency is doable relatively soon, but going beyond 95 percent is a long-term prospect. Would we be happy with a gas station that spilled five percent of the gas on the ground?

John Gartner, a senior analyst at Pike Research, says that widespread will take years to roll out. “It’s of interest to most top automakers, many of which have internal programs in development. The consumer market is still years away. There’s still no common SAE standard, and you don’t want vehicles tied to charging docks, and the cost ($500 per car) is too steep to include on vehicles that aren’t going to use it all of the time. The technologies are all pretty different, so unlike cabled charging, some companies would be left out of any standard that is eventually passed. Qualcomm surprisingly is going after the market in a big way with its recent acquisition of HaloIPT.”

Still, wireless is probably here to stay, but it will take time to develop. “Pike Research sees the market growing slowly from 2013 ($26 million globally) to $233 million globally by 2017,” Gartner said. “Fleets that can share charging docks are the mostly likely early adopters.”

The bottom line here is that inductive charging, which appeared to be abandoned from the last generation of EVs, is now looking more and more practical as a long-term solution. Even if wireless does eventually triumph, however, wired charging is still likely to dominate the early EV years simply because the units will be in place and working. But there’s no reason they can’t happily co-exist.

In a nice piece of timing, the opening of Subaru Pacific in Hermosa Beach co-insides with the renual for the fourth year of Subaru’s charitable campaign called “Share The Love”

The “Share the Love” event, takes place on Facebook, and in dealerships like Subaru Pacific across the nation.  Subaru is donating $250 for every new Subaru leased or purchased from November 19 until January 3, pledging up to 5 million dollars in total support for these great charities.

By “Liking” Subaru on Facebook, and voting for one of the five charities, ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals,) American Forests, Meals on Wheels of America, Make a Wish Foundation,and Special Olympics, Subaru will allocate up to an additional $250,000 in support for these charities.

By clicking the “Share the Love” tab you can vote for your which of the five charities you’d like to support and the charity will receive a $1 donation from Subaru

“Share the Love is rooted in our commitment to our customers and the causes they care about the most,” said Alan Bethke, director, marketing communications, Subaru of America. “We are pleased to continue the program for a fourth year and are excited about the expansion to the Facebook community.”

2011 “Share the Love” Charitable Beneficiaries

Facebook community voters and consumers who purchase or lease a new Subaru vehicle during this year’s

event can designate donations to any of the following organizations:

American Forests: restores and protects rural and urban forests worldwide. It is the oldest national

conservation nonprofit in the country and the only one focused exclusively on forests.

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®): works to rescue

animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters across the country.

Make-A-Wish Foundation: grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. It has

granted more than 212,000 wishes in the United States since 1980.

Meals On Wheels Association of America: provides national leadership to end senior hunger, offering

home-delivered-meal services to people in need.

Special Olympics: provides year-round sports and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports

for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Next week, the garden will really start to take shape when students at Helen Bernstein High School will start planting the first seedlings in the garden beds. We can’t wait to get the students involved in this wonderful program!

How do you play? First head on over to our Facebook page and “Like” us. Next, come to Scion Santa Monica and test drive the iQ, trust us you are going to LOVE this car. You will scan the QR code for your first clue, and then you are off on the adventure!

Each QR-Code that you scan will give you a clue that leads to your next destination. Upon scanning your last clue you will be instructed to return to Scion Santa Monica where we will verify that you’ve completed all of the clues. After completion, your name will be put in a drawing to be the lucky winner of $1,000. There are less than 100 participants so the odds are better than 1 in 100.

The person who arrives first will receive FOUR (4) drawing entries, The person who arrives second will receive THREE (3) entries, The person who arrives 3rd will receive TWO (2) entries and everyone thereafter will receive ONE (1) entry.

If you need more details, or to make sure that you are elegible to win, head on over to this page, where we have all the details.

Good luck, and good hunting!

Right off the bat, Lexus are saying that they had the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class directly in their crosshairs as they developed the new GS. A part of going after the Germans with the GS is the debut of the new Lexus design language in the front end. Like it, love it, or hate it, get used to it, because this IS the new face of Lexus.

Part of philosophy with the new GS was set forth by Akio Toyoda himself when he said this car must have emotion in the styling, and emotion in the driving. He wanted the car to be able to stand out, and stand on it’s own, not just blend into the background. It is this point of view which Lexus believe that they will be able to achieve a 50% conquest rate with new buyers to the Lexus GS.

There will be three distinct versions of the GS, a Luxury, a Hybrid, and the F-Sport. We will focus on the Hybrid first. The idea with the Hybrid was more a focus on “Performance Hybrid” rather than “Economy Hybrid”. Think of the Hybrid as a V8 replacement, rather than say the CT200h which is focused on economy. The Hybrid is also the only GS model that will have LED headlamps available.

The Luxury level is firmly targeted at the E-Class Mercedes. The ride is tuned a little softer, there will be a special leather used, a three zone climate control system (two front, one back), 18 way power adjust seats and the driving dynamics are focused on a well controlled ride, rather than a “plush” ride.

The F-Sport is exactly what you’d think it would be. It is going after the 5 Series BMW and M-Sport trimmed 5 Series (not M5) with is multi level suspension settings, active rear steering, and electronic engine and steering controls that greatly sharpen everything when you go into Sport and Sport+ modes.

Power for the GS will be a 3.5 liter V6 that features both Direct Injection and Port Injection, it will provide 306 horsepower and 277 torques, backed up by a six speed automatic transmission. When asked why a six speed automatic and not an eight speed auto which has become de rigueur in the last twelve months, Lexus responded, that they did not believe they could get the driving dynamics they wanted with an eight speed. They felt it would “always be hunting for the right gear”.

The Hybrid also uses the 3.5 liter V6 but converts it to an Atkinson Cycle engine, very common for hybrids, and couples it with a an electric motor to give it a combined power rating of 338 horsepower. The reason for an Atkinson Cycle engine is that it is 35% more efficient and with the Hybrid system, it will return over 30MPG in the EPA combined cycle. Though Lexus did not have the final EPA numbers at this press intro, they were very confident of the number.

Lexus have also worked on the packaging of the batteries for the Hybrid system, allowing a much larger trunk for the GS then in the previous generation. There is some intrusion in space over the non-Hybrid versions of the GS, but it is far less then before.

There was also a focus on aero and NVH tuning so as to make the Hybrid a quiet as possible when driving on the highways.

The quality of materials in the two cars we spent time with at the launch, the F-Sport and the Hybrid were excellent. We really like the way the Hybrid was trimmed out with a bamboo trim that felt very substantial. Most wood trim on cars today is little more then a very thin vernier, in the Lexus it looked and felt more like solid chucks of wood. This was most apparent in the steering wheel. Again, most wood trimmed wheels have an almost a plastic feel to them, with the GS it felt as though it was a sold piece of bamboo that you were holding on to.

We also drove the Hybrid on the short and tight infield road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and it did not disappoint. The car felt very composed around the track which contained both long sweeping corners and areas that put an emphasis on quick changes of direction. While not a car that you are going to take out for lapping day at the track, it will feel very competent on twisty back roads should you choose to drive in a spirited manner.

The F-Sport is a bit of a revelation. Driven back to back with a BMW 5 Series that was available for comparison around the race track, the GS was every bit as good, and in many ways BETTER then the BMW. While the steering may not have felt quite as connected as the BMW, it was much more direct, and the GS had much less body roll!

There is a noticeable change in the manor of ride, handling and throttle responsiveness with the different settings that are available. In “normal” modes the F-Sport is more compliant, but as soon as you dial up either Sport or Sport+, things change for the better.

This does not mean that out on the open road the ride is harsh. We took the F-Sport for a 30+ mile loop which included highway runs and surface streets. On the day we were driving the GS, it also included 50+ MPH cross winds on the highway. Lets touch on this last part first. Number one, there was no way the car was not going to be moving around with winds that strong, however, there were no abrupt movements it felt more like a gentle push. In contrast you could see the Semi-trucks on the road moving around quite a bit. In addition the cabin remained very quiet. You did not hear the sounds of the strong winds making it into the cabin, so Lexus should be commended for their work in the wind tunnel to make these thing possible.

Driving in Sport+ on the highway the ride felt firm and controlled without a hint of harshness. If you enjoy more of the European firm and sporty ride, then you will enjoy this setting. Set in standard mode, it smooths things out just a bit, and may be the better call if you have to drive on roads that aren’t in the best of shape.

On the inside of the car one thing that dominates the dash is the massive 12.3” LCD display. Lexus have cleverly designed it so that it can be one large screen, or it can be broken up into three smaller ones if say you want audio information, an overall GPS man plus turn by turn directions all at the same time.

There has also been a large upgrade to the quality of feel in the mouse interface. The new changes make it much more direct, and there is better haptic feedback as you get close to menu items.

Also included is the Lexus Enform system. It will start with apps such as Facebook, Yelp, Pandora, MovieTickets.com, iHeart Radio, bing and Open Table to start. You will download the apps onto your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry, and then connect via USB to the car. Enform will use your phones data plan to connect with the cloud and provide you with all the information, the Lexus Enform system in the car provides an nice interface in which to interact with it.

Overall we came away very impressed with the GS, and a quick informal poll of those in our wave for the drive and those who had just finished, were pretty much in agreement that if Lexus can get the word out on this car as it comes to market in mid February, it will have a hit on it’s hands.

Rain gardens are shallow depressions in lawns and fields that collect rainwater, which then percolates down through layers of rock, gravel or other drainage. The gardens are landscaped with native plants, which beautifies the area and helps minimize maintenance. While rain gardens are becoming more common in new construction, the Subaru rain gardens are some of the first in New Jersey to be retrofitted to corporate grounds.

“Subaru is pleased to be among the first companies in New Jersey to retrofit a rain garden–or two–at our corporate buildings,” notes Tom Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “The rain gardens will certainly benefit the streams and rivers around those buildings, but just as importantly, they’ll help educate our employees, our corporate neighbors, and the public about the importance of storm water management.”

“Retrofitting a corporate landscape to include a rain garden is an effective way to help improve water quality,” said Craig McGee, project director, Camden County Soil Conservation District.” The rain garden will allow rain water to soak into the ground instead of runoff to the streams and rivers, and at the same time provide a valuable landscape enhancement. The best part is Subaru employees and customers will learn how easy it is to install a rain garden at their home and do their part to help protect our water resources.”

“Rain gardens are an effective way to reduce routine maintenance costs while protecting the environment and improving water quality,” adds Jeremiah Bergstrom, senior project manager, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University. “Working with corporate partners such as Subaru of America is a great way to demonstrate how rain gardens can be effective for businesses, communities, and even homeowners.”

To earn LEED certification, the project must satisfy all prerequisites and qualify for a minimum number of points to attain the established ratings. Once the basic prerequisites of the program are satisfied, applicant projects are then rated according to their degree of compliance within the rating system. The Green Building Council rates structures based on their environmental impact and other criteria such as energy and water consumption, use of raw materials, and recycling rates. Certifications are awarded according to the following scale:

Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80 points and above

The new 1,400-acre facility where the U.S. Passat is built has been fitted with sophisticated technology as well as simple measures to conserve energy and water. These include using rainwater collected on the roof to cool welding equipment and flush toilets, constructing an ultra-clean paint shop, which is estimated to save 50 million gallons of water over 10 years, and installing LED lighting that uses two-thirds less energy.

“Volkswagen is committed to the US market,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “During the worst recession in the past century, we never wavered with our investment of a billion dollars to create this world-class facility. This certification underscores Volkswagen’s commitment to engineering excellence.”

The Volkswagen Academy was also certified by the USGBC as a Platinum LEED facility. The primary purpose of the Volkswagen Academy is to prepare new employees for work at the new plant. In conjunction with Chattanooga State and Tennessee Tech, the Academy also offers an Industrial Technology degree and an apprenticeship program. “We are very pleased that the Volkswagen Academy has been Platinum LEED Certified because this reflects the level of excellence that we expect and produce in the academy,” said Hans-Herbert Jagla, EVP of Human Resources.

The Volkswagen Chattanooga plant produces the all-new 2012 Passat, which has recently been named Motor Trend magazine’s 2012 Car of the Year, as well as having earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick rating, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The Passat TDI – the

At last year’s Detroit Motor Show, Toyota vice president for U.S. sales, Bob Carter, offered a bold prediction for the direction his company plans to take in the United States over the next decade―and for the country’s vehicle market in general. “We will end the decade with Prius being the number one nameplate in the industry,” said Carter, predicting that the Prius would soon overtake the Camry as the company’s most popular model in the U.S.

Toyota plans to complete work with Ford on a brand new hybrid system for pickup trucks by the end of next year

Almost a year later, it has become increasingly clear that Toyota’s big talk about hybrids is no greenwash. After almost singlehandedly growing the hybrid market from obscurity in the United States, Toyota now sees hybrids primed to conquer the mainstream―and has no intention of ceding its dominance in the sector.

According to a report in Automotive News, Toyota plans to as much as double the number of hybrids it sells in North America by 2015, to 400,000 vehicles per year. Top executives at the company told the publication that Toyota will seek to greatly expand its manufacturing base here―particularly hybrid drivetrain components―in an effort to reduce its reliance on the Japanese supply chain. Growing the American hybrid market will do a great deal to make that shift possible, and Toyota is in the process of radically expanding its U.S. lineup to include more than a half-dozen hybrid models by the end of next year―with even more reportedly on their way.

“Hybrid technology is a trump card for fuel-economy improvement,” said Toyota global research and development head, Takeshi Uchiyamada, in the article.

Toyota also told Automotive News that it plans to complete work with Ford on a brand new hybrid system for pickup trucks by the end of next year. The first Toyota vehicle to be outfitted with the drivetrain will likely be a hybrid version of the Tundra, the carmaker’s largest and most fuel-thirsty pickup, with a combined rating of just 16 mpg.

Even a few miles-per-gallon improvement in a truck like the Tundra will pay big dividends in terms of its operating cost, which could make the car a hit among the fleets and private businesses that make up a substantial portion of the pickup market. Ford’s F-150 EcoBoost model has led all F-150 models in sales this year―accounting for 40 percent of purchases―thanks to its EPA-rated 22-mpg fuel economy.

By expanding its gas-electric offerings across more and more segments, Toyota will be able to grow production of hybrid components, allowing it to reach the economies of scale necessary to diversify its supply chain in the Americas. For hybrid buyers, the important takeaway is that Americans can expect more models and shorter waiting periods in the coming years, as the gas-electric leader seeks to broaden its hold on the market.

For those that are not familiar with the disease, Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, but can also target the pancreas, liver and intestines. It is characterized by abnormal transport of chloride and sodium across epithelium, leading to thick, viscous secretions.

CF is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This gene is required to regulate the components of sweat, digestive juices, and mucus. Although most people without CF have two working copies of the CFTR gene, only one is needed to prevent cystic fibrosis. CF develops when neither gene works normally and therefore has autosomal recessive inheritance.

The Pipeline to a Cure Campaign was created to herald the discovery by Australian researchers who found that Cystic Fibrosis children that surfed had significantly healthier lungs. Doctors determined that inhaling saltwater mist has a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs, which allows CF patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This discovery led researchers to develop a hypertonic saline solution, which CF patients around the world now inhale every day. In essence, CF patients now mimic a “surf session” on a daily basis.

Because of this amazing discovery, the surfing community has adopted the Pipeline To A Cure Campaign to help raise money and awareness to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Legendary Waterman Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama have stamped their names on Pipeline and for the last three years have been dedicated to the fight. Included with Laird and Dave are Rob Machado, Lisa Anderson, Tom Curren and PT Townsend. They have all lent their time and talents to promotePipeline to a Cure and help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Since its creation in 2008, Pipeline To A Cure has raised over 1.3 million dollars to fight Cystic Fibrosis.

From 4PM until 6:30 there will be a Snow Park for the kids featuring five 50 foot runs, two snow play areas and Snowmen ready for family photos.

Also from 4PM until 6:30 there will be a bounce park with two huge slides and Fire Doug bounce for the smaller children.

There is no charge to get into the Snow Park, however we do ask that you bring canned food, or an unwrapped toy as a donation for the Y-Adventure Guides and Friendship Circle Toy & Canned Food Drive

See www.mbfireworks.com for all event updates.

Santa will be stopping in from 9AM until noon, and we will have breakfast for everyone too!

Dates:
Pacific Volkswagen  December 10th
Pacific Audi   December 10th
Volkswagen Santa Monica  December 17th
Lexus Santa Monica  December 17th
Toyota Santa Monica  December 17th
Toyota of Hollywood  December 17th

Although Volkswagen’s contest is over, we wanted to share the various fun and clever ideas that were submitted by people from all over the world. If this sparks any ides, do share them with us. Let’s see if we can do something about them.

The Play Belt

The Bottle Bank Arcade Machine

The Speed Camera Lottery

Piano Staircase

The World’s Deepest Bin

One of the biggest fans of the Fisker Karma is one of the brightest stars in Hollywood himself, Leonardo DiCaprio. So fitting is the Karma with DiCaprio’s lifestyle and beliefs, it would be tempting to say that he was the inspiration for the Karma. It would also be the truth. Henrik Fisher says that seeing Leo get out of a Prius at the Oscars in 2007 gave him the idea for starting Fisker Automotive. “He [DiCaprio] could have bought any car in the world,” he says. “And I remember seeing that on television and thinking to myself, you know, when you’ve got a guy who could buy any Ferrari or Rolls-Royce and he’s buying a Prius, you know something is changing dramatically.”

Since Leo ordered his Karma, there have been a number of updates and tests made on the vehicle. Top of this list the exhaust system. One of only two blemishes on the concept Karma’s record was the fact that the generator would butt in at the most inappropriate moments, like a loudmouth drunk at a cocktail party. One moment, you’re sitting in the cabin mesmerized but the quiet hum and the Karma’s sophistication, then, mid-bend, the shocking sound of flatulent elephants fill the cabin, shocking you out from the spell. But that’s all fixed now, thanks to a new resonator in the exhaust, known in-house by the very technical term, The Pizza Box, and some remapped software that controls when the 20W battery pack is charged. All that is audible now are a few soft clicks and whirrs as the drivetrain goes about its business, just as it should be.

The other key change is to the steering weight, which was perfect once the car got going but rather too heavy at parking speed. Some reprogramming of the steering pump has completely solved this, so now the Karma is as easy to park as it is to fling through a corner. Both these updates have been made to Leo’s silver car. DiCaprio is an environmentalist and a strong supporter of animal rights. One of his latest Tweets restated his support for the end of the ivory trade. This explains his choice of the Eco-Chic interior in his Fisker. It’s the top-of-the-line that features no leather, just textiles and reclaimed wood. All the while, managing to look, feel, and smell premium without any cow peel in it at all.

In response to the awards, Henrik Fisker said, “It is fantastic news that the Karma has won two awards from Top Gear. We realize that we are at the beginning of our journey and awards like this remind us we are on the right road–building enticing green cars that people actually want to own.” Fisker added that he was especially excited that this was a European award for an American-made car, “it’s a triumph that American engineers have designed and engineered this ground breaking car at our global headquarters in Anaheim, CA and that there is now a new American car option that is bold, beautiful, smart and environmentally responsible.”

Community and environmental causes have always been a priority for LAcarGUY dealerships so we were excited to provide a hands-on educational opportunity through the Helen Bernstein school garden. This “living classroom” will enrich the learning experience for all students at Helen Bernstein and will help develop healthier food choices and eating patterns that can last a lifetime.

EMA launched an ongoing partnership with LAUSD to support gardens and greenery in urban schools across Los Angeles. The school garden will be a great opportunity for the children take their learning beyond the four walls, in a more dynamic environment. Math, science, nutrition, health, and fitness can all be taught through the use of these gardens. In addition to the garden itself, EMA will also provide a celebrity mentoring program for students with a member of their Young Hollywood Board that includes Amy Smart, Nicole Richie, Maroon 5 and Rosario Dawson!

We will continue to bring you updates and pictures of our newly adopted garden. If you’re involved in growing your own fruits and vegetables in your backyard, tell us your story and send in pictures. We would love to see them! We’ll continue to bring you updates and pictures of our newly adopted garden. If you’re involved in growing your own fruits and vegetables in your backyard, tell us your story and send in pictures. We would love to see them!

Claiming Best Mainstream Brand for third year in a row, Subaru also earned Best Midsize Utility Vehicle and Best Midsize Car for the 2012 Subaru Outback and the 2012 Subaru Legacy, respectively. Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies remain the key factors that affect ALG’s residual value forecasts.

“The Legacy’s standard all-wheel drive, above average fuel economy and spacious interior appeal to a wide swath of the market, helping to keep demand high,” said Raj Sundaram, for ALG. “With the bawny new generation of Outback, Subaru continues to build on its reputation for delivering what consumers want in a crossover, the handling of a car with great utility and roomy interiors.”

“Subaru is proud to be recognized as a brand that builds safe and reliable vehicles that deliver on our mobility promise and retain value for our owners,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “We are honored to have, again, received ALG Residual Value Awards for our brand and two of our popular Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles.”

Of the Best Mainstream Brand win, ALG remarked: “Subaru continues to draw fiercely loyal devotees who appreciate the brand’s strong quality and ability to remain practical yet progressive in its redesigns. Dependably low incentives and fleet sales have also enhanced its used market image, helping it to maintain the top spot for mainstream brand for the third year in a row.”

www.SubaruPacific.com

Los Angeles – December 1, 2011 – LAcarGUY is pleased to announce the addition of Subaru Pacific to its family of dealerships. Subaru Pacific, LAcarGUY’s eleventh dealership, will open its doors December 5^th, 2011 in Hermosa Beach, and will then move to its permanent location in Torrance the following year. Subaru has not had a presence in the South Bay for fifteen years, but Mike Sullivan, President of LAcarGUY, believes the time is right to bring this iconic brand home.

“As our eleventh LAcarGUY dealership, we think Subaru Pacific is an absolute natural fit for us. Subaru owners exemplify the independent spirit and active lifestyle of southern California, as does Subaru Pacific’s new General Manager (and Triathlete), James Hartzberg. In addition, Subaru’s long history of environmental commitment aligns with LAcarGUY’s mission,” said Mike Sullivan.

“The South Bay has been a great market for Subaru for years, so in searching for the right dealer, we didn’t want to settle for “really good” we wanted “great” said Bill Cypers, Subaru of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales. Cypers’, in town for the unveiling of Subaru’s BRZ sporty coup at the L.A. Auto Show, went on to say, “ Though we had several excellent candidates seeking to represent Subaru in the South Bay, Mike Sullivan’s LAcarGUY stood out among the rest due to his wonderful reputation in both the local community and automotive industry.

LAcarGUY has always been a champion of sustainable mobility and like Subaru of America, is committed to a greener future. Since 2003, Subaru has offered certified Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) including Legacy, Outback and Forester models that meet California’s Super-Ultra-Low-Emission vehicle exhaust standard and Subaru’s Indiana manufacturing plant became the first automotive assembly facility to be “zero landfill,” setting a precedent for the industry.  Subaru also manufactures the most fuel efficient all wheel drive vehicle in America – the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza.

Involvement in the community is another commitment shared by LAcarGUY and Subaru Both companies are known for their generous support of local organizations and non-profits in the areas in which they operate. In addition, LAcarGUY and Subaru have each achieved double-digit growth that they hope to maintain in order to have a positive impact on the local economy.

About LAcarGUY

The LAcarGUY family of dealerships has been a Los Angeles fixture since “Sully” Sullivan opened his first dealership, Volkswagen Santa Monica in 1964. Today, LAcarGUY includes 10 award-winning dealerships throughout Los Angeles and a state-of-the-art body shop.  Known for its outstanding customer service, long-term relationships, and word-of-mouth marketing, LAcarGUY is the first choice when shopping for a new or used car. As a local family-owned business, LAcarGUY is recognized as a prominent supporter of community events, charitable organizations and environmental causes. As the number one hybrid dealer in the world, LAcarGUY is proud to lead the industry to a greener automotive future.

About Subaru of America

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

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