Vinyl Vehicle Wraps Don't Increase Fuel Economy

PopMech's Ben Stewart put the Fastskinz MPG-Plus vinyl vehicle-wrap system through the paces to determine if it increases fuel economy. So, does it work? What the hell do you think, of course it doesn't. [PopMech]

2009 Volkswagen Golf VI, Reviewed

While we’re were busy salivating over the 62 MPG VW Golf BlueMotion, our friends at Popular Mechanics were in Iceland putting the regular 2009 Volkswagen Golf VI through its paces. “We just improved the old car," VW’s board member for product development told them. And that’s exactly what PM found, reporting that it’s basically a Mark V with revised looks, a much better interior, new engines and better handling. Those engines are the most interesting thing. According to PM, the US market Golf VI (or the Rabbit, as it's called here) will definitely be getting the 2.0-liter TDI and maybe, just maybe, the 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged, supercharged gasoline engine that’s capable of both 0-60 in 8 seconds and returning 39.2 MPG. More »

2008 Audi TT 2.0 TDI, Reviewed

It's strongly rumored the diesel version of the Audi TT could find its way stateside. With that in mind, the boys over at Popular Mechanics packed their bags and boarded a midnight plane to Blighty to try one out. In a cable back to their New York HQ, they report the oil-burning 2008 Audi TT 2.0 TDI is smooth, refined and makes overtaking easy as a wiggle of your big toe. Exclusively available in the UK with a 6-speed manual, they calculated their average fuel economy during a mix of city and highway driving to be 39.1 MPG (US). That's while making 258 lb-ft and reaching a top speed of 140 MPH, mind you. Please, god of cars, bring us this beautiful torque-heavy 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Please! More »

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Reviewed

The lucky buggers over at Popular Mechanics recently got their hands on the revised 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. With a larger 4.8-liter, 420 HP engine and modified suspension, they find the $119,500 British sports car to be more refined, more focused, faster, and a welcome antidote to the "stuffy" DB9...if still not quite up there with the Porsche 911. Should you have the means, they highly recommend picking one up, as long as it comes with the optional Sport Pack. More »

2009 Porsche 911 Carrera And Carrera S, Reviewed

Though we've yet to get our Cheeto-stained hands on the 2009 Porsche 911, the testers at Popular Mechanics had the chance to roam the Stuttgart roads in a few variations, finding the new model to be Porsche par excellence. They also found the new Porsche's wizardly dual-clutch PDK gearbox to be a vast improvement over the previous Tiptronic transmission. And those famous Porsche flat sixes? Both the Carrera and Carrera S get power increases to 345 and 385 horsepower, respectively, while also improving fuel economy. It seems the minor visual tweaks hide the important and immediately noticeable physical changes beneath. More »