Thanks for the info! I was not aware of the increased energy consumption, but it is very logical now that I think about it.

I think R1234yf operates at pressures more in line with R134a. R744 operates at much higher pressure. I guess it will require a significant redesign of the HVAC systems in cars to maintain reliability.

That is accurate, it will not allow you to set the cruise higher than 90. Also, I do not suggest that you set the cruise higher than 82 in Texas. Got a ticket for 88 in an 80 in a 2004 M45. It was a fairly nice car, as long as you are less than 6'2".

If it’s a 5.3, you will pretty much never need to replace the engine. The 4 speed transmission on the 1500 trucks is their Achilles heel...and I guess the same would apply to the van.

Doesn’t the 2.0t recommended premium? Should revise its price to $3.00 per gallon. The diesel should be about $2.80 per gallon. $2.30 is about right for regular unleaded in Charlotte, NC, as of today. The other prices are roughly correct for the diesel and 93 octane here as well.

Still, Elon really should invest the $30 per car it’d cost to install a reversing valve on the AC compressor. I find it rather inexcusable that he’d rather spend that money on electric motors and the required software to adjust the air vent direction through the touchscreen (of the Model 3 at least) nstead of more…

The AllTrak is fully independent (and probably the Golf Sportwagen with 4-Motion). I thought only the TDI versions of the MK7 had a beam rear axle to fit the def tank.

I’m nearly certain that I did not call it it fake engine noise. If I somehow inferred it as such, I apologize.

I thought the fake noise was kind of cool. Like some Jetsons sounds combined with the much slowed down wheeeee of an electric motor. It at least did not seem to be trying to mimic a five point oh, or gear changes.

I didn't realize Camrys were equipped with high beams. Honestly, I think at least half of them in Charlotte don't have any headlights at all.

The reason they don’t sell is because they are not attractive vehicles anymore. The S-Class, 7-series, and Model S (and the A7 and now Panamera) look so much better. This version even manages to look worse than the previous version. Even with the upgraded engine version, and added motor version, I bet it will sell…

In the states, the valve cover gasket and usually the oil filter housing gasket needs to be replaced about every 60-90k miles...wonder why they don't do that in other countries?

Out of curiosity, do petrol I6 BMW valve cover gaskets and oil filter housing gaskets *not* leak like clockwork every 60-90k miles in Europe and other countries?

You need to update the Google Messages app to the beta :-P

I grew up in an ‘89 RWD MPV in the same “Winning Silver” color. It was almost identical to the one that is in the Motorweek retro review on YouTube, but it also had the optional factory (!!!) CD player.

I’m sure the ChRouton cost VW all of $147,965 US to develop and certify, which is probably much less than it would have cost to bring the next Eurovan here.

Loved the drop top PT Cruisers I rented. They were good, spacious convertibles. Decent scoot and reasonable handling with the low pressure turbo, in spite of the Ultradrive®. Underrated in my opinion.

I’m 6'5" and I wear 36" inseam pants and I was able to fit my friend’s rear facing seat in the middle seat of my MK5 GTI. I think I only had to slide the seat one click forward, although I raised it up quite a bit...jacking the seat up is the ticket I think, and the Golf allows sufficient headroom with the seat…

I understand that, but I just think that perhaps, the people who are shopping for an A8, are mesmerized by the more attractive A7, and get one of those instead of the dowdy A8.

Yes, vacuum powered!