In this edition of Drive it! environmental issues feature in two reports - one examining the new C30 Electric from Volvo, and the other providing tips on how do drive more efficiently. Plus: a look at the latest new releases as well as a trip to a tuning meet.
The Mazda CX-5 is the company's first entry in the highly competitive compact SUV market.
The CX-5 offers a choice between one gasoline and two diesel-powered engines, available with front- or all-wheel-drive systems and a manual six-speed or seven-speed automatic SKYACTIV-Drive transmission. Mazda's new design philosophy - called "KODO - Soul of Motion" - is in full effect here. Fine-tuning of the engine and chassis was done by Mazda's European design center in Oberursel, Germany.
Volvo has sent out a little test fleet of vehicles with electric motors in order to research and advance worldwide trends in electromobility.
The Insignia has been Opel's flagship model since 2008. Last year it received a technical overhaul and facelift.
But Rüsselsheim has upped the ante with a new engine -- a BiTurbo diesel that delivers 143 kilowatts. The engine offers flexible power, with plenty on tap even at low revs and without turbo lag. This at a rated fuel consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 kilometers. Drive it! tests the Insignia BiTurbo.
The right style of driving can definitely save fuel. But how do your achieve your efficiency goal?
For more than three decades the annual Wörthersee GTI festival has been a highlight of the year for fans of souped-up Volkswagens.
This May again saw fans gather in Austria for the biggest GTI meet in the world. It was all about seeing and being seen. The fantastic weather meant the pimped-up finishes and chrome could really shine. Nine Volkswagen apprentices presented their own "Golf GTI Black Dynamik" study with a black & red body, a 265 kW TSI engine and lowered sports suspension. One of the other stars of the show was the new Golf GTI convertible.
