It's not often you see a major carmaker try something completely new. But that's just what Volkswagen and its famous Audi brand have done. They presented the new A1 model in Berlin, a strong competitor for the Mini and the Citroen DS3. It's a sub compact car that packs a big punch.
Also on drive it!, we do the unthinkable: a comparison test between a Mercedes T Model and a Dacia Logan MCV. And last but not least, we rev up with the new Golf GTI.
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start it! Audi A1
Audi is making a splash in the super mini car market with its completely new A1. And their risk seems to be paying off--the demand for the new Audi model is high. People flocked to the car during our road test in Berlin at the city's Brandenburg Gate.
Audi designers say the car represents lifestyle, premium and progressiveness. Customers can almost completely individualize the A1: from the color of the roof arch and the mirrors to the various types of wheels and decorative additions. There are up to 800 different combinations available for car buyers. But it comes at a price: in Germany, the A1 starts at 15,800 Euros. That's 1,500 Euros more than the VW Polo from the very same company.
compare it! Mercedes E-Class T-Model - Dacia Logan MCV
It doesn't sound like a fair competition: a Mercedes E-class T model up against a Dacia Logan MCV--a little bit like David and Goliath. But we wanted to give the Dacia a chance to make its case next to the Mercedes.
Both station wagons have the biggest trunk space in the class. When it comes to comfort and luxury, the Mercedes takes the cake. But when we looked at the difference on the price tags, we asked the question: is all the extra luxury worth it?
taste it! VW Golf GTI
GTI stands for Gran Turismo Injection. Since the mid 1970's, these three letters on Volkswagen cars have also stood for high-performance engines and affordable style. From the very first generation of Golf, the GTI model was a hit--especially among younger drivers.
drive it! tests the newest version of the GTI that has 210 horsepower and a 2.0 liter TSI-engine. The little red sports car goes from 0 to 100 in an impressive 6.9 seconds. It's fast, but will it have the same cult status that the previous GTI versions did?
examine it! Air Conditioning: Dealing with the cold
Almost every car on the road these days is outfitted with an air conditioning system, and they get a lot of use in the hot summer temperatures. That's especially important for drivers because a heightened body temperature can decrease driving ability and reaction time by up to 30 percent.
But even though the air conditioner is so important, very few drivers actually know how it works. What's the best way to use the air conditioner without burning up too much fuel? And do cooling systems need regular maintenance? Or is your mechanic's warning to get your air conditioner serviced just another scam?
vintage! Klassikwelt Bodensee 2010
The ''Klassikwelt Bodensee'' car fair is drawing classic car fans from around the world to the shores of Lake Constance in the city of Friedrichshafen. Oldtimers like the Rolls Royce Silver Dawn 1951 and a rocket car from German automaker Opel are on display.
So is the ''Hotrod,'' the low-riding Ford with impressive horsepower, as well as the historical Mercedes race car. And right next to the car fair, visitors can take the cars of tomorrow--including electric cars--for a spin on a test course.
