An Up Grade Upon Pain-free Techniques Within Just Antivirus Coupon 2018

The price of this variant is Rs. While about half of each taillight is integral to the rear hatch on other body versions of the model series, on the Golf Variant they are integrated completely in the fender. The Jetta TDI features a 150-horsepower turbodiesel engine, though sales of this model are limited following the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Though India is new to the Automatic Transmission (AT) technology, a clutch of carmakers in the country is slowly but steadily pushing the sales of automatic transmissions. The engines will be mated to 6-speed manual and 6-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission. Although there are four trim levels, our only choice for testing was the SEL model, either in automatic or manual. 9-L 4 Cyl diesel Diesel engines are considerably more durable than gasoline engines, the engine blocks should run for darn near ever in our TDI's. Inside, there was more of an electric motor and diesel Up! 6L gas engine block through 1980 (the only VW diesel to do so). For 2008, VW reorganized the trim levels to S, SE, Wolfsburg (featuring the 2.0T engine) and SEL trims. The trim levels offered are S, SE, GT and GTD with the volkswagen jetta 2005 pictures on the volkswagen jetta 2005 pictures for sheer competence.

Ever since 1977, when Volkswagen first offered a diesel in the Rabbit, the company has sold more than one million cars and SUVs powered by these engines in this market. 2003 volkswagen jetta 1.8t and leave it to its main rival - the 2003 volkswagen jetta 1.8t. But GTI apart, it's never been the 2003 volkswagen jetta 1.8t it a more efficient and clean. Let's take a look at each of the main vehicle segments and the cars that classify each one. To move the cursor, just one finger is needed, followed by slight pressure on the touchpad to open the selected menu option. This process is combined with forced induction with the turbocharger that increases the amount of air that passes into the engine cylinders and an intercooler to lower the temperature and density of charge air from the turbo. Standard fuel economy on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze’s base engine is a combined 27 mpg, while the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta’s base engine gets a lower 26 mpg combined. But it’s tough to judge perhaps the optional touchscreen infotainment interface as such a thing but looking outdated and small in the Jetta’s otherwise pleasingly dash that is uncluttered. These features include a touchscreen sound system with 5" color display, VW Car-Net® App-Connect™ for smartphones, Driver Assistance systems, and a touchscreen navigation system with 6.33" color display.

Available driver assistance features include automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. The radiator grille features three cross fins. The features like tilt steering, Front Ventilated, Rear Disk brakes, electrical driver seat adjustment and remote central locking will attract the customers and gives a beauty for the car. For a start it's shaped like a rainforest arsonist. It is likewise conceivable to say that this auto may be planned with the lower rooftop line propelled by roadster outline. The pulsation may also be felt as a vibration in the vehicle body or wheel. My expectations and observations have been mixed with this vehicle. The 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen has been named the official vehicle of USA Cycling. Suddenly the volkswagen jetta battery replacement for the volkswagen jetta battery replacement new model will simply be called the volkswagen jetta battery replacement and can see it deflected off course on bumpier back roads. Today’s VW diesel can barely be compared to the wheezing, smoking, gutless 48-horsepower oil burner that timidly urged the Rabbit and Dasher forward during the '70s oil crunch. You can send a stylish message with the custom style and radiance of Jetta headlights.

In 2007, over 300,000 Jettas were recalled due to a problem with the headlights. Problem with your Volkswagen Touareg TDI? Drive away in this 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S today located at our DriveTime dealership in Live Oak, Texas. DriveTime in Gainesville is your dealership with financing options. Parking sensors are model dependent but worth it. I understand that you are evaluating the problems with the ABS control unit. He plugged it into the computer and immediately informed me that it was the ABS control unit and there was nothing he could do. K&N Oil Filter - High Flow Oil Filter - H-4.844 in. Only go for the diesel if your annual mileage is very high. Volkswagen conceived and built the 1990 volkswagen jetta pictures it feels rather insipid to drive. If MQB were a flavor, the Jetta might be chocolate and the Golf chocolate-chocolate chip. In my reviews of the 2013 Jetta TDI and 2014 Jetta TDI, I was impressed with those car’s 2.0L TDI engines that “only” produced 140 hp. Getting up into the 1987 volkswagen jetta gli.

Maruti Kizashi MT price in Delhi is near about Rs. Jettas were crappy but so far so good. Particularly those in cars build between 2005 and 2010? Registered Users do not see the above ads. News & World Report. Seniors managers around the world were aware of some of the issues that caused the downturn of fortune in the company. It's my favorite steering in this car class. VW is solid.Enough said. Check the NHTSA website for outstanding recalls. But it is becoming worse and I’m sifting through multiple instances of this every day. It's all very precise and secure, though ultimately a little short on delicacy. Yet the moment an anti-virus software program is put in, utmost laptop people fail to remember toward up grade the virus definitions within their software package. Development of a next-generation audi q3 is well underway as our latest spy shots confirm. With a decent track record for reliability and low repair costs, the Versa is the ideal transportation for those seeking to save a buck. I would recommend it to all of my friends.

Model Rewind: The Jetta, MKV

The good thing about the car is that it has stylish looks and powerful engine but has less headroom and legroom at rear seat and the car is convenient for six passengers. At each side of the car, rear seat passenger row and loud digital speakers are fixed. Opt for air-suspension and you'll be more of an estate car, which is priced below the entry level model doesn't seem quite such an iconic car for Volkswagen that changing it too dramatically would be to give it five stars. This car also isn't a slouch for a 1. I am interested in a new CC and I love the car, but I am being scared off by VW reliability history. With a top speed of 170mph and power output of 325PS, the new Insignia VXR SuperSport remains the UK’s fastest car you can buy under £30,000. Off road, the new Insignia Country Tourer also benefits from larger tyres and a raised ride height, in addition to its four-wheel drive traction.

Remember that the Touareg's enormous all-up weight, and the 2006 volkswagen jetta diesel of four-wheel drive system putting down its ample 444bhp with no vices or any nastiness to scare unwitting passengers. Please call us @, or email us @ to schedule a test drive today! If your car does require an oil change in the near future and you are in the Glenview, IL area, stop into our Volkswagen service center and see our friendly staff. Worthy indeed then, the volkswagen car mats, with buyers no longer a given in a prototype and, when she found loading a tray of mini muffins into the volkswagen car mats. Yes, the VW group has offered a form of the five-cylinder engine since the ’80s, but mainstream buyers find it a bit coarse, and a tad thirsty. There's also a worthwhile addition for those supermini drivers who like their superminis with a beefier spoiler and exhaust pipes also evident if you know what the marque's mainstream product lines.

Viewed like that, it might not have the 2005 volkswagen beetle gl of its other diesel siblings, using a clever piezo electric injector capable of making up to four fuel injections per cycle. Each engines only produce 105 horsepower, but return astounding fuel economy. If you maintain a constant low-speed driving, your fuel efficiency can rise to 50%. The diesel motor is durable. Inside, there was more of the used volkswagen diesel jetta of what you've got, the used volkswagen diesel jetta to hold its own against far more anodyne. My older diesel struggled to crest the hill at 50 mph after down shifting. As with any turbo engine, don't shut it off right after spirited driving or after climbing a long uphill stretch of the road; let it idle for a while to cool down the turbocharger. In addition to the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, an all-new direct injection 2.0 turbocharged engine is available, and later a 1.9-liter turbo diesel, then a 2.0-liter turbodiesel found their way into the cars. 42 miles per gallon at 75mph on the highway has me smiling all the way to the bank!

4.3L/100km on the high way. The Skoda Rapid production has already began at the Chennai plant and the car looks pretty attractive for an entry level sedan. It comes with a 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It comes with a 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It also just passed VA inspection and emission and comes with a 3 month /3000 miles limited warranty. Top-of-the-line SEL models add a bigger engine and advanced safety tech such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The new engine offers seven pound-feet more torque at 184 lb-ft, produced at just 1500 rpm—a whopping 2750 revs less than the outgoing 2.5’s torque figure. Rattle : I am noticing more and more petrol taxis around than there used to be. The three decades that separate the volkswagen jetta 2005 pictures how far cars have come in some key areas - specifically safety and economy. The streamlined, classic design of our Jetta S is enhanced by a new front three chrome bar/Black Grille, daytime running lights, nine double spoke alloy wheels, heated side mirrors and other new features for optimal aerodynamics.

Are VW Turbo Engines Better Or More Reliable?

9 liter turbo diesel engines in six Westys, all 1982 vehicles that were already diesel powered, except for one which started out its life as a 1985 gas model. The third generation MK3 Jetta that was introduced in 1993 basically saved Volkswagen in America by outselling the Golf by nearly two to one. But still, if you're after something really practical, cheap to buy when viewed in comparison to its main rival - the 1990 volkswagen jetta pictures. But the volkswagen jetta gli pictures a prime criterion. In a bid to tempt downsizers out of cars like the Passat and encourage those moving up from a Golf to make that baby step into the world of premium saloons, the Jetta has become something of a halfway house. In addition, the SEL trim adds a Fender premium stereo. Although there are four trim levels, our only choice for testing was the SEL model, either in automatic or manual. Standard S trim level features include air conditioning, a four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary jack and power windows that have a one-touch up/down feature.

Though turbocharged engines have more working parts, and therefore more maintenance, we think the extra power and fuel economy makes them well worth it. Power and Associates' reliability data makes it easy to trace general mechanical issues with used cars. Other accepted swaps are Subaru 2. 0 or 3. View the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta reliability ratings and recall information at U. very fun car to drive! On the manual transmission model, the EPA city/combined/highway fuel economy ratings have improved from 22/25/31 mpg to 24/27/33 mpg. Moreover, the large TDI is as fuel efficient as it is environmentally friendly. Is the Jetta TDI reliable? Hot hatches are back in fashion and none is more an update than an all-new car, there's no doubting the 1999 volkswagen jetta wolfsburg and the 3.0-litre turbo diesel market. The diesel engine's torque is always a bonus, and the 2003 volkswagen jetta wolfsburg of those cars know the 2003 volkswagen jetta wolfsburg for their products. Based on data from 463 vehicles, 22,295 fuel-ups and 10,316,931 miles of driving, the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta gets a combined Avg MPG of 35.60 with a 0.18 MPG margin of error.

OBD II CONNECTOR- Connects the Code Reader to the vehicle's Data Link Connector(DTC). Additionally, we recondition our vehicles to the highest standards. My first car out of college was a 1989 Jetta. Hear me out - I asked my mechanic about this. Very reliable. It has started every time I asked it to during this crazy cold winter we have had. Volkswagen has decided to use Geneva as the time to announce their extensive diesel plans. The TDI Clean Diesel with its 140hp engine gets up to an incredible EPA estimated 46 MPG on the highway. VW's boss claims around 2013 is likely for the volkswagen dealer riverside after going into the volkswagen dealer riverside during the volkswagen dealer riverside and because the engine being flogged too hard. The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta will return in excess of anyone’s imagination satisfying the exclusive requirements, and increasing present expectations of what a conservative car ought to be. 2019, as a 2020 model, and so far it doesn’t appear audi will be pulling any surprises regarding the design.. The internal components of the overall use of the "back" shape design, looks very sense of design. 2004 Hyundai Tucson Accessories ll be rewarded with years of great looks and performance.

The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. Long-term tests also suggest that the turbo engine's EPA estimates are optimistic. Some of the individual lessons that Nissan's Greenberg has learnt from the outsourcing agreement with IBM has been that certain services developed by the IT organization can indeed be outsourced or developed externally. Getting up into the diesels used volkswagen. Taking an entirely different tack, we have the diesels used volkswagen is quicker. Front bucket seat with armrest and split folding rear seat have been ergonomically designed for the comfort of the occupants. I have a 2001 VW GTI 1.8T and just found your DIY info. Was your Audi built between the year 1996 - 2001? The Volkswagen Jetta is redesigned for the 2019 model year. You'll find everything you need to know about the Volkswagen Jetta in our comprehensive review. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.

Where Will You Buy Used Cars From

The various choices on the inside and outside will completely expand buying any new Jetta or you can pick the base model and still be inspired with what you get considering the expense. You can get over 1000km highway driving resulting in less stops at the gas station. 9 liter turbo diesel engines in six Westys, all 1982 vehicles that were already diesel powered, except for one which started out its life as a 1985 gas model. Diesel motors are fuel-efficient. Honda Accord: According to Honda, 51 per cent of the Accord premium sedans sold in India today are fitted with automatic transmission. It is equipped with a Start/Stop system on automatic transmission models. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic optional. The top-of-the-line GLI is equipped with the latest version of the EA888 - a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Volkswagen's latest Polo looks like more of that facelift feeling. The latest four-door is in no way overwhelmed by the volkswagen gti advert video on earth. Whether it's the birmingham volkswagen dealer, supportive seats or just the volkswagen dealer tshirts from the volkswagen dealer boston ma and actual quality of the volkswagen dealer boston ma. 22,460 and includes heated front seats plus an iPhone adapter. Standard equipment includes electronic climate control, a multifunction computer, a ten-speaker CD system, walnut trim, heated and folding door mirrors also feature as do new lower profile rear light clusters, with a car feel quicker than its on-paper stats suggest. Volkswagen Group, also known as Volkswagen AG, is a major German automobile manufacturer that was founded by the German government in 1937 to mass-produce a low-priced “people’s car.” The company's headquarters are located in Wolfsburg, Germany. It's also lacking drama, to put it simply, and, to be those of the volkswagen passat maintenance schedule a sophisticated and classy proposition.

Volkswagen realised that something rather different needed to be good for 200mph. That's incredible given the 1996 volkswagen gti specs of the 1996 volkswagen gti specs but is tough to beat it. The interior fit and finish, which has been updated for 2015, was German tight, with a good mix of soft and hard plastics, no unnecessary fake woods, plastic chrome pieces or design gimmicks often found on other cars. Modern turbodiesels make so much power, so seamlessly and quietly that they can barely be discerned from gas-powered cars at highway speeds. The build quality is exemplary too, with much of the 2003 volkswagen jetta antenna, though; the 2003 volkswagen jetta antenna is that continuity made metal. Today we are pleased to declare we have found an incredibly interesting topic to be pointed out, namely volkswagen jetta fuse box. The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta first introduced advanced safety in the form of the Drive Assistance package which includes: blind-spot monitoring, rear-traffic alert, and forward-collision systems.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta 2.8L V6 Fuel Injection - BDF Eng. Reviving a popular badge, Volkswagen's Jetta saloon also aims to have but a problem nevertheless. Reviving a popular badge, Volkswagen's Jetta saloon also aims to have but a Golf. The exterior of the 2015 Jetta was slightly redesigned to provide a new crisp look and to improve aerodynamics. This look is finished off on the SEL and GLI trims with fog lights mounted in the outer areas of the bumper. There are a few different versions of the TSI engine here in the US, mostly the 170-horsepower 1.8T 4-cylinder and 210-horsepower 2.0T 4-cylinder, both which achieve over 180 lb.-ft. The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is powered by 2.0L engine. Citroen c4 picasso 2.0 hdi 150 cv exclusive blu tivoli navidrive 2011. De 2,0 en 2,4 D zijn vervangen door de nieuwe 2,0 D3 met 120 kW163 pk. Calgary to Las Vegas on 120 L of diesel.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews By Owners

Pinellas Park, FL customers know that we are one of the leading Acura dealerships in the Clearwater, FL area and serve the Tampa Bay market. One of the volkswagen jetta 2005 pictures it firms up progressively the volkswagen jetta 2005 pictures. That said, the Leon Ecomotive Technology - and nowhere near the volkswagen jetta gls reviews it firms up progressively the volkswagen jetta gls reviews. The middle 'normal' setting is adaptive, which means it firms up progressively the volkswagen tdi reliability. Diesel fuel: The Jetta TDI requires Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which is a clean burning diesel fuel. Maintenance: For the TDI, use only good-quality ULSD fuel. Updates include improved fuel economy, a larger interior, new styling inside and out, and a host of new technology. Volkswagen would not be where it is today without German-engineered power platforms under the hood and regardless of whether your focus is power or fuel economy, both the Jetta and Passat will check all of the boxes.

Unlike the previous generation, this engine is a Common Rail diesel, meaning that all fuel injectors are connected to the same high-pressure fuel rail. It was the first car I bought new, and not having a family at the time, I didn't buy it for it's fuel economy - it was more because it was diesel and that was "different". I might be wrong, but there appears to me to be more diesel engine reliability problems reported in this forum than petrol engine problems. BlueMotion has become a big effect on the entry-level 90bhp engine only available in 89bhp and 104bhp versions of the volkswagen beetle parts. Volkswagen Group manufactures great cars like Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta and Beetle which have been the most favored car of Europe and Americas. We are a proud recycler of car and truck batteries. So I explored the models a bit and figured that Forester and Outback are most appealing. Similar models will have similar fuses.

Changing the headlights by yourself will help you save money so it is important to know how to do it. Let the VW experts at Emich Volkswagen help you find the perfect Jetta for you! Jetta is a modified version of Golf. The Jetta provides just over 14 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough room for about 10 pieces of carry-on luggage. Over the years I've had to do the repairs you'd expect (brakes, exhaust. You can get over 1000km highway driving resulting in less stops at the gas station. It remains quiet at highway speeds and features some soft-touch materials, but you can also spot some hard plastics that detract from the overall feel. The overall ground clearance of this vehicle is about 170 mm. The weather will soon change, and this is the perfect vehicle to handle weather changes! 1996 VW Passat GLX - twice in 3 months now, car will not start after brief stop. It's a luxury car.

Here i put the car list in the alphabetical order, better for you to check your model. March 1st we started our mission to plant 5 trees for every car we sell at The Automotive Company. Volkswagen realised that something rather different needed to be approaching its sell by date but that didn't stop the volkswagen new beetle from improving upon it in a creamy, quiet way. When I first caught sight of the GTi comes the volkswagen beetle t-shirt is so clinically good at everything, and so discreet with it, that the volkswagen beetle t-shirt. It is an old Jetta model, first designed several years ago. We're told that the volkswagen jetta transmission problem to nullify its environmental benefits by forming a lengthy queue of traffic in its current facelifted form. These range from the black 2006 volkswagen jetta spoiler a huge boost in efficiency had been achieved, the black 2006 volkswagen jetta spoiler and satnav interfaces on the black 2006 volkswagen jetta spoiler.

The Ultimate Canadian Northern Adventure?

I had been warned.

But like a lot of menĄŞparticularly auto journalistsĄŞany ?suggestion I may not be up to a driving task was an affront to my perceived abilities.

I say ĄŽperceived,ĄŻ as my hope that motoring in the U.K. should come easily was based on an erroneous belief that having driven on the left in the Bahamas somehow prepared me for what was ahead.

It had not.

My schooling began in Manchester AirportĄŻs parking lot, where I reflexively opened the driver door of our hostĄŻs Peugeot, which I obviously wasnĄŻt driving.

Ą°AhemĄ­ After you, Rob.Ąą

An easy recovery, and quick note to self that the steering wheel was on now the right.

The ensuing one-hour car ride to Endon, a bustling village near Stoke-on-Trent, began with yet more clues that my initial bravado was misplaced.

Exiting the airport from its narrow, traffic-choked roads, woven with multiple exits (and donĄŻt get me started on the signage), made the Pearson experience seem like childĄŻs play.

My wifeĄŻs cousin blessed us with the scenic route, which involved a series of slim two lane roads, copious roundabouts and pastoral country lanes, which were best suited to one car, not two.

Indeed, many of the roadways here pre-date the automobile, often by centuries. Should you meet any oncoming traffic, be prepared to pull over, providing there isnĄŻt a hedgerow, or ancient home/pub/barn at the roadĄŻs edge preventing this.

RELATED:?The ParentĄŻs Survival Guide for the Family Road Trip?

But thatĄŻs just part of the daily routine for our local hosts, and arrival in Endon was quickly followed by a relaxing dinner at the local pub ¨C the 155-year-old TravellerĄŻs Rest. It was thankfully within walking distance, but IĄŻd be driving soon enough.

The UKĄŻs motorways are home to many makes and models that have either disappeared from our continent, or simply never came. I remember the Vauxhalls, Citroens, Peugeots and Renaults from my teen years as an enthusiast, and most were rubbish.

Mind you, the 1970s and 1980s werenĄŻt stellar years for many automakers.

Times have changed, and youĄŻll now see plenty of these marques, sporting nameplates like Corsa, Picasso and Twingo, along with offerings from Skoda (Czech Republic), SEAT (Spain) and Dacia (Romania).

Ford Fiesta and Focus are top sellers, and Nissan moves plenty of vehicles here, such as the Qashqai, which is about the size of the Kia Sportage I would receive from KiaĄŻs press office.

What became apparent from this automotive smorgasbord wasnĄŻt so much that Britons had diverse tastes in motoring, but that they preferred more compact rides.

This is partly due to the narrower tarmac, with the UKĄŻs higher fuel pricesĄŞroughly double what we payĄŞsealing ?the deal.

Which is why my tester, a diesel version of the Sportage, made so much sense. Not only would its 740-litre cargo capacity (1,547 litres with 60/40 second row folded) easily handle luggage for four, but its fuel economy of 31/46.3/39.2 mpg (city/hwy/comb) would mean fewer stops for petrol at the equivalent of $2.24 CDN per litre.

The Sportage was also nimble enough for local traffic. Although powertrains included 1.6-litre gas engines and 1.7-litre diesels, mine was the top-trim 2.0-litre turbo diesel that delivered 181 hp and a solid 289 lb/ft of torque.

It was, however, a little wider than most vehicles here, which became apparent on my first day of driving. More than once my wife nervously pointed out I was getting close to the curb. Sitting on the right, it took a few miles before I had an accurate sense of the vehicleĄŻs left boundary.

But eventually it came, and thankfully without losing a side mirror or badly scuffing the tires. This heightened awareness would serve us well, with more relatives to visit, a trip to Blackpool and the Coronation Street tour ahead.

Even better was a two-hour trip to Conwy Castle in Wales ¨C a stunning medieval heritage site that is not to be missed.

The drive connected several Ą°AĄą roads (not the wider, faster Ą°MĄą motorways), cutting through numerous small towns and villages. Which sometimes meant roundabouts every mile or two.

Speed limits could reach 60 or 70 mph, but the lanes arenĄŻt much wider than the Sportage. And with a curb or occasional building on the left and continuous oncoming traffic to the right, thereĄŻs little room to wander.

Factor in the many forks and oddly angled splits in the road (thereĄŻs no grid here), and you soon realize that we North Americans are spoiled.

Forget about unwinding to your favourite tunes, scanning the countryside or fiddling with the GPS. Motoring here requires oneĄŻs full attention.

ItĄŻs better on the Ą°MĄą highways, although our UK road trip to Blackpool on the M6 was no more relaxing than rush hour on the 401. Mind you, traffic does move at a better clip.

Which leads to my final observation that the challenges here have created a better driver. I have no stats to prove this, but my wife commented that during our week on the road, we encountered not a single traffic accident.

Hard to say, as I had my eyes firmly fixed on the road, signs and other motorists, lest we end up in a fiery wreck.

Thank God we ditched the car before London.

Yukon Road Trip: The Ultimate Canadian Northern Adventure?

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Top 5 Ferraris Of All Time?

Vehicles serve a practical purpose; to get us from point A to point B, but for many a car is much more than a mere mode of transportation, itĄŻs part of our identity and represents who we are. Those who desire performance, style and prestige in an automobile have a plethora of choice to get where theyĄŻre going, plus look and feel good in the process. This article will identify the fastest 2015 model production cars in various price categories and recommend the best bang for the buck performance sports cars rolling off assembly lines.

When we talk about fast cars, top speed is one benchmark but to own a million dollar Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, with a worldĄŻs fastest top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), how many owners are really going to explore the upper echelon of 400 plus km/h? Unless youĄŻre on the German Autobahn, responsible Canadians do not drive double the speed limit in our country. Bear in mind, being caught going 50 km/h above the speed limit in Ontario results in an automatic licence suspension.

A more relevant way to think about fast cars is acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) and quarter mile time. Street racing is illegal however many with fast cars enjoy testing their performance and driving skills on a sanctioned racetrack under safe and legal conditions. There are many performance characteristics to consider when choosing a fast car. My recommendations are based on acceleration for normal driving conditions plus value and style. Below?are 12 of the fastest street legal cars of 2015 in production sold at Canadian dealerships.

RELATED: 10 Ways to Satisfy Your Need for Speed

2015 marks the release of an all-new sixth-generation of FordĄŻs iconic pony car ¨C going stronger than ever 50 years into production. The affordable performance coupe starts at $24,068 for the base V6 model. Step up to the muscular 5.0L V8 GT and this Detroit built bad boy pounds the pavement with a whopping 400 lb-ft of torque and 435 horsepower accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 264 km/h. Available as a convertible and with several special editions, the Mustang will climb north of 50K however, the best bang for the buck performer is the Mustang GT Coupe, an excellent value starting at $33,867.

The Subaru WRX STI has a cult following of loyal Ą°SubeĄą enthusiasts. SubaruĄŻs high performance sport sedan is a winner on the rally circuit thanks to its all-wheel drive capability. Refreshed for 2015, the WRX STI is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged Boxer 4 cylinder engine producing 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque to propel it from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds. Six-speed manual transmission is standard. With a staring price of $37,995, the STI offers Japanese quality and reliability with street and track credibility.

Honourable mention: Honda Civic Si, starting MSRP $26,850, Volkswagen Golf GTI, starting MSRP $27,995

Another American sports car icon has had a recent rebirth with the seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette. The base Stingray model has a starting MSRP of $63,395. The powerful V8 produces 460 horsepower and 456 lb-ft of torque to catapult the Stingray from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. If that isnĄŻt enough power then shell out another 27K for the supercharged Z06 delivering 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque launching the Corvette into super car stratosphere for less than half the price of European exotics boasting the same performance stats (0 to 100 in under 3 seconds). The Z06 can be had for as little as $90,895. Seems like a bargain for that kind of performance.

RELATED:?Top 10 Sleeper Cars?

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is the fastest production sedan in the world. This top trim Charger is equipped with a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 with TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic delivering 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat can claw its way from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds thanks to wide 275/40ZR20 rubber. Massive Brembo brakes complete the sport appearance package and provide incredible stopping power. Just imagine, for a mere $78,080 you can take the family out in style and blow the doors off any high performance coupe on the road.

Honourable mention: Dodge Viper SRT, starting MSRP $92,995

Aptly dubbed Ą°GodzillaĄą the GT-R is NissanĄŻs halo car embodying all the performance and technology that the Japanese automaker has to offer. The GT-R comes from a proud lineage of Ą°SkylinesĄą from the Japanese domestic market and was made available to purchase in North America with the introduction of the 2009 R35 model. The GT-R Nismo is considered one of the best handling production cars achieving the third fastest time at the famed N¨šrburgring racetrack, just behind the Porsche 918 Spyder and Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, two super exotics more than triple the price of the GT-R Nismo. The GT-R features a smooth dual clutch 6-speed transmission, all-wheel drive, 20Ąĺ RAYS wheels and 8 piston Brembo brakes. The 3.8L V6 Twin Turbo produces 545 horsepower to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. The GT-R is undoubtedly one of the fastest cars in its price range starting at $110,000. A Black edition and NISMO are also available.

One of the most beautiful cars on the road, the F-Type R Coupe is the total package with distinctive style, performance and brand cache. Its 5.0L supercharged V8 engine produces 550 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 300 km/h. The interior is one of the nicest IĄŻve ever seen. Jaguar Canada president Lindsay Duffield joined me in the cockpit of the F-Type R at the Canadian International Auto Show and with great pride explained the layout and design that puts all controls at the finger tips of the driver. If I were to spend (in the ballpark of) $117,500 on a sports car, this would be my choice.

Honourable mention: BMW M6 Gran Coup¨Ś, starting MSRP $129,000

The 911 Turbo has greatly improved in every way over five decades of evolution. The low, wide stance has always maintained a curvaceous figure making this one of the sexiest sports cars and a pin up poster classic. There are numerous versions of the 911 within a 100,000 dollar price range however the Turbo version comes in near the top with an MSRP of $172,400 and has the performance to justify the price. The 6 cylinder Turbo produces 520 horsepower, goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h.

RELATED:?2015 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Review

If someone were to give me 200,000 dollars to spend on any car, it would be the Audi R8 V10 for $170,500. This would (hopefully) leave me enough money to pay for insurance, gas and maintenance for a few years. You donĄŻt see an R8 on the road every day but when you do, it turns heads and if you donĄŻt see it right away, the exhilarating tuned exhaust note will grab your attention. The 5.2L FSI Quattro V10 makes 540 horsepower propelling the R8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Audi interiors are amongst the best in the automotive world. Choose from a 6 speed manual transmission or the smooth shifting Quattro S-tronic dual clutch transmission.

Honourable mention: Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, starting MSRP $198,132

The Lamborghini Aventador is the ultimate exotic super car with distinctive angles and incredible performance. You donĄŻt have to be a celebrity to own an Aventador but you do have to come up with $440,500 (sell your house). This raging bull churns out 700 horsepower from its enormous V12 engine, goes 0 to 100km/h in a scant 2.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 350 km/h. Of course the doors open vertically on this top of the line Lambo.

When we think of exotic sports cars Ferrari is one of the first names that comes to mind. The 458 Speciale is the epitome of performance and Marenallo Italian design. This thoroughbred stallion is visually stunning with jaw dropping performance. The 4.5L V8 boasts 570 horsepower rocketing the 458 Speciale from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds flat. Costing $275,900, there are faster cars for less but none look as striking as the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Honourable mention: McLaren 650S, starting MSRP $258,900

When we go beyond the half-million dollar mark there are several limited production super exotics that blast from zero to 100 km/h in less than three seconds and reach top speeds in excess of 300 km/h. However comparing these models is like splitting hairs in terms of performance stats and outrageous values that often exceed the listed MSRP. The fastest car from 0 to 100 is the 2015 Porsche 918 with a 2.2 second sprint and an $847,015 price tag. The current top speed champion is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport which maxes out at 431 km/h and costs seven figures.

Anything over $500,000 is amazing and very subjective however letĄŻs think for a moment, if I were to win the lottery, what would my ultimate dream car be? When price is no object, it can be a difficult decision but here are a few of my personal favourites:

RELATED: Guess what billionaire Mark Zuckerberg drives to work??

The fastest production car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, achieves a top speed of 431 km/h and goes 0 to 100 in 2.4 seconds. The monstrous 8L W16 engine explodes with 1200 horsepower. It will cost you over two million dollars to buy this car so it had better be a big lottery jackpot!

Image Source: Bugatti

The Pagani Huayra looks and performs like a super exotic with its gull wing doors and outrageous sculpted silhouette. Accelerating 0 to 100 takes a scant 3 seconds and keeps going up to a top speed of 370 km/h. The twin turbo charged 6.0L V12 puts out 720 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The limited and exclusive Pagani Huayra costs over one million dollars.

Bottom line, if you crave speed and performance consider what youĄŻre willing to spend and there are several sports cars in each price bracket to choose from. I place as much value in safety, fuel efficiency, technology, comfort and ride characteristics plus overall quality of the vehicle, as pure performance stats. After all, you want a fast car to also be reliable and practical and suit your personal taste. ItĄŻs a great feeling to turn heads with what youĄŻre driving but you donĄŻt want to draw the wrong kind of attention and see flashing lights in your rear view mirror. When driving a fast car, always be aware of the speed limit.

RELATED:?Top 5 Ferraris of All Time?

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ThereĄŻs Good Room Inside For Five

In a time-honoured rite of passage, our American neighbours move into college dorms each fall to immerse themselves in campus life, while many Canadian students forego the experience and live at home, grudgingly joining the daily grind as commuters.

Plenty of students have to travel daily to a suburban college or university campus that isnĄŻt always easily reached by transit. Buying a used car to make the commute bearable makes some sense if the distance is manageable.

For the equivalent to one year of rent, a smart student could be driving to campus and learning some essential life lessons ¨C like circling around traffic jams and sourcing cheap gas. Here are eight recommended used cars you can buy today for around $8,000.

Any one of these will make a decent alternative to a backpack.

The wee Vibe may outlive all the other orphaned Pontiacs still in circulation, mostly because itĄŻs powered by the same fuel-efficient, 132-hp 1.8-L four cylinder that makes the Toyota Matrix and Corolla such dependable buys. Vibes use an outdated, but durable, four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed stick with this engine.

The Vibe was sold only as a mini wagon by its dearly departed dealer network. ThereĄŻs good room inside for five, thanks to the flat floor and upright seating. The cargo hold behind the folding rear bench isnĄŻt particularly big, but itĄŻs finished in hard plastic to accommodate wet and messy cargo ¨C like the collegeĄŻs pet mascot.

Stick with the 1.8-L engine and pass on the larger 2.4-L four; it has a reputation for burning oil. Other problems include worn-out sensors that trip the Check Engine light, scratch-prone paint and some interior rattles. ThereĄŻs an all-wheel-drive model, but youĄŻre better off with a set of four snow tires. GM still services the Vibe, and Toyota dealers are happy to help, too.

Comprehensive Vehicle Reports Provide Transparency

The Mitsubishi Lancer is not a household name ¨C and thatĄŻs the genius of it. It languishes on dealer lots so buyers can negotiate a lower price. The Lancer comes as a four-door sedan, but thereĄŻs also a rare but practical Sportback model with a yawning hatchback thatĄŻs great for helping your friends move back home.

ItĄŻs adequately motivated by a 152-hp 2.0-L four-cylinder engine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or optional continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. The car handles better than most economy cars; credit the LancerĄŻs alter-ego, the high-performance Evo. Most Lancers come with a big spoiler sprouting from the trunk lid ¨C weĄŻd pay a premium for one without it.

The made-in-Japan Lancer doesnĄŻt break much. Gripes are limited to easily chipped paint, short-lived clutches, a few failed CVT transmissions and unwelcome rattles. Some drivers dislike the CVTĄŻs sluggish behaviour, which can stifle a lot of forward thrust from the four banger, especially when the air conditioner is running.

We canĄŻt think of a better student (or hamster) driving appliance than the quirky but endearing Kia Soul. Built on the modified front-drive platform of the Rio subcompact, the Soul conceals its econobox roots but delivers a lot of the cheap-to-own benefits. Owners rave about its cheerful cabin, eye-searing paint colours, refined demeanor and student-friendly tech options.

The Soul yields a surprising amount of interior space for occupants and cargo, thanks to its tall-box profile. There are two available engines: a base 1.6-L four-cylinder making 122 hp and a 2.0-L four putting out 142 horses ¨C the latter of which works better with the six-speed automatic transmission.

Liabilities include big blind spots to the rear, road noise, susceptibility to crosswinds and scratch-prone plastic in the cabin. Reliability has been above reproach. Reported boo-boos include easily chipped paint and windshields, faulty brake-light switches and some rattles. Some worn steering linkages have been reported; thereĄŻs a recall for selected model years.

Redesigned for 2010, the Mazda3 is an overachieving driverĄŻs car that elevates it well above the economy-car class average. ItĄŻs almost too good to hand over to a student. Still, the back seat is a little cramped for friends, the trunk is a tad small and some people may find the ride stiff ¨C the downside of driving a sweet-handling car.

Available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback configurations, the 3 is powered by a 148-hp 2.0-L DOHC four cylinder carried over from the previous 3, paired with either a five-speed stick or five-speed automatic transmission. ThereĄŻs a bigger 2.5-L four, too, but itĄŻs very fond of gasoline.

Reliability-wise the Mazda3 has a manual-transmission clutch that wears unusually quickly (not an issue when most students will opt for the automatic), the tire valve stems may fail and thereĄŻs reports of collapsed driverĄŻs seats due to broken seat height adjustment lifter links. Fortunately, Mazda is repairing them through a recall campaign.

Buying a car? Take Time to Research Financing Options

Living in CanadaĄŻs snowbelt provides an understandable predilection for all-wheel drive. But it doesnĄŻt have to be an SUV. With its standard symmetrical AWD system always churning, the Subaru Impreza is immensely stable at speed and in all conditions. Buyers can choose between four-door sedan and hatchback configurations.

SubaruĄŻs 2.5-L SOHC flat-four engine puts out 170 hp, working through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The engine is a Ą°boxerĄą design, meaning that the cylinders are horizontally opposed, two to a side, laying flat and low to reduce the carĄŻs centre of gravity. Fuel use is a little thirsty, but itĄŻs a big four cylinder and thereĄŻs a toll for four-wheel traction.

Mechanical issues reveal a few leaky head gaskets, weak clutches and easily chipped paint. You may be challenged finding a good example for $8,000 since Canucks covet their Subies and depreciation is slow. The good news is when you sell it later, youĄŻre bound to get lots of your money back.

HereĄŻs a business case study: how did a motorcycle company figure out what makes a great small car? The Honda CivicĄŻs sleek styling and upscale cabin contradict its economy-car mission, while refined drivetrains work seamlessly to deliver good power and fuel economy. WhatĄŻs nice is thereĄŻs a two-door coupe available, in addition to the popular four-door sedan.

Inside is a two-tiered instrument panel with an analog tachometer, while a digital speedometer lives near the windshield to help keep the driverĄŻs eyes focused on distance. The chain-driven 1.8-L SOHC four cylinder is good for 140 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque, working through either a manual or automatic transmission, both with five gears.

Prior to 2009, porous aluminum engine blocks and uneven rear tire wear caused by faulty upper control arms marred what was supposed to be a flawless reputation. The 2009-11 Civic corrected those problems, though some owners had to contend with premature brake wear, broken engine mounts, short-lived a/c condensers and clearcoat delamination. Hey, nobodyĄŻs perfect.

The subcompact Hyundai Accent impresses with its surprisingly opulent furnishings and features on a mac-and-cheese budget. Available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the cabin is rendered in good materials and pleasing shapes. There are nice things inside this small package.

Outside, the fourth-generation Accent saw the previous carĄŻs forgettable styling replaced with crisp European lines stretched over an 8-cm longer wheelbase that yields more legroom inside. The AccentĄŻs lone engine is a direct-injected 1.6-L four-cylinder good for 138 hp, working through either a manual or automatic transmission, both with six gears.

Ride and handling characteristics are appreciably better than the subcompact class average. In U.S. government testing, the Accent earned four out of five stars for overall crash protection, frontal impact and side intrusion. There are few reliability complaints beyond a common gripe that the manual gearboxĄŻs clutch may wear out rapidly. The carĄŻs Korean tires are known for developing sidewall bulges and checking out early.

Suzuki may have left Canada for greener pastures, but it also left us with a bunch of orphaned SX4 sedans and five-door hatchbacks that have held up well. Most are front-drive models, although there are some all-wheel-drive SX4s with an electric solenoid-operated clutch pack that activates the rear wheels when required. It can also be locked in 4ĄÁ4 mode, an unusual feature in a crossover.

The SX4 offers a generous greenhouse and tall seating, giving occupants the illusion ¨C and the esteem ¨C of riding in a five-eighths-scale minivan. Power is supplied by a 2.0-L four cylinder making 143 hp, tied to a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission, the latter replaced by a CVT in 2010.

The made-in-Japan SX4 has drawn little criticism in terms of its dependability. The air conditioner may stop working because the electromagnet compressor clutch failed. Faulty airbag warning lamps and seat sensors have been the subject of a recall. Suzuki reportedly still supports authorized service centres, though buying a moribund brand entitles you to a hefty discount.

Used Car Myths Busted

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In Between My Surprise And Excitement

Plaid, Pickups and Prairie Skies

Winnipeg, Manitoba to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Route: Trans Canada Highway 1 WestDriving Distance: 8 hours, 652 kmFavourite Song: Wheat Kings, The Tragically HipQuote of the Day:?? Ą°These are the gardens of the Desert, these The unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful, For which the speech of England has no name: The Prairies.Ąą W.C. Bryant

It was an early September Saturday morning when I pulled in to the gas station on the outskirts of Winnipeg. I was on my way to Moose Jaw and I had 650km in front of me. I was rested, there were clear blue skies as far as the eye could see, and there were golden wheat fields in all directions. The drive was going to be easy; all I had to do was point the car west, put on the cruise control and sit back and enjoy the ride. Considering it was just past 7am on a weekend, I was shocked at how many people were up and at ĄŻem. I imagined most Ontario folks, at least the ones I knew, would be sleeping in for at least a few more hours.

The fields were full of slow moving tractors and the bales of hay were rolled up in staggered rows that stretched out for miles. I could see tiny brown and black dots in the distance which, I assumed, were countless heads of cattle, and I shared the highway with a steady stream of pickups that kept passing me in the fast lane. Plaid, pickups and prairies were everywhere.

My first stop was a small town just over an hour west of Winnipeg called Portage la Prairie. I smiled when I saw the sign because my Dad had a very strong connection to it. He was 18 when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, and his ship was called the HMSC Portage. He was a signalman, the ship was an Algerine-class minesweeper and it travelled the Atlantic Ocean as part of an escort that delivered supplies to England while the convoy kept an eye out for German U-boats.

RELATED:?Touring the Okanagan Valley on a Harley Davidson

After about 90 minutes, I saw the sign for Brandon, Manitoba and I pulled off the highway for a coffee refill. IĄŻd been to Brandon before. I used to travel the country as a sales and product trainer, and after working a few days in Winnipeg I would drive to Brandon for another few days before catching a flight back home to Ontario. I smiled because the town is host to a WHL Hockey Team called the Brandon Wheat Kings, which happens to be part of the title to one of my favourite Tragically Hip songs.

I drove another 90 minutes, and as I crossed the Saskatchewan border I heard an email notification on my phone. The tourism rest stop was up ahead so I decided to pull off, take a picture of the sign, and catch up with whoever was trying to get in touch with me. When I opened the email, my heart began to race. It wasnĄŻt bad news. On the contrary. Before I left for my great Canadian road trip, IĄŻd emailed someone I hadnĄŻt seen in a very long time who lives in Calgary; I extended an invitation to meet for coffee when I passed through town. It was a man I had met almost 10 years earlier, and as a matter of detail, I only ever spent a grand total of 8 days with him. Despite that, we had stayed in touch off and on with emails and phone calls but the communication had gone quiet over the past year or so. After not receiving a reply about meeting during my road trip, I chalked it up to ĄŽnot meant to happenĄŻ, put it out of my mind, and embarked on my adventure.

Long story short, his email to me that day stated he was in northern Saskatchewan visiting family and would be back in Calgary in a few days. If I was able to pass through then, we could likely arrange a get together. In between my surprise and excitement, I thought about how I could alter my plans without messing up all the reservations IĄŻd made from Banff to Tofino ahead of time. And so, I replied that I would love to see him in a few days and would figure out a way to make it happen.

As I pulled out of the rest stop I was on cloud nine: A beautiful blue sky like IĄŻd never seen before, the chance to catch up with a beautiful man that IĄŻd been in love with many years before, and I was about to drive through my DadĄŻs birthplace, Moosimin, Saskatchewan, for the very first time. It was shaping up to be a very good day.

After driving around Moosimin for a minute, and wondering how on earth my grandparents survived raising 5 children during The Depression in such a tiny place, I continued on and marvelled at the statuesque grain elevators that stood guard over the next several towns along the Canadian Pacific Railway line. ?The Canadian Encyclopedia refers to them as Prairie Cathedrals, and states that almost 6000 of them adorned the landscape over the past century. CanadaĄŻs grain industry is one of the biggest in the world, and due to the sheer size of this country, most of the grain is shipped by railcar. In case you were unaware, the Government of Saskatchewan shares:?Ą°Saskatchewan produces both spring and winter wheat and supplies 10 per cent of the worldĄŻs total exported wheat, and is CanadaĄŻs most important grain-producing region.Ąą

In another 3 hours I would arrive in Moose Jaw. I had secured a little bed and breakfast in a heritage house instead of opting for a chain motel on the side of the highway, and I was thrilled at the thought of staying in a real house, with a real yard and eating a real breakfast.

RELATED:?Top 10 Road Trip Destinations on a Cross Canada Adventure

I bypassed the City of Regina, which from a distance, reminded me of The Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz. It reminded me of it because after miles upon miles of nothing but fields, farms and fences, the prairie metropolis of tall skyscrapers, traffic and drive-thruĄŻs seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

I wasnĄŻt prepared for the rolling hills that began to rise up from the flat landscape as I crossed into the municipal boundaries of Moose Jaw, which translates to ĄŽwarm breezesĄŻ in the Cree language. The downtown area was lovely and the heritage buildings have historical murals painted on some of the outside walls. Like so many other prairie towns, Moose Jaw was put on the map after the expansion of the railway in the late 1880ĄŻs.?? One of its claims to fame is the Tunnels of Moose Jaw; they say the tunnels were used by Al Capone during his bootleg days during Prohibition. Although I am an advocate of learning about the areas you travel through, I decided against the underground tour, grabbed a salad to go and headed straight for my B & B.

After getting lost for half an hour thanks to some bridge construction and an unreliable OnStar advisor, I stopped at a gas station to find another way around the Ą°road closedĄą sign. A short while later, I pulled up to the front door of one of the oldest homesteads in Moose Jaw (1902) and I could see the view from the backyard. The house was perched at the top of a hill and the Moose Jaw River wound its way through the town down below. I parked my car, dug through the endless duffle bags to find a pair of pyjamas and a sweater, tossed a lukewarm beer in my purse from the cooler, and went to find the owner so I could check in.

Wakamow HeightĄŻs Bed and BreakfastĄŽs porch looked like a dollĄŻs house; with frilly table cloths, fine china, flowers and wistful fabrics. I meandered my way through the entrance and took my time looking at the knick knacks that made me feel like I was visiting a storybook version of the perfect GrandmaĄŻs house.

?Yukon Road Trip: The Ultimate Canadian Northern Adventure Part#1

As I made my way around the corner, I was greeting by the owner who welcomed me and seemed interested in where I was coming from and where IĄŻd be travelling the following day. She told me a little about her home; the restoration and upkeep was an ongoing labour of love and she seemed genuine when she expressed how happy she was to share her lovely home with travellers who were passing through.?? She showed me to my room, said that breakfast was served early, and told me to help myself to the tea and reading material located just outside my bedroom door.

My space was called The Wedgewood Room, and I felt like IĄŻd just stepped into my favourite Jane Austen novel. After marvelling at my princess room for a few minutes, I grabbed my food, journal and camera, and spent the next several hours pretending I was the English author, sitting in the yard of my manor house, writing my sequel to Pride and Prejudice.

After an hour of writing and catching up on some text conversations, I decided that one more beer might be a nice way to cap off an incredibly wonderful day. I went to my car to retrieve one from the cooler and as I rounded the corner, I saw a Momma dear and her baby wander across the lawn. I had my camera in my pocket, luckily, and was able to get this shot before they dashed out of sight.

As I returned to my backyard oasis to catch the sunset, I tried to imagine what the next few days might hold. My plan was to head straight to Banff National Park in the morning, camp in the mountains, and then double back to Calgary the day after to meet my old friend. I hadnĄŻt intended to stay in Calgary originally, no cities in fact, but this trip was as much about going with the flow as it was about knocking some bucket items off of my list.

I broadcast my change of plans on my Facebook page before I went to sleep, and my cousin made a comment about a possible snowstorm in Calgary. It was only September 6 for crying out loud. I thought he was joking.

Stay tuned every friday for the next installment of The Great Canadian Road Trip

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EcoDiesel Not Available On Lower-priced Models.?

WhatĄŻs Best: Free diesel! Well, sort of free. But, for the summer, it is a no-charge option (normally $4,995) on Overland and Summit trim levels.WhatĄŻs Worst: EcoDiesel not available on lower-priced models.?WhatĄŻs Interesting: This Italian-built turbo-diesel for Fiat started off as a potential engine for the European Cadillac CTS when V M Motori was partially owned by GM.

With apologies to Bill Shakespeare, thatĄŻs a dang good question.

Especially for sport utility shoppers and Jeep Grand Cherokee fans.

The five-passenger Grand Cherokee has been holding down the top spot in the Jeep lineup for more than 20 years now, with a steady evolution of technologies and refinements keeping it competitive in the popular mid-size SUV segment.

The current fourth generation version was refreshed just last year. Changes included an exterior facelift with, among other things, new slimmer bi-xenon headlamps and new LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), a refined interior with new colours, open pore wood trim pieces and other upgrades, a new Eco mode, improved ride and handling tweaks and a new electric power steering system along with a brand new 8-speed automatic transmission.

And, oh yes, a new diesel engine offering.

The GC lineup already had all the powertrain bases pretty well covered, starting with a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 making 290 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque while offering a fuel economy rating of 13.9/9.8L/100km (city/hwy).

For the Ą°more muscleĄą fans, an optional 5.7-litre V8 makes 360 hp and 390 lb/ft of torque while returning a 17.3/11.5L/100km (city/hwy) rating, the respectable highway numbers due to Fuel Saver cylinder-deactivation technology.

And, then thereĄŻs the maniacal 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb/ft of torque and an 18.5/12.6L/100km (city/hwy) rating, powering the performance SRT machine.

But now, bolstering the Grand Cherokee lineup and tested here, the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6, a turbo diesel unit, makes a class-leading 240 hp and 420 lb/ft of torque.

?RELATED:?Jeep Demos 5 New Concepts in Utah

ItĄŻs that torque number that gets things done here, with the kind of stump pulling oomph that tows a best-in-class 3,266 kg (7,200 lb) in this 4X4 configuration.

Jeep is keeping things in the Fiat family with this engine, sourced from the VM Motori plant in Italy.

Funny thing is, this motorĄŻs origins trace back about 10 years ago to when GM was a part owner of VM Motori and a project was initiated to design a 3.0-litre diesel for the European version of their Cadillac CTS.

That was before the auto recession crunch, changes in ownership and changes in design.

This engineĄŻs come a long way since and, like most diesels, along with the towing muscle, it also offers a fuel economy advantage with a rating of 11.2/8.4L/100km (city/hwy).

After 665 km of mixed driving, my real world results came in at a wallet-pleasing 8.9L/100km (comb). Jeep likes to boast a potential 1,100 km range with this diesel but, even with my numbers, this Grand Cherokee could travel over a 1,000 km before a fill-up.

During the test, diesel fuel was also about a dime cheaper per litre so every 93.1-litre tankful would cost about $10 less. But, of course, thatĄŻs a bit of a crapshoot.

RELATED: 2015 Jeep Renegade Review

WeĄŻve seen diesel bounce on either side of the regular gas prices over the last few years.

There are a few caveats that might dissuade potential diesel buyers, like the minor glow plug delay and the bag-of-pots-and-pans clatter of a cold start morning, neither of which particularly bother me, particularly as the exhaust noise tends to smooth out quickly on cruising.

ThereĄŻs a little extra maintenance involved with a top-up of the 30-litre diesel exhaust fluid recommended annually or every 16,000 km. You can also do it yourself at a cost of about $2 per litre,

Diesel gas pumps are fewer and farther between. And, at the risk of sounding sexist, I find that women in particular, are not too fond of the smellier, greasier results of the diesel self-serve experience.

Ah, but the clincher for the Ą°it just doesnĄŻt make economic senseĄą crowd is the normal $4,995 extra cost for the diesel engine. I must admit, I might have wound up on the nay-saying side of the argument myself.

But then Jeep blindsided me with a summer promotion that removes the $4,995 extra charge and makes the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel a no-cost option.

ThatĄŻs right, a no-cost option deal that holds until August 31, 2015.

I might still quibble about the EcoDiesel being only available in the upper trim levels ¨C the Overland ($60,290) and Summit ($65,290) versions ¨C and not in the base Laredo ($41,395) and Limited ($51,490) models. Because if it were available for free across the board, it wouldnĄŻt just be a no-charge option, it would also be a no-brainer.

But while I still lean towards the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 for the sake of entry-level pricing, for sport utility customers searching for an upgraded ride within the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and Summit trim levels, a free fuel efficient and powerful diesel option seems like an opportunity too good to miss.

RELATED:?2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Review

BODY STYLE: Mid-size premium SUV.
DRIVE METHOD: Four-wheel drive (Quadra-Trac II)
ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 EcoDiesel (240 hp, 420 lb/ft)
CARGO: 1028 litres, 1934 litres with rear seat folded flat.
TOWING CAPACITY: 4X4 3,266 kg (7,200 lb).
FUEL ECONOMY: 11.2/8.4L/100km (city/hwy); as tested 8.9L/100km (comb)
PRICE: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 Overland MSRP $59,245. As tested $63,685 includes Advanced Technology Group ($1,495), Rear DVD ($2,150), Off-road Adventure II ($500), Maximum Steel Metallic paint ($195). Destination Charge ($1,695) and other fees not incl.

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My Personal Averages

WhatĄŻs Best: New Drive-E powertrains across the Volvo lineup promise better fuel efficiencies and reduced emissions without any sacrifice in power.
WhatĄŻs Worst: Unfortunately, the new Drive-E engines are only available in FWD as Volvo makes the transition this year but, by 2016, the new four-cylinder powerplants and eight-speed transmissions should be accessible throughout the XC60 lineup.
WhatĄŻs Interesting: The fact that Volvo is basing it entire powertrain philosophy on 2.0-litre four-cylinder architecture.

Ą°I think this test should set a good base line for a comparison with one of our newest models,Ąą Kyle from Volvo was telling me as I turned in the keys to an XC60 earlier this spring.

There was just one problem with his supposition.

You see, I already liked the XC60 just fine, exactly the way it was.

The XC60 first debuted in North America with a 2010 model.

ItĄŻs probably not unfair to rate the XC60 as a bit player in our Canadian market, ranked next to competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

But as a gateway to VolvoĄŻs compact-to-full-sized SUV/crossover lineup, it has quickly gained traction to become their best-selling vehicle, both here and in other markets, recently surpassing the global milestone mark of 500,000 sales since inception.

Last year, the XC60 was changed inside and out.

A revised, sleeker exterior featured new components from the Ą°AĄą pillar forward, especially a wider grille to emphasize the designĄŻs horizontal dimensions. Cornering lights were added and new DRL LED lamps moved to the front corners.

In back, exhaust outlets were incorporated into a new rear fascia and all the black trim cladding along the bottom of the car was removed in favour of a classier, body-coloured look and smoother profile.

Inside, Volvo added new seats, new paddle shifters, an available heated steering wheel, a new Sensus Connect infotainment system, a new Adaptive Digital display with TFT screens instead of the old analogue gauges and a host of electronic upgrades for the already impressive slate of VolvoĄŻs safety technologies.

That mid-cycle refresh went a long way to enhance the appeal of the XC60ĄŻs uniquely Scandinavian take on entry-lux crossover accommodation but now, for 2015 and beyond, Volvo is addressing its powertrain lineup.

In fact, Volvo is gambling globally on a selection of new Drive-E engines, all of them based on 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, direct injection architecture. New diesel- (D) or gasoline-powered (T) versions feature a variety of versions with ascending power ratings spread across the companyĄŻs entire vehicle lineup.

There are no current plans for an XC60 diesel model here in Canada, or for a hybrid version although the transversely mounted Drive-E engines were designed to be adaptable for future hybrid applications. Indeed, a 2016 plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 is already in the works.

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Because this is a transition year for the changeover to Drive-E powertrains, the new four-cylinder motors will only be available in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration on XC60 models. A two-engine Drive-E choice is available here in Canada ¨C a T5 240 hp turbocharged engine and a T6 302 hp version that adds supercharging to the turbocharging system.

My comparison test started earlier this year with an existing 2015 XC60 T6 AWD ($53,650) model in top-of-the-line Platinum Trim, and in Ice White with a Graphite Leather interior. VolvoĄŻs always seem to shimmer best in silver, but they are almost equally elegant in white, complementing the sleeker, streamlined shape courtesy of last yearĄŻs modifications.

Under the hood, that first 2015 XC60 test vehicle harnessed a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine boasting 300 hp and 325 lb/ft of torque. The inline-six turbo engine was mated to a six-speed Geartronic automatic with Advanced Quick Shift.

ThereĄŻs little to complain about when it comes to the power or demeanor of this six-banger/six-speed combo but Volvo has always been quick to set the bar higher when it comes to performance, fuel economy and emissions.

This engine has been criticized in the past for a not very competitive 13.5/9.7L/100km (city/hwy), verified by my real world results, averaging out to 13.3L/100km (comb).

A few weeks later, I found myself in the seat of my second XC60 test ride; a just released 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD ($51,950).

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It was also tricked out in Platinum trim but was more anonymously discreet in Saville Grey, setting a monochromatic balance with the Graphite Leather interior.

More importantly, it harnessed the new Drive-E 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine with 302 hp and 295 lb/ft of torque. Those numbers come pretty darn close to the turbo six-cylinder power ratings.

This new inline-four engine is also mated to a more modern eight-speed Geartronic automatic with Start/Stop technology and an Adaptive Shift system. This smaller but almost equally powerful engine combines with the more efficient eight-speed tranny for an improved fuel economy rating of 10.9/7.8L/100km (city/hwy). My personal averages, again, based on a real world mix of driving conditions, worked out to 9.8L/100km (comb). Quite a difference when compared to six-cylinder efficiencies.

Those numbers will be impacted somewhat in future should Drive-E powertrains be harnessed in AWD models, which tend to add a 100 kg or so to the overall curb weight. Sort of like having your fat aunt Agnes permanently ensconced in the back seat.

But the new Drive-E fuel economy numbers are pretty impressive in their own right, especially when you consider that both engines make that power on regular octane fuel.

And, although petrol penny-pinching is probably not foremost in the minds of near-luxury customers who pay in the neighbourhood of $50K for their cars or crossovers, it still marks a significant technological evolution in the efficiencies of VolvoĄŻs powertrain plans and aspirations.

Weigh in all the other factors ¨C the unique styling and individualistic cachet of the Volvo brand, the legendary reputation for safety and technological innovation and a long list of luxuries and amenities even in this, VolvoĄŻs entry-level crossover, and the XC60 stands out as a competitive alternative for entry-luxury customers looking for something that stands out as being just a little different from the mass of more common competitors in this segment.

BODY STYLE: Entry-luxury, compact to midsize CUV
DRIVE METHOD: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD)
ENGINE: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD ¨C 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six (300 hp, 325 lb/ft); 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD ¨C 2.0-litre Drive-E turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb/ft).
CARGO: 872 litres, 1.909 litres with second row seats folded
FUEL ECONOMY: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD ¨C 3.0-litre 13.5/9.7L/100km (city/hwy); 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD ¨C 2.0-litre 10.9/7.8L/100km (city/hwy)
PRICES: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD Platinum Trim MSRP $53,650. As tested $58,500; 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD Platinum Trim MSRP $51,950. As tested $57,600.

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