Diesels

January 22nd, 2010  |  Published in Automotive

DieselsThis Zephyr, too, had a center-mounted instrument cluster amid the two glove compartments at either end—a real styling exercise. As I recall, those instruments appeared more legible than the Saturn’s seem to be. Anyway, I survived (I think). John Dohner, Columbia, Maryland Csaba Csere’s column “Will Dr. Diesel’s turn ever come?” (January 2003) was spot on! Despite the fact that diesels are selling well in the big-pickup market, they haven’t made their way down to the SUVs yet. I don’t get it. We hear so much yapping about the lousy mileage they get but no acceptance of the most simple and available solution. Read the rest of this entry »

Beauty skin deep

January 8th, 2010  |  Published in Automotive

Beauty skin deepIf the Maybach is such a high-class, no- expense-spared car, how come its grille is from a Lincoln Town Car?  In my view there is nothing new or terribly spectacular about the Maybach. I see it only as a hopped-up S-class. I mean, even the dashboard is nearly identical. It’s just a big image-and-marketing thing. Florian Ackermann, Berlin, Germany

Your “review” of the Saturn Ion 3 (January 2003) was more of a “Let’s Trash Saturn” party. I’m not surprised, since the congenital sickos at your magazine never have given Saturn a chance from day one. Read the rest of this entry »