From the Passenger's Perspective: 2013 Audi A3 Hatch Euro

This Audi ended up being our rental car for our trip to Switzerland.  We were originally supposed to have an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but that didn't happen.  So we went to look around and found a BMW 1 Series.  It turned out that it was a 120d (we didn't want a diesel), and a rear light was out.  I recommended we rent a Fiat 500L, or the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante over in the corner.  Neither of those things happened and we rented a 2013 Audi A3.
One good mark for this car is looks, up until recently the A3 looked kind of boring, but now that the front end has been altered to look more sinister, it looks better.  The interior though is a different story.  The front passenger seat is uncomfortable, there really aren't enough controls, you basically get a radio and climate control.  I do like how the radio comes up from the dashboard, though in Switzerland we didn't know what they were saying.  Another thing on the radio, it chooses to come on when ever you start the car, which is annoying.The controls do look nice in the interior, and the air con dials have a quality feel to them.  The whole car does seem to be quality.  You know that all of the car is put together with the utmost precision.
One thing that this car has that no other car on this blog has is an electronic parking brake.  This turned out to be a bad thing, as it took about two minutes to figure it out (alright alright we didn't use the owners manual), and it makes a really annoying sound when you engage it.  Sounds a bit like a spaceship that needs some work.
On the driving front, i can report that it has enough power.  We overtook a lot on the roads of Switzerland and this car had the power to do so.  It even handles nicely, though the signature Audi understeer is still present.  However, the steering does feel (I was told) disconnected.  The driver of the Audi said he would much rather be driving a Mini on the mountain passes of the Swiss Alps.
The handling may not be 100% spot on, but this does make for a ride that is very nice.  This is rather spoiled when you are in the seats for more than half and hour.  The driver's seat especially is a problem and the driving position is uncomfortable.  I didn't have enough room in the passenger's seat. The back seats aren't as bad, but for some reason the ride is much, much worse.
As far as space, it isn't too bad.  We managed to get quite a lot into the back.  We did notice that the car we were supposed to have rented, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, may not have been big enough.  We definitely loaded the Audi up.  The Alfa probably couldn't handle all of it.
So the Audi may not be a rival in performance to say, a Mini, however it is a bit more day-today.  Though it doesn't do that very well either.


Specifications:
Engine
2.0L Turbocharged I4
200 Horsepower @ 5100-6000 RPM
207 ft-lb of torque @ 1800-5000 RPM
Top Speed: 144 MPH
Emissions
Tons/yr C02 @15k mi/year: 7.8
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score: 7
Mileage
EPA Hwy: 30 MPG
EPA City: 21 MPG
Range Hwy: 435 miles
Range City: 304.5 miles

From the Passenger's Perspective: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

When I arrived at this year's Geneva Foreign & Sports Benefit Car Show, i didn't expect to be getting any material for one of these articles.  I was wrong.
About a month ago, i wrote an article on the C63's younger brother, the C300.  When i approached the C63, the first thing i noticed was the 6.3L V8 badge on the side.  That's about twice that of the C300, and 2.3 Liters more than anything I've ever been in.  The second thing i noticed were the AMG alloy wheels, the subtle rear spoiler, and the front aero adjustments.
Then, as i stepped inside, I noticed the carbon fiber trim, as opposed to stainless steel (or plastic made to look like stainless steel......) in the C300.  It's interior is pretty much the same, except for one detail.  In the standard C300, when you open the panel on the dashboard you get a screen that displays the radio and a knob down on the center console to control it.  In the C63, when you open the hood, a larger screen folds out with more stuff than the standard.  Then, when you press off (or something else i forget) the whole thing folds back in and the panel slides over it unaided.  I discovered this on accident when I pressed the button while reaching for something else.
Earlier in the day, i heard somebody leave in the C63, and they gave it the beans out onto the road.  It sounded incredible, sort of a deep screaming grumble.  When we pulled out, on the other hand, the driver immediately slowed down and got very scared (my mother).  Unfortunately, we were never able to give it a full throttle blast, mainly because we would have ended up in a ditch.  But this car is fast.  I can tell.  Another incredible thing I observed was the comfort.  The seats were great, they wrap around you so you don't fly out the window when you go into the ditch.  It is also, and this surprised me, more comfortable than the C300. 
This car is really incredible, and it can be yours for $46,000 (at least what i was told, it may be different now) at Geneva Foreign & Sports in Geneva, NY (I'm not trying to advertise..........)

Reader Message

Sometimes, i cannot get to my computer due to other activities, and some days, i won't post anything on my blog.  Normal posting schedules will resume tomorrow, with the May 15th edition of Car News to be posted around 6:15.

Car Show at Geneva Foreign and Sports! June 2nd

Geneva Foreign and Sports, a automotive sales and repair shop in Geneva, New York is hosting a benefit car show on June 2nd, 2013. My family and I went last year and had a great time with our TVR 2500M. You can check out Geneva Foreign and Sports website here.
If you live in the area and have a car you'd like to show or just want to come and see some great examples of automotive excellence, come to Geneva Foreign and Sports benefit car show on June 2nd.
Note: This was not meant to sound like a cheesy advertisement. Sorry.

Car Show at Geneva Foreign and Sports! June 2nd

Geneva Foreign and Sports, a automotive sales and repair shop in Geneva, New York is hosting a benefit car show on June 2nd, 2013.  My family and I went last year and had a great time with our TVR 2500M.  You can check out Geneva Foreign and Sports website here.
If you live in the area and have a car you'd like to show or just want to come and see some great examples of automotive excellence, come to Geneva Foreign and Sports benefit car show on June 2nd.
Note: This was not meant to sound like a cheesy advertisement.  Sorry.

WKC Race 1 at Shenandoah Circuit, Summit Point, West Virginia

This weekend was the Woodbridge Karting Club's first race of the 2013 season.  I've already been to two WKA events this year.  This race was at the Shenandoah Circuit at the Summit Point racetrack in West Virginia.  This is the most technical course i've been on this year.  At the same time i was racing, the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) was having a double major for the D.C. region.  I had some time to watch, and that was very interesting.  The cars ranged from Formula Vees, to Chevrolet Corvettes, to Nissan 370Zs, to Mazda Miatas, and even a Dodge Neon.  This provided entertainment when i wasn't on track.
When i was on track, however, i was having a blast.  All of Saturday morning was practice, and i learned the track quickly.  The Shenandoah course has lots of elevation changes, and even a Nurburghring banked turn replica, though WKC opted not to use it.  The Northeast Shifter Kart series raced alongside us, and provided a different noise then the standard whine of the 2 cycle and the grumble of the Animal 4 Cycles.
I won my race on Saturday, though what is really fun is racing alongside adults in different classes who really knew what they were doing.  I spend most of the 25 minute race with an adult in a Vintage kart and a kid my age in a sit-up sprint kart.  Neither was in my class, but they were fun to race with, especially the Vintage kart.
I didn't practice today, but i did race and win.  I was with the same kid this time for a little while, but got around him early.  I also raced with an adult in a kart kind of like mine, though i don't know what class he was in.
I write this looking back on the weekend as we drive back home through West Virginia on Interstate 81.  It was a great weekend, and i look forward to my next race, a WKA event at Grattan Raceway in
Michigan, in two weeks.

Note: I did not go around the Karussel area, i skipped it with the Karussel Crossover.

Summit Point, West Virginia

As some of you know, i race in the WKA's Road Race Series.  I also race in the WKC (Woodbridge Karting Club).  I leave in a few minutes for my first WKC race in Summit Point, West Virginia.
That's all for now, i race tomorrow an Sunday.  Look for today's edition of Car News around three o' clock.  Also, as a little teaser, i will be publishing a special edition of From the Passenger's Perspective in Mid-June.  I'll give you a hint, it's an Alfa Romeo.

From the Passenger's Perspective: 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport 4Matic

Yesterday, my mom and I test drove 4 cars; three of which were to be compared to each other, the Volvo S60, the BMW 328xi, and this, the Mercedes-Benz C300.  This was ultimately the winner, we thought it was extremely comfortable, incredibly good looking, and quite good fun.  All three of these cars were driven at Geneva Foreign & Sports in Geneva, New York.  You can see their website here.
This C300 is a Sport 4Matic model, and has a Black exterior and a Black interior.  This car looks truly sinister from the outside.  A 3.0L DOHC V6 drives all wheels via a perfectly geared automatic transmission.  This power really shows.  When you put your foot down, that V6 makes a wonderful roar.  All this noise isn't for nothing, either.  This car just takes off.  It handles well too.  It feels light and nimble, it will respond to the driver's every command.
This car is not all performance.  It is a relaxing experience to be inside.  I would describe this as a car you can fall asleep in, but you wouldn't want to.  It smooths out the roughest of roads.  It can also be very quiet and serene.
But if you don't feel like relaxing, you can listen to some tunes using either the excellent sound system or the iPod dock in the glove box.  The radio computer is very clever, and is controlled by a small knob on the driver's side of the center armrests, where there is a cool little center console.  Another perk to the inside  are the electric seats, they allow you to adjust your seat to however you like it, from bolt upright to flat lay down.
This was the best car we drove (apart from the 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera), and you can see why.  It gives you a great combination of comfort and performance, along with the good looks to assert the fact.  If i had money to spend on any of the three cars we tested yesterday, this would be it.  Summing this car up is simple. Three words: It's very German.