On this episode of Wide Open Throttle, Motor Trend’s Detroit Editor Todd Lassa recaps the top 5 cars of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.
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Talk about good timing; as US gas prices near $4 per gallon, the 2012 Ford Focus is a welcomed sight. Not only is it affordable ($16,995 for the base 2012 S sedan; $18,790 for a 2012 Focus SE hatchback), but it boasts 40 mpg on the highway and has no shortage of luxury features.
Volkswagen unveiled a concept version of its iconic microbus — known by its German nickname, the Bulli — at the Geneva Auto Show. This throwback to the 1950s version, however, has some very modern twists; it’s powered by an electric motor and uses an iPad to control the entertainment system, climate controls, and other interior functions.
According to Volkswagen, the Bulli can go up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge—quite an impressive distance when compared to the Nissan Leaf, which is rated at 73 miles per charge.
Although Volkswagen hasn’t yet confirmed that the concept van will go into production, its unveiling has generated considerable discussion, not to mention its fair share of nostalgia.