Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Monica: 'I am not a murderer. I have a weird sense of humor' Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics 10 things to know for Thursday Emergency services Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Monica: 'I am not a murderer. I have a weird sense of humor' Emergency services Shady Cove man pleads guilty in federal guns and drugs case Central point sex offender gets 5 years for luring teen on Craigslist Alleged DUII driver rolls car in northwest Medford Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Shumate says initiatives will require reserve spending Eagle Point school district violated union members' constitutional rights, federal judge says SOU celebrates Arbor Day early with awards and talks Environment Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek Evans Creek dams on track for removal this summer State News California ruling on marijuana classification disappoints advocates Federal fisheries regulators halt West Coast sardine season Northwest lawmakers seek talks on river treaty with Canada Two in Jeep briefly lifted into air by small tornado in Eugene 'Democracy in action' brings California marijuana lobbyists Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Death Notices Ola May (Grimm) Stoner Andy Welburn Sharon "Sue" Cole Anna Mae Hassell Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Sports & Bacon: So I didn’t fill out any brackets... Tornado stymies Axemen for 7th straight win First-place Rockies sweep Giants Pelicans in, Thunder out on final day Limping to Memphis Varsity 541 College Sports Mahalak serving his time with Ducks Recovered lineman George plays catch-up Bowl game payouts surpass $500 million Bats come alive for Ducks in win Chaos, wins evenly distributed for Raiders Pro Sports First-place Rockies sweep Giants Pelicans in, Thunder out on final day Limping to Memphis Hernandez convicted of murder, gets life Crowder's long fall-away lifts Celtics Community Sports Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Cars We Remember: 1964 Olds F-85 owner seeks information Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda Odyssey Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Memories of Oklahoma City bombing still fresh 20 years later Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Letters to the Editor, April 16 George Will: Sustainability gone wild Editorials Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Our View: Medford School District's new spending appears prudent Other Views: Keep Klamath water plan moving in Congress Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Letters to the Editor, April 12 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Memories of Oklahoma City bombing still fresh 20 years later George Will: Sustainability gone wild Dana Milbank: The GOP push for a permanent aristocracy Kathleen Parker: Hillary vs. Marco: ring in the olde? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Lifestyle Latest stories Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup Religion News: John Travolta defends Scientology Marketta Gregory: Breathe in God’s peace and exhale grace Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Health Watch: Combat common running and walking ailments Dr. Jeff Hersh: Distracted driving Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Theory of a Deadman, Brett Eldredge headliners at Jackson County Fair Jef Fretwell & Friends at The Wild Goose Cafe The Rhythm Kings at Howiee's in Medford Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Monica: 'I am not a murderer. I have a weird sense of humor' ... Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing ... Jackson County led way in building historic Highway 99 in Oregon ... Monica: 'I am not a murderer. I have a weird sense of humor' ... Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing ... Jackson County led way in building historic Highway 99 in Oregon ... Silvio Calabi: Passat 1.8T Sport is satisfyingly rational By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Apr. 13, 2015 @ 6:29 am By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Apr. 13, 2015 @ 6:29 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> No matter what we’re told about books and their covers, first impressions are important. It’s true whether we’re speed-dating, scanning a menu or getting behind the wheel of a new car. When I started up this 2015 VW Passat for the first time and saw “Range 630 miles” come up on the screen, I figured it for one of VW’s long-haul clean diesels, the cars we can drive till our bladders scream for mercy. The first few miles didn’t change that impression; there was enough torque and engine grumble to be diesely. To be sure, though, I hopped out and looked at the rear panel — where, instead of “TDI” for diesel, the badge said “TSI.” Under the hood, therefore, was a regular-gas-burning turbocharged Four of just 1.8 liters displacement — 110 cubic inches, the same as a big motorbike — rated for 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The impressive range figure derived from the Passat’s 18.5-gallon fuel tank multiplied by the 34 mpg the car had averaged on its way to me. If this were in fact a TDI diesel, the range could have been more than 800 miles — that is, 18.5 gallons at somewhere in the mid-40s MPG. Furthermore, VW’s fuel efficiency estimates lean toward cautious; we’ve always been able to beat them, at least in decent weather. (We’re enjoying our traditional Easter Sunday snowstorm just now.) You may not care much about this since gas prices are low — for the moment — but less fuel burned also means less carbon pumped into the atmosphere. If, however, you have to have more power, VW will stuff a 280HP V-6 into your Passat, along with a dual-clutch automated gearbox and all-wheel drive, but then you’ll net five to seven fewer miles per gallon of (premium) fuel. And, naturally, pay a few grand extra. Why use more when less will do? This VW motor is one of the reasons Europeans sometimes get snotty about our “big, lazy, inefficient” engines. Yes, Detroit is rapidly moving from V-8 to six and four and even (in one case) three cylinders, but American cars with engines this small tend to be econo-scooters. The Passat is anything but; it’s a comfortable, nearly luxurious four-door, American-family sedan the size of a Chevrolet Malibu or Toyota Camry. Our car’s two-tone gray/black interior with carbon-fiber trim looked and felt upscale, the back seats were especially comfortable—and easy to get into, thanks to large door openings — and the trunk was capacious. Passats come in 13 trim levels—four diesels and nine gas-powered — at prices from $22,000 to $36,000 plus options. Our 1.8T was a $28,655 Sport with a six-speed, dual-mode automatic transmission with paddle shifters and an electronically locking front differential, as well as unique wheels and trim. (With a five-speed manual gearbox, the Sport costs $1,200 less.) Although it had no sunroof or push-button ignition, no satnav, auto-unlock or steering-wheel heater, and the seats were merely leatherette, it felt anything but lower-class. The over-the-road experience was even better: The Passat Sport’s controls are weighted just right for comfortable yet dynamic driving, and the refined suspension soaks up potholes and frost heaves with no banging, crashing or throwing the car off-line. The “little” 1.8T motor feels strong for its size, capable of enough torque steer and turbo lag to entertain the driver without being bothersome, and the transmission responds crisply. The Passat is built in Tennessee — and the engine in Mexico, while the transmission hails from Japan — but it’s a German sedan, with all the benefits that come with a car engineered and designed in a country where there are still highways with no speed limits. We’ve been conditioned by the other Germans — you know, M-B, BMW, Audi, Porsche — to accept daunting complexity and awful prices in exchange for speed and luxury, but the Passat scoops them all with real-world performance at real-world prices. You may lust after another German, but think of this one as a satisfyingly rational alternative. Likes - Quality feel and look - Confident FWD handling - Space and comfort - Efficiency Dislikes - I got nothing ... Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich, Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever else interesting cars are born. Silvio is a member of the International Motor Press Association whose automotive reviews date back to the Reagan administration. He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated magazine and an author. Contact him at [email protected]. By Silvio Calabi More Content Now MailTribune.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Apr. 13, 2015 @ 6:29 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501