In “The Bradsher Bunch” SUV comparison (January 2003), you mention that the Touareg is the first “off-roader” from VW since World War II. I hate to be a pain in the ass, but you are mistaken. In 1979, VW started production on the Iltis (in English, a ferret or weasel) light-utility vehicle for the German Army. This four-by-four was production until 1982, when the Army decided to phase in the Mercedes G-wagen. Production rights were sold to Bombardier, which then produced the Iltis for continue reading…
I agree with Winfield’s comments about standardization of manumatic formats. But he is behind the times on BMW. I own a 2001 X5 that shifts as he describes—for-ward for an up shift, toward you to down-shift. Image my surprise when my car was in for service (all too common an event, unfortunately) and the 2002 loaner’s shift pattern was the opposite—forward for a downshift, toward you for an up shift. My salesman informed me that BMW had quietly continue reading…
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