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Which car should win 2015 World Green Car of the Year?

There were three finalists for the World Green Car of the Year announced about a month ago at the Geneva Motor Show: the BMW i8, the Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid and the Volkswagen Golf GTE. With the New York Auto Show upon us and the winner scheduled to be announced tomorrow, we thought it's high time to ask our readers which one should win. There were seven other vehicles named to the finalists list: the Hyundai x35/Tucson Fuel Cell, the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron, the BMW X5 xDrive40e, the Kia Soul EV, the Nissan e-NV200 and the Opel Adam 1.0 Direct Injection Turbo ecoFLEX Start. Would you have named one of these to the top three list instead? POLL 14386429 Green BMW Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen 2015 ny auto show world green car of the year vw golf gte

Import pickup truck-killing Chicken Tax to be repealed?

After over 50 years, the so-called Chicken Tax may finally be going the way of the dodo. Two pending trade deals with countries in the Pacific Rim and Europe potentially could open the US auto market up to imported trucks, if the measures pass. Although, it still might be a while before you can own that Volkswagen Amarok or Toyota Hilux, if ever. The 25-percent import tariff that the Chicken Tax imposes on foreign trucks essentially makes the things all but impossible to sell one profitably in the US, which lends a distinct advantage to domestic pickups. Both the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 12 counties and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union would finally end the charge. According to Automotive News though, don't expect new pickups to flood the market, at least not immediately. These deals might roll back the tariff gradually over time, and in the case of Japan, it could be as long as 25 years before fully free trade. Furthermore, Thailand, a major truck builder in Asia, isn't currently part of the deal, and any new models here would still need to meet safety and emissions rules, as well. Automotive News gauged the very early intentions of several automakers with foreign-built trucks, and they weren't necessarily champing at the bit to start imports. Toyota thinks the Hilux sits between the Tundra and Tacoma, and Mazda doesn't think the BT-50 fits its image here. Also, VW doesn't necessarily want to bring the Amarok over from Hannover. There is previous precedent for companies at least considering bringing in pickup trucks after the Chicken Tax's demise, though. The Pacific free trade deal could be done as soon as this fall, while the EU one is likely further out, according to Automotive News. Given enough time, the more accessible ports could allow some new trucks to enter the market.

Volkswagen promises more aggressive design for sedans, crossovers

Every one of our Volkswagen Jetta and Passat reviews is guaranteed to include this word in the comments, aimed at its exterior design: "Boring." The brand says that's all about to change, telling a group of journalists during a tour of its design studio in Wolfsburg that designs will be more market specific; as Automotive News put it, that means "more aggressive" designs for the US that "will bare their teeth and flex their muscles," since the solid-yet-unoffensive look hasn't got VW past its two-percent market share here. Yes, we've heard this before from the Volkswagen Group - Audi has been promising to pump up the volume on its designs for years now, we're still waiting to hear that music. But VW brand head designer Klaus Bischoff says that the look of the coming midsize crossover that will come in around the size of the Audi Q7 "has to be bold. It has to be a statement," and the results of US focus groups have already dictated design changes to the original idea. AN said it takes cues from the Cross Coupe GTE, with a notched grille, sculpted hood, and deep character lines along the flanks. It sounds like baby steps for other models, though. The Passat gets a brand new design forward of the A-pillar, and new taillights. The new Tiguan has a shorter front overhang and a longer rear overhang, rounded wheel arches, and gets 2.2 inches longer. There'll be a long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan that grows by eight inches, which should give it livable room for four passengers in front and back. Beneath that will be a Golf-based crossover to compete in the compact segment with the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. Featured Gallery Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE: Detroit 2015 View 18 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Live images copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Design/Style Volkswagen Crossover Sedan volkswagen design