Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

Have You Seen FlagRaiser or CheckeredChick?

I know that many of you really long to know who the people behind the Checkered Blog are (heehee) and so, without further suspense, I give you my rendition of my dear colleagues and fellow bloggers, FlagRaiser and CheckeredChick, courtesy of this very excellent and user-friendly website.  Really loved The Simpsons movie BTW.  Happy Friday.

   

MINI Clubman Available at Checkered Flag In...

2008 NAIAS Preview

Hope everyone had a great holiday! Since New Year’s is about looking to the year ahead, we thought we’d give you a heads up: The 2008 North American International Auto Show is less than a month away and here’s a preview of what is going to be hot come January 17^th. Naturally, the Checkered Blog is most excited about those models that may eventually be gracing Checkered Flag’s showroom floors. This info comes from MSN Autos excellent preview feature. Some of the highlights include...

BMW’s introduction of the X6 which is being billed by BMW as a "Sports Activity Coupe". Check out the video which features an interview with Chris Bangle, Director of Design BMW Group.

The next generation Honda Pilot will also be showcased as will the Honda CR-Z concept car and the George Jetson-ish FCX Clarity that I wrote about a couple weeks ago.

Hyundai, who has been busy taking the auto world by storm, is unveiling the final production version of their Genesis luxury sedan. Buzz doesn’t begin to describe what we are hearing about the Genesis. Can Hyundai compete among the bourgeoisie? This video shows the unveiling of the concept at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year.

Toyota is FINALLY going to reveal the Venza in Detroit! The Venza, like BMW’s X6, is allegedly part sedan, part crossover SUV. Will show you some pics when we find them!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It looks like spirits are high in the Checkered Flag Operations Center today.  Amy Roper (Jaguar, Audi, Porsche Title Clerk) and Win Flagman are showing their red and green!

Meet Checkered Flag Hyundai's Kristy and Laura

The Checkered Blog caught up with these two yesterday to get the scoop on their holiday plans.  Kristy (who gets kudos for making the Hyundai service department look festive!) is avoiding traffic and staying home with her family to make a big dinner.  She is most looking forward to watching her daughter open up gifts.  Laura is also staying local to be with family.  She told me that the meal her mom cooks is what everyone looks forward to.  Happy Holidays to the nicest gals at Checkered Flag Hyundai!

 

New Energy Bill Sets Higher Fuel Standards

The new energy bill passed by Congress this week and signed by President Bush includes a provision that all new cars and trucks meet tougher 35mpg standards by the year 2020.  There is also quite a fight in the works regarding California's attempt to pass even stronger limits on carbon-dioxide emissions from automobiles.

Stop by Checkered Flag Toyota for Last Minute Stocking Stuffers!

I'm spent, both physically and financially, from the last week of whirlwind holiday shopping.  This time of year always causes me to have great admiration for those people who, practically and responsibly, have their shopping finished in July.  The only thing left for me to do as a consumer is buy some goodies for stockings.  Easy.  And fun.  Check out the goods I found at Checkered Flag Toyota (my husband drives a Tacoma).  Remember, all Checkered Flag's parts and accessories departments have fun stuff like this!  FYI:  Checkered Flag will be open normal hours over the weekend but closed on Monday and Tuesday!!!

Meet the VW Tiguan. Weird name. Cool car. Coming to the states next year.

The word on the street is that the name Tiguan (pronounced teeg-wan) is a combination of Tiger and Iguana.  Um, ok, moving on.  Essentially, Volkswagen is looking to break into the compact SUV market.  There is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding what exactly we are going to get with the Tiguan next year...here's a sampling...

From CarandDriver.com

European Tiguans will have a range of five available engines, but here in the U.S., we’ll initially get only one—the 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbo—with the 140-hp, 2.0-liter TDI with 236 pound-feet of torque to follow at the end of 2008. Both engines will be available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, which will be bumped from the options list by VW’s brilliant six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox about a year after the trucklet’s launch. Tiguans will be front- or all-wheel drive.

From J.D.Power.com

Volkswagen is expected to release a version of the Tiguan with the 2.0L "Clean TDI" BLUETEC diesel some time after the launch of the gasoline version. This four-cylinder turbodiesel is designed to meet stringent emission requirements for all 50 states using a special NOx trap catalytic converter and particulate filter. While final figures have not been released, the 2.0L diesel is expected to make 140 hp and more than 200 lb.-ft. of torque. Available transmissions will include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG.

From Edmunds.com

Although the way the Tiguan drives is unique, the interior is exactly what you already expected. The modest ride height makes it easy to take a seat, and once you're behind the wheel you feel like you're in a Rabbit, only larger. The tall roof is the primary explanation, while the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps carve out some extra room if you're still feeling cramped.

Outward visibility is excellent, and the front seats gave us no problems (although we didn't get to drive for more than a few hours at a time). With a full 6 inches of fore and aft adjustment, the rear seats offer reasonable room for adults in back as long as you don't need all the available capacity of the 16.6-cubic-foot cargo bay.

The interior design and trim is all standard-issue stuff from the Rabbit/GTI parts bin. Same gauges, same switchgear, and it's all in the same place. The only real departure from the formula is the faux metallic trim around the new navigation unit. Such shininess would look more at home in an Accord or a Camry, although perhaps only Volkswagen enthusiasts are likely to find it offensive.

Other noteworthy facts...expect pricing in the mid 20's, MPG in the mid-20's, and the first Park Assist system option on an SUV.

VW's official Tiguan website.

Introducing Lee Shearin, New Checkered Flag Honda GM

A new face is at the helm of Checkered Flag Honda: Lee Shearin has joined the team as general manager.

Lee brings plenty of experience with American Honda Motor Company to his new position. He previously served as general manager of Hall Acura in Virginia Beach, a post he'd held since 1999. (Acura, of course, is a division of Honda.) Lee's automotive career began in 1984, when, three days after he graduated from Washington & Lee University with a bachelor of arts in sociology, he responded to an ad seeking an auto salesperson. An interesting factoid about Lee: For six years in the mid-1990s, he operated his own used car dealership in Virginia Beach.

Lee lives in Virginia Beach with Mary, his wife of 23 years, and their children: Taylor, 15; Holly, 12; and Lee, 3. The family resides on a horse farm, where they own three horses and board nine others. Their menagerie also includes two dogs, and in the past, has encompassed goats and chickens. Lee plays in a men's ice hockey league and also enjoys tennis, golf, and volleyball.

So what are his faves in the Honda lineup right now? "I'm very excited about the 2008 Accord and I really like the Odyssey van," Lee says. Lee has been on the job a couple of weeks now and says, "It's been great. We really have a great group of people here."

BTW, Lee's last name is pronounced "Share-in." Welcome aboard, Lee!

Good Things Come to Those Who Walk!

Last Friday, Checkered Flag Toyota was fortunate enough to facilitate the giveaway of a brand-new 2008 Toyota Prius! Andrea Katolin of Virginia Beach entered the contest last April when she participated in a Hampton Roads March of Dimes walk. She, her husband Dennis, who is a Marine Captain at Norfolk Naval Base, and their brand new addition, Elyse, were on hand to take delivery of their new vehicle.

   

Pivec, the advertising agency for the Central Atlantic Toyota Dealer Association, partnered with March of Dimes for the giveaway. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and all regional Toyota dealers (including Checkered Flag) helped donate the vehicle. The car came from Checkered Flag because that’s the closest dealer to where the Katolin family lives. Susan Smith, Senior Community Director for March of Dimes, said, "It’s such an honor that these organizations chose to partner with March of Dimes for this event. There are so many worthy causes and it’s really just an honor that they chose us."  Pictured below is (from left: Dennis Katolin holding baby Elyse, Andrea Katolin, Susan Smith of March of Dimes and Robert Chen, who is the General Manager at Checkered Flag Toyota.)

Believe it or not, Andrea was four months pregnant when she participated in the walk! She told us that they didn’t find out they won the Prius until November, and that Dennis didn’t believe her when she told him. He was still a little shocked when the Checkered Blog caught up with him, "I still feel like I’m about to be Punk’d," he laughed.

The good news is there really was no catch! The March of Dimes held nine walks in various Hampton Roads cities last spring that were very successful in raising money and awareness for their organization, whose aim it is to help ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The Katolin family drove off in their new Prius.

And everyone lived happily ever after.