Don't mess with Granny...

Cadillac Converj Luxury Concept Coupe to be at Seattle Auto Show

The Cadillac of Electric Vehicles...

The stunning four-passenger Cadillac Converj luxury coupe concept rvehicle has been confirmed to appear at this year's Seattle Auto Show. The Converj reveals how GM technology can deliver up to 40 miles of gas and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles. The car's Voltec electric propulsion system is made up of a 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator.

It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car. A thermally managed battery pack contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that provide the primary power to drive the Converj electrically up to 40 miles without using fuel or producing tailpipe emissions. A technologically advanced driver center increases efficiency and reduces the draw on the battery.

Features include:
• Touch-screen navigation, climate, center-stack controls and audio systems
• Screen displays for features including regenerative braking, battery charge level and power output
• No inside rearview or outside mirrors; cameras provide surrounding images on a screen placed high on the instrument panel for a full, panoramic view
• Push-button ignition and power-folding front seats

The Seattle Auto Show, presented by State Farm and sponsored by AutoTrader.com and BECU, will feature hundreds of new 2010 vehicles, including fuel-efficient hybrids, versatile vans, go-anywhere trucks, plus energy-wise electrics, eye-catching exotics and rare concepts at Qwest Field Event Center, Nov. 11-15.

Potential buyers can also apply for on-the-spot financing from BECU.

Hours: Wed.-Fri., 1 to 8:30 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $11, Seniors $9, Children 12 and under, free, with a paid adult, courtesy of AutoTrader.com Parking: Qwest Field Event Center, Union Station and nearby lots
Online: www.seattleautoshow.com
Info: 206-542-3551

Five Finalists Announced for the 2010 Green Car of the Year®

Winner to be Announced During an LA Auto Show Press Conference on Dec. 3

Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the 2010 Green Car of the Year®,. They are the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf TDI. For the fifth consecutive year, the award will be announced during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show press days, Dec. 3.

The Green Car of the Year® award is a program that honors environmental leadership in the automobile field and recognizes vehicles that are readily available to consumers during the award year. Green Car Journal editors perform an exhaustive review of vehicle models to identify the five finalists. The winner is ultimately decided by jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club's Carl Pope, along with Green Car Journal editors.

"We're seeing the trend for 'green' cars emerging at all levels, from entry-level cars to luxury models, and even performance cars and SUVs/crossovers," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "Plus, an array of technologies and fuels as well as strategies like lightweighting and reducing rolling resistance are being applied to the challenge. Greater choice provides buyers a personal stake in lessening environmental impact, and that's important."

This year's finalists reflect this diversity. For the first time an Audi makes the final five with its sporty A3 TDI clean diesel. Volkswagen's new Golf TDI shows an expanding focus on clean diesel technology in the VW lineup. The Insight is a completely new hybrid sedan for Honda and the 2010 Toyota Prius is a totally redesigned, third-generation version of this popular hybrid model. The Milan Hybrid is Mercury's application of its advanced-hybrid technology in an upscale mid-size sedan.

Hyundai Genesis offers surprisingly luxury at a value price

By Lary Coppola

Everyone who saw the 2009 Hyundai Genesis during my test drive period had two universal reactions: They were impressed by the total luxury, and outstanding styling of this car — and shocked to learn it was a Hyundai.

The Genesis is a totally new, rear-wheel-drive luxury sport sedan. With a standard 290-horse V6, and available V8 power, the Genesis is a bona fide competitor to the Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series, Infiniti M, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but at $36,000 as tested, value priced along the lines of the Chrysler 300.

Hyundai was best known for building econoboxes, and as the new vehicle of last resort upon it’s entrance to the American marketplace. However, the Korean automaker has moved systematically upmarket for several years, and the Genesis is the culmination of that journey, being the company's most luxurious — and expensive — vehicle.

Walkaround: The Genesis is built on Hyundai’s all-new rear-wheel-drive platform, and sized similar to the Nissan Maxima, Dodge Charger and BMW 5-Series. It looks like a styling collaboration between Mercedes and BMW, with a politely aggressive, yet somewhat sedate, appearance.

The trapezoid-shaped grille and front-end design are obviously Mercedes-inspired — sans the rounded headlights. Hyundai opted for more modern, eye-slit, standard halogen headlamps. The available Technology Package includes auto-leveling high-intensity discharge adaptive headlights that point into turns for improved night vision.

Fog lights are standard on the lower fascia, which features a large air intake. Styling lines originate at the grille, flow easily into the hood, and terminate at the front A-pillars. The rest of the Genesis features an angular, BMW-inspired silhouette, right down to the dogleg shape of the rear pillars, instead of the softer, rounder Mercedes look.

The upper beltline flows from the front wheel openings to the taillights with a kickout at the bottom of the doors. Standard 17-inch wheels, or available 18-inchers, fill the wheelwells.

The Genesis has the same high trunk line pioneered by BMW and now standard for several manufacturers. The discreet, chrome Hyundai badge on the decklid is the vehicle’s only ornamentation.

Interior: The Genesis is luxuriously appointed, with tight tolerances, a leather-wrapped dash, soft-touch materials, leather seating surfaces, with heated seats, and finished in wood and aluminum trim highlighted with chrome accents. Front and rear seating room is exceptional.

Instrumentation is easy-to-read and electroluminescent, with white numbers on a black background and blue accents. Power windows, mirrors, door locks with remote, and steering-mounted audio controls are all standard. The available navigation system includes voice activation with a multimedia interface much easier to use than those from most luxury manufacturers — and especially BMW. An iPod interface is standard, as is an AM/FM/6-CD audio system that includes XM satellite radio, USB and auxiliary input jacks, along with Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. There’s also an optional 17-speaker, kickass Lexicon audio system with 7.1 surround sound that will blow you away, and an available 40 GB hard drive that holds music files and navigation map information. Music can be loaded from CDs or through the USB interface.

Safety features include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, electronic active front head restraints, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and electronic stability control.

Front and rear park assist and a rearview camera come with the optional Technology Package.

Under The Hood: The Genesis marks the debut of Hyundai's first V8, a 4.6-liter dual overhead cam engine putting 375 ponies to the pavement. It has an abundance of smooth, willing power and boasts decent fuel economy. Our test model was equipped with the standard 290-horse 3.8-liter V6, that delivered all the go you need, with the added benefit of an extra mpg’s — it’s rated at 18/city and 27/highway. Each engine is mated to a different, smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission. Both feature Hyundai's Shiftronic manual shift gate.

Behind The Wheel: The Genesis is touted as a sport sedan, and true to form, delivers smooth handling and easy power on twisty, winding roads. Overall, it has a pretty nimble feel, sliding easily through turns. But while the V6's hydraulic steering has a positive feel, it can bind slightly in quick changes of direction.

The Genesis ride is comfortable and quiet, ironing out bumps with little impact on passengers — and it doesn't wallow or float like some other Hyundai’s. The ride can get somewhat bouncy over rough pavement at highway speeds, and it's not quite as agile as top performers such as the Infiniti M, but overall, the Genesis is a highly legitimate sport sedan.

Whines: Paddle shifters are a glaring omission. The Navigation screen is the central control point for navigation, trip computer, audio, Bluetooth phone, climate control, and settings in the Driver Information System. It uses a large rotating knob and six buttons. Three would be better. The iPod interface works well, but returning to a previous menu always starts it over alphabetically instead of the last spot visited. Nonetheless, other manufacturers — especially BMW and Audi — should take a lesson from the simplicity of Hyundai's multimedia interface.

Bottom Line: The Hyundai Genesis is a luxury sedan offering lots of features for the dollar, and is a surprisingly capable, legitimate sports sedan. While not quite up to the high standards of the high-dollar European and Japanese luxury cars the Genesis aspires to be, it is a seriously viable alternative — and better appointed than most American luxury sedans — except perhaps the Cadillac CTS. If you’re in the luxury sports sedan market, you’d be remiss not to drive the Genesis before making a final decision.