Jaguar Celebrates 50 Years Of it Iconic E-Type

This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most famous and desirable cars in automotive history — the Jaguar E-Type — arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever built. It stunned the motoring world when it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 50 years ago with its sleek aerodynamic form and racing car engine.

"It's impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had when it was unveiled," said Jaguar's current design director Ian Callum at this month's show in Geneva. He added that the design set a standard that will always be associated with Jaguar but that it was a burden at the same time because "I will never be able to do anything quite like it."
  
Click here to see a video video that includes  about 50 years of the E-Type's history.

Coupe Photo by John Gustafson
Convertible photo courtesy of japolink.com

Fred Meyer to install EV Chargers

Fred Meyer has announced that electric car-charging stations will be available at a handful of its Puget Sound-area stores this summer. The grocery chain is partnering with a San Francisco company called Ecotality to build the stations with a $115 million U.S. Department of Energy grant and another $115 million from investors.

Related

A spokesperson for the Portland-based retailer, said stores in Kent, Bellevue, Everett, Lake City and Alderwood were being considered as charging-station locations, along with a Maple Valley store yet to be built. Another handful of stores in he Portland area and others in strategic locations along the Interstate 5 corridor, are also set to get charging stations. The cost of using the stations hasn't been determined yet.

Ecotality will bring about 310 charging stations to 18 cities and metropolitan areas in the U.S. over the next year thanks to the grant. In other locations, the charging stations will be installed at Best Buy stores and BP stations.

The charging stations, which usually take four to six hours to recharge a depleted battery, are primarily for shoppers who want or need to "top off" their battery. Electric car owners are expected to do most of their battery charging at home, because the process is more time-consuming than getting gasoline at a gas station.

Ecotality will also be installing EV charging stations on the Port Orchard waterfront in the next 30-90 days.

Honda, Chrysler and Toyota Issue Recalls

Honda is recalling more than 35,000 model year 2006-2007 U.S. Civic hybrids sold in the U.S. to fix a problem with the electrical system that could cause the headlights to turn off or the engine to stall. The company said the voltage converter that relays power from the motor assist system to the vehicle's electrical components could fail.

Honda has received seven reports of stalling engines and 82 warranty claims connected to the problem. Dealers will replace the voltage converter at no charge. Owners can call Honda at (800) 999-1009 and select option four.

Toyota is also recalling about 22,000 trucks and SUVs to fix faulty tire pressure monitoring systems on some versions of the 2008-2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra. Toyota said the systems that monitor the vehicles' tire pressure did not comply with federal safety standards that require a warning light to illuminate on the dashboard at the minimum activation pressure and the systems need to be re-calibrated.

Owners will be notified of the recall at a future date and dealers will fix the tire pressure monitoring system. Owners can call Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

Chrysler's recall of about 20,000 Jeep Wranglers centers on steering issues. Chrysler Group LLC said its Jeep recall covers Wranglers from the 2010-2011 model years over potential loose fasteners to the front and rear axles. The issue could cause poor steering and handling or cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The Wranglers were built from mid-July 2010 through mid-September 2010. The recall is expected to begin in mid-March and dealers will tighten the fasteners. Owners can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet — Segment First Crossover Ragtop

I was invited to participate in a media drive of the all new 2011 Nissan Murano Cabriolet which took place this past weekend (March 4 & 5, 2011) in Del Mar, California.

Myself and Tom Orlando of Bullz-eye.com shared the wheel of the “segment first” ragtop, for a cruise around town, and then a spin to Nissan's Design America facility in San Diego. 

Look for a review in the upcoming, April issue of the Business Journal, which will have a special focus section on all things automotive, but in the meantime, check out the photos below.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe offers performance, luxury, and razor-sharp style

By Lary Coppola

When I first saw the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept car at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, I thought it was absolutely breathtaking, and hoped financially troubled GM would actually build it. The brainchild of former GM product guru Bob Lutz had such a strong response everywhere it appeared, in an undeniably bold move for GM — just as the original CTS was — it decided to build the CTS Coupe to go head-to-head with the new crop of luxury coupes from German and Japanese automakers. Those include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Audi A5, Lexus IS 350 C, BMW 335i coupe, and Infiniti G37 coupe.

The radically edgy coupe is Cadillac’s first since the Eldorado, which ceased production in 2002. The CTS debuted in 2003 as a sharp-edged four-door sedan built on a new rear-wheel-drive platform — a departure for GM as radical the razor-edged design was in the heyday of jelly bean-shaped vehicles. Cadillac had been primarily front-wheel-drive for many years, utilizing a basic design pioneered by the Oldsmobile Toronado in the early 1970s.

Read The Rest

All new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers silky new V6 and lots more

By Lary Coppola

Everything about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and improved — including the lowered price. There’s a powerful new DOHC V6, new suspension, more interior room, reclining rear seats, an optional Panoramic sunroof that extends over both rows of seats, and a front seat that folds flat to carry long things like 2x4’s, skis, and kayaks.

The design of the new Grand Cherokee actually began in Germany four years ago, when Chrysler was still Daimler-Chrysler, and some components are actually shared with the Mercedes ML SUV.

Read The Rest

Free iPhone App helps drivers beat the traffic

INRIX, a leading provider of traffic information and driver services, announced the immediate ability for consumers to save time and reduce frustration driving throughout Europe with the launch of a free app, INRIX Traffic!, for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Available for immediate download from the Apple App Store, INRIX Traffic! is a community-powered traffic app that uniquely helps drivers reduce the amount of time they waste stuck in traffic through a better understanding of current AND future traffic conditions. Initially available in local languages in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg with more countries to be added later this year, INRIX Traffic! covers more than 300,000 km of motorways, city streets and secondary roads in 100 cities.

Read More

2011 Ford Super Duty: Just what you expect — big and brawny

By Lary Coppola

Every time I see a Ford Super Duty pickup, Tim Allen’s infamous manly grunt comes immediately to mind. Whether for work or play, in all of its trim levels, this is serious machinery.

While the 2011 Super Duty is not exactly totally new, having undergone a major upgrade three years ago, the big news is the availability of a new, 6.7-liter, turbocharged Power Stroke® V-8 diesel engine, which was designed, engineered and built by Ford. It delivers best-in-class horsepower and torque at 390 and 735 ft.-lb. (at 1,600 rpm) respectively — 40 horses and 85 lb.-ft. more than the previous diesel.

There’s also an all-new 6.2-liter V-8 gas powerplant that also delivers a best-in-class 385 horses, and 405 ft.-lb. of torque – 85 more horses and 40 ft.-lb. more torque than the current 5.4-liter V-8 gas engine — combined with class-leading fuel economy and E85 compatibility.

Read The Rest

Nissan's funky New Juke... A little off center, but hey, it’s fun and capable

By Lary Coppola
Toyota may have started it with its odd-looking Scion XB, but if I didn’t know better, I’d swear Nissan was trying to corner the market on funk. First the boxy Cube, with its wrap-around picture window, and now the all-new 2011 Nissan Juke, which defines funk in a totally new way.


The Juke, which Nissan calls a “Sport Cross” is the smallest crossover on the market, and delivers fun and utility in an economical package. It should be hitting showrooms right about now.

While substantially smaller than Nissan’s compact Rogue crossover, it comes in eight model configurations: The Juke S, SV, and SL, with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all models. The transmission choices are a manual 6-speed or continuously variable automatic (CVT).
Read The Rest

2011 Ford F150 Raptor: Serious Off-Roader

By Lary Coppola

When I first saw the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the first thing I wanted to do was emit a manly grunt ala Tim Allen.

Except for commercial uses, trucks in America generally are never used to their full capabilities, but serve a few basic purposes — like hauling stuff for weekend projects or towing RVs and boats. And while engineering has taken the rough edges off most trucks, driving them daily usually means compromising on ride quality, tolerating a huge turning radius and parking issues, along with awkward handling compared to your average car.

This is truly a guy’s truck — and not for wussy guys either. But in spite of it’s manly appearance, to truly appreciate the Raptor’s capabilities, you’ll need to drive it fast over rough terrain, because flat out is how this truck is engineered to be driven.

Read The Rest

2011 Honda Fit: Fun to drive and practical too

By Lary Coppola

I confess that cars like the Honda Fit aren’t my usual or preferred fare to drive or review, but that said, the Fit is a sporty subcompact that I found surprisingly fun to drive, as well as both practical and economical.

Originally debuting as a 2007, the Fit was redesigned for the 2009 model year, resulting in a more upscale appearance, with higher quality materials and seats inside. It also benefitted from a new 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine giving the Fit slightly more horses and torque, while chassis and suspension upgrades improved the overall ride and handling. Larger standard wheels didn’t hurt either.

Read The Rest

Redesigned 2011 Dodge minivan gets new V6, and “sporty” R/T trim

By Lary Coppola

Chrysler is acknowledged as the creator of the modern minivan, and the company has re-staked its claim as leader of that market segment with major upgrades to the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country family haulers. The overlap between the Chrysler and Dodge minivans is gone as well. Clearly defined marketing strategy aims Dodge at the under-30, under $30,000 crowd, while steering bigger spenders toward the Chrysler nameplate, which starts at about $31,000 and goes up.

Behind the new Ram-like grille, sits a smooth, gutsy 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is now standard across both the Dodge and Chrysler lines, and replaces the previous three V-6 engine choices — none as powerful as the Pentastar. And the upgrades are targeted where buyers will notice it most — on upgraded materials in massively improved interiors.

Read The Rest

Old and New Collide at Silverdale City Automotive

By Lary Coppola

What’s old is new again at Silverdale’s newest auto dealership, Silver City Automotive. Silver City Automotive is unique from the run-of-the-mill dealerships because its added a touch of nostalgia to the pre-owned car buying experience.

Owned by longtime car dealer Rick Hern, who for most of his career has been associated with his family’s business, the Courtesy Auto Group in Poulsbo, a visit to the dealership will take you on a stroll through years gone by. Experience the atmosphere of a 1950’s era soda shop, complete with hot dogs, pop corn, and classic memorabilia.

Read The Rest

Redesigned Kia Sorento SUV more car-like than ever

By Lary Coppola

The Kia Sorento has been completely redesigned from the ground up for 2011, resulting in a much more car-like vehicle than before. That’s because the previous-generation Sorento was built on a rugged body-on-frame truck chassis, while the 2011 Sorento rests on a modern, lightweight, rattle-free unibody frame.

The Sorento is larger in every way than the prior version, offering 15-percent more cargo room than its predecessor, and is now available as a three-row crossover that seats seven.

Read More

2011 Jeep Liberty: An off road star — as you would expect

By Lary Coppola
The Jeep Liberty is one of the best, most capable vehicles in its class, with Jeep’s legendary off-road prowess and tall, angular styling reminiscent of the popular 90-era Cherokee. It rides smoother than the Cherokee, while maintaining the ruggedness by which Jeep has always been defined.


Jeep has refined the Liberty, adding premium options, such as available full-time all-wheel drive in addition to the standard part-time system. Both are aided by Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.
Read More

2011 Infiniti G25 a tough competitor

By Lary Coppola
The introduction of Infiniti’s G25 sedan shouldn’t come as a big surprise. While its powerful G37 has been a big seller, the 2.5-liter V6 G25 expands Infiniti’s presence to the entry-level luxury segment by offering a challenging new alternative to the BMW 328i and Lexus IS 250, as well as some domestic models. It shares the same dynamic exterior, interior and chassis as the G37 Sedan, but with a smaller displacement engine and better fuel economy.


It’s aimed directly at people who want a luxury sedan, but might not require the higher levels of luxury and performance provided by the more powerful, and more expensive, G37 — specifically women, male and female buyers at both ends of the age spectrum, and empty nesters.

Featuring both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, three sedan models are offered: the base G25, starting at $30,950 the G25 Journey priced at $32,350, and the all-wheel drive G25x, which stickers at $33,950. And pricing is where Infiniti shines, significantly undercutting both Lexus and BMW on similarly equipped IS 250 and 328i models. Read More