All-new 2013 Buick Regal one great driving car

By Lary Coppola

Buick revived the mid-size Regal nameplate sedan for the 2011 model year, basing it on the same platform as General Motors’ (GM) German sibling, the Opel Insignia, which won major awards when it debuted in Europe.

Shorter than the popular LaCrosse, the Regal is basically a four-passenger car that could accommodate a rear-center child seat if necessary. The leather interior reminded us of the Acura TSX, in that it’s a nice mix of sport and luxury.

The Regal comes in five trim levels — the base Regal (1SL), Premium I (1SN), Premium II (1SP), Premium III (1SR) and GS (1SX). With four option packages (including GS) that allows buyers a fairly high degree of personalization.

Walkaround: Following the lead of manufacturers such as Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus, Volvo and others, GM designed the Regal as a world car built for sales in numerous international markets. It shares all its body panels with the aforementioned Insignia, and bears the signature sloping roofline of today’s contemporary sedans. It’s visually extended by the edge of the rear lamp housings and a short trunk lid with a subtle lip spoiler. A simple character line sweeps down and back behind the front wheel and carries through the rear door. There’s no lower edge trim but textured paint protection does minimize stone chips.

Side chrome is limited to the window surrounds and a front fender-mounted turn indicator. However, both ends have their share of brightwork. The nose showcases the prominent waterfall grille framed by lamp clusters. A large chrome spear anchors a big, truck-mounted Buick crest, and the sweep of the lamps mirror the LaCrosse.

There are also three new color choices for 2013 — Black Diamond Tricoat, Champagne Silver Metallic, and Graphic Blue Metallic.

Interior: With leather standard, even the base model offers a welcoming interior that’s comfortable and quiet, with its character seemingly changing with the chosen color scheme.

Both our test vehicle’s front seats featured 8-ways with a 4-way lumbar support. Long-term support was good — especially traveling — but the lack of lateral support and softness shows the seats are clearly meant for comfort rather than performance driving.

The rear seats are comfortable for occupants under 6 feet. The sloping roofline limits rear headroom — a problem the smaller VW Passat and larger Mazda6 don’t have.

Instrumentation has the computer/message center situated between a watch-dial-like speedometer and tach, underneath numerical fuel and coolant gauges, which are illuminated in GM’s signature ice blue. GPS Navigation is standard on all models and the 7-inch high-resolution, full-color touch screen sits top center offering excellent line-of-sight viewing.

Standard audio is a 7-speaker, AM/FM/Sirius XM (three-month courtesy subscription) stereo with single CD/DVD player, MP3 player, auxiliary input jack, and iPod/USB port. The available SiriusXM Travel Link feature (subscription required) includes fuel locations with pricing information, weather infor¬mation and movie theater locations.

Optional is a harman/kardon 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound, 9-speaker system.

Also standard with both audio systems is Buick’s IntelliLink system, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to the radio display via the screen. IntelliLink allows smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. The standard Radio Data System (RDS) also enables streaming stereo from the phone through Internet radio services such as Pandora and Stitcher.

White-on-black buttons on the center stack handle audio, car, and navigation chores, with dual temperature climate controls below, and redundant controls on the sporty steering wheel. Chrome trim abounds, framing the shifter, gauges and rotary dash controls.

The 14.2 cubic foot trunk is fairly long and offers moderate lift-to-load and unload dimensions, securing points, and flat sidewalls. The 60/40 split rear seat folds down with a lockable pass-through in the armrest.

Safety features include six airbags standard with rear-seat side-impact airbags optional, as is GM’s Electronic Stability Control.

Under The Hood: There is one basic powerplant, with three configurations, and two transmission choices. Our test vehicle was equipped with GM’s standard 2.4-liter, DOHC, four-banger with eAssist, that puts 182 horses to the highway, with 172 pound-feet of torque, and married to a six-speed automatic — the only transmission with this engine. The eAssist system uses power stored in the lithium-ion battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving situations and enables regenerative braking capability, optimizing engine and transmission operation. Fuel economy is rated at 25/city and 36/highway.

There’s an optional Eco-Tec 220-horse turbocharged, direct-injected 2-liter, that delivers 260 pound-feet of torque, and a high-output turbo version that puts down 270 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both are available with either a 6-speed stick or automatic.

Behind The Wheel: We found the Regal very quiet, with a nice, smooth highway ride. In fact, it may be the quietest car in its class. A bad road surface will transmit some noise however, and we noticed some slight wind noise from behind at speed. But even with the engine pushing hard, it’s little more than background noise, with no audible hint it’s even working hard.

The Regal has a very solid feel, and driving it hard at freeway speeds offered comfort and quiet. The steering provides good feedback, feel and directional stability, and the brakes are certainly up to the challenge. Both the gas and brake pedals are engineered to require some foot travel before you get into heavy braking or kick-down acceleration, rather than the instant bite of a sports sedan. And while it’s not a true sports sedan, like some of its competitors — namely the Acura TSX, Audi A4, Mazda 6, VW Passat, Volvo S60, and Lexus ES — it’s pretty close.

Whines: While the Regal is more than adequate around town or on the freeway, the standard 2.4 could be pushing it passing a truck on a two-lane blacktop or climbing a mountain grade.

Bottom Line: The Buick Regal offers a stylish alternative to the entry-premium midsize sedan segment, delivering visual appeal, soothing quiet, smooth ride, easily deciphered features, comfort and economy conducive to long drives — and a better than average warranty.

Hyundai Veloster: Unique, fun and frugal

 By Bruce Caldwell

The new for 2012 Hyundai Veloster stands out in a crowd for several reasons: unique styling (it’s a 3-door sport hatchback), excellent fuel economy, affordable pricing, versatility, and fun to drive personality. In a world full of copycat cars the Hyundai Veloster dares to be different and succeeds. There are unique cars with minimal functionality, but the Veloster works both as a styling statement and sensible transportation.

The Hyundai Veloster value proposition is strong. Our tester had a list price just over $17,000, but two $2,000 option packages plus freight charges nudged the total past $22,000. We could do without the Tech Package (navigation system, backup camera, etc.), but we’d keep the Style Package (great panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, and various interior upgrades). Regardless of how it’s configured, the Veloster is a great deal.

Walkaround: You won’t have any trouble finding a Veloster in a crowded parking lot. The car is a blend of coupe and sedan. It looks coupe-like on the driver’s side with its single door and more sedan-like on the passenger side with its normal front door and smaller rear door. All doors are front-hinged, unlike some 3-door compact pickups that have a rear-hinged back door. The third door has to fit around the rear wheel well, but it’s workable.

The car’s profile is low and pretty sleek. The wheels are pushed toward the outer corners, which enhances the low look. Our tester had the $2,000 optional Style Package that included handsome 18-inch alloy wheels and P215/40R-18 tires. The flat face wheels look great, but they’re susceptible to curb rash.

A major component of the Style Package is the great panoramic sunroof. The massive glass roof greatly brightens the interior. There is a power shade to help keep the interior cool. The actual sunroof opening is on the small side, but it works well thanks to a nice wind deflector.

Interior: The interior is very spacious for the driver and front seat passenger. Legroom was so extensive that we had to move the seat up in order to work the clutch and we’re 6-2. The panoramic sunroof crowds headroom a little, but a seat height pump helps drivers find an ideal position.

The supportive seats were nicely contoured, as was the thick steering wheel. A tilt/telescopic steering column further eases the task of finding a perfect driving position. The front doors have unique, oversized door pulls, which are great for closing the wide doors. Interior storage bins are ample.

Lots of stainless trim and contrasting colors make the interior as bold as the exterior. The look fits the car’s personality. Material quality and execution is very good.

Overall cargo capacity is ample for a relatively small vehicle, but the space isn’t super easy to access. The split rear seats don’t fold completely flat and there is a noticeable height difference between the seat backs and trunk floor. The hatch opening is big, but the wide cargo area is restrictive for tall objects. The rear lift over is quite high. A lot of soft cargo can be accommodated, but tall, rigid boxes pose a challenge.

In keeping with the car’s high-tech styling, the interior was loaded with state-of-the-art electronics and info/entertainment/communications features, including Hyundai’s Blue Link Telematics System (it requires a subscription after the 90-day free introduction).

Under The Hood: Our tester was a 2012 model, which was only offered with a 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. The smooth 6-speed manual transmission helped make the most of the modest horsepower and also contributed to an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway.

The big news for 2013 is the availability of a new turbocharged and intercooled engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque from the same 1.6-liter 4-cylinder powerplant. The turbo engine is available with either the 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with manual shifting capabilities. The turbo engine is more in keeping with the car’s swoopy styling.

Behind The Wheel: The ride quality was quite good. It’s a good blend of sporty and comfortable. Despite its styling the Veloster isn’t a hardcore sports car. That’s fine for most buyers. It’s sporty enough to be fun, but not so responsive as to be harsh. The freeway ride is generally smooth, but big expansion strips and potholes can be felt. The build quality is solid and sound insulation is decent. At high rpms the standard engine lets you know how hard it’s working. Otherwise, things are reasonably quiet. The excellent sound system is a big plus.

The driving experience is tied to one’s attitude. If you consider the Veloster a versatile, four-passenger economy car it exceeds category expectations, but if you’re looking for a sports car experience the 2013 turbocharged engine is a must.

Whines: The hatchback design and the rear seat headrests hamper rearward vision, although the backup camera helped a lot. The rear seat is best for children or short, flexible adults.

Bottom Line: We liked the Hyundai Veloster a lot. Unique styling and an overall sporty attitude pushed the Veloster well up the fun scale. Fuel economy that can hit the magic 40-mpg mark and prices in the very low twenties (high teens without the two $2,000 option packages or the new turbo engine) seal the deal. The Hyundai Veloster proves that practicality doesn’t have to be boring.

Automotive Design Studios Envision Law Enforcement's Road Ahead

2012 L.A. Auto Show invites design studios from around the world to compete in the ninth annual Design Challenge: Highway Patrol Vehicle - 2025

The pace of change in society accelerates every year, with breakthrough technologies and rapidly developing countries constantly rewriting the rules in a global economy. How this translates into life on the road for the general public is open to interpretation, but for law enforcement, it is a mission-critical assignment. To better patrol our roads and effectively "protect and serve," the future highway patrol vehicle will have to be designed with an entirely new set of considerations, including advanced powertrains, alternative fuels, telemetrics and new sizes to effectively navigate dynamic urban environment. This year's Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge asks a highly competitive field of major auto manufacturer design studios, from the U.S., Germany and Japan, to solve this puzzle and create the ultimate law enforcement patrol vehicle for the year 2025. So far, design studios from Bentley, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Subaru have accepted the challenge to use their innovation and insight to explore creative solutions as they contend for this annual design honor. "One of the most difficult yet important tasks in design is looking into the future to envision and create the trends and tools that haven't been imagined," said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. "Adding the element of law enforcement to this year's competition creates another layer of importance that makes a challenge equal to the level of our participants." The winning design will be announced Nov. 29 during an event at the LA Auto Show Press Days. Judging criteria will be based upon various factors including: consideration of future needs for advanced technology, speed and agility on future freeway systems; creativity of the solution; meeting a specific region's emission standards; and environmental sensitivity, including maintenance and recyclability. All entries will be unveiled online at LAautoshow.com in early November.  Entries will be judged by Tom Matano, executive director, School of Industrial Design at San Francisco's Academy of Art University; Imre Molnar, provost and chief academic officer at Detroit's College for Creative Studies; and Stewart Reed, chair of Transportation Design at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design. This year's guest judge, Bruce Meyer, is a board member of the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, which provides emergency benefits to CHP employees and the members of their families in times of crisis. Mr. Meyer is perhaps better known as a high-profile collector, former racer and past chairman of the Petersen Automotive Museum.  The Design Challenge is sponsored by Faurecia, the world's sixth-largest automotive supplier specializing in automotive seating, emissions control technologies, interior systems and auto exteriors, as well as Yokohama Tire, which works closely with auto manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan to develop tires for the latest concept vehicles. Other sponsors that make Design Los Angeles possible include, Dassault Systemes, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) and Lacks Enterprises. About the Design Challenge The Design Challenge takes place annually during the LA Auto Show Press Days, Nov. 28-29, 2012. For each of the past nine years, a new Design Challenge theme is chosen and the major automotive design studios showcase their talents, competing against one another to further explore new ideas in automotive design. The LA Auto Show Press Days hosts the largest gathering of design professionals in North America for a variety of design-focused activities including a Designers' Night party that brings together design industry leaders from around the world.

Ford Claims Focus is About To Unseat Toyota Corolla As World's Top-Selling Car

Ford Focus

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

AP Auto Writer

The stylish and nimble Ford Focus is on track to unseat Toyota's aging Corolla to become the world's top-selling car, according to Ford. The company says it sold 489,616 Focus sedans and hatchbacks globally in the first half of 2012, besting the Corolla by almost 27,000.

The Focus has several advantages, says Aaron Bragman, an automotive industry analyst for IHS Global Insight. It is newer, features better handling and styling, has superior technology and a much nicer interior than the Corolla. "I'd rank it superior to the Corolla in pretty much most ways," says Bragman.

But Toyota isn't conceding the title. It has disputed Ford's numbers, saying its car is still on top when you include Corollas sold under other names. Hatchback versions of the Corolla are sold as the Auris in Europe and Matrix in the U.S.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota also sells the Corolla Verso, a van-like vehicle that Toyota has traditionally counted as a Corolla, says spokesman Mike Michels. Including all the models, Toyota sold 603,840 Corollas in the first half, beating the focus by about 114,000, Michels says

Toyota is working on a new version of the Corolla which is expected to go on sale next year, although the company hasn't made it official.

Ford made the announcement at its assembly plant in Rayong, which opened in May to build the Focus. The Thailand plant, which is one of Ford's most advanced, has the capacity to produce 150,000 cars per year for sale in Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and other countries in the region.

Ford's recently revamped Focus is sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. It's a strong seller in the U.S., where Focus sales were up 31 percent in the first half of the year compared with 2011. But the Corolla is still king in the U.S., where it outsold the Focus by nearly 27,500 in the first half of the year.

The Corolla could still pass the Focus as the global top-seller this year, Bragman said. Toyota had few Corollas to sell at the start of the year because last year's earthquake and tsunami in Japan slowed its factories. But now the car is back at full supply and selling well. Also, last year at this time the Focus was ahead of the Corolla, but the Corolla pulled through in the end, outselling the Focus by more than 100,000 vehicles.

"It might be a bit premature to declare a sales crown," Bragman said. Also at the plant, Ford executives were celebrating the production of the 350 millionth vehicle Ford has made since its founding 109 years ago.