The Auto Reviewers

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon: A great blend of sportiness and practicality

2011-05-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

By Bruce Caldwell
I don’t remember when the term station wagon became so negative. I didn’t get the memo or perhaps my dog that fits so well in station wagons ate it.

The need for station wagons hasn’t abated since their halcyon days in the fifties and sixties. Styles and more importantly, marketing approaches, have changed, but hauling passengers and/or stuff is still a necessity for many families.

The station wagon variant and nom de practicality I prefer is sport wagon. Sport wagons combine utility and smaller packages that favor fun and sporty handling/driving. The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a great example of a well-balanced compact station wagon.

The Acura TSX is the brand’s entry level offering and the wagon is a recent addition. It adds versatility without diminishing the positive traits that make TSX sedans so popular.

Walkaround: The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a handsome vehicle. We think it looks better than the TSX sedan. The design works well with the extended rear roof. We favor the rear _ view over the front angle. Stylish five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and moderately aggressive tires fill the wheel wells and enhance the sporty look. Doors open and shut with the kind of solid, tight-fitting, precision that customers expect of Acura products. All the fit, finish, and quality elements are first rate.

Interior: The interior is perfectly executed. Acura interior designers masterfully blend quality materials for visual and tactile excellence. You can’t expect Bentley ambiance at this price point, but there are no disappointments.

The TSX Sport Wagon caters to the driver and front seat passenger. Adjustability/ergonomic features are great. Legroom is stretch out perfect. Seat travel is extensive, which is good, because rear seat legroom is snug with the front seats all back.

A thick contoured leather steering wheel is loaded with auxiliary controls. It has tilt and telescopic features to accommodate a wide variety of driving positions. There are small paddle shifters for use when the automatic transmission is in the Sport mode.

Our test car was the Tech model, which means it had the navigation system. The system works fine once you master its many functions. The Tech package also includes an upscale sound/entertainment/information system.

One other Tech package feature is a power tailgate. It’s handy, but not totally necessary given the tailgate’s compact size. The substantial rear opening provides access to a flat cargo area. The split rear seat increases capacity and flexibility. There’s additional storage under the rear deck and recessed cargo loops.

Under The Hood: Our TSX was equipped with the 2.4-liter 201 horsepower i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and the 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine was smooth and proficient for a 4-cylinder, but Acura V-6 engines have spoiled us.

The EPA rates the TSX at 22-city/30 highway. We got over 27 mpg on a trip to Port Angeles.

Behind The Wheel: Old school station wagons weren’t much fun to drive, but the new Acura TSX Sport Wagon drives and handles better than old school sports cars. The TSX is a great driving car on long trips and around town. The fine suspension and brakes combine with the previously mentioned excellent interior to provide a very pleasurable driving experience.

An Acura feature that deserves praise is the excellent wiper system. During the recent record rains we used the wipers at every speed from drizzle to downpour. These wipers get our top rating of five umbrellas.
Whines: Miscellaneous interior storage bins were on the small side. A massive owners manual overshadowed the decent size glovebox.

Bottom Line: The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a great compact station wagon. It doesn’t have the capacity of a Brady Bunch wagon, but most people don’t have such large-scale needs. The TSX Sport Wagon combines the style, comfort, and handling of a sport sedan with the added space and versatility of a wagon. Regardless of what you label it, we call the Acura TSX Sport Wagon a winner.

Washington State Poised to Take its Place as Hot Rod Nirvana

2011-04-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

SEMA Model Street Rod and Custom Bill Passes in Washington State Senate

Unfortunately, in some places, it remains extremely difficult to title and register homebuilt vehicles like customs, street rods, hot rods, and kit cars. Thankfully, SAN is on the case and actively promoting legislation that will alleviate that problem for the enthusiast community by streamlining the process. Its model language gets these rides out of the garage and onto the road — where they belong!

The most recent example of this legislation is right here in Washington. State This year, Senate Bill 5585 was sponsored by State Senator Mike Carrell, a car guy himself. This much-needed piece of legislation would create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles. Lawmakers in Olympia understand the need for SB5585 and the State Senate recently passed the bill in a unanimous 48 to 0 vote. The bill is now pending consideration in the State House of Representatives. As Senator Carrell said, “These folks have a passion for restoring old cars or building something new and one-of-a-kind out of parts gathered from a dozen different cars. This bill will establish constancy in state law and clarify previously unclear registration requirements.” Working with Senator Carrell and his staff, the SAN played a critical role in drafting amendments to the bill to accommodate Washington’s unique requirements.

SB5585 provides guidance for registering and titling street rods and customs, including kit cars and replicas. When enacted into law, Washington enthusiasts will no longer arrive at their local DMV office and denied a means of putting their creations on the road. Moreover, the bill acknowledges that original parts may have “dried up” and that technological advancements have created improved materials. SB5585 allows for the use of non-original components and creates a titling criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. Another important cornerstone of the bill is that it exempts street rods and customs from a range of standard equipment requirements and emissions inspections. Vehicles classified under this class will be held to standards applicable to the designated model year, not those of 2011 and beyond. Finally, SB5585 also permits the use of “blue dot” taillights, a favorite among restorers of classic automobiles.

“This type of legislation is a top priority for SAN on behalf of the nation’s enthusiasts,” said Mike Dingell, director of the SEMA Action Network (SAN). “We want enthusiasts to express themselves by building their dream cars and to share them and enjoy them on America’s streets,” he continued. Versions of our model bill have been successful in helping hobbyists title their rides in 21 states to date and we are working to add more to that list. This year, similar SAN model titling and registration legislation is also pending consideration in New York, Texas, and New Mexico.

Jaguar Celebrates 50 Years Of it Iconic E-Type

2011-03-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-10T05:42:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2011-03-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:58:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2011-03-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2011-03-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

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

Motorcycle Meets The Automobile

2010-12-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here's some food for thought about the future of economical transportation.

The Highway Of The Future?

2010-12-24T08:11:00.000-08:00

I have to wonder why the environmentalists haven't embraced this. Could it be because it's a highway, and not a multi-billion dollar mass transit system?

The Automotive Assembly Plant Of The Future — Today...

2010-12-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

I've been to about a half dozen automotive assembly plants, but have never seen anything like this one.

VW and Chrysler issue large recalls

2010-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

Both Volkswagen and Chrysler have announced large recalls to address possible fuel leaks and potential accidental air bag deployments.

Volkswagen is recalling more than 228,000 vehicles sold in the American market, including 2007-2009 model year Golf, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Rabbit and 2006-2010 New Beetle small cars.

VW says on all of the recalled vehicles except the New Beetle, a small plastic tab in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir could rub against a fuel supply line under the hood. A fuel leak could develop and lead to fires.

Volkswagen is beginning its recall in late January and dealers will either remove the plastic tab or inspect the position of the clamp and adjust it free of charge.

On New Beetles under recall, a fastening clamp on the hydraulic hose of the power steering system could be located in the wrong place and rub against a fuel supply line that could create a fuel leak and cause a fire.

According to VW spokesman Kerry Christopher, there had been no reports of fires, crashes or injuries.

Chrysler is recalling more than 367,000 minivans to address potential accidental air bag deployments in 2008 model year Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. The automaker said water could leak near the heating and air conditioner drain, which could cause the air bag warning light to go off and deploy the air bag by accident.

Chrysler's recall is expected to begin in February and dealers will replace the drain ring free of charge.

Chrysler spokesman Vince Muniga said the automaker was aware of 30 complaints of air bags deploying inadvertently and five injuries since February 2008.

Owners can contact Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987 and Chrysler (800) 853-1403.

Nissan LEAF 2011 European Car of The Year

2010-11-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

In a historic moment for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and zero emission vehicles, the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF was awarded 2011 European Car of the Year.

The world’s first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle for the global market beat 40 contenders to win one of the industry's most important accolades. This is the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that the award has gone to an electric vehicle. Nissan LEAF’s rivals included vehicles from brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo. The jury included 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries.

“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects,” said Håkan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “This award recognizes the pioneering zero-emission Nissan LEAF as competitive to conventional cars in terms of safety, performance, spaciousness and handling. It also reflects Nissan’s standing as an innovative and exciting brand with a clear vision of the future of transportation, which we call sustainable mobility. With three other electric vehicles in the pipeline from Nissan – and with the imminent market introduction of four additional electric vehicles from our Alliance partner Renault – Nissan LEAF represents a significant first step toward a zero-emission future.”

Nissan LEAF is powered by a compact electric motor in the front of the car, which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 ft.. lbs. of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 90 mph. The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90 kW. The car has a range of 100 miles between charges ,making it a viable alternative for many urban drivers.

The vehicle is fully equipped with features such as regenerating braking, air conditioning, satellite navigation, parking camera and advanced on-board IT and telematics systems. Innovative connectivity will allow an owner to set charging functions to monitor the car's current state of charge and the remaining battery capacity, as well as to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via mobile phone or computer.

Deliveries in Japan and the United States begin this month. In Europe, deliveries start in early 2011 to Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands. The zero-emission car is currently being built in Japan, but will also be produced in Tennessee, and in Europe when new manufacturing facilities open in late 2012 and early 2013.

Nissan’s innovative thinking extends beyond zero-emission mobility. Under the PURE DRIVE label, Nissan manufactures an extended line-up of environmentally friendly, internal combustion engine vehicles offering class-leading fuel efficiency supported by advanced green technologies. In Europe, the company will soon launch an advanced gas-electric hybrid luxury sedan wearing the Infiniti badge.

Nissan has won the CoTY award in Europe before. In 1993, the UK-built Nissan Micra became the first car from a Japanese automaker to win the accolade and started Europe’s love affair with the little car that continues today with the recent launch of the newest Nissan Micra model.

A Less Than Casual Drive Through The Streets of Paris

2010-11-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a ride she'd never forget.... in a 1968 Ferrari 275 GT (300 HP)

Open up your screen to full size... turn up the volume and try to image doing what this driver does on the early morning streets of Paris... across town in 9 minutes!!!

Once they saw this 1978 video, the Paris Police looked for this driver for years but never found him. Remember, these are public streets with no baracades or driver assistance warnings anywhere. Flat-out driving as fast as you can go in traffic. Pretty amazing stuff that wasn't staged.

Enjoy. Watch it all. You can change your underwear later.

Playing Full Out At Going Green

2010-11-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

By Lary Coppola

I have to admit, being raised on big-block, mega-horsepower, gas-guzzling V8s, I was more than mildly skeptical about Electric Vehicles (EVs) — until I actually drove one. I came away a believer that EVs are the future — not everyone’s future — but for a lot of folks, it will be. While the automotive industry has seriously experimented with alternative fuels (remember hydrogen fuel cells?) for the past decade, it seems they’ve finally settled on electricity as the alternative power source.

Just to clarify the difference between a hybrid and an EV, hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, run on a combination of gasoline and battery power, while a pure EV is 100 percent battery-powered.

Nissan is committed to EVs — so much so, it will offer an EV version of a new commercial van, the NV2500, it will debut in 2011. Company CEO Carlos Ghosn stated without hesitation, "A new era is beginning in the global automotive industry. At Nissan and Renault, we are working together to lead the way to mass market zero emission mobility." Ghosn is car guy in the Lee Iacocca mold. He “gets it” about what consumers want, and his stunning success turning Nissan, and its luxury brand, Infiniti, around by delivering some of the best selling product on the market proves that.

Nissan has put its money where its mouth is, gambling almost a billion dollars over more then a decade that the Leaf will change the way we drive. And make no mistake, EVs are coming — The high-performance Tesla sports car hit the market last year, and 2011 will see Ford debut an electric version of its Focus, along with the long-anticipated Chevy Volt, Mini E, Mitsubishi MiEv, and a plug in version of the Toyota Prius. The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show previewed no less then 20 EVs — some from manufacturers you’ve never heard of.

GE Commits To Buy 25,000 EVs by 2015

2010-11-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

With a name like General Electric, why wouldn't GE embrace the electric car? The company has announced plans to buy 25,000 of them by 2015.

Jeffrey Immelt, GE's CEO, said the company would convert half of its corporate fleet to electric vehicles (EV) by 2015 in an effort to jump start the technology and help develop a potentially big new market for the company.

"By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action," Immelt said in a statement The company had hinted at the plan in late September.

GE builds natural gas-fired generators for utilities, electric motors, advanced electric meters and a home electric car charging station called the WattStation, all of which could be in higher demand if drivers buy electric cars. It stands to reason they could also build motors for EVs as well as expand sales of its charging stations.

GE estimates the expanding market could bring it up to $500 million in new revenue over the next three years. The first mass-market electric cars are expected to go on sale next month, including the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf.

GE said it will buy 12,000 GM vehicles starting next year, beginning with the Volt. It plans to add others as manufacturers expand their electric car offerings. Every major automaker has plans to introduce cars that can be powered by electricity over the next two years.

EVs are cheaper to fuel and operate than gasoline powered cars, but they are more expensive to buy, mainly because of the high cost of batteries. The battery that powers the $33,000 Nissan Leaf costs about $12,000, nearly the price of a gasoline-powered car the Leaf's size — although the Leaf's lithium-ion batteries are guaranteed for 100,000 miles or 8 years, and can be replaced a cell at a time, which wculd stretch out the expense.

Carmakers hope to be able to sharply reduce the cost of the batteries over time, but in order to do so they need to sell more electric cars. That's where GE comes in. GE is hoping that its planned purchase will help drive down costs by increasing production volumes and assuring carmakers that they will have at least one big buyer.

Electric utilities, and local governments which would also benefit from the adoption of electric cars, are also expected to buy thousands of vehicles. The feds are offering $7,500 tax credits to electric car buyers to help make the cars more affordable and some states and cities offer additional subsidies that can reach $8,000. Washington State offers $3,500.

Still, only 30,000 electric vehicles are expected to be sold next year, out of a projected 13 million new cars. J.D. Power and Associates predicts that by 2020 that number will grow to 275,000, still only about 2 percent of total car sales.

Tesla Motors Recalling Roadsters

2010-10-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Tesla Motors, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based manufacturer of luxury electric vehicles, is recalling 439 of its 2010 model year Roadsters to address potential fire hazards connected to battery cables. The recall involves Roadster 2.0 and 2.5 vehicles with a 12-volt auxiliary cable, which may be routed improperly, and could cause the wire to become exposed.

Contact between the bare wire and carbon fiber could lead to a short-circuit and a fire in the right front head lamp area, according to a notice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The two-seater electric sports car, the only vehicles currently sold by Tesla, sells for more than $100,000 and plugs into a conventional outlet for recharging. The company has sold about 1,300 Roadsters in at least 30 countries.

The automaker plans to introduce its next-generation electric sedan, the Model S, by 2012, and is working with Toyota to develop an electric version of Toyota's RAV4 small crossover vehicle.

As part of the recall, Tesla will check the routing of the cable and install a protective sleeve over the wire free of charge. Owners can call the company at 877-888-3752.

NWAPA Announces Mudfest 2010 Winners

2010-10-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

SUV of the Year decided at the 16th Sport Utility Vehicle Competition

The results are in from the Northwest Automotive Press Association's Mudfest 2010 event, which was held in Vancouver, Washington, September 30 and October 1. Twenty SUVs and CUVx competed in four scored categories-Affordable, Family, Luxury, and Off-Road-with the overall highest-scoring vehicle being declared the SUV of the Year.

The 2010 winners are:

SUV of the Year:
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged

Best Affordable SUV:
2011 Subaru Outback

Best Family SUV:
2010 Acura MDX

Best Luxury SUV:
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged

Best Off-Road SUV:
2011 Land Rover LR4

The 20 NWAPA members who tested and scored every vehicle both days noted the Range Rover's "elegant look" and "outstanding performance on- and off-road." One tester said of the LR4, "What can you say? A great SUV." The Outback was praised for its "aggressive handling," while another tester said the Subaru "flew over the [off-road] track." The Acura MDX garnered much praise from the journalists, who called it "very sporty with a beautiful interior." One tester said its "quality and refinement [were] first class."

Mudfest (shorthand for the Northwest Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year Competition), is a yearly event bringing journalists from the Pacific Northwest and the latest in off-road vehicles together for two days of testing. The first day involves an on-road route, where vehicles are tested in every-day situations and scored on design, handling, braking, and more. The second day of the event puts vehicles through their paces on an off-road track, where handling and ride are rated.

Each vehicle was also assigned to one of four categories in addition to vying for SUV/CUV of the Year. The Family category included scoring for kid-friendly features and versatility, Affordable vehicles were scored on features for the money and power vs. MPG, Luxury vehicles were rated on materials and technology, and Off-Roaders had to prove their capability and gear capacity.

Sport-utility vehicles are a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest automotive market, and journalists from this region are among the most knowledgeable critics of this segment. Mudfest is the most widely recognized event of its kind in North America. This annual event allows member journalists to test the performance, handling, and braking, as well as the on-road and off-road demeanor, of each competing SUV. Vehicles invited to participate include all-new and recently updated models. The previous year's winners are also invited to defend their title.

NWAPA (www.nwapa.org) is a professional trade organization of automotive journalists from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Founded in 1991, NWAPA includes 38 voting members, representing more than 100 newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, media groups and online resources. Non-voting members are comprised of representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals.

Honda Crosstour: Attractive package inside and out

2010-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

The 2010 Honda Crosstour is the newest Accord — and what’s known as a CUV — Crossover Utility Vehicle. In reality, it’s a hatchback Accord that fills the slot in between the CR-V and Pilot. However, this vehicle is aimed at a totally different buyer than the standard Accord.

The Crosstour comes in two versions and two trim levels, with front-wheel-drive standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) optiona.l I’ve had the opportunity to drive both versions, and have to say, the Crosstour has a lot going for it.

. The Crosstour EX starts at $29,670, while the more upscale EX-L sells for $32,570. The AWD package is only available on the EX-L, starting at $34,020. Available navigation adds another $2,200 to the sticker, for a total of $34,770 with 2WD and $36,220 with AWD.

Walkaround: Although visually similar to the recently introduced Acura ZDX (Honda owns Acura), the Crosstour doesn’t share the ZDX's platform, instead, riding on a modified Accord chassis.

The Crosstour is what is known in Europe as a five-door — a four-door sedan with a hatch making five. It’s somewhat ironic, that after years of rejecting the hatchback (well, there was the Gremlin…), the auto industry is slowly moving back toward what's always been the most practical sedan design.

The Crosstour differs from the Accord sedan in several ways besides the obvious sloping roofline. There’s a beefier more aggressive looking grille, two-inch wider stance (although there’s about an inch less room inside), a 110.1-inch wheelbase, more weight — 299 to 487 pounds more than Accord sedans. It's the only Accord to offer AWD — as basic as Honda’s is — and has two additional inches of ground clearance than the Accord sedan for foul-weather and bad-road driving. The sloping rear roof gives the 2010 Accord Crosstour a very distinctive look — especially in contrast to the flat-roofed, Camry-based Toyota Venza or Ford Flex.

Interior: The Accord Crosstour EX comes pretty well-equipped, with standard features that include dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second row ventilation, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows, moonroof, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, 360-Watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, compass and outside temperature indicator, cruise control, easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seat back, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65 R17 all-season tires, hidden removable utility box, rear privacy glass, projector beam headlights with auto-off, fog lights, chrome door handles, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, and more.

Upgrades on the Accord Crosstour EX-L include leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, memory driver-side seats, memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, auto on/off headlights, Kevlar cone speakers, aluminum dome-type front tweeter speakers and a USB audio interface, 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 R18 all-season tires, cargo privacy cover, and HomeLink transmitter.

The seats were unusually comfortable for a Honda, offering good lumbar support, and the instrumentation includes some cool blue lighting. The center control console, which houses the navigation system and backup camera display, looks like it came straight out of an Acura RL rather than the standard-issue Accord controls.

While its coupe-like styling somewhat limits cargo volume, the Crosstour was designed with cargo hauling in mind. It doesn't want for cubbies, bins and other storage, featuring an 8-inch deep under-floor Hidden Removable Utility Box with a reversible lid, and under-floor bins that mirror the popular feature in the Honda Ridgeline pickup. A big, removable and washable center bin is flanked by two smaller ones, and the covers of all three can be reversed, offering carpet or a durable hard-plastic surface.

The hatch is just much handier than a trunk, and space behind Crosstour's back seat is twice the size of an Accord sedan trunk.

Safety features include the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.

Under The Hood: Power for the Crosstour is courtesy of Honda's 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine — the same motor as the Accord sedan. It delivers 271 horses and 254 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. It’s mated to a five-speed automatic that shifts briskly and smooth. No four-cylinder engine is offered.

The AWD system, which Honda dubs Real Time, is the same one used on its CR-V and Element small SUVs. Basically, it’s a front-drive system that transfers some power to the back wheels when, and only when, the front wheels slip. While it responds quickly, AWD always provides better stability and traction if it anticipates, and can power all the wheels a moment before they lose traction, rather than after. The system is lighter and cheaper than more sophisticated AWD setups used by other manufacturers, but it worked fine in some very wet winter weather.

Behind The Wheel: The Crosstour offers one of the best combinations of ride comfort and bump-smoothing I’ve found in almost any test car I’ve driven in awhile. It handled some tight, two-lane blacktop twisties at speed surprisingly well — especially with AWD — and acceleration was adequate in freeway traffic. Both are surprising, given that extra weight usually degrades handling and slows acceleration.

Steering had a comfortable feeling of quick turning response, and wasn’t too heavy or sluggish, while the 4-wheel disc brakes felt above average. Towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

Whines: There’s no stowage for the covers if you overfill the storage bins. You have to leave them loose in the vehicle, or at home. The navigation system was annoyingly slow to load, but worked well otherwise. An old-school type parking brake handle, rather than a pedal, hugs the center tunnel.

Bottom Line: I liked the Crosstour a lot. It drives great and is stylish, comfortable and practical. Although the Crosstour is anywhere from $2,865 to $3,665 more than a equipped Accord sedan, you get the flexibility and convenience of a hatchback, and even more capability with AWD. You just can’t beat its bang for the buck — especially when you factor in Honda dependability and resale value.

Cadillac Debuts Long-Awaited CTS Coupe

2010-09-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

One of the most anticipated new models of the year, the Cadillac CTS Coupe, recently began arriving at dealerships.

The CTS Coupe is expected to attract a new generation of luxury sports car enthusiasts to Cadillac and go head-to-head with the BMW 335i Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe and Audi A5. “Cadillac is once again ready to compete with the world’s best,” Autoblog wrote in its review of the CTS Coupe.

The CTS Coupe has been cited by the automotive press for its groundbreaking design and outstanding performance. “It’s safe to say the coupe is positively gorgeous,” Automobile magazine wrote in a review. “Pictures simply don’t do it justice, which is saying quite a bit.”

“The CTS Coupe is one of the most significant automobiles to enter the market this year,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales and service. “It represents the new focal point for Cadillac in terms of design and performance. Cadillac and its dealers want to make sure customers are given a chance to get an up-close look at this stunning new vehicle.”

The CTS Coupe extends the CTS line, which has been named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for three straight years. It shares design cues with the CTS Sport Sedan, but the CTS Coupe has a wider track, lower roofline and shorter length, giving it an aggressive stance and sleek, athletic profile.

The CTS Coupe starts at $38,990 and comes standard with a 3.6L Direct Injection V6 engine that produces 304 horsepower, six-speed auto tap up/down shifting, rear-park assist and Bose audio. A high-performance CTS-V Coupe model also is available with a 6.2L Supercharged V8 that produces 556 horsepower, dual-mode magnetic ride control suspension and Brembo brakes.

Volvo C30 Wins 2010 Motorist Choice Award

2010-09-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Named Premium Brand Winner, Cute Category by IntelliChoice and AutoPacific

The Volvo C30 has been honored with the 2010 Motorist Choice Award for its top scores in ownership satisfaction and overall ownership costs in the Premium Brand, Cute category by car buying information site, IntelliCoice and automotive market research firm, AutoPacific.

The Motorist Choice Awards are the result of 42,000 customer surveys and analysis and are designed to direct consumers towards vehicles that fit their lifestyles and pocketbook. The awards were calculated by merging IntelliChoice's empirical cost of ownership data and owner satisfaction data from AutoPacific's survey of new car and light truck buyers.

"This award showcases Volvo's commitment to not only creating cars that are leading the industry in safety - but creating ones that people will want to show off and are proud to own," said Art Battaglia, Volvo's lifecycle, business and brand strategy manager. "The Volvo C30 truly looks like nothing else on the road, and to receive this award from our own customers means a lot to us."

The C30 T5 and C30 R-Design are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Yet, beneath its revolutionary style and power lies the heart of a true Volvo, embodying a fastidious devotion to safety that remains at the cornerstone of Volvo's core commitments to its customers.

The Volvo C30 was previously awarded the 2009 SmartChoice Award from IntelliChoice in the Cost of Ownership, Near Luxury Class category.

Modern Electric Car Era Begins In November at the LA Auto Show

2010-09-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Mass-Production Electric Vehicles Become Available to Consumers

A new era of modern, electric drive transportation begins at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November. Worldwide, nearly all major automakers have announced plans for an electric car in the next few years and Los Angeles will receive the first arrivals in the next several months.

Auto manufacturers are looking to Los Angeles to lead the charge in early electric vehicle adoption, much as Los Angeles continues to lead in hybrid vehicles sales. Since Los Angeles is recognized as a trendsetter for the automotive industry, it makes sense that at least a half-dozen electric vehicles will make news during the LA Auto Show Press Days, Nov. 17 and 18.

The first electric cars to kick-off this new era are the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, expected to arrive in November and December of this year, respectively.

Several other electric vehicles will debut at the LA Auto Show including the North American, production version of Mitsubishi's i-MiEV and Toyota's RAV4 EV concept. Expected to be one of the next electric vehicles to hit dealerships, the i-MiEV model debuting at the LA Show will be wider and will also include an upgraded list of standard and optional interior features to make it more attractive to the U.S. buyer. Toyota's RAV4 EV will use Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs, which will be modified to become more aerodynamic. Toyota has been testing prototypes of the car, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012.

This drive toward the electrification of the automobile has also spawned new manufacturers focused exclusively on the electric vehicle market. Expected to reveal important news are at least two leaders in this category, including Santa Monica, California-based Coda Automotive and luxury electric car maker, Fisker Automotive. Both manufacturers are expected to make customer deliveries in 2011.

"After years of anticipation, electric vehicles are finally here," said Andy Fuzesi, LA Auto Show general manager. "It may take years for electric vehicles to be accepted broadly, but it's undeniable that an electric era has officially begun."

For the first time ever, the coveted Green Car of the Year® award nominees will feature electric vehicles. The focus of the Green Car of the Year® award is to recognize significant environmental achievement in a production vehicle. Having electric vehicles qualify for the prestigious award is further evidence that the modern electric car era is finally beginning in earnest. The winner will once again be unveiled at an LA Auto Show press conference on Nov. 18.

Significant announcements about infrastructure are also expected at the show. Specifically, one of the region's major utility providers, Southern California Edison, will address important questions about the costs of operating this new generation of plug-in vehicle. Also, PEP charging stations will be on hand to demonstrate what is required for both in-home and commercial charging of electric vehicles.

Puget Sound Energy Ready to Support Deployment of Electric Vehicles

2010-09-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Utility’s President Tells Elected Officials, Manufacturers and Transportation Groups During Regional Planning Workshop

Puget Sound Energy President Kimberly Harris recently told a gathering of elected officials, transportation planners and auto-industry representatives in Bellevue that her utility is prepared to support the integration of plug-in electric vehicles into Western Washington’s transportation system.

During a one-day regional workshop at PSE’s Bellevue headquarters, Harris said PSE intends to actively help manufacturers, municipalities and electric-vehicle purchasers enhance their deployment of plug-in automobiles as the vehicles start entering the Puget Sound marketplace this fall. The “Get Plug-In Ready – Now!” workshop was coordinated by Puget Sound New Energy Solutions, a partnership of Central Puget Sound municipalities, utilities, housing and transit authorities, and others that addresses energy, economic and environmental challenges.

In her remarks, Harris told attendees, “Half of our region’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. We will need to focus on examining our distribution infrastructure and collaborate with local governments, vehicle manufacturers, and charging developers to help support and educate our customers about the benefits of new vehicle technologies.

“At PSE, we are committed to doing our part to ensure that consumers and businesses can connect their new vehicles and power them with our regional electric grid. Vehicles run on PSE’s electricity will have roughly half the greenhouse gas emissions and one-third of the fuel cost of those run on conventional gasoline.”

The workshop to help public and private entities prepare for this fall’s market arrival of electric vehicles included a parade of electric vehicles driven to the event by attendees. More than a dozen local elected officials as well as representatives from the King County Executive’s Office, state Department of Transportation, state Department of Commerce and the C7 New Energy Partnership (the Cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, and Sammamish), major car manufacturers and other organizations involved in the deployment of electric vehicles participated.

Also on the day’s agenda with Harris were King County Executive Dow Constantine, EPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran and Congressman Jay Inslee, D-Wash.

Constantine announced the county’s plans to work with local city governments and Charge Northwest to install 125 charging stations in King County. “This is the first step in creating a public and private network of charging stations that will put King County at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution,” Constantine told attendees. “This will give drivers more confidence that the infrastructure will be in place before they purchase an electric vehicle, and it will help local auto dealers convince customers that an electric vehicle is a practical investment.”

EPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran noted that emissions standards will only get more rigorous in coming years. “To meet tougher air quality standards, we will have to cut more vehicle emissions,” said McLerran. “Our transportation system will have to transform in order to do that.”

Congressman Inslee recapped the policies to support electric vehicles that are already included in a national energy bill and cited electric vehicle-related projects that have benefited from federal stimulus funding, noting that they have created new jobs. According to Inslee, electric vehicles are key to rebuilding the U.S. economy. “It’s not just a transportation or environmental imperative; it’s an economic imperative that the U.S. be a leader in these new technologies,” he said.

Harris said PSE supports the use of electric vehicles and other alternative-fueled vehicles by its customers. The utility expects to see several thousand electric vehicles purchased and over 1,000 public charging stations installed in its electric service area over the coming two years. As new electric vehicles come on the market in late 2010 and beyond, Harris said, PSE will work with residents and businesses, government agencies, and automakers to ensure that Western Washington can smoothly integrate the next generation of technologies into its transportation system.

For more information on PSE’s involvement with electric vehicles, visit PSE.com/electricvehicles.

Hyundai Recalls 139,500 Sonatas in U.S. For Steering Problem

2010-09-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor Co. said it is voluntarily recalling 139,500 Sonata sedans in the U.S. because of a manufacturing defect that could cause drivers to lose steering control.

From The Associated Press
Hyundai Motor Co. said it is voluntarily recalling 139,500 Sonata sedans in the U.S. because of a manufacturing defect that could cause drivers to lose steering control. The recall affects 2011 models built between Dec. 11, 2009 and Sept. 10, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted on its website.

Some of the cars have steering column shafts with connections that may not have been tightened enough or were improperly assembled. As a result, the steering wheel could become separated from the column or a driver could lose the ability to properly steer the car.

The U.S. government had opened an investigation into possible steering problems in the vehicle in August. Hyundai, South Korea's top automaker, has said there have been no related injuries or crashes reported. Owners of affected vehicles can go to their dealers for inspection. Dealers also will update power steering software. Owners may also call NHTSA at 888-327-4236 for more information.

The recall comes as automakers ramp up their focus on safety and quality control in the wake of Toyota Motor Corp.'s massive global recall last year over gas pedal and floor mat problems. In February, Hyundai announced a recall of about 47,000 Sonata midsize sedans, mostly sold in South Korea, to replace front door latches following a handful of customer complaints. The company said it had discovered a mechanical problem with the latches which, in rare instances, would not close properly.

Earlier this month, Hyundai affiliate Kia Motors said Chung Sung-eun resigned as vice chairman following a global recall of more than 100,000 vehicles due to defective wiring. Of that total, 35,185 vehicles were recalled in the United States. Together, Kia and Hyundai form the world's fifth-largest automotive group.

So far this year, U.S. sales are up 17 percent for Hyundai Motor America, though August sales fell 11 percent from a year-earlier record sparked by federal Cash for Clunkers rebates. The new Sonata has been selling well and nearly doubled its sales numbers to 21,399 in August.

GM Trademarks "Range Anxiety"

2010-08-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

In what has to be a clever, pro-active move, General Motors (GM) has trademarked the term "Range Anxiety." Unless you've been on another planet for the past year or so, you're aware that like it or not, electric vehicles (EV) are coming. In connection (no pun intended) with EVs, you've probably heard the phrase "range anxiety" a time or two.

"Range Anxiety" is a stress-inducing term conjuring up the fear your EV will leave you stranded on the side of the road in a most inopportune location at the worse possible time, due to insufficient battery life. It's not just a problem for EV buyers, but is a major issue for auto manufacturers trying to convince a skeptical public EVs are the new way to go.

That's why GM filed an application with the U.S. trademark office in July to patent the term — because it's a safe bet that range anxiety will be among the top customer concerns when they think about purchasing the Chevy Volt, GM's much ballyhooed, but still to be released, Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV).

The move is akin to of BP buying up all the Gulf disaster-related terms in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Is GM doing the same thing — grabbing up the term that envisions nightmares for potential EV owners? Is the company hoping to protect itself from competitors' accusations? At the same time, GM is undoubted seeking to assure drivers that the Volt is "Range Anxiety-free." Ironically, compared to its EV competitors, it actually is — the Volt has a gasoline engine that kicks in when the battery gives up.

Updated Window Stickers To Include Environmental Grade

2010-08-31T06:54:00.000-07:00

What grade will your new car get in fuel efficiency? A government proposal may be adding report card style letter grades to showroom window stickers on new cars and trucks to reflect a vehicle's overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are considering two changes to the energy and environmental information on new car window stickers beginning with the 2012 model year. The government is considering updating the design of the current sticker to include letter grade comparisons of a vehicle's fuel economy and emissions. The stickers have not significantly changed in 30 years, and the government wants the labels to reflect and account for greenhouse gas emissions.

"From electric to plug-in hybrid vehicles, we think a new label is absolutely necessary to help consumers make the right decision for their wallet and for the environment," said Gina McCarthy, the EPA's top air pollution official. The changes are required under a 2007 energy law.

Using the letter grade approach, an average vehicle on fuel efficiency and emissions would receive a B-. Electric vehicles would receive an A+, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles would earn an A and three gas-electric hybrids — the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius — would get an A-.
The best-selling passenger car in America, the Toyota Camry, would receive a B or a B-, depending on the vehicle's engine, while hybrid versions of the Camry would earn a B+. The top-selling pickup truck, the Ford F-150, would receive a C+ or a C, based on the engine. Luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57 and Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorana would get a D+ while the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti would earn the lowest grade — D.

Automakers questioned the proposed letter grades, saying it could impact sales. Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said "the letter grade inadvertently suggests a value judgment, taking us back to school days where grades were powerful symbols of passing or failing."

McCarthy said the letter grade option was not meant to be a judgment on the vehicle, but a "metric that consumers can use" when car shopping. The letter grade would include an estimate of how much money a motorist would save in fuel costs over five years.

The second option would maintain the current label's focus on a vehicle's miles per gallon rating and annual fuel costs but update the design and add new comparison information on fuel efficiency and vehicle tailpipe emissions.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator David Strickland said there was "no preferred option" and the government hoped to hear from the public during a 60-day comment period. The public can e-mail comments on the plans to newlabels@epa.gov and a final plan is expected in early 2011.

Environmental groups said they generally supported the plan, noting it would help consumers make meaningful comparisons between vehicles and choose vehicles that will help them save money at the gas pump. "You shouldn't need a Ph.D. to buy a car. These proposed new labels will make it much easier for consumers to comparison shop," said Vickie Patton, Environmental Defense Fund's general counsel.

Toyota looking to enter high-end sports car market

2010-08-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

As the world's largest carmaker tries to rebuild its reputation for quality after record recalls, Toyota President Akio Toyoda has said he wants to add more fun to his cars.

By Makiko Kitamura and Yuki Hagiwara

Bloomberg News

Maurizio Raffone bought a Toyota Prius hybrid for its top-of-the-line fuel efficiency. In his current search for a new sports car, he said the Japanese carmaker hadn't sprung to mind.

"Would I consider buying a Toyota high-end sports car?" said Raffone, a London-based director at Commerzbank AG. "I might think about it, but ultimately I'd choose something with a trident, a prancing horse or a bull on its hood," he said, referring to Maserati and Ferrari and Lamborghini.

As the world's largest carmaker tries to rebuild its reputation for quality after record recalls, President Akio Toyoda, a racing fan, has said he wants to add more fun to his cars. Under Toyoda, who became president in June 2009, Toyota Motor has taken orders for the Lexus LFA $375,000 supercar, is readying an "affordable" rear-wheel drive coupe and may even add a sporty version of the Prius.

"Cars like the LFA are brand-builders in the overall product portfolio," said Ashvin Chotai, London-based managing director of Intelligence Automotive Asia, an industry consultant. These cars, at the periphery of Toyota's business model, "are less about volume and more about excitement."

The projects fall under a new Sports Vehicle Management Division set up in January, a month before Toyoda flew to Washington, D.C., to face congressional questioning on the company's recalls for problems related to unintended acceleration.

The unit expands a similar group organized by Toyoda in 2007 and aims to "reinforce sports-vehicle product planning," according to a company statement.

The "affordable" sports car, known as the FT-86, is being developed with affiliate Fuji Heavy Industries's Subaru unit. Toyota plans to introduce the model by the end of 2011.

Toyoda touts the role of racing in car development and started participating in a 24-hour endurance race in 2007 in Nurburgring, Germany, where various versions of the LFA were tested.

His fervor for racing is reflected on his business card, where a cartoon image of Morizo, his race-car driver alter ego, flashes a peace sign with one hand and cradles a helmet in the other.

The carmaker has orders for all 500 units of the LFA, according to the company. The car will enter production in December.

"The LFA is technologically brilliant but completely overpriced" at almost triple the price of Porsche SE's 911 Turbo, said Mark Sweeting, a London investment banker in London who has owned numerous sporty European cars.

Toyota's sports cars no longer in production include the Supra, built between 1986 and 2002 and featured in the 2001 racing movie "The Fast and the Furious," the MR-S roadster that ended production in 2007, and the Celica, made between 1970 and 2006. The company's first supercar was the 2000GT, featured in the 1967 James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice."

"Toyota used to have cool sports cars like the Supra and Corolla Levin," said Kosuke Kakizawa, a sports-car fan in Tokyo who owned a Toyota Cynos coupe in the mid-1990s. "Now, when you think of sports cars, you think of the foreign brands." Kakizawa now owns an Audi TT coupe.

Raffone, the Prius owner, said, "Toyota should really focus on its cutting-edge eco-friendly technology and leave the sports cars to the niche manufacturers."

Last month, Toyota held a test-drive event for its new "G Sports" versions of the Noah and Voxy minivans, which were developed and tuned with the help of race-car drivers and have lowered suspensions, more responsive steering and high-performance brakes.

"These are cars that are sporty without being hard-core sports cars," to be enjoyed by drivers with families, said Tadashi Yamashina, a senior managing director in charge of the company's development of sports cars. Sports models contribute little to sales volume and profit, Intelligence Automotive's Chotai said. Toyota sold 1,300 units of the MR-S in Japan in 2006, the last full year it was offered. That compares with 2.27 million cars sold domestically in the fiscal year ended March 2007.

Japanese rival Honda Motor also cut back on sporty cars over the past decade, axing plans for a revamped NSX supercar and ending production of the S2000 roadster in 2009. Instead, Honda introduced the sporty hybrid CR-Z in February.

Toyota displayed a concept hybrid sports car, the FT-HS, at the 2007 Detroit auto show.

Nissan Motor, Japan's third-largest automaker, came out with a more powerful version of its flagship GT-R sports car in 2007.

"The sporty push is understandable since the whole industry is so fixated on improving vehicle fuel economy, which leaves something to be desired" for enthusiasts, said Koji Endo, an auto analyst at Advanced Research Japan in Tokyo.

More sports models may also raise morale inside the company. "Sports cars keep the engineers motivated," said Edwin Merner, president of Atlantis Investment Research in Tokyo. "They are worth doing on a limited scale."

Chevy Announces Pricing on Volt

2010-08-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Chevrolet has announced that customers will be able to lease the 2011 Chevrolet Volt for $350 a month. For those who wish to purchase the Volt, the MSRP after the $7,500 U.S. Federal income tax credit will be $33,500.

Due to high demand, Chevrolet has also announced that production will be increased by 50 percent from 30,000 to 45,000 in 2012.

To place your order for the Volt and to learn more about which California Chevrolet dealers are participating, visit www.getmyvolt.com/.

Best Defense Against Car Theft — Drive a Prius

2010-08-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

By Arial Swartz

From Fast Company

You hardly need a car alarm if you drive a Prius. That's the conclusion of a new vehicle theft study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). According to the report, thieves are after "chrome, horsepower, and HEMIs," but not "sedate family cars and fuel-sippers."

HLDI's report calculates the vehicles with the highest insurance claims for theft by taking into account the rate at which insurance claims are filed as well as the size of the payments. Unsurprisingly, the rap song-worthy Escalade is the most stolen car--one out of every 100 are swiped by thieves. Other popular targets include the Hummer, Corvette, and GMC Yukon.

Meanwhile, the Prius gets left behind — and that's a good thing. Toyota's bestselling hybrid gets stolen at a rate that's less than 15% of the average. It joins the Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tacoma, Saturn VUE, and Honda Pilot on the list of 10 vehicles with the lowest rates of insurance claims for theft.

The idea of buying hybrids just to deter thieves won't hold true for long. Luxury car makers are rolling out dozens of hybrids and all-electric vehicles in the next few years. Flashy fuel-efficient cars will undoubtedly become targets for theft. Fully electric vehicles, meanwhile, are uncharted territory. Are thieves more or less likely to make off with a pricey EV, since they can't fill 'er up at a gas station? Would a network of easy charging electric stations create more car crime, or deter it? Better fit a car alarm to that new Tesla Roadster, just in case.

Nissan Xterra Off Road — still my choice for versatility and capability

2010-08-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

“Everything you need. Nothing you don’t,” was the tagline for the versatile Nissan Xterra some years back. It still applies today. The Xterra is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) engineered for serious off-roading that easily does double duty as a comfortable daily driver.

The Xterra is a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV, not a crossover. It features a boxed-in steel ladder frame, riding on the same rugged suspension as the Nissan Frontier pickup, with double wishbones up front and a solid axle on leaf springs in the rear.

Model Lineup: The 2010 Xterra, which was freshened up in 2009, is offered in four models — the base-level Xterra X with 2WD or 4WD; the Xterra S 2WD or 4WD; the Terri SE 2WD or 4WD, and the Xterra Off-Road, which comes only with 4WD, but a choice of manual or automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was the Off Road version with the automatic.

Walkaround: Not much has changed in the overall look and shape of the Xterra since it first debuted for the 2000 model year, it’s just been refined over time. The front end boasts Nissan’s signature truck grille with the same no-nonsense headlamp setup as the Frontier. The flat-black lower corners of the front fascia are rugged and massive, but not conspicuous. Sandblast Aluminum trim wraps up from underneath suggesting a skid plate that's real only on the Off Road model.

The fenders are flared in the same manner as the Frontier and big-brother Titan. The Xterra's ubiquitous roof rack was tweaked somewhat last year, and now features what Nissan calls its sloping front surface air dam, which is where the Off Road version houses its 50,000-candlepower roof lights. All Xterra models have a "gear basket" right behind the air dam meant to hold ski boots, wetsuits and muddy mountain-biking clothes, covered by a lid secured with a plastic latch.

The rear of the Xterra features huge windows, and the signature tailgate lump housing the First Aid kit. Steps molded into the rear bumper make it easy to climb up and reach the roof rack.

Interior: The 2009 refresh brought some small interior upgrades, including a new center instrument cluster with new climate controls, new upholstery fabrics for the X and S models, new unique rugged gray fabric with red stitching for the Off-Road, and reclining driver and front passenger seats.

The center console is deep, with dual cupholders, coin slots, a tray forward of the shift lever, a decent sized glovebox, and steering-wheel controls on most models. The rear liftgate window and large side rear windows offer good visibility.

The standard 60/40 split rear seat folds flat, as does the front passenger seat on the Off Road. There are sturdy grab handles over the rear doors, and two 20-ounce bottle holders. Rear legroom is tight, but adequate, even with the driver’s seat slid back.

The Xterra boasts advantages over all its competitors in cargo room. All but the base-level X offer easy-to-clean hard-vinyl surfaces. There's lots of space with nets to stow things, and a deep hidden compartment under the floor. The Xterra also features no less than 10 utility hooks on the floor, sides and ceiling, along with an adjustable track system in the cargo floor, on all but the base-level X, that’s similar to the Utili-track system offered on Nissan pickups.

Other standard amenities include cloth upholstery, A/C, remote keyless entry, cruise control, six-speaker sound system with single CD, three 12-volt DC outlets, power windows, cargo-area carpeting, roof rails with an air dam, and 16-inch steel wheels.

The Xterra S comes with the automatic only, and adds an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, power mirrors, an interior microfilter, fog lamps, aluminum step rails, roof rack crossbars and gear basket, and alloy wheels.

The Terri upgrades include leather seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel with Bluetooth and audio controls; Rockford Fosgate audio with 6CD changer; MP3 capability, auxiliary input; Sirius/XM Satellite Radio; auto-dimming inside mirror with compass; illuminated vanity mirrors; first aid kit; cargo net, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Mirrors and door handles are body colored.

The Off-Road comes equipped similar to SE, minus the step rails and leather seats. It adds roof-mounted driving lights, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein gas shocks, and skid plates for the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case. The automatic transmission version comes with Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist as well, plus BFG Rugged Trail tires on 6-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels.

Safety equipment on all models includes dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags in front, roof-mounted airbag curtains with a rollover sensor, and the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Vehicle Dynamic Control and vented disc brakes with ABS and EBD are standard, along with the government-mandated tire pressure monitor. The Xterra rates four of five stars in NHTSA crash tests for frontal impact, five for side impact, and three for rollover.

Under The Hood: All Xterra’s are powered by Nissan's award-winning V6 — universally acknowledged as the best powerplant since the small block Chevy. It’s been stroked to 4.0-liters, delivering 261 horses and 281 pound-feet of torque, with an aluminum block and heads, Teflon-coated pistons, Continuous Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished cam and crankshaft surfaces, digital knock control, and 105,000-mile spark plugs.

The electronic shift-on-the-fly 4WD system features 2WD, and 4WD High and Low, all controlled by a single-dash mounted knob. For 2010, Nissan has made last year's Gear Package standard on S and SE models, and what was the Technology Package is now standard on SE and Off Road.

Behind The Wheel: The Nissan Xterra is built on the same chassis as the Frontier pickup, and its higher center of gravity is noticeable in the reasonably comfortable ride, although side-to-side motion is a bit more pronounced than in crossover SUVs.

The engine has plenty of power and torque, accelerating easily, but its torque curve almost seems better suited to a sports car than a truck. I noticed the Xterra didn’t feel terribly powerful until I kicked it, and then it felt like a Nissan 370Z.

The Hill Descent Control (HDC) allows you to move down steep hills with both feet off the pedals, relying only on electronics, at a safe and steady 5 mph, preventing the rear from sliding out on steep, muddy descents, so you don't slide off the trail. With throttle control and ABS applied electronically, it works in both forward and reverse, and is every bit as good as that on the legendary Range Rover.

Off road, our test Xterra conquered every challenge it faced with ease. With short overhangs front and rear, there’s not much interference, so you can go about anywhere without problems.

Whines: Moldings on the doors of our Off Road test vehicle were flat black instead of body color like other models, which is visually distracting considering the exposed bolts underneath, where apparently running boards attach to other Xterras.

Bottom Line: Nissan has been on a major product roll for more than a decade now, and the Xterra has just gotten better with age. It’s super capable on and off road, user friendly, has a comfortable ride for a truck, and wears well. Honestly, it’s my personal favorite vehicle of this genre, kicking serious butt against any and all comparable size competing crossover SUVs. Well-equipped at $32,005 as tested, is a hell of a value besides.

Toyota Recalling Lexus Models Due To Engine Defect

2010-07-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced plans to recall up to 270,000 Lexus models in the U.S. as well as Japan after saying engines may have defective valve components that can lead to stalling. As many as eight 2006, 2007, and 2008 models may be affected, including the Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 600h and LS 600hL, and the Toyota Crown. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it hasn’t yet received official notification of the recall.

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, is working diligently to restore its reputation for quality after recalling about eight million vehicles globally for defects linked to unintended acceleration.

The company recalled about 13,000 Lexus GX 460 sport-utility vehicles in April after Consumer Reports labeled the model a “safety risk” because it could roll over. The designation was removed in May. Recently, Toyota said it would also recall hybrid Lexus HS250h sedans because of a fuel-leak risk that posed a potential fire hazard after too much gasoline spilled during U.S. government crash tests.

According to Toyota, about 90,000 vehicles in Japan and 138,000 in the U.S. may have engine problems ranging from “abnormal” noise and idling to stalling while the vehicle is moving. “Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs, resulting in potential breakage,” Toyota said on its website. “We want to take care of customers better than anybody and take care of this as quickly as possible,” stated Mark Templin, U.S. group vice president and general manager of the Lexus brand.

The company also said it has completed the needed repairs on more than 4 million — or 78 percent — of U.S. vehicles recalled this year for flaws linked to unintended acceleration.

Think They Used To Build Cars Better In The "Old Days?"

2010-06-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just because Cars were bigger, heavier, and had way more steel in them, doesn't mean they were safer. If you have any doubts, check out this video.

Ferrari Designer Hired to Speed Saab Turnaround

2010-06-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Jason Castriota, the U.S. designer known for creating the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GranTurismo, will head Saab Automobile’s design team to help the Swedish carmaker take on Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Audi AG.

The first assignment for Castriota’s design firm is to create an upscale version of Saab’s current 9-3 model, scheduled for release in 2012, the 36-year-old said in an interview. Aerodynamics will be a focus of the new design, he said.

“It’s absolutely vital we get this car right,” Castriota said from New York late yesterday. “This is Saab returning to its roots, not having to worry about being part of a much larger machine that they were before in the GM organization.”

Saab, sold by General Motors Co. to Dutch supercar maker Spyker Cars NV in February, aims to become profitable by 2012. The turnaround strategy includes releasing premium models more distinct and sporty in their design than when Saab was under GM, according to Spyker Chief Executive officer Victor Muller. Castriota will play a major role in fashioning the new 9-3 and other models, said Eric Geers, a spokesman for the Trollhaettan, Sweden-based Saab.

“The 9-3 design as made by him is basically done, and I can tell you it is spectacular,” Muller said by telephone, adding that the design will be completed within weeks. “It is truly aircraft-inspired and Swedish-clean.”

Benchmark Cars

The 9-3 was first released in 1998. The second generation, still produced today, hit the streets in 2002. The new version intends to challenge BMW’s 3-series and Volkswagen AG’s Audi A4, Castriota said. “Those are the benchmark cars,” he said by telephone. “They’re true premium vehicles and the 9-3 also needs to be a true premium vehicle.”

Castriota started his career in 2001 at luxury-car designer Pininfarina SpA in Turin, Italy, where he stayed until 2008. He then worked for Stile Bertone in Italy until September 2009. Last December, he started his own firm, Jason Castriota Designs. The design house has five designers and is based in New York City and Turin.

“I literally started sketching Ferraris when I was about five years old,” he said. “For whatever reason, some kids might kick around a soccer ball, I picked up a pencil and started sketching cars.”

BMW Talks

Castriota will become part of the leadership at Saab and will help “define the strategy for the new models,” he said. Saab is also planning to introduce a smaller car with a tear-drop shape inspired by the 92 model that was in production between 1949 and 1956. Saab is in talks with BMW about using its Mini platform, as well as engines and gearboxes, for that model, two people familiar with the situation said last week.

“A small premium car from Saab is a very important vehicle and is something that could truly help the overall production volume of Saab in a great way,” Castriota said.

U.S. Automakers Best Imports In J.D. Power Quality Survey

2010-06-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

The U.S. auto industry edged out import brands in an important benchmark of quality for the first time in nearly a quarter-century

By Jerry Hirsch

Los Angeles Times

The U.S. auto industry edged out import brands in an important benchmark of quality for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.

Led by improvements at Ford and General Motors, the domestic industry's ranking topped that of overseas manufacturers for the first time in the 24 years that J.D. Power and Associates has conducted its Initial Quality Study. The study measures how many problems owners experience during the first 90 days they have a new vehicle.

"This is a landmark in the quality history of the auto industry," said David Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of global vehicle research.

Reliability and dependability problems have plagued the U.S. auto industry for decades. But Sargent said the quality gap between domestics and imports has narrowed steadily for some years now. The massive restructuring of the domestic industry over the last year and the introduction of a fleet of newly designed and engineered models appear to have pushed Ford and GM over the quality hurdle, he said.

"It was likely that the gap could reach zero, and it is a result of a huge amount of hard work. They are now designing vehicles not to have problems," he said.

Ford and GM placed a combined 22 vehicles in the top quality rankings, but Chrysler Group lagged far behind its domestic rivals and the entire industry, the auto-information company said.

Ford, with 93 defects per 100 vehicles, was the best-performing volume brand, beating Honda by two points. The Ford Focus was the highest-ranked compact car, coming in above Honda's Civic and the Hyundai Elantra. The Ford Mustang was the highest-ranked midsize sporty car and the Ford Taurus was the top large car.

Overall, domestic brands suffered from 108 problems per 100 new vehicles, an improvement from 112 last year and down dramatically from the 164 garnered by the American automakers in 2000. Imports scored 109, up from 106 a year ago.

The improvements are paying off in the marketplace.

Sales of Ford-badged vehicles have jumped 34 percent this year, about double the industry average, according to Autodata. The brand's market share has risen by nearly two percentage points to 15.2 percent.

Porsche was the top nameplate, logging just 83 problems per 100 new vehicles in the 2010 survey, compared to an industry average of 109.

Acura was the top luxury brand with just 86 problems, a notch better than the 87 score of Mercedes-Benz.

Infiniti G37 Convertible Offers Luxury, Performance And Lots Of Fun

2010-05-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

I confess, I fell in love with the Infiniti G37 convertible the first time I drove it. Of course, I was cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Malibu, with the top down, the long version of the Stones, “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” blasting crystal clear from the premium, 13-speaker Bose Open Air audio system — after descending from an exhilarating ride through the legendary hills and canyons to the northeast, that began in Beverly Hills.

I recently had the opportunity to put it through its paces again during a week-long test drive during a rare sunny week in the Pacific Northwest. That simply reaffirmed my love affair with this car.

Offered in two models, the G37 Convertible and Sport 6MT, several option packages can totally personalize your G37. There have just been minimal refinements between the 2010 and the original 2009 model, since Infiniti got it pretty much right the first time.

Walkaround: Unlike other cars in this segment, this G37 was designed specifically as a convertible — not as a G coupe with a 3-piece, clamshell-design mechanical top. Everything from the windshield back, including a revised rear suspension system, and special body reinforcements that deliver a tight, vibration-free ride at any speed, were designed specifically for this car.

Infiniti’s design priority was to retain the coupe profile with the top up. While the roofline is different from the fastback look of the coupe, it’s still attractive and done better than most rivals. Infiniti designers also kept the coupe’s proportions, not lengthening the rear deck to accommodate the folded-down top. The rear fascia and wraparound taillights are also exclusive to the convertible.

The flowing front fender curves, double-arch grille, wave-style aluminum hood, and L-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights mirror the coupe.

Also offered is Infiniti’s “self-healing” Scratch Shield paint in eight colors. In short — top up or down — the G37 is pretty hot looking.

Interior: The driver-oriented cockpit is a combination of craftsmanship and sophistication, featuring a one-piece steering wheel and gauge setup that moves as a unit so the electroluminescent white-and-violet instrumentation is always situated for maximum visibility no matter what the wheel position.

The double hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel features standard audio and cruise controls, with magnesium paddle shifters available on the 7-speed automatic transmission (G37 Convertible with Sport Package only).

Special Japanese-inspired Silk Obi aluminum trim is featured, with genuine African Rosewood also a choice. Leather-appointed, heated 8-way power driver/passenger seats are standard, with Climate-Controlled Seats (heating and cooling functions) available with the Premium Package. Also standard is Infiniti’s Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, and an Adaptive Dual Zone Climate Control System. The advanced A/C system automatically adjusts to provide maximum comfort with the top up or down.

There’s two audio systems available. Standard is a 6-speaker AM/FM/6CD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and optional Sirius/XM^® Satellite Radio.

The other is the killer 13-speaker Bose^® Open Air Sound system, featuring microphones that automatically optimize EQ settings for open/closed top positions. The system’s special Bose^® front seat personal speakers, mounted in the head restraints, deliver superior front audio quality regardless of the top position. An iPod interface is also included.

A Bluetooth hands-free Phone System is also available along with and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive with CompactFlash^® slot.

A standard 7-inch multi-function color computer display, controls the available backup camera, voice-recognition navigation, XM NavTraffic^® with Real-Time Traffic information (XM^® subscription required, sold separately) as well as the climate controls and all other functions and settings. It tops the center stack above Infiniti’s signature analog clock.

Under The Hood: The G Convertible features Infiniti’s outstanding 3.7-liter, 325-horse, V6 powerplant with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), rated at 267 lb-ft of torque.

The VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift to improve not only performance, but also fuel efficiency, with cleaner emissions.

The V6 is married to either an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, Drive Sport (DS) mode and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), with available magnesium paddle shifters; or a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission on the Sport 6MT. I drove both, and unusual for me, preferred the automatic.

Behind The Wheel: The Infiniti G37 convertible is a blast to drive — top up or down. Built on Infiniti’s FM (Front Mid-ship) platform, the exceptional front/rear weight balance creates a rigid, stable foundation for the 4-wheel independent suspension. Ride and handling are exceptional — especially for a convertible, since the usual body twist and vibration are missing. Steering is responsive courtesy of the power speed-sensing system. Sport-tuned steering is offered on the Sport 6MT and G37 Convertible with Sport Package. Standard on all G Convertibles is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with cancel switch and Traction Control System (TCS).

Acceleration is exceptional under all conditions, with braking provided by standard 4-wheel vented discs with 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution, and Brake Assist.

Also available is Infiniti’s Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking, which assists in maintaining a consistent following distance from the vehicle ahead. It also identifies sudden braking situations with laser sensors that determine distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead and “pre-pressurizes” the Brake Assist system before the driver steps on the brake pedal. I’m not a fan of these systems in general, but this one works better than most.

Whines: None worth mentioning.

Bottom Line: This is an exceptional, well-though out, high-quality automobile in absolutely every respect. It’s beautiful, fast, luxurious and comfortable. At some point, I’ll own this car. If you love convertibles like I do, drive it, and you’ll want one too.

Dodge Gets Retro Challenger Completely Right

2010-05-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

As Chrysler's biggest styling hit since the PT Cruiser, the Dodge Challenger looks very much like the 1970 version. It’s all about attitude — the in-your-face kind that's been the hallmark of every high-performance Dodge as long as anyone can remember. After a hiatus of almost four decades, the rear wheel-drive Challenger has victoriously returned to the Dodge lineup, sharing its platform with the four-door Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.

Walkaround: Dodge stylists got this car right the first time, and thankfully, in spite of it having an entirely new, body, they didn’t mess with it like they did the Charger. It has a very commanding presence and just about everyone who saw it while I drove it remarked about it being as cool-looking, and faithful to the original as possible.

It's a big car — bigger than the original — and just four inches shorter than the Charger. It’s also wider and lower. The long, flat hood is larger than most modern pickup trucks, while the four round headlamps and wide, horizontal grille of the original are still there. However, the inside lights are now turn signals and the outer pair the headlamps. Where signals originally were positioned below the bumper on the '70, fog lamps now appear. Spoilers and tail lamps also accentuate its width, as do the haunches over the rear wheels where the roof flows into the trunk. Careful sculpting has retained the classic look without destroying aerodynamic efficiency — or its overall menacing appearance.

Model Lineup: The Challenger comes in three models — the SE, R/T, and the high-performance SRT8. This is a large, American-style muscle car, with a large, commanding presence, and large power. Its principal competitors are the two other 1970’s-style retro muscle cars from the old “Big 3” days — the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro.

I’ve had the opportunity to drive all three versions of this car, and each will appeal to a different buyer.

The SE comes standard with cloth upholstery, A/C, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt/telescoping wheel, cruise control, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 four-speaker stereo, 60/40 split-folding rear bench, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Options include leather upholstery, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, moonroof, 276-watt Boston Acoustics audio system, navigation with real-time traffic, 18-inch aluminum wheels, compact spare tire, ABS and electronic stability control and traction control.

SE buyers will be influenced by the look, content with a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic that’s EPA-rated 18/25.

R/T buyers may be older and wanting the Challenger they lusted after in their youth but perhaps couldn’t afford. With its 370-Horse 5.7-liter Hemi V8 delivering 398 pound-feet of torque with the standard five-speed automatic, it may become their adult hot rod. Power jumps to 375 horses and 404 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel with the optional Track Pak group, which includes a six-speed manual gearbox with twin-disc clutch and pistol-grip shifter, limited-slip differential, load-leveling shocks, performance steering, hill-start assist, bright pedal covers and different mufflers.

The Hemi also uses a multiple displacement feature that shuts down cylinders to save fuel, and boasts EPA ratings of 16/23 with the automatic and 15/23 with the six-speed manual. Mechanical upgrades to accommodate the added power include 18-inch aluminum wheels and wider tires, stability control, bigger antilock brakes, and firmer suspension.

The R/T adds a leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, illuminated visor mirrors, heated outside mirrors, body-colored mirrors and rear spoiler, metal fuel filler door, dual chrome rectangular exhaust pipes, and fog lamps.

Other options include leather upholstery, navigation system, 368-watt Boston Acoustics audio system, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless go, remote start, HomeLink, a trip computer with 128 total functions, steering-wheel audio/data controls, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, hood-into-fender stripes and functional hood scoops.

The R/T could double as a daily driver, and strongly competes with the Mustang GT.

SRT8 buyers demand ultimate performance. The SRT8 is Dodge's fastest car save the twice-the-price Viper. It features a 6.1-liter, 425 horse Hemi that’s EPA rated at 13/19, as well as the same transmission options as the R/T, plus the firmest suspension, limited-slip rear differential and big Brembo brakes.

Many items optional on the R/T are standard on the SRT8, including premium audio, bi-xenon headlamps, trip/data computer, leather, keyless go, and Sirius/XM satellite radio.

The SRT8 rear spoiler is flat black, the front spoiler deeper and ducted for brake cooling, hood scoops are functional, the fuel filler is polished aluminum, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and heated sport seats are standard. Options are the Track Pak, 522-watt 13-speaker Kicker audio system, navigation, hood stripes, remote start, and high-performance staggered-size tires.

Safety features on all Challengers include dual frontal airbags and side curtain airbags front and rear. Antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control and traction control are available on the SE and standard on R/T and SRT8.

Interior: The interior is reminiscent of the muscle car era in that most were spawned from generic sedans and had similar interiors. In this respect, the Challenger mimics recent Dodge and Chrysler sedans.

The front seats are very comfortable and deeply bolstered. Front legroom is ample, while the rear seat is seemingly more for show that utilization. But it was marginal back in 1970 as well, so no harm, no foul.

Although the pillars are on the wide side, you sit far enough away from the windshield to avoid forward blind spots. Rear visibility is fairly good too, because the side glass goes well back and the rear window is as big as the mirror view.

Instrumentation is light-faced with dark numbers and blue-green illumination matching the various digital displays.

Under The Hood: It’s what’s under the hood that defines the Challenger’s personality. Of all three powertrains, the 376 horse 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with the automatic is perhaps the best all-around choice, although it can also be had with the 6-speed manual. However, the Challenger SRT8 with the 425 horsepower V-8 and optional 6-speed manual transmission is definitely an E-Ticket ride.

The V-6 Challenger SE has the same cool appearance, but it’s all show and not enough go — at least for me. Both the V6 Mustang and Camaro have more going for them.

Behind The Wheel: The Challenger is a big, heavy, rear-wheel-drive car and handles like it. You won't mistake it for driving a sports sedan like an Infiniti G37X, Acura TSX, or Audi A5, but you aren’t supposed to either.

The Challenger is smooth and surprisingly quiet enough over long distances, and deals well with marginal roads. Body roll is considerable, but the car is surprisingly well balanced in turns. The brakes are strong, but the Challenger's mass becomes apparent under heavy braking on rippled roads. However, many lesser-tuned lighter cars have the same issue.

There’s massive authority in the V8’s exhaust note — especially as the pedal gets closer to the floor.

Whines: The trunk is relatively large, but the lift over is quite high. The wide rear pillars block your view when backing out of parking spots.

Bottom Line: The reborn Dodge Challenger delivers style at a very reasonable cost. It’s an attention getter that isn’t about being conservative — but all about fun, power and attitude.

Ford To Retire Mercury Nameplate

2010-05-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

According to Bloomberg News report, Ford is planning to retire its Mercury nameplate — which was created in 1939 by Edsel Ford — on the heels of a 74 percent decline in sales since 2000, said two people involved in the plan. According to those internal sources — who asked not to be identified — the automaker's top executives are preparing a proposal to kill Mercury, which will be reviewed by the Board of to be Directors in July. The plan calls for Mercury, which will lose two of its four remaining models next year, to be starved of products and promotion.

Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally emphasized the automaker's namesake brand as he revived the only major U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy. The timing of Mercury's demise depends on how fast executives can convince the brand's dealers, who also sell Lincoln models, to close or merge with Ford dealershps, they said.

Locally, the only Lincoln-Mercury dealer on the Kitsap Peninsula, Thomas Lincoln-Mercury, closed its doors earlier this year. Owner Aaron Capps, who also owns Advantage Nissan located across the street at the Bremerton Auto Center, turned the facility into a major used car and service operation.

"Mercury is a forgotten brand," said John Wolkonowicz, an auto analyst with IHS Global Insight. "Many Americans probably already think it has been discontinued. Mercury was too similar to Ford from the very beginning."

However, "We continue to evaluate all of our models and brands," Mulally told reporters in Washington, D.C.. "We have no change in our position about Ford or Lincoln or Mercury."

Mercury would join Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile and Plymouth among the departed Detroit brands of the 21st century. Sales will end within four years, one of the sources estimated. General Motors, as part of its U.S.-backed reorganization last year, sold or closed four of its eight brands sold domestically — Pontiac, Hummer, Saab and Saturn.

Edsel Ford, son of founder Henry Ford, established Mercury during the Great Depression as a midprice alternative to mainstream Ford and upscale Lincoln. Edsel's great-granddaughter, Elena Ford, now the automaker's director of global marketing, initially opposed discontinuing Mercury, which she was in charge of promoting before 2002, the people said.

Doing away with Mercury is reportedly supported by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and other members of the founding family, who have 40 percent voting control of the automaker through a special class of stock. With Mercury accounting for 1.9 percent of Ford's global sales in the first quarter, the family has decided ending it is best for the business, the sources told Bloomberg News.

Mercury sales peaked in 1978 at 579,498. Deliveries fell 84 percent to 92,299 last year. Mercury had 0.9 percent of the U.S. market through April, unchanged from 2009. As Mercury's sales plunged, so, too, have its profits, Wolkonowicz said. With one-quarter of the sales it had a decade ago, it's hard to rationalize the line's continued existence, he said. "I'm not surprised to see Mercury go because they don't sell enough of them. It's been a case of benign neglect for years."

The brand's cultural heyday came in the 1950s, when hot-rodders favored its engines, which were larger and faster than those under the hood of Fords. As a cultural aside to the brand's heritage, actor James Dean drove a Mercury in the 1955 iconic movie "Rebel Without a Cause."

Honda Accord Most Stolen Car in Washington State

2010-05-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Washington state is continues a hotbed for auto theft despite a 15.8-percent dip in theft rate last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) annual Hot Spots Report.

Yakima ranked sixth-highest in the nation for auto theft rates, down from third in 2008, and while the Seattle-Tacoma metro area fell from 26th in 2008 to 37th last year, Spokane leaped to the 18th spot, up from 35th in 2008 — the last year for which full statistics are available.

In 2009, auto thieves copped an average of 73 vehicles per day — three per hour.

Vehicle theft is the nation’s number-one property crime, costing more than $180 million in Washington, and an estimated $6.4 billion nationwide in 2008, according to the FBI. The average value of a motor vehicle reported stolen in 2008 was $6,751.

Washington’s Top 10 most stolen vehicles, according to NICB statistics:
1) 1992 Honda Accord
2) 1995 Honda Civic
3) 1990 Toyota Camry
4) 1995 Acura Integra
5) 1994 Nissan Sentra
6) 1995 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
7) 1994 Saturn Sl
8) 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
9) 1994 Ford Explorer
10) 1993 Dodge Caravan

Washington cities with the highest theft rates:
1) Yakima 1,525 637.93
2) Spokane 2,218 473.24
3) Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue 13,635 400.11
4) Longview 348 341.29
5.) Vancouver/Portland 6,837 304.97
6) Olympia 578 230.30
7) Kennewick-Richland-Pasco 467 190.11
8) Mount Vernon-Anacortes 211 176.52
9) Bremerton-Silverdale 392 162.75
10) Lewiston, ID-WA Metro 80 131.92
*The theft rate is based on the number of thefts per 100,000 inhabitants using 2009 U.S. Census Population estimates.

The NW Insurance Council offers the following tips to help you reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen:
• Keep your doors locked and windows completely rolled up.
• Remove keys from the ignition, even when briefly leaving your car.
• Keep valuables such as bags, purses, cell phones and briefcases out of sight.
• Always park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
• Activate your vehicle’s security or alarm system when parked.

If you witness or have knowledge of an auto theft, contact your local law enforcement agency. Auto theft is considered a form of insurance fraud when automobile owners stage phony accidents or arrange to have their vehicles stolen with hopes of collecting the insurance money.

If you know of anyone who has filed a false insurance claim, you may be eligible for an award up to $5,000 offered by NW Insurance Council. Call the Fraud Hotline at 800-TEL-NICB. For more information about the Hot Spots Report and insurance fraud, call (800) 664-4942 or visit the NICB fraud website.

Definitely NOT Your Old Man's Buick

2010-05-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

I’ve had three different opportunities to put the 2010 Buick LaCrosse through its paces since it debuted last year, and every time I drive it, I like it more.

The LaCrosse not only marked the beginning of a more luxurious and stylish era for Buick — it was also the most important vehicle GM had launched in a generation. With China the world’s largest potential car market, Buick survived GM’s reorganization as one of its four “core brands” for no other reason than the Chinese love affair with Buick. Owning a Buick in China is a status symbol akin to owning a high-end Mercedes in the U.S. Go figure…

GM has positioned Buick as a serious competitor to Acura, Volvo, and Lexus — with the LaCrosse the first shot across the bow in the battle for younger, import-buyers’s wallets.

This LaCrosse is truly a world car. Engineers at Opel created the basic platform and most of the chassis development, while American engineers tackled the body structure, and GM China handled the interior and the majority of the exterior design. Considering the Chinese affinity for Buick as a premium brand, they wanted to ensure the design and materials were best-in-class. The LaCrosse is the first North American GM product built on its global mid-size Epsilon II platform following the Opel/Vauxhall brand that debuted in Europe last year.

The LaCrosse, is a midsize sedan that is the roadmap to Buick’s future. The new design is part of GM’s plan to revamp the Buick lineup the way it successfully did with Cadillac. The change at Buick started with the Enclave midsize crossover SUV — another vehicle that impressed us — and continues with the new Regal.

Walkaround: it’s hard to argue with the LaCrosse’s stylish looks. Smooth and rounded, it incorporates many of the styling cues from previous Buicks without coming across as retro or cliche. The new LaCrosse features a lower, coupe-like roofline that creates the optical illusion that this sedan is significantly smaller than the previous version. However, it’s virtually the same size.

The hoodline, beltline and rear deck all sit higher than before, while the roof sweeps down towards the sedan’s haunches. Both the front and rear glass have a significantly flatter slope than previously, and since the LaCrosse’s sheetmetal is meant for a global audience, the upright front fascia meets the more stringent European pedestrian crash standards. The body surfaces have more pronounced creases in the hood and flanks, including Buick’s signature “sweep spear” at the rear quarter, all contributing to an elegant, modern design.

Three trim levels are offered: CX, CXL and CXS, which all our test vehicles have been. The base CX gets a choice of 17-inch steel or alloy wheels, while the two upper levels get 18-inchers and the CXS Touring package adds 19-inch hoops along with an adaptive damping system.

Interior: The quality of the interior — both materials, and fit-and-finish — are much higher quality than what we’ve ever seen from GM. The dashboard covering, door panels and instrument cluster hood are all sew and stitch leather normally reserved for Cadillac. And it isn’t exclusive to the top of the line models either — it’s standard across the range. All LaCrosse models also have a leather-covered shifter and steering wheel, which has a thick, easy-to-grip rim outfitted with redundant controls for the audio system.

The central instrument panel protrudes slightly from the fall-away dashboard, lessening the reach to controls.

Instrumentation is Buick’s soft teal color with very pleasing teal accents. And while some customers prefer a touch interface for the optional navigation and audio systems, others prefer a traditional knob arrangement. Buick provides a choice of both in the LaCrosse, with most of the controls accessible via the screen or a knob directly below. And for the tech adventurous, most of the systems are also accessible through voice commands by pressing a button on the steering wheel.

Buick claims the new LaCrosse is the quietest Buick ever thanks to Quiet Tuning, which involves acoustic laminated glass, triple-sealed doors, liquid-sealed sound deadening, and special designs for the suspension bushings, engine cradle and mounts, and steering and induction systems.

The LaCrosse features all the usual power items — windows, mirrors, door locks remote entry, etc., pretty standard, as well as a smart key and start button. AM/FM/CD/ XM are all standard as is GM’s OnStar.

Under The Hood: The CX and CXL come standard with the new 3.0-liter direct injected V6, while the 3.6-liter DI V6 is optional on the CXL and was standard on all our test vehicles. Later this fall, a 2.4-liter DI four-cylinder will be added as the standard engine in the CX and CXL, the only such engine currently available in the segment. All are mated to a smooth 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel is standard with AWD offered on the CXL and CXS.

Behind The Wheel: The LaCrosse is a pleasure to drive. On a quick turnaround trip to Spokane and back — meaning almost 12 hours behind the wheel — it was smooth and quiet. The front seats are well shaped and supportive, and hold up surprisingly well to both aggressive two — lane blacktop driving, as well as 12 hours on the freeway. The standard Stabilitrak system with traction control, 4-wheel independent suspension with front McPherson struts, and 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with intelligent assist, make handling and braking responsive, safe and effortless.

Whines: The lack of paddle shifters is a glaring omission. However, this probably won’t matter to anyone but a handful of people — many of which probably wouldn’t consider a Buick in the first place.

Bottom Line: Simply put, this is a great car and a huge advance forward for Buick and GM. It’s quiet, comfortable, stylish, and at $34,090 as tested, a pretty good value as well. If you’re in the market for a mid-sized luxury sedan, you owe it to yourself to check the Buick LaCrosse out.

2010 Infiniti FX Adds Style and Solid Performance

2010-05-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

The 2010 Infiniti FX is the second generation of this stylish performance crossover SUV from Nissan’s luxury division. The FX was redesigned for 2009 with a new engine and transmission, as well as even smoother styling. Based on the same platform as the Infiniti G37 and Nissan ZX sports cars, the Infiniti FX is a rear-wheel-drive based vehicle with available All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

The 2010 Infiniti FX comes in three models — FX35, FX35 AWD, and FX50 AWD, which is priced significantly higher than the FX35. The V6 FX (our test vehicle for this review) is still called the FX35, while the V8 version was renamed FX50 in recognition of its 5-liter powerplant, and replaces the previous FX45. Both engines have significantly changed, both vehicles get new seven-speed automatic transmissions, along with many other large and small upgrades.

The eye-catching FX proves that SUV’s don’t have to be box-shaped and boring. Since this is not a high sales volume vehicle, it also offers a measure of exclusivity. The standard FX comes pretty loaded — including moonroof, bi-xenon headlamps, power hatch closure, and Sirius/XM satellite radio. Options on all FX models include lane departure warning/prevention systems, intelligent cruise control with distance control, voice-recognition navigation with real-time traffic, nine-inch LCD DVD rear-seat entertainment systems, adaptive headlamps, pre-crash belts, brake assist, rain-sensing wipers, tow package, splash guards, aero kit, roof rack cross bars, stainless steel illuminated sill plates, stainless rear bumper top, and a cargo organizer. Some features, like the Around View Monitor, are not available on any other vehicle at any price.

Primary competition for the FX is the BMW X6, which offers slightly better performance, but in my view doesn’t necessarily drive better and costs significantly more.

Safety includes dual-stage front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, first aid kit, stability control with traction control and antilock brakes, and tire pressure monitors. The only safety options are the pre-crash seat belts integral with the intelligent cruise control/distance control system.

Walkaround: If there ever were a class of vehicle called the four-door SUV sports coupe, a picture of the FX would accompany it. The FX was the originator of the style over function school of vehicle design.

The front tires have been pushed forward thanks to lengthening the distance between front and rear axles by almost 1.5 inches, also giving the FX a long, horizontal, muscle car style hood, that arches over wheels on the sides and engine in the middle. The signature roofline appears as a canopy fitted tightly over a rounded framework with no straight lines and an almost semicircular rear glass.

There’s only minimal use of bling — behind the huge front wheels are chrome, arched vertical vents that duct engine compartment air and reduce front lift. Door handles are chrome while mirrors are paint matched.

Projector headlamps add some character to the front, while the dark chrome grille between has three-dimensional waves rather than two-dimensional slats. The spoiler atop the rear glass is integrated into the hatch, avoiding the obvious seams more common with add-ons. Chrome highlights the license plate recess, and a bumper top cover is available to avoid paint scuffs too deep for the Scratch Shield clearcoat to fix. This special paint covers the steel, aluminum and resin body panels, and uses sunlight to heat it and fill in small scratches over a few days.

Looking carefully, you’ll find a camera above the license plate, on the bottom of each rear-view mirror, and one at the top of the grille.

Interior: The stylish 2010 Infiniti FX cabin is exquisitely finished inside, boasting nicely stitched leather, beautifully stained Maple, and attention to detail, such as matte-finish surfaces trumping the usual chrome-plated plastic. Every FX comes with power leather seats, split-folding and reclining rear seats, leather shifter and tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, dual-zone climate control, power door locks/windows, power hatch closure, moonroof, Intelligent key, illuminated mirror visors with extensions, HomeLink, rear-view monitor, variable/fixed intermittent front/rear wipers, trip computer, power heated folding mirrors with puddle lights, rear privacy glass, stainless logo scuff plates, space-saver spare tire and a kickass, 300 watt, dual subwoofer, Bose audio system with MP3 capability and Siruis/XM.

The FX offers the same front seating room as most midsize sedans with a broad back seat with the ample legroom. Soft-touch surfaces abound, with minimal use of hard plastic.

The Infiniti FX35 comes with a 6CD changer that reverts to single CD when navigation is ordered, and 18-inch alloy wheels. However, 20-inch wheels with all-season tires are available as are matte-finish roof rails. Many FX options come pre-packaged, so you could equip an FX35 with FX50-level amenities and features for under $8,000.

The small-diameter, thick-rim, three-spoke steering wheel features thumb-operated buttons and switches, along with solid magnesium paddle shifters using leather along the back side for your fingers, and long enough to effortlessly change gears. Instrumentation is electroluminescent and lifted from the G37 coupe, although the FX gauge cluster does not move up and down with the wheel as it does in the coupe.

Under The Hood: The FX35 comes with a 303-hp V6 that’s EPA rated at 16/23 mpg, 16/21 mpg with AWD. All versions of the FX are married to a smooth, seven-speed automatic transmission.

Behind The Wheel: The view over the elongated hood reflects the power lurking beneath. The high-revving V6 — which has more horses than torque — easily revs well past 7000 rpm, and the FX35 does the 0-60 drill in just over 6 seconds — even with all-wheel drive.

The seven-speed automatic delivers quick gear changes up or down with a reassuring firmness, as well as offering a snow mode. It also offers downshift rev-matching for smoothness, and two overdrive ratios for highway cruising that are the main contributor to the improved mileage ratings in spite of additional horses. When run in manual mode, the transmission will not downshift automatically, even if you floor it in high gear.

The AWD system works without any driver input or feedback, putting ponies to the pavement efficiently, with help from the traction control when needed.

Brakes are four-wheel discs, and combined with the performance tires, they can stop the FX35 in short order, with no fade after repeated applications.

The FX rides firmly, more like a sport sedan than a crossover, because underneath, the FX is essentially a car with more ground clearance. Most of the suspension is aluminum, and the lightness adds to the car-like ride and good handling.

Whines: The AWD V6 is rated at 2,000 pounds for towing, while towing is not recommended for the rear-wheel drive version. Even with 7 inches of ground clearance, the FX isn’t designed for anything more off-road than a damp beach.

Bottom Line: The Infiniti FX35 is a highly stylish crossover SUV with supurb amenities, enough options to personalize it until your imagination is content, and solid performance at a realistic price. When it comes time to replace Dee’s Volvo XC90, the FX35 will definitely be on our short list.

Sportiest Volvo Ever To Arrive Late This Year

2010-05-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

Volvo announces that starting price will be $37,000

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) has announced pricing for the all-new 2011 Volvo S60 sport sedan of $37,700. The all-new S60 packs more style, performance and technology than many of its competitors, but at a substantially lower price when showroom equipped, beating the showroom equipped 2011 BMW 335i xDrive by a whopping $7,150, and a Mercedes-Benz C350 by an impressive $1,765. The all-new 2011 Volvo S60 sport sedan goes on sale late this year.

The all-new 2011 Volvo S60 is included in Volvo segment leading Safe + Secure Coverage Plan. The program provides best-in-class coverage, offers the lowest cost of luxury ownership (according to IntelliChoice) and has been a major contributor to Volvo's recent sales success. Specifically, it includes:

• 5 Year/50,000 mile New Car Warranty

• 5 Year/60,000 mile Complimentary Facotry Scheduled Maintenance

• 5 year/60,000 mile Wear & Tear Coverage

• 5 year/Unlimited miles of Volvo Roadside Assistance

"The all-new S60 has been a long time coming, but it's been worth the wait.," said VCNA President and CEO, Doug Speck, "With 300 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, its stunning design and Volvo's latest technology, it's the kind of car that will put a smile on any driving enthusiast's face. When you consider you can own an extremely well-equipped 2011 Volvo S60 for only $41,400, and that you will pay nothing to repair or maintain the all-new S60 for 5 years or 60,000 miles, it really becomes a no-brainer,"he added.

The all-new Volvo S60 sport sedan also comes standard with a new infotainment system which includes a 7-inch high-definition color monitor. The screen is accessed through intuitive steering-wheel mounted controls so the driver's hands are always where they should be. Information regarding the audio system, in-dash DVD video player, climate and vehicle settings are easily monitored and controlled through a thumb-activated rotator.

Other standard features offered only in the all-new S60 include an enhanced six-speed Geartronic transmission for quicker shifts, 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned Dynamic chassis, speed sensitive steering with driver-selectable settings, Bluetooth, HD Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio with a complimentary six-month subscription.

Continuing to introduce groundbreaking technology, Volvo will also offer Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake in the all-new S60. In the U.S., approximately 4,700 pedestrian fatalities occur each year and that's a number Volvo is hoping to reduce with the availability of Pedestrian Detection.

Pedestrian Detection actively helps the driver avoid accidents. Volvo's radar- and camera-based system can detect pedestrians in front of the car, warn the driver if anyone walks out into its path - and then automatically activate the S60's full braking power if the driver fails to respond in time. This world-first technology can help the driver avoid a collision with a pedestrian.

On the safety front, the all-new Volvo S60 comes standard with City Safety, an auto braking system not offered on any of its competition. City Safety automatically stops the S60 if the car in front unexpectedly stops. The system is active from 2 - 18 mph and is designed for heavily congested urban environments.

The all-new Volvo S60 pricing and options

Despite the all-new S60 sport sedan being exceedingly well equipped right out of the gate, there are a number of attractive option packages and single options available.

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - $37,700

Destination charges - $850

Premium Package - $1,500

Power glass moonroof

Power passenger seat

Dual Xenon gas discharge headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL)

Climate Package - $800

Heated front seat

Heated windshield washer nozzles

Headlight washers

Rainsensor wipers

Interior Air Quality System (IAQS)

Multimedia Package - $2,700

Premium Multimedia Sound System with MultEQ XT by Audyssey,

Dolby Pro Logic II, 650 watts, 12 premium loudspeakers

Rear park assist camera

Navigation system with real time traffic updates

Map Care with two complimentary navigation updates

Technology Package - $2,100

Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake

Distance Alert

Lane Departure Warning

Single Options

Metallic paint - $550

Premium Electric Silver paint - $675

Urbane Wood inlays - $300

Front and rear Park Assist - $500

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - $700

Personal Car Communicator (PCC) - $550

Touring chassis - N/C option

FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) Active Chassis - $750

17-inch "Njord" alloy wheels - N/C option

17-inch "Njord" alloy wheels with self supporting tires - $500

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden. For more information, visit www.volvocars.com/us.

Tipping Point For Electric Vehicles

2010-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

By Andy Palmer
Senior Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Why has the Nissan Renault Alliance committed itself to leadership in electric vehicles ahead of hybrids or other alternative forms of future propulsion?

Well simply, because EV’s are the most mature form of technology that allows us to reach zero emissions and delight the customer. The technology, even as it exists today will be more than ample for most drivers, although I must admit there will need to be a change in mindset to conquer what is now being called ‘range anxiety’. The battery in the Nissan LEAF is already good for 160km a day between charges (typical LA driving mode), far more than the daily needs of 80 per cent of motorists.

Beyond the comparison with alternative forms of propulsion, when customers realise that EV’s can save them money on running costs; don’t ever need to visit a filling station, are fabulously fun to drive thanks to “on-demand torque” and a very low centre-of-gravity; and are silent; I believe the market will tip in the same way that the market for diesel cars tipped in Europe 15 years ago. We’re at a pivotal moment.

One of the reasons both Nissan and Renault prioritise EVs is that we want to focus our efforts on zero emission leadership. Yes, Nissan will have hybrids and we have already announced the first Infiniti hybrid for launch in 2010. We will also have a full set of other low Co2 / leading fuel economy solutions such as idle-stop, down-size turbo, clean diesel, etc, all grouped under the umbrella name of PureDrive. The promise of affordable clean transportation has always been ‘some time in the future’. By mass-marketing EVs we aim to break through that barrier, driven by our technological innovation and commitment to scale.

But having the technology is not necessarily a guarantee of success; we also need to assure full charging infrastructure availability. That’s one of the reasons we have been so pleased by the response of numerous governments and power generating companies to our plans – installing charging networks is absolutely vital for the success of EVs. Also imperative in the short term while the technology is maturing, are government incentives for people to buy electric vehicles. This allows LEAF to be sold at a price that is competitive with diesel and petrol engine family cars in most countries.

To be specific, LEAF will be sold in the USA for less than $33k MSRP. When you combine the $7.5k federal incentive, the customer will see a real sales price of less than $25.5k. When turned into a monthly lease price, this means LEAF is cheaper than say, a Honda Accord.

We’ve been accused of “betting the farm” on a technology that nobody has proved can sell in big numbers.” Analysts have also suggested that our forecast of a global EV market share of 10 per cent by 2020 is way too optimistic and suggest it could be less than 5 per cent. Well, I’ll stand by our forecast because having seen the analysis, knowing our product plan and having driven LEAF many times, I am convinced that the merits of our EV’s are extremely persuasive. Actually my biggest concern today, is not whether we are over-optimistic but whether our production capacity will meet immediate demand – the kind of problem this industry is not known for!

Cantwell Urges New Standards to Improve Auto Safety

2010-05-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Along with other Senators, she introduces legislation responding to Congressional hearings on Toyota

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has joined Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller and others in introducing legislation to establish industry-wide safety standards designed to prevent unintended acceleration in new passenger vehicles. The 38-page Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires auto manufacturers to incorporate an electronic data recorder (EDR) in each new vehicle to collect crash information. At present, inclusion of an EDR is voluntary. The Act instructs the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to revise its technical specifications for EDRs, allowing them to record additional useful vehicle operational information before and after crashes and in situations that could lead to crashes.

“Recent tragic accidents involving unintended acceleration in passenger vehicles have shed light on significant gaps both in industry and government in our ability to assess vehicle safety,” Senator Cantwell said. “Computers now run many vehicle functions, including acceleration, yet our highway safety administration does not have one software engineer to assess these systems for safety, and only two electronics engineers. With more and more vehicles relying on electronic systems, it is absolutely essential we bring our industry standards up to speed and increase the chances that we can discover and respond to problems before accidents occur.”

The Act addresses several issues that came to light as a result of the Congressional hearings into the recent Toyota recalls. Among other things, the legislation:

Empowers the NHTSA Administrator to stop further sales of a vehicle if a defect creates an imminent hazard that could lead to deaths and serious injuries
Requires manufacturers to make EDRs readable by commercially available devices
Requires minimum distances between floor pedals and the vehicle floor, and any other potential obstructions, to address the potential for out-of-place floor mats
Increases NHTSA’s capacity to address motor vehicle safety issues that involve electronics and software
Provides additional resources for NHTSA, doubling its authorization level over the next three years from $140 million in fiscal year 2010 to $280 million in fiscal year 2013
Increases civil penalties per vehicle from $5,000 to $25,000 and removes the overall cap on civil penalties for auto manufacturers that intentionally fail to report vehicle safety defects to NHTSA or that intentionally provide misleading information to NHTSA
Makes better motor vehicle safety information available to NHTSA and to the public; and
Includes an anti-revolving door provision prohibiting former NHTSA employees from working for any entity regulated by NHTSA for a period of three years after leaving the agency, if that position involves communicating with NHTSA or giving advice regarding vehicle safety regulations.

To learn more about what the bill does, click here to view an extended summary.

Over the past several months, Senator Cantwell has been actively assisting a constituent in gaining access to EDR data from a 2007 fatal accident in Washington state that may have involved unintended acceleration. Chris Eves, 29, of Bellingham, was killed in an accident on October 17, 2007, while driving a 2007 Toyota Tundra. Two years later, Toyota recalled that vehicle, among other Toyota models, for problems with the driver-side floor mat and accelerator pedal. Toyota had initially refused to provide readout data from the EDR in Eves’ vehicle. On March 2, 2010, at a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, Senator Cantwell secured a commitment from Yoshimi Inaba, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor North America, Inc., to provide the read-out of the EDR data to Ron and Lori Eves, Chris’ parents. Event data that could help provide additional information as to the circumstances surrounding the accident is being analyzed.

“Requiring electronic data recorders be mandatory and readable by commercially available devices will ensure that families such as the Eves do not have to wait years to learn the details of accidents involving loved-ones,” Senator Cantwell said.

Watch a video of Senator Cantwell’s discussion with Mr. Inaba on March 2, 2010.

2010 Honda Element: Funky, plenty of utility and surprisingly fun to drive

2010-05-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola

When I first saw the advance photos of the Honda Element back in about 2001 or so, I thought to myself, “They must be joking. That thing is butt ugly.”

Built in Ohio, and Honda’s least expensive sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Element received extensive upgrades in 2007, including a horsepower boost, new transmission, and a new, sportier SC model. In spite of the changes, the Element has remained your basic no-fuss vehicle.

I’ve driven this almost paramilitary looking box numerous times over the years since its debut, and frankly, the more I’ve driven it, the more it’s grown on me.

Originally aimed at high-spending Gen-Y males, the Element also appeals to some middle-aged women, as well as proving itself to be a highly functional vehicle for the young family on the go. The Element has become a staple in the Honda lineup, and makes up a large proportion of first-time new vehicle buyers.

Let’s fact it, no Honda buyer is taking a big risk where the actual mechanics are concerned — and the Element is no exception. It’s based on Honda’s well-proven CR-V, but is more functional because it merges the features of an SUV and pickup with a car’s fuel economy and overall performance.

Walkaround: What can you say? It’s a box on wheels that comes in pleasing colors. Thankfully, that awful plastic cladding that graced about half of the exterior became history several years ago.

The Element is offered in both front and 4-wheel drive versions. The base model is the LX and there’s a more upscale EX trim level, and the sportier SC.

My first thought when I saw the rear “suicide doors” open (Honda calls them “clamshell” doors) was that if it had a drain plug in the floor, you could just hose the whole thing out and call it good.

Speaking of those doors, they have no visible center post — it’s hidden inside the rear doors, making it easy to load cumbersome items such as surfboards or mountain bikes — not to mention lawnmowers and other more mundane and domestic items.

Interior: The interior is strictly no-nonsense. Instrumentation is simply straightforward and easy to read.

The shifter is easy to grab since it’s in the center of the dash much like some Lexus’ and Toyota’s. The climate and sound system controls are conveniently located and quite large. There’s no console, so the cupholders sit right on the floor, which is only a slight annoyance.

The front seats provide above-average support and are pretty comfortable overall. The outside mirrors are fairly large, but the rear windows can impede vision from those mirrors because they swing out instead of sliding down due to structural reinforcements and various mechanisms in the rear doors.

The rear seats flip up to the sides to create a big cargo area, although they too block rear vision in that position. They can be removed or made to lay flat to form a lumpy bed with the folding front seatbacks. There’s also a very large, flip-up sunroof located in the rear of the vehicle over the back seats and cargo area.

The split rear tailgate bottom opens down to reveal an utterly flat, low load floor, which makes cargo loading a snap, while the upper part of the tailgate swings smoothly up on hydraulic struts.

The LX has features like an adjustable steering column and power front windows, door and tailgate locks. The standard audio unit is a 120-watt, 4-speaker, AM/FM/CD system, but a 7-speaker, 240 watt system with MP3 and WMA capability along with an auxiliary and USB jack is available on the EX and SC. Also standard are air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels and power mirrors.

I’ve seen the Element described as a “rolling dormitory,” because the seats are covered with a waterproof material and the utilitarian urethane-coated floor resists dirt and water, allowing for easy clean up.

Under The Hood: The Element sports a high revving, 16-valve, 2.4-liter, 166-horse DOHC 4-banger that delivers spirited acceleration. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission offered. Gas mileage is in the mid-20s, which isn’t bad for a boxy, 3,500 pound, SUV with high-rev powerplant utilizing “short” gearing to boost acceleration.

Behind The Wheel: Surprisingly, it also handles much better than you might imagine, in spite of its high, boxy profile. One downside of the shape is wind noise gets excessive over about 65 mph.

I found the Element lots of fun to drive, with quick, power assisted steering. The brake pedal is a bit too sensitive, but stopping distances are short. While generally good, the ride becomes what you might initially expect from its appearance when on rough roads.

Whines: The windshield is huge, but you can’t see the front of the vehicle from the driver’s seat, which makes parking and other maneuvers in a tight area a bit dicey.

Bottom Line: No one is going to mistake the Element for a styling trend setter, but it has a unique character, is highly functional, fun to drive, reasonably priced for an SUV, and has become a mainstream crossover vehicle with surprisingly high appeal factor.

2010 Nissan Maxima — Return of the 4-Door Sports Car

2010-05-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

By Lary Coppola
I’ve had the opportunity to put the Nissan Maxima through its paces several different times since its major redesign in 2009. My initial impression was that an already good sports sedan had been much improved when I drove it for the first time at a press event in California. That impression has been reinforced every time I’ve driven it since. Built in Tennessee, the seventh generation Maxima is offered in two very well-equipped models — the 3.5S and 3.5SV.

The original front-wheel drive Maxima debuted in 1985, with what Nissan marketeers referred to at the time as a “sinister” look that prevailed until a 1989 model year redesign, when the term “4-Door Sports Car” was coined.

The Maxima is the fourth vehicle built on Nissan’s high-performance, front-wheel drive, “D-Platform.” It offers lower weight and increased roominess over a rear-wheel drive platform, and provides increased body and torsional rigidity, improving body stiffness, significantly reducing interior noise, and making torque steer a memory.

During the original technical presentation before driving the redesigned Maxima, Nissan engineers told us their “official” goal was to return the Maxima to its position as, “The best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world,” by including class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, craftsmanship and cockpit design. They also told us their “unofficial” goal was to recreate that “sinister” look in a breakthrough vehicle with an attitude — akin to the impact the Hemi-powered Chrysler 300M had upon its debut — making it the “badass” of this market segment. It appears to me they succeeded on all counts.

Walkaround: The exterior design of the Maxima imparts that same feeling of “liquid motion” that embodies its upscale Infiniti line. The Maxima offers smooth, flowing lines, coupled with an aggressive-looking front grille, and a belligerent stance featuring wide front and rear tracks. The wraparound L-shaped headlights with “turbine” light surrounds and available High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon lamps, slightly flared fenders, and a “catamaran-style” hood, highlight the visual flow to a raised trunk lid flanked by 12-LED L-shaped “stepped” taillights. Dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, and standard 10-spoke, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, complete the “badass” look.

While a moonroof comes standard, a cool Dual Panel Moonroof with a wide opening front panel, fixed translucent rear panel with front and rear power retractable sunshades that give the appearance of a full black glass roof, is optional.

A real spoiler, and 19-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels are also available.

Interior: The Maxima’s interior design is what Nissan terms its “Super Cockpit” concept — imparting the feeling of driving a sports car.

Controls are close, and ergonomically-positioned, while the interior still offers both driver and passengers ample room and luxurious comfort. The optional “Driver’s Chair” sport seat is oversized, and features extended thigh support. The shift lever is offset closer to the driver, offering the choice of using it, or the optional steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting. The instrumentation has what’s termed “Daylight Illumination” — eliminating the washout caused by bright sunlight and/or polarized sunglasses common to digital readouts.

There are two rear seat layouts — a 60/40 split fold-down configuration with trunk access, and a fixed rear-seat with a center armrest pass-through. There are also two available grades of leather offered, including a premium grade.

The Maxima features a wide range of available technology that’s both intuitive and user-friendly, including Bluetooth, a premium Bose audio system, iPod interface, a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, Nissan’s Hard Drive Navigation system with Voice Recognition, and a rear view camera. Also available is Sirius/XM satellite radio and XM NavTraffic and NavWeather — which offers real-time traffic and weather information — but requires an active satellite subscription.

Under The Hood: The Maxima boasts Nissan’s award-winning 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ-series V6 powerplant — universally acclaimed as the best and most versatile engine since the original small-block Chevy. It delivers a spirited 290 horsepower with 261 lb-ft of torque. A revised Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, available paddle shifters, and a new “Ds mode” (drive sport) tuned specifically for this Maxima is the only transmission offered.

Behind The Wheel: Be it mundane freeway driving, or winding, twisting 2-lane mountain roads offering tight curves, switchbacks and lots of acceleration and deceleration, the more challenging the terrain, the more the Maxima can showcase its superb handling capabilities. Acceleration is quick and decisive, and the speed-sensitive, rack-and-pinion Twin Orifice Power Steering (TOPS), delivers exactly the right amount of assist. Challenging topography is also where the CVT’s manual mode can be utilized to its fullest, as well as the standard four-wheel ABS disc brakes, which feature Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

The enhanced CVT works extremely well with the powerful V6, and while purists may disagree on principle, in manual mode, it actually outperforms any stick shift I’ve ever driven.

In short, the Maxima is a blast to drive on challenging terrain, and even though it’s a big car, it’s light on its feet — like a sports car in many respects.

Whines: The glovebox is one of the largest and deepest I’ve ever seen in any vehicle, but if someone is in the passenger seat, their knees get in the way of complete access.

Bottom Line: This is the first Maxima not benchmarked against a Toyota Avalon or Camry, but against itself. Nissan is billing it as the “Return of the four-door sports car.” After driving it, I understand why — it’s totally awesome in every respect. Nissan has been on a major product roll for most of the past decade. However, the 2010 Maxima is not just another home run, but a grand slam.

Nissan Boasts 20 Percent of Leaf's Production Sold Out

2010-04-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Nissan has announced that buyers of its all-electric Leaf, have already reserved more than 20 percent of the first year's production. According to automaker, about 6,600 U.S. customers, and 3.700 in Japan have paid the $99 reservation fee. Nissan will build about 50,000 Leaf cars the first year. The automaker has said it wants to have about 40 percent of production reserved by December, when the car goes on sale.

Nissan began taking reservations for the Leaf on Tuesday.

The all-electric hatchback is priced at $32,780. But a federal tax credit of $7,500 for electric vehicles, coupled with tax credits from some individual states will help reduce the price to at least $25,280.

Nissan said that about 75 percent of its U.S. reservations are for the higher-end SL model, and about the same percentage is from what the automaker calls its primary launch markets: Tennessee — the U.S. Headquarters of Nissan — as well as Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona.

Acura Recalls the ZDX

2010-04-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has announced a recall of approximately 1,850 Acura ZDX vehicles to inspect the inside of the dashboard surface material. On affected vehicles, the passenger side airbag of the 2010 ZDX will not deploy properly.

While no incidents have been reported, a manufacturing quality check revealed that some vehicles do not have the necessary laser-cut scoring on the underside of the dashboard surface material. Without proper scoring, the passenger side frontal airbag will not deploy properly. After dealer inspection, if a ZDX is determined to have a dashboard without the proper scoring, the dashboard will be replaced.

Owners of affected vehicles will be informed by mail later this month. In addition, for more information, ZDX owners owners may call (800) 382-2238 or visit this website.

Ford Sells Volvo to Geely Holdings of China

2010-03-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

For a video of the press conference announcing the sale, click here.

2010 Corvette: how much better can it get?

2010-02-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

By Bruce Caldwell

How much better can the Chevrolet Corvette get? The current generation Corvette is so spectacular that improvements have to be incremental. The modern Corvette so long ago surpassed domestic performance cars as well as most foreign competitors that there doesn’t seem like much point in going quicker or faster.

Changes for 2010 are very minor. There is the new Grand Sport model. This model reaches back to a historically significant name from the sixties that resurfaced as a limited edition model in 1996. For 2010, the Corvette Grand Sport focuses on handling and suspension upgrades that are similar to the previously offered Z51 Performance Handling Package.

The King of the Hill ZR1 is still a world-beating supercar. The problem with the phenomenal speed of the ZR1 is that there aren’t many places where you can safely use that much power, much less places where it can be done legally. But, if you like to harass Porsches and Mercedes on the Autobahn send your ZR1 over for your next automotive dream vacation.

The base Corvette continues to the best bang for the buck proposition. The performance is incredible and the incremental improvements of the “faster” models really aren’t appreciable in everyday driving. The ZR1 should be pictured in the dictionary under the definition for overkill.

Corvette performance and driving excitement are givens, but it’s the Corvette’s practical nature that surprises many people. The hatchbacks are quite versatile (we had space to spare after a big Costco trip) and can return excellent fuel economy if your right foot isn’t too heavy. It’s a safe car that makes average drivers think they’re superior drivers. The Corvette is tractable around town and very pleasant on the highway. It’s an absolute joy on back roads.

Walkaround: The Corvette is a stunning car. It’s the kind of car you always look back at after you park it. Fit and finish are very good. The wheels and tires are huge and contribute much to the car’s outstanding performance.

Interior: Seating position is very low, but legroom is excellent. The seats are very supportive. Interior noise is low for such a powerful car (you won’t ever think you’re driving a hybrid) and the sound system is first rate. The cockpit storage areas are definitely on the small side, but there’s lot of space behind the seats. The Heads Up Display is one of our favorite features.

Under The Hood: The 2010 Corvette, like its recent predecessors, is an engineering marvel.

There are two 6-speed transmissions—manual and automatic. Both are excellent--the manual is more fun and the auto is more practical.

Behind The Wheel: Being behind the wheel of a Corvette is where we like to be. Driving a new Corvette is so much fun that it will distract you from other activities. You’ll want to find the most twisting route instead of the shortest.

Whines: The hot, shallow center console is short of useless unless you need a place to store asbestos.

Bottom Line: The current Corvette is so spectacular that it’s difficult to imagine how it can get any better, but we’re sure Chevrolet will find a way.

All-new 2010 Cadillac SRX much improved

2010-02-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

By Lary Coppola

Cadillac’s original SRX is history, with nothing left but the name. The all-new SRX should be a strong contender in the rapidly crowding, and largest industry segment — the midsize luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. Stiff competition is provided courtesy of the Lexus RX 350, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Acura MDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60 — among others.

The original SRX featured rear-wheel-drive with a choice of a longitudinally mounted V6 or V8. The new SRX is front-wheel-drive with a transverse-mounted V6 powerplant. Another notable change is moving from three-rows, and seven-seats, to two, with seating for five. While GM is famous for its global platform-sharing, the SRX shared its underpinnings with only the Saab 9-4X, which given GM’s shutdown of Saab, will never be built.

Model Lineup: The 2010 Cadillac SRX comes in four versions: SRX ($33,330), SRX Luxury ($36,910), SRX Performance ($41,350), and SRX Premium ($43,895). All-wheel drive is about a $2,500 upgrade and is available on the Luxury, Performance, and Premium models.

The SRX comes standard with 18-inch aluminum wheels, leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, multi-function tilt steering wheel, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, mirrors and locks, AM/FM/CD with auxiliary outlet, iPod compatibility, and four speakers.

SRX Luxury upgrades include leather upholstery, wood trim, seat heaters for the front seats, eight-way power passenger seat, sunroof, power sunshade, Park Assist, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, remote starting, power liftgate, and other features.

SRX Performance adds a navigation system, rearview camera, premium 10-speaker audio, upgraded steering, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, adaptive xenon HID headlights with auto-leveling and integrated fog lights.

SRX Premium upgrades include three-zone automatic climate control, rear audio controls, and heated rear seats

Walkaround: The 2010 SRX exterior design features crisper, sharper edges, mirroring Cadillac’s current designs, rather than the slab-sided look of the original SRX. It’s instantly recognizable as a Caddy, beginning with its wider stance, pointed grille adorned with a large Cadillac crest, very complex headlamps, and rounded lower spoiler with a large air intake for engine cooling. The side window design features a forward-slanted D-pillar leading to Cadillac’s signature vertical, knife-sharp taillights.

The SRX features a power liftgate with programmable settings for full or three-quarter openings to spare the sheetmetal in low-roofed garages or parking structures.

Overall, the styling is very pleasing, riding on a chassis nearly six inches shorter than the original SRX. It’s also 4.6-inches shorter in overall length, with a 2.1-inch lower roofline and about an inch wider, adding to interior comfort with additional hip and shoulder room.

Interior: “Loaded” doesn’t begin to describe the sumptuous interior trappings of the 2010 Cadillac SRX, which shares much of its technology and some of its design with the CTS sedan. There’s an enormous list of standard equipment including pushbutton starting, a tilt-and-telescope steering column, upper and lower adjustable ambient lighting and much more.

The SRX interior is beautifully finished, and quiet, with eight-way power memory seats that are supportive and extremely comfortable. The center stack buttons feature icons with names on them. It’s well laid out, very intuitive, and easy to understand and use. The steering wheel is thick, with a nice feel, and adjustable, as are the pedals.

Available are a full-color driver information center with two main sections — one for the vehicle and one for the trip you're on; OnStar (free for the first year, subscription required after that); satellite navigation with voice recognition; adaptive headlights; a huge, two-segment power sunroof with 95-percent UV protection; and a power liftgate.

The navigation system has the capability of displaying speed limit signs, because the system knows what road you're on and what the posted limit is. Also available is Sirius/XM satellite radio with optional NavTraffic, and Bluetooth phone capability.

Entertainment begins with an audio system offering a 2-GB memory capable of downloading up to 20 CDs. There’s the optional Bose sound system with AM/FM/XM/CD capability, USB and iPod inputs, an optional 40-GB hard drive for music storage, and optional upward-tilting twin screens with wireless headphones for individual rear-seat entertainment via DVDs or radio.

The reclining rear seat is split 66/33, offering a wide adjustment range, but doesn’t slide back and forth, so legroom is fixed. The rear cargo area normally holds 29.2 cubic feet of cargo, and when folded flat with the seatbacks locked into place, offers more than 61 cubic feet (compared to 32.4 and 69.5 in the previous three-row SRX). The cargo area behind the second seat features an under-floor storage area and a U-shaped channel built into the floor that accepts a variety of sliding hold-down cleats. Also offered are first- and second-seat doggie screens similar to those in the Volvo XC70, that secure into the roof to keep canines contained.

Safety equipment on all models includes six air bags: front, side-impact, and curtain, along with anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, StabiliTrak yaw control, and OnStar emergency notification.

Under The Hood: Front-wheel drive is standard on all models, with two powerplants offered: The same 3.0-liter V6 that powers the Cadillac CTS, is married to a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also an optional 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine that originated with Saab, and is rated at 300 horses and 295 foot-pounds of torque. It’s mated to a completely different Aisin-Warner six-speed automatic transmission capable of handling the higher power and torque of the turbo engine.

The available Haldex II all-wheel-drive system is among the world's best, debuting last year on the Saab 9-3X. Although designed for ice, snow, rain and mud driving, the system makes high-performance dry-road driving a lot more fun because there's no torque steer or tire spin on full-throttle starts in first gear, and it utilizes all four tires for high-speed, high-force cornering. It’s one of the fastest-acting, most capable systems on the planet, able to move up to 100 percent of the engine's torque from front to rear tires in about one wheel rotation, and via its electronic limited-slip rear differential, able to transfer up to 85 percent of the drive torque from left to right in a few milliseconds. I highly recommend it.

Behind The Wheel: Our test model was the front-wheel drive Premium version, equipped with the 3.0-liter V6, which boasts a segment leading EPA fuel economy rating of 18/City and 25/highway mpg.

I found the luxurious new SRX to be a great ride. The cabin is beautiful, comfortable, quiet, and loaded with features that are easy to understand and use. The handling and braking are exceptional, and although 1.2 inches lower than the older, larger SRX, the new SRX still feels like a high-riding CTS sports sedan.

The powertrain is efficient, with the direct-injection 24-valve V6 burning regular fuel — while many of its competitors do not. It delivers more power at higher rpm than the 3.6-liter engine it replaced, but substantially less peak torque. Our test vehicle got better city mileage, and at speeds between 65 and 80 mph, matched the rating according to the car's information center.

Whines: I found the engine lacking in the strong acceleration inherent in the CTS, and a bit loud. However, power, torque and acceleration are all about equal to anything else in its class. The smaller engine also has less useable torque than the previous 3.6-liter powerplant, an apparent tradeoff for mileage.

Bottom Line: The all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX enters the huge, crowded market of crossover SUVs priced $3,500 less than the segment-leading Lexus RX 350. It offers about the same power, performance and fuel economy, with a notably more stylish design and a chassis that’s an engineering marvel. With GM officially having a viable future as a car company, the SRX is definitely worth a very long, hard look.

2010 Mustang GT An old pony with very strong legs

2010-02-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

By Bruce Caldwell

I think the Ford Motor Company knows something about longevity. Ford started the whole pony car segment before the segment even had a name. The segment was named after the Mustang. Ford has done very well with many other well-known models and series such as the Model T Ford, the Model A, and the F-150. Besides building excellent vehicles, Ford knows how to inspire customer loyalty.

Other pony cars (e.g. the Challenger and the Camaro) are making strong comebacks, but the Mustang never left. We doubt there would have a marketplace to come back to if the stalwart Mustang hadn’t kept the segment alive for over 45 years.

That’s not to say that there weren’t some years where Mustangs sold as much on availability as excellence. In 2005, Mustang had a rebirth of sorts. They upgraded the platform and backtracked on looks. The result was a wonderful blend of classic styling with modern technology. The 2010 Mustang builds on those earlier successes.

Walkaround: The Mustang GT is a handsome car. It blends old and new styling elements seamlessly. It’s immediately recognizable as a Mustang. In a smart marketing/nostalgia move one of the “new” Mustang colors is Grabber Blue—a color made famous on Boss Mustangs forty years ago.

Interior: Mustangs are affordable performance cars and it appears that the interior was a source of savings. It looks nice and has several retro cues, but there’s still a lot of business directed toward the plastics industry. The sun visors, door bins, glove box, console bin and cup holders are all on the small side. Mustang back seats have always been a minimalist definition of the term, but then, that’s why they sell Lincolns and Expeditions. Front seat room is excellent and has improved over previous iterations of late-model (post-1994) Mustangs.

Under The Hood: Power for the Mustang GT comes from a 4.6L single overhead cam V-8 that’s rated at 315 hp with an impressive 325 lb-ft of torque (up from last year’s ratings of 300/320). This is an American V-8 at its best. The exhaust is muscular under acceleration, but not unpleasant at cruising speeds.

Two 5-speed transmissions are offered, an automatic and a manual. There is a very worthwhile “Trackpack” option for manual transmission GT Mustangs. This option includes a limited-slip differential, improved brakes, sport suspension, a special anti-skid system, and handsome 19-inch alloy wheels.

Behind The Wheel: One thing the 2010 Mustang GT has in abundance is a fun-to-drive factor. This is an agile, relatively light, easy to toss play car with excellent brakes. It has all the modern safety features to keep you out of trouble while still letting you experience to fun of pushing your personal limits. You can scare yourself, but the car will stop you short of an underwear change.

Whines: The new capless fuel filler door works fine, but it just doesn’t sit right with my old twist and click mind. The 5-speed manual transmission is excellent, but if you’ve experienced the 6-speed in a Shelby GT500 Mustang you’ll wish the Mustang GT had an extra gear, too.

Bottom Line: If you long for the glory days of American musclecars, but would like more sophistication, improved safety, better fuel economy, and more luxurious interiors at very reasonable prices the Mustang GT is the car for you. 2010 is the zenith of the American pony car with the Mustang GT leading the herd.

The New Green Machine: 2010 Camaro Synergy Special Edition

2010-02-27T09:55:00.001-08:00

Hot and cool exterior colors are a part of Chevy Camaro history. Now the 2010 model is getting its own.

Chevrolet recently debuted the Camaro Synergy Special Edition with pricing starting at $26,790. Synergy will be produced in limited quantities from February to May.

“Synergy Green continues a long tradition of dramatic Camaro colors,” says Camaro historian Scott Settlemire. “Some of the most sought-after Camaros are first generation cars – those from 1967 to 1969 – in Hugger Orange, Daytona Yellow, and Rallye Green.”

The 2010 Camaro Synergy Special Edition is based on a Camaro 1LT, with a 3.6L direct injection V-6, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The powertrain has become a benchmark for the segment by offering a combination of performance and efficiency: The V-6 delivers 304 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, and returns up to 29 mpg on the highway.

The Synergy Green exterior color was first previewed at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers (SEMA) show. In production form, the Synergy Green is accented by Cyber Grey Rally Stripes running the length of the Camaro hood and rear deck. Other exterior features include a standard rear spoiler, and standard 19 inch, Sterling Silver painted wheels wrapped with P245/50R19 tires.

The color scheme is mirrored on the interior, with Synergy Green instrument panel and door inserts. Synergy Green stitching also accents the Jet Black cloth seats, steering wheel, shift knob and center console.

“Just as those colors helped make the first generation Camaro an icon, modern colors like Inferno Orange, Rallye Yellow Transformers Edition and Synergy Green will define the 2010 Camaro,” Settlemire said.

The Special Edition also includes the Camaro Convenience and Connectivity Package, with Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB port for MP3 players, and remote vehicle start for models equipped with an automatic transmission.

“The Synergy Special Edition package is designed for customers who want a unique performance car at an attainable price,” says Camaro marketing manager John Fitzpatrick. “For under $27,000, Camaro Synergy Special Edition offers standout styling, modern technologies like Bluetooth, and 304 horsepower under the hood.”

Nissan announces Leaf purchase process; Gives first glimpse of marketing campaign

2010-02-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour Culminates in New York

The Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour culminated recently with an appearance in New York City. The three-month tour, which made 63 stops in 24 cities, offered the opportunity for interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about the Nissan LEAF and the benefits of zero-emission driving.

The tour helped pave the way for the 2010 introduction of Nissan LEAF, the world's first all-electric, zero-emission car designed for the mass market, and leads up to the start of the vehicle-purchase process. The Nissan LEAF will be available to consumers via lease or sale, in a single transaction that includes the battery. Steps to acquiring a Nissan LEAF are:

• Register: Interested people can register for more information about the Nissan LEAF on www.NissanUSA.com. To date, close to 50,000 people have registered on the website. Registrants will be given first priority to reserve a Nissan LEAF.

• Reserve: The reservation process will begin in April, shortly after the announcement of the price of the Nissan LEAF. Upon paying a fully refundable $100 reservation fee, registrants will be among the first in line able to order a Nissan LEAF.

• Order: Nissan will begin taking firm orders in August, for deliveries when sales begin in the driver's particular market.

• Early Deliveries: Rollout begins in select markets in December 2010, with vehicles available in all major launch markets quickly thereafter.

"The Nissan LEAF purchase process is effortless, transparent and accessible, offering value with a one-stop-shop approach for everything related to the car, including the assessment, permitting and installation of in-home battery charging units," said Carlos Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas. "We want everyone to feel good about having a car that is affordable, fun to drive and good for the environment."

Coinciding with this next phase of the Nissan LEAF launch is the debut of Nissan's initial global marketing campaign, which is called "The New Car." A first look at the campaign -- which illustrates Nissan's passion about the potential for zero-emission mobility and a better, cleaner world -- was shown in New York as part of the culmination of the Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour.

The Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour covered 10,000 miles in the United States and Canada, providing the first opportunity for more than 100,000 people to see and learn about the Nissan LEAF first hand.

"There was a groundswell of grassroots support from coast to coast," said Tavares. "Everywhere we went, people recognized a new form of mobility -- a turning point -- and they wanted to be a part of it. The response was spontaneous and diverse. We were joined by mayors and government officials, CEOs, utility partners, car enthusiasts, students, dealers, media, environmentalists, Twitter users and lots of families."

2010 Kia Forte — Contender, not pretender

2010-02-27T09:49:00.001-08:00

By Lary Coppola

In the past few years, Kia has changed my mind in terms of both its quality and dependability. It began when the company introduced its 100,000-mile warranty, but what really turned my attitude around was the full-size Borrego SUV, and then the new Soul. Kia has solidified me with the all-new Forte, which replaced the Spectra.

The Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic rule this market segment, boasting huge sales numbers, long lists of standard features, and bulletproof reliability. Other competitors include the Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra — a Kia sibling (Hyundai owns Kia).

With the Forte — offered as both a 4-door sedan and a coupe, Kia has scored large against all of them — but especially against the Corolla and Civic. The Forte blends style, power, and technology better than either Honda or Toyota — since neither are considered styling innovators.

Walkaround: Designed in the company’s California studio, its bold look offers crisp, definitive lines, with a wide, aggressive stance, swept-back headlamps, and a sleek profile. Personally, I think the Forte is the most stylish car in this class. Available in three trim levels — LX, EX and SX — it sports an athletic profile, while a tasteful new corporate grille adds to the Forte’s good looks.

Pricing starts at $13,695 for the LX, while the EX begins at $15,795, and SX pricing begins at $17,195.

Interior: The Forte offers one of the roomiest interiors in this segment, and does an excellent job of incorporating technology and function with style. The full-cloth seats are comfortable, with a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, tilt steering wheel, rear defroster and dual 12-volt power outlets in the center console, all standard. Instrumentation is a driver-oriented three-gauge cluster illuminated in red.

The EX and SX models offer numerous additional standard features such as power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; map lamps; steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls; tweeter speakers; dual front and rear cup holders; and floor mats. Also offered on the EX is a Premium Package that includes a power moonroof and 16-inch alloy wheels, or a Leather Package with leather-trimmed seats with front seat warmers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and metal-finish trim.

The SX has additional standard features, including a unique black interior with sport cloth fabric stitched in red, a leather-wrapped telescoping steering wheel, Supervision™ gauge cluster, and metal-finish shift knob and pedals. The SX also offers the optional power moonroof and leather-trimmed seats with front seat warmers.

Forte’s trunk is a best-in-class 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

One place the Forte excels is technology. Standard are Bluetooth phone connectivity with steering-wheel controls, Sirius/XM satellite radio, a USB port and auxiliary input jacks. The Civic requires buying its navigation system to get satellite radio.

Under The Hood: There are two four-cylinder powerplants — a 156-horse, 2.0, and a 2.4-liter that delivers 173 horses. The LX and EX are powered by the peppy 2.0-liter, while the SX uses the 2.4. There are four transmissions, depending on trim and option package.

Standard are five-speed manuals on the LX and EX, or a six-speed manual on the SX. The LX and EX feature a four-speed automatic unless you opt for the EX Fuel-Economy package, which has the same five-speed automatic offered on the SX. Both have a manual shift feature as well.

The 2.0-liter is EPA rated at 27/city and 36/highway with the five-speed auto in the Fuel-Economy package and 25/34 when paired with either of the two other transmissions. The 2.4-liter four rates 22/32 with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed auto — basically in line with the Corolla and Civic — although the Forte powerplants offer more horses.

Behind The Wheel: I’ve had two opportunities to put the Forte through it paces over all kinds of terrain and conditions.

The ride is generally comfortable and surprisingly quiet. Besides the larger engine and additional equipment, the SX boasts firmer springs, bigger front brakes, retuned shocks, and a larger front anti-roll bar. It felt slightly tighter than an EX, however, the steering in both required slight corrections to hold a line in tight corners at speed.

Whines: Torque steer — which is routine for this entire segment, and front seats that don’t go far enough back.

Bottom Line: This segment isn’t about handling or horsepower, but economy, comfort, price, and quickly becoming about politically correct, roomy and increasingly stylish cars — exactly the Forte’s strengths. The Forte won’t dislodge Honda or Toyota, but will definitely gain credible market share against all competitors, except perhaps the Mazda 3. The Forte is a contender — not the pretender the Spectra was — offering the most standard technology, tremendous style, comfort, and most of all, value.

2010 Dodge Challenger: Plum cool

2010-02-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

By Bruce Caldwell

Chrysler designers nailed the Dodge Challenger styling forty years ago and they were smart enough not to mess it up later. Some companies try too hard to throw a new spin on a classic design, but Dodge was very careful to Dodge did such a great job that the 2010 Challenger can be deceiving. From a distance it looks very much like a 1970 Challenger, but the closer you get the more you realize that this is a larger car. Some retro cars are scaled down, but the Challenger is scaled up. The Challenger shares the same platform as the four-door Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger

Walkaround: The new Challenger is surprisingly big, but perfectly proportioned. The updated retro styling works extremely well. The Challenger was positively received everywhere we went. Even though this isn’t a brand new model it still gets tons of positive looks and comments. The 2010 Challenger is nothing if not handsome.

A new/old color available for 2010 is “Plum Crazy” which was a hot choice for 1970. It’s done quite well financially on collectible classic Challengers.

Interior: The scaled up theme carries over into the interior. The exterior size is obvious as you look out over the large hood. Since the Challenger is still a two-door (unlike how they ruined the Charger by making it a four-door) the large platform is great for front seat occupants. Things aren’t so great for rear seat passengers, but they were marginal in 1970, too. This much style has its compromises.

The front seats are deeply bolstered and quite comfortable. Front legroom is of the stretch-out variety. The thick steering wheel is a plus as is the nice sound system. Storage bins/nooks are small to medium sized.

Under The Hood: What’s under the hood makes a huge difference in the Challenger’s personality. We drove the two powertrain extremes—the 250 hp 3.5-liter V-6 and the 425 hp 6.1-liter Hemi V-8. An excellent middle choice is the 376 hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. The Challenger SRT8 with the 425 horsepower V-8 and optional 6-speed manual transmission is what the Challenger is all about. The 5.7 Hemi can also be had with the 6-speed manual.

The V-6 Challenger SE has the same great looks, but it’s all show and not much go. Improved fuel economy is touted as V-6 plus, but we only managed 16.3 mpg in mixed driving. The EPA rating is 17/25. A 4-speed automatic is the only V-6 transmission.

Behind The Wheel: The Challenger SE is pleasant to drive as long as you don’t have high performance expectations. The SRT8 is a thrill ride reminiscent of the 1970 Challengers, but at a quality level unimagined in the original car. It’s a little noisy, but it a good way.

Whines: The trunk is relatively large, but the lift over is quite high and the opening is noticeably recessed from the bumper. The split rear seats are steeply sloped when folded, which limits cargo capabilities.

Bottom Line: The Challenger SE (V-6) provides lots of style at a very reasonable cost, but the Challenger isn’t about being conservative. If you’re going to buy a Dodge Challenger, go Plum Crazy and buy a Hemi Challenger.

Washington to become more EV-friendly

2010-02-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

Port Orchard will be first local City to install EV charging stations

Washington state hopes to make owning an electric vehicle easier, and a project is in the works to add charging stations around Puget Sound.

Last year, the state Legislature adopted a bill directing the state to install charging outlets for electric vehicles at places like rest stops and state parks. The bill also provides tax incentives for EV infrastructure.

Washington is one of five states selected to participate in a national pilot project to install charging stations around Puget Sound, both at private residencies and public facilities. The project is funded though an economic stimulus grant that was part of President Obama’s package. The Seattle metro region is one of 11 cities participating in the project, which will see some initial deployment this summer.

Rep. Jay Inslee, a Democrat from Bainbridge Island, was the leading force behind getting $2.4 billion in funding for the program, with the largest amount ($1.4 billion) to be spent on battery manufacturing. The EV infrastructure portion is estimated to cost nearly $100 million.

In Puget Sound, more than 2,500 charging stations (including fast-charge) will be deployed, many of them in the Seattle area. The other half of the project will deploy about 1,000 Nissan zero-emission, all-electric vehicles in the area. Dubbed LEAF, this car costs an estimated 2 cents a mile to drive (based on Seattle power rates), or about $190 for 10,000 miles, compared to more than $1,000 for an average car.

According to Nissan, the LEAF can travel up to 100 miles on one charge. The distance between Seattle and Portland, the nearest city that is part of the pilot, is about 170 miles.

2010 Buick LaCrosse named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for “Best Luxury Sedan”

2010-02-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

LaCrosse continues to earn industry praise for design and quality

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse continues to earn industry praise and recognition, receiving the 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award at the recent Chicago Auto Show. The LaCrosse was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for “Best Luxury Sedan.”

"MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’ is a great honor for the Buick LaCrosse and confirms the growing momentum behind the car,” said Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick GMC. “This award is tribute to the designers, engineers, sales team, employees who build the LaCrosse in Fairfax and dealers who work so hard to bring the LaCrosse to market.”

The annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards are chosen by MotorWeek’s editorial staff who test drive more than 150 cars, trucks and utilities each year. Winners are then selected on factors including performance, technology, practicality and value.

According to MotorWeek the LaCrosse received its top honor for its “stunning good looks and quality inside and out.” The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan has been redesigned from the ground up, and offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features and a luxurious interior.

In addition to two fuel-saving V-6 engines, a new fuel-efficient, direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring. As the only four-cylinder engine offered in its class, the new powertain is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30-mpg highway, making the LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

With its long list of standard safety equipment, the LaCrosse’s safety credentials rate among the best in the industry. It earned five stars – the highest rating possible – in all four metrics from the federal government new car assessment program. The vehicle also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s IIHS Top Safety Pick award, achieving a “good” rating in each of the four crash simulations and offering StabiliTrak, electronic stability control shown to help drivers avoid certain types of crashes.

Other Buick LaCrosse Awards and Recognitions

• Consumers Guide 2010 Best Buy and Recommendation Award

• MotherProof.com’s 2010 Sedan of the Year

• About.com Car’s Best New Cars of 2010

• 2010 North American Car of the Year finalist

• About.com Cars’ Best New Cars of 2010

• Edmunds.com’s 2010 Most Recommended Vehicles

• Drive Car Reviews “Top Picks for 2009”

• CanadianDriver.com -- Top Picks Award

2010 Nissan Frontier is one tough truck

2010-02-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

By Lary
Coppola

Back in the 1970’s, Nissan, then known as Datsun, was first to market in the U.S. with a compact pickup — well before Ford, Chevy, Dodge — or Toyota. That truck has morphed into today’s Frontier.

Nissan seriously upped the ante in 2005, redesigning the Frontier, and capturing the leading edge of this market segment. The Frontier is built on the same rugged F-Alpha platform as the full-size Titan pickup, Armada and Pathfinder SUVs. Naturally, they share a number of significant features including fully boxed all-steel, body-on-frame construction.

2009 saw the debut of the PRO-4X off-road model, along with new Crew Cab LE/PRO-4X, and a group of Value Truck Packages (VTP) offering menus of popular optional equipment at greater values than if purchased separately.

The Frontier, which is built in Smyrna, Tennessee, is offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab configurations with 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines, for a total of eight model choices.

Walkaround: Frontier boasts the same proud profile as the Titan. It also shares its aggressive, wide stance, chrome grillwork and most other styling cues as the rest of the Nissan truck-based lineup. The only exterior cosmetic changes for 2010 are subtle refinements.

While the Frontier remains a compact pickup by government standards, it’s one of the largest trucks in this segment, inside and out, boasting a 125.9-inch wheelbase that enhances ride comfort and stability. Its overall length of 205.5 inches is the perfect "activity size" for people who don't need a true full-size pickup.

The King Cab and Crew Cab both have large rear doors, and like the full-size Titan, the King Cab rear doors are hinged in back while Crew Cab open forward like a sedan.

Do-it-yourselfers, gardeners and tradesman will all appreciate Nissan’s innovative 5-channel Utili-track multi-configuration bed — complete with a standard spray-in bedliner. It has tie-down brackets that slide in the channels, offering an infinite combination of possibilities. There’s also an optional sliding bed divider and cage-style bed extender.

Interior: The roomy interior comes with a choice of power-adjustable cloth or leather seats, plus optional heated seats and mirrors. The King Cab features flip-up rear seats and both cab styles offer excellent storage, with removable storage boxes tucked beneath the rear seats, while the front passenger seat folds flat for added load carrying capacity (not available on leather-trimmed models). There’s a lockable dual glove box, plus center console storage. A one-liter bottle holder is integrated into the front doors with a multitude of standard cupholders and power points.

The Crew Cab offers an available leather interior and optional tilt and sliding moonroof.

The Crew Cab PRO-4X VTP adds black leather-appointed front seats with red stitching, plus an 8-way power driver’s seat, 4-way power passenger’s seat, heated front seats, dual heated outside mirrors and rear fold-down center armrest.

Instrumentation is Nissan’s signature amber and easy to read. Sound and climate controls are ergonomically positioned and easy to figure out. Sirius/XM satellite radio is offered with the standard AM/FM/CD, and optional Navigation.

Under The Hood: There’s two engine choices: the base 2.5-liter, 152-horse, DOHC inline 4-banger available in the King Cab 4x2; and the same, award-winning, 4.0-liter, 261 horse, high-output Nissan VQ series V6 powerplant used in the 370Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest, as well as Infiniti vehicles, but specifically tuned for truck use. It features fully variable valve timing and Nissan's Induction Control System (NICS), for excellent fuel efficiency and smooth operation.

The Frontier comes with three transmission choices — an advanced 5-speed automatic, 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed manual (King Cab I4 model).

Frontier 4x4 models include shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes operated by an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. As I found out in Texas, overall off-road capability is substantial, including a Hill Descent Control (HDC) similar to Land Rover for descending hills without using the brake pedal. HDC is engaged by the driver flipping a switch, and is available only when the transfer case is engaged in 4HI or 4LO. Cool features include it working in both forward and reverse and activation at speeds up to 31 mph in 4HI and 15 mph in 4LO.

Behind The Wheel: I’ve driven the Frontier numerous times in all versions, under a wide variety of conditions, from freeway to dry riverbeds, up and down steep, rocky hills and in city traffic. The V6 performance, as well as the Frontier’s off-road capabilities, are impressive. There aren’t too many places the Frontier won’t go — or get you back from.

On the highway, it’s exceptionally quiet for a pickup this size — even at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The longer wheelbase, wider track and heavier, Titan frame give it an added measure of stability at those speeds as well. It comes standard with power rack-and-pinion steering that doesn’t feel too heavy or over-compensate, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Whines: With so many configuration and option choices, the price of a Frontier can run up pretty quickly, but the VTPs help.

Bottom Line: The Nissan Frontier offers excellent on and off-road capabilities, terrific handling, serious utility, exceptional comfort and above average quietness for a truck this size. It’s not a Titan, but being built on the same platform gives it a lot of attributes of its full-size sibling. I believe it’s the very best, most versatile, and capable truck available in this segment.

More than 6,000 Ford Fiesta reservations booked before ordering began

2010-02-27T09:14:00.001-08:00

The momentum for the Ford Fiesta began with over 6,000 reservations and more than 100,000 handraisers, months ahead of its launch this summer. All 50 states are represented, with interest from both Ford and non-Ford customers. In fact, 51 percent of Fiesta reservations are from non-Ford customers. The top non-Ford sources of reservations are coming from Honda, Toyota, Jeep and Saturn owners. Reservations from customers driving European and Japanese import brands outnumber reservations from customers driving other domestic brands two to one.

Customers could begin placing their orders for a 2011 Ford Fiesta through their local Ford dealer on Feb. 15.

The Reservations program is providing Ford with a better understanding of consumer preferences. Nearly 60 percent of customers are opting for high series models, and 65 percent are choosing the five-door hatchback. Among the top three color choices are Blue Flame and Lime Squeeze.

“People saw the Fiesta come to life through the Fiesta Movement, a program where 100 young trendsetters drove a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months, which created tremendous interest for the vehicle,” said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager.

The Fiesta Reservations program lets consumers build, price and reserve a 2011 Ford Fiesta, while giving them a VIP experience in conjunction with Ford dealers. Orders could be placed when customers with a reservation received communication from their personal Reservations consultant to assist in meeting with their dealer and place their order.

California is the leading source of reservations among those under the age of 45. Every corner of the United States is represented in the reservations bank. Top states are Michigan, California, Florida, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Chevy debuts new 2011 Silverado HD line

2010-02-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

At the recent Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet introduced the new 2011 Silverado HD line, with segment-best towing and payload capability

“We reached out to our customers during the development of the 2011 Silverado HD and considered their input to produce a truck that offers class-leading strength and capability with more power, quicker acceleration and lower emissions,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager.

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD lineup offers all-new, fully-boxed frame assemblies; stronger independent and new asymmetrical leaf-spring rear suspensions; a strengthened 6.0L Vortec 6L90 standard powertrain; a new, exclusive exhaust brake system; larger brakes; improved ride, handling and steering; and comprehensive safety and functional technologies such as 170-degree-opening rear access doors on extended cab models and state-of-the art connectivity.

The Silverado heavy-duty lineup grows to 11 2500HD models and eight single- and dual-rear-wheel 3500HD models – including a new 3500HD Crew Cab with a 6.5-foot cargo box.

Three trim levels are offered and popular features, including the EZ Lift tailgate and rearview camera system, return. All models bring greater capability, improved ride and handling and a greater feeling of driver control. Depending on the model the Silverado HD offers:

• Segment-best fifth-wheel towing capacity of 20,000 pounds

• Segment-best conventional towing capacity increases up to 23 percent, with a maximum of 16,000 pounds

• Segment-best payload capability of 6,335 pounds

• Segment-best Gross Combined Weight Rating increases to 27,500 pounds

• Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings increases up to 17 percent to 13,000 pounds

• Front Axle Weight Rating increases by up to 25 percent to 6,000 pounds

• Exhaust brake system designed to extend brake pad life and help avoid overheating on long descents

• Snow plow capability enabled for all 4WD cab configurations

“Along with all their heavy-duty equipment, these trucks are designed to be stylish and refined, inside and out,” said Campbell. “We paid close attention to all the details, giving them a distinctive, muscular appearance on the exterior and a well-appointed interior with the comfort, convenience and safety features customers appreciate.”

On the outside, the 2011 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models are distinguished by a power dome-style hood with a new, louvered design, as well as a new grille and full-width chrome steel front bumper. A new lineup of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel/tire combinations is featured, too (20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels available on 2500HD).

2010 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid: A great green choice for the Pacific Northwest

2010-02-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

By Bruce Caldwell

The big $4.00/$5.00@ gallon gas scare seems to have subsided in the wake of tougher economic times, but the push to save resources and “drive green” hasn’t. The fact that people aren’t panicking about gas prices makes now an even better time to purchase a hybrid. When crazy second stickers were in force they wiped out much of the financial savings afforded by hybrids. If you buy one now with a more noble green philosophy you’ll still end up saving the folding type of green.

The Ford Escape and sibling Mercury Mariner are essentially the same package with different wrappers available at different dealerships. Besides the hybrid feature these compact SUVs make excellent choices because of their size/Óutility/versatility features. These pluses are available at lower prices in the non-hybrid versions. The AWD models are ideal for the occasionally inclement weather around here.

Walkaround: The Escape/Mariner was freshened for 2008 so they’ve been pretty much left alone for 2010. Styling is conservative, but not overly bland. Our test vehicle was a handsome black clear coat with a stone leather interior. The light green color is both attractive and it fits with the whole ecology theme.

Interior: The interiors are nice in both cars, but the Mariner doesn’t seem proportionally better than the Escape. We expect a noticeable difference between siblings when one is marketed as a more upscale vehicle. Front legroom is fine as is rear legroom. The rear floor is flat, which is a big plus. The front leather seats had a single temp heated feature, although the HVAC system was a dual temp unit. The medium size sunroof was a welcome feature.

A two-part liftgate/rear glass accesses a flat cargo area. The space is a good size for common errands, but not for moving major appliances.

Under The Hood: A 6-speed automatic now backs the regular four-cylinder and V-6 engines. The Hybrid uses a CVT (continuously variable transmission). The integration of the 153 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and the electric drive motor was smooth and unnoticeable unless you were watching the instrumentation.

Both the hybrid and traditional power trains work well. The hybrids don’t return Prius level fuel economy, but we’ve still seen north of 30 mpg, which is great by any SUV standards. The hybrids aren’t made for serious off-roading, but then, how many heavy-duty SUVs ever see more than an occasional gravel driveway?

Behind The Wheel: The Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrids are pretty neutral cars to drive. There’s nothing wrong with them, but they don’t exude excitement, either. The seamlessness of the powertrain pretty much typifies the whole driving experience.

Whines: Fuel economy information is displayed on the navigation screen, so we had to divert our eyes from the road to monitor economy numbers. The interior had more hard plastic than we expected.

Bottom Line: The Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrids are a viable alternative to larger and/or smaller hybrids. They provide a good mix of comfort, style and fuel economy in a relatively compact package.

2010 Acura TSX: Now with V6 power

2010-02-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

By Bruce Caldwell

Acuras are wonderful long distance cars. They’re built so well and so comfortable that the miles just melt away. I’ve always felt that Acura cars were based on outstanding engineering. That super solid basis comes through when covering multi-state distances.

The precision engineering shines on boring freeways and even more on secondary roads. The Acura TSX is a nimble sedan, so twisty back roads are lots of fun. The wheelbase is long enough to make highway travel smooth.

Walkaround: The TSX was redesigned for 2009, so 2010 changes are virtually non-existent. We didn’t care for the grille/nose treatment last year and time hasn’t softened our opinion. I don’t know who came up with the current “bold prow” theme, but you couldn’t change it soon enough to suit me. The fit and finish is excellent as always. Superior quality control is an Acura hallmark.

Interior: Well-appointed, comfortable interiors are standard Acura fare. We had no discomfort even after long hours of driving without a break. The leather seats are a pleasant blend of comfort and support. The soft headrests helped prevent neck fatigue. Front legroom is of the stretch-out variety even for tall drivers. Adjustable lumbar and two-temp heated seats are appreciated long distance features.

The contoured leather-wrapped steering wheel was very comfortable during long stints behind the wheel. The auxiliary audio, phone, cruise, and info controls kept us entertained and informed without taking our eyes off the road.

As great as the front seats are the rear seats are snug. I guess you need to step up the Acura hierarchy to better pamper rear seat passengers. The trunk is reasonably big, but the floor isn’t totally flat and the wheel wells intrude on the available space. The trunk opening is wide as is the pass-thru to the folding rear seats. The sunroof was a nice size and functioned perfectly. The sound system/satellite radio was first class as usual.

Under The Hood: The 2009 Acura TSX was available with a single engine—a 2.4-liter inline four cylinder that produces 201 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, but the 2010 TSX is now available with the great 3.5-liter 280 hp V-6 from the Acura TL. Like all Acura V-6 engines this is a super smooth engineering marvel.

The I-4 can be had with either a manual or automatic transmission. The V-6 is only available with the auto trans. The transmission availability might influence some buyers, but given the overabundance of congested traffic it makes perfect sense to choose an automatic transmission.

Behind The Wheel: The Acura TSX is a wonderfully competent and comfortable long distance traveler. It’s equally at home on short, local errands. Controls and ergonomics are all well designed. The V-6 is a great upgrade, but the I-4 is still an excellent choice.

Whines: Ditch the cattle catcher front end styling and bring back the smoother noses of earlier Acuras.

Bottom Line: As the entry level Acura the TSX represents an excellent value. It has Acura/Honda precision engineering and quality at an attractive price.

2010 Porsche Panamera: New four-door sedan worthy of the Porsche name

2010-02-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

By Lary Coppola

The 2010 Porsche Panamera is the storied brand’s first-ever four-door sedan. With the Mercedes-Benz S Class, Maserati Quattroporte, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and M5 squarely in its crosshairs, the Panamera is actually a hatchback with a roomy rear seat, back-seat headroom, leg and hip room that rivals any of the other cars in this class, plus actual useful cargo space.

Even beyond having four doors, the Panamera is markedly different from traditional Porsches. Unlike the 911, with its rear-mounted engine, the Panamera sports a front-engine design, and is an impressively smooth luxury highway cruiser, belying its world-class handling and performance.

Model Lineup: The 2010 Porsche Panamera is offered in three configurations — the S, 4S and Turbo models.

Standard on the Panamera S ($89,800) and 4S ($93,800) are leather upholstery; eight-way power-adjustable, heated front bucket seats with driver's seat memory; tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel; cruise control; power windows, locks and mirrors; sunroof; 11-speaker, 235-watt AM/FM stereo with CD/DVD/MP3 player; Porsche Communication Management system with seven-inch touchscreen, navigation system and trip computer; automatic climate control; interior air filter; Homelink universal garage door opener; anti-theft system; auto-dimming outside and rearview mirrors; automatic bi-xenon headlights; split-folding rear bucket seats; power rear liftgate; adaptive rear spoiler; Porsche Active Suspension Management adjustable suspension; and alloy wheels. The 4S adds all-wheel drive with an automatic brake differential.

The Panamera Turbo ($132,800) adds full leather upholstery and interior trim; 14-way power seats with memory; power tilt/telescoping steering column; alcantara roof liner; adaptive air suspension with load-leveling and adjustable ride height; and adaptive headlights.

The Panamera offers options galore, including adaptive air suspension; Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control with rear differential lock; variable assist power steering; Sport Chrono Plus package with analog and digital stopwatch, Sport Plus button and launch control; ceramic composite brakes; sport exhaust system with modified silencers, special tailpipes and an interior button to change the exhaust note. Front park assist and a rearview camera are bundled.

Where interior options are concerned you can get just about any part of the interior trimmed in leather, alcantara, wood or aluminum depending upon personal preference and the depth of your checkbook. Available are full-leather interior with memory for the driver's seat and driver's side mirror; a choice of 14 or 18-way power seats in full leather or cloth; power steering column and memory for lights, wipers, A/C, door locks, instrument cluster and PCM settings; front park assist; adaptive cruise control; large rear center console; eight-way power rear seats; front and rear seat ventilation; four-zone automatic climate control; heated steering wheel; power sunscreens for rear side windows and a power rear sunscreen.

Tech options include Sirius/XM satellite radio; Bluetooth cell phone connectivity; 6CD/DVD changer;, and a Universal Audio Interface with auxiliary input and USB ports.

Walkaround: The Panamera has a sleek, sporty, coupe-like profile, and even as a 4-door, is still unmistakably a Porsche. The 911 influence is evident in the signature rear wheel flares and hood that sits lower than the front fenders, as well as the front end with lower air intakes but no grille. The rounded rear end also hides a cleverly designed active rear spoiler that rests under a chrome trim strip and pops up at speed to increase rear downforce.

The rounded four-door hatchback design allows for generous rear headroom while also offering the rear cargo utility of a wagon, with a sporty coupe rear profile.

The swollen rear end is somewhat reminiscent of the old 928, and may be the car's weakest styling point, but the Panamera has a definite presence — attracting attention anywhere people see it.

Interior: Porsche claims the Panamera is the most luxurious car its ever built — and for obvious reasons. The fit and finish are outstanding and all materials are top-grade, with soft-touch surfaces everywhere.

The Panamera S and 4S models come standard with three partial leather upholstery choices, while the Turbo boasts full-leather in four color choices. Three different two-tone combinations, natural leather in two colors, and one two-tone combination are also available.

Interior trim choices include carbon, aluminum, and five real-wood options, with an alcantara roofliner (standard on Turbo), and extra leather on just about anything, including the steering column, rearview mirror, the top of the dash, and air vents all available.

The center console houses over 30 control buttons, with some of those functions (and others) controlled via the standard seven-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash, with another 18 buttons surrounding it. A second 4.8-inch multi-function display is housed in one of the gauge pods in front of the driver. It’s paired with the navigation screen to display just about any information the driver may want.

Porsche wisely opted for command buttons rather than a joy-stick controller such as BMW's highly unintuitive iDrive. The buttons, which are logically grouped by function and easily accessible, are simple to figure out.

Three audio systems are offered. The base 11 speaker, 235 watt system is better than many other manufacturer’s premium systems. The optional 14-speaker, 585 watt Bose surround sound system is loud, clear, and as good as any premium system you'd find in most upscale luxury cars. However, the kickass 16-speaker, 1000-watt Burmester surround sound is as clear as anything I've ever heard — and I've heard some really great ones.

The front bucket seats are firm, comfortable, and supportive, with a seating position similar to the 911, only higher. The full-length center console, inspired by the Porsche Carrera GT, sweeps upwards toward the dash, creating four distinct seating positions, each offering ample room and comfort.

Considering the rear-sloping roof, rear-seat headroom is especially impressive, and can comfortably accommodate passengers over 6-feet.

The hatchback design provides plenty of cargo space for larger items. With the rear seats up, there is 15.6 cubic feet of space behind them — about as much as a large sedan's trunk. The rear seats fold almost flat, revealing 44.2 cubic feet of cargo room — enough for four suitcases.

Standard safety features include dual front airbags, dual front knee airbags, front- and rear-side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover deployment, anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, tire-pressure monitor, and rear park assist.

Under The Hood: The Panamera S and 4S come with a 4.8-liter V8 putting 400 ponies to the pavement, while the Panamera Turbo offers a turbocharged version of that same V8, rated at 500 horses. Both powerplants are mated to Porsche's new seven-speed automated manual PDK transmission. The Panamera S is rear-wheel drive, while the 4S and Turbo boast all-wheel drive.

Behind The Wheel: The Porsche Panamera is an absolute dream to drive, and all models are really fast — as you would expect from Porsche. The normally aspirated V8 in S and 4S models has plenty of power at any speed, and can do 0-60 drill in as little as 4.6 seconds. The Turbo slices that to 3.6 seconds, with little if any turbo lag and a surge of power pinning you to the seat.

I had the opportunity to put all the Panamera's through their paces at the 4.1-mile, 14-turn, Road America racecourse in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Myself and a driving partner picked one up at the Milwaukee airport and drove the two hours to Elkhart Lake, and back, getting some city and highway driving in as well.

Two forms of adjustable suspension are offered, a standard system with gas shocks, and a full air suspension on the Turbo. The suspension adjustments allow the Panamera to drive like a luxury car or a race-ready sports sedan. The Panamera was at right home on the track, with quick, communicative steering, blazing acceleration, and a willingness to change direction and respond to driver input that made it stable, and forgiving through hard, high-speed turns.

Road America has several long straightaways, and the Panamera's brakes heated up after about an hour of repeated extreme use with almost no down time by numerous rotating drivers. However, under normal conditions, the brakes are more than capable.

The Turbo delivers extreme performance that's almost too easy to control. The Panamera S felt lighter than the Turbo, but the 4S, with its surefooted all-wheel drive, fit my personal driving style like a glove, and was my preference of the trio. I drove it faster than anything else I’ve ever driven — 163 mph — with total confidence.

For all the power, the Panamera is fairly easy on gas. It comes with a hybrid-like start/stop feature that turns the engine off at stoplights to conserve fuel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 16/city and 24/highway for the S models and 15/23 for the Turbo, meaning no Panamera is subject to the Gas Guzzler tax.

Whines: The speedometer is marked in hard-to-read 25 mph increments, but if you can't read it, a digital speed readout is provided at the bottom of the tach.

Bottom Line: The 2010 Porsche Panamera was an excellent expansion of the Porsche lineup. It debuts as one of the world's best luxury sports sedans, combining ultra high performance with the comfortable ride and interior refinement of a luxury cruiser. It's fast, handles like a dream, carries four in comfort and has plenty of cargo room. All that capability doesn't come cheap, and Porsche's numerous options can add as much as $60,000 to the price of the car. But if you can afford it — it’s worth it.

Honda Crosstour: Attractive package inside and out

2010-02-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

By Lary Coppola

The all-new 2010 Crosstour is Honda's latest Accord model, and what’s known as a CUV — Crossover Utility Vehicle. Let’s politely call it what it actually is, a hatchback Accord. The Accord Crosstour will fill the slot in between the CR-V and Pilot.

Someone I spoke with recently tried to make a strong case that with the Crosstour, Honda has finally gotten the Accord right. I never thought there was too much wrong with the original, and this vehicle is aimed at a different buyer than the Accord. But the Crosstour has a lot going for it.

A few years back, Honda’s market research found a large number of buyers — anticipated to be 20-somethings starting families and empty nesters — would want an Accord-size vehicle that wasn’t a truck, was handier than a sedan, and sportier than a mainstream CUV, and they would want it right about now.

Since planning a new vehicle takes years, and anticipating what car buyers will want and need in the future is less than an exact science, it’s a major crapshoot every time a new vehicle is introduced.

Were they right? Time will tell.

Model Lineup: The Crosstour comes in two trim levels, with front-wheel-drive standard. The Crosstour EX starts at $29,670, while the more upscale EX-L sells for $32,570. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) package is only available on the EX-L, starting at $34,020. Adding navigation adds another $2,200 to the sticker, for a total of $34,770 with 2WD and $36,220 with AWD.

Walkaround: Although visually similar to the recently introduced Acura ZDX (Honda owns Acura), the Crosstour doesn’t share the ZDX's platform, instead, riding on a modified Accord chassis.

The Crosstour differs from the Accord sedan in several ways besides the obvious sloping roofline. There’s a beefier more aggressive looking grille, two-inch wider stance (although there’s about an inch less room inside), a 110.1-inch wheelbase, more weight — 299 to 487 pounds more than Accord sedans. It's the only Accord to offer AWD — as basic as it may be — and has two additional inches of ground clearance than the Accord sedan for foul-weather and bad-road driving. The sloping rear roof gives the 2010 Accord Crosstour a very distinctive look — especially in contrast to the flat-roofed, Camry-based Toyota Venza or Ford Flex.

The hatch is just much handier than a trunk, and space behind Crosstour's back seat is twice the size of an Accord sedan trunk.

The AWD system, which Honda dubs Real Time, is the same one used on its CR-V and Element small SUVs. Basically, it’s a front-drive system that transfers some power to the back wheels when, and only when, the front wheels slip. While it responds quickly, AWD always provides better stability and traction if it anticipates and can power all the wheels a moment before they lose traction, rather than after. The system is lighter and cheaper than more sophisticated AWD setups, but it worked fine in some very wet winter weather.

Behind The Wheel: The Crosstour has one of the best combinations of ride comfort and bump-smoothing I’ve found in almost any test car I’ve driven in awhile. It handled some tight, two-lane blacktop twisties at speed surprisingly well, and acceleration was adequate in traffic and on the freeway. Both are surprising, given that extra weight usually degrades handling and slows acceleration.

Steering had a comfortable feeling of quick turning response, and wasn’t too heavy or sluggish, while the 4-wheel disc brakes felt above average. Towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

Gas mileage on our two-wheel-drive test EX-L was rated at 18/city and 27 highway.

Bottom Line: I liked the Crosstour a lot. It drives great and is stylish, comfortable and practical. Our loaded test model stickered at $35,480, although the Crosstour is anywhere from $2,865 to $3,665 more than similarly equipped Accord sedans. But for you get and all the Crosstour can do, you just can’t beat its bang for the buck — especially when you factor in Honda dependability.

Chinese poised to buy Volvo

2010-01-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

While the United States is still reeling from a recession that saw the demise of General Motors and Chrysler averted only by massive taxpayer-funded government bailouts, the Chinese continue to breathe down our economic superpower necks with their own foray into the global auto industry.

Leading the way is Shanghai-based Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., which was the first Chinese automaker to exhibit at the Detroit Auto Show — which opened to the press this morning — and is now closing in on the purchase of Volvo Car Corp. from Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor Company.

At the same time, across the big pond, here in America, some 2,000 GM and Chrysler dealers are still waiting to hear the Obama administration’s Car Czar justify why it, and a bankruptcy court, arbitrarily phased them out of business last spring.

Volvo Presents All-Electric C30

2010-01-07T07:17:00.000-08:00

In addition to the market introduction of a plug-in hybrid in 2012, work is currently under way on evaluating the viability of an entirely electric-powered car known as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). In 2009, a small number of prototype versions of the C30 BEV have been built and tested internally by Volvo. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, much of the focus is on integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

"The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car's excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting," says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

Volvo C30 BEV is powered with a Lithium-Ion battery that is charged via a regular power socket found in most homes. Recharging an entirely depleted battery via the regular household power supply system (230V, 16A) will take about eight hours. If the car is charged with renewable electricity this means that emissions – all the way from electricity production to its use out on the road – will in principle be non-existent.

The electric motor is housed under the hood, just like the engine in a conventional car. One of the priorities within the BEV project is to find the optimal placing of the battery. Most likely the best places are the prop shaft tunnel and the place where the fuel tank normally is located. These locations are within the car's optimised crumple zone in the most common collision scenarios. Since the car runs solely on electricity, it requires a larger battery with higher capacity (24 kWh) than in the case of the plug-in hybrid (12 kWh).

The C30 BEV is limited to a top speed of about 130 kilometres an hour, which will be more than sufficient for most users of this type of car. Acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometres an hour will take less than 11 seconds. The car will have a range of up to 150 kilometres. This range is longer and far better than the distance 90 percent of all Europe's motorists drive per day.

Volvo imposes the very same high safety standards on all its products irrespective of the type of fuel or power source used. Volvo's safety dedication is always focused on the human being and is based on solid knowhow of real-life traffic situations. What is more, comprehensive in-house tests are carried out both virtually and in Volvo's highly advanced crash-test laboratory. If Volvo chooses to introduce an entirely new type of electric car on the market, it will be just as safe as any other car bearing the Volvo badge.

Volvo has theoretically identified all the electrification-related safety scenarios in the stages before, during and after a collision. After careful study of these scenarios, the company's engineers will create solutions for handling each and every situation identified, guaranteeing that any future electric cars fully match Volvo's renowned safety standards in every respect.

Volvo's' main electrification track over the coming decades is plug-in hybrids. This applies in particular to the company's larger car models. The combination of electric motor and combustion engine is the solution that probably has the greatest potential from both the technical and commercial viewpoints. Plug-in hybrids offer long range, good environmental performance and at the same time limited dependence on expensive battery technology.

Kia Debuts UVO-Powered Infotainment System

2010-01-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

Short for "Your Voice," Kia has unveiled the new UVO, powered by Microsoft. UVO is an innovative and intelligent in-vehicle infotainment system that features a breakthrough user interface, providing simple and quick access to vehicle audio systems, music media in various formats and mobile phone content

UVO is the first in-vehicle solution to integrate full Microsoft® intelligent speech engine technology