Chevy Announces Pricing on Volt

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

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

      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

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?"

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

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

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

Related

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.