Nissan Boasts 20 Percent of Leaf's Production Sold Out

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

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

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

2010 Corvette: how much better can it get?

      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

      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

      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

      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.”