Nissan Cube Rolls into Dealerships

Pricing for Nissan’s newest ALV begins at $13,990

2010 Nissan cube

The 2010 Nissan cube, a super-value active lifestyle vehicle, rolls into dealerships this month. Pricing for the base model starts at $13,990, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The mid-grade 1.8 S starts at $14,690 with the six-speed manual; $15,690 with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Both the 1.8 SL, priced from $16,790, and the upscale cube Kr?m (pronounced “chrome”) starting at $19,370 come standard with the automatic.

Standard safety features include front, side and side curtain airbags, front seat active head restraints, vehicle stability and traction control, and antilock braking.

Available technology includes keyless start, Bluetooth interface, XM satellite radio, and a Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade. SL and KR?m models come standard with sixteen-inch wheels, automatic temperature control, six speakers and iPod interface. A special body kit and the Rockford Fosgate subwoofer are standard on the Kr?m.

The cube is all about individuality: maybe that explains the creative punctuation. Buyers can choose from over forty accessories, including ground effects, 20-color interior illumination kit, a “shag dash topper” and custom wheels. Eat your heart out, Austin Powers.

Nissan is launching a cube mobile hub May 15, which invites users to download wallpapers, videos, music ringtones and a link to Nissan’s mobile site. In the meantime, consumers can learn more about the cube by visiting Nissan’s consumer web site.

Volvo Design Teams Observe Global Trends

Camarillo and Barcelona design centers give the automaker a wider perspective

Volvo C30 Concept Car

Volvo designers understand the importance of maintaining a wide footprint. Design teams in southern California and Spain are on alert for emerging trends that need to be on the company’s radar.

Volvo’s Monitoring and Concept Center in Camarillo, California uses a cross-functional approach. Designers and engineers work side by side in the wind tunnel. Their efforts produced the Environmental Concept Car that became the first S80, and the first safety concept car that evolved into the current C30.

The Strategic Design Center in Barcelona is the yin to Southern California’s yang. While roads in the western US are wide and straight, Europe’s streets are narrow and winding. Many of Volvo’s small car concepts originate in Barcelona. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Pontiac returns to its roots with a sports sedan that’s all attitude

By Nina Russin

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

The Pontiac G8 GXP parked in my driveway reminds me a lot of the ’63 Catalina sedan. The sedan wasn’t technically a muscle car: a designation reserved for the hardtop model. But its large V-8 engine had enough low-end torque to strip asphalt, and the available Hurst shifter ensured that none of the horsepower went to waste.

A kid who might want to borrow Mom and Dad’s car to do a few smoky burnouts on the weekend could get the job done with the family sedan, assuming the car was a properly equipped ’63 Catalina. It wasn’t exactly a wolf in sheep’s clothing: more like Doctor Jeckyll on the losing end of a date with Mister Hyde.

Like the Catalina, the Pontiac G8 is a muscle car in a sedan body. Unlike the most recent GTO, the G8 has styling to match its performance. That’s a good thing, since Pontiac enthusiasts don’t take well to milk toast exteriors. Read the rest of this entry »

New Audi Start-Stop Feature Boosts Gas Mileage

Automaker plans to reduce fuel consumption across model line-up 20 percent by 2012

Audi Start-Stop Display

Audi, a company known for race-inspired ride and handling, is making its passenger cars more fuel-thrifty. The automaker plans to decrease fuel consumption 20 percent across the model line-up by 2012, as compared to the 2007 level.

A new start-stop system shuts off the engine at idle to save gas and reduce CO2 emissions. The system works on manual transmission cars only: its turns off the ignition once the car has come to a stop, the gear lever is in neutral and the driver releases the clutch pedal. Depressing the clutch restarts the engine.

The system rolls out the second quarter of 2009 in the Audi A3 TFSI with manual transmission, and in the Audi A4 and A5 with two-liter engines and manual transmissions.

Audi’s energy consumption system uses deceleration to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. When the car accelerates, the battery sends the temporarily stored energy back into the vehicle to relieve the alternator and save gas. The system is currently standard equipment in the A3 1.4 TFSI with manual transmission, the A4, A5 coupe and A5 cabriolet with two liter engine and manual transmission, the A6, Q5 and Q7.

A new driver information system continuously analyzes energy consumption and gives the driver tips on saving fuel. A new gearshift indicator tells the driver when to shift for optimal fuel economy. A display identifies systems such as the air conditioner and seat heaters that require extra gas, and indicates their share in fuel consumption. Drivers who follow the guidelines can improve their car’s fuel efficiency up to 30 percent, according to the manufacturer.

Ford Truck Plant to Build Green Cars

Michigan Assembly Plant will produce Battery-Electric Focus

Michigan Assembly Plant History

Ford announced today that it is investing $550 million to transform its Michigan Truck Plant into a flexible small car production facility. The plant will build Ford’s next-generation Focus, including a battery-electric version for the North American market.

The Michigan facility is one of three light truck plants that Ford is retooling for small car production: the other two are in Louisville, Kentucky and Cuautitlan, Mexico. The retooling is part of Ford’s strategy to bring six new small cars to the American market by 2012.

Electric Focus and Transit Connect

Ford is collaborating with Magna International to develop the electric Focus: power comes from a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack and a high-voltage electric motor. The battery recharges using either a 110-volt or 220-volt outlet.

At the same time, the automaker is working with Smith Electric on a battery-electric version of its Transit Connect: a small commercial van. Ford is also working on a new hybrid platform for the 2012 model year, as well as a plug-in hybrid.

“The transformation of Michigan Assembly Plant embodies a larger transformation under way at Ford,” said CEO and president, Alan Mulally. “It is about fuel economy and the electrification of vehicles. It is about leveraging our expertise… to deliver best-in-class global small cars.”

The investment will support approximately 3200 jobs at the Michigan plant. The plant formerly produced Ford’s full-sized sport-utility vehicles: the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.

Subaru Announces Outback Pricing

2010 model comes with two available engines and a continuously variable automatic transmission

2010 Outback

Subaru’s fourth-generation Outback appeals to buyers with active lifestyles, with a new roof rail and integrated crossbar design, enhanced ground clearance, and a new continuously variable automatic transmission. Pricing for the 2010 Outback begins at $22,995, for the base model: power comes from a 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

All-wheel drive is standard for all four grades, giving the Outback all-weather, all-terrain capability. The base 2.5i model features Subaru’s hill holder system that keeps the car from slipping backwards on steep grades, a new ‘eco’ gauge, ambient temperature reading, and remote keyless entry. The standard AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player is MP3 compatible. Automatic headlamps, variable intermittent wipers, and a 60/40 split folding rear seat are also standard.

The 2.5i Premium model adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, sixteen-inch wheels, halogen fog lamps, a cargo cover and leather wrapped steering wheel. Pricing begins at $24,295 with the six-speed manual; $25,295 for the automatic.

The 2.5i Limited comes standard with the automatic transmission, dual zone climate controls, seventeen-inch wheels, upgraded audio system and an all-weather package that includes heated seats, windshield wiper de-icers and heated outside mirrors. Pricing for the Limited begins at $27,995. Read the rest of this entry »

Volkswagen Clears the Air on Clean Diesel

New consumer blog forum explains the difference between traditional and clean diesel

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Today, Volkswagen launched its first consumer blog forum, with news and features about clean diesel technology. “TDI Truth and Dare” includes information on federal tax credits, EPA mileage certification and tailpipe emissions.

Readers can learn about the Volkswagen Touareg TDI’s first place finish in the grueling Dakar Rally, and Joey Atterbury’s first place finish in the first Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race of the season.

A separate story covers Volkswagen’s biodiesel research. Volkswagen is the first automaker to cover the use of B5 biodiesel in its factory warranty for all diesel vehicles.

The “Dare” page asks readers to participate in three challenges. The first uses coffee filters to compare clean diesel to traditional diesel emissions. The coffee filters prove that the clean diesel reduces sooty emissions by 95 percent. In a second challenge, a Volkswagen Golf TDI gets stuck in the ice. Can the driver start the Golf, debunking the myth that diesel cars don’t start in extreme cold temperatures?

In the third challenge, Volkswagen races a Jetta TDI against the Toyota Prius, proving that eco-friendly cars can appeal to performance enthusiasts.

To learn more, visit Volkswagen’s consumer blog forum.

2010 Honda Insight EX

Affordable hybrid averages over 40 mpg

By Nina Russin

2010 Honda Insight

The original Honda Insight was an uber-cool  hatchback with a small, but loyal cult following. It was cool because it had incredible fuel economy (70 mpg) and went like spit. The problem was that it only held two passengers, and had very limited cargo space.

The all-new Insight promises to have wider appeal. It’s bigger, holding up to five passengers, and has enough room behind the rear seats to store luggage or groceries. Best of all, the Insight is priced within reach of the average buyer: the base LX model starts at $19,800.

Having been a huge fan of the original Insight, I was excited about getting behind the wheel of the 2010 model. The test car is the EX grade that starts at $21,300. Unlike the base model, the EX includes Eco Assist: the speedometer background changes color to reflect driving efficiency. The background is green when the driver is maximizing fuel economy; blue when he’s not. I must admit, I was most often in the blue.

Despite that, I averaged 42 miles-per-gallon: a slight improvement over the EPA estimate. While the continuously variable transmission doesn’t produce the spitball performance of the original Insight, the new model is still a fun car to drive.

The Eco Assist feature is fun to play with: perhaps too much fun because I found myself focusing on that rather than the road. Honda has done a great job on interior ergonomics, from the Insight’s right-size steering wheel to its intuitive center stack. Read the rest of this entry »