2009 Lexus LS 600h L

Hybrid technology gives flagship sedan a performance edge

By Nina Russin

2009 Lexus LS 600h L Sedan

Two years ago, Lexus introduced the LS 600h: a hybrid version of its flagship LS sedan. The technology is similar to the hybrid synergy drive in the Toyota Prius. But whereas Prius engineers focused exclusively on fuel economy, the Lexus team was more concerned with boosting power.

The hybrid powertrain in the Lexus 600h combines a 5-liter V-8 gasoline engine with two motor generators, yielding 438 system horsepower. The Lexus 600h accelerates from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in 5.5 seconds. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack recharges the electric motors.

Standard all-wheel drive automatically transfers engine power to the wheels with the best traction, enhancing the sedan’s four-season performance. The sedan has a 40/60 front-to-rear power split under normal conditions, mimicking rear-wheel drive. When the driver pushes the car, a limited slip differential can transfer up to seventy percent of engine power to the rear axle.

Three driving modes fine-tune the car’s performance for the driver’s needs. The hybrid mode maximizes fuel economy, while a power mode enhances acceleration. A snow mode minimizes wheel slippage on wet roads. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Dodge Caravan SXT

Minivan is a living room on wheels for active families

By Nina Russin

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

The minivan seems poised for a resurgence. The do-everything car Chrysler invented twenty five years ago is finding new fans in young, active families who appreciate its versatility. Because a minivan’s exterior is more aerodynamic than the typical, two-box sport-utility vehicle, it tends to get better fuel economy, reducing the cost of ownership.

Chrysler has dominated the ALV awards in the minivan category since introducing the current models two years ago. Athletes are impressed by Chrysler’s combination of excellent road manners and unique interior options.

The newest of these is called Swivel ‘n Go seating. Second-row seats swivel to face the third row. A pop-up table in between turns the back of the minivan into a family room. The seats meet all federal safety regulations in both front and rear-facing positions, and the table meets similar standards once deployed.

A rear DVD player, satellite television and a 115-volt outlet for plugging in games give kids a myriad of entertainment options. Built-in child booster seats are a stand-alone option.

This week, I spent time behind the wheel of the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. The SXT is more upscale of two Dodge minivans. Three rows of seating hold up to seven passengers. Power comes from a 4-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

Base price is $26,730, not including an $820 delivery charge. Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan Announces Leaf Roll-Out

Electric car comes to dealerships in December, 2010

Nissan Leaf

Nissan begins taking reservations for its new Leaf electric car in April. Interested buyers pay a $100 fee to get a priority spot when the automaker begins taking orders later this year.

The Leaf is available for lease or sale to consumers. A single transaction includes the battery. Cars begin rolling into dealerships in December.

In the meantime, the automaker is modifying its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to manufacture the Leaf and its battery packs. A $1.4 billion loan from the US Department of Energy is funding the project.

Rental car giant, Hertz, will be adding the Leaf to its US and European fleets in 2011. The electric cars will be available in major urban markets, where Hertz anticipates the highest demand.

The EV Project is deploying the recharging infrastructure, funded by a $98 million Department of Energy grant. ETec, a division of Ecotality, is providing 6,510 charging stations for the project. The public charging stations will be installed in five major markets: Seattle, Oregon, Tennessee, Phoenix/Tucson, and San Diego. Stations include both 240-volt and Level 3 fast chargers.

The company is also providing 4700 home charging stations for Leaf customers.

Nissan has formed eighteen partnerships with states and cities in the US, Mexico and Canada to prepare markets and infrastructure for electric cars. The partnerships include the state of Oregon, Sonoma County,  San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington DC, Seattle, Orlando, Raleigh, Houston, the state of Massachusetts, Mexico City and Vancouver Canada.

For more information on Nissan’s zero-emissions vehicle, visit the consumer web site.

2010 Mazda6 Touring Plus

Five-passenger sport sedan is an ALV best value

2010 Mazda6

Considering all it has to offer, it’s surprising that there isn’t more of a buzz about the Mazda6. The mid-sized sport sedan combines outstanding ride and handling, seating for up to five passengers, a high level of comfort, convenience and safety features, with pricing that starts under $20,000.

Mazda introduced the current iteration of the Mazda6 for the 2009 model year. This year, the automaker combines some popular comfort and convenient features such as Bluetooth interface, blind spot monitoring, and a power moonroof in a Touring Plus model.

Buyers can choose from two engines: an inline four-cylinder block in the Mazda6i, or a V-6 in the Mazda6s. The test car comes with the 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. Base price for the Touring Plus model is $23,750, not including a $750 destination fee. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI quattro Cabriolet

Open-air love affair

By Nina Russin

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Used to be, owning a convertible was a love/hate relationship. While nobody would argue with the visceral appeal of open-air motoring, drivers had to compromise ride and handling due to poor torsional rigidity that plagued many cabriolets. In addition, the soft tops did a poor job of insulating the interior against road noise and cold temperatures.

I owned one of those convertibles: a 1972 Olds Cutlass. While I enjoyed every day through seven summers of driving, I stored the car from October through April. In the winter, I drove a sedan.

The Audi A5 cabriolet is a different kind of animal: with a stronger skeleton and four-season performance. Engineers used high-strength steel throughout the body structure, enhancing  torsional rigidity without adding weight.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system maintains a rear-wheel bias on dry roads, and sends power to the wheels with the best traction on wet and icy surfaces. The top is insulated enough to keep out road noise in the summer and cold in the winter.

A two-liter, turbocharged engine produces excellent power while conserving on fuel. Audi’s direct fuel injection system delivers the gasoline directly into the engine cylinders, enhancing throttle response while reducing carbon monoxide emissions. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV

Premium sport sedan

By Nina Russin

2010 Nissan Maxima

Despite its luxury price tag, the Nissan Maxima is first and foremost a great value. Its ride and handling,  convenience and safety features rival much more expensive cars.

What hurt the car’s popularity until recently was its plain exterior. Last year, designers reconfigured the Maxima with a muscular, stylish body befitting its underpinnings. Buyers in the market for a sport sedan would be remiss not to test drive the Maxima.

The Maxima comes in two grades: the base S and upscale SV. Power for all grades comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and continuously variable transmission. Standard 18-inch wheels with V-rated tires give the sedan a wide, stable footprint. Four-wheel vented disc brakes with four-channel antilock braking stop the Maxima on a dime.

The test car is the 3.5 SV which retails for $33,180, not including the $720 destination charge. Standard comfort and convenience features include keyless entry and start, leather trim, an eight-way power driver’s seat and four-way power passenger seat, Bluetooth interface, Bose audio system with XM satellite radio, USB connectivity, and a power moonroof. Read the rest of this entry »