Bridgestone unveils two new Blizzaks

Winter tires enhance traction on snow and ice

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1

Tires are like running shoes: the more specific the application, the better the tires function. The difference between winter tires and all-season radials is that the former are compounded for colder temperatures than the latter. As a result, they stay stickier in extreme cold temperatures, for improved grip.

Winter tires also have different tread patterns, designed to maximize traction on snow, rain and ice-covered roads. The treads typically have larger void or open areas, and sipes: rubber blades that scrape standing water out of the tire’s way.

While winter tires may seem like an unnecessary investment, they can make a significant difference in performance for drivers who live in areas with severe weather. Bridgestone Blizzaks are known for their quality and value: they rival the performance of more expensive European brands.

This year Bridgestone is introducing two new Blizzak models: the R-rated DM-V1 for high-performance cars, and the H-rated LM-60, for more general applications. The DM-V1 uses a proprietary rubber compound to disperse water. A directional tread pattern enhances performance on dry roads, while “multi-Z” tread grooves improve grip on snow and ice.

The Bridgestone LM-60 was designed specifically for North American road conditions, with continuous lugs and zigzag sipes to enhance snow and ice traction. Grooves around the tires’ circumference channel water out of the way, in order to prevent hydroplaning.

The Bridgestone web site has more complete information on the complete line of Blizzak winter tires. The Tire Rack, based in South Bend, Indiana, is a good resource for information as well as products. Their web site includes product reviews by in-house evaluators, as well as information on regional tire installers. The Tire Rack has a huge inventory of tires from all of the major manufacturers, and can drop ship tires throughout the United states.

2010 GMC Terrain

Big truck features in a compact package

2010 GMC Terrain

The 2010 GMC Terrain shares chassis components with the compact Chevrolet Equinox. Designer John Cafaro Jr. gave the Terrain a more aggressive front end than its Chevrolet sibling, featuring a three-bar chrome grille and large headlamps. Although they share a 112.5-inch wheelbase, the Terrain is slightly longer than the Equinox, translating to a larger cargo bay.

The second-row seat slides fore and aft up to eight inches, making it easier for parents to install a rear-facing infant seat, or to extend the cargo floor. The 60/40 split rear seats also fold flat to make the Terrain bicycle friendly.

Buyers have a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or more powerful V6. Both come with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, and both are available with either front or all-wheel drive. In eco mode, the four-cylinder engine averages 32 miles-per-gallon on the highway. The mode switches the transmission from a liquid to friction coupling at lower speeds to save gas.

The 264-horsepower V6 appeals to buyers who need to tow trailers, meeting our ALV 3500-pound towing capacity. All models come with a fully-independent suspension, front and rear disc brakes with four-channel antilock braking. The base model rides on 17-inch wheels: buyers can upgrade to 18 or 19-inch rims.

Inside, the Terrain offers many features normally limited to larger sport-utility vehicles, including an available two-screen rear entertainment system. All models come with standard USB and Bluetooth interface, XM satellite radio, remote vehicle start, and an available navigation system with 10-gigabyte downloadable hard drive.

A programmable power liftgate allows the driver to adjust the height of the door, making it easier to open and close. A standard rear backup camera eliminates blind spots to the back of the vehicle.

Standard safety features include front, side and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a year of complimentary OnStar Safe and Sound Service.

Pricing for the Terrains starts at $24,995 for the front-wheel drive four-cylinder model. The upscale SLT2 model with standard 18-inch wheels, heated leather seats, a sunroof and power liftgate starts at $29,995. All prices include the $745 destination charge.

GMC builds the Terrain at General Motors’ Ingersoll, Ontario assembly plant.

2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z

Performance model takes Nissan’s sports car to the next level

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z

NISMO is Nissan’s performance arm: responsible for producing specially-tuned cars, parts and accessories. Whereas the Nissan 370Z is a sports car that can go to the track, the NISMO 370Z is a street-legal race car.

The NISMO grade is one of three 370Z models available, the other two being the coupe and roadster. Based on the coupe, the NISMO 370Z comes in one completely-equipped version, including a retuned exhaust for enhanced engine power, close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, bigger wheels, special suspension and brakes. Nissan’s front-midship platform creates a near-perfect front-to-rear weight ratio: 53/47.

Designers added functional ground effects and a rear spoiler to the exterior, while the interior sports unique upholstery, gauges, aluminum pedals and a plaque of authenticity. MSRP is $39,130, not including the $720 destination charge. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Infiniti EX 35 AWD Journey

Mid-sized crossover with race-inspired performance

By Nina Russin

2009 Infiniti EX35

The EX35 is similar to Infiniti’s FX crossover, but with more compact proportions. The EX exterior appears to combine elements from a station wagon and sport-utility vehicle. But looks can be deceiving. Ride and handling are akin to a sports coupe, thanks to Infiniti’s front midship platform and exceptional aerodynamics.

The EX is available in two grades, with rear or all-wheel drive. The test car is the upscale EX35 Journey with all-wheel drive. Base price is $37,400, not including the $865 destination charge. Three option packages, upgraded wheels, roof rails and illuminated kick plates bring the price as tested to $45,285.

Power comes from a 297-horsepower V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. Infiniti’s all-wheel drive system uses an active center clutch to distribute torque between the front and back, or side-to-side, depending on which wheels have the best traction. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Dodge Nitro SLT 4X4

Mid-sized sport-utility vehicle is an athlete’s tool box

By Nina Russin

2009 Dodge Nitro SLT

Two years ago, the Dodge Nitro won our ALV of the year award in the best value, off-road category. Jurors were impressed with the sport-utility vehicle’s combination of off-road capability and cargo features, including a sliding load floor that holds up to 400 pounds.

For 2009, Dodge refines the Nitro with some chassis enhancements, and additional convenience features. A four-speed automatic transmission is now standard on all models with the base 3.7-liter engine. Stiffer rear axle shafts, a re-tuned suspension and steering components improve the car’s handling. Revised brake calipers and a re-tuned booster produce better braking response.

The Nitro’s roster of convenience features now includes standard floor mats, a rear dome lamp, and automatic door unlock when the driver shifts into park. Express-down front windows are standard equipment on the upscale SLT and R/T models. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Toyota 4Runner Debuts in Texas

Toyota unveils the fifth-generation model at a September 24 news conference

2010 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota announced today that it will unveil the fifth-generation 4Runner at the Texas State Fair, during a September 24 news conference. The State Fair in Dallas runs from September 25 through October 18. Texas is Toyota’s biggest full-sized truck market. The automaker’s San Antonio assembly plant produces the full-sized Tundra.

The 4Runner is Toyota’s volume-leading off-road sport-utility vehicle. The original model entered dealer showrooms for the 1985 model year. The current version has been on the road since 2003. The 4Runner is available with a choice of V6 or V8 engines, in two or four-wheel drive configurations.

A two-speed transfer case, downhill assist control and hill start assist on the four-wheel drive truck give the 4Runner the ability to negotiate extreme terrain. A trail edition, introduced for the ’09 model year, adds a locking rear differential, active traction control, Bilstein shocks, special wheels and tires.

2009 Nissan cube 1.8S

Does Nissan’s funky box fill the squares for active lifestyles?

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan cube

The box-shaped crossover is to the new millennium what microbuses were to the 1960s. What made the microbus so popular, aside from its anti-establishment image, was its functionality. It was cheap, inexpensive to operate, and it held a lot of stuff: enough to function as a home away from home. The question is whether or not the new Nissan cube can do the same.

The cube’s exterior design is simpatico with the Scion xB and Kia Soul. All three fly in the face of mainstream aerodynamic design, giving them a certain cache. Nissan’s model designation as a common rather than proper noun is a nod to text messaging: devoid of punctuation. Nissan’s marketing strategy focuses on non-traditional media as well, with a “mobile hub,” accessible via a “text to” number, and a unique iPhone application.

Entertaining though they may be, these communications strategies aren’t enough to drive value-conscious customers into the showroom. But the cube’s base price of $13,990 is a good start. Read the rest of this entry »

Volvo Unveils New Safety Initiative

Crash test dummies focus on pedestrian safety

Volvo Crash Test Dummies

Volvo has added two new members to its family of crash test dummies. Bob and his son, Bob Junior are pedestrians that Volvo is using to find new ways to protect people outside the car.

The pedestrian dummies are suspended from a crane. The machine can propel them into the driver’s line of vision: they may appear from behind a parked car or around a corner. Volvo engineers want to see if new technology that uses both radar and cameras can register the pedestrians, and respond before an accident occurs.

“We have a lot of faith in Bob when it comes to the development of our active safety systems, and it would have been even more exciting to develop a dummy that could move by itself,” said Anders Eugensson, a safety expert at Volvo.

Volvo will be adding a female dummy soon, to complete the pedestrian group.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

Clean, green and so much fun

By Nina Russin

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Diesel technology has evolved significantly over the past two decades. The new generation of clean diesel cars are fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly, nimble performers. Last year, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen won our ALV green car of the year award. This week, I had the chance to drive the wagon’s four-door sibling: the Jetta TDI sedan.

The secret to diesel performance is its low-end torque. The Jetta TDI develops peak torque of 236 foot-pounds at 1750 rpm: just above idle. As a result, the car can accelerate extremely hard from a stop.

Common-rail technology and on-board computer controls have eliminated the lag that plagued older diesel cars. Throttle response on the Jetta TDI is virtually indistinguishable from its gas-powered counterpart.

Diesels emit less carbon dioxide than gas cars: carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas thought to be a major factor is global warming.

But here’s the best part: diesel cars yield between 25 and 30 percent better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline models. The fuel economy improvement is applicable to both city and highway driving. And unlike hybrids, the buyer doesn’t pay extra for the technology. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Nissan Xterra SE 4X4

Mid-sized sport-utility vehicle gets a restyled front end and standard side curtain airbags

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is a multiple ALV winner, going back to the program’s beginning in 2004. Its off-road and cargo capability make the sport-utility vehicle a top pick among multi-sport athletes.

The Xterra shares its ladder frame chassis with the full-sized Titan pickup, with an independent front and leaf spring rear suspension.

The solid rear axle isn’t as compliant as an independent set-up, but it’s better suited for towing. The Xterra tows up to 5000 pounds, meeting our ALV standards.

The standard 4-liter V6 engine is an increased displacement version of the block in the Nissan Maxima and Altima, tuned for truck applications. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission (tested).

Nissan’s San Diego design team refreshed the truck’s exterior for 2009, with a new grille, and body-colored side molding on the SE. Inside, the new model has a redesigned center stack. The upscale SE comes standard with leather upholstery. Read the rest of this entry »