Land Rover Reveals New LR4 in New York

Fourth-generation sport-utility vehicle packs a more powerful engine and revised terrain-response system

2010 Land Rover LR4

The Land Rover LR3 is a three-time Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year winner: athletes love its cargo versatility and user-friendly interior. So the LR4, one of three new Land Rovers revealed at the New York International Auto Show, is high on our radar.

The LR4 improves on the original formula with a more powerful engine, revised terrain-response system, new safety technology and fresh styling. Its 5-liter V-8 engine is a variation on the block in the Jaguar XF, optimized for off-road driving.

The engine has a deeper sump than the Jaguar block to prevent oil starvation when the vehicle is at extreme angles. Engineers waterproofed the belt drives, alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and starter motor to maintain the vehicle’s water-fording capabilities.

The 375-horsepower engine mates to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission: zero-to-sixty acceleration is 7.5 seconds. Engineering advances have increased scheduled service intervals to 15,000 miles.

Revised suspension, bigger brakes

The LR4 is more stable on uneven terrain, thanks to new suspension knuckles and a larger anti-roll bar. New brakes derived from the Range Rover Sport include 14.2-inch discs with dual-piston calipers up front, and 13.8-inch rear discs with single-piston calipers.

Engineers have added a sand launch control to the terrain response system, improving the LR4‘s performance in soft sand.  In rock crawl mode, the system automatically applies small amounts of braking at speeds below three miles-per hour to reduce the car’s tendency to roll.

A gradient release feature on the hill descent control system prevents the car from lunging when the driver releases the brakes on a steep grade. The system temporarily maintains brake pressure when the driver takes his foot off the pedal, and progressively eases the brakes off to control acceleration. Read the rest of this entry »

Mercedes-Benz Debuts Green SUVs in New York

Automaker unveils E63 AMG sedan, ML450 Hybrid and GL350 BlueTEC at this week’s auto show

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz introduces a new high-performance sedan, hybrid and clean-diesel sport-utility vehicles at the New York International Auto Show, which opens to the public April 10. The show also marks the North American debut of the 2010 E-Class: the automaker’s volume-leading sedan.

The E63 AMG may be the fastest grocery-getter on the planet, with a 6.2-liter engine rated at 518 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection has a friction multi-clutch set-up that engages gears faster than traditional torque converters.

An attention-assist feature on the new E-Class is similar to technologies used by Volvo and Lexus: it monitors the driver for drowsiness, sending visual and audible signals when necessary. Other new standard safety features include blind spot assist and lane keeping assist.

Engineers have advanced night view assist technology that debuted in the current S-Class. The system on the 2010 E-Class incorporates adaptive high beams that automatically modulate when they sense oncoming traffic.

Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

The ML450 Hybrid is a gasoline-electric version of Mercedes-Benz’s popular sport-utility vehicle. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine that works in concert with an electric motor to provide V8 engine performance, but with better gas mileage.

The GL350 BlueTEC gets a facelift this year, with a restyled grille, bumpers, wheels and new lights. The clean-diesel engine can tow up to 7500 pounds, and has a cruising range of up to 600 miles at highway speeds.

2009 Chicago Auto Show

Niche Automakers Making Small Big

By Nina Russin

2009 Subaru Forster

At a time when small is returning to favor, niche automakers are following in their footsteps. Nowhere was this more apparent than the recent Chicago Auto Show media preview, where manufacturers shared their plans for weathering the current economic storm.

While most of the car companies are licking their wounds after a brutal drop in sales last year, Subaru celebrated a gain in market share.

Thanks to the successful launch of its Forester sport-utility vehicle, the Japanese automaker experienced a twenty-two percent increase in market share. Subaru set sales records for the Forester, Impreza and Legacy last year, giving the company its largest presence in the US market since 1982.

Subaru will unveil the fourth-generation Legacy later this year.

Buy back program inspires consumer confidence

Hyundai, the Korean automaker that many considered an upstart just a decade back, also fared well last year. In addition to continue its value-pricing strategy and ten-year warranty, Hyundai partnered with EFG, a Canadian company, to create the Hyundai Assurance Program.

Hyundai booth at the Chicago Auto Show

Hyundai will buy back cars from any new Hyundai owner who loses his or her job.

In a keynote speech to the Midwest Automotive Media Association, Hyundai Motors America CEO, John Krafcik said that the buy back program was an example of “thinking unconventionally” in what he described as revolutionary times.

Later that morning, Hyundai unveiled the Genesis coupe: a sporty partner to the highly successful sedan.

The coupe comes with a choice of a turbocharged four-cylinder or naturally-aspirated V-6 engine. The four-cylinder version, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, averages thirty miles-per-gallon on the highway. Pricing starts at $22,000.

Track models of the Genesis coupe appeal to weekend racing enthusiasts with upgraded wheels and tires, Brembo brakes and a track-tuned suspension. The track models come with xenon headlamps and a rear spoiler: pricing for the four cylinder starts at $26,750; the six cylinder begins at $29,500.

A R-Spec Genesis coupe incorporates many of the performance features of the track models at a lower starting price, by paring away some of their standard comfort and convenience features.

The coupe rolls into dealerships this month.

New Kia compact sedan

Hyundai’s sister company, Kia, introduced a new compact sedan that replaces the Spectra, and competes against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

2010 Kia Forte

The Forte carries forth Spectra’s sporty styling and handling, with technology upgrades such as Bluetooth compatibility, satellite radio, MP3 and iPod compatibility. Standard safety features include side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Forte goes on sale this summer, to be followed by a yet undisclosed model. Could a five-door Forte be in the Kia skunkworks?

The Forte is the first Kia being produced at the manufacturer’s new assembly plant in West Point Georgia. Kia plans to build half of its American market cars at the Georgia plant by 2013.

Suzuki stays strong

Suzuki retail sales were stable last year, thanks to its wide base of automobile, motorcycle and marine customers. The 2009 Equator pickup appeals to those customers by providing an affordable means for towing and hauling.

2009 Suzuki Equator

The Equator comes in extended and crew cab configurations. Standard safety features include side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. The Equator tows up to 6500 pounds.

A RMZ4 off-road model adds skid plates and Bilstein shocks.

An integrated cargo bed system makes it easier to customize the Equator for hauling bikes and other large items.

Active lifestyles cubed

Nissan cube

The pint-sized Nissan cube is the latest in a series of box-shaped lifestyle cars that began with the Honda Element and Scion xB. The 2009 cube shares the automaker’s B platform with the Rogue.

Power comes from a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. Its small footprint gives the cube great fuel economy: thirty miles-per-gallon on the highway.

A refrigerator-style rear door makes the cube’s tall cargo bay easy to load. Rear passengers sit slightly higher than the driver and front passenger for a better view of the road.

Despite its small size, the cube can comfortably fit four adult men inside: a few of my colleagues hopped into a display car at the preview just to make sure.

Available technology upgrades include keyless ignition, a Bluetooth hand-free phone system, satellite radio and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with iPod interface.

There are four trim levels, ranging from the base 1.8 cube to the edgy-looking 1.8 Krom. The Krom comes with standard antilock braking, six airbags and exclusive exterior trim, including sixteen-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, a special grille and front fascia.

Happy birthday Miata MX-5

2009 Mazda MX-5

Mazda introduced the first Mazda Miata at the 1989 Chicago Auto show, and has used Chicago as a launch point for several subsequent generations. At this year’s show, Mazda celebrated twenty years of MX-5 by breaking out the sushi, and a few bottles of Kirin to go with it.

Since introducing the 1990 model, Mazda has sold 900,000 Miatas globally, proving that there is a market for affordable, two-seat roadsters.

The Miata isn’t the first small car that Mazda took a big risk on. Two decades prior to its introduction Mazda bought the rights to the Wankel rotary engine: a fledgling idea that became the basis for the highly successful RX-8 sports car.

A refreshed Mazda MX-5 rolls out for the 2010 model year.

Electric Ford Transit Connect

Jim Farley, Group vice president of marketing, reveals the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Transit Connect

At last year’s Chicago Auto Show, Ford unveiled the Transit Connect: a compact commercial truck designed to compete against longer, less fuel efficient vehicles. The Transit connect has a small enough wheelbase to produce a thirty-five foot turning radius, and a big enough interior to hold a six-foot ladder.

Fuel economy on the gas-powered version averages twenty miles-per-gallon in the city and twenty-four on the highway. Pricing starts at $21,475.

This year, the battery electric Transit Connect DEV rolls out for fleet customers, offering businesses an environmentally-friendly alternative to the gasoline version.

Ford also unveiled its new Taurus SHO EcoBoost, building on the popularity of the original model. The new SHO will be a sleeper performance car, just like its predecessors, but with much better fuel economy. A 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 365 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque, but averages twenty-five miles per gallon on the highway.

Steering-wheel mounted paddle controls let the driver manually select gears for the six-speed automatic transmission. Standard all-wheel drive improves the SHO’s wet weather handling.

The new SHO incorporates many recent safety innovations as standard equipment, including Volvo’s blind spot information system with traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Pricing for the SHO starts at $37,995.

Green tires boost fuel economy

Bridgestone’s new Ecopia EP100 tires have thirty percent less rolling resistance than conventional treads with no sacrifice in wet weather traction. Bridgestone experts claim that the tires can increase a vehicle’s fuel economy by 4.2%

The tires come in fourteen-to-sixteen inch sizes, and are intended as a summer replacement tire for hybrid sedans.

Show and show biz cars

Mudflap, a movie car based on the Chevrolet Traxx concept.

Despite their ongoing financial struggles, General Motors and Chrysler put their best faces forward: General Motors with show cars used in the Dreamworks Transformer movies, and Chrysler with the new Dodge heavy duty Ram pickups.

The Chevrolet Beat concept car goes into production as the Spark, with forty mile-per-gallon fuel economy on the highway. The upcoming Chevrolet Cruze which replaces the Cobalt will have similar fuel economy gains.

The 2010 Dodge Ram heavy duty model now comes in a crew cab model, with a choice of 5.7-liter hemi or 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. The heavy duty Ram tows up to 18,500 pounds.

Meanwhile, the light-duty Ram goes green, with a two-mode hybrid model rolling out next year, and diesel availability the year after.

The Chicago Auto Show, now in its one hundred first year, is one of the most heavily attended auto shows in the country. Despite the bleak economic forecast, the Chicago Auto Trade Association which sponsors the show continues to see the event as “strong and viable.”

The show opens to the public this weekend and runs through February 22.

2008 Los Angeles Auto Show

By Nina Russin

Honda Press Conference

Auto shows are as much about swagger as substance: a person could go blind from the proliferation of smoke and mirrors. This year’s LA auto show was lighter on bravado and heavier on news, as automakers faced what will at best be remembered as a challenging time in the business.

General Motors pulled its press conference a week before press days. The rest of the media preview remained in tact, with a conspicuous absence of champagne and cheese cubes.

Nissan president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, expressed industry-wide concerns in his keynote speech to the Motor Press Guild Wednesday morning:

“October was the worst month for US auto sales in twenty-five years,” he stated. “We are clearly in uncharted territory…”

“Everyone is hoping that pent-up demand is building and consumers will soon start buying again, but we really don’t know when that will happen. We have to in the meantime adapt in function of these threatening circumstances, balance short- and long-term objectives in order to maintain viability and a future.”

Greening of America

Manufacturers seem to agree that environmentally-friendly vehicles that use sustainable fuels are driving the current market. Even though gas prices have dropped, customers haven’t forgotten the summer of four dollar-per-gallon fuel. As purse-strings tighten, buyers are looking beyond window stickers, to the long-term costs of owning a vehicle.

As has been the trend, Japanese automakers are sticking with hybrid technology in the short term, and looking towards fuel cells within the decade. Europe believes clean diesel is the way to go, though BMW bucked the trend with its 7 Series hybrid concept.

Honda and Toyota, both long-term advocates of hybrid powertrains, stayed the course. Honda unveiled the Insight concept: a compact car that offers many of the same features as the Civic hybrid, but with a lower sticker price.

Honda’s FC Sport combines Formula One racing technology with the automaker’s next-generation fuel cells in a three-passenger sports car.
The Lexus RX 450h is a more powerful, refined version of the sport-utility vehicle it replaces, with a 295-horsepower engine and 3500-pound towing capacity. An optional remote-touch navigation system includes a new causal language voice recognition feature.

A wide-angle side view monitor uses a camera under the passenger side window to eliminate blind spots in that area. The newest Lexus will also feature Toyota’s pre-collision system that applies the brakes in the event of an imminent collision, and adaptive headlamps that follow the steering wheel to light corners in the road.

Ford hopes to give the upstage the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry hybrids with its two newest alternative fuel midsize sedans: the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids. Both use an Atkinson cycle version of the new 2.5-liter four cylinder engine, and have a range of 700 city miles between fill-ups.

Ford’s Sync system now includes a 911 alert, that automatically notified emergency medical personnel if the vehicle’s airbags deploy. Volvo’s blind spot information system comes to the new Fusion as well, alerting the driver about vehicles passing through blind spots to the rear of the car.

Hyundai Goes Blue

Hyundai joins the legion of alternative fuel brands with a full hybrid version of the next-generation Sonata. The 2010 Sonata uses a parallel hybrid drive system and lithium polymer battery technology.

The Sonata hybrid is part of a new environmental initiative that Hyundai calls Blue Drive: the objective is a fleet average of thirty-five miles-per-gallon by the year 2015. Hyundai also unveiled a crossover concept powered by a turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine.

Long-term Hyundai Blue Drive technology includes plug-in hybrids and fuel cell cars.

Green Diesel

The Green Car Journal awarded the Volkswagen Jetta TDI this year’s Green Car of the Year award. Readers may recall that the Jetta TDI Sportwagen was our pick for 2009 Green ALV.

“Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.

“The highly fuel efficient, 50 state emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling, and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.”

Audi, which invented the turbo-diesel technology it shares with sibling-brand, Volkswagen, recapped its recent mileage marathon: a coast-to-coast drive in four of the automaker’s turbo-diesel models: the A3, A4, Q5 crossover, and Q7 sport-utility vehicle. A turbo-diesel version of the Q7 arrives stateside next April.

Zoom-zoom With a Conscience

The 2010 Mazda3 four-door sedan meets partial zero-emission vehicle standards with a 148-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The new engine utilizes variable valve timing to maximize fuel economy and performance.

There are two front-wheel drive models: the four-door i, with a five-speed manual transmission, and the four-door s, with a six-speed manual.

Buyers can opt for a five-speed automatic transmission instead. Both manual and automatic models average 33 miles-per-gallon on the highway.

Mazda will roll out the five-door hatchback model closer to production.

Smart Hot Rod

Smart, which produces the only micro-car currently sold in the US, is adding a Brabus edition to its line-up. The German tuning specialist, best known for its work with Mercedes-Benz, is spicing up the smart fortwo exterior with special wheels and ground effects, special headlamps and dual exhausts.

The Brabus smart has the same three-liter engine and five-speed automated manual transmission as the base model, but adds a sport-tuned suspension.

Inside, the Brabus edition adds perforated gas and brake pedals, ambient lighting, a special shift and handbrake lever. The Brabus coupe starts at $17,990; pricing for the cabriolet begins at $20,990.

Kia’s Got Soul

The 2010 Kia Soul is a boxy crossover similar in feel to the Scion xB. Like the xB, the Soul encourages customization, with four available trim levels, ranging from a value-priced base model, to the sport grade, with eighteen-inch wheels and ground effects.

There are two available engines: a 1.6-liter block rated at 120-horsepower, and a 140-horsepower two-liter block. Both cars come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. Buyers who chose the bigger block can opt for a four-speed automatic at no additional cost.

Inside, the five-passenger Soul has fourteen storage zones, a state-of-the-art audio system with MP3, iPod, Bluetooth, and satellite radio capability. An optional audio upgrade adds a 315-watt external amplifier.

Buyers can use a dedicated web site to order their cars, choosing from a variety of interior and exterior colors and options.

Nissan Cube

Nissan adds its take on the box with wheels in the 2009 Cube: a five passenger crossover with a small footprint and tall, square cargo bay. Powered by a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Cube is an environmentally friendly package with an estimated thirty mile-per-gallon fuel economy.

The Cube comes in three grades, with a range of accessories for those who like to customize. A wrap-around rear window brings more ambient light inside the Cube, as compared to its Scion competitor.

New Z

Nissan also unveiled the newest Z sports car. The 370Z coupe rolls out in January, followed by the roadster for the 2010 model year. The new Z is slightly shorter than the outgoing model, with a more powerful V6 engine.

Engineers enhanced the coupe’s torsional rigidity for better handling and performance, and took almost a hundred pounds out of its overall weight.

Buyers can opt for a six-speed manual or new seven-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection: both deliver slightly better fuel economy than the current model.

As with its predecessors, the new Z is a driver-oriented car with a race-inspired cockpit, low center of gravity and extremely low coefficient of drag. Base price will be about $30,000, making the 370Z one of the best values in the sports car market.

2008 Chicago Auto Show Focuses on a Sustainable Future

By Nina Russin

GMC Sierra Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show

When the going gets tough, the tough get hybrids. While the Chicago Auto Show didn’t have  the green car focus of Los Angeles last November, sustainable energy was part of almost every press conference.

Troy A. Clarke, president of GM North America, set the stage with his keynote address at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association breakfast.

“The buyers say who wins and loses,” said Clarke. Recent GM focus groups indicate that customers don’t want to sacrifice full-sized utility for fuel economy. While small, fuel efficient cars might be the easiest road to a sustainable future, General Motors is forging an alternate route: hybrid, full-sized sport utility vehicles and trucks.

The automaker revealed two in Chicago: the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid, and 2009 GMC Yukon. Both vehicles use the same two-mode system as the Tahoe: they run on pure electric power at low speeds, and on four or eight cylinders on the highway, depending on engine load. Like the Tahoe, the Yukon Hybrid offers V8 power with fifty percent better fuel economy than a comparable gas-powered vehicle. The two-mode system on the Sierra pickup yields forty percent better gas mileage. Most of the improvement is in stop-and-go driving, since the gas engine cuts out at idle.

Despite its unusual power train, the Sierra Hybrid has the same hauling capabilities as its gas-powered cousin. The truck will come in either two- or four-wheel drive configurations with an available crew cab. Towing capacity is 6100 pounds.

General Motors also took the wraps off the Chevrolet Traverse, a mid-sized crossover with three rows of seating and a 4500 pound towing capacity. The Traverse rolls into showrooms at the end of the year. Like its Saturn counterpart, it will appeal to families with active lifestyles via a interior that can be reconfigured for large cargo, and a high level of standard safety features: stability control, traction control, and side curtain airbags for all three rows. The automaker did not announce pricing.

A new-generation Chevy HHR is on the boards for the 2010 model year: it will be the automaker’s first E-85 compatible four-cylinder car.

The Denali XT concept, designed in Australia, is an E-85 compatible hybrid that appeals to sports car fans with aggressive styling. Designer Brian Nesbitt described the concept as “industrial sculpture.” Its low roof and large wheel arches give the Denali XT a lean, mean look, in keeping with its pickup truck roots. The concept truck can carry up to 1100 pounds of cargo in its bed, and tow up to 3500 pounds. A convertible midgate extends the cargo area for longer items.

Toyota 1/X concept

Pronounced “1/Xth,” Toyota’s hybrid concept has vast economy gains over current models due to its extremely lightweight body. The concept was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show; it makes its North American debut in Chicago.

The 1/X has the interior space of a production Toyota Prius, but weighs a third as much: 926 pounds. The body is made of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The roof is a bio-plastic produced from kenaf and ramie plants: the material improves heat insulation, emits less carbon dioxide, and increases the amount of light entering the car.

Power comes from a 500 cc flexible fuel engine paired up with a plug-in hybrid unit. The lithium ion battery can be recharged at home. Driving range is 600 miles on a four-gallon tank of gas. According to the manufacturer, the 1/X has the same acceleration and performance as the current Prius.

BMW clean diesel

BMW is bringing a fleet of clean diesel cars to the states that can pass emissions in all fifty states. Diesel versions of current models will see a twenty-five percent boost in fuel economy. Unlike hybrids, the improvement for diesel applies to highway as well as city driving.

BMW also unveiled a new generation of M3s, including a sedan, coupe and convertible. The BMW  1 Series tii concept car is a tribute to the 2002, BMW’s legendary two-door compact first introduced in 1968. Power comes from a 300 horsepower twin turbo engine. The body is made primarily of carbon fiber reinforced plastic to save weight. Alcantara upholstery keeps the driver positioned in the seat during aggressive turns. Fins on the hood that optimize air flow are a tribute to the 3.0 CSL: the BMW that won the twelve hours at Sebring race in 1975.

Hyundai fuel cells

Hyundai is initiating fleet programs to test fuel cell versions of the mid-sized Santa Fe and compact Tucson sport-utility vehicles. At the same time, the Korean automaker is testing third-generation fuel cell technology in a vehicle called the iBlue.

The fuel stack is under the car’s floor, to maximize interior space and maintain a fifty/fifty front-to-rear weight distribution. Hyundai hopes to have production fuel cell cars on the road within ten years.

New production cars include a refreshed Sonata that goes on sale later this month, and the Elantra Touring: a five-door crossover vehicle that competes against the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber and Mazda3. The Elantra Touring goes into production later this year.

Dodge SRT Challenger

The 2009 Dodge SRT Challenger, a tribute to the classic muscle car with a modern twist, appeals to drivers who would rather save time than fuel. The Challenger has a top speed of 170 miles-per-hour, and it gets there in a hurry, thanks to the most powerful naturally aspirated hemi engine Chrysler has ever made. The Challenger accelerates from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in 4.9 seconds.

A 425-horsepower engine produces 420 foot-pounds of torque, making the  SRT Challenger an even faster ride than the original. Of course, it’s also a little more expensive: $37,995 as opposed to $3000 for the 1970 model.

SRT stands for “Street and Racing Technology: the division produces high-performance versions of Dodge and Chrysler production cars. Brian Nielander who oversaw design calls the SRT Challenger “the holy grail version of the car.”

Jim Press, Vice President and Chairman of Chrysler commented: “Goosebumps, right?… When you get inside, it makes you richer and younger than you really are.”

The 1970 Challenger was known for its exceptional straight-line performance, but like most muscle cars, it had marginal brakes and didn’t corner well. Not true for the 2009 model. High performance Brembo brakes stop the car as quickly as it accelerates: it can go from sixty to a dead stop in 110 feet: zero to a hundred and back to zero in 16-1/2 seconds. The Challenger rides on 20 inch wheels with Z-rated tires.

A five-link independent rear suspension gives the Challenger a more compliant ride than competitive models with solid rear axles. Engineers lowered the Challenger’s ride height and gave it a specially tuned electronic stability program to enhance cornering. On the skid pad, it pulls .9 Gs.

The instrument panel includes “performance page:” on-board telemetry that allows the driver to record and store performance data at the track.

The model comes with a monster sound system as well: thirteen speakers and 552 watts, plus Sirius satellite radio, MyGig programmable hard drive, available navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes, electronic stability program, traction control, side and side curtain airbags, and high intensity discharge headlamps. The SRT Challenger rolls into dealerships this spring, but don’t be surprised if Dodge’s hot new muscle car is hard to find: the manufacturer had 4300 pre-orders the first day after plans for production were announced.

Vans for work and play.

A new Volkswagen minivan called the Routan combines the automaker’s “fun to drive” attitude with a configurable interior geared towards active lifestyles. Volkswagen is using its microbus heritage to appeal to boomers who want the practicality of a minivan, but not its soccer mom image.

“The Routan meets our (customer’)s functional and emotional needs,” said Stephan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of North America. The van’s Euro-style exterior and  two rows of leather captain’s chairs give it an upscale appearance, while features such as a rear seat entertainment system, touch screen navigation, power folding third-row seats and power tailgate appeal to urban commuters who play hard on the weekend.

The base model runs on a 197 horsepower V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can upgrade to a four-liter V6 rated at 251 horsepower, with 259 foot-pounds of torque. Standard safety features include all-season tires, traction control and electronic stability program. Pricing begins under $25,000.

The Routan is part of the automaker’s effort to move from a niche player to a major supplier here in the states. Volkswagen hopes to sell 800,000 cars a year in the United States by 2018.

Ford is bringing the Transit Connect, a small commercial van currently sold in Europe stateside. First introduced in 2003, the Transit Connect has the ride and handling of a passenger car, but enough cargo space to move goods for small businesses. With a 6’8″ clearance height, it fits in a parking garage, and the wheelbase is small enough to fit into the average parking spot.

Sliding doors on both sides, and rear doors that open 270 degrees on the XLT model make the car exceptionally easy to load and unload. To demonstrate, Ford invited My Chef Catering of Naperville, Illinois, a wine distributor, and blues musician Eddie Shaw to load up models and bring them onto the convention floor. The My Chef was able to load in enough food to feed a pack of several hundred journalists, while Eddie Shaw, brought in his band, the Wolf Gang, and all of their gear.

Fuel economy averages 22 miles per gallon for city and highway driving.

Mid-sized pickup from Suzuki

Suzuki is shifting gears from small cars to mid-sized trucks, hoping to attract motorcycle and ATV owners who need vehicles to haul their toys. The production four-wheel drive Equator rolls out this fall. In the meantime, Suzuki unveiled three concepts: the Equator RMZ, Equator Quad, and Equator Quay.

The Equator RMZ is a high-performance desert-runner with a custom-built bike mount and off-road lighting package. The Equator Quad is a cross-country vehicle with an optional long bed for ATVs or motorcycles, safari-style front bumpers and all-terrain tires. The Equator Quay has a 6500 pound towing capacity for hauling boats, navigation system, and Windows media input.

“The Equator is a truck entry to support the Suzuki way of life,” said Gene Brown, vice-president of marketing and public relations for Suzuki North America. “In the United States, Suzuki has an eighty percent brand awareness for its motorcycles.” The Equator is a response to the opportunity dealers see for outfitting Suzuki motorcycle owners with four-by-four pickups.

Pet friendly cars

Volvo, a company known for its innovative safety engineering, is partnering with Bark Buckle UP: a San Diego based educational initiative that promotes pet safety in cars. Spokesperson Christina Seltzer explained that it’s important to properly restrain animals in cars to prevent secondary accidents after a collision.

“EMTs were telling us that one of their biggest problems is dogs jumping out of vehicles after a collision,” she said. The dogs run into traffic where they may be hit, causing a second accident, and often causing more injury to themselves. In addition, a frightened dog may attack strangers, including EMTs who are trying to help the accident victims.

Many states, including California, will cite drivers who have unrestrained animals in the car. In an accident, an unrestrained animal can injure other passengers. A sixty pound dog can cause an impact of 1200 pounds. Bark Buckle UP recommends using a carrier for smaller dogs and cats, and a kennel or crate for larger dogs.

The Volvo 240 wagon was the first car with an integrated dog cage. The current XC90 sport-utility vehicle has crates that integrate into the cargo area to hold logs in place.

The ultimate sport-utility vehicle

Class eight trucks aren’t typically described as lifestyle vehicles, but that may change, thanks to the new Lonestar from Navistar International. The manufacturer that produced the first school bus and one of the first sport-utility vehicles, the International Scout, unveiled a class eight tractor that’s a living room on wheels.

The Lonestar tractor runs on a new diesel engine for maximum fuel efficiency. Navistar is offering forty-two factory accessories, so the truck driver can customize his cab, much as a biker customizes his Harley.

The average truck driver puts about 100,000 miles per year on his rig: it’s a home away from home. The Lonestar has a cockpit reminiscent of a Lexus, with cushy leather upholstery and steering wheel mounted controls. In back, the galley area has a couch, television, refrigerator option, sleeper berth and wood floor.

Game day

Bridgestone, the official tire of the NFL, wrapped up media days with an appearance by Tennessee Titan, Eddie George, and the introduction of two new Potenza high-performance tires.

Bridgestone collaborated with Eddie George on two Eddie George Experience projects: Tour de Nash- a competitive walk and ride across his home town of Nashville, Tennessee, and a weight loss program for NFL moms.

The Chicago Auto show celebrates its hundredth anniversary this year, occupying 1.3 million square feet at the McCormick Place convention center. The show opens to the public on Saturday February 10 and runs through February 17. Show hours are 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. daily through February 16, and 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. on the 17th: admission is ten dollars for adults, five dollars for kids 7-12 and seniors 62 and older. Kids six and under get in free.

Motor City Madness

Automakers pull out all the stops for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
By Nina Russin

Dodge introduces the new Ram pickup truck, Rodeo style.

Los Angles has palm trees, Chicago has rhythm and blues, and Detroit has herds of long horns. If nothing else, it’s a memorable image. Chrysler staged the cattle round-up to introduce the 2009 Dodge Ram truck at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ten cowboys drove a hundred twenty long horn cattle down Washington Boulevard: a potent photo op and fitting metaphor for what most urban commuters experience on a daily basis. The new Dodge Ram full-sized pickup truck comes with a variety of available engines, from a new Hemi that accelerates from zero-to-sixty in just over six seconds, to a more conservative 3.7-liter V6. A light-duty diesel engine arrives after 2009, and a two-mode fuel economizing hybrid goes on the market for the 2010 model year.

The new hemi delivers 404 foot-pounds of torque for towing heavy loads. Commuters will appreciate new comfort and convenience features that include heated and ventilated front seats and back seat Sirius television.

New off-road performance enhancements include standard hill start assist. Trailer sway control and electronic stability program, both standard, make maintaining direction control easier on uneven surfaces.

The crew cab has two in-floor storage bins big enough to hold coolers. An available cargo management system adds two weatherproof lockable storage compartments that are integrated into the fender sides.

2009 Ford F-150

Not to be outdone, Ford took the wraps off its newest F-150 full-sized pickup. The 2009 model comes with three available engines: a 5.4-liter V8 capable of running on E85 ethanol/gasoline blends, and two new 4.6-liter V8 engines. The new F-150 has improved towing capacity over the outgoing model, as well as several new safety features: advanced traction control with roll stability and trailer sway control, and an available rear camera backup system.

The super crew model has rear seats that flip up and out of the way to create a large cargo area in the passenger cabin. New comfort and convenience features include Sirius travel link that provides real-time traffic, weather and fuel prices, Ford’s Sync voice-activated command software, and an available Sony premium sound system.

A cargo extender in back stows out of the way when it’s not being used. A tailgate step makes it easier to reach into the cargo bed.

Honda unveils the new Pilot

The 2009 Honda Pilot that rolls out this spring will have better fuel economy than the outgoing model, be more spacious inside, and is engineered to minimize damage to smaller vehicles in the event of a collision. Honda took the wraps off a prototype model in Detroit.

The eight passenger Pilot is powered by a V6 engine with variable cylinder management. When power demands are low, the car’s on-board computer cuts out two or three engine cylinders to save fuel.

A 60/40 split second row seat on the new Pilot slides further forward for better access to the third row. The Pilot seats up to eight passengers. Both second and third rows fold flat to create a long cargo floor.

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Cadillac adds a hybrid version of the full-sized Escalade sport-utility vehicle for 2009. The two-mode hybrid system is the same technology as that in the Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. The hybrid improves fuel economy by up to fifty percent in stop and go driving, since the engine shuts off at idle, and the car can run on electric power at low speeds.

Volkswagen CC four-door coupe

The all-new Volkswagen CC, a car than combines coupe-like styling with four-door practicality, rolls into showrooms next fall. There are two available engines: a two-liter block rated at 200 horsepower, and a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter engine. The base engine comes with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic transmission, while the optional 3.6 FSI comes with the Tiptronic only.

A panoramic sunroof covers the entire front half of the car, up to the B-pillar. A large rear spoiler adds a sporty touch to the exterior, and maximizes downforce when the car is driven at speed.

Inside, both rows of passengers get formed sport seats: heated seats are available as an option.

Hot sports cars

The Chevrolet Corvette, now in its fifty-fifth year of production, shifts gears with an all-new ZR1 model that has an estimated top speed of at least 200 miles-per-hour. The newest Corvette shares lightweight aluminum chassis components with the current Z06 model, but has different suspension tuning for wider tires.

At the heart of the car is a supercharged LS9 engine rated at 620 horsepower, and producing 595 foot-pounds of torque. The chassis rides on nineteen-inch wheels in front and twenty-inch rims in the rear.

The base model comes with lightweight seats and interior components for racing. Those opting for a more luxurious ride can upgrade to leather upholstery, with a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

The ’09 Corvette rolls out this summer.

Green Cars Take Center Stage at the 2007 LA Auto Show

By Nina Russin

Honda FCX Clarity makes its debut at the LA Auto Show

What’s good for the environment is good for the economy. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Southern California: where financial solvency is directly linked to sustainable energy. To paraphrase the Missing Persons song, nobody drives in LA, and few take public transportation.

As the price of crude oil nears a hundred dollars a barrel and gas in one Northern California town reaches five dollars a gallon, automakers are beating each other up for seats on the green car bandwagon. At the recent LA auto show, all had something to say about the best way to power the cars of the future.

Production fuel cell car

The Honda Clarity, a production fuel cell car that rolls out next summer, is proof that zero emissions cars can live in the real world. The car’s development dates back to 1999, when Honda unveiled the first FCX concept.

In the past seven years, Honda engineers have reduced the size of the fuel cell stack to a fifth of its original size, with half the parts. As a result, it’s less expensive to produce and easier to package in a small sedan. Lithium ion batteries used in the FCX Clarity are smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in many of today’s production hybrid vehicles.

The FCX Clarity’s V Flow stack combines a battery pack and hydrogen storage tank to power the electric motor. Hydrogen mixes with oxygen in the air to propel the car. The vehicle’s only emission is water. The car can go about 270 miles before refueling. The FCX Clarity can operate in temperatures as low as minus twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit as well as extreme heat.

Initially, the car will be available only in Southern California, due to proximity of fueling stations in Santa Monica, Torrance and Irvine. Honda is leasing the cars on a 3-year program for $600 per month. The automaker is also working on a home refueling station that will allow owners to refuel their cars on the home’s natural gas supply.

Toyota installed its experimental fuel cell hybrid powertrain in the popular Highlander crossover vehicle for testing in Japan and North America. After driving the vehicle from Osaka to Tokyo on a single tank of hydrogen, engineers decided to tackle the Alcan highway, to test the vehicle’s cold-weather capabilities.

That 2300-mile trek began in Fairbanks, Alaska and ended in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most of the drive took place in Canada, since that country allows mobile high-pressure refueling along its highways: the United States does not. Linde, A German company based in the United States provided the hydrogen; Canadian-based Powertech Labs supplied the mobile refueling station.

The seven-day drive came off without a hitch. Still Toyota is taking its time bringing the fuel cell Highlander to market. One reason is that the company is developing the fuel cell system internally, with no help from outside engineers or suppliers. The automaker used the same approach for the Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the current Prius. While it’s a slower process, the company has better control over the final product, and the opportunity for higher profits once the car goes into production.

In the meantime, Toyota’s Highlander hybrid rolls out this year. Toyota expects to sell over a quarter million hybrid vehicles by the end of 2007, and at least 285,000 Prius, Camry and Highlander hybrids in 2008.

Global approach to sustainable energy

Both Ford and General Motors are taking a global approach to sustainable energy, depending less on a single type of technology than improvements in overall efficiency and renewed focus on smaller vehicles.

“We are focusing on sustainable technology solutions that can be used not for hundreds or thousands of cars- but for millions of cars, because that is how Ford can make a difference,” said Ford Motor Company CEO, Alan Mulally in his keynote address to the Motor Press Guild.

Ford’s short-term plan is to introduce turbo-charged direct injection gasoline engines into small vehicles: the first is the 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan that launches in the summer of 2008. According to Mulally, Ford will refresh seventy percent of its current products by 2009, and a hundred percent by the following year.

Although the automaker is researching alternative technologies including fuel cells, electric powertrains and biofuels, Mulally sees the greatest immediate benefit in improving the efficiency of traditional gas-powered engines and reducing vehicle weight.

“Substantial vehicle weight reductions will enable us to use smaller displacement engines that provide secondary efficiencies, such as lighter chassis and suspension components,” he said. “We can do this for millions of customers in high quality products they want and value…”  Mulally’s plan is to return Ford to profitability by 2009, by matching production to real demand for the company’s products.

The automaker plans to make fifty percent of its internal combustion vehicles flex-fuel capable by 2012. Stateside, Ford is negotiating for access to the power grid in off-peak hours for recharging electric cars. By the end of the decade, the full-sized F150 pickup and Ford’s large sport-utility vehicles will be available with a clean diesel engine.

General Motors is also leveraging its global assets, according to vice chairman of global product development, Bob Lutz.

“There is no silver bullet to solve our energy and environmental problems overnight,” said Lutz. General Motors’ solution is to address the challenges from many different angles, including introducing sixteen hybrid vehicles over the next four years.

General Motors unveiled a stage fuel of alternative fuel vehicles in LA, ranging from the Chevy Volt concept and Equinox electric fuel cell vehicle to the Silverado hybrid production car. Chevrolet is introducing an E-85 compatible Impala, and hybrid version of the new Malibu sedan.

The Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-sized hybrids utilize a two-mode technology developed in conjunction with Chrysler and BMW. The 2008 Tahoe Hybrid won the Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year award. The Tahoe seats up to eight passengers and can tow up to 6,200 pounds.

Fuel economy for the two-wheel drive version is 21/22 mpg city/highway, a fifty percent improvement over the 5.3-liter gasoline engine. The Tahoe can go up to thirty miles-per-hour on electric power alone. A six-liter V-8 engine operates on four cylinders when possible to save gas. While this active fuel management system is available on other gas-powered cars, the hybrid’s electric motor allows the engine to stay in the four-cylinder mode for longer periods. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack recharges on the go using regenerative energy from the brakes.

Clean diesel

European automakers including Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW are bringing more clean diesel models to the United States, now that the low sulfur fuel is available in all fifty states. New diesel technology offers performance comparable to gasoline engines with much better fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Stefan Jacobi, CEO for Volkswagen North America, expects that the automaker will become the front runner for clean diesel in the States.

Volkswagen will introduce a turbo-diesel Jetta in the United States next year. Powered by new common-rail diesel engine, the TDI Jetta meets emissions requirements in all fifty states. The SCCA is adding a spec racing class for the new Jetta.

Volkswagen also unveiled its GX3 crossover: a three wheel hybrid of race car and motorcycle. Developed in California by Volkswagen and Moonraker, the two-seater accelerates from zero-to-sixty in 5.7 seconds, and averages 46 miles-per-gallon. Pricing will start around $17,000.

The space up! blue is Volkswagen’s fuel cell concept car based on the legendary Samba Bus. Range is 65 miles on the lithium ion battery, or 220 miles on a single energy charge for the high-temperature fuel cell. Despite its relatively small footprint, the space up! blue has the interior space of a much larger vehicle. It is almost as tall as it is wide. The electric motor and battery pack are located in the back of the vehicle: the high-temperature fuel cell is packaged up front. Top speed is 75 miles-per-hour, with zero-to-sixty acceleration of just over 13 seconds.

Audi is also expanding its range of clean diesel offerings in the United States for 2008, to include turbo-diesel versions of its Q7 crossover and A4 sedan. The new 3-liter TDI engine delivers 240 horsepower, and meets California’s LEV II Bin 5 standards. A recent real world test of the A8 luxury sedan with clean diesel engine produced average highway fuel economy figures over 30 miles-per-gallon.

Audi’s Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept car  combines all-terrain capability with passenger car performance and open air fun. Engineers stiffened the underbody to give the concept car the same torsional stiffness as a sport-utility vehicle. Two spring-loaded roll bars behind the rear seats deploy automatically if the sensor system determines that a rollover is imminent.

Designed to run on the same 3-liter TDI engine, it accelerates from zero-to-sixty in just over seven seconds. Top speed is 150 miles-per-hour.

BMW is rolling out a bi-turbo diesel late next year, that promises a thirty percent fuel economy gain over gas-powered engines. In the meantime, the automaker rides on its small car laurels: the fuel-efficient Mini has reduced corporate greenhouse gas emissions by twelve percent, according to a survey by the not-for-profit group, Environmental Defense. At the same time, overall fuel economy is up fourteen percent.

“If Hollywood stands for filmmaking, BMW stands for powerful engines in compact packages,” said Tom Purves, president and CEO of BMW North America. This year, BMW rolls out the 1 Series coupe, available in two grades: 128i and 135i. Based on the legendary 2002, the coupe rides on a 3-liter inline six turbocharged engine that produces 300 horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque. Zero-to-sixty acceleration is just over five seconds; top speed is 155 miles-per-hour. Pricing begins just under $30,000 for the 128i.

BMW expands its sports activity vehicle offerings, with the concept X6 and X6 hybrid edging towards production. The M3 coupe and sedan arrive in the States next spring. Their 414 horsepower V8 engine may not be green, but with a zero-to-sixty time of 4.7 seconds, it probably won’t spend much time idling in traffic.

Chrysler’s full-sized hybrid trucks, based on the same two-mode technology as the Chevy Tahoe, roll out in 2009. The Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids have hemi engines rated at 385 horsepower, with 6000 pound towing capacity. The hybrid powertrain has 25 percent better fuel economy than the gasoline engines it replaces.

This year, buyers can test drive clean diesel versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Laredo.

The 2009 Dodge Journey, based on the Avenger platform, will come with an available flex-fuel V6: one of three engine packages.

The Journey combines minivan interior features with the all-terrain capability of a SUV. It has seating for five or seven passengers. Innovative storage features include two removable bins behind the front seats, and an available fold flat front passenger space with storage underneath. There is also storage under the rear cargo floor. There are four power outlets and a chill zone for cold beverages.

The second-row seat slides fore and aft, and comes with available child booster seats. Buyers can opt for YES essentials stain resistant fabric, and a rear seat DVD system. Drivers who want to go off the beaten path can opt for an all-wheel drive model.

Smart car

The Mercedes-Benz smart brand makes it to America this January. The pint sized two-seater is already a fixture in Europe. Mercedes-Benz has sold 770,000 vehicles in 36 countries since the vehicle’s introduction.

The smart fortwo will be available at seventy dealerships nationwide: the Penske Group is the official distributor. Cost is $11,590 for the base model; $13,590 for the upscale smart fortwo passion, and $16,590 for the convertible.

The car’s three-cylinder engine runs on premium fuel but uses it sparingly, averaging 33/40 miles-per-gallon city/highway according to 2008 EPA standards. The car is 8.8 feet long: two will fit in an average parking space.

Since the smart shares the road with much larger cars, engineers beefed up the chassis for US models: the American version has a wider front bumper, larger crash boxes, and two high-strength steel crash boxes in the rear. All cars come with standard front and side airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability program, hill start assist and a child restraint system. Top speed is 90 miles per hour.

Fast cars

Nissan brings it GTR supercar to the states next June. With a starting price of $69,850, it may be the world’s cheapest race car. Riding on a handbuilt 418-horsepower six cylinder engine, the GTR accelerates from zero-to-sixty in 3.5 seconds, and goes back to zero in under 120 feet. Drivers can use on-board telemetry to monitor their skills on the track. The GTR will be available at select Nissan dealers that pass a special certification process.

The Hyundai Genesis concept coupe goes into production for the 2009 model year, the rear-wheel drive 2 + 2 rides on a 3.8-liter V6 engine rated at over 300 horsepower, with zero-to-sixty acceleration of under six seconds. The Genesis will be available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, has standard twenty-inch wheels and Brembo brakes. Hyundai hopes buyers will see the Genesis as an affordable alternative to luxury sports cars such as the Infiniti G37.

Jaguar’s XF sedan combines the practicality of a grand tourer with the styling of a sports car according to Design Director, Ian Callum. Available with a naturally aspirated or supercharged V8, it features styling inspired by the XJ6 of the late 1960s. Pricing begins at $49,000 for the naturally aspirated car and $63,000 for the supercharged version.

Safety first

The third-generation V70 promises to be Volvo’s safest station wagon. Using the same engine as the automaker’s S80 luxury sedan, it also shares innovative safety offerings, including driver alert control, lane departure warning and collision warning with autobrake.

A redesigned cargo area has aluminum rails in the cargo floor for securing large items, and a lockable storage area under the floor. Buyers can opt for a power tailgate. Pricing begins at $32,465. The advanced safety package costs $1695.

Volvo’s C30 plug-in hybrid concept recharges uses a standard wall socket. Range is sixty miles in pure electric mode. The car has an electric motor at each wheel. When the electric power is seventy percent used up, a bioethanol engine takes over to extend the car’s range.

The LA Auto Show runs through November 25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.