Lou Ann Hammond on carlist.com

2013 MINI Paceman

Wed, 08 May 2013 03:20:59 PDT

Ponce, Puerto Rico - Our chartered flight arrived at the Ponce (pronounced, pawn-say) airport to the sound of steel drums and a line of MINIs waiting to take us to La Perla del Sur, the Pearl of the South. Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico, is rich with art and history. As we approach the Plaza de las Delicias we see the fountains and statutes that make the center of a town a quintessential Latin American plaza. Not as quintessential, is the MINI Paceman out front of the hotel and lining one side of the plaza. The Bulldog Inn, known to the local residents as the Ramada Inn, is located on a corner of the Plaza. MINI renamed the Ramada Inn the Bulldog Inn to honor it's mascot, the British icon, the English Bulldog. When a car company can take over a hotel and the heart of a city, you know the trip is going to be fun. When the car company is MINI, the trip will be quintessentially MINI-fun, no matter what country it is in. A colleague and I took the Starlight Blue Paceman ALL4 out for a quick jaunt around the city. The Paceman was first debuted in North America at the Los Angeles auto show. The United States is the largest market for the MINI, California boasts the most sales of any State. The Paceman will be the second vehicle, of the seven now offered (including the Paceman) that offers the option of ALL4 all-wheel drive. We drove through a neighborhood where the homes were built with corrugated steel, where driving anything bigger than a MINI on the streets would have been a logistical nightmare. We meandered our way to Cruz del Vigia on EL Vigia Hill. I asked a local about what looked like a concrete cross. Sergio said that the Cruz del Vigia is a 100-foot tall observation tower that is over 200 years old and was built as a lookout for shipping and military. We decided pictures of the Paceman in front of the Spanish looking mini Mansion across the street from Cruz del Vigia would be more attractive than the any in front of corrugated steel. When one thinks of all-wheel drive in the United States they think of rugged terrain, or using all-wheel drive to get to the snow covered mountains. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States. In November, 2012 a majority of Puerto Ricans that voted said they would prefer statehood to the current territorial status. If Puerto Rico becomes a State they would surely get more Federal money to fix the potholes in their roads, maybe even widen them. More than once we said I'm glad we're in a MINI, when it should have been I'm glad we're in an all-wheel drive MINI. We wound around roads that were eroding, roads with dogs laying in the road. Even on the roads where there were lines marking which side you should be on, the drivers all but ignored the lines. At every turn we watched for potholes hidden by shadows, dogs in the road, drivers on our side and fallen rocks. It was the closest to organic off-roading as I have done while still being on what was supposed to be a two-way highway. With every pothole I felt the run flat tires dip, as the car jumped out of the hole my body longed for a softer, more supportive seat. The ALL4 low-end torque never waivered, giving me the security I was looking for in the little Paceman. A lesser engine would have hesitated, looking for another gear, looking for more torque as we wound around and up the hill. It was as close to go-karting as I have come in real world driving, the Paceman saving us more than once as we had to pull the MINI further to the right to stave off a head-on with a vehicle going too fast around a corner too small for both of us to be on. The MINI Paceman has the same 102.2-inch wheelbase as the MINI Countryman, but it is 162.2 inches long. Had the Paceman been five inches longer, or had the MINI not been as agile, we may have been calling for a tow truck. About 3,000 feet up the hill we saw a man carrying a machete. There was a moment of hesitation on my part, what was I getting myself into for a moment, but about that time we turned into Cafe Pomarrosa. Our ALL4 walked up the newly laid decomposed gravel on the more than 45-degree hill. Puerto Rico has strong rich coffee, but Pomarrosa takes it to another level. Men with machetes on a steep hillside, basking in the Caribbean breeze, clear all the coffee trees by hand. Aaahh, men with machetes don't seem so scary now. On the tour of the coffee farm Kurt Legner, the owner of Hacienda Pomarrosa, noted that he could use a Paceman ALL4 at the farm. I agreed. It was on highway 52 Norte, while following a colleague when I had to take a second look. All of a sudden, in the lane next to my colleague was a Range Rover Evoque. The Evoque owner was probably doing a double take as well, asking who the new kid on the block was with the slicked back hair, just like his. What is this little vehicle that looks like a MINI Evoque? The numbers don't lie, the length of the Evoque is 171.9, the Paceman's length is 162.2 inches. The height of the Evoque is 64.4 inches, the Paceman comes in at 59.9 and the width is 77.4 inches, while the Paceman is 70.3 inches. The Paceman is a great little car, including the design, no matter what country you're in. 2013 MINI Paceman Prices: MINI Paceman Cooper $23,900 -- Cooper S $27,500 -- Cooper S ALL4 $29,200 -- John Cooper Works ALL4 $36,200

2013 Ford Explorer Sport

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:20:38 PDT

The Ford Explorer is widely credited with starting the sport utility vehicle frenzy of the 1990s. Today's rising star is the crossover vehicle, and the Explorer is now a member of that group. Crossovers have unibody car platforms rather than mounting the body on a separate frame, like trucks do. Today's model is much more comfortable on the road, and that makes sense. Most buyers do not take their cars off the road anyway, even when they have four-wheel drive. My tester was the new, high-performance 2013 Explorer Sport, which lives at the top of the model line. It boasts a twin-turbocharged Ecoboost V6 that puts out 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque from just 3.5 liters of displacement (the lesser models make do with 290 horsepower). That's what Ford is doing with Ecoboost--giving the power of the next engine size up. So, a V6 provides V8 power, and a 1.6-liter four-cylinder moves a car such as the Fusion sedan with V6 enthusiasm. Fuel economy improves with this downsizing. The latest Explorer is not much like the original two-box design. It wears the swoops and curves of the latest Taurus sedan, looking very modern and up-to-date. My Sport distinguished itself with a glowing Ruby Red Metallic paint job ($395 extra). It also wore stunning 20-inch alloy wheels and its face got a grille with a low-gloss sterling gray mesh and contrasting shiny ebony bars. No flashy chrome here! I noted the name "Explorer" boldly drawn across the leading edge of the hood. With the new Flex wearing its model name proudly too, there seems to be a de-emphasis on the Ford brand and a highlighting of the model name. The Sport gets a stiffer chassis, sport-tuned electric power-assisted steering, larger brakes and a paddle-shift six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. As you'd expect, no manual transmission is offered (or likely, requested). As a four-wheel-drive vehicle, the Sport has a dial on the console where you can select your terrain and the car's electronic system supplies the appropriate ride. This "terrain management system" includes Normal - where it stayed with me - as well as sand, snow, mud, and hill descent. Despite weighing nearly two and a half tons, the Explorer Sport moves quickly and quietly, and feels stable and secure. EPA numbers are 16 City, 22 Highway, 18 Average; I got 19 mpg. The EPA's Air Pollution number is 5 and the Greenhouse Gas is 4, so it's no environmental paragon, but it'll carry seven people. The black leather seats in my tester were supportive and felt like those from a sport sedan. With 10-way power adjustment it was easy to set mine up just right. The perforated chairs offered three levels of heat and cool and wore attractive white stitching. The doors and dash flow smoothly, the trim is a matte gray and the design is calm and relaxed. The third row seats disappear into a flat floor that worked out nicely for bass carrying. I was able to drop just the slim right second-row seat to do the job. Grocery carrying was easy with the third row seatbacks folded forward and the cargo net holding everything in place. Ford has introduced its Sync and MyFordTouch systems into its vehicles over the last few years. That means you can touch the screen at the center of the dash to make changes in your climate, audio and navigation systems--or talk to the system. I've found the Sync conversations to be sometimes frustrating, but touching the colorful screen becomes easy with practice. With MyFordTouch, You can use steering-wheel-mounted buttons to customize the left and right sides of the electronic instrument panel to view what interests you at the moment. I like to keep track of fuel economy, and you can see it on the left--in bright blue--with current and accumulated figures available. The right side offers navigation, entertainment and vehicle data. I enjoyed watching the three-dimensional compass ball, which rolled around gently as I changed direction. The Explorer, built in Chicago, comes in a range of models, including the base car, XLT, Limited and Sport. You can even order up one with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost engine--which puts out an unexpected 240 horsepower. Prices begin at $29,955 and top out at $41,545 for the Sport. Add a few packages and you get my tester, at $46,640. The Explorer, designed, built and enjoyed in America, is a great way to drive a big car and do big things. With smaller, but more powerful engines, it is becoming a touch more environmentally sensitive. If you need a smaller SUV, Ford has other options for you, but this is still the original.

2012 Fiat 500 Gucci

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:54:09 PDT

What do you picture when you think about Gucci? I visualize handbags and luggage, but the company offers a wide range of expensive and exclusive items, including watches, jewelry, and clothing that I have neither the figure nor the budget to own. My handsome son sports a pair of Gucci sunglasses that was expensive enough to be a special gift. To commemorate 90 years of Gucci and 150 years since the reunification of Italy, Fiat has applied the Gucci treatment to their Italian economy hatchback. To distinguish it from ordinary Fiat 500s the Gucci Edition wears the famous name and logo all over it, inside and out. On its petite body, it wears the "Gucci" script on its hatch and along each side below the rear window. Also, the trim is silvery satin chrome instead. The special Gucci White paint on my test car had a distinctive sparkle to it. The 15-inch white alloy wheels carry Gucci logos too. Green brake calipers add a subtle extra touch. Inside, some of the plastic trim mixes the typical black with some contrasting Ivory accents--giving a light, happy ambiance. The cute little instrument panel features a set of concentric rings with miles per hour on the outside, revolutions per minute inside that, and in the center, the rest of the information. It evokes the simple design of the original 500 of the 1950s and 60s. However, the white steering column does tend to reflect into it, making it hard to see-especially with the top down. The leather-trimmed bucket seats wear the double-G logo on the headrests and the main seat cushion features a logo-patterned stamping. Tiny armrests fold down and work well for their size. The metallic accents throughout the interior are the same satin finish as the exterior trim. I was especially taken with the Gucci-themed threshold plates with their rows of tiny double-G logos stamped into the metal. The famous Gucci stripe is apparent on the seatbelts and along the middle of the upper seat cushions. It also runs down the remarkable Cabrio roof. The 500c Cabrio model, in Gucci or regular flavor, features a folding cloth top that, unlike a typical convertible, slides along tracks above the side windows. These stationary side structures contribute significant rigidity to the car. You can slide the roof back a little or a lot, but if you send it back all the way it will block the bottom half of the view behind --so drive carefully. The open-top experience is wonderful, and if you keep the side windows up, it affords some privacy while still letting nature in. The car is small, and very cute, so you had best think of those back seats as perfect for children and packages from your latest shopping trip. My friend Victoria, who stands 5-foot-2, felt cramped back there. The Fiat 500 itself is a modest little car, powered by a 1.4-liter, 101-horsepower "Multi-Air" engine. It's EPA-rated at 27 City, 32 Highway (29 Average). I averaged 31.0 mpg--but the fuel filler sign suggested premium fuel! For green scores, all 500s get a 5 for Air Pollution and 7 for Greenhouse Gas--for a SmartWay designation. You can get a manual or an automatic transmission on the 500, depending on model. The six-speed automatic transmission in my test car shifted later when I selected the SPORT button on the dash, and it felt like the springs and steering tightened up as well. My tester had the optional TomTom navigation device that plugs into a jack in the top of the dash. I didn't use it, but this method solves the problem of how to add a big screen to a small dashboard. My test car, as a top level Lounge Cabrio model with the assortment of Gucci extras and automatic transmission, came to $28,850. That's much more than your typical Gucci item, but for a car, it's not that much, really. I got compliments on my cute little ride, but it's definitely not the model I'd own myself. It did prove to be a worthy freeway driver--smooth and quiet--and, if you don't have much to carry, it could serve you well. If you want the fun of driving your own Fiat 500 but don't need all the bling, the basic 500 Pop model starts at $16,250. The 500 by Gucci won Best Small Convertible of the Year at the Topless in Miami event held on June 14 by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA). Feel the urge to accessorize? Go to Gucci.com or visit your local Gucci retailer and select Gucci 500 travel accessories, small leather goods, drivers, tracksuits, bombers, driver gloves, sunglasses or a watch.

2012 Chrysler 300

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:15:44 PDT

The Chrysler 300 has been good for Chrysler, and, renewed back in 2011, it has helped return some prestige to the brand. The 300 series goes all the way back to the 1950's, when the potent Hemi V8 engines were part of the explosion of power and fins that defines that age for us today. The 300 name died out in the mid 1960s, but in 2005, it was brought back to define a new kind of car for Chrysler. After the handsome, softly rounded "cab forward" sedans of the 1990s it delivered a chunky, traditional feel, more like a Rolls-Royce than the designs that preceded it. What to do with the new 300? With the company's revival under Fiat leadership, it got the full beauty treatment. The shape remains, but the windshield is a little bit more reclined, and the surfaces, once edgy and brash, are softly shaped and subtly upgraded. The blocky taillamps now have a gentle curve and edge along their lenses and the deep indent in the lower trunk is minimized. Up front, the once jutting grille is more smoothly integrated, using the marque's slightly angled chrome bar theme. Inside, time and money have been well spent. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof in my Luxury Brown Pearl Coat 2012 300C tester brought light to the elegantly appointed surfaces. My car had an impressively thick wood and leather heated steering wheel. The 8-inch screen in center dash was easy to see and use, feeling almost like the interface of an iPad, with touch buttons along the bottom. The real wood steering wheel toned in with the wood trim in the car itself, although I think the trim was not from a real tree. The center console, with its roll-top cover (like a fine old desk) was elegant. The dash panel is one area that really got the love in the new model. It's a deco wonderland of chrome and soft blue lighting worthy of Busby Berkeley or your favorite Art Deco building. The seats, covered in my tester in light brown, soft leather, were very comfortable--neither too soft nor too firm, although I'd place them on the softer side of medium. The illuminated door handles added another touch of something special. Chrysler 300s come with a range of engines. My 300C boasted a mighty 5.7-liter Hemi V8, putting out 363 horsepower through a five-speed automatic to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is available, too. The Hemi hauled the 4,300-pound car nicely and with very little sound. But, you can also equip a 300 with a 3.6-liter, 292-horsepower V6, which, with its first-in-segment eight-speed automatic, is good for 31 miles per gallon Highway per the EPA. My car was rated at 16 City, 25 Highway (19 Average); I achieved 17.9 mpg in my heavily-commute-oriented week. The EPA's Green Vehicle Guide numbers for the 300 are 6 for Air Pollution and 3 for Greenhouse Gas. The car, despite its impressive stance, proportions, and poundage, drives remarkably nimbly. There's some road feel through the steering wheel, and the steering is reasonably assisted. Despite being accused of looking like a "gangster" by a colleague, I was actually pretty content inside the 300. Just because the car's a little retro doesn't mean it's not totally with the second decade of the 21st century. My car had Customer Preferred Package 29T, which includes a parking assist system so you don't need to scrape those lovely 20-inch alloy wheels. Adaptive cruise control keeps the distance between you and the car ahead and warns you if you approach the car ahead too quickly (even when not using cruise control). I had one instance of seeing "BRAKE" flash at me from the instrument panel when someone stopped suddenly in front of me on the freeway. Blind spot and cross path detection works like a sentinel to keep you informed of when someone is potentially in your way so you can take defensive action. I heard things in the optional audio system that I had never noticed in tracks off the iPod I had plugged in and stashed in the center console. With 19 speakers and 900 watts of power it was like few I've experienced. What kind of price would you expect for this kind of a ride? Well, how about $46,300? Sound like a lot? Look at the list of goodies. It does have its work cut out for it in the competitive luxury sedan market, but it could change some minds about buying North American (it's built in Ontario, Canada). Other than one slightly misaligned trim piece, it looked sharp and tight from one end to the other. You can pick up a 300 for as little as $30,840 if you like the style but are put off by the price.

2013 BMW 328

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:33:25 PDT

The BMW 3 Series has become so identified with its role as "the" sports sedan (or coupe or wagon) that it defines the segment. Automotive buff magazines rate the car in their top ten favorite lists, year after year. To redesign the sixth generation car, which came out as a 2012 model, BMW made it slightly larger and a bit more fuel efficient. The sedan now stretches 3.66 inches longer and has a wider track (1.46 inches front, 1.85 inches rear). And the car looks bigger now, too, thanks to horizontal body lines and tricks like linking the flattened twin-kidney grille to the headlamp pods with a chrome bridge. Despite its grander dimensions, the new car weighs almost 100 pounds less than the old one. To make the 3 Series more fuel efficient, BMW again offers a four-cylinder engine, after many years of selling only the inline six. This latest model uses Twin-Power Turbo technology to get 240 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque out of just 2.0 liters of displacement in the 328i. The entry 320i model offers 180 horsepower from the same displacement. With a 5.7-second zero-to-sixty time, the four in the 328i is no slouch. It just sounds less like the BMWs we're accustomed to. I recently drove a 2013 328i for a week. With the four-cylinder engine, you can choose the standard six-speed manual or a remarkable new eight-speed automatic. The manual, in my opinion, is more fun, but here in the United States, the automatic is king. Eight gears allow some precise and efficient gear selection. For an extra $500, the Sport version of the eight-speed provides handsome steering wheel paddles for racecar style quick shifts. My tester had that Sport version. Order an xDrive model if you want your 3 Series with all-wheel-drive traction. Or, opt for a convertible for a refreshing open-air experience. The EPA awards the four-cylinder 328i with automatic an average of 26 miles per gallon (23 City, 33 Highway). In my Alpine White test car, I achieved 25.7 mpg; that essentially matches the EPA, for a change. The manual-equipped car gives up one mile per gallon in the city but gains it back on the highway, earning the same 26 mpg. The Green numbers are pretty good, at 7 for Greenhouse Gas and a 6 or an 8 for Smog. Driving a 3 Series is always a joy, even on the freeway, but hours of commute traffic make it feel like it's all cooped up. I took it onto a favorite back road and it stretched out and ran. The carefully tuned independent suspension provides quick reflexes and sufficient comfort, while the floating-caliper disc brakes on all four wheels stop the car in a hurry. As a BMW, it flaunts an ideal 50/50 front/rear balance, and it uses rear-wheel drive - a fairly rare but highly touted platform for a sports sedan. You can customize your experience using the Driving Dynamics Control to select one of four settings. Besides "normal," choose the Sport or Sport + setting. Or, set it to ECO PRO and the car will tailor the throttle mapping to burn less fuel. My tester actually shut down at lights to save gas--an unexpected sensation. The newest 3 Series interiors have more curves, trim pieces and richness than their predecessors. My tester featured leather bucket seats in Dakota Coral red and black. Select from four trim levels: Sport, Luxury, Modern and M Sport. In shorthand, think rich black trim for the Sport, chrome for the Luxury, and satin aluminum trim for the Modern. The M Sport offers even more, including especially nice 19-inch wheels. BMW hides the cup holders under a removable tray. You can pop it out and store it in the glovebox. Another interesting hidden feature is the control for playing the satellite radio. You have to push the main iDrive controller to the left to expose the selection. You'd never see it on the dash. Will the BMW faithful go for this new and powerful four-cylinder engine? The sixth car I ever tested (and my first BMW) was a 3 series with the 1.8-liter four of its day. It had a lighter touch than the more common straight six. Pricing for 3 Series cars starts at $33,445 for the 320i with automatic transmission and 180-horsepower inline four. My 2013 328i test car, with the 240-horsepower engine, top M Sport package, the Dynamic Handling Package, the Cold Weather package and variable sport steering, came to $47,295. That 3 Series I drove in 1992 was a 318i, and put out just 113 horsepower. It still felt wonderful, and the 3 Series continues to please its constituency. It's just a bit bigger now - in every way.

2013 Acura MDX

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:24:21 PDT

Acura was the first Japanese car company to offer a luxury line in the U.S. That's right - Honda's upscale division arrived before Toyota's Lexus and Nissan's Infiniti. However, they haven't been the sales leader in the segment. The Acura MDX, now in its 2nd generation, is an attempt to remedy that, by competing feature-for-feature with its Japanese and German rivals for the upscale family SUV market. Maybe it is a little nervy to declare your intentions versus, say, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but that's what the MDX does. Although it shares some structural elements with the more plebeian Honda Pilot, it boasts potent V6 power - 300 horsepower from 3.7 liters. Power flows through a sequential-shift automatic six-speed. It comes standard with numerous high tech and pampering features, too. Being a high-tech Honda at heart, the MDX offers variable valve timing and electronic lift control (VTEC), computerized fuel injection and a high-flow, sports tuned exhaust system to get V8 power from six cylinders. Fuel economy, for the 4,627-pound unit, is rated at 16 City, 21 Highway (18 average), but I only averaged 16.0 mpg during my test. Standing 5'10" tall, even with me, the MDX welcomes driver and passengers with a broad, spacious interior for five (and room for two more with the disappearing third-row seat). The Acura interior design template calls for a bold expression of motion flowing up the center console onto the dash and extending like a giant Aries symbol into the doors. The wood trim looks like it's a solid two inches thick. The three-dimensional contouring makes the car feel energized yet as secure as a bank vault. A neat, silvery rolltop cover conceals the cupholders when you're not using them. I was surprised that this luxury vehicle still used a regular key. Although it did flip out from its case, switchblade style, it still needed to be inserted into a lock, unlike most medium to high level cars, which all use keyless entry. Also, the audio system doesn't display the entire name of the artist and song, unless it's short - an old looking technology. But the steering wheel does electrically contract towards the dash for easy entry and exit, and the dash bristles with features. The MDX is essentially one model with one engine and transmission combination. Where you can go to town is in adding packages. The Tech Package brings in fancier leather--perhaps it takes high technology to process it. The real attraction is the upgraded audio and navigation systems, which use an eight-inch, high-resolution full VGA color display. The car's rear-view camera provides three different views. The three-zone automatic climate control uses solar sensing and has air filtration and humidity control. The Advance Package brings even higher quality leather - perforated this time, with ventilation as well as the standard heating. There's a blind spot information system that illuminates if someone's occupying the area next to the car that's outside your mirror view. Put on your turn signal and it'll warn you visually and noisily not to turn. Even better, the Collision Mitigating Brake System will try to keep you from smashing into anyone. One day, while driving along, I passed someone who was waiting to turn, and because the road curved, the system attempted to stop me, thinking a crash was imminent. It not only threw on the binders but flashed "BRAKE" in red letters at the top of the dash. I drove meek as a lamb after that. With either package, you can order up the Entertainment Package, which supplies a drop-down video screen for rear-seat passengers, along with two sets of headphones, which tuck neatly into pockets on the backs of the front seats. The headsets felt uncomfortable when I tried one on, with hard pads against my ears. The package also gives you a 115-volt power outlet on the dash and heats the window-facing rear seats. All this adds up to a pretty enjoyable driving and riding environment. The V6 pulls along nicely, but the only downside was the 16-miles-per-gallon fuel economy. The EPA's Air Pollution score is a decent 6 but the Greenhouse Gas number is a more modest 4. But this is not the car for environmentalists. Acura and Honda sell many smaller, lighter, and more efficient models for them. This is about a grand driving experience. Prices start at $44,175 for the MDX. Add all the packages, and you will end up where my Palladium Metallic tester did, at $55,700. The MDX, assembled in Alliston, Ontario, contains 25 percent Japanese materials, including the transmission. But it is quintessentially American, stressing size, comfort and choice. While not the darling of the Sierra Club, it provides, in the second decade of the 21st century, a level of pampering that makes luxury wagons of a generation ago seem, well, like cars.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo Sedan

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:27:13 PDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Steering a course along broad Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis while passing the late superstar's Graceland estate, we're ensconced on leather in a most impressive new vehicle: Chevrolet's 2013 Malibu 2LZ, an affordable mid-size sedan packing a powerful turbocharged engine plus luxurious cabin appointments. The Malibu nameplate first appeared in Chevy's lineup more than three decades ago with Malibu Super Sport as a sporty coupe or sedan variation of mid-size Chevelle. Ultimately, the label accounted for multiple millions of car sales until its demise in 1983. But Malibu returned to Chevrolet in 1997 in the format of a mid-size sedan with four doors and seats for five, two engine options and several trim designations with competitive price tags. In the Chevy line for 2004, Malibu emerged as an entirely new car cast on GM's Epsilon platform. And in 2008 another generational iteration rolled out on GM's global mid-size platform which forged a strong structure and set up refined driving dynamics. For 2013 the Malibu scores yet another complete redo inside and out -- it uses a front-wheel-drive platform designed in Europe, wears a sleek aerodynamic shell and brings an expanded-width passenger compartment dressed with fine materials and top-quality switchgear. Malibu's 2013 architecture chops the wheelbase by 4.5 inches and stretches the wheel track wider by more than two inches to enhance ride and handling. A fully independent suspension employs MacPherson struts up front with dual-path mountings plus a hollow stabilizer bar, and a multi-link rear suspension with lightweight aluminum steering knuckles and hollow tubular stabilizer bar. The rack-mounted steering system has electric power assistance, which eliminates a load of hydraulic equipment and contributes to the efficiency of Malibu's engine. Brakes include a large disc at every wheel -- ventilated front, solid rear -- linked to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), corner brake control (CBC) plus a traction control system (TCS) and electronic skid controls (ESC). Chevrolet constructs the 2013 Malibu in four trim grades encompassing three high-tech Ecotec four-cylinder engines featuring dual overhead cams (DOHC), electronic throttle control (ETC), spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) technology and variable valve timing (VVT). Standard plant for Malibu LS, LT and LTZ editions is a 2.5-liter cast aluminum four-in-line engine which develops 197 hp at 6300 rpm and 191 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Transaxle is an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic, the Hydra-Matic 6T40 by General Motors. The federal EPA sets fuel economy numbers for this Malibu powertrain at 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Malibu Eco edition employs a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with 'eAssist' battery booster. The lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator enable the engine to shut off when the vehicle stops but automatically restart when the driver releases the brake pedal, and the engine also ceases to run temporarily when the vehicle decelerates yet it kicks in again when the driver steps on the go-pedal. Combined output for the Ecotec engine with eAssist equipment amounts to 182 hp at 6200 rpm with torque of 172 lb-ft at 4900 rpm. The estimated fuel economy figures rise to 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. Optional engine for Malibu LT and LTZ -- badged as 3LT and 2LZ -- is a 2.0-liter Ecotec four-pack fitted with a turbocharger (TC) and continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) apparatus. It runs up to 259 hp at 5500 rpm with 260 lb-ft of torque developing between 1700-5500 rpm. Malibu's turbo plant links to a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transaxle with Tapshift driver shift control, the Hydra-Matic 6T70. And it achieves EPA fuel economy scores of 21/30 mpg city/highway. A revamped exterior design for Malibu 2013 amounts to an aerodynamic package with coupe-like silhouette, stub-nosed hood and a roofline tapering down toward the rear and shaping side window glass to triangles. Front and rear overhangs have been whittled away and the flared fenders on front and back corners forge broad shoulders which convey an impression of strength and power. The redesigned passenger compartment provides seats for five with a pair of buckets in front of a bench for three with seatback split and folding to add room for cargo. There are metallic, chrome or wood accents in the cabin plus ice blue ambient lighting. Standard equipment for Malibu LS trim ranges from 16-inch alloy wheels and automatic headlights to a keyless entry system, air-conditioning, power windows and power door locks, cloth fabric seat upholstery, tilting-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth and OnStar connectivity plus a 6-speaker audio kit with satellite radio and CD/USB/iPod/MP3/AUX. Top-trim Malibu LTZ features fine leather upholstery, front seats with 8-way power controls and heat elements, dual zone automatic climate system, color high-resolution Driver Information Center, auto-dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and remote vehicle starter. Chevrolet marks prices for 2013 Malibu models from $21,995 to $29,700.

2013 Ford Fusion hybrid

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:51:07 PDT

The look of the new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is stunning. The lines of the sedan are long, elegant, sweeping, and indicate that Ford has taken their successful hybrid sedan and stretched its interior and market appeal. It struck me immediately when I saw the new Fusion lined up on a track day a long side the Fisker Karma electric supercar, the Mercedes S-Class sedans, and the Austin Martin DB9, that this car has a look of pedigree. As an international platform that Ford brings from Europe, the 2013 Fusion will cross the Pond with greater appeal. But is this car all show and no go? Not really. The new hybrid has decent pickup when left in normal mode. The 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder engine matched to Ford's proven electric motor hybrid system has a reduced displacement from the 2.5 liter and now has a combined horsepower (188 hp) and torque. I was able to get into traffic from a dead stop without hesitation. Ford has all but eliminated the slight pause found in some hybrids that are computing as to which power source to use in that instant. The sedan reacts seamlessly and feels like an electric turbo is always at the ready when the driver wants some extra speed. The permanent magnet AC synchronous motor generates 118 hp @ 6,000 rpm which is 88kW @ 6,000 rpm for the engineers out there. But the 117 lb.-ft. is what is felt instantly. The maximum speed under electric-only power is noticeable and carries the Fusion up to merging speed quickly; previously 47 mph up to 62 mph for 2013. The real update is a set of new lithium-ion batteries which are lighter in weight and generate more power. Battery weight-to-power ratios are the Achilles Heel of all hybrid and electric cars. Lithium-ion is the best combination of quick charging capacity and weight-per-kilowatt power output on the market today. Also, Ford has placed this battery pack in such a way that a large trunk is still very usable in everyday driving and for long road trips. My drive at the Auto Club Motor Speedway revealed Ford's new platform rigidity that has been strengthened by 10 percent (high-strength steel). This gives the Fusion a heavier-feeling ride. Uneven pavement is navigated much like the larger and heavier Taurus sedan, which is a good thing. But the weight is only perception because the overall curb weight has been reduced. High cross winds have been handled with new aerodynamics and a longer wheelbase. Meanwhile, journalist from all over the world drove the Fusion Hybrid hard all day long and we still averaged 37.2 mpg. So Ford maybe overselling the EPA mileage numbers but we were driving a preproduction vehicle. The expected mileage is 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway. This is impressive for a larger sedan, considering current gas prices. The fuel tank holds 13.5 gallons so the cruising range of this Fusion Hybrid is estimated at 594 miles. The driver's seat reveals a more substantial interior along with a very solid sounding door closing. This is simply more of a car for the money and the price has not increased substantially so it has better value as well. The materials are smooth to the touch and the simulated brushed aluminum is not cheesy. Things like padded arm rests and good seat side bolstering give the new Fusion a more substantial feel in the front and back seats. Unfortunately, the rear seat has lost headroom and corner edge support for outboard passengers. Most new cars are receiving some technical stuff like active noise controls using the audio system to cancel out unwanted powertrain noise. Ford has done this beautifully and the cabin is quiet enough to whisper to passengers and be heard. For every road noise that enters the cabin, there is an equal counter noise that is emitted by the audio system to cancel that noise. Just think of it as a large pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your car's interior. Other helps include Ford's lane drifting warning systems that detects drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping and gets the driver's attention. I experienced Infiniti's lane departure systems recently in their new JX-35 which actually uses the brakes and electronic steering to move the vehicle back into the lane in spite of the driver's control. Fortunately, Ford has not become this invasive into the driver's space� yet. The adaptive cruise control has been perfected over the years and the Fusion's system works well on the freeway. The collision warning system and emergency braking assist are state of the art. Thankfully, some of these beeps can be deactivated for long trips. The blind spot information systems can be helpful around town and in crowded parking lots. Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS�) with cross-traffic alert warns of traffic in a driver's blind spot, or oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views. Starting at just $32,995, Fusion Hybrid Titanium is available for the same price as the 2.0-liter EcoBoost� Fusion with all-wheel drive. The newest Ford Fusion model (sold alongside the Fusion Hybrid SE) will be priced $1,575 less than the outgoing Fusion Hybrid. This 2013 model comes with more content, more interior space (although the rear seat headroom is reduced due to the sloping roofline) and definitely better looks. Ford claims that the Titanium edition became available due to consumer demand with more luxury items for the hybrid category. Traditionally, car buyers have had to compromise when selecting between class-leading efficiency, premium amenities and value, said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion Marketing manager. The new Fusion Hybrid Titanium lets customers have it all. So to set the Fusion Titanium model apart, Ford has added things like standard front fog lamps, some chrome accents, rear deck spoiler, and shinny 18-inch alloy wheels. Interior upgrades include nice touches like power-adjustable front seats with 10 adjustments on the left side. Leather covers all the seating surfaces, the steering wheel, and the ever-important shift lever. I found the SE to be pleasant enough and but the price difference is small enough that even the most budget-minded person could step up to the Titanium without too much guilt. With Fusion Hybrid Titanium, going green no longer means having an austere ride, says Hoyt. No guilt, no pain. Electronic amenities do not overwhelm the driver and I did not feel like it would take a year to learn this vehicle's tricks. Ford has continued to push the MyFord Touch voice command software that has been annoying in other applications. However, improvements that can be downloaded, even after the purchase of the Fusion. We will see. Titanium models get a 12-speaker Sony� audio system with HD Radio(TM), SYNC� connectivity system, MyFord Touch� , rear view camera, push-button start and one touch door locks, auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror, and their Reverse Sensing System already mentioned. Construction: Unitized steel body Final assembly location: Hermosillo, Mexico; Flat Rock, Mich. Powertrain and Chassis Engines: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder with hybrid system Aluminum block and head Fuel capacity: 16.5 gallons FWD, 17.5 gallons AWD

2014 KIA Forte sedan

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:58:35 PST

2014 Kia Forte sedan Curvaceous and Seductive Overview KIA Motors' upcoming release of their redesigned Forte sedan delivers curvaceous exterior styling changes with esthetic interior functional refinement. "This is what we say...is a little bit of a relaunch for the Forte," explains Michael Sprague, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for KIA Motors America. KIA planned to launch the first generation Forte in June of 2009. This was the summer of "Cash for Clunkers," the U.S. government's stimulus vehicle trade-in program that forced KIA to postpone the first generation KIA Forte introduction. "Our Forte plans were torn-up...," remembers Sprague at the company's refresh of their stunningly redesigned all-new 2014 Forte sedan. The Skinny The all-new 2014 Forte sedan has two versions. Starting under $16,000 USD is the entry level LX 6 M/T model while the LX 6 A/T model begins in the mid $18,000 range. Both are powered by KIA's regularly aspirated 1.8-liter GDI (Gas Direct Injection) four-cylinder engine. The more powerful 2.0-liter GDI engine will be in the top of the line 2014 KIA Forte sedan LX model. Pricing for the LX model will be announced on release the end of March 2013. The 2014 KIA Forte EX and LX models will arrive in U.S. KIA dealerships at the end of March, 2013. Redesigned feature standouts "Longer, lower and wider," explains Ralph Tjoa, National Manager, Car Product Planning, KIA Motors America. The all-new redesigned 2014 Forte sedan is physically longer, wider and lower than the first generation but emotionally it stands taller, tighter and tantalizingly unique for its vehicle segment. One instantly notices the Forte's carved, sculptured exterior standing beside the vehicle. Looking inside one notes the angled instrument panel, "10% more," Tjoa remarks, tilting towards the driver. The initial emotional impact before starting the engine is upscale design and the elegant invitation of a higher priced vehicle. The 2014 KIA Forte front and rear quarter glass windows elongate the vehicle and the chrome molding along the lower section of the windows highlight the "hockey stick" style. The trunk's "deck lid," as Tjoa notes, is 2 inches wider than the first generation KIA Forte. The 2014 KIA Forte drag coefficient, .27, is only a tenth higher than the company's KIA Optima. Under body panels and an integrated deck spoiler on the trunk with wrap around tail design exit parasitic drag cleanly for increased fuel economy benefits. Torsional rigidity (flexing of vehicle) has increased a dramatic 37% through high strength steel improvements. As Tjoa explains, "63% of the body is made of this material. Stiffer and lighter body." Powerplant The new 1.8 liter and 2.0 liter engines are smaller and lighter than the current powerplant. From offset cranks reducing friction (read better fuel economy) to 30% lighter aluminum engine bed plate, it also features a 30% lighter new manifold material. Handling McPherson struts have increased diameter bushings that permit additional suspension tuning in combination with the rear torsion beam suspension. Standard EPS (Electronic Power Steering) and "FlexSteer(TM) system" are standard starting in the base EX model. KIA's "FlexSteer(TM) system" offers the driver three levels of suspension -, comfort, normal and sport, with sport having the most resistance for sweepers. Comfort NVH (Noise Vehicle Harshness) has improved. Total vehicle pillar isolation is accomplished with foam sealing, inside and out. Tjoa describes "special new material for the dash isolation pad the floor carpeting." The 2014 KIA Forte reduces both high pitch engine and low freq idle with a "dual layered engine mount with two tuning frequencies." Vehicle tested 2014 KIA Forte Sedan EX (1.8 liter) with "Premium" and "Technology" packages "Premium" package callouts I drove the 2014 KIA Forte Sedan EX with the "Premium" and "Technology" Packages through the flat desert alongside Arizona's Superstition Mountain out of Scottsdale, Arizona upward in altitude through high desert canyons to Show Low, Arizona at 6,400 MSL. The 2014 KIA Forte EX "Premium" package offers a unique in class "power ventilated driver's seat with memory," 10-way powered adjustable driver's seat, 17" wheels, leather steering wheel and dual zone temperature control. Greeting the 2014 KIA Forte sedan owner at night will be an esthetically practical "approach lighting" offered in the EX's "Premium" package. This "smart key system," incorporating lighting under outside mirrors and door handles when the driver approaches the vehicle, is wonderfully seductive. Light and shadow, always a winner for visually oriented creatures. "Technology" package features The 2014 KIA Forte sedan EX "Technology" package includes a "7" Navigation w/HD radio, and the all-important riding with a guest, "Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control w/Rear Vents" feature. KIA's Henry Bzeih, Chief Technology Strategist, Connected Car, explained that the 2014 KIA Forte sedan LX "Technology" package includes KIA's UVO "Your Voice" voice-activated smartphone app suite; "eServices" that include voice command Infotainment audio, phone and the just penned agreement with Google; and KIA's "My POI" (Point Of Interface). UVO's Google Maps navigation software interface permits a user to send their trips to the vehicle's navigation system with their smartphone or through a web browser interface from Google Maps. Coming "second quarter of 2013" is Apple's AI (Artificial Intelligence) SIRI interface, Pandora music streaming. Driving the 2014 KIA Forte EX with 6-speed Sportmatic transmission was effortless, quiet and relaxing. Again, the 2014 KIA Forte sedan EX model exudes more than its compact class designation. Software tuning for the passing gear initiation needs adjusting so the driver's accelerator pedal doesn't have to go nearly to the floor for downshifts. I quickly adjusted to my preference for the Sportmatic shifting manually for instant acceleration. KIA is on track for seven new or redesigned vehicles in 2013. Note the 2014 Forte 5-door SX unveiled at 2013 Chicago Auto Show boasts the 1.6-liter GDI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is the same powerplant in KIA's parent company - Hyundai's Veloster turbo. Could a 2014 KIA Forte coupe with the 1.6-liter GDI turbocharged four-cylinder engine be on the runway for 2013? Sprague referred to a presentation slide with silhouettes of the company's vehicles coming in 2013 and coyly hinted, "kinda guess which one of those products might have been that." Summation The 2014 KIA Forte has great ride and handling and is a great buy for the money. Future KIAs will only enhance the product line.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Limited

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:22:41 PST

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. -- A curvy road stretches northward through Silver Bay and Hague to Ticonderoga along the ragged western shore of Lake George, where the run-off of melting snow combines with a mist coming off the lake to create a slippery route ideally suited for testing the non-skid traction capability of Mitsubishi's 2013 Outlander Sport crossover utility vehicle. Hunkering low against the road and hugging hard through each tight curve, our Outlander Sport carves a crisp and controlled line through each curve of the Adirondack road at a rather fast clip. The 5-door compact-class CUV seems well armed to combat any type of weather -- even residual snow and ice -- because it offers an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system which distributes power selectively yet automatically to any of four wheels with grip. Designers at Mitsubishi cast the wagon on a rigid unibody platform with front-wheel-drive (FWD) orientation, then stock it with lively independent suspension elements to fashion a ride quality that's smooth and comfortable for passengers yet also responsive. The platform supports the 105-inch wheelbase and a wide wheel track of 60.6 inches front and back. Pushing wheels to edges of the chassis brings stability to the stance and enhances the CUV's agility when cornering, while the long wheelbase forges the smooth ride quality. Mitsubishi's triangular marque mounts dead center in a redesigned wide-mouth front grille and angry-eye headlamps defining 2013 editions of Outlander Sport, which score a variety of enhancements for the 5-seat passenger compartment plus numerous mechanical improvements. As the best-selling vehicle in Mitsubishi's North American model mix, the 2013 Outlander Sport trims out as a price-leader ES with choice of FWD or AWD traction, the sporty SE issue with FWD and AWD modes, and new LE (limited edition) also in FWD or AWD. Production of all 2013 Outlander Sport models moves from Japan to Mitsubishi's USA assembly plant in Illinois. Each Outlander Sport trim issue totes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder aluminum-block engine with dual overhead cams (DOHC) and the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control (MIVEC) equipment. The plant produces 148 hp at 6000 rpm plus 145 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm and regulates the output through an advanced continuously variable transaxle (CVT) with Sportronic sequential shift control via resin paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Base trim ES also shows a 5-speed manual transmission option. Fuel consumption numbers for the MIVEC engine with CVT and FWD traction add up to 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Select the AWD option and fuel burn scores reach 24/29 mpg city/highway. The cabin design for Outlander Sport shows two buckets up front, a back bench split 60/40 with room for three, and the aft cargo area accessed via a tail-side liftgate. Outlander Sport's dash is clean and uncluttered with the instrument panel tucked below a cowl and binnacles housing the analog tachometer and speedometer. Passengers are surrounded by air bags, including multi-stage frontal air bags and side air bags for front seats along with curtain-style air bags tucked in the ceiling for all outboard seats. There's even an inflatable air bag ahead of the driver's knees. Electronic hardware for safety aboard Outlander Sport ranges from an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) to active stability control (ASC) with traction control logic (TCL), hill start assist (HSA) and a brake override system that slows the CUV to a complete stop if both the accelerator and brake pedal are depressed at the same time. The 2013 Outlander Sport ES issue is an exceptional value with a load of standard equipment that includes air conditioning, power controls for windows and exterior mirrors and door locks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LCD information display, remote keyless entry device, the rear seatback split 60/40, Mitsubishi's Fuse hands-free link system for audio voice control and a 4-speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB kit. Outlander Sport SE edition acquires more standard gear such as high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlamps, foglamps, One-touch Start/Stop (OSS) engine switch, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate system, upgraded cloth seat upholstery, heated front seats, sliding armrest between front seats, backseat armrest with center pass-through, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio. There's a long list of gear options including 10 packages for upgrades in cabin equipment, seat upholstery, premium audio kits and backseat entertainment systems. The Premium Package, for example, adds a panoramic glass roof with adjustable LED mood lighting, black roof rails, auto dimming rearview mirror, rear camera system and a 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system with 9 speakers and a 6-disc CD/MP3 changer. And the Navigation Package installs a 40-gb HDD navigation system with music server and Real-Time Traffic. Price points for Mitsubishi's 2013 Outlander Sport series begin at $19,170 for the ES FWD model with manual transmission. MSRP for Outlander SE FWD is $22,295 and the LE FWD lists for $23,495.

2013 Infiniti EX37

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:02:27 PST

GRAND RIVERS, Ky. -- To test tire grip of the invigorated 2013 Infiniti EX37 crossover utility vehicle, we point one with all-wheel-drive traction down The Trace Road, Kentucky 453, which slithers over humpback hills in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The compact-class CUV for 2013 acquires a powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine with 7-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, and it behaves itself superbly on The Trace Road with all wheels throwing huge torque muscle into each turn as the 245/45R19 all-season performance tires claw for traction on the blacktop. Stretching more than 15 feet long and decorated with a raked face flashing a chrome-finned double-arch grille and speed-strafed headlamp clusters on front corners plus curvaceous fender blisters bulging over metallic-finish alloy wheels, EX37 resembles a streamlined sport utility vehicle yet it drives and handles more like a pavement-hugging sporty car. Its rear-wheel-drive platform -- called FM, for Front Midship, which describes the motor's position on the chassis -- is the same one that underpins Infiniti's racy G37 sports sedan and G37 sports coupe. On this platform the front wheels mount way forward and the engine is positioned so that its center of gravity falls behind the front axles. This placement results in a weight distribution biased slightly in favor of front wheels. Yet the front wheels are slightly heavier by design of the suspension geometry to pre-load them with more weight when the wagon turns into a curve. Add acceleration coming out of that curve and the result translates to optimum weight balance which enables an aggressive driver to carve one corner after another with keen confidence. The suspension on Ex37 is totally independent with lightweight aluminum components. Up front is a double wishbone mounted on a subframe and in back is a multi-link arrangement with stabilizer bars plus high-performance dual-flow path shock absorbers fore and aft. Steering, through a quick-to-respond rack and pinion mechanism, feels firm despite the assist from a vehicle-speed-sensitive power boost. A vented disc brake stands at every wheel and each ties by computerized links to the anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake assist (EBA) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Further, all EX models carry Infiniti's vehicle dynamic control (VDC) device and traction control system (TCS) which automatically check lateral skidding on slippery pavement. EX37 is available with either rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) organization. For 2013 the EX gains a VQ-series dual-cam 3.7-liter V6 engine mounted longitudinally and keyed to an electronically controlled drive-by-wire throttle. The plant uses ladder-frame construction for rigidity with molybdenum-coated pistons, symmetric twin air intake system and a tall rev limit (7500 rpm). It also employs a continuous valve timing controller. The plant produces 325 hp at 7000 rpm, with torque pumping up to 267 lb-ft at 5200 rpm, all translated by the 7-speed automatic transmission featuring downshift rev matching (DRM) and manual shift mode (MSM). Climb aboard the EX and you'll find a spacious cabin arranged in an artful design with premium leather trimming the form-fitting seats and textured aluminum or maple hardwood accents. Up front, bucket seats flank a floor-mounted console. On the second row a bench seats two comfortably but can hold three riders if necessary. The rear seatback splits 60/40 and folds flat to expand the cargo area, and convenient power controls to return the seatback upright appear as an optional feature. The rear cargo area is generous at 18.6 cubic feet but with rear seatbacks folded it expands to 55.7 cubic feet. EX37 RWD and EX35 AWD carry stock gear like leather upholstery and aluminum trim, dual-zone automatic climate controls, 8-way power for driver's seat and 4-way power for the passenger's seat, power for windows and door locks and exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic headlights, RearView Monitor, remote keyless entry, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB stereo and SiriusXM satellite radio. EX37 RWD Journey and EX37 AWD Journey models add a power glass moonroof, maple wood trim, auto-dimming mirror, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, power tilt/telescopic steering column and heated front seats. Optional equipment clusters in packages. A Premium Package installs the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with NavTraffic, an advanced climate control system and 11-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Deluxe Touring Package brings 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/45R19 all-season performance tires, high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights, adaptive front lighting system (AFS), 8-way power for the front passenger seat plus power folding rear seats. And a Technology Package features lane departure warning (LDW), lane departure prevention (LDP), intelligent cruise control (ICC), distance control assist (DCA), intelligent brake assist (IBA) with forward collision warning (FCW), and blind spot warning (BSW) system. Infiniti structures the MSRP chart for 2013 EX models upward from $36,900 for the EX37 RWD.

2013 Honda Pilot

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:25:40 PST

EAGLE ROCK, Mo. -- Route 86 is a backwoods blacktop path through the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, and during our drive over this road a steady rain soaks the asphalt and turns potholes into tire-skipping puddles. Yet we plow through the puddles without fear of tire slippage because the vehicle for our foray -- a new rendition of Pilot, Honda's mid-size crossover utility vehicle -- applies the torque from a forceful V6 engine to front and rear wheels through an optional all-wheel-drive system labeled VTM-4, meaning Variable Torque Management Four for 4-wheel-drive. Honda's VTM-4 mechanism automatically diverts up to 70 percent of the engine torque to the rear tires if the front rollers lose their grip. It's constantly engaged so you don't have to fiddle with it by tugging at some cumbersome lever or decide when to push the right dashboard button in order to engage or cancel the 4-wheel traction. That leaves the driver free to focus on more important issues -- like steering and braking and motoring safely. And Pilot makes the driver's job easy because all mechanical aspects are direct and simple and efficient. Bearing a 2013 model-year designation and rolling out of Honda's Alabama assembly plant, Pilot looks rugged with clean lines on sheetmetal panels which emphasize the classic two-box conformation of a sport utility vehicle. Yet Pilot differs from a SUV in structure because it doesn't ride on a truck's chassis with the engine turning the rear wheels. Instead, Pilot gets a unitized structure that's innately strong, and the engine directs its power to the front wheels which also steer. Factor in the wheelbase length of 109.2 inches and a broad wheel track to create a stable stance. Then isolate the independent suspension elements on subframes, dial in geometry that's similar to a car and allow generous vertical wheel travel for off-pavement maneuvers. For safety add variable-power rack and pinion steering and disc brakes for all corners tied to electronic controls like Honda's vehicle stability assist (VSA) equipment operating in conjunction with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic brake assist (EBA) plus a traction control system (TCS) and hill start assist (HSA), which prevents the wagon from rolling backward when pausing on a steep grade. Pilot delivers plenty of muscle, thanks to the aluminum 3.5-liter V6 powerplant with programmed fuel injection and Honda's i-VTEC (intelligent variable value timing and lift electronic control) valvetrain system. The V6 scores strong numbers -- 250 hp at 5700 rpm plus 253 lb-ft at 4800 rpm. Further, it employs Honda's variable cylinder management (VCM) device to conserve on fuel by modifying the number of engine cylinders at work. The VCM can switch from six to four or down to three cylinders, depending on the power demand at any particular moment. And the operation is automatic and transparent to a driver, with a dashboard light (the Eco lamp) glowing when the VCM is working. Federal EPA fuel consumption figures for Pilot look good -- up to 24 miles per gallon for highway travel with the optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction or 25 mpg with standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) system. Engine power channels through an intelligent 5-speed automatic transaxle that has electronic controls and supports diverse demands, from high-speed highway runs to slow-speed off-road work, 4-wheel traction and towing. An intelligent shift point controller automatically selects third and fourth gear settings after measuring variables like throttle position, road speed and rates of acceleration and deceleration. In the vast cabin of Pilot, accommodations seem comfortable and convenient in the Honda tradition. Capacity extends to eight passengers in an arrangement with twin bucket seats on the front row, a bench for three riders on the second row and a third bench designed to hold up to three teeners. Benches on rows two and three split 60/40 to vary the cabin conformation, and seatbacks fold down flat. With all seats folded, the broad and long and tall compartment in Pilot provides up to 87 cubic feet of space for cargo. Honda builds the 2013 editions of Pilot in four trim grades -- LX, EX, EX-L (L denotes Leather) and Touring, and each can be rigged with FWD or AWD traction. New standard features on Pilot's 2013 issues range from 3-zone automatic climate controls and a rearview camera to Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio connectivity, USB integration and a high-resolution 8-inch intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID). Base grade Pilot LX rolls on 17-inch steel wheels, stocks a Class III tow-hitch receiver and lines the cabin with cloth upholstery plus power controls for windows and door locks, cruise control, tilting/telescoping steering column and a 7-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Pilot EX trim gains gear like 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, chrome exhaust tips, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, a security system and 10-way power adjustments for the driver's seat. And Pilot EX-L goes further with leather upholstery, heated front seats, 4-way power for front passenger seat, a power moonroof and power tailgate. Top trim Pilot Touring gets it all -- roof rails, corner and backup sensors, side-mirror integrated turn indicators, 2-position memory seats, a satellite-linked navigation system with rearview camera, 10-speaker premium audio kit and DVD backseat entertainment system. Honda's MSRP figures for the 2013 Pilot begin at $29,520 for LX/FWD and extend to $41,270 for Touring/AWD with navigation and video entertainment equipment aboard.

2013 Ford C-Max hybrid

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:15:17 PST

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Our first glimpse of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid occurs along the palm-fringed Ocean Avenue overlooking blue Pacific waves in Santa Monica Bay. The new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for the compact class looks sleek in an aero package that slants hood and windshield into a racked-back plane which resembles a rakish coupe while vertical flanks carry four doors of a practical sedan as the roof arches over a 5-place cabin to a lopped-off tail housing a hatchback-style rear cargo door. Ford developed C-Max to supplant the Escape Hybrid 5-door crossover utility vehicle with the convenience and practicality of a 4-door hatchback wagon plus exceptional EPA fuel consumption scores which climb to 47 miles per gallon (mpg) city/highway. Ford labels C-Max as a multi-activity vehicle (MAV) and actually offers two versions: * C-Max Hybrid is a conventional HEV stocking a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine that sips gasoline plus a battery-powered electric traction motor of permanent-magnet design, a lithium-ion battery pack and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). * C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid variation with a 500-mile driving range. It can run up to 85 miles per hour (mph) solely on battery power and achieves fuel economy numbers up to 108 mpg city and 92 mpg highway. This review focuses on C-Max Hybrid, which Ford splits into the two trims labeled SE and SEL. We slip into the driver's seat of a C-Max Hybrid SEL top-trim edition and discover a stylish cabin featuring soft leather upholstery and an extensive array of high-tech gadgets plus a bold but clean design of the dash marked by a dazzling new electronic instrument cluster and electronic finish panels. Then we drive away, merging into morning traffic on Ocean Avenue. We turn onto the California Grade which leads downhill to the multi-lane Pacific Coast Highway heading west toward Malibu for some drive tests on the wiggly shore road. Right away, our C-Max surprises us with its get-up-and-go acceleration, which seems far quicker than other hybrids in our experience. It also feels rock-solid tight with the precise manners of a pricy European touring sedan, despite a relatively modest powertrain and compact-class stature. A strong unibody structure for C-Max is based on Ford's new global C-segment platform. The suspension design produces responsive handling and a refined ride quality. Ford installs independent MacPherson struts in front with tuned front shock absorbers and a 25.5-mm front stabilizer bar. Then there's a Control Blade multilink arrangement in back with tuned rear shocks and a 22-mm stabilizer bar. Brakes consist of a disc at every wheel with linkage to an anti-lock brake system (ABS), Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control (ESC) device with roll stability control (RSC), and a regenerative braking system. Ford applies additional dynamic safety devices to C-Max such as Torque Vectoring Control, which adds a touch of braking to the outward front wheel when powering through a corner, and Curve Control, which automatically slows the car when onboard motion sensors detect that a driver is proceeding too quickly into a curve. The powertrain for C-Max Hybrid includes: * Gasoline-fired 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams (DOHC) and intake variable cam timing (i-VCT) plus modifications for fuel-efficient combustion under the Atkinson-cycle concept, with output of 141 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. * AC synchronous electric motor/generator producing 118 hp (88 kW) and 117 lb-ft of torque. * Lithium-ion battery pack (1.4 kW). * HF35 eCVT hybrid powersplit transaxle. Combined output of the HEV power system is estimated to be 188 hp and creates a top vehicle speed of 115 mph, or 62 mph when running in electric-only mode. C-Max Hybrid SE edition stocks dual-zone automatic climate controls, power windows and door locks, leather-bound tilting/telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, integrated blind-spot mirrors, cruise control, Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide, the Microsoft-powered Sync voice-activated controller for communication and entertainment systems, and a 6-speaker audio kit with CD deck, audio jack and iPod/USB interface. C-Max Hybrid SEL adds front foglamps, heated exterior mirrors, automatic windshield wipers, a keyless entry and ignition system, leather seat upholstery, 8-way power for driver seat, heated front seats, MyFord Touch electronics interface and a Rear Park Aid. Optional packages cluster more gear aboard. The Premium Audio and Navigation Package installs a navigation system and nine-speaker Sony audio system; the Hands-Free Technology Package brings a rearview camera and power liftgate that opens when you move your foot below the rear bumper, and the Parking Technology Package adds front parking sensors plus automatic parallel parking equipment. Ford sets MSRP figures for C-Max 2013 at low levels beginning at $25,200 for C-Max Hybrid SE.

2013 Buick Verano

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:58:53 PST

TALIHINA, Okla. -- We're cinched firm against the leather seat of Buick's 2013 Verano Turbo compact luxury sedan with hands locked on the heated steering wheel, feet dancing across sport pedals on the floor but eyes fixed squarely on the next bend of Oklahoma 1, squiggly blacktop draped over the pine-studded Ouachita Mountains. Actually, we're romping along this ridgeback road, which follows contours of the slopes on undulating asphalt with whoop-de-do dips and rises and incessant sharp esses and broad sweepers. And the newest Buick, projecting a coupe-like silhouette with glitzy waterfall grille crowning the prow, reveals stunning performance from a decidedly sporty vehicle that maneuvers around curlicue mountain traces with the dexterity of a mechanical athlete. Cast on a rigid unibody structure with pliable independent suspension components pinned above each wheel, the test car carries a goosy turbocharged engine which translates all of its considerable torque through a malleable but definitely un-Buick-like six-speed manual shifter and sends it to the two front wheels which also steer in a predictable and controllable front-engine/front-wheel-drive arrangement. Thanks to the world-wide scope of General Motors, development of Verano amounted to a global effort. Its platform was designed in Europe and underpins other products of GM's corporate family such as the Opel Astra in Europe and a Buick Excelle GT manufactured and marketed in China. Styling for Verano's chrome-crusted body and the luxurious five-seat passenger compartment was a joint effort between designers at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Mich., and those in China at GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). But Verano comes together in the United States at a GM assembly plant in Michigan. Verano's platform features a wheelbase that's 105.7-inches long and a wheel track width of 60.3 inches in front and 60.7 inches in back. The suspension has front MacPherson struts with aluminum control arms and a 25-mm hollow stabilizer bar. In the rear the car has an uncommon Z-link that's lightweight and compact for responsive rear suspension control. The rack-mounted steering system gets electric power assistance, which eliminates a load of hydraulic equipment and contributes to the efficiency of Verano's powertrains. Brakes, with a big disc at every wheel, counterbalance all of this car's go-power with fast-acting arrests enhanced by vacuum-boost power and electronic linkage to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and GM's StabiliTrak electronic vehicle skid control device. These mechanical systems work together in the worldly new Verano Turbo to produce exacting road manners and the spirited performance of a precise German touring sedan. GM builds two high-tech Ecotec engines for 2013 Verano models featuring dual overhead cams (DOHC), electronic throttle control (ETC), spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) technology and variable valve timing (VVT). Standard plant for Verano, Verano Convenience and Verano Leather trim editions is a 2.4-liter cast aluminum four-in-line engine which develops 180 hp at 6700 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque at 4900 rpm. Transaxle is a fuel-saving six-speed electronically controlled automatic with driver shift control (DSC), the Hydra-Matic 6T45 from GM. The federal EPA sets fuel economy numbers for this Verano powertrain at 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Engine for Verano Premium edition -- a.k.a. Verano Turbo -- is a cast aluminum 2.0-liter Ecotec four-pack fitted with a turbocharger (TC) and continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) apparatus. It runs up to 250 hp at 5300 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at only 2000 rpm. The turbo engine links to a standard six-speed DSC electronically controlled automatic transaxle (HM6T50) or optional six-speed manual gearbox (Aisin F40). With the automatic transaxle, Verano Turbo achieves EPA fuel economy scores of 21/30 mpg city/highway. With the six-speed manual, Verano Turbo hits 20/31 mpg city/highway. All external noise, vibration and harshness seems locked outside of Verano's leather-trimmed passenger compartment because the cabin is wrapped liberally with sound-absorbing material including sound blankets (in the roof, below the hood and both front and back of the firewall), nylon baffles and sound-absorbing foam wadded in hollows of the car structure, door seals in triplicate plus thick layers of acoustic laminate in the windshield and side windows. Buick dubs these NVH controls as Quiet Tuning. Standard equipment for Verano ranges from a remote ignition and push-button starter to cruise control, dual automatic climate system, power windows and power door locks, cloth fabric seat upholstery with leatherette trim, split-folding rear seatbacks, a tilting-telescoping steering wheel, rearview camera, Bluetooth and OnStar connectivity plus a 6-speaker audio package with satellite radio and CD/USB/iPod/MP3/AUX. Verano Turbo adds deluxe leather seat upholstery, heated front seats, the heated leather-bound steering wheel, sport pedals, a spoiler on the tail and twin exhaust pipes. Buick's MSRP list for Verano 2013 in base trim dips to $23,080. Verano Turbo begins at $29,105.

2014 Mazda Mazda6

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:12:00 PST

The C-D segment sedan is the biggest segment in the car industry for the United States. Most companies that are thriving in the C-D segment are in their 5th or 6th generation of a car, such as the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry. This is Mazda's 3rd generation of the Mazda6. The Mazda6 was first launched in 2002 as a 2003 model year vehicle. The second year out of the gate, Mazda had its best year of sales, topping 72,000 units sold. Sales for the Mazda6, since 2004, have sunk as low as a tad over 33,000 in 2012. It didn't help that there was a currency exchange issue, or that Ford gave up controlling interest in Mazda (as of November, 2010 Ford owns only a 3.5% stake in Mazda). On the bright side, that has allowed Mazda to consider what it wanted to do without thinking of Ford's needs. California is a critical state for Mazda. Robert Davis, Senior Vice President for U.S. Operations, reminds me that they are headquartered in California, so he knows the California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions requirements all too well. "We're a smaller manufacturer, so the ability to meet the requirements they give us are a little bit more challenging." It's one of the biggest reasons car companies are creating gasoline direct injection engines. CARB will tell you that the Federal Government would not be as hard on the automobile companies as they are if CARB were not the initiators of the emission requirements. California created the Clean Air Act, so the state will get pretty much any waiver it wants from the Federal EPA, which means the car companies pay a lot of attention to any rule the California Government tries to set forth. Which is why Mazda made the announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show that, in the second half of 2013, the Mazda6 will be available with Mazda's SKYACTIV diesel technology. Not only is this 2.2-liter a diesel direct injection turbo, but it is also an ultra-low compression diesel engine, which Davis says will allow Mazda to manage some of the requirements of the CARB emissions statutes. Derrick Jenkins, Chief Designer for Mazda North America, is designing production cars from the artistic concepts that Mazda has been unveiling at the auto shows. The Mazda6 is taken from the Shinari design, part of the Kodo line. In Japanese Kodo means the soul of motion and the design speaks to aerodynamics and the reduction in coefficienct of drag. The evolution of the design started on the Mazda CX-5 production vehicle. I asked Jenkins about the side lines, something that traditionally was only on more luxurious vehicles. "We're trying to get away from the traditional line breakup; we've got a lot more dynamic line and a lot more transition and sculpture going on the side of the car." Jenkins went to school for design, but designers can't just design a car. Designers have to design a car around an engine, around specifications for the car's segment and around legislation. Jenkins gave away some of his secrets in dealing with the challenges of designing the front of the car. "The pedestrian impact has been the biggest challenge for me in the last year. We're really regulated on the hood and the fender height and front bumpers. Those regulations are very challenging for the proportions of the car. Lines have to be put into the car to make it look smaller, because it makes the car look taller. We have to play tricks with the lines to make it look lower, and put steps in the surfaces." The gasoline direct injection compression is 13:1, which is unheard of in this segment. Soon, Mazda will bring their diesel variant which is 14.0:1 compression rate. The Volkswagen Jetta diesel 2.0-liter engine's compression ratio is 16.5:1. Why would Mazda take their diesel compression down to 14.0:1 and their gasoline compression ratio up to 13:1? Ruben Archilla, Group Manager, Advanced Engineering, Research&Development, explained that Mazda is a small car company. Mazda figured out that they can beat the economies of scale if they machine the block in the same plant. In order to do that the compression needed to be as close together as possible. The SKYACTIV gas engines (all sizes), SKYACTIV-D 2.2L, and the Cyclone V6 are all machined and assembled on the same mixed line at the Ujina plant. Because Mazda paid attention to this detail, the block machining time decreased from 6.0 to 1.3 hours. Archilla noted that the same standard Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining stations used for block machining can also be used for machining transmission housings. Mazda's Program Manager, Hiroshi Kajiyama, and his team drove the Mazda6 500,000 miles, 100,000 of them in the Unites States. During that time Kajiyama-san got to experience the Jinba-ittai, the driver dynamic performance. After driving the Grand Touring automatic and the Sport with the manual transmission my favorite was the sport model. The Grand Touring was a good car, well contented, but I found myself comparing it to the rest of the segment, the Accord, the Altima, a Hyundai and the Volkswagen Passat. All of those vehicles are around $30,000. The Sport manual was nimble, responsive and well contented for $20,880. We were told there was no difference in the engine or the gearing between the two. The only difference was that the Sport had 17-inch wheels and the Grand Touring had 19-inch wheels. I actually preferred the cloth seats to the leather and enjoyed the spirit of the Sport. Tim Barnes, Product Planning and Strategy for Mazda North America, knows the C-D segment that Mazda6 is in is so big that there are a primary and secondary set of competitors. Barnes sees the primary competitors as the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat. The secondary competitors would be the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and the Toyota Camry. Barnes says there are, on average, 15 vehicles that make up the C-D segment and that "typical pricing in the C-D segment ranges from the low $20,000 to low $30,0000. Barnes acknowledges that the segment is tough. "That is why the 2013 Mazda6 has been completely refurbished. Every single part of the car is new to the Mazda6, even the badge font is changed." Mazda understands that they can't bring a compact sedan to market without it being fully contented. They expect the Sport model to garner 30 percent of sales. I would buy the manual transmission, Sport edition. Pro: Intuitive driving position Chassis has good structural integrity going around corners Good lateral support in driver and passenger seat Con: No Bluetooth on the manual version Don't like the Tom Tom Nav system Have to get a kickdown for low-end torque going up a hill 2013 Mazda Mazda6: Models: (percentage is expected sales of each model) Sport Manual, Sport Automatic, Touring, Touring with technology package, Grand Touring, Grand Touring with advanced package Price: $20,880-$31,575 30% Sport 5% manual $20,880 25% automatic $22,495 26/38/30 mpg (tied with the Altima) 25% touring 5% SKYACTIV manual $23,445 20% touring automatic $24,495 20% touring with technology $26,495 Heated mirrors, 11 speakers 25% grand touring SKYACTIV drive $29,495 8-way power seats, unique paint for 19-inch alloy wheels (Delayed production) grand touring advanced package $31,575 i-eloop (regenerative braking system) no mpg yet Powertrain: 1. 2.5L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT - Chain-driven dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing (VVT) 2. diesel Horsepower/torque: 1. 184 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm/183 lb.-ft of torque @ 3,250 rpm 2. Diesel to be announced at a later date Length/weight: 191.5 inches/Manual 3,183 pounds, Automatic 3,232 pounds (97 pounds lighter than the previous Mazda6) Wheelbase: 111.4 inches EPA fuel economy: Regular Unleaded gasoline 1. Manual 25/37/29 city/highway/combined 2. Automatic 26/38/30 mpg city/highway/combined Cargo capacity: 14.8 cubic feet Turning radius: 36.7 feet Six Exterior Colors: Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Liquid Silver Metallic, Soul Red Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Meteor Gray Mica, Blue Reflex Mica. Look for red stitching in black leather on the interior seats.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:39:07 PST

This week I was invited to live like a superloyalist. Range Rover describes a superloyalist as someone who has purchased more than five Land Rovers. It's an exclusive group, around 49 years old, averaging over half a million income annually. Amangiri, the deluxe resort and spa at Arizona's Lake Powell, looks like it is carved out of the rock it is nestled in. Warm colors change hue as the sun sets across the boulders. The air is a fresh 35 degrees as I get out of the open air pool, set at 92 degrees. What could be a desolate land is made beautiful by the exclusive wonders of the hotel and Range Rover's ability to tackle the boulders. Both the hotel, and the Range Rover, are built to promote peace and tranquility, in the midst of our modern chaotic world, or a high desert. "1.6 billion dollars of investment," is how John Edwards, Director of Land Rover, explained the new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover to me in an interview at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Land Rover/Jaguar has been churning out a new product each year since it was taken over by Tata. Chairman Ratan Tata acquired Land Rover from Ford in 2008 and has poured his heart and money into the premium SUV manufacturer, producing a profit that the Jaguar/Land Rover company has never seen before. Year-over-year Land Rover increased sales 40 percent globally since its acquisition. The fourth generation Range Rover is being asked to be more things to more people in more countries than it has ever been before. The three biggest markets for Land Rover are China, the UK and the United States. China is the fastest growing country for Land Rover according to Edwards who noted that Land Rover (SALES?) had increased, year-over-year, 80 percent in China. They have signed an agreement with Chery to produce the vehicles in China to escape the high import tariffs. If the United States is the bread and butter for Land Rover, California is the creme fraiche. US sales for Land Rover increased 14.6 percent, while sales increased, year-over-year, in California by 22.8 percent. Buying a Range Rover is like buying a diamond. If you want a diamond you can buy a diamond, but tell someone you bought the diamond at Tiffany's and the prestige factor goes up ten-fold, as does the resale value. Mercedes-Benz GL Class, Cadillac Escalade, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are all diamonds, but they don't have the off-roading capability and opulence of the Tiffany name, combined. Only the Range Rover meets both categories. Land Rover has introduced the all-new aluminum monocoque (uni-body) frame on the 2013 Range Rover. The frame reduces the weight of the vehicle by 700 pounds. The ZF 8-speed transmission, combined with either of the tried, but true, 5.0-liter V-8 naturally aspirated (375 horsepower) or supercharged (510 horsepower), helps increase the fuel-efficiency and reduces the 0-60 from 7.2 to 6.5 on the naturally aspirated engine. To have the ultimate experience you really do need the Range Rover Autobiography package. Base price of an Autobiography is $99,100. Add another $31,000 and you get the complete Autobiography package. This allows you the 18 way short seat with massage and memory and a 19 speaker Meridian surround sound. For another $4,450 you can get a surround sound, 29-speaker, 1,700-watt system. There are more audio options from Meridian: a 19-speaker, 825-watt system ($1,850) for base, HSE, and Supercharged models . I called my husband on the voice activated Bluetooth. Stretch can play any musical instrument by ear so I rely on him to tell me how developed the voices are over the cars' interior airwaves. Stretch said "there was good cabin ambience, there was no reverberation, it didn't sound like a high school gym room. The Bluetooth has a well developed voice recognition. They obviously spent money on the microphones. This was the best system I have ever heard from any of the manufacturers." The ride and handling is bolstered by the Terrain response system, configured, ostensibly, by the same person who wrote "Off-roading for Dummies". Little pictures around a rotary wheel on the center console let you drive through grass, snow, mud, sand, gravel, rocks, whatever stands in the way between you and Grandma's house. Once you twirl the knob - your throttle, differential, suspension, stability control and height are all set. No more needing to know what a limited-slip differential is, or why it is important. The interior has more. Yes, more. More legroom, more sumptuous "Bridge of Weir" leather that is produced in a factory in Scotland boasting the lowest carbon manufacturing processes of any leather plant in the world. Brushed aluminum pillars, and wood that comes from sustainable forests and has a focus on craftsmanship. A split, power tailgate that allows easy cargo access. An expansive panoramic roof, 21-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, and an additional 22 exterior and interior paint colors above the normal Range Rover colors. A full choice of individual options enable customers to create a personalized vehicle: * 37 exterior paint finishes, including 22 exclusive Autobiography colors * 17 interior color themes, plus additional choice of seat color * 3 interior veneers at launch, with more to follow * 3 headlining colors * Rear Individualized Seating * 2 optional contrast roof colors - Santorini Black or Indus Silver * 8 available alloy wheel designs on 19-inch, 20-inch, 21-inch and 22-inch wheels And the Range Rover has less. Less noise. The front and side glass windows are laminated, new-isolated engine mounts have been added, all to help decrease noise. The high-strength aluminum structure was created to minimize the transmission of noise and vibrations, while the use of stiff alloy suspension components and specially developed bushings help reduce road noise. All this adds up to wind noise that is reduced 7 percent compared to the outgoing model. Combining the mystique of the brand with the complexities of global trade will be the challenge for Land Rover. They're already producing, and selling, all of their beautiful vehicles. They have superloyalists, and new buyers waiting in line to buy their newest vehicles. I just want to be one of them. 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Models: Standard, HSE, Supercharged, Autobiography Price: $83,545-$139,000 Price as tested: $133,695 Powertrain: 1. Naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 - 32-valve with variable valve timing; eight-speed automatic transmission; full-time four-wheel drive with adaptive front, center and rear locking differentials 2. 5-liter Supercharged V8 - 32-valve with variable valve timing; eight-speed automatic transmission; full-time four-wheel drive with adaptive front, center and rear locking differentials Horsepower/torque: 1. 375 horsepower/375 lb.-ft of torque 2. 510 horsepower/461 lb.-ft of torque Length/weight: 195.7 inches/4,850 pounds Wheelbase: 115 inches 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds EPA fuel economy: 1. 15/19 mpg city/highway/combined 2. 14/20/16 mpg city/highway/combined Cargo capacity: 32.1 cubic feet

2013 Honda Accord

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:26:35 PST

DETROIT - I was in Ypsilanti, MI, recently, a suburb just west of here, to test drive the 2013 Honda Accord. The company showed off the new Accord Coupe and Sedan which are on sale now and it said that a plug-in hybrid Accord would go on sale early next year and that car will be followed by a conventional hybrid next summer. To me, that was evidence that Honda is being pressed by the competition. The Accord has been sold in the U.S. since 1976 and it has been produced here for the last 30 years. More than nine million Accords have been made in America. The Accord is one of the most respected nameplates in the automotive industry and it is the most important car in Honda's lineup. The 2013 rendition is the 9th generation Accord and every one of them has been a pretty big deal to us, as Mike Accavitti, vice president of Honda's national marketing operation said of the 2013 model. More than likely, in times past, Honda would have staggered the role out of the sedan and the coupe and maybe even the four-cylinder and the six-cylinder equipped models. But with competitors getting better and having introduced new and improved midsize models of their own, this is no time for lollygagging. Thus, Honda had its full family of new Accords on hand, except for the conventional hybrid which is one year away. The engine choices were a direct injection four cylinder that made 185 horsepower and 182 foot-pounds of torque. And there was a 3.5-liter V6 that made 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid was a different animal, confined to a short 15 or so minute loop close to the hotel, I didn't have time to get behind the wheel so I'll leave it be until I can get it for a full test drive. The four-cylinder sedan can be equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six speed manual as can the four-cylinder coupe. The V6 sedan is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the coupe comes with an automatic but can also be equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Some talking points: Although the Accord sedan is more than three inches shorter than the model it replaces, interior space has been increased a bit. Even the coupe has, at almost two inches shorter, a smidgen more interior space. The new Accord is chock full of technology but three items caught my eye. Bluetooth for hands free phone use, USB/iPod integration so that you can bring your music with you and an expanded driver's side view (read wide new) mirror are standard equipment on all trim levels. And while talking about trim, the sedan has five trim levels and the coupe has four. Pricing ranges from $22,470 to $34,220 for the sedan to $24,140 to $33,140 for the coupe. During the presentation, a staffer referred to Honda as an engineering company. A couple of technology items show why. Available on the new Accord will be HondaLink, a cloud based system that allows drivers to connect to people, music and social media without connecting their Smartphones. In other words, the car can be turned into its own Wi-Fi hotspot. We didn't know and didn't take the time to find out whether our test vehicle had the feature but it did have Honda LaneWatch(TM) which used a camera embedded in the passenger side mirror. Every time I engaged the turn signal to go right a wide angle view of the passenger side roadway appeared on the display screen. In other words, it was an advanced blind side warning system. Our test car was the 2013 Honda Coupe with the V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This car had plenty of pep. My driving partner, who was a far more aggressive driver than me, managed to screech the tires from a standing start through the first three gear shifts. The only quibble we both had with this car was the gear shifter, especially the knob. It was out of character with the car. That's a political correct way of saying it was too small and obviously inexpensive. But that's an easily fixable quibble. Using high strength steel and what it said was the world's first use of steel and aluminum bonding in the 2013 Accord's sub frame; Honda reduced the weight of the car by 57.3 pounds. I could feel that weight reduction in the front-end through the sweeping curves that sliced through two lane rural roads like Huron River Drive and Tecumseh-Clinton Highway. I can't wait to get my hands on the 2013 Honda Coupe and Sedan, and then the plug-in hybrid as well as the conventional hybrid next year for some my world test driving. You know, where there's traffic. Still, my initial opinion of the 2013 Honda Accord did not include disappointment.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 01:29:46 PST

I've been writing about the VW Beetle since I started covering the automotive industry back in 1982 - it seems we all have several stories about this cute and lovable bug. I for one had a 1963 as my first ever car and the anecdotes are endless. But while this fun little car doesn't have the power nor performance of a ZO8 or a Carrera, or the Italian design of a Lambo or Ferrari, it has definitely earned a very special place in our hearts worldwide since its inception back in 1949. Forward almost 50 years and in mid 1998, Volkswagen re-introduced the Beetle coupe and once again it has taken the world by storm, but ragtop fans had to wait a full five years before they could get their hands on the convertible version - yup, that's how long it took back then, but the German automaker didn't delay this time around - heck, people love that convertible - VW sold more than a quarter of a million of them over 8 years, thus in as little as 1 year after the new generation made its unveiling in late 2011, the new ragtop will hit the pavement in all its glory! The folks at Volkswagen surely know how to introduce a new model worldwide, so to allow hundreds of automotive journalists from all over the world enjoy the new Beetle convertible to its fullest, they invited us to Santa Monica, Ca and a gorgeous test drive through Malibu a few weeks ago. Ironically, our time with the Beetle convertible was plagued by rain, but even the inclement weather did not prevent us from having fun and enjoying how much better this new bug drives and performs. We were able to put down the top from time to time and with the help of this wind shear in back and a large-sloping front windshield, we barely even got damp, it felt almost like having this invisible protective force field over the car, but I'm sure it would not work that well in heavier rain. Like its predecessor, the Beetle convertible is equipped with a rag top which goes up in less than 10 seconds and down in about 11, with no effort beyond pushing a button, but most importantly, it doesn't need that fabric/ tonneau cover, now when the roof is lowered it looks more like a tiny spoiler rather than the previous bulk the prior model had. It also feels much stiffer thanks to copious use of high-strength steel in the windshield pillars and other key stress points in the car's structure. Two roll bars are hidden behind the rear seats and they raise almost immediately when an imminent rollover is detected, and the A-pillars have been beefed up as well. The Beetle convertible seats four adults comfortably, while trunk space can be increased by folding down the rear seat. The coupe's dashboard carries over, with its clean design marking a strong departure from the cutie patootie type of look the prior generation offered. And for the first time ever, you won't find any flower vases, which may help VW attract more male buyers. The new Beetle comes with a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engine which administers 170 ponies and 177 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels and it is coupled to a standard 6 speed manual transmission capable of rendering about 21/27 city/highway mpg. If you are interested in a more nimble and playful bug, the choice is the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine which offers 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque coupled to a 6 speed manual tranny which comes standard or the optional six-speed dual-clutch "DSG" automatic - both capable of offering between 21 city and 29-30 mpg on the highway. It is worth noting that the base engine Beetle Convertibles feature an inexpensive torsion beam rear suspension, while the sportier Turbo model uses a more sophisticated multilink setup. The two models also use different steering systems, with the standard Bug utilizing a hydraulically-assisted setup and the Turbo employing electric power steering. But the most impressive performance of any of the bugs when it came to great fuel economy was the amazing TDI model, which features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine capable of producing 140 horsepower with 236 lb-ft of torque. This economical powerplant easily reached 28 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission and 28/37 mpg with a six-speed "DSG" dual-clutch automatic. When all of these Beetles are parked next to each other, they all look almost identical, however, the diesel bug differs in some minor way, primarily inside, on the dashboard where you'll find a supplementary pod on the top that includes gauges for oil temperature and turbo boost level as well as a stopwatch. Underneath, the TDI retains the standard Beetle's front struts and rear torsion beam, although it features the rack-and-pinion electric power steering from the gasoline turbo model. Every 2013 Volkswagen Beetle comes standard with traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In government crash tests, the new bug received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars awarded for overall frontal protection and five stars for overall side-impact protection. Whether cruising or bruising while listening to the amazing and impressive Fender Premium sound system, this new Beetle is a blast to drive and quite comfortable indeed. Even the Turbo's optional sport suspension shrugs off bumps and average potholes in the road. Road noise is reduced to a hollow rumbling, yet isn't intrusive. All in all, this new Beetle is a great selection vehicle for any type of road trips and if you really want to have some typical California funshine, this bug makes almost anything possible!

2013 Scion tC Release Series

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 09:15:40 PST

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- It's nighttime on The Strip, that glitter-gulch venue of Las Vegas Boulevard lined with over-the-top resort hotels and casinos, and traffic is jamming with oh-too-cool cars pulsating from serious on-board sound packages. Our vehicle -- the Scion tC for model-year 2013, a shapely two-door hatchback coupe in new limited-production Release Series 8.0 trim -- also throbs in deep beats from its own sounds stoked by tunes off our iPod and tracked by the 8-speaker Pioneer audio kit. Scion, a brand of vehicles derived from Toyota of Japan, showcases custom-cool cool yet affordable vehicles pitched to that 20-something market known as Generation Y. The original tC rolled out in 2004 as a two-door coupe exclusive to Scion with a long list of optional equipment to fashion a customized coupe. A second generation of the tC emerged in 2011 riding on a new platform which maintained the same 106.3-inch wheelbase length of the original tC but forged a wider wheel track (60.6-inch front, 61.4-inch rear) and packed aboard a larger and more powerful four-cylinder engine plus bigger brakes and wheels and more electronic controls to enhance vehicular handling and increase rider safety. Now for 2013 the tC Release Series 8.0 (tC RS 8.0) shows up in Scion showrooms with production limited to only 2,000 issues, each with a numbered badge marking the unique model. Cruising on The Strip, our tC RS 8.0 commands attention despite eye-snagging competition from glaring Vegas tinsel and neon, as it wears Absolutely Red exterior paint with contrasting gloss black side view mirrors and matching black 18-inch split-spoke alloy wheels. The aggressive exterior package reveals a unique 5-piece aerodynamic body kit which includes front and rear lower valences, a low skirt on each flank and a spoiler on the tail. tC RS 8.0 also employs performance parts from TRD (Toyota Racing Development), such as lowering suspension springs and an exhaust kit integrated into the center of the rear lower valence. It has a monochromatic face with the narrow grille filled with a black egg-crate mesh insert. Flanks go flat but fenders emphasize the wheel arches with sculptured rims. tC's windshield cants rearward at a steep angle to set up a flat roof that tapers off to a stubby tail. And that roof -- it's virtually all glass in the form of a panorama-style power moonroof. Climb inside to discover that the cabin feels airy and spacious, despite overall dimensions which tie the tC to the compact class. Driver and a companion sit on contoured buckets separated by a console swooping down from the center of the dashboard. Rear seats, split 60/40 in segments, recline and adjust to different positions for comfort or fold down to increase storage space in the rear cargo bay. tC's platform features independent suspension elements with front struts and a rear double-wishbone. Brakes carry a disc at every wheel with computer-controlled anti-lock brake system (ABS) as well as electronic brake force distribution (EBD) -- which measures differences in speed for front and rear wheels, then doles out proper braking force to all wheels -- and a vehicle stability control (VSC) device and traction control (TRAC). For motivation the 2013 tC RS 8.0 totes an efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cam (DOHC) design. Constructed from lightweight aluminum and plastic composites, the plant features direct ignition and an electronic throttle plus Toyota's dual intelligent variable valve timing (VVT-i) device works to balance the power output with thrifty fuel economy. The engine produces 180 hp at 6000 rpm and 174 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm. Transmission choices are a 6-speed manual or 6-speed electronically controlled automatic. With the automatic, tC RS 8.0 adds paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Standard exterior elements on tC include the panoramic moonroof with twin manual sunshades, folding side mirrors with built-in LED turn indicators, variable intermittent front wipers, and a keyless entry system with electronic rear hatch locking. Standard cabin contents range from air conditioning and power controls for windows/locks/mirrors to front sport bucket seats with woven fabric upholstery, adjustable height for the driver's seat, a tilting/telescoping leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls, rear window defogger, and a tachometer plus trip meter. On tC RS 8.0 the seats are covered in textured black fabric with red stitching. Standard audio gear encompasses a 300-watt system with 160-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit (MP3/WMA CD and satellite-tuner capable) and 140-watt 2-channel amplifier, 8 speakers, RCA output jacks plus auxiliary audio and USB input ports. MSRP for a 2013 tC begins at $18,725 with a manual shifter, or $1000 more for the 6-speed automatic. The limited-production tC RS 8.0 lists for $21,815 (manual) and $22,865 (automatic).

2013 Jeep Patriot

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:44:42 PST

CHELSEA, Mich. -- At the Chrysler vehicle research and testing facility in Chelsea, Mich., tortuous off-road driving courses incorporate virtually every type of natural obstacle one might encounter when steering a sport utility vehicle away from pavement. There are big rocks and deep ruts to overcome, barricades of tree trunks to climb and steep inclines to scale, sandy dunes to plow and creek beds to ford, along with acres of tire-sucking mud to traverse. We spend time at Chelsea running the off-road courses in 2013 editions of Patriot, Jeep's compact-class wagon which happens to be a CUV (crossover utility vehicle) with the unified structure of a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car, Patriot provides an optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) device with low range gearing plus an off-road package dubbed Freedom Drive II which adds a skid plate, tow hooks and all-terrain tires (Goodyear Wrangler GTA 215/65R17 OWL) to make this particular CUV a surprisingly capable rock-crawling and mud-romping trail runner. The off-road package also jacks up Patriot's chassis, elevating the ground clearance to 9.1 inches. Front and rear overhangs of the body have been whittled away and the 17-inch aluminum wheels at the four corners are proportionally big, setting up a vehicle which can move up steep inclines. With the Freedom Drive II rig, Patriot's front approach angle becomes 29.0 degrees and the rear departure angle runs to 33.9 degrees with a breakover angle of 23.7 degrees. Such measurements signify that the 4WD Patriot can easily scamper up a rocky path, or plow through a stream with water up to 19 inches deep. But -- since Jeep's stable already bulges with capable off-road vehicles -- what's the point of turning a CUV like Patriot into a dirt-dog trail warrior? It's simply a matter of economics, as Patriot is the cheap Jeep, scoring the lowest price points in Jeep's line. For 2013 Patriot models, MSRP figures range from $15,995 for the Patriot Sport in FWD format with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to $25,695 for a deluxe Patriot Limited with a 2.4-liter in-line-4 and 4WD traction. Also new for 2013 is the limited edition Patriot Freedom Edition based on Patriot Latitude trim in FWD or 4WD configuration with MSRPs running upward from $21,445. Patriot Freedom Edition wears a military-style star on the hood, an "Oscar Mike" (military lingo for "on the move") insignia on the front door, and 17-inch Mineral Gray painted aluminum wheels with bright lug nuts. Paint colors are strictly red-white-and-blue: Deep Cherry Red crystal pearl coat, Bright White clear coat or True Blue pearl coat. Every Patriot edition looks rugged and stands tall in the traditional two-box format of a wagon but it's so square in style with edgy angles scoring fascia and fenders, a stepped hood and flat flanks interrupted only by trapezoidal wheel openings rippling in sculptured fenders blips. Layout of the cabin consists of a pair of contoured buckets in front and a rear bench for three but indents for two. Seatbacks on the second row split in 60/40 sections and fold down to extend the floor of the rear cargo bay, which has 53.5 cubic feet of room with rear seats flat or 23 cubic feet with seatbacks raised. Jeep provides a four-cylinder engine in two sizes to motivate Patriot through the three trim levels tagged as Sport, Latitude and Limited. The smallest powerplant -- a 2.0-liter four-in-line with twin cams on top and dual variable valve timing (DVVT) -- serves as the stock engine for Patriot Sport FWD and Patriot Latitude FWD. It produces 158 hp at 6400 rpm plus torque of 141 lb-ft at 5000 rpm and earns EPA fuel economy figures as high as 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Available shifters include a five-speed manual (Magna T355) or automatic continuously variable transaxle (Jatco CVT2) with AutoStick. A larger four-pack plant -- displacing 2.4 liters and also stocking dual cams and DVVT -- motivates Patriot Sport 4WD, Patriot Latitude 4WD and Patriot Limited FWD and 4WD. The muscle numbers tally to 172 hp at 6000 rpm with 165 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Patriot splits into three traction configurations. The base unit uses FWD with torque from the engine directed to the front wheels all the time. The optional Freedom Drive I package adds a full-time 4WD device with lock mode. It normally runs in FWD mode, yet an electrically controlled coupling (ECC) can divert as much as 60 percent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels when additional tire grip is required. But you can lock the center coupling so the system splits powertrain muscle 50-50 between front and rear tires for tricky traction situations like wet pavement, slick snow or sand. Then the Freedom Drive II off-road package brings a full-time 4WD system tied to a CVT with low-range gear ratio of 19:1. It engages when the off-road mode is activated and enables Patriot to crawl over rough terrain. Other electronic controls also apply with the Freedom Drive II package: Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) which keeps the vehicle rolling even on split-friction surfaces like gravel where one wheel loses traction, Hill Start Assist (HSA) for holding the CUV on a steep slope, and Hill Descent Control (HDC) to keep the wagon's wheels firmly planted when trekking down a steep grade.