Car and Truck news and reviews

FORD CRUISE CONTROL RECALL EXPANDED

2009-10-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Ford issued the largest single recall in Ford history on Tuesday. Owners of an additional 4.5 million Ford vehicles were warned about recall due to a fire hazard from a faulty switch.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said this was the eighth Ford recall, involving a total of 16 million Ford Motor vehicles, concerning the cruise control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments

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The faulty cruise control switch involved in this Ford Recall can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat, smoke and then burn, and risks causing a fire even when the ignition is turned off, parked and unattended, the NHTSA said.

The risk is elevated for 1.1 million Windstars that were subject to a government investigation, said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.

"We determined with the government that there is a low risk of fires for those vehicles," Sherwood said. "The other 3.4 million vehicles are the remaining vehicles that have the Texas Instrument switch, so we're recalling them to reassure customers and prevent future recalls." Sherwood added Ford has always gone beyond recalling only the cars that present a risk. While the Ford does not discuss its current suppliers, Sherwood said Ford vehicles did not use the Texas Instrument switch in post-2003 models.

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NHTSA said Ford drivers should look for warnings of possible imminent fires, including malfunctioning cruise control systems and brake lights and antilock braking system and brake light warnings on the dashboard. The safety agency also said difficulty in getting the vehicle out of the park mode should be treated as a warning.

"I urge customers to pay attention to this warning and bring the affected models in to have them repaired as soon as possible," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a statement.

Ford is notifying customers and instructing them to take vehicles to dealers for a complimentary installation of a fused wiring harness that will eliminate the risk of fires, the NHTSA said.

The safety recall is expected to begin around Oct. 26. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or NTHSA's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit http://www.safercar.gov.

Tuesday's Ford recall includes the following recalled Ford models: 1995-2003 Windstars, 2000-2003 Excursion diesels, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-Super Duty diesels, 1992-2003 Econolines, 1995-2002 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Rangers and 1994 F35 motorhomes.

In other Ford news, Ford Motor Company is building another plant in China.

TOYOTA & LEXUS RECALL

2009-09-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Toyota Motor Company has announced a massive recall on several vehicles in the Toyota and Lexus lines. This Toyota / Lexus recall effects over 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

TOYOTA / LEXUS SAFETY RECALL FLOOR MAT PROBLEM

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The Toyota / Lexus recall comes as a result of a problem where the floor mat has a tendency to jam the accelerator on several Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Although seemingly simple, this 2009 Toyota / Lexus recall is being treated very seriously as the floor matt problem recently resulted in a fiery crash involving a runaway Lexus which ended up killing a family of four. The vehicle hit speeds in excess of 120 MPH before it crashed into a SUV and flew off the embankment subsequently bursting into flames killing all those inside.

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Vehicles affected by the Toyota / Lexus recall of 2009 include 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350 and 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS350.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of the Toyota and Lexus vehicles effected by this Toyota / Lexus Recall not to wait for a fix. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is reported as saying "This is an urgent matter, for everyone's sake, we strongly urge owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration."

VOLKSWAGON - VW L1 Concept Car

2009-09-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

VOLKSWAGON - VW L1 Concept vehicle

Back at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show, Volkswagon revealed their L1 Concept car, a super economical one-litre car weighing only 840 lbs. The tandem-seat VW L1 by the folks at Volkswagon is powered by half of a 1.6-litre TDI engine in a hybrid installation. In addition, the Volkswagon L1 comes with a 800cc, twin-cylinder, common-rail, turbodiesel is joined by a 14bhp electric motor.

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To avoid wind drag caused by side view mirrors, the Volkswagon L1 comes with 2 CCTV camera's with monitors mounted on the left and right dashboard of the VW L1 Concept.

Another favoured feature of the Volkswagon L1 Concept is its' ability to "sail" or glide with the engine shut off. The Volkswagon L1 Concept definitely seems designed with the fuel miser in mind. The Volkswagon L1’s headline fuel consumption is an EU Combined figure of 180mpg with CO2 emissions of 39g/km.

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In addition to being very economical, the Volkswagon L1 is capable of reaching speeds of 99mph, with the ability to accelerate from 0-62mph in 14.3 seconds.

If you are eager to own a VW L1, the very spacey looking Volkswagon L1 Concept will be ready to ship in 2012.

Limited Recall of Toyota Vehicles due to braking Issue

2009-08-27T07:57:00.001-07:00

TOYOTA Motor Corp is recalling 95,700 Toyota and Scion cars sold in the United States. The reason for this massive Toyota Recall is as a result of a fault in their braking system

The Toyota Recalll effects 2009 and 2010 models of the Toyota Corlolla, Corolla Matrix as well as the 2008 and 2009 Scion xD's

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According to the recall notice, vehicles driven in extremely low temperatures may have ice buld up at the braking system port. This ice build up will decrease braking power.

Since the condition can happen at low temperatures, Toyota's recall applies to vehicle owners in 19 states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Those living in other area's who are concerned about potential travel to these low temperature area's should contact Toyota directly to push for a wider recall area.

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There is also an indication of another recall involving Chinese made Toyota Camry's and other sedans involving a faulty window control switch.

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GENERAL MOTORS RECALL - GM RECALL effects 1.4 Million cars

2009-04-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

GENERAL MOTORS RECALL
GM is recalling 1.4 million vehicles because of a problem with an oil drip in the engine that could lead to a fire.

GENERAL MOTORS says the engines in the vehicles can drip oil into the wrong place and start a fire in the engine compartment. The GM cars included in the GENERAL MOTORS RECALL are:

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1997 - 2003 Buick Recal
2000 - 2003 Chevy Impala
1998 - 1999 Chevy Lumina
1998 - 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo
1998 - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997 - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

If you own one of the listed GM vehicles, you're advised to take it to the dealer so it can be repaired.

General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to fix a glitch in an engine component that may cause oil to leak and lead to a fire.

The move includes certain Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac cars from model years 1997 to 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.

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Oil could drop on the exhaust manifold, posing a risk of engine fire. The recall for Detroit-based GM will begin in May, the agency said.

The recall affects Buick Regals from model years 1997 to 2003; Chevrolet vehicles including 1998 and 1999 Luminas, 1998- to-2003 Monte Carlos and Impalas from model years 2000 to 2003; the 1998 and 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue; and some Pontiac Grand Prix cars from model years 1997 to 2003.

2010 Camaro SS

2009-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

At first glance, the 2010 Camaro SS makes us feel like we’ve stepped back in time to a more innocent era when gas was cheap. Yet the 2010 muscle car is more than just a retro-mobile.

It’s the long-awaited revival of General Motors’ classic American pony car. First seen in 1967, the iconic design that GM designers have liberally borrowed from debuted two years later.

Sure, it’s got the bones of the most popular Camaro in the brand’s long history, with its egg-crate grille, Coke-bottle silhouette and the muscular kick-up of its rear shoulders. But this is a decidedly modern interpretation, taking advantage of state-of-the-art engineering and technology. The long side aperture, for example, running front fender to rear, is stamped from a single piece of steel, a task impossible during the classic muscle car era.

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The “halo rings” around the headlights add a decidedly contemporary touch as well.

The 2010 SS is the most powerful version of the new Camaro and the only one with a V-8, in this case, turning out a solid 426-horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque with the manual transmission.

With the new 6-speed automatic, the engine had to be detuned slightly to 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet. But with the auto box you get cylinder deactivation, which shuts off four cylinders during low power demand, improving highway mileage to 16 city/25 highway, from 16/24 for the stick.

If you’re willing to sacrifice performance for fuel economy, the still sporty Camaro LS and RS models get 30 mpg on the highway out of their V-6s.

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The new Camaro SS will turn 0 to 60 times in 4.7 seconds, despite its 3,800-pound heft, which is notably quicker than domestic competitors like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang GT, as well as the new Nissan 370Z. But the Chevy coupe delivers more than just straight-line performance, in part because of its new, independent rear suspension.

The 2010 Camaro SS is arguably the best version of the pony car in more than 40 years, and it will give challenge to just about anything in its class. Sadly, the planned convertible version has been delayed and the even more powerful Z28 model has been cancelled. But expect to see the SS burning rubber as it flies out of dealer showrooms.

2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS
Miles per gallon: 16 city/24 highway with six-speed manual, 16/25 with six-speed automatic.

Engine options: 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, 426 hp/420 pound-feet, with manual; 400/410 with automatic.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (base): $30,995.

Cost fully loaded: $35,000.

SWEDISH AUTOMAKER SAAB FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY

2009-02-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

STOCKHOLM (AP) Saab has filed for bankruptcy protection and intends to split from its troubled parent company, General Motors.

GM had asked Sweden for government help for Saab but had to take 'no' for an answer.

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With no help forthcoming from Sweden's government, Saab has filed for bankruptcy protection. The goal is to split from its parent company, General Motors. GM says its exploring all options.
General Motors' subsidiary has filed for reorganization, a step taken to stave off bankruptcy protection.

General Motors' Swedish subsidiary, Saab, confirmed on Friday that it has filed for reorganization, a step to avoid bankruptcy protection, as the company seeks to pay down pending debt and return to profitability.

"I can confirm that Saab has filed for reorganization. It is not a bankruptcy situation. The aim is to have Saab as a freestanding entity," a spokesman for the firm told Forbes.

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SAAB is seeking funds from both public and private sources but will operate as usual with government funding during the reorganization process.

Under Swedish law, when a company files for reorganization, it means that it is looking for ways to raise capital to pay off debt. One of the solutions a company might consider is seeking a buyer to could acquire an equity stake.

The legal process will be headed by an independent administrator appointed by court as the company seeks funds from both private and public sources, TradeTheNews.com reported. Saab will operate as usual, with the central government providing assistance during the process, which will be executed over a 90-day period.

The Swedish government has categorically denied the possibility of buying equity in its struggling carmakers. "The Swedish state and taxpayers in Sweden will not own car factories," Industry Minister Maud Olofsson said on Wednesday. "Sometimes you get the feeling that [GM] is a small, small company, but it is the world's biggest automaker, so we have a right to make demands."

Saab builds fewer than 1 million vehicles per year, in contrast to Renault or Volkswagen, whose capacity ranges between 2 million and 3 million cars per year.

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Inside, a forward-leaning center stack clearly makes the 2010 Ford Taurus a five-seater. There will be no front bench seats or column shifters available for this car (we hope fleet car purchasing agents aren't crying too hard). New production techniques have yielded better looking and richer feeling dash and door coverings. As evidenced in recently introduced models, Ford knows how to craft high-quality and visually pleasing interiors. Panel gaps and materials appear on par with luxury cars.

Even though the Taurus is a full-size car, the amount of passenger room is still surprising. The adjective "huge" comes to mind. The trunk, thanks to the high profile of the rear fenders and the tall deck, is likewise enormous. Back in the days of drive-in movies, it would have been easy to fit three stow-aways back there with room for beer and chips.

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a sleek, stylish update of a car that has been one of the mainstays of the Ford fleet, and it's turning heads at the show with its expressive lines and improved interior, including a new instrument panel with chrome ringed gauges. The Taurus also delivers more fuel efficiency. No fuel economy numbers are available as yet, though Ford promises that it will be 10% better than the 2009 Taurus.

The 2010 Ford Taurus should have the moves to match its trimmer more athletic looks. The mechanicals are based on the Lincoln MKS, a car we've driven and liked. The standard engine is the proven Duratec 3.5-liter V-6, generating an estimated 263 horsepower and 249 foot-pounds of torque. Along with earning ULEV-II emissions certification front-wheel-drive Taurus (all-wheel drive is optional) is expected to deliver unsurpassed highway fuel economy in the class, but Ford hasn't yet released mpg estimates. Plan also calls for the availability of Ford’s turbocharged and direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 to become available after the car goes on sale. In the MKS, the boosted engine produces 340 horsepower. Perhaps this foreshadows the return of the SHO (Super High Output)?

The base Taurus SE offers a six-speed automatic transmission with a Grade-Assist hill-holding rollback prevention feature, paired with an economical 2.77 final drive ratio. Taurus SEL and Limited models get the SelectShift gearbox used in the Lincoln MKS. It features paddle shifters on the steering wheel, manual shift mode, and rev-matching downshifts. Enhancing acceleration, the Limited series uses a 3.16 gear in front-wheel-drive models, and a 3.39 ratio in all-wheel-drive models to provide compensate for the added weight of the extra drive mechanicals.

Compared to the outgoing model, the chassis components under the 2010 Taurus should deliver sportier ride dynamics. Ford engineers promise more roll stiffness and more responsive steering. Like the MKS, the new Ford uses struts up front and multi-link, fully-independent arrangement in the rear.

Ford added a healthy helping of technology to the 2010 Taurus. Many of these features were once found exclusively in high-end luxury cars, but now Ford is making them mainstream. The list of optional features includes: Adaptive cruise control that uses radar to adjust the car's cruising speed in traffic; keyless entry with push-button start; and Ford's keyless entry keypad with a new pad flush-mounted on the driver’s side B-pillar. These are added to the latest version of Ford's SYNC infotainment interface that includes turn-by-turn route guidance (SYNC and GM's OnStar are in a heated battle to out-feature the other).

Offering even more travel-type information is optional voice-activated NAV with SIRIUS Travel Link. It uses a large eight-inch screen to present a birds-eye-view map with 3D landmarks. The Travel Link subscription provides current weather conditions (real-time radar), a five-day forecast, local fuel pricing by cost per gallon as well as brand, sports scores and movie listings.

One especially interesting option is what Ford is calling multi-contour front seats. These seats include six-way lumbar support and subtle rolling pattern massage. The minute but continuous movement stirs a change of muscular activation helping a driver avoid back pain and help reduce long-distance driving fatigue.

On the safety front, the 2010 Taurus is well equipped with standards including six air bags (including a two-row side canopy), electronic stability control, ABS, traction control, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, plus a post-crash feature that unlocks all doors, flashes the emergency flashers, and sounds the horn in an event of an airbag deployment.

Safety enhancing options include a collision warning system that's part of the adaptive cruise control. When the potential for a collision is detected, the brakes are pre-charged for faster response, and a visual "heads-up" warning signal is flashed on the base of the windshield. Drivers are also warned of traffic they might not see on the highway or in parking lots by Ford's Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems; these use rear- and side-aiming radar. Additionally, Ford's SYNC now includes a 911 Assist enhancement that will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an air bag deployment incident.

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The 2010 Ford Taurus also boasts a stronger body structure that makes use of high-strength boron steel. If the crash results of the 2009 Lincoln MKS are any indication, this sedan should earn full five-star ratings and a "good" rating from the IIHS.

Regardless of your take on the old Taurus, this new offering looks to be a lot of bull for the money.

2008's Worst-Performing Cars

2008-11-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

The recent news that Chrysler may merge with General Motors didn't come as a surprise to many, as Chrysler has been struggling for years. It can't negotiate a deal with GM fast enough to save it from going under, in large part because its poor-performing vehicles are a drag on overall sales.

It therefore shouldn't come as any surprise that when the performance of cars is examined according to their predicted reliability, recalls and rate of depreciation, Chrysler vehicles dominate the list of the poorest performers, with seven of the 10 models on our list. All the vehicles have multiple recalls, ranging from airbags to door latches, along with mediocre resale values and bottom-level reliability scores for market-research groups.

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Owners of the current-model-year Dodge Avenger, for example, have had to deal with six recalls. The depreciation and true market value of Avenger only ranks at two stars (out of a possible five) in the Automotive Leasing Guide, which provides depreciation estimates for use in the automotive financing industry.

And experts see no signs of Chrysler making quality improvements across the board, because the company currently lacks the financial resources to do so. It also remains unclear if the company has the means to hang on until auto sales revive.

"I'm not sure Chrysler can weather the storm as an individual company," says Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing at Edmunds.com.

It's an entirely different story, however, for the two Japanese auto giants, Toyota and Honda. The best-performing cars, according to our rankings, are all made by these two carmakers, with Toyota claiming six spots and Honda four in the top 10.

In the sixth spot is the immensely popular Honda Accord. It earned the highest Insurance Institute Highway Safety crash test ratings, its predicted reliability is high and there are no recalls so far this year.

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"Honda's manufacturing quality is strong, and the consumer's perception of quality is also strong," says Jonathan Banks, senior director of consulting services for Automotive Leasing Guide.

Behind the Numbers

To compile our list of 2008 best- and worst-performing cars, we looked at five factors, all pertaining to 2008 model-year vehicles: the number of recalls to date, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database; reliability ratings from Consumer Reports; depreciation, in the form of Automotive Leasing Guide's (ALG) star ratings; safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test ratings; and fuel economy and annual fuel costs from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Fuel costs were based on AAA's national regular gas price of $2.42 and unleaded at $2.60.

Aside from a standout number of recalls, we looked specifically for below-average reliability, high depreciation and IIHS results of "marginal" or "poor" for worst performers. Of the vehicles that met at least two of these qualifications, we also looked at other factors, such as fuel efficiency and fuel cost per year of ownership, assuming 15,000 miles driven per year.

Leading the Pack

Just as Chrysler dominates the bottom of the list, Toyota reigns at the top, with six vehicles that have among the highest resale values and best reliability scores. And all of the top 10 are among the most fuel-efficient cars and SUVs on the road.

The fuel-efficient Toyota Prius hybrid tops the list with an "excellent" reliability rating, no recalls and a five-star-rated resale value. It has the highest fuel economy (1.61 km per litre) and the lowest annual fuel cost of any car on the list ($789).

Another top performer is Toyota's Scion xD , a hatchback introduced in the 2008 model year as a replacement to the xA hatchback. The xD has an "excellent" reliability rating, no recalls and good fuel economy (1.62 km per litre).

While the Scion is a solid performer, however, it isn't perfect. It earned an "acceptable" (second-highest) frontal crash-test rating but did score a "good" rating (highest) in side- and rear-impact crash tests. Also, its resale value is an average three stars.

Which is more attractive in buying a car: a better price or better predicted reliability? Weigh in. Add your thoughts in the Reader Comments section below.

While there are no similar cars from U.S. automakers on the top half of the list, there are bright spots for 2009 and beyond, as GM and Ford Motor both plan to bring more fuel-efficient, nicely equipped small cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Festiva to the U.S. from other countries.

"There are things in the pipeline," says Edmunds, at least for those two companies. "I just don't know if Chrysler will be around to do it."

Trailing the Pack

Chrysler has carved out for itself a big space on our list of poor-performing cars, but the automaker has plenty of company.

When gas prices topped $4 a gallon this summer, consumers dropped gas-guzzling SUVs like the Nissan Xterra (1.6 km per litre), as sales plummeted 29.1% from January to October, compared with same period in 2007. The Xterra falls to sixth place among the worst-performing vehicles, as there have been three recalls on the car so far this year, not to mention its below-average performance in crash ratings in side (marginal) and rear (poor) tests, as well as its mediocre three-star resale value.

The Xterra's sales drop can't be chalked up to a general anti-SUV sentiment either, as the smaller Toyota Rav-4 rated fourth among best-performing cars and the Honda CR-V came in fifth. Unlike the Xterra, both cars deliver on fuel economy and resale value.

With the 2009 model year now in full swing (it kicked off Oct. 1), the 2008 model-year cars still sitting on dealer lots are loaded with incentives to make them more appealing to consumers. Chances are, says Banks, many poor-performing vehicles are among the ones with the highest incentives. But while you may save with a lower transaction price now, on a year-end deal, you're likely to be paying for it later.

"If it has a one- or two-star resale value, then it's not a great quality car," says Banks. "If it has a lot of recalls, then you may spend a lot of time in the repair shop. And when the vehicle warranty ends, you may face high repair costs."

Porsche - A Pioneer in Hybrid Technology

2008-10-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Porsche®, a name long associated with engineering innovation, stunned the automotive world by introducing the world’s first advanced electric car – a vehicle that also led to the world’s first hybrid car. While this “green” alternative to petroleum-based transportation may be considered a mundane news story in the 21st Century when green technology announcements are a daily occurrence, a 24-year-old engineer by the name of Ferdinand Porsche developed, produced and raced such a car more than 100 years ago when horseless carriages were in their infancy.

Working for Jacob Lohner & Co. in Vienna, Austria in 1899, Ferdinand Porsche – father of Dr. Ferdinand ‘Ferry’ Porsche who in 1948 founded the Porsche high performance sports car and SUV company we know today – developed and built the world’s first automobile that used electric wheel hub motors rather than a fossil-fuel combustion engine and transmission to drive the wheels. It was called the Lohner-Porsche.

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A Lohner Porsche and concept versions of the Hybrid Cayenne® SUV can be seen at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show to be held Nov. 14-25, 2007.

Ferdinand Porsche installed his patented invention, the electric wheel hub motor, directly on the front wheels. Standard output was 2.5 horsepower at 120 rpm, but they were capable of 7 horsepower each for up to 20 minutes.

This technology could provide speeds of just over 10 mph and a top speed of about 31 mph. Using a 44-cell battery with 300 ampere hours and 80 volts, Porsche’s new vehicle had a range of about 30 miles.

Hailed as “the greatest invention of the age” by one trade journal because electric wheel hub motors eliminated the need for a transmission, gears, belts, chains, differentials and other moving parts and could be produced very quickly, this drivetrain was 83 percent efficient because there was no mechanical loss due to friction. Its debut at the World’s Fair in Paris on April 14, 1900 hurdled Ferdinand Porsche to worldwide fame overnight and prompted Lohner to produce and sell well over 300 such vehicles.

Soon after, Porsche took his invention to the race track. On Sept. 23, 1900 he fitted his electric wheel hub motor car with a larger battery and set his first speed record at Semmering, covering the 6.2-mile route in less than 15 minutes with an average speed of 25.5 mph. The best internal combustion engine powered car averaged 21.5 mph.

Later that year, Porsche fitted his wheel hub motors on all four wheels, thus producing the world’s first all-wheel drive car. To give the car sufficient power and range, it required nearly 4,000 lbs. in batteries, proving to be the same challenge faced by today’s engineers. He tried to solve this dilemma by fitting the all-electric speed-record car with two De Dion Bouton gasoline engines producing current for the electric powertrain. The result was the world’s first hybrid.

He again surprised the automotive world when this new concept debuted at the 1901 Parisian Auto Salon. His design used the 3.5-horsepower combustion engines to drive dual generators to supply current to the two wheel hub motors on the front wheels. It also was possible to run the gasoline engines after start up to so that the electric motor functioned as a generator and kept the battery charged. If necessary, both the combustion engines and electric motors could be used in parallel. Porsche stepped up performance and created variations delivering 5 to 12 horsepower. And in 1902 he piloted his hybrid during trial runs at the Exelberg race, finishing first in the large-car class and third overall.

Porsche went on to develop automobiles for Austro-Daimler, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in Stuttgart, and Steyr-Werke AG in Austria before forming Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH in 1931. He is most remembered as the inventor of the Volkswagen Beetle, yet his innovative work in the areas of electric and hybrid drive systems is substantial. His wheel hub motor resurfaced decades later when the concept was used to power the Lunar Rover during NASA’s Apollo missions to the moon. Today, his innovative spirit lives on at Porsche AG’s Research and Development Center in Weissach, Germany where the company is applying its engineering strength to develop hybrid systems for the Cayenne SUV and the upcoming Panamera four-door gran turismo.

LAMBORGHINI ESTOQUE

2008-10-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

After much teasing from Lamborghini over its all-new concept car, here's the whole thing - and it's said to be close to production.

The Estoque, named for a bullfighter's sword, is the long-rumored four-door Lamborghini, a 2+2 seater to rival the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera.

It uses styling cues from the Murcielago and Reventon to look every inch an uncompromised supercar - its extra rear doors are subtle. It should also be lightweight; it's built around an aluminium spaceframe structure similar to that of the Audi A8.

Though it's not a working prototype as yet, this four-wheel-drive Estoque could be fitted with the 5.2-litre, 560bhp V10 as used in the Gallardo LP 560-4, rather than the Murcielago's V12, though several other engines from the Volkswagen-Audi Group could also be used in the production vehicle - even the V12 TDI diesel as in the latest range-topping Q7, a smaller but turbocharged V8, or a hybrid powertrain system. The engine is front-mid mounted, for optimum weight distribution.

Though just 1.35m tall, the Estoque is 5.15m long and has a wheelbase of over 3m, plus a large boot - said to be big enough for a pair of golf bags. It sits on 22-inch wheels up front and 23-inchers to the rear, giving a muscular stance, and its cabin, with large LCD display screen which can be set to a traditional design with circular dials or digital displays, is upholstered in 'highest-quality' nappa leather. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy a top-notch entertainment system, as well as a high-end stereo.

The Estoque is thought to be scheduled for production in 2010, with annual sales of 3000 planned, though Lamborghini is remaining tight-lipped: it says only that the Estoque 'represents one of several possibilities for a third model series within the Lamborghini product line-up. At this point in time, no decisions have been taken in respect of either a third model series of any kind or of the Estoque concept in particular.'

The fact that this concept has been engineered to meet all European occupant and pedestrian safety standards suggests that it's very much a goer, though, for a start, and Lamborghini does admit that 'it is based on a feasible technical concept.'

Saab 9-X Air

2008-09-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

It's just over 25 years since Saab unveiled its first four- seat convertible, a car based on its 900 model that became the most popular rag-top in the world.

In a new take on topless motoring the Swedish carmaker has come up with its 9-X Air concept car.

It will be revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show next week and Saab says it's a glimpse of what a convertible from the company could look like.

Featuring what Saab calls a canopy top, the 9-X Air is not like other convertibles as it incorporates prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding roof.

This is not dissimilar to Ferrari and Ford sports prototype endurance cars of the 60s which never resulted in production versions. With the top down in the 9-X Air, occupants can enjoy open-top motoring free from buffeting, while with the cloth top in place, the 9-X Air assumes the appearance of a solid-roofed coupe.

The 9-X Air's raked rear pillars – which have a separate rear screen between them – support the canopy top in a design development of the classic Targa roof principle.

However, instead of having a manually detachable roof section, the Saab canopy top will be power operated, neatly and quickly folding away in the boot, taking up very little load volume. Saab has already filed a patent for the design.

The roof design allows a clean, sculpted body contour for the 9-X Air, but there's no mistaking the car as being anything but a Saab, for its Scandinavian-inspired design links as directly as ever to Saab's aircraft heritage.

With a purposeful stance, and minimal front and rear overhangs, the effect is complemented by the single, wraparound window graphic, and smooth, uncluttered body surfaces.

Anthony Lo, director of advanced design at General Motors Europe, says of the car: "Like her sister, the 9-X BioHybrid, this car is all about efficiency in design and performance. It offers important benefits in weight-saving and packaging, as well as giving us the freedom to take convertible design forward."

The 9-X Air showcases seamless, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth) with one or multiple devices (mobile phones, PDAs etc).

Designed in parallel with the Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its distinctive frontal styling, together with its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-litre Saab BioPower engine combines measures for more responsible performance: smaller engines, turbocharging, the use of biofuel and hybrid technology.

Running on E85 fuel (85 per cent bioethanol/15 per cent petrol), the engine delivers 147kW, giving zero- to-100kmh acceleration in 8.1 seconds and CO2 tailpipe emissions of 107g/km. Compared with normal petrol, the environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial.

The exterior of the 9-X Air is defined by the prominent C-pillars, or buttresses, that provide the rear mounting for the canopy top – a powered, flat-folding roof developed from a Targa top principle. In a further break with design convention, the 9-X Air dispenses with a boot lid.

Instead, a large storage compartment, big enough to accommodate two golf bags, slides out from underneath the rear light bar. To save weight, it is spring- loaded, without power assistance, and slides on rollers.

Inside, the 9-X Air's driver information zone encompasses the top of the door moulding as well as the traditional dashboard. It's a fresh execution of Saab's traditional, driver-focused cockpit layout and dispenses with a central, floor-mounted console.

The zone is a flat, arc-shaped surface, within which a row of five display screens is embedded and illuminated in green 3D graphics.

In cooperation with Sony Ericsson, the 9-X Air's in-car interface enables streaming of data, entertainment and satellite navigation functions, which are transferred automatically to the car while the driver's PDA, phone or iPod remains on board, and the smarter the device, the more functions are available.

The same unit could also be programmed to remotely lock /unlock the car, raise or lower the canopy top, and even remotely change in-car pre-sets.

FORD 2009 FIESTA ECOnetic - 65 Miles per Gallon

2008-09-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

If ever there was a car made for the times, this would seem to be it: a sporty subcompact that seats five, offers a navigation system, and gets a whopping 65 miles to the gallon. Oh yes, and the car is made by Ford Motor, known widely for lumbering gas hogs.

Ford's 2009 Fiesta ECOnetic goes on sale in November. But here's the catch: Despite the car's potential to transform Ford's image and help it compete with Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in its home market, the company will sell the little fuel sipper only in Europe. "We know it's an awesome vehicle," says Ford America President Mark Fields. "But there are business reasons why we can't sell it in the U.S." The main one: The Fiesta ECOnetic runs on diesel.

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Automakers such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have predicted for years that a technology called "clean diesel" would overcome many Americans' antipathy to a fuel still often thought of as the smelly stuff that powers tractor trailers. Diesel vehicles now hitting the market with pollution-fighting technology are as clean or cleaner than gasoline and at least 30% more fuel-efficient.

Yet while half of all cars sold in Europe last year ran on diesel, the U.S. market remains relatively unfriendly to the fuel. Taxes aimed at commercial trucks mean diesel costs anywhere from 40 cents to $1 more per gallon than gasoline. Add to this the success of the Toyota Prius, and you can see why only 3% of cars in the U.S. use diesel. "Americans see hybrids as the darling," says Global Insight auto analyst Philip Gott, "and diesel as old-tech."

None of this is stopping European and Japanese automakers, which are betting they can jump-start the U.S. market with new diesel models. Mercedes-Benz by next year will have three cars it markets as "BlueTec." Even Nissan (NSANY) and Honda, which long opposed building diesel cars in Europe, plan to introduce them in the U.S. in 2010. But Ford, whose Fiesta ECOnetic compares favorably with European diesels, can't make a business case for bringing the car to the U.S.

TOO PRICEY TO IMPORT
First of all, the engines are built in Britain, so labor costs are high. Plus the pound remains stronger than the greenback. At prevailing exchange rates, the Fiesta ECOnetic would sell for about $25,700 in the U.S. By contrast, the Prius typically goes for about $24,000. A $1,300 tax deduction available to buyers of new diesel cars could bring the price of the Fiesta to around $24,400. But Ford doesn't believe it could charge enough to make money on an imported ECOnetic.

Ford plans to make a gas-powered version of the Fiesta in Mexico for the U.S. So why not manufacture diesel engines there, too? Building a plant would cost at least $350 million at a time when Ford has been burning through more than $1 billion a month in cash reserves. Besides, the automaker would have to produce at least 350,000 engines a year to make such a venture profitable. "We just don't think North and South America would buy that many diesel cars," says Fields.

The question, of course, is whether the U.S. ever will embrace diesel fuel and allow automakers to achieve sufficient scale to make money on such vehicles. California certified VW and Mercedes diesel cars earlier this year, after a four-year ban. James N. Hall, of auto researcher 293 Analysts, says that bellwether state and the Northeast remain "hostile to diesel." But the risk to Ford is that the fuel takes off, and the carmaker finds itself playing catch-up—despite having a serious diesel contender in its arsenal.

Hyundai Genesis

2008-09-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hyundai Motor America today announced that HKS USA, Inc. will create a high-performance Genesis Coupe 2.0t for the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The all-new, rear-wheel drive Hyundai model will make its SEMA debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 4 - Nov. 7, 2008. HKS, the leading manufacturer of premium performance parts, is the second company to join Hyundai for this year's SEMA show.

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"Genesis Coupe has the basic DNA that HKS looks for -- an excellent chassis, rear-wheel drive, aggressive styling and a new generation turbo-charged engine. These attributes provide the opportunity for HKS to maximize the Genesis Coupe driving performance capabilities for the serious driving enthusiast," said Rick Lafferty, president, HKS USA, Inc. "HKS is allocating R&D, engineering and prototyping resources to lay the groundwork for HKS-brand Genesis Coupe performance parts. We are looking forward to working with Hyundai to realize the full performance potential of the Genesis Coupe."
The HKS plan for the Genesis Coupe includes a HKS GT Turbo upgrade to maximize horsepower and torque, HKS engine internals, HKS limited-edition turbo exhaust system, HKS Super Mega Flow Intake System, HKS Engine Management and HKS Hipermax III fully-adjustable suspension.
"We've designed Genesis Coupe from the start to be tuner-friendly," said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Partnering with an industry leader like HKS is a terrific way for us to stretch the performance envelope of Genesis Coupe."
The HKS Genesis Coupe will also showcase functional ground effects designed by Ken Style, HKS Time-Attack cars' aerodynamic partner. The interior will emphasize driver comfort and control with HKS electronics including CAMP2 that monitors up to 24 data signals from the Genesis OBD2 and programmable calculations for fuel costs, average fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in real time.
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS

-- Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive sports car
-- 306 horsepower (est.) from enhanced 3.8-liter V6 from Genesis sedan
-- Standard 210 horsepower (est.) turbocharged, intercooled inline four
cylinder
-- Genesis Coupe arrives in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model

HKS USA, INC.
HKS USA, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium automotive aftermarket performance systems, parts and accessories. Delivering its products to both the import and domestic car markets, HKS has been recognized for its engineering and performance excellence in the automotive industry since 1973. Established in 1982, HKS USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HKS Company, Ltd. Japan and distributes its products through its worldwide dealer network. For more information about HKS USA, Inc., visit their website at http://www.hksusa.com.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of South Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.

BMW Recalls over 200,000 cars over Airbag concerns

2008-08-13T12:34:00.001-07:00

BMW AG said Wednesday it was recalling 200,000 vehicles over concerns that the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

The German automaker said the recall involves the 2006 3 Series, the 2004-2006 5 Series, and the 2004-2006 X3 compact sport utility vehicles in the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and deactivate the front passenger air bags.

NHTSA said the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag "on-off" light would remain on. The head protection system, however, would not be affected, the government said.

BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky said there were no injuries or accidents reported.

If the seat detection mat fails to sense that a person is sitting in the passenger seat, it deactivates the air bag. Plucinsky said customers alerted the company when they noticed that the air bag light indicated a deactivated air bag even when a passenger sat in the seat.

NHTSA opened an investigation into the issue in September 2007 and upgraded its probe in January. In addition to the vehicles under Wednesday's recall, the ongoing investigation also includes the 2004-2006 Z4, 2006 X5, 2006 6 Series and some 2004-2006 7 Series vehicles.

BMW had received 23,739 warranty claims over the air bag system issue by early January, NHTSA said. Plucinsky could not immediately address why the additional vehicles under NHTSA's investigation were not part of the recall.

To respond to the problem, BMW said it would extend the warranty to 10 years without any mileage limit for the following vehicles: 2006 6 Series, 2006 3 Series with standard seat, 2004-2005 Z4, 2004-2006 7 Series, 2006 X5, and 2004-2006 5 Series with comfort seats.

BMW said under the extended warranty program, the detection mat in a vehicle with the air bag system problems would be replaced at no charge to the customer.

Owners can contact BMW at (800) 525-7417.

On the Net:
BMW of North America: http://www.bmwusa.com

BMW Winning back Market

2008-08-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

BMW, buoyed by a new line of small cars, threatens to end the 8-year reign of Toyota's Lexus as the leading US luxury brand.

BMW topped Lexus in July for the third time in 2008. BMW, the world's largest maker of luxury cars, trails Lexus by 3466 sales after 7 months, erasing 90% of the gap from the start of the year.

The US debut of the 1-Series car in March bolstered BMW's offerings with a model that gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway, blunting the effect of record gasoline prices that are sapping sales of big four-wheel-drives. Lexus has added only a sports car and a 4WD with 400 horsepower, V8 engines.

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"Looking at BMW's line-up with all the gas issues of the day, they may be in better shape than Lexus,'' said Stephanie Brinley, a product researcher with AutoPacific. She said Munich-based BMW may pass Lexus by the end of the year.

A 40% jump in global demand for the 1-Series helped boost last month's worldwide deliveries by 2.2%, BMW said.

The 1-Series generated 7400 US sales through July that the Munich-based carmaker didn't have a year earlier. BMW also is benefiting from a 32% rise in US sales of the Mini compact.

V8 engines

Lexus has this year introduced a redesigned version of its biggest 4WD, the $US74,000 LX570, powered by a 383-horsepower V8 engine, and the $US56,000, 416-horsepower, IS F sports sedan. The brand is suffering its biggest decline since Toyota unveiled it in 1989.

But a BMW title isn't assured. The company is scaling back on leasing programs after being forced to take writedowns on returned leased vehicles. Residual values, the projected worth of a vehicle at the end of a lease, are dropping industry-wide because of waning demand for pick-ups and 4WDs.

BMW also is struggling with the weakest industry-wide demand for new cars in 16 years. The company said this month that it would ensure profitability by reducing the number of vehicles produced for the US market this year by 40,000.

Still, BMW's 8% US sales decline in 2008 has been less severe than the industry's 11% drop and Lexus's 15% slide.

Cadillac, Lincoln

Lexus and General Motors' Cadillac have held the top-luxury-brand title for most of the past seven decades. Ford's Lincoln took the crown from Cadillac in 1998 and ceded it to Mercedes-Benz a year later. Lexus has held it since.

Ms Brinley said BMW had more small cars. The 1-Series starts at $US28,600, and the best-selling 3-Series line begins at around $US32,700 for the 328i. The 3-Series also gets as much as 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway.
Lexus relied on 4WDs for 39% of its 2007 US sales; BMW's 4WDs accounted for 22% of its volume.

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Lexus has also been among the leaders in quality. It ranked as the most dependable car brand in the US for the 14th consecutive year, according to a study of 3-year-old vehicles released last week by J.D. Power & Associates. BMW ranked 7th.

Enjoying the title

"We definitely have enjoyed having that status'' as the best-selling luxury brand, said Greg Thome, a spokesman for Lexus in Torrance, California. "That is not our number one goal, especially in context of this market.''

In addition to the 1-Series, BMW has introduced a small 4WD called the X6 as well as its M3 series of performance sedans. It also will sell a partially redesigned 3-Series starting in October and introduce two diesel-powered models late this year, said spokesman Tom Plucinsky.

"It is not at all a focus to beat Lexus,'' said Jan Ehlen, a spokesman for BMW North America. "All we are doing right now is trying to maintain profitability in the current market conditions.''

BMW and Lexus may not be affected in the same way by changes in consumer behaviour, said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics, an automotive market research company in Birmingham, Michigan.

"The brands are getting two different parts of the market,'' Mr Hall said. "BMW has a much younger demographic'' and a broader line-up with several niche, low-volume vehicles for which Lexus doesn't have a competing model, he said.

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Should Lexus cede the crown, it may not be runner-up for long, Mr Hall said. A redesigned RX, the brand's best-selling 4WD, will boost sales after it reaches showrooms early next year, he said.

2009 Hyundai Genesis

2008-07-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Genesis is out as are the reviews. Here is the National Posts' take on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis.

Trot out any tired old metaphor you'd like -- a deal changer, a seismic shift, a quantum leap. Whatever the verbiage, not since Lexus introduced its LS 400 in 1990 has so much luxury and performance been offered for so little money. For the first time in a very long time -- since that first Lexus, in fact -- mere proles can afford the same performance, luxury and amenities as all the yuppies in their BMWs can.

There was really no indication the new 2009 Genesis would be this good. After all, there is a Hyundai badge on its rear deck. Oh, sure, the company's Sonata now competes head to head with the Camry, but there's a huge gulf between benchmarking a Toyota and claiming that one's car is on an equal footing with a BMW.

To Hyundai Canada's credit, it admits that with perception being so crucial to buyers in the car's snack bracket, its new Genesis has neither the pomp nor the circumstance to challenge the marketing might or brand status that BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi command. Indeed, Hyundai Canada is looking to prospect Lexus ES 350 and Cadillac CTS buyers with the Genesis V6's $37,995 base price.

That intention sells the Genesis's performance far too short. The car that compares most equally with the Genesis is BMW's 5 Series -- and not just any 5 Series, but the mondo-powerful and very expensive 550i. Yes, the Hyundai Genesis, in its $43,995,4.6-litre V8 guise, can keep up -- and occasionally trump -- BMW's finest sedan at roughly half the price. Don't believe me? Then take a gander at the specs for the Genesis's new 4.6L DOHC V8. At 375 horsepower, it out-muscles the BMW's 550i and, thanks to its smaller displacement, also gets superior fuel economy. Opting for a V8 when premium fuel exceeds $1.40 a litre may seem profligate, but the Genesis's fuel economy ratings of 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.1 on the highway border on economical.

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But mere numbers don't do the Tau V8 justice. On the open road, the Genesis feels as quick as the 550i and just as sophisticated. Acceleration to 100 kilometres an hour from a standstill arrives in just 5.7 seconds, the same as with the 550i and quicker than the comparable Audi or Jag. Only the Mercedes E550, with one litre greater displacement, is quicker -- and then only by 0.2 seconds.

And the sound! Again, the comparison with BMW comes up. At idle, the V8 burbles with equal authority. There's the same ripping silk roar as the tach passes 4,000 rpm, not to mention the same eerie smoothness as the revs crest 6,000. It's all very authoritative without intruding into the cabin's calm.

Punch the V8 at any speed and the Genesis surges forward as fast --or faster -- than any of the mega-buck German sleds. It's smoother than the Mercedes and quicker than either the Audi or normally aspirated Jaguar V8. And it uses the same ZF six-speed automatic transmission as many $80,000-plus European sedans, meaning the entire powertrain is equal to the best from the continent. The closest I can come to a complaint is that the transmission, which offers manumatic shifting via the centre console-located lever, doesn't come with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

It would be natural to think there's no way the Genesis can keep up with a BMW in the chassis department. After all, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar, to name but a few, have all tried and -- to date -- failed. Yet, after spending a day terrorizing California's Highway 150 and scorching the tarmac at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, I can only assume Hyundai hired some BMW chassis engineers. At the very least, it bought some German suspension bits since the Genesis rides on Sachs dampers all round. As well, Hyundai has the audacity to claim that the Genesis's chassis is stiffer in both torsion and bending than its BMW, Mercedes and Audi counterparts are. Throw in the five-link suspension setup front and rear and you're looking at the beginnings of fine-handling sedan.

The suspension's tuning means the Genesis is nearly as well controlled as a 550i, with mid-corner bumps handled with an aplomb a Mercedes E550 can only envy. In the end, it remains a little behind the Bimmer in suspension performance. But, unlike the Bimmer, the Genesis doesn't come with an upgraded sport suspension. Still, you'll need access to a race track to feel the difference. Besides, the Hyundai has a slightly better ride.

After so obviously benchmarking BMW in drivetrain and suspension performance, it seems a little odd that the Genesis's steering most closely emulates Mercedes' propensity toward heavy on-centre damping. Turn-in requires more effort than in a BMW 550, and, in fast transitions between ess turns, the Genesis feels a little ponderous. It's the car's worst dynamic trait, although it's hardly a dramatic shortcoming. It's just that I had to find fault somewhere or nobody would believe me.

The surprises continue inside the cabin. The leather -- even the stuff used for the dashboard -- is top-shelf. Everything is simply laid out, ergonomically correct and easily decipherable. The one exception is Hyundai's answer to BMW's iDrive. Here, the emulation goes a megabyte too far and, although not unmanageable for us Luddites, it adds nothing to the enjoyment of the Genesis compared with the base model. The bigger problem is that opting out of the multimedia controller also means forgoing the excellent 17-speaker Lexicon audio system, which also makes up part of the Technology package.

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All of this makes the Genesis a tremendous accomplishment for Hyundai. Price aside, the V8 model makes a worthy competitor for BMW's 550i. With a sticker price starting at $43,995 and topping out at $48,995, the 4.6L-powered Genesis gives incredible value. It's the best sedan you can buy for the money and a great car regardless of its price.

Ford to Bring European Models to North America

2008-07-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ford this Thursday is expected to announce it will fast-track at least one of its European passenger cars for U.S. production. The announcement will come amidst Ford’s second quarter earnings report and an update on its restructuring plan.

The two cars that CEO Alan Mulally has been pushing Ford to build in the U.S. are the Ford Mondeo and European Ford Focus. I have also heard that some in Ford have been trying to make a business case to sell the tiny Ka car in the U.S.

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It is vital that Ford build these cars in North America if they are to sell them, rather than trying to export them from Europe. The weak dollar makes such a move a loser. Ford would lose money on each Mondeo and Focus it would import from Europe today. Those cars are not “federalized” for U.S. emissions and safety standards anyway.

For years, Ford’s management has fended off calls to unify its product offerings in Europe and the U.S. The European Mondeo, for example, is a huge critical and sales success, and is widely viewed as a more attractive vehicle than the U.S. Fusion. Too, the auto press has long praised the European Focus, while Ford has chosen to sell a different Focus in the U.S.

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When Ford launched the Focus in the U.S. and Europe in the late 1990s, it was the same car on both continents. The manufacturing launch, though, was chaotic and the U.S. Focus was beset with numerous recalls. Once Ford got the bugs out, the reputation of the car was damaged. The automaker has not remade the car from top to bottom since its launch, choosing instead to change the design while keeping much of the mechanicals beneath. The current U.S. Focus is selling well as the demand for fuel efficient cars has spiked. But the car is not critically praised much for design and performance. The European Focus, meantime, has been substantially upgraded twice.

Ford managers have pushed back against Mulally’s directive to “make it happen,” referring to his desire to unify Ford’s global product line and make some of the European product in the U.S. These are the same strategic planners in some case, though, who made Ford so top-heavy on trucks and SUVs and short of competitive passenger car products.

This is where the choice of Mulally should really pay off for Ford. An outsider who came to Ford in 2006 from Boeing Co., Mulally has a retort for long-time Ford managers who fight him on a decision that makes so much sense…”How’s that workin’ out for ya so far?” Not too well. Ford managers have painful memories of the company trying to sell the Ford Contour/original Mondeo globally. And who could forget the raging success of the Merkur Scorpio in the U.S. But those people are responsible for a alot of Ford’s problems today. It’s time to try it Mulally’s way.

But just because those Euro models didn’t work, it doesn’t mean that today’s Focus and Mondeo can’t be globalized with success. The designs are much better than those previous attempts, and the world is different when it comes to design. Last time I checked, Toyota was doing pretty well selling a global Camry and Corolla design.

Given the long-term prospects or oil prices, Ford would do well to have a full line of passenger cars that includes the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Mondeo, Taurus…Ka? What remains to be seen in Mulally’s announcement is whether or not the Mondeo will replace the Fusion, or be added to the lineup. There has already been a move to unify the design of the Fusion and Mondeo for each car’s next generation. Ford also has an updated design of the Taurus due next year. The update, as seen in spy shots and in a slide presented to dealers a few months ago, looks akin to the Mondeo.

The next generation Focus, too, was to be brought together. So, Mulally will be outlining whether or not the end result of this will be adding models, or just accelerating the merging of these model programs. Either way, Ford’s car lineup is going to get a needed boost.

Ford Posts $ 8.03 billion Loss for second Quarter

2008-07-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it lost $8.67 billion in the second quarter and will retool two more North American truck and sport utility vehicle plants to build small, fuel-efficient vehicles. The net loss includes $8.03 billion worth of write-offs because of a decline in value of North American assets and Ford Motor Credit Co.'s lease portfolio. Even excluding those items, Ford lost 62 cents per share, worse than Wall Street expected. Twelve analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, expected a 27 cent loss per share. Including the write-downs, Ford lost $3.88 per share in the April-June quarter, compared with net profit of $750 million, or 31 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

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Second-quarter revenue was $38.6 billion, down $5.6 billion from the year-ago period. Analysts expected $34.6 billion. Ford also announced that it will bring six European small car models to North America by the end of 2012 as it deals with a market shift from trucks to cars brought on by high gasoline prices. The company said it will retool the Michigan Truck plant in suburban Detroit, shifting its products from large SUVs to make global vehicles off the European Focus platform by 2010. The SUVs made at Michigan Truck — the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition — will be shifted to the Kentucky Truck plant in Louisville, which makes Ford Super Duty pickups.

The company also will retool the Louisville Assembly Plant, which now builds the Ford Explorer midsize SUV, to produce vehicles on the European Focus frame, starting in 2011. The company had previously announced it would retool its pickup truck factory in Cuautitlan, Mexico, to build the Fiesta subcompact for North America starting in 2010. Ford also said its Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minn., will continue producing the Ranger small pickup through 2011. The plant was scheduled to close next year, but Ranger sales are down just 4 percent in the first half of this year, versus 18 percent for the U.S. light truck market as a whole.

The company said its write-offs included $5.3 billion in North America and $2.1 billion for Ford Credit's truck-heavy lease portfolio. Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair said most of the write-down was triggered by the drop in value of the company's truck and SUV inventory and lease residuals. Ford reported a pretax loss of $1.3 billion in North America because of the deteriorating U.S. market and the shift away from trucks. U.S. sales overall were down 10 percent in the first half of the year, with Ford's sales down 14 percent.

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The company, though, continued to be profitable overseas, posting a $582 million profit in Europe and $388 million in South America. The company also made $50 million at its Asia-Pacific-Africa division.

"The second half will continue to be challenging, but we have absolutely the right plan to respond to the changing business environment and begin to grow again for the long term," President and CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement.

Ford said it does not expect a U.S. economic recovery to start until early 2010.

The company identified only three of the European small vehicles it will bring to North America: the Transit Connect small van, the European Focus and the subcompact Fiesta. Most will be built in North America, and Leclair said some might be exported. Ford already has announced that the Transit Connect will be imported from Turkey.

Ford said the other three vehicles would be identified later, including one that is unique within its segment.

Other possible vehicles are the Kuga small crossover, the C-Max small van and the Mondeo midsize car.

Ford also announced that the next-generation Ford Explorer midsize SUV will come out in 2010 and be built on car underpinnings, making it more fuel efficient than the current truck-based model. And it announced it will build a seven-passenger car-based crossover vehicle for Lincoln in mid-2009.

Gasonline to Ethanol conversion

2008-07-18T07:05:00.001-07:00

Can Alcohol be gas?

I just ran across some information on running your vehicle on Ethanol as opposed to gasoline. I can definitely understand and appreciate the desire to save money and reduce one's carbon footprint. However, prior to jumping on the bandwagon, one needs to realise the energy required to distill Ethanol. I do not know the numbers, or how they compare to the environmental cost of refining oil into gasoline but this should be an interesting development. If nothing else, at least the air around the cities will be a little cleaner.

Volkswagon Anounces new Plant in Chattanooga

2008-07-15T08:59:00.001-07:00

Volkswagen AG will build its first United States assembly plant in Chattanooga, reports said today.

Europe’s biggest automaker said it will put a nearly $1 billion investment in Chattanooga’s Enterprise South Industrial Park.

The new plant is expected to eventually create 2,000 jobs.

Volkswagen officials said the surging euro has pushed plans for a production facility forward. The 15-nation currency has been hitting record highs in recent weeks against the U.S. dollar, making goods exported from Germany more expensive in the United States.

Volkswagen recently moved its North American headquarters from suburban Detroit to Herndon, Va., outside Washington, to bring it closer to its East Coast customer base.

Volkswagen produces VW cars and trucks and also makes vehicles under the Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti names.

Prius Hybrid to get solar panel

2008-07-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Although some aftermarket operations have tried installing rooftop solar panels on the Toyota Prius, none of the pioneering hybrids have ever come so equipped from the factory. This will reportedly change next year when the third-generation model hits the streets. Top trim levels of the new Prius and likely the Lexus-badged version will be equipped with photovoltaic cells on the roof. The solar cells won’t generate enough power to do any significant charging of the battery pack but will be able to power accessory drives like the air conditioning. That should reduce the parasitic loads on the power-train, helping to improve the mileage slightly. The solar panels could also be used to keep the ventilation system running on hot days while the car is parked. That would reduce interior temperatures, cutting the load on the air conditioning when the driver gets in. The new Prius and the Lexus hybrid will debut in January 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show.

Toyota Shifting Gears as demand for fuel efficient cars booms

2008-07-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

Toyota Motor Corp. will build its Prius gasoline-electric hybrid in the U.S. as part of an overhaul of North American production driven by record-high gasoline prices.

The Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid, will be assembled in late 2010 at a plant under construction in Blue Springs, Mississippi, Toyota said in a statement today. That factory originally was to build the Highlander sport-utility vehicle.

The change mirrors U.S. consumers' rapid shift to fuel- efficient models and away from large pickups and SUVs as gasoline soars above $4 a gallon. It also eases production constraints on the Prius, now built mainly in Japan, that have left U.S. dealers with shortages of the car and an oversupply of its biggest trucks.

``They bet wrong on the truck market,'' said Jeff Liker, a University of Michigan engineering professor and author of ``The Toyota Way.'' ``They've been really good about not screwing up like that in the past.''

The company will consolidate production of Tundra large pickups at its San Antonio factory. The model currently is assembled in Texas and in Princeton, Indiana. The Princeton plant will suspend work on the Tundra and Sequoia SUV starting Aug. 8 until November. The Highlander will be shifted to Indiana.

American depositary receipts for the Toyota City, Japan- based automaker rose 50 cents to $91.98 at 10:54 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The ADRs have dropped 14 percent this year through yesterday.

First Decline Since 1995

Toyota's U.S. sales fell 6.8 percent in the first half, with trucks dropping 13 percent, pushing Japan's biggest automaker toward its first annual decline in U.S. sales since 1995. Toyota introduced a bigger, redesigned Tundra last year to increase its share of the U.S. large pickup market.

Bob Carter, general manager for U.S. Toyota brand sales, has said since January the company will sell about 170,000 Priuses this year, down from 181,221 in 2007, because of tighter supplies in the hybrid model's largest market. U.S. Prius sales last month plunged 34 percent to 11,765 from a year earlier and fell 3.2 percent in the first half.

Toyota had to make sure that there would be sustained demand for the Prius before moving production to the U.S., said Dennis Virag, president of Automotive Consulting Group in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

``Toyota has come to the realization that this is not just a blip on the radar screen, but is a long-term trend,'' he said.

Ford, GM, Chrysler

Fuel prices have prompted similar changes at U.S.-based automakers General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, all of which rely on trucks for a majority of their U.S. sales.

Ford has cut output at truck plants, including a nine-week shutdown of a Michigan SUV factory, while assigning overtime work at another Michigan plant that produces the Focus small car. Ford's F-Series pickup was passed by Toyota and Honda Motor Co. car models as the top-seller in the U.S. in both May and June.

GM said it will close four North American truck factories and is reviewing whether to divest its Hummer brand of SUVs. Chrysler plans to close its Fenton, Missouri, minivan plant. The company also will cut to one shift production of its Dodge Ram pickup at another plant in Fenton. Production also has been temporarily suspended for several weeks at SUV plants in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio.

2009 Volkswagon TDI Diesel coming to North America

2008-07-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen's long-awaited new family of diesel engines has finally hit the road to the United States.

The powerful and fuel-efficient engines, which account for 63% of VW sales in Europe, have been absent from the automaker's U.S. lineup for more than a year.

Diesel buyers are among VW's most eager and enthusiastic owners in the United States, but they had to do without 2008 models because the automaker was caught flat-footed without engines that met U.S. emissions standards that took effect Jan. 1, 2007.

VW will rectify that by offering the engines, which have used less fuel than gasoline-electric hybrids in some driving tests, in two 2009 model year vehicles. Both models will wear VW's TDI badge, which stands for turbocharged direct injection, two of the technologies that make modern diesels cleaner and more powerful. The Jetta Sportwagen and sedan are already in showrooms. The Jetta scored 29 m.p.g. city/40 highway in EPA tests, up from 21 city/29 highway for the 2.5-liter gasoline engine.

VW will also add a V6 diesel version of its Touareg SUV in 2009. It may add diesel versions of other models later.

The Volkswagen group's Audi luxury brand will offer its first U.S. diesel, with a 3.0-liter 221-horsepower V6 for sale in the Q7 SUV in March. Audi is expected to add diesels to other models in the United States, including the all-new A4 sport sedan that goes on sale later this year.