Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ambiguous response to rumors of Pontiac demise
Edmunds reported yesterday that "Pontiac is dead." They stated that an unnamed source within The General told them the announcement was coming Monday.
In response to the media flutter that has multiplied exponentially, Jim Hopson of Pontiac Communications issued the following response:
Not quite the flat denial I would have hoped for. But considering the recent shakeup of GM layoffs, I guess this shouldn't be a surprise. I have often questioned the focus of the Pontiac lineup -- an SUV, really? -- but, now that it seems like they're back on the right track (Solstice coupe, G8 ... hot, hot, hot!), they're ready to pull the plug. Hmmmm.
Desperate times, I guess. But Pontiac wouldn't necessarily have been the one I'd have yanked. They actually have cars with decent gas mileage in their lineup ... as opposed to another brand that only has trucks ... which are pretty much all duplicated in the Chevrolet lineup. I'm just saying.
Guess we'll see what's what on Monday.
In response to the media flutter that has multiplied exponentially, Jim Hopson of Pontiac Communications issued the following response:
"Contrary to media speculation, General Motors has not announced any changes to its long-term viability plan or to the future status of any of its brands. GM is continuing to review its restructuring plan to go further and faster and best ensure its future success. Additional information will be released as any decisions are finalized."
Not quite the flat denial I would have hoped for. But considering the recent shakeup of GM layoffs, I guess this shouldn't be a surprise. I have often questioned the focus of the Pontiac lineup -- an SUV, really? -- but, now that it seems like they're back on the right track (Solstice coupe, G8 ... hot, hot, hot!), they're ready to pull the plug. Hmmmm.
Desperate times, I guess. But Pontiac wouldn't necessarily have been the one I'd have yanked. They actually have cars with decent gas mileage in their lineup ... as opposed to another brand that only has trucks ... which are pretty much all duplicated in the Chevrolet lineup. I'm just saying.
Guess we'll see what's what on Monday.
2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback
The 2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback is one of those right-sized vehicles. It’s right for Chicago, and it’s definitely right for these economic times.
The front-wheel drive Versa is compact with an overall length of 169.1 inches as well as utilitarian with a total cargo volume of 50.4 cubic-feet. It’s easy to drive, easy to park and really easy to live with on a daily basis. Especially since it’s not going to be a budget breaker when it comes to purchasing the vehicle or fueling it up after you bring it home.
With a base price of $13,830, the Versa 1.8 S doesn’t offer a lot of frills. You’ll get a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system, 15-inch wheels, six airbags and not much else. But it will get you from Point A to Point B, and it’ll sip fuel along the way. The Versa 1.8 S with the manual transmission gets 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Upgrade to the four-speed automatic transmission ($1,000), and you’re looking at mileage estimates of 24/32 mpg. Step up a trim level into the 1.8 SL model that has the continuously variable transmission and you’ll see a stellar 27/33 mpg.
Read the rest of the article on SearchChicago - Autos at http://tr.im/jD16.
The front-wheel drive Versa is compact with an overall length of 169.1 inches as well as utilitarian with a total cargo volume of 50.4 cubic-feet. It’s easy to drive, easy to park and really easy to live with on a daily basis. Especially since it’s not going to be a budget breaker when it comes to purchasing the vehicle or fueling it up after you bring it home.
With a base price of $13,830, the Versa 1.8 S doesn’t offer a lot of frills. You’ll get a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system, 15-inch wheels, six airbags and not much else. But it will get you from Point A to Point B, and it’ll sip fuel along the way. The Versa 1.8 S with the manual transmission gets 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Upgrade to the four-speed automatic transmission ($1,000), and you’re looking at mileage estimates of 24/32 mpg. Step up a trim level into the 1.8 SL model that has the continuously variable transmission and you’ll see a stellar 27/33 mpg.
Read the rest of the article on SearchChicago - Autos at http://tr.im/jD16.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Models galore at Shanghai Auto Show
As I was putting together a photo gallery for the Shanghai Auto Show, I noticed something very interesting. Virtually every photo has a svelte and sexy woman posing with the car. There were even some photos from the Associated Press that I decided not to post because they were more about the row of scantily clad females than they were about the car.
I went back to galleries I had created for the New York Auto Show and the North American International Auto Show and did not notice a similar phenomenon for the American shows. Is this a foreign predilection? Something particular to the Chinese?
Anyone out there in the know? Clue me in please.
View the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show photo gallery on SearchChicago - Autos at: http://tr.im/jmxq
Prius pricing announced
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices today for the all-new 2010 Prius midsize hybrid, scheduled to go on sale beginning in late May at Toyota dealers nationwide.
The third-generation Prius will be available in one grade with a starting MSRP of $21,000. The Prius will be offered with five levels of popular standard equipment combinations.
“The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division.
Carter sees the most popular model starting at an MSRP of $22,000, equipped with a high level of standard features, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model” he said.
A new base model with a lower level of standard equipment is scheduled to be available later this year. It is designed to appeal to the most cost-conscious businesses and consumers.
Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners worldwide for more than 10 years. When it goes on sale, the 2010 Toyota Prius will once again set new standards for innovative hybrid design and technology, raising its level of convenience features and performance to new heights, including EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg.
The Prius is equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (ATPZEV), emitting over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. A larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation. All Prius models offer Toyota’s Star Safety System™ as standard equipment, which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) Systems, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Other standard features include electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
The third-generation Prius will be available in one grade with a starting MSRP of $21,000. The Prius will be offered with five levels of popular standard equipment combinations.
“The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division.
Carter sees the most popular model starting at an MSRP of $22,000, equipped with a high level of standard features, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model” he said.
A new base model with a lower level of standard equipment is scheduled to be available later this year. It is designed to appeal to the most cost-conscious businesses and consumers.
Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners worldwide for more than 10 years. When it goes on sale, the 2010 Toyota Prius will once again set new standards for innovative hybrid design and technology, raising its level of convenience features and performance to new heights, including EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg.
The Prius is equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (ATPZEV), emitting over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. A larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation. All Prius models offer Toyota’s Star Safety System™ as standard equipment, which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) Systems, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Other standard features include electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
Friday, April 17, 2009
2009 Audi A5
The 2009 Audi A5 is one of those vehicles that shows up in your driveway and makes you smile. However, it’s not a giddy, woo-hoo kind of smile that speaks of power and fast driving ahead. Instead, it’s a sly kind of smile of one who knows she is getting ready to slide into pure luxury.
The base price of the A5 quattro is $42,825, and as you would expect it’s well stocked with most of the amenities you could possibly desire. Standard fare includes leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio and side-curtain airbags. Plus, there’s a fair bit of that power as well.
The A5 comes equipped with the 3.2-liter, 265-horsepower V-6 engine. And, mated to the six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, it performed beautifully. I liked the smooth and seamless acceleration, and I was incredibly pleased with the acceleration – both from a stop and in passing maneuvers. There was even one non-trafficked day that I made it to the office in six minutes flat. That’s usually at least a 10-minute drive. Oops.
To read the rest of the review, visit SearchChicago - Autos at: http://tr.im/j5BH
The base price of the A5 quattro is $42,825, and as you would expect it’s well stocked with most of the amenities you could possibly desire. Standard fare includes leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite radio and side-curtain airbags. Plus, there’s a fair bit of that power as well.
The A5 comes equipped with the 3.2-liter, 265-horsepower V-6 engine. And, mated to the six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, it performed beautifully. I liked the smooth and seamless acceleration, and I was incredibly pleased with the acceleration – both from a stop and in passing maneuvers. There was even one non-trafficked day that I made it to the office in six minutes flat. That’s usually at least a 10-minute drive. Oops.
To read the rest of the review, visit SearchChicago - Autos at: http://tr.im/j5BH
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The coolest day ever
Thanks to Mark Basso at the Autobahn Country Club, I've had one of the coolest days I've had in long time. He invited me out to Autobahn to participate in the Executive Drive program, which is a traveling show that gives regular Joes (and Jills) the opportunity to drive smoking hot cars on a race track. Today's lineup: Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ferrari F430, Porsche 911, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lotus Elise and Noble M400.
I had never heard of the Noble, and luckily that was one of the cars I got to take out on the track. It was light and nimble, and I easily hit 100 mph on my second lap. Unfortunately, I only got two laps in it. The next cars I got to drive were the Gallardo, Elise and F430. All incredibly track worthy cars, but my personal favorite was the F430.
The Gallardo, Elise and Noble were all awesome, but as a driver on the petite side of things, they just weren't comfortable to drive. The seats were very unforgiving, and I couldn't get the seatback in just the right position.
The F430, however, was not only perfectly comfortable, it drove like a dream. Smooth around the corners, fast in the straightaways. And the sound of the engine ... Sublime.
That alone would have been enough to make my day great. But it got better. One of the members at the Autobahn offered to take me for hotlaps in his completely rebuilt Corvette. And we're not talking about a pansy ass rebuild. We're talking everything fancy ripped out, roll bars inserted, five-point harnesses, toggle switches instead of ignition and, get this, no speedometer. I had a blast. Many thanks to Mr. Newlander for his time and a great ride.
Look below for photos from today's Executive Drive event.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lexus Remote Touch
The Lexus Remote Touch knob is the best new feature I've seen on the crop of 2010 vehicles that are making their extremely early debuts this spring. Using it was instantly intuitive, and the positioning of the knob itself was absolutely perfect. I didn't have to stretch my arm, contort my wrist or do any funny maneuvers to make an adjustment. It was exactly where my hand would rest naturally.
And it's a lot like a mouse, so the motion is familiar. Especially with the "enter" buttons on the right and left of the knob. If some of the other luxury automakers could pay attention, that would be swell. I just hopped into the BMW 750 today, and while I tweeted that the new iDrive doesn't completely suck, it's still not my favorite.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
2009 Nissan Maxima
The first time I drove the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima during the press preview, I really liked it. But after a week behind the wheel, I think there might be a full-blown case of love. It certainly makes my top-picks list for 2009.
Sedans can be boring. But often a sporty coupe just doesn’t fit into the lifestyle. So it’s nice to know there’s a realistic alternative to the coupe. The incredibly sporty and indelibly sexy Maxima fits the bill.
To read the rest of the review, visit SearchChicago - Autos at: http://tr.im/iMGR
Sedans can be boring. But often a sporty coupe just doesn’t fit into the lifestyle. So it’s nice to know there’s a realistic alternative to the coupe. The incredibly sporty and indelibly sexy Maxima fits the bill.
To read the rest of the review, visit SearchChicago - Autos at: http://tr.im/iMGR
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
First Look: 2010 Kia Soul
It’s nice to see a manufacturer that’s doing something right in this slumping economy. And with the launch of its 2010 Soul, Kia is definitely doing something right.
This oddly shaped vehicle may not look like much at a glance, but I encourage you to look again. When you do, you’ll see a nicely equipped vehicle with air conditioning, a total cargo volume (with rear seats down) of 53.4 cubic-feet, seating for five and standard safety that includes six airbags.
Oh, and did I mention that you can get all this for less than $14,000?
Read the rest of the article on SearchChicago - Autos at http://tr.im/inyn
This oddly shaped vehicle may not look like much at a glance, but I encourage you to look again. When you do, you’ll see a nicely equipped vehicle with air conditioning, a total cargo volume (with rear seats down) of 53.4 cubic-feet, seating for five and standard safety that includes six airbags.
Oh, and did I mention that you can get all this for less than $14,000?
Read the rest of the article on SearchChicago - Autos at http://tr.im/inyn
Monday, April 6, 2009
Seating surfaces trend toward simple ... Thank goodness
One of my many pet peeves in a vehicle is cheep seating surfaces. Just because a vehicle doesn't cost $60K doesn't mean you have to opt for ugly. Over the years I've seen some nightmares emerge on cloth seating surfaces from the bizarro patterns on early Saturn seats to the disturbing prancing ponies on recent Mustangs. I mean, did they actually look at what they were doing before they set out to make hundreds of thousands of vehicles in that mold? Jeesh.
Luckily, it seems a simpler, sleeker trend is starting to emerge. Take the Nissan Versa test car. Base price for this vehicle is $16,905. Yet the seating surface is a sporty checked pattern. It's not velvet smooth, but it doesn't make me squint and scream: "My eyes! My eyes!" Other manufacturers also seem to be taking the hint as your Chevrolet Aveos, Toyota Yarises and Honda Fits have simpler, smoother patterns as well. Thank you!
The only example I've seen where bucking the simple trend works is in the all-new Kia Soul. The Houndstooth pattern especially could have gone horribly wrong. But rather than slather that print over the whole seat, it simply serves as a topper and a nice finishing touch.
I don't particularly need leather seats in a vehicle, but if it's a choice between a pattern that looks like Tinkerbell threw up and leather, well, in this economic climate, I might just go buy different car.
So, all I ask is that you interior vehicle designers out there think forward just a little bit. What looks nice in a small swatch isn't always the same in large doses.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Ford Chicago Assembly Plant
We had a rare opportunity to take a look inside the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, and we wanted to share the video:
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