|
|
 While you were sleeping peacefully after a long July 4th weekend, Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa was traveling North on the 101 freeway to Universal Nissan in Universal City to buy a car. Not just any car, however. Daryl had the distinction of being the first buyer in the U.S. to own a 2009 Nissan GT-R -- Nissan's long-awaited "muscle car" popularized in America via the video game, Gran Turismo.
Nissan has only allocated 1,700 cars for the USA and 70% of them are already spoken for with deposits. Only a select group of Nissan dealers are certified to sell and service this special car which features a 3.8-liter, twin turbo V6 engine that produces a whopping 480 horsepower. Since Daryl was one of the first people to put down a deposit via a pre-sale program that began last January, he got his ride first. (Click post title for more)
So, how much? The 2009 GT-R has an MSRP of $69,850 and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model. Daryl chose the Premium model in Black Obsidian and is he excited much? "I've folowed the history of the GT-R since inception and, after years of anticipation, it's great to see the 'Godzilla of supercars' finally coming to the U.S. I've owned a number of NIssan 350Z sports cars and other exotics and muscle cars, but more than any other vehicle, I can't wait to get this new GT-R out on the road."
-- Joni Gray
Photos by: Nissan
 If, at some point soon, you see some people wearing heat-resistant jackets and gloves while wielding heat shields, they’re probably not making a statement about the scorching Southern California summer. Chances are, they’re selling a car.
To ‘raise awareness’ of Scion’s new 2008 xD Release Series 1.0 (MSRP $17,169), specially attired street teams will be targeting urban hangouts (those shields might prove useful) in select areas, attempting to (in Scion’s words) ‘engage young trendsetters’, handing out ear buds and Hot Lava-colored socks. Not for the feet, of course. Young trendsetters need such socks for their iPods and sundry MP3 players.
Why Hot Lava? This burnt orange hue is the color the xD RS 1.0 comes in. The interior also has some Hot Lava accents on the center console, steering wheel and various bits of trim. Scion will only be making 2,000 of this limited-edition model. Other bespoke features include a DAMD body kit, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) lowering series, Release Series wheel covers and a rear spoiler. The cabin also gets a Razo Release Series shift knob and a holographic badge bearing the car’s individual number.
The xD has a 1.8-liter engine (don’t let the 1.0 in the RS name fool you), that sips fuel to the tune of 27/33 mpg (city/highway).
This is an auspicious time for Scion in general, as the brand celebrates five years of being in the American auto market. It launched on June 9, 2003 into 105 California dealerships. Since then, over 600,000 Scions have been sold throughout the country.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Scion/Toyota
 Five bucks a gallon. Who would launch a diesel-powered vehicle right now? Mercedes-Benz wouldn’t. It’s launching three of them. All SUVs. Either someone in the company knows something we don’t, or they should take that nerve to Vegas.
It turns out someone in M-B does know something we (as a general population) don’t: how to make a clean diesel engine that is legal in all 50 states (the first of its kind laying claim to this status). And how to make a premium SUV running pricey fuel look like a good idea.
The three vehicles are the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI Bluetec, the GL 320 CDI and the R320 CDI, both of those wearing the Bluetec name as well. The sharper-eyed will note that it’s the same engine in each car -- a 3.2-liter, turbocharged, diesel V-6.
 It’s the Bluetec technology that emboldens Mercedes-Benz to call it the cleanest production diesel engine in the world. This involves particulate filters and catalytic converters, breaking down noxious nitrogen oxides into nice nitrogen and water.
Even though diesel is markedly more expensive than gasoline, Mercedes feels this to be a blip in the grand scheme of fuel prices and there will be less of a disparity at some point down the road. And these vehicles emit so little nastiness that they qualify for the same income tax credits as hybrid vehicles. The company also claims that Bluetec-equipped SUVs not only use significantly less fuel than similar vehicles with comparable petrol-powered engines (by about 25 to 33%), but they’re also thriftier than the current crop of hybrid SUVs.
So, some relief for the environment as well as our pockets. But is this Bluetec engine any good? Yes, especially in the ML-Class, the lightest of the three. There’s hardly any noise making it into the cabin anyway, while the car feels smooth and even a little fleet for something so substantial. Plus, it’s quite a joy to cover 60 miles and see the needle on the fuel gauge move by the merest fraction of an inch.
 With a light right foot and favorable traffic conditions, all three can hit mpg figures in the mid to high 20s. Because, like the vast majority of diesel motors, this engine generates a more impressive amount of torque compared to its horsepower output (398 pound-feet to 210 hp), it’s also a good thing to have in the stop/go traffic which is so much a feature of contemporary car life. And don’t forget, these vehicles are Benzes: pretty classy stuff.
Classy stuff starts at around $43,000 for the R-Class, about $45,000 for the ML and something in the region of $53,000 for the GL. All of them will be available from this October as 2009 models.
Is the SUV really dead? On the evidence of these Bluetec models, the answer would have to be: no. It just needs a new heart and a new kind of blood running through its veins. In this case, blue blood.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Mercedes-Benz
 All new vehicles on sale in California will soon have to display their green credentials. This is a new scheme implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). From January 1, 2009, stickers like the one seen here will carry information about the environmental performance of every vehicle they’re pasted into.
There will be a ‘Global Warming Score’ (based on greenhouse gas emissions from driving and fuel production) and a ‘Smog Score’ (pretty much self-explanatory), both rated on a one-to-ten scale, with ten being the cleanest. And, similar to warnings on cigarette packets, they will say: ‘Protect the environment, choose vehicles with higher scores.’
“This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saves gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once," says Mary Nichols of CARB. "Consumer choice is an especially powerful tool in our fight against climate change.”
“For most people in California, driving a car is the number-one way they pollute,” says Spencer Quong, senior vehicles analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Potential customers can already find the relevant facts on the internet (though not necessarily with a ratings system from one single body), but Quong says: “These labels are simple and straightforward, and will make identifying a greener car easier than ever.”
Californians buy more than 1.5 million new vehicles each year, making up about 10% of the total U.S. new vehicle market.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: California Air Resources Board
 For those who find the showroom-stock Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster just a touch declassé, their rarefied tastes may now be indulged to the full. An appropriately cooler-than-thou reaction, please, for the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace.
Yes, for a mere squillion bucks (Lambo/Versace do that ‘no price tag attached’ thing, which always means something eye-watering), prospective customers may personalize their cars (or pimp their rides, depending on one’s viewpoint) by choosing from a selection of specially designed cosmetic features. These include black-and-white leather seats (sorry, the real description is: opulent full grain soft nappa leather) hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif. The same stuff covers the dash and doors. The Versace-edition car also has (for the first time) a transparent hood, so plebs and princes alike may gaze in wonder at the lusty, mid-mounted V-12 engine -- which really is a good thing.
And there’s a whole bunch of accessories ‘inspired’ by this joint venture. Hand-crafted exclusively in black matte calfskin, sporting stitching and edging à la française, plus a palladium-engineered tag displaying both Versace gorgon and Lamborghini raging bull logos are: a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, a hat and (so the press release says) a pair of jeans. Surely that last item isn’t in black leather, because such a thing might construed as tasteless.
These baubles will be sold at Versace boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms (What? Some Lambo dealers are too downmarket?) from this November. Plenty of time to acquire an imagination.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Lamborghini
 That well-known marketing information company, JD Power & Associates, has found out something shocking: we’re not enjoying our cars so much these days. Who’d have thought -- especially with gas prices being what they are? Every year, this company polls over 81,500 car buyers and/or lessees between February and May for opinions after their first 90 days of ownership. The collated facts make up the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study.
Now in its 13th year, the 2008 APEAL findings show a significant decrease in ‘owner delight’, with fuel economy accounting for 50% of this drop. On a 1,000-point scale, an average APEAL score is 770, a decline of 2% since last year. Considering fuel prices went up by 27% over the same period, car manufacturers seem to be doing a good job of easing the pain.
 They’re accomplishing this with toys. Only in the audio, entertainment and navigation category have scores improved. “Manufacturers are working to increase customer delight by introducing entertainment and navigation technology that owners find particularly appealing,” says David Sargent, VP of automotive research at JDPA. “The key to doing this successfully is to develop technology features with the needs and wants of the user in mind -- most importantly, ensuring that technology is designed to be consumer-friendly and intuitive to use. Technology that is overly complicated to operate runs the risk of disappointing the customer.”
Two words: BMW and iDrive. To be fair, though, this system gets easier with each new model.
 The happiest responders were Honda drivers, citing the Fit (for the second consecutive year), the Odyssey (for a fourth consecutive year) and the Ridgeline (again, for four years running) as the cars with real APEAL appeal, coming top in their respective classes. Although, as is so often the weird way with statistics, Honda saw a decrease in owner satisfaction, dropping 12 points from last year’s 776.
The most dramatic fall, however, was Scion’s shedding of 36 points to 773. Other interesting facts: the Ford Focus was declared the industry’s most improved vehicle and Porsche was the highest-ranked nameplate for the fourth year in a row.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Honda
 For 2009, the delectable Maserati Quattroporte luxury sports sedan has received a little freshening up in the looks department. The grille now features vertical slats -- a traditional Maserati design feature and just like the GranTurismo (the super coupe based on the same platform). It also gets LED lights at both ends and the side view mirrors have been re-shaped, connected to the body with more streamlined mountings.
Inside, a new entertainment and navigation system is part of a revised cabin that offers two new colors of leather upholstery: Marrone Corniola and Sabbia. No idea what they are (although the first one might be a deep red), but they sound great and have the distinction of replacing the beige option.
The great thing is that this Pininfarina design (one of Italy’s -- nay, the world’s -- top studios) is still uncorrupted by the obligatory mid-life revamp that all manufacturers feel the need to do. The 2009 Maserati Quattroporte is available as, um, the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S, a slightly sportier model. The former has a 4.2-liter V-8 engine, the latter a 4.7. Both are wonderful, both are Ferrari-sourced.
Maserati neglected to mention whether the prices will go up, so consider the current starting MSRP of $110,600 as something of a ballpark. The new cars will be delivered from October onwards.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Maserati
 Sometimes, a 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine with 552 horsepower isn’t quite enough. The good people at Bentley understand, sympathize and now deliver one that produces 600 hp. They did this with the Continental GT Speed coupe and have now done the same thing with the Flying Spur, the GT’s four-door sibling.
The 2009 Bentley Flying Spur Speed gets a hike in power (through tweaking the engine management) with an upgraded suspension and braking system to contain the extra muscle. This makes it the most powerful sedan the company has ever built. Despite weighing roughly the same as an average English stately home (slight exaggeration), the car still sets off from standstill to hit 60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds on the way to a 200-mph top speed.
This updated version has a slightly new look, with a more upright radiator grille (for better cooling), revised air intakes just beneath it, a new sleeker rear bumper and a wider sports exhaust. The cabin gets a high-quality audio system (appreciated all the more thanks to some diligent sound deadening) and this is one of the few marques where the word ‘marquetry’ can be used. Also included is an intelligent, radar-based cruise control.
Being Bentley, the company has done nothing so vulgar as to mention money, but since the two-door GT Speed commands a $24,000 premium over the cooking Continental, something along those lines will no doubt apply to the Flying Spur Speed. An estimate of $195,000 shouldn’t be too far off the mark.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Bentley
 Most people can be forgiven for thinking that Nissan stopped making the Maxima about five years ago. What with the 350Z at the sporty end of the spectrum and the Quest minivan at the other, Nissan’s big (and less than thrilling) sedan has been lost in the shuffle somewhat. But the Maxima is indeed extant and about to sing a slightly louder, more urgent song.
The 2009 Nissan Maxima is an all-new car, the seventh generation to bear the name. Its exterior and interior styling has marked similarities with high-end cousins from the Infiniti brand, and the 3.5-liter V-6 engine that powers the front wheels (to the tune of a robust 290 horsepower in this instance) is a well-known -- and well-loved -- feature lurking behind both badges.
In normal use, this engine -- and the whole car, for that matter -- is quiet to the point of Trappist, but Nissan has engineered in a little extra induction and exhaust snort that stirs the blood a touch when the gas pedal gets a workout. Coupled to a CVT (continuously variable transmission), which is the only gearbox available, the new Maxima manages to improve highway fuel consumption by 1 mpg yet with 35 hp more.
The aforementioned CVT might have elicited a groan from those familiar with earlier versions. This one works really well: much quicker, quieter and smarter. It doesn’t seem out of place in either the Premium trim model (with a dual-panel moonroof and high-quality leather) or the stiffer, eager Sport version.
The new Maxima goes on sale from June 26 and, although prices haven’t been announced yet, expect to pay somewhere around $30,000. Some time next year will see the introduction of a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged diesel-powered version. Even though diesel costs more than gas at the moment, anyone who does a lot of highway miles might be inclined to do the math and find this to be a worthwhile purchase.
Incidentally, check out those headlights -- there could very similar units on the upcoming 350Z replacement, the 370Z, that debuts at this year’s Los Angeles auto show in the fall.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Nissan
 This is the 2009 Porsche 911, re-worked for this model year. Doesn’t look too different from the 2008 car, does it? But as is often the way with Porsche, there have been some subtle evolutions.
Hidden from view are more powerful 3.6-liter trademark flat-six engines (3.8-liter for the 911 Carrera S). They now deploy direct fuel injection, a more efficient method that manages to perform the magic trick of improving output and emissions simultaneously.
The 3.6 version in the ‘plain’ Carrera gets a boost of 20 horsepower, bringing its total to a healthy 345. The 3.8 engine in the S is blessed with a further 30 hp and so sports a muscular 385. It can zip to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 188 mph. Nice.
The 911’s other big technical upgrade goes by the catchy name of Porsche-Doppelkupplung (which, regardless of how it sounds, is not a game commonly given out at Christmas). PDK is an optional seven-speed transmission with a double clutch arrangement. It can work in automatic mode (replacing Porsche’s venerable Tiptronic system), or drivers may flick through the gears in sequential fashion and utilize some of the expertise Porsche has gathered through using similar transmissions in racing, executing changes in mere fractions of a second.
The understated visual tweaks include LED daytime driving lights, with bi-xenon headlights; LED tail and brake lights; and optional Dynamic Cornering Lights (the type that can illuminate around bends). The air intakes in the front bumper are now larger and so are the side mirrors.
Some enthusiast websites also mention a revised rear bumper, uprated brakes and a smarter Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) traction control system, but those details have not been divulged officially. Not yet, anyway.
Yes, the new car will get all the gizmos du jour: touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth and iPod hook-ups, satellite radio, etc. And yes again, it will cost more. Sources have the MSRP starting at $75,600 (up $2,100) and the new cars reaching American showrooms in September.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Porsche
 Go to the Hertz car hire desk at LAX and you could ease out onto Highway One in a special-edition Corvette. That’s because the company has teamed up with General Motors to create 500 Corvette ZHZ models, available from June 16 in 24 major metropolitan areas around the country.
Sporting a distinctive yellow-and-black livery (the Hertz color scheme), the ZHZ is part of Hertz’s Fun Collection. And fun it should be, since its 6.2-liter V-8 engine is good for 436 horsepower, which is a spry six more horses than a showroom-stock, entry-level Corvette. It also has a ‘sport’ suspension setting for a customized ride, special seven-spoke wheels and a performance exhaust to give it an aural presence that matches its visual impact.
The financial impact runs at $780.49 a week, which says ‘hurts’ more than ‘Hertz.’ But for that, Sirius satellite radio is thrown in. The ZHZ Corvette is available in coupe form only, which might disappoint visiting convertible lovers hoping to experience sunny SoCal to the full, but it does have a racing car-style paddle-shifting six-speed transmission. Not that anyone should be tempted to give this car some serious stick. No one abuses hire cars, right?
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Hertz
Jay Leno has become the first owner of a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Last Monday (June 2), he drove his own 1970 Challenger to Valley Dodge in Van Nuys, California, to pick up his new ride (MSRP: $37,320), resplendent in a black paint job. “I can’t believe he didn’t light up the tires as he drove out of the dealership,” said Dodge’s Howard Teasley. “Leno showed more self-control than I would.”
Self-control seems to be just one of Leno’s virtues. As a well-known avid gearhead and car collector (his automotive acquistions can be seen on www.jaylenosgarage.com, his General Motors-sponsored website), his influence in the car world is considerable. As one Dodge representative said: “It’s kind of like the automotive equivalent of being chosen by Oprah’s book club.”
The new Challenger SRT8 has also been hob-nobbing with other members of the ‘Rich and Famous’ club. Dodge recently arranged a track day at Willow Springs International Raceway, up near Rosamund, California. Among the attendees were Snoop Dogg, Carmen Electra, David Spade, Luke Wilson, Jaime Pressly and Rob Lowe, most of whom have expressed an interest in purchasing said 425-horsepower muscle car.
“We had so many inquiries from people in Hollywood about buying a new Challenger that we decided to organize a little event,” says Dodge’s Mike Accavitti. “It’s great when you have something people really want.” Amen to that.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Chrysler
 Tired of soul-less Asian cars? Wait until early next year when the 2010 Kia Soul comes out. It looks set to compete with the Scion xB (or perhaps the xD), certainly for the title of Boxiest Car on the Road.
Its styling has been a joint project between Kia’s California and South Korea (Seoul?) design studios. This photo is of the production version (slightly more visually interesting -- but probably more expensive to make -- concepts have been doing the motor show circuit of late).
The time is right, though. People are moving to smaller cars that are cheaper to run. But such criteria doesn’t have to preclude some kind of personality, which -- like it or not -- the Soul appears to have.
Exact dates and specs haven’t been announced yet, but something like a 1.6- or 1.8-liter four-cylinder should provide the kinetics. Neither have prices been spoken of. However, since the Scion xD starts at $14,550 and Kia has a reputation for being a budget brand, expect something in or slightly below that range.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Kia Motors
 Honda is trying to sell cars to dogs. The company has launched a website that provides information about dog-friendly cafes and hotels, dimensions of its models’ cargo space (for stashing cages) and a ratings system that ranks seat fabric for ease of removing dog hair. So far, Honda Dog is only for Japan, but this idea could easily trot across the Pacific.
There are also events where prospective customers can take test drives with their best four-legged friends. This idea follows from Honda’s W.O.W concept, shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, which was designed especially for dogs (blowing the only chance to call a car the Bow Wow and get away with it) and featured easy-to-clean detachable seats, wooden floors and a pup crate set into the dashboard.
 Pooch-pampering qualities have already found their way into a vehicle Honda makes for its domestic market, the Freed minivan. It has a low floor, so even a Corgi can jump in. However, American dog owners can collar another prizewinner. Believe it or not, there’s a website called DogCars.com that has awarded the 2007 Honda Element best in show, scooping the "most paw" ratings for canine comfort (it even has anti-nose-print windows). One commenter (who is also an Element owner) pants: “Thanks, Honda. You were trying to fill a surfer-dude niche and you accidentally made the most rockin’ dog-friendly vehicle ever.” Which is not to be sniffed at.
— Colin Ryan
Photos: Honda
 It looks like even the luxury marques are going for smaller cars nowadays. These wispy design sketches are of a new Rolls-Royce, code-named RR4 and commonly referred to as ‘the baby Rolls.’ Based on the next-generation BMW 7 Series platform (although probably wider, longer and higher than that car), the RR4 is said to have a greater emphasis on driving than the bigger Phantom.
Styling was finalized in 2007 and the company’s manufacturing facility in the south of England is now being geared up to handle an extra model. Despite the 7 Series connection, the RR4 will be powered by an engine that will be exclusive to Rolls-Royce and will not be seen in any cars from the company’s Munich overlords. Rumors have it as a twin-turbo 4.8-liter V-8 or a 6.0-liter V-12. Although it’s hard to tell from here, the baby Rolls might well feature rear-hinged ‘suicide’ rear doors, rather like its Drophead Coupe sibling.
 The RR4 is due out in 2010, with a price somewhere around $250,00 to $280,000 and will make its debut next spring at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
-- Colin Ryan
Images: Rolls-Royce
 That tingle down the spine? Those hairs rising on the back of the neck? That’ll be the eager anticipation of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR.
Not long to wait. The Evo MR, the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports sedan with a twin-clutch, six-speed sequential transmission and a raft of driver-focused technology, will be here in June, priced at $38,290.
The Evolution has been in existence for 16 years, growing in stature and capability with each generation and honing its talents in one of the most demanding forms of motorsport: rallying. It’s where drivers possessing otherworldly car control talents whizz through forests or over mountain passes with snow, ice or mud underfoot, at triple-digit speeds, sideways.
Mitsubishi has won world rally championships with its Evolutions. These cars are a whole other driving experience: sharp, precise, eager, grippy, quick, poised, agile -- all those things and more. Hence the thrill of the newest, most sophisticated (the transmission changes gears race-car fast), most technologically advanced iteration being mere weeks away.
Since manufacturers these days are obliged to offer extra gadgets, $40,840 buys the MR with a package that includes a 30-gigabyte hard-drive navigation system/music server, a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate high-end audio system, pre-paid Sirius satellite radio and keyless entry. Even though the sound of the engine should be music enough to most enthusiasts.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Mitsubishi
 The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is already a hit with consumers and critics alike, making inroads into the Accord/Camry hegemony. Now, with its well-equipped LTZ model, the Malibu comes with the combination of a four-cylinder, 2.4-liter engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission — an arrangement that’s unique in this segment.
Having one extra ratio provides the benefit of adding a sportier feel to the driving experience while simultaneously improving highway fuel consumption (albeit by about two miles per gallon, but it beats being thirstier). The gears have been spaced so that the engine works at its peak efficiency more often, with an advantageous side effect of a quieter operation. For greater control, the driver may use the gearbox manually, tapping up or down through the ratios.
The Malibu LTZ starts at $26,545 (including $650 destination charge) and sports LED tail lights, heated seats and leather trim as standard, while offering XM satellite radio, OnStar navigation and an eight-speaker audio system.
— Colin Ryan
Photo: General Motors
 This is the latest car from the Prancing Horse, the 2009 Ferrari California. It’s a two-seater with a folding hard top, a 4.3-liter V-8 engine that develops an impressive 460 horsepower, a seven-speed gearbox and a zero-to-60-mph time of under four seconds.
Beneath the sleek body of hand-formed aluminum are plenty of other examples of race-bred technology and instead of the often-seen Ferrari mid-engine layout, the California has its powerplant at the front, but set as far behind the front axle as possible for an optimum weight balance.
This is a resurrection of the California name. One of the most famous earlier incarnations was the 1958 250 California Spyder depicted in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The new car makes its official debut at the Paris motor show coming up in October. PCH is waiting.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Ferrari
 In a move that makes absolutely perfect sense, Automobili Lamborghini is setting up its North American base in sunny Santa Monica. The company’s CEO, the impeccably attired Stephan Winkelmann, admitted that the Italian headquarters would have to wait until the afternoons to phone its U.S. operation, but called this “the best decision.”
Although the East Coast was also in the frame for a time, California got the nod because it is “where the future trends are. It’s where our PR agency is. It’s where many of our buyers are,” says Winkelmann.
He can say that again, Californians buy more Lamborghinis than Italians or Germans, about 30% of all the company’s U.S sales, helping it make a pre-tax profit of about $72.8 million in 2007. Which is the rosiest the corporate coffers have ever looked. Oh, and there’s a more powerful Gallardo just coming out -- the LP560-4 Gallardo.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini
 Regular readers of the esteemed Mr. Neil’s automotive reviews -- and car nuts in general -- will have heard of the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, the daunting 14-mile race circuit in Germany that is by turns (and there are over 100 of them) exhilarating and scary. Although there is no single repository of official lap times, it’s generally recognized that anyone who completes the course in under eight minutes is going some.
While this fleet clique normally involves dedicated racing machines and the usual Euro supercar suspects (plus the new Nissan GT-R), there’s one surprising name that has infiltrated the ranks: Cadillac. Yes, Friday May 9, 2008 was a star-spangled banner of a day for the American marque. Its CTS-V sedan stopped the Nürburgring clock at 7:59.32. Which could well be the fastest-ever publicly documented time for a production sedan. And that’s with no go-faster bits outside of those planned for the street model, which should go on sale in the fall.
The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V has a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that is said to produce around 550 horsepower. The plan is to make this car the fastest production sedan in the world -- not such a far-fetched notion. Video footage of this blistering run will soon be uploaded to http://cadillac.gmblogs.com.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: General Motors
 Automakers are desperate to sell product. Within the last few days, Chrysler has promised to lock gasoline prices to $2.99 a gallon and Volkswagen has announced that it will put $1,500 toward a college fund.
Considering that Californians are paying about $4 a gallon, the Chrysler scheme might seem tempting at first. The deal applies to various Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models (though not the gas-guzzling ones). Buy one of them new and the company will supply a credit card to use at the pump. The customer pays $2.99 a gallon, with Chrysler settling up the remainder. However, this has a cap of 12,000 miles a year for three years, and a customer cannot take advantage of other incentives.
If a driver did 12,000 miles a year and got an average of 20 miles per gallon, he or she would use 600 gallons. Let’s call the Chrysler deal $3 a pop against the current $4 at the pumps. So that’s a saving of $600 a year, $1,800 over three years (no doubt more as the price of crude oil rises, but by how much is an unknown quantity). Hold that figure for a while.
 Someone with youngsters might well fancy an all-new, seven-seater VW Routan. It seems like a nice, practical family vehicle. That someone might also be looking to the future and wondering how to fund a college education for his or her pride and joy. Right now, Volkswagen will leap in with a check for $1,500 toward tuition fees.
So then, that's $1,800 from Chrysler, $1,500 from VW. The way things are at the moment, anyone who walks into a showroom could probably get more off the price of a new car just by gentle negotiation. And regarding the first deal, it might be a smarter course of action to purchase a more fuel-efficient car. This would provide financial benefit throughout its whole operational life, not just the first three years. Just remember: It’s a buyer’s market.
— Colin Ryan
Photos: Chrysler, Volkswagen
 If you happen to have $109,000 burning a hole in your pocket and are eager to buy a zero-emission, all-electric sports car, then you should go to the intersection of Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards (just near the 405) and walk into Tesla’s new dealership. Although calling it a dealership makes it sound like a run-of-the-mill car showroom. This is more like a retail outlet.
The store — owned and run by Tesla and covering 10,000 square feet — has gabled wooden ceilings and salaried (not commission-earning) staff. Owners can drink coffee and enjoy free Wi-Fi while enjoying a full view of the service bay. The decor looks as if it was designed by someone who usually does upscale restaurants. On one wall is a selection of colors the car comes in.
The Tesla Roadster runs on a pack of lithium-ion batteries that takes four hours for a full recharge. There was some trouble regarding transmissions, but the company has settled on a one-speed version. After the order is placed, it’s about a 16-month wait until the keys are handed over. And George Clooney will be one of the first to take delivery. Not because he’s famous, but because he put in his order quite awhile back. So far, Tesla has about 1,000 orders.
The showroom is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
— Colin Ryan
Photos: Tesla Motors
 When most people buy a convertible, they expect to get a tan and some fresh air but not necessarily a deeper understanding of herring. But then again, most people don’t buy the 15 millionth Volvo.
That’s what happened to a San Diego couple who saw the Uddevalla-made 2008 Volvo C70 coupe-cabriolet (with the folding metal roof), became smitten and decided to get out their checkbook.
This situation is a bit like that of the lucky kid who downloaded the billionth song off iTunes. They just happened to buy the 15 millionth Volvo car ever made. And this one had a special treat in its glove box: two tickets to Sweden — airfare, hotels, a visit to Gothenburg (Volvo’s hometown) and a tour of the factory, which no doubt includes some kind of smorgasbord for lunch.
Coincidentally enough, the very first Volvo, produced in April 1927, was also an open-top model: the ÖV4 (ÖV is Swedish for "open car" and the digit denotes the number of cylinders the engine has). As they fly over England, our lucky San Diegans will probably be giving thanks for not buying a Jaguar and winning a trip to that industrial blight known as the Midlands.
— Colin Ryan
Photo: Volvo
 Forty years ago, the Shelby GT500KR — a more powerful and capable version of Ford’s Mustang — came out. In celebration of this anniversary, Shelby will make a limited run of a new model, the 2008 Shelby Ford GT500KR. Incorporated in its look are several design nods to the original, such as Le Mans-style stripes and a sculpted hood.
Under that hood is a 5.4-liter V-8 engine sending 540 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed, short-throw manual transmission. Which sounds like a lot of fun.
Less amusing will be the price. Ford is "suggesting" a sticker price of $79,995. But limited-run cars typically see dealers charging a premium over the sticker amount. One has been seen on EBay going for $169,000, and the first car off the line was presold at a Barrett-Jackson auction in January for $550,000.
To commemorate the big four-oh, 1,000 examples constitute the 2008 run, while a further 746 (571 of which are destined for the U.S.) will be made for the 2009 model year. Incidentally, KR stands for "King of the Road" — which might have sounded cool in a naive way back in 1968 but seems to have attained a certain cheesiness with the passage of time. The car should be available this month.
— Colin Ryan
Photo: Ford
 Oh dear. The Toyota Camry/Honda Accord stranglehold on the mid-size sedan segment might soon be broken. Those cars are going to get some serious competition in the form of the 2009 Mazda6. This is an all-new model, bigger and with more interior space than the car it replaces, plus more powerful engines. The smallest, a new 2.5-liter four-potter, joins the tried-and-trusted 3.7-liter V6 found in the company’s award-winning CX-9 SUV.
On sale later this summer, the new Mazda6 (which is the third consecutive Mazda be to be designed and engineered specifically for North America) will be available as a four-door sedan exclusively, with three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. No prices have been set yet, but a 2008 Mazda6 starts at $18,990. Since the market is ultra-competitive right now, don’t expect much of a deviation from there. The last model was pretty good to drive, so this one should be even better.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Mazda USA
 The most powerful engine General Motors has ever made is the 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that will be under the hood of the 2009 Corvette ZR1. Its output is officially rated at 638 horsepower. After three, everyone... one, two, three -- woohoo!
That’s a heck of a lot of muscle, but then the Corvette is a heck of a lot of muscle car, said to be equally at home on the street or the track, refined yet tough. It goes on sale this summer, so look for the models with the polycarbonate window in the hood that shows off the supercharger. And should a prospective ZR1 buyer suffer a pang of conscience, GM states that its engineers are confident that this will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus horsepower car on the market (although the competition probably won’t be that stiff).
Just to give an idea of what that kind of power is capable of, GM took the ZR1 to a high-speed track in Germany where it reached 208 mph, averaging 205 mph after taking into account runs in the opposite direction. Here’s the video. Enjoy. -- Colin Ryan
Photo: General Motors
 Car accidents are a bit like earthquakes. No one can predict when they’ll happen. But the difference is that, according to the National Safety Council, 1 in 8 licensed drivers is involved in an auto accident each year. So the odds are worse. There is, however, something we can do to limit the amount of damage in the aftermath: A company called DocuDent USA has produced a collision kit.
As the picture shows, it has a disposable camera to photograph the scene (don’t forget to shoot any tire tracks; that could come in handy if a case went to court), a few bandages, a place for documentation, an accident report form, an LED flashlight with a built-in tape measure, a pen and a whistle. All organized in a handy case.
It's not always easy to keep a cool head after an accident. There’s invariably an element of being in shock. But if a cool head can prevail, it can record the circumstances more accurately, helping to protect against false injury claims, inflated damage claims and insurance fraud.
This $14.99 kit has already won the approval of the Department of Homeland Security, the California Highway Patrol and top insurance companies such as Allstate and Farmers.
— Colin Ryan
Photo: DocuDent USA
 When the Ford Mustang was introduced on April 17, 1964 (at the New York World’s Fair), it was an immediate hit. It started life being highly desirable, became a little suspect over the years, then -- with this incarnation -- made an impressive comeback into the kingdom of cool. And recently, on April 23, Ford built its nine millionth Mustang. This was a GT Convertible, earmarked for a dealership in Iowa.
Now Ford’s longest-running nameplate, the Mustang is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary on April 17, 2009, as one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. One out of every two sports cars sold in America today is a Mustang.
In that first year of being available, 419,000 examples were sold. The one million mark was topped within two years, out-performing sales records of any other model in the history of the automobile. The car’s become an icon.
There’s also an aftermarket parts and accessories industry worth nearly $1 billion, marking the ’Stang as the most personalized vehicle of all time. The organization that represents aftermarket manufacturers and tuners, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has also dubbed the Mustang as the most accessory-friendly new vehicle.
For any spouse or parent who is still unconvinced, the following information might sway them that the car’s a sensible buy. The current Mustang starts at $19,650 for the V6 Deluxe Coupe. The Convertible model gets the maximum five stars from the National Highways Traffic Highway Safety Association (NHTSA) for frontal, side impact and rollover protection. Hey, it’s worth a try.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Ford
 Normally, whenever we see something yellow in the snow, it’s not a good thing. But then Saab has frequently gone against the wind of convention. This is the latest iteration of the Swedish automaker’s soft-top for all seasons. It’s called the 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition, to give it its full name.
For the sum of $42,830, this yellow fellow (using Saab’s Lynx Yellow paint) offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which straddles the compromise between power and parsimony quite well — 210 horsepower and 18/27 mpg, city/highway. A standard 9-3 2.0T convertible starts at $40,335, so for an extra $2,500 or thereabouts, the YE has a longer list of standard equipment that includes 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a subtle rear spoiler, OnStar navigation service from Saab parent General Motors and a premium audio system with which to enjoy the XM satellite radio subscription.
And there’s more. The first YE, which came out in 1991, has, according to Saab, gone on to attain collector-car status. Well-kept examples of the 1997 version are becoming sought-after as well. So the Yellow is no lemon, apparently. Neither is the 9-3 convertible in general. It took the award for 2008 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety after the institute’s first-ever crash tests for open-top cars. And it’s a true four-seater, which can double the quota of convertible car occupants with a sunny disposition.
— Colin Ryan
Photo: General Motors
 The American appetite for SUVs doesn’t seem to be that much on the wane, so car manufacturers are happy to keep making and selling them. The newest example is the 2009 Audi Q5, which, as logic suggests, is a smaller version of the house-sized Q7. The thing is, the Q7 is really, really good at what it does, so it follows that the Q5 should be able to deliver similar results.
If drag coefficients are anything to go by, the signs are good: the Q5’s vital statistic here is 0.33 -- better than some ‘normal’ cars. In an effort to keep weight below the gargantuan, the hood and tailgate are made from aluminum. And in an effort to keep decision-making to a minimum, the U.S.-spec Q5 will come with one engine and transmission combination. The former will be a 3.2-liter gasoline-powered V-6 pushing 265 horsepower and the latter is a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Basically an automatic, but with the option of swapping gears manually. Of course, Audi’s all-wheel-drive Quattro system bubbles away underneath.
There’s even some off-road ability, providing someone would dare to go deep into the wild with a pricey luxury vehicle that comes tingling with high-tech -- like a thermal heated/cooled cup holder. And an ultra-posh Bang & Olufsen audio system linked to a multimedia interface displaying real-time traffic updates. The Q5 goes on sale early next year at a price expected to be in line with its rivals. For example, the BMW X3 costs $38,000.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Audi
 The Hyundai Sonata has been updated for its 2009 model year. Not that it shows very much on the outside. Only the most ardent Hyundai-o-phile (and how many of those can there be?) that would notice the slightly deeper grille, tweaked lights and subtly revised bumpers.
However, anyone who has expressed misgivings about previous Sonata interiors will be pleasantly surprised by the new model. Lush, soft-touch plastics help form a tidier, sleeker dashboard and center console. With an all-new model two years away, Hyundai decided to blow most of its mid-life refresh budget allocation on the cabin and the driving experience, where the consumer will feel it the most.
There are revised seats, handsome blue-lit dials, the option of voice-activated satellite navigation (the first time such a feature has been made available in a Sonata), iPod connectivity, a USB socket for other MP3 players, plus plenty of leg and shoulder room front and rear (the Sonata is a fraction of an inch wider than a Toyota Camry).
It’s the clear the company has worked hard on improving things like power output, throttle response and handling (although the latter still couldn’t be described as the car’s strong suit), while also keeping an eye on emissions; the model powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). The 2009 Sonata is on sale now, starting from $18,795. That price includes a decent level of standard equipment. And there’s even an available moonroof.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Hyundai
 Pontiac will be making a hard-top version of its pert little Solstice convertible. But instead of calling it something witty, like the Winter Solstice, the company has played it straight and dubbed it the Pontiac Solstice Coupe. It’s probably for the best.
This two-door, two-seater model makes an interesting stab at bringing the targa top back into fashion, as the roof is a lightweight, removal item made from composites, aluminum and even a touch of magnesium. The thing is, it won’t fit into the trunk, so there’s an optional soft top (which is stowable) for when the weather becomes inclement.
In a strange reversal of conventional practice, the coupe version will be slightly heavier (around 31 pounds, says Pontiac) than the convertible, thanks to the roof and its supporting structure. But, with a flat trunk floor, it’s a little more practical.
Engine options will be the same as the current model: standard trim sports a 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower engine, or the GXP model has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine developing a more muscular 260 hp. And in another odd turnabout, the Coupe is expected to be more expensive than its Convertible counterpart. But since prices haven't been released, we’ll have to wait until a time closer to the Coupe’s on-sale date, which is set for early 2009. If it’s any help, the Solstice soft-top starts at $22,165.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: GM
 The Smart Fortwo is small, light, easy to park and cheap to run. It looks pretty interesting too. So far, so good. When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) got hold of one and subjected it to its crash test regime, this cheeky set of wheels started to lose its charm just a little.
As the NHTSA’s Safercar website shows, there was a ‘safety concern’ from the side-impact test (where a 3,015-pound car’ hits a broadside at 38.5 miles per hour) when the driver’s door unlatched and opened. According to the NHTSA (and common sense), this “increases the likelihood of passenger ejection.” Nevertheless, the Smart still scored the maximum five stars for this section.
It also secured four out of five for a front-end crash (performed at 35 mph) on the driver’s side and three for the passenger-side equivalent. The administration says that a Fortwo passenger has a 21 to 35% chance of serious injury in this kind of impact. Five stars would have meant a risk of 10% or less.
The rollover rating was again three out of five, the NHTSA assesses the car’s rollover risk at 21 percent. For an average car, that risk is normally around 10%, although some SUVs could run to 26%.
The next bout of bashing will occur later in April when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gets the white coats, clipboards and hammers out.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: NHTSA via Safercar.gov
 Hummer, that lumbering symbol of everything that’s wrong with the American automotive world, is going green. The marque has recently announced that E85 ethanol-burning production versions of the H2 pickup and H2 SUT (Sport Utility Truck) will come onstream for the 2009 model year. And that’s not all, Hummer wants all its vehicles to have an E85 capability by the end of 2010.
Ethanol doesn’t have offer up same kind of energy as gasoline, but it does emit fewer greenhouse gases. It’s produced primarily from corn, with 85% ethanol and gasoline making up the difference. It’s also available in just 1% of filling stations nationwide, so Hummer’s parent company, GM, plans on setting up E85 pumps at dealerships and other locations.
One showroom in Texas has already spent over $500,000 installing pumps that dispense E85, E10 and biodiesel. GM is even considering dealer-located hydrogen pumps as part of its plans. Infrastructures have to start somewhere.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: GM
 Recession or not, the economy is limping, many folks are feeling the pinch. So what can we do with what is usually the second largest purchase in most people’s lives -- that wonderful, useful money pit known as the car? Internet surfers who have recently clicked on to The Motley Fool (the website that dispenses nuggets of useful financial info) might have noticed one article recommending that, instead of swapping our vehicles every three years, we should run them into the ground.
The logic behind this is sound. As soon as a new car is driven off the lot, it loses a large chunk of its value. And according to Kelley Blue Book, 65% of an average car’s worth is lost in its first five years. Even cars with the strongest resale performances, like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla, are likely to shed half their value. But, with proper maintenance, modern cars can run to over 100,000 miles, or about 10 years of duty. Some will last much, much longer. So if the owner has already taken the biggest financial hit, why get a new car and do it all over again?
Yes, older cars break down more often, spending more time on the lift than on the road. The Motley Fool argues that, over a driving lifetime, cash spent on repairs and extra maintenance will add up to less than money lost in depreciation. What it doesn’t go into, however, is the inconvenience of having increasingly unreliable transport. And most of us are willing to pay extra to avoid being at the mercy of unscrupulous shops -- the ones that say the engine needs replacing when all that’s required are four new spark plugs. Still, it’s food for thought. And with less potential buyers walking into showrooms, the deals could be sweeter.
-- Colin Ryan
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
 After Mustang's latest Bullitt edition comes something a little less macho -- the ‘Warriors in Pink’ 2009 Ford Mustang. One thousand examples will be made and, with each car sold, Ford will donate $500 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer charity.
Previous versions of the ‘Warriors in Pink’ Mustang have met with such a good response that Ford decided to continue offering the package, but doubling its contribution this time around. So far, the company and its dealers have dedicated over $95,000,000 toward breast cancer education and research. The goal for 2008 -- with this model, associated apparel merchandizing and other fundraising efforts -- is to raise $1,000,000.
On sale in the summer, the V-6–powered car is available in coupe or convertible form, features a pony and pink ribbon badge, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, floormats with the same color scheme and an aluminum-spoke steering wheel with more pink stitching. The coupe version offers the new option of a glass roof and both have paintwork choices of black, silver or white. With pink striping.
-- Colin Ryan
Photos: Ford
| |
While you were sleeping peacefully after a long July 4th weekend, Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa was traveling North on the 101 freeway to Universal Nissan in Universal City to buy a car. Not just any car, however. Daryl had the distinction of being the first buyer in the U.S. to own a 2009 Nissan GT-R -- Nissan's long-awaited "muscle car" popularized in America via the video game, Gran Turismo.
