Star-Telegram.com: G. Chambers Williams III

Toyota’s new Venza is 'passenger car optimized’

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:37 CST

Toyota is bringing yet another crossover utility vehicle to market this year, the five-passenger Venza.

The midsize 2009 Venza, which goes on sale in December, is a family wagon based on the Toyota Camry sedan, and is quite similar in size, shape and concept to the Nissan Murano crossover. It’s also similar in exterior design to the seven-passenger, Camry-based Toyota Highlander crossover.

But don’t call the Venza a crossover. Toyota prefers to call it simply "a passenger car optimized," apparently believing that along with the station wagon and sport utility vehicle, the crossover is now a species on the verge of extinction.

"Venza establishes an exciting new direction in passenger car design that will combine the finest attributes of Toyota’s diverse vehicle lineup," said Bob Carter, the Toyota Division group vice president and general manager.

"It caters to buyers who are looking for the value and reliability of a Camry, the comfort and upscale refinement of an Avalon, and the utility and flexibility of a Highlander in one very stylish and sporty package."

No matter what Toyota calls it, the rest of the industry and consumers will see it clearly as a crossover, and that’s really OK, as crossovers are the hottest-selling family haulers today.

There might be an argument for calling the Venza a Camry station wagon, but crossover is the correct term, as the vehicle clearly meets all the criteria for that designation – it’s a cross between an SUV and a sedan, built on the chassis of a sedan, but with the higher driving position and cargo-carrying capabilities of an SUV.

Whatever, the Venza is "the right vehicle at the right time," said Tim Morrison, Toyota’s U.S. marketing manager for large cars and vans.

"We see Venza as a new direction in Toyota passenger-car design," he said. "Its styling, dimensions and features are more car than SUV."

He said Toyota sees the Venza as "70 percent car and 30 percent SUV."

What it does for Toyota isn’t really clear, however, as the Highlander is similarly sized, styled and priced, and does all the same things as the Venza. It’s built on the same chassis and offers a similar choice of engines and interior configurations.

The only real difference is that the Venza can hold only five passengers, while the Highlander can be configured for five or seven.

The Venza evolved from the FT-SX concept vehicle Toyota showed off at the 2005 Detroit auto show, and was created in the automaker’s Calty design centers in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich. The final design is quite similar to that of the concept.

It has a slightly lower profile than the Highlander, six inches, and it’s six inches taller than the Camry. Overall, it’s 63.4 inches high and 189 inches long.

Only two models are offered, determined by engine choices – either a four-cylinder or a V-6. Either engine is available with front- or all-wheel drive.

Prices begin at $25,975 (plus $720 freight) for the front-drive four-cylinder, and $27,800 for the front-drive V-6. The all-wheel-drive system is a $1,450 upgrade on either version.

Like the Highlander, the Venza is not intended for off-road driving. Its all-wheel-drive system does not have low-range gearing for serious trail driving, and the vehicle’s relatively low ground clearance would not allow it to traverse large rocks and other trail obstacles anyway.

For those who want to take a Toyota SUV off road, there is the midsize 4Runner available for that, as well as the compact FJ Cruiser and even the full-size Sequoia and Land Cruiser.

Under the hood of the Venza is either the base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, with 182 horsepower and 182 foot-pounds of torque, or the optional 3.5-liter V-6, with 268 horsepower and 246 foot-pounds of torque.

Both engines are connected to six-speed automatic transmissions, and the engines are made more durable by the use of timing chains rather than timing belts that would have to be replaced on a routine basis.

VW’s new Tiguan boasts peppy turbocharged four-cylinder

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:06 CST

New for 2009 is Volkswagen’s first compact sport utility, called the Tiguan.

Although VW officially refers to the Tiguan as an SUV, it’s technically a crossover, as it has unibody construction and is built on the chassis of the current Jetta/Golf/Rabbit compacts.

Intended to compete against models such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander, the Tiguan seats five and comes with a 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine and either front- or all-wheel drive.

It joins the larger and much more expensive Touareg as the second SUV in the VW lineup, and finally gives Volkswagen’s U.S. dealers a somewhat affordable sport utility.

The Tiguan, though, is a bit more expensive than its competitors, with base prices ranging from $23,200 to $32,940 (plus $690 freight). The RAV4, for instance, begins at $21,500 and tops out just under $28,000, and the Outlander starts under $20,000 and goes as high as $25,210.

But compared with the Touareg, the Tiguan is quite a bargain. The larger VW sport utility ranges from $39,300 to $68,340, and still has room for only five passengers. The $68,340 Touareg is the diesel version.

The Tiguan’s engine is so noisy, though, that when I drove the vehicle for the first time, I thought it was a diesel. But even though Volkswagen now offers a diesel in the Jetta sedan and wagon in the U.S. market, that engine is not available in the Tiguan.

Volkswagen says the extra cost of the Tiguan over its competitors is justified because it’s intended to be more rugged and durable, and to offer a more-exciting driving experience, one of the hallmarks of VW vehicles.

But putting these extra-cost "qualities" in Volkswagen vehicles, then setting their prices well above the competition is a policy that has turned VW into a niche marketer in the United States. Continuing this policy with the Tiguan probably won’t help Volkswagen much in its goal to boost its U.S. sales to 800,000 vehicles a year by 2018 versus the 230,000 the company sold here during 2007.

Some people do perceive the company’s vehicles to be worth more than their competitors’ corresponding models. But not enough consumers feel that way to make Volkswagens into popular gotta-have cars that set sales records, such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, which far outsell the VW Passat sedan.

Still, the Tiguan does have some attributes that aren’t present in mass-market crossovers such as the RAV4 and CR-V, including precise steering, crisp handling and highly responsive braking.

The Tiguan has decent acceleration for a small crossover, as well, with a zero-to-60-mph time of 7.9 seconds. It has a factory limited top speed of 129 mph (governed for the U.S. market, because we don’t have an Autobahn here).

The exterior styling is a bit more masculine than that of some of the others in the class, particularly the newest version of the CR-V, which now looks more like a small wagon than an SUV.

One advantage that Honda, Toyota and even Mitsubishi have over Volkswagen is that American consumers see their vehicles as more reliable and trouble-free than VW products. But VW executives insist that their quality problems have been solved, and that consumers should be as comfortable choosing a Volkswagen as a Honda or Toyota.

The Tiguan’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the same one used in a variety of other VW and Audi models, including the Passat and Jetta. It has 207 foot-pounds of torque. In the Tiguan, it’s connected to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Three trim levels are offered: the base S ($23,200), midlevel SE ($26,925 with front drive and $28,875 with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system), and the top-of-the-line SEL ($30,990 with front drive; $32,940 with 4Motion).

The manual gearbox is available only on the base model; with the six-speed automatic, that model starts at $24,300.

Our tester was the SE 4Motion, and with freight and options added, the sticker totaled $33,165 – and this was just the midlevel model. That’s more in line with a premium SUV such as the Acura RDX, which starts at $33,695 (well-equipped).

The Tiguan’s EPA ratings are 19 mpg city/26 highway with the manual gearbox, and 18/24 with the automatic (in either front- or all-wheel-drive versions).

Inside, passenger volume is just 95.3 cubic feet, compared with 108.2 cubic feet for the RAV4, which offers a third row that allows for up to seven passengers. The Tiguan’s rear seat is a bit tight for three adults, but it does slide back and forth up to six inches to allow for more legroom.

Test drive the New Z on video game

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:55 CST

Nissan will roll out the sports car at the Los Angeles auto show on Nov. 19, a completely redesigned, higher-power version of the iconic Z car that has been in the automaker’s lineup off and on for nearly 40 years.

It replaces the 350Z, with the new numerical designation referring to the bigger engine – a 3.7-liter V-6 that replaces the current 3.5-liter.

For those who want to take a virtual spin in the new Z car, about eight weeks before it goes on sale, a new video game from Electronic Arts will go on sale Nov. 18 featuring the 370Z as its star.

Called Need for Speed Undercover, the new game was developed by Black Box of Vancouver, Canada, in conjunction with Nissan’s designers.

It will be offered in all of the key video-game formats. Those include Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable handheld, PC and mobile.

This is the first time an automaker has made the world introduction of one of its new models in a video game, Nissan said.

"For the past 15 years, Need for Speed has helped define contemporary automotive culture by bridging the gap between gamers and the world’s hottest cars," Keith Munro, vice president for marketing at Electronic Arts, said in an announcement.

"As such, we are very excited to partner with one of the automotive powerhouses today to exclusively reveal the all-new Nissan Z," he said. "Need for Speed is about style, fast-paced action and power; this is definitely a car made for Need for Speed fans."

It’s also the first time a new vehicle can be driven in a game before it’s available at dealerships, he said.

"Our relationship with EA has been instrumental in bringing the Nissan brand to a passionate and unique audience," said Christian Meunier, Nissan’s marketing vice president.

"By launching the all-new 2009 Nissan Z first through Need for Speed: Undercover, we also gain the spirit and energy that EA gamers experience so strongly. Together with EA, we have truly integrated the all-new 370Z in the overall game experience in a meaningful, multi-layered and profound way."

EA’s designers worked with Nissan to "accurately replicate the overall look, feel and performance" of the new Z, the automaker said, adding that, "From the game’s opening moment, players will be thrust right into the action with gamers whipping the 370Z in and out of traffic at high speed."

Not even the automotive media have been given a chance to drive the new Z yet. But a few of us were treated to a close-up look at the car in July in a secure future-product vault in the basement of Nissan’s new $100 million headquarters building near Nashville, Tenn. That sneak preview came during grand-opening ceremonies for the building, which the automaker began occupying in early July.

The car will come with a 3.7-liter version of the award-winning VQ engine series, replacing the 3.5-liter VQ engine used in the 2008 model. The current 350Z was introduced for 2003 as the fifth generation of the Z, bringing the vehicle back to the Nissan lineup after a nearly seven-year absence. The previous generation, the 300ZX, was discontinued in 1996.

The 2009 370Z has been changed enough to qualify it as the sixth generation, and the new engine should be a big hit with Z enthusiasts. A version of that engine was introduced last year to power the new Infiniti G37 coupe, and has been added to the G35 sedan for 2009, forcing it to be renamed the G37.

No horsepower rating has been released yet for the engine in the 370Z, but in the 2009 G37 coupe, it’s rated at 330 horsepower; in the G37 sedan, it has 328 horsepower.

A seven-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option on the ’09 G37, and presumably would be available in the 370Z as well. The 2008 Infiniti G models have a six-speed automatic, which is carried over to the new G models as the base transmission.

In the 2008 model of the 350Z, the 3.5-liter engine is rated at 306 horsepower. The only transmissions offered are a six-speed manual and five-speed automatic.

No other details of the new Z have been given yet, but one exterior photo has been released, as well as some shots of the car from the video game.

The 2009 370Z Coupe will begin reaching dealerships early next year, the automaker said.

No fear – Chrysler’s minivan will live

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:07 CST

No matter what happens with the possible sale or breakup of Chrysler, there is no doubt that the company’s marvelous minivans will live on.

That’s because whoever buys Chrysler, if indeed it is sold, will want to keep the company’s highly profitable minivan business.

Chrysler invented the modern minivan with its 1983 introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, and ever since, the company has dominated this segment in much the same way the Ford F-150 has dominated the full-size pickup class.

Last year, the Chrysler minivans, now called the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, taking them to an even higher level that competitors will find hard to match.

In fact, General Motors and Ford have given up on the minivan segment for lack of a product that can come close to the current models in the Chrysler LLC minivan lineup.

Sales of minivans have cooled somewhat since the arrival of SUVs and now crossover utility vehicles, but the segment is still strong, accounting for nearly a million units sold annually.

The only minivan competition Dodge and Chrysler face now is from the import-brand models, the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona. GM says that its new family of large crossovers, which includes the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, are intended to compete against the minivan segment, but they lack the sliding passenger doors that most minivan consumers love.

While they are still minivans, the revised exterior styling of the Chrysler and Dodge models gives them more of a crossover look, while retaining the sliding passenger doors on each side that allow for quick and convenient access to the second and third rows. Power doors are available on both sides, and can be operated from the key fob or using switches up front or on the door pillars on each side.

For 2009, the Chrysler and Dodge minivans come in five different models, with three different seating and storage systems and great new entertainment options, including live satellite TV.

The Chrysler Town & Country models are the base LX, midlevel Touring, and top-of-the-line Limited, with prices ranging from $25,730-$36,530 (plus $770 freight and options). The short-wheelbase models previously known as the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager have been dropped; all of the new vans are of the extended length.

Dodge versions come in base SE and uplevel SXT models, with base prices of $23,530 and $27,825, respectively.

For this report, we tested the 2009 Grand Caravan SE, which comes with the base 3.3-liter V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard on the SE model are the latest in Chrysler’s stow-and-go seats, which can be folded completely into the floor to create a flat cargo surface from the back of the front seats all the way to the tailgate.

But our tester came with the new Swivel 'n’ Go seats, a $495 option. With this feature, the middle-row seats swivel to face the third row, and there is a stowable table that can be set up between the seats so the people in the back can play games or eat their snacks on it.

Another great option is the new Sirius live satellite TV system, which delivers favorite children’s shows from the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network. It was not included on our test vehicle, but I have seen it on other models.

Three powertrain options are available, beginning with the SE’s 3.3-liter V-6, rated at 175 horsepower and 205 foot-pounds of torque. This engine can operate on E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. This engine comes only with the four-speed automatic.

Standard on the SXT is a 3.8-liter V-6, which offers 197 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. It comes with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Optional is a 4.0-liter V-6, which puts out 251 horsepower and 259 foot-pounds of torque. It’s also connected to a six-speed automatic.

Oddly, the biggest engine has the best EPA ratings – 17 miles per gallon city/25 highway, while our SE model with the base engine was rated at 17 city/24 highway. The midlevel 3.8-liter engine is rated at 16 city/23 highway. Chrysler made some improvements to the 4.0-liter engine for 2009 that boosted its fuel economy from last year’s 16 city/23 highway.

Chrysler should offer the six-speed automatic as at least an option on the SE, as it would boost highway fuel economy to above that of the SXT with the 4.0-liter engine.

Forester named Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:38 CDT

The redesigned Subaru Forester outranked the new Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex and Infiniti EX, as well as the redesigned Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX and seven other finalists, to be named 2009 "SUV of the Year" by the editors of Motor Trend magazine.

The Japanese automaker Subaru, whose sales are strongest in the snow-belt states of the Northeast and Northwest because all of its vehicles have all-wheel drive, won the competition primarily because of the four-cylinder Forester’s fuel economy and value pricing, the magazine said.

The Forester the magazine tested has EPA ratings of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway, although Motor Trend said the vehicle achieved just 16 mpg during the magazine’s evaluation for the award. The base Forester is rated at 20 city/27 highway with the five-speed manual gearbox, and 20/26 with the optional four-speed automatic.

"It’s the right vehicle for the times," Motor Trend said on its Web site in a story about the choice of the compact Forester, whose main competitors are the similarly sized Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The five-passenger Forester is one of a crop of small, relatively fuel-efficient crossover SUVs that have become more popular as gasoline prices have soared. Others in the class include the Saturn Vue, Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander and Jeep Patriot.

Although the magazine said that it was more than fuel economy that led to the choice of the Forester, other factors mentioned included its starting price of just over $20,000 and the overall value that its pricing and fuel economy bring.

But it doesn’t compete in the same class as the larger crossovers such as the 2009 Chevy Traverse, built at the General Motors plant in Tennessee, and the also-new 2009 Ford Flex, both of which received high praise from Motor Trend.

The Traverse was characterized as "most likely to succeed" of the vehicles tested.

In their report, the magazine’s editors said, "Chevy’s new three-row crossover proves among the more pleasant surprises in this year’s contest." They praised the vehicle’s exterior styling and its "sweet, strong direct-injection V-6" engine.

The Traverse, with room for up to eight people, starts just above $28,000, and has EPA ratings of 17 city/24 highway, but Motor Trend said that its "lead-footed" testers averaged just 12.1 mpg while testing the vehicle.

The magazine said the Flex "edges tantalizingly close to a vehicle segment that has been regarded as toxic by Detroit automakers since Jimmy Carter left the White House ---the full-size wagon."

Ford’s all-new seven-passenger crossover, the Flex is a direct competitor to the Traverse. Prices range from $28,295 (plus freight) for the base front-drive SE model to $36,555 for the top-of-the-line Limited all-wheel-drive version.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 262 horsepower and 248 foot-pounds of torque. This engine already is used in the Edge and several other Ford products.

EPA ratings for the Flex are the same as for the Traverse – 17 miles per gallon city/24 highway for the front-drive model. But the magazine said it achieved just 14.9 mpg during the awards testing.

Other finalists included the redesigned Honda Pilot, as well as the BMW X6, Lexus LX 570, Toyota Sequoia, Kia Borrego, Dodge Journey and Volkswagen Tiguan.

The magazine also had praise for the Infiniti EX, a premium compact crossover introduced last year by Nissan’s luxury brand.

"The EX is a marvel to guide down a curvy road, delivering the most driver-focused experience of the group," Motor Trend said.

The magazine wasn’t as kind to Nissan’s reworked Murano, calling it "lackadaisical" and "lackluster."

"If everyone in the Ice Cream Shoppe is ordering fudge peanut ripple marshmallow mango royale and you’re ordering vanilla, that new Murano parked outside probably belongs to you," Motor Trend said.

As for the FX, the magazine complained that the V-8 model had "too many missed targets" to make it a solid contender, although there was praise for the 390-horsepower engine.

Sport utility, compact economy – Vibe offers best of both

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:40 CDT

It’s possible to get the utility of a sport utility with the fuel economy of a compact car, and that’s what consumers will find with the redesigned 2009 Pontiac Vibe.

This little crossover wagon starts at just $16,100 (plus $635 freight) for the base model with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox, and EPA ratings of up to 26 miles per gallon city/32 highway (26/31 with automatic transmission).

Even our top-of-the-line GT model tester (base price $20,875), with its peppier 2.4-liter four-cylinder, offers fuel economy of up to 21 city/28 highway (20/26 with automatic).

With that kind of mileage, the Vibe is a great alternative to the larger, less fuel-efficient SUVs and crossovers on the market.

And the nice thing is that you won’t feel as though you’re giving up something really important to step out of that bigger vehicle into the smaller Vibe. It offers great styling and decent performance along with its utility and economy.

Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available, with the AWD model starting at $20,475.

Our GT model is the sportiest version, offering the most standard amenities as well as the extra power – 158 horsepower versus the 132 of the base model.

Standard on all except the all-wheel-drive model is a five-speed manual gearbox; the AWD version comes with a four-speed automatic, which is the only transmission available. On the front-drive models, however, a five-speed automatic is available for $1,050, and it was included on our tester.

The new Vibe "comes with a bold new look, increased engine power and a host of standard safety features," Pontiac says. The Vibe’s redesign coincides with Toyota’s complete makeover of the compact Corolla sedan, upon which the Vibe and the similar Toyota Matrix wagon are based.

Toyota and GM jointly own the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, Calif., which builds the Vibe as well as the Corolla sedan and Toyota Tacoma pickup. The Matrix is built at a plant in Ontario, Canada that also builds Corollas.

There was speculation that the Vibe would be discontinued after 2008 as the new Matrix came to market, but with spiking gasoline prices, the Vibe makes sense, and General Motors was wise to leave it in the Pontiac lineup.

The base engine is the same inline four-cylinder that powers the Corolla sedan, while the 2.4-liter engine is standard in the base Toyota Camry sedan. It is a Toyota engine, not a GM.

The bigger engine offers 162 foot-pounds of torque; the smaller one is rated at 128 foot-pounds.

Standard amenities in our GT models included leather interior, a rear spoiler, a sport suspension, electric power steering, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The midlevel model is the only one to come with all-wheel drive; that feature, unfortunately, is not available on the GT.

All-wheel drive is good on wet or icy roads, of course, but it’s also a performance feature that helps the car handle better even on dry pavement or gravel.

Even though the Vibe essentially is a Matrix underneath, GM was responsible for its exterior design. It has the signature Pontiac grille and other features that differentiate it from the Matrix.

Inside, the Vibe also was given a different design, with lots of Pontiac flavor.

This newest model is slightly lower than its predecessor. The seats were lowered so there was no loss of headroom, but the cabin has the same space as that of the previous model.

The front bucket seats are quite comfortable, even for larger people. The rear seat can hold up to three people, but as with most compacts, it’s a better environment for kids than adults.

Mazda6 – an already good car gets even better

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:41 CDT

The Mazda6 comes to market for 2009 completely redesigned, representing the best effort yet in a midsize sport sedan from this Japanese automaker, which is partially owned and controlled by Ford Motor Co.

Mazda introduced the 6 for 2003, replacing the popular 626 with a new single-digit designation and a whole host of improvements.

For 2009, though, the 6 has been taken to a whole new level, making an already good car an even better competitor to the segment-leading Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The segment is a large one – more than two million U.S. consumers buy new midsize cars every year. There are at least 12 vehicles competing for those customers, with the newest generation of the Chevrolet Malibu now challenging the Camry and Accord’s dominance of the segment, which also includes the sporty Nissan Altima.

The original 6, whose marketing efforts introduced Mazda’s "zoom, zoom" advertising theme, was "the first Mazda vehicle to benefit from the spirit of a true sports car infused in a five-passenger, four-door sedan," the automaker says.

"That revolutionary combination created a commotion in the midsize class where strict practicality, affordability, and economy of operation usually leave no room for driving enjoyment."

In other words, the whole idea was to create a midsize car that broke from the boring pack and offered auto enthusiasts an affordable alternative to the appliance cars from Toyota, Honda and other manufacturers.

The first Mazda6 was a fun car to drive in all configurations, and quickly established itself as something different in a field of sameness.

Mazda hopes that consumers will see the newest generation as a continuation of and improvement on that theme. It’s designed to offer the most fun available in a car that is both affordable and practical at the same time.

"The all-new 2009 Mazda6 takes everything learned in that first-generation car, as well as lessons learned from volumes of customer feedback, and proves Mazda’s commitment to continuous improvement," the company said.

It is "the first Mazda vehicle designed, engineered, developed, and manufactured on U.S. soil with the intention of surpassing American customer needs in countless categories," Mazda added.

"We sought an exterior design capable of stirring any observer’s emotions and distinguishing the Mazda6 from the competition," said Hiroshi Kajiyama, the vehicle’s program engineer. "We also strived to achieve a dynamic character that encourages a strong level of interaction with the driver."

Unlike most engineers, Mazda said, Kajiyama treated the car "as a work of art rather than an inanimate machine."

The goal was to instill "the soul of a sports car" in the new model, the company said.

Design goals focused on making the Mazda6 "a unique experience" and "an insightful package," Mazda said.

Styling cues for the exterior of the new model were taken from the Mazda RX-8 sports car, including the front fenders and the raked roofline.

Interior design elements include round gauges, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a T-shaped instrument panel.

There is ample room for up to five adults, and the trunk has 16.6 cubic feet of space. The rear seat has a 60/40 fold-down feature to allow for longer cargo.

Prices for the new Mazda6 begin at $18,550 (plus $670 freight) for the base SV model, equipped with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower and 167 foot-pounds of torque, with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The 3.7-liter V-6 Sport model, with 273 horsepower and 269 foot-pounds of torque begins at $24,130. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.

CTS design cues aimed at younger audience

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:09 CDT

Cadillac’s midsize CTS sedan remains one of the bright spots in a year that has been less than kind to General Motors Corp.

Sales of the CTS are up nearly 25 percent through September compared with the same period last year, aided by a redesign for 2008 that vastly improved an already very nice car.

Our tester, the CTS V-6 DI Performance Sedan (2009 base price $37,080 plus $775 freight) is a serious premium sport sedan that proves an American car can compete on the same field with European and Japanese luxury models.

Extensive improvements in styling and performance of this second-generation CTS have put it on the same plain with those Mercedes, BMW and Lexus competitors that populate the driveways of upscale suburban neighborhoods.

While performance is one of the key attributes of the CTS, the interior probably impressed me the most. For the first time in the recent history of the brand, this is a Cadillac with a truly world-class interior.

Careful attention to detail is evident throughout the cabin, with generous use of quality materials. The front bucket seats are as comfortable as the best living-room recliners. The cockpit has such features as hand-cut, sewn and wrapped surfaces, with detail such as French stitching.

There is even state-of-the art interior lighting. GM designers studied architectural lighting in such venues as upscale nightclubs, restaurants and retail stores, and used what they learned to help give the CTS a high-tech ambiance, the company said.

Inside the cabin are 15 individual light sources, concealed from direct view, much like lighting found in modern buildings. Among these are six fiber-optic light bars that illuminate the instrument panels and create a glow across the four doors.

Nine LED spotlights are located throughout the cabin, focusing on such areas as foot wells, the gearshift and the lower part of the instrument panel.

Outside, the CST has changes that made it look more like its bigger sibling, the STS. The hood and rear deck have the longer, sleeker look of the STS.

GM said the new design was intended to help the CTS appeal to a younger group of consumers, which is what the car has been about from the start. The CTS gave Cadillac its first midsize sedan aimed at consumers under 50, replacing the imported Catera, whose advertising seemed to position it as a car for seniors.

Since its arrival for 2003, the CTS has been a hit with the younger baby boomers and Generation X, and Cadillac wanted to continue that success with this newest model. The idea is to bring young people into a brand that, until just a few years ago, was on the shopping lists of only older buyers.

The CTS has about the same dimensions as mass-market sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, two vehicles that attract a broad range of consumers. But it’s a direct competitor to the near-luxury midsize sedans such cars as the Lexus ES 350, Mercedes-Benz C-class, BMW 3-series, Audi A4, Acura TL, and Infiniti G35, among others.

The previous generation had a variety of available engines, beginning with a small V-6, later discontinued, that didn’t really allow the car to live up to its GM billing as a sport sedan.

But with the redesign, there is no doubt about the "sport" aspect, especially in the DI performance version we tested.

Under the hood of this model is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with direct fuel injection, rated at 304 horsepower.

The base CTS model ($34,780 plus freight) is no slouch, though. It comes with the same 3.6-liter V-6, but without the direct injection. That gives it 263 horsepower, up from 258 in the previous generation.

For super-sportiness, the CTS-V model returns to the lineup for 2009, this time with a 556-horsepower V-8 engine replacing the 400-horsepower engine of the previous V model. We haven’t tested this one yet.

Also coming early next year is a wagon version of the CTS.

Even with all of its power, the CTS V-6 models have decent fuel economy. Ratings for either V-6 engine are 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway.

F-150’s success depends on keeping, expanding its market share

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:11 CDT

The redesigned 2009 Ford F-150 comes to market later this month amid an unprecedented slowdown in the pickup truck market fueled by this year’s higher gasoline prices and the economic crisis that has affected not only the auto industry, but just about every other sector of the economy as well.

Despite this year’s decline in pickup sales, the F-150 remains an important part of Ford Motor Co.’s long-term business plan.

But the new truck will need to find its way in a significantly changed market – one that has lost most of the so-called casual truckers who in the past have bought pickups just because they wanted them, not because they needed them.

The F-150’s success will depend on keeping and expanding its market share among those who use pickups as a way of life – ranging from ranchers and farmers to construction and oilfield workers.

Fuel economy isn’t as important to these true truckers as it is to those who would use their pickups as an alternative to cars for everyday city commuting and family hauling, but it is a factor nonetheless.

Those who use pickups in their jobs often don’t have other, more fuel-efficient vehicles to drive while away from work, and to them, fuel economy is a real issue.

So while the new F-150, for now, comes only with V-8 power, Ford has boosted fuel economy by about 8 percent across the entire line, and has added special SFE models – that stands for "superior fuel economy" – that have EPA ratings of 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

Coming later – but probably still a year or more away – is Ford’s new EcoBoost line of turbocharged V-6 engines designed to offer V-8 power with the fuel economy of a six-cylinder. No mileage ratings have been announced yet for these engines.

The first, a 3.5-liter with 340 horsepower and 340 foot-pounds of torque, is expected to be introduced next year on the new Lincoln MKS sedan. No timetable has been given for adding the EcoBoost to other Ford and Lincoln models, but the automaker says this engine eventually will replace most of the V-8s in its current models.

But the redesigned F-150 benefits from improvements to its V-8 engines, including a 2 mpg increase in highway fuel economy on the SFE models. They will be equipped with a revised 4.6-liter V-8 that Ford promises will have "unsurpassed" fuel economy of 15 mpg city/21 highway – while still providing up to 7,500 pounds of towing capacity.

Other F-150 models will be able to tow up to 11,300 pounds, and will have hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds, Ford said. They will come with a 5.4-liter V-8.

"Ford has committed to have the best or equal to the best fuel economy with every new product we introduce, and we are delivering with the new F-150," Matt O’Leary, chief engineer for the F-150, said in an announcement about the SFE models.

"Fuel economy has moved from 10th to third place among pickup buyers’ top purchase considerations – right behind durability and value," he said. "The new F-150 delivers on all three as the industry leader."

The SFE package will be available on the SuperCrew XL and XLT two-wheel-drive models with 5.5-foot beds, Ford said.

Besides the 4.6-liter engine, these trucks will have a new six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15:1 rear axle, and 18-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels with low-rolling-resistance P265/60R18 all-season tires, the automaker said.

The six-speed transmission is mostly responsible for the better highway mileage. It replaces a less-efficient four-speed automatic.

The 2008 F-150 with the 4.6-liter V-8 and four-speed automatic is EPA rated at 14 mpg city/19 highway. The 4.2-liter V-6 engine in the 2008 F-150 has the same mileage rating (with the four-speed automatic).

Ford said the SFE package will be a no-cost option on XLT SuperCrew models that have the "chrome package," and will cost $1,095 on XL SuperCrew models with the "decor package."

As for the improved fuel efficiency throughout the new F-150 line, Ford attributes that to such changes as the use of lightweight ultra-high-strength steel, which takes up to 100 pounds off the vehicle’s overall weight when compared with the 2008 model.

Also helping are some "aerodynamic refinements," which give the truck less wind resistance. Ford says the new F-150 has best-in-class aerodynamics, with a coefficient of drag of 0.403 for the SuperCrew two-wheel-drive model with the 5.5-foot box – a 6 percent improvement from the 2008 model.

Next best thing to a 350Z

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:49 CDT

Special to the Star-Telegram

The 2009 Nissan Altima coupe isn’t a 350Z, Nissan’s great little sports car, but for the money, it just might be the next best thing.

My first impression of the Altima coupe, looking at it from a distance from my second-floor bedroom window as it was sitting in front of my house, I thought it was a 350Z. The styling actually is that similar.

The first-ever coupe version of the Altima went on sale last year, adding some dimension to this popular midsize car line that competes against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

But the coupe isn’t just a two-door version of the Altima sedan. The exterior is significantly different, including taking styling cues from the beautiful 350Z, which starts at nearly $29,000 and runs to nearly $41,000 (plus freight and options).

With a starting price under $22,000 for the 2009 model, you can enjoy the practicality and performance of the Altima sedan, but in a coupe body style that has that distinctively sporty 350Z feel.

Before 350Z fans get the wrong idea, I’m not suggesting that the Altima coupe is anything like an equal. But there is enough of the 350Z DNA in the coupe to make it fun to drive, as well as attractive enough to turn heads.

The big difference, of course, is that the coupe is built on the same architecture as the front-drive Altima sedan, while the rear-drive 350Z shares its underpinnings with the Infiniti G coupe and sedan models.

But the Altima coupe has snazzier styling than its biggest competitor, the Accord coupe, although the Accord was redesigned for 2008 and is a lot more sporty-looking than it has ever been.

One of Nissan’s strengths is cutting-edge styling, though, and the Altima coupe carries on that tradition.

For 2007, the newest generation of the Altima sedan arrived, featuring an all-new chassis that is actually slightly smaller outside than the previous model. While the coupe has its own unique exterior, it rides on this same new chassis, and benefits from all of the changes the sedan received, including a roomier interior.

Instead of the bland styling of the previous model, the newest Altima sedan’s interior looks like that of a more-expensive premium brand, and that carried over into the coupe model as well.

Outside, the rear end has a raked appearance similar to that of the sedan, but the rear side windows are much smaller, giving the coupe a more-drastic swoop from the roof to the rear bumper. This is where it is most like the 350Z.

The coupe is 182.5 inches long, compared with 189.8 inches for the sedan. Both have the same width, but the coupe is nearly three inches lower than the sedan, with an overall height of 55.3 inches.

Keeping true to its sporty mission, the coupe is designed to handle better than the sedan. To aid its handling, the coupe has a wheelbase of 105.3 inches, three inches shorter than that of the sedan.

While the coupe will have limited consumer appeal because it has two doors instead of four, it can seat up to five people quite comfortably, even though the rear passengers have to climb in through the front.

Coupes have come and gone in the U.S. market, with some automakers abandoning them altogether at times on account of apparent consumer disinterest. In fact, Toyota has discontinued its Camry Solara coupe for 2009, although the convertible model continues.

Nissan believes there still is a good market for coupes, especially because empty-nester baby boomers are now buying cars they want instead of the cars they needed when they had the kids at home.

That opens the door for more coupes, because they’re usually way better looking than sedans.

Under the hood of the Altima Coupe are versions of the same engines offered in the sedan. The base engine is a 2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam, inline four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower and 180 foot-pounds of torque.

But our tester, the Altima Coupe 3.5 SE model, comes with a version of the VQ-series 3.5-liter V-6 used in a number of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, including the 350Z. In the Altima coupe, it’s rated at 270 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque. In the 2008 350Z, this engine puts out 306 horsepower and 268 foot-pounds of torque (the 2009 model will be the 370Z, with a 3.7-liter version of this engine and a few more horses).