Posts Tagged ‘NAIAS’

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Monday, January 26th, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

 

A new family of E-Class sedans and wagons is coming to Canada next fall. The cars were given a special introduction on the evening before the first press day but were not displayed on the show floor. The perfectly-recognizable front fascia now has pairs of pointy parallelograms for headlights instead of twin ovals.

 

A slightly creased line that flows almost the length of the car, front to rear, is said to evoke the famous 1953 Ponton Mercedes. It does give character to the car’s profile. The trapezoidal rear lamps look a bit derivative, on the other hand.

 

The new E-Class boasts the world’s best drag coefficient (Cd) at only 0.25, for a gain of 0.25 litres per 100 kilometres at 130 km/h. Only on the autobahn, of course. The car’s interior has also been entirely revamped with a flowing instrument panel design and it features new seats. The body shell has 30 per cent greater rigidity and the E-Class gets a new suspension to take full advantage of it, with an optional air suspension that works in synch with electronically-controlled dampers. The gasoline engines range in output from a 268-hp, 3.5-litre V6 to the 507-hp, 6.2-litre V8 in the E 63 AMG sedan.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The E 350 Bluetec sedan gets a turbocharged diesel V6 that delivers 210 hp and a massive 400 lb-ft of torque. With AdBlue injection, it already exceeds 2014 European standards. New 4Matic models get a fourth-generation all-wheel drive system that is more compact, lighter by 20 per cent and much more energy-efficient. As usual, the E-Class has a plethora of the latest safety systems such as headlights that automatically dim to avoid blinding other drivers and brighten up on dark roads.

 

A standard drowsiness detection system monitors more than 70 different parameters. Systems such as Night View Assist and the radar-based emergency braking system, new to the E-Class, come from the S-Class in updated form. Other safety systems include eight standard airbags, blind-spot detection, lane departure and retention, the familiar Pre-Safe system and a new ‘active hood’ that raises by 50 millimetres during a collision to increase the deformation range and further protect pedestrians.

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Toyota Prius

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

By Mike Gotez


If you want to understand what the new-gen Toyota Prius is all about, just consider this: Toyota’s objective is to sell 400,000 units each year by 2010. This will make Prius one of Toyota’s top selling global vehicles, right alongside venerable nameplates, like Camry and Corolla. Can you say “mainstream?”

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius

With this model, Toyota believes Prius will shed its “second car in the family” and/or “super econo freak” status, and take its place as a prime family vehicle. So witness the larger size, larger engine, and feature-laden interior.

 

The 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle engine is tuned to make lots of torque, so it can run at lower rpm at highway speeds. The engine also features an electric water pump, a new exhaust circulation system for faster warm-up, and no drive belts anywhere.

 

A new driver interface provides lots of fuel efficiency feed back to help the driver acquire eco-driving skills. Three are three selectable driving modes: EV mode allows for battery power at low speeds for about a 1.5 km; Power mode for a sportier drive; And Eco mode for optimum efficiency. A repositioned battery-cooling unit, and space saving contoured front seats, along with a bit more overall length, all contribute to more rear-seat and cargo space. 

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Lincoln MKT

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

By Mike Goetz

 

The Lincoln version of the Ford Flex crossover made its debut in Detroit. Like the Flex, this new MKT is assembled at Ford’s facility in Oakville, Ont. But, as you can see, it doesn’t look anything like the squared-off Flex. The rising beltline over the rear quarter is perhaps its most distinctive line, and helps give the vehicle a lot of character, particular when viewed from the rear (check out those wrap-around tail lamps!).

Lincoln MKT

Lincoln MKT

Inside you’ll find three rows of seating, in seven or six-seating configurations. The latter can be optioned with a “flow through second row console.” Other notable options include adaptive cruise control, a huge power sunroof, Active Park Assist, and a rear console mounted refrigerator.

 

Two V6 engines are available: the 268-hp 3.7-litre V6, which also powers Flex; and the all-new 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost, which is Ford’s answer to the those who would normally need or desire a V8, but still want the fuel efficiency of a V6. Employing direct injection and twin turbochargers, the engine produces 355 hp at 5,700 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. AWD is standard and the both engines are mated to the six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which can be manually shifted via steering wheel mounted paddles. 

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A test track yes, but not for speed

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

By Mike Goetz

 

A rather unique part of this year’s Detroit show is the indoor test track for trying out electric and hybrid vehicles. The speed limit is 10 mph. And it’s not too big. But it is beautifully landscaped, complete with two ponds. It was originally only to have one pond, but a plumbing problem one floor up, created another one, which the landscaping crew cleverly transformed into part of the scenery.

test track

Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands

I took out one of the new two-mode hybrids from GM, a Saturn Vue. My three-minute ride revealed not a lot. My next ride was the all-electric Mitsubishi iMiEV, which is on sale in Japan and on test in the U.S. Because it was all-electric, there was no danger of this car going into gas mode, I was encouraged by its handler, to “let ‘er rip.” I did. A little. And was suitably impressed again how instantaneous is the torque output of electric motors. But again, my time was short – only two laps per person, then you line-up again.

 

Some of the more cynical scribes at the press preview days suggested that the track was nothing more than space filler. They had a point. Usually during auto show days, this lower floor of the Cobo Hall would be filled with exhibitors from the non-automaker world – you know, the aftermarket guys, the custom builders, the guy selling the pickup truck shaped hot-tub.

 

Well, owing to all the no-shows this year (Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, etc.), there was space galore, and some thought the organizers didn’t want to advertise that fact with a virtually empty lower-floor exhibit area. Either way, space filler or legitimate show experience, it was different.

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Hyundai Genesis and Ford F-150 win gold

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

 

Winning the coveted North American Car of the Year title is a breakthrough achievement for Hyundai and a historical first for Korean cars. The Ford F-150, on the other hand, is an old pro at this. Previous full redesigns of the long-running best-seller had effectively won Truck of the Year trophies twice before, in 1996 and 2004. The winners were announced at the start of the first media day of this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, on January 11.

 

The Hyundai Genesis is the carmaker’s first foray in luxury cars and it prevailed with a final score of 189 points over the Canadian-built Ford Flex, a close second with 180 points. Third was the Volkswagen Jetta TDI with 131 points. 

Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, Vice-Chairman of R&D at Hyundai Motor Co.

Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, Vice-Chairman of R&D at Hyundai Motor Co.

Accepting the award in Detroit, Doctor Hyun-Soon Lee, Vice-Chairman of R&D at Hyundai Motor Company stated that the Genesis was true to its name as “a new beginning for our company. It is our first global car, he continued, our first rear-wheel drive model and our first V8 engine.” In his eyes, the Genesis demonstrates the engineering excellence Hyundai as long been aiming for: ”It is a game-changing vehicle for us but it’s only the first: we will soon have the second and third stage, cars that we hope will bring us back on this stage many more times.”

 

In trucks, the Ford F-150 collected 259 points, giving it a solid margin over the Dodge Ram with 167 points, itself comfortably ahead of the Mercedes-Benz ML 320 Bluetec with 74 points. On the winners’ podium, Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields first let out a heartfelt “Wow!” He then thanked the team that redesigned the truck that has been the leader in the full-size pickup segment for 32 years in the U.S. and 43 years in Canada, adding that Ford “always puts great effort in learning about the actual use of its trucks, so this award also belongs to its users.”

Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields

Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields

The ML 320 and Jetta TDI were also the first diesel-powered entries to make it to the final round in the history of the North American awards, in their sixteenth edition this year. The program was effectively created in 1994 and remains self-administered and self-funded by an independent group of journalists to this day. It relies on the collective experience of fifty of the top writers and reviewers representing virtually all the major automotive media on this continent. Of this number, seven journalists are from Canada, including this writer.

 

Jury members started their work in August of last year by narrowing down preliminary lists of 39 cars and 24 trucks or utility vehicles that were potential contenders for the 2000 model year. A first secret vote netted a list of fourteen cars that included the following models, in addition to the above-named finalists, the Audi A4, BMW 1 Series, Cadillac CTS-V, Dodge Challenger, Honda Fit, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS, Mazda6, Nissan GT-R, Pontiac G8 and Toyota Venza. 

Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai Genesis

On the truck side, the eight other chosen contenders were the BMW X6, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Infiniti FX35/50, Kia Borrego, Nissan Murano, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan. To be eligible, a vehicle must be all-new or extensively redesigned for the new model year. It must also be available for sale at the time of announcement or shortly after and it needs to have projected annual sales of 5000 units in North America for cars and 2000 for trucks. 

 

After a second round vote, three finalists were announced in Detroit on December 18 and jury members then proceeded to cast a final vote for the grand winners. All secret ballots are sent to the Detroit office of international accounting firm KPMG and the results kept secret until the envelopes were ripped open in Detroit on January 11.

Ford F-150

Ford F-150

 

Interestingly, both the Genesis and F-150 would have already won their respective awards in the first round of voting. The Korean luxury upstart would have done so quite convincingly, with a tally of 223 points to the Volkswagen Jetta TDI’s 156 points and the 152 points allotted to the Ford Flex. 

 

The Ford F-150 had a closer battle on its mechanical hands, having collected 367 points in the first round while the Dodge Ram received 318 points. The Mercedes-Benz ML 320 Bluetec followed at some distance, with a total of 140 points.

 

On an entirely personal note, long-time North American Car or the Year steering committee member and organizer Chris Jensen shares this writer’s disbelief at the fact that the spacious and frugal new Honda Fit, with 106 points, did not even make the final round. The brilliant little Honda, a car for the times if there is one, would have made things extremely interesting in the final vote against the no less impressive Genesis, since jurors always give great attention to ultimate value in these awards.

 

PREVIOUS NACOTY / NATOTY WINNERS

2008 – NACOTY: Chevrolet Malibu

2008 – NATOTY: Mazda CX-9

 

2007 – NACOTY: Saturn Aura

2007 – NATOTY: Chevrolet Silverado

 

2006 – NACOTY: Honda Civic

2006 – NATOTY: Honda Ridgeline

 

2005 – NACOTY: Chrysler 300/300C

2005 – NATOTY: Ford Escape Hybrid

 

2004 – NACOTY: Toyota Prius

2004 – NATOTY: Ford F-150

 

2003 – NACOTY: Mini Cooper

2003 – NATOTY: Volvo XC90

 

2002 – NACOTY: Nissan Altima

2002 – NATOTY: Chevrolet TrailBlazer

 

2001 – NACOTY: Chrysler PT Cruiser

2001 – NATOTY: Acura MDX

 

2000 – NACOTY: Ford Focus

2000 – NATOTY: Nissan Xterra

 

1999 – NACOTY: Volkswagen New Beetle

1999 – NATOTY: Jeep Grand Cherokee

 

1998 – NACOTY: Chevrolet Corvette

1998 – NATOTY: Mercedes-Benz ML 320

 

1997 – NACOTY: Mercedes-Benz SLK

1997 – NATOTY: Ford Expedition

 

1996 – NACOTY: Chrysler minivans

1996 – NATOTY: Ford F-150

 

1995 – NACOTY: Chrysler Cirrus

1995 – NATOTY: Chevrolet Blazer

 

1994 – NACOTY: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 

1994 – NATOTY: Dodge Ram

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Now inside the great walls in Detroit

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

 

 

Chinese carmakers were by no means at their first visit to the North-American Auto Show. This time, though, they would not be relegated to the lower level or outside corridors of Detroit’s Cobo Hall. No doubt aided by the absence of several prominent manufacturers, carmakers BYD and Brilliance would set up their wares at the heart of the show, between the giant spaces of Ford and GM.

 

Bound for Glory?

BYD (for Build Your Dreams) is a leading Chinese battery maker that started developing electric-vehicle batteries in 1996. Six years later, it started work on pure electric vehicles. It led to the launch of the e6 model that was the centerpiece of BYD’s display in Detroit. The company got a double boost of capital and publicity when legendary American investor Warren Buffett – still the richest man on this planet – injected $237 US million in BYD through Mid-American Energy Holding, a division of his famous Berkshire-Hathaway holding.

 

The electric-powered BYD e6 is a compact crossover built to showcase BYD’s Fe battery, said to deliver an exceptional 400-km range along with 0-100km/h times of less than 8 seconds and a projected top speed of 160km/h. The Fe battery pack can regain half of its power with a 10-minute quick-charge and get a full charge in just 60 minutes. In addition, BYD claims that the battery’s production is virtually pollution-free and that of its chemical components can be recycled.

 

BYD Auto has launched eight models in only five years and now wants to add crossovers and minivans to the mix. In Detroit, in addition to the e6, BYD exhibited the F3DM and F6DM, both gas-electric hybrid versions of compact sedans that are quite popular in China. The cars share a powertrain that combines a 1.0-litre gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 168 horsepower and a range of 580 km. 

BYD

BYD F6 DM (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The F3DM and F6DM can also reportedly go 100 km on battery power alone, which is substantially more than GM’s target of 60 km with the Chevrolet Volt. Yet, the F3DM started selling in China last December. That said, the car displayed in Cobo Hall was a dismally-built knock-off of the previous-generation Toyota Corolla. It certainly is not ready for prime-time in a cut-throat North- American market where competition is fierce. 

 

At the bottom end of the BYD range is the F0, a subcompact that is the spitting image of the previous-generation Toyota Yaris. It has an all-aluminum 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. BYD also makes the F6 CVT, a larger sedan powered by 2.0-litre gasoline engine mated to a CVT transmission. BYD’s current plans are to launch in Europe and Israel by 2010 and only “eventually” in North America. Beware the competitor that does not take the fledgling carmaker seriously. Remember Hyundai’s humble beginnings and see the gigantic banner it flew in Detroit this year, for its Genesis sedan’s victory in the North American Car of the Year awards.

 

 

Brilliance by association

The story of Chinese carmaker Brilliance Auto is quite different and so are its cars. By outsourcing substantial chassis and powertrain work to the engineering wizards at Porsche, by setting up joint ventures with BMW, by letting Giorgetto Giugiaro’s troops take care of styling and design and by using Toyota TQM system for manufacturing, Brilliance Auto has is quietly putting itself on the world map of car manufacturers. While not a global automotive powerhouse yet, its 300,000 sales in 70 countries last year are nothing to sneer at.

 

The cars themselves are rather attractive, although not yet design leaders. Brilliance displayed four models in Detroit: the M1 and M2 sedans, the M3 coupe and the FRV, a compact hatchback sedan designed by Giugiaro that looked like a Lancia, somehow. The sedans are ok and the M3 coupe quite decent-looking and powered by a Porsche-engineered 1.8-litre engine. Its closest equivalent would be a Hyundai Tiburon.

Marc Lachapelle)

Brilliance M3 (Photo: Marc Lachapelle)

All four cars show much better build quality and materials than their BYD compatriots. In the past two years, Brilliance has been a presence at the Detroit, Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt and Moscow auto shows, in a quest to raise public while actively seeking partnerships that would prove mutually beneficial. No timeline has yet been set for sales in North America, but we most likely have not heard the last of Brilliance Auto, nor of its charged-up neighbour.

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Jaguar XFR

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

By Mike Goetz


Jaguar had a few things to growl about at Detroit. Most notable was the introduction of its all-new-from-the-ground-up 5.0-litre V8, which finds its way into both the new XF sedans and the XK coupes and convertibles.

 

It purported to feature the world’s first spray-guided direct injection system. Naturally aspirated versions are good for 380 hp @ 3,500 rpm and 461 lb-ft of torque, from 2,500 to 5,500 rpm. (By the way, the current 300-hp 4.2-litre V8 stays in the line-up, partly to keep XJ powered, and partly to be an alternative to the competition’s V6 models.)

Jaguar XFR

Jaguar XFR

For duty in the first-time-seen XFR, which also debuted at Detroit, and the revised XKR, the new 5.0 litre V8 is boosted the traditional Jag way – by fitting twin “Eaton” type superchargers. The blowers crank the V8’s output to 461 hp (2,500-5,500 rpm) and 625 lb-ft of torque (2,500-5,500). That’s sic.

 

To demonstrate the awesomeness of this engine, Jaguar took an XFR to Bonneville, and during a secret speed trial, posted a stunning top speed run of 225.675 mph, making it the fastest Jaguar ever. 

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Subaru Legacy Concept

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

Going against the current at this year’s Detroit show, Subaru was riding the wave of an excellent year that saw a rise in sales as well as market share. Officials had stories of “honest long-term value, reliability and strong retained value” and of customers coming to the brand while moving from large SUVs to more efficient vehicles such as the Outback. But there was also mention that “people forget we have been making sedans.” The carmaker’s core model is indeed the Legacy sedan which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009.

Subaru Legacy Concept

Subaru Legacy Concept (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

More than 3.6 million of these cars have been built in Subaru’s plants in Japan and Indiana since 1989. To underscore the importance of the Legacy sedan, Subaru unveiled the Legacy Concept, a virtual giveaway of an upcoming all-new Legacy.

 

Introduced as “a global mid-size sedan with interior space to fit four adults in comfort” this concept is built around versions of Subaru’s trademark boxer engine – in 3.6-litre form – and “symmetrical” all-wheel drive system. Painted in gleaming “Ultimate Silver”, the mid-size sedan has muscular flanks with strongly-accentuated wheel arches and front grille that looks disturbingly Chevrolet-like, in spite of Subaru’s claim that it conveys its new graphic signature. One has yet to detect a coherent design theme with the carmaker’s recent creations.

 

With its “striking four-seat layout” and the interior, as often in concepts, is pure design hyperbole not very likely to make it into the production model. The seats are draped in Pearl White leather “with a blue sheen” while the black metallic leather on the door trim creates contrast. The center console features a large touch-screen display that groups controls for the major systems. In all likelihood, the production version of the Legacy will be introduced at the New York auto show next spring.

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Kia Soul’ster

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

Weeks only after launching the production version of the highly-promising, streetwise, urban-chic Soul compact at the Los Angeles auto show, Kia shows yet another concept variation on this theme in Detroit. Introduced as ‘soul-stirring’, the Soul’ster (get it?) is a fun-focused, two-door version of the Soul with most of its steel roof lopped off and replaced by solid-looking black roll bars.

Isaac Adams-Hands)

Kia Soul'ster (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Described by Kia US Chief designer Tom Kearns as “an efficient front-wheel drive car rather than an aggressive off-roader”, the bright yellow Soul’ster is dead-aimed at young buyers. In this spirit, it shuns ubiquitous power accessories and instead offers components such as a two-piece top that is removed using “elbow-grease technology” and visible window cranks that have been conspicuously turned into design features. There are storage bins below each of the fold-flat rear seats and additional compartments under the cargo floor at the rear.

 

Running on chunky, five-spoke, 19-inch alloy wheels, the Soul’ster could be powered by a variety of engines, according to the requirements of each market. These range from four-cylinder gasoline engines with displacements of either 1.6 or 2.0 litres to a 1.6-liter turbodiesel powerplant, mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic, in the case of the 140-horsepower 2.0-litre unit. No production plans were announced but designer Kearns sees “another category buster” in the Soul’ster.

Isaac Adams-Hands)

Kia Soul'ster (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

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Chrysler Electric Vehicles

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Author: Marc Lachapelle


While major competitors are locked into a race to bring a single extended-range electric or even a plug-in hybrid car to market, the beleaguered Chrysler Corporation has introduced no fewer than five different electric-drive vehicle platforms in Detroit. Furthermore, the first vehicle to be spun off one of these platforms would be produced for North America in 2010 and three more by 2013. Such announcements, mere days after the approval of the TARP financial rescue agreements, have a taste of vapourware. Yet, Chrysler is adamant about its plan and goes even further by stating its goal of having 500,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2013, a number that includes its market-leading GEM neighbourhood electric vehicles.

 

The carmaker had already unveiled three rechargeable electric prototypes last fall and presented updated versions in Cobo Hall. The sports car, now called Dodge Circuit EV, a four-door Jeep Wrangler and a Chrysler minivan. To these, Chrysler now adds the Jeep Patriot EV and the all-new Chrysler 200C EV sports sedan concept. Both are ‘range-extended electric vehicles while the Dodge Circuit, built on a version of the Lotus Elise chassis, runs on electric power exclusively.

Isaac Adams-Hands)

Chrysler 200C EV (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

Looking at the Circuit and 200C on display, Chrysler design chief Ralph Gilles spontaneously says: “they look so good, you wouldn’t think they are electric vehicles.” Asked about his favourite, Gilles immediately replies: “The 200C, no doubt. It is a sign of where I want to take Chrysler design. Basically back to its prominence in the mid-90s.” One can only wish the passionate Gilles, who grew up in Montreal and went on to design the smashing Chrysler 300C sedan, to succeed again.

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