24 cars blue sky

Thursday, February 28, 2013

2013 Acura ILX Long-Term Test Update: Where’s the Entry Luxury?

Just over a decade ago, Acura's lineup included the NSX and the Integra—both among the most fun-to-drive cars in their segments, and two fairly iconic pieces of machinery. Since then, Honda's luxury brand has introduced a line of funky-faced, tweener-sized cars that James Spader talks up in TV ads. Away from the sound booth where Spader records his solicited praise, however, the reality is that Acura's lineup isn't quite what it used to be. READ MORE ››

from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647533

The Electric Seven: Land Rover Reveals a Septet of Zero-Emission Defenders [2013 Geneva Auto Show]

Land Rover, a brand recognized stateside primarily for its leather- and lumber-lined vessels of suburban transport, still can get down without getting, comparatively, quite as dirty. To demonstrate, the brand has replaced the standard diesel engine in seven of its iconic Defender models with a fully electric powertrain. Earlier attempts at electrifying the Defender were carried out in conjunction with European electric-drive specialists Axeon and limited to game-preserve use in South Africa.

The conversion uses a 94-hp electric motor that produces 243 lb-ft of torque, mated to the Defender's standard-issue all-wheel-drive system and locking differential. Juice comes from a 27-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that resides between the front fenders in the void created by the diesel's absence. Land Rover figures the combo is good for a range of more than 50 miles. Off-road, however, where low-speed travel is often measured in hours instead of miles, the brand claims the battery will last up to eight hours before needing a recharge. Bring along a good book, because you're looking at a minimum of four hours with 7-kW "fast" charger, or 10 hours with a portable 3-kW charging unit.

Because the electric motor delivers maximum torque right from the get go, Rover ditches the transmission, employing a simple 2.7:1 reduction gearbox in its place. Land Rover's Terrain Response—the semi-automatic system that optimizes vehicle response for specific surface and conditions—also has been tweaked for the electric application. To save weight, reduce complexity, and increase durability, all the major components, including the battery, inverter and, motor, are air-cooled. The battery alone weighs 910 pounds, and a fully outfitted electric Defender weighs about 220 pounds more than a standard Defender 110.

Although Land Rover makes it clear that these vehicles will not see production and essentially are rolling laboratories used primarily to assess electric vehicles, the off-road icon hasn't given the vehicles a pass in testing: In addition to surviving the usual cheeky off-road mucking about and fording streams up to 31 inches in depth, the Electric Defender successfully pulled a 25,000-plus-pound road train up a 13-percent gradient. All seven of the EVs are expected to go into service in specialist applications later this year.

from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647533

2013 Dodge Journey V-6 AWD Test: Practical Pragmatism

We were taken by surprise when we drove the revitalized 2011 Dodge Journey way back in December 2010. Little more than a year removed from Chrysler's bankruptcy, the company's engineers and designers transformed one of the industry's most hopeless vehicles into a genuine contender. Even more impressive, they did so not by starting with a clean-sheet design, but with an aggressive refresh program targeting the underwhelming V-6, the sloppy dynamics, and the dollar-store interior. READ MORE ››

from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647533

2013 Geneva International Motor Show: 2014 Volkswagen GTI Preview

2014-vw-gti
Volkswagen has unveiled the latest incarnation of its iconic GTI hot hatch ahead of the March 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. In keeping with VW's tradition of updating the Golf on which the GTI is based, the new car is an evolution of the old one, with subtle changes and improvements to powertrains, fuel economy and driving dynamics. The models unveiled in Geneva are the European-spec vehicles; the U.S.-spec cars have not yet been announced, but this is a good peek into what we could expect here.

The new GTI will offer a new 220-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The European version will offer a start-stop system to improve fuel economy, which VW says improves efficiency by nearly 18% compared with the previous model.

For the first time, VW also will offer a factory performance pack, which boosts output to 230 hp, and adds bigger brakes and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential. Like the current model, the new GTI gets red-painted brake calipers, twin tailpipes, a lowered sport suspension and special cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the Golf.

In Europe, the car will include luxury items such as automatic climate control, park assist and a touch-screen entertainment system. The European model starts at 28,350 euros or about $37,168 at today's exchange rates. If VW holds to precedent, however, many of these items will be optional on the U.S. model in order to keep the entry price considerably lower. The new GTI goes on sale in Germany in May but is not expected in the U.S. until sometime next year. Check out more photos below.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647517

Nine-Speed Transmission to Debut on 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover is making a major shift in transmission technology with its new nine-speed automatic, which the British automaker will demonstrate at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show in March. Land Rover told Kicking Tires that the newly developed transmission, a first for passenger vehicles, will be available on the 2014 Range Rover Evoque.

Increasing the number of gears from six to nine will help reduce emissions and improve efficiency, Land Rover said in a statement. The automaker said the nine-speed transmission's smaller steps will also improve acceleration response, as well as shift quality and refinement.

"A higher top gear improves efficiency by lowering engine speed, which also improves comfort and reduces noise when cruising at highway speeds," Land Rover said.

The nine-speed — developed with transmission-manufacturer ZF — will also complement the all-terrain capabilities for which Land Rover is known, the automaker said. The lowest speed is geared lower than the existing six-speed's lowest and is designed for off-road use, towing and steep gradients.

While Land Rover will be the first to officially launch a nine-speed automatic, Chrysler also has plans to include one in several of its vehicles, including the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said last month that a nine-speed also may be added to the Dodge Dart in hopes of making the compact sedan more palatable to American buyers, who reacted tepidly to both the manual transmission and dual-clutch automatic.

Just today, Chrysler announced that it would invest $374 million in its Indiana transmission plants in Kokomo and Tipton, in large part for the assembly of its nine-speed transmissions, adding as many as 1,250 new jobs; work is slated to begin between second-quarter 2013 and first-quarter 2014.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647517

Ecoboost May Put The Squeeze On Ford’s Canadian Engine Plants

Ford's plan to ramp up production of their Ecoboost engines may negatively impact the Blue Oval's Essex engine plant in Windsor, Ontario.

The Essex plant, which currently employes 800 workers and operates with three shifts, is in danger of moving to two shifts as Ford's V8 engines are increasingly replaced by the forced-induction 4-cylinder engines. Essex produces the 5.0L V8 engine used in the F-150 and the Mustang.

According to the Windsor Star, the Canadian Auto Workers union says that the total volume of engines isn't expected to decrease for 2013, but the next-generation Mustang's likely move to an Ecoboost powertrain could bring lower demand for the V8. The addition of an Ecoboost Mustang is expected to increase its profile across the Ford lineup, with 95 percent of Ford's cars offering it as an option (up from 90 percent currently).

On the bright side, the V8 doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Despite the Ecoboost's popularity, a majority of F-150 buyers opt for the V8, and heavy-duty vehicles still rely on the naturally aspirated V8 for their motivation. Meanwhile, Ford's Oakville plant, which assembles the Edge and Flex crossovers, is slated to get an all-new global platform and add hundreds of jobs (largely composed of previously laid-off workers).

But nothing is a given with respect to Ontario's auto manufacturing sector, and even though strong F-150 sales are keeping the Essex plant busy, nobody ever expected Oshawa to lose their truck plant either.

from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 680102

GM’s Euro-Trash: All Agree On Opel Deal, Except For The Union Boss

I shall not be moved: Opel union chief Einenkel

Messy, messy, messy: Can't even close a proper deal with the unions. GM and the unions have an agreement. It is basically as reported this morning. The deal has the signatures of management and unions. One signature is missing, reports Die Welt: That of Bochum works council chief Rainer Einenkel.

With the missing signature, there are doubts whether the deal is legally binding. Says Die Welt: "The courts may have to decide."

Both GM and the metal worker union IG Metall are interested in bringing the matter behind them. Steve Girsky needs to report mission accomplished to Detroit (even if the result is dubious). The metal worker union already has its eyes on a much bigger prize: The new round of collective bargaining.

The unions want a raise for all 3.7 million German metalworkers, and the chances are good. Volkswagen reported record earnings, BMW and Daimler also have solid profits. The unions want 5.5 percent more this year. They would have bargained for more, would Ford and Opel not be in the poorhouse in Europe. GM wants to pay its workers zero percent more, "but the Americans don't know the German system well enough," Opel-union boss Schäfer-Klug told Focus. "Germany has a collective bargaining system, and Opel can't undermine it. Neither IG Metall nor the other automakers will accept that."

from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 680102

Maserati Adds Formerly Deleted Rear Seats and More Power to GranTurismo MC Stradale [2103 Geneva Auto Show]

It looks like the new Quattroporte is going to have a little company on Maserati's stand at the Geneva auto show next week. The brand's new four-door will be forced to share the spotlight of its European debut with the mildly updated 2013 GranTurismo MC Stradale, appearing for the first time in a two-plus-two configuration. The original Stradale deleted the seats in the name of weight savings, and as such, their reintroduction requires no extensive modifications. But that's not to say that Maserati didn't take the opportunity to lend the nearly three-year-old model a few improvements.

The new GranTurismo MC Stradale gets a new carbon-fiber hood with a central air intake and a pair of heat extractors, forged 20-inch aluminum wheels, and a cabin stuffed with yet-to-be-specified "new materials and style." Brembo carbon-ceramic discs reside at all four corners, and the engine gets upgraded to the same 460-hp variation of the 4.7-liter V-8 that debuted in GranTurismo Sport and now is fitted across the GranTurismo model range. Shifting is handled by Maser's in-house-developed six-speed automated-manual gearbox.

So what does this mean for fans of the Trident here in North America? Well, it's a good bet the wheels and the hood may find their way into the GranTurismo Sport—the hottest version of the model we get— for the 2014 model year, but don't count on seeing the carbon-ceramic rotors. Last we spoke with Maserati brass they maintained that the specially tuned ZF transmission continues to be a better choice for the U.S. market than the automated manual. And as far as the 460-hp state of tune, that will remain specific to markets other than ours; the American-market GranTurismo Sport's 453-hp output will be as much as this country sees from a GranTurismo for the foreseeable future. As to whether or not U.S.-based Maseratisti will ever get their hands on an MC Stradale one day? Well, there are betting men and then there are dreamers. This one's for the latter.

from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647533

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and SRT Grand Cherokee: First Drive

Red_frontthreequarter
Chrysler's 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee pretty much saved the company's bacon as it struggled to pull itself out of a demoralizing bankruptcy. Now Jeep is presenting a refreshed 2014 Grand Cherokee even as the old one is still propelling the brand to record sales numbers, and the problem is this: How do you improve on what is already a good thing?

The 2014 Grand Cherokee is a subtle refresh, with money spent simply on what needed improvement, and the result is now one of the best vehicles Jeep has ever made.

I tested multiple trim levels and all four available engines, including the high-performance SRT Grand Cherokee.

More Power, More Choices
The biggest changes to the 2014 Grand Cherokee over the previous model are mechanical. Two engines are carried over from 2013: a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 290 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque and a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 pumping out 360 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque. Now added to the mix is a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6, making only 240 hp but churning out a huge 420 pounds-feet of torque. All engines are now teamed with Chrysler's increasingly common eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the earlier six-speed. Both the EcoDiesel and the Hemi are tow-rated to 7,200 pounds in 4x4 versions or 7,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive, but the diesel's advantage will be fuel economy. Preliminary estimates put Hemi mileage at 14/22 mpg city/highway (4x2) and 14/20 mpg (4x4), but the diesel is expected to turn in a stunning 22/30 mpg (4x2) and 21/28 mpg (4x4) with a range of more than 730 miles.

As with the current Grand Cherokee, the 2014 model boasts three optional four-wheel-drive systems, an available adjustable air suspension and a traction management system. Quadra-Trac I provides full-time all-wheel drive; Quadra-Trac II adds a two-speed transfer case with a low range, and Quadra-Drive II builds on that by adding an electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra- Lift air suspension raises the Grand Cherokee's ground clearance by 3.9 inches from its normal height to 11.3 inches for off-road use or down 0.6 inch for high-speed aerodynamic improvement. It can come down another full inch when parked to allow easier entry, exit and loading.

The Selec-Terrain system has five driver-selectable terrain modes that correspond to potential conditions: Sand, Mud, Auto, Snow or Rock. Each electronically activates the appropriate combination of 12 different powertrain, brake and suspension settings to optimize traction and ground clearance.

How it Goes, Stops and Climbs
I sampled both the EcoDiesel and Hemi V-8 on-road and drove the V-6 Pentastar in Jeep's off-road testing route at a press introduction in the hill country around Austin, Texas. The Hemi is powerful, throaty and smooth with the new eight-speed automatic. But the diesel is the one to have — as an option on the Limited, Overland or Summit trim levels only — despite a hefty upcharge: $4,500 more than the V-6 and $2,300 more than the Hemi option. The immediacy of the diesel's torque is impressive. One never forgets that this is a diesel; while Jeep has done a commendable job damping the distinctive clatter from the motor, full-throttle applications sound like a tractor-pull at the county fair. The thing is, in a big SUV like this, that diesel rumble actually puts a grin on your face. In highway cruising situations, the diesel is whisper quiet and unobtrusive. Combined with its best-in-class highway fuel economy, it could prove to be a popular option for buyers interested in efficient towing or highway commuting.

In normal driving, there's a fair degree of body roll, and the heavy truck tends to understeer through corners. The Grand Cherokee in its Normal mode is tuned more for a comfortable ride than for athletic moves. But Sport mode is now available across the lineup, engaged with a pull on the transmission handle. In Grand Cherokees equipped with the air suspension, Sport mode wakes up the truck and transforms it significantly, changing shift patterns, suspension settings and ride height to minimize body roll and create a more surefooted performance in fast twisties. In models without the air suspension, only the transmission behavior and throttle response change. Steering-wheel paddle shifters are also present. The Grand Cherokee exudes a quiet solidity regardless of trim level; even in our pre-production test vehicles, nothing squeaked, rattled or otherwise felt misassembled. If these early-build vehicles are an indication, quality should be top notch.

Off-road, the Grand Cherokee remains one of the most capable all-terrain-vehicles ever made — not that 99% of Grand Cherokee owners will ever experience this. The V-6 proved plenty powerful, and the selectable-mode four-wheel drive enabled me to drive up and down a 43-degree rock face, not to mention other terrain you would have trouble even walking over.

A No-Excuses Interior
The biggest gripe about the previous model's interior has been quashed — gone is the old, unloved touch-screen system, and in its place is the Chrysler family Uconnect 8.4-inch touch-screen that has won our praise in other applications like the Dodge Dart and Charger. It remains one of the best systems on the market: big, easy to use, quick and uncomplicated. This is how to do in-vehicle connectivity right. Surrounding that screen is an updated instrument panel with even nicer materials, including some pretty adventurous color options. Check out the copper metallic trim. Or how about Indigo Blue leather?

Available in the newest top-of-the-line trim level, called Summit, these options lend a high-quality look to an already impressive interior covered in stitched leather and open-pore wood trim. Another carryover from the Dart is the reconfigurable center gauge cluster with a 7-inch LCD display screen and fully digital speedometer, which displays far more information than the typical driver is likely to need.

Cargo
The seats are all-day comfortable, front and rear, available in top-quality premium leather, with more optional stitched leather covering the dash in higher trims. The rear seats feature a 60/40 fold-down split to create a flat load floor, with 68.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats folded and 35.1 cubic feet with the rear seats in place. There are no flimsy controls or stalks, no complicated or cluttered buttons and, frankly, very little to criticize. The Summit trim even has a suede-like headliner and a phenomenal 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that ranks as one of the best I've ever heard in an automobile. These are seriously nice trucks, even in base Laredo trim, raising the benchmark for affordable SUV interiors yet again.

SRT: The Wild Child
As much fun as the new Grand Cherokee is off-road, there's also a new SRT high-performance street version, arriving just one month after the more conventional versions hit the streets. The 2014 SRT Grand Cherokee (the "8" has been dropped from the name) is just plain wicked. Its styling is subtle with a blacked-out grille and smoked headlights and taillamps, optional black chrome wheels, a lower stance and wider wheels and tires. Its tuning makes it one of the most outrageous American performance vehicles on the market. Power comes from a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine making 470 hp and 465 pounds-feet of torque, delivered through the eight-speed automatic to all four wheels. Jeep rates the SRT Grand Cherokee at 4.8 seconds from zero to 60 mph, but I discovered that this is a conservative figure: Using the SRT's onboard software and a special Launch button, I was able to consistently rip off 4.5-second zero-to-60 times, and SRT engineers say that they've been able to achieve 60 mph in 4.2 seconds under perfect conditions.

On public roads, SRT Grand Cherokee's presence and swagger are formidable. Its bulldog stance and fat tires combine with the absolutely primal bellow from its Hemi engine to make every routine errand an event. The suede-like sport seats are amazingly comfortable and grippy yet not rock solid and unyielding or too narrow and overbolstered like so many other high-performance vehicles. Wood trim is replaced by decent carbon fiber, and a special suite of SRT applications for the 8.4-inch touch-screen bring all sorts of special gauges, timers and g-force meters to the SUV to allow drivers to monitor and even wirelessly upload and share their achieved performance numbers. Jeep rented out the Circuit of The Americas Formula 1 track in Austin and brought a dozen SRT Grand Cherokees for journalists to flog, proving that the massive SUV can handle itself quite well should its owners want to use their truck both for towing a car to the track and racing the tow vehicle itself.

In the Market
Jeep has not yet found the upper limit for what it can charge for the Grand Cherokee, as customers have been snapping up the loaded Overland trim level at an astonishing rate. For 2014, the Summit trim level has been added above that, which really piles on the luxury trimmings. Four trim levels are available, starting with the Laredo at $29,790, moving up to the Limited at $36,790, then the Overland at $43,990 and topping things off is the new Summit at $48,990 (all prices include a $995 destination charge). A loaded Grand Cherokee Summit is expected to easily top $53,000, and the entry price to get a diesel-equipped model would be a Limited for $41,290. To get in the fire-breathing SRT, however, you must shell out $63,990, but it is unlikely that this lofty sum will put a damper on sales, and Jeep is capping production at just 5,000 units per year.

For many customers, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a second vehicle to complement their much more expensive luxury car, meaning Jeep has to hold its SUV to a higher standard than some of its lesser models to maintain its cachet. With this latest 2014 Grand Cherokee, Jeep has successfully done exactly that.

from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 647517

France Hikes Taxes On Diesel Fuel, Auto Makers Protest

The French government is planning on raising taxes on diesel fuel, branding it a "health issue", much to the chagrin of consumers and the country's auto industry.

France's environment minister, Delphine Bartho, told French radio (via Bloomberg) that a study by the WHO showed that diesel fumes presented a significant health hazard, and the French government would move to raise taxes on the fuel to help soften demand.

"It's inescapable," Batho told RMC radio today when asked whether lower taxes paid on diesel compared with gasoline should be eliminated. "I am favorable. It's a public health issue."

Currently, diesel is about 20 cents cheaper per liter than gasoline, but France's new tax regimen would bring diesel costs in line with gasoline. Originally, diesel was taxed at a favorable rate due to its use in farm equipment and heavy-duty vehicles, but the lower cost led to a massive shift towards diesel powered passenger cars. 73 percent of cars sold in France last year came with a diesel engine, compared to 55 percent on average in Western Europe.

Renault and PSA have been less than enthused with the new tax hikes. PSA is one of the world's largest producers of diesel engines, and had criticized the studies cited by the French government, with PSA's Director of R&D, William Faury, stating that they ignored modern particulate-filter diesel engines in favor of old-style engines.

The problem is not the diesel engines on sale now, but the pre-filter era diesels. Current Euro 5 standards for diesel engines are exceedingly tough, and PSA already has diesel powered models capable of emitting a Prius-like 100 grams of C02 per km. PSA's aggregate C02 emissions level for its fleet of cars is already the lowest in Europe, at 122.5 grams per kilometer, just ahead of Toyota. And thanks to the upcoming Euro 6 emissions standards, that number should fall, as diesel NOx emissions are required to be aligned with those of gasoline engines.

While the government may be genuinely concerned about the health of its citizens, it's hard not to see this as another cynical political calculation, similar to the now shelved plans for extremely high tax rates on France's top earners. A hallmark of ineffective government is the use of dramatic, headline grabbing solutions, which are little more than PR stunts and rarely mistaken for solid governance. Despite the posturing of France's current administration. A La Tribune columnist noted that the Environment minister herself admitted that diesel engines from a decade prior are the real problem, since they can emit as much as 30 times more pollution than the current crop of diesels.

To add to the matter, both PSA and Renault are in a precarious position. TTAC readers will know that the French government has been marshaled to help provide de facto bailouts to PSA and quell the ongoing labor disputes between the French auto makers and the myriad of unions entrenched in their factories. With Europe's new car market already hanging by a thread, the diesel tax comes at a particularly bad time for France's domestic auto industry.

from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com


Put the internet to work for you.	via Personal Recipe 680102

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Archive