|
What It Is: Porsche's upcoming mid-size SUV, the Macan, caught testing wearing almost no camouflage. The Macan, which carried a code name of Cajun—short for "Cayenne Junior"—is smaller than the Cayenne and designed to bring even more buyers into the Porsche fold. Our spy photographers previously captured a Macan prototype out for testing, but it had considerably more camouflage than the car you see here. We've also gleaned new details about the Macan's powertrain in the interim. READ MORE ›› from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
2015 Porsche Macan Turbo Spy Photos: Nearly Undisguised, a Baby Cayenne Emerges
2013 Ford Taurus 2.0L EcoBoost Tested: Boost Sure, Eco Not So Much
|
The first Taurus blasted onto the scene in the mid-1980s as Ford's volume sedan, stunning the automotive world with an aero-focused design that sent competitors scrambling and buyers storming into Blue Oval showrooms. (It subsequently appeared on seven straight 10Best Cars lists.) By 1992, the Taurus was the bestselling car in America, a title it held through 1995. But 1996 saw the Taurus stumble through a controversial redesign, and the badge disappeared for a spell in the mid-2000s before being resurrected on a larger car—the Fusion had taken over mid-sizer duties—when the Five Hundred was renamed. READ MORE ›› from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Ford to Offer Compressed Natural Gas Prep Package on 2014 F-150
|
Ford has announced that it will offer customers a compressed natural gas (GNG) prep package on the 2014 F-150 pickup. Although it isn't a full conversion, Ford's package sets the F-150 up to be converted by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier. The kit is available only on F-150s equipped with the base 3.7-liter V-6 engine, and it includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons, and rings. With the prep kit, the F-150 can run on either gasoline or natural gas (via separate fuel systems), as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). According to Ford, the CNG/LPG prep package will cost roughly $315, but outfitting the truck with the requisite CNG fuel tank and fuel-delivery systems will set buyers back between $7500 and $9500. Still, Ford claims that customers who opt for the kit and the pricey CNG up-fit can see a return on their investment within 24–36 months, thanks to the ultra-low price of natural gas. The fuel can cost as little as a buck a (gasoline equivalent) gallon—as opposed to the current price of regular gas, which is hovering in the mid-$3 range—meaning fleets that travel lots of miles could legitimately see savings in a short period of time.
Ford claims the F-150 is the only CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup on the market, but technically most any vehicle—other half-tons included—can be converted to use natural gas, so the boast is somewhat disingenuous. Perhaps more accurate, Ford is the only manufacturer to offer a preparatory package that primes a half-ton for conversion. (Ram offers a turn-key natural-gas-powered 2500 heavy-duty pickup, and the Mopar catalog offers conversion bits for regular 1500s.) The F-150 is only the latest Ford commercial vehicle to offer a gaseous-prep engine option, and the automaker predicts it will offer eight different compatible models within the next year. Those models include the Transit Connect, the new Transit van, the outgoing E-series van, F-series Super Duty pickups, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cabs, the F-650 medium-duty truck, and the F53 and F59 stripped chassis. The multitude of CNG-prepped models are part of Ford's plan to sell 15,000 such vehicles this year. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
The Seeds Of Enthusiasm
|
When my son was in kindergarten and learning to count, he came home with instructions to gather 100 objects and then use them to practice counting. Suggested items included playing cards, toothpicks and pennies but I had a better idea: Hot Wheels Cars. We scoured the house for them, first emptying the plastic storage display that hangs from his bedroom door and then moving on to the toy box and then various drawers of his dresser and desk. The pile in the front room soon grew to amazing proportions and as the search widened to include all the nooks and crannies of the house, still the cars turned up in ones and twos, some under the couch, still others in the kitchen drawers and even a few amid the dust bunnies behind the TV. When, after about an hour, we had gathered them all together, we lined them up in neat rows on the carpet and counted to almost 170. |
Editorial: Chrysler Dodges Poison Pen Darts By Delaying Jeep Cherokee Launch
|
Monday night at 5:43 PM, TTAC received this note from Chrysler PR
This is the first time in recent memory that a press launch has been cancelled outright, and the delay apparently stems from calibrating the much-hyped 9-speed automatic transmission that has so far been vaporware in the Dart. This follows announcements by Chrysler that Cherokee production would be delayed and units wouldn't arrive at dealers until September, while other reports cited fit-and-finish issues as well as transmission problems as the reason for the delay. Delaying the launch leaves Chrysler in an unfortunate position in terms of public perception (and certainly among the media), but frankly, they have good reason to do it. The Cherokee is a very important product for them; Jeep's future in world markets, as well as North America, is riding in part on this car. Chrysler is definitely cognizant of the fact that this car is controversial among certain members of the media. It is the revival of a storied nameplate but is seen to lack any continuity with the original XJ Cherokee. Despite the fact that the vast majority of consumers want a crossover and their needs are best served by them, the automotive press continues to regard crossovers with barely disguised disdain. Between that and the highly polarizing styling and you have a recipe for a PR disaster should the Cherokee not be up to snuff in terms of QC or driving dynamics. There are certainly members of the press ready and willing to rip it a new one for failing to live up to their expectations, whether realistic or outlandish. Personally, I am very interested in this car. As the first major Jeep launch built of CUSW, and the first application of the 9-speed automatic, it will set the tone for Jeep's performance as a future star (and profit center) of Chrysler and Fiat. The consequences of it flopping will be severe for Chrysler, and I was looking forward to getting some seat time in the Cherokee. Evidently, that will have to wait. By delaying the launch (even at great expense) they are increasing their chances of getting good press for such an important car.The recent recall of the Grand Cherokee and the Liberty is also looming in the background at Auburn Hills, even if it doesn't have a direct bearing on the Cherokee's launch. What I'm curious about is whether this apparently commitment to quality will extend past the launch of the Cherokee and into regular production and future launches. Any future delays or holdups with future product launches won't exactly inspire confidence in Chrysler's ability to launch high-quality vehicles in a timely manner. This is "Strike Two" after all.
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Recall Alert: 2014 Acura MDX
| Honda is voluntarily recalling 652 trailer-hitch accessory kits used on 2014 Acura MDX luxury SUVs due to a potential wiring problem that could impede braking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In a statement, Honda estimated that 340 of the kits may have already been installed on vehicles and that no crashes related to the issue had been reported. The affected vehicles are equipped with trailer-hitch harness kits. According to Honda, the accessory wire harness was incorrectly assembled during production and may not properly power a trailer's accessory brake controller when installed using provided instructions; this potentially increases stopping distances and the risk of a crash when towing a trailer equipped with an independent braking system. Honda will begin notifying owners Aug. 23, and dealers will re-label and repair the trailer-hitch subharness for free. Owners can call Acura customer service at 800-382-2238 or go to www.recalls.acura.com for more info; they may also call NHTSA's vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov. RelatedRecall Alert: 2012 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot Cars.com Reviews the 2014 Acura MDX Check Out Other Recalls on Cars.com from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/ | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
2013 Infiniti M35h: Family Checklist
| The powerful 2013 Infiniti M35h is a performance hybrid that seemingly allows you to have your cake and eat it, too. Great, right? Well, no. Driving this hybrid proved to be more frustrating than fulfilling. My kids enjoyed its roomy backseat, but that's not enough to make me want to buy it. The hybrid version of Infiniti's flagship M sedan has good looks and posh amenities. And it has a 3.5-liter V-6 that's paired to a 50-kilowatt electric motor to make a total of 360 horsepower. All of that power in a hybrid sounds awesome. However, as I navigated highways and construction-filled city streets, I felt as though I was herding the M35h through traffic more than actually driving it. The Infiniti's fully electronic steering system may have been the culprit. While Infiniti proudly claims this system helps avoid a "detached steering feel," I would argue it was either touchy and unpredictable or soft and unresponsive. This was one test drive where I was happy the model I tested had lane departure warning and lane departure prevention systems to help me out. It's a large vehicle, so it was surprising it seemed so squirrelly. Another frustration was Eco mode. When in this mode, the M35h's accelerator pedal will resist attempts at heavy acceleration. Actually, it does more than resist; the accelerator pedal will actually push back, which caused me alarm and frustration. I disliked it so much that'd I'd likely never engage it if I owned the car, regardless of how interested I was in saving fuel. When driving in normal mode, the M35h gets an EPA-estimated 27/32 mpg city/highway. Clearly, the M35h's emphasis is on performance and not gas-sipping. The interior sure is luxurious. It's so posh that just sitting in it made me feel as though I was in someone's living room; there probably should have been protective plastic wrapped around the white leather seats, which are heated and ventilated for front-row occupants. This sedan is comfortable when sitting in the driver's seat. The controls are well-marked and thoughtfully planned out. The front-row cupholders aren't well-planned; they're crammed too tightly together. When two lidded beverages sit in the cupholders, it's difficult to pick up one drink without de-lidding the other. It was nerve-wracking, a feeling that cropped up a lot in this test drive. My 11- and 9-year-olds liked the M35h a lot, especially the roomy backseat. There were two cupholders and a shallow cubby in the armrest. Each outboard seat had a seatback pocket to use, and there were also two air vents in the rear of the center console. The two sets of lower Latch anchors were a headache to use because they sat too snugly against the bottom seat cushion, but the seat belt buckles were on rigid bases, making them easy to use for young ones who are buckling up independently. 2013 Infiniti M35h: Car Seat CheckThe trunk is tight because the lithium-ion battery pack takes up a good chunk of space. It comes in at 11.3 cubic feet compared to the M37's 14.9 cubic feet. I could fit three folded camping chairs and my all-purpose car bag in the M35h's trunk. There is no give in that space, as the rear seats do not fold. Though the M35h offers plenty of luxury, I'd pass on this hybrid because of its low fuel-economy numbers and difficult-to-use steering system. Related from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/ | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Greek Gods and Dead Presidents: Why Ford Doesn’t Care About Making “Real” Lincolns
|
Please welcome TTAC reader John Mohr (username J.Emerson) and his guest contribution to our site In 2004, my family decided to replace our soon-to-be-off-lease Ford Focus Wagon with another Ford product, having been quite satisfied with our little five-door. This being the height of the Bush-era full-size SUV binge, we were barraged with row upon row of new Explorers, Expeditions, and Excursions when my parents suggested that we wanted a "sensible 4-door family car." My mother couldn't have cared less about such monstrosities, but she didn't like the recently-redesigned Taurus either, and she wanted something larger than her old Focus. Eventually, they got a deal on a new Crown Victoria LX, a car that served us well for many years. The salesmen couldn't wait to get rid of it; it was an '03, and as I said before, nobody wanted bargain-brand full-size sedans in the middle of the Bush years. Most importantly, this particular car shopping experience was my wake-up call to the artificiality of Ford's luxury branding attempts. And thinking about it now helps me to understand why Ford is content to let the Lincoln line become nothing but a set of badge-engineered clones.
This being a full-service Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership, I could see line after line of Panther cars lingering in front of each division's showroom. Not counting the police specials in the back of the lot, the Ford dealer had the fewest; but the Mercury side had dozens of Grand Marquis, and Lincoln had no shortage of Town Cars. With my parents ensconced in the finance office, I went over to inspect why we had gone with a Ford and not (to my 15 year old mind) one of the more prestigious makes in the Ford stable. It didn't take me long to realize that the car we wound up with was more luxurious inside than most the Grand Marquis and on par with many of the Town Cars. We had leather seats and a trunk-mounted CD changer (high tech in '04), while many of the Mercury customers made do with cloth seats and tape decks. The equivalent Grand Marquis always seemed to sticker higher than ours, a fact that my innocent mind found completely puzzling. Lincolns were better optioned and they had unique sheet metal, as well as some other toys that couldn't be found in their more pedestrian siblings, so a bump in MSRP seemed fair. Even so, I wasn't fooled into thinking that a Town Car was worth nearly $20,000 more than the Crown Vic. At the time, I didn't know who Alfred P. Sloan Jr. was. I didn't know that he had catapulted the entire US auto industry down a path that eventually devolved into a wholly cynical game played on an increasingly disillusioned public. But I did know that you were a fool if you paid more for an obviously equivalent product, especially one that was parked on the other side of the dealers' lot. I still see the merit in luxury cars, but only ones that offer you something more for your money. The Crown Vic, the Grand Marquis, and the Town Car were all decent automobiles in their own right, but only one of them was a value. The other two were mostly cynical marketing exercises that were rapidly losing ground as the Germans tried to scrub the last vestiges of Sloanism from the American market. Even so, Ford hasn't given up on badge-engineering strategy, and good business sense suggests that they probably shouldn't if they want to continue to compete in the luxury market. Fast forward to 2013, and Mercury is dead and buried, and Lincoln is almost there too. The new MKZ, a car that many have projected to be the barometer of whether Lincoln lives or dies, failed to impress Derek. Although it's an undeniably pretty car, it can't seem to escape its family-car roots in a way that many of the B&B think a "real" Lincoln should. And therein lies the truth: Ford has no intention of turning Lincoln into a serious contender for Mercedes, BMW, or even Cadillac. Instead, Ford realizes that it has a much better chance of cracking open the Audi-Acura-Buick market with its limited resources. Essentially, Ford wants to take Lincoln and make it into what Mercury was supposed to become, before the Carpocalypse killed off any hope that diluted and under-marketed brands such as Saturn, Saab, and Suzuki could (or should) be rescued. Alan Mulally simply isn't willing to risk plowing under the kind of cash needed to make a serious go at the world luxury market. He doesn't have the resources of a VW, GM, or Toyota, despite Ford's recent dynamic performance in the marketplace. Building a series of attractive but ultimately mundane cars off existing Ford platforms makes the most sense from a financial standpoint, much more so than a moonshot attempt to develop something like a new RWD sedan platform that could potentially require billions of dollars. At the core of all of this is the fact that Lincoln has exactly zero global presence. GM has poured some serious blood, sweat, and tears into remaking Cadillac as a global brand, and thus far has little to show for it other than some XTS commercials with Brad Pitt and a small (but growing) share of the Chinese market. GM can afford to take such risks; indeed, they must, if their business plan for massive growth in Asia is to work. Ford has thus far punted on the Asian market and can't commit the same kind of resources to it that GM can. Mulally is right to cautiously introduce Lincoln as a sort of novelty brand in China, and to move on from there. As far as the American market goes, I believe that Lincoln's strategy can succeed. But this will happen if, and only if, Ford concentrates on going after the mid-tier luxury market. It shouldn't pretend that Lincolns are serious competitors to the flagship makers. Like Hyundai's top tier, most of Lexus, and the revitalized Buick, the sweet spot for Lincoln is amongst the "quietly affluent" segment that Derek previously identified in his review of the Equus. Show the moderately wealthy that there are even better versions of already class-leading Ford products just across the showroom floor. It's not as if Ford has bad material to work with in its current crop of cars (an assertion that will no doubt cause considerable consternation amongst, and the posting of multiple long essays from, the Ford Hater Brigade). Forget delusions of grandeur that a new Continental will emerge from the shadows to bring Lincoln to the top of the world. Focus on building competent, honest products, made by well-paid workers and suppliers with a careful eye for quality. That will do more for the brand than any moonshot project ever could. Mulally probably understands this better than anybody, but it remains to be seen if he can pull it off. The early reviews of the MKZ are certainly disheartening, but the public has yet to register a final verdict. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Chrysler Profit For Q2 Up 16% to $507 Million, Full Year Forecast Reduced
|
Chrysler Group reported net income of $507 million in the second quarter, with strong sales of SUVs and pickup trucks helping the car company make a profit for the eighth consecutive quarter. Earnings were up 16% from the same period a year earlier when $436 million was made. However, the company reduced its projected full year profit. Second-quarter revenues grew 7 percent to $18 billion, up from $16.8 billion in 2012.
U.S. sales were up almost 10%, bettering the industry average of 8 percent, to 479,980. All the company's brands but Chrysler had improved sales. "I think the (U.S.) market is holding up well and Chrysler is holding up well in that market," CEO Sergio Marchionne told analysts Tueday morning. Sales will be reported on Thursday and Chrysler is expected to post its 40th straight month of year to year sales gains. The company lowered forecast of net income for the full year from $2.2 billion to somewhere between $1.7 and $2.2 billion. Modified operating profit projections were also lowered from $3.8 billion to between $3.3 and $3.8 billion. A charge of $151 million to cover the voluntary recall of Jeep models to settle a dispute over rear end collision safety with the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. For the first half of the year, U.S. sales were up 9 percent, to 908,332, gaining Chrysler 0.1% of market share to 11.6%. CFO Richard Palmer said Chrysler was reducing its earnings expectations for the year due to the cost of the NHTSA campaign and issues with suppliers that have affected production. "We've had issues at most of our plants trying to keep up with demand," Marchionne said. "We've lost volumes on a steady basis," from supply issues. The new Jeep Cherokee's success is considered critical by Marchionne. Several thousand assembled Cherokees have been held back from dealers as the company fine tunes the powertrain software. A second shift of Cherokee production at the Toledo North plant will begin August 19th. Jeep has also postponed the media launch of the Cherokee due to this matter, an unprecedented move by an automaker. "The second half is not doable without a proper launch of the Cherokee. We've been without a car in that segment for about a year, and we're paying a huge price for not having the Liberty," Marchionne said. Marchionne also said that CAFE standards will force Chrysler to develop new powertrains for its Jeep brand, hinting at diesel engines and 8 speed transmissions for Jeeps. He also reassured UAW workers that Jeeps will continue to be imported from Toledo. "But the last thing I want to do is to ever ever stop the Toledo plant from making Wranglers," Marchionne said, "We need to find a way to introduce the changes without stopping production in that plant." from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Fiat turns higher profit as spending cuts narrow European losses
|
The Fiat Group reported its profits for the second quarter of 2013 and they were better than expected, attributed to strong pickup truck sales at Chrysler's Ram brand and spending cuts in Europe.
Earnings before interest, taxes and one time items increased by 9% to 1.03 billion euros ($1.37 billion). Revenue was up 4% to 22.3 billion euros. Losses in Europe were down 40 million euros to 98 million. The company says that it expects to be in the black in Europe by 2016. The European losses were more than offset by U.S. sales and profits. |
Chinese Environment Ministry’s Rejection of BMW Factory Expansion Generates Concern Among Foreign Brands
| The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection's rejection of BMW's application to expand one of their factories is generating concern that global automaker will find it harder to win approval for their own Chinese projects.
The ministry posted a statement on its website Tuesday saying that it did not approve BMW Brilliance Automotive's plans for the third phase of the factory that are building in the northeastern city of Shenyang, citing inadequate wastewater analysis and the plan's failure to meet government anti-pollution targets. The ministry also said that the first phase of the plant has still not passed an inspection. While analysts say that this is the first time they can recall such a rejection of an expansion of an already approved project, BMW is acting as though it is a routine bureaucratic matter. Alexander Bilgeri, a spokesman for the Bavarian automaker, said that such events are routine, that the decision wasn't finals and that the ministry asked for additional documents. The rejection comes as domestic Chinese auto industry officials have been calling for the government to investigate imported car prices. An executive of the China Automobile Dealers Association said that profits from selling imported luxury cars in China is 30% higher than the world average. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
General Motors Reaches Agreement with Korean Metal Workers’ Union
|
Last week, members of the Korean Metal Workers Union approved an annual wage contract with GM Korea that follows more than two weeks of partial strikes that affected GM's Asian manufacturing base. GM Korea assembles about 40% of Chevy branded cars sold worldwide.
The contract was approved with 54.3% of the votes and it includes bonuses of 10 million Won ($9,000) and a no-layoff guarantee. During negotiations, the union expressed concerns that GM might downsize its footprint in Korea because of the announcement late last year that the next Chevy Cruze would not be assembled in Korea, as the current model is. When that announcement was made, GM CEO Dan Akerson sent a signal to the KMWU by publicly stating that ongoing labor strife in Korea was a factor in that decision. It is reported that GM management considers the KMWU to be the least cooperative labor union representing GM workers around the world. From July 4 to July 23, GM Korea's workers walked out, their longest strike in a decade, which resulted in 40,000 vehicles not getting built. GM Korea supplies most of GM's cars sold as Chevrolets in Europe and is the company's manufacturing hub for Asia and emerging markets as well as the center the design and engineering of GM's small cars. GM Korea, formerly Daewoo, is also South Korea's third largest automaker, after Hyundai and Kia. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
PSA Peugeot Citroen Wins EU Approval For 7 Billion Euro Loan From French Government
|
Europe's second biggest automaker, PSA Peugeot Citroen, has gotten approval from the European Union for the French government to guarantee $9.28 billion (7 billion Euros) in bonds to provide Banque PSA Finance, the car maker's finance arm, with funds so they can sell cars on credit at competitive interest rates.
"We have arrived at a formula which allows PSA to restructure in accordance with clear limits, reducing to a minimum the damaging effects for competitors who have not received support from public funding," said Joaquin Almunia, EU Competition Commissioner, in a written statement. "This is a balanced result which offers the PSA group the chance to make a new start on a sound basis." The bonds helps Peugeot keep down borrowing costs, a vital ingredient in offering loans competitive with the financing deals offered by companies like Volkswagen, Europe's biggest automaker. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Junkyard Find: 1978 Fiat X1/9
|
              Don't forget to check out the Home of the Murilee Martin Lifestyle Brand™! from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
For decades now, the 
The X1/9 is one of those cars that manages to rust anywhere. These cars will rust in Los Angeles, they'll rust in Phoenix, and they rust very nicely in Denver (which is where I found this one). Every time I see one of these side scoops, I'm reminded of the X1/9 scoops I 
This car is a beyond-sane-hope-of-repair basket case, but it still has quite a few useful parts. Some of you may recognize this car as the neighbor of 
I've driven a fair number of miles in X1/9s, and they're much more fun than the 65-horsepower engine rating would suggest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)