The 1998 GLS wagon featured here is from our November 1998 issue. Saddled with a 3180-pound curb weight, the Passat sauntered to 60 mph in a so-so 8.5 seconds. Still, with a turbocharged four and an Audi A4–derived chassis, the GLS was described by our editors as fun-to-drive, if not a total thrill ride. And besides, it's a Euro wagon—what's not to like?
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With General Motors resting up for its (inevitable) next recall, Ford picked up the slack in recall-related news this week by flagging down more than 1.3 million sedans and SUVs for power steering failures, electrical fires and trapped accelerators.According to Ford, power steering can cut out on the 2011-2013 Ford Explorer and 2008-2011 Escape and Mercury Mariner. Explorer models have electric motor position sensors that can intermittently shut off due to poor cable connections and disable the power assist. In Escape and Mariner models, torque sensors may produce a low-fidelity signal in which the computer cannot tell the driver's steering movements and will also disable the assist.
In a filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said it knew about the failures in Escape and Mariner models since 2009 and in the Explorer since 2011. Like GM, Ford did not intend to recall the cars since the manual steering was "safe and controlled" despite at least 20 related crashes and eight injuries. After subsequent investigations by the NHTSA and Canadian government, Ford relented. About 919,875 of the 1.1 million SUVs are in the U.S. Dealers will update the power steering software to continue delivering power assist even if a fault is detected in the system. This January, Ford shipped repair kits for the torque sensors, but the recalls do not call for any part replacements.
On the sedan side of things, the 2010-2014 Ford Taurus has license plate lamps that can corrode, short, and catch fire. Ford first found the problem in 2011, and after initially drawing a blank to the cause, it opened a second investigation in May 2013 and redesigned the lamp in February. The fires continued on these new models, however, and thus dealers will now install new lamp assemblies on 196,639 cars, of which 183,425 are in the U.S. Ford said it knew of at least five owner reports of smoking or melting lamps and another 20 reporting fires. Only vehicles sold or registered in 20 "salt belt" states (plus Washington, D.C.) are included, although Ford said it would also notify other Taurus owners of the condition.
In a flashback to Toyota's floor mat debacle, Ford is also recalling more than 82,000 all-weather floor mats that were sold as accessories for the 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln MKZ. Shortly after the Toyota recalls began in late 2009, the NHTSA opened a similar investigation into Ford in May 2010. Like Toyota, Ford began to install brake-override systems to kill the throttle as soon as the brake is applied on these models built after October 2010. Despite drivers either stacking the thicker rubber floor mats on their existing mats or leaving them unsecured–which would leave the throttle partially stuck, but not in a wide-open position–Ford said it decided to redesign the mats between September 2011 and March 2012. It's now redesigning them a second time as part of this official recall.
Dealers will start repairs on all the Ford recalls starting in late July. Now we return you to our regularly scheduled coverage of GM's recall mess.
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So here's a bit of product placement you didn't see coming. Mercedes-Benz has inked a deal with Nintendo to place its new GLA-class crossover in the latest iteration of Mario Kart.
Intersections between real life and Mario Kart are nothing new, of course. A couple of years back, West Coast Customs built life-size versions of game vehicles and displayed them at the L.A. auto show. Earlier this year, Jaxx Pacific announced a drivable, powered kart for the lightweight set to scoot around on. But this time, the move is in reverse, with a digitized, kartified GLA appearing in the game. At least in Nintendo's home country.
According to a report from Eurogamer, the GLA cart might make its way to other markets. A U.K. spokesman told the site, "The announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL. As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future."
Meanwhile, Nintendo Japan is promoting the crossover with a sublimely weird ad featuring Mario driving the GLA in the Super Mario Bros. 2D, 8-bit environment, then crossing over into some semblance of the real world. But what's the deal with the male-model type playing Mario? It's unnerving, jarring, and we dislike it immensely. Captain Lou Albano will always be the real meatspace Mario. This flim-flam sham of a fancy boy just ain't cuttin' it with us. Seriously, dude. Your princess isn't in another castle. Last we saw her, she was at the tanning salon getting airbrushed.
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To us, "Most Improved" brings to mind the awards given out to mediocre students, the ones who managed to claw their way from near-failure to, well, just slightly above near-failure. Sure, the kid with straight A's was given an Outstanding Achievement award, but everyone has to win something these days, right? In the car world, though, "most improved" means something a little different. Most of the 14 cars on our list were good in their previous iterations, but have nevertheless made massive advances in their newest forms. Perhaps most significantly, these cars show that automakers really do listen to criticism from the media and customers alike. (You'll see some 2015 models on our list, but they're on sale now or will be imminently.) Without further ado, the 14 most improved cars of 2014:
Cadillac CTS – The sweet-driving, 2014 10Best Cars–winning 2014 CTS is less of a shot across the bow of the Germans than a fusillade, not just because it now outdrives stuff like the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-series, but also because Cadillac can credibly charge Audi and BMW money for one. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the CTS's improvement is that the outgoing sedan was itself a 10Best winner. CTS PHOTOS, INFO ››
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray – Floppy seats, a less-than-ideal driving position, and a cheap-feeling interior? These once Corvette signatures have all been eliminated in the C7 Corvette Stingray. Previous high points like the sonorous small-block V-8, exotic-baiting handling, and sexy styling have all been cranked to 11. The latest Vette breezed onto our 10Best cars list with nary a whisper of objection. STINGRAY PHOTOS, INFO ››
Chevrolet Impala – Want an idea of just how much better the all-new 2014 Impala is than the last one? Hit up your nearest rental-car counter, request a "mid-size," then acclimate yourself with that sedan's crushing mediocrity. (Chevrolet will continue to build the old one for fleets, so no rush.) Then head to a Chevrolet dealer to sample the 2014 model, which narrowly missed a first-place finish in a recent large-car comparison test. The big Chevy looks great inside and out, and its driving manners are proof that GM's chassis engineers are perhaps the best in the world. IMPALA PHOTOS, INFO ››
Ford Fiesta ST / 1.0L EcoBoost – While the regular Fiesta was updated for 2014, the real step forward—or rather, steps forward—came with the addition of the wonderful new Fiesta ST and the fuel-sipping and quirky Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost models. The former gets a 197-hp turbo four, a six-speed manual, and a lowered and stiffened suspension; the latter boasts an innovative and tech-packed 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that promises hybrid-shaming fuel economy. FIESTA ST PHOTOS, INFO ››
2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan – Although Hyundai's first-generation Genesis was a competent first crack at the luxury-sedan segment, the new version is a good luxury car, period—no disclaimers needed. Hyundai left the Genesis's already excellent engines alone and instead focused on refining the interior and the driving experience, even turning to Lotus for suspension-tuning help, while maintaining the car's solid value. GENESIS PHOTOS, INFO ››
Jeep Cherokee – Jeep's Liberty SUV was crude and largely unloved, so it makes sense that the brand would reach into its history for a name to apply to the Liberty replacement. Yet the Cherokee could only deviate further from the original Cherokee if it were a three-wheeled convertible semi truck. But different is good in this case—the Jeep is capable of proper off-roading, looks appropriately tough, and drives like a mini Grand Cherokee. CHEROKEE PHOTOS, INFO ››
Land Rover Range Rover Sport – Certainly not lacking in style or panache, the original Range Rover Sport didn't quite live up to the "Sport" portion of its name—mostly because it was weighed down by, well, a bunch of weight. The new, aluminum-intensive Sport—which now shares its bones with the full-on Range Rover, instead of the Land Rover LR4—is lithe, quick, and truly sporty. RANGE ROVER SPORT PHOTOS, INFO ››
Lexus IS350 F Sport - Similar to the Fiestas also on this list, we're singling out a specific member of Lexus's new IS sports-sedan family. That would be the top-dog IS350 F Sport, which defeated the BMW 3-series and Cadillac ATS in a fiercely fought comparison test. Its athletic reflexes and powerful engine deliver real excitement, and combined with a refined ride to win the day. It's a huge improvement over the humdrum previous-gen IS. IS350 F SPORT PHOTOS, INFO ››
Mazda 3 - Since the nameplate's arrival in 2004, the Mazda 3 has been among the very best compacts due to its fun-loving chassis and zesty styling. The third-generation model builds on the former while also delivering tons of refinement and features for the same money charged for most of the (largely inferior) competition. The 3 appears on our 2014 10Best cars list. MAZDA 3 PHOTOS, INFO ››
Mazda 6 - Everything we said about the Mazda 3? We'd use the term "ditto" here, but then that wouldn't be very informative. The 6 combines a heavenly front-drive chassis and a classy interior to deliver a class-leading experience similar to that of the good-at-everything Honda Accord—except the Mazda actually stands out in a crowd. The 6's predecessor was sportier than most mid-size cars, but always felt slightly undercooked; today's 10Best-winning 6 was baked to delicious perfection. MAZDA 6 PHOTOS, INFO ››
Mazda CX-5 - If you think we're going a bit Mazda-crazy here, we understand your concern. But given that the CX-5 shares componentry with the excellent 3 and 6 and is similarly excellent, we couldn't exclude this replacement for the thirsty CX-7 and Ford-based Tribute. This year, the CX-5 made another huge leap forward by way of its newly optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which delivers the power lacking from the standard 2.0-liter unit. CX-5 PHOTOS, INFO ››
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel - How do you improve the Ram 1500? Add a diesel engine to its option sheet. The resultant 1500 EcoDiesel boasts awesome towing figures, a subdued soundtrack, and up to 28 mpg on the highway, a 3-mpg improvement over the next-most-efficient Ram, the base V-6 model. That may not sound like a lot, but 12 percent is a bunch in the truck arena, and that doesn't even take into account the added torque. 1500 ECODIESEL PHOTOS, INFO ››
2015 Subaru Legacy - It's difficult to not consider the sleek new Legacy a cut above its chunkily styled predecessor. The old Legacy traded on its standard all-wheel drive and Portlandia-style quirkiness, but the new one stands proud on its own merits. Sure, it moves closer to the mainstream space occupied by Honda's Accord and the Toyota Camry, but it keeps just enough Subaru-ness to remain unique, all while performing non-granola-related tasks better. LEGACY PHOTOS, INFO ››
Volkswagen Jetta - When Volkswagen's current-generation Jetta debuted, we decried it as a step back from the Euro-tastic model it succeeded. Well, VW has finally added back most of the good stuff it stripped from the entry-level 2011 Jetta, including a more sophisticated multilink rear suspension, higher-quality interior materials, and rear disc brakes. The Jetta also dropped the thirsty and somewhat unrefined inline five-cylinder volume engine in favor of a smooth and torquey new 1.8-liter turbo four. JETTA PHOTOS, INFO ››
BONUS: 2015 Ford F-150 - We admit that adding Ford's new F-150 pickup to this list is a bit of a stretch—we haven't even driven the truck yet—but its technical awesometude can't be denied. Today's F-150 among the oldest full-size pickups on the market, and it followed a formula much the same as most F-150s that came before it. The new one, however, promises a massive reduction in mass from an industry-first all-aluminum cab and bed. It remains to be seen how the F-150 changes the pickup market, but for now, it's hard to ignore a promised 700-pound weight loss. F-150 PHOTOS, INFO ››
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Time to fire up the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette speculation machine, folks. Just one year after the C7 Corvette Stingray came kicking and screaming into the world, it's been confirmed that work on the C8 is already underway. The tidbit comes from the Detroit Free Press, which buried the news in a story about employee morale at General Motors.
We're not sure anything could rally the troops like developing GM's next-generation halo ride. And that ride could be even more interesting: The Freep's report is based on conversations with GM product chief Mark Reuss, who also "would not rule out a hybrid or electric Vette."
Such information from Reuss could simply be lip service to our eco-obsessed era, or it could be indicative of Chevrolet's thought process surrounding the next Corvette. In our view, it's a mix of the two. GM would be wise to explore alternative powertrain options for the next Corvette both to comply with ever-tightening regulations and to extract even more performance from America's sports car. But rather than serving up the next Vette one way, it's plausible that Chevy plans to build C8 variants with and without alternative powertrain tech.
A Corvette using even light electrification might sound heretical, but so did the idea of a hybridized Ferrari. Consider that frontier properly and expertly explored. Cars like the LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder prove that electrification and internal combustion can deliver dizzying performance, so if it makes the next Vette (or one version) zestier, why not? Don't worry, it probably won't be named "Corvolt," "Corvamp," or "Priusray." "Corvectron" sure has a nice ring to it, though . . .
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If there's one thing Europeans like, it's soccer. Or 'football,' if you want to be particular about it. If there are two things Europeans like, they're soccerball and Ford Mustangs, baby. Ford leveraged its "official vehicle supplier" position with the UEFA Champions League to promote the 2015 Mustang, including letting 500 fans preorder a car during the UEFA Champions League final. Those cars were reserved very quickly.
How quickly? Let's just say the Mustang's first recorded performance metric is impressive: It went from 0–500 reservations in 30 seconds. Preorder books opened up at the start of the Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid game, and Ford says it ultimately received over 9300 registrations from people keen on ordering one of the pony cars. The 2015 Mustang will be the first of its ilk to be officially sold across Europe; 20 countries were represented among the first 500 reservations.
The lucky 500 who actually snagged a Mustang can look forward to a choice of a Race Red coupe or a Magnetic Silver convertible, with either the 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four or the 5.0-liter V-8. The cars will be specially equipped with SYNC, navigation, black leather seats, parking assist, chrome details, and 19-inch wheels.
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The Chevrolet Corvette convertible and the Jaguar F-type V-8 S we've gathered here fulfill the basic tenets of the hot-rod faith. Window-shattering V-8? Check. Two seats tucked into a body that will draw longing stares and disapproving looks? Check. Guy behind the wheel wearing a Hawaiian shirt? Check. READ MORE ››
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