Archives for February 2014

How to Make Your Car Interior Sparkle

February 28, 2014 by Jim McGowan 1 Comment

Keeping the exterior of your car clean is not difficult. Regular washing and occasional waxing is pretty much all it takes. But, what about the inside of the car?

People spend much more of their time inside the car than they do looking at it; a clean interior has a much greater impact on a person than a shiny exterior. Unfortunately, it does not seem to take long for a nice, neat car to become a cluttered, sticky mess.

2014 Hyundai Equus.

A car interior is a harsh environment, subjected to extreme temperatures, sun and moisture. Add to that all the things people do in their cars — everything from eating and drinking to shaving and applying makeup. This kind of abuse takes a toll on the interior.

Cars with leather interiors seem to fare even worse; when leather is not properly cared for, it fades and cracks. A nice-looking interior makes the entire car look better. It will immediately make the car more pleasant to ride in, and have an impact on resale value later.

The Tools

Cleaning the interior of a car does not have to be difficult, and the equipment and materials needed are not expensive. When it comes to cleaning the inside of a car, there are three surfaces that need attention: soft surfaces like cloth and carpet, smooth surfaces like metal and plastic, and seats made of vinyl or leather.

Cloth and carpet are relatively simple to care for. A vacuum cleaner can take care of most of the cleaning needs here. For smooth surfaces, a mild solvent applied with a microfiber cloth is the best choice. Vinyl upholstery can be cleaned with the same cleaner used on the other smooth surfaces; leather upholstery should have specialized leather cleaner. Here are the steps in making a car interior sparkle:

1. Pick up Clutter

Few things make the car interior look worse than a lot of clutter. Cars tend to accumulate papers and garbage, making them look messy and sometimes smell bad too. Start cleaning by removing everything that does not need to be in the car.

2. Get out the Vacuum

Use a specialized car vacuum or an upholstery brush attached to a home or wet/dry vacuum to clean carpet and cloth. Use a crevice tool to clean the hard-to-reach corners of the dashboard and small areas such as vents.

3. Wipe it down

Use the microfiber cloth to wipe all nonporous surfaces, except for leather. A quality cleaner will not only remove oils and dust from surfaces, it will also seal tiny pores and cracks in vinyl and plastic, to keep them looking better longer. Vinyl seats should be cleaned with the same cloth and cleaner.

4. Take care of the leather

Leather is an organic material and needs special care. There are two steps in caring for leather; first, it must be cleaned. Leather cleaner is designed to remove dirt, oil and grime. After cleaning with a leather-specific cleaner, a good leather conditioner should come next, what will put the moisture back in. Use a microfiber cloth or chamois to apply all over the seats. This will nourish the leather and make it soft and supple. When it’s well taken care of, leather upholstery will look and feel great for many years.

A car is a significant investment. It is also a place where people spend quite a bit of their time. Dirty cars not only look sloppy, they are uncomfortable to sit in and have significantly lower resale value. With a small investment in time, tools and materials, a car can stay looking great and turn heads everywhere it goes.

Big Incentives Await Pickup Truck Shoppers

February 27, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

If youve been holding back on buying a new pickup truck consider this: March 2014 may be the start of something big, as in incentives, and on a wide variety of vehicles.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado. — Big March 2014 incentives for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Chevy Truck Month

General Motors has thrown the gauntlet down as it intends to make March a Chevy Truck Month in a bid to reduce bloated inventories. Chevrolets incentives are expected to extend to other Chevrolet products and will most likely cause competitors to respond in kind.

Deep discounting got GM, Ford and Chrysler in trouble before the last recession, leading two of the companies to declare bankruptcy, while the third avoided a similar fate by hocking its assets in advance of the historic downturn. Without a doubt, all three domestic-based automakers are in a much stronger position in 2014 than they were in 2009, but the stepped-up discounting will eat into profits.

Chevrolet Truck Month spans from March 1 through March 31, enabling Silverado truck buyers to snap up a new pickup truck at supplier pricing. That means you can buy a truck for the dealer invoice price plus the destination charge and a $150 program fee reports Automotive News. Essentially, youll see at least $4,000 to $5,000 shaved off of the sticker price, perhaps much more for super duty models.

***Reference — Automotive News: Chevy to Boost March Incentives in Unprecedented Promotional Assault***

The Toyota Tundra seeks its own place in a competitive segment.

Pickup Truck Competition

The Chevrolet incentives come as GM wrestles with a segment that is increasingly tilted toward the Ford F-150. The Ford F-150 outsells the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado combined, leading GMs big pickups by about 100,000 units annually. Both GM trucks were all new for 2014 while Ford is on its last year with the current generation model. Sales for the GM trucks are not meeting expectations while Ford continues to succeed with its six-year-old model.

GM is also faced with the prospect of falling further behind when the 2015 Ford F-150 is released later this year. The new Ford model embraces lightweighting, utilizing aluminum to drop up to 700 pounds without losing its overall strength. That will give Ford a five-year jump on GM which just this past week made its own commitment to vehicle lightweighting, an effort that wont kick in before 2019 when newly redesigned Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks hit the market.

***Reference — Auto Trends: GM Pickup Truck Lightweighting to Follow Ford’s Lead***

Ford F-150

Vehicle lightweighting could tilt the market further for Ford.

Rethinking Incentives

It isnt just truck sales that have GM and other manufacturers worried: new vehicle sales are not growing nearly as fast this year as they have in the past five years. Indeed, Jan. 2014 sales fell by 3.1 percent over Jan. 2013, with GMs sales dropping by nearly 12 percent. Feb. 2014 sales are expected to come in flat at best as bad weather across much of the eastern half of the US, effectively offsetting the usual Presidents Day incentives.

Manufacturers are also coming to terms with their rosy sales projections, but they aren’t slashing production, at least not yet. Instead, the pricing discipline of the past five years seems threatened a boon for consumers, but a bane for company profits. GM intends to protect its large pickup truck market share even as demand slows and as it readies a pair of midsize trucks to supplement its two truck lines.

Expect that Toyota with its Tundra and Nissan with its Titan will also be discounted. Sales of the Ram 1500 remain strong, but Fiat Chrysler may respond if market share is threatened. Lastly, Ford wont let its sales slip even as a lighter and more efficient F-150 is prepared for the market.

***Reference — Reuters: Global Auto Sales Forecast Rosy, With Reservations, for 2014***

Credit Clean Up Before You Buy Your Next Car

February 25, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

You are ready to buy your next car and have set your eyes on something new. Sure, you know that new cars lose a lot of value during the first year of car ownership, but you have a long-term ownership strategy in place and plan to drive your next car until it gives up the ghost.

Paying cash for a new car is the ideal way to go, but with the average price of a new vehicle now topping $32,000, few of us have that much money available. Likely, you’ll join the overwhelming majority of people that will put some money down and finance their purchase with a 48, 60- or 72-month auto loan.

Before you seek new credit, the following points should be considered.

Obtain Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a three-digit number that has a huge impact on not just the loan terms, but on whether you receive loan approval or not. Your score is based on your credit history including your personal credit reports compiled by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, the three consumer reporting bureaus.

Your credit score should be above 700 to enjoy favorable loan terms. Some creditors require a score of at least 740 before giving you their best loan rate. You can get a free monthly credit score by signing up with Credit Sesame or you can pay for your credit score by visiting MyFico.com. The higher the score the better for you: you can save hundreds of dollars in interest costs if your rate is low.

Establish a Budget

Here is where a lot of people run into trouble: they set their eyes on a vehicle they want, but cannot afford. Before you begin shopping for a new vehicle you need to determine how much of a loan payment you can swing.

One of the best approaches here is to use an affordability calculator such as one provided by Edmunds.com please go here. Once you determine a payment amount you will have to figure out if you have enough money to make the monthly payment, pay for your car insurance, registration, taxes, fees, and in some states property taxes.

Trade In or Private Sale

Ideally, your car dealer will fall in love with your trade and offer you big bucks for your vehicle. The reality is usually something far different: your trade won’t come close to the value you think that it would fetch if you were to sell the vehicle yourself.

So, why not sell your car instead of trading it in? Well, for many people, the trade-in is their down payment or a significant part of it. They have to trade it in or they wont have enough money for a new car. If you’re able to use cash as your down payment, then you have more flexibility here. Sell your car privately and you’ll end up with more money.

Claim All Incentives

Car manufacturers love to entice consumers with a great deal. Generally, no one pays the sticker price for any car on the dealers lot unless it is a speciality or exotic model. Typically, you can shave thousands of dollars off of the sticker price, walking away with a decent deal.

Beyond the general discounts, you may be eligible for other incentives, but only if you ask for them. Some manufacturers offer loyalty rebates, applying upwards of $1,000 toward the price of a car if you bring repeat business. Other incentives include rebates for military personnel, recent college graduates, retirees, and so on. Find out what incentives apply to you.

Lease or Loan?

You have been thinking about taking out a loan, figuring that the rates will be good. They should be good and at least no where near the rates that are being charged on some dubious websites. You can still find zero percent or very low rate financing, but keep in mind that by taking those loans you may give up a valuable rebate.

Another option for consumers is to opt for a lease. Sure, you will only have the car for a few years (usually three) and then will need to give it back or purchase it at lease end. And, you will need to abide by the lease terms or pay extra for mileage overages or wear and tear.

What leasing does is make it possible for consumers to get behind the wheel of the car that they really want. Monthly lease payments are generally much lower than finance payments, making that unattainable vehicle affordable. Just keep in mind that when the lease term ends you wont have a vehicle to show for it you’ll either have to lease again or buy another vehicle.

New Car Deal

No new car purchase should be done apart from careful and thorough research. It is easy to be swept up in emotion when buying a car, but those feelings will cost you. Once you settle on a car you like and can afford, then get quotes from three or four dealers to find the package that is right for you.

New Engine, Fresh Interior for 2015 Ford Focus

February 25, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Mid product cycle updates loom large for compact Focus.

The Ford Focus is an instantly recognizable name, with more than 1 million units sold annually worldwide. Ford has said that the Focus is the best selling vehicle in the world, a claim that Toyota disputes. What is beyond dispute is that Ford is not resting on its laurels as it makes plans to release an important model refresh for 2015.

The 2015 Ford Focus will be released in the second half of this year and will be equipped with a standard rear view monitor and a fully revised interior. It will also offer an optional new engine: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that is currently available with the Fiesta subcompact.

2015 Ford Focus

Ford announced its plans for the 2015 Focus at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday. About the updated model Joe Hinrichs, Ford executive vice president and president of The Americas said, What makes Focus so attractive to consumers today being great to drive, delivering exceptional fuel economy and value, and offering leading-edge in-car technologies is amplified with the new Focus.

The 2015 Ford Focus will arrive with a refreshed face including a restyled grille and hood, distinctive headlamps and tail lights, an updated lamp cluster, and a restyled trunk lid. For the US market, a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback will be offered.

Inside, the Focus will receive new seat trims, satin chrome detailing, new switches, and an available heated steering wheel. Ford describes the compacts glove box as new and easier to access; a new center console brings in adjustable cup holders.

New Safety Features

Technologies that are not common to the compact segment will be available with the 2015 Ford Focus. Besides the standard rear view camera, customers can choose safety options including lane-keeping assist and blind spot monitoring. All models are equipped with a 4.2-inch color monitor; an 8-inch monitor is included with cars equipped with MyFord Touch.

Ford says that the new Focus will allow drivers to download more than five dozen AppLink-enabled apps from the Apple App Store and the Android market. These apps include real-time data such as acceleration, odometer, and speed. When connected with SYNC AppLink, alerts are available at any time even if the app is not currently active. This means if the driver is listening to her favorite tunes, the app can send out an alert such as warning about a traffic jam down the road.

Three-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine

The current Ford Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That engine returns in 2015 and will be joined by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed transmission.

The smaller engine also brings in gasoline direct injection, variable valve timing, and Ford software enhancements to squeeze more power out of a smaller footprint. In the 2014 Fiesta, the diminutive engine gives the subcompact a 45 mpg highway rating, the top gas mileage for a non hybrid car. At present, the most fuel efficient Focus is rated at 40 mpg on the highway. The new engine should help the Focus deliver at least 43 to 44 mpg on the highway.

Other changes slated for the 2015 Ford Focus includes suspension and chassis upgrades, including a new shock absorber valve design in a bid to provide a quieter interior, an updated rear suspension to help drivers feel more connected to the road, and a new electronic stability program to improve comfort and to reduce intrusion.

The ambitious Focus overhaul eclipses the generational changes seen in some models. What this signals to the world is that Ford is intent at keeping its top model fresh. And with Ford continuing to push hard in developing countries, the long-term outlook for its compact model line is strong.

Photo courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Seductive: 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

February 24, 2014 by admin 5 Comments

Third generation IS sedans grow in size and attitude.

It took eight years for Lexus to breathe fresh life into its IS line, what represents a family of smaller luxury vehicles including a pair of flashy sedans: the IS250 and IS350. Eight years is a long time between all-new models and the changes extend only to the sedans and not to the IS-C convertible or the potent IS-F.

For the sedans, Lexus grew these models by adding about three inches to their length (2.7 inches wheel to wheel) and made fractional increases to both the width and height. What Lexus did not change were the engines, as the IS250 continues with its 2.5-liter, 204-hp V-6 and the IS350 with a 3.5-liter, 306-hp V-6.

The base engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission while the larger engine is now coupled with an 8-speed automatic, but with one notable exception: the Lexus IS350 F Sport, an all-wheel drive model, keeps a 6-speed slushbox. No manual gearbox is offered with either sedan.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

It was a 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport AWD in Nebula Gray Pearl finish that was delivered to me on a bright, mild February morning, my first opportunity to take one through the paces since a regional press roll out for the IS sedans 10 months earlier.

That press event was held at the Rockingham (NC) Speedway, an outlying track that once featured various NASCAR cup races. The Rock is still used as a test track and was an ideal venue for discovering what these sedans had to offer.

My first impression of the IS250 ($36,100) was that the engine was too weak for the car. It lacks the oomph that sport sedan enthusiasts want, a deficiency easily rectified by driving the energetic IS350 ($39,615). However, when it comes to sales the IS250 outsells the IS350 by about a 2-to1 margin, suggesting that buyers love the looks, but performance is not of primary importance.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

For 2014, the IS sedans received new fascia, dominated by a spindle (hourglass) grille. Creases running from the top edge of the grille and extending to the top of the hood line serve to amplify the flared headlights and L-shaped LED lights, with sculpted recesses surrounding the fog lights.

Do you like an aggressive look? The IS350 delivers it in spades. Distinctive body sculpting, a short rear deck, an integrated spoiler and wrap around tail lights add to its persona. The third generation IS line scores in the looks department, matching up well against the competition.

Further decorative embellishments are offered when you choose either F Sport model (IS 250 F Sport: $39,565; IS 350 F Sport: $43,585). A mesh grille and revised fascia are up front; 18-inch split-five spoke alloy wheels are all around, encased in summer tires for rear-wheel drive editions and all-season tires with the all-wheel drive models. F Sport badging is also plastered on the body.

Inside, silver performance trim, a black headliner, and aluminum pedals are among the chief F Sport adornments. Oh, yes, a fetching center-mounted tachometer with moving bezel is also present, appropriated from the LFA.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

Improved Rigidity and Suspension

One of the deficiencies of the previous generation IS line was its driving dynamics. It delivered a good drive, but not the memorable or wholly desirable experience you enjoy when behind the wheel of a BMW 3 Series.

For 2014, overall body rigidity was improved as laser screw welding, adhesive bonding, and additional spot welding were used. Lexus says that the double wishbone front suspension now delivers a 20 percent increase in sway rigidity, while the rear suspension was taken directly from the GS. Grip performance and steering response have improved noticeably.

All F Sport editions received special suspension and steering tuning to augment steering performance. A driver mode select system is a switch-controlled arrangement with four settings: eco, normal, sport, and sport+. You can adjust the dial to earn improvements in fuel economy, ride comfort, vehicle performance and handling.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport Lexus strong suit has always been its interiors. Along with the brands stellar overall quality and reliability, customers depend on Lexus to deliver the high-end goods and are not disappointed.

The cabin is clean and uncomplicated, garbed in NuLuxe simulated leather, contributing to the sedans elegance. In the review model, a Rioja Red NuLuxe design covered the seats and doors, accented with silver performance trim. The instrument panel and other driver controls are ergonomically positioned; the touch control audio and navigation switch includes a resting pad to relieve hand pressure, allowing for one- or two-finger control of the same.

Changes to the driver seat increases comfort and extends lateral support. The seats hip point and the steering wheel have been lowered to provide a driver-centric seating position. Good-bye pillowy sedan hello race car. Or at least that is the emotive response Lexus had in mind.

Rear passengers benefit the most from the sedans extended wheelbase with more knee room provided. Thinner front seats also contribute to an expanded rear compartment that comfortably seats two and can add a third person in a pinch.

Safety is another area where Lexus excels, offering 10 standard airbags including a pair of rear seat side airbags. Blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert, and automatic high beam control are among the safety features available.

Lexus IS Sedan Line is All New

View manufacturer details and pricing

Three-Point Marketing Strategy

Lexus has a three-prong entry point to the brand. One of them is its IS line. The other two are its large front-wheel drive ES sedan and the compact CT hybrid. The approach is a unique one with the IS designed to counter sedans like the BMW 3 Series, the ES to serve traditional luxury car shoppers that might once have gone with a Lincoln or a Cadillac (or even a Buick), and the CT appealing to environmentally conscious shoppers with luxury aspirations beyond what the Prius delivers. Welcome to Lexus: choose your entry point.

The ES line is also the most popular of the set, selling 72,351 models in 2013 to the IS 35,017, and the CTs 15,071. Thats 122,000+ units, eclipsing the 3/4-Series 119,521 models sold.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

Even so, you know that the worlds number one automaker isnt satisfied with an IS line delivering just 30 percent of the sales total reached by the BMW 3/4 Series. Going forward were likely to see at least one of the two engines replaced in a bid to reach drivers for whom performance is a priority. The smaller V-6 might yield to a twin-turbo inline four, delivering improved performance and better gas mileage. Then again, Lexus might cast a wide net by keeping the two engines and adding a third one to extend the IS range.

Beyond a new engine, I cant help but think that a 6-speed manual transmission would enhance the IS line too. Its what Lexus German competitors and Cadillac offer, an important ingredient that would increase the brands conquest rate while serving notice to the world that Lexus intends to own the luxury segment.

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

Sticker price from $41,700
Price as tested: $49,737
Seats 5 occupants
3.5-liter 24-valve V-6 engine
306 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
277 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,800 rpm
3.70 inches bore by 3.27 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 11.8-to-1
6-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
Length: 183.7 inches
Width: 71.3 inches
Height: 56.3 inches
Passenger volume: 90.2 cubic feet
Storage volume: 13.8 cubic feet
Towing capacity: N/R
EPA: 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 17.4 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,737 pounds
Vehicle assembly: Japan

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2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Gone Green: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

February 21, 2014 by admin 8 Comments

Its not easy being green.

Five Subaru models have come and gone from my driveway, weekly loaners that ranged from the very good to the outstanding. Subaru’s consistent quality, dependability, and reliability has not been lost on me nor on the many new and returning buyers who continue to drive brand sales to record levels.

First-Ever Gas-Electric Hybrid

In 2013, Subaru introduced the XV Crosstrek, a model that comes in slightly smaller than the Forester, but shares the Foresters $21,995 base price. Both models provide a crossover utility vehicle entry point to the Subaru brand with the larger Outback and still larger Tribeca its two other crossovers.

As Subaru’s fourth and most recent crossover, the XV Crosstrek has helped fuel the automakers growth given that 53,741 units were sold in 2013, its first full calendar year of production. This spring, a hybrid version debuts, extending the models sales possibilities further. It is Subaru’s first hybrid offering, but some improvements need to be made as its fuel economy disappoints and seating comfort falls short.

Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

When it goes on sale in spring 2014, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid will be sold in standard or base ($25,995) and Hybrid Touring ($29,295) editions. The standard hybrid version carries a $4,000 price premium over the base gas model, but also includes automatic climate control, keyless entry and push button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an upgraded instrument cluster and other enhancements that effectively cuts that price premium in half.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

A typical practice of car manufacturers is to deliver hybrid models with improved content over comparable base gas models, as is evident in the Subaru. But, that practice can confuse consumers who may think that they have to pay $4,000 to $5,000 more in a bid to save a few mpg and achieve a corresponding reduction in emissions. It pays to explore the available trim levels to make a realistic comparison.

Fuel Economy Falls Short

And it is a robust miles per gallon (mpg) boost that hybrids should deliver across the board, right? Well, that isn’t how it works with this Subaru. It comes in at an EPA-rated 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while its gas-only counterpart is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Thus, the mpg gains are realized around town only, not on the highway.

As tested, this model delivered 27 mpg across 280.1 miles of driving. For the first 140 miles that average was just 22.3 mpg until I took the Crosstrek on a non-stop, 124-minute drive that was 95 percent highway riding, covering 116 miles. That trip yielded an average 32.7 mpg or very close to the EPA stated highway mileage.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

Certainly, cold weather affected fuel mileage earlier in the week (temperatures in the 20s to 40s) with the Fahrenheit hitting 55 degrees as I completed my extended drive time. All hybrid models are impacted by weather conditions and will at times deliver less than stellar fuel economy just count on that.

Hybrid Drivetrain System

Subaru’s hybrid system marries its 2.0-liter boxer four cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission, integrating the latter with an electric motor. The gasoline engine is the same one used in the BRZ where its dual active valve control enhancement produces 200 horsepower. That feature is not part of the hybrids makeup, thus you get a maximum 160-hp with this Crosstrek.

Step on the accelerator and away you go. Power is sufficient, but not noteworthy. What you cant miss is the whine of the engine and the noticeable rubber band pulling effect of the CVT: very present annoyances that detract from the drive.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

Ground clearance comes in at 8.7 inches, matching the Forester and the gas-powered Crosstrek. You get the familiar symmetrical all-wheel drive system, what delivers a sure grip on wet roads. The hybrid stays true to other Subaru benefits including very good steering and braking. No disappointment for buyers there.

The Crosstrek offers a familiar Subaru face with its signature grille flanked by flared, projector beam automatic headlamps. Fog lights are standard as is a rear spoiler and a rear wiper/washer. This model also comes with heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, wheel arch cladding, LED tail lights, raised roof rails, and chrome touches. Its dark-gray aluminum-alloy wheels are shod within 17-inch all-season tires.

Cabin Comfort and Features

Inside, seating is for five, but is most comfortable for four with the rear center arm rest folded down. All models are equipped with front bucket seats and a 60/40 fold flat rear seat. Heated cloth seats are standard; the Hybrid Touring edition gets leather-appointed seating.

The drivers seat offers 6-way manual control. I found that seat uncomfortable most of the time and tolerable at other times. Back support and bolstering are simply not sufficient. Can you say, lower back pain? My family also aired their complaints about the back seat, describing the seats as hard and not comfortable. Uncomfortable seats alone are enough to redirect my attention to a different model such as the Subaru Forester.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

The instrument panel features speedometer and odometer analog displays with a bright blue background. In the center of the panel is a drivers information center featuring a fuel read out and other details. Centered on top of the dashboard is a nifty digital screen that displays climate information, current time, and overall mpg. It also provides trip information including elapsed time, miles driven, and average mpg. It automatically resets every time you stop the vehicle.

Subaru’s First Hybrid Electric Vehicle

View manufacturer details and pricing

Soft touch materials, textured plastic and brightwork trim are found throughout the cabin. This model offers eight drink holders: beverage holders are found in all four door pockets and cup holders are located in the front center console and in the rear drop down arm rest.

There is a sufficient number of storage compartments inside of the cabin. The two grocery bag hooks and four tie-downs in the rear storage compartment are a nice feature.

The heated seats were also a welcome feature, offering two-level temperature settings (low/high), taking the edge off of the hard seats. Subaru equips the XV Crosstrek Hybrid with a 6-speaker audio system, but there is no SiriusXM satellite radio at this price point. Yes, thats what tuning to local stations is like I had nearly forgotten.

To get an enhanced audio system with iTunes tagging and HD radio youll need to choose the Hybrid Touring edition. With the top-end model you also get a navigation system.

Subaru, But Not This One

Though the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid fell short of my personal expectations, it did nothing to diminish my overall positive perceptions of the brand. Given that it is Subaru’s first attempt to produce a gas electric hybrid, improvements will come and make this model more competitive.

I would also like to see Subaru engineers recalibrate the automatic stop/start feature so that it does not kick in so quickly. As currently engineered, it cuts the engine off nearly the moment you come to a stop even as you enter an intersection and pause to make a left turn. A five-second longer delay would eliminate that sensation with little effect on fuel mileage.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

Sticker price from $25,995
Price as tested: $26,820
Seats 5 occupants
2.0-liter 16-valve four cylinder boxer engine
Maximum 160 horsepower (148 gas engine)
Maximum 163 foot-pounds of torque (145 gas engine)
3.31 inches bore by 3.54 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10.8-to-1
Continuously variable automatic transmission
Lithium-ion battery pack
Electric motor: 13.4 hp; 48 lb.-ft. torque
Hybrid battery: 13.5kW, 100.8V nickel-metal-hydride
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Length: 175.2 inches
Width: 70.1 inches
Height: 63.6 inches
Passenger volume: 97.5 cubic feet
Storage volume: 21.5/50.2 cubic feet
Towing capacity: N/R
EPA: 29 mpg city, 33 mpg highway
Regular grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 13.7 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,451 pounds
Vehicle assembly: Japan

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GM Pickup Truck Lightweighting to Follow Ford’s Lead

February 20, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Next generation GMC and Chevrolet pickups will include more aluminum.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country. — The Chevrolet Silverado may see a big weight
reduction in five years.

Fresh off of a new design, the next generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks wont hit the market for about another five years. When those trucks arrive, theyll likely include vast amounts of aluminum, following a path that the Ford Motor Company is taking beginning with the 2015 Ford F-150.

Aluminum Contracts Signed

The Wall Street Journal has reported that GM recently inked an agreement with two aluminum suppliers, Alcoa and Novelis, to supply the automaker with aluminum sheet for pickup trucks. It takes several years to align production with demand, giving GM enough time to secure the supply while it develops a new design.

GMs switch to aluminum is prompted by Fords move, what effectively gives its largest pickup truck competitor an edge in this highly competitive and lucrative segment. The automaker is also being pressured by federal regulators intent on raising fuel economy across the board including for pickup trucks. These trucks average about 20 mpg, but typically make just 15 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Expanded Truck Line

Unlike Ford which has poured its entire resources into advancing its full-size truck line, GM has sought improvements in fuel economy by reintroducing a pair of medium-sized trucks: the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Both models hit the market this year as 2015 model year vehicles.

All three of the other truck manufacturers are also taking steps to make their trucks more efficient. For Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the 2014 Ram 1500 now offers a 3.0-liter six cylinder diesel engine, the first manufacturer to offer such an engine in this class. That engine is rated at 28 mpg on the highway providing best-in-class fuel economy.

Nissan has reached an agreement with Cummins, Inc. to supply its next generation Titan pickup truck with a 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Cummins also supplies a 6.7-liter inline six cylinder engine for Rams heavy duty trucks, while Ford and GM super duty trucks take a similar approach. Reports have also indicated that Toyota may tap Cummins for the same diesel engine destined for the Titan for its own Tundra line.

Lightweighting Done Right

Vehicle lightweighting means that manufacturers are also able to go with smaller engines as they shed excess heft. The 2015 Ford F-150 loses about 700 pounds and will also offer a 2.7-liter V-6 engine, what previously was considered too small. The new engine is turbocharged and uses direct fuel injection, the same technology found in a 3.5-liter Ford V-6 engine on the market since 2011.

While Ford and GM compete for pickup truck sales, the two manufacturers are also collaborating on new 9- and 10-speed transmissions what will be used in a variety of vehicles including pickup trucks. The current collaboration builds on an earlier one where the companies jointly developed six-speed transmissions.

Raising large pickup truck mpg is an important step toward helping manufacturers meet a 54.5 mpg equivalent fuel economy average federal mandate for its fleet by the 2025 model year. That threshold was adopted in Aug. 2012. An assortment of alternative fuel vehicles including hybrids, electric vehicles, and hydrogen-powered models will help raise those averages, but improvements in pickup truck efficiency must also be realized. Lightweighting may yield the biggest savings up front with smaller engines and more efficient transmissions following.

Chevrolet Silverado photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Not Dead Yet: Fisker Automotive

February 19, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Chinese company purchases Fisker with the intent to restart production.

If you are a Fisker Karma fan cheer up: a Delaware bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Fisker Automotive to Wanxiang Group, a Chinese auto-parts consortium. Wanxiang’s bid of $149.2 million was accepted, an amount that includes $126 million in cash with the balance composed of assumed liabilities and common stock for Fisker’s creditors.

Fisker Automotive Bankruptcy

The sale comes just months after Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection, ending a decline that began after the automaker received a $529 million loan commitment from the Obama administration in 2010. Based in California, Fisker managed to produce 2,450 units of its Karma sedan at Valmet Automotive’s manufacturing plant in Finland, before halting production in 2012.

Founded in 2007 by Danish designer Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive was quickly thrust into the public eye when it introduced its Fisker Karma concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Its long hood and flowing design appealed to show goers although many members of the press said that it would never be built.

Mr. Fisker showed his resolve by raising $1.4 billion in public and private money, and receiving loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy. By June 2011 that money was gone and the federal loan was cut off. Critics charged that Fisker Automotive had mislead investors by grossly overvaluing the company with a stated value of as much as $2 billion while reporting to the government that it would not meet its requirements under the loan guarantee. A Fisker executive insisted that investors were kept informed.

Original Plans Dashed

Fisker Automotive planned to sell as many as 15,000 Karmas each year and had its eyes on a second model, the Atlantic, securing a manufacturing plant in Delaware to build it. That plant, once owned by GM, was purchased for $20 million and later hired a handful of workers to ready it for the Atlantic. Those workers were let go in Feb. 2012, when Fisker canceled its plans.

Besides its financial woes, Fiskers problems were also with the car itself. The Karma, although beautifully designed, was not properly executed. For one, it weighed a whopping 5,300 pounds. Also, its 20-kWh lithium ion battery pack offered just 32 miles of electric-only range before its 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection four cylinder engine kicked in. And when the transition was completed the now emissions generating Karma delivered just 20 mpg for a very ungreenlike drive.

The sedan also was plagued by some glitches including faulty batteries and a software issue affecting its entertainment and navigation systems. The first glitch led to a recall; the second one to a software upgrade.

Controversial Winning Bid

Wanxiang’s winning bid for the Fisker pile is not without controversy. The company outbid Hong Kong billionaire Richard Lis Hybrid Tech Holdings (HTH), itself a senior secured Fisker lender. The Wall Street Journal reported that HTH would obtain the funds Wanxiang paid for Fisker, pushing the claims of Fisker’s unpaid suppliers to the side.

The Future

In a similar sale, Wanxiang purchased A123 Systems LLC in 2013, the Fiskers battery supplier. Owning both the battery supplier (now called B456 Systems) and the manufacturer will allow the revived company to build the Karma at a lower cost, with production resuming as early as this year. As part of the settlement, the Delaware factory was included in the deal.

Whether the Fisker Karma ever returns to production may hinge on the outcome of a lawsuit by unsecured creditors who are suing Li. Li, a former Fisker director, has been accused of pushing the automaker into bankruptcy to purchase the company at a fire sale price. Case No. 13-13087(KG) Fisker Automotive Holdings, Inc., et al., Debtors is now in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

A resurrected Fisker will operate without its founder and namesake Henrik Fisker and most of its original team. Fisker himself quit the company in March 2013 and the following month most of the automakers employees were let go. Just who will shepherd the company forward is yet another unknown, with other obstacles certain to follow.

Cadillac ELR: 2+2 Luxury PHEV Coupe

February 18, 2014 by admin 8 Comments

Electrified Cadillac is provocative and swank.

You may have heard the narrative: the Cadillac ELR is an overpriced Chevrolet Volt, GM’s attempt to put one over on the masses.

True, the ELR is based on the Volt’s platform, but the similarities end there. In the Cadillac ELR you have a vehicle that is beautifully styled from its elegant and sporty exterior to its artistically crafted interior. It is also a coupe that will undoubtedly have a small take rate, and is priced from $75,000 with the test drive model costing $82,135.

And that small take rate suits GM fine. Indeed, if 5,000 people snap up the Cadillac ELR for the year, GM says that it will be pleased. Because the ELR is not meant to appeal to anyone but a small segment of the driving populace, people that value a fuel-efficient, clean driving and technologically advanced luxury coupe.

2014 Cadillac ELR. — Vertical LED headlamps flank the ELR’s grille.

Converj Concept to ELR Reality

The Cadillac ELR is based on the Converj concept, a model that made its debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production model is very close to the look of the concept with a B-pillar (center) added and a less steeply raked rear deck present. It offers the current look of Cadillacs Art & Science design language with its wedge shape, chiseled accents, and sculpted body panels.

***See Also GM: Electric Concept Car Comes to Life as Cadillac ELR***
My week with the ELR started during a warm spell and ended when a paralyzing snow storm struck central NC. Before the storm arrived I finished my driving, having discovered the intricacies of this fine coupe.

And with no charge port in my home, the only way to get a recharge was to plug it into my homes 110-volt outlet. But, its handlers had already nixed that idea, leaving me to find creative ways to keep the battery pack charged.

Electric Propulsion System

And that lithium-ion battery pack is what stores electricity to give the Cadillac ELR its 37-mile electric-only range. When the electricity runs out, a 1.4-liter four cylinder gasoline engine takes over. Only it doesn’t work as a traditional gas motor instead, it provides energy to make the electricity that keeps the electric propulsion system going.

So, the Cadillac ELR like the Chevrolet Volt is always powered by its electric propulsion system. Of course, the ideal way to operate this coupe is to recharge the battery as much as possible and to drive it emissions free. However, in the event that you cannot recharge, your driving range is extended to about 340 miles by the gas engine/generator and further extended by a service station fill up.

And there are no worries about getting stranded if you cant recharge the gasoline engine, what GM calls the generator, takes over. Sure, the Tesla Model S offers an extended driving range, but if you’re not driving along Teslas quick charging station highway, you’ll be forced to find a regular charging port too. Yes, Cadillac hopes to attract its fair share of Tesla shoppers with the ELR.

Without a charging station at home, I soon exhausted the 20 miles remaining on the electric-only range as delivered to me. With a full tank of gas, there was another 297 miles of gas-supplied range available, seamlessly switching over approximately 30 minutes into my initial two-hour trip.

***See Also Tesla: Supercharger)***

Front-Wheel Drive: No Problem

The Cadillac ELR is front-wheel drive, but it doesn’t have the torque steer problem found in similar models. A likely weight balancer here was the t-shaped lithium-ion pack underneath the coupe and positioned along the centerline between the front and rear wheels.

When full performance is realized, as in extended-range mode, the Cadillac ELR delivers 207 horsepower and 297 foot-pounds of torque. That level of performance probably wont satisfy anyone accustomed to what Cadillac models deliver today, but you wont find yourself sweating bullets as an 18-wheeler bears down you youll have enough oomph to get out the way.

And to make things a bit interesting, Cadillac provides four driving modes: Tour, Sport, Mountain, and Hold. Sport mode improves the the suspension, steering, and throttle responses. In Mountain mode, the engine revs higher in a bid to keep the battery charged; in Hold mode you access the electric battery only for optimum efficiency such as in urban driving. The Tour mode is the default and this guy stayed in it nearly the entire time in a bid to gauge the ELRs fuel efficiency.

Cadillacs Electric Hybrid Coupe

View manufacturer details and pricing

Public Charging Stations

That meant finding the public charging stations in my area where I could hook up the ELR and get a recharge. Im in the Raleigh area, one of the early adopters of all things EV. Credit the city’s hosting of the 2011 Plug-In Conference for helping to raise EV awareness. That early adoption also extended to several nearby communities including Cary, where I live.

As much as my week with the ELR was about testing its ride, and enjoying its ultra-quiet and elegantly garbed interior, my personal quest was to recharge as often as possible. A library, an arts center, and a town parking garage each offered public charging, free at that.

I quickly learned that these stations are popular and found the same Nissan Leaf recharging at one location several times. At the library, another Leaf showed up and plugged in a model owned by one of the librarians. In total, I hooked the Cadillac up about seven times, ranging from about one hour to as long as 5.5 hours for a complete recharge.

I also kept an eye on the mpg, what combines gas and electric-only driving to provide an equivalent fuel mileage rating. My average for the week was 45.2 mpg and likely would have been higher with a home charging port for convenient recharges. Also, colder weather did have an effect, limiting the electric-only range to as low as 31 miles at times.

Cabin and Rear Seat Access

Besides its innovative electric propulsion system, the Cadillac ELR has luxury credentials that are truly noteworthy. The cabin is covered in handcrafted leather and includes real wood and chrome trim. The front seats are very comfortable, offering power adjustment that extends to the head restraints. Cadillac User Experience (CUE) is one of the best touchscreen boards Ive found, featuring capacitive touch or what senses your approach as you near the screen and adjusts the menu accordingly.

Sure, the Cadillac ELR is not a perfect car and it does have one glaring fault that its interior designers seemed to have missed: the front seat belts do not move out of the way to allow easy access to the back seats. Instead, you have to perform a maneuvering act to get in and out. Doubtful that too many people will buy the ELR for its rear seats anyway what can hold two people in a pinch, individuals who most certainly will be pinched.

Green Credentials Touted

Certainly, the ELR will deliver nominal sales at best for a brand that is enjoying a stellar resurgence. What this model does most is to allow Cadillac to flash its green credentials while adding yet another beautifully styled model to its product line. For Cadillac, these are truly its contemporary glory days and the ELR’s presence adds to that.

2014 Cadillac ELR

Sticker price from $75,000
Price as tested: $82,135
Seats 4 occupants
Electric propulsion system
Lithium-ion battery pack
Standard 120-volt recharge: 12.5 to 18 hours
Optional 240-volt recharge: 5 hours
1.4-liter 16-valve four cylinder engine (generator)
Maximum 207 horsepower in range extending mode
297 foot-pounds of torque
2.89 inches bore by 3.25 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10.5-to-1
One-speed direct drive transmission
Wheelbase: 106.1 inches
Length: 186 inches
Width: 72.7 inches
Height: 55.9 inches
Passenger volume: 83.4 cubic feet
Storage volume: 10.5 cubic feet
Towing capacity: N/A
EPA: 82 MPGe (EV mode)
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 9.3 gallons
Curb weight: From 4,050 pounds
Vehicle assembly: Detroit, Mich.

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Fiat Chrysler Weighs Its Minivan Options

February 17, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Chrysler presses Canada for financial support.

***Update: Chrysler Withdraws Financial Assistance Request to the Federal and Provincial Governments in Canada***

It was supposed to have been settled by now. If everything was done according to plan, Chrysler would have identified the brand slated to receive the next generation of its minivan and the one that would get its crossover derivative.

Chrysler minivans: Made in Canada.

A collection of Chrysler minivans, all built in Canada.

CEO Sergio Marchionne made it plain a few years back that only one minivan was needed with either the Chrysler Town & Country or the Dodge Grand Caravan transitioning to a crossover utility vehicle based on the platform underpinning the next generation minivan. That announcement has yet to be made, but minivan-related news is front and center.

Making an Investment

Instead of brand decisions, we now have Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) asking for as much as CAN$700 million in incentives from federal and provincial governments to update its two Ontario manufacturing plants. That contribution would partially defray the CAN$3.6 billion Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says it will cost to retool Windsor and update Brampton.

The Windsor plant has been the exclusive builder of Chrysler minivans since Dodge and Plymouth models were introduced in 1983. Brampton builds Chryslers large cars including the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Together, the two assembly plants represent FCAs entire manufacturing presence in Canada.

That presence could be jeopardized if both Ontario and Canada decide not to contribute funds. For its part, the Canadians want FCA to pledge a long-term commitment to build cars in Canada reports Toronto’s Globe & Mail. The federal government recently announced that it wound invest another $500 million in its Automotive Innovation Fund, but it hasn’t promised that those funds will go to Fiat Chrysler. At least not exclusively.

Minivans to Mexico?

Marchionne raised eyebrows last month at the Detroit auto show when he said that the company had alternatives to continuing to build minivans in Windsor, reports the Wall Street Journal. That may include shifting product to Mexico where labor costs are much lower than in Canada. Of the three North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries, Canada’s labor costs are highest followed by the United States and much further down the list, Mexico.

Canada and Ontario contributed billions of dollars in loan money in 2009 to help General Motors and Chrysler, loans that have since been paid back. Still, the country has shed more than 50,000 automotive jobs since 2000 and another 8,000 direct manufacturing jobs would be affected if Chrysler pulled up stakes. Tens of thousands of supplier and spin off jobs would also likely go away. In all, Chrysler employs 10,245 people in Canada as of Jan. 2014

Meanwhile, Down Under

A Chrysler exit would not decimate the country’s automotive industry composed of multiple manufacturers including GM, Ford, Toyota, and Honda. And, unlike Australia, the Canadian industry is heavily tied to the US and Mexico, with suppliers, components, and new vehicles moving back and forth across each border. Yet, it also raises the stakes for the remaining manufacturers, each competing in a global industry where maintaining operating costs is crucial for competitiveness and the bottom line.

Australia’s auto industry is in dire straits with Toyota following Ford and GM by announcing the end of domestic manufacturing within the next four years. The prospect that Canada might someday lose its manufacturing base and go the way of Australia is not lost on provincial and federal government leaders. What type of proposal they make to keep Fiat Chrysler from fleeing might also set a precedence for other manufacturers to follow as they weigh their own needs.

Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, N.V.

Archives for February 2014

The Tools

1. Pick up Clutter

2. Get out the Vacuum

3. Wipe it down

4. Take care of the leather

Chevy Truck Month

Pickup Truck Competition

Rethinking Incentives

Obtain Your Credit Score

Establish a Budget

Trade In or Private Sale

Claim All Incentives

Lease or Loan?

New Car Deal

2015 Ford Focus

New Safety Features

Three-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

Improved Rigidity and Suspension

Lexus IS Sedan Line is All New

Three-Point Marketing Strategy

2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport

More Car Reviews

First-Ever Gas-Electric Hybrid

Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

Fuel Economy Falls Short

Hybrid Drivetrain System

Cabin Comfort and Features

Subaru’s First Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Subaru, But Not This One

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid

More Car Reviews

Aluminum Contracts Signed

Expanded Truck Line

Lightweighting Done Right

Fisker Automotive Bankruptcy

Original Plans Dashed

Controversial Winning Bid

The Future

Related Reading

Converj Concept to ELR Reality

Electric Propulsion System

Front-Wheel Drive: No Problem

Cadillacs Electric Hybrid Coupe

Public Charging Stations

Cabin and Rear Seat Access

Green Credentials Touted

2014 Cadillac ELR

More Car Reviews

Making an Investment

Minivans to Mexico?

Meanwhile, Down Under