2012 Ford Focus: First Drive
While it's easy to find a good, sensibly-sized and relatively fuel-efficient small car, it's really hard to find much personality.
At the same time, you could argue, Americans haven't seemed to want much charm behind the wheel. The first-generation Focus, for instance, came in a wide range of body styles (including three- and five-door hatchbacks), and had a standard of ride and handling arguably better than anything in its class at the time, but it became a sore reality after a few years that Americans weren't willing to pay for small-car sophistication. A couple of refreshes cut body styles from the lineup and left the Focus feeling a little more refined, but also more conservative.
Times have definitely changed since then—and they've definitely changed since the last time Ford went to the drawing board for its last 2007 refresh of the Focus, when the vehicle lost all its hatchback styles, gained Sync connectivity as a central selling point, but lost its hatchback body styles, became more conservative-looking, and lost even more of the dynamic spirit of that original Focus.
While Hyundai has simplified its Elantra down to just a handful of build combinations, Ford is offering a wide range of possibilities for the 2012 Focus, to serve as everything from basic transportation (for those who still think of small cars as 'economy cars') to a small family's primary vehicle—or even a surprisingly sophisticated sport sedan.
Two shapely body styles
Now, shoppers have two beautiful body styles—a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback—from which to choose. They're both rakish and sleek, and while the profile of the Focus sedan is uncommon (and remarkably close to that of the recently introduced Chevrolet Cruze, as well as the Elantra), the distinction is in the details. Both models have Ford's kinetic design attributes, with the rising beltline that's become par, but accented here with some nice creases and curves—including a subtle curve that runs from the headlights all the way to the taillights, just below the beltline, and a sharper crease that starts after the front wheelwell and runs through the door handles. Taillamps are huge and form much of the rear corners on both vehicles. Thankfully, Ford's saccharine chrome louvered grille, from several of its larger vehicles, and which we never warmed up to, hasn't been carried over here.
Inside, the design is complex—incorporating a cockpit-like instrument panel arrangement, with a thick center stack, some nice surface sculpting, and vertically-oriented vents. Trims and finishes look classy and inviting, and there's a nicely tailored look to the entire interior that extends to door trim and even seats. The turquoise-colored gauge pointers are a nice touch.
While turbocharged EcoBoost power is on the way, the Focus lineup includes a single engine now, an all-new 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder making 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque; that's 20 hp and 10 pound-feet than before, though when you correct for the 200-300-pound weight gain of the new Focus it's no big bump. The new mill has Ti-VCT variable valve timing, though, and can be paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic.
Engine is very smooth, but needs to be revved
The engine settles to one of the smoothest idles we've noted in a small-car; direct-injection engines can be rather noisy at idle—sounding almost a little diesel-like at times—but engineers have done a great job here in masking those sounds.
Although the new engine carries the Duratec name, it has a very different character than the other U.S.-market powerplants that get that moniker; in short, you have to rev this engine to tap into its perky side. It's in a few rare instances—like coming out of a tight corner in third when we should have been in second—that the new engine's relative (and surprising, given the valve system) lack of low-rev torque is highlighted. The engine feels nearly lifeless below 2,000 rpm, but rev it above 3,000 and it really begins to hit its stride; peak torque is at 4,450 rpm. Luckily it's refined and entirely lacking the boominess that used to be a small-car norm. But Ford has done a good job in making the Focus feel light-footed off the line, with low first-gear ratios in either gearbox, and the dual-clutch gearbox does a great job keeping the revs high and uninterrupted. Take off, foot to the floor, and the Focus feels quick.
(more...)
2011 Honda Odyssey: One Of Few With Five-Star Overall Safety
The 2011 Honda Odyssey has a new, impressive bragging right for safety-minded family shoppers: It's the only minivan tested by the federal government's tougher ratings system.The new Odyssey has swept the NCAP Ratings with top five-star scores in frontal and side crash tests—including front and rear seating positions in the side test, and a top performance in the new side pole test.
Admittedly, at this time it's the only minivan to have been tested under the revised New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In addition to the stability control, anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger front side airbags, and full-length side curtains that we've come to expect in this class of vehicle, Honda has also distinguished itself with the Odyssey in offering a class-leading six child-seat tether locations and five LATCH locations (the official clips)--enabling you to fit up to four child seats of any kind, or five in some cases.
The Odyssey also remains one of the best-handling minivans in our opinion, which might allow you to avoid that accident in the first place.
Other 2011 models that have earned five-star overall scores include the BMW 5-Series, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Accord Sedan, Hyundai Sonata, Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Volvo XC60, Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, and GMC Sierra Crew Cab. The 5-Series, Cruze, Sonata, and XC60 are also IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Picks.
The 2011 Odyssey hasn't yet earned IIHS Top Safety Pick status, but it might; although it's earned top 'good' ratings so far from the IIHS in frontal, side, and rear impacts, the agency hasn't yet put it through the new roof strength test.
[Honda]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Huge New Toyota Recall Includes 245,000 Lexus GS, IS Sedans
It appears that the worst of Toyota's recall woes might not yet be past. The world's largest automaker confirmed plans today to recall nearly 1.7 million vehicles globally, for issues including oil leaks, faulty fuel pumps, and fuel lines.
The number includes about 245,000 Lexus IS and GS models in the U.S. market for the fuel issue; the remainder concern oil leaks on the Japan-market Toyota Noah, Voxy, and Isis minivans, plus about 140,000 Toyota Avensis models in other international markets, produced between May 2000 and October 2008.
Toyota says that no accidents have been reported related to this latest issue, which may cause the engine to stall.
Affected vehicles—the 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 / GS 350, 2006-2009 Lexus IS 250, and 2006-2008 Lexus IS 350—will be inspected by dealerships for fuel leakage; if no leaks are found, the fuel pressure sensor will be retightened to the proper torque. But if there is leakage, a gasket will be replaced at no charge.
Owners with questions about this are instructed to call Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987 or go to www.lexus.com/recall
This latest recall brings the total number of vehicles Toyota has recalled since the fourth quarter of 2009 to more than 15 million.
[Lexus; Bloomberg; Reuters, via Yahoo]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Half Will Have Four-Cylinder Engine
For 2012 the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is going to get a partial redesign and a sleek new Coupe body style—and, for the first time in years, a four-cylinder engine.Beginning with the refreshed model that arrives mid-year, M-B is no longer shying away from fours: A new C250, with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, is the new base model for the U.S., and with M-B anticipating nearly half to be sold with the four, it's the new volume model as well.
M-B expects sales for the new coupe and sedan combined to be incrementally higher than the current sedan.
It's certainly not the first time Mercedes has offered a four-cylinder in the C-Class. In the 1990s, the automaker offered a four-cylinder C220 in the U.S., then later, this past decade, a supercharged C230 Kompressor.
The last time the C-Class was fully redesigned, we were told that four-cylinder models wouldn't be coming back anytime soon—dealerships pushed back, and the customer demand wasn't there. Now it seems just a few years later that's all changed.
Refinement, fuel prices, CAFE make it different this time
Why? Stronger, smoother four-cylinder engines with more appeal; preparedness for higher fuel prices; and a concern about raising the company's fleet fuel economy are all strong reasons to bring four-bangers back.
The new engine in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe and sedan produces up to 229 pound-feet of torque; that's eight more pound-feet than the V-6 it replaces. And with a flatter torque curve, even though peak power is lower than that of the V-6, 0-60 acceleration will be the same, at 7.1 seconds. "So from a customer perspective it's a win-win," declared Bernhard Glaser, general manager for U.S. product, who added that the new engine offers more driving involvement than the outgoing engine—as well as more torque.
"That's just the driving part. The other thing that comes under consideration is the dramatically improved fuel economy—15 percent better," Glaser said. The new engine returns 21 mpg city, 30 highway (24 combined); that's significantly better than the 18/26 ratings of the current 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be offered in three different models: C250, C300 4Matic, and C350. The 350 still comes with a 3.5-liter V-6, but it's up in power, to 302 hp, thanks to a new BlueDirect direct-injection system (and will boast a five-percent improvement in fuel economy). As before, separate Sport and Luxury models will bring a separate set of equipment, and a different look, to cater to those who want more of a sport sedan or a comfortable, luxury-oriented model.
C250, with 1.8T, is new core model
The four-cylinder is intended to be the new bread-and-butter of the lineup, not a limited-production price leader. "In the C-Class it's going to be our core model. This engine will replace the C300, so we expect it to be 45 to 50 percent of the model mix," said Glaser. "We have very high expectations."
(more...)GM Expands Recall Of 2011 Chevy, GMC, Cadillac Trucks For Axle Flaw
General Motors [NYSE: GM] has broadened an existing recall effort affecting its 2011 Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks—now more than 28,000 in all—due to an axle issue that could cause accidents.In affected vehicles, the axles might include cross pins that weren't adequately heat-treated. If the pin fractures, the driver might hear a banging noise from the axle, GM says, though a broken pin could also happen without warning, causing the wheel to lock up completely and leading to a sudden loss of control and a crash.
The recall now covers an additional 26,751 trucks, all from the 2011 model year—now bringing the total to 28,013—including the Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV 1500, and EXT 1500; the Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado 1500, Suburban 1500, and Tahoe; and the GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 1500.
Although only some cross pins are defective, dealerships will be replacing all of them in affected vehicles.
The recall effort is expected to begin within the next week, and owners with any questions are instructed to contact Cadillac at 866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, or GMC at 866-996-9463, or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Miss South Dakota Takes On Distracted Driving
If you haven't yet picked favorites for the Miss America pageant this coming Saturday night, and you're concerned about distracted driving, listen to Miss South Dakota.The state's representative in the pageant, Loren Vaillancourt, has centered her message around distracted driving.
Admittedly, pageants make some people uncomfortable, as relics of an uncomfortably gender-biased past (and present). But they also raise awareness of key issues, and give voices to causes that might not otherwise see the spotlight.
In a YouTube video posted by MissAmerica.org (and below), Vaillancourt explains that she lost her brother last year due to distracted driving. A promotional picture also shows her posed in front of a Mazda CX-7.
Vaillancourt drops one of the most important—and stunning—figures: that 30 percent of accidents are now caused by cellphone use in vehicles.
"I want to be your next Miss America because I can save lives," she sums.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood highlighted Vaillancourt's efforts in a post this week on his FastLane blog. "Those inspired by Loren's efforts to educate young drivers and soon-to-be drivers about the dangers of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving should consider opportunities in their own communities to promote an anti-distraction message," he wrote, adding that she has done a "terrific job raising awareness among young people in South Dakota."
If you're especially concerned about driver distraction, it's another reason to root for Miss South Dakota on the 2011 Miss America contest, airing this Saturday, January 15, at 9 p.m. EST on ABC TV.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2011 Mazda2 Rated By IIHS, Misses Top Safety Pick
While the 2011 Mazda2 is respectable for safety, it’s not Top Safety Pick material.That's the message to take away from official safety ratings released this past week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Mazda2 earned top 'good' results for frontal offset and the new roof strength test, but are only 'acceptable' in side impact and seat-based rear impact tests. In the side-impact test, which can be compared across all vehicle types and weight categories, the IIHS indicates a higher risk of pelvic fracture.
There are alternatives for safety-concerned small-car shoppers. The current high achiever in this class is the (structurally related) 2011 Ford Fiesta, which is a Top Safety Pick with 'good' ratings in all categories. The Fiesta has also received four-star ratings overall—and five stars for side impact—in the new tougher testing and ratings system the federal government is applying to 2011 models.
Also among these smallest vehicles, the 2011 Scion xB and Kia Soul are other Top Safety Picks. The 2011 Honda Fit, an editors' favorite for its interior packaging and handling in particular, earns top results in all but roof strength.
Editors here at The Car Connection and Motor Authority have found the 2011 Mazda Mazda2 to be more enjoyable to drive than most other econocars—thanks to its low 2,300-pound curb weight. It's somewhat cramped inside, yet cheerful and basic, and the lineage up to the MX-5 Miata shows in the instrument-panel design.
[IIHS]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Chrysler Town & Country Tops List Of Models With Lowest Insurance Cost
Are insurance premiums breaking the family budget? It might be time to ditch that sport sedan and consider a minivan.Compared to some roadsters and sport sedans, the Chrysler Town & Country (as many other vans and crossovers) costs less than a third as much annually as several of the Mercedes-Benz AMG models, for instance, on a companion list of vehicles with the highest insurance cost.
Insurance rates are based not only on a vehicle's relative safety, crash protection and crash avoidance, but on the types of people (and driving records) of other people who are commonly attracted to them. That's why most of the vehicles on this list of models with the lowest rates are relatively tame, family-oriented vehicles. In fact, five of the ten are minivans and three others are relatively tame, sensible crossover utility vehicles.
Minivans have also fared well, typically, when it comes to bumper-bashing tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Since minor fender-benders are a more common type of insurance claim than major accidents, that's another reason why these types of vehicles fare well in this aspect of ownership costs.
That driver profile aspect is a big part of it, though, according to Insure.com—as well as the generous level of safety equipment in minivans.
Insure.com got its premium information through a study conducted by Quadrant Information Services, which looked at the average auto insurance premium by requesting premiums from six large companies (State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, Geico, Framers, and Nationwide) in ten zip codes per state. In each, they requested a premium for a 40-year-old male, with a twelve-mile daily commute, a clean driving record, and good credit, for a semi-standard 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) policy.
Here are Insure.com's ten 2011 vehicles with the lowest insurance rates:
Chrysler Town & Country LX - $1,092
Toyota Sienna (four-cylinder) - $1,101
Toyota Sienna LE - $1,108
Honda Odyssey LX - $1,115
Nissan Murano SL - $1,128
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport - $1,131
Honda Odyssey EX - $1,138
Toyota Sienna (V-6) - $1,143
Ford Escape XLS - $1,150
Toyota Highlander - $1,154
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Polk: Ford Is Number One In 2010 Owner Loyalty, Kia Most Improved
Ford has won yet another accolade: This past year, its buyers are more loyal than those of any other automaker.Overall, 61.8 percent of Ford owners in the market for a new vehicle traded their vehicle for another vehicle from Ford Motor Company. The Ford brand itself was nearly as high, at 60.1 percent.
This is the first time Ford has won the award for overall manufacturer loyalty since 1999.
The Automotive Loyalty Awards—now in their fifteenth year—are based on an analysis of 4.9 million "return to market events" during the 2010 model year—running October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010—and gauge a manufacturer's ability to retain owners in repeat buying cycles. Loyalty, as Polk measures it, is when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and then buys or leases another new vehicle of the same make or model.
Among Asian and Hispanic owners, Toyota retained its top standing in loyalty, while among African-American owners Ford also ranked at the top.
"It's clear that the OEMs are paying attention to the importance of owner loyalty in this economy," said Stephen Polk, chairman, president, and CEO of Polk, in a news release. "We've seen many programs put into place to help them keep customers coming back – and it's paying off for them."
Polk pointed to another curious trend: throughout the sales slump, overall loyalty rates across the industry have increased. It appears that in a time of tight resources, shoppers are going with what's tried and true.
Kia most improved for loyalty in 2010
Kia was the most improved in loyalty, up nearly six percentage points from 2009, while repeat winners included the Mini Cooper, Toyota Prius, Chrysler Town & Country, Ford F-Series, Subaru Forester, Lexus RX, and Land Rover Range Rover.
Polk also notes the continued ascension of Asian brands, as opposed to domestic and European brands, in market share: Asian brands no hold about 54 percent of the market, as opposed to 37 percent for domestics and about nine percent for Europeans. The changes in loyalty signaled that trend: From 2005 to 2010, loyalty to Asian brands rose more than six percent, but loyalty to the 'Big 3' fell by nearly three percent.
See below for Polk's individual award winners and their calculated Loyalty Percentage:
Overall Awards | Winner | Loyalty Percentage | |
Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company | 61.8 | |
Overall Loyalty to Make | 60.1 | ||
Ethnic Market Make – African American | 60.1 | ||
Ethnic Market Make – Asian | Toyota (repeat winner) | 53.6 | |
Ethnic Market Make – Hispanic | 58.1 | ||
Most Improved Loyalty to Make | +5.9 percentage points | ||
Vehicle Category Awards | Winner | Loyalty Percentage | |
Compact Car | MINI Cooper (repeat winner) | 28.2 | |
Mid/Full-size Car | Toyota Prius (repeat winner) | 38.9 | |
Luxury Car | 45.6 | ||
Sports Car | 20.5 | ||
Luxury Sports Car | 22.2 | ||
Minivan | Chrysler Town & Country (repeat winner) | 32.6 | |
Mid/Full-size Pickup | Ford F-Series (repeat winner) | 42.3 | |
Compact SUV | Subaru Forester (repeat winner) | 31.9 | |
Mid/Full-size SUV | Lexus RX (repeat winner) | 41.1 | |
Luxury SUV | Land Rover Range Rover (repeat winner) | 35.4 |
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2011 Hyundai Curb Concept: 2011 Detroit Auto Show
In just a few years, Hyundai has developed a real design presence, going from derivative to different (as evidenced by the 2012 Hyundai Veloster also making its debut at Detroit).
Now, the automaker is taking its 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language to new places with its Curb Concept, shown for the first time here in Detroit; designers aimed to evolve the look to represent a tech-laden vehicle "that was at home in an urban environment with potholes and densely packed nightclubs on the streets." It's more Brink's truck than Rubicon trail crawler, according to Hyundai, and on this concept a host of 'technology rugged' design details incorporate impact and shock resistance—combining a high-tech interior with exterior ruggedness.
Designers liken the Curb's front-end design to a sport bike helmet while a striking, 'boomerang trajectory' bodyside line "reinforces the feeling of strength." Rocker panels flow through to the interior of the vehicle, while 'open-truss' front pillars allow improved visibility while also forming a strong structure as they're from a single milled piece. There are some lighting tricks, too; the Curb's rear lights sequentially illuminate from the outside in, and the Curb badging itself illuminates through the paint, thanks to a special one-way paint developed by Shamze Custom Coatings.
Among many concept-car details: The seats are upholstered in fast-drying board-short material, while the thin cushions employ advanced materials modeled after those used in running shoes, with an Air Bladder system from Finn Tech that's less than two inches thick—maximizing space while allowing the comfort of thicker seats. There's innovation in back, too, as the rear seat slides fore and aft, while rear headrests are anchored to the ceiling, not the seat, allowing the seat to fold forward fully. A pop-up roof rack and touchpad-operated clamshell hatch are other noteworthy details on the outside, and there's a third access door for backseat occupants. And in a nod to Gen Y hipsters, exhaust vents pop out to reveal a bike rack "so the owner could park and ride a 'Fixie' (fixed-gear) bike to the rest of his destinations as an alternative transportation source."
The Curb Concept might preview an upcoming Hyundai vehicle that's a little longer than the Kia Soul but shorter and more city savvy than the Hyundai Tucson. With the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as the Tucson, the Curb might be likened to what Mitsubishi has done with its Outlander and Outlander Sport: shorten overhangs, cut some weight, and create a shorter, more maneuverable, and more economical city vehicle without giving up a lot of passenger space. Curb weight is about 2,800 pounds for the Curb concept, which is about 164 inches long 71 inches wide, and 63 inches high.
The Curb promises to be quite fuel-efficient, thanks to a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with gasoline direct injection (GDI), making 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, and a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). Hyundai says that in adding an idle start/stop system, the Curb could get more than 30 mpg in the city and top 40 on the highway.
Hyundai says that connectivity is the theme of the Curb's interior, which centers around the instrument panel's huge 12-inch touch-screen display, running on a Continental AutoLinq operating system and also matched with a Continental Reflective Technology head-up display (HUD) to help keep eyes on the road. And, taking a nod from the MyFord Touch system—along with nearly all of today's top smartphones—Hyundai uses touch sensors in its instrument panel. The steering wheel itself has an opaque screen, and the backs of the headrests have auxiliary monitors.
The Curb concept also serves as a testbed for a number of Hyundai's Blue Link features that were unveiled recently at CES—like remote lock/unlock, remote vehicle start, stolen vehicle recovery/slowdown, valet and curfew features, and various alerts, as well as Turn-by-Turn Navigation, traffic conditions, gas prices, weather info, and an Eco-Coach feature.
Hyundai gives the example: "Inside the Curb, a driver could be listening to their favorite station on Pandora, cruising the city and get a phone call from a friend. Using Blue Link, the caller's location shows up as a Point-of-Interest (POI). The friend tells the driver that he just discovered a great band playing at a local club and invites him to come. His location then becomes the destination for the turn-by-turn directions."
The Curb is a concept, so there are no production plans; but the given its very relevant place in the market, it's looking like much more than a pipe dream.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
