AutoPacific Ideal Awards announced
AutoPacific survey's owners of vehicles to determine which their owners would change the least (i.e. are the most closely matched to what their owners would consider to be 'ideal').
This year's winners are:
2010 Ideal Premium Brand: Porsche
2010 Ideal Popular Brand and Top Brand Overall: Ford
2010 Ideal Product Segment: Large Crossover SUV
2010 Ideal Vehicle Award Winners:
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This year's winners are:
2010 Ideal Premium Brand: Porsche
2010 Ideal Popular Brand and Top Brand Overall: Ford
2010 Ideal Product Segment: Large Crossover SUV
2010 Ideal Vehicle Award Winners:
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Passenger Cars: Premium Luxury Car Volvo S80 Aspirational Luxury Car Volvo V70 Large Car Ford Taurus SHO* Luxury Mid-Size Car Lincoln MKZ Premium Mid-Size Car Ford Fusion Mid-Size Car Suzuki Kizashi* Premium Compact Car Volkswagen GTI* Compact Car Volkswagen Golf Economy Car Honda Fit* Sports Car Porsche Cayman Sporty Car Chevrolet Camaro* Hybrid Car Ford Fusion Hybrid* Pickups, SUVs and Minivans Large Light Duty Pickup Ford F-150* Heavy Duty Pickup Ford F-250 Compact Pickup Honda Ridgeline* Luxury SUV Range Rover Large SUV Chevrolet Suburban Premium Mid-Size SUV Ford Explorer Mid-Size SUV Dodge Nitro* Premium Luxury Crossover SUV Lincoln MKT EcoBoost* Luxury Crossover SUV Lexus RX* Large Crossover SUV Ford Flex EcoBoost Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV Chevrolet Equinox Mid-Size Crossover SUV Ford Escape* Compact Crossover SUV Jeep Compass Minivan Honda Odyssey* Hybrid Truck Ford Escape Hybrid *Also winners of AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards
Short Take: Suzuki Kizashi Turbo
Interestingly enough, this Kizashi was a prototype (as far as I could tell, the only prototype we had a chance to drive on the track). It was packing an aftermarket turbo kit (from Road Race Motorsports) that, according to the Suzuki representative on-site, is being seriously considered for production.
The Kizashi is, admittedly, my size of car. It is easily the size that we considered to be 'mid-sized' just a couple generations back. With so many family cars now living in the EPA Large-car class (I'm looking at you Accord) - it is certainly refreshing to have a smaller, more toss-able, package available.
Base Kizashi's make due with 185hp. The turbo model, if in the same tune I drove, would pack at least 100 more...taking what is a nice and enjoyable drive well into serious sports sedan territory (the turbo model does have the advantage of a all-wheel drive system to help put that power down).
Given its size and power, and the all-wheel drive system - the Kizashi turbo could give cars like the Impreza WRX and the Mazdaspeed3 a run for their money, especially with buyers that could use something in a slightly more spacious package than either of these offer.
I, for one, am looking forward to what Suzuki can do - if they choose to stay in the US market through the current economic downturn (and its impact on their already low sales).
Mazda comes late to CPO game
Where, up to this point, a used Mazda had to stand on its condition and whatever backing the customer could expect from the dealer (or through 3rd party used car extended warranties) now a 2006 or newer Mazda under the CPO program will get a 7 year/100k powertrain warranty, a 12 month/12k mile bumper to bumper extension (if fewer than a year or 12k miles of B2B warranty are left) and road-side assistance coverage.
This should help Mazda dealers in a tough economy compete with similar programs from other brands.
2012 Corvette to get new 5.5l DI Smallblock
GM Insiders have told Motor Trend to expect that the next generation smallblock V-8, in 5.5l size will show up between the fenders of the C7 Corvette.
The C7's new engine will maintain its OHV configuration, but will be packing aluminum block and heads and will be the latest engine in GM's stable to have direct injection technology.
Chevy expects the engine to easily put out 440hp (slightly more than the current Vette's 436, while scoring significantly better fuel economy).
This is a bridge car, based largely on the current C6 platform, while GM works feverishly to develop a C8 Corvette for later in the decade that will be smaller, lighter, and able to stay in the lineup without damaging GM's ability to meet increasingly strict mileage requirements.
Some rumors put the C8 as being based, in part, on the upcoming Alpha rear-drive platform currently under development for Cadillac and expected to underpin the next Camaro. In Corvette guise, the platform would be able to pack a V-8 but might be light enough that a high-power V-6 might see use as a base powertrain (the first time in decades that a 6 has powered a production Corvette).
Source: MotorTrend.com
Chevy expects the engine to easily put out 440hp (slightly more than the current Vette's 436, while scoring significantly better fuel economy).
This is a bridge car, based largely on the current C6 platform, while GM works feverishly to develop a C8 Corvette for later in the decade that will be smaller, lighter, and able to stay in the lineup without damaging GM's ability to meet increasingly strict mileage requirements.
Some rumors put the C8 as being based, in part, on the upcoming Alpha rear-drive platform currently under development for Cadillac and expected to underpin the next Camaro. In Corvette guise, the platform would be able to pack a V-8 but might be light enough that a high-power V-6 might see use as a base powertrain (the first time in decades that a 6 has powered a production Corvette).
Source: MotorTrend.com
JD Power IQS ranks Detroit ahead of imports for the first time
JDP has released their latest Initial Quality Survey (measuring problems encountered during the first 90 days of ownership) and had one big surprise in store.
While the industry average went down slightly (from 108 problems per 100 vehicles in 2009 to 109 in 2010), this year's results are the first time that the Detroit 3 have come out ahead of imports. The Detroit brands actually improved their quality over last year's results by 4, bringing them to a score of 108. The import brands matched the overall industry average of 109.
Ford was the highest ranked US brand with a score of 93.
JD Power ranks lists the top 3 models in several segments and Ford had a model represented in the top 3 in a dozen segments. They had 3 models that topped their respective segments, tied with Lexus for most top-of-segment honors.
GM had 10 models in the top 3 of their segments.
Chrysler's results were mixed with Ram coming in just shy of industry average with the Dodge car brand (Ram split from Dodge recently, taking the truck lines away from Dodge) coming in as the worst Detroit brand in initial quality.
It is interesting to notice that Toyota's recent troubles have pulled its ranking down significantly falling from 6th place last year to 21st in the 2010 survey. It is significant to mention that IQS has its detractors since any complaint on the survey is listed as a problem (recent high profile examples were Mini dropping low in the list in part due to poor cupholder design). This means that IQS scores can be highly dependent on the level of picky-ness of the customers of a brand during a given year.
Highest in the rankings this year was Porsche with a 83 and lowest went to Land Rover with 170.
While the industry average went down slightly (from 108 problems per 100 vehicles in 2009 to 109 in 2010), this year's results are the first time that the Detroit 3 have come out ahead of imports. The Detroit brands actually improved their quality over last year's results by 4, bringing them to a score of 108. The import brands matched the overall industry average of 109.
Ford was the highest ranked US brand with a score of 93.
JD Power ranks lists the top 3 models in several segments and Ford had a model represented in the top 3 in a dozen segments. They had 3 models that topped their respective segments, tied with Lexus for most top-of-segment honors.
GM had 10 models in the top 3 of their segments.
Chrysler's results were mixed with Ram coming in just shy of industry average with the Dodge car brand (Ram split from Dodge recently, taking the truck lines away from Dodge) coming in as the worst Detroit brand in initial quality.
It is interesting to notice that Toyota's recent troubles have pulled its ranking down significantly falling from 6th place last year to 21st in the 2010 survey. It is significant to mention that IQS has its detractors since any complaint on the survey is listed as a problem (recent high profile examples were Mini dropping low in the list in part due to poor cupholder design). This means that IQS scores can be highly dependent on the level of picky-ness of the customers of a brand during a given year.
Highest in the rankings this year was Porsche with a 83 and lowest went to Land Rover with 170.
Smiles No More - Mazda walking away from 'Nagare' design language
Mr. Maeda is apparently taking inspiration for the brand from Alfa Romeo in that the products will maintain their sporty flair but will also combine this with a premium feel.
Nagare was supposed to bring interesting surfacing, but all that ultimately came of it was the giant 'smile' that all Mazda's are sporting now.
We're keeping our fingers crossed for the new language to get back to that sporty, attractive theme quickly.
Short Take: Audi A3 TDI
Lots has been made of the Audi A3's roots in the 'a5' platform...to VW-philes, this is shorthand for the VW Group's small car 'a' now in its 5th incarnation. Other cars on this platform are the prior version of the Golf (Rabbit at the time), the current Jetta, as well as cars sold in Europe under the SEAT and Skoda brands.
What you see here is the most premium level of this platform that we get (let's just say that the TT is far enough removed to not be considered a true variant of the a5 platform and move on). This is the A3 TDI, meaning it get's one of the only passenger-car diesel engines available in the US market. 2.0l, turbo-charged, and fuel efficient - the TDI grants this little 5-door with a mountain of torque (236 lb*ft to be exact) to go with its luxury market position. In our driving, it was difficult if not impossible to detect that this was anything but a normal powertrain - just one that seemed a bit resistant to rev-ing but moved the car quite well. Fuel economy ratings of 30/42 mean that you can have near-hybrid levels of economy in a car that otherwise feels quite normal (though if you like the electric drive and auto stop-start tricks of a hybrid, you'll miss them here).
However, the Euro isn't being nice to VW or Audi and sticker prices reflect this. With this car packing the S-Tronic transmission (DSG to the VW faithful), which is an impressive piece with near instantaneous shifts, as well as an S-line package of body kit, charcoal wheels, sporty interior add-ons, and a sport suspension - a sticker price of $37000 seems a bit much. Base price is just shy of $30k, though some features you'd expect in a luxury car (bluetooth hands-free, for one) are optional at that price - blame the exchange rate and the high cost of TDI hardware. However, if you consider this to be Audi's 'hybrid' then the price isn't quite as hard to swallow.
That isn't to say that the A3 isn't something special in the hatch market - with bespoke interior throughout that certainly feels Audi in many ways - it is just that there are a couple areas where your reminded that this is the bargain Audi. 1. The 'metal' rings around the vents that turn flow on/off are off-putting. They appear to be molded from plastic and metalized such that they remind me of the the model cars I built as a kid - the chrome plating comes across as cheap and out of place. 2. The controls for the dual-zone climate control (located low in the center stack) are styled to look like dials, however they are actually a 2-way toggle that rotates just left and right of center to select lower and higher temperatures. An example of style trumping function and the fact that the motion had a noticeable 'clickly' feel didn't help either.
The only reason that these nits get picked here are that the overall interior is so rich and well put together - how these minor issues made it out of headquarters is a bit baffling.
Earlier, we mentioned the sport suspension on our example. At a day of driving cars at the Rocky Mountain Driving Experience as varied as the A3 to the Camaro SS and Cadillac CTS-V sedan, the A3 turned out to have the harshest suspension tuning of the lot. If you want your luxury hatch with a larger than expected dose of sport-sedan road feel - this is your guy. Just be aware if your local roads are not well maintained.
So, would we recommend an A3 TDI? It is difficult to suggest that $37k is the right price for the package. If you love the Audi aesthetic, with the LED accented headlights, brushed metal accents, and want near-hybrid levels of fuel economy to boot - this is your car. However, you might want to at least look at a Golf TDI first - just to be sure.
Wagons Ho! - Opel Astra Sport Tourer could be small Buick wagon
Buick is already expected to bring over the Opel Insignia wagon as a Regal wagon. Its success could result in further wagon options from Opel bring brought over under the Buick brand.
Opel unveiled this week a wagon version of the new Astra. You may remember the Astra as the Saturn Astra that was unloved when it came over to the US (mainly due to the fact it was imported from Europe and was therefore sold at a loss to keep Saturn retailers in a small-car, and was not promoted as a result).
When Buick gets their version of the new Astra, it will debut in US-friendly sedan form with plenty of Buick differentiation (think waterfall grills, etc). The wagon could help expand this low-end of the Buick family (along with the upcoming coupe) to boost Buick's profile with a much younger buyer than has been the norm for many years.
In Europe, the Astra Sport Tourer is available with a wide range of diesel and gas engines from 95 to 180hp, expect a US version to play mainly in the higher end of that HP range and exclusively with gas engines. Fortunately, given the availability of the Insignia-based Regal in manual transmission form - there should be a manual option in the Astra-based range as well.
Expect the wagon to be a late introduction (several months after the sedan version, if at all) likely at the same time as the coupe (again, if it is made available to US buyers).
When Buick gets their version of the new Astra, it will debut in US-friendly sedan form with plenty of Buick differentiation (think waterfall grills, etc). The wagon could help expand this low-end of the Buick family (along with the upcoming coupe) to boost Buick's profile with a much younger buyer than has been the norm for many years.
In Europe, the Astra Sport Tourer is available with a wide range of diesel and gas engines from 95 to 180hp, expect a US version to play mainly in the higher end of that HP range and exclusively with gas engines. Fortunately, given the availability of the Insignia-based Regal in manual transmission form - there should be a manual option in the Astra-based range as well.
Expect the wagon to be a late introduction (several months after the sedan version, if at all) likely at the same time as the coupe (again, if it is made available to US buyers).