Monthly Archives: November 2010

EPA updates fuel economy ratings for 2011 models

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Posted in How To, Toyota

The EPA has updated its fuel economy ratings for the 2011 model year, with the Toyota Prius retaining its title as fuel economy king despite challenges from several other worthy models.

The Prius topped the list of models with 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon. Yet for drivers looking to go green and save at the pump, the Prius is far from the only option, as most major manufacturers now offer a variety of cars for sale with high fuel efficiency ratings.

At second place on the list, for example, was Ford's trio of hybrids: the Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan. All three of these vehicles have varying features and styling, but each comes with a 41/36 fuel efficiency rating that should keep drivers' wallets a little heavier every time they head to the pump. Ford's 29/40 Fiesta also won the subcompact category, barely edging Toyota's 29/36 Yaris.

Honda also posted a strong showing, with the automaker's Civic and Insight hybrids each achieving 40/43 for fuel economy. The CR-Z crossover was considered the most efficient two-seater at 35/39 in the automatic version and 31/37 for the manual.

Large sedans aren't typically thought of as being particularly efficient, but the top two entries on the list may change skeptic's minds. The Hyundai Sonata leads the class with a rating of 24/35, while Honda shows up again with the Accord at 23/34.

Although the Prius was king again this year, it's likely to be the last win for the popular hybrid. This year's list didn't take into account the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt, upcoming electric vehicles that are said to best the hybrid's efficiency ratings.

The agency also released its list of the least fuel-efficient vehicles in various classes. Unsurprisingly, luxury vehicles like the Aston Martin DB9 and Rolls Royce Phantom topped the list, along with the Bugatti Veyron supercar, which gets just 8 miles per gallon in the city.

Hybrids may save drivers money at the pump, but the fuel efficiency often comes at a premium on the dealer's lot. Buyers who wish to save on a hybrid may want to shop for one on the used car market, where they can often find deals compared to new vehicle showrooms.

Mercedes-Benz: Avoiding stupidity

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has Lexus in its sights and is close to toppling the perennial leader in terms of yearly sales, but the German luxury brand says it won't be doing anything "stupid" solely to become the top-selling luxury nameplate.

In the yearly sales estimates, Mercedes is actually outselling Lexus by approximately 1,000 vehicles. Yet Lexus has come on strong in recent months and executives believe that the competition to be the top-selling brand will come down to the wire.

When automakers are engaged in close sales races, they typically introduce a number of incentives to drive sales. Bloomberg reports that while Mercedes will definitely use this tactic, they won't be losing money on vehicles simply to outpace Lexus.

"December is a big month," Dietmar Exler, vice president of Mercedes-Benz Financial USA, told Bloomberg. "There will be some programs, but there will be nothing stupid just to be No. 1."

Buyers may see some deals on luxury cars for sale in the coming months, but they are unlikely to drop the total price of a luxury model into an affordable range for the average shopper. Those who still want to end up in a high-end vehicle may want to search the used car market for a deal instead, as there are sure to be some year-end deals there as well. 

New compact luxury SUV in the works for Lincoln

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Lincoln

After ending the Mercury brand, Ford is currently in the process of reviving the Lincoln luxury line, and plans to take aim at one of the best-selling market segments by introducing a compact luxury SUV.

The unnamed Lincoln model is said to be smaller than the company's MKX and designed to compete with the top-selling Lexus RX, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"Our commitment to Lincoln is to reinvent it," Ford VP of Marketing Ken Czubay told the news source. "We will have seven major new products or redesigns over the next two years."

The new model is set to be built at the company's Louisville production facility, which currently makes the Ford Escape and Explorer. The new Lincoln is expected to eventually take the slot of the Explorer, which will cease production on December 13th.

Lincoln has struggled lately despite Ford's renewed vigor for the brand. In fact, Mercury, which Ford chose to axe in favor of Lincoln, has actually outsold the brand thus far this year.

Drivers in the market for a luxury vehicle may want to check a used car dealership, as they might be able to get the typically-expensive models at an affordable price. 

Where are they now? – the used car edition

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Posted in Ford, How To

"Where are they now?" It's always fun to do a little research and see what happened to obscure celebrities after they faded from the spotlight. Yet this game doesn't solely work with people. It's also interesting to track down some of history's most famous vehicles and see where they ended up.

MSN recently looked at several vehicles that became famous for one reason or another. Some ended up in the hands of collectors while others just narrowly avoided the scrapheap.

O.J. Simpson's infamous televised getaway brought the phrase "White Ford Bronco" into the public lexicon. So what became of the vehicle after the trial? The news source notes that the car was not actually owned by Simpson, but instead by his friend and former NFL player Al Cowlings. Reportedly, Cowlings sold the used Ford for a whopping $75,000 to a private buyer – but the sale was not without controversy. Cowlings was sued by a celebrity memorabilia company for allegedly reneging on a deal he had in place to sell the vehicle to them.

Even decades-old used cars can still resurface from time to time. Al Capone outfitted a 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan with bulletproof glass and 3,000 pounds of steel armor. After he was captured, the U.S. government impounded the car, only to later use it as part of Franklin Roosevelt's security detail. It was later sold to a Texas car collector, whose estate still owns it today.

The Dodge Charger shot to fame thanks to its use in the TV series "Dukes of Hazard." The story of the actual "General Lee" used on the show is pretty complicated. Multiple versions of the car were used in order to handle all the stunts, but the original model, known as "LEE 1," was salvaged from a junkyard by John Schneider, who played "Bo" on the TV series.

After restoring the car and holding onto it for a number of years, he eventually put it up for sale on eBay. It first looked like the car sold for close to $10 million dollars, but the bidder later withdrew that amount and it was sold in a second auction for an undisclosed sum. Collectors value other models used in production at between $200,000 and $300,000, according to AutoBlog.

One of the more recent examples of a car shooting to fame was the Cadillac Escalade driven by Tiger Woods on the night of his accident. That car was actually loaned to Woods by GM, who seized the vehicle after the incident. The news source reports that GM will use the car for internal purposes after repairing it, but will likely eventually sell it.

"These kinds of vehicles almost always go through a formal auction process," Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told USA Today.

Although it's likely that any of these vehicles would fetch a high price tag at a used car auction, drivers interested in saving money shouldn't discount the auction format. Bidding on a used vehicle can net a driver big savings as opposed to negotiating with a dealer on a traditional lot. 

SEMA shows off modified models

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Posted in How To, Toyota

Enthusiasts in the "tuner" community often purchase used cars in order to make modifications to them and turn them into highly-customized machines. Those with a gift for this sort of work can breathe new life into what many would consider to be an older automobile.

Every year, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show demonstrates the full potential of what can be done with a few new parts and modifications. The event, held in Las Vegas, features a number of highly-customized rides from some of the top modders in the world. MSN recently chose a few of the tuners at this year's event in order to highlight the hidden potential lurking just underneath the hood in some popular models.

Toyota's Scion brand is specifically aimed at tuner enthusiasts, as the Japanese automaker heavily markets the vehicles as highly-customizable rides. Yet even Toyota probably didn't foresee what James Lin would do with his Scion tC. A see-through glass hood and a lime-green carbon fiber body are just the beginning of the extensive modifications made to this ride. Underneath the hood, Lin added a God Speed turbocharger system for enhanced power, an Air Lift suspension, DC Sport air filter, front-mount intercooler and more. Yet he didn't focus only on performance – the interior of the car features four 6.5-inch monitors in addition to a 32 inch TV hooked up to a Blu-Ray player.

Most tuners tend to gravitate toward Asian brands, as they're usually affordable on the used car market and easy to modify. In fact, customizing a high-end European luxury vehicle seems kind of counterintuitive.

The team at StaSIS Engineering didn't seem to mind, as they went to work on a $161,000 Audi R8, calling their new ride the "Extreme Edition." In addition to the bright red paint job and new 20-inch wheels, the team went underneath the hood to make some changes to the R8's already-powerful 5.2-liter V10. Thanks to their modifications, the R8 is now powered by a frightening 710-horsepower engine with 523 pound-feet of torque – an 185-hp, 132 lb-ft upgrade over the factory model. Extreme, indeed.

Drivers looking to get into the tuner lifestyle might want to start with something a bit less pricey. Budding modders may want to look online for some advice, then find a used car on a budget so that they can sink money into turning it into a champion. 

Non-traditional designs selling well

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Posted in How To, Nissan

The conventional wisdom for many years has been that cars with non-traditional designs do not sell. By eschewing traditional shapes for a model, an automaker runs the risk of the automotive press labeling it as "ugly," and sinking their sales. In fact, ugly designs have even hurt the resale values of used cars over the years, such as the Pontiac Aztek.

But lately, automakers have been taking bigger risks with their vehicles' designs, and according to MSN, it's paying off. Vehicles that differentiate themselves from the pack, like Toyota's Scion xB or Nissan's Cube, may not win over every buyer, but the ones that they do appeal to are usually fervent in their dedication. The news source recently profiled some untraditional designs that have become top sellers for their brands.

With wagons falling out of style, BMW needed a car that would appeal to both fans of hatchbacks and those who wanted a sedan. Rather than make two separate bodies, the company debuted a dual-trunk system on its 5 Series Gran Turismo that can function as a traditional trunk or be lifted like a hatchback.

"The versatility is a selling point, which was what I always thought a wagon's selling point was," car designer Thom Taylor told the news source. "But obviously, people don't like the wagon's shape and this is more appealing to more people."

One of the most recent examples that has been turning heads in the Nissan Juke. This compact crossover features a number of swooping lines that would look more at home on a Ferrari than a small car from the Japanese automaker. That's because the automaker wanted to appeal to younger drivers in the 18 to 34 age bracket with something eye-catching.

"To them, cars have just been appliances," Taylor explained. "Something to car enthusiasts that may seem kind of quirky or off-beat or bizarre, like the Juke – to them it's cool."

Other vehicles simply challenge what traditionalists expect out of a car. The Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte are two examples of four-door sedans that have been top sellers for traditionally two-door companies.

Drivers who don't care what their vehicle looks like might be able to find a great deal on some "ugly" used cars, as a lack of interest may lead to an overall lower price. 

Hyundai shows off propane-powered Kia

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Posted in Hyundai

Automakers have been going green lately, unveiling a slew of fully electric and gas-electric hybrid vehicles aimed at eco-conscious consumers who also like to save at the pump. Hyundai recently showed off an alternative fuel that hasn't gotten a lot of attention: liquid propane.

The South Korean automaker seems to be a fan of the technology, which is cheaper and cleaner than gasoline. Hyundai previously revealed a concept version of the Elantra that utilized the alternative fuel. At the SEMA aftermarket parts show in Las Vegas, the automaker had a number of customized vehicles on hand, one of which was the propane-propelled Kia Forte Hybrid Concept.

The concept vehicle uses a partially-electric powertrain in conjunction with the liquid-propane fuel to come close to achieving no emissions. The rest of the vehicle was customized to highlight the theme of the show, with a green interior and a powerful 1200-watt stereo system.

However, because there is little infrastructure support for propane vehicles in the U.S., the concept is unlikely to make it to market anytime soon. Drivers might find the technology in some of Hyundai's upcoming cars for sale, like in the lithium-polymer battery packs that will be used in the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima hybrids.
 

Mercedes details “Magic Sky” on next SLK

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has released a few early pictures of its upcoming 2012 SLK, but perhaps even more intriguing is a new feature that might change the way drivers think about convertibles.

The company released several new pictures of the car, although it was covered in a casing so that the public cannot yet see the final design. The company, did however, spill the beans on a new feature on the car that its dubbing "Magic Sky Control."

The new SLK will continue to use a retractable hardtop like previous iterations, but the new model will come with a glass pane option that will give the entire roof a see-through finish.

Many drivers might assume that this could lead to an extremely hot car on summer days. That's where "Magic Sky" comes in. The new glass pane consists of magnetic particles that are suspended in fluid. With sky control off, these particles filter out light, ensuring that the inside of the car remains cool – up to 50 degrees cooler, according to the company. But when the control is turned on, the particles shift, allowing light through and creating the illusion that the top is actually down.

Drivers looking for a luxury car may want to shop the pre-owned market, where a used Mercedes can be found for substantially less than its original sticker price. 

Nissan goes green with Infiniti M hybrid

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Posted in Nissan

Nissan has relied on the hybrid technology of its rival Toyota in order to power its "green" efforts thus far, such as the Altima hybrid sedan. With the launch of the new Infiniti M hybrid, Nissan will debut its own hybrid technology.

The company claims that its hybrid system allows the hybrid version of the M, a popular luxury sedan, to double the gas mileage of the its traditionally-powered counterpart. The new luxury model will be the first Nissan vehicle to use the technology, but the company has plans to launch more hybrid models using a similar powertain.

All Japanese automakers are currently struggling with the strong yen, which makes their products more expensive in the U.S. If the Japanese price of the new M sedan is translated to U.S. dollars, the model will cost approximately $72,000 when it launches early next year. The traditional M37 retails for nearly $50,000, while the V8 powered M56 starts at $57,900.

Travelers who want a cheaper hybrid option may want to look at a vehicle like a used Toyota Prius, which has been on the market for several years.

Government calling shots in GM IPO

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

General Motors is currently gearing up for its initial public offering (IPO) in the wake of a multi-billion dollar government bailout.

A recent Reuters report has revealed that the U.S. Treasury Department, which currently owns the majority of GM, is calling the majority of the shots in the new IPO. The Obama administration has a vested interest in the company reeling in a lot of money through its offering.

If analysts value the company highly, it could go a long way toward paying back the $43 billion that it owes American taxpayers. In fact, if analysts are particularly keen on GM stock, American taxpayers could actually end up making money off of the bailout.

It's ultimately up to the federal government and other investors including the Canadian government and United Auto Workers union, how much stock they want to sell. Even if the government doesn't make all the money back in the bailout, they'll likely want to sell their remaining shares before the next presidential election.

The IPO will cap a significant turnaround for General Motors. The automaker has introduced a number of new models, and brands like Chevrolet have risen on consumer satisfaction surveys.

Drivers interested in a Chevy or any other vehicle may want to shop the used car market, where they can find deals on cars.