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Mazda’s Pint-sized Minivan Gets Better, Not Bigger

Way back in 1983, Chrysler shocked the world with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. The upstart family haulers took the auto industry by storm, driving a stake through the heart of station wagon sales while setting the table for Chrysler to own the minivan segment for decades to come. But that segment has evolved in the last several years, leading to a redefinition of family transportation.

First and foremost, the minivan has gone through an HGH-fueled growth spurt, adding a host of whiz-bang features like a second sliding door and ridiculously handy storage options along the way. The other big development has been a rising tide of SUVs and crossovers, which focused consumers’ attention away from minivans to the point where many automakers don’t even offer one anymore. But as America’s suddenly all-new or heavily refreshed batch of minivans illustrate (see: Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey), many automakers have responded by evolving the mundane van into the automotive equivalent of a family spa day. These new vans contain near-luxury levels of comfort and convenience, and it’s not at all uncommon for them to crest $40,000 or more.

If you can afford their monthly payments, the latest minivans to hit the market will likely suit your needs just fine. But what if you want something small, efficient and, perhaps most important, inexpensive? Something more like the original Caravan? Right now, there is only one choice on the market: the 2012 Mazda5. While the rest of the auto industry zigged with larger and more opulent choices, the Zoom-Zoom automaker zagged with a minivan that’s nearly the size of the original Caravan, and with a price tag starting under $20,000. We took the reins of a nicely equipped 2012 Mazda5 Touring to see if Mazda’s nifty little van has the chops to take on the big boys.

Continue reading…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Shunk / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2012 Mazda5

Review: 2012 Mazda5

As enthusiasts, we can’t help but get depressed over the near-extinction of the manual transmission. More and more of our favorite performance cars are being offered without three-pedal setups, and if you believe the latest reports, the next car to fall victim to this change of engineering is the 2012 BMW M5. Don’t get your hopes up for any sort of dual-clutch setup, either – Motor Trend is reporting that the next-generation M5 will be offered exclusively with an eight-speed automatic.

When the 2012 BMW M5 goes on sale, it will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with direct injection. Motor Trend reports that BMW apparently tried to mate its M DCT transmission to this powerplant, a less-powerful version of which is used in both the X5 M and X6 M. The latest reports state that the 2012 M5 will produce over 550 horsepower, and while there’s no word about what sort of torque numbers will be on tap, it’s obviously too high to be handled by the M DCT unit. Presumably, the eight-speed autobox in question is the ZF unit that’s spreading like kudzu throughout the automaker’s lineup, and at least we know it to be a very agreeable and quick-shifting unit.

Look for the 2012 BMW M5 to debut in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show this Spring, followed by the production car’s debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this Fall.

[Source: Motor Trend Images: CarPix]

2012 BMW M5 to be automatic only?

Hot on the heels of the news that Pesnke and Smart have split comes word that the Smart/Nissan collaboration is dead. Automotive News is reporting that the project, which was intended to yield a four-door model built off of a Nissan platform and sold under the Smart banner, won’t be happening. The reason is simple enough; if Smart had continued to blaze its own trail here in America, it would have needed at least one additional model to support itself. Now that it’s part of the Mercedes-Benz network, that need has been diminished significantly.

Meanwhile, there’s some concern that a separate Nissan/Renault collaboration project called the Quattro may be axed as well. With the slaughter of multiple projects and Penske walking away, more than a few minds have begun to wonder if this is the end for Smart in the Land of the Free. According to the Automotive News report, however, Roger Penske says that’s not the case.

Penske said that the fact that Smart is being handed off to Mercedes-Benz is nothing compared to the death of Hummer or Mercury, and that his company simply didn’t have the volume or marketing muscle to push Smart effectively.

Either way, AN says that the transition to Benz dealerships means that the Smart dealership network will shrink significantly, leaving just 58 dealers across the country. That’s because 21 Smart showrooms that aren’t paired with Mercedes models won’t get to keep their franchises.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Nissan-based four-door Smart scrapped

The recent onslaught of Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 spy shots tells us that our friends from Italy will soon be officially unveiling their top-shelf supercar. Automotive News quotes sources who say the Italian automaker will unleash their newest bull at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The source also claims that the V12-packing, 700 horsepower boasting Aventador is already sold out for its first year of production, in spite of the fact that the luxury exotic has only been seen by a few people.

Christoph Stuermer of IHS Automotive tells AN that the timing is right for a new Lambo since he feels wealthy car buyers are once again becoming comfortable with the thought of buying vehicles priced at over $200,000. Lamborghini is reportedly ramping up production of the $370,000 supercar seemingly in lockstep, with 100 units scheduled to be completed by the beginning of March.

We’re looking forward to taking in as much Aventador as possible if and when it hits the show floor in Geneva. With a reported top speed of 217 miles per hour and a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds, we’re not surprised that the wealthy are excited to start spending again.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Lamborghini Aventador confirmed for Geneva?

It doesn’t take much to change the opinion of the masses, apparently. Automotive News is reporting that it only took a mere two days for Toyota to see a rebound in its reputation after NASA engineers cleared the company of any electronic flaws in its vehicle software. As you may recall, the Department of Transportation called in some of the brightest minds from the country’s space program to have a look at the issues surrounding the rash of unintended acceleration claims involving Toyota vehicles. Those engineers couldn’t find anything that would point to an electronic issue as the culprit.

What did they find? As it turns out, the NASA investigation pointed to the same culprits as both Toyota and the Department of Transportation. Instances of unintended acceleration were caused by sticky pedals, floor mat interference, or good old-fashioned pedal misapplication.

Automotive News reports that according to YouGov/Brandindex, a company that tracks customer perception of popular brands, Toyota saw a sizeable boost in its reputation in the days following the announcement.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that the company doesn’t view the findings as a victory. Instead, the news is simply validation of what the automaker believed to be true all along.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Toyota image gets big boost after NASA findings revealed

Now that Dodge and Ram are seperate groups under the Chrysler umbrella, Dodge plans to phase its trademark cross-hair grille out of its product lineup. The cross-hair nose will remain a part of the Ram truck lineup for the foreseeable future, but Dodge vehicles will get a new identity that has not yet been revealed.

Ralph Gilles, Dodge CEO and Chief Designer for the Chrysler Group, recently spoke to Automotive News about this decision. Gilles stated that this move will take time but the products will evolve and go in a different direction. In other words, no matter what direction Dodge takes its styling, don’t expect to see any wholesale changes until well after the 2011 model year.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Dodge brand to ditch cross-hair grille?

Shopping for a new car (or truck, for that matter) in a crowded segment can be a bewildering task, especially when you’re talking about mid-size SUVs and crossovers. There’s a plethora positioned under the 30-grand mark, and most of them have comparable features and specs. So which one to choose?

Our friends over at Cars.com recently assembled a selection of nine such vehicles – the Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Journey, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4 – and pitted them against each other. Now you may be thinking, Really? A Journey against a Sportage? What gives?

True, they’re vastly different vehicles, but Cars.com arrived at its selections through a different kind of methodology. They checked with J.D. Power & Associates to find a median price – $29k – and then let the automakers choose which of their products to field in the test. Then they assembled a panel of testers, including members of their own editorial staff, plus Chris Woodyard of USA Today, Brian Robinson from MotorWeek and – wait for it – Joey Lawrence. Yes, he of Blossom and Melissa & Joey fame. Whoa!

So what did the B-list celeb (along with his wife Chandie and two daughters) and his auto-journo fellow jurists select? Hit the source link to find out, but we’ll give you a hint: we listed them above by score from 1st to 9th. Bonus: Follow the jump for a video featuring Joey and Chandie.

[Source: Cars.com]

Continue reading Cars.com $29K SUV Shootout – now with more Joey Lawrence [w/video]

Cars.com $29K SUV Shootout – now with more Joey Lawrence [w/video]

If you want to park your riding pants in the saddle of the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT or the K 1600 GTL, get ready to hand over a stack of shiny pennies. BMW has officially released pricing on both bikes, and the K 1600 GT will set you back a lofty yet reasonable $20,900 without the $495 destination charge.

Sounds like a hefty chunk of change, no? It is, no doubt, but it’s also just $200 more than the base price for the K1200 LT that it’s replacing. Delving a little deeper in BMW’s model range, the K 1300 GT goes for $19,150 or $22,595 with the optional Premium Package.

For that 20K-plus stack of cash, you’re rewarded with niceties such as a dynamic-leveling xenon headlight, a heated seat and grips, ABS and a power-adjustable windshield among other tricks. Of course, all of that kit is strapped onto the company’s 160 horsepower, 1,649 cc engine. The mill is good for 129 pound-feet of torque, all of which is available from just 1,500 rpm.

Opting for the K 1600 GTL will add on even fancier gadgetry like Bluetooth, satellite radio and iPod integration in addition to body-color top cases. If you like the sound of that dance, get ready to tap your toes to the sound of $23,200 plus destination.

Want one? We’d get your BMW dealer on speed dial pronto – BMW has also announced that it’ll stop taking preorders for the new K-series hotness at the end of February due to unexpectedly high demand. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW prices K 1600 GT at $20,900

BMW prices K 1600 GT at $20,900

A tension adjuster pulley is the culprit in a round of recalls by Suzuki covering 2009-2011 Grand Vitaras and 2010-2011 SX4s. This pulley supports the drive belt, which runs alternator, water pump, air conditioner and power steering pump.

Should the belt come off while driving, the vehicle will quickly become more difficult to steer and the engine could stall. Dealers will swap the pulley out for one that works correctly at no charge to owners of the affected vehicles. The recall begins on February 16th, 2011 and will affect 32,291 Suzuki vehicles.

Click past the jump to read the full NHTSA bulletin.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara models over potential pulley failure

Suzuki recalls SX4, Grand Vitara models over potential pulley failure

Pagani will bring its new Huayra supercar to the United States later this year, marking the first time the Italian car maker has officially sold vehicles in the country. Pagani’s first vehicle, the Zonda, was never retailed in the U.S. throughout its decade-long production run, although a handful of examples exist in private collections.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to represent the Pagani brand in the United States and we look forward to the successful launch of the Huayra,” said Horacio Pagani regarding the announcement.

The Huayra, named after an ancient god of wind, is a stylistic departure from the Zonda with a much more curvacous shape and gullwing doors, but performance should be even more impressive with a twin-turbo V12 putting out 700 horsepower and a curb weight of under 3,000 pounds.

Pagani will announce plans to unveil the Huayra in the United States as well as more information regarding its dealer network and availability at a later date. Hit the jump for the press release from Pagani and be sure to browse through the high-res gallery of images below.

[Source: Pagani Automobili]

Continue reading Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

If our review of the McLaren MP4-12C only sparked your appetite for the super-rare mid-engine fighter, don’t fret. Thanks the wonder of YouTube, we can all hop in the cockpit for a few quick hotlaps in the cabin of the 592-horsepower machine with none other than Jenson Button behind the wheel. McLaren has released a trio of videos to show off exactly what the MP4-12C can accomplish with the limitless talent of an F1 champion behind the wheel.

The first video follows the world’s auto journos around as they were introduced to the vehicle for the first time. The second clip, meanwhile, is all about introducing exactly what kind of figures the car can produce on a proper track. McLaren says that 0-62 mph can be clicked off in as little as 3.1 seconds when the MP4-12C is fitted with the optional Pirelli tires and that the quarter-mile dash takes just 10.9 seconds.

If that’s not enough to wet your supercar whistle, the final clip focuses on a quick look at the company’s advanced simulator. Prepare to geek out in grand fashion. Hit the jump to see the videos.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged

Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged

The Lincoln Town Car is a the ride of choice for limousine companies and car services around the world. One problem, we’re rapidly approaching the official death knell of the panther platform, and that means that soon enough no more new Town Cars are going to be built. Lincoln is ready to fill that upcoming void and is using the 2011 Internation Limousine, Charter and Tour Show as a platform to debut its MKT Town Car and Limousine.

Comfort is the name of the game with livery operators, so Lincoln has pushed the rear seats of the MKT further back to add 1.5-inches of legroom. The rear seats can also recline and the right rear can access even more legroom by controlling the front passenger seat.

Cargo room is improved compared to the outgoing Town Car. The MKT Town Car offers 39.6 cubic feet of space, which means passengers can cram in more luggage, golf clubs or cases of cheap beer for post prom-night activities.

In addition to the MKT Town Car, Lincoln has an MKT ready to do serious limo duty thanks to a a heavy-duty chassis that can be streched up to an additional 10 feet in length. The MKT Town Car is available with either front or all-wheel drive while all-wheel drive comes standard on the MKT Limo.

Read more about both versions in the full press release after the jump. You can also check out photos of the MKT Town Car’s interior in the gallery below.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading Lincoln debuts new MKT Town Car and Limousine

Lincoln debuts new MKT Town Car and Limousine

Company: Chrysler

Brand: Dodge

Medium: TV Ad

Ad Agency: Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, Oregon.

Product: 2011 Dodge Charger

Campaign: “Never Neutral”

What We Like: The re-do on the 2011 Dodge Charger turned a car that was one half of a two-suits-for-the-price-of-one deal into a slick, polished and nicely sprung sedan that now earns our respect. The “Never Neutral” marketing campaign debuted last week at the Chicago Auto Show and comes across in these ads as a decent tag-line for the Charger. We like the attitude that the Charger is a car for people who still enjoy real driving, don’t moan about pumping their own gas and aren’t necessarily swayed by the reputations of other brands that are now bigger than their current sheet-metal supports. In these two ads, Chrysler takes aim squarely at Google’s self-driving car and Mitsubishi’s online test drive “experience”, (though picking on Mitsubishi at this point is like taunting Urkel), as well as referencing the Matrix movies, which never hurts.

What We Don’t Like: Making a statement about the Dodge brand being for real drivers and sticking a thumb in the eye of a couple of competitors is all well and good, but could we get some edgier writing here? All they could come up with to ridicule Mitsubishi’s online test-drive is, “That’s absurd.” As we used to say in the newspaper biz, “Get me rewrite!”

Strategy: Dodge is positioning itself as the brand of vehicles for those who appreciate that Detroit is still the capital of car-making in the U.S., and that driving a responsive automobile is a fine American value. We absolutely loved the ad from 2010 showing George Washington leading his troops into battle against the British redcoats in Dodge Challengers, and we like the similar attitude on display here. But this approach to selling Dodge’s new image around Americana, American values and for people who relish having a real set of wheels is a bit of a high wire act dependent on the creative teams batting well above .500.

Grade: B-

What do you think? Watch the ads for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading AdSpotting: Dodge Charger gets the “Never Neutral” treatment

AdSpotting: Dodge Charger gets the “Never Neutral” treatment

First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is quite possibly the best handling supersports road and weekend track car in history. Will it beat all comers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, though? Stay tuned.

Video: R/C car drifting in a land of giants

Regardless of your stance on drifting, this video shows people having a good time playing with remote control cars, and that’s something we can all get behind.

Videos: Nissan pits Juke against… Sports Illustrated swimsuit model?!

Nissan Juke versus Amber the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. Need we say more?

Also of interest:

• Penske bails out of Smart distribution deal, Daimler takes over
• Infiniti Etherea Concept bows ahead of Geneva debut
• Lancia brings rebadged Chrysler models to join facelifted Delta in Geneva
• Toyota bringing iQ EV prototype to Geneva
• Top Gear China pilot to include Cadillac versus… donkey?

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.14.11

Pixar has revealed a few more new faces for its upcoming film Cars 2. Since the new movie takes place on a global stage, the characters are from all over the world, with the five newest members of the Cars 2 family hailing from Italy and the United Kingdom.

Francesco Bernoulli is a Formula Racer champion and his own biggest fan. Uncle Topolino – cleverly named after the miniscule Fiat he’s modeled after – runs a tire shop in the tiny town of Porto Corso, Italy. His wife, Mama Topolino, is a great cook who dishes out delizioso fuel.

Miles Axlerod is a former oil baron turned all-electric sport utility vehicle. He is joined by an Aston Martin lookalike in the form of Nigel Gearsley. Nigel is a former hill-climber who has turned to grand touring events.

In addition to this latest crop of characters, you can see the full set of Cars 2 players in our high-res gallery below, and click past the jump to see Francesco Bernoulli, Miles Axelrod and Nigel Gearsley on the Cars 2 turntable.

[Source: PixarTimes.com, Car and Driver]

Continue reading Meet the Italian and British cars appearing in Cars 2 [w/video]

Meet the Italian and British cars appearing in Cars 2 [w/video]

Cadillac is stepping up its customer service game. The General Motors luxury nameplate has announced the introduction of Cadillac Shield – an extensive warranty service scheduled to hit the ground this month. Buyers can now look forward to Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance, which includes oil changes and tire rotations for the first four years or 50,000 miles, as well as the company’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. Pile on five years of 24/7 roadside assistance with courtesy transportation and you’ve got the basic groundwork for the new warranty program.

And to quote every infomercial ever made, “but wait, there’s more.”

OnStar is part of the party with one year of the company’s Directions and Connections plan and its own smart phone app. The app monitors oil life and fuel levels as well as allowing owners to manage simple vehicle tasks (like locking and unlocking the doors) from their phone.

Speaking of apps, Cadillac is rolling in its own smartphone program as part of the deal, too. The Caddy app allows users to locate their vehicle in a parking lot, schedule maintenance, locate dealers in the area and call for roadside assistance. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: General Motors Image: Drew Phillips/AOL]

Continue reading Cadillac announces comprehensive warranty, scheduled maintenance program for 2011

Cadillac announces comprehensive warranty, scheduled maintenance program for 2011

So much for Valentine’s Day. Penske and Smart have jointly announced that the couple is going their separate ways.

Penske is walking away from it distribution rights, management, sales and marketing duties, but that doesn’t mean the brand is going anywhere. From now on, the pint-sized city movers will be peddled by Mercedes-Benz USA, and Smart says the move is just one part of a greater growth strategy. In a letter to owners, Smart said that all warranties will still be valid and that all of the transition kinks should be ironed out by as soon as June of this year.

Talk about a quick rebound.

Daimler handles Smart distribution the world over, so the move makes sense for the troubled brand here in the States. Hobbled by low fuel prices, Smart sold around 100,000 units globally last year. In comparison, the company managed to move 114,000 vehicles amidst the world-wide recession of 2009. A paltry 5,927 Fortwos were sold in the U.S. in 2010.

Rumors have cropped up around a number of planned new models for the company, including a ForTwo+2 as well as a five-door hatch. Hit the jump for the full press release as well as the company’s letter to current owners. Thanks for the tip, Vince!

[Source: Smart]

Continue reading Penske bails out of Smart distribution deal, Daimler takes over

Penske bails out of Smart distribution deal, Daimler takes over

Report: Pentastar V6 models first to get ZF eight-speed autos at Chrysler

Now that Fiat has finally launched the 500 here in the United States, it’s time to start looking ahead. The automaker has already said that it will offer two other versions of the diminutive hatch – a high-performance Abarth-badged variant as well as a battery-electric vehicle – and now Fiat has disclosed that it is planning to create an all-new B-segment car specifically designed for the U.S.

Motor Trend reports that the new B-car, dubbed Project L-Zero internally, is expected to arrive sometime during 2013. Fiat has not specified whether the new car will be a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, nor did the automaker say if the B-segment vehicle would be sold in markets outside of the United States.

In talking to Motor Trend, Fiat North America’s Laura Soave said that the automaker will not stray from its roots as a small car company. With Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep offering a bounty of larger vehicles, and with Alfa Romeo planning a return to the States, Soave told MT that Fiat would “likely never build anything larger than a C-segment car for the U.S.” Earlier reports suggested that Fiat was working on a five-door 500 specifically for consumption here in the U.S., but with the automaker branding Project L-Zero as something “all-new,” we’ll have to wait and see exactly what’s in store for 2013.

[Source: Motor Trend Image: Steven J. Ewing/AOL]

Report: Fiat readying all-new B-segment four-door for U.S. by 2013

If you thought that Audi’s adaption of the A1’s platform for all-wheel drive would open the door for an AWD version of the Volkswagen Polo as well, think again. Although the A1 and the Polo share the same platform, the latest reports indicate that Volkswagen has no plans to apply the technology for an all-wheel-drive variant of the CrossPolo or a hotter Polo R.

This platform was never intended to accommodate all-wheel drive, but Audi saw it fit to tweak things in order to accommodate a Quattro version of the A1. The potential had sparked speculation about how this could be adapted for Volkswagen use, but according to reports, VW feels that a Polo R – with AWD or without – would crowd the already limited space between the above-pictured Polo GTI and the Golf GTI. Meanwhile, the automaker says that the soft-road CrossPolo is already popular enough in front-wheel-drive form, and even with Audi already laying the groundwork, the added expense of adapting the high-riding Polo to all-wheel drive wouldn’t be worth the return.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: No Volkswagen Polo R for you!