Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the and the to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio as reasons for the vehicle’s win. The newly redesigned and unloved filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.
The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic’s fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo “didn’t live up to its sporty aspirations.”
We’ll politely agree to disagree on that one.
All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating. for a look at the full press release and debate amongst yourselves in Comments.
Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout
has not been long known for polarizing design. The company’s styling philosophy has read more closely along the lines of “cheap and cheerful.” But when it brought out the in 2008 as a 2009 model, Ford started down a road of trying to be more expressive, emotional and evocative in the design of its crossovers and SUVs, not just with the Mustang.
For Ford, the Flex has been one of those hollow victories. The people who buy it love its Mini-Cooper-on-a-high-protein-diet look, especially with the available two-tone paint jobs, and the comfortable packaging and cruising ride they get without bumping up to a frumpy minivan. The trouble is that there haven’t been enough of those happy buyers taking the plunge.
Ford sold just 27,000 Flex models last year, down 20 percent from the year before – not exactly one of CEO Alan Mulally’s homeruns. Also, its marketing has been confused since its debut. Ford initially pitched it as a cool urban crew wagon – think Funkmaster Flex. The advertising Powerpoint presentation actually said “No dog drool.” No kidding. The high-concept ads were all shot at night on city streets. It bombed. Soon after launch, we saw families and even a dog or two in ads.
Guys never seemed to warm up to the Volkswagen New Beetle, and it doesn’t take a dual master’s degree in psychology and automotive design to figure out why. The outgoing Beetle featured sheetmetal that could only be described as cutesy, and many (most?) men tend to shy away from vehicles that might result in the questioning of their manhood.
Only 29 percent of New Beetle sales went to men, but Bloomberg reports that a more masculine design has put the back on dudes’ shopping lists. Since the Beetle went on sale in September, men have accounted for a much more robust 43 percent of overall sales. In general, men also appear to be quite fond of diesel power, as dudes accounted for 70 percent of oil-burning models. This suggests Volkswagen’s of a arriving later this summer could boost the VW’s male contingency even further.
The more chiseled redesign is, of course, credited for the Beetle’s newfound male suitors, and commercials geared towards a male audience likely haven’t hurt. But while the Beetle has been more appealing to men while selling better than the old model, we’re guessing would like to see immense improvement from February’s .
Ah, donuts – one of the automotive world’s purest forms of hooliganism. We’ve all done ‘em, simply because every once in a while, it’s just plain fun to light up a car’s back end and fling it around in a circle.
Fun as they may be, donuts aren’t necessarily all that fun to watch. After all, one car spinning in circles certainly loses its charm after a while. But what about seventycars spinning in smoke-filled circles? Now that’s something.
Earlier this week, over 70 vehicles showed up at Infineon Raceway in order to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of cars performing donuts successfully. Check out what ensued in the video , complete with epic battle background music.
Freightliner is stealing the spotlight at this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Kentucky with a new truckconcept. The Revolution Innovation is aimed squarely at reimagining the face commercial trucking. With innovations like a more aerodynamic body, cold-rolled aluminum frame that’s 200 pounds lighter than its steel equivalent, low-slung engine placement and an intelligent rear axle that can automatically switch between four and six-wheel drive as needed, the concept is more fuel efficient while retaining plenty of functionality.
Designers looked at how most drivers use their rigs, and determined that most of the time, there’s only one occupant in the cab. To that end, they scrapped the passenger door in favor of a more efficient work station and a rest area. There’s even an innovative rear door between the cab and trailer. A new gauge cluster and cell-connected center console both add extra layers of functionality as well.
Outside, clever use of LED lighting and low-drag cameras replace traditional design elements. Despite its concept looks, the Revolution Innovation is a fully operational truck. to check out the full video for yourself and peruse the gallery for more.
It’s funny how a couple of letters can change the meaning of a word entirely. Take “racy” and “racing,” for example. One implies a certain charge of sexuality, while the other refers to the competition of getting from Point A to Point B the quickest. Pamela Anderson, for example, would be one we’d categorize under the former, but now the Canadian model/actress/bombshell is breaking into the latter by launching her own racing team.
Downforce1 by Pamela Anderson is the name of the new team that will be fielding an in both the (European) Le Mans Series and the International GT Open, wearing white and blue livery with the glamour model’s signature and bearing the logos of PETA (the animal rights group for which Anderson is a spokesperson) and ICM (the talent agency that manages her career). The team is apparently being managed by a Swiss outfit with ten years of experience in GT racing.
This is not the first time we’ve seen a model lending her image to a racing team: Paris Hilton was to a MotoGP squad a couple of years back, and now Pam appears to be following in her high-heeled footsteps. And apparently she’s not stopping at GT racing, either, as the effort could spawn a NASCAR team as well. In the meantime, Anderson hopes to be present at as many of the races as her schedule will allow. Which ought to be plenty distracting for the racers.
So what is it about models like Pam headlining racing teams? Beyond – the airbags have, after all, been removed – maybe the former Baywatch starlet herself put it best in a with British tabloid The Sun: “Fast cars and fast women go together.” Who are we to argue?
The slow drip of official information for Nissan’s continues to spread across the internet. Today, the Japanese automaker has unveiled a (very) short video clip and a shady single image that hints at the expressive profile sheetmetal on its new family sedan. The video is very brief, but together with the other images we’ve seen depicting the new boomerang-shaped taillamps, headlamps and overhead view, we’re starting to mentally stitch together a composite view of the new car.
We couldn’t resist helping Nissan accelerate its reveal process by tinkering with Photoshop’s brightness and contrast controls a bit. You can which reveals a nicely rounded three-window greenhouse and a set of split five-spoke alloys. In addition, check out the short video while you’re waiting for live shots and impressions to drop from New York.
If there’s one thing nerds love more than obscure factoids, it’s the thrill of a good argument. MSN has set out to settle one of comic bookdom’s quintessential questions by attempting to discern whether the 1989 Batmobile is quicker than its 1966 predecessor. While we’d love nothing better to see the atomic-powered sire do battle with its jet-powered offspring, we’ll just have to make due with a couple of replicas. In this case, the ‘89 gets its power from a carbureted small block with an aluminum intake manifold and not much else.
Meanwhile, the 1966 uses a for its underpinnings, complete with a fuel-injected small block of its own. The ‘66 boasts an estimated 300-325 horsepower while the ‘89 serves up a more modest 285 ponies. Bets are made, flags are dropped an one vehicle stands above the other. We won’t spoil it for you.
We will say there seems to be some on-screen trickery afoot, however. Watch closely, and it’s clear the ‘89 holds onto left lane at the beginning of the race, only to swap places in the slow-motion replay. Something tells us this game was rigged from the start. to see the full episode for yourself, but be warned. Fair warning: the finale sequence may be Not Safe For Work for some of you. Maybe there’s something else nerds love more than arguing and flexing their trivia muscle.
There’s not a whole lot to say about the Nina teaser image that the company just dropped into our inboxes, it’s largely just a way to say the real thing will be unveiled at the in a few short weeks. In the thick, stylized lines offered here, we see hints of the and not a whole lot more.
So we went looking in the archives. We’ve heard the Nina plug-inhybrid will be and be . We’ve also heard and that three variants will be available by the end of 2014. Those are reports from the past and we know how things change in the green car world. We’ll have to see what Fisker tells us in New York when it offers up “a business update and a glimpse of our future” to know for sure. What are your thoughts?
According to reports citing Japan’s Nikkei daily, will be cranking up production at its Normal, Illinois plant, but not because the company expects a 100-percent increase in demand here to match the 70,000 units the plant will soon be cranking out. Instead, the plant will be making models intended for export from the U.S. to markets like Russia and Latin America. To make way for the increased Outlander Sport output, the slow-moving family sedan will leave the building. No replacement has been announced.
Mitsubishi has plants worldwide, but those in closest proximity to strengthening markets are reportedly running at full tilt, so the move makes use of plants in markets where demand is slack. Mitsubishi has seen its fortunes in the U.S. atrophy, and even though sales improved somewhat last year, this production shift shows that turnabout is fair play, with the offshore parent using its American assets to make cars for markets that would typically be producing the goods, not consuming them.
When the doors open at Manhattahn’s Javitz Center for the in less than two weeks, will have a refreshed version of its on display. But you needn’t wait that long, as parent company Daimler has just released the full spectrum of details and photos of its updated entry-level crossover.
Decidedly evolutionary in its refresh, the 2013 GLK is characterized largely by the same sharp lines as the model it replaces, but now, the creases and sculpting is slightly more rounded and more dynamic in appearance. While the exterior has had its sharp edges smoothed out, the interior has likewise been updated, with those -derived retro air vents dominating the restyled dashboard and the gearshift lever moving to a stalk on the steering column in similar fashion to other recent Three-Pointed Star vehicles.
The biggest news, however, comes under the hood. While the existing GLK was only offered with a single engine, the new model will be available in two specs: the GLK350 with direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 now good for 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (up from 268hp and 258 lb-ft), or the GLK250 BlueTEC diesel that, at 190 hp and 369 lb-ft, offers less power but far more twist from its 2.1 liters and four cylinders. While the updated GLK350 will be available starting in the summer, American buyers intent on the diesel will have to wait until early next year. Both are mated to a seven-speed automatic with stop-start ignition, and can be had in either rear-drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive.
There’s plenty more to delve into in the press release after the jump, and a whole mess of high-resolution photos in the gallery, so check ‘em out and watch this space for live coverage from the vehicle’s unveiling in New York.
GLK gets facelift, diesel option ahead of New York
has let it slip that the company may be working on a new crossover, and Autocar has gone through the trouble of rendering the machine. According to the report, the company is under pressure to expand into niches traditionally outside of its scope, much as sister company has done with the . That may translate into a new high-riding hatchback based off of an upcoming compact sedan. That’s right. Autocar claims Jaguar is out to launch six other “significant” new products over the next two years, and that’s excluding the “radical crossover” seen here.
Needless to say, the project hasn’t gotten the go-ahead from corporate just yet, but if it does, expect to see it built on the company’s new modular aluminum “Premium Lightweight Architecture” originally penned for its large vehicles. Jaguar could also borrow the bones of the previously mentioned Evoque for this little science experiment. Those two options present a disparate view of the would-be utility Jaguar. Of course, the model is a very, very long way from becoming reality. Head over to to see the full rendering.
Mazda’s new compact crossover is coming out of the gate strong, with the garnering generally good reviews that include . Now, can tout a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as well. The CX-5 snagged “Good” ratings across the board, including front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.
The CX-5 joins its stablemate, the , on the 2012 Top Safety Pick list, which is growing rapidly. Just in the small SUV class that the CX-5 is categorized in, eight models are now listed, including the , , (with optional side torso airbags), , , and .
Click to read the full press release from Mazda, as well as watch the CX-5’s IIHS crash testvideo.
We have fairly modest dreams when it comes to ferrying our remains to our final resting place. After all, it can’t cost that much to rent the The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile for a few hours. Should you have slightly more expensive tastes, there’s always this . The specialty vehicle is set to be unveiled at the Tan Expo funeral home show in Bologna, Italy. With 23 feet of length from stem to stern, this Phantom is longer than even the long-wheelbase version of the sedan. Interestingly enough, designers retained the rear doors for additional live passengers while incorporating a large rear cargo area for the dearly departed.
According to builder Biemme Special Cars, the vehicle’s tail is constructed entirely of aluminum using over 600 bits and pieces. The same 6.75-liter V12 engine found in the standard Phantom, which means your earthly remains will get to graveside with the help of 453 horsepower.
How much will it cost? Biemme hasn’t handed out a specific figure just yet beyond saying the vehicle will likely fetch more than €500,000. That’s $663,950 at current conversion rates.
We can’t quite explain why we’re so drawn pre-production test mules. Maybe we just like the thought of seeing a vehicle as it grows from concept to reality or being able to take a peak into the engineering behind a car that will hit production soon. Either way, videos like the one after the jump flip all the right switches for us. , EVO recently got the chance to ride along in an early version of the 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder. With two electric motors and kicking V8, the car is good for a dizzying 770 horsepower combined.
EVO gives us our closest look yet at the vehicle’s driveline, including the 80-kW electric motor in the front and the 90-kW motor in the rear. Interestingly, as Evo points out, the 918 can be powered purely on the front-mounted electric motor that drives the front wheels. That’s right, this is the first production front-wheel drive Porsche, even if it’s only likely to operate as such a sliver of the time. Even with all the technological whizzbangery on board, the 918 still sounds like a true when the 570 horsepower V8 barks to life. Porsche has worked to keep as much of the vehicle’s weight below the center line as possible, and as a result, the engineers had to resort to some cleverness when it comes to exhaust routing and the like. to see what we mean.
A local television news report on a so-called “death wobble” has led two members of the House of Representatives to write a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting more information about the situation, which they describe as a “serious safety issue.” The three-page letter does not demand an investigation or recall, but asks the agency numerous questions regarding the problem and what is known about it. The original report aired on KGO-TV in San Francisco in February.
The two members of Congress describe the problem as “a powerful shaking of the steering wheel and front wheels after a driver hits road bumps at speed,” affecting 2005-2010 model year . The news report says NHTSA has received over 600 complaints about wobbling and vibrating in Jeep vehicles since 1995, “mostly Wranglers.” Indeed, YouTube is rife with videos of shaking Wranglers, some of which we’ve gathered .
issued the following statement regarding the accusations:
Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed every applicable government safety standard and have excellent safety records. All manufacturer vehicles equipped with a solid axle are susceptible to vibration and, if experienced, it can be corrected by performing minor maintenance items, such as properly balancing or changing the tires, or a front end alignment, installing a new steering dampener, or by tightening or replacing other loose or worn parts. In fact, most reported incidents – in all manufacturer vehicles equipped with or without a solid axle – are often linked to poorly installed or maintained after-market equipment, such as lift kits, oversized tires, etc. This is not a safety issue, and there are no injuries involving Chrysler Group vehicles related to this allegation. Indeed, the name you’ve given to this condition has no basis in fact.
While we’re not so sure blaming the customer for improper maintenance is the right response, we will say that Wranglers and their antecedents are unique beasts, what with their solid axles and high centers of gravity. This is why they’re so wonderful off road, and why those that choose to use them as daily drivers shouldn’t expect them to behave exactly like every other vehicle they encounter on their commute. And of course if there is, indeed, a “serious safety issue” with the Wrangler, we would expect Chrysler to address it.
Click to read the full letter, watch the most recent news report, and see videos of Jeeps exhibiting the symptoms.
Anyone who has ever set up a Hot Wheels track knows that there is no more awesome an automotive stunt than the loop-the-loop. While some would argue that a good old fashioned Duke Boys jump takes the prize, we feel that the case for driving upside down is just irrefutable. That there are apparently people actively setting new world records for driving around loop-the-loops only makes us more convinced.
A new Guinness World Record for circling the largest loop-the-loop was set just a few months ago by Li Yatao, who drove a Youngman Lotus L5 around a loop with a diameter of 42 feet, 2.69 inches. The car appears to have had both front and rear bumpers removed to improve ground clearance during the run, and of course, a full roll cage was fitted. Yatao is a driver on a Youngman factory team – yes, that Youngman, the would-be suitor for .
Go ahead and watch this amazing video for yourself, .
This week, our sister site heads off to Paris to check out the and programs.
Vélib’ boasts 20,000 bikes and 1,800 stations throughout the city, where anyone with a credit card can check out a bike on the fly. More exciting is the EV-sharing program, which uses Pininfarina-built that are available to subscribers for rental at rates ranging between €9 (around $12 USD) and €16 per hour (@ $21). The program was launched in December 2011, with 250 cars and 250 stations, and though , the number of cars is expected to increase to 3,000 by next year.
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re now actively using your suggestions for new episodes of . We started the series with a few of our own, but have been flooding our inbox since the first episode. ? That was your idea. ? Your idea. And so is today’s episode: Drive the PCH.
California’s Pacific Coast Highway is known as much for its amazing views as it is for the enjoyable cruising that can be had along its asphalt. It’s the type of drive where the destination is less meaningful than the trip that got you there and people you met along the way. In this episode of The List, Jessi and Patrick are given the keys to a suitably ostentatious droptop and sent north from Los Angeles to discover what the PCH has in store for them.
While the PCH is arguably one of the best roads in the country for cruising, every state has a similar road that shows off their unique, natural beauty. What’s the best cruising road in your state? Let us know in Comments so we can try it out the next time we’re in the neighborhood.
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It’s called “The Chase”, and on the surface it doesn’t exactly have anything to do with cars. In reality, we’re not so sure it has a lot to do with anything other than serving as promotional material for Philippe Gamer and the Space Patrol Crew, but that’s fine. It’s a fun video with four animated girls and a car chase scene unlike any other we’ve ever seen.
You’ll see about four minutes of animated insanity that includes what appears to be hundreds of police cars, a couple of log-toting semi trucks, some extremely unrealistic loops and lots of explosions. Oh, and four models, driven by the female lead characters. Apparently, the studio had previously done work for Nissan and the already digitally rendered vehicles were reused for The Chase.
Topping it all off is a plot twist worthy of M. Night Shyamalan. We won’t spoil it for you, but the director says it’s “a story about the art of aging.” We should also warn you that some language makes this one unsafe for work. See for yourself in the video .
