Smart media test drive

Smart showed off its Fortwo to the media in Silicon Valley. The car will be on sale in the US in January. The small two seat car will be priced from $11,590.

Smart USA Website

Source Edmunds

Toyota working on next generation Prius

The Toyota Prius will celebrate its 10^th anniversary in December 2007. As the competition brings out more hybrids, Toyota is working on the next Prius. If there are some major battery breakthroughs, the next Pruis could use lithium ion batteries. But Toyota is cautious since lithium ion batteries have caused several laptop fires. A battery fire in a car could crush a manufactures reputation. They are also currently testing a plug in hybrid. At the Tokyo Motor Show, they showed off a Prius concept that was made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. It is a third of the weight of the current Prius and doubles the fuel economy.

Source MSNBC

UAW – Chrysler contract passes

United Auto Workers members voted to approve the four year contract with Chrysler LLC. Fifty six percent of production workers voted for approval. Many of the early votes where against the contract. They are dissatisfied with the two tier pay structure and that the contract does not contain plans for future work. The UAW will now negotiate with Ford; they are the last of the Detroit Three with out a contract.

MSNBC

Honda Diesels and all new Hybrids for 2009

The 2009 Honda Accord will come with 2.2 liter diesel. The aluminum engine should produce at least 150 HP and 260 pound feet of torque. This engine will meet emissions standards in all 50 states. The NOx converter can control emissions with the need to add urea. The future diesels from Volkswagen and Mercedes will need drivers to add urea. Honda will also has a V6 diesel on that way that will go into its trucks.

Honda will bring out two new hybrids in 2009. The first one will be a five passenger car. The other hybrid will similar to the CR-Z concept. It will be a sporty take on fuel efficiency. Honda plans to price its Diesels and Hybrids so the owners will make back their money in fuel savings within two years.

Car and Driver

Honda FCX fuel cell car

James Healey of the USA Today got to test drive the Honda FCX fuel cell car. A fuel cell car uses hydrogen to produce electricity that is used to power the car. Mr. Healey noted a whine from the electric motors that propel the car. He did mention that this was a prototype and by the time it reaches production the car will be quieter. The FCX is a mid sized sedan with the usual features and accessories. The exterior and interior styling is futuristic and sleek. The only place with a good concentration of hydrogen filling stations is California. It has 24 and 14 more are planed. Honda will be leasing the FCX to consumers next year. They plan on bringing close to 100 FCXs to the US.

USA Today

Chrysler contract may not get approved

UAW members may not approve the tentative four year contract with Chrysler. On Sunday, the Jefferson North plant in Detroit became the fourth large assembly plant to reject the contract. The new contract calls for a two tier wage system and a union run retirement health fund. With one third of the locals votes in, 11,000 workers have voted no and 6,500 have voted to approve. Speculation is that workers are dissatisfied with the two tier wage system and a lack of a specific product plans for the plants.

The Detroit News

Cylinder deactivation availability spreads

Cylinder deactivation is a way to improve fuel economy while retaining the power consumers want. An engine with cylinder deactivation will shut off half of its cylinders when less power is needed. It typically can go into fuel saving mode while cruising on the highway at steady speed. GM’s version is called Active Fuel Management and is available on some V6 and V8 engines from Chevrolet, Buick, Saab, Pontiac and GMC. Chrysler offers cylinder deactivation on some of its HEMI V8 engines. Honda’s system is called Variable Cylinder Management and is available in the V6 Accord, Odyssey and Pilot. Honda’s system has two fuel saving modes. The V6 can run on 4 cylinders or 3 cylinders.

MSNBC

GM begins hydrogen fuel cell road test

GM is starting a hydrogen fuel cell market test called “Project Driveway”. One hundred Chevrolet Equinox crossovers are being loaned out for three months at a time in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC. The volunteers that get the Chevrolets provide feedback to GM. The fuel cell converts the hydrogen into electricity which then powers the vehicle. Water is the only emission produced from the vehicle. The Equinox can store 9.24 pounds of pressurized hydrogen gas, which allows a range of 150 miles.

Motor Trend

Toyota’s reliability slips in Consumer Reports study

Two of Toyota’s models received below average scores in Consumer Reports reliability study. This has caused Consumer Reports to no longer recommend all of Toyota’s vehicles. The V6 version of the Camry and V8 four wheel drive version of the Tundra received the below average reliability ratings. Toyota has hit snags due to its fast pace of growth since 2000. Ford improved in the study with three models on the most reliable list. Those models are the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the Ford F-150.

MSNBC

Bob Lutz shows off the New Chevy Malibu

2009 Nissan GT-R revealed

Photos of the 2009 Nissan GT-R are now available ahead of the October 24 introduction at the Tokyo Auto Show. The twin turbo V6 will produce 473 HP and 434 pound feet of torque. Power will reach the ground though a six speed automatic and all wheel drive. Nissan predicts zero to 60 MPH in 3.5 seconds. Prices will start below $80,000.

Edmunds

Mazda CX-9 is Motor Trend's SUV of the Year

Motor Trend has named the Mazda CX-9 its Sport Utility of the Year. The Mazda CX-9 stood out from the competition with its sports car like handling and performance. This is the largest Mazda vehicle available and still delivers the “Zoom-Zoom” that they promise. The CX-9 is a three row, seven passenger crossover. The powertrain is a 3.7 liter V6 that makes 273 HP, that is matched with a six speed automatic. Prices start at $30,000 and can go up to $40,000.

Motor Trend

Features to look for in a family vehicle

Features designed for families used to only be found in minivans, now they are spreading to all types of vehicles.

Safety Features

Integrated Child Booster Seats - Volvo is now offering build in booster seats in its V70 and XC70 wagons. This eliminates the need to buy a booster seat and then trying to install it.

Emergency Communications Systems - The most widely available is General Motors' OnStar. It can contact emergency technicians if a accident is detected. BMW and other luxury makes also offer similar systems.

Rearview Camera and Sensors - Large vehicles have huge blind spots in the rear. A rearview camera and sensors can alert you of obstructions before you back up.

Electronic Stability Control - ESC can correct the vehicles direction if it begins to skid. ESC is so useful that it will be mandatory on all vehicles by 2012, so look for it on your next vehicle.

Side Airbags - It is important to look for side airbags that protect the head and the torso. This will ensure the maximum protection.

Convenience Features

Power Doors and Lift Gates - Minivans feature power sliding rear doors and power lift gates. The power lift gates are also now appearing on SUVs and crossovers.

Rear seat DVD player - This is a must to keep the kids entertained and quiet on long trips.

Rear seat climate control - It is also important to get a vehicle with separate climate controls for the rear seat passengers.

Fold flat third row seat - Rear seats that fold flat into the floor will allow you to maximize your cargo space.

Forbes Autos

UAW strike on Chrysler ends after 6 hours

The UAW and Chrysler have a tentative four year deal. The deal includes some production guarantees for U.S. factories, a payment into the UAW retiree health care fund, and a lower wage scale for some newly hired workers.

The UAW also announced that its members approved the contract with GM. The Chrysler contract is very similar to the GM one. Negotiations with Ford will accelerate now. Ford will be looking for further concessions from the UAW, since it is in the worst financial shape of the Detroit Three.

MSNBC

UAW strikes Chrysler

Thousands of Chrysler autoworkers went on strike today. The UAW is seeking job security pledges like it was given form GM. Chrysler wants health care concessions that GM and Ford received in 2005. Another sticking point is how much Chrysler would pay into the UAW run trust for retiree health care costs. Chrysler is now a privately held company owned by Cerberus Capital Management.

OnStar will be able to slowly stop stolen cars

Starting in 2009, 20 GM models will feature a service that will be able to slowly stop a car that is reported stolen. Using the global positioning system, OnStar already locates 700 to 800 stolen cars per month. OnStar will tell the police the location of the car. When the police decide the car can be safely stopped, they will tell OnStar operators to send the car a signal to slowly stop. The control of the engine will be removed from the thief. The steering and brakes will continue to work. This technology will be rolled out to the rest of GM's line up in the future. GM is also willing to sell the technology to other automakers to reduce the number of police chases.

MSNBC

2009 Pontiac Vibe

The redesigned Pontiac Vibe will be available in early 2008. The performance GT model will return along with the all wheel drive option. The Vibe is the twin of the Toyota Matrix. They are both made in California in a plant co-owned by GM and Toyota.

Edmunds

New Prius will not wait for lithium batteries

The next generation of the Toyota Prius Hybrid will not be delayed for lithium-ion battery advances. The Prius will continue to use nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and can store more power. But they require more development to be safely used in automobiles.

CNN Money

2008 Lexus IS F

Toyota is launching a performance sub-brand for Lexus and will be named F. The Lexus IS F is aimed compete with BMW’s M cars and Mercedes AMG vehicles. The IS F has a 5 liter V8 engine that will produce at least 400 HP and will sell for $67,000. This is a high performance car and global sales are expected to be 7,000 a year.

MSNBC

GM completing Pontiac G8 tuning

Motor Trend got to ride along with a GM development team working on the Pontiac G8. The G8 will be North America’s version of the large rear wheel drive platform that was first introduced as the Holden Commodore. The V6 model should produce about 260 HP and come with a five speed automatic transmission. The top of the line model will be the G8 GT. The GT will come with the same V8 that powers the base Corvette. In the G8, it should produce about 360 HP. Transmissions will be a choice of a six speed auto or a six speed manual. Motor Trend’s impressions from a ride in the base model are that the ride is good, steering is great, brakes are firm and progressive, and acceleration is competitive.

Motor Trend

Future Volkswagen Diesels

Volkswagen is on a mission to change the perception that diesels are loud and smell. They created a traveling road show to educate Americans that diesels are more fuel efficient and emit less carbon dioxide. On display is the 2009 Jetta TDI, which goes on sale in the sprint of 2008. It will be the first diesels to be 50 state emissions legal under the current laws. The Jetta TDI has a 140 HP 2.0 liter engine with 235 pound feet of torque. A 50 state legal Touareg TDI will also be available soon.

Edmunds

Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids fuel economy announced

Drive a Chevrolet Tahoe around the city and get the same fuel economy as a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry. What? Yes, it is true. The Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids get the same MPG as the Camry on the EPA’s City test loop. The Hybrid SUVs will get 21 city / 22 highway for 2WD models and 20 city / 20 highway for 4WD models. This is a 50% gain in the City test over the non hybrid versions. The power train is a two-mode hybrid system. It can go up to 32 miles per hour on electric power only. GM will also put this Hybrid system into its full size pickups.

AutoWeek