Driven: 2010 Mazda CX-9
Mazda's CX-9 can be more than a little deceiving. Get caught up in the driving experience—as you actually can in the somewhat nimble-feeling CX-9—and you might actually think you're driving a tall but reasonably compact wagon.
That is, until you look back from the front seat at the spacious three-row interior or assess from the outside that yes, this really is a large vehicle.
For 2010, the CX-9 gets a few minor design improvements, but inside or out, you'd probably have to park the '09 and '10 side by side to notice the differences. At the front, the CX-9 gets a little more brightwork to frame its grille, lower grille and foglamps, while the detailing of the headlamp lenses has changed a bit. Altogether the result is a slightly upward grin that hints of the Mazda3's controversial front-end look. In back there's a new strip of chrome, a smoother back bumper cover, and different taillamp lenses, but it's otherwise virtually identical to the 2009. Inside, there's a sportier steering-wheel design that better matches the one used in newer Mazdas, plus new seating surfaces, a new double-lid design for the center console, and piano-black accents.
Overall, we appreciate the rakish yet very functional design of the CX-9—especially its sleek, crisply styled snout, which completely eschews the rugged styling cues that some other makers of large and mid-size crossover vehicles are holding on to. Inside, although the CX-9's driving position is just as high up as in other vehicles, the more cockpit-style instrument panel and smaller-diameter steering wheel can make you think you're in something lower and leaner.
The 2010 Mazda CX-9 doesn't at all disappoint in the driving experience. It handles with surprising alacrity and whether moving fast down a twisty road or swerving quickly around an obstacle, it has excellent body control. Power steering boost is strong, with little if any actual feel of the road, and although the steering is light it feels responsive and precise while still being settled on center. Brakes feel firm and capable, but brake hard and you're met with a considerable amount of nosedive.
That last observation underlines a point; although the CX-9 rides quite firmly yet smoothly, there's an underlying softness in the suspension if you really push it—likely to keep the handling safe for such a heavy vehicle. So although you might feel zoom-zoom, you might not actually be moving the CX-9 much faster than the competition.
Preview: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty
Ford has taken the wraps off its new 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup truck, which comes onto the market later this year with all-new powertrains, including a Ford-designed and engineered 6.7-liter ‘Power Stroke’ V-8 turbodiesel.
A new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine has also been is added to the lineup, and both engines are claimed to deliver significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy. Both engines are mated to a new 6R140 heavy-duty ‘TorqShift’ six-speed automatic transmission with pseudo-manual SelectShift control.
Ford's F-Series has been the best-selling line of trucks in the U.S. for 32 straight years, and the new Super Duty should only build on that legacy. The pickup made its debut at the Texas State Fair in Dallas today, where Ford was also showing off its latest Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel.
We first reported about the new oil-burner late last month, where we learnt that the engine will feature several industry-firsts such as an inboard exhaust architecture and a unique single-sequential turbocharger with a double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft.
Engine outputs and EPA estimates, for both the new turbodiesel and gasoline units, should be released closer to the vehicle’s launch later this year. What we do know is that the 2011 F-Series Super Duty will offer best-in-class towing and payload.
Particularly noteworthy are productivity enhancements to the F-450 pickup to benefit the heaviest-duty trailer tow customers. Unneeded weight was shed, helping to improve fuel economy and top speed. Even with these changes, the Super Duty F-450 pickup maintains its class-leading gross combined weight rating of 33,000 pounds.
Other enhanced towing, off-road control features and safety improvements include Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, an Electronic Locking Differential, a tire pressure monitoring system and optional side curtain air-bags.
One of the primary focuses for the 2011 Super duty was improved ride and handling. That’s why the engineering team optimized the frame and suspension of the current Super Duty, particularly the leaf springs and spring rate, as well as adjusting the internal valving in all the shock absorbers to enable greater towing and payload capability with further ride refinement.
The steering gear also is new. The 4x2 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty feature modified steering system geometry to take better advantage of the twin I-beam suspension, which combines the performance of an independent suspension with the durability of a beam axle suspension. Improved response, precision and better on-center steering and control come from making the steering gear symmetric left to right.
Styling has also been revised, both inside and out, and customers will be happy to know that a new 4.2-inch LCD ‘Productivity Screen’ has been installed to take full advantage of the 2011 Super Duty's capabilities. Also available is a five-way button on the steering wheel that allows customers to navigate through various menu options--several relating to fuel economy and towing convenience--never before available on a Super Duty truck.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2010 Hyundai Elantra Lineup Saves Gas And Goes Blue
Hyundai has made a very smart choice on its Elantra sedan for 2010: improved its fuel economy. And at the center of the improvement is a new frugal base model, the Elantra Blue.
Through some relatively simple engineering enhancements—such as a smart alternator, lower-friction components, and revised/taller gear ratios, along with revised engine calibration—Hyundai has improved fuel efficiency on the Elantra Blue (versus last year's Elantra models) by up to eight percent. EPA ratings now stand at 26 mpg city, 35 highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission—up from 24 mpg city, 33 highway on last year's model.
Due to "smart engineering enhancements" on other Elantra GLS and SE models, fuel economy ratings have gone up about one mpg in both city and highway ratings, to 26 mpg city, 34 highway.
Throughout the model line, the changes have been achieved while preserving the engine's power output. All models remain powered by a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; PZEV versions make 132 hp.
Unfortunately, these changes don't apply to the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring sport wagon.
Prices are mostly unchanged, with the base Blue model just $25 higher than last year's GLS. The base Blue, at a $14,145 MSRP, includes power heated mirrors, power locks and windows, keyless entry, a split-folding rear seatback, and a tilt (though not telescopic) steering wheel. Options include air conditioning, an upgraded 172-watt audio system with MP3 compatibility, iPod and USB inputs, and cruise control. In short, it's a gas-saver but not a blue-light special.
The GLS moves a bit upscale from last year, adding most of those options plus a few more minor features, such as fog lamps, while the top-of-the-line SE includes steering-wheel audio controls, leather trim, telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, sport-tuned steering and suspension, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Of note is that the fuel-economy improvements in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue model don't involve an extra-cost package (such as in the 2010 Kia Forte) or the need to step up to a higher-priced model. Hyundai points out in a release that the 2010 Elantra Blue is priced lower than base models of the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 2010 Ford Focus, 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2009 Honda Civic.
General Motors can be credited with reviving this trend toward special trims of small-models with improved fuel economy; last year as gas prices surged, GM produced an improved-efficiency XFE version of its Chevrolet Cobalt.
In the 1980s and into the 1990s, such models were quite common and automakers produced various fuel-stingy trims such as the Dodge Omni Miser, Honda CRX HF, and Chevrolet Sprint ER.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
All Aboard: Obama Pushes For Upgraded National Rail System
President Obama is thinking a lot about transportation these days. Not only is he working on/over the auto industry, but he's also got big plans for public transit--namely, trains.
Yesterday, Obama discussed his plans for a beefed-up network of high-speed (150mph +) passenger rail lines, organized around ten strategic corridors ranging in size from 100 to 600 miles in length. Most of those are coastal, ringing the Gulf of Mexico and going up the eastern seaboard, with others zipping through California and through Oregon/Washington. Two plow through the heartland--one runs up from the Mexican border with Texas, and another spiders out from Chicago. [Railheads and curious types can find a PDF of the President's plan right over here.]
There's no word on what such a plan would cost, but $8 billion of expenses would come from the recent stimulus bill, and another $5 billion for the project is included in the president's FY2010 budget. If properly executed, Obama argues that the rail improvements would decrease America's dependence on foreign oil and have a positive impact on the environment. They would also allow TCC staff the luxury of getting hammered on road trips without the hassle of getting our flasks through airport security. And that, as a certain blonde might say, is a good thing.
[source: CNN]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
How To Say ‘Volvo’ In Chinese? Geely Poised To Buy Swedish Firm
The politics of a recession, it seems, makes for strange bedfellows. Or exotic Asian ones, anyway. Today the Huffington Post reports that Ford is in talks with Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. to buy Volvo, the last remnant of the once-promising Premiere Automotive Group. It is said Ford has also made overtures to Chery Automobile Co. and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. in seeking to avoid the government loans that competitors GM and Chrysler have taken.
The deal will likely yield Ford less than the $6.4 billion purchase price it shelled out for Volvo back in '99 according to one individual familiar with the proposed deal. But hoping to steer clear of federal funds that come with multiple conditions and negative public opinion, Ford might put price concerns aside.
This last step in disbanding the Premiere Automotive Group will be good for Ford, who can then worry less about Volvo's declining sales and focus more on its promising developments such as its gas/electric hybrid drivetrains and new generation of fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. Ford has already offloaded the PAG's Jaguar to India's Tata Motors, as well as selling off Land Rover and Aston Martin.
Ford is the domestic automaker best poised to weather the auto sales downturn, and has recently enjoyed huge quality improvements and won accolades for its highly efficient 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids.
[source: huffingtonpost via bloomberg]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
