2007-2009 Mazda3, Mazda5 Recalled For Power-Steering Issue
Mazda is recalling 2007 through 2009 model-year Mazda3 and Mazda5 models for an issue with the power-steering system.
The recall follows an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), looking into power-steering system failures in the 2007-2009 Mazda3. Altogether, 33 complaints were received and three crashes were attributed to the issue.
The recall affects about 300,000 North American vehicles altogether, including some 2007 models, all 2008 models, and most 2009 models of the Mazda3 and Mazda5. A Mazda source told the publication that rust contamination in the vehicles' hydraulic steering system can cause the pump to overheat and shut down, sometimes temporarily. A service bulletin has already been out for more than a year.
"Should an issue occur with the power steering assist, the power steering malfunction warning light will illuminate, and the car will require more physical effort to steer," Mazda explained in a video available at its U.S. website. "But at no time is the vehicle undrivable."
Mazda emphasizes that if the power-steering fails, the vehicle will still track straight as normal, so the driver should proceed very carefully to a safe emergency pullout. Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes reiterated to TheCarConnection.com that if drivers experience the failure, "It just becomes much harder to steer the vehicle."
After a time, upon restart, the power steering might return and the vehicle might, at the customer's discretion, be driven cautiously directly to the dealership. However, Barnes says, if the issue has already occurred it's likely to again and drivers shouldn't assume that it was a one-time issue.
Through its dealerships, Mazda will be replacing the hydraulic lines and pumps of the affected steering systems.
Should owners have additional questions or concerns, they should call Mazda customer assistance at 800-222-5500.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2011 Cadillac CTS, 2011 Infiniti M Earn ‘Top Safety Pick’ Status
If you're limiting your luxury sedan search only to the safest models on the market, you have two new options. The 2011 Cadillac CTS and the 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56 have joined the ranks of the safest vehicles on the market, garnering the much-vaunted Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Cadillac CTS sedan, one of our High Gear Media editorial staff favorites, has gone several years without major changes and has top 'good' results in frontal, side, and rear impact scores applying all the way back to 2008 models. And now it's passed the roof test with flying colors—with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.12.
For these new roof tests, which the IIHS phased in this past year, the Institute measures protection in the event of a rollover by measuring how much constant pressure the roof will take in a designated area. To earn a 'good' rating, a vehicle's roof must be able to withstand four times its body weight.
The Infiniti M37 and M56 are completely redesigned for 2011. In the roof test, the new model achieved a comparable strength-to-weight ratio of 4.21. The predecessor to the M37 and M56, the 2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, hadn't done as well; it had achieved top 'good' ratings in frontal and side impact but earned a 'poor' rating in the IIHS seat-based rear-impact test.
In our full review of the 2011 Infiniti M, editorial director Marty Padgett points to the optional blind-spot and lane-departure systems, as well as the adaptive headlamps, that altogether help keep the driver from trouble. Otherwise, we like the new M's "super-sedan handling," rear-seat room, and gorgeous look inside and out, though we find the V-6 in the M37 a little coarse.
[IIHS]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2010 Cadillac SRX Named A Top Safety Pick
The 2010 Cadillac SRX—the luxury brand's mid-size crossover utility vehicle—has been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick.
A top score in the new IIHS rollover (roof-crush) test assures the award. While the SRX had already earned top 'good' ratings for frontal, side, and rear crash protection, the organization saves its Top Safety Pick designation for top scores in all those categories, plus the rollover test and the availability of electronic stability control.
In the roof test, the IIHS measures protection the vehicle might provide in the event of a rollover, by seeing how much constant force the roof will take in a particular location (and with a particular contact plate) before it deforms five inches. That force is then divided by the weight of the vehicle.
The SRX roof withstood 4.14 times its weight—although the IIHS cautions that GM strengthened the roof partway through the model year, and the results only apply to SRX models built after May 2010. To get a 'good' score, a vehicle must be able to withstand four times its body weight in the test. The current federal standard is just 1.5, though it's due to be doubled by 2016.
For 2010, the Cadillac SRX was completely redesigned—as well as realigned as a completely different kind of model than before. While the previous SRX had been based on a rear-wheel-drive sedan platform, this new version is related to the Chevrolet Equinox.
In our full review of the 2010 Cadillac SRX, we point to its rich interior appointments, strong engine performance, and excellent brakes as likes, though engine noise was a disappointment. The SRX competes in one of the hottest segment of the market, with some of the many alternatives including the Lexus RX 350, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.
[IIHS]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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Do You Text And Drive? Your Doctor Might Want To Know
Texting while driving: It's a known vice; it endangers the welfare of others; and now your doctor might try to talk to you about it.
In the last issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Amy M. Ship, MD, argues that physicians are in a position to spot harmful behavior and influence patients simply by reminding them of the consequences.
Ship sometimes tells her patients that driving while distracted carries about the same risks as being drunk, and says that although people are more aware of the dangers of texting, calling while driving actually causes more accidents.
Although the estimates do vary depending on who's consulted, Ship cites a National Safety Council study from May estimating that at least 1.6 million crashes—or 20 percent of all U.S. crashes—are caused each year by drivers using cellphones, of which 200,000 are due to text messaging. The numbers were calculated using National Highway Traffic Safety data showing that at any given time 11 percent of drivers are using cellphones and one percent are texting or performing other functions. Talking increases crash risk about four times, the report says, while texting increases it by up to 23 times.
Ship emphasizes that whether talking hands-free or not, the cognitive distraction of carrying on a conversation, like other activities like putting on a mascara or reading a map, increases the chance of an accident.
As with sex, condoms, cigarettes, alcohol or drugs, talking about it helps, argues the author, who cites U.S. Preventive Services Task Force data showing that just three minutes discussing tobacco use with a patient can lead them to quit smoking. "A question about driving and distraction is as central to the preventive care we provide as the other questions we ask," she asserts.
Meanwhile, the states continue to ramp up efforts to restrict the use of cellphones while driving. In Iowa, a new texting-while-driving ban goes into effect today.
So what do you think? Should doctors ask patients about texting and driving? Should they even be allowed to?
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2011 Grand Cherokee A Top Safety Pick; Crosstour ‘Disappointing’
Depending on which utility vehicle you choose, you might be getting vastly different degrees of roof protection in the event of a rollover.
That's the surprising result of that a new round of tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) serves to highlight.
First, the good news: In a new round of roof-strength tests for mid-size utility vehicles, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and closely related 2010 GMC Terrain; the 2010 Jeep Liberty and closely related Dodge Nitro; the 2010 Toyota Highlander; and the 2010 Toyota Venza all earned top 'good' ratings. So did the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2011 Kia Sorento.
The new test, which has been phased in this model year, measures protection in the event of a rollover by seeing how far the roof will deform inward when subjected to a constant pressure. To achieve the Institute's top 'good' rating, a roof must withstand the concentrated force of four times the vehicle's weight before a specific metal contact plate deforms the roof five inches inward.
The Toyota Highlander, Jeep Liberty, Toyota Venza, and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee all did extremely well, withstanding nearly five times their respective weights.
Among this latest batch, the Chevy Equinox, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Venza, and Kia Sorento all earned the Top Safety Pick designation, which requires top good scores in front, side, and rear tests along with the new rollover test.
The risk of serious or fatal injury in a rollover is about 50 percent lower for those with a 'good' roof strength rating than those without, according to the IIHS.
Five utility vehicles—the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and Nissan Murano—earned only a 'marginal' score.
In the case of the Crosstour, a model that's all new for 2010, it's a more noteworthy disappointment.
"First results show that automakers are making progress in rollover protection, but it's disappointing that a new design like the Crosstour didn't perform better," said IIHS president Adrian Lund in an official release. Although many classify the Crosstour as a car, as most of its componentry is shared with the Accord Sedan, the IIHS classifies it as an SUV.
It was only able to withstand about 2.8 times its weight in the test. The Honda Pilot and Mitsubishi Endeavor only withstood about three times their respective weights. The current federal standard is just 1.5, but the Crosstour might flunk last April the federal government rolled out tougher new standards that would phase in a new standard—of effectively three times the vehicle's weight—by 2016.
The Honda Accord Sedan, earlier this year, had earned a slightly better score of 'acceptable.' Prior to the new test, the Accord had been a Top Safety Pick.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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Toyota Recalls Another SUV For Stability Control Issue
Toyota Motor Sales has announced a recall of about 50,000 Sequoia sport-utility vehicles from the 2003 model year for an issue with the electronic stability control system.
An issue with the control unit's program logic could cause the stability control to activate at low speed (about 9 mph, Toyota says) when not needed, after accelerating from a stop, resulting in acceleration that's slower than intended.
Only about 50,000 Sequoias from the early part of the 2003 model year are affected by the recall, and in fall 2003 Toyota had issued the first of several Technical Service Bulletins. Since then, the automaker says it has been responding to owners by replacing the skid control engine control unit (ECU) on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened its own investigation on the Sequoia about 18 months ago, according to the New York Times, and the government agency has gathered 153 complaints regarding the issue.
"There have been no reported injuries or accidents as a result of this condition," Toyota says.
This is Toyota's second stability-control-related issue in the past month. Just a couple of weeks ago Consumer Reports noted an unexpected handling behavior in a test Lexus GX 460 that led Toyota to suspend the model's sales and then recall it for a stability control issue.
Electronic stability control (ESC, or VSC in Toyotas) is now widely offered and standard on most new cars and trucks, but in 2003 is was relatively uncommon. However several automakers, including Toyota moved to install the device through most of their sport-utility models well before required by the federal government. The measured phase-in by the federal government, requiring stability control on 100 percent of vehicles by 2012, requires all automakers to have the device on 75 percent of their 2010 models, 95 percent of 2011 models, and 100 percent of 2012 models.
ESC is especially useful in averting accidents, injuries, and deaths due to rollover in taller vehicles that could potentially be tripped by the combination of a loss in control plus a dropoff, a change in surface, or a barrier such as a curb.
For the most recent recall effort, beginning in late May Toyota will mail letters to all owners with 2003 Toyota Sequoia models affected by the issue. Or owners can call 800-331-4331.
The automaker says that if a customer has previously paid to have the ECU replaced, Toyota will consider reimbursement.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Makes The Global Safety Honor Roll
Small-car safety especially has come a long way. And while, by driving a smaller, lighter vehicle you'll still be at a disadvantage in certain situations, some of today's small cars with top marks—like the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze—can assure the security of a much larger vehicle.
As we outlined nearly a week ago, in a special Preview Drive of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, this new compact sedan has a number of safety segment firsts. Its ten airbags—including frontal, head-curtain, thorax side bags front and back, and knee bags—are the most in its segment, and the rear thorax and knee bags are standard-feature firsts for a value-priced compact car.
The new Cruze also has a collapsible pedal system to help reduce the risk of leg or ankle injuries—in a frontal crash, especially. Other noteworthy standard safety features include OnStar with Automatic Crash Response, which automatically notifies OnStar and first responders, including a 911 operator, depending on the chance of severe injury.
Although no U.S. crash tests have yet been conducted, General Motors is expecting top five-star and Good ratings in absolutely every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), respectively.
But so far, the Cruze has aced every other major crash-test program in the world.
The Cruze earned a score of 79 points out of 100 in the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP)—including an exemplary score of 96 percent in adult occupant protection that makes it one of the safest passenger cars, beating all tested premium-brand vehicles and a runner-up for the best test results this year.
In those European tests, the Cruze earned the maximum points allowed for both frontal offset and side-impact crash protection and was the first passenger car to get a perfect score among those tests since the ratings were established in 1997.
The Cruze has also achieved top marks in the KNCAP (Korea), C-NCAP (China), and ANCAP (Australia).
These market-specific models of the Cruze vary slightly, but not significantly, in structure, according to GM safety engineer Ken Bonello, and the Cruze is essentially a global compact car. And according to Bonello, the Cruze was able to ace these slightly different tests through extensive computer modeling from the start, attention to multiple load paths, and the use of more crash sensors than required.
We're eagerly awaiting both a first drive of the 2011 Chevy Cruze in final production form, as well as confirmation of this model's crash-test excellence for the U.S. In the meantime, be amazed by these EuroNCAP highlights.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom – Phantom Drophead Coupe Bottom Line
TheCarConnection.com has researched reviews and driven the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupe, and Phantom Drophead Coupe to bring you this comprehensive review of its safety, performance, styling, comfort, and quality. Resident Anglophiles at TheCarConnection.com also used their drives in other ultra-luxury vehicles to compare and contrast the Rolls-Royce Phantom range with other cars in its lofty class.
Likes
Traditional British styling
Effortless thrust from V-12
Unmatched refinement and quality
Overly conspicuous
Dislikes
Expensive price tag
Old-world styling
Overly conspicuous
Rolls-Royce is a brand that needs no introduction. It would be safe to say people on the farthest reaches of the planet would, at the very least, be acquainted with the name. The 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom, be it the Sedan, the Coupe, or the Drophead Coupe, is like no other vehicle in production. Some might say it is even the epitome of luxury motoring. The large presence, attention to even the smallest details, and extreme power ensure Rolls-Royce offers the rare combination of an ultra-luxury vehicle engineered in the most modern way possible but with a stark adherence to heritage and tradition.
The 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom range has a distinctive road presence, which is a mix of old and new. Some might not agree it always goes well together; nevertheless, the styling justifies its position at the forefront in the driving world. The tall radiator grille, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and massive D-pillar hark back to the days of classic Rolls-Royce models, though one does have to get used to the narrow, rectangular headlamps that seem a little out of place at first. The front end is tall and imposing, just the way it's meant to be. Keeping with its luxury heritage, there's chrome and polished metal everywhere, from the front grille to the exhaust pipes.
Once you step inside the new Phantom, Phantom Coupe, or Phantom Drophead Coupe, you are awed by chromed controls throughout the cabin, a glossy veneered dash, and a more than generous dose of hand-stitched leather. Even in the interior, the marriage between old and new is noticeable when the analog clock rotates out of view to expose a navigation system. Quite akin to older British luxury cars, there are also flip-out wooden "drinks cabinets" and "picnic tables" fitted in the backseat. You may find many of the details rather charming, such as the push-pull stems that control the air vents, the stitching on the seats, and the wood-veneered door paneling, to name a few. It goes without saying that the options are expensive, though it should be noted that, understandably, Rolls-Royce will cater to your every whim.
Traditional luxury is the hallmark of Rolls-Royce, the 2010 Phantom range is a modern performer, which can be largely attributed to BMW's engineering assistance. The 6.75-liter V-12 engine under the hood of all three models is a variation on the 12-cylinder unit found in some big BMW 7-Series sedans. The difference here is that they are designed specifically for use in the Phantom and hand-built by Rolls-Royce engineers. The result is 453 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque in a seamless, nearly silent stream of power. Transmitted to the car's rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine's power pushes these nearly 6,000-pound vehicles to 60 mph from rest in less than six seconds. A control-arm front and rear multilink suspension are teamed with self-leveling air springs and electronic damping to produce an ethereal ride quality and surprisingly responsive, but feather-light, steering. Rolls-Royce claims excellent dynamics for the Phantom range, though with a trucklike 47.9-foot turning circle, it can be difficult to push on public roads, let alone park. It should be noted that TheCarConnection.com's testers sampled the cars' effortless straight-ahead feel at more than 100 mph and can attest to their quiet, fleet freeway feel. Fuel economy is shocking at around 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, but one should take into consideration that it's astonishingly high for cars that weigh, at minimum, 5,800 pounds.
The 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom range uses an aluminum body to house the luxury that comfortably seats five passengers. The reason for aluminum is purely because it is lighter than steel, as well as being strong enough to allow the Phantom's rear doors to open on rear hinges, "coach" style, as the automaker puts it. For those fond of the cold hard facts, the longest variant of the Phantom, the Sedan, is about 19 feet in length (the EWB version is 20 feet), and with a wheelbase of almost 12 feet (12.5 feet in the EWB), it's as long as a MINI Cooper. This is a major contributing factor toward the interior space afforded to the front and rear passengers, as well as the cathedral-like headroom. It's not a ridiculously wide sedan, even though it offers 103 cubic feet of interior volume. Trunk space is wide but not very deep, at 14.1 cubic feet.
Rolls-Royce is not just about the large interior space; it's more about luxury and refinement, and the Phantom does not disappoint. Rolls-Royce selects cows for perfect leather graining and cuts their hides with laser precision, bonds the wood trim to aluminum for durability, and employs furniture makers to blend details like inlaid mother of pearl and banded boxwood into the trim. From the ultra-plush carpeting to the exquisite headliner, the Rolls-Royce Phantom range is an exquisite piece of work.
The Phantom Drophead Coupe—just like the Sedan—is in a class of its own in terms of presence, prestige, and luxury in the world of convertibles. It is 10 inches shorter than the Sedan but doesn't seem any smaller. Entry and exit are a breeze, thanks to the coach-style rear hinged doors. The driving experience and ride in the Drophead Coupe are unlike those of any other convertible; it's devoid of any body roll, and nothing interrupts the smoothness of your ride. One does not wait to see how fast the roof opens and closes before buying this car. A similar story can be told for the Phantom Coupe.
The 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupe, and Phantom Drophead Coupe offer passengers all the safety they would need. The strong aluminum body is backed up by standard dual front, side, and curtain airbags. Those curtain airbags protect rear passengers as well. Anti-lock brakes, along with stability and traction control, are also standard, as are an electronic parking brake and park-distance control sensors for the front and rear. Front and rear cameras are offered as an option, but the Phantom does not include the very latest safety features, like lane-departure warning systems, laser-guided cruise control, or blind-spot detection systems. Understandably, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested these cars.
As mentioned earlier, Rolls Royce will cater to your every whim, and if you aren't sure what your whims may be, the list of options is endless. Though one might complain about the radio and satellite navigation not collaborating well, the sheer number of dazzling options and finishes makes the Phantom a perfect score for features. The leather interior, wood trim, and coach-style rear doors are complemented by a heated windshield, rain-sensing wipers, bi-xenon headlamps, wood-trimmed rear picnic tables, soft-close doors and trunk lid, power front seats, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, automatic climate control, a sunroof, heated front and rear seats, twin umbrellas stowed in the coach doors, a retracting Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Lexicon Logic 7 audio system with 420 watts of power, 15 speakers, a six-stacker CD changer, and satellite radio. The test cars given to TheCarConnection.com come with a vast number of other features, including custom paint ($9,800), seat piping ($2,520), a veneered instrument panel ($1,100), Rolls-Royce logos stitched into the headrests ($620), door-mounted drinks cabinets ($14,600), front and rear cameras ($3,300), a "coolbox" for drinks ($5,200), 20-inch wheels ($6,250), chrome exhausts ($6,000), Starlight headlining ($7,200), iPod integration ($630), a six-stacker DVD changer ($1,550), theater-style rear seating ($10,400), a milled drink-holder box, also known as cup holders ($5,100), Rolls-Royce inlays in the door caps ($1,500), front cup holder veneer trim ($920), silver pinstripes on the door caps ($5,310), a thicker steering wheel ($4,290), a two-tone instrument panel top ($1,230), and a bespoke package of black Rolls-Royce logos on the headrests, chrome window switches, and satin trim on the engine ($5,810). All tallied to a final price of almost $450,000, thus making the Phantom the most expensive car ever road-tested by TheCarConnection.com to date. In addition, Rolls-Royce will fit its cars in almost any way imaginable, depending on your preferences, ranging from turning the glove box into a humidor, to modifying the body for added luggage space in the trunk, to buffing the Ecstasy ornament with 24-carat gold.
The Phantom Sedan is available in either standard or EWB (extended-wheelbase) forms, with a base price beginning at $380,000, not including a $2,000 destination charge and a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax. The Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB starts at a whopping $450,000, while the Coupe will set you back around $408,000 and the Drophead Coupe around $443,000.
The Bottom Line: Anyone who rides in the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupe, or Phantom Drophead Coupe will feel like royalty, but at a starting price of almost $400,000, you'd expect that.
Other Choices
If you like the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupe, or Phantom Drophead Coupe, also consider:
- Maybach 57
- Maybach 62
- Bentley Continental Supersports
- Bentley Continental GTC Speed
Reason Why:
The only real competitors to the 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom range are the Maybach 57 and 62, and even these can only compete with the Phantom Sedan. They are built by Mercedes-Benz and are technically just as polished as the Rolls-Royce models, but unfortunately their styling is too similar to the much lesser S-Class on which they share a platform. In a segment where owners typically wish to be seen, the design of the Maybachs can be perceived as too conservative. The Bentley Continental Supersports and the lesser Continental GTC Speed are a bit left of center when it comes to the world of ultra-luxury, but their prodigious amounts of power, prestige, and exclusivity are worth a look. Note that unlike the standard Continental models, the Supersports only have two seats.
Buying Tip
Bring some opinions along with you when visiting the showroom, and maybe even some color swatches. The company will fit your Phantom with nearly any option you like—whether they're specific leathers and woods or a different set of crystal champagne flutes. It takes patience, but such is the cost of absolute luxury.
This 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Review originally appeared at TheCarConnection.com where you can see more photos and news on the Rolls-Royce Phantom
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One More For The Road: Wisconsin Flunks Sobriety Test
Anyone who's ever driven across Wisconsin on its beautiful two-laners knows that in many areas you're more likely to find a rural tavern than you are a church, or even a gas station.
Wisconsin remains the only state where the first drunk-driving offense is a traffic violation, not even a crime, and it was the last state to lower the legal blood-alcohol limit from to 0.08. And it's legal for children to drink alcohol at the bar if with a parent.
The state, after all, has been a stronghold for breweries and the brewing industry, as well as binge drinkers big and small (and cheese- and sausage-eaters).
As the Associated Press outlines in a report, the state has a long history of lawmakers themselves arrested for drunk driving, which might have something to do with the state's reluctance to really crack down on the problem. Jeff Wood, a state representative currently still in office, has been charged with three DUIs in a ten-month period; he likely will save his seat and avoid jail time. He's just the latest in a long string of lawmakers and state officials to be forgiven for drunk driving.
And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assessment on alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, Wisconsin is in the upper third for alcohol-impaired fatalities related to total fatalities.
In 2008, a whopping 42.4 percent of Wisconsin's traffic fatalities were considered alcohol-impaired. That's higher than any other state, including a number of states in Appalachia that have, like it or not, more of a pop-culture association with drinking, driving, and crashing. Utah ranked most sober, with 18.5 percent of its crashes alcohol-impaired. Likewise a U.S. Health and Human Services report found that 26.4 percent of Wisconsin's drivers had driven while impaired at least once in the past year—versus about 15 percent nationally and 9.5 percent in Utah.
Wisconsin also hasn't laid down the law in any form regarding talking or texting behind the wheel, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
It's all a little surprising, why a state that's known for being more socially conscious at times hasn't with drinking and driving. For instance, New Hampshire, another state with a surprisingly high rate of alcohol-influenced crashes and fatalities, has taken action by restricting all driving privileges for six months with the first offense. Ignition interlocks are required there for both repeat offenders and high-blood-alcohol first offenders. Wisconsin, on the other hand, like some states, has a six-month suspension with the first offense (the moving violation), but driving privileges can be (and usually are) restored.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2010 Maserati GranTurismo GranTurismo Convertible Bottom Line
TheCarConnection.com has driven the GranTurismo to bring you firsthand impressions and an overall assessment here in this Bottom Line. Then to bring you a wide range of opinions, TheCarConnection.com has handpicked highlights from many consumer and enthusiast publications that have also reviewed or tested the 2010 Maserati GranTurismo in person.
Likes
Badge cred
Sonorous Ferrari-built V-8
Superb steering
Luxurious interior
Comfortable seating position
Dislikes
Stiff ride
Seats could be more supportive
No manual option
No cool gadgets
Two years ago, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the GranSport model. The lineup was then expanded last year with the introduction of the more powerful GranTurismo S, as well as a new ZF six-speed automatic in replacement of Maserati's previous robotized semi-manual transmission. This year sees the introduction of the GranTurismo Convertible, also called GranCabrio, which is easily the pick of the bunch if money is no option.
The 2010 Maserati GranTurismo has a very attractive silhouette, keeping up with the sleek voluptuous design that one would expect of an Italian exotic. You need to see the GranTurismo up close to really appreciate its beauty, which is dominated by the curves, the low front end, the flared rear fenders, and the oversized front grille.
The standard 2010 Maserati GranTurismo comes equipped with a 405-horsepower 4.2-liter V-8, while the sportier GranTurismo S gets a 4.7-liter engine with 433 horsepower on tap. Both engines are a variation of an original Ferrari design and, as expected, sound wonderful when revved hard. The GranTurismo Convertible also gets the more powerful 4.7-liter V-8. Standard across the GranTurismo range is a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. After being introduced last year, it has proven to be an excellent replacement for the old Duo-Select automated manual gearbox. The ZF automatic shifts quickly and decisively, and it seems to react more promptly to throttle inputs and steep grades than most automatics. Click the paddles alongside the steering wheel, and it almost instantaneously commands a shift. The 0-60 mph run now takes just 5.1 seconds in the GranTurismo, while the GranTurismo S gets there in 4.5 seconds. Top speeds are 177 mph and 183 mph, respectively. The GranTurismo convertible, despite having the more powerful engine, is the slowest of the pack with a 0-60 mph sprint time of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph. The slight performance differential is due to the extra weight of chassis strengthening required when removing a car's roof.
The 2010 Maserati GranTurismo manages to handle in a very nimble fashion in tight corners, aided by the quick ratio steering. This allows even the most amateur of drivers to attack hairpins with ease despite the fact that the car is considerably heavier than its rivals. The famous Skyhook-derived suspension provides a firm ride coupled with little body motion, and changing the driving mode to Sport as expected firms up the ride further, as well as increasing throttle sensitivity. Stopping power from the brakes is excellent, with the resistance on the pedal reminiscent of other exotics and classics.
In comparison with other coupes of this size and class, the interior of the GranTurismo offers slightly narrower seats and footwells. The car's cabin feels intimate, due to quality materials and soft, minimally processed leather quite unlike the stiff slippery type on mass-produced luxury coupes. The seats, while great looking, are also rather flat and can get slightly uncomfortable on long journeys. The two rear seats are more for show than any practical use, as it is too small for adults to get in and out of, let alone sit in it. The headroom is also rather limited due to the design of the pillars, which slope inward to the roof. However, compared to previous Maseratis, the driving position is still much more accommodating for taller and larger people. The trunk is also a bit tight, with only enough space to carry a small suitcase or a couple of little duffel bags. Fans of top-down cruising will also be glad to know the GranTurismo Convertible's trunk space is the same with the top up or down, meaning you won't have to abandon your overnight luggage by the side of the road should thunderclouds loom on the horizon. The whole affair is surprisingly refined, though; it's interesting to note that the 2010 GranTurismo proves to be remarkably civilized when driven with ease.
Unfortunately the 2010 Maserati GranTurismo has not been crash-tested, though the safety-feature list is competitive; seat-mounted side airbags and head-protecting curtain bags are included, along with anti-lock brakes and stability control all as standard.
All GranTurismos are built to order and are highly customizable. For example, customers can pick from eight different upholstery colors (including the very bright-red Rosso Corallo), three different wood veneers, ten different dash surfaces, and a tremendous number of combinations for steering-wheel trim, carpets, and seat stitching.
The Bottom Line: With its gorgeous styling and Ferrari-built engine, the 2010 Maserati GranTurismo is hard to fault.
Other Choices
If you like the 2010 Maserati GranTurismo, also consider:
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage
- Ferrari California
- Jaguar XKR
- Porsche 911
- Audi S5
Reason Why:
The 2010 Maserati GranTurismo is big, powerful, and extremely comfortable. The stunning tourer has the heart of a Ferrari but without the exorbitant price tag of its fellow Italian rivals, though it's hardly what you would call affordable. The Jaguar XKR probably comes closest in terms of dynamics and performance but costs tens of thousands less. The Ferrari California is also very similar to the GranTurismo in terms of specs, but its price tag is much higher and most find its styling less appealing. The Porsche 911 is more for performance buffs who appreciate the precision engineering and the unique driving experience that only a Porsche can deliver. For buyers on a smaller budget, Audi's S5 offers similar V-8 grand touring performance and an equally nice interior but a price tag that's almost half that of the Maserati.
Buying Tip
Maserati allows for a wide range of color combinations for the exterior and interior, not all of which are pleasant; when in doubt, heed the advice of the dealership.
This 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Review originally appeared at TheCarConnection.com where you can see more photos and news on the Maserati GranTurismo
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