Automotive Reviews

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Shelby, Tesla, Datsun (?) among world's top-10 fastest electric cars

“Below, we’ve listed the world’s top 10 fastest electric cars, based on the best available information (and a little creative license). Note that our criteria does not take into account a variety of important factors like charging time, availability and cost. All cars are simply ranked by the time it takes them to get from 0-60 mph. “Most of the machines shown here are either not available or otherwise out out of the realm of possibility for most, but then again, so are most high-performance gas-powered cars, but that doesn’t keep us from admiring them.” And here’s the list: 1. Shelby Supercars Aero EV, 2.5 seconds 2. 1972 Electric Datsun, 3.0 seconds 3. Wrightspeed Xi, 3.07 seconds 4. L1X-75, 3.1

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Ferrari unveils new web site with Formula 1 season

As one of the first companies to build a presence on the ‘net in the early 1990s, Ferrari’s goal now is to ensure the millions of tifosi and enthusiasts who log on to the Ferrari website each day will live the Ferrari experience online. Through its new www.ferrari.com portal, Ferrari now offers site visitors to the site now enjoy more content and a better internet relationship with Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Italy.  The new sites boasts a wide range in a revised and freshened graphic design and unique content. Apart from its numerous interactive sections with exclusive images and dedicated to GT & Sport cars, Scuderia F1, News, Community and Ferrari Store, www.ferrari.com also now boasts a major new feature:

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Tesla debuts prototype of Model S, its new, all-electric sedan

Founded in 2003, Tesla‘s debut vehicle is the $109,000 Roadster sports car. The 300th Roadster was recently delivered to its owner and the waiting list includes more than 1,000 wannabe owners. The Model S, which Tesla touts as the first mass-manufactured all-electric car, will cost $57,400, or $49,900 after tax credits. Elon Musk, Tesla Motors’ chief executive, and chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, debuted the Model S to a gathering and industry analysts and the media March 26 in Hawthorne, Calif. According to a report in the New York Times, Musk said, “When gas savings are taken into account, buying a Model S will be comparable to buying a $35,000 Ford sedan. Would you rather have this car (the Tesla)

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Mercedes Benz Will Unveil New Hyrbrid In 2009

Based on the S350, the S400 BlueHYBRID uses a 3.5-litre engine, an additional magneto-electric motor, and a seven-speed automatic transmission configured for the hybrid module. The system is a mild hybrid, with the electric motor boosting the gasoline engine during acceleration, along with an auto-stop function that switches off the engine when stopped, such as at traffic lights. Mercedes-Benz said its high-voltage lithium-ion battery is the first worldwide to be introduced in a series-production vehicle. When compared to a conventional nickel/metal hydride battery, the new battery has a higher energy density, better electrical efficiency, more compact dimensions and lower weight. It is positioned in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery, with no changes to the interior

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Volkswagen Tiguan, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

As someone whose first two vehicles were Volkswagens, I remain a fan of the German automaker, and I’m not alone in my admiration. Volkswagen rose to prominence in the 1960s and continued to grow for two decades. The line began to falter in the early ‘90s, but Volkswagen has refocused and made a successful turnaround. In the past decade, Volkswagen has kept rolling out hits. The latest is the 2009 Tiguan, a compact sport utility vehicle recently driven for a week. Like many of its predecessors, the Tiguan has received high marks in many areas. It’s understandable because VW is consistently again offering vehicles with refined handling and upscale accommodations. Naming vehicles in not one of VW’s strengths. Like its

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Tata Nano: New York Times test drives India's new $2,000 'People's Car'

The Times had its reporter, Nick Kurczewski, in Pune, India, to test drive the Nano. It’s the estimated $2,000 car some industry experts believe could be as important to the automotive industry as the Ford Model-T and the Volkswagen Beetle. “The Nano has a 32-horsepower, 624-cc, 2-cylinder engine mounted in the rear. Access is given to the engine via a removable panel underneath the foldable rear seat. Despite being a fraction of the size of most economy-car engines, the all-aluminum engine provides reasonable pep. Engine noise is also far less than one might imagine given the size and simplicity of the Nano. “Acceleration is hardly neck-snapping. An informal timed run from zero to 50 miles an hour took 16.4 seconds;

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Ford Escape, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

When Ford unveiled the Escape eight years ago it offered an extremely functional compact sport utility vehicle, and it was an instant hit. The Escape had impressive sales for the next several years, but Ford made a giant tactical error. It didn’t offer any major improvements, and competition grew and gained ground. Realizing significant changes were overdue, Ford authorized a redesign in 2008. There were plenty of positives, including a tougher-looking exterior, enhanced performance and improved ride capability. While the Escape’s changes are good, more consumers are turning to less expensive and more gas-friendly SUVs. And the choices are many, including the Toyota RAV4, Saturn Vue, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan and Suzuki Grand Vitara. Put the Escape in top tier

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Tata Motor's Nano (You Tube debut video)

After much anticipation, reservations for the Tata Nano, the India-manufactured car some automobile experts believe will be as influential as the Model T Ford and the Volkswagen Beetle, will be available for March 23 in more than 400 dealerships in India. The Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car and nicknamed “The People’s Car,” will cost an estimated $1,945 or 100,00 rupees, the currency of India. According to Tata Motors representatives, full production of the Nano will take 1 1/2 years and only a limited supply of the vehicle will be available this spring. Ratan Tata, who conceived the car, said a European version of the Nano meeting all European emission and safety standards will be available in 2001. It

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Cadillac CTS-V, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The new CTS-V includes GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension that monitors road conditions and adjusts the suspension as needed. Standard equipment is varied and so are the more than $10,000 in available options, Recaro seats to a navigation system, steering-linked headlamps to Alcantara (suede-like) micro- wrapped shift lever and steering wheel. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (10) Impressive numbers, for sure: 6.2-liter V8 with 556 horsepower and manufacturer claim of 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. If you like power and speed in a luxury sedan, what’s not to like? It doesn’t get much better than this. Braking/Steering/Handling (8) Smooth, smooth, smooth. Like Cadillac‘s interior design, negotiating the road has always been among Cadillac‘s strong suits. No difference with the CTS.

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Lexus IS350, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But Lexus has largely left well-enough alone. The IS350 is a four-door sedan with more desire to be a two-door sports coupe. It’s positioned in a competition market segment, matched largely against the Infiniti G series, Cadillac CTS and perennial favorite BMW. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (8) It’s a four-door sedan with a six-speed automatic transmission that advances with sports car speed. There’s a 306 horsepower V6 and the standard 0-60 mph test is performed in 5.6 seconds. How many sedans can match that? A manual transmission is not available. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) Competition is fierce from industry leaders, including the Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G35 and BMW 3 series. There’s nothing wrong with Lexus, but there’s nothing great in these

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Buick, Jaguar dethrone Lexus in J.D. Power reliability survey

For the past 15 years, Lexus had been the most reliable brand in the Vehicle Dependability Study. The  study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles. The study was redesigned this  to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Buick was ranked sixth last year; Jaguar placed 10th in 2008. Lexus followed the Jaguar-Buick tie, with Toyota and Mercury following closely. The J.D. Power research details owners of Buick and Jaguar models reported an average of 122 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to 126 problems per 100 vehicle for Lexus owners. Lexus can, however, still lay claim to the most reliable vehicle, the LS430, with the fewest problems reported – just

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Porsche, Honda, BMW, Chevrolet dominate Car and Driver's top-10 best car lists the past three years

* The car must be new or significantly redesigned from a previous year; * Its price can’t exceed more than 2.5-times the average price of a new in the year of the list ($71,000 for 2009); * If a car doesn’t make the list on its first year of eligibility, it must undergo a redesign for future eligibility; * Once a car makes the list, it’s on the list again the following year and can remain on the list indefinitely unless there’s a drastic reason why it should be removed — a major change in the vehicle or the spectacularly warranted debut of a new car on the list. There aren’t many changes year-to-year, but here’s the last three years

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Nissan Altima Coupe & Murano, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

While Honda and Toyota deservedly receive praise for their competent vehicles, Nissan has resided quietly in the shadows. But test driving Nissan vehicles during the past 10 years has made me appreciate the high quality of the lesser-revered Japanese automaker. I recently drove two of my favorite Nissan vehicles, each for a week. The 2009 Altima Coupe and the 2009 Murano are solid choices for any scrutinizing car shopper. Here is a look at both vehicles: Altima Coupe Although the standard midsize Altima is a wonderful family car, the Coupe offers a different quality – a sporty appeal. Added last year to the Altima lineup, the Coupe resides on a shorter wheelbase and has its own styling. The smaller size

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Honda Insight 2010 set for earlier distribution, lower price than Toyota Prius

The 2010 Honda Insight will be available sooner than previously announced, according to the New York Times. The gas-electric hybrid will be available beginning March 24 at a starting price for the base LM model of $19,800. According to the newspaper, the total price (with destination charge) will be $20,470 or about $2,250 less than Toyota Prius, the best-selling hybrid in the United States. A new Prius is also scheduled to soon debut, but its price has not been announced. In the Times article, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, said: “Insight is the most affordable new hybrid available in the U.S. In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where

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Kia Borrego, 2009: Weidel on Wheels

While most manufacturers are creating a sleek crossover sport utility vehicle or remodeling an existing offering, Kia has introduced the 2009 Borrego, its first truck-like sport utility vehicle. Has Kia made a mistake or is the Korean manufacturer dumb like a fox? Time will tell, but there’s no doubt Kia is gambling traditional midsize SUVs still have appeal. The seven-passenger Borrego has a chance. It’s offered in attractive V6 and V8 packages, and is a solid midsize SUV with plenty of upside. It’s the largest Korean-made SUV, about a foot longer than the Kia Sorento. And it has nearly the same dimensions as the class-leading Ford Explorer. As a Kia, the Borrego will sell at a low price (between $26,245

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Nissan Maxima, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With an increase of 35 horsepower to 290 in its 3.5-liter V6, the new Maxima has a fine presence and further blurs the distinct line in what once were clear car segments. Paddle shifters to the sleek, shorter new body, it all adds to a new appeal for the more than 30-year-old model. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings (Rating low to high, 1 to 10 points) Acceleration (8) The increased horsepower makes a lot of difference. Quick, steady and powerful, the Maxima is impressive for quick bursts around town and it’s authoritative with power in reserve on the open road. Braking/Handling/Steering (7) Firm and tight in all areas. The engine has a noticeable growl at high speeds, but it’s not annoying.

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