Automotive Reviews

Hyundai Equus gets 2011 top large premium car honors

Another day, another honor for Hyundai. Competing against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS, the perennial leaders, the Hyundai Equus luxury sedan has for the first time earned the top spot on J.D. Power and Associate’s APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) Study for large premium cars. It marks the first time since the survey’s inception in 1996 that a car other than a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus has claimed the large premium category. The base starting price for the Equus is  $58,900. Hyundai, which began selling cars in the United States in 1986, had its overall biggest jump in the ranking, improving from 28th in 2010 to 15th in 2011. The study, now in its 16th year,

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BMW debuts electronic concept i3 at Frankfurt auto show

BMW has joined the green car market with the i3, an all-electric small city car, and the i8, a powerful hybrid sports car featuring an electric motor with a three-cylinder combustion engine. The BMW i3 Concept, which features rear-wheel drive, is making its debut at the current Frankfurt auto show. Both cars are constructed with light-weight aluminum structures and carbon fiber bodies and will operate on smaller batteries without sacrificing efficiency. The i3 is expected to travel as far as 95 miles on a single charge; the i8 will have 21-mile range on its electric engine. BMW hasn’t announced pricing, but the i3 should be available in late 2012 or early 2013 and the i8 in 2014. Selected specifications of

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Chevrolet Sonic, 2012: Only U.S.-made sub-compact

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, which replaces the South Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo, will be the only subcompact car built in the United States when it arrives this fall. The Sonic LS, which has a starting price of $14,495, has 10 standard airbags – the most of any subcompact — and has 138-horsepower 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine matched with five-speed transmission. Fuel economy projections haven’t been released for the base engine. But with the upgraded 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission, the Sonic is expected to get 40 mpg in highway driving. The 2012 Chevy Sonic will available in sedan and hatchback, in LS, LT and LTZ models. Its LT pricing begins at $15,695 (sedan) and $16,495 (hatchback), with LTZ pricing

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Bugatti builds one specialty Veyron with procelain accents

Bugatti has developed a $2.2 million special edition of the Veyron Grand Sport model with porcelain accents, including a caviar tray. The L’Or Blanc, the first vehicle equipped with porcelain, according to Bugatti, is a joint effort between Volkswagen AG’s supercar brand and Berlin-based KPM. The latter company is a 248-year-old porcelain maker that traces its roots to King Frederick the Great of Prussia. The roadster, which will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, was recently unveiled in Berlin. “Installing porcelain in the world’s fastest convertible car seems like a pretty odd idea,” said a Bugatti spokesperson. “But Bugatti has made a name for itself by not shying away from extravagant ideas.” With Lamborghini and Bently, Volkswagen

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Honda set to debut 2012 CR-V fourth generation

Honda recently debuted a “concept” of its popular CR-V SUV, the fourth edition of which will be officially unveiled Sept. 22 at the Orange Country (California) International Auto Show and available at U.S. dealers by the end of the year. The 2012 Honda CR-V will feature a more aggressive design, sculptured body lines and a bolder front with thick three-bar grill and deeply-set headlamps. The vertical rear taillights of previous CR-V models have also been embedded deeper into the design of the vehicle, with a more three-dimensional style – although this is a concept vehicle, previous models have proved almost identical to their production counterparts upon release. Along with improved aerodynamics, the new model features a more fuel-efficient engine and

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Saab 9-5, 2011 car review

The redone 2011 Saab 9-5 Saab can hold its own with top European sports/luxury sedans. The Swedish automaker once had a reputation for being a capable but offbeat (by U.S. standards) outfit with a distinguished aircraft design background. I once roared across Sweden in a new Saab turbocharged model on a media trip and toured the plant where Saab built jet fighter airplanes. General Motors bought part of Saab years ago, then purchased the entire outfit —leaving it pretty much alone during most of its ownership. That allowed Saab to continue making cars considered out of the mainstream by many Americans. But Saab was marginally promoted and thus wasn’t on shopping lists of many sports/luxury foreign car buyers. Nevertheless, its

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Nissan Versa, 2012 car review

The reasonably priced second-generation 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan offers good value. While lively, it’s no thrill. It just provides solid basic, comfortable transportation. Nissan is mainly aiming the new Versa Sedan at single 25-29 year-old college graduates with no children. However, Nissan said at a preview of the car in Seattle the new car also should appeal to older buyers on budgets who want a roomy, economical compact car. The front-drive Versa looks more aerodynamic than distinctive. But it has clever, more-efficient packaging. Automakers strive to make new editions lighter. But the new Versa sedan is fully 150 pounds lighter than its predecessor — thanks to a new “V” (Versatile) platform. It uses nearly 20 percent fewer platform components. Note

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Acura TL, 2012 car review

The aggressive, blunt styling of the Acura TL has given way for 2012 to a smoother, more mainstream look. The nicely built car’s controversial front “beak” is gone, replaced by a reshaped fascia with a smaller grille. The rear also has been revised, with new bumpers, reshaped taillights and a thinner trunk edge. The car’s front overhang has been reduced, which helps give the car a lower, wider appearance. Adding to a sporty look are prominent dual exhaust outlet tips and body color door handles. The TL is a sleek four-door sedan offered with front-wheel drive or Acura’s advanced “Super Handling” all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) system. That system prevents torque steer and helps stability. It comes only with the larger 3.7-liter,

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Subaru Forester 2011 car review

I recently was in the left front seat of an older Subaru Forester at highways speeds, but with no steering wheel in front of me. Not to worry. I was in Australia, where the steering wheel is on the right side and vehicles are driven in the left lane. My daughter was at the wheel. I recently tested a 2011 Forester four-door small SUV (or “crossover,” if you will) after returning to America. This third-generation Forester, which was new for 2009, is appreciably larger in every dimension than the last generation model, with a roomier back seat. It’s styling is clean, but won’t turn heads. There are only minor trim changes for 2011. The new Forester is no more powerful

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Bugatti outdoes itself with Veyron with porcelain caviar tray

Bugatti has developed a $2.2 million special edition of the Veyron Grand Sport with porcelain accents, including a caviar tray. The L’Or Blanc, the first vehicle equipped with porcelain, according to Bugatti, is a joint effort between Volkswagen AG’s supercar brand and Berlin-based KPM. The latter company is a 248-year-old porcelain maker that traces its roots to King Frederick the Great of Prussia. The roadster, which will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, was unveiled last week in Berlin. “Installing porcelain in the world’s fastest convertible car seems like a pretty odd idea,” said a Bugatti spokesperson. “But Bugatti has made a name for itself by not shying away from extravagant ideas.” With Lamborghini and Bently, Volkswagen

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Driving the Tour de France: Skoda to Renault to Peugeot

CAP FREHEL, France — Bugatti, Citroën, Peugeot and Renault are current major car automakers in France. And with the exception of Bugatti, the French highways and country roads are often crowded with offerings from the other three carmakers now all more than 100 years old. Skoda, the Czechoslovakian carmaker, is the official car supplier of the Tour de France. But other than official race vehicles, Skoda models are scarce in the country, although, of course, not as scarce as Bugatti models. In the early years of the Tour de France, cars traveling with riders were loaded down with spare parts, not only for cyclists’ bikes but extra car equipment for the rugged journeys negotiating the snow-covered roads of the Alps and

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Driving the Tour de France, July 1: Me and my Renault

NANTES, France — A Mercedes-Benz more than a decade ago to several Renault models. A Citroen C4 sedan to a BMW 320i a few years back with a navigation system an 18-year guy from Australia showed me how to use. It all adds up to more than a decade of driving the Tour de France route start to finish in a variety of rental cars. This year, with the race beginning Saturday in Passage du Gois, I was looking forward what was supposed to be a 3 1/2-hour drive Friday (July 1) from Charles DeGaulle Airport outside of Paris to the media center in Les Herbiers. From there, on paper at least, it’s supposed to be 45 minutes to the

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Honda Civic 2012 car review

There are enough versions of the revamped, roomier, fuel-stingy 2012 Civic coupe and sedan to satisfy many small-car buyers, but most Civics have little personality. Some rivals are more fun to drive. That’s a step backward, at least as far as driving enthusiasts are concerned. At one time, the front-wheel-drive Civic was a lively Japanese car with a European feel. It was a kick to drive. Most of the new ninth-generation models feel generic. On the other hand, they’re very accomplished and deliver high fuel economy — not to mention good resale value. But only the latest $22,205-$22,405 Civic Si is really fun. It’s a hotrod with its larger 2.4-liter (up from 2-liter), slightly more powerful 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine, “sport-minded”

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Bugatti Veyron: So long, farewell as last of 300 sold

Bye-bye Bugatti, the Veyron and Super Sport, that is. The last of the 300 $2 million exclusive, fast, record-setting supercar and its sibling Super Sport, has been ordered in Europe. The Bugatti Veyron set numerous records, including fastest convertible at 223 mph (top up) and 253 mph (top down). The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal car in the world, with a top speed of 267.85 mph. Designed and developed by the German Volkswagen Group and produced by Bugatti Automobiles SAS at their headquarters in Château St. Jean in Molsheim, France, the Veyron’s chief designer was Hartmut Warkuss. The exterior was designed by Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen. The car is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won

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Custom Lexus hybrid chosen for Prince Albert's wedding

A Lexus full hybrid LS 600h L Landaulet featuring a one-piece, transparent polycarbonate roof will serve as the official Royal Wedding car on the occasion of the marriage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to Ms. Charlene Wittstock on July 2, 2011. Equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive, Prince Albert’s LS 600h L, the Lexus flagship, generates significantly lower CO2, NOx and particulate emissions than any comparable car. The more than 2,000-hour conversion project was a collaboration between Belgian coachbuilders Carat Duchatelet and Lexus engineers based in Brussels. The objective was to ensure the original LS 600h L safety and performance levels were maintained. The conversion process began with computer-aided design calculations, simulations and 3-D modelling. The reinforcement

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Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011: car review

Its lithium polymer battery technology was first showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show three years ago. And the result is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the South Korean manufacturer’s first hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid, which debuted in February, features a 2.4-liter engine with six-speed automatic transmission, a 30kw electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries. Like many of its siblings, the Sonata Hybrid had an impressive arrival. With its new sloping design and other innovations, the Sonata was among five finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year. Yet, despite gaining substantial acclaim from publications ranging from the New York Times to Edmunds.com, the Sonata Hybrid’s first five months have been unheralded. Reasons are two-fold: the Nissan Leaf and

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