Mulally: Ford to hire 7,000 U.S. workers in next two years [Video]

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2011 Saab 9-5: Top Safety Pick, Class-Leading Roof Rating

The 2011 Saab 9-5 might be relatively rare on U.S. highways, as it's been plagued by production issues related to Saab's financial difficulties and change of ownership. But it went on sale months ago—and now it's been thoroughly crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and named a Top Safety Pick.

In new roof-strength test results that were released today, the 9-5 was able to withstand the highest peak force—either absolute or relative to its curb weight—of any large luxury sedan. At the Institute's designated roof-area location, the 9-5 was able to accept 22,434 pounds—5.85 times its curb weight—before deforming five inches. That indicated a much lower than typical chance of severe injury or death in a rollover, compared to many other new vehicles.

The organization considers more than four times curb weight 'good,' and pending federal regulations will phase in the equivalent to three times curb weight in a few years; currently, the 2011 Acura RL remains at the bottom of this class, with a performance of just 2.57 times its curb weight.

The 9-5 had already earned top 'good' scores in frontal offset and side impact testing; it managed top scores in all categories of frontal testing, as well as top marks in nearly all injury measures—driver torso being the only exception.

In addition to this excellent safety performance, the 9-5 has a solid set of safety features, including side-curtain bags, front and rear side bags, and a third-generation active head restraint system. On the latest 9-5, brake lights will even flash brightly and rapidly during quick stops.

For Saab, this is just icing on the cake; the Swedish brand has for years enjoyed a reputation for safety and keeps its own accident-investigation team to help enact safety-design changes faster than crash statistics can prompt.

To get more information and insight, see our recently posted first drive of the 2011 Saab 9-5 over at MotorAuthority, or check out our full review.

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States Toughen Hands-Free Laws, Close Enforcement Loopholes

Don't take talking and texting rules too lightly. As data continues to stream in about the dangers of hand-held cellphone distraction, state legislators—and highway patrols—are getting tough.

The first round of cellphone-related distraction laws were, in some states, vague and poorly crafted when it comes to texting, and how people today use smartphones. And that meant that a lot of offenders were let go with only a warning.

But the days of lax enforcement might be over. In New York—which is already one of the few strictest states that apply points to offenders' driving records—Governor Andrew Cuomo recently introduced a bill aimed at toughening the language in its cellphone law—including closing some loopholes and upping the penalties. Making distracted driving a primary offense is one of the most significant changes of the new bill.

Oregon just this week finished fixing its own flawed hands-free law, which allowed a very generous loophole for hand-held use if the talking or texting was done when they were driving for work and "acting in the scope" of their employment. Police weren't happy with how hard it was to ticket drivers for legitimate distraction offenses, and nearly everyone, it seems, in these days of taking your work on your smartphone, could contest a ticket with the right argument.

In the rewritten version of the Oregon bill, which passed the state legislature this week and is to be signed by governor Kitzhaber—to take effect at the beginning of 2012—the language gets more specific about texting, and it makes exceptions on hand-held use only for police, emergency vehicles, utility crews, tow trucks, and certain types of agricultural vehicles.

Neighboring Washington is one state that amped up its cellphone law a year ago, making it a primary offense; this past week, the Washington State Patrol reported that it's issued about five times as many tickets—6,850 citations in the past year—for the issue than when it was a secondary offense. The citation rate has risen, too, with fewer pulled-over motorists receiving just a recorded warning. Even in Washington, though, just as in most other states with a primary law, cellphone distraction citations still don't go on the driver's permanent record.

That's the next step. If cellphone-related distraction is as dangerous as safety organizations say—handheld users are four times more likely to be in a serious accident, according to the IIHS—and if licensing point systems red-flag speeders and red-light runners to insurance companies, why shouldn't they indicate chronic distraction?

[StreetsBlog; Seattle Times; The Oregonian]

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MIT develops “refuelable” liquid batteries for EV applications

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First Test: 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD

An Increasingly Rare Combination / Photography by Michael Shaffer Despite being the original Japanese luxury brand, pre-dating Lexus and Infiniti by several years, Acura, with the notable exception of the now legendary NSX, has always been somewhat tentative about its luxury aspirations. Acuras have always been a bit more spartan and purposeful, forsaking some of the more gratuitous frills found on competing offerings. The Acura most resplendent with gadgetry, the RL sedan, is the brand's perennial slowest seller. The Acura TL sits right in the middle of the Acura family, both in terms of market positioning and sales. The MDX crossover is the undisputed sales king, and the TL jockeys for chart position month-to-month with its smaller cousin, the TSX. Both the RL and oddball ZDX crossover barely move the sales needle. The majority of TL sales are comprised of the base model, which is offered in front-drive, automatic-only trim.

For buyers of the more enthusiastic persuasion, Acura offers the 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD model we recently tested. In typical Japanese hyperbolic adjective form, SH-AWD stands for "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive." We halfway expected to see some Japanese characters followed by an exclamation point on the decklid. Despite its exciting-sounding designation, the SH-AWD model is one cool character, even in manual transmission form. That's not to say it's a doze-inducing isolation chamber along the lines of a Lexus ES. It exudes a cool, mature, composed demeanor that's refined enough to serve as daily transport, but up for an occasional hilly backroad romp. The exterior styling has likewise mellowed out. Compared to the angular, binary-looking 2011 model, the 2012's edginess has largely been sanded off. Though clearly related to the previous year's model, its appearance is now much less polarizing and likely to be more palatable to a broader section of the buying public. Motor Trend Rating:

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Nissan testing mobile charging vehicles to quell EV range anxiety

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First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

Mercedes' C63 AMG Coupe Picks Up Where BMW Leaves Off Timing is key. Mercedes-Benz's new C-Class Coupe will arrive in the U.S. this fall, half a year before archrival BMW replaces its 3 Series, including the coupe, the most consistently successful such two-door in this class. While BMW typically needs a full year between a new 3 Series introduction and a new M3 hot rod, AMG already has the proper engine, the 6.2-liter "63," plus all the other mods, including chassis and bodywork, from the well-established C63 sedan and not-for-U.S. wagon, so its hot rod will launch concurrently with the new C-Coupe bodystyle. Both the new C-Class Coupe and its AMG variant fill many gaps beyond the one BMW is about to create. They take the place of the moderately successful CLK-Class, which Mercedes replaced with the larger, costlier E-Class coupe. The C-Coupe fills in the size category between the 1 Series/1M and the 3 Series/M3, the latter of which was stretched to a larger size than the 3 sedan because BMW nearly called it the 4 Series. Mercedes still has the Audi A5/S5 to contend with, though they aren't nearly as iconic or powerful as the Bavarian brand's coupe. With BMW prepared to downsize the M3's engine back to six cylinders, this time with twin turbos, and enthusiasts worried the 3's chassis and steering will get the same treatment as Series 5 and 7, the timing couldn't be better for a 451-horsepower V-8 under the hood of a tight new C-Class coupe. Those of you yearning for even more power can choose a version of the C63 coupe with what AMG calls a "development package" that adds the SLS AMG's lighter pistons, rod, and crankshaft, subtracting weight and adding engine speed and 30 more peak horsepower for a higher top speed. AMG estimates a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds for the 451-horse version and 4.3 seconds for the 481-horsepower version. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, though if you add the optional Driver's Package, the limiter cuts off at 174 mph and the giddy new owner gets free driver training thrown in to keep him or her off the curbs. Motor Trend Rating:

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Fun Tips For The Family Road Trip

Get Fun Tips For The Family Road Trip This Year. Find some great tips along with some fun ideas on where to go during this year's road trip. Plus find out about the Twizzler road trip promotion.

(ARA) - Few things bring a family together and create wonderful memories better than a summer road trip. And after several years of taking backyard "staycations" to save money, experts say families are again packing their cars and hitting the roads to see beautiful natural and manmade landmarks all across the country.

"Piling into the car and stopping along the way to take pictures next to one of the country's popular landmarks is back in fashion," says travel expert Emily Kaufman, "The Travel Mom." "From packing perfect road trip snacks such as Twizzlers Candy to planning activities to keep the kids happy in the car, road trips are about having fun and making memories that last a lifetime."

Whether planning for a ride into the city or being more adventurous with a cross-state trip, planning ahead for your road trip will help make the journey seamless and fun for everyone. Here are some hints from Kaufman to keep your family road trip full of wonderful memories:

* Pack An Activity Bag.

Turn a hanging travel cosmetic case - or even a plastic bin that can fit under a seat - into a case full of fun. This case needs to be fully accessible at all times, with pockets stuffed full of age-appropriate activities for every person in the vehicle. For children, consider adding a roll of tin foil for sculpture creations. Or coloring books with washable markers and a cookie sheet to use as a drawing board. Also throw in a couple paper bags so everyone can make puppets and put on a show while in the car. For older riders in the vehicle, audio books, music, cameras and journaling or blogging materials help to fill the space between sightseeing destinations.

* Share A Fun Fact That Is Sure To Get All Members Of Your Family Smiling:

If your family is traveling back in history this summer with a road trip along historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, also known as the "Main Street of America," it would take nearly 19.5 million pieces of Twizzlers Twists to line the entire route.

* Consider The Snacks That You Pack.

Avoid packing anything that's easy to spill like juice boxes, or snacks that melt. Try plastic bottles with sports tops or lids that can be tightly sealed for drinks. Also, bring along Twizzlers Candy - they are easy to share, and are the perfect car ride treat. Did you know that more than 875 candy bags would fill the cargo area of a traditional family minivan, keeping your family well-stocked throughout the entire trip? Of course, you might want to save some room for the luggage you'll need to pack.

* Include A First-aid Kit.

Injuries can happen at any time, and having basics like bandages, pain relievers, wet wipes, anti-bacterial ointment, tweezers and sunburn creams for "just in case" can make all the difference in the outcome of your trip. Blisters, splinters, small cuts and bruises can easily happen, especially as your family leaves the car and explores the countryside. Keep the kit small so it can tuck away in the corner of your vehicle until it's needed.

Still planning your family road trip this summer? You can win a trip to a well-known U. S. landmark destination or other fun daily road-trip themed prizes like digital cameras, GPS units or a national park guidebook through the Twizzlers Landmark Summer promotion. Visit www.twizzlers.com to learn more, or to follow families who will be sharing stories about their adventures while on road trips this summer.

Or visit www.Facebook.com/Twizzlers to share your own family's travel stories including photos and maps of where you went.

Automotive : Link Sponsors

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Get Ready For A Road Trip

Get Ready For A Road Trip. It's summer and time to think about that old favorite family vacation, the road trip. Get some important tips and fun ideas for your driving vacation.

(NC)—After months of fighting snow and wind, Canadians are gearing up for summer road trips. From a little kid tucked in the backseat heading to the cottage, to a group of friends loading up the car for a camping trip, almost every Canadian has an epic summer drive memory.

Unfortunately, many also have memories of their vehicle being broken down on the side of the road with no help in sight.

A little proactive maintenance is the first step for a worry-free trip. Schedule a full service check-up two weeks prior to hitting the road including a tune-up and fluid top-up. Chances are during the winter months, you or your mechanic added more antifreeze to your radiator's coolant mix to prevent it from freezing. In excessive amounts, antifreeze can actually reduce cooling efficiency, resulting in higher engine temperatures. Have your mechanic check the concentration and adjust or change the coolant if required.

Help your engine perform at its best by filling your tank with a high-quality gasoline. “Gasoline primarily contains carbon and hydrogen molecules, and combustion can create a residue, called “gunk”, which is a build-up of carbon particles on critical engine parts,” explains Ken Mitchell, an engineer from Shell Canada. “This gunk has a porous surface that can negatively affect the performance of your vehicle. Some high-quality fuels, like all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, clean and protect critical engine parts from the build-up of gunk while you drive.”

Along with your personal packing list, you'll want to be equipped with a travel kit for your vehicle. Essentials include: a rechargeable flashlight, a blanket, non-perishable food and water, flares and a jumper cable for your battery, and the contact numbers for your insurance agency and your roadside service provider. For longer trips, it never hurts to have extra fluids in the trunk – just in case.

The last piece of the puzzle for any road trip is getting where you need to go. Thanks to smartphones and Google maps, it's never been easier to plan your route and explore every nook and cranny of this great country, right down to where your next fill-up will be.

“There's nothing worse than rolling into a small town late at night when your fuel tank is on “E”, and not knowing where to go,” said Mitchell. “To help, Shell has developed a Shell Station Locator Mobile App for use on your iPhone or Android. The app allows users to search for Shell stations by city, postal code or GPS, check station hours – and even refine a search by specific fuel type.”

So no matter where your epic summer drive takes you – the Cabot Trail, the TransCanada through the Rockies or through waving wheat fields of the prairies – these tools can help make sure that summer of 2011 delivers a road trip with the right kind of memories.

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First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Passat VR6

Is the Six-Cylinder Necessary? Once upon a time, foreign midsize cars -- compacts by modern standards -- came with four-cylinder engines only. Then they got V-6s, with Honda reluctantly complying last among the major competitors with its Accord in 1995. The tide turned last year, first with the Hyundai Sonata, then its platform sibling the Kia Optima, which each launched only with four-cylinder naturally aspirated and turbo engines. Chevrolet's 2013 Malibu will come with four-cylinder engines only, when it goes on sale early next year. It wouldn't be surprising to see the next Ford Fusion follow suit with naturally aspirated and EcoBoost four engine options. The 2.0-liter TSI four far outsells the V-6 version of the premium Audi A4, which grew to a midsize car in its latest iteration. As such, it's impossible to avoid the term "out of date" when considering the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat VR6, even though its narrow-angle, 280-horsepower, 258 pound-foot 3.6-liter engine is the one that will make enthusiasts' hearts palpitate most -- even more so than the 140-horsepower, 236 pound-foot 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel. VW is chasing Honda with its new midsize car, and the Accord, after being a V-6 holdout in the '90s, is now the biggest overall-length car in this segment, offered in four-cylinder and V-6 iterations. In case you haven't kept up, the '12 Passat, exclusive to the North American market, though likely to be a model for China, is a couple of inches longer than a Toyota Camry, 2.5 inches shorter than the Accord, but with a wheelbase 0.2 inches longer than Accord's. It shows in the commodious rear seat's sumptuous legroom and headroom. VW promises extensive use of high-strength steel, emphasized by the manufacturer's estimated weight. These estimates typically fall short of ours, in which we fill the fuel tanks, but the Passat VR6 comes in at 3,446 pounds, just 49 pounds heavier than a similarly equipped TDI model and 225 heavier than a five-cylinder model with automatic transmission.

Sum Up: EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVE TO ACCORD, CAMRY.Motor Trend Rating:

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Camaro, Mustang, Challenger: Old vs New

Hot-rod time machine: Just how good were the good ol' days?From the July, 2011 issue of Motor Trend It's abundantly clear from the hard evidence presented in these pages over the past months that these are the best of times for car guys, if vehicle performance is your measure of such things. And yet, yank a geezer's chain at a car show, and he'll jabber on about how the new ponycars just can't compare with those of the late 1960s and early '70s. Is there anything to these lunatic ravings? To find out, we've gathered three modern high-spec ponycars and matched them with their glory days ancestors. We're pitting a 2011 Camaro SS against the '69 Camaro SS396 that inspired its design; a 2011 Challenger SRT8 meets the '70 Challenger it so faithfully resembles (ours is an R/T SE 440 Six Pack); and a freshly minted Shelby Mustang GT500 convertible meets its '69 forebear. We'll turn them all loose on a closed section of road in L.A.'s Griffith Park and see what happens, but first, let's have a look at those good old days. The late 1960s was a golden era for American automakers. Those pesky imports were nibbling away at the margins, but at the dawn of 1970, they accounted for a little over 11 percent of sales. Design reigned supreme, and designers had yet to be reined in to any great extent by buzz-kill pedestrian safety regs, crash-survivability standards, bumper strength laws, aerodynamics, etc. Gasoline was plentiful and cheap, and engineers were finding better ways to burn as much of it as possible in halo performance models that earned the brands big headlines and drove sales up. Vehicular variety was on the upswing, too, with new automotive platforms of different sizes and configurations making their debut throughout the 1960s. All those babies conceived by randy veterans returning home from World War II were now grownups ready to buy their first new cars, and they accounted for 20 percent of the market. They didn't want what Dad was driving. They wanted a car to lure a backseat mate-something with a long phallic hood, two doors, and a pert, short trunk. They wanted ponycars. To keep the cars affordable, OEMs shared compact-car underpinnings, and prices started just a bit higher (Dodge and Plymouth moved their ponies up to midsize architecture for 1970). The formula worked. By 1970, the pony market topped a half-million annual sales.

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Biggest Loser? Mazda Wants Next Miata To Shed 720 Pounds

The original Mazda MX-5, like the British roadsters that inspired it, was a small car. Less than 156 inches long and under 66 inches wide, the first Miata had a curb weight of just 2,178 pounds.  Drivers soon rediscovered the joys of a car with low weight and modest power; you couldn’t go very fast in a straight line, but the tradeoff was that you could carry a significant amount of speed into corners. The scant horsepower from the car’s 1.6-liter in-line four made the Miata an economy car in the eyes of insurance agents, adding to its affordability and forever labeling it a "chick car" in the eyes of the uninformed.

By the time the third generation was released in 2006, the MX-5, like many of us, had picked up a few extra pounds. Dimensionally larger (to the joy of drivers over six feet tall) the new car measured nearly 158 inches in length and 68 inches in width. It got a bigger, more powerful engine, too: the 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine now made 170 horsepower, moving the MX-5 from the “underpowered” category to the “sufficiently powered” category. Despite Mazda’s focused efforts to reduce weight (shaving grams off the rear view mirror, or using thinner floor mats to save ounces), the 2006 Mazda MX-5 tipped the scales at 2,510 pounds, some 332 pounds heavier than the original MX-5.

For the next generation MX-5, Mazda is said to be going back to basics. The design goal for the car is to shed 720 pounds from the 2011 MX-5’s curb weight of 2,480 pounds, which would yield a flyweight roadster that tips the scales at only 1,760 pounds. Getting there will require significant weight savings from the engine, which may shrink to as small as 1.4 liters. Equipping it with a turbo, direct injection and variable cam timing will ensure that performance improves (or at least stays on par) compared to the current MX-5.

A lighter engine won’t save 720 pounds, so Mazda is expected to make the new car narrower and to strip out content like an owner’s manual (which can be replaced by a flash drive) and a glove box (replaced by storage molded into the rear bulkhead, perhaps).  Impact protection standards will still need to be met, so it’s likely that the next generation car will see increased use of high-strength steel in key areas, perhaps in conjunction with an increase in aluminum body panels.

Whether or not Mazda will get the next MX-5 down below 1,800 pounds remains to be seen, but it’s clear that they haven’t lost sight of the original car’s goal. Build an affordable, entertaining and reliable sports car, and the buyers will come.

[InsideLine, via MotorAuthority]

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Honda Showcases CR-Z and Zero Emission Concepts at Geneva 2010

Honda has unveiled two battery electric urban concept cars at Geneva, the stylish EV-N and the three-wheeled 3R-C, which envisions a single occupant vehicle for zero emission commuting. The radical concepts draw on Honda’s expertise in zero and ultra low emission technologies to show two urban vehicles with no harmful tailpipe emissions.

Both, EV-N and 3R-C, build on Honda's vast working knowledge of battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles. Honda began producing the battery electric vehicle EV Plus in 1996 with the vehicles being leased to selected customers in the US. Since 1999 Honda has been selling petrol electric hybrid cars and in 2008 introduced the world's first production fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity.

All of these vehicles utilize electric motors for propulsion and batteries to store power and it is this real-world production experience that Honda is bringing to its latest concept models. Honda's FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle uses a Lithium ion battery to store the energy from regenerative braking and Honda is currently enhancing its expertise in this area. Last-year a deal was signed with GS Yuasa to build a joint venture battery plant to produce Lithium ion battery packs for future Honda vehicles.

EV-N
The EV-N is a battery electric vehicle study, which evokes the spirit of the diminutive 1967 N360 city car. Honda designers have incorporated Honda's own solar panels in to the roof of the concept, to charge the car while it is parked. Two of Honda's U3-X, electric personal mobility devices are attached to the inside of each door. The two-door Concept is envisioned with a Lithium ion battery pack, and small electric motor for predominantly urban use.

The EV-N concept's four-seat interior makes use of the compact dimensions of the battery electric drivetrain, to maximise space and utility, without increasing the vehicles dimensions. The seats of the car have been produced in a mesh finish, which is both very light and easy to change, to make it easy to change the colour and style of the interior, quickly and easily. The interior has been designed in a deliberately minimal style, to reduce the weight of the vehicle, increasing range and performance.

3R-C
This revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain, is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the center of gravity low and thus improving stability.

The 3R-C has a clear canopy that covers the driver's seat while it is parked and not in use. When the three wheel vehicle is in motion, the canopy becomes an enveloping wind-shield that provides the pilot, who sits low in the chassis, with significant protection.

The high sides of the safety shell seat give greater safety to the occupant, reducing the threat from side impacts and improving weather protection. In front of the driver is a lockable boot area, which gives significant secure storage for luggage or other items. The 3R-C's designers created a flexible cover that surrounds the upper torso to reduce exposure to bad weather and improving comfort.

The Honda CR-Z sporty hybrid coupe
The European version of the Honda CR-Z makes its debut at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show. The European version features a 2 2* cabin layout, bespoke LED accented headlights and is only available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The CR-Z is a unique new car, combining the advantages of a clean, efficient petrol electric hybrid powertrain with a manual transmission and a stylish coupe body. This exciting new coupe will change current perceptions of hybrids, with its engaging chassis and responsive IMA hybrid system.

All-new, sporty, aerodynamic, 2 2* coupe formWide track, short wheelbase chassis for agile and responsive handlingUnique 3-Mode Drive System to tailor steering, throttle response and IMA assistance to the driver's needs1.5-liter i-VTEC engine coupled to the Honda IMA parallel hybrid system with CO2 emissions of 117 g/km** and 5.0 l/100km fuel economy in combined mode**World's first 6-speed manual transmission combined with a hybrid drive trainDriver focussed cockpit design with 3D instrumentsEuropean market cars to be equipped with flexible 2 2* seating arrangement

The CR-Z‘s exterior styling is formed around a "one-motion wedge" concept with a low bonnet line and wide stance giving the car a confident, athletic look. Signature Honda design features, such as the split level rear glass hatch and aerodynamic, shallow raked roofline have been referenced in the design of the sleek coupe and then combined with a curvaceous and deeply sculpted exterior form.

The overall power output of the engine and IMA system is 124 PS and a healthy 174 Nm of torque. The peak torque figure is identical to that of the 1.8-liter Civic and arrives at just 1500 rpm, a level where previously only turbocharged engines deliver their maximum. Even with torque levels directly comparable with a Civic, the CR-Z emits 35 g/km** less CO2 than its conventionally powered cousin. Other harmful exhaust emissions are also very low and the Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack can be recycled through Honda dealers, at the end of the vehicle's life.

For the first time, a fuel efficient, low emission parallel hybrid system is combined with an ultra precise 6-speed manual gearbox. The manual gearbox is a core part of the driver engagement Honda's engineers wanted to bring to the CR-Z model. The flexibility of Honda's unique IMA parallel hybrid system allows it to be used with a range of transmissions, not just CVT-based gearboxes.

The manual transmission is complemented by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is new to Europe and is a key component in the CR-Z's unique character. This powerful, yet efficient engine is based on the engine found in the Brazilian version of the Jazz. The eager to rev nature of the medium capacity engine, is enhanced by the additional 78 Nm of torque provided by the 14 PS electric motor, which is situated between the engine and transmission. The electric motor boosts torque at low and medium revs, which gives the CR-Z in-gear flexibility more usually associated with turbocharged engines.

To maximize driver choice and enhance the day to day driveability of the car, the CR-Z is fitted with a 3-Mode Drive System. This unique feature allows the driver to choose between three driving modes, which alter the responses of the throttle, steering, idle stop timing, climate control and the level of assistance provided by the IMA system. In developing this new facility, Honda allows the driver to adapt the car's settings to enjoy their favourite road, maximise economy, or strike a balance between the two.

Sport buttons have become commonplace, usually offering a sharper throttle response, but Honda's 3-Mode Drive System is different. The new system alters the behaviour of the hybrid drivetrain and the power steering assistance as well as the throttle mapping between the three modes.

When the CR-Z driver is away from the town or city and wanting to enjoy the open road, they can put the car into SPORT mode. This sharpens the throttle response, changes the behaviour of the IMA hybrid system to provide more electric motor assistance and increases the weight of the electric power steering.

Honda recognizes that even the most enthusiastic driver may regularly experience heavy traffic, where maximizing fuel economy is more desirable than the perfect line through a corner. In these situations ECON mode can be selected, which prioritises fuel economy in the operation of the drive-by-wire throttle, ECU, air conditioning and the hybrid system. For those times when spirited driving is not possible or desirable, the Eco Assist function, in conjunction with the ECON mode, allows the driver to enjoy beating their best economy score on the way to work, or in heavy traffic.

At all other times the car can be run in NORMAL mode, which provides a balance between performance, economy and emissions and suits most driving situations.

The ambient lighting of the speedometer is used in the same way as in the Insight to guide the driver in driving more economically and ecologically. In addition to the Eco Assist function, the CR-Z's meter lighting is linked to the 3-mode drive system. In NORMAL mode the speedometer is illuminated blue, in ECON mode it is also blue (glowing green when driven economically) and it has a green eco flower lit alongside and when the speedometer is illuminated in a red ambient light, this indicates the CR-Z is in SPORT mode.

Careful consideration was given to exhaust design to ensure that as well as being efficient, the CR-Z is a car that encourages the enthusiastic driver and sounds quite unlike any previous compact hybrid. Other components including engine mounts and sound deadening were tuned to ensure that the sporting elements of the exhaust were heard by the driver, but less desirable noises often associated with sports exhausts were attenuated.

The exterior design of CR-Z deliberately evokes the iconic style of the 1980s CR-X, which was originally developed to provide a small, stylish car that could achieve spectacular economy. Signature features of the CR-X, like the split level rear glass hatch and low shallow raked roofline have been referenced in the design of the sleek coupe and then combined with a curvaceous and deeply sculpted exterior form.

The shallow raked roofline and sharply truncated tail of the CR-Z is a key Honda design feature shared with many models past and present. All of these cars have been designed to cut through the air with minimal disturbance, reducing drag to lower fuel consumption and emissions. The CR-Z's blue tinted headlights are accented with LED daytime running lights, positioned in the lower section of the front lights. This is the first time LED daytime running lights have been applied to the front of any production Honda car and help to emphasize the wide sporting stance of the new hybrid coupe.

The interior of the production car has been developed from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show CR-Z Concept, with its 3D displays and driver focussed cabin. The high-technology instrument binnacle places all of the commonly used controls close to the driver's hands, allowing full concentration on driving at all times.

The dashboard of the new coupe has a complex two-level construction, with a dark upper portion appearing to float above a light grey lower dash section, which continues into the center of the inner door panels.

Equipment levels on the CR-Z are generous with all grades benefitting from six airbags, active headrests, Vehicle Stability Assist and Hill Start Assist. All CR-Zs will also come fitted with Climate Control, 6-speaker CD player, USB iPod® link and an engine start button. Middle and top grades benefit from leather seats, steering wheel audio controls and alloy pedals. Top grades gain Bluetooth® Hands Free Telephone controls, Cruise Control, Panoramic Glass Roof, HID lights and 240W high power audio system - including a boot mounted sub-woofer.

The stylish interior has a 2 2* layout, opening up the possibility of carrying smaller adults for short distances or children on longer journeys. The one-touch motion folding rear seats open up a flat floored cargo area, that gives a surprising 400 liters of cargo space, comparable to a C-segment hatchback. The flexible luggage area also has an under-boot area of 19 liters to stow additional cargo, or store items out of sight.

The chassis was an important factor in the development of the new car, with driver enjoyment being a core part of the design brief. The platform shares some components with the Jazz and Insight models, but the wheelbase, track width and set-up are all unique to the new hybrid. Overall the CR-Z has a 115 mm shorter wheelbase and is 295 mm shorter in overall length than the Insight, enhancing agility and reducing kerb weight by 44 kg compared to its 5-door, five-seat, family car cousin.

The CR-Z suspension features unique, spring and damper settings and the tolerances are also unique. One of the major detail changes is the adoption of a forged aluminium lower arm in the MacPherson strut front suspension to replace the Insight's pressed steel items. This reduces weight of each wishbone by 4 kg and also increases strength to cope with the wider track width and tyres.

2 2 configuration is only available in the EU and Japan. All figures preliminary and are subject to homologation

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Back again: Saab restarts production at main plant [Video]

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New details emerge on all-aluminum Jaguar crossover

As sacrilege as it may seem, it’s a practical, logical business decision that Jaguar join the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and others producing luxury, sporty crossovers.

News of a crossover coming from Jaguar isn’t in itself new at all, but until now virtually nothing has been known about the mystery CUV. But thanks to a report from the folks at Top Gear, we now have a few more details about this upcoming crossover.

For starters, as the title mentioned, this CUV will have body panels made entirely of aluminum – a class-exclusive for sure. The idea is that Jaguar is setting out to not just create another crossover, but to design something truly unique in terms of style and function. Shedding 4-600 lbs with aluminum panels is certainly one way to get started in that direction.

Why aluminum?
Obviously there is a performance benefit virtually across the board with better acceleration, stopping and handling due to the reduction of weight fighting the change of direction, but the real reason is Jaguar’s desire to take advantage of economies of scale. Jaguar wants to move 200,000 units a year based on its new aluminum platform, so building an aluminum-based crossover that shares the XJ’s platform helps achieve that goal.

Expect at least optional all-wheel drive to come from the system being developed for the upcoming XJ to make the transfer, along with a slew of potential engines ranging from small turbocharged four-cylinders to V6 diesels, and possibly beyond.

The Jaguar crossover will likely bow sometime during 2015, with its main markets being in the U.S., Russia and China.

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2012 Honda Civic Ultimate Guide: Reviews, Gas Mileage, Videos

While the launch of the all-new 2012 Honda Civic was slowed somewhat by the after-effects of the Feburary earthquake and tsunami in Japan, 2012 model cars are now in dealerships.

Gas mileage has gone up pretty much across the board, with the lowest figures of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined coming from the hot-rod 2012 Civic Si model.

On the other end of the scale, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid earns the highest fuel efficiency numbers ever recorded by a modern-day Civic, checking in at 44 mpg times three. That's its rating on the city, highway, and combined drive cycles.

If, like many buyers shell-shocked at $4-per-gallon gas prices, you're most interested in the 2012 Civic's gas mileage, here's a single article that summarizes the fuel economy of all the models:

MILES PER GALLON: 2012 Honda Civic Gas Mileage

But because we've covered the 2012 Honda Civic on many High Gear Media sites, we thought we should put together this handy Ultimate Guide to absolutely everything we've written about the latest versions of Honda's best-selling compact sedan and coupe.

We've already driven the 2012 Civic on two separate occasions, driving all the different models during the media launch outside Washington, DC, and then spending several days throughout New York state with the 2012 Civic Hybrid model.

REVIEW: 2012 Honda Civic: First Drive Impressions

REVIEW: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: Multi-Day Drive Report

But if you're not in the mood for long drive reports, we've also carved up our impressions into several short videos (none longer than 3 minutes).

Most of them were shot at the 2011 New York Auto Show, when the new 2012 Civic was formally unveiled to the world and to the car-buying public.

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic: Two-Minute Video Review Of New Sedan

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic: Video Rundown Of The Complete 5-Car Lineup

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: 44-MPG Compact's High Points

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic HF 41-MPG Model: NY Auto Show

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas: Video Of Alternative-Fuel Car

VIDEO: 2012 Honda Civic Si Walkaround

If you have questions about the 2012 Honda Civic line after all of this, leave them in the Comments below.

We'll do our best to answer them.

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Ford C-Max, Chevy Corvette ZR1, DUI Apps: Today's Car News

2012 Ford C-Max live photos by Joe Nuxoll

Ford says its plans to import a seven-seat C-Max minivan have changed--now it's going to let Mazda have an exclusive. [TheCarConnection]

It's official: SUVs are safer than cars. Well, mostly. [TheCarConnection]

Remember when 15-inch wheels and tires were big? We could be headed that way again--this time, in the name of saving fuel. [TheCarConnection]

You're ready for it, we're ready for it, so here it is--the 2013 edition of the Ford Shelby GT500. [MotorAuthority]

How fast does a Corvette ZR1 lap the Nurburgring? We'll save some suspense for you and for this new video. [MotorAuthority]

Now that the dust has settled a bit, tell us: how's the Volt versus Leaf spat playing out on the streets and in ads? [GreenCarReports]

What's really under the hood of the electric Black Current III dragster? [AllCarsElectric]

Remember these five things when you go shopping for family car insurance. [FamilyCarGuide]

Have you heard the one about the 200-mph, 600-bhp Bonneville...Skoda? [AllCarTech]

Apple's banning apps that warn drivers of DUI checkpoints. [AllCarTech]

Last up today, a call for your take on Chrysler's decision to create an SRT brand. Is it worth it? #YouTellUs. [SocialCarNews]

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Update: Mazda confirms end of Mazda6 production in the U.S.

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BMW invests $822M into UK MINI plant

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Gran Turismo 5 contest winner to have chance at pro Nissan race team

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Civic-Minded: Serving Americans for Nine Generations

By the time you read this, Honda’s ninth-generation 2012 Honda Civic will be rolling onto American roads at a rate of around 700 per day. Since it debuted as a 1973 model, the Civic has sold nearly 9 million units in the U.S., in every form from coupe and sedan to hatchback and wagon. Given the volume and variety, chances are high you or someone you know has owned a Civic. Or three. In honor of the ninth gen, here are a few Civic details from the previous eight gens as well as some 2012-model context for good measure.

In April 1973, Motor Trend tested the original Civic, which cost—yep—$1973. (Interesting aside:  First known use of “factoid” occurred in 1973.) The 1552-pound hatch, with a 50-horse I-4, reached 60 mph in 14.3 seconds and returned observed fuel economy of 20.4 mpg. The 2012 in this issue, a 140-horse, $21,255, 2725-pound sedan, delivered 60 in 9.1 with fuel econ of 29.4.

The second-gen Civic appeared in 1980, garnering MT’s Import Car of the Year award. At 1822 pounds, the $4949 hatch had an 88.6-inch wheelbase and, among ICOTY competitors, it put down the shortest 60-0 span of 150 feet. This issue’s four-door EX has a 105.1-inch wheelbase and halted from 60 in 126.

“Rollerskate GT” is how we described Gen 3’s 1984 Civic CRX, a $6600, 76-horse two-seater that, with an independent front/semi-independent rear suspension and 175/70R13 Michelins, held for 0.85 g of lateral grip, same as that of a ’12 Fiat 500. Less sticky is the ’12 Civic EX’s 0.81.

When the ’88 fourth-gen Civic bowed, the “most powerful” tags went to the 105-horse CRX Si and 4WD wagon. With the exception of the CRX HF’s eight-valve 1.5-liter, the remaining powerplants boasted 16 valves. Today, one Civic, the Hybrid, has eight valves; the rest, 16.

Gen 5 debuted for 1992 and I remember it well—I owned a red Si. Anti-lock brakes weren’t available, but a driver-side airbag, split tailgate, and giant 14-inch wheels came standard. What a car. MT’s December 1991 issue lists 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. And 2012’s 201-horse Si? We haven’t tested one yet, but I predict a stat better than 6.5.

In 1995 Honda unveiled the sixth-gen ’96 Civic, which we dubbed “The next best thing to an Acura economy car.” An ultra-fuel-efficient model, the HX Coupe, joined the lineup, armed with a 1.6-liter, 115-horse I-4 and a CVT good for 33 city/41 highway mpg. 2012’s fuel miser, the HF sedan, offers 140 horsepower, a five-speed auto, and 29/41 mpg. Progress? In terms of fuel econ, not really. But, unlike the HX, the new HF comes standard with four more airbags, two extra doors, ABS, stability control, and air conditioning.

For 2003, a year after Gen 7 appeared, Honda introduced the first Civic Hybrid with combined output of 93 horses. Based on today’s EPA standards, fuel economy would come in at 40 city/43 highway. Ten years later, the 2012 Civic Hybrid moves ahead with a total rating of 110 ponies. The EPA numbers? An even 44/44.

The eighth gen made its formal entrance for 2006, dressed in a sleek, new “mono-form” body. Color us impressed. We named it our 2006 Car of the Year, writing, “The automotive joy that Honda Motor Company was founded on radiates from these new Civics.” In 2010, 252,882 of 260,218 new Civics sold in the U.S. were produced in North American plants; the remaining 7336 came from Japan. If the Civic were its own brand, ’10 sales would put it ahead of Volkswagen (256,830), Mazda (229,566), and Mercedes-Benz (224,944).

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The Real Cost Of A California Traffic Ticket

Roll through a stop sign in Los Angeles County, and you'll get a $35 ticket. That’s not all the traffic stop will cost you, though, since by the time you’re done writing checks to the various agencies, you’ll be out of pocket $334, or nearly 10 times the cost of the original ticket.

That doesn’t factor in any potential auto insurance hikes, either – that’s just what it will cost you to set things right with the state of California and Los Angeles County, and it's an example of how communities are recouping lost tax revenue in the only way they know how, by tacking on fees and service charges to the usual legal process.

On top of the violation fee, which is $35, you now get to add in additional penalties, which are either a flat fee or a percentage of the base fine. A single offense can now trigger 15 additional penalties or assessments, so the $35 original violation jumps to $234. Some of that money goes to fund a “state conviction fee,” which raises money for new courthouse construction. There’s a $40 “security fee”, and a $4 surcharge to help fund emergency air transport programs in-state.

You’re not done spending yet, since you’ll want to attend traffic school to get the violation off your record. After paying for school fees and associated fines, that’s another $100.

California is looking at any possible option to close a $10 billion budget deficit. Red light cameras are all the rage, and rake in serious money for municipalities. In 2010, the city of Hawthorne paid Redflex Traffic Systems $235,200 to operate red light cameras within the city. Their return on that investment was $840,000 in revenue from traffic camera fines.

Other changes to traffic violation fees in the Golden State are in the works, and a bill awaiting a vote in the California Assembly would raise fines for drivers caught texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone from $20 to $50. Today, that $20 ticket will cost you $160, but a $50 ticket will raise the cost of the violation and associated fees to over $300.

Do we need to remind you to drive carefully in California?

[Daily Breeze, via National Motorists Association]

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A New Acura NSX? Don’t Hold Your Breath

Honda boss Takanobu Ito announced at the Shanghai Show that Honda is developing a successor to the NSX. Again.

We’ll see how long Honda’s enthusiasm for a new NSX lasts this time. Company insiders have been debating a replacement for the mid-engine, all-aluminum supercar that sent Ferrari back to the drawing board in the early 1990s for at least a decade now. A new NSX has been on and off more times than Sharon Stone’s underwear, so I wouldn’t bet the 401k we’ll be seeing Ito-san’s version – which he hints will be some kind of hybrid – anytime soon.

The original NSX was a stunning piece of work; a car that was demonstrably better in every respect – better built, better handling, better to drive – than a Ferrari 348. Well, almost every respect. Though Honda’s 3.0-liter VTEC V-6 was smooth and powerful, it lacked the delicious cammy yowl of the Ferrari’s little V-8. But I could live with that. I couldn’t live with the Ferrari’s Neanderthal driving position, the fact it simply refused to allow you to select second gear when the transmission was cold, and that it was an evil-handling bitch when driven fast.

The NSX caused uproar in Maranello, and in a good way. That Honda is the reason today’s Ferraris are admirably durable and driveable supercars you can use every day if you choose instead of having to tease out of the garage and pamper like a pop diva. But what I liked most about the NSX was what it said about Honda: This was a company run by people who were truly passionate about cars.

I remember being deeply impressed when in the early 1990s Honda CEO Nobuhiko Kawamoto cancelled a meeting at Honda HQ, and instead drove himself across Tokyo to my hotel in his own flame-red NSX. There are industry CEOs who like to be considered “car guys,” but Kawamoto was one of the few I’ve met who really walked the talk.

He helped design the Honda V-12 that powered John Surtees to a thrilling last-lap victory in the 1967 Italian GP, and oversaw the engine programs that delivered five world championships for Honda-powered Williams and McLaren F1 racers 20 years later. While many other car company bosses’ idea of a great drive was something that happened on the back nine of the local golf club, Kawamoto’s was hot-lapping Nelson Piquet’s turbo-powered Williams FW11 grand prix car at nearly 200 mph on the giant banked oval at Honda’s Tochigi proving ground. He counted Ayrton Senna, who helped tune the NSX’s chassis at the Nürburgring, as a personal friend, and had a pristine Triumph TR3 and pre-war Lagonda Rapide in his garage at home when I interviewed him.

When I look at today’s Honda lineup, I wonder where all that passion went. With a few exceptions – notably, the hopelessly confused CR-Z and the hideously deformed Acura TL – Honda makes generally decent products; efficient, reliable, well-built cars and trucks that as an automotive journalist I’d have no trouble recommending to a lot of people. But there isn’t a single Honda in the current range that gets my pulse racing like that old NSX.

And maybe that’s why I’m skeptical about a new NSX: It seems too big a philosophical stretch for today’s buttoned-down, middle-of-the-road Honda Motor Company. That’s not to say Honda isn’t working on a new NSX, and that we might even see one in an Acura showroom a few years from now. But I suspect it won’t be a car Nobuhiko Kawamoto would choose to drive across Tokyo just for the hell of it.

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2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to bow at Detroit show

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Test Your Fuel Knowledge - Dispel The Myths About Gasoline

Have fun while you Test Your Fuel Knowledge. Answer these questions and you might learn something about fuel efficiency. There are plenty of myths cars and gasoline floating around...let's see how many facts you know.

(NC)—In today's economic times, it's more important than ever to protect the investment in your vehicle – whether it's vintage, luxury or an everyday car. There are many misconceptions about fuels and maintenance that make it difficult to know how best to keep your vehicle in good running condition and avoid unnecessary costs.

A well-maintained vehicle can improve fuel efficiency by up to 40%*. “A high-quality gasoline cleans and protects critical engine parts, so the engine can perform as efficiently as originally designed,” confirmed Ken Mitchell, an engineer from Shell Canada. “If you've been using a lower-quality gasoline, carbon deposits, or “gunk”, begin to build up on intake valves and fuel injectors”.

Test your knowledge of fuel efficiency with the questions below. You may even discover some useful tips to prolong the life of your engine and save a few dollars at the pump.

All gasolines are the same: False

Top automakers agree that all gasolines are not the same and that a clean engine performs better. “Gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine,” noted Mitchell. “Fortunately, protecting your engine from gunk is as simple as using a high-quality gasoline, like all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline, which help protect and clean your engine as you drive.”

Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump: True

Regular servicing and following the service recommendations for your vehicle, such as changing the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluid ensure optimum performance and fuel efficiency. A poorly maintained vehicle can consume 15%* more fuel than a well-maintained vehicle and increases emissions by even more.

Octane levels in fuel don't really make a difference: False

You probably associate octane with the numbers you see at the pump, but the technical explanation for octane is a fuel's ability to resist engine knock. If you use a lower octane fuel in an engine designed to use higher octane, engine knocking may occur, causing the vehicle to shudder and lose performance.

Check your owner's manual to confirm if you have a performance vehicle that requires premium fuel.Higher octane helps avoid engine knock in higher compression engines. Using the right octane for your engine helps ensure maximum fuel economy and fewer emissions.
The faster you drive, the faster you burn fuel: True

The faster you drive, the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume to maintain speed. Reducing your speed to 90 km/h from 110 km/h saves up to 20%* of your fuel. Follow the speed limit and use cruise control on flat highway terrain to prevent inadvertent speeding and help save fuel by keeping your speed constant.

Tire pressure can affect the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle: True

Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 kilometers and increase the vehicle's consumption by 4%*.* Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency Auto$mart Thinking program

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ZF announces new nine-speed gearbox for front-transverse drive applications

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DOT proposes data-recording black boxes for all light-duty vehicles

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Preparing Your Car For Warm Weather Driving

* Watch For Inflation:

As temperatures change, so can tire pressure. Proper tire inflation is essential for automotive safety, optimum driving performance and significant cost savings, including better fuel mileage. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the glove box and should be checked monthly. Over-inflation can lead to premature or irregular tire wear and under-inflation reduces a vehicle's fuel efficiency by an average of 3.3 percent.

* Breathe Free:

Replacing a dirty air filter can increase a vehicle's life expectancy and fuel efficiency by reducing the strain on the engine, especially during warmer months. Over the winter months, salt, sand and other impurities may have built up in the vehicle's air filtration system and replacing the air filter can improve acceleration time by 6 to 11 percent.

* Keep It Clean:

Cars, trucks or SUVs likely took a beating from this winter's harsh conditions and corrosive elements, including freezing rain, snow, ice, sand and salt. Keeping vehicles clean will help protect them from the chemicals and dirt that may attack the car's finish and undercarriage. Be sure to use quality cleaners.

* Check That Tread:

The economy has forced many to postpone tire purchases, but after enduring what was most likely a harsh winter and coping with wet spring weather, it is a bad time to have low treads. The lower the tread depth, the less traction on wet roads, and the greater the distance needed to stop. It is imperative that the tires on a vehicle are in good working order. Advances in tire technology are helping deliver a new generation of tires that offer all-season traction and increased comfort. For those in need of new tires, drivers should consider Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring tires, which are built for a smooth, comfortable ride.

For more helpful car care advice or information on tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs and more, visit your local Goodyear retailer or go online to www.goodyear.com.

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Mazda targeting 720 pound weight reduction for next-gen Miata

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2012 Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen's set out to completely re-engineer its core products for America, in the hopes of grabbing some of the momentum that's vaulted South Korea's Hyundai and Kia into the heart of the mid-size sedan market. With the Jetta upsized and repositioned, it's now the Passat's turn.

A massive rear seat and better-than-hybrid highway fuel economy mask the slight loss of refinement and nimble road feel in the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.

German-engineered is a key phrase for the 2012 VW Passat, the company's first American-made vehicle since 1985. Issuing forth from a billion-dollar factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this Passat grows longer and wider, and reverts to some stalwart engines and suspension designs, so that it can be manufactured more simply, and more inexpensively--which should help VW bring the base price for the big new sedan down to about $20,000.

The Passat's certainly gained status in some important ways. The rear seat is tremendous, bigger than the bench in an Azera or an Avalon, with the kind of ease of entry and exit we're used to getting in a minivan. The trunk's also pretty vast. Road manners are as close to the outgoing Passat as they possibly can be, given the stretch in wheelbase--and the automaker's TDI diesel wows even hybrid drivers with an estimated 43-mpg highway fuel economy rating.

Like the Jetta, the Passat's taken a step back or two from some of the heights of VW's recent past. Its sheetmetal can read elegant and timeless--or in the wrong color or from the wrong angle, dull. The interior's better honed and more finely graded than the one in the Jetta, but only roughly the equal of the cabin in a Fusion or an Altima or a Legacy, and nothing like the outgoing Passat's tightly grained, rich-feeling environment. As it keeps options and models to a bare minimum, Volkswagen's omitted some features in some combinations we'd like to see, even as options. Want a base Passat TDI with cloth seats, satellite radio and a USB port? It doesn't exist.

With either of the tested engines, acceleration's mid-pack at best. We'd have no problems recommending a base Hyundai Sonata automatic for roughly $22,000, but the Passat's grumbly five-cylinder and its second-tier gas mileage make the TDI the better choice--and that means a base price of about $25,000 instead. For that price, you'll get a sedan with nearly 800 miles of driving in each tank of fuel, and limousine-like rear-seat room, with a dash of the handling brio you'd expect from a Volkswagen. If those attributes top your shopping list for a new family sedan, the Passat rules--knowing there are better values, better lookers and better straight-line performers out there, but none bigger.

The TDI lends the Passat a lively feel, even if the five-cylinder's faster--and handling's a cut above most of the competition. See details and best of the Web Simplicity helps keep the 2012 Volkswagen Passat on budget, but some drivers will miss out on leather seats, satellite radio, and USB ports. See details and best of the Web The clear green winner in the 2012 Volkswagen Passat lineup is the 43-mpg-highway TDI; VW's graunchy old five-cylinder can't keep up with modern fours on gas mileage or overall horsepower. See details and best of the Web Amazing rear-seat leg roomTDI's hybrid-beating fuel economySpare bodywork's minimalist detailsSteers and rides, for the most part, like the old PassatGet Dealer Price Quotes Five-cylinder's dull responsesPlenty of grainy plastic insideWind and road noiseFeatures list is full of potholes

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Volvo testing fuel-saving, power-adding KERS flywheel tech

Volvo says it is hard at work developing a flywheel energy recovery system that could make a four-cylinder engine have six-cylinder like power while consuming even less fuel than before.

The Swedish automaker isn’t the first to have discussed Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems – or KERS – but it might become the first to conduct serious real-world testing thanks in part to a $1 million grant from the Swedish Energy Agency. The grant will help the automaker put a vehicle equipped with KERS on the road during the second half of this year.

Just what is KERS?
Flywheel KERS isn’t a simple subject. Fitted to the rear axle of a car – in the Volvo’s case – it grabs braking energy that causes the flywheel to rotate as fast as 60,000 rpm during extremely hard braking.

From there, it uses a transmission module to transfer power right back into the rear wheels to help propel a vehicle – all without using other significant sources of energy.

“The flywheel’s stored energy is sufficient to power the car for short periods. However, this has a major impact on fuel consumption. Our calculations indicate that the combustion engine will be able to be turned off about half the time when driving according to the official New European Driving Cycle,” Volvo Powertrain Engineering VP Derek Crabb said in a statement.

Volvo uses a start/stop system to turn off the internal combustion engine located under the vehicle’s hood as soon as the driver starts applying braking, but the engine kicks back on when the gas pedal is tapped. Once the car begins accelerating, the KERS flywheel can add as much as 80 horsepower to the powertrain. Fuel consumption is down about 20 percent in city driving, Volvo says.

The technology is most useful in urban driving, where cars are accelerated and then braked repeatedly, because energy storage ability is limited. To save weight and to increase rotational capacity, the KERS flywheel is made of carbon fiber, a material that Volvo says it wouldn’t have been able to effectively use until now.

Volvo released a video, found below, which helps illustrate the technology.

Real-world applications?
Volvo hasn’t suggested a timetable to indicate when the KERS flywheel might make its way into a production vehicle, although its first test car is bound for roads in Sweden later this fall.

Since the technology is most useful in stop-and-go situations, Volvo would likely offer it first on its smaller models as part of its DRIVe program. Given the relatively low cost of the technology, it could go into production in just a few years. In addition, since the technology is not related directly to the car’s underhood powertrain, it could work with EVs.

“We are not the first manufacturer to test flywheel technology. But nobody else has applied it to the rear axle of a car fitted with a combustion engine driving the front wheels. If the tests and technical development go as planned, we expect cars with flywheel technology to reach the showrooms within a few years,” Crabb said.

“The flywheel technology is relatively cheap. It can be used in a much larger volume of our cars than top-of-the-line technology such as the plug-in hybrid. This means that it has potential to play a major role in our CO2-cutting DRIVe Towards Zero strategy.”

The system is not unlike that under development at Porsche.

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First Look: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

With the 2012 M-Class, Mercedes wasn't aiming for a radical departure in exterior design. Yet, even with a cursory glance, its obvious that there's something different about this SUV -- crisper lines, an overall more-muscular look, for starters. Going deeper, it becomes clear that what Mercedes did was look at what buyers liked about the second-generation M-Class and worked to further improve those attributes. When the ML goes on sale in September it will be offered with two V-6 engines: the 3.5-liter gas or the 3.0-liter turbodiesel. Both achieve something that seemed impossible five to 10 years ago: They put out more power than before, and are more fuel-efficient. The gas engine has 302 horsepower, up 34, and 273 pound-feet, up 15. Its fuel economy is an estimated 17 city/22 highway, and both numbers are up by 2 mpg. It uses direct injection and new piezo injectors with a 2900 psi pressure.

The BlueTec turbodiesel six has been reworked, now putting out 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque, increases of 30 and 55, respectively, while fuel economy improves by 2 city mpg to an estimated 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The fuel economy improvements in the diesel can be attributed to a few key factors, including weight loss, and the use of AMG's twin-wire-arc spraying, a technology that reduces friction. Both engines are now backed by a seven-speed automatic. Mercedes wouldn't comment on whether V-8 options would be available, but at one of the displays at the M-Class unveiling, there was a 408-horsepower, 4.6-liter direct injection twin-turbo V-8, much like the one in the S-Class. We also expect a hybrid to join the lineup.

Motor Trend Rating:

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2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 drops ‘Ring time to 7:19.63 [Video]

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 already lays claim to an impressive 7 minute 22.4 second Nurburgring lap time, but, thanks to a pair of improvements, the 2012 model has clipped a few seconds off that already scorching lap time.

Chevrolet recently returned to the Germany to send its updated 2012 Corvette ZR1 around the 12.9 mile Nordschleife, emerging with an improved lap time of 7 minutes 19.63 seconds. That mark is one of the fastest ever for a production car, besting even the Dodge Viper ACR.

As was the case with the ZR1’s previous Nurburgring run, the latest lap time was set with a bone stock car with no performance modification. Corvette engineer Jim Mero was behind the wheel for the 7 minute 19.63 second run.

Chevrolet attributes the faster lap time to the 2012 ZR1’s new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires. Optional on both Z06 and ZR1 models, Chevrolet says the competition-oriented tires enhance cornering and handling abilities, while also aiding in braking.

When paired with the Corvette’s Performance Traction Management, the ZR1 can pull more than 1.1g’s of lateral acceleration, representing an eight percent improvement over the standard car.

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Nissan Electric Car The Nissan Leaf

Find out about the Nissan Electric Car. The Nissan Leaf is the first of the practical electric vehicles...one that you can afford.

Unlike the electric cars of the 90s like the GM EV-1, the Leaf is being sold directly to consumers.

Unlike the Tesla Roadster, the Leaf's price tag is in line with traditional vehicles.

Unlike the Chevy Volt, the Leaf completely eschews internal combustion power, even as a backup. The Nissan Leaf is the first of a long-promised wave of usable, practical electric vehicles.

So, is it really the car that will finally replace the combustion engine?

The Good

The Nissan Electric Car, The Leaf is a real car. It has air conditioning, heating, and power everything. Unlike many hybrids, the brakes feel normal and the rear seat folds down.

The car is also able to do some things regular cars can't. Without a combustion engine, the car is quieter than most luxury vehicles. Electric motors make peak torque at 0 RPM which means power is always instantly available and hill climbing ability is better than a diesel. The transmission is just one gear, so there's no shifting to deal with. It takes 8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, but the power is so effortless that it feels faster. Best of all, traditional maintenance like oil changes and tuneups aren't needed with an electric motor.

The Bad

The Nissan Leaf is the first electric vehicle on the U.S. market to offer fast charging, combine high voltage lines with careful battery monitoring to recharge the vehicle in about an hour. However, Nissan decided to use the Japanese ChaDeMo system. It looks like the SAE Stage 3 charging system will be come the fast-charing standard in North America limiting current buyers to quick-charge stations at a handful of Nissan dealerships.

Range is only 100 miles. Although drivers will be able to charge their vehicles nightly to prepare for commutes, road trips are out of the question.

The Leaf is built at Nissan's Yokohama plant, which was damaged in the recent earthquake. The company had planned to expand the availability of the car by adding production to their factory in Smyrna, Tennessee at the start of 2012, but production delays mean that current reservations may no be fulfilled until this comes on-line.

The Verdict

The Nissan Electric Car. Is it a direct replacement for gas-powered cars? No. However, for most people who need a second car it is ideal: Comfortable driving along with low fuel and maintenance costs make for a vehicle that's worth buying on more than its green credentials.

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First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and CLS63 AMG [Review]

Mercedes-Benz, like a shark, never remains motionless for long. Constantly trying to improve the breed, they revise, renew and reinvent their latest and greatest. That is why we traveled to Napa Valley to drive the marque’s newest, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and CLS63 AMG. Otherwise we would still be driving the original Benz Patent-Motorwagen from 1886… or at least a big ’80s 560SEL.

As one of the originators of the four-door coupe style championed back in 2004, Mercedes-Benz was not content to sit on their hands as others, including some Korean upstarts, approached the playing field. Figuring two can play at that game, M-B enlisted the talents of Korean-American designer Hubert Lee and his team to pen a new look to this already classic vehicle.

Rolling sculpture
We think it’s one of the most alluring designs on the road. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS is the bee’s knees and even has what the designer has called knees. It’s a four-door, four passenger sedan–there is no room for a fifth passenger with the center console equipped versions. How’s that for family planning?

The new CLS is available as the CLS550, the CLS550 4Matic (think all-wheel-drive), and the CLS63 AMG (think “holy mackerel!”). New direct injection V8 engines power all models. The CLS550s utilize the 4.6-liter twin-turbo engine, while the CLS63 AMG’s heart beats under the hood in the form of a 5.5-liter biturbo engine.

It used to be, for those in this segment, that fuel economy was not an issue. Now that gasoline prices are skirting along the edge of four bucks a gallon, that’s no longer the case. To that end, the new CLS incorporates an engine in the 550 model that, while smaller than the outgoing version, gets 26 percent better fuel economy and 13 percent more power.

In the CLS63 AMG, an Eco-mode allows for auto stop/start functions, which occur when the driver puts his foot on the brake, when stopped. As soon as the brake is released, and the accelerator is depressed, the engine re-fires and is ready to go. Multi-spark and multi- squirt technologies help to deliver more powerful and energy-saving efficiencies under the hood.

A secondary function in Sport, Sport+ and Manual modes offer quicker shifts by cutting fuel flow to the cylinders, which assists in quicker shifts. An aggressive popping noise lets you know this is occurring, which can be music to an enthusiast’s ears.

Distronic cruise control watches the distance between you and other cars in front of you and pre-charges the brakes should the system anticipate a shunt. Adjustable ride controls make their way to the center console in the AMG, and allow the driver to remap the engine, the transmission and suspension systems to various degrees for a personalized ride characteristic. This can be instantly recalled by pushing the so-called AMG button located next to the shift controller. These functions are all part of the AMG Speedshift MCT7-speed sport transmission’s operations.

Despite all the other innovations, our favorite feature is the available Drive-Dynamic function in the multi-contour seats. Dive into a turn, and the outside bolsters of the front seats inflate to keep their occupants in place.

Deceiving looks
Evolving from the original segment-creating original of 2003, the new CLS is at once a combination of familiar and unknown. A pair of strakes flanks the front air intake with the performance-Star in the center of the grille. The grille’s look is reminiscent of the SLS AMG supercar that is at the pinnacle of modern Mercedes-Benz performance. New LED running lights, and taillights complete the high-tech transformation.

A hockey stick-like stamping in the side panel gives a line of visual interest that doesn’t exist on the myriad of slab-sided vehicles available today. The “paddle” of the hockey stick gives way to what designer Lee has termed the vehicle’s “knees.” Overall, we don’t get the feeling of swoopiness that we were first so enamored with in the original CLS. Instead we see a more mature and more refined looking sedan. Perhaps more conventional is the adjective we are looking for.

The CLS550 starts with standard M-B flair inside. A three-spoke steering wheel takes the tiller position with choice wood accents and a standard stem-on-the-stalk gear selector. Matching wood trim carries the theme throughout the rest of the cabin. A pair of cupholders populates the center console.

Order the CLS63 AMG, and you get a black stitched leather interior with flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel. Carbon fiber trim inserts carry forth the high-tech effect. In place of the cupholders found in the more sedate model, look for dynamic ride controllers as well as the gear selector and the user programmable AMG button.

Does it throw down?
Can we get a hell yeah? The CLS550 and its 4.6 twin-turbocharged direct injection V8 is no wallflower by any stretch. Producing 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, with all of that coming on at 1,800 rpm and holding steady up to 4,750 rpm, you end up with an impressively flat power band. The EPA says to look for 18 city and 26 highway mpg. Zero to 60 happens in 5.1 secs, which is impressive for a 4,158 lbs. vehicle. Look for a 130 mph top end.

Order the CLS63 AMG and you find yourself in a whole different realm. A 5.5-liter direct injection engine with twin turbochargers pushing through 14.5 lbs of boost, the net result is a whopping 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. But that’s for the mildly tuned version, which is good only up to 155 mph. Order the available AMG performance package and you’ll instantly find 550 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. underfoot. Not a ride for poseurs, 0-60 mph with this setup occurs in 4.3-seconds. Maximum speed tops out at 186 mph.

Riding on Airmatic suspensions, the cars are not quite Jekyll and Hyde but enough to let you know the difference. While the CLS550 is tossable to a large degree, the CLS63 AMG dials itself in (with driver input) to fully personalize the ride. The end result, which we experienced on a route from Northern California’s Napa to Sonoma counties showed just how agile a car this really is. Power was arrived at via a mere tap. But what a piece of ear candy it is. The sound emanating from under hood was the automotive equivalent of bourbon to a twelve-stepper.

Cornering was impressive and the Drive Dynamic automatic bolsters were more than capable of keeping you planted squarely behind wheel. Get in over your head, and two pairs of 14.2-inch ventilated and perforated disc brakes pull you back from the edge. That’s if you have left the traction control in an active state. The CLS63 AMG’s lane departure warning and prevention system was handy but also tended to impose while negotiating the twisties on the way to Heraldsburg in Sonoma County.

Using torque vectoring, the CLS63 gave us haptic feedback through the wheel and also caused braking to occur on the inside wheels when crossing the line, both literally and figuratively. In the situation of the winding roads, it was a welcome addition. If a turn indicator was engaged, the warning cancels itself when it realizes that crossing the line was the intention.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Mercedes-Benz and their AMG performance division have revitalized what was one of the more innovative designs on the road, and pushed it a lot farther in the process.

Perfect for those who think the S-Class too large, and the E-class too small, the CLS is the middle child that never seems to put a foot wrong.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 base price, $72,175.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG base price, 96,775.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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Rolls-Royce buyers passing on limited-range EVs

New Cars Home

Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specifications, and pictures.

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Top Five Ways To Beat Rising Gas Prices

Take a look at the top five ways to beat rising gas prices and possibly save yourself some money this summer. There are simple ways to increase your cars fuel efficiency and anyone who wants to spend less at the gas pumps should take a look at them.

(NC)—This summer, Canadian drivers could face gas prices of $1.40 or more per litre, but a recent survey commissioned by leading automotive retailer, Canadian Tire found that 75 per cent of drivers have no plans to stop driving. Drivers are, however, looking for ways to offset rising gas prices.

One of the most important things that drivers can do to offset increased prices at the pump is to improve their vehicles' fuel economy – by maximizing the number of kilometres a vehicle can travel on a litre of gas.

Poorly maintained vehicles consume up to 15 per cent more fuel but according to Michelle Massicotte, associate vice-president, automotive at Canadian Tire, there are simple tips that every driver should keep in mind this summer to reduce fuel consumption. “Improving your vehicle's fuel economy can be as simple as adjusting your driving habits and adhering to a regular maintenance schedule. Not only will you save money by using less gas, but you'll also reduce your vehicle's emissions and your carbon footprint.”

Canadian Tire recommends the following five simple tips to improve your vehicle's fuel economy:

1. Stay Calm And Slow Down:

While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, fuel mileage is known to decrease rapidly at speeds above 100 km/h. Avoid quick starts, hard stops and aggressive driving as they can increase fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent.

2. Monitor Tire Pressure:

Tires that are not properly inflated use more gas, so get the most mileage out of your gas and ensure your tires don't wear out as quickly by keeping them properly inflated to manufacturer specifications. Use a basic air pressure gauge to measure tire pressure monthly when tires have not been driven on for at least three hours.

3. Stay On Schedule:

Following the recommended service maintenance schedule will ensure that your vehicle is running optimally, resulting in better fuel economy. Changing the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluids accordingly ensures that your vehicle is not using more fuel than it needs to and helps reduce emissions.

4. Reduce Vehicle Weight:

Carrying excess weight in your vehicle's trunk increases your fuel consumption. Carry only what you need and avoid the extra cost.

5. Sign Up For A Gas Rewards Card:

Cards, such as the Canadian Tire Gas Advantage MasterCard, help you save up to 10 cents per litre at the pump.

For more information on how to improve fuel economy, visit: http://canadiantire.promo.eprize.com/fuel/

I happened to check our local gas station yesterday while I was driving in NJ and the prices were almost at 4.00. It's going to be an expensive summer for driving again so be sure to take a quick look at the money and gas saving tips in the top five ways to beat rising gas prices. I know I am! I also read an article that said gas prices were falling, but I will believe that when I see it.

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First Drive: 2012 Toyota Prius V

The Big Prius Wants You Out of That CUV In Bob Lutz's cigar-smoke-scented new book, "Car Guys vs. Bean Counters," the father of the Chevy Volt declares that the Toyota Prius is a marketing stunt that bled Toyota to the tune of $300 million. However, Lutz continues, that money was very well-spent, as the Prius paid massive dividends in terms of good will from ill-informed consumers ("My Sequoia must get great mileage -- it's a Toyota!") and positive coverage from the elite, liberally biased press. ("Toyota builds the planet saving Prius; General Motors ushers in Armageddon with Hummer H2.") What Maximum Bob fails to mention is that Toyota has sold more than 2 million Prii, more than 1 million alone in the United States (with one third of that subtotal sold here in California) and has amortized the hell out of the initial investment by licensing its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to any OEM that raised its hand. I just drove the Prius V, the second of four planned Prius models (or "family members," as Toyota likes to call them), proving that if nothing else, Toyota's hybrid machinations are much more than just a marketing exercise. In fact, you could argue that the Prius and its new siblings represent an honest-to-goodness business case. But is this new, bigger Prius any good? Let's get the not-so-positive stuff out of the way up front. Due to its size and state of tune, the 238-pounds-heavier V doesn't get 50 mpg combined-it gets 42 mpg (44 city, 40 highway). Meaning that if you don't actually need the extra space (A V is 58% more accommodating than the regular Prius), you're hurting the planet to the tune of 8 mpg in the name of comfort. Now, in Asia, the V is called the Prius Alpha and it has a third row. Here? There's no third row. Why? Well, Mazda can't give away its nifty but cramped three-row Mazda5, and Toyota knows full well that us Americans want and need more space. Which is why instead of the new V, Toyota will happily sell you a three-row Highlander Hybrid. Never mind the extra $10,000 or so. Motor Trend Rating:

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New details emerge on all-aluminum Jaguar crossover

As sacrilege as it may seem, it’s a practical, logical business decision that Jaguar join the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and others producing luxury, sporty crossovers.

News of a crossover coming from Jaguar isn’t in itself new at all, but until now virtually nothing has been known about the mystery CUV. But thanks to a report from the folks at Top Gear, we now have a few more details about this upcoming crossover.

For starters, as the title mentioned, this CUV will have body panels made entirely of aluminum – a class-exclusive for sure. The idea is that Jaguar is setting out to not just create another crossover, but to design something truly unique in terms of style and function. Shedding 4-600 lbs with aluminum panels is certainly one way to get started in that direction.

Why aluminum?
Obviously there is a performance benefit virtually across the board with better acceleration, stopping and handling due to the reduction of weight fighting the change of direction, but the real reason is Jaguar’s desire to take advantage of economies of scale. Jaguar wants to move 200,000 units a year based on its new aluminum platform, so building an aluminum-based crossover that shares the XJ’s platform helps achieve that goal.

Expect at least optional all-wheel drive to come from the system being developed for the upcoming XJ to make the transfer, along with a slew of potential engines ranging from small turbocharged four-cylinders to V6 diesels, and possibly beyond.

The Jaguar crossover will likely bow sometime during 2015, with its main markets being in the U.S., Russia and China.

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