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Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback on Paris Motor Show 2008

The Lancer Sportback will have its European launch this fall with a phased introduction into the various countries in the region.
The company will also be displaying the Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models that are based on the Lancer*1 sports sedan and Lancer Sportback. These models are powered by a turbocharged engine mated to Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) and delivering power to all four wheels through an Active Center Differential.

1 Named the Galant Fortis in Japan

With its inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal grille that defines the Mitsubishi Motors design identity the sporty Lancer Sportback is a 5-door sport hatchback, a body type that is very popular in Europe. The model is available in versions powered by 1.5-liter (109PS) or 1.8-liter (143PS) gasoline engines or by a 2.0-liter (140PS) turbo diesel engine. The Lancer Sportback offers an “auto-folding function” which enhances luggage compartment convenience through adjustable rear floor height and rear seatbacks that can be tipped forward via a lever located in the luggage compartment. The series is due to be joined by a model powered by Mitsubishi Motors’ new diesel engine in spring of 2009.

The Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models use a new turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC*2 engine [maximum output 177 kW (240PS), maximum torque 343 Nm (35 kgm)]. This is mated to Mitsubishi’s high-efficiency Twin Clutch SST transmission with an Active Center Differential, for extremely responsive steering and traction through tailoring the amount of torque fed to each wheel to optimally suit driving conditions. Also helping to significantly raise the basic performance attributes of these cars over the Lancer base model are 2-pot caliper front brakes and a larger brake master cylinder.

Chevy Volt Hybrid Car

MSNBC - Now there’s an out-and-out stampede to buy hybrid vehicles, as drivers downscale from large SUVs to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Popular models like the Honda Civic Hybrid are in short supply, and dealers are reporting waiting lists.

Toyota, maker of the popular Prius, is struggling to keep up with booming demand. The Japanese automaker said this week it’s unable to make enough batteries to supply demand for the hybrids, and the crunch on battery production is likely to remain a problem for the rest of the year.

It’s clear that for many consumers hybrids have gone from an eco-friendly fad to a virtual  necessity. Now the issue for many drivers is whether they should jump on the hybrid bandwagon now or wait for some of the new hybrid models expected to arrive in showrooms over the next few years.

One issue is that, even though gas prices are at record levels, hybrids are priced at a significant premium over similar, conventional models. Depending on how much you drive, it could take years to make up the extra cost with savings at the pump. (See our “Hybrid payback” interactive above for information on the payback of some of the most popular hybrids currently available.)

“A lot people are freaked out by high gas prices right now, and they’re making panicked decisions that impact their finances, so it’s probably not the best time to get into a hybrid car,” said Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at automobile information Web site Edmunds.com.

“We are still in a plateau in terms of hybrid development and there’s nothing very new out there, and what’s available right now is high-priced,” Reed said. “The entire automotive industry is reshaping itself, so if you have a car that you can keep for a few more years it might be a good time to relax and wait for some of the good things that are about to come out.”

The next major development in the hybrid space is expected in 2010, when GM’s Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is expected to go into production, says Aaron Bragman, an automotive analyst at consultancy Global Insight.

The Volt, which can be recharged from a home electrical outlet, is expected to go on sale in early 2011 and may be worth waiting for, said Bragman.

“It represents a big change in what vehicles are,” he said.

The Volt, he noted, is designed to remain primarily in electric mode in first 40 miles of driving.

“Considering that most Americans have a 20 mile commute it’s feasible that you’d never use your gas engine,” Bragman said.

Toyota plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid in Japan, the United States and Europe by 2010, although it will target leasing customers first. The new vehicle will use next-generation lithium-ion batteries that are seen as key to jump-starting the hybrid market. They are currently used in laptops and produce more power than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in existing hybrids.

Most Famous Sports Cars 2008

forbesautos - Lamborghini Reventon
The healthiest segment of the small but highly profitable sports-car market is at the extreme upper end. Sales of “ultra-luxury” makes like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, whose vehicles tend to have longer product cycles, are down by the smallest margin so far this year, 6.9 percent, according Bandon, Ore.-based, CNW Marketing Research.

David Wurster, president of research firm Vincentric in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., sees the high end of the sports-car market holding strong in the coming year. “So-called ’supercars’ costing $200,000 and up are in a different sort of marketplace,” he says. “It’s a good example of the widening gap between the rich and poor in this country — we’re apparently going to see more wealthy people at the top who can afford to own the very best.”

Overall, sports car sales are in a slump, but that’s not stopping manufacturers from releasing hot new models for 2008.

Sales of “premium” sports cars (which include the BMW Z4 and Chevrolet Corvette) are down 10.2 percent during the first 10 months of 2007 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to CNW data. “Upper premium” models (Dodge Viper SRT10, Mercedes-Benz SL, Porsche 911, etc.) are off by 13.5 percent.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia
In these categories, where models tend to get refreshed every four or five years, significant models for 2008 include redesigned versions of the Audi TT and the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Roadster; the latter gets a major boost in power, with its massive V10 engine now pumping out 600 horsepower.

Arguably the most anticipated new sports car in recent years debuts next spring as an early 2009 model: The Nissan GT-R will be powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine and be able to reach 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

This sleek all-wheel-drive coupe has long been a performance icon in Japan (where it has been called the “Skyline GT-R”) but is just now coming to America. “It will be a true ‘halo’ vehicle for Nissan,” says Francois Gravigny, an analyst with the market research company R.L. Polk and Company in Southfield, Mich. “The Japanese had gotten away from selling high-performance vehicles in the U.S., like the Acura NSX and the Toyota Supra, and Nissan is timing the return to that segment of the market perfectly.”

Among new models for 2008 in the exotic segment are the Maserati GranTurismo, an elegant and civilized near-exotic coupe, and the stunning Audi R8, which is that company’s first foray into the realm of uber-sports cars. The R8’s traffic-stopping looks — we mean that literally; people jumped out of their cars in the middle of traffic to take pictures of it on our test drive — and boasts a 420-hp V8 engine. Its price extends into six figures and Audi has made it clear that the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S is one of its chief rivals. “The R8 is the perfect model that illustrates the Audi’s new performance-based philosophy,” Gravigny says. “It’s the first time any German manufacturer is really going up against the Porsche 911.”

Audi R8
Also new for 2008 is the first modern electric-powered sports car, the low-slung Tesla Roadster. The San Carlos, Cali.-based startup says the car production will be limited to 800 units for its first model year and, pending no further hold-ups (it was originally due to be released this fall but was delayed, reportedly because of transmission problems), the car will enter production next spring.

The Tesla Roadster borrows the ultra-light aluminum chassis of the Lotus Elise and the company says it will run for 245 miles on a charge and reach 60 mph in less than four seconds.

Tesla expects both well-heeled environmentalists and sports-car aficionados to be drawn to the $98,000 Roadster. “A strong motivation for many of our customers is the fact that the Roadster will be the only production car available that produces zero emissions,” says Darryl Siry, Tesla’s vice president of sales, marketing and service. “But the design and performance of the car are each a powerful draw on their own.”

Analysts hope an infusion of new models in the years ahead, combined with a market shift as aging Baby Boomers’ transportation needs change and their disposable income increases, will breathe new life into the broader end of the sports-car segment. “The sports car market will improve a bit in terms of volume as America ages and can afford them,” says Vincentric’s Wurster. “There’s a lot of guys waiting out there for their kids to graduate college so they can indulge themselves.”

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
According to the Power Information Network, the sports car segment is still dominated by the youngest group of buyers with an average age of 42. But that average has been steadily inching up in recent decades. The average Porsche buyer’s age rose from 42.7 years old in the 1970s to 51.2 in the 1990s, according to CNW data. The average Corvette buyer was 38.1 in the Nixon/Carter era, yet rose to 49.6 in the Bush/Clinton period.

Upward age creep could be one reason sports cars have been gaining computer-controlled suspensions, advanced chassis-control features, dual-clutch semi-automatic shifters, and luxury-car convenience features. “As people get older, and the population of this country is clearly getting older, they want more amenities and comfort,” Wurster says. “But you can still go and buy yourself a Lotus Elise and get a car with no amenities if you want to be a true-blue sports car guy.”

See the full list of hottest sports cars, which includes models that are either all-new or significantly updated for 2008.

Think Twice to Buy Used-car

With gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon, consumers are giving used cars a closer look, and with good reason. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average price of a used car sold by its member dealers last year was about $15,000, compared with $29,000 for new cars.

While it’s important to buy a used car with a reputation for solid dependability, it’s even smarter to buy a used car that is less popular with consumers, meaning it has depreciated more rapidly.

“The best new cars make the best used cars,” reads the slogan for Toyota’s certified pre-owned used-car program, and in general it is true. But Toyotas depreciate slowly. That makes them attractive as new cars but less appealing as used cars because they cost more than faster-depreciating brands.

The slowest-depreciating brands are Scion, Mini, BMW, Volkswagen and Honda, according to Kelly Blue Book, a vehicle information service.

Instead of those popular models, think about some other brands that get high scores for reliability but can save thousands over similar vehicles. Consider domestic brands like Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford. Sure, it’s good for the economy to buy American, but a more immediate benefit to you is that they depreciate faster than Hondas and Toyotas, meaning you will get a relative bargain.

For example, a 2006 Buick LaCrosse CX, listed among Consumer Reports’ most reliable cars for 2008, can be had for $13,900, according to Kelley Blue Book, compared with $19,250 for a 2006 Toyota Camry SE V6 would cost you.

Camrys make great cars, and as the company’s slogan promises they make great used cars. But does a Camry deliver $5,350 more transportation value than another four-door V-6 sedan that’s made by Buick? It seems unlikely.

And how about the value compared to a new car? The MSRP for a new Toyota Camry SE V-6 is $25,575. The 2006 Buick is still under its original warranty and probably in great shape (assuming you paid attention when shopping). It costs $11,675 less than a new Camry. That is how you can stretch your car-buying dollar during uncertain economic times.

Yes, new Hondas and Toyotas do well in comparison tests, and they cost around the same as domestic models when new. But when looking at used models, the domestics can cost thousands less for a very similar product, making them much more attractive.

Wary shoppers might point to this price difference as a reflection of the expected reliability of these cars, and that was true at one time.

But today it’s more a reflection of the fact that domestic manufacturers have overproduced to keep factories running because of labor agreements. The need to make new cars (whether or not they are wanted by customers) forces manufacturers to push them into the marketplace with incentives that depress the resale value of similar used cars.
Domestic manufacturers also dump a lot of their production into the marketplace by selling cars to rental agencies, which often resell them as used in a year or less, flooding the market with late-model used cars and further depressing resale values.

All of these factors work in the favor of the consumer who is able to buy a low-mileage, nearly new Chevrolet Impala or Malibu, Ford Taurus or Five Hundred, or Chrysler Sebring for barely more than half the price of a new car.

Ford Motor Close Builds Sport Utility

Reuters - The Michigan Truck plant in Wayne, Michigan, which makes the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition, will be idled starting Monday until August 25, Ford spokesman Mark Truby said on Tuesday.

“We are seeing less demand in the large truck and large SUV market right now,” Truby said.

Consumers are spurning pickup trucks and SUVs and moving to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Both the Navigator and Expedition are two of Ford’s largest SUVs.

U.S. Navigator sales fell 37 percent in May, while Expedition sales were down 43 percent.

Ford has said it plans to increase car production and decrease the output of trucks to better align its line-up to market demand.

The company plans in July to update investors on its production plans.

Latest Design of BMW Unveiled

The first translation of the GINA philosophy into physical being is demonstrated in the Light Visionary Model concept. The only specs that may be familiar are the car’s realistic 8-cylinder powertrain package residing in a roadster built from an aluminum space-frame chassis with two double tailpies and 20-in. alloy wheels at the corners. Other than that, it is the Visionary’s exterior body that will catch all of us by surprise. It is skinned by four large pieces of flexible material that can stretch and contract based on a number of substructures that can move about on the chassis with electro and electrohydraulic controls.

There are four main pieces of skin that make up the Visionary’s body: The largest component starts at the front of the car and extends all the way to the base of the windscreen, then down and across the two doors, ending at the rear edge. The next two fabric-like skins begin at the front lower rocker panels, then run across the rear wheel arches to the back. The last piece of skin makes up the rear deck. The roadster’s scissor-type doors open with its outer skin wrinkled in a very clearly defined pattern, but they are stretched back into a silky-smooth surface when the doors close.

The fabric that covers the Visionary’s body is constructed from a waterproof and temperature-resistant mesh netting on the outer layer, supported by a flexible metal- wire structure underneath to maintain the skin’s tension and smoothness. Around a few areas where curvatures of the skin are called for, carbon struts are added to allow for higher flexibility while keeping the rounded contours.

The Light Visionary Model is striking not only because of its fabric outer skin, but also its utility in form following function. Because of the flexible skin, the headlights can be hidden or exposed when necessary. The side markers to signal lane changes are not visible on the outside until they are turned on during use — their light shines though the translucent (but not transparent) cover. Airflow around the car can be managed actively as the skin can be closed, opened or stretched based on need; the rocker-panel shape can be adjusted for better aerodynamics. And because the rear deck is covered by one single piece of fabric, the spoiler can be completely hidden when it is not in use.

Chris Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design, says, “Personal customer requirements will broaden the context of our products and change the core values that define our industry along the way.” That’s why BMW is focused on breaking new ground and finding innovative design solutions. And by the looks of the GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW is in the forefront of ingenious automotive design.

Next Generation of Hybrids Car

ForbesAuto - Auto manufacturers are at least a year or two away from launching the next generation of hybrids, called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), that recharge by plugging into a wall outlet. But battery companies are ready to start selling aftermarket kits within the next few months that convert hybrids, and in some cases regular vehicles, into plug-in electric cars.

A123Systems, an automotive technology company and battery supplier based in Watertown, Mass., is now taking orders on its Web site for a Hymotion L5 conversion kit, which turns a Toyota Prius into a plug-in electric car. The kit works with Prius model years 2004 through 2008 and adds a special, range-extending lithium-ion battery to the Prius’ existing drivetrain.

Toyota Release Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Kits

Now called A123 Hymotion—reflecting its purchase by battery maker A123 Systems—the company launched its new L5 Plug-In Conversion Module. This supplements the Prius’s stock 1.3-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack with a 5-kWh pack based on A123’s iron nanophosphate lithium ion cells.

Interestingly, the six initial installers include four Toyota dealerships. They’re in Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC—the non-dealership installers are Green Gears in San Francisco, and Green Car Company in Seattle. You still have to order the module through the Hymotion website, but Prius owners who want to expand their full-electric running time and juice it up from the wall socket at night can now benefit from one-stop shopping. It’s a “very significant” announcement, said Felix Kramer of plug-in advocacy group Calcars. “Considering a dealer’s main allegiance is to the company, it’s pretty colossal.”

Several features distinguish the new kit from others on the market. For one thing, it’s been engineered and crash-tested to meet all applicable federal new-car safety standards. For another, the converted car meets new-car emissions standards—which not every plug-in conversion does, including earlier versions of Hymotion’s own kit.

And finally, it costs a lot less than other lithium ion kits. For example, take the conversion offered by Hybrids Plus, of Boulder, Colorado. To get a “PHEV-30,” meaning a plug-in with roughly 30 miles of pure electric range, will cost you roughly $30,000 for the 4.5-kWh replacement pack plus another 4.5-kWh auxiliary pack—albeit installed. Those packs, by the way, also use A123’s cells.

Hymotion, on the other hand, quotes 30 to 40 miles of “electrically assisted” range for a third of that: $9,995 including installation and a three year warranty. Left unspecified thus far, is the actual distance that the Hymotion kit will run in pure electric mode, without switching on the internal combustion engine. The answer, as always, lies in the car’s duty cycle: how heavily it’s loaded, how aggressively it’s driven, the mix of speeds, and even such factors as how many hills it climbs.

According to Hymotion representative Lizzie Ames, the company isn’t making executives—or indeed anyone—available to the press for comment right now. So we’ll leave it to road testers to offer real-world experience. And no doubt the highly active plug-in hybrid community will weigh in, followed—we hope—by some official testing by the likes of Argonne National Labs (who tested the exhaust emissions from a previous iteration of the Hymotion kit).

The Toyota Hybrid X concept

Toyota announced today that it will show two new hybrids at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. One of the hybrids will be sold as a Toyota and the other as a Lexus. Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president of research and development, said the Toyota hybrid will be “a totally new car.” He added that it would be larger than the Prius.

In addition, the company will show the third-generation Prius. The company did not provide further details, such as timing or cost, related to the new hybrids.

Toyota also announced new 1.3-liter and 2.5-liter gasoline engines using stop-start technology to debut later this year, according to company statement. This would mark Toyota’s first venture into a mild hybrid system. So far, all of Toyota’s hybrids are full hybrids, providing the capability to launch forward without using gasoline. Stop-start hybrids, which don’t burn gas when the vehicle comes to a stop, yield fuel efficiency gains of about 10 percent compared to conventional models.

All of the planned vehicles are expected to use nickel-metal hydride batteries. Panasonic EV Energy Co., which makes Toyota’s hybrid vehicle batteries, will begin making lithium ion batteries in 2009. Those batteries are expected to debut in Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid, which will have limited production for fleets in 2010.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said the company is also setting up a battery research department to look for battery technology with even greater capabilities than lithium ion.

2009 Scion Review

Edmunds - If you want a recipe for a strong-selling car for the coveted 20-to-30-something demographic, ask Scion. Take a solid platform with a well-tuned suspension and a strong engine, add in plenty of standard features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a sunroof and a nice stereo, wrap it all up in a smartly attractive coupe-styled body and give it bargain pricing, and you have the 2009 Scion tC. Having a sense of balance is always a good thing, and the Scion tC exhibits that virtue by providing fairly athletic handling along with a compliant ride. Rather than a high-winding engine that requires a lot of revs to extract the performance, the tC employs a big-for-the-class 2.4-liter four that furnishes strong low- and midrange power.

Another ace in the tC’s hand is its relatively upscale cabin and accommodating rear seat. The former features high-quality materials and tight build quality, while the latter has enough room for two adults, a rare luxury in the compact sport coupe segment.

Although the 2009 Scion tC is well equipped, there are still a number of dealer-installed accessories, including a choice of wheels, body kits, stereo head units and interior accents, that can tailor the car to your tastes. Should you hunger for more excitement, your friendly Scion dealer can also hook up your ride with a supercharger that boosts horsepower up to 200 and puts the tC in closer competition against the Civic Si coupe, Mini Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI. Be forewarned that the supercharger is rather pricey, especially when you factor in the cost of having it installed at your Scion dealer.

In its basic form, however, the tC still represents a solid pick for an under-$20,000 sport coupe. True, it’s not going to be able to keep up with the aforementioned competitors in a straight line, and its overall design is now a bit dated, having come out for 2005. But for hatchback or coupe shoppers wanting a little bit of everything without paying too much, it would be foolish to overlook the 2009 tC.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Scion tC is a two-door hatchback coupe offered in a single trim level. The generous list of standard features includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a dual-pane sunroof, air-conditioning, split-folding and reclining rear seats, keyless entry, cruise control, full power accessories with one-touch up/down windows and a Pioneer CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack and dedicated iPod interface. The tC is so well-equipped that there are no factory options, though dealers offer a wide array of performance and styling upgrades. A choice of satellite radio providers is also available, as well as an upgraded stereo head unit and a touchscreen navigation system.

Powertrains and Performance

Standard power for the Scion tC comes from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 161 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include the standard five-speed manual and optional four-speed automatic. Acceleration is adequate, with the 0-60-mph dash done in around 8.5 seconds. Should you spring for the dealer-installed supercharger, output is boosted to 200 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, yielding a 0-60 time of just 7.2 seconds. Sans supercharger, an automatic-equipped tC earns a slightly below-average EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2009 Scion tC comes with antilock disc brakes, a first aid kit, a driver knee airbag, front side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags as standard. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration frontal crash tests, the tC earned a perfect five stars for driver protection and four stars for front passenger protection.

Interior Design and Special Features

Though the Scion tC is the size of an average compact car, its longish 106.3-inch wheelbase provides ample legroom for passengers in the rear seats (although taller drivers may still like more front seat travel). Rear riders will also enjoy the split seatbacks that can individually recline up to 135 degrees, and owners will appreciate the wide hatchback opening and 35 cubic feet of cargo space (with the rear seats folded). The interior is mostly lined with high-quality materials, and the standard Pioneer sound system is both crisp and powerful. The standard iPod interface is a welcome (and rare) feature, although we suggest opting for one of the upgraded stereo head units for better iPod control. About the only downside to the tC’s interior is its somewhat skimpy headroom for taller folks riding in back.

Driving Impressions

Although not as sharp or engaging as newer rivals like the Civic or Mini Cooper, the 2009 Scion tC features flat, composed cornering and a nimble feel. Its aggressive 17-inch tires provide plenty of grip, and its brakes are strong and fade-free. Ride quality is firm, yet compliant enough to absorb most bumps and ruts on battered city streets. The 2.4-liter provides a relatively strong pull from both low and high speeds. We’d advise buyers to go with the manual transmission, as it has crisp shifting action and a smooth clutch. Automatic-equipped tCs are less enjoyable, as the four-speed can be hesitant and indecisive during enthusiastic runs on back roads.

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