Drive a smart fortwo in NYC and you can instantly achieve rock star status. Sounds like an advertisement? But it's true. Everywhere I went people gave me the thumbs up for 'driving green', let me pass if I wanted (unheard of in the city), asked me for a ride or asked me where to get one. In other words, I got respect!

Who would ever think that a smart fortwo could garner as much praise as other flashier, more upscale and expensive models I've driven in the city.

All the right ingredients:
It's great looking, eco-conscious, inexpensive and new to the US. And it's tiny-tiny enough to create it's own lane, to park anywhere and skittle between cars like a bicycle. But deceptively enough, the interior is very spacious with cargo space big enough to contain 10 bags of groceries with room to spare! Upfront there's plenty of head and elbow room. My 6' teen was comfortable enough to ask me if I'd buy one for him!

Driving the smart fortwo is a blast:
In the city, the car was so quiet that everyone was asking if it was electric. And it's so nimble that I was able to skirt around pot holes, tuck into half parking spaces and hustle down narrow streets.

The engine:
The 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder engine puts out 70 hp, 33/40 miles to the gallon and was given the ULEV for low exhaust emissions.

When you try to get some juice in automatic the gearing is jumpy  but once you get it up to speed on a highway this guy rocks. I found that driving in manual (with paddles or the shifter)is much smoother and more responsive than in automatic.  If  you're not manual savvy an arrow in the console lets you know which direction to shift.

As safe as a brick:
The smart fortwo was designed by the Mercedes engineer of the S-class, who confirms that this is just as safe. For instance, the metal body is reinforced at strategic points with high-strength steel, the high-seating position gives the passenger and driver advantages in frontal and side impact crashes, the engine and starter battery are housed in impact protection zones. The smart fortwo also comes standard with two head/neck side airbags, a seat occupancy sensor and kneepads, ESP and ABS.

The price:
The smart car comes in three versions; Fortwopure starts at $11,590; Fortwopassioncoupe starts at $13,590 and the Passion cabriolet starts at $16,590.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about green driving. It seems everyone I know is making small modifications on their daily living, or at least guiltily proclaiming that they should. Yet, the hard facts of the global perspective are daunting. Is all this personal conservation petty and futile in the broader picture? I'm not sure what the answer is, but if you consider yourself a conservationist, then pay close attention to Asia, and form an opinion for yourself on how car companies are implementing their strategies overseas in pursuit of replenishing the faltering dollar in an exploding market.

China and India are supple markets, and hungry car makers are scrambling to reach the demand with Chrysler the latest to announce a heavy Chinese production initiative. Audi has announced that they expect to double sales by 2015 making China their second largest market out of Germany. In China 5.2 million cars were sold last year, according to a  Wall Street Journal article. The article also notes that sales of the Toyota Prius decreased to a sparse 414 cars. Not a good start wooing eco-minded consumers who are going after deals.

It could still go either way. By 2010 30 hybrids will be available in China, including a model produced by  Chery Automobile  Company, a Chinese automaker. BYD Auto announced plans to produce a new plug-in hybrid in 2008 that would come to the US in 2010. Yet, is it reasonable to expect Chinese families to opt for more expensive hybrids, when cars are just becoming more accessible to them?

 These issues were alluded to at the China Auto 2008, which is held in Beijing this week. GM CEO Rick Wagoner told the press "If there's a place around where you can get good alignment between infrastructure strategy and technology, China would seem like one of the places where that could happen." Yet, there's a certain irony that  it is in vogue to take up biking to work and other energy saving alternatives here, while the rest of the world is persuaded to prop the kickstand, and move full steam ahead.

India's Tata Nano is not even for sale yet, but the $2,500 car is already changing the rules on how to develop low-cost vehicles.



When the Tata Nano hit the Geneva auto show this year, the buzz was skeptical. People were predicting that it would be nothing more than a shell on wheels. Not so. The vehicle proved significant enough to give automakers pause for thought.

It looks like Toyota, General Motors, Fiat, Suzuki, Renault and Nissan have jumped on the bandwagon to develop super-low-cost vehicles.

It's what the public wants.

A.T. Kearney consultancy predicts that the global market for vehicles priced below $5,000 will grow to 15.7 million units annually by 2020 from 1.9 million this year, forecasts.

Tata Motors says that it will initially produce 250,000 units a year. However, it is alerting its suppliers to prepare for an eventual 1 million units annually.

How did Tata do it? Their approach is novel and that's why manufacturers are studying the company's methodology.

Tata's focus was on lowering the weight and the cost of parts and production. (But, considering that they are producing it in India, where the cost of labor is cheaper, this was not such a big factor.)

To keep the weight low (580kg) they lightened the engine to two cylinders vs. three to four, they installed only one windshield wiper and they mounted 12-inch tires and wheels that use three lug nuts instead of four or five.

As far as amenities go, keeping it simple means no radio, power steering, power windows or air conditioning. The instrument panel only has the basics-speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. Oh, and there's no glove box either.

But then again, Tata isn't coming here anytime soon... unless they find a way to pass US emission and safety standards. And that's gonna' add some pounds and some dollars to this lightweight. 

It will be interesting to see what the other manufacturers come up with.

(sourced from Automotive News Europe April 14, 2008)

My job keeps me so concerned with the practical aspects of buying and owning a car that sometimes I forget how much fun it is to fantasize about cars I wish I could have. But we've got a couple of new road tests that have reactviated my salivary glands. First and foremost, the 2008 BMW X6. Nothing I could hope to drive soon, due to family and budget constraints, but I can dream, can't I? The hybrid version of this, when it arrives, will also be very exciting.

The 2009 Honda Pilot. Not exactly a "dream car," but for those with families, it's more butch and more practical, with increased off-road ability. Lots of great cargo space and towing ability. Still a winner. Of course, there are really great deals now on the outgoing Pilot, if you're interested.

Then there's the 2009 Audi A4 Avant. Holly has written about the A4 (she loved it, of course). I'll be attending an all-women A4 event at Audi's Infineon Raceway near San Francisco in the beginning of May, where I'll talk with the female design team from Audi's Santa Monica Design Center. I'll report back on it then. I did drive the 2008 Audi A6 for about 10 minutes the other day, and I was really impressed -- even driving around the parking lot at 15 MPG was a pleasure. So I'm looking forward to learning more about all things Audi.

What do you think about these -- or other -- new vehicles? What makes it onto your wish list?

The Spanish-owned Ibiza, part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, was the chosen setting to preview the 2009 Audi A4 Avant, their fourth-generation wagon. 

I think it only fitting that I give you a short understanding of Ibiza before I launch into a description of the Audi A4 Avant.

The Audi A4 Avant is all about lovely lines and superior technology. Ibiza is all about the senses.

Founded by Phoenician’s in 654 BC, the early settlers believed Ibiza to be a magic isle blessed by the Gods because of its fertile red soil that supposedly wards off all manner of harmful reptiles, animals, insects or plants.

Mellow is the mood here. Ibiza was a huge hippie hang-out in the 60’s and since has given birth to a renowned club scene. But, people are drawn to this fertile island for its sandy beaches and laid-back Mediterranean life.  Staggering cliffs with feverish views of seas, pine forests, olive groves and small centuries-old towns are just some of the perks.

Continue reading...

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released its crash tests of 2008 midsize sedans. Hopefully you can read the graphic above.

The bottom line: All the cars were significantly improved over the IIHS test done in 2004. The attribute the difference to stronger side pillars and side and head cushion airbags. Notice the column for standard vs. optional stability control on the right.

Rear crash protection is still all over the board, as some of the seats have active head restraints and some do not.

Ever wish you could tell other consumers the good, the bad, and the ugly about your car? (Disappointed in the gas mileage? Love the way it handles?) You can, by submitting a Consumer Review. It's super easy and it makes a difference. In fact, we're using all reviews submitted before April 30th to calculate our Consumers Most Wanted Awards for 2008.

Owners can score their ride on factors such as Performance, Reliability, Comfort and the all-important Fun-to-Drive. You can also list your favorite features (xenon headlights, anyone?) and suggested improvements, which can include your pet peeves. And let's face it, we've got a lot of 'em.

I troll the Consumer Reviews every week, and select certain ones to appear on the Women and Family Car Guide, as well as the Car Safety Guide and the Green Car Guide. There are also plenty of manufacturers that read our Consumer Reviews, because they're the real deal, so consider this a place to tell them (as well as other consumers) what you really think.

Shorter than the XC70 and lower than the XC90, the slimmed-down 2009 Volvo XC60 is entering the expanding ”small premium utility” market. According to Volvo, in the next few years buyers will have at least ten crossover models to choose from and by 2009, the segment is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 cars. So, what will the XC60 offer that other crossovers can’t?

Well, it’s a Volvo so safety is key. City Safety, a system that enables the car to brake itself in the case of low-speed impacts, comes standard in the XC60. When a car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the brakes will apply themselves. When was the last time you checked your purse, your cell phone or your blackberry while waiting in slow moving traffic? Sad to admit, but City Safety is a great invention even if it’s just there for the placebo effect.

But, aside from that, the Volvo XC60 has guts. It’s powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285 horsepower. All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is standard.

And, yes, this may look like another wagon, but check out the lines. This is the prettiest Volvo I’ve seen since the S80 came out.

At the NYIAS, Subaru and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) hooked up for a good cause. In a  partnership between NYPA and Subaru, two of Subaru's 2009 R1e electric vehicles will become part of NYPA’s green fleet.

The stats: The Subaru R1e uses fast-charge lithium ion battery technology. The two-seat Subaru R1e is capable of driving at speeds up to 65 mph with a range of up to 50 miles. The Subaru R1e can be “quick-charged” to 80 percent capacity in only 15 minutes using quick-charge technology. The vehicle can be fully charged overnight (eight hours) while connected to a standard household electrical outlet.

With 40 Subaru R1e vehicles currently in use, Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries is adding 100 more electric vehicles into a consumer test program in Japan in 2009.

The testing doesn’t stop there. Subaru is concentrating on developing battery technology that could be used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FEVs). Compared to nickel metal hydride or nickel-hydrogen battery technology, lithium-ion battery technology offers advantages including easier packaging, higher power density, better cooling for longer life and potentially lower cost.

Another green benefit? Service life for the high-density lithium-ion battery is estimated at 10 years and 130,000 miles and the battery pack is designed to be easily recycled.

Listen up, ethanol skeptics. Saleen, the 25-year-old company that has made a name for itself in the specialty market has created a roaring concept that can run on ethanol E85. Yup, that’s right!  The company that has been involved with wild cars like the Viper, Prowler and Fort GT, introduced the S5S Raptor at the NYIAS.

 “The Raptor is designed to digest cellulosic ethanol. This is the same ethanol formula that is the official fuel of the 2008 American Le Mans Race Series and the IRL,” said Paul Wilbur, Saleen President and CEO, when he introduced the sports car.
 
“The higher octane rating of E85 results in more power,” he explained. “With ethanol power, the car is both mean and clean!”

Want proof? The supercharged 5.0-liter engine has  650-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque and can jet from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

The S5S Raptor, a mid-engine two-seater, has a possible production date of 2010 and will be priced around $185,000.