October 31, 2003
Safety for Everyone
Article from Reuters
Unlike Honda, as U.S. car sales have grown more competitive, some automakers have reduced the amount of standard equipment on vehicles to cut costs and compete on price. Last year, General Motors decided to make anti-lock brakes and side air bags an option on many models, rather than standard equipment.
Solution: Buy Honda, not GM
Black Magic
Frustrated with the demands of managing increasingly complex vehicle programs, automakers are looking to replace complicated and expensive electronic control systems with a simpler solution – witchcraft;
Family Resemblance
Since the picture above may not work : the article may
Andreas Zapatinas, the smiling gent in the picture, drew inspiration for the “engine and wing” look of this new Subaru from the parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, who build fuselage for the Boeing 777 among many things.
I just thought he was making a self-portrait of sorts …
:D
October 29, 2003
25 MPG
Lately I have notice some awesome Google upgrades like this one :
Google 25 MPG
Neat! Must be US MPG though. Brits have a different measure. Plus, it would really be useful if it converted to “liters per 100 km”
Wry Sam
The WRI, World Resources Institute, published a study with Sustainable Asset Management group about the auto industries worse case of future directions: It’s all about the CO2 and fuel economy
DUH.
According to the report, companies producing low-carbon vehicles and possessing superior carbon-reducing technologies should see market share increase and competitive advantage grow as these developments take hold. In contrast, companies that have more carbon-intensive vehicles and that are lagging behind in the race to develop lower-carbon technologies could suffer from lower sales, increased costs, and reduced profits. Hence, carbon constraints could have a strong influence on competition within the industry.
SEMA fore!
SEMA 2003, the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, is the place the puts more bling-bling into cars then anywhere ever.
GM already is revealing their contributions to the “art” and technology at hand.
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 80,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries for its unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, marine and RV markets. SEMA Show 2003 is expected to draw over 40,000 domestic and international buyers through two million square feet of exhibits. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase features more than 1,100 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.
October 28, 2003
Terrorist Elves
Believe this ? Now I don’t like big gas-guzzling SUVs … but arson ?
If I didn’t think it is true, I’d say this was an “Urban Myth”.
The Earth Liberation Front is an international underground organization that damages property in the name of stopping the destruction of the natural environment. Since 1997, the ELF in North America has caused over $100 million in damages to companies that it claims profit from “the destruction of life and the planet”.
Idling in Windsor
Somewhat surprising, after increased demand was noted for the new Chrysler Pacifica, the Windsor plant will sit idle next week.
Meanwhile, Chrysler’s minivans are fighting a fierce battle against competitors that have finally started to imitate the domestic automaker’s successful formula, and in some cases beat it at its own game. New vans from Ford, Toyota and Nissan, join Honda’s respected entry eroding Chrysler’s market share, which is showing year-to-date sales through September down 9 percent.
October 27, 2003
Driving Prius
EV Wolrd follows the events of a prospective Prius owner’s test drive.
October 25, 2003
Subaru in Tokyo
The Subaru-Global review of the 2003 fall Tokyo Motor Show
Silly webmasters at Subie have messed-up the page title… and they never seem to leave a contact e-mail address. Silly.
Nokian Renkaat
Nokian Renkaat is the famous Finnish maker of the “Hakkapeliitta” series of winter tyres for cars and bikes. Good to see they are doing well.
Since I’m contemplating a new car, I will need new winter tyres ( tires ), so I lean toward a set of four Hakka Q, though in Europe & Scandinavia they already speak highly of the new Hakka 4 made with environmentally conscious Finnish rape-seed oil.
Daihatsu XLC250
Retro Mini ? Almost. Certianly cute and neat.
October 23, 2003
Nissan C-Note
Nissan Sentra is a well respected economy sedan and in the SE-R Spec V guise as “street racer” or “Q car” in North America. The rest of the world calls it Nissan Pulsar and the Pulsar has a hatchback variant.
So, the Nissan C-Note is the almost production 2005 Pulsar Hatchback, yet it is in fact a Renault Megane.
Now, how about a Nissan C-Note Spec V ? Renault Megane Turbo ?
Maybe we will see this “evolution” in North America…
Miata Turbo coming here!
How about a nice confirmation that this little rocket will make it to our shores ?
Smiles all around!
The limited-edition turbo model will be introduced only in Japan, North America and Australia. Production will begin early in 2004, with actual production numbers to be confirmed when production begins.
October 22, 2003
Automakers to push for worldwide safety standards
Automakers to push for worldwide safety standards
Wed 22 October, 2003 17:04 BST
TOKYO (Reuters) - Top executives of most of the world’s major automakers agreed after a rare joint meeting on Wednesday to push for a harmonization of global safety and environmental standards, company officials said.
Leaders from about 15 automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen, met following the opening day of the Tokyo Motor Show, the officials said.
Currently, automakers must make expensive changes to vehicles to meet different safety regulations and environmental standards in various markets.
“It would make sense if governments adopted the same standards, so that automakers could build to the same standards around the world,” an official with one global automaker said.
The three-hour closed-door meeting comes about 13 months after auto executives met during the Paris auto show to discuss the same issue, which some said was a first in the 100-year history of the industry.
GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner, asked earlier this week about the likelihood of common safety standards around the world, said “the betting odds of getting that are really mixed.”
Echo versus Vitz
What happens to a car when it is imported into Canada ? Without a doubt, the rules governing crash worthiness are much higher in Canada then Japan. This explains why the weight of a foreign car increases and why the silhouette of these vehicles may be less flattering.
Example of bumper changes:
Toyota Vitz in Japan
Toyota Echo in Canada
October 21, 2003
2005 Ford GT
From the pen of the guy who gave us the VW New Beetle and the TT, the hands of the team who built the Viper …. comes the Ford GT.
The Car Connection has the whole shebang.
SVO Underground
Not really diesel … but Straight Vegetable Oil .. and the strange crowd that happens to run their cars on it. 50 MPG… no road tax… legal ? Who knows.
$110 Billon Dollar Toyota
In the grand scheme of things, the size of an Auto Manufacturer means little … but :
- The market capitalization of Toyota is now $110 Billion, “… compared with GM’s $24 billion and more than the combined values of GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler.”
- Toyota’s net profit last year was $8.6 Billion dollars.
is the “Big Three” miss-managed or Toyota just running well ? You be the judge.
Honda Odyssey 2004
New for Japan, the 2004 Odyssey. 7 passenger, CVT, AWD, etc …
The term “mini van” is getting to be a major misnomer.
B9 ?
The most surprising prototype car shown in Tokyo must be the Subaru B9 Scrambler. I still cannot get over the looks and specifications of this roadster.
Although I find the lower nose area visually busy, the car certainly exudes “roadster” imagery. A simpler fascia with more conservative dash and parts would make a likely production unit.
See more of the B9 at the Babelfished Japanease news site Biglobe.
Subaru R1e & R2
Subaru is progressing with a whole makeover of their “Car Design DNA” at the hands of ex-Alfa Romeo designer, Andreas Zapatinas.
The R1e, ‘e’ for “Electric”, is a city car that seems to follow the proportions set by the SMART series, yet with a flavour of 2 + 2 seating design. Much has been said about the “Alfa-Romeo-isms” of the new Subaru prototypes, but the R1e seems to follow Seat Salsa & Altea themes in my opinion.
See more of the R1e at the Babelfished Japanease news site Biglobe.
The R2 unit … err car is more of a Subaru Justy in R1 like skin. Not many people call it “pretty”.
See more of the R2 at the Babelfished Japanease news site Biglobe.
612 Scaglietti 612 Scaglietti
For those with more money then …
Let me introduce the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Caterham sales soar (in UK)
Colin Chapman’s “Super 7”, now produced by Caterham, have had the sales climb by 20%.
Staring out my window in Montreal, the idea of a open-top Club Racer in this rain is not very welcome.
Toniq-R
The University of Huddersfield’s Toniq-R is the first ever full size concept car to be built by British students. The team of four final-year transport design students worked together to design and build the lightweight sports-car that is the Toniq-R. This revolutionary kit car is based on the existing Westfield chassis and could head straight into production if a suitable manufacturer is found. The 21st Century styling of the Toniq-R brings it visually up to date to complement the existing car’s continually developed performance.
Fascinating car design, modest kit-car-price. See more @ PistonHeads
October 20, 2003
Best Used Vehicles
The Car Connection published a Best Used Cars list worth a read.
Those un-imaginative Toyota Corolla’s always seem to get the nod.
Clean Diesel Ride and Drive
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers hosted a Clean Diesel Ride and Drive for Members of Congress and their staffs last week.
“In Europe, almost 40% of all new vehicles are powered by clean diesel technology. By comparison, fewer than 1% of U.S. vehicles are diesel powered,” said Alliance President and CEO Josephine S. Cooper. “Advanced diesel technology utilizing clean diesel fuel can deliver between 20% and 40% better fuel economy than comparable gasoline engines. Through events like this we hope to clear up many of the common misconceptions about diesel technology and open the door for increased diesel penetration in the U.S. market.”
Targa Cooper S
How would you rate your car after a gruelling 2200-km road rally, like Targa Newfoundland ?
Probably you could point out some failings that were not apparent after a regular week of city driving …
The lucky team of Paul Williams of Canadian Driver and Brian Harper of the National Post took a Mini Cooper S for the duration of the race … and sounds like they would rather have kept it afterwards as well.
High praise. Care to buy one ?
Tokyo Motor Show in pictures
See the nice preview at cardesignnews.com
Corsican Subaru
Petter Solberg took podium at the WRC’s Tour de Corse and is now in 2nd place on the drivers standings. Impressive results were also for the Production Car World Rally Championship category, where Subaru took the top 3 positions in the series by taking position 2, 4 and 5 respectively in Corsica.
Anyone wonder why Subaru is such a popular vehicle ? Props also go to Pirelli for “fast tarmac tyres”.
In 3 days, Rallye Catalunya will begin around the costal town of Lloret de Mar. Finally, Rally GB is November 7-9 and the world champion driver is yet to be decided. Fun!
Saabaru !
By Dave Guilford Automotive News Europe / October 20, 2003
TOKYO — The Subaru-built Saab 9-2X due to roll off production lines next spring will be sold in Subaru stores in Japan.
The vehicle will mark the beginning of a stronger partnership between the two companies, said Kyoji Takenaka, CEO of Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Takenaka said three Saab-Subaru showrooms are already opened, he said.
Takenaka spoke at a press event before the Tokyo Motor Show. He said the Saab-Subaru relationship will be “a cornerstone” of General Motors’ alliance strategy with three Japanese automakers. GM owns stakes in Fuji, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd.
props to europe.autonews.com
Green Racing
Someone just woke up and noticed that racing and environmentally friendly technologies coincide.
In short, racing cares about safety, weights, endurance, fuel economy and must respect noise levels and minimal emissions. That’s a lot of overlap.
I say make a 24 hours series, Le Mans like, where a sensor records both emissions and fuel economy, turns it into a rating and then it is used to place winners. Hmm …
Honda Diesel
Honda’s Kenichi Nagahiro, designer on the famous VTEC system, built a diesel engine, which he originally swore “not to do”. Honda Motor corporation realised how important this technology has become in Europe and committed their brightest mind to the task.
North America waits until fall 2006 for such things, making our first such engines maybe in 2007 year models. Long wait.
Fit for Jazz
Rumors of Honda’s introduction of the Honda Jazz, aka Fit, to North American market is increasing. This car beat the Toyota Corolla as most popular in Japan last year. It is considered so dependable that it is being raced in endurance racing.
October 16, 2003
Prius EPA Fuel Economy Affirmed
EV Wolrd archive of PR News article affirms that the second generation Prius is an environmental success.
In addition to its best-in-class fuel economy, the new Prius emits 30 percent fewer emissions than the previous model. That equates to producing nearly 90 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. For example, driving a Prius from Anchorage, Alaska to Miami, Florida produces fewer smog-forming emissions than using a whole can of air freshener. Or, driving a Prius 150,000 miles will produce fewer smog-forming emissions than if you were to latex paint a 500-square-foot room.
Subbie Solberg Crashes in Practice
Reuters is reporting that Petter Solberg crashed his WRC Subaru in practice in Corsica and that he will need another car for the competition which starts this weekend. Either the car will come from the UK HQ for team 555, or he may drive team-mate Tommi Makinen’s ride.
Lu's News
Lu has bestowed some very useful “Alternate Fuel” links on me … so I share them.
- Alternative Fuels Data Center
- National Hydrogen Association
- World Summit on Ethanol for Transportation Fuels : The Governor’s Ethanol Coalition International Committee announces the first World Summit on Ethanol for Transportation Fuels, from November 2 to 4, 2003 at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada.
As for vehicles & transportation:
Cafe Conflict
CanadianDriver’s article titled “NHTSA accused of putting political correctness before safety” is one of many recently appearing on the subject of : CAFE vs Safety
Corporate Average Fuel Economy program, as practised by the NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is the cause of greater number of fatal accidents, according to Competitive Enterprise Institute, or CEI.org.
Essentially, CEI claims that lighter fuel efficient vehicles are causing a disproportionately large number of fatal accidents. CEI is pro large car and SUV.
I’m not sure what to think of all this. I think this is a very political area, as I lack to see why one cannot have both “fuel efficiency” and “large safe cars”, in Europe their are “Diesel Powered”.
If an American car maker can build 4000 lbs SUV that does 20 MPG on petrol, it should be able to build a 3000 lbs sedan running 40 MPG on low sulphur diesel or hybrid electric.
The rest is just politics.
MINI Facelift
AutoExpress reveals that all the MINI will be given a facelift when the cabriolet is officially launched next year.
October 15, 2003
Diesel in the desert
A member of the TDIClub Forums has taken the very first VW Golf V 2.0 TDI pictures in North America. The VW was on A/C testing on route 10.
Please respect his ownership of said pictures.
Also, from the discussion that follows, you can learn that June 2006 is the magic date in the US for “Low Sulphur Diesel” and thus the moment VW engines may reach parity with Europe.
Also, I learned that :
For those who are not aware of this, all the diesels engines for the VW group (Audi, SEAT, Skoda) are built in Hungary at Audi Hungaria. This plant produced 3.7 million engines last year. From other sources it looks like VW are planning to produce TDI engines in Brazil as well, partly to fulfil their new contract with Daimler-Chrysler for small diesel engines. D-C will build the new fourFour in Brazil for the North American market.
Nissan GTP ZX
Get up close to this screaming twin turbo Nissan GTP ZX.
props to Apple.com for this link
Tokyo Auto-Show: Lexus
Lexus GS430 … oh boy! Looks like Italians are now penning most new Japanese cars!
Tokyo Auto-Show: Subaru
Subaru B9 Scrambler, an electric-boxer hybrid AWD roadster ? how likely is that ?
Read more at AutoExpress
Tokyo Auto-Show: Honda HSC Concept
Most likely the next Acura NSX, or something very similar.
Other Honda’s and pictures at Temple of VTEC
Tokyo Auto-Show: Mazda Ibuki
Hinting at the next Miata/MX-5, the Ibiku draws inspiration from the earliest models, while engineering in every possible weight distribution trick possible. Rumour of a range-topping Wankel rotary engine model is still circulating.
Wish they could “trick” the price back to the “earliest models” as well…
As for the current Miata’s “swan song”, the 200 bhp turbo model
October 14, 2003
Supercharger
Modern engines are much harder to “tune-up”, better stated as “power up”, as the manufacturers have already invested considerable time and effort doing the same. Emission standards and warranty obligations have also locked-out the majority of the “after-market” from the modern engine computers as well.
The end of “tuning” is not here though, as the technologies employed by the “after-market” teams is simply going upscale and more emphasis is given to the technologies first-tier companies use, such as the supercharger.
Modern “low-boost” superchargers have a much longer expected-life, easily hitch-free 8 years, and they have become common on heavy-hauler vehicles like pickups and weighty sedans from Mercedes or Jaguar.
Honda’s newest engines, the K20A2/A3 and the K24 were a real challenge compared to their predecessors, the infamous ‘B’ series. But Jackson Racing proved adroit and persistent. Not only have they finished a supercharger and attendant electronics magic for the K20s in the Acura RSX and Honda SiR, they are talking about the K24 found in the Accord, Element, CR-V and Acura TSX.
At $4795 US for the K20 kit … well, let say it ain’t cheap, but it is an option.
When asked if Jackson has plans for a K24 blower, he looks at us suspiciously, as if wondering who gave him up. Although previously unannounced, Jackson says that a K24 application - useful in the Element, CR-V and the new Acura TSX - is already in the works. The 200-hp TSX is, according to Jackson, “very, very high on our list.”
Communauto
I have been seeing a logo on small Toyota Echo Sedans in Montreal: Communauto
The idea has merit, in the city, you may only need a car infrequently and having a “shared vehicle” sounds good.
In short the system work like so
- You pay 500$ membership, reimbursable
- 10$ key deposit
- Yearly dues based on package: $35 - to - $350
- Kilometre rates based off the above package: 15 ¢ - 28 ¢
- and Hourly or Daily rates: $1.50 - $2.0 / hour
Overall, it feels like a solid solution for the problem at hand.
So, with a $500 deposit, a $35 yearly membership, you have access to a 28 cent/km + $2 / hour four door Echo Sedan.
Assume a trip to Ikea and some more shopping, 6 hours & 150-km: $54
Assume a Montreal-Toronto round trip for a long weekend, 3 days & 1200-km: $396 … but actually can be had for $198, as the $38 unlimited/day rate + 7 ¢/km
Checkout the website for more information.
Sample News clipping:
The Gazette, Montréal, 24 Sep 2003
Share a car, save money — idea has caught on here [JPEG, 184 k]
Cheap Lauda ... not Lada
So you want to visit Vienna in style ? how about renting a car for 1 Euro a day ?
Niki Lauda, former F1 star and team manager, has entered the murky waters of car based advertising
Advertising will appear on the cars to allow the very low price and the people who hire the cars must agree to drive at least 30 kilometres per day in Vienna.
Neologism
The word Neologism means
1 : a new word, usage, or expression
2 : a meaningless word coined by a psychotic
The soon-to-be-unveiled Hyundai Neos-II’s name is coined from ‘NEologism Of Style’ … err 2. (what happened to #1?)
First off, the design looks to me suspiciously like the Skoda Roomster and the name is rather “a meaningless word coined by a psychotic”.
props to cardesignnews.com
October 09, 2003
RX8
The website changed at Mazda, and now there is no more X-men editon pictures. How about this normal edition.
More reviews of the Mazda RX8 and some wonderful pictures of the car at Mazda.ca
If you care for that engine, meaning add oil often, this car may just be the best compromise as sport-sedan-GT-track-car.
Another review of the engine, car and history
October 08, 2003
N(e)on SRT-4
Taste varies worldwide and it can be rather humorous to see the effect on a car’s design and looks.
The Dodge SRT-4 is loved by Americans: @AllParr, in Indiana and NorCal
But in New Zealand, the opinion differs
Say, biased aren’t they ? N(e)on ?
Tent It
I have been laughed at for liking the Pontiac Aztek’s looks and available tent. Yes, I think it is a brilliant idea, given that as a teenager my family and I “crossed Canada”, putting up a tent every morning and then taking it down. Even a hardened lover of the process, such as I, grew rather tired of it all and began to doodle something akin to the Aztek. Though I would mostly use a Land Rover Defender as “chassis”.
Now there is more option: Napier Enterprises and their Sportz series.
Echo Echo ...
CanadianDriver says some very good things about the 2000-2002 Toyota Echo. They also rate the little “grocery getter” on many important things:
Durability/Reliability
Overall: A
Mechanical: A
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: A
And then there is the review of the 2004 Echo Hatchback
Echo … Echo … Echo
Type ARRRRR
Some silly people think it’s enough to plaster the enigmatic R sticker on their car and it will somehow go faster. That’s at least how things seem to me.
Instead of ignoring the criticism at the current Civic type ‘R’, or SiR here, they went back and made some nip-and-tucks. 500 subtle changes and we have a winner ? Maybe
October 07, 2003
Ford Future
Looks like re-badging and re-skinning Mazda vehicles is not enough to make Ford viable, they are now actively speaking of plant closures in the US and new models in Canada or Mexico.
Build vehicles people want and thus make money. Why does this seem so difficult ?
Skoda Fabia RS in NZ
New Zealand get Skoda Auto products, but North America doesn’t. The historical brand is the stable of VW and therefore derives it’s products from there.
The diesel powered Skoda Fabia RS entertains now almost every continent. I hope VW brings something similar here by 2007.
The Fabia RS amazes not only by its power and dynamics, but also by its economy. It reaches a maximum speed of 204 km/h and is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and yet is able to achieve a combined fuel consumption of only 5.6 litres per 100 km. Such parameters can only be achieved through the use of the latest technology during the process of engine and vehicle engineering. In Europe, the majority of this type of engineering investment is in diesel engine technology and the Fabia RS shows how a diesel engine can be combined with a sports car with impressive results.
October 06, 2003
Great Plan
California is petitioning the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to allow Hybrid Vehicles the use of the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV), or carpool, lanes with only a single occoupant.
Civic Duty
For 2004 model year, Honda has updated the styling of the Canadian Civics.
CanadianDriver indicates changes in the headlights, rear-end and greater differentiation for the two door Coupe.
The British made SiR also get some nice European touch-ups.
October 03, 2003
Most Important in 2004
AutoFieldGuide says “The Toyota Prius: The Most Important ‘04 Model? Yes.”
Don’t Play Craps with These Guys.
If you want to understand the future of automotive design and production—what you do for a living, not this publication—then you have to understand the Toyota Prius. The 2004 Prius. The second-generation. While some vehicle manufacturers are researching and developing, or hemming and hawing, Toyota, which is certainly on track to achieving a technology position that’s commensurate with its quality and productivity positions (which ought to scare the hell right out of vehicle manufacturers everywhere), has been deliberately working toward bringing alternative power trains to the streets of the world. This began in earnest in the early 1990s, when the G21 committee was established. That’s “globe” and “21st century.” The goal was to determine how the company could develop and market vehicles that would have low emissions. Late in 1994, about a year after the committee was formed, a concept vehicle was developed called the “Prius,” taken from the Latin word for before, as in “ahead,” not something from the past.
October 02, 2003
Challenge Bibendum
Challenge Bibendum, named after the Michelin mascot, was held in San Francisco. Articles on of the challenges, technologies and success:
The Car Connection
Canadian Driver
20 Best Sellers
The Car Connection carries an update from Reuters about the top 20 best Selling US Cars.
Engine Emission Systems
A very nice introduction to the inner-workings of “engine emission system” is seen at AllPar.com
The simplest explanation of EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and it’s benefits I have ever read.
Toyota Yaris Verso is popular in UK
LONDON (Reuters) - BMW’s X5 and Toyota’s Yaris Verso have driven off with the title of most popular cars in a survey of UK owners.
October 01, 2003
Wheel-hub electric motor
Jim Kerr from CanadianDriver intones some of the most fundamental benefits of using an electric motor to drive each individual wheels on a car.
He missed one though, the regenerative braking and potentially the lack of “brake systems” in such a setup, as the electric motor can act as the brake.
This form of technology figures prominently in Sci-Fi, such the Wallaby ATV from Heavy Gear