y.m.m.v

Fit for some Jazz

AutoExpress has collected the first pictures of the upcoming Honda Jazz update, which should translate into the next Honda Fit in North America.

Get your crayons!

James May, aka Captain Slow, has had a brilliant idea to settle a pub debate: what’s the best colour for the BMW Z4 Coupé ?

He also steers folks to the Alexander Calder BMW for inspiration.

Righto! Get yer crayons.

Top 10 Cool Cars by Kelly Blue Book

If you’re looking for a silver lining within the gray cloud of steep gas prices stalled overhead, take a look at the collection of vehicles available today for less than $18,000. With a handful of exceptions, the entry-priced end of the market where these cool cars dwell is typified by smaller vehicles with smaller engines that deliver excellent fuel economy, making the coolest cars in this price range more appealing than ever. All but one of the winners on our prestigious list returns highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better.

Props to Autoblog.com for pointing out the existence of this list. Just use “90210” for Zip code if it asks … hey, something useful about that TV show.

As for the list, I have almost no disagreements. The Honda Fit and the Hyundai Tiburon being my favorites there.

Sunshine on a rainy day

Clarkson’s back from vacation.

But genetically I think I may be 98% bear, with a sprinkling of hedgehog. All I know is that a bougainvillea bush on a grey day is just another plant. In the sunshine it can take my breath away. A well lit bougainvillea can even make Greece look civilised. Similarly, a ski resort in the cloud is one of the ugliest places on earth. And yet in the sunshine it can be one of the most beautiful.

There is some mention of the Ford Focus CC convertible.

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Skoda Scout

The Telegraph reports about the Skoda Octavia turned Scout by raising it 1.6 in and changing the body panels. Trifle idea ?

… because in the metal the Scout turned out to be so much more than the sum of its proverbial parts.

Blade Vipers -vs- Conventional

Glen Konorowski, writing for CanadianDriver.com, compares the newfangled blade windshield vipers to the conventional types. Valuable information.

My counterpoint, living my second season with a “blade” type: more squeek but great snow/ice removal compared to conventional. My vipers do seem to need replacing soon though.

SIA Toyota Camry

Congratulations to Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) for rolling off the assembly line of their very first Toyota Camry.

Press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE:

Camry Production Begins In Indiana

Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) and Toyota held a ceremony today to commemorate production of the plant’s first Toyota Camry.

In March 2006, SIA parent Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Toyota announced a collaborative agreement that would include Camry production at SIA.

A $230 million investment gives SIA the capacity to produce 100,000 Camrys per year. Camry production will add 1,000 associates for a total of more than 3,200 at SIA.

Attending the ceremony were FHI president Ikuo Mori and Toyota Motor Corporation president Katsuaki Watanabe. They congratulated SIA associates and Toyota team members involved in the project’s development for their hard work and commitment to building America’s best-selling car at SIA.

“Production of the Camry at SIA represents an important start to our business collaboration with Toyota,” said Mori. “Together, we were able to accomplish this goal in a short period of time through the efforts of all associates involved in this project.”

“Fuji and Toyota faced many challenges for Camry production, including a short amount of preparation time, and we are grateful for the hard work of our associates and team members,” said Watanabe. “We look forward to growing a long-term relationship with Fuji, SIA and the local community.”

“The Camrys are rolling and so is Indiana,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “We are honored by the new investment in our state and the confidence in Hoosier workers.”

To thank the local community for its support, SIA and Toyota yesterday announced a $60,000 donation to the Columbian Park Zoo for its owl exhibit.

In addition to the Camry, SIA builds the Subaru Tribeca, Outback and Legacy. SIA produced about 120,000 Subarus in 2006.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and will operate 15 manufacturing plants in North America by 2010. There are more than 1,700 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.8 million vehicles in 2006. Toyota directly employs over 41,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18.6 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota’s annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $28.5 billion.

Toyota currently produces 11 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra and the Lexus RX 350. By 2010, Toyota will have the annual capacity to build approximately 2.2 million cars and trucks, 1.45 million engines and 600,000 automatic transmissions.

Earth Day

Earth Day was a culminating event on April 22nd, 1970 that brought about serious ecological awareness and political momentum.

Earth Day’s effect on the political process was immediate and powerful, including the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day was a resounding success.

May Day

Car giant Daimler-Chrysler is expected to become Daimler(-Benz?) again in May.

Reuters is reporting that UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told reporters on Wednesday that ”the UAW was opposed to any bid from strip-and-flip investors”.

“I am very concerned about equity companies moving more and more into the industry,” he said. “They are hovering overhead right now.”

In related news

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is considering a proposal to seek a majority stake in DaimlerChrysler’s (DCXGn.DE) Chrysler Group in return for cost concessions, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Fortune Magazine’s interview with Lee Iacoca, former chairman and CEO of Chrysler also reveals a reluctant stance on private-equity funds. As for the why the merger failed:

There were no synergies. None. And culturally the Germans operated differently than the Americans. Chrysler was like a renegade outfit compared to them. It was emotional when Chrysler sold out to the Germans. It’s extra-emotional now that the Germans are selling - they’re throwing us to the curb, in effect.

Inconveniant Truth 2

^{props to Jay “Petrolhead” Leno}

Altima Coupe

I missed the announcement of this car and I wish to make amends. I love two door coupes. In my family, a V6 1995 Dodge Avenger ES is still prized and operational, having even served as a “grand touring” car for a summer vacation. Camping no less.

Medium-to-large size coupes can swallow an impressive amount of baggage, yet remain comfortable and sporty looking. V6 engines are almost always an option.

This 2008 Altima Coupe captures something of the Infinity G35 Coupe, something of the upcoming Skyline GT and packages it in a affordable base model. The V6 is going to be significantly more expansive, but such an engine is a joy to listen too.

See a lot more of this coupe at Autoblog.com

Maserati Gran Turismo

The “GT” has a webpage. Drool.

Cadillac SRX4

Clarckson writes about the Cadillac SRX4 SUV , or does he?

GM RWD on SNOOZE

Politikicking (yes, I know that’s not a word) has begun. Yesterday, most likely as a pre-emptive strike, Bob Lutz, GM’s “Car Czar”, had an interview released by the Chicago Tribune.

GM puts brake on rear-drive vehicles
Published April 10, 2007
General Motors has put a hold on future rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
“We’ve pushed the pause button. It’s no longer full speed ahead,” Vice Chairman Bob Lutz revealed in an interview.

Some comments on websites about cars … imply the Bob Lutz is trying to get “drivers” to support them against the government. But I simply doubt that would work …

Though this pretty much cancels all hopes for the return of the El Camino
Jalopnik’s readers’ comments are funny

EPA RFS

Filed under “Why Acronyms Matter”

(Washington, D.C. – April 10, 2007) In step with the Bush Administration’s call to increase the supply of alternative and renewable fuels nationwide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today established the nation’s first comprehensive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

Full text

Busting Myths about BioDiesel

AutoblogGreen points to an article by Clayton Bodie Cornell called Green Myth-Busting: Biodiesel.

Worth a read.

Or Else!

^{props to Newsweek for the cover idea and Autobloggreen for the image I’m linking}

Governator in his tent, talking about his hedonistic Green solution.

I’ve always said : “California rules the car making decisions of North America with their rules.”

Now, they are moving further and faster then anyone to get “Carbon Diplomacy” into everyday decision making process.

Canadian ecoAUTO Rebates

The latest federal budget introduced a series of incentives for fuel economy. The incentive program was clarified to include ANY unsold vehicle meeting the standards, which in one fell swoop covers the 2006 VW diesel models still on dealer lots.

ecoAUTO
AutoblogGreen article that pointed out this clarification.

Just watch those VDubs fly off the dealer lots now!

Supreme EPA

The Supreme Court of the United States of America, in a 5-to-4 vote, declared :

“Under the Act’s clear terms, EPA can avoid promulgating regulations only if it determines that greenhouse gases do not contribute to climate change or if it provides some reasonable explanation as to why it cannot or will not exercise its discretion to determine whether they do. It has refused to do so, offering instead a laundry list of reasons not to regulate, including the existence of voluntary Executive Branch programs providing a response to global warming and impairment of the President’s ability to negotiate with developing nations to reduce emissions. These policy judgments have nothing to do with whether greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and do not amount to a reasoned justification for declining to form a scientific judgment. Nor can EPA avoid its statutory obligation by noting the uncertainty surrounding various features of climate change and concluding that it would therefore be better not to regulate at this time. If the scientific uncertainty is so profound that it precludes EPA from making a reasoned judgment, it must say so. “

Full text PDF

In short, this forces the EPA to take strong measures against CO2 emissions, as per the Clean Air Act, which directly impacts rules governing car manufacturers. The EPA is now essentially in opposition to the White House by dint of this ruling. You will hear more, much more on this soon.

Audi A5 & S5

^{props to BilNorge in Norway for the pictures}

NY also showcased the North American introduction of the Audi A5 and S5 performance variant. This two door “luxury coupé” is being targeted against the BMW 3-series from top to bottom, hinting already at a “RS5” moniker for the ultimate edition.

A design direction change to note is the engine’s placement further back into the body, balancing it behind the front axle to achieve a 55/45 weight distribution and reduce “nose plowing” so often associated with Audi’s of past.

This Audi may even appear in diesel V6 form in North America next year, when Audi hints to enter all their models with diesel option. They would do well to do so, given how they keep winning races using their fuel efficient technology.

For nice gallery of pictures, visit fourtitude.com’s

NY Autoshow Roundup

NY Autoshow had some small surprises. Small being the operative word.

General Motors showed three separate design ideas following the “mini car” theme.

Beat, Groove, Trax. … could have easily called them Up, Bustle and Out …

Beat

Groove

Trax

What makes these small cars special is the apparent decision to build one or all of them by GM for markets that demand such vehicles. Note, this isn’t clearly stating a North American availability of these Korean designs. That’s right, these were drawn in Inchon Korea, and designed with tight city driving, parking scenario.

Only the “Beat” was a fully running concept as presented in NY.

GM splashed a bit of news by making a website http://www.vote4chevrolet.com/ where people could vote for their favorite model to be put into production. Again, no guarantees implied.

The real question is, would the American buying public go for a small, frugal, slow car ?

So far, the jury points to the “Groove” as being the likeliest to see the light of day, and it certainly seems the most clever of the three to my own eyes. Some called it half-soldier, half-modern military helmet in term of style, and that either a valid criticism or praise. GM’s folks would prefer the association to be made with the Chevy HHR.

Either way, placing the wheels as far out to the corners produces a design that can sustain a lot of interior room. If the concept pilfers Honda’s idea of a flat fuel tank in the middle of the car, this would be a valid challenge to the Honda Fit. Dangling a 1.0 liter diesel engine to entice some folks may not do the trick. Acceleration is still seen as a primary selling point for larger engines in the US, and even the most frugal people know that one’s car needs to have enough momentum changing ability for the 60 kph-120kph (40-70 mph) passing scenario. Not enough power can be a frustrating experience, or worse, lacking enough power and emergency avoidance could be near impossible. Yes, sometimes acceleration is a better choice to braking.

But in cities, in stop-and-go traffic, for groceries, shop deliveries, the “school run”; a small utilitarian vehicle is godsend.

GM, build it. They might just come.

NY 2008

Boy, you can tell it started … there is a non-stop flow of cars cars cars and more cars being shown.

A good start to all this bonanza is to read Autoblog for now.

Once I digest some of this, maybe I’ll post some opinions.

Bad Publicity

Oh boy. I’m glad I’m not Subaru’s PR team.

Yes, the “fugly” Impreza’s welcome is blamed on “unfaltering pictures”.

But Edmund’s article, Subaru finds out there is such a thing as bad publicity gathers more then a few tidbits on how unpopular so far this cars’ looks are among the Subaru Tribe. I was both nodding, laughing and crying along with the rest.

Quotes they ran:

• “Somebody find the Subaru designer and SHOOT him, and then shoot his team…this is AWFUL.”
• “The car looks like a doofus.”
• “I love the steering wheel. That’s about it.”
• “Glad to say I already own one, ‘cause there is no way in hell I would be caught in that Ford Focus/Mazda love child.”
• “Well, at least now the Tribeca doesn’t have to feel like the only ugly child.”
• “Seriously, this thing makes Quasimodo look like a jock prom king.”