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Small Cars and Short Memories

I’m not trying to pick on Nissan, but here’s something interesting: In July, 2010, sales of the very large Nissan Armada SUV above were up 311.4%. Sales of the Xterra SUV were up 56.6%. On the flip side, sales of the subcompact Nissan Cube were down 54%. Sales of the equally subcompact Nissan Versa were down 9.4%. This isn’t meant to bash SUVs—I’m not an SUV hater—it’s meant to show that in July, 2010, sales of large vehicles were up, and sales of small cars were down, and not just at Nissan.

It’s been said Americans have short memories. This could certainly be said for car buying trends, at least with regards to vehicle size and fuel efficacy. Gas prices have held relatively steady over the last year—the average price is still under $3.00 a gallon, although on the rise—and Americans have decided to buy larger, thirstier cars again. At least that’s what July’s sales data suggest.

July was a good month for the majority of automakers offering vehicles in the States. However, it was the bigger vehicles leading the charge, even though there’s more small cars on the market than in recent history. Autoblog, for example, reported Honda’s Civic was down 25.5% while the Pilot was up 45.4% (the Fit was down 29.5%). Nissan’s car division was down 3.7%, but its trucks went up 51%. As I reported on Tuesday, all b-segment cars on the U.S. market (sans the Kia Rio and Kia Soul; +99.7% and +65.9%, respectively) experienced a drop in sales compared to this time in 2009.

It’s not like Americans don’t have small options these days, it’s quite the contrary. There are more small car choices these days than since the 1980s, and they’re almost undoubtedly the best small cars ever to grace American soil. Even with the not-so-stellar economy, gas prices that still aren’t “cheap,” and many great smaller options, the slow sales of small cars says something about U.S. consumers: They like big vehicles and fuel economy isn’t as important as many want to think.

How soon people forget. Remember when gas prices approached $5.00 a gallon in places? It wasn’t very long ago. Remember saving money by driving a car that got 25 MPG vs. 15? Of course a subcompact, compact, or even a “car” doesn’t fit everyone’s bill. But, they likely fit more lifestyles then many people would want to believe. It’s the “bigger is better” mentality.

Hey, I’m the last person on Earth that’s going to tell someone what they have to buy. Some people need pickups, SUVs, and minivans (most “minivans” aren’t very “mini” anymore if you haven’t noticed), and you do have the freedom to buy whatever the hell you want—that’s fine. But I’d bet gas prices will rise again and used car lots will once again be strewn with copious amounts of large, gas-guzzling vehicles. I just figure it’s a matter of if not when.

Clearly, Americans decided to buy big with their vehicle purchases—at least in July—despite the influx of great small vehicles. But is this spike in bigger vehicle sales simply a blip on the radar, or is this a return to buying bigger and less fuel-efficient again? Assuming gas prices stay around where they are, the next few months should be good indicators.

Courtesy of our content partner – Subcompact Culture

Video Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Every now and then a car comes along which defies categorizing. The Nissan GT-R is one of these cars. Too inexpensive and attainable to be a super-exotic, but far too high-performance to be a car for the masses. And yet, here it is.

More to the point, here we are with the keys in hand and a great road to drive. Everyday Driver vs. Godzilla, the genre killer from the orient. The technology in this car is very similar to the Mitsubishi Evo, which we love, but is the GT-R worth twice as much? The guys grab this monster by the tail for a wild ride.

Many of you requested we drive this car, and we hope you have as much fun watching as we did driving. And in a few years the prices for a used GT-R will drop to the levels of other sportscars. Then you’ll have a decision to make.

Go HD-full screen, and turn it up!

Courtesy of our content partner – Everyday Driver

Quick Take: 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

You don’t just expect to see a Mitsubishi i-MiEV everywhere. In fact, in the U.S., you don’t expect to see it anywhere, at least not yet. But this will soon change. Targeting a fall 2011 release, the i-MiEV (innovative Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle) will be available to government and corporate agencies first, then to the public. Mitsubishi had the little i-MiEV subcompact available for short test drives at the Run to the Sun event, and it was certainly an interesting vehicle to drive.

Unlike the forthcoming Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt, the i-MiEV is a kei car. The test model was straight from Japan—note the right-hand drive layout (assume North American models will be driven from the left side). The interior is Spartan but comfortable, at least in the front seat, and features all of the amenities you’d expect in any usual car. The rear seat, however, didn’t have much leg room, even for my not-so-huge 5′ 7″ frame. Short of this, the car seemed very practical and usable for daily commutes or hauling cargo.

Driving the car is really easy. Simply shift its automatic transmission in to “D” and go. There is also an eco mode for increased efficiency. Power isn’t abundant, certainly adequate for city jaunts. I didn’t get the i-MiEV up past about 40 mph, but it did feel confident at such speeds. Speed demons take note—Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV tops out at 81 mph. Being this was the first right-hand drive vehicle, each time I went to use the turn signal, I switched on the wipers; the signals are on the right side of the steering column.

Under the Japanese 10-15 urban driving pattern, the i-MiEV will do about 80-100 miles on a charge. Charging takes 12–14 hours on 110V, 6–8 hours on 220V, and 20 minutes for an 80% charge (or 1 hour for a full charge) at a three-phase Quickcharge station.

Mitsubishi estimates prices to be below $30,000 before government incentives.

i-MiEV would make a great runabout due to its four doors, ability to seat four (so long as you aren’t too tall), and halfways decent cargo area (for a subcompact). Frankly, I think the i-MiEV looks cooler than the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, too. Like all fully electric vehicles, the big questions is whether or not people will actually shell out the substantially higher prices for a practical, safe EV. However, the i-MiEV certainly seems like a solid, practical EV choice.

Courtesy of our content partner – Subcompact Culture

Hot Hatches: ’10 Speed3 vs. GTI vs. C30

We love a good fast hatchback. These little cars set out to be all things to all people, with speed and genuine usable space. The VW GTI started the trend in the seventies, and nearly every brand has tried one since. For years Europe has loved them, and finally the U.S. market is starting to get some great options.

So, Paul and Todd gathered up three very different approaches to this all-in-one idea and went in search of a showdown. But they found out that while they may seem the same at first, these cars are very different and the guys couldn’t disagree more.

Here’s the full 2010 comparison of the MazdaSpeed 3, the VW GTI, and the Volvo C30.

And be sure to watch it full screen!

2010 Hot Hatchback Comparison – Everyday Driver from Everyday Driver on Vimeo.

Courtesy of our content partner – Everyday Driver

Quick Take: 2011 Scion tC

Scion has sold 800,000 vehicles since the brand’s 2005 model year debuted, and the median buyer’s age is only 26—the youngest in the industry. Of the models Scion has offered since then (xB, xA, xD, tC), the two-door tC has been the brand’s bread and butter. In fact, Scion VP, Jack Hollis, said there are about 310,000 tCs on the road. The tC, however, has remained mostly unchanged since its debut.

For 2011, the Scion’s bread-and-butter tC gets more bread and more butter. There’s been an increase in nearly everything: horsepower, torque, fuel economy, performance, stereo watts, leg room, standard wheel diameter, weight, and price. The car gets new sheet metal, a new engine, new transmissions, a new interior, and the list goes on. So how has growing “up” changed the venerable two-door tC? I got a chance to drive two pre-production prototypes in San Diego to get a preview of the upcoming Scion coupe.

EXTERIOR
The exterior definitely keeps in line with the previous tC: two doors, a sporty look, and a coupe shape (although, it’s actually a liftback). There is evidence of styling cues from the Scion Fuse concept car, especially the wide rear C pillars. This design element seems to be at odds with the rest of the body, as the jut at the C pillar looks too squared off for me.

Scion has upped the standard wheel size to 18”x7.5” shod with 225/45/18 tires—impressive looking rolling stock, for certain. However, those living anywhere it snows will want to invest in a set of winter wheels and tires. (A 19″ wheel/tire option is available, too.) The stock stance looks good, too, although like most cars, it’ll look even better if lowered. I think the most attractive part of the car is its rear, and the optional spoiler really sets the rear off. Overall, the car’s look isn’t exactly pulse-quickening, but it’s not overly bland, either.

INTERIOR

Like the exterior, the interior is a bit of a mixed bag. The dashboard feels noticeably vertical, like something you’d find in an FJ Cruiser; I expected more of a wrap-around cockpit feel from a sport coupe. There is an excellent chunky steering wheel; supportive, well-bolstered seats; an attractive, easy-to-read set of gauges, and the panoramic glass roof. You’re surrounded by lots of hard, textured black plastic including a not-so-conveniently located hard plastic center armrest which was neither comfortable or well-placed—especially for those driving the manual transmission.
The interior is surprisingly roomy, both in the front seats and the rears. Yes, four adults can ride comfortably in this vehicle. Plus, the rear seats recline 10 degrees for comfort. Those rear seats also fold down nearly flat for a cavern-like rear cargo area, too.

Scion prides itself on its audio systems, and there’s good reason to. Both of the units I sampled sounded very good. There are three headunits to choose from. The non-navigation Alpine unit, however, was not easy to use, especially while driving. There is a touch-screen navigation option as well. The base stereo system has 300 watts, eight speakers, aux/USB, and sounds pretty good; the upgraded Alpine unit with subwoofer is outstandingly clear and balanced.
DRIVING THE MANUAL
I first drove a tC with a manual transmission, outfitted with TRD accessories including larger front and rear sway bars and a high-flow exhaust system. The car is very easy to drive. Clutch uptake on the new six-speed is predictable; shifting is light, although throws are a bit long. Overall shifting operation is vague, though. The new electric steering feels slightly artificial and doesn’t provide much feedback—a Toyota trait lately. The car rides firmly but controlled on the highway. Once in the twisties, car remains planted—those swaybars and 225mm-wide tires undoubtedly help. Handling is predictable, but not overly sporting.

The new 2AR-FE, 2.5-liter engine features dual VVT-i valve timing and is up 19 hp and 11 ft./lbs. of torque from the previous 2.4-liter mill. (Vehicle curb weight is also up 155 lbs.) Power is certainly adequate, but the car doesn’t feel like it makes 180 hp. Equipped with the six speed, the tC is certainly not a slouch, but it didn’t feel like it had a lot of grunt, either. Scion says 0-60 times are down more than a half second in the manual and nearly a full second in the auto (7.6 and 8.2 seconds, respectively).

DRIVING THE AUTOMATIC
After driving the TRD parts-equipped tC, I hopped in a completely stock base tC with the new six-speed automatic, which now features manual shifting ability.

The new automatic shifted smoothly under all driving conditions. However, the manual gear selection was slow to react, and oddly, didn’t want to upshift under full throttle. I had to back off the throttle before it’d change gears.

As expected, the all-stock tC unsurprisingly doesn’t corner as crisply as the model equipped with the TRD sway bars. But again, handling is still predictable but not overly performance oriented—I suggest buying the sway bars as a first accessory. But both the manual and automatic cars felt bigger and heavier than they were, especially during spirited driving. There was also a noticeable drone while at highway speeds. As with most automatic-transmission-equipped cars, acceleration was significantly slower than its manual counterpart, and this was exaggerated in the 96-degree SoCal heat with the A/C on.

BOTTOM LINE
The 2011 tC didn’t strike me as a standout. The car was a bit vanilla, topped with just a bit of chocolate sauce on it. Of course, with the addition of TRD and Scion performance accessories, buyers will be able to add more sauce and extract more performance and style.

Buyers can get into a base tC with a manual for $18,995; a base auto for $19,995 (including the $750 destination). Remember: Scion uses “Pure Pricing,” which doesn’t allow for any negotiation—great for those who don’t want to haggle. However, with the state of the economy, many brands are willing to negotiate to get you into a car, something that might hinder tC sales.

For me, the 2011 tC falls slightly short. Its styling doesn’t stand out enough, its performance is not quite as strong as I’d hoped, and I think it’s priced a bit high. Yes, you get a lot of standard premium features, but the car as a whole is a bit underwhelming.

Courtesy of our content partner - Subcompact Culture

Run to the Sun 2010

Where was I the last couple of days? I was at the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) “Run to the Sun.” This annual driving event brings a number of new cars and NWAPA members together for a multi-day driving extravaganza.

The field featured a variety of cars from various segments from entry level to ultra luxury. The list looked like this:

- 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD Tech
- 2010 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2010 Chevrolet Corvette GS Convertible
- 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T
- 2010 Viper SRT10 Coupe
- 2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium
- 2011 Honda CR-Z EX w/Navigation
- 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
- 2011 Infiniti M37X AWD
- 2010 Jaguar XFR
- 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible
- 2010 Kia Forte Koup SX
- 2010 Lexus IS350 Convertible (w/F-Sport parts)

- 2010 Lotus Evora
- 2010 Mazdaspeed3
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet
- 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
- Mitsubishi iMiEV
- 2010 Nissan Z Roadster
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
- Suzuki Kizashi Turbo Concept
- 2011 Volvo C70 T5 Convertible
- 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition

Over the course of three days, I got to drive each one of these cars on some great roads in northwestern Washington. There were a number of remarkable cars. Here are just a couple that really stood out:

Favorite Overall Car: 2011 Ford Mustang GT
Why: I’m a long-time Mustang fan, and the ’11 GT is the total package. They’ve brought the 5.0 back with dual overhead cams, a 7,000 RPM readline, and lots of thrust (412 hp, 390 ft/lbs. of torque). But, it’s more than that. The outstanding combination of comfort, handling, obtainable price, and sound make this such a complete, well-executed package. This American icon continues to be iconic.

Biggest Surprise: Cadillac CTS-V
Why: The CTS-V is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8-powered luxury sport sedan. I knew it’d be fast, and figured it’d be a “nice” car. However, I didn’t expect it to be as fast or as nice as it was. It goes like hell, sounds like heaven, and has a cool interior (the speedometer and tachometer leave red trails as they rev up—really neat). Here again, the combination of suspension tuning, interior quality, outstanding exhaust note, and overall badassness really impressed me. It’s great to see American cars that are truly impressive!

Favorite Small Car: Honda CR-Z
Why: Hey, this is Subcompact Culture, right? Of the smaller vehicles at the event (not including the excellent Lotus Evora), the Honda CR-Z was a standout, and not just because it’s brand-spakin’ new. The combination of size, shape, and driving dynamics confirmed that the CR-Z is a fun, frugal, and reasonably priced car. The interior is appealing, the exterior looks better in person, and if driven like a hybrid in Eco mode, you will get better-than-EPA-rated fuel economy.

Most Amazing: Mercedes AMG SLS; Viper SRT10 (tie)
Why: Equally amazing cars for way different reasons. It’s a tale of the scalpel versus the sledgehammer. The AMG SLS is extremely fast, yet is easy to pilot, Its gorgeous, inviting and comfortable interior features gullwinged gateways. All superheros should be gifted an SLS AMG.

The Viper is punishingly fast and is more than two handfuls to control. Viper allows you to sit inside it and then makes you hold on for dear life under full throttle. The automotive equivalent of trying to ride a bull. Make that a rabid bull possessed by the devil—but in a totally good way.

They’re both stupendously powerful, perversely extreme in many aspects, and get more stares than Megan Fox at a nude corndog eating contest. And I’ve said too much.

Expect to see some more driving reports about these vehicles soon!

Source – Subcompact Culture

Are You Ready For A Korean Supercar?

By now, most of us realize that the Korean automotive industry is no longer a laughing stock and have become a real heavyweight contender. In the last 5 years Hyundai/Kia has made huge strides in quality, design, and brand image. Even with that said, when you think of supercars you think Italian, maybe German – the Japanese are getting close to supercar-dom with Nissan GT-R and the upcoming Lexus LF-A. But surely, not Korean!

Well, that’s all about to change with the new Spirra from Oullim Motors.

It wouldn’t be wise to call it Oullim Spirra, just yet. Spirra is the brand name. Roughly 10 years ago Hanchul Kim established Proto Motors with a vision of creating the first Korean supercar. When the company finance was running thin, he sought an investor. The investment came in the form of Oullim Network Group, who established Oullim Motors to absorb Proto Motors.

Since then, Proto Spirra has gone under some name changes. It was mainly dropping ‘Proto’ and Spirra became its brand name with GT being the model name. However, during the last stages of development that idea was scrapped due to the decision of offering the car in 4 trim levels with varying drivetrain. To make the long story short, the brand name is Spirra and so is the model name. We should have a better idea as they get closer to a full marketing campaign.

The news this week is that the company has received all the approval documents from the Korean governing bodies to start production and exportation of the Spirra supercars.

Here’s the quick rundown of the Spirra:

All Spirras are fully handcrafted, mid-engined, rear wheel drive, carry 2.7 liter V6 engines (from Hyundai), and feature full carbon fiber body shell over tubular spaceframe.
Spirra N (*naturally aspirated) is the 175HP base model with no turbos, 0-60MPH time of 6.8 seconds, and weighs in at 2910lbs.
Spirra S (*small turbo) is next step up with 330HP from a small single turbo, 0-60MPH time of 4.8 seconds, and 2910lbs.
Spirra Turbo (*big turbo) is one up from S with 420HP from a big single turbo, 3.8 second 0-60MPH, and 2910lbs.
Spirra EX (*extreme) is the top end with 500HP with twin small turbos, 3.5 second 0-60MPH, and weighs in at a scant 2645lbs.

US pricing haven’t been announced yet, but roughly they range from $81,000 – $165,000 when converted from Korean domestic market pricing.

The Oullim guys were testing out the Spirra with the Hyundai V8 in this beast last year, and it still might make it into production in the near future.

* not an official explanation from Oullim, but speculation from the author… but most likely correct!

-KF

Source – Oullim Motors

All-New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Revealed

Ok, let’s cut to the chase… When did Volkswagen hire Toyota designers?

The 4th generation (MK4) Jetta (1999-2004) was a smashing success that redefined the Volkswagen brand worldwide. However, the succeeding iterations of the model are becoming rather bland. The MK4 Jetta was such a huge hit because the car looked trendy and so much more ‘premium’ than its competitors of the time.

The 5th generation (MK5) Jetta still looks somewhat more upscale when you put it up against the Corolla, Civic, Sentra, and Focus. The same cannot be said about this all-new 2011 model, its styling is very reserved – much like the new Kia Forte sedan with a hint of Corolla.

Either the Japanese and Koreans have caught up the European design prowess, or the stylists at VW have fallen flat on their face.

Let’s just hope that the excellent interior material quality and superb fit-and-finish, the hallmark of VW, continues in this Jetta.

And, of course, we will let you know how it drives once it is available to us.

In the meanwhile, below is the video Volkswagen released to the media folks, enjoy!

-KF

Source – Volkswagen

Nissan Leaf Incentives, Rebates, Tax Credits, and Discounts by State

Cruising through MyNissanLeaf, we came across a fantastic post by planet4ever. I’ve been really excited that I found this messageboard for awhile now (even linked to it from the Boardwalk Nissan Home Page), and it’s finds like this that prove how useful, and how community oriented boards like that can be. planet4ever took his time to scour NissanUSA’s website, and found multiple .pdf files that have all the information about the tax credits, rebates, discounts, parking and the list goes on.

Thanks to his hard work, here is the motherload of links to show you how all the programs work on the Nissan Leaf, across all the states. Who knew if you had a Nissan Leaf in San Jose, you can park in some metered spots for free!

Federal

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Free Parking: New Haven

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Michigan

Missouri

Emissions Inspection Exemption

Nevada

EV Taxicab Life Extension

New Jersey

Sales & Use Tax Exemption for Purchase of Electric Vehicle

New York

Oklahoma

Oregon

Rhode Island

South Carolina

EV Purchase Income Tax Credit

Tennessee

Single Occupancy HOV Lane

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Thank you again for all of the hard work planet4ever!

-KF

Source – nissanleafelectric blog

Yeah! The Kia Hamsters are Back!!!

If you’ve been keeping up with my postings on KarFarm, you know that I’m a huge Kia Hamster fan. I have stated that the TV commercial for the Kia Soul featuring the Kia Hamsters was the best marketing idea, in decades – and Nielsen’s agree!

The round 2 has begun. This time, more hamsters in hip urban gear, blastin’ the old early 90′s hip hop tune – “The Choice is Yours” by Black Sheep. The best part is that the Kia marketing guys are obviously trying to poke fun at the boring, often kitchen appliance look alike, competition (Scion xB, Honda Element, and Nissan Cube) by showing toasters and laundry machines.

Also, you can purchase the fresh hip hop gear that the Kia Hamsters are sporting in this video (below) at Hamstar Clothing!

Keep it up, Kia!

Just don’t let it keep going on and on like the GEICO commercials (cavemen, gecko, stack of money, etc…).

- KF

Source – Kia

2011 Ford F-150 with EcoBoost?

The guys at PickUpTrucks.com posted some information and spy photos of the new 2011 Ford F-150 with EcoBoost (twin turbo, direct injected) V6 engine.

No V8… What gives?

The ‘good ol’ boys’ would surely hate this move. After all the saying goes, “if you ain’t gettin’ a big V8 in your truck, you ain’t buyin’ a truck!”

The Ford’s 6.2 liter V8 is rated 411HP and 434TQ and, as you might have guessed, it gets under 20MPG. With the 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, the truck will be getting about at least 23MPG on the highway while giving you comparable power – at 400HP and more than 400TQ…

The trend of engines going smaller with turbos are continuing, and this is one sort of ‘redneck technology’ we can get behind. Good job, Ford!

-KF

Courtesy of PickUpTrucks.com

NUMMI: Back Online!

It was only a few weeks ago that the joint manufacturing venture between GM and Toyota ended, and both parties pulled out of the Fremont, CA NUMMI plant. When GM announced their pull-out, the public was a bit sympathetic due to the sad state of affairs going on at GM at the time. However, when Toyota made their announcement a few weeks later, there was a little more than grumbling of displeasure.

Just in the last couple of weeks, there was a rumor flying around that Tesla and Toyota might be joining in a manufacturing venture. Most people assumed that it was going to be in Southern California – Downey, CA. After all, Tesla already have come to an agreement with local government officials in Downey, CA to build a plant there.

At 5pm, May 20th, 2010, in Palo Alto, CA there stood Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla), Akio Toyoda (CEO of Toyota), and the Governator Arnold Schwartzenegger, in front of a podium making a big announcement. Tesla and Toyota will be manufacturing and researching EV vehicles together at the recently closed NUMMI plant in Fremont.

The main terms of the deal are as follows:

- Toyota will take up private stakes in Tesla, worth $50 million,
- State of California will allow tax abatement for Tesla to tool up the NUMMI plant, worth up to $20 million
- Toyota and Tesla will develop and manufacture Electric Vehicles at the NUMMI plant
- Tesla’s Model S EV Sedan will be manufactured at the NUMMI plant

This in turn will bring in over 1,000 new jobs (or recycled jobs) to Fremont’s NUMMI plant and other anxillary suppliers and the such. With this much assistance (hand-out) from the Federal and State government, private investors, venture capital, Daimler (they pitched in $10 million, back in 2008), and now Toyota it would be an extreme shame if Tesla could not deliver on their promises.

The press conference video is below:

-KF

Feisty xB2

Yes, this xB2 is feisty, fierce almost (imagine me saying that while I am snapping my fingers in the air. Yeah, you like it). Seriously though, this xB2 is one of the baddest on the planet.

I am not going gah gah for the paint choice but I think it works well. Those Advans though, hot dayumn!

If you haven’t noticed, this xB2 is brought to you by Rogue Status and the illustrious Stephen Papdakis (built Tanner Foust’s FD tC) and was campaigned in this year’s Gumball 3000 rally. If that isn’t just cool enough and you haven’t messed your pants just looking at those Advans, then wait for this…

…oh what’s that? A front mount? I wonder what that could be for???

Wait for it…

BOOM!! 2JZ-GTE motha truckas!!!!!!

BOOM!! Single turbo babaaaaay!!! You know what that means, RWD biatches!!! Supposedly pushing 400hp on a light tune.

I hope you were wearing a helmet, or at least a hat, because I just blew your minds!

That sure is one sexy xB2. Word has it that they plan on drifting this soon and I gotta say, I sure as hell am excited to see this biscuit get sideways.

Fuel cell = serious business.

Those wheels make me want to punch baby walruses, in a good way. If there even is a good way for something like that. Dammit I want those wheels!

Some more info on the xB2 and some nice burnout action to boot.

Pretty awesome footage of a burnout in Quebec, nicely done.

Now that is one sexy pic of one sexy ass!

This xB2 is one of the best I have personally ever seen. I would love to see a better colour choice, but I definitely love the way this thing has been built.

Pics and info: The Smog Check

Courtesy of our content partner: OMG Pancakes

Ford Fiesta Officially Will Get Up To 40MPG

Ford sent out a press release stating that the Fiesta has been EPA certified to get up to 40 MPG, making it the most fuel-efficient car in the b-segment with regards to highway MPGs. So here’s the breakdown:

• Fiestas equipped with the six-speed PowerShift automatic (dual clutch) gearbox will get 29 city, 40 highway. This is five MPG better than a Honda Fit; four MPG better than a Toyota Yaris.

• Fiestas with the standard five-speed manual transmission are rated 28 city and 37 highway.

To me, these are quite impressive highway fuel numbers, although the city MPGs are average for the class. Regardless, this is a nice notch for Ford to have in its belt, and will hopefully help them sell some Fiestas.

- Courtesy of our content partner: Subcompact Culture

Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L NAV

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L NAV

Vital Stats
Engine: 3.5 liter V6 (271 HP/254 TQ)
Drivetrain Layout: Front engine/Front-wheel drive
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Seating Capacity: 5 Passengers
EPA Fuel Economy: 18 city/27 highway
Base MSRP $34,770 + $710 destination
Recommended Options: None

The Basics
Honda hasn’t offered an Accord wagon since 1997, although this Crosstour isn’t exactly what most would call a wagon, per se. It is, however, another entry into the crowded and competitive crossover segment. Available in either front- or all-wheel drive, and with one engine and transmission choice, the Crosstour is basically an Accord V6 for people who want more space, available all-wheel drive, and a bit more of an active-lifestyle appearance. No one will be mistaking the Crosstour for a standard Accord, and its looks are love-it or leave-it.

Exterior (Andy – 2, Tae – 1)
Andy – I’ll just say it: I can’t stand the looks of this vehicle. I want to be able to like it for what it is, but I just can’t. It’s masculine front end with a muscular grille seems to be contradicted by its feminine, sloping rear. It sits up high off the ground for added ground clearance, but this adds to the car’s awkward appearance. It just does not gel for me, no matter how many times I see it. To be fair, I had a couple of people come up to me and say they liked the look, and asked me what kind of car it was. If I could go directly from the house, and simply end up inside the Crosstour without looking at its exterior, that’d be great.

Tae – Sorry Andy, I’m gonna do one better (or worse?) than you… In some angles it reminds you of a pouty lipped Donald Duck, and it sort of looks like a reincarnated 1980 AMC Eagle. Whatever it is, it is not pretty. Also from judging from the early adopters of these oddbirds, the 1980 AMC Eagle analogy might be right. Most people who’ve purchased these, at least in the SF Bay Area, are older ladies who might have owned those AMC Eagles back in the day.

Interior (Andy – 6, Tae – 6)
Andy – The EX-L (with navigation) has an attractive, high-quality leather interior with plenty of room for two up front, and three in the back. Parts of the interior appear similar to the Acura TSX (especially the dashboard), but the Crosstour has more room, especially in the back seat. The car’s front seats are firm and large, but comfortable and supportive. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels fairly large in diameter, but fits well in the hands, and has a veritable plethora of buttons (I believe about 17, if I remember correctly) to control Bluetooth, audio, and cruise controls.

The big story inside is found behind the rear seats. Open up the rear hatch, and the cargo area appears cavernous. Plus, there are two silver handles that fold down the rear seats for an amazing amount of room for gear. Unfortunately, due to the car’s shape, capacity is limited to not-so-tall items. On a trip to Lowe’s to return 100 ft. of garden hose (which we placed in a square plastic tub so as not to drip water on the upholstery), there was clearance issues with the rear hatch. Let’s put it this way: You can carry a lot of stuff in a horizontal fashion. But tall items could prove difficult. Under the cargo area is a convenient storage area in the center, and it can be removed, too. Great for tailgating at sporting event, I’m sure. There are two smaller compartments to the left and right, as well.

Another downer: Visibility out of the Crosstour is poor. It’s rear hatch creates a strange outward view, which is bisected by a crossmember on the trunk. It’s just hard to see out of, which is not confidence inspiring. Good thing my model had the rear backup camera.

Tae – The interior of the Crosstour is just like the Accord, Acura TSX, and Acura TL, except that some materials are decidedly cheaper. The typical Honda/Acura button porn is present. The cheap, fake simulated wood grain and painted plastic are all there. However, the fit-and-finish is still ‘Honda’ excellent! As far as passenger space is concerned, the front seats are comfortable – if not too flat. The backseats have ample room and leg space, but I’ll echo Andy’s take… the cargo space is limited due to the shape of the hatch area.

Drivetrain (Andy – 7, Tae – 7)
Andy – The 3.5 liter V6 is a smooth operator, as typical for Honda V6 engines, and is mated to a responsive five-speed automatic. Unlike some other vehicles in the segment, such as the Subaru Outback, there is no manual shifting capability, though. My review sample was the front-drive variant, but the Crosstour is available in all-wheel drive to do battle against the previously mentioned Outback. Like the Outback, the Crosstour does appear to have some added ground clearance, and wears some meaty 18” wheels and tires. No qualms here.

Tae – No major complaints here, good power and smooth transmission.

Performance (Andy – 7, Tae – 6.5)
Andy – As expected, the 271 hp V6 has more-than-adequate power. Merging and passing are effortless endeavors; mid-range acceleration is noteworthy. All in all, the Crosstour is pretty quick, especially from a rolling start.

Handling is tuned to ride quality than handling. Although, the car does remain planted in the curves, albeit, with substantial body lean. The car feels heavy, and does weigh on the near side of 4,000 lbs. Not so great for cornering, but the car feels like a tank on the highway; it definitely has a substantial feel. The Crosstour is rated at an estimated 18 city and 27 highway for fuel economy, and I got 18 MPG in 90% city driving.

Tae – Straightline performance is good, nothing spectacular, handling is on par with its competitors – Toyota Venza and Nissan Murano.

Ride Quality (Andy – 8, Tae – 6.5)
Andy – This is a family cruiser, and it does this well. Ride quality is good, all but the largest bumps are easily soaked up by the fully independent suspension. The car is quiet and very comfortable.

Tae – One might think that wearing the 18″ rubbers instead of the 20-21″ ones found in its competitors (Venza and Murano), that the Crosstour would be quieter and more supple, in this case that would be a ‘no’. The Toyota Venza is a bit more composed and quieter, and the Nissan Murano is slightly more engaging to drive. But, all in all, the Crosstour is above average in this crossover segment.

Technology (Andy – 5, Tae – 6)
Andy – The Crosstour EX-L NAV has a lot of tech features. Problem is, they’re not user friendly. You get navigation; a fantastic seven-speaker, 360-watt AM/FM/6-disc/MP3 stereo; Bluetooth with HandsFreeLink; USB/auxiliary jacks; automatic dual-zone climate control; mirrors that automatically tilt down when you put the car in reverse; and a great back-up camera. However, you need a class on how to work it all. I counted 33 buttons on the dashboard—not exactly intuitive, especially while driving. A few times, all I wanted to do was turn up the heater, but attempting to do so ended up being a lesson in distracted driving. Also, I could not pair my phone with the Bluetooth, and I finally just gave up. Add to this the 17 or so buttons on the steering wheel, and you’ve got a mass of technology that requires an engineering degree to figure out. Without ranting too much, the large display screen is highly visible, and is all controlled via a center knob, just like the Acura TSX. I have mixed feelings about this control. Frankly, the whole thing was a bit frustrating.

The good news is all of the safety technology is there: ABS, traction/stability control, all the airbags you’ll want, etc. Luckily, you don’t have to learn to use those.

Tae – I wasn’t as flustered with the operations as Andy, but definitely ‘user friendly’ is not the ‘word of the day’, here. There’s a dedicated button for every feature/function of vehicle, it seems. Also, getting through the menu in the nav screen is a bit of a chore without the touchscreen, and some of you might already know how I feel on the voice command systems in current crop of cars – too big of a learning curve and too slow.

Value (Andy – 5, Tae – 5)
Andy – Your hard-earned $35,480 can nab you a ’10 Crosstour with leather, tons of technology, a somewhat usable cargo area, and front wheel drive. Want all-wheel drive? That’ll cost about $2,000 more in the same trim level. Yes, you do get a gusty V-6 and a good ride. Plus, the build quality is excellent. However, you can get a similarly equipped six-cylinder Subaru Outback Limited (with all-wheel drive) for about $5,500 less than a front-drive Crosstour.

Tae – As expensive as the Crosstour is, when you compare it to the two closest competitors (Venza and Murano) you’ll save about $1,800-2,500. But you’d be losing Venza’s comfort and Murano’s spirited nature, not to mention cargo space and most of all… STYLE!!!

Overall (Andy – 4, Tae – 3.5)
Andy – The Honda Accord Crosstour FWD is essentially Honda’s family wagon. You can get the kids in in, you can haul some cargo, and like the Family Truckster from “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” it looks a bit goofy. However, if you have to have a wagon-like vehicle from Honda and don’t want to drive an Odyssey mini-van, then the Crosstour might fit the bill. Keep in mind Acura is releasing a TSX wagon, too. Albeit, it will probably cost more, but it looks a lot more attractive to me. Let’s put it this way: Before I’d plunk down $35K for a Crosstour, I’d Cross-Shop the competition.

Tae – Although the content value is not bad, the poor practicality of the vehicle and the “WTF!” exterior design makes for a vehicle that is very puzzling. Honda is trying to market this vehicle as a trendy, hip alternative to crossover utility vehicles, and they’ve missed the mark – by a mile. From uglifying the Accord and the entire Acura lineup, killing off the NSX project, to hyping the two seater CR-Z hybrid sports car that goes 0-60 in 8 seconds and gets mid 30MPGs, I think Honda is slowly losing grip on reality.