Are U.S. Automakers really building cars no one wants to buy?

by Bill Zervakos
December 2008

There is a lot of hyperbole about how bad the vehicles coming out of Detroit are; ergo American automakers are in trouble. Are American automakers really building inferior products? Let’s look at the numbers from November of 2007 through November 2008 for a few of the key players:

Chrysler, down 47% Nissan, down 42.2% General Motors, down 41.3% Toyota, down 33.9%
Honda, down, 31.6% Ford, down 30.6%

You’ll notice that Ford is down less than anyone else and Nissan sales are even worse than General Motors.

No doubt labor costs for unionized shops are higher than those of non-union shops but are labor costs the reason for the collapse in sales? Leaving aside all the differences in compensation between the U.S. makers and importers, I don’t see how any manufacturer can exist for long with over 30% losses in sales.

We’ve clearly seen the incompetence of CEOs’ on Wall Street, seemingly without consequence or accountability and certainly without any oversight, given billions of dollars specifically, we were told, to loosen up credit for consumers. Instead they chose to use those billions to pay dividends and bonuses while buying other financial institutions, choosing to do nothing about making money available for loans. To then watch Congress address the CEOs’ of the U.S. automakers as though they’re inept seems a bit self serving.

It’s important to point out here that Ford President Alan Mulally has been with the company for just over 2 years, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli has been with them since 2007 and GM CEO Rick Wagoner took over the controls of General Motors in 2005. So while there were problems in the past, linking the ills the industry faces today exclusively to these executives performance is short sighted, and appointing a car czar is not the answer.

Rick Wagoner of GM has acknowledged that allowing the EV1 to be eliminated was not the right thing to do. But GM, Ford and Chrysler have made huge strides in developing electric vehicles, some that will be on the road by 2010. They’ve been doing this without government or a car czar telling them they had to. But here’s what we must remember: Detroit built what people were buying. It’s true that some gas guzzlers were incentivized but in a capitalistic society businesses are all about making money and big vehicles were money makers. Proof of that is the 22% increase in truck sales this November, with gas under $2.00 a gallon, over July sales when gas was $4.00 a gallon. The consumer drives the market and will continue to do so.

With legislators pontificating and blustering about how outraged they are with the big 3 CEOs’ and the media right there with them, talking about how irresponsible Detroit has been in product development, without laying out all the facts, it’s no wonder that people aren’t buying American cars. The facts are that there were several automakers, including some importers, that made some pretty bad cars in the past, but today everyone is building pretty solid vehicles. The prevailing perception is that American cars aren’t as good, yet in a Consumer Reports study as far back as 2006 provided results showing that the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan outperformed the Honda Accord V6 and the Toyota Camry V6 in reliability studies. Interestingly those same studies indicated that people will still buy the imports. Perception is true even if it isn’t fact and when a false perception is promulgated, change takes even longer.

So, are U.S. automakers really building bad cars? Not at all, and if people would do their homework and not buy into all the negative hype, they’d be very pleasantly surprised with what’s coming out of Detroit.Other countries are supporting their automakers and we should do no less. If we were in a normal economy and automakers weren’t manufacturing the right products, then the market should be allowed to correct itself. That isn’t the case today.

Generally speaking, I’m not for government intervention but this is a critical industry for America and the three CEOs’ weren’t the cause this financial crisis and they can’t fix it. But allowing any one of the heretofore big three to die could create a tragedy of epic proportions. The facts are, until the consumer starts buying again, all automakers are in peril.

2009 Mazda3 S 5-Door Grand Touring

Well with the entire world hearing about gas guzzlers, the timing couldn’t be much better for checking out this nifty little 5-door sport wagon. The Mazda3 styling is based off the MX-Sportif concept so while the little grocery getter is very practical it stays true to the zoom-zoom campaign that represents the promise of fun driving that Mazda touts.

The 2.3 liter engine produces 156 horsepower and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it’s perky enough to make the 3 feel sporty, albeit at higher rpm, which is not too big a deal for most. That said, aficionados will no doubt opt for the very potent MazdaSpeed3 which pumps out 263 turbo-charged horses that propel the car from 0-60 in a mere 5.4 seconds with a top speed in excess of 150mph.

Truth is though this car was designed to be functional with a sufficient amount of form to offer drivers economy, with just a bit of panache, and to that end the Mazda3 S delivers. With 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and foglamps, side sill extensions, sport styled front and rear fascias and the obligatory rear hatch spoiler; this is a very sharp looking little car.

In the S trim you’ll find leather trimmed seating areas, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split fold-down rear seating, AM/FM/CD with controls in the steering wheel, cruise control and power windows standard. Heated front seats, electroluminescent gauges and a trip computer add a touch of luxury, okay; a very small touch, but nice none the less. Base price for the Mazda3 starts at just under $14,500 but with all the goodies on my tester, the price came to just a tad over $22,500 with shipping. Not bad but there are at least 15 models that compete with Mazda in this crowded segment of the market.

As far as driving the Mazda3 goes, I’m a pretty big boy and I have to say I was very comfortable in the driver’s seat and the car handled better then I expected in actuality. While the steering was quick the variable assist could get a bit heavy at times but overall it wasn’t a problem. The balance of the vehicle was surprisingly good despite the 60/40 weight distribution and the ride actually bordered on nimble.

All in all I have to say that overall I was very pleased with the Mazda3 S, but in the interest of full disclosure I have to acknowledge that I’ve been a Mazda fan for quite a while, having owned a Miata for about 12 years. But the truth is, they are very solid cars that, as I said before, do a better than average job of mixing form and function. So, if you’re looking for something that will deliver close to 30mpg on the highway and 22 around town, maybe you should take a ride in a Mazda3 S before making up your mind. I liked it a lot and I’m betting you will too.

Two for the Road talks Trends

The automotive landscape is in constant flux and what amazes me is how quickly manufacturers are making changes and getting them to market. There was a time that it took 5 plus years from the concept to production and in some cases that time is more than cut in half. Some things we see coming include;

A Cadillac CTS wagon and yes you read correctly I said a wagon. GM says they expect to only sell around 4,000 units of the CTS Sports Wagon in the US but they hope to be a big hit in the Euro market. The CTS Sports Wagon will go on sale in the spring of ’09 with a choice of two 3.6 liter V6’s, one being the 304 horsepower Direct-Injection but the Asian and Euro markets get a 2.9-liter turbodiesel engine that Cadillac is developing. I wonder when the American market will welcome that engine. Stay tuned for more on this car.

Good news for rear-wheel drive fans the Alpha RWD Cadillacs are scheduled for the 2011 model year replacing the front-drive BLS in Europe and expanding the lineup to the U.S. The 3-series sized car could be a big hit but only time will tell.

Look for a new Lambda Escalade as GM tries to inject some new excitement into the Tahoe based Luxo-SUV. Using the Lambda platform makes economic sense because of production of the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and the new Chevy Traverse. It would also give the Escalade a more edgy look without going overboard. It would most likely be powered by a small-block V8 since the Northstar replacement planned for the Enclave was cancelled.

While the new Chevy Cruze is a pretty nifty looking little car, we’ll have to wait until 2010 before production begins in the U.S. Production in Germany, South Korea and Russia begins in March of 2009 with the car being powered by an anemic 112 horsepower 1.6 liter or 140 horsepower 1.8 liter gas engines and a 150hp 236 lb-ft of torque 2.0 turbodiesel. We won’t see the diesel iteration in the U.S. because the cost of the Cruze would go north of $30k and I don’t thing that will work for a vehicle only about the size of a Cobalt. This market will likely get a 1.4 liter turbo in the 150 to 170 horsepower range. Nice looking car but we’ll have to wait and see.

There’s a lot of buzz about the Hyundai Genesis and perhaps rightfully so, it appears to offer a lot of luxury and way better than average performance for not a whole lot of money. But Hyundai is jumping into the CUV fray with the 2010 Portico. While only spy pics are available, it’s pretty clear that Hyundai is aiming to cut into the Sport Cross-over market. The Portico has a pretty aggressive stance, a lower swept back roofline that despite the camouflage looks very interesting. Maybe even more interesting is the talk about eventually getting hybrid power. Slated to go on sale in 2009 as a 2010 it will be interesting to see if the Portico continues Hyundai’s march towards dominance with lots of quality at a great price. So far, looks pretty good.

Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution Revolution

The Phoenix Automotive Press Association had an opportunity to meet with PR Product Manager, Moe Durand and Melvin Bautista from Product Planning for Mitsubishi and talk about the all-new 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer family. Lancer debuted in 1973 and over the years Lancer has won several Rally Championships but not necessarily the hearts of the American consumer. Mitsubishi is hoping that will all change with the new iteration of the Lancer and as far as styling goes, they’re on the right track.

Trim levels include the Lancer, the Ralliart and the very potent Evolution. With the production of the 2009 Ralliart Mitsubishi has made a dramatic leap in performance and styling over the previous generation. Gone is the boxy squared off look and in is the sleek low nose high deck aggressive look you’ll see on the likes of the Lexus IS, and the huge aggressive grille you see on the Nuvolari inspired Audi S4 so needless to say, it’s a very cool looking car especially for the Tuner crowd.

It’s interesting to know how the styling cues must have a great degree of functionality in vehicles today, which presents an interesting challenge to designers. For example the lower grille opening on the Ralliart allows for more airflow to the intercooler, while the hood scoops and ducting help remove under hood heat while also providing air to the turbocharger. The functional side vents help extract hot air from the engine compartment.

The base engine is a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder that puts out 152hp and 146 lb/ft of torque in the Lancer and 237hp and 253 lb/ft of torque with both engines red-lining at 6500rpm. The Evolution is an entirely different matter. Horsepower jumps to 291 and torque goes to 300 lb/ft and redline is at 7000 rpm. How that happens has to do with some differences in engine architecture but the long and short of it is that it is a very potent engine.

Power gets to the wheels through a very sophisticated TC-SST transmission. All that alphabet soup stands for, Twin Clutch Sportonic Shift Transmission, but what it means is that it is one quick shifting transmission.

While we didn’t get a lot of wheel time, what we did get in the Evolution MR was pretty impressive. It’s quick fast and has a pretty serious fun quotient and is surprisingly roomy inside and we are looking forward to spending a week in this exciting new car from Mitsubishi

VOLVO CARS STUDIES BUGS TO IMPROVE SAFETY

As heard on Two for the Road USA Radio Show - September 21st - KKNT 960 AM Phoenix Arizona - Click on Radio Shows on www.twofortheroadusa.com

Since the first single cell organism emerged from primordial soup, nature has been testing, selecting and perfecting how best to help life survive. Along the way, she encountered dead ends and thankfully many successes. Today, lessons learned from Nature help scientists improve our lives with technologies like Velcro© that was inspired by burrs on seed pods, self-cleaning coatings for ship hulls from shark skin structures, neuromorphic computer chips that will one day be able to process information the way our brain does, just to mention a few.

Nature is a wonderful laboratory. "We learned of Dr. Claire Rind´s, Newcastle University, UK, studies into the migratory locust, the African Locust, that they tend to avoid bumping into each other during flights," states Jonas Ekmark, Preventive Safety Leader at Volvo Car Corporation. "Our original thoughts centered on pedestrian safety. If we could trace how the locust is able to avoid each other maybe we could program our cars not to hit pedestrians." During the study, Dr. Rind learned that visual input is instantly transmitted to the insect's wing nerve cells, seemingly bypassing the brain. Dr. Rind calls this the Locust Principle.

"Locusts are quick reacting and have reliable circuits, they do their computations against lots of background chatter, much like driving around town," comments Dr. Rind. Volvo wanted to learn if locust sensory-input routing methodologies could be built into a vehicle pedestrian safety system. The goal was to avoid hitting pedestrians. Primary to this research was to synthesize a locust algorithm that could be applied to a car. "As it turns out, the locust processing system is much more sophisticated than the hardware/software currently available. In the end technology was no match for nature," says Jonas Ekmark.

"What we learned was very encouraging. However, rather than wait for technology to catch up to Dr. Rind's Locust Principle, Volvo created a pedestrian alert feature that will be introduced in the near future."When we started in late 2002, sensing and computational systems were rather weak."

But technology is quickly catching up. Volvo City Safety has been launched as standard in the new Volvo XC60. At low speeds, City Safety is smart enough to bring the XC60 to a complete stop should the vehicle in front suddenly stop.

"Beyond City Safety our next step will be our first pedestrian avoidance feature", comments Jonas Ekmark. "Although City Safety is not related to our Locust research, we are confident that our first pedestrian auto brake feature will be very good at taking actions to help avoid hitting pedestrians," comments, Jonas Ekmark.

"While some interesting ideas came from this study, we still have a many more years of research ahead to bring that small locust brain into our cars. We have found a lowly locust has man beat, at least for now. Still, the big question remains: How do groups of locusts keep from bumping into each other? Maybe there is more to be learned? We will continue to follow interesting paths in our efforts to reach our safety vision; to design cars that do not crash," concludes Jonas Ekmark.

Bondurant School Highway Survival Training

Makes Bill Z. … A Safer Driver in One Day

Phoenix, Arizona

August 24, 2008

It was with a bit of trepidation that I pulled into the parking lot at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving to take the Highway Survival Training course on a beautiful summer day in Phoenix. Having gone through the one day racing course a couple of years ago I knew better then to think that I was going to make it through the day feeling good about my driving skills. These folks are the crème de la crème of driving instructors and they can always find something problematic with ones driving, and rightfully so.

I have to say that I, like a lot of people, feel like I am much more capable than average driver, but after going through the racing course, I was cured of any ego that I may have had regarding my ability to handle a race car.

That feeling was why I was apprehensive about what they were going to put us through with this course regarding my daily driving skills. I read that we were going to be dealing with emergency maneuvers, skid control exercises, shifting exercises, braking and cornering, a slalom run and of course some laps on the big track; all things that test reactions and coordination. Then, to make matters even more stressful, I saw that my classmates were a couple of youngsters with the razor sharp reflexes of youth that made me feel well, old.

That aside, Alex and Nic were very nice young men and our instructors Will and Austin were great and after spending a bit of classroom time learning about the forces that control a vehicle, weight and balance and the effects of inertia that we can use to maximize braking and steering, it was off to the practice pad.

From that point on the day was a blur of driving. First learning how acceleration effects turning by going in a circle in ever widening circles while holding the steering wheel in one position and then coming back to the starting point again, without ever turning the wheel. From there we went on a short loop of the track to learn how to find the correct line to get the car around the track as fast a possible without losing control. We learned how to “look where you want to go” rather then where you’re going, no small thing to get used to.

From there we practiced some accident avoidance by driving up to 45 miles per hour in the center lane of three lanes with green lights and wait for the instructors to turn two to red, then we had to maneuver into the lane with the green light. Again, no easy feat when they seemed to wait until way too late to make up your mind. But a minor miracle happened when we actually listened to the instruction to “look ahead” and use our peripheral vision to change lanes as we reacted to the lights.

The skid cars were an absolute blast and if for no other reason then to get to do that, you should check out the Highway Survival Training course. It is absolutely amazing at how quickly all three of us got a handle on “looking where we wanted to go” rather then where we were going. As far as correcting for understeer goes, no real big problem, just slow down and get the weight on the front wheels, even if you have to tap the brake, until you have the car going where you want it to.

On the other hand, dealing with oversteer is an entirely different, and much more fun matter. Most of us can remember times when the back of the car starts coming loose and putting us into a spin, which is a very ugly feeling. Well, after a few minutes in the skid car, we were all feeling pretty sure of ourselves in dealing with that problem should it arise in the future.

Then we got to run the slalom course, again, more fun then should be legal, and after that several timed laps on a SCCA type course where we had to avoid running over pylons racing for time, which I think I still won even though Alex had a time 1 second better then mine. I was in a big Cadillac CTS and he was in a small Pontiac Solstice so when I factor that I’m older then their fathers, and I was in a bigger heavier car, I win. Needless to say, he doesn’t feel that way.
Finally we got to go on the big boy track and chase Will and Austin for several laps, again, more fun then you can possibly imagine.

But while we had a great time, the most important thing we learned is that driving is very complicated and without understanding how to control a vehicle in unexpected circumstances, the results can be devastating. And while we learned a lot, the most important thing we learned was, that we didn’t know enough, and that can be very sobering. I’ve been driving for almost 5 decades and I was amazed at how much I didn’t and don’t know. My young friends were very much aware of how much they had to learn but it was also great to hear that they felt a new respect for driving and I believe that they’ll be much more careful when the get behind the wheel now and that is a good thing for everyone.

With so many more cars on the road, and people driving faster every day it’s even more important to learn skills that will help keep you and your passengers safer on the road. I don’t know many people that wouldn’t benefit from spending a day at the Bondurant School going through this course. I know I feel a whole lot better about how I drive now and I bet you would too.
For information on the school, go to http://www.bondurant.com/ and check out their schedules. I’m glad I did and I bet you’ll be glad you did.

Viva the pony car wars

I can’t tell you how excited I was a couple of years ago when I heard about the resurgence of the pony car wars. Being an original muscle car nut, I was among the many disappointed aficionados in the ‘70’s when legends like the Corvette had less then 200 horsepower because of the gas crunch. Now I do understand that there is nothing politically correct about driving a vehicle with over 400 horsepower that gets, well, not much gas mileage today, but let’s be honest; for some of us, the roar of a pure American V8 is unparalleled and the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 definitely got my blood boiling. I could spend a lot of time talking about the Challenger, but this video will give you just a taste of what it can do.

Unfortunately for me, it’s going to be a long wait for the Camaro to make it’s debut because we probably won’t see one till early ’09. I have been assured by our contacts at GM that there will indeed be one in the press fleet, and I certainly hope so because I’m guessing that the first production run has already sold out.

Anyway, enjoy the video, and I for one am thrilled that GM, Ford, and Chrysler started the wars in the late '60's, and GM and Chrysler decided to jump in the fray once more. We need to enjoy it while we can.

Community Tire Wins 2008 Small Business Impact Award

Congratulations to Howard and Patty Fleischmann of Community Tire and Auto Service, The recipients of the 2008 Small Business of the year Impact award honored by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. We are so proud of you and thank you for your continued support of Two for the Road USA.

(PHOENIX) — The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winner of its 21st Annual IMPACT Awards 2008 Small Business of the Year: Community Tire & Auto Service Specialists, Howard Fleischmann, Sr.Community Tire & Auto Service Specialists has grown to more than seven stores in three cities through innovative marketing, honesty and integrity. Likewise with its commitment to community, whether hosting fundraising events or simply giving of their time, Community Tire & Auto Services Specialists has become synonymous with the word for which it is named.The Chamber’s IMPACT Awards honor business owners and leaders from companies with fewer than 100 employees for their outstanding efforts.

Gilles continues to work his magic at Chrysler

Just about everyone knows about Chrysler’s 300 success—the model won Motor Trend’s car of the year award in 2005—some even know that Ralph Gilles was the moving force behind the design team that developed the car. What most don’t know is that Gilles was so intent on becoming a car designer that he sent sketches to none other than Lee Iacocca. The Chrysler head was so impressed with Gilles’s work that he suggested some design schools to attend, which Gilles did.

In 1992 when Gilles received his BSC from the Center of Creative Studies in Detroit, he joined Chrysler as a designer. He quickly moved through the ranks to director in the design office in 2001. He spearheaded the design team on the development of the 300 and the rest is history.

In 2005 Gilles was named directory of the Truck Exterior/Interior Design Studio before ascending to his present position as Vice President, which is a notable achievement for a 30-something. During that time Gilles and his team developed the all-new Ram: a vehicle which Chrysler calls a game-changer.

We got to get up close and personal with Gilles in Phoenix at a press preview of the Ram and the new Dodge Journey. Gilles talked about how the design shift in ’94 to the big rig look was very polarizing. I was one that didn’t care for it. The new truck is very refined, however, and much more appealing to me and for the hard core Dodge truck people, the original dropped fender big rig look is still there. But, the new Dodge Ram is a whole lot more than just a pretty face.

When talking about pickups, aerodynamics is rarely discussed, and yet changes in design are a noticeable improvement. Reworking the hood, grille and even the side view mirrors made a big difference, and air dams help direct air around the vehicle and improve engine cooling. I won’t bore you with the drag coefficient specifics but, suffice it to say, they’re pretty happy with the improvement.

The HEMI powerplant delivers an impressive 380 horsepower and, more importantly, 404 lb-ft of torque and delivers an estimated 13/19mpg in the 2WD iteration on mid-range 89 octane fuel.

I was very impressed with Ralph Gilles long before meeting him. After talking with him and seeing his true passion for designing exciting vehicles that not only look good but perform extremely well, I have even more respect for him. I know he doesn’t like to be called a genius, but what he’s accomplished in his relatively short career is groundbreaking. I'm betting that Gilles will be a very important part of the automotive industry along the lines of Harley Earl, Bob Lutz and, of course, lee Iacocca, for a long time to come.

There is a lot more to the all-new Ram and we’ll be talking more in depth when we drive the press vehicle later this year.

Volvo is taking safety to a whole new level

Several years ago I heard the phrase “reach beyond the expected,” a thought that has always resonated with me. Reaching beyond the expected is something I think a lot of us don’t attempt to do very often, if at all. Over the 15 years or so I’ve been reviewing vehicles now, that phrase comes to mind from time to time when I feel a manufacturer has made a genuine effort—or as in many cases, made no attempt at all to go beyond the expected and comfortable norm.

Volvo has always been the benchmark for automotive safety, and during a presentation to several press members who had been invited to Volvo’s Proving Grounds outside of Phoenix, Thomas Broberg, Senior Technical Advisor, pointed out that in the U.S. alone some 43,000 people die on our highways every year and worldwide the number is a staggering 1.2 million. He then told us that Volvo’s mission for 2020 is that no one will be killed or injured in a Volvo. Needless to say there was a moment of silence around the table at such a seemingly impossible goal. But Broberg was, if you’ll pardon the pun, deadly serious.

Volvo is leading the way in trying to reduce the numbers of deaths and serious injuries with some very fascinating features that we had an opportunity to experience first hand. If you’ve listened to our radio show or read any of our reviews, you’ve heard us talk many times about the alphabet soup that is used today to describe safety innovations and features, from items you may be familiar with like ABS and ESC. Now on Volvos you’ll find acronyms like CWAB, ACC, DAC, and LDW, just to name a few. Fun, isn’t it?

There’s one other safety feature that is very important on several fronts that’s called Alcoguard: it’s a breathalyzer which tells you if you’re past the point of driving safely. Some other systems that really impressed us were CWAB for Collision Warning Auto Braking and DAC for Driver Alert Control and City Safety.

The CWAB is a refined warning technology that alerts the driver to an impending collision and makes the car brake by itself if the driver doesn't act when a rear-end collision with a moving or stationary vehicle is imminent. Here’s how it works: If the car approaches another vehicle from behind and the driver does not react, a red warning light flashes in the head-up display on the windscreen. Interestingly, they use the red warning light because of the instinctive response we have to brake lights.

There is also an audible signal that helps the driver react in many cases when an accident can be avoided. Volvo’s Jonas Tisell says, "The head-up display gives a clear and very efficient warning. The red light appearing on the windscreen in front of the driver produces the same gut-reaction effect as when you see a brake light in front of you." If the risk of a collision increases despite the warning, the brake support is activated. To shorten the reaction time the brakes are prepared by the brake pads being placed against the discs. The brake pressure is also reinforced hydraulically, ensuring effective braking even if the driver does not press the brake pedal particularly hard.

DAC is a very nifty system that monitors the cars position in the lane and reads when the driver allows the vehicle to drift in its lane but doesn’t go far enough to activate the Lane Departure Warnings system. You know, you’re driving, tired and the car just wanders a bit but nothing too serious right? Wrong, because it’s likely the beginning of a driver dozing off and possibly serious trouble. If you do it long enough the vehicle recognizes the movement and alerts the driver with several beeps and a coffee cup icon appears in the instrument cluster and it says it’s time to take a break. Honestly.

Alcoguard is a great feature that won’t necessarily work for the habitual drinker, but it is something that several companies that have taxi and limo drivers (and such) are using in their fleet. Many even use it in their advertising campaigns to let people know that their drivers are not impaired behind the wheel. That’s something that would get my attention.

There are several more systems that are coming on line in Volvos soon but a very exciting feature that will be standard on the 2009 XC60 is called City Safety. This system, much like CWAB, assesses that a collision is imminent; and the brakes are instantly prepared for action. If the driver does not respond quickly enough, the car brakes automatically. You’ve seen it a thousand times; cars pulled over to the side of the road because of rear-enders in stop and go traffic. This type of accident represents 75% of all reported collisions under 30 mph. With City Safety at speeds less than 9 mph, accidents can be avoided entirely, and at speeds between 10-18 mph the system applies brake force to reduce vehicle speed and help reduce occupant injuries and vehicle damage.
No one hurt or killed in a Volvo by 2020 is their mission and that is definitely reaching beyond the expected. Leave it to Volvo to kick it up a notch when it comes to safety.

www.twofortheroadusa.com

Audi’s sizzling S5 Quattro

I’ve had the good fortune to test drive cars for the manufacturers for almost 15 years now, and often said that I’ve driven a lot of beautiful cars; cars that stir the imagination and get the blood going. The truth is, my acid test of a vehicle that costs let’s say, over $40,000 is, will that vehicle make it on my short list of cars that I’d spend lots of dollars for. Well, the Audi S5 easily makes that list. Like a lot of others I’d seen the pictures, but this car is so much more up close and personal.
The S5 is, of course, the performance iteration of the A5 that joins the 2008 lineup and is the big brother to the TT coupe and R8 sports car a trio that gives Audi a pretty solid complement of performance coupes. The S5 does in fact incorporate a lot of the features of the Nuvolari concept car that debuted in 2003, and it offers a beautiful balance of sport and elegance that prompet VW Group Design head Walter de’Silva to describe the S5 as “the most beautiful car I have ever designed.” Walt, I couldn’t agree more.

The powerplant is Audi's 354 horsepower 4.2-liter FSI V8 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that delivers power to the renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system. There is a Tiptronic automatic coming but I really like this car with the manual. The asymmetric all-wheel-drive system applies power on a 60/40 split which puts more power to the rear wheels to maximize cornering and handling dynamics.

The LED lights that frame the bottom and sides of the headlights are the daytime running lights and they give the S5 one of the coolest looks I’ve seen, and the stance on this car is perfect. It’s a great balance of form and function and while $57,000 is not inexpensive, you’ll get phenomenal bang for you buck if you buy this stunning car.
So, the word that describes the S5 for me is simply wow. It’s not the fastest or the edgiest car on the road and it’s not a classic beauty. But it is, paradoxically, a gorgeous automobile and a blast to drive. Check on out, I do believe you’ll like it.

More on the S5, including some video I shot coming soon to our website; www.twofortheroadusa.com.

JUST RELEASED TO TWO FOR THE ROAD USA

SCION REVEALS HAKO COUPE CONCEPT
AT THE 2008 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 -- Scion unveiled its Hako Coupe Concept vehicle at a press conference today at the New York International Auto Show.
Scion’s Hako Coupe was developed by Tokyo Design Division, which studied global, youth-inspired trends. Japanese and American youth cultures often influence each other and are interpreted with a unique twist. The Hako Coupe Concept was inspired by the iconic xB and the emergence of American vintage style among young Tokyo trendsetters.
"Scion’s Hako Coupe Concept embodies a distinct global perspective on today’s youth," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "This type of forward thinking complements the Scion philosophy of intently listening to our customers and being willing to take risks to help us see where our brand should be. We took the xB’s iconic boxy shape and explored something more vivacious, yet just as emotionally appealing. This concept is the sporty version of a box."
Tokyo Design developed the Hako Coupe with classic American coupes in mind. The car’s geometric profile conveys a powerful stance in a compact and bold package. Its trapezoidal LED headlights lie parallel with a large and aggressive, rectangular upper grille. The lower rectangular grille anchors the front fascia and continues to communicate the Hako’s aggressive attitude. Round fog lights, symmetrically placed high on the front bumper, have integrated turn signals.
The Hako’s silhouette is accentuated by slim, race-car-inspired side mirrors that also feature integrated turn signals. Powerful, flared fenders add dimension and contrast to the concept’s boxy shape and smooth surface planes. The Hako concept hugs the road with custom 18-inch deep dish five-spoke wheels and tires with a "Scion" custom tread.
The Hako Coupe features a vertical windshield as the concept sits upright and ready to attack the road. A high linear beltline along with a blackened and chopped greenhouse seamlessly wrap around the rear to provide a mysterious profile. As an example of potential personalization, the concept is equipped with a
flat, panorama roof that features a random, barcode-like pattern that can be seen on the exterior and from the interior.
The rear features LED taillights that echo the shape of the headlights. To complete the package, the rear bumper has an integrated fog and back up light on the left and exhaust on the right.
Inside, the Hako is accented with orange and metallic detailing that exudes a modern environment with entertainment possibilities. The front and rear seats are covered with urethane and rubber-like upholstery for easy cleaning. The contemporary front bucket seats flow to the floor and incorporate a geometric design on the seatback. The seats are separated by a center console that features a large storage crevice for storing magazines, cell phones, and other small items. Two cockpit-like rear seats also share a storage crevice.
The orange driver’s seat has a gaming theme. Instrumentation and warning lights cascade from the art inspired instrument panel to the steering wheel. The shifter, located on the center console, resembles a large joystick. On the steering wheel is a simple button to start the engine and a track-ball type control for the Hako’s entertainment system located on the passenger dash. The entertainment system consists of two video monitor screens mounted on the dash for radio, video, and music capabilities. Users can upload their videos and music through a Bluetooth® connection. The front passenger controls the system using a large rollerball mounted on the center of the dash. A black seat differentiates the front passenger area.
Video monitors located on each door and on each side of the rear seating area project distorted fish-eye images from orange filtered cameras mounted beneath the A-pillars. While the vehicle is parked the driver and passenger can edit the scenes captured by the cameras to show their friends where they have been and perhaps even post the clip online for others to see.
"As you know, polarizing style fits in well with our lineup," said Hollis. "And of course we love a good box. We’ll listen to the feedback from this concept to help us determine how our brand could evolve and grow over the next five years."

ALL-NEW 2008 G8 LAUNCHES AS PONTIAC FLAGSHIP SEDAN

That’s how the headline read in the press info we received in San Diego where we were invited to spend some wheel-time in GM’s all-new rear-wheel drive HALO car from Pontiac.

There has already been a lot written about this car, most of it positive, and a lot of that has to do with bang for the buck. The numbers are easy to understand; a plenty potent 256 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission bases at $27,595. However, what's really exciting is that you can get the 6.0 liter 361 horsepower V8 GT iteration mated to a 6-speed automatic for under $30,000.

And if you think that loading the GT up with options will jack the price up significantly, guess again. Pretty well loaded out including a sun-roof the G8 GT still comes in under $33,000, not bad for what you get. I’m going to be addressing the GT in this blog because this is where I feel Pontiac really got it right.

The 6.0 small-block puts out the aforementioned 361 horsepower which is substantial, but more importantly it pumps out 385 lb-ft of torque which allows for a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. The 6-speed Hydra-Matic transmission is linked to a limited-slip differential and the Drive Shift Control feature works very well on twisties with its rev-matching down-shifts being very tight, but I must admit it doesn’t up-shift with the same tautness however that said, it does not upshift on it’s own so you can maximize performance but keep in mind, the rev-limiter will prevent the engine from exceeding redline.

The G8 performs as well as some of the best European performance sedans costing thousands more according to vehicle chief engineer Doug Houlihan, and I don’t think it’s a big secret that he’s referring to BMW’s 5-Sedan. In truth he's pretty much on target according to the numbers I’ve seen coming in but I want to be quick to point out that non of the exec’s we talked with are in any way comparing the G8 to the Beemer. They’re simply saying that the G8 GT performs in the same league, and having driving both cars I’m inclined to agree.

There’s a lot to talk about with this sedan and we’ll be doing just that on our website soon but the G8 seems to be another positive step that American manufacturers are making and that’s good news for the buying public and everyone in the industry.

For more information visit http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/.

Taking the shine off new cars

In the ever more difficult search to stand out from the maddening crowd car buyers are taking a shine to a car with a matte finish. While it isn’t surprising to think of some small concept cars like Chevy’s Groove or Jeep’s Renegade diesel-electric or Mazda’s concept Furai with a matte finish, how does a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or Audi R8 V12 sports car strike you?

Well, a matte finish is available in all the above, and according to a lot of people at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, people have well, taken a shine to matte finishes. Not that matte finishes haven’t been used on vehicles before, it’s just that it was mainly used to accent and highlight special features on a car like on this Jeep Renegade Concept.


Interestingly, a matte finish allows the design features of a vehicle to stand out because the eye is not drawn to the finish of the vehicle because there are no reflections to detract the focus from the car itself. Not surprisingly manufacturers understand that Millennial’s are used to matte finishes on their cell phones and laptops so it stands to reason that they’d look for the same finish in their cars.

Chevy Groove Concept

It will be interesting over the next few years to see the emergence of exotics that use more matte finishes to enhance the visual effects of their intricate design cues. These are just a few of the cars that you’ll find with a matte finish.


Mazda Furai Concept

Watch the smoking tires on the IS-F

Bill Z with Two for the Road USA tickles the throttle on the IS-F in Vegas

TWO FOR THE ROAD - MEETS WITH GM CEO RICK WAGONER OF GENERAL MOTORS

Rick Wagoner, GM CEO

Bill and I were able to meet with Rick Wagoner, GM CEO of General Motors, at a press conference organized by Jeff Holland of GM communications. Mr. Wagoner was in Arizona to celebrate the opening of Brown and Brown's new Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealership in Gilbert.

The Press asked a few questions about the Big Three and GM's ranking with regard to Toyota. Rick was diplomatic in his answer, citing the few cars that made the difference, and congratulated Toyota on a job well done. Another topic of interest was the future of dealerships; closing some and combining brands and models under the GM badge.

However, the true focus of the interview was where GM stood with alternative fuels. Mr. Wagoner was able to give the press a good idea as to a timeline and commitment. Here is a capsule version of Mr. Wagoner's response to the Phoenix press association and other press related articles that same week.

GM is releasing an average of one new hybrid model every three months for the next two years that includes the Saturn Vue and Aura Green Line, and Chevrolet Malibu. This year, we've introduced the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon two-mode hybrid (the only hybrid system developed and built in the U.S. at our Baltimore, MD transmission plant) that get a 50% improvement in city mileage over gas versions. This level of performance earned the Chevy Tahoe two-mode hybrid the "Green Car of the Year" award at the LA Auto Show. For next year, we'll be launching three additional two-mode hybrid versions of the Cadillac Escalade, and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pick-ups.

In addition, GM is significantly expanding its development work on electrically driven vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle. This year GM launched Project Driveway, the world's largest test fleet of fuel cell vehicles, that will have 100 Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicles distributed in California, New York and Washington, DC. Also this year, two advanced battery development contracts were announced and in August, GM and A123Systems announced an additional agreement to speed development of batteries specifically designed for the Chevy Volt's extended range electrical powertrain.

Photo of Cathy Droz, Jeff Holland , Bill Zervakos at Brown and Brown Buick Pontiac GMC dealership

Tell us what do you think of General Motors timeline and alternative fuel choices.

Two for the Road USA drives Lexus’ potent IS-F Sports Sedan

Cath and I had the pleasure of going to Lake Las Vegas with Lexus to drive the all new IS-F sports sedan. There’s a lot to say about this car and I’ll have that up soon but I thought readers might find the story behind the story of the development of the IS-F interesting so here’s what we found out about how of this killer car came to fruition.

Most people don’t know that when the idea of Lexus was first conceived some 20 years ago, the project was coded “Circle-F.” The Circle-F designation evolved into the name Flagship One, or F1, which became the code for their very first car, the LS 400. The LS of course stood for Luxury Sedan and the 400 represented the 4.0-liter engine. So, according to Lexus, taking it to the next level, the “F” now symbolizes Lexus’ special “flare” as well as a separate brand designation within Lexus. And the first production car to carry the “F” as part of the formal identification is the IS-F Sports Sedan.

I think it’s important to mention that the development of the IS-F was far from the normal deliberate process that epitomizes Lexus, but rather by a lone engineer that had a dream to produce an all-wheel-drive supercar with huge horsepower, racetrack handling and great stopping power. The problem, Lexus didn’t buy into the idea so, an engineer that had been with Toyota for over 30 years who had been involved with performance cars like the turbocharged Toyota Supra, took things into his own hands and designed the IS-F pretty much after hours with a very limited team and an even more limited budget.

Basically what happened was that Yukihiko Yaguchi wanted to build a car that he wanted to drive and own that would be a take-no-prisoners Sports Sedan that would combine comfort, sophistication and performance to compete or beat the best that the world had to offer. He got tired of waiting for an okay, so he decided to figure out a way to build it, and he did. While it’s easy to romanticize about an engineer having the spunk to challenge a company like Lexus and completely circumvent product planning and come up with a winner, well let’s just say Yaguchi earned his stripes. Non-the-less, it is a remarkable story.

Yaguchi pitched his concept to product planning which is unheard of, and after a lot of negotiating, he received approval to go ahead with the project. That was the good news, the bad news was, there was no budget for the project. That didn’t deter Yaguchi because like a true gear-head Yaguchi recruited his own special “Skunk Works” team to work under the radar in their spare time and between assignments and the result is one incredible Sports Sedan that I absolutely loved driving.

This is what Lexus PR said about testing the IS-F in their press info. “To be certain performance targets were met on the IS F, it was tested at racetracks that count, at tracks that have challenge and heritage. Those test tracks include the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, in Germany’s Eiffel Mountains; Circuit Paul Ricard, in the South of France; Circuit Zolder, in Belgium; Laguna Seca Raceway; and at Fuji Speedway, in Japan.
In fact, the “F” logo design comes directly from the shape of Turn One at Fuji Speedway, the home circuit of IS F.
The “F” might also mean “fast,” or “fun,” “fascinating,” or “formula,” suggesting a precise recipe for excellence. But as much as anything else, it’s also a symbol of our “focus” on satisfying every element of the market.
Most importantly, it could also mean “finally.” If it means that, it’s only because it signifies our relief that there’s now a serious, fire-breathing enthusiast’s car that embodies all of the Lexus flagship DNA.”

I’ll have a lot more about the Lexus IS-F on our website, Two for the Road USA soon.

Boomer and X with JFK Car on Channel 3

With all the automotive auctions in Arizona this week; causing traffic jams and media frenzies, Boomer and X were asked to drive over to Channel 3 in a historical classic car from

RM Auctions of Canada.  www.rmauctions.com

 

From the Biltmore Hotel to Channel 3, Cathy and Melanie had the privilege to ride in the back of this 1962 Lincoln Continental Limo that belonged to President John F. Kennedy.  This White House vehicle had only a glass partition separating the driver from the passengers and a large phone secured in an armrest.   There were no seatbelts, no cup holders and it was not bulletproof.   

 

Kennedy rode in this vehicle in New York City just 7 days before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  This vehicle went up for sale at the internationally known RM Auctions at the Biltmore Hotel, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

 

Only three were made that year by Ford Motor Company for the White House.   One has been destroyed and the other belonged to his wife, the first lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis (called the "bubbletop" Limo) which was sold last year at the RM auction for$700,000. 

 

 

There are no guesses on what this limo will bring at the auction, but how can you put a price on a piece of history?

 

Channel 3's Your Life A-Z Host, Lisa Haffner, was as impressed and charming as always.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

Two for the Road USA meet Coach Jack Lengyel

"WE ARE MARSHALL"

Cathy and Bill had the pleasure of meeting Coach Jack Lengyel at the office of KKNT Radio in Scottsdale, Arizona this Christmas season. Yes, the coach that Hollywood made a movie about called "We are
Marshall " in 2006.

Jack was portrayed by the handsome actor Matthew McConaughey in the film. The story is about the tragic loss of almost the entire Marshall University Football team; in an airplane crash back in l970. The school and the town were devastated by the loss of their team, several parents, and coaches.

One of the football players, who was not on the plane, decided to get the University behind him to put a new football team together to honor his fallen teammates. However, the University President was unable to hire a coach to reconstruct the team. Not until Jack Lengyel asked for the job, after reading about the tragic story in the newspaper, did the town and University have a purpose again.

Jack told Two for the Road that he didn't dress as wild as McConaughey did in the movie, and he wasn't as
quirky as they portrayed him.

If you get to view the movie, and then meet Jack, you will see that outgoing personality, warm smile and his ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the room when he is talking. A genuine nice family man, who lives in Arizona.

What a wonderful gift we received in meeting Jack this season.

This blog entry may have nothing to do with the automotive industry, but it does have to do with rebuilding; and we know how that relates to the auto manufacturers. Maybe Mullaly and Lutz should watch the movie, maybe they can aspire to be a sort of Lengyel? Let's hope so.