Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

This isn’t your daddy’s station wagon

Two for the Road USA - by Bill Zervakos

Let me start out by saying that I simply don’t have enough superlatives for this car. I was impressed with the V6 Sport Wagon I drove last year but this car is in a dimension all its own. The numbers are mind numbing; 556 supercharged horses under the hood and a thundering 551 lb-ft of torque rocket the V-Wagon from 0-60 in a blistering 4 seconds. Yep, you read it right; a nearly 4400 pound station wagon out runs the likes of the Mustang Shelby GT500KR and it’s just a tick slower than the Saleen Dark Horse Extreme Mustang, and the Z06 Corvette. In other words, it’s a monster, but a monster that offers a lot of utility. I was surprised when I saw the test car came with the Tremec TR6060 6-spd. Manual transmission, I mean station wagons and six speed manual transmissions seem a bit oxymoronic to me, but then again, the V Sport Wagon is far from a typical station wagon.

The engine features an intercooled Eaton Twin Vortices Series™ (TVS™) supercharger.  This unique supercharger design employs twin four-lobe rotors, twisted 160 degrees. Typical superchargers feature three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with unique air inlet and outlet ports, create smoother, more efficient airflow into the engine. In addition to improved overall efficiency, this supercharger has superior noise and vibration characteristics compared to more ordinary designs.

The kind of power the 6.2 liter Supercharged engine puts out is managed by torque being channeled through the six-speed transmissions to a high-performance rear axle that features a limited-slip rear differential within a cast iron housing for greater thermal management, and asymmetrical half-shafts to smoothly manage the supercharged engine’s incredible torque. The unique design includes alternately sized half-shafts that also help dynamically balance the oscillation of torque from side to side, effectively eliminating “power hop.”

I know that’s a lot of technical jargon but in truth, it just hints at the technology in this vehicle. But let’s talk about the styling for a moment. The CTS-V Sport Wagon is beautifully sleek and sexy in an understated way. The Sport Wagon incorporates a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to help enable its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by an aggressive front fascia and raised center section of the aluminum hood that provides clearance for the supercharger. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels available in painted or polished finishes.

The interior of the CTS-V Sport Wagon is shared with the sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents. It comes with performance seats featuring perforated microfiber inserts designed to hold the driver and front passenger in place during cornering. The Recaro performance driving seats in the test car are optional and believe me; they provide excellent support for lively driving

Complementing the performance seating is a thick steering wheel and a gauge package designed for easy, reference during performance driving. Large instruments have bold readouts, including a very interesting LED-lit “tracer” function in the tachometer that flashes as the engine nears the red line. The gauge layout includes a boost gauge and a lateral acceleration display. Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels. The production steering wheel and shifter are available in Alcantara, providing the luxurious character of suede. These accents are elegant to the touch and aid the driver during high-performance driving. Like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console.

Leading-edge infotainment features extend to the V-Series. Standard features include an advanced navigation system with a deployable screen, Bose 5.1 digital surround audio, factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration and a 40-gigabyte hard drive that allows the customer to store a large library of music files. The system uploads files via a USB port or the in-dash DVD/CD drive and allows stored tracks to be searched and selected through the radio controls.

But driving the CTS-V Sport Wagon is where it’s at. I’ve had the pleasure of driving a lot of performance cars from Corvettes to Vipers and about everything in between and I’m here to tell you, the V-Sport Wagon can run with the best of them and on top of all that, it offers comfort and room. With the power the V-Sport Wagon puts out, handling can be dicey if not managed properly and the Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes along with the Michelin PS2 tires are up to the task, and the beauty of it is, you get extraordinary road-holding performance while maintaining the poise and comfort of a luxury car when in “regular” driving mode. 

The technical enabler of this dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision. What all that means in lay terms is that electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions. It’s amazing technology that allows for varying degrees of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for different driving conditions with selectable driving modes possible.

Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing says, “The CTS-V Sport Wagon is a natural extension of both the V-Series and the CTS lineup, offering an uncompromising performance car to enthusiasts who want the extra room of a wagon,” “The V-Series Sport Wagon is another hallmark of the dramatic presence and power of Cadillac vehicles.” I couldn’t agree more, I mean had this car been around when I had my boys at home, there’s no doubt it would have been in my garage.

2010 Nissan 370Z Touring

Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz

Two for the Road USA

The Nissan 370Z’s heritage dates all the way back into the ‘30’s although in truth the Z-car stems from a long line of two seat roadsters dating back to the 1960’s Datsun Fairlady roadster. That car evolved into the Datsun 2000 and in 1970 the wildly popular 240Z was born as a coupe. The Z-car morphed through several iterations that kept the same basic style all the way through into the 1980’s until the 300ZX was introduced in 1990. The 300ZX iteration didn’t remain extraordinarily popular and the last one rolled of the line in 1996. However, after a 7 year hiatus the 350Z debuted in 2003 with the Roadster joining the lineup in 2004.

For 2010 370Z Coupe maintains most of the design cues that were updated in 2009 while the 2010 Roadster receives some styling updates. The 370Z shares several mechanicals from the Infiniti G Coupe including the potent 332 horsepower CVTCS, or Continuously Variable Timing Control System V6, and some interior accoutrements. Some improvements include an enhanced navigation system, heated mirrors, and an in-cabin microfilter.

Our test car was come-and-get-me red so it was a stunner, and yes, I managed to stay out of trouble. The lines -of the new Z-car are very sleek and muscular with hefty haunches that add to the aggressive stance. Once inside you know you’re in a sports car as the seats are deep and pretty comfortable. Touring models look even more high-class thanks to their leather upholstery and upgraded faux suede door inserts. The ergonomics are easy to figure out, but I have to admit that the seat controls being squished between my right thigh and the console leaves a little to be desired.

Driving the 370Z is definitely a thrill. The ride while taut is not overly harsh and if one thinks it is, the someone is probably looking at the wrong type of vehicle. The 332 horsepower engine though a bit noisy in a raucous sort of way, is responsive and responsive to the right foot. The car handles well and when zipping into turns and downshifting with the paddle shifter; the rev-matching downshifts make the car even easier to handle in tight corners. If you have to stop in a hurry, no worries with the available 4-piston front calipers haul the Z-car to a swift and secure stop in just over 100 feet from 60 miles per hour.

Bottom line, at a base price on the Coupe in the low $30,000 dollar range and the Touring starting at just over $36,000, the 370Z is still one of the best sports coupes for the money out there. It’s sexy looking relatively comfortable even for big boys. It performs very well, numbers range from 5.1 to 5.5 0-60 and does so while getting an EPA rating of 19/26 with a combined average of 21 mpg with the automatic transmission. If you haven’t driven a Nissan Z-car lately, maybe you should check out the 2010 370Z. I think you’ll like it as much as I did.

2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV

All hail the rebirth of the Maxima. Okay, maybe that's just a bit over the top but with the 2009 iteration Nissan moves the Maxima back into the mainstream of mid-size sports sedans with a car that has pretty decent styling and is a whole lot more fun to drive than its predecessor. Redesigned with a new chassis and a much nicer interior, the Maxima definitely offers a good amount of bang for the buck. The Maxima-S bases at just a bit over $30,000 and the SV which is what my tester was bases at just a bit over $32,000 and with that you get a pretty well equipped vehicle.

Along with a host of safety equipment some niceties that are standard in the SV include leather appointed seats, a driver seat lumbar support and a thigh support extension, 8-way power driver seat and 4-way power passenger seating. You also get the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, tilt and telescoping wheel and a multi-function trip computer. I like the Nissan Intelligent Key system with push button start and the Bose audio system. The tester also came with the $400.00 Cold Package which ironically includes heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors. Just what I need at 115 degrees in Phoenix in the summer, but it is a nice feature for those that just love their winters. The tester also added Bluetooth and a rear spoiler which brought the final price including destination to $33,900.

The new Maxima features a 290-horsepower V6 engine mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission which I’m not usually a big fan of but this wasn’t bad at all. The Maxima is built on Nissan’s new “D” platform which really helps with body rigidity and thankfully minimizes torque steer. The wheelbase is shorter than the previous generation but the new Maxima is wider therefore it sports a much more aggressive stance.

Part of what contributes to that more aggressive stance is a new grille and more muscular fender flares that gives the Maxima a much sportier look that will fill the bill for those Nissan buyers that liked the size of the Altima but wanted a bit more pizzazz.

Driving the Maxima was a lot more fun than I expected with a much tauter yet supple ride. Cornering was actually fun in this car and getting off the line was quick and quiet with less noise from the CVT than in other cars. There’s sufficient room in the back for adult passengers so all in all the Nissan Maxima has returned better than ever so if you’re in the market for a Sports Sedan with a little pop that will get you 19mpg in the city and 26 on the highway without setting you back a whole lot of money, perhaps you should put the 2009 Maxima on your short list. It surprised me and I’m betting it will surprise you too. For more the Maxima click here……

2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid 4WD Crew Cab

The Silverado Hybrid is Chevrolet’s gasoline-electric hybrid half-ton pickup that returns to the lineup for 2009 featuring General Motor’s two-mode hybrid system combining a 6.0-liter V8 gas engine with Active Fuel Management and late intake valve closing technology, with GM’s Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System. This system is said to achieve 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy. The new hybrid system allows the Silverado Hybrid to drive at up to 30 mph on electricity alone and also allows the engine to operate in its more economical V4 mode for longer periods.

With 367 lb-ft of torque, this combination allows for a towing capacity of 6100lbs which is just a bit less than its gas only twin. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid shares the same two-mode hybrid transmission, 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and aluminum-block 6.0-liter pushrod V8 as the Tahoe. This transmission has four fixed gear ratios and two 60-kilowatt electric motors with planetary gear sets into the space of a conventional gearbox.

Inside, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid you’ll find a special tach with an “economy gauge” that has a green bar which represents a zone drivers can aim for to maximize fuel economy. The tachometer houses an auto stop reading to indicate when the gasoline engine is shut off although believe me, you’ll know when it does. An 8-inch touch screen features a screen to show if the power is coming from the electric motors, the gasoline engine, or both. It will also display real-time fuel economy and when regenerative braking is charging the batteries, as well as if the vehicle is in two- or 4-wheel drive mode. Oh by the way, applying the brakes in hybrids take just a bit of getting used to.

Under very light throttle, the electric motors can move the Silverado up to 30 miles an hour and moderate acceleration will start the gasoline engine. Like other systems, the gasoline engine turns off at stoplights and restarts when you tickle the throttle. Fuel economy estimates for the Silverado Hybrid are estimated at 20 mpg city/20 mpg highway, and while I didn’t spend much highway time in my tester, I got just under 19mpg which isn’t bad especially according to GM, the electric motors will allow the engine to operate in 4-cylinder mode more often. However, I have to admit that I don’t drive to maximize fuel economy..

As far as driving goes, I’m always amazed at how nice pickups are theses days and the Silverado was no exception. This is a very nice truck, comfortable and spacious inside with plenty of rear seat room for passengers. There is a large console with plenty of storage space and it comes with three cupholders for extra thirsty driver and passengers. The ride is smooth and the big trucks handles bumps well so whether you’re on the highway or off road, the Silverado makes the ride easy and comfortable. As far as performance goes, the 1500 hybrid has plenty of punch so no worries there for sure.

All this doesn’t come inexpensively though, as the tester based at $41,176 and with a few goodies and destination charges, the total came to $42,040. Basic warranty is 36 months and 36,000 miles with a 100,000 mile powertrain which is good news.

Bottom line, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid is a very nice truck so if you’re in the market for a full-size crew cab pick up, I’d suggest checking it out. I’m not saying that hybrids aren’t the be all and end all but they’re a good intermediate step so if you haven’t tried one lately, check Chevy’s Silverado Hybrid out, I think you’ll be pleased. For more on the Silverado Hybrid, click here……

2009 BMW 328i

What can you say about the 3-series BMW other than it’s a very cool sports sedan, but I do have to confess that it’s just a tad tight for my “athletic” build but other then that, well I have to confess to being somewhat of a Beemer fan and the 3-series is a great way to get into a BMW without breaking the bank.

The 328i is BMW's entry-level model that comes as a sedan, coupe or convertible. The 3-Series designation first appeared in the US I believe in about 1977, but thankfully has evolved from a boxy shape to a fluid, aerodynamic design that for sometime now has been considered the benchmark of sport sedans.

The 3-Series was redesigned and updated for the 2006 model year, a change that brought it more in line with the 5 and 7-Series look. For 2009 BMW gives the 3-Series a rejuvenated exterior that includes a moderately restyled front end with new headlights the rear end gets new taillights. There is no doubt that BMW has a lock on the aggressive stance look for near luxury sedans

On the inside you’ll find upgraded materials and oh boy, a new-generation of BMW's iDrive with new direct-select keys and more programmable memory keys than before….just what I needed. Truth is though, we only get the cars for a week and that makes it pretty difficult to get a grip on a lot of the technology. Truth is, I don’t think that’s a problem for the 3-series demographic, and of course the 3-Series of course comes with a pretty complete compliment of safety features.

Whether it’s the Ultimate Driving Machine or not, with agile handling, a supple ride and a smooth, 230 horsepower six-cylinder engine, the 3-Series is a fun car to drive. Adding to the fun factor the tester came with the 6-speed standard transmission which was smooth and easy to use and fun, but I’d opt for the 6-speed automatic with overdrive. It is a sedan after all.

Drop into the form fitting bucket seats and strap in because driving the 328i is a blast. This car has great road hugging abilities going through twisties and the suspension handles any imperfections in the road with just enough feedback to inspire confidence. Braking is solid and sure adding to that confidence. However, if you really want the whole handling enchilada, go for the AWD 328ix.

Now for the reality check….this is a sports sedan which means it sits low and has a pretty swoopy roofline so if you have bad knee’s like me, or a bad back, getting in and out can be a bit challenging but, if it fit’s you, the 3-Series BMW is a winner and with prices starting in the mid-thirties for the base 328i, it’s not a bad deal at all, and don’t forget about the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty and maintenance that you get when you buy a BMW which makes it a pretty good value for the money.

If you haven’t driven one lately, you may just want to give one a test spin…it may be just what you’re looking for. Click here for more on BMW’s 328i…

Camelback Ford Lincoln Mercury hosts…2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid test drive and alternative fuel overview..

Two for the Road USA were guests at the Ford Fusion Hybrid event on April 20, 2009.

There was an Engineer, Doctor, Clean Air Specialist, Ford executive and dealer all speaking within their category of expertise with praises for Ford past, present and future.

Each professional had a few words about alternative fuels with the Ford Fusion in the spotlight. Over 100 people were in the audience and verbalized how good they felt about the direction of Ford Lincoln Mercury and then had the chance to test drive the new 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The Fusion and Milan deliver an amazing 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Fusion hybrid has a base price of $27,995 the well-equipped Milan Hybrid is priced at $31,300.

We understand that with the purchase of a new Fusion or Milan Hybrid by March 31, 2009 a buyer may qualify for a $3,400 federal tax credit on their 2009 Tax Return. This is a nice added incentive.

What’s new for 2010? Six speed transmission, 2.5 liter 1-4 engine, 3.0 liter , V-6 Durantec, Flex-Fuel engine, variety of 16 to l8 inch painted and aluminum wheels, easy fuel capless refueling, available reverse camera system, available 12-speaker Sony sound system, available voice-activated navigation system and SIRIUS, Travel Link, available SYNC with 911 assist and vehicle health report.

The interior has a more contemporary technical look with metallic finishes all the way through. The display and switches have fashionable Ice Blue Lighting which makes night driving, while checking gauges a breeze. The exterior of the Fusion is both sportier and more upscale. The new Aerodynamic enhancements and new underbody shields surely helped further boost Fusion’s fuel economy.

In talking with the crowed that generally feel in the over 40 range, we found that they indicated that the Fusion might be their next car. The other comment was what a great first car for their teens and young adults. The word out there is that the 20+ generation likes the Fusion as well. The SYNC availability is a must for the technically savvy drivers.

Bill and I will have a Ford Fusion Hybrid to test drive for a week in April so that can then give you a more detailed report at that time.

We want to thank Darrin Delfelder of Camelback Ford Lincoln Mercury for hosting this event and inviting the Phoenix Press Association.

Driving MBA and Community Tire Team Up Again

For Teen - Parents- New Car Owners and Driver

Parent Class and Car Maintenance Program Schedule
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Parent ClassA 2 1/2 hour class that provides parents with resources and tips on how to practice driving with their teenager. When: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at DrivingMBA Scottsdale located at 9089 E. Bahia Dr., Ste. 102; Thursday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at DrivingMBA Chandler located at 1760 W. Chandler Blvd, Ste. 3Time: 6:30pm to 9pm

Cost: $50/family Car Maintenance Class This 1 1/2 hour class covers the basic operation of a vehicle, the importance of checking fluids and other maintenance items, how to change a tire, and jump-starting a vehicle. The class features minimum class time and maximum hands-on training to help drivers, new and old, understand what to look for when replacing automotive parts; and to be better prepared for roadside emergencies. .

After attending this event, your family will receive a FREE lube, oil filter change, tire rotation and vehicle inspection for one vehicle courtesy of Community Tire. Details in the coupon below. When: Thursday, April 23 and Monday, May 4, 2009 at Community Tire located at 15812 N. 32nd St., Phx., 85032;

Wednesday, April 15 and Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Dana Tire located at 725 N. Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Time: 6:30pm to 8pmCost: $40/familyTo RSVP for the above events please email judys@drivingmba.com or call 480.948.1648.

Can Congress do Better?

While hearing a lot about the demise of the auto industry recently, I came across some information in that I found very interesting, information one doesn’t normally hear a lot about from mainstream media. This information actually offers some hope for the recovery of the industry much sooner than a lot of people may think. That idea doesn’t really surprise me because I’m convinced that some, if not most of the news about how American manufacturers haven’t been building or planning the right products is, simply stated, hyperbole.

Here’s what the gist of the information is and why I believe a relatively quick recovery almost has to happen. The average age of cars on the road today is aver 9 years old. The age of light trucks is over 7 years old and by 2011 there will be some 35 million cars on the road at least 10 years old. When one does the math, even at 15,000 miles a year, a very conservative number, what that means is that those vehicles have at least 150,000 miles on them. That many miles means lots of dollars have to be spent on maintenance and upkeep.

There are some 250 million vehicles on the road, 5% of which are scrapped every year. 12.5 million cars off the road every year while at present, only 9 million cars are being built. According to industry metrics, three quarters of current sales are replacement vehicles and that demand will increase to 13 million cars by 2012. Now while some people say these numbers are a little optimistic because people are driving less and keeping cars longer, keep in mind that there are 2 million new drivers coming on line every year. Also, based on historical data, GDP directly correlates to auto sales and a 4% increase in GDP propels auto sales up some 7% and when you combine that with cars being scrapped, demographic changes from boomers children beginning to drive along with economic recovery which will happen, it isn’t unreasonable to expect sales of new vehicles to reach the 16 million mark again in 5 years. And by the way, that doesn’t include sales in China and Russia where GM has a very strong presence.

Interestingly it seems as though used car prices are starting to rise which makes new cars more attractive and with the inventory of new homes finally dwindling, construction will spool up and that means sales of trucks will improve. Also, congress is mulling the idea of a 3 to 5 thousand dollar voucher to people to junk older cars, which will not only help stimulate sales but will help get polluting cars off the road.

A lot of people are unaware of is the fact that the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu have earned best in class in reliability studies from J.D. Powers & Associates, and the Ford Fusion won a comparison study against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Edge is a very solid car and the new F150 is top drawer once again. The problem U.S. automakers face is one of perception and that takes a lot of time to overcome. While Ford, GM and Chrysler are working on smaller platforms, we need to hope that China doesn’t import the Chery and India doesn’t bring the Nano to America before U.S. automakers get it together.

With regards to the Congressional Auto Task Force, well let’s just acknowledge that there have to be some changes made with the Detroit three but those changes have been in the works for some time and I’m no fan of government dictating to the auto industry. There need to be some serious changes and that will be painful. And like it or not, new labor contracts have to happen to make profitability possible on smaller, lower grossing platforms. But all of that will take time and serious negotiations and sacrifice as well trimming the number of dealerships across the country, something that will in fact be very painful but will have to be done. U.S. automakers may have been a bit slow on the uptake, but they didn’t and don’t need government telling them how to build cars.

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.

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

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.

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

Two for the Road USA at the Gibson Guitar Plant

While Cathy and I were in Tennesse with General Motors for the launch of the all-new Malibu, we were treated to a tour of the Gibson plant to see exactly how these beautiful guitars were made. We were very suprised to find out that much of the process is still done by hand and even more surprised to find out that they refuse to allow any blemishes at all in their guitars. If they are flawed in any way, they are destroyed. It's kind of nice to know there are still businesses that strive for perfection in their products. Here are some pics we took during the tour. For more information, visit www.twofortheroadusa.com

General Motors introduces the 2008 CTS Sport-Sedan by Cadillac

General Motors Western Region Manager Susan Docherty, and Lund Cadillac Let Two for the Road USA take it for a spin.

When we had GM’s Manager of the Western Region Susan Docherty on our radio show recently, she was so enthusiastic about the 2008 iteration of the CTS that we decided to ask our friends at Lund Cadillac in Phoenix if we could take one out for a spin to see what all the excitement was all about.

Bill Says:
I have to say that the CTS has always been a bit of an enigma to me because at first blush I really liked the car, but there was something that didn’t quite sit right we me and I really couldn’t put my finger on it, until now. The design changes while subtle have a serious impact aesthetically. The car seems to have, for lack of a better word, bulked up and now sports a much more aggressive stance with bulging, muscular fender flares made possible by a 62-inch wide track, the widest in its class, giving the CTS a much lower more assertive stance.

The previous model seemed not only taller, but narrower, and that was what had been nagging at me. This car has stunning lines that flow beautifully back to the short rear deck-lid that give the CTS a beautiful profile and its fully functional chrome air inlets on the front fender’s let you know in no uncertain terms, that this is a serious performer.

Unfortunately the CTS-V performance car won’t be available for quite some time but when I got behind the wheel of our loaner and settled into the beautiful interior, I was really surprised at the response to my right foot. The surprise was due to the response from all-new, 3.6 liter Direct Injection V6 with Variable Valve Timing engine that propels the CTS from 0-60 in under 6 seconds. That’s the type of performance that will get anyone’s attention and it certainly got mine. Mated to a new 6-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, the shifts in CTS are seamless yet crisp and if you so desire, you can use Driver Shift Control mode for smooth clutchless.

There is an awful lot to talk about with the new CTS but I’m going to have to wait until we have one in the press fleet rotation to really get into what this car is all about. Suffice it to say, if you’re looking for a really nifty sports-sedan, the 2008 CTS has taken a quantum leap and I for one am very impressed with it, and I’m betting you will be too.

The base price on the car is just over $32,000 but with the performance package and other options, the one we drove came in just over $42,000. However, for what you get, there’s no doubt that Cadillac has kicked it up a notch with this car, and it will be very interesting to see how it impacts the Infiniti M-series, the BMW 5-series and the C-Class. I’m betting that I’m not the only one that will be surprised by the 2008 Cadillac CTS.

Cathy Says:
The new 2008 CTS is a beautiful, sporty sedan that has enough sex appeal for both a man and women to agree on the purchase. I personally would choose a black exterior and light beige interior for my signature CTS, despite the upkeep. I am glad to see the faux-mini-spoiler on the 2007 is missing off the new ’08.

The cabin of the redesigned Cadillac is significantly improved over its predecessor. It now has a come-hither-look and feel about it that gently welcomes your derriere into the soft leather seats. The materials used inside are high in quality and the detail of wood and alloy remind you of some of the top luxury imports that begin with the letter “L”.

There’s a new telescoping steering column, giving the driver quite a bit of belly room, along with a thinner front seatback; allowing the rear passengers more leg room. The navigation system (which is optional) has a unique leather over-hang, like the large brim of a baseball cap. It might be there for show or to cut any glare that might cause difficulty in viewing.

The CTS is complete with a 40GB hard drive along with the premium Bose surround sound audio system. It has all the up to date hookups for iPod interface and other technology toys I know nothing about. For instance you can set your AM/FM and satellite radio to be rewound, paused and resumed in a TiVo-like manner. Great! I can’t figure out how to do in on my TV, but leave it to Cadillac to have it in the CTS.

It’s not all about the interior look; I did get to drive the powerful sport sedan once I forced Bill out of the driver’s seat. Besides the quick start at the lights and hugging the corners, I found it doing a sort of quick step up a desert hill. I felt like goldilocks in the three bear’s story; sitting in all three chairs till finally she sat in the one that was “just right.” I felt at home, I could locate the controls easily and the icons were a good size. I was impressed with how the A/C chilled the cabin immediately and including vents that were positioned perfectly.

Even if you were to purchase an entry level CTS, you would have more than you expected and for under $33,000. Cadillac has created a luxury sport sedan both inside and out. This baby lives up to its Cadillac heritage.

It was plain to see that the CTS had female influence; so hats off to Susan Docherty of General Motors, who I’m sure had some input.

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

YouTube - Off road with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

Cathy and I have been test-driving for the manufacturers for nearly 15 years and reporting on them on radio, in print as well as videos. We have the opportunity to travel and get first looks and drives for new product to report on.

So, when Toyota invited us to Big Sky Montana, we were excited about the opportunity we had to spend some serious off-road time in the brand new
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser.

I was amazed at the capabilities offered by this very cool SUV. Check out this video and let us know
what you think.
YouTube - Off road with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

TWO FOR THE ROAD USA

PHOENIX AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALISTS CAN HELP YOU CAPTURE THE BOOMER MARKET

See why Manufacturers and Dealers are looking to these two
automotive journalists to seduce their over 50 market.

Go to, http://www.ebroadcastmedia.com/ for sample video.

Chrysler Visits Phoenix Automotive Press Association

September l8, 2007 – Hermosa Inn – Scottsdale, AZ. Cathy D's take on the all new Jeep Liberty.

Scott Brown, from Chrysler Corporation of the Southwest region, invited 15 top Phoenix press writers to preview three new products from Chrysler. The Town and Country Mini Van ( a movie theater on wheels without a popcorn maker), Dodge Dakota Truck (for the day to day truck lover and urban cowboy) and the 2008 Jeep Liberty (giving a whole new meaning to topless). All three models have some distinct changes in power, appearance and technology, but I was most excited about the 2008 Jeep Liberty.
Over the years my family has had two Jeep Wranglers and two Jeep Cherokees; none of which had any female input for the purchase. We’re not big off road people but before SUV’s became as common as reality shows, it gave me an elevated feeling in traffic and the men in my family felt rugged, cool and able to relate to a scene from the TV show MASH.
The 3.7 liter V-6 (210 horsepower/237 lb-ft torque) hasn’t changed along with its two transmissions but the rest is new and exciting and priced well. Jeep Liberty, no longer Jeep’s entry level model, has a longer wheelbase, width and overall length. It has kind of a Jeep Commander looking style with a little Wrangler-ness butt; less the rear-mounted spare tire on the outside of the cargo door. The spare now stores under the load floor where I would have liked it from the get go.
Okay, here is the cool part… the cloth, roman shade look roof (Sky Slider) opens from front to rear to give that open road look one might imagine on a safari. Chrysler has constructed this jeep continue to appeal to jeep lovers and then added some extras like stain resistant seats, center-stack infotainment, navigation system with MP3 capabilities, touch screen 20 gig hard drive and all the other technology that consumers want in a vehicle along with an off-road experience they can journal.
It is easy to see how you would take this one off road in the mountains or around town for food shopping or transporting kids. I think Chrysler/Jeep has taken the best of all their Jeep models, added a totally open roof, and priced it to make affordable for a younger buyer. The 2008 Jeep Liberty starts at $20,990 for the 4X2 and goes upward from there. The Sky Slider is an optional $1,200.00 but makes the new model attention-grabbing and makes star gazing possible without getting out of your vehicle.

Is Jeep thinking outside the box or did they just make the ’08 jeep look like a box?

In photo
Chrysler VP Steve Bartoli, Mark Kudla/Dodge Dakota, Kim Adams House/Jeep Liberty Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz, Two for the Road USA in front of the New 2008 Jeep Liberty.

Size really does Matter!!

Okay, this isn’t going to be as titillating as you may have thought the subject matter was, but the truth is, there’s been a lot of ink lately about the Insurance Institute’s recent announcement that there are more traffic fatalities when a small car is involved in an accident than there are when large cars or SUV’s are. Now if that isn’t a case of stating the obvious I don’t know what is. The statistics I’ve seen show a ratio of about two to one between SUV’s and cars, and to that end, here are some thoughts I have about that.

My wife and I have always been fans of roadsters and over the last 30 odd years we’ve always owned a small two-seater of one kind of another. We’ve been asked countless times about driving a small car and the dangers we face because of the overabundance of huge SUV’s on the highway today.

Both of us are what I call aggressive defensive drivers, and by that I mean, if at all possible we do not stay behind vehicles we can’t see around, and we never stay in anyone’s blind spot and more importantly, because we drive cars that have a degree of performance, we have the ability to move quickly to avoid dangers on the road. I have to add that there is not any statistical data that I’m aware of the validates my claim of maneuverability keeping smaller cars out of harms way, but non-the-less, I know that I feel better about my odds of staying out of trouble with the quickness and agility of smaller cars.

Okay all that said it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the law of physics is immutable and therefore cannot be denied. So clearly we understand that if there is a collision between a 6000 pound Hummer and my wife’s Z4, the BMW will lose. Yes, smaller cars are indeed more dangerous but my question is, how big is big enough?

A Taurus will likely be safer than a Honda Civic in a collision, as will a Crown Victoria in a collision with the same Taurus, and the same goes for a GMC Denali if it collides with the Crown Vic and on and on. So, it begs the question. How big is big enough? Life is full of risks so what are the issues to take into consideration to help abate this ever growing problem caused by consumers wanting to drive smaller more fuel efficient cars.

The issue is that small cars are here to stay now, and with the Smart car coming to America, there will be even more deaths because no matter how well a vehicle meets safety standards, the aforementioned law of physics holds sway. I recently read that GM is cutting production at six plants that build pickups and SUV’s because of falling sales so it will be interesting to see how the balance of size shifts over the next few years.

The absolute truth of the matter is that each of us is responsible for how safely or unsafely we drive. Unfortunately people in big cars and SUV’s sometimes appear to throw their weight around which causes problems, and sometimes people in smaller cars try to squeeze in where there simply isn’t room because they think they can. We all have to remember that size does in fact matter when it comes to our vehicles.

Your thoughts? visit http://www.twofortheroadusa.com and let us know.

How many people will have to die???

I find it hard to believe that less then a month after hearing about the five young girls killed in New York because the driver was texting while driving, we hear about two more people killed here in Phoenix because allegedly a young lady was texting while driving. Even more disheartening is the fact that we just dedicated an entire radio show to the problem of driving while texting.

Now I know that everyone doesn't listen to the show, but I'm sure you get my drift. There simply isn't enough outcry about this ever growing problem. Clearly it's always a tragedy when anyone dies in a car accident, but when someone dies because another driver was texting is virtually criminal.

It begs the age old question of whether or not there should be stronger limits on teenage driving because of the distractions presented to them with today's hi-tech information systems in cars, as well as the multi-tasking that teens seem to need to do. I have to be quick to point out that I am well aware of the fact that many adults use their blackberry's while driving, dial phone numbers and so on. But the truth is, teens are much more likely to have a problem with it than more experienced drivers.

Another part of the equation is how docile cars are today. I'm sure there are quite of few of us old enough to remember when steering components were linked together by rods and bushings that wore out, making it necessary to move the steering wheel all the time to keep the car in our lane. Today's cars are so well built that they appear to be able to drive themselves and in fact, some almost do. Key word being "almost." Maybe if all vehicles were required to have a lane departure warning system like some high end cars do, who know, maybe the seven people now dead would in fact still be with us.

So, the question is, who is accountable, and what can each of us do to make driving on today's very crowded highways, with vehicles traveling at a pretty high rate speed, safer. I know that I worked with my sons for two to three years teaching them "about" driving as well as driving. I know there are no guarantees, but there has to be a way to cut down on the senseless tragedy of people dieing because someone can't wait to text a friend instead of calling, which in and of itself is dangerous.

Let us hear from you. You can reach us at http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/