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Toyota Gets Federal Grand Jury Subpoena For Steering Rod Documents

Jordan Brown — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:10:26 +0000

A 1997 Toyota 4Runner. Photo: AutoPhoto The hits keep coming for Toyota, but this latest round was hardly unexpected. Back on May 7, the NHTSA began an investigation into Toyota for covering up steering defects in 4Runner, compact pickup and T100 models built between 1989 and 1998. The models, which were found to have a defective steering rod, were recalled in Japan in 2004. Despite 41 documented complaints from U.S. customers, the same recall wasn’t initiated on these shores until the third quarter of 2005, nearly one full year later. According to Autoblog , a federal grand jury in New York has subpoenaed Toyota for any and all documents relating to this steering rod recall. Toyota’s original explanation for the delay centered on the difference between driving in the United States and driving in Japan. Japanese drivers are harder on steering components, thanks to narrow roads and tighter corners. Toyota also claimed to be unaware of the 41 complaints about steering defects filed with the NHTSA. The current maximum fine from the NHTSA is $6,000 per vehicle affected, so the question becomes, “How many trucks did Toyota sell in the U.S. between 1989 and 1998?” Multiply that number times $6,000, and you have the amount of the next check Toyota will be writing to the NHTSA.

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Toyota Gets Federal Grand Jury Subpoena For Steering Rod Documents

2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab Big Horn 4×4 “The Right Size Pickup Truck”

Jake Holmes — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:00:24 +0000

The new 2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab pickup truck comes with bold Dodge styling, the most horsepower its class, with the versatility and capability for work or any type of lifestyle. Production numbers for pickup trucks continue to lead in all segments because they are the perfect work or play vehicle, and come in compact and full-size. The Dakota is a compact pickup with the most power, (302hp), most towing capacity (7,250lbs. with the V8), most interior room, (30cu.ft. Extended/37.1cu.ft. crew cab), and the longest cargo box, (6ft.6in. extended cab), in the segment. As the leader in these four important areas is what makes the Dakota so appealing to so many pickup consumers. For 2010, Dodge Dakota adds new Tokico gas-charged shock modules and Arvin rear springs for improved ride quality and handling prowess, plus new exterior colors. The Dakota is offered in two body styles, extended and crew cab, with a boldly styled hood, cross-haired grille similar to the Ram, a front fascia trimmed with brushed aluminum, flared fenders and powerful halogen headlamps. The extended cab features full-swing-out rear access doors that open nearly 170-degrees. Dakota also offers an available rear spoiler, cargo-box top protection and utility rail/tie-down system. The Dakota comes standard with a 3.7 liter Magnum V6 engine that generates 210hp at 5,200rpm and 235lb.ft. of torque at 4,000rpm. The available 4.7 liter V8 incorporates two spark plugs per cylinder, like the 5.7 liter HEMI V8, which includes increased compression ratio, 9.0:1, improved cylinder head port flow and combustion system. It puts out 302hp 5,650rpm and 329lb.ft. of torque at 3,950rpm. The V8 is also equipped with electronic throttle control and is E85 compatible. The 3.7 liter Magnum V6 is backed by a standard four-speed automatic with OD, while a five-speed automatic OD transmission is standard on V8 equipped models. With new Tokico coilovers up front for even sharper and quicker cornering, Dodge matches the high-performance with a great power-assisted rack & pinion steering system. The steering wheel always felt right in my hands with great feedback from the road and almost instantaneous response to my inputs. The Dakota is no sports truck but getting around slower city traffic, freeway entry and parking lot maneuvering is easy. If you need the enhanced ability of four-wheel-drive, Dodge offers an easy to use shift-on-the-fly 4X4 transfer case with a large switch to the left of the center console with neutral, 2WD, locked 4WD High and locked 4WD Low. It couldn’t be easier when going off-road. Quickly and safely slowing the Dakota extended cab 4X4 down from speed are big, power-assisted, 12.2in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers up front, and 11.6 drum brakes in the rear. Keeping you in control during severe braking maneuvers are standard ABS and electronic brake force distribution. My extended cab Dakota Big Horn 4X4 test model rode on 18X8in. alloy wheels wrapped with Goodyear 265/65R18in. Wrangler tires for great on-road/off-road capability. Also new this year inside is a clever under-seat storage system in the Dakota Crew Cab-a first for Dodge Dakota-that includes the unique Crate ‘N Go’ collapsible and removable cargo management system. Additional storage options are provided throughout the interior including a storage bin above the glove box, a center console incorporating three cupholders with modular insert with a pull-out bin specifically designed to hold electronics such as an MP3 player, (which may be plugged into Dakota’s audio systems), Or cell phone (Uconnect phone available). In the cargo box available built-in utility rails make cargo box tie-downs infinitely adjustable, and the dual-position tailgate may be secured in a mid-position, which provides support for extra-wide or extra-long cargo. Inside or out, Dakota has your personal or professional storage needs taken care of. Standard equipment in my test model not mentioned above included cruise-control, power windows/door locks, trip computer, cruise-control, remote keyless entry, power accessory delay, variable intermittent wipers/washer, media center/AM-FM-CD radio with four-speakers, fixed glass rear window with defogger, AC/heater, leather wrapped/tilting steering wheel, white-faced instrument cluster with a black bezel, storage slots in each of the four doors, dual sunvisors, dual map lamps, power-remote sideview mirrors, thick cut-pile carpeting and grab handles at each ‘A’ pillar. My test Dakota came with these options: brushed aluminum fascia/headlamp trim, remote start, full-swing out rear doors, sentry key theft-deterrent system, Media Center 6-CD/DVD/MP3/Satelitte radio, 275-watt amp with six-Alpine speakers, steering wheel audio buttons, tilt/leather-wrapped steering wheel, front/rear floor mats, foglamps, pickup box utility rails, HD service group, HD engine cooling, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, 6X9in. fold-away sideview mirrors, 7-pin wiring harness, under the rail box bedliner, anti-spin rear axle differential, 3.92 axle ratio, 6-way drivers’ seat with manual lumber support, engine block heater, and 18X8in. alloy wheels. Standard safety systems include advanced multi-stage front airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, side-impact front airbags, side-curtain airbags for all outboard seats, 3-point safety belts with load limiters/pretensioners up front, front and rear crush zones and steel beams in each door. The 2010 Dodge Dakota extended cab Big Horn 4X4 pickup is boldly styled in the Dodge Ram tradition, has plenty of power for business or personal use, handles very well in everyday use, and features an interior with all of the convenience and comfort found in a mid-size sedan. The base price of my test Dakota is $27,880.00 and the price of it nicely loaded is $34,040.00 including destination charges. COPYRIGHT:2010:HARVEY SCHWARTZ SPECIFICATIONS Price: Base Extended Cab Big Horn 4×4 $27,880 As-Tested $34,040 Type: Compact Truck Where Built: United States EPA Class: Standard Pickup Trucks Construction: ladder-type frame, steel body mounted on rubber isolators Dimensions Exterior Length: 218.5 in. Width: 71.7 in. Height: 68.6 in. Wheel Base: 131.3 in. Ground Clearance: 7.9 in. Curb Weight: 4395 lbs. Gross Weight: 6010 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 39.6 in. Front Hip Room: 54.9 in. Front Shoulder Room: 57.7 in. Rear Head Room: 36.5 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 57.4 in. Rear Hip Room: 56.9 in. Front Leg Room: 41.9 in. Rear Leg Room: 32.1 in. Maximum Seating: 5 Suspension: f/r-upper and lower ‘A’ arms, Tokico gas-charged coil-over shocks, link-type stabilizer bar/r-live axle, multi-leaf Arvin two-stage longitudinal springs, staggered Tokico gas-charged shocks Performance Data Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.7 liters Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 210 hp Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 235 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 4000 rpm Maximum Payload: 1610 lbs. Maximum Towing Capacity: 7000 lbs. Drive Type: 4WD Turning Circle: 44 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined) Automatic: 14 mpg / 18 mpg / 15 mpg Range in Miles: Automatic: 308 mi. / 396 mi. / 330 mi.

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2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab Big Horn 4×4 “The Right Size Pickup Truck”

All-new 2010 BMW 5 Series sold out

Laguna — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:13:00 +0000

For individuals looking to purchase a 2010 BMW 5 Series will have to wait longer than expected. The 5 Series sedan has been a huge success for BMW, who now reports that the model is sold out. Customers who are ordering the new mid-sized executive car will have to wait an additional three – four months for delivery. The car is expected to make up as much as 17% of BMW sales in the United States. Although the car shares 70% of its parts and technology with the more costly 7 Series , the 5 Series costs $25,600 less than the flagship model. The new 5 Series has a starting trade price of $44,550 in the U.S. In the UK, the 5 Series saloon starts from £28,155 for the entry-level 520d SE, as appose to the starting price of a 7 Series at £55,385. BMW dealerships and owners looking to sell their 2010 5 Series ’ are likely to add an extra premium, on top of the OTR price. The 2010 5 Series went on sale in Europe this March, with American sales beginning this week.

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All-new 2010 BMW 5 Series sold out

This Is Nissan’s GT-R Launch-Control Warranty Settlement [Nissan GT-R]

Scott Mosher — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000

When the Nissan GT-R launched in the United States, buyers soon discovered that using the vehicle’s launch-control feature led to a blown transmission and voided warranty. One owner started a class-action lawsuit and prevailed. Here’s the official settlement. More »

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This Is Nissan’s GT-R Launch-Control Warranty Settlement [Nissan GT-R]

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI Review & Test Drive

Scott Mosher — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:18:18 +0000

Small Diesel cars in America is something that does not mix so well in the eyes of many consumers but Volkswagen has set out to change that thinking with the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection… a design of a turbodiesel engine). Diesel engines have come a long way. While diesel powered cars only make up a very small percentage of vehicles sold in the United States, upwards of 40% of all cars sold in Europe are diesel powered. A diesel car is sometimes thought of as a ‘dirty’ car in America mainly contributing to the soot that is emitted from the exhaust, but those days of a ‘dirty exhaust’ are virtually gone. Volkswagen, among other vehicle manufacturers of diesel powered vehicles, is not much different from their gasoline burning stablemates. The gaps between the old ‘dirty’, loud diesel engines of the past and gasoline burning engines has been filled with new cars like the VW Golf TDI. You would never really know the Golf TDI is a diesel powered vehicle unless you are actually looking for those tell-tale signs. One give-away would be the surge of torque you get at most of the engine’s low to midrange powerband. The Golf TDI’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder clean diesel engine puts out 140hp at 4000 rpm and 236 lbs-ft of torque that comes on full at an early 1750rpm. The front-wheel-drive wheels start to beg for traction with that much torque in a compact vehicle. Driving our Golf TDI test vehicle was always an enjoyable experience other than grabby clutch. At times it seemed that the clutch’s engagement point was off and spongy feeling. I will admit to stalling out on the Golf TDI a couple times. I am not sure if this was due to the prior abuse on the clutch of a test vehicle with about 10K on the clock, or if it was me forgetting that the TDI engine needs a bit of push before it produces any of its large torque numbers. The ride was surprisingly stable at highway speeds and comfortable around town. Very characteristic of what a European car should be. Riding on modest 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 224/45/R17 tires also helped in this department. Volkswagen introduced a new TDI Jetta over a year ago that proved to us clean diesel was a reality. It demonstrated that efficient cars did not have to be boring. Speaking of being efficient, our 2010 Golf TDI test vehicle gets 30mpg in the city and 41mpg on the highway. That’s better than a few hybrid vehicles on the market that cost almost twice as much as the Golf. With those numbers you can virtually drive for days without a fill-up. Sure the cost of Diesel is different from Gasoline, but on the good days you may be paying a significantly less price per gallon. That means less money out of your pocket for daily commutes. Outside of the VW Golf TDI you will find the same styling that Volkswagen introduced to us for the Golf and GTI in 2009. The new sporty styling kept the same over-all cues from older variants of the Golf dating back to the 1970’s Mk1. The current model Golf/GTI is still known as a sport hatchback aka pocket rocket depending on which power plant you have under the aluminum hood. The TDI version gives you yet another option in the modern world of ‘green living’. Inside of the VW Golf TDI you will find a very well laid out interior. Fit and finish on Volkswagen vehicles has always been above others in the same class and price range. You get a decent interior for the money you spend on a Golf. In addition, to keep that tradition going, you get a long list of standard features. Our test vehicle was optioned with a 6-speed manual transmission at no-charge which gives the driver the ability to keep the turbo diesel engine in its sweet spots for those demanding highway maneuvers. Added to the options list was a power sunroof, cold weather package, Bluetooth connectivity and a user-friendly touch screen navigation system. Although the navigation system took a while to get used to, it was rather easy to use after spending a solid 25 minutes with it. Volkswagen has several ‘hidden’ features in their electronics that you discover along the way which adds even more to the value of their vehicles. Safety is always a prime target for Volkswagen and they didn’t miss any marks in the new Golf. You get all of the safety features as standard equipment such as driver, front passenger and side curtain airbags. To top off the typical list of standard safety features you get electronic stability control (electronic stabilization program), anti-lock brakes (ABS) and traction control (anti-slip regulation). Practicality is also where the 2010 VW Golf TDI shines. You get the same abundance of cargo room as you do with a generation of Golf vehicles adding in a 60/40 split folding rear seat. Reliability, 5-star safety, carefree maintenance for 3 years/36,000 miles, practicality, segment leading gas mileage, what more could you want for a starting price of $21,990? If you seek all of these elements in a solid diesel powered hatchback, then the 2010 VW Golf TDI may be for you. If you ever had any doubts about diesel powered vehicles, then you may want to give the Golf TDI a try before you let the old stereotypes of the past overtake your decision on a new car. Copyright: 2010 AutomotiveAddicts.com SPECIFICATIONS Price: Base: $21,990 As-Tested $25,914 Type: Compact Coupe Where Built: Germany EPA Class: Compact Cars Dimensions Exterior Length: 165.4 in. Width: 70.3 in. Height: 58.3 in. Wheel Base: 101.5 in. Ground Clearance: 5.4 in. Curb Weight: 2994 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 39.3 in. Front Shoulder Room: 54.7 in. Rear Head Room: 38.5 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 52.8 in. Front Leg Room: 41.2 in. Rear Leg Room: 35.5 in. Luggage Capacity: 12.4 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5 Performance Data Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2 liters Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 140 hp Max Horsepower: 4000 rpm Torque: 236 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 1750 rpm Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 35.8 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined) Manual: 30 mpg / 41 mpg / 34 mpg Range in Miles: Manual: 435 mi. / 594.5 mi. / 493 mi.

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2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI Review & Test Drive

2011 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive – First Drive Review

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:49:20 +0000

Smart finds a way to make the Fortwo slower, but we like it more. The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive is not going to be a geopolitical game-changer. It’s not even going to change neighborhood energy policies. That’s because the initial run of this vehicle is limited to 1500 cars , only 250 of which are coming to the United States. Even when full-scale production begins in 2012, the volume will be a miniscule fraction of the few-dozen million or so cars sold each year. But the electric Smart does give us a look at one approach to the electrification of the automobile. Keep Reading: 2011 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive – First Drive Review No related posts.

2010 Cadillac CTS Sedan Review & Test Drive

Laguna — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:52:01 +0000

Cadillac has managed to keep General Motors moving in the right direction when it comes to the luxury segment. The new 2010 Cadillac CTS is evidence of just that, having evolved into a desirable luxury sports sedan (or coupe or wagon). Making way onto Car and Drivers “10 Best list” is no easy task, but that is the just the challenge that the Cadillac CTS has taken head-on for 3 years straight and making rank each time. When the CTS was first introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, there was not much to jump up and down about but it was a staple for GM that was headed in the right direction. The CTS boldly set its sights on rear-wheel-drive European models when it was first introduced and now for 2010 it continues to duke it out with sportiness and a refined luxury. We drove our CTS test vehicle like we stole it at times and it never ceased to amaze us. Our rear-wheel-drive CTS Performance Collection was equipped with a direct injection 3.6-liter V6 that produces 304 horsepower and 273-ft-lbs. of torque. Power is directed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel were part of the performance luxury package on our test car. The feel from the enhanced power steering was spot on providing just enough feedback as to not keep us isolated from the road. The turning radius on our 2010 CTS is among the best in the industry (curb to curb turning circle: 35.0 feet). The V6 engine had quite a thrust only averaging about 22 mpg during our spirited city driving. On the highway we saw an average of 25mpg, which is a couple of miles per gallon shy of the EPA estimate of 27. Aside from fuel consumption, the CTS rides and drives like a dream. The CTS is very stable at legal speeds and beyond. The sport tuned suspension on our test vehicle begged for a bigger engine and some more power. Of course Cadillac offers a solution for that and it is called a 556hp CTS-V. Outside of the CTS you will find sheet metal that is very pleasing to the eye. Not to mention the optional 19-inch wheels which can be found on the CTS-V to complete the total package making the CTS look aggressive and sporty. The integrated HID adaptive headlights are a nice touch when you want to take a back-road at night and you need the extra lighting when going into a turn at speed. Upgraded brakes, keyless access, heated/cooled Recaro seats, upgraded cooling system and remote start were all notable additions as part of the performance luxury package on our test vehicle. Inside the cabin of the CTS we very nice looking Recaro seats that are supposed to provide good lateral support but it took a lot of tweaking of the positioning to make that happen. With a lot of experience in making seats for performance vehicles, I could see Cadillac’s logic for choosing Recaro for the front seating. Instrument controls are well laid out but more viable at night than at daytime. The LED ambient lighting adds a nice touch at night. The available panoramic sunroof is also a nice touch that we would have loved to play with if our test vehicle had it installed. Most of the controls are where they should be with an iPod-esq feel to them. Although I do not like the fact that the scroll wheel in the center of the stack is disabled when driving most of the time with most vehicle functions. The choice for materials is also rather confusing in choosing a treated plastic to cover majority of the center console. That just does not go with your simulated wood accents Cadillac! The rear seats are supportive providing the same alcantara inserts as the front buckets. Front seat cooling is also a major plus, included with the performance luxury package. 92 degree Florida weather and black leather do not work well together most times. My back-side thanks you Cadillac! The optional navigation system with the Bose 5.1 surround sound 10 speaker system with an included 40GB hard drive and XM nav traffic service was a nice addition to our test vehicle. The touch screen provided enough options and user-friendliness to find our way around town and even avoid traffic from an accident on the interstate. A birds-eye-view would have been a nice touch but the straight-forward layout worked just fine. One thing we have been spoiled with on majority of cars that we have driven is a back-up camera. Unfortunately our test vehicle did not come equipped with the optional camera. We just had to make do with the rear park assist audible beeps to let us know that we were about to hit the Corvette parked behind us. It floats like a Cadillac, yes, it really does. Driving the CTS on the highway reminds us that we are in a Cadillac. Although Cadillac has come a long way in terms of the old-school Caddys that literally floated due to some poor shock rebound design and an overweight body, the new CTS still rides smooth yet giving the driver enough confidence to push it to the limit. The competition is thick in the CTS’s segment. There is the Infiniti G37, Audi A6, Lexus ES 350, Benz E-Class, Volkswagen CC, Jaguar XF and so on. The CTS holds its own very well and is a worthy contender in our book. Not only has GM managed to keep up with the premium-midsized market, but they are in the rakings of benchmark setting vehicles. The price starts at $35,165 for the base 3.0-liter V6 RWD CTS and topping far over $50 grand for a well equipped CTS Premium AWD model. The CTS gives you wide range of configurations that can please the budget minded shopper or make the got-to-have-it enthusiast happy. Our CTS Performance Collection 3.6-liter V6 test vehicle base price started at 41,565 and as tested with $10,000 of options came out to $52,390 including destination charge. COPYRIGHT:2010:AUTOMOTIVEADDICTS.COM Price: CTS Performance Collection Base $41,565 As-Tested $52,390 Type: Midsize Sedan Where Built: United States EPA Class: Midsize Cars Dimensions Exterior Length: 191.6 in. Width: 72.5 in. Height: 58 in. Wheel Base: 113.4 in. Curb Weight: 3874 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 38.8 in. Front Hip Room: 55.1 in. Front Shoulder Room: 56.7 in. Rear Head Room: 37.2 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 54.7 in. Rear Hip Room: 54.1 in. Front Leg Room: 42.4 in. Rear Leg Room: 35.9 in. Luggage Capacity: 13.6 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 14 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5 Performance Data Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.6 liters Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 304 hp Max Horsepower: 6400 rpm Torque: 273 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 5200 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs. Drive Type: RWD Turning Circle: 36 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Tank Capacity: 18 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined) Automatic: 18 mpg / 27 mpg / 21 mpg Range in Miles: Automatic: 324 mi. / 486 mi. / 378 mi.

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2010 Cadillac CTS Sedan Review & Test Drive

2012 Buick Regal Wagon – Spied

Jake Holmes — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:03:24 +0000

An Opel Insignia Sports Tourer wearing the Buick Regal’s face gives us hope this thing will show up in America. According to Bob Lutz , GM planned all along to offer a Buick Regal wagon alongside the sedan in the United States. But GM’s bankruptcy saw funds for the program diverted to more pressing priorities, and such a hauler was put on the back burner. It appears plans may be back on track, judging by these spy shots. Keep Reading: 2012 Buick Regal Wagon – Spied Related posts: 2011 Buick Regal – Spied 2012 Buick Regal GS – Feature Blazing Buicks! 335-hp Regal GS, Regal Sport Wagon Being Discussed

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2012 Buick Regal Wagon – Spied

2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review & Test Drive

Christopher Champion — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:46:53 +0000

2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid – “The Ultimate Hybrid Midsize Sedan” Don’t’ let the Hybrid badges on the sides and rear fool you into thinking that the new 2010 Nissan Hybrid is slow at launch and performs like a weighty, mid-size hybrid sedan. It doesn’t feel, or look like, a typical hybrid sedan that I have tested so far this year. Its sporty good looks, higher levels of performance and premium interior appointments are second to none. What makes the Altima Hybrid so special and extraordinary is its gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain. It starts with Nissan’s refined version of its QR25 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled CVT with an advanced electric drive motor/generator that increases fuel economy while maintaining low tailpipe emissions. The advanced energy drive system shares duties between the gasoline-powered four-cylinder and the emissions-free electric motor-allowing Altima Hybrid to run solely on electric power, if appropriate, especially in city stop-and-go traffic. If extra performance is needed, the gasoline engine starts instantly and smoothly adds power as required. The Altima Hybrid combines a net power rating of 198hp, but more importantly, 199lb.ft. of torque from 0rpm to 1,500rpm, which gives the Altima Hybrid extraordinary acceleration at launch. EPA fuel economy figures are estimated at a healthy 35mpg/city and 33mpg/highway. With a standard fuel tank holding 20-gallons of fuel, the Altima Hybrid can travel on the highway up to 700 miles before you have to fill the gas tank. The Altima Hybrid uses the regenerative braking technology to recharge the hybrid system’s batteries so you don’t have to ‘plug in’ to maintain a sufficient store of electric energy. In order to recharge the battery, a generator places resistance on the driveshaft during braking. Altima Hybrid’s Regenerative Brake System calculates braking force generated by brake pedal operation and controls the regenerative brake force to convert kinetic energy into electric energy, optimizing energy regeneration. The system converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy to usable electric energy that is stored in the system’s 244.8 volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery for eventual use by the electric motor. Altima Hybrid’s all-electric mode, called Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, powers the vehicle in the initial launch phase benefiting from the 199lb.ft. of torque instantly. After the electric motor provides the acceleration, the gasoline engine quietly starts and assumes the load of powering the vehicle. The gasoline engine works independently through cruising speeds until the vehicle reaches speeds at which fuel efficiency declines. When loads require, the electric motor restarts again and aids the gasoline engine in powering the car. This allows the gasoline engine to remain in its ideal rpm range while the axle torque simultaneously increases due to extra power contributed by the electric motor. It is almost like a supercharger or turbo, instantly boosting power when you need it. A digital display on the speedometer indicates when the Altima Hybrid is running solely on electric power. The Altima Hybrid’s available hard drive navigation system also features a real-time display showing how the hybrid system directs the energy flow. Serving as the foundation for Altima Hybrid is Nissan’s advanced ‘D’ platform. It includes an independent front suspension featuring subframe mounted struts, gas-filled shock absorbers, coil springs and stabilizer bar. The rear independent setup is multi-link with coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. With this fully independent suspension the handling is just like if you were driving the Altima 3.5 liter V6 engine equipped model but with much better mpg. The Altima Hybrid goes where you want it to go thanks to the advanced electric power assisted rack & pinion steering system. It is weighted just right, light at low speeds and heavier as your speed increases, with a good feel for the road and on-center feel. Quickly slowing the Altima Hybrid down from speed are large, power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 11.7in vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers, and 11.5in. solid discs in the rear clamped with single piston calipers. Keeping you in control are standard ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. These brakes are regenerative helping to recharge the battery pack that sits behind the rear seats. All Altima Hybrid’s ride on 16X7in. aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with low-rolling 215/60R16in. Continental Pro Contact all-season radial tires. It is a real pleasure driving the new Altima Hybrid around town or at speed on the highways, giving back excellent power and handling performance you’ll only find on more expensive gasoline-powered sedans. Nissan made several changes to the exterior styling of the 2010 Altima Hybrid. The distinctive, signature exterior styling features a revised hood, grille, front bumper and rear license plate finisher designs along with new 16in. aluminum alloy wheel design. Other changes include a power sliding moonroof in the Premium Package. It is an even more aggressive stance with a strong wedge character line, sweptback windshield pillars, lower side extensions, spread dual exhaust tips and trunk mounted spoiler. The co-efficient of drag is 0.31. The interior is roomy, comfortable and sporty with Nissan’s Fine Vision gauge cluster, comfortable and supportive front seats with an available 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, sliding center console with 3-cupholders, storage slots in each door, faux wood trim on the door switch plates, available leather seats and trim, Nissan Intelligent Key to more easily open the doors, push button start/stop, dual-zone automatic climate control with filtration, rear pull-down dual cupholders and dual air ducts behind the center console to bring more air into the rear. My fully loaded test Altima Hybrid came with these features standard-tilt-telescoping/leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio/cruise control buttons, speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers/washers, rear passenger floor vents, power windows with one touch up/down in front, dual 12-volt plugs, dual sun visors with vanity mirrors, dual map lamps, rear reading lamps, center console with dual-level storage, and grab handles above each passenger door. The Premium Package included leather seats/trim and shift knob, 4.3 color display with rearview TV monitor, front heated seats, Bose Audio System with 9-speakers, USB port and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth hands free phone system, XM satellite radio, Homelink universal transceiver, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, power-remote/heated side mirrors, and compass. The Technology Package comes with Nissan Navigation system with 5in. VGA touch-screen color monitor, Hybrid energy flow display & Energy/Fuel History display, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, DVD Player and VTR jack. The Altima Hybrid interior has it all to keep you in touch and in the know. The 2010 Altima Hybrid also comes equipped with a number of standard safety features including the Nissan Advanced Airbag System with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side impact airbags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, front seat belts with pretensioners/load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints, the LATCH system for child seats, Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, side impact steel beams in each door, vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid has it all to keep anyone happy behind the wheel. With bold, aggressive looks, a roomy, comfortable and contemporary interior, excellent power, superb handling, and the added fact of 35mpg/city and 33mpg/highway with a 20-gallon fuel tank giving you up to 700 miles on the highway and over 650 miles in the city before refilling your tank. Now that is a pleasure for your wallet or pocketbook. COPYRIGHT:2010:HARVEY SCHWARTZ SPECIFICATIONS Price: Base $26,780 As-Tested $34,810 Type: Midsize Sedan – Hybrid Where Built: United States EPA Class: Midsize Cars Dimensions Exterior Length: 190.7 in. Width: 70.7 in. Height: 58.3 in. Wheel Base: 109.3 in. Ground Clearance: 5.8 in. Curb Weight: 3470 lbs. Gross Weight: 4537 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 40.6 in. Front Hip Room: 56.8 in. Front Shoulder Room: 55.7 in. Rear Head Room: 36.8 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 55.5 in. Rear Hip Room: 52.5 in. Front Leg Room: 44.1 in. Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in. Luggage Capacity: 10.1 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5 Performance Data Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 158 hp (combined electric/gas hp 198hp) Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 162 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 2800 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs. Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 36.1 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined) Automatic: 35 mpg / 33 mpg / 34 mpg Range in Miles: Automatic: 700 mi. / 660 mi. / 680 mi.

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2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review & Test Drive

2010 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4×4 Review & Test Drive

Scott Mosher — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:58:54 +0000

When you think of a Jeep you think of a classic in the form of an off-road, boxy, get the job done vehicle. Well, that is just what today’s Jeep Wrangler is still all about even after 60 years of being a successor to the World War II Jeep. The new 2010 Jeep Wrangler Sahara that we had the chance to test drive is somewhat common placed. That in itself means that not much has changed over the years other than a few techie gadgets such as traction control, a killer audio system and even navigation. Yes, that’s right, what other way would you want to have a true off-road vehicle? All current Jeep Wranglers come with a standard 3.8-liter V6 that produces 202 horsepower and 237 ft-lbs of torque. Long gone is Chrysler’s prized 4.0-liter inline-6 cylinder engine. Even with the new 3.8-liter V6, the Wrangler has enough grunt to get the job done for most off-roading excursions. Chryslers opt for the new V6 is a nice addition with improved fuel economy EPA estimates of 15mpg city and 19mpg highway on our test vehicle. The latest redesign to take place for the Wrangler in 2007 was the biggest change in years even dating back to the 70’s CJ. You would be hard pressed to point out any major differences in this wrangler and others due to Jeep staying true to its roots. A wider and taller body rolling on 5-spoke 18 inch wheels adds to the modern appeal. The common place short wheelbase of the Wrangler, at 95.4 inches , and 10.3 inches for the ground clearance, is just right for those doing any serious terrain exploration. After all, this Jeep is trail rated. Our Wrangler test vehicle came well equipped with a media center package incorporating a 6.5 inch lcd screen, navigation, cd/dvd playback, usb connection, voice command, SIRUS radio, and a built in hard drive for music storage. Other options included a remote start system, and the dual top group offering both a Sunrider soft-top and the three-piece removable Freedom Top. The roof panels and doors are rather easy to remove and can be done with just one person. This is a welcomed feature that is classic to the Wrangler lineup. Found inside of the 2010 Wrangler are simple easy to use controls. The interior is surrounded by hard plastic that serves as a benefit for what this vehicle’s purpose is. In the case that the interior needs to be cleaned from sand or dirt, the process is a breeze. The updated interior for 2010 also includes sliding sun visors and a central digital display in the cluster displaying the outside temperature and compass. Rear seating is narrow as they must be positioned over the wheel well due to the short wheel base. Rear storage through the door-opening-hatch is also limited by the rear seating. For what it is, and that is a Jeep, the rear seating is not designed for long trips and can be stiff at times. Jeep’s Command-Trac part-time 4-wheel drive system is only offered in the Wrangler two-door. 4WD shifted on-the-fly works great when you encounter rough terrain. When taking the new Wrangler off-road on a few local trails, I was always confident in its ability to move through whatever was thrown at me. Most buyers may not even take their new Wrangler off-road which would be a waste of its true abilities, but it is good to know that this vehicle is ready and willing. In terms of safety, the new Wrangler gets good markings for frontal impact protection from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unfortunately due to the lighter doors, it received poor side impact ratings. Rollover likeliness is also a downside due to the high ground clearance in terms of safety. However when it’s pushed to the limit, the aid of the electronic roll mitigation and electronic stability control keep the Jeep tamed. Other standard safety equipment includes four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, hill start assist, traction control and four airbags. The new Jeep Wrangler remains to be the ultimate trail rated off-roader with new improved comforts to make any road a bit more manageable. If you are in the market for something gives you options, is rugged and yet modern, then the 2010 Jeep Wrangler is for you. The Jeep Wrangler Sahara model range starts at $26,255 with our test vehicle topping off at $31,190. COPYRIGHT:2010:AUTOMOTIVEADDICTS.COM SPECIFICATIONS Price: Base $26,255 As-Tested $31,190 Type: Compact SUV Where Built: United States EPA Class: Sport Utility Vehicles Dimensions Exterior Length: 163.8 in. Width: 82.8 in. Wheel Base: 95.4 in. Ground Clearance: 10.3 in. Curb Weight: 3962 lbs. Gross Weight: 4814 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 41.3 in. Front Hip Room: 55.6 in. Front Shoulder Room: 55.8 in. Rear Head Room: 40.3 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 61.6 in. Rear Hip Room: 44.7 in. Front Leg Room: 41 in. Rear Leg Room: 35.6 in. Luggage Capacity: 17.2 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 61 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 4 Performance Data Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.8 liters Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 205 hp Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 240 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 4000 rpm Maximum Payload: 938 lbs. Maximum Towing Capacity: 2000 lbs. Drive Type: 4WD Turning Circle: 34.9 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.6 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined) Manual & Automatic: 15 mpg / 19 mpg / 17 mpg Range in Miles: Manual: 279 mi. / 353.4 mi. / 316.2 mi.

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2010 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4×4 Review & Test Drive