Accelerate Mpls

This week, episode 7 discusses the week in review on both of our respective blogs, AutoBird Blog and AccelerateMpls.  The first topic is the Volvo XC60 that I drove this past weekend.  Our conversation moved on to the U.S. attacking Japan’s cash for clunkers program.  Next we talk about Volkswagen acquiring 19.9% of Suzuki.  The last topic we cover is the Ford Flex being anointed a future collectible by the National Automotive History Collection though we get a little off topic we have a fun conversation.

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You may ask yourself why would someone want to buy a Lexus ES350.  In essence, the Lexus ES350 is essentially a really nice Toyota Camry.  For the higher price you receive a much nicer dealer experience, a cushier ride, and overall a nicer car.  This car has no sporty pretensions about it.  The industry keeps moving towards sporty cars while this car retains the traditional luxury feel.  Lexus has made strides to become a little sportier on other models, but this is a break in that formula.

The ES350 is designed using what Lexus calls “L-Finesse design”.  The result of this design particularly in the ES350, is a bland car.  The car tends to just blend right in.  Those characteristics continue onto the inside with a simple design. The dash is soft touch and gauge cluster is very good looking.  The clock on the dash looks like a cheap wrist watch which seems to take away from the interior.  The seats are road trip worthy, though they have no real support for energetic driving.  With plenty of real wood thrown around the interior, this car is a nice place to spend your time with a few things that seem dated.

The ES350 is powered by a once choice 3.5L V6 which is ULEV II (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) certified.  This engine is good for 272 hp and 254 lb-ft which is channeled through a six speed automatic transmission.  The transmission does have manual shifting abilities but no paddles are included.  Like the Camry, the ES350 is front wheel drive and is not available in all wheel drive form.  Rated at 19/27 mpg, the ES350 posts respectable milage numbers.  Though most drivers will not be speed demons the car is rated at 6.8 seconds 0-60 which is respectable in its class.  Torque steer is well in check and the steering is very light.  Driving the ES350 is a very uneventful affair.  The car can literally just cruise along.

The car I had was a base model with optional equipment including heated and ventilated front seats, and a wood and leather trimmed steering wheel and shift nob.  The sticker price for the vehicle I had was $36,645.  That is nearly $3,000 more than the better equipped Buick LaCrosse.  The LaCrosse is more engaging to drive and overall had a better driving balance.  The interior of the LaCrosse also has more design character and feels slightly richer.  I am comparing the ES350 to the LaCrosse in a harsh way and the reason is simple.  The all new for 2010 Buick LaCrosse is trying through both marketing and design, to directly take on the ES350.

So this all seems to circle back to the beginning.  The car drives like it looks, boring, fluid, yet comfortable.  The dealer experience is top notch.  The question I have is why pick this over the Buick LaCrosse?  The LaCrosse seems to be more car for the money and is definitely more engaging to drive.  Picking the Lexus ES350 over the Buick LaCrosse comes down to two simple reasons.  The first is Buick has an image problem.  Though it is worth noting they are working swiftly to try and change the brand’s perception.  The second is the dealer experience.  The Buick dealership does not give out free loaner cars and will not pamper you anything like the Lexus dealership.  At the end of the day, the Lexus ES350 is a fine car, but now there is real competition in the price point now and Lexus needs to step up their game.

Volvo as of late has been on a bender.  Releasing new models and new technology as fast as a small Swedish company can.  Today we are not focusing on the cars rather a new piece of technology that only science can explain.  Many people seem to have a texting/emailing/not paying attention while driving problem.  This is an especially big issue here in the U.S..

Volvo has launched a new safety technology dubbed City Safety.  The new system comes standard on all XC60′s (Volvo’s new midsize SUV).

City Safety essentially attempts to stop the vehicle in the event of an imminent crash.  The system uses an optical radar located behind the rear view mirror mounting.  This optical radar projects forward at a rate of fifty times per second!  If the radar detects another vehicle and the crash is imminent, it will at the last possible second slam on the brakes.  The system only works when traveling between 2-18 mph.  I recently tested this system (see video below) and it worked flawlessly.  I was a little nervous as it had been raining and it was a tad bit chilly.  This made for a somewhat wet and possibly slick surface on the road, but the system worked.  The radar needs to be clean and the viewing path clear of debris.  The wipers actually cover the area when on, keeping the rain from covering it. The system is meant to lessen the amount of accidents in city driving when in heavy traffic. My only question is, what happens when the person behind you is not paying attention when your XC60 suddenly slams the brakes at the last possible second?

Full Disclosure-  The vehicle used in the video was provided by the local Volvo dealership.

This week, episode 6 discusses the week in review on both of our respective blogs, AutoBird Blog and AccelerateMpls.  We first discuss the last weeks LA Auto Show beginning with the 2011 Ford Fiesta.  Our conversation moved on to the all new 2011 Toyota Sienna, the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the new 2011 Hyundai Tucson, and the new 2011 Mazda2. The last topic we cover is the shake up of General Motors management.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata

The midsize sedan segment is one of the most competitive and is the largest volume class of vehicle.  The perennial kings of this segment have for a long time been the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.  The Ford Taurus once played in this segment but then faded away.  The Hyundai Sonata has been making moves and gaining market share for years now.  Each revision getting better and more refined.  Having sold over 1.2 million Sonatas, it is safe to say Hyundai is getting the swing of things.

The U.S. version of the 2011 Sonata was shown at the LA Auto show.  The car is radically different then the current generation.  With a fluid design and crisp lines, the new Sonata looks terrific.  The cars overall shape somewhat mimics the higher end Volkswagen CC four door coupe styling.  An up swept character line runs from behind the front wheel well through the door handles, and through to the top of the taillights.  The car’s overall stance is somewhat sporty and aggressive.  The rear trunk has a slight spoiler built in.  The rear tail lights look like a mash up of a BMW 3 series and the brand new 2011 Infiniti M.

The interior of this new Sonata is going more up scale.  The hvac controls are similar to those found in new Fords and Volvos.  Do not worry about the lower roofline in the rear, rear headroom has decreased by a mere 0.4 inches.  Hyundai worked with the headliner and put the rear seat cushions slightly lower to keep the headroom.  The car is actually 130 pounds lighter then the outgoing model.  Hyundai accomplished this weight decrease with the increased use of aluminum in the frame and high strength steel for some of the body parts.

Three trim levels will be available, GLS, SE, and Limited.  The SE and Limited trim levels will have a chrome grille.  The GLS model will have a body color grille.  The new Sonata will be available at launch with a one choice 2.4 liter direct injection four cylinder.  This engine will push out 198 hp and 184 lb-ft to the front wheels through either a six speed automatic or a six speed manual.  Those who opt for the SE model, which is going to be the sportier model, will get dual exhaust along with paddle shifters, and 2 more hp along with 2 more lb-ft of torque.  Hyundai did announce a turbo four cylinder and a hybrid model are both coming but did not release details.  No V6 is being offered (for now).  Hyundai was heard saying the V6 in midsize cars will go the way of the dinosaur.  While final numbers are not in yet, Hyundai expects the Sonata to be rated at 23/35 mpg with the automatic transmission.  That is 2-4 mpg better then the competition.

So what just happened?  Well Hyundai is setting the stage to try and over take the crown from Toyota and Honda in the midsize segment.  With a base price under $20,000, the new Sonata just became the best value and fuel efficient non hybrid in the midsize class. Pretty much, when no one was looking Hyundai got serious.  Your move Toyota and Honda.

For years people have been begging Ford to bring the same quality vehicles they are selling in Europe to the U.S.  Ford has listened and is doing just what was asked.  The 2011 Fiesta is heavily based on the European version, which is a highly regarded car in Europe.  Many people worried that the U.S. version of the Fiesta would be changed drastically by becoming watered down.  Fear not, slight changes were made due to differing safety standards, but over sixty percent of the European Fiesta made it to the U.S. version.

The Fiesta will be powered by a 1.6 liter DOCH I-4 to the front wheels.  The engine is estimated to provide 119 hp and 109 ft-lbs while achieving an estimated 40 mpg.  Two transmissions will be offered.  The first being a 5 speed manual and the second, a class exclusive six speed dual clutch transmission.  Ford’s dual clutch transmission will go under the “PowerShift” moniker.  The transmission is “sealed for life” and never requires any maintenance.  When asked if the clutches could be replaced, Ford did say yes.

2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan- note the chrome 3 bar grille

2011 Ford Fiesta Light Pipes

The Fiesta will come in both sedan and five door hatch forms.  The hatch will have a grille similar to the European model while the sedan will get a chrome, three bar grille.  The three bar grille aligns with other U.S. models such as the Focus, Taurus, and Fusion.  The grille in both the sedan and the hatchback are the exact same size, theoretically making them interchangeable.  The fog lights from the European Fiesta have been replaced with light pipes such as those on the new Taurus SHO.  The Fiesta will be the most customizable Ford to date, with tons of optional dealer installable accessories that are not bug shields.  Everything from body wrap graphics to wheel packages will be optional in order to make your Fiesta unique.

The Fiesta is composed of over fifty percent high strength steel.  This makes for a lighter, safer car.  Ultra strong boron steel is used in several critical areas.  Boron steel is even stronger than high strength steel.  Fiesta will boast class leading safety with features such as standard electronic stability control, seat belt pretensioners, rear door child safety locks, and Safety Canopy (side curtain air bags essentially).  Ford made sure to mention, “Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety.”  Fiesta offers a segment-exclusive driver’s knee air bag, developed to help reduce lower leg injuries in the event of a frontal collision and to work together with other safety features.

Many class exclusive features will be available on the Fiesta.  Everything from keyless entry and push button start, to Ford’s SYNC will be offered.  Also unique within the segment will be a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.  Standard will be Ford’s innovative EasyFuel capless fuel filler.  Ford did make one major change on the interior which is somewhat disappointing.  The U.S. Fiesta will only be available with manual climate control.  I understand meeting a price point, but the European Fiesta has available automatic climate control.  Worse yet, the controls felt somewhat cheap.

The features and technology in this vehicle is definitely class leading.  I would say the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit were just put on notice.  With 15 class exclusive technologies and the estimated 40 mpg fuel economy rating, the new Fiesta will be a force to be reckoned with.

Optional Leather Interior Package

This week, episode 5 discusses the week in review on both of our respective blogs, AutoBird Blog and AccelerateMpls.  We first discuss the upcoming LA Auto Show beginning with the 2011 Ford Mustang V6.  Our conversation moved on to the all new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and the new 2011 Audi A8. The last topic we cover is the broken Koenigsegg/Saab deal that fell through last week.