The Minneapolis Auto Show has finally arrived. I must admit that I look forward to the show every year. The show is not large compared to others and, in reality, many concept cars go to the larger shows and skip us. The reason I like our show is it is local and I am on my own time. I can go with my friends with no scheduled agenda. The big shows like Chicago and Detroit are a lot of fun but this is just different having a show near home.
The show was busier then I expected. I talked to quite a few people that noted how the attendance numbers were up from last year already on the second day of the show. The economy is in a slightly better place and car sales are starting to pick up and the attendance at the show is reflecting it. I am guessing that Ford was a major sponsor this year as many new Taurus’s were strewn about outside of the entrances. I overheard several consumers commenting on how they liked the look of the new Taurus and most didn’t even know what it was.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Concept
Some of the highlights included the special edition Synergy Green Camaro and the Silverado ZR2 Concept truck from Chevrolet. Though many General Motors concept cars were missing, I was surprised to see the Cadillac Converj concept at the Cadillac Stand. Ford had the new 2011 Edge along with the new 2011 Fiesta Sedan. The updated 2011 Shelby GT500 Mustang was on the show floor with the hood open and, although the doors were locked, it was what was under the hood that was important. Audi had the mighty R8 5.2 in a copper brown color with carbon fiber side blades.
2010 Audi R8 5.2
Some things I noted about the show: BMW, PorscheInfiniti were all absent. While a few talked about Porsche, I’m not sure anyone noticed Infiniti was gone and the largest complaint of the show that I heard was “Where’s BMW?” I spoke with one of the local BMW dealerships and they said that their research indicates that they do not sell enough cars by being at the auto show to warrant the expense. This absence just gave the competition such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz a chance to have BMW owners sit in their cars. Another anomaly was Nissan. They found it important to have the GT-R with a base price of $80,790 but not to have a 370Z, which starts at $29,990. I was told that the reason was, “That is what they sent us…”. Not a terribly good answer in my opinion.
Ross Testing the Man Step
I personally think many manufactures should take notes more from Ford. They have been building terrific booths at the shows lately. They engage the consumers and have a lot to look at, and I am not just talking product. There are interactive games such as foosball and driving simulators not to mention the computers filled with information.
Overall the show was better then last year. With more manufacturers in attendance and consumer attendance up, the atmosphere was a bit more upbeat. The Minneapolis Auto Show’s tag line is “Your License to Dream” and I believe that is exactly what this show did for many consumers this year and with the products coming in the next year, I am sure next year will be even better for consumers.
After my first run in with the SRX I had strong opinions, both good and bad. The new SRX is a valid contender in this automotive segment and pushes the envelope for Cadillac both in quality and as a class competitive product. My largest gripe was that the base powertrain is weak and affected the driving experience. A simple question: would the optional turbo V6 engine fix the driving experience?
The main highlight of the SRX Turbo is larger engine which is funny because the engine in not actually larger because it is a 2.8 liter while the base V6 is a 3.0 liter. The extra power in the this V6 really comes from the turbo, putting out 300 hp and 295 ft-lb to all four wheels all with max torque coming at 2000 rpm. The all wheel drive system is the torque vectoring unit from Haldex. This is the same unit that made its debut in the now dead Saab TurboX a few years back and can transfer up to 90% of the torque to the rear wheels at any given time. The torque can also be distributed between the wheels side to side. All of this gets put to the ground through a six speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities. So the question still remains: does this extra power fix the SRX driving experience?
The answer is yes and no. Yes, the driving experience is much better. In fact, leaps and bounds better. In normal and spirited driving the car does not feel strained like the base 3.0 liter V6. Even pulling away from a stoplight, you notice the difference. In normal driving the engine does not feel like it is working hard. The revs are easily kept under 3ooo rpm’s unless pushed. When pushed, the engine responds quickly with no noticeable lag. The turbo is going almost constantly whenever you have your foot on the gas. Something to note is that you cannot put the needle into the red on the turbo gauge. Why would you have the red there when you cannot put the needle in that zone? The first thing people said to me was to put it in the red and I had to respond sadly, “It does not go that high.”
The downside to this engine is the gas mileage. Rated at 15/22, this engine could definitely be described as thirsty. I cannot decide what is worse about the mileage; the fact that it is just terrible for this vehicle class, or that it is coming from the engine putting out the power that this vehicle really needs. That mileage is no joke either. I averaged 15.3 mpg during the week and it is worth noting that the gas it is guzzling requires premium. I did not really stretch the SRX Turbo’s legs so I cannot comment on the highway mileage though I can assume that it matched the EPA rating pretty close to dead on. Again, that city mileage is really not good and is so bad that it starts to dip into body-on-frame SUV mileage. For example, the much larger body-on-frame Chevrolet Tahoe is rated at 15 mpg in the city with a V8. If SRX Turbo engine had direct injection it would post better fuel mileage numbers and would be more competitive.
As mentioned in my previous review of the SRX, the interior styling is very well done. The materials all look and feel great. It uses the center stack from the CTS (minus the tiny climate control screens on each side) and the door handles are uniquely shaped. These little details help set it apart. That said, the back seat is somewhat short on leg room with a taller driver. The cargo area has a terrific cargo management system with sliding tie down brackets and there is a decent sized storage cubby below the rear floor that can hold items away from public view.
The styling is terrific. I am still undecided about the front air dam being so low and whether it makes it look better or worse. The rear taillights hark back to the “tailfins” on older Cadillac’s and play nicely with the overall design. The rear diffuser finishes off the rear while integrating the exhaust into the overall design. The A-pillars in this vehicle are ridiculously huge and they make sight lines a problem in a few instances and the rear window is tiny and makes visibility awkward so the back up camera is definitely useful in a parking lot. The twenty inch wheels fill out the wheel wells nicely and look great because they are painted aluminum wheels instead of chrome plated. Another thing that still bugs me is the GM chiclet. I mentioned this in my original review, and again, I assume the tooling was already set before the decision to ditch this “Mark of Excellence” was made.
The SRX Turbo I had was a premium model with almost all of the bells and whistles. The rear seat entertainment system package with dual rear screens and wireless headsets with remote adds $1,295 to this package and I like the way this system is set up with screens in the back of the seats and separate video inputs for each. The second option was the crystal red tintcoat which will set you back $995. All said, including destination fees, the total sticker price of this particular SRX Turbo came to $54,475.
I want to take a second to talk about the competition. The SRX is really going head to head with the Lexus RX. It was developed and bench marked against that vehicle and the marketing pitches it that way. As I mentioned earlier, the price on this SRX Turbo was close to $55,000 and that is a lot of coin while there are a lot of other great vehicles for that price. The SRX Turbo starts under $50,000, for that price you can get a nicely equipped Acura MDX or an Ecoboost Lincoln MKT and, while the Ecoboost MKT is a much larger vehicle, it just goes to show the breadth of this segment and price range.
There must be something about the SRX because each time I have had the vehicle we have gotten whacked with lots of snow here in Minneapolis. The SRX Turbo handled it like a champ plowing through the white stuff with the all wheel drive sending power to the wheels with traction. It felt weird but sometimes I thought the electronic stability control was slow to kick in. The front wheel drive SRX handled the snow with its low profile, all season tires better than expected, so this all wheel drive version had absolutely no issues.
As with the other SRX I reviewed, I do like this vehicle. When you compare it with the direct competitor, the Lexus RX, you see the SRX is a more engaging and dynamic vehicle. The optional turbo powertrain definitely fixes the anemic feeling but at the large expense of gas mileage and in reality, the bulk of the SRX’s sold will be equipped with the base 3.0 liter V6 and that engine will be fine for those who are more concerned with the gas mileage. For those who really want to take the SRX to its full potential, you will have to take the hit on the gas mileage and option for the turbo V6.
Full Disclosure- The review vehicle was provided by General Motors
The first generation SRX was really never the sales success that Cadillac hoped for. Styling on the the first generation made it look like a tall, boxy station wagon. With both an optional third row and V8, the first generation was rear wheel drive with all wheel drive as an option. None of this really lined up with what the mainstream rivals were offering.
For the second generation, Cadillac has taken a much more mainstream approach. The third row option was ditched, front wheel drive and all wheel drive replaced the old drive train and there is no more V8. The largest change is the price. This generation is starting at $33,330 where the first generation was $38,880 for the V6 and $45,880 for the V8. The new SRX is much more competitively priced. You can immediately tell that Cadillac is gunning straight for the RX in every sense of the word. A base SRX is now almost $4,000 less then the starting price of a Lexus RX. So how does it stack up?
The interior is closely related to the CTS, which is not a bad thing. The center stack with the rising screen is directly lifted from the CTS. The software used in the touchscreen is definitely upgraded. I could pair my phone using only the screen in the SRX while I had to dig out the manual to figure out phone pairing with the voice command system in the CTS. The gauge cluster has a trick screen in the center of the speedometer. This screen essentially had all the trip computer functions while also displaying the speed limit on most major roads. Navigation directions are also shown with this display. The interior has non-overpowering white LED “mood” lighting at night. The seats are supportive but not firm. They are much softer than the seats in the CTS Sportwagon which, in my opinion, were better. The cargo area has a track running around it that sliders can be placed in to secure cargo. This is a very nice feature that is executed quite well.
The styling of the SRX is strong both inside and out. From the outside, the evolution of Cadillac’s arts and science styling is in full swing. The sharp creases and strong character lines all play together to create a rather good looking CUV. The rear end has the classic Cadillac “tail fin” tail lights. The angular styling leaves a D pillar in the back that creates a large blind spot. The rear window is very small, causing visibility to be less than stellar when backing up. The back-up camera is a much needed feature. The front air dam is low and I actually asked people at GM about this. They said it was both for aerodynamics and it looks better in their opinion. I do not know about all that, but in deep snow it acts as a plow. The little touches on the outside caught my eye. For example, the headlight has the Cadillac symbol stamped in the reflector. One thing that did not add up was the GM chiclet. This “Mark of Excellence” has now been removed from new models, but I assume the tooling for the SRX was already in place before the decision was made to ditch this “Old GM” symbol.
The engine in the vehicle I had was the base 3.0 liter direct injection V6 putting out 265 hp and 223 ft-lb to the front wheels. All wheel drive is optional with this engine. The optional 2.8 liter turbo V6 puts out 300 hp and 295 ft-lb to standard all wheel drive with torque vectoring. Both engines feed out to six speed automatic transmissions with manual shift capabilities. The base 3.0 liter is some what of a dog. The lack of torque is the main problem here. The SRX is not light weight, as such you can feel every one of those 265 hp and 223 ft-lb trying to get underway. The vehicle is more engaging than the class champion, Lexus RX, but feeling the engine trying to cope with the vehicle’s weight is not the best experience even though it does get up to speed just fine. More power would be welcome via the optional 2.8 liter turbo. The problem with this option is the mileage, which is rated at 15/21 mpg while the front wheel drive 3.0 liter is rated at 18/25 mpg. People seem to take these numbers very seriously these days and that turbo looks thirsty on paper for this vehicle segment.
The particular SRX I had was a premium collection vehicle with a sticker price of $47,010. This is the top level non-turbo model. There were not many options, but rear seat entertainment was on board for $1,295 and of course GM’s crystal red tintcoat for $995. Each rear seat has a flip up monitor attached to the back of the front seats with two wireless headphones and a wireless remote control that comes standard with the system. I liked the set up, and in my opinion, was done correctly. The upgraded stereo that was in this package was a 10 speaker 5.1 digital surround sound by Bose. I was not really that impressed with the system. It sounded decent enough but the optional Mark Levinson system in the Lexus RX is better. I would have liked to have seen something like the optional Harmon Kardon system from the LaCrosse in the SRX.
Equipped with 20 inch wheels, low profile tires and front wheel drive, I will admit I was a little nervous when the blizzard came through town. In fact, I drove through three blizzards and over 1000 miles within three days while driving the SRX. The only problem that I saw was with the front air dam. It is so low that it plowed through the snow and getting started down an unplowed street was not easy. It is worth mentioning that I was able to make it up a driveway that was covered in 2.5 feet of snow. To do this I had to turn off traction control and slam the gas in order for it to crawl its way up. Overall, I was impressed with everything it did in the snow. I somehow managed to eek out 26.5 mpg on the highway back through one of those storms. That is 1.5 mpg more then the EPA’s 25 mpg highway rating.
So we have gone from a rear wheel drive with an optional third row and V8 to a front wheel drive and optional turbo V6. How did we fare? The SRX is now officially a competitive vehicle. The last generation was not a mainstream approach and sales reflected that. Yes, I do think the base engine is under powered. In reality, the general public might not even notice. They will notice the mileage numbers that the turbo gets and will not be that impressed with them. I am guessing most SRX’s will leave the lot with the base 3.0 engine and customers will be content. The vehicle has distinctive styling and I like the overall packaging. While some powertrain improvements are needed, this new SRX is a solid contender in this hotly contested segment.
Last but certaintly not least, we discuss our three main topics. This week those included the 2011 Buick Regal getting priced, the latest in the string of Toyota recalls, and Honda’s hybrids being behind sales projections.
GM announced that they will be the first U.S. auto manufacture to build its own electric motors in house. This will lead to the next generation rear wheel drive 2 mode hybrid system. That should be hitting the market sometime around 2013. GM says they realize that we need to lessen our dependence on petroleum and that they have a wide array of alternative energy solutions in mind. Those solutions include-
Mild Hybrids- GM hybrid system
Full Hybrids- 2 Mode hybrid system
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV)- Modified 2 mode hybrid system
Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREV)- Voltec system
Battery Electric
Fuel Cell
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was recently shown on the Cadillac XTS Concept vehicle at NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show). This system is scheduled to hopefully debut on the production XTS in 2013.
GM says they plan to invest a total of $246 million in electric motors and electric drive facilities. $2 million will be spent in Pontiac, MI for the electromagnetic computational facilities while $26 million will be spent for the development and validation dynamometer facilities. Indianapolis will be receiving $10 million for development and validation dynamometer facilities. Torrence, CA will receive $6 million for characterization and development dynamometer facilities. Another yet to be disclosed U.S. location will receive money for a high volume electric motor manufacturing facility.
GM says that since 2003 they have “quietly” been testing, designing, and validating their capabilities in house to develop and produce the electric motors themselves. Using suppliers means relying on someone else. They like the mantra “If you want it done right, do it yourself.” Personally I am a huge fan of this saying. Also mentioned was the fact that they will work with “their best suppliers” to produce the best product possible.
Click read more for the full press release after the break.
Episode 11 starts by discussing the past week on both of our respective blogs, AutoBird Blog and AccelerateMpls. The week in review included gas pump prices, and the major reveals at Detroit along with the videos from NAIAS. We move along to talk about NAIAS (the Detroit Auto Show) and the things we saw at the show. That list includes
2012 Ford Focus
2011 Lincoln MKX
Chrysler Delta concept
Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Aveo RS concept
Buick Regal GS concept
Cadillac XTS concept
Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
GMC Granite concept
Honda CR-Z
Volkswagen New Compact Concept.
The last two topics were the North American Car and Truck of the year awards and the upcoming Chrysler Super Bowl ad.
The current Aveo is pretty much less then competitive. Seen as the joke of the line up, no one really wants to like the current Aveo, which it is not hard to fault them. GM is serious about the next generation Aveo, and the Aveo RS concept gives a glimpse of what we will be getting. Of course the show car stuff, neon lights, center exhaust, huge wheels and brembo brakes probably will not make production. I suppose the center exhaust on the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept made it to production, so who really knows. Hopefully an Aveo RS model will come along with the normal, “plain Jane” model. This is something a “tuner” could enjoy and maybe even have it be fun to drive.
I had the opportunity to look at the concept Aveo RS on stage up close. I was somewhat impressed with the details. The interior did have a “leather covered” dash though we will all be realistic knowing that it definitely will not make production. The seats were very well bolstered, and I am not sure that those particular seats will make production either. The gauge cluster will definitely make production and the center stack is more then likely the real deal. I actually had the opportunity to see the production exterior at the product technology event last August. The front facia on the Aveo RS Concept is very close. The exposed headlight bezels, dual port grill and sharp front clip are all there. The neon lights and other extras are more show than go and probably will not be in the production model. I will note, when we spoke with Ed Welburn it was asked if the RS model would get the show cars neon halo’s around the headlights. It would make sense for them to make it to production on the RS model due to the Camaro RS model having neon halo’s. It was suggested to Ed Welburn that all RS models should have the halos. I personally think this would be a great idea. We will see as the production Aveo should hit the sales floors in late 2010.
Buick Regal GS
The new Regal is not even on sale yet but Buick knows it needs to be a ringer. The LaCrosse started bringing in lower age customers and GM is hoping the new Regal for Buick will continue that trend to an even further extent. The new Regal will be hitting show rooms this spring, and this is certainly a preview of a production Regal GS to come. This is merely a rebadged Opel Insignia OPC, but with a different engine (according to the paperwork). I got some seat time in the Regal GS concept and the Recaro seats were phenomenal. The back seat was not quite as spacious as I thought it might be. I was comfortable in the car, but getting in and out was not an amazing experience. The C-pillar in the rear was quite close to my head, and I would have easily whacked my head upon exiting the rear had I not been paying attention. The rear has just enough head room with a fast roof line that cuts it close. The interior roof is sculpted out so you are not hitting your head. The front was very nice with the aforementioned seats, a flat bottom steering whee, and the six speed manual transmission, which felt like short throws.
GM is saying the GS model of the Regal would come with the optional 2.0 liter engine from the CXS trim variant but with more boost going through the turbo. GM is pegging the numbers at 250 hp and 295 ft-lb. This is all very interesting because the Opel Insignia OPC has a 2.8l turbo charge V6 putting out over 300 hp and 300 ft-lb. The problem with that engine is it is thirsty for gas. I think GM is trying to gauge the publics reaction to maybe a I4 instead of a V6 in the Regal GS variant. I asked if I could open the hood and was instantly told no! The press photos of this car showed a V6 engine cover which was the same engine cover in the Opel Insignia OPC. My guess is this was an Insignia OPC with swapped out badges, so the V6 was still under the hood. While we really do not know what engine will come, one thing is for sure, the Regal GS variant will probably be coming sooner then later. I for one am definitely ready to see if this can be a budget Audi S4 because that would really help stick Buick on the map. Afterall, that is what the Regal GS is supposed to do anyways.
2012 Ford Focus
The embargo was up and the pictures/specifications were, for the most part, out in the public view. That did not stop Ford from throwing one heck of a reveal for the upcoming 2012 Focus. Coming in both hatchback and sedan form, the new Focus gives us style and class, things the current Focus is sorely lacking. Let us not forget the awesome technology that will be available in the new Focus. That latest generation of Microsoft powered SYNC will be onboard and the new MyFord interface will of course be an option. Ford had one sedan and one hatch on display. I was given the opportunity to see the interior of the sedan up close. The quality of materials was terrific, though I was told this was a hand built one off vehicle. They are not even in preproduction, so I was not allowed to sit in it. The hatchback was off limits, so I was not able to touch that either. The wheels on these two at the show were 19 inches, but I would be surprised to see something that large even as an option. Interesting note about the gas cap on the hatch back, it is well integrated with cut lines and it somewhat blends in. That is just one example of how Ford stressed about the small stuff on this car. The new Focus will go into production late this year and hit dealerships in early 2011.
2011 Lincoln MKX
The refreshed 2011 Lincoln MKX made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show and it was truly a great spectacle. Ford had the woman who sings the song in one of the most recent Lincoln commercials on stage signing as the MKX came on stage. Of course the rest of the current Lincoln line up rolled onto stage with the exception of the Town Car. That was not a real shock, but notably absent nonetheless. The updated MKX gains the split wing grill that is quickly becoming Lincoln’s signature mark again. The rear has new tail lights and finally a back up camera is along for the ride. I note the back up camera because on the last generation it was not even an option! The interior materials get a major upgrade as does the design. The technology is all new with this being the first vehicle to get the now standard MyLincoln. This is the same thing as MyFord with the dual 4.1 inch screens on either side of the speedometer and an 8 inch touch screen on the center stack. The luxury crossover market is heating up and this is just another player that is helping to change the game.
Cadillac XTS Concept
Cadillac rolled out a concept they are calling the XTS. This vehicle foreshadows what we will see from GM as a replacement for the aging (not gracefully I might add) Cadillac STS and DTS. Riding on a stretched Buick LaCrosse platform, the XTS would come in both front wheel drive and all wheel drive. The concept is a dual mode plug-in hybrid featuring a direct injection V6 and an electric motor. It is supposedly putting out 350 hp and 295 ft-lb. There is definitely a good chance this powertrain, along with a regular gasoline engine, will make production for this vehicle. Technology is a high point for this car and it is very well connected. The center stack is essentially void of most buttons and mostly touch. The gauges are all virtual and everything is “connected.” The interior was gorgeous, and I am definitely interested to see what details from the concept make it to production. Speaking of production, we should see the XTS in showrooms for 2012/2013.
Honda CR-Z
Honda released the first hybrid in America to have a manual transmission. Many were hoping for a remake of the CRX, and to be frank, many have said they are disappointed. I think the main thing people are not happy about seems to be the lack of rear seats. The car itself does not even post amazing mileage numbers. The power will be provided by a 1.5 liter making 122 horsepower while estimated to get 36/38 mpg. This is all mated to the CVT (continuously variable transmission). The manual transmission seriously kills the gas mileage, taking it down to an estimated 31/37 mpg. The CR-Z will come in two trim levels and will probably have a base price around $18,000 when sales start later this summer.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S was there along with two Roadster Sports. The Roadster Sports start their lives as a Lotus and get gutted by Tesla to receive the battery pack and electric drivetrain. The Model S is the next production vehicle we will see from Tesla. This four door “sedan,” the Model S, has a rear hatch instead of a traditional trunk which allows room for the optional jump seat. This would make it so the sedan can seat seven, though the extra two in the jump seats will be small children only. The interior has almost no buttons or switches. The center stack is one large touch screen with virtual switches to flick and swipe. The door handles are flush with the car and slide out when you touch them. The whole thing is quite impressive. Some call this car vaporware, meaning it will never see production or be on sale. The honest truth is those same people said that the Tesla Roadster was vaporware and that car has been on sale and is already in the hands of many happy owners. Tesla says the Model S should see production in the next few years.
Full Disclosure- My NAIAS travel and accommodations were provided by General Motors
