The Automotive News Week in Review - October 9, 2009
By : Benjamin Hunting
Date : 10/09/2009

Mazda to Invest Heavily in Green Technologies

Although the Japanese company currently shares some of corporate parent Ford’s hybrid drivetrain technology in the form of the very limited edition Tribute SUV hybrid, Mazda does not currently offer a hybrid passenger car. Aware of its competitive limitations in this area, Mazda has decided to offload $1.1 billion in stock in order to raise funds for its own internal alternative fuels development effort. The funds will be part of a $3.3 billion dollar research and development effort, with at least $700 million of that amount being slated for the exploration of ecologically friendly vehicles. In the past, Mazda has produced several hydrogen-powered concept cars, but has yet to unveil any homegrown gasoline / electric platforms.

Jeep Owners Facing Possible Safety Recall

A contentious recommendation by the Center for Auto Safety could see up to 2.3 million Jeeps recalled due to a risk of fire after accidental impact. The Center claims that Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured for the model years 1993 to 2004 have demonstrated a much higher rate of fire hazard than any other SUV on the market. In fact, they would appear to be four times as likely to be set ablaze when hit from the rear, as comparedto sport-utility vehicles from other manufacturers.

Chrysler, for its part, maintains that the Center’s data analysis is incorrect, and in a public statement labeled it “simplistic” and “flawed.” The company contends that there are a number of factors involved in the accidents examined by the Center that were completely ignored for the purposes of the recall recommendation. The 172 fatal fires cited by the Center for Auto Safety are being blamed on what the organization calls a dangerous and unshielded plastic fuel tank.

Pontiac Solstice to be Possible Revived as a…Delorean?

In a strange twistof fate that has seen one extinct automotive brand embraced by another, a Texas-based company bearing the Delorean name has made noises regarding possibly taking over production of the doomed Pontiac Solstice coupe. The current iteration of the Delorean Motor Company serves mainly to provide stainless steel bodies for replica kits and restorations of John Delorean’s ill-fated DMC-12, made famous by the “Back to the Future” movie series. However, Delorean’s ties with Pontiac are legendary, and the current DMC management are performing an engineering study on the Solstice GXP coupe to determine the feasibility of producing it in low numbers as a 2011 model. No word has been given on whether the new version would ditch its targa top for the trademark Delorean gull-wing doors.

Chevrolet Caprice – This Time, For Sure

After previously confirming, then denying that the vaunted Caprice badge would be revived by Chevrolet in order to maintain the viability of the abandoned Pontiac G8 platform, General Motors have once again set hearts aflutter with a new confirmation of the Chevrolet Caprice’s eventual production. However, unless one is wearing a badge and a gun, it is unlikely that any Chevy fans will be able to get behind the wheel of a Caprice any time soon. That is because the new Caprice is being introduced as a fleet-only vehicle for 2011, aimed specifically at law enforcement agencies. Given that the Ford Crown Victoria, that diehard police stalwart for the past 50 years or so, is destined to be retired inthe near future, GM felt that the time was now to offer an inexpensive solution to the men and women in blue.

The Caprice will be based on the large rear-wheel drive platform shared with the Holden Statesmen, built by GM’s Australian partner and also sold in the Middle East as the Caprice. The vehicle is slated to offer both a powerful V8 suitable for highway interception duties, and a more efficient V6 for urban peacekeeping. Although it is inevitable that these sedans will eventually make it into civilian hands through auctions, it would appear as though the only current way to get a ride in the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice is in the backseat – handcuffs included, of course.

Toyota Releases Details of FT-86 “Toyobaru” Concept

After teasing sports car fans for more than a year with “will they or won’t they” build it announcements, the FT-86 coupe has finally been revealed to the public. Dubbed the “Toyobaru” by the press thanks to its co-development with Japanese brand Subaru, the FT-86’s body work resembles almost nothing in the oeuvre of either manufacturer. With a front end as wide as a previous-generation Celica, and a rear hatch strongly reminiscent of the Nissan 350Z, the FT-86 appears to through enough curves and swoopy lines into the mix to keep the hearts of enthusiasts beating at an elevated rate.

This cardiac assist is continued under the hood, where the FT-86 Concept boasts a 150 horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. While that number might at first seem underwhelming, given that it is a boxer design lifted directly from Subaru it no doubt offers great potential from a turbocharging perspective. This ready-made canvas – much like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe – will certainly prove popular with the tuner crowd, and perhaps gain Toyota back some of the respect it has lost among performance fans after years of producing excellent yet dull vehicular appliances. The rear-wheel drive FT-86 is scheduled to appear as a 2011 model, and pricing is said to be skewed towards the more affordable end of the $20,000 range.


New Car Rebates and Incentives - September 15, 2009
By : Benjamin Hunting
Date : 09/15/2009

Click here to see all new car rebates & incentives.


2009 Suzuki XL7
0.0% Interest or $4,000 Cash Back

The 2009 Suzuki XL7 is a mid-size SUV that comes across as surprisingly large offering from a car company more known for their economical subcompacts. The vehicle offers three rows of seating and can accommodate up to 7 passengers in a reasonable degree of comfort. A 14 cubic foot “trunk” is available behind the final row, which expands to a very useful 95.2 cubic feet once all seating behind the driver is folded out of the equation. The XL7 is positioned as a feature-filled competitor for other Japanese sport-utility vehicles, which means that base models are loaded up with power options, a trip computer, tinted windows and automatic climate controls. Upgrades include load-leveling rear suspension, rear air conditioning and even leather seats and a DVD entertainment system.

All trim levels of the 2009 Suzuki XL7 make use of the same V-6 engine. Displacing 3.6-liters, the unit provides the XKL7 with 252 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed transmission is also included, along with the option of either front-wheel drive or electronically-controlled all-wheel drive. The XL7 returns fuel mileage numbers of 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 miles per gallon on the highway, although adding all-wheel drive lowers those numbers by 1 mile per gallon per measure.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $4,000.00 cash back on the 2009 Suzuki XL7 effective until 09/30/2009.


2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i
0.0% Interest and up to $1,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Subaru Impreza comes in a number of different flavors depending upon the needs of drivers. A standard sedan is joined by a five-door hatchback and a rugged-looking Outback Sport model that is meant to offer a bit more off-road prowess based on Subaru’s traditional all-wheel drive setup. The hatchback expands on the sedan’s 11.3 cubic foot trunk with a 19 cubic foot storage area that can be further increased to 44.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The entry-level Impreza comes with cloth seats, air conditioning, and power door locks and windows, while a Premium package can add anti-lock brakes, automatic climate controls and even a navigation system. Satellite radio is also available, and the Outback Sport throws in leather trim for the steering wheel as well as heated seats.

The 2009 Subaru Impreza is powered by a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is par for the course, although a 4-speed automatic unit can be ordered as an option. Drivers who crave greater acceleration from their Impreza can opt for the GT trim, which slaps a turbocharger onto the 4-cylinder in order to squeeze out 224 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque. A manual transmission is not available for this model. Fuel economy for the naturally-aspirated version is rated at an impressive 20 miles per gallon around town and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, with the GT dropping down to 19 miles per gallon city and 24 miles per gallon highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest and between $500.00 and $1,500 cash back (depending on trim level) on the 2009 Subaru Impreza effective until 09/30/2009.


2009 Pontiac Solstice
$2,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice is a fun sports car that can be ordered in either two-seat roadster form or as a coupe with a removable targa roof. The Solstice has brash exterior styling that instantly conveys its performance capabilities, while still tying into the rest of the Pontiac design family. The Solstice comes in both base and GXP trim, with the former’s list of standard equipment fairly bare: windows and door locks are manual, as are outside mirrors. Improving creature comforts is possible through a range of equipment packages that offer leather seats, a high-powered sound system and a rear spoiler. A Club Sport package aimed at amateur racers also installs a track-ready suspension under the car.

There are two engine choices available for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. The first is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 173 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque, good for fuel mileage of 19 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The second is a much livelier turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that increases the GXP model’s output to 260 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque, with the added bonus of actually improving fuel economy on the highway to 28 miles per gallon. Each engine can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

There is an incentive of $2,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice effective until 09/30/2009.


2009 Nissan Pathfinder
0.0% Interest or $2,500 Cash Back

The 2009 Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size sport-utility vehicle that looks and feels equally at home breaking trail through the wilderness as it does carrying a load of groceries back from the supermarket. The Pathfinder has never really lost sight of its off-road origins, as evidenced by its continued use of a truck frame and the availability of a rugged four-wheel drive system. An independent rear suspension intervenes to keep the ride from getting too rough, and the Pathfinder has grown inside to handle seating for as many as 7 occupants. The SUV can be ordered as either a well-equipped people mover or a fully-decked out luxury truck, depending upon which trim level is selected.

The 2009 Nissan Pathfinder provides buyers with both 6 and 8-cylinder options under the hood. A 4.0-liter V-6 is the engine of choice for most, and it generates 266 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque. In two-wheel drive form, the V-6’s fuel economy is rated at 15 miles per gallon in town and 22 miles per gallon on the highway. The range-topping V-8 displaces 5.6-liters and throws down a thundering 310 horsepower and 388 lb-ft of torque, while reducing fuel mileage to 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 miles per gallon on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox for either engine.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $2,500.00 cash back on the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder effective until 09/30/2009.


2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor
0.0% Interest or $3,500 Cash Back

The 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor is a traditional sport-utility vehicle that eschews a third row of seating in order to provide more breathing room for a maximum of 5 passengers. The Endeavor’s presentation is simple, and is aimed at those who need solid transportation with a bit more cargo space than is found in the typical family sedan. A total of 76 cubic feet of storage room is available with the rear seats folded down, making the SUV a great choice for anyone who needs to occasionally make a serious pit stop at the local hardware store. A sunroof, navigation and leather seats can be ordered to spruce up the vehicle’s interior, and a backup camera is also available.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor packs a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that offers 225 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. Throttle response is excellent, and the SUV can be ordered with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A 4-speed automatic transmission handles all of the shifting duties, and the front-wheel drive Endeavor displays fuel economy of 15 miles per gallon in city driving and 21 miles per gallon during highway cruising.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $3,500.00 cash back on the 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor effective until 09/30/2009.


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