Sorry we're a bit late on this one, but what's the rush? In May, sales of the Cadillac XLR fell 54.4 percent. In absolute terms, that's a slide from 206 to 94 units. So Cadillac's not so hot (as in absolute zero cold) roadster is getting a refresh for the 2009 model year. This includes engine upgrades a redesigned grill (meant to resemble the lower-level CTS sedan), redesigned taillights, an Alcantara headliner, new wood trim and, wait for it… faux side "vents" (a la Ford Focus). From now on, the XLR will only be available in either the previously high-line Platinum trim line ($86k) or the V-spec performance designation ($100k+). While the XLR is a nice car, so is the Mercedes SL. If Cadillac wants to shift a few [more] XLRs in the model's final years they need to drop prices and add a CTS quality interior. But no; it's easier to let the XLR stand proud as GM's most expensive-ever "almost there" product.
Posts By: Justin Berkowitz
Chrysler has released the pricing on the new Challenger pony car, one of the worst-timed cars since, well, the first time they introduced the Challenger. The 250hp base SE model will start at a very modest $21,995 including destination. Also modest: the four-speed automatic transmission, likely accountable for the lackluster 18/25 rating, but probably perfectly sufficient given the nature of the V6 car. For that low entry price you also get 17" real alloy wheels and side curtain airbags (side torso not available, of course). The next model up the chain: the Hemi-powered R/T model for a much more expensive $29,995. That puts it right on point with the Charger R/T, not to mention Pontiac's G8 GT. The Challenger R/T packs 370 horses and 394 lb ft of torque, and gives a fairly reasonable and expected 15/23 mpg. It's equipped much like the Charger R/T, including a standard five-speed automatic (a six-speed manual is a $995 option). So, overall, some solid prices at the end of the neo-muscle journey– especially when you factor in the likely $1500 – $2500 rebates that are likely at some point in the next six months (if the company lasts that long).
Alfa's recently debuted [and far less cute than the] MINI-fighter– the MiTo— will soon get some drop-top glamor, according to promiscuous British car magazine AutoExpress. The cabrio is likely to debut in 2009. It's meant to offer "class leading" handling. For the sake of weight and price, the top will be soft. AutoExpress also reports that Alfa is angling to give the MiTo much, much better reliability than current and former Alfa nightmares– lest they continue to scare-off all remaining customers. While AE's chop looks good, Alfa, Fiat, and forgotten-sibling Lancia all need a rear wheel-drive (RWD) sports car or roadster. While Lancia recently declared that their two-seat Fulvia concept car was headed to production, there are two absolutely critical vehicles to affordable Italian brands: fantastic city cars and RWD roadsters. But as fuel economy and packaging are concerns for everyone, including the Europeans, front wheel drive just makes more sense. Not to mention the cost of developing an all new RWD platform. But really, do you want to live in a world where the Miata has no true Italian or British competitors? In any case, if Alfa's long prophesied return to the U.S. is for real, the MiTo and MiTo cabrio will most likely be part of the entourage.
In the face of bracing headwinds (sales down nearly 30 percent year-to-date), Bentley has unveiled its latest variant: the "Continental Flying Spur Speed." Well, of course it is. The new "Speed" trim is less about competing with Merceeds' AMG brand as it is about making sure their cars don't get completely dusted by uber S-Classes at stoplights or during an ad hoc Monte Carlo road race. To that end, the British/German engineers tuned the 12-cylinder engine to produce 600 horsepower (up from 552), refreshed the suspension, added new exterior trim pieces (especially around the front fascia, which now looks like it wears a goofy smile), and slotted-in bigger brakes. The sprint from rest to 60 now requires only 4.5 seconds of you and your cosseted passengers' time. Gas price crisis? Surely you jest. Bentley Chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen waxes, "The global success of the Continental Flying Spur has created a new generation of Bentley owners. Responding to their feedback, we have refined an already remarkable car and with the debut of the Flying Spur Speed we are extending its appeal." In other words, pro athletes don't care about no gas prices. Touché.
Well, Forbes has another one of its famous "lists of stuff." [Ed: I challenged them to send us a top ten list of their top ten lists. No dice.] This time, the company started by the guy who collected anything that wasn't nailed down offers a list of the ten most reputable global companies. Apparently that means companies people like the most (as opposed to sue the least). Among obvious favorites like Google, two car companies have made the grade. India's Tata conglomerate, which just picked up Land Rover and Jaguar for a song is beloved. (Although it should be remembered that Tata makes all manner of products from steel to tea). And as irritating as it is to those of us "in the know", Forbes's research seems to suggest Toyota has an unending bag full of goodwill. Note to Toyota: don't get cocky. You can bet the 1960 version of that list would have included Ford and GM.
Nissan has revealed its modest refresh of the 2009 Xterra, and it's more offroady outdoorsy than ever. The once iconic, now ironic vehicle is still ready to tackle trails or haul your more traditional domestic possessions. The enlarged 4.0-liter VQ V6 carries over, with 261 hp and 281 lb ft of torque, hooked-up to a five-speed slushbox or a six-speed stick. Only a few comments here, because the refresh really is very modest… First, if there was ever a vehicle ripe for a diesel, it's this one. Plenty of Xterra owners travel long distances to get to their off-road adventures and/or take the rug rats to the water park. Xterra owners are not acceleration addicts (ipso facto) and the diesel clatter (God forbid) would go with the image. Towing? Yes. Towing. Second, as a solid "lifestyle" vehicle with a strong image, the Xterra needs some more "gee whiz" features. Refrigerated glove box, picnic table tail gate, built-in boogie board, something to jazz-it-up and make buyers forget about gas prices– at least for a moment or two. The new [available] roof-mounted off-road lights are a good start, as is the free [limited time] technology pack ICE. But desperate times call for killer apps.
Until now, Hyundai had told us about two engines in the upcoming Genesis sedan: a 375 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 and a 3.8-liter V6 with 290 horses. But data mining on the EPA website tells us that the 2009 Hyundai Genesis will also feature the same 3.3-liter V6 that's in the Sonata. The 3.3-liter V6 is/was schedded for the Genesis overseas; until now there was no news that Hyundai was planning to offer it to us North Americans. In the 2009 Sonata, this engine makes 249hp– which sounds like a more than suitable number for an entry-level Genesis powerplant, considering that cars like the BMW 3-Series start with 230 ponies. Uh-oh. Hyundai's depending on the value equation for the Genesis to sell. When the new model clocks-in with 249 horses in base trim, and Infiniti's G35 offers 300+, they risk losing the stat-sheet buyers. Now I can hear the clicking already "But the Genesis doesn't compete with the G35." Yes, but– all cars that overlap in price can and do compete with one another. One last note on the smaller V6. The EPA ratings for the 3.3 are 19/27; the bigger 3.8-liter V6 is rated at 18/27.
It wasn't all that long ago that GM was focused on maintaining its 29 percent market share. Boy what they wouldn't sell give to be back at that point right now (not including executive pay). Automotive News [sub] reporting that GM's market share is below 20 percent for the first time in the company's history (dating back 100 years to 1908). As of May 2008, it's 19.1 percent to be exact. Meanwhile, despite a fall in sales number, Toyota's market share jumped up to 18.4 percent. Count out the impossible-to-count out fleet sales and you can be sure Toyota has passed GM in private market sales. On the positive side, least when GM isn't number one in its home market any more, a lot of the pressure to move the metal at all costs will decrease. Maybe. Alright, no.
AutoExpress has released details of the next generation Vauxhall Astra (that's our Saturn Astra) VXR. The hot version will go on sale in– you guessed it– 2010. To comply with stricter fuel economy regs, GM's European ops will downsize the engine in the GTI-competitor, from its present 237 hp 2.0-liter to a 1.8-liter turbo, with something around 240 horsepower. Vauxhall claimsthe new powerplant will be more economical and efficient– both of which are probably true. But I'd imagine it's also because the torque steer in the 2.0-liter turbo model is supposedly driver-wrist-destroying. Is it coming to America? Considering how meager the American Astra sales have been– around 1000 a month (Cadillac still shifts 1500 Escalades)– the idea that we'll be getting the next gen Astra is sounding increasingly preposterous. It's too bad, because the car itself (both the regular Astra and hot versions) are credible Golf competitors. You know; in Europe.
Toyota has launched a site to preview their new Venza crossover wagonish type vehicle thingy. The site tells you everything you need to know about the Venza (auto-dimming mirror with built-in compass) except what you need to know (the mpg). Meanwhile, the Venza's front grill looks like a mutated Mach 3 razor, but aside from that Dali-esque design, it's a fairly upscale-looking product. ToMoCo's Ford Edge competitor comes with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, with an optional 3.5-liter V6. Within, the Venza's gear lever sits in the middle of the dashboard's center stack. (French car much?) Taken as a whole, the Venza's so strange that it's almost… interesting. marketing-wise, it's meant to fit between the RAV4 and Highlander– in a market space formerly occupied by the old Highlander before its "grew up" (and out). Toyota's looking to sell 75k of these… things per year, as it continues its race to become GM.
VW has released the pricing for the Jetta Sportwagon. The base S version, with a 170hp 2.5-liter five-banger is $18,999. For that price, you get power everything and a stick. For an automatic (six speed auto, not DSG), tack on a whopping $2k. The next version up the ladder: the $21,349 SE, complete with and leatherette, an upgraded sound system, standard alloys, and a whole lot more "available" luxury options. Again, add two grand for the autobox. If you really want to throw resale to the wind, you can get the Sportwagon with the beloved 2.0T engine with 200 horsepower. That'll set you back a staggering $25,990 for a manual version or $27,090 for the DSG automatic. In addition to the superior powerplant, the 2.0T SEL version comes pretty much fully loaded. Doesn't currency fluctuation suck? Still no word on the TDI version, set to go on sale in late summer or the fall. (Source: VW)
This is just prurient, base, vulgar car lust in action. I have no cutting analysis to offer you, no insightful realizations, not even a regurgitated press release from a manufacturer intent on wowing you with numbers. Nope, it's just the sounds of Ferrari's new California model. OK, a couple of stats. The engine giving pistonheads eargasms is a fresh 4.3-liter V8 with direct injection, making 460 horsepower, routed to a seven-speed dual clutch transaxle. I think the Ferrari California is a good looking model but it's not breathtaking, and the folding hardtop is the kind of embarrassing mainstream compromise that should be outside of Ferrari's brand profile. Nevertheless, it's coming. (Make your own damn pun.)
AutoExpress offers a "review" (in the Motor trend sense of the word) of the European Focus, complete with Ford's new dual clutch gearbox. Parsing AutoExpress' usual PR puffery, it's not sounding amazing. Whereas VW's DSG is a viable alternative to a manual transmission– it accelerates faster than rowing your own and returns even better mileage than the stick– Ford's sounds little better than a bog standard autobox. AutoExpress says "But there are no steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters with which to change up or down – and no Sport mode on the box, either – as Ford is keen to stress the gains in economy and emissions offered by Powershift, rather than its outright sportiness." Right, so that puts the "stick replacement" theory to bed. It's just a better automatic transmission. AutoExpress also notes that the Powershift's a very expensive option only available on higher end cars (this is what VW does, too, but not as badly). The rumor is that PowerShift is coming to the US (would be great paired with EcoBoost). Let's hope FoMoCo's boffins reprogram it not to suck.
Chrysler has reported its May sales stats, and it's an ugly picture: overall sales fell 25 percent from last year, to 148,747 units. The Sebring is down 30 percent, the "company saving" 300 fell 59 percent, and the crotchety PT Cruiser slid 48 percent. Overall Chrysler brand sales nosedived 38 percent. Aside from the Patriot (up 82 percent), Jeep's peaked. Every other Jeep product saw double digit declines: Compass (-17), Grand Cherokee (-23) and yes, the Wrangler (-25). Dodge also died a death. While the Caliber was up seven percent, everything else cratered. The Charger faltered (-25), the Avenger retreated (-26) and the Caravan blew town (-25). Obviously all the trucks are getting trashed, from -37 percent for the Ram to -69 percent for the Durango and -56 percent for the Nitro. The only silver lining: The Dodge Boys sold 7520 units of the new Journey (with or without puddles). If they keep up the big mo, they're looking at 87k p.a. (yes, I have a calculator). Co-Prez Jim Press put a brave face on the results, claiming "it's alright Jack keep your hands off my stack." Just kidding. (Or not.) ChryCo's "determined to provide consumers what they need and want." So keep the 300 (available with SRT looks but without the crazy engine) and Charger, Patriot, Wrangler, and Grand Cherokee and Sebring convertible. Everything else has got to go.
Ford's "premium" car lineup is engaged in a deadly game of last brand standing. Now that Jaguar, Range Rover and Aston Martin are casualities of war (i.e. someone else's problem), it's down to Volvo and Lincoln. Official denials aside, Volvo's the next to go. Lincoln must carry that weight (a long time). And so we meet the front wheel-drive-based Lincoln MKS, Ford's first post-Carmageddon (karmageddon?) luxury car. Has Lincoln's sibs' dismissal finally liberated the brand from badge-engineered mediocrity?
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