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The Good, Bad, Ugly:  A Sampling of Recent New Car Drives

5/22/2017

 
PictureLC500h, star of the day (Credit: Lexus)
We recently had a chance to head up to New York’s Bear Mountain State Park to join other auto journalists for a day of driving the latest and greatest from the car manufacturers.  (It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.)

While these aren’t full-blown tests, the short drives do give us a chance to get a feel for the newest cars and the progress (or lack thereof) we see from the automakers.  Imagine it like a visit to an ice cream shop, where you get a big dollop of each of the newest flavors.  In some cases, you’ll want to come back for more.  In other cases?  Not so much.

Here are the flavors we sampled:


BMW 430i convertible – Combine sloppy steering, a chassis that feels loosely bolted to the body and a sticker price well north of $50K, and you get the feeling that the vaunted and much-admired BMW has lost its way.  And we’re not alone.  On these past drives, our fellow auto writers would often let the Japanese brands sit on the lot while they jostled to drive the Bimmers.  But now that Lexus and Infiniti have gained some German-style soul, the tables are turned. 

Cadillac CTS Vsport – This was one of many drives we’ve had in Cadillac’s V-cars, both on street and track, and it was still sublime.  At $75K well-equipped, the 420-horsepower Vsport is the one to go for if the CTS-V’s 650 Corvette horses are too much for you.  Attention, Mercedes and BMW loyalists!  Break from the crowd and take any of the V Caddies for a test drive.  You’ll thank us.

Dodge Challenger GT AWD -- The Hellcat and the other Hemi Challengers make us feel 18 again.  This one makes us feel retired.  Oh, it’s a nice car alright.  But it drives like a Buick LaCrosse in a muscle car costume.  If you want an AWD car, get a Subaru.  If you want a muscle car, buy a real one.

Genesis G90 -- Genesis is clearly nipping at the heels of the German and Japanese luxury marques, but they still have a way to go.  This big sedan gives you all of the interior amenities you could want, as well as a nice stance.  But the floaty ride reminds us of granddad’s Electra 225.  The folks who build Mercedes’ S-class don’t have much to worry about . . . yet.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell – After a hot, noisy day of driving, this hushed, well-appointed hydrogen-powered sedan was a delight.  We would lease one (it’s lease-only for now) if only we could find enough hydrogen stations and if the fuel cell economic proposition would work for daily drivers (it doesn’t yet).  We had a similar plus/minus experience last year in Toyota’s Mirai.

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport AWD – This stunning coupe delivers more-than-ample luxury, not to mention solid power and sports-car handling.   And you can drive it in the snow to boot.  Both Infiniti and Lexus have finally found the way to dial some Teutonic goodness into their chassis.  The writers are beginning to notice and they kept this car on the road for most of the day.

Jaguar F Type SVR roadster – Oh, yeah, baby!  What else can you say?  You’re driving a 575-horsepower, all-wheel-drive roadster through the twisties on a gloriously warm day in the forest.  While we love the Corvette and consider it a bargain, think about this Jag as a significant step up if you can stretch to the $128,800 base price.  Believe us.  It’s worth the difference.

Land Rover Discovery – Land Rover has done a great job with its downscale lineup and the Discovery is no exception. We loved the torque of the 340-horsepower V-6 and the decent handling (except for the body roll) of this large SUV.  We also liked the exceptional fit and finish of the interior.  It was a typical Land Rover job well-done.

Lexus LC500h – Watch out, BMW i8.  Lexus is delivering a hybrid sport coupe that looks and drives as well or better for a sticker price that’s about $40,000 less.  In terms of design, execution and feeling, this was the star of the day and the waiting list was long.  The 354 horses tied to two transmissions made us feel like we had more than 500. This is a fantastic alternative if you can forgo the i8’s scissor doors and sales exclusivity.  You will definitely stand out in the country club parking lot with this new Lexus and you'll do so with a green conscience.

Mazda CX-5 --  Mazda's luxurious mid-sized crossover sends a strong message to the luxury brands:  you don't need a three-pointed star on the hood or a $40,000-plus price tag to get a sumptuous interior and solid ride.  We've driven the similar Mercedes crossovers, for example, and we see no reason to go upscale when you can get the high-value Mazda for the mid-30s or less.  This ride is a good example of the narrowing technology between the mainstream and luxury brands.

Mazda Miata RF – As with the regular convertible, this targa version was still a whole barrel of fun.  Great engine. Great manual transmission.  Wonderful handling.  A cockpit that fit like a glove.  Unfortunately, the solid top also delivers a whole barrel of wind noise.  We don’t see its benefit.  Put us down for the standard soft-top roadster, which looks just as good and is a little easier on the wallet.

MINI Clubman John Cooper Works All4 manual – You never leave a MINI without a smile on your face.  And this Clubman was no exception.  We love the way it scats around the corners with a blaaat of exhaust as you hit the pedal.  And we love the usual excellent interior execution.  Unfortunately, the $35,000+ price tag takes a little bloom off the rose.

Subaru Impreza – We were impressed with the way Subaru has moved its compact model upscale.  Handling was tight and the interior was whisper quiet on the Limited 5-door we drove.  There are touches of luxury throughout the interior.  This was no economy car.  Unfortunately, someone at Subaru decided to replace the formerly comfortable seats with something that resembled a plywood bench.  These new seats would be a deal-killer for us.

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack – Speaking of Subaru, VW has set its sights on the Outback with this new all-wheel-drive wagon.  The interior has plenty of luxury, the drive is definitely Germanic and the engine offers good power.  It’s a really nice ride, if a little pricey.  But it’s gonna take an awful lot of lovin’ to pull people out of their Subarus.  And the VW diesel scandal doesn’t help.M

The 15 Most Fuel-Efficient Car Brands

2/9/2016

 
By Sean Jackson, AxleGeeks
fuel efficient cars

Brand recognition and fuel efficiency are two major factors people consider when purchasing new vehicles. Regardless of short-term fluctuations in gas prices, a car's fuel economy impacts the day-to-day costs of going with a particular model.

The automakers are incentivized to build efficient cars too. President Barack Obama announced new fuel efficiency standards back in 2012, instating a brand minimum average of 54.5 combined miles per gallon by 2025.

With this in mind, which brands are well on their way toward achieving this goal? AxleGeeks ranked the biggest brands based on average fuel efficiency.

See the Most Efficient Brands

#15. Nissan

Nissan's cars get an average fuel economy of 24.5 mpg. When compared to Japanese non-luxury brands, this falls short of the average 27.5 mpg. If you're shopping for an efficient Nissan, your best bet is with a sedan or coupe, which offer better fuel economy relative to competitors.

#14. Acura

Acura is the only luxury brand to make the list, as its vehicle lineup earns on average 25 combined miles per gallon. A big reason for this is the advancements Acura has made, including its intelligent valve control system, which helps its engines operate at high performance standards while keeping efficiency high, as well.

#13. Toyota

Toyota, as a brand, is known for its fuel-efficient vehicles and good reliability. With its lineup averaging 26.5 miles per gallon, it falls low on the list compared to competitors like Honda. However, Toyota does have pick-ups in its lineup, and they've improved their full efficiency to a degree recently.

A good illustration is the Toyota Camry, which went from 22 city miles per gallon with its 2010 model to 25 city mpg in 2016.

#12. Hyundai

Hyundai vehicles average 27 combined miles per gallon, giving the manufacturer an advantage over other brands like Toyota. Hyundai strives to make some of its vehicles more efficient by equipping them with four-cylinder engines and responsive six-speed automatic transmissions.

#11. Mitsubishi

What makes Mitsubishi distinctive is that, though its vehicle lineup is small, all vehicles but its Lancer Evolution model earn at least 30 mpg or more on the highway. With that said, its vehicles haven’t seen a substantial increase in efficiency as of late.

For example, its 2005 Lancer Model earned 34 highway mpg; its 2016 model delivers 35 highway mpg. While both outputs are impressive, it illustrates Mitsubishi has a ways to go to meet coming efficiency mandates.

#10. Kia

Kia’s lineup also earns a combined 27 miles per gallon. What aids Kia’s vehicles in delivering efficiency is its Gasoline Direct Injection engine. This engine works by injecting pressurized fuel into cylinders as the engine goes through its combustion cycle, resulting in increased efficiency and lower emissions.

#9. Scion

Scion embraces efficiency through the design of its vehicles. Its 2016 iA model features an aerodynamic body to reduce wind resistance, resulting in a sedan that averages 37 combined mpg.

#8. Volkswagen

The German manufacturer’s lineup earns a combined 28 miles per gallon, making its offerings more efficient than BMW's.

Helping its average are multiple hybrid models and the e-Golf, an affordable electric car starting under $30,000.

#7. MINI

Its combined fuel efficiency of 28 mpg for its lineup is impressive, considering it makes MINI’s automobiles more efficient than Hyundai and Toyota. MINI continues to tinker with improvements, but hasn't changed much when it comes to its most popular model, the MINI Cooper. The 2005 MINI Cooper earned 36 highway mpg, while its 2016 counterpart earns 39 highway mpg.

#6. Subaru

Subaru continues to be a good brand due to its vehicle reliability. Subaru’s Boxer Engine is a big reason for its improved efficiency, offering a horizontal design. This positioning allows the engine to easily transfer power to the drivetrain, resulting in increased efficiency.

#5. Honda

Honda is a brand that's well-known for its dependability, and its efficiency isn’t too shabby either. With its vehicle lineup earning 29.25 miles per gallon, it makes Honda more efficient than many of its competitors. Moreover, Honda has made rapid gains in improving its models’ efficiency, as the 2008 Honda Civic earned 34 highway miles per gallon and the 2016 Civic delivers 42 highway mpg.

#4. Mazda

Mazda continues to be one of the best car brands due to its exceptional fuel efficiency. As an illustration, it has three models that earn an EPA-estimated 40 mpg or more on the highway, which is remarkable and more in line with the coming mandate standards. It also makes its lineup more efficient than both Toyota and Honda.

#3. FIAT

Known for its distinctive Italian styling, Fiat also delivers efficient vehicles. Its lineup, though small, earns on average 31 combined mpg. Each of its gasoline engine vehicles deliver at least 33 highway mpg or more while its electric offering — the 2015 Fiat 500e — has an exceptional equivalent efficiency of 122 city mpg.

#2. Smart

Don’t let the size of its vehicles fool you, Smart engineered these impressive models with Mercedes Benz. Smart’s models excel in performance and efficiency, delivering a combined 35.5 mpg on average, making them excellent commuter cars.

#1. Tesla

Tesla embodies the future of automobile engineering. While certainly on the more expensive end of the spectrum — its Model S begins at $59,500 after tax savings — Tesla vehicles deliver great performance with their electric motors. This also represents significant fuel savings for you, as according to Tesla, you could save an estimated $8,000 in fuel charges over five years of use. Tesla cars get the equivalent of 94 mpg.

Compare 10K+ Cars on AxleGeeks

MINI Superleggera Vision: The next Miata fighter?

3/2/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
With  the focus on Mazda's Monterey, California debut of the 2016 MX-5 Miata last August, many gearheads may not have noticed MINI's June European promotion of a stunning, Italian-designed electric concept roadster, the Superleggera (TM) Vision.  But you can bet that it raised eyebrows at Mazda headquarters.  And the MINI's classic Milanese coachwork may have even ruffled a few feathers in the halls of Fiat Chrysler, where executives are still noodling whether to launch the Miata's sister Alfa Romeo roadster (possibly as a Fiat) or to simply let next year's more upscale Alfa 4C Spider lead the brand in the ragtop department. 

BMW Group debuted the Vision at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014  in Cernobbio, Italy.  Says the company:  "This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by MINI and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan. The MINI Superleggera™ Vision is, on the one hand, a classic roadster, a compact and agile two-seater, expressing the most minimalist and emotional style of motoring; and on the other hand, its electric drivetrain gives the car distinctly modern driving dynamics. In collaboration with MINI, Touring Superleggera™ has designed and built an elaborately crafted, unique model which blends the tradition of classic coachwork construction with the MINI’s authentic British styling to create timeless aesthetic appeal."

Much of the press material on the Vision focuses on the various intricate design elements (we especially like the Union Jack taillights), but we believe the photo gallery below, courtesy of BMW Group, gives you a good idea of why such a roadster could give the Miata a run for its money on looks alone.  Couple that with a smooth, powerful electric drivetrain and MINI's always stellar and solid handling, and you have a sweet formula for sales success that could draw MX-5 fans out of the fold (assuming the price is right).

We have asked BMW Group officials for more information on the possible launch of such a roadster, especially in the U.S., and we've also requested the specs on the drivetrain if they are available.  We'll update you when we hear more. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the photo gallery:


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    David Fluhrer has been a classic car columnist for Newsday since 2008, as well as a new car reviewer for the auto section and a feature writer for Newsday's glossy magazines, Luxury Living and Long Island Living. 

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