The CarGurus Blog

Ford received a small bit of good news recently — sales of its Focus compact car (pictured above) were up 24 percent for the month of March 2008. Honda saw sales of its Fit subcompact increase as well, by more than 73 percent. Sales of the Nissan Altima and Honda Civic also were up, by 14 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Those were among the few bright spots in auto sales over the past few months. Sales of trucks and SUVs tanked, as car buyers continued to migrate away from larger vehicles to smaller, more fuel-efficient sedans and coupes. It’s easy to understand why, which gas prices soaring into the stratosphere. And it naturally leaves some automakers (such as Honda and Toyota) in better positions than others.

This shift in car-buying patterns has automakers scrambling to rejigger their fleets, and some are doing that more successfully than others. Ford, for instance, actually posted a profit for the first quarter of 2008 (due in part to the fact that the company has trimmed its work force substantially and has plans to shut down some shifts at truck plants). And all automakers are eyeing smaller, more efficient cars.

Ford, for instance, has plans to expand its fleet of small cars in 2009 with the addition of the new Fiesta, which Ford calls its first “global” small car. Recently unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, the Fiesta will be powered by a range of fuel-efficient engines and bring “big car features to the small car segment,” according to Ford.

That’s a trend we’ll be seeing more of in the years to come, as automakers add luxury-oriented features like innovative sound systems to their smaller cars in an effort to attract new buyers. For instance, Ford has added its new Sync feature to some Focus trims, and upcoming trims of the Chevy Cobalt are expected to come equipped with audio systems that include USB ports, so drivers can plug portable thumb drives into their car stereos, adding a new functionality that will make it easier for drivers to take their favorite songs with them wherever they go.

Don’t expect automakers to completely abandon SUVs, however, but you can expect SUVs to become smaller and more efficient. Audi, for instance, just unveiled its new Q5 SUV at the Beijing Auto Show (although to us it looks more like a crossover vehicle or a hunky wagon than an SUV). Powered by a range of fuel-efficient engines and featuring permanent all-wheel-drive, the Q5 will measure about 15 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5.4 feet high, giving it a smaller overall footprint than many other SUVs. Audi calls it “an SUV of all-new proportions,” and notes that it will be “sportier than any of its competitors.” Whether it will prove a hit with buyers seeking smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

GM calls it “responsibility without sacrifice,” and perhaps that’s the best way to describe the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which recently made an appearance at the Dallas Auto Show. The quest for fuel efficiency has reached all the way to the top of automakers’ lineups, and even vehicles with long-standing reputations as gas guzzlers are cleaning up their acts, as the new Escalade Hybrid demonstrates. GM goes so far to call the Escalade Hybrid the world’s first large luxury hybrid SUV.

Like many hybrid vehicles, the Escalade Hybrid uses a two-mode hybrid system, which switches between an electric motor and a 332-horsepower, 6.0-liter V8 gas engine as the vehicle’s speed and power requirements vary. When the Escalade stops at a traffic light or slows in traffic, the gas engine shuts down and the SUV runs on the electric motor to conserve fuel. As the Escalade accelerates, it transitions to both the electric motor and gas engine, and under heavy acceleration or when full power is required, the SUV will run solely on the gas engine. This configuration results in a 45 percent improvement in fuel economy in the city, according to GM, although official mileage estimates from the EPA aren’t available yet.

Regenerative braking, which captures energy whenever the brakes are applied, keeps the on-board battery charged. The Escalade also comes equipped with Active Fuel Management, the first for a Cadillac. The system will shut down four of the engine’s eight cylinders, even at highway speeds, if they’re not required, improving fuel economy even more.

A full-color touch-screen Navigation Radio displays information about the hybrid system, and also displays the standard rear-view camera as well as controls for the Bose 5.1 surround-sound audio system and tri-zone automatic climate control. Nuance leather-covered seats and a power-assisted rear liftgate, which operates at the touch of a button, will be among the Escalade Hybrid’s other standard features.

The exterior design will retain the Escalade’s distinctive grille and chrome accents. Both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive trims will be available when the Escalade Hybrid goes on sale this summer.

With gas prices inching higher every week, and predictions of four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline in the not-too-distant future, it’s not surprising that drivers are starting to look for alternatives. Hybrids have been receiving lots of press lately, but electric cars have been making news as well.

Last month, Subaru displayed its R1e electric car (above) at the New York Auto Show, and announced that two R1e vehicles will join the New York Power Authority fleet as part of a U.S. testing program. About 40 of the electric vehicles are currently in use in Japan, and Subaru plans to test an additional 100 cars in Japan in 2009. No word yet if or when the cars will be available in U.S. showrooms.

The two-seat R1e employs the latest electric-motor technology, including a fast-charge lithium ion battery that can take quick or partial charges without a decrease in battery life. In fact, it can be charged to 80 percent capacity in just 15 minutes, or fully charged overnight. The R1e, which Subaru envisions as an urban car, has a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 65 miles per hour.

The R1e joins a growing list of electric cars that are in various stages of development. California-based ZAP, for instance, recently announced that it expect to start selling its three-wheel Alias electric car sometime in 2009, and has started taking reservations on its website. (The company is charging a $5,000 reservation fee for the $32,500 car.) The automaker notes that the two-seater will have a range of 100 miles on a single charge, a top speed of around 100 miles per hour, and reasonably quick acceleration, jumping out from 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds. It’s one of a number of electric cars, including the Xebra sedan and truck, the automaker hopes to eventually offer to car buyers.

Tesla recently started production of its electric-powered two-passenger Roadster, which will run for 220 miles on a charge, and accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds. The entire 2008 production run has sold out, and the company is currently taking reservations for the 2009 model year. The automaker also plans to add a five-passenger sport sedan in 2010.

Finally, across the pond, U.K.-based Lightning Car Company has started taking reservations for its super-sleek, electric-powered GTS Roadster, which has a top speed of more than 130 miles per hour. A high-efficiency Hi-Pa electric drive, developed in Great Britain, powers the GTS. The powerplant also include NanoSafe batteries, which can be charged in about 10 minutes and deliver more power per unit than conventional lithium batteries, according to the automaker.

Features include an antilock braking system, traction control, regenerative braking, a satellite navigation system, and leather interior trim. You can reserve yours by visiting the automaker’s website and plunking down 15,000 pounds (just under $30,000 dollars). And may we suggest Electric Lightning Blue for the exterior color. It seems appropriate.

Following the announcement of the World Green Car at the New York Auto Show last month, World Car of the Year awards were handed out in a number of other categories, including World Design of the Year, World Performance Car, and the overall Car of the Year.

Top honors went to the Mazda2 (above), which was selected as the 2008 Car of the Year by a panel of 47 automotive journalists, out of an initial field of 39 entries. Completely redesigned for 2008, the Mazda2 made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show, and initially will be sold in the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as in Japan, where it’s known as the Mazda Demio. According to reports, the Mazda2 will be available in the U.S. in 2009 with some minor tweaking, although it will be rebadged as the Ford Fiesta.

The Mazda2 supermini car, similar in size to such cars as the Toyota Yaris, features a sporty, aerodynamic exterior design, a three-spoke steering wheel, white instrument gauges, and an all-new center console. It’s powered by 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter gas engines, as well as a turbocharged diesel, although U.S. powerplants have yet to be determined. The lightweight five-door hatchback has been designed to handle nimbly in traffic, thanks to electric power-assisted power steering and a short-throw gear shift. And despite its compact size, the Mazda provides plenty of storage spaces inside for all types of gear. Two trims are currently available — the TS2 and the Sport.

The top three finalists for the Car of the Year also included the Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, while the Cadillac CTS, the Volvo C30, and the Audi R8 were among the other contenders.

While the 2008 Audi R8 (above) didn’t take top honors, it was singled out by the awards committee as the World Design of the Year, as well as the World Performance Car of the Year. Not bad for a consolation prize.

Organized and conducted by automotive journalists from around the world, the World Car of the Year awards is a non-profit, non-affiliated program designed to select the world’s top cars using objective criteria. For more information, visit the World Car of the Year’s website at www.wcoty.com.

Although they made their official world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show earlier in March, the MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman took their U.S. bows on Thursday, March 20th at the New York International Auto Show. The two new performance-oriented trims, which will be available this summer, feature upgraded powerplants as well as suspensions, exhaust systems, manual transmissions, electrically power-assisted steering, and high-performance brakes developed by British-based John Cooper Works and inspired by the shop’s fifty-year racing history.

In the 1940s, John Cooper, who was trained as a toolmaker, teamed up with his father Charles to create the Cooper 500 Formula 3 race car and form the Cooper Car Company. As a result of his success on the racing circuit, Cooper was tapped to create race-oriented versions of the British-made Mini, starting in the early 1960s. Mini Coopers, as they were dubbed back then, proved popular for decades. Today, the relationship continues, as John Cooper Works, now under the direction of John’s son Mike Cooper, has recently merged with MINI and will create high-performance versions of the popular sub-compact car. The two new MINIs just announced are the first to appear under this relationship.

The John Cooper Works Hardtop and Clubman both pack a 208-horsepower, 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine under their hoods. The engine can drive the Hardtop from 0 to 60 in just 6.2 seconds, while the larger, cargo-oriented Clubman takes 6.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. Both trims top out at 147 mph.

The engine in both trims links to a specially modified six-speed manual transmission, and both the John Cooper Works Hardtop and Clubman ride on a sport-tuned suspension and exclusive 17-inch light alloy rims with high-performance tires. In addition, both come equipped with a Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system that incorporates Dynamic Traction Control, the first for a MINI. When the driver deactivates the DSC system, Electronic Differential Lock Control kicks in, providing enhanced stability and cornering ability during aggressive driving. This latter feature is exclusive to the John Cooper Works trims.

Both trims will be created at the factory rather than at the dealer using kits. Of course, the enhancements will boost pricing for both trims by a few thousand dollars, when compared to the standard trims on which they’re based.

For auto aficionados, March Madness of a different sort kicked off earlier this week, when the New York Auto Show opened it doors to the general public. And although it’s late in the auto show season, there were enough debuts and announcements left to make New York interesting, if not on the same level as some of the earlier shows this year.

Among other announcements, the selection committee for the 2008 World Car Awards tapped the BMW 118d Advanced Diesel, available only in Europe, as the World Green Car. Incorporating BMW’s Efficient Dynamic technology, the 118d Advanced Diesel comes equipped with a 143-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine designed for fuel efficiency and low emissions. Fuel savings are also provided by brake energy regeneration, which charges the battery when the driver applies the brakes or when the car is coasting or decelerating. In addition, electric steering and an Auto Start Stop Function, which shuts the car off at stops and automatically restarts it, help provide a 21-percent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as lower carbon-dioxide emissions, when compared to a typical diesel-powered car.

The 118d Advanced Diesel was chosen from an initial field of 10 cars by a selection committee that consisted of nearly 50 automotive journalists. The field of 10 was later narrowed to three cars, including the Smart fortwo cdi and the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI.

A number of other cars debuted in New York, including the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, scheduled to roll into showrooms sometime next spring. The rear-wheel-drive coupe comes equipped with a 306-horsepower V6, a manual transmission, Brembo brakes and an independent rear suspension, promising drivers a true sport-oriented coupe that will be price-competitive with coupes from Honda and Infiniti, as well as Ford’s Mustang GT. The Genesis Coupe also will be available with a turbocharged four-cylinder.

Other debuts included the Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept sedan, which the automaker recently announced will go into production for 2010, and the Pontiac Solstice coupe. Officially a targa, meaning that only part of its hard-top roof over the passenger compartment can be removed, it’s scheduled to hit showrooms in 2009. Drawing its basic design from the Solstice convertible, the Solstice coupe should generate buzz with drivers due to its affordable price, rumored to be in the low to high 20s when it goes on sale.

Thanks to new fuel-efficiency standards enacted by Congress at the end of last year and scheduled to take affect during the next decade or so, automakers have started to drastically rethink their future fleets. General Motors, for instance, has cancelled its plans for a new double-overhead-cam V8 engine that was originally intended to replace the Northstar, which currently powers some of the automaker’s Cadillacs. Other automakers have taken similar steps, turning to turbocharged V6 engines in place of V8s for some future models.

At the same time, many automakers, including GM, have been fast-forwarding their hybrid engine programs. Hybrids made a big splash at the Detroit Auto Show, which just completed its run, and more will debut at the Chicago Auto Show, which kicks off later this week (public show dates for the Chicago show are Feb. 8-17). GM in particular will unveil two new hybrid trucks — the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the GMC Denali XT, a car/truck combo (think the old El Camino) based on the Australian Holden Ute, the stylish utility vehicle from Down Under.

The 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid (above) follows in the tire tracks of its hybrid stablemates, the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado and the GMC Yukon Hybrids. Like those trucks, the Sierra Hybrid comes equipped with GM’s two-mode hybrid system (introduced in the 2008 Yukon), which includes an electric motor and a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery (located beneath the rear seat). The electric motor alone can power the Sierra up to 30 miles per hour, even when the truck is towing a trailer. Beyond 30 miles per hour, the truck’s 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine takes over. Together, the hybrid combo results in a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency in the city and 25 percent improvement overall, when compared to non-hybrid models, according to GM.

The Sierra Hybrid also comes with a number of components designed to improve aerodynamics, reduce drag, and ensure quiet performance, including a chin spoiler, tonneau cover, low-resistance tires, new exhaust system, electrically driven air conditioning compressor, and electrically driven power steering. The Sierra Hybrid will be manufactured in Canada and available in both two- and four-wheel-drive trims when it goes on sale later this year.

The GMC Denali XT will be an all-new beast when it hits North American shores, and there’s no doubt that it’s a good-looking one at that. It certainly fills a hole in the market, but fits right in during this age of crossover vehicles and retro PT Cruisers. GM has owned Australian automaker Holden since the early 1930s, and has started to draw more and more on Holden’s sporty designs (the Pontiac G8, which debuts this year, is actually a rebadged Holden Commodore).

The rear-wheel-drive Denali XT features unibody architecture and comes with the two-mode hybrid engine, which includes a 4.9-liter V8 gas engine that can run on E85 fuel (a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline). The result is a sleek sport utility truck (or SUT, as GM calls it) that offers a 50 percent increase in fuel economy when compared to a standard gas-powered small truck. The Denali XT will also come with a height-adjustable suspension and a Midgate behind the rear seats that can be lowered to increase cargo capacity. The Denali XT is still in the concept vehicle stage, but we can only hope we see it on North American roads sooner rather than later.

As the Detroit Auto Show (officially the North American International Auto Show) winds down this week, a number of automotive trends have emerged. The biggest, of course, is that all automakers are steering toward greener, more fuel-efficient cars. Hybrids are popping up everywhere (see previous posts). Even Ferrari has announced a green version of its F430 spider (above), a projected 489-horsepower sport convertible with a V8 engine that will run on E85 biofuel.

That’s a newsworthy development, and it brings us to another, more subtle trend, but an important one nonetheless — the debut in the past week or so of a number of new convertibles. BMW, for instance, has just leaked details about its 2009 BMW M3 Convertible (the car’s world premiere will take place in Geneva in March). As its M3 designation indicates, the new convertible continues BMW’s line of motorsports-derived cars, and will feature a new 420-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine that will drive the drop-top from 0 to 62 mph (100 kilometers per hour) in just 5.3 seconds.

Reportedly, the new BMW convertible will feature an updated, more muscular exterior, a stiffer body, a reinforced suspension, and a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The M3 Convertible, which should be available at dealers later this year, will also come with a retractable three-piece hardtop.

Not to be outdone, Lexus also showed off a new convertible, the LF-A Roadster, which debuted as a concept but is expected to go into production soon. The shapely roadster will be constructed from carbon fiber and aluminum to create a rigid yet lightweight body, and will be powered by a V10 engine expected to produce about 500 horsepower. Details beyond that are still sketchy, although the new roadster will come with a retractable rear spoiler, but it seems clear that Lexus has set its sights on convertibles from Ferrari and Lamborghini with its new drop top. The price tag is sure to be in the stratosphere — somewhere north of 100K — but perhaps for its next trick, Lexus will produce a green or hybrid super-convertible. Lovers of open-air driving can only hope.

Call it a sign of the times. Automakers are tripping over each other to unveil new fuel-efficient vehicles this year. For proof, just take a look at the North American International Auto Show, currently underway in Detroit. The scene is green in Detroit this year, with a wide range of fuel-efficient vehicles being shown (avert your eyes from the 620-horsepower Corvette ZR1!). In particular, three innovative new hybrid concept vehicles have taken center stage. Keep in mind these three cars aren’t slated for production yet. But they’re an indication of what’s possible from today’s automakers, and represent a step forward in innovative thinking (though there’s still a long way to go).

Design-wise, the Saturn Flextreme (above) takes top honors, thanks to its ultra-aerodynamic, egg-shaped exterior featuring gull-wing doors, which Saturn calls FlexDoors. (Very nice, as Borat would say.) Under the hood, the Flextreme combines an electric motor with a turbo-diesel engine — hence, the hybrid designation. Drivers can plug the Flextreme into regular household current to charge its onboard battery, and run the car for 34 miles on a single charge. Then the diesel engine, running on ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, kicks in to recharge the battery and in that configuration the Flextreme can run another 400 miles or so on a single tank of fuel.

Some are calling the Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept the next Supra, though Toyota is mum on the issue. But we can certainly say the FT-HS takes the concept of a Toyota hybrid to a whole new level and gives lovers of the Prius something to save up for.

The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive FT-HS comes equipped with a tweaked version of the 3.5-liter V6 Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the Lexus GS 450h. It operates in typical hybrid fashion, with the electric motor powering the vehicle at startup and low speeds, and the V6 powerplant taking over under strong acceleration and or when more power is required. In the FT-HS, the V6 hybrid engine produces 400 horsepower (up from 292 horsepower for the GS 450h). All that power drives a vehicle designed to be light on its feet, thanks to such materials as carbon fiber and titanium, which were used for many of the car’s components.

The third hybrid of note comes from an unlikely source — Land Rover — which just shows how ubiquitous hybrids have become (can Ferrari and Lamborghini hybrids be far behind?). Called the LRX Cross Coupe, the hybrid concept vehicle features a lightweight body like the FT-HS as well as a powerplant that combines an electric motor and a fuel efficient 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that together eke out a very respectable 50 miles per gallon. That’s a pretty stunning mpg figure for an SUV, especially one that looks and (we would expect) performs like a Land Rover. We realize that, for the time being, these three hybrids are only concepts, but with vehicles like these on the drawing boards (and given the high cost of gasoline today), the future can’t arrive fast enough.

There’s a new Big Three coming out of Detroit in the future, but these guys are centered all within Chrysler. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler debuted three new electric car concepts with appeal for a variety of consumer segments. The Dodge ZEO is geared towards performance enthusiasts, the off-road Jeep Renegade, and the stylish sedan-like Chrysler ecoVoyager. All three have a different type of electric powertrain featuring zero emissions and regenerative braking, with the ZEO fully electric and the other two fuel-assisted. Mind you, these are only concepts, and a lot is riding on the lithium ion battery technology that is still in its infant stages of development, but it does show a commitment to broaden the electric car audience, aimed at those wanting to remain eco-friendly without sacrificing comfort, looks, and performance.

The ZEO (pictured above), which stands for Zero Emissions Operation, is fully electric, powered by a 64 kwh lithium ion battery and 200 kw electric motor with 268-hp. The rear-wheel drive sports wagon hits top speeds of 130 mph, with a 0-60 time under six seconds. The battery maintains its charge for 250 miles. A raised rear beltine, windshield that slopes nearly the full length of the roof, and bulky 23-inch wheels give the ZEO a distinctive sporty look. Unlike other sport cars, the ZEO concept features four doors that open scissor-style, with seating for four passengers. Its nearest rival in terms of performance is the two-seater Tesla Roadster, but this electric sports car has hit some snags with its transmission and keeps pushing back its release date.

 
For outdoor enthusiasts who also appreciate the environment, the Jeep Renegade maintains Jeep’s reputation for superior 4WD off-road performance, but both its powertrain and materials are easy on the Earth. Its dual electric motors (one for each axle) power the car for 40 miles, but in combination with the BLUETEC 1.5-liter diesel engine, Chrysler claims the Renegade can go 400 miles on one charge, with top speeds of 110 mph. Its four-wheel drive capability, oversized wheel flares, and roofless dune buggy looks perpetuate the carefree spirit of Jeep. The foam seats and doors are soy-based, and the molded composite exterior avoids the use of harmful paint solvents, making the Renegade concept a total eco-friendly package.

Perhaps it’s a bit of a lofty statement, but Chrysler is branding its ecoVoyager concept as an “elegant American design” aimed at those looking to experience the luxury of their own “private jet.” Embodying luxurious refinement, comfort, and style for family trips, the ecoVoyager features a combination of a plug-in 200 kw electric motor and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The electric motor alone achieves 268-hp and goes for 40 miles on one charge, but the fuel cell extends that to 300 miles. Together, they propel the ecoVoyager from 0-60 in eight seconds and reach 115 mph. The powertrain setup resides under the floor to increase interior space, which is also helped by the one-box cab-forward design. A panoramic dual-pane sunroof and directional Direct Sound system improve the overall travel experience for all passengers.  

Chrysler’s ENV1 team, set up to focus efforts on development of electric technology, is hard at work trying to design a lithium battery pack that can both achieve the lofty goals set by these concepts and remain affordable. The high cost of current battery technology has left the electric car languishing on the development back burner for many carmakers, who have chosen to focus instead on alternative fuel sources. If Chrysler can make it work, these may be some of the few auto show concepts that actually see the light of day.