News, Rumors, Trends, Stuff - From BMW X5, Porsche, Audi, VW Diesels, 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrids EPAs to Ford naming their new plant. Check out these industries new tid-bits!
X5 Diesel Priced
BMW's X5 xDrive35d made its American debut at the Los Angeles auto show and will be priced at $52,025. According to BMW, purchasers will qualify for a minimum tax credit of $1550. Click here to read more.
MPG + HORSEPOWER = Hemi TwoMode
EPA released official fuel-economy numbers for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrids of 20 city and 22 highway, bettering the Tahoe Hybrid 4WD by two highway mpg. Total output on the 2009 Chrysler hybrids is given as 400 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. However, in the same time frame Chrysler announced the Delaware plant that builds the Aspen and Durango would close by the end of 2008, almost a year ahead of the 2009 date planned in 2007. That will likely leave Chrysler without a hybrid or electric until 2010 when the Ram hybrid is expected and an EV may join the product line. Click to read more.
Hybrid Silverado under $40,000
The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup went in to production in December and is expected at dealer lots any day. The two-wheel-drive version (EPA 21/22) starts at $38,995 and should qualify for a $2200 federal tax credit. Click here to read more.
Ford Needs New Plant Name
The Ford Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, is going to need a new name. Last November it built its last Expeditions and Navigators and is being renovated and retooled to make small cars using the 2010 Focus platform. The SUV production will move to the Kentucky Truck Plant where they also build the Super Duty, and some employees will go with it. Just four years ago, Ford put $300 million into a flexible body shop for the plant, and the retooling will take another $75 million.
Porsche, Audi, VW Diesels on Sale
A diesel Porsche Cayenne is on sale in Europe, using a version of the 3.0-liter engine from the Touareg TDI and diesel Q7. Does that mean a diesel Cayenne could come Stateside?
Shocking Economy
RegenEV shocks debuted a regenerative suspension system at SEMA--shock absorbers that are hydraulic-electric generators. A gear motor and generator supply electric current for charging a hybrid battery pack as the shock travels up and down. With 30 inches of travel, imagine the economy benefit a Baja racer might reap.
Top Tires
In last fall's pickup truck and SUV tire test in Consumer Reports, the top-rated P-metric tires were the General Grabber HTS for all-season, the Pirelli Scorpion ATR for all-terrain use, and the Michelin Latitude X-Ice for winter. Test criteria included traction, wear, noise, ride comfort, and rolling resistance, among others. It didn't take long before the blogosphere, apparently still unaware that CR accepts no advertising (even online), began attributing the results to advertising dollars.
ITFIGURES - NEWS BY THE NUMBERS
Age Doesn't Interfere with Hobby...
SEMA recently released results of a survey gauging automotive enthusiast recreation, sports, hobbies, and some general habits by age group, and the most popular activity--working on their car or truck--remained fairly constant over varying age groups. The largest disparity was in video games, with 72 percent of those 16-21 into it and only seven percent of those 61-and-older participating, but the older population and the highest interest in travel and driving vacations, showing not everyone retires his wheels. Click here to read more!
...Nor Do Fuel Prices
According to a report by INRIX and SEMA surveys, the high price of fuel modified some drivers' habits, but they kept driving. Enthusiasts' primary ways of coping with big-buck fuel were driving less than before (66 percent), modified driving habits (64 percent), combined errands (59 percent), and reduced road trips (55 percent). Less than a third took any weight out of their vehicle, and less than 15 percent tried walking, cycling, public transport, or telecommuting.
From the March/April Issue