2008 MODELS & BEYOND

 

2010 FORD TRANSIT

Here is one answer to the puzzle for delivery and service fleets mileage dilemma.  Coming out next summer from Ford.  The vehicle is currently being built in Turkey and is built to withstand commercial applications.  See specs below.

VERSATILE. CAPABLE, DEPENDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, MANEUVERABLE, COMFORTABLE & AFFORDABLE
Select Standard Features
— ZOL 16-Valve 1-4 Duratec Engine w/136 lip and 136 lb.-ft. of Torque
— Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
— 4-Speed Automatic Transmission w/Overdrive
— 15’ Steel Wheels w/Wheel Covers
— 1800 Rear Barn-Door Hinges (optional 270ฐ hinges on XLT)
— 2nd-Row Dual Sliding Doors w/Privacy Glass
— Lock-In-Latch Shielded Door Locks
— Rear Fog Lamps
— Manual 6-Way Adjustable Cloth Driver Seat (fore/aft/up/down/recline, plus lumbar)
— 2nd-Row, Split-Folding/Removable Seat
— Air Conditioning
— AM/FM Stereo
— Audio Input Jack and 2 Front Power Points
— Front Overhead Storage Shelf
—Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel
— Collapsible Steering Column
—Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
— Front Airbags and Front-Seat Side Airbags
—Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
— Front Independent MacPherson Strut Suspension w/Variable-Rate Springs; Front and Rear Anti-Roll Bars; and Rear Multileaf Spring Suspension
— Boron Steel Front Crossmember
— Polycarbonate Headlamps and Taillamps
 

 

2009 Chevrolet Camaro

2009 Chevrolet Camaro

GM still is working on the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform on which a future production Camaro would be built. The concept version was based on the same architecture as the Pontiac Solstice, though that platform was modified to accept a 400-horsepower, small-block V8 powertrain borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette.

By using Active Fuel Management to shut off cylinders not needed for highway cruising, GM figures the modern Camaro could achieve 30 miles per gallon in such circumstances, yet still provide the off-the-line muscle that made the pony cars appealing in the first place. Putting that power to the pavement in the concept cars are huge 22-inch rear wheels, with 21s up front to provide steering control and with 14-inch disc brake rotors to provide stopping power.

While the exterior has a modern edge and attitude, the interior has more retro styling cues with two large main gauges and with other gauges located at the front of the center console.

GM says the concept "is intended to explore customer reaction to design and engineering elements that might lead to an all-new version of the Camaro," the Chevy pony car that ceased production after the 2002 model year.

The Camaro concept was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We're looking arrival in dealerships January 09.

2009 BMW X6

2009 BMW X6
 
BMW is introducing a new sports activity coupe here in the U.S. sometime early next year called the X6. The BMW X6 concept shown at this fall's Frankfurt Auto Show was a thinly veiled version of the real X6 we will see here next year.

The production BMW X6 will be manufactured at the company's SUV plant in South Carolina, and it will look almost exactly like this concept when it arrives in early 2008. Unlike the conventionally styled BMW X3 and X5, the company's five-door SUVs, the production X6 will have seats for only four occupants, with much less rear-seat headroom and a very small cargo compartment by comparison. That's part of the Sports Activity Vehicle concept, though we'll likely call it an SUV. Think of it as an SUV take on four-door coupes such as the Mazda RX-8 and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

BMW has shown two strikingly different concepts of the X6, a high-riding SUV that's a four-door coupe version of the 6 Series and a hybrid version of the same hatchback coupe that was claimed to get about 20 percent better fuel economy than the standard version, with a concomitant reduction in tailpipe emissions.

2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup

hybrid silverado truck

Chevrolet unveiled its new hybrid Silverado truck at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Let's take a quick look at the Silverado hybrid before we get into the specifics:

  • The hybrid truck will be available as a Crew Cab; choose either 2WD or 4WD
  • Look for a 40-percent gain in city fuel economy and a 25-percent gain overall (when compared to a conventional Silverado); cruising range is more than 500 miles
  • The truck is equipped with GM's 2-Mode Hybrid system
  • Equipped with a 6-liter V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management and late-intake valve closing technology
  • Capable of all-electric drive up to 30 miles per hour
  • Towing capacity of 6,100 pounds for the 2WD truck
  • The only full-size hybrid pickup truck; goes on sale in late 2008 as a 2009 model
The truck is directed by GM's 2-Mode Hybrid System:

An electronic variable transmission (EVT) allows infinitely variable gearing when it's advantageous for the truck's efficiency, but automatically changes modes to act as a conventional transmission (with four fixed gear ratios) when necessary, typically when you're driving at higher speeds or have increased hauling needs.

The truck's Hybrid Optimizing System (HOS) constantly sends information to the EVT, optimizing transmission operations for best performance and economy.

Silverado's Energy storage system (ESS) is a 300-volt battery that's located in the chassis underneath the truck's rear seats.

It provides power to the EVT and stores the energy it captures during deceleration, when braking, and when the system converts one of the truck's two electric motors into a generator.

The ESS powers the A/C compressor and the Accessory Power Module (APM), which in turn feeds the truck's 42-volt power steering system, its 12 volt battery and other 12-volt systems.

The big battery is cooled by a system that draws air from within the passenger compartment. It has an 8-year / 100,00 mile warranty, and Chevy says the ESS has safety features to keep it from over-charging, over-heating, being penetrated by liquids, and from accidental access to its components.

The hybrid truck's 6.0L V-8 runs on regular gas. It's equipped with an Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. A computer controlled late-intake valve closing (LIVC) feature lets the truck run on 4, 5, or 8 cylinders, whichever offers the best performance and economy for the job.

Chevy doesn't have official EPA ratings for the hybrid truck yet, but based on their own tests and the new Tahoe's ratings, the company expects a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy when compared to a similar conventional Silverado.

That's a quick look at the new Silverado Hybrid, but we're still learning more about the truck. Stop back for updates.

2010 Chevrolet Volt

Chevy Volt Concept

Beneath the skin lies a new propulsion system from which GM expects big things.

The Chevy Volt concept is significant on two fronts - the car itself is a preview of what the next generation Cobalt may look like, but more important, beneath the skin lies a new propulsion system from which GM expects big things. The styling of the Volt can best be described as Camaro meets econobox. This hatchback has a squished down greenhouse, high belt line and Chevrolet's  signature two-tier grille. The drive system underneath is a forward looking as the exterior. The Volt is designed to showcase GM's new E-Flex drive system, which consists of a generator and an electric motor turning the front wheels. GM believes in the future all cars may be driven electrically and not mechanically as they are now with conventional transmissions and is developing powerful generators and motors to do just that.

How these electric drive systems will be powered is the "Flex" part of the equation. It could be by a lithium/ion battery pack that can be plugged in and recharged overnight. The battery pack would provide a basic 40-mile range for daily commuting. A 1.0-liter internal combustion engine to drive the generator when the battery charge falls below 30 percent would supplement this system. The engine's 12-gallon tank would provide as much as a 640-mile range between fill-ups. Another E-Flex alternative would be using a fuel cell stack to power the generator. It too, would be supplemented by a smaller lithium/ion battery pack with plug-in recharging capability. This auxiliary power would allow the Volt to be driven short distances as the fuel cell builds its charge, a handy add-on especially in cold climates where fuel cells take longer to reach maximum output. Running on compressed hydrogen GM estimates that a fuel cell powered Volt would have a range of about 300 miles.

2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid

Tahoe

The 2008 Chevy Tahoe already has best-in-class fuel economy.(1) So why mess with a good thing? To make it better, of course. Seems the Green Car Journal agrees — they've named the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid(2) the Green Car of the Yearฎ.(3) America's first full-size hybrid SUV is available in two- or four-wheel drive and provides the power and capability you expect from a utility vehicle while delivering efficiency you never imagined. Its hybrid propulsion system is designed to operate in three ways: electric power, engine power, or any combination of electric and engine power. When you need the extra muscle of Tahoe's Vortec V8, it kicks in seamlessly. When you need to conserve, two small and lightweight 60 kW motors get the job done.

In the city, where many SUVs spend the bulk of their time, the 6.0 liter two-mode Hybrid achieves 50 percent better fuel economy than a standard Tahoe with a 5.3-liter V-8. The Tahoe's 21 mpg in the city is the same as the city rating for the four-cylinder Toyota Camry.

2009 Nissan GT-R

2009 Nissan GT-R
The 2009 Nissan GT-R, an all-new high-performance coupe, goes on sale this summer priced in the low $70,000's.

The name GT-R (for grand turismo racer) has been legendary in Japan since 1969 when Datsun applied the Skyline GT-R moniker to a four-door sedan. That car went on to win 36 races in four years, then disappeared. The name was reborn in 1989 as an all-wheel-drive production sports coupe with supercar performance. The last Skyline GT-R was offered in 2003.

Nissan will finally bring the GT-R to the United States as a 2009 model starting in June 2008. The Skyline name has been dropped (now used by Japanese home market versions of the Infiniti G35 sedan and G37 coupe).

A 2+2 coupe, the 2009 Nissan GT-R is based on a new platform Nissan calls PM for Prime Midship. Nissan says PM is an advanced version of the Front Midship (FM) architecture that is home to the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G37 coupe, among others. Like FM, PM aims for balanced weight distribution by moving the engine back so most of its weight is behind the front axle. The GT-R rides on a 109.4-inch wheelbase.

2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class

If there's anything about this luxury sedan that will get your attention, it will be the new design for the front end. It appears as though Mercedes-Benz is finished with oval headlights for awhile, as this E-Class will get a more squared-off front fascia. The headlights will adopt a shape that resembles that of the current S-Class, one that gives the E's nose a meaner, more angular look. Unlike the new C-Class with its choice of grille treatments depending on the trim level of the model, the E-Class is more likely to retain its traditional design with a three-pointed star perched atop the hood.

Apart from the obvious changes up front, the rest of the 2010 E-Class will remain classically conservative. No major changes to the belt line, no distinctive window shapes — nothing. None of this is necessarily a bad thing, as the E-Class is already one of the best-looking sedans and wagons around. Expect some revisions to the rear taillights and a few other minor detail upgrades, but nothing as dramatic as the front clip.

Look for the official debut of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.
 

2009 Dodge Ram

 
In addition to its full redesign and cowboy cred, the 2009 Ram employs lots of clever gimmickry in an attempt to claw away sales from the perennial darlings of hard-working, hard-playing American consumers, the F-150 and the Chev Silverado/GMC Sierra.

 

If you need lots of cold beer in order to shoot a solid round of golf, the Ram is your best bet, because the crew-cab Ram 1500's optional dual RamBox compartments can contain a set of clubs alongside one bedrail and up to five cases of beer (or fewer cases with lots of ice) along the other bedrail.

Detroit 08: Significant Debuts For Actual Production Cars

Additional picks for significant production debuts at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. They're all game changers of some form or another. Read why we think so and then click the links at the end for full coverage of each vehicle.

 

2009 Hyundai Genesis

With rear-wheel-drive, a powerful V-8, and an attractive (albeit contrived) design, Hyundai moves into the large luxury sedan market. Slowly but surely, this company continues to raise its own bar. It's interesting to note that Hyundai didn't use the Genesis to launch a Lexus-like brand. We're eager to see who buys these cars.
 


 

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

True, we've known about this one since December, but it's hardly old news. Chevy is building the most powerful - and most expensive - Corvette ever. It may not look much different from other C6 Vettes, but this one is packed with enough power and tech to make up for it. If it's as good as it looks on paper there should be no shortage of customers for this $100,000 beast.
 


 

2009 BMW 335d

We love diesels and, according to a few recent All-Star lists, we happen to like the 3-series. We're glad to finally see a performance-oriented diesel sedan on its way to the USA. Honorable mention goes to the X5 equipped with the same engine - quite possibly the perfect tow vehicle. Let the diesel invasion begin.

 


 

2009 VW Passat CC

Sexy Passat used to be an oxymoron. VW has taken the idea for the Mercedes CLS (itself based on the E-class) and created a 4 Door coupe for the masses. Look for the Passat name to be dropped for the American market, and for the CC to start somewhere around $27,000. That's an impressive price for a car that looks this good.
 


 

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Power like this was previously unheard of in an American sedan. Like the CTS coupe concept, the CTS-V shows Cadillac is serious about going after the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz.  The factory-tuned horsepower war will no longer be limited to German soil.