Automotive Trends

In the course of a press conference Chrysler has gone from second string to major player in the midsize sedan market with the all-new 2015 200S and 2ooC. The 200 seeks to erase the frumpy memory of past models by offering a stunning 4-door coupe body with upscale surface treatments and detailing not usually found at this price point. The front and rear lamps use LED accents and the narrow grille opening and prominent winged Chrysler badge debut the newly refined face of the company’s car line. Mechanically the 20o offers more than ever before with your choice of a 2.4-liter I4 (good for at least 35 mpg highway) or 295 hp 3.6-liter V6 matched to a standard 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive with the V6. Chrysler says the 200S emphasizes sportiness and the 200C is the luxury tip of the lineup. However, when the doors swing open both models are way ahead of the competition. Great two-tone color schemes and uniquely finished wood trim along with plenty of metallic details make the new 200 feel a class above its class. The available 8.4″ UConnect infotainment system is present and the available heated steering wheel will be appreciated by demanding young buyers. The Chevrolet Malibu had better start printing some big rebate checks when this thing goes on sale later this year because the 200 is finally ready to steal some customers.

The Ford Mustang is an icon like no other so when a new one debuts the world pays attention. We were able to lay eyes on the new ponys at the NAIAS and came away pleased with the significant update that arrives just in time for the model’s 50th Anniversary. Gone is the solid rear axle so we expect a new level of handling finesse without the side skip you used to get on broken pavement. We’re also fans of the revised profile and sportier greenhouse with cleaner lines and a dramatically sloped rear fastback shape. Up front the wide grille remains tough looking and instantly recognizable. The rear end is visually reduced from the last generation and sportier looking as a result. The 5.0 V8 remains the top engine and the 3.7-liter V6 serves as the base motor but a new 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder will slot in the middle as an efficient option with more than 300 horsepower. The interior remains mostly retro inspired but with improved materials and easier to use controls to access the latest connectivity and infotainment options. Of course the usual bevy of special editions will start debuting before long but for now we’re happy to report the world can breathe easy because the Mustang GT lives up to its iconic status.

The big guns don’t get any bigger than the F-150. Just consider that it’s been the best selling vehicle in America for decades and represents a majority of Ford’s profits through the years and you’ll understand why it’s absolutely critical that Ford deliver an outstanding lineup that will last 6-8 years against relentless competition. Ford has done just that by pushing the boundaries of manufacturing to make nearly all of the F-150’s body out of aluminum contributing to a massive 700 pound weight reduction compared to the outgoing model. With more high strength steel in the chassis Ford will deliver a more efficient truck that offers even greater capacity for hauling and towing. Powertrain engineers were also hard at work developing a new 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 to slot in as a mid-range engine above the naturally aspirated base V6. Although power output was not announced, Ford assures us it will compete favorably with competitor’s small V8s while returning far better mileage. The interior hasn’t been overlooked either with improved materials, helpful new apps on the infotainment system to aide in towing and off-roading, and an enormous glass roof to bring an open, airy feel to the crew cab interior. With handsome new looks derived from last year’s Atlas Concept we expect Ford’s big gun to keep firing with all barrels.

The only people not happy to see the C7 ZO6 roll onto the Detroit Auto Show stage today are owners of the once-mighty ZR1. Corvette engineers have forgotten all about model heirachy and brought the new ZO6 model to market with even more power and performance than last year’s $120k range-topper. What makes that news even harder to hear is that the much-improved ZO6 will almost certainly cost tens of thousands less than the previous flagship. Chevrolet expects true supercar performance with regards to road holding, acceleration and braking. All of the aggressive body additions are the result of intensive wind tunnel testing to improve downforce at speed and the car looks downright menacing in person. Oh yeah, one more fact to wrinkle ZR1 drivers’ noses: the ZO6 broke the Milford proving ground track record on the first go-round. You’ve gotta love the march of progress. We do!

     Automakers want to keep the momentum they built up in 2013 rolling into the new year so we’re expecting a great show when the doors swing open on the 2014 North American International Auto Show tomorrow. We’ve fueled up with Chex Mix and charged enough electronics to stream, record and tweet our way through the biggest auto show of the year as only Automotive Trends can. You’ll need to watch our Auto Show Eve video preview to learn our predictions for North American Car and Truck of the Year, but since new-daddy Design Editor Gernand is following along at home with all of you, we can share that he believes the Cadillac CTS and Jeep Cherokee will be taking home the hardware. So follow us on Twitter @automotvtrnds for news as it happens and check back Monday evening for our expanded video coverage and photo galleries.

      GM’s been enjoying much improved sales results the last few years and a big driver of that has been the newfound competitiveness in its car lineup. Chevrolet now has a strong entry at every level from the ity bity Spark to the downright handsome Impala and it’s been far too long since we’ve been able to declare that. We just got a crack at the 5-door Sonic and while no one will be using phrases like “downright handsome” to describe it, we found a lot to like about the little Michigan-made Chevy. Read more…

      Audi seems to be all about choice these days and the flagship A8 range seems to prove that. When only a few years ago a buyer could choose from V8 or W12, with the addition of the 3.0T model buyers can now choose from a V6, two V8s, a W12 and an upcoming diesel. Read more…

      There should be a plaque on the dash of every Chevy Spark that the driver would have to recite before turning the key. It would be an adaption of Chief Joseph’s great surrender speech and it would read “I will pass no more forever”. This would put the driver in an appropriate state of mind since you are surrendering driving fun every time you set off in a mini car powered by a 1.25-liter I4 that musters 84 hp. We thanked our lucky stars for the standard 5-speed manual since the optional 4-speed automatic must be positively glacial in its acceleration. Of course once we got used to the lack of power the Spark surprised us with what it does offer. Our loaded 2LT trim came with power windows locks and mirrors, 10 airbags, 15” aluminum wheels, OnStar, even heated seats, satellite radio and a 7” touch screen with MyLink smartphone integration for Pandora, navigation and Bluetooth audio! To say we were a bit surprised at what Chevy has included for $15,795 is an understatement. Of course, compared to even the next class up you should be prepared for a noticeable increase in wind, road and engine noise and other refinement issues like small vibrations coming transmitting through the steering wheel. Still, the car offered a fine ride, 38 mpg on the highway and more than enough room up front—although back seat passengers should be small and cargo room with the 2^nd row up is very tight. As for style, the Spark should catch the eye of young, first time buyers who care more about features than foot-pounds of torque and as for us, it’s safe to say we were pleasantly surprised with Chevy’s first mini car in the US.

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      Roll the calendar back a handful of years and the Audi S4 used to be a bonafide sport sedan with a boisterous 4.2-liter V8 making 340 hp that put it well above its contemporaries in power and performance.  We’re a bit disappointed to report that in 2010 Audi retired the V8 in favor of a mildly tuned 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that achieves only 333 hp. During the same period progress has brought the class average up significantly with today’s competition like the Cadillac ATS offering 321 hp and the Infiniti G37 offering 328 hp from their naturally aspirated V6s. So does the S4 still feel like a special sport sedan? We’d argue that by today’s standards it’d probably take more like 400 hp to achieve that distinction. What it does feel like is a great top trim in the A4 lineup for customers who want a bit more juice than the 2.0-liter turbo four offers. Regardless, we like the S4 because it still offers a pleasing 6-speed manual, supportive sport seats, Audi’s customizable Drive Select system and, of course, all-wheel drive traction for year round fun that makes the S4 a great partner for those of us in the Motor City. And we like the price range of $48k-$54k that keeps the S4 feeling like a bit of a value. What Audi needs to work on is the lifeless steering, bland interior design and getting that supercharger to pay a few more dividends in the power ratings. If they can do that and maintain price the S4 would be back to sport sedan status faster than you can say, “What V8?!”. Read more…

The Crossover that Created the Segment Enters 2013 Better than Ever

If you’re not a fan of the crossovers that today fill every soccer field parking lot and school unloading zone, you can direct your displeasure squarely at Toyota. The company created the segment back in the mid-90’s when the car-based RAV4 burst onto the scene with a spare tire hanging off the back and a promise to ride and drive more civilized than any other SUV of the time. Since then, the little people mover has expanded to dealerships in more than 150 countries and found more than 171,000 buyers in the US last year. But competition in the segment is relentless with major players releasing all-new or significantly improved offerings in the last year, including the Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. While developing its all-new 2013 model Toyota is also taking the opportunity to bring this 4th Generation RAV4 back to its roots after watching the model expand away from its core to offer a third row of seats and a V6 engine option that clearly trespassed on the Highlander’s turf. We recently flew to Arizona to drive the new RAV4 and came away impressed with the value Toyota is offering in the crossover that started it all.

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