Spectra5 Ranked Number One!

Whoa! Hold your brake calipers right there. Kia Spectra5… number one? This news from The Auto Channel really caught my attention big time. I have my share of love and respect for Kia, but I never thought it would be ranked as the number one car in U.S. News & World report’s 2008 Best Cars and Truck rankings. This is totally surprising… very astonishing news, and a good one!

According to TheAutoChannel.com, the 2008 Kia Spectra5 which is identified as the Cerato 5-door in various markets is placed in the number one spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2008 rankings which was released yesterday.

“Spectra5’s top ranking proves that style and substance do not have to be compromised when combined with safety, value and quality. This is a great distinction for the Spectra5 in what is known to be a tough, competitive segment, and rounds out an awards-laden year for Kia’s full line of vehicles,” says Len Hunt, the president and CEO of Kia Motors America.

Goodyear To Develop Lunar Tires

NASA is set on conquering Mars. But before they send a craft to the planet, they would need to take care of all equipments.  And for their need of a tire, they turned to Goodyear, the makers of run-flat tires.

Creating the perfect tire for use outside of Earth poses a lot of problems. Vivake Asnani, NASA principal investigator had this to say according to The Auto Channel:  “The basic rubber-pneumatic design used on Earth does not have the same utility on the moon.  The challenges associated with creating a lunar tire are further complicated by the fact that there are no lunar roads. Lunar tires need to be designed to develop traction on sandy undulated terrain, in regions that humans have never even seen up close. Plus, the prospect of an immobilizing ‘flat tire’ would be devastating to the mission.”

Joe Gingo, Goodyear’s executive vice president and chief technical officer believes that they have the capability to create the tire that NASA needs.  “The mission performance goals for these tires will push known tire technology well beyond its comfort zone,” said Gingo.  “I am confident we have the capabilities to do that,” he added.

Dave Glemming, Goodyear’s principal investigator added:  “Not only will the outcome of this project deliver a product that can handle the performance capabilities required for lunar mobility and beyond, we expect the outcome will yield answers to how future non-pneumatic tires may be designed for Earth applications.”

The Auto Channel reported that the tire manufacturer will not start from scratch so a one year timeline is reasonable. The LRV tire which Goodyear will be looking to upgrade was described by the report which goes:  “The LRV tire was woven out of piano wire, in order to provide a soft, springy surface to contour to the ground and provide good ride quality. It looks a bit like the skeleton of an Earth tire. This approach worked very well, because each LRV tire was only required to support about 60 pounds of weight (all things weigh 6x less on the moon than on Earth) and be used for a maximum of 75 miles.”

Car Talk: Who’s Mean With Cars?

Who’s mean with cars? What’s the most meticulous gender? What’s the most passive? Men? Women?

Let’s have some car talk…

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, syndicated columnists of Seattlepi.com have shared their thoughts regarding the matter. It started with a brief letter:

Dear Tom and Ray: My dad was the kind of man who seemed to know about everything mechanical. Since he died, I miss being able to call and ask him some obscure question that he could answer; he really did seem to know everything. The other day, I realized that reading your column is the closest thing I’ve had to having my dad here for a resource. So, thanks for your humor and the information. My question: In your years of experience, who would you say is harder on a car — men or women? I know what my dad would say; what do you say? – Theresa

Let the conversation begin…

Ray: Our theory is that men’s relationships with cars are like women’s relationships with men.

Tom: Look at the similarities. Is a man content to simply “have” a car? No. He has to be in constant communication with his vehicle so he always knows how it’s feeling. He needs to know where he stands with the car. He likes to open the hood, look around, check the levels. He wants to know when something is wrong. He may even “sense” a problem before it’s obvious. Then he’ll want to “deal with it” right away, so it doesn’t fester.

Ray: This essentially describes a woman’s relationship with the man in her life, doesn’t it?

Tom: And how does a woman treat her car? To most women, the car originally was selected because it was cute and the right size. What does she require after that? That it start. That’s about it. The fact that the car is still there in the morning and starts up for her that day is good enough. If there’s a little hiccup … a little blue smoke, a little hesitation, a wobble in the front end, why worry about it? And if it gets so bad that the car stops running, she’ll worry about it then. Otherwise, she’ll ignore it and hope it goes away.

Ray: This is how men are in human relationships. Am I right, ladies?

Tom: Are we in trouble yet?

Ray: Oh, no. Keep digging.

Tom: Well, our relationship analysis would suggest that women are harder on cars than men, because they’re not as aware of problems in their early stages, when they might be cheaper to fix.

Ray: But then you have to factor in the basic nature of men and women. Women, by their very nature, are gentler and less aggressive. That would suggest they’re easier on cars.

Tom: While men are animals. We stomp on the gas, jam on the brakes, swerve between lanes and whack things when they don’t work.

Ray: So who’s harder on cars?

Tom: I don’t know. But I know we just gave every man in America an opening to say, “You know, hon, if you paid half as much attention to your car as you do to our relationship, you’d never run it out of oil again.”

Ray: And we’ve given every woman in America an opening to say, “You know, if you were half as sensitive to my needs as you are to your car’s, I’d never have to ask you for anything again.”

Tom: So, we’ve either solved the world’s most pressing problems or started World War III.

America’s Most Expensive Cities To Buy Gas

Here in America, what state do you think spend the most on gasoline?

It’s San Francisco.

Yes, the 4th most populous city in California and the 14th most populous city in the U.S., is on the top spot in the list of most expensive fueling territories.

MSNBC reports:

Drivers in San Francisco enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, with scenic stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway to the south and the rural shoreline to the north. And they pay for it at the pump. There, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline reached $3.546 at the end of November, up from $2.524 a year ago.

Things don’t look much better in other parts of the state. San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento and Los Angeles posted the country’s next-highest per-gallon prices, respectively, according to Gasbuddy.com, a Web site that tracks gas prices nationwide. Such high prices are not confined to California. Among the country’s 40 largest metros, New York City, Buffalo, Seattle, Miami and Chicago rounded out the top 10 priciest places to buy gas.

The surge at the pump is the result of rising crude oil prices, which have grown significantly since 2004, when a barrel sold for $26. On Wednesday, a barrel went for $93.

Still, west coast drivers are hit hardest. Those in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles pay more at the pump than those in Houston or Dallas, where the average price per gallon Wednesday was $2.90 and $2.923, respectively, due to such factors as fuel taxes, environmental standards and costs of business like regulatory burdens and taxes.

What’s more, the difference between, say, San Francisco and Houston is more pronounced this time of year since California requires cleaner fuel year round. Texas, like many Southern and Midwestern states, eases up on such requirements during the winter months when consumption slows. California’s higher environmental standard increases refining costs, which get passed along to the consumer.

One of America’s burdens is too much reliance on foreign oil. As such, has San Francisco evolved into a market in disarray? Apparently, a number of factories in North America and Australia have completely shut. Would San Francisco follow?

“Initially, [the subsidies] looked like a pure handout, but now it looks like its suckered investors into losing a lot of money,” said Michael Liebreich, CEO of New Energy Finance, a London-based analyst firm. “Right now oil could be at $120 [per barrel] and it wouldn’t make any difference … the speed that the private equity industry poured money into the industry is beyond its profitability.”

“There’s room for us to expand upon our management of the system,” concluded David Schrank, co-author of the TTI study. “We can make our operations much more efficient through things like service patrols or ramp metering … very few areas that are managing 100 percent of their system, and there’s room to improve on their management by going beyond the freeway to the arterial streets.”

I will be trailing the progress…

Smoking In Cars Ban: Going Provincewide?

Doctors in Ontario want the province to outlaw smoking in vehicles that contain children. Any idea how bad the situation is?

The Ontario Medical Association challenged the province yesterday to ban smoking in vehicles with kids, amplifying a call for action that began this week at London city hall, reported The London Free Press. Doctors are calling on the provincial government to follow this lead and implement a provincewide ban on smoking in cars carrying children,” the medical association wrote yesterday.

Bernie MacDonald, London Coun.,  on Monday proposed such a ban in the territory, persuading colleagues to investigate whether the city held such authority. A similar measure was taken in York Region, both actions prompting doctors to act.

“If London follows through with their initiative, we hope it will lead to a provincewide ban on smoking in cars carrying kids,” said association president Dr. Janice Willett.

A 2004 OMA study stressed the harm caused by smoking in vehicles, including findings levels of second-hand smoke in vehicles can be 23 times more toxic than in a house. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher risk for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and sudden infant death syndrome and as they get older are more likely to develop cancer and heart disease, the association wrote.

“Children deserve protection from elements that can harm their health and development,” Willett said. “Other jurisdictions are proving such a ban is possible. It’s time for our province to lead the way by becoming the first province to ban smoking in cars carrying kids.”

The said letter delighted MacDonald: “I’m thrilled everything has taken off so fast. I’m sure we’re going to see a better Ontario for it.”

Bans are already imposed in Arkansas and Louisiana, in certain cities in Maine, New Jersey and New York and in South Australia and Puerto Rico. The fines range from $25 to $2,000.

Personally, I am glad the legislature has come up with the ban to safeguard the young.

Jaguar Cars Reigned Blast Radius Best UK Online Experience Survey 2007

The strategic interactive agency Blast Radius’ Best UK Online Experience survey for 2007 was topped by Jaguar Car’s. Jaguar thrashed a bunch of world-renowned companies such as Magnet, Reebok, Burberry and Durex brand owner, SSL, to the crown.

According to TheAutoChannel.com, Blast Radius has accounted in its Best Online Experience survey on trade sites that tops the ‘social shopping’ revolution for the past two years.

“This year we wanted to look closely at something we’d started to believe strongly – that the consumer goods industry could learn a lot from the retail channel that often serves them. In particular, that they could invigorate brand image, counter commoditisation and build loyalty by connecting and engaging directly with their customers and their passions online. To do this involves making the manufacturing ‘mother ship’ so evocative and compelling that customers come back again and again for an experience like no other,” says Blast Radius CEO, Gurval Caer.

FAW-VW To Launch Audi A8L

 A gorgeous car is yet to be unleashed by FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co., Ltd…

The joint venture between China FAW Group Corporation and German Auto giant Volkswagen AG, launched Audi A6L, a car model equipped with 2.8L FSI engine, at the 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, said the Trading Markets.

The venture’s Audi-branded cars mirrored robust sales growth trend this year. According to a forecast, over 100,000 Audi-branded cars will be sold in the full year. To stress, 82,868 such cars were sold in the first 10 months of this year, including 6,433 imported cars. Of those imported cars, Audi A8 saw a 30% growth in sales.

China-made Audi A4 was still a major force in the domestic B-class car segment. The model reached sales of about 15,000 units during the period from January to October 2007, jumping 40% from the same period of a year earlier, the report continued. Additionally, FAW-Volkswagen will launch Audi A8L sedans and introduce Audi R8 sports cars into China, the world’s second-biggest auto market this December.

FAW-Volkswagen, which was formally created in 1991, has gradually improves its product lines and eventually developed into an automaker with a daily production capacity of over 1,000 vehicles under the Bora, Caddy, Golf, Jetta, Sagitar, and Audi brands.

FAW-Volkswagen, which earlier focused on the northern Chinese segment, changed its marketing system from March 2006 and strived to expand its market share in South China, added the report. The venture formed South China Strategic Business Unit (SBU) with the concentration on Guangdong and latter set up Guangzhou Brand Experience Center (GEC) in December last year.

In July, FAW-Volkswagen introduced the new VW Magotan in Beijing. With a price sticker that ranges between CNY 192,800 and CNY 249,800, the debut of the car is expected to break the layout of the Chinese B-class car segment. To note, prices of 6 B- class car models, such as Accord, Mazda6, and Mondeo were slashed earlier.

Lots of car manufacturers have been competing for the B-class segment due to the high profits and strong demand. Currently, there are approximately 25 B-class car models in China.

Audi A8L Specs

Pros:
Sizzling performance, even with base engine
Top-notch safety gear
Supremely comfortable rear-seat accomodations

Cons:
Low roofline makes ingress and egress tricky for taller folks
Small sideview mirrors
Rear-seat headrests block the rear view
Expensive

Bottom line:
Paradise on wheels for drivers and passengers alike

Details and specs:
Body style: 4-door sedan
Trim levels: A8, A8 L, A8 L W12
Price range (including options): $69,620 – $135,610
Base engine: 4.2 liter V8, 350 hp @ 6800 RPM, 325 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
Optional engine(s): 6.0 liter W12, 450 hp @ 6200 RPM, 428 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual control
Driveline: Front engine, all-wheel-drive
Emissions: Not available
EPA fuel economy estimates: 18 MPG city/25 MPG highway (V8), 15/21 (W12)
Where built: Germany
Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted torso airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control
Optional safety equipment: None
Major standard features: You name it, the A8’s got it
Major options: Rear-view camera, power trunk, heated front and rear seats, solar-powered cooling system, adaptive cruise control, four-zone climate control, refrigerator/wine cooler
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 12 years/unlimited mileage outer body rust-through
Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 4 year 24-hour roadside assistance

Best rivals:
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
BMW 7-series
Jaguar XJ8L

[credit: About.com]

Garmin Device In Volvos

Combine Garmin navigation device with Volvo Cars. What do you get? Mmm. Nothing less than an exquisite and reliable auto lineup. The Volvo-Garmin solution must be the best of both worlds.

CNN reports:
Garmin Ltd. said Monday Volvo Cars Corp. will install one of the company’s portable satellite navigation models in certain cars. The nuvi 760 will be used in the Volvo C30 and Volvo XC70, available at Volvo dealerships in North America and Europe. The nuvi 760 fits current Volvo car models and can be fitted to certain earlier models as well. The product is expected to be available in early December.

The nuvi 760 will be available starting December at Volvo dealerships across North America and Europe, Olathe-based Garmin said in a release last Monday. The device will be compatible with the Volvo C30, XC70 and some earlier models.

“Garmin is delighted to work with Volvo to offer its customers a high-quality satellite navigation system,” Roger Jollis, Garmin’s director of original equipment manufacturers and mobile marketing, said in the release. “Volvo and Garmin are passionate about safety, engineering and quality, and we believe customers will appreciate the design of this navigation solution. This transaction strengthens Garmin’s growing position as a recognized supplier to the automotive industry.”

Garmin has similar agreements with at least seven other auto manufacturers in the United States, North America and Europe, and seven car rental companies in North America, said company spokesman Ted Gartner.

“We have chosen Garmin as our partner for our new Volvo Portable navigation offer,” said Lars-Erik Roos, Volvo’s managing director, accessory business unit. “I believe that our customers will appreciate this combination navigation product with the Volvo integrated and well designed installation kit.”

The nuvi 760 innovation features a bright, widescreen that aids drivers with turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions. If the driver misses a turn, the nuvi automatically recalculates and gets them back on track, the report continued. The nuvi 760 also includes Garmin’s latest safety feature, “Where Am I.”

According to the makers of the auto feature, a single tap on the screen shows drivers the accurate latitude and longitude position, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. Also, it offers advanced but user-friendly portable navigation experience without compromising the quality, styling and safety specifications that a Volvo aficionado would expect from his car.

What Mike Hanley Say About The 2008 Mini Clubman

Mike Hanley is one among the commentators of Kicking Tires. Just this morning, he commented on the freshest 2008 Mini Clubman. He said, “Like an overbearing parent, BMW has stuck its nose in Mini’s business via the navigation system offered in the Clubman. The system features an iDrive-esque control setup featuring a small joystick in the center console that functions like an iDrive controller knob. The integration of the system’s screen into the center speedometer is pretty slick, but if you’re averse to iDrive, you’re not going to like the Clubman’s system. The practicality of the Cooper’s rear seats has always been questionable, but the extended-length Clubman has rear seats that you could actually use on a double date without fear of putting your friends in a crabby mood.”

Even Patrick Olsen of Cars.com also commented on the existence of the new 2008 Mini Clubman. He said, “The Clubman’s extra space eases getting in and out of this little charmer. Access on the passenger side, with the suicide-door opening, was really easy, even for me (6-foot-1).”

Olsen describes the new Clubman. He also said, “ The backseat in the model I was in were a very comfortable leather, and even with an adult in front of me my knees weren’t crunched. It wasn’t like sitting in first class, of course, but it would be passable for short trips. My kids would definitely be more comfortable in this car than they were in the original Mini, where they found themselves cramped at the end of a two-hour trip. The speedometer on the model I sat in was different from previous Minis I’ve driven; instead of a large dial, there’s a red plastic piece that runs along the outside of the speedometer. In the center was a navigation screen with a joystick controller on the center console.”

Ford Overhauls Family Haulers

Ford’s goal: to produce a family hauler that won’t look and feel as such.

To carry out the goal, the Dearborn-based automaker is overhauling its haulers to make them too cool and hip as well as to make aficionados hesitant to call them ordinary.

While the FooseFlex and the Flex² are the customized versions of the Ford Flex crossover. They are equipped with Katzkin leather seats, 22-inch wheels, brandywine paint and spoilers, and other striking auto accessories and amenities. The customized family haulers made their world debut this morning in Las Vegas at the annual Specialty Manufacturers Market Associations show, reported The Detroit News.

According to the automaker, the FooseFlex was designed by hot rod king Chip Foose. The Flex² showcases the talents of rap artist and car enthusiast Funkmaster Flex. It was further divulged that both crossovers reach out to diverse American lifestyles: one suburban and the other city.

A buzz has surrounded the Ford Flex since a production model debuted at the New York auto show in April. “Since (Foose and Flex) saw (the Ford Flex) at the New York auto show, they’ve been hounding us to have a chance to work on them,” said Kate Pearce, Flex brand plan manager.

“This vehicle really resonates with people,” said Pearce, adding that Ford wanted to keep that buzz alive by showing customized versions of the Flex at the SEMA event, which begins today and runs through Friday.

“As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to be a part it; it’s going to be a killer,” said Flex, who created a street cruiser with a luxurious interior. “This thing is going to be a hit.”

Design time reduced

Realizing a designer’s vision in weeks rather than months could have been a challenge. Foose and Flex had about six weeks to work on handmade prototypes, unlike the six months some customizers get to spend on production models for SEMA, said Melvin Betancourt, Ford’s design manager for trucks.

It proved to be more than enough time for Flex. “I didn’t need that much; I had the photograph of the vehicle in my mind,” Flex said. “I already knew what I wanted to do.”

The urban Flex

What he did was transform a chic family hauler into a low-riding modern street cruiser. Flex said he thought about how people in the city would want to use it in the urban setting, prompting him to lower the vehicle and pay special attention to the interior. “Nothing is over the top,” Flex added.

vMany of the parts Flex used in the vehicle are already in stock at Ford or at aftermarket companies. The interior of the vehicle features alligator print seat covers by Katzkin, Invision DVD headrests and Funkmaster Flex floor mats. The brandywine-colored body and silver roof add to the modern look of the Flex².

The suburbia Foose

Foose, on the other hand, took a different strategy. The FooseFlex exudes a more suburban feel, designed as something a family might take to the Hamptons for the weekend. The vehicle boasts of a sporty look and chrome accents to add sparkle to its hot rod roots.

“I think each vehicle brings a life of its own,” Betancourt said. “Both of these guys are very passionate about vehicles, and that passion really comes through.”

The Flex could help Ford grab a bigger chunk of the growing crossover market, said Erich Merkle, an analyst at the Grand Rapids-based consulting firm IRN Inc. “Leaving the minivan segment may turn out to be a good move by Ford,” he added. “The crossover segment is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Building the Flex² and FooseFlex also is a good way to attract younger buyers who are less likely to opt for the utility of a minivan. This is a good way to attract the aftermarket companies to build for the Flex.”

Both vehicles won’t hit dealerships until next summer.