Introducing the Audi Q5 Crossover
Uncategorized Jan
29
2010
Uncategorized 
The Audi Q5 compact crossover appeared in early 2009 and quickly became the second biggest seller in the German company’s North American lineup of 10 vehicles. With 1,717 sales in December, it trailed the A4 sedan at 3,555.
Built from the A5 coupe and A4 architecture, the Q5 is about the same size as the A4, but with more cargo room and more command- of-the-road visibility. The Q5 isn’t a power statement for taking colleagues to lunch, but it gives a good introduction to all things Audi. And it costs about $10,000 less than the larger, seven-passenger Q7, which has a higher level of refinement.
The Q5 is a building block in the company’s lineup. Its modular, longitudinal engine setup is shared with A5 coupe and A4, and in the future A6, A7 (the sexy four-door “coupe” version of the full-size A8) and the redesigned A8 due late this year.
Most compact crossovers do a nimble job. The architecture generally provides clear sightlines over the shoulder (because there isn’t another foot of length to get in the way) and over the hood. There is adequate back-seat room for family duty and fuel economy is usually in the mid- 20s.
I spent several hundred miles in a well-equipped Q5 3.2 quattro Tiptronic, which in Audi terms is the 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine with six speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Sold in trim lines of Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige, the 2010 Q5 pricing ranges from $38,175, including the $825 freight charge from Ingolstadt, Germany, to $49,675 for the top line Prestige. The Premium Plus tester was $47,350 with options, and the extras were features most buyers in this luxury segment would want to have, such as a panorama sunroof, rearview camera, power tailgate and a powerful Bang & Olufsen audio system.
The new 2010 Cadillac SRX is priced at about the same level. Other competitors include the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX and Mercedes-Benz GLK.
The Q5 is compact, but it drives with the presence of a full size luxury vehicle. It doesn’t seem like a “baby Audi.” It is comfortable as a long-distance commuter with styling that emphasizes function over fashion. The Cadillac SRX, for example, has much more flash and makes an overall style treatment. The Audi may appear plain by comparison, but the design is subtle with creative lines and arcs in a restrained German functional presentation.
There are 39.4 inches of front headroom (38.1 with the sunroof), plenty of rear foot space and a generous 37.4 inches of rear legroom. The center position is compromised on foot space by the tall transmission tunnel, but there is an adjustable head restraint. The back seat is nicely equipped with lights, storage, cup holders, coat hooks and grab handles. Seat comfort is firm with decent thigh support for smaller occupants.
Other important specifications include five-star NHTSA crash ratings for front occupants and front and rear side impact as well as four stars for rollover.
Audi electronics are an ongoing learning curve for me. I have mastered the company’s engineering of multifunction buttons, in which one knob will control fan speed, seat heaters, temperature and automatic temp control. It is an efficient use of space, once you remember to first select the mode/function than twist the knob. I also understand the central controller — multimedia interface — for its range of cabin and car functions, but it, too, is distinct in operation from other such systems. This system and the navigation system will not be intuitive for someone new to Audi electronics, so pay attention during the dealership tutorial. In time, the process will seem logical.
It may also take a few days to adapt to what I call Audi’s precision engineering. At first, the accelerator response may seem soft and vague. I had to push through what feels like drive-bywire sponginess to get to the power. But in time, the Q5 trained me to not be so rough in my actions. By the end of the week, I was in tune with the electronics — and my next test car seemed almost crude by comparison. Continue Reading »
Jan
28
2010
Mitsubishi Hopes to Hit 100,000 Sales in U.S. for 2009
Uncategorized 
Mitsubishi aims to sell 100,000 units in the US 2010, nearly double what Mitsubishi sold in 2009. According to Ward’s Auto, Mitsubishi sold just under 54,000 units in 2009; 97,257 units were sold in 2008 and 128,993 in 2007. American consumers have so far not shown a lot of interest in Mitsubishi’s lineup. It appears that the products apparently aren’t the only component to blame and that when it comes to the Lancer and Outlander models, the company has to “work hard to enhance their perception and desirability,” according to Mitsubishi spokesman Maurice Durand.
The Lancer Sportback, a five-door hatchback, has apparently not been promoted sufficiently. Sales of the recently refreshed Outlander SUV and the upcoming Outlander Sport are expected to make an impact on Mitsubishi’s US sales. It can be recalled that the Outlander Sport is the compact crossover that will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show this March. In Europe, the car will be powered by a 1.8L direct-injection turbo diesel. However, expect variations of existing US gas-powered engines under the hood of this five-passenger Honda CR-V fighter. Within the next three years, Mitsubishi will have an easy time in achieving its 100,000-unit sales goal if it gains the R&D resources to introduce new products. The models that are being floated around include the Endeavor midsize crossover, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Galant midsize sedan.
Dec
27
2009
Last week, General Motors held a teaser party in the Motor City of Detroit to flaunt some of its latest editions as a lead-in to next month’s North American International Auto Show. To stay afloat financially, GM has whittled down its brands to a tidy four: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. 70% of GM’s 2010 sales are expected to come from its Chevrolet division, so that was the brand most on display. Key information about the cars was kept on lock-down: no launch dates or prices were offered; the press wasn’t even allowed to take pictures. So it falls to us, at mnmasonichomes.com, to keep you up-to-date on GM’s newest models.
The 2011 next-generation Chevy Malibu drew the most interest. Known for its attractive profile, the 2011 Malibu will feature a more sculpted, harder look, along with a new bustle in the back that makes some recall the BMW sedan. The Chevy Spark is a completely new model on display: it takes advantage of new technological advances so that it is spacious but still packs a small carbon footprint. Perhaps the Chevy Sparks’ most unique feature is its color choice – whatever color you choose for the body will also appear in splashes on the doors, instrument panel and seat coverings, so choose wisely. Chevy’s smallest car, the Aveo, also got a bit larger and broader so that it can be offered as a four-door sedan hatchback. However, the Chevy Aveo is also keeping its signature front end look. The brand-new Chevy Orlando was also on display: although it can fit seven passengers, it is compact and stylish, resembling the Dodge Journey in shape. Continue Reading »
Dec
25
2009
UK’s Top Cars for 2009!
Uncategorized 
While the data is only available for the first 6 months of 2009, five cars have dominated the sales charts, in pretty much the same order, from January to June. Without further ado, we present the five most sought after cars in the UK for 2009:
1) The Ford Fiesta topped the sales charts every single month this year. Its stylish modern looks, combined with the quality of its motor and the ease in which it can be driven, make the Ford Fiesta a hands-down favorite. Although a small hatchback, the Ford Fiesta has a spacious interior and is described as a pleasure to ride in. And, of course, its’ reasonable price helps with consumers as well.
2) The Ford Focus is a welcome shift from the popular but uninspiring Ford Escort. Its looks have spurred debate, but except for that, there is much to love: its cleverness, quality and dynamism. Ford has stepped out of the box and broken the mold with this car. Continue Reading »
Dec
19
2009
BMW explores how to put on the market its Mini Test
Uncategorized 
There are about 600 pure electric versions of BMW’s Mini running around. The German automaker is now about six months into its test of how the electrics will hold up in real-world consumer tests. Now it ’s trying to figure out what to do next.
“We’re looking at whether to extend (leases) with the existing clientele or (find) a new clientele next year,” said Ian Robertson, BMW’s worldwide sales and marketing chief in an interview with Drive On earlier this month.
But he says BMW is learning a lot from the experiment:
For one, he says, there’s a big problem with different cities that typically blanket a metro area having different requirements for the garage recharging equipment required to own an electric car. In fact, there’s not even a common recharging plug depending on what country you’re in, Robertson says. Continue Reading »
Dec
15
2009
Toyota new plans
Uncategorized 
Toyota, the world’s biggest seller of gasoline-electric hybrid cars, intends to begin retail sales of a plug-in version of its Prius hybrid by 2011 as environmental concerns increase demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.
The company aims to sell “several tens of thousands” of plug-ins a year globally, Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada told reporters in Tokyo. Toyota will begin leasing the cars to governments and businesses, and aims to sign agreements covering 600 through the first half of 2010.
The company will also start selling a short-distance pure electric car in 2012. Nissan Motor, General Motors, Daimler and start-ups such as Tesla Motors are also developing vehicles that can run entirely or in part on electricity as governments push for vehicles that will reduce gasoline use and trim emissions of carbon dioxide. Continue Reading »
Dec
11
2009
The dream of electric Nissan
Uncategorized 
While international diplomats are meeting in Copenhagen to hash out a new climate policy, the car company Nissan came to Seattle looking to inspire a few, well, guinea pigs in an experiment to see how its new all-electric car will fit the American lifestyle.
About a year from now, 900 Seattle-area drivers will have the chance to buy a Nissan Leaf. Not only will they be getting one of the first mass-produced, highway-capable, battery-powered automobiles — they’ll also help answer questions about what it will take to make such cars practical.
The driving habits of those first adopters—who will spend $28,000 to $35,000 for the car before a federal tax credit of $7,500 — will be closely studied by scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory, an applied-engineering lab that does federal energy research. Continue Reading »
Dec
7
2009
Audi: Green Car 2010
Uncategorized 
It was an Academy Award-esque shocker at the Green Car Journal’s 2010 Green Car of the Year awards on Thursday. The award, bestowed at the LA Auto Show each year, honors the vehicle that had the greatest positive impact on the environment. The 50 mpg third-generation Prius, in the eyes of many observers, certainly seemed a shoe-in for such honors.
However, when the award was announced, it was Audi, not Toyota accepting the honors. The 2010 Audi A3 TDI, a vehicle with a clean diesel engine, took home the trophy. The sporty, yet economical car features 42 mpg highway and 32 mpg city fuel economy on a 2.0L 140-horsepower inline-4 diesel engine.
Priced from $29,950, the vehicle retails for a bit more than the Prius, but features some additional luxury touches.
Dec
1
2009
BMW will replace to Volkswagen in Berlin Film Festival
Uncategorized 
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the world’s largest maker of luxury autos, will replace Volkswagen AG as a main sponsor of the Berlin Film Festival in 2010.
BMW classic cars and new vehicles such as the 5-series Gran Turismo will ferry stars and visitors around the city from Feb. 11 to Feb. 21, the annual film festival said today in a statement. Volkswagen sponsored the past seven festivals. Its contract ended in 2009 and was not renewed.
Karsten Engel, head of BMW’s German sales, pointed to a long tradition of BMWs appearing in the movies. “Even super- agents could depend on their BMWs while saving the world,” he said, according to the film festival statement. “We are happy to be supporting the Berlinale.” Continue Reading »
Nov
24
2009
The Environmental Protection Administration says Honda has the most fuel efficient fleet in the U.S. for 2009, with a fleet-wide average of 23.6 mpg. Hyundai is in second place, with 23.4 mpg, edging out Toyota, which used to be in first place, by a slim margin, at 23.2 mpg.
The rankings are based on 2009 model vehicles sold for the first ten months of this year. The numbers include the Cash for Clunkers rebate program this summer, which gave buyers a tax rebate of up to $4,500 to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle than what they were driving. Imports topped the list then, too. Continue Reading »
Nov
20
2009
BMW, favorite of burglars in LA
Uncategorized 
Car burglars have been stripping BMWs of pricey parts on the Westside, Miracle Mile and Mid-Wilshire in recent months, prompting cops in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division to be on the lookout. Authorities say about 50 BMW 3 and 5 series cars have been burglarized, mostly for airbags, xenon headlights and wheels, each of which can fetch hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on websites such as Craigslist.
It’s gotta be a sad day when Tad descends from his $3,000-a-month apartment to find that his B-M is rolling on 12-inch steel brake rotors. Why do thieves always target the good ones? Why can’t they set their sites on crap cars that need to be parted out anyway? For example (see our list of cars that need to be stolen after the jump): Continue Reading »
Nov
15
2009
Audi A8 Premier at Deisgn Miami
Uncategorized 
Audi’s centennial celebrations will come to a fever pitch come Monday, when it will unveil its all-new 2010 A8 flagship during the Design Miami art fair in Florida.
In order to showcase the new A8, Audi built its own pavilion on Miami Beach, which also doubles as a museum. The reveal of the A8 will coincide with the opening of “The Art of Progress” exhibit at Design Miami, which Audi claims is inspired by both the new A8 and its own corporate philosophy.
“Since our inception, Audi has embraced progress in the quest to create groundbreaking technologies and deliver new ideas to the road,” said Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi’s board of management. “Just as artists make it a mission to work for the untold future, so does Audi design to be relevant not just today, but for many years to come. Continue Reading »
Nov
4
2009
BMW net income falls 74 percent in third quarter
Uncategorized 
German carmaker BMW, which has its only U.S. plant in Greer, said Tuesday its net income fell 74 percent in the third quarter as the economic downturn hurt demand.
BMW, the world’s biggest luxury car company by sales, said net income for the period amounted to $115 million, down from $438 million in the July-September period of 2008.
The Munich-based company said it delivered 7.2 percent fewer cars during the July-September period and that its revenue fell 6.6 percent. Continue Reading »
Nov
4
2009
Mitsubishi’s forthcoming compact crossover to compete with Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan
Uncategorized 
Mitsubishi is set to release a new 4×4 softroader in 2010 based on its cX concept introduced in 2007. Its clean, efficient engine places it among Mitsubishi’s “environmental” cars and competitive pricing is expected to give it an edge on the competition. Nissan’s Qashqai, which has exceeded sales forecasts since its release, and Volkswagen’s Tiguan, hailed the “GTI of SUVs”, will be among the new Mitsubishi crossover’s main rivals. Continue Reading »
Nov
3
2009
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The good news is that millions of people will now be able to drive a 300-horsepower Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The bad news is that almost all these people will only be able to drive it with a video game console.
The Genesis Coupe is now available in video format with the “Forza Motorsports 3″ game for Xbox 360. The vehicle is one of several high-performance vehicles video gamers can select in the game. Continue Reading »