Autoshow.ca » 2011

Ford’s New Age 2011 Explorer not all that new

Autoshow — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:34:37 +0000

After a series of unmitigated sales flops (2005 Freestyle; 2008 Taurus X; 2009 Flex,) the "all-new" 2011 Explorer will be Ford’s fourth crack in the last decade at a midsize crossover based on the old Volvo S80 chassis from the last millennium.

In case you didn’t already know, the old, truck-based Explorer was once the best-selling SUV in the America, an icon of the 1990s when gas-guzzling V8s, sloppy handling and poor packaging were all the rage. But vanishing sales and impending CAFÉ regulations means the new 2011 Explorer will now have to join the 21st century, nudging itself into an already crowded, car-based, three-row crossover market.

Ford has been teasing us with pics of its new Explorer for awhile now (it's right there, above, hugging trees.) And, apparently, this Thursday there’s a Full Monty unveiling in New York, I think. But the big message that Ford wants to drill into your cranium between now and when it goes on sale later this year is that its former scorch-the-earth SUV is now leaner, greener, and environmentally-friendly.

While a 3.5-litre V-6 and all-wheel-drive will be optional, the base, front-wheel-drive (yikes!) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (OMG!) 2011 Explorer will allegedly get 30 per cent better fuel economy compared with the old V-6-equipped Explorer. Which, based on Ford’s U.S. numbers, works out to 18 mpg city, 26 hwy for the 2011 model, versus 14 and 20 with last year’s V6.

Impressive, eh? Er, not really.

You see, before Ford pops the champagne and gets sore from slapping itself on the back, those numbers only look good compared within the tight borders of ExplorerLand. Outside of Ford showrooms, the new Explorer’s fuel economy are really, just OK.

While better than a AWD Honda Pilot (16 mpg city, 22 hwy), the Ford’s numbers aren’t that much better than a V6 FWD Chevy Traverse, rated at 17 and 24. Yet its worse than a Toyota Highlander FWD I4’s 20 and 27. And if you can live without third-row seating, a five-passenger FWD I4 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 21 and 27.

So, with a less-than-radical new Explorer, can Ford win back crossover owners from these other makes after a decade floundering with the Freestyle/Taurus X/Flex?

Are older Explorer buyers likely to buy into a vehicle with only a four-banger and power to the front wheels?

[Source: Ford]

Diesel-loving Canadians to get new 2011 Jetta TDI first

Autoshow — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:24:39 +0000

The next, new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is going to be a big deal for the German automaker in North America. And it needs to be. Along with the new U.S.-made Passat-replacing-yet-to-be-named midsized sedan coming next year, the new Mexican-made Jetta is the first half of VW’s two-sedan attack to more than double its U.S. sales from last year to 450,000 cars.

Working towards an on sale date of the last week of September, Volkswagen Canada is giving us more and more info on the new Jetta, previewed by the New Compact Coupe concept from last year’s Detroit auto show (above.)

VW Canada’s Peter Viney confirmed with The Crank that to go head-to-head with the compact top-sellers like the existing Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Mazda3 and forthcoming Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus, the new Jetta is going to be bigger and offer more engine choice.

Don’t worry diesel fans, one of those mills will be the popular Jetta TDI diesel (TDI sales represented over one-quarter of all Canadian VW sales last month.) And while the U.S. market won’t get the Jetta TDI right away, Canadians will.

“This is a very important model to us. So we want to make sure Canadians get the TDI—along with the other new 2011 Jettas—right at launch,” said Viney.

Hmm…more room, more engine choice and more upscale styling…

Has VW done enough to get you out of your Corolla or Civic?

All-new engines give 2011 Mustang new whip

Autoshow — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:00:00 +0000

With vast improvement in Mustang coupe and convertible, V6s might overtake V8 sales.

2011 Toyota Sienna stays with tried and true

Autoshow — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:30:00 +0000

As the first new vehicle launched in Canada since the Toyota recall crisis started in January, let's deal right away with the elephant in the room.

Stylish 2011 Hyundai Sonata plays a richer tune

Autoshow — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:30:00 +0000

Hyundai has been aiming to release a car people want to buy rather than have to buy. The new 2011 Sonata may be it.

BMW 535i breaks free of its past design

Autoshow — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:30:00 +0000

In the world of the premium mid-sized sport sedan, the arrival of a fresh BMW 5-series is no small affair. The terms icon and benchmark are freely tossed about when speaking of the 5 – a car that accounts for 20 per cent of BMW world sales and one that has pretty much set the standard for engaging dynamics in this category.

Tesla’s Roadster To Exit In 2011

Autoshow — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:04:35 +0000

If you want a Tesla Roadster, you better sign up now. Tesla Motors plans to stop building the car in 2011.

Buried deep inside the Securities and Exchange Commission paperwork Tesla filed ahead of its IPO is the announcement that production of the two-seater and its souped up Roadster Sport sibling (pictured) will stop next year, and a replacement won’t hit the road until 2013 at the earliest.

Why? Because it doesn’t have anyone to build it.

“We do not plan to sell our current generation Tesla Roadster after 2011 due to planned tooling changes at a supplier for the Tesla Roadster,” the company wrote in the filing.” The Roadster is built by Lotus, so presumably Tesla is talking about changes at the British automaker’s factory in Hethel, England, but we can’t confirm that because Tesla spokesman Ricardo Reyes declined to comment.

Tesla plans to replace the Roadster, but not “until at least one year after the launch of the Model S, which is not expected to be in production until 2012.” The company just closed a $465 million loan with the Department of Energy to finance construction of the Model S sedan, and it is focusing most of its time and resources on that car.

Stopping production of the Roadster could could present a problem, because it means Tesla won’t have any cars to sell — and no revenue coming in.

“As a result, we anticipate that we may generate limited, if any, revenue from selling electric vehicles after 2011 until the launch of the planned model S,” the company says in the SEC filing. That may not be a problem if S production starts on plan and goes off without a hitch, but if Tesla hits any snags, things could get ugly fast — a point it concedes in the filing.

“The launch of the Model S could be delayed for a number of reasons and any such delays may be significant and would extend the period in which we would generate limited, if any, revenues from sales of our electric vehicles.”

The move amounts to killing the car that made Tesla famous for the sake of the Model S. Tesla better hope everything goes according to plan, or it surely will regret that decision.

Photo: Jim Merithew / Wired.com

Kia’s 2011 Sorento leaves truck past behind

Autoshow — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:45:14 +0000

You in the market for a $30,000 compact-to-mid-size crossover, a.k.a. soft-roader, sport-cute, station wagon?

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Targets North America

Autoshow — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:15:58 +0000

Slated for a North American debut early next year, and fresh from Europe and Asia where it is already on the market, comes the 2011 Chevy Cruze. The Cruze is the new standard bearer for GM in the compact market segment, replacing the departing Cobalt. With the compact market in Canada having the highest sales volume, you can bet that GM Canada will be focusing much of its energies on the Cruze's debut.

2011 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon makes magic

Autoshow — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Mercedes-Benz (along with most German carmakers) has traditionally introduced new model lines piecemeal.