Car Review : Volvo Readies 52-MPG C30 "Efficiency" Model

Automotive News

Volvo on Monday said it will introduce a green C30 "Efficiency" model powered by a 104-horsepower 1.6-liter turbodiesel at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, the company's U.S. spokesman said there are no plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S. "at this point."

Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston said: "We will not be doing anything unless this engine platform can work in all 50 states. The rest of the world gets this before our market."

Johnston said the most promising "potential" markets for the C30 Efficiency would likely be in such states as New York and California.

The C30 Efficiency gets a reduced chassis height, a new rear roof spoiler, new rear bumper, underbody panels, "optimized" engine cooling and 16-inch wheels. The gearbox has also been revised, Volvo said. The changes squeeze out slightly better fuel economy. The C30 Efficiency gets a combined 52 mpg, while the current Volvo C30 1.6D gets a combined 50 mpg. The C30 Efficiency has reduced C02 emissions "to below 120 g/km" (193 grams per mile); the current Volvo C30 emits 129 g/km of C02.

Volvo's home office said that, in addition to rolling out the C30 Efficiency, it will also show off a new diesel Powershift transmission for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 at Frankfurt. The Powershift gearbox is made up of two clutches that work in parallel. The automaker said this setup results in no disruption in torque delivery during the gear shifting process, thus "delivering improved fuel consumption compared with a standard automatic gearbox."

Volvo explained that the two latest green efforts help to round out its green slate, which includes biofuels and hybrid technology. "Volvo is also making energy-efficiency improvements to conventional drivetrains," the company said in a statement.

Volvo also said it will "reveal future hybrid plans and new safety technologies" at Frankfurt, too. It did not give any details, however.

New car review : 2008 Honda Accord

Automotive News

Honda has pulled the covers off its redesigned 2008 Accord sedan and coupe, with few surprises under the sheets.

In addition to the new sheet metal, the eighth-generation Accord gets a larger, more powerful SOHC 3.5-liter iVTEC V6 that makes 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. It can be mated with a five-speed automatic transmission or, on the Accord coupe only, a six-speed manual gearbox.

On the Accord sedan, the V6 features a new variable cylinder management system that permits the engine to run on three, four or six cylinders. EPA city/highway mileage is an impressive 19/29 mpg. EPA mileage on the coupe is 16/25 mpg.

Honda also offers a choice of two iVTEC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines, rated at 177 hp and 190 hp, respectively. The more powerful engine features a high-flow exhaust system and a reprogrammed engine control module. Both DOHC engines return EPA mileage ratings of 21/31 mpg. Transmissions include five-speed manual and automatic boxes.

There is no Accord Hybrid for model-year 2008.

The automaker says the new Accord sedan has more interior space than a Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry, and has moved up a size into the EPA Large category.

The 2008 Accord goes on sale officially on September 12. Prices will be announced closer to that date.

New Car Review : 2009 Kia Soul

Automotive News

Kia announced at the 2007 New York Auto Show its intention to produce the Soul concept car, a vehicle expected to compete against the Scion xB. Spy photographers are now offering an early look at the production Soul.

With its distinctive styling, the Soul is expected to appeal to younger buyers with a muscular look on the outside and a high-end audio system on the inside. Powering the Soul will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability.

The 2009 Kia Soul will enter showrooms in late 2008.

Dodge Announces Pricing on 2008 Caliber SRT4

Automotive News

Dodge has announced that its 2008 Caliber SRT4, the first production Caliber to get the Street and Racing Technology treatment, will start at $22,995, including a $560 destination charge. That positions it slightly lower in price than the 2008 VW GTI 2.0T, which starts at $23,370, including a $640 destination charge.

A fully loaded Caliber SRT4 is priced north of $25,000, if you add such goodies as a $1,190 Kicker/SRT Livin' Loud audio system, a $795 power sunroof and $400 19-inch polished aluminum SRT wheels. Another key option is bound to be the Reconfigurable Display, which features "performance pages" that show lateral and longitudinal G-force, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed, 0-60-mph time and braking distance.

The Caliber SRT4 is powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC inline-4 that churns out 285 horses and 265 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. The Caliber SRT4's suspension is lowered by 28mm in the front and 22mm in the rear.

Standard features include a unique hood with functional air scoop, four-wheel antilock brakes with vented front brake rotors, stability control, air-conditioning, a 12-volt power outlet and a center-mounted tachometer. The cabin gets sport seating with "performance bolsters."

The exterior palette includes brilliant black, sunburst orange, bright silver and inferno red. There's no word yet on the on-sale date.

Question of Warranty: 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R, Second Buyer Beware

Automotive News

It's one of the most sought-after cars in the world, and it hasn't even gone into production yet. The 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R already has a lengthy waiting list, but if the lucky first-round buyers are intending to buy and sell quickly for a profit, they might want to think twice.

According to Jan Thompson, Nissan's vice president of marketing, in an effort to prevent buyers from selling their dealer-purchased Skyline GT-R immediately for a profit, Nissan is considering voiding the Skyline's warranty for the second buyer if the transaction takes place less than one year after the initial purchase.

"That's the route we're looking at," said Scott Vazin, Nissan's director of product public relations. "A warranty decision will be made before the Tokyo auto show."

Voiding the warranty for the second owner is one way for the Japanese automaker to keep the GT-R's price down near the expected $70,000 MSRP.

The near 450-horsepower Skyline GT-R makes its official debut at the upcoming 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Also, after much internal debate, Nissan has confirmed that the car will be presented in silver, and not the alternate choice of red.

New Car Review : Frankfurt Preview: Kia Proceeds With Three-Door Pro-cee'd

Automotive News

The third body style of the Slovakian-built Kia cee'd will make its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The three-door Pro-cee'd will be longer, lower and sportier than its five-door sibling.

Though Kia's Slovakian production plant was officially inaugurated in April, it has been producing the cee'd hatchback since December 2006. Demand is sky-high for the subcompact hatch, so it is no wonder that its wagon version was launched earlier than originally planned. Now the three-door version will fill out the lineup.

The production version kept much of the styling of the concept, which was shown last year at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. It looks more dynamic than the five-door cee'd, courtesy of a 30mm-lower height and a slightly extended length. The nose gets an added 10mm, and there are other new touches such as a new grille, altered headlights, wider bumpers and larger foglights.

The engine lineup will match that of other cee'd family members, so choices will include five Euro-4 compliant engines, two common-rail diesels and three four-cylinder gas units with power output ranging from 90 to 143 horsepower. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be offered.

To mark the sportiness of the car, there'll be an optional Sports Pack with 17-inch alloys, stiffer springs and an enhanced interior including alloy pedals, tire-track pattern fabric upholstery and stainless steel scuff plates.

New car review : Peugeot 308SW Prologue

Automotive News

The 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the coming-out party for Peugeot's extended 308 family, including the sexy 308RCZ and a wagon concept called the 308SW Prologue.

Although billed as a concept, the SW Prologue looks pretty close to the actual production model that is slated to go on sale across Europe in spring 2008.

Engines are expected to include normally aspirated and turbocharged gas and diesel four-cylinder units, ranging from 110 to 150 horsepower.