All Car Garage

November 2007 - Posts

• 2009 Toyota Matrix S

  The 2009 Toyota Matrix S has officially hit the streets. When Toyota created the Matrix S their goal was to give it a sporty edge. Unfortunately they weren’t able to follow through on this idea. Sure it has a bit more edge to it – but they sacrificed some of the looks that made us love the previous models. So instead of giving it an edgy look they ended up by dulling it out. The Matrix will be available in three trims: Standard, S, and XRS. The interior of all three has bright white-lit gauges offsetting red-lit needles and a large, dominant speedometer. Everything from sport seats to the three-spoke steering wheel is new. However, much of the brightwork and interesting design of the prior Matrix have given way to cheaper, monotone materials, and thus, in spite of additional equipment and so-called upgraded fabrics, it’s hard to consider the new interior much of a step forward in design. Yet, even with all of its fashion faults we are happy to see that it is available with a lot of cool new features, including Toyota’s latest navigation system with XM traffic reporting, a JBL audio system, and stability control (the latter available across all trim levels). Storage space, too, is impressive, with cubbies upon cubbies and a massive glove box. And in terms of safety, besides stability control, there are no options: Six airbags come standard. Under the hood, the Matrix Standard and the Matrix S sport a new 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque and featuring dual VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence). Unlike the The Matrix S is also offered with all-wheel drive. The brakes, too, have been upgraded to four-wheel discs. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Toyota says it expects at least 30 mpg from its new small cars, and the Matrix has been engineered to accommodate a hybrid powertrain as well, which we expect to hear more about within a year. Driving the Matrix S was un unforgettable experience. And for traditional Toyota people, and those who evidently consider Scions too edgy, that’s probably a good thing. The 1.8-liter inline-four revs smoothly, if not terribly quietly. Feel through the tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel was rather tepid and springy. All in all we were looking for an improvement in the model line-up. Perhaps next year we will have more luck. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 30 2007, 08:36 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Toyota

• 2009 Ford F-150 Still In Production

  We haven’t been able to see much of the 2009 Ford F-150 – except that which has been masked and covered by engineers. From what we can see we assume that there will be many changes to the interior as well as the exterior. We’re expecting one, or maybe both, of Ford’s new 5.8L and 6.2L BOSS V8’s will make its way into the F150. Eventually Ford’s new 4.4L Lion diesel motor will also show up under the hood. This will be a first for the F150 lineup to get a diesel. Style-wise, the new F150 will be more evolutionary than revolutionary with bolder fender flares and a “power dome” hood. Some may even refer to it as a “Super Duty Lite” in styling with a smaller version of the Super Duty’s bold 3-bar grille with vents on the side. The interior was a little hard to look at – but from what we could see it looks as if they have chosen to cover the trim and seats in ‘platinum’. The new truck is scheduled for 2009 – but there are hopes that it will arrive sometime next year. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 28 2007, 09:11 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Ford

• Hyundai Creates First Luxury Car

  Hyundai is turning things around and taking on the big guns (Toyota and Lexus) by creating the new Concept Genesis prototype. It is their first luxury car that has the similar design of a BMW. Hyundai stated that even though it will be a luxury car we can expect it to cost much less than $30,000 – which is something that puts a smile on our face. The Genesis concept features a V-8 engine–the type of power plant widely used by such luxury automakers as Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. The highest-caliber sedans, such as BMW’s 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class, use V-8 or V-12 engines, so Hyundai’s first V-8 is a step into the big leagues for the automaker. In a recent statement, Hyundai said the Concept Genesis’ 4.6-liter V-8 delivers “well over 300″ horsepower. The V-8 comes with a six-speed transmission, and in future applications, Hyundai could enlarge the engine or equip it with supercharging. “Concept Genesis,” the company said, “marks the beginning of premium performance for the Hyundai brand,” adding that the car has a zero-to-60 time of “well under six seconds.” Americans have never seen a rear-wheel-drive Hyundai before. Rear drive, in which the transmission sends the engine’s power to the rear wheels, provides superior steering and sportier driving dynamics, compared with front-wheel drive. Premium sedans, such as the 7 Series and S-Class, are rear drive, as are such sports cars as Porsches and Ferraris. Hyundai says the Concept Genesis uses “ultra-high-tensile steel” in its construction, giving the car a stiff, light, large body that compares favorably to those of BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes’ E-Class midsize sedans. Hyundai also says it tuned the Concept Genesis’ suspension to be sporty and responsive. The driver can select settings for the car’s ride and steering characteristics. The car also features such upscale amenities as adaptive cruise control, which can make the car follow the vehicle in front of it at a fixed distance; heated and cooled seats; a push-button starter; a navigation system with a rear-mounted camera to assist in parking; Bluetooth technology; and an Infinity audio system. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 21 2007, 10:03 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Concept Cars, Hyundai

• Honda Begins Production Of FCX

  Automakers everywhere are breaking away from the usual line of cars that they create and are stepping foot into unknown waters. None is doing this more than Honda who is working at putting their FCX concept into production. The FCX is important because it will become the world’s first fuel-cell vehicle that is available for anyone. The FCX is electrically propelled, electricity generated by its fuel cell, seats four and comes with luxury equipment that includes an infotainment system, air-conditioned seats and a premium hi-fi. It is a little bigger than a Honda Accord and is slightly larger than the concept. The only difference is that the production model has a conventional radiator grille and the chassis is built out of steel. Consumers can lease the vehicle for three years at the price of $600. The car will be leased only in very localized areas because of the very limited availability of the hydrogen fuel it runs on - in the Los Angeles area of California there are currently three refueling stations, only one of them 24/7, limiting its use to people who live within 100 miles or so of a station. The FCX has a range of 270 miles. But new hydrogen fuel stations are scheduled to open - there will be 11 by the end of 2008, and 19 in the area by 2012, with many more coming after that as part of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan to build a ‘hydrogen highway.’ Honda understands that creating a vehicle like this and leasing it may hurt them – but in the long run they will be receiving the input from consumers on how to improve on the next model. They believe that the FCX is just what they need to break the ice and are confident that in a few years these cars will have become popular. They are also hoping that they will help to reduce the pollution that is caused by most fuel-engine vehicles. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 16 2007, 06:38 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Concept Cars, Honda

• Mahindra Enters Bidding For Jaguar After Teaming Up With Apollo

  The bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover is still going on and just as it nears the end Apollo – the American private equity house – has decided to join in. They have chosen to team up with the Mahindra & Mahindra – the Indian tractor builder – and will be seeing it through to the end hoping to get their hands on the two automakers. Mahindra had put in dubs earlier in the race – but pulled out for what reason we don’t know. Yet, with the support of Apollo they decided that they have a much better chance at winning. Presentations will be made to union leaders and John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise ,by the prospective buyers this week. Other contenders for the two carmakers which employ 15,000 people in the Midlands, include Indian industrial conglomerate Tata and private equity group One Equity. A key part of the negotiations is thought to involve the use of intellectual property and Ford’s continuing involvement. One source said: “The intellectual property issue is important because Ford does not want the money it has invested in these companies being transferred outside to compete against it in other markets. “But at the same time a bidder wants full use of what it is buying.” The presentations to Mr. Hutton have come about at the instigation of Ford, which is keen to retain its good links with the Government. Because of union fears over the record of private equity in business and Ford’s desire to maintain a positive image in the UK - where it is the biggest selling car brand - the Indian bidders are more likely to win. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 12 2007, 07:20 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Land Rover, Jaguar

• 2009 Lincoln MKS Spotted In Production

  It seems that when it comes to movies things become ‘unwrapped’ (if only for a little while). In ‘Transformer’s we got a glimpse of the 2009 Camaro and in the new Batman film we will get to see what the new 2009 Lincoln MKS looks like. For now we have only seen sneak pics of it while still in camouflage – but it seems that a lucky photographer was able to catch a glimpse of it in action while one set. The MKS concept was first shown at the Detroit auto show in January 2006. The production-ready car has clearly been influenced by the popular MKR concept, which debuted at the 2007 show a year later. Compared to the concept, the taillights appear to have become slightly taller and narrower. The headlights end at a less sharp point than on the concept, but remain true to the design language set out by the show car. Some detailing has changed since they created the concept car, but the overall appearance has not been changed too much. The MKS will share Ford’s Volvo-derived D3 architecture with the Taurus and Sable. We expect to see this production MKS go public next January at the 2008 NAIAS. Rather than offering a V8 version of the MKS, Ford is expected to offer a TwinForce turbocharged V6 with as much as 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Nov 05 2007, 05:46 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Lincoln