Cars & Motors News

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2006 Honda Ridgeline Review

Ridgeline is Honda’s award-winning full-size pickup truck. And we really mean award-winning. Honda swept car and truck of the year awards this year at the major motor shows with the advanced new Civic and the innovative Ridgeline. We got tired of seeing the Honda execs on the stage receiving honors over and over again.
First impressions are unusually favorable. We picked up our shinny Nighthawk Black Ridgeline in Detroit and drove it the 75 miles home on a low-traffic sunny spring day. Everything has that soft easy touch and simplicity of a Honda. On the freeway we have plenty of power to keep up and excellent visibility all around – a very pleasant truck to drive.
What’s so special about the Ridgeline? Well, it’s partly in the unit-body full frame structure - the best of both worlds – a rigid and light upper structure and the strength of a “closed box” frame that is integrated into the unit-body. It’s not the typical body-on-frame structure that characterizes all other full-size pickups. Nor does it have a separate box and cab like all other pickups. That all makes for an exceptionally rigid structure. Like all modern automotive designs it has front and rear crumple zones to absorb impacts. Ridgeline is the first 4-door pickup to earn 5-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA has also named Ridgeline as the pickup least likely to roll over.
Other reasons for accolades are innovative features like the large (8.5 cu.ft.) In-Bed Trunk™, the enclosed stowage area below the pickup bed. Lift up the panel covering the rear half of the 4X5-foot bed and find a nice, deep water tight place to put your bulky stuff. You’ll also notice the full-size spare tucked up in there out of the way. A dual-action tailgate and optional bed extender make for versatile cargo options.

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2006 Kia Rio

I thought we could take our review of last week’s test car, the Hyundai Accent, change the name to Kia Rio and print it. But there were a few differences that need noting. The basics are the same though, a sub-compact, front-engine, front-wheel-drive, steel uni-body, 4-door sedan. Kia is now part of Hyundai so most of the elements are identical. They feel nearly the same but a few niggles distinguish one from the other.
The Kia and Hyundai siblings - third generation of the sub-compact platform that has gotten dramatically better with each iteration - look fresh, modern and not cheap at all. Styling is plain, conventional and inoffensive, but what would we expect for an entry-level sedan aspiring to be a good mass-market car.
Check under the hood and you’ll find a nicely finished, state-of-the-art 1.6-liter DOHC, 16-valve, CVVT (variable valve timing), 4-cylinder engine with 110-hp, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. That little transverse front engine is pretty buzzy at higher rpms. Punch it to pass slower traffic (if you can find any) on the two-lanes and you’ll feel like you’re abusing the poor thing, but it gets around expeditiously. Remember, this car’s whole reason d’etre is to be economical. It weighs just 2400-pounds. The EPA estimates the mileage to be 29-city/38-highway with the automatic transmission. “With an 11.9-gallon capacity you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven filling this little tank,” I said about last week’s Accent, and that applies here, too.
Suspension is MacPherson struts with a stabilizer bar in front and torsion beam axle with coil springs in the rear. Power-assisted disc brakes in front and drums in rear are standard with four-wheel antilock discs front and rear optional on the LX. Standard are 14-inch wheels and tires. Our LX test car is fitted with 185/65R14 Hankook Optimo tires. (Ever heard of those? I haven’t.) Pushing it through our tight cloverleaf getting onto I-96 the Kia exhibited plenty of lean, but no squeal. Handling, in my humble opinion, is good for an entry-level little car. My father-in-law, a Buick lover, thought the ride was altogether too stiff and bouncy.

[Rasputin]

2007 Mazda5 Touring

As a long time Mazda RX-7 convertible owner (1990) I have a soft spot in my heart and in my head for almost any new model from the Hiroshima based Mother Company.
Over the years I have driven some great new cars from Mazda…the RX-Great (, Mazda 3, MPV, MX-5 (Miata) and the Mazda6 Sport Wagon...so when planning another trek up to New York City for a family visit I was offered the opportunity to test the 2007 Mazda5 Touring, I jumped at the chance.
And boy was I happy I did. The Mazda5 is like a mini minivan or a short puffy wagon, no mater what its nomenclature it was a great car for me.
Over the years of test driving new cars in the New York area I have never received an admiring second look, but this time I received many compliments and questions about the car I was driving … the phantom blue 2007 Mazda5 Touring.
This car turned heads and softened hearts of New Yawkers…the parking lot attendant who sees and drive thousands of cars each week and has no time for nuttin’ took time to compliment the car and actually spent his valuable minutes taking a stem to stern look at my attractive car...the engine compartment, the interior and then even opening the rear gate and examining the very rear seats…(this model driving has a third row of seats for kiddies, pets or short agile relatives, giving the Mazda5 a stated 6 passenger seating capacity.
Even the doorman of my Aunt’s building who wouldn’t notice Godzilla and Mothra facing off in the driveway took time from perusing his New York Post to ask about and compliment my car.
A very special benefit of the Mazda5 is it's well designed and just-the-right-hieght seats, which allowed my wonderful Aunt Florence (who recently had a knee replaced) to easily and gracefully get in and out of the car. She just had to turn, step and ease across into the front passenger seat…which has obviously been designed and engineered so a not-so-agile person can easily get in an out of.
I am sure that this rare and attractive attribute/benefit is missed by virtually all potential buyers out there who upon seeing a commercial or an ad for this car write it off as too high to allow an easy egress and exit for their own Aunt Florence.
The car I tested was equipped with the optional Navigation and TPMS system which at $2000 bucks was WORTH EVERY PENNY… its helpfullness, intuitivness and ease of use and programming really surprised me.

[Rasputin]

2005 BMW 645Ci Coupe and Convertible

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL: BMW 645Ci coupe, convertible
ENGINE: 4.4-liter DOHC V8
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 325 hp @ 6,100 rpm/330 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic, SMG or manual
WHEELBASE: 109.4 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 190.2 x 73.0 x 54.1 in.
BASE PRICE: $69,995 (Coupe), $76,995 (Convertible)

It's always a thrill when I get a chance to drive a brand-new vehicle. It's even a greater thrill when the vehicle is outstanding, and the venue for the drive is equally outstanding.
Such was the case with the new BMW 645Ci coupe and convertible. Both vehicles signify BMW's re-entry into the luxury sport coupe and convertible markets. True, BMW markets sport coupes and convertibles, and even four-seaters. The 3 Series-based convertibles and coupes are among my favorite BMWs.
But these two cars are situated between BMW's 5 Series and 7 Series, as you might expect from the nomenclature. However, no body panels are shared with either series vehicles. The only similarities are the 4.4-liter V8 engine, which is available in the 5 or 7, and iDrive, available on the 7.
We drove the new BMWs in the hills and canyons north of Los Angeles, and I can't think of a better venue for these vehicles. Our ride took us on a side trip to BMW's Designworks, where these and other BMWs are designed. This was an interesting experience as we were able to meet with the designers and experience the atmosphere where they are sketched and modeled.
But driving the new 6 Series vehicles is what is the greatest thrill. Both have excellent power coming from the 4.4-liter V8. The engine is rated at 325 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The power enabled us to achieve highway speeds and maintain them, no matter how fast California drivers chose to drive. The torque enabled us to negotiate the mountain curves (and some of them were tight hairpins) easily without having to constantly downshift to reach a better rpm range.

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2006 Mercedes-Benz E350

SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: Mercedes-Benz E350
ENGINE: 3.5-liter V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 268 hp @ 6,000 rpm/258 lb.-ft. @ 2,400-5,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic
WHEELBASE: 112.4 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 189.7 x 71.3 x 57.0 in.
TIRES: P245/45R17 all-season
CARGO VOLUME: 15.9 cu. ft.
ECONOMY: 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway
PRICE: $56,965 (includes $775 destination and delivery charge)
This is the second of three consecutive vehicles we have driven with Mercedes-Benz’s new 3.5-liter V6 engine that replaces the 3.2-liter. Putting this engine in the E-Class creates the E350, which I feel is as close to perfect as you can make a midsize sedan. You pay for it, of course, but it still is near perfect.
The 3.5-liter V6 is a good engine for this platform. The E-class weighs in at about 3700 pounds, heavy enough to be sturdy but still light enough not to require an enormous engine to propel it. I felt that acceleration was good, as was the ability to attain and maintain highway speeds without effort.
The engine is hooked to a 5-speed automatic transmission that was smooth. Some Mercedes-Benz models offer as many as seven speeds in their automatics, but five is plenty, unless you’re a shift fanatic. This transmission also had a touch-shift to convert it to a manual mode if you wanted, but I feel in a sedan such as this, the manual mode is really there for show and not for go.
Handling is excellent, as one usually expects from a Mercedes-Benz. The front suspension is an independent double wishbone geometry with an anti-dive feature. The rear is Mercedes’ usual independent 5-arm multi-link geometry that has worked for years.

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2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS Review

SPECIFICATIONS MODEL: Hyundai Elantra GLS ENGINE: 2.0-liter DOHC L4 HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 138 hp @ 6,000 rpm/136 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm TRANSMISSION: 4-speed automatic WHEELBASE: 102.7 in. LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 178.1 x 67.9 x 56.1 in. TIRES: P195/60R15 CARGO: 12.9 cu. ft. ECONOMY: 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27.8 mpg test PRICE: $14,604 (includes inland freight and handling charge)In this era of high-priced subcompact cars, it's nice to find one that isn't too expensive, yet offers almost everything you could want in solid transportation. I have to confess that I didn't think the Hyundai Elantra would be one of those cars. But after a week behind the wheel I became an avid supporter.
Elantra isn't going to knock you out with its styling. Here is a car that looks like a car. There are no fancy aerodynamic additions to a basic three-box design. Oh sure, there's a smooth transition from the roofline to the trunk, but this is a bread-and-butter basic sedan design. Our tester had an optional rear spoiler ($395) that wasn't really necessary. Mud guards ($60) completed the option package.

Under the hood is the peanut butter and jelly to go with the bread and butter. There's a standard 2.0-liter double overhead cam inline four that delivers 138 horsepower. Hooked to a 4-speed automatic transmission and driving the front wheels, this is a package that will probably be the big seller.

[Rasputin]

2005 BMW 6 Series

It has been a long time coming, but the new 6 Series is at your dealer and ready to add some civilized excitement to your life. It follows in the tire treads of some distinguished predecessors; the BMW 327, launched in 1937; the 503 of the late


Fifties; the awesome 3.0CS of the 70’s; the final evolution of the 2500/2800 sedans, the legendary - and still collectable - ‘original 6’ and M6 of the Eighties; the V12 850 and V8 840Ci of the ‘90s. Now with the new 6, BMW is back with a big, design-inspired, ‘sexy’ coupe and cabriolet for the 21st Century. Production of the 8 series ceased in 1997 and since then Mercedes, Jaguar and Lexus have enjoyed the rewards of flogging large amounts of SLs, XKs and SCs to an ever-increasing audience: up from 53,000 sales in 1990 to north of 245,000 in fourteen years.

BMW has enjoyed great success and practical ‘ownership’ of the small coupe and cab market with the sublime 3 series and M3, so why not take on the big coupe market where prices and profits are higher and the all important brand ‘halo’ effect more valuable? For a ‘small’ manufacturer BMW is on both a design and product roll. Already, in the past few months, we’ve seen the all-new 5 series, an X5 update and the new X3. Still to come is the 550bhp


V10 M5 (yes I think I’ll have one of those, thanks), the 1 series and the 4 series and probably a face-lifted 7 series, too. None of this, however, was bothering my mind as I waded into the historic pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel for a few private laps before evening cocktails, a media presentation and dinner. I must add that if you’re ever in the area and looking for a spot of accommodation, the Beverly Hills will do you very nicely indeed. The Press reception was enhanced by the folks at Harman/Kardon who brought along a surround system that I assume only the likes of Bill Gates might afford – it did sound impressive though – leading me to believe that they were about to drive a car into the room itself. After an excellent dinner with some fine wines, it was off to the Polo Lounge – not exactly a dump you might say – to chew the ears off the development and project team leaders and see if we could get any real gossip on the car before we drove it. They must have a good finishing school at New Jersey base camp for as soon as we inquired about any failings they started discussing the fine weather!

[Rasputin]

2006 Lexus RX400h

PALM SPRINGS, CA: Seven years since the debut of the Lexus RX300? My, how time flies. The RX was one of the most significant vehicles in recent automotive history, as it created the now-burgeoning luxury crossover-SUV category. It quickly became the Lexus sales leader, and its successor, the Lexus RX330, continued that sales success. In addition to being the best-selling Lexus, it is the best-selling luxury SUV. But Lexus never stands still, and has added another model to the RX lineup, the RX400h.
That's ``h'' as in hybrid. When the RX330 was introduced almost two years ago, Lexus announced that a hybrid version was in the works. This was hardly surprising. Lexus's parent company, Toyota, is the leader in gasoline-electric hybrid technology. The Toyota Prius has been very successful, and the technology behind Toyota's hybrid system has been licensed to several other manufacturers. A hybrid crossover would make sense, given the popularity of both the hybrid concept and the use to which such machines are put by their owners, not to mention the cachet that hybrid ownership currently has. But there was a twist. The hybrid would be marketed not merely for its economy and low emissions, but for its performance. An interesting comment, as the Toyota Prius was not exactly known for its accelerative ability.
A quick aside. Back in 1999, I had the opportunity to drive a pre-production Prius. It was part of a ``beta-test'' program to place prototype Priuses with technophile potential buyers in order to see how the car would work in the real world. That Prius was a very different car than the production version that followed. It was nowhere near as refined. If it was an electronic product it would have been made with breadboard circuits, not printed-circuit boards - meaning that it was lacking in complete refinement and had a few pieces of test equipment here and there inside, all the better to gather data for the engineers. And the transitions to and from electric to gas or gas-electric modes were nowhere near as smooth and seamless as they are in the production version. All of that was not unexpected, as it was, after all, an experimental vehicle. The major difference in the driving experience was the torque of the electric motor. An electric motor has maximum torque at zero rpm, all the better for low-speed acceleration, and this one had plenty. It packed a sudden kick that was refined out of the production version in the interests of civility. Not only is there is no reason that a hybrid vehicle cannot have strong acceleration, it is quite simple to make a hybrid with great acceleration - just add a powerful traction motor or two.

[Rasputin]

2006 Jaguar XKR Coupe

SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Jaguar XK8 Victory Coupe

Base Price $ 82,995
Price As Tested $ 88,495
Engine Type Dual overhead cam 32-valve
supercharged V8
Engine Size 4.2 liters / 256 cu. in.
Horsepower 390 @ 3500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 399 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length101.9 in. / 188.0 in.
Curb Weight 3,865 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 9.9
Fuel Capacity 19.9 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico
255/35 ZR20 front, 285/30 ZR20 rear
Brakes, front/rearvented and cross-drilled discs
all around, with floating
multi-piston calipers
Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone /
independent with lower wishbones
and driveshaft acting as upper link
Drivetrain front engine, rear-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy- miles per gallon
city / highway / observed
16 / 23 / 17
0 to 60 mph 5.2 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES none

[Rasputin]

Audi A6 3.2 Quattro

SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: Audi A6 3.2 quattro
ENGINE: 3.2-liter DOHC V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 255 hp @ 6,500 rpm/243 lb.-ft. @ 3,250 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic
WHEELBASE: 111.9 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 193.5 x 79.2 x 57.5 in.
TIRES: 225/55R17 all-season
CARGO: 15.9 cu. ft.
ECONOMY: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/20.1 mpg test
PRICE: $48,770 (includes $720 destination charge)
The first thing you notice about the Audi A6 is its new styling. The front end, or face, is a cross between a Chrysler 300 and a Honda ridgeline. Yet, despite that rather unflattering description, Audi pulls it off.
The wheelbase has grown 3.2 inches over the previous model, providing good rear legroom to go with excellent front legroom. There are indents in the backs of the front seats for rear passengers to place their knees. Rear passengers also gain a fold-down armrest that contains a first aid kit, as well as the prerequisite cupholders. When it's lowered, the armrest reveals a pass-through from the trunk that's useful for skis and other long, narrow objects.
The trunk itself is deep and measures 15.9 cubic feet, a lot for a car that's classified as a mid-size. The rear seats fold 60/40 to provide a larger cargo area if necessary. There were assist handles at all four doors to aid senior citizens such as myself with entry.
Under the hood is a 3.2-liter double overhead cam V6 engine that delivers a strong 255 horsepower. Power reaches the road through a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, Audi's version of a clutchless manual. So it's possible to use it as a manual if you so choose, but there's enough power in the Audi's engine that using the manual mode to extract maximum performance is almost redundant.

When I looked under the hood I was amazed by how wide the engine seemed. However, all the dipsticks and fillers were clearly labeled.
One feature I liked about the A6 was the smoothness of the power. While there is abundant oomph under the hood, you never gets the feel that the car is overpowered or overpowering. Like a true luxury car, the performance is distinguished by its invisibility.

Our tester also had quattro, Audi's permanent all-wheel drive system. This is seamless, and you rarely realize it's there. While it's ideal in snow, ice, or wet weather, quattro is also good for getting the most from your handling package, as on tough winding roads. We didn't' have the bad weather, but in the interests of good testing procedures, we checked quattro on some tight corners and it worked well. The front suspension was a four-link design, while the rear had a trapezoidal link.

[Rasputin]

2007 Dodge Durango Limited 4X4

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Dodge Durango Limited 4X4
Engine: 5.7-liter HEMI V8
Horsepower/Torque: 335 hp @ 5200 rpm/370 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 119.2 in.
Length x Width x Height: 200.8 x 76.0 x 74.3 in.
Tires: P265/60R18 OWL on-off-road
Cargo volume: 102.4 cu. ft. (max.)
Economy: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/ mpg test
Price: $44,210 (includes $745 destination charge)

The Good News – Durango is huge, for a mid-size SUV. The engine/gearbox combination is smooth and offers excellent performance. Second and third row seats offer very good legroom.
The Bad News – While the cargo area offers excellent capacity overall, the space behind the third row seats is narrow. Seat backs had to be folded to carry just one golf bag. Legroom for the center passengers in both rear rows is cramped, making Durango a practical six-seater. Pricey.
Dodge Durango is listed as a mid-size SUV, but it’s just about the biggest of the mid-size. It rides on one of the longest wheelbases, is one of the longest overall and has a maximum cargo capacity that’s into triple digits, way more than the competition.
That extra size translates into excellent cargo carrying capacity. Total cargo volume is 102.4 cubic feet with both rear seats backs folded. The backs fold flat to create a flat floor for carrying almost anything. However, when I tried to put my golf bag back there, I discovered that the cargo width wasn’t that great and I had to lower one side of the third row back to fit the bag in. On the other side of the coin, I could have lowered both sides, put four bags (or more) back there and still have had enough seating room for the foursome.
The tailgate had a power lift ability, that made access easier. I was so spoiled by the power lift that I almost forgot how to do it manually. I spoil easily.
Under the hood is Chrysler Corporation’s famed 5.7-liter HEMI V8 (a $995 option), delivering 335 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque in its Durango tune. Connected to a 5-speed automatic transmission, it was possible to “forget” the power side of the equation and just let the Durango do the work. If I wanted acceleration, it was there. If I wanted low-speed torque, it was there.
Our tester was also equipped with a remote starting system ($150) that was so nice to have, once I figured out how to push the button twice. Of course, there was one time when I remote started the Durango after locking the doors and walked away. A friend asked why my car was still running and I had to hurry back to shut it off before I ran out of gas. Of course, it would have shut itself off after a few minutes, but I wanted to be sure.

[Rasputin]

2006 Mitsubishi Galant GTS

SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: Mitsubishi Galant GTS
ENGINE: 3.8-liter V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 230 hp @ 5250 rpm/250 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed automatic with manual shift
WHEELBASE: 108.3 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 190.6 x 72.4 x 57.9 in.
TIRES: 215/55VR17
CARGO VOLUME: 13.3 cu. ft.
ECONOMY: 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/26mpg test
PRICE: $26,499 (base, add $595 delivery charge)

Mitsubishi redesigned the Galant a few years back and the redesign only serves to make an attractive car more attractive, in all senses of the word.
Galant is a mid-size car that competes with the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. Price-wise, it's in the same ballpark as the V6-powered versions of the others. But it's 3.8-liter V6 is rated at 230 hp, while the Camry's 3.3-literV6 is rated at 210 hp. This isn't going to make a big difference in normal driving, but it might if you have a critical need for power when you enter a highway from an entry ramp.
I liked the power band on the Galant. While the engine was good, it was often as buzzy as a four-cylinder mill. One thing you expect from sixes is relative quiet, and we didn't get it with the Galant. Galant's power is translated to the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission. No manual gearbox is offered. I found a slight lag when the transmission downshifted. In the GTS version we tested, the automatic has a manual mode. Push the gear lever to the right to engage the "manual" side of the gate, then push up to upshift, down to downshift. The transmission lag can be overcome by judicious use of the manual.

I like the styling redo. One of the details I especially liked were "eyebrows" over the taillights. These serve to reduce the amount of road grime build-up on the taillights to a certain degree, but this can also be done with periodical wiping when you add gas. No matter what, I thought it was a nice detail.

[Rasputin]

2007 Audi Q7

2007 Audi Q7
Didn't Audi hear the news? SUVs are dead, right?
Well, no. True, the SUV market has flattened out, but it's still a significant portion of the American personal-transportation marketplace. The SUV segments are changing, and the vehicles themselves are diversifying. SUVs are not what they used to be, and few illustrate this better than Audi's first luxury-performance SUV, the Q7.
Even a casual glance at a Q7 will show that the vehicle has proportions very different from a traditional truck-based utility vehicle. Its high sides and long, low roofline embody Audi styling themes that go back to the first-generation TT sports car, while its interior combines the industry-standard design that characterizes Audi with the comfort, space, and versatility associated with an SUV.
All Q7 models have quattro all-wheel drive -- that's where the "Q" in the name comes from -- and it fits in the company lineup between the mid-size A6 and premium-luxury A8 sedans, hence the "7". Currently, all Q7s are fitted with Audi's 4.2-liter V8, which, with direct fuel injection makes 350 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.6-liter V6 will be offered later.
When I attended one of the media presentations of the Q7 earlier in the year, every Audi spokesperson there stressed two things. First, it is the most important vehicle in Audi's history in the US, and second, the Q7 is not merely a stretched version of the Volkswagen Touareg. There is only a 15 percent parts commonality between the two vehicles, mostly in suspension components. The Q7 is longer, significantly redesigned, and utilizes different materials in its construction. It's aimed both at current Audi owners who want an SUV and at new customers to the fold -- people who would have bought a competitor's vehicle.

SPECIFICATIONS
2007 Audi Q7

Base Price $ 49,900
Price As Tested $ 64,520
Engine Type dual overhead cam, 32-valve aluminum
alloy direct fuel injection V8
Engine Size 4.2 liters / 254 cu. in.
Horsepower 350 @ 6800 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 325 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic with
manual-shift mode
Wheelbase / Length 118.2 in. / 200.2 in.
Curb Weight 5269 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.0
Fuel Capacity 26.4 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91-octane unleaded premium gasoline
for best performance
Tires 275/45 YR20 Bridgestone Dueler
H/P sport (opt)
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, ABS,
EBD, ESP standard
Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone /
independent multilink
Ground clearance 8.1 inches (adjustable to 9.4 with air
suspension)
Drivetrain inline front engine, all-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 14 / 19 / 17.5
0 to 60 mph 7.0 sec
Towing Capacity 6600 lbs. (5500 std.)

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Sycamore Green Metallic paint $ 750
Adaptive air suspension $ 2,600
Technology Package - includes:
rear-view camera with rear Parktronic(r),
Audi Side Assist, Advanced Key,
voice recognition $ 2,400
Panorama sunroof $ 1,850
Audi navigation system $ 1,800
20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires $ 1,600
4-zone climate control $ 950
Cold Weather Package - includes:
heated front and rear seats,
heated steering wheel $ 850
Towing package $ 550
Sirius satellite radio $ 550
Destination charge $ 720

[Rasputin]

2007 Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 2007 Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice
Engine: 2.4-liter 4
Horsepower/Torque: 177 hp @ 6600 rpm/166 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual Wheelbase: 95.1 in.
Length x Width x Height: 161.1 x 71.4 x 50.2 in.
Tires:SBR P245/45R18(Solstice) SBR P245/45 VR18(sky) Cargo volume: 3.8 cu. ft.
Economy: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Price: $25,500
Constant readers know that I cut my eye teeth on sports cars, specifically an MGA 1500 roadster. Like most sports cars of the era, it was relatively low on power, had a manual transmission and a manual top. It also had great handling. I won’t mention the side curtains, because they are what forced me to buy an MGA 1600 Mark II coupe, but that’s another story.
With that background, you can imagine my excitement when the schedule showed two straight sports cars, the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. These cars are essentially identical, with the same 2.4-liter inline four cylinder engine, manual top and great handling. The Sky had a 5-speed manual, the Solstice a 5-speed automatic transmission. Other than that, the two cars are identical, except for styling differences.
Personally, I preferred the Sky’s styling. To me, the Solstice’s huge grilles detracted from its sleek lines, while the Sky’s smaller grille gave it more of a Viper look. The Viper resemblance is also evident from the driver’s seat, as the crease lines over the fenders resemble Dodge’s hotrod. They’re also in the new C6 Corvette, which is probably where Sky/Saturn’s lines derived from.

[Rasputin]

2006 Hyundai Sonata LX

SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: 2006 Hyundai Sonata LX
ENGINE: 3.3-liter V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 235 hp @ 6,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic
WHEELBASE: 107.4 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 188.9 x 72.1 x 58.1 in.
CARGO: 16.3 cu. ft.
ECONOMY: 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway/23.8 mpg test
PRICE: $22,895 (includes inland freight and handling)
Hyundai beings out one of the first of the 2006 models with the Sonata mid-size sedan. Essentially the same size as the Honda Accord, Sonata is slightly less powerful. Hyundai has stuffed a 3.3-literV6 into the engine bay of the Sonata, while Honda uses a 3.0-liter v6 in the Accord. These minor distinctions aside, the Sonata certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of power. With 235 horses available to push a fairly light car, power is more than adequate. We had no problem out-accelerating other cars from traffic lights. Nor did we have problems maintaining speed with anyone on Interstates.
The engine drives the front wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode. This is the same gating arrangements as in the Kia Sorento (Kia and Hyundai are closely affiliated), I didn't have the same problems with accidentally shifting into the manual mode. The gearbox offered smooth shifts, as one would expect from a good mid-size.
Fuel economy is listed as 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. We used the Sonata for mostly Interstate travel and averaged 23.8 mpg in our test. Since the car we had was essentially brand new, long-term owners might expect even better mileage, and that's becoming more and more important.