Miles to Go Before We Sleep

Feb. 20 - Recent testing at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates that most new small cars and pickup trucks now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes.

"Automakers have made big improvements to small cars to better protect people in frontal crashes," says Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan. "They've also added stronger structures and standard head-protecting side airbags to help in side crashes, which are tougher on smaller, lighter cars."

Eleven of the 21 current small car models the Institute has rated earn good ratings for side protection. "This is a huge improvement from our last comprehensive round of small car crashworthiness evaluations in 2006," Nolan says. "Then only 3 of the 19 tested earned a good rating in the side evaluation. Most earned a poor rating."

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan are billed as workhorses, but the side crash protection these 2009 model large pickups provide is wimpy, at best. The trio earns either poor or marginal ratings in side tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Even with side airbags, occupant protection in these crew-cab pickups is no better than marginal.

"The size, weight, and height of these large pickups should help them ace the side tests just like the other large pickups we've tested. Not these three," says Institute senior vice president David Zuby. "They perform worse than many cars we've evaluated."

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph.

ROUSH Announces Propane Expansion

Feb. 20 - After selling several hundred propane conversion kits for the Ford F-150 light duty pickup truck, ROUSH Performance announced this week that their program is expanging to include medium duty F-250 pickup and E-250 Econoline van.

According to research by the Propnae Energy and Research Council, propane is the most widely used alternative fuel used today, with more than 10 million vehicles running worldwide. Both operating costs and vehicle emissions are reduced as a result of the conversion. Federal tax credits, up to $4500, coupled with an up to 50 cent per gallon additional tax credit are available to qualified operators.

The ROUSH F-250 Liquid Propane Injection truck is designed to operate solely on propane,, without any loss of horsepower, torque, driveability or towing capacity. Conversion kits will also be available for 2009+ F-250 vehicles already in service. Trucks with the conversion already completed can be ordered through local Ford dealers, for delivery in the third quarter.

The available tax credits and operating expense reductions allow the investment to be paid back in less than a year, according to Jack Roush, charman of ROUSH Enterprises, Inc. and CEO of Roush Fenway Racing. The company has invested three years of development to deliver the propane conversion, because "It is available 'right here, right now' with a national infrastructure already in place," Roush added.

As a motor fuel, propane burns cleaner, with up to 20% less NOx, up to 60% less CO and fewer particulate emissions. Due to a lower energy content in the propane, fuel mileage reductions of up to 17% may be seen. In addition to the federal tax credits mentioned, state, county and municipal credit or rebate programs may also apply.

(Return to UberDrive Magazine.)

Genesis Coupe Pricing Announced

Feb. 12 - Hyundai Motor America has announced pricing for the new Genesis Coupe, starting at $22,000 for a well-equipped 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine 2.0T model and $25,000 for the 306-horsepower, 3.8-liter, V6 engine model. Genesis Coupe will begin arriving at Hyundai dealerships later in the month.

"Genesis sedan set a new benchmark for the premium sedan segment and we think Genesis Coupe will do the same in the sport coupe arena," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and chief executive officer. "From our 30-mpg 2.0T with its low-pressure, intercooled, four-cylinder turbo, to the 3.8-liter Track model with 306 horsepower and Brembo braking system, Genesis Coupe offers a wide range of powertrain and performance choices for driving enthusiasts of all stripes."

Later in the model year, a tuner-focused performance model, R-Spec, will arrive at Hyundai dealerships. Genesis Coupe R-Spec is positioned the ultimate upgradeable, affordable, performance platform. R-Spec equipment includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine delivering 210 hp, an estimated 30 mpg EPA highway rating and a top speed of 137 mph.

A 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with Torsen-type limited-slip differential and 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires and Brembo braking system further support the announced MSRP of $23,750.

All models carry an additional destination charge of $750.

Happy Zoom-Zoom, MX-5

Feb. 10 - On February 9, 1989, Mazda Motor Corporation revealed a sporty little roadster at the Chicago Auto Show. This month Mazda celebrates the 20th anniversary of the MX-5, the world’s best-selling lightweight two-seat roadster.

Today, the Mazda MX-5’s popularity is unchallenged – more than 850,000 MX-5s have been sold on all continents of the world, except Antarctica – and to this day it remains the only two-seat roadster to combine the traditional front-engine, rear-drive layout, an affordable price, and the joy of driving.

Mazda considers the MX-5 the purest exponent of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom philosophy. The diminutive roadster holds a special place in the hearts of Mazda employees and car enthusiasts alike. None more so than Takao Kijima, Mazda MX-5's long-standing programme manager.

"I have been involved with the Mazda MX-5 since the project was first approved in 1986, and was lucky enough to be a chassis engineer on the first model that established the MX-5 roadster's reputation as an exciting and affordable lightweight sports car."

The MX-5’s 2.0-litre engine is capable of revving to 7,500rpm and makes 118kW of power. It can be teamed with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. And, where the original sported 14-inch alloy wheels, the 2009 model wears visually arresting 17-inch alloy wheels.

World Record Expected for Classic Ferrari

Feb. 9 - One of the most historically significant and valuable Ferrari racing cars ever offered at auction, the legendary 1957 Ferrari 250 TR (chassis no. 0714TR), will go under the hammer when the famed Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event returns to Ferrari's home, Maranello, on 17 May 2009.

This 1957 Ferrari 250 TR is expected to break the current world record for the most expensive vintage motor car ever to be sold at auction, for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder (s/n 2377GT) which sold for $10,894,400 USD at last year’s Ferrari Leggenda e Passione.

Considered one of the most alluring, competitive and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars, the beautiful and immediately recognizable Scaglietti-designed, ‘pontoon-fender’ 250 TR was produced from 1957 to 1958 during which only 22 were constructed. The Ferrari 250 TRs entered 19 international championship races from 1958 through 1961 emerging with 10 victories and earning them legendary status among discerning collectors, as well as the honor of being one of the most desirable and competitive racing Ferraris ever built.

All cars presented at the Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event will be certified by Ferrari Classiche.

Tax Credits for BMW 335d, X5 xDrive35d

Feb. 5 - BMW of North America, LLC has confirmed that both of its BMW Advanced Diesel models with BluePerformance technology have qualified for an Internal Revenue Service Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Tax Credit.

In choosing vehicles that will burn significantly less fuel and produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions, purchasers of the 335d Sedan will qualify for up to a $900 tax credit while purchasers of the X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle will qualify for up to an $1,800 tax credit.

Both BMW models deliver class leading fuel efficiency. With 265 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque available from the 3.0-liter sequential twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel
engine, the 335d is capable of accelerating from 0 - 60 mph in six seconds flat while the X5 xDrive35d will do it in just 6.9 seconds.

In spite of this level of performance the 335d Sedan, the most fuel efficient BMW ever sold in the U.S., delivers 23 miles per gallon city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway according to the U.S. EPA. The X5 xDrive35d is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Both models are capable of traveling nearly 600 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The 335d Sedan and X5 xDrive35d Sports Activity Vehicle(R) are now available in BMW centers across all 50 states.

Auto Sales Tank, Congress Helps Out

Feb. 4 - Continued economic uncertainties have kept car and light truck buyers away from dealerships in droves. Based on January sales reports, the industry's sales have posted 15 straight months of decline, when compared to the same month of the previous year.

January's sales in the United States foretold a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 9.57 million, in an economy that used to generate over 16 million deliveries in 2007. Domestic automakers have posted significant incentives to spur sales, including employee-pricing, zero percent financing and thousands of dollars in additional discounts.

An apparently less recalcitrant Congress passed a measure yesterday to stimulate new car sales. The 71-to-26 vote provides a tax break that aides to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D. Maryland) say would save a couple an estimated $1,553 on a new $25,000 car.

Senate Republicans pushed through an amendment to remove a tax break for movie producers, while concerns rage over the growing price tag of the stimulus package - now estimated at $819 billion.

One of the few large automakers to post a sales increase was South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co., which posted a 14 percent gain. Hyundai credited its offer that covers a new vehicle's depreciation for customers who want to return a car because they lost their job.

Fastest Electric Car In The World

Feb. 3 - Shelby Supercars' Ultimate Aero EV will reach an extraordinary 208mph. The car, which is due to go on sale before the end of the year, will sprint to 60mph in just 2.5 seconds.

The firm has released details of its performance-driven electric vehicle, which will reach an extraordinary 208mph. The Ultimate Aero EV is powered by a 'revolutionary All-Electric Scalable Powertrain'. This twin motor system produces 1000 horse power and 800lb-ft of torque.

Once the Ultimate Aero EV's batteries are charged it will have a range of between 150 and 200 miles. According to Shelby, it will be possible to fully charge the batteries in just 10 minutes from the mains, thanks to an on-board system it is calling 'Charge on the Run'.

A Shelby Supercars spokesman said, "Being the world's fastest production car we decided the Ultimate Aero to be the perfect high visibility outlet to demonstrate our new green powertrain. "The Ultimate Aero EV will prove that electric-powered vehicles will not only match but also provide more overall performance than internal combustion cars."

The Shelby SuperCars company was founded by Jerod Shelby, who spent over seven years designing the Aero. The gasoline driven SSC Ultimate Aero TT is currently the fastest production car in the world, with a recorded top speed of 257 mph.