Jaguar XKR

One feature that traditionally separated Jaguars from the competition is the use of fine woods in their autos. Today, technology and performance are features of the brand, a beautiful example can be found in one of Jaguar's premire vehicles the XKR. The XKR is available either as coupe or a convertible.

Jaguar introduced the XK series in 1996 featuring the AJ-V8, which was the first V8 in Jaguar history. The XKR features a 4.2 liter version of that motor, 32 valve, 4-cam aluminum, supercharged V8 with 420 hp. The motor propels the cat from 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds. The motor defines power, just as a silky 6-speed ZF allows gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The XKR is nimble and light due to its aluminum alloy bodyshell which is a rivit-bonded monocoque design that increases stiffness, reduces weight and improves road performance.

It also has Computer Active Technology Suspension (eCATS) which reads road conditions and automatically adjusts damping for an optimum balance of ride and control and delivers class-leading highway fuel economy.

The convertible version of the car has an interesting safety feature, sensors deploy a high-strenght aluminum hoops in the case of a rollover, creating a shield zone to help protect passengers.

Pricing starts at for the XKR coupe is $84,475 and the convertible $94,475. Check out this XKR video.

Volkswagon Beetle

Probably everyone at some time or another has been exposed to a Volkswagen Beetle. The people's car was produced from 1938 until 2003. The car was originally known as the "Kafer", which is German for "beetle". In 1933, Adolf Hitler gave the order to Ferdinand Porsche to develop a "Volks-wagon, and production began in 1938. Yes, the Third Rich was responseable for the development of the Beetle. War broke out before large scale production could commence and manufacturing capacity was switched over to war production. The car was designed to be as simple as possible mechanically, so less could go wrong.

After WWII, this car ultimately became the longest running and most produced automobile of a single design with over 21 million produced. The Beetle was produced in a number of countries. In Britain, it was known as the Type 1 or by engine size 1100, 1200, 1300, 1500 or 1600.

The Beetle was a benchmark for American compact cars such as the Chevrolet Corvair, Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. It is also considered a German equivalent of the Austin/Morris Mini. The Beetle also was voted the fourth most influential car of the twentieth century. The original Beetle was rear drive with an engine in the rear.

Show below is a version of the New Beetle, which was introduced in 1998. It is not the same car since it is based on the Volkswagon Rabbit and has front wheel drive. Strong public reaction to a concept car persuaded Volkswagon to produce the new Beetle. The New Beetle was designed by J. Mays and Freeman Thomas at the company's California design studio. The New Beetle is related to the original only in name and appearance.

Auto Sales Plunge In February

Automobile Sales Plunge Again! The continuing severe sales declines have hit the automakers like a February snow storm. These numbers are the percentage of sales this year versus last year. Consumer confidence has taken a steep decline. Consumers are concerned with the economy, job losses and their ability to make payments. Consumers ability to get loans have also factored in the sales declines.

• General Motors down 53%


• Ford down 48%


• Chrysler down 44%


• Toyota down 40%


• Nissan down 39%


• Honda down 38%


• Hyundai down 2%

Hyundai has limited severe declines in their sales via a creative incentive for its customers. Hyundai will cover a new vehicle's depreciation if customers return a car within 12 months because they are unable to make payments due to a job loss, disability etc. Subaru sales were up 1% mainly due to the Forester model shown below. The Forester doubled in sales over the same period last year.

Even though automakers have spent more money on rebates, low interest rate financing and other incentives, buyers have continued to avoid purchasing new cars.

Many buyers are opting for used cars due to the decline in used car prices over the last year. Althought rising used car prices may change that picture.

GM and Chrysler are have submitted their viability plans to the government. The automobile business is a capital intensive business and severe sales declines impact their ability to operate. The American auto manufacturers are not currently well capitalized. Few businesses can take severe sales declines without a substantial balance sheet and the cash to endure this downturn. These kind of numbers if sustained would be a difficult obstacle to their continued viability.

New Hydraulic Hybrid Transmission Doubles MPG

A new technology is being explored by a Scottish company Artemis Intelligent Power. The technology utilizes a hydraulic hybrid transmission in a regular passenger car, in this example a BMW 530I. Independent tests have determined that the company was able to double the city MPG of the 530I prototype. This is a new approach but it reminds me of my February 3 post "A Hydraulic Diesel Hybrid?? The prototype also reduced the carbon dioxide emissions on highway driving by 30%.

The implications are substantial! If we could increase the MPG of vehicles by changing the transmission, over a period of time we could decrease our energy usage substantially, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce our polution from automobiles. This is a game changer! For more information go to gizmag.com.

Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai introduced their first car the Excel in 1984. The Excel was very inexpensive at $4995, and accordingly sold 168,000 cars in the U.S. in the first year. But, owners started uncovering substantial quality control problems and sales dropped substantially.

Hyundai has come a long way since the early Excel! Hyundai has increased their quality substantially and they have one of the best warranties in the auto business.

In 2008, Hyundai introduced the Genesis sedan. I am of the opinion that the Hyundai Genesis is a paradigm shift for Hyundai. It is probably equivalent to the Lexus LS 400 introduction in 1989. Lexus subsequently increased sales exponentially and become a household name in the process.

Now Hyundai did not introduce as separate new luxury line like Lexus. But they did introduce a substantial vehicle that is now the halo car for Hyundai. Now they have to overcome the stigma of being a lower tier auto producer.

With Genesis V6 base pricing starts at $33,000 plus options, add an additional $5,000 for the V8. The V8 was voted a 10 Best motor by Wards. Both cars are an exceptional buys. The Genesis looks and drives like a more expensive car than the direct competition based on price. The Genesis was named North American Car of the Year for 2009 at the North American Auto Auto Show in Detroit.

I am of the opinion that Hyundai is going to compete with much higher end cars. A Car and Driver Road Test compared the Genesis 4.6 V8 to some high end competition like the Audi A6 4.2, Infinity M45, Lexus GS460, and Mercedes E550.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

In some of my previous posts, I outlined that some of the cars that GM produces are highly competitive in their respective classes. The Chevrolet Corvette is one of those cars, it is an example of what is going right at GM. Today, I am covering the best Corvette ever the ZR1.

The Corvette ZR1 is an incredible bargain in the super car arena. The ZR1 is the most expensive Corvette at $103,970 plus options, that price is double what the base Corvette costs. It is also the most expensive car that GM has ever produced!

The Corvette's foreign competition is priced $187,830 more for a Mercedes SL65 AMG and $323,940 more for a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

The supercharged LS9 V-8 delivers a tidal wave of power with 638 hp, the 0-60 is 3.3 seconds, and 60-0 is an amazing 97 feet. The ZR1 earned a 1.07 g on the skidpad. All these numbers are exceptional by any standard. Check out the Motor Trend video.

The braking is handled by huge 15.5 front and 15.0 rear ceramic disks. The ceramic disks make the ZR1 brakes strong, fade resistant and have terrific pedal feel.

Driving the car will give you an impression that the ZR1 can be a very civilized every day driver. But, when you step on the gas you quickly discover that this is no ordinary car. This is a refined, fast, powerful super machine that immediately stirs your adrenaline.

The ZRI uses carbon fiber on the interior, the hood and on the roof of the vehicle. It does not look at outlandish as some of the other super cars it competes against but delivers a superlative driving experience. In a recent Car and Driver comparison test the Corvette ZR1 won a comparison test over some very serious competitors.

Volkswagon Jetta TDI

These are frugal times so I thought I would post an inexpensive new car. Yes it is a diesel but it is not like the diesels produced in the 1980's. Those cars had substantial amount of soot exhaust, made a lot of noise, and were slow to accelerate.

The Europeans have been producing diesels in Europe for a number of years. Actually, diesels account for approximately 60% of the new car sales in Europe. The diesels produced in Europe today have low emissions, are more refined, and are comparable to a gasoline engine in acceleration.

Now we get to the diesels strong point - fuel economy! The Jetta TDI is rated at 29 MPG city and 40 MPG on the highway. The car should average approximately 33 MPG in mixed driving. The acceleration 0-60 is 8.1 seconds, with the motor horsepower at 140 hp. The motor was also named to Wards 10 Best Engines see the attached Car and Driver article.

The sedan has an attractive base price of $22,640 for the sedan. When compared to hybrids that can take up to 9 years to payback the additional cost - this car is an exceptional buy for a green machine.