30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine Log-Term Tests (Four Seasons)
We found the GL450 to be the optimum conveyance for the 380-mile trek around the south shore of Lake Michigan.
We rolled into the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee at about 8:30 p.m. on December 22 in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 in plenty of time to find some dinner, especially with twenty-four-hour Ma Fischer's or George Webb's as a backup. But we wanted to eat at our favorite pizza place, which is north of Bay View on the East Side, and it closes at 10:30 p.m. We had to check into our AirB2B rental and drop off the two dogs plus our luggage and a load of Christmas presents. And it was snowing.
Forty-five minutes later, it was up to how the four-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz GL450 with its Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snows tackled traffic and slick road surfaces as temperatures hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit. Quickly falling snow was accumulating on the ground. The tires grabbed the slippery pavement assuredly. The SUV turned when I turned the wheel, and the brakes brought it to a quick, reassuring stop. There's enough steering feel to conspire with seat-of-the-pants feedback to give fair warning of how close the Merc might be to losing grip. As deputy editor Joe DeMatio has said of the GL450, it drives smaller than it is.
The only real obstacles were other cars and trucks, although at this hour in this weather on a Monday night, traffic was pretty light. Traveling on a combination of I-94 and surface streets, we made it to Lisa's Pizza on North Oakland Avenue with time to spare. We were the last customers of the night.
And so the holidays came and went. Although we don't have a traditional family -- no kids save for the collies -- and we don't own a traditional family car, we found the Mercedes-Benz GL450 to be the optimum conveyance for the 380-mile trek around the south shore of Lake Michigan. With the second and third rows flipped down, my wife and I were able to bring along the two dogs, presents for each other and my family, and our luggage, using both the interior cargo space and a Yakima bag on the roof.
The Yakima bag was strapped to the longitudinal bars on the roof because, unlike our Four Season BMW X1 and Acura MDX, the chrome bars are not flush to the sheetmetal of the Benz's top. You don't need OEM crossbars to make this kind of bag work. Presumably, the bars on the BMW and Acura don't produce as much wind noise and are perhaps more aerodynamic, but the Yakima bag, strapped down as tightly as possible with bungee cords, didn't noticeably affect fuel efficiency. In fact, indicated average fuel mileage climbed a few tenths on the freeway from the 16.6 mpg displayed on the dash when we started out.
Over our short, four-day holiday/vacation, the Benz-Scorpion combo easily handled both slick and deep snow, including only partially plowed street parking in front of our B2B craftsman bungalow. Tire Rack says the Scorpion compound "is molded into a subtly asymmetric tread design that features a stable shoulder area to enhance dry road handling … while angled independent tread blocks with circumferential and lateral sipes help the tire bite into snow."
Just before we left for Milwaukee, I slowly pulled the GL450 into a grocery store parking space, during which the head-toss that both senior editor Joe Lorio and New York bureau chief Jamie Kitman have complained about was more noticeable. On the freeways between metro Detroit and Milwaukee, however, the GL's comfortable but not sloppy ride made for a pleasant trip, and both my wife and I made good use of the power lumbar support in both front seats. The winter tires add a marginal level of road noise over the stock Continental 4x4 Contacts.
The only regrets about the GL are that it isn't a turbodiesel and that I didn't find the heated steering wheel button earlier. Despite diesel-thickening temperatures, that engine option would have saved a couple of long, cold, $80 premium unleaded fill-ups along the way.
The heated steering wheel control is perhaps too logically placed. Don't look for a button on the dash or on the steering wheel. It's a tiny stalk parallel to the cruise control stalk on the steering column, closer to the dash. I hope Lorio and road test editor Chris Nelson found it in time for the Mercedes-Benz GL's next winter adventure.
2016 Audi TT to Be Revealed Next Month? 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
Audi has released a teaser video in anticipation of a new model that will debut on February 12. The video shows a truck making its way up a hill in South Africa, and we think it's likely that the next-generation 2016 Audi TT is inside.
Audi has previously announced that the 2016 TT would launch this year. We've also already seen the advanced new interior of the 2015 Audi TT at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) a few weeks ago, and Audi said at the 2014 Detroit auto show that the Audi Allroad Shooting Brake Concept is meant to preview the look of the next TT coupe.
We expect the new Audi TT to be built on the Volkswagen Group's new MQB modular platform that underpins the new Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3. Spy photos of Audi TT prototypes show a longer, wider overall shape, with shorter overhangs and a sportier look overall. The front end should look much like the Allroad Shooting Brake concept, with its swept-back headlights and hexagonal grille shape. The rear of the new Audi TT looks to imitate the Audi R8 supercar, with an extended rear glass, low decklid, and wide fenders.
In the U.S., we expect to see the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as standard equipment, paired with both manual and automatic transmissions as well as front- or all-wheel drive. Higher-performance TT S and TT RS models may follow down the road, either with high-powered versions of this same engine or an updated 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder from the last TT RS. We know that Audi will continue to sell the current TT this year as a 2015 model, so it's unlikely the car would go on sale in the U.S. before January 2015 as a 2016 model.
It's also possible that the new Audi vehicle inside the truck is the next-generation Audi Q7 SUV. We reported last year that the Q7 was up for an emergency redesign to give it a more toned-down look to fit in with the rest of the Audi lineup. Like before, this seven-seat crossover will share its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne.
Check back on February 12 to see which new Audi is inside the mysterious truck in South Africa.
Volkswagen Beetle Marks 65th Anniversary of U.S. Debut 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
Now in its third generation, the Volkswagen Beetle is celebrating 65 years since its arrival in the United States. Perhaps one of the most recognizable and iconic car designs of the 20th century, the original "Type 1" Volkswagen Beetle was first imported by a Dutch businessman to New York in 1949, paving the way for Volkswagen's presence in the U.S. automotive market.
The rear-engine, air-cooled Bug was loved for its simplicity and funky looks, which particularly captured the tastes and imaginations of buyers in the 1960s. To get a sense for the immense popularity of the Volkswagen Beetle, consider that VW sold as many as 423,000 Bugs a year in the U.S. by 1968. In 2013, the entire Volkswagen brand of eleven models sold 407,704 units, only the second year since the 1970s that VW topped 400,000 units in consecutive years. The original Beetle, largely unchanged since its U.S. introduction in 1949, ceased production in 1977.
Volkswagen pressed on for two decades until it resurrected the model, named the New Beetle, in 1998. Based on the Volkswagen Golf platform, the bubble-shaped, flower-vase equipped New Beetle got off to a hot start, quickly rising above 80,000 units sold in the U.S. However, the Bug-hysteria would sharply subside. By 2010, less than 20,000 New Beetle models were being sold annually.
Redesigned for 2012, the current Volkswagen Beetle is slightly more athletic and mature looking. The new model is still based on the Volkswagen Golf and GTI underpinnings, and is available with three engine options: a 1.8-liter turbo-four, the 2.0-liter 210-hp turbocharged four-cylinder from the GTI, and a torquey 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel also used in the Golf TDI. Over 43,000 Beetle units were sold in the U.S. in 2013.
Although it lacks the precision and feedback of the well-loved GTI, our Four Seasons 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible has proved that top-down fun still need not come at an astronomical price point. VW has tried to capture some of that old 60s magic with the third-gen Beetle, and there is no doubt that its funky, outgoing personality remains its biggest strength.
2015 Subaru Legacy Teased Ahead Of 2014 Chicago Auto Show 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
Subaru today released a teaser photo that previews the 2015 Legacy sedan set to debut next week at the 2014 Chicago auto show. The car follows up on the Subaru Legacy concept (pictured below) shown at last fall's 2013 Los Angeles auto show.
The teaser photo reveals that the 2015 Subaru Legacy will follow the concept car's swept-back, coupe-like design cues, albeit with four doors. Subaru describes the new Legacy as, "a sporty and modern sedan," which matches what we gleaned from earlier spy photos. Camouflaged versions of the 2015 Subaru Legacy showed that the C-pillar would be angled to let the roof flow gently down into the car's trunk, while the rounded nose would wear headlights that wrapped onto the front fenders.
Subaru Japan characterizes the new Legacy as, "a mid-size sports sedan" that also achieves, "a design required for a flagship model with a quality feel."
Reports suggest that the 2015 Subaru Legacy could adopt higher-quality interior materials, LED lighting, and possibly even a hybrid powertrain. It will also likely receive the updated version of Subaru's EyeSight safety system, which has color cameras with a greater range and faster reaction times. A new version of the car's wagon sibling, the 2015 Subaru Outback, is also expected to debut sometime this year. The 2014 Subaru Legacy currently starts at $21,090, including destination, and is offered with both a 173-hp, 2.5-liter flat-four engine and a 256-hp, 3.6-liter flat-six engine.
The 2015 Subaru Legacy will make its official debut on February 6 at the 2014 Chicago auto show.
2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop Priced at $20,745, Cooper S at $24,395 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
The new Mini Cooper may be less "mini" than before, but it doesn't cost all that much more for 2014. The 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop starts at $20,745 with destination, and the turbocharged 2014 Mini Cooper S starts at $24,395. These prices represent an increase of just $250 and $300 over the 2013 models, respectively, despite a complete redesign for this retro compact hatchback.
The base 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop, which rides on a new front-wheel-drive modular platform from BMW, comes standard with a new three-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that makes 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic costing $1250 extra. The typical Mini assortment of bright exterior colors and flashy trim is available, as are a few option packages that can drive the price up quickly.
A $1750 Premium Package bundles together a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, a premium sound system, and rain-sensing windshield wipers; a $1750 Wired Package adds navigation with traffic information and the Mini Connected infotainment system that includes an 8-inch center display screen; and the $4750 Fully Loaded Package bundles most of this equipment together along with new wheels and sport seats. There is also a $600 Cold Weather Package with heated seats and mirrors, along with a $1500 Sport Package that adds flashier wheels, sport seats, and LED headlights.
The same set of options are available on the 2014 Mini Cooper S, which comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Like the base model, transmissions comprise a standard six-speed manual and an optional six-speed automatic.
The configurator tool for both the Cooper Hardtop and Cooper S is available now on Mini's U.S. website. With the wide array of customization possibilities, it's an entertaining time-waster.
The 2014 Mini Cooper Hardtop and Cooper S go on sale in March, and we are expecting four-door, convertible, and Clubman variants to follow throughout this year.
Ford Invites Customers To "Tough Test" 2015 F-150 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
To prove the 2015 Ford F-150 is tough, the Blue Oval wants everyday customers to test the new pickup truck before it goes on sale. Ford launched today a campaign it calls "You Test," in which customers can apply to put the F-150's strength to the test before the truck hits showrooms.
"We're looking for people who know how to punish a truck," Ford F-150 marketing manager Eric Peterson said in a statement. "Built Ford Tough isn't just a tagline; it's the philosophy that drives us every day to make the best trucks out there."
Interested customers must visit BuiltToughTest.com and describe how they would put the 2015 Ford F-150 to the test. The winning entrants, which must be received by May 31, will be given a Ford F-150 for a week, during which time a film crew will document the real-world testing.
The 2015 Ford F-150 debuted earlier this month at the 2014 Detroit auto show with a new all-aluminum body. Engine choices for the 2015 Ford F-150 comprise a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, a 3.5-liter V-6, and a 5.0-liter V-8. Ford is eager to note that even though the truck lost about 700 pounds and now uses aluminum, the F-150's frame is still made from steel and it is just as tough as before. The automaker has warned, however, that idling factories to switch to production of the new truck, as well as the added expense of launching the 2015 Ford F-150, could hurt Ford's full-year profits.
To see more about the "Built Tough Test," watch the promotional video below.
Report: BMW To Hold Off on Expanding i-Car Lineup 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
BMW has already invested an astonishing $2.7 billion in its new line of electric BMW i3 and i8 vehicles, and according to Reuters, it will reportedly gauge the market for demand before any further expansion moves forward.
Trademarks are already registered for i1 through i9 names, but BMW will play it safe for now until more information is available about demand. This strategy is consistent with what our European bureau chief Georg Kacher discovered at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show, when Chairman Norbert Reithofer told him that "If demand for i3 is stronger than expected, we can easily expand the capacity and the I line-up, having trademarked all options from i1 to i9." If demand for the i-lineup is insufficient to justify adding another model, the plug-in hybrid technology could still be applied to other crossovers and cars in BMW's existing lineup.
"We need to see how demand for the cars develops," BMW board member Harald Krüger told Reuters.
Already BMW has elicited over 11,000 orders for the i3 city car since it hit showrooms last November, and 1,000 prospective buyers have already stepped up here in the U.S. The 2014 BMW i3 is powered by a 170-hp electric motor directed through the rear-wheels, and has a range of 80 to 100 miles before needing a charge. Base price is set at $42,275. The sporty BMW i8 coupe uses a 131-hp electric motor paired with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three making 170 hp, which together power all four wheels. Combined fuel economy for the BMW i8 is estimated at 94 mpg, and pricing will start at $136,625 including destination.
The BMW i3 is set to go on sale in the second quarter of this year, with the BMW i8 soon to follow.
Toyota Halts Sale of Numerous Models Due to Faulty Fire-Retardant Seats 30 Jan, 2014 - Automobile Magazine News & Rumors
The value of heated seats is difficult to underestimate, especially for those of us in northern states. However, warm-bottomed drivers of certain Toyota models built since August 2012 may have gotten slightly more than they bargained for when they opted for heated seats in their Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, and Tundra models.
Due to a cloth pad on the seat-heater assembly that was not up to snuff, according to federal regulations, Toyota has stopped sales of certain vehicles equipped with heated seats. Toyota spokesman John Hanson told us today that the issue came to Toyota's attention when a South Korean safety review found that the seat-heating material in question did not meet the minimum rate at which it is supposed to retard flames. Toyota changed suppliers in 2012, so the issue only affects models built since August of that year.
No reports of fires or accidents have surfaced in relation to the issue, which could result in a recall depending on how the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules in the case. Hanson says that Toyota has submitted a petition to NHTSA in hopes of determining that the non-compliant material is inconsequential, which if granted, would mean existing vehicles would not need to be retrofitted with any new parts.
The number of affected vehicles currently out on the road is as yet undetermined, but for affected vehicles currently in dealer inventory, Toyota is in the process of preparing a modification which should bring the seats in line with federal regulations. If necessary, owners will be able to have the modified seat heater assembly replaced at a Toyota dealership at no cost.
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