Toyota Issues Voluntary Recall

Toyota is issuing two voluntary recalls on roughly 235,000 Lexus and Toyota models in the United States.
The first recall pertains to about 133,000 Highlander Hybrid models from the 2006 to 2010 model year and Lexus RX 400h models from the 2006 to 2008 model year. Toyota says in a press release that “transistors within the hybrid system's inverter assembly can experience heat damage due to variations in characteristics of the transistors built in parallel circuits.” This could result in the illumination of dashboard warning lights, and that “the vehicle will enter ‘limp home mode.’"  In some cases, the vehicle will essentially stop running while it is being driven.
The second recall affects about 102,000 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 models from the 2006 to 2011 model year. Toyota says that “bolts used to secure the variable valve timing control device can become loose, causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.” One of the first symptoms of this problem is an abnormal noise after starting the vehicle.
CNN Money spoke with Toyota, and reports that there have been no known injuries or accidents related to either problem.

Chevrolet, Lexus, Subaru and Toyota Score Five-Star Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently awarded its top rating of five stars to a number of new Chevrolet, Lexus, Subaru and Toyota vehicles. Kicking Tires writes, “NHTSA's crash tests examine vehicles' safety performance in frontal and side collisions, as well as roof strength in rollover accidents.”
Rear- and four-wheel drive models of the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab earned five stars overall, as well as five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The redesigned 2014 Lexus IS 250 also scored five stars overall, with a four-star rating in front crash tests and five stars for its performance in both side-impact and rollover tests for both rear- and all-wheel drive models. NHTSA’s latest top-performing vehicles also include the redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester and the 2014 Prius V, which performed identically in government crash tests. The Forester and Prius V earned five-star ratings overall, as well as five stars in side crash tests and four stars in front-impact and rollover tests.
While many recently-tested vehicles earned top ratings, Chevrolet’s new heavy-duty truck fell a bit short. When equipped with side-curtain and side-impact air bags, the rear-wheel drive Silverado 2500 crew cab scored four stars overall in NHTSA’s tests. Without side-curtain and side-impact air bags, the rear-wheel drive Silverado 2500 crew cab earned three stars overall. Regular cab versions of the Silverado 2500 performed worse, earning just two stars overall.

Ford Recalls Large Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Sedans

Ford Motor Company is recalling 370,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury large sedans because of a potential steering issue.

Ford Crown Victoria Sedans during production in 2011 (Ford Motor Company)

The New York Times reports, “The action covers Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car models from 2005 through 2011, Kelli Felker, a Ford spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail. The recall is in effect in 22 states and the District of Columbia and includes about 195,000 Crown Victoria police cars.” The paper adds that the recall follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into steering complaints regarding police models of the 2005 to 2008 Ford Crown Victoria.
Though Ford says it does not know of any accidents or injuries related to the recall, the company told The Times that corrosion could affect the steering shaft, which could cause a loss of steering.
The Associated Press says, “Dealers will inspect the cars and may replace the lower intermediate steering shaft and if necessary resecure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft.”
The recall impacts cars in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia. Owners who live in other states can request a vehicle inspection from Ford.

Volkswagen TDI Models to Get New Diesel Engine

Volkswagen's current 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine (Volkswagen of America)

Volkswagen has announced that a new diesel engine will be available in 2015 Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat models, which will hit dealer lots by the second half of 2014. The automaker reports that the new engine will produce 236 pound-feet of torque and 150 horsepower, which is a 10 horsepower increase in comparison with the 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine that the automaker currently offers.
Volkswagen Spokesman Mark Gilles tells Kicking Tires that the new engine should be more responsive and offer improved fuel economy. “It’s an all-new engine, to all intents and purposes,” Gillies says. “We’re hoping that it will give a probably somewhere around 8% bump to highway [fuel] economy.”
Currently, Volkswagen models like the diesel-powered Golf and Jetta TDI return 30/42 mpg city/highway, or 34 mpg combined. An 8 percent improvement could mean that both cars will hit just over 45 mpg in highway driving. In comparison, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel gets 46 mpg on the highway, but has slightly lower city and combined fuel economy estimates.
Volkswagen notes that it has sold more than 47,000 diesel models so far this year, which includes 10,000 diesel vehicles sold last month. The automaker reports that its sales account for “nearly 78 percent of the diesel sales for passenger cars in the United States this year.”
Diesel versions of the Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat currently command between $4,200 and $6,475 over their respective base models. However, a recent study indicates that lower ownership costs on diesel-powered Golf and Jetta models save their owners $5,013 and $3,128, respectively, over the course of three years.

2014 Chevrolet Volt Sees 13 Percent Price Drop

If you’ve been saving up for a Chevrolet Volt, you can save a little less. Chevrolet has announced that for 2014, the Volt will cost $5,000 less than earlier models. That’s about a 13 percent price drop.

The 2014 Volt has a base price of $34,995, which includes an $810 destination fee. Consumers can get tax credits on a Volt purchase of up to $7,500, which could effectively lower the price of the Volt to $27,495.
“Dropping the Volt's price removes one of the primary consideration barriers for most buyers,” says Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “While the Volt features some of the most advanced, and expensive, drivetrain technology available, it still looks and feels like a compact car. That means only the most dedicated Volt fans will actually pay the car's asking price, which is far above other compact models. Nissan Leaf sales were up over 300 percent last month because of  that model's lower price. Chevrolet is undoubtedly aware of this shift in Leaf pricing, and its resulting sales spike. We all know what you're supposed to do when you can't beat 'em.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Volt not only has to compete with other plug-in cars, but also conventional gas-powered cars in Chevrolet showrooms. The Chevrolet Spark, Sonic and Cruze Eco all get 35 mpg or better on the highway, with the Cruze Eco getting up to 42 mpg. All three also start at less than $20,000, which is almost $7,500 less than the best price consumers could get on a Volt when tax credits are considered.
Jalopnik asks, “… when you can get a Cruze for much cheaper that gets a pretty decent MPG do you need the Volt?”
What do you think? Would a lower price make you more likely to buy a Chevrolet Volt or other plug-in car?

2014 Corvette Stingray Makes Good First Impression

The first wave of critical reviews and instrumented tests of the completely redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray have just been completed, and reviewers find the results pretty impressive.
A few publications, including Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Edmunds, have just published reviews with their first impressions after driving the new Corvette. As we recently published, the seventh-generation Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces up to 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The EPA gives the Corvette a fuel economy rating of 17/29 mpg city/highway.
Reviewers report the Corvette’s new LT1 V8 is very potent. Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver recorded 0-to-60 sprints of 3.9 seconds. Car and Driver says these acceleration times put the Corvette in “elite territory.”
In any car, but especially in high-performance cars, the brakes are just as important as the engine. Edmunds recorded a stop from 60 mph in 93 feet. They said this is the shortest stopping distance they’ve ever measured.

(General Motors Co.)

A major shortcoming of the last generation Corvette, according to most reviewers, was its cheap interior and unsupportive seats. Test drivers report that the new model’s interior is a great improvement. Motor Trend and Edmunds are pleased with the Corvette’s base seats, although Car and Driver said these seats don’t have quite enough side support for hard cornering. More aggressively-bolstered Competition seats are optional on the 2014 Corvette. The base model is equipped with a vinyl-wrapped dashboard that both Car and Driver and Motor Trend say has a high-quality look to it. A full leather-wrapped interior is also optional. Edmunds says that the Corvette’s interior quality “isn't Porsche materials quality. Nor is it Porsche pricing.”
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is an important model for Chevrolet and for General Motors as a whole. Noting that the Corvette represents a very small fraction of Chevrolet’s overall sales, which is often the case with sports cars, Edmunds Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs says the new Corvette is “more about image” for Chevrolet. She says this car is a renaissance symbol that shows that GM has emerged successfully from the recession and from bankruptcy.
According to Krebs, the new Corvette, along with cars like the redesigned Impala, which is also receiving good reviews, will hopefully inspire Chevrolet’s design team. She hopes that the appealing styling of these cars will have a positive impact on the future designs of Chevy’s other mainstream vehicles like the Malibu and Cruze.

Stingray emblem (General Motors Co.)

The new Corvette’s Stingray nickname harkens back to the 1963 Corvette, which Krebs says is regarded as one of the greatest Corvettes of all times. When asked if the new Stingray will live up to such a legacy, Krebs says that is a question that we won’t be able to fully answer for another 20 years.

2014 Mazda3 Fuel Economy Expected to Top Compact Class

(Mazda Motor Of America Inc.)

Mazda showed off its all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback almost a month ago, which was followed by the introduction of the sedan. Now the automaker says it expects the 2014 Mazda3 sedan to get 29/41 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 30/41 mpg with the automatic. The EPA has not rated the sedan yet (it rated the manual hatchback at 29/40 and automatic at 30/40 mpg), but Mazda's estimates are some of the highest among compact cars.
Among non-hybrid compact sedans, the 2014 Mazda3’s projected fuel economy tops the Nissan Sentra’s 30/39 mpg EPA fuel economy rating (CVT), as well as the Honda Civic’s 28/39 mpg estimate and the Hyundai Elantra’s 28/38 mpg rating.
If the EPA confirms Mazda’s fuel economy estimates for the new Mazda3 sedan, they will compete with, or even top, some of the ratings on compact cars that have a trim designed to save fuel. For example, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 26/39 mpg (automatic) and 28/42 (manual), the Dodge Dart Aero gets 28/41 (manual) and 28/40 (automatic) and the Honda Civic HF earns a 29/41 rating (automatic). These fuel-efficient trims often cost more than the base model, though, and these three models all cost upwards of $19,000.
The 2014 Mazda3 will cost more than last year’s model. The 2014 sedan with a manual transmission will start at $16,945, which does not include a $795 destination fee. This is a price bump of $245 over the 2013 Mazda3 sedan. The base model with an automatic will cost $17,995. Mazda points out in a press release that the extra money gets you more standard features for 2014, including a USB port, push-button start, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry and automatic power door locks.
The 2013 Mazda3 is currently ranked at the top of our compact car class. Will the 2014's high fuel economy estimates and newly standard features keep it there? Car and Driver calls it “one heck of a small car,” and says “it happens to drive like no sub-$20,000 car deserves to.” Jalopnik says the 2014 Mazda3 is “arguably the most exciting car in this segment.” Autoblog says, “But beyond its slick lines, we found the new compact hatch to be a pretty remarkable steer, offering up good levels of comfort and refinement, not to mention functionality and engagement.” The 2014 Mazda3 goes on sale in September.

All-Electric BMW i3 Priced at $42,275

BMW i3 Concept (BMW Group)

The BMW i3 will start at $42,275 (including a $925 destination charge) when it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2014. The all-electric i3 will join the ranks of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles that qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which currently include cars like the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S. Edmunds points out that a full tax credit effectively will lower the i3’s starting price to $34,775.
“With this leading-edge vehicle and attractive price, we will provide customers with a compelling offer for electromobility,” says Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW in a press release. The i3’s starting price is $27,625 less than the base Tesla Model S, but also $13,475 more than the Nissan Leaf. Plug-in hybrid competitors like the 2013 Chevrolet Volt and 2014 Ford Fusion Energi start at $2,280 and $2,589 less, respectively.

(BMW Group)

The Los Angeles Times spoke with Gartner Auto Analyst Thilo Koslowski, who says that BMW’s entrance into the EV market could put some pressure on automakers like Tesla. “Gaining as much mind share as possible at this point is hugely important,” says Koslowski. “The clock is ticking for Tesla in its unique position. They have to leverage the thrust they have now.”
The BMW says that the i3 will come with an electric motor that produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, as well as a 22-kilowatt-hour battery that will provide 80 to 100 miles of driving range. The i3 can be charged using a home charging system, or at standard Level 2 public charging stations. A fast-charging port will be optional, which BMW says can “provide an 80 percent charge from a fully depleted battery in just 20 minutes.” An optional two-cylinder engine will also be available, which acts as a generator to provide another 80 to 100 miles of driving range.
Edmunds expects the i3’s home charging station to start at between $2,000 and $3,000, while the range-extending engine should be available for roughly $2,000.

Honda Redesigns Fit, Adds Hybrid, Sedan Options

This Japanese-market Honda Fit will be similar to the 2015 U.S. model. (Honda Motor Company)

Honda has released images of the all-new Japanese model Fit and, according to Motor Trend, the pictures offer U.S. buyers a sneak peak of the 2015 U.S. model.
The images show a blue Honda Fit hatchback with all-new styling that Motor Trend says will be featured on the 2015 U.S. model. Changes include more angular bodywork on the front, side and rear and a new headlight and grille combination that reminded Motor Trend of Honda’s Clarity hydrogen-powered car.
Automotive News (subscription required) reports that Honda has also developed a new hybrid system for the Fit that “greatly boosts fuel economy over the current [hybrid] system” that's used in other Honda models, like the Insight. Automotive News says that Honda will probably not release a hybrid version of the hatchback pictured above to the U.S. However, the U.S. will likely receive a new Fit sedan and Fit-based small crossover with the hybrid drivetrain.

(Honda Motor Company)

The 2013 Honda Fit is our No. 1 ranked affordable subcompact car, but it is ranked fifth in subcompact sales this year with 25,541 cars sold through June 2013, according to Automotive News. That is much less than the top-selling 2013 Nissan Versa, which had sales of 63,761 in that same period, and the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic (44,905 units sold). The Sonic ranks fourth in our affordable subcompact rankings, and the Versa is 15th out of 16 subcompact cars. Automotive News says Honda wants the redesigned Fit to be more competitive with these cars, and hopes the new hybrid option will help the Fit compete with other small hybrids like the Toyota Prius c. Toyota sold 20,575 Prius c hybrids through June, according to Automotive News.
Motor Trend says that, despite the design overhaul, the exterior dimensions of the subcompact Fit remain the same. While it wasn't impressed with the interior, the publication expects the design to change before the car goes on sale in the U.S.

Ford to Offer Free MPG Boost to 2013 Hybrid Owners

Ford will begin offering a free software update in August to improve the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Ford says the software update will improve its hybrids’ real-world fuel economy. “We believe these actions will provide our customers enhanced on-road fuel economy satisfaction,” says Raj Nair, group vice president of global product development at Ford, in a press release.
According to Ford, the software update will increase the electric-only top speed from 62 to 85 mph, reduce engine warm-up time, decrease aerodynamic drag using Ford’s active grille shutters, reduce engine cooling fan speed and optimize the climate control system.
“Customers should see the most improvement at highway speeds, during air conditioner use and operation in colder climates,” says Nair. He expects the mileage improvements to vary based on the way people drive. “Just as individual mileage can vary based on driving styles and environmental conditions,” he says, “we expect fuel economy improvements will differ from customer to customer depending on individual driving habits.”
Ford’s announcement Tuesday comes amid criticism that the company has inflated the fuel economy numbers of hybrids like the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. Reuters reports that “Ford faces a number of class action lawsuits that claim the No. 2 U.S. automaker overstated the gas mileage on its hybrids.”
According to Business Insider, one plaintiff, who owns a C-Max Hybrid, averaged aproximately 37 mpg in combined driving, which is less than the EPA's 47 mpg combined estimate.
Consumer Reports tested the car last year and also reported 37 mpg combined.
Like other automakers, Ford uses the EPA's fuel economy estimates in its advertising. Organizations such as Consumer Reports have recently questioned the EPA’s testing methods, saying that the EPA’s tests don’t reflect real world driving and can result in inflated fuel economy numbers, especially for hybrids. The EPA last addressed concerns about its fuel economy tests in 2008, when it changed its methods to better reflect real world driving. It included faster acceleration, air conditioner use and colder outside temperatures in its tests, and average fuel economy numbers dropped.
Autoweek reports that the software updates should take a half day, and that Ford encourages 2013 hybrid owners to make an appointment with their dealer.

Chrysler Recalls More Than 50,000 Jeep and Ram Models

Chrysler Group is recalling 45,961 Ram 1500 trucks in the U.S. due to a software issue that can disable the Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The recall affects 2013 model-year trucks with four-wheel drive. ESC systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is losing control, and then helps the driver maintain control by applying the brakes to certain wheels to keep the car moving along its intended path. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Affected owners should hear from Chrysler in August and dealers will update the ESC software for free. If you have any questions about the recall, you can call Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N37.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees with LED headlamps have been recalled. (Chrysler Group)

Chrysler is also recalling 4,458 Jeep Grand Cherokee models for a problem with the vehicle’s parking lamps. NHTSA says that the recall affects 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited, Overland and Summit models that are equipped with premium headlamps and LED daytime running lights. When the driver turns the parking lights on, a software glitch immediately turns them off again. This can result in reduced visibility, which increases the risk of a crash. Without parking lamps, the vehicle also fails to conform to federal safety standards, according to NHTSA.
The fix involves a software update, which dealers will do free of charge. Chrysler will start contacting owners of affected vehicles in August. If you have any questions for Chrysler, you can contact them at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N42.

Ram 1500 Picks Up Top Rating from Consumer Reports

Chrysler Group has something to celebrate as Consumer Reports has named the 2013 Ram 1500 its top full-size pickup truck. Explaining the top rating, Consumer Reports writes, "The updated truck delivered impressive performance in our tests, balancing work capability and refinement in a way that sees it outscore established domestic- and foreign-nameplate competitors."

This isn't the first award the 2013 Ram 1500 has won. It's the most recent winner of the North American Truck of the Year award. The 2013 model has some significant updates, including a more luxurious interior, better fuel economy and tweaks to the suspension to improve the truck's ride. The Ram 1500 is the only full-size pickup truck in the U.S. that uses a coil spring suspension. Reviewers like how the setup makes the Ram 1500 less bouncy and more comfortable than other full-size pickups.
The Wall Street Journal reports, "The top ranking from Consumer Reports is yet another vote of confidence at a time when Chrysler is trying to gain ground against competitors General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. Already, the Ram brand has managed to pick up market share from rivals. Ram sales in the first half of this year were up 23%, according to AutoData Corp."
While it seems to be all good news for the Ram 1500, USA Today writes that the truck can't afford to rest on its laurels. The paper points out that Consumer Reports hasn't finished testing the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, which is all new. Consumer Reports says, "First impressions are that the Silverado is a comfortable and refined truck that could possibly challenge the Ram in our Ratings."

Toyota RAV4 Fares Poorly in IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test

Even with extra time to prepare, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 didn't do well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap frontal crash test. In a press release, the IIHS says they initially delayed crash testing the RAV4 to allow Toyota to enhance the vehicle’s safety structure.
According to the IIHS, the changes made were not sufficient, and the RAV4 earned a score of Poor in the new safety test. The agency reports that “the driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure, and the dummy's left foot was trapped by crushed and buckled sheet metal in the footwell.” Additionally, “the dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side as the steering column moved more than 7 inches to the right, resulting in little airbag cushioning for the chest.” Finally, the agency reports that excessive movement allowed by the safety belt resulted in the dummy’s head hitting the dashboard.
The small overlap frontal crash test is IIHS’ newest safety test. It is designed to evaluate a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a collision where the front corner of the vehicle hits an object like a pole or another car.
 
Failure to earn a score of Good in the small overlap frontal crash test means the 2013 RAV4 does not earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus status. Still, the RAV4 is designated a Top Safety Pick for its scores of Good in all of the other IIHS safety tests.
The New York Times corresponded with Toyota via email, and they report that the automaker says it is “looking at a range of solutions to achieve greater crash performance in this area.”
The only two compact SUVs that have been earned the Top Safety Pick Plus designation so far are the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Officially Rated at 29 MPG Highway

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (General Motors)

The EPA has officially rated the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at 17/29 mpg city/highway, which works out to 21 mpg combined when equipped with a seven-speed manual transmission. The new Corvette has better fuel economy estimates than the 2013 model, which earned 16/26 mpg city/highway and a combined rating of 19 mpg.
General Motors says in a press release that the 2014 Corvette gets 28 mpg on the highway in its normal Tour drive mode, while 30 mpg can be achieved on the highway by switching to the Corvette’s Eco drive mode. Selecting Eco mode engages the Corvette’s Active Fuel Management system, “which disables four of the cylinders for improved fuel economy during light engine loads.” Fuel economy estimates for models with the six-speed automatic transmission have not been released yet, but GM says that Corvettes with automatic transmissions use Active Fuel Management at all times, unless the driver uses the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters to put the Corvette in manual mode.
GM says that the Stingray’s fuel economy rating makes it “the most fuel efficient sports car on the market as no other car offers more than 455 horsepower and greater than 29 mpg highway.” In comparison, less powerful cars like the Ford Mustang GT and BMW M3 earn 18/25 and 14/20 mpg, respectively, while the more powerful Nissan GT-R gets 16/23 mpg. The 400-horsepower Porsche 911 Carrera S gets 19/27 mpg city/highway. While the 911 Carrera S earns two mpg less on the highway, it does earn a slightly higher combined fuel economy estimate at 22 mpg.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray will go on sale this fall, while convertible models will hit dealer lots by the end of 2013. After a $995 destination charge, the Corvette Stingray will start at $51,995 and $56,995 for coupe and convertible models, respectively.

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Promises Best-in-Class Fuel Economy

(Chrysler Group)

Diesel engine options have long been a mainstay for heavy-duty pickup trucks, but until now, diesel power has never been offered in the half-ton truck segment. That changes with the 2014 Ram 1500. Chrysler Group announced last week details for the EcoDiesel engine option for the Ram 1500.
Chrysler Group hasn’t given any specific fuel economy estimates yet, but it expects the Ram 1500 with the EcoDiesel to be more fuel-efficient than any gasoline V6-powered half-ton pickup truck available. The most fuel-efficient non-hybrid full-size pickup truck currently on the market is the Ram 1500 equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic, which is rated at an EPA-estimated 17/25 mpg city/highway. With the diesel engine, Pickuptrucks.com predicts that fuel economy estimates will be about 23 mpg city and less than 30 mpg highway.
Chrysler Group says the EcoDiesel engine option is a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is also available on the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.
Autoblog expects an EcoDiesel-powered Ram 1500 to be able to tow as much as a Hemi V8-powered model, “while returning significantly better fuel mileage.” A Hemi-equipped Ram 1500 can tow up to 10,450 pounds.
With the projections for towing capacity and fuel economy, an EcoDiesel Ram 1500 should be able to match the towing capacity of the strongest Ram 1500 and meet, if not exceed, the fuel economy estimates of the gasoline V6-powered Ram 1500. Given the added cost of diesel fuel over gasoline, owners may not save much money at the pump, but the increased fuel economy should allow for more miles between refueling stops. Given a 26-gallon fuel tank and estimating 29 mpg highway, a diesel-powered Ram 1500 could travel more than 750 miles on a full tank. Using the same tank size with the gasoline V6’s 25 mpg highway estimate, the maximum range of that Ram 1500 would be about 650 miles.
The new diesel engine option costs $2,850 more than a similarly-equipped Hemi V8-powered model, according to Chrysler Group. Given this pricing information, Car and Driver expects that a diesel-powered Ram 1500 will likely start at about $30,000.
Chrysler Group says the base 2014 Ram 1500 will start at $24,200 before destination. A Ram Truck representative said it will hit dealerships late this year or early in 2014.

Redesigned 2014 BMW X5 Gets Pricier

(BMW of North America)

BMW announced this week that the redesigned 2014 X5 SUV will start at $53,725, including destination, which represents an increase of $5,300 over the 2013 model.
For 2014, BMW adds a new base model, the sDrive35i, which is the first rear-wheel drive X5 BMW has offered. Other models, all of which have all-wheel drive, include the xDrive35i, which starts at $56,025, xDrive35d (diesel), which starts at $57,525, and xDrive50i, which starts at $69,125.
According to USA Today, “BMW says straight price comparisons aren't fair,” given the 2014 model’s increased size, lower curb weight and added standard equipment over the 2013 model. When looking at the prices of rivals in its class, the new X5 is still more expensive. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class starts at $48,175, the Acura MDX starts at $43,185 and the Porsche Cayenne starts at $50,575, all including destination.

(BMW of North America)

For 2014, the 35i models are powered by BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, rated at 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. This engine carries over unchanged from 2013. The 35d features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo diesel engine that makes 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is a loss of 10 horsepower and 12 pound-feet of torque over the 2013 model. The 50i has a 4.4-liter V8 rated at 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, which is an increase of 45 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque over the 2013 model’s V8 option. All X5 models have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA has yet to publish fuel economy information for the 2014 X5, but for reference, the 2013 xDrive35i is rated at 16/23 mpg city/highway, the diesel xDrive35d at 19/26 mpg and the xDrive50i at 14/20 mpg.
BMW says the 2014 X5 comes with more standard equipment, including an engine start-stop feature, iDrive navigation with a touchpad and a 10.2-inch display and a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat. A two-passenger third-row seat is optional. BMW offers a few trim lines for each model that add features and equipment to the X5. These trims include the Luxury Line, xLine and M Sport.
To Car and Driver, the new X5 appears “a little chunkier” than the 2013 model, but points out that BMW claims to have reduced the new model’s curb weight by about 170 to 230 pounds.
The gas-powered 35i and 50i models will hit showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year, while the diesel model will arrive in early 2014.

2014 Cadillac XTS to Get Twin-Turbo V6

2014 Cadillac XTS (General Motors)

If you have a lead foot and a need for speed, the 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport has you covered with a new twin-turbo V6 engine option that punches out 410 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is a big increase over the 2013 XTS’ base V6 engine, which carries over for 2014, that produces 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, though not as powerful as the 556-horspower supercharged V8 found in the smaller Cadillac CTS-V.
Still, some auto writers say that the XTS Vsport should be significantly quicker than the base XTS. “That kind of power boost should make for quite an improvement in the all-wheel-drive XTS’s 0–60 time, which we’ve clocked at 7.2 seconds,” Car and Driver reports.

2014 Cadillac XTS Platinum (General Motors)

The redesigned 2014 CTS will also offer this new twin-turbo V6 as an option, though it will make 10 more horsepower than the twin-turbo-equipped XTS. Hampden Tener, Cadillac product director, said in an interview at the 2013 New York Auto Show that Cadillac wanted to up the ante of the CTS’ performance with the new twin-turbo V6. “We knew we needed one that would deliver this kind of thrilling, exciting performance, so we started developing the twin-turbo V6 to fill that roll,” Tener said.
For 2014, the all-wheel drive XTS Vsport model will only be sold in the highest Premium and Platinum trims. In addition to the new twin-turbo V6 engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic, the Vsport model will look different than the base XTS. Autoweek writes, “Exterior goodies include upgraded 20-inch wheels, a unique grille and Vsport badging all while allowing the buyer to customize their XTS to their taste.”
Cadillac says in a statement that the 2014 XTS Vsport will be available in August. Car and Driver reports that the Vsport model will start at $63,020, including delivery fees. The base 2014 XTS will have a starting price of $45,525, including destination.

Mazda Unveils Redesigned 2014 Mazda3

(Mazda Motor of America)

Mazda officially introduced the all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback at a press event in New York today. The automaker says in a press release that the 2014 Mazda3 is completely redesigned, sharing almost nothing besides its name with the 2013 model.
“With more than 3.5 million vehicles sold globally, the Mazda3 is the brand’s best-selling and most recognizable nameplate, and its redesign for 2014 shows just how much attention to detail and care we put into this important vehicle,” says Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations.

(Mazda Motor of America)

Compared with the outgoing Mazda3, the new hatchback has a longer wheelbase, but it’s also slightly shorter, lower and wider. Mazda says that the result is an interior that offers more shoulder room in both rows, as well as comparable headroom to the car it replaces. An all-new Active Driving Display also debuts in the 2014 Mazda3, which displays information like navigation directions and speed on a clear pop-up panel. Mazda says that its Active Driving Display keeps vehicle information within the driver’s line of sight, and that the panel folds into a hidden position when the car is turned off.
For 2014, the Mazda3 will continue to offer the Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s currently available in the 2014 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6. Mazda hasn’t provided fuel economy estimates for the redesigned Mazda3 yet, but the 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines will produce 155 and 184 horsepower, respectively. A six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission will be available.

(Mazda Motor of America)

The redesigned Mazda3 will have a new infotainment system, which Mazda says will come with Bluetooth, a USB port and an auxiliary input jack. The new system will also respond to voice commands and read emails and text messages through the speakers, as well as Twitter and Facebook updates. A Bose surround-sound stereo system and a navigation system will be optional.
The Mazda3 will also offer a number of new safety technologies for 2014, which Mazda calls i-Activsense features. These include automatic high beam control, which can automatically adjust your headlights for oncoming traffic and radar-based cruise control, which automatically adjusts the car’s speed based on the distance and speed of the car in front of it. Blind spot monitoring and lane departure and forward collision warning systems are also offered as i-Activsense features. Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system will also be offered, which can automatically apply the brakes or increase breaking power at speeds less than 19 mph if an obstacle is detected.

(Mazda Motor of America)

The 2013 Mazda3 is currently our top-ranked affordable small car, so will Mazda’s updates make it an even stronger contender? We’ll see how the redesigned Mazda3 stacks up to the competition when it goes on sale this fall.

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Expected to Get 47 Combined MPG

(American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)

Honda released initial fuel economy estimates for its all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Wednesday. The EPA hasn’t announced official ratings yet, but Honda says it expects the Accord Hybrid to get 49/45/47 mpg city/highway/combined.
The Accord Hybrid’s fuel economy is better than the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid’s ratings (43/39/41 mpg city/highway/combined), as well as the fuel economy of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid, which both get 36/40/38 mpg. The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid (47/47/47 mpg) gets worse city fuel economy, but does better on the highway, though its combined rating is the same. The 2013 Toyota Prius gets a higher 51/48/50 mpg rating.
The 2014 Accord Hybrid is expected to go on sale this October. Pricing in the U.S. has not been released yet, but Bloomberg reports that Honda priced the Accord Hybrid 20 percent higher in Japan than the Toyota Camry Hybrid because of its better fuel economy. This has created speculation on whether or not the same will be true for the Accord Hybrid in the U.S. Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, told Bloomberg that the pricing tactic is smart since consumers are looking for the best balance of cabin size and fuel economy. Bloomberg says that 2013 Honda Accord sales have already increased 23 percent so far this year, and Toyota Camry’s sales have fallen by 5.5 percent.

(American Honda Motor Co., Inc.)

Its main rivals, the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid and 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, start at $26,140 and $27,200, respectively.

Ford Upgrading MyFord Touch

Responding to customer complaints and sliding ratings in quality surveys, Ford is making changes to its MyFord Touch infotainment system, including adding buttons.

Infotainment controls in the 2014 Ford Fiesta (Ford Motor Company)

Autoblog writes, "The 2013 F-150 with MyFord Touch gives us a glimpse of what the new layout with buttons and knobs might look like, as Ford says a similar balance of touch screen capability and buttons/knobs are what's being planned for future models."
In a press release, Ford says that, combined, its SYNC and MyFord Touch systems are sold on 79 percent of 2013 Ford vehicles. It says that's double the rate of sales of infotainment systems on Honda and Toyota vehicles.
While sales of vehicles equipped with SYNC or MyFord Touch are strong, so are consumer reactions to the systems, which use voice commands, touch screens and capacitive controls. Automotive News reports that MyFord Touch "has hurt Ford's ratings in several quality surveys. Customers have complained the system is bulky, distracting and overly complicated to use. Ford has issued several software upgrades." Automotive News adds that in 2010, Ford was the highest-ranked non-luxury brand in J.D. Power & Associates’ annual Initial Quality Study. After MyFord Touch was launched, Ford dropped from a fifth-place overall ranking in 2010 to 23rd in 2011 and 32nd in 2012.