Value is the current buzzword in car buying. As belts are tightening, we are going to take a long look at our economy cars like our Chevrolet Aveo5.
Purchasing an economy car has three distinct benefits. First good gas mileage means that not only are they inexpensive to buy but also inexpensive to run. The second advantage is the warranty that comes with a new car. Another advantage is being the first owner of a vehicle – there may be larger, slightly used vehicles at the same price point, but the owners are unknown.
Economy cars have a social standing that sometimes have people convinced that those who buy one made their decision on price only. They can sometimes be viewed as basic transportation, which gives them little social stature. So the idea with an ideal economy car is not only to spend as little as possible, but also have the appearance that it cost a lot more. That’s how value is measured in an economy car, and that’s how we equipped our Chevrolet Aveo5.
The highest available U.S. tax credit to date now belongs to Ford. Consumers who purchase a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid or 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid will be eligible to receive a $3400 federal tax credit. Ford’s sedans get 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which Ford claims is 8 mpg more than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
In order to qualify for the full amount you must purchase a Fusion Hybrid before April 1, 2009. After that date customers who purchase a hybrid will only be able to claim a partial tax credit. This is because Ford reached a 60,000 vehicle threshold in the 4th quarter of 2008. Now the tax credit amounts are reduced by 50 percent beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and by an additional 25 percent beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009. No tax credit amount is available for hybrids after March 31, 2010.
When the Ford Focus first appeared in 2000, it was Ford’s modern attempt at a real “world car” (the mid-90s Contour/Mystique wasn’t built for the world, it was an attempt at getting the U.S. to buy the second generation Mondeo.) The Focus was a vast improvement over the Escort, but the problem was that since it was built for multiple continents, it had multiple compromises.
The original Focus needed to be both a full hatchback for Europe and a full sedan for North America. While the resulting car was successful, the look was somewhat odd. Now that Ford makes two separate Focus lines (one for U.S. and Canada as well as a separate one for the rest of the world,) Ford can now focus on a traditional shape for the sedan and for the first time offer a true coupe.
One year ago, Lorinser unveiled the new customization program for the second generation of the Smart ForTwo. Well, today the waiting is over because Lorinser is bringing the series version of the ForTwo on the streets. The new body kit of the vehicle consists in a front lip spoiler and a rear bumper with integrated air diffuser as well as a new 4-pipe exhaust system.
Under the hood, the three-cylinder petrol engine was boosted to an impressive 101 hp making the sprint from 0 to 60 mph possible in less than 10 seconds while the top speed has been limited to 100 mph. Also a new set of 17 inch wheels were added for better stability fitted with 225/35R17 tires.
After a long row of tuners (Brabus, Lorinser, Konigseder) have developed various kits for the littlest product from Mercedes-Benz, the newest member of the club is Carlsson. It has been tuning the second generation ForTwo model series since last year.
The new aerodynamics kit features a front spoiler fitted to the stock bumper, an electro polished stainless steel grill insert, fog lights with chrome case, a rear skirt with diffuser and rear muffler. As an option you can choose for the lowering springs signed Carlsson 1/11 Evo BE in 16 and 17 inch wheels, pedal overlays and an aluminum handbrake handle. This is just a new way to make eco-friendly driving look a little cooler.
It’s hard enough to get your hands on a Fiat 500 outside of Europe, but if you are one of the lucky few, then here’s how to get a little more power out of the little car. JCR Racing LTD, a British tuning house specializing in Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles, unveiled their latest conversion kit for the Fiat 500. The new kit includes a supercharger, a new intercooler system, custom designed hood scoop or bulge, depending on the customer’s choice painted to match the color of the car and some ECU modifications.
According to the manufacturer, the supercharger boosts the power of the engine to 150 bhp (50 more hp) without affecting the fuel economy. Price of the kit: 2,800 pounds (currently about $5,100.)
Because the Smart ForTwo is way too common (there are only about 14,000 on U.S. roads), the German manufacturer launched today a new limited edition of small cars. The new project includes a limited number of just 100 units and the tattoo legend Ed Hardy together with all kinds of custom components for the interior and the exterior of the car.
In fact, the manufacturer could call the project "Pimp my Smart”. The new program includes for the interior a seven-layered Ed Hardy tattoo inspired satin paint scheme, premium leather seats with Ed Hardy tattoo embroidered suede inserts, premium leather and suede upholstered lower dash, red contrasting stitching throughout the interior, interior accents finished in piano black glass, a Kenwood premium audio system with a JL Audio 8” subwoofer.
The outside gets custom satin black multi spoke wheels with Ed Hardy ”Tiger” center cap, a chrome dual tip exhaust system by Doug Thorley Headers providing an increase of 6 hp and 14 ft lbs. torque. Also, each car includes a plate with the number of the car from 1-100 which is personally signed by Christian Audigier.
Here are some pictures taken from the Kia Forte’s Korean brochure. The new compact car was launched in its home market of South Korea this week, but isn’t expected in the U.S. until the middle of next year.
Why are we excited about a new little Kia? Well, budget-friendly Kia seems to be starting to turn a corner. Its Euro-only Cee’d has been getting good reviews for style and performance. This Forte looks great inside and out compared to the Spectra it replaces, and so our hopes are high.
The Corolla is the car that made Toyota a household name. For over forty years, Corolla has meant reliable transportation at an affordable price. The current generation is not breaking this winning formula, and its trying to add a little luxury into the affordable car mix.
The Corolla was first introduced as a small rear-drive subcompact in the late 1960s. In the 1970s the second generation was introduced, and it was the best selling import in the country. Last year, the now front-wheel drive Corolla became the best selling model in the world, with over 30 million sold. Toyota has released a new generation of the Corolla every four or five years, which has now lead up to this new tenth-generation 2009 Toyota Corolla. The new Corolla is slightly longer, lower and wider than the previous generation. It is available in five trims, base, LE, S, XLE, and XRS. Our Corolla XLE is powered by a 1.8 Liter 4 cylinder DOHC engine matted to an automatic 4-speed transmission. The starting price for the Corolla XLE is $17, 550. Our test vehicle is priced at $18,600, because it has the optional goodies including 6-disc CD changer and satellite radio.
Tata is taking steps to makes sure the little Nano won’t be short on power. FEV, a German engineering and powertrain firm, is right now actively working on the diesel engine for the Nano to debut later next year. The 800 cc, turbocharged CRDI engine would most likely be the tiniest engine with common rail technology in the world, taking the crown from Daimler.
The CRDI systems are being developed in conjunction with Bosch, while Honeywell Turbo India is working on the turbo charger. Originally the 700 cc CRDI engine, which Tata uses in its Ace mini-truck was considered for the Nano, but Tata has decided against it. The new FEV engine is cheaper and could also involve more progressive technology to battle emissions, redeem a better fuel economy, and achieve better engine refinement.
