Nissan Altima Looks Better Than Ever

We recently got a chance to drive Nissan's entire lineup of sedans at its North American headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. Here's what we thought of the Altima:

The 2010 Nissan Altima, which comes in both Coupe and Sedan body styles, as well as a hybrid sedan, starts at the very reasonable price of $19,900.

With the sedan, three trim levels are offered.

Go for the Coupe and the price starts at $22,440 with four levels of trim.

The Hybrid, starting at $26,780, is only available in one well-equipped trim level.

Mechanically, the 2010 Altima Coupe gets a six-speed manual transmission available with either the 175-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder or the 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine. 

The only alternative is the Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). The sedan is only available with the Xtronic CVT, doing away with last year's available manual. The Hybrid gets a special version of the four-cylinder engine for a combined power rating of 198 horsepower together with the electronic motor, piped through an eCVT, which isn't the same CVT as in the other models.

The hybrid gets 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, a significant upgrade over the CVT four-cylinder sedan's 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway rating. The Coupe manages an identical score to the sedan with the four-cylinder, with the manual adding 1mpg highway to the Coupe's rating. Both Sedan and Coupe also rate 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway when equipped with the V-6 and CVT. The manual-V-6 option on the Coupe changes its figures to 18/27 mpg.

An upgraded 4.3-inch display with rear-view monitor, XM satellite radio and Bluetooth and USB inputs is now available as an option, while the Hard Drive Navigation System upgrade brings the screen to 6.5 inches and adds a 9.3-gigabyte hard-disk music/navigation system.

The front end of the 2010 Altima lineup is interestingly devoid of the hook-like headlights found on the 370Z and Maxima, giving the Altima a new design direction--or a return to the previous one. Notably bolder than the previous version, the 2010 Altima carries over many of the same styling cues, but in more extreme form. The strong character fold, following back down the side of the car from the fender, for example, was present on the 2009 model, but the new car's looks to be sharper and more expressive.

The blacked-out fog light surround and lower fascia element have been replaced by a body-colored surround and vent as well, and the wheels get a split-spoke design in place of the solid spoke of the current model. Revised interior materials freshen the look and feel.

Nissan Sentra: Appearance Tweaked, Price Slips

The 2010 Nissan Sentra, now available in dealerships, has undergone some minor changes to its appearance.

Also, you can now opt for a color navigation/entertainment system.

But the best change for the new Sentra is the price, which has fallen by as much as $1100.

With its updated styling, Nisaan got rid of the orange screen multi-media interface.

Now you get a color screen with available backup camera. 

But you really can get excited about the price decline, which is down $130 from the 2009 MSRP of the base 2.0 CVT (now $16,600), $1100 from the 2.0 SL (now $18,560), and $1080 from the SE-R ($19,580) and Spec V ($20,080) editions. 

That's the kind of pricing consumers need in this economy. 

Lexus RX 450h Hybrid Offers Power and Great Mileage

The 2010 version of the Lexus RX 450h hybrid SUV is better than its predecessor when it comes to fuel economy and amenities. 

Lexus has also reduced emissions and noise. 

In fact, noise has been cut so much so that it is non-existent when you first start the engine and when it is idling, relying solely on the electric motor. 

That's not unusual for a hybrid, but if you're not used to driving one, it does take some adjustment. 

I've been behind the wheel of a few hybrids, but the first morning I had the RX 450h, I came rushing out of the house trying to be on time to a meeting, started up the car, heard nothing, so started it again, heard nothing again, before finally realizing that "hey, dummy, you can go ahead and drive."

And when you do drive, you can go quite a ways before visiting a gas pump, as this SUV gets 28 mpg in the city; 27 highway, which is 1 mpg and 3 mpg, respectively, better than the last RX hybrid. The AWD version gets 28 and 26.
And the 450h's 3.5-liter, V-6 engine is no pushover. It's linked to an electric motor and makes a hearty 295 horsepower. 

When you need a nice surge to get yourself up to speed in highway traffic, the 450h delivers, and does so with smoothness. 

The 450h handles nicely, too, with the electronically controlled brakes working nicely, and acceleration and cornering taking place seamlessly. 
You can switch to another driving mode, ECO, which results in improved fuel economy, and EV -- quieter and less polluting. The sequential shift mode makes the 450h perform like a six-speed manual transmission, if you want that experience.

From an exterior-appearance standpoint, this version is not radically different from the design themes that we've been used to in the RX in recent years. 

One nice touch is the blue-tinted headlamp covers. 

Also, there's a rear spoiler conceals the top-mounted rear wiper.

 Lexus improved visibility by adding quarter windows in front of doors.
Interior design remains quite refined, with quality materials that are soft to the touch, and elegant, sloping angles on the dash.

Lexus says cargo space has been added, too, and you'll like the handles in the cargo bay area, which drop the back seats flat.
Technological gains include a rearview camera that is optional, but that you don't need to also add the navigation system with, unlike in the past.

But if you get the new navigation system, you'll get XMNavTraffic and weather.

The mouse-like gadget that controls the system is fairly easy to use after a few minutes of getting used to it. 
The 450h is priced at around $41,700 at the low end for a front-wheel-drive model, but if you choose an all-wheel-drive version, and add all the fixings, your price tag goes to nearly $60,000, which is pretty steep. 

Lexus started the luxury hybrid SUV category, and continues to offer one of the best available. With all its great features and its lessened environmental impact, it's a keen, green machine. 

Nissan Versa Gives an Economic Stimulus

• We recently got a chance to drive the entire lineup of Nissan sedans at the company's North American headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. We enjoyed each of the cars. Here's what we thought of the low-end model:
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• The 2010 Nissan Versa is a wonderful choice for people who want to ride in comfort but want great gas mileage and a low sticker price. The Versa’s small-outside/big-inside dynamic is evident both in the hatchback and sedan editions. The Versa hatchback is in effect a high-roof wagon that gives a quartet of six-footers plenty room for knees and noggins, or, with the rear seat folded, ingests your girlfriend’s dinette set. The Versa sedan paces it for passenger space, though of course not for cargo volume. And unlike the geek-chic Versa hatchback, the sedan’s styling has no redeeming value. At just $10,620, including destination, the Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 Base model, however, does contend for title of “America’s least-expensive new car.”
• The Versa now has a new grille, updated wheel styles, and some sporty new body addenda for the top-line model. Unchanged is the size or basic shape of the artfully proportioned Versa wagon (a nice hatchback) or the Versa sedan. Both body styles share a 102.4-inch wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear axles and a key determinate in passenger room. It’s not a long wheelbase for a compact car, but both the Versa hatchback and sedan have a tall roof that makes possible comfortable, upright seating. The lineup continues with model designations that reflect their engine size. It starts off with the1.6 Base Sedan and the 1.6 Sedan. Next up are the1.8 S Sedan and 1.8 S Hatchback and the 1.8 SL Sedan and 1.8 SL Hatchback. The 1.8 SL Hatchback is considered the top-of-the-line model and it gets the biggest appearance changes for 2010. Like other 2010 Versas, the 1.8 SL Hatchback gets a new grille, but it’s complimented by fresh front and rear fascias, new body side sills, a rear spoiler, and standard front fog lamps. The 1.8 SL Hatchback is also available for the first time with 16-inch alloy wheels in place of the standard 15-inch alloys it shares with the 1.8 SL Sedan. All models also get reddish orange cabin illumination for 2010.
•  The 2010 Nissan Versa doesn’t veer from its well-developed front-wheel-drive layout. This platform is sound enough to underpin the 2010 Nissan Cube, as well. Versa is a larger car than the Cube, though the two share a 122-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The Versa, however, is available with a smaller engine, a 107-horsepower 1.6-liter four that’s integral to holding down the cost of the Versa 1.6 Base Sedan and 1.6 Sedan models. The Versa and Hyundai Accent vie for title of lowest-priced new car in the U.S. Both come in well under $11,000, including destination fees. Versa is among the few compact cars with four available transmissions: manuals with five and six speeds, a four-speed automatic, and – exclusive to the 1.8 SL Hatchback -- a continuously variable transmission. Abbreviated as CVT, this type of transmission performs the task of an automatic but with a rheostat-like delivery of power rather than with a limited number of pre-set gear ratios. The intent is to more precisely match available engine power to demand, and the goal is better fuel economy.

Ki-what? Come on, Suzuki

Check out this press release about a new sedan from Suzuki. I like Suzuki - it's a company that makes underrated cars. But maybe one of the reasons the company gets overlooked by U.S. buyers is that it thinks it can name its cars Kizashi. Come on, now - do you really think American consumers are going to buy something called Kizashi (unless it comes as a side with your sushi order)?

 Sort of reminds me of some ghetto mama who names her kid Laquandarionus then doesn't understand why the kid doesn't get a fair shake in life.

Not to say that every kid needs to be named John or Mary. Nor to say that every car needs to be called Malibu or Fusion.

But I am saying think about what kind of image you are conveying before you name something, parents and car companies.

• Kizashi is the best equipped mid-size sedan starting under $19,000, with volume models averaging between $22,000 and $24,000.　　

 

• Kizashi offers the most standard safety features in its price class and already meets the NHTSA’s 2014 safety standards.

 

• The AWD Kizashi, available in all trim levels with CVT transmission, can be purchased for less than some of the segment’s volume leading FWD sedans.

 

 

BREA, Calif. (Nov. 5, 2009) – Tapping in to its heritage of building high performance outboard motors and motorcycles, American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announces pricing for the all-new 2010 Kizashi sedan (pronounced “Kee-Zah-Shee”) which will debut in dealer showrooms in December 2009.

 

The Kizashi offers a unique blend of dynamic performance attributes, premium design aesthetics and craftsmanship yet to be experienced in this category. Suzuki expands on its best-in-class platform while offering features more appropriate to the near-luxury segment. In short, Kizashi delivers a premium package and experience without the premium price tag.

 

With the well-equipped entry-level Kizashi S priced between $18,999 and $21,749 (plus $735 for destination and handling), a prospective customer enjoys an energetic platform, comfortable accommodation and expressive design for prices appropriate to a modestly equipped compact. This base price includes many standard features usually found in vehicles costing thousands more or as options in the competitive class. Standard features of the Kizashi S include:

• 8 airbags (front/rear side and curtain)
• Pushbutton keyless start
• Dual-zone climate control
• 9-speaker audio with steering controls
• EPS Stability Control and ABS
• Projector beam headlamps
• Power windows, doors and mirrors
• Ambient and footwell lighting

Toyota Outlook

Toyota Motor Corp expects industry-wide U.S. light vehicle sales to range between 10.3 million and 10.4 million units on an annualized basis in 2009, and top 11 million in 2010, the automaker's U.S. brand chief told Reuters on Monday.

Speaking at the annual Reuters Autos Summit, Bob Carter also said he expected October U.S. industry-wide vehicle sales to come in between 10.3 million and 10.5 million units on an annualized basis. Toyota's overall sales for the month are pacing down slightly from a year earlier, with its retail sales down "a few single-digit percentages," he said.

Automakers are expected to release October U.S. sales figures on Tuesday, when analysts expect to see the strongest results of the year with the exception of July and August, when vehicle sales received a short-lived boost from the U.S. government's "cash for clunkers" trade-in incentives.

Auto sales, a key measure of consumer demand, have been hurt in the past year as customers tightened purse strings amid a weak economy. The economic meltdown came on the heels of already-weakening vehicle demand amid record-high gasoline prices last year.

"We are seeing some mild but steady progressions," Carter told Reuters of demand for U.S. vehicles. "In the month of August, with the government stimulus and 'cash for clunkers,' that gave the industry a shot in the arm." This, he added, created inventory shortages across the industry.

http://www.reuters.com/article/Autos09/idUSTRE5A13K1200911

Gloomy Forecast from Parts Maker

 The U.S. economy is set for a double-dip recession that will keep unemployment high and could pressure auto sales into the middle of the next decade, the head of Dura Automotive Systems told Reuters on Tuesday.

"We're planning on a double-dip for a couple reasons," said Tim Leuliette, chief executive of the privately held auto parts maker.

Current forecasts for moderate economic recovery do not give employers across many sectors of the economy any reason to start adding jobs, Leuliette told the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit.

"A 2 to 3 percent-type of growth for our business is really a zero employment growth environment," Leuliette said. "We see further headcount declines, employment declines. And so at some point even those that are forecasting some growth, I think, we are going to see start to dissipate."

The full text of the story is on Reuters.com at:

http://www.reuters.com/article/Autos09/idUSTRE5A23SD20091103