GM Foundation Donates to Atlanta University Center

The General Motors Foundation recently announced a $75,000 donation to the Atlanta University Center Consortium in support of AUC Dual Degree Engineering Program students, the Spelman College SpelBots Robotics team, and faculty and curriculum development.
 “This funding will strengthen the tutorial program, provide scholarships and assist the development of curriculum on the campuses of Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, and Spelman,” said Tracey Martin-Toomer, director of the AUC Dual Degree Engineering Program. Dr. Andrew Williams, Spelman College’s SpelBots coach, said the donation represents a nice addition to the SpelBots program, supporting its mission to promote computer and robotics education and research by competing in the International RoboCup 4-Legged competitions.
The GM Foundation has provided more than $26 million since 2005 to support education initiatives in engineering, manufacturing, design and business across the country.

Chevy Unveiling its New Sonic Subcompact

Amid huge recent growth in the subcompact car market, Chevrolet is introducing the Sonic. This new entrant's development was led by General Motors’ engineering center in South Korea. Yet the car has characteristics designated for the North American market, such as its engines, 10 air bags, brisker steering and unique chassis tuning. 

The Beat got a look and some driving time with the Sonic in beautiful San Francisco recently.

Chevy says the Sonic's design was inspired by motorcycles. Sonic design manager Kathy Sirvio even said that she rides a Moto Guzzi bike. You can see some of the design inspiration on the inside and out.

Sonic is priced range from $14,495 to $19,200, which makes it competitive with many other subcompacts and is around $3000 below Chevy's popular Cruze small sedan. The Sonic, available as a sedan or hatchback, is priced about $700–$800 higher as a hatch. Three trim levels are available.

 The hatch is more than a foot shorter than the sedan, but it swallows more cargo, and that's with the rear seat up.  Chevy says there are 19 cubic feet in the cargo area, plus underfloor storage. With the rear seats down, there are 30.7 cubic feet. The sedan offers 14 cubic feet.

Both models have adequate room for four adults. Seat comfort is good. The LS and LT models are upholstered in cloth, while the LTZ has perforated faux-leather (real leather is not offered). There are three interior color patterns, each with two tones. 

The hard plastic interior surfaces are neat, but it would have been nice for Chevy to have softened things up a bit by adding some padding. That would have added to a general perception of a comfortable interior. 

On the dash, there's an analog tachometer adjacent to a digital speedometer, which is one of the motorcycle touches Chevy alluded to. 

 Sonic has two four-cylinder engines, both taken from the Cruze: a 1.8-liter is the standard and a 1.4-liter turbo is optional. Both make 138 horsepower, but with the turbo you get added torque -- 148 pounds-feet, compared with  125. The turbo currently has only a six-speed manual transmission, with the base engine having five-speed. But Chevy says an automatic tranny is coming to the turbo in the spring. 

The turbo is a $700 option.

 The base 1.8-liter gets an EPA rating of city ratings of 25 mpg with the automatic and 26 with the manual. For a car this small, that's fairly modest. 

That engine gets 35 mpg on the highway, which is OK. 

But if you bump up to the turbo, numbers rise to a much better 29 city and 40 highway. 

Another point about the turbo is that it gets 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, compared with 8.6 seconds for the 1.8-liter manual and 9.4 seconds for the automatic, according to Chevy. 

To its credit, Chevy has done a great job of minimizing engine and wind noise. It uses some of the same dampening technology that its sister Buick brand uses.

 The manual shifting is fairly effortless, and the clutch work is also pretty light. Plus, Chevy has included a standard hill-holder feature, in both the manual and six-speed automatic.  The automatic has a manual shift mode which is activated with a switch on the side of the shift knob.

Chassis stiffness is admirable, contributing to a fairly spirited ride quality on twisty roads. 

With the Sonic, Chevy is aiming to maintain its new momentum in cars, as it seeks to become less reliant on trucks and SUVs. This car might help it move in that direction. 

DVD Demonstrates Dangers of Distracted Driving

R U Driven To Distraction is a recently released DVD that features a host-narrator who personifies today’s driving distractions.
Riding as a “backseat driver” in two vehicles, he entices the drivers and passengers to succumb to various distractions along the way. By dramatically demonstrating how one second of inattention can change a life forever, the 12-minute program leaves no question about the potentially tragic consequences of allowing distractions to interfere with driver concentration.

“DuPont and FocusDriven want to help stem the epidemic of distracted driving,” said Tom Faughnan, business director - Training Solutions, DuPont Sustainable Solutions. “It’s an extension of what we both do. In DuPont, our corporate driving safety standard does not allow employees to use cell phones, computers, smartphones, headphones or similar devices while driving on company business, on company property or while operating a company vehicle. We also continuously promote off-the-job driving safety among employees. And to reach outside the company, our Training Solutions practice has developed and markets a series of road safety programs.”

FocusDriven is a non-profit organization formed in 2010 to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and serve as a resource for those who have lost loved ones in accidents resulting from what is all-too-common behavior.

To purchase the DVD for $19.95, visit http://www.focusdriven.org/

Honda Recalling Nearly a Million Vehicles Worldwide

Honda recently recalled 962,000 cars worldwide to fix power windows and computer systems.
The move covers 936,000 Fit subcompacts, CR-V crossovers and Fit Arias in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. The Fit is called Jazz in some global markets, and the Fit Aria is also known as City.
Honda says the recall was prompted by defects in driver's-side power window switch units, which could melt and catch fire.
Some 26,000 CR-Z compact hybrids will also be recalled globally because of programming problems with the engine control unit.
Honda says no injuries have resulted from the defects.

Korean Auto Supplier to Open Plant in Georgia

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, Meriwether County officials and South Korea's Mando Corp. announced today the company plans to open a high-tech manufacturing operation in the Meriwether County Industrial Park.

The company plans to invest $200 million and create 426 jobs through opening this new facility. Mando’s Georgia plant will supply electric power steering gears and anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control equipment to vehicle manufacturers including Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai and Kia, among others. This site will be Mando’s third location in the United States.

Art Revival and Car Show this Weekend

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, why not check out the Sunday Southern Art Revival and Car Show at the Elevate Headquarters at Underground Atlanta, 82 Upper Alabama St. It will feature a new project: JALOPY CAR and Art SHOW with food presented by Good Food Truck. There will be an exhibition and vintage car painting.



If you own a classic car, motorcycle, whatever... Bring It! Those who bring old rides park free on Alabama Street in front of the "Preacher"
southernartrevival.wordpress.com

VW Recalling 30,000 Jettas

Volkswagen recently announced the recall of more than 30,000 Jetta sedans from the 2011 and 2012 model years because the tailpipes can stick out too far and burn people.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website says that stainless steel exhaust pipe tips installed where the cars were imported can stick out farther than the factory-installed tailpipes.
When the tips are hot, people could be burned on the legs.
Volkswagen reportedly received complaints of burns in July and began investigating.
VW dealers will check the cars to see if the exhaust tips are too long and replace them free of charge if necessary.

Gasoline Prices Declining

Gas prices have fallen slightly throughout the metro Atlanta.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular in Atlanta is $3.46.
That's down one cent from Sunday.
Gas prices have fallen by about nine cents since last Monday.

Public Transit Fares Could Rise

Officials are considering a proposed 25 percent increase in bus fares on Gwinnett County's public transit system, according to news reports.
The Gwinnett Transit Advisory Board is scheduled to hear input from the public on the proposed fare hike during a 7 p.m. Monday meeting at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.
The Gwinnett Daily Post reports (http://bit.ly/oeXj3Q) that fares would vary from $3.75 to $5 based on location for certain express routes if the proposal is approved.
Officials said local service would be $2.50 per ride for many passengers under the plan.
Paratransit service, which is used by disabled and elderly riders who are picked up at their homes, would rise to $4.

Sprint Aims to Make Driving Safer with Phone App

Sprint has unveiled a new app for smart phone users that disables the phone while you drive.

The app is said to disable the phone after the car goes over 10 miles per hour. It monitors progress by tracking the phone from cell towers.
If you make a call and then drive, the app will disconnect the call.

You can turn off the app or bypass it to call 911 while you're driving.
But if the app is turned off after it's been activated, a message will be sent to the person who installed it.

 Sprint charges $2.00 dollars a month for its 'Drive First' app.

Users can visit the Sprint app site, 'Drive First', to learn more about how it works.

UAW Boss Balancing Gains, Detroit 3 Competitiveness

UAW President Bob King said he's seeking to gain wage increases for entry-level workers at the Detroit Three in this year's contract talks.
But King also said he aims to gain a national labor pact that keeps costs down and lets General Motors, Ford and Chrysler stay competitive against nonunion competitors.
"We have proposals on the table for wage increases," King said after a speech to the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, according to news reports. "There is room... to make gains in different areas and keep the companies competitive."
U.S. automakers on average pay traditional workers $28 per hour but can bring on new workers for $14 to $16 per hour, or about $30,000 per year.

Atlantic Station Gets Metro Area's First Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Atlanta's first public electric vehicle charging station opens today at Atlantic Station.

The station will be at 271 17th Street across from the Millennium Gate.

The charging station will have multiple outlets and be powered by overhead solar panels. Motorists with electric powered, zero-emissions vehicles can use it 24 hours a day.

The  station is the first in the metro area and is Atlantic Station's latest green innovation.

The mixed-use community was one of the largest brown-field renovation projects in the nation when it opened in 2005.

The charging station will be able to fully charge all of the electric vehicles on the market in the U.S. currently within a three to seven hour window, compared with as much as 25 hours for standard outlets.

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI: Get Amped

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI is a high-performance car that offers a potent engine and a nicely tuned suspension. But really, if you're more than 24 years old, you might look a little odd driving this car.

That's because this is pretty much a toy for the "too-fast, too-furious" set. You know the kind: amped up on energy drinks, saying "dude" a lot, very The Situation-esque.

What's odd about this is that otherwise, Subaru is a serious car company, that makes excellent products known for reliability and their all-wheel drive.

But I guess even car companies should have a sense of humor, and this is Subaru's turn at being a bit cheeky.

The Impreza WRX STI get its name from the WRX and the STI models, which can be had as five-door hatchbacks or sedans. Some would say that this car competes with the the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and that's fair enough. But you'll also find it compared with the Mazdaspeed3. I have a bit of a problem with that one, because that car seems a little more mature. You can have fun in the Mazdaspeed3, but it also has excellent road manners and doesn't come outfitted in ridiculously gaudy race car regalia.


The WRX STI now has wider fenders, squared-off bumpers, and a black grille. Those things are OK. But when you add the ridiculous spoiler, you really are saying that this car is fine for the track, but driving it in normal circumstances is like wearing cleats to go shopping in Macy's.

Subaru has firmed up the suspension on the WRX STI and added 18-inch wheels.

There are also higher spring rates and thicker stabilizer bars for enhanced handling. The Brembo brakes feature four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers and give the car superb stopping ability.

The engine is a 305-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder linked to a six-speed manual transmission. It makes 290 pounds-feet of torque.  The engine has sequential multiport fuel injection and incline start assist and a high-cross-flow-design intercooler and Subaru’s Intelligent Drive system to bolster traction.

On the interior, check out the tilting, telescoping leather steering wheel with audio controls, automatic climate control and keyless entry. Coming standard are Bluetooth audio streaming, hands-free calling, USB ports and a single-CD stereo. Options offered include heated seats, side mirrors, moonroof, satellite radio, leather upholstery, xenon headlights, a navigation system and projector-beam fog lights.

The test drive model had a sticker price of $39,870.

The WRX STI offers lots of performance capability, and its own kind of styling. But there are other models out there that offer great performance and that you can actually grow older with. And you might even get away with paying a bit less.

Lexus Might Lose Top Spot

Lexus is overhauling its vehicle lineup as it faces the prospect of losing its spot atop the sales chart in the U.S. luxury market, Bloomberg News reports.
The company will roll out its 2013 Lexus GS 350 in February, Bloomberg said, and it will be redesigned with a larger interior and better handling and acceleration. The car has a 306-horsepower, V-6 engine, with optional "F Sport" high-performance and hybrid versions also due next year, Lexus said.
 The new GS has sportier performance than past versions and is leading the brand into a whole new territory, the company said.
Toyota has had difficulty restocking U.S. Lexus dealers with inventory after Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March. That led to a 19 percent decline in sales for Lexus through July. Those sales trailed those of BMW and Mercedes. Lexus has led luxury sales in the U.S. since 2000.


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110821/AUTO01/108210307/Lexus-revamping-product-line-in-hopes-to-make-up-lost-sales#ixzz1VhiOWUX5

Ram Dakota Pickup Truck Going Away

Chrysler is ending production of its Ram Dakota pickup Tuesday, resulting in cost 39 job cuts and possibly more at Dodge's Warren Truck Plant in Michigan, according to the Detroit News.
The newspaper reported that the union representing those workers believes the number of job cuts could be 150 or more.
In May, Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said the company plans to replace the body-on-frame Dakota with a car-based "lifestyle" vehicle for the Ram brand, the Detroit News said.
The newspaper said a decision had not yet been made about where to build it.


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110820/AUTO01/108200317/Chrysler-to-stop-Dakota-production#ixzz1VhgczSbS