A large hole left in our long-term fleet by the departure of the Chevrolet Suburban was plugged quite nicely, thank you, with the arrival of a dark-cherry Acura MDX late last fall (”Crossover Perfection,” AW, Jan. 14). The MDX got here just in time to handle a variety of hauling duties ideally suited for a midsize sport/ute.

We took teenagers and their luggage to the airport, half a softball team and their gear to a tournament and some furniture to a college dorm room. The MDX was also the centerpiece for a college football tailgate party. The third row of seats and the 60/40 split second row allow for plenty of options when carrying people and/or stuff.

continue reading "LONG-TERMERS: 2008 Acura MDX: Mega hauler: For moving people and stuff, Acura MDX is top choice"

Chrysler co-President Jim Press is stirring things up at his former employer, Toyota Motor Corp., by saying development of the Prius hybrid was subsidized by the Japanese government.

In a BusinessWeek story published Thursday, March 24, Press said that when he was at Toyota, “The Japanese government paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius.”

Toyota today denied the remark made by Press, who left Toyota last year after a long career at the Japanese automaker. His last position there was president of Toyota Motor North America Inc.

continue reading "Jim Press: Prius was 100% subsidized by Japan: Toyota denies remarks made by its former U.S. executive"

Chrysler LLC co-President Jim Press has a PR problem–and so does his former employer, Toyota Motor Corp.

In an interview published Thursday, March 24, Press told BusinessWeek that the Japanese government “paid for 100 percent of the development of the battery and hybrid system that went into the Toyota Prius.”

On March 14, 2007–when he was still Toyota’s top U.S. executive–Press told something else to a subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce committee. U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, questioned Press about the seven years of r&d that went into Toyota’s hybrid technology:

continue reading "Jim Press creates PR mess for Toyota and Chrysler: Debate over Japanese randd subsidies continues"

OUR TAKE: Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. In this Suzuki’s case, you get a wheezy small car made worse for its optional power-sucking slushbox. Thing is, you’re better off paying even less and getting the manual transmission; working the gears yourself would at least impart the impression it’s zippier than it is.

On the handling front, though, the combination of wider 17-inch-wheels with the standard sport suspension with KYB shocks makes the SX4 a relatively impressive handler. There is a surprising amount of stick and minimal body roll when you hurl it into a turn, and you are perfectly comfortable during normal driving conditions, too.

continue reading "2008 Suzuki Sport SX4 Touring:"

A large hole left in our long-term fleet by the departure of the Chevrolet Suburban was plugged quite nicely, thank you, with the arrival of a dark-cherry Acura MDX late last fall (”Crossover Perfection,” AW, Jan. 14). The MDX got here just in time to handle a variety of hauling duties ideally suited for a midsize sport/ute.

We took teenagers and their luggage to the airport, half a softball team and their gear to a tournament and some furniture to a college dorm room. The MDX was also the centerpiece for a college football tailgate party. The third row of seats and the 60/40 split second row allow for plenty of options when carrying people and/or stuff.

continue reading "REVS: The pen is mightier than the V12: 2008 guide to auto-inspired fine writing instruments"

At Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, production-car-based race cars and racing-derived road-car specials are traditionally Porsche’s preserve. These days, Porsche is right in Aston Martin’s gun sights, so it’s no surprise to find all three–the ‘Ring, production-car racing and special editions–as inspiration for a new Vantage model, the N400.

That’s N for Nürburgring and 400 for horsepower, up by 20 hp over the standard Vantage. Each is adopted from the roll-cage-and-fire-extinguisher-equipped Vantages that acquitted themselves with distinction in 24-hour races at the infamous 73-corner circuit in the Eifel Mountains.

continue reading "2008 Aston Martin Vantage N400: Aston builds an inspired coupe"

March U.S. auto sales plummeted by 12.0 percent to 1.36 million vehicles. And the first quarter results weren’t much better. Sales declined 8.0 percent for the quarter to 3.58 million vehicles.

Few automakers were spared from the bloodshed, even Toyota. Credit crunches, mortgage messes and rising fuel prices all combined to bring down sales and lower consumer confidence. The only hints of optimism during the month arose from smaller fuel-efficient vehicles.

In March, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. suffered its fourth straight month of lower sales, something that hasn’t happened in recent memory.

continue reading "Auto sales plummet by 12% :"

Mini wants to take its customers into off-road territory with the upcoming Crossman–seen here in prototype form. The Crossman, which has the familiar Mini silhouette, will be fitted with all-wheel drive and have higher ride height–the better to tackle unpaved roads.

When it goes on sale in 2010 as a 2011 model, the Crossman will be the first Mini assembled outside the U.K. Austrian contract manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the Crossman at its comp

The Crossman will be the first Mini to be assembled outside the U.K. Austrian manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the car for Mini.

continue reading "Early look at Mini Crossman:"

The United States has lost its influence at the head of Alfa Romeo’s design team, just months ahead of the Italian brand’s official return to North America.

Frank Stephenson, 49, the multicultural American who has guided Alfa Romeo’s styling department to the triumphs of the 8C Competizione and the Mi.To hatchback, has parted ways with the company.

Stephenson confirmed to AutoWeek that it was his decision to leave Alfa Romeo, but he did not want to comment on his reasons.

“I have a few things I am looking at now, but I don’t want to go into them, but it’s something that I have instigated,” Stephenson said.

continue reading "Alfa’s American design chief steps down:"

At Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, production-car-based race cars and racing-derived road-car specials are traditionally Porsche’s preserve. These days, Porsche is right in Aston Martin’s gun sights, so it’s no surprise to find all three–the ‘Ring, production-car racing and special editions–as inspiration for a new Vantage model, the N400.

That’s N for Nürburgring and 400 for horsepower, up by 20 hp over the standard Vantage. Each is adopted from the roll-cage-and-fire-extinguisher-equipped Vantages that acquitted themselves with distinction in 24-hour races at the infamous 73-corner circuit in the Eifel Mountains.

continue reading "Photo gallery: Autorama 2008:"