2012 Bentley Continental GT

Snub-nosed and broad-shouldered, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT epitomizes the cliche “things are not always what they seem.” Although it weighs more than many a sport/utility (5100 pounds) and looks like a prince’s imperious weekend cruiser, the GT excels at doing what you think it can’t — in this case, blasting from 0 to 60 in an estimated 4.4 seconds and hitting a top speed of 198 mph.

Further, the so-called “second generation” Bentley two-door’s exterior has been thoughtfully and thoroughly restyled. Nevertheless, it bears a strong resemblance to the first gen that debuted for the 2003 model year — at least upon first glance — and on the surface doesn’t appear to be much of an improved driver in light of its predecessor. But it is. And by a lot. Remember, this Continental is not exactly what it seems. In terms of style, speed, and sophistication, it is deceptively adept.

Although many of the GT’s evolutionary improvements lie within the interior and under the sheetmetal, the reworked body deserves much love. Every panel is new — only the windshield carries over from the previous car. Whereas the old Conti used an aluminum hood, the new coupe adds the doors and trunk lid to the Al list. Standard wheels are 20-inch alloys wearing 275/40 rubber; while 21s wrapped in 275/35 tires make the options catalog for the first time. That the new GT looks so similar to the old car is as impressive as it is disappointing. But for those who are disappointed by the familiar facade, a closer view is a surefire remedy.

The Transformation Continues

Until this year, the two-tone, 1955 Buick convertible Randy Newman drives in his 1983 music video “I Love L.A.” might have been the last non-rented Buick to cruise Century Boulevard. But now that Buick can claim to be outselling Audi, Acura, and Infiniti with 42 percent conquest sales (mostly Enclave), it’s taking on the town of Lexus and BMW. Buick will introduce two new submodels at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November: the much-anticipated Regal GS and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid-fighting LaCrosse with eAssist.

Buick estimates a sub-7-second 0-60 mph time for the ’12 Regal GS, courtesy of a high-output Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo four making 255 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control launches later.

Other GS exclusives include high-performance four-wheel discs with Brembo front calipers and standard 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with all-season tires. Five-spoke 20-inch-polished alloys with performance tires are optional. Computer Damping Control and the Interactive Drive Control System are standard in the GS.
The car gets unique front and rear fascias, rocker panel extensions, an integrated rear spoiler, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, metal sport pedals, and 12-way front heated seats with four-way power lumbar control. The GS-specific black interior comes with satin-finish elements.
Buick is adding its eAssist fuel-saving technology as standard equipment on four-cylinder versions of the 2012 LaCrosse. For about $30,000 base, you get a 2.4-liter direct-injection engine with a 15-kilowatt motor/generator connected to a small (0.5 kW-hr) lithium-ion battery pack. You get 25/37-mpg (compared with 41/36 mpg for the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid), automatic stop-start with no interruption in the air conditioning, and aggressive fuel shutoff when coasting. The eAssist model replaces the conventional four-cylinder LaCrosse, creating a clear price difference between the LaCrosse and Regal ranges.
If that isn’t enough gas-sipping, semi-premium driving for you, GM has also announced it will invest $145 million in a Michigan assembly plant to build the 2012 Buick Verano, the upmarket Chevy Cruze with Opel Astra sheetmetal. GM is also said to be working on a baby Buick crossover that will get its innovative intelligent hybrid powertrain from the Chevy Volt.

Ford’s Global C-Car Platform

Ford’s been open about the fact that it intends to build 10 new cars off the global C-car platform (Focus), but they’ve stayed coy about exactly which models. MT has been digging to find out what they all are.
We know about the Focus sedan, hatchback, and wagon, plus the C-Max (five-seat), and Grand C-Max (seven-seat) minivans. There will also be a crossover replacing the Escape in the U.S. and the Kuga in Europe. That makes six. North America will get the sedan, hatchback, Grand C-Max, and the Escape replacement.
The Focus EV will be counted as a separate model. Its body will be somewhat differentiated from the gasoline sedan’s. A C-Max hybrid and a C-Max plug-in hybrid will be made in Europe and exported to the U.S. It’s likely that the bigger hybrid in the U.S. will be on the crossover body. That takes us to 10. The last of these will be available by calendar 2013. After that, Ford will begin studying other body styles, perhaps including a sport coupe, but insiders insist no decision has been made.

The C-car architecture has been protected from the start for the electric and hybrid powertrains. All use the same engine-mount points as the gasoline and diesel versions, and the body rigidity, resonances, and crash performance are designed for the differing placement of the masses in these various systems.
The EV Focus will have a range of 100 miles under European combined cycle conditions. The price will be similar to the PHEV, which has a 30-mile EV range. That’s because the cost of its extra 70 miles’ worth of batteries is approximately equal to the cost of the PHEV’s gasoline engine and hybrid transmission.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Mainstream compact cars are the oatmeal of the car world. They’re high in fiber, low in taste, and great at reducing cholesterol and carbon footprints, but not very good at raising endorphin levels. At least that’s what focus-group participants told Hyundai market researchers. Buyers apparently lamented the boring nature of the workaday Corollas, Sentras, Civics, Mazda3s, and their ilk — hotrod versions like the Civic Si and Mazdaspeed3 notwithstanding. So Hyundai decided to shake things up a bit by scrunching the Sonata’s highly successful “fluidic design” onto this smaller platform.

Surprisingly enough, Phillip Zak’s scaling efforts were far more successful than most. (Does anyone think the Dodge Avenger wears its Charger cues comfortably?) Of course it helps that the Elantra is one of the larger compacts, riding on a 2-inch-longer wheelbase (at 106.3 inches, it equals the Civic’s), and stretching 178.3 inches long. That’s about an inch longer than the Civic (and old Elantra), but 2.7 inches shorter than the new Chevy Cruze. On the inside, where it counts, the Elantra trumps the Cruze slightly on passenger volume (95.6 to 94.5 cubic feet). Add in a 14.8-cubic-foot trunk that’ll swallow three golf bags, and overall volume tiptoes over the 110-cu-ft EPA threshold to qualify as a midsize car. (Cruze is right near that same limit, while Civic and Corolla are down in the 103-106 range.) And while Hyundai claims best-in-class front legroom and seat travel, the swoopy roofline compromises the Hyundai’s rear head- and legroom, which trails that of the competition.

Power will come from a 1.8-liter Nu engine that produces 148 hp at 6500 rpm and 131 pound-feet of torque at 4700 rpm (figures drop to 145/130 in PZEV/California emissions states). Backed by a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions, all Elantras will achieve 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway fuel economy. The slippery-sleek skin helps achieve those results with a claimed best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.28.

2011 Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet

When Nissan first announced it would build a convertible version of its Murano crossover, heads were scratching all over the industry. Well at least Nissan can say it has created ‘the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible.’ Um, congratulations? Behold, the 2011 Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet.

Here’s a snippet from Nissan about its new creation:
The world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible, delivers the open-air exhilaration of a convertible while extending the versatility of the Murano in exciting new ways. With room for four adults, space for golf bags or luggage (even with the top down), and a premium level interior, the Murano CrossCabriolet represents a breakthrough in concept and design. Set to go on sale in early 2011.

2012 Mazda5

There’s a “changing of the guard” element to the facelifted 2012 Mazda5 — in U.S.-spec trim; the car made its global debut in March at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show — sharing the Los Angeles Auto Show spotlight with the Shinari Concept. The updated 5, you see, is likely the last Mazda to bear the “Nagare” design language while the Shinari is the example of the Japanese automakers “Kodo” language that should begin propagating throughout its lineup shortly

Aside from the new sheetmetal, the 2012 Mazda5 gets an updated interior similar to that of the Mazda3 compact and a new four-cylinder engine that provides slightly more horsepower. The 2.5-liter mill makes 157 horsepower in the Mazda5, a 4-horse improvement over the outgoing 2.3-liter unit. Like the old powerplant, it will be offered with a manual or automatic transmission, though we don’t yet know if either will be receiving an extra cog. Currently, both transmissions offered on the Mazda5 are five-speed units.

2011 Volkswagen Eos

Six years into its sales run, the Volkswagen Eos was starting to look slightly aged. VW has solved that problem for the 2011 model year by updating the convertible to mimic the rest of the automaker’s lineup.

The Eos may be one of VW’s worst selling models, but the German automaker isn’t giving up on the convertible. Six years into production, the 2011 Eos receives a facelift bringing it closer to the design DNA of its fellow VW stablemates. The Eos loses its flashy chrome grille and bumper in favor of a newly designed geometric three-bar grille. Its headlights now feature LED accents, giving it a more upscale appearance. In back, the taillights also feature LED illumination and are no longer rounded. The bumper has also been reworked to give the convertible an updated feel.

The Eos’ updates aren’t limited to design refinements, VW also took a close look at what it could do to improve the functionality of its hard-top convertible. A new convenience allows owners to operate the convertible top with the key fob. Switching from high to low beams is now performed automatically depending on the traffic situation. Newly optional “cool leather” seating surfaces are designed to reflect heat and improve comfort on hot days.

In global markets, the Eos is said to get a few other touches for 2011, including the full 208 horsepower of the newest version of the GTI’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, along with standard Hill Start Assist, Vienna heated leather seats, and 17-inch wheels. Unfortunately no mention of similar changes was offered in the automaker’s U.S. materials.

Important Car Tips for Women

You are driving alone down a country road when you get a flat tire. You have zero bars on your cell phone and not a soul in sight. What do you do? Wait for someone to come along and pray they are not a serial killer? Walk back a few miles hoping to pick up cell service? Hope that really was a house you saw a few minutes before your tire went flat? Knowing what to do in case of an auto emergency can mean the difference between getting back on the road quickly and not getting back on the road at all.

As recently as ten years ago auto shop was a regular fixture in high schools. However with the complexities of today’s newer, computerized engines and the decline of vocational education in the public schools, the idea that the average person, man or woman, can fix their own car becomes more and more remote. Despite this trend however of taking our car to the shop for everything from oil changes to installing new wiper blades, there are five important things every woman should know about their car. While you may never have a flat tire, having a working knowledge of your car and what do to when the check engine light comes on can save you both time and money in the event of an auto emergency.

1) Know how to change a tire-
Flat tires are the number one cause of auto emergencies. Whether a blowout at 70 mph on the freeway or a slow leak caused by a nail imbedded in the rubber, a flat tire will derail your trip faster than you can say, “what happened?” The key to changing your own tire is to have the proper equipment. Most importantly, keep your spare tire properly inflated and know where to find the jack and iron. In cars with trunks these tools are usually found there. Many models have a hidden compartment in the trunk or cargo area where the spare, the jack and the tire iron are neatly stored without taking up valuable cargo area.
You should always loosen the lug nuts on your tire before you raise the car with the jack. It will be easier to exert force on the nut while the car is planted firmly on the ground. Not sure which way to turn? Just remember the saying “lefty loosy, righty tighty.” Turn the nuts to the left to remove them and to the right to tighten them up. Here’s a tip: this rule applies to just about anything you are trying to loosen or tighten. In the event your car has a hub cap that hides the lug nuts, keep a flat head screw driver in your cargo area as well. Practice using the screw driver to remove the hub cap so that if you ever have to change your tire, you are not struggling to find the lug nuts.
Learn where to place the jack in order to properly lift the car. Your owner’s manual should have both a description of the process and an illustration. Putting the jack in the right place makes all the difference when you begin to lift. Follow the directions in your manual and you will be surprised at how easily you can raise the car to the right height.
After you have removed the damaged tire and put on your spare, tighten the lug nuts as much as you can with your hands and then give them a little turn with the tire iron. Follow a star pattern when tightening instead of going around the tire in a circle. This will help balance the tire and prevent one side from being over-tightened. After you have secured the tire, lower the car slowly to the ground. Once on the ground, use the tire iron to tighten the nuts as much as possible. Return your damaged tire, jack, iron and any other tools you used to their proper storage area and now you’re on your way.
If your spare tire is smaller than your other three tires and only intended to be used as an emergency spare, it is important that you follow the directions in your manual and only drive at moderate speeds until you have the full size tire repaired and placed back on your car. If you had trouble fully tightening your lug nuts, find the nearest service station or automobile repair shop and ask someone to check to make sure they are completely tightened.
2) Know how the read both the gauges on your dash and the owner’s manual in your glove box:
The second most common auto emergency is a warning light on your dash board. Examples of warning lights are the Check Engine light, Oil light, ABS brake light, or Airbag light. A sudden illumination of any of these lights can mean a serious problem is occurring and you should have your car checked as quickly as possible. However with the modern computers in vehicles today sometimes the lights come on without a serious underlying problem. Sometimes the lights come on due to a faulty switch in the dash or a circuit that isn’t properly functioning.
The most important thing to remember about warning lights is that they are your car’s way of talking to you and you have to be able to understand what it is saying. Read your owner’s manual. Review the section on troubleshooting. Familiarize yourself with what the different warning lights look like when they are illuminated. Know that when the ABS light comes on you might need to have your brake fluid checked. Know that when the Airbag light comes on you could be driving with the risk that your airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision. Have it checked by the proper technician as soon as possible.
By knowing what your dash gauges mean and how to interpret them using the owner’s manual you can catch problems before they become serious, saving yourself money and potential lost time in the process.
3) Know how to check the oil and radiator fluid:
Keeping your engine running smoothly is often as simple as making sure it has enough oil and radiator fluid. Automobile engines are made up of lots of little parts. These parts move interchangeably against each other thousands of times a minute and build up friction. Motor oil keeps those engine parts lubricated and functioning properly. Radiator fluid, or engine coolant as it may be called in your owner’s manual, does a similar job. Like any machine, an automobile engine gets warm through the constant moving of its many parts. Radiator fluid cools the engine down so that it doesn’t overheat, allowing it to keep working even on the hottest days. Find where the dip sticks are for both engine oil and

Common Sense Auto Care Tips for Women

If your father never told you, a shade tree mechanic might. There are a lot of simple, common sense things women should know about car care and driving that can save them problems on the road, or prevent some
from ever happening.  Of course, major breakdowns to occur.  But here are a few auto care tips for women that can help them avoid some car snafus.

Auto care if your car overheats…
Turn on the heater full blast.. This pulls heat off the engine. Then keep an eye on the gauge to see if it changes.
Of course, if the car overheats while the air conditioner is on, turn the A/C off immediately since it taxes the engine. Coasting can also help cool the engine if you can’t pull over right away.   Remember not to ever remove the radiator cap on a hot engine or you’ll risk explosive heat.  The cap maintains pressure so removing it when the car is hot is like opening a volcano.
If you’ll be sitting idle for more than 90 seconds, like at a train crossing or drive-thru, pop your automatic transmission into neutral. This takes some of the strain off the engine and lets it rest a bit.
Auto care for tires…
Practice pre-emptive auto care, by getting in the habit of glancing at your tires as you walk to your car.  Soon it’ll be second nature and you’ll know before leaving home if you have a potential auto care problem. Don’t wait to check a tire that looks low. Not only will you avoid flats, but your tires will last longer when properly inflated, and your car will get better gas mileage.
While you are driving, if the car seems to be pulling right or left, it could indicate a low tire that is on its way to a blow-out. Don’t ignore the warning signal. As soon as you safely can, pull off and take a look.  If it really is low, get to a service station as soon as possible or call for help (or change your t

2012 Buick Regal GS

It’s here. Buick enthusiasts have been brimming with anticipation for the return of an iconic performance moniker. We’ve seen plenty of the new Regal, but here’s our first official look at the high-performance-themed 2012 Buick Regal GS.

As expected, the car’s European roots and Opel handprint are unmistakable on the visual side. The Regal GS shares many styling similarities with the Insignia OPC, including the satin-metallic, vertical air intake ducts prominently forged to the front fascia. A unique front grille sits between the bi-xenon HID headlights, while trapezoidal exhaust outlets give the rear a more striking look. An integrated rear spoiler and rocker panel extensions build up the theme of aggression. But we’d be remiss to call the Buick an Opel clone, as this Regal comes solely with front-wheel drive and four cylinders beneath the hood.

The engine pressed into service was never a secret. Regal GS drivers will be treated to a version of GM’s direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec inline-four used in the Regal CXL Turbo, only with more power. Buick’s tuning team fitted a 3-inch-diameter exhaust system and encouraged the intercooled, twin-scroll turbocharger to compress even greater amounts of air for a more fiery combustion. The gain in performance numbers is obvious on paper: The CXL Turbo is rated at 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque; the GS version puts out 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet.

As Buick’s gift to the enthusiast, a six-speed manual comes standard and helps propel the Regal GS from 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds (the CXL Turbo we just tested takes 7.5 seconds to get there). Despite its estimated 3710-pound curb weight, fuel economy isn’t affected at 19 city/29 highway mpg, which is 1 mpg better in the city than the weaker CXL Turbo. The Regal GS will be offered with a six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control at a later date, and that transmission will be sufficient for 18 city/28 highway mpg.
With fuel efficiency numbers pleasing enough for the CAFE bean counters, let’s dive into the components. The target Regal customers (re: young) who are thrilled to row their own gears will no doubt also appreciate the lowered ride height, Brembo front four-pot brake calipers, real-time Computer Damping Control, and Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Although General Motors announced it was working on an updated mild-hybrid system for its midsize sedan models, the automaker had avoided answering which vehicle would first receive the new powertrain. The answer, it seems, is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse: GM revealed today its new eAssist system will become the entry-level powertrain offering next year.

The eAssist system will be paired with all 2012 LaCrosse models fitted with GM’s 2.4-liter I-4, which is mated with the company’s six-speed automatic transmission. Although a similar powertrain setup — sans the mild hybrid boost, of course — is already offered in the 2011 LaCrosse range, eAssist promises to further improve fuel economy. According to GM, the LaCrosse with eAssist returns an estimated EPA rating of 25/37 mpg (city/highway), up from the 19/30 mpg raiting attained by the current 2.4-liter/ six-speed pairing.

As previously reported, the eAssist system is an evolution of the belt-alternator-starter — or, as GM puts it, “light electrification” — system previously used on the likes of the Saturn Vue Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. GM has since upgraded the battery pack from nickel-metal-hydride to lithium-ion chemistry, while simultaneously upgrading the electric motor. The company claims the electric motor can provide a 15-horsepower boost during acceleration (bringing the system’s net output to 182 horsepower), and can recover 15 kW of electricity through regenerative braking. In contrast, the last-generation BAS system could only add 3 horsepower and recover 5 kW of energy.

Unlike full hybrids, the BAS system isn’t designed for full-fledged electric driving. Although the system is capable of EV propulsion at very low (i.e. single-digits) speeds, GM views the system as an assistant to the gasoline engine.
“The battery system is designed to provide power assistance to the internal combustion engine, rather than storing energy for all-electric propulsion,” Steve Poulos, global chief engineer of the eAssist system, said in a prepared release. “It’s really an extension of the conventional internal combustion engine, not a replacement for it.”
In order to maximize the potential fuel economy gains produced by eAssist, GM added a number of tweaks to the LaCrosse. MPG-conscious revisions include a revised, low-friction automatic transmission; underbody panels designed to smooth airflow underneath the car; low-rolling reistance tires; and electrically-controlled grille shutters that close at highway speeds to reduce drag.
GM expects 2012 LaCrosse models with eAssist to arrive at showrooms nationwide in the summer of 2011. Pricing has yet to be finalized, but GM estimates the base price of a CX eAssist model should be roughly $30,000 — about $3000 over an equivalent 2011 CX without the hybrid system.

2011 Nissan Quest

The 2011 Nissan Quest is a vehicle that apes the squared-off Nissan Forum concept car of 2008. The exterior is a marked departure from the rounded body of the last Quest, with a high beltline and what appears to be a pretty long wheelbase. Inside, Nissan moved the gauge cluster back where it belongs — leaving behind memories of the center-mounted controls of the last-gen Quest — and added Nissan/Infiniti’s familiar infotainment system.

We’re still waiting on information regarding powertrain options, but we know Nissan has a plentiful supply of engines to compete against the new 2011 Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.

Though our first glimpse of the Quest came at the New York Auto Show last spring, we haven’t received much in the way of updates until now. The Quest bowed out of the market for 2010, for a variety of reasons, but we’re interested to see how the new one will play against the new Sienna and Odyssey.

Safety tips for parking lots for women: Preventing car jacking, muggings, and assault

Parking lots are so common we may rarely think of them as “dangerous places”. But statistically, they are the second most common places for personal assault and theft. Much of what we do in parking lots is routine, so improving your safety is just a matter of forming some new safety habits.

Please note this is a growing list. I encourage you to leave a comment with your own parking lot safety tip, story, or advice.

Some of these tips are for deterring theft. It’s important to realize that auto-related theft is rarely random: the criminal is watching every car enter and leave the lot. Assume you are being watched from the moment you arrive.
Tip #1: Leave your purse at home (gasp!), or hidden in your car’s trunk. Your purse is the number one target, and it’s connect to you. Thieves can use knives to quickly cut the straps, cutting you in the process. Drive-by-snatchings are not uncommon: a car passenger with the window rolled down can drive beside you and simply grab your purse. If you can’t get it off your shoulder in time, “you’re coming with it and it could drag you up underneath the car. It has happened before.” warns Sgt Almond. If you need it, consider keeping your purse over the shoulder facing away from the road.
Tip #2: Your keys are a weapon. If you find yourself in a bad situation and fear for your safety, try this: take the biggest key on your key chain and hold it in your palm, letting the shaft of the key slip between your middle and ring fingers. Now close you fist tightly so they key protrudes firmly from your hand. This weapon can be used to jab or scratch at the throat, eyes, or ribs of an attacker. Practice doing this all within your pocket, or just without looking.

Tip #3: Don’t walk alone, especially at night. But what if you are alone? Wait for someone else to arrive in the lot, and walk into the building at the same time. The same is true when leaving: wait for someone who has made a purchase, and walk to your car at the same time.
Tip #4: Always lock your doors and keep your windows fully closed. Opening your windows just a crack (maybe to keep the heat down) is enough to make a break-in much easier and faster.
Tip #5: Never leave valuables—including piles of coins—visible in your car. An experienced auto thief can break into your car in as little as 3 seconds (even for new cars), making even a few bucks in change worth the effort.
Tip #6: GPS devices are a hot item. Don’t give any indication that there may be one in your car. This means wiping off suction cup marks from your windshield, and hiding it in your vehicle before driving into the parking lot.
Tip #7: Don’t hide valuables or put them in your trunk after you have parked. Remember, the criminal is watching and you’re not only showing them what you have, but where you’ve put it.
Tip #8: Look under and around your vehicle as you approach it. If someone is walking behind you or approaching you, change directions. Car jackers will confront you just as you open your door, and 92% of successful jackings involve a weapon. But jackings also happen just as you leave your car, so stay alert make sure there is nobody nearby before getting out.